FatGirlSlim Lean Machine

Bloody Hell!!! I'll write a review as to whether this works later. 6th October 2014 and all I can say is that IF this machine works it is because the cellulite is too darn frightened to stick around! It felt like the machine was attempting to pull the skin and fat off my body one bad hickey at a time. More to come.....

Does Biotin Work?

Have a bottle....currently my hair grows at the unfortunate rate on no more than 1cm every month. It is that slow....so I'll give this a try. The control will be how frequently I get 1cm of grey that requires hair dye. Current date 24th September...

Update: Bottle I have expired six months ago. I will probably carry on taking them, but this gave me an excuse to purchase (I know I wasn't supposed to be spending anything) another bottle. However, this time I found Biotin I WILL actually take. I love gummies and these are the greatest tasting gummies ever!!

Vitafusion MultiVites Complete Multivitamin Plus Hair:

• Two gummies provide excellent source of vitamins A, C and E
• Energy metabolism support
• Biotin and lutein
• Essential daily formula
• Natural berry flavor

Quest for the perfect Hand Cream

At some point in the distant past I purchased "Curel"; "Advanced Ceramide Therapy". www.curel.com



I like it. Not greasy, more "serummy"....my hands are currently wringled and crinkled...lets see.

From their website:

what are ceramides?

Clinical studies have shown that dry and damaged skin is often linked to depleted ceramide levels. Ceramides are naturally found in skin’s vulnerable outer layer and help skin retain moisture. When skin’s ceramide levels are low, skin has difficulty retaining moisture. While traditional lotions only hydrate skin’s surface, Curél® moisturizers work at the source of dryness to strengthen skin's moisture retaining capacity, not just relieving symptoms, but actually, over time, preventing symptoms from recurring.

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are natural lipids and are a major component in surface skin structure. They serve as part of the "glue" that holds surface skin cells together.

Why are ceramides important?

Dry, irritated, and sensitive skin often lacks ceramides. As a result, skin's protective barrier is compromised and becomes more susceptible to environmental factors, changes of season, and other irritants.

Curél® Skincare - The Ceramide Difference

When natural ceramide levels are depleted, our formula works to improve moisture retention of the skin. Locking in moisture for all-day hydration, Curél® lotions and creams not only relieve irritated and dry skin instantly, but also replenish and repair skin by forming a protective barrier and keeping future irritants out.

Bargain Hunting in October.....

$4.50 at Marshalls.......$24.50 on the website / Exp 06/2016

Sticky.....

Product Description

Start your day with this powerful face moisturizer with natural and paraben-free blend. It contains vitamin C, herbal extracts, and hemp seed oil that nourishes skin for a healthy, hydrated glow that lasts all day. Skin will look and feel soft and renewed.

How to use: Apply a small amount to clean face and massage gently, avoiding eyes. Use daily.Skin Type: AllIngredients: Purified Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (natural origin), PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate (natural origin), Glycerin (natural origin), Stearic Acid (natural origin), Equisetum Arvense (horsetail) Extract, Humulus Lupus (hops) Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (witch hazel) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (chamomile) Flower Extract, Rosa Moschata (rose hip) Oil, Borago Officinalis (borage) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Olea Europaea (olive) Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea (olive) Fruit Oil, Sodium PCA (skin conditioning agent), Panthenol (skin conditioning agent), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E), Dead Sea Salt, Dimethicone (skin conditioning agent), Tetrasodium EDTA (thickening agent), Carbomer (emulsifier), Triethanolamine (emusifying agent), Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Benzoic Acid (natural preservative), Methylisothiazolinone (preservative), Fragrance.

Next.....$4.50....but only $12.50 on Amazon........

• Conceals dark circles
• Reduces puffiness and fines lines
• Hypoallergenic
• Active ingredients: cranberry and tomato seed oils improve skin texture and complexion. Contain omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that enrich and protect the skin with moisture, using tocotrienoils and powerful antioxidants that resist environmental damage and aging skin. Adipoless (containing quinoa seed extract) - reduces dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. Vitamin # - Portects skin from free radicals that cause it to age. Shea butter and Jojoba oil - soften and nourish the skin. Allantoin and bisabolor - Renowned for their skin - soothing properties.

The Feta Versus Fage` Debate

Favorite gorgeous (skinny) relative was seeking a snack in my fridge recently and wriggled up her nose at my 0% fat Fage Greek Yogurt. "Too many carbs and sugars" she said patiently.....

I was still in my "foot hurts like hell/coping with as much as I currently can" mode at the time and thought little of her rejection of the only food in my fridge that might qualify as her diet food.

However, having now embarked on this journey, yesterday I found myself wondering exactly why I needed to toss my Fage` out the fridge along with the twice baked potatoes? Adding to my confusion was a prior enthusiastic response to Fresh Markets cucumber feta salad.  As I sat there in front of my open fridge,(perched on a stool with my "Aircast" encased leg sticking out at a ridiculous angle), desperately trying to de-sugar and de-carb the contents of the fridge, I found myself clutching my Fage` on route to the trashbag. "Why?" I wondered...."Why is Feta OK and Fage`is not" ?

Scientific Inquiry:

170 grams Feta

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 4.47 wedge (1.33 oz) (170 g)

Per Serving% Daily Value*

Calories 447

Calories from Fat 326

Total Fat 36.207g54%

Saturated Fat 25.479g125%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.894g

Monounsaturated Fat 8.046g

Cholesterol 152mg49%

Sodium 1895mg80%

Potassium 105mg4%

Carbohydrates 7.152g4%

Dietary Fiber 0g0%

Sugars 7.152g

Protein 24.138g

Vitamin A 13% · Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 85% · Iron 4%

Read more: Calories in Feta Cheese | Nutrition and Health Facts http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-feta-cheese-i1019#ixzz3Dtytv5Ue
170 grams Fage`

FULL NUTRITIONAL INFO
Nutritional information per serving *		% Daily Values (DV)
Calories	100 cal
Calories from fat	0g
Total fat	0g	0%
Saturated fat	0g	0%
Trans fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	65mg	3%
Total carbohydrates	7g	2%
Fiber	0g	0%
Sugars**	7g
Protein	18g	36%
Vitamin A		0%
Vitamin C		0%
Calcium		20%
Iron		0%
* Serving: 1 Container 6oz (170g), Servings per Container 1 ** Naturally occurring lactose sugars, no added sugar.Note : Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. INGREDIENTS Grade A Pasteurized Skimmed Milk, Live Active Yogurt Cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei).

Ounce for ounce I am still confused......

So why is this important? It's important because it doesn't make sense and I am a logical girl. It's like that tune that becomes an earwig, the zit you can feel brewing just beneath the surface skin on your nose, a loose tooth, or.......an ankle that pounds and pounds away reminding you every minute of every day it WILL NOT carry an extra 50 pounds of blubber!!! In some cosmic way the pain demands an answer.

THE ANSWER:

After further debate/discussion with favorite relative the answer appears to be in the BRAND of Feta.

"Presidents" Feta Cheese has no sugar and sugar is what is being cut from the diet.....hmmmmm

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 oz (28g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 45 Calories 70
% Daily Values*
Total Fat 5g		8%
	Saturated Fat 3.5g	18%
	Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
	Monounsaturated Fat 0g
	Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 20mg		7%
Sodium 260mg		11%
Potassium 0mg
Total Carbohydrate 1g		0%
	Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
	Sugars 0g
	Other Carbohydrate 0g
Protein 5g
Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 10% Iron 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

EAS AdvantEDGE by Abbott

For no particular reason I have decided to start this Blog with Strawberry Milk. Actually Vanilla and Strawberry milk-like substance. My closest relative (over 50) who happens to be drop dead gorgeous for any age and has a body to die for slurped on this the other day when she came to visit. She did me the favor of leaving the carton so I could hunt down the contents. I went online and the Abbott website indicated it could be located in stores within 5,10 15 miles of where I live. I opted for a 5 mile radius as I am currently not allowed to drive due to ankle. Stop and Shop, Vitamin Shop and Rite Aid. I was surprised Fresh Market or CVS (closest to me) were not included.  Vitamin Shop was all out and Stop and Shop only had one four pack of Vanilla left. I confess I sipped on the last little bit in the carton after relative had gone and deduced the vanilla contents were not completely unctuous. There were however multiple strawberry packs left. The best of it was both the one lone vanilla and all the strawberry packs were deeply discounted......

So that is how after having confirmed that the "best before" dates were all late 2015 or 2016 I have over 30 of these little cartons in my fridge! ($1 each).


In truth I cannot stomach drinking the strawberry on its own. However, this is probably due to memories of working as a nurse with naso-gastric feeds and corresponding negative associations with "Ensure". Unfortunately, as I now had multiple packs of strawberry and not vanilla, I had to come up with an alternative consumption strategy. Solution: I really do like it in good old "black" tea as a milk substitute. As I do not like green tea  at all, or black tea without milk, and almond milk doesn't cut it - I am happy. Post Script: Did I mention the plan is to cut out Sugars and Carbs?

Starting Point

Things have reached an all time low. My broken ankle has forced me into seclusion, isolation and contemplation. The need for change has been evolving for a while. It started with a general dissatisfaction with the way things are and has now erupted into a fully fledged Blog.

Concept:
Spend no more money. Use what I have. (I have a lot!) High Protein diet. Document what products work and those that don't. Track flab, exercise regime, skin tone, cellulite, brown spots, hair, nails, clothes and any other self obsessed idea on which I may choose to explore or fixate. This is a semi-private blog. That is, I don't expect anyone else to find it even remotely entertaining or helpful....so here it is.

Original Inspiration: