Postpartum Dietary Guidelines by Alien

Losing weight after delivering your bundle of joy is possible if you learn to change the way you eat.

The first way to do this is to eliminate the word diet temporarily from your vocabulary. This is particularly important if you are breastfeeding. You should consider yourself on a journey toward healthy eating not dieting. Some women . will be able to breastfeed successfully without adding any extra calories to their diet. Be sure that you ask your physician before attempting this, as you don't want to affect your milk supply.

So we are going to talk about creating a healthy eating plan to help you lose weight instead of a diet. Your motto from here on out should be to eat healthily. You can and you will lose weight if you adopt this strategy!

Let's talk about some simple yet effective strategies for losing weight via a healthy eating plan.

Portion Size

Portions are out of control everywhere! People have simply gotten into the habit of eating larger than normal sizes. Most restaurants now offer servings that are more well suited for three people than they are for one.

What can you do? If you eat out frequently the first thing you should consider doing is having your waiter box up half of your meal. This will prevent you from overeating and allow you to enjoy your meal without having to worry about packing on extra pounds.

If you are cooking for yourself, keep this in mind: a proper portion of protein should be about the size and depth of the palm of your hand. So, if you want to cook a steak, consider a steak that is about the size of your palm. Likewise, a serving of starchy carbohydrate should be about 1 cup, or about the amount of your fist. Not very much when you think about it is it?

Fortunately you can be a little more liberal when it comes to vegetables. Eat all the salad you want, BUT don't pile on the fatty dressing. Did you know just a tablespoon of your favorite dressing can pack on more than a hundred extra calories? Try asking for your dressing on the side, this way you can control the amount of dressing you will be adding to your salad. You can even dip a forkful of your salad into your dressing rather than pour it on top.

Other additions to the traditional 'salad' that make it fattening include bacon bits, cheese and guacamole. Your traditional taco salad is typically loaded with fatty extras including sour cream. If you are a fan of the taco salad, avoid eating the shell at all costs and consider using salsa instead of ranch dressing, you'll save several hundred calories.

Consume Enough Water

Many people believe that they are hungry when in reality they are thirsty. The body sometimes mistakes these two signals. If you think you might be hungry but have just recently eaten, consider having a large glass of water and waiting a few minutes.

Did you know that most people walk around in a state of dehydration? It is true. The best thing you can do to avoid this problem is drink at least eight large glasses of water per day (that is 8 to 10 oz of water per glass for all you that are counting!). If you feel thirsty, chances are you are already dehydrated to some extent.

Nursing women actually require more water than the average woman. Triple this if you plan on working out and perspiring. What does this mean? You should basically plan on having a water bottle at your side at all times.

Not a fan of plain water? No problem! Consider spicing up your water with a squeeze of lemon, lime or even orange. There are also many sparkling waters that are available on the market today.

Water can also help you lose weight when you drink water with your meals, which will help you feel fuller and help you eat less if you are trying to lose weight.

Add Fiber

Fiber is an important part of any diet. Most people aren't eating enough fiber. Fiber is not only important for maintaining proper elimination, it helps keep your colon healthy and can help you lose weight!

Ok so fiber is important. What exactly is it? Fiber is basically roughage, or the indigestible materials that are found in plants. It has no calories and your body doesn't have the ability to absorb it. High fiber foods can be either soluble or insoluble, meaning it can either be broken down and dissolved in water or not.

Both forms of fiber are actually very important to your health and digestive system. Fiber can help bulk up your bowel movements so that waste materials move through your body quickly and efficiently. This helps maintain your colon health and prevent constipation.

Fiber can also help regulate blood sugar and may help regulate blood cholesterol levels. An even better bonus? Fiber can help slow the absorption of sugar after a meal, and help you feel fuller longer.

Generally high fiber foods are low in calories. They make you feel full faster. Here is a list of some excellent high fiber selections that you should consider adding to your diet:

High Fiber Foods

* Fruits * Vegetables * Beans * Popcorn * Brown Rice * Whole Grains * Wheat Bran * Psyllium * Barley * Oatmeal * Prunes

How can you tell if you are consuming enough fiber on a day to day basis? You should try to eat at least 20-35 grams of fiber per day. Most people don't get even half of this amount in their daily diet.

