Simple Tips to Stay Healthy

I came across some great tips in the recent Martha Stewart Weddings magazine we can all do to stay healthy. They are given by nutritionist Keri Glassman in NYC and I must say they are pretty easy to follow. I always try to share ways for people to better themselves because it truly is important to take care your body, mind and soul. This is essential to being successful, happy and confident.

So read on for things you can do on a daily basis that will bring positive results in no time.

Eat Something Every Four Hours
Try to stick with 3 meals and 2 snacks and you shouldn't hear that tummy grumble. Glassman suggests you consume about 400 calories for each meal and 150 calories for the snacks.

Try these websites for healthy snack ideas under 150 calories each:
Ladies Home Journal
Glamour
Cher Nutrition


Go Crazy with Vegetables
I tell people this all the time. If you are an overeater, than just eat veggies! You can eat just about as much as you want and they make you feel great. Not to mention, they totally fill you up with all the fiber they contain. Starting your meal with a salad or some type of vegetable based soup will help you eat less on your dinner plate.

Check out this article on The Huffington Post about the best and worst vegetables to eat.

Choose a Better Beverage
The drinks people are coming up with these days are seriously scary. Starbucks alone has a coffee drink that contains hundreds of calories! I agree with Glassman when she suggests you skip the fancy drinks and high sugar sodas. Water is always the best choice and drinking 8 ounces a day is what you should aim for. But when you do need a little something different, try a club soda with some lemon or cucumber slices.

Check out The 20 Worst Drinks in America by Mens Health magazine to find out which ones to stay away from.


Be a Label Reader
One of my top pieces of advice to people is reading the label on everything you buy. Do you think major companies really care about your health? The food industry is a mess filled with lies, false advertisements and tons of garbage! Unless you are eating natural or organic foods, you are probably in trouble. Look over the label and see how much sugar, salt and calories are in it. Also check the ingredient list. If it has over 10 listed, I would question the item you are about to purchase.

Download this information guide to reading labels on the EPA website.


Avoid Entree Size Salads at Restaurants
Although salads are great, you have to be careful when you go out and order them. They often are filled with fat that isn't needed. Whether its cheese, nuts or the dressing, don't consume it all. Order a small one or take half home. Also, try to stick with lean proteins and veggies.

For more information read The Best and Worst Restaurant Salads from Cooking Light.


Get Seven Hours of Sleep
I know everyone needs help with this one. We are all busy but it doesn't help anyone if we don't get enough sleep, especially your skin. The hours you sleep are essential for your body to rest and get refreshed as well give your mind a break. Not getting enough sleep can also effect your hunger the next day and cause you to eat more. One study found that can be as much as 300 calories more! Get to bed!

Here are some articles on why we need sleep and why its important:
Time Magazine
Complete Well Being
Serendip


Chill Out
No one enjoys being stressed out. Not only can it cause weight gain but it can effect your life tremendously. Giving yourself time to relax and chill out is what your body and mind need to function properly. Keep these in mind throughout the day and you should be good to go. Stay healthy and keep smiling!

Gifts the Really Give

This year I wanted to do something different for my family. Thankfully, they are all doing well and really don't desperately need anything. However, I do love giving gifts and every year I go the distance the give the best presents I can. This year I decided to give gifts that really give.

I created each member a handmade ornament they can hang on their tree and included a note saying I donated to charity in their honor. There were 12 charities in total I chose, each were relative to the family member. For example, my cousin Alexandra is a vegetarian and animal advocate, like me, so I donated to In Defense of Animals in honor of her.

Here are the charities I chose to help this year:

Books for Africa
Food for the Poor
Little Kids Rock
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Meals on Wheels
Arbor Day.org
Create Now
ASPCA
In Defense of Animals
Rescue Gifts
National Association of the Deaf
Feel Good Foundation - No Responders Left Behind

They all loved their gifts and appreciated the thought behind them. Now they have a unique ornament to hang on their trees and remember all the people they have helped this special Christmas :) I recommend this to anyone who wants to really make a difference on the holidays. As long as you create a beautiful package and a little something for the receiver to remember the donation, it will never be forgotten.

A 28-Day New Start

The New Year is right around the corner and what better way to get prepared than to learn some great tips on how to start fresh. According to Dr. Oz, if you are going to do anything, it should be these next 28 things. I agree they are all fantastic and will surely revive your body and life for 2012 and beyond. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to a healthier lifestyle and happier soul.

Drink Green Tea - filled with antioxidants, green tea can lower bad cholesterol and even help reduce the risk of some cancers. It even promotes weight loss.

Eat Dark Chocolate - the flavonols in cocoa help improve circulation and filled with antioxidants. It may also help your vision!

Love Your Heart - cook more foods that support a strong heart and helps blood flow. Some of these are tomatoes, garlic and lima beans as well as foods with high omega-3s.

Forgive Someone - it has been shown that forgiving someone can help lower blood pressure and reduce negative emotions such as anger and anxiety.

Memorize a Poem - use your brain and get it working! Start with a poem and move forward from there.

Have More Sex - not only does having sex boost your immune system it makes everyone happier. So even if your single, give yourself a treat once in awhile will ya!

Keep Track of Your Snacks - studies show that when people write down what they eat, they actually eat less.

Sweat - get your body moving! Whether its a full workout or just a 30 minute walk, all movement is good movement. Not only will you feel better but you will look better too.

Sleep More - proper sleep is so important. You should get at least 7 hours but shoot for 8.

Meditate - learning to meditate can help lower your cholesterol and calm you down. Give yourself a few minutes a day to take a breath and relax.

Don't Eat Before Bed - eating at night can help you gain weight so try to stay off the snacks 2 hours before bed.

