Let's talk about beauty and health

Teeth care

2009-05-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

1. Brush your teeth once / twice a day prior to sleeping using a medium tooth brush.

2. Massage your gums once a day with your finger for one minute.

3. Avoid using abrasive tooth powders, salt, tobacco, etc. for cleaning the teeth.

4. Avoid use of any other person’s tooth brush.

5. Change your tooth brush atleast once every 90 days.

6. Use dental floss for removing food particles, avoid the use of pins, etc.

7. Do not smoke, use tobacco, chew gum, eat chocolate, candy etc.

8. Eat plenty of crunchy fresh vegetables and fruit.

9. In case of irregular, sharp, broken teeth, contact your dentist.

10. Do not apply medicine without consulting your doctor.

11. In case of tooth ache, gum bleeding, ulcers of the gum and cheek, white patches, etc., consult your dentist.

12. Dental check every six months; especially for growing children is essential.

Make Up and Age

2009-04-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

There are three general reasons why we women wear makeup. The first reason is to protect our skin from harmful ultraviolet rays that cause skin damage and aging. Most makeup products nowadays have SPF which shields the skin from ultraviolet exposure. The second reason why we women wear makeup is to hide whatever blemishes we have on our face. It could be wrinkles, puffy eyelids, pimples, dark spots, an unsightly mole or birthmark, or whatever it is that we need to hide. Makeup conceals and takes the eyes away from these problem areas by putting highlights on the other, more presentable features of our face.

The third reason why women wear makeup is to enhance the best features of the face. Beautiful eyes deserve to be made more beautiful with a few tricks with the mascara and eye shadow. Naturally pouting lips should be made to look more luscious and kissable.

But whatever reason we may have for wearing makeup, the most important thing to remember is that we should keep our makeup as naturally looking as possible and that we should wear makeup that suits our age.

The following is a general guide on what kind of makeup should a woman wear according to her age.

Teenagers (15-19). If you are in your teenage years, your greatest asset is your youth, so you should wear makeup that plays up your youth instead of hiding it. You are also at that point in your life where your hormones are still trying to get their groove going, so the cosmetic products you are using should not be a cause for acne breakouts.

Given these, your foundation should be sheer, oil-free and water-based. Opt for a natural look by using natural looking eye shadows, and go easy on the mascara. For your blush on, try a gel blush to get that natural glow on your face; however, use a powder blush if your skin is oily. Keep your lipstick or lip gloss lightly tinted.

Twenties (20-29). You are in the bloom of your womanhood, and so your makeup should reflect that. So, go light on the foundation and match the colors you use for your eyes with the natural color of your eyes, your skin tone, as well as the mood you are in. Tone down your makeup when going to work by wearing a light powder blush and a lightly tinted lipstick. For affairs in the evening, like a date, a party or a night out with friends, you can use brighter colors.

Thirties(30 -39). This is when the initial, telltale signs of aging like crows' feet and fine lines begin to appear. Therefore, you should start toning the palette of your makeup down. It is also time to go a little on the heavy side with your foundation, but wear your blushers in more muted colors. Avoid wearing frosted makeup to keep the attention away from the small wrinkles and fine lines.

Forties (40-49). The signs of aging become more apparent at this age. You should, therefore, start wearing makeup that is kind to your skin. Begin using an oil-based foundation if your skin is dry and put a light base over the wrinkles of your face, in case you have any. Start using concealer creams more generously over the dark spots and dark circles, and steer clear from frosted or metallic eye shadow, especially if you have puffy eyes. Use softer colors for your cheeks.

Fifties and above (50+). This is the time you should start letting yourself age gracefully. Therefore, be kind to your face and avoid the kinds of makeup that are matte-based. Never opt for frosty, shiny or metallic colors for your eyes because it will only highlight the puffiness and the wrinkles. Keep your lipstick colors light and never even attempt to wear blue or red colors.

Acne 2 : Home remedies for acne

2009-03-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

---> Orange peel has been found very effective home remedy for acne treatment . Mixed well with water on a piece of stone, the peel should be applied to the affected areas. There are several things that you can do with fresh lemon. Slice a lemon in half and rub it on the effected area and leave it over night and rinse your face in the morning or squeeze the juice and mix it with rose water and apply to the effected areas.

---> Aloe Vera juice applied twice a day can greatly help in healing of the scars of the acne. Aloe Vera juice can be found at most health stores.

---> Cucumber is one of the easiest and refreshing treatments used for the treatment of acne and to refreshen up the skin. It makes our skin feel looking young. Blend the cucumber into a paste and apply it on the affected area. Leave it for 30 to 45 minutes and then wash it off.

---> Paste of sandalwood powder with black gram dal can be used on facial skin for acne treatment. Keep it overnight and wash it with cold water the next day.

