A Cheap and Natural Way to Healthy Skin

Healthy skin happens when we eats good foods, have enough exercise, minimize stress and protect our skin from the harsh environment.

Certain foods are especially beneficial to the skin. Garlic is one such food. It contains sulphur compounds (which give it its rather strong odor) which are beneficial to your skin. It also acts as a natural antibiotic and cleanses the whole system. If you like garlic, eat it as much as you can. If the smell worries you, chew a piece of parsley afterwards and this will neutralize it. Odorless garlic tablets are available if this is all too hard.

Vitamin C is probably the most important skin vitamin in my opinion. Not least because the human body can neither make it or store it. This vitamin helps collagen formation which keeps the skin looking young and plump. This could be why smoker’s skin can look older than a non smoker’s. Smoking also uses up the oxygen in the blood. Give it up if humanly possible or at least cut it down.

Vitamin C is best consumed together with bioflavonoids, the way it is normally found in nature. The two have a synergistic effect. They can be found in Citrus fruit, berries such as strawberries and blueberries and vegetables such as broccoli.

Broccoli also contain vitamin A, an important vitamin for skin as it helps it fight infection from the inside out. Great for those with acne! Have some every other day if you can.

Carrots are a great source of carotenoids such as "beta-carotene" which your body converts to vitamin A . Beta-carotene is absorbed into the skin and can also protect it from the sun's harmful UV rays. Carrots also contain "alpha carotene" which protects against free radical damage. Carrots are a great way to get your vitamin A as excess carotenoids are expelled by the body. Too much vitamin A is toxic to the body.

Dark leafy green vegetables, particularly kale and spinach are a good source of zinc and iron. Iron will make sure your skin gets enough oxygen and zinc is a great pimple fighter. Eat some every day if you possible can or include some in a fresh juice.

Parsley deserves a separate mention as it is rich in just about all the skin boosting nutrients. It contains beta carotene, chlorophyll, vitamin B12, folic acid (great for firm skin), vitamin C and iron. Parsley can be added to juices, casseroles, sprinkled over any savory dish or simply chewed by itself. Its great for fresh breath too. Parsley is easy to grow, pop some in a pot and keep it near the kitchen door.

Olive oil is fabulous for dry skin and wrinkles. Use it for cooking - it contains monounsaturated fats and anti oxidants- or slather it on your skin after a bath.

Flaxseeds and flax oil (also known as linseed) contain the essential omega 3 oils not found in many foods. (Fish also contains omega 3). Flaxseeds contain fiber and phytoestrogens which balance the body's hormones and are vital for younger looking skin. Sprinkle some on your cereal or use in soups and stews.

Avocados give skin (especially dry skin) a boost. Although fairly high in fat, its the healthy monounsaturated kind which makes dry skin supple. Avocados contain glutathione which is one of the most powerful antioxidants around and will prevent cell damage in all skin types. They are also high in potassium.

Drink as much water as you can, this flushes out toxins and helps to hydrate the skin. If you can’t drink eight glasses a day - I can’t unless its 40 degrees - then just drink as much as you can without being uncomfortable.

Skin needs sufficient protein to replace and repair itself. Most of us have plenty of protein in our diets but a lot of it comes with a lot of fat attached. If you can substitute low fat items e.g. milk, peanut butter, cheese etc, then do so. You’ll still be eating the same amount. Lean meat is fine, fish is even better as it contains natural omega 3 oils which are great for your skin and your health.

Try and add as many fruits and vegetables as possible to your diet. If you ‘re a committed junk food “junkie” this may seem impossible, but if you tackle it in small bites (pun intended!) It will be easy. Commit yourself to healthy foods on certain days of the week or drink water instead of soda in the afternoons. When this becomes comfortable, expand it to every day. Its just breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones. After a while you’ll be comfortable with it. And you’ll feel better and loose weight too.

The purists tell us that all vitamins and minerals can be obtained from foods and there is no need for us to take supplements. In theory this is true, however the stress of life today probably robs our system of vitamin B. Smoking uses up about 35 mg of vitamin C per day.
 Added to this, the practice of storing fresh produce for extended amounts of time, can’t help but deplete the natural vitamins in these foods. The pollution in our cities and some of our bad habits like eating junk and smoking (who me?) leads to the production of free radicals in the body. For this we need an antioxidant which contains among others beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, lycopene (found in tomatoes) and zinc.

Healthy skin loves exercise! It doesn’t matter what kind. Walking, jogging, all types of sport, aerobics, thumping around in the gym, whatever you enjoy try and fit it in three times a week. If you don’t enjoy any exercise, find one! Join a group of people or find a walking buddy, you will get to enjoy it I promise!

Stress is bad for you and bad for your skin. Stress will slow the circulation of blood to the skin causing a shortage of oxygen to the cells. It will also deplete certain nutrients from the body - for example vitamin B. It can ruin your sleep thus preventing the repair and regeneration of skin cells. It will put worry lines on your face and will make you look old before your time! Who needs it? No-one! check out this page on stress to see how you can deal with this incapacitating disorder now!

