World Pistachio Day: Snack Your Way to Good Heath & Great Skin

Archaeologists estimate that humans have enjoyed Pistachios for over 9000 years. Legend beholds that King Nebuchadnezzar cultivated Pistachio trees in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for his wife Amytis in 700 BC. It is also well known that the Queen of Sheba loved pistachios so much that she declared the pistachio a royal food, barring the growth of the fruit for regular consumption during her reign.  Despite the pistachios long and sorted past, they are relatively new to North America, with the first domestic growth occurring just after 1970 in California. 

This little green fruit packs a healthful punch helping to reduce cholesterol levels, fighting disease like cancer, are an antioxidant powerhouse improving cellular strength, have moisturizing effect, and contain healthy fats reducing the risk of heart disease.  Not to mention this tasty little snack is good for your complexion!

Pistachios are rich in vitamin E, which helps defend the body against premature aging and skin cancers. This guilt free snack has natural omega fatty acids and plant nut oils that will keep you waist line in check while adding a beautiful glow to your complexion.

We hope you will enjoy this easy and fun recipe provided by the American Pistachio Growers to take advantage of the variety of health benefits Pistachios have to offer:

Pistachio Flan with Candied Pistachios: By Chef Lauren Mitterer 

Yield:
Six to eight servings

Ingredients:

Flan 5 Egg Yolks 2 Eggs 1 1/8 cup Sugar 1/2 tbs Vanilla 1/4 tbs Salt 6 oz milk 3 tbs Pistachio paste 2 cups heavy cream

Caramel 1/2 cup Sugar 1 cup Water

Candied Pistachios 1/2 cup Water 1 cup Sugar 1 cup Pistachios

Instructions:

For the Flan Base:

In a large bowl, combine egg yolks, eggs, 1 1/8 cup sugar, vanilla and salt.

Combine milk and pistachio paste. Strain into egg mixture through fine chinois using a ladle to press milk nut paste through.

Add heavy cream to egg mixture skimming the foam off the top with ladle.

For the Caramel:

In a saucepan, add 1/2 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Cook until caramel becomes amber in color. Carefully pour hot caramel into ramekins. Let cool before adding flan base. Garnish with Candied Pistachios (recipe below) before serving.

For the Candied Pistachios:

In a saucepan, add 1/2 cup water  and 1 cup sugar. Cook until caramel becomes amber color, then add 1 cup shelled pistachios. Carefully pour onto parchment lined baking sheet. Let cool completely. Roughly chop.

To Assemble:

Pour pistachio flan base into prepared ramekins. Sprinkle chopped candied pistachios over custard. Place ramekins in shallow baking dish, add enough water until it reaches halfway up the ramekins. Bake in 300 degree F over until the custards set. They will have a uniform jiggle similar to jello when done. Remove from baking dish and let come to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

NY Fashion Week & Beauty Trends for Spring 2013

It’s not all about the clothes at New York Fashion Week. From colored lids to not-so-polished hair, we sifted through a bevy of spring beauty trends that we think will make waves this season.

When it comes to makeup it seems that spring will bring a bit of strong vs. subtle. Many designers showcased flawless “no makeup makeup” looks with neutral lips and glowing natural skin, but emphasized major lashes and brows with smudged eyeliner. On the flip side, we saw neutral played down eyes pared with vivid crimson inspired lips. Both looks are flattering for all skin types.

M.A.C. makeup artist Diane Kendal suggested using a taupe shade in place of your regular dusty rose blush to cheekbones, adding contour and definition.

While we love glossing our face in our makeup products, don’t forget taking care of your skin is key to a flawless look. Enhance your look by maintain a daily skincare regimen in an effort to keep a youthful and fresh appearance. In four minutes a day, Facial-Flex can be incorporated in to your routine and is clinically proven to increase the overall tone of your skin, adding lift and definition.

Sophistication is the word that comes to mind when thinking about the spring hair trends this year. It is all about deep side parts and undone textured hair styles with lots of volume. So think big when working your locks this spring.

