It’s everybody’s favorite food — HAMBURGERS! Depending on your body shape, there’s a matching burger for you. At least we can still get to eat one regardless of our body types. XD

YOUR SHAPE: Apple - you gain weight around your midsection.
EAT: Soy patties. The protein lowers the risk of heart disease, a concern for your shape.
TIP: Boost flavor with vitamin-rich onions or mushrooms.

YOUR SHAPE: Pear - extra weight lands mainly on your hips.
EAT: Veggie patties, the ideal low-cal, no-fat choice.
TIP: A side salad with beans ups protein and fiber intake.

YOUR SHAPE: Banana - you’re naturally thin.
EAT: Turkey patties. High protein repairs muscles and fuels up active, slim types.
TIP: These patties are often mixed with skin and dark meat. Swap half the bun for nutritious veggies to keep flab in check.

YOUR SHAPE: Avocado - extra pounds spread evenly over your curvy figure.
EAT: Lean-beef patties. Relatively high fat and protein content keeps you full and energetic longer.
TIP: Pile on tomatoes - the vitamin C helps absorb the iron in beef.

I got this from one of the articles in Yahoo Health.

It’s true that one doesn’t have to spend a fortune to have great skin. We’re easily convinced to buy those creams or skin product systems that costs a fortune.  Some of those products may actually improve your skin, but there’s a cheaper and less hectic way to get great skin by building good habits.

Here are some of the mistakes that we often do when using skin care products:

1. Using a cleanser with harsh detergents. Suds! We have this misconception that a lot of suds is a sign of a good cleanser. Those suds are actually a sign that the skin product have harsh ingredients. They actually strip the lipids from the skin! Cleansing oils or those with fatty acids should be used instead. LOL! I’m suddenly reminded of the SUDS episode of Spongebob — for him SUDS is a disease. Hehe. XD

2. Not using a retonoid. Retionol is a form of Vitamin A. It is the only topical ingredient proven to minimize lines and wrinkles. Once we hit 30, it is recommended to see a dermatologist to know what kind of skin care products one should use.

3. Spending too much on skin care. Admit it, we’re always enticed by nice packaging, bundles and freebies. Drugstores in most countries are packed with a lot of great skin products, it would be nice to start looking there. Unfortunately, our local drug store doesn’t carry much brands so I’m stuck with department store brands.

4. Getting facials. I was surprised with this. Facials can actually worsen break-outs?! Probably because of the products used. My facialist uses Obagi and Clarins, and I never had a problem. Except, I don’t like the dry skin scrapping part. It actually make my skin feel thicker than usual. I have facials like twice a year only. I guess having it too often is already harmful.

5. Washing your face at the wrong time. I just found out about this, that I have to wash my face after I rinse my hair. I usually wash my face before, after or while taking a bath — no definite time. Hair products have harmful ingredients and may cause break-outs.

6. Not using sunscreen everyday. Every day! Sunscreen is very important. It’s not just a thing for the beach, but a daily essential.

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so I’ll say:

Happy Holidays to all!

Keep safe and healthy this holiday season. All of us have been attending a lot of parties and receiving great food as gifts. I know it’s tempting to eat a lot of cake, ice cream and delicious meat, but all those calories will go to your hips, arms and thighs! Waaa! @_@

Oh well, it’s only once a year, but we should keep everything in moderation. We always say that we have the whole incoming year to exercise, but I’m one of the many people who are lazy to do that. XP So, might as well stay away from those tempting sweets and goodies.

Enjoy the holidays!

All of us had trouble sleeping at one point in our lives. It could be because of stress, anxiety or even excitement. I remember back in college, I took some sleeping medication just to get a good night’s rest. I eventually stopped after a few days because I didn’t want to be dependent on it. My sleepless nights was because of school stress — cramming, overnight studying, etc. I don’t remember what I did, but I did get to sleep properly after a few days.

Then those sleepless nights came back a few months ago. My sister suggested Tylenol PM or Benadryl, but I wasn’t sick so I didn’t take any of those. I’m the type of person now who will not take any medication unless needed. I don’t even drink pain relievers. I only do so when I can’t move because of the pain, but if I can tolerate it — no meds then.

I ended wearing a Philip Stein bracelet to bed. I did help for quite a bit, but the prolonged use of the stainless bracelet gave me allergies so I had to remove it.

I’m now using a lavender aromatherapy memory foam pillow which I bought from a friend who owns the biggest mattress / pillow factory in the country. It needs a little getting used to but it helps.

As I was surfing the net, I saw some natural sleeping aids like chamomile tea, lavender, lemon balm and celery!

The celery really intrigued me. Since it’s loaded with sedatives, all you do is munch on a little and you’re off to dreamland~!

I like chamomile tea a lot. It not only helps you relax, it can also aid in digestive problems and menstrual cramps.

Anyway, I’m off to dreamland~

Now that you’re sufficiently warned about the harmful rays of the sun, here’s what you can do to protect yourself:

Proper sun protection on a daily basis is vital in the fight against aging and skin cancer. Use an SPF 15 or higher year-round, over (or in) your moisturizer in the morning. The SPF factor indicates how many times longer you can remain in the sun before beginning to burn while wearing sun protection, as opposed to if you were not wearing any sunscreen at all.

