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Thursday, July 8, 2010

13 Essentials for Beautiful Healthy Skin



For Thursday 13, I would like to share with you 13 Essentials for Beautiful Healthy Skin --

1. Fluids

Fluids are essential to our skin diet because they help moisturize the skin. Experts recommend that we should drink 6 to 8 glasses of water throughout the day, but don’t fall in the trap of drinking the 8 glasses in the morning, you should rationalize them and drink them in a natural way and should not replace them with coffee or sodas. Also, try not to drink much water 2 to 3 hours before going to bed to avoid puffiness.

2. Essential Fatty Acids

Also called EFAs, they are obtained from food, because our bodies can’t produce them. There are two classes of EFAs:
Omega 3 and Omega 6. Omega 3 is what we need for our skin.

EFA’s should account for a 15% of our calorie intake, and can be found on sardines, tuna, salmon, nuts, seeds and their oils (ground flaxseeds), prawns and soya beans.

Reducing the intake of saturated and processed fats is very important if you want the EFAs to work s these fats cancel its effects.

3. Antioxidants

Antioxidant nutrients protect us from infection and can prevent us from degenerative diseases such as cancer or heart disease. These nutrients are found in Vitamins A, C, E and some B complex vitamins; and minerals selenium, manganese and zinc.

They play a key role destroying free radicals (electrochemically unbalanced molecules that are produced within our bodies by chemicals, too much sun exposure and stress). Free radicals damage collagen, and collagen is what keeps our skin elastic.

We can find antioxidants in berries, black grapes, brazil nuts, broccoli, carrots, cherries, chestnuts, hazelnuts, kale, raisins, papaya, peas, peppers, prunes, spinach, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

4. Iron


Iron is used for the formation of hemoglobin. A deficiency in iron brings anemia, and this shows up in our bodies by a pale complexion and dark circles under the eyes. Iron is best processed from animal food but can be found also in some vegetables. The best sources of iron are red meat, seafood, liver, eggs, and spinach.

5. Vitamin A


Vitamin A helps in the formation of new cell, this keeps our skin supple and is vital for our eyes and hair. If you are lacking of Vitamin A, your skin will be dry and flaky. It is manufactured by our bodies from beta-carotene and can be found in whole milk, whole butter, liver, oily fish, eggs, dark orange vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash) and dark green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, kale).

6. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, essential for the production of collagen (the elastic tissue in our skin that declines with age). Every time you are smoking, under stress or under too much sun exposure, your are draining vitamin C from your body, so it is best to avoid these situations in excess. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime), tomatoes, potatoes, papaya, broccoli, brussels sprouts, black currants, kiwi, strawberries, peas and cauliflower.

7. Vitamin E

Another antioxidant, Vitamin E has a powerful action against the damage of free radicals. This vitamin helps our skin retain its moisture, and a lack of it brings premature wrinkles, pale skin, acne, easy bruising and slow wound healing. Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, peanut butter, wheat germ, whole grains, avocados and sweet potatoes.

8. Vitamin B complex

Keep your skin moist and smooth with Vitamin B complex. It releases energy from food for skin metabolism. This can be found in milk, oily fish, poultry, red meat, eggs, bananas, soya beans, whole grain, wheat germ, peanut butter, and fortified breakfast cereals.

9. Beta-carotene

Beta carotene is the plant form of the vitamin A, converted by our bodies. It protects us from the aging effect of the sun and can be found in dark green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, watercress), orange fruit and vegetables.

10. Selenium

Perfect for protection against free radicals and to counter dry skin. Selenium along with vitamin E support the immune system. Sources of selenium are cereals, meat, offal, seafood, eggs, cheese, brazil nuts, whole grains, mushrooms, beans, molasses and wheat germs.

11. Zinc

Zinc is another mineral vital to the immune system. It manufactures collagen and speeds up healing in our bodies, included skin. A deficiency produces stretch marks, a dull complexion, white spots on fingernails, dandruff and stubborn blemishes. Zinc can be found on seafood, red meat, cheese, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, mushrooms, offal, eggs, turkey and nuts.

12. Vitamin D is also necessary to help boost the immune system which plays an important role in keeping the health of the skin. Natural sources of vitamin D include catfish, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, eel.

13. Sleep. Getting enough sleep is very important in maintaining beautiful healthy skin.

I hope you learn something today, wish you all a very happy Thursday!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Self Tanner For You

I have a confession to make...I also use self tanner!


Yes...you read it right. While I am lucky not to look like Casper in my shorts, still I use self tanner once in awhile to add some tint to my legs...specially on my legs because I am always wearing slacks at work and rarely get to wear shorts...add to that the fact that I work in the evening most of the time and sleeps in the day time.


