Some Useful Key for a Wonderful Day
Yeah, I know this stuff is obvious, but sometimes we need to be reminded of the obvious.We need to be hit in the face with it so we will do something about it.
- Cut the rest of the world some slack I put this number one because I can think of no better way to chill out and enjoy yourself than just giving it a break. Who cares what anyone else is doing or how they are doing it or why they are doing it? I don’t.
- Cut yourself some slack. Give yourself the same break you need to give everyone else. You don’t have to be perfect. The food doesn’t have to be perfect. The place settings don’t have to be perfect. Your house doesn’t have to be spotless. Don’t try to impress yourself or anyone else.
- Take it easy. Don’t hurry or rush. Do everything in a relaxed easy going manner. Don’t tense yourself up no matter what it is your are doing. Athletes that stay relaxed run faster, swim faster, and move with less effort and more grace. There is something wonderful about slowing down and taking it easy. In the words of Foghat – Slow ride, take it easy.
- Do something for the pure enjoyment of it. To some of you this may be a radical concept but give it a try. It doesn’t have to be productive. It doesn’t have to have a pay off at some future time. It doesn’t have to please anyone else. It just has to be fun for you.
- Do something with wonderful people. If you can combine doing something for the pure enjoyment of it with spending time with wonderful people you might just find your little slice of heaven. There is almost nothing better than spending time with wonderful, positive people.
- Play Your Favorite Music. The other night I went to a local bar with some wonderful people for the pure enjoyment of it. We played our favorite music from days gone by. I remember nothing else about that day.
- Turn off the TV and don’t read any news. The odds of being exposed to something that makes you feel good is about 1 in 10.
- Avoid Toxic People. I know sometimes you just can’t, but at least try. If your toxic mother in-law comes over for the holidays, first cut her some slack. Then go somewhere in the house she isn’t. Go to a movie with your sister. You can find some way to avoid toxic people if you try. If you can’t then just pretend like they aren’t even there.
- Eat food you absolutely love. This shouldn’t be difficult this time of year. Take it easy because you just remember the last bite anyway. Don’t stuff yourself or you will find yourself thinking about how bad you feel instead of how good it was. Seriously, you should eat, drink, and be merry!
- Make remembering the wonderful things you did the last thing you do before going to bed.
Related articles
- Sometimes (moggyme.wordpress.com)
- The Ways to Live Life Fullest (imaginethespirit.wordpress.com)
My Morning Rituals
Most personal development and productivity experts suggest mornings as the best time for clear and focused results-driven work. I’ve experienced the same and form my days around just a few hours of work in the morning between 10am and 1pm. I also believe that different people work best at different times, but no matter when you’re productive hours are, it’s important you set up your day for greater wellbeing with some healthy morning rituals. Here are ten ideas:
- Wake up. Don’t hit snooze. Jump out of bed as if someone threw a bucket of cold water on you. Half of your day’s success is actually showing up and being excited. Rest time is over, get out of bed now.
- Drink a pint of water first thing in the morning. If you don’t like water on its own, squeeze some fresh lime into it. Water is great for you – you know that, mom said that and now we’ve got to do it!
- Make yourself a blend of fruits that excite you. I love a carrot-apple-ginger juice and drink it in the morning before eating and wait at least an hour or so before I eat.
- Go out and take in the sunlight. I wake up when I see sun. Its energy, invigoration and excitement is absolutely amazing. Get up and spend a minute outside looking up in the sky taking in the morning light. Wrap up warm if it’s cold, but make sure you do it.
- Spend time in silence. Be grateful for what you have. Mentally or on paper, plan the day out. If you don’t do the previous night, write out your to-do list of the most exciting and important things.
- Cuddle your kids (or find some to cuddle). Kids bring excitement and awe in the way they think and view the world. Spending time around them helps you to cultivate the inner child within you. And doing it from the morning is even better.
- Brush your tongue. Lose the morning breath and start off on a minty note.
- Go for a walk. Or hop on the treadmill for 30 minutes. People who walk in the morning have more energy than those who walk at night after a long day. Use the work to appreciate your surroundings and plan your day. In silence if possible.
- Drink green tea. Instead of coffee, have a cup of green tea. Boosts your energy, provides antioxidants and has been promoted as a great natural healthy option.
- Journal. A list of rituals without journaling in the morning isn’t complete. I find it the most exhilarating thing to be sitting down for a short period and just writing out whatever comes to my head, no matter whether it immediately makes sense to me or not.
What do you do in the morning as part of your “rituals”? Tell me in the Comments Section Below:
Related articles
- Top Eight Health Benefits of Green Tea (moodynamer.wordpress.com)
- Days 1&2~ getting started (my40dayjuicefast.wordpress.com)
100 Snacks Under 100 Calories
Whilst I discourage extra snacking on carb high food and empty calories. I know this is easier said than done! Every now and then people give into temptation on diets and opt to have a cheeky snack, but finding the right ones that will satisfy your cravings without ruining your waistline can be tricky! However we’ve compiled a list of snacks under 100 calories that adheres to everyone tastes!
Remember to always double check the labels of your chosen foods for calories and to always keep to moderation.
20 olives
68 calories – If you like something to nibble with your treat glass of wine, why not steer away from the crisps and have some olives instead? At only 68 calories for 20 they’re a far healthier option. Olives are also good for the liver.
14 almonds
98 calories – A perfect snack for keeping at your desk when you need something to snack on, almonds is an ideal substitute for the savoury snacks people usually reach for and with heart protective monounsaturated fats (MUFA’s) and some vitamin b why wouldn’t you?
2 Jaffa Cakes
90 calories – Tasty treat that is calorifically low and with just one gram of fat per cake.
‘Be Good To Yourself’ Cool flavour tortilla snacks
93 calories – Having friends over and want low-calorie party food? These are perfect for sharing and won’t spoil your diet either.
