The inaugural The Diva Dishes post. Woohoo! Just another way for you to come into my world! Get ready for some rants, some celebrations and other shizzle on my brain lately.

Where’s all the Other Women?

In the last month I’ve been nose to the grindstone creating some freaking AWESOME shit coming your way soon. Part of these projects is finding images that convey the feeling and experience I want for you. As I’ve been going through hundreds of photographs of women, I’ve started to notice a pattern. 90% of the images are of young, 20-something super skinny women.

Not that there’s anything wrong with being skinny, but come on! The majority of women are not a size 2, or even a size 6. So let’s get real. Unless I search ‘overweight women’ or ‘old women’, there is no variety. Where are the curvy, medium-sized or middle-aged women? I’m all about representing the curvy-lady train, and that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. So this is pretty irksome.

T-Tapp

My latest obsession is T-Tapp. This is a form of no-impact exercise that not only sculpts your (already) hot bod, but also increase focus, and helps combat many ailments like hormonal imbalances, diabetes and every chronic fatigue syndrome! I bought the 15-Minute Basic Workout DVD and have been following her suggested “Bootcamp” for my goals (general health vs. weight loss). I have been doing this for only 2 weeks, and already I’ve noticed:

1. Increased focus and mental clarity
2. A shrunken tummy (and WAY better core control)
3. Ovulation (which you know has been a bit of a dilemma for me lately)
4. An overall sense of ease, peace and confidence

Whether these are all the result of T-Tapp I can’t for sure say, but I’m feeling good!

Mmmmmm. . . . . . .

Just look at the picture. Need I say more?

Well okay, I’ll spill it. My first ever experience with FRESH chamomile flowers makes me feel like a giddy school girl. Just the thought of drinking these beautiful blooms is enough to make the heart melt. And funny enough, chamomile is known for it’s anti-anxiety, relaxing and mood-boosting qualities. Part of the reason I chose this beauty as a main ingredient in my Cramp Tea!

I got this fresh herb from my local farmer’s market.

Summer Readin’

Jane Austen is rocking my summer reading time. Years ago I worked at Chapters/Indigo for a seasonal job at Christmas time. They were a really great employer, and the discount was sweet. I purchased Jane Austen’s whole collection at that time. While I’d already read about half of them, I’m just getting around to reading the rest- they’ve been sitting in their box for a looong time. I love the way she mixes in wit, romance and character building into a well-rounded story. I get lost in those pages!

What thoughts are circling in YOU lately? I bet it’s juicy! Share below. . .

All in due time. Time is running out. Time on your hands. Time heals all wounds. Time flies when you’re having fun. For a limited time only. Having a hard time. Kill time. No time to lose.

GAH

These are some of the MANY (I know- I looked it up) cliches surrounding time. I have a love hate relationship with time. Lately I’ve been feeling it more than ever.

If you’re part of my tribe, then you know I’m mourning the loss of my grandmother. I’m also building my business, saving for a house, balancing my hormones and practicing radical self-care.

Having so many things “to-do” can really lock you into time. For example- I have deadlines that I have to meet, for clients and project partners. As much as I wish I could throw away my clocks (there’s a lot of them!) it’s just not possible.

And while I wrestle with this fact it has led me to wonder. . .How can I- and YOU- make peace with time?

Well, first come the cold, hard truths:

1. We cannot escape time– even though the word or concept of time is something us humans made up, it still doesn’t stop the earth from turning and the sun from rising another day. So we must. . .
2. Move on. Deadlines, birthdays, alarm clocks and pre-booked appointments will always keep us locked into time one way or another. Not to mention that whole aging thing.
3. Time is our friend. Time is my friend. Time is your friend. Annnd repeat.

A big part of making peace with time is filling it with things you want to do. Of course there are things we may hate doing but have to do- but if you do your best to shift your life where many of your to-dos are things you are excited about, it gets much easier.

We also need to let go. Let go of expectations, old emotional or mindset ‘programs’ from our earlier life and from perfection.

As a recovering ‘Type A’ personality, I can tell you that the need for perfection and the object of time don’t always get along. How can we get the project to be ‘just so’ when the deadline is ever looming?

Short answer: It’ll most likely never be ‘just so’.

Long answer: Just do it to the best of your ability and get it out into the world! OR, don’t rag on yourself or your family when things/stuff/events don’t happen as you want, when you want.

