Healthy Living

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Tired and with Tired Skin

Here are very good tips for tired skin:

Increase circulation

You need to boost your circulation to increase blood flow to the cells and restore your skin’s vitality. This will also help perk up your lymphatic system and flush out the fluids and toxins that are causing the dull skin and help to restore your radiance.

Start by drinking a mug of warm water with the juice of half a lemon squeezed into it. Then, before showering, try some gentle exercise that involves jumping or bouncing, such as skipping, jogging on the spot for 10 minutes, or even jumping on a mini trampoline, if you have one. This bouncing motion really helps kick your lymphatic system into gear and flush out waste.

Internal cleansing

Avoid coffee, tea and sugary soft drinks as these will all contribute to your skin looking lacklustre and fatigued. Instead, sip warm water with lemon throughout the day, or enjoy a herbal tea such as dandelion root or peppermint, which will assist with the digestive process and lead to clear skin.

Try to eat a selection of different-coloured vegetables for breakfast – grilled tomato, steamed spinach and mushrooms and a few slices of cucumber make for a healthy meal that is packed with antioxidants and nutrients.

Avoid anything that contains sugar, as it causes inflammation, which is ageing to skin and also contributes to puffiness. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of filtered water each day. At least two litres will leave your skin and eyes sparkling.
Incidental exercise

Try to walk to work or at least get off the bus a few stops earlier than your destination to increase your circulation and get some fresh air. You can take the stairs instead of the lift at work. The exercise will put the colour back in your cheeks and leave you sparkly-eyed and clear-skinned.

These simple steps are great when done religiously. I know there are many of these tips that I need to be doing myself, it needs dedication - which I haven't got. Just like a superstar yoyo, it'll be up and down for me or more my will.

*****

Movie Munchies

My one-and-a-half men is munching on chocolates while watching a movie. They are developing this habit of being chocoholic. If we were still dating, I wouldn't dare think of chocolate gifts for your boyfriend. I suppose chocolate is good once in a while, when you didn't have pizza for dinner.

Here's a good tip for beating that addiction from bodyandsoul.com.au.

Smart ways to eat chocolate

Limit your Easter intake. Opt for small, hollow or mini eggs. Or try a bar of chocolate. Stick to a few squares at a time, then you won’t go too far off track.
Go dark. Gradually wean your taste buds on to a darker, better quality brand of chocolate that has a high cocoa content (at least 70 per cent). Only enjoy white or milk chocolate occasionally, as they don’t have the same health benefits. Shop at health food stores for healthier, organic chocolate.
Mix it up. Drink cocoa made with skim milk. Indulge in chocolate-dipped strawberries or blueberries, and nuts such as almonds or walnuts. This way you’ll get the taste with fewer calories and fat, while also amping up the antioxidants.

*****

A LEADER does not need the most experience or best idea in the modern workplace, with leadership also described as taking a stand for what you believe in and generating space for people to think and act differently to create new results.

If you practise key leadership attributes in your day-to-day activities, you can make your move to the top of your food chain.

1. LISTEN

The key to getting other people to listen to you is for them to believe you are listening to them.

Altitude Performance Solutions Leadership coach Dean Evans says "truly" listening to members in your team is one of the greatest leadership skills.

"Good listeners come across as genuinely interested, empathetic and concerned to find out what's going on," he says. "All great leaders have great communication skills."

Create an environment among your colleagues in which problems can be discussed and solutions found and you will stand out from the crowd.

2. DON'T BE AN EXPERT ON EVERYTHING

Leaders often are proficient in an area but those who believe their view and opinion is the "be all and end all" soon lose the attention of the people they want to lead.

"They believe it's better to tell someone what to do or even to do it themselves than give their team the opportunity to develop their own solutions and therefore exercise their creativity," Evans says.

To take the step to be a leader, get the support of your team. Let others put forward suggestions, contribute and support them in their good ideas and they will want to support you.

3. BE CONSTRUCTIVE

Negativity breeds negativity, believes Evans. Being able to provide constructive criticism to others will paint you as someone who encourages and supports others and people will want to get behind you.

4. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR

"People perform better when they are enjoying themselves," Evans says.

Take the lead by taking the dullness out of the work day. "This does not have to create a flippant atmosphere. Quite the contrary, it is a tenet of team-building," he says.

5. GET THE TIMING RIGHT

"Sometimes leadership may be no more than having a poignant message for a receptive audience at an opportune moment," Evans says. "The right arrow aimed at the right target at the right time.'' Influence, motivate and inspire.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/five-steps-to-become-a-leader/story-e6frfm9r-1226317628980#ixzz1qyT5huwF

I like the 1st and the 5th. Indeed being a leader one does not have to have the highest education level, the most skills or the one who knows everything. Leadership skills is quite distinct with those of geeky nature (like djarum black as of that of other smokes). Not everyone has it.

