Sunday, March 8, 2015

Best natural oils to use for your hair


Argan oil

Argan oil is a fantastic natural sunscreen, heat protectant and an intensive repair treatment all in one! In fact, if you’re looking for a multi-purpose natural
 hair product, this is something you should definitely try. It will improve the elasticity of your dry, brittle hair, help reduce the frizziness of your locks making them softer and more manageable, repair damaged tresses and reduce further breakage as well as aid hair growth! Sounds unbelievable? No wonder argan oil is one of the most popular natural oils for hair!


Coconut oil

A well known secret of 
hair growth, beautiful healthy hair and healthy scalp - this natural oil for hair is a product ladies swear by! Give it a go in case you’re into organic hair care and love to experiment with natural hair products or in case you wish to try something new. Coconut oil works wonders for both dry and oily scalp, promoting that healthy balance, helping your damaged hair regain its natural shine and vitality, protecting it from both inside and outside!


Avocado oil

You know that avocado is good for your health because of all the wonderful nutrients it contains. It turns out that those nutrients can also do wonders for your 
hair. Packed with vitamins A, D and E, as well as B vitamins and protein, avocado oil can help combat dry, brittle strands by moisturizing each and every one. In addition, avocado oil also provides nutrients for your scalp so your hair can grow in healthy and strong. Use it alone or look for hair care products that contain it.

Olive oil

You might not think to use olive oil for anything besides cooking a fabulous meal, but you should. Olive oil is an easy to find and affordable option for conditioning your hair. It works to moisturize your locks as well and is more lightweight than many of the other oils on this list. The fatty acids and vitamin E that olive oil contains infuses your hair and hydrates each strand for shinier, healthier looking locks any day of the week. So use a little to cook and a little in your 
hair and you're all set.


Almond oil
If you want something that is going to make your hair smell good in addition to keeping it looking lustrous and healthy, almond oil is the choice for you. In addition to its yummy scent, almond oil is packed with fats, which makes it a great choice for getting rid of dry hair and fighting off the brittleness that comes with it.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Choices to help you stay healthy!



The main benefit of these lifestyle choices is that in the future you are less likely to develop heart disease, stroke, diabetes, liver problems, lung problems, and certain cancers.

You should not smoke

If you smoke, stopping smoking is often the single most effective thing that you can do to reduce your risk of future illness. The risk to health falls rapidly as soon as you stop smoking (but takes a few years before the increased risk reduces completely). If you find it hard to stop smoking, then see your practice nurse for help. Medication may be advised to help you to stop.

Do some regular physical activity

Physical activity that gets you mildly out of breath and a little sweaty is fine - for example, jogging, heavy gardening, swimming, cycling, etc. A brisk walk each day is what many people do - and that is fine. However, it is thought that the more vigorous the activity, the better. To gain most benefit, you should do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. Two shorter bursts are thought to be just as good - for example, two 15-minute bouts of activity at different times in a day.


Eat a healthy diet

Briefly, a healthy diet means:
  • AT LEAST five portions, or ideally 7-9 portions, of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day.
  • A THIRD OF MOST MEALS should be starch-based foods (such as cereals, wholegrain bread, potatoes, rice, pasta), plus fruit and vegetables.
  • NOT MUCH fatty food, such as fatty meats, cheeses, full-cream milk, fried food, butter, etc. Use low-fat, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated spreads.
  • INCLUDE 2-3 portions of fish per week, at least one of which should be 'oily' (such as herring, mackerel, sardines, kippers, pilchards, salmon, or fresh tuna).
  • If you eat meat it is best to eat lean meat, or poultry such as chicken.
  • If you do fry, choose a vegetable oil such as sunflower, rapeseed or olive.
  • Try not to add salt to food, and limit foods which are salty.


    Try to lose weight if you are overweight or obese

    You don't need to get to a perfect weight. If you areoverweight you can gain great health benefits by losing 5-10% of your weight. This is often about 5-10 kg. (10 kg is about one and a half stone.)


    Don't drink too much alcohol

    Keep an eye on the amount of alcohol you drink. Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Pregnant women should not drink at all. One unit is in about half a pint of normal strength beer, or two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirits.






Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Homemade hair treatments


For All Hair Types


To Use: For normal hair, use the entire egg to condition hair; use egg whites only to treat oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize dry, brittle hair. Use 1/2 cup of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair. If there isn’t enough egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from “cooking”) and shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.



For Dull Hair

To Use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water, then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied every other week.


For Itchy Scalp

To Use: Mix 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp water, and massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.


For Limp or Fine Hair


To Use: Mix 1/2 cup flat beer (pour beer into a container and let it sit out for a couple of hours to deplete carbonation) with 1 tsp light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg. Apply to clean, damp hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair.


For Dry or Sun-Damaged Hair

To Use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp hair, let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add 1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application. For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment can be applied once a month.


For Oily or Greasy Hair



To Use: Pour 1 Tbsp cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it all. After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.

For Frizzy Hair

To Use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Healthy smoothie recipes

Almond Orange Smoothie

1 cup (250 mL) vanilla-flavoured almond beverage
1/2 cup (125 mL) orange juice
Juice from one lemon
Juice from one lime
Handful of ice
1 Tbsp (15 mL) honey
 

Blend all ingredients together.

Serves two.

