How in general could I improve my make up?

First of all everything depends on your face. The shape, the skin-tone, your eyes ect.

That being said, I there are a few thing that I find to be fitting to most people.

You want to compliment your face and it's figures when putting makeup on and that means no unnatural colors. Very rarely would I use actual colors.

First of all, clear skin! (to be honest, natural clear skin for me is like an eclipse. Whenever it happens there should be a lot of people looking at me and taking pictures, because this might not happen the next many years) 

BUT concealer and foundation goes a long way!

Next step is to use colors that could be natural for your skin. That means all shades of brown-ish colors, bronze and black and white
A very good platte is the naked palette

If it's to difficult to find or expensive (which I found it to be, to be honest), just get any palette in the same colors.

Then; Smokey eyes. Babies, I cannot stress this enough, smokey eyes are the best way to put on eye-shadow, because of the depth it creates. 

If you don't know how to do it. You can youtube it, and I promise you there will be many videos.
A youtube called Lauren, is very good make-up and also michelle phan (I think that that is how you spell it) as another person suggested.

When trying to do a smokey eyes it is important to remember that one must look at it as a sport. And had it been the picture over me would be an OL-campion, because girl, is it difficult!
Take your time and after 1000 tries (I've gone through it, trust me) you will be very pleased with the outcome.

Tone it up and down for dates and clubbing. If I want to feel use it in school I tend to only put a light brown in the crease of my eye and then put mascara on, just to create a light depth.

To create dept to the rest of your face use a bronzer. Which you can also find tutorials on, on youtube.

All of that being said, you are beautiful without make up.
"beauty is in the eye of the beholder," (don't remember who said it) And we must find the ones who she the most beautiful side of us, when we are the ugliest.

Hope I could help

Should young girls wear makeup?

I got Huge email about teen makeup Issue, and even from the moms. So I deiced to write this today. Just because cosmetic companies want to make money, it does not mean that someone should listen to them.
I used to have beauty products and used them in my teens. Later on, when I had a child and read a study that unsavory items in those cosmetics can trigger allergies in infants, I had to throw it all out when I had a newborn of my own. Better safe than sorry.

Application and removal of makeup - if done repeatedly - stretches out the delicate skin around the eyes causing early ageing and saggy skin, clogs the pores causing breakouts, and dries the skin causing early wrinkles (and look at that - those same cosmetic companies will helpfully offer high priced concoctions and creams to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and to lift the sagging skin.. oh.. how thoughtful! here, take my money again!)

 Big NO to young girls makeup wearing

Every girl can have makeup, but your age is an indication of the amount and type. To help you decide, refer to this suggested makeup age chart:

    10 and below - Concealer, lip gloss, a tiny bit of mascara (7-10 for mascara).

    11-14 - Eye primer, concealer, mascara, lip gloss or lipstick. A little bit of blush is fine! Some eyeliner couldn't hurt but do not wing it.

    15-17 - You can wear any makeup, just not a lot of it. When doing eyeliner, do not wing it. Do not use bold lipstick; it just looks wrong.

    18+ - You can do whatever you want. You are adults.

 

Top Tips for Teen

Spots are brought on not by eating any particular food or not washing your face, but by hormones, which make your skin oilier and the pores more likely to clog up.

 

If gentle cleansing and anti-spot lotions aren't helping clear them up, see your GP.

Wear sunscreen every day. Choose a moisturiser with SPF and UVA protection and you are sorted. A good one to try is Eau Thermale Avene SPF20 Moderate Protection Emulsion, which is light, non-greasy and good on combination skin. £9.74 at Boots.

 

Don't be scared of make-up. Experiment with it at home to see what suits you, or try free make-overs in department stores. Always remove make-up at the end of the day. It's kinder to your face.

On the other hand, there's no rule that says you have to wear make-up, ever. Men, and boys, always say they prefer women and girls to look natural, rather than made-up.

What are the basics of applying make-up?

The first thing to remember is to apply all the moisturizers before you apply make up. So, first thing's first, apply a thin moisturizer that way your foundation and primer will go on easier. (Have you ever tried to apply foundation to a dry face? Not easy and not pretty at all.) Next, apply a primer with a sunscreen, even in the winter. The primer helps the make up last longer in the day and protects your skin from the foundation. Next, you put on the foundation and then the concealer.

 Applying Basic Makeup makes you Beauty

Depending on the look you want to achieve, the base always starts with a clean face followed by moisturizer. If you're using BB cream, you can skip that. There are also moisturizers enriched with SPF so you can skip the sunscreen if you like. What I did before was apply my sunblock before my foundation. For summer, don't put on too much because sweat and dirt can block pores. Try a water-based lightweight moisturizer, liquid foundation, then dust a bit of loose powder to help set your look. For winter, choose special moisturizers with triple hydration plus liquid foundation. Because skin tends to be dry during this season, you can skip the powder and simply go for a highlighter or bronzer. Dust on your cheeks and a bit on the forehead to catch the light and achieve a dewy glow.

This is what I normally do,  Here is my very own and personal opinion on Basic Makeup

• If you have any topical medications be sure to apply these to freshly cleansed skin before anything else
• Serum
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen (or simply use a moisturizer that has sun protection in it)
• Let all of that soak in for a bit, then use a primer
• Foundation + concealer
• Powder to set #5
• Eye-shadow (optional, but for long-wearing, be sure to use an eye primer)
• Liner (optional)
• Mascara
• Fill in brows (optional)
• Bronzer/contour
• Blush (sometimes I skip)
• Highlighter and blend overall cheek area (optional)
• Lip gloss, or lipstick (sometimes I skip and use a balm)

 

Natural Acne Treatment With Homemade Facial Masks

Acne products don’t have to hurt your pockets or break your budget. There are actually acne remedies that are cheap and so familiar you’re likely to find them in your pantry or fridge . While they may seem unlikely products for acne relief, these items are packed with skin-friendly compounds that help banish unsightly pimples and blemishes. Here are four of the simplest yet most effective home remedies against acne:

Home Remedy # 1: Honey

Honey is a powerful natural antiseptic. Its acidity, viscosity, and the presence of the compounds methylglyoxal and glucose oxidase (an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide) makes honey kill acne-causing bacteria.. It can even kill the bacteria that cause acne.

Home Remedy #2: Pumpkin

Pumpkin is an excellent source of the skin vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin A is a powerful anti-acne vitamin. You can blend pumpkin to a paste and use it as a facial mask or just add more of the vegetable to your diet for clearer, healthier skin.

