Stretches you can do in your office

Finger stretch

Working hard at your desk? To avoid getting sore and worn out, take a stretch break every 20 to 30 minutes. Relaxed and focused after stretching, you may actually complete your work faster and more accurately.

If you spend lots of time clutching a pen or typing on a keyboard, start with the finger stretch. Separate and straighten your fingers until you feel a stretch, keeping your hand in alignment with your wrist (left). Hold for 10 seconds. Next, bend the end and middle knuckles of your fingers (right), keeping your hand and wrist in the same position. Hold for 10 seconds. Relax and repeat.



Back scratch

It may look like you’re scratching your back, but you’re really stretching the back of your arm. Reach behind your head and place your hand on your upper back, keeping your arm close to your ear. Gently hold your elbow with your opposite hand. Pull your elbow toward the back of your head and reach your hand toward the middle of your back until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Relax. Repeat on other side.




Arm and shoulder stretch

Press your hands away from your body to stretch your arms and shoulders.

Lace your fingers together and turn your palms facing out. Straighten your arms in front of you. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds. Relax. Repeat two to three times.



Chest stretch

This stretches the muscles of your chest, upper back and the back of your neck.

Lace your fingers together behind your head, bringing your elbows back as far as possible. Squeeze your shoulder blades together until you feel your muscles stretching. Hold for 20 seconds. Relax. Repeat.



Side neck stretch

To stretch the muscles along the side of your neck, face forward and look straight ahead. Tilt your head toward one side, gently pushing your ear toward your shoulder. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Lift your head into a normal, upright position. Relax. Repeat three to five times on each side.






Head turn

To stretch the muscles along the side and back of your neck and at the top of your back, start facing forward. Slowly turn your head and look to one side until your chin is parallel with your shoulder. Be sure to keep your shoulders straight ahead. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Return to your starting position and relax. Repeat twice on each side.



Chin tuck

The chin tuck also loosens stiff neck and shoulder muscles. Start facing straight ahead. Keeping your back straight, pull your chin toward your chest until you feel a stretch along the back of your neck. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Relax and return to your starting position. Repeat two to three times





Shoulder shrug

The shoulder shrug targets tight neck, shoulder and upper back muscles. Slowly bring your shoulders up toward your ears. Hold for three to five seconds, then roll your shoulders back and down. Relax. Repeat five to 10 times.








Back stretch

You'll feel this stretch along your mid- and lower back muscles. Sit forward in your chair so that there's a little room between your back and the back of the chair. Face forward and cross your right leg over your left. Put your left hand on your right knee, and gently pull toward your left side while slowly turning your head and shoulders to the right. Keep turning until you see the wall behind your right shoulder. Be careful not to force the turn — go just until you feel a nice stretch in your back. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Relax and repeat on the other side.

Always be careful not to overstretch. These gentle moves should feel good — never painful.

Weight loss: 6 strategies for success

Make your weight-loss goals a reality. Follow these proven strategies.

You probably know that hundreds of different fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. But the foundation of every successful weight-loss program still remains a healthy diet combined with exercise. You must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits to lose significant weight and keep it off.

How do you make those permanent changes? Follow these six strategies.
1. Make a commitment

Permanent weight loss takes time and effort. It requires focus and a lifelong commitment. Make sure that you're ready to make permanent changes and that you do so for the right reasons.

No one else can make you lose weight. In fact, external pressure — often from people closest to you — may make matters worse. You must undertake diet and exercise changes to please yourself.

As you're planning new weight-related lifestyle changes, try to resolve any other problems in your life. It takes a lot of mental and physical energy to change your habits. So make sure you aren't distracted by other major life issues, such as marital or financial problems. Timing is key to success. Ask yourself if you're ready to take on the challenges of serious weight loss.

2. Get emotional support

Only you can help yourself lose weight by taking responsibility for your own behavior. But that doesn't mean that you have to do everything alone. Seek support when needed from your partner, family and friends.

Pick people who you know want only the best for you and who will encourage you. Ideally, find people who will listen to your concerns and feelings, spend time exercising with you, and share the priority you've placed on developing a healthier lifestyle.

3. Set a realistic goal

When you're considering what to expect from your new eating and exercise plan, be realistic. Healthy weight loss occurs slowly and steadily. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. To do this, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day through a low-calorie diet and regular exercise. Losing weight more rapidly means losing water weight or muscle tissue, rather than fat.

Make your goals "process goals," such as exercising regularly, rather than "outcome goals," such as losing 50 pounds. Changing your process — your habits — is the key to weight loss. Make sure that your process goals are realistic, specific and measurable, for example, you'll walk for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

4. Enjoy healthier foods

Adopting a new eating style that promotes weight loss must include lowering your total calorie intake. But decreasing calories need not mean giving up taste, satisfaction or even ease of meal preparation. One way you can lower your calorie intake is by eating more plant-based foods — fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without giving up taste or nutrition. Cutting back on calories is easier if you focus on limiting fat.

To lose weight, talk to your doctor about setting these daily calorie goals:
Your current weight in pounds Daily calorie goal
Women Men
250 or less 1,200 1,400
251 to 300 1,400 1,600
301 or more 1,600 1,800

Very low calorie diets aren't a healthy long-term strategy. Fewer than 1,200 calories a day for women and 1,400 calories for men aren't generally recommended. If your calories are too low, you run the risk of not getting all of the nutrients you need for good health.

5. Get active, stay active

Dieting alone can help you lose weight. Cutting 250 calories from your daily diet can help you lose about half a pound a week: 3,500 calories equals 1 pound of fat. But add a 30-minute brisk walk four days a week, and you can double your rate of weight loss.

The goal of exercise for weight loss is to burn more calories, although exercise offers many other benefits as well. How many calories you burn depends on the frequency, duration and intensity of your activities. One of the best ways to lose body fat is through steady aerobic exercise — such as walking — for more than 30 minutes most days of the week.

Even though regularly scheduled aerobic exercise is best for losing fat, any extra movement helps burn calories. Lifestyle activities may be easier to fit into your day. Think about ways you can increase your physical activity throughout the day. For example, make several trips up and down stairs instead of using the elevator, or park at the far end of the lot.

6. Change your lifestyle

It's not enough to eat healthy foods and exercise for only a few weeks or even several months. You have to include these behaviors into your life. To do that, you have to change the behaviors that helped make you overweight in the first place. Lifestyle changes start with taking an honest look at your eating habits and daily routine.

After assessing your personal challenges to weight loss, try working out a strategy to gradually change habits and attitudes that have sabotaged your past efforts. Simply admitting your own challenges won't get you past them entirely. But it helps in planning how you'll deal with them and whether you're going to succeed in losing weight once and for all.

You likely will have an occasional setback. But instead of giving up entirely, simply start fresh the next day. Remember that you're planning to change your life. It won't happen all at once, but stick to your healthy lifestyle and the results will be worth it.

Blackheads and Whiteheads

Blackheads and Whiteheads: What is the Difference?

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal

The presence of blackheads and whiteheads on the skin is a common problem for those in their teens and up. Teenagers and people in their early twenties suffer most from them, but even those who are in their thirties and forties can still have them too, especially those with oily skin.

Both blackheads and whiteheads are forms of acne. We may have thought of acne as limited to those red, bumpy pustules, but that is not so. All forms of acne are considered disorders of the pilosebaceous units of the skin, which are made up of the sebaceous glands, the hair follicle, and the hair strand itself. And like all acne, the problem with blackheads and whiteheads starts deep down the sebaceous glands, or oil glands.

You see, the pilosebaceous units are the skin�s self-moisturizing mechanism. The sebaceous glands secrete oils called sebum, which are stored in the follicle. When the follicle is full, the oil is spilled off to the skin. The sebum is supposed to keep the skin healthy and moisturized.

But sometimes, that is not the case. Sometimes, the oil is trapped inside the hair follicle instead of flowing onto the skin. When this happens, bacteria develop in the follicle and leads to the infection we know as the pimple. Sometimes, instead of being infected, the follicle just gets all clogged up and forms comedones � the things we call blackheads and whiteheads.

What is the difference between a blackhead and a whitehead?

A blackhead is a comedone formed when the opening of the follicle becomes wider than normal. Because the follicle opening is wider, the sebum and the trapped dead skin cells there react chemically with the air, resulting in the oxidation of melanin, which in turn causes the dark coloration of the blackhead.

On the other hand, a whitehead is a comedone formed from a hair follicle that is not open to the air. It is also clogged with sebum and trapped dead skin cells, but the lack of exposure to the air does not lead to the oxidation of melanin, so the clogged matter stays white.