However, do not be fooled into a false sense of sun safety. To maintain its protection level, sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours regardless of its SPF (i.e. don’t go longer between applications with an SPF 50 than you would with an SPF 15). In addition to wearing an SPF, you should practice other sun-safe behavior, like seeking shade between 10 AM and 4 PM and covering up with clothing, including UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.

Make sure your SPF is broad spectrum (it’ll say so on the bottle), which means that it contains ingredients that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The key ingredients to look for are: oxybenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Also, you have the option of choosing between products that contain SPF: More companies are formulating their moisturizers, tinted moisturizers, foundations, and pressed powders with SPF. Choose the formulation that suits you, and do not use more than one—mixing too many different SPF’s may cause sensitivity. The more chemicals you put on your skin, the greater chance for irritation. In addition, some sunscreen ingredients may not work well together.

Once you’ve chosen your sunscreen, make sure to apply it liberally, over all exposed surfaces of your face and body. Since SPF’s potency can break down throughout the day, pack an SPF-packed powder or an SPF stick in your purse for touch-ups on the go.

Sun is the #1 cause of aging! Don’t kid yourself—no matter how much you love it, the sun does not love you back. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, 90 percent of all premature aging and skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Wearing an SPF 15 or higher every day is the single best skincare product you can use on your skin. SPF is proven to be the most effective way to fight aging, case closed.

Also, SPF is not just for summer anymore. UVA and UVB rays penetrate the atmosphere 365 days per year, and you don’t have to be sunbathing to incur damage—the sun still shines on you when you’re driving or walking out to grab lunch. New reports are warning us that the damage incurred from this incidental exposure can add up; after a year it’s equal to the sun damage equivalent of a week soaking up the rays in St. Barths.

It’s not just the sun that can cause burns; clouds, water, snow can also do so. Just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean it can’t see you. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, clouds block as little as 20 percent of harmful UV radiation. And reflective surfaces like water, sand, concrete, and snow bounce back as much as 80 percent of the sun’s rays.

Technorati Tags: aging, clouds, fairlady-z, protection, skin, skin cancer foundation, skincare, snow, SPF, sun, UVA, UVB, water

1. Perfect Skin Regimen: Always wash your face before bed, or the dirt and oil will get into pores and cause zits.

2. Keep your hands off your face.

3. Apply moisturizer only where you’re dry. Choose a non-comedogenic formula (won’t clog pores).

4. Wear oil-free make-ups.

5. Eat protein (like salmon or tofu) and nutrient-rich green veggies everyday. And the vitamin C in citrus can actually help pimples heal faster.

6. Water works! At least eight cups of water a day and more if you exercise, it helps detoxify and hydrate your skin from inside out.

7. Aside from water, juice from apples, carrots, cucumbers and pineapple are also recommended.

8.  Avoid cigarettes! When you take a puff, the nicotine constricts blood vessels, slowing the flow of oxygen and blood your skin needs to be healthy.

9. Getting plenty of beauty sleep, about eight hours is ideal for most people.

10. Change pillow case often.

I like food! I may be a beauty buff, but I also like to eat good food! Of course I still choose what I eat and always consider the health benefits. 

As much as possible, I avoid food that have empty calories, especially chips and snacks. I noticed that every time I eat, my skin breaks out. As for oily food, my stomach hurts. I thinks it’s the body’s way of saying that what I’m eating is bad.

Why did I suddenly talk about food? Hehe. I found this interesting entry at Kuchiki Rukia’s blog. Here’s her question: What is the one food item you absolutely refuse to eat?

Absolutely refuse? Hmm..liver! I know there are a lot of nutrients that one can get from eating liver. But, I never really liked the texture. Even if the sauce or the way it’s cooked is ok…it’s still the texture of liver that I don’t like. 

Everyone of us have something we don’t like about our bodies. With the increasing popularity of cosmetic surgery all over the world, expectations on body appearance has drastically changed. In both genders, consciousness has increased with regards to outer appearance, not just facial features, but also how clothes would fit and look on oneself.

Let me start of with the problem of cellulite, which I believe is a major concern of both men and women, regardless of age and body type. Cellulite is a condition where the skin achieves a dimpled appearance, which usually occurs in the abdomen, pelvic area and thighs. This condition is commonly known as orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, or the mattress phenomenon.

Even for those who have undergone liposuction, the problem of cellulite still remains. There are a lot of treatments appearing lately, like radio frequency machines combined with a soft suction, or carbon dioxide treatments. Some people may find these treatments expensive, while others are afraid of the discomfort they may encounter.

Lately, there has been an increase in anti-cellulite products which does not require a person to take medication or go to a cosmetic surgery clinic. Some cosmetic brands in department stores already introduced their own line of slimming products, even grocery brands started to sell their own.

A common ingredient in these products is seaweed or algae. The use of seaweed for weight-loss and slimming is an age-old remedy. Oral medication with seaweed were already developed in order to increase metabolism and control appetite. But my concern here is more on the lotion/gel-type anti-cellulite products. When applied to areas with cellulite, these products stimulate and break down the fat cells.

Definitely a miracle solution, but of course we should not entirely depend on these. Proper exercise and a healthy lifestyle is still essential in order for us to look good and feel good.