Doesn't Hurt to be Beautiful

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Foods for Healthy Skin

I guess you are what you eat, and there is no way around that. If you maintain a balanced diet, not only will you have a slamming body, but also healthy looking skin. Here's what experts told WebMD are the most important in your diet for healthy looking skin:

Low-Fat Dairy Products. One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A. One of the best places to get it is low-fat dairy products. In fact, experts say that the health of our skin cells is dependent on dietary vitamin A.

Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. The common link between these four foods is their high antioxidant content. In a study recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, these four fruits weighed in with the highest "total antioxidant capacity" of any food. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are plentiful.

Salmon, Walnuts, Canola Oil, and Flax Seed. These seemingly unrelated foods all deliver essential fatty acids, and thus are key foods for healthy skin.

Healthy Oils. These contain more than essential fatty acids. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall.

Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts. The mineral selenium connects all these foods for healthy skin. Experts say selenium plays a key role in the health of skin cells. Some studies show that even skin damaged by the sun may suffer fewer consequences if selenium levels are high.

Green Tea. Green Tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it's protective to the cell membrane. It may even help prevent or reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Water. While the exact amount you should drink each day varies, no one disputes the role good hydration plays in keeping skin looking healthy and even young. In addition to keeping cells hydrated, water helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out, which automatically leaves skin looking better.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

How to Re-Wear a Dress

Sometimes you just don't want to re-wear the same exact dress to an event, especially if you will see the same people. It's annoying to look the same in pictures. Also, you don't want to be that person that get's the back handed compliment from your Great Aunt Gretchen "oh dahhhhlinggg your dress is lovvvvvely... of courssse, I liked it last 2 times you wore it."

That being said, there are many ways to re-wear a dress to make it look different and new. You would be amazed. Having such a large family, the "dressy" events never seem to end. My sisters and I take great pride in our skill of re-wearing dresses. Here are some of our tricks:

Before you buy: Before you buy any dress you need to assess how many times you can potentially wear this dress. If it costs $300, but you can wear it 5 times.. in my book that dress is $60. You are better off buying a great $300 dress vs. a one-time wear $150 dress.

Cardigans: A cardigan changes the entire look from the waist up. If you are re-wearing your dress to a "dressy" event, find a fancier cardigan. There are so many out there, embellished, lacy, gem toned, floral, colorful, etc.

Shoes, Purse, Jewelery, etc: Your shoes and purse should usually go together (not match per se, but "go"). If you have a simple black dress, you can try a colorful shoe and a colorful purse. Try hoops instead of pearls, silver instead of gold... a charm bracelet instead of bangles. Or maybe even a belt.

Hair: Your hair really changes your look and the entire vibe of your entire outfit. Re-wear your dress with a low pony tail, a flower clip, a headband, or other hair accessories. I am a big fan of the flower clips. I have them in many colors. You can also clip them on your dress to make them look like part of it.

Alterations: If you are really tired of wearing your dress, take it to the tailor and get it altered. I do this a lot, it really cracks up my tailor. Usually I bring it in and try and on and ask him what he can do with it. Take the sleeves off, shorten it, taken it in, whatever. Usually it costs me about $12 - $24 and it looks brand new. Think Project Runway.

Change / Add Buttons: Find some fancy buttons online, colorful, cameo antique looking, pearl, etc. The fanciest of buttons are usually less than $12 for a dozen. If your dress has buttons swap them out. OR if you have a plain black dress, get some fancy buttons bring them to your tailor with the dress and tell him to sew them around the neckline. Congrats, you will have made your dress look $100 more expensive with a few buttons.

Some parting words: Don't be ashamed to wear the same dress over and over again. My sisters and I think of it as a sport. You win by wearing the dress the most times, and the least distinguishable from the original.

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Monday, October 12, 2009

How many calories in Halloween Candy?

Before you dive into the candy dish, you should know what you are getting into.