One important thing to note here... if you drastically increase the amount of fiber in your diet overnight, you will experience some discomfort, primarily in the form of bloating, diarrhea and gas. Be sure to add fiber to your diet, but do so gradually and you will avoid these unpleasant symptoms.

Tips for Adding Fiber to Your Diet

* Eat fresh fruits and vegetables rather than juices. * Keep the skin on fruit and be sure to eat it. * Choose unprocessed foods over processed ones. * Select whole grain foods when possible.

One additional note here... it is important to increase the amount of water you are drinking as you increase the amount of fiber in your diet, again to ensure proper digestion and to avoid uncomfortable symptoms.

Sugar and Sugar Substitutes

Is sugar really bad for you? In a word, yes! Sugar isn't really bad, but it certainly doesn't provide you with any nutrients or high quality vitamins and minerals. Most people have trouble losing weight because their diets are jam packed full of sugar.

Sugar is in everything, particularly foods that have been overly processed. Think sugar isn't in the Chinese take out you ordered the other night? Think again! Sugar serves one purpose when you are trying to lose weight... it packs on calories!

Eating too much sugar will also help disrupt your blood sugar levels, causing your blood sugar to rapidly rise and fall again, which (you guessed it) will help contribute to weight gain by making you hungry more of the time.

So what can you do to reduce your intake of sugar? First and foremost you should work to eliminate the amount of processed food that you eat. Whenever possible you should be consuming foods that are in their natural state. This includes plenty of lean meats, fruits and vegetables. Anything that comes in a box that is microwaveable is a processed food item.

Even pre-made pancakes are processed! Have you ever looked at the ingredients on the side of the box? You will undoubtedly run into 'sugar' at some point or another. Many cereals also contain large amounts of sugar.

Make your own pancakes if you can with flour, milk and eggs. Another thing you can to do help facilitate your weight loss is start reading labels. If you read before you buy you are less likely to add things to your cart that are high in calories due to added sugar.

If you have a sweet tooth, you might consider sugar substitutes. Some popular selections include Splenda and NutraSweet. Some people also substitute honey for sugar. Honey is actually a better choice than sugar because people tend to use less and It is low in calories.

Eat Slowly and Thoughtfully

Far too many people eat while they are on the go. Even more eat while they are watching television.

This is actually one of the number one things you can do that will sabotage your diet. Time and time again studies have shown that people tend to eat more when they eat in front of the TV. Why? Well for one you are eating absentmindedly.

So what can you do to avoid mindless eating? First and foremost turn off the television. If at all possible you should strive to sit down and enjoy your meal whenever possible.

Now, we certainly understand that you have a new baby, and are very busy. Baby's needs usually get addressed before mommy's. However, EVERYONE has ten minutes in the day where they can slow down long enough to eat. When you eat it is important that you do so thoughtfully.

The first thing you should do is actually inhale your food. Smell it. Simply smelling your food sends signals to your brain that you are fulfilling your biological need to eat, and will help trigger your satiety signals when you are full, helping prevent overeating.

The next thing you need to do is actually chew your food. Take a bite and chew your food thoroughly. In the hub to get things done most people don't actually chew there food, they inhale it. Chewing your food thoroughly will help saliva break down the food you are eating and help you feel full faster. People who actually chew there food tend to fill up much faster than those that don't.

You should also learn to enjoy your food. Savor every taste. Take note of the texture of the food you are eating. This is what is known as mindful eating, and like chewing your food, it will help you avoid over-eating because you are paying more attention to what you are eating rather than simply gorging yourself.

Pre-Cook Meals

Any experienced mom will tell you the value of pre-cooked meals. Meals you cook ahead of time are meals that are readily available when chaos breaks lose and you no longer have the time to cook a proper meal for you and your family.

Consider taking one day of the week to prep a bunch of meals for that week. If you pre-plan you meals, you have time to ensure that everything you are preparing is cooked in a healthy, low fat and high nutrient manner.

If you have never been much of a cook in the past, consider purchasing a low fat cookbook and trying out a few recipes. There are many versions out there that offering easy cooking recipes for people on the go.

Any meals you prepare ahead of time you can break down into single serving or multiple serving sizes and place in the freezer for later consumption.

