Natural Home Remedies: March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

Simple & Quick Remedy for Under Eye Puffiness

Taking care of the appearance of your eyes is essential in looking fresh and awake. Under eye puffiness, can make you look tired, exhausted, and older than you years. Although this homemade remedy isn't a permanent fix, it is a quick and simple temporary fix.

Ingredients:

Cucumber

Directions:

Cut the cucumber into slices and place two slices over your eyes. The cucumber should cool your eyes. Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes. You can accompany this with a face mask if you have time.

Relax and enjoy!
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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Coconut Oil & Avocado Face Mask

Virgin Coconut Oil at 76 degrees and below is solid and white in color

Coconut Oil & Avocado Face Mask

Coconut oil is an oil with many healing properties. It is rich in Vitamins A and K. It is a great moisturizer as well because it helps your skin retain moisture. If you are struggling with dry skin that loses its moisture quickly, then this homemade Coconut Oil and Avocado dry skin treatment is the one for you. As with any homemade mask, make sure that you are not allergic to coconut oil if you haven't used it on your face before. Do the same with avocado, although you should not have any allergic reaction. You will warm up the coconut oil so that it is in liquid form instead. Organic coconut oil is a white solid at room temperature.

Honey is an all natural astringent and toner. It helps your skin retain its moisture and since honey is also an antiseptic, it clears your upper layer of skin from acne causing bacteria. Use this homemade face mask to moisturize your face, and give it the healthy nutrients it needs to achieve that optimal healthy glow!

Read more on how to make the coconut oil and avocado face mask for dry skin.

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp honey
1 tsp virgin coconut oil
1/2 ripe avocado

Directions:

Warm up the coconut oil in a dish using the microwave (even better to just warm it over the stove carefully). This is because the coconut oil needs to be in liquid form to work for this homemade face treatment. Once you have warmed the coconut oil, and it is a liquid, mash the avocado in a bowl using a fork and add the coconut oil and honey. Mix well.

Before applying this mask to your face, wash your face with warm water. Using your clean fingertips, apply this homemade face mask to your dry skin and let it set for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off properly with warm water and pat dry when you're done. Tone and moisturize as usual.

Your skin should feel smooth and moisturized afterwards.

Enjoy!
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Healing Beer Bath

Beer is not just for drinking! This tasty liquid is also great for your skin and hair. The miracle ingredient in beer is hops. Use this healing beer bath to draw out your impurities, clean out your pores, and help you relax.

Hops helps to exfoliate the skin by getting rid of the dead cells in the upper layer. The yeast in the beer contains B vitamins which help purify and renew your skin while keeping moisture in. Also, beer yeast helps aid in getting rid of acne causing bacteria while helping with the elasticity of your skin. The warm water of this healing bath motivates your pores to open and stimulates your circulatory system.

Ingredients:

2 cups of beer (any kind will do)
1 warm bath

Directions:

Draw a warm bath and add the 2 cups of beer. Relax in your bath. :)

Beer spas have become a trend in Europe. Hopefully it catches on soon here in the US!

Enjoy!
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Whimsical Wednesday - Fruity Shoes!

How whimsical and creative are these Banana/fruit shoes by Charlotte Olympia?! What do you think? Would you rock them?

Strawberries & Cream Face Mask

Not only are strawberries delicious, they are really good for your skin! These bright red, berries are full of juicy goodness. Strawberries are especially rich in Vitamin C and ellagic acid. Ellagic acid is an antioxidant that when used topically can help protect your skin from damaging UV rays from the sun. UV rays are one of the main causes of aging! They cause premature wrinkles which makes your skin age before it should.

The heavy cream used in the strawberries and cream face mask is used to bring all the ingredients together cohesively. It also helps give your skin clarity and smoothness because it acts like a cleanser. The lemon juice in this face mask works as an astringent to help reduce the size of your pores and clear them of any dirt and bacteria.

The strawberries and cream face mask that will help protect your skin from damaging UV rays while refreshing ad cleansing your skin.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of fresh strawberries

1/4 cup of heavy cream (enough to make a paste)

few drops of lemon juice

Directions:

Pulp up the strawberries (use a fork or blender). Mix in the heavy cream and add a few drops of lemon juice. Reduce the amount of heavy cream if it is too runny to apply to your face (or add more strawberries).

