10 Makeup Mistakes That Add 10 Years

Is your makeup working for you—or aging you? We'll tell you which blunders to avoid and walk you through the right techniques to achieve a fresh, youthful glow
Some beauty mistakes can emphasize fine lines and wrinkles, adding years to your look. Avoid these beauty blunders and don't allow your makeup and hairstyle to age you.

The wrong foundation

Foundation that is too light will exaggerate wrinkles. As you get older, switch to a warmer shade and look for sheer liquid foundation with light-reflective particles. It will make dull skin look healthy, younger and glowing. When applying foundation, do so sparingly. Thick foundation also makes you look much older than you are.

Face powder near your eyes

When it comes to powder, switch from compact to loose. Also, avoid your eye area or any other places that you have wrinkles. A dusting of powder on your nose and chin is great for reducing shine, but steer clear of your eyes because it makes fine lines seem more pronounced.

Eyeliner on your lower lashes

Eyeliner on your lower lashline will just make your eyes seem smaller and draw unwanted attention to any dark circles or crow's feet. The same thing goes for mascara. Instead, curl your eyelashes and then line your upper lids with a precise line that is thicker toward the outer corner of your eyes. Add two coats of black mascara on your upper lashes only, and your eyes will look bigger, brighter and younger.

Harsh lipstick

Since lips tend to thin as we get older, don't wear lipstick in dark, harsh shades. Instead, pick hues that are just slightly darker than your natural lip tone. Avoid matte formulas, which don't have enough moisture. Also be sure to always use lip liner to keep your lipstick from feathering into any lines around your mouth.

Outdated 'do

If you haven't changed your hairstyle in years (or decades), it's time. An outdated hairstyle can make you look much older than you are. Adding bangs is an easy way to look more youthful.

Celery goodness

Many people assume that celery's crunchy green stalks are just full of water and mostly void of any real or substantial nutritional benefit. However, such an assumption is wrong; celery is packed full of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and all sorts of good stuff that our bodies need to stay healthy. 



Eating more celery can bring about many positive changes in your body. For instance, studies have shown that eating celery everyday can help to protect and strengthen your eyesight and even brighten your eyes, making them appear whiter and more clear. In effect, this also makes you look fresh faced and younger looking. Plus, the better your vision, the less you have to strain your eyes and squint. See below a list of the top health benefits that celery has to offer us. The accompanying video covers many of the following but be sure to check it out for even more information on why you should aim to incorporate more celery into your diet. 

Anti-Inflammatory - Celery contains particular non-starch types of polysaccharides which are believed to give it anti-inflammatory benefits. It also contains antioxidants which fight against free radical damage, which is a major contributing factor to inflammation and chronic diseases like cancer and arthritis. Furthermore, those who have ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or other issues with inflammation in their digestive tracts can benefit greatly from eating celery because the antioxidants in it have been shown, and used, to effectively treat those conditions. 

Protects and Repairs Damage at the Cellular Level - Celery contains over a dozen different types of antioxidants including flavonoids, vitamin K, and lunularin. These antioxidant nutrients help to naturally relieve oxidative stress and aid our bodies in removing damage causing free radicals, thus providing protection for our cells, blood vessels, and organs against them. 

Regulates Body Temperature - Celery's high water content and naturally present electrolytes help to regulate your body temperature by both hydrating and cooling your body down on a really hot day. 

Helps Prevent Ulcers - Celery can help prevent ulcers, those tiny painful sores in the stomach or small intestine, from forming because it contains a certain type of ethanol extract that protects the digestive system lining. Studies have shown that celery greatly increases amounts of gastric mucus in the stomach lining which is vital in the protection against ulcers, rips and tears. This is especially true for people who suffer from low or insufficient levels of gastric mucus to begin with.

 Helps Prevent Urinary Tract Infections - Celery is like cranberries in this respect because it stimulates urine production while also helping to reduce uric acid levels. This makes it an excellent aid for helping to prevent and fight against UTIs and other bacterial infections in the reproductive and/or digestive tracts.

