Mimi R! Congrats and a very Merry Christmas to her Thanks to all those who entered and helped spread the good SOPHYTO Organics word to your nearest and dearest. (Just occasionally) we have some useful flashes of info to share, so it’s very gratifying to know you want to hear them!

If you weren’t lucky enough to win this time (ie. your name isn’t Mimi!) fret not because we will be up and running with more exciting organic skin care offers in the new year, so watch this space….

Because if you do, your beliefs could be entitled to the same legal protection as those of a religious nature thanks to a landmark case this week.

Tim Nicholson, the former head of sustainability at Grainger PLC (pictured right), the UK’s largest residential landlord, took his former employer to court on the grounds that he was dismissed for his environmental views.

The Judge, Michael Burton (the judge who ruled in 2007 that Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth was “broadly accurate” but lacked balance) said today that “a belief in man-made climate change … is capable, if genuinely held, of being a philosophical belief for the purpose of the 2003 Religion and Belief Regulations” IF, like other philosophical beliefs it passed 5 tests including: “It must be a belief and not an opinion or view based on the present state of information available.”

Nicholson, while obviously delighted with the ruling, however insists that his views differ from religious sentiment and ARE weighted in what he believes are facts ‘based on the present state of information available’. He says: “The moral and ethical values are similar to those that are promoted and adopted by many of the world’s religions. But one of the key differences I think is that mine is not a faith-based or spiritual-based belief: it is grounded in the overwhelming scientific evidence and it’s the combination of that scientific evidence with the moral and ethical imperative to do something about it that is distinct from a religion.”

Nevertheless, certain green activists still fear that equating their views with religion will only fuel the debate that man’s influence on global warming is unfounded and therefore acting to curb it is a waste of time.

The judge has yet to rule on whether Nicholson was actually dismissed for his green ‘beliefs’ and not, as Grainger claims, because of financial issues, but those involved in employment law think this case will have a huge influence on other beliefs, such as feminism, vegetarianism, humanism etc.

Click here for more on this.

SOPHYTO Organics believes that man definitely has a responsibility to care for the environment as best we can, and as such, conducts all of its actions in accordance with a set of principles as sustainable as currently possible. For more info on our green principles, visit the SOPHYTO Organics website.

Or Autumn, if you will ;). As the nights draw in, it’s time to up the ante with your organic skin care regime, to restore your skin to its pre-summer glory before the harsh climes of Winter set in. But before you do, let SOPHYTO’s bioesthetician Ishtar Magally guide you through the process of caring for your skin’s changing needs.

Things to do with your skin

• Moisturize while you cleanse. It is advisable to switch to a creamier, gentle, non-clogging cleanser that will add extra moisture and protect your skin from environmental aggressions.

• Steer clear of heavy metals. Chlorine, fluorine, etc disturb the skin’s acid mantle leading to imbalances.

• Use mildly acidic, hydrating toners. They will finalize the cleansing process and balance the skin’s pH.

• Do exfoliate, but be gentle. Summer damage can result in cellular build-up on the skin’s surface. To effectively remove dead skin cells and leave the skin smooth, exfoliate regularly using mildly acidic, natural formulations. pH-balanced exfoliants support the skin’s natural functions and better enable it to absorb nutrients without causing irritation, by aggravating any damage from the summer sun.

• Tailor your routine. In order to repair your summer skin and prepare it for winter inclemencies, you will need to step up the moisturising. Your skin needs richer, more emollient creams (especially at night) that keep the skin elastic and lubricious.

• Shield your skin. Although sun radiation is less intense, you should continue protecting your skin against damaging UV rays. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and remember to re-apply it every 2 hours.

• Fix summer damage with a weekly treatment. Seasonal fresh fruits, when applied topically, can slough off dull, hyper-pigmented, actinic (photo-aged) skin as well as stimulate cellular renewal.

