In My Life…

 

I’ve been on the planet for quite a few years now. We don’t have to get into what qualifies quite a few, but what I will say is that during my time I have learned many things that have proved to be very valuable in my life. I would like to share just a few of them with you as some may prove to be just as valuable to you. Please bear in mind that while the blogs I normally write are strictly factual, this is a more subjective list of things I believe to be true for me. Some are true for everyone, but some you may not agree with and that is just fine.

1. The no clutter rule: Keep your house free of clutter and especially your entrance way. When you enter your dwelling you should feel peaceful and balanced. A cluttered environment leads to a cluttered mind, stress and anxiety.
2. When beginning to prepare a meal, pull out all the ingredient you’ll need as your first step.
3. Invest in a quality set of knives. These are the two best tips I can give to being a good cook.
4. If you feel as if you have gained a pound or two or five, wear your tightest jeans. This will help you to remember not to over do it!
5. Speaking of jeans, wash them every two wears. Jeans get looser the more we wear them giving us the misconception of losing weight. Before you binge, run those jeans through the laundry!
6. Your underwear says a lot about you. Be sure to wear underwear that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in. Although no one does see it (hopefully) your confidence will be higher knowing you look good under your clothes as well. Confidence is the best accessory.
7. Don’t get stressed over time you don’t have. If you can’t fit people or activities into your schedule, there’s a reason for it. Don’t let it get you down.
8. Turn off the TV as too much television can dull your mind
9. Turn up the music. Music makes us happy!
10. Avoid bitter, angry people. When faced with them, treat them with calmness and kindness.
11. If you are in a heated discussion and the other person is angry, apologize even if you have done nothing wrong. After all: blessed are the peacemakers.
12. Laugh as much as possible
13. Be tough and serious in business and just the opposite in love
14. Be patient and wait for your soulmate
15. You will know your soul mate this way: Your inner beings will connect and it will be almost scary.
16. Give 10% back to God. He will take care of your finances.
17. Put money in every outreached hand.
18. Focus on your manners and etiquette. It matters.
19. Give away things of value. Not your garbage.
20. Get dressed every day. Even your day off.
21. Be organized. The key to success in anything is organization. If you are not naturally so, work to become so.
22. Keep your appearance tidy: that goes for nails, feet. Gentlemen, I mean nose hairs too!
23. For great skin, never indulge in fried foods. If you never eat fried foods you will never get cellulite.
24. Keep your word. Be faithful in all things.
25. Never be late unless it is an emergency.
26. The time is now: never put off to tomorrow what you can do today.
27. It is better to be blind than have eyes and not see clearly
28. Sit in the sun as much as possible
29. Walk and play in the snow as much as possible
30. When asked for a favor do not respond with “what is it?” Learn to say yes automatically.
31. Keep your shoes tidy. Even if you have one pair, keep them looking nice.
32. Read optimistic literature, watch optimistic movies, listen to optimistic music.
33. Always have a well-fitting, un-stained white shirt.
34. Invest in a great pair of jeans
35. Invest in a great pair of shoes
36. Invest in underwear that makes you feel great about yourself.
37. Invest in Great olive oil
38. Invest in quality balsamic vinegar.
39. Don’t chew gum for these reasons: most gum is made with aspartame and gum will bulk up your jaw muscle
40. Listen more than you talk
41. Pay attention to your gut. It is your best guide.
42. Never judge. Only God can do that.
43. Do not speak to softly or loudly as both can be seen as insecurity.
44. Smile before you get out of bed in the morning.
45. Take care of your hair. It is the 1^st impression you give.
46. Running shoes should are for running.
47.  The day you stop dancing is the day you stop living.
48. If you don’t know how to dance, learn.
49. Never worry what anyone thinks of you. Care only what God thinks. This is not to say live as though there are no consequences. It means make the choice with the best consequence.
50. Age is just a number. You can feel 20 forever when you live a healthy, balanced life.

These are 50 of what I would say are the keys to success. I live by them myself and I hope some of them will help you as well.

 

The Best Remedies for Cellulite

Throughout this week I actually shared quite a bit of information on cellulite.  Today my focus is on the best solutions if you in fact suffer with some cellulite.

Water, Water, Water; Drop the Soda and Turn to Water.  The soda has to go and water has to be your beverage of choice.  Water flushes toxins and waste from your body, please remember that soda does not.  Waste and toxins in the body do not help when it comes to cellulite; they make things worse.  This includes energy drinks.  Off topic my friends, this is so critical I could not wait.  Just recently I heard of new information whereby the number of deaths is increasing from energy drinks.  Energy drinks were once again in the news since a young girl passed away after just two Monster drinks in a 24 hour period.  Of course the company denies that this could be possible.  I simply had to share this information with you and make you aware that energy drinks are far more harmful than just causing cellulite.

Fruit and Vegetable Juices; The Next Best Thing.  If you don’t like the taste of water, mix it with natural fruit or vegetable juice.  Mix one part water with two parts juice.  This is much more beneficial to your skin because of the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that will enhance the health of your skin.  H2O is the drink of choice however this is an acceptable substitute.

Use a Brush or Loofah on Your Skin Daily.  A natural bristle brush or loofah reduces the appearance of dimpled skin.  Use it in the shower and several times throughout the day on your problem areas and it will smooth out your skin.  There may be a little redness and soreness, so use the brush gently, no need to try to get it all the first time.

