Personal Collection By Christinchen (Online Seller)

Turmeric Good For Skin Care

Turmeric is one of the best natural ingredients for skin care because of its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-aging qualities. But do you know how to use turmeric for skin care at home? Read on further to learn turmeric home remedies for exclusive skin care.



How turmeric works on skin

A recent study by British Journal of Dermatology has revealed that curcurmin gel is one of the prime ingredients of turmeric and it can help in resolving red, scaly skin associated with psoriasis. According to the research done by George Mateljan Foundation, turmeric contains skin friendly minerals like potassium, iron, and magnesium. In addition to its curcumin antioxidant and mineral rich content, turmeric contains vitamin B6, C, E, and K, which is the source of turmeric power for skin care.

Turmeric Remedies For Skin Care
Use of turmeric paste on skin works as antiseptic and antibacterial agent it heals cuts and wounds. It initiates faster healing of damaged skin.
Turmeric is effective for acne treatment. Simple use turmeric paste and lemon juice mix on pimples and acne.

Although eczema is a stubborn disease and cannot be completely cured. Use of turmeric remedy on skin patches controls its replace and itchy irritation.
Turmeric paste, if applied on skin scar, brings a quick healing. Turmeric paste is equally beneficial for treatment of stretch marks in post pregnancy period. If applied on surgical scar, turmeric paste often brings good result however, before treating a wound with turmeric remedy you must seek permission from doctor.
If you are suffering from skin pigmentation problem, you may try turmeric remedy. Antioxidant power of turmeric can eliminate age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines and restores usual skin glow.
You may use turmeric care to increase skin elasticity and natural softness.

How To Use Turmeric For Skin Care
You can use turmeric paste with yogurt, lemon juice, or honey.
For facial skin care turmeric and honey works well.
For treatment of sunburn, turmeric paste and lemon juice brings best result
For treatment of scabies, rosacea, eczema rash turmeric and garlic paste works best
For acne and pimple treatment, turmeric paste should be mixed with rose water and lemon juice
For treatment of age spots, turmeric paste should be mixed with sandalwood paste and orange oil.

Source: Group Email of PhilVentures :Agriculture

Celery For High Blood Pressure

I personally tried this home remedy for high blood pressure in 2005 when I was too scared to develop eclampsia. My fears were based on my 30 plus years and my erratic blood pressure readings. Since celery also reduced depressive symptoms, all the more I adhered to it's cure.



What is the basis of this theory? The narrower the arteries are, the more the pressure will be that's exerted against artery walls. Celery is rich in a yellow crystalline chemical called apigenin. Studies have shown apigenin causes blood vessels to dilate.
And the unmistakable smell and taste of celery? The cause is a chemical called "3nb," said Dr. Michael T. Murray in an article . That chemical, Murray said, makes blood vessels more elastic, which can lead to lower blood pressure. 3nB has also been linked to reducing vascular stress.

According to Murray, researchers at the University of Chicago said their findings showed that when some people with high blood pressure ate a quarter pound of celery per day for one week, their blood pressure returned to normal.

Note: please consult your doctor if you are taking any drugs, which may contraindicate with celery or it's chemical components, before trying this remedy

Best Way To Clear Up Acne With Proactive Solution

When you have a pimple on your face it is certain that this will attract remarks from friends and foes. The only snag is the comments can be derisive, rather than complimentary. One of my sons experienced the same thing in high school, when his biggest priority then was finding the best way to clear up acne. Let's face it; no one likes a face full of pimples, because they have a way of lowering your self esteem. But fortunately, there are several methods available for getting rid of this skin condition.

I can bet not many people know of any method that can guarantee a total clear up acne. And the reason for this has to do with our skin types. Again, I can wager my monthly pay that most folks don't know their skin types either. I got to know mine when I was 29 years old, that I have combination skin.



