Keeping Your Face Clean and Clear!

It's a very basic topic indeed, but it's something worth thinking about and paying special attention. These basics form the foundation to a lasting, fresh skin. Let's see how many of us find ourselves slacking off on least one of these!

Remove All Makeup at Bedtime 

This is critical! Any layer of makeup blocks your pores, causing skin to break out, get black/whiteheads, and contribute to serious acne. Makeup, no matter powder or liquid, accumulates dust and surrounding pollution, making it an unhygienic pasty layer. Picture this layer adhered to your skin, all night, for an average of 6-8 hours; your skin cells breathing in more of the impurities from all day's makeup. Isn't that suffocating?




Use a good makeup remover that can remove regular as well as waterproof makeup effortlessly;
you don't want to rub too hard and aggravate the delicate facial skin. This can potentially cause wrinkles. One of the best, natural makeup removers is olive oil. It can easily remove majority of waterproof makeup.

On a side note, limit the use of makeup as far as possible, for example, using it 3-4 times a week instead of everyday. This way you won't lose your skin's natural glow.    


Wash Your Face!

I'm shocked to hear from people that they don't wash their face in the morning. It is a healthy practice. When you wake up, your face has a layer of natural oils accumulated overnight. Washing your face refreshes and resets your face for the day. It really doesn't make sense to apply moisturizer over an unwashed face, or even apply foundation over it, which would only create a mucky texture eventually.



Similarly, wash up at bedtime. Cleanse your pores of all impurities accumulated during the day. Make sure to remove your makeup thoroughly too because that is the key medium for dust, pollution, and bacteria to cling and invade the skin.

Wash your face, let your cells breathe so that you can be ready to absorb something more nourishing, like anti-aging creams, serums, or other moisturizers.  


Exfoliate

Exfoliation is important in any skincare routine because it sloughs off the dead skin layer, bringing out the newly formed cell layer under the dead cells and letting it shine, creating the effect of a naturally glowing and clearer skin. This is particularly important if you live in cold weather places because the skin tends to dry and get flaky more often. St. Ives Apricot scrub has been around for years but it's a great basic scrub. If you're new to scrubs and exfoliation, I highly recommend this as a starter.

I've used Suki scrub recently, the price point is high for me but it works amazing!  

In my teen years when I had often had breakouts and noticeable blackheads, I used the Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing scrub, which worked very well, because of its salicylic acid content. Salicylic acid helps clear out acne or pus filled pimples by drying them out. For those with oily skin, it is a good practice to use a toner after washing your face and after exfoliation. It shrinks the pores and preventing recurring blackheads.

Exfoliate at least once a week. If your skin tends to get dry skin patches frequently, do it twice a week with adequate gaps of days in between. I recommend doing this at night because then you can moisturize and go to sleep, letting your fresh skin develop overnight, leaving you with rejuvenated skin in the morning. Check out this diagram and follow the arrows to massage the scrub onto your face/neck:

Massaging in these directions give you a mini face lift, as this
motion lifts and pulls back your facial skin, which reduces the sagging skin effect

Montagne Jeunesse masque

In addition to this, take some time out to treat your skin with a nourishing masque to address your skin concerns once a week. It can be a cucumber masque, mud pack, pomegranate masque, etc. I've been using the Montagne Jeunesse masque packets found at Ulta stores, and their results are long lasting!  


Moisturize

Whether you have dry skin, oily, or combination skin, it is important to moisturize.Use a rich, hydrating moisturizer if you have dry skin. In fact, to effectively allow your product to penetrate the skin, pat dry your face after cleansing, leaving it slightly damp. Then apply your moisturizer. Water has a thinner consistency than lotions or creams, so it will help transport the moisturizer deep into your pores. There isn't a rule of whether you should use creams or lotions; use whichever works the best for you.

If you have oily skin, use a moisturizer that is water based and isn't too greasy. I suggest using lotions over creams, because having oily skin myself, I find that my face becomes an oil slick during the day if I use moisturizers with a creamy consistency. For combination skin, apply moisturizer liberally on the dry patches, such as the cheek, and pat a light layer on your T-zone.

Whichever moisturizer you use, make sure that it is applied in the morning after washing your face, during the day after showering (if you do), and at night before bedtime. The skin becomes dry overnight, from air conditioning/heating, lack of water intake during the hours slept, and if the weather is dry overall.

