Winter Recovery
During colder months, our mood and metabolism can hit a low point, and skin may become dull and dry. Thankfully, the founders of VENeffect share with us how to recover from the winter blues and take care of our health inside and out.
Many of us have grown up seeking comfort in food during the colder months. Recognizing this allows us to be prepared when cravings strike by having healthier options at the ready. Combining healthy food options, consistent exercise, and a skin care ritual every morning and night will not just make you feel better, your skin will literally glow with vitality. In her book The Venus Week , VENeffect Co-Founder Dr. Rebecca Booth shares some easy tips to achieve what she calls the “Venus Effect”, an inside-out approach to optimizing wellness. Her secret—offsetting hormonal variation by using Mother Nature’s gift: phytoestrogens, molecules found in some of the healthiest plants on the planet. Phytoestrogens steady the ebb and flow of our hormones and can sustain the Venus Effect in mood, metabolism, and skin.
Satisfy Winter Cravings with Simple Substitutions:
Dr. Booth shares strategies with her patients for achieving a resilient metabolism that helps them navigate the hormonal shifts and changes women experience as we age. One of her top nutritional suggestions is to reduce sugar and simple carbohydrates and add in more plant protein.
Here are a few of Dr. Booth’s favorite nutritional tips to help you through winter cravings.
Instead of carbohydrate rich breakfast foods, opt for plant protein early in the day. Nuts or nut butters, such almond butter, hummus, or a smoothie with chia or flax seeds will not only keep you satisfied longer, the plant protein rich in phytoestrogens will make your skin glow!
Instead of fruit juice, go for a whole fruit to prevent a sugar jolt and add energy sustaining fiber. Berries are a great choice as they are naturally loaded with nutrients and phytoestrogens packed into the tiny seeds.
For lunch and dinner look for savory options loaded with fiber-rich plant protein such as spicy lentils and legume-filled soup, stew or chili. Spices such as turmeric, cumin and cinnamon will keep you warm and often contain phytoestrogen molecules that boost your calorie burning potential, stabilizing your metabolism.
For side dishes, instead of white starches, try brown short-grain rice or quinoa, both can be made in a rice steamer and serve up a heaping amount of gluten free fiber, lessening insulin surges, but still offering comfort.
Don’t forget your veggies such as roasted brussel sprouts, kale, chard, or roasted peppers. These deeply colored veggies are prebiotic and loaded with vitamins that support collagen, both to help your waist and your skin.
After a meal, enjoy a calming cup of herbal tea. Chamomile tea contains natural virus-fighting molecules called tannins, and the Zen effect of the warm drink can ease evening snack cravings.
Hydrate and Inspire your skin:
For women, changes in hormones throughout the month and as we age create a need to replenish lost collagen and elasticity in the skin. Colder temperatures and dryness take their toll on skin as well, a double whammy in winter. VENeffect Co-Founder Cecil Booth recommends that winter is “time to double down on your skin care regimen and treat yourself and your skin to the nourishing benefits of products designed to truly improve the quality of your skin”.
Cecil's year-round go-to is the first product she and her sister developed for the line. Their instantly luminizing Anti-Aging Intensive Moisturizer, is a super hydrating moisturizer, richly formulated to address the needs of all skin types and designed to be used day and night. It is called “Intensive” because it has the highest level of their proprietary phytoestrogen technology that inspires collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production naturally! The result? Luminous, younger looking, moisturized skin.
Winter is not the time to skimp on any part of your skin care regimen. No matter the weather, take the time to cleanse and exfoliate to reduce the dulling effects of dry winter skin, and then immediately follow with serum and a generous dollop of moisturizer. This ritual will set your skin up to be protected and luminous in the day, and deeply hydrated and nourished as you sleep.
Our winter skin care must haves include the following:
Cleanse daily with our Pore Minimizing Cleanser
Exfoliate 2-3 times a week with our Micro- Exfoliant
Treat with our Firming Phyto-Lift Serum
Nurture & Hydrate with our Anti-Aging Intensive Moisturizer
