Sun Protection

There has been a lot of research on sun protection and on the Dr Oz show he clarified a few myths and made clear on what sort of sunprotection you need to look for.

 The FDA now have requirements in force that will ensure that sunscreen products are clearly labeled as to their broad-spectrum protection and sun protection factor (or SPF), and whether they protect against only sunburn, or protect against both sunburn and skin cancer. The requirements also will ban misleading terms such as “waterproof” to describe these products.

 Extending the compliance date allows manufacturers the necessary time to test their products for broad-spectrum protection and properly label them.

Always use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen rated SPF 30 or more. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB rays). To clear up a misconception: Something rated SPF 30 is NOT “twice as strong” as something with an SPF 15.
Water resistance sunscreens must be re- applied every 40 to 80 minutes as youe sweat or wash off any of the UV protection.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE SUN PROTECTION PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED



The L'Oreal Sublime Sun Body comes in a spray form wwhich is great for applying to kids on the go, it is the best all purpose sunscreen. Use a shot glass worth of sunscreen to start and when re-applying. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and a shot glass is about the right amount of sunscreen to put on before you head outside – even on a cloudy day. Re-apply that much sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Be fashion-forward and sun-safe.

Enhance your outdoor wardrobe with everything from wide-brimmed hats to UV-resistant clothing. When used with sunscreen, these clothing items provide effective and, yes, fashionable protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Pack a sun-protection “Go Bag” before heading out. Once you hit the beach, park or playground, you will be out of luck if you forget your sunscreen.

It’s best to follow the tips above, but packing a “Go Bag” prior to a day at the beach, on the baseball diamond or picnicking in the park is always a good idea. Pack at least one family-sized bottle of sunscreen, hats and sunglasses for your group just to be sure you’re sun safe once outside.

Seasonal Allergies

A large percentage of us suffer from seasonal allergies and here are some of the great tips Dr. Oz suggest to help us through these seasonal allergies.

Allergy symptoms typically are accompanied by itchiness of the eyes, nose and throat. Colds and sinus infections generally feature a change in color of nasal mucus, fevers, fatigue, headache and/or cough, which allergy medications don’t generally relieve.

Cool eye compresses may improve appearance and reduce unwanted eye allergy symptoms.

Wear big sunglasses to block pollen entry into your eyes/eyelids, especially on windy days.

Wash your eyelids gently when you wash your face each morning. Shampoo your hair in the evening if you have been out on high-pollen days (or after being outdoors) to remove and wash away unwanted seasonal pollens and molds. This will stop them from landing on your pillow and bed sheets during the night.

Many sufferers don’t realize that medications often work better before symptoms take hold.

Allergy medication works by counteracting the effects of histamines produced by the immune system in response to allergy triggers. They work particularly well for itchiness of the eyes and nose, sneezing, and nonstop runny nose. Antihistamines are available in non-drowsy, minimally drowsy and drowsy formulations. Oral and topical nasal sprays that contain decongestants help to reduce nasal congestion and stuffiness. 

Nasal irrigation can help with allergy symptoms, recommended products also include moisturizing gels and sprays to lubricate and moisten sinus and nasal passages.

Once you know what your allergies are, you can watch the local pollen count and take your  medication at the proper time.

Foods to Avoid

Food allergies are not only bothersome, they can be downright deadly. Three Warning Signs of Food Allergies:

1. Skin irritation
2. Tingling in your mouth
3. Swelling in the throat and difficulty breathing

5 Foods that Most Commonly Cause Allergic Reactions:

1. Shellfish
2. Peanuts
3. Eggs
4. Walnuts
5. Fish

 Many flowers will drive up your allergy symptoms, especially if you really inhale their aroma up close. Avoid the following: Daisies, chrysanthemum, amaranthus, dahlia, sunflower, black-eyed Susan, zinnia, privet and lilac

Reduce Inflammation

Here are some key tips to help reduce inflammation that were recommended by Dr. Oz, this will help relieve joint pain.

Have a daily dose of  Omega 3

Cut down on alcohol

No more nicotine

Reduce your caffene intake

Replace refined sugar with healthy sugar substitutes, such as stevia.

