Remove Acne Scars for Good!

September 21, 2012 in Beauty, Women's Health

If I know one thing, I know that we were all teenagers once, and we have all probably suffered from acne at some point in our lives. Even now, as adults, some of us still get acne from stress. Whatever the case may be, I know where you are coming from. The acne breakouts left your skin looking like a WWII battle field, and you feel self-conscious. You have been wanting to get rid of the horrible scars on your face but they never go away… so you hide them with thick makeup, and fight to balance it out without looking like a cheap whore.

Microderm to Treat Acne ScarsSTOP IT! One of the best ways to remove acne scars is easy, and cheap enough that it is worth every penny… microdermabrasion treatments. There are many benefits of microdermabrasion, but treating acne is one of the best reasons to go under the grinder. Microdermabrasion is like a Mr Clean Magic Eraser… for your face.

When you go in for microdermabrasion, it can actually help you to get rid of those annoying acne scars that have you feeling so self-conscious. It is not rocket science. You have the outermost layers of your skin removed to reveal new and healthier skin which grows underneath. This is even a great way to get rid of those red marks left on your skin right after a breakout. Are you one of those 20 somethings that spent a few too many nights up late in the sorority house? Grind off those fine lines and wrinkles at the same time. If your pores are large, microdermabrasion can even help to make them appear smaller. One treatment can provide all of these benefits. Amazing, isn’t it?

How Do I Get this Magic Eraser?

Three choices; at the Doctor’s, at a Medical Spa, or in your home. If you go out to get it done you will want to book an appointment for a treatment. Appointments can be made at doctor’s offices, medical and health spas and even at some beauty salons with specially trained estheticians. At the first appointment, the esthetician will examine the skin and probably find problems you were unaware of… thanks for pointing that out bitch! The number of treatments and the length of each treatment will be determined at this appointment based on how jacked up your skin is. Some people may need to have six treatments and some may even need ten. A treatment is usually between fifteen minutes and an hour, just as long as it would take you to drink a superfood smoothy, and will cost about 100 bucks. After the treatments are complete, the acne scars have usually faded away.

If you go the home route, you need to buy a microdermabrasion machine. There are options from a bunch of different beauty brands, but the best one out there is probably the Riiviva Microderm. The Riiviva uses the same diamond abrasive tips that are used in the professional machines at doctors offices. Nothing else on the market gives you the same treatment you get from a doctor, in your own home on the cheap, without a prescription. I can’t believe they sell this thing. Just be careful with the coarse tips until you know what you are doing. You don’t want to go too deep or your face will take a few days to heal up.

Microdermabrasion for Acne Scarring

If acne scarring is something that has made you self-conscious, go for microdermabrasion and just take care of it. It is one of the most popular ways to treat acne scars. It’s a very effective way to remove acne scars and is reasonably priced. Fine lines and wrinkles will vanish and your new skin will shine through. It really works wonders… so what are you waiting for?

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The Fit n’ Flare Dress Has Arrived

August 13, 2012 in Style

Sometimes, I get really frustrated with the fashion trends in North America. I feel like we’re constantly being fed these trends that are only really flattering to a chosen few. This season, for example, we had the dipped hem dress. Can we get real for a moment, but this isn’t exactly a style that was for everyone. If you’re really short, with legs that aren’t exactly fit for a Victoria Secret runway, this is probably a trend that you’re not going to look so hot in. It can potentially make you look shorter than you already are, and if it’s in the wrong material, you can end up looking like some confused fashion nightmare.

Next, we have the peplum. Oh my god, how I adore the peplum, but again, let’s be realistic here. There really wasn’t much available in the way of peplum designs in North America, because retailers were holding it back for whatever reason. But as much love as I would like to give the peplum, this is not a style for everyone, especially if it’s not done correctly. For larger women, it has the potential to make them look bigger than the actually are. You may get that hourglass illusion with the cinching in the waist, but adding that extra piece of material, a piece that sits right above the rear area, it can also be disastrous. But the news isn’t all bad, because it appears that North America is finally catching onto to trend that we can all sink our teeth into, and that’s the ‘Skater’ or Fit n’ Flare dress.

