Timeless Beauty

I hope this book will inspire you to get stronger, fitter, and leaner so you are ready to take on any project, challenge, or occasion as a caring and active member of the world around you. I guess you could say that I want you to find ways to leave a beautiful mark, change the world, make it better—and feel beautiful while you're doing it. (By the way, you will never look more beautiful than when you are helping others!)

For as long as I've been part of the modeling industry (forty years and counting!), people have been asking me to reveal my "beauty secrets." I hear questions all the time like, "What makeup do you use? What's your skin care routine? How do you stay so young looking? [Why, thank you!] What do you do for exercise?" And I promise that these pages will answer all those questions and that you will learn LOTS of secrets, tricks, and tips for looking and feeling good. In fact, by the time you're finished reading this book, you'll pretty much know everything I know when it comes to fashion, beauty, food, and fitness! And while I am not a doctor, nutritionist, fitness guru, hairstylist, or makeup artist, I have had access to many of the best in these fields. As you read through these chapters, I'll introduce you to several experts whose opinions I trust, and ask them to share their wisdom with you.

I'll admit that we're going to cover a lot of so-called "superficial" ground on these pages—and hopefully balance it out with some ways to buff up your inner beauty. But c'mon, we all want to put our best face forward, and I promise to show you how to do that while making it seem as effortless as possible. Because seriously, these days, thanks to all the social media sites, every day is like a photo shoot—and you want to be prepared!

But all these skin care and makeup tips are just one part of what I call full-spectrum beauty. And that's the kind of beauty we are ultimately after. That's the kind of beautiful that happens when inner beauty and outer beauty align. Full-spectrum beauty is that special something that makes a person's eyes sparkle with humor, that makes a smile genuine and kind; it's something in a warm, hearty laugh that lights up a room. It's an open hand and heart, lending support to those in need. Full-spectrum beauty is the part of beautiful that comes from a person's soul. People have searched the world over to find the fountain of youth, but guess what—it's right inside each and every one of us, in our own heart and soul! THAT is the fountain of youth because that's the part of beauty that will never fade. That's the beauty you want to cultivate.

Let your open heart shine, and, along with a little confidence-boosting polish from the tips in this book, I promise you will positively rule, you unique and extraordinary, one-of-a-kind beauty you! Go forth and make this world a more beautiful place. (And hey, we all know it's easier to change the world on good hair days, so read on!)

Change your mind

(and the rest will follow)

Now that we all have our hearts in the right place, let's talk about the most powerful muscle in your body—your mind! Well, I'm not sure it's really a muscle per se, but its power to influence our health is truly awesome. The mind-body connection is one of the most potent and woefully underused forces we have at our disposal at all times. But I promise that if you take the time to harness it, you will reap countless rewards. This is something you can work into so many aspects of your life. For example, when I'm exercising, I always reach for the muscle I'm working out and just touch it. My brain tells that muscle, "Hey, we're focused on making you stronger." I've done this instinctively for years, but there's some evidence to back up my instinct. Making that connection between your brain and your muscles will actually help you get a more effective workout. You'll be surprised what a difference it makes!

Words can also influence your health. Your body is always listening to your inner voice, so make sure you are always sending it positive messages. My mom taught me the importance of this early on. When I was just a kid, she would correct me if I ever said the forbidden, "That makes me sick." She was convinced I could actually make myself sick that way! Same thing with "I can't." My mom taught me to say "I choose not to" instead. The point was to reinforce that I had the power to choose and to be in control of those choices. That is how I've always tried to live my life—think positive, feel positive. That's what I've tried to teach my children, and it's exactly the message I hope to convey to you throughout this book.

The power of a smile

If you've ever read any interviews with me, you'll know I always say that my best beauty secret is smiling. And not just for the reason you might think. Sure, someone who's smiling will always look prettier, happier, and more approachable than someone who is frowning. But the power of a smile goes deeper than that. Research has shown that smiling doesn't just make you look happy, it actually makes you feel happy. That's right! No matter what's going on in your life, if you simply put your lips into a smiling position, it can release enough endorphins (the same feel-good chemicals released when we exercise) to improve your mood. Studies have been done measuring the effects of both genuine and forced smiles. And results show that even those who were faking the happy expression had lower heart rates and reported feeling less stressed than those who weren't smiling. (So it's worth faking a smile even when you aren't feeling it, because soon you will!) Plus, smiling is contagious. As they say, smile and the world smiles with you.