Eliminate Stress
Increase your vitamin B12 intake with a supplement or B12-rich foods, such as poultry, seafood and eggs

Have a plant based diet which helps raise your alkaline levels.

Dr Oz also has a magic wrap, lather your joint with castor oil, wrap it in plastic wrap and put a heating pad on the joint.

 Comforting Green Drink

Drink this soothing, nutrient-dense beverage every morning or whenever you want a healthy snack. It will fill you up and help reduce inflammation.

Ingredients

1 cup chopped fresh kale
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen spinach
1½ tbsp hemp seeds
1 tsp chia seeds
½ avocado
½ banana
½ apple
1 cup coconut water
A few drops of stevia for added sweetness (optional)

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and serve over ice

Pomegranate Seeds
Packed with phytonutrients, these tasty gems are low in calories and can help keep your skin looking radiant and youthful. That’s because pomegranate seeds contain ellagic acid, which preserves collagen and fights free radical damage.

Eat a half-cup of pomegranate seeds each day to satisfy your sweets cravings and reap nutritional benefits. To avoid staining your hands, submerge the pomegranate in a bowl of water and break it open to remove seeds.

Eating the right way isn’t about dieting, which implies a temporary change in your eating habits; it’s about making better choices every day so that they become second nature.

Inside Dr. Oz's Home

Dr Oz took us for a tour of his home and showed us the most important items he uses in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Kitchen

In the Oz family fridge there are radishes which are a rich in antioxidants and has all different kinds of cooking oils and all types of spices, his favorite is rosemary.

Dr Oz's favorite foods in his pantry are dried cherry tarts which have melatonin which help you sleep. Red onions are also kept in the dark corner of his pantry.  They are a great snack especially after dinner.


Bulgur wheat is a toasted cracked wheat, is a Middle East staple with a tender, chewy texture. Use to make delicious salads or pilafs, or mixed in meat and vegetable dishes. Just 1 cup has 33% of your daily dietary fiber and 6 grams of protein.

Popcorn is a stable snack in the Oz household, but he sprinkles Brewers Yeast on it for flavor.

All sorts of nuts, they are the best snack, roasted chestnuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts and pecans.

Medicine Cabinet

The usual Asprin and Ibprophen are in the medicine cabinet, he usues two types of electric toothbrushes, one for cleaning and one for massaging his gums. He also uses a mouth guard to stop grinding his teeth.

Dr Oz recommends keeping your medicines in the kitchen, it's a drier place than the bathroom. Here are some home remedies for common ailments.

Canker Sores
 5 drops o Myrrh oil
3 oz water
Swish and rinse 2 times a day.

Bad Breath
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1/2 cup water
Drink

Toenail Fungus
Use mentholated rub, combination of menthol and camphor

Bedroom
Once he gets home form a busy day, he tries to relax outside for 5 -10 minutes playing with the dog and unwinding, he loves doing yoga to unwind, sitting in Childs pose for 3-4 minutes really helps relieve stress.

Meditation is also very important, try and bring releaxing sounds of the ocean into your bedroom.

A mixture of lavender, cinnamon and rosemary in the bedroom gives the room a fresh smell.
to relieve stress from the day a combination of:

Coconut oil and infuse the rind of and orange and massage your temples with this mixture.

Sleep in baggy clothing, there is now a performance brand sleepwear called Goodnighties that absorb moisture and keep you cool.

Dr.Oz's Good Better and Best Products

Here are some of Dr. Oz's good, better and best products recommended for burning fat, anti aging supplements and anti aging products as shown on the Dr. Oz show, there are some really great ideas, creams, supplements and recipes.

Top Fat Burning Products

Good Product for Burning Fat

The Gruve

The Gruve Personal Activity Monitor is an easy-to-use device that helps you manage your weight and become more active. Gruve sets to your personal metabolic rate and measures the calories you burn during daily non-exercise activities, such as walking around the office, mowing the lawn, and washing the dishes.

