Sabtu, 27 Desember 2014

10 Beauty Products That Are a Waste of Money – Natural Alternatives


It goes without saying that we all want to look and feel our very best. Unfortunately, these desires sometimes drive us so strongly that the latest diet fad or skincare trend can have us whipping out our wallets and plunking down obscene amounts of money, solely in the hopes of dropping a few pounds or looking a few years younger.

But slow down. While some products certainly are worth their price tags, some are not. Learn to look beyond the hype, and avoid spending money on the products that aren’t worth your money. That way, you can better afford those that are.

Beauty Products That Waste Your Money
1. Teeth Whiteners
Among the most common beauty product money-wasters are over-the-counter teeth whiteners. I’m a big tea drinker, and my teeth have always had a bit of a yellow tinge to them. I’ve tried using whitening toothpastes, but have never noticed any benefits. Since whitening toothpaste costs more money than regular toothpaste, I’ve come to see such products as a waste of money.

Teeth-bleaching kits can also be a serious waste of money. This isn’t to say that they don’t work; however, the cost and side effects are entirely undesirable. Using trays and strips to bleach your teeth can lead to discoloration, tooth and gum sensitivity, and even chemical burns.

Natural Alternative
There is a better way to obtain a bright smile on the cheap with no harsh side effects. In a small jar, combine enough hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a watery paste, and then add 5 to 10 drops of essential clove oil. Voila! You have an instant brightening toothpaste that keeps your mouth fresh and bacteria-free.

Peroxide and baking soda are both natural bleaching ingredients that offer a bright, even smile with no side effects. You can also use an electric toothbrush to naturally polish teeth.


2. Diet Pills/Shakes/Foods
Most diet pills work in one of two ways: They either use a stimulant to suppress your appetite, or they prevent your body from absorbing fat from your meals. Neither is a healthy or effective way to lose weight. Moreover, the side effects associated with them include anxiety, sleeplessness, loose stools, and abnormal cellular growth in the colon, a precursor to colon cancer.

The majority of commercial diet shakes and meals follow the caloric restriction plan, which makes you lose weight by slow starvation. This plan is unhealthy because your body does not get the nutrients it needs to function properly. Soon, it enters “starvation mode.” You may drop some serious pounds, but this comes at the expense of feeling dizzy, rundown, and tired – and as soon as you start to eat “normally” again, you’ll gain all that weight back and more.

Natural Alternative
To lose weight the natural way, cut junk food from your diet, especially food products containing high-fructose corn syrup, which can trick your body into eating more food. Replace heavily processed foods with fresh fruits and vegetables, and follow a regular exercise plan and stick with it. Implementing such changes in your lifestyle is much healthier and cheaper than any fad diet.

3. Anti-Aging Creams
According to a Consumer Reports Health study reported by CBS News, even the most expensive anti-aging creams have little to no effect on the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

Natural Alternatives
Aging gracefully does not have to be an expensive (or painful) process. Try some of these natural alternatives for wrinkle-free skin:

Dry Skin Brushing. I’ve been using a dry skin brush for several years, and I love the way it makes my skin look and feel. Using a dry skin brush before taking a shower each day helps slough off dead skin, improves circulation, and detoxifies your body. Watch this video on dry skin brushing to get the proper technique.

Coconut Oil. This natural oil contains high levels of lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, which can help ease inflammatory skin conditions. The high antioxidant levels in coconut oil fights the free radicals that cause premature aging. Plus, the gentle exfoliation provided by this oil helps reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles.

Antioxidants. Free radicals are the cellular waste products produced by the body in response to foods, smoking, and pollution. Adding an antioxidant such as vitamin C, CoQ10, selenium, vitamin E, or vitamin A can help reverse the aging process from the inside out, as it scavenges free radicals and moves them safely from your body.

4. Expensive Body Scrubs
Some women believe the more products they use, the better their skin will look. Expensive body scrubs are a waste of money because they may actually speed up the aging process. This is because most commercial skincare products, ranging from lotions, to makeup, to body scrubs, contain dangerous additives, dyes, and perfumes.

Natural Alternatives
My two favorite natural exfoliants are Epsom salt and baking soda, which are both inexpensive and completely safe for your skin. For a quick, gentle facial exfoliation, sprinkle some baking soda onto your hands and add enough water to make a paste. Scrub your face and neck gently, and then splash with cool water to close pores. You can do the exact same with Epsom salt, though it’s better as a body scrub because it can be a bit harsher than baking soda.

5. Perfume
Many people use perfume and cologne on a daily basis and don’t even consider how unsafe it is. Many commercially-produced scents are nothing but a cocktail of chemicals that can cause everything from allergic reactions to cancer.