---> Tomato can also be used for the treatment of blackheads and to open the pores of the skin. Cut the tomato and rub it on the skin. Leave on for fifteen minutes. Wash it off with water. This will reduce open pores and blackheads. This treatment is good particularly for oily skin.

---> Garlic has been used successfully in the treatment of acne. Rub raw garlic on the affected skin several times a day, it will help to remove the scars. Chronic forms of acne are also healed by this method.

---> Nutmeg. Make a paste of nutmeg with unboiled milk and apply on affected area. This works as a wonderful ointment. Pimples disappear without leaving a mark.

---> Egg whites are also used to get rid of acne. Apply it on face and leave overnight. Wash off in the morning.

---> Neem is used for the treatment of all sorts of skin problems. It contains Nimbidol and Gedunin, which have very good fungicidal properties. Neem has proved to be beneficial in skin disorders such as warts, scabies, psoriasis, eczema, and even dandruff. It is extremely effective in acne treatment.

---> Honey and cinnamon. Take 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Make a paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever. This is an effective home remedy for acne treatment.

---> Ice. Before going to bed apply ice on the face. This will reduce the inflammation and burning sensation on the skin and also lighten the scars of the acne.

---> Groundnut oil. Mix 1-tablespoon groundnut oil with 1-tablespoon fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples.

---> Niacin and vitamin A are used for the treatment of the acne. It is recommended to take100 mg niacin, three times daily, and 50,000 international units of vitamin A, three times daily. Vitamin E, 400 mg, should be taken once daily. This therapy should be continued for a month.

---> Coriander juice. Take a teaspoon of coriander juice; mix it with a pinch of turmeric powder. It is a very effective home made ointment for pimples and blackheads. The mixture should be applied to the face after thoroughly washing it every night before going to bed.

---> Mint. Mint juice can be used in a similar manner as coriander juice.

---> Papaya. Juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) can also be applied on swelling pimples. For acne treatment, cornstarch when combined with water can be used as a mask to absorb oil.

---> Hot fomentation can be applied locally to open up the pores and to bring out the waste matter. The affected parts should then be washed with cold water. The patient should take sun and air baths by exposing the whole body to the sun and air. For acne treatment, do not wash face with soap and water, wash it in the morning and night with lukewarm salty water. Soap is a drying agent and may worsen the acne, whereas luke warm salty water may help remove oils without drying the skin.

--->Fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk can be applied to the face as a face wash for pimples, blackheads, and cracked skin.

---> Drinking of wheatgrass juice may remove acne.

About acne

2009-03-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

Acne or pimple is a common ailment in young people during their teen age. This occurs due to some hormonal changes in the body. It particularly occurs in the young age, from 12 to 16 years of age, and is more common in those who have an oily skin. Chronic forms of acne may occur over the shoulders, the back and chest as well as face and neck.

Diet is not responsible for acne but certain foods may produce this condition, especially in some patients. Rich foods such as chocolate, nuts, soft drinks, fatty meals and increased sugar, may produce this condition. Certain drugs such as those containing bromides and iodides may also produce acne in some patients. Some girls develop pimples before menstruation. These remain for only one or two days. When acne remains for months or years, something should be done to remove the condition. Nervous tension due to family trouble may also play an important role in creating this problem.

Acne rosacea is an abnormal redness and irritation of the face and nose. It may also occur on the cheeks, chin, and forehead at times. Acne rosacea occurs more commonly in middle-aged people. But sometimes it is also seen in children and young adults, particularly if there has been similar trouble in past generations of their family. Excess of heat, cold and wind may also produce more pimples on the affected skin. It is not a serious problem as it disappears with the age.

To prevent the acne keep the skin clean by washing two or three times a day with fresh water. Apply warm moist towels to the face for ten or fifteen minutes. If pus has formed under the skin, do not open the pimple until it is ready to drain. Squeezing and pinching of the skin may extend the inflammation and delay healing, and may also cause scarring of the face.

Most of the acne occurs due to wrong eating habits, such as irregular eating, excessive eating of starch, sugars, fatty foods and fried foods. Chronic constipation can also lead to acne. If the stools are not passed properly, the waste matter remains in the body as it is not discharged and makes the blood toxic. This accumulation of toxic substances in the body leads to acne and other forms of skin diseases. Other causes of the skin diseases are the unhealthy conditions of the skin, habits, excessive use of tea, coffee, alcohol, or tobacco, and sedentary habits, which lead to indigestion and general debility.