Anyway...I am trying to share with you some recent discovery of mine. It's a long search for me to find that right self tanner! I always dread the fact that most self tanner I had smells. Their scent really bothers me a lot...and not to mention the fact that they gave me an orange shade and not that bronze hue I want. All I know (and this is what my Dermatologist told me), I should get self-tanner which are of natural ingredients. So these are the type that has purified water, walnut extract, glycerin, green tea extract, mallow extract, ivy extract, cucumber extract, sambucus extract, arnica extract, pellitory extract, sugar can extract, citrus extract, apple extract and carmel. Not having too many chemicals means not having those odd scent...and not having to harm your skin. Behold, I believe I have found what I have been looking for -- the best self tanner 2010! You may check it out and try it yourself!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Digitally Enhanced Cordless Phones

Few weeks ago I bought a cordless phone at home. It took me awhile to decide what to get for the new house here in Bacolod but then the IT Guy got me a digitally enchanced cordless phone. He had to set it up himself to make sure it doesn't interfere with my wireless internet at home.


So far I am so happy with it! Mom is just home most of the time and having a cordless phone is just convenient for her. This is most helpful for me when I am at the bath tub soaked with tea and milk which I promise to talk more next time! LOL

You may check different models of DECT phone online!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Tips on How To Wear Contact Lens

About a month ago (just below this post) I was complaining about how I couldn't imagine myself putting on my contact lens. Guess what?! I've been wearing them everyday for the past 20 days! And I am loving it. Far better than wearing eyeglasses. I am so grateful we have contact lenses.

My contacts are the soft type and they are for extended wear, which means I can sleep with them on my eyes. But still I do not do this at all. I am just too cautious with my eyes right now that I want to do maximum care on them...especially now that I am wearing contacts. 

Let me share with you some tips which I really find useful for me --

* Never wear your contact lens for 24 hours. Even if it is an extended contacts, take it when you go to bed...Let your eyes breathe.
* And if you happen to sleep with them on, when you wake up, try to put some eye drop (the ones recommended for contacts to offer moisturizer) and let it stay a bit before removing them. When we are sleeping the contacts tend to block the oxygen in our eye making the cornea dry and this is at this time that the contacts get to stuck to the eyeball the most. Thus we need to lubricate it before removing them.

* Make sure your hands are always clean you put on or remover your contacts. 

* I always put on my contacts after I wash my face but before I apply my make up. And I remove my make-up before I remove my contacts.

* When I am outdoor I always use sun glasses with good UV protection when I am wearing my contacts as our eyes are more vulnerable with the contacts on them.

* Do not share your contacts with another person! 

Those are simple things I always remember when I am wearing my contacts and so far I don't have any discomfort with it. WOOT!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Through A Lens...



In the perspective of every person lies a lens 
through which we may better understand ourselves.
 Ellen J. Langer

Months ago I have been blogging about how my views were magnified. Two weeks ago, the IT Guy made it a point to get me contact lenses. The last time I've used one was about 12 years ago...and now I'm too damn scared to wear them! This was my first failed attempt of putting them on...I ended up taking a shot and staring at it for 5 minutes trying to understand where and how in the world I have developed this fear! As I stare at the lens, I was trying to understand myself...I guess age gives us wisdom but it does not necessarily let us conquer fear...or is my fear out of wisdom? Wisdom to take care of my eyes?! I need more conversations with myself now.

Happy not so Wordless Wednesday everyone!



Sunday, March 28, 2010

Beauty Tricks for Busy Women

Only one word can best describe how may days have been - BUSY!

If you're a reader of Mariposa's Tales, then most likely you know that I just moved to a new city to set-up a call center which I will head myself. For the two (2) weeks I've been working for 10 to 12 hours a day. I have not had the time to visit any salon since I came here a month ago! Can you believe that? Worst I left my manicure set at home so that means I can't do much with my nails. A week ago I managed to buy some stuff but still didn't find the time to do my nails. But doesn't mean that Mariposa is looking horrific right now. No way. I will not let that happen. It's a good thing I have some speedy beauty tricks that I have known to work all my life. Let me share with you some of my secrets --

Skin Care

* You can hydrate you skin faster as early as in the shower. Just use your hair conditioner to massage your entire body (and I mean literally from neck to toe!). I find this more effective especially when you have no time to apply body lotion. Take note that lotion takes time to be absorbed by the body and if you are in a hurry, you may not have the time to rub lotion all over that body.

* To take up that oil and refresh makeup, just mist your face with some toner and then pat it with tissue. Sometimes, I just pat it with a wet tissue in fact. Then I finish it with by dusting loose powder.


Hair Care

* Sprinkle translucent power over your roots and comb it through to remove that grease look in your scalp and hair.

* If you are really in a hurry, do the T-zone blow dry trick: down on your part and then around the hairline only. Once the front and top of your hair looks done, so will you!