Things to do with your body

• Superhydrate. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day will keep your skin moisturised and help to eliminate toxins efficiently. Have an extra glass of water for every glass of alcohol/cup of coffee you take to prevent possible dehydration. Try to get as much water as possible from fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Eat your cosmeceuticals. Foods rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants such as polyphenols, Vitamins A, C and E can help reverse summer damage, prepare the skin for the challenges it will face during Winter and boost its immune system while preserving its quality and restoring its natural glow. Eat foods that are in season as much as possible.

• Skin-boosting foods for fall include: avocados, apples, bananas, beets, carrots, chestnuts, clementines, cranberries, garlic, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, kumquat, oranges, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkin, quinces, satsuma, sweet potatoes, tangerines, mandarins, oranges.

To find out which SOPHYTO Organics skin care products are best suited for your skin, take a look at SOPHYTO Organics and get a personal consultation.

Since we posted SOPHYTO Organics‘ bioesthetician Ishtar Magally’s helpful hints for boosting the body’s ability to protect itself against sun damage, we have been receiving enquiries about one of her recommended dietary additions - Chia seeds. So, I asked her to explain their benefits a little further and this is what she said:

What are Chia seeds?

Chia seeds are widely considered a superfood, although not too much has been written about them to date. They provide a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids (even better than flax seeds, according to certain circles), and contain high concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid, calcium, antioxidants, fibre and various minerals.

The seeds have a very mild, nutty taste and unlike flax seeds, they can be eaten whole without too much difficulty for people with a fairly robust digestive system, otherwise they should be eaten ground. Like Flax seeds, Chia seeds contain mucilage which is a gummy substance obtained from certain plants that acts as an adhesive. This is what gives them the sticky consistency when they are added to liquids, as they increase their volume, which helps improve digestion, making you feel fuller for longer.

In terms of consumption, Chia seeds are pretty versatile. You can add them to cereals, salads, soups, smoothies, rice… all sorts. (If you are trying to food combine, you should avoid mixing them with other fats - ie. oils, avocado etc - or animal proteins, but other nuts and seeds should be ok. Or you could add them to starches or greens, or acid fruit smoothies). A helping of 1-2tbs is a good sized serving.

Look for organic, or chemical-free seeds if possible.

You can find Chia seeds at most health food stores, including a number of websites:

www.sunfood.com

www.sunorganicfarm.com

www.therawfoodworld.com

For more general info about Chia seeds and their uses, check out www.thechiaseed.com. Apparently, Oprah’s doc of choice Dr Oz is even a fan

While several generations in any one family may all suffer from the same illnesses and conditions, the  assumption that future generations will automatically suffer similarly is a misnoma, according to recent research.

It is (unfortunately) true that certain ‘fixed’ genes cannot be re-written, such as eye colour, hair colour and leg length. But the vast majority of genes are not fixed and can therefore be switched on or off according to how you live your lives. That is to say, even if your family history reveals a high incidence of diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer, you have the power to overcome that ‘destiny’ by making healthy choices, in terms of your environment, lifestyle, and - most importantly - your diet.

Gosia Desmond, Research Director in Nutrition at London’s College of Naturopathic Medicine has been speaking to Ireland’s RTE Radio 1 station on this very topic. She says: “The idea that you can blame a weight problem or lifestyle-related health problem on your genes is nonsense. The human genome changes only one half of one percent every million years, whereas the epidemics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes are very recent.”

SOPHYTO Organics’ revered friend and mentor Dr Frank Lipman has also written at length on the matter. What we eat, he says, is so very important, not just because of the nutrients in food, but because of the way food ‘communicates with our genes - a new area of research, known as Nutrigenomics.

Frank says: “[This] is telling us that food is information, that it contains “instructions” which are communicated directly to our genes. Armed with this information, your genes commandeer various metabolic actions and affect millions of critical biological processes, including cholesterol levels, aging, hormone regulation, weight gain and loss, and much more. Eat the right foods and they will send instructions to your genes for good health. Eating the wrong foods however, sends messages for disease.”