As you may have gathered from all this, having a healthy skin is the same as having a healthy body, it’s worth maintaining a good diet and lifestyle so you not only look great but you feel great too!

10 Easy Ways to Feel Happier, Be Healthier and Live Longer

Let’s just say… first thing when you popped out of bed this morning, you woke up and found a little yellow post-it note stuck on the bathroom mirror that could transform your life. You smiled, instantly recognizing this very familiar word. And on the back were instructions on how to incorporate more of it in your life so you’d feel less stress, pain and tension… more carefree, fun and energetic.

Even without the handy-dandy instructions (you think to yourself)… adding a little more is no big thing. After all, you’ve done it every single day of your life without even thinking about it. It comes as natural to you as blinking. It’s as much fun as a long overdue chat with one of your dearest friends, as cheap as an afternoon daydream, as good for you as a 15 minute workout, yet as vital as the air you breathe. You glance again… it says L-A-U-G-H-T-E-R.

Laughter is the no cost, no effort, super simple, fabulously fun, overnight solution to happier, healthier, better living. American scientific and medical journals have cited the medical and psychological benefits of laughter. This is no laughing matter.

Laughter can heal your pain… reduce your stress… help you sleep like a baby… diffuse tense in difficult situations… boost your immunity… foster creativity… multiply your productivity… extend your life… expand your point of view… bond you to others… increase your charm and charisma… make you feel happier… and help you live in the moment.

With so much to gain and absolutely nothing to lose, are you ready to take these 10 tips to heart so you can giggle a little, snicker some, chuckle boisterously, cackle raucously, snort unexpectedly and hoot and holler through happy tears of joy? Wrap yourself in a humorous perspective and laugh your way to a seriously healthy, happy and upbeat life!

Here are 10 easy ways to grab more giggles and exercise your funny bone…

1.Get a Funny Buddy. Unite yourself with a laughing partner, friend, buddy or companion that you always know you can turn to for a laugh. Make a laughing agreement and shake on it, then surround yourself with more funny people. Make an effort to be around these lighthearted folks every chance you get.

2.Lose your wits. Be super silly for 10 seconds and let your brilliant foolish kid out to play.

3.Be a Silly Spectator. Stand back and scope out the outlandish, outrageous and crazy hilarity of humans. You will thank me the next time you are trying to ward off feelings of frustration and boredom in line at the DMV, out shopping or in the waiting room of the doctor’s office. Take it up a notch and bring your entertainment home with you and imitate their quirks, qualities or peculiarities that made you snicker earlier in the day.

4.Make Over the Ordinary. Recount your everyday experiences in a fun way and relive them! People laugh at the stuff they can relate to. It’s the ordinary, everyday, run of the mill things we find funny. Some of the best sitcoms and funniest comedians (Seinfeld is a perfect example) create material out of the everyday perils of life. It’s their passion and strong point of view that strikes an emotional cord in us and makes us burst out with laughter. Go for it and liven your stories up with attitudes, opinions, voices and dialects. Be spontaneous and let it fly!

5.Give Your Stories a Pay Off! The best stories have a punchy point, a profound lesson or a great big finish. Start with the end in mind. Give your friends a payoff for their attention. When you get close to the end, stop, take a deep breath and give the story a moment of silence. Let ‘em dangle in anticipation before you end with a big bang! Adding more energy, impact and volume will give your story meaning, closure and give you the rewards of laughter.

6.Make it Big! Describe something gigantic. On your morning commute to work (of course while navigating your vehicle with the utmost in attentive care and caution), describe something humongous. Maybe it’s the biggest cell phone, coffee maker or Fourth of July sparkler ever to be seen at the World’s Fair.

7.Demand Door to Door Comedic Entertainment. Rent your favorite classic comedy flicks or a few of the new ones you’ve been meaning to get around to. What some may consider the demise of America, I argue could be the comedic cure. Blockbuster now offers unlimited door to door delivery service with your favorite DVDs without any pesky late fees or due dates. No kidding! You’re in for some serious first rate livin’ when you think about the movies, laughs and life entertainment that will be waiting for you on your doorstep.

8.Fake a Roll or Take a Part. Play Scarlet O’Hara or just ham it up for the day and walk through life with a particular point of view, strong opinion, clever persona, funny accent or problem that you must solve. Juice it up and have a dinner party where everyone has to maintain a character for the night. I’ve got a New York City cowgirl (don’t call me an urban buckle bunny) persona in my hip pocket just waiting to come out. “This girl just ain’t sure how she’s gonna lasso herself up a ride on one of them quick four wheeled, yellow stallions.”

9.Let Off Some Silly Steam. Before things get too heated up think of something quirky, cool, comical or witty. Have a few funny incidents lined up in your head that you can flash to before you disagree, bicker or complain. Even the slightest smile will ease ill feelings and spread goodwill throughout the land. The absolute worst situations still have a silver lining… you are getting some really great comedic material for later. Focus on the amusing or just plain weird moments that you’ll want to recap with your friends and laugh about later.

