Refrigerator Facials for Every Skin Type

Dr. Laszlo was quite a visionary in his time and was forever being featured in magazine and newspaper articles sharing beauty tips and advice. This article is from a local New York newspaper and in it Dr. Laszlo outlines simple remedies found in everyone's "icebox" (that's refrigerator for those of us born in the last century). Below, are the natural do-it-yourself tips separated by skin type:

For Normal Skin:
"Drink a glass of orange juice with the juice of half a lemon every morning when you get up. Grate two turnips, let 'em stand half an hour, add three tablespoons of melted butter, and apply the paste to your clean face. Leave it on a couple of minutes, then wash off. Before going to bed, dip dampened cotton into the juice of a lemon and wash your face."

For Dry Skin:
"Use milk. If your complexion is so dry you think it might hold some sort of record, melt three tablespoons of butter in one cup of warm milk, apply with cotton and leave on half an hour."

For Oily Skin:
"Cucumber juice is the standby for oily skin. Add a pinch of camphor ice to discourage blackheads. Extremely oily skin calls for the addition of a half teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda in with the cucumber juice."

Beating Those Winter Blues

Now that the parties, glad tidings and joy of the holiday season are finally over we have a long cold winter to look forward to. For a lot of us, the idea of cold short days and long frigid nights for the next few months can be very daunting and depressing. These "winter blues" are a form of depression that is called S.A.D. and it stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is a depression triggered by changes in the season and most often reveals itself during the cold winter. If you are one of the over 20 million people in the United States alone who suffers from the "winter blues" there are a number of easy and simple things to cheer you back up until the first flowers of spring pop up!

1) Exercise: Exercise isn't only for maintaining your health and weight, it is also a tremendous stress reliever. The effects of as little as 30 minutes of exercise can last for hours after you have hit the showers. You will have more energy throughout the day and your metabolism will stay elevated. Exercise also releases endorphins, the "feel good" chemicals that will help to improve your mood.

2) Eat Healthy: Your body needs fuel to get through the winter and what you eat and drink has a great effect on how you feel. Avoid processed foods (like white bread, sugar, white rice and fast food.) They are not only devoid of nutrients, but they also rob your body of energy which can effect your mood, making you feel sluggish and depressed. Try to incorporate more complex carbohydrates (whole wheat bread, brown rice, vegetables, fruit) and at least 8 cups of water into your diet. These foods provide your body and mind with nutrients and stabilize your mood and energy level.

3)Get Some Sun: Similar to exercise, sunlight releases neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood. Try to spend a little bit of time each day outside and keep the shades up inside to let the sunlight come into your home. You can also get special "full spectrum" light bulbs that mimic the sun's affect on your mind.

4) Act On Your Resolutions: A recent CDC study shows that women who practiced healthy behaviours (exercising, not smoking) had less depressed days than those who were less healthy. Although the study was done on women it is likely to have the same effects on men.

5) Avoid Binge Drinking: Staying in with a glass of wine or some other cocktail may seem like a good idea during the cold winter and many people turn to it when they are feeling down. But alcohol is a depressant and can make your mood worse in the end. Avoiding alcohol when you are sad is always a good idea. Moderate drinking is fine for most, but binge drinking (5 or more drinks in one sitting) is never a good idea. The effects the next day will leave you feeling sick, depressed and tired. No one is happy with a hangover.

6) Treat Yourself: Having something to look forward to can keep your spirits up! Winter may seem endless, but if you plan something exciting your mood will improve in anticipation of the actual event. Plan a short trip, a day at the spa or maybe a visit with friends.

7) Relax: We all lead very busy lives these days. Make sure you take some time out each day to do nothing. Curl up with a good book or maybe meditate with yoga. Yoga has been shown to alleviate stress and give you a calming energy that can help keep depression away.

8) Embrace The Season: Instead of avoiding the cold winter, take advantage of all the fun activities only available during the season. Go ice skating, skiing or maybe even sledding. Staying active will keep your energy level up and seeing winter in a positive light will keep your spirits high.

9) Get Social Support: Never underestimate the power of friends and family to brighten your day. Keep a mental list of those people you wouldn't be afraid to talk to when you need that extra pick me up. They care about you and something as simple as a email, phone call or quick visit can do wonders for your emotional well being.

10) Catch some Zzzz's: Proper sleeping habits are crucial for your body. Aim to get between 7 and 8 hours a sleep a night and try to maintain a consistent bed time and wake up time. Don't oversleep as it can actually make you feel more tired. Remember to take a quick nap (10-30 min) during the day to help re-energize yourself.


