Best Natural Skincare and BeautyTips
October 13, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Treating your skin with pure natural skin care products is not just a new fad or a trend, but a true and effective response to a world overloaded with chemicals, toxins, and pollution. There is only so much a body can do to purge itself from the unhealthy balance we have all been guilty of contributing to. Natural skincare products have been uniquely designed to restore the skin as well as protect the skin and also make it feel smooth, moist and fantastic. The skin is the body’s largest organ and is the first line of defense against toxins and other harmful substances. It is responsible for fighting infections, keeps your temperature regulated as well as fights off dehydration. Why treat it like a chemical garbage dump?
Using natural skin care products is one of the most popular and easy ways to maintain your healthy glow. Some may prefer surgical procedures to augment the natural look of their skin, but in the end using natural skincare is the most effective form of preventative and anti aging skin care regimes. This is because it is easily affordable and there are no ethical issues to consider that many face when considering plastic or augmentative surgery such as Botox injections or face lifts.
Many people are looking for instant solutions to their skin care issues or want to physically augment their appearance because of a sense of dissatisfaction with their appearance. Most physicians will prefer to prescribe natural skincare solutions and offer a variety of choices in terms of how to moderately treat your skincare issue before suggesting you go in for radical and invasive surgeries. Get proper professional advise before you head off to seek a surgical, “instant” option. The likelihood is small that a skincare procedure that involves a any form of anesthesia or an injection of skin bacteria may be the healthier choice.
Next time you consider trying to plump up your lips with a Botox injection or try to puff up your cheeks with some sort of skin bacterial injection, consider doing it the natural way. This can usually be in the form of a cream or lotion that will be significantly less severe than actually adding chemicals to the facial structure and bloodstream. The potential side effects of a chemical addition to your blood or bady can cause unknown allergic problems for many people and are not recommended above natural skincare solutions.
Instead, seek the opinion of a natural skincare expert and allow them to map your facial structure for the skin type and other factors. This will help in administering the best natural skincare product for your face and body, helping the product to work better with your skin type and color. This all comes at a fraction of the risk and at a much lower cost than the surgical procedure.
Administering natural products into your skin is a much better way to maintain a proper skin type and also a better way to improve the look of your skin.
Pure, natural skin care products do not contain the numerous synthetic additives that can cause the human skin’s defense to weaken as well as the unseemly and ugly skin irritations. In addition, the chemical based skin care products may also cause rashes to break out as well as the debilitating allergies. Some, if not all of the chemical additives are by products of motor oil (that’s right), petroleum products and insecticides or even worse.
One hundred percent organic and natural skin care products will help nourish and restore your skin, as well as strengthen the skin and keep it healthy. By using natural skin care treatments, they will work in harmony with the body so you can be assured of having healthy skin which, in turn, will help keep the whole body healthy by asking it to do less internal cleansing and detoxing.
Healthy skin will excrete an important protective covering called the “acid mantle.” This helps to protect the skin from environmental effects as well as harmful organisms. To keep the skin in good health as well as to keep your acid mantle functioning properly you need to have a healthy lifestyle along with a natural or organic skin care regimen.
This can be achieved by not only just eating healthy foods consisting of a whole food diet, but also constantly getting essential fatty acids through consumption of unrefined, expeller pressed plant oils or fish oils. In addition, one should drink plenty of water as well as exercise regularly. Using natural moisturizers and natural sun protectors like zinc and zinc oxide will help in lubricating your skin and protecting you from harmful UVA / UVB rays.
Natural face creams, containing shea butter, coco butter and organic oils as well as organic hand and body lotions will help keep the skin naturally free of blemishes. The best organic and natural skin care products are made from high quality botanical oils and ingredients, which are typically produced in small, carefully packed packages so that one can be assured of purchasing only fresh stocks. So, be sure to give your body and your skin a break…feed it well with nourshing natural foods and organic skin treatments.
Complementary and Alternative Health Practices
July 22, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
By: Van Le
Complementary and Alternative Practices towards a Healthy Lifestyle. Over the last century, doctors and researchers in the Western world have made several medical breakthroughs and significant discoveries in the fight against terminal diseases. Such discoveries are key milestones towards finding the cure for diseases such as cancer and other illnesses, however, the idea of using complementary and alternative medicines, remedies, and holistic therapy to help manage a natural, healthier lifestyle is gaining popularity in the Western world.