10.Hunt Down the Funnies. Look for humor everywhere you go. Stalk it, pursue it and chase it down ‘til you fall over with laughter. Think about what makes you laugh, the ironies of life that amuse you, the comedians you adore, the books that make you laugh aloud and which funny shows you refuse to miss. Read, watch or do all of the above as often as you can.

With adults laughing on average 15 times a day and children laughing about 450… we’ve got some serious work to do. Try a tip, grab a giggle and go. Track your laughs the fun and funky way. The free ‘Laughin’ Log’ is yours at www.shesite.com. Who knew at the end of the day you could add up 100 laughs (the equivalent to 15 minutes on an exercise bike) and fit in to your skinny jeans?!!

Exercise your sense of humor so you can trim your body, increase your joy and be a magnetic force that attracts others to you. Let your fun, gregarious side shine and give gushing benefits of laughter to everyone around you.

CAUTION: Laughs have been known to be contagious. So watch out, you might even infect the grumpy, irritable and cantankerous folks in your life who always seem to have something to complain about.

8 Steps to Solving All Financial, Relationship, Security or Health Problems

Supporting the creation of every financial, health, security or relationship problem or phenomenal success is a set of timeless universal laws that never fail or err. Not even once. Every moment unfolds under perfect laws. Knowing what these laws are and how to apply them will miraculously wipe out any problem and produce success, always.

Over the last 4,000 years or so, we have repeatedly received the exact same how-the-world-works guidance from industry barons, spiritual masters, philosophers, quantum physicists, great leaders and sages.

Here are some tips on how you can solve any financial, relationship, security or health problem:

1. Understand your world.

Many Nobel Prize winning physicists have recently proven beyond doubt that the physical world is one large sea of energy that flashes into and out of being in a fraction of a second, over and over again. Nothing is solid. This is the world of Quantum Physics. They have proven that thoughts are what put together and hold together this ever-changing energy field into the ‘objects’ that we see.

2. Know the tools of creation.

Your thoughts, words and actions create your experiences. You become what you think about. Albert Einstein once said that imagination is the most powerful creative force. The Bible says ‘As a man thinketh,

so is he.’ Become very aware of your thoughts, and be deliberate in your thinking. There are no idle thoughts. Have vision, and stick with it.

3. Believe.

Henry Ford said “Whether you think you can or can’t – either way you are right”. That is pretty much the same thing that Jesus and many others have said.

4. Understand cause and effect.

The law of cause and effect is the prime law that runs the universe. It is the number one law. Every spiritual and scientific teacher has sought to teach it. They may have said you reap what you sow, or you get what you give, or what goes around comes around, or karma, or consequences, or every action has an equal and opposite reaction, or many other similar statements. Quantum physics is now teaching us how this works, exactly, on a sub-atomic level. Things get better when you get better. They get worse when you get worse. The world is all within you. You are at cause over everything that happens in your life, whether you were conscious of it or not.

5. Eliminate level confusion.

Align your thoughts, words and actions with your goals. Become aware. And realize that the physical world is an effect, not a cause. It is a result of our thoughts, words and actions. You cannot achieve anything by trying to manipulate the effect. Instead look to change the cause.

6. Understand infinite loops.

You see what you believe and you believe what you see. But the start of this loop is that what you believe is what causes the conditions that you see.

7. Know that there is no order of difficulty, as all limits are placed upon yourself by what you believe to be so.

8 Find your purpose.

Find out what makes you happiest, and work within your purpose. When you do so, your confidence, inspiration, creativity, energy and passion will be unstoppable.

 

7 Quick Tips to a Healthier, Happier You

Health and happiness are not that difficult to have in one's life. It just takes some attention and some action to insure that you have as much of both as you desire.

Far from being difficult, tiring exercises, getting healthy can be quite easy. A few simple acts or lifestyle changes can put you on the path to feeling happier and healthier faster than you can imagine...

1. Eat breakfast every day.

Your mom was right, it's the most important meal of the day.
Don't skip it.

2. Drink lots of water.

In these days of coffee, tea, sodas, seltzers, colas and coolers it's easy to think we're getting all the water we need, but nothing beats good ol' plain water. Eight glasses a day.

3. Get a good night's sleep.

As one who deals with sleep problems, I can tell you from experience, poor sleep patterns can quickly disrupt your life. Research shows that 6 to 8 hours of restful sleep is what most of us need to be happy and productive. If you're having problems sleeping, contact a doctor immediately.

4. Eat more fruit.

The old "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" saying may not be 100% true, but the truth is that fruit provides your body with need vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars.

5. Start walking.

For short, nearby trips in the neighborhood, leave the car at home and take a walk. Do this a few times a week and the results will amaze you.

6. Turn off the t.v.

Read a book, get outside and play with the dogs, have a conversation with your spouse. Look for things to do other than watch the telly, especially around news time.

7. Laugh.

Every day. A real, good, hearty, belly laugh. Look for the funny things that life has to offer. Share a joke with a friend. Share a lot of jokes. Laughter is good for the heart and soul, for your health and spirit.

