Personal Collection By Christinchen (Online Seller)

Beauty Makeover With Natural Ingredients By Riquette Hofstein

You can have a complete beauty makeover at home for just a fraction of a buck - everything you need is right in your kitchen!

Expensive face masks, moisturizers and designer shampoos can be replaced by whipping up beauty recipes using simple, inexpensive ingredients like gelatin, eggs, bread crumbs, vinegar and fresh fruits.

"I call my beauty recipes Cosmedibles,"says Riquette, president of Riquette International of Beverly Hills. "You'll look and feel much better knowing you have the equivalent of a 100 dollar wrinkle cream or skin treatment for under a dollar. You'll be a gourmet chef of beauty!"

Sharing to you readers a few beauty recipes from Riquette's International Beauty Secrets..



Wrinkles. Prick three capsules of vitamin E and drain into a small bowl. Add 2 teaspoons of plain yogurt, one-half teaspoon of both honey and lemon juice and apply to your face with a pastry brush. Leave on for ten minutes, then rinse.

Acne or troubled skin. Believe it or not, kitty litter is pure clay so it makes a wonderful face mask. Just make sure you use the litter before your cat gets to it, she jokes. Put one cup in a blender and grind into a powder. Then mix with water and apply to your face for five minutes, before rinsing off. This is excellent for oily skin, enlarged pores or acne.

Instant eye-lift. Blend one carrot into a pulp and add 1/4 cup castor oil. Refrigerate for an hour and apply. Before application, dot plain castor oil under the eyes. Apply, leave in place for 30 minutes, then rinse.

Instant face-lift. Combine a handful of strawberries, grapes, one-half pear, one-half apple and 1 ounce orange juice in a blender. Then, apply a thin layer of honey to your face and apply the fruit mixture over it with a pastry brush. Leave on 30 minutes, then rinse.

Dark circles. Place potato slices under eyes for a few minutes. Rinse.

Oily hair. Beat one egg white until it's foamy and add to 5 tablespoons plain natural yogurt. Apply to hair with a pastry brush in small sections. Leave in for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Damaged hair. Mash a well-ripened avocado and blend in 1 tablespoon avocado oil and one egg yolk. Apply to hair. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for ten minutes. Rinse well and shampoo first with cool then warm water.

Damaged ends. Beat one egg and 2 tablespoons of whiskey, blending thoroughly. Apply only to the ends. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Dull hair. Make it shine with 1 cup apple cider vinegar blended with 1 cup distilled water. Use as rinse.

Avocado For Softer Skin

Soften Your Body with Avocado

Take a ripe avocado, remove the pit and skin, and mash it up in a bowl. Slather it all over your body, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Your skin will be so soft because avocado is a natural moisturizer.

Energy From Vitamins

The biggest complaint that doctors often hear from patients is a lack of energy, or the constant feeling of fatigue. Due to these types of complaints, it really isn’t a surprise that people want to know the best types of vitamins and supplements they can get for energy. All vitamins are ideal for staying healthy, as well as keeping your body performing in top shape.

Among vitamins and supplements, one of the most common for energy is folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin that has been proven to increase energy levels. Even though you can look for vitamins that provide energy, it would be in your best interest to find those that can be effective with fighting fatigue as well. There are vitamins, nutrients, and supplements that are great for fighting fatigue and helping the body stay alert.

The vitamin known as NADH is very powerful for energy, although many people aren’t aware of it. People who use vitamins on a regular basis would find themselves very impressed with the boost NADH provides. It is often used with chronic fatigue, although the way it works can be quite complicated indeed. Other vitamins that are great for providing energy include the msm supplement and gingko biloba.

If you happen to be on a blood thinner, such as aspirin, you should always consult with a doctor or other trained specialist before you take gingko biloba, as it is a blood thinning agent. Even though it is considered to be an energy vitamin, if you use it with aspirin it can thin your blood down a bit too much. If you get your blood too thin, it may lead to medical problems later on in life that can prevent you from doing the things you love.

With any vitamin that you take as a source of energy, you should always consult with your doctor. If you have any type of heart or other serious medical condition, you may not be able to take the vitamin you are interested in. For this reason, you should always consult with your doctor and ask for his advice. After a few tests and exams, your doctor will be able to tell you what type of vitamins you should or shouldn’t take.

