You Are What You Eat

Eat Right. Your Skin Will Thank You.

You know that too much alcohol and smoking can dehydrate and take oxygen away from your skin, risking its health, right? You know that sitting in the sun too long can damage your skin and that by not getting enough rest, relaxation, and exercise your skin can suffer too, don't you? Did you also know that by not eating the proper foods you could be damaging your skin as well?

Here are some foods that can help you maintain healthy skin and nourish skin that's been damaged:

Fish, Beans and Oils
Many of you have heard me preach of the vital role essential fatty acids play with aging skin, as EFA’s are required to maintain skin elasticity.  Denying your body of the 'good' fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can cause your skin to wrinkle prematurely.   Good sources of EFA’s in your diet are fish, especially salmon, and nuts like almonds and sunflower seeds.  The best sources of EFA’s also come in flax seed oil, coconut oil and borage oil, which can be incorporated into your cooking or as a daily supplement.

Vegetables
Got acne? Spinach and other dark green vegetables are antioxidants that can reduce the inflammation of pimples, and orange vegetables such as carrots and peppers, are high in beta-carotene, which turns into Vitamin A in your body to heal damaged skin.  Winter vegetables are packed with beta-carotene.  I encourage you to stock up on your squash.  Your skin will love you for it!

Berries
Blackberries, plums, strawberries, blueberries and prunes are all included in the group of fruits that can help you keep your system toxic-free, and thus help your skin look radiant and healthy!  Be sure not to throw out wilted veggies & spent fruit.  Simply puree them in your blender, making your own alpha-hydroxy, anti-aging face wash!  You really don’t need to spend a fortune on high end products when all the sought after ingredients are already in your fridge.  Be sure to read on for your free monthly recipe.

Turkey and Chicken (White Meat)
Your skin's cells cannot be repaired without protein. Don't or can't eat meat? Nuts! No, I mean eat nuts for protein. You can also substitute meat with egg whites or soy products to get the protein you need as well.

Water, Water, and More Water
If there is any substance in the world that your body just can't get enough of, it's water. Since your body consists of approximately 80% water, it only makes sense that you need to replenish the water in your body, especially if you exercise a lot or live in a dry climate.  Sodas and caffeinated drinks dehydrate your skin.  If drinking water is challenging, slices of cucumber or oranges with mint sprigs create a refreshing spa beverage that you can keep refrigerated or fill up your sports bottle when on the go.

It is true that you are what you eat, so eat well, live well, and look totally awesome!  Be sure to visit your local farmer’s markets or natural food grocers for organic foods, free of hormones and pesticides. By doing so you’re eating optimal quality foods and supporting a sustainable environment.

Natural Beauty From Natural Ingredients

In the past, women relied on natural beauty treatments from the ingredients found in their kitchen or gardens. Products created from natural ingredients available at home have essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients and healing properties that work with your body to heal and protect the skin naturally without any cosmetic cover ups.

The basic rule for home made beauty care -

- Keep the recipe simple. Avoid ingredients that you have unpleasant side effects on your skin.
- Sterilize and dry all the equipments and containers.
- Make small batches of the product that you would use each day.
- If you smell any thing rotten or bad, throw out the concoction.
- Do a patch test before trying out any home made beauty recipes to avoid nasty side effects.
- Hygiene and cleanliness is all important.
- Create natural home facial mask at home, keeping in mind your skin type.

Natural Home Facial for Oily Skin - Despite its disadvantages, oil skin is boon in the long run as wrinkles, lines, etc take time to show up than they would on the dry skin making you look younger than your peers. Though one still has to take proper care for oily skin with the right skin care products.

- Peppermint facial - Peppermint dissolves excess oil and gives cool refreshing sensation to the skin. It cleans the pores and kills bacteria that cause acne. Use pure peppermint essential oil. Mix 1 tbsp milk, 1 drop of peppermint oil, 3 tsp distilled water, 2-3 tbsp kaolin to make a soft smooth paste. Apply the peppermint mask on your face. Relax and let the mask harden. After the mask is completely tightened, gently peel and rub off the mask.

Natural Home Facial for Normal Skin - Having a normal skin does not mean that you should avoid taking care for it. Cleanse tone and moisturize your skin daily so your skin will stay healthy for years to come and make you look younger than your peers.

- Peppermint and Lavender oil facial mask - To relieve your self from tensions and headache, peppermint and lavender duo come handy. The natural facial mask relaxes the facial muscles. Mix 1 tsp jojoba or any carrier oil in a bowl with 1 drop of peppermint and lavender essential oils. Add 3 tsp distilled water, 2-3 tbsp kaolin to a smooth spreadable paste. Apply the face mask. Relax and wait for the mask to dry. Peel off solid pieces of hardened mask and use plenty of water to cleanse your face from the rest of the mask.

Natural Home Facial for Dry Skin - The honey and banana combo makes a good facial for dry skin. Honey leaves the skin hydrated with its hydrating properties and bananas with hordes of vitamins, calcium and other essential nutrients keep the skin smooth and soft. The bananas should not be overripe. Mash 1 small banana. Add 1 tsp of honey to it and mix well. Apply this on your face and leave it on for 10 -15 minutes. Wash off with lots of water afterwards.

