Natural Breasts Care

Herbs And Vitamins For Healthy Breasts

There are a number of herbs and vitamins for healthy breasts that show promise in the prevention of breast cancer and fibrocystic breast disease (non-cancerous breast lumps).

Cancer of the breast is the leading cause of death for women in the US where it is estimated that 1 in 9 women will get breast cancer before she is 85.

The inclusion of herbs and vitamins for healthy breasts, accompanied by a wholesome nutritious diet and exercise are important factors in maintaining healthy breasts.

One of the main contributing factors to breast cancer seems to be hormonal imbalance : in particular the hormone estrogen, which can promote abnormal tissue growth in breasts. However, there are a number of herbs that women can include in their diets which work to gently balance women's hormones and help in the promotion of healthy breasts.

Red Clover - This herb has been used by many different cultures in the treatment of cancer. Red clover contains isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens that are structurally similar to estrogen.

In premenopausal women with normal estrogen levels, isoflavones have an anti-estrogen effect. In postmenopausal women with low estrogens, isoflavones act as weak estrogens.

Red Clover is also helpful in the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women which is related to declining estrogen levels.

Furthermore, Red Clover is useful for relieving menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, reduced libido, and vaginal dryness. It should be noted, however, that women who are pregnant and breastfeeding should avoid taking Red Clover.

Green Tea - Several studies have proven that Green Tea is beneficial in the reduction of solid tumor formation and the risk of breast cancers in women. In fact, preliminary research suggests that flavonoids found in green tea reduce the risk of several different kinds of cancers including prostate cancer, colon cancer, and gastric cancer.

A recent Japanese study explored the green tea's protection against breast cancer. It was found that women who consumed more green tea had a lower number of tumor growth. And, in a seven-year study it was found that women with stage I or II cancer who consumed five or more cups of green tea a day had approximately half the recurrence rate of those women who consumed four cups or less.

Turmeric - Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, Turmeric may be a useful herb for healthy breasts. The medicinal properties of Turmeric have for millennia been known to the ancient Indians and its medical properties have been expounded in the Ayurvedic texts.

A recent study involving mice has shown that Turmeric slows the spread of breast cancer into lungs and other body parts. Other studies have shown that turmeric can be effective in fighting a number of STDs including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

In addition to herbs, there are a number of vitamins for healthy breasts that should be included in the diet as well. Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) for example, has been cited in a number of studies as important to healthy breasts and breast cancer prevention. Additionally, it is useful for the reduction of fibrocystic breast disease.

Iodine, a mineral which is commonly found in sea vegetables such as kelp is another nutrient that has been shown to retard the growth of fibrocystic breast disease.

Walking is Good Exercise

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal 2006

Walking is a good exercise. Any exercise guru will tell you that walking burns calories, stimulates blood circulation and helps lower cholesterol levels, among other benefits. If it is not possible to do some workout, or get some jogging or running done on a regular basis, walking is the next best thing.

Establishing a walking routine also isn't that difficult. All it involves is a determined effort to choose walking over other options of mobility available. For example, if your office or your apartment is on the, say, third floor, you can use the stairs instead of riding the elevator. Or, if you are going to a place that is only a few blocks away, you can keep your car parked in the garage instead of going for a drive.

But as simple as walking can be, you still should not rush headlong into it either, especially during the summer. Just as if you are about to do something strenuous, you need to prepare your body if you are going to do some walking. In the summer heat, the heat wave can catch you if you are unprepared. The price of being unprepared is dehydration, heatstroke and skin damage. So, how do you get some walking done without getting into any serious harm under the summer sun?

First, do your walking when the sun is not yet high, or is already on the verge of setting. This means doing it early in the morning, or quite late in the afternoon. The rule of thumb here is staying out of the sun from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. This is the time when the sunlight is strongest and ultraviolet rays can do the most harm. For added protection, map out your route for your walk and choose areas where there is ample shade.

Second, keep yourself hydrated while you walk. Give yourself a big glass of water at least one hour before you start your walk, and then take water breaks every 20 or 30 minutes. Stick to water and avoid soda or sugary drinks because sugary drinks can make you nauseous. If you think you are going to be walking for more than an hour and that you are going to be sweating a lot, substitute water with a sports drink. This will quickly replace your body's electrolytes.

Third, protect your eyes, your head and your skin. Wear a hat or a cap with a visor, as well as sunglasses that filter ultraviolet rays. Coat your skin liberally with sun-blocking lotion so you won't get sunburn. And because dark colors absorb heat while light colors reflect it, wear light-colored clothes.

