Fit Yummy Mummy ~ How to lose belly fat for Moms

Fit and Healthy Momma

Recipes, Tips and My Journey to Becoming a Fit Yummy Mummy

Filed under health

Few people know this but there is a right way to wash your hair to get it properly clean. And by washing your hair properly will have a great impact on the bounce and shine of you hair. But the chances are very high that you are probably washing you hair all wrong, and consequently not getting the great looking hair that you could have.

Step 1. – To start. Start off by getting your hair brush and use it to brush your hair well before you even start to wash it. Brushing your hair will loosen dirt, prevent hair breakage and keep the number of hairs in the drain to a minimum. After you have brushed, it’s time to get your hair really good and wet. It is hard to wash hair that has not been thoroughly moistened so make sure that you give your hair a good soaking.

Step 2. – Adding shampoo. Something that people often do is to use far too much shampoo when washing their hair. Usually they will just squeeze a good handful into their palm and then begin scrubbing away. This is definitely not the right way to wash your hair. First make sure that you are using very high quality hair care products (using the right product for your hair type) and just add a smallish amount to the palm of your hand.

Step 3. – How to wash your hair properly. Massaging/scrubbing too vigorously and not leaving shampoo on long enough, are the two main mistakes people usually make when washing their hair. After you have applied the shampoo to your hair, the proper way to wash it is too gently massage your hair and scalp. Giving your hair a ‘good scrub’ will not make your hair any cleaner and could damage your scalp. After massaging your scalp, shampoo can be left in your hair for 5 minutes to get a good clean.

Step 4. – Rinse and Repeat. After you have given your hair a proper shampooing, you need to get al the grime, dirt and shampoo lather out of your locks. It’s important that when you rinse your hair, your rinse it properly. There can still be plenty of shampoo left in your hair, even after you think you have rinsed it out. When you have given you hair a thorough rinsing, you can if need be give you hair a second wash. Your hair is clean when it squeaks.

Washing your hair properly can truly make a huge difference to the appearance of your hair. The steps are simple enough, just follow the 4 steps above and you can’t go wrong. You’ll have great clean looking hair every time. And when you use very high quality professional salon hair care products, you will be amazed at just how clean, vibrant and healthy your hair can become.

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Comments (0) Posted by Jennifer Summers on Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Filed under Nutrition

The South Beach Diet is a diet well known for being followed by many celebrities and is frequently linked to other low-carb diets, most of which have received considerable bad press.

It is important whilst following the South Beach Diet that you follow the basic rules of the program to ensure that you lose weight and maintain good health. Most importantly, if you want to achieve success, you must make sure you consume the right types and amounts of carbohydrates and fats.

The South Beach diet has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and some claims have even been made that the diet can also reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Following a weight loss program often results in unwelcome food cravings that are a common side effect of many diets. However, the South Beach Diet is said to avoid this problem because if you stick to the meal plan, you simply dont feel hungry.

It takes a high degree of motivation and determination to follow the South Beach Diet plan in order to succeed with weight loss.

As well as losing weight, learning to eat healthily on the South Beach Diet plan and discovering which are the good carbs and fats, will help you to care for your heart too.

The South Beach Diet is not a low-fat, low carb diet like so many of the other high profile diet fads and whilst on the South Beach Diet you will discover that not all carbohydrates and fats are bad for you.

Incorporating the right proportion and the right types of fats and carbohydrates may seem a little confusing when you start out. However, it is fundamental to the effectiveness of the South Beach Diet program and will ensure that it works for you. You will quickly adjust and soon find that eating this way becomes a way of life.

The initial two weeks of South Beach Diet program is when weight loss of up to13lbs can be expected. After this period, you will find that things slow down but you will continue to steadily lose weight.

It is entirely possible to achieve long-term weight loss, rather than just losing weight in the short term, if you are determined to stick to this healthy eating plan.

Highly effective at ridding your body of unwanted, excess weight, the South Beach Diet plan will also help you maintain general health and well-being.

Working in stages, similar to the Atkins diet, the South Beach Diet program is really more of a lifestyle choice as opposed to just another weight loss diet. The plan will guide you in eating three meals plus two snacks, chosen each day from the simple menu planner provided.

To help you achieve your weight loss goal whilst on the South Beach Diet program you should first write down how much weight you would like to lose. The written goal should then be placed somewhere highly visible so that it can act as a constant reminder of why you are on the diet.

Clearing your kitchen cupboards of all foods forbidden by the South Beach Diet is a good idea. In moments of weakness, there will be nothing in your house to tempt you so you will be more likely to stick to your diet.

Remembering to drink plenty of water is recommended with most diet plans. Not only will water help you to feel more full, it will also help flush away toxins that might be released whilst following the South Beach Diet program.

It is important, regardless of whether you are following a diet program, that you make the time to fit exercise into your schedule. Regular exercise, as well as improving your fitness levels, will help to speed up your weight loss.

Its hard to stay motivated all the time and you may occasionally slip up when on the diet. If this happens, don’t be tempted to give up. The South Beach Diet works so simply pick up where you left off and you’ll soon start to see the weight dropping off once more.

The South Beach diet is followed by celebrities such as Bill and Hilary Clinton and Bette Midler.

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Comments (0) Posted by Errol Gollands on Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Filed under health

Stress and anxiety are on the rise; we live in a busy-busy world so it’s no wonder. And more and more people are looking for help coping with the extra stress. It used to be that prescription drugs were the first choice because they produced such fast results. But their side-effects and addictive qualities have cause natural stress relief alternatives to become more popular.

