Body & Soul

Rachel Scola • January 17, 2014

Some of the best days of summer are those spent bumming it at the beach, the lake or the pool. Soak up some rays, maybe enjoy some light reading, and definitely enjoy the nice tousled waves that can come from a day by the water. Unfortunately, the beach-y look comes at a price, and summer can damage hair more than help it. Thankfully, there are experts out there who hear our cries for help and have answers. Here are some products to help keep your hair clean and protected from the elements, and they can all be found nearby.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo & Conditioner:
It only makes sense that a product with the words “surf foam” would be a good choice for hair cleansing in the summer. This fresh-scented shampoo and conditioner clear out your scalp and hair and leave it feeling soft, but not flat. The cleaning duo also works together to make your hair prepared for other products that help create beach-y hairstyles. An 8.5-ounce bottle of either costs $25 and can be found at either Sephora or Bluemercury.

Tresemmé Climate Control Collection: Tresemmé’s full collection (shampoo, conditioner, spray and mousse) uses Keratin and olive oil to prepare hair for the weather and prevent frizz. Both the finishing spray and mousse hold hair in place while still maintaining smooth and soft locks. Shampoo and conditioner come in 15- and 32-ounce bottles for prices less than $5 online or at Target. Spray and mousse are sold at CVS for around the same price.

Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo: As if some of us needed another reason to be a beer fan, this shampoo is made from organic vegan beer that leaves hair with a shine and lemon scent. Chlorine can leave hair dry and frizzy, and the cognac and lemon juice in this shampoo replenishes the shine and moisture that your hair is missing. Lush has three sizes to choose from, the 3.3 ounces for $10, 8.4 ounce for $20 and 16.9 ounces for $30.

Fair Trade Honey Shampoo: Boasting an ingredient list of almost 50-percent honey and 20-percent linseed, this is perfect for those looking for a natural way to help themselves and the world. The shampoo is preservative free, but the fair trade honey is what helps prevent frizz, locks in moisture, and gives your hair an extra boost of shine. Three sizes ranging from $10 to $30 can be bought at Lush.

Alterna Bamboo UV+Color Protection Masque: Masks are not confined for only the body or face. This organic hair masque not only protects the color in your hair but also against UV rays. The bamboo extract hydrates your hair while the melon extract leaves your locks silky smooth. Find it at Sephora for $26.

Fekkai After-Sun Daily Mask: This is a brand new product for Fekkai, and the only one to promote detangling as a benefit. It also protects from UV rays and color fading and is best used with Fekkai’s Anti-Frizz Cream. Both products are $25 at Blue Mercury.

These aren’t the only products out there, of course. Bumble and Bumble offers an entire line of color protection sprays and washes, and Lush has a jasmine and henna mask to help control fluffy or frizzy hair. Any shampoo with coconut will help hydrate your hair. If you’re looking for summer hair but don’t want to risk the harm on your hair, try Not Your Mother’s Sea Salt Spray (CVS) for texturized waves or Rita Hazen’s Foaming Gloss (Sephora) for enhanced gold tones in any hair color. [gallery ids="101374,153213" nav="thumbs"]

Rachel Scola •

Say hello to garcinia cambogia, a plant indigenous to the southeast of Asia and a proven appetite suppressor and energy producer. Garcinia cambogia has been a popular ingredient in yogurts and soups for several decades in countries like Sri Lanka and India, a fact that excited researchers and proves that this fruit is, so far as we know, not harmful to your health.

One of the premier doctors researching this fruit is Georgetown University’s Dr. Harry Preuss. Preuss started as a hypertension researcher but soon became fascinated with blood sugar and nutrition. In the early 2000s, Georgetown University conducted a study of 90 people in India on the effects of garcinia cambogia on their body weight. The results were astonishing, showing weight loss, decreased BMI and an increase in the body’s ability to burn fat.

