Relationship Issues and Overcoming them

Since the Holiday season is coming up soon, I thought It'd be a good idea to talk about relationship issues this time. There are times when we face problems in life  and things get tougher that our relationship with the people around us is strained and we become unhappy. Not only relationship with our spouse but with our children parents, family and friends.

When this happens it's best to identify what the problems are and find ways on how we can turn it around. This is especially true in a marriage.Sometimes one person feels that he/she is taken for granted or there are some issues that creates tension and negetive feeling towards the other.

If this person just keeps it quiet and let it be for some time, then all this tension  will keep on stacking up creating more and more resentments and rejection towards the other. It might get so bad that, it might  break the relationship.

So before this happens it's always important to remember to talk things through with your spouse. If there was a problem, you can tell them about it, eventhough if it was something that is unpleasant to them.

It's better to deal with these issues early on then let it roll on to became something bigger that you need to face later on. So this holiday season, if you have relationship problem with anyone, not just your spouse, maybe with your father, mother, son or daughter. Now is the best time to mend broken bridges together.

In the meantime, watch this interesting by Anthony Robbins and his wife Sage about relationship stressors. Till next time on How to Look Great & Feel Happy, Have a wonderful time this holiday season.

Diet for Cancer Patients

My sister recently had a masectomy to remove the breast cancer. It was a long operation, about 15 hours long. She went in the operation room in the morning and did'nt come out till it was twelve at night.

It took a long time because after removing the cancer the surgeons did some reconstruction work using the skin from her belly. Thank God everything went well. It was a long day that day and especially so for her children who waited patiently at the hospital.

So I did some research on diet for cancer patients and here is what I found out from the net with regards to cancer treatment, every food that we eat or drink can be categorized into several different categories:

• 1) Foods that feed and strengthen the cancer cells and/or the microbes in the cancer cells and body. Examples would be: refined sugar, refined flour, soda pop, dairy products, etc.

• 2) Foods that cause cancer (e.g. trans fatty acids [margarine, french fries and virtually every other processed food you buy], aspartame [Diet Coke, NutraSweet, Equal, etc.], MSG, polyunsaturated oils [e.g. corn oil], etc.)

• 3) Foods that directly interfere with alternative treatments for cancer (e.g. chlorine, fluoride, alcohol, coffee, etc.)

• 4) Foods that occupy and distract the immunity system from focusing on killing the cancer cells (e.g. beef, turkey, etc.)

• 5) Foods that contain nutrients that kill the cancer cells, stop the spread of cancer, or in some other way help treat the cancer (e.g. purple grapes with seeds and skin, red raspberries with seeds, strawberries with seeds, broccoli, cauliflower, tapioca, several herbs, lentils,carrots, pineapples, apple seeds, almonds, graviola, etc.)

In addition there are things like cooking vegetables. The cooking destroys the enzymes in the vegetables and make them far less digestible and far less effective in treating cancer. Pasteurizing any food or drink also does this.

Ideally, during a cancer treatment, if foods are allowed on a particular diet, 100% of everything you eat should be in the category of "Foods that contain nutrients that kill the cancer cells, stop the spread of cancer, or in some other way help treat the cancer.

" Whenever you eat a food that is not in that category, you are interfering with your cancer treatment! This is why so many cancer diets are very high in certain raw vegetables and certain raw fruits. It is best to avoid processed foods as they might contain MSG or preservatives that might induce growth of cancer cells.

I hope this will be helpful to any cancer patients out there. In the meantime, we should all adopt a healthy diet ourselves in order to avoid getting cancer. Currently one in every four deaths in the United States are due to cancer. In the mean time Enjoy this video about anti cancer diet

So until the next issue of Look Great Feel Happy, remember to adopt a happy lifestyle and well balanced eating habits so that we can stay happy and healthy. And for those cancer patients out there who feel like giving up..... just watch this video about this inspiring young man who has beaten cancer not once but three times.

Turn on Your Metabolic Switch … And Burn the Fat!

*Breakthrough Research from the Clinic of Al Sears MD*

Turn on Your Metabolic Switch … And Burn the Fat!

If you’ve tried and failed to burn fat in the past I have good news… Dr. Sears’ High-Speed Fat Loss is getting even the most hardened skeptics to change their minds about fat loss. By studying the science behind human metabolism and weight gain Dr. Sears developed a sure-fire way for anyone to lose as much weight as they want. His patients say it’s nothing short of a miracle.

Like one of Dr. Sears’ patients – let’s call him “SM” – he arrived at the clinic 100 pounds overweight with a body fat level over 50%. After 3 months, SM had to give away all his “fat clothes” and buy a whole new wardrobe.SM’s family and friends went into shock after seeing the amazing results. Most of them are now patients of Dr. Sears.Now, if you… or someone you care about… wants to lose weight, there’s no easier, safer, or faster way than with Dr. Sears’ High-Speed Fat Loss in 7 Easy Steps program.

To find out how SM lost all that fat – and how you can too – click HERE.

Turn on Your Metabolic Switch and Burn the Fat

The Delicious way to LoseWeight - Pine Nut

I'm down with flu and fever now. Sorry for not posting anything for some time. I actually ran out of topics to talk about. Anyway as I was sitting down tonight munching away some pine nuts my sister's friend had brought from Pakistan. It occured to me why don't I write something about these terribly delicious nuts. Surely these something good about these nuts.

And here is what I found out from Wiki Answers about these amazing lil' pine nuts. They're actually great for dieters.

These tasty nuts have a light, nutty tang and contain some fatty acids that are capable of holding back hunger. It is estimated that one cup of pine nut (just about one ounce) provides you 190 calories and 19g of fat, while its carbohydrate content is only 4g.

No other nut or seed has more protein than Pine nuts. In addition, pine nuts are store houses of many vitamins including vitamins E, B3, B1 and B2 apart from essential amino acids, beta-carotene, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron and iodine, which are essential for a healthy living.

Pine nuts and pine nut oil contain the polyunsaturated fat of Pinolenic acid, which stimulates the hunger suppressing hormones such as CCK. Pinolenic acid is an essential ingredient of many diet formulas for repressing hunger as they act by sending signals to your brain that your stomach is already full.

Now all you have to do is just to toss a few nuts into your mouth to chuck out those extra pounds! Does that sound like music to your ears?

How do pine nuts act to suppress hunger? The peptide hormone of cholecystokinin is produced during food ingestion to be released into the blood. It is this hormone that makes you feel satiated. It is thought that the fractional digestion of proteins also results in the production of CCK. Remember that pine nuts are extremely rich in protein.

Extensive researches have been made on CCK ever since it was discovered 30 years ago. The studies have established that CCK production takes place at the duodenum, when your stomach is full.

This in turn conveys this message to the brain. CCK also brings about the discharge of pancreatic digestive enzymes, contraction of gall bladder and reduction of the rate of bowel movements, which also gives you a feeling of fullness.

Moreover, Pine nuts help in improving digestion and enhancing cardiovascular health. It increases satiety and is also helpful in managing gastrointestinal problems, autoimmune disorders and inflammation.

