The Diva'S Guide to an Acne-Free Life: One Girl'S Journey from Zitty to Pretty
184
The Diva'S Guide to an Acne-Free Life: One Girl'S Journey from Zitty to Pretty
184eBook
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781477207000 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 06/05/2012 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 184 |
| File size: | 273 KB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
The Diva's Guide to an Acne-Free Life
One Girl's Journey from Zitty to PrettyBy Dawn Amador
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2012 Dawn AmadorAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-0699-7
Chapter One
What is Acne?
I know one thing for sure: acne sucks. I hated my skin and face when I looked into the mirror; I saw cysts and discoloration all over. I detested the way acne made me feel about myself; it robbed me of my self-confidence.
I wanted to scrub my face off; hoping if I scrubbed hard enough, the acne would go away. I despised when these inflamed lesions depressed me, making me want to hide from the world. At times, I felt so awful I would walk into a room with my head down, or buried in a turtleneck to hide as much of my face as possible, because I felt so ugly.
There were times when I cried myself to sleep. I would pray whatever cream or potion I was currently using would convert my skin complexion into perfection by morning—my prayers for perfect skin never did manifest.
My tears turned into frustration and self-hatred. I despised my skin and figured I had to live my adult life with ugly lesions randomly popping up all over my face.
That is, until one day when I decided I did not care if I had to make nurturing clear skin a career. Whatever it took, one day I would be rid of the ugly lesions, which scarred and disfigured my face.
What exactly is acne? It is a disease onset by dead skin cells combining with oil, resulting in a blockage of the pore or sebaceous gland. When the sebaceous gland is filled with blackheads, inflamed papules, pustules, inflamed nodules, and cysts, we experience acne. The causes of acne can be numerous. That is, acne can be caused by hormone imbalances, diet, stress, and other lifestyle choices.
When acne is present, sebum production, as well as bacterial colonization, is abnormal. It should be noted; everyone has propionibacterium acnes (p. acne) bacteria, which lives in the sebaceous glands.
P. Acne bacteria become a problem when the normal process of cellular turnover is compromised when the dead skin cells do not shed from the follicle. These cells trap oil in the follicle and the p. acne bacteria feed off the oil and excrete the by-product of inflammatory, toxic, and corrosive fatty acids.
In turn, abnormal colonization of bacteria causes an inflammatory response by the chemical breakdown of oils and fats within our clogged sebaceous gland. When blackheads (bacteria and debris) within our pores become inflamed, the walls within the pore rupture and release cellular and lipid (oil) material into the dermis.
This process causes an inflammatory response and cysts are born. Those lovely white-yellowish inflamed acnes are the aftermath of the war our immune system waged to combat inflammation within the pore.
Chapter Two
Diet and AcneLet food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food. —Hippocrates
In my twenties I was plagued with a horrible skin disease—acne. I was so perplexed with why my skin suddenly turned on me. I literally had flawless skin up to that point. Ever since the day I brought home my first skin care products, I had been diligent about taking care of my face.
I was eating healthier than I ever had because as a child, I ate boxed food from food banks, old cuts of meat, and endless fast food meals. So, why, when I was living in Northern California—the mecca of organic food and farmers markets—was my skin breaking out in cystic acne?
All I knew for certain: my self-esteem was dropping by the second. I was making matters worse by applying endless layers of foundation to my face in an attempt to cover my acne.
I was experimenting with different types of diets by trying a high protein diet followed by a vegan diet, followed by some hybrid vegetarian diet. Naturally, I began to think all my experimentation with food may have been the culprit.
I decided to stick to a quasi-vegan diet for a while to see if it would help. It did not. In fact, my acne became worse. On top of that, I was starting to get scars and discoloration was developing all over my face.
I felt helpless and depressed then upon reading The Clear Skin Prescription, by Dr. Perricone, I started to look at acne in a whole new light. At length, Dr. Perricone discusses how acne is an inflammatory disease, and anyone suffering from it should avoid foods that cause inflammation in the system.
Why does food cause inflammation? Well, if a person has an allergic reaction to something ingested, his or her body has an inflammatory response in order to protect it. In turn, the immune system mistakes the body's normal healthy tissue as an invader and attacks it.
If a person continues to eat foods that cause this response, then he or she is putting his or her body in a state of chronic inflammation. After some time, this can cause a host of problems that impact quality of life.
Foods featured on the evil list to cause inflammation are pretty much those, which make eating, fun and exciting. Seriously, think of any carbohydrate, and then imagine never eating it again, or at least only on rare occasions.
Yes, most carbohydrates cause blood sugar to spike, which, in turn, causes inflammation in the system. I discovered, dairy is evil, too.
Desperately wanting clear and healthy skin, I tried the Perricone Diet, which consists of eating a lot of oatmeal, blueberries, and salmon. Trust me, I did not develop a natural pallet for fish; remember, I grew up on boxed food and red meat.
I tried to follow this diet on and off again for months; it was excruciating. I am not a big breakfast eater either, so having to down bowls of oatmeal every morning was not my cup of tea.