The Fit & Flare design is actually a design that hails from the eighties! It’s a design that was stolen off of the figure skating dresses from the Ice Capades, remember those? Maybe not, maybe you’re too young to remember, and in that case, now I’m really feeling my age! But seriously, that’s where it came from. It was super fitted on top, tight in the waist, and flared on the bottom. The original Ice Capades dresses were obviously quite short, because as a figure skater, you didn’t want anything catching around your legs. Women in the UK have been rocking this dress for the last two years now, so it’s high time that the women in North America catch up, and as usual, Forever 21 has answered the call, they’ve just renamed it to seem different!

The Fit & Flare is probably going to be one of the most transitional pieces that you’ll own in your wardrobe. It’s a super chic summer option when you want to give yourself a little vintage flair, and in the winter months, if you pair it with your favorite pair of tights (or pantyhose) you can easily take your Fit & Flare dress from the office to a night out with the girls. How often can you find a design that is perfectly suited for that administrative assistant job as well as a late lunch with your handsome beau? Sure, there might be a few, but none of them are as fashion forward or chic!

Why do I love it so much? Easy, it can be worn by just about everyone. It comes in a variety of lengths, so for girls that are self conscious about their legs, you can easily wear a fit & flare that sits below the knee. And because of it’s tendency to create that hourglass silhouette, women who are lacking shape, suddenly look like curvy girls! For women that are a bit larger, their waists are made to look smaller. I’m telling you girls, this is the it dress!

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Chic in Chiffon at Forever 21

July 11, 2012 in Style

Hi again! So I’ve been slowly starting to order things from F21 for my summer wardrobe. It’s a departure from my usual method of shopping which is just hitting up F21 and H&M for all my fashion wants, ordering everything at once, and in the meantime, I’m generally paying close to full price for everything, gross! This season, I decided that I was going to wait it out, and only buy things that I absolutely needed at the beginning of the summer. I was short on money, and made a small living writing affiliate articles at the Ukritic site. I learned my lesson last year when everything went on sale in July, which was just as well, because the weather didn’t start to warm up until mid July anyway! So far I’ve purchased a few dresses here and there, but last night, I was looking over their Chiffon Chic collection, and I was delighted to see that Forever 21 finally seems to be designing clothes that are a little more ahead of the trend as well as being more accessible for a much wider consumer base. What I mean is, Forever 21 caters so much for to women from the ages of fifteen to twenty-five, and because the designs are so youthful, for me, F21 has always sort of been considered throw-away fashion because I wouldn’t wear it longer than one season.

You’ve heard the term chiffon before I’m sure, but do you know what it is exactly? I’m sure you could point it out to me on the street no problem, but you probably couldn’t tell me what the fabric consisted of. That’s okay! It’s my job to inform you! Chiffon is actually the French word for cloth or rag (doesn’t sound very couture, does it!). Well don’t be deceived, it can be, but there are definitely differences in quality when it comes to chiffon. By definition, it’s a sheer and lightweight woven fabric that’s generally derived from cotton, silk or synthetic fibers. The most common synthetic fiber used for chiffon is polyester, and if you’ve ever worn silk, you’ll notice a difference immediately. Silk, or cotton even, are both far more breathable than polyester, and while Forever 21 is almost always using a polyester blend for their chiffon pieces, they are still managing to get the same look, just for a lot less money! It’s not like you’re going to run a marathon in a chiffon blouse, so what does it matter? Let’s have a look at what they have in their current collection:

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a massive fan of pleating. I know it’s not for everyone, but it’s classic vintage at it’s finest. And there is probably no fiber on earth that is as fitting for crepe pleating as chiffon. Just a little forewarning though, this adorable little cami is not lined, so you might want to consider picking yourself up a nude bandeau.

I’m fairly convinced that this is the sort of skirt that every woman should have in her wardrobe. Circular skirts are great because they can be paired with just about everything, and in chiffon, they’re perfect for those balmy summer nights. This black one pictured here is a great length if you’re not really into short skirts, yet you want something short enough that will show off your sexy calves in a pair of your favourite wedges or sandals.

