Celebrity Diva to Dealmaker

Kim Kardashian

Having just inked a three-year, $40 million TV deal with E! to continue to produce reality programming with her family, Kim also has a stake in her sisters' DASH clothing stores and has released three fragrances. When she's not jetting around the world to events, Kardashian often sticks by her computer, where she can reportedly earn up to $25,000 to mention a brand in a Twitter tweet.

Oprah Winfrey

Born into poverty, Winfrey became a millionaire at age 32 when The Oprah Winfrey Show went national. Declared the first black female billionaire in world history by Forbes, Winfrey has co-authored five books, publishes her own magazine, owns Harpo Productions, Inc., and as of March 2012, has an estimated net worth of $2.7 billion.

Beyonce

Earning $35 million in 2011, new mom Beyonce rakes in the dough thanks to a lucrative music career, her House of Dereon fashion line with mom Tina Knowles and endorsements with brands like L'Oreal.

Lady Gaga

Raking in $90 million in 2011 just from her worldwide concert tour alone, Gaga is able to share her story with 32 million Facebook fans and 10 million Twitter followers, most of whom presumably helped her reach one million digital downloads of "Born This Way" in its first five days of release.

Bethenny Frankel

"The most difficult thing in my journey is the way that people have reacted to my making money….It surprises me because you always think about people making money and it changing them, you never think about it changing everything else," Skinnygirl mogul Frankel -- who earned $55 million in 2011 selling everything from booze to books -- tells Forbes. "Fame isn't the thing that changed the people around me, but money is."

Gwen Stefani

Rising to fame as a member of No Doubt, Stefani -- a mom of two -- has seen her wealth increase with the release of her L.A.M.B. clothing line, which expanded to include the Harajuku Lovers line in 2005. Also a spokeswoman for L'Oreal, Stefani has two fragrances that bear her name.

Victoria Beckham

Dubbed Posh Spice during her stint as a Spice Girl, Beckham has since put her singing career on hold to become one of the fashion industry's most sought-after designers. Loved by celebs including Jennifer Lawrence, Eva Longoria and Kim Kardashian, Beckham's self-titled collection paved the way for her own brand of jeans, sunglasses, handbags and jewelry.

Tyra Banks

The fourth richest supermodel in the world, Banks -- who appeared twice on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue -- helmed her own talk show for five years before its cancellation in 2010. Currently appearing as the host of America's Next Top Model, Banks released her first novel in 2011 and graduated from Harvard Business School in 2012

Jessica Simpson

"I have the best job in the world!" new mom Simpson -- whose Jessica Simpson brand has raked in $750 million in 35 countries -- tells Us. Making frequent appearances at her chic but affordable line's workroom, the Fashion Star mentor is very hands-on. "Nothing goes out without me seeing it or my mom [Tina Simpson, cocreative director] seeing it," Simpson explains

Heidi Klum

Ranked No. 83 on Forbes' Celebrity 100 List, Project Runway's hostess made her millions thanks to a 13-year Victoria's Secret modeling career coupled with brand endorsements and her own line of athletic apparel for New Balance sold on Amazon.com. In addition to Project Runway, the single mom of four also hosted Lifetime's Seriously Funny Kids and Germany's Next Top Model.

Jennifer Lopez

Getting her first big break in 1997's Selena, former In Living Color fly girl Lopez is the highest-paid Latin actress in Hollywood with an estimated $250 million net worth. Selling more than 55 million records worldwide, Lopez -- who appears in this summer's What to Expect When You're Expecting -- signed on to judge American Idol in 2011. She continues to appear as a spokesmodel for L'Oreal and has her own line of clothing and fragrances.

Learn about crash diet Now – Useful!

There are more and more people who want to have a successful dieting experience in recent years. Thus, many terms related to dieting are developed. One of the terms that you might have known would be crash diet. This is one of the ideas about dieting and it is usually regarded as extreme dieting.

Crash diet is something widely used by some celebrities in recent years. They need to ensure that they have the slim body.

According to many of the medical experts, there are a lot of reasons why people would like to take the crash diet. One of the obvious reasons is that the result can be shown very obviously and the result in weight loss can be quite significant. For example, some people can lose around 10 pounds of weights within 3 days after they have conducted the crash diet.

The idea behind crash diet is that people would limit their intake of calories. Through this type of reduced intake, people would find that the body would have a reduced weight provided that the activities that they do in the normal day would remain unchanged. When you take food, you would take energy and when you do exercises, you would consume energy. Therefore, the purpose of restricted intake of food is to make sure that the body would burn your excessive energy stored in your body, which is usually in the form of fats. Then, you would succeed in reducing your body weight.

