Spice up your life

Nederlands  Portugês

 

Do you like it spicy? Then I have good news for you. If you eat spicy at least once a week, you'll live longer. That's at least the preliminary conclusion of an extensive study by the Harvard School of Public Health, for which epidemiologist Lu Qi studied almost half a million people in China.

The study showed that persons who ate at least once or twice a week fresh chillies, had 10 percent less chance of dying than those who did not eat spicy. This percentage even rose to 14 percent among those who eat spicy at least five to six times a week. Also were several forms of cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases less common among people who regularly eat spicy.

The researchers suspect that this effect is caused by capsaicin, which is the main component of a chili.  This antioxidant is also a anti-inflammatory.
  
The researchers do indicate that more study on this subject is required. For now, my advice to you: 

 Spice up your life!

Photo via www.tovima.gr.png

 

Rock chick

Nederlands  Portugês

 

Last week we congratulated on this blog Madonna, who celebrated her 57th anniversary. Today I'll introduce you to a new real rock chick... of 66 years old:

                                                               Meryl  Streep 

In her latest film, Ricki and the Flash, plays Meryl a singer who left her family to chase her dream: o a career as a rock star. . When her daughter - a role played by her real life daughter - many years later is getting divorced, she returns to her family. Then she realizes what she has done to all of her family members by leaving them behind.

For Ricki and the Flash, Meryl Streep learned in six months' time to play guitar. In addition, she sings all the songs herself, including a song by Lady Gaga. That Meryl Streep can sing, she proved already in the film version of Mamma Mia. In Ricki and the Flash, she shows that she still rocks in al her rock chic outfits.

In the trailer below you can see for yourself if you find Meryl Streep convincing as a rockstar.

In America the film was released in August. In the Netherlands, it can be seen in cinemas from the 3th of September.

Photo: TriStar Pictures

The naked truth?

Nederlands  Portugês

About Sharon Stone we have written before on Sarah's Secrets Unveiled. Then the reason was that she became the face of Restilane. Sharon openly admitted that she used fillers to look better.

Now there is a good reason to talk about her here again. The 57-year-old has been photographed fully (well, except for a fabulous pair of Jimmy Choo heels) nude for the September issue of Harper's Bazaar.

Sharon Stone poseerde al eens eerder naakt voor Playboy in 1990. This shoot then gave her career a huge boost, with the result that she was cast two years later for her famous role in the film Basic Instinct. In the accompanying interview in Harper's Bazaar tells Sharon about the stroke she had in 2001 and over the years of struggle she had to make to recover. Stone says it feels like her entire DNA since then has changed. Her brains work differently because of brain damage, her body feels different, she had to learn to speak again and she even got other food allergies. At that moment it was logical for her to start with fillers, because she no longer wanted her face would look like she was stuck in a wind tunnel. 

Sharon admits that the photos are edited. She says her ass looks like a  bag of flapjacks, but that is not what we see in the pictures. This does not fit with what Sharon said\n the interview: 'But I'm not trying to be the best-looking broad in the world. At a certain point you start asking yourself, 'What really is sexy?' It's not just the elevation of your boobs. It's being present and having fun and liking yourself enough to like the person that's with you. If I believed that sexy was trying to be who I was when I did Basic Instinct, then we'd all be having a hard day today.'

Sharon Stone is a beautiful woman who looks stunning even without  Photoshop (but with fillers). Too bad that Harper's Bazaar again shows a woman of 57, which is entirely edited until she looks like a thirty year old. 

We know now that many young girls are insecure by all kinds of beauty ideals imposed on them. Women who have recently given birth, now get the idea that they are doing something wrong if they do not have their old figure back within three weeks. Any more or less famous model or actress seems to get that done seemingly effortlessly. Now arises also a new ideal, formed by 50+ celebs without wrinkles, sagging and other inconveniences who seem to look better than when they were 30. Who are they fooling? 

The pictures of Sharon are lovely. Really very nice. Sharon Stone is truly a beautiful woman, even without photoshop. Too bad that we couldn't see the real naked truth.

