The Best Lighting for Applying Makeup

Many women have wondered, “What is the best light for applying my makeup?” This question was just answered by world-renowned makeup artist, Pat McGrath, in Allure magazine - it's natural daylight. Natural light shows everything and is unforgiving, without being harsh and unflattering. It’s a true reveal of how your makeup looks to everyone around you. The worst lighting for makeup application is fluorescent, which is found in most offices and department stores. It gives the skin a greenish cast which makes it look unhealthy, almost sickly. Fluorescent lighting can wash out the skin and emphasize under-eye shadows and dark circles. Women tend to over-apply their concealer, foundation, and blush when putting it on under fluorescent lights. They may also be heavy when applying their lip-color or choose a shade which is too dark or too bright, trying to correct the tone fluorescents are throwing onto their face. Unfortunately, this is the lighting at many cosmetic counters and is a reason woman buy makeup, thinking that it looks good in the store, but then hating it once they get home.

Incandescent bulbs in most household lamps, throw a warm yellow light. This is much more flattering; however, it doesn’t reveal the imperfections which make-up can cover. A common mistake when putting on makeup in this light is poor blending because it’s not as easy to see where an area was missed. It’s also a struggle to put on makeup if there isn’t an overhead light-source. We need light thrown onto our face, not the sides of it from a lamp somewhere else in the room. If staying in a hotel anywhere without good lighting, take a compact from your purse and check your application by a window. It’s a quick way to see how it "really" looks before leaving the room. Halogen light is most similar to daylight’s tone and is a great option for people without a window or natural light source in the area where they apply their makeup. Many makeup mirrors come with an option for halogen light and it can be put installed in a bathroom. Once great makeup has been applied, the most flattering lighting for someone else to look at you is by candlelight. It’s romantic, softens those little lines and imperfections, and makes us all look and feel beautiful.

6 Varieties of Green Tea: Add Them to your Diet for Countless Health Benefits

All green tea comes from the Camellia sinenis plant; however, teas come in many different flavors and aromas depending on where and how the individual leaves are grown. Throughout Asia, green tea is a common part of the daily diet. It is both enjoyed as a beverage and incorporated into various food preparations. Global medical studies have shown signficant health benefits of green tea. It reduces belly fat, lowers the risk of tooth decay, repairs DNA damage from UVB rays which decreases the risks of melanoma, and prevents stroke and lung cancer. Regular consumption of green tea can lower cholesterol and help prevent heart disease, while new research from the Hong Kong Eye Hospital suggests it may even protect against glaucoma. The beauty industry is also aware of the power of green tea and made it a key ingredient in many anti-aging formulations. Green teas is believed to slow the aging of cells and have rejuvenating properties when ingested or applied topically to the skin.

Below are descriptions of the six main green tea varieties. Enjoy them as a brew or consider these easy ideas for adding them to delicious and nutritious meals:

1. Matcha: A strong and grassy flavor. When the leaves are ground into a fine powder for tea, it delivers more antioxidants than other teas because you are consuming the actual leaves. Matcha green tea powder can be added to a smoothie or sprinkled over ice-cream as a nutrition-packed topping.

2. Dragon Well: A toasty flavor, with soft chestnut notes. Dragon Well tea is among the most popular teas in China. In cooking, the leaves are usually chopped and added to other spices. It works well as a rub on chicken or steak.

3. Sencha: A mild and lightly sweet flavor. These leaves are steamed in Japan and rolled into a needle form. It is one of the most popular drinking teas in Japan. Dried sencha leaves can be added to dough batter for green-tea infused cakes, cookies, and muffins for a dessert with nutrition as well as taste.

4. Gunpowder: A hearty flavor with a sweet finish. This tea is pan-fired and then tightly rolled into small pellet shapes. A cup of gunpowder tea is a good alternative to a traditional broth-base for vegetable soups.

4. Kukicha: A light, woodsy flavor. Commonly called “twig tea”, kukicha comes from thinly cut stalks of sencha and gyokuro leaves. It works wonderfully a seafood marinade and compliments sweet fishes, like halibut or scallops.

5. Hojicha: A toasted, nutty flavor. This tea is made from leaves which are roasted until they’re a dark brown color and picked at the end of the season. It contains lower levels of caffeine than other green teas. A cup of fully steeped hojicha tea can be poured over brown rice or roasted squash and finished with a sprinkle of chestnuts.

Early Egyptian Beauty

Long before there was a cosmetics counter, women were concerned about their appearance. Evidence of beauty products has been found in Egyptian tombs as far back as 4,000 BC and detailed cosmetic rituals are recorded in ancient Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Hittite, Greek and Roman literature. The Ebers Papyrus, a document which dates back to approximately 1500 B.C., even describes an anti-aging treatment made of honey, baking powder, salt and powdered alabaster. Some of the most beauty-conscious of our female ancestors were the women of ancient Egypt.

Egyptian women are known for their mysterious beauty. While this can be naturally attributed to their raven locks and sun-kissed skin, they also knew the power of personal grooming and pioneered early cosmetics and skincare. Since they lived in a sweltering desert, Egyptian women relied heavily on oils and fats to moisturize and keep their skin soft and supple. Duane W. Roller, Author of Cleopatra: A Biography (Oxford University Press) reported on the great Queen’s use of castor oil, palm oil, and various animal fats to protect and hydrate her skin. In fact, oils such as olive, coconut and sweet almond are still used for skin and hair-care by many cultures today. Paintings, drawings, and sculptures of Egyptian women always show their distinctive eyeliner. To achieve the exotic effect, they used a mixture of kohl powder from ground minerals. It not only emphasized their eyes but offered the added protection of deflecting the rays of the sun. Roller also tells us that Egyptian women added flush to their cheeks with a red powder made from ground iron-oxide minerals like hematite and ochre, which was an early form of blush.

Queen Cleopatra reportedly indulged in mild sour milk baths to reduce wrinkles and rejuvenate her skin. The lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxyl acid which is commonly added to many of today’s anti-aging cleansers, toners, masks, and moisturizers. To keep them looking younger, Egyptian women also colored their hair. Grays were covered with a temporary black dye made from the blood of a calf or bull. Egyptians also considered thick eyebrows to be a sign of beauty and experimented with brow fillers. Some women having naturally thin browns shaved their off and painted on thicker false ones, while others made their brows look fuller using a combination of honey and crocodile dung.