Home Remedy #3: Oats

Oats are another great home remedy against acne . It contains compounds called saponins that help remove stubborn dirt as well as absorb excess oil from your skin. It is also rich in antioxidants that help protect and repair the skin. It even hasanti-inflammatory properties that help diminish the redness and swelling in acne as well as counter irritation. You can mix oats with your honey or pumpkin mask for added exfoliation or just mix oats with water until it forms a paste and slather on the face .

Home Remedy #4: Yogurt

Yogurt is not just a healthy snack – it is very good for the skin too . It contains an alpha hydroxyl acid (also known as AHA – you may have read this on the labels of some acne products) that not only helps exfoliate and promote healthy skin growth but also helps kill acne-causing bacteria . Yogurt also has zinc and vitamin B, nutrients that are essential for maintaining healthy, clear skin. These also help tighten pores and improve the overall texture of the skin. To make the most of the acne-fighting properties of yogurt, you can use the plain variety as a facial mask and eat the flavored ones during snack time.

Natural Acne Cures That Work

Are you looking for natural acne cures that really work?

Here is a list that will take a lot of the guesswork out of acne remedies:

First, make sure you drink plenty of water. By drinking plenty of water, you are flushing impurities out of your body that can come through your skin. You should drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water per day.

Sleeping well is amongst the supplemental home remedies for acne. This means that you need sleep amongst other things to keep acne at bay. Sleep has an influence on stress and on hormones. Being that both stress and hormones can have an effect on acne, sleep is essential.

A healthy diet that consists of plenty fruits and vegetables provides you with the vitamins and minerals that you need for healthy skin. Acne remedies are all about restoring balance and a good diet can do that for you. Green vegetables in particular keep your skin glowing.

Exercise also has an influence on acne. Again, balance is restored within your body so that it can behave and heal itself the way that it is supposed to.

When cleaning your face, one of the best known acne remedies is to simply use water and then apply a little olive oil. Olive oil acts like a natural antiseptic against bacteria while also retaining necessary moisture.
You can always make a trip to the drug store for over-the-counter products, but keep in mind that your face can become uncomfortably dry and irritated. There are risks. You can also look for natural products that have fewer or no synthetic ingredients that can lead to irritation.

These simple methods will work for you, but they are more than just remedies, but lifestyle changes that you must make. By changing your lifestyle, you are not only helping in ridding yourself or acne, but you are making lifestyle changes that will benefit your overall health.

So before running straight for the over-the-counter acne remedies that contain harsh chemicals and the possibility of harsh side effects, try the above natural acne cures to see what kind of difference you can make. This beats using the creams, acne pads, and face washes because your skin could become overly dry and irritated, leading to extreme discomfort and even more embarrassment. Not only would you have to worry about your acne, but about obvious irritation and dryness as well. So try home remedies for acne and see the improvement, but know that not even the most expensive professional treatments work overnight or even within a few days.

How to Be a Good Girlfriend

Getting a boyfriend is a great feeling for any girl. Keeping him and treating him right will ensure that your relationship stays on track. Being a good girlfriend is great for your boyfriend and your relationship. An added bonus is if you treat him right he is more than likely to return the favor and you will both be walking on cloud nine.

Tips for Being a Good Girlfriend

Here are a few creative tips for being a good girlfriend.

Be Romantic: A guy loves nothing more than his girlfriend to surprise him with a romantic gesture. Traditionally it was the mans job to be romantic but times have definitely changed in that respect. Treat your boyfriend to a romantic surprise such as a mini break, romantic meal or love poem. Your romantic gesture isn’t measured by the money spent, it is measured by the thought and effort made. Your boyfriend will really appreciate it if you go the extra mile and really think outside the box with your romantic gesture.

Be Honest: Trust and relationships are built on honesty. Lying to your boyfriend is only going to cause problems in the long run. Making small lies that you feel aren’t a big deal can end up causing long term issues between you as he might question other things you have said to him. Be honest with him and remember, it only takes one lie to ruin a relationship and to lose all that trust you have spent months to develop. Even if you have done something you regret, telling him is far better than him finding out on his own.

Show an interest in him: Men and Women are very different from one another. You won’t be interested in everything he is interested in but at least try to understand why it matters to him. By showing you care about these things he cares about you will build trust and respect. A relationship where neither party make an effort to understand the things that matter to the other, is one that is doomed to fail.


Be Sexy: Men are attracted to sexy women who aren’t afraid to seduce them. You don’t constantly have to act sexy but doing it every now and then will keep your man extremely interested. Men love a sexy, confident, powerful woman who isn’t afraid to get what they want. If you demonstrate these qualities every now and then you will have him gagging for more.

Keep it slow: There is nothing worse than someone who wants too much too soon. When you are first getting to know your boyfriend just hold back a little. If you try and move things too fast you might scare him off. Even if you want to make a huge gesture, it’s best just to hold back at the beginning. Gradually let him know how you feel and see what he offers in return. Hopefully he will feel the same and eventually you can show him exactly what he means to you.

Keep strong communication: To build a relationship you need to communicate regularly. This may sound obvious but many couples fail to do this. Communicating means you need to listen to what is going on with your partner. Pay attention to his needs, worries and passions. By communicating with him you can talk over any concerns he might have before they develop into something insurmountable. Letting these concerns bottle up will achieve nothing other than destroy your relationship in the long run.

Being reliable: While small surprises are always good in a relationship, the majority of people will want to be with someone who is reliable. This means that you shouldn’t be constantly cancelling dates or commitments you have made with your partner. Your boyfriend should be able to rely on you to be there for him when he needs you. This builds up trust and makes your much more special in his eyes.

Don’t Nag Him: One of the worst stereotypes of a woman is the nagger. Make sure you don’t fall into this category. If you have any issues bring them up without making him feel like you are being overly negative. If he continues to irritate you then bring it up again but still without nagging. Always keep a positive attitude when talking to your boyfriend. If he decides to keep doing what you have brought up then you need to decide whether or not this is a big problem for you. If it is you might want to pick a fight to try and rectify the situation. Whatever you do don’t continuously go on about the same thing over and over. Give him a chance to address the issue and if he doesn’t then be honest about how unhappy you are about it.

Be Yourself: A boyfriend wants to fall in love with the real you. It can sometimes be hard to be yourself with your boyfriend straight away so ease into it slowly. If he doesn’t like what he sees that is his problem. Your boyfriend should love you for who you are and not what he wants you to be. Everyone puts up a front when they first meet someone and it may take time before you feel comfortable enough to show your true colours. However, eventually this will come and, if not, then it is probably not a relationship with any real future. Don’t feel like you have to change to suit his needs. If he feels you are being yourself around him, you will probably also get to know the real him.


