Focus on Natural Treatment Options for Skin Conditions: Eczema

Eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or “itchy rash”. There are several skin diseases that fall under the umbrella of "eczema". A partial list of eczema type conditions includes:

• atopic dermatitis
• contact dermatitis
• dyshidrotic eczema
• nummular eczema
• seborrheic dermatitis

All types of eczema cause itching and redness and some will blister, weep, or peel. Low humidity, cold temperature, and use of harsh soaps or excessively hot water can all cause dryness and aggravate eczema. Certain foods can trigger or exacerbate eczema in people who have a genetic tendency for allergies. Cow's milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanut, nuts, fish and cashews are the most common foods that can provoke a flareup of an itchy eczema rash. The symptoms may occur within an hour of eating the offending food, and the rash may last for days. Milk, eggs and peanuts provoke flareups of eczema in babies as young as 4 months old. 

Eczema manifests on the skin as red, itchy rashes that become blistery, scaly, swollen, or scabby because irritation like that caused by scratching. Gentle soaps should be used for cleansing that will not over strip the skin or cause irritation. Avoid SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) and all related ingredients; artificial fragrances; wool; polyester; and harsh exfoliating scrubs such as those with crushed walnut or apricot as the rough, uneven texture of the grit may cause micro tears and introduce bacteria. In cases where the surface of the skin has been compromised or broken by scratching or contact with a rough surface, apply anti-bacterial and anti-fungal neem oil to the affected areas to encourage healing and prevent secondary infection.

Suggested treatment options for eczema that we stock here at Perelandra are: 

Vitamin E oil or lotion

Argan oil or lotions that contain argan oil 

Calendula cream (check out our Baby section!)

Dead Sea salt baths

Coconut oil (can be used alone or as a carrier & mixed w/ lavender, neroli, rose otto, Roman or German chamomile, or 

rosehip oil)

Aloe gel 

Emily Skin Soothers

 

Dado Sens Body Balm

Neem oil

The entire Seaweed Bath Co. line

Colloidal oatmeal bath 

In cases of extreme dryness, affected areas can be pre-treated with almond oil or grapeseed before bathing with warm (but not hot) water to avoid stripping away vital moisture.

Recipe: Vegan Raw Cocoa Macaroons

Sometimes you crave dessert or something sweet, but don’t want to totally blow it and eat food that isn’t nutritious. Snacking on dates or figs will sometimes hit the spot, but other times those cravings are only fulfilled by chocolate. That’s where these little Vegan Raw Cocoa Macaroons come in. Not only are they incredibly simple to make, but they are irresistibly delicious.

Note: for this recipe you will need a food processor and a lot of time. The preparation takes 10 minutes, but the cookies are essentially dehydrated, and therefore cook for many hours. 

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded coconut

1 cup almond flour

½ cup coconut oil

½ cup raw cocoa powder

½ cup real maple syrup

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

¼ cup water

1. Preheat oven to 150ºF.  (If you want to make these completely raw, use a dehydrator instead of the oven, as the oven is slightly warmer than a dehydrator.)

2. In a food processor, add all of the ingredients and pulse until well mixed and a ball is formed.

3. Place 1” round balls of mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Makes about 25.

4. Let cook at 150ºF for four hours, until cookies have mostly dried. (If using a dehydrator, leave in for about 6 hours.)

Enjoy these special little treats! You won’t be able to resist them!

Recipe: Quinoa Veggie Burger

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Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, a good veggie burger can hit the spot if done right. But there’s nothing worse than a dry, flavorless patty that is trying (and failing) to just be a meat substitute. This Quinoa Veggie Burger is nutritious – packed with protein-rich quinoa and lots of vegetables – and is bursting with flavor. You will not be disappointed! 

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked quinoa

1 cup breadcrumbs (about three toasted slices of bread, pulsed in food processor into crumbs)

½ lb cremini mushrooms

1 small yellow onion, chopped

3 eggs*

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

3 carrots, shredded

2 cups kale, chopped and de-stemmed

1 lemon, juiced

½ cup fresh dill, chopped

2 ½ teaspoons cumin

1 ½ teaspoons sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.

2. In a food processor, pulse three toasted slices of your favorite bread into crumbs. Place in large bowl.

3. Also in food processor, add the mushrooms and pulse into tiny pieces – almost a paste. Add to bowl with breadcrumbs.

4. Add chopped onion, shredded carrots, chopped kale, and dill. Turn with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until well mixed.

5. To the bowl, add liquids (eggs, olive oil, lemon juice), and seasonings (cumin and salt). Turn with spatula until well mixed. Mixture should be moist and stick together when formed into patties. 

6. Place formed patties onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Each patty should use about 1/3 cup of the mixture. Makes roughly a dozen.

7. Bake for 20 minutes. Both sheets can go in the oven at once.

8. After 20 minutes, flip each patty and replace baking sheets in oven on opposite rack as before. Bake another 8 minutes.