However, it is not advised that people should have a prolonged crash diet without a rest. The meaning of ‘rest’ is that people should try to gradually restore the normal intake of food after they have conducted crash diet for a certain period of time. It is because the prolonged crash diet would cause nutrition deficiencies if people cannot manage the dieting well. Therefore, they are always advised to restore the dieting habit gradually after they have obtained a steady result of weight loss from crash diet.

If you wish to reduce the chance of developing nutrient deficiencies, you should try to pick some of the foods which would keep you healthy in that way. For instance, you should keep eating some fruits every day such that you can get the sufficient level of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables are also welcomed for people who are taking the crash diet but they have to make sure that the vegetables are cooked in a healthy way. In other words, they should not be the fried ones or the cooking oil would already bring you a large amount of fats.

To conclude, using a crash diet can really help people reduce the energy intake in body and therefore have a better weight loss effect. However, it should be done in a cautious manner and you should report any kind of strange health problems to your doctors when you spot any. Otherwise, it can be quite difficult for you to restore your health once you develop some troublesome nutrients deficiencies.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can be stress reliever after a hard day’s work, but for others, having a drink or two isn’t enough. If you are one of those who have to grab a drink every evening, do you know how much you are actually consuming? And have you noticed any difference in your general performance at work or have you experienced any lapses in memory? Here are ten things that you might want to know about alcohol and these are based on the latest medical research reports.

1. Alcohol drinking reduces sleep quality. 

A recent controlled trial showed that alcohol results in poor sleep quality, also known as insomnia. This generally results in tossing and turning for hours each night, and eventually catching sleep only during the early morning hours.

2. Alcohol consumption increases the risk for diseases. 

Alcohol drinking often results in insomnia, which decreases the number of hours of quality sleep and reduces the body’s chance to recharge or recuperate from the activities performed in the past days. Insomnia also reduces the chance for the body to produce essential hormones that are important in fighting infection, thus making you prone to illness.

3. Alcohol can affect short- and long-term memory. 

During sleep, the brain is allowed to process information gained from the past days. When insomnia due to alcohol consumption sets in, the brain is not given enough time to classify and retain information gathered during the day and thus will result in a loss of memory. In more severe cases of alcohol dependence, the person can suffer from a deterioration of mental health, thus affected even long-term memory.

4. Drinking alcohol results in poor physical health. 

Alcohol can affect various systems of the body, often resulting in a lower quality of general health. Aside from the risk of frequent sickness, alcohol drinkers suffering from insomnia often lose the strength and stamina to perform the regular tasks.

5. Alcohol results in a lower performance at work. 

The combination of excessive alcohol drinking and insomnia often results in loss of memory, which can also affect a person’s performance at work. Missing appointments and forgetting names of clients can affect the total quality of work. Loss of memory can also be in the form of forgetting how to perform a regular task at work and this can be quite frustrating not only to the alcohol drinker but to co-workers, too.

6. People who frequently drink alcohol have a higher risk of suffering from mental health disorders. 

Alcohol drinkers have been reported to suffer from psychological issues, showing that the mental health condition of these people has deteriorated. These individuals tend to get upset easily, often showing anger outbursts at work and at home.

7. Alcohol induces behavioral problems. 

 Drinking alcohol also results in a change in a person’s behavior, especially when one’s memory and mental health have been affected. In turn, an alcohol drinker’s behavior will change in response to these mental health developments. Family members can also be affected by this change in mental health.

8. Excessive alcohol intake increases the risk for accidents. 

Since excessive alcohol results in an affected memory, insomnia, and poor general mental health, an individual will suffer from poor coordination in driving or operating machines, thus making it more likely that accidents and death to occur. Poor memory can result in pressing the wrong pedal while driving or forgetting to stop a machine when one is about to get hurt.

9. Alcohol can induce mental distress. 

 Excessive alcohol drinking not only results in a loss of memory and sleep but also induces an individual to experience high levels of anxiety. The mental health condition of an alcohol drinker has definitely changed and this often results in a decrease in self-esteem, making the person feel less capable and deserving of good things in life. Challenging tasks will now seem to be impossible to perform, making the person feel that he or she is worthless and unimportant.

10. Drinking too much alcohol can make a person become delusional. 

Have you talked to a person who just had too much to drink? This person often brags about his or her capabilities, often to the extent of being delusional. This change in mental health can be destructive, especially when the person attempts to show his or her claim of grandeur while under the influence of alcohol. Excessive drinking changes one’s general mental health condition because it desensitizes the nerves and thus makes the drinker feel that nothing can harm him or her.