Diet: Avoid all rich foods, excessive amounts of sugar, and particularly chocolate and nuts. Choose a plain, well balanced diet containing plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink water and fruit juices, but avoids highly sweetened drinks. Extra vitamin A tablets should be added to the diet. Try to sleep at least eight hours every night. Avoid all strains, and follow the principles of good health, as these are essential for health. There are many natural home remedies for acne that we have in our kitchen or we can get from the health food store. These are not very expensive.

Natural Hair Growth Tips

2009-02-03T19:03:00.000-08:00

Having a naturally healthy head of hair is something many of us aspire to achieve but find it difficult to do in this age of stress, environmental pollution and sickness. Perhaps you once had a lot of good hair days and nights, but lately they’re increasingly difficult to attain. Or your once luxuriant locks are thinner and frailer due to genetic factors, under or overactive thyroid, illness, aging, stress, or hair abuse such as perming, coloring, relaxing, blowdrying, curlers, curling irons, rough handling/neglect, and using harsh, synthetic shampoos and conditioners. Whether you seek to grow or regrow your hair, keep in mind that you only have one head of hair – so take care of it! Rethink your current hair care routine, and learn more about what works/doesn’t work for your hair type, length, and lifestyle.

Scalp Massage: An inexpensive method for helping hair growth/regrowth is to massage the scalp. Whether you buy a wood or rubber scalp massager, or opt for your ten fingers, you can invigorate and help cleanse your scalp either before shampooing, or whenever you shampoo. By stimulating your scalp you encourage the circulation, think of it as scalp aerobics, and this allows your scalp’s natural oils, sebum, to be distributed. When using your fingers, never use your nails, only your fingertips.

Oils: In the book, “Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair, and Skin Care,” author Erich Keller writes: “Since the hair is made of keratin cells, which consist almost exclusively of protein, it is particularly important to supply it with protein in the form of milk products, fish, soy products, nuts, seeds, and the essential fatty acids contained in cold-pressed vegetable oils."
While eating healthy food is advisable, the author touches on the subject of how cold pressed vegetable oils are vital for the hair, and, if it’s meant internally, then think of the benefits of adding oil directly to your hair. Choosing the proper oil sometimes is a matter of experimentation. A light oil should be used for thin, fine hair, whilst someone with naturally curly and coarse hair might find a heavier oil preferable. There are various grades of vegetable oils available from unrefined to heavily refined. Unrefined oils retain their natural vitamins and minerals and are considered healthier, but their aromas can be somewhat pungent. For example, sesame seed oil, an excellent skin and hair loving oil that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, retains a darker color and nuttier aroma in its unrefined state. However, once it’s been refined, the color is lighter and there is no discernible odor. Here’s a selection of the most utilized vegetable oils:

Light Oils – Apricot Kernel, Peach Kernel, Sesame Seed, Meadowfoam Seed, Grapeseed, Evening of Primrose.
Medium Oils – Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Rosehip Seed, Camellia, Virgin Coconut, Monoi de Tahiti.
Heavy Oils – Avocado, Olive, Hempseed, Castor, Moringa Seed, Palm, Red Palm, Canola.

There are many more oils that are available whether in your kitchen cupboard, at your grocery store, health food store, or your favorite online shop. Experimenting with oils and their applications is necessary, sometimes you’ll discover what works for you within the first attempt, other times you may have to try out several different oils and application methods.

Oil Applications: Leave In – This involves a very small amount of oil and you can control whether it’s applied throughout your hair or only on the ends. Simply comb or brush through your dry hair.

Prewash conditioner – To use this method, you allow the oil to remain on your scalp and hair for approximately 20 minutes, and shampoo it out. Prewash conditioners can contain a single oil, a mixture of oils and butters and they can range from organic to those filled with lots of additives and preservatives. Some prewash conditioners are applied and massaged into the scalp, while others concentrate only on the length of the hair.

Additionally, these conditioners may be applied to wet, damp or dry hair. One thing that is agreed upon is the fact that the hair should be free from tangles and snarls, so either combing or brushing before applying is necessary. Once the prewash conditioner has been applied, you can choose to comb it through your hair or remain as is – it does depend upon what you’ve added. While some people feel that 20 minutes isn’t enough, others opt for an hour, and there are people who feel as though allowing the oil to remain on overnight is beneficial. Even if you’re using a light or organic oil, please keep in mind that too much oil can be as harmful as too little.

Hot oil treatment – This time-tested method allows you to apply heated oil, which you supply yourself or buy prepackaged, apply to your scalp and hair, cover with either a plastic bag, clingwrap, and/or towel, and let remain on for about 20 minutes. If you want to soak in a hot bath during your hot oil treatment you’ll be further improving the treatment by the added warmth and relaxation. You can find thermal heat caps, which are warmed in the microwave, for less than $15 if you feel that you want something more professional.
To make your own hot oil treatment, choose your favorite oil[s], pour into a small glass bottle, and let sit in a hot water bath for a few minutes until the oil is to your preferred temperature. Remember, what’s hot for one person is scalding to another!

