Paddles of Fury

We take our work here very seriously. We make great products, we take care of ourselves and we enjoy the work that we do. What we also enjoy while at work, is ping pong. Hard-hitting, Forrest Gump-style ping pong.

Since the introduction of the table to the corporate office last year we’ve enjoyed some great games, had some good laughs and shared great moments with teammates from all departments. Casual games would take place at lunch hour and after work and involve players from every corner of the office and all levels of experience. It was all fun and games until someone from a department I will not disclose (IT) showed up with a customized paddle in their back pocket. . .then things got serious. With this new level of competitive spirit came the inception of the first annual Murad Tournament, complete with brackets, judges, trash talking, uniforms and the occasional welt–a casualty of a game taken to the next level.

The tournament commenced with great excitement and with each game drawing a crowd–some crowds more vocal than others, usually dependent on how well (or one can argue ‘clean’) the game was being played. While directing an overhead slam in the direction of your boss may not get you a promotion, it will get you to the next round of the tournament. After rounds of vigorous (and sometimes humorous) competition, a new camaraderie was formed between teammates who rarely got the chance to work together.

As we begin the new year the teams have been chosen and the brackets selected as we embark upon the second annual Murad Tournament which I am sure will prove to be no less eventful than the last.

Young at Heart—Dance Like Nobody is Watching

I went to an art show/fashion show/party the other night. Yeah.  A fashion party in Hollywood. Who needs a tv? This shindig even had a complimentary roach coach and ice cream truck, which was absolutely brilliant, but I’m already getting off topic. The real fun was the people watching. The guests spanned the full spectrum from absolutely stunning to downright disturbing. But the best attraction by far was on the dance floor. Someone brought their daughter, and despite the late hour, this little girl was dancing the night away. Within an hour she had a whole slew of fans. (Interestingly, she seemed to fit right in, dressed as she was like a typical raver. Although in her case it wasn’t because of any pretension. She actually was 8). It made me wonder how she got so good. She had at least 15 years less practice then anyone else there.

She was clearly naturally gifted, but there was something more. She couldn’t have cared less who was watching her. That was the root of her skill. I found myself worrying that as she grows up she might become more aware of her surroundings and lose her youthful, carefree gift.

Hopefully this won’t be the case and she will continue impressing, entertaining and inspiring party-goers throughout a long and happy life. Just because most of us adults are overly conscious of everyone around us, doesn’t mean we have to be. As Dave Berry said, “no one cares whether or not you can dance. Just get up and dance.” By a strange coincidence, this also happened to be Malcom X’s theory on the subject, which I take as proof that you don’t have to be young to be young at heart.

Easy & Healthy Appetizer!

As Dr. Murad always says, “Before there was medicine, there was food.”

This recipe is not only healthy, but its easy and delicious…two of our very favorite things. Featuring foods from Dr. Murad’s Food Pyramid, this no-cook recipe is sure to impress.

The garbanzo beans deliver an excellent source of cholesterol-free protein, while the lemon juice provides antioxidants. Garlic is a known immune-booster, perfect for fending off infections. Olive oil and tahini, which is made from ground sesame seeds, supply healthy fats to help maintain cellular water.

Dr. Murad’s Hummus

2 cups of cooked or canned garbanzo beans
1/3 c fresh lemon juice
1/4 c tahini
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup water
fresh parsley chopped (garnish)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until very smooth. Add additional water if necessary. Garnish with chopped parsley. Makes four 1/2 cup servings. Serve with colorful raw vegetables, such as sliced red pepper, carrot sticks, broccoli florets, whole wheat crackers or whole wheat pita bread.

Enjoy!

Ask an Esthetician #5

“I’m not sure if my skin spots are from age or from the sun. How should I treat them?”

Age spots and sun spots, called hyperpigmentation, are the result of your body’s natural inflammation response–so the treatment is the same. Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel is formulated with Hydroquinone for fast, gentle fading of unwanted spots and blotches. Just remember: sun exposure can further darken the pigment or encourage spots to stick around even longer—so always use sunscreen—Monica Z.

About Face: Acne and Sugar

For years, popular opinion held that certain foods (French fries, chocolate and pizza among them) caused pimples. In recent years, however, dermatologists have been insisting that diet has little effect on acne–and now the industry is bracing for another about-face. In a recent study in the Archives of Dermatology, research revealed that acne is almost completely absent in countries like Papua New Guinea and Paraguay, where the typical diet is low in sugar.

By contrast, up to 95% of American teenagers suffer from acne. The study indicated that high-glycemic foods like white flour and potatoes, both prevalent in the Western diet, cause a sudden insulin spike…which triggers excess oil production. Fat, it appears, is no longer the bad guy; sugar’s the one to watch.