Lastly, gauge your body as you walk. If you are feeling dizzy, nauseous or having trouble breathing, rest for a while and take a drink. These are signs that your body has had enough heat and exertion for the time being. Watch out for these signs and do not force yourself to continue if you feel that you couldn't take it anymore.

Walking is a very enjoyable activity if you do it right. Not only will you be getting the exercise that your body needs, but who knows what you'd see and meet while walking?
Happy walking!

Daydreaming is Good Relaxation

Daydreaming uses the power of visual imagination in an efficient and enjoyable way to activate relaxation.

Daydreaming is a simple, cost-effective way to feel happier and calmer fast.

Picture a place from your past, where you felt happy, secure, and peaceful. Then imagine yourself there, making all the sensory impressions - smells, sounds, sights - as sharp as possible.

Daydreaming benefits:

• Relaxation
• Conflict management
• Reinforces values and beliefs
• Boosts creativity and achieve goals
• Boredom relief

Dark Under Eye Circles

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal

It is always said that the easiest way to tell how old a woman is or how she generally takes care of herself is to look at her eyes. The eyelids and the skin under the eyes are among the most delicate areas of the skin. The skin on that area is so thin, it wrinkles easily and is susceptible to puffiness and darkening.

Puffy and dark circles under the eyes can make us look tired and appear older beyond our years. Women approaching their thirties and older generally address this area first when they try to rejuvenate themselves, because puffy and dark circles under the eyes are one of the more obvious indicators of aging.

What causes us to form dark circles under our eyes, also known as eye bags? We have to recognize and accept it with ourselves that having dark circles under the eyes is part of the natural aging process. Also, we could be genetically pre-disposed to develop them earlier. Dark circles under the eyes can also develop from factors from our own environment, such as pollutants and allergens in the air. In addition, crying our eyes out is a sure-fire ticket to having dark circles under the eyes.

Not a few women think that undergoing cosmetic surgery or using expensive creams are the only ways of dealing with dark circles under the eyes. This is not so. While it is not possible to be able to remove them completely all the time, there are ways that we can take to combat them, or at least to make sure that they do not get worse over time.

One of these ways of fighting dark under eye circles is to keep our bodies hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fruit juices every day. Eight glasses or two liters of water is the recommended amount. Water flushes out the toxins in our body and acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin.

Another way of doing it is to get plenty of sleep every night. We should get around seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sufficient sleep allows the body to repair and rejuvenate itself. When the body is able to repair itself properly every day, the skin appears younger and healthier, including the skin around the eyes.

If you are a smoker, you would do well to stop smoking. Smoking robs the body of nutrients and dries out the water in our cells. It is not just our skin that suffers from smoking; the entire body suffers from the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke.

Dark under eye circles home remedies:

• Resting your eyes for thirty minutes or so with a slice of cucumber over each eyelid.
• Putting on an eye pack that spent time inside the refrigerator before going to sleep.
• Chilling a couple of used teabags with most of the water squeezed out of them and then taking a nap for fifteen minutes with the teabags on your eyelids.

Getting dark circles under the eyes is a part of the aging process, but you do not have to go under the knife just to be able to get rid of them.

Exotic Appetizer Recipe

This healthy, easy, exotic Greek treat makes a fine appetizer, but it can also be enjoyed as a side dish with lunch or dinner.

Ingredients - Filling:

2 cups vegetable stock or purified water
1 cup brown rice
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup grated radish
1/3 cup chopped scallions or green onions
1/2 cup minced celery
3/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup currants or yellow raisins
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch salt (optional)
1 tablespoon capers
36 grape leaves
1 bunch chives
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preparation

Instructions

1. Bring the stock or water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rice and salt. Reduce heat and simmer, covered with a tight-fitting lid, for 45 minutes. All the water should be absorbed. Fluff the rice with fork.

2. Mix together the rice and all the other filling ingredients in a large bowl, tossing thoroughly with a spoon.

3. Rinse the grape leaves. Spread the grape leaves out and spoon 1 tablespoons of the filling on the end of each leaf, and then roll up, folding the outer edges in.

4. Take three 5-inch-long chives and dip briefly in boiling water to make them more pliable. Tie them around each stuffed grape leaf.

5. Place the leaves in a small casserole dish and drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice over them. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes at 350 F. Serve warm or cold.

Makes 36 grape leaves - 3 per person.

