Healthy Munchies

Other than three square meals a day, we all need little snacks in between to keep us going. While it’s convenient to purchase to-go bites from your favorite fast food chains or vending machines, it’s an unhealthy habit.

Majority of these fast food chains serve food that are high in trans-fat and sodium. And while some packed snacks are labeled as “low-fat,” they actually have little or no nutritional value. Your best bet is to prepare your own snacks with fresh and natural ingredients. Here are some healthy DIY snacks:

Vegetable Dip
Chop and slice sticks of your favorite raw vegetables, such as carrots or celery, and prepare a small container of dip. Examples of healthy dips are hummus, fat-free yogurt, applesauce and cottage cheese. If you’re not in the mood for veggies, pack some whole wheat or multi-grain crackers.

Party Mix
Mix two to three of the following: raw almonds, raw mixed nuts, dried fruit, dried peas, and fresh unbuttered popcorn. Avoid buying pre-packed nuts and party mixes from the groceries; they usually have too much salt. Shop for these ingredients at health specialty stores. They may cost a little more, but it’s worth the price if you want to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle.

Fruit Skewers
Skewer your favorite slices of fruit, such as apples, mandarin oranges, and bananas. Prepare dark chocolate fudge or melted dark chocolate as your dip. Dark chocolate is the healthier alternative to milk chocolate.

Fruit Fix
Not fond of chocolates? Go for raw fruits. Just grab an apple, banana, orange, or a bunch of grapes. It’s the quickest snack on the counter!

Low-Cal Sandwich
Not all sandwiches are made equal. Some sandwiches are just as fattening as a dish of fried rice and fried meat. The trick is in the bread and filling. Start by choosing whole wheat instead of white bread. Then pick tuna, white boiled or grilled chicken, or grilled veggies. Avoid fatty mayo and go for cottage cheese or mustard.

Homemade Soup
Heat some low-sodium vegetable broth. Mix in some chopped veggies and rinsed beans. When the veggies are cooked, season the soup with fresh herbs. If you want a creamy soup, add low-fat milk or evaporated skim milk. Stay away from heart-clogging whipped creams.

The Basic Kikay Kit

Just like their owners, vanity kits come in various sizes—from your high-maintenance friend who totes a giant bag of beauty products to your no-fuss officemate armed with only a small compact and lip-gloss.

How much makeup and beauty products do women really need to take to work or school on a daily basis? If you want a simple vanity bag with just the right kind of products to tote everywhere, here are the basic necessities:

1. Compact – Make sure that the face power is in your natural skin tone. Also purchase a compact that has a good quality mirror, so that you don’t have to buy a separate bulky mirror for your bag. Face powders with built-in SPF are also good picks.

2. Blush – Your best bet is the liquid or gel type that doesn’t need a fancy brush for application. If you’re always on the go, finger application will do. Get a shade that suits your skin tone.

3. Lip-gloss – Get a naturally tinted one so that you can go from office or school to party. A lipstick with moisturizing ingredients is also great for daily wear. If you’re not into lipstick or gloss, get a colorless lip balm to keep your lips healthy.

4. Concealer – Never leave home without one. You never know when you’re working late hours and you need to conceal your owl-looking peepers. Even if you’ve left your foundation at home, a concealer plus your face powder will do the trick in making you look flawless.

5. Brush or comb – Purchase them travel-sized so that it can easily fit into your vanity pouch.

6. Eyeshadow – Pick a small-sized one that comes in your favorite earthy shade. If there’s no more space in your kit, get the eyeshadow product that doesn’t come with a brush. You can use your fingers to apply it on your lids. Keep it light in the daytime and heavier for those nights out.

7. Fragrance – Whether it’s fruity body spray, your favorite bottle of eau de parfum, or a regular brand of cologne, always keep a travel-sized bottle of fragrance handy. For those moments that you feel yucky from working all day, just spritz on your favorite scent to feel instantly refreshed.

8. Hygiene items – A small pack of gum or breath mints, a travel-sized toothbrush with toothpaste, and a hand sanitizer.