Green Tea for Great Skin

About Green Tea
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant which has been used for many years in alternative medicines and natural remedies. Its medicinal properties are attributed to its polyphenols, which are believed to help prevent many health maladies, such as cancer, skin aging, cardiovascular disease, and weight-control. Green tea extract also boasts anti-inflammatory properties and provides free-radical protection. Studies have shown that green tea helps the body both when ingested internally and applied topically to the skin through creams, serums, and other treatments.

Skin Cancer Protection
Green tea helps ameliorate sun damage by blocking free radicals which guards against carcinogenesis and DNA damage. It also brings down any inflammation of the skin, rather than simply blocking ultra-violet rays alone. In this way, green tea enhances sun protection synergistically when used in combination with a sunscreen. The flavanols, polyphenols, and EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) in green tea naturally help heal damaged cells and soothes the skin. When applying green tea extract to the skin prior to a sunscreen, look for a product to layer over it which contains zinc oxide so it is non-reactive to the green tea. If skin is already sunburned, a cool green tea compress freshly brewed from the leaves, is both soothing and healing.

Anti-aging
Compared to vitamins A and C, the EGCG in green tea has up to 100 times more antioxidant potency and can be found in many health and wellness regimens. It can be ingested by drinking the traditional tea, adding a concentrated serum to other beverages, or taken through supplement capsules. When enough of the polyphenols in the tea reach the bloodstream, it’s believed the effects will be noticeable in the skin. However it must be drank often and in large quantities. A better way than just drinking the tea, is to apply it directly to the skin’s surface. Green tea is included in many of today’s anti-aging skin formulations because it slows the aging of cells, firms and tones, and calms and restores balance to stressed skin. Green tea is also found in body-care moisturizers, shower gels, facial toners, and treatment masks. Some wellness spas are even using green tea during facials to steam the face, which opens the pores and conveys the tea’s many benefits directly and deeply into the skin. However, when buying a commercial green tea product, it’s important to know that like many antioxidants, the polyphenols in green tea are oxidized and lose their activity when exposed to air. So it is not clear how much of their benefits are retained. The best way to ensure effective results is to brew the tea and make your own skincare preparations. Frozen fresh-brewed green tea can be stored as ice cubes, slightly thawed, and then used as a toner. Cloths soaked in chilled green tea are a wonderful remedy for inflammed skin, while warm compresses of fresh-brewed tea will open the pores and impart a healthy, natural radiance.

Rosacea and Acne Treatment
Some studies show green tea extract cream is an effective homeopathic treatment for the common skin-condition, rosacea. A study was presented at the annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting which showed women treated with green tea extract cream experienced a 70% improvement in rosacea, as opposed to women given a placebo. It was especially effective in reducing the redness and inflammation associated with the condition. Many rosacea patients are seeing their skin signifantly improve once adding green tea as a supplement to their prescription creams, gels, or oral antibiotics. Green tea may even help treat acne naturally, without the drying and irritating side-effects of benzoyl peroxide. Anyone with these skin conditions should discuss the benefits of using green tea with their dermatologist.

Five Suprising Facts About Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil has been used for centuries as a skin and hair conditioner. Its use was documented by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians who considered it an essential part of their beauty rituals. It was also used in early medicinal preparations and contributes too many of today’s tastiest desserts. Sweet almond oil comes from the plant which blooms beautiful white flowers and produces sweet almonds. Their kernel contains this essential oil which offers these five surprising health and beauty benefits.

1. Aromatherapy
Among the most popular carrier oils used for Aromatherapy, sweet almond oil is a favorite for massage. It is very light and mixes well with heavier scented oils such as lavender, jasmine, and sandalwood. Sweet almond oil is easily absorbed into the skin and is an effective emollient which leaves skin soft and glowing. In India it is widely used for baby massage because it has almost no scent and is believed to have a calming effect.

2. Alternative Medicine
Sweet almond oil was used in early medicine to treat dry, itchy skin because it has properties which boost immunity and are anti-inflammatory. Alternative medicine practitioners continue to use it topically for psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, sunburn and to relieve strained muscles. Up until the 20th century, a spoonful of sweet almond oil was ingested to help physical maladies relating to the bladder and kidneys. It is still considered soothing to the digestive system and may even help reduce cholesterol.

3. Anti-Aging
Sweet almond oil is full of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is rich in skin-friendly vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, D, and E and contains the essential minerals magnesium and calcium. Many women consider it as an essential part of a natural, anti-aging skincare regimen because it nourishes their complexion and gives it a healthy radiance. Sweet almond oil has been shown to lighten under-eye circles, while hydrating and softening lines around the eyes. It can also elevate signs of environment stress on the skin and diminish the appearance of wrinkles emphasized by surface dryness.

4. Skin Moisturizer
Sweet almond oil mimics the natural human sebum and is deeply absorbed into the skin. Its’ clear, pure moisture leaves skin soft and restores youthful tone and suppleness. Sweet almond oil is well-tolerated by all skin types, including sensitive skin. After shaving, it prevents a man’s face from becoming irritated and beautifully conditions a woman’s legs. During warmer months, women especially enjoy rubbing sweet almond oil on their shoulders and legs where it leaves a light and pretty sheen.

5. Hair and Scalp Conditioner
A few drops of sweet almond oil massaged gently into the head will help moisturize dry scalp, soothe irritation, and restore balance. When rubbed into dry, stressed hair it adds luster and natural conditioning. Sweet almond oil smoothes the hair cuticle and gives tresses a soft and polished appearance. Its use has been a timeless global hair care secret of many Mediterranean women.

Why Eat Soy?

Soy. It’s become a pretty common food over the last ten years or so. What’s not as common is the knowledge of why it’s so good for you. Lots of folks passing through their local coffee shop order a soy latte because it tastes good. Others have noticed the white stuff in their Chinese food, even if they don’t actually know that it’s tofu. The truth is that soy offers many significant health benefits, from a decreased risk of heart disease, to prevention of many cancers. It even brings relief from menopausal symptoms. Soy will also aid a body’s fight against kidney disease and osteoporosis, offers immune system support, and gives you increased energy. That’s one amazing soybean.

