There is a flood of products in the market and even promoted by the media that promise beauty and youth. Billboards on highways compete for your attention with the cheapest plastic surgery procures from lipo to nose jobs. “Miracle ingredients” are discovered everyday which assure potential buyers they can shrink their waist line with a pill or erase their years of wrinkles simply with a lotion or cream. And although some of these products might offer short-term results, there are ways to stay beautiful and young naturally.
The first and foremost rule of thumb is if you take care of your body, it will in the long run, take care of you. By eating healthy you give your body the right nutrients to keep all your organs and systems working at their best. In addition, working out regularly keeps your heart, your muscles, your joints and bones all strong.
Eating right and keeping active are just some of the things you can do to keep looking good without having to opt for lipo and toning creams and pills. Other routines that keep you young naturally are caring for your skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body and the first to be noticed by people. Simple ways to care for your skin are by being regularly hydrated and using sunscreen while outdoors, even when it’s overcast.
Another culprit that helps in damaging the skin is stress. We all experience this everyday in one way or another. Finding healthy ways to diffuse stress like having enough sleep, picking up a good book or watching a movie, working less, taking a vacation during the year, hiring a babysitter, meeting friends for coffee or having a date with your significant other, or whatever makes you feel at ease. As the saying goes, “different strokes for different folks!”
Another great way to shear years off your look is a makeover. Frumpy hair and drab clothes can make you seem much older. Dental care is also a must if you want to flash those pearly whites and not yellow stumps. Even a simple trade-in of your thick glasses for lighter frames or contacts, can drastically change your overall appearance.
Though the lure of miracle-cures and plastic surgery is tempting, it a health risk in many cases and it can also be quite pricey. Ultimately, the cheapest plastic surgery is the one you don’t have to undergo! You can be as young as you feel and with a few natural changes to your life, you’re guaranteed to always be young in body and spirit.
NSF International, a well known health and safety organization has released ten (10) tips just in time for Thanksgiving to ensure your holiday feast is safe and that you are using best practices for food preparation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 80 percent of foodborne illnesses are linked to meat and poultry, so proper handling and cooking is essential. No one wants their holiday meal to be remembered as the one that “killed Kenny” (that is South Park humor).
10 Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips
1. Don’t let uncooked turkey sit at room temperature. Shop for a turkey last and get it home and refrigerated promptly. Bag the turkey separately and place it below other food in the refrigerator.
2. Don’t attempt to thaw a frozen turkey quickly by leaving it sit overnight on a kitchen counter. Use one of the following methods:
a. Option I – Refrigerator Method.Keep the turkey in its original wrapper and place in a shallow pan on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator. It may take several days for a large turkey to thaw (plan for a thawing time of 4 – 5 hours per pound of turkey). A turkey that has been thawed in this way can remain in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days before cooking.
b. Option II - Cold Water Thawing. Allow about 30 minutes per pound. Place the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed.
c. Option III – Microwave Thawing. Since microwave oven performance varies, check your owner’s manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and power level to use for thawing. Remove all outside wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Because some areas of the turkey may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving, a turkey thawed in the microwave must be cooked immediately.
3. Don’t wash your turkey. There’s no need to wash your turkey before your cook it. If you do, bacteria from raw poultry can splash onto worktops, dishes and other foods. Proper cooking will kill bacteria. If you choose to rinse your turkey, such as after brining, be very careful about splashing water and disinfect your sink and all other nearby surfaces thoroughly afterwards.
4. Never place an uncooked turkey directly on the counter; keep it on a platter or in a roaster. Clean and sanitize the counter as well as any dishes or utensils that came into contact with raw turkey or its juices.
5. Don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly immediately after handling raw turkey, using plenty of warm water and soap.Given that the holidays occur during cold and flu season, make sure that any guests who come into the kitchen to help wash their hands as well to avoid the spread of germs and illness. The scrubclub.org provides some handwashing tips.
6. Use a thermometer to check for doneness, even if the turkey has a pop-up timer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing as well as the thickest part of the breast. When the temperature reaches 165° F at all three locations, the turkey should be done.
7. For optimum safety, don’t stuff your turkey. Since it’s difficult to cook stuffing evenly when it’s packed inside a turkey, consider cooking stuffing in a separate casserole dish. If you do choose to stuff, wait to do so until right before putting the turkey in the oven. Use only pre-cooked meats and vegetables in the stuffing mixture, pack the stuffing loosely, and cook the stuffing until it reaches at least 165° F at the center.
8. Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers immediately. Large portions should be separated into smaller containers and covered loosely to speed cooling.