 Helps You Lose Weight - At only 10 calories per stick it's extremely low calorie, all-natural, and yet still full of vitamins and nutrients. It also helps regulate metabolism and fills you up, thereby reducing your urge to snack afterwards on less healthy options. 

Last but not least, celery has been proven to help lower cholesterol, prevent high blood pressure, and protect our livers against fat build up. Watch the video below to understand all these points in greater detail, and remember to stock up on celery the next time you go to the store!...

Lose belly fat the yoga way

Yoga is everything your body needs to function at its absolute best. If you have a hard time working out you should definitely try it because the highly defined movements get you doing just that, active and moving around for once! It’s low impact, yet at the same time demanding on your body and energy, so as you work through the poses you’ll feel it… 

See below the best belly-fat blasting yoga poses, and check out the pictures to see exactly how to do them. 

 1. Cobra Pose – Lay down on your stomach with legs stretched out behind you, forehead resting gently on the floor, hands palm down under shoulders, elbows tucked and touching your ribs. Inhale and begin to slowly straighten your arms and arch your back so that it raises your chest, head and shoulders up off the floor. Keep your hips and thighs on the ground but raise up as far and high as you can comfortably go. Hold the position for 15-30 seconds then slowly lower yourself back down. Repeat 5 times, resting for 15 seconds between each movement. Benefits: Cobra works all of the abdominal muscles really well. It strengthens your back and upper body areas, make you more limber, and stretches your spine making it more flexible. … 

2. Bow Pose – Lay on your stomach with legs stretched out and hands at your sides facing up. Exhale as you bend your knees up, bring them as close as you can to your butt, then reach your arms back and grab your ankles. Breathe steadily and hold this position for 15-30 seconds before exhaling and releasing. Repeat 5 times and rest for 15 seconds between each pose. Benefits: Bow pose works the core muscles in your stomach and gets them nice and tight. It also stretches out your entire body, especially the back and spine. People love it for its calming yet energizing effects and use it to not only strengthen their abs, but to also clear their minds.

3. Knees To Chest – Lie on your back with legs stretched out, heels together, arms resting at your sides. Exhale as you slowly bend your knees, moving them towards your chest. Grab and pull your knees in close, hugging them to your body, and hold for one minute. Breathe out while you release your knees, rest for 15 seconds, and repeat 5 times. Benefits: By bringing your knees to your chest in this slow, deliberate manner you are tightening your ab muscles, stretching your lower back, and toning your mid-section. It also works wonders for speeding up metabolism and getting rid of fat that’s stored around your waist…

4. Sun Salutations – This is not one move, but rather a series of 12 distinct individual postures that are done in a specific order. Refer to the video for instructions on how to do it. These are most effective when done first thing in the morning and are extremely beneficial for not only your abdominal muscles, but also your entire body. Benefits: Sun salutations wake you up and give you energy to take on the day. They detoxify your body by getting your lymphatic system up and moving, which is how toxins are passed through the body. They also help your digestive system, making movements more regular and less clogged. The movements tone and tighten abdominal muscles, increase spinal flexibility, and help with weight loss by discouraging the build up of fat around the midsection.

 

Benefits That Yoga Can Give:   Relaxes your mind Lowers your stress Lowers blood pressure Strengthens and tone muscles Burns fat Stretches your whole body out Loosens joints and muscles, which further reduces the likelihood of injury. And best of all, it’s one of the most effective ways to get rid of stubborn belly fat! The mid-section area is notorious for being seemingly impossible to tone, but with the help of the following yoga poses it becomes possible to work your way to a flat, beautifully toned stomach. Of course, you still have to eat a balanced healthy diet because the saying “abs are made in the kitchen” applies irregardless of any yoga you end up doing.

If you believe time is of the essence call +234809042798 today

What does home mean to you...

If you're looking for quality living through quality service and real value for your money at an affordable rate then You’ll love this gorgeous 4 bedroom apartment duplex located just a few blocks away from the popular Turkish hospital cottage off airport-Jabi Road Mbora District FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. With spectacular views overseeing a Lake.

A home is a good investment!

We bring you real value for your money!

We sell solutions not promises!