Another look that’s totally in this season is the Peter Pan collar, and though it may not be a design for everyone, it’s one of my favourite little accessories of the season. This chiffon blouse has an attached Peter Pan collar, but if you like the option of removing that feature for different outfits, there are several fashion designers that are creating garments with removable collars.

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Tracking the Progress of Your Weight Loss

May 23, 2012 in Health, Healthy Eating, Uncategorized

A lot of people go into a diet and exercise program with the mindset that “whatever happens, happens.” This nonchalant frame of mind usually doesn’t result in a full body transformation, and I think most of that has to do with the fact that people don’t track their weight loss while they are going through the program. Keeping an accurate record of your body’s change will give you a chance to congratulate yourself on success and re-assess areas that need improvement. You may have lost a lot of weight but not a lot of inches, or that could be the other way around. Whatever the case may be, a simple workout diary should be all you need to keep yourself motivated to succeed.

Here are some tips to help you keep track of your weight loss in the future.

Establish a Diet and Exercise Routine

Before you can start keeping an accurate record of your body’s transformation, you need to have a system to help you lose weight. There are hundreds and maybe even thousands of diet and exercise plans in the world, so you need to take some time to find the one that is right for you. I always like programs that respond specifically to your body type, like the one mentioned in this Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis Review. You may have a completely different set of needs than someone with a different body type, so it is important to look for a plan that addresses the issues you have with your body. Make note of everything you are supposed to do through your plan, and then you can see if you follow through with that.

Consider Your Overall Goals

You need to have a list of goals to keep in mind while you go about your diet and exercise routine. This could be a goal to cut out a certain amount of calories from your diet, or it could be a goal to lose a certain amount of weight. Every person has a different goal with a weight loss plan, so you just need to keep an eye on yours. This will motivate you to continue with your progress, and it will also help you feel better about your success. Create a list of short term and long term goals that you can logically meet, and then strive to go beyond them. There is nothing wrong with surpassing your plans and losing even more weight than you may have thought possible.

Take Your “Before” Pictures
You need to make note of your “starting point,” just so you can see how much your body has changed over the course of dieting and exercising. Take some pictures of yourself with as much skin showing as possible, and get a clear view from all angles. A few months down the road, you can look back on those before pictures and think, “Wow, I used to look like that?” It’s hard to notice the changes on a day to day basis, but it is easy to see them when you compare your photos from the beginning to the way your body looks now. That alone is motivation to continue with your program.

In addition to taking the pictures, you need to write down your starting weight and general body measurements. Measure around your arms, waist, hips, butt, legs, chest, and anywhere else that may be a concern to you. Then re-measure yourself halfway through the program to see if you have any changes. The results of your work may not be visibly noticeable at first, but they should be measurable no matter what. That is why you have to keep track of everything along the way.

Track Your Weekly Progress

Try to jot down general information about your body every week of your weight loss program. Weigh yourself around the same time of day, and take measurements of your body in the same locations. You may want to put this information into a chart so you can compare numbers side by side. If everything works the way it should, you will see the numbers get smaller and smaller every week. You could track your progress once a day or once every other day, but that may lead to some unnecessary frustration. A big meal could make you look like you weigh more a second day than you do on the first day, even if you haven’t gained weight. That is why it is important to spread your records out a bit.

Reevaluate Your Goals

Once you start seeing changes in your body, look over your goals again. You may want to adjust the plans you had for your weight because you see yourself losing more in the near future. If a personal matter has caused a slight delay in your plans, you need to redo your goals to fit your new timeframe. Whatever the case may be, you need to adjust your plans so they fit your progress in the weight loss program.

Congratulate Yourself

When you finally complete your weight loss program, give yourself a pat on the back. Look at those before pictures and see how far you have come. You should be proud of any weight you lose, even if it is only a pound or two. As long as you feel better about your body, you can be happy with the way it looks. Keep track of your weight loss throughout the entire process, and you are sure to witness personal success.