So to all of you who wanna lose some weight, my tip to is to get some pine nuts to help you out because apart from all the great nutritional value it has, these pine nuts are simply delicious. Till the next issue of Look Great Feel Happy, have a wonderful day.

Foods That Help You Lose Weight Fast

Is there any food out there that will help you lose weight ? Well believe it or not there is. Here is an article from e-How that I felt would be useful for anyone trying to lose weight. Enjoy !

While there's no magic food to help you shed pounds, there are many things you can eat to help you raise your metabolism, reduce appetite and accelerate weight loss. Since diet is such an important part of the weight loss journey, even small changes you make can have a big impact on the scale.

High-Fiber Food

1. Fiber works as a two-way weight loss aid. It provides satiety, so you end up eating less but feeling full, and it also regulates your digestion, preventing you from becoming bloated. High-fiber foods such as green leafy vegetables are especially good because they are low in calories and fat free, so your overall caloric consumption is reduced and your weight loss is quicker and more effective. Fiber also prevents blood sugar spikes, which can lead to cravings. Other high-fiber foods that can help with weight loss include lentils, oatmeal, kale, buckwheat and apples.

Spicy Dishes

2. Some spices such as ginger, cayenne pepper and cinnamon can raise metabolism, causing the body to burn calories faster and more effectively. Spices not only cause a significant raise in metabolic rate during the actual meal, but their effect lasts for up to 20 minutes after eating. Other condiments that raise metabolism include wasabi powder, coriander and garlic.

Lean Protein

3. Chicken, turkey, fish and eggs all have something in common: they are pure protein. Because your body works harder to digest protein than anything else, you burn more calories and boost your metabolism by eating proteins. Also, protein are more satisfying than carbs and sugars, so you are less likely to suffer spikes in blood sugar or to have cravings. Certain proteins, such as salmon and sardines, are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which reduces the amount of leptin in your body. Leptin is a hormone that affects metabolism and fat burning: the less you have of it, the more effective your body is at losing weight. Low-fat dairy products and soy are also good sources of protein.

Low-Sugar Fruits

4. While fruits are natural and a good source of fiber, many contain high levels of sugar and can compromise your weight loss efforts if consumed in excess. Examples of high-sugar fruits include bananas, grapes, pears, pineapple and figs. On the other hand, low-sugar fruits provide lots of hunger-satiating fiber with very low calories. Examples include berries, papaya, plums, apricots, lime and melon.

Good Fats

5. Vegetable fats are good for lowering DLH cholesterol and providing a feeling of satiety. Since they don't contain cholesterol (as animal fats do), they do not increase the risk of heart disease or cancer. While consuming a large amount of any fats, including vegetable fats, can lead to weight gain, moderate consumption will help control cravings. Fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, will even raise metabolism. Other good fats to consider are flaxseed oil, avocados and peanut oil.

So till the next issue of Look Great Feel Happy. Try out these foods which will not only help you lose weight but make you feel better and a lot healthier too. But remember to keep everything in moderation. Too much of everything is bad for anyone.

How to Get Motivated to Exercise

Have you had one of those days when you just don't feel like exercising. I know I do. There are days when I just don't feel like exercising and this is bad. Not only for those who wish to lose weight but also eventually when you just drop exercise from your daily routine, then eventually your metabolism is gonna drop. And when your metabolism drops it gets harder to lose weight.

Here's some great videos which I think is effective to help you overcome this laziness to exercise. So till next time, get motivated to exercise for better health and be on your way to look great and feel happy.

Unlocking what's stopping you - Make That Change

At some point of your life, you may experience a deadlock. A situation where you want something, but you're getting nowhere. You want it badly, but something seems to be holding you down. How to untangle yourself and set free, so that you may move forward and achieve what ever it is in life you wish to pursue.

When I find myself in this situation, one of the best things to do is get experts to help out. Let's watch how Anthony Robbins deals with such issues.


So until the next issue of Look Great and Feel Happy, Take that step forward to be Happy. You deserve it. It is Your Life. Do something about it. You have the power in you to make that Change. Remember Micheal Jackson's song- Man in the Mirror - Make that change, it may be too late for Mike but don't let it be for you.

Lose weight - The Banana Diet Way

Want to know why Banana can help you lose weight. Get real right. Well just watch this video which explains why this amazing banana diet is so popular with the Japanese.

The benefits of fasting - the month of Ramadhan

It's the month of Ramadhan (the fasting month for muslims all over the world). I'm back in the village for Ramadhan which accounts for why this blog has not been updated for some time. The internet reception here is somewhat problematic.

Anyway a bit about the fasting month. Ramadhan is a month where muslim all over the world fast for a whole month from sunrise to sunset. They'll break their fast when the sun sets by eating and drinking and later at night perform the terawih prayers.

I personally look forward to ramadhan every year. It's a time when families and friends get together to break fast and afterwards perform the terawih prayers. It's a time when muslims share the hunger pangs of the poor and destitute, so that they'll be grateful for what they have.

Anyway, fasting is not as bad as one might think. Fasting actually has lots of health benefit among them are :

• It helps in losing weight
• It reduces Fat & Cholesterol
• It improves the removal of toxins in the body
• It improves the immunity system of the body
• It slow down the aging process
• It rejuvenates and overhauls the whole body

The benefits of fasting is further explained in an extract of an article by Will Carroll below :

During a fast, energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis.

Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer 'mistakes' are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which govern this process." A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs. This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.

In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production.

Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently. "The only reliable way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition."

So you see, fasting has lots of benefits, it's not so bad once you get use to it. Try fasting in the daytime and break your fast at night. You might feel tired but at least for that day you're giving your digestive system a rest, so that the extra energy is used to improve other body function such as boosting one's immunity system. Till next time have a great day.

Dance your way to fitness

Have you ever get tired of all the ways to lose weight and look great. All the dieting, aerobics, exercises and cardio workouts can be hardwork and boring after some time. Here's one way I know that's fun. Dancing ....yes dance your way to fitness.

Dancing is a great way to lose weight. Why else do you think that most professional dancers look great and have good figures. They must be doing something right. For one, dancing helps you to :

1. To destress and have fun
   
2. Burn calories and lose weight
   
3. Improve muscle tone & coordination
   
4. Strenghtens bones
5. Increase energy
6. Improves cardiovascular system
7. Lowers risk of heart disease
8. Reduce blood pressure & cholestrol levels
   
9. Improves blood circulation
10. Builds endurance & stamina
11. Increase flexibility and balance
12. Improves overall health and body shape
    

However as with other types of exercises, you should warm up and stretch before dancing. Just move within your own tempo, start with a slow number and build it to faster tempo to avoid straining and injuring your muscles. Slow down or stop when you are short of breath or exhausted.

Dancing provides a channel to be yourself. Its an expression of self through the beat of the music. Dancing is an entertaining activity you can do with your friends or partner. It elevates your moods by raising our endorphin levels allowing us to reduce stress.

Best of all you can do it anywhere, even in your living room. You don't need any expensive gym equipments just some music. You can move to your own beat and create your own dance moves. Or if you prefer learn the salsa, latin, ballroom dancing, disco, hip hop. It's a fun activity for all ages, the old and the young and breaks down racial barriers between diverse cultures.