Using your fingertips, apply this mask to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off the mask thoroughly with water and pat your face dry. Tone and moisturize as usual. (Remember to always tone or your pores can get clogged causing acne).

Enjoy!

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Moisturizing Avocado Face Mask for Dry Skin

Avocados have benefits and are a great food and source of Vitamins C, E, and D. These properties make Avocado Face Masks great for people with dry skin that has especially been exposed to sun. They are also a good source of potassium as well as the minerals, copper and iron.

The Avocado Face Mask is also a great mask for those of you that have developed red skin due to dryness! The healing properties of avocado help to reduce swelling, dryness and redness. So, if you're suffering from skin that just seems starved for moisture, vitamins, and minerals, or if you're just looking for that healthy glow on your skin, then the Avocado Face Mask is the home remedy for you.

Ingredients:

1/2 ripe Avocado

Few drops of lemon juice

1 tbsp yogurt

Read on to make the Avocado Face Mask below:

Directions:

Take the avocado and mash it with a fork until it is mushy like a paste. You will then add a few drops of lemon juice to the face mask. The lemon juice helps make sure that the Avocado Face Mask doesn't turn that dark brownish/black in color - which isn't very attractive. The lemon juice also acts as a natural cleaner for your face which will help prevent acne. Remember to use the pulp closest to the skin because this is where a lot of the vitamins and minerals are located.

Add the 1 tbsp of organic yogurt and mix well with the avocado until it is a smooth paste for your face. The yogurt helps to soothe your dry skin as well as refine your pores. Refined pores means managing acne breakouts which results in smoother, flawless skin. Yogurt will help cool your skin if it is irritated and red as well.

Once you are done making the paste, apply to your face gently using your fingertips. Massage generously over your face (avoid eye area) in circular motions. Massaging your face like this helps blood flow to your face as well, which promotes cell growth. You may use this on your neck as well.

Leave on the Avocado Face Mask on your face for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with warm to cool water and pat dry. Tone and moisturize as usual! You will notice changes in your skin's texture in a few weeks. The avocado face mask can be used 2x a week to begin and then maybe once every other week.

Enjoy!
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Tip of the Day! Cucumber for Wrinkles

Cucumber for Wrinkles

Cucumber is a fresh and naturally cleansing astringent, especially on hot days and in the summer. You can use cucumbers daily to freshen up your face and remove the appearance of fine wrinkles. If you have a problem with shine, then this homemade remedy is perfect for you!

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

Directions:

Take a cucumber and juice it. Apply the juice directly all over your face and then rinse off. If you do not want to juice your cucumber, cut it in a few pieces and rub over your face liberally.

Enjoy wrinkle and shine free skin!
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Monday, March 26, 2012

Tip of the Day! Use Manuka Honey in Your Skincare Routine

Manuka Honey in Your Skincare Routine

If you have been doing research on homemade skin care then you may already be familiar with manuka honey. Manuka honey is produced in Australia and New Zealand. For honey to be considered manuka honey, it has to have a manuka pollen count of at least 70%. It is also important to know how the honey was processed and packaged as some processes may cause honey to lose it's beneficial properties.

Honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, a proven antiseptic and the unique manuka antiseptic and antibacterial properties are quantified using the UMF which stands for "Unique Manuka Factor." You may have seen the UMF symbol on honey based skin care products. Not all manuka honey has a high enough UMF. That being said, remember, manuka honey with a UMF rating is not the same as Active honey.

Manuka honey with an "Active" number is not the same as manuka honey with a UMF rating. So, when you are looking for manuka honey for therapeutic purposes, such as skin care, make sure the bottle has a UMF rating. The higher the UMF rating the more antiseptic properties the manuka honey has.

Looking for Manuka Honey but not sure which one to buy?
This is the one I recommend and you can also buy it: Manuka Honey Active UMF 18+ Certified East Cape New Zealand.

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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Face Mask for Blemished Skin

There are many products out there that claim to cure and treat blemish skin--and some do--while others fail to deliver their claimed results.

So, what exactly is blemished skin?

Skin blemishes are commonly known as spots or discolorations on your skin. They are commonly formed by whiteheads/blackheads and acne on your face and are usually a result of improper care such as picking and scratching. Acne is caused by your pores getting clogged by your natural oils and then infected with bacteria which gets worse with these habits. Other causes are external such as pollution, which is why it is so important to wash your face at least twice a day: once when you get up in the morning and once before going to bed at night.