None of these things requires you to spend a lot of money. None of them take much time or energy. But each one can, over time, dramatically improve your physical and mental health. Pick one or two to focus on this week and be healthy!

Check Out These Health Products

6 Ways to Eat More Healthfully

With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little wonder if you feel somewhat confused. Whether you are wanting to lose weight, maintain your weight or help your family eat more healthfully....these six, simple ideas will help you to eat more heathfully.

1 Stay away from the inside aisles

When you grocery shop, fill up your trolley from the aisles around the outside the perimeter of the store. This is where the fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh foods are kept.

2 Eat small amounts frequently

Don't allow yourself to get hungry. Keep your appetite in control with smaller meals and healthy snacks in between.

3 Keep close to nature

Fresh is best and generally much better for you than pre-packaged. For example, a fresh potato baked in its jacket is more healthy than pre-packaged "potato au gratin".

4 Experiment and use spices

Get used to cooking with a wide variety of spices. It's possible to get fabulous flavor with spices without adding high calorie fats and oils.

5 Read "fat free" labels carefully

Many "fat free" items contain additional carbohydrates in the form of sugar or fructose to compensate for reduced flavor and can do more to add to your weight than the "full strength" product.

6 Use low fat dairy products

For adults, much healthier as low fat dairy products have the nutrients without the extra fat.

5 WAYS TO FEEL SUPER-OPTIMISTIC: Tips for Your Health, Wealth, & Career Success

Optimism is the hidden key to your personal and business success. Optimists possess a clear vision of an exciting life, confidently work on goals to achieve their vision, and take self-responsibility. In contrast, pessimists have no clear vision of a fantastic life, and they love to complain, blame, and moan.

How can you become more optimistic?

I will divulge five little-known “secrets” to help you immediately feel upbeat, confident, and optimistic.

Research: Why Optimism Is Good for You
Tons of research prove that optimists do vastly better than pessimists in their
1. Health
2. Wealth
3. Career success

Health.
A growing body of "psychoneuroimmunology” medical research links how a person’s emotions affect his or her health. Some intriguing findings: Optimistic people are less likely to get sick than pessimistic or depressed people. This includes illnesses ranging from common colds to cancer. Optimistic people also get well faster than pessimists.

Wealth.
A fascinating study found that self-made millionaires worry much less than people who earn as much money but have not achieved millionaire status. What is the connection between being optimistic and making yourself into a millionaire? Optimists are much more likely than pessimists to make a goal of achieving millionaire status. They also keep plugging away at being frugal, investing wisely and working hard to turn financial dreams into reality. In contrast, pessimists are less likely to set net-worth goals or consistently take actions to become millionaires.

Career Success.

Many companies use our firm’s Abilities & Behavior Forecaster™ pre-employment tests when choosing applicants. To start, a company has high-achievers take the test. Also, underachievers may take the test. Then, we identify how the high-achievers score, so the company can prefer hiring applicants who score like its profitable, productive employees. Intriguing finding: One of the Forecaster™ test’s 18 scales is Optimism. Typically, high-achievers typically score high on the Optimism test scale, while underachievers score moderate or low on Optimism. This repeated finding verifies that optimists achieve greater career success than pessimists.

So, how can you boost your optimism to achieve greater health, wealth, and career success?

Here are five immediately useful techniques. Each takes only one minute to do, so you can start fast and get results today.

1st Technique: Straight Posture & Big Steps

Optimistic people use straight posture, walk fast, and take big steps. Pessimistic people slouch, walk slowly, and use small steps. Imagine seeing someone walking with his or her head held high, shoulders back, walking fairly fast with big steps. That person exudes confidence. In contrast, a person whose head and shoulders slouch and walks with slow, small steps reeks a gloomy mood.

Why is a straight posture crucial? Because before you can straighten out your head, you first need to straighten up your body!

2nd Technique:


Cheerful Voice

A lightning quick way to feel upbeat is to use a cheerful voice. Think of a time when you felt annoyed. Then, your phone rang. You answered it, and your caller was someone you wanted to impress. I bet you spoke in a cheerful voice so you would impress your caller. Result: You immediately started feeling your mood lift.
Why is a cheerful voice an incredibly powerful optimism tool? Psychological research proved that a person emotionally feels the emotion he or she is acting at the moment. So, if you act cheerful, you feel cheerful. And a cheerful voice is the fastest way to act optimistic.

3rd Technique: Use Upbeat Words

You can use types of words: upsetting and upbeat. Pessimists relish using upsetting words, while optimists excel at using upbeat words. Examples:

Upsetting Words
Problem
Tired
Depressed

Upbeat Words
Opportunity
Recharging
Bumming

For example, a pessimist says, “I have a problem.” In contrast, an optimist would say, “I have an opportunity to do better next time!”

4th Technique: Use Upbeat Attitudes

I find the chief way to become an optimist simply is to focus on solutions – and not focus on problems. Every time a difficulty pops up, immediately create solutions and put them into action. Examples:

Upsetting Attitudes
Focus on problems
Dwelling on weaknesses
Thinking about financial woes

Upbeat Attitudes
Focus on solutions
Dwelling on strengths
Thinking about achieving prosperity

Why is a solution-focus ultra-important? Because you can only have one thought in your head at a time. So, if you focus on solutions, you cannot wallow in problems, complaining, blaming, or moaning.

