Feeling Blue? Try This Yoga Pose!

Want to unwind, focus and maybe even lose weight? Try the yoga pose known as the "Seated Forward Bend." According to traditional text, the Seated Forward Bend (the pose's original name, Paschimottanasana, literally translates as "intense stretch of the west,") can not only help a distracted mind unwind, but can be helpful in addressing obesity. The pose effectively stretches the spine, shoulders and hamstrings. Traditionally, it is also said to:

1.Relieve stress and mild depression

2.Stimulate the liver, kidneys, ovaries and uterus

3.Improve digestion

4.Help relieve the symptoms of menopause and menstrual discomfort

5.Soothe headache and anxiety and reduce fatigue

Should Women Be Shaving Their Face?

Now, what would you think if I told you that dermatologists and estheticians have been recommending shaving as a real alternative to the methods of hair removal for the face?

I bet there is panic on your face. It was my first reaction, too. No, I’m not shaving my face. What the hell are they talking about? How CRAZY!


OK, stop. Right there. Are you interested in anti-aging? You want to minimize lines and wrinkles? Exfoliation is important to you, right (it better be)? You want smooth glowing and radiant skin. Without some weird hair sprouting front and center from your chin, or a fine layer of dark fuzz setting up residence on your upper lip. OK, maybe it is light peach fuzz, but you still don’t want it, do you?  It allows your skincare products to penetrate more evenly and your makeup to look practically flawless. “It’s a well-kept secret of many beautiful women… just don’t let your husband catch you doing it!”



Aside from being a cheap easy way to manage facial hair, shaving has many other benefits for women. When done right, shaving is one of the best ways to:

•Exfoliate dead skin cells without over stimulating the skin

•Significantly reduce fine lines and wrinkles

•Minimize pore size

•Improve elasticity

•Lighten acne scars

•Balance skin tone

•Permanently remove blackheads




HOW TO GUIDE

Try to do your shave at night or on a day you won't have to apply makeup straight after. Give your face at least 6 hours to reboot and adjust.

make sure your face is clean remove any traces of dirt or makeup.

Dry skin!


SIDEBURN AND CHEEK - Improve tone and elasticity

Starting at the side of the face closest to the ear (side burn), begin shaving using strokes no longer than an inch at a time moving toward the jaw line.

NOSE - Minimize pores and heal blackheads

Shave from the top of the nose to the tip. Just once is good enough. If your razor is small enough to shave each side of the nose then go ahead. If you have a tiny nose, don't risk it.

FOREHEAD - Reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Shave from the center of the forehead (between the eyes) out toward each temple.

Be careful not to whack the eye brow or hair line.

UPPER LIP

Push your tongue up under the upper lip and push outwards until the surface is firm and quite flat.

Tilt your razor on a slight diagonal and only use a small portion of it to shave with the lie of the hair which is staggered on a downward taper.

POST-SHAVE

•Rinse the entire face with fresh warm water and then splash off with cool water.

•Pat face with clean towel so it's not dripping wet but still damp.

•Moisturize as usual.



POINTS TO REMEMBER

•Don't over shave the face until it has acclimated to its new condition.

•Try to do your shave at night or on a day you won't have to apply makeup straight after. Give your face at least 6 hours to reboot and adjust.

•Because the hair is soft and quite long in places, you may be tempted to turn the razor against the hair to remove it more easily. DON'T DO IT! The point is to gradually remove skin cells. It will get easier and better over time.

•Women should only shave their entire face a maximum of one time a week. In most cases, once every two weeks should suffice.

"What about the hair growing back thicker? " you ask,  there’s no need for women to fear that the vellous hair on their face will grow back thicker after it’s been bladed because it won’t. Unlike terminal hairs, which are thicker (men’s facial hair, leg hair), vellous hairs grow back the same after they’ve been removed, as the structure of the hair does not become damaged.



What is dermaplaning?
http://guidetoplasticsurgery.com/what-is-dermaplaning/



Fromm razors from Sally Beauty Supply. This what they look like: http://www.sallybeauty.com/facial-hair-razor/SBS-525354,default,pd.html?green...

wow!!

DRY SKIN BRUSHING

Dry brushing skin that is flaky, dry or even normal is a spa-like technique that offers many health benefits. This highly underrated technique is a recommended addition to any beauty regimen.