Use this homemade face mask to clear up your blemished skin and nourish it at the same time. You will get clearer skin with continued treatment and care!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon rolled oats (or more--enough to make a paste)
1 ripe tomato chopped
1 tsp lemon juice

Directions:

Blend all the ingredients together to make a chunky paste. Adjust the amount of oats if the mixture isn't pasty enough to stay on your face.

Apply this to the blemished areas on your face (or all over) and let it stay for 10-15 minutes. Wipe off with warm water. Use a washcloth if you have one available to help exfoliate your skin. It's definitely easier to wipe off the rolled oats with a warm washcloth.

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Tip of the Day! Lemon Juice as a Toner

Lemon Juice as a Toner

Lemon juice is a great, inexpensive alternative to expensive facial toners. Use this lemon juice toner before you apply your moisturizer or makeup. The lemon juice acts as an astringent which motivates your pores to close and your face to tighten resulting in smoother skin. Toners are extremely important to use because they balance your pH level, clear away any last bits of bacteria, and close your pores (which prevents your moisturizer, dirt, etc. from clogging your pores right after you wash). Cold water also works as a great astringent.

Ingredients:

Lemon Juice. (Buy pre-squeezed lemon juice here.)

Directions:

After washing your face, apply a small amount of lemon juice onto a cotton swab and wipe over your face. You might feel some tingling. Leave it on for only 10 minutes and then rinse off with cool or lukewarm water.

You do not want to use hot water here because you want to make sure your pores stay closed and the heat will just open them up again.

Wait until your face is dry and then apply your moisturizer and any makeup if you plan on doing so.

This is great because not only does the lemon juice act as an astringent, it also acts as a natural cleanser thus cleaning out any left over residue in your pores after you wash your face. Keep in mind that lemon juice is a natural bleacher too (which is why it is a great cleaning agent) so your skin will get lighter with repeated use.

Enjoy!
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Saturday, March 24, 2012

Peach Face Tightening Mask

I feel peaches generally get ignored as an "everyday" fruit--unlike bananas, apples, and oranges--which is unfortunate because they have been around for centuries and have plenty of beneficial properties!

In lieu of this, I'm going to give you a short summary on peaches--don't worry, it's not long (or boring):

Peach aka "Persian Apple" was first introduced to Europe after Alexander the Great conquered Persia, but was originally cultivated in China. And, apparently, it was one of the most favored fruits of kings and emperors. That's it! :)

You're probably wondering what makes peaches good for your skin?

Peaches are equipped with Vitamin C and Vitamin E which are essential in the creation of collagen in your skin. They are excellent for your skin whether they are consumed orally or placed on top of your skin directly.

When directly applied to your skin, the peach juice helps to reduce blemishes and wrinkles, unclog pores, and lighten age spots resulting in fresher, more vibrant skin.

Ingredients:

Flesh of 1 Peach (remove the skin and the pit of the peach)
Egg white

Directions:

Whisk the egg white and the peach together in a blender until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency (it should look velvety). You don't need to massage this mixture into your face. Rather, just apply the mixture onto your face using your fingertips in a patting motion. Avoid your eyes.

Leave the mask on your face for 20-30 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.
With repeated use, you should see a difference in your pores.

Enjoy!
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Friday, March 23, 2012

Tip of the Day! Makeup Remover

All Natural Makeup Remover

Recently, I ran out of my makeup remover. I would probably not be considered a survivalist by any means because I only buy things when I absolutely run out of them!

So, what's a girl supposed to do?

Well, I committed the number 1 make up no-no. I went to bed with my makeup on. Most of it smudged off by the time I woke up, leaving me looking like a raccoon. My skin felt like it had a layer of dirt on it and like it didn't get a chance to "breathe" at all during the night. It felt horrible! (and, to be honest, didn't look so great either!)

If you find yourself like me and out of makeup remover, you don't have to commit the makeup sin! Just go to your kitchen pantry and look for grapeseed oil. Yes. I said oil.

Grapeseed oil is great for your skin because it is so easily absorbed and contains a very high amount of linoleic acid which is basically a fatty acid that is essential for your skin and your skin's cell membranes. Grapeseed oil also helps with the building of collagen in your skin!

Directions:

Use 100% cold pressed grapeseed oil. Put some on a cotton ball or cotton pad and wipe your face carefully with it. That's it!