Elizabeth Hurley’s Guilt Free Orange and Chocolate Oat Bars
100 calories – indulge in some chocolate orange (not a ‘chocolate orange’) without the hefty calories.
Two bags of Lightly Salted ‘Snack-a-jacks’ Popcorn
98 calories – Fancy a munch at the cinema? You can have two of these bags of ‘snack-a-jacks’ for under 100 calories (you may need to sneak them in however!)
100g of ‘Rod & Ben’s’ Pea & Mint soup
62 calories – Soups are satisfying, making them a great diet snack if you’re peckish.
Aero Bubbleball
99 calories – These ice-cream treats are based on screwball and with much less calories than most ice-cream snacks!
An apple
100 calories – “An apple a day can keep the doctor away.” Apples are rich in soluble fibre which helps protect against environmental pollutants and eliminates cholesterol. Go for one of the sweeter variety and you can skip a less healthy sugary snack.
1 ‘Skinny Cow’ Ice Cream
100 calories – You can still enjoy a frozen treat and keep your ‘beach body’ thanks to these low-fat iced deserts, and they come in a variety of tasty flavours, like berry and chocolate.
Miso soup
57 calories – You can buy miso soup in powder sachets so they make a quick and easy mid-afternoon snack for the office.
One ‘party size’ sausage roll
61 calories – pastry is no friend to a dieter, but luckily just one bite sized sausage roll won’t eat much into your calorie allowance.
Mini vegetable samosa
70 calories – Will count towards your 5 a day and the carbs in the pastry will help lift you from the 3 o’clock slump.
Quavers crisps
87 calories – a cheesy snack at a fraction of the calories of a chunk of cheddar.
10 salted peanuts
74 calories – Nuts are high in calories, but as a ‘Low GI’ food they release their energy slowly, so a small amount will keep hunger pangs at bay for a long time.
Three celery sticks stuffed with cottage cheese
75 calories – Celery may seem like boring diet food, but filled with soft cottage cheese it makes a great savoury treat.
Five ‘Werthers Originals’
100 calories – How long does it take to suck your way through five boiled sweets? It’ll be dinner time before you know it!
‘Be Good To Yourself’ Sweet Chili Cassava Snacks
76 calories – If you love crisps and can not think of anything better than a bag to snack on, opt for a low-calorie choice and avoid temptation.
Three chicken satay sticks with smooth peanut butter
98 calories – Yum.
Two stuffed vine leaves
100 calories – an alternative party snack.
Five squares of ‘Green and Blacks’ Butterscotch chocolate
85 calories – you can diet and eat chocolate (see our article on dieting and chocolate) Just make sure it’s high in cocoa and don’t graze too much.
Two lightly buttered oatcakes
100 calories – The energy given to us from oats gets used very slowly, so this should keep you going until dinner time.
‘Weight Watchers’ Frozen Chocolate Eclair
76 calories – Chocolate, pastry and cream at just 76 calories? It’s true!
Three potato wedges with ketchup
100 calories – It’s almost as good as being allowed chips. Just make sure you don’t put more than three in the oven and don’t overdo the ketchup…
30 grapes
100 calories – Last’s all morning and counts as one of your 5 a day. Grapes help in the treatment of anaemia, fatigue, arthiritis, gout, rheumatism and especially for recovery from illness.
Fun-size Milky Way
76 calories – “The red car and the blue car had a race… All red used to do was stuff it’s face; it ate everything it see’s from trucks to prickly tree’s… but good old blue he took the milky way!”
One melon
88 calories – Melons are the ultimate diet snack! They have such a low calorific value as they are made up mostly of water; go ahead and eat a whole one if you like!
Six dried apricots
100 calories – Convenient snack to have in your handbag, plus they’re full of fibre too.
Tomato soup
74 calories – a low calorie soup can be a filling snack and full of goodness.
Prawn cocktail Skips
89 calories – A light snack to calm your savoury craving.
Sugar-free jelly with two scoops Wall’s Vanilla Light Ice Cream
100 calories – re-visit your youth with this classic kids’ party pudding. Good for sore-throats too!
25 cherries
100 calories – Full of vitamins and low fat, cherries also take a while to eat as you have to avoid the stones, so your morning snack lasts.
‘Special K’ Chocolate Chip Cereal Bar
84 calories – Fewer calories than the standard chocolate bar; a great sweet fix and craving killer.
125ml red or dry white wine
85 calories – this one’s probably best saved for after work however!
2 crackers lightly spread with smooth peanut butter
93 calories – nuts release energy slowly (thanks to their low glycaemic index), plus crackers always take ages to chew, just don’t try to eat them in under a minute.
1 Birds Eye Potato Waffle
94 calories – a treat the whole family can enjoy (although probably best to multiply the quantity by the number of family members).
2 Tuna nigri sushi
98 calories – A very healthy snack for sushi fans!
Stewed apple with 1tbsp fromage frais
83 calories – Make in batches and keep in the freezer. It makes a healthy dessert for that kids will like!
Portobello mushroom stuffed with roast veg and feta cheese
100 calories – Packed with healthy veg and tasty cheese.
3 giant sea salt pretzels
93 calories – Filling treat to pick you up from your mid-afternoon slump.
2 satsumas
42 calories – low-calorie snack packed with vitamin C and awkward to eat which means your snack lasts longer!
Mini Babybel with two Nairn’s Mini Oatcakes
98 calories – sometimes it’s hard to resist cheese when you’re dieting, but you don’t need to as long as you stick with the ‘light’ option.
2 Poppadums with salsa
94 calories – spice up a poppadom with hot salsa!
Meringue nest with cream and strawberries
71 calories – This snack will certainly kill that sugar craving stone dead!
2 Grissini breadsticks with houmous
97 calories – Dipping snacks keep your hands busy!
Eight cashew nuts
100 calories – eaten in sensible quantities, nuts can be a dieter’s best friend, as they keep you fuller for longer.
