Healthy Meal Portion Size – Control Tips

Maintaing a healthy meal portion size is just as easy to manage as it easy to get out of whack. So how and why have so many of us lost control of managing a healthy meal portion size? The answer largely lies with eating out.

Over the past several years restaurants of all shapes and sizes have been competing based on value. Specifically, restaurants have framed value in two ways:

Customer Service &
Meal Size

 

Think about it….the real objective of all restaurants is to get you to come back and become a regular. Restaurant’s want your memory of them to be, “the food tasted great, the servings were generous and they were so friendly…we really should go back soon”.  It’s only the generous (some would say enormous) portions that get us all into trouble.

Here’s the rub: we’re all creatures of habit and if we “eat big” at our favorite establishment, that pattern follows us right back home.  For most people the “problem meal of the day” is  dinner…you know…several pieces of french bread,  a couple large servings of pasta,  followed by something wonderful for dessert.  Even though dinner is the big offender, it”s just as easy to find ourselves looking at beakfast and lunch meal portions equally large. Thankfully there’s a way to fix this pattern.

Believe it or not, the secret is, you need to eat more often. Really!  I didn’t say eat more or larger portions…just eat more often. The secret is to never allow yourself to get that   growling stomach hunger again. To do this, you need to eat 5 smaller meals per day and limit your calories to 300-400 per meal. Also, during your waking hours, eat something every 4 hours. This doesn’t have to be a meal.  A simple low calorie snack works great (orange, apple, snap peas,  4 or 5 almonds; but not cookies, chips).  Here’s a time frame of when to eat and how many calories: breakfast 6:30AM – 300 calories (oatmeal & banana), mid-morning 10:30AM – 300 calories (protein shake), lunch 12:00PM – 400 calories (tuna sandwich on wheat, small green salad with low calorie dressing, fruit), mid-afternoon – 3:30PM 250 calories (carrots, celery, tomatoes, apple), dinner – 6:30PM 400 calories (grilled chicken, salad with mango or apple with walnuts). That’s 1,650 calories which allows room for another protein shake and a late night fruit snack. For beverages: water is best,  diet sodas are OK but no sugar soda allowed.

Building the habit of eating healthy meal portions will take 2-3 weeks but once the habit is ingrained your on your way to living a healthier life and probably a longer life.  Here’s another tip: at the restaurant, ask them to box up half your serving before they ever bring it out. They’ll be happy to do it and you’ll be happy they did too. Lastly, combining  frequent healthy meal portions with some light exercise will peel extra weight off in no time. To learn more about diet and portion size please click here.

I hope this has been helpful. Feel free to leave your comments in the feedback section below.

               

 


Natural Cosmetics?Beauty And Makeup Tips, Best Cosmetics For Skin Care

Most people don’t take care of their skin the way they should. The good news is that it is never too late to start using natural cosmetics to rejuvenate tired looking skin. This is becuase natural cosmetics contain nutritional ingredients that the skin desperately needs. It is like food for the skin! Synthetic cosmetics can’t do this. It is amazing how quickly-high quality, natural cosmetics can change the appearance of fine lines and rough skin.

<b>Step 1 Exfoliate</b>

Did you know that there are dead skin cells on your face clogging your pores and making your skin feel rough? These dead skin cells should be removed with an exfoliator. Exfoliating means-you are gently removing them with a facial scrub that contains grit. This is important, because it not only helps your skin renew itself, it also makes it look better. You are basically laying a foundation for any cosmetics that you will be applying over this smooth surface. You should exfoliate every week, twice if your skin is not super-sensitive. If you have super-sensitive skin, exfoliate every two weeks. Always wet the face first before applying a scrub. Use gentle circular motions. It is important to not scrub too hard or too much. Rinse and then pat dry. But don’t forget to be gentle.