So the next time you get bored with dieting or the regular exercise routine, remember you can still lose weight, have fun and look great through dancing. Till next time on Look great feel happy. Enjoy the evolution of dance video below.

12 Secrets to Virility

Here’s something you should know. Unless you have already taken steps to prevent it, you are ingesting unsafe quantities of female hormones on a regular basis. And that’s not good. Let me explain…
Female hormones known as estrogens are added to animal feed because like us this makes animals fat. Many chemicals used in farming and industry also mimic estrogens.

To make matters worse, other chemicals in your environment are making the male hormone, testosterone, plummet. Falling testosterone with abnormally high estrogen is plain and simple, BAD NEWS! It zaps you of energy, muscle, sex drive, speed, physical strength and mental focus. Why do 90% of elder American men develop enlarged prostates? Why doesn’t it occur in other parts of the world? The answer is, again, estrogens from your environment.

You see, your prostate grows from the same tissue as a woman’s uterus and retains estrogen receptors. Over time, exposure to excess estrogen stimulates it to overgrow and puts undue pressure on your bladder and urethral. And, they cause another problem - they are inflammatory. You fight them with antibodies and white blood cells. This “warfare” damages your cartilage, bones and joints.

We now know that heart disease is not caused by cholesterol but inflammation inside your blood vessels. Inflammation even causes senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Fortunately Dr AlSears M.D has an e-book which can help you avoid suffering these conditions. His " 12 Secrets to Virility " will help you :

1. Experience this “Caveman Secret” to Monster Strength.
It requires no weights, equipment or machines. You can do it at home in only 30 minutes a week.
It’s fun to do – its clinic tested – and it works fast.

2. Eat this Mouth Watering Steak and Lose 4” of Waist Fat. This healthiest of all foods melts stubborn blubber away. Its fat is better for your heart than wild Alaskan Salmon! You can have it delivered right to your door.

3. Use the Power of “Biomarkers” to Reverse Your Age. Control these traits to regain lung power, leg strength and stamina. Use this step-by-step guide to quickly master these hidden forces.

4. Prevent Chemicals from “Turning You into a Woman” . Rid your body of feminizing hormone look-alikes.
Quickly restore muscle, ambition, sex drive and more. It’s natural and requires no drugs or doctor visits.

5. Quadruple Your Masculinity by Boosting this Hormone. Produce a huge surge in your own testosterone in only30 minutes! Use this triple booster for testosterone of a strapping18 year old. As a "side effect" you'll think faster and lower risk ofheart disease.

6. Defeat Diabetes - Now and For Good. Protect yourself from the 9 fold increase in diabetes with this secret.
You can eat sweets and still beat this disease. Side Effects? How about burning fat 50% more efficiently?

7. Destroy Cancer Cells with a Single Pill. Reverse this neglected deficit of modern farming tobeat cancer.
Fix it instantly with this missing "triple mineral cocktail". It's cost you less than an average multivitamin.

8. End Night Time Trips to the Bathroom - Forever! This new secret reverses overgrown prostates at theroot cause. It works by an entirely new approach within days of starting.

9. End Joint Pain - Fast. Forget about dangerous anti-inflammatory drugs. This secret soothes inflammation pain in as little as48 hours. While it's relieving your pain, it's also reversing the cause.

10. Experience this Amazing European "Brain Drug" . Stop your brain from aging with this single, natural pill.
It quickly reawakens a youthful and razor-sharp mind. Its "side effect"? You'll be more alert without morning coffee.

11. Better than Steroids! Build Solid Muscle - FAST! Use the 7 most powerful "strength" tonics ever discovered. Clinically tested? How about 31 pounds of muscle in just weeks? Unlike steroids, this combo also strengthens tendons and joints. You feel power in your stream and relief for hours on end.

12. Trouble in the Bedroom? Your Worries are Over! This endurance booster makes all-nighters your choice.
You'll toss your prescription enhancement drugs in the trash.

To learn more about this, download this e-book by clicking the link below.

12 Secrets to Virility

Isn’t your health and virility worth it?

How to get rid of Acne

Have you ever had acne (a.ka. pimples, zits) problems before ?

I had some trouble with acne recently. One thing I found out is that acne still bothered my eventhough I'm way past my teens. So I researched the internet for information on how to get rid of acne effectively. Here's an extract article from wikiHow that I felt is really good to help you get rid of those annoying spots.

Steps

1. STOP popping the spots, also known as pimples and zits. This may make the pimple look worse due to inflammation and irritation. Popping a zit can spread infection under the skin and produce even more pimples than before. If you do pop a spot then immediately clean it with soap and water or rubbing alcohol in order to prevent infection. If a pimple erupts in a particularly bothersome place, learn how to target a single pimple. And if you're determined to pop, learn how to pop a pimple safely and properly. If you do pop a pimple and you want to avoid anything resembling Western medicine, one thing to try is put a mixture of honey and ground cinnamon on the spot. Put a band-aid on it also. You may also want to stay away from stress.

2. Remove any make-up you have on. Wearing make-up can clog pores, making them dirty and causing pimples. Also try to wear oil-free makeup (if you have oily skin) or a medicated makeup. Use a mild soap for sensitive skin but it doesn't matter exactly what type of soap you use. It can be designed for acne-prone skin or not, but you will want to treat your skin gently. Harsh antibacterial soap may actually make your acne worse by irritating skin.

3. Remove dead skin cells regularly by exfoliating. Use a gentle scrub with natural defoliants like ground walnut shells, or use an over-the-counter chemical defoliant like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Adding ground walnut shell to a thick moisturizer like cocoa butter can be effective too. Take caution, because over-exfoliating can actually increase the likelihood of acne by irritating the skin. Pat dry, rather than rubbing, since rubbing can cause irritation to the fresh skin you've just revealed.

4. Use a good toner. Spray onto face or wipe on with a cotton ball and wipe off with a clean, dry cotton ball. This gets rid of excess cleanser and tightens pores. Good, inexpensive choices include plain witch hazel for normal to dry skin, lemon juice, or 3% hydrogen peroxide for oily skin. 70% ethyl rubbing alcohol can also be used for severe oiliness, but it can really dry out your skin and irritate it more. Some toners are medicated, and this stage is the best for using a medicated product if you're only going to use one medication.

Bacteria in pores is one cause of spots. Reduce the amount of bacteria by using toners containing anti-bacterial agents like alcohol, peroxide and benzalkonium chloride, and by using creams that contain benzoyl peroxide (ask your doctor about benzaclin, with moisturizer if you have dry skin, as it works better than just plain benzoyl because benzoyl takes up to 8 weeks before improvement is seen) which kill bacteria as well as cause the skin to regenerate faster.

5. Maintain a routine. Most acne treatments take time to work. It usually takes between two and eight weeks before you see any significant improvement, so you are going to have to be patient. Once you've gotten your acne cleared up, it's important to continue with the treatment that's working so it does not return.