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Forever 21 – To Love or Hate

May 17, 2012 in Style

I write several fashion blogs, some are incredibly specific, and some are really general, but all have the same aim; To help women find on trend fashion for affordable prices. Isn’t that what all of us ladies want? There is scarce a better feeling than walking into a room with the knowledge that you didn’t have to sell your soul to Prada just to look good. You are the modern woman, and you can make a damn kitchen rag look good. Okay, maybe I’m going a bit overboard, who would wear a kitchen rag to a party? But in all seriousness, I’m here to talk to you about a little (or not so little) store that many women, young and not so young, have probably indulged in at one point or another. I’m talkin’ ’bout Forever 21 ladies.

Forever 21 is sort of like that annoying friend who’s constantly upstaging you at different parties, but it’s impossible to put your finger on why you feel that way. It’s because the Forever 21 girl has the potential to look like she arrived from a Marie Claire photo shoot, yet she’s probably not wearing any one thing that’s over $25. That’s pretty amazing. I mean, look down at what you’re wearing right now. Unless you’re a thrift shop diva like myself, you’re probably wearing hundreds of dollars worth of clothing items, yet you probably never think about it.

Forever 21 (originally Fashion 21) was a store that catered to middle aged women back in the early 1980′s by a Korean husband and wife team in the Highland Park district of Los Angeles. At the time, South Koreans were influencing the fashion scene quite heavily, and it Fashion 21 brought Korean fashions to eager American fashionistas. After a few years, the brand changed to Forever 21 and changed its target market from middle-aged Korean Americans, to young, hip, trendy women, who were after the next hottest style. From a tiny 900 square foot store to the average shop being 9,000 square feet, this little brand has come a long way. It hasn’t always been a success story, they’ve stepped on the toes of several designers, copying their designs and pumping them out at a fraction at the cost. They’ve also been accused of sweat shop labour practices, but have long since cleaned up their act when activists threatened to shut them down. But before you judge, those Nike’s you’re wearing, or that Lululemon sweatshop you adore so much, they’ve all been in trouble for the same thing!

As women, we get so caught up in trends, and who’s wearing what  and how we can get our hands on it. Sadly, we don’t search for more affordable alternatives, and we’ll blow an entire season’s budget on one or two items. And there’s nothing worse than being broke in the summer. You don’t need to have an accounting degree to understand the value of investing in items of clothing that you’re going to wear time and time again. After a few wears, they’ll pay for themselves. And this brings me to the importance of shops like Forever 21. This shop is known for always having clothing that’s super trendy and in the moment. The designers emulate what they see in the magazines and bring it to the consumer at rock bottom prices. The quality of clothing isn’t all that spectacular, but if you know where to look and what you’re looking for, you’ll find some serious treasures. And this is the purpose of this blog. I want to help you get over your love-hate relationship with this brash shop, and teach you how to unleash your bargain-hunting prowess!

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Welcome To Cooking For Yogis!

April 13, 2012 in Health, Healthy Eating, Uncategorized

MangOH!tmeal: A yogi breakfast staple

Hey there yogis!

Thank you for joining me for this brand new blogventure! My name is Corinne and I’m here to share some pictures, talk about some foods, and yak about some yoga. So, before you continue reading, why don’t you go ahead, take a couple of deep breaths, and clear your mind. Wait. Before you do that… What are you thinking?

Let me guess. You were thinking about what you were going to have for dinner. Right? Was I right? Of course I was. I’m kinda good at reading minds (also, you’re looking at a food blog). Plus, food is one of our most prevailing thoughts. We think about the act of eating about 20 times a day (more than sex) and we make over 200 food decisions between sun up and sun down. It’s enough to make you want to run to your meditation bolster.

No need to fear. You can skip that whole clear your mind thing for a minute. If you’re looking for simple, healthy recipes sprinkled with a little yogi humor and spiritual insight, look no further. That’s what this blog is going to be all about. It also might be about Ayurvedic diet. It also may have quite a bit of vegan stuff (for you Jivamukti folks). It also might have some posts about meal timing, mindful eating, recipes for kids, tea blending and travel trail mix. I’m a huuuge believer in trail mix. Trail mix and the green smoothie really take up most of the space in my heart.

Anywho, that’s what we’ll be focusing on in these next few… well who knows how long we’ll be doing this for. Let’s shoot for infinity and settle with indefinitely.