How does pre-cooking help you lose weight? If you have meals prepared ahead of time, you are less likely to order a pizza or some other unhealthy food on the spur of the moment because you don't have a lot of time to prepare a full meal.

Pre-cooking meals will also enable you to better control portion sizes. You can decide ahead of time how much food is the right amount, and keep track of the caloric content of the foods you are preparing.


About the Author

Alien writes for Pregnancy information . He also writes for eye stye and herbal medicines

Beauty Techniques For The Busy Woman by Donna Rivera-Loudon

Have you ever wondered how to get the nice fresh look that many celebrities have? Well, below are some simple and easy techniques that help you give your makeup a natural, fresh, and beautiful look.

Technique Number One

For softer definition, just fill in the gaps between your upper lashes and in brow spaces. This gives you a nice fresh look.

Technique Number Two

Make the most of your mascara wand. Jiggle it at the lash base for more intense definition. Use the tip to build outer lashers.

Technique Number Three

Highlights and lowlights, intensified eye color, smoky eyes... the effects of a quad eye shadow are endless.

Technique Number Four

For a more natural look, apply lip liner after lip color, and pick a color that matches your lip tone.

Technique Number Five

Don't be afraid to try a new shade or finish of lip color. Think of it as a mini vacation for your lips. You can always come home to your favorite color.

Technique Number Six

For the most irresistible, juicy pout, lavish your lips with a hi-gloss shine.

Technique Number Seven

Less is more. Apply your foundation before your concealer. You'll use less makeup and look more natural.

Technique Number Eight

Before you clip, snip, smooth, and shape your nails, soak your hands and feet to soften your skin and cuticles.

Three Bonus Tips

Do you want lashes that last? Then replace your mascara every three months. This will help keep your lashes from drying out and breaking

Summer is almost here. Even with sunscreen, your skin tone gets deeper in the summer. Go a shade darker than you do in the winter for a more natural look.

You can have too much of a good thing - too much fragrance can drive people away. You'll know you're wearing the right amount of fragrance if only you and someone close enough to embrace you is able to catch the scent of it.

Eye products should be used as the last step in your daily skin care regimen after cleansing, toning, treating and moisturizing.

I hope you have enjoyed these tips and techniques. Having that look of natural beauty doesn't have to cost you a lot of money and time.


About the Author
Donna has an MBA in information technology and is currently a Tupperware Director, a webmaster, and a college professor. Visit Donna's Avon Website or visit A Website for the Modern Woman

Mineral Foundation: The panacea of makeup? by beautypro

In the last few years mineral cosmetics have become well-known. Touted as the "natural" cosmetic foundation and free of goopey liquids (mineral oils, silicone, etc.), they are sold everywhere from infomercials to your local drugstore. They have become very popular and the latest in new formulations.

My general experience with minerals has been a mixed-bag. They have some wonderful qualities and some drawbacks (for me, anyway). On the pro side of the list are the fact that they are natural, sheer and lightweight, usually have a natural sun protection factor and are super easy to apply and blend well.

The minerals I've tried have been Sheer Cover, Bare Escentuals, Youngblood and a few drugstore lines (Neutrogenia, Physician's Formula and others). They are have the same light texture and sheer finish--generally. An this is where we come into the mixed bag. If you apply them on a freshly cleansed and moisturized face, you MUST let the skin dry very well before applying or you will get splotchy coverage. This can be annoying when you're pressed for time.

In addition, if you have dry and/or mature skin, minerals may not be for you. Even if you have moisturized well and let the skin dry, as minerals are essentially a powder, they will accentuate dry skin, lines, wrinkes, etc. The one way to use minerals on dry skin is to use a very light touch. If you use a light touch and buff them into your skin with a large, fluffy brush, you will basically remove the excess leaving just a light coverage.

Oily skin will fare better with minerals, but should also use a light touch and apply to dry skin. Minerals can be re-applied as needed throughout the day, but as with powder, they will build up and look cakey.

Using minerals on dry/mature skin will be most beneficial if mixed with moisturizer and made into a sort of liquid foundation. Then, if you need more coverage, you can apply a light coat of dry minerals over it. This method will give you wonderful, lasting coverage. Mix a small amount in your hand with your sunscreen or moisturizer. It will give you a light, sheer but nice even finish to your skin.

