I’ve done a bit of research into how we can keep our face’s youthful looking with exercise!!

It seems that we don’t have to spend a fortune on facial products just to stay looking young.  I’ve already given you some really good home made facial products so now lets look at our exercise routine and see if we can all look 18 again!

With a regular facial fitness routine – ie exercising the muscles of your face, we can build up the muscles of our face and keep them toned and firm. Regular exercise can keep the muscles lifted enough to remove the sags and the skin can become smooth enough to reduce wrinkles.  Also, the blood circulation to the face will enable the tissue to repair itself.

You only need to take a few minutes a day with a routine (you could even do it watching the T.V if you don’t have anyone else watching you, he he!).

Here goes …..

Forehead  -  This will help smooth the wrinkles of the forehead. Place your fingers just above your brow. Then, with your fingers, pull the skin down. At the same time, try to raise your eyebrows. Repeat this 10 times.

Eyelids –  To deal with crows’ feet at the corners of the eyes, put the thumbs at the corners of the eyes and then shut your eyes tightly. Then, with your thumbs, pull at the skin towards the forehead. Repeat 10 times.  If you suffer with sagging eyelids then hold your index fingers close to the brow bone. Afterwards, raise your eyebrows. At the same time, try to close your eyes and repeat 10 times.

Cheeks –  Form an O with your lips and try to push them forward as fast as you can. Then release and smile as widely as you can. Repeat 10 times and have a laugh at how daft we probably look!

Chin  -  None of us want a double chin so,  push your lower lip upward as high as you can. You can also press your thumb on the bone just under your chin and then push your tongue against your lower gums as if it is trying to meet your thumb. Also, massage the flesh under your chin with your thumb with strokes directed towards your neck.

Neck  –  Arch your neck backwards and place your hand on your neck just under the chin. Let your hand slide downward and push at your collarbone.

Ok, so this isn’t going to work straight away.  As with any exercise programme you need to stick at it for a bit!  But, if you preserve a few minutes twice a day, five times a week, you will definitely notice a difference in a month or two.  Definitely worth it but I think I will do mine in private.  I think my husband and my 19 year old son would definitely think I’ve lost the plot!

As you all know I’ve been trying very hard to stick to my diet and get some weight off!  Well, so far I’ve lost 13lb, nearly a stone and I have to say I’m quite proud of myself.

It hasn’t been easy the last couple of weeks with starting a new job as a care worker and having a totally different routine to work around but I’ve managed quite well considering.

I find myself totally addicted to yoghurts at the moment.  If I find myself in a hurry they are just really easy to grab out the fridge and, this got me wondering – why are they so good for us?

Did you know that if you have some plain, live yoghurt after a course of antibiotics it will help to restore normal flora back to your gut.  It is also great for yeast infections and you can treat infected areas with yoghurt.  Anyone that suffers with thrush may already know this one!

Yoghurt is basically made from milk or cream which is cultured with active live cultures.  Active live cultures are good bacteria that are necessary to help the body to function at its best.  The good bacteria prevents the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause infections and diseases.  It keeps the yeast levels in our bodies more balanced and has also been know to help prevent urinary tract infections.

And, since it is made from dairy products it is also rich in calcium which, as we all know is great for bone and teeth health.  Calcium is especially important for those of us seeking to prevent bone density loss and osteoporosis.  It is also a great source of protein which give the body energy.

It is so versatile and easy to get into your diet from smoothies made with fruit pulp to frozen deserts to adding to curry dishes.  And babies from 6 months old absolutely love yoghurts and they will definitely thrive from eating them. 

In many middle eastern homes it is made freshly at home from a culture handed down, perhaps even over generations, but western tastes may prefer to buy a new culture every few weeks or so. Just add a pint of finger warm pasteurized milk to a small pot of live, plain yoghurt. You can use full cream or semi skimmed milk. Stir in a large tablespoon of dried milk powder. You then cover it and leave for about 8 hours in a warm place.

So, if you really want to look after your insides on a daily basis and keep your system topped up with good bacteria, eat a yoghurt (or in my case 2) a day!  You will definitely feel the benefits.