‘Tunnocks’s’ Chocolate Teacake
91 calories – A chocolate marshmallow biscuit treat. What more can you ask for?
20 Chocolate coated raisins
80 calories – You can pick at this snack all afternoon, and not only is it chocolate but it contributes to your 5 a day. Bonus!
Four marshmallows
90 calories – Toasted until gooey or popped on top of your coffee, marshmallows are a fantastic low-fat sweet.
Carrot batons with extra-light mayo dip
65 calories – low-fat and nutritious.
Small bag of Twiglets
97 calories – Filling and full of flavour, perhaps not if you don’t like Marmite!
Pink wafer biscuit
72 calories – the perfect partner to your cup of tea or coffee.
‘Go Ahead!’ Strawberry Yoghurt Break Bar
72 calories – Fruity sweet fix without the guilt.
Flute of champagne
90 calories – This may not be in your daily, or even weekly budget, but every now and then it’s nice to treat yourself to a glass of bubbly.
Double vodka and slimline tonic
100 calories – Never forget the calories in drinks (You can read our article about alcohol and dieting here). Vodka and slimline tonic is however relatively low, though, so you can enjoy one occasionally.
One slice Warburtons bread toasted and soft cheese
100 calories – Toast with a delicious cheesy topping doesn’t have to be calorific. If you use healthy bread and spread your soft cheese thinly.
Thin slice Soreen malt loaf
86 calories – Sticky and sweet.
Mini pitta with 1tsp tzatziki
97 calories – A savoury delight, cut into pieces to help it last.
One mini Toblerone
21 calories – I bet this one is a realy shocker! Yes, bite sized chocolate with crunchy nougat chunks can be a mere 21 calories each believe it or not. (note MINI toblerone).
A crumpet
100 calories – We usually advise staying away from baked goods, however you can toast yourself a crumpet (avoiding butter) and dust with a tiny amount of grated low-fat cheese for a filling snack.
A pear
100 calories – Next time you fancy a snack, why not reach for a refreshing pear? One of your 5-a-day and less than 100 calories too.
A small baked potato
100 calories – Jacket potatoes are filling and very low in calories if you choose the right toppings. Try with two teaspoons of fat-free sour cream and/or half cup of salsa for less than 100 calories.
A ‘Slim-Fast’ Heavenly Chocolate Delight bar
95 calories – A tasty chocolate bar without the guilt. They also come in Chocolate Nutty Nougat and Caramel Treat flavours, too.
150g of Fat Free Vanilla Onken Yogurt
74 calories – Pop one of these yogurts in the fridge and you’ll always have a tasty snack when you’re feeling any hunger pangs.
A ‘School’ Bar
67 calories – These bars are a convenient snack for an energy boost. They don’t melt either!
‘Weight Watchers’ Luxury Layer Chocolate Brownie Pot
90 calories – If you feel like a treat after dinner but don’t want to ruin your diet; one of these iced desserts is perfect (and it’s much less fattening than ice cream).
A medium corn on the cob with seasoning
100 calories – It’s good to know that you can have a corn on the cob with a little salt and pepper for less than 100 calories!
2tsp hummus with a carrot
100 calories – Enjoy hummus with some crunchy carrot at any time for just 100 calories.
Four slices of mango
90 calories – You can enjoy four slices of juicy mango. They’re also sweet so great as a treat if you’d usually reach for something with more calories!
A cup of blueberries
83 calories – Blueberries (as well as being a strong antioxidant) are tasty, refreshing and a great way of getting one of your ‘five a day’. Also considered a ‘superfood’ for it’s ability to slow the aging process and protect against heart and circulatory disease and many forms of cancer.
A ‘Weight Watchers’ Mini Chocolate Stick
95 calories – There’s nothing better (and usually horrifically calorific!) than a tasty ice cream in the summer months, but if you don’t want to ruin your diet why not try one of these?
70g ‘TOTAL’ 2% yogurt with 80g strawberries
69 calories – Enjoy them with some creamy yogurt for only 69 calories. Strawberries also have the amazing ability to increase the body’s elimination of uric acid (a substance which irritates inflamed joints).
A bag of Fruit Flakes
66 calories – ‘Fruit Flakes’ would be more than three times heavier if they were non-dried fruit, which just shows how much fruit they pack in! Great for a nutritional boost.
A Brooklea Fromage Frais
87 calories – These fromage frais are handy for your lunchbox when you fancy a treat.
Opies cocktail gherkins 30 calories per 227g jar (seriously!)
30 calories – At an amazing 30 calories per jar these gherkins are a good substitute for any snack (and filling I imagine).
A ‘Monster Puffs’ cereal bar
83 calories – Based on the cereal ‘Sugar Puffs’, these bars taste delicious and are a great morning snack.
A bag of Slim Fast Cheddar Flavour Bites
95 calories – Cheesy snacks are notorious for being high in calories, but these cheddar-flavoured bites are only 95 calories a bag.
One Strawberry ‘Weight Watchers’ Mini Swirl Pot
92 calories – If you fancy a tasty snack in the evening, why not reach for one of these? They’re under 100 calories per pot and less calorific than a bowl of ice cream.
One Starbucks Tall Cappuccino with skimmed milk
76 calories – Coffees can be surprisingly high in calories, but if you’re dependant on your caffeine fix then why not opt for Starbucks ‘skinny cappuccino’? You can finally enjoy your hot drink without too much guilt!
10 Pringles
100 calories – At a party you can tuck into 10 Pringles without the guilt. However don’t be pulled into the addictive ‘once you pop you can’t stop’ slogan (pretty sure it’s not true).
A ‘Dole’ Pineapple Pot
62 calories – Pineapple is a great sweet and these pots are handy any time. Being both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial; Sore-throats, digestive problems, bruising and blood clots all respond to Pineapple’s natural ingredients!
