Figuring Out Labels On Cereal Boxes

As Women Age

        Aging creeps up on us like a quiet predator stalking its prey.  It starts as early as our 20’s.  Before we know it, one gray hair turns too many and that slight laugh line is now a deep crevice.  Stopping the clock is beyond the realm of possibility; however, being aware of the natural age-related changes that will occur in our bodies will help.  Knowing how to promote good health starting now, can slow the process and help you age gracefully and healthier.  

Your cardiovascular system
Over time, your heart muscle decreases in efficiency and has to work a lot harder to pump blood throughout our bodies.  Our blood vessels aren’t as elastic either and harden because of fatty deposits that accumulate over time, which can lead to high blood pressure and other problems.  

What to do. We all know what we need to do on a daily basis as we’ve heard it time and again.  Doing it is another thing.  All it takes is activity daily like walking, swimming, biking, playing golf or dance aerobics.  Eating healthy is important as well and including plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet.  Instead of eating plain cereal, add fruit.  Instead of eating a potato, add two veggies you love.  Instead of fixing a sandwich on white bread, use 100% whole grain.  It’s a simple change.  If you smoke, you NEED to quit and don’t be too stubborn to ask your doctor to help you quit. 

Your bones, joints and muscles
Our bones kind of shrink in size and thin out as we get older, making us susceptible to fractures and breaks.  Muscles aren’t as flexible and lose their strength as well, which effects our coordination and balance.  

What to do.   We need calcium and vitamin D in our diets because it keeps our bones strong.   Also, strength training twice a week (building muscle) increases bone density which will maintain flexibility and balance throughout your life.  It’s never too late to start.  If you hate lifting weights or going to a gym, use your body to build muscle by doing squats, pushups, leg lifts, and pull ups.  You can also do isometric training right in your home. 

Digestive system
Not drinking enough fluids, including fiber in your diet and a total lack of exercise can lead to constipation.  Some medications will cause it as well like diuretics and iron supplements.  

What to do.
You already know you should be drinking plenty of water throughout the day.  You can use a fiber supplement daily as well.  CVS pharmacy offers Easy Fiber which dissolves instantly is flavorless, grit-free, gluten and sugar free and inexpensive.

Our bladder and urinary tract
In our senior years, there is a possibility of losing control (urinary incontinence).  If you’re overweight now, try to shed those extra pounds.  Kegel exercises aren’t just for strengthening your pelvis for child birth.  This is an exercise you should practice throughout your lifetime.  Simply tighten your muscles as if you’re trying to stop from peeing.  Doing it consciously every day, will keep those muscles strong. 
 
Our memory
As the number of cells (neurons) in the brain decreases, it will take longer to learn new things or remember familiar words or names.   To stay as sharp as a tack, again physical activity and a healthy diet will help.

Eyes and ears
Our eyes produce lesser tears as we age.  The retinas thin and the lenses gradually become less clear. Focusing becomes more difficult, sensitivity to glare and adapting to light becomes troublesome. Our hearing dims somewhat as well, having difficulty hearing higher frequencies or following a conversation in a crowded room. 

What to do. Have your vision and hearing checked regularly, wear sunglasses when you're outdoors and use earplugs when you're around loud machinery or other loud noises. 

Teeth
Our mouth may dry and gums pull back (recede) from your teeth as we age.   An extreme lack of saliva to wash away bacteria can make our teeth and gums vulnerable to decay and infection.   Teeth may also darken slightly and become more brittle and easier to break. 

What to do.   Always brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth using regular dental floss.  Of course, regular visits to your dentist are essential as well.

Skin
The skin thins and becomes less elastic and more fragile. You may notice that you bruise more easily. Decreased production of natural oils may make your skin drier and more wrinkled. Age spots can occur, and small growths called skin tags are more common. 

 
What to do.  No one should bathe in hot water as it dries out the skin.  Always moisturize in the morning and at night before you go to bed and use a mild soap to cleanse the skin.  When you're outdoors, use sunscreen.  This is a must.  Smoking contributes to skin damage, such as wrinkling. 

        It's never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle.   None of us can stop the aging process, but we can certainly minimize the impact by doing what’s right for our bodies now … today.  The younger you begin, the younger you will look, act and feel when you reach that mature age.

Omega Select ~ The Ultimate Surprise

One thing The Girlz Korner is not … a review blog.  There are times, however, when the product warrants stepping outside the box because it deserves the recognition.  I could copy information from a website directly but honest praise should rise from personal experience.

I have been living with high blood pressure for nearly 5 years, mostly induced from stress I can’t seem to escape.  It’s hard to control what goes on in your life sometimes, losing a high paying job and your home to foreclosure, supporting and caring for a parent diagnosed with breast cancer, not being able to land full time employment, and the lack of medical insurance have been ongoing factors.  I suffered a mild stroke two years ago because of the stress and luckily walked away with no debilitating effects. 

 

When I was approached a month ago to try Omega Select, I have to admit I was leery at first.  There are many inferior fish oil supplements out there.  My hope was this product would help me reach a better quality of life and fast.  It did more than that.  My starting blood pressure was 170/98.  The left side of my face was numb every day, all day.  I also experienced a strong tingling sensation that ran up and down the length of my jaw.  I was moments away from stroking out again and possibly meeting The Grim Reaper face-to-face.

