Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Benefits of Lavender

Eat your fruit

Make a Clean Start this Spring!


SPRING IS DEFINITELY IN THE AIR, AND IT IS A GREAT TIME TO CLEAR OUT ALL THE CLUTTER THAT HAS ACCUMULATED – BOTH IN YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR BUDGET.

We've gathered some handy cleaning tips to make your Spring Clean a lot easier:

Kitchen

  • Always begin cleaning on the right side of your stove, then move clockwise around the room. The stove is typically the dirtiest part of the kitchen, so ending with it keeps you from spreading dirt and grease. (First, soak drip pans and knobs in warm soapy water. By the time you've worked your way around, they'll be easier to clean.)
  • Believe it or not – your dirty kitchen sink contains more bacteria than a toilet seat. If you don't have disinfectant available, there's an easy way to disinfect your sink with common kitchen products. Clean your sink with soap and water first, then spray it with a mist of vinegar, followed by a mist of hydrogen peroxide, and let the sink air-dry. (Don't mix the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide; spray one after the other.) If your sink is stainless steel, make it sparkle afterward by putting a few drops of mineral oil on a soft cloth and buffing it. This prevents water build-up, which deters mould and keeps the sink looking clean longer.
  • Use microfibre cloths instead of paper towels. When wet, microfibre helps sanitise and clean floors, counters, glass and tiles, and eliminates the need for other cleaning products.
  • We all know that sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing it out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it's shredded and smelly, replace it.

Bedrooms

  • Start with the bed – if your bed is made, your bedroom looks neat. When you wake up, pull the covers up to your chin, then scissor-kick your way out of bed so it'll be half-made when you get up. Tuck the covers up and in before you leave.
  • Most women have drawers full of clothes they don't wear, and their dresser tops soon become repositories for things they can't store. Get rid of things you haven't worn in a year and vow to put away your clean laundry each week.
  • Keep a "pamper basket" next to your bed to store the books, knitting and other odds and ends you enjoy doing before nodding off. Leave only your alarm clock, lamp and a box of tissues on your nightstand. Gone is the clutter!

Laundry

  • Since fabric softener and dryer sheets can strip towels of their absorbency, add a quarter cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or throw two new, clean tennis balls in your dryer to get rid of static electricity, soften fabrics and eliminate the need for dryer sheets.
  • Almost everything can be washed in cold water (and it's better for your electricity bill and the environment too), but use the hottest water possible for sheets, towels and underwear. Take special care to put undergarments in the dryer as soon as possible to stop bacteria growing while it is still damp.



Health Benefits of Celery

Important Minerals for a healthy body

7 Facts and Myths about Chocolate

Eat right for your blood type


There have been many fad diets over the years: from the cabbage soup diet in the ’60s, to the low-carbohydrate Atkins fad of the ’90s. The one thing that all the wacky diets and dieting ideas throughout the decades have in common is that they are unhealthy. Many of them will work: eating only 1000 calories a day of grapefruit will result in dramatic weight-loss; or more precisely, rapid fluid loss which is then regained after the diet is stopped.


The blood type diet, made popular by Peter D’Adamo’s book, Eat right for your blood type: The individualised diet solution to staying healthy, living longer, and achieving your ideal weight, is not much different from any other fad diet.


Scientific basis?


D’Adamo’s theory about nutrition is that the way one’s body absorbs and processes foods is affected by their blood type. This means that each blood type should eat (and avoid) different foods. Further, D’Adamo says that blood types determine how people should exercise and their susceptibility to different illnesses.


This, according to D’Adamo, is as a result of ancestral lines – where some people have hunter-gatherer heritage and should eat meat, others have agrarian (farming) ancestors and should eat little or no meat.


However, there is no scientific evidence that this diet is beneficial and no research has been done to prove that this diet works to improves health, maintain weight, or to improve wellbeing in any way.


The disadvantages


Part of the reason that the blood type diet is problematic is because of how restrictive it is. According to D’Adamo, the following are the diets associated with each of the blood types:


•Type O
D’Adamo says that this is the oldest of blood lines and as a result, people with type O blood should maintain the diet of their ancient ancestors. This means eating a lot of lean meat, poultry, and fish and avoiding grains and legumes. They should also enjoy vigorous exercise.


•Type A
Supposedly type As come from an agrarian line and benefit from vegetarian diets and gentle exercise.