*****

Sugar-y

Lately, when the Tatapilla ask for some snacks and when I thought to give him the reign he would suggest sugar-y ones. I suggest the fruit them and explain the simple form of sugar that is present on the fruits. Most of the times I get my way and he'll have half an apple or a handful of grapes.

But there's a wide range of talk about sugar substitutes that are low in calories and carbo. So what are these? My cherry keyboard are all perky for this news.

from bodyandsoul.com.au

Stevia

What is it? A derivation of the Stevia rebaudiuna herb, which is native to Paraguay.

Calories: None and no carbohydrates.

Taste: It is 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. Can have a bitter after-taste but manufacturers are making it less noticeable.

Xylitol

What is it? Known as a sugar alcohol or polyol, it is a natural carbohydrate found in fibrous fruit and vegetables. Produced in the body during normal metabolism, it is commercially extracted from birch tree bark or corn cobs.

Calories: Contains between 1.9 and 2.4 calories per gram – which is 40 per cent less than sugar.

Taste: The same amount of sweetness as sugar.

Imagine if you can your favourite treats without feeling guilty?

*****

Yoga

I am slowly introducing myself to exercise (yep, never had a routine for one ever) and Mcj mentioned yoga to me one and I thought, I'd give it a try. When I say try, it means reading about it and familiarising myself. Although, I have tried the first yoga pose for 2 nights (and I reaped good results). So far, I have read a bit about it (just like other things, just a bit.. and maybe one to read reviews on phenteripped also. As busy as I am, I have many varied interests. As a result, I don't get to do them all, nonetheless, I have tried.

Anyway, read some tips about yoga from bodyandsoul.com.au blogger:

Tips for this week

• Where possible take full generous breaths in and out of the nose so that we slow the breath down and introduce it to the lower lobes of the lungs, energising the whole body.

• Try connecting movements with the breath. This will take some getting used to if you’re new to yoga but, like anything, it takes practice and will eventually help you flow through the sequence with ease.

• If your lower back is tender please make sure you bend your knees when folding forward and when coming back up to a standing posture switch on your core whilst keeping the knees bent.

I'd say I am having fun but since I haven't got the time to do this most days, I'm slowly getting it.

*****

Plants indoor

I have always wanted some plants inside the house but I live a somewhat busy and laidback lifestyle that I don't like a lot of maintenance around the house. But for those who wants some, here are some tips for bodyandsoul.com.au.

For the home

Experts recommend the hardy, low-light tolerant peace lilly for your lounge room or hallway.

"If the peace lillies are dying in your home then you shouldn't be in there either!" says building biologist Nicole Bijlsma. "It's a hard plant to kill – it just needs a little bit of water regularly. It's a hardy plant that doesn't require much but gives so much in return."

Horticulturalist Rebecca Mugridge says its lush deep green leaves make the peace lilly soothing to look at and its beautiful white flowers project a tropical oasis feel. "They can take reasonably low light levels and the soft foliage is not likely to spike anyone."

For the kitchen

Bring your kitchen garden indoors to neutralise odours and purify the air. Mugridge recommends a small pot of mint on a well-lit windowsill.

"Mint has been used for many, many years to neutralise odours. There are so many delicious mints easily available now too, even chocolate. You need to trim the plant regularly and if the light isn't quite strong enough have another two plants outside that you can rotate weekly."

I do have some plants at our backdoor entry - good luck plants, just incase and I might be able to buy gold coins at Golden Eagle. I'd want some on the front door but I haven't gotten around to it.

*****

While many mums and dads are actively not allowing their kids to drink strong coffee, many Aussie adolescents, and children even younger, are getting a regular caffeine fix. And that's not a good thing.

With more and more links being drawn between caffeine and addiction, sleeping problems, obesity and poor bone health, many youth health professionals are reiterating the fact that there is no reason for caffeine being in a child's diet.
Caffeine sources

The main sources of caffeine are tea, coffee, cola drinks and, increasingly, energy drinks. Australian research from 10 years ago found that 27 per cent of boys aged eight to 12 had consumed an energy drink in the two weeks before the survey.

Back then, these sugary pick-me-ups were new to the market. Today, they are everywhere.

More recent research, albeit from the caffeine-loving US, found that 75 per cent of kids aged five to 12 consumed caffeine daily, from an average of three cans of fizzy drink a day.

What these fizzy and energy drinks are doing, say these studies, is creating an unhealthy lifelong caffeine habit.

An ongoing study from the University at Buffalo found kids who drank more than the recommended amount of caffeinated drinks had an increased likelihood of poor diets, which included lots of junk food.

