Random music quote of the day: Clipse

“No need to take it personal, but that’s just how it be. No disrespect to you, I’m just enjoying me”

- I’m Good, Clipse ft. Pharrell Williams

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Have a tactful Thursday y’alls!

Supernova

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Mood busters: Brillo pads

The mood is set.

It’s Friday. Sally’s been sexting that guy for a couple days now and by golly yes, she’s gonna get some this weekend, whole weekend. She caught up on her laundry. *Sniff* Ahhhhh…” Crisp Linen” . She put aside that extra lacy number, the one that comes attached to the thigh-high fishnet stockings, parachuete style.

She cranks up the music and starts the two hour long mission that it takes to get herself together. She scrubs, bushwacks, tweezes, paints, flatirons, shimmerizes and glamourizes. Looking at herself in the mirror, she nods in agreement and strikes her fiercest ‘smize’ cause hot damn, as the David Guetta mix that’s blaring through her speakers raves, she’s a Sexy B!tch. She slips into her FMPs, walks through mists of some celebrity inspired cologne, clutch in one hand, BlackBerry and keys in the other, and she’s out the dizzoor. Money don’t matter tonight, no sir, Mama’s gonna get her some.

The night goes as exactly as she planned it, just call her the Master Creator. The fine piece of man meat is back at her apartment and it’s getting hot and steamy fast. Blame it on the blubbly. Clothes are stripped off and things get touchy feely. She thinks to herself “YYYYEEEEESSSSSSSSS!” hardly believing that it’s all coming together. 

That is until ” RRIIIIIIIIIIIIIPP”.  Her fishnets are scoured by brillo pads and she starts to bleed. 

Oh.My. God. Ugh. Crusty foot bottoms. Total mood buster. Oh, and ashy skin. 

Fellas, might I suggest some ‘M.E.‘ time.

‘Moisturize & Exfoliate’

All skin needs to be exfoliated and moisturized. The skin on your face as well as the skin on your body.

- A simple hand towel (changed at least once a week) or some body gloves with your shower gel used everyday will take care of body exfoliation.

- A simple foot file will take care of exfoliation on the soles of the feet 

- And a lotion/ cream/ oil (depending on how dry your skin is) will do it for sexy, healthy, nourished skin from neck to toe.

Yes, it is an extra step, but not only is there no algebra involved, noone in the pharmacy is going to look at you funny, so it can totally be done.

And guess what? BOTH of these issues can be rectified in the shower. No-one has to know that you are paying attention to yourself. How lucky are you! You can do it whenever you shower, no matter how many times you shower for the week, no-one’s judging.

So lets get started shall we?

1. First hit that pharmacy and get yourself some lotion and a foot file.
Every pharmacy has them in any colour and size that you can imagine. Pick whichever appeals to you. The ones with the handles are easiest to use.

2. Put them both in your shower stall

3. Exfoliate your heels
In the shower after you lather up, grab that spanking new foot file and take a good go at your heels with it.  

I suggest doing this after you have done the soapy soap so that your feet will get some time to soak and soften up before you go in for the kill.

There may be some ‘stuff’ well to work through, but easy truckin’…one day at a time. If you do a little every day, your job will be easier as there will be no build up. But I understand that you are super busy and this may be a stretch so  at least aim for twice a week, once the weekend and another sometime during the week. 

First half down

4. Lotion skin before leaving the shower.

After you turn off the shower and before you get out of the stall, wrap (not rub) the towel around your torso to absorb excess moisture and then  grab the bottle of lotion and lotion up. Yes lotion up while you are still misty. The bathroom is still foggy, you have that so fresh and so clean feeling, your skin is glistening… lotion it. 

Pay special attention to your feet, heels, elbows, rear and thighs, especially in the winter months because jeans can chafe something fierce on a rocket. 

Take some time, brush your teeth, cleanse & moisturize your skin or whatever else you do in there and then lightly towel off or wrap your sexy self the way only you do and step out like you own the joint. 

Whatever you do you choose to do next with that exfoliated and moisturized piece of meat that you call yourself is totally up to you.

Aoowww.

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EFAs: Some things are better FATTY!

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What is an Essential Fatty Acid and what makes it essential?

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are substances that are absolutely necessary for the body to function. These substances are not produced by the body yet they are needed by every cell, as such we are required to supply the body with these substances in required amounts. The membrane of each skin cell consists of substances that are derived mainly from EFAs, which assist in making protaglandins, which are involved in inflammation and healing. 

EFAs have been associated with imparting that ‘healthy glow’ to skin, as well as maintaining soft, supple, more youthful looking skin.

There are two (2) types of EFAs

- Omega – 6 Fatty Acid 
- Omega – 3 Fatty Acid

 Omega – 6 Fatty Acid, or Linoleic Acid,  is an EFA that is involved in:
- Growth
- Skin integrity and strength
- Injury response, for example blood pressure regulation and blood clot formation.

