What Is Your Acne Telling You

1 & 2: Digestive System — Eat less processed or junk food, reduce the amount of fat in your diet, step up water intake and opt for cooling things like cucumbers.

3: Liver — Cut out the alcohol, greasy food and dairy. This is the zone where food allergies also show up first, so take a look at your ingredients. Besides all this, do 30 minutes of light exercise every day and get adequate sleep so your liver can rest.

4 & 5: Kidneys — Anything around the eyes (including dark circles) point to dehydration. Drink up!

6: Heart — Check your blood pressure (mine was slightly high) and Vitamin B levels. Decrease the intake of spicy or pungent food, cut down on meat and get more fresh air. Besides this, look into ways to lower cholesterol, like replacing “bad fats” with “good fats” such as Omegas 3 and 6 found in nuts, avocados, fish and flax seed. Also, since this area is chock-full of dilated pores, check that your makeup is not past its expiry date or is skin-clogging.

7 & 8: Kidneys — Again, drink up! And cut down on aerated drinks, coffee and alcohol as these will cause further dehydration.

Zone 9 & 10: Respiratory system — Do you smoke? Have allergies? This is your problem area for both. If neither of these is the issue, don’t let your body overheat, eat more cooling foods, cut down on sugar and get more fresh air. Also keep the body more alkaline by avoiding foods that make the body acidic (meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sugar) and adding more alkalizing foods like green veggies and wheatgrass juice. Another thing that most of forget – dirty cell phones and pillow cases are two of the top acne culprits and this area is what they affect the most!

Zone 11 & 12: Hormones — This is the signature zone for stress and hormonal changes. And while both are sometimes unavoidable, you can decrease their effect by getting adequate sleep, drinking enough water, eating leafy veggies and keeping skin scrupulously clean. Another interesting point: breakouts in this area indicate when you are ovulating (and on which side).

Zone 13: Stomach — Step up the fibre intake, reduce the toxin overload and drink herbal teas to help with digestion.

14: Illness — Zits here can be a sign that your body is fighting bacteria to avoid illness. Give it a break, take a yoga class, take a nap, take time to breathe deeply, drink plenty of water and know that everything always works out!

Love,

ALPHA

30 Day Guide To Flawless Skin

Love,

ALPHA

Ramadan Kareem

Happy Ramadan,

ALPHA

Guam

Just a little sense of my vacation to Guam! 

((Which is actually a part of the United States))

Guam is a very interesting place. Like I said, it's the United States...but not really. Sure it's all American laws and system but it definitely doesn't completely feel like the US. It's mainly occupied by the native Guam peoples and then there is a showering of Americans from the mainland usually soliders of some kind. The most interesting part about Guam though is the amount of Asian tourists that are there from Korea, China and Japan. These tourists come to shop at the various malls (especially the Duty Free places or designer labels) and then of course to enjoy the sun and water. 

When I went to Guam (only a 4 day, 3 night trip actually), of course I went shopping - I am a girl! But definitely not to the extent of Japanese people - seriously although it's Duty Free it's not much cheaper! In addition to shopping though, I went to go visit the more historical sights of Guam. Like the other islands in the area, Guam was first a territory of Spain. There is still a sight called the Plaza de Espana which are ruins of the old Spanish buildings. Then after Spain was the Americans and for a brief time it was under Japanese control because of WWII. Then of course back under America where it continues today. 

From my experience, Guam is a fusion of the native, American, and actually Japanese cultures. It's definitely a beautiful place to go to! But I think that a 4 day trip is about all you need! 

Love, 

ALPHA

Elie Saab Fall 2012 Couture

Love,

ALPHA

Insanity

Let's Hope I Survive and Stick to it!! 

Insanity: Super Intense Workout.

ahhh i'm scared >_<

Love, 

ALPHA

Nail Art Designs Using Scotch Tape!

Love,

ALPHA

Music: Santigold

newfavoritejam. 

amazing right?

check out santigold's latest cd.

it's tight as hell.

cool.

Santigold. Awesome right?

wethinkyou'reajokeshoveyourhopewhereitdon'tshine. 

Love, 

ALPHA

Birth Control Methods

OKAY. for women it's important to understand birth control. in fact. it's healthier to be on birth control! even if you're not sexual active/don't have sex often, birth control regulates your period and can actually help with the whole offspring thing (okay I'll explain this the best way I understand. birth control regulates your period right? it's bad for your body to have very heavy periods because it's essentially harming the walls of your vagina and therefore could result in problems when giving birth - at least this is what I understand from my mother).

The Shot
How It Works: This shot contains progestin, a hormone that stops your ovaries from releasing eggs (and keeps you from getting pregnant). Women who use this get the shot every three months.
How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent, if used correctly

An Implant
How It Works: This is a tiny rod that's inserted under your skin, which releases hormones that stops your ovaries from releasing eggs.
How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent—and you don't have to remember to do anything but get it replaced every three years.