Winter like all of the other seasons is a unique and wonderful time of the year so enjoy it. Stay healthy, stay happy and stay positive!

A New Year's Resolution

2009 is quickly winding down and now is the time to sit down and think about our resolutions to make 2010 the best year it can be. On top of everyone's list of new year resolutions should be a happy more healthier you. One of the easiest and best ways to stay healthy this winter is to supplement your diet with foods rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, to strengthen your immune system and help ward off any pathogens. Besides its beneficial internal effects, Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant with brightening properties when applied topically. Vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of discoloration, creating a more even, youthful look.


To reap the benefits of Vitamin C try Erno Laszlo's C-Bright Essence. This lightweight day time lotion with brightening benefits features stabilized Vitamin C and Japanese knotweed concentrate. These potent ingredients diminish dark spots and combat free radicals for a more even tone and overall radiance.

As we get ready to sing Auld Lang Syne to the past year let Erno Laszlo help to transform form you into a healthier, happier you in 2010!

Easy, Breezy Pumpkin Pie

With Thanksgiving dinner less than 24 hours away, here is a yummy dessert recipe that’s both nutritious and as easy-as-pie! Not to mention that pumpkin is very good for your skin! Courtesy of Paula Dean and the Food Network.

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
• 1 piece pre-made pie dough
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color.

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.

Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Level: Easy

Servings: 6-8

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Healthy Thanksgiving Foods

While Thanksgiving may be a time for togetherness, reflection, and giving thanks for all the good in our lives, it is also a time for great food. When you sit down to feast this year, you can also be thankful for all of the healthy benefits that come from many traditional Thanksgiving ingredients.

Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene (a form of Vitamin A), antioxidants, and easily digestible sugars, which makes them beneficial to your eyes, lungs, and even skin. Sweet potatoes help skin stay clear, smooth, and young looking by shedding old skin cells and producing new ones.

Pumpkins are another orange ingredient that is abundant in beta carotene. Pumpkins help normalize skin functioning and provide support for your body’s immune system.

Cranberries are a great source of antioxidants and help protect skin from factors such as UV rays, pollution, and cigarette smoke. These environmental aggressors cause free radicals in the skin that increase signs of aging. Eating cranberries is a great way to prevent damage that causes aging.

Green beans are also a healthy option this Thanksgiving. Eat green beans to help lower cholesterol and promote a healthy heart.

So now you know, Thanksgiving dishes are filled with healthy ingredients – just another thing to be thankful for this holiday season!

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Tips For Staying Healthy During Cold Winter Months

Winter is upon us which means that our bodies are now more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections than before. Follow Erno Laszlo’s basic guidelines to stay healthy and germ-free. Remember; good health radiates beauty.

• Keep your immune system strong by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Many doctors suggest supplementing your diet with zinc and vitamin c, which are both essential to maintaining the health of your immune system.
• Drink plenty of fluids to flush out any toxins that may be in the body and be sure to get enough rest to ward off the possibility of a cold. If you are sick, try working from home to avoid contaminating your workplace.
• Wash your hands to avoid spreading germs to other parts of your face and body. If you are on the go, carry a small container of hand-sanitizer with you, as well as some hand cream to stay moisturized.

The cold winter months may also take a toll on our looks, so look for these signs to help your skin remain healthy and glowing:

• Dark under eye circles may become more pronounced during the winter, partly because skin is paler, and also because dryness causes under eye skin to thin, making blood vessels underneath more visible. Try Erno Laszlo’s Antioxidant Complex for Eyes to keep skin plump and to help fade the appearance of under eye darkness and wrinkles.
• Skin cell turnover is also slower in the winter, so combat dullness and flakiness by exfoliating; try the C-Peel, which is packed with antioxidants that refine skin’s texture and contribute to an overall radiant complexion. To add much-needed protection to dry winter skin, try pHormula 3.9 to plump skin and infuse it with hydration. This wonder cream increases oxygenation to give skin a healthy, rosy glow.
• Fake a healthy flush and sun kissed look even in the winter time with Laszlo’s Multi-phase Bronzer and Blusher. Tip: applying blush on the apples of the cheeks (below the orbital eye area) detracts attention from imperfections such as dark circles, and creates a fresher, wider-awake look.

So remember; stay healthy and beautiful by keeping your immune system strong and your skin glowing from the inside out.

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