With all the incoming health fads, it’s easy to dismiss a smoothie as a periodic fad that comes and goes. But the truth is, a smoothie is a delicious and – if you do it right – healthy drink that you can use to fortify your diet.

What are Smoothies?

A smoothie (also known as a smoothy, and earlier usage had it as a smoothee) is a thick beverage made of pureed fruits or vegetable, and an added liquid base like fruit or vegetable juice, milk or yogurt. One can also use ice if the fruit or vegetables weren’t frozen.

The thickness of the smoothie is determined by the ratio between the liquid base and the pureed fruits or vegetables.

Some people even have protein powders and vitamin supplements included in the mix.

The difference between a smoothie and a shake, though, lies in the fact that smoothies don’t have too much added dairy or sugars, and a smoothie is different from juice in the sense that the pureeing process includes the whole fruit, not just the juice.

Healthy Smoothies

Some smoothies aim to maximize nutritional content, but this doesn’t mean that they have to be dreary concoctions. Here are some healthy smoothie recipes you can use.

For all recipes, combining the ingredients are simple, all you have to do is combine all the ingredients in a blender, then puree until smooth. Recipes will indicate if preparation is otherwise.

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If you have high triglyceride levels, it is highly possible that your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels are also elevated. If you do not do anything to resolve this, you are facing greater risks of developing numerous other health problems such as heart diseases. This also increases your risk of suffering from stroke. Fortunately, you will find that there are many ways on how to lower triglycerides.

Before you figure out what you need to do in order to lower your triglyceride levels, it is a good idea to learn more about what these are so that you can understand just how detrimental they may be to your health.

A Brief Overview on Triglycerides

Triglycerides are one of the types of fat found within the blood. These are used by the body as a source of energy. In order to maintain good health, you need to have the have the right amount of such fats in your blood. However, too much of them will result in your risks of developing heart diseases becoming higher. In addition, high levels of this particular type of fat may also be a symptom of an underlying metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a disorder that occurs and develops if you have too much fat stored in your waist and if you are suffering from high levels of triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure as well as low levels of HDL cholesterol. If you allow these problems to go on, you can expect that your risks for diabetes, stroke, and heart diseases are increased.

In order for you to determine how high your triglyceride levels are, you may want to undergo a cholesterol level testing. Such a test measures both your cholesterol and your triglycerides. Once you have the results of the test, you can compare it with the following:

Breakdown:

• 150 or Lower – Normal
• 150 to 199 – Borderline-High
• 200 to 499 – High
• 500 or Above – Very High

Now that you have a means to determine what your triglyceride levels are, the next step is for you to take the right actions. If the results you will get from the test puts you anywhere from borderline-high to very high, there is no other good time than now for you to learn more about how to lower triglycerides. Here are some of the most important things that you have to do in order to reduce the levels of this particular type of fat in your body.

Limit the Sweets that You Eat

Limiting consumption of sweets is one of the most common ways to lower triglyceride levels. This is because the refined sugars that these food products contain cause spikes in this type of fat. Cutting down on your sugar intake should not be limited to reducing the sweets you eat; this should be applied on every aspect of your diet.

A good way to start is to limit your added sugars to around 10 percent of your calorie intake. Gradually reduce it further to 5 percent. For males, this means 150 calories every day. For females, this means 100 calories on a daily basis. In addition, you should also avoid beverages such as concentrated food juices and sodas as well as food products such as sweet desserts.

Reduce your Intake of Refined Carbohydrates

Being able to reduce your refined carbohydrate intake is also one of the most effective ways on how to lower triglycerides. Baked goods that contain semolina or white flour are those that have the most significant impact on triglyceride levels. White rice is also another contributing factor to elevated triglycerides.

Instead of consuming food products that contain refined carbs, you may want to go for pasta, bread, and other food products based from whole grains. Whole wheat bread and oats are some of the best examples. You should also avoid going on a diet that requires you to completely remove high-carb foods from your daily meals, as this can increase your risk for heart conditions.

Build your Meals from Omega-3 Fatty Diets

As mentioned above, a low HDL cholesterol level can contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome, especially if you already have elevated triglycerides. To increase your HDL cholesterol levels while also lowering your triglycerides, you should build your meals from food products that contain sufficient amounts of Omega-3 fats.

Omega -3 fats are good fats, so you do not have to worry as long as you also eat just the right amount of food products that contain them. You can start off by eating 2 servings of fish rich in these fats on a weekly basis. These include mackerel, trout, tuna, salmon, and sardines. Aside from fish, you can also obtain these fats from dark green, leafy vegetables, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and soy.