Make sure that the daytime moisturizer has an SPF of at least 15-30 to protect the skin from damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. It is even better if the lotion/cream mentions protection from UVA/UVB rays too. Here's a diagram that shows how SPF protects us from the harmful rays emitted from the sun as photons (simply stated as tiny beads of energy that transmit light, UVA/UVB in this case):





The nightly moisturizer can be free of SPF, but high in nutritional value for the skin. For example, containing Vitamin C extracts that brighten the skin; vitamin E for healthy skin; retinol for those who are fighting aging signs; or intense hydration for dry skin. Oily skin people, do not hesitate to moisturize liberally at night, unless you find your face overwhelmingly oily in the morning.


Drink Water

Hydration is key in maintaining a supple, fresh skin. For those of us with oily skin, this is good hydration without any oiliness! Those with dry skin probably know how important it is to prevent dry, patchy areas, or uncomfortably tight skin. Healthy skin yields to a glowing skin, which makes makeup application a breeze. Those who suffer from acne or frequent breakouts, water is even more essential for you! The hydration will control the excess oil production since your skin will become naturally moisturized from drinking water (not to mention that you should still be moisturizing your face). Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.

For me, it really helps to carry a water bottle so that way I don't forget to drink it. The bottle acts as a reminder.
If you want to challenge yourself, get a bottle with graduated labels (as seen in the above picture); for example, my water bottle can hold up to 32oz. It is marked to show if I'm at the 8oz level, 14oz level, etc. This helps me track the amount of water I've been drinking.



"Please note that I am not promoting or advertising on behalf of any products I mention or show pictures of in this blog. All opinions are solely based on my personal experiences. Thank you! "  

Celebrity Beauty Quotes: Jennifer Lawrence

Gotta love Jennifer Lawrence!

It's a big mistake to think that you can starve yourself and workout rigorously to lose weight. It does seem logical, low energy input and more energy consumed = more calories burned altogether. This strategy made sense to me too, until I applied it. I lost about 5lbs in 2 weeks, rolling onto 6, and I was excited. I didn't see any signs of regaining weight. Then one day onwards, I decided to workout in moderation, about 4-5 days a week, and eat healthy food. Prior to this I was consuming less than 500 calories per day!

When I adopted this new plan to 'normalize' my eating and maintaining a healthy workout routine, I actually ended up regaining some of the weight. It perplexed me, because every time I looked in the mirror, I expected to see some decent weight loss. After reading articles and talking to people, I found out that it was the fast weight loss that was gaining back on me. It was frustrating, but I stuck with my plan for weeks, and never went back to starving and over-exerting myself.

Workout at least 3-4 times a week, particularly with weights, to tone and define those muscles. Eat quality food with high amounts of protein. Protein helps you feel satiated for longer, helps repair and build body cells. Have sugary foods only in moderation; perhaps once a week, or, in my opinion, once every 2 weeks. When you abstain from a food you like, it's normal to have cravings. If you hold back for too long, you can become vulnerable to gorging on that snack in one sitting. That's why, it doesn't hurt to have some once in a while. ONCE IN A WHILE. And, ofcourse, drink at least 8 glasses of water. By doing this, not only will you feel fresh and renewed everyday, but you will feel mentally active, have healthier skin*, and feel fitter and stronger!    


*Here's a link to my clean and healthy skin post: http://themorningdew23.blogspot.com/2013/12/keeping-your-face-clean-and-clear.html

Celebrity Beauty Quotes: Beyonce

A great quote from Beyonce which is so true, believe it or not!



You really can't describe the spark that lifts and enlightens your face every time you smile. No matter how hard you worked on highlighting your cupid's bow, or how artistic you were in creating the perfectly graduated lips with a gorgeous lip color, they need to do what they're made for! Beauty is not about making it so perfect and delicate that you can't use it - at least not among us humans who're always mobile. Be pretty and functional, and that is what your lips should do too.

When you smile, it makes your mood better, especially when practicing those smiles in front of the mirror. At the same time, you never know that the person you smiled at might have had a bad day. Your smile might make his/her day, so isn't this virus worth spreading?