How do we get rid of blackheads and whiteheads? Ridding the skin of acne, not just blackheads and whiteheads, takes time, consistency and effort. It is also very simple. Because acne is not exactly triggered by the food we eat, we do not have to go on a diet. Because acne does not exactly mean that our skin is dirty, we do not have to continually wash our skin. Doing this will rob the skin of its natural moisturizer and will only cause irritation. Washing the face twice a day with mild soap or a facial scrub will do the work. It will take time, but it will do the work.

Blackheads and whiteheads can also be treated using antibacterial products like benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin. Benzoyl peroxide is good for mild cases. It treats the hair follicle so as to reduce the clogging. Tretinoin, on the other hand, forces the closed comedones (the whiteheads) to open up. In this way, the materials clogging the follicle can be easily expunged.

Healthiest Ways to Cook

5 Healthiest Ways to Cook Your Favorite Meals

Even if you use the healthiest of ingredients in your recipes, certain cooking techniques can actually eradicate the goodness from foods.
For healthy cooking, give the following techniques a try:

• Avoid using charcoal or gas grills, as these can increase the production of cancer-causing chemicals. Use an electric grill, instead.
• Steam your vegetables. Boiling depletes vegetables of many of their nutrients, while steaming removes far less of the good stuff, leaving vegetables with a wonderful taste and texture.
• To reduce the amount of fat when cooking, use broiling, baking and roasting pans (drizzle your items with extra-virgin olive oil instead of drowning them in margarine). Chinese steamers is also good low-fat cooking option.
• Never microwave anything in plastic wrap or plastic containers. If you must microwave, use glass containers and covers.
• Replace all saturated fats in your kitchen with extra-virgin olive oil, canola oil (organic), grapeseed oil - these monounsaturated fats are much healthier than the saturated ones.

Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Laser Hair Removal - Permanent solution to unwanted hair

By Anna Lynn Sibal

It really depends on who looks at it, but hair found on the face, on the back, on the chest, under the arms, on the legs and in the bikini area is generally thought to be unsightly. Such unwanted hair prevents us from wearing some types of clothes, like sleeveless tops, skirts or skimpy bikinis. It also affects our self-confidence to a certain degree.

We women really spend some time and effort into getting rid of the unwanted hair on our bodies. Shaving is the most convenient way of doing it, but also the most time consuming. Sometimes, shaving the underarms and the legs can be a daily chore, and it puts us at risk of having in-grown hair. Some women resort to plucking and waxing, but oh boy, don't they hurt. Besides, they grow back, anyway.

There is a way, however, of dealing with unwanted hair more permanently, and that is undergoing laser hair removal treatment. In laser hair removal treatment, a dermatological surgeon focuses a laser on the part of the skin that is to be treated. The laser then creates a reaction in the melanin in the hair follicles of the treated area. The reaction is supposed to make the hair strand shed and to discourage the hair follicle from producing new cells that will lead to hair growth. Laser hair removal treatment takes four to six sessions to complete, as hair enters different phases of growth.

Laser hair removal treatment, however, works best only with people who have fair skin and dark hair. The laser machine is set to react to the melanin in the skin, so dark-skinned people stand the risk of having their skin being burned by the laser. The laser focused by the machine also generally does not react to blond or red hair, because hair with such colors does not have enough melanin in the strands.

If you think you are a good candidate for laser hair removal treatment, the first thing you should do is to check out the dermatological clinics in your area. You can come up with a list from the phone directory or from the Internet. Look for a clinic where the one operating the laser machine is a real doctor specializing in dermatology or cosmetic surgery. If you are comfortable with it, you can also go for clinics where the machine is run by technicians, as long as there is a doctor supervising the session. Read reviews as you make your list, or you can ask your friends or family members who have undergone the treatment for recommendations.

Once you have picked a clinic, the next step would be to make an initial consultation with the doctor of your choice. Visit the clinic and take note of how clean the premises are and how friendly and helpful the personnel in the clinic are. When you come face to face with the doctor, ask him questions about the field he or she is in, about the machine he or she is using, and the credentials he or she has. Ask as well what form of payment the clinic accepts.

If you already feel confident with your choice, then go ahead and make a schedule for your first session. On every session, all the people involved in the treatment - the doctor, the technician and you - should be wearing eye protection. After all, it is laser you people will be handling, so it is important to keep the eyes protected on every treatment. The treatment is not really painful, but the doctor or the technician will nonetheless apply a gel on your skin to make it numb.

The parameters of the laser hair removal treatment, such as the condition of the skin on the area to be treated and the condition of the hair, will be entered into the machine. The laser will then be allowed to pulse on the skin briefly to check if the data entered on the machine is correct, and then the treatment commences.

After every session, take a couple of days off to rest if you think it is necessary. Keep the treated area clean and moisturized, and use only products that are gentle on the skin. Avoid exposing yourself to the sun, because if your skin gets darker, the effectiveness of the succeeding sessions might lessen considerably. If there is a little swelling, apply an ice pack or cover the skin with soft and clean cloths soaked in ice water to relieve the swelling.

It is possible for complications to arise after each session of the treatment. If the swelling does not go away and blistering of the skin is present, you should go and see the doctor who did the treatment on you as much as possible. They should be equipped to handle such complications.

Laser hair removal treatment is a good way of getting rid of unwanted hair permanently. However, you must remember that this treatment is not for everybody. Consider your choices carefully before going through the process.

Firmer Breasts

Firmer Breasts

To firm breasts and tighten the skin, mix one teaspoon of vitamin E oil with one tablespoon of yogurt and an egg.

Massage this mixture into breasts and wear an old bra over the mixture for at least twenty minutes.

Rinse off with warm water.

最快速有效的减肥方法大盘点

饮食控制并不是唯一能达到减重、长久维持窈窕的方法，若是不想在成功减重后，再度复胖，那可是需要运动的配合。

运动不同于劳动，劳动通常是费力的，令人腰酸背痛，疲惫不堪的。而运动，尤其是有氧运动，如步行、跑步、骑脚踏车、游泳、跳绳、上下阶梯及有氧舞蹈等，因为需要大量氧气参与，故能刺激心肺功能、促进血液循环、消耗大量热量、减轻体重、增加体适能，并促进身体健康。

对于平日都不运动，活动量极少的人而言，现在就要养成规律运动的习惯，可能是有困难的，而且想到运动，流汗后的湿黏感及汗臭味，就是让人感觉到不舒坦，可能就更难上加难。所以推荐有心想减肥的人，不妨先从日常生活中“动起来”。

拖拖地板、擦擦窗户、栽种花木等等居家活动，可以让身体有适当的活动，又能消耗热量且不会太累。另外走楼梯代替搭电梯；路程较短时，以走路代替搭车，都是可以在生活中落实的“运动”。

轻松消耗100卡热量

以60公斤体重的人而言：

上楼梯
只要7分钟，就可以消耗100卡，还可以锻炼心肺功能的哦！

下楼梯
只要14分钟，就可以消耗100卡热量。

种植花木
在家中阳台种植一些花草，用来美化环境、赏心悦目。而20分钟的园艺工作，就能燃烧100卡热量，一举两得的好差事。

准备三餐
别再抱怨家人不帮忙准备三餐了，洗、切、煮、炒、蒸，只要39分钟，就又少了100卡。

拖地
拖地只要20分钟的时间，便能消耗100卡热量。

扫地
用得时间也不必很多，只要25分钟，就能消耗100卡哦！

逛街
不论是否买了东西，逛个33分钟，就能达成消耗100卡的目标。

日常生活中，还有许多既轻松又有趣的方法，可以在不流汗的情况下，消耗掉热量，让“活动”成为“生活”中一部份，当做养成规律运动前的热身。

当你已习惯在生活中增加不少活动量之后，可以再从周休二日的放假日开始，选择你喜欢的，可以胜任的运动种类，如游泳、骑脚踏车或跳舞等，每次运动15-30分钟，并参考规律的运动去执行，相信你又会瘦得更美丽、更健康、更有自信。


每周三次 每次30分钟

利用规律的运动来增加热量的消耗，以达到减肥的目的，是最具减肥效果的方法。根据研究指出，每周三次慢跑，每次时间30至40分钟，20周后的减肥效果较明显。

就运动的方式而言，散步、慢跑或骑脚踏车都能有效地减肥，以次数而言，每周只运动一次或二次，往往并不具任何效果；至少要每周三次以上的运动，减肥效果才会显著。

以时间而言，每次达30至45分钟的运动是最理想，更重要的是每次的运动量须消耗300大卡以上才会有效。300大卡的运动量约等于中度以上的运动强度持续20至30分钟，一般最常见的方式是慢跑、骑脚踏车或游泳，若是散步的方式，则需持续40至60分钟才够。