Get Your Omega 3s.  You can get Omega 3s in fish oil capsules, raw walnuts and seeds.  The effect of Omega 3s on your skin and overall health is extraordinary.  Whether you have cellulite or not, your diet should be rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise.  A sedentary lifestyle will make cellulite worse.  You must exercise to reduce body fat.  Not only will it lessen the effect of cellulite making you look better, exercise will strengthen and tone your muscles and promote overall good health.  Exercise three to four times a week for the best results.

You Need a Combination of Remedies, One is not Good Enough.  My suggestion to you if you suffer from cellulite is not just to avoid the food I have suggested, drink tons of H2O or exercise.  In fact, my advice is to incorporate a combination of remedies for greater results.  Of course I have saved the very best solution for last.  As promised, tune in tomorrow and I will share with you what I consider to be the number one overall best solution.

Where Cellulite Comes From

To understand how cellulite is formed, is to arm ourselves against it.  Cellulite forms differently in men and women.  For women, hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause and pregnancy are the main causes of cellulite formation.  Hormones regulate blood flow, drainage of the lymphatic system and fat and are mainly responsible for the formation of cellulite.  Birth control pills cause hormonal changes in a woman’s body, which may also lead to the formation of cellulite. Hormones, can also determine the thickness of tissues and buildup of fat.  A hormonal imbalance in the body, can reduce the thickness of the tissue and cause cellulite to become visible on the skin.

The genetic makeup, lifestyle, race, gender and age of an individual also affects cellulite formation.  As we get older, tissue layers have a tendency to lose thickness and cause a wrinkled appearance.  Since fat and lymph are reduced in quantity, the cellulite is still lodged in the cells.  Since there is no cushion, cellulite becomes more visible.

How does cellulite form?  Is it fat?  What’s the difference between fat and cellulite?

Our lymphatic circulation system acts to eliminate toxins and waste in our bodies.  Elimination of waste and toxins is the most important function of the lymphatic system.  The flushing of waste buildup from our cells keeps them clean, helps them to breathe and keeps them healthy.  When circulation of this system is impaired or obstructed, our cells are not cleaned and waste accumulates in them and they bulge.  It appears that the formation of cellulite is attributable to a malfunctioning of the lymphatic system.

Our skin is made up of many layers.  The three outer layers of the skin are:  hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis.  Cellulite develops in the hypodermis.  When fat cells swell due to the buildup of fluids of the lymphatic system the excess fluid does not drain properly and they occupy more space.  As a result the cells are squeezed together tightly and there is not enough space for them to fit comfortably after swelling.  The cells are bound tightly together by collagen fibers, further hampers the drainage of excess fluids and waste from cells and this leads to cellulite.  The swollen cells push against the dermis and epidermis and become visible on the skin.  As promised, more information on cellulite tomorrow.

Foods to Avoid When You Have Cellulite

Cellulite varies from person to person.  As I stated in yesterday’s blog, it does not discriminate against thin people.  It does seem to have quite a bit to do with skin, hormone levels and age.  Research has turned up many foods to avoid when one suffers with cellulite.  I have decided to provide you with that list, although I am not so sure that I agree with it completely.  Some of the items to avoid make sense, some do not; but I am not going to argue with what research has turned up.  I will however share my personal opinion for you to consider.  It is my own personal belief that one of the most harmful foods relating to cellulite are fried foods.  For that reason alone it probably helps me to stay away from fried foods.  I look at fried food, immediately think of cellulite and say no thank you.  Below are the foods that several studies have determined cause or worsen cellulite.

• Fish, salted and preserved, caviar, anchovies, sardines, cod, tuna, haddock
• Oily fish such as eel, mackerel, herring
• Some meats such as foie gras; duck, goose, fatty pork, stew, guinea-fowl, game, tripe
• Shellfish:  lobsters, crabs, crayfish, prawns, mussels, scallops
• Certain vegetables such as broad beans, split peas, soya
• Dried fruit
• Strong cheeses
• Fermented cheeses
• Cooked butter
• Confections
• Fried foods
• Condiments:  mustard, pickles, garlic, salt, pepper
• Drinks like coffee, tea and all alcoholic drinks
• Tobacco

Now folks as I stated, I am certainly not in total agreement with the above list.  I in fact I consume many of the items on the list and do not have an issue with cellulite.  But I will share with you that I vehemently refuse fried food and it is certainly not because they are not tasty.  I simply decided many, many years ago that fried food and smooth, soft skin cannot coexist.

Cellulite, What it is

Cellulite does not discriminate, thick or thin; tall or short; it can affect any of us.  Today and over the next several days my blog will focus on that yucky topic:  cellulite.  This entire week I will focus on what cellulite really is, what the causes are and finally what the glorious solutions for cellulite are.  Understanding what cellulite really is will lead us to better deal with the solutions for it.  After focusing on cellulite for several days, you will probably realize the solutions are not expensive creams and lotions.  Alas the solutions are waiting for you at your local supermarket.  Spend the week with me as we focus on the ins and outs of cellulite.

Cellulite is a swelling of fat cells which appear as bumps on the skin.  Our skin is made up of many different layers known as dermis.  The fat cells under the skin are connected to it with a layer called septa which is a fibrous connective tissue.  The septa layer creates a wall between the fat cells and your skin.  When this layer beaks down, the fat cells expand directly against the skin since there is no layer between the two.  The skin develops pits and valleys that resemble an orange peel, cottage cheese or have a dimpled appearance.

Now that we understand what cellulite is tomorrow we will focus on the causes of cellulite.  By the end of the week you will be greatly surprised by the number one solution to cellulite.  Stay tuned my friends.