How does soy do all of this? The power behind (or in this case inside) the bean is something called isoflavones, which are a group of estrogens from plants. Two specific isoflavones (genestin and dadizen) are responsible for the soybean’s amazing health benefits. Soy is also one of the only plant foods with a perfect balance of the eight essential amino acids universally recognized by the medical community. In 1999 the Food and Drug Administration recommended a diet with a low intake of saturated fat and at least 25 grams of soy protein to lower cholesterol and help prevent heart disease.

There are many compelling reasons to add soy to our diet and several ways you can eat or drink soy. Soy milk has become especially popular among the lactose-intolerant, as a healthy (and tasty) milk alternative. One of the best ways to drink soy is with Energizing Soy Protein, from Shaklee, the leading nutritional company in the United States. Energizing Soy Protein offers a biologically complete source of protein that contains the naturally occurring soy isoflavones and amino acids, along with calcium for amazing energy. The great thing about Shaklee’s soy drink is that they use soybeans that are pure and natural – not genetically altered.

Since soy is so beneficial for you, go ahead and order that soy-milk latte – not to be trendy but to be health-smart. Snack on soybeans, stir-fry with tamari, and you can even add soy protein mix to cooking and baking for uber muffins and casseroles. There are many terrific options for adding soy to your family’s diet. Soy foods and drinks tastes good and you’ll feel great –courtesy of that perfect little bean.

Nutrition’s Best Friend is the Multivitamin

It’s estimated that over 80% of Americans do not consume the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day necessary for good health. For many people, this doesn’t come as a big surprise. It can be hard to fit in that many servings of fruits and veggies during the course of a busy day. Even forewarned with nutrition knowledge and having the best dietary intentions, it’s pretty hard to eat right while on the go. The good news is that we no longer have to struggle to maintain our health through food alone thanks to nutritional science and the multivitamin.

People today prepare meals at home far less frequently than past generations. Two working parents often add up to a lot of take-out food and restaurants aren’t often following health-conscious preparation. Many restaurants in the United States also provide portions that are too large and are made with excessive amounts of sodium and saturated fats. Today’s jobs frequently call for hectic schedules which cause irregular or even skipped meals. Stress is also an unwelcome companion of many employees which causes them to snack on nutritionally-empty foods and adopt poor overall eating habits. When working late, it is simply easier to find a vending machine than a carrot.

Even if someone is in the 20% group of diet champions, it’s still a good idea to take a multivitamin supplement. Even the most diligently consumed fruits and vegetables may not contain the highest levels of certain vitamins (such as D and E). People not taking vitamins are also likely not getting enough protection against diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiac disease. The Journal of the American Medical Association acknowledges that even the healthiest of pregnant women don’t take in enough folate through diet alone to help prevent birth defects. Another consideration for adding a multivitamin is the adverse affects current processing, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers have on our foods. As with all things, not all multivitamins are the same. It’s important to look for vitamins and minerals that are combined in a similar way to what’s found in nature to optimize their synergy. You want their components to be supremely balanced and find vitamins that are backed by reputable clinical studies and contain all 23 of the recommended vitamins and minerals at proven levels for the best possible health benefits.

Global Hair Care Secrets

Women vacationing in a foreign country today are increasingly more likely to pick up a new shampoo or conditioner than a souvenir T-shirt and for good reason. Women native to those lands know more about beauty and natural hair care. If we’re honest, we’ll admit that women notice other women, and that includes their hair. When in Paris, who can fail to admire their edgy, fashion-forward haircuts? In Sweden blondes reign supreme and, while at least some of that blonde must come from a bottle, whatever else they’re doing to their hair certainly doesn’t make it look like it. Even on adventure in the outback you can look for indigenous animals and instead spy Aussie women with thick, shiny, beautiful hair. No matter how covert our glance, when it comes to other women we measure, assess, and when traveling abroad, often find our own hair wanting. Compared to our global contemporaries, our hair can look over-processed, damaged and just plain dull. Many western women today have bought into the idea that they have to use chemical-based mass produced products from known beauty conglomerates to have great hair. Billions of dollars are spent each year to convince women that science has improved upon mother-nature and when it comes to hair care; we just need to look at a few examples from around the world to prove them wrong.

In the Caribbean coast lowlands of Central America, are native women of the Miskito Indians. They have long, glorious hair which is thicker than any celebrity weave. The Miskito met Columbus on his exploration in the Americas in 1502 and five centuries later they are called Tawira, or “the people of beautiful hair.”™ Most of us are happy to have a few “good hair” days a week and these folks have had gorgeous hair for five centuries! Many Americans think they need to live in a city for the best hair care but they'd be better off growing up in the Mosquitia region’s rainforest near the tropical Ojon® tree. Nuts from this tree contain exotic oil that can be harvested, extracted and perform miracles on your hair and skin.

Many people travel to Germany for their renowned beer festivals. Women at those festivals are not just drinking their lager but are actually pouring it on their hair. It seems that the protein in beer is fantastic, natural hair care. It helps repair damaged cuticles and makes hair smoother and shiner. It’s a great remedy for dull, dry hair.

Egypt is called the land of mysteries. One of the greatest mysteries is how, along with her kohl-lined eyes, Cleopatra is immortalized for the ages for having such striking, raven hair? Records have revealed the famous queen’s hair care ritual of rinsing her hair in rainwater and rubbing sweet-smelling almond oil into her tresses to help ensnare the Romans. Egyptian women today preserve this natural hair care ritual of incorporating oil, cold pressed from almonds, to improve the quality of their hair and promote its natural beauty. Castor oil is also a natural emollient to hair that penetrates deeply and softens hair strands. It is pressed from castor beans indigenous to tropical Africa and has been discovered in the Egyptian tombs dating as far back as 4000 BC.

If you’ve ever vacationed in the Mediterranean you’ll fall in love with their way of life and be sure to change your thinking about hair care. An article in Women’s Health Magazine revealed that 53% of Italian women feel they look younger than they are. One reason for this healthy attitude is their appreciation for olive oil and not just in cooking. Olive oil is a timeless beauty aid that has been used in natural skin care and hair care treatment for more than 4,000 years – far longer than mainstream companies have been plugging their wares. Olive oil’s cosmetic use is documented throughout ancient literature, appearing in Mesopotamian, Hittite, Mycenaean, Hebrew, Greek and Roman writings. Today’s Mediterranean women continue to follow the hair care and natural skin care tradition of their ancestors and use olive oil because of its incredible ability to beautify.

