10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance

1. Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries

Collagen is a natural protein in your skin and muscles that provides resiliency, shape and texture. Unfortunately, collagen production decreases with age— but you can fight back with dark fruit. Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries are full of antioxidants, which decrease aging and disease by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also increase collagen production and thicken the skin, making you look younger and healthier. Blackberries, raspberries, plums, pomegranates, cranberries, Asian dragon fruit and kiwis also contain antioxidants.

2. Shellfish, sunflower seeds and sardines

These foods may not taste great together, but individually they offer a powerhouse of essential fatty acids. Flax seeds, tuna, walnuts, canola oil, soybean oil and pumpkin seeds are more good sources of essential fatty acids.

3. Dandelion, turnip and mustard greens

Foods that keep our livers cleansed of toxins, heavy metals and fats make our whole body function more efficiently. This makes us happier, which affects how we look. Plus, a healthy liver brightens our eyes and tightens our skin. Eating these slightly bitter greens has been shown to lessen your sweet tooth.

4. Oregano, thyme and parsley

If you have puffy bags under your eyes in the morning, you are almost certainly consuming much more salt than you need. Instead of salt, season your meals with herbs and spices such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley and garlic. Instead of salt, season your meals with herbs and spices such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley and garlic

5. Crunchy vegetables

Fresh raw veggies are as good for your grin as they are for your skin! Celery, carrots, string beans and cauliflower contain cellulose, which helps scrub stains from your teeth—giving you a whiter, brighter smile. If you've just consumed blueberries, coffee, mustard, red wine or cranberry juice, follow it up with fresh cucumber slices or an apple.

6. Sea vegetables

Polluted cells can't function at their optimum level. When our cells are functioning optimally, not only do we have more energy—we look and feel great. Sea vegetables are one of our richest sources of minerals and phytochemicals. These veggies help detoxify, rebuild and nourish all the cells in our body. Unhealthy foods, stress and environmental pollutants cause cells to age prematurely, potentially leading to thinning hair and premature wrinkles.

7. Meat, cheese and lentils

It may take 10 pounds of milk to make a pound of cheese, but fortunately you don't need to eat that much dairy or protein to repair your cells. As you age, your hair and skin cells become damaged, making you appear older. The protein in meat, chicken, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, and certain vegetables promotes cell growth and repair, which translates to younger-looking skin, fewer wrinkles, less hair loss and a glossy mane. To take a break from meat or dairy, try soybeans and lentils instead (they contain more protein than any other legume).

8. Egg yolks, organ meats and whole-milk products

Vitamin A is especially important for skin repair, and decreased levels can lead to dry, flaky skin, lack of vitamin A may cause your skin to heal poorly and wrinkle easily. The main sources of this vitamin are foods from animals, such as liver, eggs and whole-milk dairy products. Some plants—carrots and broccoli, for example—supply beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A as needed. Apricots, nectarines, plums and cantaloupe are more great sources of beta-carotene.

9. Almond or hemp "milk"

Almond milk is a nutritious dairy alternative because of its high levels of magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, vitamin E, selenium and calcium. Licensed medical esthetician Tina Seitz says, Hemp milk is a delicious, nutty-tasting non-dairy beverage that provides essential balanced nutrition. It's a fantastic alternative to soymilk or dairy, and has a natural well-balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids to keep your mind sharp, your immune system strong and your skin glowing. Both almond and hemp milks are plant-based, and don't contain lactose. They offer high-quality protein that can give hair a radiant, healthy shine and helps keep skin soft.

10. Wild salmon with avocado and mango dressing


This is more than a delicious meal—it's an anti-aging feast! Wild Alaskan salmon has precious omega-3 essential fatty acids, which enhance blood flow. The pink/orange color of wild salmon is an anti-aging carotenoid called astaxanthin that protects cell membranes. Add avocado for its antioxidant properties and mango (for vitamin E and anti-inflammatory carotenoids) and you'll be sitting pretty after dinner!

4 Tips for Safe Grilling

Don't Let Bacteria Spoil Your Barbecue.

Approximately one out of every four people gets food poisoning each year. The risk can go up as the mercury climbs. Keep your barbecue safe.
Here's how:

1 - C L EA N
Clean everything, starting with your hands. Experts say half of all cases of food poisoning could be avoided by washing hands more often. Wash before you start cooking and between steps in food prep. It's one of the best ways to keep bacteria out!
2 - SEPARATE
Separate uncooked foods from each other and from cooked foods. Different foods can carry different bacteria. Divide and conquer! ~ Always place cooked meat on a clean plate, not on one that previously held raw meat. ~ Wash utensils and surfaces between uses. ~ Use paper towels, not sponges, to wipe up meat drippings.
3 - COOK
Make sure grilled meats reach the correct temperature before you serve them. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.


Food Internal Temperature
Beef - steaks & kabobs 145° - 160° (medium-rare, medium)
Burgers - ground beef 160°
turkey or chicken 170°
Chicken Breasts - 170°
boneless or bone-in
Hot Dogs 165°

Bratwurst (uncooked) 160°

Pork 160°

4 - CHILL
Keep cold foods cold. Ice packs and coolers work well. If perishable foods have beeen handled safely, they can be out at room temmperature up to 2 hours before needing to be discarded. Cut that time in half, if the temperature is above 85°.