Make a move and make this your home today!

Pay in instalments and give your family the gift of this beautiful ambiance.

Let your freak flag fly

"Be larger than life that no room, box or space could hold your spirit. Set your spirit free to roam happily that a piece remains forever in the hearts of those it encounters"

Here are some larger than life freaky things you can do to tickle your fancy.  
1. For one week, take a different route to get everywhere that you go. Why? Because you might see something that surprises you, learn something that takes your breath away, run into the love of your life, meet your new best friend, or otherwise find life more interesting.

2. Buy dinner for the table next to you at a restaurant. Leave before they find out what you’ve done. Someone did this for me when i was in the midst of mega stress and I’ve never forgotten it.

3. Draw stick-figure cartoons of your angry boss (or whomever you’re having conflict with at the moment)bowing down before you and apologizing. 

4. Play the “May I Speak With the Manager?” game. It goes like this: you receive incredible service, and you note the person’s name. When you’re about ready to leave, you ask to see the manager. Everyone in the vicinity will tense up, assuming that you’re going to complain. The manager will come over with a tight face, bracing herself for what’s to come. And then you—you!—break into a huge smile and gush about how awesome everyone’s doing, how much you appreciate them, and what a difference they’ve made in your day. Trust me, this one is the winner.

5. Surprise your spouse/partner/special person at work with their favorite parfait.

6. Create your own personal mantra. (A few of mine, if you’re inclined to share: If you want it badly enough you'll find a way around it, through it ” and “What wouldn’t love do?” and “What’s the path of ease") 

7. Intensively seek to understand all of your associations with the word “power.” Understand when it’s mis-used; understand when it’s used properly; understand how you view it in yourself and how much access you feel you have to it; understand how others who have less of it view themselves and how much access they have to it, relative to others.

8. Learn how to make a food dish that you’ve always wanted to make: Some chicken barbecue, moimoi, bake cakes.

9. Take a digital sabbatical from email and social media.

10. Buy a polo top or canvas and make bad art. Commit to painting over it and creating new art on that same top/ canvas, ten times.

11. Scream your frustration into a pillow, followed by turning on the most irreverent music you can think of and dancing wildly and without reason

12. Connection is why we’re here, so spend a week being as connected as possible to every molecule of the planet—whatever that means to you. The very act of defining what that means to you will up your joy factor like crazy.

Stay Slaying

XoXo

A body poisoned with toxins... You need this detox remedy

Would like to introduce a very simple yet effective and easy to make detox drink with healthy ingredients. 
If you want to detox your body... 
If you have harmed your body with toxins... 
If you suffer from annoying constipation 
and bloating... 
If you have trouble with bowel movements... 
If you have high cholesterol... 
When you are tired... Then this detox water is for you.

Fecal masses that you don't excrete accumulate in your body. They can amount to pounds in weight. And they sit in your intestines.

You go to the toilet but some of this waste stays in you.

The result? Illness, a very potbelly, bacterial accumulation resulting to bad mood.

Storing up dangerous substances takes years. It's a silent but deadly process. You only feel its effects years down the line. But when it starts ...it creates chaos in the body and requires expensive drugs to treat. You really don't want that, do u? Ok, so all you'll need:
-5 glasses( or 1 jar) of water
-2 lemons/limes
-1/2 cucumber
-10-12 mint leaves (optional), I usually use ginger sometimes.
 Simply, cut/slice your lemons or limes and cucumber and put into a jar of water. Overtime, the subtle fruit flavours get infused into the water. Now, time to drink and enjoy!!! This drink is a great way to stay hydrated with a glowing skin being the natural and usual outcome from regular practice of this technique. Lemon is great at cleansing the liver. It also has a high Vit C content to help boost the immune system with great anti-aging benefits. Also, for those looking to loose weight, substituting the detox drink for your regular juices is a great way to reduce your calorie intake. Its effectively curbs apetite for people who are desperately trying to lose weight but are often overcome by nagging cravings and urges to binge, the daily lemon juice-water routine is a great trick to use. Not many people are aware that lemon juice works well in terms of curbing a person’s appetite, thereby allowing him/her to effectively lose weight. In fact, most at-home detox diets involve the use of freshly squeezed lemon juice, which is not only good for getting rid of toxins but also for reducing appetite for solid foods. The lemon juice allows you to feel full and satisfied for longer periods, which eliminates snacking in-between meals. You can have it first thing in the morning as a way to kick-start your day and avoid going for an unhealthy breakfast option . This cucumber/lemon drink has become very popular lately for one reason... It works well!!

