Chapped lips anyone ?

Having healthy lips in winter, may be a dream come true for many.

The skin on your lips are very thin and has no oil gland to prevent it from chapping. So it is up to us to keep them from cracking.
 
There are many reasons for those dry nasty lips:

• Weather change
• Aging
• Lip biting
• Licking your lips is a definite NO!
• Dehydration

To keep your lips locked with moisture, you need to protect them from the outside to inside.
Drink plenty of Water!

If your diet has low levels of Vitamin B, you are prone to dry lips. So .... eat :

• Red meat 
• Skim Milk
• Swiss Cheese
• Eggs
• Tofu
• etc..

Always keep your lips moisturized by using natural lips balms. Make sure they contain elements such as:

• Shea Butter 
• Aloe Vera
• Glycerin
• Coconut Oil
• Jojoba oil
• Vitamin E
• Beeswax
• Vitamin A & D

DON'T LICK your lips. It keeps your lips moisturized for a split second. Once the wind blows, your back to square one.

So keep it nice and kissable ;)
Stay tuned for some home remedies for those dry lips.....

SweetReading :)

Spice up your Metabolism

It's that time of the year again... trying to slim down and look all pretty in our summer dresses.

This year, try adding a kick to your diet by introducing more spicy ingredients to your meal plan.There are many benefits to adding spice to your diet. Adding ginger, turmeric or cinnamon to your diet can boost your metabolism for hours after you’ve finished a meal.

Spices also make you feel happier, as these types of foods activate pain receptors, which release endorphins. A food that can increase your metabolism and make you happy...is a great combination. :)

So have fun spicing things up a little :






Cinnamon
Cinnamon is high in antioxidants and effective in stabilizing blood sugars. Packed with anti-inflammatories it is most effective in dishes that have sugar, helping our bodies digest them.

Turmeric
Turmeric is like the super spice and been around for centuries. It has been linked to weight loss and the prevention of obesity and diabetes. Ideally we would add 1 1/2 teaspoons to our diet each day.
Turmeric is bright yellow in color and is usually found in curries and Indian dishes. Drinking turmeric tea is a popular way to add this spice to your daily routine.

Ginger
Ginger promotes digestion and increases our metabolism. It promotes a feeling of fullness and is calming to our digestive tracts. It has anti-inflammatory benefits and gets our blood flowing. You can take supplements, use ginger powder or fresh ginger to get the benefits.

Cayenne
Capsaicin, found in cayenne, increases your body’s ability to burn fat and calories by stimulating body heat. Some research indicates the heat raises our body temperature temporarily increasing our metabolic rate by 15 to 20%. The hotter the pepper, the higher the metabolic burn.

Capsaicin is also believed to suppress your appetite and help cut cravings for fatty, salty food. One caution: cayenne can decrease effectiveness of certain drugs like antacids, aspirin and blood thinning drugs.


So whether it is sprinkling cinnamon powder on to your latte in the morning or mixing in turmeric powder to your scrambled eggs... add a little spice to that life, you will love it.

SweetReadings :)

Dry and Damaged?

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All of us have those days where our hair just couldn't careless for us. Some of us more than others. Personally, my hair has not been my best friend for the longest period of time. She is very stubborn and unruly. In other words, dry and damaged.


However, the only time my hair listens to me is when I give her  an olive oil treatment. Every second week I like to condition my hair with olive oil and add in that extra love. Using olive oil adds the moisture back into my dry hair.

This is how you do it:

• By warming up 1/2 cup olive oil (do not boil it)
• Rub it deep into your hair
• Wrap everything in a towel. 
• Let it soak for 45min - 1 hour.
• Rinse thoroughly with shampoo and water.

Now feel that silk touch...That's your hair!!

Give it a try...Let me know how it goes.

SweetReadings:)

Let's Grow those Lashes!

Want your eyebrows to grow longer, healthier, and fuller? Castor Oil! Did you know that this wonderful oil promotes eyelash growths.

