Do you have a problem with cellulite (aka “cottage cheese thighs?”) You’re not alone. Ninety percent of women have cellulite, according to Howard Murad, M.D., author “The Cellulite Solution”.What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is fat that has pushed through cell walls into the middle layer of skin and so shows through to the surface.

How Do I Get Rid Of Cellulite?

To repair cellulite, you need to strengthen and hydrate your body’s cells and connective tissue in your body, according to Murad. Here’s what helps:

* Eat a good diet with lots of fruits and leafy greens

* Avoid junk food, diet soda, processed food and saturated fats such as butter and animal fats.

* Brush your skin every morning.

This simple technique stimulates blood and lymph flow, removes dead skin cells and encourages new cell growth. (Skin brushing is also cheap. You can get a body brush for less than $10.* Finish your daily shower with a cold rinse to construct blood flow and tone your skin.

* Take glucosamine , which helps your body repair the dermis and connective tissue.

What Won’t Get Rid of Cellulite?

Wearing weird plastic shorts around the house, liposuction, and topical creams and treatments that promise to reduce the diameter of your thigh by one inch.

Spas That Specialize in Treating Cellulite

Spa Montage in Laguna Beach, one of the best resort spa in the country , has treatments specifically to address cellulite, including Algae Cellulite Massage, Clay Body Sculpting to improve the skin’s appearance, and Manual Lymph Drainage.

While regular treatment cannot completely rid the body of already-present cellulite, it can help prevent further deterioration of the tissues, which causes cellulite, and reduce both pain and swelling.

To minimize cellulite, Spa Montage recommends that you:

· Bathe in a comfortable, not hot seaweed bath to re-mineralize and increase circulation – ideally three times a week.

· Avoid high-pressure massage so as not to damage the peripheral lymphatic function and micro-circulation.

· Avoid high impact exercise that can overload the blood flow system to the heart.

· Apply Spa Technologies “Drainage Oil” to the back of your knees and at the top of your thighs, near your bikini line, to help decongest and remove excess fluid and increase blood flow.

source. 

Why? Because variety is the route to keeping up your motivation. Although five-star hotels in glamorous destinations often have high-tech gyms and programmes, most people find far too many temptations to distract them. On the holidays below, you’ll be in the hands of serious, dedicated trainers who are unlikely to let you sleep by the pool all day.

How? Wildfitness (0845 056 8343, www.wildfitness.com) operates on Kenya’s magnificent Watamu beach. It caters for all ages and fitness levels, although clients are usually looking for serious progress. Courses last from nine days to five weeks, and you stay at ecofriendly and rustic Baraka, which overlooks the Indian Ocean. The programme includes swimming, running, weights, circuits, games, and the possibility of deep-sea fishing, sailing, scuba-diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Well-worked bodies are soothed with massage, stretching, yoga and meditation. A nine-day kick-start costs from £2,205pp (based on two sharing), including full-board, training sessions, one-on-one assessments, workshops and massages. Flights and insurance are extra. Kenya Airways (01784 888222, www.kenya-airways.com) flies from Heathrow to Malindi (via Nairobi) from £396.

Or you could go to Brazil. Run by refugees from California’s fabled skinny farm The Ashram, Body & Soul Adventures (020 3002 0936, www.bodysouladventures.com) offers a “life-changing” programme in Ilha Grande, with ocean kayaking, walks along spectacular coastal paths, rainforest hikes, daily yoga and massages. Prices are from £1,400 per week, including all food, treatments, excursions and classes, but not flights. BA (0870 850 9850, www.ba.com) flies from Heathrow to Rio from about £700.

LeSport on St Lucia has BodyGuards (fitness advisers) to recommend activities from scuba and fencing to yoga and cycling, all to improve your health. “Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind,” they promise, rather enigmatically. Caribtours (020 7751 0660, www.caribtours.co.uk) has a one-week BodyHoliday at LeSport on an all-inclusive basis from £1,595pp (£1,639 for solo travellers), including flights from Gatwick or Manchester. Closer to home, both Run in the Sun (0844 734 4556, www.runinthesun.com; from £420, B&B, for seven days) and Rio Frio (0870 068 8173, www.rio-frio.com; £300, B&B) offer training breaks in Spain; flights extra.

source.

Protein isn’t just for building muscle. It’s for burning fat too. A good way to keep HWGS at bay is to greatly increase your protein intake over the holiday season. While protein helps build and preserver muscle, it also helps to control your appetite as well as boost your metabolism.Eating more protein to burn fat was confirmed in a study published in the American Journal of Physiology. One group was fed a high protein diet (just over one gram per pound of bodyweight per day) while the second group consumed a protein diet near equal to that of the RDA.

