Simple Solutions to Help Your Aging Skin!!

Below is our simple guide to common eye problems and simple solutions.Monday we had featured ways to protect and preserve your skin in the harsh winter. That topic prompted interest in other skin topic, particularly anti aging. One of the main areas on your skin that can give away your age in a minute is your eyes. We don't do many beauty features here at IFGT because our main concerns are with health and fitness. But we know that looking good, helps your self esteem, and we want to support the whole person.

The Problem: Dark Circles

What’s up: There are tons of causes for the shadowy, unwelcome guests that cloud our under-eye area. The blueish-purple rings aren’t just associated with getting older – people of all ages suffer from them due to a host of reasons ranging from heredity to allergies – but combine thinning skin with lifestyle factors such as chronic stress, drinking, smoking and sun exposure catching up with us, and under-eye circles can take a turn for the worse.

3 Easy Fixes
-To effectively cover a dark under-eye area with makeup, choose a creamy concealer in one shade lighter than your skin tone. Make sure to go with a blend that contains yellow undertones, which help neutralize a purple cast.

- Don’t shoot the messenger, but most derms contend that despite product claims, so far, no skin-care product has truly been scientifically proven to combat under-eye circles. That said, like makeup, some can improve the appearance of them. Look for a product that contains light-reflecting pigments, which deliver a kind of “mirage” effect to dark areas. Hydroquinone or kojic acid can also help lighten the area if you’re dealing with hyper-pigmentation issues. (That's when the skin is dark, not the blood vessels below the skin.)

- When all else fails, visit a dermatologist to determine what more aggressive measures you can take. Chemical peels can sometimes improve the condition, and many derms swear by laser resurfacing – which will usually vary from doctor to doctor – to treat the problem. One leading Beverly Hills cosmetic derm uses non-invasive blue light therapy and a Coolaser treatment to battle dark circles.

The Problem: Fine Lines and Wrinkles

What’s up: Crow’s feet are highly common, deepen with age and are attributed to everything from demonized cigarette smoking to the relatively benign smiling. And a recent University of Rochester Medical Center study found that our facial bones shrink with age, which could contribute to drooping brow bones and can cause – you guessed it – wrinkling in the eye area.

3 Easy Fixes
-While New Scientist recently reported that the results of treating crow’s feet with a new anti-wrinkle pill are promising, until the day it hits shelves, we’ll have to rely on cosmetic intervention. Try an eye cream that contains silicone fillers, which act like spackle and fill in fine lines.

-Prescription tretinoin creams like Retin-A have been scientifically proven to improve fine lines, and another study that compared tretinoin to over-the-counter creams containing the ingredients niacinamide, peptides and antioxidants show those ingredients may provide comparable results.

-For truly bothersome eye wrinkles, Botox is a proven antidote. But botulinum toxin may have some serious competition: A Maas Clinic in San Francisco and the University of California San Francisco study recently found that an alternative injectable, Dysport, may be more effective at specifically treating crow’s feet.

The Problem: Chronic Puffiness and Bags

What’s up: Eyelid skin is thin, and its lack of thickness only increases as we age. As muscles weaken, fat migrates and fluids accumulate, so the area not only appears puffy, but it eventually creates lines of demarcation, otherwise known as bags – and we’re not talking Louis Vuitton.

3 Easy Fixes
-First and foremost, rule out allergies and cut out high-sodium foods (both of which may exacerbate the problem). And this technique may sound old-fashioned, but it still works: Fight bags with bags. Cold green tea sachets may work because the combination of a cool compress and tannins in the tea help to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling.

-Because the caffeine in tea also helps reduce swelling, look for eye creams that contain the ingredient, which has become widespread. An even more aggressive move? Use a facial roller to physically drain fluids that linger in the eye area.

-Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or more commonly referred to as an “eye lift,” may sound extreme, but because it removes excess fat and skin, it’s probably the most effective way to get rid of the bags.

The Problem: Sunken Eyes and/or Loss of Volume

What’s up: You know what they say: At some point, it’s your ass or your face. The facial fat and volume loss that accompanies aging can result in an almost skeletal, sunken effect in the orbital area, especially directly beneath the eyes, which are often called “tear troughs.” It ain’t pretty, but unfortunately, it’s a fact of life. Here’s what to do about it.

