No Vitamins Allowed

A lot of research has gone into this topic and finally Dr. Lisa Drayer has come up with 10 beauty foods that will make your hair soft and shiny, your skin smooth and your teeth whiter than snow by nourishing your body from within. Forget the daily Vitamin doses and incorporate these yummy foods into your menu routine.

1. Wild Salmon is rich in Omega 3's, when wild, is the best option for a young looking you. It fights inflammation, optimizes circulation and helps our brains to function optimally. It helps reduce wrinkles too.
2. Yogurt is packed with Vitamin D source, extremely good for your bones. It also contains Zinc which is also beneficial for your skin. One cup of plain, supplies close to half of your daily calcium needs.
3. Oysters are the best whole food source of Zinc an important mineral that helps to create collagen and plays a major role in skin renewal and repair. Also related with eye diseases, since Zinc is highly concentrated in the retina.
4. Blueberries are gorgeous in color and extremely tasty in smoothies. This berry contains powerful antioxidants, that help with premature aging. Grab a fist-full and "Bon-Appetit"
5. Kiwis are packed with Vitamin C and other powerful anti-aging antioxidants, this juicy and sweet fruit, offers a variety of benefits, from stimulating collagen to maintaining healthy bones. they help neutralize free radicals, that could lead to inflammation, cancer , and heart disease.
6. Sweet Potatoes contain beta-carotene a pigment found in plant and vegetables, it converts into Vitamin A, which helps your skin to be wrinkle free. It helps protect your skin from sun damaged.
7. Spinach is a low calorie leafy green packed with many vitamins, such as, B, C, iron, calcium, dietary fiber and even omega 3 fatty acids. The lutein content helps your eyes to be healthy.
8. Tomatoes contain great amounts of lycopene an anti-aging antioxidant. Lycopene is easily absorbed by the body when processed. Stock up your pantry with canned tomato paste, is your best bet for getting full benefits.
9. Walnuts are the only type of nut that contains both Vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids. This nut will give you strong bones, shinny hair and smooth skin and will protect cells from free-radical damage.
10. Dark Chocolate related to pimples and headaches, this heavenly food is, in fact, a treat for your skin. Studies and research show that dark chocolate contains as many polyphenols as red wine. It contains many important natural chemicals that possesses antioxidant properties.

"Little changes, make huge improvements. It is never too late, start today!"

Sea Scallops "A LA MODE"

I cook this recipe once every two weeks or so. It's mouth watering news, when I tell my family that we are having it for dinner. I am not afraid to to say that the taste of this meal could very well equal to, that of any exclusive Restaurant. If you don't believe me, I invite you to come for dinner and try it for yourself.

Sea Scallops "A LA MODE" is a combination of natural sea scallops and a salad. I am going to share with you this recipe because not only I know you will impress anyone that takes a bite but it is also a quick and easy recipe...

Salad ingredients:

1. Bag of Organic baby romaine salad
2. Organic natural dry cranberries (small ones)
3. 1 avocado
4. 1 bag of chopped walnuts
5. Container of gorgonzola cheese
6. Olive oil
7. Honey
8. Modena balsamic vinegar

How to make the Salad:

- On a frying pan you put about 2 cups of chopped walnuts (or as much or as little.) Toss a bunch of sugar while heat is medium-high to melt the sugar with the walnuts. Stir constantly so that this mixture does not burn nor stick. When sugar is melted put on bowl and leave to cool off.

- Toss salad leaves into a big salad bowl, then put the caramelized walnuts, cut an avocado into thin slices, next, put gorgonzola cheese (use half of container) ALL TOGETHER.

- To make the dressing, use a jar or glass container. Same amount of olive oil, honey and modena balsamic vinegar, shake and put in the refrigerator until serving time.

Scallops ingredients:

1. 3-4 natural sea scallops (per person)
2. 3 tablespoons of Flour
3. 1/2 teaspoon salt
4. 1/2 teaspoon Dried marjoram
5. Olive oil
6. 1 1/2 tablespoons Dry white wine
7. 1 tablespoon Modena balsamic vinegar

How to make the scallops:

Combine ingredients (2,3,4) in a large zip-lock plastic bag; add the scallops, seal bag and shake to coat.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops (one by one) cook for 5 minutes, each side, or until golden. Remove from skillet, keep warm on another pan.

Add wine and vinegar to skillet (where scallops where cooking) and cook for 5 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring with a whisk. Put scallops back in skillet with mixture, let them soak for 2-3 minutes, remove from heat.

Serve on a plate with salad and a glass of your favorite wine. ENJOY IT!

PS: I want to thank Rebecca, one of my best friends, for sharing her yummy salad recipe with me.

Good Night, Sleep Tight

The Z's are extremely beneficial to overall health and well-being, why not take full advantage of this easy and cheap antidote, to feel better and look better.? We all love it, and knowing that scientific studies show the importance of sleeping, is a good excuse to get the, at least, minimum requirement. People that sleep less than 7 hours increase the risks of developing future diseases. Sleeping helps us to have clearer thoughts, have better attitudes, and it reduces stress. Sleep deprivation can cause, fatigue, weight gain and clumsiness.

Here are 10 health benefits:

1. Keeps your heart healthy
2. Prevents cancer
3. Reduces stress
4. Makes you more alert
5. Bolsters your memory
6. Lose weight
7. Makes you more alert
8. Makes you smarter
9. Reduces risk of depression
10. Helps body make repairs

Age plays a major role on hours needed for the benefits to work. For example, newborns need at least 12 hours, children ages of 2-6 need about 11, kids ages 10 and above should sleep about 10 and adults should get no less than 8. If naps are in your schedule, that's great too.

Tips to get a good night sleep are, eating dinner early, a mattress that works for you, a dark room, same sleeping routine every night. Alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods before going to bed, can interfere with your sleeping habits, also going to sleep when you are not tired and even watching the clock, may cause stress.

Simple solution, schedule your sleeping time and be conscious about how important the Z's are. Being a happy and healthy individual makes you live longer.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!