Natural Alternative
Instead of dropping $100 or more on the latest and greatest scent, try making your own perfume from essential oils – it’s homemade beauty at it’s most creative. All you need are some dark-colored glass jars, jojoba oil, and the essential oil of the scent you love. Essential oils go a long way, so you may only need to add a few drops to your jar of jojoba to get a pleasant scent that will absorb right into your skin.

6. Store-Brand Makeup
I had skin cancer in 2007. Since I was never a sunbather, the only cause I could deduce is because I had a history of autoimmune disease (celiac disease and ITP) and vitamin deficiencies, as well as a habit of using commercial makeup, self-tanner, and skincare products. According to PreventCancer.com, common commercial makeup ingredients such as DEA, TEA, cosmetic talc, and pesticides (such as DDT) have all been linked to the development of cancer.

Natural Alternatives
Since my cancer diagnosis, I’ve rid myself of all commercial products and traded them for natural, affordable alternatives – I buy cosmetics from Sun Cat Naturals, Burt’s Bees, and AllNaturalCosmetics.com. I love the selection, as well as the way my skin looks and feels with natural cosmetics. These are just the products I use – there are literally hundreds of companies dedicated to providing safe, affordable, natural makeup.

7. Cellulite Creams
I’ve had cellulite on and off since I was in my early 20s, and if you have it, you’re one of millions of women. Cellulite is just fat deposits concentrated in one place, and whether you’re a size 2 or a size 20, you can develop it.

Cellulite creams are expensive beauty treatments that are frequently hit or miss. These creams usually “work” to reduce the appearance of cellulite by either filling it in with collagen or using caffeine to dry out the skin, making it temporarily firmer. They do nothing to actually eliminate cellulite – they just mask it temporarily.

Natural Alternatives
Two things I’ve done that have worked to help reduce my cellulite are a coffee-cellophane wrap and dry skin brushing. Dry skin brushing works to improve circulation and remove toxins from your body, resulting in smoother, clearer skin.

8. Shave Minimizing Lotions
The chemicals contained in shave minimizing lotions may make body and facial hair finer, lighter, and softer, but they do not actually prevent hair from growing back any faster, which is what such products imply. Plus, as with the makeup and perfume, these lotions and creams often contain unhealthy additives that can cause serious health problems down the line.

Natural Alternative
For some people, hair simply grows back faster than for others. If you want to reduce how often you shave, you can try “sugaring.” Sugaring is a natural method of hair removal that uses only sugar, water, and lemon juice. Most say it’s less painful than conventional waxing.

9. Hair Growth Products
According to Dr. Bernard Cohn, products such as Rogaine do not regrow hair, but rather increase the fullness of existing hair by 20% to 30%. This simply makes hair appear thicker and fuller without any actual regrowth.
Natural Alternatives
The best way to treat hair loss is to first discover what’s causing it. Undiagnosed gluten intolerance made my hair fall out in clumps due to nutritional deficiency. Other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease, lupus, anemia, and diabetes, can also contribute to falling hair. Stress is also a common factor in sudden hair loss.

Addressing any underlying medical conditions with a trusted healthcare provider can help you get to the root of your problem and determine ways to solve it. By doing so, you can improve your health and avoid wasting money on “hair treatments” that don’t really do what they promise.


10. Skin Lotion
That fancy bottle of high-priced skincare lotion may make promises of healthier, younger-looking skin – but what’s really in the bottle? Most commercial cosmetic and skincare products contain a host of irritating chemicals such as parabens, lanolin, and cosmetic-grade talc that may not only dry out skin, but cause allergic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Natural Alternative
Coconut oil is chock full of antioxidants and skin-soothing vitamins. It absorbs quickly into your skin and leaves it feeling smooth, supple, and moisturized.

Final Word
In addition to taking a second look at the products you use, consider what you allow your children to use. Are you spending a lot of money on unhealthy chemical shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and play makeup? If your child has allergies or behavioral problems, it may be something they’re inhaling or getting on their skin. In addition to causing allergic reactions and cancer, many cosmetic chemicals act as neurotoxins, which can result in behavioral anomalies.


Source: moneycrashers.com

How to Love the Exercises You Hate


In a perfect world, we would find exercises we love and stick with them. There would always be room in your Zumba class, it would always be offered at just the right time, and your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend would be required to stay ten miles away from it at all times. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, what’s best for us isn’t what we necessarily find the most fun. Few people love running or doing squats.

When willpower isn’t enough, here are a few ways to learn to love exercises you hate.