Complementary and alternative medicine consists of practices that do not follow the norm of conventional medicine; complementary medicine is used in conjunction with conventional medicine, while alternative medicine is used in place of conventional treatment. Some examples of complementary and alternative medicine include acupuncture, meditation/visualization, and the use of natural products.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a complementary medicine technique, is the practice of inserting tiny needles into very specific parts of the body to relieve pain and discomforts associated with conventional treatments. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), it is the oldest healing practice in the world, and works by restoring the body’s balance (ying and yang.) Acupuncture is most popular for its ability to relieve pain and aches, but the idea of “cosmetic acupuncture” is also gaining attention as a less-drastic alternative to cosmetic surgeries.
It has been reported that those who undergo cosmetic acupuncture experience vibrant skin tone, reduced and finer wrinkles, and firmer skin. A study in The Journal of Clinical Acupuncture states that 90% of cosmetic acupuncture patients experience notable improvement in their skin quality. As with any medical procedure, acupuncture carries risks, and when considering an acupuncture treatment, it is important to examine the creditability and equipment of the practitioner.
Meditation/Visualization
Meditation is a complementary technique used to escape from the stress of our hectic lifestyles and reach a profound state of relaxation and calmness.
There are several types of meditation, including yoga and tai-chi. Yoga consists of molding the body into postures, using controlled breathing, and focusing on the moment to escape from the day’s stress. Tai-chi started as a form of martial arts but has transformed into a healing practice. Those who practice tai-chi move their bodies slowly and mindfully while focusing on their breathing. According to the Associated Press, tai-chi helps build a stronger immune system, which can help the body fight against shingles, a skin condition that cause rashes. Visualization, also known as mental imagery, is a technique in which the mind focuses on a specific image. Cancer patients sometimes use this technique to envision their bodies fighting off the disease. Visualization can be used by anyone to relieve stress from a busy day.
Use of natural products
The popularity of natural products has increased exponentially in the last few years due to its ability to generate healthy skin from the inside out. Products that contain natural ingredients as opposed to harsh chemicals are logically better for the body and skin. From a diet filled with healthy choices to using natural skincare products, there are several ways to generate a healthy, more fulfilling lifestyle. By choosing blueberries over Botox, you can achieve longer-lasting and healthier results. Switch to an all-natural line of skin care products to give your skin a break from the preservatives and lab-generated chemicals that can wreak havoc years down the road.
Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.
For the latest findings on natural skincare, you can also link to http://bestorganicnaturalskincare.com
Facial Care for Men
July 10, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
By Ravi Thiagarajan
When it comes to skincare, there is always a tendency among men to think, “Who cares, I’m a guy.” Lack of motivation to take care of their faces will give most men dull skin.. Sometimes a guy might think “Well, I lift weights, that’s enough,” or “Facial care is for girls.” That could not be any further from the truth. Good facial care helps in retaining proper skin texture in the long run.
Gentlemen, if you care what the ladies think, your facial care is extremely important. It is never good for a guy’s self confidence if your date cringes when you lean in to kiss her. That is why it is totally necessary to incorporate some kind of male facial care routine to help keep your skin looking clear and healthy. Here we focus on some basic yet important things that can make a big difference.
Shaving
For guys who aspire to keep a cleanly shaved face, we are forced to deal with the monotonous task of shaving each and every morning. Too many guys rush through it or give a poor effort, which results in redness, bumps and irritation. Shaving is something that should be done carefully in its entirety.
Experts claim having is best done after your shower because it makes your skin soft and removes the dirt and dead cells. Many guys should use a shaving cream and razor that will give them a very close shave but also protect their skin at the same time. With so many shaving creams on the market shelves, it is sometimes tough to decide which one is better than the other. By not continuing with one, we may spoil the benefits of using the same product.
Experimenting is good thing but long term effects are negative as your skin tries to adjust to ever-changing ingredients. I find many new herbal creams that are made by smaller, organic companies to be better than then the usual chemical-laden choices when it comes to men’s skin care on the market. Their products contain the vitamin E and Aloe to help protect and smooth skin as well as hydrate and moisturize. Use of an effective razor is equally important. Again selecting a proper blade is essential. Gillette sells its Mach3 line of new blades in different sizes and numbers now, which makes me even more confused. They started with twin, then came the ‘3 slot super shave’ and now it’s the ‘4 cutter fine shine!’ Any of these variations of razors will do the job, really well or if you prefer electric that’s fine too. Just make sure the blades are clean and sharp – very few women are attracted to werewolves.