So, the next post will have our first recipe, and it’s going to be so magical that it will have your chakras spinning and your third eye squinting to see if it’s really real. Okay, so now that I wrote that sentence, I’ll have to live up to it. Wish me luck in the kitchen this week!

What’s your favorite recipe to make for the yogis in your life?

 

 

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Birth Control Pill Options

March 27, 2012 in Health, Women's Health

Birth control is an important issue for many women who are in their child bearing years. An unplanned pregnancy can create a financial and emotional hardship.  Even if a woman wants children, she may want to stagger their ages or wait until she and her partner or husband are more financial sound to start a family. No matter what a woman’s reason may be she needs to find a reliable and convenient form or birth control. Many women choose the pill for birth control. Introduced in the 1960’s the pill has become one of the most popular ways to prevent pregnancy.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3379/3268160011_b56fe71fdf_m.jpgThe Searle Company introduced the first birth control and by 1962 1.2 million women were using it. In 1963 this number had risen to 2.3 million. The first form of the pill was very strong and carried serious complications for some women. These included blot clots, stroke, and heart attacks. Since its introduction, much advancement has been made and now women have several choices to choose from which have a mixture of hormones and come in much lower doses.

These new formulas carry less risk than older pills and can help to regulate your periods and clear up acne.  Today over 12 million women use the pill for effective birth control. It is important to remember that the pill will not protect you against HIV or an STD. You should use a condom to protect yourself even if you are taking the pill.

Combination Pills

Birth control pills come in two types, combination and progestin only pills. Combination pills have estrogen and progestin in their formulas. This type of pill comes in 21 or 28 day packs. The benefits include lighter periods, reduced menstrual migraines, improved acne, lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, lower the risk for pelvic inflammatory disease, and may increase bone mass in pre-menopausal women. Combination pills still carry the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. This risk increases if you smoke, are obese, or have a family history of heart disease.

Progestin Only Pills

These pills are also known as mini pills. They contain no estrogen and are considered safer for women who have a family history of heart disease or are at risk for blood clots. According to Andrew Kaunitz, MD with the University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville, mini pills can be used with nursing mothers. Breastfeeding lowers a woman’s fertility and the mini pill is a safe contraceptive method for nursing mothers. It is important to take this type of pill at the same time every day. Dr. Kaunitz stresses taking it just three hours late may cause ovulation which increases your chances of becoming pregnant.

Extended Cycle Pills

A new type of pill not only protects you from pregnancy, but also reduces the amount of periods you have in a year. Some women stop having periods all together. As of this date there has not been any adverse side effects from reducing the number of periods a woman has, but as more women choose to use this type of pill more data can be collected. Reduction of periods is the most obvious benefit besides prevention of pregnancy. The drawbacks are related to this reduction. If you have fewer periods it may be harder to tell if you’re pregnant.  Some women experience break through bleeding while taking extended cycle pills.

Which Pill is Right for You?

When you go to the doctor it is important you share any risk factors with the medical assistant who takes your vitals and history so your doctor can decide which type of pill is best for you. You will also have to make the commitment to take your pill on time and every day. The pill has a success rate of 98% and most of the pregnancies occur from women who forget to take their pill or do not stay on a regular schedule. Discuss your options with your doctor so you can decide which type of pill is right for you.

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Men’s Top Health Risks

March 17, 2012 in Health Tips, Men's Health

Women live approximately 5 years longer than men. There are many reasons for this, but WebMD sites one reason for this fact as being attributed to men not taking care of themselves as well as women. A woman will go to the doctor more than a man, and this may help catch any health issues earlier than in a man. Most men think as long as they can work and provide for their families that they are healthy. The heartbreaking truth is there may be serious health issues creeping up on a man and he won’t even know it until he has a major health event such as a heart attack or stroke. Many of the major health risks men face are silent killers and if a man isn’t proactive with his health, he may become a victim of one of them.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2576/4105603525_c245c64360_m.jpgHeart disease affect both men and women. It is the number one killer of both sexes. One aspect of heart disease that affects more men than women is atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries. This is one of the most common causes of debilitating strokes. Plaque build up in the blood vessels caused by high cholesterol and triglyceride levels narrow the blood vessels and reduce blood flow to vital organs including the heart and brain. Blood clots may form and then travel to the brain or heart and can cause a fatal event. Men should start getting their cholesterol checked beginning at age 25. Men develop atherosclerosis seven years earlier than women, so even though this may seem like a young age, keeping your cholesterol under control is one of the best way to prevent heart disease.

