Orange Mocha Frappuccino

Several years ago I took a very elitist film class. On the first day we had to go around the classroom and say our name and favorite film. I was near the end and those before me each picked obscure foreign films I had never heard of, to a round of understanding nods from everyone else. I knew I couldn’t compete with that so I was honest and admitted mine to be the completely American and Hollywood creation- Zoolander. The pursed lips I was expecting were parted and to my surprise I was met with collective approval and a lively discussion ensued. A well known part of this movie has one of the lead male models and his crew heading out to cheer themselves up with orange mocha frappuccinos followed up by a “freak gasoline fight accident”. If you need cheering up I highly recommend this movie and the outtakes, which include Zoolander’s tour of his home and access to his practice runway, complete with large arrows to keep things clear. The press for the sequel has already begun, starting with a bang when Zoolander and his rival/friend Hansel walked the Valentino show in Paris recently.Nutritionally there are a few things we can do to make ourselves look and feel as really, really, really, really ridiculously good looking as possible. First, drinking lots of water helps keep the body functioning well and ensures that detoxification and digestion are fully supported. One thing to note is that the majority of water intake should be consumed away from meals, so as to not interfere with digestion, carrying a water bottle around regularly will make this easier. Even just drinking four extra cups of water a day can help your body detoxify more efficiently. On the outside it keeps the skin more bright, tight and moisturized. The right amount of water to drink is dependent on many factors including environment (is it hot/cold/dry/moist), diet (are there lots of fresh hydrating fruits and vegetables or dehydrating diuretics like coffee and alcohol), perspiration and activity level. Generally it is recommended for the average person to consume eight cups or two liters of water per day, but this can fluctuate. If you do not drink very much plain water now, start adding in more slowly, too much at once can be an uncomfortable adjustment for your body. Even though it is what your body needs, if it has been conditioned to live with less for awhile it will need a transition period. If you do not like the taste of plain water then adding in some slices of citrus (peel off to avoid too much tartness) or cucumber, berries or fresh herbs like mint can make it a bit more interesting.

Another notable step we can take nutritionally is to consume a wide range of vitamins and minerals. These are found in abundance in fresh whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans and lentils), nuts and seeds, wild seafood and well-raised eggs, poultry and meats. The body will first allocate nutrients to organs and internal processes necessary for survival, only when these needs have been met are nutrients sent to hair, skin and nails. So, very simply, keep your diet simple. Drink lots of water, and eat a rainbow of fresh, real foods as close to their natural source as possible to be your best self.