Nestle’s Crunch (Fun Size)
1 bar = 70 calories

Peanut M&M’s (Fun Pack)
1 bag = 90 calories

Regular M&M’s (Fun Pack)
1 bag = 90 calories

Snicker’s (Fun Size)
1 bar = 80 calories

Milky Way (Fun Size)
1 bar = 75 calories

Kit Kat (Fun Size)
1 bar = 50 calories

Hershey Chocolate Bar (Fun Size)
1 bar = 90 calories

Reese’s Cup (cups)
1 cup = 80 calories

Butterfinger (Fun Size)
1 bar = 100 calories

Twix (Fun Size)
1 bar = 80 calories

York Peppermint Pattie (small pattie)
1 pattie = 70 calories

Twizzlers (Treat Size)
1 pkg = 45 calories

Almond Joy (Snack Size)
1 bar = 90 calories

Milk Duds (Treat Size)
1 box = 40 calories

SweetTarts (Treat Size)
1 pkg = 50 calories

1 Tootsie Pop
1 pop = 60 calories

Tootsie Rolls (Small Rolls)
5 rolls = 65 calories

Candy Corn
11 pieces = 75 calories

Candy Pumpkins
3 pieces = 75 calories

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Sunday, October 11, 2009

3 Awesome Zero Calorie Condiments

All these condiments are close to zero calories per serving. Yes, if you have more than 10 servings, it might add up.. to maybe 10 calories? Nothing compared to the high calorie options.

Bacon Salt
0 calories

Great to add to eggs, vegetables, soups, meats, or anything else you want to have a hint of bacon taste. (They make a kosher version too!)

Spray Butter
0 calories

This is great to use instead of butter. You can also use it as a substitute for butter in some baking recipes

Frank's RedHot Hot Buffalo Sauce
0 calories

If you like spicy food, this is great. Sometimes I use this instead of salad dressing or to dip grilled chicken.

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Does lifting weights make you "bulk up"?

Myth: Lifting weights is not good to do if you want to lose weight, because it will make you "bulk up."

Fact: According to Women's Health, Lifting weights or doing strengthening activities like push-ups and crunches on a regular basis can actually help you maintain or lose weight. These activities can help you build muscle, and muscle burns more calories than body fat. So if you have more muscle, you burn more calories—even sitting still. Doing strengthening activities 2 or 3 days a week will not "bulk you up." Only intense strength training, combined with a certain genetic background, can build very large muscles.

Tip: In addition to doing at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (like walking 2 miles in 30 minutes) on most days of the week, try to do strengthening activities 2 to 3 days a week.

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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

How to Look Good in Leggings

Leggings with Tunics: The key to this is to make sure the tunic covers your hips and butt. Because leggings fit so close to the body, you want your top to come down past your hips.

Leggings with Dresses: Dresses that fall at or above the knee can work with leggings. This is one case where a close-fitting dress would look good with leggings, such as a jersey knit dress with a wide belt at the waist. Leggings also work with bohemian fashions or billowy, casual dresses for women.

Leggings with Skirts: One look that's popular is pairing leggings with mini-skirts, particularly denim skirts. Slip into a pair of flat shoes, add a coordinating top and this is an easy, casual outfit perfect for weekends.

Leggings with Jackets & Vests: I have seen a lot of this lately. Both are looks that are very flattering to almost everyone. With jackets choose a mens style blazer that falls below the waist. If you are going for a vest, choose a snug tunic and a short vest.

OTHER TIPS

Leggings for Petites: Make sure your top is proportioned for shorter women so that it doesn't fall past your mid-thighs – otherwise, it can look like you're wearing a dress with leggings underneath. That's OK if it's the look you are going for- but be conscious about what looks best on your body. Also, your ensemble should be as monochromatic as possible for an elongating look.

Leggings for Tall Women: Make sure you wear a shirt that comes down far enough so that your butt isn't exposed.

Choosing the right shoes: Leggings look best with flats, such as ballerina flats, or plain pumps, as well as with boots. However, you can pretty much wear any shoes with them except sneakers.

Don't wear a tight shirt: Because leggings are so fitted, it's best to steer clear of tight shirts for the best look. These items work better when your overall outfit is balanced, pairing roomy with fitted.

Don't wear leggings with sweatshirts: While this is fine for hanging around a college dormitory, it's not a chic look anywhere else.