单靠控制饮食来减肥，不是最理想的方法，唯有饮食控制加运动、双管齐下，才能减少副作用，增加减肥成功的机会。

“热身运动”的重要性

为了避免减肥不成，还造成运动伤害，运动前最好先做些热身运动。热身运动的好处在于提高体温，改善神经肌肉功能，减少运动伤害的可能性。至于要做多久的热身运动呢？热身运动的强度及时间视个人的情况而定，一般而言，在常温环境中，开始出现汗时，表示“热身运动”做的足够了。

“热身运动”不可做得过分激烈，以免引起局部的肌肉疲劳或心跳、呼吸增加太快，反而会妨害身体健康，因此运动前应衡量自己的体能状况及所从事的运动项目，来调整“热身运动”的强度及时间，才能获得最好的效果。

例如做健身运动之前，最好先做5至8分钟的柔软操、快走或原地慢跑，然后才真正地从事激烈运动，如此不但可以提高神经、肌肉及心脏血管系统的功能，而且可以预防运动伤害。

均衡的营养、正确的饮食控制，加上规律性的有氧运动，是最理想的减肥方式，要想长期保持减肥的效果，必须改变不良的饮食习惯，及养成规律性的运动习惯才有希望达成。


1. 醣类－以低密度糖分食物为主要选择

水果：葡萄柚、水梨、苹果、芭乐、莲雾、李子、西红柿、柠檬、樱桃、桃子、柑橘、奇异果、火龙果淀粉：蒟蒻面、豆米饭、豆粉条、豆薯饮料：矿泉水、无糖茶、健怡可乐、清汤

2. 蛋白质类－选择以低脂蛋白为主之食物低糖优格、无糖豆浆、去皮鸡肉、鱼肉、蛋白、海鲜类、豌豆、黑豆豆花、黄豆、脱脂牛奶

3. 油脂类－不饱和脂肪酸最健康鱼油、橄榄油



介绍果汁断食法给你，看你是否一日就见到成果！

果汁断食法顾名思义，以果汁代替早、午、晚三餐。透过果汁吸收丰富糖分，勉强可应付人类基本所需。

虽然会无可避免地从果汁的糖分中吸收到卡路里，但比起正常的一日三餐，所吸收的卡路里无疑低许多。建议在周末进行这节食法，果汁早、午、晚各饮一次。如果能减至只是下午和晚上各一次，效果更佳。

果汁之外，可饮大量的水或茶，但任何饮品都不该加冰冻饮，因为冻饮会减慢脂肪的新陈代谢，而节食时也不该做剧烈运动。节食后的一天，早上可吃白粥，午餐和晚餐最多吃至八分饱，严禁突然暴食。



其实肉类含有丰富蛋白质，适量摄取可以提高新陈代谢率，对减肥很有帮助喔！

蛋白质对减肥的帮助有：

抑制促进脂肪吸收的荷尔蒙分泌，避免赘肉；由于蛋白质所需消化的时间长，因此不容易感到饥饿；有利于体内盐分排出，消除水肿。

若您担心多吃肉相对的也多吃了脂肪，那您可以选择脂肪含量低，又富有优质蛋白质的鸡胸肉(白肉)。我们特别推荐三道炎炎夏日的鸡胸肉简易食谱，建议消费者在家DIY，为家人烹调出健康又低脂的料理。

（黄瓜鸡丝拉皮）

＊材料：鸡胸肉、小黄瓜、绿豆粉皮、醋、醇米霖、芝麻酱、酱油及蒜末各适量

＊作法：将鸡胸肉蒸熟撕成丝状；小黄瓜切成细丝后加盐；粉皮切条，三者一同搅拌排除盐分；醋、醇米霖、芝麻酱、酱油及蒜末混合成酱汁，淋于三丝上

PS：喜欢吃凉面的人，也可以将此拌于凉面上食用，怕胖的人，芝麻酱份量可减少

（菠萝鸡片）

＊材料：鸡胸肉、菠萝、葱、蒜、蛋白、盐、太白粉、酒少量、糖醋酱

＊作法：菠萝切半，取肉切块备用；鸡胸肉切片加盐、酒、蛋白及太白粉等拌腌15分钟；将鸡片过油后取出，加入葱、蒜片爆炒，再淋上糖醋酱，最后加入菠萝即可

（香芒鸡柳）

＊材料：鸡胸肉、芒果、盐、太白粉、酒少量、蛋白、葱段
＊作法：将鸡胸肉切成条状，加入盐、太白粉、酒及蛋白拌腌15分钟；芒果去皮，切成条状备用；将鸡肉过油后，以葱段爆炒，加盐并加入芒果略炒即可

女人最该吃的10种美容水果

水果向来是美肤纤体的得力助手，不仅可以内服，更可以外敷，尤其是在夏天，来上一杯鲜榨水果汁，清凉解渴，消暑养颜，价廉物美，实在是不可多得的美容佳品，那这里就把最有人气的一些水果汇集起来，大家一起来做水果美人。
　　
　　一、木瓜
　　
　　木瓜具有美白、丰胸等美容功效。既可以生食，也可以熟食。但如果你就是冲着木瓜丰胸而来的话，那熟食的效果会远远好于生食哦，可以用鲜木瓜炖汤或者是加蜂蜜的蒸木瓜都是不错的选择。
　　
　　二、奇异果
　　
　　奇异果含相当丰富的维他命、果胶、果酸等，可以给皮肤补充养分、预防黑斑，使皮肤更加白皙细腻，另外，奇异果还有降低胆固醇、帮助消化等功效。
　　
　　三、西柚
　　
　　西柚富含维生素C以及大量抗氧化元素，更难能可贵的是西柚所含的热量十分低，每个大约只有60卡，所以也是减肥的好帮手，根据美国一项研究表面，如果正常三餐都能吃上半个西柚，减肥效果会非常好。当然如果觉得一下子吃半个西柚实在不行的话，那喝西柚汁的效果也是相当令人满意的。
　　
　　四、柠檬
　　
　　柠檬的美容功效也是颇为丰富的，可以抑制黑斑，美白肌肤，也可以紧致肌肤，使皮肤光洁润滑，当然，减肥的功效也很显着。
　　
　　五、香蕉
　　
　　香蕉润肠通便的功效是大家耳熟能详的了，坚持每天吃一两根香蕉，保证正常的排便，这样有助于排出体内毒素，焕发由内而外的健康美丽。另外，用香蕉和蜂蜜调制的面膜，拥有美白的功效。
　　
　　六、苹果
　　
　　苹果是我们再熟悉不过的水果了，它的保健功能非常出色，同时，它的美容功效也让我们欣喜不已，食用苹果可以帮助我们排出肠道中的铅、汞、锰、铍等毒素，另外，如果保有每天吃苹果的饮食习惯的话，可以使肌肤红润有光泽。
　　
　　七、草莓
　　
　　草莓富含维生素C，经常食用草莓能使皮肤细腻有弹性，此外，草莓所含有的活性物质具有较高的防癌抗癌作用。
　　
　　八、枇杷
　　
　　枇杷富含蛋白质、果酸、维生素、胡萝卜素等。枇杷具有明视的作用，使你的眼睛熠熠生辉，此外，枇杷可以保持肌肤健康。用棉签沾取枇杷汁涂在脸部斑点处，可以淡化斑点。
　　
　　九、火龙果
　　
　　火龙果的营养十分丰富，是一种低热量高纤维的水果，因此深得减肥中人的喜爱，另外，火龙果对防治便秘也很有效果。
　　
　　十、樱桃
　　
　　樱桃含铁量丰富，因此具有促进血红蛋白再生的功能，可以防治缺铁性贫血，另外，樱桃还能使皮肤红润嫩白，消除黑斑。但十分要注意的是樱桃不能多吃，这是因为樱桃含铁量比较多，再加上含有一定量的氰甙，所以如果食用过多就会引起铁中毒或氢氧化物中毒。

Stress Relief

Stress Relief After a Long Day or an Eternal Week
By Cathryn D'Imperio

Constant stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, our minds and our souls. Some medical problems are triggered by continual stress, and emotional trauma, instability and mild forms of depression are also likely to result. By taking a few moments to de-stress when you feel the levels and intensity rising, you can save yourself from undue anxiety and potential health problems. Below are 20 stress relief options to help you eliminate the physical and mental feelings caused by stress.

Take a Hot Bubble Bath - The soothing suds and warm water can wash your cares away while relaxing your tired, aching muscles. If you want to enhance the healing effects, turn on some soft music, dive into a good book, or just daydream the night away.