So, to stop our propensity for disease, says Frank, it’s time to ‘change the conversation’:

1. Eat real food ie fresh, whole, unrefined and unprocessed food…vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, grass fed meats, wild fish, organic chicken and eggs etc.
2. try eat as close to nature as possible because the further removed food is from its source the less good data it will contain,
3. Select fruits and vegetables in a wide variety of colors. For a list of fruits and vegetables with the most and least pesticides, check out www.foodnews.org.
4. Buy fresh foods whenever you can, preferably organic and locally grown if possible. Fresh foods are better than frozen foods, which are better than canned foods.
5. Stop eating when you are 80% full.
6. Be skeptical of foods that come individually labeled with a health claim. Most healthy foods don’t need a health claim. Have you ever seen a health claim on a bunch of broccoli or on a box of blueberries?
7. Be wary of foods you’ve seen advertised as the vast majority of these are processed foods.
8. Be careful of obsessive calorie counting. Figuring your diet simply in terms of calories or even percentages of protein, fat and carbohydrate, can inadvertently deprive your body of the “complete” messages that real, whole foods provide .
9. Enjoy your food, preferably in the company of people you love.
10. Don’t waste your time feeling guilty if you ate the “wrong” thing.

For more info, check out the following:

ww.drfranklipman.com

www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_patkenny.xml

In short, don’t let a history of illness get in your way. Fight back (with good food) and live the life you want.

Since SOPHYTO Organics bioesthetician Ishtar Magally’s last post about Wakame, we’ve had a few enquiries about where to buy it and want to do with it so I thought I’d add a few words…

First of all, you can buy both the dried sea vegetable (whole) and the powdered version from Pacific Botanicals. The company ships product all over the world. If you are in the US, you can also buy powdered Wakame from Healthy Traders.

As for what to do with it, if you are going for the dried veg version, you can hydrate it and put it in soups or salads or stews and all sorts. The Japanese tend to whack it into all kinds of Miso soups and broths. Seaweed salads are also really tasty. I found the following recipes on Black Moon which sound great:

For Miso soup, “Simply soak a teaspoon of the dried seaweed in water and after it swells up (20 minutes), squeeze out the excess water, chop into bite sized pieces and place into small bowls. Ladle the miso soup over the seaweed and serve.

The following recipe is for one of the most delicious salads that I know of, in any cuisine! It’s made from wakame seaweed and kyuri (Japanese cucumbers).

In a serving bowl, combine the chopped wakame with the cucumber slices and mix well. Pour the chilled dressing over the vegetables and toss. Serve in small bowls topped with some white sesame seeds.”

I love wakame salad with sushi and I have also had it with ordinary cucumber which is delicious too so don’t worry if you can’t get hold of the Kyuri mentioned above.

Kate Heyhoe, author of Cooking Green, has also published her own version of wakame salad, which includes red pepper flakes…

Hope that helps… happy wakame cooking and if you discover any other great recipes, do let us know

Not only has SOPHYTO Organics founder Karen Sinclair Drake been involved in planning the forthcoming Green Beauty conference (while quietly plotting to take over the world on the side :)) but she is also giving the opening address and overview at the illustrious event.

The Green Beauty conference - Buyer’s Guide to Cosmetic Standards and Ingredients - is taking place on September 14 in Times Square, NY, and will feature presentations by Yes To Carrots CEO Ido Leffler, The Soil Association, Estee Lauder, Walmart, Green Spa New York & Wellness Center founder Sheila Brody and esteemed physicians David Perlmutter (Perlmutter Health Center) and Scott Hernberg (Tomorrow’s Wellness Center & Medical Spa) - 2 great friends of SOPHYTO.

The event has been designed to highlight the benefit and logistics of green beauty practices to purchasing representatives from retail, spas, home shopping, dermatologists and skin care professionals, including: quality control and legal departments, PR, marketing personnel and beauty writers.

There are still places available, so if you are in any of these fields and think the conference may be of interest, email: brian.santos@pira-international.com.

