Versatile Conservative Fashion

Basic #1: Sweater set with belt

This simple and classic solid sweater set complete with cinched belt is perfect for the mom who is conservative but not dull in her fashion preferences. Wear it with a skirt, pants or jeans (but no shorts, please).

Basic #2: Boyfriend Oxford shirt



It doesn't get any simpler than this: A basic white or plaid button-up shirt that looks great with jeans or khakis. And even though you're being conservative, this style is actually trendy for fall.

Basic #3: Cashmere shawl cardigan



A classic shawl cardigan is perfect for crisp fall weather. Whether you're going to the office or puttering around the house, it's a must-have. Grab a couple in your favorite basic fall colors.


Basic #4: Classic camel coat



While other hip moms might be donning the baggy boyfriend jackets from the 80s, colorful velvet coats or military-style blazers, a classic camel coat suits the elegant yet simple you.


Basic #5: The perfect pant



Moms come in all shapes and sizes, and one of the best fall trends is pants that do, too. Yes, skinny is still in, but you can’t go wrong with a wide-leg or loose trouser, cropped or full length, either. Get rid of your mom jeans and find the perfect pant for you.

Basic #6: The flat


The great thing about this versatile shoe is that you can wear it with almost anything . For working moms, the flat is comfortable but stylish when worn with a basic suit or pant. At home, the flat goes with jeans and casual cropped pants alike. And there are tons of styles out for fall: Plaid, ballet, simple black, moccasin and many more.
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Why You Should Burn Body Fat ?

Are you overweight? Then you probably want to lose some weight. It is obvious that you’ll burn body fat by increasing your metabolism. But be sure that what you burn is fat, not muscles.

Some statistics

After age 25, the average person in America gains one pound or more a year, which means at the age of 50 an average person is 25 pounds or more heavier than he or she was 25 years ago.

As you age your metabolism is slowing down, causing your body to burn less fat.

Without exercising regularly, the average American loses a pound of muscle each year.

A minority of Americans exercise in a significant way, which means less than 50 minutes of exercise per week. Two out of five Americans do not exercise at all.

Motivations for weight loss

Most people's primary motivation for weight loss is to improve their appearance.

Other motivational factors are the many health benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise.

Why obesity is dangerous

Reduction of excess body fat plays a vital role in maintaining good health and avoiding disease.

Medical evidence shows that obesity poses a significant threat to health as well as to longevity:. Excess body fat is connected to:

heart disease
cancer
diabetes
gall bladder disease
gastro-intestinal disease
sexual dysfunction
osteoarthritis
stroke

Why is excess body fat linked to heart disease?

About 4/5’s of deaths caused by heart disease and cancer, are linked to life-style factors, inactivity included.

Your heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs and to the extra fat throughout your body. Therefore it takes more energy for you to breathe. This extra workload might cause your heart to become enlarged and high blood pressure and life-threatening erratic heartbeats might be the consequences.

Overweight people often also have high cholesterol levels, making them more likely to develop arteriosclerosis. When blood vessels are so narrow that vital organs like the heart, kidneys or brain don’t get enough blood, this becomes life-threatening.

It might go without saying, but the narrower the blood vessels become, the harder your heart has to pump, which results in increased blood pressure... High blood pressure itself poses several health risks, like heart attack, stroke and kidney problems.

Does excess body fat cause cancer?

In general, research has linked cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens) to excess, actually as a storage place for these.

Excess fat has been linked to a higher rate of breast and uterine cancer for women

Excess fat has been linked to colon and prostate cancer for men.

How is excess body fat related to diabetes?

There is a delicate balance between the relative amount of body fat, the level of blood sugar and the hormone we call insulin.

Excess blood sugar is stored in the liver and other vital organs, and converted to fat as soon as these organs have got what they need of it.

The pancreas of overweight people often produces more and more insulin. The problem is however, that the body is not able to utilize this to regulate it’s blood sugar levels.

This poor regulation of blood sugar and insulin causes an inbalance in the system, which results in diabetes. This disease may in it’s turn cause heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, amputation, and death.


How Reducing Body Fat Reduces Disease Risk

At an American University, researchers studied a sample of people following a certain weight management program. This study showed

decreased HDL cholesterol levels
decreased triglyceride levels,
decreased blood pressure.
increased waist-to-hip ratio,

an active lifestyle can slow or stop the disease process for most people, even those with a history of heart disease in the family.

