♡ Brought to you by Darling Niki! ♡

May your world be surrounded in peace, your heart filled with love, and your thoughts a fountain of wisdom.

SUPPORT THE 'RIGHT 2 KNOW MARCH'!

Please support the 'Right 2 Know March' that kicks off tomorrow! The march goes from New York to Washington D.C., all to get our request for honest labeling heard. I'd like to thank Whole Foods for bringing more awareness to this issue since they have been so dishonest about the food and products that they sell. We have the right to know what's in our food and where it comes from! Say "no" to GMOS's!


The full story:
http://healthhappinessandhottness.blogspot.com/2011/08/whole-foods-isnt-doing-whole-lot-about.html


What GMO's do to your body: http://healthhappinessandhottness.blogspot.com/2011/07/gmo-food-alters-our-digestive-systems.html


Check out the 'Right 2 Know March' here:
https://www.facebook.com/right2knowmarch?sk=info


https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=248764045153214


At least Trader Joe's says "no" to GMO's! http://healthhappinessandhottness.blogspot.com/2011/09/trader-joes-vs-whole-foods.html

ALL YOU NEED IS...WATER!

You don't need sports drinks or "naturally (artificially) flavored" water, just stick to the real thing! The healthiest way to hydrate is with pure water, there's no need to make it complicated. If plain water gets boring, you can easily add some refreshing organic fruit, so drink up!

FAKE A FULLER POUT AT HOME - EVERY TIME!

When it comes to your lips, that whole duck face look is gross, and forced pouts in photos aren't cute. For a soft and full kisser, you must use these simple techniques at home that do the job every time! Trust me - your pucker will nearly double in size when you do this!

Step 1: If your lips are really dry and flakey, use a bit of facial scrub to gently slough off the dead skin with your fingers. If the dryness isn't that bad (it won't be when you use these techniques often), dampen the corner of a washcloth and gently rub your lips until they are smooth.

Step 2: Apply Aquaphor or Elizabeth Arden 'Eight Hour Cream'. My Mom has been using 'Eight Hour Cream' religiously for nearly thirty years, and whenever I use it, the scent always reminds me of her. The cream is great to use on a dry nose, elbows, knees - you name it! These multi-taskers do wonders for moisturizing your lips the most, which is why its absolutely necessary that you apply it right after exfoliating your lips.

Step 3: I rarely use lipliner because my lips are naturally pretty dark, but feel free to apply a color that matches your skin tone. Fill in your lips just outside of your lip line for extra fullness if you need it. Please don't do the 90's hooker look with a ring of dark lipliner - yuck! 

Step 4: Yves Saint Laurent 'Touche Eclat Radiant Touch' is a great highlighter that you can use around your eyes, on the bridge of your nose, or for the lips - on your cupid's bow. I ran out of my highlighter recently, so in the photo below, I'm just wearing a tiny bit of eye shadow with shimmer on my cupid's bow.

Step 5: I've been using Lip Fusion for years, and it really works! Whether you are wearing lipstick or gloss, I highly recommend that once the cream has done its job, apply a layer of the plumping lip gloss. Apply sparingly and wait for it to set if you are wearing lipstick over it, like Makeup For Ever 'Rouge Artist Intese' (its amazing and wears like a stain). Don't forget to blot your lips, ladies! If you are just wearing gloss, feel free to load it on! But, if you're going to let anyone enjoy your soft, full lips, kiss the back of your hand first to remove the stickiness! Now you can be a "smooth operator", too!
Taken with my phone which unfortunately doesn't have a flash. I need digital camera recommendations!

ADD ENZYMES TO MEALTIMES!

Our bodies create our own enzymes, but a little extra help can't hurt, especially when we can get the other health benefits from papaya and pineapple and prevent bloating. Papaya enzymes are believed to help prevent colon cancer and relieve stomach ulcers as well as pancreatic enzyme deficiency, inflammation, UTI's, bronchitis, kidney stones and parasite infestations (ewww). 


Pineapple enzymes help to treat digestive problems and inflammation as well as reduce pain and soothe burns and other injuries. Due to the fact that papaya and pineapple enzymes should not be taken during pregnancy or while on certain medications, its is best to consult your healthcare professional before increasing your consumption of these fruits or supplements. Foods are always the better choice over their supplements, of course!