Other Applications: Clay, Dead Sea Mud, Powdered Herbs, Protein Powder, Eggs, Henna [neutral or colored], Essential Oils – all the listed products can be used to create a hair mask which will increase its strength, encourage growth, enhance shine, and tame curls. Any of these ingredients, both singly or in combination, can be healthfully used. Doing an Internet search or waiting for a future article can find recipes.

Shampoos & Conditioners: These products are so varied and numerous that only a very brief description of what to look for can be covered here. It’s interesting to note that some people with extremely beautiful thick, luxuriant hair can use products that are found in dollar stores and are full of synthetic ingredients; while others who have fragile, beat up looking hair use only organic shampoos and conditioners and nothing improves. Reading the label is important, as is going with an ingredient list that contains fewer sudsing elements, preservatives, fragrances and colorants. To use a more natural and cost effective shampoo, consider a shampoo bar, especially one that is specially formatted for your hair type. Shampoo bars are easy to use, made with few preservatives as they contain no water, and are easy to pack for travelers.

Important Shampoo Tip - Protect your hair from getting too dry or unmanageable by washing in warm to lukewarm water, and, if possible, rinsing with cool water.

Conditioners – It’s important to read labels and decide whether you want to have your hair made shinier with silicones [look for any word ending in “cone”], or stay as natural as possible. Conditioners contain many artificial ingredients and one of the reasons that oiling has been mentioned is that by having healthier hair you’ll need to use far less conditioner. Some conditioners are rinsed out while others are left in, so you need to decide which is preferable.

Vitamins & Minerals: For growth, a good multi-vitamin, B vitamin complex, vitamin C and biotin are considered very helpful. MSM, [Methyl Sulfonyl Methane], a form of sulfate which is not only good at soothing joints but increasing hair growth, is easy to find in your local health food store or drug store. Silica is also recommended for improving hair’s strength. According to health and beauty expert and author, Letha Hadady, in her book, “Healthy Beauty” she describes: “A Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired line of hair products, including pills, shampoo, and a topical liquid for thinning hair, is called Shen Min. Shen Min hair nutrient pills made by Biotech for men and women provide concentrated he shou wu herb along with herbs designed to improve overall health.” On the market are other products to encourage hair growth, whether you’re simply looking for longer locks, or need to improve the quantity and quality.

Brushes & Combs: The boar bristle brush has been used for hundreds of years and today is easier than ever to find one that is right for your hair type. The thinner and finer the hair, the more important it is to find a brush with softer bristles so as not to cause damage. Coarser, thicker hair can handle nylon tufts, and normal hair can withstand either all boar bristle or mixed boar and nylon. A good brush cleans your hair, stimulates your scalp and causes the oils to spread down to the thirsty ends. Brushing is the most natural way to distribute your oil. Keep your brush clean, wash at least once a week in cold water with your shampoo or with baking soda.

Important Brush Tip – DON’T brush wet hair! This is very damaging and causes more breakage, as hair is weaker when wet.
Some people will only use wooden combs, while others can’t be without their wide tooth combs. No matter what type of comb you buy, make sure that you comb/detangle your hair before brushing it. Also, you might first fingercomb your hair before you even start combing it to avoid too much pulling and tugging.

Unclog your pores : Blackhead Buzz!!

2009-01-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

By simple solutions :

1.Squeezing and pinching your skin with your nails can make things worse.

2. Make sure your cosmectics are non-comedogenic and oil free types so they won't block your pores.

3. Avoid scrubbing your skin with harsh abrasives.

4. Do not smoke caused it dries out your body fluid.

5. Use Retin - A. Ask your dermatologist about it.

6. For severe case, you may consider to use salicylic acid to exfoliate your skin.

7. Use facial mask. It helps to unclog pores so skin is clear and healthy-looking.

Healing and cleansing with barley

2008-12-09T00:55:00.000-08:00

High in fibre, barley is also a kidney cleanser. Better yet, regular intake of it helps prevent heart disease.

BARLEY water was always a regular drink when we were still living at home. Whenever we had to go for a medical exam that included a urine test, my mum would make us drink barley water a day before it to make sure we got a positive result! My mother was a wise woman. I later found out from an Australiannaturopath that barley is known to be a kidney cleanser, and he happily downed glasses of it at a meal we had in a coffee-shop here. Barley is good for your intestinal health too.

Try to eat the barley grains you find in your drink or sweet broth with fu chook (beancurd skin) and ginkgo nuts. It's high in fibre which feeds the friendly bacteria in the colon andhelps speed up the transit of fecal matter in it. In this way it helps prevent haemorrhoids and colon cancer. The propionic acid and beta glucan from barley's insoluble fibre also help lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of gallstones.

