I LOVE eating foods that are tasty and nutritious and filling at the same time!  That is why I eat NUTS and SEEDS everyday!  

Even though nuts are high in fat, they do NOT make me fat!  In fact, this is the first time in my life that my weight has been kept under control easily!  And, I attribute much of that to the nuts and seeds that I consume daily!

One of the biggest reasons that they help to control weight is that they are filling.  The amount of fat and fiber and protein in them is what keeps me full longer and that helps to prevent blood sugar highs and cravings (more ammunition to help ward off the dreaded Diabetes)!

On the skin and beauty side, nuts have tons of vitamin and minerals and antioxidants that keep skin supple and wrinkle-free. The healthy fat that they contain also contribute to skin health!

Here are a few of the ones I eat most often and some of their health benefits:

WALNUTS:  Loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids that are very beneficial to brain and heart health (Have you ever noticed that a walnut kind of looks like a brain :)

ALMONDS:  Loaded with Fiber and the antioxidant Vitamin E for fighting cancer.

BRAZILIAN NUTS:  Lots of Selenium which is a powerful antioxidant!

CASHEWS:  Full of Iron and Zinc which help immunity!

PECANS:  Lots of Oleic Acid which studies have found fight Breast Cancer.

PUMPKIN SEEDS:  Loads of Magnesium and Plant Phytosterols known to fight Prostate Cancer.

So, next time you feel like reaching for the chip bag, why not grab a handful of nuts and seeds instead and be a little "nutty" for the day :)?

You know something works when your college freshman asks if you can buy him some for his dorm room!  When my son started college, we shopped for all his dorm essentials.  But, he was the one that added APPLE CIDER VINEGAR to our shopping list!

He told me it definitely helps him when he starts to feel a cold and sore throat coming on.  We always had our kids gargle with a couple of tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and six ounces of warm water the instant they felt sick.  It is a health remedy I learned from my Mom for getting rid of sore throats quick and it really helps!

But what I love about Apple Cider Vinegar is that it is good for so many other health issues, too.  I like to drink a tablespoon with a glass of water daily as it helps with my digestion.  It is very good for gall bladder health and breaking up gallstones!

One of the biggest benefits that studies show for ingesting Apple Cider Vinegar is that it helps lower blood sugar to stave off diabetes.  This is a HUGE benefit as so many people struggle with pre-diabetes and diabetes these days!

The Apple Cider Vinegar that is the best one to buy is the Bragg's Organic Unfiltered "With the Mother".  The "Mother" is loaded with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to fight infections.

Finally, I love drinking Apple Cider Vinegar because it has been shown to help with weight management and energy.  If you drink a couple of teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, just be sure to dilute it in a glass of water before drinking it and rinse your mouth afterwards. It is very acidic and can damage the enamel on your teeth if left on them.

If you are interested in learning more about the MANY benefits and uses of Apple Cider Vinegar, here is a wonderful article about it: Link

TIP #2: The Walk

Because this topic is so incredibly important, I decided to continue with the subject before moving on to other interesting anti-aging topics. Yes, ANTI-AGING starts with regular, consistent exercise. You must find something that you can stick to daily. For some, it is hitting the gym or taking yoga classes. For me, the easiest thing to stick to is a daily walk! It's free, it's easy on your body, it clears your head, and it helps your skin to become beautiful! You can do it anywhere, even on vacation!

Let's touch on the skin part....a brisk walk circulates the blood and oxygen to your skin. This creates a rosy healthy appearance. If you are walking or exercising fast enough, you should sweat and this detoxifies your skin which leads to better looking skin immediately. Your skin is your largest organ, so it is important to practice daily detoxification!

Now, let's focus on the emotional benefits.....a brisk walk clears your head and lets you think about things more objectively. I always de-stress with my walks. I can tell because even my tight muscles are loose afterwards. If you can find a walking partner, even better. Talking while walking will make it seem like you are NOT even exercising. Time just flies by when you walk with someone.

Let's talk about how beneficial just a daily walk of thirty minutes is to your fitness goals. Did you know that 30 minutes of brisk walking burns about 150 calories? Well, that might not seem like much, BUT that is a whopping 15 POUNDS of calories lost in ONE year. Think about how quickly a year goes by (Christmas is almost here again).

Furthermore, many studies are now finding that "sitting is the new smoking" and Americans love to sit! By practicing a daily walk, it helps to decrease all that sitting time! This helps prevent many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

I hope you will find a walking partner or plug in some headphones of your favorite music and start this fantastic habit. You can also put those babies in the stroller if you are a new mom and get moving.  The babies LOVE walks and pushing a stroller ADDS lots of extra calorie burn!  I don't know of many things in life that can give you such huge returns!  As my grandmother, who lived well into her 90's, used to say "Move it or lose it!".

TIP #1: It All Starts With Making it a Habit

33 years ago (when I was 23), I weighed 40 pounds more than I do today.  I was in college in 1985 studying to become an Accountant, when I looked around the classroom and had a revelation.  I looked at all the girls in the classroom and realized that I looked far older than most of them (like I could be one of their mothers).  And the reason I looked so much older was because of all the excess weight I carried.  It gave me a double-chin and a matronly look.  My clothes were frumpy because nothing cute and chic fit me.  It was at that moment that I decided to do something to change my life for good.  I went home after class that day and made the changes.  I started watching my calorie intake and researching healthy alternatives on the foods I ate.  Afterwards, I put some music on and jumped around my bedroom for thirty minutes.  I probably looked pretty silly doing jumping jacks and whimsical dance moves, but it got me moving and sweating.

For the next six months, I started eating healthy, nutritious foods and fit in 30 minutes of movement each day.  It worked and I lost 40 pounds in those six months!  I was a NEW person and looked years younger.  My skin changed and my facial features became more defined.  I even realized that I had a dimple in my right cheek which had been covered by fat before I lost the weight ☺️

Long story short, I continue to exercise everyday for the last 33 years.  Most days it is a morning walk in my neighborhood with my husband or my sister.  But, the key is to make exercise a HABIT and do it EVERYDAY (or most days), rain or shine!    You don't need a fancy gym or fancy equipment.  You just need some walking shoes and an umbrella for when it rains.

I found that once exercise becomes a habit, you crave it......everyday