5th Technique: Be a Magnificent Role Model

Remember a time you were a role model for someone. As you helped that person, you also helped yourself. As the proverb goes: “What goes around, comes around.” If you are a delightfully optimistic role model for employees, co-workers, family and friends, then you simultaneously make yourself optimistic.

How do you do this? Make sure people see you using straight posture, taking big steps, speaking in a cheerful voice, using upbeat words and focusing on solutions.

Anyone can become an optimist. When people use these five techniques, they invariably tell me they feel heavy burdens lift off their shoulders. They feel positive, upbeat, and confident. You only need a few minutes to put these tips into action. They can be your key to enhanced health, wealth, and career success.

© Copyright 2005 Maryann Troiani & Michael Mercer, Ph.D.

5 Tips to Keep Your Mental Health in Shape as You Diet

Losing weight and going on a diet can be quite challenging! As someone who has lost over 50 pounds, I will share a bit of my “dieting wisdom” with you.

1. Throw Out that Scale! Of course we all want to keep track of our progress, but stepping on that scale everyday isn't the way to do it. In fact, it can keep us from focusing on what we really should be focusing on. A preoccupation with what the scale reads can cause us to become dependent and depressed. Instead, keep close attention to how you feel--lack of energy and tiredness could be an indication that you are failing to loose weight in the healthiest way. On the other hand, increased energy could be a sign that you are becoming healthier. Focus on what your body tells you--monitor how clothes are fitting you. This is a much more positive way of monitoring your weight loss. Save the scale for regular doctor's checkups or occuasional, periodic use.

2. Set Realistic Goals. Trying to "loose weight fast" is often times not only impractical, but also dangerous. Set goals that you know can be feasibly integrated into your daily routine. Not only are quick weight loss attempts often difficult to maintain, but they can also be hazardous to your health--causing you to ruin your metabolism and rapidly regain the weight as soon as you stop your diet.

3. Expect Fallbacks. We all have our bad days. Being hard on yourself for breaking your diet and falling back on your weight goals is part of the process! Frustration can make it even harder to get back on track. Instead, look forward and decide ways in which you can be more dedicated to your goals. Keeping a journal can help.

4. Praise Yourself Often. Remember, attaining your weight goals is just as much a mental process as it is a physical one. For this reason, it is important to keep yourself motivated. Think of ways to positively reward yourself. For example: get your nails done or have a guys-only night out. There are all kinds of ways to pamper yourself without spending too much money. Be creative!

5. Be Open with your Doctor. If you are struggling in acheiving your goals, don't keep trying to do it alone! Contact your doctor. He/she may be able to help you customize your goals or refer you to a nutritionist or other professional trained to help patients mentally and physically stay on track when loosing weight.

Above all, remember that loosing weight does not mean foregoing fun and ignoring what your mind and emotions tell you. In fact, paying attention to your mental state can ultimately mean far better results. Forget about the scale, be realistic, reward yourself, and, if needed, seek professional assistance. With the right mindset, you will already be well on your way to reaching your weight loss goals!

About the Author
Amie Gerlowski writes for Weight Loss Guide, an online resource about diet pills such as Hoodia.

5 Steps To Healthy, Beautiful Long Hair

It is great to receive compliments for beautiful and healthy hair even though it may need a bit of care. The five steps that you should take to maintain the beauty of your hair are as follows:

1.The first step dealing with hair maintenance is to handle it with care. Some people comb in an unruly manner that may damage the hair surface or can even break it from the root. It is often damaged because of negligence and carelessness. You should detangle the hair first with fingers and then with wide-tooth comb to cause minimum damage to the hair. Further, you should replace things like metal barrettes and rough elastics with hair sticks and plastic clips.

2.Properly maintain your long hair and do not let your hairstylist shorten it against your will. Some stylists are habituated to cut the hair short, without any reason. Be on your guard and do not allow him to exercise his will.

3.Long hair needs special attention over its maintenance, as it is more porous and older. You should use gentle shampoo over it and avoid excessive use of conditioner, as it may hinder adequate cleansing. Deep protein treatment and use of moisturizers is good for long hair.

4.A healthy body ensures healthy hair growth. If you pay proper attention to a healthy diet and regular exercise, you are sure to have a beautiful and healthy hair as well.

5.Long hair adds to your look by offering myriad hairstyles that you cannot enjoy otherwise. Learn to carry it well. Further, you should carefully figure out damaged hair and trim it to have a purely healthy hair. Excessive use of blow-drier can mar the beauty of your long lustrous hair. Besides, chlorine and saltwater may damage it. Thus, a few helpful hair care tips aid to keep your hair long and beautiful.

