Inexpensive Beauty Secrets

• Do you need a quick glow to your skin and all over healthier look? Bend over at the waist, as far as you can possibly go, and hold to the count of thirty.
  
  
• For cellulite, scrub the skin with a bristle brush or loofah. Brush in slow sweeps, always toward the heart. There are gloves and mitts available to do this, but they're not necessary. Try to do this at least five minutes every day.
  
  
• Also for cellulite - Copy the expensive herbal wraps offered by top spas. Mix a cup of corn oil with 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice and 2 teaspoons dried thyme. Massage into hip, thigh, and buttock areas. Cover with plastic wrap to lock in body heat. For extra results lay a heating pad over each area for five minutes.
  
  
• Right from the can, Crisco is a big secret among beautiful women. Use it to remove makeup and as a highly effective moisturizer. Hospitals even use it to treat psoriasis and eczema.
  
  
• Raw potato slices contain potassium to take away dark circles under the eye.
  
  
• To lighten age spots and sun-damaged skin, mix the juice of 1 lemon, 1 lime, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 ounces of plain yogurt. Gently massage into each spot. Use at least once a week.
  
  
• The best leave-in conditioner for your hair is nothing other than laundry room fabric softener. It's very strong, so be sure to dilute it. Suggestions: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup fabric softener.
  
  
• Parsley is rich in chlorophyll. It is a major ingredient in leading breath fresheners, such as Clorets and Certs. Don't spend lots of money for internal breath fresheners, eat parsley!
  
  
• Create your own tinted lip gloss. Simply mix any of your favorite lipsticks with a dab of Vaseline.
  
  
• A little bit of red or orange in the center of the lips makes them look fuller.
  
  
• To make the whites of your eyes look brighter, use a light blue pencil under the eyes. Blue eye shadow lightly applied under the eyes works just as well.
  
  
• When coloring hair - Color hair that has not been washed for 1 day. The natural hair oils will assist in making the hair color application more successful. The color will cling better to hair that is not dry.
  
  
• To alleviate puffy, swollen eyes place bags of frozen peas under the eyes.
  
  
• Degrease oily hair with witch hazel when you don't have time to shampoo. Apply to roots with a cotton ball.
  
  
• To help relieve dandruff, add 30 plain aspirin to a full bottle of your regular shampoo. Apply and rinse as usual.
  
  
• To make you own facial mask, mix a handful of 100% all-natural kitty litter with a 1/2 cup water and apply a face mask.
  
  
• Manicure - Mix one cup of warm water and the juice of one-half lemon. Soak your fingertips for five minutes. Rinse and pat dry, pushing back cuticles. Rub lemon peel against your nails, back and forth vigorously. Finish by buffing with a soft cloth.
  
  
• Your nail polish will always be smooth and easy to apply it you store it in the refrigerator. Frosted nail polish will not separate. However, if it has hardened or is gummy, place the bottle in a pan of boiling water. The polish will be like new.
  
  
• Oily skin holds perfume scents longer than dry skin. So, before applying perfume, rub a very thin layer of Vaseline or petroleum jelly on your skin and you will smell delicious for hours.
  
  
• To remove the redness from pimples, rub a tiny spot of Visine on the pimple.
  
  
• Worried about cellulite? Rub used coffee grounds where the problem exists (cellulite cream is mostly caffeine based).
  
  
• To raise the ph level of shampoo, add aspirin to it.
  
  
• Need an emery board and can't find one? You can use the strike plate on a book of matches.
  
  
• Rubbing Pepto-Bismal on your skin is a better facial than peel off masks.

From: www.miacarmel.com

20 Super Foods You Need to Build Muscle & Lose Fat

To build muscle & lose fat, you need a variety of proteins, veggies, fruits, carbs, and healthy fats. Eating protein helps building & maintaining muscle. But it also helps fat loss: protein has a higher thermic effect than carbs/fats.

Eating fats also helps fat loss: your body holds fat if you don’t eat fats. Fruits & veggies contain vitamins & minerals, necessary for recovery from your workouts. And carbs fuel your muscles so you feel full of energy at the gym.

Lots of you struggle to get these foods. Sometimes because you’re too busy or sometimes because you just lack information. This list will help you — 20 super foods you need to build muscle & lose fat.