Natural stress relief remedies are nothing new. They’ve been around for centuries and are what our modern pharmaceutical drugs are based on. They’re made from non-addictive, herbal and botanical ingredients and for that reason, they come with virtually no side-effects. They’re less expensive too. But they also differ from prescription meds in another very important way.

Natural remedies work at a more basic level in your body than drugs do. They work in concert with the body’s nervous system to assist its normal functioning. That means they help your body maintain its chemical harmony and balance which makes you more capable of coping with your stress both now and in the future. Drugs merely take away your symptoms; they produce no real long-term benefits.

Herbal remedies are much easier on your body than prescription drugs. Their effects are cumulative not abrupt. This means it will take longer for you to see their effects but those effects will also be longer lasting. That’s a small price to pay for a supplement that’s non-addictive.

Scientific research has proven the effectiveness of these natural remedies too. Study after study has validated their effects with not only anxiety or panic, but other maladies as well. Herbal and botanical supplements work.

If you’re looking for specific herbs, here’s a brief list. Lemon Balm from Southern Europe was known to the ancient Greeks as a medicinal agent. Valerian from Europe and Asia has active calming qualities. Kava from Polynesia can soothe your nerves while still keeping your mind alert. And the list goes on.

You can find nearly all of these supplements fairly easily at your health food store. And you’ll also find that they come in different varieties and formulations. Take Valerian for instance. You can usually find it sold as a tea, a tincture, or even in capsule form. There’s a lot of variety to choose from.

When searching for a real stress relief supplement, take a look at natural remedies. They’ve been working for literally centuries and they’re still working today. They’re a very positive alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.

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Comments (0) Posted by Stephen Jablonski on Friday, March 20th, 2009

Filed under health

Youve got dry skin, but why. What dry skin causes could possibly do that? Dry skin, its quite a scourge especially as you grow older. But what causes dry skin and what can you do about it?

There are a wide range of factors that can produce dry skin. Some are more rare than others.

You’d be surprised at how common dry skin conditions are, and how many people are searching for dry skin treatments. Some conditions are easy to treat, some not so easy.

And if you have dry skin were sure you know just how irritating it can be. Maybe your skin is all dull and flaky, red or even painful. And that itching.

Normal skin has an outer layer of oils that are naturally produced by the skin, and help protect our skin. But for various reasons these outer oils can be removed resulting in what is known as dry skin.

So lets have a look at dry skin causes and treatments. Some are easier to treat than others.

1. Long hot baths. Now I know you love that bath as hot as you can get it and love to soak for hours if you can. But that takes away those natural skin oils and dries your skin. A shower is better than a bath, shorter and not as hot.

2. Skin care products and cosmetics. Is this a surprise to you? Is this the first time you’ve heard that many big brand name skin care products and cosmetics actually have ingredients in them that are dangerous to your skin?

Many of the ingredients used in big name products actually dry out our skin. For example mineral oil does just that. Mineral oil is common in skin care products, is a petrochemical derivative, in other words comes from crude oil. It dries and damages your skin but is used because it’s cheap.

High quality natural skin care products are way better for your skin, won’t damage it and will overcome dry skin conditions more easily.

3. Exposure to the sun. Sunburn is very damaging to the skin. It dries it out and can cause skin cancer. Avoid sunburn like the plague.

4. Weather. You can get dry skin in places with cold dry winters. But if it is more humid in summer it may go away. What should you do? Use a high quality natural skin care product formulated to retain skin moisture and renew skin moisture.

5. Soaps and detergents. Modern soaps and detergents can also do this. And shampoos. Many of these contain harmful ingredients as well, and should be avoided. Deodorizing and anti bacterial soaps should be avoided, you don’t need them. Any soap that makes a huge lather and makes you feel squeaky clean isn’t good. Try changing your soap, choose a natural soap, deodorant free and fragrance free, and keep changing till you find one friendly to your skin.

6. Medical conditions like psoriasis, and drugs. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause dry skin problems, and for anything like psoriasis, eczema and others, consult your doctor. And be aware that there are also some drugs that can also dry your skin.

7. Avoid itchy clothes, they too can cause skin dryness.

There’s 7 causes of dry skin. But what do you do about it? Well for medical conditions as I’ve said, see a doctor or dermatologist. But often this isn’t necessary.

I have already suggested some dry skin treatments that will work for some. Keep showers shorter and cooler, use more natural soaps and shampoos, try soaps out until you find a good one for you. And be aware of choosing natural alternatives to any product that you put on your skin. They are often cheaper and safer.

And lastly you really ought to use a high quality range of natural skin care products to combat dry skin. The highest quality natural skin care products contain natural moisturizers like Babassu oil, from the nut of the Babassu tree, and avocado oil. As well as moisturizing better they are also safer.

But surprisingly, although the ingredients in natural skin care products are more expensive than those in regular anti aging skin care products the products themselves are very cost competitive because the small niche skin care company that makes them doesn’t spend on TV advertising.

So there’s 7 dry skin causes, many of which you can treat with some of the dry skin treatments I’ve suggested here. Combine all the strategies I’ve suggested together with a regime of high quality natural skin care products and you’re well on your way to successfully combating that most annoying dry skin.

Find out more on my website.

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Comments (0) Posted by Peter Albertonach on Thursday, March 12th, 2009