2 Cadbury’s Roses
100 calories – There’s no need to be scared of the box of Roses, you can have two of your favourites for under 100 calories, just make sure it is just ‘two’.
A ‘Slim Fast’ Sour Cream and Chive Flavoured Pretzels snack bag
95 calories – Pretzels are a great substitute for fatty crisps and will still give you that savoury kick.
2 kiwis
58 calories – Kiwi fruit’s not only contain as much vitamin C as an orange, it’s a great fruit to take to work or have at home and make a nice change from the more common fruit. Also an aid to digestion and skin problems.
A glass of orange juice
100 calories – Orange juice is the best way of getting your vitamin C and they are also low in calories.
A ‘Müller’ Light yoghurt
96 calories – With flavours like cherry, blueberry and raspberry what’s not to love?
One bag of Ryvita Salt and Vinegar Mini Bites
100 calories – If you fancy a packet of crisps with your lunch you can avoid the guilt with these bites.
16 strawberries
58 calories – Strawberries are one of Britain’s favourite summer fruits and they’re low in calories too. You can dig into 16 for a mere 58 calories! Strawberries also have the amazing ability to increase the body’s elimination of uric acid (a substance which irritates inflamed joints).
Half a pint of lager and seven peanuts
99 calories – There’s no need to miss out on that Friday drink and peanuts or substantially increasing your beer belly when you visit the pub. Half a pint and a few peanuts shouldn’t hurt your diet.
A ‘Slim-Fast’ Chocolate Nutty Nougat bar
95 calories – Keep one of these in your desk won’t be tempted to reach for a calorific chocolate bar next time you have the ‘choco cravings’.
A Frozen banana
95 calories – frozen bananas: They taste great! Simply push a lolly stick into a banana then just freeze it, and you have a cheap, healthy and tasty iced snack for around 95 calories. Take that ice-cream!
1 Cadbury’s Highlights Mousse
60 calories – Satisfy those chocolate cravings with a chocolate mousse, and at only 60 calories you can go to sleep content.
Two medium peaches
76 calories – Lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure, regenerates skin tissue and containing many essential vitamins, peaches are great for you and yummy too.
1 McVitie’s chocolate digestive
83 calories – There’s nothing like a chocolate biscuit with your afternoon cup of tea, and you can have a chocolate digestive for only 83 calories.
1 bag of ‘Walkers’ Salt and Vinegar French Fries
82 calories – If you fancy some crisps, snack on a bag of these and you can enjoy your crisps and avoid any guilt.
1 slice of Marmite on brown toast
100 calories – If you love Marmite and fancy something quick and filling, a piece of toast and marmite is still only 100 calories. Marmite (love it or hate it) is also a fantastic food for vegetarians as it contains vitamin B which is mainly found in meat, eggs and fish.
1 ‘Fruit and Fibre’ bar
95 calories – Under 100 calories and convenient for on the go, pop one in your pocket for when you’re out and about.
A hard-boiled egg
78 calories – Not only are they high in protein and amino acids, but hard-boiled eggs are a filling snack. Second to none for that protein boost. Also a wonderful source of zinc and vitamins A, B, D and E!
25 ‘Jelly Belly’ jelly beans
100 calories – Have a sweet tooth? Why not dig into some jelly beans next time you fancy a snack? You can have 25 of these and still not go over 100 calories.
10 Cosmetic Uses for Everyday Foods
Getting egg on your face can be a good thing
The folds in a chef’s hat are supposed to symbolize the number of ways that chef knows how to prepare an egg, but we’re sure there’s at least one missing: as a facial mask. Many common foods can be used as cosmetics with surprisingly good results. So no matter your motivation (you want to save a few dollars, up your green quotient, or just find a novel way to pass the time), here are 10 cosmetic uses for food that are just as good, if not better, than their store-bought counterparts. (A word to the wise: If you have sensitive skin or processed hair, try these remedies on a small patch of skin or hair first.)
1. Egg White Mask. You can either save your leftover egg whites for an omelet
or angel food cake, or use them for your next facial. Just one white, beaten until smooth, is enough to cover your face. As with other masks, let it dry completely, then rinse off. It will leave you feeling refreshed, and your skin will be noticeably more taut.
2. Oatmeal Face Wash. Oatmeal has calming properties that soothe the skin
and help reduce redness. It can be used in a variety of ways, from a body wash to a mask, but the most basic is this simple face wash: Mix together equal parts warm honey and lemon juice, then stir in three parts instant oatmeal until it turns into a paste. Apply to your face, then wash off with warm water.
3. Vinegar Hair Cleaner. Swap your conditioner for vinegar twice a month
and you’ll get rid of any nasty buildup, as well as improve your hair’s silkiness and shine. Seriously. Don’t use dark or expensive vinegars; stick to cider or white wine vinegar for less strain on the wallet and better results. But don’t do this more than a few times a month or you’ll risk drying out your hair.
4. Honey and Brown Sugar Scrub. Fill a jar about two-thirds full with honey, add a scoop of brown sugar and one halved vanilla bean, and mix. Keep this in the shower and use it as a body scrub that will leave you smelling nice and feeling smooth.
5. Lemon Juice Lightener. Beach-goers have been doing this for years to lighten their locks. Just combine the juice of half a lemon with a handful of leave-in conditioner (which is less goopy than regular conditioner), spread on your hair, and comb through, then wash out. (Note: Highlighted or color-treated hair should be spared this homemade remedy, which could make your hair look brassy.) Many people also apply lemon juice directly to age spots to bleach them out, though this should be avoided on sensitive skin because lemon juice is highly acidic.
6. Coffee: Scrub and Shine-Maker. Your leftover coffee grounds can clog your drain or, if you’re feeling adventurous, be used as an invigorating scrub. For more details, check out this CHOW Tip. Needless to say, avoid doing this if you have sensitive skin. Leftover brewed coffee can also be mixed with some coffee grounds and conditioner to help increase shine in dark hair.