Gradually Eliminate Alcohol from your Life
Alcohol consumption has a great impact on your triglyceride levels. This means that the more alcohol you drink, the higher your triglyceride count will be. This means that one of the best ways on how to lower triglycerides is to reduce your alcohol intake. Soon, you will notice that you are no longer craving for a drink. Keep this up and see for yourself how beneficial a non-alcoholic lifestyle can be for your health.

Eat More Fiber-Rich Foods

Fiber-rich foods are very healthy, since hey help regulate the process of absorbing food nutrients. Foods that contain high amounts of fiber can dramatically lower not only your triglyceride count, but also your LDL cholesterol levels. In addition, these are also great for weight loss, since they make you feel fuller for a longer period of time. Some of the best examples of such food products include whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Do not forget to increase your water intake as well when you eat more fiber-rich foods.

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You do not have to be a dietician or a nutritionist to know that eating fried foods, especially those you get from fast food chains, on a regular basis is definitely unhealthy. Aside from the fact that they are packed full of fat and sodium, they are also extremely high in cholesterol. When you build your meals from foods high in cholesterol, trans fats, and saturated fats, you are likely going to end up having exceedingly elevated cholesterol levels. This will then lead to an increase in your risk of developing heart conditions.

While cholesterol is definitely something that your body requires in order for the cell membranes to function properly and for the necessary hormones to be produced, too much of it can be deadly. You should also keep in mind that the body already creates enough amounts of cholesterol, so you do not have to supplement it with more. This does not mean that you should already ban every type of food that contains this steroid lipid, but you should be more aware and cautious of the frequency and the amount that you consume.

If you want to prevent yourself from developing heart conditions, here is a list containing the top 10 foods high in cholesterol.

Butter

Butter can be found in almost all foods– you will find it being used in cakes, bread, pastries, and cookies. Most types of bread already contain this crucial ingredient, but a lot of people further slab these baked goods with it. In addition, it is also used with vegetables as well as in making soups, sauces, and bases. A hundred grams of butter contains around 215mg of cholesterol, which comprises 72% of the recommended Daily Value (DV). One stick of butter packs more than 240mg of cholesterol, which is already 81% DV.

Caviar or Fish Roe

In Europe, especially in the Northern and the Eastern area, caviar or fish roe is a very popular spread used in breads. However, this is considered to be one of the top 10 foods high in cholesterol. 100 grams of this contains 588 mg of cholesterol, which is about 196% DV. A tablespoon has 94mg, an amount that is already considered to be 31% of the recommended DV.

Cheese

Cheese is a commonplace in vegetarian diets, since it is a great source of protein. It also provides calcium, another crucial element that the body requires. A lot of people use this to complement a wide variety of dishes. However, most types of cheeses are actually packed with cholesterol. The cheese with the highest cholesterol level is Port de Salut. A 100 gram serving of this gives 123mg or 41%DV. Some of the other high cholesterol cheeses include Fontina, Gouda, Gruyere, Cream Cheese, and Cheddar.

Egg Yolk

Egg yolks place top on the list of the top 10 foods high in cholesterol. A 100 gram serving of these already amounts to 411% of the recommended daily value, as it gives 1234mg of cholesterol. Of course, it is highly unlikely that you will be eating more than just one yolk, so if this is the case, you will be consuming around 210 mg of cholesterol. A whole egg, including the whites, gives 212mg, or 71% of the DV. In other words, almost the entire amount of cholesterol in this food is found in the yolk.

Fast Foods, Especially Breakfasts

Fast foods, especially those being offered during breakfast, are some of the top foods high in cholesterol. For example, if you eat a slice of ham, an egg, and a cheese biscuit (with a serving amount of 100g), you are already consuming 172mg of cholesterol, which is about 57% of the recommended DV. A combination of egg and sausage biscuit even delivers more, as this contains 261mg or 87% DV.

Liver, Foie Gras, Pâtés

The liver is the organ responsible for the creation and the manufacturing of cholesterol. With this being said, you should no longer wonder why liver-based cuisine is one of the top 10 foods high in cholesterol. Liver obtained from any type of anima will contain almost the same amount of cholesterol, around 564mg per 100 grams. This comprises 188% of the recommended Daily Value. Foie Gras as well as most types of pâtés deliver around 255mg per 100g serving or 85% DV.

Oil Packed Fish

While fish oil is good for the heart, it still contains cholesterol. For example, the Atlantic Sardines (oil packed) gives 142mg per 100 grams. This is 47% of the recommended Daily Value. Eating the entire contents of a can of this fish product will get you 131mg of cholesterol. A single sardine carries 17mg or 6% DV.