Thirty days to the letter, my pressure has maintained a steady 140/82 … more than a major improvement I’d say.  I’m also exercising daily and watching what I eat.  PLUS, I’ve noticed that my skin is more vibrant looking.  To learn more about this exceptional supplement, you can check out their website. I’m confident, you won’t be disappointed.

Lemon Cake Roll

Ingredients                                     

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• FILLING:
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions

• Line a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with waxed paper. Grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar; beat for 2 minutes or until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored. Stir in water. Combine dry ingredients; fold into egg mixture. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
• Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• Invert onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, flour, egg, water and lemon juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature.

Unroll cake; spread filling evenly over cake to within 1 in. of edges. Roll up again. Place seam side down on a serving platter. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Recipe compliments of http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Lemon-Cake-Roll 

No Bake Cake Truffles

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup yellow cake mix
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3-4 Tablespoons milk
• 2 Tablespoons sprinkles

Truffle Coating:

• 16 ounces (8 squares) almond bark (or white candy melts)
• 4 Tablespoons yellow cake mix
• sprinkles

Beat together butter and sugar using an electric mixer until combined. Blend in vanilla.  Add cake mix, flour, salt, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Add 3 Tablespoons of milk or more if needed to make a dough consistency. Mix in sprinkles by hand. Roll dough into one inch balls and place on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill balls in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.


While dough balls are chilling, melt almond bark in the microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Stir between intervals. Once melted, quickly stir in cake mix until incorporated completely. Using a fork, dip truffles into almond bark and shake of excess bark by tapping the bottom of the fork on the side of your bowl. Place truffle back on the cookie sheet and top with sprinkles. Repeat with remaining balls until finished. {Note: for smoother looking truffles, don't add cake mix to melted chocolate, just leave it by itself}

Chill cake batter truffles in the refrigerator until serving. Makes around 24-30 truffles.

 Recipe from: The Girl Who Ate Everything    

The Beauty of Nail Art

Ever since 3,000 B.C., Egyptian, women used henna to dye their fingers and nails red to both signify their status in the social strata and to beautify their appearance.   In China, they used a mixture of crushed or mashed flowers like orchids and roses to extract their colors.  The Incas decorated their fingernails with pictures of eagles, but it is unclear how the practice of coloring nails progressed following these beginnings.

Nail art began to advance in modern society, beginning in the 19th century.  In 1830, the orange wood stick was developed in Europe and this began to modernize the process for manicuring the nail. 

 

Polishing fingernails is by far, not what it used to be.  Thousands of nail styling salons have been popping up across the nation within the last decade performing stunningly glamorous artwork.  Applications are available in a full range of shapes and colors and in most instances using stickers, freehand drawing or airbrushing over stencils to achieve a certain design. 

There is no limit to creativity as women combine a unique look to compliment their individual fashion style.  If you want an easy and affordable way to jazz up your outfit, look no further than a bottle of nail polish, glitzy colors, and some magnificent artwork.  Some ideas can truly be way over the top, but the styles I've added here within this post, I've found to be truly unique and beautiful. 

Pink Almond Petit Fours For Spring

Ingredients

 6 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, softened, plus more
    for baking sheet
 1 1/4 cup(s) cake flour (not self-rising), plus more for
     baking sheet
    3/4 teaspoon(s) baking powder
    1/4 teaspoon(s) baking soda
    1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
    1 cup(s) sugar
    1/2 cup(s) almond paste
    4 large eggs, separated
    1/2 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
    1/2 cup(s) whole milk
    1/2 cup(s) cherry preserves, processed in a food processor
    Sugar Glaze
    Gum paste cherry blossoms (available at Gum Paste Flower Store)

Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 12- by 17-inch rimmed baking sheet, and line with parchment paper. Butter parchment, and dust with flour, tapping out excess; set aside. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl; set aside.

    Put 3/4 cup sugar and the almond paste into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 2 minutes. Raise speed to medium-high. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in egg yolks and vanilla. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.

    Put egg whites into the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold one-third of egg-white mixture into batter with a rubber spatula. Gently fold in remaining egg-white mixture.

    Spread evenly into prepared sheet. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to wire rack; let cool completely. Unmold; remove parchment.

    Cut cake in half crosswise. Spread one half with preserves; top with remaining half. Refrigerate 1 hour. Trim cake, and cut into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour glaze over each petit four, spreading over top and sides to coat completely. Reuse glaze, straining to remove any solids, if needed. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. Garnish with blossoms. Cakes can be refrigerated up to 2 days.

Compliments of Martha Stewart Living

Egg Shell Centerpiece

Hollowed-out eggshells make naturally beautiful vases for tiny flower arrangements. Break an egg at the top of its shell, drain the contents, and carefully rinse out the inside.

Next, fill the empty shell with room-temperature water and place it in an eggcup for stability. Finally, insert small cuttings of your favorite blossoms (we used lilacs, lily of the valley, and violas). Individually or grouped together in a centerpiece, these tiny arrangements make a wonderful addition to the place settings at your table.

Compliments of Martha Stewart