But a fact that is both glaring and disturbing is that males have oilier skins than females, which can only indicate one thing: males are more susceptible to acne. Regarding your skin type, consulting a skin physician will help clarify this, and this doctor can also suggest ways to clear up acne, and prevent its re-occurrence. Acne are caused by the blockage of skin pores by dirt’s and oils, so the best way to prevent this skin blemish is to free the skin from the causative agents.

If you find the subject of how to clear up acne confusing, you can turn to the Internet for assistance, of course using your computer or Mac. You can find one of the numerous products that really clear up acne very quick. One good product I recommend is Proactive Solution, but your physician can also prescribe an effective cream or pill.

Other factors that can aid the process of removing skin blemishes is by following a healthy diet regimen and drinking plenty of water. Also the right amount of sleep can go a long way in keeping your body rejuvenated. Generally, you can clear up acne by living straight and adhering to the appropriate treatments for your skin blemishes.

Time To Start A Healthy Lifestyle Change

"The Way to Wellness" It's time to start a Healthy life: your 7 days program

How many times have you gone to sleep at night, swearing you'll go to the gym in the morning, and then changing your mind just eight hours later because when you get up, you don't feel like exercising?



While this can happen to the best of us, it doesn't mean you should drop the ball altogether when it comes to staying fit. What people need to realize is that staying active and eating right are critical for long-term health and wellness -- and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The more you know about how your body responds to your lifestyle choices, the better you can customize a nutrition and exercise plan that is right for you. When you eat well, increase your level of physical activity, and exercise at the proper intensity, you are informing your body that you want to burn a substantial amount of fuel. This translates to burning fat more efficiently for energy.
In other words, proper eating habits plus exercise equals fast metabolism, which, in turn gives you more energy throughout the day and allows you to do more physical work with less effort.

The true purpose of exercise is to send a repetitive message to the body asking for improvement in metabolism, strength, aerobic capacity and overall fitness and health. Each time you exercise, your body responds by upgrading its capabilities to burn fat throughout the day and night, Exercise doesn't have to be intense to work for you, but it does need to be consistent.

I recommend engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise four times per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session, and resistance training four times per week for 20 to 25 minutes per session. This balanced approach provides a one-two punch, incorporating aerobic exercise to burn fat and deliver more oxygen, and resistance training to increase lean body mass and burn more calories around the block.

Here's a sample exercise program that may work for you:

* Warm Up -- seven to eight minutes of light aerobic activity intended to increase blood flow and lubricate and warm-up your tendons and joints.

* Resistance Training -- Train all major muscle groups. One to two sets of each exercise. Rest 45 seconds between sets.

* Aerobic Exercise -- Pick two favorite activities, they could be jogging, rowing, biking or cross-country skiing, whatever fits your lifestyle. Perform 12 to 15 minutes of the first activity and continue with 10 minutes of the second activity. Cool down during the last five minutes.

* Stretching -- Wrap up your exercise session by stretching, breathing deeply, relaxing and meditating.

When starting an exercise program, it is important to have realistic expectations. Depending on your initial fitness level, you should expect the following changes early on.

* From one to eight weeks -- Feel better and have more energy.

* From two to six months -- Lose size and inches while becoming leaner. Clothes begin to fit more loosely. You are gaining muscle and losing fat.

* After six months -- Start losing weight quite rapidly.

Once you make the commitment to exercise several times a week, don't stop there. You should also change your diet and/or eating habits,' says Zwiefel. Counting calories or calculating grams and percentages for certain nutrients is impractical. Instead, I suggest these easy-to-follow guidelines:

* Eat several small meals (optimally four) and a couple of small snacks throughout the day
* Make sure every meal is balanced -- incorporate palm-sized proteins like lean meats, fish, egg whites and dairy products, fist-sized portions of complex carbohydrates like whole-wheat bread and pasta, wild rice, multigrain cereal and potatoes, and fist-sized portions of vegetable and fruits
* Limit your fat intake to only what's necessary for adequate flavor
* Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water throughout the day
* I also recommend that you take a multi-vitamin each day to ensure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

I suppose that's all I can think of for now. I should extend my thanks to a doctor friend of mine. Without him, I wouldn't be able to write this article, or keep my sanity.