Photos: Haper's Bazaar/Mark Abrahams

Caipirinha Time

Nederlands  Portugês

It's Friday. If you are a regular visitor of Sarah's Secrets Unveiled, you already know that we like to celebrate the start of the weekend with a good cocktail. The following recipe is from Jerry, my friend and mainstay for this blog and responsible for the Portuguese translation. Jerry knows, as a born Brazilian, what the best caipirinhas are. So here are Jerry's special recipes...

Jerry's strawberry caipirinha

This caipirinha differs from the traditional caipirinha, that is made on a basis of lime. For a refined touch to this drink I use strawberries. We love cocktails based on this romantic fruits. Thereby, strawberries are also little vitamin bombs, so that is extra nice.

Ingredients (for 1 cocktail)

• 1 shot vodka or cachaça
• 5 strawberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ice cubes

Preparation

• Mix in a blender two strawberries with half the vodka or cachaça
• Cut the remaining three strawberries into small pieces
• Put some ice cubes and pieces of three strawberries in a glass
• Pour the mix of strawberries with vodka or cachaça from the blender on the strawberries
• Then add the sugar and the rest of the vodka or cachaça

.... And voila!

Do you prefer a caipirinha with more pieces of strawberries in it, then I have another option based on saké and strawberries. This cocktail is also very special.

Jerry's strawberry/saké caipirinha

Ingredients (for two cocktails)

• 8 medium and washed strawberries
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 4 shot ssaké
• ice cubes

Preparation

• Cut the strawberries into small cubes
• Put the sugar, sake, cintroensap and a few ice cubes in the blender
• Run the machine for 20 seconds
• Place the strawberries in a glass, add possibly some ice cubes in
• Pour the rest of the caipirinha about

And now enjoy!

Have a great weekend.

X Jerry & Esther

Perfect?

Nederlands  Portugês

The British online doctor service Superdrug did research in eighteen different countries for the ideal female body. In each country, a female graphic designer was asked to create the ideal female body according to the standards of that country. For this, they all got a picture of the same model, which then had to be retouched by PhotoShop. 

The results were surprising. Several designers not only changed the shape the body, but also other parts of the appearance, such as hair, face or clothes. Also the differences in physique are interesting. In China, a woman with the ideal body would have a BMI of 17 (Adults with anorexia generally have a BMI below 17.5). The ideal female body in Spain has a BMI of 25.5 (representing obesity).

(read the entire study here)

On this blog I have previously written about the beauty ideal that goes for women and the question of who these - often unrealistic or unhealthy - ideals are determined. One of the answers is that the marketing campaigns of many big brands contribute to this. Another part is obviously culturally and historically determined.

However, this does not only apply the beauty ideal. The role of the elderly is clearly culturally determined. So the elderly receive in the Asian world - such as Japan or China - a lot of respect for young people. They are seen as a source of wisdom and experience and be appreciated for this. In Southern European cultures, you see that the elderly participate in the whole society. They are part of the family and are also measured in that way. They are an important part of the community.

In the west - the US, the United Kingdom but also the Netherlands - society is just very focused on youth and adolescents. Older people are depreciated quickly. Respect for the elderly is much less obvious. For example, a few years ago when I was with a colleague in a crowded elevator. She was then 62 years old. At one point she said to a girl about 18 years old: "Young lady, you push very hard on me." To which the girl said: "I know, Granny, I do it on purpose." And the girl just kept pushing. There was totally no respect at all.

Also on the employment market in the Netherlands it's very difficult for a person of 45+ to find a job. This group is considered as old. 'Old' is a synonym to employers for expensive, slow, less flexible, less learnable and stubborn. That many older people do not fulfill this stereotype but just bring a lot of experience, knowledge and a healthy work ethic is pushed aside.

Also marketing departments of companies seem to have this image of 50+. In their campaigns we are often described as elderly grandparents that do typically 50+ -things. Like
if you don't want to go out in a nice bar or restaurant, go dancing, make adventures travels and so on.

The problem is that in the West many occasions are just very focused on the young and hip or are just very focused on the stereotype of old and elderly. The intermediate layer is a bit between two stools. In the advertisements and in magazines it's exactly the same. It's young and hip or old and corny. It appears that the group of 45+ as it really is, does not exist in the media and society. Nowhere do I see in advertisements or in stores people like my friends, acquaintances or myself.