* Want to flatten those frizz? Dampen your hands with water and a drop of hand lotion (which I presume you always carry in your purse), then gently pull your hair back into a french twist. Take your strands down in about 10 minutes, and hurray, fuzz free!

* You can always resort to the ultimate easy style - ponytail! Just pull your hair back haphazardly with your fingers and spritz with hairspray, then twist a stray tendril around your hair elastic and then pin.

Makeup Tricks

* Go pretty in pink! If you think concealer is a universal solution to imperfection, you may want to pair it with pink. Wearing lipstick in warm pink gives that glow that distracts people from seeing blemishes and other imperfections. I swear it works for me...go try it!

*  Eyeliner is one of the fastest way I found to look sexy,  Just trace your top lash lines to just past the outer corners of your eyes.

* Want to look alive after a long night? Ha! Trust me with this one, I've been in a night shift for years now and I can go to any breakfast meeting without them knowing I've been up the whole evening. To do just pat concealer unto the inner corners of your eyes, under your lower lashes and next to your nose. You can finish by applying bronzer over your cheeks.

Nail Care

* This is what's keeping me up all this time. As most of my friends know, I can't stand horrific nails. My quick and easy trick is just to remove all polish, clean under your nails (with lemon juice, if you have it) and massage the thickest lotion you can find (lip balm will suffice in a pinch) into your cuticles.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Visiting Health Forums


I was home early yesterday and had time to surf around the net. I know it's been awhile since I posted something here. So last night I was able to spend more time online and was checking around the net. 

Since I started this blog, I have been looking for a health forum to join and share some of the stuff I have here. I found one last night and it's a very interesting site to visit. There once can post several questions, ideas and other health related issues and so many people go there and discuss these topics. This is just exactly what I have been looking for!

I'm quite in a hurry now and just finishing my coffee, but I'm sure to be back to share some interesting topics I read from there, you may also check the site yourself. =)

Friday, February 19, 2010

Friday Sweets

For a change I am doing Friday Food Trip here. Hopefully, moving forward I can do it here every other week, just to have an alternate venue of this fun weekly meme!

We started the week with a bang with our Chinese New Year celebration and for this week's food trip, let me share with you some its remnants!

These are dried fruits and crops, you have here dried sweet potatoes, dried sweet plums, dried pineapple jelly and some jelly candies.
 
 

We have also some pack of chocolates! 
  

Which the nephew claimed some! Hehehe
  

And you can its content here. A perfect energy booster! LOL

  

Okay, they may not be food, but well in my book, anything I put into my mouth and swallow, falls under that category.

Happy weekend to all!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Natural Ways to Prevent Colds and Flu


I have to admit that my Thursday 13 this week is self-serving. I'm battling with colds once again and I so want to kick this in the butt already as I have some big things coming for the next weeks. I already did a post about common colds before and in fact did a part 2 post where I shared some natural home remedies for common colds. So for this week I'd like to share some natural ways to prevent colds and even flu. (Yes, I am trying to educate myself on these as I have been a victim of this illness lately.)

1. Drink, drink, drink!
How many times have you heard that eight glasses a day is good for the body? Probably every day and in fact that is one thing I always mention here. This habit is a good one for the body in many ways, as it washes out the system, and is needed in order to maintain a healthy diet and a clear, healthy complexion. So make sure you get 8-10 glasses of water a day!
Also, hot liquids like fruit teas and lemon drinks will ease any nasal congestion you feel coming on and prevent dehydration. A dried-out respiratory system will leave you more prone to infection.
2. Get that Zzz your body deserve!
Yes, you read it right. Getting enough sleep means less likely to have colds and flu.The fact that a certain amount of sleep is required in order to remain healthy cannot be repeated enough. Not only does sleep help the body stay alert throughout your day, it also helps the immune system to stay strong. (No wonder, I'm so poor at it the past days!) 