Join a 30 Day Challenge
Let’s say that your personal trainer suggested that you do more planks. So what if you can barely get yourself off the floor without shedding tears and a little dignity? Search Facebook for a “30 day plank challenge” or download a similar app. These challenges encourage you to add a little bit, day by day, until you’re a master by the end of the month. There’s one for every love-to-hate exercise: squats, push ups, planks, you name it.
Before you start, decide on a special treat you’ll give yourself if you complete the challenge. Massage? Manicure?

Sign Up for a 5k
Sign up for the most fun-sounding 5k you can find. It’s a booming industry these days, between color runs, foam runs, and all sorts of crazy themed runs. Rope a few friends along with you, then start getting ready. When you’re logging those training miles, think of how great you’ll feel when you cross the finish line at the race.

Walk to Food
Hey, if you’re going to brunch anyway, pick a place a mile (or two or three) away and walk there. Call it an “urban hike.” Just remember that a walk around the corner to the convenience store does not “burn off” an ice cream sandwich.

Be Accountable
Have you ever thought about getting up early, before work, to go to the gym or go running? Thinking is about as far as those plans usually get. Get a buddy to get up early with you, and you’ll have more fun too.

If you’re the competitive type, find a few friends or co-workers who will pitch in a few dollars to a pool. Everyone sets an exercise goal, and whoever reaches their goal splits the pot.
Start a blog to track your progress and invite your friends and family to follow along. If you’re not the public type, start an exercise journal. Track your daily progress. It’s easier and faster to run your mile rather than to make up a creative excuse not to do it.

Make It a Game
Let’s face it—running can be a real snoozefest. Running from zombies? Well, that’s kind of interesting. The “Zombies Run” app, and others like it, turn running into a game. Interval training is built in as sprints as you “outrun zombie hordes.” Hey, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

Listen to the Right Music
Somehow, watching the Food Network on the TV attached to the elliptical just doesn’t motivate you as much as listening to some uptempo, driving music. Create your own playlist, or if you get tired of that, check out the “workout” genres in Pandora for stations like “Pop and Hip Hop Power Workout,” “80s Cardio,” or whatever gets your blood pumping. Your workout will fly by, three minutes at a time.


Source: 3fatchicks.com

Healthy Tomato Chicken Salad


Here is a simple yet delightful dish that could pump up your day.

Recipe ingredients
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
3 cups cubed, cooked chicken
1 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
2 cups diced fresh tomatoes

Recipe directions
Combine lemon juice and next five ingredients. Beat in yogurt. Gently fold chicken and next 3 ingredients into dressing. Chill. Just before serving, fold in tomatoes.
You can also add green vegetables or edamame beans if desired.

 Resource: healthdiget

Pomelo: 10 Reasons to Enjoy this Fabulous Fruit


More sweet than sour, with juicy meat and pulp, pomelos are grandfathers to grapefruits. This gentle giant of the citrus family is native to Malaysia and Southeast Asia, but has been introduced to many tropical countries as well as California, Florida and Hawaii of the United States. Also called pulmetto, shaddock, French chadec, Malayan limau besar, Bali lemon, and Chinese grapefruit – I discovered the fruit when a client shared her tree’s bounty. The delicious pomelo can enhance a healthy diet.  

Here are ten reasons why.
1. Taste
Sweet with just a hint of grapefruit-like tang, pomelos are refreshing first thing in the morning or cold from the refrigerator, as a fortifying snack. Its juice can be a tasty addition to sauces, salads, salsas and marinades. The curious mixture of melon-like sweetness with citrus tang makes pomelo juice a welcome addition to many recipes – add a skinless, seedless wedge to flavor your favorite ice tea.

2. Low Calorie and Low Fat
Pomelos have 0% fat and 72 calories per cup/190 grams – a dieter’s delight! Most everyone has heard of the Grapefruit Diet, which become popular in Hollywood in the 1930s, and saw another resurgence in the 1970s. Both grapefruit and pomelo contain a fat burning enzyme, which theoretically increases the dieter’s success. This fad diet, promoted extremely low calorie intake, and eating grapefruit before every meal.

3. Fiber
While due to its low calorie intake, the Grapefruit Diet is unhealthy, the principle behind eating grapefruits is a sound one. Pomelos, like grapefruits have a fiber content of 8% daily value or DV. The Food and Drug Administration describes DV as percentage of the recommended daily intake for nutrients for adults and children ages 4 and up. Eating such low calorie fiber creates a full feeling in your stomach and you eat less. Eating fiber also keeps your bowels healthy and prevents colon cancer.