Grapeseed oil is even great for hair so if you have any access left over you can run your hands through your hair. Just remember, that how greasy your hair gets depends on your hair type.

Make sure you don't get the oil into your eyes because it stings!

You should feel great now because you removed your makeup and treated your skin with an excellent moisturizer.

I haven't bought another makeup remover since. This is the best and most inexpensive solution I have found for my skin and I'm sticking with it!

For those of you who are worried that the grapeseed oil will clog your pores, I was worried about the same thing until I tried it. The oil actually works with your body's natural oils so this should not be a problem. However, it's understandable that you might still feel uneasy about using oil on your face. If that's the case, use the grapeseed oil to remove your eye makeup. I have mild acne once in a while and I used the oil and it worked as a great moisturizer on my face and made my skin feel more supple, but didn't cause acne.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tip of the Day! Coffee Grounds in Scrubs

Coffee Grounds in Scrubs

Let me start off by saying, coffee is great (in oh so many ways):

Add coffee grounds (ground up coffee beans) to your hand and face scrubs and masks.

Coffee grounds are great for exfoliating your skin!

You can easily find a bag of coffee grounds at your local grocery store or here.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Moisturizing Banana & Honey Face Mask For Dry Skin

Moisturizing Banana & Honey Face Mask

Bananas have been used for centuries in a variety of ways because of their many benefits. Of course, one of the most common uses of bananas is that they are consumed as food. Banana leaves and pulp are commonly used in cooking and for eating. Plantains are a type of banana that are starchier and harder and cooked. The more common yellow banana's pulp is consumed raw and the skin is then thrown away, although the skin is edible.

Some alternate uses of bananas include the use of bananas in skin care. They are a great source of potassium, Vitamin C, and fiber. These vitamins and minerals are excellent for your skin because they go deep down and nourish your skin with what it's been thirsting for.

Sometimes lotions and creams just don't have the ability to moisturize the type of dry skin we have. It can be extremely frustrating for adults and adolescents alike. However, using natural fruits and vegetables helps to cure the dry skin without potential side effects from store bough creams (not to mention they can get pricey). Fruits and vegetables are chock full of vitamins and minerals that are needed to help your face heal and stay moisturized. It's just about finding the right homemade mask for your particular skin issues.

Try this quick and simple moisturizing Banana and Honey Face Mask for Dry Skin to provide your skin with essential vitamins and minerals and achieve that long lasting soft and supple skin on your cheeks. You deserve it!

Ingredients:

Banana - 1 (ripe)
Honey - 1 tablespoon (Buy Manuka Honey Here)

Directions:

Mash the banana and the honey together in a bowl to make the Banana and Honey Face Mask. Apply the mask onto your face using your fingertips gently. Make sure you avoid your eye area. Massaging your face is good for you as it increases blood flow which promotes cell creation which can help prevent wrinkles.

Leave the Banana and Honey Face Mask on for about 10-15 minutes. It will remain mushy and extremely sticky but that's okay because one you wipe it off you will see that your skin has been extremely moisturized and brightened. Wipe off the homemade face mask with a warm washcloth or warm water. After you are done washing your face, tone and moisturize as usual. If you don't tone, you may run the risk of not closing your pores, which may lead to acne breakouts.

The Banana and Honey Face Mask work to moisturize and firm your skin gently and quickly. The face mask will leave your skin feeling smoother, and moisturized. Trust me, it works! I was struggling with dry skin during the winter and had bananas that had ripened so instead of throwing them away, I created this mask and used honey to bring it all together. It ended up leaving my face refreshed. Moisturizing your face and keeping it's moisture level up helps prevent wrinkles as well.

Enjoy!

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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Tip of the Day! Teabags for Dark Under Eye Circles

Teabags for Dark Under Eye Circles

Dark under eye circles and puffiness are a common problem these days. The causes may be age and hereditary. However, lifestyle factors can have a huge affect on the circles and puffiness under our eyes. Constantly cheating yourself of sleep, not working out, and eating unhealthy salty snacks are some of the many causes of puffiness and under eye circles.

Remember to drink lots of water: about 8-10 glasses a day. Keeping your body hydrated is one of the easiest ways to avoid water retention and puffiness.

You can use any type of tea bag (black, green etc.) but chamomile are best for puffiness. You can buy them here.

