So many people are looking for the quick diet, the fast way to lose weight. They want that "magic diet" or magic pill to make them shed the pounds.
The only safe, and sure fire way to lose weight is to eat healthy. Start now, and change your eating habits, and lose weight forever. It will be a lifestyle change, but it will last a lifetime.
Clean Out Your Food Cupboards
Your first goal is to open your cupboards and see what is in there. Read the ingredients. If it is loaded with sugar, salt, carbohydrates and fat...throw it out. I'd say give it to somone else, but that is only making someone elses life miserable.
Now, put together a grocery shopping list. Add lots of organic fruits, and veggies. Look for foods that are low in simple carbs, and high in fiber. Food that are complex carbs are okay. These give you a more sustained energy boost. A low glycemic diet works for diabetics, but it is also a great diet to follow for everyone. No one needs the amount of carbs that we normally take in. A good diet must have a wide variety of foods that contain, complex carbs, fiber, lean protein, healthy fats, and enough calories. A woman should be eating around 1200-1500 calories a day. A man should be eating roughly 2000. This of course depends on ones activity levels.
Snacking
Snacking is a habit. If you are eating enough calories at each meal, there is no reason to snack between meals. If you must buy snacks buy all natural granola like Bunnery Natural Foods carry. Their variety of granola's are deliciously, out of this world. You can eat them for breakfast or grab a handful for a snack.
Add Some Exercise
Before you add any exercise be sure to ask your doctor.
It is best to start slowly. Walking is good for all over body health. Swimming is another great exercise that is also easy on the joints. Add a little more exercise until you have worked up to about 30 minutes a day. You can walk daily, and work out every other day. This of course is going to depend on your over all health. If you are having any health issues, discuss with your doctor what might work good for you.
Choose Your Calories Wisely
This became my mantra on losing the weight forever!
It was how I avoided many a temptation.
At a town picnic, as she stuffed her mouth with blueberry pie, a lady asked me how I stayed so thin. She swallowed hard, and put down the plate.
Now, don't think I didn't "treat" myself. I did. But, I chose my treats wisely. I grabbed for a handful of granola. At times when my chocolate bug was getting to me, I bought sugar free chocolate muffins and quartered them. I had one quarter with my yogurt. It fed my sweet tooth, and my chocolate fix for only 37 calories.
Changing Your Diet, Will Change Your Life
Remember, a diet is not what we do to lose weight, it is the way we eat.
You can make substitutions that have less calories, and no do without anything.
I did not starve myself, in fact I ate more than I had before...but I ate better.
I didn't eat empty calories. The food that went into my body was to fill me, and to fuel me.
I chose my calories wisely.
Eat healthy, stay healthy.
Make Your Own Natural Herbal Body Powder
ALL NATURAL BODY POWDER
All natural body powders are easy to make in your own kitchen. You can use the recipes here, or play around and create your own designer scent using essential oils and herbs.
Herbal Body Powder Using Herbs
One way to make a natural herbal body powder is to gather up the herbs you would like, and put them into a piece of cotton or you can use cheese cloth.
Pour in the arrowroot, or other powder, and let the herbal pouch sit in the powder for 2-3 weeks. The powder will absorb the scent of the herb.
This method is best when the herbs are very fragrant like lavender, rose, or patchouli. You can add powdered herb into it as well for more scent.
Herbal Body Powders Using Essential Oils
You can use herbal essential oils to make your body powder. Take the powder of your choice and add the following formulas to scent it.
Mens Powder Formula- Men tend to like a more clean and earthy smells. Add to the body powder the following mix of essential oils.
Add 5 drops of Patchouli essential oil
Add 7 drops of Bay essential oil
Add 5 drops of Pine EO
Add 5 drops of Neroli EO-Neroli can be a bit expensive. You can leave this out if you wish.
Add 5 drops of Sweet Orange
Ladies Powder Formula
Women tend to more often like a floral scent. To the powder add the following mix of essential oils
10 drops of Lavender Essential oil
5 drops of Ylang Ylang
5 drops of Lemon Verbena
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Peppermint
Deodorant BodyPowder
This powder is meant to give a bit more protection.
To the mix add the following essential oils. Use all over body for best deodorant protection.
15 drops of Sage
5 drops of Rosemary
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Orange
5 drops of Cedarwood
2 drops of Peppermint
Storing Your Body Powder
You can also make the powders using both the herbs and the essential oils. This helps keep the scent of the powder longer.
Store powder in a container with tight fitting lid. I use old canning jars or old peanut butter jars. Be sure to clean the jars out well before putting the powder in. If you can find a dark glass jar, it would work well to keep the essential oils from spoiling.
You can put the powder in a decorative jar on the counter in your bathroom, but it should be kept out of direct sunlight. If you can find one, an old fashioned powder puff and canister works really nicely
All natural body powders are easy to make in your own kitchen. You can use the recipes here, or play around and create your own designer scent using essential oils and herbs.
Herbal Body Powder Using Herbs
One way to make a natural herbal body powder is to gather up the herbs you would like, and put them into a piece of cotton or you can use cheese cloth.
Pour in the arrowroot, or other powder, and let the herbal pouch sit in the powder for 2-3 weeks. The powder will absorb the scent of the herb.
This method is best when the herbs are very fragrant like lavender, rose, or patchouli. You can add powdered herb into it as well for more scent.