3.  Start gargling...
According to a Japanese research daily gargling with water reduces cold risk. People who gargled with water were 36 percent less likely to be struck down when compared those who don't. The study suggests that simple water gargling is effective to prevent upper respiratory tract infections.
4.  Sterilize your toothbrush...and change it regularly.
While toothbrush clean our teeth, after brushing, they become breeding ground for germs. Run your toothbrush through the microwave on high for ten seconds to kill germs that can cause colds and other illnesses.  Sterilize it in the microwave before you use it, or store it in hydrogen peroxide (rinse well before using), or simply replace it every month when you change the page on your calendar and after you’ve had a cold.
5. Wash those hands!
And do it often. Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. The Naval Health Research Center conducted a study of 36,000 recruits who were ordered to wash their hands five times a day. Amazingly the recruits cut their incidence of respiratory illnesses by 45 percent.
6. Rub those eyes gently,
...using your knuckles.  It’s less likely to be contaminated with viruses than your fingertip. This is particularly important given that the eye provides a perfect entry point for germs, and the average person rubs his eyes or nose or scratches his face 20-50 times a day.
7.  Eat yogurt!
Researchers from University of California found that individuals who ate one cup of yogurt — whether live culture or pasteurized — had 25 percent fewer colds than non-yogurt eaters. Start your yogurt eating right away to build up your immunity before cold and flu season starts. For more benefit of yogurt, you may want to check an old post I wrote, The Joy of Yogurt.
8. Go for garlic.
When 147 volunteers received either one garlic supplement a day or a placebo for twelve weeks between November and February, those taking the garlic were not only less likely to get a cold, but if they did catch one, their symptoms were less intense and they recovered faster.
9. Sneeze and cough the right way.
And that means to sneeze and cough into the arm. Whoever taught us to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze got it wrong. That just puts the germs right on our hands, where you can spread them to objects — and other people. Instead, hold the crook of your elbow over your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough if a tissue isn’t handy. It’s pretty rare that you shake someone’s elbow or scratch your eye with an elbow, after all. 
10. Wipe, don’t blow. 
Colds won’t hang around as long, according to a University of Virginia study. Turns out that the force of blowing not only sends the gunk out of your nose into a tissue, but propels some back into your sinuses. And, in case you’re curious, they discovered this using dye and X rays. If you need to blow, blow gently, and blow one nostril at a time. 
11. Get some exercise.
Exercise is very healthy for the body, in many ways. Exercising regularly, Not only develops muscle mass and strength, it also makes the immune system a heavyweight champion.
12.  What to do when at public restrooms.
Studies find a shockingly large percentage of people fail to wash their hands after using a public restroom. And every single one of them touches the door handle on the way out. So after washing your hands, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. Use another paper towel to dry your hands, then open the door with that paper towel as a barrier between you and the handle. It sounds nuts, but it’s an actual recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control to protect you from infectious diseases like cold and flu.
13. Doctor, doctor, I am sick!
All these are simple ways to help avoid the flu — but they are not substitutes for medical treatment or advice.

Remember that the flu is something that everyone gets once in a while, and there is no 100% guarantee to prevent it. These tips can help reduce the chances of being stuck at home with some nasty flu but that doesn’t mean we can’t still call in sick once in a while…like I do!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

It's All About Eyes

As I am still not over with my yesterday's ruffling, I am extending my "eye" topic to Thursday 13.

Here are 13 cool eye facts for you!

Our EYES ---
  1. ...are the most complex organs you possess except for your brain.
  2. ...are composed of more than two million working parts. 
  3. ...cornea is the only living tissue in the human body that does not contain any blood vessels.
  4. ...can process 36,000 bits of information every hour.
  5. ...under the right conditions, can discern the light of a candle at a distance of 14 miles.
  6. ...contribute towards 85% of our total knowledge.
  7. ...utilize 65% of all the pathways to the brain.
  8. ...can instantaneously set in motion hundreds of muscles and organs in the body.
  9. ...in a normal life-span, will bring us almost 24 million images of the world around us.
  10. ...the external muscles that move the eyes are the strongest muscles in the human body for the job that they have to do. They are 100 times more powerful than they need to be.
  11. ...the adult eyeball measures about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Of its total surface area only one-sixth is exposed -- the front portion.
  12. ...is the only part of the human body that can function at 100% ability at any moment, day or night, without rest. Your eyelids need rest, the external muscles of your eyes need rest, the lubrication of your eyes requires replenishment, but your eyes themselves "never" need rest. But please rest them!
  13. ...eyes are your most precious sense... care for them properly!
 Happy Thursday everyone!

    Wednesday, February 10, 2010

    My Views Magnified


     

     The world can be viewed in many different ways,
        depending on the type of glasses we choose to wear,
        happy or sad ones, blue or red ones, or….


    ~ Master Jin Kwon


    Most of my readers specially at Mariposa's Tales know that I sometimes wear eyeglasses. What most don't know is that those are only anti-glare glasses. My only problem then was my eyes not being able to adjust right away to light. The past months I notice that the blur around me specially with lights on are progressing. So that when I go to the mall I couldn't see clearly most of the signage there. This caught my attention most specially when I traveled to Manila alone. Boy, I couldn't read what's in the board. Apparently announcements are usually written on this LED light, right? Well all I could see then are light and blurry texts! Goodness! 

    Last weekend the IT Guy couldn't take it any longer and forced me to have my eye checked. Whooping 1.25 and 1.00 power on each eye. IT Guy was so kind to get a nice cute lavender Claiborne frame and a polycarbonate lens for my eyeglasses. (I promise to make a post about polycarbonate lenses!) A bit pricey but worth it! Now, I just have to wear it everyday of my life. Scary!


