The Power of food

I've written about Doves and blueberries, but all of the food that you eat has the power to uplift and energize you. Every day, you make choices about what you eat - and "good" choices make a big difference in your quality of life. I know that the channel says that there are no "good" or "bad" foods - and I know that's the truth. But it does make a difference when you choose the foods that feel good to you. Science says that a variety of fruits and vegetables (5 - 9 servings) are good for your health. You can choose which fruits and vegetables you eat, depending on your likes and dislikes. And 25 - 35 grams of fiber a day gives you more energy and makes you feel "lighter."

So think about the power of food in your life. Your body will feel lighter, your mind will work better, and your spirit will move into the earth with less effort if you eat consciously rather than simply "putting something in your mouth"!

looking more radiant

I like this - I read it in a magazine yesterday and tried it this morning. Put your (cream) blush on your cheeks before you put on your foundation. Putting your foundation (nothing heavy - it makes you look older) over your cream blush looks more natural. You look like your natural "flush" is showing through. (Which happens when you're younger. Remember when you didn't need blush at all??!)

Try it.

Lipstick test

I read this yesterday, in Women's Health magazine. Haven't tried it yet but hey - sounds good!

Most of us test the color of a new lipstick on the back of our hand before we buy. Better place: The tip of your finger. Evidently, it more closely mirrors the color of your lips. Worth a try and we have ten places to test the color!

Makeup tricks

The following are from an article by Bobbie Brown for Prevention magazine. I use these tricks all of the time (especially #4) and really like them. I can't live without my eyelash curler - it really makes a difference!

1. Don't just dab concealer on dark circles. To really look fresh and well rested, you have to counteract the shadows cast by your eyes. To do so, pat on a yellow-based cover-up one shade lighter than your foundation as close to the lash line as possible, blending right up to the eye socket and on the sides of your nose. --Bobbi Brown

2. Always use a lash curler immediately after getting out of the shower; the warm water makes the fragile hairs pliable so they're easy to curl and less prone to break. --Kimberly Soane, New York City

3. Although brow powder fills in sparse spots and looks natural, the formula isn't long-lasting and tends to smear by lunchtime. The fix? First, sweep on a brow pencil, then stroke on your powder; the pencil's wax base will cause the powder to stick in place. --Tia Hebron, Sandy Springs, GA

4. After applying foundation, rub your palms together for a minute, then press them gently onto your cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose. The warmth helps soften the base, making it look like your natural skin as opposed to an obvious layer of makeup. --Sherri Hubner, Snoqualmie, WA

5. A smart way to ensure that you don't overdo your look: Start backward. For instance, after applying your foundation, swipe on your blush and lipstick before your eye makeup. This way your face will appear brighter, so in turn, you end up applying less eye shadow, liner, and mascara for a more natural take. --Ricki Gurtman, Morganville, NJ

Your poor, swollen legs!

We do an easy pose in yoga that is a great everday movement for your legs, especially when you're tired and your legs/feet are swollen. Lie on your back on the floor and get your butt as close to a wall as possible. Then put your legs up the wall (so that your body forms an "L") for a couple of minutes. The fluid will drain from your legs and feet and you will be mentally refreshed. Our yoga teacher swears that her varicose veins disappeared (I know that she doesn't have any now) after doing this every day for a couple of years.

But if you just want to feel (and look) better, this is a great immediate fix whether you want to keep at it every day or not. If you do keep at it, you may find that there are more benefits for you!

I'm back!

So, the benefits of a vacation from "real" life were brought home to me in the past few days. You don't have to go somewhere in order to get out of your regular routine, but it helps! Las Vegas may still be in the United States but if you've ever been there you know that it isn't anything like daily life. It's a fantasy world, full of people who are seeking a change from the everyday world - and full of people playing with their money. And that isn't a "bad" thing - it's fun and you get a different perspective on the uses of money energy. How many times do you play with money?

All of this (eating, playing with your money, getting away from daily routine) is a wondrous way to change your energy. And when I say that, I mean the energy of your body and your spirit. Coming back to "real" life means that your body changes (and recharges) and your belief systems can change as well.

So, I'm back - and I'm new!

Don't worry, be happy!

Remember that song? Yes, it sounds trite but it's true - the less you worry, the more you smile, the better your health and the better you look. It takes an act of will to turn your mind from the stressors of daily life but it's an act of will that's worth it, for your body and your mind. Think about pleasant things (even if it seems unrealistic at the time) and your body will thank you!

Now, I'm off to Las Vegas for a few days; a place where you are supposed to forget your troubles and live in a fantasy!

Boost your metabolism

I love Prevention magazine and Prevention.com - maybe because they agree with my world view! I don't want to summarize this article because all of it is important. But I do want to encourage you to read through to the end. Whether you choose to do strength training (which can be as simple as walking every day - building your thigh and calf muscles - and lifting water bottles, building your arms) or not, the truth is that you lose muscle as you age. And it's muscle that burns calories (AND makes you stronger AND helps your endurance). So please at least peruse the article at this link - and do at least some of the things they suggest. Yes, it helps weight loss but, more importantly, the quality of your life will improve.

Burn more calories while you sleep!

Washing your face

I recently took an online quiz re: face care. Anyone who knows me knows that I love product of any kind - make-up, hair product, body product, face product. I experiment with all of them. So I generally use Cetaphil to wash my face, a scrub (usually St. Ives Apricot Scrub), and a mask once in a while. I also use a mild face wash by L'Occitane (I love their products). The key being MILD facial cleansers.

But the quiz suggested that I shouldn't use any "soap" (cleaning product) on my face in the mornings. Yes, wash your face at night to get rid of make-up and pollution from the day but simply use warm water in the morning and follow with a moisturizer. I thought that I'd give it a try.

It's been 2 weeks and I have to say that my skin is softer and there is less "redness" from irritation. Just using warm water in the morning is quicker, easier, cheaper - and better for my skin.

Why didn't someone tell me this years ago?? :-)