It’s that instant gratification we seek. But isn’t is so much more worth it when something that takes time finally comes to a close?

Like when you’re making some delicious homemade food. Sure, it may take longer than picking up fast food on your way home from work, but it is infinitely more satisfying– the look, the smell, the taste- the sense of accomplishment. You just can’t beat it.

With your health, you may want to lose 50 pounds in 2 months for your cousins wedding, but taking a diet pill or over-exercising to only NOT achieve that goal anyways is not satisfying. And it’s demoralizing.

Big lesson here: Time is your friend. So treat it as you would your very best friend. Use it to gently guide you through life. But don’t be upset if a time comes and goes without your biggest hopes and dreams coming true all at once. Sit back, brew some tea and make yourself comfortable for the ride. Enjoy not only the result but also the steps you take to get there.

And I wouldn’t fault you for smashing that watch and never wearing one again. . .

How do you feel about time? Do you have any tricks for time management and acceptance that have worked for you? Share in the comments below!

Just when you think your life/health/soul couldn’t be beat down anymore. . .your hair starts to fall out. As women, we are very protective of our hair. It shows your personality, and shelters you from physical and possibly emotional harm. In my life, I’ve had three separate episodes (episodes = MANY months) of hair loss. The first time I experienced clumps of hair falling from my head in the shower, I was devastated. I hadn’t yet been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and didn’t know what the f*** was going on!

There are so many causes of hair loss in women, and it’s much more common than you’d think. In fact, it’s been reported that up to one in every four women will experience hair loss or thinning at some point. That’s a lot of ladies!

Thankfully, there are ways to slow or reverse hair loss in women. Before you can do that though, you must figure out what the heck is causing your hair loss in the first place!

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by cysts on the ovaries, excess androgens and insulin resistance. PCOS has a lot more to it, but a main symptom for many PCOS cysters is hair loss. This type of hair loss is called androgenic alopecia, and is caused by excess testosterone. The excess gets converted into DHT, a ‘bad’ form of testosterone that at the skin/scalp level causes hair to fall out. Part of the reason that testosterone gets converted into DHT is chronic stress, so self-care is very important for PCOS. Women with PCOS may notice hair loss mostly at the temples, hairline and top of the head, rather than an all-over loss.

Hypothyroidism

Another leading cause of hair loss in women, having an underactive thyroid can cause your hair to fall out. This type of hair loss often happens throughout the whole head, not necessarily leaving patchy areas as in androgenic alopecia. Due to the lengthy life cycle of your hair follicles, you may not notice hair loss until months after seeing thyroid symptoms or being diagnosed hypothyroid. Hair growth actually depends on thyroid hormone, and too little thyroid hormone can cause hair loss- not just on the head but all over the body. Note that hyperthyroidism can also cause thinning of hair.

Poor Nutrition

Vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and nutritional compounds are essential to our health. We literally ARE what we eat. No joke. So if you’re eating a diet high in processed foods (think boxes, bags and cartons) or lots of fast food (I’m looking at you, McDonalds!) you will absolutely not be getting all the nutrients you need. Even eating vegetables from your supermarket may not give you what you need. Eating organic or locally grown foods, in the whole and natural state will go a long way.

One of the main nutrients missing for women experiencing hair loss is Iron. This mineral helps keep us energized, oxygenated and also prevents hair loss. If you’re unsure of your levels, get your doc to check Ferritin. Grab a supplement if you end up being low.

Stress

Stress can be an evil (but physiologically necessary) beast. I wish I could come up with a new name for it that has a positive spin! Anyways. . .

Chronic stress will help the body in creating all of the imbalances mentioned above and more!! Stress doesn’t allow our bodies to create the right hormones in the right amounts at the right time. So your thyroid takes a hit, your reproductive hormones are out of whack (hello, extra DHT!) and your nutrient status becomes dangerously low. You may go through some kind of emotional or physical trauma (like me losing my grandmother this spring) and not notice hair falling out until after the fact, due to your hair’s lifecycle.

Thankfully, most hair loss can be reversed, or at least stopped or slowed down. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to tame my PCOS hair loss. Here’s a great hair treatment I use weekly, and some ideas of what to look for in a hair loss supplement.

Be patient – your gorgeous hair will reappear!

Have you experienced hair loss? What helped your hair grow back?

As you may have seen, I recommend a targeted topical and internal approach to hair loss in women. Part of the internal is choosing a quality supplement for hair loss.