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

 

It is very important for anyone interested in studying health and nutrition or seeking help from someone in that profession to understand the differences between Nutritionists and Health Coaches. I have provided information to clarify this matter, because I was also confused when I began my studies.

For those of you who don't know, the term "Nutritionist" is legally protected and you can face misdemeanor charges if you are caught calling yourself one without a license. As a certified Nutritionist, you are allowed to assess the dietary needs of others to help them reach their health goals. Though you can establish a service for nutrition counseling, you are barred from selling vitamins or marketing commercial supplements to the public. A Nutritionist certified by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) must also be trained in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry to obtain at least a four year Bachelor's Degree in food, dietics and nutrition. Professionals with PHD's in nutrition are forbidden from calling themselves nutritionists without ADA approval as well - yikes! 

Though it may sound like you'd gain more knowledge by being granted with an ADA certification in nutrition, think about how many lies we are fed everyday about "smarter" options from the establishments that have made our country so fat and unhealthy. Keep in mind that these establishments as well as the healthcare industry are making money off of encouraging us to avoid nutritious foods and fitness. Over the past few years, corporations that provide more healthy and organic foods have grown, so we can only hope that this will cure America's sickness someday!

I have nothing against Nutritionists, I'm just disappointed that they have to be involved with the downside of our food industry just to get certification. Most of our food products sold worldwide have caused other countries known for their good health to become obese and unhealthy, just like Americans. Look at fast-developing cities like Shanghai that are feeding China's craving for American products by opening fast food restaurants and selling our "diet products" everywhere, their people have already been affected! 

As you know by reading this blog, I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and every time I've gone back to visit, I'm absolutely horrified by what the American food industry is doing to the beautiful Japanese people. Those who reside in major cities have developed more health problems such as high cholesterol, acne, excessive weight gain, etc. I find this to be very sad, because the Japanese who live far from the major cities are some of the longest-living human beings on the planet due to their organic and nutritious diets as well as staying stress-free without fatty foods. 

Now I'll explain what it means to be a Health Coach: 

Health Coaching combines an extensive education in health and nutrition as well as the promotion and instruction of health and fitness within a one-on-one environment. This enables the Health Coach to guide the individual through a personalized program to enhance their health and overall well-being with permanent results (if they stick with the program). With a coaching relationship, the client is able to receive a health and fitness evaluation and personal program based on their individual needs to achieve their lifestyle management, weight loss and physical activity goals. A coach cannot give professional medical device, but they use their expertise in a more holistic approach to provide the tools that will help the client in the best way possible. 

Coaching sessions are done in person, by phone or online and continue throughout the time period that is necessary for the client to reach their goals for better health, weight management and an overall lifestyle improvement. In my studies in nutrition school, I'm learning over a hundred different diets as well as the scientific perspective on ways in which different foods affect us both physically and mentally. Food doesn't just satisfy your hunger or make you look better, there's so much more to it than that!

Amidst what all of the fad diet books say, there is no single diet that works for everyone besides what should be obvious to all of us: Organic and nutritious foods. Desire is one thing, but what's important is that we all have different needs that must be met by programs that work best for each of us. This is where a Health Coach is especially helpful, because they specialize in evaluating clients that range from children to the elderly, people with diseases, athletes, women who are expecting, new Moms, etc. 

A customized program is created to ease the client into making changes one step at a time at a pace that works best for them rather than overloading them with too much information at once. We all want to look and feel better, but sometimes we need help getting there, and there's no reason to be embarrassed about that! 







Let's change this!

JUNK FOOD ISN'T CHEAPER!

I am so glad that The New York Times did this article, because it is so true that eating healthy is not more expensive!

Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?




MORE FOODS WITH GMO'S - STRAIGHT FROM YOUR GROCERY LIST!