Enjoy life, we all deserve it!

Baking Soda For Cavities And Teeth Sensitivity

I've heard so much about the amazing results of using baking soda to treat tooth decay and bad breath, that we've given it a try at home. We have been brushing with baking soda for over 6 months now and personally,our teeth got stronger!

From what I've experienced due to vigorous toothbrushing, I've lost a bit of tooth enamel that led me to seek a dentist. You could imagine the agony and the
pain of the dental drill and the cost of dental fees. So we've finally tried a different approach by using baking soda treatment for the teeth. Truth is, baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an antibacterial agent that destroys bacteria upon contact.

First, rinse your mouth with water before applying baking soda to your teeth. To get baking soda onto your toothbrush, avoid dipping a wet tooth brush into your baking soda container so as to maintain the freshness of the baking soda. However, since baking soda is also a disinfectant so it's unlikely to be contaminated.

Cavities not only restored, teeth fully strengthened within 2 weeks. My gums were sensitive to cold and sometimes hot water. My dentist confirmed that my gums were damaged with the symptom of bleeding gums. Bleeding and sensitivity went away after 4 days of usage. I noticed my teeth strengthened everyday, and now I feel my teeth getting so much better. Because no one should have to endure the agonizing pain of cavities, I share the idea to my friends and family who are still on their own observation as to the overwhelming success of baking soda.

So there's my motherly advice on treating your teeth after all the Halloween trick-or-treat candy marathon!

Holidays Making You More Stressed Out?

Every once in a while, when there are too many things to look forward to - such as this long holiday in the Philippines from October 31 Halloween to All Soul's Day - and we go on a long much-needed vacation to de-stress yet end up all the more tired, then I suppose it is time to try this 7-days program to stress management!

They say there's more than one way to skin a cat. The same goes when you start tearing your hair out with all the frustration, grief, anxiety, and yes, stress. It's a state of mental conditioning that is like taking that bitter pill down your throat, causing you to lose your sense of self, and worse your sanity. Just thinking about it can drive anyone off the edge.

And they say that the proactive ones are already living off the edge.

As one stressed-out person to another, I know how it feels, and believe me there are many guises when it comes to stress. Coping with life, and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you can scratch away the little joy and happiness that you can carry once you head out that door. You can't blame them for being like that; they have their own reasons, so much like we have our reasons to allow stress to weigh us down. They say that stress is all in the mind, well, what's bugging you anyway?

There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it out of your life one of these days. So now, we'll try to divide it into a seven-day course for you and promise it's not going to be too taxing on the body, as well as on the mind.

1. Acknowledge stress is good
Make stress your friend! Based on the body's natural "fight or flight" response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I've yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

2. Avoid stress sneezers
Stressed people sneeze stress germs indiscriminately and before you know it, you are infected too!

Protect yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them. Or if you've got the inclination, play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage themselves.

3. Learn from the best
When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced?
Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing
This is something I've learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Give stress thoughts the red light
It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. "If this happens, then that might happen and then we're all up the creek!" Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?

Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong - how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots
Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines…. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!

Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?

Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?

7. Burn the candle at one end
Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it's often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don't burn the candle at both ends!

So having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time. In any case, one could always go to the beach and bask under the sun.

Daylight Saving Time Fall Back On November 6th

Get into my thoughts from Colorquiz, again!

Your Existing Situation
"Seeking for her own identity, is sensitive and seeks close nurturing relationships and environments. Has an eye for beauty and a desire to have her emotions protected and further developed."
Your Stress Sources
"Demands to be noticed by others as an important individual, needs attention and recognition. her current situation is leaving her dissatisfied. she feels she needs to make friends with those who hold the same high standards she does. Wants to stand out as someone at the top of her class and be admired by others. she needs to feel in control which makes it difficult to give of herself to another person. she feels isolated and alone but refuses to appear weak and continues to be emotionally distant from others in order to keep her attitude of superiority. "

Your Restrained Characteristics
"Struggles to make her demands clear, but feels ignored. Feels resentful, but acts as if she doesn't care, doing what is necessary to keep peace."
Open and emotionally involved in relationships. Feels as if too many walls and obstacles are standing in her way and that she is being forced to make compromises. she needs to put her own needs on hold for the time being.

