Immunity. What you need to know about it. And how to optimize it.

I want to share with you immune system related insights from my husband dr. Tony Sandorfi of The Happy Spine
Tony will be writing about our our immunity and ways to optimize it over the next few weeks. You will find this information to be supportive and very useful especially now❤️

Here is the post by dr. Tony:)
We are all experiencing a very stressful time. Preventing the spread of the coronavirus is only one part of the solution. Optimizing our immunity is another.

David Vetter was born in 1971 with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID), essentially without an immune system. He became known as “the boy in the bubble”. He survived for 12 years unfortunately passing in 1984. Stories like David’s help us understand how important the immune system is and that it’s always running in the background like an app on your phone.

The immune system keeps us alive. Without it, a scrape of our skin, a breath of fresh air or even an unwashed apple could kill us. So thanks to a well functioning immune system, we can enjoy these things without fear.

So let’s consider the immune system facing a virus, which is a microscopic strand of genetic material.

From the statistics: “A total of 1081 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Canada as of March 21, 2020. Based on case reports received to date, 9% of cases have been hospitalized; 6% of cases have been admitted to hospital but did not require ICU admission and 3% of cases have been admitted to the ICU. Note that the Public Health Agency of Canada does not receive updates on case hospitalization status. Thirteen people have died of COVID-19 to date in Canada.” (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/epidemiological-summary-covid-19-cases.html)

The immune system is complex and it includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes.  The immune system responds in two ways. One of them is Innate Immunity (a general response) and the other is Acquired Immunity (a specific response).

Acquired Immunity takes longer to respond to invaders. Acquired Immunity needs to meet the invader in the body in order to respond to it and create antibodies. The antibodies circulate through the system marking the invader so that the other parts of the immune system can come and clean house.

Acquired Immune system is so smart that once it has created antibodies for the particular invader, you become immune to that invader for life.

Unfortunately certain invaders can mutate and then the immune system has to go through the process of finding the invader, marking the invader with antibodies and cleaning house all over again.

The following infographic is taken from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

https://bit.ly/optimize_immunity

There you’ll find a summary of the human immune system, a list of nutrients that help to optimize it, and a list of specific foods that support it.

Because our immune system is impacted by many factors, next week we will continue exploring the relationship between the immune system and our emotions and the nervous system.

You can follow dr. Tony on Insta @dr.Tony.Sandorfi

Woman Divine in-house Refill Program is on!

It’s been my dream for a couple of years now to offer a refill program at Woman Divine Skin Care Studio. But realistically I knew that it wasn’t really possible while I was working on my own. 

Well, Julie has joined Woman Divine, I’m no longer working on my own and finally we can do it!!! 

Why the Woman Divine Refill Program?

We are initiating the Woman Divine in-house refill program as a collective effort to create less waste and less garbage. It is urgent that we all take whatever steps necessary to change our habits of overconsumption  and careless tossing out of objects that can easily be reused or repurposed.

How does the Woman Divine Refill Program work?

• This service is offered at the studio only and it’s pretty simple. You bring your bottles and we refill them for you on the spot:)

• This can be done when you come to the studio for your treatment appointment and/or every Saturday between 10am - 3pm. Dropping in to refill your products otherwise will not work.

• If you wish, when your bottles start looking a bit ‘tired’ we will freshen up the cup or the mister pump and/or the label. It will look brand spanking new when you leave.

• We will also be happy to refill your Radiant Exfoliant Powder jar for you.

• We are not able to refill your balm jars on the spot because balm making is a bit complicated, but you can bring your empty jars to the studio. We will sterilize them and refuse them in our production. So no jars go to waste.

We also highly recommend that you reuse the jars yourself whenever you can. We especially like using our empty jars for spices in our kitchen. Amber glass will keep your spices fresher for a little longer.

Will you get a discount when you get a refill or bring your empty jar back?

No, you won’t. We are not doing this to get you in to buy more under the pretence of saving you a couple of dollars. We are doing this 100% as a joint effort to create less waste and so together we can take action to live more mindfully..

We hope to see you with your empty bottles and jars at the studio. It’s a good thing to do!

Magdalena

Step by step instructions to oil cleansing.

Cleansing is a basic and essential skin care practice which lays the foundation for other steps in our daily face care. You can say that is the starting point to healthy skin care. But most still don’t know how to properly cleanse their skin and are drawn to harsh, stripping, chemically laden facial cleansers. .

At Woman Divine we love oil cleansing because it’s gentle, effective, supports healthy skin function and it feels super good to do it. We also feel that it is the cleanest way to cleanse since the only ingredients that you’ll find in our WD Cleansing Oil are those needed by your skin. No fillers, no preservatives... nothing that will compromise your health. 💗

Here are step by step Instructions to oil cleansing in case if you are still not sure about the process:
You will need an oil cleanser, gentle cloth and water (preferably purified).