5 Simple Weight & Health Watching Tips

1. Read The Labels Closely - You will often see labels such as "Half the calories!" or "Reduced fat!" Be careful with these and read the serving sizes. What a lot of these companies do is to reduce the serving size, not the actual amount of calories in their product. So yeah, you're only consuming half the amount of calories on this cool new redone product, but that is because you are only eating half the amount as you normally would.

2. Take Your Time Eating - This one is pretty simple. Take your time while eating, don't gulp tings down. If you have a nice leisurely meal, you will not eat as much as if you ate fast. Give your food time to digest and "kick in." If you take your time, you will notice that only 2 pieces of pizza will fill you up than the 3 or 4 that would if you gulped them down.

3. Keep It Out Of Your House - You really don't need that bag of candies, now do you? What's the simplest way to insure that you don't eat them? Don't buy them. If you don't have them sitting around your house than you will not be able to give into the temptation of eating them.

4. Have A Healthy Snack - It's 4 in the afternoon and you are getting hungry. Dinner won't be served for another 3 hours, and you need something to eat. Don't take out the chips bag or reach into the cookie jar. Rather, make yourself a nice little snack. An apple and a small chunk of cheese tastes very nice. Some cheese and pretzels do, too. A granola bar. A couple cheese and crackers. Maybe a nutragrain bar. The idea is to eat a healthy snack that will fill you up until the next meal, and not be constantly snacking.

5. Walk Your Dog - Do you have a dog? Well, all dogs need to be walked, even though a lot of owners don't do it. It not only provides great exercise, it is also refreshing and can provide other benefits. We're not talking about a long mile walk (though if you can, bravo), maybe just up a couple streets and back. Give yourself and your dog a chance to stretch your legs and work off a couple of calories. Meet some other people while you're at it and enjoy the outdoors!

4 Ways to Prevent the Most Common Women's Health Problem

According to the American Heart Association heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women. They are two of the many cardiovascular diseases that kill nearly 500,000 women each year. That’s more than the next seven causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

1. Get your cholesterol tested every year. Many women don’t know they have high cholesterol. They assume that heart disease is a man’s problem. Even many doctors don’t realize the risk that women have of heart disease so they fail to suggest testing.

2. Increase your weekly exercise. We now know that as little as 10 minutes of exercise three times a week can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk the dog a little bit longer each day. Get your heart pumping by dancing to your favorite music
while you clean the house. Walk during your lunch hour instead of eating at your desk.

3. Eat more fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables are low in fat and high in fiber. They contain heart healthy nutrients. Leafy greens are particularly healthy. Orange juice is high in folic acid, a nutrient known to protect the heart and prevent birth defects. Add one vegetable or fruit to every meal and you will likely double your current intake. You can make it easier by keeping prepared vegetables in the refrigerator to throw into a salad or munch on for snacks.

4. Learn about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS affects as many as 5-10% of all women. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders and is one of the most common causes of infertility. PCOS is a cluster of symptoms that can include: unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, depression or mood swings, painful or irregular periods, absent periods, acne, hair loss, unexpected hair growth (face, arms, stomach, etc.), infertility, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and more. Untreated PCOS can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and endometrial cancer. Protecting your heart is easier than you might think and it will reward you every moment of every day. Take care of yourself. You are worth it!

3 "Healthy" Foods NOT to Eat

There are three foods that are labeled "healthy," but for the reasons I'll outline below, you should stay away from.

Food #1: Fruit Juices like Orange Juice and Apple Juice

Sure they contain vitamin C and may come from real fruit, but the fact of the matter is, they are loaded with sugar! Yes, it's natural sugar, but it's still sugar- and we all know sugar turns to fat. They now have fruit juices with half the sugar- give them a try instead- they actually taste pretty good.

Food #2: Energy/Protein/Meal bars like Balance Bars

Some claim to have the perfect ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates- and they do. Some just claim to be a good meal replacement bar because they contain fat and protein, and vitamins and minerals- and they do. But if you take a look at the label of most bars, you'll see high fructose corn syrup, sugar and in some bars fractionated oils. It's so self-defeating, it blows my mind. Go with bars that have healthy ingredients such as Clif bars, Luna Bars and Odwalla bars.

Food #3: Most Breakfast Cereals

The reason I say most breakfast cereals is because there are some that you should eat and I'll mention those in a bit. Most cereals claim to have whole grains, vitamins and minerals- and they do- but they also contain tons of sugar and processed, unhealthy ingredients. Reading the ingredients label will tell you all you need to know. Kashi cereal is what I recommend.

They have a line of about 10 different cereals and they are all made of healthy ingredients. And yes, they taste pretty good.

3 Easy Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy

There are plenty of articles out there about what to do to make your skin look young again. But what if you still have it? How do young women keep their skin looking the way it is now well into the future? The following five easy tips can help you keep your youthful glow.