Are your girlfriend skills up to snuff? Find out fast - before you get dumped without knowing why!

Getting a boyfriend is a great feeling for any girl. Keeping him and treating him right will ensure that your relationship stays on track. Being a good girlfriend is great for your boyfriend and your relationship. An added bonus is if you treat him right he is more than likely to return the favour and you will both be walking on cloud nine.

Tips for Being a Good Girlfriend

Here are a few creative tips for being a good girlfriend.
- See more at: http://www.lifeguides.net/relationships/good-girlfriend/#sthash.hGMJ7fd7.dpuf

Getting a boyfriend is a great feeling for any girl. Keeping him and treating him right will ensure that your relationship stays on track. Being a good girlfriend is great for your boyfriend and your relationship. An added bonus is if you treat him right he is more than likely to return the favour and you will both be walking on cloud nine.

Tips for Being a Good Girlfriend

Here are a few creative tips for being a good girlfriend.
- See more at: http://www.lifeguides.net/relationships/good-girlfriend/#sthash.hGMJ7fd7.dpuf

How to do Tamil Bridal Makeup

India is a diversified country with various cultures and rich heritage. The lifestyle and wedding styles followed by all the cultures are different. As we all know the Tamil community’s believes in simple living which is very well reflected in the marriage rituals they follow. The Tamil bride generally wears a bright coloured sari with jari border. The colours opted by them are bright and vibrant like red, green, yellow etc.  The eyes are highlighted the most keeping the rest simple. The brides are generally laded with gold jewellery along with waist lock- an ornament worn around the waist. It’s the signature mark of all the Tamil brides.

So here is a small tutorial which will teach you how to do Tamil bride makeup.

How to do Tamil bridal makeup:

THINGS REQUIRED:

• Face-wash
•  A good moisturizer
• Concealer
• Eye shadow
• Eye liner
• Lipstick
• Compact powder/ loose powder
• Primer
• Lip balm
• Mascara
• Kajal
• Lip gloss
• Lip liner
• Jasmine flowers

Step 1: Cleanup
A good facewash should be used to cleanse away the impurities and dirt from the face. Pat your face dry with a towel. Follow it by a good toner.

Step 2: Moisturising

Apply a good moisturizer according to the skin type so that the skin is hydrated and there are no rough patches.

Step 3: Primer
A primer should be applied to the base for the makeup to stay for longer hours.

Step 4: Concealer
A good branded concealer should be applied to hide dark patches and imperfections. It should be applied around the eye, blemishes etc.

Step 5: Foundation
One should be very careful while choosing a good branded foundation. It should go with your skin tone. Generally one should take a tone higher than the skin color.
Foundation should be applied in dots in a circular motion. One can use rosewater in order to blend the foundation with the skin.

Step 6: Eye makeup

Eye shadow:
A golden shimmery or copper shimmery eye shadow should be chosen. A paler color should be chosen for the areas near the vicinity of eyebrows. Use an eye shadow brush to blend it well. One line of the eye shadow should also be applied to the lower lid.

Eye liner:
A medium thick eye liner should be applied.

Kajal:
A medium thick line of kajal should be applied. A waterproof and smudge-proof kajal should be chosen.

Mascara:
Two coats of good curling mascara should be applied.

Step 7: Blush
Natural blush shade with glitter should be chosen. Apply it to the cheekbones to highlight it well.

Step 8: Loose powder/ pressed powder
Apply a little of a loose powder or pressed powder. Make sure you don’t apply it too much. Just dab a bit.

Step 9: Lipstick
Before applying a lipstick one must apply a good lip balm to keep your lips soft and hydrated. Lipliner should be applied. One should go for a subtle shade. Red or coral shades should be worn. Apply the lipstick using a lipstick brush. Gloss is optional. Use a blotting paper in order to remove the excess lipstick.
Apply a coat of loose powder and then dab it with a blotting paper for the lipstick to last long.

Step 10: Bindi
A small shiny bindi is worn by a Tamil bride.

Step 11:  Jasmine flowers
The hair should be plaited traditionally and decorated with a bunch of jasmine garlands.

Finally the look is complete to steal million hearts.
Use these tips for the makeup that get the gorgeous look on a day which is a onetime affair in women’s life. The hair should be gathered and plaited traditionally and adorned with jasmine flowers to give that elegant look.

How to do Bengali Bridal Makeup?

Bengali weddings are known in India for its calm, serene and tranquil nature. Bright and bold colours, Glitters are a big yes when it comes to dress up a Bengali bride. Bengali women are bestowed with very sharp features and these features are very well highlighted as Bengalis are very artistic by nature. The saris worn by them are of red color embedded with a lot of golden jari work. ‘Red’ is a must color while dressing the Bengali brides. The makeup of the bride is very vibrant, dazzling and sparkling and they are generally laded with lots of gold.

So here is a small tutorial which will teach you how to do Bengali bride makeup.

How to do Bengali bridal makeup:

THINGS REQUIRED:
1) Facewash2) A good moisturizer3) Concealer4) Eye shadow5) Eye liner6) Lipstick7) Compact powder/ loose powder8) Primer9) Lip balm10) Mascara11) Kajal12) Lip gloss13) Lip liner14) False eyelashes15) Eye brow pencil16) Eco friendly red and white paint.17) Tooth picks or ear bud.

Cleanup:
A good face wash should be used to cleanse away the impurities and dirt from the face. Pat your face dry with a towel. Follow it by a good toner.

Moisturising:
Apply a good moisturizer according to the skin type so that the skin is hydrated and there are no rough patches.

Primer:
A primer should be applied to the base for the makeup to stay for longer hours.

Concealer:
A good branded concealer should be applied to hide dark patches and imperfections. It should be applied around the eye, blemishes etc.

Foundation:
One should be very careful while choosing a good branded foundation. It should go with your skin tone. Generally one should take a tone higher than the skin color.
Foundation should be applied in dots in a circular motion. One can use rosewater in order to blend the foundation with the skin.

Eye makeup:
It should be handled carefully to give a nice sparkling look to the eye.

Eye shadow:
A vibrant coral eye shadow or shades of gold and red should be chosen. If two shades are used it should be blended well using a good makeup brush. Two lines of the eye shadow should also be applied to the brow bone to lift the look of the eye.

