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Bosom Buddies

Yet another great offer from Mentor breast implants… introducing the new LoveYourLook MemoryGel® Referral Program. From now until October 15, 2010, refer a friend for a breast augmentation using Mentor MemoryGel silicone breast implants and receive a $50 American Express gift cheque as a thank you. For more information, visit this link.

Here’s to a great new look for both of you!

TellAFriend

Dr. Carolyn Chang, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon


Say Good Day to Grey

Congratulations to Mia Caybut – my hair colorist extraordinaire of 10 years, who was just named San Francisco Magazine’s 2009 Best of the Bay and SF Gate’s Readers’ Choice!

Over the years Mia has taken my hair from dark to lighter and back again, but recently I have been getting increasingly worried about a new phenomenon, grey.  People with darker hair often notice those little grey hairs earlier in life.  I am certainly one of them, and although I’m not quite there yet, I wanted to know how Mia was going to help me with this fast approaching new hair dilemma.

In order to strategically hide those grey hairs and maintain a more youthful appearance longer, Mia has created an innovative technique she calls HALO. She applies a lighter tint around the face.  This matches the color of the fine hairs that frame the face.  She then applies a darker tint on the rest of the hair.  Mia says, “This works really well on people who have allowed dark tint to grow out and are ready to go lighter.”

When the time comes, then, I’ll let my roots come in, and then I’ll make an appointment with Mia for her rejuvenating HALO treatment!

Mia
For more information on Mia, visit www.colorbymia.com

Dr. Carolyn Chang, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon


One Day You’re In, the Next You’re Out

As Fashion Week draws to a close in New York, I thought it would be fun to take a peek at the must-have trends that are emerging on the catwalk. The consensus is that the look is more realistic, wearable, and conservative, and according to the New York Times, a clear reflection of our economic times.  Familiar silhouettes are reworked.  Leather jackets, power belts, and shoulder baring little black dresses are among the tops picks for the season.  Peruse the New York Times Magazine slideshow to see the other fashion dos for fall.  Check out even more fall trends at bargain prices, and read how you can get THE LOOK for Less .

leather jacket

Dr. Carolyn Chang, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon


Another Anti-Aging Recipe From Chef Elizabeth Howes

My friend and personal chef, Elizabeth Howes, has done it again! She has provided us with yet another delicious recipe full of wonderful antioxidants.

As we discussed in an earlier post, foods that contain antioxidants such as beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, and Vitamins A, C, and E can dramatically boost skin health and help ward off signs of aging from the inside out.

Take some time this week to indulge in the recipe below, and watch your skin glow… Enjoy!

Roasted Organic Beets and Carrots with Ras el Hanout Vinaigrette, Meyer Lemon Chickpea Purée and Grilled Whole Grain Naan

Beets

Yield: Makes 6-8 appetizer servings | active time: 30 minutes | total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 organic beets (red and golden), cleaned, trimmed
  • 6 medium organic carrots, cleaned, peeled and trimmed, and cut into wedges
  • 2-3 medium whole grain naan, grilled on a grill pan or outdoor grill until crisp
  • Handful Marcona or slivered almonds

Vinaigrette

  • 1 ½ tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ras el hanout*
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Meyer Lemon Chickpea Purée

  • 2 cans organic garbanzo beans (or 4 cups fresh)
  • Juice of two organic Meyer lemons, zest of one
  • 1 clove crushed garlic
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup filtered water, if needed

Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Wrap red beets and golden beets in foil separately so the colors don’t run together.  Place on a baking sheet and roast for 35-45 minutes, or until fork tender.  Toss the carrots in olive oil, sea salt, and pepper, and roast in an uncovered glass baking dish for 15-20 minutes, tossing once, until fork tender.  Let all vegetables cool.

In a glass bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, ras el hanout, sea salt, and pepper.  Whisk in olive oil until vinaigrette is emulsified.

For purée, place all ingredients except olive oil and water in a food processor.  Pulse until mixture is well-combined.  With motor running, drizzle in olive oil slowly.  If mixture is too thick, add water slowly until smooth.

Toss vegetables with some of the vinaigrette in separate bowls and arrange on a large platter, topping with almonds.  Place purée in a glass bowl and garnish with lemon zest and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if desired.  Cut grilled naan into wedges and place next to chickpea purée.