Turns out, frowning can affect your attitude too. Frowning sends signals to your brain that actually depress your mood. In an interesting study, researchers found that Botox can help relieve depression because apparently, if you can't frown, your body does not signal the release of the downer hormones. (To be clear: I'm certainly not saying you need to get Botox in order to be happy—I'm also not judging you if you do—but just pay attention to your expressions and try to smile much more often than you frown.)

A positive attitude

So now that we are all smiling, it's the perfect time to talk about how to cultivate a great attitude to go along with that sexy smile. As far as I'm concerned, there really is nothing more important to health, beauty, and your overall well-being than keeping a positive attitude. It's a given that everyone will face challenges in their lives, so we may as well learn from our struggles, challenges, and mistakes. You know that expression "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors"? Well, it's true. You learn so much about yourself and others during tough times. And what really defines us is how we get back up after we fall. I have learned to thank the problems I've had for helping me make the acquaintance of a part of me I never knew. "Hello there, strong lady! Nice to meet you! Where'd you come from? Well, your timing is impeccable because I need you right now." (Isn't it nice to know you have that strength when you need it?)

There are certainly times during which it's harder than others to stay positive and find any shred of silver lining. When my parents were ill, it was excruciating for me to see them suffering, and I didn't really know how to cope with that. When I count my blessings, my family always comes first, and two of my most cherished people were in pain. But I also knew that I needed to be there for my kids (my other blessings). So I would focus on doing what I could for my parents and then go home and appreciate that I had my children and that they were healthy. It was also a reminder that life goes so quickly, and that every day that we have each other and have our health is something to celebrate.

I know a lot of women have also gone through struggles similar to those I had with unhappy marital situations and divorce. It can absolutely drain your energy and feel almost impossible to navigate—especially when there are kids involved. You feel very alone, and having to put on a brave face for your children only increases that sense of isolation. I direct a lot of women to a website called One Mom's Battle (onemomsbattle.com). Going on there and reading about what others are going through makes you realize you're not alone, and that no matter what feelings you're having, you're not crazy! You can get a lot of community support that way, and even do it anonymously if you prefer. I also believe that laughter with friends is the number one cure-all. When you are going through trying times, don't be afraid to reach out to your friends. It's so important!

And I think it's good to acknowledge that sometimes we can actually find positive motivation in these very negative situations. And that's not a bad thing! I went through a very public divorce, and when I would read the ugly comments written about me online, it inspired me to really pull myself together and make those naysayers eat their words. For a brief moment, if you need to use something negative to motivate you to do something positive, that's okay. I say, do whatever it takes to not just lie in bed and feel sorry for yourself. As they always say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and that's true as long as you learn from it, grow, and move on to become more empathetic, compassionate, and stronger than ever.

Find some inner peace

Taking good care of yourself—through good times and trying ones—must include time for your spirit too. Meditation is a great example of the power of our mind-body connection. Study after study has found remarkable physical and emotional benefits that can be gained by simply spending a few minutes every day clearing your mind. You can lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, sleep better, and even relieve symptoms of conditions like asthma. And you don't have to get all New Agey in order to do it.

Meditation can be as simple as just sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes. Try to clear your mind, and as it wanders and thoughts come in and out, acknowledge them, but then bring your focus back to your breath. You can count your breaths (inhale on one, exhale on two, and so on) or repeat a word or mantra with every exhale (like "peace" or "love") to help you stay more focused. I've been meditating on and off since I was thirteen, but I must admit, I am not a good dedicated meditator. I am more of what I like to call a "meditation opportunist." I pull it out in times of trouble, trials, and tribulations, and on bumpy flights! I add Ujjayi breath and hand mudras and it keeps me from grabbing my neighbor's arm with every bump on the plane. I don't even care if I look silly doing it, because it really helps me. It is also invigorating when I'm jet-lagged—twenty minutes of meditating is like getting a couple of hours of sleep.