Swedish women rely on algae and sea proteins to protect and restore their healthy blonde locks. Algae extract is a key ingredient in many of the hair care repair products that hail from Sweden. Algae are thought to be an excellent food, heralded for thousands of years for its mild taste and assimilated nutrients. It is also an important ingredient in hair care and natural skin care products because its protein content helps to revitalize and condition dull, lifeless and damaged hair and revitalize skin. Many high-priced product lines are coming out with marine-based products because they’ve learned this Swedish secret.

Conjure up an image of an “Amazon” and you think of strong, proud, beautiful female warrior or….a supermodel. Undoubtedly males everywhere are thankful that the country of Brazil keeps populating lingerie catalogs. Aside from their long limbs and other perfect parts, Brazilian women have long, shiny, healthy hair. Women in Brazil for years have lived naturally but with a very real awareness of beauty. One way they achieve that gorgeous hair is with Brazil nut oil as part of their natural hair care routine. The oils quickly penetrate even the driest hair to give moisture and improve hair texture and scalp condition. The Brazil nut oil is also used for in natural skincare remedies which ensures Brazilians will look young and inspire envy for years to come.

With today’s current awareness of natural products, accessibility of the internet, and push toward “green” living, we’re more open minded than ever to adopt the beauty secrets of our world’s sisters. When it comes to beauty rituals, even the most natural, seemingly untouched women at the far-reaches of the world have them. The next time you’re on vacation and try to blame hotel water for the state of your hair, look at the woman around you, ask about their hair and skin care, and make room in your routine for a fabulous international idea.

Natural Mothers: Beware of Personal Care Products

Many women today are realizing the benefits of having a natural pregnancy and hope for natural birth. They are embracing clean living and being as organic as possible with their choices. However, while women are choosing clean foods and paying attention to their nutrition, they may not be as aware of their personal care products. Many products which are put on skin and hair may contain ingredients which could be harmful to a developing fetus. Personal care products are not held to the same standards as food so, while they could say they are natural, they still may not be completely safe during pregnancy. Products such as shampoos, conditioners, cleansers, self-tanners, deodorants, toothpaste, and even belly oil can be made with ingredients which are associated with cancer, allergies, biochemical and cellular mutation, and developmental and reproductive toxicity.

Most mothers aren’t aware that they may unknowingly be putting their baby at risk. Once they do learn of the potential harm, naturally minded mothers look to make choices which are safe, pure, and consistent with their overall approach to pregnancy. Even after their child is born, mothers are embracing the idea of a natural baby. They can continue their baby’s care with products that don’t have potentially harmful additives and are even good for the environment. As a means of helping educate women, the Environmental Working Group has compiled a database of skin, nail, cosmetics, and hair products and rated them based on their level of toxicity. Women can see the products which are considered the most harmful to the least. Moms-to-be can also go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and research products they are using on their body to see what ingredients could be passed to their baby. Mothers can make better choices which are healthier, more in keeping with an overall organic philosophy, better for them, and safer for their child.

Dieting for a Healthy Mind and Body

The word diet can cause so many negative feelings: guilt, deprivation, starvation, and even desperation. People who had previously enjoyed a healthy self-esteem reported feeling immediately depressed and anxious the day they start a diet. They crave certain foods more once put on a forbidden list and want to consume calories when asked to count them. Consider the common “last meal” approach to dieting as proof of how much dread is associated with the process. People planning to start a diet typically overindulged on their favorite foods the day before, as if they never expect to eat them again. If the intention behind a decision to diet is so positive then why does the process make people feel so bad? It may be because the focus is on outer appearance instead of inner health.

The primary motivator to lose weight should be to achieve a greater state of wellness. If someone is overweight, they are at higher risk for many serious ailments like heart disease and diabetes. Even if a patient has already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, studies have shown that people who lose weight are two times more able to successfully control their disease. The American Institute for Cancer tells us that losing weight can also help prevent certain cancers like colon, breast, prostate and uterine cancers. Patients who lose weight will have more energy and put less stress on their joints. There are many physical ailments that can’t be controlled but thankfully, weight is one that we can. People need to should say to themselves, “I am starting a diet, not because I don’t look good, but to be healthier.” Rather than looking for immediate results on a scale, dieters need to make better food choices and increase their physical activity. They should adopt a manageable and reasonable eating plan which they can maintain throughout their life - not an extreme fix. Crash diets often confuse the metabolism and people end up gaining back the weight they lost, plus additional pounds. People who focus on improving their physical and mental condition will experience an improved state of peace, health, wellness, and weight.

Herbs and Oil, Pure Ingredients for Beauty

When you consider herbs and oil, you may first think of salad dressing. While it’s true that these ingredients are delicious on a salad, they are also very effective natural beauty alternatives. Long before a department store cosmetics counter, women were concerned about their appearance. Evidence of beauty products has been found in Egyptian tombs as far back as 4,000 BC and there’s been detailed cosmetic rituals recorded in ancient Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Hittite, Greek, and Roman literature. Our ancestors used, among other preparations, various herbs and oils. These timeless products can compete with many products in today’s mainstream market and are a pure and organic approach to natural beauty.

A popular example of an herb being used on the skin is green tea. It is a natural antiseptic and has calming, soothing properties. Chamomile makes a relaxing cup of tea and helps relieve puffiness around the eyes. Tea tree oil is great for the hair and is very effective at ridding the scalp of general bacteria, dandruff, and hair lice. Jojoba oil, extracted from the plant, is also good for the scalp, skin, and hair. Some products promote the fact that they contain jojoba oil. However, it’s better to simply buy the raw oil and eliminate unnecessary filler ingredients. Castor oil is pressed from castor beans that origin in Africa. The famed Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, is known for both attracting Romans and her shiny raven-colored hair. Royal records show that she regularly applied castor oil to her hair and rubbed sweet almond oil into her skin. Who wouldn’t want to follow the beauty rituals of a queen that’s been immortalized for her allure? Sweet almond oil has no scent and can be directly applied to the skin. It absorbs quickly, leaves no greasy residue, and contains the nutritious hair and skin vitamins: E, A, D and B. Women in Spain swear by almond oil and it has been an integral part of their skincare regime for centuries.

