Ageless Skin Right Here With These Tips

Your skin protects your body, but that's not all. It's the face you present to the world. When healthy, it's a source of beauty. The choices you make every day -- what you eat, where you go, how you feel -- affect how your skin looks. Use this visual guide to keep your skin youthful, healthy, and wrinkle-free.

 Food on Your Face

Want good skin? Watch your diet. Higher intakes of vitamin C and a lower intake of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better appearance as your skin ages. Changing your diet will help your looks. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as fish, fruits, and vegetables, seem to help protect skin. Some studies suggest that to avoid breakouts, go for complex carbohydrates (like whole grains and pasta) and healthy protein.

Eat Your Vitamins

Your anti-aging cream may contain vitamin C or E. Put these antioxidants to work from the inside, too. Eating foods rich in these vitamins, plus the mineral selenium, can help protect your skin against sun damage. They may even help reverse signs of aging, like wrinkles and skin discoloration

Run Away From Aging Skin

Exercise benefits every part of your body -- including your largest organ, the skin. Working out improves circulation, helping nourish the skin. Better blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients and may help your skin produce collagen, which staves off wrinkles. Don't fret about sweat -- exercise will not clog your pores. Wash your face right after a workout and avoid tight headbands, which can trap sweat and irritate skin

Get Your Beauty Rest

Burn the candle at both ends for a few nights, and you may see it reflected in your face: Dark circles under the eyes, pale skin, and puffy eyes. Getting 7-8 hours a night will keep your body and skin in top shape. It matters how you sleep, too -- rest your face on the pillow in the same position for years, and you'll get wrinkles where the skin is pressed against the pillow. Sleeping on your stomach will worsen bags under your eyes. Solution? Sleep on your back

Keep Harmful Rays Off Skin

Whether or not you were a sun worshipper, chances are your skin has sun damage. About 90% of all skin damage is due to the sun. As your time in the sun goes up, so does your risk of skin cancer. Protect skin by always wearing broad-spectrum sunblock. Look for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone. Sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher are best. Wear wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves, and avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when rays are strongest

Cut Yourself Off

Too much alcohol is bad for your skin as well as your body. Alcohol is a diuretic; it causes the body to lose water. That can contribute to dry skin. It also dilates blood vessels. That's why drinkers often have red, flushed faces. Over time, these blood vessels can become permanently damaged, so that skin stays red. Alcohol, especially red wine, can also trigger rosacea flare-ups

Quit, Already!

Simply put, smoking is bad for your skin: It's second only to the sun in causing premature wrinkles and dry skin. In fact, under a microscope you can see wrinkles in smokers as young as 20. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and contributes to the breakdown of collagen. Less collagen means more wrinkling. And yes, pursing your lips repeatedly encourages wrinkles, too. You can't reverse the damage, but you can stop it by quitting smoking.

Tips for Skin Care in the Air

It doesn't take long on a plane for skin to start feeling dry and tight, thanks to low humidity in the recirculated air. Have a travel plan for your skin that includes drinking water -- not coffee or alcohol -- and moisturizing before, during, and after your flight. Don't wear makeup on the flight if you can help it. Keep a travel-size bottle of lotion in your carry-on bag

Freckles

Freckles are flat, round and brown spots of different sizes that appear on the skin. According to the American Association of Dermatologists (AAD), freckles are a sign of skin damage.Some common causes of freckles are too much exposure to sunlight, genetics and hormonal imbalance. Though freckles could be present anywhere on the body, they appear mostly on areas that are often exposed to the sun’s rays.

• Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected skin and gently massage the area. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this twice a day.
• Another option is to use a lemon scrub. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle one-half teaspoon of sugar on it. Gently scrub your skin with it for a few minutes and then wash your skin with water. Do this once or twice a week on a regular basis.

2. Sour Cream

The lactic acid present in sour milk can help a lot to get rid of freckles. It is particularly useful for those with sensitive skin.

• Apply some sour cream on the affected skin and allow it to dry for a few minutes. Instead of rinsing it off with water, you must gently wipe it off with a soft tissue or a towel. Then apply some moisturizer. This remedy will not cause skin irritation or dryness. Do this at least once daily until the freckles go away.
• Alternatively, you can rinse the affected skin with sour milk daily. If you do not have sour milk, use yogurt.

3. Honey

Honey is excellent for fading freckles because it contains enzymes that help lighten skin pigmentation. Plus, being a natural humectant, it is great moisturizer for your skin 

• Mix honey and water and heat it slightly in a microwave. Apply it on the affected area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Finally rinse the area thoroughly with warm water. Do this daily for a several weeks.
• You can also make an herbal mask by mixing a little wheat germ with warm honey. Apply this mask and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse the area with warm water and then wash it again with cold water. Repeat two to three times a week for a couple of months. This is one of the most effective home remedies for freckles.
• Another option is to make a mixture of honey and yogurt, and apply it on the freckles for 30 minutes daily until you get the desired results.

4. Papaya

Papaya juice is another effective remedy to get rid of freckles. Papaya contain papain, a kind of enzyme that can help lighten freckles.

1. Apply fresh papaya juice directly on the freckles using a cotton ball and gently massage the area.
2. After 10 minutes, rinse the skin with cold water.
3. Do this once daily for at least for a few weeks or until you are satisfied with the results.