For those who think your smile isn't pretty, or at least doesn't turn out to be so in photos, try changing your pose, perhaps the head position? But, do not stop smiling! Let those endorphins work their magic, and more importantly, stay confident! Remember, the level of confidence can change everything about you.


Follow this link for Jennifer Lawrence's beauty quote: http://themorningdew23.blogspot.com/2013/12/celebrity-beauty-quotes-jennifer.html

Celebrity Beauty Quotes: Tyra Banks

Somehow I got into a whirlpool of celebrity quotes and here's this one from Popsugar:




 How's that for a beauty quote?

Is it true? For Tyra Banks, and possibly a couple more of us, yes.

Should I use makeup? Why not!

Is it the holy grail to ultimate beauty? No, but if you want a superficial opinion, then yes.

Personally, I think that makeup should be used to enhance your natural beauty. Please, I don't want to hear "what if we aren't naturally beautiful?" or "what beauty?" Do keep in mind that beauty is, in fact, in the eyes of the beholder. We've all been raised differently, brought up in different environments; some of us are from different racial or ethnic backgrounds and have our own likes and dislikes. These factors contribute to our personal 'standard' of beauty. Even if you're not happy with how you look, you never know who might something attractive about you when you least expected it.

The unfortunate rule of the thumb: Nobody is happy with what they have (90% of the time) and wish to change that about themselves. We need to push this percentage back, aim to revert it with the majority feeling content and happy in their own skin and unique beauty.

Being happy with yourself should be your confidence booster. Makeup is only to accessorize your best features. For example, if someone has large eyes, accentuate them with eyeliner in a way that's flattering.
If you have pretty lips, make the perfect pout out of them so that they stand out. You want your best features to stand out, but even if you don't have makeup on, learn to be content.

I feel bad for those girls who push themselves so hard that they wake up at the crack of dawn to put on their makeup so that their husband/bf doesn't see their bare face. Or even those who go through unnecessary cosmetic surgery. You are responsible for how someone else perceives you. If you're complexed about your appearance, you will reflect it in your body language without even realizing it. Then, ofcourse, other people won't hold back from noticing it as well. Be confident in your talents, abilities, and your natural appearance. Click the image below to read my post about maintaining a naturally beautiful face. For now, focus on what you've been gifted with, appreciate yourself, and don't listen to Tyra Banks on this! ;)    



Follow this link for Beyonce's beauty quote: http://themorningdew23.blogspot.com/2013/12/celebrity-beauty-quotes-beyonce.html

Click this image to learn how to maintain healthy,
glowing skin!

   

Good Posture for a Better You! Summary

Were you able to apply some of the guidelines from previous posts to your daily activities? I hope you did and I'm sure it made a world of a difference for those of you who haven't been cautious about your postures!

In case you missed it, click the following links to the two parts of postures series:
PART 1: Learn and understand the natural 
body structure as well as how to
maintain a healthy standing posture

PART 2: Utilize your knowledge about the body
structure and learn how to sit in the best posture 
                           

To sum up the posture series, here's the full infographic that revises quick tips for a better posture, and includes proper postures when running and sleeping, not to mention how you can check your own posture as well to make sure you're on the right track!

Credits: bitrebels.com

Follow this link to Tyra Banks' beauty quote: http://themorningdew23.blogspot.com/2013/11/celebrity-beauty-quotes-tyra-banks.html

The Morning Dew: Good Posture for a Better You! Part 2 - Sitting

The Morning Dew: Good Posture for a Better You! Part 2 - Sitting: I hope you had a good read with  Good Posture for a Better You! Part 1 , which was about maintaining the right posture while standing. In th...

Good Posture for a Better You! Part 2 - Sitting

I hope you had a good read with Good Posture for a Better You! Part 1, which was about maintaining the right posture while standing. In this second part, we'll discuss the importance and ways to having a proper posture while seated. As discussed before in the previous blog, the spine will be important here as well.

Credits: Creative Leather Furniture

No matter how comfortable a couch is, it unfortunately encourages our tendency of slouching, and that depends on the type of couch you have, too. I mean, check out this one, I can't imagine sitting upright for too long on this couch!
If you are tired of standing around, it is best to be seated instead of slumping or hunching.