Lung Cancer is one of the top killers of men. Not only is it an aggressive and nasty form of cancer, but it is usually not discovered in men until it has spread to other organs. Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. It only takes a small amount of time for your body to heal itself once you quit. After only 20 minutes your heart rate and blood pressure start to return to normal. The earlier in life you quit, the greater the benefits. Men who quit smoking at 30 have a 90% less chance of dying prematurely, and men who quit at 50 have a 50% less chance of dying prematurely from cancer and other diseases directly related to smoking.

Diabetes is also a dangerous silent disease that can develop without symptoms, or symptoms men ignore. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form in men. Unlike Type 1 which develops in childhood and is the result of the body not making enough insulin to metabolize sugar, Type 2 diabetes is the result of the body being unable to use the insulin hormone correctly. Obesity is the most common cause of diabetes. Symptoms may include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision, extreme hunger, and irritability. If you have a family history of diabetes it is important to have your blood sugar levels tested often. Diabetes causes heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and a whole host of nasty conditions. The damage is often done before a man knows he is diabetic, and this is what makes this disease so dangerous.

Stress can be the result of high pressure jobs such as criminal justice careers, supervisory jobs, military service, or any other job that is full of stress. Stress taxes your immune system and is known to be a cause of a whole host of stress related illnesses. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure all have the potential to be caused by or exacerbated by stress.

If you’re a man, take care of your health. It is a statistical fact that men die earlier than women. Don’t become a statistic and leave your loved ones missing you because you didn’t go to the doctor as often as you should have, or followed your doctor’s advice. Quit smoking, get your blood pressure and blood sugar levels checked, and watch your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Your family needs you to be around so call your doctor today for a check up and be proactive with your health.

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Quit Smoking and Start Living Better

March 4, 2012 in Health Tips

You may have started smoking in the bathroom at school in an attempt to look older and fit in with the “cool” kids. You may have started smoking when you started going out to clubs to fit in, or you may have picked up a cigarette out of curiosity and never put the habit down. No matter how you started, you can quit. I will not sugar coat it for you, to quit smoking is hard. Probably one of the hardest things you’ll have to do, but the health benefits are almost amazing. Here’s the breakdown according to Medical News Today:

  • Your heart rates drops closer to normal only 20 minutes after you quit.
  • Carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal only 12 hours after you quit.
  • Your risk for heart attack is greatly lessened and your lungs start to function better after 2 to 3 weeks.
  • You will find you will not be as short of breath and cough less after only 1 month. This effect continues to improve the longer you don’t smoke.
  • In 1 year your risk of coronary artery disease is half of a smoker.
  • After 5 years your risk of stroke is the same as a non-smoker.
  • After 10 years your risk for lung cancer is cut in half along with your risk of other types of cancer.
  • In 15 years your risk of coronary heart disease returns to that of a non-smoker.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5215/5386077382_44c09d3759_o.jpgBesides all of the health benefits, you’ll look better, smell better, and have more money in your pocket. Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict. This makes your skin age quicker. If you’ve ever seen a 40 year old smoker next to a 40 year old non-smoker, you can see the vast difference in their skin. The smoker’s skin is sallow, thin, has more lines, and the tell-tale lines around their mouth give them away. I don’t know about you, but I’m vain enough for this to be a good reason not to smoke…

As far as the economic benefit of not smoking let’s look at some facts. In the United States a pack of cigarettes costs around $5. Now if you smoke a pack a day that’s $35 a week. In a month you’ve smoked up $140, and in one year $1,680 of your hard earned dollars has gone up in smoke. That is enough money to take yourself and your family on a decent vacation. In many metro areas a pack of cigarettes costs much more and that is even more money out of your pocket. You could look at it another way, a pack of cigarettes is almost as much as a gallon of gas.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals like arsenic, vinyl chloride, nickel, formaldehyde, and many others. Can we all say…ewww! So why not consider quitting smoking? You’ll be healthier, have more money, and have the energy to enjoy life to the fullest.