4. Vitamin C
Citrus fruit burgeon with vitamin C, and the pomelo is no exception. Pomelo provides 193% DV of Vitamin C. Recent studies have shown Vitamin C strengthens your immune system when it weakens due to stress. And although Vitamin C can not cure the common cold, it can prevent you from developing additional cold complications such as lung infections or pneumonia. Persons with a higher concentration of vitamin C in their blood have a 42% lower risk of developing a stroke. Vitamin C has been shown to aid in macular degeneration, inflamation, cancer and cardiovascular deterioration.

5. Heart Health
Pomelos have 410 mg of potassium per serving, which like Vitamin C plays a role in supporting the heart. There is no DV for potassium but 4700 mg per day is considered adequate. This essential mineral regulates blood pressure levels. Abundant with pectin, pomelo juice is capable of clearing the arterial deposits accumulated in the body, thereby reducing the impurities and benefitting people with hypertension. People on blood thinning, kidney and other medications need to use caution when eating potassium rich foods like pomelos, as it can have a negative impact and serous health complications.

6. Cancer Fighter
The Chinese use the pomelo rind in many dishes. The skin of the fruit is very rich in bioflavonoids. This property is helpful in reducing pancreatic, intestinal and breast cancer. In fact, it stops cancerous cells from spreading further. Pomelo rind contains rich bioflavonoids that help in fighting against cancer cells. It prevents the spread of breast cancer cells especially by enabling the body to eliminate excess estrogen.

7. Antioxidents
Most notable, pomelos are loaded with antioxidants that are believed to help slow down the aging process and protect against some diseases – including heart disease and cancer – as they help rid the body of free radicals.
8. Anti-aging
Grapefruits and likely pomelos are the only known fruits containing spermadine, which is also found in human sperm. A laboratory-based study found spermidine to protect cells from processes related to aging and cell damage. In the study spermadine increased the lifespan of flies, blood cells, yeast and worms. Spermadine introduced to the blood cells of white mice protected them from particular types of cell damage, but their lifespans were not reported.

8. Anti-aging
Grapefruits and likely pomelos are the only known fruits containing spermadine, which is also found in human sperm. A laboratory-based study found spermidine to protect cells from processes related to aging and cell damage. In the study spermadine increased the lifespan of flies, blood cells, yeast and worms. Spermadine introduced to the blood cells of white mice protected them from particular types of cell damage, but their lifespans were not reported. (See the link below for more information on this study.)

9. Medicine
When chewed slowly, the pomelo is said to cure hangovers. In Malasia and Filipines, a lotion made from the pomelo plants leaves is used to alleviate sores and swellings. The Filipinos also use it as a sedative for nerves. The Chinese use the entire plant to make medications that cure coughs, car sickness and indigestion. A paste of pomelo rind and ginger can be applied to joints to ease arthritic pain.1

10. Availability and Storage
Pomelos are available at most Asian or Latin American markets throughout the year. Choose firm, heavy fruits. Blemishes on the skin are okay. Soft, dull-skinned pomelos that leave an imprint when squeezed or those that appear dried-out on the stem should be avoided.Pomelos keep for a week in the refrigerator, or for a few days left at room temperature. Freeze their juice in ice cube trays to keep for longer periods and to add a citrus zest to recipes.

Source: yogakat.hubpages.com

Natural Remedy of Cherry Juice for Gout


Gout is a metabolic disease that causes painful inflammation of the joints especially in the toes. It is usually an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood stream.

If you are suffering from gout and tired of finding an easy and effective solution for it, here is one of the natural remedy to cure your problem. Would take time for you to see the result but it is all worth the wait.

The benefits of eating cherry or drinking tart cherry juice helps you heal gout. Consume 12-20 cherries everyday, more if possible. Cherries have natural antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties. It will help your body to neutralize as much uric acid as possible bringing down the severity of the attack considerably. The best time to do this is when you have the first symptoms of a gout attack.

You also need to keep hydrated. drink at least 12 x 80z glasses of water throughout the day, every day, it helps you to flush out any toxins and excess uric acid from your body.

Here’s an easy step on how to make tart cherry juice.
Ingredients:
– 1lb ( 16 ounces) of fresh cherries
– 2 tbs raw honey
– 1/2 pint of water
– 1 bottle of carbonated water (soda) *this is optional
– 1 tbs of lemon extract (optional)

Procedure:
1.) Put the clean,  seedless cherries and raw honey in a saucepan. (add desired amount of honey if you want it to be more sweeter)  let it simmer until you achieve the right consistency that you desire. Mash the cherries to get the extract.

2.) Cover the pan and leave at room temperature for 2hours.