So before you take the next glass of your favorite drink tonight, remember that excessive alcohol drinking affects mental health. It will not be surprising if you are currently suffering from insomnia and never realized that there was a connection between insomnia and alcohol. We usually don’t give much importance to sleep but once insomnia sets in, it is best to reduce the amount of alcohol we consume each day.

belmarrahealth

Caffeine: More Harmful Than You Think

If you are like 80% of the adult population then you consume caffeine in one form or another.   Although you are probably well aware that too much caffeine can cause temporary, undesirable side-effects such as restlessness or an inability to fall asleep, you may not be aware that the effects of caffeine are not always so short-lived or benign.  So before you reach for that morning coffee, afternoon soda or nightly energy drink, consider the following ill-health effects of caffeine consumption.

Immediate Effects You May Not Be Aware Of

Regular caffeine consumption can deplete vitamin C, as well as all of the B-vitamins in your body.  It can also prevent the absorption of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron, states Holistic Nutritionist Danielle Perrault in her book “Nutritional Symptomatology.”    In addition, caffeine can increase your blood pressure, dehydrate you, make you feel anxious, cause hypoglycemia, increase irritability and cause irregular heartbeat. Caffeine can also cause headaches and migraines and worsen both acid reflux and stomach ulcers.

Caffeine and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that results in a loss of bone density and a thinning of bone tissue, and consequently a greater risk for bone fractures. According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, caffeine measurably increases urinary calcium loss. This is problematic because calcium is a vital mineral for the maintenance of strong and healthy bones.  In addition, a study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research, found that the regular consumption of caffeine can lead to measurable bone mineral density loss, especially amongst elderly individuals.

Caffeine and Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by chronic, high blood sugar levels. According to a study The Journal of Caffeine Research, there is a growing body of evidence linking caffeine consumption to both the development and progression of Type 2 Diabetes.  Specifically, studies have found that caffeine raises blood sugar levels in diabetic individuals, leading to a worsening of their condition and also a greater difficulty in controlling their symptoms. Studies also show that caffeine reduces a healthy individual’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar levels. Due to this effect, chronic, excessive caffeine intake increases a healthy individual’s likelihood to develop diabetes.

How to Get Over Your Caffeine Addiction

If you are otherwise healthy, but you rely on caffeine in order to energize you and get you through the day, it is a clear sign of either inadequate sleep or weakened adrenal glands. The solution to the former is obvious, but the latter is a little more complicated.

The adrenal glands secrete a variety of hormones and are responsible for how well your body deals with stress. They can easily become exhausted when you experience too much mental, physical or emotional stress. Some common symptoms of adrenal exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, insomnia, irritability, an inability to concentrate, food cravings and depression.  Caffeine can temporarily mask these symptoms, however once the immediate boost has worn off, your adrenal glands are left further deteriorated. This ultimately leads to a worsening of symptoms. So instead of turning to caffeine for a temporary fix, concentrate on strengthening your adrenal glands.

Strengthening Your Adrenal Glands

Moderate exercise, meditation, a whole foods diet and the avoidance of alcohol, sugars, refined carbohydrates and sweets will all support healthy adrenal gland function, states Phyllis Balch in her book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.”

Ironically enough, the two most important nutrients for adrenal gland health are vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins – the very nutrients that caffeine depletes.  So, if despite lifestyle modifications you still miss that instant pick-me-up that caffeinated beverages used to give you, consider supplementing with these energy boosting and adrenal supporting vitamins instead.

Keeping Up With Women’s Dietary Needs

As women move through different stages of their lives, their nutritional requirements continue to change.  A diet consisting of healthy food is obviously important, but differing amounts of certain vitamins and nutrients are needed during different phases of growth and development.  What is considered a healthy diet when you were a young girl is not the same as when you are in your child-bearing years and definitely not the same as when you’re a post-menopausal woman.