My daughter and I are both suffering slightly with dry hair at the moment.  My daughters particularly and as she is at college doing hairdressing, she is constantly messing, straightening, curling hers and everyone else’s!

What causes dry hair?

Well, there are two main reasons why our hair becomes dry and brittle …..

Firstly, we can have a lack of sebaceous gland production.  Sebum oil is produced by our skin glands which includes our scalp.  Normal secretion allows for the “coating” of the follicle shaft with oil that enhances growth, health and protection.  If we have an over-active gland it produces excess amounts of sebum and can result in oily hair. Lack of sebum, conversely, results in dry, brittle, or weak hair that is prone to breaking or snapping when combed or styled.

Secondly, and the main reason for most of us is over-styling.   Too much heat will deplete the hair of moisture.  Straighteners or Curling  tongs  set at high temperatures steam  our hair and destroy the medulla and its ability to provide nutrients and vitamins. Also, as my daughter has found out to her cost, perming can drastically damage your hair. The result is frizz and split-ends and brittle hair that is prone to breaking and loss of manageability.

How can we help it?

We’re back to that good old “Eating Right” scenario again and it really can do wonders for your hair. Vegetables, fruits and meats high in proteins convert to hydration that enables moisture-rich healthy follicles and improve circulation to the roots.

Also, spend a little bit of time looking for the right hair products.  Panthenol and Jojoba oil are great for raising moisture content and improves hair elastisicity.   Did you know that the Australians use Emu oil which has been used for thousands of years and is a natural moisturizer and anti-inflammatory.  It decreases flaking, itching and adds volume and smoothness to dry, dull, or lifeless hair.  I haven’t managed to come across any emu oil products over here in the UK but if anyone has, then I’d love to know where from!

Aromatherapies are also believed to help improve dry hair. If you add a combination of six drops of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential oils with six ounces of warm sesame or soy oils then apply the oil to the hair, wrap in towel for 15 minutes, then rinse; this will help in treating dry hair.   I think all that lavender and sandalwood would send me to sleep but worth a try!

Basically, hair needs plenty of MOISTURE so bare this in mind in your everyday routines and it should start to improve!

I have to say that at the moment, pasta is one of my favourite food items.  While im having a go at doing my Weight Watchers programme from years ago, pasta is one thing that I can eat and really fills me up!  As long as its not the filled pasta (no tortellini then!) I can eat it freely so I tend to grab it for quick easy meals.

Have a go at this lovely recipe for Tuna & Lemon Pasta, its fab and I really love it! x

Ingredients:

• 350g pasta shells
• 200g pack trimmed fine beans , cut into short lengths
• 200g can tuna in oil (or brine/spring water if being good!) 
• grated zest of a lemon
• 1 heaped tbsp small capers
• generous pinch of chilli flakes
• olive oil for drizzling

Method:

Ok, so this may sound a bit weird but just lately I cannot get enough of  fresh pineapple (and no, I’m not pregnant!)  But, since I’ve been sticking to my diet I have been eating quite a bit of it.  It may sound strange but my skins looking healthier and more luminous, my cold seems to be disappearing and I generally feel well.

I suppose it might just be coincidence but I decided to find out just a little bit about pineapples!  It turns out that they are incredibly beneficial to our health! 

As we all know, pineapple is a tropical fruit.  It is one of the most heavenly fruits to eat as it can satisfy my sweet craving and stops me diving for the chocolate.  It contains a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain, which helps in the digestion of protein and therefore can prevent blood clot formation.

Did you know that 1 cup of fresh pineapple pieces contains 73% of the manganese the body needs for the day?   Manganese, which is a trace mineral, is needed to build bone and connective tissues. Put it together with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate it can help people mild osteoarthritis in the joints.

Other nutrients included in a pineapple are Calcium, Potassium, Fiber and Vitamin C They have virtually no fat and cholesterol. Vitamin C is the body’s primary water soluble antioxidant, against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. It is also a good source of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, copper and dietary fibre.

The ample supply of Vitamin C within a pineapple is a widely known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. (Hence why my cold might be disappearing!!)  Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes healing.  It also helps to decrease the severity of cold and flu symptoms.