6. If all else fails, contact a doctor. Mild antibiotics that are available only by prescription can help reduce acne. Keep in mind though, that the widespread overuse (taking antibiotics when you really don't need them or for something they don't treat) and misuse (not taking medication for the specified amount of time) of antibiotics has led to the development of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria. That means that the antibiotics won't work for the things they used to (including your acne).

7. Keep hair off of your face if at all possible. If you want to keep your bangs, then consider taking showers regularly or keeping your forehead clean with oil-dabbing cloths / clean tissues / etc.

8. Get good sleep. Stress increases your skin's oiliness, which, combined with sweat and dirt, can clog pores and cause pimples. (Change your pillowcase frequently.)

9. Acne medications may cause your skin to initially break out worse than before because all FDA-approved acne medications (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur) are causing your skin to regenerate faster. This brings existing acne pimples already under your skin (but not visible yet) to the surface, which in turn causes a massive but fortunately temporary break out. Give the medications time to work -- about one to two weeks -- and you will notice a big difference in the quality of your skin.

See a dermatologist if over the counter remedies do not work. They specialize in skin care and can prescribe you medicines that help you improve it.

10. Drink plenty of water. Staying well hydrated can help your condition improve, because the "waste management" control system in your body requires a lot of water to do its job. Without enough water, the body has difficulty removing some waste products efficiently.

11. Look for face washes which contain the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide. This is the key ingredient in some of the best face washes. use a 5-10% benzoyl peroxide of mild to moderate acne and 10% for severe.

Try smashing one tablet of aspirin in a small bowl, then adding lemon juice to the mixture. Aspirin is acetesalicylic acid, chemically related to salicylic acid. Apply to the affected areas overnight. It boosts the healing process while reducing redness.

Try putting toothpaste (paste, NOT gel) on your face, cover it with a bandage, and keep it on all night. When you wash it off in the morning your acne will look better. The astringent and surfactant nature of the toothpaste will help diminish the appearance of pimples. But the toothpaste has been known to burn sensitive skin of the face, so be careful. If your face does burn, stop acne treatments and work on healing your burn.

Try using Bentonite Clay, a natural mineral powder which has been known to absorb impurities and help neutralise the skin's oiliness, and can be found online. Mix 2 tablespoons with a dash of cold water and smooth over the face as a thick paste. Once dried gently wipe off with a flannel or sponge.

Another way to zap pimples is shaving cream. Apply it to your pimple and it will dry it up. It disappears by morning, but wash your face after waking up.

If nothing is working for you, drink four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar diluted with water daily. It works very well for some people and is worth a try. Another good solution is aloe Vera gel fresh from the plant, taken orally.

You can also try taking a zinc tablet everyday.

Mix some lemon juice and rose water in a small bowl and apply it on your pimples, ONLY YOUR PIMPLES, over night. It will burn a little. When you wake up in the morning, your pimples will reduce.

Photo therapy or blue-light therapy is an increasingly common form of treating facial or body acne. It uses light that interact with peripheries in skin bacteria to reduce bacteria production and rectify acne. Many dermatologists use this form of treatment in a clinic setting, but it can be costly and time consuming. Health Canada recently approved a new product that has the same therapeutic effect, but it can be administered by the individual.

Get plenty of sleep! They don't call it "beauty-sleep" for nothing!

Dab garlic juice on emerging and mature pimples

Treat acne with benzoyl peroxide that are available in your local stores

Disguise a pimple with eye-redness relieve eye drops by applying to a Q-tip and hold on pimple for about 10-15 seconds.
Mix a packet of fast acting yeast with enough tea tree oil to make a paste. Spread over emerging pimple and cover with bandage & leave on overnight because yeast will cause the pimples to rise out of the skin while the tea tree oil attacks it.
Go to the store and get Cortizone 10.It will help stop acne.

Soak a cotton ball in warm salt water. Press on top of blemish for 3 minutes to dissolve the top. Then, dab a bit of honey on the affected area to deep clean the pore and draw out bacteria. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

One thing you should do is change your pillow case(s) every day. That way you won't get any oil or dirt on your face again.

"Proactiv®" has also proven to be useful in some circumstances, though for some people it doesn't work.

If you ever pop a whitehead and you have "Proactiv®", put a dab of Revitalizing Toner on the popped zit. This should help clear it.

12. Apply some sudocrem to your spots, This helps them.

13. Use shampoo! suave professionals biobasics for damaged hair is a good example. its cheap and you have a lot of it, and at the same time it gets rid of all the oil and grease, helping zits fade. however, many shampoos contain lauryl sulfates which can damage your skin.

14. Change your pillow case every week. You sleep on it! Most of your germs and bacteria are passed onto your pillow case and back onto your skin.... making acne worse.

15. Take Minocycline. Minocycline is an antibiotic which kills bacteria. Minocycline should be taken with caution, however, as it has been show to damage the thyroid gland, liver, and hair. It makes skin sensitive and lowers the body's resistance to pathogens. If you do choose to take minocyline, make sure to get bloodwork every six months at the doctor's office to monitor your health.

16. Get good nutrition. These top five nutrients have been shown to have a very positive effect on your skin and in treating acne. These nutrients, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium and chromium, can pack a powerful punch in your acne war.

Zinc - Zinc is the Acne stopper. It works in several ways to both treat acne and prevent it. It helps the body regulate certain hormones which prevents acne, but it also helps with wound healing, tissue regeneration and boosting the body's immune system.Most people in the United States actually have a marginal zinc deficiency, but you can get zinc from many of your favorite foods, such as seeds, nuts, legumes and whole grains.

Vitamin A - Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that helps you have beautiful, healthy hair and skin. You can find vitamin A from fruits and vegetables. Dark green vegetables and deep yellow vegetables as fruits give you a good dose of vitamin A by providing carotenes. Oatmeal is a good source of vitamin A, as well as cantaloupe, honeydew melon, broccoli, spinach and sweet potato. Liver contains a megadosis: watch out, vitamin A is stored in the body and you can actually get vitamin A poisoning.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E helps to normalize decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes. This is often prevalent in male acne patients, but vitamin E has proven beneficial to both male and female acne sufferers. Almonds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, spinach, broccoli and mango are all great sources of vitamin E.Even a snack as simple as ¼ to ½ cups of raw nuts and seeds can help your skin become clearer and healthier.

Selenium - Selenium works much like vitamin E in that it also helps to normalize decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes. Selenium can be found in foods such as vegetables, meats and bread. Some nuts, such as Brazil nuts and walnuts are also rich in selenium.You can also supplement your diet with selenium, taking 100 to 200 micrograms per day. However, 3 ½ ounces of beef has 35 micrograms of selenium and 3 ounces of tuna has 63. Brazil nuts, though, are the winner with 544 micrograms of selenium per ounce.

Chromium - Chromium, found in brewer's yeast, has been shown in research studies to heal acne. You can add brewer's yeast to many different foods.Sprinkle a tablespoon over cold cereal or hot oatmeal, mix it into soups and stews or add it into your breakfast smoothie. Be careful, though, if you are not accustomed to brewer's yeast, a large serving of it can cause nausea and diarrhea. Start small, just a teaspoon or tablespoon at a time. This is a great acne buster.

17. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE. Your hands and fingers have a lot of oil on them that can clog your pores. If you touch your face, some of that oil is transferred to your face.

18. Apply sour cream to your face. While yogurt is good, it can slip off easily. Buy fresh sour cream and refrigerate. Tie back your hair and make sure not to soil anything. Smear your face, especially pimples, with sour cream using your palms and wash it off after 15 minutes. If you are really busy, then simply apply the sour cream to your pimples and work until fifteen minutes are over, then wash off the pimples with warm water.

19. Try going out in the sun. The UV rays dry out your spots and stimulate the vitamin D production in the body.

20. Stop eating cheese and dairy products. They have been proven to cause pimples. Plus, who wants to eat/drink scabs, pus, and blood that has been found in milk and such dairy anyways?

Delicious Tom Yum Soup Recipe

This week I'm going to share with you my favorite recipe whenever I'm down with flu or cold. Tom Yum soup combination of herbs and spices is great to increase the immunity system especially with the increasing cases of swine flu worlwide. It's also delicious,sour, spicy and healthy. You can eat it by itself or with rice, rice noodle or flat chinese noodle.

Ingredients

Prawns

Tom Yam Paste

2 tbs fish sauce

Baby corn & carrots sliced

Chopped pieces of chicken

Some Lime / lemon Juice

Tomato sliced into 4 parts

Milk / santan (coconut milk)

Large onion sliced thick

Coriander & Kaffir lime leaves

Button / shiitake mushroom

sliced Galagal and garlic sliced thinly

Bird’s eye chilies / bell pepers

Lemongrass stalks-crushed

Heat up some water and put in some kaffir lime leaves (tear), pounded birds eye chilies, galagal , lemongrass stalks and garlic. Let them boil for a few minutes.

Add in Chopped pieces of chicken, sliced onion, baby corn, squid, prawns,tomato and tom yum paste and lime juice in to boiling soup. Let them simmer for a while.

Lastly add in a bit of santan or milk as well as a bit of salt and sugar to taste.

Serve soup in bowls and garnish with some coriander leaves.

So till the next issue of Look Great & Feel Happy, try out this delicious recipe for a refreshing taste. A perfect soup for the pick me up when I'm down feeling.

Controlling Your Anger

Have you ever watched the Incredible Hulk. Yes the story about some doctor who turns into a Green Giant everytime he loses his temper. And when the Hulk loses his temper he goes on a spree of destuction. Which reminds us on the importance of controlling our anger, because when someone gets angry they usually get out of control and turn destructive.

This can lead to problems—problems at work, personal relationships and family problems. Indirectly it will affect the quality of your life, as people start to stay away from you. Worse still if someone gets injured or gets killed in the spur of rage. I've come across mothers who in the fit of rage, throw their babies to the floor. Plenty of wife battery and child abuse cases happen daily as a result of failure to control anger.

So you see, it is important for us to control our anger because if you don't then it will ruin your like. Imagine if you could channel all the enegy when you are angry towards something good. Would'nt that be better. So when you find your temper rising remember to :

1. Keep Quiet - even if you have the urge to shout. This will keep you from saying things that hurt others or something that you'll be sorry later on.
2. Remain calm - if you're standing then sit down, if you're sitting down then lay down for a while. This will help to cool down.
3. Think carefully if getting angry will bring any good. If getting angry at your kids might help them discipline then go ahead but remember to be in control or you might eng up injuring them. If getting angry will only makes matters worse then avoid it. There are so many ways to deal with matters, for instance through punishment, detention, charity work or others.
4. Cool yourself down first by having a cool drink or washing your face. Better still take a shower. This will buy you some time to think things over to calm down and evaluate the situation better. It will help you think better on how to overcome the problem.
5. Talk softly or as you usually do. Avoid shouting and name calling. This will only aggravate anger between both parties and make things worse.

It is important for us to act professionally even when we are angry so that we don't make matters worse. As in a fit of rage, some may even injure or kill somebody. Don't let anger take over your life, but let us be in control of our anger.

So till next issue of Look Great and Feel Happy, remember to take control of our anger by implementing the 5 simple steps explained above.

How to look slim fast

Need to impress someone ? Going on a date or an interview? Here's a great video for those who needs to look slim fast. Enjoy ....

Summer Secret Diet

It's summer time in most parts of the world and one thing great about this is the abundance of delicious and nutrient packed summer fruits and vegetables. Foods that is not only great for the body but helps you to lose weight as well. So here is a great article by Janice Mcdonald I came across the other day that's really super. Enjoy...

The sun is shining, temperatures are rising. Summer is the time to shed layers of clothes, as well as some pounds. You could opt for a stringent diet regime, but what about simply enjoying all the wonderful foods the season brings? You'll still slim down, and do wonders for your health.

It's a natural trend to eat lighter during the summer, and you can easily do so without feeling deprived. If you follow the U.S. government's 2005 dietary guidelines of four-and-a-half cups of fruits and vegetables and three servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy each day, you'll be getting plenty of naturally low-cal foods that are high in fiber, calcium, and important nutrients.

"Fiber helps in weight control because it promotes a feeling of satisfaction or satiety," explains Registered Dietitian Cheryl Orlansky, of the Computer Science Corporation. "High-fiber foods, eaten consistently, prevent that rebound effect of feeling full one minute and looking for something else to eat the next. It also helps modulate blood sugars by slowing down the digestion of sugars to prevent a quick surge into the bloodstream."

Much of summer's bounty has extra nutritional benefits you may not be aware of. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may slow aging, protect against cancer and stroke, improve blood pressure, and keep your heart healthy. And just about all are low-calorie, so your waistline stays in check, another big health benefit.

Ready to slim down with summer foods? Start your summer "diet" with these.

Tomatoes and Peppers for Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Lycopene
These powerhouses of nutrition are members of the fruit family, though thought of mostly as vegetables. Tomatoes and bell peppers of all colors deliver large amounts of vitamins A and C. A medium tomato, for example, is low in carbohydrates and has only has 35 calories but gives you 40% of the vitamin C and 20% of the vitamin A you need for the day.

Tomatoes have other benefits, too. "Consuming a diet rich in tomatoes has been shown to decrease the risk of prostate and other digestive tract cancer," says Emily Abercrombie, RD, LD, a clinical nutritionist at Atlanta's Emory Hospitals. This is because tomatoes and processed tomato products have high levels of a nutrient called lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives some fruits and vegetables their color.

Lycopene may prevent as well as treat several types of cancer. Research suggests it also may help prevent the LDL "bad" cholesterol in the bloodstream from being converted to oxidized LDL that can form plaques in arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks.

Peppers have antioxidants too, such as beta carotene, which can help boost the immune system and prevent the cell damage that comes from free radicals, a natural byproduct of our bodies' normal functioning. Studies show damaged cells can lead to a number of diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

Peppers also have plenty of vitamin C, even more than tomatoes. Just a half cup of the green, yellow, or red varieties have more than 230% of your daily vitamin C requirement. Keep some pepper strips on hand for a tasty calorie-controlled snack. A half cup of fresh peppers has only 20 calories.