1) Place cleansing oil in the palm of your hand (quarter size amount will do).

woman divine cleansing oil

2) 
Apply cleansing oil to your face, neck, and decollete and massage it gently into your skin. Take your time (2-3 minutes or more).

3) 
Place your face cloth in warm water, wring it out and apply to your face. .

4) Compress your face with the cloth for a couple of minutes allowing yourself and your face to relax.


5) Now wipe the oil off your face with gentle strokes. You may want to rinse the cloth and repeat the compressing and then oil removing process. It’s important to remove it well.

6) 
Up the benefits of oil cleansing by staying very present during this process.  Focus on cleansing your skin but also on letting go and ‘washing’ the stress away from your face. .

*Make sure that your face cloth is clean for each use.


Oil cleansing at the end of your day feels wonderful, soothing and relaxing. It leaves your skin soft and glowing. .

Have you tried oil cleansing yet? If not as you can tell, I highly recommend it🙂

Woman Divine Touch as Medicine™

Over the years of my practice, I have learned to apply Touch as Medicine.
Mastery of an intentional, focused and skilled touch has been somewhat of an ‘obsession’ of mine. Even though I’ve been practicing for over 25 years I am humbled by the healing that touch can carry with it.

In the skin care industry touch is often applied in a very practical and detached manner; product application, product removing, extractions, skin care machine operation. Utilitarian, non-personal and often without true consideration for the person on the receiving end.

Touch can be healing, touch can be hurtful, it can be soothing or stimulating, it can bring pleasure or it can be sensual... Loving and caring touch is absolutely essential for the proper development of a child and it is fundamental to the well-being of every living person.

At Woman Divine, we are very aware of its essence and we consciously choose to use Touch as Medicine. #mindfulbeautypractice

How mindful are you of the effect your touch has on others? .

Plant intelligence.

There is intelligence present within each plant that we can not fully grasp. Science plays an important role in helping us understand the physical aspects of plant life and the plant’s healing properties from the physical point of view. But there is another layer to plant life, another dimension that can never be understood or explained through our intellect. Simply because it is not of the physical world. .

If we reduce a human being just to to their physical form and we don’t acknowledge the miracle of life which lives within, then we miss the most important part of our existence. The same applies to plants.

Woman Divine products are created with living plants. Nature’s intelligence is present within each formula.
When you use Woman Divine products to take care of yourself take a moment to acknowledge the miracle that lives within each plant and within you.

Photo by Rob Little

Jatamansi and Woman Divine Body Balm.

I would like to tell you a little bit about one of the ingredients in Woman Divine Body Balm | cardamom + rose.
This is a beautiful balm with a wonderful texture and a luxurious scent profile. Many clients love it especially during winter months as it provides effective nourishment for dry skin and and its aroma brings comfort.

At the end of its ingredient list you’ll find a very special essential oil. I added only a tiny bit of Jatamansi to complete this formula because it’s very potent.

Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) has a very special effect on the nervous system, supporting those experiencing insomnia, anxiety, an over-active mind, mental fatigue, depression, panic disorders… it’s generally grounding and calming. And it is said to be one of the most important herbal medicines to help with the healing of grief.

I felt that it was a perfect addition to rose, cardamom and yang-ylang which along with an amazing effect on the skin, also lend their gentle nervous system healing properties to this body focused formula.

Jatamansi usually grows at an altitude of 3000–5000 meters. It can be found in Nepal, India and China. I favour the oil coming from Nepal:)

Pure essential oil of Jatamansi has a very strong aroma. Since it comes from the valerianacea family, we can’t really refer to its aroma as pretty:). Instead it offers a scent of the earth found in the high altitude forests of Nepal.
Jatamansi, also known as Spikenard, has a long history of use for spiritual purposes and until today it is used in religious ceremonies. Ayurveda also uses Jatamansi to improve skin complexion. .
We are grateful to Jatamasi for enriching our Body Balm | cardamom + rose on so many levels❤️

Your facial bones and aging.

Hello beautiful🙂 .
Did you know that your facial bones change as you age? It’s not all about the skin and soft tissues. Facial bones actually lose volume, their length and height diminishes and their angles get messed up. The eye sockets get bigger and the length and height of the lower jaw decrease as well as we age.

When the foundation shifts in its structure it makes complete sense that everything which is built on it will shift as well.
We can confidently say that changes in facial bone structure have a strong impact on soft tissue changes, thus wrinkles, drooping and such. .
Bones along with all tissues require adequate supply of nutrients and an efficient detox function to stay healthy throughout our life. .
As we age, if not thoughtfully supported, these physiological processes will slow down at a faster rate.