Pineapple is good for your gums (no false teeth for me with the amount I’ve been eating!) 

So, now that I’ve re-discovered this fantastic tropical fruit which just happens to come from a lovely warm climate, then why not treat yourself to one, have a slice for breakfast or maybe even a smoothie and enjoy the added benefits of such a fabulous exotic flavour.

Anybody that really knows me well will know that the last few months haven’t exactly been the easiest.  Being made redundant, being owed a fair amount of money and not knowing where to go next has really taken its toll on my mental state.

I know we all have to face a tremendous amount of anxiety and stress in our everyday lives and I’ve struggled to stay away from the doctor and avoid the old medication!  I’ve been there before many years ago and it isn’t always the right thing.  Its great short term but eventually you have to come off it.

The hardest part of all is recognizing the root cause of our anxiety and then base how we deal with it around this cause. 

We need to relax and try to forget our symptoms for a while, try and chill out and with a bit of clarity we can reorganize ourselves (and our brains!) into a more logical process.

 
My biggest problem is re-acting the wrong way too quickly.  I never sit down and take time to react the way I should.  I steam in and suffer the consequences.  I’m learning to take the day a bit slower in my head.  Nothing needs dealing with within 30 seconds does it?  Not really, when we think about it logically.  I have to say I have great support in my husband who (rather annoyingly) has the most logical brain I’ve ever come across! 

Take up something new.  Yoga, meditation classes, have the radio on more and get stuck into a good book.  It does do wonders for taking yourself out of things.  I have taken to just sitting for 5/10 minutes with a cup of tea and listening to the silence (not that I get it very often with 5 in the house!)  Time out is most important.
A good walk and fresh air on a daily basis really makes you feel great and never more so than in the rain I’ve found.  Oxygen feeds the brain and consequently wakens you up and makes you feel alive. Healthy eating and a really good night sleep will also help tremendously.  I just need to get my 5 year old to stop waking just after 5.00am every morning.

What’s really given me a great boost this week is that I’ve LOST WEIGHT!!  Yippy!   I keep playing at my diet, good days, bad days, but last week decided to stick to it like glue and hey presto, ½ stone lost.  It’s great for my mental state and much better for me than medication!

The most important thing of all ‘POSITIVE THINKING’, not something I’m brilliant at but I’m trying so much more than before.  I’ve decided to throw myself into something new this week and I’m doing a three day training course for care work.  I’m going to put a bit back into the community and occupy my mind with other people instead of myself.

Obviously, it doesn’t always work this way and if you really need help then go see the doctor, that’s what they are there for.  For me, I’m going to stay away from him for a while and I’m sure things will improve tremendously.

The plant commonly known as the ‘Miracle Plant’ or ‘Natural Healer’ has been around for over 4000 years and has numerous beneficial vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes and natural sugars which can help with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants and restoration.

The general benefits of Aloe Vera are varied. It can benefit a person both externally and internally. The studies and research into the healing powers of Aloe Vera are on going and more uses for this plant are sure to be found. This power packed plant provides so many essential minerals, vitamins and substances that the human body needs and its ability to heal has long been known to those who practice home remedies.

As we all know Aloe Vera moistens and softens the skin and I use Aloe Vera a lot for my dry skin especially after showering/bathing.  It is used worldwide in the manufacture of cosmetics and is considered a valuable ingredient.

It is also fantastic as an anti ageing product!  It is naturally healing and regenerating on a cellular level so any anti ageing product you buy with Aloe Vera helps your skin rejuvenate from the inside. Also, because of its great healing qualities it is ideal for using on insect bites, burns, rashes, sunburn etc.  This is because of the magnesium lactate which calms down itching, helping the skin to recover quickly.

Did you also know that Aloe Vera can be taken orally?  It can help your digestive tract function properly and so heal your insides as well!  It is known to be really good for constipation.

If you want to give a Aloe Vera a try then visit Holland & Barretts website and see what great products they have.  They have everything from Gels to Juice to Toothpaste!!