7. Tea Bag Eye Rejuvenator. The quintessential home cosmetic remedy is using cucumber slices on the eyes to reduce puffiness. While that certainly works, brewed black tea bags are even more effective. Place them on your eyes (which should be closed, of course) and let the tannins work their magic—about five minutes should do the trick.
8. Baking Soda Teeth Cleaner. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a quarter teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide for one of the most basic forms of tooth care that exists. It’ll clean your teeth (some would argue better than store-bought toothpaste), but you’ll be missing out on the minty freshness. Of course, you could just go totally au naturel and gnaw a bit of spearmint for that.
9. Oil Moisturizer. Take a page from many a Mediterranean grandmother: Olive oil works fabulously as a lotion. Use too much and you’ll smell like pasta, but in small doses it works wonders as a daily lotion or massage oil. If olive oil isn’t your thing, sesame oil (regular not toasted), peanut oil, almond oil, and argan oil work too.
10. Cornstarch Bath Powder. Superabsorbent and extremely fine, cornstarch is the kitchen equivalent of baby powder and can be used in the same way. Combine it with a few leaves of a nice-smelling dried herb (rosemary, lavender, or sage, for instance) and pulse it in the food processor until evenly mixed. Sift out any large stray leaf bits, transfer to a container with a shake top (like an old baby powder bottle), and use to freshen up anything from your body to your sneakers.
10 Healthy Ways to Help a Hangover
While it’s not something I’m proud of, I’ve got plenty of hangovers under my belt. See, despite all of my healthy practices—yoga, deep breathing, clean cosmetics, brown rice and kale eating—I’m just not that great at saying no to that third or fourth drink once I get going. Bless those of you who are—and damn those of you who are immune to hangovers altogether! Apparently you exist, and you are lucky. But while I am working on my to-don’t list (new rule: don’t drink before dinner), I’ve also concluded that the only thing worse than a hangover is the guilt and self-loathing that can come with it.
And where does that take most of us? Why, straight to the couch with a big bag of chips, or some other crap we’re craving that can leave us feeling worse than before—as we try desperately to fill that hangover hole in our hearts. This got us thinking: Short of avoiding hangovers altogether (genius!), there has to be a more holistic approach to dealing with them when they happen. So, since we know there are no silver bullets for too much booze anyways, Siobhan and I culled our top ten healthy tips for healing after a night of hard partying.
Got any to add?
Have some miso soup with your eggs. This is totally a thing in Japan. Miso soup replaces a lot of things our bodies need to feel better: water, sodium, and other nutrients depleted by the diuretic effects of the alcohol. Because it’s a fermented food that contains healthy bacteria, miso can also aid with digestion. Too much alcohol is known to disrupt the stomach’s lining and can often result in unpleasant digestive side effects—let’s leave it at that. Oh and the cysteine in eggs breaks down the hangover-causing toxin acetaldehyde, so they really are a good breakfast choice post-boozing (and don’t skip the yellows).
Take a handful of omega 3s—and then repeat. There’s not muchomegas aren’t good for. Take them when you get home; take them when you wake up; take them take them take them. Alcohol causes inflammation (which is at the root of most health problems), and omegas are proven to fight that inflammation a serious way. They will also help combat some of the unpleasant side effects of alcohol on your face, like dry, aggro, blotchy skin. Just trust us on this one.
Drink kombucha tea. Yeah, the weird stuff with the floaties at the bottom that actually can contain a bit of alcohol itself. Maybe it’s a hair-of-the-dog thing, but kombucha absolutely makes us feel better when we have a hangover. Again, it’s fermented, which means it’s really good for your sad little tummy. And if you don’t believe us just ask more seasoned hangover experts like Lindsey Lohan and the ladies at Jezebel.
Have sex or just a good cuddle. We’ve said it lots of times: Physical contact releases oxytocin and other happy-making hormones. And feeling cuddly and warm about the world beats out feeling glum and self-punishing. The trick is you have to do it with someone you like because, most of the time time, sex with someone you don’t like is probably not going to help anything—and definitely not your hangover.
Get some body work. If there’s no one to curl up with at the moment, try a professional. Actually, try a professional anyways. I always forget this one, but a good massage makes a planet of difference. Maybe that’s because massage also releases happy hormones, or that one massage is proven to seriously boost your immune system with more white blood cells.
Try some hydrotherapy. One of my favorite activities—hungover or not—is hitting up a Korean spa here in Los Angeles. While these spas offer great massages and scrubs, I usually just pay the minimum to enjoy their hot and cold tubs, steam rooms, and saunas. The act of going from hot water to cold water, and back again, is so rejuvenating. It increases circulation and toxin elimination—some even believe that immersion in cold water gives a kick to the old immune system, which has some scientific support in human and animal studies (though it definitely needs more research). If you have a bath and a shower at home, you can duplicate the spa experience. A few drops of eucalyptus oil into the cold bath is a nice touch—or make the bath hot and the shower cold. Very important: Because this process will also make you sweat, you must hydrate. Make a little lemon or cucumber water to feel extra spa-y and kind to yourself.
Do some exercise—but just a little bit! The camps are divided on this, but here’s our take: If exercise makes you feel better then you should do it. Again though, hydration is key here, and it is important that you not overdo it. Exercise increases circulation, helps elimination, and releases a cocktail of mood-boosting hormones. The few times I’ve forced myself to do it with a hangover, it’s totally helped. From a psychological point of view, if you’re a bit of a type A, it will also let you feel more OK about taking the rest of the day to chill (which we encourage).
Have a banana/blueberry/kale/lemon smoothie. Antioxidants. Potassium. Natural sugars. Vitamins. Digestive enzymes. These are things that actually really help heal a hangover. Get thee to a green smoothie. It has to be made fresh though, not one of those plastic bottles of green stuff next to juice in the grocery store.