The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader and not the site and the writer.

Green Tea Health Benefits

For many centuries people of China used green tea for treating various diseases. However with the advancement of time, today people of west use green tea, realizing its several benefits. Green Tea has long been esteemed in China for its involvement to good health. Fame of Green tea in the United States persists to develop, viewing that green tea is an innate foundation of antioxidants. These antioxidants aid defend the body from accelerating aging and augmented danger of ailments. Years of research reveal that green tea restrains the expansion of objectionable cell colonies, thus building it the healthiest tea obtainable.

Let us take a look at the benefits of green tea:

Green tea has many health benefits, and it can be used for avoidance of the diseases: Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease, cataracts, Infection, and Impaired Immune Function.

Green tea helps in weight loss course. The green tea leaves augments metabolism in the body there fore consumption green tea helps you burn more calories.

Green tea has the capability to fight bacteria and this can be counted as one of the chief benefits of green tea. This boosts your immune system thereby increasing the resistance power. It also helps kill bacteria that cause plaque and succeeding tooth decay. Green tea can help in fight food poisoning.

In addition, green tea can help lessening blood sugar level and cholesterol level in your blood.

Also green tea helps in getting rid of bad breath. Some element is present in green tea that stunts the growth of bad odor causing bacteria. Therefore a cup or two of green regularly can help in maintaining fresh breath.

If you are a chain smoker and also you consume around six cups of green tea a day then the propensity of risk caused due to the toxins emitted by cigarette smoke is reduced to a great extent.

Green Tea also contributes to maintain your beauty. With the help of green tea you can freshen up your face and apply around your tired eyes to get soothing feeling. If you have freckles or blemishes on your face you can apply the green tea to get rid of the spots. The green tea also has benefits for antiseptic purposes. It can be used to treat minor cuts, rashes and also can be treated to cure sunburn.

Green Tea is organically grown and the customary drying method used with Green Tea prevents the tea from the harmful effects of fermentation.

Products of green tea are available in different strength levels. Some supplements are comprised of low strengths of the active polyphones, whereas others go as far as using un-standardized green tea leaf powder.

It has been confirmed that green tea is stuffed with health benefits. It acts as a influential antioxidant, which has been identified to assist prevent cancer, pull through from the harmful cholesterol, and guard against harm caused by free radicals.

It has been reported by National Cancer Institute that Green Tea has Cancer avoiding aptitudes and components for fighting against insert fresh life to the market. People who have depended on costly anti-oxidant products are finding that Green Tea is very cost-effective and organic. Tea is one of the foremost selling fresh drinks, only after water.

However you manage to incorporate green tea in your diet, as well as it on a standard basis will help you receive utmost results. Put in green tea to a vigorous, balanced diet and exercise schedule for general fitness.

How to Lose Those Menacing Pounds

Everyone wants to look great during the holidays. It’s the time they see their family and friends. For some people, that’s means to drop a few pounds. Many of us want to lose weight. The equation of losing weight is simple; take in fewer calories than you burn. But we all know it isn’t that easy. Our bodies aren’t math problems. We are very complex organisms. Each one of our bodies differs in some way. You can’t exactly pin point a diet to work for everyone, but here are some tips on helping you lose a few pounds. You can use these tips just for the basis of the holidays or you can use them all year around.


1.     Put the kettle on

Green tea is a great way to lose weight. It also is very healthy for your body.

2.     Drink water

Water is one of the main elements of your body. You need it. Drinking water helps regulate your body system. Besides being healthy, water makes you feel fuller. Everyday, you should drink half of your body weight in ounces. For example if you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water. Don’t try to drink this all at once; spread it throughout the day.

3.     Stop drinking sodas

Sodas are no nos. Sodas dries your body out. “There are approximately nine packets of sugar and close to one hundred and fifty calories in one twelve-ounce can of soda or juice,” says Netty Levine, M.S., R.D., a registered dietitian at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. They just aren’t healthy.

4.     Eat healthy

Start eating healthy. So many of us exercise and look over the simple fact that we do not eat healthy. Eating healthy can improve your look as well as your attitude. Some ways to eat healthy are to:

·        Eat food rich in monosaturated fats

·        Eat a fiber-based breakfast. Fiber helps you stay full longer.

·        Place protein in your meals. Protein also makes you stay full longer

·        Eat more vegetables. Vegetables balance your meal out. They also contain fewer calories as other foods.

·        Keep track of calorie intake. Calories turn into fat.

·        Throw the chips away. “Junk food” isn’t good for the body. They usually contain lots of saturated fat, which is not good unless it is polysaturated or monosaturated. Most of these foods are also high in sodium; this causes the body to become bloated.

·        Eliminated red meat. Its not healthy.

·        Eat soup, salad, and fruit. You just can’t go wrong with these types of food. They are low in calories and fat.

·        Cut out fried foods. Fried foods taste good, but it isn’t the best for our bodies. The oil causes our bodies to become slightly sluggish. Over time it can even start to clog your arteries.

