A personal favorite

- Chia Seed Pudding -

Chia seed pudding is a delicious, quick and healthy raw food recipe. Made with wild or organic chia seed it is a powerful superfood.
The tiny seeds have been used since 3500 BC and were one of the most important crops for the Aztecs. These ancient people prized them so highly that it was often used as currency. Their warriors could run a whole day on just a handful.
Chia seed - also called salba when they are white - has extraordinary nutritious power. Dr. Oz said: "These things may be the best food around." And according to one manufacturer chia/salba seeds contain (gram for gram):

• 30% more antioxidants than blueberries;
• 6x more calcium than whole milk;
• 15 more magnesium than broccoli;
• 25 more dietary fiber than flax seed;
• 8x more omega 3 than salmon;
• 3x more iron than spinach;
• 50% more folate than asparagus;
• 2x more potassium than a banana;
• 2.5x more protein than kidney beans.

But maybe most important, chia seeds form a gelatinous layer inside your intestines that is a preferred home for probiotics and other beneficial bacteria.
Therefore it is excellent food for people with intestinal problems such as crohn's disease or irritable bowl syndrome. It is also perfect for babies and children as it creates a optimum start for their internal environment. Chia seeds look like poppy seeds. They have a neutral, mild taste. Just like flax seeds, they become jelly like when you soak them for 30 min or more.
You can eat them as a pudding or add some to your smoothie. (My kids prefer them over flax seed in smoothies because the flavor is more neutral.)
You buy organic chia seed in most health food stores and online. They cost about 15 USD a pound. (Salba seeds a little more. Some claim salba seeds are better than chia seeds, but I haven't found any proof on that).

Why Skin Gets Loose After Weight Loss

Recently I lost over 32 pounds and I feel absolutely amazing. What I have learned is skin may not return to it's original tautness initially.  I was immediately concerned. However, since it has to stretch as we move, grow, and--as in the case of weight loss-- shrink, skin is an incredibly elastic living organ. Believe it or not....skin is not just one big piece of rubber that covers the entire body, but is instead an organ, and just like all the other organs in your body, it is comprised of cells.

Different layers of your skin have different types of cells, and though the skin cells on the outer part of your skin (the epidermis) are constantly being lost and replaced with new cells, the skin cells under the epidermis are a bit more permanent. These layers of the skin, called the dermis and sub dermis, are made up of elastic connective tissues, fibers, blood vessels and all sorts of components that can stretch or contract depending on how they’re treated.

What Happens to Your Skin When You Lose Weight?

When you lose weight, and especially when you lose weight very quickly, these elastic components of your skin not only lose the layers of fat that keep them stretched out over your body, but they also don’t have much time for their elasticity to adapt to your new shape.

In addition to weight loss, age, poor nutrition,  excessive sun exposure, dehydration and smoking can all affect the elasticity of the skin and give you that elephant-like appearance you probably don’t want.

How to Tighten Loose Skin After Weight Loss

As you lose fat and your loose skin begins to appear, the first rule is: don’t panic! Because it is a living organ, your skin will slowly return to a shape that fits your new body. But since that process can take up to two years, here are steps you can take to make your skin tighten more quickly: I have found using Mary Kay's Visibly Fit toning body lotion puts hydration exactly where it is needed for me.  Even while working out I keep a bottle as close as my water bottle.  I am amazed that almost instantly my skin looks so much smother and feel absolutely wonderful!!!

Acne reducing tips for you

•  We all want clear skin, right? Here are some acne reducing tips for you...
• Resist the urge to pop pimples, I know it's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. If you notice a pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.
• Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.
• If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.
• If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes. They don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too.
• Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the label. Throw away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.
• Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
• Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it's only temporary. A tan may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

These are just a few guidelines that I found and I wanted to share with you today.

Keep it simple,

Daria