Acne
Acne is the mother of all skin problems and it is just a horror if you are trying to impress the ladies. If you are a college guy, you most likely have past your worst acne stage but you never know what Mother Nature has in store for you. Acne becomes the prime concern when men are in their 20s and 30s - just about the time you are dating or looking for that first big job - where appearances are the key. Busy lifestyles have added stress that according to some reports, has created acne issues rising from 20% to 60% last two years. So, “why me?” you might ask.
The short version of the complicated answer is this. Acne can be caused by a number of things – hormones, diet, poor hygiene, lack of cleansing – or none of these things. It all depends on your body chemistry. But once you have it, you just want it to go away. Before choosing an acne product, familiarize yourself with the ingredients. Some brands use harsh chemicals to kill acne bacteria. The down side to this is these chemicals can also negatively affect your skin in the long run.
There are hundreds of various adult skin care products for acne on the market today. Most of these products require at least a month of steady usage to get results. Be sure that you are giving whatever product you choose at least 4-6 weeks before you discontinue use. If you stop using a product sooner than this then you could risk wasting time and money on a product that otherwise would’ve cleared your skin.
Dry Skin
Among other skin problems, dry skin is definitely one to be aware of. Normally healthy skin is coated with a layer of lipids and some fatty substances, which keep the skin supple and soft. Dry skin has a low level of sebum and can be prone to sensitivity. The skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels “tight” and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated skin. Dryness is exacerbated by wind, extremes of temperature and air-conditioning, all of which cause the skin to flake, chap and feel tight. This type of skin is tightly drawn over the bones. It looks dull, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. There may be tiny expression lines in these spots and at the comers of the mouth.
Apply Moisturizer Frequently
Both genders are capable of getting dry skin and the best way to prevent dry skin from rearing its ugly head is to consistently use a facial moisturizing lotion on an everyday basis. There are many tips and advice on how to take care of your face. However, the most common and consistent advice is to avoid the sun and moisturize your face.
Ok, my skincare lesson is over. Here’s a little joke on a lighter note:
Every man believes every woman’s ultimate fantasy is to have two men at once.-
While a recent sociological study verified this, what men don’t realize is that, in women’s fantasies, one man cooks while the other cleans!
Ravi Thiagarajan is a freelance writer and intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. He has published numerous articles for the leading newspaper The Times of India, local affiliate Anand Plus.
For more information and latest findings on natural skincare link to ORGANICSKINCAREINFO.NET
http://newbeautifulskin.com
Eat Your Way to Younger Skin
July 1, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments
Nothing makes us look older than wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes and mouth. Expression lines and wrinkles can make us look and feel older than we are. Studies have shown that foods containing antioxidants help significantly in the fight against aging. Oxidation is a chemical reaction in cells that releases free radicals into the body. These free radicals go on to damage and kill other normal, healthy cells. In skin cells this oxidation process leads to a breakdown in collagen and the depletion of elastin. The loss of collagen is what causes wrinkles and fine lines to appear prematurely. So many people, women especially, are looking for ways to look younger and feel better. They want to remove wrinkles from their skin and stop new wrinkles from forming.
Antioxidants fight oxidation and stop the spread of free radicals throughout the body. Foods rich in antioxidants have been found to be the key to good health and longevity. Antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are especially helpful to the skin and other major organs. You want to eat foods that are high in antioxidants such as brightly colored fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin A can be found in sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, peaches, kale, collards, carrots, squash, onions, and other brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, and green leafy vegetables are great sources of vitamin C. It is best to get your vitamin C through a wide variety of foods, rather than from supplements. This builds your body’s immune system as you gain antioxidants and other helpful nutrients.
You can get vitamin E from fresh fish such as salmon and tuna, vegetable oil, olive oil, liver oil, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and from nuts and seeds. These foods get antioxidants into the body, so that you are fighting wrinkles from the inside out. But it is vital that you find a good wrinkle cream with the best antioxidants to fight wrinkles from the outside in. Use wrinkle creams that contain antioxidants like vitamin A, and vitamin E. Daily moisturizing is an important step to fighting wrinkles. Studies have shown that other antioxidants like gold, are a very effective ingredient in wrinkle creams. Gold is a very powerful antioxidant. It does not rust, tarnish and is impervious to oxidation. You can find highly effective wrinkle creams that contain gold on the internet, without paying a fortune.