5.     Enjoy your meals

So many of us rush. We have to make a deadline, so we rush. We have to run some errands, so we rush. Don’t rush your meal. If you rush your meal, you won’t feel hungry when you are done. You will eat more and more because you feel that you aren’t satisfied. Take the time to savor your food; you will fill full faster.

6.     Stop dining out. COOK!

When cooking foods you can control your calorie intake. You also tend to eat more healthy food; your food tends to have less fats.

7.     Do not eat late!

Most people are more active earlier in the day. Eating late, one tends to lie down, sit down, or even go to sleep. If one is not active after they eat then the calories from the food turns into fat.

8.     Don’t try to starve yourself

Starving yourself is not healthy. All it does is break down your body. Most people should eat at least 1200 calories a day. When you starve yourself your body thinks that you are going through starvation periods. Because of this your metabolism is slowed to a crawl. Even if you lose weight, once you begin to eat once again you will gain it all back and more.

9.     No emotional eating!

One of the worse things you can do is eat when you are emotional. We all are emotional at times. Eating when you are emotional might calm you down, but it also might place a tire around your waist or hips. Instead try using another outlet when you are emotional. Try running, aerobics, pilates, or yoga. If you don’t want to get physical during that time, try writing poems. If none of those works for you, there are many other things you can try. Listen to calming music, or just write your feelings down. Whatever you do; don’t pick up the dinnerware.

10.            EXERCISE!

Exercise is one of the best ways to lose weight. Even though your weight won’t come off immediately, your weight will stay off if you keep a healthy routine. Many people see exercising as a rigorous activity; it doesn’t have to be one. Besides the aerobics, the sports, and the running, you can try yoga or pilates. You don’t even have to do that. You can use the stairs instead of an elevator. You can park your car at the back of a store lot.

You can even sign up for a dance class. You’ll get two in one; a fit body and some new dance moves. If you like to shop, go to the mall. You’ll walk a lot while carrying bags. Take a stroll after dinner. All of these are workouts that can help you drop some pounds.

11.             Prioritize your workouts

Exercising doesn’t work unless you keep with it. Quitting exercising after two-weeks won’t help you.

12.             Inches not pounds

Don’t worry if you step on the scale and you don’t look lighter. It’s not about the pounds; it’s about the inches.  You should also keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat.

13.             Say no to negative

Have courage in losing weight. Thinking that you will never lose weight will only discourage you. You will never get anywhere with a bad attitude.

14.             Hide the scale

Looking at the scale will make you feel that you haven’t loss anything. It also makes us rush our weight loss. Looking at the scales is a quick way to gain discouragement.

15.             Avoid fad diets

Do not use fad diets. Fad diets will only cause you to lose weight temporarily. As soon as you decide you want to get off the diet, you will gain all the weight back. If you want long-term weight loss, stay away from the fad diets.


16.             Don’t just think about it. Do it!

Thinking about what you are going to do to lose weight will not help you. You have to get up and do it. If you remain thinking about weight loss, it will remain at just that, a thought.

Importance Of A Healthy Diet

Is sleeplessness bothering you? What about the difficulty to loose weight despite hardest efforts? Or is your hair line receding faster than what it had taken your father?

Well, ever wondered why this was so? Scientists and dieticians of this world are arguing that this is and many other hosts of similar problems are connected to our diet!

Modern food is unfortunately not without harmful chemicals used either for growing vegetables, preserving or cooking (flavonoids). Many dietary problems like indigestion and ulcer are frequent in people who have to depend on chemically treated food. In this background, the new school of theory which is gaining moment is eating whole and natural food. Meat and vegetables without preservatives, buying fresh and raw milk from vendors directly and fresh fruits are some of them.

Diet
Having said this, it doesn’t diminish the importance of daily intake of various nutrients and calories. Deficiency in any of them will gradually show up as trivial problem initially.

Let us see what USDA has recommended for the Americans. If you are taking less than 1,800 calories as a teen, you must raise it by at least 200 counts a day. The figure goes further up for an active man. Also calorie needs of women are different from that of men. Example, an 18-year male needs 400-800 extra calories than women. What food gives these calories and how to calculate the calorific values? And what other nutrients make food balanced?

USDA has a chart (food guide pyramid) with suggestions to get these calories. You have to do some calculations to balance your diet.

o 5 servings of vegetables
o Four servings of fruits
o Three servings of milk products
o 11 of pasta, cereals, and bread
o Two to three servings of meat (both red and white), eggs, nuts and beans put together.
o Sparingly, fats and sweets.

As per USDA (US Department of Agriculture), one serving equals a bread slice; an ounce of cereal, ½ a cup cooked rice and veggies each, one glass juice-milk each and 2-3 ounces lean meat, 1½ cups boiled beans

Diet must not be seen in a limited context. Diet is a generic word so you have diets that suit patients too. The secret is eating as much as needed your body would absorb. Keeping a balance diet since young is important if you want to live to old age. It could save you a substantial savings on medical bills!