The Beauty Denominator

Want to know how to make natural beauty products at home?  There are a number of natural beauty recipes you can prepare with just a few items that you may already have in your kitchen.  Not only are these products easy to make, but they are also healthier than using commercial products full of chemicals.

By learning how to make natural beauty products of your own, you will be helping the environment, along with saving money.  Most of the commercial cosmetic products on the market include some type of chemical or detergent.  When this is washed off your skin or thrown in the trash, these chemicals and toxins can get into the water supply.  Making your own natural beauty products out of common household items is a much greener solution.

Some common kitchen items that can be used to make natural beauty products are Epsom salt, bananas, honey, oatmeal, olive and vegetable oils, yogurt, mayonnaise.  This is just a short list of household products that can be used for skin or hair care.  There are quite a few other natural products that can do wonders for your appearance.

There are two common ingredients that you probably will not have on hand when you are learning how to make natural beauty products.  These are beeswax and natural soap bars.  Beeswax and other natural waxes can be found at health food stores, soap making shops, and some craft stores.  For those allergic to bees, there are other vegetable- and flower-based waxes to choose from.

Olive oil is a very versatile home remedy that can be used for a number of natural beauty purposes.  It will moisturize the dry skin of your elbows, cuticles, knees, and feet.  Olive oil can be added to a warm bath for even more moisture and softness.  For dry hair or scalp, simply massage the oil directly in with your hands.

You can even make your own natural exfoliating treatment from olive oil.  Mix the oil with twice as much brown sugar to create a thick paste.  Use this paste as a pre-shower skin treatment by rubbing gently into the skin.  Rinse thoroughly in the shower to remove all paste and any dead skin cells that may have been scraped off.

If you have bananas on hand, you can also use those as a moisturizer for dry and cracked skin.  Mash a ripe banana until it becomes a paste that is smooth enough to apply to your face or hands.  Let the paste soak in for about ten minutes, then rinse off and pat dry.  For added moisturizing, add in a teaspoon of olive oil before applying to dry, parched skin.

These are just a few of the beauty products you can make at home without spending much money.  Other great home remedies include facial cleansers, herbal bath soaks, skin butter, and natural body scrubs.  Most of these recipes can be made with simple ingredients that you already have at home.  Now that you know how easy it is, jump right in and learn how to make natural beauty products of your own.

Taking care of our body is important because we want to have a long and happy life. Taking care of the mind is equally important and that’s why you will find so many messages out there about brain exercises and finding new ways to think. In order to gain the most from these forms of activities though you need to take a close look at your lifestyle habits. If you take part in those that are preventing your brain from being as healthy as possible then now is the time to stop.

Too much stress is very damaging to the brain as a whole. When you are under too much stress you aren’t going to be able to focus your attention where it needs to be. You will also not be in the best of moods to encourage your mind to develop positive memories from various situations. When you have too much stress your brain produces large amounts of cortisol as well. This can make you feel very sluggish and it can cloud your judgment.

Getting adequate rest is another area where many people don’t make the grade. It can be hard to get everything done in a single day that we need to. People tend to take on more and more these days. Yet you do have to take care of your basic needs properly if you want to accomplish anything the next day. A healthy mind starts with getting enough sleep each night. Try to get into a routine of going to sleep at the same time and waking up at the same time each day. This will help your mind be well rested for what it needs to process when you are awake.

Making a commitment to exercise at least 30 minutes each day is also important. You want to do this for your physical health. However, it is also going to impact your brain and your mental well being. Don’t make excuses that you can’t find the time to do it. Make sure you know your own fitness level and that you don’t go beyond that.

When you take part in physical exercise more oxygen gets to the brain. This will create chemicals that protect the brain cells. As a result you will be less likely to suffer from mental health problems and memory loss. You will also have a better attitude and more energy.

Avoid common harmful activities such as consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Both of them will reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain. As you make a commitment to eliminate such lifestyle choices from your daily routine you will find that your efforts to maintain a healthy mind are going in the right direction.

Take a close and personal assessment of your own habits and lifestyle. Make those changes that need to be in place so that you are going to live a long and healthy life. Too many people don’t think these aspects of their live really matter but they definitely do. There is plenty of scientific evidence to show that when these elements aren’t in place it is harder to maintain a healthy mind. You may be trying your best in some areas but without all of them there will be key pieces of the puzzle missing.