Drink coconut water from a coconut. We all know by now that coconut water is nature’s Gatorade—just way better. According to thisTIME piece, it has the same five electrolytes found in human blood; that sports drink we just mentioned only has two. Pshaw. Also, it’s been used in medical emergencies. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had hangovers that could almost qualify. We advocate getting a real green coconut if you can—many healthfood stores offer them with a straw—because whole foods are always better, right Mr. Pollan?
Enjoy your hangover. Come again? That’s right, you heard me. There are some great reasons to have a hangover: You needed a break anyways. You haven’t taken a sick day in months. You can’t remember the last time you watched daytime television. There’s nothing you have to do that can’t wait until tomorrow. You still haven’t watched Country Strong. Sundays are for rest anyways. Nothing important ever happens on a Tuesday. In other words: Let yourself off the hook. Besides, the only person mad at your hangover is you.
Related articles
- The Hangover (gigglewater411.wordpress.com)
- 10 Unconventional Hangover Cures (businessinsider.com)
Lose weight the French way
HAVE you ever wondered why most French women appear to be effortlessly slim? The answer could lie in their diet. Not the Mediterranean diet, but a weight-loss program that has been taking the country by storm.
When French nutritionist Dr Pierre Dukan introduced his Dukan Diet there 10 years ago, the book rushed to the top of the French bestseller list and spawned a dieting revolution.
Today, more than 1.5 million French women swear by its dramatic and long-lasting results.
Politicians, film stars and high-profile models, including Gisele Bündchen and Jennifer Lopez, live the Dukan life, all of them seduced by its promise of permanent slenderness while eating what you like.
The basic rules
The Dukan Diet starts with a short Attack phase, where you eat nothing but protein – just meat, fish, eggs and non-fat dairy products.
This is the kick-start that gives you the initial impetus and sets the tone for the other phases.
This stage produces immediate results – you can lose as much as three kilograms in five days.
You can stick to the Attack phase for as little as one day or as long as 10 days, but if your goal weight is 12 to 20 kilograms away, then five days produces the best results.
If you have about six kilograms to lose, two or three days on the Attack phase works well; if you are looking to slim down by only three kilograms, a single day in the Attack phase (where you’d be expected to lose one kilogram instantly) is often enough to get you started.
A short-term, protein-rich regime purges the tissues of excess water, dulls the appetite (if you eat only protein, your body produces ketonic cells, which are powerful natural appetite suppressants), while maintaining muscle tone.
Proteins are relatively low in kilojoules (compared with fats and many carbohydrates) and their complex structure means the body has to work hard to digest them – you will burn more kilojoules processing protein than any other food.
After one to 10 days in the Attack phase, dieters move on to the Cruise phase. This is the workhorse stage of the diet, where you alternate pure protein days with days when you add vegetables to your protein.
Weight will fall off at a rate of about one kilogram a week, but with a range of meat and vegetables to choose from, you won’t be hungry.
No more constraints
When you reach your ideal weight the Consolidation phase kicks in, releasing dietary constraints and putting fruit, bread, cheese and starchy foods such as pasta back on the menu.
You are even encouraged to have two totally unrestrained celebration meals a week.
This is a doctor’s recommendation and an important part of the diet’s acceptance that you can relish food and stay slim forever.
You won’t lose weight in this phase, but nor will you gain weight.
Consolidation has been designed to stop you going back to your former eating habits and to set your body’s equilibrium.
If you stick to the plan for five days, for every 0.5 kilograms you lost in previous phases, your body will consolidate the weight loss.
When your time in Consolidation is up and your weight has stabilised, you are free to eat and drink whatever you like for the rest of your life, but you must adhere to that one Dukan rule: protein only on Thursdays. Forever.
Phase one: attack
Have you ever wondered why most French women appear to be effortlessly slim? The answer could lie in their diet.
Not the Mediterranean diet, but a weight-loss program that has been taking the country by storm.
When French nutritionist Dr Pierre Dukan introduced his Dukan Diet there 10 years ago, the book rushed to the top of the French bestseller list and spawned a dieting revolution.
Today, more than 1.5 million French women swear by its dramatic and long-lasting results.
Politicians, film stars and high-profile models, including Gisele Bündchen and Jennifer Lopez, live the Dukan life, all of them seduced by its promise of permanent slenderness while eating what you like.
The basic rules
The Dukan Diet starts with a short Attack phase, where you eat nothing but protein – just meat, fish, eggs and non-fat dairy products.
This is the kick-start that gives you the initial impetus and sets the tone for the other phases.
This stage produces immediate results – you can lose as much as three kilograms in five days.
You can stick to the Attack phase for as little as one day or as long as 10 days, but if your goal weight is 12 to 20 kilograms away, then five days produces the best results.
If you have about six kilograms to lose, two or three days on the Attack phase works well; if you are looking to slim down by only three kilograms, a single day in the Attack phase (where you’d be expected to lose one kilogram instantly) is often enough to get you started.
A short-term, protein-rich regime purges the tissues of excess water, dulls the appetite (if you eat only protein, your body produces ketonic cells, which are powerful natural appetite suppressants), while maintaining muscle tone.
Proteins are relatively low in kilojoules (compared with fats and many carbohydrates) and their complex structure means the body has to work hard to digest them – you will burn more kilojoules processing protein than any other food.
After one to 10 days in the Attack phase, dieters move on to the Cruise phase. This is the workhorse stage of the diet, where you alternate pure protein days with days when you add vegetables to your protein.
Weight will fall off at a rate of about one kilogram a week, but with a range of meat and vegetables to choose from, you won’t be hungry.
No more constraints
When you reach your ideal weight the Consolidation phase kicks in, releasing dietary constraints and putting fruit, bread, cheese and starchy foods such as pasta back on the menu.
