Foods You Should Eat to Look And Feel Younger
        
Our eating habits affect our quality of life. Eat too many of the wrong types of food and you are opening yourself up to many potential health related problems. On the other hand, by eating the right kinds of food, you are helping yourself lead a healthier and longer life. In fact, eating these "super foods" will help you to look and feel younger too.

Avoid packaged and commercially prepared foods as much as possible. Stay away from sugar and refined carbohydrates. Dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt believes that sugar breaks down elastin and collagen in the skin, causing premature aging. He thinks you can turn back the clock by ten years and improve the texture, tone and radiance of your skin, simply by reducing the amount of sugar that you eat. (Dr. Brandt counts Madonna and Cher among his clients, so he definitely has some believers in his theory.)

A diet that is rich in fiber, whole grains and antioxidants will keep you looking and feeling younger. Most of us know about fiber and whole grains, but what exactly are antioxidants? Well, antioxidants are vitamins and nutrients. They are so highly regarded because they are thought to protect against damage to the heart, arteries and other tissues. Not only that, they are also capable of repairing damage that has already occurred in cells.  

Foods rich in antioxidants include most of the berry family with blueberries topping the list. Kiwi has been recognized for its unusual combination of health promoting substances as well. Apples, cherries and plums are almost as highly rated as berries, so be sure to include them in your anti-aging diet. All vegetables contain varying levels of antioxidants as well as lots of nutrients, especially green leafy vegetables, with beans, artichokes and broccoli having high levels.

The good news for snack lovers is that nuts are considered a healthy food. Pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts are especially good for you because they contain Omega 3 fats, which are great for the heart. For those who don't enjoy eating fish, which are prized for their Omega 3 fats, nuts make a wonderful substitute. Nuts are high in calories, so a little go a long way.

Even better news for snack lovers is that chocolate has made the list of "good for you" foods. Dark chocolate in particular has healthy benefits for us. Only eat a small amount of it though or the excess calories you consume may outweigh the health benefits.

And to wash all this delicious food down, your best choices are water or green tea. Water is the number one beverage choice. We need it to hydrate the skin and wash toxins from our body. Not consuming enough water will lead to a tired, lethargic feeling and a less than glowing appearance. Drinking a cup or two a day of green tea daily is beneficial. Not only will it burn extra calories, it's just plain good for you.

Make wise choices in your daily diet and you will be on the road to looking and feeling younger before you know it. And, as Martha Stewart would say, “That's a good thing.”


Saving Money on Beauty Products   
           
The pursuit of beauty can be very expensive. Factor in the cost of shampoo, conditioner, nail polish, make-up, perfume, and lotions, to name just a few of the products you might use, and you could end up spending a small fortune. Don't be discouraged though because it is possible to have everything you need, while saving money on beauty products.

One way to reduce your costs on beauty products is to use homemade products. In fact, some home beauty treatments are simply a matter of using a single ingredient. Investing in a good book that will show you how to create your own products will save you lots in the long run. An extra bonus is that your products will be chemical free, especially important for those who have sensitive skin.

Comparison shopping is a good way to get products at the best price. Make a few phone calls and check store ads. Ask if you can get free samples with your purchase. Some stores may be willing to sweeten the deal to make a customer out of you.

Waiting for sales is an excellent cost saving measure. Many products will be discounted from time to time. The trick is to stock up when they're discounted, so you'll hopefully have enough to last until the next sale.

New products are frequently priced at lower introductory prices to entice consumers to give them a try. You may even get free samples of a related product from the same manufacturer. The beauty companies know that if they can get you to try their product, you may continue to use it. Take advantage of this and save some money. You might even discover a new product you absolutely love.

Avoid purchasing beauty supplies or cosmetics at high priced cosmetic counters. Generally you will get a better price at a local discount store or drugstore. Or, see if your hair stylist can give you a deal on the product line she carries. If you're a loyal customer she may be happy to reward your loyalty with good prices on great products.
Another option is to avoid name brands in favor of generic or store brands. Often these products contain the same ingredients as the more expensive brands. You're just paying more because of the name on the bottle.

Check the Internet for sources of your favorite beauty products too. If you decide to shop on the Internet, be aware of shipping costs. Sometimes you can get free or discounted shipping if you order a certain amount. Some online sites even include free samples of other products with each order. A few include a free gift with each order. It pays to shop around and is easy to do online.

So, there you have it. It pays to shop around and shopping smart will help you to save money on beauty products.


 
Purse Essentials – What Every Woman Absolutely Must Carry In Her Purse

For the average woman, less is not more when it comes to our purses. Although some women take a minimalist approach to purse contents, for most of us, the more room the better. After all, there are just some things that a girl can't do without, the stuff we call purse essentials.

We have learned over the years from watching our moms, sisters and friends that you just never know when you might need "stuff." We've learned, in some cases the hard way, that it's better to have it, than to wish we'd put it in our purse.

Although contents vary depending on your role in life, there are certain things that, well, every girl carries. Here then is the definitive list of purse essentials and it doesn’t matter whether you’re single or married, have children or not.

Number one on our list has to be cosmetics. It's handy to keep these all together in a make-up case, unless you like the challenge of search and rescue missions in the bottom of your purse. Lipsticks in several shades and lip gloss, along with eyeliner, mascara and an eyebrow pencil are basics. Add in powder and blush, as well as a mirror so you can actually see what you're doing while you are making emergency makeup repairs during the day. Don't forget the sunglasses.

Equally important would have to be nail polish and a small file in the event of unexpected chipping. Maybe even a couple of spare nails and nail glue, in case of a major nail crisis. While you're at it, throw in a tube of lotion to keep your hands soft and your cuticles in good shape.