Well, it got me thinking that maybe something like that could actually work so I’ve tracked it down on Amazon and I think I might just have a go and see!

This is the description published to entice us …..

Would you like to eat whatever you want and still lose weight? Would you like to feel really happy with your body? Are you unable to lose those last 10 pounds? Do you find it difficult to say no to second helpings? Do you get disheartened about your eating habits and your weight? Then this amazing book and CD can help you! Welcome to a revolutionary way to stop overeating, control cravings and feel totally motivated to take exercise. Paul McKenna has developed a breakthrough weight-loss system that re-patterns your thoughts, attitudes and beliefs about yourself, your health and food to help you easily take control of your diet and lose weight permanently. As you use Paul’s amazing system, the latest psychological techniques will automatically help you to start losing weight straight away! You can use it again and again to make you feel happier about yourself as you go all the way to your ideal shape, size and weight.

A lady has written a great review on how it has worked for her …. This is an extract from what she has written.

“How I stopped being a greedy pig with no effort at all!”

“I loved the idea of listening to a CD that would hypnotize me into losing weight because somehow I still believed that there was a cheater, short-cut way to lose weight. I didn’t really believe that it would work and assumed that this would be money thrown away. Well, guess what? This is day 16 and I have lost 4 kilos. That is almost 9 pounds and I swear it was without effort. The book is a quick read, intelligent and to the point, but the CD that is included with it is even better”.

Sound promising doesn’t it! I still think that a lot of will power must be needed but I’m game, anyone else?

I’m going to give Evening Primrose Oil a try for a bit…….

Evening primrose oil is a type of oil that is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose, so called because it flowers in the latter part of the day. The oil is then usually purified and placed inside a capsule which can then be swallowed with relative ease.

The oil contained in the seed has been found to be an essential fatty acid that is needed for the growth and development of the body. The only way to receive this type of oil is through dietary sources which is why manufacturers now make capsules that contain high amounts of this oil as this is the easiest way of getting the oil into the system.

How Might Evening Primrose Oil Benefit Health?

Evening primrose oil has been thought to help ease many symptoms familiar to women such as pre-menstrual problems, those associated with the menopause and also may help ease arthritic pain and eczema and improve your skin. It is a natural product and contains no chemicals other than those contained in the capsule itself.

I’m sure it won’t be a quick fix and I know I need to take it for several months to see if it improves my skin but I think maybe its worth a go.

If anyone has any other advice for me, please let me know lisa@lovebeingawoman.net.

2 Medium Sized Ripe Bananas, 2 Cups Skimmed Milk, 1/2 Cup Skimmed Dry Milk Powder

1/3 Cup Wheat Germ, 1/2 Cup Fat Free Plain Yoghurt, 1tsp Vanilla Essence, 2.5 tsp of Low Calorie Sweetener

Blend all ingredients together and divide into four glasses.  For a little bit of extra zing try adding  just a pinch of ground cinnamon!

Calories per Serving  :  190 Cals

Fat : 2 g

This is a great way to get the day started, it is low in calories and fat which is definately worth trying.

Interesting facts about the Banana!

Bananas are one of the most nutritious fruits available year-round. Bananas are a versatile fruit that can be cooked, baked, toasted or eaten raw, and make a nutritious addition to a variety of recipes. Mixed with other fruits in a salad or smoothie, used to top hot or cold breakfast cereals, as an ingredient in baked goods or just peeled and eaten as a snack, bananas are a healthy food choice for both kids and adults.

Banana Nutrients

Bananas make for a nutritious and healthy food choice because they are a good source of fiber, are low in sodium, cholesterol, calories, and contain almost no fat. Because bananas are loaded with potassium (422 mg per medium banana), bananas are a great post-workout snack for those who strength train or engage in cardio exercise to help replace potassium lost through sweating. Bananas are also a good source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Manganese and Folate.

Bananas provide trace amounts of calcium, zinc, copper, iron, vitamin E, and selenium. In addition, bananas also contain fructo-oligosaccharide, a resistant starch that acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics promote a healthy gut and help the body more easily absorb nutrients from food.

As you can probably tell ….  I go Banana’s for a Banana!