When summertime comes, gyms, tanning salons and beaches quickly fill up. Why not? Who doesn’t want to look good? I sure as hell do. However, looking good isn’t only about breaking a sweat at the gym and showing off that bronze hue.

We all know about the hazards of too much sun and UV radiation, and with the Earth’s ozone layer thinning, this adds to an increase chance of age spots, wrinkles, damaged skin, and most of all, skin cancer. Not to mention, sun burns too! Although there are certain things that are great when slightly burnt (bacon, cheese, chicken skin, smokies…. mmm) your skin, is NOT one of them. Crispy human skin anyone?

So how can you look your best this summer while staying healthy and reducing your risk of sun damage and skin cancer?

Well, lucky for me (and you), I was listening to the radio the other day and tuned in to a segment by Dr. Tasreen Alibhai of Vitalia Healthcare which gave some GREAT summer tips!

Antioxidants that protect your skin

Top 5 nutrients to eat or apply topically:

1. Grapeseed Extract. Found in none other than grape seeds and 50 times stronger than many other antioxidants!
2. Resveratrol. Red grapes’ skin, red wine and peanuts. I like the red wine part.
3. Vitamin E. Avocados, almonds and sunflower seeds.
4. Vitamin C. Tomatoes, red and green peppers, melons, citrus fruits, broccoli.
5. Green tea. At least 2 cups per day can help prevent skin tumors and skin damage.

Top 6 foods to eat:

1. Broccoli sprouts. Having a salad? A sandwich? Don’t forget the sprouts!
2. Beta-carotene. Leafy greens and bright veggies. Cook, chop or puree to get the most.
3. Tumeric. Cook with it, or find it in Indian dishes.
4. Dark chocolate. At 70% cocoa and 2 squares a day. Or maybe 2 boxes. Just kidding. Don’t do that.
5. Lycopenes. Tomatoes and watermelons.
6. Fish oil. Omega 3 oils are great for the skin. Wild salmon, snapper, cod, mackerel and sardines.

How to shed pounds & look good naked

Great skin ain’t a thang if you can’t fit into that bathing suit!

1. Cut the soft drinks and high fructose corn syrup! Diet Coke, this means you too.
2. Choose brown over white. Whole grain foods, brown rice, whole wheat bread.
3. Fill half of your plate with a rainbow of veggies.
4. The classic 8 cups of water a day.
5. Sleep a minimum of 7 hours. Sleeping less than 7 hours will increase your risk of gaining weight!

Get specific details and daily dosages for nutrients in the full article. For other natural ways to stay healthy, visit Dr. Tasreen Alibhai at Vitalia Healthcare.

Sexy summer Bunnie, here I come!

XO,

Generally, women are in the shape of…

apples or pears.

{Who cares about guys.}

And then there are bamboo sticks, toothpicks, and women without an ounce of fat on their bony frames. If you are the latter, go away. You don’t belong here.

Me? I’m a pear. And I may live longer than you apples out there.

Apparently, if you have more fat in your bottom half – your butt & thighs – you may live longer because your fat can trap harmful particles and release beneficial compounds. It’s like a superhero.

Another reason I’m glad to be a pear?

When you overeat {and man do I overeat}, the fat in your legs get a piece of the action – they absorb the fat from your meal. It’s kind of like a bitch, don’t even THINK about hogging that fat to yourself sort of deal. {Don’t you wish more people demanded that of you?} The result? The rest of your body is spared from being overwhelmed by your massive dietary fat intake. Yum. No wonder I can never lose thigh fat. That, and because I’m lazy.

For more, visit Vancouver Sun: Fat thighs, bum may help you live longer

Which one are you ?

XO,

PS – Don’t tell me I’m not a pear when my bathing suit set consists of a XS top and a M sized bottom. Mix and match rocks!