Archive for November, 2008
Eat Out and Maintain Your Diet
As anybody who knows me will tell you, I’m a huge fan of eating out; it’s social, fun and usually delicious. The great thing about eating out is that I’m able to enjoy it on a regular basis and still stay fit, lean and in optimal health.
Having an above average knowledge on nutrition and health is a bonus for me, no doubt about it, but you can still reach your health goals by developing your own longterm healthy eating habits. Being able to go out with your friends, family, and work colleagues should be something you embrace, even on a healthy diet, not something that you dread.
Over the years many clients of mine have suggested that they find eating out difficult. Many of these people have busy social diaries or have plenty of lunch meetings with colleagues so they fear eating out as they feel it will affect their weight loss goals for example. While it can be quite tough socializing while you’re trying to drop some excess body fat there are some things you can do, which means you can get lean and still have a little bit of a life.: )
A question that pops up time and time again is “What should I eat when I’m going to a restaurant so that I’m not jeopardising my fitness, waistline and my health”?
That’s a fair question.
In general, people want to know;
What are the best food choices to make?
Where is the best place to go for a meal when eating out?
How to select of the menu?
What foods should they avoid?
What most people don’t do, which is an error, is that they don’t plan. All you have to do is check the menu of the restaurant beforehand to see if they have something suitable for you. You are in control of your food choices, by viewing the menu in advance keeps you in control and you’ll be able to pre-select your meal choice.
Selecting an Italian style restaurant is a good tip. Italian restaurants always have health options on the menu. Once you are at the restaurant politely refuse the bread basket. Bread, along with selecting pasta always goes a long way to giving you that infamous ‘muffin top’ look.
If you are selecting a starter from the menu then i recommend you go for some form of salad without a high calorie dressing. Lemon, balsamic, or an olive oil dressing is a good choice to select. If there is a lack of good choices for a starter then select a side order and ask for it first. If you are ordering an onion salad or a bowl of fresh vegetables then you’re still eating without being sat on your own while the rest of your company are stuffing their faces.
For your main dish your best bet is to select a meat/fish and vegetable dish. Instead of chips ask for vegetables. Ask for sauces or dressings on the side, then you are able to control the actually amount you eat.
This is easy right?
One last tip; everything you choose to eat will either get you closer to your goal or it will take you further away. It’s either or. There is no middle ground so if you’re in doubt, ask yourself “Will this get me closer to my goal or will this take me further away?”
I hope you keep this article as a note before deciding where to eat out and which food to choose. That way you will enjoy your meal knowing that you have eaten well and won’t affect your health by eating the not so good food choices.
“Let food be thy medicine and your medicine thy food”
Natural Beauty Skin Care Tips to Keep You Looking Younger
Are you looking to prevent premature aging and look your absolute best??Then these skin care products are for you.?We all know that wrinkles are a normal part of the ageing process, but there are a few steps we can take to stay looking young for as long as possible.
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The best thing you can do for your skin is to keep to a healthy lifestyle.?Diet and nutrition is what fuels your body and provides nutrients to enable the body to make essential oils and collagen for the skin.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen and Elastin are the most important proteins found in the human body. Collagen makes up three-quarters of proteins found in the skin and provides the skin with resilience to withstand stretching and punctures whilst elastin ensures its elasticity. Collagen keeps dermal and epidermal tissue in optimal condition, improves moisture retention in the deeper layers of the skin and is vital for repairing skin without leaving scars.
Vitamin C and A are essential nutrients for collagen synthesis and ensure the perfect function of fibroblasts, which are the cells producing collagen and elastin. While young our collagen still retains all of its moisturizing properties and the skin appears smooth and soft with a healthy complexion. As we grow older collagen synthesis is slowing down and collagen loses its flexibility and capacity for absorption. The skin becomes thinner and the protein fibers decrease in diameter. The external effects of this process are the appearance of wrinkles and drier skin.?The most effective vitamin to take to increase your collagen is Vitamin C.
Two of the most useful essential oils to use in natural beauty products to aid in the fight against wrinkles are Frankincense and Neroli.?Frankincense appears to have a preservative effect on the skin.?In some instances it may even reduce existing wrinkling, but it does certainly help further wrinkles forming.?Neroli is particularly valuable in that it stimulates the body to produce healthy new cells, and this can help to keep the skin looking smooth by delaying the ageing process in the layers of connective tissue.