As far as brands, I listed above my personal experience. I prefer the Sheer Cover brand over the Bare Escentuals. BE uses mica in some of their formulations and this can create a shiny, almost sparkly finish. That is not something you want when you have dry or mature skin. Sheer Cover has a great light coverage without the mica. In addition, they have a nice little concealer compact they send with their "kit." It works well (nice and creamy).

BE does have one essential product: Well-Rested. It's a light beigey colored mineral used in the eye area. Applied over your cream concealer, it give a nice finish plus perks up the eye area a bit. Neutrogena has a decent mineral. I used the bronzer with a built-in brush. It seemed dry and not quite as sheer as I'd like. Not bad, though. Youngblood is still being tested, but so far it's a positive response.

Bottom line, when choosing a mineral foundation, be careful to choose a very sheer formulation without mica or anything that will cause shimmer. In addition, invest in a large, fluffy powder or kabuki brush. These give the best blend to the mineral formulations.

Til next time... Keep Lookin' Good!

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About the Author
beautypro is a site dedicated to helping women over 40 look and feel their best! Visit our blog at: http://beautypro.wordpress.com/tag/beauty-tips/

Moving Far From Home While on a Budget Isn't For Sissies - But Can be Rewarding in the End by Carolyn McFann

Moving interstate is a lot of work, but in the end can be a wonderful experience. It is hard to leave friends and family behind, of course, but living in a new area may bring opportunities that weren't available to you in your hometown, like better job offers, new restaurants to visit and more. Remember, you can talk on the phone with family members whenever you like; they are still there, just a little harder to visit, that's all. It just takes planning, research and somewhat of an adventurous spirit.

After a nasty relationship breakup, it was time to start completely over and move far from home, to rid myself of my crazy ex. Not having a large budget to work with, I sold my bulkiest items, and put the rest of my belongings in storage right before leaving. A few weeks prior, I'd spent time researching places that would be better suited to my needs. The city I was living in was industrial and fairly rural, offering me little job opportunities. I'd moved from my hometown to be with my ex, who turned out to be totally wrong for me on all levels. So, it was time to hit the highway.

After choosing my new state of Florida, I packed my little car carefully, making sure to leave room for my two cats and myself. My little Cutlass Ciera was filled to the brim with my valuables as we drove the 1200 mile trip. By leaving everything else in storage, I could come back as needed to take the furniture and other more bulky things. With me in the car were food and water for my cats, an overnight bag for myself and a lot of plants that I refused to leave behind. It was quite a sight to be seen, two cat heads peering out the windows, meowing most of the way there (until their little lungs wore out), and plants sticking out of every window. But, we got there in one piece, in a little under two days.

First to do in my new state was to find a weekly-rate hotel, something safe and clean. I found a lovely, large hotel that had only suites, giving me a kitchen and a comfortable living environment as I got to work looking for better living options. The place I'd thought I would live at, prior to moving there, had been unacceptable, so I had to find a better place, soon. By reading different newspapers and visiting all interesting apartment ads, I found one that would be allright for the time being. It needed a little renovation but was in a desirable area. We moved there for a few weeks, until I found employment and could afford better.

After getting a job in sales, it was time to move up to a better place. My furniture hadn't been brought down from the north yet, so moving was easy. This time, the move was ideal, a lovely apartment, in a safe and beautiful area, on a lake and close to everything. Finally, paradise had been found. My furniture was then brought down to Florida from storage and, with my new items I'd bought locally, the apartment is finally, "home." If I hadn't taken the risk, this never would've happened, and it would be depressing living the former city, which was cold, dreary and not to my liking.

It takes guts to jump in your car, and just go like this. Be prepared to hire movers at a premium price when moving furniture interstate. If you don't value your furniture, then sell it before leaving, and buy new ones once you're moved. Try to rent a temporary place first, to get a feel for the area, and find out what areas are most safe, and pleasant to live in. Educate yourself so that you can make informed decisions on where to go. When you finally find the place you love, begin to acclimate yourself - find a doctor, vet (if you have pets,) and a good car repair place you can rely on. Normally, reading phone books is boring, but in a new city, they are a better read than any novel. Just flip through the Yellow Pages and see what businesses are out there for you. Drive around, find shortcut routes, and parks. In short, make the area familiar and your adjustment to this new place will be more comfortable. Allow yourself to see the world if you desire, this way you will not have regrets later. Remember to have safety in mind, and choose your new neighborhood carefullly. Once moved, enjoy your new home. It will be worth all the effort in the end.


