Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Lifestyle

  • 5 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Sugar Intake

    Although a little bit of sugar is OK for most people, eating too much sugar can undermine your health in a lot of ways. Sugar can add excess calories to your diet, crowd out more nutritious foods, and otherwise contribute to aging, weight gain, and disease.

    Here are 5 tips I’m sure would help in reducing your overall sugar intake:

    Read Food Labels
    You’ll quickly realize just how often sugar is added to foods when you look for it on ingredients lists. Even things that you don’t think are sweet, like tomato sauce, crackers, and salad dressings can be packed with sugar. Read the list of ingredients on the packaging before you make a decision on whether to eat/drink it or not.

    Choose Healthy Snacks
    In between meals, you might have the need to chew on a snack. In such situations, opt for a healthy snack. Healthier snack options are those without added sugar such as fruit (fresh, dried, tinned or frozen), unsalted nuts, unsalted rice cakes, oatcakes or homemade plain popcorn

    Avoid Sweetened Drinks & Beverages
    Nearly a quarter of our added sugar in our diets comes from sugary drinks such as fizzy drinks, sweetened juices, and squashes. A 500ml bottle of cola contains the equivalent of 17 cubes of sugar. Try sugar-free varieties or better yet, water, lower-fat milk, or soda water with a splash of fruit juice.

    Trade sweetened foods for naturally sweet fruit
    Replace foods laden with added sugar for fruit, which is naturally sweet and just as satisfying. Fruit – whether it’s fresh, baked, grilled, or pureed — makes a great replacement for sugar in lots of dishes, from cookies to coleslaw.

    Buy unsweetened food
    Once you know where sugar hides, you can start making changes. One strategy: buy foods labeled “no added sugar” or “unsweetened.” You’ll find unsweetened versions of these common foods in most grocery stores. For instance, go for unsweetened milk instead of the regular one. Also, when buying canned fruit, they should be packed in
    juice—not syrup.

    SL Fabz, do you have any more tips to add?

  • 4 Reasons Why You Should Dress For Yourself Instead Of Others

    Many times, we worry about whether the way we dress is accepted by other people in the society and put this over our own desires. This happens mostly among us women. Sometimes, we want to dress in a particular way but don’t because we think people will mock us or the society won’t accept us.

    It’s time for us to begin to live in our own skin and dress for ourselves. Here are 4 reasons why:

    1. You’ll be more comfortable
    When you love what you’re wearing, you’ll be so much comfortable, even if what you love wearing is a great pair of heels. When you’re not worrying about what other people think or what they expect from you, you’ll feel more comfortable in your clothes and skin, which is always a positive!

    2. No one really cares
    It’s very hard for us to see this, but its the truth. Don’t let the voice inside your head tell you that everyone’s judging you. Be yourself. I know this is even harder for me as a celeb because I am more in the public eye than most people. But truth is many just want to things to gossip, write or blog about. If I put their desires above mine, I’d be dressing for them not me and that’s really not cool.

    3. Don’t try to be someone else
    It’s so hard living in someone else’s skin and if you try this, you’d realize that its totally worthless. Don’t dress because you want to please your friends, your colleagues, your admirers… One day you’d get tired of it and when you decide to dress for yourself, you’d be shocked to realize how it affects your relationships.

    4. You’ll feel more confident
    Overall, when you dress for yourself, you’ll start to feel happier and more confident on both your inward and outward appearances. You won’t be worried about what other people think of you, and you’ll be proud to be dressing for yourself instead of others!

    SL Fabz, do you dress for yourself instead of anyone else? Do you have other reasons to add to this list?

    Let’s share!

  • Groovy Friday: How To Eat Healthy At Owambe Parties

    The last day of the work week is here and a weekend of fun stretches before us.

    I’m pretty sure most of us have one or two parties to attend this weekend. Owambe has become the term for parties these days. It’s a Yoruba word loosely translated as “It is happening there” or “I was there”, and it is now a name for big weddings and birthday parties.

    A typical Owambe has a large crowd of guests, lots of people dressed in aso-ebi, dancing, spraying of money, and of course lots to eat and drink.