Nothing says summer like the colorful array of berries that start showing up in your produce section at the grocery store. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries satisfy your sweet tooth and are rich in nutritional bonuses, such as vitamin C. Strawberries have the most vitamin C of any member of the berry family.

Andrea Dunn, RD, LD, of The Cleveland Clinic, says, "Berries are rich in a substance called ellagic acid, which acts as an antioxidant, helps the body deactivate specific carcinogens, and slows the reproduction of cancer cells. Berries may also help prevent urinary tract infections."

Abercrombie adds, "Berries are a good source of fiber, which in turn help in lowering cholesterol." She also notes that studies with blueberries show they can help improve memory.

Berries in general are convenient to eat, tasty, and easily eaten by themselves or mixed with yogurt for
smoothies. Their per-serving calorie count can be as low as 45 calories. You can cook them, too, though that tends to break down the antioxidants. A "cool" way to preserve them? Pop them into the freezer, and eat them frozen for a refreshing snack.

Not so long ago, yogurt was considered something only health food junkies ate. Now, it is a dietary staple for many who enjoy the taste, convenience, low calories, and, yes, health benefits.

Yogurt can even help you slim down, according to recent studies showing a low-calorie diet that includes three servings of dairy a day can help promote weight loss. Orlansky says yogurt is very appealing to those wanting to lose weight because of the protein/carbohydrate combination it offers.

"These nutrient combinations can help stave off hunger," she explains, adding that, "Yogurt contains about 30% of the recommended daily value in calcium and should be added to the diet since most American adults are not drinking milk."

Yogurt is made by curdling milk with purified cultures. That means that in addition to protein and calcium, it is high in live active organisms called probiotics. These can boost your immunity, prevent yeast infections, and keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy.

Flavored, plain, or low fat, you can eat yogurt as a snack or as the protein source at a meal. Yogurts make a great dip for fruits and vegetables and a delicious dessert topping instead of ice cream. For the best of smart and tasty eating, combine low-fat yogurt and fresh berries for a summer smoothie.

Protein- and Fiber-Packed Beans
The benefits of beans or legumes are as wide as the varieties available. Peas, lentils, black beans, butter beans, lima beans, garbanzo beans (also called chickpeas) -- and that's a very short list. All are nutrient-rich and great sources of fiber, iron, and protein.

These small, tasty treasures can help you feel full longer, while curbing your appetite for foods that are high in fat. They have little or no fat themselves and are usually inexpensive as well. Most are good raw and can be easily mixed with other foods to add flavor, substance, and color.

"Substituting beans for animal protein in a meal can lower calories, saturated fat, and provide zero cholesterol," says Orlansky. She adds they are "particularly high in soluble fiber, which helps blood cholesterol levels."

Cleveland Clinic dietitian Andrea Dunn also notes that most beans are an excellent source of folate. Adequate amounts of folate may help keep the heart strong and are important for expectant moms, since studies show folate helps reduce certain birth defects in a growing baby.

The calorie count for a 4-ounce serving of beans ranges from about 65 calories for frozen peas to 115 for boiled black-eyed peas. The highest count, with just 160 calories, goes to Borlotti beans.

"Time to tango with the mango," Dunn says of this not-well-known summer treat. Mangoes have been a staple of people's diets in Southeast Asia and India for more than 4,000 years.

Mangoes have some big advantages over other fruits. They contain more fiber than most, which helps you curb your appetite. They are low in calories (about 95 for a medium fruit), fat, and sodium, contain no cholesterol, and have more beta carotene than any other fruit.

"Not only a source of one-fourth your vitamin A for the day, the mango is also a great source of vitamin C," Dunn explains, adding that it provides about 76% of your daily vitamin C needs in just one cup and is a nice alternative to oranges.

Mangoes are also high in carotenoids (like beta carotene) and bioflavanoids. These powerful antioxidants are good for a healthy immune system and help repair the cell damage that can lead to disease, such as cancer.
Potassium is another benefit of eating mangoes, which are loaded with this important mineral. Your body needs potassium to help regulate blood pressure and heartbeat, but many people don't get enough.

Last but Not Least, Wonderful Water
Probably the most important "food" of any diet is water. In fact, it's essential. It may have no nutritional value, but it is a catalyst for a majority of bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, and cell function.
Water is also key for helping those trying to lose weight. It curbs hunger pains, especially when it's included in foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits.

"Research has shown that water-containing foods like fruits and vegetables and soups are encouraged for weight control because of the water," Orlansky says. "The water increases the volume of the food and lowers the amount of calories." Another reason water helps with weight loss is that if you don't get enough water, your body will try to hold on to what it has so it can continue to operate. This will leave you bloated and the only way to get rid of the excess water is to take in more water.

The adult human body is 60% water and on average, loses about one cup or 8 ounces per day from normal activity. On the upside, a typical daily diet includes about four cups of water in the food you digest. Still, nutritionists advise drinking eight glasses of water daily to keep your body functioning like a well-oiled, or hydrated, machine.

Until we met again in the next issue of Look Great Feel Happy, have a wonderful day in the sun and remember to try out the summer secret diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your immunity system to get that extra protection agaist the swine flu that's spreading fast now.

Tips for a lean,sexy, physique body

One thing I know about summer is the great weather. It's also the time for beach and lots of fun in the sun. For those of you who wish to go to the beach but worry how you would look like in a bathing suit. I've got the just the article for you to get that lean, sexy, physique. It's an article by Jason Yun on nutrition and exercise to make you look incredible and delicious. Enjoy....

Fitness and nutrition are not rocket science. Although some people make it out to be. There's a lot of misinformation out there that seems to be confusing a lot of people. I'm going to bring it back to the basics and keep it simple.

Here are my top 2 nutrition and exercise tips to look better naked this bathing suit season:

NUTRITION TIPS FOR A LEAN, SEXY, PHYSIQUE:

1. Wake up and eat. Repeat every 3 hours.

The days of eating 3 square meals are gone. They really never should have been. What they did to a person's metabolism and fat burning ability was reduce it to an almost non-existent function. Look, in order to burn fat and burn it all day long you need to eat a minimum of 5 times a day and every 2-4 hours. The more times you eat will actually be more beneficial to you. It's what's known as the Thermic effect of food. You burn calories every time you eat.

Now if you eat junk every 2-4 hours that won't help anything at all. You can't out train bad nutrition. You can go to McDonald's and eat a value menu and pack away 1000 calories in under 10 minutes. You'll spend a lot of hours in the gym trying to burn off 1000 calories!

So what do you want to focus on when you do eat? That leads us into the tip #2:

2. Think fibrous foods and lean proteins when it comes to foods.
When it comes to stubborn body fat the first think you want to reduce is your total carbohydrate intake. So try and think about fiber before anything when consuming carbs. Fibrous carbohydrates have a very high Thermic effect and fill you up a lot better than carbs without fiber in them. So focus on vegetables, fruits, and whole wheat or oats. You also want to cycle your carbohydrate intake down as you progress throughout the day. So the most carbs you would consume would be at breakfast and then you taper them off as you go throughout the day.