Ingredients:

2 tea bags (one for each eye)

Directions:

Apply one tea bag to each eye. Make sure you're lying down or the tea bags will fall off. You may as well turn on some music and relax for ten minutes. After ten minutes, take off your tea bags and wipe off your eyes.

Make sure the tea bags aren't too wet, otherwise the tea will get into your eyes!
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Monday, March 19, 2012

Funny Photoshop Parody

Here's some humor to brighten up your day :)

I saw this funny Photoshop parody video on a friend's facebook site and couldn't help sharing this. I agree with the thoughts behind the video shoot:

The person behind this shoot was watching infomercials one night and a commercial came on for some sort of a miracle cream came on where they compare two photographs side by side to show consumers the before and after affects of this miracle cream.

Of course, it was clear that it had been through Photoshop. True, we already knew this was happening, but this is still entertaining nonetheless. Check out my top 5 favorite lines from this parody. Enjoy!

Top 5 of my favorite lines in this video that had me literally laughing out loud:

"My skin feels like plastic!"
"Maybe she's born with it!" "Nuhhh I'm pretty sure it's Photoshop"
"Pro-pixel intensifying fauxtanical hydro-jargon microbead extract featuring nutritive volumizing technology."
"Even adjust your race!"
"Just one application of photoshop will give you results so dramatic, they're almost unreal...istic."

Sunday, March 18, 2012

How to Treat a Cut / Wound with Turmeric Powder

We've all been there. That moment we cut our finger on some sharp object or another in our homes and then wonder where all the band aids have gone. The last thing you want to do is run out of your house clinging your finger to your chest as your drive to the closest Ralphs pharmacy to buy a first aid kit. The best case scenario, of course, would be to have some band aids in your home in case of an emergency like this. However, if you don't have those available, you might just have what you need in your spice cabinet!

I can tell you this works because I used it myself. However, keep in mind that if you should still seek medical help if your wound is bad and I'm in no way saying I'm an expert. Now, that the mumbo jumbo is over, let's get to the fun..er..useful part!

Ingredients:

pinch of turmeric (depending on how big your wound is) but if you need a number it's 1/4 tsp for you math lovers :)

Directions:

Mix the turmeric with a drop of water to make a thick paste and apply over the wound--after the wound has been washed and cleaned thoroughly. Put the turmeric paste on top of the wound and let it stay. I wrapped my finger in a cloth and let the turmeric do it's job.

If your wound is slightly bleeding, you can put dry turmeric powder on the wound and let it clot the blood. You will eventually need a band-aid to put over the turmeric but this should help your wound resist any bacteria from entering since turmeric acts as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

My Personal "Wound" Story:

When I say "wound" throughout this post, I'm referring to something like a finger being cut. My thumb was sliced open by me throwing a lotion bottle (go figure) resulting in an open skin flap. I had no band aids so
I scooped some turmeric on my shaky thumb which was bleeding profusely initially. To stop the bleeding I first put pressure on the wound for a minute or so and then applied the turmeric treatment. Now my cut is healed and sealed and there is no infection thanks to the turmeric. I did end up buying a box of breathable band aids to hold the turmeric in place.

Interesting Fact: Johnson & Johnson has created band aids in the Indian sub-continent with turmeric on the band aid pad itself!

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Quick Oatmeal Face Mask for Acne

Spring is here, and it is time to start clearing up your the skin you've been hiding under all that makeup!

A lot of people have been turning to homemade acne treatments lately. It may be because the price of other cures are steep and the economy isn't doing so great right now, or it could be because of the recent shift towards adapting to a more "green" lifestyle.

Whatever the reason may be, it is a problem that has an easy quick to make, homemade solution. Oatmeal masks are an easy, inexpensive way acne treatment/homemade solution.

Ingredients:

2 cups of rolled oats
water

Directions:

Take the oatmeal and run it through the blender so that it becomes a powder.

Add warm water to the oatmeal powder to make a paste.

Apply this mask to your face for about ten minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Pat dry.

Enjoy!

Remember, different treatments work on different skin types, and the secret is finding the one that works the best for you.
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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Beer Hair Treatment

What better way to celebrate your hair on this day than with beer? Yes, I said beer! Beer lovers rejoice! Beer has many beneficial properties that make it popular as an ingredient in many homemade remedies.