In the world of vitamins and supplements, there are many alternative sources that you can take for energy. Whether you are a senior citizen looking to do more activities or an athlete looking to get more energy, there are many different vitamins out there that can give you what you need. Before you rush out and explore your options though, you should always consult with your doctor first and see if there are any vitamins you shouldn’t be taking.

Agitated at work? Listen to this!

When you feel stressed and need to calm down, try listening to this. Feel refreshed after a few minutes!

Happy Independence Day!

I'm sharing one of the Filipino songs that stir up my feelings for the Philippines and everything Pinoy (Yes, this Filipino-German loves the Philippines sobra-sobra)

Dakilang lahi
na sa 'yong tangi
pag-ibig ko Inang bayan
Isinumpa ko
O Pilipino gagaling ang sugat
ng iyong nakaraan
Nang pahiran ko
luha ng 'yong puso
ay natayo muli
ang karangalan mo

O ang pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo
Inang bayan
Ikaw ang s'yang dalangin ko
Sa Diyos kailan pa man
Kuminang na
ang iyong bituin
at sumikat na'ng araw
ang kalayaan mo'y sinisigaw
Ang bukas ay tanging sa'yo nakalaan
Kayumanggi ang kulay mo
Dugo't pawis inalay mo
'di ka na maaapi ngayon o kailanman
Pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo inang bayan

Dakilang bayan
Kapayapaan
Iyo'y muli nang nakamtan
Tulad noong araw
bago inagaw ang kayamanan mo
Ang 'yong kalayaan
Nang pahiran ko
Luha ng 'yong puso ay natayo muli
ang karangalan mo

O ang pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo
Inang bayan
Ikaw ang s'yang dalangin ko
Sa Diyos kailan pa man
kuminang na ang iyong bituin
At sumikat na'ng araw
ang kalayaan mo'y sinisigaw
Ang bukas ay tanging sa'yo nakalaan
Kayumanggi ang kulay mo
Dugo't pawis inalay mo
'di ka na maaapi ngayon o kailanman
Pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo inang bayan

Kahit na gaano kaliit ang tinig ko
Buong lakas akong magtatanggol sa 'yo
Ang bukas ay tanging sa'yo nakalaan
Kayumanggi ang kulay mo
ang buhay ko'y alay sa 'yo
'di ka na maaapi
Ngayon o kailanman
pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo inang bayan
pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo inang bayan

Wordless Wednesday

This picture makes me happy without gaining an ounce! I just thought of taking this picture when I was getting shutter-happy one afternoon. That's the bottom of a Cadbury box my children received from their aunt, when she came home to the Philippines.

Facebook's True Age Test

Thank goodness I'm alive and self-declared on the way to better health...

Weeks ago, I actively participated on Facebook though I've had a profile for a year now. I think its' great and even so much better than the leading social network in the Philippines.This thing has connected me with people that I haven't seen in 19 years.

Anyway, an aunt sent me a third party application called, "The True Age Test." I thought it was a psychological quiz which I would later laugh about, so I agreed to participate. It asks questions like how much sleep do I get, has an immediate family member ever had heart surgery/diabetes under the age of 60, how much sleep I get on the average and do I eat breakfast. Well, after I completed the 30 questions, it reported that my "true age" is ooh... 47 years old!!!***...How AWFUL and SCARY!!!!

I was so disturbed, that all I could think to do, is gobble oatmeal everday and stock up on pineapple juice...and catch up on much needed sleep (this I'm doing now)...

How did I get a bad rating?
Because
- I sleep 6 HOURS or less. Believing the lie that if I watch my online business more hours I'll earn more and if I don't all of us here will suffer.

- I don't exercise enough. Just occasionally when my back is on its best. But most of the time I'm just a couch potato or mouse potato

- I am truly overweight with a blood pressure alternating between 140/90 (the new normal) and 120/80. My diet is erratic, either I eat or skip breakfast then later at dinner time I binge. No one can take me away from the table. To make it worse, we eat typical fat, refined.... thanks to my hubby's cooking. ooh-hooh, reminds me what HIS true age will be!