Eating barley regularly is a preventive step against heart disease as, besides the fibre content, it is also high in niacin, a B vitamin good for lowering cholesterol. Diabetics should eat more barley as the fibre will prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high. It also provides relief from constipation or diarrhoea for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Barley is rich in selenium which prevents cancer and relieves symptoms of asthma and arthritis. It is a good source of manganese, copper and phosphorous. Malt sugar comes from sprouted barley which, when fermented, is an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.Barley, whose Latin name is hordeum vulgare, has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years.

Since ancient times, barley has been used for healing purposes and has been known to the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Athletes in Greece and Rome in those days were known to eat barley bread to give them strength. Besides the usual things we do with barley, I enjoy having it in a western soup. The larger pearl barley is used and I love the sticky bite of it.

3 - Day Fruit Fast

2008-11-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

It is a very simple and effective way to cleanse and de-toxify your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days.

You will be suprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look.

During the "fruit fast", you can eat different fruits at different times, although occasionaly mixed fruit with salad would also be permissible and more interesting.

Radiant skin booster drink

2008-10-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

Enjoy radiant skin an instant energy boost with invigorating fusion of strawberries and banana. Rich in vitamin C, calcium and healing phytochemicals, strawberries are great for healthy skin.

Revitalize yourself with this drink before your leave for work in the morning to give your skin a well - deserved radiance booster

Ingredients for radiance booster drink :

1 banana

1/2 cup of strawberries

1 tablespoon honey

1 cup plain yogurt

Put all ingredients into a blender. Blend until creamy texture is obtained and drink it immediately.

This drink will revive the dull looking and enjoy a healthy glow skin.

D-I-Y Remedy for Oily Skin

2008-10-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

You can find the best ingredients from the kitchen. The best solution might be to turn to a natural remedy. How to do it ?

Ingredients : One ripe banana, one tablespoon of honey and a few drops of orange/lemon juice

Mix all in one bowl and apply it as a mask, a deep cleansing mask.

Put it on in abt 15 ~ 20 min. Later, simply rinse it off with cool water or gently wipe it off with a warm wash cloth.

The result, smooth, oil-free and soft skin like a baby. Try it a few times and you will see the different.

Golden-needle-mushroom can destroy cancer cells

2008-10-15T00:02:00.001-07:00

Golden-needle-mushroom successfully kills 95% of cancer cells( Taiwan Report) Research done by Singapore U shows that eating this mushroom can destroy 95% of cancer cells in our body by boosting our immune system.

Professor Phan Hwai Chong of Yang Ming Research Centre in Taiwan told that consuming this kind of mushroom, one of the ingredients in the mushroom can trigger the multiplication of our healthy 'defensive' cells. By out-numbering the cancer cells, healthy cells help radicate cancer cells. American scientists have since run tests on this particular type of mushroom extract with blood, done outside human body. Results show that mushroom extract is able to destroy cancer cells. According to Taiwan professor, since healthy 'fighting' cells can be multiplied to tens & thousands of times, it can either be used as drip or just by eating mushroom.

The mushroom is most frequently taken with steam boat. Cooking time should be less than 3 minutes, or the healing property would greatly diminish.

Quick activity tips

2008-10-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

•Take any opportunities you get to walk about while at work.

•During a break at work, go for a walk/ stretch and move your arms and legs around your workstation.

•If work is getting too busy and you miss an activity session, don’t worry. Try your best to get back to your activity plan as soon as possible.

•Take the stairs instead of the lift.

•Wash the car by hand instead of taking it to the car wash.

•Walk or cycle for short errands rather than taking the car.

•Throw away the remote control!

HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO BE ACTIVE???

•Set activity goal.

•Choose the best time and the most convenient time for you to exercise.

•Choose activities that you enjoy doing.

•Keep sport shoes and sport wears in a place that you spend a lot of time.

•Stick reminders in key places (refrigerator, computer) to remind you to do activity or ask a friend to send email or phone reminders.

RECOMMENDATION: 5 times/week, 30minutes for each session
Start increasing your activity level gradually & exercise regularly

Useful blood pressure chart

2008-10-09T02:02:00.000-07:00

Human Blood Pressure Range Diagram

The 1st Number: Systolic pressure is the pressure generated when the heart contracts .
210 - 120 -
Stage 4 High Blood Pressure 180 - 110 -
Stage 3 High Blood Pressure 160 - 100 -
Stage 2 High Blood Pressure 140 - 90 -
Stage 1 High Blood Pressure 140 - 90 -
BORDERLINE HIGH130 - 85 -
High Normal120 - 80 -
NORMAL Blood Pressure 110 - 75 -
Low Normal 90 - 60 -
BORDERLINE LOW 60 - 40 -
TOO LOW Blood Pressure 50 - 33 - DANGER Blood PressureLOW Blood Pressure Symptoms -Weak, Tired, Dizzy, Fainting, Coma

A very useful chart as your reference.