    It is usually difficult to eat a healthy meal when you see lots of food. Follow these tips to help you eat healthier at parties.

    1. Eat more protein than carbs: Try to ignore the heaps of pounded yam and large spoons of rice. If you must take them, take little quantity. Instead, opt for foods with protein like moi-moi, eggs, fish, chicken and meat. If there are vegetables, salads and/or fruits available, go for that. You don’t necessarily have to heap your plate with these either. Eat in moderation.

    2. Don’t leave home hungry: This applies not just for Owambe parties but for any social function where you know food will be served. With an empty stomach, its difficult to make wise decisions about the quantity of food you eat outside and you just might end up embarassing yourself.

    3. Eat small portions: I deliberately eat very little at social functions. Not only is it healthier, but it helps you exercise more self control. Imagine that its time for you to dance with the celebrant or the couple and you can’t because your tummy is so full!

    4. Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Don’t wait till you get to the middle of the line and you see something else you like ahead when your plate is already full. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.

    5. Choose your drinks wisely. Avoid drinking too much sugary drinks or alcohol. Too much sugar affects your health badly and helps you pack on the weight. Also, what’s the point of getting drunk and not being able to properly enjoy your friend or relative’s party?

    Do you have any more tips to add? How do you select your food when you go out for parties?

    Have a fab weekend!

    SL

  • Nigerian Pidgin Proverbs That Will Surely Make You Laugh

    Anyone who knows me very well would know that I speak Pidgin English wella! Oh yeah, I roll like that too… Lol

    We can’t deny that Pidgin English has come a long way in Nigeria. Maybe we’d discuss the origin of the language some time later, but for sure, it has come to stay. Now we have Songs, Movies, TV Programmes, Radio & TV Stations where only Pidgin is spoken and they’ve all made a huge impact on the society.

    There’s something about Pidgin English that just makes the mood lighter and makes everything seem so funny. However, proverbs in Pidgin usually have a very strong meaning. Although it might be said as a joke or in a funny way, when you translate it properly, it thoroughly makes sense!

    Here are some courtesy of Mayo Bayo of tlkdrum.com:

    Craze no hard to form, na the trekking be wahala
    loose translation: Easier said than done

    No matter how hot your tempa be, e no fit boil beans
    loose translation: Calm down, your temper won’t solve the problem

    Chicken wey run way from Borno go Ibadan go still end up inside pot of soup
    loose translation: You can’t run away from your destiny

    Today’s newspaper na tomorrow Suya wrap
    loose translation: Keep calm! Nothing lasts forever

    Cow wey dey in a hurry to go America go come back as corn beef
    loose translation: Just be patient. Let the game come to you. Don’t rush!

    Akara and moin moin get the same parent, na wetin dey pass through make dem different
    loose translation: How you start doesn’t matter, what matters is how you finish.

    Leave matter for Mathias and Sabi for Sabinus
    loose translation: Give everyone what they deserve.

    The difference between kpekere and plantain chips na packaging
    loose translation: Don’t judge based on appearance alone

    Escort me, Escort me, na im slave trade take start
    loose translation: Serious things sometimes start like a joke

    The water wey dem use take make eba can never be recovered back
    loose translation: Don’t cry over spilled milk

    Which proverb do you think has the strongest meaning? Do you have any other proverb in Pidgin to add to this list? Feel free to share.

  • Let’s Talk About It! How Do You Tell Someone He/She Has Bad Breath?

    Have you ever felt uncomfortable around someone because he or she has bad breath? It becomes even more uncomfortable when you have to be around that person often or if he/she is an elderly person or your boss. You might just have to endure a very uncomfortable conversation…. eewww.

    Really, bad breath is a very serious problem that can affect one’s self esteem and limit one’s opportunities. It must be very disturbing when people don’t want to be around you or won’t give you opportunities because of your breath. However, as it is with most problems, it’s easier to find a solution when you actually know what the problem is. What happens in situations when you don’t know?