Pamper yourself with a Pedicure and a Facial - The softness and smoothness returned to your weary feet may be enough to relax you and help you reduce your stress level, but don't stop there! Use a gentle cleanser and apply a mud-mask and sit back for 10-15 minutes while it works its wonders. If you're feeling especially energetic, cut two cucumber slices to place over your eyes. Think happy thoughts and drift away from the things that trouble you.

Throw on your Comfiest Pajamas and Grab a Good Book! - Snuggling up under the covers in your cozy bed with soft, comfortable clothing can be enough to relax you almost immediately. Find your favorite magazine, pull out a book you have been meaning to read or just put on one of those cooling eye-masks to alleviate them from the cares of the day.

Take a 20-minute 'Power-Nap' if you've got more things on your To-Do List - Right when you get home from work, shed your business attire and hop into your bed-set your alarm for 20 minutes if you have other things on the evening's agenda, or allow yourself to awake naturally if you have a free schedule. Your energy should return to you in no time!

Exercise - Go for a jog, do some abdominal workouts, aerobics or lift some weights. Exercising renews the body and gives the mind an easy escape from daily troubles.

Fix yourself a Cocktail! - Don't jump overboard with the bottle, but something as small and innocent as a strawberry daiquiri or a fuzzy navel could turn your mood around in a flash. If you aren't old enough to drink yet, make a milkshake in the blender or find a great fresh fruit smoothie recipe online. Munch on some snacks or enjoy the view from your favorite window. Forget your cares and just revel in the moment while you slowly sip your favorite beverage.

Have some Delectable Desserts in the house and Indulge! - Cakes, cookies, pastries, brownies: they are all comfort foods to me. Treat yourself to something extravagant and delicious.

Light an Aromatherapy Candle and Play some Soft Music - Close your eyes and imagine whatever peaceful moments come to mind. Relax and think about your hopes and dreams for the not-so-distant future. (Be careful not to leave candles burning unattended).

Convince your Sweetheart to give you a Massage! - A simple back massage or foot massage has been known to greatly reduce stress and send the recipient into a super-relaxed state. Just don't forget to return the favor when your sweetie is having a bad day!

Kick Back in Comfortable Clothes and Look through your Photo Albums - Memories of happy times can easily bring a smile to your face and take you back to days when the tides weren't so turbulent. Plan a vacation or a get-together with friends for another photo-taking opportunity to add to your scrapbooks, and the simple act of having something to look forward to should significantly help you cope with your stress.

Start Keeping a Diary or a Journal, just for yourself! - Record your innermost thoughts and feelings, and vent out your angst of the day. It can be very effective to get your troubles off your chest and onto a sheet of paper, where they'll stay for the rest of the night.

Immediate Results for Urgent Needs: Deep Breathing - Take deep breaths when you feel your stress levels begin to escalate. Start by counting to three inhaling and then to three while exhaling. Gradually increase it to five, six or seven as you try to calm yourself from the aggravating element.

Immediate Results for Urgent Needs: Stretching - Especially if you find yourself irritated at work, raise your arms above your head, arch your back and give it a good stretch. Get up from your desk and walk around-five minute breaks are definitely allowed when your sanity is at stake!

Immediate Results for Urgent Needs: Go Somewhere to Be Alone and Have a Good Cry or Confront the Source - I have been on the brink of tears while on the job, and sometimes the best solution to an overly stressful day is to lock yourself in a room (failing that, your car) and let loose. The relief and renewal experienced by letting out a couple of tears rejuvenates the body and the mind. Get mad, get upset, but get over it; cry in privacy or express yourself to the afflicting individual-chances are you will feel much better once you confront the agitating factor.

Do Something for YOU - Play an instrument, knit or crochet, work on a scrapbook or partake in another of your hobbies. Lose yourself in the moment and do not think about your stress until you must. Go to bed early with a light heart and dream of happy and carefree moments ahead.

Enjoy a cup of Herbal Tea and a few Cookies or a Good Book - Soothe yourself with a warm beverage and some sweets or get lost in some good reads. Reading can be a great escape from stress because it requires your mind to focus on something other than your own problems.

Order-Out! Indulge in some Comfort Foods or a cup of Hot Cocoa - Avoid making dinner or dessert for the night and call for a pizza, pick up some Chinese food or find a place that makes great seafood to go. Whatever your palate desires, treat yourself (and your family) to a night of take-out.

Try something like Yoga or Meditation to Relieve the Day�s Stressors - Beneficial results occur by relaxing the body through yoga exercises. Mental, physical and spiritual responses to yoga and meditations can very powerfully reduce stress's effects on your mood and your body in general.

Break out of the Routine! - Do something unusual and avoid the stressors. Your laundry can wait another day or two, run the dishwasher tomorrow and just relax! Get together with a few friends and go on an adventure-leave the town you know and the buildings you inhabit day after day and take a hike, hit up the beach or go sailing on a beautiful body of water.

Spend Time with Loved Ones and Pets! - If they are the ones making you stressed out, you may think about some alone-time, but more times than not, there's nothing quite like that unconditional love freely given by our furry friends who look to us for the same affection.

No matter what stressors affect you from day to day, it is important to try to combat them before they get out of hand. Job related stress could follow you home and may then have an effect not only on you and your body but on your family, too. Do what you can to reduce stress and ask those who are close to you for advice if you can't find a reasonable alternative to the taxing feelings forced upon you by stress.

Remember: worrying does not get you anywhere - all it does is take up time. Get out there and do something about it!

A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT

A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT
By Radika Meganathan

All of us want to look young and beautiful. But how many really stay that way? As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day, and if you want to look attractive and fresh, you should follow not just an efficient beauty regime, but also a regular one.

For busy homemakers and corporate executives alike, it is not always possible to maintain a regular beauty regime, unless it is a habitual visit to the nearest beauty salon. Instead of spending money on artificial and expensive treatments, here is a simple schedule to groom yourself naturally. Just before you go to bed, allot a period of ten minutes. Yes, all it takes is just that little time to keep you looking young and glowing.

Foot Care

Feeling terrible after a tiring day? As soon as you return home, soak your feet in a basin of warm water mixed with a handful of fragrant bath salts. After 10 minutes, wash your feet (a simple soap and water wash is sufficient).

If you aren't feeling sleepy by this time, take a foot filer and scrub your heels. Using a toothpick (orange stick) clean the edges and grooves around your toe nails, to remove the dirt that gets accumulated. Apply cold cream or moisturizer before winding up. This will make the skin soft and prevent people from running away at the sight of your feet.

Face Wash/Scrub

Cleansing your face before going to bed is essential to take away the dirt you might have picked up in your day. Walnut scrub is ideal for oily skin. Make sure you scrub your face in circling motions and wash with cold water. For those with dry or sensitive skin can use baby oil or wet cleansing pads, followed by a night cream.

Night Cream/Moisturizing

The right time to apply any treatment, especially moisturizer - be it for whitening the skin, under-eye cream or simple moisturizing. It will revitalize your facial skin and work wonders on skin, which had been exposed to all the dirt and grime in the daytime. It would be a good idea to use it on your arms and neck, too.

Your Hair

While oil is not the elixir of life to hair, it IS essential in keeping it well conditioned and supple. Leave oil overnight and wash in the morning with shampoo to get better results.

Heat a little amount of oil (olive oil, almond oil, or plain old coconut oil) by placing it in a small container and swirling it in hot water. After the oil gets considerably hot, massage the scalp with your fingertips, in rotating motion, for at least 8 - 10 minutes. You can do this while soaking your feet in warm water.

Castor Oil

Applying pure castor oil to your eyebrows and lashes, particularly those who have scanty growth, will make them grow thick and long. For tired or puffed eyes, place a cotton pad soaked in chilled rose water. Keeping thin slices of cucumber ready in the refrigerator beforehand is ideal.

Grated cucumber, by itself or mixed with carrot juice, can be spread under the eye, to reduce black circles and sagging skin.

Lip Guard

And finally, a smear of Vaseline on your lips, and you can sleep like a child and get up like a fairy!

cockroach parasites squeeze the acnes and black heads?

Dare to Try ???

Sunday June 22, 2008

Eat this

NUTRI SCENE
By Dr TEE E SIONG

Practical nutrition tips for a hectic lifestyle.

NUTRITION Month Malaysia (NMM) 2008 was launched in April with the theme Eat Right, Enjoy Life! I have summarised the main NMM educational materials in a previous write up of NutriScene (April 20).

In a further write up on NMM 2008, I had summarised the contents of three educational articles that were published to further strengthen the key messages of NMM.

Beans and legumes are not only good sources of protein and dietary fibre, but are also rich in healthful phytochemicals.

