Got skin problems?

I ran across this article when I pulled up my Yahoo homepage. Eat this for gorgeous skin 

Basically, without saying it, their advice is to eat low carb. Score!! I invite you to read the whole article, but here are the highlights.

~ A research study of some residents of New Guinea and Paraguay had fabulous skin. What they didn't have in their diet? "the simple carbohydrates — such as white bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and sweets — that are the basis of our modern diet. These carbs send our insulin levels soaring, and researchers speculate that this sets off a series of reactions that leads to breakouts." AKA Low Carb

~ Eat plenty of essential fatty acids. "Fish is a great source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) like omega-3 and omega-6, which reduce inflammation in the body..... EFAs are also found in almonds, hazelnuts, and flaxseed." Not specifically LC, but very common foods in a LC diet

~ Avoid these: "certain foods and beverages, such as spices, cured meats, MSG, and alcohol (particularly red wine), cause blood vessels to dilate, bringing on facial redness" Also advised in a LC diet, except maybe the spices part of it. Spices are recommended for flavor, but they often contain additives that add carbs so they should be used in moderation.

~ FATS are NOT bad for you. "If you're getting fewer than 20 grams of fat a day (roughly 2 tablespoons of oil), your skin may not be able to lubricate itself and your body may not absorb enough vitamin A, which your skin needs to prevent premature aging." Enough said.

 Now, I know many of you eat low fat and I'm not bashing here. My motto is.. whatever works. Everyone is different and you should do what you can stick to and enjoy. All I'm saying is to think about some of these facts. Try to work some of this advise into your eating plan and see what happens.

I personally love low carb because of the awesomeness of my lower blood sugars and not needing insulin and because it helped me lose weight and keep it off. The science behind it makes sense to me and it seems more natural than all the processed low fat foods. I doubt our ancestors ate low fat cream cheese and bagels.

Anyway... My skin is NOT perfect, but I can definitely tell a difference in how it looks and feels when I eat low carb and when I don't. I still get zits here and there, especially during that time of the month and if I've been picking at my face (oops!) but I don't seem to get huge breakouts like I used to. Something to consider if you're looking for something new to try. =)

Busy week and thanks

Wow, what a busy week this is!! I worked Monday thru Wednesday and half of Thursday. Then Friday night is my niece's 13th birthday party. (awwww!!) and Saturday night I'm going out with my bff. Sunday and Monday I will basically rest (and hopefully get some exercise in) before I work Tues-Thurs next week.

So I've been slacking on eating right. Ugh! Trying to get my motivation back. Summer will be here soon and I also feel like CRAP right now. Too many carbs. Too high blood sugar. Too little energy. Blah. But, soon I will have something to keep me on track...


I was lucky enough to win a Fitbook from Kerri at Kat's Adventures in Dietland in a giveaway on her blog! (Go check her out!) I am SO excited to try it. They have a Fitbook Jr also that is geared more toward kids. I think I will get that for Monkey if it helps me stay on track like I think it will. I love writing stuff down and organizing it and all that jazz. Monkey is kinda like that too so I'll see what she thinks of mine and go from there. She's overweight and wants to lose it and Fitbook might help her to succeed. I can only control so much with her. She makes pretty good choices much of the time, but not as often as she should. She also needs to get more exercise (like mommy.) They just don't get out and play at school or home as much as I did as a kid. Anyway, I can't wait to get my Fitbook. Woooo hoooo!!! =)

I also won a bottle of Vidazorb probiotics from Colleen at Bee Fit recently! (Check her out too!) I'm excited to receive those also. I've never used probiotics, but I've heard good things about them. Apparently I have some good winning mojo lately! lol

I wish the mojo would transfer to other areas of my life as well! I'm having some money issues right now due to insurance taking ALL of my check that I should be getting this Friday. If you've been reading my blog for a little while, you know that I was out of work for over 3 months because of a sickness. Well, my insurance ran out toward the end of that time due to non-payment. Well, duh.. I'm not working! So they took my paycheck. It wasn't a full check, but still.. I need that money! I have nothing to fall back on. Now I won't get a check for 2 more weeks and have to hope that we can make it AND that they won't take any more of my money! *Note to self.. call Benefits!*

So that's been my week. I haven't gotten any formal exercise, but I've been super busy at work and for the most part, only sat long enough to document a little at a time. My legs definitely feel it so I'm counting it as walking. lol

Do you use Fitbook or Fitbook Jr?
Have you ever taken probiotics?
Would you like to send me money? haha 

Tell me your experiences with either and/or let me know how you've been! I am so behind on reading your blogs. Work is evil! lol

Worn out and busy

Phew! Going back to work has wiped me out! lol I work 12 hour shifts, so on the days I work I don't do much else. Just wanted to let y'all know that I'm still alive and kickin! Working again tonight (3rd in a row) and half a shift on Thursday. Insurance took my whole paycheck that I should be getting on Friday to pay back from when I was out. Great. How am I supposed to survive?!! SO mad. Anyway, I'll post soon. Doing good with food and I'm rarely off my feet at work, so that counts as exercise, right? =) Goodnight!