Beer is basically composed of sugar, hops and malt. Hops and malt are proteins which help damaged hair: Hair damaged by chlorine, sun, chemical processing, etc. The sugar in the beer helps close your hair's cuticle which in turn helps reflect more light and helps give your hair the sough-after appearance of "shiny" hair.

Sponsored Links

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So, what kind of beer do you use? Don't shell out massive amounts of money to get high quality beer for this. Any type of beer lower quality (beer pong beer) will do because of beer's basic composition of sugar, malt, and hops.

You should make sure that your beer is flat before you start the beer hair treatment. To do this, leave 12 ounces of beer open in a can or bottle for about 1 or 2 hours until it goes flat. Prepare to take have this rinse ready 1 or 2 hours before you shower.
Take the beer with you into the shower and set it aside. Wash your hair with shampoo as usual and then apply the beer to your hair making sure to coat all hair strands from roots to tip. Massage the beer the beer into your scalp using circular motions with your fingertips and let it sit in your hair for 2 minutes.
Rinse your hair with cool water. At this point you can use any conditioner to get rid of any traces of beer scent. Towel and dry and normal. You will notice your hair is shiny, easier to style, and full of bounce.
Enjoy!

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Rolled Oats & Bananas Face Mask

Here's a quick and easy way to freshen up for the weekend! Kick off those work shoes and get to relaxing!

This is a really simple, easy, and all natural banana and oatmeal scrub. You will need four easy to find kitchen items for this scrub and then you are ready to start mixing!

Using bananas on skin for anti inflammatory, and moisturizing purposes is an ancient practice. The antioxidants and potassium found in the pulp of the banana are also good for treating skin ailments such as warts and acne.

Ingedients:

1 ripe banana
3 tsp rolled oats
2 tsp honey
2 tsp milk

Directions:

Mash the ripe banana with a fork or spoon until it becomes a smooth paste in a bowl. Add rolled oats, milk and honey, and continue to mix until creamy.

Massage the paste onto your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

If you don't have all the ingredients listed, you can just use banana pulp and massage it all over your face.

This can help add glow to your complexion. Happy mixing!

Enjoy!
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Thursday, March 15, 2012

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Treatment for Naturally Shiny Hair

Winter and in-door heaters and air conditioners can leave your hair dry and wrecked with dullness and frizz. This leaves your hair looking and feeling stressed out. And, let's admit it, if we don't feel like we look good, we don't feel as great as we could!

Thankfully, there is a way to get your hair shiny and healthy again, naturally! This item should be in your pantry if it isn't already because there are at least ten other uses I can think of where Apple Cider Vinegar can be used throughout your house (and on you).

Use this apple cider vinegar rinse and you will be happy you did! Apple cider vinegar balances out the pH level in your hair because it is acidic. It is a great cleanser and effectively removes dirt and oil from the scalp. That plus the fact that apple cider vinegar is a great conditioner as well helps rid your scalp of dandruff.

Moreover, the reason apple cider vinegar is recommended for shiny hair is because of it's acidic properties. ACV helps smooth the hair cuticle resulting in a sleeker finish on your hair. A sleeker finish means your hair will reflect more light = shiny and healthy hair!

Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar- 2 tablespoonsn for short hair; 4 tablespoons for long hair
Warm water - 1/2 cup for short hair; 1 cup for long hair

Directions:

Mix the apple cider and water together and apply to your hair and scalp using your fingers. You just want to get your hair and scalp wet so make sure you don't completely soak your hair. You don't have to use the entire mixture.

Let the solution stay in your hair for about 10 minutes or so. You can use a shower cap or saran wrap if you want but it's not necessary. Once the 10 minutes are up, rinse out your hair with cool water as it helps to keep your hair cuticle smooth.

Buy Apple Cider Vinegar here.

Enjoy your new shiny hair!
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Bad Friends Are Bad For Your Health! (Toxic Friends)

DEFINITION: ONE WHO PRETENDS TO BE A FRIEND BUT IS ACTUALLY AN ENEMY

Webster's dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frenemy)

Bad Friends Are Bad For Your Health! (Toxic Friends)

I thought this was interesting and deserved its own post because of the adverse health affects toxic friendships can cause in an individual.

There was a new study released by UCLA earlier this month that states that toxic friends can actually be bad for your health: "with negative social experiences had a higher level of inflammatory proteins that can lead to heart disease, depression, and cancer when compared to than those who noted fewer negative experiences."