Basil is wonderful in a pesto sauce but even better on your face. It has antiseptic properties and improves the appearance of scars and black spots. Rosemary is not only tasty on small red potatoes but improves circulation, especially on older, wrinkled skin. It can also help clear acne naturally and give shine to dull hair. Another herb often found in a spice cabinet, which should also be in the bathroom closet, is Thyme. It is a fantastic natural exfoliate. Something not as mainstream yet used in countries around the world is Neem. Neem is sold as a powder, oil, or pill and used to treat skin disorders such as: acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also be a regular skin cleanser and is supposed to be effective in reducing odor. A powerful herb that can be used to achieve bright glowing skin is the Turmeric root (in powder form). It is an organic antibiotic that is excellent for oily, acne-prone skin and a key ingredient in many face masks. Turmeric stabilizes the skin’s pH balance and gives it a luminous glow. It will tighten and brighten the skin, while naturally lightening pigmentation. Primrose oil is extracted from the plant and helps encourage healthy nails, hair and skin. It can be found in most organic markets which carry essential oils. Another herbal treatment is Saw Palmetto, which originates from the berries of a particular type of palm tree. Its beauty purpose is primarily a scalp treatment but some use it to treat skin conditions and other ailments. An article in Women’s Health magazine told us that 53% of women in Italy believe that they look younger than their age. This healthy attitude can in part be attributed to their use of olive oil. Olive oil has been used in Mediterranean beauty rituals for over 4,000 years. It is an extraordinary hair conditioner and likely right in most people’s pantry.

When outside of the kitchen, herbs are known for healing properties and being part of a sachet. However, herbs should also enjoy a reputation as beautifiers. Oils shouldn’t just be thought of a cooking ingredient but as an important part of a healthy beauty regime. Nature has given us raw materials for health, wellness and yes, beauty. Mainstream companies have recognized this and include herbs, oils and plant-based ingredients in their products. However, nature’s ingredients are often accompanied by man’s potentially harmful preservatives and you’re also paying for their processing, packaging, and marketing. If you want to achieve a natural beauty, consider the pure herbs and oils recognized by our ancestors and used by gorgeous woman around the world today– they are inexpensive, effective and timeless.

A Global Beauty Comparison

A feature in Women’s Health magazine showed how women around the world spend money on beauty products and feel about themselves. One of several interesting facts is that 38% of Indian women say they own zero skin-care products. This is almost unheard of in the United States where we believe skincare is necessary in the fight against aging. Women in Italy feel they actually look younger than they are but not so with the Americans. Our females think that they often appear stressed, fatigued, and older than their actual age. Over 90% of British women have never seen a dermatologist and it is a very rare event for them to indulge in a facial. Girls in Germany and Italy enjoy wearing mascara more than any other cosmetic and apply it daily. Women in China report that they are most concerned with whitening their teeth and love wearing red lipstick (a spectacular combination if they get it right). Women in Australia dream of body massages (over 73% would spend their paycheck on it) and 52% of Korean females would dip into their pockets for skin-lightening. Overall, Americans spend $39 a month on beauty treatments while the highest amount is spent in Italy. Italian women claim they spend an average $71 a month on their cosmetic rituals. The women happiest with their looks are the Argentine and Canadian, while the Japanese and French are less likely to smile when looking in the mirror. This was a surprisingly fact about the French, as Parisian women still set the global standard for beauty and chic.

Vivix – Today’s Foundation of Youth

History and literature dating back to biblical times are filled with stories about the search for the Fountain of Youth. The people of Florida may have this quest to thank, as legend says the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was searching for the Foundation of Youth when he found present-day Florida. Many different cultures have their own version of stories about magical waters that can restore the drinker’s youth and legends about the elixir of life. Such stories exist because of man’s desire for them to be true. Scientists and researchers have developed institutes that specifically study the aging in the hopes to better understand the process and slow the effects of time on the human body. The combination of science and years of research from the Shaklee Corporation, the number one natural nutrition company in the United States, has resulted in the anti-aging supplement called, Vivix.

The best science comes from nature and produces the healthiest, results. Vivix is a highly effective all-natural tonic that, if taken daily, will combat aging and promote overall health and wellness. Vivix is a patent-pending polyphenol blend whose ingredients have been shown to significantly impact the primary four mechanisms of cellular aging: DNA damage, genetic regulators, declining cellular energy production, and accumulation of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGE) proteins. The all natural polyphenol formulation in Vivix is blended with resveratrol, which has potent anti-aging properties and is found in plants, fruits, seeds, grapes and grape-derived products like red wine. You may have heard that having a glass of red wine daily has beneficial health properties and Vivix contains the equivalent amount of resveratrol as three-thousand glasses. In addition to its anti-aging properties, Vivix also promotes heart and cardiovascular function, brain health, provides improved immunity, supports joint function, increases cellular energy and longevity, and is excellent antioxidant support.

Once over a certain age we look for products that won’t stop the clock but at least make the hands appear to be moving slower. We want to feel strong and healthy for as long as possible and enjoy a feeling of youth and wellness. The key to looking and feeling young is embracing a healthy lifestyle and taking Vivix can help. While taking Vivix isn’t the same as bathing in magic waters, it is the closest thing to the elixir of life that science and nutritional study has achieved. It also would have saved Ponce de Leon a lot of mileage.

Why Your Body Needs Iron

Iron is among the most common metals found on earth and is a critical component of all forms of life. As humans, we need to ingest a certain amount of iron so our bodies can function properly. Iron plays an important role in protein’s delivery of oxygen throughout the body and helps ensure normal cell development and function. It builds the immune system’s response to disease and makes it less susceptible to the negative effects of stress. Iron also inhibits fatigue and help the body maintain a positive energy level. Without the needed amount of iron, people may tire more easily and suffer from frequent infections. They may experience a rapid heart rate and feel emotionally irritable. Some commons signs of iron deficiency are pale skin, a reduced appetite, and an inability to focus attention.