You are even encouraged to have two totally unrestrained celebration meals a week.
This is a doctor’s recommendation and an important part of the diet’s acceptance that you can relish food and stay slim forever.
You won’t lose weight in this phase, but nor will you gain weight.
Consolidation has been designed to stop you going back to your former eating habits and to set your body’s equilibrium.
If you stick to the plan for five days, for every 0.5 kilograms you lost in previous phases, your body will consolidate the weight loss.
When your time in Consolidation is up and your weight has stabilised, you are free to eat and drink whatever you like for the rest of your life, but you must adhere to that one Dukan rule: protein only on Thursdays. Forever.
Phase two: cruising
This next phase consists of two alternating diets. This is the workhorse stage, where you alternate pure protein days with days when you add an array of unlimited vegetables to your wide selection of meat, fish and no-fat dairy products. Expect to lose about one kilogram a week.
The most efficient way to work this stage is to spend one day on the pure protein Attack diet, and the next on a protein and vegetable diet, switching between the two, one day at a time, until you reach your chosen weight.
However, some people prefer to work to a rhythm of five days of protein followed by five days of protein plus vegetables, or, if you have only a little weight to lose, try two days of pure protein a week (say Mondays and Thursdays), with every other day protein combined with vegetables.
Now you can introduce the following vegetables – raw, steamed, boiled or baked (in foil) – with your meat or fish: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage (white, red, Savoy, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprout), capsicum, celery, celeriac, chicory, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, French beans, leeks, mushrooms, onion, pumpkin, radish, salad leaves (lettuce, rocket, watercress), sorrel, soy beans, spinach, swede, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnip, zucchini.
In principle, you can eat as many of these vegetables as you like, whenever you like, but if you want speedy weight loss, it’s best not to eat vegetables with complete abandon – it’s better to eat until you no longer feel hungry.
Carrots and beetroot are on the list of vegetables too, but they are quite starchy, so avoid having them with every meal and, while you’re in this phase, steer completely away from starchy vegetables such as potatoes, rice, corn, peas, beans, lentils and avocado (it is technically a fruit anyway).
Don’t worry if your weight loss plateaus occasionally on the days when you eat vegetables. This is merely the water levels resetting themselves. Stick with it. The weight will fall off.
Phase three: consolidation
The third stage of the Dukan Diet – the Consolidation phase – provides an important period of transition between hardline dieting and a return to normal eating.
Clinical evidence shows that the high-risk period for regaining weight after a diet is about five days for every 0.5 kilograms lost.
But don’t despair – if you have missed meat pies or curry, or if you have been longing to finish your meal with a real dessert, your time has come to indulge again.
In the Consolidation phase you follow a more open diet, but one which is not yet free from all constraints. Nourishing yourself is not just about taking in enough kilojoules to survive; it is also about enjoying eating.
It is now time to reintroduce this biological pleasure which was taken away from you.
Eat as much protein and vegetables (together) each day as you want without any restriction on quantity, time of day or combination.
•Add one serving of fruit per day (avoid high-sugar fruits such as bananas, grapes, cherries, dried fruits and high-fat nuts).
•Enjoy two slices of wholemeal bread per day, spread with fat-reduced butter.
•Have one serving (40 grams) of hard cheese per day (but avoid blue cheese, soft cheese or goat’s cheese).
•Factor in one serving of starchy foods per week in the first half of your Consolidation phase, increasing to two servings per week in the second half. This includes pasta (a 225-gram serving with tomato, not creamy, sauce and with no oil), couscous or polenta (225 grams cooked in stock, not butter or oil), lentils, beans, chickpeas, rice (ideally brown) and potatoes (but only occasionally and without butter).
•Broaden your meat repertoire to include any quantity of lamb, roast pork and ham (remove all fat first) once or twice a week.
•Let your hair down and plan and enjoy one celebration meal a week in the first half of the Consolidation phase, increasing to two meals in the second half. In this meal you really can eat whatever you want – and you should choose foods that you’ve missed during the weight-loss period.
•But there are two important conditions to this celebration meal: never have second helpings of the same dish and never eat two celebration meals in a row (if you splurge on Tuesday night, at Wednesday’s breakfast the success of your diet is on the line). Have one of each: one starter, one main, one dessert and one glass of wine. Have reasonable quantities of each dish and alcohol, but have only one of each.
•You should still stick to having one pure protein day per week, say, Thursdays. This is your insurance policy against gaining weight again.
•Have two tablespoons of oat bran per day (as a pancake or sprinkled on food).
•Walk for 25 minutes per day (longer if you enjoy it and have time).
Phase four: stabilisation
When you have successfully completed the Consolidation stage of the diet (five days for every 0.5 kilograms you lost in the Attack and Cruise phases), you are ready for the fourth and final stage of the Dukan Diet.
Your new slim body will have given up its extreme reactivity, wanting to extract every last kilojoule from everything you eat, and your metabolism will be calmer.
But experience shows the likelihood of regaining weight will remain if you do not incorporate into your lifestyle a number of habits specifically designed to deal with this risk.
The Stabilisation stage of the Dukan Diet offers permanent slenderness in return for four simple, extremely effective but non-negotiable measures that you should follow for the rest of your life.
Stabilisation rules
•Go back to eating whatever you like, but continue to use the basic rules of the Consolidation phase as a safety platform (eat unlimited protein and vegetables, one piece of fruit a day, two slices of wholemeal bread, a portion of cheese, two starchy foods and two celebration meals a week). Use this as your back-up if you are under threat of regaining weight.
•Pick one day a week for the rest of your life when you eat nothing but protein. This is the key that allows you to eat normally for the other days of the week. (Drink at least two litres of water to flush the digestive system).
•Vow to walk briskly for 20 minutes every day.
•Increase your daily oat bran intake to three tablespoons and stick to it for life.