<b>Step 2 Cleanse</b>

Soap can dry out the skin and should not be used on the face. This is because it makes the skin feel tight and dry. Dryness is the first indication that a soap or cleanser is too harsh. Instead, use a gentle, natural cleanser. They contain natural ingredients that rejuvenate and calm the skin. Avoid using wash cloths, because laundry machines do not completely rinse out all laundry detergents and fabric softeners. These residual harsh chemicals, even in the smallest amounts, can destroy your skin. Remember, the skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, so no tugging.

<b>Question:  Are sudsy cleansers better for oily skin, creamy for dry?</b>  No, sudsy cleansers are detrimental to your skin, because Sodium laureth sulfate, or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), are much too harsh for the skin and often cause dryness, redness, scaling, itching, etc.

<b>Step 3 Moisturize</b>

After scrubbing and cleansing-it is important to put natural moisture back into your skin to keep it looking plumped and supple. Moisturize the first thing in the morning and before you go to sleep. Always give your skin a few minutes to absorb the moisturizer before applying makeup. Especially blushes or powders, because if you don’t, they will streak or look mottled. The eye area is sensitive, the skin is thinner and requires a different kind of moisturizer. You should only use creams that are meant for the eyes. Make sure to apply them carefully, not too close to the lashes. You don’t want the lashes to drag any of your cream into the eyes. This can cause stinging and puffiness. If you do have dry skin, night cream can be beneficial. Why? Because, night creams tend to contain a richer concentration of oils. When selecting a cosmetic product, read the label and make sure all of the ingredients are natural.  Not all natural cosmetics are truly 100% pure.

<b>Step 4 Makeup</b>

<b>Question: Are expensive makeup brushes any better than cheap ones?</b>  The most expensive brushes you can buy are the cheap ones. The bristles come out on your face, and they just don’t last. You will end up replacing them often. If you can afford it, invest in some high quality brushes. You will only need a few. And good brushes will allow you to use your less expensive makeup more effectively. They will also give you the best end result. This is what the makeup actually looks like when it is applied to your skin. The one thing women want to achieve is a more natural look. Even if you are wearing a lot of makeup, you want it to look natural. But if your brushes are hard and scratchy-then the end result will appear hard and scratchy.

<b>Step 5 Apply Makeup: Eyes</b>

If your eyes are deep set it is not necessary to apply a lot of eye shadow-a light color on the brow is all you need since the structure is already there. A lot of mascara and a very thin eyeliner will complete the look. Along with structure for deep-set eyes there is also a natural shadow. So colors like pink, purple and orange are good to brighten the eyes. Individuals with wide eyes will look great with a smoky neutral tone. Heavier liner will give dimension to the eyes. If you have smaller eyes, you may build a crease to accentuate the eyelid. Lastly, for big eyes, use a lot of eyeliner on both the inner and outer eye. If you are blessed with big beautiful eyes, don’t use shadow and if you must use it, apply very lightly.

<b>Step 6 Apply Makeup: Cheeks</b>

For individuals with high cheekbones, place the blush on the back section of the cheek in a subtle way closer to the ear and along the jaw line. For those with round faces use more blush in order to create a cheekbone. If your face has a long structure- apply the blush very subtly.  Too much blush will have individuals with a long face looking like your chin is elongated.

<b>Step 7 Apply Makeup: Lips</b>

If you have thin lips and want to make them appear fuller, use a lip liner followed by a lighter color. For those of you who want to tone down lips, use a lot of lip liner and dark colors such as a deep burgundy or brown.

Experimenting with natural cosmetics and makeup can be a lot of fun. The best way to achieve your greatest look is practice. There is nothing wrong with trying a new natural cosmetic brand and seeing if it works better for you. Natural cosmetics certainly are healthier for your skin.

 


Anti Aging Skin Care Guide – 5 Tips For Healthy, Radiant Skin

Do you wish to restore your skin’s youthful beauty? My anti aging skin care guide will help you sort through all of the confusing choices and begin an anti aging skin care treatment program guaranteed to eliminate wrinkles, firm droopy skin, and powerfully rejuvenate your overall appearance.

