cute hair

5 Foods That Help You Sleep

 

Should you let yourself have that midnight snack if you're having trouble sleeping and you think hunger might be part of the problem? Here are five foods that can actually help you drift off:
1. Cherries. Fresh and dried cherries are one of the only natural food sources of melatonin, the chemical that controls the body's internal clock to regulate sleep. Researchers who tested tart cherries and found high levels of melatonin recommend eating them an hour before bedtime or before a trip when you want to sleep on the plane.
2. Bananas. Potassium and magnesium are natural muscle relaxants, and bananas are a good source of both. They also contain the amino acid L-tryptophan, which gets converted to 5-HTP in the brain. The 5-HTP in turn is converted to serotonin (a relaxing neurotransmitter) and melatonin.
3. Toast. Carbohydrate-rich foods trigger insulin production, which induces sleep by speeding up the release of tryptophan and serotonin, two brain chemicals that relax you and send you to sleep.
4. Oatmeal. Like toast, a bowl of oatmeal triggers a rise in blood sugar, which in turn triggers insulin production and the release of sleep-inducing brain chemicals. Oats are also rich in melatonin, which many people take as a sleep aid.
5. Warm milk. Like bananas, milk contains the amino acid L-tryptophan, which turns to 5-HTP and releases relaxing serotonin. It's also high in calcium, which promotes sleep.

5 Foods That Sabotage Your Sleep

Caregiver Confessions: When You're Sleeping Poorly -- Or Not at All

If you're having trouble sleeping, what about a midnight snack? It can be a good idea. But be careful to avoid these five foods that can *prevent* you from getting a good night's rest:
1. Preserved and smoked meats. Slap your hand away when it reaches to make a ham sandwich as an evening snack. Ham, bacon, sausages, and smoked meats contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine, which triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a brain stimulant that makes us feel alert and wired.
2. Chocolate. Love an evening cup of cocoa? That sundae in front of the TV? Be careful of chocolate in all its disguises. Many people are increasingly sensitive to caffeine as they get older, and even the little chocolate chunks in chocolate chip ice cream could zap you just enough to prevent ZZZZs. Chocolate also contains tyrosine, a stimulating amino acid.
3. Energy drinks. Red Bull and other energy drinks are high in caffeine as well as the amino acid taurine, which boosts alertness and adrenaline. Recent studies have shown that even if you drink energy drinks early in the day, the combined high dosage of taurine and caffeine can make it hard to sleep, or to sleep well, later on.
4. Tomato sauce, chili, pizza, and spicy foods. Digestive disturbances are a common source of sleep problems, but many people fail to make the connection. Acidic and spicy foods can cause reflux, heartburn, and other symptoms that interrupt sleep.
5. The nightcap. A drink or two may make you feel more relaxed after dinner, but it comes back to haunt you -- literally -- a few hours later, by preventing you from achieving deep sleep. And because alcohol both dehydrates you and makes you have to pee, it wakes you up, too. Wine is high in the stimulant tyrosine as well.

Hairstyles and Haircuts for Medium-Length Hair

 

The best thing about medium-length hair? The huge variety of styles -- and styling options. Plus, none of the commitment that comes with long hair. Love your locks with these cute medium-length haircuts and styles -- there's nothing "average" about them.

The Long Bob with Bangs

Not too long, not too short, the "lob," or longer sister to the classic bob, adds even more versatility and styling options to your haircut -- yep, this is a bob long enough to pull into a ponytail! Change it up with long bangs, wispy sideswept bangs, or even extra-short baby bangs.


sleek bob

Slightly angle longer bangs to lengthen and slim your face. Keep the layers to a minimum and let choppy ends hit just above the collarbone. Finish this look with a flatiron and an anti-frizz serum for the ultimate sleek, chic 'do


tapered layers

Refine a shoulder-length haircut by using a razor to taper only the hair that frames the face, starting anywhere from cheekbone to chin. The result? Swingy stands that highlight your features, and gently drift from updos in that oh-so-pretty way.

Shoulder-Length Layers

 

Remember the "Rachel" -- that medium-length, multilayered cut popularized by Jennifer Aniston in Friends, circa 1995? Consider this style the modern equivalent -- only softer and more rounded. These gentle layers combined with the mid-length cut flatter any face.

Instant Volume

Curl ends under or flip them out with a big-barrel curling iron to add body to your hair.

Try these healthy snacks with hummus.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT IT IS YOU CAN ALWAYS SWITCH IT UP. THERES A COUPLE DIFFERENT FLAVORS. SO EACH WEEK YOU CAN BUY A NEW FLAVOR :)

Carrots

Loaded with Beta Carotene; Carrots are Great for your Eyes & your Skin.

Celery

High in Vitamin C & Fiber; Celery is Great for your Immune System & your Digestion.

Bananas & Banana Chips

Load up on your Potassium! These are a great source of electrolytes, and a little bit of natural sugars.

Nut Butter

These contain Monounsaturated Fats; which are great for digestion, and are an excellent energy source.

Mangos

These include Digestive Enzymes for help with nutrient breakdown and absorption, and includes glutamine which is great for memory, as well as muscle retention, They also have an abundance of Vitamin E, which is great for a lot, including controlling acne, cancer prevention, controls cholesterol levels, and aids in fat digestion, amongst other things that you can google :)

Strawberries

These are Antioxidant Rich which is great for fighting cancer and other disease, and vitamin C perfect for boosting your immune system.