Healthy Food for All Age Groups
When you’re in your late teens and early 20’s
These are the years where you will build up your bone density which is why calcium intake is so important during these years.  Calcium not only helps with healthy bones, it also helps to keep your muscles, nerves and heart strong and healthy. 1,000mg of calcium every day is recommended. Sources of calcium include dairy products, fortified cereals and juices as well as dark, leafy green vegetables, beans, and almonds.   The good news about calcium rich dairy products is that they are considered functional foods.  This means that in addition to their nutritional value, they also provide protection against chronic diseases. Adding functional foods to a diet consisting of a variety of healthy food, including calcium rich foods will help to ensure that you remain healthy during early adulthood.  As an added bonus, the protein that is found in dairy products also helps to maintain healthy blood pressure.
During menstruation years, consuming enough iron is important as well to prevent iron deficiency anemia.  Protein, including lean meats, fish and poultry are examples of healthy food that contain iron. Plant sources of protein that have iron include beans, spinach and dark leafy green vegetables.
The Importance of Fruits, Vegetables and Protein
In your late 20’s and early 30’s…
An increasing number of women are having children later in their lives, which means that folic acid is an important nutrient during this stage. The reason folic acid is important is because it helps to prevent neural tube defects in fetuses.  Currently, the recommendation if you plan on getting pregnant is 400 mcg of folic acid daily.  This can come from healthy food that is fortified with folate or from a supplement. Sources of folate include lentils, beans, asparagus, green leafy vegetables, pasta and bread with enriched wheat flour, avocado, eggs, and seaweed among many others.  Additionally, many of these foods are also good sources of protein which helps to prevent iron deficiency anemia, related to menstruation, during these years as well.
During this decade, it is also important that you start incorporating functional foods into your diet to prevent chronic diseases.  Try adding healthy food that contains omega-3 fatty acids as well as monounsaturated fats to your diet which will help to protect against heart disease.
In your 40’s
Consuming healthy food including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is important during this phase of life.  Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.  Consuming functional foods that contain fiber is important during these years as fiber will help to protect against heart disease as well as some forms of cancer.
In your 50’s
This is the stage where women enter menopause which involves drastic hormonal changes.  Weight gain usually occurs because of these hormonal changes. Therefore, cutting back calories during this phase is important.  Getting enough Vitamin D during this phase is also vital.  Sources of Vitamin D include fortified juices and cereals as well as salmon and tuna. A Vitamin D supplement may be needed during this phase of life.
From Your 60’s onward
During this phase many women do not get enough protein. Consuming enough protein is vital to maintaining healthy muscles.  Additionally, consuming enough protein may also be connected to good bone health. It is recommended that women eat 5-6 sources of protein per day.  Good protein sources include: lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, beans and low fat dairy.
Vitamin B12 is also essential during this phase of life as it helps to maintain a healthy nervous system.  The animal protein sources mentioned above contain Vitamin B12, but a supplement may also be required.

As women age, their nutritional requirements change and it’s important to make sure you are consuming the right healthy foods to help maintain optimal health at every stage of life.    Consuming healthy food, including various functional foods will help to protect you against disease and will help you to live a long, healthy life.

Meal and Snack Bars – Choose Wisely!

There are so many bars available to consumers today – nutrition bars, energy bars, meal replacement bars, etc. – it can be overwhelming and confusing to know which one you should buy (if any!). As people try to reduce the amount of junk food that they consume they may be looking at bars as an alternative.   The bar business is a multi-billion dollar market in North America – no wonder consumers are confused!

Are Snack Bars Actually Just Junk Food?
A recent report from Packaged Facts examined this multi-billion bar industry and looked at 2 categories – cereal/granola bars and energy/nutrition bars. They site numerous reasons why the bar industry is booming including: new product launches, improved marketing to different consumers as well as a continued improvement in delivery formats. The report also points out that eating trends are continually changing and favor the bar industry.  These changing eating habits include: a blurring between meals and snacks, a strong emphasis on portion size for control of calories, as well as informal, spontaneous eating.  All of these factors favor the bar industry as grabbing a bar is an easy, on-the-go bite to eat.
The bar industry itself is also blurring the line between cereal/granola bars and energy/nutrition bars.  Changes are continually being made to make cereal/granola bars more nutritious by adding functional ingredients such as protein or fiber.   Manufacturers of cereal/granola bars are starting to shift from “treats” (which some say is junk food) to a nutritious snack or even a meal replacement bar. Bars that have seen good growth rates include those labeled as high-protein, low-carbohydrate or balance-gastrointestinal formulations.  The changes being made to the cereal/granola bar industry are more than likely going to have a negative impact on the sale of energy/nutrition bars because people will shift from pricier energy/nutrition bars to cheaper, multi-pack cereal/granola bars.
Snack Bars Could Mean Calories and Sugar – Be Careful What You Buy
On the other hand, energy/nutrition bars are trying to improve the flavor of their bars to make them more appealing to the consumer. Additionally, to differentiate the energy/nutrition bar from the cereal/granola bar manufacturers are using Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, omega-3, resveratrol and Vitamin K2, which may carry additional health benefits that cannot be obtained from eating a cereal/granola bar.
While people may reach for a bar at various times, a vast amount of people opt for energy bars before they exercise.  These bars typically claim that they are a great snack before you exercise. However, if you look at the packaging, you may be surprised to find out that they are often packed with added sugar which means an increased number of calories.  A typical energy bar contains a high level of sugar (15-20 grams per 2 ounces) and can contain over 300 calories.  If you’re going to participate in exercise in an attempt to lose weight, perhaps reaching for that energy bar that’s packed with calories before you exercise is not the best idea.  Instead, reach for fresh fruits and vegetables prior to your exercise routine for an energy boost.  Fruits and vegetables packed with vitamins and minerals and are low in calories and will help you get through your exercise routine.

If you’re looking to lose weight, regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet (and cutting out junk food) is the best way to reduce calories and drop excess weight.  If you are going to reach for a bar, be sure to read the nutrition label to make sure that you’re not consuming glorified junk food in the form of a bar packed with calories.