In this instalment, I would like to share with readers excerpts from the three remaining articles. I certainly hope they will provide you with further tips on healthy eating and active living.

There’s more to some foods than meets the eye

Nutrition experts are always exhorting you to eat more fruits, vegetables, rice and other cereal products and legumes. This is not merely to ensure that you get your daily dose of vitamins, minerals as well as the all-crucial dietary fibre. Indeed, there are another reasons that may just surprise you!

Something else to chew on

Foods like oranges, cabbage and oats, like all other food, do indeed provide you different nutrients and vitamins. But these everyday foods, however, do more than just that. They also contain numerous naturally occurring components, which are thought to provide physiological and health benefits that go beyond just your basic nutrients.

These components are known as functional components, and foods containing them are called functional foods. In recent years, much attention has been generated on the potential health significance of these components and how they can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart diseases.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain a good amount of bioactive components called phytochemicals, which are compounds found in plants. Carotenoids are good examples of these phytochemicals. These are found in the orange-red pigments of fruits and vegetables.

Some carotenoids include lycopene (in papayas and tomatoes), lutein (in green leafy vegetables), and beta-carotene (many green leafy vegetables).

Other healthful phytochemicals in fruits and veggies are glucosinates (eg cabbage, cauliflower, kai lan, pak choy) and flavones (veggies such as celery, bell pepper and lettuce).

Beans, legumes and soy beans

You may have been consuming soy beans by drinking soy milk, eating tofu, tempeh, taufu- fah, fu-chok, and other beans such as red and green beans in your bubur as part of your daily diet.

But do you know beans and legumes are not only good sources of protein and dietary fibre, but are also rich in healthful phytochemicals?

Some bioactive components identified in the humble soy bean are isoflavones and phytosterols, which have been demonstrated to be able to lower blood cholesterol level.

Tea

Tea contains important bioactive components that comprise a group of polyphenol compounds called flavanoids, which have been linked to lower risks of coronary heart disease and certain cancers.

Yoghurt and cultured milk

Yoghurt, yoghurt drink and cultured milk have been associated as “healthy” beverages because they contain probiotics (added by manufacturers) – friendly and healthy living bacteria that maintain the balance of your body’s intestinal flora and facilitate digestion. They can also contribute to the gut’s resistance to “hostile takeovers” by harmful bacteria. The two “friendliest” probiotics are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Don’t let your emotions eat you up

There’s no doubt that eating habits are sometimes influenced by mood. For instance, you may eat or drink too much during a happy occasion.

On the other hand, you may end up eating or drinking too much when nothing seems right. This could be related to work stress, family or personal problems, or simply because nasty weather has prevented you from going shopping!

Overindulging once in a while is normal. However, things become less healthy when occasional bouts of overeating become habitual.

Disappointment makes me eat

You may dislike having excess flab and decide to lose weight. So you begin to starve yourself, which in the long run is self-defeating and biologically impossible to sustain.

You then eat (perhaps more than you should), but feel guilty for doing so. You may also feel disappointed for having violated your diet regime.

Instead of picking yourself up, you spiral downwards into an all out binge that lasts longer than your attempt to lose weight. You then gain weight and feel bad about your physical condition, which triggers another vicious dieting cycle.

When this pattern becomes a long-term habit, you may end up with a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Eating under pressure

Long-term or chronic stress can also affect your regular eating habits. There may be times when you’re so stressed because of work or personal responsibilities that you turn to food or drink for comfort.

During these times, you also tend to increase your consumption of alcohol, become less active and feel decreasing levels of self-control and self-esteem.

Any attention you may have been paying to what you eat and all other concerns about food and diet go out the window during times of chronic stress. Instead of controlling your food, it controls you.

Beating the bingeing blues

If you are in the habit of overeating, the first thing you need to accomplish is to develop an awareness of your eating behaviour.

Remember, there are so many other enjoyable things that you can do when you’re feeling happy, sad or stressed instead of just eating and drinking!

Shift your focus from food to other feel-good activities. For instance, try exercising (which tones your body and also increases your self-confidence and self esteem), meditating, spending more time with family and friends, going on vacations or taking breaks from work.

Eat right and get moving to keep moving!

You have a busy lifestyle, one that keeps you on your toes most days, dividing your time between work and personal commitments.

On some days, however, you find yourself out of steam, tired and listless. You barely have enough energy to crawl out of bed.

What’s going on? You’re eating, but why the lack of oomph? The food you consume everyday should provide you sufficient energy to keep you on the go, shouldn’t it? Is there something missing?

Eating right is part of it

You may be eating regular meals, but maintaining a busy pace of life day in and day out requires more than just eating on time. You also need to practise healthy eating habits, as the proper nutrition provides you the essential nutrients and other food components that enable you to maintain your hectic pace of life.

When it comes to eating right, it’s crucial to eat a variety of food because different foods provide diverse combinations of energy and nutrients. To ensure you get your daily requirements, eat a varied diet that combines cereals, legumes, fruits and veggies, meat, fish, poultry and dairy products (with an emphasis on the first four types of foods). You also need to cut down on your intake of fats, sugar and salt. And drink lots of water!

Get moving!

Staying active is equally as important as eating healthy to maintain an overall sense of wellbeing. In fact, proper nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand. This is because the right diet provides you the energy you need to stay active.

Among the numerous advantages of physical activity is that it allows you to sustain your energy balance i.e. it burns excess calories to keep you fit and trim, not overweight or obese. It also helps you maintain a healthy body weight and improves your cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility.

Exercise also appears to be especially effective when it comes to boosting your health in various disease-specific areas, including cardiovascular diseases (it helps strengthen heart muscles), hypertension (reducing high blood pressure), diabetes (regulate your blood glucose level), obesity, and osteoporosis.

If possible, you should try to exercise at least 30 minutes daily on most days of the week. If you’re on the heavy side, don’t go all out and start with a 20-minute jog once you begin your exercise routine! Instead, try some light stretching and maybe a 5-10 minute walk.

Once you see the pounds coming off, you can slowly ease into a more vigorous workout programme.

Too busy?

You may find it hard to slot in some time for physical activity. But if you’re really serious about your health, you can always find ways to sneak in some exercise into your daily routine. Here’s how you can stay active.

• Break your exercise sessions into 10-minute bursts, three times a day, say, in the mornings, afternoons or late evenings.

• Do desk exercises (eg stretching, twisting or bending) and walk to your colleague’s work station at the office whenever possible.

• If you need to get somewhere close by, walk instead of driving.

• If you do drive, park further away from your destination and use your legs to get you there!

• Use the stairs and skip the elevator and escalator.

• For every hour you watch TV or read, take a 10-minute exercise break.

• Don’t spend your time inside. Get out more and enjoy the great outdoors!

• Wash your car yourself. You’ll save money and get a good workout!

So you see, if you adhere to a combination of eating right and obtaining a regular dose of physical activity, you’ll not only look great and glow with health, but you’ll also have more than enough energy to work, think, play and continue to enjoy the busy lifestyle you’ve become accustomed to each and every day!

If you have not obtained the NMM Guide book or missed the supplement or the educational articles, or if you wish to obtain more information on NMM 2008 activities, visit the Nutrition Society of Malaysia website: www.nutriweb.org.my.

NutriScene is a fortnightly column by Dr Tee E Siong, who pens his thoughts as a nutritionist with over 30 years of experience in the research and public health arena.

The Burt's Bee Natural Care

Organic Body Care & Beauty Products

Krysta Lyon

Natural ingredients of rejuvenating beauty products along with a complete line of body care.

The Buzz

When it comes to the best lip balm, there is no doubt Burt's is king. Burt's Bee lip balm has excelled to another level on the shelf of every check out counter of Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble, not to mention filling the beauty aisles of drug stores around the country with delicious natural products like Milk and Honey Lotion and Lemon Cuticle Cream. What many people don't realize is that why Burt might be the king of bees, Roxanne Quimby is queen of the balm.

In the early 80's in the backwoods of Maine, Roxanne Quimby had just gone thru a divorce and was a mother of young twins. She met Burt Shavitz while he was peddling quarts of honey out of the back of his pick up truck. It wasn't long after that Roxanne was turning Burt's leftover beeswax into candles, shoe polish and the ever-famous lip balm that is the company's signature product today.

All Natural

Roxanne and Burt created a natural line, of cruelty-free lotions, soaps, and cosmetics mostly packaged with recycled materials. Their production line went from Roxanne's kitchen, to a vacant one-room schoolhouse and then into a converted bowling alley. Eventually, ending up with a headquarters and massive production line in North Carolina.