Eye liner:
A thick eye liner should be applied. Wing it outwards to give it artistic look.

Kajal:
A thick line of kajal should be applied. Kajal should be applied in a way that it defines the eye. A waterproof and smudge-proof kajal should be chosen.
False eyelashes: Generally Bengali brides are blessed with thick eyelashes but don’t worry if you don’t have one. You can always use false eyelashes to accentuate your eye.

Mascara:
Two to three coats of good curling mascara should be applied.

Blush:
Red blush should be chosen. Try avoiding glittery blush as the eye makeup is already heavy. Apply it to the cheekbones to highlight it well.

Loose powder/ pressed powder:
Apply a little of a loose powder or pressed powder. Make sure you don’t apply it too much. Just dab a bit.

Lipstick:
Before applying a lipstick one must apply a good lip balm to keep your lips soft and hydrated. Lipliner should be applied. One should go for a vibrant red color or shades of red. Apply the lipstick using a lipstick brush. Gloss is optional. Use a blotting paper in order to remove the excess lipstick.
Apply a coat of loose powder and then dab it with a blotting paper for the lipstick to last long.

Motifs:
This feature is very unique to Bengali brides. Bengali brides have red and white alternate motifs on their forehead. You can see the picture to understand it well.
It can just be as simple as circular red and white dots or a particular pattern can also be followed. It is like a signature makeup style. Eco friendly paints can be chosen. Tooth picks or ear bud can be used to draw it perfectly.

Bindi:
The look should be completed with a big red bindi which is quintessential for a Bengali bride.
The golden red sari should be worn in a traditional and unique style. A good hairstyle, a bun preferably should also be chosen to match up with the makeup and attire. Use these tips for the special makeup that get the gorgeous, glittery look which can steal million hearts especially the bridegroom.

Bridal Eye Makeup Tips

Bridal eye makeup is more than just about shadow and liner-it starts from a good foundation, like the whole bridal look itself.

For longer lasting makeup, and a clear canvas, foundation or ideally eye makeup primer should be applied to the whole of the lid-this will give something for the shadows and liner to stick to, and give extra lasting power. Airbrushing a base for the eyes is another great way to get a flawless base-in fact airbrushing the entire foundation for bridal makeup is highly recommended.

Bridal makeup is all about looking good in the flesh, and in photographs. For the photographs, the application of makeup needs to be heavier than normal, but this doesn't have to mean looking overdone. There are three main area that need extra attention-the brow bone, middle lid, and inner corner of the eye-these are the areas that need to catch the light, and if done correctly, will make eyes look defined, multi-dimensional and shining in pictures, and of course in the flesh.

Brow
Choose a highlight color that is reflective, but not glittery-a good pearl white or cream is perfect (white for gray/back shadow, cream for browns/taupes). The highlight doesn't need to go along the whole brow bone, it just needs to go in the area directly below the arch of the brow-this will draw the light to that area, making the brows look more defined, and giving the face dimension.

Middle Lid
After applying the eye makeup look, take some of the same highlight color as used on the brow bone and dab it into the center of the eyelid. This will not be totally visible to the eye, but the reflective pearlescent particles will catch the light in a photo and make the eyes look wider and brighter.

Inner Corner
Using the same highlight color again, dab it into the inner corner of the eye, over the tear duct. This can be blended a little along the bottom lash line as well. This touch adds brightness to the look, and gives a fresh feeling to the eyes. In photographs this will also counter any tendency for eyes to disappear into a dimensionless shape, as the points of reflective material at the three key areas will catch the light and bring the eyes alive.

False Lashes
Although a full set of lashes doesn't appeal to everyone, having some additional 'oomph' in the lash department is essential for a formal bridal eye makeup look. If you can't do at a full set, then a couple of well-placed individual lashes as the outer corner of the eye will widen and give a more dramatic make-up look.

If these points are taken into consideration, then bridal eye makeup can really be the centerpiece of the bridal look-creating not only a beautiful bride in the flesh, but a beautiful bride in the flash-and seeing as though you will be looking at the pictures for years to come, both are equally important.

101 Amazing Things to Do with Your Husband

Doing something with husband is really so loving and fun, I always enjoy to do anything with him. I have complied a list of 101 things to do with your husband. Not all of them apply to me and my husband, but as I got going… I couldn’t stop! I had to much fun creating 101 Things to do with your Husband!

So – without further adieu… 
 Before you read,

Ask yourself; Do I really Love my Husband?

1. Bike ride – around the block or out and about! 
2. Cook together – each taking turns with parts of the recipe
3. Go to the gym together – I love looking at Matt across the gym, something very comforting about it
4. Playing croquet – one of my all-time favorite games to play in the backyard
5. Match socks together – believe it or not, this can be nice to just sit and chat while doing this mindless chore. 
6. Plant a garden – my husband’s favorite and dream
7. Go see a play at a local theatre
8. Paint a room in your house that you’ve been meaning to re-do
9. Shopping for something new for you and for him
10. Scrabble
11. Head to a vineyard
12. Long walk around the block – even with the kids
13. Picnic on the beach
14. When the kids are in bed, steal the Wii
15. A game of tennis
16. Put together a puzzle
17. Read a book together – I know… I know… but it can be romantic
18. Put together photo albums of your family
19. Sit outside and watch the sunset
20. Cooking class together
21. Yoga
22. Head to a coffeeshop and chill out
23. Day trip to a special location nearby – for us it would be Newport or Cape Cod
24. Find a band you both like and see if they’re playing anytime soon or nearby. If not, head to a local bar who plays music.
25. Dancing lessons
26. Baseball game together – Major or Minor league
27. Check out a local brewery
28. Bowling!
29. House hunting
30. Head to the zoo (you don’t always have to be with the kids!)
31. Fishing – something my husband loves trying to get me to do
32. Canoe ride
33. Roller blading – we used to do this all the time!
34. Create a vegetable garden – something we just did at our home
35. Learn how to play Call of Duty on XBOX
36. Couple massages
37. Run a 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, marathon together
38. Volunteer together somewhere special
39. Create videos for your blog together – if you’re a blogger! 
40. Whale watching
41. Mini golfing
42. Real golfing
43. Play basketball together (or teach her how to play)
44. Head to the beach and collect sea glass or shells
45. Monopoly
46. Recreate your very first date
47. Dance in the kitchen when the kids are in bed
48. Head to a flea market
49. Sit by the fire
50. Go camping (Matt would have to pay me)
51. Learn to play an instrument together
52. Play frisbee
53. Redo your bedroom together – new sheets, new arrangement of furniture, hang photos, etc
54. When it’s raining, run outside and kiss in the rain!
55. Free movies in the park
56. Walk around the mall hand in hand
57. Have a fondue night
58. Kayaking
59. Make chocolate chip cookies from scratch together
60. Head to the batting cages
61. Go-cart racing!
62. Head out on a boat ride
63. Head to a car dealer and test drive cars you’ve been dying to check out for you and your family
64. Strawberry/Blueberry/Apple picking – depending on the season
65. Movie night outside on an old school projector
66. Sit and watch your wedding video together
67. Make a family tree
68. Spend the night at a local B&B
69. Go hiking
70. Head to a local museum
71. Fitness class together
72. Make your own sundaes
73. Go ice skating
74. Find a place where you can do a dinner boat or a dinner train!
75. Make your own sushi
76. Lay in your backyard and look up at the stars
77. Go horseback riding
78. Find a local art exhibit
79. Swim in the ocean
80. If you have a hot tub, jump in!
81. Head to an amusement park
82. Go zip-lining!
83. Create something for your kids and surprise them – blanket fort, pillow fortress, LEGO cave, etc!
84. Make a cake
85. Dress up all fancy and head out to dinner, it doesn’t matter if it’s just for the fun of it
86. Create a vision board of goals and dreams you both have for your lives ahead
87. Clean out and organize the garage, your basement or your attic
88. Go to church together
89. Make breakfast and eat it in bed
90. Plant a tree
91. Create a special space outdoors for the summer
92. Go to a planetarium
93. Watch a fireworks display
94. Take a bubble bath together
95. Create a scavenger hunt for each other of clues that only the 2 of you would know and understand
96. Visit a local animal shelter if you’re looking to adopt a new pet
97. Take a karate class
98. Whitewater rafting
99. Head to the casino
100. Make breakfast together in the morning 
101. Head to a water park