Did you wear your sunscreen today?

 
Did you wear your sunscreen today? Nahhh...
Some of us may have always been taught that you need sunlight for your body to make vitamin D, because vitamin D is not found naturally in most foods. Though many foods today are fortified with vitamin D during the manufacturing process I still believe that a sizable degree of sun exposure without getting burnt is required to enable our body to produce the adequate amount of vitamin D to avoid all the danger associated with vitamin D deficiency. Considering most people this days are vitamin D deficient and the lack of vitamin D has been linked to diseases like skin cancer and problems during pregnancy including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature labour and more.
My approach to this is to get adequate sun exposure when possible, since most of us don't work outside these days, and just throwing on a large cap and a big shirt isn't often enough sometimes, the need for sunscreens cannot be denied. Most sunscreens in bottles contain toxic ingredients or endocrine disrupting chemicals that in many cases may actually promote skin cancer growth and free radical production in the body. In fact, in the years since sunscreen use began, skin cancer rates have actually risen. That's why I do not hesitate to go organically natural always, thank goodness nature came fully packaged and there is no ingredient or recipes that can't be found in an organic state.


  The individual ingredients that are naturally SPF are:

• Almond Oil- SPF around 5
• Coconut Oil- SPF 4-6
• Zinc Oxide SPF 2-20
• Red Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 25-50
• Carrot Seed Oil –  SPF 35-40
• Shea Butter – SPF 4-6

The final version will have a varied sun protective ability depending on the amount of each ingredient used.

The importance of wearing  a sun screen cannot be over emphasized, people always find reasons why they don't wear their sunscreen maybe because they were oblivious of some facts,  few factors listed below could bring you a little spur so you never forget your sunscreen on a sunny day.

1. The ozone layer is depleting and your body needs shielding from harmful rays.

2. Skin cancer rates are on the rise and sunscreen has been proven to decrease the development of skin cancer.

3. It helps to prevent facial dark spots and skin discolorations.

4. It also helps to reduce the appearance of facial red veins and blotchiness.

5. It slows down the development of wrinkled, premature aging skin.

 Apply your sun screen always. xo!

Readily meals that helps your weight loss

 Losing weight can be as simple as changing your meals, incorporating healthy food choices into your diet, portion/calorie control and exercise.  Here are a few Nigerian food you can incorporate into your diet that don’t get your calories spiking:

1. Unripe Plantain: Loaded with abundant essential minerals and vitamins such as dietary fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin b-complex, magnesium, manganese, copper, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin

2. Lemon (Zap some of it in water to drink daily): Lemon is another one of the big powerful medicines that promotes health in different ways.  It too is considered a natural thinning agent. Its vitamin C content turns it into a very effective antioxidant that promotes waste elimination from the body, fights fluid retention, helps detoxify the body and contributes to a reduction in abdominal swelling. Drinking water whether hot or cold, infused with lemon helps keeps your metabolism humming. Our body metabolism reduces with age as a result of muscle loss, so we need a good body metabolism to lose weight. This has proven helpful time over time.

3. Red & Green Pepper: If you are trying to lose weight without sacrificing nutrition, red and green bell peppers can be beneficial. Each medium pepper provides 1.18 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of natural sugar(good sugar called fructose), with only 37 calories. Whether you have red bell peppers in a breakfast egg sauce, on a salad at lunch or with other sautéed vegetables at dinner, they can contribute flavor to a variety of foods without adding an abundance of calories, fat or cholesterol.