3.) Add the 1/2 pint of water and stir until the mixtures are all incorporated. bring the contents up to boil. Maintain a light bubble the entire time, continue stirring from time to time. wait until it turns almost syrupy and reducing the water.

4.) when finished, squeeze and strain the mixture in a sterilized jar.
-Excess cherry pulp can be use as a topping on your pancakes and etc.

5.) To serve this drink, put one or two tablespoon of it into glass of water or carbonated water (soda) add the lemon extract to balance the sweetness. throw some ice and maybe some mint leaves to garnish.

 Resource: healthdiget

10 Genius Ways to Make Your Breath Smell Good Everytime


Amazing-smelling, kissable breath anyone? Here are ways for us to be all kissable not only this holidays, but every single day.

1.  Load up with Water. This lubricates our mouth, keeping bacteria away are one of the benefits of water. Bottled drinks, sodas, sports drinks and some bottled iced teas are packed with citric acid, which may contribute to bad breath but wears away the enamel on your teeth. Soda is even more acidic and can literally take paint off wall, so lower your intake of drinks of the sort and replace them with good, old water.

  2. Eat Well. It is recommended to eat a low carb-diet with fats and proteins. The odor out of      Ketones (byproduct of fat), can come back up through your esophagus and stick to your tongue, so it’s important to add carbs like can broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, and fresh fruits into your diet, which balance out the fats and promote better breath.

Add veggies too, these promote an alkaline environment neutralizing the bad-breath causing acid in your body.

Munch on crunchy fruits like apple, (carrots, celery are good too) because of its hard textures, this remove food in between teeth and scrapes the bacteria sits on them. This acts like a natural toothbrush.

Chew on Fresh mint leaves (or parsley). This makes your breath naturally fresh.

   3.  Increase more green juice and lessen coffee.Green juice contains low levels of acid, while coffee contains high amounts, which can lead to bad breath. And keeping your body at an alkaline level rather than an acidic level will make it function better overall.

   4.  Brush and FLOSS every single day. Did you know that it is really important that you also floss aside from brushing? One of the benefits is it dislodges anything that your toothbrush couldn’t get to. If you don’t floss regularly, the food in between your teeth will feed the bacteria in your mouth, and the more nutrients you give the bacteria, the more the bacteria will give off stinky acids that cause bad breath. One more thing to convince you in flossing –

    5.  Clean your tongue. Bacteria stick to your taste buds, then release a waste byproduct that causes a gross stench. When you use a tongue scraper or brush your tongue, you remove any bacteria, byproducts from the bacteria, or plaque that form.

6.  Gargle with alcohol-free mouthwash that has  zinc compound. Saliva washes away odor and cavity causing bacteria, so our aim is to keep our mouth moist. Alcohol dries our mouth and leads to more bacteria accumulation and eventually bad breath. Dr. Glassman recommends choosing a natural mouthwash without alcohol by using 1 tablespoon baking soda poured into 1 cup warm water with a few drops of essential peppermint oil. “The baking soda is antibacterial, there isn’t any alcohol it in, and it can help freshen your breath in a pinch if you run out of mouthwash,” she says.
“It’s also important to pick up an alcohol-free mouthwash with a zinc compound in it, since zinc kills the volatile sulphur compounds,” Dr. Jablow says. She recommends from her oral care product line Intelliwhite IntelliFresh Oral Rinse Fusion, which also contains peroxide that kills the bacteria that sits under the gum line.

   7.  Chew on sugarless gum that contains xylitol.  Remember the goal of keeping mouth moist for more saliva.  By chewing gum, it increases salivary flow and helps remove some bacteria, but make sure it is sugar-free so you’re not feeding the bacteria in your mouth and contributing to bad breath, which makes it senseless if you opt to. Choose those with Xylitol as it helps fight cavities and bacteria while improving the health of your teeth and gums.

   8.  Keep a breath gel/freshener handy.  For an instant and quick fresh breath, pop a breath gel that  contains xylitol, zinc chloride, eucalyptol, and vitamin C, which all promote healthy gum tissue on top of keeping your breath fresh. You can also opt for mints that contain the same ingredients for fresher breath.

   9.  Stop puffing that stick.  Smoking not only dries out your mouth, the nicotine actually squeezes the blood vessels so you’re not getting healthy saliva flow, which is just one of the bad health effects of smoking. This combo is what disrupts your mouth’s normal functioning process and leads to bad breath. To avoid this from happening, stop smoking or never start at all.

  10.  Regularly visit your dentist.  You don’t want to wait for the halitosis to get you, before you religiously see your dentist.

 Resource: healthdiget.com