Other studies have shown that programs that includes

regular physical activity,
low-fat diets
stress reduction
reverse heart disease processes.

while other studies shows that reducing body fat through an active lifestyle and low fat diets mean reduced risk for

prostate cancers for men,
breast and uterine cancers for women
non-insulin dependent diabetes for both genders.

So, what shall I do?

You have to change to a new lifestyle, by committing yourself to a long term process that gradually will lead you to a healthier life. This process requires persistence and patience, especially in the beginning. If you stay persistent, your new lifestyle will automatically take over, and it will become natural for you. This process will contain

moderate, long term fat loss
aerobic exercise
strength exercise

Here is the benefits 90 percent of overweight people following this advice has gained:

improved heart function,
improved blood pressure,
improved glucose tolerance,
improved cholesterol levels,
lowering requirements for medication,
eight times less likely to die from cancer than the unfit,
53 percent less likely to die from other diseases than the unfit
eight times less likely to die from heart disease than the unfit people.

But, how can I get started?

The first phase in such a process has shown to be the hardest – it is here most people drop out. The longer you stay in the process, the more likely you are to succeed. And trust me; after you - by means of persistency and patience - have passed this critical start phase, the fun and excitement you gradually will experience will make the change well worth the effort.

You must make the decision to commit to this lifestyle changing process.

If you ever feel tempted to skip it for a day or even give up, confront yourself with your commitment, and go on.

How to stay motivated?

Allow plenty of time for the changes. You should give yourself several years for the changes to take place. If you do so, your body will adjust comfortably and the probability of maintaining this healthy lifestyle permanently, will be higher.

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What is Importance Of Vitamins To Your Body

The body needs a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals each day to remain healthy and function properly. A balanced diet normally supplies sufficient vitamins. However, serious disorders can still develop if the diet does not meet your body’s needs. Symptoms of a deficiency in vitamins and minerals usually appear when the lack is already in a relatively advanced level.

For instance, people who do not have enough of the vitamins A, B1 and B2 suffer from recurring tiredness, mental or emotional disturbances, loss of appetite and chapped lips, among others.

The common causes of these vitamin deficiencies include poor eating habits, alcoholism, emotional stress, the improper absorption of vitamins and minerals (usually due to liver or intestinal disorders), the intake of medicines that interfere with the ingestion of vitamins and lack of exposure to sunlight.

If you constantly feel sluggish and suffer from chronic health-related inconveniences, you might be short of the vitamins your body needs to function properly. Doctors will usually prescribe supplements that address the lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. However, also keep in mind not to overdo it, as an excess of vitamins can also be harmful.

Do you still need to take vitamins even if you maintain a healthy diet? The answer is yes. Proper food consumption should be accompanied by the right vitamins and minerals. Vitamins serve as buffers in the event that your diet does not meet your daily requirements fully. Surely you can’t calculate how much vitamins and minerals your body takes in with every meal you consume. And while most people take vitamins to avoid common deficiency-related diseases, not all products available cater to what your body requires. There are those that still lack what you need.

The key components you must look for in a supplement are the vitamins B6, B12, D, E and folic acid. Aside from being dietary supplements, these so-called B vitamins have been known to help combat certain types of cancer and heart ailments. While there remains no hard-lined link between cancer and a daily intake of B vitamins, studies that suggest their preventive powers have helped raise the importance of daily doses of vitamins and minerals into our system.

Standard RDA-level vitamins can easily be bought over the counter at a reasonable price. Yes, the old belief that a proper diet is enough to keep you going has become a myth. It is time to invest in our health. Whether we admit it or not, we need vitamins. Sure, it does lead to added costs; but when we really think about it, vitamins are probably the cheapest type of insurance readily available in the market right now. Who are we to say no?

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9 Methods to Keep Your Body Fit

Fitness is just as imperative as health. As a matter of fact, fitness is linked directly with your health. If you are not taking care of your body, you will get sick. Here are some great suggestions that will help you to keep your body fit:

1. Bicycling

It is a sad thing that many people do not take advantage of this excellent option for exercise. Bike riding exercise your body and build a stronger cardiovascular system. Also, it allows you to get out and enjoy nature and fresh air.

2. Jogging or Walking

Both jogging and walking are wonderful ways to get fit. They tone the muscles, relieve stress, create a healthier heart, and improve lung capability.

3. Swimming

Swimming is an exceptional way to get into and stay in shape. Swimming will help you tighten your body, lose weight, and get a good overall workout.