1. Whole Eggs. Cheap & rich source of protein: 7g/egg. The yolk contains most nutrients: half the protein, vitamins A/D/E and cholesterol to naturally increase your testosterone levels.

2. Fish Oil. Reduces inflammation (joints/skin), lowers body fat and increases testosterone levels. You need 9000mg EPA/DHA per day. Since you’ll probably struggle to get that from eating fatty fish, consider a fish oil supplement.

3. Wild Salmon. One of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids that also gets you 20g protein per 100g serving. Farm raised salmon is, however, omega-3 deficient: it’s corn/grain fed. Go with wild salmon.

Image credit: wintercove

4. Berries. Strong antioxidants that prevent cancer, heart & eye diseases. Any kind works: cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc. Buy fresh or frozen berries and mix with oatmeal.

5. Yogurt. Contain bacteria that improve your gastrointestinal health. Don’t buy frozen yogurt or yogurt with added sugar and fruits at the bottom. Get plain low fat yogurt. Eat it with berries & flax seeds.

6. Flax Seeds. Source of fiber, protein & omega-3. Grind the flax seeds to get the most out of them. Take 1 tbsp with yogurt & berries before going to bed. Stay away from flax oil: it’s unstable and contains no fiber.

7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 70% monounsaturated fats that protect against heart diseases and cancer. Add 1-2 tbsp olive oil to your salads. Buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil: it contains more polyphenols and tastes better.

8. Mixed Nuts. Contain mono- & polyunsaturated fats, proteins, fiber, vitamin E, zinc, potassium, magnesium, etc. Mixed nuts are caloric dense, great if you’re a skinny guy who wants to gain weight.

Anything works: almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, … Peanut butter also works as long as you buy natural peanut butter without added salts/sugars.

Image credit: Inside_man

9. Red Meat. Protein, vitamin B12, heme iron, zinc, creatine, carnosine and even omega-3 if you eat grass-fed beef. Eat steaks & hamburgers from top round or sirloin. Read Dr. Lonnie Lowery’s article on Meat.

10. Broccoli. High in cancer-fighting phytochemicals and anti-estrogenic indoles. Broccoli is also high in soluble fiber and low calorie, helping fat loss. Eat other cruciferous vegetables for a change: cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower, kale, …

11. Spinach. One of the most alkaline foods. Spinach prevents muscle & bone loss, but also cancer and heart diseases because of its high nutrient profile. Try one of the spinach recipes I shared a while back.

12. Turkey. If you don’t believe saturated fat is good for you, try white turkey. The leanest beef has about 4.5g saturated fat/100g, while white turkey has close to 0g (that why it’s so dry). Eat turkey with spinach & quinoa.

13. Quinoa. South American “king of grains”. Quinoa is higher in fiber & protein than rice or oats, tastes a lot better and is gluten free. Buy the whiter grain, it’s better quality. Eat it post workout with meat & spinach.

14. Oats. Reduce cholesterol, provide you with low-gi carbs for energy, and high in soluble fiber. Try this post workout shake of whey & oats.

15. Tomatoes. High in lycopene, which prevents cancer. The lycopene in tomato paste is 4 times more bioavailable than in fresh tomatoes. Have pizza or pasta with tomato sauce & olive oil post strength training.

Image credit: gingerbugjones

16. Oranges. Vitamin C to fight diseases, magnesium to lower blood pressure, anti-oxidant beta-carotenes, etc. Quit drinking processed orange juice which often has added sugars. Eat oranges or make your own orange juice.

17. Apples. Pectin in apples helps weight loss by increasing satiety. Apples are also the strongest antioxidiant after cranberries (eat the peels). Unfortunately apples are one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits. Go organic.

18. Carrots. Their huge vitamin A content improves eye-health, especially night vision. Carrots are also rich in fiber, low calorie and taste good, even raw.

19. Water. Your body holds water if you don’t drink enough. Drinking prevents water retention, helps muscle recovery and prevents dehydration from strength training. Get a brita filter and drink 2 cups of water with each meal.

20. Green Tea. Strong antioxidant and natural diuretic. Green tea also speeds up fat loss, prevents cancer and improves blood sugar & circulation. Drink green tea in the morning instead of coffee. Real green tea, not the teabags.