Giving your body a firm brush all over makes the skin glow by removing the top dull, dead layer of skin and encouraging new cells to regenerate. The gentle massaging motion of the bristles also has a beneficial effect on areas of cellulite, and it is an effective treatment for helping eliminate toxins from the body during a detox programme.




Benefits:

TIGHTENS Skin.
HELPS Digestion.
REMOVES Cellulite.
STIMULATES Circulation.
INCREASES Cell Renewal.
CLEANS Lymphatic System.
REMOVES Dead Skin Layers.
STRENGTHENS Immune System.
IMPROVES Exchange between Cells.
STIMULATES the Glands, thus helping ALL of the
Body Systems to perform at PEAK EFFICIENCY!

How To Do Skin Brushing:

Buy a NATURAL, NOT synthetic, bristle brush, since it does NOT SCRATCH the surface of your skin.

Buy a brush with a LONG handle, so that you're ABLE to get to the areas of your body, that are NOT EASY to reach, when doing your own Skin Brushing.

Skin Brush, before showering or bathing, at least ONCE per day, and TWICE, if possible. Brushing is best done in the morning

Do NOT wet your skin, since it will NOT have the SAME Effect, because this stretches your skin.

Do LIGHTER Strokes over and around your breasts, but do NOT brush the nipples.

Brush each part of your Body several times VIGOROUSLY, COMPLETELY brushing your WHOLE body.

1.  Take the brush and begin with the sole of your right foot.
   Use firm, rhythmic strokes to cover the sole several times. Next, brush the top of your foot, brushing up towards your ankle. Then go on to your lower leg, making sure you cover the whole surface - shin and calf. Always brush in an upward direction. Stand up and brush the area from your knee to the top of your thigh. Make sure you cover the whole area several times, using long, rhythmic strokes.
   
   Brush your buttock area as far as your waist. Now repeat the whole procedure on your left leg, starting again with the sole of your foot. Starting from the top of your buttocks, and always moving in an upward direction, brush the whole of your back several times all the way up to your shoulders.
2. Next, brush your right arm. Start with the palm of your hand, move on to the back of your hand and then brush from your wrist up to your elbow, always in an upward direction and ensuring that the whole surface of your skin is brushed. Brush your upper arm, working from your elbow towards your shoulder, again covering the whole surface of your upper arm.
3. Repeat on your left side, starting with your hand. Then, very gently, brush your abdomen, brushing in a circle, always in a clockwise direction. Cover the area several times but with less pressure than on your arms and legs. If it feels uncomfortable, stop.
4. The neck and chest are also very sensitive areas, so, again, brush here very gently. Always work towards your heart. If the bristles are too hard on your neck, don't brush here. Lastly, work on your face. Use your soft brush or a dry flannel and soften and shorten your action, as brisk rubbing can stretch or otherwise damage the facial skin.
   
   
   
   

ALWAYS skin brush towards the heart.

Do circular counter-clockwise strokes on your abdomen.

Take a WARM bath or shower, which should always be followed by a COOL rinse at the end to INVIGORATE blood circulation and STIMULATE surface warmth.

Wash your brush every few weeks in water and allow it DRY.

Things I'm Loving!!

These remind me of an updated "jelly" shoe, but MUCH more comfortable. The sole is so cushy and the shoe is so soft and squishy that they feel like a slipper.....love the color combo...so fun.

Fabulous Adrena flats by Crocs.  they are unbelievably comfortable, and they change colors in the sun:))
 

Aztec - Indian Healing Clay

WOW! This stuff is Amazing! This is exactly what I have been looking for, essentially. Even my husband has commented on how my complexion has improved since using this for masks. I consider myself somewhat of a product junkie- mask whore, so I am always on the search for the best stuff to help my skin. I am oily-acne prone, with hormonal cystic acne. I use Apple Cider Vinegar mix in. It does "pull" and "pulsate" your face, and loosens pores and gets all that junk out. I will definitely repurchase once I run out. When it comes time to take it off it's best to put a warm cloth on your face and loosen it up. Your face will be red when it comes off but that's normal and will go away. I use it once a week unless I have spots I need to go away faster. You can spot treat with it too and just put it over a pimple or cyst instead of your whole face.

The unique molecular structure of Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay deep cleanses skin pores, removing dirt and impurities, lifting out poisons and toxins stored in the epidermis.

Pimples and blackheads are absorbed into the clay bed, resulting in accelerated healing and nourishment of the skin.