And, of course, we will be sure to give you the highlights on here as well…

Karen is also due to present info about the new COSMOS standard the very next day at the HBA Beauty Expo - the place to discover the latest trends and NPD. So, if that sounds of interest to you, be sure to sign yourself up sharpish.

We know SOPHYTO organic skin care works every time, but we still want y’all to have absolute faith in its clinical ability to improve your skin, so we are collecting a group of esteemed doctors who have seen the SOPHYTO light and go as far as to recommend it to their patients.

We’ve already introduced you to the wonderful Dr Frank Lipman - the father of SPENT among other things - and neurologist and nutritionist Dr David Perlmutter has also been a friend of SOPHYTO for ages. But now we’ve added a new doc to our stable - the revered Scott Hernberg.

Founder of New Jersey’s eminent Tomorrow’s Wellness Center, Scott is a veritable jack of all medical trades, but one of his key fields of interest is the non-surgical enhancement of the skin - which includes, diminishing wrinkles, softening sun spots, melasma and acne scaring, improving skin tone, and tightening lax, sagging skin. He is also keenly concerned with optimising natural health practices. As such, SOPHYTO Organics skin care is right up his street…

Scott says: “As a physician founder of a holistic oriented Wellness Center with a strong focus on aesthetic medicine I am very pleased to offer my patients professional grade, certified organic skincare products from Sophyto. My patients use these effective skincare solutions for acne, anti-aging, fine lines, and wrinkles. The products are reasonably priced, and environmentally friendly. Nothing in the marketplace competes with the patient’s satisfaction from using Sophyto. The company is fantastic to work with and provide excellent customer service.”

For more info about Dr Hernberg and are other medic friends, check out our endorsement page.

We seem to be on a bit of a roll here… (touching wood as she types…) SPA Magazine has also recognised SOPHYTO’s green credentials, by singling us out to illustrate No.4 on it’s ‘Good List‘: Nourish yourself with eco-friendly products.

It says: “SOPHYTO ORGANICS Makes fair trade, certified organic, and vegan products in a pharmaceutical-grade lab in England.”

All true.

Check out the June issue of SPA for the full story or click here to see our bit in full.

Pssst, a little birdie just told us we’re going to get a mention in the next issue of BOHO Magazine, due out later this week. If you see it before we do, be sure to let us know how it looks, won’t you…

Or, maybe it’s just one naked bike-riding organic farmer in particular. Anyway, we had a delighted little chuckle to ourselves when we caught sight of the latest post on truthinaging.com. Apparently, one of our devoted fans was so concerned about her tattooed naked bike-riding cousin’s exposed skin that she gave him a tube of Mega Omegas Day Face Moisturizing Cream… and lo and behold, it had wondrous results!

So, here is the post in its entirety. Well apart from the picture of the naked bike riders, of course… for that you’ll have to go elsewhere… But, we hope you like our more modestly suggestive pic instead.

Posted by ‘C’

“My 31-year-old cousin rob is a tatted-up organic farmer living in Asheville, North Carolina — home to the World Naked Bike Riders, as you can see to the left — and I see him about, oh, twice a year: for Christmas and the family beach vacation at Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

“At our most recent reunion, I bestowed upon him a tube of SOPHYTO’s Mega Omegas Day Face Moisturizing Cream ($45), a small token from my “bourgeois bohemian” life in New York City that I wasn’t quite sure he would actually end up using.

To my surprise, I received this e-mail from him just the other day:

hey c.

i had to mispell the subject cuz i couldnt bear the thought of actually titling a msg abt lotion. but alas here i am raving about the face cream you gave me. i thought since you were enjoying the gift I gave you, that i might try, also to enjoy your gift. It didnt make me break out and swear to god, today one of my friends told me my skin looked really good. so thanks for metrosexualizing my farming ass.

take care.

rob

SOPHYTO Organics… Even works on tattooed naked bike-riding organic farmers. Potential new tag-line? I think so…