Fashion and Clothing Articles


Yogurt and cholesterol

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High cholesterol levels in human beings are dangerous and deadly. They are a leading cause of heart disease, and often result in paralysis and even death. The overweight are in danger of high cholesterol levels, but even people who are not overweight are at risk. It is possible, after all, to have a fast metabolism, eat a lot of junk food, and still stay slender. Junk food, bad food, is a leading cause of high cholesterol. It is also possible to inherit high cholesterol and not know it.

Many people, after seeing their doctor and discovering that they do indeed have high cholesterol levels, want to start eating healthy immediately, want to exercise and diet, etc. It is easy to know which foods are bad - processed foods, such as potato chips and cookies and ice cream and cheeses and creams, are obvious. Less obvious, but still well known, are high-fat meats such as beef and pork. But when it comes to eating healthy foods, such as vegetables and fruits and grains, and especially when it comes to eating healthy fats, such as can be found in olive oil and nuts, the question seems to become more complicated. What should I eat, and when should I eat, and how much? The best way to not be overwhelmed at first is to take your healthy foods one by one and learn what there is to know about them.

Let us start, for example, with yogurt. Studies have shown that yogurt is a healthy food source that may be good for lowering your cholesterol. Take a close look at yogurt, learn what there is to know, and then move onto the next food, and the next. Soon you will have put together quite a pile of facts about the most nutritious foods available and how to prepare them.

"Yogurt and cholesterol" »

Underwear Shopping - Friend or Foe?

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There are a few things on my "Avoid at all Cost" list. Putting my hand in a fish tank full of piranhas, eating a 3-month old opened package of hot dogs, being blindfolded while crossing a busy intersection, and going underwear shopping.

Many times have I walked past a lingerie shop window, looking dreamily at the underwear on the mannequin. Sometimes when I am brave (because just that morning, I easily slipped into one of my sometimes-they-fit-me pair of pants), I boldly walk into the store and ask the shopkeeper to find my size. Okay, maybe I find my own size because I am too embarrassed to admit to someone else what exactly is my size.

As I walk to the change room, I have high hopes the underwear will make me look sleek, busty and beautiful, just like the super model pictured in the window.

First, while in the change room, I have to scrunch my own underwear to fit under the new underwear. This is especially hard if I am wearing my very ugly but very comfortable cotton-grandma-panties (only worn if my husband will not see me that day).

Second, I ignore the harsh and absolutely non-flattering lights that are located in the change room. I believe these lights were intentionally manufactured to zone in and pick up any microscopic flaw on the body.

Third, I look at myself with the underwear on. This is where things can get messy. Like many women, I have a love/ hate relationship with my body. I have had a pear-shaped body and cellulite on the backs of my legs since I was 13 years old. This means I have had 22 years to get used to the fact that I have a pear-shaped body and cellulite on the back of my legs.

"Underwear Shopping - Friend or Foe?" »

Ode to the Sexy Summer Strappy Shoe

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I do not find feet sexy--although I am certain there are millions of foot fetish aficionados, plus certain cultures around the world who would vehemently disagree with me. I, however, believe our toes, ankles and arches are the practical, utilitarian parts of our body.

In fact, during the winter months we neglect and treat our feet as pragmatic tools. We cover them with toasty warm socks, Sorrels, or if working downtown a shapely calf forming boot. The point being because feet are so ugly, we do our best to keep them covered.

Then with the first signs of spring an amazing phenomenon occurs. Alongside the buds on the trees, tulips poking out their happy heads, comes a women's toes peaking out from under her pants or long skirts.

It is almost like a right of passage to summer. Simply because a pair of sexy shoes have been strapped on to a pair of lowly feet, bam, those feet become the main object of sexual attraction. (Okay the low cut tops that show off floating cleavage certainly help the whole sexifying look.)

So I had to ask myself, what is so sexy about a woman who is teetering to stay upright on a shoe that is wrapped with two or three miniscule straps?

"Ode to the Sexy Summer Strappy Shoe" »

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