Tips:

Grape leaves are not readily available fresh, so you will have to buy them bottled or canned. They are packed in brine, a salty solution that you'll want to rinse off before using. Gently lift the leaves out of the jar, lay them in a bowl, and run them under a soft stream of water, letting the water completely drench the leaves. To dry, lay the leaves in a colander and let them drain, or lay them on a flat surface and pat dry with a clean cloth.

Nutrients Per Serving
• Calories: 119
• Protein: 2.5 grams
• Fat: 4.4 grams
• Saturated Fat: 0.7 grams
• Carbohydrate: 16.8 grams
• Fiber: 1.3 grams
• Cholesterol: 0.0 mg

Natural Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Natural Moisturizers for Dry Skin
By Laci Chiodo

Does your skin feel like a desert? Not to worry! Soft, supple skin is not a mirage. If you're stuck in a dry spell and searching for relief, try a few of these natural moisturizing techniques to hydrate and revitalize your skin.

Hydrating Facial Mask
In a small bowl, mix one avocado, one raw egg, and one teaspoon of coconut oil to form a creamy paste. Apply the paste to your face and let it work its magic for 25 - 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Raw eggs and avocados contain natural moisturizing proteins, making them a super combo for fresh, luxurious skin. Adding coconut oil provides a boost of antioxidants.

Milk Bath
Fill your bathtub with warm water and add up to five cups of rich, whole milk or buttermilk. Light a few candles, turn on some tunes, and soak yourself for twenty to thirty minutes. Milk contains proteins that can help smooth and rejuvenate dry skin.

Oatmeal and Yogurt Exfoliant
Mix one cup uncooked oatmeal and a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt to create an exfoliating paste. Use as a gentle body scrub to remove dry, flaky skin and dead skin cells. The oatmeal will do the scrubbing while the yogurt does the moisturizing.

Maintain a Healthy Diet
Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat foods high in nutrients. Think fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco - all skin dehydrators, and avoid processed and packaged foods as much as possible.

Hand Treatment

A Quick Hand Treatment

Hands are the most visible parts of you, but they also take a lot of abuse. You use them in everyday activity, and yet, they are the ultimate accessory. You must give them the same attention you give your face.

* Soften your hands even while you do the dishes. Add a little almond oil (about a teaspoon) to dishwater. The water will soften rought skin while the oil seals the moisture.

* Slough off dead skin cells with a solution made of sea salt lemon. Brush it into hands with an old toothbrush. Do this twice a week to soften hands and remove discoloration.

* Wash hands thoroughly with warm water, then, using a coarse washcloth, rub briskly. While skin is slightly damp, apply a mixture of one teaspoon honey and one teaspoon olive oil. Place hands in small plastic bags, then in a pair of cotton gloves for thirty minutes. The heat helps the treatment penetrate.

* Warm a cup of milk in the microwave for thirty seconds (or until warm, but comfortable to the touch). Soak your hands for five minutes to strengthen nails and hydrate skin. Not only is milk loaded with lactic acid, a natural alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates dead skin, but its high calcium content will strengthen fragile nails.

Lemon-Cucumber Whitening Extract

Lemon-Cucumber Whitening Extract

This recipe is good in whitening dark underarms and neck.

You will need:
Lemons
Cucumber
Turmeric

Procedure:
Extract lemon juice using juicer, and extract the same with cucumber. Mix lemon and cucumber juice together with a pinch of turmeric.
Apply to neck or underarms daily and leave this for 20 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Dark Under Eye Circles

Dark Under Eye Circles

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal

It is always said that the easiest way to tell how old a woman is or how she generally takes care of herself is to look at her eyes. The eyelids and the skin under the eyes are among the most delicate areas of the skin. The skin on that area is so thin, it wrinkles easily and is susceptible to puffiness and darkening.

Puffy and dark circles under the eyes can make us look tired and appear older beyond our years. Women approaching their thirties and older generally address this area first when they try to rejuvenate themselves, because puffy and dark circles under the eyes are one of the more obvious indicators of aging.

What causes us to form dark circles under our eyes, also known as eye bags? We have to recognize and accept it with ourselves that having dark circles under the eyes is part of the natural aging process. Also, we could be genetically pre-disposed to develop them earlier. Dark circles under the eyes can also develop from factors from our own environment, such as pollutants and allergens in the air. In addition, crying our eyes out is a sure-fire ticket to having dark circles under the eyes.

Not a few women think that undergoing cosmetic surgery or using expensive creams are the only ways of dealing with dark circles under the eyes. This is not so. While it is not possible to be able to remove them completely all the time, there are ways that we can take to combat them, or at least to make sure that they do not get worse over time.

