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Archive for March, 2010

A lot of times people find themselves in a position where they are pressed for time and must eat. During these times it can be easy to fall into bad eating habits which is why you should always plan ahead! Here are 7 easy and fast low calorie meals on the go.

#1 Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken From McDonald’s – Comes in at only 220 Calories and only 6 grams of fat!

#2 Taco Bell’s Crunchy Fresco Taco – This taco is one of my favorite quick snacks. It is only 150 calories and 7 grams of fat. Great for a quick energy pick up and light on calories!

#3 Cantina Chicken Sammie Sandwich from Quiznos – Another favorite of mine. With this I also get a cup of chicken noodle soup and in iced tea. All together comes in at 335 Calories, and 7 grams of fat.

#4 Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich from Chick-Fil-A. This sandwich comes in at 260 calories and ONLY 3 Grams of fat. Great for when you are watching your fat intake.

#5 Broccoli and Cheese Soup from Atlantic Bread – Only 250 Calories for 1 and 1/4 cup and its 17 grams of fat.

#6 Burger King’s 6 Piece Chicken Tenders – 270 Calories and 16 grams of fat

#7 Wendys Mandarin Chicken Salad – A total of 180 calories with Only 2 grams of fat!!

It is always important for you to stay balanced in your diet. You should eat 4-6 small meals a day, the smallest meal being your last one before you go to sleep. If you are always on a tight schedule it might be a good idea for you to plan your meals ahead that way you do not end up eating unhealthy all the time.

This year has gone by in a flash! It seems like just yesterday that I was trading out my spring blush for a warmer summer shade. 2009 has been an interesting year to say the least and the beauty industry has not been excluded. We’ve seen new cult products emerge and beauty trends rise and fall within the past twelve months.

As you reflect on what the past year has meant to you take a look at what the beauty world has experienced. I can’t wait to see what 2010 will bring.

Sara Happ Lip Scrub & Lip Slip

These two adorable products lure everyone into buying them once they see their pretty packaging. I had never even heard of a lip exfoliator until six months ago but now I can’t imagine living without it!

Klorane Dry Shampoo

This has to be one of the best inventions since sliced bread. It cuts down on washing hair and makes me look refreshed when I’m not quite feeling my best.

Moroccan Oil

Beauty secrets of the stars have always been envied by the masses. Now we know what they use to make their hair shiny, bright, and beautiful – Morrocan Oil.

Michael Kors Very Hollywood

Michael Kors struck gold when he introduced his ‘Very Hollywood’ fragrance to women everywhere. This girly and flashy fragrance makes everyone feel a little more glamorous even if they aren’t apart of the Hollywood elite.

Lippmann Collection ‘Happy Birthday’

Finally for the first time in a decade, glitter nail polish has made its grand entrance. Now middle school girls aren’t the only ones with sparkle on their nails – even middle aged women have been seen sporting this glittery trend.

God’s Healing Word.

The Holy Bible, teaches us how to be healthy, live a healthy lifestyle and avoid disease. Therefore, diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, HIV aids, and so on are caused by us not heeding God’s Word. It is interesting to note that in the beginning He created a world that had life giving health in all the food man ate. The food man ate was fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. What came from the ground was our food and there was no sickness. So why did we stop eating what and how we were commanded to eat? (In Genesis 1:29 we are commanded what to eat). We became a disobedient people. As a matter of fact every man has this flaw of disobedience and chooses to lean on our own understanding rather than to acknowledge God in all things, letting Him direct our path. Man wants control, doing it his way instead of humble submission to “God’s Will”.

The Promise of No Disease.

Exodus 15:26 says: “If you would listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent to the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you”. So God gives us steps to a disease free healthy life. They are:

Step 1 – Listen Carefully.

The first step in your healthy lifestyle is listen carefully to The Lord your God. This means we are to be attentive to God and his word. We are to listen carefully, paying attention to the details and be fully engaged in accepting and understanding his word. His word is both written and spoken. To listen carefully to the Lord means to pay attention and heed God’s spoken and written word.

Step 2 – The Lord Your God.

Is the Lord is your God? Do you have a relationship with Him and is he the master of your life. The promise for a healthy life is given to those who make the Lord their Master, having no gods before him and not serving two or many masters. No graven images, no sun, stars, or moon can give you life and life more abundantly, only a living Lord. The Lord who heals you. This is who you are to completely surrender too and allow to control you as the master of your life. The benefit is a healthy life free of disease.

Step 3 – Do What is Right in His Sight.