 So enjoy the happy married life!
Stay Loving!!

Regards
Cattelya Angel

Ways to Get Whiter Teeth

Get white bright teeth and give yourself something to smile about

If you've toyed with the idea of whitening your teeth but haven't actually done the deed, consider this: "Since teeth naturally yellow as we age, whitening them will automatically make you look younger," says Kim Harms, D.D.S., a practicing dentist and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. What's more, a 2008 Columbia University study found that women with healthier-looking teeth earn more than those with less sparkling grins. Do you need any more reasons to get whiter teeth?
How whiteners work
All bleaching methods use peroxide--whether in gel, strip, or liquid form--to dissolve surface stains to whiten teeth, explains Debra Glassman, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Teeth surfaces are made up of thousands of tiny dentinal tubules--hollow structures stacked horizontally, like thin straws. They're extremely porous and ab­sorb pigments from food and drink. (Anything that can stain a white T-shirt can discolor your teeth, Glassman says.) Peroxide bubbles into the tubules and lightens those pigments.

Before you bleach
A first-timer should always consult her dentist before trying any tooth whitener, even an over-the-counter product, because not all teeth react to whitening the same way. Some types of dental work (like caps, crowns, and veneers) don't take to lightening because peroxide can't penetrate them. Stains caused by antibiotics, like tetracycline, are also tricky, because they can occur in the layers inside the tooth, which brighteners can't reach. Your dentist will be able to advise you about the best method for you.

If you go to a pro
The whitening agents dentists use are up to three times more powerful than at-home versions, so you'll see results faster than if you go solo. If you're looking for a dramatic, fast solution, consider power whitening: First, a protective rubber guard or barrier gel is placed over your gums to help avoid possible sensitivity to peroxide. Then the teeth are coated with a bleaching agent and a light is aimed at them to activate the ingredients. The procedure takes about an hour, and costs $500 to $700.
A cheaper (but slower) option: Your dentist can custom-fit you with plastic dental trays, kind of like retainers, which you fill with a peroxide gel and wear at home. You could see brighter teeth within a few days, though some people need up to four weeks to see results. Oh yeah, and it'll cost you $250 to $400.
No-tech tricks
If you'd rather pass on the peroxide, check out these other options to whiten your smile
Bring on the baking soda
The refrigerator deodorizer also removes discoloration on your teeth. The abrasive particles polish the surface while a chemical reaction between baking soda and water lightens stains, says Jonathan B. Levine, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. (Warning: You can damage your enamel with the scrubbing, so don't do it more than once a week.) Just dip your toothbrush in the soda, or simply switch to a toothpaste that contains baking soda.
Feel the crunch
"Foods that are high in cellulose--a strong starchlike compound found in celery, carrots, and apples--act as natural abrasives, cleansing teeth and removing surface stains naturally," says Jeff Golub-Evans, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. And greens such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce contain mineral compounds that form a film over the teeth, so pigments from other foods can't stain.
Be a little shady
Want to make your teeth look fashionably white--without the work? "Stick with blue-based red and pink lipsticks or clothes in dark colors," says Pia Lieb, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Warm colors (yellow, orange, brown, warm shades of red) worn close to your mouth will only bring out the yellow in your teeth.

Lets be careful about Dental Issue

One thing I've had to battle with since I was really young is my gums. I wont get into way too much details but lets just say they are not the strongest. When my dentist told me that a few years back I had terrible nightmares of my teeth falling out before I was 30. This was all made up in my head because the dentist had said nothing remotely close to it. He only asked me to be extra thorough with teeth cleaning and maintainance.

 

Since teeth is a topic close to my heart ( or is it mouth ?) I decided to share these tips on Dental Hygiene by Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans with y'all ! Hopefully we can all take away something from this.

TRUST YOUR TOOTHPASTE.

Opt for a toothpaste with the ADA seal. This seal guarantees that the toothpaste will help stave off tooth decay and gum disease.

FOCUS ON FLOSSING.

Dental floss is great for removing tiny food particles and plaque between teeth, where bristles can’t reach. Floss daily, but always immediately after meals that involve sticky foods.

REACH FOR THE RINSE.

Antimicrobial mouth rinses can help reduce bacteria in the mouth, while also working to fight gum disease. Look for the non-alcohol variety, as alcohol can actually dry out the gums, causing irritation. Alcohol also deposits pigment onto teeth, which can inhibit the whitening process.

CLEAN IN BETWEEN.

If you’re on the go without a breath mint or mouth wash, swish water around in your mouth for 30 seconds; even this minor effort helps remove bacteria from the mouth, while helping to ward off stains until your next brushing.