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7 Detox Smoothies With Added Health Benefits
Smoothies are a great way to boost your fruits and veggies daily intake. It makes a delicious quick breakfast, a nice refreshing snack, a wonderful healthy dessert or a super post-training drink. Not only the flavor combinations are infinite, you can prepare different recipes to benefit from specific health components from its ingredients. One other great thing about smoothies is that to the opposite of simple juices, it keeps all the natural fiber, which help cleansing the digestive tract. The powerful detox foods that go into it help your liver to detox naturally, and they can help you stay healthy and look great.
Flat Tummy
Rich in digestion supporting ingredients, this smoothie will help prevent bloating and digestive stress that can sabotage your tummy flattening efforts.
- 3/4 c. papaya
- 3/4c. sliced peaches
- 1/2 pear, sliced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
- 2 mint leaves
- Water to thin
Skin Saver
Antioxidants in berries are known to help to fight wrinkles and other skin ageing signs. Berries are also a great way to control blood sugar that can sabotage your complexion. This smoothie also contains Omega 3, to fight inflammation, as well as vitamins E and C, both renown to help the skin.
- 3/4 c blueberries
- 3/4 c pitted cherries
- 5 strawberries
- 1/4 avocado, peeled and pitted
- 2 tsp wheat germ (optional)
- 2 tsp ground flax seed
- Water, to thin
Peanut Butter Energy Booster
This protein-rich and minerals-filled smoothie will give you long-lasting energy. Cinnamon will help to control your blood sugar so your energy level won’t crash too quickly.
- 1 big banana
- 1 scoop of natural hemp protein powder
- 2 tsp of natural peanut butter
- 1 handful of fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
- Water, to thin
Bone Lover
This vitamin-rich green smoothie contains calcium, magnesium and other bone building minerals to keep your bone strong and healthy.
- 2 bananas
- 1 handful of chard leaves
- 1 handful of kale leaves
- 1 tsp of green matcha powder
- 1/2 cup of homemade almond milk
Immune System Booster
Rich in vitamin A, C and zinc, this smoothie can increase the production of white blood cells and antibodies to get your body ready to resist this season’s infections.
- 1/2 c. mango cubes
- 1/2 c. cantaloupe cubes
- 1/2 c. fresh pineapple cubes
- 1/4 c. chopped pumpkin seeds
- Water, to thin
Natural Skin Tanner
Studies have proven that a beta-carotene rich diet can make your complexion glow, and that particular skin tone is usually considered healthier than a regular skin tan. This smoothie can help you get that healthy glow without risking your skin lying under the sun.
- 1/2 cup of cantaloupe cubes
- 1/2 cup of papaya
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup of carrot juice (or water)
- 1 small knob of fresh ginger
Antioxidant Power
Feel the power of this detox foods-rich smoothie. Very rich in antioxidants, this smoothie will help to support your liver to detox naturally and help your body stay healthy and young longer.
- 1/3 cup of blueberries
- 1/3 cup of raspberries
- 1/3 cup of pomegranate kernels
- 1/4 cup of beet juice (optional)
- 1 banana
- Water to thin
What’s your best smoothie recipe? Share it with us!
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Sacred Heart Diet – Quick fast weight loss
Okay, before i go into this diet in detail, be aware it IS a fad diet, however its one of the more healthy ones, and its VERY effective. I used this to kick my plateau.
I would never reccomend this unless you absolutly had to kick a plateau, or need to loose weight for surgery etc (which is why i did it).
Its very hard to stick to, and i had been happily sticking to a 1200 calorie a day diet for 8 months at the time of doing this, and i STILL found it excessivly hard to stick too. On the bright side, im on day 6 now and ive lost 4.5kg/10lb.
It generally seems to deny you:
* All fats
* All Starches
* All Wheat based products
* All Processed foods
If correctly followed, it will clean out your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 10 pounds (4.5kg) and possibly 17 pounds(7.7kg), and experience an abundance of energy. (though i felt tired for the first couple days on this diet)
- SOUP:
-
- 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
- 3 plus large green onions
- 1 large can of beef broth (no fat)
- 1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)
- 1 bunch of celery
- 2 cans green beans
- 2 lbs. Carrots
- 2 Green Peppers
- Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender.
- This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day.
- DRINKS:
-
- Unsweetened juices
- Tea (also herbal)
- Coffee
- Cranberry juice
- Skim milk
- Water, water, water
- DAY ONE
- Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.
- DAY TWO
- All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don’t eat any fruits through today.
- DAY THREE
- Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds.
- DAY FOUR
- Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets.
- DAY FIVE
- Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces (300-550grams) of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.
- DAY SIX
- Beef and veggies, eat to your heart’s content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.
- DAY SEVEN
- Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.
- By the end of the 7th day, if you have not cheated on this diet, you should have lost 10 to 17 pounds. If you have lost more than 17 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming the diet again.
- This diet is fast. The secret lies within the principle that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. This diet does not lend itself to drinking any alcoholic beverages at any time. Because of the fat build-up in your system. Go off the diet at least 14 hours before any intake of alcohol.
- Due to the variety of digestive systems in individuals, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three, you will have more energy than when you began, if you do not cheat. After being on the diet for several days, you will find that your bowel movements have changed. Eat a cup of bran or fiber. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don’t need caffeine after the third day.
- The basic fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry during the seven days. Eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat, the more you will lose. You can eat broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Absolutely no skin on the chicken. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef on only one of the beef days. You need the high protein in the beef for the other days.
- Continue on the diet as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically.
- DO NOT – DO NOT
- No bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks (including diet drinks). Remember, absolutely no fried foods.
- DO – DO – DO – DO
- Drink plenty – at least 6 to 8 glasses – of water a day, as well as any combination of the following beverages: black coffee, unsweetened fruit drinks, cranberry juice and skim milk.
- This diet comes from the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital that is used for overweight heart patients in order to lose weight rapidly, usually prior to surgery.