First we must try to do what is right. Everyone does not have that as their goal, unfortunately. There is health in righteous living. The health comes from a stress free lifestyle. No stress. No drama. We are doing the right thing. Health also comes from eating and living right.

Secondly in “His” sight. This means not my will but yours. It also means we must know what is right in “His” sight to do it. We know his will through the bible, the spoken and preached word, prayer and meditation. Meditate on His Word Day and Night. Listen to still small voice. Be still and know that I am God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.

Step 4 – Obeying His Commands and Laws.

Once you hear as you carefully listen to Him, you must obey. Obedience to him is the action in our healthy lifestyle. Long life and health are a function of obedience. Jesus told the world that He is the Good Shepard and His Sheep Know His voice. Jesus says if you love me you will obey my commandments. Throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament it is clear that we are given commandments with promises and those promises are contingent on our obedience. This scripture even says Hear, Trust, Do, Obey and Then. More than listening carefully, we must obey his every commandment. We must do. Faith without doing what he says is not faith at all. Show me your faith I will show you my obedient works. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Step 5 – What did God Command.

There are many things he told us. I believe the most important things are the first things he told us. Those first things were foundational to our eternal life and health. They were complete and needed nothing added to them. Upon our disobedience we needed to be guided back to the foundational complete commandments which are Genesis 1:28 and 29. Genesis 1:28 says be fruitful and multiply and take care of the earth that I am leaving to your care. Verse 29 goes on to say I am giving you fruits and vegetables and all that grows from the ground and its fruit to be your food. Obedience to these commandments (which are given to all mankind, not just the Hebrews and their descendants) are the key to our health.

Step 6 – Disobedience Equal Disease and Death.

The diseases bought on the Egyptians were a direct response to the disobedience to God. God said let my people go, Pharaoh refused, then disease. Over and Over again until He wiped them out as they went into the Red Sea. He tells us, we refuse, then disease and ultimately death. Yet obedience would mean no disease. Just as God so Loved the World and gave his only son so whoever believes on him would not parish but have everlasting life and that life more abundantly. Life and our health are based on obedience to His Word.

Step 7 – The Lord Who Heals You.

He promises no sickness if we are obedient. Yet he says I am the Lord who Heals you. Through His compassion he gives grace and mercy which are his unmerited favor and heals despite our disobedience. We can not earn life but we can be obedient which leads to health. But even if we fall, through his grace and mercy he is the Lord that heals you. This is the good news. This is the shouting moment. Praise and Thank The Lord Who Heals You! Be Blessed. Be a Blessing.

Many people want to burn fat but nothing they try seems to work. Even if their attempted programs do work somewhat, they don’t get the results they really want, or they can’t maintain them once the program is over. They have tried terrible diets, expensive meal plans, or painful workouts–all to no avail. But, what if there was an almost free weight loss program that would work for them?

People have been sold on the idea that to burn fat means to do something extremely hard. They have to get on the rowing team or become a tri-athlete. Or, they have to count calories like Rain Man counting toothpicks, as if having low energy levels and feeling hungry all the time are the keys to success with weight loss. They also try shelling out lots of money for diet pills or some kind of other expensive treatments. But all that time, they would never believe that there could be a virtually free weight loss program that will help them burn fat in exactly the right amount they need.

What would a virtually free weight loss program be like? How could that possibly burn fat off? Surely there has to be some kind of trickery going on. What’s the catch? How could it be simple to lose weight, to burn fat and keep it off in a totally inexpensive way? The food must be terrible…or the workouts must be almost impossible to endure.

No, the truth is that you can burn fat in a virtually free weight loss program…and you can keep that fat off or take it right back off at will. And the food that you eat is delicious and nutritious and you never, ever have to count any calories or try to get through the day with hunger pangs or headaches from lack of food. As far as the workouts…well, exercise is encouraged, but the fact is that you can burn fat while doing no more exercising than going for a nice walk.

You see, this almost free weight loss program that I’m talking about shows your body how to shift its metabolism. And this is done through diet. It is diet that causes weight gain, and it is diet that lets you burn fat and keep it off. People generally fail to understand this, however, because they think that “going on a diet” means eating the same unappetizing thing over and over or means cutting back on calories. They also have been taught that food is an enemy or that working out has everything to do with losing weight (it doesn’t; working out is about getting your muscles and cardiovascular system in shape–it’s got little to do with burning fat).