GUILTLESS INDULGENCE.

Chocolate may keep cavities at bay: While chocolate does contain sugar, it also contains good-for-you ingredients that help prevent tooth decay. In fact, the cocoa bean husk has an anti-bacterial effect on the mouth and can fight effectively against plaque and other damaging agents.

Who Has Been Good All Along ?

Have you been doing all this ? I haven't . Not exactly.


I use a mouth wash with alcohol. I have tried non alcoholic ones in the past and love not having to feel the burn but without the burn I feel like its not working. I am willing to go back to non alcoholic ones. Something about depositing pigment on my teeth is scaring the hell out of me. May be coz my mouth wash is purple in color.


Also I haven't been eating any cocoa bean husks. And I don't like white chocolate. But what do is I carry sugar free minty chewing gum with me all the time. I buy it in bulk and stash it everywhere and in every bag. And I carry water with me at all times. Apart from just drinking water for good health, it also helps with the teeth !

Indian Bridal Makeup Tips - Easy & Fast Beauty Glow

When chirpy reader Annie wrote to me asking for some advice on her makeup for her upcoming wedding, I was beyond thrilled to share what I knew with her. Now, I am not married yet, but many of my friends have been and I have learned a lot from their wedding makeup woes. This is what I wrote to Annie...I hope it helps other brides to be.

When you read it you will notice that I talk about humidity a lot, that because I have tried to aim this for brides getting married in summer / rainy season in India. Again, all this is just my opinion, something that I think I would do if I were to get married. Please feel free to share your tips and tricks to help other brides look their best on one of the most important days of their lives.



Before you start applying makeup run an ice cube all over your exfoliated face and neck. It helps with the pores, makes you feel fresh.

Invest in a great concealer and an under eye brightener. I personally think a great concealer is much more important than foundation.
Rec: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, MAC Moisture cover / Studio Fix, Stila Perfecting / Illuminating concealer, Bobbi brown Corrector , Cream Concealer, Conceal FX by Cover FX.

You never know when you might end up getting the dreaded pimple on your face. So keep a concealer, spot acne treatment handy to combat that acne. Don't let that tiny spot ruin your perfect face. Slather some acne treatment, concealer and hide it .

Use mattifying full coverage foundation.
Rec: Cargo / Cargo Blue Ray / Make up forever High Def Makeup/ Cinema Secrets Foundation / MAC Studio Fix / Cover FX

Use MAC Strobe Cream / Clinique Uplighting Liquid Illuminator under your foundation. Alternatively you could also mix it with your foundation and apply all your face and neck. An alternate to it would be the
It gives a glowing effect without looking shiny / shimmery apart from moisturizing your face.

Use a primer before applying makeup. This provides a great base for even application of makeup.
Rec : SKINN Orchid Mattefying Gel, Prescriptives Primer

Keep some oil absorbing sheets and translucent powder, brush handy...just in case the oil glands act up.
Rec: Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, Boscia Oil Absorbing Sheets

If you are going to be changing into multiple sarees/ lehengas through the ceremony, go for a look that compliments most outfits. Use golds, copper,bronze,browns with a lil bit of reds, pinks,greens coz most wedding outfits revolve around these colors.I have some looks on my blog with coppers, bronze n golds.I will make more over time :)

Do not forget to use a primer on your eyes.
Rec: Makeupforever Eye Primer / Urban Decay Primer Potion



Glow is the key word here - not shimmery, not shiny and definitely not plain matte. So, get a highlighter to highlight your cheeks, bridge of your nose, forehead and chin. This should give you the glow you yearn for :)

Rec: NARS Albatross, Prescriptives Warm Dark Highlighter, Stila all over shimmer powder, LORAC perfectly lit powder in Spotlight

If you want to contour your face, use a matte blush in a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone to do the job for you. Remember the "3" step? If not, check it out here

Invest in good skin care. Try brightening, rejuvenating serums and creams. Use good under eye treatments.Get some facial masks which condition your skin and try using them weekly once or twice(as advised). That being said, do not make any drastic changes in your skin care routine days before the wedding. If your skin has been behaving good, just stick to those products.
Rec: Shiseido UV Whitening Massage Cream, Clinique Total Turnaround Visible Skin Renewer, Clinique Brightening cream.

Good hair products to keep your hair in place. Tame those fly aways, so they don't take the attention away form any jewellery you use on your hair.
Rec: Ellen Lavar Instant Shine Mist

Use a gentle lip plumping cream/gloss/lipstick.
They fill in the lines on your lips giving a more full appearance. Apart from this your lips will look great in pictures because any shimmery/shiny gloss reflects better on a smooth surface.
Rec: Sally Hansen Gentle Lip Plumping gloss, Lip Fusion Lip Plumping Gloss

Use a Lip primer underneath your lipstick prolonged wear. You can also layer your lipstick so it doesn't fade away easily.
Rec: Sally Hansen Prep and Perfect Lip Care

Complete the look by spraying on a Finishing spray. You can alternatively also spray on some cold water using a spraying bottle. This adds additional hydration - the key to great skin.
Rec: MAC Fix plus, Amore Pacific Face Mist

Use a waterproof mascara. There will a lot of humidity and there will be tears...so don't take chances with a normal mascara.
Rec: Clinique Lash Power Mascara.

Use false lashes only if you are comfortable with them. If not stick with good ol mascara to open up your eyes.

Brows!! Do not use black color to fill in the brows. Use a matte brown shade or a taupe shade to fill in your brows. Use a powder instead of a pencil for a more natural finish. You can also tame them with a brow gel. Remember to highlight your brow bone. It makes your arch look better and more defined.
Rec: Anastasia brow kit.

Depending on your dress you can choose if you want to apply body makeup. I would advice against it...keeping in mind the humidity, the fire (if a Hindu wedding). Dont forget to use a moisturizer, you want want ashy elbows and feet. Alternatively you could go for a shimmery moisturizer so it adds a healthy glow to your body.
Rec: MAC Strobe Liquid / Clinique Uplighting Liquid Illuminator

Try on your look for the day plenty of times before the actual day. This will give you opportunities to correct any mistakes/ find better ways of applying a certain product and just experiment in general to achieve the perfect look. Take pictures under various light, with flash, without flash etc so you know the make up looks good under any kinda lights. Some makeup products look great in day light but leave a white caste in pictures, beware of those.

Make a list of the products and the order in which you used them in your trials. You can never miss anything with a list in hand. I am sure you will have a lotta things on your mind that day. That is why you need a list telling you what goes where n when. Besides, if you are using a makeup artist this list will help him/her give you the look you want.