So be sure to eat a variety of foods that contain antioxidants. You’ll look and feel better, and stay looking younger for years to come!
Natural Skin Care Treatments
June 10, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The fountain of youth may actually be located in your kitchen, not your plastic surgeon’s office. Certain Dermatology studies have shown through a three-tier approach involving diet, supplements, and creams, we can control the rate at which we age. And we can delay the need for surgical procedures, including facelifts, by 15 to 20 years — if we even get them at all.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to natural skin care using ingredients largely available in your own kitchen. Try this three-day nutritional facelift to get omega-3 fatty acids vital for natural skin care:
For lunch and dinner, eat:
* A green salad (making a dressing out of olive oil and lemon juice)
* 3-oz of broiled salmon or another cold water fish such as tuna or mackerel
* Strawberries, raspberries and/or blueberries for dessert.
Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, an important ingredient in natural skin care. A deficiency of omega-3s has been linked to a wide array of diseases as well as premature aging of the skin. Blueberries,strawberries, cranberries and raspberries are all loaded with antioxidants which save cells from premature aging.
For breakfast, choose a sensible breakfast that is low in carbohydrates and sugars. Also drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep skin hydrated and supple. After three days, this natural skin care diet will make such a difference in your appearance that people will say,
‘Wow!’ You will look as if someone turned a lamp on your skin. Your pores will be tighter. Your dark circles go away and you will look like you were on vacation. Here’s why: Inflammation is triggered by what we eat and sugar is the bad actor, say leading dermatologists. Anything that is sugar or rapidly converted to sugar (carbohydrates such as white rice, white breads or pasta) can attach to collagen and cause stiffness of skin and very old looking skin, he says. Collagen is a natural protein that forms connective tissues in the body.
Use Toners and Creams for Natural Skin Care
A facelift in a bottle. Sound too good to be true? It’s not if you choose a natural skin care cream rich in DMAE (dimetheyaminoethanol). If you apply it to your skin, it can enhance muscle tone — which stops sagging — and in just 30 minutes, your face is lifted, he says. Apply this natural skin care cream twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. The longer you use the cream, the more pronounced the difference. It also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and protects the skin from the irritation that can cause wrinkles and age-related skin damage.
Also consider natural skin care creams with alpha lipoic acid. It helps restore a healthy radiance to your skin. It also can tighten pores and diminish fine lines in just a few months. Another key ingredient in a natural skin care cream is vitamin C ester. It is fat soluble and thus penetrates the skin at 10 times higher levels than vitamin C [without ester]. It will thicken skin, decrease fine lines and is a necessity for a youthful appearance.
Aside from creams, a toner is an important aspect of natural skin care.Here’s a recipe for your own natural skin care toner.
Ingredients:
* 1 teaspoon of rosemary, dried
* 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 cup white wine
Gently boil herbs with white wine for 10 minutes. Allow herbs to cool in white wine for one hour. Drain off herbs and discard. Keep the liquid and transfer the strained toner to a clean glass jar. Store in refrigerator for one week. To use this natural skin care toner, dip a cotton ball in toner and dab on freshly washed skin before bed and in the morning. It’s refreshing, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. The alphahydroxy oils in wine encourage good healthy cell growth. Use it for any skin type except those parts of the skin that are dry and irritated.
Take a multivitamin every day containing vitamin C, as well as vitamin E, for natural skin care. These vitamins are strong antioxidants and may help prevent damage done by free radical molecules in the body. Doctors also recommend taking 50 to 100 milligrams of alpha lipoic acid daily for natural skin care.
Underneath aging and age-related disease is low-grade inflammation. So the best ways to decrease disease risk and slow the aging process is to take nutrients with powerful anti-inflammatory activity on a regular basis. Enter alpha lipoic acid. Alpha lipoic acid is 400 times stronger than vitamins C and E combined, so it’s great for natural skin care. Our skin is always getting inflamed by sun, weather, pollution, and products because it is our interface between the environment and our body, but alpha lipoic acid will bring inflammation down.