4. Tennis

Tennis is a great way to exercise. Just running after the ball alone will help get you into shape. This is a great way to strengthen your cardiovascular system and lose weight.

5. Dancing

Dancing is so much fun and as long as you are moving, it really does not matter what type of dance or music. The whole idea is to move your body. Dancing has long been recommended as an avenue to fitness.

6. VCR

If you have a VCR or DVD, try sticking in some good workout tapes. Even taking 15 minutes every day to workout will get you started. Try that for two weeks and you will be surprised at the results.

7. Abdominal Crunches

Crunches have long been a favorite for many athletes for the very reason that they work. Lying on your back with knees bent, keeping feet flat on the floor, cross your hands across your chest and then curl your torso, rolling from your sternum toward your hips. Do this slowly and start out with a set of ten crunches in three reps. As you get accustomed to these, you can increase both the number of sets and reps.

8. Squats

Squats are excellent for glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. With your feet standing firm and spread apart about two feet, bend your knees slightly. Then, very smoothly, you will squat toward the floor without going all the way down.

9. Tricep Press

For an Overhead Tricep Press, standing on the floor with your feet about two feet apart, knees slightly bent, you will extend your arms over your head. Keep your elbows locked and then very slowly lower your hands behind your head. You want to do this with some type of weight, but small weights like one to five pounds.

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Care Of The Hands

NO hands, as one authority on female beauty has declared, "reveal every hidden secret of the soul .... in their shape, texture and color" ? We doubt it. But they reveal themselves quickly enough as beautiful or the reverse. What is beauty of hand ? It is not so much the shape, just as in hair it is not the color, which counts here. Texture, skin quality and skin tint, the manner in which the hands are used, the nails, these determine their beauty. Nothing will give away your age quicker than the condition of your hands. Let’s take a look at some tips to try and hold off the ravages of time.

Care is what produces beautiful hands. If you are not your own manicurist then visit a professional one every week. Protect your hands against water by using gloves, rubber or canvas. Always have a cut of lemon handy to the sink. Whether you have a "psychic" or a merely plebeian hand, lemon juice removes stains, whitens the skin and cleans the nails. Vaseline, which keeps the nails from growing brittle, also makes up for the drying effect of hot dishwater. Dish washing should always be followed by a vaseline or cold cream application. Always wear gloves when gardening, and use vanishing cream on them before you expose them to the bright sunshine or cold. A cold cream application before retiring and cotton gloves should accompany chapped hands into bed.

Red Hands.—When red hands are not caused by some trouble which calls for a doctor's care, use
a good rich, cream massage, for it will help circulation if bad circulation is the reason. A mere
surface redness may be treated by rubbing in some standard skin food, after washing with hot water and soap, and leaving it overnight.

The Ideal Hand.—The ideal hand has smooth, tapering fingers. If you have square or knotty fingers give them treatment for pressing out the ends. A soft, white skin, a firm palm, firm and
supple wrists and well-kept nails and fingers are all possible of attainment by manicuring, massage and constant cleanliness. Hands should be neither too fat nor too thin. Regular diet in the first place, then massage and special exercises are correctives. This applies as well to fat wrists. Remember that, like the ideal face and figure, the ideal hand is only relatively so. There is a different style of hand for nearly every style of being, and there are as many different hands as there are face beauties.

Gloves.—Tight gloves will make your palms perspire, give your hands a pudgy look, and, if you
wear them right along, will turn the hands red and mottled. Red hands often result from continual wearing of tight-fitting gloves. And—if you do not chemically clean your gloves after each wearing—your hands will grow dirty as soon as you put them on. Gloves which are not perfectly clean chap and coarsen the skin texture of the hand, and at times cause infections

A narrow palm is supposed to be a sign of a feeble temperament, one lacking imagination. A
fairly generous palm shows imagination and a nature capable of greatly enjoying physical pleasures. Too large, broad and pronounced a palm denotes egoism and sensuality. Hard, thick palms, out of proportion to the rest of the hand, show an animal nature, void of intelligence. Knotty fingers mean originality, imagination and a scientific trend. Smooth, tapering fingers hint at aptitude in art and sentiment predominating over reason. Square fingers mean a sense of method and order. Spatulate fingers are a sign of ability, activity, tact and knowledge.

