Face It...

Ever wonder if your healthy habits will really pay off?  Ever look in the mirror and wonder if you weren't healthy, if you would look any different?  As we get older, we become hypersensitive to the aging process...questioning our lifestyle, our environment and even our gene pool.  Which of these factors are really aging us, or if we are healthy, keeping us young? 

Chances are you are going to the spa, getting facials and using skincare products that provide lots of anti-aging benefits ( if not you really need to start getting facials). Facials and skincare are a must in staying youthful and beautiful, but so is your lifestyle. In particular, avoiding these ten skin enemies will help you look and stay youthful for years to come: 

1. Smoking: In a recent study done on twins where one twin smoked and one didn't, the minimum perceived age difference among the twins were 5 years.  For every ten years of smoking, the twin who smoked looked approximately 2 ½ years older in appearance.  Why is this so? Smoking causes blood vessels to constrict, resulting in decreased blood flow to skin.  Further, it depletes the body of Vitamin C, which is key for keeping skin plump and moist.This in turn causes capillaries to become permanently damaged, increased dryness and skin dehydration due to a diuretic effect, a grayish complexion and lastly, an increase in wrinkles, including crows feet.
2. Sun Exposure: In the same study, increased sun exposure was associated with an older appearance, especially as the twins got older. Those twins with outdoor hobbies such as golf and tennis had a perceived older appearance, while those who used skin protection (sunscreen) led to a younger appearance.  Why is this so? High amounts of sun exposure breaks down skin's structural tissues (collagen and elastin).  As a result, skin looks mottled, freckles become more permanent, and skin becomes dried out, leathery, wrinkled and saggy.
3. Alcohol: Alcohol dilates small blood vessels, increasing blood flow near the skin's surface. This can cause the skin to look wrinkled, red and flushed.  What you can do: Try to limit yourself to one alcoholic beverage per day.
4. Caffeine: Caffeine can cause water loss from your body and skin, resulting in a lack of plumpness.  What you can do: Make sure you drink plenty of water and limit intake to 300 mg a day.
5. Extreme Weather: Exposure to cold winds and low temperatures or extreme dry heat can dehydrate your skin, leading to wrinkles and roughness.  What you can do: Visit the spa and purchase a good moisturizer to keep you hydrated.
6. Eating Disorders: Depriving your body of important nutrients required for proper cell turnover and growth can cause skin to become dry and thin.  Further, hair and nails can become brittle and thin.  What you can do: Make sure you are eating enough calories so that your metabolism stays high and your body is properly nourished.
7. Lack of Sleep: Not getting enough sleep deprives your body of needed rest and doesn't allow skin to regenerate.  You'll look and feel tired, develop dark circles and bags under your eyes and your skin will become saggy.  What you can do: Get at least 7 1/2 hours of sleep a night, if not more.
8. Stress: Stress and worry cause frowning, and over time muscles in the face actually conform to that movement, developing lines and wrinkles. Also stress is the cause of many ailments. What you can do: schedule monthly massage sessions and monitor your stress levels throughout the day, you can use essential oils to release the stress you feel.  Take breaks throughout the day and conduct breathing and relaxation exercises with the essential oils.(ask your therapist about the ideal essential oil)
9. Refined Sugars and Low-Protein in Your Diet: Refined sugar and carbohydrates can disturb collagen production, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin.  Further, spikes in your insulin levels can cause excess amounts of secreted oils, resulting in acne and breakouts.  What you can do: Focus on whole grains, fruits and vegetables for your carbohydrates and a minimum of 20% of your calories from lean proteins.
10. Saturated Fats or VERY Low-Fat Diets: Saturated fats (butter, cream, high-fat dairy and high-fat animal products) can cause skin to age and become more wrinkled.  However, not having enough healthy fats can harm the oil barrier of your skin, which protects from fluid loss and infection. Too little fat can result in Eczema, Dermatitis (inflammation of skin) and Acne. What you can do: Make sure you eat a well balanced diet that incorporates healthy fats, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates.

As we get older, our lifestyle choices become even more important...especially when it comes to the aging process and looking and feeling our best. 

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Whole-Wheat Pasta w/Broccolini and Feta

 

Ingredients

• 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch broccolini (about 10 ounces), stems cut into 2-inch stems, and florets
• 1 medium bunch radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced
• 12 ounces whole-wheat rigatoni
• 1 tablespoon sherry wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 7 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Directions