Your Desired Objective
"Looking for a loving relationship, which brings happiness and contentment. Brings emotional excitement to the relationship. Helpful and willing to give as much as she takes, and requires the same sort of giving relationship from others. "
Your Actual Problem
"Wants to be valued and respected, seeks a close and peaceful relationship with a shared respect of each other."
Your Actual Problem #2
Needs to find a stable and peaceful environment which will free her of the worries that are preventing her from achieving the things she wants.

Yes, friends, I'm in a pickle again. It's a long-standing problem that involves only me. Please just pray for me that everything will be alright. I hope to say something about it soon, I've been meaning to before - but ...
Will be back soon :)

Health Benefits Of Cinnamon

As millions of people throughout the world suffer from diabetes and the number continues to climb, many of these people could benefit from an easily accessible product such as cinnamon. Surprising, isn't it?

Yes, this aromatic spice, which most of us love and have in our kitchen, has been shown to have the power to cut blood sugar levels nearly as much as statin drugs!



The magic ingredient in cinnamon is believed to be a substance called MHCP. The MHCP is thought to be the reason cinnamon reignites the ability of fat cells in diabetics to respond to insulin and dramatically increase glucose removal.

Two new studies reveal new evidence for the beneficial effects of cinnamon as an anti-inflammatory agent and support earlier research of its power as an anti-oxidant agent and an agent able to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose, and improve the functioning of insulin.

However, before you run out and buy a case of cinnamon, keep the following in mind. Eating mouthfuls of cinnamon straight from the bottle may not be the best solution. Table cinnamon is not water soluble, which means it can build up in the body with unknown consequences.

Also, some of the beneficial qualities of cinnamon, such as lowering total cholesterol, only occurred by taking the capsule form. It is believed that a person’s saliva may have some harmful effects on cinnamon.

Do not despair; there are still plenty of benefits if you don’t have time to get cinnamon capsules. It is my guess that most of us will just use the cinnamon we have sitting in the cupboard.

Just a half a teaspoon a day is all you need to get the blood sugar reducing benefits. You can also get the effect by simply soaking a cinnamon stick in your next cup of tea.

While many type II diabetics are finding a great improvement in their health with cinnamon supplementation, the good news does not end with help for diabetes. Many non-diabetics are discovering the energy boosting properties of this wonderful spice and use cinnamon as a daily energy tonic.

The powers of cinnamon cannot be denied and its help for some diabetics and pre-diabetics has been nothing short of miraculous. Of course, this does not mean to rush out and gorge on cinnamon desserts. There is too much sugar in that diet. The best options are taking capsules or sprinkling a half teaspoon of cinnamon on what you normally would eat like your oatmeal or porridge

Don’t forget to inform your doctor before taking cinnamon as it might have interactions with other medications.

Aloe Vera Health Benefits

Aloe Vera (which means True Aloe) has been used for thousands of years and is still present in varieties of medicines today. It is used predominantly as an herbal remedy for the skin, digestion, the reproductive system and detox. A gel or pulp can be extracted from the plants for many benefits, both externally and internally.


It is most commonly used to treat skin conditions by soothing the skin and easing pain and inflammation. It can even speed up the healing process of burns, eczema and other conditions. The plant’s gel can be rubbed to reduce redness after a couple of days. Rubbing the leaf over cuts in the skin can prevent infection and speed up the healing process by acting like a bandage. Because of aloe vera's healing and moisturising benefits to the skin, it has been adopted by cosmetic companies and added in many products.