Is Your Toothpaste Giving You Bad Breath?

We brush our teeth regularly to prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath, but what if your toothpaste is actually the source of your smelly smile? Many experts warn that some of the ingredients found in toothpastes and mouthwashes could actually be causing your bad breath. So if you find that your breath isn’t as fresh as it used to be, you may be feeling the negative effects of your current oral regimen. Watch out for these three common culprits:

• Fluoride foulness? Many toothpastes contain fluoride, and while some dentists are quick to point out the benefits of fluoride’s properties, including its bacteria-killing effects, others suggest that fluoride actually dries out the mouth, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria, thereby causing bad breath.

• Washing your mouth with soap. Another compound frequently used in toothpaste is sodium lauryl sulfate, which is a fancy name for soap. It’s the agent that causes your toothpaste to foam up, which makes the brusher feel like his mouth is getting clean. In reality, it can also dry out the mouth, damaging certain delicate tissues.

• Alcohol in the morning? Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, up to 26%, because of its ability to dissolve plaque. However, alcohol itself can cause dryness in the mouth, breaking down the mucus-like coating that keeps the mouth moist. This can lead to bad breath and cause an uncomfortable stinging sensation in the mouth.

If you want to avoid foul breath, avoid using toothpaste containing any chemicals. One of the best alternatives is using toothpaste containing natural ingredients. These toothpastes are safe and effective, plus you can be sure that you’re not harming your body with chemicals or artificial ingredients.
Source: dailymail.co.uk

The Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed Oil is a plant oil (also known as Linseed Oil) and is highly recommended for general well-being and whole body nutrition. It contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein and zinc and also provides approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking fish oil, minus that "fishy" after taste that doesn’t appeal to many people.
In fact, some experts believe that it could be the most important health-promoting supplement next to a multi-vitamin. Nearly every system in the body can benefit from flaxseed oil's natural properties, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, circulatory system, reproductive system, nervous system, as well as joints. Check out these potential benefits:

Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids help lower cholesterol and blood triglycerides, and 

• prevent the arterial clots that can lead to strokes, heart attacks and thrombosis 
• Helps protect the body against high blood pressure, inflammation, water retention, sticky platelets and lowered immune function 
• Shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion 
• Increases the body's production of energy and also increases stamina 
• Accelerates the healing of sprains and bruises 
• Eases weight loss in people afflicted with obesity 
• Stimulates brown fat cells and increases the metabolic rate, making it easier to burn off fat

Flaxseed oil can be found in caplets and in liquid form and can also be found ground as flaxseed meal that can easily be added to every day cooking. Try some today!
Source: herbwisdom.com

4 Exercises to Boost Brain Power

We all know exercise improves the strength, endurance and flexibility of the body, but what are we doing to exercise our brain? It’s equally important to flex your brain muscle by improving your memory, recall ability, concentration, focus, visual perception, reflex speed and problem-solving skills. Try these exercises to help build cognitive functions by forming new nerve connections and networks.

1. Toe Twisters
   Before getting out of bed in the morning, slowly begin to move your toes. Continue for a few minutes, moving all your toes and then just the two big toes. This exercise helps to make the brain more alert and energized for better walking and hand-eye coordination.

2. Walk it Off
   Studies show that long-term regular physical activity such as walking helps boost cognitive function in the elderly, including improved verbal memory, recall fluency and attention. Walking helps to increase blood flow to the brain, bathing it in more oxygen and nutrients for healthier nerves and supporting tissues. It also doesn’t stress the body as much as more strenuous physical workouts, which use more energy, oxygen and glucose.

3. Visualize It
   Have someone show you 5 to 10 different objects, looking at each one for 10 to 15 seconds. Then have your friend place them in different locations around the room. Wait a few minutes, then leave the room and write down, in detail, a visual description of each object and exactly where in the room it is placed. To get the maximum benefits, this exercise should be completed within 10 minutes.

4. Rewire Your Brain
   Kids are able to learn new languages and skills faster than adults because their brains are still creating new pathways. As adults we can also create new networks in the brain by challenging ourselves with learning new things. Try getting dressed with your eyes closed or using your non-dominant hand to do everyday tasks such as eating or using a computer mouse. Mental exercises to stimulate new nerve connections include learning new vocabulary words or words in a new language and reciting the alphabet backwards until you can do it as fast as reciting it forwards.

Source: livestrong.com

Fan made posters of Lee Min Ho in Faith

Gwyneth Paltrow Harper’s Bazaar Australia May 2012

4 Salads to Avoid

Salads should be a light and healthy alternative to any meal, but sometimes ordering a lovely plate of greens ends up resulting in a grassy pool of fatty dressing, chunky cheeses and greasy, carb-filled croutons. These four sneaky salads are the most common offenders, so watch out for them.