The group eating the high protein diet burned more fat than the group consuming protein near equal to the RDA.

One reason for the ability of protein to burn fat could be an increased “thermic” effect. The thermic effect of the RDA group was elevated 16% after eating.

However, in the high protein group the thermic effect increased a lot after eating, almost 3-times that of the RDA group.

This thermic effect of digesting your food peaks approximately one hour after eating.

By adding more protein to each meal, you increase your metabolism. Your body requires more energy (i.e. calories) to process protein than it does carbohydrates.

So go ahead and indulge a little in those high protein holiday foods such as the devilled eggs, shrimp cocktails and of course the holiday turkey!

Let’s look at some of the food sources you should focus on:

High Protein Foods:

High Carbohydrate Food:

Healthy Fats:

source.

A good deep cleansing treat is to give your face a sauna. This is especially good for congested skin.

You need to fill a bowl with near boiling water and add four drops of each of the essential oils recommended for your skin type.
NORMAL : Mandarin and Lavender.
OILY : Lemon and Eucalyptus.
DRY : Rose and Chamomile.

Place a towel over your head and hold it over the bowl from a distance of about 30cm for a period of around two minutes. This opens the pores and prepares it for a face mask.

You should not use a face sauna if you have sensitive skin, are pregnant or suffer from asthma.

1 3.5-lb organic chicken, split (see above)

kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces baby portabella mushrooms

1/2 tsp dried Thyme

1/2 tsp freshly chopped parsley

1/2 cup white wine

1/2 lemon

1. Preheat your oven to 475 degrees. On your stovetop, heat a large fry pan on high heat(big enough to fit the bird, and one that can withstand high heat in the oven). Add 2T canola oil to the pan. While the pan heats up, make sure your bird is patted as dry as possible. When the pan is smoking hot - gently place the bird SKIN side down in the pan. Season the top of bird with salt and pepper. Immediately place the entire pan in the 475 degree oven for 10 minutes.

2. Carefully remove hot pan from oven. flip the bird over. The skin should be beautifully golden and crisp. Generously season the skin side with salt and pepper. Return pan to the oven. Roast another 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven, place chicken on a plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.

3. Put the hot pan (careful! the pan is very hot still!) on the stovetop. Discard all but 3T of the pan drippings. Add mushrooms and fry until softened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, dried Thyme, lemon. Reduce the sauce by half, about 2 minutes more. Finish with a sprinkling of chopped parsley. Serve chicken with sauce. Eat. Enjoy. Eat more. Can you tell I REALLY love this recipe?!

Fresh Artichokes

I’m so frugal-minded that I have a hard time purchasing a large, heavy artichoke and after trimming, end up with a tiny, 3-bite bit. My preference is to steam the whole thing, and slowly savor each and every leaf with a dipping in home made bagna caulda. But today, I was determined to use it in my Roast Chicken sauce. Here’s a step-by-step on how to trim, complete with photos to teach you.

After trimming the artichoke, I sliced thinly and placed in a bowl with lemon wedge to prevent browning while I heat up my pan. In a small fry pan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 tsp minced garlic, fry for 20 seconds until fragrant. Add artichokes and 1/4 cup of chicken broth. Turn heat to low and cook until artichokes are softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside until you are ready to make the pan sauce. Then, just add the sauteed artichokes to the pan sauce in place of the mushrooms in above recipe. Enjoy!

source.

This quick and easy appetizer from Sophie Grigson is addictive to eat - and a real winner with drinks before dinner!

Ingredients
Main:

Method
1. Set the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Now simply take a spear of asparagus, wrap a slice of Prosciutto ham around it and lay each one on a baking tray, brushing them lightly with butter to ensure they do not stick.

2. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the asparagus is nicely roasted and the ham is crispy.

source.

1 lb large shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 lb asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut diagonally into 2-inch slices

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp Dijon mustard 

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp grated lemon zest

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1 tbsp finely chopped pecans

In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, mustard, oil, and salt. Set the dressing aside. In another medium bowl, combine the parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. Add the shrimp, toss to coat. Set aside to marinate while the grill preheats. Spray the grids with non-stick cooking spray or brush with a light oil. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Tear off a 24-inch length of heavy-duty foil and fold in half to form a 12 X 18 inch rectangle. Place the asparagus and 2 tbsp of water in the center of the rectangle and seal the packet. Place the packet on the grids and cook for 10 minutes or until the asparagus is crisp-tender. Add the asparagus to the dressing. Grill the shrimp on the grids, turning once, for 3 - 4 minutes or until the shrimp are just opaque. Add the cooked shrimp to the asparagus, tossing to coat thoroughly. Transfer the mixture to a platter, sprinkle with the bell pepper and pecans, and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. (If you are serving the salad chilled, you can prepare it up to 8 hours in advance).

source. 