About the Author
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer.

Natural Skin Care by D. Bryan McDermott

Several natural skin care product manufacturers are now including honey as a main ingredient. Honey is nourishing for the skin, but the products on the shelves often also contain other substances that will dry the skin, defeating the purpose of using the honey. Fortunately, you can concoct honey-based remedies in your own kitchen or bathroom, and they make a great adjunct to your basic natural skin care routine.

For basic cleansing, you can make your own soap from honey, oatmeal, and bee propolis - the waxy anti-bacterial, anti-fungal substance bees use to seal and protect their hives. The honey attracts and retains moisture, the propolis protects against bacteria and fungi, and the oatmeal exfoliates. The overall effect is clean, smooth and supple skin.

After cleansing, a toner made from honey and rosewater gets rid of residual dead skin, impurities and excess oil, and restores the pH balance. You can use cotton balls to apply it, making sure they look totally clean before you stop the toning process. If you have oily skin, you may want to include a little witch hazel.

A honey facial mask, used about once a week, is also beneficial for natural skin care. First open the pores with a warm, damp cloth, smooth the honey on your face and neck, leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Splash you face with cold water afterwards to close the pores.

One of the common causes of dry skin is bathing. It may be hard to believe that being in a tub full of water can dehydrate the skin, but, nevertheless, that's exactly what it does. Because honey is a natural humectant - which means it attracts and helps retain water � adding � cup of honey to your bath will help your skin stay hydrated, and leave it feeling smooth and silky.

After you've finished your honey beauty treatment, keep your skin looking that way for hours with a shielding lotion. It will lock in moisture, and keep chemicals and environmental pollutants from irritating the skin.

The world's greatest beauties from days gone by obviously did not have access to the barrage of chemical skin care products now available, but nature provided them with everything they need. More and more, dermatologist and other health professionals are recognizing that nature does indeed have something to offer, and natural skin care products are becoming more popular. With luck, you will soon find everything you need on the shelves instead of in your kitchen.

Natural Skin Care


About the Author
Mr. McDermott is an accomplished publisher and copywriter. You can view his blog at: http://natural--skin-care.blogspot.com

Endometriosis Diet by Kristi Patrice Carter

Many women and girls are infected with a very painful disease called endometriosis. This is an estrogen sensitive condition which causes painful menstrual cycles as well as many other severe problems including infertility. The painful cramps associated with the disease are due to prostaglandin synthesis in the woman's body. What does this mean?

The body produces many different types of prostaglandins that come from different dietary sources through a composite chain of pathways. But with a tailored endometriosis diet you can help to control the negative actions the bad prostaglandins have on your body. The whole purpose of an endometriosis diet is to increase the positive effects that the good prostaglandins have on the body and to block the bad ones helping to improve overall symptoms. The bad effects actually increase uterine contractions, making cramping more painful and frequent, where as the good ones actually have a calming soothing effect.

You can actually stimulate the productions of the good prostaglandins by changing the types of oils you ingest in your diet. This will help to relax the uterus, thus aiding in the painful cramping. One of the best types of oils that can help you to accomplish this is the Omega-3 fatty acids. They help the body in a positive production of the prostaglandins. Below is a list of great sources of this wonder oil.

*Safflower oil

*Flax seeds and oil

*Evening primrose

*Walnut oil

Now, keep in mind that while you are increasing the oils that benefit you, you also have to decrease your intake of the fatty acids that help the "bad guy" prostaglandins. These are usually found in animal and organ meat, saturated fats, butter and lard. While decreasing your bad fat intake, your diet should also include plenty of high fiber choices. This will not only aide your body with digestion, it can also decrease your total circulating estrogens. It is suggested that you have a daily intake of 25 mg of fiber per day. Some good sources of fiber are listed below.

*Any whole grain with the exception of rye and wheat

*Pulses, beans and peas

*Brown rice

*Fruits and Vegetables

*Oatmeal

The following list of food is recommended to adjust estrogen levels is you consume one to two servings per day.