1. Chicken Caesar. This little chicken can pack a whopping 750 calories, 50 grams of fat and more sodium than a bag of chips! When you’re ordering this should-be healthy dish, ask for the dressing and cheese on the side and forgo the croutons. You’ll cut your calories and fat by almost half and leave feeling satisfied and maybe even a little lighter.

2. Shrimp Salad. There’s nothing shrimpy about 1,000 calories, 69 grams of fat and a staggering 2,600 mg of sodium. To fight the fat in this sassy salad, ask for a side of avocado and skip the dressing. By replacing heavy, unhealthy dressings that can weigh you down with creamy
   avocado, you won’t miss the heaping helping of unwanted calories.

3. Asian Chicken Salad. In a salad, the words ‘Asian’ and ‘chicken’ can be misleading especially when the chicken is fried, the Asian noodles are crunchy bundles of greasy carbs and the Mandarin oranges slices are sugary enough to sharply spike your glucose levels. When ordering this salad, make sure you get it with grilled chicken and swap out the noodles for edamame or snap peas for a greeny crunch.

4. Cobb Salad. The Cobb is probably the most common violator of healthy lunchtimes with its supersized portions of bacon, ham, blue cheese and hard-boiled eggs. To lighten things up, avoid the other meats and opt for lean turkey breast and dressing on the side.

6 Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally!

High blood pressure (HBP) is an easily preventable condition, but according to studies it plays a contributing role in more than 15% of deaths in the United States. It doesn’t have any visible symptoms, but can boost the risk of heart attack, stroke, cognitive decline and kidney failure. Thankfully, many most people can reduce their blood pressure the natural way. Your first step should be to get to a healthy weight, then try these strategies for added health benefits.

1. Walk it off! Take a brisk walk every day. Exercise helps the body to use oxygen more efficiently, thereby lowering your pressure if even by just a few points.

2. Just breathe. Slow breathing and meditation decrease stress hormones, which elevate renin, a kidney enzyme that raises blood pressure. Try 5 minutes in the morning and at night. Inhale deeply and expand your belly. Exhale and release all of your tension.

3. Remember the three Ps: pack in the potassium-rich produce. Loading up on potassium-rich fruits and vegetables is an important part lowering blood pressure. High potassium foods include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, kidney beans, peas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, prunes and raisins.

4. Cut the salt. Certain groups of people are more likely than others to have blood pressure that's particularly sodium sensitive. There’s really no way to tell who is sodium sensitive and who isn’t, but if your HPB is a problem, it’s probably worth cutting out some salt. Experts recommend a diet with a max intake of 1,500 mg of sodium daily. Check the labels on your processed food and season foods with spices, herbs, lemon and salt-free seasoning blends.

5. Indulge yourself with dark chocolate. Dark chocolate varieties feature flavanols that make blood vessels more elastic. Have up to ½ ounce of dark chocolate with 70% cocoa daily.

6. Hug a cat. Entertain the idea of owning a pet or spending time with animals. Animals have a natural calming ability and studies have shown people who interact with pets have decreased blood pressure.

3 Simple Tips to Keep Your Kidneys (and Arteries) Clean

Kidneys play a key role in cleansing your body, including your arteries. If your kidneys are backed up or clogged, they aren’t able to clean out your blood as well as they should, which can lead to aging in your arteries. Follow these easy tips to help keep your kidneys working at their optimal levels.

Drink water. Dehydration can increase your risk of kidney problems by 20%. An easy way to incorporate more water into your day is to carry a BPA-free water bottle with you as much as possible--in your car, at your desk and even when you’re eating a meal.

1. Try yogurt or milk. Keep your blood pressure in check with 2 cups of yogurt and one glass of milk per day. The calcium in yogurt and milk can lower your risk of blood pressure surges by 25%.
2. Reduce salt. Diets high in salt increase the risk of kidney stone, since extra salt in your diet pushes calcium into your kidneys, rather than into your bones, where it’s supposed to be. Try eating less processed food and substituting dried herbs as a food topping rather than table salt.

3 Foods That Make You Look Older

We all know fresh fruits and vegetables are the ticket to improving overall health, clear skin and bright, youthful complexions. What you might not know is that some foods can actually prematurely age your skin.

1. Sugar: Sweets and refined carbs raise your blood glucose levels, which interferes with the normal repair of collagen and elastin.
2. Saturated fats: Diets high in saturated fats increase inflammation, which ages your skin.
3. Alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates your body, leaving skin tight and dry. Your liver also releases skin-aging free radicals as it metabolizes alcohol.

Too Much of a Good Thing – Vitamin A

More isn’t always better. Especially when it comes to your health. Multivitamins have become an increasing common and sometimes necessary part of modern life. With hectic schedules, it can be incredibly difficult to consume the recommended vitamins and minerals. Multivitamins can provide a simple option to help supplement some of the beneficial vitamins missing from our diet.