We know that specialized facial massage techniques are very helpful in supporting the function of both assimilation and elimination which are crucial to the health of human cells and consequently to the health of all tissues that make up our body.
Make sure to receive a skilled face and body massage regularly. It will make a profound difference ❤️

There is no doubt that our face and body will change and shrink a bit if we live a long life. But we can consciously commit to slowing down the process so our body serves us the most for as long as possible. Looking good along the way will be an added bonus🙂

Why Woman Divine Skin Care products?

Few days ago I got to read a blog post by Girl Crush a Toronto based beauty blog. It made me supper happy because it features one of my lovely clients Caitiln and she shares why she choses to use Woman Divine Skin Care products. I am so fortunate to work with women who totally get what I do! I am grateful for each and everyone of you!

Here goes the post by Gillian Barker of Girl Crush

LET’S TALK BEAUTY

WHERE DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME & MONEY WHEN IT COMES TO BEAUTY?

 “Skincare! Makeup is second for me. I prefer not to wear a ton of makeup, so I would say my time, money and effort is on the skincare side, because if I can get through my day and feel confident without makeup then you know… that’s the dream!”

WHAT’S DOES SKINCARE MEAN TO YOU?

“I’m someone who suffered from mild acne as a teen and all through my university years… I had tried Proactive and that dried out my skin until it was like a desert, it was painful!”

Caitlin explains that after graduating from university she found that she had the time and money to invest in herself and her skin. She stumbled upon a facial therapist through a recommendation on social media, and has never looked back. She says, “It was like this was fate, we were supposed to meet!”

“I completely switched my routine! What was probably 10 different steps, where I had no idea what I was doing - I was using everything under the sun hoping it would somehow give me great skin”. Now Caitlin has a much more focused and simplified skincare routine that utilizes apothecary products from a local skincare line that her facial therapist created - called Woman Divine.

Read the full post HERE

My very first podcast:)

Rudie Jay is the beautiful vibrant human behind THE PURSUIT Your Guide To Happy, Healthy Living PODCAST.
Rudie invited me to be a guest on her podcast. Since this was my very first podcast experience, I was a little nervous, but Rudie is a natural and makes her guest feel right at home😀We chatted, skin care, products, local business, and my skin-therapy journey.

LISTEN HERE: https://soundcloud.com/poypodcast/ep-054-magdalena-divine-skincare

Much gratitude to Rudie Jay for helping me spread the word about holistic skin care❤️

I hope that you will enjoy listening,

Magdalena xo

Time to juice! Meet the Maker!

I don’t know about you but after a long winter I really crave green juice. Not just any green juice but a fresh pressed, organic and as green as it gets juice. My body literally calls for it! And this year it has been calling extra loud. I normally wait for my spring juicing until the snow is gone but since this winter has been extra long I’m already juicing:).

Photo by Ellina Rabbit.

 It always amazes me what a green, nutrient packed drink can do not only for my energy levels but also for my mind. Every single time it gives me a noticeable boost  (and way better than coffee ever did), it makes me feel lighter and clearer and it simply feels good. 

Juicing has been with me since I was little and I will never forget the carrot + apple juice that my mom made. I  didn’t really like it at the time but mom was very determined to keep us healthy so she made it and we drank it. Today, I love her for it because let’s be honest pressing your own juice is not much fun and a rather messy affair. It is a commitment!

Since juicing is so amazingly beneficial to our health and we are approaching the optimal time of the year to do a juice cleanse, I want to encourage you to do this for yourself. Do it for your health, do it for that extra glow to your skin and do it to smoothly transition from winter to spring. Fresh veggie juice contains loads of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, chlorophyll (green veggies) and vital water beautifully distilled by nature in the plants. No question, freshly pressed organic juice is health building!

 I know that most will never commit to pressing their own fresh juice, but hey luckily making your own is not your only option. I’d like you to meet Julien THE juice guy.  Julien runs the juicing show for Pure Kitchen Ottawa. Since he is the person with all the juicing knowledge let’s get to it.

Julien with Hydrate - his every morning drink.

Hi Julien, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Julien Boyce, juice production manager at Pure Kitchen Ottawa. I started with the company from day one in February 2015, with the intention of working specifically in the juice department. A typical day includes taking inventory and organizing juice shipments, putting together juice cleanses, blending, mixing, and chopping a ton of fruits and vegetables! I’m fortunate to have the best staff and co-workers that make coming into work fun and exciting. 

How does one become the manager of the juice lab at the hottest vegetarian restaurant in town?

I became the juice lab manager pretty early on after landing the job at PK. Only me and one other person even mentioned in our interviews that we were interested in juicing. I had spent a few years working in kitchens, but I wanted something different. At the time, juicing was something very new to me, and my knowledge came from what I was juicing at home. We were all pretty inexperienced with juicing, however we learned very quickly and found our groove within the first few months. So much has changed since, new machinery, a larger space, and it’s only gotten better with time. 