9. Properly reheat before you eat: Any pre-cooked dishes as well as leftovers need to be reheated to 165 degrees in order to kill any looming bacteria. Microwave ovens tend to heat food unevenly; keeping food loosely covered allows heat to better circulate throughout food. Use a food thermometer and check the temperature in multiple locations to make sure no cold spots are left. Refrigerated turkey, stuffing, and gravy should be eaten within 3 to 4 days.
10. Sanitize your dishcloths or sponges on a regular basis, or use disposable cloths: A contaminated dishcloth can house millions of bacteria after a few hours of use. In fact, an NSF International Germ Studyfound that the kitchen dish rag /sponge is the germiest place in the home. Since Thanksgiving is a busy day in the kitchen, and it may be hard to keep track of dishcloth use, consider using paper towels to clean up and then throw them away immediately.
As part of the NSF’s promotion they have offered a giveaway featuring:
Diabetes Mellitus affects roughly 6% of the U.S. population, and we all know people or family members who are diabetic. My mother was diagnosed with Diabetes about 6 or 7 years ago. When I was pregnant with James, I lived the life of a diabetic that required insulin and a complete dietary change. Fortunately for me gestational diabetes is a temporary disease. It’s also a wake up call. I now live in the “pre-diabetes” category and rely heavily on the American Diabetes Association for diabetes help to ensure I never cross over to full blown diabetes again. The understanding, and hence management, of diabetes living has changed significantly over the years, but remains focused on blood sugar control and prevention of complications such as heart, kidney and eye disease.
There are two categories or ‘types’ of diabetes, and the old names end up being somewhat confusing: Types 1 and 2, juvenile versus adult onset, insulin dependent versus non-insulin dependent. The most important division for patients is whether insulin shots or pills can control the blood sugar—pills suffice in about 90% of diabetics. For those requiring insulin, the pancreas no longer produces sufficient insulin. For others, there is ‘insulin resistance’, and the pills allow the body to use the insulin being produced more efficiently. There is also pregnancy related, or gestational diabetes. It resolves with the end of the pregnancy, but increases the risk of later developing non-insulin dependent diabetes.
For insulin dependent or Type 1 diabetes, the understanding of the causes has changed dramatically. They now know that a large subset of these diabetics have an immune-mediated condition, much like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, where the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells of the pancreas, stopping insulin production. Family history and genetics play a large role, so that if there is diabetes in your family, your risk is higher.
Non-insulin dependent diabetes is associated with obesity, sedentary life-style, high blood lipid (fat) levels, high blood pressure, and family history. Often glucose control can be achieved with weight loss, diet and exercise. Others will require medication, and the one thing that is clear for both insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetics, good glucose control will prevent or delay any complications.
Symptoms of the development of diabetes include excessive thirst, increased urination, unexplained weight loss despite an often increased appetite, fatigue, blurred vision. These are more pronounced in insulin dependent cases, but are found in the adult onset type of diabetes as well.
Simple blood sugar testing can detect diabetes, and are routinely done in primary care offices. Screening recommendations are as follows: for people over 45 years of age who are not symptomatic, every 3 years. For symptomatic people, immediate testing. For those at risk (overweight, family history, high blood lipid levels, etc), screening should be done yearly unless symptoms occur. If you know someone who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes there are a ton of diabetes articles on the web.
Don’t let diabetes go undetected and untreated!
Disclosure: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. The information shared in this post was given to me by a physician. If you believe you have diabetes please consult with your personal physician.
For those of you who don’t know, I have two sleep disorders. Not only am I cursed by Sleep Apnea, but I also suffer from Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (a very mild form of Narcolepsy). However, I’m very well aware that nearly 50 million Americans suffer from the opposite and aren’t getting enough sleep (according to a study by an Institute of Medicine). My husband is one of these people. His mind is busy all the time and at least twice a week he keeps me awake for hours because of his insomnia.
Getting plenty of rest is important. Here are 5 ways to ensure you get a good night’s sleep:
Go to bed and get up at the same times every day—even on days off. Why? You’ll help regulate your body’s internal clock to get the 7—8 hours sleep most adults require.*
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Try a warm bath, light reading, partner massage, or listening to pleasant music. Fact: Listening to classical or New Age music at bedtime has been shown to help insomnia sufferers fall asleep. Possible reason: The music matches body rhythms and slows the heart rate.*
Skip stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine from late afternoon on. And don’t use alcohol to induce sleep. As its sedative effect wears off, alcohol can trigger wakefulness. Don’t rely on sleeping pills. They can disrupt your sleep/wake cycle if you depend on them too much.*
Squeeze in daytime fitness. In one recent study, regular exercisers not only slept almost an hour longer than non-exercisers; they also fell asleep in half the time.*
Yes, I listed drinking Dream Water. That is not a typo. Over the past two weeks my husband has been my guinea pig testing the product. Each night when we went to sleep if he tossed and turned for more than 30 minutes or if he got up in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep I had him drink a Dream Water. Every time he used the Dream Water he was asleep within 15 minutes – without fail. He tried telling me it was a placebo effect at one point, but if that had been the case it shouldn’t have worked the times since he expressed his concern. Regardless, he still uses it and it’s still working.
