If you order a dish like tacos or quesadillas, the server will probably ask you if you want corn or flour tortillas. Choose corn, as they're a healthier and lower calorie option. Corn tortillas are made up of whole grain and have much more fiber than their flour tortilla counterpart.  Calorie-wise, corn tortillas tend to be much lower in caloric content. Two flour tortillas come in at almost 300 calories while four corn tortillas contain about 200 calories.  Flour tortillas are also higher in fat, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium than corn tortillas.  However, both flour and corn tortillas are fairly high in carbs, so if you're on a low carb diet it might be best to skip foods that use tortillas altogether. Mexican dishes are usually served with a variety of sauces, salsas, and creams. You also generally get a side dish if you order an entree. When selecting sauces and sides, go for healthier options.  If dishes offer sour cream on the side or as part of the entree, like sour cream in the burrito, see if you can swap sour cream for salsa. Mexican salsa is usually made from uncooked veggies and condiments, making it relatively low in calories and fat.  Pico de gallo is a Mexican salad often used as a garnish made from diced tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. You could ask this as a substitute for sour cream or other heavy cream sauces in a burrito or taco.  When it comes to side dishes, beans and rice can be a healthy choice, but you should stay away from refried beans. These are high in calories and fat. Ask for black beans and, if it's offered, order brown rice or Spanish rice, as such dishes have more nutritional benefits than white rice.  It also might be a good idea to skip the beans and rice altogether as a side. Many Mexican restaurants offer grilled veggies, which are probably your healthiest option for dining out at a Mexican restaurant. Dishes like chile relleno, chimichangas, gorditas, and taquitos are usually deep fried before they're served. This ups the fat and calorie content. It's best to stay away from such dishes if you're looking for a healthy option while eating out. When the time comes to choose your actual entree, know what foods are the healthiest choices. Mexican food can actually be fairly healthy if you make the right choices.  Grilled foods over foods that are fried are a great idea. Enchiladas are usually made with grilled meats as are fajitas. Fajitas usually include a lot of grilled veggies as well and you can always ask for extra.  When possible, ask for the server to go light on calorie heavy additions to meals. Ask for light cheese and light sour cream, for example. As a substitution for less of these items, see if you can get added veggies or avocados.  If you're ordering a burrito, ask that the meat be grilled. Also, when selecting meats, go for chicken or seafood options over beef or steak, as the latter are higher in calories, saturated fats, and sodium.

Summary: Opt for corn tortillas. Choose sides and sauces wisely. Do not order fried foods. Pick a healthy entree.


Put the lipsticks in the microwave for 5 seconds on high. Allow them to melt, then mix them together with a plastic spoon or stirring rod to blend the colors.  Continue microwaving in 5-second intervals until blended. Alternatively, you can melt the lipsticks together in a double-boiler instead of a microwave. Consider adding about 1 tsp (5 ml) of beeswax or petroleum jelly for every 4 inches (10 cm) of lipstick used, as doing so will add a moisturizing effect to the lipstick. Stir well until blended. When ready, pour the new shade of lipstick into a small cosmetic pot or tin. Allow the lipstick to cool and harden before use. Apply the new lipstick using your finger or an applicator brush.

Summary: Microwave the lipsticks. Pour the mixture into containers.


Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals will help your body to heal itself faster and prevent bruising in the first place. In particular, vitamins C and K are important for preventing bruises.  Vitamin C lessens bruising by strengthening capillary walls, making them less likely to leak blood when bumped or knocked against. Severe deficiency of vitamin C (scurvy) can result in bruising. It often occurs in the chronically institutionalized, severely malnourished, and alcoholics. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, pepper, and multivitamin tablets.  Vitamin K promotes blood clotting, which helps bruises to heal faster. People with low levels of vitamin K have a higher rate of bruising. People with a vitamin K deficiency may have a bacterial overgrowth of the intestines, celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or abuse alcohol. Good sources of vitamin K include broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Children often fall, have bicycle wrecks, hit each other, run into objects, and have accidents that cause a bump to the skin. With children, the best way to reduce bruising is to prevent them from playing too roughly.  Always check your child's protective gear. Make sure it fits and is comfortable so it can protect them from bruises in sports or during outdoor activities. Put foam pads on sharp edges of counters and coffee tables. You can remove the tables when your child is playing, if possible. Make sure your child wears shoes to protect their feet. High cut sneakers provide ankle support to prevent bruises on their feet. Sun damage to the skin can cause bruising to occur more easily. This is especially true for older people, whose skin is naturally thinner and therefore more prone to damage and bruising. This makes it important to always wear sunscreen, especially on the face, and to wear hats and long-sleeved t-shirts to minimize sun exposure. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible, which provides an extra layer of protection and padding for the skin when you receive a bump or a knock or protection from the sun.
Summary: Adjust your diet. Monitor children to be sure they are playing safely. Stay out of the sun for extended periods of time.