Though 47 is the result, it doesn't mean it's permanent. There is always a BIG room for improvement. At least there are plus points that kept me from getting a result of being 67 years old...

Thanks that I quit smoking more than 5 years ago though I live with a smoker or mingle with a bunch of smokers. Thanks that I'm happily married. Thanks that I enjoy my work and the fruits of my labor. Thanks that I have good friends, thanks more to my blogging friends who keep me company when I'm a mouse potato.

Wish I can copy/paste the code for the True Age Test here, but alas! I can't find it. Guess you'll have to join me on Facebook too! (Click on my sidebar!)

***The result is on my facebook but I cheated on that. The actual result when I first answered was 47 years old ;o)

Beauty Recipes For A Super New You By Riquette Hofstein

Watch Riquette Hofstein sharing her beauty recipes.. I personally really like her and she makes everyone laugh too. This video clip is quite old but her beauty tips are sensible given these tight budget times.

This is where I learned MY London diet

This is London. West London.

That is the exact place where I stayed in the UK for five months. When I speak of my UK experience I am quiet about it, I can't say much. I went there too soon at the very wrong time. Anyhoo, I learned a lot there. I lost weight there, that's my blog topic for now

I lost weight there more than I've ever done in my entire life. It wasn't based on the diet alone. It also had to do with walking long stretches daily and of course the demands of my job, which is "miniscule"

I wake up at 6:30 to 7:00 AM (normal lang po yun) and get ready for work. I eat breakfast ( which may be: 1- one small packet of oatmeal mixed with H2O, 2-two slices of toast with margarine, 3-leftover rice with Mcdonald's nugget sauce, 4- a bowl of cornflakes. I think those were the usual choices. And definitely hot tea with milk (English beverage)

Then I walk from Richmond Avenue to the Hillingdon Tube Station. After the commute, I'd walk again from Hammersmith Tube Station to the Skinsense Salon at the Charing Cross Hospital where I work as receptionist.

Lunch, it would then be.. either 1. 2 slices of toast (3 if I'm lucky), or rice with McDonald's ketchup... or if occasionally I can't bear no longer, I'd go up to the 5th floor of Charing X Hospital and grab lunch worth 2 pounds ( that's worth Php200.00 to me)

After work, between 6:30 to 7:00 PM, I'd walk again from CXH to Hammersmith Tube Station ( which isn't THAT far). After the commute I'd get off at the Hillingdon Tube Station and walk again from there - from Long Lane Ave to Windsor Ave to Richmond Ave (all that would take 4 minutes by bus ride, 30 minutes walk for me)

Then for dinner, ahh, this is the good part... because during Mondays and Wednesdays, may kanin, yeheyy! On the other evenings, whatever will be the fancy na lang of my employer/housemate. Kaya masasabi ko iba talaga and Pinoy basta may kanin ok lang ang buhay

Why ganun? My fault is basically I'm kuripot, that's how my mind works when it comes to the British pound-to-Philippine peso conversion rate.

To conclude, I lost a lot of weight just as Fay Weldon's character Ruth (The Life and Loves of a She-Devil) said when asked by Mr. Ghengis, and I quote, "... you have got thin, haven't you! How did you do that?" "By keeping away from men" said Ruth.

Aiiyks, size 12 is not fat! size 14 is not fat either!

Hoping I can diet that way again.Kasi ngayon my diet is SEE FOOD diet : SEE food, EAT food.

Enjoy life na lang po!

Goat's Milk Benefits Your Skin

Goat's milk moisturizes your skin and adds protein, vitamins, minerals, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins A and D. The oils in Goat's Milk are easily absorbed by your skin and help to balance your skin's moisture needs. Whether your skin is dry or oily, using Goat's Milk Soap can bring your skin to healthy balance. Goat's milk is also anti inflammatory and very mild, especially suited to people with sensitive skin or skin troubles--gentle enough even for a baby. People with eczema or psoriasis are often helped by using goat's milk soap and natural body care products.

green tea
http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/10-Great-Benefits-of-Drinking-Green-Tea.93407
I've researched and discovered some sources about losing weight, diets and obesity. I used many medicines which are completely made up of chemicals. At the end, I turned back to the traditional treatment since I thought that those chemicals damage my liver. During my researches I discovered the benefits of green tea. Please do not confuse green tea with black tea which everyone drinks daily.