Menopause is a significant stage in every woman’s life. For many, it is a stage that’s feared because of the changes accompanying it. As a result, women tend to become more emotional and sensitive during this stage and women also end up experiencing mood swings.

Mood Swings Are To Be Expected
Nobody said menopause is going to be fun or easy. Sure, for those frequently experiencing PMS and those who’d like a surefire way to avoid pregnancy will certainly welcome this particular stage in their lives. But to gain what they want, they’d have to suffer first since menopause is almost always a painful process.

During menopause, you’ll gradually notice how your behavior and actions have changed. You lose your temper more easily and over the smallest things. The cheesiest movies make you cry and the daily frustrations in the workplace that you once had no problems tolerating have now become unbearable. One minute you’re happy, the next moment you’re sad. But don’t worry about this because it’s to be expected: what you’re experiencing is just a typical menopausal mood swing.

You’re Not the Only One Affected by Menopausal Mood Swing
Menopausal mood swings are to be expected and they may even occur daily. Menopause is a trying time for every woman, but what you shouldn’t forget is that other people will be affected by it, too.

Your loved ones, the people living around you, and the people you work with can all be unknowing and innocent victims of your menopausal mood swings. Definitely, your words and actions may be unintentionally harsh, but you can’t be excused at all times. People’s sympathies aren’t endless.

Knowing this, you should now understand that it’s also imperative you do what you can to lessen your menopausal mood swings.

What Causes Menopausal Mood Swings?
To control menopausal mood swings, start by making an effort to understand where it’s coming from. What you and your loved ones should know that it’s not something you caused. Mood swings are a natural result, side effect, or by-product of the menopausal changes in your body.

During menopause, your body gradually slows down and ceases its production of hormones responsible for fertilizing eggs and, of course, menstruation. As this is an entirely new incident, your body reacts adversely to it and your menopausal mood swings are the result.

Other Effects of Menopause
Mood swings are unfortunately not the only symptoms of menopause. There are a lot more and since most of them tend to be aggravating, one symptom can lead to the other and vice versa.

Insomnia
The changes in your body will make you feel strange, uncomfortable, and at times, it can even be painful. All these could make you suffer from insomnia. When you become sleep deprived, your body weakens and your stress levels increase. Mood swings could be a result of it.

Fatigue
Hormonal changes in your body can make you feel exhausted even though you haven’t done anything yet. This could have a serious impact on your lifestyle and again, you could be prone to experience mood swings because of it.

Hot Flashes
They’re called flashes because they only take place in a matter of minutes. But every moment is uncomfortable and again, experiencing it frequently could make you suffer from mood swings.

More and more people are turning to natural herbal remedies for different problems because they are more appealing than some of the prescription products because they help our body cope with many problems with little or no side effects. Listed below are a few that are being used by many with eczema with good results, but always check with your doctor, usually you can find these at your health food store.

*Milk thistle – also good for treating other disorders related to a malfunctioning liver.

*Gotu Kola – a plant from India often used as an additive to balms for dry, cracked skin.

*Pau D’arco – derived from the bark of the same tree which originates in South America; it’s often used to help boost the immune system of the body.

*Licorice – its roots are effective for reducing swelling and other allergic reactions; also great for restoring the normal functioning of the liver, thus treating any condition associated with a damaged liver.

*Primrose – the oils are popular among Europeans for many skin problems, including eczema.

Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) is a substance has been found to work wonders on eczema. Sometimes called gamoleic acid, GLA is a form of a fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils. However, there are a few herbs and herbal products that also contain GLA. Some of them include primrose oil, licorice root and chamomile. GLA is also often sold as a dietary supplement, recommended for those suffering from auto-immune diseases and inflammation.

I am still sick since Christmas and this virus has settled in my ears and throat. I was told that antibiotics wont help and to continue to take Nyquil at night and also use the Mucinex, get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids and lots of vitamin C. I am told that this is one of the worse viruses going around in years and it just seems to linger on especially if you don’t get enough sleep and exercise.

If your body is run down and you are under a lot of stress be very cautious and steer clear of anyone with a sniffle, it could turn into something very ugly. Also avoid sweets because they tend to break down your immune system and cause the white blood cells not to function properly to ward off infection. My Brother has been sick for over a month, no sooner does he get rid of it till a family member gives it back.