3 Easy Fixes
-Truth be told, it’s one of the hardest problems to fix. One easy, relatively painless measure? Gain five pounds. Okay, okay, if you’re overweight to begin with, then the potential health problems associated with added pounds make this totally moot. But if you’re actually underweight, adding a little extra fat to the face area could do wonders when it comes to volume around the eye area.

-Cosmetically, fool the eye, so to speak. Neutralize the lid by patting on concealer, and use a light eyeshadow color on the brow line to brighten the entire area. Avoid dark colors like chocolate brown or charcoal, which will cause those sleepy hollows to further recede.

-Though it’s technically considered “off-use,” derms commonly (and successfully) treat loss of volume in the tear trough with dermal fillers such as Restylane, a gel formulation of hyaluronic acid. The key here? You’ll want to do your homework and work with a doctor who has lots of practical experience with this specific procedure. After all, your eyes are about much more than just looks, right?

Oz Approved Lasagna!!

This yummy healthy recipe comes from the Oz Family. They took a normal lasagna  recipe and turned it into a healthy version, cutting the 758 calories and 33 grams of fat down to just 426 calories and 21 grams of fat.
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Ingredients 
Makes 12 to 15 servings

Lasagna Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
Spice mixture (recipe below)
Dash of Worcestershire sauce 
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion 
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups finely chopped carrots
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
Olive oil to sauté and grease pan
3 tbsp tomato paste
2 (28-oz) cans tomato purée or ground peeled tomatoes
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 qts ricotta
1/2 cup low-fat mozzarella
fresh parsley, chopped 
4 oz no-boil lasagna noodles
2 medium zucchini
1/4 cup freshly grated parmagiano-reggiano, divided

Spice Ingredients
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
3/4 tsp ground fennel seed
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp crushed red-pepper flakes
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp iodized salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large, high-sided pan, add a touch of olive oil and sauté ground beef, breaking up large chunks, about 2 minutes. Add spice mixture and a few dashes Worcestershire sauce.

When meat has browned, add onion and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add celery, carrots and tomato paste; stir together and allow to rust.

Add tomato sauce and simmer 5 to 10 minutes until slightly thickened and flavoring meat. 

In a separate bowl, create ricotta: Combine egg, ricotta, low-moisture mozzarella mixture, 1/2 the parmagiano-reggiano and parsley. 

Slice zucchini lengthwise on mandolin and place in strainer with salt to allow some water to come out. 

To build: Grease 9"x13" baking dish with olive oil. Layer in a few sheets of pasta to cover the bottom, then layer with meat sauce and ricotta cheese. Start next layer with zucchini slices instead of pasta – repeat layering until dish is full. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, reserving some for serving. 

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until melted and golden brown. Let cool before slicing and serving.

Protect Your Skin From Winter's Elements!!

Welcome to the season of freezing temps, chilling wind, and overheated indoors. Well its no wonder our skin takes a total beating in the winter, I know mine does. But its important that we property care and maintain our skin, because it is the first line of defense against infectious disease and toxins, and it also helps us maintain internal body temperature. Skin is also where pain and pleasure messengers dwell with sensors that alert the body to seek shelter from the cold or avoid something that can cause physical harm. Also skin can reflect and indicated things about the body's heath. For examples flaky, dry areas of skin can tell us you have autoimmune disease psoriasis, yellow pallor, and liver disease.

How to Improve your Skin:

If you skin becomes, dry, flaky or damaged it cant work effectively against the elements we face everyday. We most maintain moisture and lipid retention that is the key factor. Because moisture moves upwards in the skin levels to hydrate cells on the surface it is important to clean that layer and clear it for the moisture to come. 
Soap works alright to remove dirt, but harsh soaps can damage the protective lipids on the surface. To help preserve that layer you want to avoid products that will strip the natural protective layer. 

Below is Dr. Oz's prescription for the healthiest skin.

• Add 1/4 cup olive oil to bath water
• Use a gentle exfoliating scrub or cloth to remove dead skin
• Use a mild body wash that contains replenishing oils that penetrate the skin
• Don't use overly hot water and pat dry after bathing
• After bathing apply a coat of moisturizer while still damp
• Avoid ingredients that cause sensitivity or have heavy fragrances or dyes
• Eat foods high in zinc and vitamin C to promote cell renewal

Losing Two Sizes in 21 Days!!

