things I have learned

George Burns once said, "If I knew that I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of my self"  As those of us who have aches and pains can attest, he was right.  I have noticed  that my 30's were when I  started to realize I was aging. My 40's are when I started to experience the feeling of aging.  If you are not 40 yet,  you will notice too, when your vision changes. I will let you know about the 50's when I get there, but I am trying to stave off the aging process.

Since  your skin is a reflection of your inner health both mental and physical. Here are a few ideas that I can share  with you.  All tings you have heard before. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Really. There are vitamins and minerals in raw fruits and vegetables that we have yet to discover, so don't rely on your vitamin bottle to get them.  Avoid canned foods as many of their nutrients are lost in the process.  Try the organic fruits, they are utterly delicious and will remind you of your youth. Afternoon snack? Ever try red grapes and cheese?  Delicious combination. Humans were meant to consume 90% fruits and vegetables and 10% meat and fish, not the other way around.  It is obvious by looking at our teeth and comparing them to actual carnivores.We were only meant to be happenstance carnivores. Don't worry about protein. Its over rated.  Look at a gorilla, he  doesn't eat meat and yet finds enough protein to be one of the strongest mammals.   Try eating more fish. Rather than asking yourself  'what would taste good for dinner?' Instead ask 'what can I eat that will be healthy for me?'  You wouldn't let your child make decisions that way,  you shouldn't either.  Now, granted, eating healthy is not as much fun during the eating process.  It is more fun to eat a big steak coated in butter,  but the real fun about eating healthy is how you feel before you eat and after.  You will not feel like collapsing into a coma, like you do with a big meaty meal.  You will have more energy to do the things in life that really matter. What I do is eat healthy 6 days a week.  One day a week, I will eat what I want.  Usually it is a dessert or wine indiscretion. Recently I watched my friend eating french fries when his much older father walked by and said. " I remember what those tasted like... they were quite good"  and then the father walked away. Your elders know, they just don't like to tell you.  At some point, eating healthy will become a life or death decision. Start your healthy eating habits early before your cardiologist forces you. 

Here's another idea, reduce and eliminate anything in your diet that has ingredients that you cannot pronounce.  They may have not yet been proven to be harmful,  but remember in life and science "we don't know what we don't know." And just in case,  reduce plastic in your life where possible.  Exercise. Don't like formal exercise? Create your own by not parking  your car at the closest parking spot.  Park in the back of the lot.  Not only will you get less car dings,  but you just built in some easy exercise. When entering a building, if it is only a few floors, skip the elevator.  Too hard?  Take the stairs down instead. Drying your self after a shower?  Use the towel to perform some isometric exercises.        .  Floss your teeth it will stop you from losing them. Wear sunscreen, it really does prevent skin cancer and premature aging.  These are all  things your mom hoped to teach you. Some of it is effort.  Consider it an investment.  As I tell my adolescent acne patents when they do not want to wash their face, 'welcome to becoming an adult.'
 
One of the most delicious habits that I have found recently is starting the day with fresh squeezed organic orange juice. I bought the Breville citrus press. Cutting, juicing and cleanup takes a total of 3 minutes.  It has to be, hands down, the best tasting liquid ever. Here is a way to ensure your healthy success.  Feel how good it is to be healthy.  See yourself make healthy decisions.  Hear your friends asking you 'what is it your doing to keep that healthy glow?' Truly picture yourself as healthy and bad habits will become inconsistent with your identity and thus eliminated. Spend time imagining your  body in a healthy state. You can do this while driving.  Consider using the  morning drive to think about your day and what you want to do or be.  Leave the radio off.  It is kind of a meditation for  people who don't  have time to meditate.  Having healthy skin starts from the inside.

What are some of your healthy habits that you think others would benefit from?

making your skin more beautiful