To burn fat, you simply eat the right foods at the right times in the right amounts. How’s that for a free weight loss program? And get this–these foods are delicious–in fact, you pick them and go buy them at the supermarket yourself. And the “right amount” is merely eating until you are almost full, but not quite–like keeping your car’s fuel tank at 90% instead of F; plenty of gasoline but just not quite full. And you eat four times a day. Once you have paid a small amount to learn these secrets, you have a free weight loss program that you can apply again and again and again as you may want or need to.

A lady looking to dress up for any special occasion would be interested in a checklist of the top women beauty products to purchase. A scan of her home may indicate that she already has all or some of these items, but a list is always good to have. Such items include cosmetics, skin care products, and hair care products. Each of these areas will be reviewed in detail below.

To begin, it is always good to have cosmetics on hand for a special occasion. Some basic items to have include mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, blush, foundation, concealer, nail polish, lip gloss, eye liner, and lip liner. Products come in a wide array of shades and colors which are suited to each woman’s individual taste and skin tone. Quality cosmetics for lower prices could be obtained via drug stores, supermarkets, discount retail chains, and direct salespeople. Pricier cosmetics can be found at department stores within malls and upscale retail chains. There tends to be counters at expensive retail chains where women can try on cosmetics, and free trials may also be offered.

Skin care products are also good for women to have, both for special occasions and every day use. Some essential items include a skin toner, cleanser, and moisturizer. There are also cutting-edge skin care items that reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Skin care products can be found in the same locations as cosmetics.

Last but not least, ladies should have hair care products on hand for all kinds of occasions as well as basic use. These include shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, and hair gel. There are also many hair coloring products available that cover up grays, and these are widespread in supermarkets, drug stores, and discount retail chains.

In conclusion, it is helpful for women to have a checklist of beauty products that they should have on hand for different occasions and everyday use. These include a grouping of cosmetics, skin care products, and hair care items.

All of us who have ever had an acne sore or Comedone have found it very distressing. It is even more distressing for people who have many breakouts which keep coming back. People who go on to develop acne scars are troubled by them for many years as scars left by breakouts are very difficult to conceal.

The good news is that modern medical methods of acne control are very good and can reduce outbreaks and lessen the chance of acne scarring.

However, you will need to follow the skin care program fastidiously. You will also need to consult an expert dermatologist or plastic surgeon that is up to date and knows how to treat acne. You will need prescription medications. You will also need to have monthly exfoliation treatments by a medical aesthetician who is experienced in acne control treatments.

You also need to start early, at the first sign of an outbreak. Delaying treatment only gives the lesions the chance to worsen and possibly cause scarring.

What Causes Acne

Lesions or Comedones are caused by the obstruction and infection of the oil glands in our skin. Our skin contains oil glands called Sebaceous Glands which secrete normal oil called Sebum which helps moisturize and protect our skin.

If Sebum production is too high, for example during adolescence, or skin debris like dead skin obstructs the pore, the Sebaceous Gland can become distended and obstructed so that oil builds up and distends the gland.

An obstructed, distended Sebaceous Gland provides an ideal place for bacteria to grow and create an infection. Once the Sebaceous Gland becomes infected, the skin overlying the gland becomes red, swollen, and painful, an acne lesion. A whitehead can form on the integument, which is essentially a small abscess, called an acne pustule.

Lesions tend to occur most commonly in areas where oil glands or Sebaceous Glands are most plentiful, the area around the nose, forehead and chin, called the T zone, and the back.

What Causes Acne Scars

Visible scars are caused by destruction of the Dermis, the deep layer of the integument. When the Dermis is damaged and tissue is lost, a visible depression or scar appears.

Because the Sebaceous Glands extend deep into the Dermis, the infection in the Sebaceous Gland or Comedone causes infection and destruction of the surrounding Dermis. After healing a deep depression or scar forms because the supporting Dermis tissue has been lost.

How to Control Acne Outbreaks

The basic requirements for control of lesions involve:

o Reduce oil production of the Sebaceous Glands
o Remove skin debris to prevent obstruction of the Sebaceous Glands
o Treat and prevent infection of the Sebaceous Glands

Topical Benzoyl Peroxide is an anti-bacterial agent and an integument drying agent. It is marketed as Brevoxyl Cream or Brevoxyl wash. It is the most commonly used product to control a Comedone breakout and is very effective. Benzoyl Peroxide reduces oil and helps prevent infection.

Vitamin A (retinoic Acid) derivatives reduce integument oil production by inhibiting the Sebaceous Gland cells. Products that are commonly used are Differin (adapalene), Retin A, Tazorac, and Accutane (isotretinoin). These prescription drugs are very effective but do have side effects like skin irritation dryness and other potential problems, thus they must be used under the direction of a physician.