Processed Meats including Duck, Sausage, and Lamb

Processed meats carry varying levels of cholesterol, depending on the cut that they were made from and the amount of fat that was used during their processing. A 100 gram serving of bratwurst or liver sausage delivers 158mg of cholesterol, 50% of the DV. Lamb and duck meats contain the highest levels of cholesterol.

Shellfish including Clams, Mussels, and Oysters

Clams, mussels, and oysters, while they are foods high in cholesterol, actually carry the least bit. For example, a 100 gram serving of Wild Eastern Oysters contain 105mg of cholesterol. This is 35% of the Daily Value. An ounce of these oysters delivers 30 mg or 10% of the DV, while a single oyster only has 7mg, or 3%DV.

Shrimp and Prawns

Shrimp and prawns also make it to this list of the top 10 foods high in cholesterol because for every 100 grams of serving, you will get 195mg of this steroid lipid. This is 65% of the daily value. An ounce of these delivers 55mg of cholesterol, which is 18% of the recommended DV. One large shrimp carries about 11 mg, 4% of the DV.

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None of us want to have a family of couch potatoes – and to avoid that, family-centric fitness activities are the way to go. However, the problem with coming up with these activities is that you have to find a way to make it appealing to the whole family, not just yourself. And the saying “it’s good for your health” won’t work.

With that in mind, here are ten tip-top tips for family fitness:

1) Start with a good breakfast

If you’re planning to have a day out, do make sure that the meal before it (in this case, breakfast) is a healthy, balanced meal that isn’t too heavy. That way, you can be sure that the family, and particularly the children, will have the right energy to have fun. This also works the same way for lunch. And as an aside, should your family fitness activity take a bit longer than what the kids may be used to, do pack some healthy snacks. Don’t go for “sugar bombs” as the activity will be over once they hit the crash.

2) No one should be left behind

Remember, this is about family fitness. If you will be an active participant, then your children will also be encouraged to try out more fitness activities. Remember, it’s not just about staying healthy, there’s also the component of being a family, and having meaningful times together as a family. You should also remember that it’s not about replacing their “modern” activities such as watching TV or being online, it’s about making them realize that they can have fun with family – and have fun, period, offline and in the real world.

3) It should be FUN

Making any fitness activity enjoyable means that you have to set it up to be fun. There’s no fun in acting like a strict parent and saying they should exercise to prevent heart disease – that’s a real buzz kill. But if you package it as a fun time with the family – parents and children involved, maybe even a trip somewhere, or probably some snacks at a favorite place – then you’re talking fun.

4) It can be simple

You don’t have to make family fitness activities a gigantic production. It can be as simple as the whole family talking a walk to a nearby place where you can go for a picnic or have a meal. It’s a fact of life that you won’t always have the time to have great activities, but what’s important is that you do have them. And don’t limit yourself to sports – aside from walking, a day at the beach, or even swimming can be a good time.

5) Listen

Pay attention to what your children are interested in, and find a way to build around that. For example, if your kid is interested in basketball video games, then it’s not a bad idea to install a hoop somewhere, even a small toy hoop indoors, so they can practice some shots or dribbling. It’s the same with people who like shoot ‘em up games; a game of tag in full costume or Nerf wars with safety equipment that makes them look like a sci-fi soldier might be just what the doctor ordered.

6) Positivity is important

It’s easy for children to be discouraged from activities, particularly if they feel that they aren’t learning the skills right. This can lead to frustration, boredom, and aversion to the activity itself. There are two solutions here: One is to make sure that you walk a fine line between being the cheerleading parent, and a more objective “coach.” With the right amounts of enthusiasm and advice, you’ll be able to nurture a love or at least a habit for exercise or sports. The next solution is the next tip.

7) “Walk” with them

Sometimes, the best way to get children interested in a fitness activity is to join them. Once they see the both of you are newbies, their inherent embarrassment lessens. Their attention will then refocus on trying to get it right, or, in a way, get it right so they can teach you. This can also succeed as a bonding activity for parents and children, and may be a powerful line of communication in the future.

8) Make it a regular activity

Don’t make your family fitness activities “special events.” What you should do is make them regular, scheduled activities. That’s why it’s important to think of simple activities and more organized activities. On the weekdays, choose a less intensive family fitness activity, something that can be done for about thirty minutes to an hour, a minimum of three times a week. It’s on the weekends that you should encourage more structured, intensive activities. And do observe if your children are “burning out” from too many activities. Children want their free time, too!