Castor oil is one of the best kept secret in the world of natural beauty. Castor oil is a very pale yellow liquid that is extracted from castor seeds,, which is rich in omega-9 fatty acid.

It can also help you grow new eyebrow hair in bare areas that might have been over tweezed.  

Instructions

1. Rub Castor oil over your lashes and brows before bed.
2. Keep repeating this procedure every night to get these best results 

Let me know how this goes !!

SweetReadings :)

Food that Whiten Teeth

Hello Everyone :)

Our teeth are very important in giving that first impression. We have been told by everyone to avoid red wine and black coffee in our quests for that pearly white teeth.

However, has anyone ever told you what to eat to brighten your teeth. Instead of emptying out your wallet for those teeth whiteners, I am going to tell you what to eat , to get that result.   

Onions

They may not do great things for your breath, but onions contain antibacterial sulfur compounds that prevent plaque from forming on your teeth. Unfortunately, onions must be consumed raw to reap the anti-plaque benefit, so include them on sandwiches and in salads whenever you can.

Strawberries

They may be bright red, however strawberries are made with malic acid. Malic Acid acts as a natural astringent to remove surface tooth discoloration. 

Apple

An apple a day keeps the dentist away. Their high water content increases saliva, washing away harmful bacteria that creates plaque and leads to discoloration over time.

Nuts

Like apples, munching on nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, and sesame seeds stimulates saliva which can help wash away bacteria. To top it off , nuts’ abrasive texture can also work at removing existing surface stains, says cosmetic dentist Joseph Banker, D.M.D.

Citrus fruits

The acids found in citrus fruits are effective teeth whiteners. Also, their tart taste increases saliva production for a natural rinse and polish. Pineapples specifically contain an enzyme called bromelain that can assist in removing stains.

Raw Vegetables 

Foods that are high in fiber and slightly coarse act as a scrubbing agent for teeth. The high iron content in dark greens like broccoli also helps form a thin coat that protects teeth from enamel-eroding acids found in soda and carbonated drinks. And good news for celery lovers: Because it’s so difficult to chew, it increases saliva production and polishes teeth for a natural surface clean.

SweetReadings :)

8 Nighttime Musts

We all have some bad habits that we need to break. I need to stop junking on anything sweet and start hitting the gym.

However, there are some habits that can really effect us in a negative way. I have summed up about 8 nighttime habits that are a must.

                    

1. No TV or Phone

Fake lights from computers, tablets and smart phones puts down your melatonin levels, which can throw off your body clock. This also increases risk of obesity.

2. Remove your Makeup

Number one rule I beg you never to break. Throughout the entire day our face builds up a lot oil and dirt. This causes a lot of bacteria. So, for this just take a few minutes to give your face a clean wash.

3. Don't Tight your Hair

Tying your hair causes breakage to the hair. You are also encouraging a receding hairline over time. Just let your hair relax and free when you sleep.

4. Brush your Teeth and Floss

This will definitely give you great morning breathe. In short, you will not end up with cavities that can later ruin your teeth.

5. Staying Up Late

Having a late night causes red eye in the morning which also causes high stress. This can also lead to uneven skin tone, puffiness, bags under your eye. So to avoid all this just hit the bed on time.

6. Do Not Drink or Eat Sugar Right Before Bed

Not only will this increase your blood sugar, but you will be putting on acid (sugar) into your body that will sit in your body all night long eat. 

7. Apply Hand cream

Since your hands are constantly busy during the day, apply a good amount of hand cream while you sleep. This will give your hands time to moisturize overnight.

8. Switch Pillowcases

Between your face and your hair there are a lot of grease, that will gather on the pillow. Switch out your pillowcases for a clean one about once a week to minimize the bacteria that your face sleeps on each night.

FYI : What does your label means?

While doing some readings for my next blog, I came across something very intriguing.  I realized that we trust labels to fast. We are in a world full of misleading words that have made their way on to food labels in grocery shelves almost everywhere. Companies have gotten very good at convincing us that their products are clean and green as it can be. 

However, it is up to us to read in between the lines.

