When it comes to wrinkles, there are so many cosmetic and invasive solutions available to women today, that if we’re not careful we’re going to look like a tribe of cosmetically enhanced automatons! Rather than throw cash at painful, un-natural solutions like acid peels and Botox injections, wouldn’t it be great to just grow older the natural way?

With age, facial muscles and skin can lose tone, the circulation might not be as great as it used to be. Also sun worshipping may have taken its toll, so there are lots of factors that contribute to skin ageing.

Stress is also a contributory factor. When we’re stressed we tend to tense the muscles in our face, which can result in worry line’ on the forehead or between the brows. Relax more and look for ways to deal with your stress rather than absorb it into the structure of your face!

It’s hard to reverse damage that’s been done, but it is wise to minimise any future risks. Therefore, avoid excess sun, improve the circulation with increased exercise and eat a healthy diet to help maintain the condition of your skin.

Eating foods which are high in anti-oxidants, such as cranberries, blueberries and artichokes is also beneficial. Drinking plenty of water is recommended, so that you eliminate toxins and stay hydrated. Avoid excess alcohol and cigarette smoke, as both these factors will contribute to the drying of the skin.

Adopt a sensible skincare regime using gentle, natural, alcohol-free products to promote moisturisation and skin elasticity. If you’re still worried about wrinkles then you could try facial exercises that work the muscles in the face and jaw, and supposedly increase your muscle tone to promote a more youthful appearance. Facial massage feels wonderful, and the benefits can be enhanced with the use of a gentle, herbal cream or with the healing properties of olive oil.

Alternatively, try adopting an attitude change. Stop trying to fight the aging process and love your lines and wrinkles as a symbol of your wisdom and experience. Embrace some positive lifestyle changes and grow older with grace.

A new website called Sideways Health looks at innovative and traditional ways to beat common health problems.

The emphasis is on non-invasive treatments which are both gentle and effective.

There will also be a strand concentrating on the GI method (Glycemic Index) as a way of improving alertness and mental functioning, as well as overall health and optimum weight.

This site is well worth following if you want a different approach to managing your health apart from the expensive, technological methods of conventional medicine and healthcare.

Broccoli is well-known for its health benefits. It’s rich in Vitamin C – just one stalk of broccoli can deliver over 200% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C. Like other dark green and orange veggies, broccoli contains beta-carotene (Vitamin A). Both Vitamin C and Vitamin A are known anti-oxidants which prevent the damage done by free radicals making them cancer-preventative. Add to that the fact that broccoli is high in fiber and you have what seems to be the perfect cancer-fighting vegetable.

Unless you boil it.

Researchers at the University of Warwick say that boiling vegetables such as broccoli can damage their anti-cancer properties, reducing their health benefits.

My mother always told me that if you boil your vegetables, you leave the best part in the water you boiled them in. Turns out, she was right.

Some of the cancer fighting substances in vegetables like broccoli, green cabbage, cauliflower and Bussel sprouts, called glucosinolates, are lost in preparation if the method of cooking is boiling. Cooking fresh vegetables by stir-frying, steaming or microwaving did not have any effect on the glucosinolate levels. Boiling caused a loss of up to 77% of the glucosinolates in broccoli.

The researchers recommend adding these veggies to your diet, but say you will gain the most benefit if you choose to steam, stir-fry or microwave them rather than boiling.

Research Says Boiling Broccoli Ruins Its Anti Cancer Properties