Also, I do not care much for salmon. However, I try to like it; convincing myself it is amazing for me. Well, as long as it is drowned in butter. Remember, however, dairy is on the evil list for acne sufferers.
So, with all the well-intentions in the world, I knew I could not maintain this diet long-term if I wanted to remain sane.
Chapter Three
The Alkaline Principle
There was not much improvement in my skin condition, so I stopped torturing myself by eating endless bowls of oatmeal and plates of salmon. Next, I learned about Bragg® Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and started diligently drinking the following ACV cocktail, which consisted of:
• 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• A small amount of warm water
Drink this mixture three times a day to detoxify the body; subsequently, improving skin health. Today, I only take ACV once a day, adding one teaspoon of cayenne pepper. The value in ACV: it is alkaline in nature.
What does it mean for something to be alkaline? An integral component of the body and the optimal functioning of body tissue is for it to have a proper balance of alkaline and acidity. Remember the pH scale from science class? In chemistry, the pH stands for potential hydrogen. On the pH scale: 0.0 = completely acidic, 7.0 = completely neutral, and 14.0 = completely alkaline.
Studies show proper blood pH should be in the pH 7.3 range. However, as a result of our modern diet of processed foods and sugary drinks, most of our food consumption is on the acidic range of the scale.
The modern diet is laden with foods that leave an acidic residue in the bloodstream, rather than an alkaline. The trouble occurs when our bodies go into acid overload and start leaching minerals out of our tissues in order to maintain a proper pH level.
Why is it a problem? When the body does not have the proper balance of minerals, the body's detoxification pathways can be hindered by this imbalance. When our capability to detoxify becomes impeded, toxic sludge starts building up in our system, leading the way to disease and inflammation. This can result in acne, obesity, and a plethora of other inflammatory diseases.
So, how do we avoid the over acidification of our bodies? For starters, Bragg® ACV is high in trace minerals, especially potassium. It can aid in bringing the body back into a more alkaline state. Eating mineral rich foods can also aid in bringing the body back into balance.
The following is a list of alkaline and acidic foods that can balance the body and reduce inflammation:
Ever since I learned about the impact of acidic and alkaline foods on the body, I have diligently tried to consume as many foods on the alkaline chart as possible. I find when I focus on an alkaline diet I feel better and have more energy.
Was my skin becoming acne-free? Well, I wish I could say this was the case, but it took a few additional years of diet and nutritional research to get my acne condition under control.
Chapter Four
The Dark Side of Gluten
There I was trying to eat as healthy as possible, yet my skin continued breaking out. I will admit my acne was much better than it had been in previous years, but I did not have flawless skin all girls dream about.
Then one day I was chatting with a woman at a conference I attended in Las Vegas. She asked me if I had gluten in my diet. Gluten? I had no idea what gluten was at the time. So, when I got back home, I researched gluten and its connection to acne.
Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. People, who cannot tolerate gluten, have an autoimmune response in the small intestine, which may cause inflammation in the intestinal track.
The medical term for gluten intolerance is celiac disease. Celiac disease may cause a host of health problems such as digestive problems, depression, acne, and gallstones to name a few. The only way to reverse the effects of gluten is to eliminate it from one's diet.
My initial response: everything I love contains gluten. At first, when I decided to go gluten-free, I thought: What am I going to eat?
I was used to supplementing my diet with protein bars and cereal when I was insanely busy with life, work, and motherhood. So, how was I going to make it through hectic days while maintaining a gluten-free diet?
Well, I had to get creative and come up with quick, easy ways to incorporate gluten-free foods with minimal prep time into my diet. I began baking batches of roughly ten chicken breasts and yams, throwing them into individual containers to quickly grab in the mornings as I whisked myself and my two sons off into the world. I also made a various smoothies and always made certain to carry handfuls of nuts with me.
About a month into my gluten-free diet, amazing things started to happen. My tendency was to wake up each morning in a fog, downing several cups of black tea in order to function. Well, the fogginess started to lift. I also experienced more energy throughout the day, even though my sleep habits had not changed much. My afternoon slumps, when I had to head to the local coffee shop, also dissipated. Additionally, the mid-day headache I chronically experienced vanished. Life seemed a little less jet-lagged.
In general, I felt happier and more optimistic in my daily life. My skin also started to improve. The deep cysts, which formed around my jaw line during my menstrual cycle, disappeared.
My skin developed a deep glow it had never emitted before. Even when I was a teenager, I did not have the healthy glow I lusted after. I always felt it was some sort of a tradeoff—to have either dehydrated, flat skin, or clear, oily skin.
I strived for the former, but longed for a clear, dewy look. Who wants to duck underneath a desk throughout the day to blot excessive oil from her skin? This routine is not so hot when one is crushing on the cute guy in the next cubical, right?
My life and skin were dramatically improving because of a gluten-free diet. The diet was not as bad as I had anticipated; within a few weeks, my cravings for bread and baked goods completely disappeared. I craved less sugar and my glycemic level stabilized, relieving me of that feeling of energy and joy after eating starchy and sweet foods only to crash a few hours later.
