Jeff’s Adventures in Europe

I’m back in the states, in New York’s JFK airport awaiting the final part of my journey home.My New Product Development partner Kristen and I had gone to Paris for the big annual cosmetic ingredients trade show. Once that was over (along with just a bit of shopping and Paris nightlife), we found ourselves with 7 extra days under a cloud of ashen uncertainty about when—and if—we would make it back to the States. After 5 extra days (including 3 canceled flights) sitting in the warm Paris sun for hours in bustling sidewalk cafes and the front steps of grand churches I realized there was a limit to how much wine and espresso my normally heavily sun screened, well-hydrated, constantly moving body could take. So after a 15 hour drive to clear-skied Madrid, and a 9 hour flight to NY, I am awaiting a final, almost certain, trip home to a clean pair of socks.

There is no doubt that I am a type A American, but I do feel I’ve gained a bit of maturity in my indefinite period of European exile. I already find myself walking more slowly, appreciating the journey more than focusing on the destination. Maybe I’ll start enjoying dessert more.

Shape Up for…..Your Wedding!
by Talia Sandoval-Cudé

I’m getting married in a few months and I ordered my dress a size too small (I’m sure I’m not the first person to do this). I’m now realizing that it’s time to buckle-down and get into shape before the big day arrives and I end up walking down the aisle with my dream dress splitting at the seams. I know I need to change a few things so I’ve decided to go on a eight week overhaul and write it all down for your reading pleasure. There must be some accountability. And, I hate that my gut is expanding and my prized pair of skinny white jeans are moving slowly to the bottom of a pile of not-so-skinny jeans.

My plan was to do the Murad diet according to the Cellulite Solution for eight weeks and use the Firm and Tone Serum and Body Firming Cream combo as well. My knees and the backs of my legs could use some help. At least 30 minutes of some sort of exercise daily. There’s the gym here at work and I live by the beach. I usually have my coffee and bagel whilst watching the pretty people dressed in designer work out clothes go by with their little dogs or smart baby carriages. I’m going to make it out to the boardwalk (we call it The Strand) at least three times a week.

Combining supplements with exercise and a healthy diet seemed easy enough, but having a couple of co-workers doing this regimen with me helped to keep us all on our toes. The best part was after having weekly cellulite treatments on my legs. Only a few weeks in and the esthetician noticed that my legs and knees were cellulite free!

After eight full weeks of taking supplements, making healthy food choices (including two weeks of eating only green vegetables and lean proteins), and working out daily (alone and with a trainer), I can say my clothes were definitely loose and my body is firmer. When I went to try on my dress, it fit too loose! Overall, the experience was a great learning lesson for me that will become part of my lifestyle. I love that I look good and feel good and best of all, the dress looked amazing!

Final Days to Enter to Win a Locket and 3 Step Regimen

Have you entered the Murad Loves Moms Photo Contest? If not, there’s still time! The contest ends on April 30th. The prize? A personalized locket necklace and Murad 3 step regimen.

It’s easy to enter. Simply go to the Contests tab on our Facebook page, upload your favorite photo of you and your mom, and tell us about a special memory. The winner will be announced during the first week of May.

We have had some touching entries so far. From playing tag in the yard to sitting in a rocking chair together, the stories of mothers and daughters that have been shared are all amazing.

Check our Facebook page in the coming weeks to find out who the winner is!

Cellulite Solution Recipe: Steamed Vegetables with Low-Fat Marinara Sauce

2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups cauliflower florets
2 medium carrots, diagonally cut
1 cup string beans, diagonally cut
2 medium zucchini, cut into ¼-inch rounds
2 medium green, red, or yellow bell peppers (or a combination), cut into 1-inch strips
1 ½ cup low fat marinara sauce, heated

1. In a pot of boiling water, lightly steam the vegetables in a steamer basket until they are cooked but still crunchy.
2. Arrange vegetables on a platter. Top with low-fat marinara sauce.

Makes 4 servings. Great as a snack or side dish.

Cellulite Solution Recipe: Veggie Sandwich on
Whole Wheat Pita

Tomatoes, ½-inch diced
Red onions, ½-inch diced
Black olives, chopped
Whole wheat pita, cut in half to form two pockets
2 lettuce leaves
¼ cup Hummus

1. Mix together the tomato, onion, and olives

2. Place a lettuce leaf in each pocket. Stuff the pockets with the vegetables and Hummus.

Makes 1 serving. You can add 3 ounces of cooked, cubed chicken breast or cooked, cubed salmon to the sandwich.

PS: On a personal note, it’s been about 2 weeks since I started my own Shape Up for Summer Challenge. And part of that challenge is adding healthy choices to my diet. I admit, I’m a fast-food fiend. But lately, I have added raw fruits and vegetables to my meals and opted for a veggie sandwich like the one above instead of a burger. Have you made healthier choices as part of our Shape Up for Summer Challenge?