Besides what I've shared with you in previous posts, here are more foods that contain GMO's:

Processed Food Products That Generally Contain Genetically Modified (Engineered) Ingredients*
From Farmer's Market Gazette
By Editor

Not an exhaustive list, even so it’s long enough. So hold onto your hats.
Salad Dressings
Infant Formula
Bread, Rolls, Pastry
Baby Cereal
Canned rolls and breads
Hamburgers and Hotdogs
Margarine
Processed Meats
Mayonnaise
Crackers
Chocolate
Cookies
Candy
Fried Foods
Frozen Foods
Chips
Tofu
Veggie Burgers
Soy Burgers
Meat Substitutes
Aspartame
Ice Cream
Frozen Yogurt
Tamari
Soy Sauce
Soy Cheese
Soy Nuts and Products
Processed Cheese
Pasteurized Cheese
Tomato Sauce
Marinades
Barbeque Sauce
Soups
Canned Stews
Sauces
Dried and Dehydrated Soups/Sauces
Condiments
Drinks
Protein Powder
Baking Powder
Alcohol
Vanilla
Peanut Butter
Pasta
Enriched Flour
Powdered Sugar
Children’s snacks
Cereals
Cake and Baking Mixes
Frozen pie and pastry shells
* most often but not exclusively corn oil and corn products, soy, canola oil, cottonseed oil.
http://farmersmarketgazette.com


Make sure that what you buy is certified organic, not "made in China" or any of that crap!

THE STORY OF LIFE (from Melanie)

I couldn't resist sharing this as soon as I read it on Melanie Mouchigian's blog (http://melaniemoushigian.blogspot.com). I follow her because she posts a lot of inspiring poems and quotes that I love reading, and this is my favorite one so far!

Melanie's Blog
The Story of Life…

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, to teach you a lesson or to help you figure out who you are, or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be, possibly your roommate, neighbor, coworker, long-lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger, but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes in life, things may happen to you that seem horrible, painful, and unfair, but in reflection, you find that without overcoming those obstacles, you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart. "If you want a rainbow, you have to put up with the rain."



Everything happens for a reason, nothing by chance or by means of luck, it happens because it is meant to be. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity, all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road leading to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, yet dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet that will affect your life, will be the success and downfalls you experience though out life, they are who will help you create the person you will grow to become, even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are the most important experiences because, "Failure teaches success."

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open you heart, how you must only give to the ones who are worthy of being loyal.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because in a way they are teaching you about how to love, have trust and about loyalty. Give them that chance to give and receive what they deserve for and from you. "Everything in life is temporary because everything changes, that's why it takes great courage to love, knowing it might end anytime, but having the faith that it will last forever."



Make everyday count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything you possibly can because that may be the only time in your life you will ever have that experience.

Meet new people you have never met before, talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen to what they have to say, it might teach you something valuable, but always remember who your true friends are, "A true friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words".

Let yourself live, love, and break free, make no boundaries, for you can accomplish anything as long as your heart is into it. This is your life, you run the show! Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a special individual and there is no other out there the same as you. Believe in yourself, for it will be hard for others to believe in you. "If you don't stand up for something, you will fall for anything". You are in control and you can create your own life, so take chances, and go out and live it with absolutely no regret. "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be".

Most importantly, if you love someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow will bring. Don't let one moment pass because it could change you forever. Don't ever fear life, because "What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger". Learn a valuable lesson in each day that you live. "The rich person is not who has the most but who needs the least".

Life is too short to take seriously, so remember to begin each day with a smile…"Never frown, you never know who might be falling in love with your smile." Everyone who walks through your door will make you happy, some on the way in and some on the way out…but always remember to leave the door to your heart open because you never know what may come your way. Believe in Karma, because what comes around really does go around.

http://melaniemoushigian.blogspot.com/2011/08/story-of-life.html?spref=fb

PAIGE DENIM EVENT

My sister Kelly and I attended the Paige Denim Spring 2012 collection debut at one of our favorite spots in the city, The Jane Hotel. It was nice to catch up with Paige, I hadn't seen her in a few years and the new line is awesome!
 Sis and I chatting with one of her friends from Paige Denim.
 Fabulous!
 Catching up with Paige and sporting great posture. Along with the horrible and effortless hairdo, I look like I have a huge butt with that chunky sweater. Hottness!
 Sis being the fabulous fashionista that she is.
 Focused...
The beautiful Jane Hotel ballroom. My sis and I come here to hang out and dine at Gitane all the time. I love the vibe, the food and the people here. Oh, and Paige gave me a little history lesson that night: The Titanic survivors fled to The Jane Hotel to stay once they arrived in New York!
You can't control everything that happens to you, but you can control your reactions. By maintaining a positive attitude, you'll get through the dark times by focusing on the light.

LIFE LESSONS

I recently came across this wonderful post, but was unable to find 

the author. I figured I may as well share it anyways, because 

everyone ought to read it!

32 Important Truths I’ve Learned 

About Life