In general, life was on the upswing and amazing things started to transpire. People were actually stopping me on the street to tell me how amazing my skin looked. Initially, I had to confirm they were referring to me, then as I walked, thought: Yeah, me!
I was finally becoming the girl with the amazing skin. It transformed my life and self-esteem.
Chapter Five
Why is Dairy So Evil?
Dairy is one of the main culprits to trigger inflammation in the system. Again, this is caused by the body's immune response to dairy, causing it to produce inflammation to protect itself.
Also, dairy products are very acidic and difficult to digest; therefore, the human body becomes overzealous as it attempts to negate the effects of dairy products. An easy way to find out if dairy causes acne or other symptoms is to eliminate it for a few weeks to see if acne or other symptoms disappear.
Now, I know when I consume most dairy products, I must up the ante on my skin care routine to attack unwanted invaders. If I fail to do so, I usually experience a few unwanted visitors lurking on my cheek area.
Another big offender is sugar—consuming it causes a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes an insulin response, which then causes an inflammatory response. If we continually eat foods, which cause spikes in blood sugar, our bodies have constant inflammation at a cellular level.
Constant inflammation in the body taxes the immune system. It can lead to inflammatory diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and acne. Even though acne is not a disease known to cause death if untreated, it can contribute to the death to one's self-esteem and social life.
Therefore, eliminating foods that cause insulin spikes is imperative to controlling acne, as well as protecting ourselves from an onslaught of other inflammatory diseases. We can not only control our insulin levels by eating foods packed with amazing antioxidants, but also control and possibly negate the inflammatory response in our bodies.
What foods help battle against inflammation in the system? Well, pretty much everything on the aforementioned alkaline list. That is, most non-processed fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.
How do we get started on this meal plan to unleash beautiful skin and our inner diva? First, we need to clean out our cupboards and refrigerators of anything, which may block us from reaching diva status.
Before we go shopping, we need to get the largest trash bag available and rid our kitchen and lives of what is keeping us from being our most healthy beautiful selves. This purging includes all boxed, processed, and dairy-laden foods. Now, let's go shopping.
Chapter Six
Simple, Mind-Blowing, Anti-Inflammatory Meals
I strive to have 50 percent of my diet consist of raw foods, so we will consider some amazing smoothie recipes. This first smoothie is hands-down my favorite. When I am traveling and do not drink it for a few days, my body goes into withdrawals.
By the way, I do not measure portions. Simply throw a little of this and that, but for the sake of those who love measuring cups, I have listed quantities:
The Most Amazing Smoothie Ever
• 1 banana
• 1 apple
• 1 pear
• &fra12; lemon juice
• 2 cups of frozen mixed berries (Costco's organic antioxidant mix)
• &fra12; cup acai juice
• &fra12; cup pomegranate juice
• &fra12; cup of aloe vera juice
• 3 stalks of celery
• &fra14; cup parsley
• &fra12; cucumber
• 2 cups of kale
• 3 cups of spinach
• 3 cups of mixed greens
• &fra12; raw beets
• 1 tbsp. of maca root
• &fra12; cup of raw vanilla flavored hemp powder
First, pour all the juices into a high quality blender and then add the mixed greens, spinach, and frozen fruit. Next, add everything else to super charge your immune system with an amazing cocktail of antioxidant super powers!
Please note, a high quality blender is really necessary; there are several out there on the market; do some research. They are fairly expensive, but deals can be found; they are totally worth the investment.
This recipe makes about seventy-two ounces of the most amazing smoothie ever. This is one day's worth of smoothies, which can be conveniently stored in spill-proof blender bottles to carry around throughout the day.
This next smoothie I love to drink pre—and post-workout is:
Almond Coconut Delight
• ¼ cup of almond butter
• 2 tbs. of virgin coconut oil
• 2 bananas
• 1 cup chocolate hemp powder
• 1 tbsp. of cinnamon
• 12 oz. of coconut milk
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Diva's Guide to an Acne-Free Life by Dawn Amador Copyright © 2012 by Dawn Amador. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction....................xiChapter 1: What is Acne?....................1
Chapter 2: Diet and Acne....................4
Chapter 3: The Alkaline Principle....................8
Chapter 4: The Dark Side of Gluten....................17
Chapter 5: Why is Dairy so Evil?....................21
Chapter 6: Simple, Mind-Blowing, Anti-Inflammatory Meals....................24
Chapter 7: Super Foods for the Thriving Diva....................33
Chapter 8: What About Travel?....................44
Chapter 9: Supplements, Supplements, Supplements....................48
Chapter 10: Colonics ... Skin Brushing ... Exercise ... Oh, My!....................61
Chapter 11: Extra Detox Ideas for the Eccentric-Minded....................70
Chapter 12: The First Commandment—Love Thy Aesthetician!....................76
Chapter 13: My Must-Have I Cannot Live Without Technology....................95
Chapter 14: The Spiritual Diva....................103
Chapter 15: Finding My True Pathway....................110
About the Author....................125