The juice of Aloe Vera can be extracted by cutting the leaf, collecting the juice and then evaporating it. The juice has many benefits when taken orally. It contains twelve vitamins (including A, B1, B6, B12, C and E), nineteen amino acids and over 20 minerals, which most of these are essential to the body. Aloe Vera is also known for its ability to clean the liver and protect the digestive system by reducing intestinal inflammation.

Natural Ways To Fight Fatigue In The Morning

Early in the morning...

Wake up to soothing music. If you wake to an alarm, set it to play your favorite music instead of a loud jarring, annoying buzz. Pleasing music will still wake you up and is much more invigorating and relaxing than the traditional alarm.


Stretch and rise. When you wake, take a few moments to enjoy the stillness. Blink your eyes. Take several deep, relaxing breaths. Open and close your hands. Loosen your shoulders, and release any energy-draining tension in your jaw, shoulders, and every other spot on your body. Slowly stretch your neck, and arch your back. By easing out of sleep, you retain more of the invigorating power of that sleep.

Think positively about the upcoming day. Imagine yourself at your best, having fun and getting many things accomplished. This initial impression of what's ahead really matters for your energy level.

Give yourself a reason to get out of bed. To break the snooze-button habit, give yourself something to look forward to every morning. Email an old friend on your way out of the office at night so you can't wait to check your incoming mail the next morning.

Start off with a tall glass of water. When you open your eyes in the morning, your body is already thirsty; all night long you lose water with every exhaled breath. To combat this energy-sapping drought, drink a big glass of water or two as you get out of bed.

Ease off the sugar. Sweet breakfasts are an energy disaster, since nothing plummets your blood sugar faster after an initial kick than concentrated forms of simple carbohydrates such as corn or maple syrup. Any sweet topping with corn syrup in it - such as the typical maple-flavored syrup or a lot of jellies - is an especially good bet to spike-and-dip your blood sugar to lethargic levels.

Have a hearty breakfast. What happens to your energy in the hours that follow breakfast will depend on what you eat before you head out or get started on the day's chores. When you eat a low-fat, high-fiber breakfast - even a small serving - you switch on and turn up your energy.

A little goes a long way. You don't need a five-course meal in the morning. Keep it simple - an apple, banana, orange, or half a grapefruit, for example, with some whole grain toast or a whole grain bagel with nonfat cream cheese on top, and a cup of tea or coffee. Or try mixing whole grain cereal with a 4-oz serving of nonfat or low-fat yogurt.

Don't forget your OJ. The vitamin C in your morning glass of orange juice helps your body make a substance called carnitine, which muscles need in order to burn fat as fuel for energy. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C is an easy way to help keep fatigue at bay.

Make it easy to exercise. Encourage yourself to exercise in the morning by laying out your clothes the night before. Simply seeing them beside your bed will help remind you - and inspire you - to get up and get moving.

Shower yourself with energy. A long, hot shower really gets you going in the morning. To get the most out of your shower, try using a body brush and an herbal shower gel that contains energizing aroma such as lemon or pine. Finish off with an invigorating splash of cold water.

Sing out loud. One expert suggests you'll get more energy in the morning if you sing in the shower. Even if you do it badly, singing makes you breathe more deeply - especially if it's loud and involves a lot of words.

Drinking Water On An Empty Stomach

This is a repost from a forwarded email to me, and I've been following religiously.. it sure does wonders:

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:


Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3.. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:

1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily..

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times. It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.
Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.
Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks:
· Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting,
· Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
· You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
· Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
· 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
· Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this message sends it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.

Uses For Cucumber

I received this forwarded email a couple of months ago. Posting to hear your comments if these tips work...


1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

6. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

7. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

8. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

9. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

10. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

11. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!