The fruit, known as a tamarind, looks like a small green pumpkin and has a sour taste, but its extract holds the secret. It contains a hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which blocks the conversion of carbohydrates into fat and instead forces them to convert directly into energy. Hydroxycitric acid can either be active or inactive. The active form is what brings in the results, but it can easily become inactive if mixed with a fluid to form into a lactone.To prevent this, HCA is converted into a salt—usually calcium, but it can be potassium or magnesium.

So why not just take in a calcium salt? Taking only calcium would require extremely high doses to see minimal results. The best intake would be a supplement with at least 50% HCA in the calcium salt form that includes potassium or magnesium. Dr. Preuss also suggests taking a supplement that includes chromium, a mineral that helps to digest food but, when part of an eating regimen, would help lead to fat loss without muscle loss. Supplements can be beneficial, but Preuss wants to remind users that people want to make money and will sometimes put false products on the market. In general, always double check ingredients and dosages, and talking to a doctor before trying anything is always a good idea.

The study in India tested a brand called Super Citrimax through InterHealth Nutraceuticals, which is 60% HCA and contains both potassium and chromium. While this particular brand cannot be found in our local CVS, it can be ordered online and is reasonably priced (between $10 and $20). A dosage would entail 1.5 grams (two capsules three times a day) of the calcium salt taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating.

Dr. Preuss stresses that these are aids in weight loss. Your metabolic rate will naturally lower when you suppress your appetite and Preuss suggest a green tea or coffee extract to increase metabolism again so that your body doesn’t plateau. “It’s a program,” he says. “Be reasonable about it. It won’t work in two or three days.”

So garcinia cambogia isn’t exactly the miracle fat burner that we might be waiting for, but it is definitely one of the biggest advancements in weight loss in the past several years. Like most things, it works best when balanced with exercise and healthy eating, but in the words of Dr. Preuss, “If you don’t comply, don’t complain.” And be sure to stick to the correct dosages for the best results. [gallery ids="101351,152339" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • January 6, 2014

Dear Stacy:
I am a 20-something woman living in D.C. with a great job, good friends and a nice place to live. I really love my life and wouldn’t change a thing about it. But as this month has approached, I have realized that I am really anxious about the holidays because I do not have anyone to bring as a date on New Year’s Eve. I made a resolution last year that I would be with a long-term boyfriend and that did not happen in 2013. Every time I think about the holidays, I see myself getting sad and worried and I know it’s all because of that idea of seeing myself at the party without a boyfriend. I know this sounds stupid, but it’s what is really happening and I don’t know what to do to make it better.
– Alone for the Holiday

Dear Holiday,
Ah, the dreaded New Year’s Resolution Regret. We’ve all been there, but many of us forget about last January’s failure, particularly as the next New Year approaches and we are suddenly convinced that this time will be different! I’m really sorry you are feeling this way and that our culture has conspired to create an event that seems to celebrate only the coupled, while also providing a handy shame-distribution exercise (aka the New Year’s resolution). The good news is that you already know that you have many positive things in your life. Rather than let our anxiety about what’s not happening ruin our holidays, we need to help our brains focus on the good and take gentle care of ourselves. The latter point is the most important – which leads me to my most specific, directive piece of advice:
Don’t go to the party.

The excellent, thoughtful brain that has allowed you to accept all the wonderful assets you named (job/friends/housing), that brain is telling you, well in advance, that it’s a bad idea to attend a New Year’s party where you know you will feel bad about yourself. So don’t go. That very important reason you just thought of? The one that makes it impossible for you not to go to the party? It’s not real. You don’t have to go. Seriously.

This doesn’t mean you have to pretend it’s just a regular Tuesday and head to bed early. Just please find a different way of celebrating. It sounds like an invitation to a party has made you dread the holidays and left your self-esteem in shambles. That’s a lot of power you are giving up. Take it back. You can do this by choosing to travel on Dec. 31, or gathering your single friends together for a wine tasting, or visiting a nursing home that night – the possibilities are endless. But the concept is the same. Focusing on what you don’t have will not make you feel better. Taking good care of yourself (your heart/mind/spirit) is the best thing you can do to launch a new year in your incredible life.