Are you wanting to make a major change and quick, well Dolvett Quince, one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser, has developed a plan. This plan that Dolvett has will help you lose two dress sizes in 21 days, all whole not depriving you of any of the foods you love. Dolvett says its not a diet, but rather a way of life. Follow Dolvett's four simple rules below and watch the pounds melt off.



Rule 1: Count Calories
It may seem old fashion or common sense, but counting calories is the best and most simple way to learn to control your portions. Dolvett recommends thinking about calories like money, you only have so many spend. Counting calories is like creating a budget for your body. When watch and pay attention to what you are spending, you will spend more wisely.

Rule 2: Alternate Between Clean and Cheat Days
Deprivation is the foundation of any unsuccessful diet. By telling yourself you can't have certain foods you love, with only fuel the uncontrollable cravings and can result in binges. Indulging a little during the week isn't going to ruin your diet, it has actually shown to make your metabolism work better. Alternating between clean and cheat days will confuse your body into optimal fat-burning performance. 

Rule 3: Fuel Up with Food Combos
Make sure you are fueling your body with double-duty food combos. Incorporating those powerful pairs into your diet will help build lean muscle mass as you lose fat.
Some Good Food Combo Examples are:
Vitamin C & MUFAs: Eating vitamin c-rich foods with mono-unsaturated fats will lower cortisol levels in the body, slow your metabolism and promote muscle growth while reducing inflammation and decreasing fat storage. 
Fiber & Healthy Fat: Fiber traps bad fat and sugar in the body, keeping your blood sugar stable and reducing cravings while healthy fats make you feel more satiated.

Rule 4: Beat the Bloat
Do not overlook belly bloat. Water retention can make you feel heavier than you are, even when you are actually losing weight. Fortunately, its very east to beat that bloat, all you need to do is add dandelion and coconut water to your diet. Dandelion is a powerful herb that can help you drop up to 3 pounds of bloat in a single day. Try eating dandelion greens in a salad or by sipping a cup of dandelion tea. Coconut water is just as effective, you can replace two glasses of water a day with coconut water, which is rich and potassium and see your belly bloat disappear. 

Dolvett has even created a simple sample workout to do during those 21 days to double your results.

Dolvett Quince’s Sample Workout

Move 1: Whittle your waist with a lunge-twist
Move 2: Flatten your belly with rainbows
Move 3: Slim your hips with fire hydrants
Move 4: Trim your thighs with sumo squats.

As we always say if you have any medical conditions or are unsure if this is right for you we recommend discussing anything and everything regarding your health and wellness with your primary doctor. Based on them knowing you medical chart and seeing the full story based on your medical history they can give you better advice on what to do and try.

Perfect Pollution Fighting Plants for Your Home!!

Back in October we had discussed how air pollution is bad for our health, and we gave various suggestions to improve the air quality in your home. One of those proposed suggestions was to add plants to your home decor because they help to absorb carbon dioxide and increase oxygen. Well today I wanted to further that discussion, we will give you some information on the best plants to get for your home. It can be hard to figure out what plants to get but all the following plants serve a certain purpose in removing specific pollution that are in and introduced into your home's environment!

• Aloe (Aloe vera)-This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.
• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)-Even if you tend to neglect houseplants, you’ll have a hard time killing this resilient plant. With lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.
• Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')-Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.
• Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)-Another powerful plant for tackling formaldehyde, this fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green from a hanging basket. Consider it for your garage since car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. (Bonus: Golden pothos, also know as devil’s ivy, stays green even when kept in the dark.)
• Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)-The red edges of this easy dracaena bring a pop of color, and the shrub can grow to reach your ceiling. This plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.
• English ivy (Hedera helix)-A study found that the plant reduces airborne fecal-matter particles. It has also been shown to filter out formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.

Coconut Soup Recipe!!

Another recipe from Dr Oz's patient and famous model Ada Uduma. This recipe is not only delicious but its heart healthy as well. Enjoy!


Ingredients
Makes 4 servings

8 oz coconut milk
2 oz creme fraiche or heavy cream
2 cups of vegetable broth
1 yellow onion, diced
2 clove garlic, chopped
1 tbsp ginger, chopped
1 tbsp lemongrass, chopped
2 lime leaves, whole
2 tbsp chives, diced
1 twig cilantro, with leaves chopped
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Swirl of tabasco sauce (optional)

Directions
In a pot under medium heat, sweat the onions, garlic, lemongrass, ginger and lime leaves, and stir for 1 minute. Do not burn.