How to Get More Iron

While iron can be taken through nutritional supplements, the best way to give your body an adequate supply of iron is through the foods you eat. The recommended amount of daily iron intake for adults is eight milligrams a day for men. However, women under the age of fifty need more iron and are advised to take at least eighteen milligrams per day. There are two different kinds of iron when it is derived from food: heme and non-heme. Heme iron is primarily found in animal meat and originates from hemoglobin and myoglobin. It is better at being absorbed, with up to 25% of heme iron from animal foods being taken in by the body. Non-heme iron is found in plants and is often more readily integrated into the average diet. However, the body only absorbs between 2% -20% of non-heme iron from food, with the average person absorbing as little as 2%.

10 Foods to Find Iron

Both forms of iron can easily be found in a wide variety of foods. Here are ten groups of food which will help you get the daily iron intake you need:

1. Liver is an excellent source of heme iron.

2. Lean cuts of beef, lamb, and pork have many nutritional benefits and are a powerful source of heme iron.

3. Shellfish contains heme iron, which can be found in shrimp, oysters, clams, and crab.

4. Most fishes such as salmon, halibut, and tuna are smart choices because they deliver protein and are rich in heme iron.

5. Light or dark meat chicken, turkey, and egg yolks are a great way to ingest heme iron.

6. Cereals, breads, pasta, grits, rice and even oatmeal can contain non-heme iron, if they have been are fortified with the mineral.

7. Beans are a great place to find non-heme iron such as soybeans, lima beans, kidney beans, chick peas, black eye beans, pinto beans, and lentils.

8. Tofu is an excellent source of both soy protein and non-heme iron.

9. Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, parsley, collard greens, turnip greens, cabbage, and mustard greens are good resources of non-heme iron. Dark green spinach is especially packed full with iron.

10. Dried fruits and nuts are a healthy snack food for both children and adults and contain non-heme iron. Good choices are: raisins, dates, figs, prunes, and apricots, walnuts, cashews and sunflower seeds.

Iron and Vitamin C

The body’s rate of iron absorption from all of the aforementioned foods can be aided if taken with vitamin C, from either citrus fruits or a supplement. Vitamin C is especially effective when taken with non-heme iron, which really benefits from the absorption boost. So take your vitamin C with your leafy green vegetables and be sure to regularly eat foods with the all important mineral – iron.

Clean Your Air

The Importance of Air

Considering that it takes only four to five minutes without breathing for the average person’s brain to die, you would think people would give a little more thought to their air supply. Most people take the air they breathe for granted and are only concerned that it’s there when they need it. This is in stark contrast to ancient cultures who revered air as one of the classic elements, along with fire, water, and earth. Air was considered a pure and powerful substance which invoked contemplation and respect. While air is still powerful and life-sustaining, during present times of pollution, air can be far from pure. Thankfully, the quality of indoor air can be substantially improved with an air purifier.

What is Polluting Our Air?

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental threats to public health. There are several factors which are contributing to air pollution. Indoor air pollution is broken down into three types: particles, microbes, and gases/odors. Particles are considered dust, pollen, pet dander and cigarette smoke. Mold and bacteria are microbes, while gases and odors can come from a variety of sources. None of these pollutants should regularly be taken into our mouth, nose, and lungs. In fact, such contaminants can seriously aggravate respiratory ailments, like asthma and allergies, especially in children. Polluted air is not just unpleasant but can have very real consequences to your family’s health.

How to Clean Indoor Air

Even if someone didn’t realize that everyday indoor air had these pollutants, at some point or another, there were certainly times when they wanted to rid their home of a bad smell. Examples of obvious odors occur when interior walls are painted, wood floors are refinished, or moving into a new home which smells of cigarette smoke or pets. It can take days, months or sometimes years before these odors fully disappear, especially if the home is carpeted. Many people purchase an air freshener product or burn candles. However, this just hides the smell and doesn’t remove the cause of the odor. The truth is, as long as those contaminants are still in the air, they may be harming one’s health. An air purifier can quickly and thoroughly eliminate those smells and return the home to a healthier, far more enjoyable environment.

Recommended Air Purifier

An air purifier will make household air clean and fresh - the way may people probably believed that it was already. As with all things, some air purifiers are better than others. One of the most highly recommended is the AirSource 3000. It is a state-of-the art air purification system which helps eliminate all three kinds of indoor air pollution (and if someone wants to clean their air, they want it really clean). Since most people spend most of their life indoors, an air purifier can make a real difference to their respiratory health and general wellness.

The Importance of Sports Nutrition

Why Athletes Need Balanced Nutrition

Everyone should pay attention to their nutrition; however, athletes need to be especially careful with what they put into their body. Athletes push their body which depletes energy, causes fatigue, and sometimes brings about pain. It’s important that athletes or anyone who is physically active stays well hydrated, maintains their energy levels, gets rest to ensure recovery, and maintains proper nutrition. If the body is well fueled and cared for then it will simply perform better. Top performance and a competitive edge is what athletes strive for and sports nutrition can help give it to them. Nutrition and a strong commitment to being healthy and active will also benefit anyone who isn’t exercising at the professional level but still strives to keep in shape.

The Role of Sports Nutritional Supplements

When exercising regularly, the body needs to receive the optimum amounts of vitamins and minerals. Some people can achieve this through diet; however, it can be difficult to achieve the recommended nutritional balance through food intake alone. Many professional and recreational athletes have turned to sports nutritional supplements to ensure that their body receives the fuel and support it needs. Sports supplements can fill in any deficits in diet and help the body before, during, and after workouts.

Maximum performance and optimum recovery are what everyone physically active wants from their body. Essential to achieving good health is eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise. Exercise helps prevent many diseases (such as cardiac disease and diabetes), is an effective weight-loss aid, helps to maintain an ideal weight, and contributes to an overall state of wellness. The body needs to be able function properly and avoid injury so athletes or anyone people exercising can continue to do it. This is where sports nutrition can help.