4. Water Melon (Juicy!)  Fruits and vegetables should make up a significant proportion of your low-calorie diet because they have lots of nutrients and few calories per serving, and they can be quite satisfying. Two cups of cubed watermelon have 80 calories but no fat. Choosing watermelon over junk food can save you a lot of calories. For example, a serving of 10 to 15 barbecue-flavor potato chips, which equals 1 ounce, has 138 calories and 9 grams of fat; a 12-ounce can of soda has 160 calories; and a small, 3-inch round, glazed doughnut has 130 calories. You can quench your thirst and satisfy a sweet tooth with watermelon, all the while saving calories.

5. Ginger: Not only does ginger improve digestive functions but it also has a “thermogenic” effect that helps activate the metabolism, making it a potent fat and calorie-burner.

6. Beans: Beans are packed with beneficial nutrients, including protein and fiber -which is an amazing  punch for weight loss. Simply eating more fiber -- 30 grams per day -- helps with weight loss, even if you aren't sticking to a strict diet

7. Soy Beans: Protein is a filling nutrient that can help delay the onset of hunger after you eat a meal or snack. Soybeans are naturally high in quality protein. A half-cup of green soybeans provides 17 grams of protein, which is 34 percent of the daily value.

8. Grapes: Dark purple grapes contain a powerful antioxidant known as resveratrol in their skin, research also suggests that consuming more of the antioxidant might help with obesity.

9. Nuts: (Cashew, Peanuts & Walnuts ) all contains Omega 3 healthy fat, research shows that eating nuts regularly was associated with little or no weight gain and a lower body-mass index.

10. Mushrooms : Mushrooms are one of the lowest-calorie natural foods available, and they have fantastic nutritional benefits. For those reasons, they work very well within a balanced diet for  weight loss.

11. Sea foods (e.g. Sardine, Crabs, Cray fish, Crustaceans) Protein helps increase satiety, so including more high-protein, low-calorie foods in your diet may help with weight loss. Omega-3 fats also play a role.

12. Olive Oil: Olive oil, particularly extra-virgin olive oil, is full of vitamin E and antioxidants. These help fight the free radicals in your bloodstream that may be the cause of some of the effects of aging as well as certain cancers. Extreme quick weight loss is possible, but that doesn’t mean you should down a cup full of olive oil just to lose pounds, that could have laxative effect which could lead to diarrhea and make you dehydrated, but rather when cooking always make olive oil your preferred choice.

13. Onion & Garlic: Research shows that they can prevent weight gain and even cause weight loss.

14. Wheat & Oat based food (Wheat bread, Wheat meals, Quaker Oats): Eating whole-grain foods like those made from whole wheat and oats offers numerous health benefits. These foods have an array of important vitamins and minerals, and their rich fiber content can decrease cholesterol and contribute to healthier blood sugar levels.

15. Bananas : Whether a food is good for weight loss depends on the calories its contains, bananas have a bad reputation of being a diet wrecking fruit, but how can that be when they contain fiber and resistant starch which support weight loss. They’re also a nutritious, low-energy-density food, which is good for dropping pounds.

16. Brown or Basmati  Rice (healthier than your usual long grain white rice): Rice  is a staple grain in half the worlds population. Back in the day, when trying to lose weight we usually just avoid rice completely, but thank goodness for brown and basmati rice, we can have this grain meal and not have so much to worry about, Compared to regular long-grain rice, basmati/brown  rice is lower in calories, fat, carbs, and high in fiber and you know what that means.

18. Egg (plus the yolk.): Incorporating eggs into a balanced diet may help you better manage your weight. “Protein from foods like eggs helps keep us feeling full and satisfied throughout the day, It also plays an important role in maintaining lean muscle mass during weight loss, and muscle tissue increases your metabolism.” One large egg contains about 70 calories and six grams of protein, making it a relatively low-calorie protein source. This is important because weight loss requires consuming fewer calories than you burn through activity.

19.  Avocados (Popularly called Pear in Nigeria) : If you have followed me up, you would notice that I have put up two post about this magic food already, eating avocado is like eating fat to burn fat, for a long time we thought avocado was good for nothing fat, but a reevaluation of  that research has shown that they raise HDL (good) cholesterol just as much, if not more, protecting the body from unhealthy cholesterol levels and heart disease avocados are infused with nutrients that could help maintain a  healthy weight maintenance.