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Eat Organic by Growing Your Own Produce

February 25, 2012 in Healthy Eating

You know how important it is to eat right to stay healthy. But how do you know if the food you purchase at the store is really good for you? Much of what we buy in the produce department has been treated with pesticides and chemicals at the farm and in processing. One way to be sure your food is safe is to grow your own. This may sound like a daunting task, especially if you live in an apartment or in the city.

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Container gardening is a great way to grow just what you need in a small amount of space. You may even be able to have a small container garden in your dorm if you can get your other classmates involved. Check with your Hall Director or RA about organizing a space for all of you to have a small garden or container garden. If you are attending school online, you can put some containers on your porch or make a small plot in your yard. Once you decide to grow some of your own fresh food, you’ll need to know how to get started.

One of the best resources is the Organic Gardening Magazine. I’ve used it for years as a place to find tips and information on organic gardening. We used to have large spring and fall gardens when my kids were younger, and it was fun to get out in the soil and watch the seeds grow and mature. In an article on their website, Seed Starting Made Simple, they give some tips for starting seedlings.

  • Don’t use potting soil. Choose a medium made for starting seedlings. It needs to be loose and contain the right mixture of nutrients to give your seedlings a healthy start.
  • Use sphagnum moss or biodegradable seed containers to germinate your seeds. Then when you’re ready to transfer your seedlings into the ground, or into containers, you can just leave the seedlings in these containers and plant them right into the soil. You can also use old egg cartons, milk cartons, or small plastic containers. You will have to remove the seedlings from these containers before you transplant them, though.
  • Choose your containers and have them ready when you’re ready to plant. Be sure they are clean and don’t have any soil or debris from previous plantings in them. This can cause disease and the leftover soil or debris may be harboring unwanted insects.
  • When you’re ready to plant your seeds, moisten the soil first so they don’t float away. The easiest way to do this is to soak the planting medium in a bucket of water for 8 hours. Then you just put it into your containers and plant your seeds.
  • Place the containers near a bright window or under a growing lamp. If you have a growing lamp, keep it on and don’t turn it off at night. This will help germinate your seedlings quickly.
  • Keep the growing medium moist, but not too damp. Place them into a tray of water so the plants can wick up the water as they need it.
  • You will have to keep your seedlings nourished, so add some plant food (just a bit) once a week. Once the seedlings have their second set of leaves, you can switch to fish emulsion.
  • Toughen up your seedlings by transferring them outside for a few hours a day once they are about 2 to 3 inches high. This will help them make the transition to the outdoors.
  • Prune out the smaller plants so that the most hardy plants can flourish. Once your seedlings take hold you can transplant them into the ground or into containers outdoors.

After this keep an eye on your plants for any signs of pest infestation and keep them well watered. Don’t fuss over them too much and they will reward you with fresh produce in time.

Be sure you know which growing area you live in. The United States is divided up into 11 growing areas, so check to see where you live before you decide what plants to grow. Do a bit of research to see which varieties of produce grow best in your area, and if you live in cool climates wait until you’re sure the last frost has gone by before you plant your seedlings outdoors. The final step is to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor with fresh organic produce.

Image by Garden.org

 

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Boost Your Mood with These Super Foods

February 1, 2012 in Healthy Eating

Did you know the foods you eat can have a profound effect on your mood? Science has shown that certain foods can produce a positive effect on a person’s mood. In a recent issue of Organic Gardening they list 11 foods that boost your mood. Now these aren’t some weird foods you’d never eat. These are delicious foods you might already include in your diet, or you can start to incorporate them when you need a lift. So many of us depend on sugary treats when we’re feeling down, but sugar actually makes us feel worse. Why not give these foods a try and see for yourself if they do indeed lift your mood.

Mussels contain vitamin B-12 and trace elements such as iodine, selenium, and zinc. Vitamin B-12 helps support the myelin sheath in your brain which insulates your brain cells, and the trace minerals help to support your thyroid. The thyroid gland regulates many of your body’s functions including mood.