Lastly, you will get lots of advice from lots of people on how they think you should look...but in the end, its your wedding and you are the one to decide what you want to look like on your day. So, listen to everything that everyone has to say...but do what you think is best for you. Because, no one understands your skin or you hair more than you !
Brides, do let me know if this helped you. I sincerely hope it did!! You can always leave a comment below if you have any other questions.

Stay Beautiful and Gorgeous!!

40 Easy Tips on How to Lose Weight Fast

You know the drill when it comes to losing weight: take in fewer calories, burn more calories. But you also know that most diets and quick weight-loss plans don't work as promised. If you're trying to drop a few pounds fast, these expert tips will make it easy for you to lose the weight quickly.

1. Write down what you eat for one week and you will lose weight. Studies found that people who keep food diaries wind up eating about 15 percent less food than those who don’t. Watch out for weekends: A University of North Carolina study found people tend to consume an extra 115 calories per weekend day, primarily from alcohol and fat. Then cut out or down calories from spreads, dressings, sauces, condiments, drinks, and snacks; they could make the difference between weight gain and loss.

2. Add 10 percent to the amount of daily calories you think you’re eating. If you think you’re consuming 1,700 calories a day and don’t understand why you’re not losing weight, add another 170 calories to your guesstimate. Chances are, the new number is more accurate. Adjust your eating habits accordingly.

3. Get an online weight loss buddy to lose more weight. A University of Vermont study found that online weight-loss buddies help you keep the weight off. The researchers followed volunteers for 18 months. Those assigned to an Internet-based weight maintenance program sustained their weight loss better than those who met face-to-face in a support group.

4. Get a mantra.
You’ve heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? If you keep focusing on things you can’t do, like resisting junk food or getting out the door for a daily walk, chances are you won’t do them. Instead (whether you believe it or not) repeat positive thoughts to yourself. “I can lose weight.” “I will get out for my walk today.” “I know I can resist the pastry cart after dinner.” Repeat these phrases and before too long, they will become true for you.

Geber86/iStock

5. After breakfast, stick to water.
At breakfast, go ahead and drink orange juice. But throughout the rest of the day, focus on water instead of juice or soda. The average American consumes an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That’s nearly 90,000 calories a year—or 25 pounds! And research shows that despite the calories, sugary drinks don’t trigger a sense of fullness the way that food does.

6. Eat three fewer bites of your meal,
one less treat a day, or one less glass of orange juice. Doing any of these can save you about 100 calories a day, and that alone is enough to prevent you from gaining the two pounds most people mindlessly pack on each year.

7. Watch one less hour of TV.
A study of 76 undergraduate students found the more they watched television, the more often they ate and the more they ate overall. Sacrifice one program (there’s probably one you don’t really want to watch anyway) and go for a walk instead.

8. Wash something thoroughly once a week.
Whether that’s a floor, a couple of windows, the shower stall, bathroom tile, or your car, a 150-pound person will burn about four calories for every minute spent cleaning. Scrub for 30 minutes and you could work off approximately 120 calories, the same number in a half-cup of vanilla frozen yogurt.

9. Wait until your stomach rumbles before you reach for food.
It’s stunning how often we eat out of boredom, nervousness, habit, or frustration—so often, in fact, that many of us have actually forgotten what physical hunger feels like. If you’re hankering for a specific food, it’s probably a craving, not hunger. If you’d eat anything you could get your hands on, chances are you’re truly hungry. Find ways other than eating to express love, tame stress, and relieve boredom. 

Rhoberazzi/iStock

10. Sniff a banana, an apple, or a peppermint when you feel hungry.
You might feel silly, but it works. When Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, tried this with 3,000 volunteers, he found that the more frequently people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost—an average of 30 pounds each. One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you’re actually eating it.

11. Stare at the color blue.
There’s a good reason you won’t see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: it functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage eating.

12. Eat in front of mirrors and you’ll lose weight.
One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you’re trying to lose weight in the first place.

13. Spend 10 minutes a day walking up and down stairs.
The Centers for Disease Control says that’s all it takes to help you shed as much as 10 pounds a year (assuming you don’t start eating more).

14. Walk five minutes for at least every two hours.
Stuck at a desk all day? A brisk five-minute walk every two hours will parlay into an extra 20-minute walk by the end of the day. And getting a break will make you less likely to reach for snacks out of antsiness.

FrancescoCorticchia/iStock

15. You’ll lose weight and fat if you walk 45 minutes a day, not 30.
The reason we’re suggesting 45 minutes instead of the typical 30 is that a Duke University study found that while 30 minutes of daily walking is enough to prevent weight gain in most relatively sedentary people, exercise beyond 30 minutes results in weight and fat loss. Burning an additional 300 calories a day with three miles of brisk walking (45 minutes should do it) could help you lose 30 pounds in a year without even changing how much you’re eating.

16. Don’t buy any prepared food
that lists sugar, fructose, or corn syrup among the first four ingredients on the label. You should be able to find a lower-sugar version of the same type of food. If you can’t, grab a piece of fruit instead! Look for sugar-free varieties of foods such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and salad dressing. Also, avoid partially hydrogenated foods, and look for more than two grams of fiber per 100 calories in all grain products. Finally, a short ingredient list means fewer flavor enhancers and empty calories.

17. Put your fork or spoon down between every bite.
At the table, sip water frequently. Intersperse your eating with stories for your dining partner of the amusing things that happened during your day. Your brain lags your stomach by about 20 minutes when it comes to satiety (fullness) signals. If you eat slowly enough, your brain will catch up to tell you that you are no longer in need of food.

18. Throw out your “fat” clothes for good.
Once you’ve started losing weight, throw out or give away every piece of clothing that doesn’t fit. The idea of having to buy a whole new wardrobe if you gain the weight back will serve as a strong incentive to stay fit.

19. Close the kitchen for 12 hours.
After dinner, wash all the dishes, wipe down the counters, turn out the light, and, if necessary, tape closed the cabinets and refrigerator. Late-evening eating significantly increases the overall number of calories you eat, a University of Texas study found. Stopping late-night snacking can save 300 or more calories a day, or 31 pounds a year.

20. Walk before dinner and you’ll cut calories AND your appetite.
In a study of 10 obese women conducted at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, 20 minutes of walking reduced appetite and increased sensations of fullness as effectively as a light meal.

nullplus/iStock

21. Make one social outing this week an active one.
Pass on the movies and screen the views of a local park instead. Not only will you sit less, but you’ll be saving calories because you won’t chow down on that bucket of popcorn. Other active ideas: a tennis match, a guided nature or city walk (check your local listings), a bike ride, or bowling.