The skin is clean, refreshed, and alive.

You can see and feel the difference.

Continued use results in a more beautiful, healthy skin.

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is 100% natural.

No additives.

$6.00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MEISHOKU DETCLEAR FACIAL PEELING GEL (MIX FRUIT) For Perfect Skin

I use this product at least 4 times a week and my skin doesn't get irritated or burn and leave my skin looking fresh awake and glowing! Japanese product seem to do the best job for a lot of skin care needs!

I gently wash my face with my own cleanser, use a couple pumps of the peeling gel, rub my face in circular motions, and rinse! The dead skin cells come off with little effort.

Product Features


The fruit AHA contains fruits extracts such as strawberry, blueberry, cherry, peach, pomegranate, and apple acid

The plant BHA is made out from plant extract.

Gently remove dead skin cells, melanin, sebum, and other impurities on your skin's surface.

Mix Fruit Scent, 6.1 fl. oz. (180mL)

Straight from Japan

Product Description


Meishoku Detclear Facial Peeling Jelly (Mix Fruit) is a jelly type peeling gel that is made from fruit AHA and Plant BHA!!In addition, this peeling jelly can be used partial area of your face such as nose and chin to remove black spots, pore cloggers and other impurities in pores.

Price

$16.99 Amazon

The best make-up primer! I have been using it as a primer for a couple of weeks and I'm sold!

Is Monistat's Chafing Relief Powder-Gel really the secret to flawless makeup...for less than $7 a tube?

Here's the Truth


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By now you've read about how women are using Monistat's Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as a make-up base primer. You might even have had the same reaction we did: "Monistat? On my face? Are you nuts?"

You see it's not that Monistat. Yes, it's the same company but this powder-gel has NOTHING to do with the Monistat yeast infection products. (This product doesn't treat yeast infections.)

Monistat's Chafing Relief Powder-Gel is actually part of the Monistat Soothing Care Skin Care line and was developed to complement Monostat's medical products.
Bottom line: Monistat Chafing Relief Gel should be renamed the "Monistat Make-Up Miracle". We admit we didn't think it could live up to the hype, but it did and it has earned our five-star endorsement.


For literally a fraction of what you'd spend on famous name base makeup primers, the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel does a better job because it contains a ton of dimethicone which is the key, active ingredient in the expensive primers.

Dimethicone creates a barrier for your skin which evens out your skin's surface much the same way you use a base coat on your nails before applying color.

Why Women Love It



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a summary of what women reported they liked best about Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as a makeup primer (foundation base).

· Dries to a powder finish.
· Creates a matte surface so makeup glides on and stays on.
· Smooths out large pores, uneven skin tone and blemishes.
· Prevents breakouts.
· Allows for much smoother for eye shadow application on mature skin.
· Keeps make-up looking fresh by locking it in.
· Makes your face look youthful and dewy.
· Helps concealer glide on.
· Doesn't feel greasy.
· Helps mineral make up last longer and look less cakey.
· Makeup stays on for 8+ hours, looking as good as when first applied.
· Excellent mattifier on top of any cream/lotion/sunscreen.
· Fragrance free.
· Non-irritating.
· Non-toxic.
· Non-staining
· Smooths skin texture which reflects light and eliminates
shadows (so you look younger)
· Tasteless (if someone kisses your cheek)
· Non-pore-clogging (non-comedogenic)
· Keeps your makeup fresh in 100+ degree heat (great for summer)
· Gentle enough to use every day.
· Softens appearance of fine lines.


Downside & Drawbacks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
· Made by Monistat -- not a name you associate with makeup.
· Doesn't contain sunscreen.
· Often sold out at local stores and hard to find.
· Need to stockpile (get the discount 3-pack available only at Amazon.com)




Why It Works

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The secret ingredient in Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel is dimethicone, which is found in all the high-end foundation/face primers. Dimethicone is a silicone emollient (a skin softener) that forms a silky, breathable barrier between the skin on your face and your foundation.
This dimethicone barrier has 3 benefits:

1> This barrier locks in your moisturizer under your make-up to keep your skin nourished.

2> The dimethicone barrier prevents oils from your skin from breaking through to your foundation. Since the oils can't get through, your skin never looks greasy or oily. No more blotting.