There is no vain in pampering yourself to a good balanced meal, protect your home(body), make wise and healthy food choices and watch your body, health and even skin transform... XoXo

Taming Your Negative Critic

Unfortunately, too often we take things personally that aren’t, look for what’s wrong, and critically judge the people around us and ourselves, instead of bringing a sense of love, understanding, acceptance, forgiveness and appreciation to the most important (and often most challenging) situations and relationships in our lives. Some of us really can criticize for Africa! We just love to lay emphases on all the things that are going wrong, things that haven't been achieved, the things that could have been, should have been, was meant to be! sometimes that nattering little voice inside that tells us we are deficient and reminds us of our failures aren't just worth a treat...
Don't think too big,
 reach too high,
or be too confident.
That Inner Critic subpersonality sometimes come so strong as a result of our experience and conditioning. It holds the remnants of our parent’s hopes and fears for us and for themselves, our school history, our religious upbringing, and the competitive culture that we live in. This thoughts could be overwhelming sometimes but we can always find a way through it or around it.
 Below are a few defense mechanism you can activate:

• Separate.  It’s a big step to realize that this voice is just a part of you that has its own motivations and world view. That means that you can separate from that part and get some distance from it. You can choose to listen or not listen. You can take control by telling it to “back off” or by deciding to be interested in its underlying intent, rather than being intimidated by its negative prattling. Separation means being grounded in your higher Self.
• Practice accepting yourself exactly as you are. Rather than constantly trying to change your behavior, just practice being mindful. Try to see what underlying needs motivate the behaviors that you hope to change. See if there are other ways you can meet those needs.

• Take the spotlight off of your critic. If you notice your inner critic taking over, consciously revoke its power. Slow down. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and say No. It may help to visualize a strong and wise part of yourself gently taking your critic down off of a stage or off of its soapbox.

• Cultivate love and respect toward yourself. How would you treat someone you loved and respected deeply? As often as possible, try treating yourself this way, especially in moments of vulnerability.
•  Mentor.
  You can create a positive, supportive aspect of yourself which I call the Inner Champion. It will guide you in your work with your Inner Critic and develop your positive capacities in your life. It can be drawn from positive experiences and reflections you have had in the past or inspiration from mythology, literature or modern culture.

                 The Inner Champion:

1. Sounds like the voice of a good mom that reminds you of your value and capabilities. It encourages you to take reasonable risks to gain what you desire and deserve.
2. Has the courage to take a stand when necessary with the Inner Critic and tell it to leave you alone.
3. Helps you develop a step-by-step plan for achieving what you want.
4. Provides nurturance and care for the fragile parts of us that are ultimately being protected by the Inner Critic.

Make wise meat choices

It is extremely difficult for most people to ignore red meat; it is a staple in most soups and sauces. If you must eat red meat, make sure to trim off as much excess fat as possible. The recommended red meat option for dieter is goat meat; goat meat is comparable to beef in protein but contains 50% less calories and significantly less fat. I can't remember when last I made use of beef. See the chat below for meat comparison:

Tips on eating healthy when you're out and about

  

If you go out to a restaurant to eat, you probably watch your calories very closely. To assist you with your calorie watching when dining out, these tips will help you make the most of it.

• Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add to your meal.
• When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either.
• Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based sauces. Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted as a vegetable!
• You should always try to drink water, diet soda, or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain alcohol.
• If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half of the dessert will equal half of the calories.
• When you choose a soup, remember to choose soup high in vegetables and fiber.
• When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon. Salsa is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice.
• When you are full, stop eating. Listen to your body and what it tells you.
• If you get full, take half of your meal home. The second portion of your meal can serve as a second meal later. This way, you get two meals for the price of one.
• If you’re looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.
• If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of fries.
• Always look for food on the menu that’s baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These types of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories.
• Plain whole grain bread or rolls are low in both fat and calories. When you add the butter and oil, you increase the fat and calorie intake.
• As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals.
• Choose foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown/basmati rice.
• If you crave dessert, look for something with low fat, such as berries or fruit, and when taking cold cream on a hot sunny day, always use fruit toppings, fruit toppings always my preferred toppings any day.
• Always remember not to deprive yourself of the foods you truly love. All types of foods can fit into a well balanced diet.