You also want to get lean protein. Protein builds lean muscle and muscle is huge when it comes to a fast metabolism. Protein also has the highest Thermic effect over any type of food. So concentrate on lean chicken, turkey, beef, eggs, milk, fish, and game.

EXERCISE TIPS FOR A LEAN, SEXY PHYSIQUE

1. Incorporate full body interval, weight training into your routine.
This is the kind of stuff that gets your metabolism, strength, and fat burning operating at full capacity! No joke! Body part splits are simply a joke and a complete waste of time unless you are a bodybuilder. Whole body routines will get the most out of your workouts in the least amount of time.

And when you add interval training to the mix you'll be burning the fat all day long, and your energy will be skyrocketed. One of the best intervals you can do is a 50-10 5-exercise split. So you basically exercise as hard as you can for 50 seconds and then rest for 10 and then go again with another exercise for 50 more seconds. It's intense. An example would look like this:

Exercise #1: Dumbbell Squat

Exercise #2: Dumbbell Overhead Press

Exercise #3: Dumbbell Stiff-Legged Dead lifts

Exercise #4: Dumbbell Renegade Pushups and Rows

Exercise #5: Squat Thrusts
That circuit is killer! Just make sure to pick a weight that is light enough to get through the circuit, but heavy enough to give a challenge.

2. Change it up!
People that don't like to exercise are not going to exercise if it is boring. And doing the same thing day in and day out for weeks or months or even years on end will get boring pretty quickly. Plus you will stagnate a lot more quickly. The body is very smart and will adapt to something you do over and over again. And if there isn't some kind of change it simply won't be stimulated enough to entice new gains.

A change can be something as small as changing your rest period between sets or rounds. It can be a change in weight, change in reps, change in exercise order, or change in a combination of such.

But I like to change it completely around. Exercises, time, rest, number of sets or rounds, weight, everything. I also like to change the implements. Variety is the key to keeping your body guessing and always growing and getting stronger, faster, better at long and short intervals.

This is basically what bootcamp training is. And why I love it so much. Using equipment like kettlebells, medicine balls, sleds, dumbbells, punching bags, barbells, sandbags, body weight, sledgehammers keeps it interesting. Don't be a mindless zombie in your training. Next time you train find a new exercise to incorporate into your training and do it. New exercises always hit the body in a different way. And different is what the body needs to be challenged, and improve.

Give it a try!

How to Get Six Pack Sexy Abs

I know lots of people would love to get great looking abs. Well defined sculpted abs or a six pack abs for guys. Here's one of my favorite tips to get six pack abs especially for guys out there to try. It's a short article by DietitianJess, from ehow.com


Step 1

Resistance training or weight training, is the key to building lean body mass. If you want get rid of the ab flab, and reveal the muscles buried beneath, you need to incorporate resistance training into your exercise regimen. Muscle burns fat, each extra pound of muscle you put on burns an extra 50 calories per day! Replace five lbs. of fat with 5 lbs. of muscle and you could burn an extra 250 calories everyday just standing there!

Step 2

In addition to resistance training, you must also add a moderate amount of cardio to your weekly workout. Consider alternating one day of resistance training and one day of cardio. Remember, resistance training builds muscle, and continues to burn calories for up to 5 hours after your workout. In numerous studies, resistance training tops cardio for overall fat loss, which is your key to obtaining six-pack abs.

Step 3

Nutrition is another huge factor in your fight for fabulous abs. In order to build muscle you must include adequate protein in your diet. Usually the average of 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight is the standard. After resistance training, it is important to consume protein within 45 minutes. This will ensure that your body burns fat for fuel, and not muscle. There are many myths about how to build great abs out there, but the real truth is; resistance training to build muscle, which burns fat, moderate cardio and adequate nutrition.

However if you're in a rush like most people, here's a simple video of a 6 minute abs workout you can do at home using your sofa or couch. You can do it during the commercial break while watching your tv show.



So till the next issue of Look Great & Feel Happy, try out the workout consistently for that well defined sexy abs. Have a wonderful day.

Hair Essentials

Don't you just envy the girls in the shampoo commercials on the tele. Long silky hair so fine, lustrous and shiny. Well I came across tips for beautiful hair from http://www.merinews.com/ and I want to share it with you. Here it is below :

SPLIT ENDS, which are mainly caused when your hairs cell fail to hold together, are a result of exposure to harsh elements, chemicals or even excessive brushing. The right kind of shampoo will minimise hair damage.

Meanwhile, it is also important to replenish ceramides, which are hairs natural cement, and is responsible for holding the hair cells together. A ceramides enriched shampoo will help repair hair fiber and reduce split ends.

To maintain oily hair

Oily hair always goes with any oily skin. The scalp has a tendency to secrete excess oil, which makes it lank and greasy. It is therefore important to keep the scalp dry. Do not succumb to the temptations of a harsh shampoo, which temporarily restores your hair but harms it in the long run. Using a special shampoo for oily hair is the best, which is gentle enough to be used often. It also essential to rinse the shampoo thoroughly finishing with cold water.

For thin and limp hair

Secondly, do not comb your hair when wet, let it dry naturally and finger comb it. A hair dryer can boost your hair for a while but on a regular basis can prove harmful for your hair. Then, brush your brush straight from your scalp and shake it free.

For dry brittle hair

First check your shampoo! If you are using a harsh, unsuitable shampoo, it will not only dry your hair, it will cause breakage and dry scalp may turn flaky and cause a lot of other problems.

Use an especially mild shampoo made for dry hair. One fortified with essential oils to replace the last nourishment is ideal. A good conditioner also helps soften dry hair. After wash keep your damp hair in a turbaned towel for about 15 minutes. Finger comb it in a gentle massage like movements, this will activate the oil glands in your scalp. Then brush it gently. Oil massages followed by a steamy, hot towel on your head every 15 days will also help get rid of dryness

Thin, limp, hair does have a tendency to fall flat and dead. What you need is a volume booster. For starters choose your shampoo carefully. Ordinary shampoos do not do much for your kind of hair. Look up a shampoo especially for limp hair.

Well I hope you enjoyed that article till we meet again on the next issue of Look Great and Feel Happy. Have a wonderful hair day.

About achieving your Dreams

There is something very special about having a dream and achieving them. It serves as a motivation to push further and improve the quality of our life.

For me it has always been about having my own business and making lots of money. I've yet to achieve both but I am working towards them at my own pace. I have not given up on this idea just yet.

I believe everyone has this feeling too. About what they want to achieve in life. It could be a wonderful job that is not stressful, doing what you enjoy most and passionate about. It could be a special person you have special feelings for. It could be owning your dream car or house.

My nephew's friend who also happens to be my husband former employee, came by the house yesterday and we got to talking. He was telling us how much he was loving his new job as a receptionist in a big and prestigious hotel. Although we were very happy for him, we made it clear that he should have bigger goals in life. You see, this boy is an amazing cook, and we just hated the idea that he would he would waste his talents, being too comfortable in his new job.