Much like the contrast of the spring makeup trends, it seems nails can go neutral or bold with a retro feel. Marc Jacobs kept it natural with clear and shiny, while Kate Spade models rocked spiky talons decorated in bright hues of fuchsia and some with edgy black. If you are looking for something a little different, nail art is all the rage from simple glitter to extravagant gold leaf lacquer. If you don’t have the time (or patience) for DIY nail art, drugstore beauty brands are stocking their shelves with a bevy of nail art stickers that are an easy short cut.  

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Facial-Flex®

Love is in the air, and what better time to indulge yourself with a gift to rejuvenate your appearance.

Facial-Flex Ultra is clinically proven to help restore lost muscle tone, and strengthen the chin, neck, and cheek area lifting the face without surgery. Made of surgical stainless steel with comfortable plastic tips, it uses resistive exercises to make the face appear noticeably tighter and smoother with significant results within 60 days. It also promotes circulation for a healthy-looking glow. 

Treat yourself with  the Valentine’s Day exclusive offer from Facial-Flex that includes 14 oz. bands with the purchase of a Facial-Flex System, or a free DVD with the purchase of the Facial-Flex Ultra on its own. The offer applies to purchases made at www.facialflex.com on Valentine’s Day.

The Facial-Flex Ultra System includes:
(Plus 14 oz. Bands with Special Offer)

   ·   Facial-Flex Ultra device

   ·   6 mo. supply of resistance bands (6 oz. & 8 oz.)

   ·   Discrete carrying case

   ·   Instructional DVD

   ·   Advanced Renewal Complex

   ·   Progress Chart

   ·   Clinical Background

   ·   1-year product warranty

                 

The Facial-Flex Ultra includes: (Plus free DVD with Special Offer)
·   Facial-Flex Ultra device
·   6 mo. supply of resistance bands (6 oz. & 8 oz.)
·   Discrete carrying case
·   Progress Chart
·   Clinical Background
 ·   1-year product warranty

Mike (Clifton, NJ), Facial-Flex Ultra consumer and advocate states “I do as many repetitions as I can in two minutes twice a day (morning and night). I've been doing it for a week and my face already looks tighter. I also applied the cream to my face twice a day right before I exercised.”

It is never too late to start implementing simple everyday facial exercises to help reduce and in some cases reverse the effects of aging.

Cosmetic Surgery Shy? Facial Exercise is the way to an All Natural Facelift

Women and men alike spend millions of dollars each year on Botox, fillers and other cosmetic procedures to maintain a youthful appearance. Facial-Flex Ultra, the leading facial exercise and toning system, just made defying age just a little bit easier, and a lot less costly.

 Facial exercise is all the rage these days in reducing, and in some cases reversing the effects of aging. Americans spend millions of dollars each year on Botox, fillers and cosmetic procedures to maintain a youthful appearance.  Facial-Flex Ultra, the leading facial exercise and toning system offers a natural, non-invasive alternative that works to tone the muscles of the face, chin, and neck to recapture the facial contours of youth.

If you were to look under the layers of facial tissue, you would see bundles of thin threads. These threaded bundles of muscle are attached to your skeletal frame acting as a support system, essentially holding your entire facial structure together making you look like “you”. 

When reaching the age of 35 or so, this support system of muscles begins to lose its tone, causing the muscle groups to sag. Dermatologists tell us that facial sagging cannot be corrected with creams or lotions alone. According to the Society for Investigative Dermatology, age-associated changes in facial wrinkles and sags are not only due to loss of dermal elasticity, but also might be a reflection of weakened facial muscles.

In clinical studies, Facial-Flex Ultra has been proven to impact over 30 muscle groups in the face, chin and neck. Using Facial-Flex just 4 minutes a day, resulted in facial muscles being strengthened by 250%, skin firmness improved by 32% and blood flow increased by 10%. Overall, participants reported face-toning, face-lifting results to facial skin.

Jamie Holdeman, consumer and advocate states “As I am approaching 40, I noticed my face sagging and wanted to derail it. I ordered this device from QVC and have been using it twice a day for a minimum of two minutes for the past year and love it. I have not had problems with lines. My jaw line has improved considerably, my cheekbones have risen and my overall muscle tone in my face has improved. I am an addict!”

It is never too late to start implementing simple everyday facial exercises to help reduce and in some cases reverse the effects of aging. To learn more about Facial Concepts, Inc. and our products visit us at www.facialflex.com