According to About.com a cup of sliced cucumbers contain the follow amounts of what is listed above:

•Calcium: 8 mg
•Iron: 0.15 mg
•Magnesium: 7 mg
•Phosphorus: 12 mg
•Potassium: 76 mg
•Zinc: 0.10 mg
•Vitamin C: 1.5 mg
•Thiamin (B1): 0.014 mg
•Riboflavin (B2): 0.017 mg
•Niacin (B3): 0.051 mg
•Pantothenic Acid (B5): 0.135 mg
•Vitamin B6: 0.021 mg
•Vitamin B12: 0 mcg

Sore Throat Home Remedies

* Drink cider vinegar. This sore throat cure is found in several different remedies. Here are a few of the more popular ones:
**For sipping: Mix 1 tablespoon each of honey and cider vinegar in 1 cup warm water.
**For gargling: You'll need 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, and 1 cup warm water. Dissolve the salt in the vinegar, then mix in the water. Gargle every 15 minutes as necessary.


*Sip lemon juice. Mix 1 tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice in 1 cup warm water. Sip this mixture.

*Gargle with warm salt water. If you can gargle without gagging, make a saline solution by adding 1/2 teaspoon salt to a cup of very warm water. Yes, when your mother told you to gargle with salt water, she knew what she was talking about. It cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup warm water, and gargle every three to four hours.

*Gargle turmeric. Try this gargle to calm a cranky throat. Mix together 1 cup hot water, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gargle with the mixture twice a day. If you're not good with the gargle, mix 1/2 teaspoon turmeric in 1 cup hot milk and drink. Turmeric stains clothing, so be careful when mixing and gargling.

Try Some Light Physical Exercises

Try Some Light Physical Exercises


*Stretch your arms and back.
*Extend your legs, then relax them.
*Shake your arms, letting your wrists hang loosely so that your
hands feel nerveless and floppy.
*Do the same with your feet, shaking your legs one at a time so
that your ankles wobble freely and your feet feel loose.
*Gently rotate your neck and shoulders.
*Take several relaxed breaths.

These simple, enjoyable light exercises can be done as soon as you get out of bed. Just a minute you will feel to reduce tension and increase alertness and energy.

Maintain Your Energy Throughout The Afternoon

Maintaining Your Energy Throughout The Afternoon

Sometimes as daily chores take their toll on us towards the afternoon, our energy tends to plummet. Here are simple ways to boost the highs and lessen the lows, helping you easily cope
with the rest of the day's work.


Break for energy. Short breaks speed up work and increase energy. When people take short breaks, they have a greater number of total accomplishments per day and also exhibit less
distress and fatigue. A 2- to 5-minute break resets your pace, allowing you to experience natural, powerful waves of energy that continue for up to 3 hours.

Reevaluate your task. Your energy is highest whenever you're doing something that is meaningful and exciting to you. On the other hand, whenever work is boring and monotonous, energy and alertness fade. During your breaks, stop and ask yourself why you are doing a task, where it is leading you or if you should shift your attention.

Be aware of the first signs of fatigue. For most people, signs of reduced attentiveness or energy appear about every half-hour or so during the day. The very first feelings of increased tension, tiredness, distraction, or anxiety are your cue that it's time for a break.

Catch a few naps if you can. Our bodies are programmed to gear down in the afternoon, turning down metabolism and body temperature and causing the dreaded mid-afternoon slump. You can wipe out a mid-afternoon slump very quickly with a 20- to 30-minute nap.

Smooth on an eye gel. If your eyes get fatigued at work, patting on an eye gel over your makeup can refresh them.

Stop staring. The eyestrain from staring at a computer screen can cause headache, fatigue, and related tension in your neck and shoulders. To combat eyestrain, look away from your
screen- or the papers you are working on, or anything you're staring at - every half-hour or so.

Don't let deadlines pressure you. Working under a deadline can make you tense your muscles and hold your breath - often unknowingly. To combat this fatigue-causing combination,
consciously think about breathing normally, then close your eyes and imagine yourself in a tranquil setting.

Stretch the tension away. If keeping sedentary at work all day saps your energy, try stretching. It gets muscles working, blood moving, and breathing going, all of which to perk you up.
Here are two quick moves that loosen muscles that are likely to tense up:
(1) Put your arms behind your back, and intertwine your fingers. Straighten and raise your arms until you feel a stretch in the chest, shoulders,and arms (do not bend forward). Hold for 30 seconds.
(2) While seated, intertwine your fingers and raise your arms overhead. Press your hands upward, lean to one side for 10 seconds, then lean to the other side for 10 seconds.