    So now I have my eyeglasses and it's a bit scary because everything I see seems magnified and way clearer. Scary because I couldn't believe I've been walking partly blind the past months now. And I have to tell you, the feeling of everything around you being magnified is not nice feeling at all! LOL

    Now I am slowly becoming conscious with my eyes and my eyesight. I have to take care of it, like really take good care of it. The only advantage to wearing eyeglasses which I could think of right now other than having my view magnified is that, it will let me do a dramatic removal of it. 

    Happy Wordful Wednesday everyone!

    Thursday, February 4, 2010

    13 Health Benefits of Apples


    Let me share with you 13 Health Benefits we can get from Apples.

    1. Apple contain a large amount of minerals and vitamins that can strengthen the blood.

    2. Study shown that by eating 100g of apple can give an antioxidant effect that equal to taking about 1,500mg of vitamin C. Thus it strengthens the gum aside from cleaning the teeath.

    3. Apples are good for the bones! French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

    4. Apples offer Asthma Help. One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.

    5. A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.

    6. Apple helps lower Cholesterol. The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

    7. Apple helps prevent lung cancer. According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.

    8. Breast cancer can also be fought by apples! A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

    9. Apple prevents colon cancer. The skin of Apple contain pectin that can help remove toxic substances from the system by supplying galacturonic acid. Pectin helps prevent protein matter in the intestine from spoiling. Study shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.

    10. Apple say no to liver cancer. Apple contain malic acid and tartaric acid, that can help prevent disturbances of the liver and digestion. Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

    11. Apples help manager diabetes. The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

    12. We can lose weight with apples! A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting. The insoluble fiber found in apples is responsible for a host of other benefits such its "filling" effect, making it an effective appetite supressant.

    13. Nutritive Values : Per 100 grams

        * Vitamin A : 900 I.U.
        * Vitamin B : Thiamine .07 mg.;
        * Vitamin C : 5 mg.
        * Vitamin G : Amount uncertain
        * Calcium : 6 mg.
        * Iron : 3 mg.
        * Phosphorus : 10 mg.
        * Potassium : 130 mg.
        * Carbohydrates : 14.9 gm.
        * Calories : 58

    I hope you all learn something today. I did and I will never look at apples the same way again.

    Happy Thursday 13 everyone! 

    Monday, February 1, 2010

    8 Glasses of Water a Day


    ...burns the fat away! 

    Yes, you read it right. The single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off is WATER.

    Water happens not to be just a thirst quencher--it also speeds up the body's metabolism. According to some researchers in Germany, drinking two 8-ounce glasses of cold water increased their subjects' metabolic rate by 30%, and the effect persisted for 90 minutes. One-third of the boost came from the body's efforts to warm the water, but the rest was due to the work the body did to absorb it. "When drinking water, no calories are ingested but calories are used, unlike when drinking sodas, where additional calories are ingested and possibly stored," explains the lead researcher, Michael Boschmann, MD, of University Medicine Berlin. Increasing water consumption to eight glasses per day may help you lose about 8 pounds in a year, he says, so try drinking a glass before meals and snacks and before consuming sweetened drinks or juices.

    How's that possible? 

    Well here is what I gathered in my research. The kidneys cannot function properly without enough water. When they do not work to capacity, some of their load is dumped on the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it cannot work at full throttle.

    As a result, it metabolizes less fat... more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops!

    Drinking an adequate amount of water every day is the best treatment for fluid retention. But when the body is given less water than it needs... it perceives the shortage as a threat to survival and will begin to retain every drop. Water reserves are stored in extra-cellular spaces (outside the cells). This water can show up as swollen feet, hands and legs. Diuretics only offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the body perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly returns.

    The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs — plenty of water — only then will stored water be released.

    If water retention is a constant problem then time to examine if there is some excess salt in the system! The body will only tolerate sodium in certain concentrations. The more salt we eat, the more water our system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy — just drink more water!

    As the water is forced through the kidneys, it will remove the excess sodium.

    Over weight people need more water than thin people. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism... it follows that the over weight person needs more water to metabolize excess fat.

    Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone... which in turn, aids proper muscle contraction and prevents dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water which plums the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.

    Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has more waste to get rid of, and all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again — water helps flush out this waste!

    Wednesday, January 27, 2010

    A Healthy Snack...




    This is a quick healthy snacks that I always enjoy with the IT Guy...

    Happy Wordless Wednesday!

    Never Too Late to Plan Ahead

    After my post yesterday it occurred to me to make a follow-up post. Sometimes having senior problems are inevitable and well to combat that I'm making sure I have some financial coverage for myself when I am over 60.