I’ve created this anti aging skin care guide based on my fifteen years of researching different skin care products and treatments. I’ve probably learned enough to write a book! But for now, I’ll give you my five proven tips for healthier, more youthful-looking skin.

1) Drink more water.

Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day will improve your hydration and digestive processes. These important processes remove toxins and waste products from your body, contributing toward a clearer complexion. So instead of reaching for that can of soda, grab a water bottle: it’s a basic step of any anti aging skin care treatment plan.

2) Add more fiber to your diet.

If you’re like most of us, you aren’t eating enough fiber–the average person consumes only 12 grams of fiber per day. Fiber, like water, aids in digestion. Start eating whole grains, nuts and seeds, and beans and legumes as part of your daily diet, and you’ll soon notice a positive difference in your skin.

3) Exercise.

Lack of exercise not only adds cellulite, it can make your skin look puffy. Regular, daily exercise will improve your blood circulation, and this helps to improve overall muscle tone–which directly affects your skin’s appearance. Firm muscles lead to smooth, radiant skin.

4) Cut back sugar intake.

Excess sugar in your diet can actually damage your skin’s supply of collagen. Damaged collagen results in the wrinkles and saggy skin that we wish to avoid. By cutting back the amount of sugar you consume each day–putting one spoonful of sugar in your coffee instead of three, for instance–you’ll go a long way toward rejuvenating your skin.

5) Use skin care products that stimulate collagen growth.

Directly addressing the issue of collagen is perhaps the most important element of my anti aging skin care guide. Although losing collagen is accepted as a natural part of growing older, it doesn’t have to be. I’ve discovered a powerful anti aging skin care treatment that can actually reverse this process and stimulate collagen production, virtually eliminating wrinkles and improving your skin’s elasticity.

I use this clinically proven skin care system daily, and highly recommend it. Visit my web site now to learn more.

 


3 Tips For Selecting An Anti Aging Skin Care Product

Here is reality. When you try to purchase anti aging skin care products you soon realize that there are an infinite amount of products on the market to choose from. The skin care business is massive and companies know that consumers will spend an unlimited amount of money in order to make their skin look younger.

Evidence of this is the field of plastic surgery where billions are spent by consumers each year in hopes of bringing back a more youthful appearance, and the same can be said for anti aging skin cream.

When talking about the skin care market, nearly a billion dollars is spent every year by consumers who fall victim to manufacturers who market products just so they can increase their bottom line without showing any real interest in the consumer.

With this being said, don’t lose faith because there are some excellent products on the market. Well, how do you know which products to buy? I wrote this article in order to help you to make an informed decision when purchasing skin care products.

#1

When purchasing products, you should avoid those that contain fragrances. Why? Even though these anti aging skin care products may have a pleasant smell, the pleasant smell is created by toxins which, when applied to the skin, can cause long term damage. How do they cause long term damage? Your skin is porous and when the creams are applied to the skin, these toxins are soaked up by your body and enter your bloodstream which can unknowingly affect your health.

If your desire is to smell pretty and not to cause unexpected damage to your body, then use perfume or some other type of spray. Why? When you use perfume or a body spray, you can apply this to very lightly with just a couple of sprays to your body or clothes where as with an anti aging skin cream product, you will apply these toxins to your entire face and body.

#2

If an anti aging skin care product contains collagen, you will want to stay away from those as well. As you well know, your skin begins to wrinkle and age because the collagen begins to break down in your body. This is one of the ways that these companies are taking advantage of their consumer. What? That does not make any sense.

I’ll explain. It all has to do with the size of the collagen molecules. Whereas toxins are small enough to be absorbed by your skin, the molecules that collagen is composed of are larger than your bodies pores and thus they cannot be absorbed by the skin. The result is that the user will receive no real benefit from using them. What is needed is a product that helps the skin to regenerate and begin to produce more collagen, not one that applies collagen to the top of your skin.