   

Credits: photos1.blogger.com

Now compared to the above, you probably may not be able to slouch for long on this one to the right or may not want to at least, because it is so well-structured and not as plush, and, I would feel guilty of ruining its shape >.<  

The type of furniture you have contributes to your posture to some extent. For example, if you have a wonderful, cushiony, cuddly couch/sofa that you love unwinding to after a hard day's work, by curling up in the softness or tossing yourself on it; chances are that you will be more likely to adopt that unhealthy posture.

This doesn't mean that we should head out to find new furniture, but we can always adjust our lifestyle accordingly. It can be by simple changes, such as sitting on a firm chair for a change, sitting on the ground against a wall or something similar to support your back. If you find yourself slouching at other times, maybe you're tired and need to lie down. Laying down would be more supportive for your spine as compared to sitting if you're unable to sit upright. 

Sitting checklist:

ü As with standing, make sure to keep your head upright, looking ahead, such that your chin is parallel to the ground. Many of us using laptops have a tendency to tip our chins down to the chest; this is bad for your neck, especially if you're working like this for hours.

ü Keep your back upright and shoulders back and aligned, but relaxed.

ü While seated, check that your whole spine is against the backrest of the seat, from the neck to the hips. Some people keep the upper spine against the backrest only; this creates a gap between the lower back and the backrest, which means that your spine would be carrying your weight and this can cause backaches.

ü Try to position your knees slightly lower than your hip level. Placing your knees at right angle will inhibit your natural blood flow to the feet because of the sharp bend at the knees. Therefore, be sure that they're at a sloping angle from your hips.

ü If you're sitting on a chair, try not to cross your legs one over the other, or even crossing your ankles together. Both of these positions will add to poor blood circulation in your legs. Moreover, crossing your ankles for prolonged period of time can be painful for your knee caps in the long run because of the unnecessary stress. An example of this is that of people working in offices 8 hours a day. Imagine how detrimental this position would be even by the end of the day.

ü If you're working at a computer, keep your elbows at a slightly lower level than your upper arms. You don't want the lower arms to be perpendicular with the upper arms as this can inhibit blood flow as well. Also, find something to support your wrist and arms. Some of you might have seen or worked with mouse pads or keyboards that come with a wrist cushion. I highly recommend those, and if you have mini cushions to place under the lower arms, that would work perfectly too.

Keep in mind that for most of the day when we're seated, we are typically watching TV or working on a computer. For the average person, these activities can last for 4 hours per sitting! (This is unhealthy for the body itself, but I shall discuss this later!) Therefore, it is essential for your body to be comfortable during these sessions in order to prevent future cramps or joint injuries.      

    

Good Posture for a Better You! Part 1

In the past few days, I happened to notice unhealthy body posture in my daily activities. After catching myself plenty of times, I decided to research this topic, and get back to the basics.
Picture the human body like a structure made of toothpicks. If you push against the backbone, can it bend? Slightly, to some extent. This is what most of us do to our spines everyday. What if you apply pressure beyond that? Let's just say that's not gonna happen....

Quite often we find ourselves slouching on the couch, at times on the bed against the headboard, chair in the study or at work. We've been sitting, standing, and laying in all different positions since we were babies or toddlers. Since this is a vast topic, with every body position requiring individual attention, I will discuss them in separate blog posts.

We'll start with a good standing posture today, the primary focus of which is the spine. It is the most dominant part here because it has a long span, extending from the neck to the hip bones, supporting the chest, abs, and overall body structure.

For most of our postures, the spine has a major role, so take a look at this diagram here to understand the natural shape and how to maintain it. For those of you who aren't very familiar with the human biology and hear, "keep your back straight" from your elders...you'll see that our spines are naturally curvy. Keeping it 'straight' is more of a figurative term here, meaning to maintain a straight posture to keep your spine curvy. Ironic, isn't it?