Herbal Body Powders Using Essential Oils
You can use herbal essential oils to make your body powder. Take the powder of your choice and add the following formulas to scent it.
Mens Powder Formula- Men tend to like a more clean and earthy smells. Add to the body powder the following mix of essential oils.
Add 5 drops of Patchouli essential oil
Add 7 drops of Bay essential oil
Add 5 drops of Pine EO
Add 5 drops of Neroli EO-Neroli can be a bit expensive. You can leave this out if you wish.
Add 5 drops of Sweet Orange
Ladies Powder Formula
Women tend to more often like a floral scent. To the powder add the following mix of essential oils
10 drops of Lavender Essential oil
5 drops of Ylang Ylang
5 drops of Lemon Verbena
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Peppermint
Deodorant BodyPowder
This powder is meant to give a bit more protection.
To the mix add the following essential oils. Use all over body for best deodorant protection.
15 drops of Sage
5 drops of Rosemary
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Orange
5 drops of Cedarwood
2 drops of Peppermint
Storing Your Body Powder
You can also make the powders using both the herbs and the essential oils. This helps keep the scent of the powder longer.
Store powder in a container with tight fitting lid. I use old canning jars or old peanut butter jars. Be sure to clean the jars out well before putting the powder in. If you can find a dark glass jar, it would work well to keep the essential oils from spoiling.
You can put the powder in a decorative jar on the counter in your bathroom, but it should be kept out of direct sunlight. If you can find one, an old fashioned powder puff and canister works really nicely
It's A Cat House...A Cat House
Rescuing Kittens Has It's Rewards
Since buying the farm, we have tended to double as a rescue for dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens and what have you. I drew the line at the giant spider my son wanted to donate to our cause. We have enough barn spiders that are a wee bit too big for my taste...never mind that one...eewww.
In the fall, we rescued 8 kittens from a lady who was just "going to toss them somewhere" Um...no. We don't toss animals anywhere. I took them in. Since then, we have found good homes on local farms for 4 of the kittens. They are happily chasing after mice and growing nicely.
Even after all the adoptions, we were still left with 7 cats. Three full grown, and 4 kittens. Being that we have a big house, they have all been having a ball chasing each other through it. There have been those hissing fit moments where two don't seem to get along, but for the most part, they have settled in nicely.
The young ones are now venturing out doors, and into the barn. With 3 floors of excitement, they are hardly ever seen during the day time. They are a bundle of energy that always is a source of amusement.
It's All In The Name
We name all our animals after old movie stars, or characters in old movies. We now have Pyewacket (from Bell, Book & Candle), C.K. Dexter Haven (Philadelphia Story), Abigail Adams (John Adams), Clark Gable (Gone With The Wind), Vivian Leigh (GWTW), Lionel and Ethel Barrymore (famous actor and actress from the 1940's).
Since buying the farm, we have tended to double as a rescue for dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens and what have you. I drew the line at the giant spider my son wanted to donate to our cause. We have enough barn spiders that are a wee bit too big for my taste...never mind that one...eewww.
In the fall, we rescued 8 kittens from a lady who was just "going to toss them somewhere" Um...no. We don't toss animals anywhere. I took them in. Since then, we have found good homes on local farms for 4 of the kittens. They are happily chasing after mice and growing nicely.
Even after all the adoptions, we were still left with 7 cats. Three full grown, and 4 kittens. Being that we have a big house, they have all been having a ball chasing each other through it. There have been those hissing fit moments where two don't seem to get along, but for the most part, they have settled in nicely.
The young ones are now venturing out doors, and into the barn. With 3 floors of excitement, they are hardly ever seen during the day time. They are a bundle of energy that always is a source of amusement.
It's All In The Name
We name all our animals after old movie stars, or characters in old movies. We now have Pyewacket (from Bell, Book & Candle), C.K. Dexter Haven (Philadelphia Story), Abigail Adams (John Adams), Clark Gable (Gone With The Wind), Vivian Leigh (GWTW), Lionel and Ethel Barrymore (famous actor and actress from the 1940's).
Create A Spa In Your Home
Why Spend A Fortune On A Spa When You Can Have One In Your Own Home Everyday!Save your money, and create a spa bath right in your own home. It's fairly inexpensive, and will only take a weekend to accomplish.
You don't have to have a big bathroom. You can do it even with a small bathroom.Take a look at your bathroom. What does it say to you? Does it say relaxing? No. Well that can be easily changed with color.
Soft tone colors are best. Soft sage green, light ocean blues, and Earth tones tend to relax better than vibrant colors. Visit your nearest paint store, and pick out a color that says "relaxed" to you. Add some big fluffy towels to dry off with. Indulge, and buy a soft velvety robe to wrap yourself in after the bath.
Purchase a couple of plush bath rugs. Rugs add texture, ambiance, and much needed softness to the room. Lighting is important. No need to go out and buy new expensive lighting for this project. All you need is a few candles. Scented ones are nice. They add the soft light, while adding a bit of aromatherapy too.
Add essential oils to the bath water for even more aromatherapy. Lavender, rose, ylang ylang and sandalwood are all relaxing scents. Mix a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and make your own blend.Now, the walls are painted, the towels and robe are ready. Pour a few drops of your favorite oil into the tub. Light the candles and sit back and relax.Taking a twenty minute bath every day can relax your mind, and your body.
You get all this for about $200, and you'll have a spa at home for everyday use.
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