    I am always a believer of financial planning and right now I am investing for my future. I just want to make sure I can take care of myself in my senior days. And well for those who weren't able to start young, it's not that late yet. People in their seniors can still get life insurance coverage even when you are over 65. My Grandma and my mom who are both over 60  were still able to get one for themselves!

    So what are you waiting for? Start shopping around for a good deal. When senior problems are inevitable, we just have to make sure we are ready for them when they come!

    Tuesday, January 26, 2010

    Ways to Prevent Senior Problems


    I spent last weekend at the farm with Grandma. It was my Grandpa's death anniversary and well I always grab every opportunity to visit the farm and my Grandma. She will be 90 this year and with God's grace she is still very active and of good health.

    I'm trying to look at her life and see how I can mirror her lifestyle to I get to reach her age without any senior problems and I sum it up to 5 tips --

    1. Adopt a healthy lifestyle at any age. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, limit alcohol intake, and quit smoking.

    2. Engage in mentally stimulating activities. Read, play cards, do puzzles and memory games. Take up a hobby if you will!

    3. Be socially active. Do volunteer work, join a club, travel in group.

    4. Visit your doctor regularly. Be in tip-top shape and get prompt treatments for any conditions as the crop up.

    5. Adopt a positive outlook in life. Avoid stress and learn to relax.

    I'd say the last one matter a lot and seems to be the hardest to do!

    Monday, January 25, 2010

    Importance of Breakfast



    You want to lose weight, then make sure you eat your breakfast!

    Regular breakfast skippers tend to consume more fat, be heavier and gain more weight over time. A study from Imperial College in London reveals a possible explanation. Twenty non-obese people were shown pictures of low-energy foods (salad, vegetables, fish) and high-energy foods (cake, chocolate, pizza). They were asked to rate how appealing the foods were after either having a filling breakfast or no breakfast at all. To check their responses to the pictures, brain imaging was used. The evidence showed that after having no breakfast, the participants' reward and appetite centers in the brain were simulated by pictures of high-energy foods. The findings are said to prove the theory that skipping breakfast is more likely to lead to weight gain.

    Sunday, January 24, 2010

    Another Surprise Use of Baking Soda


    If you have chronic kidney disease, you might delay its progression and prolong your life with sodium bicarbonate- also known as baking soda.

    Did you know that this common kitchen ingredients is also good a pill? Well, it is according to a new study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology! Kidney function decline was about twwo-thirds slower in advanced chronic kidney disease patients who took a sodium bicarbonate pill than in patients who did not. They exhibited improved nutrition and had no problems associated with higher blood pressure despite sodium in the pill. The patients were also less likely to develop end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Sodium bicarbonate makes the urine less acidic and has been used for years to prevent uric acid kidney stones.

    Wednesday, January 6, 2010

    Wedge Shoes for 2010!




    Though I admit I'm a big fan of high heels, lately I can say that nothing can beats the comfort that wedge shoes offer. Though its that high heels add a few inches and confidence to women, wedges shoes still give any women that heightened confidence with comfort!

    Yes, wedges are a very comfortable alternative to high heels which can wreck havoc on our feet if we are on our feet all day long. They now come in all styles and trends from the casual chic to the corporate finish. And the very recent pair of wedge shoes I got are very light, and most of them are, contrary to what others presume that they are heavy and hard to drag.

    If you have seen Christian Dior Spring 2010 shoe collection, it featured only one style which was meant to suit for both the season and the outfit created. Wedges seemed to be the top preference of Christian Dior.

    As of now I have about 4 pairs of wedge shoes, this one is the recent addition to my collection!




    Happy Wordfull  Wednesday!

    Tuesday, January 5, 2010

    2010 Hairstyles for Women

    For some of us, new year calls for a new look! And what better way to create a new look than a new hairstyle?! Yesterday we talked about 2010 beauty tips. Today I will talk about 2010 hair trends, specifically on hairstyles for women. I promise to make a series post on this topic so as not to load you with so much information. ;)

    So what hairstyles are at focus for 2010? For sure there are a lot of new look to watch. As there are the new hair trend heavily influenced by the recent Spring 2010 catwalks, and there are the evolutions of last year's hair trends. Below are top picks for hair styles in 2010, with seasonal styles alongside looks for hair from short to long.

    The Plaited and Braided Hair

    The popularity of milkmaid braids in 2009 is not yet over.



    Rather it evolves into the braided hairstyle trend in 2010. While it's natural for hair trends to evolve between the years, the resurgence of plaited / braided hair is mostly as a result of the hairstyle heavily featuring on the Spring 2010 catwalks. I'm referring particularly Alexander Wang's Spring 2010 runway, and also Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu Spring 2010.

    There are two distinct braided hairstyle looks for 2010: the long side braid, and the fish plait as seen on the Missoni Spring 2010 catwalk.