Where are the marketing departments and the entrepreneurs who will approach this once differently. Who decides what is old and what that looks like?


I'm 45+, no longer very young, but certainly not old ... but where am I in the media? Where do I find my inspiration?

Do you recognize this? How about this in your country?

Photo's: onlinedoctor.superdrug.com

Bitchy B-day

Nederlands  Portugês

Today, the Queen of Pop is celebrating her birthday. Madonna is now 57 years old. She is facing a busy and exciting period, because in September she starts with her Rebel Heart World Tour. In December (5/6), she will be in the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. Unfortunately I can't be there this time.  The cards are sold out. Such a pity.

You can be sure that the Queen comes back with a great spectacle. Her outfits are designed by Jeremy Scott (Moschino), Alexander Wang, Michele Alessandro (Gucci), Fausto Puglisi, Prada, Miu Miu, Swarovski and Nicolas Jebran. In addition, she has a number of designers from who she doesn't want to disclose the names yet. So that's promising.

I expect ofcourse that also the rest of the performance will be unique and à la Madonna again. These images betray that already.

Madonna.... happy birthday, you bad ass b***h!

Photo: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot

Turn back the clock?

Nederlands  Portugês

It happened to Brad Pitt in the movie 'The curious case of Benjamin Button': his 'aging process' went backwards, from eldery man to a baby. Although the film is fiction, of course, it is still an interesting topic.

Is it possible to reverse the aging process? According to Deepak Chopra it is. Deepak Chopra garnered great fame (and a lot of money) with his books on spirituality, alternative medicine and Ayurveda.

I must confess that I am usually not so much into spiritual matters. 'm more the type that first need to see proof before I believe it. However, I notice that with aging, an increasing number of my girlfriends into the spiritual direction. Is that part of the insights into life associated with aging? Or is the search for ways to deal with the daily struggles? Since this blog is intended to unveil all the secrets of Sara - read 50+ (wo)men -, I think this a riddle to solve. Especially since he answer to the question whether you can reverse the aging process, seems to come from the spiritual side. From Deepak Chopra. As Deepak Chopra is also one of the best known names in this field, it seems logical to discuss his theory of the aging process here. According to Chopra you can reverse aging in the following way:

• change your perception about aging - in short: if you think you're old, then your body turns old. Your thoughts control your body. So if you think you're young, your body stays young.
• adequate sleep and rest*
• meditation *
• healthy nutrition: which consists of fresh products with all of the six (Ayurvedic) taste perceptions - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent - and contains many different colors.
• adequate exercise (preferably yoga) and breathing techniques.
• be open minded and try new things. Many older people do not like changes. But if you remain to try new things you stay young at heart ... and this process affects the body.
• love - love activates various chemical processes that have a positive effect on the body. According to Chopra love is the most important element to stay young.

Watch the video below in which Deepak Chopra himself tells his theory:

I must admit, that it all makes sense. What's wrong with more exercise, more sleep, a positive attitude and a healthy diet? But.... does this all really reverse the aging proces. Will my body going to look younger if I live stricktly according to this rules?

You might say about this theory of Chopra: 'If it doesn't work, then it doesn't harm either'. It's always a good idea to switch to a healthier lifestyle. So maybe this is the moment to accept this challenge. Whereby meditation is the greatest challenge for me. 

What do you think. Can I turn back the clock? Will I soon look thirtysomething again?

* Chopra claims that these factors also work against Alzheimer's. The comments on this claim are quite divided in the medical world.

Photo: FEMM Cirugía y Medicina Estética

SPOOF

Nederlands  Portugês

Maybe you've seen these pictures before, but they're too good for not to mention them here. Nathalie Croquet  (stylist, once worked as a photo editor for Jean Paul Gaultier) and photographer Daniël Schweizer spread these artistic photographs by Instagram.

This collection of photographs is part of an art project under the name SPOOF. Nathalie is pictured in these photographs as a model in reproductions of campaigns by famous fashion brands.