Better Product for Burning Fat

Eating the right foods is crucial to weight loss. This vegetarian chili is hearty, tasty and has all of the right fat-fighting ingredients to help you slim down. The protein-rich beans help build muscle, while the hot spices boost your metabolism to burn fat. Perfect for a family meal or to freeze and eat later, this recipe will help you drop those extra pounds.         

Ingredients

Makes 14 cups

3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups diced red onions
1 cup diced carrots
2 peppers diced
1 1/2 cups diced sweet potato (1 medium sweet potato)
2 cups diced mushrooms
3 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp crushed pepper flakes
2 tbsp chili powder
4 tbsp chopped garlic
2 tbsp chopped jalapenos
3 (14.5 oz) cans diced, fire roasted tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can chick peas
1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans
1 (15 oz) can black beans
1 (15 oz) can Adzuki beans
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp chopped chipotle in adobo sauce
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 (10 oz) bag frozen corn

Optional toppings
Diced avocado
2% sour cream
Chopped fresh cilantro
Sliced scallions
Limes

Directions
In a large heavy-bottom pot, warm the oil and sauté onions, carrots, peppers, sweet potatoes and mushrooms, stirring occasionally until the vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cumin, crushed pepper flakes and chili powder as well as the garlic and jalapeno and cook a few more minutes until fragrant. Add the tomatoes, all beans and chick peas, oregano, chipotle in adobo, tomato paste and cinnamon. At this point, you can add a little vegetable broth or vegetable juice or water if you like your chili a bit thinner. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stir in the corn; cook 5 more minutes – until corn is heated through.

Serve with diced avocados, some sour cream, scallions and cilantro, and spritz with a little lime if you desire.


  Best way to Burn Fat

EGCG -  Green Tea Extract contains numerous compounds, including Polyphenols and Catechins, that provide potent antioxidant benefits.

Top Anti Aging Supplements

Good Anti Aging Supplement:

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a versatile water and fat soluble metabolic antioxidant. It is a potent free radical quencher and aids other vitamins in their antioxidant activities.

Better Anti Aging Supplement

Plant sterol supplements and stanols are substances that occur naturally in small amounts in many grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Since they have powerful cholesterol-lowering properties, manufacturers have started adding them to foods. You can now get stanols or sterols in margarine spreads, orange juice, cereals, and even granola bars. A daily dose of 3 grams per day.

The Best  Anti Aging Supplements
Magnesium - a daily dose of 400mg per day
Magnesium is one of the body's main electrolytes that participates in more than 300 reactions in the body, with an emphasis on those involved in energy production. Magnesium is also critical to many other bodily functions, including protein formation, bone development, enzyme and hormonal action, DNA production, nerve tissue function and muscle contraction.

Top Anti Aging Products

Good Anti Aging Product
Sun Block with an antioxidant included. Glytone antioxidant anti aging product is a great product to help stop the aging process.

Better Anti Aging Product

Retinol is the most important anti aging ingredience, Intensive skin rejuvenation.
Maximum patient satisfaction
• Patients will enjoy visible results with little to no irritation.
• Smoother, more radiant complexion
• Decrease in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• More luminous skin tone
• Increased hydration and firmness

Best Anti Aging Product

Exfoliate, to help purify the skin . Revitol Eye Cream will get rid of those puffy eyes, I am certain that it has helped to reduce bags and lighten and tone the area under my eyes. It's a remarkable product.
 

Dr Oz's Witch Hazel

Dr Oz's recommends Witch Hazel for several reasons. Witch hazel is mainly used externally on sores, bruises, and swelling.

 The main constituents of the extract include tannin, gallic acid, catechins, proanthocyanins, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), essential oil (carvacrol, eugenol, hexenol), choline, saponins, and bitters.

The Hyaluronic Acid On Dr Oz's Show, the 2 Main Ingredients to help you look younger in the  Beau Visage Facial Toner. hydrates and softens skin, closes pores, cleanses, removes makeup, and firms skin for a smoother face and fresh bright complexion. A must after cleansing.

8 Uses for Witch Hazel

1. The big one: Spot and blemish control

Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a pimple. Some people claim daily use helps with acne, and witch hazel can be found in many over-the-counter treatments. Application with a Witch Stick is the most convenient, but you can dab it on with a cotton ball. Ask your pharmacist before you do this, though.