25 tips for a healty heart

2008-08-10T23:44:00.000-07:00

Water or Coke ?

2007-09-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

Some interesting facts that I would like to share :

WATER

1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)

2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.

4. One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?

COKE

1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.

3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

So, are you going to have a glass of Coke instead of a glass of water? Think about it again.

Lime can do wonders

2007-09-10T00:49:00.000-07:00

Lime is the best physician at all times. It relieves many symptoms which no doctor could do. Lime is very effective in coughs, cold and influenza. A big glass of warm water, one table spoon honey, half a lemon works wonders. Those who drink one lemon drink every day hardly have to visit a doctor.

Lime destroys the toxins in the body. Typhoid and other diseases die within no time. It is very effective in destroying the uric acid. It is very effective in destroying bacteria from intestinal tract. I t cures constipation, loss of appetite, arthritis, skin diseases, heart diseases. The high potassium content in them makes the lime very useful for preventing and curing heart diseases. It strengthens the teeth and gums. It freshens the breath. It purifies blood and liver.

It stimulates the functions of the kidney, liver and sweat glands. A ripe lime is a good appetizer. It destroys intestinal worms and expels the excessive gases formed in the digestive tract. Regular exercies and the juice helps excreting waste toxins innyour body. It purifies blood. Each and every cell of the body is rejuvenated by taking lime.

Let's talk about women and OBESITY (Part 2)

2007-06-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

Some young mothers despite normal delivery gain weight steadily because they are fed on fatty & starchy food in place of proper nutritious food under the erroneous notion that the weakness caused by labour can only be compensated by a rich diet. Sometimes young mothers, after delivery is also make rest more than it is necessary. Just as exercises is a must till almost the last stages of delivery for easy delivery, mild exercise after delivery is necessary for the contraction of the uterus to its original size. But exercise becomes more difficult if there is a weight increase. There fore, obesity worsens the condition. Women, who use contraceptive devices, oral contraceptives on a regular basis also tend to become obese. This is due to the effect on the hormones contained in those drugs.

Menopause:

Some women tend to gain weight during their menopause. Due to hormonal imbalance, obesity sets in, even though they had maintained normal weight previously. Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life. Some women seek medical solutions in the form of hormone supplement for their irregular monthly cycles, disturbing symptoms & mild discomforts. Obesity caused by hormone pills is a bit difficult to get rid unlike other forms of obesity. Yet unani medicines successfully treated these hormone pills related obesity.

Mind over body:

Some women suffer from obesity for identifiable psychological reasons that manifest themselves as expressions of their underlying unhappiness and for no other reason. Such persons feel unwanted at home & outside. They develop severe complexes, become discontented with every one around & become indifferent towards anything & everything. They lose interest in every activity, which provide a pleasant diversion. In such cases, unless the under lying cause is attended to, they remain obese. Whenever they feel tense, overcome with unknown fears they seek a diversion in frequent eating. This type of eating gives them only a false sense of their tension being eased. At such times due to the absence of actual hunger, they resort to eating snacks, which please their palate. This naturally ads bulk the body.

Hormonal influence:

Endocrine glands are organs, which pour internal secretion into our blood. But for these glands, the growth of our body & mind becomes defective & results in various disorders & diseases, obesity being one of them. The glands produce some chemical substances, which are called hormones. Hormone is a circulating chemical substance that is capable of acting on distant organs from its original site. The glands that function in a unique way need a mention in this chapter because a few glands & other functions are responsible for causing obesity. These are the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pacers & gonads. Hormones are the agents that stirrup activity and bring about psychological changes in our behavior & bodily functions. Abnormal conditions of our health, is the direct result of an excess or deficient secretion of these hormones.

Talk about women and OBESITY (Part 1)

2007-06-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

Some girls, who used to be slim prior to their marriage, gain weight gradually after marriage. This is due to the changed eating habits or eating rich food to which they might not be used to previously. Perhaps a more care free & comfortable life is also to be blamed for this. This is acceptable to them as well as to their spouses now to consider their weight gain as a sign of good health until they become pregnant.

Obesity right from the first month of pregnancy has its own disadvantages. The fatty tissues in the abdomen make it difficult for the expanding uterus, as the months advance exert great pressure on the bladder & bowels, disturbing the function of these waste eliminating organs. Wrong conceptions about the needs of a pregnant woman that she should eat double the amount of food to feed her and her child to be born and she should rest and relax more to preserve her energy for the time of labour. Nothing is near the truth, because the correct way of sensible eating & mild exercises & activities till the time of delivery facilitated a normal & comfortable delivery of a healthy child.