Topical Clindamycin is the most effective antibacterial agent for controlling infection in my experience. It comes as a gel or cream or small wipes called Clindets, which I use most frequently.

Microdermabrasion is the most effective minimally invasive, no down time deep exfoliation method. Microdermabrasion treatments are essential to remove debris, open pores and prevent obstruction of the Sebaceous Glands and the development of a Comedone breakout.

Oral Antibiotics like Minocyclene and other Tetracycline derivatives are widely prescribed for lesion control. They can be effective, but my own prejudice is that it is very hard, if not impossible, for an oral antibiotic to reach a skin abscess like a Comedone. The skin abscess forms a thick wall of inflammation that is almost impossible for the oral antibiotic in the bloodstream to penetrate.

That is why I place so much emphasis on topical care to reduce oil production, deep exfoliation to remove debris and allow the oil out of the gland, and topical Clindamycin applied directly to the infected oil gland or lesions.

IPL, Diode Laser and Blue Light Treatments can kill the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes which cause the infection or lesions. Some of these therapies can reduce oil or Sebum production. These therapies are effective when used properly.

Acne Control Program

The control program depends on the severity of the lesions.

Mild Occasional Outbreaks

o Monthly professional medical grade microdermabrasion treatments
o Topical Benzoyl Peroxide-(Obagi Clenziderm MD penetrates the best)
o Clindamycin- Clindets for acute lesions

Moderate to Severe Outbreaks

o Monthly to bi-weekly microdermabrasion
o Obagi ClenzidermMD Benzoyl Peroxide
o Topical Clindamycin-Clindets
o Retin A Derivative-in increasing order of strength-Differin, Retin A, Tazorac, Accutane
o Consider IPL, Blue Light or Diode Laser Therapy

Severe Cystic Outbreaks

o Microdermabrasion
o Obagi Clenzidrm
o Topical Clindamycin Clindets
o Accutane
o IPL, Diode Laser or Blue Light treatments

How to Remove Acne Scars

Traditionally dermabrasion or surgical excision was used to remove scars. However, with the advent of laser resurfacing in the mid 90″s, laser resurfacing with the CO2 laser became the most common method. However, CO2 laser resurfacing required prolonged recovery, often caused the integument to lose color. In addition, the CO2 laser resurfacing only smoothed the surface of the skin and did little to improve deep lesion scars caused by destruction of the Dermis by the Comedone infection process.

Deep ice pick scars still require a special surgical procedure called floating grafts followed by CO2 laser resurfacing for effective removal. During this procedure, under local anesthesia, a small circular punch or trephine is used to cut around, but not remove the ice pick scar. The punched area floats up above the surface of the surrounding integument. After 2 weeks, the protruding graft has taken, which means it has new blood supply and will survive. At this point, the CO2 laser is used to plane down the protruding grafts flush with the surrounding integument. The new graft closes the ice pick scar. This is the only method I have seen that effectively corrects ice pick breakout scars.

New fractional non-ablative laser skin resurfacing lasers are able to significantly improve deep lesion scars by building new collagen to replace the collagen lost in the Dermis by the Comedone infection.

These new fractional non-ablative resurfacing lasers do not break the skin thus no healing time is required. You will need at least 4 treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. The laser energy is fractionated, that is broken up into many small beams that pass through the integument without injuring it, and heats the deep dermis to build new collagen to actually plump up the breakout scar.

The fractional non-ablative resurfacing laser is a revolutionary advance in scar removal treatment.

Where Do You Find a Good Treatment Program?

First, re-read this article and be armed with the facts about proper therapy. Many physicians just prescribe Minocyclene and do not understand the importance of a comprehensive approach to control this problem.

I recommend that you consult two board certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons that have an interest in this field. Check their websites, do they offer all of the services mentioned above. It is important to find a doctor who offers microdermabrasion treatments and laser therapy in their office. That means they are up to date on current technology.

I also believe that it is essential that the physician have an excellent experienced medical aesthetician in their office. Most of your contact and the most important person in your program will be the medical aesthetician, and she needs to know what she is doing.

You are very unlikely to find the expertise you need in a walk in Medical Spa without a board certified doctor present to examine you and recommend a course of therapy. Physician supervised in the Medical Spa world usually means the doctor is actually at an office some distance from the Medical Spa and provides his/her supervision in the form of a phone call when something goes wrong.

Do your homework.