    I recently came across the quick DIY test for bad breath. Check it out:

    Look at your tongue in the mirror. If it is pretty and pink, no problem: Your breath is likely good to go. However, if it is yellow or white you likely need a good tongue cleaning to get rid of your bad breath. Get a plastic tongue scraper and use it every morning before you brush.

    Another quick trick that should only be done in the privacy of your own home. Lick the back of your hand and let it evaporate. If your breath is bad, you will likely be able to smell it on your hand. Alternatively, breathe into a small brown paper bag, and do a sniff test. Then, please, throw the bag away.

    Causes
    The causes of bad breath are generally either oral-related or digestive lining-related. If the source of bad breath is the oral cavity, food residue—and the resultant bacteria—may be to blame. Food residue can build up in gum pockets, in between teeth and under restorations, within tongue projections or papillae, which all can lead to unpleasant breath. Chronic bad breath can also be a warning sign for gum disease.

    Solutions
    To neutralize bad breath in a pinch, chew on parsley, avocado, fennel seeds or peppermint leaves, or place a slice of cucumber on your palate for a minute. You can also try chewing gums and mints. Look for ones made with xylitol, not sugar (which some oral bacteria feed on). And if you’re on the go without a mint or mouthwash, swish water around your mouth for 30 seconds.

    *These are just quick solutions. For long lasting solutions, please see a doctor.

    So SL Fabz, let’s discuss. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt uncomfortable talking to someone cos of his/her bad breath? How would you tell someone he/she has bad breath? Would you try to advice the person or just walk away?

  • #BeautyTip: Homemade Honey Conditioners

    I recently discovered he amazing effect of Honey as a hair conditioner and I just had to share it with you!

    Honey is a humectant (which means that it helps to retain moisture) and an emollient (meaning that it softens and smoothes), which “naturally” makes it a great conditioner and moisturizer. This applies to both the skin and hair.

    Here’s how to use natural honey as a hair conditioner to repair damaged hair:

    Steps
    1. COMBINE HONEY with an equal amount of your regular conditioner
    2. RUB THE TWO together and use your hands to evenly apply the mixture through your hair while damp
    3. MASSAGE IT into your scalp and work from your roots to the tip of your hair
    4. COVER WITH A SHOWER CAP and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it out, preferably with cold water

    To use Honey as a leave-in conditioner, do it this way:

    Steps
    1. COMBINE 1 TEASPOON of honey (or more depending on hair length and condition) with 4 cups of warm water
    AFTER CLEANSING your hair as normal, pour the mixture through your hair and allow to dry as normal

    Do you have any other tips to share on how natural ingredients can be used for the hair? I’d love to hear from you!

  • Tips For Choosing The Right Shade Of Red Lipstick

    We all love red lipstick, don’t we? Of course I’m talking to the ladies here 🙂

    It’s probably the sexiest colour around and when painted on your lips, it’s dynamite. No matter what the season or whatever the trends in makeup or fashion, red lipstick has always and will always be in style.

    However, where a lot of us get it wrong is in finding the perfect shade. Do you have issues with the perfect shade? Here are three fail-safe ways to pick the perfect red lipstick …

    SKIN TONE

    If you have fair skin tone , consider a shade with a touch of orange in it to brighten your complexion. Think tomato red to coral red. That’s not to say you can’t go with a dark red, but stay away from deep reds with blue in them.

    Cool reds, devoid of orange undertones, are the most complementary on darker tones. In general, look for shades with a blue, almost plum, cast (as in, deep cranberry to light crimson).

    SKIN COLOUR

    If you have fair skin, you’ll look brilliant in apricot nudes, pinks and light corals. Skip the browns.

    If you have a medium skin tone, you can be brave and go a touch darker. You’ll look amazing in reds with tones of rose, mauve, berry and burgundy. Run the other way from bright reds.

    If you have dark skin, deep plum red, chocolate or red is fabulous with dark skin. In fact you can easily go in one of two directions: brown or purple. Think caramel reds for daytime and plum or wine reds for evening.

    HAIR COLOUR

    You wouldn’t think about your hair colour having anything to do with your red lipstick, right? For those with darker hair, deeper reds look great. Try a burgundy or wine colored shade. However, if you have dark hair, but light skin, choose something a bit understated or your look will be too severe. Red heads can’t go wrong with a great coral shade of red.