9) Do it for a good cause

If your family feels strongly about a certain subject, then it may be a good idea to base a family fitness activity around that idea or goal. For example, a cleanliness drive would be a great fitness activity, and will help the environment as well. It can even be as simple as a weekend summer car wash to help with home improvements.

10) Socialize with other like-minded families

One of the best things you can do is team up with like-minded family friends, for a larger activity. This can be as large as a weekend outing, camping or beach vacation. Or, if you want it to be strictly an activity, it can be a nice day of Frisbee, softball or baseball in the nearby park.

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In the words of William Makepeace Thackeray, “Dinner was made for eating not for talking”. This suggests we should take time to carefully choose what to include on our dinner menu. Nowadays our lifestyles have become so hectic, we tend to have a natural inclination toward ‘instant gratification’ foods — or at least those which can be delivered within half an hour. Oftentimes we do not feel like cooking or are at a complete loss at what to cook, but we need to remember cooking is an art form and an acquired skill. The more you practice the better you will become at it. However demanding life may be, nothing can match the warmth and healthiness of a good home cooked meal. Dinner is particularly important as it is the last meal of the day before we give our body a break for 8 to 10 hours. This is why dinner should not only be fulfilling but healthy as well so you can wake up energized and feeling refreshed the next day.

Dinner: Why is it necessary?

It is a common practice among many of us to skip dinner particularly if we have gorged on fast food during our evening hours. Always remember that skipping dinner will not help you. Dinner is a necessity for your body. Sometimes you may awaken from a deep slumber in the middle of the night. The hunger cramps you feel are due to your body craving for food when its sugar level drops. Eating at this point in time is not particularly a healthy practice. Rather, it would have been better if you would have had something light yet healthy and nutritious for your dinner. For example, a protein rich dinner in the form of meat, eggs, lentils and carbohydrates which can be consumed in the form of vegetables, fruits, rice, soup or pasta.

There are many other healthy dinner ideas which you can include in your dinner recipes.

Top 10 Healthy Dinner Recipes

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We all know that vegetables are one of the most essential foods to eat if we want to live a healthy lifestyle. It is as important as breathing oxygen, as vegetables give so many health benefits that are utterly necessary for you to live healthily throughout the years with minimal risks of cancer and other health conditions that may prove fatal. Vegetables are also the easiest to digest as they can be eaten raw or easily prepared in foods such as salads, sandwiches, and other different dishes.

Here are a few essential reasons why we should all include vegetables in our daily diets:

• Helps to lower our cholesterol level- This is highly beneficial if we want to lessen the risks of getting heart attacks or heart problems.
• Helps lower the risk of getting cancer- Most vegetables present our bodies with the necessary nutrients and vitamins that are anti-cancer. Prevents breast cancer, brain tumors, kidney cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and stomach cancer.
• It enhances our other bodily functions- Vegetables aid our eyesight, liver, immune system, nervous system, muscular system, digestive system, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and gives us anti-aging benefits.

Top 10 Healthiest Vegetables

Vegetable play a vital and important role in our everyday diets as they lead our lifestyle to becoming healthier. It is recommended that we eat five to ten servings of vegetables per day so that we can live a lifestyle free from risks of cancer and other types of fatal illnesses that are dangerous. Here are the top ten healthiest vegetables:

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There is a saying that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Whether you live by this saying or not, lets talk about how you can make every breakfast a healthy breakfast. Lets talk about how we can prepare a delicious breakfast promotes good health, and what foods to avoid unhealthy foods that can slowly but surely contribute to poor health.

Good Breakfast VS Bad breakfast

There are many foods that are associated with breakfast and thanks to fast food commercials that hypnotize people into associating breakfast with processed meats that are high in cholesterol and fats, the public has this notion that breakfast foods are bacon, sausages, ham, and many other meat products. That is an unhealthy way to think of breakfast, and the bad breakfast habits don’t stop there, there’s the ham and cheese croissants, bacon egg and cheese muffins, coffee, and sodas.

On the other side of the spectrum, there is the good type of breakfast. This type does not serve the usual large heaps of calories and fats but rather, the healthy breakfast foods contain lots of nutrients and vitamins that will improve one’s health. They are healthy, well-balanced, convenient (as they are easy to prepare) and will help a person lead a healthy life. Here are tips on what a healthy breakfast is:

• Starting the day with soy milk instead of full milk is a good replacement as soy is healthier and is less fattening than full milk because it doesn’t contain a large amount of sugar.

• Replacing a bacon egg and cheese sandwich with fruit is giving your health a birthday present, as fruit replenishes many vitamins and nutrients that eating a bacon egg and cheese sandwich tends to do the opposite of.