Stacy Notaras Murphy www.stacymurphyLPC.com is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to stacy@georgetowner.com.

Georgetowner • December 5, 2013

Dear Stacy:
There are a lot of great things in my life. I enjoy my work, and I have a great relationship with my husband. Our kids are young and keep us really busy, but we seem to be able to strike a work-life balance with some regularity. With so much going for me right now, I find myself really frustrated at the way I react to good news from friends. When they are struggling, I am the first one there with encouragement and assistance (babysitting, casseroles). I am great at swooping in to save the day. But when I hear about their latest achievements, I immediately feel jealous and resentful! Even when it’s something I would never want for myself, I jump right to feeling mad about their successes. I don’t know why I do that? I can usually talk myself out of those feelings, but I really wish I never had them in the first place. I am afraid that this means that underneath that I am just a bad person.
– Secret Bad Person

Dear Secret,
From where I am sitting, this actually isn’t a secret at all. You are admitting that you are actually a real live human being, and not a robot stuck on the “Cheery Disposition” setting. What you are describing is very common and truly not an indicator of a “bad person.” But you do raise an interesting existential question: What makes a good person?

The real answers on this may be found somewhere other than an advice column (I’m thinking a clergyperson or a family member might have more insights into your particular cultural history and experience). But since we’re talking about this, let’s remember that you have a pattern of doing really nice things for others. And even amid this tendency, you can label your family’s work/life balance as basically strong. These facts suggest that your outward actions reflect an inward sense of altruism and generosity – not “bad” characteristics at all.

What I would be curious about is why you are more comfortable helping others when they are down, as compared to helping them celebrate their successes. You acknowledge that this isn’t about wanting what your friends have, so it might be more about just wanting to be the winner. Were you a highly competitive kid? Did your family value you more when you were successful? This is a great opportunity – while Kids are still young – to get clear about the [subconscious] formula you [subconsciously] believe will bring you the most love from and connection with others. It’s important to know that code – whether you choose to recalculate it or leave it be – so that you can make conscious choices with Husband and Kids.

Stacy Notaras Murphy [www.stacymurphyLPC.com](HTTP://WWW.STACYMURPHYLPC.COM) is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only, and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to stacy@georgetowner.com.

Georgetowner • November 21, 2013

DEAR STACY:
My live-in boyfriend of two years and I have been having trouble for about six months. We argue a lot and say mean things to each other. At the root of this is the fact that we have very different ideas about what a good relationship is supposed to look like. My friends keep telling me to get counseling, but I worry that doing that means this relationship is definitely doomed. As you can see, I’m a pretty black-and-white thinker, and I don’t really want to spend the time and energy to have a professional confirm what I already know. Isn’t counseling for really messed up couples? If we need counseling before we even get engaged, doesn’t that mean this is the wrong relationship for me?
– Communication Crossroads

DEAR CROSSROADS,
This myth about counseling being only appropriate for “really messed up couples” absolutely needs to be discredited.
Listen to me: those couples are just like you, and started out right where you are – wondering if their problems really warranted the time and energy that it takes to work through. Many just ignored the piling frustrations until they poisoned the entire system with the deep resentment that makes counseling harder and exponentially less effective. Being in a relationship is hard work for everyone. It just is. That’s the truth. Stop tricking yourself into believing that your friends’ relationships are perfectly attuned, and that they will never have any disappointments because they have found exactly the right person and have made all the right decisions. They haven’t. There are many ways to approach the natural frustrations that occur when two people try to build a relationship/home/family together. Yes, some people (READ: a tiny fraction) are effortlessly able to communicate their needs, but most of us need help or else we learn to adapt in unhealthy ways – isolating, acting out, using passive aggression, etc. Another choice is taking the time to learn about Boyfriend’s unique communication needs, and to teach him about your own. A therapist knows how to do this and can get you there faster.