One of these ways of fighting dark under eye circles is to keep our bodies hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fruit juices every day. Eight glasses or two liters of water is the recommended amount. Water flushes out the toxins in our body and acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin.

Another way of doing it is to get plenty of sleep every night. We should get around seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sufficient sleep allows the body to repair and rejuvenate itself. When the body is able to repair itself properly every day, the skin appears younger and healthier, including the skin around the eyes.

If you are a smoker, you would do well to stop smoking. Smoking robs the body of nutrients and dries out the water in our cells. It is not just our skin that suffers from smoking; the entire body suffers from the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke.

Dark under eye circles home remedies:

• Resting your eyes for thirty minutes or so with a slice of cucumber over each eyelid.
• Putting on an eye pack that spent time inside the refrigerator before going to sleep.
• Chilling a couple of used teabags with most of the water squeezed out of them and then taking a nap for fifteen minutes with the teabags on your eyelids.

Getting dark circles under the eyes is a part of the aging process, but you do not have to go under the knife just to be able to get rid of them.

Black Hair

Black Hair

Should You Get Black Hair?

By Lynn Lopez

You might be thinking of getting a drastically new look. Most times, this only entails a change in your everyday makeup, a new haircut, or a few touch-ups to your wardrobe. What's really guaranteed to up your look's shock factor is getting a new hair color. If you've been a blonde all your life, turning brunette will turn heads. If you've never switched your brown hair color for any other shade, going a lot lighter will brighten up your appearance. But if you go with black hair, then that will definitely give you a whole new look.

Black hair can convey lots of different images. It could make you look like a total Goth girl or make you look like the perfect Oriental doll. Done right, it could make you look like a raven-haired goddess with long, cascading tresses.

Not everyone is cut out to sport black hair, though. Before you head to your stylist and declare your intentions to blacken your locks, go over these few guidelines first.

• Black hair is your goal, but it's not advisable to choose a totally charcoal-black shade. Hairdressers say a really deep black sometimes makes hair look fake, so a dark brown-black shade would look better.
• Consider your skin color. They say black goes with everything, and that's more or less true with black hair. You could have dark skin, have a glowing tan, or olive complexion and you're going to be able to pull off black hair just fine. Fair skin also does justice to black hair, but make sure you're not extremely pale, unless you really are going for a Goth look.
• Take your cue from stars who have turned their manes black. While she's ordinarily gorgeous in every look she's experimented with, Angelina Jolie once looked sinister in black at the 2000 Oscars. Ashlee Simpson used to be an aspiring black-haired rocker chick when she emerged into the music scene. Britney Spears shocked everyone when she dyed her normally blond hair a stunning black. Burlesque artist Dita Von Teese is a natural blonde, but established her signature style with glossy black curls.

Having second thoughts about getting black hair? Get yourself accustomed to a darker hair color by getting a deep brown shade first. If it turns out gorgeous, let the color settle in for several months and give your hair time to relax before getting another treatment. Then you can launch your new look and go all out black.

Carrot Juice Exfoliating Toner

This recipe for uneven skin tones due to blemishes and pigmentation.

You will need:
Carrots

Procedure:
Make a carrot juice by extracting the juice using a juicer. Apply on face's blemishes and pigmentation. Use this daily to achieve clear and well-toned skin.

Penne a la Broccoli Recipe

Penne a la Broccoli Recipe

One of the fastest and easiest main dishes to make. It's full of flavor and it also has the cancer-fighting protection of broccoli. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

16 oz penne or other hearty pasta, uncooked
Large bunch of broccoli
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Several cloves of garlic, chopped or mashed
1/2 cup water
Salt to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling water until al dente.

2. Trim the ends of the broccoli stems and cut off the flowers. Peel the outer fibrous layer off the main stalks and cut the stalks into bite-sized pieces.

3. Separate the flower of the broccoli into bite-sized pieces.

4. Place the broccoli in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Put it in a saucepan with the olive oil, garlic, water and salt. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, and let steam until the broccoli is bright green and very crunchy-tender - no more than 5 minutes. Remove the lid and boil off most of the remaining liquid.

5. Toss the broccoli with cooked pasta. Top with red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrients Per Serving
• Calories: 504.5
• Protein: 17.4 grams
• Fat: 5.8 grams
• Saturated Fat: 0.8 grams
• Monounsat Fat: 2.8 grams
• Polyunsat Fat: 1.3 grams
• Carbohydrate: 95.4 grams
• Fiber: 7.4 grams
• Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
• Calcium: 63.2 mg