1. Use Sunscreen, Never Tan. It's hard for young women to resist the warm glow that a few hours of tanning can bring. But the damage that it does beneath the surface accumulates over time--ultimately leaving the skin dull and thin. By the time premature aging becomes evident, significant amounts of damage has taken place below the surface. Rather than a week of beauty, think of long-term beauty. If you really want to give your skin an added glow, try shimmering lotions and makeups. Or, for a darker look, try artificial tanners (but be careful, they can sometimes leave you looking more orange than tan). Don't forget that you can experience the damaging effects of the sun even if you aren't deliberately trying to tan. Make applying sunscreen part of your daily routine. Purchasing moisturizers with sunscreen already in them can help. Remember, only 15 minutes of sun exposure each day provides you with the vitamin D you need to stay healthy.

2. Eat the Right Foods. You've always heard the phrase "You are what you eat" and that is exactly right when talking about your skin! What you eat is not just relevant to your weight. It also affects the health of your skin. Clinical studies have shown that eating diets rich in fatty acids and antioxidants can help skin retain its youthful appearance. Foods good for your skin include fish, vegetables, whole grains and fruits including all kinds of berries. Antioxidants in the diet may help reduce the appearance of age   spots. Fatty acids are one of the components of metabolic processes within the body that are also integral to the maintenance of healthy skin. Making these foods a part of your daily diet can benefit you for years to come.

3. Clean and Moisturize! Don't neglect your skin. For normal skin, a gentle daily cleanser is all you need. Using a washcloth needlessly pulls and tears at the skin. Cleanse your skin with your fingers using gentle, circular motions, paying particular attention not to stretch the delicate eye area. Moisturizing the skin is also important to protect it from the effects of the elements including wind, pollution, and sun (if it is a sunscreen moisturizure). Not only does it protect the skin from the outside, but also helps it to retain its natural moisture from the inside. Keep in mind that spending a lot of money is not necessary. If your skin is oily or you have a problem with acne, use products designed specifically for your skin type. You may want to consult a dermatologist to seek prescription treatments. Never attempt to pop your pimples. This will increase the size of your pores and possibly cause scaring. 

Breach of TrustEssentially, if your skin is young, value it! Taking simple precautionary steps can help keep it that way. Think of the benefits of having healthy skin in the future. Use sunscreen, eat healthy, and following a daily skin regimine. You don't need alot of money to keep your skin healthy. All it takes is common sense and good lifestyles choices.

How To Choose A Health Insurance Plan

Are you thinking about buying health insurance? With so many different alternatives, it is difficult to know which to choose.

When choosing a health insurance plan, never base your decision solely on the monthly premium. There are many other cost factors -- deductibles, co-payments, and the like -- that will determine the true price tag of your insurance. You'll need to read the fine print of the health insurance plan, including what it does and does not cover, the in-network versus out-of-network coverage and costs, claims processing procedures, and the coverage limits.

Know Your Health Care Needs

The first step is to review the scope of your needs: coverage just for yourself, for a large family, or something in between?

Next assess the health needs for all you intend to include in your health insurance plan. Are there any pre-existing conditions to consider? Does someone need to have access to certain medical specialists or medical institutions?

Research and Compare Your Options

The answers to the above questions will give you a good starting point in your search for the right health insurance plan.

Next, you need to explore your options. If you're getting group insurance through your employer, your options will be limited to what the company offers. Otherwise, you'll need to more research and comparison shopping. At a minimum, you have to understand the difference between the 2 basic types of health insurance plans offered today: the Indemnity Plan, and the Managed Care Plan with its variants.

Indemnity Plans and Managed Care

An Indemnity Plan offers the freedom to choose when and where you will seek medical assistance. Along with this freedom usually comes higher out-of-pocket costs. For many this is a fair trade-off.

Managed Care Plans are more restrictive, and require you to utilize the medical professionals and institutions that are part of the plan's "network." Participants often need pre-approval for medical services that are beyond basic preventive care. The costs for this type of plan are usually lower than Indemnity Plans. For those who are basically healthy, don't mind who provides their medical services, and who need to control medical costs, Managed Care Plans are usually the better choice.

This is a very basic comparison of the types of health insurance plans available. It is a first step in your own data gathering and analysis process.

Select The Right Company

Once you've done your homework and know what you want, you need to choose the right health insurance company. Many companies offer health insurance, from well-known corporate giants to small independent outlets. As with any major purchase, you'll want to research these companies before making a final decision.

Also, find out which state or federal agency regulates the type of health insurance you're considering, in case you have questions or experience problems.

Each type of health care plan has advantages and disadvantages. It is in your best interest to research thoroughly, so that the health plan you choose will be the right one for you and your family. For today and for years to come.

Before You Look for Health Insurance

Shopping around for medical insurance can be a confusing business. You need to keep your wits about you and keep track of the benefits and costs of each policy and each type of policy. Too often we tend to look at the price first and the rest of the policy becomes a blur of fine print. And we're off to check the next policy.

Slow down. There some important things you should do before you start chasing around to get a policy. Doing these few things will make the whole process simpler and clearer - and you're much more likely to make a good decision.

You need to carefully consider your situation. Think about these questions and note your answers:

What's the general state of your health?

How old are you?

Do you have any serious medical problems currently or in your medical history?

Do you have any history of recurring or on-going medical needs?

Do you use tobacco? How much?

Do you drink? How much?

Are you over- or under-weight for your height, body-type and age?