Don't wear a short top with leggings: Your shirt, whether it's a tunic or other A-line top, should fall past your butt, not stop at the waist. This is especially important if your leggings fall on the thin side -- you don't want to look like you left the house in only a shirt and tights.

Don't wear leggings in place of pants: Leggings are an accessory, not a garment. They shouldn't be expected to take the place of a pair of slacks, but instead to add to the flair of a casual outfit.

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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

How accurate are elliptical machine calorie counters?

"They can be anywhere from right on the money to 50 percent off," says John Porcari, Ph.D., a cardio-machine researcher and professor in the department of exercise and sports science at the University of Wisconsin. Machines that require you to enter your body weight tend to be more accurate than those that don't, Porcari says. But even that feature does not ensure accuracy.

Treadmills are typically the most accurate of the cardio machines, says Porcari: They have been around the longest, so the equations used to estimate calorie burn at various speeds and inclines have been tested on more subjects. Ellipticals, a more-recent addition to the machine category, tend to offer less-precise calorie estimates. "Ellipticals can be off 20-30 percent, and tend to be off on the high side," Porcari says.

Most women burn 500-650 calories after one hour of exercise on cardio machines, says Porcari.

Source: Health Articles

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Sunday, October 4, 2009

Do your panties matter? - Guys' Thoughts

We all spend so much money on lingerie, does it really matter??

I have polled some men on their thoughts on what they prefer:

Sean, 32: "Sometimes being naked just isn't enough. I want to see a little bit more effort"

Mike, 24: "I like panties, the less the better. I really don't like the boy shorts."

Kurt, 32: "Thongs 100%."

Scott, 27: "The underwear that kind of shows the girls butt cheek but not a thong, are those called boy shorts? I like those. But I like thongs better."

Dave, 29: "Of course panties matter. its all about the presentation, just like at a restaurant."

Chris, 27: "Boy shorts are weird. What are you supposed to do with these."

Jack, 28: "I think it's cool when girls match. You feel like you are getting a little show, before the show."

Ken, 31: "I don't care about matching, at that point I don't care."

Devin, 24: "I like them them when they are see through. I think girls that are small chested should go for the see through look if they don't have the cleavage."

James, 29: "Of course they matter. Panties reflect who you are. If you are slob, it shows. Those girls are wearing old, faded, granny panties."

Rob, 31: "No, we don't look at the panties until they are on the floor."

Alex, 27: "All sorts are fine, but they need to be somewhat sexy. Full back is fine as long as they look good. "

Dan, 30: "I would say it definitely matters. Personally I'm a big fan of a girl in a thong but the boy shorts also do justice. If a girl is still wearing the granny panties, it would set off red flags in my mind. Chances are any girl wearing those has never heard of a brazilian wax and I'd be afraid to find out what's hidden inside them. Nobody likes being stuck in a jungle."

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Thursday, October 1, 2009

How many calories in your Martini?

Apple Martinis and Cosmos

According to CalorieKing.com, a basic martini-sized glass--usually 3 to 4 oz.--of an apple martini is 235 calories. A cosmopolitan is 213 calories.

Vodka and Gin Served Straight Up
According to TheDailyPlate.com, a vodka martini straight up has 200 calories. A vodka martini with 1 oz. of olives is roughly 250 calories. A gin martini has 125 calories; if you add 1 oz. of olives it brings the gin martini to 175 calories.

Chocolate and French Cocktails
A chocolate martini can contain as many as 430 calories for a 3- to 4-oz. glass. If the drink is made without cream, this will decrease the caloric content. French martinis are made with vodka, chambord and pineapple juice, and have about 150 calories.

If Bourbon Suits You

A bourbon Manhattan, which is made with bourbon and a dash of sweet vermouth, has about 130 calories. If garnished with maraschino cherries, you can expect to add about 10 to 20 calories.

What about a Mojito? *my favorite non-martini
A mojito contains roughly 150 calories. If the bartender makes the cocktail with strawberries or blueberries, you can expect to add 30 to 50 calories, making it a 180- to 200-calorie drink.

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