#3

The key to any successful business is marketing, and the companies that manufacturer anti aging skin care products realize this and thus they spend more money on marketing products instead of producing products that their consumers will actually benefit from the most. Examples are the types of individuals who are paid to market these products such as singers, models, or some other individual of fame or the glamorous and extravagant packing that these skin care products are contained in. These companies realize that if they can appeal to consumer’s interest in celebrities, whether it is through print, radio, or TV, their products will sell.

For an example of this, just watch commercials. Who do they have advertising for them? Singers, models, athletes, movie stars, etc. Who is selling the latest release of skin care products and what do you think they are compensated for their advertisement and effort?

Millions you say? I agree and not to mention royalties and all at the benefit of the consumer. In order to pay for these types of advertisements, these companies must and do raise the price of their products costing the consumer valuable money out of their pockets. Is there a way to avoid this? In my opinion, the small companies that have not spent millions of dollars in advertisements, but who instead invested in the quality of there product and are not as widely known, are the best route to go when looking to purchase anti aging skin care products.

These smaller companies take pride in their products by making sure that they are producing a quality product at an affordable price, which is the result of not having to pay millions for some infamous individual to advertise their products. It is my opinion that a smaller company that produces a skin care product which does not contain toxins or collagen and has not been approved by a celebrity, will not only be more beneficial to the pocketbooks of consumers, but also to the health of consumers. As an examiner of these types of companies and products, consumers will fare much better if they purchase products that are produced by companies whose goal is to benefit the consumer and not to appeal to their glamour side.

 


Choose Good Skin Care Tips During Winter

Glowing skin is one of the most attractive feature in any face, skin care is also seasonal you need to always take care of your skin based on the different seasons. It is important to note that skin care tips should change according to the different seasons. In the summer season you need to be completely engaged in protecting your skin against sun protection, on the other hand during the winter season you may completely stick to the moisturizers because of the feel of dry skin that we develop.

The skin is dry in the winter because of the fact of low temperatures, low humidity factors and the strong, harsh winds that devoid the skin of its natural lipid layer that protects the skin from drying out. To have a good feeling on your skin during the harsh winter weather, this article presents you with few of the tips:

Use lukewarm water:
It is important to remember the fact that the usage of hot water during bathing can reap the moisture content from the skin thus causing a drying affect on the skin. Incase you cannot tolerate to have the bath in lukewarm water then what I would suggest to you is that keep your showers short and sweet and take them just once a day so that you do not rip the excessive lipid layers. The hot temperature along with the chemicals that have a drying effect on your skin would land up as a big shock to your skin. You need to consider the same rule for your hands also, incase your hands turn red after washing then it is important to note that the water was too hot.

Use moisturizers:
Moisturizer is the must use option that you need to consider irrespective of the fact that you practice it often or not. It is important to note the fact that the moisturizer is the key for soft and supple skin during the winter season. To get the best results on the application of the moisturizer it is important to note the fat tat you can pat the dry skin instead of rubbing with your skin with the towel before the application.

The usage of antibacterial soaps in the public places can be really harsh on the skin so it is important that you use a mild hand wash and further for keeping your cuticles soft it is important to note that you massage with olive oil. Further the application of moisturizer along with the facial water can facilitate you with a number of benefits. First apply the facial water and then after that you can just dab the moisturizer this offers you with a very refreshing effect during the hot season.

Exfoliate:
Moisturizer is one of the most effective tools and it can facilitate you the desired results on an exfoliated skin. You can consider the usage of a scrub in the shower and the exfoliate skin along with a mild face scrub. The best time for the usage of a scrub is when the skin is dry.

 


Skin Care Tips For A Healthy, Clear Complexion

A few simple techniques and tips can help us all maintain and keep a healthy, clear complexion.  Hydration, a good choice of diet, and an effective skin care regime can keep our skin toned, firm and wrinkle-free.