Effects of Sports Supplements on the Body

Sports nutrition includes performance drinks which are designed to keep the body hydrated and energized. A good sports drink will maintain blood glucose levels and provide both electrolytes for fast rehydration and carbohydrates for maximum endurance. Vitamin and mineral products can help the body heal by enhancing its ability to recover after exercise and repair injured muscle tissue. Specific nutritional products can also help prevent pain after a workout, by relieving aching muscles caused by lactic acid. Protein powders can better enable athletes to maintain muscle mass, while joint health supplements can rebuild cartridge. Weight management products like meal replacement bars can be a convenient and healthy alternative for training athletes or anyone on the go. However, it’s important to read their nutritional label. Meal replacement bars may promote themselves as being healthy but actually have very little nutritional content and be filled with unhealthy oils, fats, and sugars. A meal or snack bar should contain at least 10 grams of protein, be low in calories, and have no trans fats and a low glycemic. It is recommended that everyone, exercising or not, take a general multi-vitamin supplement to ensure a balanced nutritional intake and contribute to a strong and efficient immune system.

Sports Supplements and the Non-Professional Athlete

Professional athletes regularly use sport supplement products to keep up their energy levels, replenish important fluids, and help their body’s recovery. If they want to be successful within their sport, their body needs to perform at its very best. Athletes look to optimize their nutritional intake so they are healthy and strong. “Non-professionals” who are still doing their personal best to include exercise in their lives can benefit from the same thing. Anyone who is paying attention to their health, fitness, and general well-being should eat a balanced diet and consider adding a general supplement, or one specifically with sports benefits, to their daily routine.

Skincare from the Soil

Today’s society is increasingly concerned with being eco-friendly and more and more people are “going-green”. We worry about the effects of chemicals on the earth, debris in our oceans, and fuel emissions depleting the ozone layer. However, what about the atmosphere of our own bodies and the most personal terrain of all - our face? Certainly, while I am suggesting we do our part, one person may not be able to change the course of the planet. We can, however, have an immediate, long-lasting impact on our own person. Everyone wants to be healthy, feel satisfied, live a full life, and look good doing it. The timeless phrase, “you are what you eat” has finally sunk in and, while we are all guilty of sometimes choosing a French fry over fiber, we realize the value pure, natural, organic food has our nutrition. Follow a similar path and learn the impact organic skincare can have on our skin’s beauty and overall health and wellness.

Organic foods taste better because they’re picked when actually ripe and are better for you and the environment because they don’t have to travel as far to reach you (reducing fuel emissions). The same applies to natural skincare because going organic is also better for your skin. Shashi Srikantan, owner of the 100% natural Quench Bath and Body line summarizes, “Unprocessed foods allow the natural properties of the food to be retained and allow you to get the most nutritional value out of it – likewise, keep the ingredients of your products as natural as you can and let them do their thing.”

Today’s consumer is fortunate to have real, raw, natural alternatives when choosing a skincare product. We can even find formulas that contain certified organic ingredients that are grown by biodynamic farmers which, for those of you that are concerned about mother earth, is considered the “original organic” method. This super-natural process is not just great for growing healthy foods but the beauty business is also benefiting from it, yielding uber-ingredients to natural skincare formulations. If you commit to organic skincare and body care, you can help keep toxic chemicals out of our soil and water as well as off of your skin.

Those of us with sensitive skin realize what a threat mainstream skincare products can be to our beauty. Anyone that’s had an allergic reaction to an ingredient looks hard to identify and avoid it. What we aren’t certain of are the effect some skincare ingredients, like parabens and sulfates , can have on our health. The good news is we can find natural skincare products that are free of ingredients like GMOs, parabens, detergents, sulfates, artificial colors, perfumes and are cruelty-free. As a nod to our planet, you can also find packages that are recyclable, hand-washable, composed of recycled materials and reusable. Select products are also available with naturally grown berries, leaves, flowers, seeds, or plants that are gathered from where they naturally grow called, wild-harvested or wild-crafted. Such harvesting is done to preserve the habitat of flora and fauna but can also produce skincare products with powerful antioxidant properties and revitalizing aromatherapy. Green Beauty and organic skincare alternatives are even available for Vegans, looking to protect animals and the environment, with formulations that use no animal-derived ingredients. So practicing vegans can be true to their philosophy, honor their life-choice, and still face the world with beautiful skin.

Being good to the environment is important and so is being good to ourselves. Remember that your body is a natural, organic living entity and it’s only logical that your health and appearance would benefit from eating organic foods and choosing natural skincare products. With the growing awareness of the importance of organic skincare, it’s easier than ever to make eco-friendly choices that your skin will celebrate. Let nature nourish us and pay attention to what’s put in our bodies and what’s put on them.

Biodynamic® Beauty

Biodynamic® farming is considered the “original organic” method and was first conceived of over eighty years ago by the prophetic thinker, Rudolf Steiner. Over the last hundred years, farming practices have become highly industrialized, with less reverence and little respect given to nature. The soil, plants, and our atmosphere are losing their vitality and becoming increasingly polluted due to an overreliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The biodynamic® farming method closely follows the planetary rhythms and their effect on the environment. Biodynamics offers a way to sow the land, while healing the soil. Such farmers may employ some scientifically-derived farming techniques but primarily embrace a more spiritual and natural approach to agriculture, which is far better for the earth and its inhabitants.

Biodynamic® farmers study nature’s true pulse. They use organic, nutritive compost and add fermented mineral and herb compounds to enrich the soil and promote healthy plant growth. These farmers are sensitive to their crops natural cycles. They refer to an astronomical planting and sowing calendar to determine the optimal times for harvesting. Some even wait for particular lunar phases before seed planting because they believe that a strong relationship exists between the earth and the heavens. Biodynamic® farms are fully sustainable, unified environments where plants, animals and insects live and grow in harmony. This super-organic method offers the ideal environment for cultivating wholesome foods, which are rich in nutrients and lack exposure to potentially harmful chemicals or pesticides. It has also yielded über-ingredients to skincare and cosmetic formulations and is changing the face of today’s natural beauty industry.

Organic foods are known for their appreciable health benefits. Biodynamic® farmers go a step further, picking their produce not only when it’s ripe but also consider the optimal time for the soil’s regeneration. These fresh, toxin-free fruits and vegetables are packed full of vitamins and minerals. The same pure and powerful nutritive ingredients can be found in beauty products with components that have been biodynamically harvested. Biodynamic® beauty preparations are ideal for people who recognize that their skin is a living organism that needs considerate care. Our skin and bodies go through changes both seasonally and through aging, as does the earth in her rhythms and seasons. A biodynamic® approach to beauty fosters a fluid and organic relationship with the land. It promotes health and beauty for one’s self and strength and sustenance for the soil.

