Since when is a candy bar healthy?

So I was laid up in the bed this past week-end, suffering from pain that was caused from weight training. I am on a mission to lose 30 lbs. I'm just gone put it out there because it's time to hold myself accountable. By putting it on paper (and the world wide web) I can't hide from it anymore. But, anyway I was clicking through the channels and came across an infomercial that was talking about how to lose weight by still eating your favorite foods. I was intrigued and I put the remote down.

The infomercial started off by saying that you have to break your meals down to having a  protein, a slow carb and a fast carb and then snack wisely throughout the day. I sat up. It went on to say that the plan was designed to keep your glucose levels from spiking which can throw your metabolism off. The program came with several cookbooks and meal plans, including one for eating at restaurants. And of course, there were "free" gifts that came with it, like a couple of 12 minute work-out DVDs. The phone was now in my hand. Everything included was valued at over $190. I pushed the talk button. And it would only cost me 6 easy payments of $20, plus shipping and handling. Wait a minute, let me do my math...$120! I put the phone down and decided to do some research instead.

The first thing I needed to figure out is the difference between a slow carb and a fast carb. And what it basically comes down to is how fast or slow the body breaks a carb down. Slow carbs release glucose gradually into the blood stream and helps keep you full longer, while fast carbs break down so quickly that the body stores the excess as fat. And the best way to lose or maintain weight is to keep glucose levels the same all day. You can do that by paying attention to the food's glycemic index, which is a ranking of a foods immediate effects on blood sugar, and eating every 3 or so hours. If a food has a high glycemic index of 70 and up, it is a fast carb, if it's low, or 55 and under, it's a slow carb.

So I printed up some lists that gave me the glycemic index to some food choices. Of course, just about every cereal  I like is on the high end, as well as most breads. And here I was thinking I was doing something by eating rice cakes and they have a GI of 80. I'm better off eating a slice of cheese pizza, which is 60. But, low and behold, I found a diamond in the ruff: a Snickers bar has a GI of 41. I'm just going to give you a minute to let that soak in. I can finally eat a candy bar and not feel guilty about it. According to this chart, it's better for me to eat that candy bar than it is graham crackers or watermelon.

Now I know that whatever I eat, has to be done so in moderation. But, I have always disliked diets because I don't like the feeling of depriving myself. If I want a cookie, dog-gone-it, I'm going to eat a cookie. This slow carb/ fast carb program just might work for me. As a matter of fact, I'm going to make sure that I eat a Snickers this week. (Smile)

I liked when I read, "Eating is a part of our lives and we should not have to sacrifice tasty foods in order to stay healthy." Now that's what I'm talking about. I'm starting my slow carb program this week, who's with me?

                                                                
   




I Heart Being an Esthetician

Hey people! So it's been a while since my last post. But, I have good reason. I've been crazy busy. Last month I was in Vegas for the International Esthetics, Cosmetics and  Spa Conference and last week-end I went to the first eva Styles in the City Fashion Conference in Detroit. Both events were off the hook. (Do people still say that?) Anyway, I met sooo many amazing make-up artists, facilists, designers, photographers and more. I have been filled up with so much inspiration and support from the people I have talked to in the last couple of months and I needed it.

I had been feeling pretty down lately because business is pretty slow. I had been thinking that maybe I was in over my head and I should close up shop. That's when I stopped, looked and listened to successful people who not too long ago were in my shoes. They followed their heart and started their own business, only to find that a couple years had passed and still no real money was being made. But, when they tweaked their business and stayed the course, the next thing they new, business was booming. So that's what I have chosen to do. Forever a work in progress, I am tweaking my business and staying the course.

But, let me just explain to you why I love doing what I do and why the effort is going to be so worth the wait.
In no particular order:
  - Exposure. I touched a little on this already, but I have been exposed to so many positive people lately and it has only been because of this business. I say yes to every opportunity to network and have so many business cards, I don't know what to do with them all.
  - Travel. Since becoming an Esthetician. I have traveled all over the Metro Detroit area, to Chicago and Las Vegas. I have put many miles on my car, but it's been fun since my hubby and fam have become my official road dogs.
 - Knowledge. If knowledge is power, than I plan to be one of the most powerful women in the world. In the beauty business there is always some new product, procedure or person of interest to learn about and I have dived in head first.
 - Possibilities. They are endless. Whether I gear torwards make-up, skin care, medical aesthetics, or beyond, there is always another door that can be opened and I will never get bored.
 -Time out for client. In my spa room, or when I host spa parties, I'm able to give my clients a time out for themselves and they get to be in a place of comfort and calm.
 -Time out for me. Giving a facial is as calming for me as it is for my clients. The music is soothing and the movements are so fluid that it's almost like a faster paced yoga or tai chi.
 - Soul Deep Beauty. Helping people realize that there is a beauty that they already poses is so gratifying. On the surface, a little mascara and lip gloss can go a long way, but inner beauty radiates from the inside out.
 - Extractions are actually fun. Do you remember playing with play dough and putting it in the mold that when you squeezed it, it looked like spaghetti? And you would be in amazement and do it over and over again? Well, that's how it looks (and how I feel) when I am extracting blackheads and clogged pores. It's gross and cool at the same time, but the benefits of getting that out of your skin is worth it. Dirty job, but somebody has to do it.
 - Pay for play. So get this. I get paid to play in make-up. That is every little girls dream come true. Whether I'm teaching someone to apply make-up for everyday or helping a bride glow for her wedding, I take joy in helping women find their inner diva.

So what makes you passionate about your dream job?