• In breakfast, many tend to drink coffee. This is not a bad thing but it is better to drink coffee while eating some fruit.When taking coffee, your body’s thermogenesis process gets enhanced as the coffee boosts the digestion in the body. Taking fruits will allow the body to replenish vitamins and nutrients that are lost in the thermogenesis process.

Top 10 Breakfast Recipes

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Upon entering a candy store or any food store for that matter, it is easy to notice that kids are always asking their parents to buy them a certain candy, or an ice cream cone, as well as certain sweet oriented dessert in a restaurant like brownies or cookies.

Kids love these more than eating nutritious food such as salads, fish, and vegetables. In fact most kids will beg their parents not to feed them vegetables, as they would rather be sucking on a lollipop or munching down a pop tart.

As parents, you would want to feed your kids the right foods in order for them to grow up healthy. Your kids do not see it that way. In fact, they see it as your way of punishing them. They do not realize the healthy vitamins and nutrients found in foods such as vegetables, fruits, fish, and meats. What revolves around their minds are candy, ice cream, junk food such as pizza, and many other foods that parents know better and must force their children to eat these healthy foods. After-all, it is for the benefit of their children as they must grow up healthy.

Good Snacks vs Bad Snacks

Snacks get a bad reputation as being unhealthy in nature. This is due to the many unhealthy forms of snacks that are made popular in the market by television advertisements and other media advertisements that sell a very sweet and unhealthy product such as junk food, candies, ice cream, and many, many more. The American Academy of Pediatrics find that children will need 2 to 3 snacks between meals. That’s a lot of snacking!

There are actually snacks that are rather healthy in what ingredients that they contain because a lot of them have vitamins and nutrients that these advertised snacks do not have. There are fruits and cheeses that go a very long way in providing your children with the right vitamins and nutrients. There are even tasty granola bars that children can substitute their Pop Tarts with. There are also many various forms of healthy peanut butter that kids can combine with jelly to make healthy sandwiches as long as the bread and jelly are both healthy as well. This means low fat jelly and wheat bread, which contain different vitamins essential to a growing child. Bottom line is snacks are not unhealthy. Although there are many different snacks that can prove to be fattening and filled with cholesterol and fats, there are those that have a ton of vitamins and nutrients as well as provide the child with non-fattening ingredients.

Top 10 Healthy Snacks for Kids

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Making the Best Out of your Picnic:

The picnic has become the symbol of relaxing – a meal where you can just lie down, relax, and take in your surroundings. It’s almost the opposite of a sit-down, formal meal. However, just because it’s an informal meal with a good scenic view, it doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the quality of what you’re eating. Indeed, a picnic can be the perfect time to stretch some culinary chops.

Here are some ideas that can help make your picnic – any picnic, in fact – more fun and memorable.

Potato Salad

No picnic is complete without the homemade potato salad. For some people, they prefer to roast their potatoes, but if you want something different, boil the potato rather than roast it.

In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, mustard and milk to taste. The mix may be a bit thin, so don’t worry about adding too much milk. Salt and pepper should be added to taste, too. After that, you can add some onions and radishes for extra taste. If you want some more meat in the dressing, try shredded chicken breast, bacon bits, or mushroom slices. Chill the whole preparation for about two to three hours before going to the picnic. Remember to bring extra dressing, as potatoes tend to absorb moisture.

For presentation, you can line the container with some lettuce before putting the salad in it. Sliced hard-boiled eggs should be put on top for presentation, and you can add some croutons on top of it at the picnic itself.

Cookies

Some picnics are the equivalent of dessert, but done outside. In such a case, the picnic basket should have little more than some cookies and milk – or orange juice to go with it. Chocolate chip cookies are a particularly good idea for picnics, as they are crispy when freshly baked, but still deliciously chewy if they’ve been stored for some time.

If you want some variety, you can mix have a mixed bag of chocolate chip, butter, and blueberry cookies all in one jar. Similarly, you can also opt for peanut butter cookies, which can work particularly well if coffee is a drink choice for the picnic. Just remember to bring a jar with a good seal, otherwise the other perennial picnic tradition, ants, will make an appearance.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This is a popular “dad” food for picnics. Now, while an overstuffed pulled pork sandwich may be a joy to behold, when it comes to a picnic situation, people would usually prefer a bit more neatness and less worry about cleaning themselves up. When preparing a pulled pork sandwich for a picnic, don’t overload on the sauce – you can do that for the pulled pork itself, but keep the sauce to a minimum. If you want, bring an extra container of your pulled pork sauce with a serving spoon, for those who still wish to have a merry, messy old time.