2. Soothe and heal diaper rash

If your baby's rash isn't healing quick enough, apply witch hazel solution  with a cotton ball and you should see immediate improvement to your baby's bottom.

3. Shrink bags under the eyes

Some people say that the application of hemorrhoid cream to those little baggies under your eyes can take them away. It's not an old wives' tale. One of the magic ingredients in a product like Preparation H is witch hazel, which helps tighten up the skin and reduce the bagginess. And that leads nicely to…

4. Soothe and reduce external hemorrhoids

Not only does witch hazel tighten skin, it's also a good anti-itch remedy. By combining witch hazel with aloe, glycerine or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorrhoids, you will reduce itching significantly and dry up most bleeding.

5. Varicose vein relief

Soak wash cloths in witch hazel and lay on legs, which are propped straight out, to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The witch hazel helps to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily.

6. Soothe poison ivy and poison oak

Just like acne and blemishes, the witch hazel reduces itching and relieves swelling. Something definitely worth packing on your next camping trip.

7. Treat chicken pox blisters

A combination of aloe, honey, lavender and other essential oils create a spray that will vastly reduce the discomfort of chicken pox blisters. And it's all-natural. Here's what to do:
Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 40 drops lavender essential oil, 15 drops lemon essential oil, 15 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon carrot seed oil and 1/2 cup aloe vera gel.
Once completely mixed, and 1/2 cup distilled witch hazel and mix again. Pour mixture into spray bottle and use on affected areas (avoiding eyes). A more potent and less unsightly way to treat the chicken pox than traditional calamine lotion.

8. Heal your bruises faster

Been in a fight recently? Well, maybe not. But if you bang your leg or arm and are left with a nasty bruise, a thrice-daily dab of witch hazel can help speed up the healing time of the bruise.

Low Carb Recipes

We all love food with carbs in them, here are some low carb recipes that have less calories.
There are even some fried carrots a much healthier version of fries and they taste really good.

Penne Vodka

Here is a Penne Vodka recipe is bulked up with fresh tomatoes and spinach. One serving is packed with 22 grams of fiber, which will keep you full all night long.

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

4 oz. (about 1 1/4 cups) reduced-calorie, high-fiber penne pasta
1 cup halved grape tomatoes or quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp chopped garlic
1/8 tsp each salt and black pepper, or more to taste
3 cups chopped spinach leaves
2/3 cup low-fat marinara sauce
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp reduced-fat Parmesan-style grated topping
2 wedges light creamy Swiss cheese

Directions
Cook pasta per package instructions, 6-10 minutes. Drain and cover to keep warm. Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Add tomatoes, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir until onion has softened, about 5 minutes.

Add spinach and cook and stir until wilted. Add all other ingredients except cooked pasta, breaking the cheese wedges into pieces. Cook and stir until cheese has melted and mixed with sauce, about 2 minutes. Add pasta and cook and stir until hot and thoroughly coated, about 1 minute. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Per 1 serving
282 calories
5.5g fat
62.5g carbs
22g fiber
11.5g sugars
13.5g protein

Baked Ziti

Baked ziti with half the calories of the traditional! The first substitute is a ground-beef-style soy crumble instead of beef. Instead of a canned tomato sauce packed with sodium, this recipe uses simple canned, crushed tomatoes as the sauce. 


Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

5 oz (about 1 1/2 cups) uncooked reduced-calorie, high-fiber penne pasta
1 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups ground-beef-style soy crumbles
1 tbsp chopped garlic
4 cups spinach leaves
3/4 cup light or low-fat ricotta cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp reduced-fat Parmesan-style grated topping

Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray an 8-in by 8-in baking pan with nonstick spray. In a large pot, cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, bring an extra-large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Cook and stir onion until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add soy crumbles and garlic, and raise temperature to medium high. Cook and stir until soy crumbles have thawed, about 3 more minutes.

Add spinach and cook and stir until it has wilted and excess moisture has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, pat dry, and stir in the ricotta cheese and basil.
Transfer contents of the skillet to the bowl of cooked pasta. Add tomatoes and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and toss to mix.