More than just honey

Burt's Bee has expanded from a simple honey lip balm to lotions, body wash, and a clean and fresh line of shampoo and conditioners. Natural Milk & Shea Butter body wash (US$8, drugstores) it an amazing clean and fresh feeling in the shower, recommended by both women and men. A product off Burt's newest line is Chemical Free Sunscreen SPF 30 (US$15, drugstores), it's high protection from the suns harmful rays are the essential. The bonus is that it's gentle enough even to use on children. Men have also become huge fan of Burt's with their men's lines of lotion, body wash and after shaves. Natural Skin Care for Men Shave Cream (US$10, drugstores) leaves skin clean and smooth. It also helps soothes and hydrates the skin, the featured ingredient is Calendula.

Queen of the Hive

As Roxanne Quimby continues to amaze us with all natural products, she still remains behind the scene of this hive. In 2000, she launched the Wings of Love cosmetics line. She is hard at work today on her launch of Happy Green Bee, a colorful organic cotton baby wear line.

Combat Dark Under Eye Circles

Easy Treatment for Dark Under Eye Circles

Grated potatoes can lighten under-eye circles. Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase, which is used in cosmetics as a human skin lightener.

Run one spud through your food processor and stuff the raw mash into a piece of cheesecloth.

Apply to the area directly beneath your eye; don't let the potato juice come in contact with the eye itself, and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.

Wipe away the starchy residue

Acupunture Point Wall Chart

Self Massage

Just click the picture to have a better view

All things BRIGHT and beautiful

All things BRIGHT and beautiful

PEACOCK COLOURS ARE SO NOW FOR MAKE-UP. BUT TO AVOID LOOKING LIKE A GIRL'S WORLD AFTER YOUR BROTHER GOT HIS HANDS ON IT, FOLLOW THESE FOUR SIMPLE STEPS TO WEARING SUMMER BRIGHTS

By Donna Francis

1. THE RULES

* Wear colour where you’d normally wear black
Make-up artist Rachel Wood says: “To work out where you could use super-brights on your eyes, think about where you usually wear black make-up. Coloured liner or mascara is a great way to try this trend.”

* Keep your look simple
“Never use bold colour on lips and eyes,” Rachel warns. “And limit the rest of your make-up to concealer, foundation and mascara, otherwise you’ll look like a fashion victim.”

* Match your make-up to what you’re wearing
“If you can’t decide which shades to choose, match them to the tones in your wardrobe,” Rachel suggests. “So, for a black dress with an electric pink bow, pick up the pink tone with a lipstick or eyeliner.”

2. THE COLOURS

BLUE AND TURQUOISE shades help all eye colours stand out. Nervous of taking the sea-blue plunge? A shot of eyeliner is the boldest and easiest way to work the look. Draw Clarins Waterproof Eye Pencil in Turquoise along the upper lash line, starting at the inner corner and ending with a flick beyond the outer lashes. A slick of blue mascara, like Urban Decay’s Big Fatty Mascara in Electric Blue makes eyes stand out.

RED AND PINK are a great place for colour virgins to start as they suit all skin tones – but they’re best confined to lips. Chanel’s Rouge Allure in Vertige is the perfect pillar-box red for a make-an-entrance pout. Or for a more summery look, try a bubblegum pink like Nvey Eco Organic Lipstick in Shade 359.

ORANGE AND CORAL are the newest trend for lips, as seen at the Spring/Summer catwalk shows. A great suits-everyone coral shade is YSL Fard a Levres Rouge Pur Lipstick in Shade 21. But if you’re looking for a hot shot of orange then try Sisley Long Lasting Hydrating Lipstick in Mandarin.

PURPLE AND VIOLET are a fab summer alternative to the grey and charcoal smoky eye of 2007. Brush Bourjois Ombre Stretch Eyeshadow in Profond over your lids and all the way up to the brow. Follow with black mascara. Deeper purples work well on lips – Maybelline Moisture Extreme Sensual Satin Lipstick in Velvet Wine is a great shade for a night out.

GREEN AND YELLOW eye colours look best on darker skin types, as these tones can make fair girls look tired. To keep citrus shades looking modern, choose products with a matte finish. Try Shu Uemura Cream Eyeshadow in Yellow or Lancôme Colour Design Eyeshadow in Green Bikini. Wear on your lids or blend up to your brow line for extra va-va-voom.

3. THE METHOD

Lips:

* Colour accentuates dryness, so exfoliate lips gently with a spare toothbrush.

* Keep lips supple with balm. Apply five minutes before your lipstick, so it doesn’t make the colour slip. Blot with a tissue to keep colour on longer.

* Draw a line of concealer round your outside lip line before applying lipstick to stop colour bleeding.

* Apply straight from the stick if you’re a lipstick pro. If not, use a brush like Famous By Sue Moxley Lip Brush and paint on colour gradually.
* Avoid lipliner – it makes bright colours look harsh and dated.

Eyes:

* Apply foundation or concealer on your lids first, to give the shadow something to stick to and stop it clumping into creases.

* Wear two or three layers of shadow to help the pigment last.

* Use fingers for smooth application, as brushes can give a harsh finish.

* If you’re not sure about blending, only apply one bright colour on your lids.

* Colour can sometimes magnify under-eye circles so try a sheer concealer like L’Oréal Paris Touche Magique Concealer over any shadows.

Reflexology Mapping

Reflexology Mapping

Self Massage 2

Self Massage 2

How to Give a Foot Massage

How to Give a Foot Massage

How to Give a Professional Massage

How to Give a Professional Massage

How to give a good relaxing massage

How to give a good relaxing massage

Facial Massage Tutorial

Facial Massage Tutorial

Back Pain Massage

Back Pain Massage

Headache Relief Head Massage 1

Headache Relief Head Massage 1

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Secrets from Japan: The Art of Food

Secrets from Japan: The Art of Food

I’m a huge fan and proponent of the traditional Japanese diet. After several trips to Japan, my partner and I became hooked on all of the healthy aspects of the Japanese style of food. Not only did we find ourselves satisfied and full after rich meals, we also lost weight. A year after we adopted the Japanese style of home cooking 12 pounds disappeared from my body.

Here are some highly attractive qualities of both the food and culture of eating in Japan:

1. Foods are packed with nutritional punch. Some of the most frequently consumed items are things like seaweed, green tea, miso, and ume.

2. Freshness is vital. People search for the freshest ingredients at the grocery store and meals are made based on what is fresh in the grocery store.

3. Seasonal Eating. The Japanese celebrate seasons more than any culture I’ve encountered. As seasons shift and colors of cherry blossoms or brilliant maple leaves change so do the magnificent foods. Foods are celebrated when their time is ripe.

4. It’s all about Quality, not Quantity. It is inherent in the Japanese culture to produce fruits and vegetables of the most impeccable quality. Unlike in the US, where agriculture is based on mass and genetic modifications to increase yield. Japanese are likely to pay more (or grow their own) to obtain the highest quality.

5. Meals delight the senses. The entire eating experience is an art in Japan. Food is adorned with natural elements like leaves and edible berries. Splashes of color enhance the texture, smell, and taste.

6. Small portion size. Americans may devour an entire bowl of edamame while in Japan people are often served a dish with only 2 delicious pods. By serving food in small dishes, portions are naturally smaller and people eat less.

7. Non Dairy and Less Wheat. Dairy is a rarity in Japanese food. Rice replaces wheat as the most commonly used carbohydrate. Therefore, this cuisine is ideal for those with wheat and dairy allergies.

When I eat in Japan or if I prepare Japanese food in my own kitchen I always feel thoroughly satisfied. There’s no need to grab a midnight snack because my body is not deprived of all the delightful elements of eating.

Naomi Moriyama describes the principles of a good Japanese diet in her book: Japanese Women Don't Get Old or Fat: Secrets of My Mother's Tokyo Kitchen. She also shares some fun recipes from her mother’s kitchen. This book gets mixed reviews partly because it doesn’t necessarily speak to a greater (suburban, American, mother) audience. However, Japanese Women Don’t Get Old or Fat is ideal for people who:

1) Are interested in taking the time to prepare rich and healthy meals at home

2) Enjoy Japanese cuisine (beyond sushi)

3) Have struggled with the standard American diet and are looking for alternatives

4) Are looking for support and encouragement to create healthy lifestyle changes

Pineapple Power Mask

Pineapple Power Mask
Pineapple enzymes to the rescue for dull, congested skin.