Hummus and Finger Foods Tray

If you’re feeling adventurous, then a finger foods spread with hummus as the dip of choice can be one way to have a Mediterranean feel for your picnic. Hummus is versatile, as it mixes well with vegetables and meat. One way to serve barbecue, for example, would be to remove the barbecue strips from the stick, and then serve it with hummus on the side. After that, you can add carrot sticks, potatoes, and bread to the spread. For a lighter spread, you can also use hummus with tortilla chips or crackers. There is also a related dish, known as laban ma’ hummus, where Yogurt and butter replace tahini and olive oil in the original recipe. This is usually eaten with bread, and can be perfect for a light picnic meal.

Watermelon

The watermelon is a picnic classic. However, you can also spruce this up by making it into a salad. Mix lime juice, a little Cayenne pepper, salt and torn mint leaves to taste, then toss with watermelon slices to make a refreshing salad. You can also add a little rum if it’s an all-adult picnic. You can also add crumbled or sliced cheese to the preparation. You can serve it with the dressing chilled and bottled, to be applied before serving.

If you prefer your watermelon to be served as a juice, you can mix it with some vodka, lime juice, and ginger liqueur.

Lemonade

Lemonade’s secret, literally, is in how you add sugar to it – instead of adding sugar as is, do the following: Put sugar and water in a saucepan, and then heat until the sugar dissolves completely. You should be squeezing lemons while this is happening. After that, pour the juice and the simple sugar syrup into a pitcher. From there, add water to desired strength and taste. If the lemonade ends up being a bit too sweet, just add more lemon juice, rather than water. You can then chill the mixture for a few hours before serving, and serve with slices of lemon and ice cubes.

Cheeses

The main concern for bringing cheese to a picnic is how well it stands up to long hours of being unrefrigerated. There are two schools to this – one is to pack the cheese in its own container in icebox (if you’re bringing one; good idea for large family picnics), or choose hard cheeses that stand up well to heat. Cheeses such as Gruyere, Gouda and cheddar cheese are suggested for the hard cheeses, though it pays to have a cloth wrap for cheddar, as some cheddar cheeses can get oily under heat.

Cheeses can be paired with fruits and wines, which give it a reputation for more romantic picnics. It can also be paired with low-salt crackers breads. It’s a good idea to keep the cheese unsliced. Remember to bring a knife exclusively for cheese along. For some types of hard cheese, however, you may not need the knife, as you can pre-slice it into thick slabs that people can easily break bits off from.

Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob should be a no-brainer, right? However, there are ways that you can spice up corn for a picnic. With the classic grilled corn on the cob, you can use olive oil rather than butter when brushing the corn on the grill. You may wish to serve the corncobs whole, or cut them in half for children and for more manageability.

Alternatively, you can choose to prepare the corn at home by cutting it off from the cob after grilling, then mixing it with tomato slices and a pinch of pepper. You can add fruit like avocado to this mix – use vinaigrette of lime juice and olive oil to prevent the avocado from browning. Others may choose to add bacon or ham bits, or even go full veggie with cilantro or lettuce.

Chicken

Chicken in all its preparations are a staple of picnics. But chicken, particularly fried preparations can get messy to eat, and while that may be part of the fun, it can be an issue when you only have paper towels with you. For picnics, chicken can be added to potato salads as a shredded add-on to the dressing. Otherwise, baked chicken is a better deal for ease and neatness. You can marinade the chicken pieces in honey and orange juice for a tangy flavor. If you prefer, you can simply combine crushed potato chips, flour, some pepper and paprika as a mixture to roll buttered chicken pieces in before going into the oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how large your pieces are.

Smoked Salmon

Add a touch of class to your picnic with smoked salmon slices. There are many ways to prepare salmon for a picnic, but here’s one of the easiest: for a smoked salmon sandwich, all you have to do is lay some slices of salmon, dill, and cucumber on a bed of cream cheese, then season liberally with pepper. Do remember to spread some cream cheese on the top slice of the sandwich as well.

Kitchen Advice:

As with all things, the best way to try out which combination work for you is to try them out first at home – invite some friends along for a backyard picnic, or even an informal “recipe test” picnic, so in the future, you can be sure that your picnic spreads will be the envy of many.