Credits to Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/LB00002_D&slide=2

Standing Checklist:

ü Make sure that your back stays straight at all times, no hunching or arching. Some of us, especially the taller folks, have a tendency to hunch their bodies (gravity, maybe?).
ü Chin should be perpendicular from the ground. Tipping it towards the chest or backwards can hurt your neck in the long run.
ü Your shoulders will help in this too so don't slump them forward or pull them up towards your neck; instead, pull your shoulders back and keep them aligned together. While doing so, your shoulders should stay relaxed.
ü  Let your weight balance in your shoulders and feet. Do not let your back feel the weight as it will cause bad posture and potentially result in a strained spine.
ü  Keep your abs firm; this not only helps you get an effortless ab exercise, but tightening the abdominal muscles also supports your back, helping it stay upright.
ü Standing upright doesn't mean that you should straighten your legs completely. You will increase the risks of injury if you keep your knees locked straight. Therefore, keep your knees soft, with just a slight bend. This way, even if you were to slip, your knees will help you land safely without causing serious injuries.
ü Your pelvis should also remain in line with your back, no crouching forward (unless you're doing hip thrusts, haha) or arching it backwards.

Part 2 is out! Click here for Good Posture Part 2 - Sitting!

Smoothie with Kale!

Sometimes I find myself craving something sweet, or even wanting to eat/drink something although I already had my lunch 2 hours ago. I strongly try to avoid any unnecessary sweets, so finally, after googling for quite a few ideas, I ran into a smoothie recipe. It is by one of my favorite youtubers, "Blogilates"; some of you may be familiar with her. Anyways, it is so simple to make, is healthy, and most of all, it tastes great! There is no need to worry about it being a green smoothie (after all, some of us do drink the Naked smoothie, 'Green Machine' too!) To be honest, I was a little skeptical when kale was one of the ingredients.

I can eat it like any other salad, it tastes like lettuce, but slightly bitter. This might be a good alternative for those who can't stand eating kale. This highly raved vegetable is rich in antioxidants, vitamins A & K, helps lower cholesterol, and risks of cancer. The vitamin C from lemon and kale combine together to form carnitine, a chemical substance that is important for energy production, hence making this metabolism boosting smoothie.

Ingredients:

1 banana

1-1.5 cup kale

1/2 cup almond milk

Juice from 1 small lemon

1/2 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt

Handful of ice

1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper

Method:

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend away! This made about 1 1/2 cup of smoothie for me. You definitely feel full, and this is 232 calories...I don't recommend drinking this all at the same time. Yes, this is healthy, but even healthy foods should be eaten in moderation. Overall, I loved the smoothie, and I did feel energized, and I'm going to make some more!

Here's the link to the blogilates video if anyone wants to check it out:

LED Light Eyelashes!

After the previous blog on caring for eyelashes, I shall leave you to check out these LED eyelashes. Created by Soomi Park, Korean multimedia artist and designer...they look beautiful, and almost remind me of those rhinestone studded falsies!

What could you possibly use them for? I'm thinking reading a book at night for now.

Falling Lashes?

Credits: monthlyfavorites.com

Lashes are beautiful, delicate features of the face that define your eyes, and in some cases, they define the shape as well. It is important to have a 'soft hand' for them. Think about it, almost everyday they are squished between the lash curler (I agree that most of them come with a rubber pad, but you can't curl them without the pressure), not to mention the cool trick of heating the curler before curling the lashes...after that they get slathered on with the foreign chemical, mascara, 1-2-3 or 4 coats of it; and sometimes it's waterproof. Thereon, the mascara stays coated for about 12 hours on an average woman. Depending on how the day was, it may or may not be removed until the next morning, or the removal may become a struggle if it's a waterproof mascara. Isn't this ritual a fair reason for your eyelashes to shed? Imagine what it would be like in a parallel universe...hmmm...painted arching human stickers...? Yeah, not pretty at all.

Olive oil is one of the best natural remedies to cure for falling, or even weak eyelashes. Keep in mind that is normal to lose 2 or 3 lashes every other day. It is rich in vitamin E, which is one of the essential nutrients for healthy hair. Find a spare mascara wand, or you can buy some, like the Face Secrets disposable mascara wands at a Sally Beauty store. Do not reuse an old mascara tube to fill with olive oil! Get a clean, hygienic vial, narrow-tipped bottle like that of a hair dye applicator, or some other small container to store the olive oil. If you feel like you have too much in the container, don't worry...I'll be writing about plenty of ways to benefit from olive oil :)

Dip your mascara wand in the oil, making sure to press the bristles along the edge to squeeze out the excess, then apply it to your lashes as you would apply mascara (oh and using castor oil works wonders too!). Be careful not to let it get in your eyes otherwise it will irritate your eyes. I highly recommend this regimen at night/bedtime since it's the best time for cell renewal and repair. The more consistently you follow this, the better. You will notice that your lashes look healthier just after a week. I found that they looked longer as well.