It's really easy for kids to get hooked to caffiene. There are so many sources that kids have access. It's really up to the parents to control or guide their kids around drinks. I understand why some kids get addicted to this substance because they are available at home and you can't blame the parents for it because hey, one should not give up this little pleasure just because you have kids. It's all about discipline and balance. Plus, when the kids get a bit older they can get mcdonalds jobs and access to coffee anyway. But I reckon, education is the best way to help our children.

*****

That Yummy Sausages

We eat sausages at least every week. We know that it's not really good for our health because of all the preservatives but what can I say? For one, it is easy to cook. Then, they're family favourites - yummy and can be eaten with anything.

But how much is too much? According to this article:

How much is too much?How much is too much?

So is there a safe amount of processed meat we can eat?

"Eating 50 grams once a week is probably okay. Eat it daily and you're setting yourself up for trouble," says Dr Alan Barclay, a spokesman for the Dietitians Association of Australia.

"A similar study conducted last year found a link between red and processed meats and an 18 per cent increased risk of colorectal cancer, so there is some very strong evidence." Barclay says fruit and vegies have protective factors against cancer and suggests adding lots of salad to your ham sandwich, or eating good-quality sausages with lots of vegies.

However, the best option may be to avoid these foods altogether, Barclay says.

"Cook a roast and slice up the leftovers for sandwiches. You don't have to buy cured processed meats. You're just better off not risking it."

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with less than five per cent of patients living beyond five years.

What is 50 grams of processed meat?
•One sausage
•Two medium slices of ham
•One hotdog or frankfurter
•Two medium rashers of bacon
•A 1cm thick slice of salami
•Two slices of luncheon meat

At least we don't have it everyday - as scare as log furniture in this house. This week no sausages for us.

*****

Aging

Up til recently, I have not considered myself as old or aging yet. I still feel the same, emotionally and mentally but physically, I have felt something different in my body but I attribute it to the amount of work I do or should I say my responsibility compared to when I was single. I have not really thought that physically I am aging.

But reading this from bodyandsoul.com.au, makes me hmmmm. My body is getting old.

Joints and back: If you're 30 to 50

What's normal: Occasional neck or back ache on waking; back stiffness after driving for more than two hours; some aching in the legs after walking for 30 minutes to an hour; needing to move around after an hour of sitting on a hard chair.

What's not: Intense pain in one or more joints after carrying shopping; difficulty or discomfort getting into a low car or out of a seat.

"Having any one of these symptoms is a sign your joints or back are suffering early signs of degenerative change," says Tim Allardyce of the British Osteopathic Association. "This may be through injury or a sedentary lifestyle. Poor posture is a contributing factor."

Memory: If you're 30 to 50

What's normal: Forgetting people's names; mislaying keys, phone or wallet.

What's not: Problems negotiating familiar places (such as regularly not being able to find your car in the car park); difficulty recognising faces, colours, shapes and words; finding you've left objects in the wrong place.

Fitness: If you're 30 to 50

What's normal: You are slightly breathless after walking up three flights of stairs.

What's not: Struggling for breath after three flights of stairs or needing to stop to complete it; headaches or dizziness. From middle age, heart muscle shrinks by an average of 0.3 grams per year. This can lead to high blood pressure and increasing breathlessness.

So far, I only feel some back pain when I wake up in the morning and after work - something to do with sitting all day infront of the computer. Nothing yet when bending on undermount stainless sinks. So, I'd say I'm getting there slowly. :)

*****

IF you want to reduce your household costs and greenhouse gas emissions, the key is retrofitting.
But what does this mean and how does it help?

Derek Wrigley, the author of Making Your Home Sustainable, explains:

Q: WHAT IS RETROFITTING?

A: It is a way of modifying an existing house to take advantage of the abundant natural energy which is all around us but insufficiently recognised by homeowners and, unfortunately, most builders.

A retrofitted house can produce very significant and worthwhile savings in annual running costs.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/money/cost-of-living/cut-emissions-with-home-retrofitting/story-fnagkbpv-1226266804382#ixzz1m7L1apxP

I know that retrofitting a house costs money but in the long, the saving will offset the cost. While writing this, I am making an inventory of the energy/water saving equipment we have at home. We have dual flush cistern. Our water heating system is the modern energy saving one despite it not being solar powered. Also, we have low-flow shower heads or shall I say, adjustable shower heads.

There are many ways on how to fit the house to save energy. Personally, one can live green - one which is to buy things that last like aluminum briefcase, quality clothes, etc.

*****

Healthy Living

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Tired and with Tired Skin

Movie Munchies

Leadership

Sunday, 4 March 2012

Sugar-y

Yoga

Sunday, 26 February 2012

Plants indoor

Caffiene and Kids

Sunday, 12 February 2012

That Yummy Sausages

Aging

Clean Living

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