Putting it All Together. Eat proteins, veggies, fruits & fats every 3 hours. 2 cups water with each meal. Carbs post workout only. Junk food 10% of the time. Get stronger in the meanwhile and you’ll build muscle & lose fat.

from: stronglifts.com

Apples Reduce Cholesterol

Do you remember how your mom once said “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” If so, good Well, it is true, and apples do more than just that they help fight high cholesterol. The following article is from a good friend of mine, Adrian, who runs a blog called “Elements 4 Health”, and I hope you enjoy it.

“The apple features prominently in history and culture, with the biblical story of the temptation of Adam and Eve perhaps being the most popular. Another classic tale in which the innocent apple plays an important part is Sleeping Beauty. In Norse mythology, apples are symbolic of eternal youth, and they feature in Swiss folklore on top of the head William Tell’s son. And then there is the factual legend of Johnny Appleseed, an American pioneer, who walked around barefoot planting apple seeds over an area of 100,000 square miles.

The health benefits of apples include reduced risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer, the ability to lower cholesterol and to promote healthy weight loss.

Health Benefits of Apples

1. Nutrients in Apples: Apples are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. They are a good source of potassium. Apples are a rich source of the flavanoid quercetin.

2. Lower Cholesterol: In a study on moderately obese male and female subjects, polyphenols extracted from apples were shown to significantly lower cholesterol. Apples are also high in pectin, a soluble fiber with the ability to lower cholesterol, and it has been demonstrated that an apple a day can lower cholesterol by up to 16 percent. Quercetin found in apples prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

3. Cancer Prevention: Studies have shown that quercetin found in apples reduces the cancer risk of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that quercetin treatment of prostate cancer cells results in decreased cell proliferation and viability. It was demonstrated that quercetin promotes prostate cancer cell apoptosis (cell death) by down-regulating the levels of heat shock protein (Hsp) 90. Quercetin inhibits growth in prostate cancer cells while exerting no quantifiable effect on normal prostate cells. Results from other studies indicate that apple peels phytochemicals have potent antioxidant activities, and may be partially responsible for the cancer prevention activities of whole apples. In other research conducted at Sammons Cancer Center, Dallas, it was found that the annurca variety of apple from southern Italy was rich in polyphenols associated with cancer prevention properties. Incidences of colon cancer are lower in southern Italy than anywhere else in the western world.

4. Weight Loss: Regular consumption of apples can promote healthy weight loss. Results from a clinical trial conducted involving forty-nine women indicated that energy densities of fruits could help to promote weight loss over time.In a study of overweight women, weight loss was associated with a diet supplemented with 3 apples a day.

5. Glycemic Index (GI): In a study to determine the estimated GI of various foods, it was concluded that apples have a low GI of 40.

6. Antioxidants: Flavanoids found in apples and other fruit and vegetables are known for their antioxidant activity, antioxidants neutralize free radicals which cause cell damage.

7. Anti-inflammatory: In an in vitro study at the Boston University School of Medicine, it was concluded that the flavonoid quercetin, which is present in apples, has anti-inflammatory activity.

8. Heart Disease prevention: The quercetin found in apples is associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease, and apple consumption has consistently been associated with reduced heart disease.

9. Dietary Fiber: The high fiber content of apples is also of great benefit to the bowels. A 5-ounce apple can supply the body with more than 3 grams of fiber, 10 percent of the daily-recommended intake. The fiber in apples will be beneficial for losing weight, and the fructose will help to stabilize blood sugar levels. Apple polyphenols have demonstrated the ability to regulate fat metabolism.

From:ommeditation.info

Top 10 Beauty Treatments you'll find in your kitchen cupboards

1. Give tired skin a boost by having a honey facial. Apply honey to clean skin, leave on for between 30 minutes and one hour then rinse off with clean water. It not only moisturises it also tightens pores. Manuka honey works best if you have blemishes as it contains natural anti- bacterial agents but any honey will do to give you fresher younger looking skin


2. For instantly soft hands. Make a mixture of salt and olive oil. (Add the olive oil to the salt rather than the other way round). Gently rub the mixture into your hands and rinse off with warm water afterwards. The salt gently removes dead skin and the olive oil adds moisture making your hands feel wonderfully soft. The oil is also excellent for preventing your cuticles from drying out, a problem which can lead to hangnails.