For those who have to have a little something, ditch the mascara for tightlining, just for a change. Trust me, this creates an illusion of a darker, fuller lash line. It's basically applying the eyeliner (I prefer a pencil or cake liner for this), along the upper waterline. In case you need more tips about it, here's a link to one of my all-time beauty gurus, Michelle Phan, on how to tightline your eyes http://michellephan.com/blog/post/how-to-tightline-your-eyes-for-fuller-looking-lashes.

Apart from that, give your lashes a chance to breathe. There's nothing bad about it, worse comes to worst, people will see your wonderful natural beauty! Love the skin you live in, avoid hiding behind makeup everyday and appreciate your beauty.
And for those of you who have severe problems with shedding lashes, I would recommend seeking medical attention.

Just for Giggles

Having a bad day? Here's something to cheer you up! I'm sure a lot of you might be familiar with this guy...I can't seem to get enough of Andrew's youtube videos (channel LAHWF), they always crack me up and brighten my day. I suppose it's a fun thing to do when you're bored, harmless social pranks can't go too wrong now, can they? I was just watching this video where he goes around telling people corny jokes. His expressions are priceless!

Self-Reflection - How Am I Doing?

Ever found yourself sitting at peace, thinking about the daily happenings in your life? I just had that moment myself, better known as “self-reflection”.  It is a great practice to have if it comes to you instinctively at some point during the day, but for others who miss breakfasts or hit the road straight from your bed everyday…you need to reorganize to make time for it.

Self-reflection is exactly as you read it; it is a reflection of yourself, where you stand in life, your intuitions, ambitions, short/long-term goals, ongoing activities, etc. This is a perfectly healthy practice to analyze your system by examining your life from a bystander’s perspective and recalculate your steps accordingly. Take out 15-20mins from your daily regime everyday for self-reflection, making sure that you can be at a quiet place by yourself.

For me, the best time for this is just before bedtime (as long as you don’t fall asleep during this, you should be fine!) You don’t want to be tired and ready to crash as it requires focus. I like to think about my day from the morning, recapping what I did during the day, where I went, and the people I interacted with, thinking of ways I could've made better connections with them. If I have work then I think about the tasks I carried out, ways that I could improve certain actions for next time, and following onto the things I plan to do the next day. If you have children, or significant others, you could be organizing ideas for them during this time. Life has its ups and downs and there may be times when you feel dismayed by some of your experiences, perhaps there are some that you would rather not think of; I recommend going through those situations during the self-reflection. You don't have to think from the first person's perspective and create an unnecessary debate in your head, but think about them, and the possibilities to fit the puzzle. 

You should end with a positive note, such as steps for improvement that you can take, or even by reflecting on your achievements of the day. Trust me, when you get back to your activities, you will feel relaxed and much more in control of your life. It’s these small moments that have the potential to make you efficient by making the right moves.

Now it’s your turn, did you take some time out for self-reflection? How was it? :)

Breaking the Morning Blues

Ever woke up feeling like you just got beat up in a boxing match last night? We’ve all been there, complaining or agitated to be awake so early, and looking at the early birds around us in awe, as if they’re the 8^th wonder of the world. 

Reality is that nature runs its course during the day, when the sun comes out. Majority of work places operate in the daytime, animals wake up at the dawn and sleep at night; even our body clock (the Circadian Rhythm) follows this trend, which is part of the reason one might lack energy or get sick from pulling off an all-nighter.Why don’t we reverse the system by sleeping during the day and staying up all night? Well, history has contributed to some extent from the times when there was no electricity or sufficient light, like in the Stone Age, where the primary source of light to do any work was the sun.

Proper diet and sleep (yep, you’ve heard those before!) are some of the major factors to consider if you want to wake up fresh.