Eat the Right Portions - to help with this start using smaller plates. Remember you should have more veggies and whole grains than protein. For a quick guide check out the new food pyramid.

Count Your Steps - its recommended you take 10,000 steps a day so get moving. Using a pedometer is the best way to keep track. Some good ones to check out are the Fitbit, Omron and S2H Step.

Interview Your Relatives - talking to your family and asking them questions about their medical history can help you learn more about what your genes carry. In addition, any diseases or illnesses that run in the family will be out in the open.

Take The Right Pills - it is recommended you take a multivitamin, calcium with magnesium and vitamin D.

Calculate Your BMI - this is your body mass index. To get it just divide your weight (lbs) by your height (in) then squared. Take that number and multiply it by 703. If your BMI is between 25 and 29, you are overweight. If you have 30 or higher, thats a bad sign and means your obese.

Tweak Your Daily Routine - switch to caffeinated coffee, eat a snack after you workout and leave your windows open for fresh air when the heat or air conditioner isn't on. Caffeine can actually lower your risk of cancer and eating protein or carbs after a workout helps repair muscle tissue. As for fresh air, the EPA suggests getting a lot of it. They also say indoor air can be five times more contaminated that outside.

Eat Popcorn - popcorn is full of fiber and is only 90 calories for 3 cups! Now thats a great snack.

Eat a Better Lunch - use smaller containers, mix up your veggie choices and beware of the low-fat label. Sometimes people will eat more of something because it's low-fat so don't let the label get ya!

Stick to the Same Breakfast - tests show that people maintain a healthier weight by eating the same thing for breakfast everyday. So remember not to skip the most important meal of the day and keep it healthy!

Clean Out Your Pantry - thats right, get a garbage bag and purge! Get rid of all the crap and take control. Try to stay away from foods that end in ose and ol, they are additives and sugars you don't need.

Call a Friend - keep your connections close and talk to a friend on a daily basis.

Floss - flossing is important for your teeth and your body. Bacteria can get into your bloodsteam if you don't!

Peek at Your Poop - I know, I know, but its important to see what's coming out so you know what's happening inside. Here is a quick guide to help you out: red - bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract, green - crohn's disease, cream - gallbladder dysfunction, white - pancreatis & pancreatic cancer, black - bleeding in the upper gastriontestimal tract.

Say No - its important you make time for yourself and this means saying no when needed. If you don't, the stress hits and thats no good for anyone.

Stretch - stretching is absolutely important! Not only will it help your flexibility but it will make you stronger too. Go yoga!

Snack Healthy - snacking is fine as long as its a healthy choice. There are plenty of great options out there. You just have to look!

Spread Kindness - this should be self explanatory. When you help other people and spread positive vibes, it makes the world a better place.

To read more on the article check it out on Oprah's website. I hope you all have a great holiday and happy new year!!

Carli Davidson Photography

My fiance pointed out this photographer to me today and I was amazed at how captivating her photos were. The ones I really enjoyed the most were of the animals. Oregon photographer, Carli Davidson, is not just at taking photos but she is an animal trainer and caretaker as well. This enables her to really get to know her subjects and capture their inner being. Carli is also a freelance photographer for the Oregon Zoo. I also must add that she is one fine unique woman.

I simply adore the subjects she has had the honor to photograph. The series of the disabled animals made me cry. So beautiful. It kills me that there are animals who suffer from stuff like that. But its nice to see and know that there are some who are taken care of. These photographs really made me feel something when looking at them. I can only hope you feel the same. Animals rule!

Here are some of my favorites I had to share:

Gift Guide - Etsy Finds

I have to say that Etsy is one of my favorite places to shop. The fact that I am supporting artists is a bonus. You can find just about everything you are looking for and beyond on the site so I thought it was a great idea to share some great gifts I came across while wondering around. Happy Shopping!

By Laura: Burly Beard.com - Bearded Beanie $39+
These bearded beanies are awesome! How clever? Made in Washington, these can be made for any boy or man in your life.

Theater Clouds $18+
I was amazed at how beautiful these works of art were. Ontario artist, Elly MacKay, truly creates unique masterpieces.

The Merriweather Council - Embroidered Jewelry & Gifts $7+
A graduate from the College of Art & Design in Massachusetts, Danielle clearly shows her artistic and fine art skills in her work. Knowing she is a fellow New Yorker is nice too! At only 22 years old, I think she is heading in the right direction.

Cara Carmina - Mixed Media Gifts $10+
This Canadian artist creates objects that are eclectic and nostalgic with a crafty feel. So awesome!

Potter + Butler - Handmade Goods for Celebrations $5+
If you like simple, clean design, than Potter + Butler is right up your alley. Stationed in Portland, this shop creates pretty decorative items for events that are nicely priced and really modern. Perfect for that DIY bride & groom!

Succulents Galore $5+
This shop has so many varieties of succulents you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Holli - Prints, Posters, Paintings, Art Dolls & ACEO's $5.50+
I am in love with this artists work. Argentinian artist, Paola, creates gorgeous pieces that are childlike, whimsical and delicate. Her color palettes are simply amazing and her line work is to die for. Definitely check this shop out!

Sea Pinks - Collectible Handmade Crafts $12+
Made in Virginia, all of the handmade pieces created by Jenny are simply beautiful. They all have a fun and antique feel to them which I love.

Kate Durkin - Handmade Goods $18+
If you have children or know a few kids that rock, you will surely find a gift here. Kate Durkin creates fun, modern items for children that adults will love too.

There are many vintage shops on Etsy but here are a few worth checking out. See for yourself!

Bella Chic Boutique

Pretty Funny Vintage

Raemj

Kizzyrayan

Estate Bum

Little Byrd Vintage