Let’s do a quick experiment. Let’s assume that you actually need counseling, but are unwilling to try it because you think it means the relationship is doomed. Isn’t the relationship doomed then anyway? Why not try something that actually could help? Let me appeal to your all-or-nothing thinking: there are more than a few of us who make a living helping couples work through these issues, it has to have a positive outcome for some or else we wouldn’t stay in business, right? Put down your defenses and try something that could help. Otherwise my advice is to just move out today, because a person who is unwilling to work on things now isn’t going to know how to show up for the relationship later. That’s not a muscle that we magically grow, it’s one that needs regular strength training so it’s ready when the lifting gets really heavy.

Stacy Notaras Murphy www.stacymurphyLPC.com is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to stacy@georgetowner.com.

Marie Loiseau • November 18, 2013

Imagine a heating pad that can blast away fat in just 30 minutes. Sound too good to be true? Well, not only does the technology exist, but it’s right here in Washington, D.C. The newest non-invasive solution in body contouring, Vanquish, can be achieved at DC Derm Docs on L Street.

Marilyn Berzin, M.D., and Dale Isaacson, M.D., who run DC Derm Docs, held a special reception Nov. 6 to introduce this latest technology. They and their downtown office have been featured in Washingtonian Magazine, ABC7 News and more. Derm Docs is the first to offer Vanquish in the D.C. area.

“It is very exciting technology,” said Berzin, who, like Isaacson, has received Vanquish treatments.

Unlike other non-invasive fat reduction methods, Vanquish produces immediate results. Liz, a patient at DC Derm Docs, was pleased with her post-Vanquish body. “I saw results right away, but they weren’t dramatic,” she said. “The results were more dramatic with each additional treatment,” she added.

Results will vary depending on the person. If patients undergo the recommended four treatments, spaced about a week apart, everyone should get results. “You’ll get at least an inch,” Isaacson said. “But I’ve seen an average of 2.5 to 3.5 inches lost in those receiving four treatments,” he added, referring to patients receiving Vanquish around the waist. Also, unlike other procedures, Vanquish can target the belly and love handle areas in a single half-hour session. Other common focus areas are back pockets and saddlebags.

Vanquish utilizes radio frequency to melt away a layer of fat cells, without even touching the patient’s body. Patients will not experience pain, but rather heat, redness and, perhaps, some swelling. The machine literally burns the fat cells, killing and leaving them to be excreted in the urine. For this reason, patients are told to drink plenty of water, at least two liters, in the day before, of and after treatment.

Liz talked to The Georgetowner, while undergoing her fourth Vanquish treatment: “It feels like a heating pad,” she said. “In my other treatments, I brought a book and came in before heading to the office,” she added.

The ideal Vanquish patient is someone who has a few stubborn inches to lose. If diet and exercise just aren’t working, or if there is an upcoming special occasion, maybe Vanquish is the answer.

DC Derm Docs charges $550 per session for the first four sessions and additional treatments are only $350. Shelling out $2,200 for a slimmer waist? Pain-free? Without diet and exercise? Somebody pinch me.
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Ari Post • November 7, 2013

On Monday, Sept. 30, the Georgetown Media Group hosted its third annual Chefs Go Fresh tour. Ever growing in popularity since its conception, Chefs Go Fresh has local chefs rev up for a motorcycle tour of local farms, artisans and food purveyors, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

“I love connecting our city’s chefs with local ingredients,” says Georgetown Media Group publisher Sonya Bernhardt. “But at the root of this event is building and reinforcing community relationships, which is one of our most important responsibilities as a local news outlet—and one the aspects of the job I love most.”

To start the day on the right foot, chefs and other members of the Washington restaurant industry met up at Brasserie Beck Restaurant (1101 K St. NW) for breakfast, hosted by chef Robert Weidmaier, co-founder of the original “Chefs on Bikes” event, and owner of Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck, Brabo and Mussel Bar restaurants.