Is your job hazardous?

Do you participate in any activities or sports that could affect your health?

Now this may be unpleasant but if there's any chance an insurance company could discover a history of drug or alcohol abuse or sexual behavior that might put you in a high risk group, you may want to be direct and upfront about it - especially if it's in the past. Having a claim denied later because you had failed to disclose medical information to the insurance company would be far more upsetting - and very expensive. The same goes for any significant medical condition. Insurance companies are in it to make a profit - at least most of them are. Paying large claims isn't their favorite activity, so they often do investigate.

If you're seeking a family policy you'll need to make the same analysis for everyone and consider carefully what kind of coverage you want.

Do you need dental, orthodontic, pregnancy, mental health, and/or drug coverage? Do you need long-term care coverage, either inpatient or in a nursing facility? Assisted living coverage? What about traveler's or international coverage?

If there's a possibility that you may require - or want - in-home care as opposed to a residential nursing or assisted living facility, be sure that coverage is included and be sure you understand exactly what you can expect to receive.

Think about deductibles and what you could afford pay to reduce your insurance costs. But be very careful here, because medical expenses tend to pile up quickly and reach nearly insane levels for complex treatments or inpatient stays. Many drugs in common use are ridiculously over-priced and depending on the specifics of your insurance you may not be able to use the least expensive sources.

If you will end up with multiple sources of coverage, be clear about how they fit together and what the rules are about overlapping or combined benefits.

Once you are clear on your current situation, your (and other family member's) medical history, and your projected needs, you can begin looking in a organized way with a better sense of where you're going and what will actually meet your needs. This may seem like a tedious process, but it will serve you well in finding appropriate and affordable health insurance and making sure your health care needs can be met by the medical insurance you choose.

Take some time to work through these questions. Write down your answers. Make a chart with your desired coverages and any special conditions the policy must meet. As you look at health insurance policies, note the rules, exclusions, information about pre-existing conditions, any limitations, the dollar amounts covered and especially any deductibles.

Don't try to do too much at once. If you hurry, it'll become confusing and tiring. You may hate it (I know I do), but you really do need to read all that fine print and understand it. That's not a task to rush through. You might as well face up to it, because it's a lot better to do it BEFORE you need medical services than after you get a bill for the uncovered portion that sends you into shock.

So is it an impossible job to find health insurance that works for you? Not at all. There's a world of resources on the internet to help you find the policy you need. Just be sure to do your homework first.

Health Insurance - Are You Covered?

With the ever-increasing cost of health care, procedures and medicines, it's no wonder that the cost of health insurance has also dramatically risen over the past few years. But as that's happened, insurance companies and the government have seen the potential negative impact of families and individuals without insurance. There are some things you can do if you don't have health insurance.

A federal mandate requires that all 50 states have a health insurance program for children. Each state was allowed to create a plan tailored to the needs of children in that state, but there are some things that are the same from one state to the next. The first is eligibility.

Government funded health programs typically have very stringent income guidelines. These health insurance programs have income requirements, but the criteria allow higher income than most programs.

Another criteria for participation is that the child isn't covered by any other health insurance. That differs from most programs in a very important way. Most programs say that if the family has access to insurance, they aren't eligible. That means that parents who have employer-based insurance don't qualify. But many of the employer-based plans are too expensive, and workers sometimes simply can't afford the premiums. This program is designed to help fill that gap.

These programs don't cover families - only children. But there are some great benefits for those who qualify. Some states offer mental health benefits, transportation to and from appointments and dental/vision benefits.

If your children don't qualify for this program, or if you're in the market for individual health insurance for an adult or private insurance for a family, you have some options. Even though insurance is typically very expensive, you can take some steps to control costs.

You can eliminate extras such as vision and dental coverage, and increase deductibles to lower the cost of your insurance premiums. Look for policies that don't include maternity benefits and cancer plans as more affordable general health insurance plans. Basic coverage will likely be less expensive than an all-inclusive health insurance program.

Finally, shop before you make a decision. Even if you're offered employer-based insurance, you might find a better deal elsewhere (depending on the amount of employer participation). Look to professional groups for discounts and advice.

Health Insurance and health care

Health insurance is something that everyone needs today. The rising cost of visiting a health care provider or a hospital stay makes it imperative that everyone have some type of health care coverage. Government statistics estimate that over 40 million people in America are not covered by any type of health insurance on any given day. That's an enormous number of people who really are taking a financial risk.

Even if you're on a tight, limited budget, it's very important that you pick up some kind of affordable health insurance. Even if you only have a plan that covers unexpected hospitalization, your peace of mind will be greatly enhanced. Keep in mind that a catastrophic health insurance policy can come with a high deductible before their coverage kicks in. They don't pick up the cost of preventive physician visits or emergency room visits to get a few stitches.

Some questions to ask when considering affordable health insurance.

1) Can your and/or your family afford to pay ALL your medical expenses if you're sick or injured?

2) How much is the deductible?

3) How much are the premiums?


With a little searching and comparison shopping you find the best rate for your personal affordable health insurance.