Cellulite-Fighting Recipe: Dr. Murad’s Healthy Hummus

Cellulite and stretch marks are no longer an inevitable fact of life. With some modifications to your nutritional habits and lifestyle, you can fight it.

Cellulite occurs internally with the weakening of the connective tissue. As the skin sustains damage from a myriad of sources it loses its essential water and weakens. Cellulite is caused by skin that has deteriorated and dehydrated to the point where buoyant fat cells trapped just below the skin are able to push up and show through the surface.

To achieve smooth, dimple-free, healthy skin, you need to repair the damage and replace the lost water. The first step is eating your water to feed and nourish your connective tissues. Start with Dr. Murad’s Healthy Hummus.

2 cups cooked or canned garbanzos (chickpeas)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
¼ cup tahini
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ cup water
Fresh parsley, chopped
(for garnish)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until very smooth. Add additional water if necessary. Garnish with chopped parsley. Makes four ½-cup servings.

Learn more about fighting cellulite at murad.com.

A Bright New Offer for a Bright New Glow

It’s here: the solution to sun damage. During our Shape Up For Summer month, we want to help you get ready for fun in the sun.
And how better to put your best face forward at pool parties and
back yard barbecues than by erasing the damage of summers past? Now you can with Murad’s new Environmental Shield® regimen.
And at only $39.95, it’s the economical way to reverse damage
and reveal radiance.

But don’t take our word for it. Olympic gold medal winners Kerri
Walsh and Misty May-Treanor love Environmental Shield. Check out their rave review!

Learn more about environmental damage and get back your radiant glow with Environmental Shield.

Cellulite Stoppers

Cellulite. Even the word is unappealing. And if you have it, you want to get rid of it. I know. Thanks to genes and weak connective tissue, I have cellulite. I admit it. But I’m not letting it take over my life. If you read my last blog, you know that I have a beach birthday bash coming up and I’m committed to reducing the appearance of my cellulite as much as I can. And if you want to show off a sleek body by summer, then read on and add these cellulite stoppers to your diet.

1. Lecithin
   Lecithin Rich Foods: Eggs, soy, cauliflower, peanuts.
   Function: Repairs tissues by rebuilding cell walls to keep organs hydrated and functioning optimally
2. Glucosamine
   Glucosamine Rich Foods: Not readily available from food. Generally taken as a supplement.
   Function: Building block for repair of connective tissue that gives the skin’s dermal layer strength and integrity.
3. Essential Fatty Acids
   EFA Rich Foods: Fish oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, seeds & nuts.
   Function: Repairs cell walls, attracts water to dehydrated cells.
4. Essential Amino Acids
   Amino Acid Rich Foods: Eggs, poultry, non-fat dairy, soy.
   Function: Building blocks for the production of collagen and elastin in connective tissue.
5. Antioxidants
   Antioxidant Rich Foods: Colorful fruits and vegetables.
   Function: Neutralize the cell damaging free radicals that create the tissue degeneration we see as cellulite.
6. Anti-Inflammatories
   Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Fruits, vegetables, soy, olive oil.
   Inflammatory Foods (AVOID): Red meat, butter, saturated fats, simple sugars.
   Function: Smooth tissue, prevent damage by reducing inflammation.
7. B Vitamins & Trace Minerals
   B Vitamin Rich Foods: Whole grains, legumes, dark green vegetables, non-fat dairy.
   Trace Minerals: Maintaining a varied diet is key. Supplementation is recommended.
   Function: Essential for metabolism of nutrients to build skin and connective tissue.

Check back often. We’ll be adding more tips on getting rid of cellulite and shaping up for summer the whole month of April.

Shape Up For Summer

Summer’s just around the corner and you know what that means
—fun in the sun! To look and feel your best for summer barbecues and lazy days at the beach, start shaping up now. Murad has you covered—from head to toe!

During the month of April, we’ll be sharing tips to shape up, inside and out. Check back regularly to learn the myths of cellulite and cellulite treatment, plus recipes to help fight cellulite and promote overall skin health.

And on murad.com, we’re featuring everything you need to get smooth and toned skin. Check out these special bundles and offers at great values before they’re gone.

Last but not least, is my personal commitment to transform my body in 8 weeks. My birthday is at the end of May, and I’m planning a big beach bash. I want to look—and feel—great, so I’m committing myself to eating right, exercising and following the Cellulite Solution Regimen. I’ll keep you up to date on my progress and I hope my journey to look and feel great will inspire you to do the same.

So we hope you follow along during our Shape Up For Summer Challenge!