I also believe that you can get many of these same benefits from meditating on the move. In fact, when people have asked me how I've dealt with some of the challenges I have been lucky enough to learn from, that is what I tell them. I love to grab a camera and walk around looking for beauty. I find beauty everywhere—from the beach to the woods to the cracks in a city sidewalk! It fills me up with gratitude and joy, so that there's just no room for negative thoughts to fit in. I am transported by the magic and light, and I literally feel enlightened, both physically and spiritually, by the beauty. There's a saying: "When you seek beauty in people, and in all things, you will not only find it, you will become it." I do believe that's true. And I do believe that comes from having a feeling of gratitude. So since we're talking beauty secrets here, always remember: a grateful heart is worth a thousand lipsticks!

Throughout all my good times and bad times—whether I've been deliriously happy, totally stressed out, or even downright miserable—I've worked really hard to see the glass as more than half full. Most of the time, it's near to overflowing! Much of my optimism, positivity, and strength comes from being surrounded by my family. My three beautiful children—Alexa Ray, Jack Paris, and Sailor Lee—are my greatest blessings and they bring me my greatest joy. Spending time with them is guaranteed to put a smile on my face!

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I'm constantly posting little quotes and sayings—about 99 percent of which have something to do with an optimistic outlook on life. They're great little daily reminders to look on the bright side and focus on the many things I have to be grateful for. That's why I've sprinkled them across the pages of this book. If you find a few that speak to you, copy them, and tape them up on your bathroom mirror, fridge, or anywhere else you'll see and read them often. Because the thing about being positive is that it can be a self-perpetuating phenomenon. The more upbeat you are, the better you'll feel.

So I guess all this is to say that this book is here to help you feel like the brilliant painter of your own masterpiece, the exciting writer of your own script, the director of your own captivating movie. You're the star of your own show, and you should look like it!

2

ENLIGHTENED
EATING

Eating is something we are all pretty good at already, but I'd like to give you some more food for thought—or more precisely, a different way to think about food. I want to help you discover the power of food to fuel your health, your beauty, and your adventures. It's an approach that I like to call enlightened eating (that may also make you lighter too!). In this chapter, I am going to show you the power of healthy food and positive thinking, a combination that will result in a healthier lifestyle. You will feel—and see—the benefits faster than you can say "lacto-ovo-pescatarian vegetarian" (which is the kind of vegetarian I have been for most of my life).

Let me tell you how I came around to eating the way I do. When I was twelve years old, I was leafing through a book on my parents' nightstand, Norman Mailer's novel Miami and the Siege of Chicago. It fell open to a page with a graphic description of how animals are treated and killed in Chicago's slaughterhouses, and what I read changed my life forever. I was so horrified that I decided then and there that I did not want to be part of a system that did that to animals. And I never touched another piece of meat again! In a nice touch of karma, I have been reaping the health benefits of that decision ever since.

I didn't know it then, but my decision to stop eating meat has kept me from ingesting fats, antibiotics, and hormones that my body didn't need. What I did understand was that I had to replace the protein I had been getting from meat with other sources. So I started reading up on how to get the nutrients I needed to stay healthy and feel energized. To my delight, I discovered so many delicious ways to get plant-based proteins into my diet. And it brought a new awareness to my health on so many different levels that I had never considered before. I truly believe that decision so many years ago has allowed me to have a forty-plus-year modeling career! I think whether you give up meat entirely or just make a point of eating more plant foods, you will see and feel the rejuvenating results too!

In many cultures, meat represents a much smaller part of the diet than it does in our fast-food culture. Think about it—in Mexico and Cuba and most of the Caribbean, it's rice and beans. In Morocco, it's couscous and garbanzo beans. In Japan, they eat soybeans, tofu, and rice. In India, it's lentils and rice. In Italy, they opt for pasta and vegetables and just small portions of meat. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? This global gourmet menu should be yours too! I also believe that skipping meat—or at least cutting down on your consumption—is a better choice for the planet as well as for your health. A study published in August 2014 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that giving up beef reduces your carbon footprint more than giving up your car.

Do you know where your food has been?

Eating has gotten tricky these days. Events such as the devastating BP oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, where the Gulf was polluted with both oil and toxic dispersants (which had been banned in England for cancer-causing effects), as well as the ongoing nuclear disaster in Japan that is pouring radioactive isotopes into the Pacific Ocean (which have shown up in kelp in California), have caused me to rethink the safety of consuming fish and most kelp. (I have found a source called Maine Coast Sea Vegetables