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There are many chemical based products available in stores that promise to have anti-aging properties; however, what most people don’t know is that food can actually be one of the best investments you can make for your skin. You should be very careful about what you put into your body, because whatever you consume will affect your skin. In other words, those Christmas cookies may be the culprit for your acne and tired looking skin. So instead of spending hundreds of dollars on manmade “miracle” serums, take a look around your local grocery store next time you are shopping. You will be amazed at how common these anti-aging foods are. But what foods are anti-aging foods? Well here is a list of 10 superfoods that are sure to have your skin glowing in no time:

1. Dark Chocolate

Not only does Cocoa hydrate your skin, but it can also make your skin firmer and more supple. Dark Chocolate contains a high concentration of flavonols, which is a very strong antioxidant that may help prevent skin from aging. For maximum flavonol concentration, look for dark chocolate that is at least 70 percent cacao. Don’t go too crazy with the chocolate now, doctors recommend people to consume between one and two ounces a day (or a few squares) and that is all you need everyday to have beautiful skin. Also, dark chocolate contains caffeine, which can prevent water retention and reduce puffiness. If you don’t like the taste of dark chocolate, there are a few other options you might want to consider. 100% Pure Cocoa Kona Coffee Body Cream costs about $15 per bottle and can give you the same benefits as eating chocolate.

2. Almonds

Packed full of vitamin E, almonds are an all natural defense against sun damage. Studies have shown that people who consume a minimum of fourteen milligrams of vitamin E a day (approximately twenty almonds) were better protected from UV exposure and suffered less from sunburns, than those who did not consume any or consumed less than fourteen milligrams of vitamin E. Much like Chocolate, Almonds are packed with high amounts of antioxidants. These antioxidants work to keep arteries free from dangerous free radicals. Because almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, they work to reduce the risk of heart disease and high LDL-cholesterol. Many people are afraid that the high calorie and fat content will lead to weight gain; however, this is highly fallacious. Studies show that those who eat almonds twice a week are less likely to gain weight than those who don’t. Lessening surges in blood sugar, almonds are useful in fighting cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As your body becomes healthier, your skin will begin to improve by reflecting your overall health and how well your body is functioning.

3. Flaxseed

One of the best natural wrinkle fighters in the world, flaxseed is packed with omega-3 fatty acids which erase spots and iron out fine lines on the skin. Studies conducted by the British Journal of Nutrition reported that participants in a study they conducted who consumed half a teaspoon of omega-3 fatty acids, experienced less irritation and redness within six weeks. Flaxseed is also known for its ability to hydrate skin by trapping moisture in the cells. Along with being a great addition to your skincare regiment, there is evidence that flaxseed reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Due to increasing studies proving the health benefits of flaxseed, the Flax Council estimates around 300 new flax-based products launched in the United States and Canada, in 2010.

4. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in Lycopene, which is the phytochemical that causes the tomatoes to turn red. Lycopene eliminates skin-aging free radicals created by ultraviolet rays. These are one of the few instances in which cooking your vegetables might actually increase their benefits. Cooking tomatoes increases the lycopene concentration levels; therefore, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ketchup are very effective aging protection. Watermelon is also packed with lycopene, if tomatoes do not strike your fancy. Along with lycopene, tomatoes also contain vitamins A, C, K, folate, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and potassium; they are low in sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Potassium is used in the body to expel sodium through the sodium-potassium pump; Sodium causes water retention, which can cause result in your skin appearing puffy, swollen, and red. Vitamin C is beneficial to your immune system and can help give your skin a glowing appearance. Lastly, Niacin has been proven to improve skin moisture, lighten skin, and treat acne.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Another great wrinkle fighter. Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin C. Vitamin C smoothes out wrinkles by stimulating the collagen in skin and increases protection from free radicals. Studies conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who consume a minimum of four milligrams (approximately half of a sweet potato) of vitamin C a day for three years, improved the appearance of their wrinkles by eleven percent. Sweet potatoes also have almost double the normal amount of fiber found in regular potatoes. High fiber helps to clear the body of unwanted toxins and works to keep your blood sugar from spiking. B6 is another vitamin found in sweet potatoes, which is crucial to breaking down homocysteine (a substance that causes hardening of the arteries and blood vessels); because to this, sweet potatoes are vital to a healthy heart. By improving cardiovascular health, your body will have a much better circulatory system and will be better equipped to provide your skin with good blood flow. Lastly, this super food is rich in potassium which eliminates water retention and reduces puffiness.

6. Spinach

Along with being known to defend the body against cancer, spinach is used to maintain and repair DNA. Breakdown in DNA is often associated with the degradation of skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles. Leafy green vegetables, like spinach, are rich in antioxidants and nutrients such as lutein. Lutein is used by the body to improve eye health and appearance. Spinach is also a good source of vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. The fiber helps to curb appetite, aid digestion, lower blood sugar, and flush out unwanted toxins. Neoxanthin and violaxanthin (two epoxyxanthophylis in spinach) work as anti-inflammatories, which reduce puffiness. The antioxidants (vitamins C, B, E, etc.) help to keep skin glowing and combat osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure. The large amounts of vitamin A present in spinach help to promote skin care and allows the skin to retain moisture, fight acne, and even out wrinkles.