3. To remove stains from teeth. Take one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt, mix together to make a paste. Using a toothbrush gently use it on discolored teeth to make them whiter and brighter.


4. Kitty Litter Facial. Your friends will want to know your secret, will you tell them? Cat litter is made of the same ingredients as those special clays found in expensive spa facials. Try this at home for next to nothing.

Take a couple of tablespoons of cat litter (it must be marked 100% Natural Clay) and mix with water working it into a paste. If you're stuck with any large bits that can't be broken up with the back of a spoon just remove them, it's not like this is costing 100's to make. If you have oily skin you can add some lemon juice which helps clear pores without over drying your skin. Apply to clean dry skin and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse of and meow.


5. For shiny hair - Just add Vodka! Mix roughly one part vodka to two parts shampoo and wash as normal.


6. For even shinier hair - Use Mayonnaise. Wash and towel dry your hair with your regular shampoo. Slather full fat mayo on your hair and leave for about an hour, preferably wrapping your hair in a plastic cap or wrap some cling film around it. Rinse and shampoo then use your regular conditioner as a final finish if you usually use one. You will be amazed at how silky soft and shiny your hair is.


7. You have dandruff? Take a chill pill, or rather just add a couple of crushed aspirin tablets to the amount of shampoo you would normally use to wash your hair. Lather up and leave for 3 minutes. Rinse and dry as normal.


8. For brighter eyes. Bored of cucumber? Try potatoes! Grate a fresh potato and mold it into a ball, it will be quite mushy. Place it on your eyes and lids and pat down to fill the contours. Sit back and relax for 10-20 minutes. The potato starch will give a smooth skin around the eye area skin and also reduce any puffiness.


9. Do you have clogged up pores? This is a fabulous homemade deep cleansing scrub. Mix 4 tablespoons of plain yogurt with 2 tablespoons of grated orange peel. Rub the mixture into your skin for 3 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. The yogurt is an exfoliate and the orange peel will extract dirt and oil.


10. Help get rid of cellulite with coffee. No, not by drinking it, if only it were that easy! Coffee grounds can help you rub away that unsightly cellulite. Instead of throwing away your used coffee grounds, rub them into your hips, thighs, or bottom. For extra benefit, wrap the area with plastic wrap and wait for at least 15 minutes. Take a shower and enjoy your soft, beautiful skin.

Hand-Washing

Hand-washing is a simple and effective way to help prevent diseases, such as colds, flu, and food poisoning.

When to wash your hands

Washing hands:

• Often, especially during cold and flu (influenza) season, can reduce your risk of catching or spreading a cold or the flu.
• Before and after preparing or serving food reduces your risk of catching or spreading bacteria that cause food poisoning. Be especially careful to wash before and after preparing poultry, raw eggs, meat, or seafood.
• After going to the bathroom or changing diapers reduces your risk of catching or spreading infectious diseases such as salmonella or hepatitis A.

Wash your hands after:

• Touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed parts of your arms.
• Using the bathroom.
• Coughing, sneezing, or using a handkerchief or disposable tissue.
• Eating, drinking, or using tobacco (for example, smoking).
• Handling soiled kitchen utensils or equipment.
• Handling other soiled or contaminated utensils or equipment.
• Handling or preparing foods, especially after touching raw meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, or eggs.
• Changing diapers, handling garbage, using the phone, shaking hands, or playing with pets.

Proper hand-washing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following steps for handwashing:

1. Wash your hands with hot running water and soap. Children should use warm running water.
2. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
3. Pay special attention to your wrists, the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
4. Leave the water running while you dry your hands on a paper towel.
5. Use the paper towel as a barrier between the faucet and your clean hands when you turn off the water.

If soap and water are not available, use gel hand sanitizers or alcohol-based hand wipes containing 60% to 90% ethyl alcohol or isopropanol. Most supermarkets and drugstores carry these products. Carry one or both with you when you travel, and keep them in your car or purse.

If using the gel sanitizer, rub your hands until the gel is dry. You don't need to use water. The alcohol in the gel kills the germs on your hands

from yahoo health