There's nothing like a fresh, juicy pineapple. You can grill it, toss a few chunks in a salad and plop a slice in a fruity cocktail. Oh, and you can make a heavenly mask out of it too. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which lifts dead skin cells and debris from clinging to your pretty face. Try this mask when your skin looks dull and lackluster.
Here's what you do:

Mix ingredients in blender until smooth. Apply a thin layer to face. Lay back and think tropical thoughts for 5 to 10 minutes.
You'll need:

* 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
* 3 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

DIY beauty - eyes

Give Peas A Chance Eye Mask
Green relief for swollen, puffy eyes.

I could never eat peas as a kid. Ugh, just the thought of those mushy little legumes made my throat close up in fear. Now as a bona fide grownup, peas don't scare me so much, especially because of their handy use as an ice pack. Frozen peas can help reduce swelling and puffy eyes not only because of their icy effects but because the small round pearls can settle into the shape around the eyes. In honor of all that is green and good and a little mushy in the world, we encourage you to give peas a chance.
Here's what you do:

Remove the bag of peas from the freezer and let it thaw for about 10 minutes so the ice-cold package doesn't redden skin. Lay back, place the bag on your eyes and visualize calming green thoughts for about 5 minutes. P.S., Not only is green considered a calming hue but is also the color of the heart chakra and is our center for compassion and unconditional love.
You'll need:

* Bag of frozen baby peas


Eye Brake for Spuds
With party season in full swing, use this easy remedy for puffy, overstressed eyes.

Don't ask me why, but this simple cure for dark under-eye circles really helps. It could be the tons of minerals that the tater accumulates in its early life underground. Or it could be the huge amounts of Vitamin C packed in the starchy little tuber. But who really cares when you've got two black eyes from partying (studying, working, worrying, etc.) the night away? This works best if the potatoes have been chilled.
Here's what you do:

Place two heaping tablespoonfuls of the grated potato on a square of cloth. Tie the potato bomb securely. Repeat. Lay back and place each bomb over closed eyes for 10 minutes while you repeat your favorite mantra (try "I will never drink that much again."). If you can't find cheesecloth or want a super quick remedy, peel a potato, slice it in half and make two thin half-moon slices. Slap the slices under your eyes for 10 minutes.
You'll need:

* One peeled and grated potato
* Cotton cheesecloth
* String or ribbon

Tried-and-True Cucumber Soak
The classic cucumber cure.

Okay, it's not just a wives' tale ... cucumbers really do help relieve puffiness, sore eyes and eye fatigue. Cukes have a high water content, which helps soothe and cool eyes. The trace amounts of salt helps draw excess water from the tissue surrounding the eyes, reducing puffiness. They also help to tone and firm the skin around the eyes.
Here's what you do:

Allow cucumber slices to cool on the ice for a few minutes. Place a cucumber slice over each eyelid and relax for 10 to 15 minutes. And here's a little secret the resident spa boy came up with: If you want to keep your peepers open during this treatment, cut the slices in half and use them just under your eyes.
You'll need:

* Sliced cucumbers
* Bowl of ice

Soothing Eye Gel
A treatment for tired eyes.

The protein in the gelatin nourishes the skin beneath the eye and helps to tighten and smooth it. The elderflowers have a mildly astringent, tightening effect. Store the gel in a refrigerator and use within six days.
Here's what you do:

Put the elderflowers and eyebright in a saucepan with the water. Cover and bring to a boil, the simmer for 10 minutes. Cool and strain the infusion. Place the gelatin in a small saucepan with 3 tablespoons of the small infusion and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Set the pan over a low heat until the gelatin melts. Transfer the eye gel to a sterile pot with a lid, and leave it to cool and solidify. Apply a small amount of gel with a fingertip. Dab the gel into the skin; don't rub the skin. Source: From Home Spa: Pamper Yourself Naturally by Sian Rees.
You'll need:

* 1 small sprig fresh elderflowers
* 1/2 teaspoon dried eyebright leaves
* 5 fl oz water
* 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin

Slave to the Music Eye Saver
An after-party eye lift.

This is the one to go for when you just had to dance until 3 a.m., regardless of your 9 a.m. breakfast date with mom. We understand and we are here to serve you with this quick and easy fix.
Here's what you do:

Put two teaspoons or slices of cucumber in the freezer for 15 minutes. Place the frosted spoons or the cucumber slices on your eyelids and relax for ten minutes.
You'll need:

* 2 slices of cucumber
* 2 frosted spoons

Hair and Beauty Home Recipe

Natural Beauty

Homemade Products

Debbie DeSpirt

Beautify your hair and complexion with simple and inexpensive recipes.

Millions if not billions of dollars each year are spent on advertising campaigns to teach us how to look beautiful. As you look in the mirror you see your face is a little lifeless and you have countless options to bring the spark back into your skin. Nevertheless, the best kept secret is natural beauty products made at home. As well, the key to beautiful skin and hair is a balanced diet with limited intake of sugar, caffeine, and oil products.

Shiny Hair

Remove the build up from your hair with a simple natural recipe. Take care of your hair by removing the stagnant and dead particle matter that gets locked into your hair strands. Often the hair becomes dull and lifeless when life becomes stressful and overwhelming. Remove the toxins with either of these two recipes. Your hair will be left shiny and soft after the build up has been removed.

Clean Hair Recipe #1

Put 1 cup of molasses, maple syrup or honey into your hair. Make certain the molasses, maple syrup, or honey covers all of your hair from the roots to the ends. Wrap plastic wrap around your hair and put a towel over your head. Let the product sit in your hair for 15-30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo as usual.

Clean Hair Recipe #2

Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 cup of natural shampoo.

Pour 1 tablespoon of the shampoo into the hair and lather. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

Health and Beauty Secret

Many of us are looking for the ancient secrets that will keep us looking healthy and beautiful. We search the stores and listen to the countless infomercials on the power of their product to reduce aging and to bring our youthful complexion back.

Water, water and more water is the answer. Water removes the toxins from the body to give your skin a healthy and vibrant look.

As well, to keep the skin hydrated use a few drops of jojoba oil on the face. Apply the drops to a damp face, as the water aids the oil to absorb into your face.

Natural Health and Beauty Experiment:

For six weeks drink 8 glasses of water a day. At the beginning of this experiment, your complexion will probably look worst as all the toxins are coming to the surface. After the six weeks, you should have a vibrant complexion.

During the six weeks, refrain from highly processed foods and increase your vegetable and fruit intake. Vegetables and fruits are best in their natural state.

Natural Dry Hair & Skin Remedies

Natural Ingredients and Recipes to Soothe Your Skin and Hair

Catherine Solmes

Treat and soothe your dry skin and hair with natural ingredients and recipes you can make yourself.

Often the most effective ways to treat dry skin is using natural ingredients and remedies. Did you know that remedies for dry skin and hair can be found in your kitchen cupboard? Give your dry skin a break and soothe it with natural and gentle ingredients.

Hair that is dehydrated looks flat, dull and dry. For a quick, at-home, all-natural fix, try this floury hair mask for soft, super-shiny hair:

• 1/2 cup of white spelt flour
• 1/2 cup of barley flour
• 1 cup of distilled water
• 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

Sift the flours together and pour in the liquids, mixing well. Smooth over dry hair, making sure to coat each strand. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing with cool water.

Olive Oil

The wonder product that is good for your inside and outside. Massage it into excessively dry skin such as your heels, elbows, knees and cuticles. Mix some into warm (not hot) bath water. Massage it into dry hair and scalp. Use it as a facial moisturizer or after a shower or bath as a body moisturizer.

For an exfoliating treatment, mix two parts brown sugar with one part olive oil. Rub gently into your skin before a shower.

Banana

Banana is a gentle, effective moisturizer for dry or aging skin. The natural emollients in the fruit will soothe and hydrate your parched skin. Simply mash a ripe banana into a paste and apply it to your face or whatever part of your body that is excessively dry for ten minutes. To make this simple mask even more effective, combine it with a teaspoon or so of olive oil.

Honey

Honey acts as an intensive moisturizer for the skin. It will soften, firm, smooth and moisturize your skin, and is especially good for aging skin.

Ways To Use Honey:

• Smooth a thin layer onto freshly cleansed skin and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing.
• Try mixing 1/4 cup of honey into warm bathwater for a moisturizing soak.
• Combine a teaspoon of honey with 4 cups of warm water and work through hair after shampooing. Do not rinse and dry as usual for extra shiny, sweet-smelling, soft hair.
• Apply to the dry, flaky skin of the heels, elbows and knees and leave for ten minutes .

Oatmeal

Oatmeal's mild exfoliating, softening and cleansing properties makes it ideal for sensitive and dry skin and skin conditions such as psoriasis and excema.