There are probably hundreds of different supplement companies creating products for hair loss. Hair loss in women and men is extremely frustrating and not all supplements will work.

While I can’t guarantee that including the following ingredients in your hair loss supplements will help or reverse your hair loss, the research (both scientific and personal) points to fantastic results!

Choosing a Supplement for Hair Loss

Biotin

Probably one of the most indispensable nutrients for hair loss, this member of the B vitamin family strengthens both hair follicles and nails. Also known to balance blood sugar, this vitamin is a win-win for women with PCOS. For hair loss, 500-1000mcg per day is recommended.

Silica/Horsetail/Bamboo

These three hair loss remedies are interchangeable. What they have in common is the mineral silica. Silica is actually a combination of silicon and oxygen, two of the most abundant elements on the earth. What makes this mineral so great for hair loss because it promotes mineral balance in the body. This leads to balanced hormones and sexy hair! Silica is also a component of collagen, the compound that keeps your hair, skin and nails looking supple and ageless. Horsetail and Bamboo are two medicinal herbs that contain high levels of silica, and can be used in much the same way. Taking 20-50mg of one of these extracts per day should do the trick.

Vitamins B5 and B6

Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid is your anti-stress vitamin. It improves your body’s ability to respond to stress by supporting your adrenal glands. This coupled with it’s protein-modulating effects makes it a win-win for hair loss. You already know that stress is a major cause of hair loss in women, not to mention that proteins form the basis of our hair and scalp. Healthy proteins = Happy hair! Take up to 50mg 3 times per day.

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is your mood vitamin (among many other uses!!). It supports your nervous system- back to that stress cause again- promotes proper breakdown of sugars and starches, and keeps your heart healthy. Vitamin B6 is great for those who suffer from depression or low-moods as it helps create your feel good neurochemicals llike serotinin and GABA. This is common in women with PCOS, underactive thyroids and in menopause. This vitamin is also essential when trying to build up iron stores, another major cause of hair loss in women. Take up to 50mg 3 times per day.

Vitamin C

I LOVE VITAMIN C. There. . .I said it. Glad to get that off my chest. Useful for just about anything and safe for just about anyone, you can’t go wrong with a little ‘C’. Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid aids in improving scalp circulation. It also helps with antioxidant action in hair follicles. This vitamin is also necessary for Iron absorption, healthy adrenal glands and stress response, and hormone balance– all necessary for eliminating hair loss. Take to bowel tolerance (if you get loose bowels- you’ve taken too much!), this is usually 3-5g per day.

Vitex or Dong Quai

Hormones, how I loathe love thee. If you hair loss is hormonally-related, it’s important to take a hormone-balancer to help. Two of the most common are Vitex and Dong Quai. Vitex aka Chastetree Berry balances hormones right from the brain. It helps our body to balance estrogen and progesterone function, reducing hair loss. Dong quai is a chinese herb that has long been used to balance hormonal imbalances of many kinds, including PMS and even PCOS and endometriosis. Both herbs can be taken as capsules or liquid tincture (drops) and dosing should either be recommended by a holistic healthcare practitioner or by following the bottle.

Minerals

With nutrient-depleted soils now becoming rampant pretty much across the world, minerals can be hard to come by. Whether macro or trace, all minerals are important. Some minerals to emphasize for hair loss include 300-uses Magnesium, skin-balancing Zinc, thyroid-supporting Selenium and Iodine, plus some blood-building Iron. If your hair loss formula doesn’t include any or many of these minerals, you may want to check out a multi-mineral formula.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

When vitamins can’t be broken down in water, they are considered fat-soluble. Vitamins A, D, E + K all fall into this category. All are helpful for hair loss, but Vitamins A and D have a particular affinity. Vitamin D restores your immunity, balances hormones and manages your stress response. Vitamin A also balances hormones, encourages normal cell growth and maintains the normal structure and function of skin (and scalp). Aim for 800IU – 2000IU of Vitamin D per day. With Vitamin A (retinol) aim for 2000IU – 3000IU per day.

My Favourite Hair Loss Supplements

Because there are so many supplements to choose from, here are some of my favourites to help you along the way.

Hair, Skin and Nails Plus by Douglas Labs

Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra by Pure Encapsulations

Bio-Fen Plus for Women

What is your favourite hair loss supplement? Have you seen good results?