The difference between the campaign photos and the 'copies' is interesting.
The photos with Nathalie are in every detail imitations of the original ads. Each time however, there is a touching contrast. Where the campaign photos are polished images, there contain the photos with Nathalie a lot of expression and emotion.
In my view these pictures perfect by the imperfection. Where the original is just a pretty picture, the reproductions contain much more character. It raises the question of what perfection actually is and whoever this standards dictates. An interesting question.


Nathalie wants to demonstrate how women in the West unconsciously are subjected to all kinds of beauty ideals. For age, figure, skin and all the other criteria used to judge women the standard is determined by the 'perfect' models inadvertising campaigns. This element she wants to to denounce through these photos.

 How do you think about this project?

 

Foto's: SPOOF - Daniël Sweizer/Nathalie Croquet

Shake it

Nederlands  Portugês 

It's Friday! That's always a good reason to treat ourselves with a nice, sunny and (sort of) healthy drink to celebrate the weekend. That doesn't always have to be a drink with lots of alcohol. The following drinks are also really delicious. They are all based on green tea and we already know how healthy that is. This summery weather makes them taste even better.

Green tea milkshake

What you need (for one person)

• 1 heaped teaspoon matcha/green tea powder (organic green tea is recommended)
• 3/4 cup vanilla ice cream
• 1/4 cup milk (soy-, almond- or coconut milk are also nice options)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar, honey or stevia (or only vanilla ice cream if you already find sweet enough)

• a blender
• optionally a straw
• additional matcha/green tea powder for garnish

Preparation

Put the cream, milk, vanilla (sugar) and matcha in the blender. Mix everything for 20 to 30 seconds until the milkshake has a nice even color.

Pour all in a glass. Garnish your milkshake with some extra matcha. Insert a cheerful straw in your matcha milkshake.


If you are not very fond of  ice cream or if you want less calories in your drink? Then make a shake.

Green tea shake

What you need (for one person)

•    1 tablespoon matcha/green tea powder
•    1 cup milk (here you can opt for soy, almond or coconut milk)
•    1 heaped teaspoon of honey (stevia is also possible)
•    1 cup ice cubes

•    a blender
•    optionally a straw
•    additional matcha/green tea powder for garnish

Preparation

Put the matcha, milk, honey and ice cubes in the blender. Mix until you have a smooth shake. Pour the shake in a glass. Garnish the shake with some extra matcha. Insert a cheerful straw in your matcha shake.

Enjoy! Have a good sunny weekend ...

Tea Time

Nederlands  Portugês

Water is good for you, we already know that. But what about green tea? Much has been  said and written about the health benefits of green tea. But what is true? Is green tea really as healthy as they claim? The answer is: Yes and no.

It is said that green tea slowed down the aging of the skin. This would be due to the anti-oxidants that are found in green tea. Whether this is the case, is still being researched. It's known that populations who originally drink lots of green tea (at least four cups a day), look younger than populations who do not drink green tea. This difference appears to be larger for men. It's not proven that this effect is caused solely by the green tea they drink.

Drinking green tea should also stimulate weight loss. If this is the case, is also still being

researched. Yet this is a persistent assertion about green tea. It is unfortunately true that drinking a few cups of green tea per day is not a miracle solution for losing weight. The proven effect is too small for it.

Is the effect of green tea on your health exaggerated? No, certainly not. Green tea has particularly the following proven positive effects.

Green tea:

•  Improves mental alertness and memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
•  Lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.
•  Reduces the risk of disease Parkison.                                      
•  Lowers blood pressure.
•  Prevents cancer in the bladder, esophagus, ovaries, 
•  and pancreas.
•  Reduces dizziness when standing up.        
•  Reduces the growth of troubled cervical cells.

So, enough reasons to drink green tea. It is recommended to drink a few cups a day of green tea of high quality. For an optimal effect, it is also better to let the boiling water a few minutes cool down before you pour it on the tea leaves. If the water is too hot, it may counteract the health benefits of green tea.

Photo: pukkaherbs.com

ZOOLANDER 2

Nederlands  Portugês 

If God exists, why did he create ugly people?

- Zoolander -

Cheerful news to start the week with. The new trailer for Zoolander 2 is out. Watch it here:

Have a great (Mon)day