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Getting Ready For The Prom
Prom Night 2001... Eating The Right Foods

This is going to be one of the biggest nights of your life and everything has to be perfect. So for that reason alone, you can't devote too much time to the planning of this special night. This week's article is the second of several that will help get you ready for your prom. We will be covering everything... from the tips of your toes to the top of your head. So let's get started. This week we will start with one of the most important features... your skin.

This week, we are going to spend some time thinking about our diet. I have heard that diet has absolutely nothing to do with acne, but from personal experience, I really believe that there is a link. My son went through all of his teen age years, battling acne. What confused us for a little while is that his face would clear up and then suddenly, it would break out badly for no apparent reason. But, the "no apparent reason" turned out to be a simple case of indulging in junk food.

He began to notice that when he was eating the foods that were prepared at home (which were usually healthier in nature), his skin would begin to clear up. That seems like a clear indication that certain foods can trigger acne. So, if you really want some easy ways to improve your skin... here it is. Make these few changes and watch your skin respond.

  Something To Think About
  • It is so easy to ignore certain foods that you don't like, but there are a few tricks that I want to share. If vegetables aren't high on your list of favorites, try eating them raw. Leaving them sitting in a visible place makes it very easy for you to grab one whenever you are thinking about a snack.
  • I mentioned earlier that certain foods can trigger a skin reaction. If you find this happening, you might want to keep a food diary and write down the foods that you eat each day. If you suddenly notice a reaction, it will take you only a few minutes to track down what might have caused it. Once you have a list of known culprits, you might want to avoid those foods during the days leading up to your prom.

  Healthy Choices

Having to give up some of your favorite foods is not an easy thing to do. But, think of it as swapping for something better. Love hamburgers? No problem. Here is a recipe to swap with your old one.

Crunch Burger

  • 8 oz very lean beef or chicken
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1 small grated carrot
  • 1 tsp of your favorite mustard
  • freshly ground pepper
All the ingredients can be combined by hand, but if you have a blender or food processor handy, use that instead for a finer texture. Form into a patty and then grill until well done. Now enjoy!

Nectarine Smoothie

  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
  • 1/2 cup peeled, pitted and sliced nectarines
  • honey to taste
If you have never made yourself a smoothie before, don't panic. It couldn't be easier. All you have to do is place all the ingredients listed above in a blender and then blend until until smooth.

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