How Dream Water Works:
How to use:
Do you have trouble falling asleep? Try drinking a full bottle of Dream Water roughly 20 to 40 minutes before bedtime (although individual times may vary). Our natural sleep ingredients should help lull you to sleep and lead to a more refreshed state the next day.
Do you have trouble staying asleep? Try keeping your bottle of Dream Water by your bed. When you wake up during the night just drink it. Dream Water should help you back to your sleep instead within 20 to 40 minutes… No TV required!
Do you have trouble falling asleep AND staying asleep? Try drinking half a bottle roughly 20 to 40 minutes before bedtime and then leave the other half right next to your bed. If you wake up during the night just drink the other half of the Dream Water and give the sheep a break!
Recommended Usage: While we recommend drinking a full bottle of Dream Water during the night, many customers have written to us letting us know that half a bottle works well for them. Feel free to try this technique and let us know too!
WARNING: Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women. If you are taking medications or generally have concerns, consult your doctor before use. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Do not drive, operate machinery or other important tasks when taking this product. It is NOT recommended to drink more than 1 serving in a 24 hour period and habitual use may vary the effectiveness of the product.
These statements have NOT been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is NOT intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
The information presented is for informational purposes only. Any consumer should consult their doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problems/questions and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications.
You can purchase Dream Water at your local Wal-Mart, on their site, and on Amazon.com.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Dream Water. They provided product in exchange for our honest opinion.
Fresh fruits and vegetables will always provide you with the most nutrients and natural enzymes that the body can use more readily. Pumpkin and its seeds provide many important nutrients, on top of loads of fun for family and friends.
ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Helen Lee, DC offers the following nutritional benefits of pumpkin and its seeds.
Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkins:
1. Vitamins: Pumpkin and its seeds contain nutrients such as vitamin C, E, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, both beta & alpha carotenoids (anti-oxidants which help prevent cell damage), and lutein (support healthy eyes).
2. Organ Health: The nutrients in pumpkin and its seeds help support the health of your kidney, bladder and prostate.
3. Sickness Prevention: Helps with minimizing osteoporosis, increases digestive health by helping with parasites & tapeworms, and lowering cholesterol.
4. Protein: Pumpkin seeds are high in protein.
5. General Benefits: Pumpkin seeds help the body get rid of parasites and other unwelcomed digestive inhabitants, and they contain healthy essential fatty acid oils.
6. Important Fact: Organic, raw pumpkin seeds will provide you with the most nutrients and enzymes.
ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Helen Lee, DC recommends four ways to incorporate pumpkin into your everyday diet.
Easy ways to incorporate pumpkin into your diet:
1. A handful of raw pumpkin seeds as a snack or mixed with trail mix, on top of cereal
2. Pumpkin seed butter spread on toast
3. Pumpkin pie/desserts/pancakes/waffles
4. Pumpkin baked or browned with spices in risotto, chili, rice, spaghetti
About ChicagoHealers.com: Chicago Healers (www.chicagohealers.com) is the nation’s pioneer prescreened integrative health care network, offering a comprehensive understanding of each practitioner’s services, approach, and philosophy. With close to 200 practitioners and over 300 treatment services, Chicago Healers has provided nearly 400 free educational events for Chicagoans and has been featured in 300+ TV news programs and print publications. For more information, visit www.chicagohealers.com.
Apparently Slim-Fast ditched the cans and upgraded their shakes. The new 3-2-1 plan shakes come in convenient, resealable plastic containers now for easy on-the-go meal alternatives. They have 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber and each provide up to 4 hours of hunger control. The new, improved tasting shakes come in a variety of flavors including: Creamy Milk Chocolate, Cappuccino Delight, Strawberries ‘N Cream, Rich Chocolate Royale, and French Vanilla. You can even get a coupon for $1.50 OFF and try them for yourself.
Did you know that one in four people considering a diet are focused on looking at a specific event or occasion? I just recently learned that and I think it sounds pretty accurate. I am currently looking to lose weight before the new year. I have found that incorporating at least one Slim-Fast shake into my diet a day has been a huge help. I am particularly fond of the Rich Chocolate Royale. It’s creamy and doesn’t taste anything like chalk – unlike some other shakes I have tried recently. If you are interested in learning more about the Slim·Fast® 3•2•1 Plan be sure to check out their site.