Finally, for good natural skin care, take 30 milligrams a day of the antioxidant coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10). Levels in the body decline due to age as well as excessive sunlight exposure, but reintroducing CoQ10 can help slow or even reverse the aging process, he says. You are going to see your skin look more radiant in just a few weeks
By trying these natural skin care treatments, you can save yourself thousands of dollars. Even better, you can get fresh-looking, healthy skin without pain or discomfort.
Lifestyle and Your Skin
June 10, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
“Is it too late to save my bad skin? I never paid much attention to my skin because I never had any skin problems. I never bothered with skin care products because I didn’t need to. Now I’m seeing wrinkles and spots forming, I guess it’s just too late to anything about it.” If this sounds like you, you may want to keep reading.Never fear, because there is still much that you can do to help your skin. If you are lost in sea of product choices, you can still be assured cosmetic dermatology can offer many alternative treatments.
Not surprisingly, many adults rarely consult a dermatologist that is until AFTER the signs of aging have appeared. Wrinkles, of course, are the chief complaint. Your skin may feel rough to the touch, and even sore, especially in drying environmental conditions such as on an airplane or in a low-humidity environment like the desert or high-altitude cities. In the winter, when indoor heating is used, your skin gets even more dehydrated, making the wrinkles look worse. Your skin may catch on rough clothing. You may also notice wrinkles on your neck or others parts of your body.
Those who have never had skin issues or were blessed to even have beautiful skin for most of the lives, are now desperate to address the skin wrinkles and many run to the dermatologist feeling a lot of regret. Although genes certainly play a role in one’s skin condition, decades of neglect, or even mistreatment of their skin is most frequently the source of their skin problems. Many say that if they knew then what they know now, they would have done things very differently and taken better care of their skin.
There are numerous explanations for unhealthy skin but the main causes tend to be an unhealthy diet, an ineffectual cleansing routine, and poor lifestyle choices.
Poor Diet
Your skin is a living, breathing organ of the body and it needs proper nourishment and hydration to look and feel its best. When your skin is deprived of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that it needs it is unable to functional at optimal levels and the structure slowly begins to break down. This breakdown results in dry skin, blemishes, discoloration, wrinkles, and premature ageing.
In order to avoid this breakdown you need to feed your skin a varied mix of important nutrients each day. Ingesting sufficient amounts of vitamin A, a nutrient that can be found in citrus fruits and orange vegetables, can help you avoid dry skin and blemishes. Eating foods rich in the vitamin B group like brewer’s yeast or breads, or taking a vitamin B group supplement, can help you ward of skin discoloration, dry skin, dermatitis, shallow skin, and premature ageing.
To help discourage wrinkles, pale skin, sun damage, blemishes, and other unhealthy skin symptoms, nutrients like calcium, protein, iodine, niacin, folic acid, iron, and copper are very important to a healthy diet. Get these effective skin helpers by enjoying foods like mild, eggs, cheese, chicken, fish, leafy vegetables, fruits, and grains.
Poor Hygiene
Another common cause of unhealthy skin is poor hygiene. Whether this involves the failure to clean your skin often enough or the use of an ineffective cleansing routine, built-up dirt and grime can lead to blemishes, premature ageing, shallowness, dry skin, and wrinkles.
When your skin is not properly cleaned on a regular basis, dirt, pollution and other harmful substances are allowed to build up on your skin and clog the pores. Clogged pores result in breakouts, dry skin, and the reduction of cell renewal.
To get the most out of your cleansing routine make sure that you wash your skin twice a day, everyday. Also, make sure that you are using an effective cleanser like a soap that is specially formulated for deep cleansing. Make sure that you use gentle pressure when cleaning the skin, do not scrub or pull on the skin since this can result in tiny tears that are susceptible to irritation and infection. Finally, always follow your cleansing routine with a hydrating moisturizer that also contains a sunscreen in order to hydrate your skin and protect it from sun damage.
Bad Lifestyle Habits
Even if you enjoy a healthy diet and pay special attention to your skin care regime you can still be sabotaging the health of your skin by indulging in unhealthy habits. Habits like sun tanning, smoking, choosing fizzy drinks or sodas over water, and wearing heavy makeup can lead to the development of unhealthy skin. Avoid excessive sun exposure, always wear sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, stop smoking and avoid those who smoke, drink plenty of water, and choose light cosmetics if you want your skin to stay young and healthy looking for years to come.
The Power of Fresh Herbs
May 17, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Fresh herbs have a captivating aroma and flavor that dried herbs just cannot match. Try any of the following popular varieties and we guarantee you will taste the difference.