    This hairstyle is perfect for any hair color and is easy to do!

    The Long Waved Hair

    Having appeared in 2009, 1940s hair styles will continue as an inspiration for women's hairstyles in 2010. As it was last year this hair style is again inspired by the late 40s and, to a lesser degree, the early 1950s.







    This hair style is suitable for all hair colours, though less effective on black hair. Waves should be firm but not curly. Can be worn with an off-center or side part, length wise and must fall below the shoulders. This hair style will look best with classic make-up and styling.

    The Long 1970's Inspired Hair

    There will be several fashion revivals happening in 2010 as influenced by the 20th century. The 1940s revival gives us the 1940s hair style above, while the 1970s influence upon 2010 gives us two distinct hairstyle trends.

    My favorite, straight long hair, naturally styled and the 1970's inspired flowing texture.

    Slickly styled, but not so slick that it feels overly styled or straightened. This hair style should be voluminous and definitely a style that works for super-long hair.



    Unlike the waved hairstyle inspired by the 1940s, this flowing, textured, (and sometimes) waved hairstyle trend in 2010 relies instead on natural-looking waves that border on bed hair. This suitable with both a center and off-center part and as with straight and naturally styled long, flowing waves also work well with very long hair, like mine which falls to the midriff.

    This hairstyle is so easy to carry and I can do it by just running my fingers through my hair!  See what I mean?! A proof that anyone can have this hair style!





    The Slicked and Gelled Hairstyle

    The Slicked Back - Just slick it back with gel, with fingers or a wide toothed comb providing the texture, this slicked back hairstyle mixes hair slicked back across the top of the head with textured length. Though there are some dry, heavily brushed texturing for the length, I'd rather you stick to a wet look as seen on Alexander Wang and Thakoon's Spring 2010 catwalks.




    The Slicked Side - This hair style is the perfect alternative to 2009's half-shaved head hairstyle, the side slick is the strongest of the three slicked hairstyle trends for 2010. All attitude, it marries an overall wet and tousled look with a side part.

    Masculine / androgynous slicked hair - This hair style made the slicked side becomes the slicked all-over for this masculine take on a wet look hair style this 2010. This hair trend also suits perfectly the year's fashion trend: the female dandy!





    This hairstyle is great for short hair cuts and strongly defines the line of the part, and you can wear it as far to the side as is suitable for your face shape.

    The Chignon

    Hair buns, chignons, and hair twists are also in for 2010!

    Amongst hairstyles every year there is always at least one 'up-do'. And it's no different for 2010. No more tacky interpretations, this year's up-dos (four no less) will all embody elegance without erring on the side of caution.





    Traditional neat chignon is an easy and chic style for day or night for 2010. Even a sleek, tidy chignon should feel natural and sophisticated. For a fresh 2010 take on the chignon, try a highly textured low bun like what I did! I did it in less than a minute while making this post and asked the IT Guy to take a quick shot.



    The Two Top Knots

    Top knots were popular on the street in 2009. It conveys a young and playful look. In 2010 topknots are best in two forms: the sleek and the messy top knot.

    Sleek top knots are nothing but tidy buns that sit right at the top of the head. (The one you saw at Marc Jacobs and Nina Ricci for Spring 2010.) This hair style best sit dead centre of the head, but can also work slightly off to the side. These top knots work best with straight hair neatly brushed upward and slicked into place with the top knot twisted around neatly and fastened. You may also try plaiting the hair first before twisting it into a top knot for a variation.





    For a messy top knot, just sweep the hair up and fasten haphazardly. The effect is one of nonchalance and effortlessness. In this hair style volume is key, thus some help from teasing and hairspray might be needed. This works well with hair that has some soft waves and texture to it and best on hair with subtle highlights and lowlights.

    The Up-do Hair Twist

    In 2010 the classic French Twist is great when disheveled, as yet another chic yet carelessly thrown together look - tiwsts and rope braids! Twist hairstyles can also take the form of strands of hair twisted and then pinned to create interesting shapes. Rope twists, or rope braids, have also sprung up as another new style for Spring 2010. This style is simply achieved by twisting two strands of hair, then winding the strands around each other to form a 'rope'. This style can be left to cascade down the shoulder much like the side braid below; tied up into buns; or twisted around the head like a milkmaid braid




    So that's it! Happy hair styling!


    Monday, January 4, 2010

    2010 Beauty Tips


    Any beauty resolution for 2010? Resolved to look better? We all know that "you ware what you eat" stuff and drinking more water, moisturizing the entire body, using sunscreen and what have you right? So what are those good intentions we should really be making and putting into our list for 2010?

    Well let's keep the basic and let's keep it simple. From laying a good foundation to rethinking our  haircare regimen, regrowing versus plucking one's brows to keeping a long lasting perfume, let's take a look at top beauty details we all should be sticking to this year.