Swiss chard is a tasty dark green leafy vegetable loaded with magnesium. Magnesium supports the biochemical reactions in your brain. It also boosts energy levels and studies are being conducted about its link with relieving depression.

Blue potatoes may look strange, but they taste just like regular potatoes and are high in anthocyanins. Anthocyanins protect brain cells and help to reduce inflammation in your body. Try to find organic blue potatoes so you can eat the skins where most of the nutrients reside.

Grass fed lamb has a good fat, conjugated linoleic acid, which protect the brain from stress hormones and helps to reduce inflammation. It also has a high concentration of heme iron (the kind your body absorbs the best) which is a mood boosting mineral.

Dark chocolate is my favorite type of chocolate and is the best for boosting your mood. It improves blood flow to your brain and the Journal of Psychopharmacology recently published a study stating it only takes a few ounces of dark chocolate to boost your mood.

Organic Greek yogurt has more calcium than regular yogurt or milk. Calcium helps your body release the neurotransmitters that lift your mood. Dr. Ramsey, author of The Happiness Diet, explains if your body is low on calcium you can experience anxiety, irritability, slow thinking, impaired memory and depression.

The remaining five foods recommended by Organic Gardening include the following:

  • Asparagus – high in tryptophan a precursor to serotonin, the feel good hormone.
  • Honey – reduces inflammation, boosts immunity and is loaded with antioxidants.
  • Cherry tomatoes – higher in lycopene than their larger counterparts since you eat the skin. Lycopene protects the brain and helps to prevent inflammation in the body.
  • Pasture eggs – from free range chickens contain a higher concentration of nutrients including zinc, B vitamins, iodide, and omega-3 fatty acids. All of these are mood boosters.
  • Lemon macaroons – made with three simple ingredients and no sugar are a sweet treat loaded with antioxidants and mood boosting coconut.

If you notice, most of these foods help to reduce or prevent inflammation in the body. Inflammation is thought to contribute to depression. So next time you’re feeling down, try one or more of these foods. They’re all delicious and good for you.

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Living Gluten Free

January 30, 2012 in Health, Healthy Eating

Gluten free cupcakes

Last week we covered celiac disease. People who suffer from this disease can’t tolerate gluten in certain foods. The most common foods include wheat, rye, oats, and barley. Damage is done to the small intestines and the body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs. More women than men are affected, and it is estimated 1 in 133 people in theUnited Statessuffers from this disease. Celiac disease is hard to diagnose, but once it is found you can make adjustments to your diet and protect your body and find relief.

It can be a challenge to go gluten free, but there are still several food choices you can make. The Gluten Free Living Magazine lists some of the foods which are gluten free. These include these grains:

  • Corn
  • Rice
  • Amaranth
  • Kasha
  • Millet
  • Quinoa
  • Sorghum
  • Soy

It is important to read labels. Look for ingredients such as the following which are considered gluten free:

  • Lecithin
  • All spices
  • Vinegar (but not malted vinegar)
  • Citric Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Sucrose
  • Dextrose
  • Arrowroot
  • Guar Gum
  • Xanthan Gum
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Potato Starch
  • Vanilla

All fresh fruits and vegetables are gluten free, as well as spices. Alcoholic beverages are gluten free unless ingredients are added after distillation which contain gluten. Meat, fish, poultry, and seafood are all gluten free if they are not breaded.

Gluten free cereals

In an effort to meet the needs of gluten free living, General Mills has included 250 products to their choices which are gluten free. You can find these products at the Betty Crocker website. Cake mixes, biscuit mixes, cereals, and snacks are included on the list. The Whole Foods Market has a wonderful resource you can use to shop if you need to live a gluten free life.

If you have a child with celiac disease, talk to your pediatric nurse practitioner about foods to avoid and include in their diet. It will be easier if your entire family follows a gluten free diet. You may find you have less digestive issues yourself by living a gluten free lifestyle. It may seem like an impossible quest to find delicious foods for your family on a gluten free diet, but with all of the products available today it is actually not as difficult as it first appears.

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