7. Oysters

Oysters are a good source of zinc, which is essential to health nails, eyes, hair, and skin. Zinc promotes energy production, DNA repair, and cardio-respiratory function, which helps supply blood to the skin. DNA repair is influential in skin repair, due to the prevention of cellular degeneration. Oysters are also excellent sources of the protein, tyrosine. This amino-acid is a building block for all proteins and can help regulate mood and stress levels in the brain. Stress has been blamed for premature aging and wrinkles for decades and, if prevented, can help restore skin to a healthy appearance. Eating oysters on a regular basis can help maintain collagen levels in the skin, which prevents wrinkles and maintains skin elasticity. Lastly, Oysters are good for overall health; they contain low levels of cholesterol, fat, calories (approximately 87 calories per 3oz serving) and, if unprocessed, low levels of sodium.

8. Blueberries

Blueberries are packed with age-defying antioxidants. The antioxidants guard against health issues, such as cancers, heart disease, asthma, cataracts, arthritis, and neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. Blueberries have also been known to prevent against certain types of bacteria that cling to the gut, bladder, and urethra. One of the key ingredients of blueberries is pterostilbene, which works to defend the heart by lowering cholesterol. Additionally, blueberries contain anthocyanins (the component that gives them the blue color); anthocyanins reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. Several studies have proven that blueberries can slow down mental aging that leads to dementia. Lastly, blueberries contain polyphenols, which combat free radicals that cause wrinkles and help the body to produce collagen. Along with all of these great health benefits, blueberries help to fight fat and contain a mere 83 calories per cup of delicious fruit.

9. Yogurt

We all know yogurt is rich in calcium and good for our bones; however, not many people know yogurt is good for the skin. If used as a facial two or three times a week, yogurt can leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. In order to get the most out of your yogurt facial, first wash your face. Then apply a generous amount of yogurt to your face and neck; the yogurt will work as a sealant, locking in the moisture left over from washing your face. Let the yogurt sit for approximately ten minutes and then rinse. The lactic acid, in the yogurt, smoothes and exfoliates the skin. For best results, use thick yogurt with active cultures. Also, yogurt can be used as an acne fighter; it contains anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that can get be used to get rid of blotches and unwanted zits. All it takes is thirty minutes on the acne-prone area, to reap its pimple fighting properties. These masks will not only help with dry skin and pimples, but studies have shown that yogurt masks can help to ward off wrinkles, dissolve dead skin, and tighten pores. If you add a tablespoon of olive oil to four tablespoons of yogurt and apply the mixture to your face for thirty minutes, three times a week, you will likely see results in as little as one week.

10. Kiwi

Kiwis contain a large amounts of water-soluble vitamin C, kiwis are great for helping your skin to produce collagen. Collagen is a protein that keeps skin firm and elastic. Kiwis can also help you get soft skin, because this tropical fruit has more vitamin C than other fruit (even more than oranges!), kiwi heals cuts, rough skin, and dry patches. Vitamin E is another important component of kiwis; the University of Maryland Medical Center has done studies that show vitamin E decreases the size of wrinkles and facial lines. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce UV damage. Kiwis are a great source of antioxidants that helps to prevent and reverse the effects of aging. These can include changes in skin elasticity, firmness, and thickness. Lycopene is another substance in kiwis that fights free radicals. Not only can the delicious fruit do all of these amazing things for our skin, but the kiwi seeds themselves contain omenga-3 fatty acids which can slow the aging of our skin.

Conclusion

Your skin will benefit immensely when you eat and use natural foods, because these foods have vitamins, fiber, proteins, and other healthy nutrients. Natural foods can be found in grocery stores and local farmer markets, and are better than foods containing processed chemicals, not only better for our skin, but for our health in general. Its healthy to think about what you eat and what you need to eat. Stop eating junk foods that are processed, high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Switch your junk food for organic, fresh foods. Junk food can do just as much harm to your complexion as natural super foods can do good. Soda, Alcohol, foods high in carbohydrate, fried foods, etc., contain additives, sugar, and cause your blood sugar to spike. These factors can result in acne, eczema, dehydration, skin conditions, and obesity, which can cause poor vein function, blood flow, and other problems that can lead you to an unhealthy body and skin.

So, if you are looking for a radiant complexion, follow the rules your mom undoubtedly drilled into your head when you where a child; eat your fruits and veggies, and don’t eat junk food.

#skinfoods

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