On average we have higher levels of omega-6 FAs than we do of omega -3 FAs since Omega -6 FAs are found in are found primarily in nuts, seeds and plant oils. Common sources of Omega-6 FAs include safflower oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, peanut oils and margarines made with these oils. Walnuts and seeds such as pumpkin, sesame and poppy are also great sources of Omega-6 FAs

Omega- 3 Fatty Acid, or Alpha Linolenic Acid, is an EFA that is involved in the:
-  Formation of healthy cell membrane
- Development of eye and brain tissue
- Assistance with injury response

Although research is ongoing, omega – 3 FAs are also believed to:
- Lower triglyceride levels, which are important risk factors in coronary heart disease
- Improve blood vessel elasticity
- Keep the heart rhythm beating normally
- Thin the blood, which makes it less sticky and less likely to clot
- Reduce inflammation and support the immune system
- Reduce blood pressure
- Possibly play a role in preventing and treating depression
- Contribute to the normal development of the foetal brain.

Omega-3 FAs are found in both plant and marine foods, although it is the omega-3 fats from marine sources that have the strongest evidence for health benefits (including reducing the risk of heart disease). 

Sources of omega-3 Fatty Acids  include:
- Green and leafy veges like spinach, broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, bok choi and collards.
- Flaxseeds, canola and soy oils and canola-based margarines
- Cold water fish like Atlantic salmon, mackerel, Southern blue fin tuna, trevally and sardine, halibut and snapper.
- Foods fortified with omega-3 FAs like some types of eggs. 

The recommended intake of omega-3 FAs is 1.1 – 4 grams per day. Just for a general idea:

100g of salmon contains approx 1.5g omega-3  FA
100 g of sardines contains about 3 g
100 g of halibut contains less than 1 g

with respect to omega -3 enriched/ fortified foods
113 g yogurt contains 0.3 g omega -3 FA
1 egg contains 0.4 g  and
250 ml milk contains 0.02 – 0.03 g 

Works consulted:
Smolin, L. & Grosvenor, M. (2007) Nutrition Science and Applications. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Foundation for Integrated Medicine: Fatty Acids
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I'll drink to that

It is said that 50% – 70% of the human body is composed of water, where muscle tissue holds more water than fat tissue.

 Water is needed for many bodily functions including, to:

-Digest food and dissolve nutrients
- Send electrical messages between cells e.g. to move muscles
- Move waste out of the body
- Provide a place where metabolic reactions can occur 
- Regulate body temperature
- Lubricate moving parts like knees and elbows

Thirst is the first signal our body gives us that we are dehydrated, caused by the loss of water from the cells in our gums, tongue and cheeks. Usually by the time we feel thirsty it’s too late, and our body is already dehydrated. 

The second signal is reduced urination. Urine becomes very concentrated, and shows a dark, yellow colour. Here, the brain recognizes that the blood needs more water and secretes a hormone, ADH, that helps the body conserve the water.

Water is lost through everyday activities/ processes such as through perspiration, breathing and via body waste. It can also be lost:
- During an illness
- Through exercising
- Working in a hot environment
- In an environment with forced heat
- If you are on a high protein diet
- By consuming diuretics, compounds such as coffee and alcohol that cause body to lose water

Therefore it is important to replace water lost during these activities.

In addition to drinking water foods such as fruit and vegetables also contain water, some up to 95%. Juice and soups contain water, but also contain high sugar and salt content respectively.

There is a variety of water available – Still, Sparkling, Mineral. However, lately lots of other types have popped up on the market like flavored and vitamin water… Really?

As can be seen on the labels of these gourmet waters, most of these types of waters carry a high sugar content. Might as well down pop or suck on sugar tablets. How about popping a multivitamin every morning and getting ‘flavour’ from food?

Of course there are the artificial sweeteners that are marketed. Ingest all the sweet you want with no calorie consequence. Hmmm… last time I checked there are very few things in this life that go without some sort of aftermath. It seems odd that artificially sweeting natural water is acceptable marketing.

Aspartame has been around for a minute and we only now understand that is has been shown to penetrate the blood brain barrier, meaning it can enter the brain and create toxins that can literally damage the brain. Okay…

Dieters have now turned to the newer product Splenda, but we have yet to understand the long terms effect of ingesting it. There are some things we do know though; We know that it is a chemical substance and not a naturally occurring sugar product. That alone should raise at least a polka-dotted flag. It is now suggested that ingesting natural sugar is better than ingesting artificial sweeteners. Splenda Info

In terms of something as simple as quenching thirst, is all this ambiguity regarding a sweetener really worth it?

It is estimated that between 1 ml and 1.5 ml of water is needed for every calorie consumed. That roughly calculates to:

6 – 9 cups of water for 1,500 calorie diet
10 – 15 cups of water for a 2,000 calorie diet
12 – 18 cups of water for a 3,000 calorie diet

That’s a lot of sugar/ chemicals to be having daily, don’t you think?

 How about going back to basics and drinking plain ole’ water as a calorie free way to quench your thirst?

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Sometimes simple is better. I’ll drink to that!

Supernova

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