    So, now all you need to do is pick your perfect shade and you’re good to go!

  • Do You Know That Men Also Feel Insecure?

    As ladies, we tend to feel insecure about a lot of things, especially physical qualities. Our weight, our height, our looks… The interesting thing is, men also feel insecure!

    Your boyfriend and guy friends may keep quiet about their feelings, but there are plenty of things men are insecure about. Women aren’t the only gender who worry about what others think of them. Men can be just as cautious, but they try their best not to let it show. Here are some of the biggest things men are insecure about:

    1. HIS HEIGHT

    Most men want to be taller than their girlfriends. If they’re short, then they can’t do much about it, except wear lifts in their shoes. Otherwise, they’re stuck at the height that they were given. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a woman being taller than her man, but most men are not comfortable with this.

    2. HIS WEIGHT

    It’s more socially acceptable for men to be overweight than it is for women, but they still like to look fit. If your boyfriend sees you staring at a man with a six pack, he’s going to wish he had a six pack too. You’re not the only one who wishes they had more time for exercise. Your boyfriend wants to look good for you, just like you look good for him.

    3. HIS OVERALL ATTRACTIVENESS

    If you have a pimple, you get to cover it with foundation. If you don’t like how small your eyes look, you can create an illusion with eyeshadow and liner. Men aren’t as lucky. Most guys aren’t willing to wear make-up, so if he has an issue with his appearance, he’s stuck with it.

    4. HIS FACIAL HAIR

    We worry about the hair on our legs and arms, but men worry about the hair on their face. There are so many different options for them to choose, and they don’t want to make the wrong one. Deciding whether they should go clean-shaven, or grow out their stubble is a hard choice for them.

    5. HIS FINANCIAL SITUATION

    Traditionally, men pay for their girlfriend’s food when they go out on a date. If he doesn’t have enough money to cover your meal, he’s going to feel inadequate. He wants to feel like he can take care of his woman, even if she doesn’t need his help. So if your boyfriend gets touchy when the subject of money comes up, it’s probably because he wishes he could afford everything you ever asked for.

    Women aren’t the only ones who are embarrassed about certain aspects of themselves. Men try not to show their weak spots, but they can be just as insecure as we are.

    Does your boyfriend/husband let you in on his insecurities, or does he act like he’s the most confident man around? Do you know of any other things men are insecure about that are not on the list?

    Let’s discuss!

  • Cancer Can Be Detected Early… Get Screened Today

    The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and today, I’d just like to remind us of the importance of early detection and regular screening for cancer.

    In many cases, the sooner cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better a person’s chance for a full recovery. If you develop cancer, you can improve the chance that it will be detected early if you have regular medical checkups and do certain self-exams.

    The American Cancer Society recommends these screening guidelines for most adults:

    Breast Cancer
    1. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
    2. Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
    3. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.

    As ladies, we should endeavor to carry out a breast self exam regularly and, like stated above, report any breast change to a doctor. By doing BSE, women learn what looks and feels normal for their breasts, and they are more likely to find a change.

    Most breast lumps are not cancer, but only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

    Let us spread this word and also practice it. We shouldn’t loose more women to cancer in situations that can really be avoided.

    Have a great day!

    SL

  • Foodie Talk: How Do You Like Your Chicken?

    Hi SL Fabz,

    I have a deep craving for chicken today so I’m heading out to buy some soft chicken laps soon.

    This got me thinking. There are many ways to prepare and serve chicken that still leaves you savouring its great flavour. I particularly love my chicken grilled or simply boiled and used to make stew or sauce. However, I’m sure you have more creative ways to serve chicken.

    So let’s put on our foodie hats today and exchange our best ways of preparing chicken. You just might be helping someone improve her cooking skills you know 🙂

    Tell us dearies, what is the best way you love cooking or eating your chicken? Are you a fan of killing the chicken yourself and savouring the unique fresh taste or do you prefer frozen chicken? Do you like your chicken boiled, fried, smoked, grilled…?