3> While dimethicone prevents oil from getting out, it also prevents your foundation from getting in. This means that your skin won't absorb your makeup so your makeup looks fresh all day, even on hot days. It holds makeup in place so well and for so many hours, many women report that they have stopped powdering their faces, giving their skin a more natural, youthful look.



How to Use It

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You want to use the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel after you apply your moisturizer but before you apply your foundation.
In other words, use whatever products you normally apply to your clean, dry face, followed by a medium coat of the Monistat Powder-Gel. Wait about 2 minutes for the Monistat to dry, then apply your foundation as usual.

When applying the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel, be sure to concentrate on areas that are deeply lined and/or rough in texture to help fill-in and smooth-out. Also focus on problem oil areas like the chin and sides of nose.




Price Comparison

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Price comparison of popular foundation primers that have the same active ingredient (dimethicone) as the Monistat Chafing Powder-Gel.

What we love most is the price difference for essentially the better product.

With the exception of the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer which is a tad bigger than the Monistat Chafing Powder-Gel, all the other foundation primers are 50% smaller (1 ounce) while the Monistat Powder-Gel is 1.5 ounces.

In other words, the Monistat product is 80% cheaper (up to $38 less) and you get 50% more product than the famous brands.

Less expensive is always good but what how do the products themselves compare? One user of the ultra-popular Smashbox product commented "sometimes the Smashbox seems grainy and the Monistat is very consistent in texture".

Another woman agreed and added "It's the only primer I use now. I've tried Smashbox, Laura Mercier primer, the new Clarins primer and a few others, but honestly there is no need to try anything else. Monistat is as good or better and far less expensive than anything else available."




Where to Buy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can generally find Monistat's Chafing Relief Powder-Gel at popular drugstores like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS and Rite-Aid in the same shelf area as the Monistat yeast-infection related products.


Note: Expiration dates are generally one year or more from date of purchase. If you use it everyday, one tube will last 2-4 weeks.

Ingredients


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dimethicone (1.2%).
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisiloxane.



"I have spent too much on the fancy-shmancy Laura Merciers and the Dr. Brandts that don't work as well as this $7 tube."

Roasted Eggplant Parmesan is only 70 calories per delicious slice!

This morning on KLG & Hoda: low-cal craving busters. Roasted Eggplant Parmesan is only 70 calories per delicious slice!



To prepare, slice an eggplant into rounds and place on a baking sheet. Mist rounds on both sides with olive oil spray, and lightly sprinkle with kosher salt. Roast in oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Then, top each roasted eggplant slice with marinara sauce, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, some grated parmesan cheese, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Pop back in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. So, so good!

vibrant makeup

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Curb your cravings with healthy alternatives

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Bite Me!

Club-Chomping




Some clubhouses have a no-boys-allowed rule, but we welcome all people -- it's extra calories and excess fat grams that we choose to keep out. This recipe is welcome ANYTIME. We think you'll agree...



Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped bell pepper

2 tsp. fat-free ranch dressing

1/8 tsp. hot sauce

1/2 oz. mashed avocado (about 1 tbsp.)

Dash each chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic powder

1 medium-large high-fiber flour tortilla with 110 calories or less (like the kind by La Tortilla Factory)

1/4 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

2 oz. cooked and chopped skinless chicken breast

1 tbsp. precooked real crumbled bacon (like the kind by Oscar Mayer)

Optional: fat-free sour cream, salsa



Directions:

Bring a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Cook and stir onion and pepper until softened, 3 - 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.



In a small bowl, mix ranch dressing with hot sauce

In another small bowl, mix avocado with chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic powder.




Lay tortilla flat and spread avocado mixture on one half of the upward-facing side. Evenly top avocado with 2 tablespoons cheese, followed by the chicken, bacon, and cooked veggies. Top with ranch mixture and remaining 2 tablespoons cheese.



If needed, clean skillet. Re-spray skillet and return to medium-high heat. Place the half-loaded tortilla flat in the skillet and cook for 2 minutes. Fold the bare half of the tortilla over the filling with a spatula and press down lightly to seal. Carefully flip and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes.



Slice into wedges, and if you like, serve or top with sour cream and salsa!



MAKES 1 SERVING



Serving Size: 1 quesadilla (entire recipe)

Calories: 309

Fat: 7g

Sodium: 996mg

Carbs: 34g

Fiber: 8.5g

Sugars: 5g

Protein: 32g



PointsPlus® value 8*