Drink plenty of water; 8 glasses a day is the recommended amount but target for about 10-12 a day. When you have a target higher than your goal, you’re more likely to achieve it. Avoid junk foods as much as possible, and make it a point to skip eating late at night. Often times, when you eat sodium rich food and drink water right before bed, the salt attracts water and together they cause the body to swell up or make your face puffy. I have found these practices to be very useful. Also, the more vegetables and fruits you consume daily, the more impurities will be eliminated, leaving you rejuvenated.

Make sure to get 6-8 hours of sleep. Oversleeping tends to add a lethargic effect so watch out for that! You want to aim for sufficient sleep, but not overdosing it. In some cases, trial and error helps to figure out how many hours of sleep you require. 7 hours of sleep is perfect for me to be functional and active throughout the day. I have always been a night owl until I started working with most shifts beginning at 9am. I have to be on my feet all day, chatting with customers and making sure the merchandise looks appealing. After first week of working I realized that I can’t survive without at least 6 hours of shut eye (8 hours is always the preference ofcourse). I found myself less talkative with customers, inactive during the shifts, ready to drop near the end, and crashing in bed as soon as I reached home. Getting 5 hours of sleep and dragging myself to work was not an option, as I normally managed to do for my early morning classes. The alertness I need at work is twice as much as in school. Therefore, I made it a point to be in bed by midnight, pushing it to 1 am only in case of special events.

I also ended up downloading and experimenting with a few sleep apps, and found SleepyTime to be very helpful. Whenever you want to wake up, it’ll list a few times when you can sleep in order to wake up at the desired time. This app lists the times based on the average person’s body clock, so that even if you had 5 hours of sleep, you’ll wake up fresh. I found it for my Android phone, I'm sure there must be a similar one for iOS too.

Set goals for the day. You can do this right before bedtime, or earlier during the day. When you're ambitious, you're bound to wake up because you subconsciously become more determined. I had one of my finals at 8am, which is a strong goal and mandatory to achieve, and pulling off an all-nighter till this time would be a disaster. By then I knew my limits from previous experiences; if I slept at 3am or later, I would wake up at noon. Therefore, I slept by 10 pm and voila! I was up when my alarm went off at 6 in the morning. I love the feeling of running important errands of the day and finding that it's still 12pm    

The beautiful morning sight. And let's not forget that early morning has its own charm, a unique beauty that can only be captured at sunrise. The night sky displaced by a glorious molten strip of sun across the horizon as it rises. You can't beat the freshness in the morning air that comes from the silent night, when all activity has been dismissed and everything is still. My blog name is also inspired by early morning. Once I was out in the garden at dawn and came across a delicate vine embellished with numerous dew drops like jewels. It was one of the most memorable moments for me.

The Morning Dew: Kettlebell Workouts - Are They Just a Fad?

The Morning Dew: Kettlebell Workouts - Are They Just a Fad?: Kettlebells have been trending for quite a while now, although they still haven't made it to households as common exercise equipments li...

Kettlebell Workouts - Are They Just a Fad?

Kettlebells have been trending for quite a while now, although they still haven't made it to households as common exercise equipments like dumbbells. They are being popularly used in boot camp or weight training classes. The lightest one I saw weighed 5 lbs. Those who prefer working out with 1 to 3 lb weights are probably better off using dumbbells because they offer a greater range of weights to choose from. Typically made of cast-iron, they offer a total body workout.

One of the common exercises with the kettlebell involves squatting down with the kettlebell handle held in both hands, then thrusting up your body in a strong, fluid motion, bringing your arms straight out in front of you, letting the kettlebell swing outward while grasping onto it with control. This works out the arms as well as trapezoid muscles (the ones along the lower back of the neck, which give a beautiful shape to your neck when toned); the glutes are used every time you squat, the core is largely engaged to keep the posture upright and provide balance when moving with the weight. Repetition of this exercise, even 10 times, will definitely create a cardio workout. The video here demonstrates the exercise (at 0:54)



The same exercise can be done with dumbbells too, but it may not be as high-impact as with a kettlebell. The swinging motion provokes the whole body to become responsive to distribute the weight evenly on your body. Dumbbells only have a short handle which doesn't provide as much of a momentum as the kettlebell's handle. Therefore, I think that even though kettlebells are a fad, they have a great utility, providing a greater total body workout as opposed to the classic dumbbells.    

Anyone using kettlebells to workout?

#kettlebells #workout