My Opinion: Drinking these types of drinks has always been a challenge for me. Because of past experiences with other brands I haven’t even attempted to try one. However, recently I made a commitment to live healthier and as part of that I decided to give the new, improved Slim-Fast shake a try and was pleasantly pleased. I won’t mislead you and say this taste just like those thick, rich milkshakes you get at your favorite ice cream shop, but these aren’t at all like the shakes of the past. There is no chalky taste and no bitter aftertaste. I especially like the Rich Chocolate Royale flavor served COLD!
In celebration of going from now to WOW, Slim-Fast has offered five (5) $25 gift cards to Sephora to my readers.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Slim-Fast and I was compensated for my time, but my opinion is my own.
Is your Man Feeling Skin Care Despair? Join Me for the Dove® Men + Care TMTwitter Party!
Let’s be honest: men don’t always take skincare seriously. Stealing your soap, using your face wash and eye creams, these are just a few of the not-so-amusing habits men are known for. Never fear, because Dove® Men + CareTM has the solution he doesn’t know he needs. Built on Dove® brand’s heritage in cleansing, moisturizing and care, Dove® Men + CareTM is the brand’s first ever line formulated just for men. Featuring a range of product, from body wash to deodorant (there’s even the Active Clean Dual Sided Shower Tool – the manly loofah!), Dove® Men + CareTM has men’s skin care covered from head to toe.
The brand has partnered up with fabulous dermatologists Dr. Jeffrey Benabio (@DermDoc) and Dr. Amy Jacob to bring men everywhere simple tips to keep their skin looking and feeling good year round, and now I’m going to let you in on their skin care secrets – along with gift card and product giveaways, of course! Join me, @Dove and @DermDoc on November 9th from 8 -9 p.m. ET for the Dove® Men + CareTM Twitter party! We’ll be dishing about men, skincare tips you can offer up to them and more!
How to enter for a chance to win: By joining the #DoveMenCare hour-long conversation with me, you are automatically entered for a chance to win a prize pack. Prizes (4 total): one (1) Sponsor-selected men’s toiletry bag with Dove Men+Care product and one (1) Sponsor-selected $50 gift card (ARV: $75.00) Please leave any questions you might have for our guest in the comments below.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Dove Men+Care Twitter Party is sponsored by Conopco, Inc., d/b/a Unilever. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 & older. Begins 8:00 p.m. ET on November 9, 2011& ends 9:00 p.m. ET on November 9, 2011. Click Here for official rules.
Disclaimer: I was hired by Dove to host this twitter party. *Dove is the sponsor and is providing prizing. For more information please contact me directly.
I think I’ve shared a few times in the past about how important oral hygiene is, but this post is a bit different. This is my story of “how NOT to pick up a date” sponsored by CREST Complete.
When I was young I was a bit wild. I went out to clubs, cruised the streets with the girls, and never had a problem having a good time. However, my teeth suffered since I didn’t take care of them as well as I should have and when I was 22 years old I had a bunch of root canals, caps, and teeth extractions. By the way, this is a true story. If you don’t believe me ask Patty and Natalie, they were there and to this day Patty nearly wets herself laughing whenever I bring it up.
I’m not entirely sure if it was 1988 or 1989, but I know it was Halloween. Natalie, Patty, and I decided to drive to Saratoga, NY to go to a club and watch some guy friends of ours play. We were all kind of dating different guys in the band and wanted to impress them with our sexiness so we rented costumes and went dressed as Playboy Bunnies. I wish I had a picture of the three of us. I think Patty might have one some where and if she ever finds it I will be sure to post it for Wordless Wednesday. Anyway, earlier that day I had oral surgery and my mouth was EXTREMELY swollen and painful. I had tons of pain killers too because the quack I had seen earlier in the week to do an extraction accidentally sewed my cheek to my gums (hence the surgery earlier that day). My mouth was a mess and I had cotton shoved in an area that had dry socketed. Although I looked “hot” overall – my face was somewhat a mess.
Anyway, we were on our way to Saratoga and Patty was driving while I was in the front seat and Natalie in the back. We had our music blaring and we were being playful with the guys in the cars as we drove. We were even whistling and hooting at the guys walking down the street. Good times. Eventually we happened upon a red light with a nice looking guy standing at the corner. We were all checking him out and Natalie was trying to make googly eyes at him. I remember saying, “let me show you how that’s done”. I rolled down the window to say something charming and flirtatious to the guy BUT the only thing that happened when I opened my mouth was a bunch of slurred words escaped with a mouthful of slobber. I had totally forgotten that the novicaine hadn’t wore off and I couldn’t feel my face, let alone talk properly without drooling on myself.
I will never forget the guys face.
I will never forget how hard we laughed.
I will never forget to brush, floss, and rinse again.
Check out the Life Opens Up contest on Crest’s Facebook page and feel free to share your story with Crest.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by P&G. I received the same oral hygiene products as this giveaway includes.