Banish Wrinkles By These Good Habits

All these skin care and anti-skin aging tips I learned from salon professionals and by practice of my lovely MIL :)

Sleep on your back. You create wrinkles by sleeping on your side or belly, with your face on the pillow. You'll observe this in people who have creases on their forehead, running above their eyebrows. For some people, sleeping on their back eliminates this problem.


Take your vitamins. The best vitamins for your skin are B-complex vitamins, found in beef, chicken, eggs and whole wheat, and antioxidants--vitamins A, C and E--which are abundant in green leafy vegetables, carrots and fresh fruit. These vitamins help ensure healthy and young-looking skin. To assure the required amount of vitamins needed, try a food supplement.

Always use shades when heading out. This greatly reduces the occurrence of wrinkles in the eye area by avoiding bright light that makes you squint. One especially problem area for wrinkles is around the eyes--what we call crow's feet. These wrinkles often result from squinting, so one way to avoid them, or lessen their severity, is to wear sunglasses when you go outside.

Keep a stone face. Excessive frowning or smiling, or any other much repeated facial expression, emphasizes wrinkles. Be aware how often your facial expressions change--especially frowning and crying. The verdict is still unclear regarding facial exercises prescribed by some salons, as other experts advise against them, because excessive facial contortions only "aggravate" wrinkles.

Cease the smoking habit. Smoking is a big no-no if you want to prevent wrinkles. Smokers have more wrinkles than people who don't smoke, especially around their lips. That's because smoking robs the complexion of oxygen, decreasing blood circulation to facial skin and resulting in premature lines and wrinkles. Plus, anyone puffing on a cigarette is essentially doing a lot of repetitive facial movements that add even more wrinkles.

Go light on the bottle. The sobering fact is, excessive drinking causes your face to "puff up" the morning after, which temporarily stretches the skin. Subsequent shrinking brings your face back to normal but also causes wrinkles, says Gerald Imber, M.D., a plastic surgeon at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City.

Wash with the cool and mild. Excessive washing and scrubbing--particularly with hot water and harsh soaps--tends to dissolve oils that help nourish the skin, says Jerome Z. Litt, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. Dr. Litt says to wash with cool or lukewarm water, using a mild soap or cleanser such as Neutrogena soap or Moisturel sensitive skin cleanser.

Avoid the midday sun. I was once shocked to find a woman in her fifties enter a salon trying to find treatment for her premature wrinkles, and I know older women who looked better than her! She admitted, she frequents beaches during travel thereby exposing her to sunlight than a regular traveler.
Too much sun exposure is the leading cause of premature wrinkles. The trouble is, no one can avoid the sun all the time. But take note: About 95 percent of the sun's wrinkling rays occur when sun is at it's strongest--between 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.--says Stephen Kurtin, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. As long as you avoid those maximum-intensity hours, you're doing your skin a favor.

Stretching Exercises For Your Neck, Shoulders and Spine

To avoid placing undue stress on your neck, shoulders, and spine while you're sitting, your head must be poised in a comfortable, centered position. Here's a simple way to make yourself more aware of the most comfortable position possible.

(1) Sit comfortably in an armless chair or on a bench, with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your eyes open while you read these instructions, but after you get used to this exercise, try it with your eyes closed. Breathe naturally and comfortably.


(2) Lengthen your neck, and let your head move up. As you raise your head, bring your chin slightly in, broaden your shoulders, and flatten your lower back.

(3) Gently lean your head to the left, then to the right. Finally, return your head to the most central, balanced position - that is, the place directly over your body where you can balance it without feeling any muscle strain.

(4) Move your head slightly forward and then back. Then find the precise center once again.