I guess the old saying "keep your friends close and enemies closer" can be considered outdated and bad for you. ..

So, what exactly is a toxic friend? There are apparently several kinds, but the gist of it is, if your friend makes you feel like shit when you are around him or her then chances are they're a toxic friend.

For example, if you find that you are always in an bad mood when you are around this person, or once you do hang out with the person you feel emotionally drained, chances are you are in a toxic friendship.

See, toxic friendships are all about unequality in the relationship. If one person is giving more than the other it is not a mutually satisfying friendship. It is unequal and unfair.

Another example: the person that constantly talks about herself/himself, but when it comes time for you to discuss your situation, the other person doesn't want to listen or you get the sense that they would rather not be there. Sometimes, the toxic friend will wait until you are out of your bad situation or until it has passed, and then show up again. Talk about a "friend in need." Toxic.

Maybe you've come across the type of person that always expects you to be happy for him/her but when you have some good news, you find that this specific person is unable to be happy for you and share in your good fortune and joy. A friend who is only happy when you are unsuccessful in life is no friend at all. More like a frenemy.

What about the friend that is sort of there for you initially but then when you make plans to hang out with this friend, he/she invites other people too--even though it was just supposed to be you two. Of course, these types of frenemies are quick to defend themselves and attack you if you try to bring up how you feel or try to talk to him/her about what is bothering you. That is a clear sign that this person is no friend. It's unfortunate and sad because while my parents warned me that some friends may turn their backs on me, I never thought it would actually happen!

Unfortunately, unless you are an excellent judge of character, there is really no way to know who is a frenemy and who isn't right off the bat. If you find yourself in one the it is possible that initially the friendship may have been based on mutual needs, but after some time it just didn't work out. Jealousies can develop and ruin what "friendship" there was in the first place. It is definitely a bitter pill to swallow but, you can take solace in the fact that a lot of people have gone and are going through the same thing.

Also, you will come across those "friends" that call you a bad friend if you call them out on their shit. People don't ever want to admit they're wrong--even if they ARE wrong. It's human nature, but a good friend will always take time out for you if the friendship is important to him/her and talk things out and let you share your side of the story without creating a dramatic scene. In my opinion, these are the worst kind of frenemies anyone can have.

The way I see it, it is better to keep the people that make you feel like shit as far away as possible from you. There's no point in feeling like crap to maintain a relationship that gives nothing back to you in return and keeps demanding more from you instead.

Remember: keep your head up, keep smiling, and pick and choose your friends carefully! Cut your losses quicker next time.

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Turmeric's Healing Powers

Turmeric is a spice that has been around for centuries. It is commonly used in Eastern cooking, especially on the Indian sub-continent. Turmeric is actually a plant in its original form as it is a part of the ginger family. You would be able to tell by just looking at it.

The more common powder spice form is made by boiling and then drying the plant, which is then ground into a mustard yellow powder. The color has actually been used to help color mustards.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents making it great for skin care. In fact, it is used in the beautification process of brides in India and Pakistan: a turmeric paste is made and applied on the entire bride’s body and then washed off. It is believed to help even out skin tone and help soften the skin. Recently, Japan has conducted research that suggests that turmeric helps sooth inflamed joints as well. It is known to also be useful in treating cuts and burns since it is a natural anti-bacterial.

Buy turmeric powder here.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Happy "Pi" Day! 3.14

HAPPY PI DAY!!!

3.14150265...

Tip of the Day! Coconut Oil for Bruises

Coconut Oil for Bruises

If you're an easy bruiser like I am, then you will be ECSTATIC about this!

Coconut oil is great for helping reduce the appearance of bruises. Not only the appearance, but it actually helps to regenerate the bruised tissue. (Just another one of coconut oil's great benefits!) Remember to apply ice to your bruise right away to help reduce any discoloring from your bruise.

Just apply directly on bruises:
Massage the oil in an outward motion from the center of your bruise. A bruise is basically what you can see when your blood vessels right under the skin burst. The various colors of the bruise is the blood from these vessels that has been displaced and is in various stages of recuperation. Coconut oil's healing properties help heal the bruised tissue and skin.

Remember, coconut oil is in liquid form if warm and hardens a bit when it's cool.

Another reason you should keep coconut oil in your pantry, right?

Happy healing!

Buy Coconut Oil here.
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