“I founded the original event, Chefs on Bikes, because I wanted to learn more about what was happening in regional farming and food production,” says Weidmaier. “Throughout the years, it’s turned into a mission to raise awareness of these small, local artisanal producers. Us chefs think we know a lot about what’s going on locally, but there are so many great producers in Maryland that don’t go around bragging about what they do. And so this is a chance to let local chefs and restaurants go right to the source, as opposed to the other way around. I’ve met some great farmers, vintners and cheese makers that now help supply my restaurants, that I never would have met without Chefs Go Fresh.”

The early morning smorgasbord included organic lamb hash with poached eggs, cayenne fried chicken with jalapeno-infused maple syrup and Nutella coffee cake, as well as classic favorites like quiche Lorraine, Belgian waffles, steak n’ eggs and a Bloody Mary bar (needless to say).

Along with Weidmair, the chefs and restaurateurs in attendance included KN Vinod and Surfy Rahman of Indique and Indique Heights, Thomas Elder of Härth, James Gee and Lydon Sacoff of Jaleo, Sean Wheaton of José Andrés’ Think Food Group, David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Peter Russo of Chef Geoff, Ris Lacoste of Ris, and Nick Cibel of Nick’s Riverside Grill.

Hopping on their bikes (with the bike-less in tow on a tour bus provided by Quick’s Bus Company), the chefs revved and roared down K Street, beyond the city limits, and down the winding country roads of Prince George’s County. The first stop was Miller Farms in Clinton, Md, run by John Miller, a fifth generation farmer who operates his 267-acre property with his son Brad. Family owned since 1840, Miller Farms grows an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as operating an onsite bakery, nursery and farmer’s market. The perfect spot for a weekend drive (especially if you enjoy berry picking in the spring), Miller Farms is a great place to visit for wholesale produce, firewood, mulch, homemade baked goods and flowers. This time of year, bring your kids out for their corn maze and scenic hayride through pumpkin patches and a community of friendly scarecrows. (Visit www.MillersFarmClinton.com.)

Next on the tour was PA Bowen Farmstead, a farm dedicated to raising grass-fed livestock and producing fine artisan raw cheese. Located in Brandywine, their farm uses old-fashioned grazing techniques combined with modern technologies to help animal species work symbiotically with each other to heal and build their soil and produce high-quality foods that heal and nourish the body, without the use of antibiotics, pesticides or growth-enhancers.

Owners Geoffrey Morell and Sally Fallon Morell purchased the 95-acre farm in 2009, with the goal of creating an integrated farm that not only supplies high-quality, pasture-fed products, but will act as an engine for the economic revitalization of the whole region. On top of having an immaculately clean farm and some of the freshest looking meat and poultry anywhere in the region, their artisan cheeses have been winning awards throughout the country. Their blue cheese with Celtic sea salt is a must-have for any cheese plate in Washington. They even offer private cheese making and poultry processing classes for anyone with a deeper interest in learning more about where their food comes from. (Visit www.PABowenFarmstead.com)
The tour ended at Nick’s Riverside Grill at Georgetown Waterfront Park, where Nick Cibel served up a late lunch of Delmarva classics done right: Maryland blue crabs steamed with old bay, red potatoes and fresh corn, from Miller Farms, piled in mountains on top of butcher paper and eaten in true “family meal” fashion. It was served with pitchers of beer provided by Dixie Liquor, a taste of rum, courtesy of Atlantico rum producers, and a tasty Sauvignon Blanc provided by Oyster Bay. It was a gastronomic adventure that we won’t soon forget—and we look forward to doing it again next year. We extend a warm thank you to all who made this event so special. [gallery ids="101513,150944,150948,150952,150957,150962,150966,150971,150974,150979,150984,150988,150939,150935,150931,150888,150996,150893,150898,150903,150907,150910,150915,150919,150922,150927,150993" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • November 6, 2013

***DEAR STACY:***
*I am writing on behalf of a friend going through a nasty divorce. He decided to lease an apartment with a female friend who has also just left a long-term relationship. They spend a lot of time together ? cooking and hanging out. Obviously they have developed a bond. It?s not physical yet, but he is growing feelings for this woman. He asked my advice and I think this is a recipe for disaster. They are both in pain and I think it would be like two addicts meeting in rehab or [Alcoholics Anonymous]. They share this one trauma in common and then numb the pain through physical intimacy. I think this could easily become a very codependent relationship. I told him he should avoid this, especially as they each have their own issues to get over, plus, he?s still in the middle of litigation. What do you think?*
*?Concerned Bystander*

**DEAR CONCERNED,**
I think you offered your friend some very thoughtful advice ? particularly since he specifically asked for it. But I warn you to be prepared for him to ignore that advice completely.