Hypoallergenic
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: That somebody has test the product to make sure it will not cause any allergic reactions.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Companies are free to define it however they like - no government regulations around this term.

Natural
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: This product is made from all natural things.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Who knows? The government does not regulate this term also. It can basically mean anything. 

Organic
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: That every ingredient in this product is USDA Certified Organic farm.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: This means that some of the ingredients are certified organic, and the remaining others are not.

Unscented
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: Finally!!! A product with no fragrance.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: There could be a slight fragrance, it's just that you can not smell it because it's formulated with masking agents that block the smell of all the other ingredients.

How to say "Bye Bye" to Blackheads

Our annoying blackheads occur when your pores are clogged with excess amount of oil and dead skin. Let's just remember one important factor, blackheads are not caused by dirt. 

Scrubbing your face a lot is not a good way to get rid of your blackheads. It is only going to make it worse and you will just end up drying out your skin. All you have to do is clean out your pores, and the blackheads are gone.

There’s no need to squish and squeeze.

However, there is a PLUS point to this blackhead scenario. People with oily skin and large pores don’t wrinkle as quickly (because the skin is VERY good at replenishing the oils). So when you’re 60, this will be a blessing.

Here are some helpful tips :

Do a Honey Pat-Down
For this to work, your honey should be very sticky. The stickier it is, the more effective it is. 
Simply pour a small amount of honey on your fingers and start rapidly patting the areas on your face where you want to remove blackheads. The honey will stick to the stuff in your pores, and pull it out as you remove your fingers. It will also offer gentle antibacterial and antioxidant support, so any small remnants that may be left in your pores won’t oxidize (and turn black) quite as quickly.
Continue doing this for 3 or so minutes, and then just rinse your face with water.

Use Egg Whites to Pull Out the Dirt
Starting with a clean face, spread egg whites all over using your fingers or a paintbrush. Start first with one thin layer and let it dry briefly. Then spread a second layer over the top and let the whole thing dry completely.
 You may want to focus on the blackhead areas a third time, even.
Allow this mask to dry for 15 minutes. Your face will feel tight and pull a bit. This is good. Then, with a warm, wet washcloth, scrub the egg whites off your face very gently.

Now... if any of these seem not suitable for you just use a typical pore strips from Biore or even Boscia. However, if we are within budget you can always watch this DIY video that Michelle Phan did.

Have fun removing those nasty heads ....

SweetReadings :)

What does your Acne mean ?

Pimple anyone? Your skin is basically a map for what is going on inside your body. A pimple sends you a clear message about your health and hygiene.

The Ancient Chinese tradition of "face mapping" says that there is a correlation between your internal organs and different zone of your face.

Here are what your breakouts are telling you in 5 different zones of your face:

1. UPPER FOREHEAD : This is caused due to poor digestive health or your body having trouble breaking down food; which can lead to a build up of toxins.

2. LOWER FOREHEAD :  Breakout here can be caused by irregular sleep, stress, bad blood circulation or depression.

3. BETWEEN EYEBROWS : This area is linked too consuming too much alcohol or a diet that is fat. Also sometimes it means you have any kind of food allergies.

4. RIGHT AND LEFT CHEEK : Your cheeks are associated with your respiratory system. Those who smoke tend to have acne breakouts, and need better breathing method.  

5. SIDES OF CHIN : Hormonal changes and stress can leave this spot unbalanced. Breakouts happen during your menstrual cycle.

SweetReadings :)

Top 10 Beauty Foods

We all love our junk food ( especially me ). Junk food is the key to any heart and soul. But let's face it, no one is getting younger or going to stay healthy with these delicious, greasy, mouth watering junk.

So today, I decided to share with all of you the Top 10 Beauty foods. These fresh and delicious picks are filled with the nutrients needed for clearer skin, healthier hair, and brighter eyes. You can invest in the latest face mask or the best foundation in the market, but those beauty products have nothing compared to these natural beauties.