Evenly place pasta mixture in the baking pan. Sprinkle with Parm-style topping and remaining 2 tbsp. mozzarella cheese.

Bake until entire dish is hot and cheese on top has melted, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts
Per 1 serving
294 calories
8g fat
46.5g carbs
17g fiber
9g sugars
24g protein  

Stuffed Baked Potato

This stuffed baked potato is loaded with pizza flavors. Instead of bacon, she uses Italian chicken and turkey sausage. Indulge in the flavors you love – at only 350 calories per serving, you can do so guilt-free.


Ingredients

Makes 1 serving

1 medium-sized potato (about 12 oz)
1 stick light string cheese
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup pizza sauce
1/2 link sweet Italian chicken and turkey sausage, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Directions
Preheat broiler. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

Break string cheese into thirds and place in a blender or food processor. Blend at high speed until shredded. (Or pull into shreds and roughly chop.)

Pierce potato several times with a fork. On a microwave-safe plate, microwave for 5 minutes, or until slightly softened. Flip potato over and microwave for 5 more minutes, or until soft.

Meanwhile, bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Add pepper, onion, and mushrooms. Cook and stir until mostly softened and browned, about 4 minutes. Add sausage and cook and stir until browned, about 2 minutes.

Transfer veggie-sausage mixture to a medium microwave-safe bowl and cover to keep warm. Once cool enough to handle, slice off a 2-inch-wide strip of the potato skin, lengthwise, from top of the potato. Scoop out the insides, transfer them to a medium bowl, and break them up with a fork. Set potato "shell" aside on the baking sheet.

Add half of the potato pulp to the veggie-sausage mixture. Discard the other half (or reserve for another use). To the mixture, add 3 tbsp. sauce and half of the shredded cheese. Mix well. Microwave mixture for 1 minute, or until hot. Scoop mixture into the potato shell.

Evenly top with remaining 1 tbsp pizza sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Broil until potato is hot and cheese has melted, about 4 minutes.

Nutrition Facts 350 calories
7g fat
50g carbs
7g fiber
8g sugars
21g protein

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

high-fiber, low-carb tortillas. Instead of fattening BBQ sauce and sour cream, this recipe substitutes a bit of BBQ sauce with a cheese wedge, which cuts the calories of the original dish in half.

Ingredients
Makes 1 serving

1 tbsp BBQ sauce with 45 calories or less per 2-tbsp serving
1 wedge light creamy Swiss cheese
1 low-carb, high-fiber large tortilla
2 oz cooked and shredded (or finely chopped) skinless chicken breast
1 tbsp canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 tbsp shredded reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese
1 tbsp chopped scallions
Optional dips: salsa, fat-free ranch dressing, additional BBQ sauce

Directions
In a small bowl, mix BBQ sauce with cheese wedge until blended. Lay tortilla flat and spread BBQ-cheese mixture on one half. Top mixture with remaining ingredients.

Spray a grill or grill pan with nonstick spray and bring to medium-high heat. Lay the half-loaded tortilla on the grill/grill pan, and cook for 2 minutes.

Using a spatula, fold the bare half of the tortilla over the filling and press lightly to seal. Carefully flip and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes. Slice into wedges and eat up!

Nutrition Facts 273 calories
9g fat
29g carbs
13g fiber
6.5g sugars
32g protein 

Fried Carrots

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

1 1/2 lb carrots (about 8 large carrots)
1/4 tsp coarse salt, or more to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray. Cut carrots into French-fry-shaped spears and lay them on the sheets. Cut your fries into similar sizes. Otherwise some may burn while others are barely cooked. Don't crowd your fries. If you put too many on one sheet, they won't crisp up. The thicker the fries, the longer the cook time.

Sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15 minutes. Flip spears. Bake until tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside, about 15 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts Per 1 serving
116 calories
1g fat
27g carbs
8g fiber
13g sugars
2.5g protein   

Dr Oz has a couple of low carb dessert treats, put Yasso Frozen Greek Yoghurt Pops and Bear Naked Soft Baked Cookies .