Multivitamins and the Nutrients They Contain
But, many multivitamins contain high amounts of the essential nutrients, and this can be detrimental to your health. The problem is compounded when individuals beginning taking more than the recommended daily dose of these supplements. A frightening example of an excess of a good thing is vitamin A.

Too Much Vitamin A Could Spell Disaster

Many multivitamins contain 10,000 IU of vitamin A. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin A is between 2,000 and 3,000, meaning that these multivitamins are giving over three times the recommended dosage. The problem is compounded when people start taking an extra multivitamin or two a day, since they are concerned about their health and diet.
How can a vitamin which can be incredibly beneficial end up causing you harm? Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, which needs to be processed by your liver, and can accumulate in your body over time. High levels of vitamin A are referred to as hypervitaminosis A, and can lead to a host of toxic symptoms. These include central nervous system disorders, decreased bone mineral density, liver issues and even hair loss. The US Institute of Medicine states that adverse effects can occur when vitamin A is taken at 21,600 IU for a prolonged period of time. That may sound like a large amount, but that is only a small amount more than what can be contained in two multivitamins.
It gets worse, a Harvard study found that “safe” levels of vitamin A may actually weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures in women. The study found that women who consumed at least 6,600 IU, less than is in some multivitamins, had almost double the risk of fractures compared to those who consumed less vitamin A.
Before serious symptoms such as decreased bone density occur, other symptoms of vitamin A toxicity usually appear, these include headache, fatigue, joint pain, dry skin, nausea, and hair loss.
So, always keep in mind that you can get too much of a good thing, especially from multivitamins. You should never take more than the recommended dose of dietary supplements, and that includes multivitamins.
source :belmarrahealth.com

5 Pains You Shouldn’t Ignore

Pain presents itself in a variety of forms ranging from inflammation and joint pain to pins and needles. Although some types of pain, such as those caused by a paper cut, are benign and will heal on their own, others may be a sign that something is very wrong with your body, and should not be ignored. If you experience any of the below types of pain, it is vital that you see a healthcare practitioner immediately.

1: Joint Pain

Many people believe that joint pain is just a normal part of aging. However, if you are experiencing ongoing joint pain that is not caused by a recent injury, it is vital that you seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner. If the joint pain is ongoing and/or accompanied by inflammation–it may well be rheumatoid arthritis and there are steps that you can take to prevent further progression of this disease. According to the Mayo Clinic joint pain can also be indicative of numerous other serious health disorders including: advanced bone cancer, bursitis, fibromyalgia, gout, lupus, Lyme disease, osteoporosis, rickets and tendonitis.

2: Chest Pain

If you experience a sharp pain in your chest that doesn’t go away in combination with shortness of breath and any unusual upper body pain you should see a doctor or call 911 immediately, in order to rule out a heart attack. While sharp pain in the left side of your chest is often indicative of a heart attack, right sided pain is also a cause for concern. Sharp pain on the right side may be caused by angina, lung problems, asthma, pulmonary embolism, asthma, gallstones, pleurisy and inflammation of the liver.

3. Severe Head Pain

This may just be a migraine. However, if you have never experienced a migraine before and/or the sharp pain in your head is not accompanied by additional migraine symptoms such as a visual aura, head throbbing sensation or sensitivity to light, it is essential that you seek medical council immediately. Although rare, severe and sharp pain in your head could be indicative of a brain aneurism, which is an abnormal outward bulging of one of the arteries in your brain. The sharp pain may indicate that the aneurysm has ruptured and this can cause brain damage, hemorrhagic stroke and even death in a matter of minutes.

4. Sharp Pain in Your Side

This may be a sign of appendicitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis is no laughing matter, in fact it is the most common cause of emergency abdominal surgery in the US, states the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Appendicitis usually starts off as a inflammation and pain in your belly button but the pain migrates to your right lower abdomen, at which point you will experience severe, sharp pain sensations. Appendicitis is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever and as it progresses chills, constipation, inflammation, diarrhea, shaking and vomiting all may ensue.

5: Leg Pain Accompanied by Inflammation

If you are experiencing swelling, inflammation and pain in your leg it may be caused by a blood clot that has formed in one of your veins, deep in the body. This condition is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and if the blood clot breaks off it can travel to your artery or lungs and become fatal. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, additional symptoms of DVT may include tenderness when standing or walking, increased warmth around the inflammation in the leg and red or discolored skin on the leg. If these symptoms progress to shortness of breath, sharp pain with deep breathing or the coughing up of blood it is vital that you call 911 immediately.