Cleaning with children in the house is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos

 To say that kids are capable of making messes would be an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, they are also a great help around the house and in the kitchen, but the sheer nature of having 4+ people in your home means you have to deal with a lot of dust, little pieces of paper everywhere, and other small items on the floor constantly.
Many days, you'd feel like you're losing the battle against an endless pile of little items on the floor, any parent knows that kids create clutter like nobody’s business.
It’s enough to drive you crazy. Still, with a little diligence, it’s possible to have a simple, (relatively) uncluttered home as well as peace of mind.
Let me first state the obvious: any life that includes children is going to be complicated, at least to some degree. You’ll never get an absolute minimalist lifestyle with kids, and you have to learn to accept that.

Here are my tips for simplifying your home with kids:

Identify the important. The first step in decluttering is identifying which toys and other possessions are truly important to the kids. What do they play with, what do they love? Then get rid of as much of the rest as possible, keeping only those they use and love.

 Purge…ruthlessly. Every day, ask yourself, “What am I willing to let go of today?” Put one item (or more) into a box to give away. Have your kids do the same. Put a smiley face on the box, and tell them that every item that they put in there will make someone else happy.

Leave space. When you put the important stuff back, don’t try to fill up each drawer, shelf or closet area. Allow there to be some space around the objects. It’s much nicer looking, and it leaves room for a couple of extra items later if necessary.

Bins. These are the best type of containers for kids stuff, in general. Bins or baskets. The key is to make it easy for the kids (or you) to toss their stuff into the bins, making cleanup simple. Label each bin, if possible, with the type of stuff that goes there (blocks, stuffed toys, Legos, instruments of destruction). If your child can’t read, use picture labels.

 Cubbies. We had a small plastic 3-drawer organizer (we call them “cubbies”) for each child. They don’t take up much room in the closets, and it allows them to have a place to put their little odds and ends that would otherwise be all over the place.

Organize like with like. Try to keep similar things organized together. So, one bin for stuffed toys, another for sports stuff. This makes it easier to remember. Same thing with clothes: underwear and socks together, shirts, shorts, pants, etc. All video game stuff in one place.

One place for school papers. Similarly, you should have one place to keep all incoming school papers. We had an inbox for all incoming papers in our house, but we also keep a folder to store school papers, so we never have to search for them.

Teach them to clean.  So, instead of  continually stressing out about the messes, you just ask them to clean up now and then. Sure, things will get messy again soon. But at least the kids are doing the work cleaning up, not you. :)

Allow them to mess. Kids are not perfect. They will inevitably make a mess. You have to allow them to do this. Then, when they’re done, ask them to clean it up. No harm, no foul.

Clean as you go. Learn to clean up messes as you go (or ask the kids to clean up their mess), so that the house is never a wreck.

Clean before bed. Do a quick clean-up right before you go to bed, getting any little things the little ones forgot to put away. It makes mornings much more pleasant.

30-minute cleanups. On Saturdays, do a “30-minute cleanup”. This means that every child (over 5 years old probably) has a chore, and the whole family (including parents) pitch in to clean up the house. Set a timer, and see if you can do it all in 30 minutes. That’s much easier for your family to accomplish, as you have the little people (including two adults and a teenager) pitching in to finish quickly. This gives  a clean house and the rest of the day to have fun.

Prep time. This isn’t so much to do with clutter as with general simplifying your life with kids. It helps to have prep time each evening and morning to prepare the kids’ lunches, clothes, or whatever is needed for whatever you’re doing that day. This means you get the soccer gear and drinks and snacks ready on soccer days, or whatever gear is necessary for the activities of the day. It saves a rush when you are trying to get out the door, and saves you from forgetting stuff later.