1. Purple Cabbage. If you are worried about wrinkles, eating lots of purple cabbage is the best way.
Purple cabbage is both anti-inflammatory and rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which all help lower cortisol levels.

2. Water. Water is everything when it comes to beauty. When your body is dehydrated, everything suffers. Whether you want shinier hair, younger skin, a healthier body (or all three!) pure, clean water is the world's best beauty elixir.

3. Yogurt. Yogurt is high in calcium. Calcium equals strong bones, nails and even teeth. Believe it or not but yogurt can give you flat abs.

4. Walnuts. Eating just one ounce of walnuts a day (that's about seven shelled walnuts) is all you need to keep your scalp and hair healthy. The healthy fats in walnuts can make your skin more supple and resilient to issues like age spots and sagging skin.

5. Beets. Beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping you purify your blood and your liver. However, keep in mind

6. Wild Salmon. Wild salmon is loaded with protein and omega 3. Eating salmon makes you smarter and happier. Statistics show that salmon reduces the risk and incidence of depression, hostility in young adults and cognitive decline in the elderly. 

7. Watercress. Watercress is a beauty food that can fight patchy and uneven skin tone. This is often a sign of poor circulation or not enough blood, oxygen and nutrients getting to the skin.

8. Citrus Fruit. Another beauty food you can fight cellulite with is with citrus fruit. Citrus fruit provides a high boost of vitamin C, which can help repair skin collagen and prevent cellulite from being so visible. The best time to eat citrus fruit in order to get the best results is in the morning.

9. Dark Chocolate. Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health.
Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.
Dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease. If you buy quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, this may protect your skin against the sun.

10. Almond Milk. Almond milk helps with the weight management.  There’s no cholesterol or saturated fat in almond milk. It’s also low in sodium and high in healthy fats, which helps to prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.

The Miracle Seed

Best things come in small packages, just like the super-food: pomegranate. Pomegranates may not be the fist thing you reach for at a supermarket, but it is definitely something you would want to consider on your next trip to the market.

Drinking pomegranate juice benefits our health and skin in many ways. It is one of the few fruits whose juice is beneficial to us. If you drink a glass of pomegranate juice everyday, your skin will start glowing instantaneously. 

Here are some benefits to this miracle seed:

1. Anti-Aging
Pomegranates can rejuvenate your skin internally as well as externally. The oil from the skin strengthens your skin which helps reduces wrinkles.

2. Protection against Skin Cancer
This miracle seed contains anti-oxidants which helps you from skin cancer. It also reduces the effects of sunburns and soothes your skin.

3. Skin-Inflammation
If you are suffering from skin inflammation than use pomegranate seeds to soothe your skin. Many experts recommend pomegranate oil to heal small cuts or skin problems. They also leave no trace of the cut on the skin.

Invest in good beauty products that contain promagrante as their key ingredient.

So, put away those greasy bag of chips and reach out for that handful of pomegranate seeds.

SweetReadings :)

Benefits of having a cup of Green Tea

Okay, so coffee is not the healthiest drink, GREEN TEA is. It is more than just a green liquid, it is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that are very powerful to the body.

What we don't know is that there are about 10 health benefits of having green tea in our systems. 

1. Green tea holds various bio active compounds that can improve our health. 

2. Green tea can improve brain function and make you smarter.
 - it contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to produce an effect.

3. Green tea increases fat burning and improves physical perfromances.
 - has been shown to boost the metabolic rate and increase fat burning.


4. Antioxidants in green tea may lower your risk of different types of cancer.

5. Protects you from old-age. Decreasing your risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. 

6. Green tea can kill bacteria, which lowers your risk of any infections.

7. Green tea can lower your risks of type II diabetes.

8. Reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease.

9. Helps you lose weight and lower your risk of becoming obese.
          - studies show that green tea leads to increase weight
            loss. Especially the dangerous abdominal fat.

10. Green tea may decrease your risks of dying and help you live 
longer.  

In order to feel good about yourself, I suggest you consider making green tea a regular in your everyday life. 




 SweetReadings :)