To make using fresh herbs easier, there are also some suggestions for fantastic food ideas that really showcase their strengths. Plus, the tips and suggestions for preparation and storage will help you easily preserve that first-day freshness well into the future.
How to Use
Each herb has a distinctive flavor that makes it an ideal partner for certain foods. Following are some favorite serving suggestions.
Mint
A blast of refreshing minty flavor complements both sweet and savory dishes.
* Garnish fruit salad or Crystal Light low calorie drink mix with a fresh mint sprig
* Stir chopped mint into prepared Minute Rice
* Add chopped mint to Jell-O pudding or stir into thawed whipped topping and spoon over fresh berries.
Oregano
The dainty leaves of oregano add a rich, spicy kick to tomato sauces and Greek dishes. Aside from its supreme antioxidant abilities (oregano has up to 20 times the antioxidant activity of other herbs, and ounce-for-ounce beats out apples and oranges). Oregano is a potent anti-inflammatory agent too. That is what German and Swiss researchers found recently when they gave oregano’s active ingredient to mice with swollen paws. The swelling subsided in up to 70 percent of the mice.
* Stir oregano into tomato sauce or sprinkle on pizza.
* Toss hot vegetables with Italian dressing then stir in oregano.
* Add chopped oregano to batters and crumb mixtures such as stuffing mix before frying or baking.
Rosemary
The woodsy flavor and aroma of these silver-green leaves goes well with meat and potatoes. Rosemary is a robust herb that adds oomph to dishes, but can it crack down on cancer? Scientists think so, at least a concentrated extract of the herb might. Some researchers believe oregano can block dangerous carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCA) from forming during cooking.
A Kansas State University food scientist, motivated by a study showing that marinades made with rosemary, thyme and other spices could cut HCA in grilled steak by 87 percent, tried rosemary extract alone. Bingo. The rosemary wiped out any trace of HCA in the cooked beef patties, and without a strong rosemary taste. Researchers credit phenols with protective antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.
* Stir into soups, sauces and marinades.
* Add to ground meat along with Cheddar cheese before shaping into burgers or meatloaf.
* Add 1-tablespoon to potatoes coated with dressing for flavorful roasting.
Basil
These shiny green leaves add a sweet, peppery flavor to Italian dishes from pasta to pesto.
* Add to creamy dips, eggs and cheese dishes or sprinkle on salads for fresh flavor.
* Stir chopped basil and Parmesan cheese into melted butter and toss with popped popcorn.
Parsley
This versatile herb adds a fresh taste to any dish and provides a colorful garnish.
* Blend 1 /4 cup chopped fresh parsley with 1/ 2 cup softened butter and refrigerate several hours. Melt over cooked vegetables or spread over warm breads and rolls.
* Decorate meat platters and dips with a sprig of parsley for a festive look or sprinkle chopped parsley around the rim of a dinner plate.
Selection and Storage
Select brightly colored herbs with fresh, fragrant leaves and firm stems.
To keep herbs fresh, wash and refrigerate in a re-sealable plastic bag with two paper towels for up to a week. You can also stand a bouquet of herbs in a glass of water and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to a week, changing water once or twice.
Freeze fresh herbs to enjoy them all year long. Wash, dry and strip leaves from stems. Fill ice cube trays halfway with leaves. Add enough water to cover; freeze. Pop out frozen cubes and store in freezer bags. Freeze up to six months.
Preparation
Wash herbs just before using and blot dry with paper towels.
To remove tough rosemary stems, hold the top of the stem in one hand and strip off leaves with the fingertips of the other hand.
To thinly slice fresh basil or mint, stack several leaves. Roll stack lengthwise into a cylinder and cut crosswise to form thin strips.
Add fresh herbs near the end of cooking or sprinkle over food just before serving to preserve flavor. Keep in mind that 1-tablespoon fresh herb equals 1-teaspoon dried.
Natural Home Remedies for Acne
April 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
While there are thousands of products on the market today to cure or prevent acne, bellow are some natural remedies you can start using right away from home. Start first by cleansing your face to rid of oil and dirt before you apply the remedy listed below. Anyone who ever started the day with a horrible spot on their face or suffered the embarrassment of breakouts, knows having acne is no picnic. It can damage your social life and affect relationships with friends and family.
