Tips for Healthy Summer Skin

It’s 95 degrees today, which means by 12:00 p.m., the sun will be shining its scorching rays on us.  This is around the time of year where my skin gets really blotchy, discolorated and oily.  So now I have to look for ways to keep my skin hydrated and healthy looking. 

So I looked on Self.com and found an article called “The Skin Commandments.”   There are ten rules that they suggest you do daily to keep your skin looking its best.   Here’s a few to get you started:

1. SUNSCREEN, PLEASE!!!
2. Remember, less oil on your face during these months!
3. Hydration comes a little more
4. Use a scrub at least two to three times a week!
5. Apply lotion to your skin while your body is still damp. 

You can find details and suggested items to use at Self.com.

Get the Dish on Frozen Entrees

Frozen foods can be very tempting to buy, especially when they’re on sale, or when you just don’t feel like cooking.  But here’s the thing: frozen foods could be packed with sodium, which can be an alert to your health.   But when the frozen entrees call your name from time to time, here’s a tip that I found on realsimple.com to help you make good choices:

Look for: The word healthy on the box. It’s a reliable indicator of good nutrition. Select entrées with no more than 3.5 grams of fat per 100 calories, no more than 600 milligrams total sodium, and no MSG or trans fats, says Lisa Drayer, a registered dietitian in New York City and the author of The Beauty Diet.

So next time you’re in Publix nearby Lake St. James, be sure to look for healthy indicators on the boxes of your frozen favorites.

Workout Drinks: What’s Your Pick?

During your workout, which drink gives you more kick?

Slimmer Beef, Perhaps?

I LOVE burgers.  There was once a time in which I NEEDED a burger at least twice a week– whether it was from a fastfood chain or a gourmet restaurant, or even a homemade on on the George Foreman– I had to have a burger.  And as unhealthy as my appetite for a burger was, I thought, well hey, beef has zinc, iron, vitamins, and other essentials.  So while there was a plus two the meat between the buns, I still knew that I had to do something different. So then I tried leaner beef.  And not only does it taste good, but I found out this:

Leaner beef also will have less total fat and cholesterol. Also, the principal saturated fatty acid in beef, stearic acid, isn’t the cholesterol raising culprit once thought. Research now shows it has more of a neutral effect. ~ Carolyn O’Neil, AJC.com

So there you have it.  Look for leaner beef for to make the perfect burger!

3 “Bad” Foods that are Good for You

I keep wishing that one day, someone will tell me that I can eat all the honey buns I want and still stay healthy… and since that’ll never be the case, I did find peace in knowing that there are some “bad” foods that actually aren’t so bad. And if you’re dying to know which “bad” foods you can eat, take a look below:

Eggs- Ditch any worries about your egg intake! Eggs are nutritious and fit into your cholesterol range daily (if you stick to two a day).

Nuts- Nuts are packed with protein, fiber, and fat– but good fat! Stick with healthier nuts like almonds, walnuts and cashews. And throw some into your morning yogurt to add some flavor.

Chocolate- Some people ‘cringe’ at the thought of chocolate (because they think it’s fattening) but chocolate comes from a plant and has the same health benefits as dark vegetables. So add a piece of chocolate into your day sometimes!

Try Something New! Foods You Might Like

Are you a dare-devil when it comes to trying new food, or are you a plain Jane? I’m more of a plain Jane, but this year, I’ve decided to try some new things. As long as a dish is made up of foods that I like, why not try it in a different mixture? Here are three items that I suggest you try this year:

Baked Oatmeal: Imagine your morning oatmeal fresh out of the oven. Not only does baking oatmeal reduce the watery outcome, but it gives it a more homemade flavor; plus, you can add berries, walnuts, or peanut butter to make an awesome filling.

Frozen Banana Ice Cream: Ever had banana ice cream that’s made only from bananas? All you have to do is freeze the banana; whip it up in a food processor, and wa-la! It turns into a custardy dessert.

Roasted Beet Sandwiches: Dress this veggie up with some avocado, greens, and goat cheese on some soft bread and you have a healthy sandwich. I’m not a fan of beets, so I doubt I’ll try this one, but if you like them, by all means go for it!

I’m going to try that banana ice cream when I go home. And hopefully my baked apple cinnamon oatmeal will come out good in the morning!

Chicken Noodle Soup is the New Gatorade

Who said that chicken noodle soup was just a food for people with the flu? According to a study from the American College of Sports Medicine, eating chicken noodle soup before exercising is more effective at improving fluid balance than electrolyte beverages and water.

I’m thinking that chicken noodle soup can now replace sports drinks that contain electrolytes; although they contain that key ingredients to help keep us properly hydrated, it’s still loaded with sugar, which defeats the whole purpose of working out ( right?).

The question that comes to mind now is now is how can chicken noodle soup be better than electrolyte beverages that were created solely for improving hydration? The answer is sodium. High concentrations of sodium can cause us to retain water and reduce urine output.

So I guess you better go stack up on some Campbell’s.

Crunchy Food = Healthy Eating

It’s brown, it’s crunchy, and it rhymes with payola—GRANOLA!  Well, that’s one kind of crunchy grain that’s really healthy for you.  When you’re choosing cereals, breads, and crackers, stick with the brown colors; nine times out of ten it’s whole grain and great for you to eat. 

A research study suggests that eating three servings of whole grain items a day can add some days and years to your life. 

Some items I would suggest to try would be Fiber One cereal, Special K Granola cereal, Ritz Wheat Crackers, and Arnold’s Whole Wheat bread.

So you choose.  Live long and eat healthier by adding some whole grains to your diet!

Try Boosting Your Mental EQ Today!

Try boosting your mental EQ today! There are several things you can do to boost your memory and your mental activity. There is this great article that list foods you can eat to boost your brain power. Get your mind going with some cerebral quick starters!

Quick Tips:
Go for Green Tea
Have Bran for Breakfast
Pop a Peppermint
Rearrange Your Office Furniture

Click here for more.

Keep Those Germs Away!

It’s cold season and there are a punch of germ floating around. You never know what is larking on your keyboard at work or on the bathroom door handle. One of the best ways to get rid of germs and keep from getting sick is just by washing your hands. But are you washing your hand the right way. It seems like the simplest thing to do, but it really is more than just running some water and soap through your hands.

Make sure you keep yourself clean and health by washing your hands often and properly. Click here to see how.

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