4 Simple Ways to Superpower Your Salad

1. Dress for SuccessDress your salad with an olive oil-based dressing. This good fat helps you absorb the nutrients in the salad. Mix the oil with apple or wine vinegars for extra antioxidants.

2. Herb It UpLemon balm and marjoram can increase a salad’s antioxidant capacity by 150–200 percent.You can sprinkle cumin, fresh ginger, and thyme on your salad, too.

3. Vary Your Veggies Artichokes, beetroot, broccoli, garlic, leeks, radishes, spinach, and onions were the chart-topping antioxidant-rich veggies in a recent study -- though they’re not everyone’s favorites

4. Branch Out . . .. . . with new leaves. Some colorful red chicory or purple cabbage, for example, will add crunch to your salad -- as well as extra antioxidants. You can also count on cabbage to help reduce your risk of this.

Two tips to keep your greens green longer:

Pamper your lettuce when you get back from the market: Core, rinse, but don’t cut. Dry well in a salad spinner. Keep moisture away from leaves by refrigerating in a container with a paper towel at the bottom

Your Basic Kitchen Shelf - PART II

Meat Alternatives

1. Canned Beans, Peas and Lentils - kidney, navy or romano beans, chick peas, and brown lentils etc.
2. Dried Beans, Peas and Lentils - split peas, navy beans, etc.
3. Peanut Butter
4. Canned Tuna

Milk Products

1. Skim Milk Powder
2. Fats and Oils
3. Margarine, Vegetable Oil

Baking Ingredients

1. Flour - all purpose, whole wheat
2. Sugar - white, brown
3. Baking Powder
4. Baking Soda
5. Cornstarch
6. Vanilla
7. Rolled Oats
8. Raisins

Seasonings

1. Salt, Pepper
2. Garlic Powder
3. Dry Mustard
4. Chicken Bouillon Cubes (packets)
5. Beef Bouillon Cubes (packets)
6. Soy Sauce
7. Vinegar
8. Worcestershire Sauce
9. Ketchup
10. Herbs-basil, oregano, thyme, etc.
11. Spices - Paprika, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Chili Powder, etc.

Tip of the Day: Beans belong to the legume family of foods that include beans, peas, and lentils. You can use legumes instead of meat to save money in your receipes.

Canned beans will be used in many of our recipes. These are already cooked and ready to use. You can save a lot of money if you start with dried beans. Cooked dried beans can be used instead of canned beans in any recipe.

Famous Chinese Saying: "Girl who eat vegetable and fish, turn into pretty good looking dish."

Your Basic Kitchen Shelf - PART I

"Basic Kitchen Shelf" for young people starting out on their own with a shoestring budget, senior citizens living on a limited budget, people with little food storage space and families with a tight food budget.

Below is a list of basic items to be kept on hand. Once you have established your basic shelf, you will be able to make many delicious, easy meals and never have the problem "what is in the house for dinner?"
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Root vegetables such as potatoes, onions and carrots are Basic Shelf ingredients which keep better in the refrigerator.

Margarine should be refrigerated.

All other ingredients should be stored in tightly sealed jars or plastic containers in a cool, clean, dry place.

Points To Keep In Mind When Planning.

1. You don't have to buy everything at once.

2. Buy only the amounts you know you have space to store.

3. Keep your Basic Shelf well stocked so you don't run out of important ingredients.

4. Don't buy foods you know you won't use.

5. Be open. Try new foods like lentils and kidney beans.

6. Store your Basic Shelf ingredients in tightly sealed containers to keep out insects and other pests.

7. Coffee cans can be used to store cereals, rice and flour. Plastic containers from margarine and ice cream are also good for storing these foods.

8. Food can be stored in other rooms if you don't have enough room in the kitchen. You can keep a box of Basic Shelf ingredients in a closet or under a bed.

Grain Products

1. Rice - white, brown
2. Pasta - elbow macaroni, spaghetti. lasagna, egg noodles
3. Bread Crumbs

Vegetables & Fruit

1. Onions, Carrots, Potatoes
2. Canned Vegetables - corn, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, peas, etc.
3. Canned Vegetable Soups - Tomato, Mushroom, Etc.
4. Tomato Paste
5. Canned Fruit - Peaches, Pineapple, Fruit Cocktail, etc.

Meat Alternatives ...... coming soon with PART - II

Calorie-Saving Cooking Tips!!!!

TOP 8 Calorie-Saving Cooking Tips!

1. Nonstick cooking spray instead of oil (for stovetop cooking)

2. Canned pumpkin instead of eggs & oil (for baking)

3. Light vanilla soymilk instead of milk or cream

4. Fat-free liquid egg substitute instead of eggs

5. No-sugar-added applesauce instead of butter

6. Ground-beef-style soy crumbles instead of ground beef

7. Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granular) instead of sugar

8. Butternut squash instead of potatoes