Add the coconut milk, and stir for 2 minutes. Then add 1 ounce of cream. Stir.

Add the twig of cilantro (not the leaves), the nutmeg and broth. Stir well. Bring mixture to a boil and let simmer for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. 

Strain for a smooth texture. Add remaining ounce of cream and stir.

To serve, spoon a generous amount into a bowl, (coconut bowls if you can find them). Sprinkle with chopped cilantro leaves and a swirl of tabasco sauce. Enjoy with steamed rice.

Reflexology 101!

Reflexology, is an alternative medicine involving the physical act of applying pressure to the hands, ears, feet, with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques. It is based on a system on zones and reflex areas that they say reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands, with the premise that such work effects a physical change to the body. The bottom of your feet could effect whats going on in other areas of your body. On each foot there are over seven thousand nerve endings, called reflexes which connect to every organ and system within your body. By pressing on those reflex points, you stimulate the nervous system and open energy parthways that may be blockeed or congested.

Digestion-Digestion issues are the most common issue treated with reflexology. The reflexology points you want to focus on are the soles of both feet. This is called the solar plexus – it’s the nerve center of the body that can help relieve your stomach stress.The easiest way to do this is with a dryer ball or golf ball – or any small, hard ball you have at home will work. On the soles press down on the ball along the inner edge of the middle part of the foot. This relaxes stomach and improves circulation in this area. By stimulating this area of the middle of the foot, you're actually opening the energy pathways to the organs related to digestion so the stomach, colon, and intestines. This helps blood flow and circulation to these organs, can help digestive problems.

Head Pain-For head pain, you want to focus on the big toes of the right and left foot which are connected to the head and neck areas. Many people get headaches due to neck tension so by increasing circulation to the neck, you can effectively relieve a headache.There are 2 different techniques you can do for your headaches:The first technique is when you feel a headache coming on. You want to make small circles with your thumbs on your big toes. The second technique is when you already have a headache. I want you to take a wet a paper towel or cloth with very warm water, wring it out, and snake it between your toes, like you were getting a pedicure. Make see-saw motion to stimulate the nerves between the toes and activate the reflexes for your head and neck. Stimulate the big toe for 30 seconds 2 to 3 times a day.

PMS-Target the inner and outer reflex areas on each side of your ankle. These are the reflex areas to the hot spots of the body – the uterus and vagina for women. Stimulating these areas can improve the circulation to the reproductive organs and help to regulate and balance you during that time of the month. It may be easier to take a warm spoon and press. New research shows reflexology decreases intensity and duration of menstrual pain – better than ibuprofen.Try this exercise for 10-15 seconds. Take the spoon off, rub the area gently, then repeat for another 10-15 seconds. Do this 2-3 times a day during your period.

As always its your job as a smart healthy person to make sure to do some extensive research on whats right and healthy for you. As far as reflexology is concerned its noninvasive and will not change your health in a negative way, because you are not digesting or consuming anything.

Pink is the New White!

Recently with the seasons changing and daylight savings,its no wonder we are having more trouble with sleep. Regardless of the sleeping problems you are experiencing there is a new solution for better, and deeper sleep.You have heard the term "white noise", which is produced when the sounds of different frequencies are combined. 

Well there is a new noise in town, and it Pink. Pink noise is a type of sound in which every octave carries the same power, or a perfectly consistent frequency. Such as the leaves on a tress rustling, or rain hitting the ground. Sound plays a big role in brain activity and brain wave synchronization even during sleep. 

A German study, that included 11 participants, had their subjects spend two nights sleeping in their lab to observe them. During one of the nights, as the participants entered deep sleep, they put on pink noise, sounds that were synchronized to their brain rhythms. As a control, no sounds were played the other night. The results showed that the pink noise prolonged deep sleep, as a result of experiencing a deep sleeper, the participants have better memory and cognitive brain power.

What makes this different than past attempts with sound stimulation (white noise), is that the frequency of the sounds was in sync with the sleeper's brain waves. In further development this technique could improve sleep overall, and enhance brain activity and power when awake.

To experience pink noise, used noisemakers that produce steady, uninterrupted sound, that imitate wind or rain. There are also CDs that you can purchase and pop in right before bed, but don't use headphones, those will most likely disturb your sleep! As always if this technique disturbs your sleep from the beginning do not continue.