An IUD
How It Works: This hormone-free, T-shaped piece of plastic is inserted in your uterus, where it prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. It lasts for five to 12 years, depending on the brand.
How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent

The Patch

How It Works: Users stick this beige piece of plastic on their skin once a week for three weeks. It gives off hormones that prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs.
How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent, if used correctly

The Ring
How It Works: You insert this small ring into your vagina once a month and it stays there for three weeks at a time. It gives off hormones that prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs.
How Effective It Is: 99 percent, if used correctly

The Pill
How It Works: Users take a pill which prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs at the same time every day.
How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent, if used correctly

A Diaphragm
How It Works: This latex or silicone dome-shaped cup is inserted into your vagina, where it covers your cervix and keeps sperm out of your uterus. You also need to use it with spermicide
How Effective It Is: 94 percent, if used correctly

Male Condoms
How It Works: One of the most popular forms of birth control out there, these slip over a man's penis and keep sperm from entering your vagina.
How Effective It Is: 98 percent, if used correctly
Bonus: It helps prevent STDs

The Female Condom
How It Works: This is condom that you insert into your vagina. It looks and works like a male condom, but you wear it instead of him—and you need to insert it every time you have sex.
How Effective It Is: 95 percent, if used correctly
Bonus: It helps prevent STDs.

The Sponge
How It Works: Kind of like a wide, short tampon, this piece of plastic foam is inserted into your vagina before you have sex. It blocks sperm from reaching your cervix and releases spermicide.
How Effective It Is: 81 to 91 percent, if used correctly

Spermicide
How It Works: These gels, creams, foams, and suppositories contain chemicals that prevent his boys from moving. You insert it deep into your vagina to keep sperm out of your uterus. Experts recommend you use it with other forms of birth control.
How Effective It Is: 82 percent, if used correctly

Emergency Contraception
How It Works: This pill can stop a pregnancy before it starts by blocking hormones your body needs to get pregnant. Users can take it up to five days after they have unprotected sex.
How Effective It Is: This is extremely effective, but experts don't recommend that you use this as a regular method of birth control (it can cause heavy bleeding, vomiting, and other unpleasant side effects).

**Cosmopolitan**

Related Posts: 

Birth Control Part 1

Birth Control Part 2

Practice Safe Sex!

Love, 

ALPHA

47 Foods You Should Be Eating

Spinach

Wild salmon

Blueberries

Raspberries

Swiss chard

Quinoa

Rolled oats

Pistachios

Barramundi 

Plain Greek yogurt

Apples

Red, yellow and orange bell peppers

Lean red meat

Whole eggs

Blackberries

Almonds

Sardines

Carrots

Black tea

Green tea

Pink grapefruit

Turmeric

Kale

Cauliflower

Red grapes

Nut butters

Coconut

Strawberries

Avocados

Tomatoes 

Pumpkin

Unsweetened cocoa powder or cocoa nibs

Pineapple

Sweet potatoes or yams 

Beans

Lentils

Garlic

Broccoli

Red and green cabbage

Onions

Cherries

Cinnamon

Oat bran

Beets

Barley

Mushrooms

Canola and olive oils

Read more at Men's Health: http://blogs.menshealth.com/bellyoff-nutritionist/47-foods-you-should-be-eating/2011/06/29/#ixzz1zwZqOKbM


Love,
ALPHA

The Best Relationship Advice Ever

"Be independent before entering a relationship. It's better when two people want each other more than they need each other." —Katrina W.

"Don't punish your boyfriend for your ex's mistakes." —Anita M.

"Trust him until you're given a reason otherwise." —Lacy W.

"There should be no secrets between us." —Yukari T.

"If you don't love him like crazy, you don't love him enough." —Christelle F.

"Don't listen to other people's comments. Make your own relationship rules." —Tara-Lynn B.

"If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they are yours forever. If they don't, they were never yours to begin with." —Ashley H.

"Appreciate the little things." —Dawn-Marie D.

"Talk to each other about problems—not friends and family." —Alicia J.

"Life is so much better when you show each other how much you care." —Jessica J.

"Admit when you're wrong and don't gloat when you're right." —Carole S.

"Never chase. Always be chased. if he isn't willing to pursue you, he isn't worth your time." —Dez M.

"Jealousy is a waste of time and energy." —Codi T.

"Differences are inevitable, so compromise and respect are key." —Danica T.

"Everyone has a past—good or bad. Don't let your partner's past ruin your future." —Camz G.

"Always look and smell better than your man." —Rose M.

"Solve problems as soon as possible…together." —Mala K.

"Talk to him like he's someone you love—even when you're furious with him." —Ginny M.

Cosmopolitan.

Love, 

ALPHA

E♥Cards

These are probably the best things to read when you're bored. And the great thing is they really just state the point - and it's hilarious and soooo true. Here are some of my fav's!

Have a great day!

 Love, 

ALPHA