THE NAILS

A woman's nails should have home attention, but this should be supplemented by occasional visits
to the manicurist. Else it is impossible to keep them in perfect condition. You may use an orange
stick or an ivory pusher to push back the cuticle from the nails (after it has been softened by cold cream or vaseline), but do not cut the cuticle yourself. This had far better be left to the professional. If you use the professional cutting tools you may easily cut and scar the surface of the nail, and weeks may elapse before the scar disappears. If the cuticle be cut constantly the edges grow hard and thick.

Manicuring.—Always see to it that your orange stick is well covered with absorbent cotton or a
bit of silk. When you have shaped the external edge of the nails with a fine pair of scissors, finish with emery or a steel nail file. And always, before beginning to manicure your nails, soak them in hot soap water and cleanse with the nail brush. When you polish the nails, use paste first, and do not apply the powder till afterward. As a buffer you can use the palm of the other hand. A thorough "home" manicuring should be undertaken at least once a week.

There are many very satisfactory nail pastes and polishes on the market. A liquid polish is usually best for the nails, all the more if there is no paste foundation. Carmine, which gives a pleasing pink tint, should be the paste used. Never use the liquid varnishes which produce a sheen without the aid of the buffer. They have a deteriorating action on the nails themselves. You brush your teeth every night. It is just as easy to devote a few minutes to your nail cuticles as well.

The Nail Bleach.—A good and simple nail bleach for use beneath the free edges of the nails is made by mixing an ounce of hydrogen peroxide with a quarterounce, respectively, of ammonia and lemon juice. Before polishing the nails wash out the bleach with hot water. Keep your manicuring tools in good condition, and throw away your orange stick as soon as it roughens. For a buffer, if you do not care to use your palm, buy a buffer frame and renew the chamois skin.

Bruised Nails.—A hot water dip, with an overnight application of antiphlogiston, is good for
bruised nails. The white nail spots which often result from a bruise will fade out slowly of themselves as a rule. Their departure can be hastened, however, by application of refined pitch and myrrh in equal parts.

Nail-Bite.—The only real cure for nail biting is not to bite the nails. The application of tincture of myrrh is merely a reminder not to do so.

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Skin Care Ingredients

If you've ever stood in the aisle of the skincare section of your favorite cosmetics department looking for a face cream to help you look younger and healthier, you know how confusing it can be to find a product that will help improve the look and texture of your skin.

As confusing as it is, science and research have become our best friends in the quest for younger looking skin, and the quest isn't over, there are promising new studies and clinical tests every day that help us understand what it takes to stay looking young and youthful.

Then why are we so confused about what we need?

According to consumer industry tracker Packaged Facts, the 2004 U.S. skincare sales reached $6.4 billion and is expected to reach over $9 billion by the year 2010. If you consider all the skincare manufacturers competing for their share of the industry it's not surprising that we fall prey to the more prominent marketing hype and miss the actual research findings.

The best advice is to do your homework. Understand what your needs are and be realistic about the results. Don't expect a magic potion that will erase years off your face in a few days. It took years for those lines and wrinkles to develop, it isn't practical to expect they will disappear in a few days.

It's also important to remember that the aging process can only be slowed down, it can't be reversed. Everyone experiences different levels of improvement. Skin care experts have found it reasonable to expect about a 30% improvement over the course of six to eight weeks time.

The best place to start is to identify what your skin care needs are. Read the labels and understand what the ingredients do.

Depending on what doctors, specialists and advertisers you talk to, you're likely to get differing answers but if you do your homework by researching the ingredients and using products as prescribed, you will most likely see a difference.

Here are a few facts on the most popular ingredients.

AHA - Alpha Hydroxy Acids
AHA's are used as a skin exfoliator. It can clear pores and rid the skin of dead cells. Beta Hydroxy or salicylic acids are often used for acne prone skin but can be a bit drying. Experts seem to agree that AHA's are an excellent skin exfoliator but it is questionable as an anti-aging ingredient.

Copper Peptides
It is not conclusive as to whether copper peptides can reduce the aging process by reducing wrinkles and other signs of aging in the skin. It may be possible since copper peptides seem to stimulate the production of collagen in unscarred skin and help reduce skin inflammation, however there is a lack of clinical evidence and more extensive research studies are needed before the experts can agree completely on these claims.

Green Tea
Teas, be it black, white or green contain antioxidants which are clinically known to fight off free radicals. Most skin care experts agree that these teas can help decrease inflammation and swelling of the skin and can also decrease the effects of UV exposure. Skin care products that contain antioxidant teas are often recommended.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant that occurs naturally in humans, animals and in young skin, however aging, smoking and dieting can result in its loss.