Reasons why you shouldn't miss out on fibre intake

 

Fiber is a vital part of a healthy diet, but most of us are getting less than half the recommended amount. A healthy adult needs 21 to 38 grams a day, but surveys show that the average daily individual intake is about 14 grams.

If you’ve been looking for a way towards a high octane diet, you’ll find fiber to be exactly what you need. Even though research has shown fiber to be powerful, many people aren’t taking this nutrient seriously.
To help you fuel your health with fiber, here are 10 facts to help.

1. Fiber fights diseases. A diet high in fiber can help to prevent colon cancer and heart disease. High fiber helps the body to eliminate cholesterol by binding it in the digestive tract. For thousands of years, fiber has been used to stop constipation.
2. Fiber can actually help with overeating. All high fiber foods will take longer to chew and digest, making you feel satisfied longer
3. Most popular foods don’t have enough fiber. If you like the more popular foods, you probably need to increase your intake of fiber.
4. Grains offer the most fiber. Dietary fiber is actually plant matter that we cannot digest. The best sources are whole grains and concentrated grain products.
5. Kids need fiber as well. Children that are older than 2 years of age should consume a daily intake of fiber. Kids are most receptive to fiber found in fruits, vegetables, and even fortified breakfast cereals.
6. More fiber needs more water. In order to keep fiber moving through your digestive tract, you’ll need to consume a lot of water. With your diet of fiber, you’ll need eight or more glasses of water every day.
7. Fiber cannot be cooked out. When you cook your fruits and vegetables, don’t worry about cooking the fiber out, as it stays. The fiber found in fruits and vegetables aren’t just in the skin or in the peel.
8. You can get enough fiber. If you eat more than 50 grams of fiber in a day, you can get diarrhea and bloating, which can interfere with your body’s absorption of other key minerals.
9. Getting the right amount of fiber in your diet doesn’t have to be hard. Even though you may think so, getting the amount of fiber you need isn’t very hard to do. All you have to do is eat the right foods and you’ll be well on your way to a fiber rich lifestyle.

As one of the key ingredients to healthy eating, fiber is something you don’t want to skip. Fiber can serve many different purposes, which were covered above. If you aren’t getting enough fiber in your diet – you should do something about now instead of waiting until it is too late.

Glam ways to wear your white shirts

 We swear by our white shirts right? And what is more stylish and comfy than a white shirt and an ice-blue jeans on a hot summer day? Nothing! But it is sometimes too monotonous to wear a plain white shirt and denims always, so here are 5 ways to accessorize white shirt:

Scarves: How do you completely alter a look by being easy on your pocket? Scarves! They are as good as their prices! Wear a different colour scarf around your neck in different styles each time you wear your shirts and put on matching lipsticks. Then watch your friends go, “You weren’t wearing this shirt the other day, were you?” “Of course not!” 

Dungarees: If you are the quirky one who is not shy to cross the bounds for the stake of style then dungarees are for you. No hassle, no makeup, no fuss, just a high ponytail/bun and your favourite pair of dungarees. And if you may, let a floral printed satchel do all the talking!

Necklaces: Stone-studded neckpieces and collar necklaces are my favourite accessories with shirts. You may wear any colour you like because it is a white shirt we are talking about!

Bright Hot-pants: Ditch your regular denim hot-pants and go for bright cotton hot-pants that only spell glam! These are comfortable, lightweight, come in vibrant shades and prints and are super affordable. You can own many at the price of one denim pant and are at your free will to experiment with those every time you go out. To add glam to the look, you may want to add a thin silver belt along your waistline. Otherwise the poppy ones would do just fine.

Bags: It is almost as if a rule to carry tan or camel coloured bags with white shirt. And there is no denying it is uber classy too. But we are not always on a business meeting or a formal outing to be dressing the same way. Any bag pairs well up with a plain white shirt. Your liberty of experiments can go to any level as you generally never make a fashion faux pas wearing a white shirt unless until something goes horribly wrong. And there is no fear of such as long as you keep to basics: like wearing a blue/black/tan denims underneath. Carry a navy blue, pink or red handbag with your white shirt on, and see heads turn!