Antioxidant Profile
This fun dish covers so many antioxidant bases in one delicious bite.  The carrots and beets are high in vitamins A and C and beta-carotene.  The citrus also contains high levels of vitamin C.  In general, vitamin C is critical for collagen synthesis, and all anti-oxidants help to eliminate free radicals which can lead to wrinkles and skin damage.  Vitamin E is found in the chickpeas, almonds, and whole grain naan.  It is vital in protecting skin cells from UV light, pollution, and other elements that produce cell damaging free radicals.  If that’s not enough, it also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition, many of the spices found in ras el hanout, including clove, cinnamon, and turmeric, contain powerful antioxidants that can protect against skin cell damage.

*Ras el hanout is a popular blend of herbs and spices that is used across the Middle East and North Africa. The name means “head of the shop” in Arabic, and refers to a mixture of the best spices a seller has to offer.  Generally, it consists of some combination of pepper, cardamom, mace, cayenne, fennel, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, lavender, and dried rosebuds.  It can be found at specialty grocers or spice shops.

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For more information about Elizabeth and Saffron Lane, please visit www.saffronlane.com.

Dr. Carolyn Chang, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon


Antioxidants: A Recipe for Anti-Aging

These days it seems that anti-aging antioxidants are in everything from serums and night creams to shampoo and cellulite lotions. And that’s great. But how about preventing the signs of aging from the inside out? I recently sat down with my personal chef, The Next Food Network Star’s Elizabeth Howes, owner of Saffron Lane boutique catering, to put together a few anti-aging appetizers for summertime entertaining. 

The antioxidant substances in foods that contain beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, and Vitamins A, C, and E can dramatically boost skin health, providing that much sought after youthful glow naturally. 

Beta-carotene – protects the skin cell membranes and stimulates the growth of new skin cells.  Sources:  carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, and cantaloupe.

Lutein – increases skin hydration, elasticity, and skin lipid concentration.  Sources:  carrots, squash and other orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, and green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, arugula and watercress.

Lycopene – reduces skin wrinkling, redness, and inflammation.  Sources:  tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon, persimmons, apricots.

Selenium – provides a natural glow to skin and has been linked to a 60% reduction in skin cancer.  Sources:  watercress, seafood, eggs, chicken.

Vitamin A – known to rejuvenate the skin and improve overall structure, tone, and quality.  Sources:  peaches, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, apricots, broccoli.

Vitamin C – very important in collagen production and overall skin health.  Sources:  tomatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries, green peppers.

Vitamin Evital in protecting skin cells from UV light, pollution, and other elements that produce cell damaging free radicals.  It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Sources:  whole grains, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables.

Here is one of Elizabeth’s low-calorie, but utterly delicious, appetizer recipes to kick off that alluring glow, while enjoying the last cherished days of summer with good friends. Stay tuned for more great anti-aging recipes!

Organic Peach, Cucumber & Golden Tomato Gazpacho
Peach Gazpacho

Yield:  Makes 8-10 appetizer servings | active time:  20 minutes | total time:  45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pitted and chopped organic peaches
  • 2 cups chopped ripe organic tomatoes
  • 1 cup chopped organic English cucumber
  • 1 medium shallot, chopped
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons white wine or champagne vinegar
  • 1 handful organic basil, torn
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup filtered water

Preparation
In a food processor, place all ingredients except the water and pulse until mixture is coarsely chopped.  Add water and pulse a couple times again until the gazpacho is blended but still a little chunky.  Place in a glass bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Let refrigerate for 20-25 minutes, or until well chilled.  Serve immediately in small glasses or bowls.  Garnish with diced peach and a cucumber round, if desired.

Antioxidant Profile
This is an antioxidant powerhouse loaded with vitamin A and C from tomatoes and peaches and a special bioflavonoid found in cucumbers.  It also contains a great deal of lycopene and allium compounds.  This is a true collagen producer (and also low in calories), so don’t be shy about seconds!

SL Logo 2008 copy

For more information about Elizabeth and Saffron Lane, please visit www.saffronlane.com.

Dr. Carolyn Chang, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon