Oct. 12, 2008
Aaahhh...What a day!
All these lovely "babies" It would have been heaven for me if I could have played with them all ;-P
The Troupe was invited to perform for the event & we were well received. The wind was horrendous for the first part. Veils & veil fans just wouldn't obey! Thankfully the skirts were heavy or they'd have been around our ears! LoL Forget about the cane dance. I'd need to nail it down for it to have stayed on in that wind. All in all the second part made the day. Only hand scarves & no one dropped any ;-)
We've been invited for the X-Mas event too. Hope the girls are up to the task. As a benefit, this one has my heart. We even got a few ladies up to try a shimmy or two. Hope we can gather a larger crowd next time

TA!

More On Diet

10 Great Detox Foods

Mar 30, '08 4:27 AM for everyone

Hi All, hope this fits in with your summer fun. I use it year ’round.

1. Green leafy vegetables Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects the liver.

2. Lemons You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C, considered the detox vitamin, helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that’s easily flushed away.

3. Watercress Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.

4. Garlic Add it to everything -- salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb’s cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.

5. Green tea This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.

6. Broccoli sprouts Get ’em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.

7. Sesame seeds They’re credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that’s a staple of Asian cooking.

8. Cabbage There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Coleslaw, anyone?

into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have 9. Psyllium A plant that’s rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psylliumpsyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.

10. Fruits, fruits, fruits They’re full of almost all the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

Ultimate Detox Recipe:
Toss dark, leafy greens in hot, garlicky oil for a cleansing and delicious dish...
Easy Wilted Garlic-Sesame Salad
4 servings, about 65 calories each

1 tsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. spinach, stemmed,
or 1 lb. Swiss chard, stems sliced, leaves torn
or 1 lb. mixture of spinach and watercress
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tsp. sesame seeds for garnish

Warm oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir until lightly browned, about 45 seconds. Add greens (do in two batches, if necessary) and toss until just wilted, 2 to 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

ENJOY!!

DIET SOUP

THE DIET!!

for everyone

This diet is fast, fat burning and the secret is that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of fat cells? And give you a feeling of well being. The diet centers on the daily consumption of the Basic Fat Burning Soup (recipe follows) made of vegetables and powdered chicken bouillon. The basic Fat Burning Soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry. Eat as much as you like. Remember that the more you eat this soup, the more you will lose. There are some definite ‘no no’s’ on this diet. First, no alcoholic beverages because they interfere directly with removal of fat buildup in your system. Wait at least 24 hours after any intake of alcohol before you start the diet. Also, no carbonated beverages, including diet sodas. Drink only water, unsweetened tea, black coffee, unsweetened fruit juices, and skimmed milk. Also, no fried food, bread or any products made with flour and no sugar or sweeteners of any kind. When the diet calls for beef, you may substitute chicken as long as it is broiled or baked and you cannot eat the skin. You can also substitute broiled fish for one of the beef days. According to the hospital staff, you can lose 10 to 15 pounds after only several days of strict adherence to this diet. After day three, you will have more energy than when will you began if you did not cheat. You will begin too feels an abundance of energy. Every one's digestive system is different, so this diet will affect everyone differently. After being on the diet for several days, you may find that your bowel movements have changed ¡V so eat a cup of bran or fiber to cleanse your colon. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don't need the caffeine after the third day! Any prescribed medication will not hurt you on this diet. Continue this plan as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically. The Diet Day 1: East only the basic Fat Burning Soup and fruits. You can eat any fruit except bananas. Cantaloupe and watermelon are lower in calories than most fruits and therefore especially recommended. Remember drink only unsweetened tea, Balliol coffee, unsweetened fruit juice, or water. Day 2: - It's an all veggie day. Eat the Basic Fat Burning Soup with additional fresh or canned vegetables until you are stuffed. Eat the vegetables raw, steamed, or braised in broth from the soup, but do not cook or season them with any oil or butter. Try to eat green leafy vegetables and stay away from beans peas and corn. Eat the vegetables along with the soup. At dinnertime on this day, reward yourself with a big baked potato and add a little butter or olive oil if you like. Do not eat any fruits today. Day 3 ¡V Today is a combination of the first two days. Eat all the basic fat burning soup, fruits (except bananas) and vegetables you want. Do not have a baked potato. Progress after the third day If you have eaten for three days as directed above, and have not cheated, you will find you have lost 5 to 7 pounds. Day 4: - Eat only the Basic Fat Burning Soup and bananas and drink non-fat milk and water. Eat as many as 3 bananas, drink two eight-ounce glasses of non-fat milk, and drink as many glasses of water as you can. Eat as much of the soup as you want. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates and so is the milk, but on this particular day your body will need the potassium and the carbohydrates, proteins and calcium to lessen your carvings for sweets Day 5: - Today is beef and tomatoes day. You may have 10-20 ounces of lean beef (or chicken without skin or fish) and a 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes or as any as 6 fresh tomatoes today. Try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water this day to wash away the uric acid in your body. East the basic Fat Burning Soup at least once today. Day 6: - Now it's beef and vegetable day. Eat to your hearts content all the beef and vegetables you want today. You can even have two or three steaks today if you like with green leafy vegetables but no baked potato. Be sure and eat the Basic Fat Burning Soup at least once today. Day 7: - Eat only brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and vegetables. Again, stuff yourself. Be sure to have the soup at least once today. Progress after seven days By the end of the seventh day, if you have not cheated on the above diet, you will have lost 10-17 pounds. If you have lost more than 15 pounds, stay off the diet of two full days before resuming the diet gain from the day one. This seven-day eating plan can be used as often as you like. As a matter of fact, if correctly followed, it will clean your system of impurities and give you a felling of well being as never before.

I added & changed a few things to this. 5 onions & 2 shallot bulbs 6 sm/med sz. tomatoes & sm can tomato paste Cabbage: 1/2 med sz. Red & 1/2 White ( I like colour in my food)
SEASONINGS: Oregano, Fresh Parsley, Sage, Thyme,Rosemary, 2 Bay Leaves, Touch of Turmeric Cracked Black Pepper, Cayenne, Celery Seeds & Fresh Lemon Juice to replace Salt No Lipton Soup. Use seasonings to your taste. I never measure them :-) 6 LARGE ONIONS 2 LARGE GREEN BELL PEPPERS 1 BUNCH OF CELERY 1 28-OUNCE CAN WHOLE TOMATOES 1 LARGE HEAD CABBAGE 1 PACKAGE LIPTON SOUP IF DESIRED SEASON WITH SALT PEPPER, CURRY, PARSLEY, OR HOT SAUCE. CUT VEGETABLES IN SMALL TO MEDIUM PIECES AND PUT INTO A LARGE POT WITH THE TOMATOES AND SOUP MIX. COVER WITH WATER. BOIL FAST FOR 10 MINUTES, THEN LOWER THE SIMMER AND CONTINUE COOKING UNTIL THE VEGGIES ARE TENDER THIS SOUP CAN BE EATEN ANYTIME YOU ARE HUNGRY. EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT. WHENEVER YOU WANT THROUGHOUT THE DAY BECAUSE EATING THIS SOUP ACTUALLY BURNS CALORIES. THE MORE YOU EAT, THE MORE WEIGHT YOU WILL LOSE. FILL A THERMOS IN THE MORNING IF YOU WILL BE AWAY DURING THE DAY AND TAKE IT WITH YOU TO WORK, SCHOOL OR ON A BUSINESS TRIP.

I'm using this diet & I'm losing inches already. If you dance for a living like I do, you may have lots of muscle under the fat layer. It'll take a bit of time to see the fat disappear, but it will. Just don't be discouraged by no scale results right away. ;-D

Honey Be Good

Honey Be Good - June 05, 2006

for everyone

Hi All!
Good news about HONEY. It may be a bit difficult to find in Hong Kong, but I want to try it. I love buckwheat Soba, & the other benefits are a welcome surprise.

Honey Bee Good
About to sweeten your tea with honey? What kind? It matters.

Until recently, if you asked a nutritionist about the pros and cons of, say, lightly processed "raw" sugar versus honey, table sugar, brown sugar, molasses, fructose, or maple syrup, you'd hear this exasperated chant: "Sugar is sugar is sugar." No longer. Several studies have found that buckwheat honey -- dark, rich, and malty -- has an unusual number of age-fighting antioxidants in addition to serious sweetening power.

Okay, we know you probably don't have a yellow-capped squeeze bear of buckwheat honey in your pantry. But the next time you're in a natural-foods grocery or speciality market, pick up a jar. Although several types of honey have some antioxidant effects, researchers have pronounced buckwheat honey far and away the star. And buckwheat itself (think pancake mixes, Japanese soba noodles) is being investigated as a "functional food," thanks both to its high levels of protein, fiber, and minerals, and its lab-tested ability to reduce body fat and cholesterol and even prevent gallstones. So the next time you're making yourself a cuppa, try sweetening it with something that's got a lot more going for it than sugar's empty calories.

2006-but still of interest to ALL Women

May 24, 2006 Let's Embrace the Skin We're In! No matter where you live, you’re probably experiencing warmer weather, longer days, and more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. And, you may be looking forward to special “summer time” events which for me include lawn parties, time by lovely San Francisco Bay, family picnics, and long walks in my favorite garden. This season also means that the time has come to shed the layers of clothing we’ve been wearing and to show more skin. While for some this is a welcomed relief, for others, it is a reason for concern. Let’s be honest. Once we reach a certain age, our skin simply isn’t as toned or smooth as it used to be. This doesn’t mean our skin can never again have its youthful glow, it just means that we may need to take advantage of a few skin care secrets. Today I’d like to share some “insider information” you can put to use, starting today, to help ensure that your skin is at its best and that you have the confidence to wear sleeveless tops, bathing suits, capri pants and all of the wonderful summer fashions you enjoy. Do you have wrinkle worries? Several years ago a colleague shared with me a secret nutrient that can help you get rid of the appearance of wrinkles. I’m such an avid fan of this unique product that I have my 85-year-old mother using it and her skin is almost ageless and absolutely gorgeous. It’s called Squalane (pronounced squa-LON) and when you apply it topically, you put back into your skin the nutrients it needs to regenerate and look naturally younger and healthier. Squalane is also an antioxidant, so it gives you extra protection against skin-damaging free radicals. And you’ll feel its soothing effect instantly because it actually lubricates the skin, rather than just “sitting on top” like so many moisturizers with synthetic ingredients. One of the main reasons I love Squalane is because it’s the same ingredient found in sebum, a compound found naturally in your skin that keeps it soft, moist, and young. It’s also found in nature – notably in shark liver oil. In fact, the very best source comes from deep-sea sharks that live in the clean, non-polluted waters of Tasmania. For years I’ve recommended Squalane from a company called Oceana. Not only do they use Squalane from the waters of Tasmania, but their product contains 99.5% pure deep-water squalane, along with a delightful touch of natural lavender oil. The feedback I’ve heard from women using this product has been phenomenal! Many women have told me that the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles have faded and that their skin looks and feels smoother and softer. Others have said that it soothes their dry, irritated skin and has worked when other products have failed. And, perhaps most encouraging, are the notes I get from women who simply say that with help from Squalane, they feel more radiant and more beautiful than they have in years! Most women use Squalane on their faces, hands, and neck. And, especially during the summer months, many also use it on their arms and legs. Are you agonizing over age spots? As we age, many women notice the appearance of age spots, also referred to as sun spots. Years of sun exposure can cause these red or brown patches of skin on your face, neck, hands, arms, or almost any other part of your body. Because so many women are bothered by them, especially during this time of year, I searched the market to find just the right product for our skin. While doing so, I came across a lot of information about glycoalkaloids. These plant compounds work by slipping into the rough, scaly skin patches and triggering the release of enzymes, thus starting the exfoliation process. As you know, skin exfoliation is a naturally occurring physiological process that involves the sloughing of old skin cells to reveal new skin cells. Sometimes, however, this process needs a bit of assistance, especially when we reach a certain age and our skin becomes drier than it used to be. So I was thrilled to find a product that contained the right amount of glycoalkaloids, one that would naturally diminish the appearance of sun spots and age spots, while doing no damage to the most sensitive skin. The answer was found in a product called Skin Advantage. This exclusive formula contains unique glycoalkaloids from a particularly potent species of Australian plants. You apply a very small amount of this gel to the rough, dry patches on your skin and within a few weeks, you should notice a remarkable difference. I also suggest to women concerned about age spots that they eat a diet high in beta carotene, which scavenges the free