•Type B
Allegedly type Bs have the least restricted diet and can eat almost anything but should avoid or limit carbohydrates. Type Bs should exercise moderately.


•Type AB
This is a modern blood type, according to D’Adamo, which should involve avoiding animal protein and exercising regularly.


The dietary restrictions don’t take taste and personal preference into account and there is no research which suggests that this diet is beneficial for the different blood groups. Registered dietician Monique Dos Santos suggests following a well-balanced diet instead. “We need to eat from each food group rather than being limited by our blood group,” she stresses.


It is important to discuss any dietary changes with a doctor or dietician to ensure that you are eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Make a Clean Start this Spring!



SPRING IS DEFINITELY IN THE AIR, AND IT IS A GREAT TIME TO CLEAR OUT ALL THE CLUTTER THAT HAS ACCUMULATED – BOTH IN YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR BUDGET.

We've gathered some handy cleaning tips to make your Spring Clean a lot easier:

Kitchen

  • Always begin cleaning on the right side of your stove, then move clockwise around the room. The stove is typically the dirtiest part of the kitchen, so ending with it keeps you from spreading dirt and grease. (First, soak drip pans and knobs in warm soapy water. By the time you've worked your way around, they'll be easier to clean.)
  • Believe it or not – your dirty kitchen sink contains more bacteria than a toilet seat. If you don't have disinfectant available, there's an easy way to disinfect your sink with common kitchen products. Clean your sink with soap and water first, then spray it with a mist of vinegar, followed by a mist of hydrogen peroxide, and let the sink air-dry. (Don't mix the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide; spray one after the other.) If your sink is stainless steel, make it sparkle afterward by putting a few drops of mineral oil on a soft cloth and buffing it. This prevents water build-up, which deters mould and keeps the sink looking clean longer.
  • Use microfibre cloths instead of paper towels. When wet, microfibre helps sanitise and clean floors, counters, glass and tiles, and eliminates the need for other cleaning products.
  • We all know that sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing it out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it's shredded and smelly, replace it.

Bedrooms

  • Start with the bed – if your bed is made, your bedroom looks neat. When you wake up, pull the covers up to your chin, then scissor-kick your way out of bed so it'll be half-made when you get up. Tuck the covers up and in before you leave.
  • Most women have drawers full of clothes they don't wear, and their dresser tops soon become repositories for things they can't store. Get rid of things you haven't worn in a year and vow to put away your clean laundry each week.
  • Keep a "pamper basket" next to your bed to store the books, knitting and other odds and ends you enjoy doing before nodding off. Leave only your alarm clock, lamp and a box of tissues on your nightstand. Gone is the clutter!

Laundry

  • Since fabric softener and dryer sheets can strip towels of their absorbency, add a quarter cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or throw two new, clean tennis balls in your dryer to get rid of static electricity, soften fabrics and eliminate the need for dryer sheets.
  • Almost everything can be washed in cold water (and it's better for your electricity bill and the environment too), but use the hottest water possible for sheets, towels and underwear. Take special care to put undergarments in the dryer as soon as possible to stop bacteria growing while it is still damp.

Your Dog's Body Condition

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Lunch break done right

 

 

For many people the idea of a lunch break is a quick sandwich eaten in front of the computer, while they catch up on a backlog of email correspondence. Yet it doesn’t have to be that way. Studies have shown that people who take a short lunch break are happier and often more productive, using the break as a reward for work done well. It can also give you perspective on a difficult problem and offer a vital recharge to get on with the rest of your day. And you could have a lot of fun to boot.

 

Here are some fun ideas to make the most out of your lunch break.

 

Start a lunch-time walking club

 

Why not round up a few colleagues and start a walking club during your lunch break? Good companionship combined with the release of feel-good endorphins during exercise can go a long way in boosting your mood. A stroll around your office neighbourhood or even just your office building a few times can give you this much needed boost.

 

Learn a language

 

Always wanted to learn a new language but just never seem able to find the time? Your lunch break is a great opportunity to try. You could make real headway in learning a new language by devoting a few lunch breaks a week to studying. Try playing language CDs on a portable player or downloading them to your MP3 player which you could listen to in a nearby park or while enjoying your lunch on a bench in your office building. 

 

Explore your surroundings

 

So often we get stuck in a cycle that includes work and home with very few stops in between. By using your lunch break as a means to explore your office neighbourhood, you could go on a mini adventure. Are there any great art galleries, book stores, or local museums you could visit? Your lunch break could be a wonderful opportunity to explore these.

 

Read a book

 

Ever wanted to finally read War and Peace? Or some other literary classic that you’ve just never gotten around to? Perhaps you’d simply like to start reading more.  A lunch break of 30 minutes to an hour is great for tackling a book you’ve always wanted to start and is a great way to schedule some reading time. You may be surprised at just how much you get through in the following weeks.

 

Listen to an audio book

 

There’s a particular enjoyment to listening to an audio book, whether it’s because the speaker brings the story to life in a gripping novel or helps to put something into perspective in a helpful guide. The great thing about listening to an audio book is that you can do it anywhere – from the front seat of your car or if you’ve downloaded one to your MP3 player you could listen to it while you take a walk, sit in a park, or while you soak up some sunshine outside.

 

Play a game

 

It’s not just children who benefit from play. Make work more fun by playing a board game with your colleagues or why not try a round of office soccer or cricket, depending on your workplace culture and environment and whether it would be appropriate. Studies have shown that playing games can make you more productive. Solitary games can also be fun and good for the mind, so try a crossword puzzle or Sudoku. 

 

Pamper yourself

 

Your lunch break can be a great way to indulge in a little TLC, from a short massage, manicure, pedicure, to a quick haircut. Haven’t got the budget? Why not take yourself out for a slice of cake with a friend at a nearby coffee or tea shop. A little indulgence every now and then can be a great happiness booster.

 

Try yoga or Pilates

 

Never have time to exercise? Your lunch break could be just the ticket. Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi are great ways to tone up without the fuss of an intense cardio workout. If you have a nearby studio, it may be worthwhile looking in to whether they offer weekly lunch break sessions. Some studios also offer corporate classes, where instructors come to your office and have a session in a boardroom – depending on whether it would be appropriate in your office.

 

Take a nap

 

A quick power nap can help you to feel recharged. Even just closing your eyes while being somewhere quiet can help you unwind. Depending on your environment, you could go for a quick nap in your car or a nearby park (so long as it’s safe to do so). Alternatively, if you have a friend who lives nearby you could always ask them if they wouldn’t mind loaning you their couch for a cat nap. 

 

Have a picnic

 

Whether you simply take a sandwich and a cold drink or go all out with a fabulous feast, taking your lunch outside does wonders for your mood. Why not try getting a few colleagues together and asking each one to bring a different item of food? Even as a solo affair, a picnic can be a great way to spend your lunch break.

 

Go out for lunch

 

Visiting a restaurant or coffee shop with a friend, a colleague, or even by yourself can be a wonderful treat. Try a nearby coffee shop you’ve always wanted to visit or a restaurant nearby that you may have heard good things about. Another great idea is to start a monthly lunch club with a friend or colleague, where you try out different coffee shops, restaurants, or even tea shops in your area.

 

While breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, there’s no reason why lunch can’t be the most fun. And with these great ideas, you’ll be well on your way to adding more fun to your work day.

 

 

 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

How To Store Your Garlic, Onions And Shallots So They Can Last For Months

How To Store Your Garlic, Onions And Shallots So They Can Last For Months

Instructions:
1. Make sure onions, garlic etc are firm and blemish free.
2. Use brown lunch paper bags.
3. Hole punch.
4. Paper clips for holding bags closed.

How to make:
1. Punch the bags.  You can do this any way you wish, even randomly all about the upper half of the bags.  Typically holes are punched by folding the bag a few times and then punching in a row, spacing the punches an inch or so apart.  Another method would be to fold the bag in half lengthwise, punch along one edge, flip the folded bag over and punch along the other edge, approximately 1" between punches.  It by no means needs to be perfect, simply punch holes for ventilation.  The result is multiple rows of holes.
2. Fill the bag up to half full (just below or at first punched holes), fold over the top, label it and paper clip it to hold the top down."
http://bit.ly/ONZd0r



How To Store Your Garlic, Onions And Shallots So They Can Last For Months
 
 
Instructions:
1. Make sure onions, garlic etc are firm and blemish free.
2. Use brown lunch paper bags....
3. Hole punch.
4. Paper clips for holding bags closed.