Yes, stumbling into a new relationship while going through a divorce is not usually a great idea. Obviously there could be legal issues, but unless both parties are comfortable with this being a rebound-style fling, it?s also risky because feelings could get hurt and Divorcing Guy could wind up alienating a good friend in the process. Still, please try to be gentle with him when he starts a relationship with Roomie. They have chosen to do more than just commiserate with one another, they are building a home together, something they both lost when their respective partnerships ended. When someone feels beaten up and abandoned by a failed relationship, that person looks for comfort wherever he can find it ? it?s human nature. The wheels are already in motion on this one ? Divorcing Guy may be asking for advice but leaving out the detail that he has already started the physical relationship. What he really needs right now is a good friend. Really good friends tell us the truth, as you have, and then keep listening without judgment. He?s going to need a lot more of that as he begins to truly grieve this loss.

***Stacy Notaras Murphy [www.stacymurphyLPC](http://www.stacymurphyLPC.com) is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to [stacy@georgetowner.com](mailto:stacy@georgetowner.com).***

Marie Loiseau • October 24, 2013

Michele Conley speaks lovingly of her “phenomenal” friends, a couple who have adopted four young, in-need children. She gushes at their selflessness, their generosity. Conley’s admiration is cut short, however, because she’s made plans to prepare them dinner.

This thoughtful gesture is typical of Conley, a maternal angel and two-time breast cancer survivor that fills her days with giving and sharing. She is Washington, D.C.’s very own Wonder Woman, having perfected a trying balance as a daughter, mother, friend to many, exercise enthusiast and owner of a State Farm Insurance agency. In the past year, for instance, Conley has moved her youngest son into his freshman college dorm, roamed around France with her mother and completed numerous 10-mile and half marathon running races. She’s done all this, while maintaining her position as founder and leader of Living in Pink.

Conley founded Living in Pink in 2003, after seeing her mother battle breast cancer, and then personally fighting and overcoming the disease twice. Her independent, nonprofit organization supports research to further the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
“We celebrate women that are living, surviving and thriving,” says Conley. This year’s big celebratory event will be the 10th Annual Living in Pink Luncheon & Boutique, scheduled for Nov. 1 at the Fairmont Washington Hotel.

Greta Kreuz, reporter and anchorwoman of ABC7/WJLA-TV, will be the introductory speaker, as she has been for almost every annual luncheon thus far. “She’s fabulous,” says Conley. “We asked her initially, and she’s volunteered to speak every year since.”

The luncheon will also feature the annual presentation of The Living in Pink Award and the Noel Soderberg-Evans Award. The Living in Pink Award recipient is generally, but not always, a physician who has done something special for women and breast cancer. This year’s recipient is Rachel Brem, M.D., Director of the Breast Imaging and Intervention Center at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health.

The Noel Soderberg-Evans Award, presented by the Jack Evans family, is given to someone carrying on Noel’s legacy as, what Conley calls, “such a wonderful person, fighting and staying positive for her loved ones.” The recipient of this award will not be announced until the luncheon’s award presentation.

Living in Pink’s Luncheon & Boutique continues to be a success, year after year. Conley passes on the praise to the 12 Living in Pink committee members. “There’s no way this could happen without them.”

She’s looking very forward to this year’s event and is immensely proud of the organization’s accomplishments. “The committee is amazing,” she says. “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to keep almost all of the same committee members and keep this going year after year,” she continues. “The power of people working together: that’s what has made this what it is.”