22. Buy a pedometer, clip it to your belt, and aim for an extra 1,000 steps a day.
On average, sedentary people take only 2,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Adding 2,000 steps will help you maintain your current weight and stop gaining weight; adding more than that will help you lose weight.

23. Put less food out and you’ll take less in.
Conversely, the more food in front of you, the more you’ll eat—regardless of how hungry you are. So instead of using regular dinner plates that range these days from 10 to 14 inches (making them look empty if they’re not heaped with food), serve your main course on salad plates (about 7 to 9 inches wide). Instead of 16-ounce glasses and oversized coffee mugs, return to the old days of 8-ounce glasses and 6-ounce coffee cups.

24. Eat 90 percent of your meals at home.
You’re more likely to eat more—and eat more high-fat, high-calorie foods—when you eat out than when you eat at home. Restaurants today serve such large portions that many have switched to larger plates and tables to accommodate them.

Floortje/iStock

25. Serve food on your plate instead of on platters.
If you eat your dinner restaurant style on your plate rather than family style, helping yourself from bowls and platters on the table, you’ll lose weight. Most of us tend to eat an average of 150 percent more calories in the evening than in the morning. You’ll avoid that now because when your plate is empty, you’re finished; there’s no reaching for seconds.

26. Don’t eat with a large group.
A study published in the Journal of Physiological Behavior found that we tend to eat more when we eat with other people, most likely because we spend more time at the table. But eating with your significant other or your family, and using table time for talking in between chewing, can help cut down on calories.

27. Order the smallest portion of everything.
If you’re out and ordering a sub, get the 6-inch sandwich. Buy a small popcorn, a small salad, a small hamburger. Again, studies find we tend to eat what’s in front of us, even though we’d feel just as full on less.

28. Eat water-rich foods and you’ll eat fewer calories overall.
A body of research out of Pennsylvania State University finds that eating water-rich foods such as zucchini, tomatoes, and cucumbers during meals reduces your overall calorie consumption. Other water-rich foods include soups and salads. You won’t get the same benefits by just drinking your water, though. Because the body processes hunger and thirst through different mechanisms, it simply doesn’t register a sense of fullness with water (or soda, tea, coffee, or juice).

29. Bulk up your meals with veggies.
You can eat twice as much pasta salad loaded with veggies like broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes for the same calories as a pasta salad sporting just mayonnaise. Same goes for stir-fries, omelets, and other veggie-friendly dishes. If you eat a 1:1 ratio of grains to veggies, the high-fiber veggies will help satisfy your hunger before you overeat the grains.

30. Avoid white foods. There is some scientific legitimacy to today’s lower-carb diets: Large amounts of simple carbohydrates from white flour and added sugar can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and lead to weight gain. While avoiding sugar, white rice, and white flour, however, you should eat plenty of whole-grain breads and brown rice. One Harvard study of 74,000 women found that those who ate more than two daily servings of whole grains were 49 percent less likely to be overweight than those who ate the white stuff.

31. Switch to ordinary coffee.
Fancy coffee drinks from trendy coffee joints often pack several hundred calories, thanks to whole milk, whipped cream, sugar, and sugary syrups. A cup of regular coffee with skim milk has just a small fraction of those calories. And when brewed with good beans, it tastes just as great. You can also try nonfat powdered milk in coffee. You’ll get the nutritional benefits of skim milk, which is high in calcium and low in calories. And, because the water has been removed, powdered milk doesn’t dilute the coffee the way skim milk does.

32. If you’re going to indulge, choose fat-releasing foods
They should help keep you from feeling deprived and bingeing on higher-calorie foods. For instance: honey has just 64 fat releasing calories in one tablespoon. Eggs have just 70 calories in one hard-boiled egg, loaded with fat releasing protein. Part-skim ricotta cheese has just 39 calories in one ounce, packed with fat releasing calcium. Dark chocolate has about 168 calories in a one-ounce square, but it’s packed with fat releasers. And a University of Tennessee study found that people who cut 500 calories a day and ate yogurt three times a day for 12 weeks lost more weight and body fat than a group that only cut the calories. The researchers concluded that the calcium in low-fat dairy foods triggers a hormonal response that inhibits the body’s production of fat cells and boosts the breakdown of fat.

33. Enjoy high-calorie treats as the accent, not the centerpiece
Make a spoonful of ice cream the jewel and a bowl of fruit the crown. Cut down on the chips by pairing each bite with lots of chunky, filling fresh salsa, suggests Jeff Novick, director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida. Balance a little cheese with a lot of fruit or salad.

34. Eat cereal for breakfast five days a week.
Studies find that people who eat cereal for breakfast every day are significantly less likely to be obese and have diabetes than those who don’t. They also consume more fiber and calcium—and less fat—than those who eat other breakfast foods. Make oatmeal, or pour out a high-fiber, low-sugar cereal like Total or Grape Nuts.

35. Try hot sauce, salsa, and Cajun seasonings
They provide lots of flavor with no fat and few calories, plus they turn up your digestive fires, causing your body to temporarily burn more calories. Choose them over butter and creamy or sugary sauces.

36. Eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juice.
For the calories in one kid-size box of apple juice, you can enjoy an apple, orange, and a slice of watermelon. These whole foods will keep you satisfied much longer than that box of apple juice, so you’ll eat less overall.

37. Drop your milk type and you cut calories by about 20 percent.
If you drink regular, go to 2%. If you already drink 2%, go down another notch to 1% or skim milk. Each step downward cuts the calories by about 20 percent. Once you train your taste buds to enjoy skim milk, you’ll have cut the calories in the whole milk by about half and trimmed the fat by more than 95 percent.

38. Snack on a small handful of nuts.
Studies have found that overweight people who ate a moderate-fat diet containing almonds lost more weight than a control group that didn’t eat nuts. Snacking once or twice a day helps stave off hunger and keeps your metabolism stoked. You can also pack up baby carrots or your own trail mix with nuts, raisins, seeds, and dried fruit.
39. Get most of your calories before noon.
Studies find that the more you eat in the morning, the less you’ll eat in the evening. And you have more opportunities to burn off those early-day calories than you do to burn off dinner calories.
40. Brush your teeth after every meal, especially dinner.
That clean, minty freshness will serve as a cue to your body and brain that mealtime is over.