Ancient Chinese people knew the benefits of green tea for health. They have always used it for medical purposes. However, in Ancient China, it was used especially against the headaches and depression. Green tea has a great importance in China history. It is produced from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis by some special processes. Unlike black tea, it has little amount of caffeine which causes to insomnia, nausea and frequent urination.

This is the list of benefits of green tea which I've found during my research.

It is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
It is used for treatment and prevention of cancer.
It is used to stop Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
It is used to raise the metabolism and increase fat oxidation.
It reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of trombosis.
It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.
Drinking green tea inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells, reduces the level of cholesterol in blood, improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases
It is used to treat impaired immune function. .
Some researches show that, drinking green tea regularly may help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes the dental plaque
==============
The benefits of green tea in a human body are so remarkable that it is believed that the key to a longer and healthier life may just be brewing in your cup!


By the time you have finished visiting our site, you will discover how this wonder drink can help you achieve superior health! This is because it has a wonderful effect on pretty much every aspects of your body such as your liver, blood, mouth, bones, etc. We leave no leaf unturned in helping you find the "right one" that fits your personal taste and style.


I will personally guide you in making the right choice while unleashing its full health benefits! I hope you enjoy reading this site as much as I have enjoyed making it. Please read my reviews and tips on how and where to find the best one!


The ingredients are so unique and can only be found in highest concentration or high quality undiluted tea without any added sugar or any form of sweeteners. These same ingredients are the ones responsible for its magical powers. Its amazing benefits are known for more than 4,000 years now.

Sixty obese middle-aged women were placed on a diet of 1,800 calories per day. Some of the women took green tea diet pill with breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the others took placebo pills.

After two weeks on the green tea weight loss study, the women taking the diet pill had lost twice as much weight as the placebo group. Results were even more impressive after the full month of the trial; the green tea users had three times the weight loss of the women who were simply dieting.


The right amount of caffeine is the secret to the diet success. Caffeine in green tea increases the body's basal metabolic rate (the rate at which energy is used for the basic functions of breathing, pumping blood, and maintaining body temperature).


This increase is referred to as a thermogenic effect; it assists with a weight loss program by helping the body burn more calories during day-to-day life.

This kind of diet using green tea could be the weight loss program you have been looking for that's good for your health!

It is well known that the benefits of green tea are many. But did you know that there are numerous scientific studies to support green tea weight loss benefits?

Japanese studies have been done that prove green tea contains thermogenic (calorie burning) properties. This increases your body’s ability to burn calories. These properties can help you burn fat more efficiently and result in a weight loss boost if you hit a weight loss plateau.

Green tea can also be relaxing and is chocked full of powerful antioxidants. It’s a great addition to your daily weight loss program. Several daily cups can do more for your body than you could ever imagine and it doesn’t hurt that it can help you lose weight.

Green tea does contain caffeine, although it’s negligible in comparison to coffee.

Caffeine is an apt fat burner with a well established track record of such.

This can help your body burn fat faster while also providing you with free radical scavenging polyphenols and flavanoids. Green tea has so many beneficial uses for ailments ranging from weight loss to even cancer fighting properties- it’s no wonder why a quality, organic green tea can be put to use for you.

With that being said, as well as its health benefits, tea is an art meant to be enjoyed with all of the five senses.

The smell of quality tea, the sight of the leaves unfurling in a glass teapot, the subtle taste nuances present in the tea, the feeling of warmth as you hold the tea cup closely and the sound of loose leaves crumbling under the pressure of a human touch comprise the whole of the tea experience.

Green tea is most beneficial when brewed properly and taken regularly. About 3 cups per day will start you on the path to a healthier you.

There aren’t any side effects associated with green tea, however, people with caffeine sensitivity should consult with their primary care physician prior to embarking on the green tea journey.

Green tea is nature’s medicine cabinet.

The weight loss potential within green tea should be combined with a healthy diet and proper exercise. Drinking umpteen cups of green tea can’t hurt, but it shouldn’t replace a proper exercise routine and a healthy diet.

Green tea weight loss program cannot replace a well-rounded diet and proper exercise regimen, but it can definitely start you on the way!