Our skin comprises of various layers and the outermost layer is the worst affected of all. If we are to ensure that our skin is looked after and remains healthy forever, we need to protect it from excessive pollution and harsh UV rays.

These two are also known to make your skin appear dull and dark. To help achieve fairness, we need to first remove our tan. For that, we need to ensure that only natural skin care techniques are used. Avoid chemicals as they are known to damage your skin in the long run.

Below are a few tips that would regain your fair glow.

1) Eat a Healthy Diet – Diet plays an important role in nourishing your skin and is known to make or break your skin tone. If your diet is rich in carbohydrates and fats, your skin is bound show the effect. It might become oily and break into pimples.

At the same time, if your diet includes ample servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, it would again reflect on your skin. Your skin would glow, it would become healthy and your tone would eventually lighten. An effective means of lightening your skin and a tried and tested natural skin care tip, a healthy diet paves way to a healthy skin.

2) Use Natural Face Packs – If you feel that your skin is starting to get dark, you need to ensure that your face and neck are massaged with a liberal dose of natural face packs.

Known as an effective anti-wrinkle remedy in the dictionary of natural skin care, the use of papaya to cleanse your skin, cucumber to lighten your dark circles, lemon and sugar to remove your tan and raw milk to cleanse your dirt are known to work wonders for your dark complexion.

3) Use an Effective Sun Block – Always wear a sun screen when out in the sun. It is to be noted than an organic sun screen, which has an ample serving of aloe vera is an effective means of reducing sun tan and is a tried and tested remedy from the house of natural skin care.

4)  Drink Water – Natural skin care clearly states that an individual should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Water rids your skin of toxins and makes your skin glow. It is also the safest and the cheapest way to ensure that your skin is well looked after.

 


5 Tips To Heal And Avoid Dry Skin

No matter what time of year it is, there are many factors that can torture your skin and lead to dry skin, coarse hands, sandpaper knees, rough elbows, and cracked feet.  Here are some little known tips that can help you keep your skin smooth and silky all year long.

1. Take Warm Baths Never Hot!

Everyone likes the soothing, relaxing feel of a nice HOT bath, but it’s not good for your skin.  The intense heat of a super hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barrier in the skin which leads to a loss of moisture. A comfortably warm bath or shower is better at keeping your skin moist and soft.

2. Use Sunscreen All Year Round!

Just because it’s not hot does not mean the sun’s burning rays are not damaging your skin. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and hands about 30-minutes before going outside, and don’t forget to reapply throughout the day.

3. Give Your Hands Extra Help!

Your hands are very vulnerable to dry skin and even chapping, cracking, and getting rough. The reason is that they are exposed most of the time, and the skin on the hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. The fact is, it is harder to keep the skin on your hands moist, and therefore, it is important to help that skin with a hydrating, moisturizing lotion, like SmoothnSilky. In the winter, wear gloves when you go outside because the cold air can lead to cracking and itchiness.

4. Treat Your Feet With Special Care!

Your feet can be one of the prettiest, softest areas of your body, but they take a pounding everyday.  It is important to use  a strong hydrating and moisturizing lotion on them in the morning and at night. Those water based, minty foot lotions may smell nice, but they evaporate quickly and do not help the skin on your feet hold in the moisture they need. It is also important to use an exfoliant on your feet to remove the dead skin. That helps your hydrating, moisturizing lotion sink in faster and deeper.

5. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!

Ultimately, the way to heal and avoid dry skin is to keep your skin hydrated, moisturized, nourished, and healthy.  Find a lotion that you love and apply it regularly several times a day, especially in troubled or at-risk areas like hands, feet, elbows, and knees. We recommend SmoothnSilky, but if you choose another cream make sure the oils are “nonclogging” and look for lotions containing humectants – a class of ingredients that attract moisture to the skin.  SmoothnSilky uses only nonclogging oils, and it has several humectants.