Wedding make-up

http://ericstraussphoto.com/100910/content/_MG_0897_large.html

Best look: happy in Bar Harbor, Maine

Summer tan
Discovered Bar harbor , Maine this year with my family. We stayed at a little cottage by the ocean and this was our view. Heaven on Earth. My daily face routine included a painter's color mixture . Open palm: two drops sunscreen + light liquid foundation = color tone perfect bb+cc cream in one. Then I would apply a translucent powder. Some mascara + gloss. Done. Hiking boots + shorts and wind/ rain jacket. We learned that summer Maine weather is fickle, sunny and warm one minute, cool and rainy the next.

My peace of mind

There is nothing more important in this world then peace of mind. When we find that place we should make sure to hold on to it as much as possible. Painting is my current peace of mind.

Paleo diet experiment

OUR ANCESTORS ate like this...

 

 

 

 

 

The name comes from our pre- agricultural ancestors who picked off fruits from trees and hunted for their meat.
The only concern that I have with that, is that cave men didn't live past mid thirties.
I did some research and some soul searching and decided to try it for a month.  I have been having trouble losing the last 10-15 lbs of baby weight.  Most of my clothes feel snug and my cute twenties muffin top turned into a cake top as I approach 40's.  And last summer my doctor emphasized that my BMW (BMI) is in an unhealthy zone. 

What is the paleo diet?..
No carbs (grains), no sugar just fruits and vegetables and protein ( meats). Some people limit the dairy too. I for one believe in the power of CHEESE and milk products.

How does it work?
The idea is that when we eat carbs the body changes that into glucose ( sugar) which fuels us, gives us lots of temporary energy. Whatever doesn't get used by the body turns into fat.  Now the diet effect, by eliminating carbs and extra sugars we force the body to break down the fat for energy...hence the weight loss. 
Now knowing a little bit about nutrition I feel that totally eliminating grains can be somewhat disadvantageous.  Carbs along with other nutrients are needed by the cellular machine to regenerate and repair itself, without them the "cell" mechanic shop doesn't have what it takes to keep functioning properly.  So I will limit them to breakfast only. 

 

And of course I will also indulge a bit on weekends.  I firmly believe that there is no better way to enjoy yourself then through the comfort of delicious food shared with friends and family.

 

The PARADOX of the PALEO-diet: If evolution allowed for cave-men to adapt it is because they figured out that settling and developing agricultural societies were better suited for food needs hence forgoing the dangerous hunting.  So one has to infer that there are always pitfalls to any diet.  I will just use to jump start my weight loss.

 

LOW caloric DIETS= YOUNG HEARTS
And on a different note there have been studies done that suggest that limited caloric diets make the heart "act" young, hence slowing down the aging process.  The idea is less fat clogged arteries and veins less work for the heart muscle to pump blood. 

 

 DISCLAIMER: As with a new diet thread lightly and talk to your doctor.

I will keep you posted on my results.
Till next year.
Jojo

Happy eat: Brie cheese & cranberries pastry

Pastry-Wrapped Cranberry Brie recipe from Pillsbury.com

 

I never exaggerate so when I tell you that when you eat this you will look 10 years younger because your smile will make you forget your worries.  I believe in the power of cheese because it is dairy and as you know milk products have lots of vitamin D which is a necessary ingredient for happiness... let me explain... during the winter people get very little exposure to sun rays which are necessary for the natural production of vitamin D which in turn wards off the winter blues.  PS( you want to know the exact chemical pathway of vitamin D in the body ...look it up on Wikipedia).
Now back to the Brie... you don't have enough time to be out in the sun during winter days...Eat the Pie ...the Brie gives you the happy thoughts... Don't worry about the extra pounds ..
Happy Round people look younger than skinny miserable people
Enjoy
Love JoJo

Icelandic relaxation

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/676/overrides/waitresses-blue-lagoon-iceland_67665_990x742.jpg
The water is full of minerals from the volcanic activity underneath... meanwhile the vodka gets your oxygenated blood going to all your extremities.

My daughter and students keep me YOUNG

The wrinkles showing on my forehead are a reminder of my actual age.  The high energy my daughter imbibes in me makes me feel ten years younger and 10 lbs lighter.  Running around and not having any time for yourself has added bonuses to my wellbeing.  I don't worry about superfluous things.  I don't spend time investing in self-help ideologies because those imply the luxury of time.  Being on the run at school, I am a teacher, and after my daughter has given me the extra feel good serotonin level that my brain needs and that my body thrives on.  These days my life has been about streamlining everything.  Even my beauty routine had to change for me to keep up.  BB creams and CC creams do the trick.  But one wake-up call came from my students when I showed up at school with no makeup after a full weekend of struggling with a bad sinus infection.  3 of my eighth grade students proceeded to tell me what I should apply to my face to appear presentable.  This includes the POWER 4 products.  I was listening to them intently and half smiling, thinking" I write a beauty blog, children, I KNOW" I came to realize that their opinion matched to a T my current streamlined version of a beauty routine.

According to 12-13 years old girls these are the 4 POWER
1) BB and CC creams with Moisturizer
2) Under eye concealer
3) Press powder
4) Lip gloss/ lip stick

Notice no mention of mascara, but of course we all know that is a must POWER must.