While we're concentrating on looking great, it's important to pack a brush or comb and maybe a few clips, hair elastics, or a band to repair possible wind damage or "hat head." These also come in handy to alter your look, if at the end of your day you have an unexpected change of plans. You may want to bring along a can of hair spray and some of your favorite perfume to complete the necessities.

Now that the really important stuff has been accounted for, you may want to include a few less essential things. It's always a good idea to carry a debit card or some cash, to pay for lunch out with friends or for the commute home. A cell phone certainly has a place in today's purse too.

If you carry a really big purse, you have the luxury of including even more emergency items, like that extra pair of panty hose and a fashion magazine or two. So check your bag. If you don't have all the purse essentials…maybe you just need a bigger bag!
 

Beauty Tips from a Mom - With Love  
                  
Before the arrival of computers, TV, and fashion magazines, daughters looked to their mothers for advice about beauty. Even though this advice may not be as necessary as it was years ago, a mother can still be depended upon for a few beauty tips in this day and age.

Your mother is certainly aware of what she considers the good, the bad and the downright, I'd like to forget about this, parts of her appearance. No doubt she has worked to improve the parts that she doesn't like while taking good care of her assets. While doing so she has probably passed on some of the tips that have worked for her in the beauty department.

As a girl you probably sat and watched as your mom applied her make-up, combed her hair, or got ready for an evening out. Many of her tips were probably casually tossed out while you chatted together during these times. Things like, go easy on the eyeliner to avoid the raccoon look, or blend in the blush so you don't get the round clown dots on your cheeks.

Mothers are aware that the older we get, the more we sag. So when your mom tells you to throw your shoulders back and walk tall, she is really talking about posture. When you have good posture, you look slimmer, have more confidence and feel good about yourself.

Another piece of good mom advice is to relax. We tend to be so stressed today and this is reflected in our faces. Frowning and grimacing produce fine lines around the eyes and mouth that deepen with age. Make a conscious effort to smile as much as possible. Not only will you look better, but you’ll feel better too!

Another tip she may pass on is to wear sunglasses when it's sunny no matter what season it is. Another tip is to wear glasses if you need them instead of straining to see. Scrunching up your eyes produces wrinkles around them in years to come. You can delay the crow’s feet and other wrinkles around the eyes by what you do (or don’t do) with your eyes now. So, stop scrunching up your face to avoid the bright sun or read that newspaper.

Some tips from mom may even be passed on without conscious thought from her. You can learn a lot about yourself just by looking at your mother. For instance, take a careful look at your mom and you'll get an idea of what you may look like in twenty or thirty years. Using what you’ve learned from doing so might indeed prove to be an important beauty tip from your mom.

Moms are wise. Some of the tips that she shares are really designed to support a daughter who is bemoaning some aspect of her appearance or her life. Since mothers are all about championing those she loves, don't be surprised when she talks about beauty being on the inside. No, it doesn't mean that she thinks you're hopeless. She just wants you to love yourself for who you are, just like she does. When you think about it, this tip alone is the single most important beauty tip she can pass on to you.


Healthy Hair Tips   
           
Every year people spend hundreds of dollars to have vibrant, healthy-looking hair. Is it really necessary to break the bank in order to have lovely locks? Having healthy hair doesn't have to be a difficult thing to achieve either. You just need to know what to do. Here are some healthy hair tips to help make your life easier without costing a fortune at the hairdresser.

The jury is still out on how often to wash your hair, but it's generally agreed that unless your hair is extremely oily, a daily washing is not necessary. In fact, washing your hair too frequently can be damaging. If you skip a day or two between shampoos, you allow your hair's natural oils to penetrate individual strands of hair.

Before washing your hair, be sure it is free of tangles. Use a natural bristled hair brush and gently brush through starting from the scalp and working all the way to the ends. This helps to distribute the natural oils to the ends of your hair, preventing split ends.

When you shampoo your hair, choose a quality shampoo with a neutral ph balance. Work the shampoo into the scalp, massaging with your fingertips rather than your nails. Using your fingernails can cause damage to your scalp leading to things like dandruff and dry scalp. Massaging your scalp will increase blood flow, resulting in healthier hair and re-growth.

Let the suds flow through your hair. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of all traces of shampoo. Then apply a quality conditioner. This is one thing not to skimp on. A good conditioner will not only prevent tangles, which lead to split ends and damaged hair, it will also protect and nourish your hair. Use cool water to rinse off the conditioner for less breakage and shinier, more manageable tresses.

Next, gently towel-dry your hair to squeeze out the excess water. Avoid rubbing briskly with the towel. Wet hair is easily damaged, so use your towel carefully. Then, use a wide tooth comb and slowly comb your hair. If you find a tangle, work it out with your fingers. Trying to comb through a tangle while your hair is wet will only result in damage.

Although allowing hair to dry naturally is best, most of us just do not have the time to do this. Using the lowest heat setting on your hair dryer is the next best thing. As you blow dry your hair, keep the dryer moving to avoid burning your hair and scalp. When using curling irons, or other hot styling tools, apply a silicone-based cream to your hair to shield it from the intensive heat before styling.

Use hair spray, gel and other products sparingly. Build-up leaves a residue which makes hair appear dull and unhealthy-looking. The harsh chemicals used when dying or applying a perm can put added stress on your hair, so don't overdo either.
The bottom line is that abuse can lead to problem hair or even hair loss. Treat your hair with tender loving care and it will reward you with a vibrant, luxuriant look for many years to come.