(5) While you do this, work with the following image: visualize yourself carrying a weight on top of your head. Your task is to push up against that weight, holding it in position so it won't fall off. If you keep in mind this image of a weight, you'll give your senses instant, valuable signals that will help balance and stabilize your head and neck.

Try using this awareness exercise whenever you sit down, when you're waiting in line, and when you are about to start some chore. Using these movements and this imagery enables you to relax your neck. You'll quickly and consciously choose where to hold your head with the least strain.

Eggplant For Skin Care Uses

Eggplant is one of world's most widely eaten vegetables, but did you know that it is also excellent for skin care? Eggplant is packed with Vitamins A, C and E. This group of vitamins together has powerful antioxidant properties that save the skin from damage and aging. Antioxidants also protect the skin from photo-damage. It is one of the most important reasons behind the appearance of signs of aging as proved by research.


Eat eggplant For Gorgeous Skin

Regular consumption of eggplant provides the body with Vitamins B and K. These vitamins play a very important role in keeping skin cells replenished. Moreover, the presence of proteins and various minerals like, calcium, magnesium, potassium and selenium helps in maintaining the vitality and elasticity of skin.

Therefore, consume eggplant regularly. If you do not know how to begin, then try out some super healthy eggplant recipes. Good health and beautiful skin will come effortlessly!

Apply Eggplant For Beautiful Skin
Eggplant Juice

Applying eggplant juice regularly can help in lightening sun spots and pigmentation significantly.

Take about 2 tablespoons eggplant juice and add a few drops of lemon and orange essential oils to it. Dab a large cotton ball and apply evenly to clean face and neck. Keep the juice on until it dries off completely. Wash off with cold water and pat dry.

Do this at least once a day for best results. It is recommended that you do it in the night as lemon and orange essential oils sensitize the skin to the sun's rays for a couple of hours.
Eggplant Face Pack

Take a small bowl and mix together 2 tablespoons gram flour, 1 teaspoon eggplant pulp, 1/2 teaspoon honey and 2-3 drops of fresh lime juice. Stir in enough eggplant juice to form a smooth and thick paste.

Apply the mixture evenly to face and neck. Keep the pack for about 25-30 minutes and then remove by massaging in gentle circular movements with damp fingers. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Use this pack at least thrice a week for best results.

Follow all these tips to obtain the skin of your dreams!

Source:Philventures

Home Remedies For Gallstones

Gone are those days when surgical procedures were the only way to eliminate gallstones. Thankfully, today we have a whole slew of non-surgical methods and a good deal of traditional home remedies to flush out bile stones from the gallbladder. From resorting to high-fiber diet to improving your water intake to losing weight, there are a number of home cures to help you tackle painful gallstones. Below mentioned are some proven home remedies for gallstones. Try one of these cures next time you are hit by an excruciating pain on your lower quadrant for quick relief.


Gallstones Home Remedies

Consuming about four tablespoons of lemon juice every morning on empty stomach for seven days can eliminate gallstones from your gallbladder. Follow it up with two glasses of water to flush out the bile stones entirely.

Drinking a blend of fresh juices like beetroot, carrot, and cucumber twice every day will help egest gallstones from the duct. Alternatively, you might try drinking a potion made from 30 ml of unprocessed sunflower or olive oils. Drink this concoction first thing in the morning and follow it up with 120 ml of lemon or grapefruit juice. Doing so will help dissolve the gallstones over a period and is deemed as one the best home remedies for treating gallstones.

Pear is believed to do wonders for gallstones and is extremely good for your gallbladder health. Eating pears in abundance will help soften the bile stones and cleanse the gallbladder.

Herbal tea extracts made from aromatic plant like St. John's Wort can help melt gallstones, flush out kidney stones, and flush out toxic substances from the body. Just brew four to five leaves of these herbal plant in boiling water until the quantity has reduced to half, strain the decoction and drink it several times in a day to eradicate gallstones.

Wine, of all things, can help thwart the risk of gallstone attacks largely. Consuming half a glass of beer or wine can cut down the number of attacks. However, stay away from going overboard with your drink.

Source: Philventures