Oranges and Lemons
Oranges and lemons can be very effective in treating acne. Simply squeeze an orange or lemon juice onto a cotton pad or a small towel, and then dab it onto the acne infected areas. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This acid in the citrus juice will minimize your pimples and take the redness away after a couple of days.
Raw potato
Simply slice a raw potato and rub it on your acne areas. The vitamins in the raw potato help rid redness and improve your complexion. The potato properties actually break down the bacteria causing acne.
Some natural anti-acne products you will find in the market are Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Zinc, and Vitamin A and have been used with some success to cure acne. A word of caution about ‘natural’ skin care items. They often contain certain chemicals for preservation purposes. Some of these may not be advisable for you if you’re pregnant or have certain special health considerations. As mentioned, it is best to consult with your doctor before embarking on any therapy.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree from Australia. It is very effective against acne as it contains bacteria-fighting substances called Terpenes. Acne is often caused by bacteria and the Terpenes either outright kill them or weaken them enough to be destroyed by protective antibodies. There are very little side effects from using Tea Tree Oil.
Aloe Vera
The watery gel from Aloe Vera plant is also a highly effective natural cure against acne. The enzyme-rich gel has very soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be taken internally and helps clean up and detox the digestive tract. This in turn can help clear up the skin.
Zinc
Zinc is taken in the form of capsules. It helps to strengthen the human immune system and to repair the skin.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A tablets are also a natural and effective acne cure. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E also helps in countering acne. It is a natural antioxidant and beneficial for the skin. Vitamin E comes in soft gelatin capsules that contain Vitamin E, Soybean Oil, Glycerin, and Water.
Some Natural Homemade Cures to counter Acne
The most important thing to do if you suffer from acne is to drink at least four pints of water every day. Drinking water is very beneficial to your skin. Don’t forget to include fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables in your daily diet to bring about a marked improvement in the quality of your complexion.
Before bathing, apply a mixture of pure tomato pulp – fresh from the tomato– honey and rose-water to your face and keep for twenty minutes before washing off.
At night, before going to bed, apply a mix of cream, glycerine, and lemon juice to your face and again keep it on for a short while before washing.
Regular Yoga exercises will also improve skin and overall health.
Things to Avoid
Avoid touching your face all the time, keep your hair away from your face, and avoid picking at pimples.
If you are prone to acne try to avoid using heavy make-up –it is preferable to avoid make-up altogether until your skin can heal itself.
Your Organic Skin
December 3, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Skin is the armor of the body. It is the outside waterproofing, element-fighting surface that protects our internal organs and skeletal structure from the harsh outside elements. Yet skin, overall is ignored most of the time. Healthy skin is important for a glowing completion of course, but if your body is unhealthy – your skin will be also.
The toxic world of industrialization has finally caught up with us. Producing toxic waste disasters, disease and tons of garbage buried so deep it can never breakdown. All these “modern advancements” have left our food supply as little more than a chemical compound in itself. If you can do ONE thing to give your skin and your body a fighting chance, you would be wise to choose as organic a diet as possible. To maintain a healthy skin, organically grown food is must.
In light of recent organic trends in our food, organic skin care products are also gaining popularity. For healthy lifestyle and healthy skin, limiting the amount of toxins and chemicals you put in your body is a must. If the environment or living “green” is important to you, you should also be aware of companies that produce the products you buy and their manufacturing practices.
Organic Skin Care is the most rapidly developing field in the beauty industry. Now what does Organic mean? Organic refers to anything grown or raised naturally. But more specifically, it means plants are grown on certified natural land without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetic modification or irradiation. In many cases, these organic farms are highly regulated by the Federal Food Safety Commission. Organic skin care means protecting your skin from harmful chemicals and using organic products whenever possible.
There are many organic products available on the market today. Most can be found at a local organic specialty stores, food suppliers or a national health food chain like Whole Foods. As organic products become more and more popular, many standard food stores, Like Safeway or Albertsons’ are also providing these products on their shelves. There are also plenty of websites offering organic skin or beauty care products online.
An organic product is preferable for natural skin care balance as it will generally contain far fewer chemical properties then it’s drugstore counterparts and thus have less possibility to cause inflammation or irritation. Of course, even an herbal product can have side effects as they are “chemicals” in their own right, so always be aware of the list if ingredients in the products you buy and the reactions your skin personally has to allergens.