Prep. Time: 0:20

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 med. banana - peeled
1 vitamin E capsule

-Mash together cream and banana.
-Stir in contents of capsule.
-Smooth onto face and neck.
-Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
-Wipe off with damp cloth.

Notes: Look younger instantly!

source. 

How pregnancy effects your diet Eating a balanced diet is necessary to provide the correct amounts of nutrients to nourish both you and your child. What you eat during the nine months of pregnancy affects the development of your unborn child

Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals made up of foods from the five major food groups: breads, cereals and other grains; fruits; vegetables; meat, fish, poultry and protein; and milk, yogurt and cheese. Eat regularly, depending on your hunger, and choose from a range of foods to ensure you get all the necessary nutrients. Although it may be difficult to resist the urge to snack constantly, when you need a snack, choose foods that are nutritious for you and your baby such as raw fruits and vegetables and dairy products.

Your daily diet should include:

Ask your healthcare provider about starting a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, calcium, and iron.

It’s especially important for women who are planning to become pregnant to take vitamins with folic acid beforehand, because neural tube defects (problems with the normal development of the spine and nervous system) happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she’s pregnant.

Ease unpleasant pregnancy symptoms

Heartburn

Morning Sickness/Nausea

Ask your doctor or midwife for other tips. You should seek help if your sickness is affecting your overall health, if you find you can hardly keep food or drinks down, or if you become extremely tired. Morning sickness is not associated with with the overall health of your baby and keep in mind that your symptoms will eventually disappear and it is all worth it in the end.

Gum Problems

Vegetarian diets & pregnancy

If you eat a well balanced diet, all of the nutrients you need for good health during your pregnancy are available in foods other than meat. If, however, your diet isn’t well balance you may need extra vitamins. For example, B12, that can be found in some manufactured goods, such as soy products, or in supplements. Vitamin D supplementation may also be required. Make sure you get enough iron in your diet as well. For a list of iron rich foods check out our page on vitamins and other supplements.

It’s a good idea to discuss these issues with your doctor, midwife or a dietician.

Weight gain during pregnancy

Pregnant women also frequently worry about weight gain. It’s generally recommended that a woman of normal weight gain approximately 25 to 30 pounds during pregnancy - about 2 or 3 pounds each month. For individuals who start their pregnancy overweight, their total weight gain should be closer to 15 to 25 pounds. And those who are underweight should gain 28 to 40 pounds. Weight gain during pregnancy depends on numerous factors such as pre-pregnancy weight, metabolism and health so if you have any concerns about weight gain it is important to discuss these with your doctor or midwife.

Pregnancy is not a good time to start a diet, however, it can be a great time to start eating healthy food if you didn’t before. It’s also a good time to get regular, low-impact exercise.

source. 

Fat Flush Plan, created by Ann Louise Gittleman, M.S., C.N.S., is a diet that detoxifies the liver and increases the metabolism through a combination of healthy fats, proteins and quality carbohydrates combined in a strict daily routine. The regimen, which has an initial two-week restrictive period, includes, among other things, high-lignan flaxseed oil, unsweetened cranberry juice with water, and herbal supplements like evening primrose oil, dandelion root and milk thistle. Gittleman won’t say how many pounds you can expect to lose during the first phase, stressing fat loss over weight loss, but she does imply that dropping at least 5 pounds is common.

The Fat Flush PlanDetoxify the liver and increase metabolism through a combination of healthy fats, proteins and quality carbohydrates arranged in a strict daily routine.

The diet relies on a particular combination of foods, but also allows choices within the food combinations.

Phase I – Two-week restrictive period requires daily intake of high-lignan flaxseed oil, lean proteins, up to 2 eggs per day, vegetables and 2 servings of fruit. Drink 8 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice mixed with water daily, two of which are to be taken with powdered psyllium husk or ground flaxseeds. Daily supplements including evening primrose oil, dandelion root and milk thistle.

Phase II – Ongoing fat flush program, designed to be followed until you reach your desired weight or size. Gradually add “friendly” carbohydrates back into your diet, such as whole grain toast, sweet potatoes, or cooked carrots.

Phase III – Lifestyle Eating Program Maintenance phase allows healthy oils, nuts, dairy, and “friendly” carbohydrates, such as corn, baked potatoes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, and popcorn.