Per serving: 148 calories, 2 g protein, 4 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 29 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre 0 mg cholesterol, 191 mg sodium



Watermelon Bliss Smoothie

2 cups (500 mL) chopped seedless watermelon
1 cup (250 mL) strawberries
1 cup (250 mL) plain low-fat yogurt
Handful of ice

Blend all ingredients together.
Serves two.

Per serving: 149 calories, 8 g protein, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 27 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre, 7 mg cholesterol, 89 mg sodium


Banana Pear Smoothie

2 ripe pears, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 tsp (5 mL) peeled and coarsely chopped ginger root
1 banana
1 cup (250 mL) skim milk
Handful of ice
Sprinkle of cinnamon on top


Blend all ingredients together.

Serves two.

Per serving: 199 calories, 6 g protein, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 47 g carbohydrates, 7 g fibre, 2 mg cholesterol, 66 mg sodium


Spinach and Strawberry Smoothie

1/2 cup (125 mL) low-fat vanilla yogurt
2 cups (500 mL) water
1 medium banana
1 cup (250 mL) sliced strawberries
2 cups (500 mL) chopped fresh spinach, lightly packed
Honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)

In blender, combine yogurt, water, banana, strawberries, spinach and honey or syrup (optional). Blend on high until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Makes 2 servings.

Per serving: about 120 cal, 5g pro, 2 g fat (1 g sat. fat), 25 g carb, 4 g fibre, 5 mg chol, 75 mg sodium. %RDI: 15% calcium, 8% iron, 60% vit A, 100% vit C.










Friday, January 9, 2015

Sunday, December 28, 2014

How to keep your skin healthy during the winter

      Winter weather is not fun for skin. Cold weather and low humidity levels result in dry air, which then steals moisture away from the skin every second of every day. Without immediate care, dry skin can lead to cracking and bleeding, and harsh winter wind makes the problem worse. Indoor heat further robs the air of moisture, as do hot showers or baths and harsh cleansers.


1. Wash in Lukewarm Water

Hot showers and baths always feel good in the winter, but when you can, particularly when just washing your face or hands, choose lukewarm water to avoid stripping as many oils away from the skin.


2. Moisturize Immediately Afterwards

Your skin not only needs more moisture, but moisture right after you wash. Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal that dampness into the skin. Keep a bottle near the bathtub, shower stall, and at every sink and use liberally every time you wash.


3. Choose Moisturizer Carefully

Some over-the-counter moisturizers have petroleum-based ingredients that can actually further dry your skin in the winter months. Be sure to choose a smart formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. Go for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution, as it’s more likely to help your skin retain moisture in the winter. Try Indie Lee’s natural moisturizing oils, as they’re made with natural, hydrating ingredients like lavender, chamomile, jojoba, and more, which help soothe dry, itchy skin.


4. Protect

Get used to wearing gloves and scarves to protect skin from cold winds, rain, and snow. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen. Winter sun can be just as damaging as summer sun, so apply a safe option like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to any exposed areas.


5. Humidify

Heating systems dry out the air, so consider installing a humidifier in your home, particularly in your bedroom, to put moisture back into the air and help prevent your skin from drying out.


6. Drink

We tend to drink less water in the winter because we turn to hot drinks like cocoa and tea, but don’t forget that your skin needs hydration from the inside, out. A little warm water with lemon can be very refreshing and hydrating at the same time.


7. Overnight Moisturize

Dryer areas like hands, feet, elbows, and knees have thin skin and tend to lose moisture faster than other areas on the body. Consider slathering on a deep moisturizing balm Skin Food by Weleda at night, then wear cotton gloves and socks to seal in the moisture until morning.


8. Exfoliate

We often forget to help the skin slough off dead cells in the winter, particularly on our hands. Yet moisture can’t get in if the dead cells are too plentiful. Find an exfoliating mask and use it on your face and your hands, as well as gently on your lips, then follow immediately with moisture to truly see a smoother difference. Exfoliating body washes are also helpful in the winter months.


9. Avoid Toxins, Specifically Allergens and Irritants

Particularly if you have eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis, you have to avoid allergens and irritants that may trigger a flare up. Winter skin is more fragile, so avoid irritating fabrics (like wool) and chemical-laden detergents, and use mild cleansers and moisturizers designed for sensitive skin.


10. Hydrate From the Inside Out

Eating foods high in water content can help hydrate your skin from the inside out. Try watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C and zinc to support the healthy production of collagen and elastin. Also consider an omega-3 supplement, or consume more fatty fish and flaxseed to give your skin the building blocks it needs to appear supple and smooth.


11. Change Your Cleanser

Cleansers can be extremely drying to the skin. If you’re used to using options that contain glycolic or salicylic acid, rotate with a more hydrating version that contains moisturizing ingredients. Try like Suki Naturals Moisture-Rich Cleansing Lotion, or for really dry skin, try a cleansing balm like Ren No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm. After cleansing, don’t leave the skin naked for more than 30 seconds, as this can dehydrate it, leading to increased dryness. Apply a hydrating toner and moisturizer to seal in moisture.


12. Use DIY Masks

Homemade hydrating masks can provide needed moisture in the winter months. Use natural moisturizing ingredients like honey, avocado, yogurt, olive and jojoba oils, almond oil, bananas, and aloe. Mix what you like together to create a cream or paste, and leave on skin for 10-30 minutes for lasting hydration.