*Broccoli

*Turnips

*Mustard Greens

*Cabbage

Below you will find a list of food that you need to avoid.

*Foods that are made from wheat such as; cakes, breads and pasta

*Preservatives and additives

*Frozen and tinned packaged foods

*Soy and soy protein- but tamari can be consumed in small amounts

*Teas and coffee and soft drinks that contain caffeine

*Alcohol

*Any form of sugar including honey

*Concentrated and refined carbohydrates

*Margarines, Hydrogenated fats and fried foods

*Chocolate

*Milks, cheese and all dairy produce

Food that are good for your immune system:

*Onions

*Legumes

*Garlic

*Carrots

*Rhubarb

*Live yogurt

*Sprouted seeds and seeds

*Green tea

*Ginger

Even though it has been proven that the best source of vitamins and minerals comes from a well balanced diet, there are many foods that are now lacking these essentials. It has become a necessity to add supplements to incorporate the needs nutrients into your diet. Below is a list of supplements that will help you with your endometriosis.

*Calcium-It has been proven that a woman's level of calcium is decreased 10 to 14 days prior to her menstrual cycle and this can lead to increased cramping, pelvic pain and headaches.

*Zinc- this helps cells to reproduce which aides in healing and it can also boost your immune system which will give you a better sense of well being.

*Magnesium- which is believed to ease cramping associated with mistral cycles.

*Iron-Women with endometriosis usually have heavier periods, which can lead to an iron deficiency. This can lead to extreme forms of fatigue and weakness which is caused by anemia.


About the Author
If you're currently experiencing endometriosis or are looking for quality information on curing this condition, then visit http://www.endometriosissymptom.com Learn more about the Endometriosis Symptom

How To Find The Best Perfume Store by Candice Sabrina

When it comes to buying perfume, the choices for doing so are many. From dime stores to online stores, fragrances are a hot item in a lot of locations. But, how can a person go about finding just the right perfume store to fit their needs?

The answer to this will depend a lot on what exactly those needs are. Some people prefer the perfume spraying attention they receive in department stores, others enjoy the laid back feel of buying online and enjoying door-to-door service. Let's look at the different perfume store options and what they might offer style and price wise:

* Department stores. The perfume counters in most department stores are legendary. Loaded with so many options and clerks very willing to share samples, these locations tend to offer the top name and best selling brands at retail prices. They tend to offer some very good sales from time to time and are also wonderful places to visit for those who aren't sure which fragrance they'd like to buy. With many samples to choose from, the undecided can become the decided very fast.

* Online stores. These locations will vary greatly depending on the actual site, but online perfume shoppers can find just about every fragrance under the sun. From imports to replicas, online perfume store locations can be great resources for those who know what they want and especially those who don't want to pay a fortune.

The advantages to these locations tend to fall in the pricing arena. Since many online stores don't have the overhead department stores do, the prices can be a significant amount cheaper. Department stores, too, have their own web sites, so it's possible to buy a favorite from a favorite without leaving the house. The disadvantage to online shopping is missing out on the samples, but those with a fragrance of choice, they can be ideal.

* Dime stores, pharmacies. Although not necessarily as popular as department store perfume store locations, these shops can be great for buying some of the lesser priced brand names.

Offering a fairly good selection, pharmacy and dime stores shouldn't be overlooked by those who enjoy brand names at lower prices. These stores carry a little bit of everything in the low to moderate prices. They might not have all the samples the bigger stores do, but it is possible to try some things on for scent before buying.

* Fragrance stores. There are even freestanding stores that deal in nothing but perfumes. These will offer generally the greatest selection, but they can be hard to come by. When they are stores that can be visited in person, they are great for trying on new fragrances for size. These perfume stores can offer a variety of pricing, as well.

Looking for an ideal perfume store will depend a whole lot on what kind of fragrance a person wants, the amount of money they would like to spend and the type of customer service desired. Some stores are very hands on, others offer customers the freedom to shop as they'd like. There are fragrance stores available to meet just about any type of shopping preference.


About the Author
Get all the latest in perfume know how from the one and only true source at http://www.AllPerfumeInfo.com. Be sure to check our perfume store page.