Since I started working here at SKN, (I am the in house makeup artist, as well as working reception) I now see the light. I have always been into taking care of my skin, I wash my face every night and have tried every night cream under the sun. But until working here and being surrounded by the positive influence of the amazing and talented staff, I realize now…that I need a skin care plan too. If I want beautiful, healthy skin, I need to work at it. I need to honor a consistent plan and take action, much like I need to do with fitness. I need to protect and maintain this wonderful (yet challenging) organ.  As we age, our cell turn over slows down, thus producing wrinkles. However, along with regular treatments, (that are ever changing, depending on what the skin needs) I can keep my skin looking great throughout the years.

Now think of cosmecuticals as food for your skin. You need to feed your skin the proper nutrients it needs in order for it to fully produce the desired results. Just like fitness, you can’t expect to have an amazing body, while you eat KFC every night.  So with a little commitment and a plan, we can have strong healthy bodies, and beautiful skin, that ages with grace and dignity!

I have had the opportunity to try the cosmeceuticals lines we have here, such as Jadience, Seaflora and the newest addition Osmosis. These lines are amazing and will nicely fit into any skin care plan.

If you are looking to start a personalized skin care plan, SKN can help. Feel free to call us and make an appointment with our newest addition to the SKN team, Amy Chalmers.  Amy is a Cosmetic Dermal Specialist and Trainer as well. She just moved back to Canada after living and working in Austrailia, where she gained numerous industry qualifications, recognized at both a national and international level. Amy is beyond qualified and we are thrilled to have her here. Amy can sit down with you and address any skin concerns, head to toe…and get you on YOUR PLAN!

SUCCULENT SALMON SALAD
Serves 4-6.
Prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 11 minutes.

Ingredients
(Stir-fry)
4 oz. Atlantic Salmon (fresh) cut into cubes
2 Tbsp. finely grated or chopped ginger
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 red pepper (cut into squares)
1 cup fresh green beans (cut in half)
1/3 cup of honey garlic sauce (Oriental brand)
(Salad)
1 iceberg lettuce head (chopped into bite size squares)
1 English cucumber (cut into quarter pieces)
2 large Roma tomatoes (cut into squares) or 20 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
Salad: Cut all ingredients into a bowl, toss and set aside.
Stir-fry: Heat large skillet/pan over medium heat, add oil, garlic and ginger. Once ginger and garlic are brown, add cubed salmon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Salmon is cooked once it is firm, flaky and a light pink color. Add red pepper squares to stir-fry. Cook for 3 minutes. Add sauce, satay for 2-3 minutes. Add green beans, cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Immediately remove from heat. You want the red pepper and green beans to be somewhat crunchy when it is plated. Plating: Plate fresh salad from bowl into bowl or plate. Add salmon stir-fry onto salad, drizzle salad with sauce and serve immediately.

*So after you try this delicious salad, incorporate these food into your diet and your skin will thank you:

Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli,Fortified cereal, lean meat, pork, poultry, oysters,
Sunflower seed, almonds, Dark orange, leafy green and red vegetables, Wild salmon, Atlantic mackerel, walnuts.

Thanks to my dear friend Sanna for the inspiration:) If you want to follow her blog, check out
http://freshandfabulousfood.blogspot.com/

“Your skin is like a mirror – it reflects everything that is going on within your body and mind. Pay attention to keeping your mind, body and emotions balanced, and the results will show up as a clear, glowing complexion.” -This is a quote I recently heard and I really liked the message. It’s so true, we get so caught up in the hussle and bustle of our daily lives, we don’t even realize that our stress levels are affecting our immune system, AND the body’s biggest organ-SKIN!  Stress  puts a damper on the body’s digestive system and interferes with the ability to absorb proper nutrients. So we need to reduce our stress levels and work on staying positive,  But if you don’t have time to meditate the stress away for 3 hours at a budist temple (which I’ve done and is amazing btw). There are small, day to day steps you can do to help achieve and maintain that glowing skin…oh and stress levels too:)

1. DIET: A balanced diet and proper eating habits help keep the body and mind performing at optimal levels. I try to eat unprocessed foods. I am also aware of the eat for your skin diet, which includes foods like Salmom, blue berries, nuts and seeds, leafy greens, sprouts, wheat grasses,etc.

2. SLEEP: We hear it all the time, but it is so important. Do whatever you need to do to get relaxed so you can sleep better. I try to do a quick half hour yoga session before bed. Check out www.eoinfinnyoga.com He has a “quickie” lesson you can download for free.

3. EXCERCISE: Here too, it’s whatever works for you. I love running, yoga, hiking. I do some at home workout videos if i’m really inspired. I find morning  to be the best time to excersise, you wake up, get it done and feel great all day.  Being outside, in nature at least a few times a week will definitely help with stress. We live in such a beautiful city, we have endless outdoor adventure possibilities.

4. DE-STRESS. Deep breaths, all is well in your world. Life really is a gift. Take some time for yourself and de-stress. It could mean a yoga class, a walk by the beach, a glass of wine with a girlfriend, popcorn and movie, or buying a new pair of shoes.

Here at SKN, we want to aid in your quest for a zen state of mind, we want you to radiate the light that you are. Book a facial this Good Friday (april 2) and receive a  complimentary Seaflora product of choice. Give us a call at 604-568-6333

HAPPY DE-STRESSING!!