How to be skinny and stay skinny!

I've always been small and skinny. Indian culture sometimes sees this "slimness" as a negative, but times are changing. My father used to make me buy size large in clothing, with the rational that one day I would fit into it. I am 26 now, and those larges are still WAY too big. The goal is to never fit into a size large- So anyway, here are some lifestyle tips for staying skinny!

1. Diet matters more than exercise. I have mentioned this in a previous post. Don't get me wrong, I love to work out - but I don't do it religiously! As physicians we recommend 30 min of continuous exercise 3-5 times a week. Exercise is great for our bone healthy - especially if you are a thin woman of asian decent - as you are more likely to get osteoporosis. Exercise is also great for your mood.

2. Eat breakfast everyday. I tend to be more meal heavy in the morning. That way, I have all day to burn and use up those calories. Dinner tends to be my lightest meal - which is not what you see promoted in mainstream media.

3. This may sound weird - but has worked for me-- When you eat food, think about what that food can do for you. A carrot? Loaded with vitamin A - great for my vision. Spinach - ton's of folate - great for women of child bearing age. A cup of tea with honey? (See long post done before) You get the picture. Now let's talk about, a can of soda? Ton's of sugar, makes you burp!, makes you feel bloated, no nutrition, but the first couple sips taste great with a pizza! Here is my motto, in the world we live in there is nothing wrong with indulging here and there. If I am going to eat 4 bites of a chocolate brownie - it better be the most chocolatey and tasty brownie - or else it is not worth it to me. I'm the type of person that does not crave sweets, but I'd rather have a few bites of the real thing, than a whole serving of a watered down version. Having a slice of pizza or a coldstone Like It ice cream here and there will not kill you, but make these meals rare and your portions very small. 

4. Avoid buying beef, pork, lamb etc. Stick to lean meats like chicken and turkey. Indulge in fish and seafood! If you don't buy it, you won't cook it!

5. Use a lot of lemon and olive oil! Both add great favor and provide heath benefits. When a recipe calls for adding salt for taste- I never do it! Also, I never add sugar to any of my tea beverages.

6. Don't make desert at home! I know this is asking a lot - but think about it. If you don't make it - you won't eat it! Then, when you go out to dinner with the family - split a small dessert. Your craving will be fulfilled without the guilt.

Shhh!!! It's a beauty secret! - Castor Oil

I'm going to let you all in on a new found secret- Castor Oil! I was doing some research to look into a product that makes hair shiny, healthy, and have better growth. I think I may have found it. If it works anything like Jojoba Oil, then it is bound to be a success. The first time I heard about castor oil was on a TV show saying that castor oil can be used as a heat protector when styling your hair. However, after doing more research on this- I found that this oil has other amazing benefits.

I love visiting makeupalley.com - as they have never failed me in choosing the right products and discovered that castor oil has gotten INCREDIBLE reviews.
Some of the claims include - increasing rate of hair growth, producing thicker and darker hair strands, growing eyelashes further than ever before, and thicker eyebrows. Other things that it is good for is sealing the ends of your hair to prevent split ends.

Castor Oil is very cheap and comes in many forms - as an oil in the laxative section, Jamaican Black Oil, and as a cold compress that melts easily in your hands. It does not seem to matter which form you use.

I have started to use this product this week and will keep you all updated on how it is working!

Has anyone else tried this?

Cheap find! Suave Keratin Infusion Leave-In Conditioner

Suave has recently come out with a new line of products which are infused with Keratin - aka protein. The keratin is supposed to leave hair sleeker and easier to style.

After looking at various reviews online the Heat Defense Leave- In conditioner seems to be a hit! At only 2.74 for a 5 oz bottle at Walmart- seems like there would be no lose in trying it...

Here is what else the product claims:

Infuses keratin & seals cuticles for:

• Advanced protection from heat damage
• Frizz control for up to 48 hours
• Smooth & manageable hair, easy styling

The product seems to compare to It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Product which is 10X the price!

I will see if it lives up to its promises!

Update #1: This product is completely sold out at Walmart, where it is the cheapest... must be a good sign!
Update #2: I am completely sold! This product lives up to its statements. It is cheap enough to use multiple times a week and increases the health of your hair. I highly recommend!