While in some cases there is reduction in weight after childbirth, in other, the young mothers keep gaining weight & remain obese for the rest of their lives. Generally two reasons can be attributed for obesity after childbirth. If normal delivery of the child is not there then this deprive the young mother of normal activities & exercises after delivery, resulting in the uterus not shrinking as it should, and gradually distention of abdomen takes place. The additional nourishment consumed undergoes poor digestion and the weight keeps increasing.

Reasons for Hair Loss

2007-06-25T02:07:00.000-07:00

Both men and women lose hair for similar reasons. Hair loss in men is often more dramatic, and follows a specific pattern of loss which has been termed "Male Pattern Baldness". This loss is caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Factors for male hair loss include: heredity, hormones, and aging.

This may also apply to women but to a lesser degree. Women may experience loss of hair after menopause and 2-3 months after having a baby. Other contributing factors include: poor diet, poor circulation, acute illness, radiation, chemotherapy, high stress, thyroid imbalance, certain drugs, coming off the contraceptive pill, diabetes, high doses of vitamin A (more than 100,000 IU), sudden weight loss, high fever, iron deficiency, ringworm, some fungal infections, chemicals and hair dyes, vitamin deficiencies, and lack of proper nutrition.

Drastic or premature hair loss may be caused by:
1. Stress and bodily weakness from overwork.

2. Dietary imbalances or nutritional deficiency.

3. Using abrasive shampoos, hair lacquers, dyes and bleaching, etc.

4. Endocrine disorder.

5. Genetic factors.

6. Infectious diseases.

7. Hormonal metabolic changes in lactating women.

8. Nutrient and protein deficiencies in the hair cells.

Weekend Beauty Read

2007-06-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

Best articles from my favourite beauty blogs for the last weekend :

All Lacquered Up : Summer Nail Trends

Beauty and Fashion Tech:
New Sunscreen Database from the Environmental Working Group

Beauty and Personality Grooming:
Lose weight by reading sensational novels

Canadian Beauty : Bobbi Brown Makeup Facelift

Elke Von Freudenberg : Some Great Bath & Soap Products

Face Candy : C-Shock with EVE + Live Chat

Hello Dollface:
Bourjois Paris, Part Two: Another look at Bourjois

Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint:
Two Great Websites with Products to Glam Up Your Toes

The Life of a Ladybug:
Initial Reactions to the MAC C-Shock Collection

The Mineral Makeup Blog:
Mineral Makeup for a Fresh Summer Look

The Perfume Bee : The Perfume Bee Goes Green

Eye Care

2007-06-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

Fundamental rule:

Listen to your eyes. Whether they are sore, tearing, itchy or tired, they are sending you a message. Listen to them. If your eyes hurt when you have been working at the computer for too long, stop and take a break. Be receptive to your eyes.

Palming :

A simple technique called palming can refresh your eyes when they are feeling tired( Remember the first rule! ).

The term 'palming' was coined by William Bates, the author of 2 books on vision improvement (The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses/With Eye Chart) and (The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses).

You just close your eyes and cover them with your palms, resting them on your cheek bones. Make sure you do not put pressure on your eyeballs. Relax and think of pleasant images. A variation is to imagine the 'blackest' black that you can. But the important thing is to keep your mind relaxed. There are more eye exercises available on the Vision Improvement Site.

Computer work:

Nowadays, people spend a lot of time in front of the computer screen. Thus it is even more crucial to give your eyes adequate rest. Here are some things you can do:

If possible, do computer work without wearing your glasses. I know this is difficult for most people but this is enormously beneficial. I can only see the screen about 8-10 inches away, so I move the monitor nearer and shift my chair forward. Now my eyes don't feel as tried as before.
Look up across the room or out of the window every few minutes. Take a few deep breathes before continuing your work.

Stop work after every 40 minutes or so. Get up from your seat and take a walk around the place. Palm for a few minutes before going back to face the computer screen again.
Whenever possible, make use of your distant vision. Extended periods of time spent at the computer can really spoil one's eyesight, as you may have noticed. Seek out opportunities to see things that are far away.

Reading:

When you are reading, do try to read without wearing your prescription glasses. Most people will find they can do so at a comfortable distance. Put the material you are reading far away just so that the letters can be seen clearly. Gradually, the distance at which you can read will increase.

Homemade Facial Mask

2007-06-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

For oily-normal skin

Red and brown exotic facial2-3 large carrots
4 1/2 tablespoons honey

Cook carrots till soft. Mash and mix with honey. Apply gently to the skin, wait 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Did You Know? Carrots are very high in vitamin A and a source of vitamin C, folacin and potassium. A good fortifier of skin cells.