radicals that cause age spots. Foods high in beta carotene include spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, mangoes, persimmons, cantaloupe, apricots, carrots, kale, and cabbage. And, if you want to get a little adventurous, try a little seaweed! One heaping teaspoon of the seaweed spirulina per day will give you 10,000 IU of vitamin A. Research has shown that daily intake of vitamin A removed all age spots from subjects over a 12- to 16-month period. Lastly, I recommend taking 400–1,600 IU of vitamin E as d-alpha tocopherol per day. If you have hypertension or are taking insulin, start at 100 IU. Vitamin E is useful for a wide variety of skin complaints, including age spots. A safe way to enjoy the summer sun One of the best ways to guard your skin from the harmful effects of sun rays is to use sunscreen every day. For the best protection, I urge you to generously apply sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher 20–30 minutes before going outside, and reapply frequently. My favorite sunscreen is a product called Epicuren Sunscreen. With its SPF20 rating, not only does it provide excellent protection from UVA and UVB rays, but it does so without the harsh chemicals usually found in most other sunscreens. For this reason, I feel safe using it all over my body, even on my face. In fact, this is the only sunscreen I use on my face because it doesn’t cause me any facial irritation at all, I can't say the same for other brands I have tested. Epicuren is mineral- and vitamin-based, rather than chemical-based. And like most commercial products, it works by reflecting and absorbing the sun’s rays, acting to shield the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. What makes this product unique is its active ingredient, which is a micronized zinc-oxide. “Micronized” means that the zinc-oxide has been broken down into very tiny particles, which helps ensure that your body steadily absorbs and benefits from as much of the product as possible. This fine light cream blends well and doesn’t have the chalky white appearance of other zinc-based sunscreens. In fact, it blends so well that it is invisible on the skin, won’t harm your clothing, and has a pleasant, natural scent. And, unlike many similar products, Epicuren gives you an hour’s worth of protection even after you’ve been in the water, so you don’t need to re-apply it right away. As an added benefit, Epicuren actually soothes and moisturizes dry, rough skin, which makes it a “must have” during these summer months. A Healthy Lifestyle is Key As with almost everything else, a healthy lifestyle will help give your skin the youthful, summertime glow you desire. So, as you enjoy the months ahead, please remember to: * Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes (beans, peas). Reduce or eliminate red meats. Instead, I encourage you to eat fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout and tuna. I also recommend that you try vegetarian Gardenburgers or Boca Burgers. Lastly, please avoid potato chips, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, sugar, soft drinks, fruit juices, fried or fatty foods, and salt, all of which can be enemies to our skin, as well as to our overall health. * Exercise. The warmer weather provides enhanced opportunities for exercise. Try adding a walk or a bicycle ride into your daily routine. I promise you’ll feel the benefits and your body will thank you. * Take the right supplements. For starters, make sure you’re taking an ample multi-vitamin. I recommend that you consider my product, Daily Answer Multinutrient for Women. Developed specifically for women, this new formula carefully combines 40 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, botanicals, and essential fatty acids in the potency's and forms you need to look and feel terrific. If not Daily Answer, please search the market for a quality multi that provides you with all of the support you need. I also suggest that your supplement program provide you with 400–1,600 IU of vitamin E daily. Lastly, add 1–3 tablespoons of cold-pressed flax seed oil to your diet every day. * Enjoy relaxation techniques. I cannot stress enough the importance of internal peace and the effect it has on your health. For some it may be prayer or yoga, for others it may be visualizations or deep breathing exercises that give you the spiritual fulfillment you need. As my subscribers know, I write about these various techniques and how best to implement them in The Lark Letter. I encourage you to find a method that works for you so that your mind, body and spirit are all healthy and happily connected. Together, let’s enjoy the summer months and embrace the skin we’re in! Yours in vibrant health, Susan M. Lark, M.D. P.S. Don’t forget to drink lots of water during these warmer months. Eight glasses of purified or spring water a day is ideal. And contrary to popular belief, tea or clear fruit juice is not a substitute for plain water.

WELCOME!

Welcome to my new blog spot. Since Yahoo absconded with my accounts, I haven't had time to put things back together web wise. I hope this will be an interesting year coming up. This one has given me a few surprises...in work as well as life. I now have 5 girls to dance with.I'm hoping for 3 more as back up so I don't freak out & can just supervise ;-) Costuming is a chore since I need folk as well as oriental. But we manage.


C U Soon!