    1. Use make-up that's kind to your skin!

    Yes, it's now time you take a look at your make-up and examine closely if they are kind, gentle and good to your skin. If they're not, then it's time to switch to a healthy product, such as mineral make-up. This type doesn't clog the pores and let your skin breathe and is good for sensitive skin. You may also want to check the content if it has talc as some people are allergic to it!

    In choosing a foundation,you may want to include primers in dealing with uneven skin surface, open pores or oiliness. I usually apply a primer after a light moisturizer before I apply my foundation. You can check out Estee Lauder Spotlight Tone Perfector for a luminous skin and Avon Magix Face Perfector to have a lovely matte smooth finish!



    2. Take care of your crowning glory.

    I already wrote about haircare tips in the past, and you may click on it for some basic tips. In addition to that, let me share with you some ticks of using hair treatments the right way for better shine.

    When you apply treatment, always do it after you shampooed but before you put your conditioner. I know most of us do it the other way around. This works best because the shampoo roughs the cuticles of the hair leaving it naturally shaft open letting the protein from the treatment to penetrate deeper. Applying the conditioner after the treatment slick the cuticles of the hair back down this giving a nice gloss and shine.

    3. Regrow those brows!

    I've seen so many women who have overplucked eyebrows and it can really add you years. Nothing beats a healthy defined brow framing your face and can certainly takes years off your look. Go strut for that fuller look with attitude, people would LOVE that!

    If you have overplucked your eyebrows, no problem you can try some applications to help it regrow fast like, Adonia BrowRevive.

    4. Dress up those nails!

    A clean and well groomed nails says a lot about a woman. Here are some nailcare tips I wrote last year! Other than keeping a healthy year, 2010 is about going bold, so if you want to dress up that nails, go get that reverse french manicure! This was all over the runways from Tracy Resse to Christian Dior, remember?

    A reverse french manicure is basically any color other than the traditional pink, with a contrasting tip, let's say a darker tip like black. (I remember I used to do neon green for my tip when I was in college, that was like the late 90s!). So have you decided what color to use for those tips?

    And if you don't care for long nails, now worries! There is one getting the most popularity, the half-moon manicure, which was seen on several Fall runway shows- this is a darker nail with a neutral or white half-moon painted at the base. This can be done to any nails regardless of length!

    Of course Mariposa starts the year with the right nails!



    It was quick and easy to do! I did mine in less than 10 minutes. After spending my last day of the 2009 at the kitchen, I managed to dress up my nails before New Year's eve. This is the half moon manicure, I chose a platinum base and a perfect red color from Elizabeth Arden to cover the rest of the nails. I LOVE it!


    5. Make it linger...

    Yes, you can make your perfume last longer! Instead of reapplying perfume, just add a little baby oil to the areas where you apply your perfume. Of course, make sure the baby oil is unscented so it doesn't clash with the scent of your perfume.


    6. Spring clean your make-up and make-up kit!

    It's time to throw those old make-ups you've been keeping for years. Remember I wrote about make-up shelf life before? Yes, they do expire and once beyond their shelf life they won't do you any good. Though it will not kill you, it might cost you a lot going to the derma to fix whatever irritation it will give you.

    Also you need to make over your brush collection. Applying make-up has also a lot to do with using the right brush and make-up applicator at the right time. Trust me once you have the right tools, it can save you time and do wonders! (I always invest on good make-up tools and I'm telling you it's really worth it!) And more than anything, always make sure to keep your brush, and other make-up applicators clean.

    7. Get enough beauty rest!

    Beauty rest is not only about sleeping and getting some proper beauty sleep. Other than the number of hours sleep you may also want to switch from an ordinary pillowcase to silk! I know I have mentioned this before, a silk pillowcase not only keeps the hair from breakage once rub against the fiber of the pillowcase while sleeping, this is also a great anti-agers because it has similar pH level to our skin. This allows our skin to maintain its natural moisture levels which means the skin doesn't get to dry out as much at night thus minimizing creasing and wrinkles. Silk also let our skin breathe and is hypoallergenic and while other fabrics wipes out your night cream, it let is penetrates the skin. Ever thought why most night gowns are made of silk? If you can invest on one, a pillowcase should not be a problem right?

    8. Sort out those skin problems!

    One can just imagine the impact of the state of the skin has on a woman. And not just to on women, but to most of us I believe. So I'd say never take any skin issues lightly no matter how seemingly minor it is. Visit your derma at once and attend to it. Improve your diet, avoid any source of irritants and never be afraid to avail of new technology to treat skin problems.

    Sunday, January 3, 2010

    Happy 2010!




    I wish you a year full of joy, laughter and success. May 2010 be the best ever for you all!


    Cheers!