Are PK juices organic? How freshly are they made?

All of the juices are made with organic produce and sourced locally whenever possible. We press around 1000L of juice per week, so we are constantly pressing every day. It can be difficult to keep up with the demand sometimes! Any juices we make have to be made with juice that is as fresh as possible, that means within 1-2 days of pressing. Some juices, such as lemon, have natural properties that allow it to have much longer shelf life than something like kale.

How do new recipes come about? What inspires you while you create?

I’m lucky to have such a creative team. We are constantly bouncing ideas around for new juices. One of the most challenging aspects of coming up with new recipes is getting the right colour. Sometimes flavours will work well together, but they won’t have an appealing colour. I love finding new products to use with our juices that make them original. 

Rowan (team PK) pouring the Lush

Do you offer juice cleanses? Can you tell us a little bit about them? 

We offer a standard juice cleanse of five juices per day and one nut mylk, which amounts to 3L of juice. They can range from a one-day cleanse, up to as many days as you and a trusted health professional can agree upon (we had one woman do 21 days). We can always accommodate specific preferences and allergies with different juices. 

How does a juice cleanse differ from other types of cleanses?

Juice cleanses give your body a chance to recover by reducing the amount of energy it usually uses just digesting food all day. The benefit of a juice cleanse is that you can still ensure your body is getting nutrients and minerals it needs to function at its best. 

Any tips to follow a successful juice cleanse?

Ease into the cleanse and ease out of it. You should taper off how much you’re eating 24 hours before you start the cleanse and ease back into eating regular whole foods 24-48 hours afterwards. That’s for most cleanses from 1-5 days. You don’t want to start binge eating the day you finish your cleanse, that can lead to digestive issues.

I really crave green juices at this time of the year. Any favourite recipes for a great Spring green juice? 

I prefer green juices to be very strong with no sugars to mask the flavour of the greens. My favourite green juice is on our menu, called Lush. It is just kale, cucumber, spirulina, and a splash of lemon.

If you had to drink the same juice everyday what would it be?

I actually do drink the same juice every day! I start every morning with a glass of Hydrate. I get to work early and before I eat or do anything, I make sure I have some Hydrate with extra sea salt. This keeps me hydrated. I think that staying properly hydrated is the key to so many health problems and it’s something people tend to ignore. 

Any plans for writing a juice book?

I personally don’t have any plans to write a juice book. There are so many juice books available already, but I don’t think it’s that complicated of a process to need a book. I would be more interested in writing a book about healthy lifestyles/personal development that would certainly include juices and the role they can play in a healthy lifestyle. 

Squeezing lemons:) This used to be done by hand.

If there was something you wanted everyone to know about juicing, what would it be?

One thing about juice I always hear as a warning is that they aren’t good for you because you don’t get any fibre. It is true that most insoluble dietary fibre is removed during the juicing process; however, the soluble fibre is still present. Soluble fibre aids in good bacterial growth in the gut which helps the body in so many different ways!

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us Julien!  And thank you for all the great tips and info. I am always grateful to know the people who make my food, grow my food or juice my veggies . Thank you for what you do!

Ok Ottawa, I was really impressed to hear about the 1000L of fresh juice a week being pressed at Pure Kitchen. That’s a lot of juice! We are definitely on the right path. This makes me super happy:)

I am very lucky to have Pure Kitchen right around the corner from Woman Divine Studio. You can often see  me  running down Richmond Road in between my clients to grab a bottle of pure green energy that keeps me going and going. Pure Celery and Lush are my favourite :)

Pure Kitchen Ottawa, is run by the nicest people you can find and they offered us a 1 day juice cleanse as a GIVEAWAY. Head out to  Woman Divine Instagram to find out how to participate . I hope you’ll win. Make sure to take a look at their Juice Cleanse options HERE and start juicing asap. Now is a great time!

Remember what I always say? What you do to your skin you do to the rest of your body and what you do to your body, you do to your skin. Your skin will absolutely love it!

Pure Kitchen has four locations in Ottawa:

ELGIN

340 Elgin Street, Ottawa ON
+1 613 233 7873

WESTBORO

357 Richmond Rd, Ottawa ON
+1 613 680 5500

KANATA

499 Terry Fox Dr #55, Ottawa ON
+1 613 435 8492

PRESTON

345A Preston Street, Ottawa ON
+1 613 422 0115

Pure Kitchen also offers customized cleanses. So if you have special wishes and/or want to organize your cleanse, you can e-mail: juice@purekitchenottawa.com

Happy juicing,

Magdalena xo