We explained to him that he had a lot of potential in him to make a mark of himself in this world. For one, he is honest and hardworking. Two important factors that I felt are important to be succesful in business. We told him if he worked hard and smart, he could even have his own business. It could be a restaurant or a factory or anything he wants.

We told him that as an employee, he'd just earn money enough to feed himself and his family. However as a business owner, not only is he able to make money for himself and his family but for all the other employees working for him and their families too.

To achieve this would require a lot of hardwork, time , money and sacrife, but in return you'll get a satisfaction of achieving something which is priceless in life. A chance to make a differance in your life and in the life of others.

So the next time you felt like giving up on your dreams. Don't. Focus on the outcome of achieving those goals. There is nothing worse than always wondering on what could have been.

Until the next issue of Look Great & Feel Happy. Have a wonderful day.

Tips to prevent Swine flu & Nigella Sativa (black seed)

There are many things happening in the world today. One of it is the recent outbreak of swine flu which has spread from Mexico to USA, UK and other parts of the world. Therefore steps need to be taken in order to prevent contacting the disease. The CDC recommends taking these daily precautions such as :

• Avoid contact with people if u or they are sick.
  
  
• Stay at home — from work, school or other public activities — when you are ill.

• If you are ill with symptoms like fever cough, sore throat, chills, body ache or vomiting and diahearrea in serious cases, seek medical care as soon as possible.
  

• Shield others from your coughs and sneezes by using a tissue.
  
  
• Wash your hands frequently. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth.
  
  
• Maintain healthful habits — get ample sleep and exercise, drink lots of fluids to get rid of toxins, eat well and have adequate daily dose of sunshine for your supply of vitamin D which helps boost immunity system.
  

Apart from these, we need also to boost our immunity system. Eat well balanced diet so that the body get all the vitamin, minerals, protien and nutrition it needs to build up its immunity system. Take more foods which contains vitamin c, e, zinc, antioxidants, selenium, garlic, omega 3 fatty acids , all of which helps to boost up the body's immunity system. It's like going to war, you wanna be equipt with all the necessary weapons to defend and attack. In the same way the body needs all the necessary nutrients in order for it to defend it self and function properly.

If possible, eat more health supplements like multivitamins, if you are not able to eat a balanced diet. Personally my favorite supplement is Nigella Sative (black seed). Nigella Sativa increases the immunity system, it is anti-histamine, anti-tumour, anti-bacterial and anti inflammation all in one. It has been used traditionally in the Middle East and  India to treat coughs, athsma, diabetes, colds and flu, high blood pressure, stomach disorder, to dispel worms and parasites from intestinal track and many other ailments. The benefits of black seed can be summarized as follows :

• soothing bronchitis and coughs
• lighten and improves skin condition 
• stimulates menstrual periods
• increases the flow of breast milk
• provides quick burst of energy
• increases sperm count
• calms the nervous system
• encourages hair growth and retards hair fall out
• eliminates harmful toxins from the body

Perhaps that is why The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said in his divine wisdom about the Black seed

"Use this Black seed, it has a cure for every disease except death". (Sahih Bukhari)

Nigella sativa contains over one hundred valuable nutrients. It contains about 21% protein, 38% carbohydrates and 35% plant fats and oils. The contents are similar to evening primrose oil, but because of its complex composition, it is much stronger. Thymoquinone, Nigellone, and Fixed oils are the active ingredients of black seed . It is also rich in Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium, Vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B2, Niacin, and Vitamin C.  I find that if I'm sick , when I take nigella sativa , I will recover from my illness much  faster. 

Be careful and take extra precautions to prevent the spread of swine flu. Better be careful than sorry. Until we met again in the next issue of Look Great Feel Happy, have a wonderful day.

Pay yourself first and be Happy

No matter how much you hate to admit it, money is important. It's important to sustain life. It buys you food, pays your bills, pays your rent or house loans and a whole lot of necessities in your life. So whether you like it or not, you need to be heathy financially. If not you'll have lots of trouble to cover for unforeseen circumstances and build your eggnest.

There was something I read long ago which I think most of us don't really do. It's a real simple concept really. It's call 'Paying yourself First' which put simply is keeping aside money in your bank account preferably a fixed deposit or insurance or any account that does not allow you to withdraw from the account very easily.

So at the end of the month when you get your pay, the first thing to do is put aside 10% or more of it into your fixed deposit account before you go on a shopping spree. Because whether you like it or not, it's human nature whenever there's money in your pocket you tend to spend it.

Another useful advice is to have only one credit card or better still a debit card to use. That way you avoid spending too much money because the credit limit is less and you would be more careful not to overspend and exceed the credit limit. If you pay only by cash then you'll learn to value your money more. Having charge cards only creates false idea that you have more money when infact it's only a credit facility given by the credit card company, at the end of the month you still have to pay the bank for the amount that you spend plus a high interest rate for any balance unpaid.

There are many who fall into this money trap and find it hard to pull themselves out of it. Anyway you look at it all these steps require some amount of discipline on our part. Face it, if you wanna be happy you gotta save some and control your spending, especially now when the whole world is facing economic crisis. Economists will probably disagree with me by saying these will only shrink our economy by kerbing spending. But at the end of the day, if you're in a rut and have financial problems, are these economists going to help us out. I think not.

In short, remember to pay yourself first when you get your pay at the end of the month and control your spending. If you have lots of credit cards, get rid of all of them if you can. If not, just keep one for convenience or emergencies but remember to use with caution. Be your own boss not a slave to the finance companies. Till next time, stay healthy physically, mentally and financially, keep fit, look great and be happy.

Alkaline Vs Acidic Diet

If you're like most people, then you're favorite food are mostly acid producing diet. Acid producing foods like meat, eggs, dairy products, sugar, processed foods. While alkaline foods are mostly from the fruits and vegetables like broccoli, celery, carrots, lettuce, dried figs, apples, lemon and dates. No wonder mothers are always telling you to eat your vegetables.

Human blood should be slightly alkaline ( ph of 7.35-7.45). A ph of 7.0 is neutral, so anything below 7.0 is acidic and anything above is alkaline. The higher the acidity levels the more the body is oxygen deprived while higher alkaline ph reading means the richer oxygen environment. Unfortunately both extremes leads to health problems and illnesses.

When the body is acidic it will :-

• reduce the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients
• reduce the energy production in the cells
• decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells
• decrease it's ability to detoxify heavy metals
• make tumor cells thrive
• make the body more susceptible to fatigue and illness.

Toxic overload, emotional stress, and the body’s immune reaction to illness can cause an acid increase whereas exercise reduces it. Additionally, eating too much acid-producing foods put pressure on the body’s regulating systems to maintain pH neutrality. These demands tend to deplete the body of important minerals, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium if they have to take them from organs or bones so the acid can be safely removed from the body. Over time this delicate balancing act may result in mineral depletion and severe damage. The damage may go undetected for years, and diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, immune problems, or cardiovascular disease are the result.

A diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods to maintain health. To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

Watch this video to discover the benefits of an alkaline diet. Till next time. Stay fit, look great and feel happy . Try out the alkaline diet, you've got nothing to lose by investing in your health.