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When making your natural beauty products and using essential oils, they must be mixed with carrier oils, such as avocado, or jojoba mixed with 25% of wheatgerm oil.?These particular carrier oils are richer oils which are the most helpful for skin care products.
Good nutrition is important, especially foods rich in Vitamin B, C and E.?Smoking, alcohol and excessive amounts of tea and coffee lower the vitality of the skin and increase the tendency to wrinkle.
We are all aware how dangerous the suns rays can be, so it is most important to protect yourself when you go outside in the sun.?The sun dries out your skins natural oils and moisture making it more susceptible to crack or wrinkle.
Coenzyme Q10 is another popular anti-wrinkle ingredient.?It protects the skin from free radicals, which are continually generated by the body’s metabolic processes.
These are general rules to help you prevent the signs of premature ageing.?If you do not make your own products, then look for anti-wrinkle products that contain the ingredients listed above to make sure you are getting a good quality product.
The 5 Best Health Tips For 2010
True or False: Losing your job is the single most common cause of bankruptcy.
Most people believe the answer to this question is true, when it fact, it is false.
The single most common cause of bankruptcy today is getting sick. Indeed, disease can ruin your finances the way nothing else can, by hitting you with bills you cannot pay (and insurance won’t cover) not to mention robbing you of your income because you cannot work.
If for no other reason, avoiding bankruptcy is why it so important to create and follow a
healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life. And the best news is, it is easy to do with the following health tips!
Here are 5 of the best health tips anyone can implement into their life starting today to get them on the right track toward living a healthy lifestyle:
1. Move your body. Every single day. Even if it is for 10 minutes at a time, the human body was designed to move and too many Americans do not do this. Seriously, if you can only follow one of these health tips, this is the one to follow.
Contrary to what those TV advertisements lead you to think, you do not have to have a fancy gym membership to lead a healthy lifestyle. Dancing in your living room to your favorite music for 10 minutes here and there can really make a difference when done consistently. The secret is to build small segments of movement into your day rather than stressing out over not being able to get to the gym to do a “work out” for an hour. Small steps over time lead up to a long journey!
2. Healthy eating is not as hard as you might think. Simple, small changes can lead to big results in this department. Portion control is a huge factor here, as healthy eating has more to do with how much you eat at one sitting vs. what you eat. Ever notice the way cats graze throughout the day? Humans are designed to graze, too, eating small meals 6-10 times throughout the day. Doing this keeps blood sugar levels steady and minds alert and is a cornerstone of healthy eating.
3. Supplement. Even the best eaters who pride themselves on healthy eating can fall short of their daily recommendations for certain key nutrients. Adding a high quality supplement line to your daily regime is definitely one of the health tips you do not want to overlook. There are some very fine companies out there who offer consumers exceptional supplements that work. It pays to do a little research to find the best products for you. Choose carefully and the investment will pay off dividends over time as you stay well.
4. Sleep. Too many Americans complain of being tired all the time, often because they are not following tips 1-3! Seriously, a good night’s sleep is dependent upon several factors including elements of healthy living like exercise, healthy eating habits, and getting proper nutrition. Also, not watching television or being on the computer right before bed can help you sleep better through the night. Instead of exposing your brain to all that light and stimulation right before lights out, read a magazine or a few pages in a book before hitting the pillow.
5. Spend time with friends. Having a social life is one of the most important elements of healthy living there is. With communities breaking down all over the place, it is more important than ever these days to know you have some key people in your life to count on when times are tough. Healthy living depends upon many factors including our primary relationships with loved ones, family, and friends. And, should times get a bit dicey, with friends you know you will make it through the rough patch.
The key to making any changes toward a more healthy lifestyle is to take each of these health tips and break them down into manageable sizes. Pick one, do it until it becomes a habit, and then pick another. Lists like these are only as useful as the person actually doing what they suggest. But not doing anything at all could lead you to disaster, including bankruptcy. Take the time to start with one of these health tips today as part of your overall insurance policy against any future damage. You will be glad you did.