Hyaluronic Acid has often been used as an injected lubricant for osteoarthritis and other ailments. When applied topically, it helps retain moisture and has been used to plump the skin. Experts can agree that it is excellent in helping retain moisture but are unsure of its long-lasting value.

Kinetin
Kinetin is a plant-growth hormone, and its technical name is N6-furfuryladenine. Kinetin can offer temporary hydrating benefits, however further applications of kinetin need to be investigated. Kinetin is probably best used as a preventive measure as opposed to reducing the look of aging.

Retinol
Most experts seem to agree that Retinol, (a derivative of Vitamin A) and tretinoin (Retinol's stronger counterpart) which is the active ingredient in Retin-A and Renova, are the most effective ingredients in the fight against anti-aging. They can help regenerate collagen to reduce lines and wrinkles, and help lighten dark spots, freckles and sun damaged skin.

Absorption is a key factor in using retinol so it is recommended that using a combination of retinol and palmitic acid (retinyl palmitate) be used for proper penetration at the cellular level, however if you use retinyl palmitate you will need to use more of this product than one that contains retinol to get the same effect.

Retin-A can cause skin sensitivity in which case retinol is an excellent alternative.

Soy
It is believed that soy has mild skin rejuvenating effects as it contains botanically-based estrogen. IT contains anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory that soothe the skin but there are no anti-aging elements to soy.

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Fabulous Skin Starts With The Most Basic Care

Every girl wants to be beautiful. Along with this desire comes the quest for the best beauty products available. But being beautiful on the outside doesn’t necessarily mean regular trips to cosmetic shops or splurging tons of money on beauty products. Oftentimes, the most basic beauty routine is still the best solution to looking good.

Basic skin care entails regularly cleaning the face, removing make-up before going to bed, eating healthy, getting a good night’s sleep and drinking lots of water. These are simple, yet effective skin care measures that will not cost you a cent.

Independent cosmetics consultant Anne Harris once said, “Skin care today has become an art and a science. It requires an educated understanding of the skin’s many functions and how lifestyles can affect it.”

The most basic move you can do before anything else is to identify your skin type. Is it dry? Oily? Or combination skin? Assess your skin’s condition. Once you’ve determined your skin type, follow a daily skin care regimen that’s suitable for you.

Proper nutrition and exercise

Watch what you eat. Avoid eating junk food. Eating too much sweets upsets your body’s interaction with extra glucose in your blood. Eat a varied diet that is rich in whole, natural food, balanced in protein, fats and carbohydrates. Exercise to keep your body fit and at the same time to rid your body of chemical toxins trapped inside through perspiration. Exercise benefits the skin by helping to maintain a clear circulation, calming the nerves and promoting a deeper, more revitalizing sleep.

Down lots of water

Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water to help your body’s chemical reactions become more fluid and less loaded with other toxins in your bloodstream. Water is essential for the skin’s hydration to keep it moist, soft, supple and clear. So go slow on alcohol for it dehydrates the skin. Loss of skin moisture is also one main cause of wrinkles.

Don’t aid skin tan-trums

Avoid overexposure to the sun. When skin is over- exposed to ultra violet rays, new cells will not grow and dead cells will increase instead. The sun also causes premature aging. If you have the money to buy sunscreens or sunblocks, do so. Also, avoid smoking. Studies show that the skin suffers from the deteriorative effects of carbon monoxide and nicotine in the circulatory system, depriving the skin tissue of much needed oxygen and vital nutrients. People who smoke have a depleted, pallid complexion and skin that wrinkles prematurely.

Get a good night’s sleep

Contrary to popular belief, sleep isn’t a big waste of time. In fact, sleep aids the body in regrouping from the day’s events and rests for what’s up ahead. The same holds true for the skin. It is when we sleep that the skin undergoes the regenerative process. This means that new cells are formed and damaged cells are cast away. As much as possible, hit the bed before midnight. Support the skin’s regeneration with a sufficient intake of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is crucial for the night time regeneration of collagen fibers which are responsible for making our skin supple.

Clean and moisturize that face

Make sure that before you turn in for the night, your face is clean and free from any trace of make-up. Wash your face with a gentle, non-soap formula and follow-on with a good moisturizer. These don’t strip the skin’s natural protective barriers that may leave it dry and irritated.

Follow these basic skin care tips and fabulous skin is within your reach. And don’t forget, too, that apart from your beauty ritual, the best cosmetic for a truly flawless complexion is still a happy and contented life.

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