Your Eye Color Can Tell You More Than You Think

An interesting new study has suggested that eye colour could have a lot to do with what skin problems you might experience later in life. Authors of the study have suggested that eye colour could have a significant implication on the risk factors for melanoma as well. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer.
For example, results have shown that individuals with blue eyes are much less likely to develop vitiligo, while people with brown eyes are more likely to develop the affliction and its characteristic white patches of skin and hair.
Vitiligo and Your Immune System
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks normal pigment cells, causing irregular white patches of skin and hair. People with vitiligo are also at higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases like autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
The study, which was published in Nature Genetics showed followed 450 people with and without the skin disease, taking into account their eye colour. The group was selected randomly out of a pool of 3,200 Americans of non-Hispanic European ancestry.
The analysis identified 13 new genes that predispose people to vitiligo, and the results showed a significantly lower percentage of people with blue or gray eyes and a higher percentage of people with brown eyes had vitiligo.
Results showed that among the people with vitiligo:

• 27% had blue or gray eyes (compared with over half of Americans of European descent without the condition)
• 43% had tan or brown eyes vs. 27%.
• 30% had green or hazel eyes vs. 22%.

What is likely most strange about this study, is that researchers say the abnormal immune response associated with vitiligo may have effects in lowering the risk of melanoma.
Some Interesting Facts on Vitiligo
Many people with vitiligo can feel depressed and start lacking confidence because of their white spots. Due to the intense mental stress felt among patients with vitiligo, there are a number of therapies available. The most proven techniques out of these are UV therapy and supplemental treatments.
There has been some success using light treatments. There are people who have used UVB lamps that have re-claimed pigmentation. There are also home lamps available that can eliminate the hassle of having to go to expensive UV light therapy sessions.
Bel Marra Health.com

10 Ways To Enjoy Your Life Without Spending A lot Of Money

If you feel you need to have a lot of money to really enjoy life, I am afraid you are sadly mistaken.
The greatest things in life are those worthwhile experiences and subtle occurrences that sometimes most individuals simply take for granted. While Madison avenue may think that having expensive “stuff” and the like are what lead to happiness, below are some ways you can still enjoy yourself without spending a fortune.


1. Walk The Beach

Taking a walk along the beach not only clears your head but it is a great way to relax yourself amid your stressful life. Feeling the sand beneath your feet as you navigate the coast feels so good!


2. Explore Unknown Places Around Where You Live

If you have the need for adventure, taking the time to explore around where you live is always fun. You never know what you are going to find.


3. Take a Forest Nature Walk

Following a path in and out of the woods is always a fun way to escape from the world and have some great time to yourself. If you wanted to take it to the next step, pitching a tent and spending the night is also a great alternative.


4. Ride Your Bike

Not only do you get some exercise but even better you get to take your bike off some sweet jumps! Doing this activity with friends or family is also a fun as well!


5. Hangout At The Boardwalk

Bringing you back to your childhood days is always a fun thing to do…even if you don’t spend any money. As you walk along the boardwalk with some cotton candy and a hot dog, you can’t help but keep a grin from ear to ear on your face .


6. Read A Book

Getting hooked into a book is always fun as each new book you pick up opens an entirely new journey to experience as you turn each page.


7. Play a Board Game With Family

Remember how much fun you used to have when you beat family members in the game of Monopoly or Chess? Relive that past time as you relish the classical way to entertain yourself before the almighty video game machine or computer was born.


8. Take A Friend Out For Ice Cream

Having fun with friends, especially when sharing a great treat is definitely fun…even if you gain a few pounds here and there. The experience you have with friends is something that is truly priceless.


9. Surf The Internet

With all of the sites to kill time on, spending time finding cool stuff on the internet is simply enjoyable. With one internet connection, the entire world is at your fingertips.


10. Walk The Mall

Hey, even if you don’t have any money to spend, “Looking without spending money” is a great way to still enjoy yourself without dealing with the burden of that future credit card bill in the mail!

Girls’ Generation's Jessica and Tiffany Look Stunning for Chanel

Girls’ Generation’s Jessica and Tiffany recently completed an open photoshoot for Chanel’s Pop Up Store and “Vogue Girl.” Dressed in beautiful, feminine outfits and prettified in Chanel cosmetics’ latest pink and peach hues, the girls looked like two lovely sisters. 100 VIP guests were invited to the open shoot, witnessing the girls’ magic firsthand.

A representative of Chanel’s Pop Up Store explained “Not only are they trendy fashion and beauty icons, but they are also global stars,” citing the reason for selecting Jessica and Tiffany as its models. The two Girls’ Generation members stated, “We really liked Chanel’s unique blend of classic and modern beauty.

While the shoot lasted until 2AM, Jessica and Tiffany did not display exhaustion and finished the shoot in grand fashion.  

You can catch the rest of the gorgeous pictorials in the June issue of “Vogue Girl.”