Top Diet Myths

Dr. Oz cleans up some common misconceptions

Myth 1: Potatoes and bread are fattening.

Actually: It's just the opposite. Starchy vegetables and bread (whole-grain bread, that is) are quality carbs needed to fuel every part of you, from your brain to your muscles. What gets you into trouble is how you eat them: Smear butter on a slice of whole-wheat bread or deep-fry potatoes and you can double, triple, or quadruple the calories.

Myth 2: Drinking a glass of water before a meal curbs appetite.

Actually: Yes and no.Water tames appetite if it's incorporated into food, such as soup, or a thick drink, like V8 100% Vegetable Juice. Apparently, when water is bound to food, digestion is slower, explains Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet. That's why women in one study found chicken-rice soup more satisfying than chicken-rice casserole and a glass of water -- even though the soup had 27% fewer calories! One exception to this rule: It's easy to confuse hunger and thirst, so if you find yourself craving something -- but what? -- drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes. You may find that's what your body really wanted.

Myth 3: Shellfish is high in cholesterol.

Actually: On the one hand, it's true: Just 3 ounces of shrimp delivers more than a third of your daily cholesterol. But there's a surprising flip side to this story: Shrimp is low in saturated fat -- the kind that becomes artery-clogging bad cholesterol -- and has a smidgen of heart-healthy omega-3s. In fact, University of Southern California researchers discovered that eating shellfish, such as shrimp, every week reduced heart attack risk by 59 percent!

Myth 4: The occasional burger and fries won't kill you.

Actually: It depends on your definition of "occasional."If occasional means every Friday night and then some, well, you may be pushing it. But if it means every few months, and you're fit, and you've got good numbers (i.e., weight, waist size, cholesterol, blood pressure), AND you're chowing down on vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and other nutritious fare most other days, hey, you'll live. But few of us are that perfect. If you do occasionally indulge, offset the effects of a fat fiesta with a brisk 90-minute walk afterward.

Myth 5: Women naturally gain weight after menopause

Actually: While you can blame a lot of things on hormones (everything from acne to PMS), in this case, slowing down physically is far more likely the cause. Study after study has found that older women who exercise regularly and vigorously can maintain their figures.

Myth 6: Diet soda is worse than the real thing.

Actually: Both types of soda -- diet and regular -- increase kidney and heart disease risk, plus both contain acids that erode tooth enamel, inviting cavities. But at least diet soda isn't also loaded with 150 empty calories of sugar. Still, we'd all be better off switching to water, diluted fruit juice, and green tea rather than drinking soda, diet or not.

By Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD
(Source: http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com/health-fitness/diet/hearst-article.aspx?cp-documentid=23386844)

Benefits of wheatgrass

Growing and juicing your own wheat sprouts is not only decorative and fun, but also highly nutritional. Wheatgrass is full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The juice has many health benefits due to the high concentration of chlorophyll, Vitamins B-12, B-6, K & C, and beta-carotene. Here are just a few:

• detoxifies the body

• improves digestion

• increases energy

• prevents illnesses such as cancer and diabetes

• boosts the immune system

Many wheatgrass fans grow it themselves. It takes about two weeks from planting to harvest time. People who grow wheatgrass usually blend the grass into a juice and add it to smoothies or other drinks. If you do not want to grow it yourself, you can find wheatgrass juice and dried wheatgrass powder or pills in almost any health food store.

Valentine's Make-up

Valentine day is just around the corner. Obviously, you would like to look your best on the special day. I have put some make up and hair tutorials. Hope you will enjoy them.

Valentine day's hair

Get rid of whiteheads and other skin problems

Whiteheads, blackheads, blemishes, pimples, or zits are skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Sometimes they are also caused by bacteria. There are various treatment methods you can use to get rid of these problems:

1. Use facial steamer

Steam opens up your pores and makes it easier to clean out. You can purchase a steamer that is designed for this purpose or you can just use a pot of water and heat it on the stove. When the water is hot enough to produce visible stream, remove from the burner. Lean over the pot with a towel over your head to hold the steam in. Continue for few minutes. Follow by cleaning your face with a mild cleanser and rinse thoroughly.

2. Exfoliate

Using an exfoliate is another way to get rid of whiteheads or blackheads and to help keep others from forming. When you exfoliate, dry skin cells are removed and the sebum in your follicles is not as likely to get trapped inside. Do not overdo it! You should only exfoliate once or twice weekly.

3. Use mask

Use a facial mask. You will need a mask that hardens as it dries. It is very important to find one that hardens because other masks will not draw the oil out of your face. My personal favorite is “Queen Helene Masque, Mint Julep” (good for pimples).

4. Use antibacterial products

Pick a cream that contains benzoyl peroxide, a solid ingredient for eliminating whiteheads quickly. Benzoyl peroxide both kills bacteria and absorbs oil, helping to get rid of those pimples fast.

5. Use water-based make-up

Do not use oil-based cosmetics. This will contribute to the build-up of oil that is already in the skin’s follicles. You should use a water-based makeup that is non-comedogenic so that it will not block your skin’s pores. Regardless of the type of cosmetics you wear, you should always remove them completely before you go to bed.

6. Get facial

The skin care professional can perform extractions that involve gently pressing on your whiteheads to release the pus from within them. Do not attempt to perform extractions on your own, as you can seriously damage your skin.