While there are not yet any products that are 100% biodynamic®, there are many current formulations on the market that do contain these superior ingredients, such as plants, flowers, herbs and roots. Plants are cultivated on biodyanmic® farms and thrive in such a healthy environment. Plant extracts contain a remarkable amount of beautifying and healing properties and have been an important part of homeopathic medicine for years. Biodynamic® plants offer a wealth of beneficial phytochemicals, vitamins, and nutrients which stimulate regeneration on the surface of the skin. Their fatty material is also being used as a thickener and emollient in some of today’s most natural beauty prepartions.

The mainstream beauty industry realizes the beneficial properties of natural ingredients and has been advertising their inclusion in many products. However, they often use trace amounts of material and then surround it with preservatives and other potentially harmful chemicals. This process is commonly referred to as “green-washing”. An example of a natural ingredient currently being mass marketed is the grape. Grape seed extract is heralded in everything from shampoo and hair-color to skin moisturizers and facial serums. Grapes deserve these accolades because their seeds are packed with concentrated antioxidants which fight free-radicals and are a potent part of an anti-aging regime. However, the best extract that offers maximum benefits comes from the seeds of “super grapes” grown in biodynamic® soil.

True biodynamic® beauty preparations do not contain parabens, sulfates, petroleum, artificial colors or fragrances. Such additives certainly cannot be grown on a farm and their inclusion goes against the basic philosophy of biodynamics®. The human body also more readily accepts products with pure harvested ingredients. Most biodynamic® products aren’t tested on animals and are made by people who have a profound respect for all life. Such products come in the form of body and aromatherapy treatments such as: essential oils, body lotions, bath salts, and massage oils. They are found in natural beauty products like: moisturizers, antioxidants, serums, vitamin compounds, masks and cleansers. Biodynamic® ingredients provide solutions for skin toning, exfoliating, cleansing, softening, clarifying and soothing. The most organic of sunscreens, hair care, and the safest of baby care products contain biodynamic® ingredients. There are also products for pampering and relaxation which allow people to feel good and support their commitment to the land.

Biodynamic® products can be purchased in stores, bought online, and are carried in eco-conscious spas all over the world. They can be found throughout Europe and countries such as the United States, Canada, Africa and New Zealand. The best ways for consumers to be assured that a product contains biodynamic® ingredients is look for certification. Some products may come from companies which are eco-friendly but don’t derive any components from actual biodynamic® agriculture. Most companies that include these ingredients in their products are proud of their commitment to the earth and freely disclose information about the source of their raw material. The best companies with biodynamic® components even have their own certified farms where they grow and harvest powerful and environmentally friendly ingredients.

How to Guarantee Products are Really Biodynamic®

Nature has provided the raw material to make us healthy, vibrant and beautiful. Some of these ingredients can be pulled directly from the earth and put right onto our skin. However, with many current soil pollutants, most of us unfortunately won’t know the true condition of the ground from which it has come. We may not live in an area that’s suited to grow particular crops or be aware of the beauty benefits of many natural components. It’s also not always practical for someone to become a part-time farmer. The best way to ensure that materials we use truly are from pure environments is look for products that have been certified as either organic or, if wanting to go that greener step further, biodynamic®.

There is not one international standard for biodynamics®. Countries have their own regulations which are recognized within their borders. However, some certifications are still acknowledgedby the international community. One such organization is the Demeter Association. Originating in the United States, the Demeter Association is a non-profit organization that provides the reigning global standard for biodynamic® products, packaging, and processing. They state, “Demeter’s mission is to improve the health of the planet and its people by certification of products whose ingredients are grown and processed according to the highest agricultural and environmental standards.” Foods and products with the Demeter symbol guarantees that they have been produced under whole farm biodynamic® conditions, as opposed to a certain area of a farm or just one crop, and under internationally recognized standards. Demeter-USA ensures these practices in all of North America, while the Demeter Association has a network of ecological organizations furthering biodynamics® in forty-five countries.

We want to sustain our world and keep it strong for future generations. We want to nourish and sustain our inner environment with healthy, organic foods. We want to know the earth being cared for and yet still continue to care for the most personal terrain of all – our own skin. Today the biodynamic® movement and its expansion into the natural beauty business give us a powerful alternative. Choosing personal care products with biodynamic® components supports agricultural efforts which nourish the soil. It also supplies products to consumers with concentrated, natural and nutritious materials that give the most appreciable benefits. Biodynamic ® farms sustain the earth, while ingredients from their fields cultivate the very best of biodynamic® beauty.

Antioxidants - Believe the Hype

If you want to help your body fight off cancer, consume lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. If you're interesting in preventing chronic heart disease, go grab a whole grain bagel. If you are looking to reduce your chances of developing diabetes, consider making a slow-cooked tomato sauce (even better, pour it over whole wheat pasta). Do you love dark chocolate and enjoy a glass of red wine? Go ahead and indulge yourself – they will actually improve your health. All of these amazing foods will help your body achieve a state of greater wellness, thanks to power of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are amazing nutrients in certain foods that can slow or stop oxidative damage to our body's cells. You can compare oxidative cell damage in the body to the formation of rust on a car. When iron is exposed to oxygen and water it corrodes. The free-radical theory of aging tells us that, as we age, cells are damaged by free radicals over time. If you've occasionally flipped through health magazines you may have seen the phrase, "fights free-radicals." However, many people don't know what a free-radical is and why it's worth fighting. The website www.wisegeek.com gives us the following definition, "Free radicals are organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases. These molecules are very unstable, therefore they look to bond with other molecules, destroying their vigor and perpetuating the detrimental process." Free-radicals can destroy cells and cause significant damage to your health. They've been linked to diabetes, macular degeneration, heart disease, cancer, stroke, and aging prematurely. Ingesting foods with antioxidants and taking supplements will enable you to protect yourself and build your immune system, all while stimulating your palate. Antioxidants are found in fruits like grapes, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, lime, cranberries, tomatoes and peaches. They are in dark, leafy vegetables and also green peppers, carrots, squash and broccoli. Antioxidants are in nuts, seeds, whole grains and soy. You can even find them in dark chocolate. A list of the top twenty vegetables, fruits and nuts with antioxidants can be read at: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/antioxidants.htm. When it comes to your health, antioxidants are one trend you really should follow.