Ways To Use Oatmeal:

• Try 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oatmeal powder available at most grocery and health food stores) in a lukewarm bath to soothe dry, itchy skin.
• Use cooked oatmeal as a body mask. Apply it to clean, damp skin and leave for a few minutes, then rinse off in a bath or shower.
• For a gentle cleansing treatment, mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 2 tbsp of plain yogurt and apply to skin. Leave on for ten minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.

Extra Tips

• Because hot water will dehydrate your dry hair and skin, use only lukewarm water to wash it.
• Treat your hair, feet and hands to an all-night hydrating mask. Saturate your hair and massage into your skin, a generous amount of olive oil, wrap in plastic and cover with socks, gloves or a towel. Wash as usual in the morning for soft, smooth, moisturized skin.
• Eating oily foods can increase the moisture in your skin - try adding the healthy oils to your diet by eating nuts and fish. Ensuring you drink lots of water each day will help your skin and hair hydrate itself.
• Things that can aggravate dry skin and hair include: pollution, caffeine and smoking.

Temporary Hair Removal

Remove Hair Temporarily with Shaving, Depilatories, Tweezing, Waxing

Chrissy Dolezal

Temporary hair removal is an easy solution to body hair dilemmas. With many products on the market today, temporary hair removal systems have come a long way.

Temporary hair removers are a quick way to take care of body hair, although continual maintenance will be necessary to keep the desired look. Some temporary hair removal solutions remove hair for a longer period of time than others. Each solution comes with its own benefits and downsides. Depending on the body part and the desired look, it might be best to use different body hair removals.

There are two types of temporary hair removal. Epilation is removing the entire hair, while depilation is removing the hair about the surface of the skin.

Epilation

• Threading: Using cotton threads, the practitioner remove hairs by the root. It can be used anywhere on the body, but is most commonly used for facial hair. Benefits: Relatively inexpensive and a great practice for eyebrows and other facial hair. For many it is pain-free. Downsides: For some it is not pain-free and can cause skin irritation. Also, it can be hard to find a practitioner in smaller towns.
• Tweezing: Using tweezers to remove hair is probably the most popular epilation method. Benefits: The easiest way to shape eyebrows and to tweeze other hairs from the face and body. Downsides: Painful and not the best solution for large areas of the body.
• Waxing: Hot wax is applied to the skin while a strip of cloth is pressed and placed over the hairy body part. The cloth strip is then pulled away in one fast motion. Waxing can be done at home or in a salon. There are many “at home” waxing kits available. Benefits: Can be done in the privacy of home. Fast and usually inexpensive. Results can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Disadvantages: Extremely painful! The wax can burn; the hair is ripped from the body, sometimes skin is ripped off as well in the process. Waxing is also messy.

Depilation

• Shaving: Shaving is the cheapest and easiest way to remove a hair from the body. Benefits: Very cheap, especially when compared to other hair removal solutions. Can be done from home and very easy for traveling as well. Downsides: Razor blades need to be replaced often. Can cause skin irritations such as razor burn, dry skin, and ingrown hairs. The results do not last very long, so may be needed every day. Can only be done where one can reach, so it limits the hair that can be removed by one person.
• Depilatories: Hair removal creams are a common product in the beauty market place. These use a chemical that dissolves hair at the surface of the skin. Benefits: Cheap and many products are available, so it is easy to find one in the desired price range. Can be done at home and may be used anywhere on the body. Results can last for a fairly long time, about 7 to 14 days. Downsides: Because it is a chemical, it can cause skin irritations. Plus, the smell is horrible. All of the depilatory products have a strong chemical odor.

Reference:

• www.hairfacts.com, (Online), August 23, 2007

DIY Make a Milk Bath

Natural Skin Care Recipe

by Kim DeLeary

Remember Cleopatra's famous milk and honey baths? It is easy to create your own luxurious milk and honey bath at home.

The milk and honey baths of Cleopatra are well known because they were part of her regular skin and beauty treatments. Milk is a luxuriant skin treatment when it is added to bath water. Milk exfoliates, softens and nourishes the skin. There are several ways to enjoy a milk bath.

Use Dry Or Wet Ingredients In Your Milk Bath

You can use liquid milk or dried milk. The honey may be liquid or dry. You can use any combination or dry or wet ingredients. Milk provides nutrition directly to the skin. Milk acts as a mild exfoliate. Milk softens and hydrates the skin too.

Add Honey, Oatmeal, Sea Salt Or Baking Soda To The Milk Bath

Honey softens, provides nutrition and acts to protect the skin. If you add oatmeal, the oatmeal will soothe dry, itchy skin and protect skin. Sea salts detoxify and soften skin. Another ingredient you can use in your milk baths is baking soda. Baking soda is a good cleanser and skin softener. If you add all of these ingredients together, you will have a wonderful mixture. Even if you use any of these ingredients alone, it will good for the skin.

Try An Oatmeal, Cream And Honey Bath

Oatmeal soothes skin. If you have cooked oatmeal and there is some liquid from it, add this to the bath as well. You can use cooked oatmeal in a bath tea bag that doubles as a washcloth.

Customize This Milk Bath Recipe

You can make a simple milk and honey bath by adding between half a teaspoon to one or two tablespoons of wet honey (or its dry equivalent) and one cup of liquid milk (or its dry equivalent) to your bath water. Add about half a cup of dried milk or one cup of liquid milk as a single ingredient for a simple milk bath.

For a large batch, mix three cups of dried milk to one cup of ground quick cooking oats. You can grind the oatmeal in a blender. Grinding the oatmeal is optional. Use a few tablespoons for each bath. You can also scoop some of this mixture into a large tea bag. The oatmeal will soften and soothe the skin. Store your mixture in an airtight container and use a scoop or pour out from the container when using it. Avoid putting your fingers or moisture into the mixture. Another recipe for a large batch of milk bath mixture combines one-cup cornstarch, two cups dried milk and half of a cup of sea salt. Add two or three tablespoons of your bath mixture to each bath.

It is easy to use milk as a bath product. A milk bath mixture can easily be customized by adding other simple ingredients that can be found in most households. Just be sure you are not allergic to dairy products before using milk in your bath. By adding such nutritious ingredients to your bath water, you will have softer and smoother skin.

DIY Natural Berry Lip Gloss

by Kim DeLeary

Use Fresh Cranberries, Oil, Honey & Vitamin E To Make This Lip Gloss

All you have to do is mix then heat the ingredients together in a microwave. Use this natural lip gloss to color your lips a berry red. Get the lip gloss recipe here.

Use Natural Lip Gloss Instead

Your skin will absorb whatever you put on your mouth and because it is in such close proximity to your mouth, chances are you may accidentally swallow some of your lip gloss as you wear it.

What would you think if you could make a natural red lip gloss with a few common natural ingredients? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to stain your lips without any synthetic dyes or chemicals? That day has come.

Natural Cranberry And Honey Flavor

This lip gloss recipe uses fresh cranberries, which can taste somewhat bitter in comparison with other sweeter berries. The addition of honey to this recipe sweetens the sour taste naturally and the honey keeps the lips soft.

All you have to do is make steep and crush fresh cranberries in a little amount of hot oil and honey. You can easily heat your ingredients in a small microwaveable bowl in the microwave.

The natural red from the cranberries is one of the most saturated fruit colors that you can add to a natural lip gloss recipe.

Supplies, Equipment And Ingredients

As for supplies, you need a sturdy microwaveable bowl, a wooden spoon, and a microwave. You will use the wooden spoon to crush the heated berries with the oil in the bowl. After you have washed and dried the fresh cranberries, choose the berries with the deepest red color for use in your recipe. You can use any type of vegetable, fruit or nut oil or butter in your recipe. Olive oil, which has a strong scent, may not be suitable for this lip gloss recipe. The contents of a vitamin E capsule will act as a preservative for this recipe.

Ingredients

• 10 Fresh Cranberries
• 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 1 Capsule Vitamin E

Directions

1. Blend the honey and oil in the microwaveable bowl. Add the cranberries to the mixture.
2. Heat the mixture in 30 second bursts until the mixture just begins to boil. Stir again.
3. Use the wooden spoon to crush the berries. Continue crushing until you have crushed all ten berries and the oil mixture is red.
4. Cool the mixture for ten minutes. Strain using a muslin cloth.
5. Stir again then cool. When the mixture is cooled, yet still liquid, add to your recycled lip gloss container. If the mixture has cooled to the point of solidifying, then reheat gently in the microwave until it is liquid again and pour into the container or containers.

Now, you know how to make natural lip gloss. With some experimentation, you can adjust the amount of berries needed to get the exact color that you want. You will enjoy how quick it is to make your own natural cranberry lip gloss and you will love the natural berry color. Natural makeup like this is easy to do.