5. Onion

Onions also can be used to remove freckles and brown spots due to their sulfur content which has exfoliative property. For best results, use red onions.

• Cut one red onion into thick slices and rub the slices gently on the freckles twice daily. Continue this remedy until the freckles fade away.
• Another option is to grate one red onion, extract its juice and apply the juice on the affected skin twice a day. For best results, add one teaspoon of vinegar to the onion juice. Repeat this remedy daily for one or two weeks.

6. Buttermilk

The bleaching property of buttermilk can also help lighten and fade freckles. In addition, it will make your skin smooth 

• Simply apply buttermilk over the freckles, leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat twice daily for several weeks.

Create a Healthy Future Generation With These Health/Nutrition Tips

School age is the perfect time for children to learn about healthy food and active lifestyle. This is the time they start a busy social life, have pocket money and begin to help choose their own lifestyle. Children of this age learn quickly and are also influenced by their friends and popular trends. This is the time where we could place their building block and educate them with proper nutrition and benefits of eating right.Well who foes not want to eat a burger once in a while but make sure that is not their staple diet.Obesity and inactivity in children is slowing becoming an epidemic Reason not educated at the right time

Photo Credit Poojas Photography Clothes Courtesy TITO'S FASHION

Children need a wide variety of foods for a well-balanced diet. The amount of physical activity they have in a day will be an important part of how much they need to eat. When children are busy and active, snacking is important to keep energy levels high. A healthy morning snack at recess and one after school are usually needed each day.

Breakfast-The Important Meal Of The Day

 A good night’s sleep followed by food in the morning helps your child to stay active and concentrate at school. It also means your child is less likely to be too hungry during mid morning and it can help with performance and focus at school. Be a role model and let your child see you eat breakfast too. A bowl of cereal with milk,Some egg whites or fresh or stewed fruit is a great starter for the whole family.

Lunch at School

Many schools have a canteen that offers a range of food choices. Most schools follow government guidelines to encourage healthy food choices. The food your child chooses might be high in cost and energy, but low in nutrients sometimes.Sit with your child and educate them Whole wheat vs white bread..vegetables vs junk  An alternative is a packed lunch from home, which is a great way for your child to learn about healthy food and to help with preparation. 

Lunch box suggestions include:

• Sandwiches or pita bread with cheese, lean meat, hummus and salad
• Cheese slices, crackers with spread, and fresh or dried fruits
• Washed and cut up raw vegetables or fresh fruits
• Frozen water bottle, particularly in hot weather.

Foods to limit 

Highly processed, sugary, fatty and salty foods should only make up a very small part of your child’s diet. Foods to limit in everyday school lunches include:

• Processed meats
• Chips, sweet biscuits, and muesli bars and breakfast bars
• Fruit bars and fruit straps
• Cordials, juices and soft drinks.

Treats and peer pressure

Peer pressure to eat particular ‘trendy’ foods at this age is strong. Let your child eat these kinds of foods occasionally, such as at parties, special events or when the rest of the family enjoys them. 
The occasional lolly, bag of chips or takeaway food doesn’t do any harm. If they are eaten too often, however, you might find that:

• Not enough nourishing foods are eaten.
• Children become overweight or obese
• You’re missing a chance to teach your child about healthy eating.

After-school snacks

Children of this age may have swings in appetite depending on activity levels, so allow them to choose how much they need to eat while offering a wide variety of healthy foods. Some children only eat small amounts at the evening meal, so make sure that the afternoon snack is nutritious, not just high in energy. 

Snack suggestions include:

• A sandwich with a glass of milk
• Cereal and fruit
• A bowl of soup and toast.

Family mealtimes

For school children, family mealtimes are a chance to share and talk about the day’s activities and events. The evening meal together is an important time to do this. 

Family mealtime suggestions include:

• Allow talk and sharing of daytime activities.
• Let your child decide when they are full – don’t argue about food.
• Allow children to help with preparing meals and shopping.
• Teach some simple nutrition facts such as ‘milk keeps your bones strong’.

Drinks

Suggestions include:

• Children should be encouraged to drink plain water.
• Sweet drinks such as cordials or fruit juice are not needed for a healthy diet and aren’t recommended.
• A glass of milk (or a tub of yoghurt or slice of cheese) equals a serve of dairy food. Three serves are needed each day for calcium.

Exercise and activity

Physical activity is an important part of good health. Try to encourage your child to do something active each day, such as a hobby, play a game or be involved in sport. Some parents may also worry about their child’s weight.

For primary school children 60 minutes of activity is recommended each day, and no more than two hours of watching TV, DVDs or computer games. 

To increase your child’s activity, try to:

• Limit the amount of time spent watching television for the whole family.
• Do something physical and active together.
• Go and watch your child play sports.
• Encourage daily activity, not just exercise.
• Use the car less – that means everyone!

Healthy tips for school-aged children

Suggestions include:

• Children need a variety of different foods each day.
• Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children.
• Make snacks nutritious, not just high in energy.
• Plan to share meals as a family.
• Enjoy talking and sharing the day’s happenings at mealtimes.
• Let children tell you when they’re full.
• Give your child lunch to take from home.
• Let children help with food preparation and meal planning.
• Encourage physical activities for the whole family.
• Encourage children to drink plain water.