For dry skin

Banana Facial Mask
2 medium bananas
Honey optional

Mash bananas with a spoon. Let is not be too smooth. Let the mashed mixture be lumpy. Add honey if need be. Apply and keep on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Did You Know? Bananas are a good source of ascorbic acid (Vit. C), Vitamin B 6 , and potassium and honey is primarily composed of fructose, glucose and water. It also contains other sugars as well trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. They make excellent moisturizers.

Pearl Peach Mask (for renewal skin)

1 medium peach
1 tablespoons honey
1 tbs oatmeal

Cook peach and mash in the soft insides into the honey and oatmeal mixture. Apply and keep on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Did You Know? Peaches are great exfoliates and remove dead skin cells. Peaches speed up cell renewal, leading to healthier skin tone. The AHAs in these fruits help soften wrinkles, sun spots, age spots, blemishes and can even unclog pores.

For oily skin that is acne prone

1 medium size apple (grated)
5 tablespoons of honey

Mix the grated apple and mix with honey to make a mask. Smooth over skin and rinse off with cool water after ten minutes.

Did You Know? Apples - One medium 2-1/2 inch apple, fresh, raw, with skin has 81 Calories, 21 grams Carbohydrate, 4 grams Dietary Fiber, Soluble Fiber, Insoluble fiber, 10 mg Calcium, 10mg Phosphorus, .25mg Iron, 0.00mg Sodium, 159mg Potassium, 8 mg Vitamin C, 73 IU Vitamin A, 4mcg Folate. Source USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory

Weekend Beauty Read

2007-06-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

All Lacquered Up - OPI Fall Preview
A Touch of Blusher - "An Unprecedented Masterpiece": A New Breed of Powder
Beauty and Fashion Tech - Beauty and Fashion Tech Reviews L'Oreal Self Tanners and Corrector
Beauty and Personality Grooming - Homemade face masks to lighten skin blemishes
Beautynomics - The Anti Aging Pillow!
Bon Bons In The Bath - Non Drugstore Deodorants. Do They Exist?
Canadian Beauty - Henna from Canadian Beauty gives you a sneak peek on Estee Lauder's new fall collection!
Elke Von Freudenberg - Elke kicks off the Ebay auctions for Comments4aCure with a bang!
The Life of A Ladybug - Toya's Tip: Bend over and shake 'em (or, if the bra fits, wear it)!
Mineral Makeup Blog - A Review of Bare Escentuals Prime Time
The Perfume Bee - "Razala" Natural Perfume Review
Yummy411... get it here! - FLIRT Far Out Mascara!
FASHIONCouture in the City - Tips On Buying The Perfect Swimsuit by Lisa Curran
Second City Style Blog - Celeb Designer. Ashley Judd Throws Her Hat into the Ring of Cheap Fashion.

Homemade facial cleanser

2007-06-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some easy-to-make facial cleansers. All you need to do is raid your kitchen and follow the recipe for some very effective cleansing effect!

1. Oat-yogurt combo You will need:
1/2 cup oatmeal or cornmeal
Plain yogurt
Mix the two to form a paste. Spread it over your entire face and scrub gently. Wash with warm water and enjoy bright sparkling skin. Ideal for daily use.

Did You Know?
Oat grains and straw appear in shampoos, dusting powders, moisturizers, and cleansing bars? Oatmeal is highly absorptive, hypoallergenic, and aids in softening skin. Oats have the best amino acid balance of all the cereal grains and have been clinically proved to help heal dry, itchy skin. Source: Oatmeal: Not just for breakfast anymore2.

Yogurt Walnut Scrub You will need:
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup very finely grounded walnuts
Mix ingredients together. Wet your face then gently work the scrub into your skin. Rinse off with warm water.

Did You Know?
Walnuts - During Medieval times, walnuts were considered a medicine. A potion containing walnut leaves was used to treat muscular aches and pains and walnuts were believed to soothe the digestive system.

How to find your skin type

2007-06-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

1. Cleanse your face with cleansing milk.

2. After an hour, take a clean tissue and wipe your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks. If you find oily residue from all of the above mentioned areas, then you have oily skin.

3. If you find oily residue on the tissue only from forehead, nose and chin then you have combination skin.

4. If the tissue picks up dry, flaky skin then you have dry skin.

5. Those lucky few Scooty girls who pick up neither oil nor dry flakes can be said to have normal skin.

6. There are others who have very sensitive skin which reacts quickly and often adversely to hot and cold temperatures, common place chemicals found in soaps, detergents and cosmetics. Those with sensitive skin have to be careful before choosing any product.