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eggwhite

coconut oil

kimchi

Let’s start with the advantages of handcrafted soap. That bar of soap from the supermarket looks so clean and pure. And yet, most big-brand soaps contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin, alcohol that dries the skin, and sometimes petroleum products, which is just disturbing. Handmade soap is made from natural, gentle ingredients that don’t leave the skin itchy, dry or irritated.

Handmade soap has another basic advantage: glycerin. All soap is made by combining a fat with an alkali. During the saponification process, the fat turns into soap and glycerin. In commercial soaps, the glycerin is removed by adding salt to make the soap and glycerin separate. The glycerin is then used in other, more profitable products, including cosmetics, medicine, printing inks and the production of the explosive nitroglycerin. But in handmade soap, the glycerin remains in the soap, providing deep moisturizing benefits.

So all handmade soaps have advantages over commercial soaps. But goat milk soaps offer even more. All milk contains natural emollients, vitamins and triglycerides that moisturize the skin. Goat milk specifically contains the reputed highly effective moisturizer capric-capryllic triglyceride. People who prefer goat milk soap claim that it is far less drying and harsh than ordinary soap. For those who have sensitive skin or eczema, goat milk soap is a godsend.

The best goat milk soaps are made from fresh, not powdered, goat milk. All the goat farms in our directory make soap from their own fresh milk. Some go even further and include other fresh, local products, like honey, herbs or flowers.

WW- Where Is The Little Boy?

Combining Atkins Diet With Exercise

There is a lot of attention paid in the Atkins diet plan towards food and cooking. It’s true that your food choices on the diet are of utmost importance. But a lot of people make the mistake of ignoring exercise. The newly released Atkins food pyramid shows the importance of exercise. It shows an increase in food options with increased activity. Exercise is important on the Atkins diet, and important for everyone’s overall health.

Exercise is beneficial to body, mind and soul. It has many major benefits, even at limited levels. It not only burns fat but it boosts your metabolism and increases circulation. Daily exercise helps your body eliminate toxins through sweat glands and lymph systems. It is especially important to all low-carb weight loss programs because it regulates blood sugar levels.

Physical exercise is essential for Atkins diet success. Without exercise, your body isn’t configured to process carbohydrates successfully. Research has shown that sedentary individuals have extreme insulin reactions to even moderate amounts of carbohydrates. This means that exercise doesn’t only help you lose weight, it will help you keep it off too. Exercise will teach your body how to process the carbohydrates in your diet. When you exercise regularly, you’ll be able to eat more carbohydrates over time because your body will use them efficiently.

There are two basic types of exercise: aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise. The best regimen combines these two forms each week.

Aerobic exercise’s primary goal is to increase your heart rate. This causes your body to consume more oxygen and it gives all of your cells a fresh supply of oxygen. If you’ve been without physical activity for a while, many of those cells have been deprived. Aerobic exercise will regenerate them and help you feel better in times when you aren’t exercising.

If you’ve been inactive for a while, it may take some time to get used to your new aerobic workouts. You may want to get some advice from your primary care doctor or a professional aerobics instructor. Make sure to start slowly to give yourself time to adjust to your new movements. It’s essential that you learn how to stretch and warm up correctly in order to avoid muscle strain. Some good beginning aerobic activities include walking, golf, tennis and dancing. These activities won’t cause a lot of strain on your body, but they will get your heart moving. Start slowly and set small goals for yourself. For example, if you are starting a walking program begin by walking four blocks. Then increase your training to five blocks, then six. Your body will respond well to the exercise…after all your body was meant to move!

Anaerobic exercise includes any activity that isn’t technically aerobic. Most of the exercises in this category build muscle mass. Weightlifting and strength training are examples of anaerobic exercises. Working out with weights is an important part of losing weight. As you lose fat, you’ll need to replace it with muscle in order to stay lean. Don’t be afraid of working out with weights. You won’t need to become a bodybuilder. Weight bearing exercises like isometrics and resistance training will help improve your bone density, your posture and your fat burning potential.

If an exercise program is not part of your weight loss efforts, you are setting yourself up for failure. Make a commitment to incorporating exercise into your weight loss efforts and you’ll see the results immediately.