YS: Steamed Tilapia

Mom cooked steamed fish for lunch today.. I'm tired of eating fried fishes already, so I suggested to her why not steamed fish after all it's been ages since the last time we eat it.

I luuurrrvee it because it's medium hot and the way it was cooked is just so perfect!

Cucumber

This is my snack for three consecutive days now... I bought this last time I went to the market. I sliced and let it swam on sweet and spicy vinegar...

 

The cucumber is a type of melon and comes from the same family as watermelon, zucchini and other squash.  It is cylindrical in shape with lengths of approximately 6 to 9 inches.  Its skin is very similar to watermelon, ranges from green to white.  Inside, the flesh is pale green and very juicy. 
The cucumber is a tropical plant but is also easily available in most part of the world.  However, in some cultures, cucumber is more often used to make pickles, of which most of its nutrients would have been lost.

Nutritional BenefitsCucumber has an impressive amount of water (about 96%) that is naturally distilled, which makes it superior to ordinary water.  Its skin contains a high percentage of vitamin A, so should not be peeled off.The cucumber contains alkaline-forming minerals and is an excellent source of vitamin C and A (anti-oxidants), folate, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, silica, sulfur, and lesser amounts of vitamin B complex, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine. 

You have seen beauty practitioners use slices of cucumber on their eyes.  It is found that the caffeic acid in this vegetable helps to prevent water retention and when applied topically, helps reduce puffy and swollen eyes. 

Health BenefitsMany people are ignorant of the immense health benefits of cucumber and would avoid eating cucumber where possible.  Fresh cucumber may taste "bland" to some but its thirst-quenching and cooling properties are refreshing. It acts as an anti-oxidant when taken together with fried and barbequed foods. I like to mix cucumber juice with carrot or orange juices.  Here's a list of health benefits of cool cucumber:Acidity: The alkalinity of the minerals in cucumber juice effectively helps in regulating the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity.  The juice is also soothing for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.Blood pressure:  Like celery, this colorless drink can help regulate blood pressure because of its minerals and traces of sodium.Connective tissues, building:  The excellent source of silica contributes to the proper construction of connective tissues in our body as in the bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of cucumber + celery juice. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.Diuretic:  Cucumber juice is diuretic, encouraging waste removal through urination.  This also helps in the dissolution of kidney stones.Fever:  The temperature regulating properties in cucumber juice makes it a suitable drink when you have a fever.Inflammation:  The Chinese think that cucumbers are too "cooling" and not suitable for people with rheumatism.  But we know now that cucumber can help counter uric acids that are causing inflammation in joints.  When cucumber is taken it does its cleaning work at the joints, thus stirring up pain as it eliminates the uric acid.  This means it also help other inflamed conditions like arthritis, asthma, and gout.Hair growth:  The silicon and sulfur content in cucumber juice makes it especially helpful in promoting hair growth.  Drink it mixed with carrot, lettuce or spinach juice.

Puffy eyes:  Some people wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, probably due to too much water retention in the body (or having cried to sleep).  To reduce the puffiness, lie down and put two slices of cucumber on the eyes for a good ten minutes.

Skin conditions:  The high amount of vitamin C and anti-oxidants in cucumber makes it an important ingredient in many beauty creams for treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.Sunburn:  When there is a sunburn, make cucumber juice and rub it on the affected area for a cooling and healing effect.

Water retention:  It supplies the necessary electrolytes and restores hydration of the body cells, thus reducing water retention. 

Consumption TipsChoose cucumbers that are dark green in color and firm to the touch.  Avoid those that are yellowish or are wrinkled at either ends.  Thinner cucumbers have fewer seeds than those that are thicker.Store cucumbers in the fridge to retain its freshness.  Cut cucumbers should be kept wrapped up or in an air-tight container and kept in the fridge.  Consume within a day or two.
Caution

Where possible, buy organic as cucumbers may be waxed or have pesticides.  If non-organic, wash cucumber under cold running water and scrub gently with a vegetable brush.  It might help also to soak it for 5-10 minutes with 1-2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.  http://www.juicing-for-health.com

Style Quotes

“The lower I feel, the higher the heel.”

– Giovanna Battaglia, fashion editor of L’Uomo Vogue

“Sunglasses are like eyeshadow. They make everything look younger and prettier.” 

                                   – Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer and creative director of Chanel

“When in doubt, wear red.”

– Bill Blass, fashion designer

“A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view." 

                                                                            – Sophia Loren, actress

“Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.”


 – Epictetus, philosopher

“I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.” 

– Gilda Radner, comedienne and actress

“When a little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.” 

– Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor

“The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress.”


– Hubert de Givenchy, fashion designer

“While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence—which, I believe, does make the woman.” 

                                              – Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.

“Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman.” 

– Coco Chanel, fashion designer

“Keeping your clothes well-pressed will keep you from looking hard pressed.” 

– Coleman Cox, writer

“Why change? Everyone has his own style. When you have found it, you should stick to it.” 

– Audrey Hepburn, actress and style icon

“A woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable in her clothes.”

– Vera Wang, fashion designer

“Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.”  

                                                                               - Janet Lane, actress

“Fashions fade, but style is eternal.” 

– Yves Saint-Laurent, fashion designer

www.femalenetwork.com

Foot Scrub

Don't you just love Watson's?

I do.  Because the store seems to have everything or every girl needs when it comes to beauty essentials and it also has pharmacy that makes it like a one-stop shop already.

And what I want more is when the store is on sale. I feel like grabbing everything, hehe! Especially if their promo is buy one take one, oh boy! I will definitely go home with a bag-full of stuffs from Watson's.

Anyway, here's what I got the last time I visited their store here in the province. Since I don't have the time to go to salon for foot spa, I bought a foot scrub instead. So whenever I feel like scrubbing my feet, I can do it anytime I want. And I just love the effects on my feet  after applying it. It becomes smooth and soft to feel... You must try it too.. :)

Related to the topic, don't you know we can actually use sugar as scrub? Of course I'm sure majority of you heard about it already.

Anyway, instead of buying products for foot scrub why not try brown sugar as substitute and enjoy the many benefits it offers...

Skin Moisturizer

• Unlike a salt scrub, sugar scrubs do not dry the skin. A sugar scrub is alpha-hydroxy rich. Alpha-hydroxy is an active substance with exfoliating and emollient properties.

Will Not Clog Pores

• Sugar scrubs will not clog the pores and are safe to use on children. They are healing for individuals who suffer from eczema and psoriasis.

Gentle Brown Sugar

• Brown sugar scrubs are especially gentle and can even be used on the face or on individuals who have particularly sensitive skin.

Non-abrasive

• Sugar scrubs are non-abrasive and can be used frequently. They help to restore and moisturize the skin. Sugar is a humectant, which means it cannot draw moisture out of the skin like a salt scrub can.

Get An Even Tan

• When tanning, sugar scrubs help remove flaky skin on elbows, knees, and feet, giving a more even, all-over tan, especially when using a tanning service.

Purchase or Make Your Own

• Sugar scrubs are found readily in department and health-food stores. They may also be prepared from scratch at home. www.ehow.com

Cheesy Ensaymada

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