Indulgences during the Holidays

Okay, I admit I indulge once in a while, especially during the holidays. It is hard not to take a piece of those childhood sugar cookies, or those lindor chocolates gifted to you a special someone. And no one wants to dampen the holiday spirit by insisting on lighter, healthy options in place of the traditional heavy meals. Food is part of our culture, and this fact is ever-so apparent when eating Christmas dinner with family and friends. 

Firstly, it is important not to feel guilty if you take that one cookie. One indulgence will not sabotage your health. The problem is, giving yourself one allowance makes it much easier for the act to be repeated. And you do not want to be constantly worried and high strung about food. Being food-aware is the goal, not food-obsessive. 

So my tip for the holiday season is to eat in moderation. Do not overeat, or stuff yourself with multiple slices of cake. Instead permit yourself a reasonable serving of an indulgence, relish in the flavors, and do not, under any circumstance, regret the decision. By allowing yourself imperfection, you can prevent binge eating and maintain a balanced mindset. A healthy state of mind is crucial if you want to improve your well-being. So relax. Be easier on yourself, take care of your mind and body, and remember that the holidays should be spent making lasting memories with your loved ones, not over-analyzing food.

So take a deep breath, and face the holiday treats not with fear of falling for the temptations, but rather with enthusiasm to taste a lil' goodness, confident that your healthy lifestyle prevails against one night's desert choices. Happy Holidays my darlings; I'm sure it will be an amazing one. <3

Stop Eating Junk Food.

With regards to food, our society is in an interesting, mixed state. On one end, there's the health conscious foodies who buy everything organic and preservative free. On the other extreme are the ones who eat fast food, chips, cookies on a regular basis. And then, there's the rest of us, who maintain a balance between eating "okay" food and indulging. Granted, there is a correlation between a family's food choice and their economic status. Eating healthy is expensive, and not everyone can afford it. But many people who can afford to ditch the Doritos  simply choose not to. 

For a lot of Americans, exchanging a box of cookies for bananas will not break the bank. What is hard about switching to a cleaner diet is the willpower involved. Chocolate chip cookies are just damn delicious. When everyone around us is enjoying a snickers bar, cake, and chips, it can be hard not to be enticed. Then add the fast food advertisements of sizzling cheeseburgers, crunchy french fries, and creamy milkshakes....how can our society be healthy after all of that?

Despite the peer pressure and marketing ploys, I challenge you to go healthy. There is so much wholesome, nutritious food out there that will fulfill your appetite, energize your body, and brighten your complexion. Eating good will make you feel good. And once you switch to fresh fruits, veggies, whole grain, you won't even want to go back.

I was never a complete junk food freak, but I did enjoy a bag of chips and ice cream every so often. Recently, in an effort to improve my acne, I have abstained from all of that stuff and am instead eating fruit as snack. In addition to better skin, I actually feel a lot more refreshed and ready for the day. Now, the sugary processed stuff tastes too maudlin for my liking. If I'm in an extra "sweet snack" mood, I grab some dried figs...so deliciouss.

If you want to improve the quality of your life, eat healthier. What you put into your body manifests itself in more ways than one. That is why healthy eating is one of the main focuses on my blog. Instead of browsing through pinterest deserts, find some healthy food pictures and drool over them instead. For starters, here's some delicious and healthy eye candy for you :)

Acne Triggering Foods

The saying that "You are what you eat" is trite and exaggerated, but holds some truth. Today, we are targeting the effect of food on our skin, namely those wretched, stubborn inflammations called... acne. The effect of diet on our skin is an underrated topic, only recently gaining popularity. Granted, some people can eat whatever they want and still have perfect skin, just as how naturally thin people can consume junk food and not gain weight. Our genetics is an underlying factor in the conditions that we are susceptible to. If you are prone to acne, however, it could mean that imbalances in your body tend to manifest themselves on your skin.

I can go on and on about the mechanism behind the production of acne, and the blockage of our skin's sabaceous glands from excessive sebum production, etc. But to keep things simple and helpful, here are three types of food that can trigger acne. If you are suffering from pimples, try to limit your intake of them and see how your skin fares!

1.) Dairy: 
Dairy products contain growth hormones, glue dead skin cells at your pores, and cause an
insulin spike, all of which contribute to inflammation and sebum production. Various research has been conducted confirming the effect of dairy on acne. I used to be a huge dairy lover-- milk, ice cream, yogurt, cheese-- you name it. So I understand how hard it can be to cut down on dairy, but it's definitely possible. Just gradually lessen those foods, and find delicious replacements that make you feel equally fulfilled!

2.) Refined Carbs: (aka white wheat bread, white rice, really anything white and processed)
Refined carbs have a very high glycemic index and will spike your insulin levels. A scientific review in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology has shown that high glycemic food resulting in sudden insulin level spikes cause acne. So say goodbye to those french fries... hello to some hearty whole grains!

3.) Spicy Food:
There's no conclusive research that demonstrates why spicy food causes acne. However, many people do report more acne flare-ups after eating some Acne: The At your fingertips guide  believe that it is due to spicy foods raising your body's temperature, inflaming the skin, and thus worsening current acne conditions. Either way, try limiting your intake of spicy stuff and see how your skin fares.
red-hot-chili peppers, etc. Mitchell and Dudley, authors of

Remember to be patient when starting your journey to better skin. It will take some time for your current acne to heal and for your body to adjust to the changes. Also keep in mind that everyone's body is different. Foods that trigger acne for one person may not have the same effect on you. And lastly, food is a factor, but not the ONLY cause for acne. In order to see the best results, incorporate other lifestyle changes such as better sleep, exercise, and destress activities.

Like most things in life, acne elimination is a process that you CAN CONTROL. As long as you work for it and make certain sacrifices, you will see improvements in not only your skin, but also your whole well being. So don't give up! If you have any questions, or simply want someone to chat with, leave me a comment below or message me. We're in this together. <3