I was a prime target because of all the stress and worry and sleepless nights and then all the traveling within a 4 day period. I knew as soon as Bill got sick even though I stayed as far away as I possibly could that it would get me. I never knew one body could produce so much mucus, it’s totally disgusting. My ears are stopped up and I can hear so many inner noises that I never noticed before, it’s weird.

Okay this crap needs to go.

It seems that younger people are having heart attacks and developing illnesses that seemed to be reserved for older people. Recently a young friend of ours 37 had a heart attack and had a stint put in because the artery was totally closed, now he needs two more. He says he feels much better and can breath easier now, but doesn’t plan to quit smoking or drinking which of course is his choice.

Using tobacco and alcohol will raise your blood pressure. Some people choose to quit, but if you choose not to at least try to limit the consumption. Stress plays a huge factor in high blood pressure and unfortunately everyone is stressed at some point in their lives. If you deal with a high amount of stress, consider relaxation techniques.

An unhealthy diet or lack of physical activity or exercise can also put you at risk for high blood pressure. They tell us to exercise at least thirty minutes a day even if you have to space the time out. Eating less salt and more vegetables and fruits can help lower our blood pressure as well. You should always talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

Some medical conditions can lead to high blood pressure. Kidney disease can result in high blood pressure as well as cause it. Sleeping disorders that interrupt your breathing during sleep will also raise your blood pressure. Some medications and drugs can also raise your blood pressure be careful of nasal decongestants, oral contraceptives, steroids, some cold medicines and even certain types of anti-depressants.

Do you keep tabs on your blood pressure? There is a top and bottom number for your blood pressure reading. The top number is your systolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the force of blood in your arteries as your heart is beating. The bottom number is your diastolic pressure. Diastolic pressure is the force of blood in your arteries as your heart relaxes between each beat.

There are four different categories your blood pressure reading can fall under and  the first is a normal blood pressure reading which is what we prefer. Normal blood pressure is when your systolic pressure is below 120 and your diastolic pressure is below 80. This would read 120/80. You can keep this blood pressure number by maintaining a healthy lifestyle which more people are trying to do.

While we may be able to control most of the factors that raise our blood pressure there are some we can’t. For instance your race; African Americans are more prone to high blood pressure, people over fifty-five are at a higher risk, and family history can play a role in our blood pressure as well. While you can’t control these factors we can try to decrease the risk.

Some of us may need to take medication to keep our blood pressure under control. If we watch our diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits over time this could be very beneficial. It’s not always easy to live healthy, but if we intend to live a longer life then these are things we need to try and change and take control of. Speak with your doctor if you have concerns.

I stopped smoking last year for about 2 months, but apparently I wasn’t ready even though I took the prescription drug, Chantix. I did have a few side effects, but nothing like some others have reported. I applaud those that have stopped and wish them well, even our new President has stopped according to reports. Everyone is trying to live healthier, but me. I of course know all of the devastating effects that can happen to smokers.

I decided when I started smoking again that I would no longer smoke inside in my little smoking room that if I was going to do it, it wouldn’t be in comfort. So regardless of how hot it is outside or freezing cold if I’m that desperate then I can suffer for it. At least I don’t smell smoke in the house anymore, just on myself and my clothes. I have actually known people that never smoked or was around it and still got cancer and emphysema.

They have now banned smoking in public restaurants and bars in PA and it’s really been hurting a lot of businesses. The restaurant where I use to work is actually building on a patio so they can get some of their business back and I know that’s costing them a few bucks that they can’t afford, but at least all their money isn’t going back to Greece. The private clubs had an option to be smoke free and some exercised that right.

We went to our local VFW for dinner last week and were very surprised to see no one there except a few non smokers of course. I have never seen it so empty, because the people around here love to gamble. I asked the waiter when we went in if they had banned smoking and he said yes. Apparently the business has really dropped off and they are experiencing a boycott. What a mess.

The elected officials said they would rather shut down the club than let smoking back in. So know they are fighting amongst themselves and are plotting the downfall of the officials that now govern. It doesn’t matter to myself because we only go over every once in awhile because the food is good and cheap, but we aren’t that active. I would hate to see them close the doors because of this, but people are very irate everywhere over the smoking ban.