9. Let patties cool for a few minutes before making a burger. Unused patties can be frozen to keep.

*Note – to make vegan, substitute 3T flaxseeds blended with 12T water for the eggs.

Recipe: Toasted Spiced Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a staple of many cuisines, ranging from Spain to India, and everywhere in between. Probably most present in Middle Eastern foods, ground up and transformed into hummus, chickpeas also make a tasty snack on their own. This Mediterranean-inspired take on the versatile bean is not only easy and quick to make (from start to finish, it’ll only take 30 minutes!), but it’s a nutritious alternative to fried snack foods. Filled with B-vitamins and protein, this is an ideal snack for a vegetarian.

Ingredients:

2 15oz cans Chickpeas (also called Garbanzo Beans)

2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

2 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika

1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin

½ Teaspoon Cayenne (optional, for a spicier flavor)

1 Teaspoon Sea Salt

1 Tablespoon Thyme (fresh is preferred)

1 Lemon (for both zest and juice)

2 Garlic Cloves

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and place rack in the middle of the oven.

2. Rinse the chickpeas in a colander and let sit to dry for a few minutes. 

  

3. Pour dry chickpeas on an ungreased baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, shake pan (or turn chickpeas with a spatula) and place back in oven for another 8 minutes, until slightly crisp.

4. While in the oven, start preparing the seasoning. Place all dry ingredients (smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, sea salt, thyme, garlic cloves, and lemon zest) in a mortar and pestle. Crush the garlic and grind the mixture until it resembles a dry paste. 

5. Place paste in a large bowl, add juice of half the lemon and olive oil. Mix thoroughly.  

6. Once the chickpeas are ready, carefully add them to the bowl and turn them with a spatula to coat with the spice mixture.

7. Return the chickpeas to the baking sheet and roast in the oven for another 5 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm. Can be eaten on its own, in salads, or as a garnish in soups or other dishes.

This recipe was adapted from Heidi Swanson’s Roasted Chickpeas version in Super Natural Everyday.

The Value of Getting Gritty

Happy New Year! By now I'm hearing a lot of clients complain about dryness, flaking, and tired looking skin.  Exfoliating is vital to keeping your skin fresh and radiant all year round, and should only be skipped in the instances of raw/broken or burned skin, or if you have a skin condition such as rosacea that counter-indicates abrasion of any sort. If you have doubts speak to your dermatologist before introducing new products into your skincare regimen. 

Moisturizers and serums work best when they can be readily absorbed by the skin rather than sitting on the surface; by exfoliating, we remove the debris sitting on the surface in order to provide a fresh, absorbent surface that will receive the fullest benefits of our products. If you think of your body as a temple, consider your skin the walls--in a grand temple, would you paint a beautiful mural over a big patch of plaster on the wall without sanding it down first? 

Read on to learn about some of the great exfoliating products we carry here at Perelandra & don't forget to stop in for a personalized consultation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to help optimize your skin care routine!

Get glowing--
Eden

Skin type:
Congested pores; blackheads or milia present; rough or thickened skin
Try: Now Nature's Microdermabrasion

Why: Mechanical exfoliant with volcanic sand refines skin texture and helps reduce the appearance of discoloration, imperfections, scars and wrinkles. 
Follow with: Now Green Tea & Pomegranate Purifying Toner & Now Hylauronic Acid Moisturizer AM Fineline -note: this moisturizer is one of my favorite items in the entire store!


Skin type:
Dull or Breakout Prone
Try: Andalou Naturals Grapefruit +C Exfoliating Peel 

 
Why: Enzyme exfoliant/peel; Vitamin C and antioxidants encourage cellular turnover; pineapple + papaya enzymes provide alpha hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate & loosening dead cells and debris; grapefruit helps neutralize bacteria 
Follow with: Andalou Natural Probiotic +C Renewal Cream

 

Skin type:
All Types (except those prone to cystic acne & rosacea)
Try: Suki Exfoiate Foaming Cleanser

Why: Mechanical & enzyme exfoliant; natural sugar provides gentle alpha hydroxy acid, non GMO rice flour & citric acid from lemongrass unclog pores, remove dead skin, and resurface skin.
Follow with: Suki Concentrated Balancing Toner; Suki Balancing Day Lotion

 

Skin type:
All Types
Try: Alba Botanica Sea Algae Enzyme Scrub

 

Why: Mechanical exfoliant; Marine Complex, infused with sea enzymes, stimulates cell regeneration to produce a more uniform skin tone; small, fine beads gently slough away dead skin
Follow with: Alba Botanica Natural Even Advanced Sea Kelp Toner 

 

Skin type:
All Types
Try: John Masters Jojoba and Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser

 
Why: Mechanical exfoliant & gentle creamy cleanser; ginseng improves circulation, which can reduce fine lines and make the skin firmer. Jojoba beads gently exfoliate without scratching.
Follow with: John Masters Firming Eye Gel

 

Skin type:
Active or Oily 
Try: Andalou Lemon Sugar Facial Scrub

Why: Mechanical and enzyme exfoliant; polysaccharides prepare, soothe, oxygenate, and replenish, providing the optimal dermal delivery for active ingredients; lemon oil gently clarifies by loosening surface oil and impurities, neutralizes bacteria that can cause breakouts
Follow with: Andalou Natural Açai + White Tea Oil Free Moisturizer 

Recipe: Seaweed Salad

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Many people think that Japanese food is a cuisine that is too hard to cook at home – labor intensive, complicated, with fickle recipes that are necessary to follow word for word. While it’s true that you’ll need a few specific ingredients that you might not have laying around, they’re worth the investment, as most Japanese recipes call for some combination of these liquids.

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar

2 Tablespoons Mirin

2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil

2 ounces Sea Vegetables (hiziki or wakame)

1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger

2 green onions

1 cucumber

1 Teaspoon sesame seeds (black or white)

1. Soak the seaweed in 4 cups of warm water for 10 minutes.

2. You will know the seaweed is ready once it has expanded and is soft.

3. While it’s soaking, prepare the dressing by combining grated ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, and sesame oil in a medium bowl and whisk until mixed.

4. Cut the green onion in thin, short strips, the cucumber in thin half moons, and add to the bowl with dressing.

5. Drain the seaweed. Using your hands, squeeze out any excess water.

6. Add the drained seaweed to the bowl and stir until mixed. Top with sesame seeds.

This is a simple healthy salad that is a perfect complement to a larger meal that may include fish, sushi, rice, miso soup, or ramen.  Seaweed is known to offer a high concentration of B-vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, making it a highly nutritious food for vegetarians.

 

 Enjoy your meal!

Holiday Food Gift Guide

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Last week we saw Eden’s fantastic holiday gift picks for beauty-related products found at Perelandra. To complement that, we wanted to also share food-related gift ideas, too! With the increased prevalence of gift cards and online shopping, a little homemade gift can go a long way. Instead of braving the department stores and holiday shopping madness, consider setting aside an afternoon to whip up some homemade treats in your kitchen!

Most –if not all – of the ingredients for these thoughtful gifts can be found at Perelandra. The only other thing you’ll need is to pick up some containers or packaging to add the final touches on your personalized treats! 

Check out these food-related gift ideas:

Infused Salts:

From 101 Cookbooks, a recipe for citrus salt. There are many potential variations – herb salt, truffle salt, smoked salt. 

Granola:

We walked you through the steps to make your own granola earlier this year. Package it in a jar and voila! 

Irish Cream:

While you’ll have to get your liquor elsewhere, this recipe from Design Sponge is simple and will surely be well received.

Preserved Lemons:

If you’ve never cooked with preserved lemons, you’re missing out. Make these for your friends and include some North African recipes for inspiration. Don’t forget to make enough for yourself, too! Alice Waters’ recipe is the most straightforward and reliable. 

Spicy Cocktail Pecans:

These are a perfect host/hostess gift for any holiday party and so addicting! Try this recipe from Country Living.

Herbes de Provence:

Any cook, serious or not, would appreciate some herbs to spice up their cooking, especially if they were packaged with care from a friend. Try Emeril Lagasse’s recipe for the perfect combination of herbs.

Vegan Toffee:

Who doesn’t love toffee this time of year? Vegans should be able to enjoy it like everyone else, so why not try this recipe from Newly Vegan?

Whole Grain Mustard:

You’ll find mustard in every refrigerator, but it’s not often that you’ll find something this good. Try this cheap and delicious recipe from Macheesmo.

Marinated Goat Cheese:

Another perishable gift, but there will be no need to refrigerate it because it’ll undoubtedly be eaten upon delivery! Try this take on marinated goat cheese from the NY Times.

Herbal Teas:

We all know about the benefits of many herbal teas, so why not pick up some bulk herbs and create your own combinations? If you need some guidance, check out these 10 ideas from Wellness Mama.

Cocoa and Marshmallows:

There are few things that are more comforting during the holidays than relaxing with a warm drink. Impress your friends and family with homemade cocoa and marshmallows! Try these recipes from Smitten Kitchen and Whipped.

Infused Honey:

Probably one of the easiest idea on the list, this infused honey recipe from Country Living would be a great gift for any tea drinker.

Infused Vinegars:

If you haven’t yet realized that infusing something is as easy as combining something flavorful with something that will take on the flavor, the simplicity of it is underscored in this basic recipe infused vinegar from Design Sponge.

Hopefully these ideas will help you think beyond your regular train of thought when it comes to giving holiday gifts! You might even have a little bit of fun in the process, too.