How to make:
1. Punch the bags. You can do this any way you wish, even randomly all about the upper half of the bags. Typically holes are punched by folding the bag a few times and then punching in a row, spacing the punches an inch or so apart. Another method would be to fold the bag in half lengthwise, punch along one edge, flip the folded bag over and punch along the other edge, approximately 1" between punches. It by no means needs to be perfect, simply punch holes for ventilation. The result is multiple rows of holes.
2. Fill the bag up to half full (just below or at first punched holes), fold over the top, label it and paper clip it to hold the top down."
 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Homemade Mosquito Repellent

Materials:
15of vanilla extract
10 drops of citronella oil or lemon-eucalyptus oil
1/4 Cup lemon juice
Spray bottle
Directions:
Combine above ingredients in spray bottle. Fill remainder of bottle with water, water/vodka or water/witch hazel mixture.
Spray yourself and any objects or areas you wish to keep mosquito free.

Watch Out For Rip Currents This Summer!

Watch Out For Rip Currents This Summer!
Stay safe while at the beach this summer and avoid any signs of a rip current! This could save your life. This is what a typical rip current looks like from the beach. We have all seen them, we just weren't sure of exactly what it is that we were looking at and so we weren't aware of the danger. Make sure you survey the waves when you arrive at any new beach. When you're watching the waves, if you notice a more flat spot that is always present in the formation of the waves as in the picture, that's a rip current. The water is moving in the opposite direction in that area, so be sure to always stay clear of those areas! It's definitely not a place to spend a calm or relaxing day at the beach, particularly if you had planned on swimming or have small children with you.
If you do happen to get caught up in a current like this, attempt only to swim out of the current, not against it. If you swim either left or right, parallel with the beach, you will eventually swim out of the current. Do not push yourself too hard, and focus primarily on just keeping your head above water and breathing. From there you can spot the beach and swim parallel to it until you are no longer being tugged about. Of course the best way to survive a rip current is to learn to identify them ahead of time and to avoid them entirely.

Sore Throat "Tea"

Sore Throat "Tea"

In a jar combine lemon slices, organic honey and sliced ginger.

 

Close jar and put it in the fridge, it will form into a "jelly".

 

To serve, spoon jelly into mug and pour boiling water over it.

 

Store in fridge 2-3 months




 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The cause of 95% of all chronic disease


Great sources of Vitamin B2


 

Asthma - Good and Bad foods


 

Super Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds


 

The Power of Papaya


 

Bitter Melon / Gourd


 
 
It is a great natural Blood Purifier.
 

14 of the best Vegetables


 

Health Benefits of Mint


 

Natural Remedies for Radiation Exposure


 

Top 20 Reasons to do Yoga


 

7 Ways to Clear Constipation Naturally


 

Health Benefits of Garlic


 

Foods for Weight Loss vs Foods for Weight Gain


 

Refreshing Avocado Smoothie


 

Foods that Create or Eliminate Mucus


 

Headaches


 

Your COLON look after him!

 
 
 
 
 
Colon Hydrotherapy
 
 
Are you constipated?
 
Always Tired?
 
Bloated?
 
Over Weight / struggling to lose weight?  
 
Do you suffer from:
Spastic Colon?
Candida?
Yeast Infections?
PMS?
 
 
 
 
 
Colon Hydrotherapy is a safe and gentle way of clearing out the colon of putrefying feacal matter, thus ridding the body of excess toxic load and also rehabilitating the colon to function properly on its own.
 
Clients report feeling less bloated, more energised, glowing and radiating good health.
 
Let us help you achieve the health you were meant to live.
 
 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Herbs for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome


 

Hypochondria

 
‘I have every disease there is’: Hypochondria
 
In the information age, it’s difficult to spend a day without hearing about yet another something-or-other that causes cancer or some other horrible disease. From lipstick to bananas, to the ink in your printer, you never know what might be bad for you, so it’s good to be vigilant.
 
But what happens when being responsible about your health turns into paranoia? When you begin to imagine that your life is an episode of House, M.D. and only someone with the medical smarts of the TV doctor/detective can diagnose your rare and strange disease, you may have hypochondria.
 
Hypochondria is defined as the fear of having a serious disease. People suffering from hypochondria fear that they already have a serious disease and these fears are often self-enforced because the individual will try to find as much information as they can about the diseases that they believe they have (read here about how doing internet searches for your symptoms might be a bad idea). This preoccupation causes significant disruption to the person’s daily life.
 
 
 
Disruptions to daily life
 
Someone who does not suffer from hypochondria is able to fairly subjectively assess the potential problems that a symptom they develop may have. For instance, a reasonable response to the concern of the appearance of a rapidly growing mole is to make an appointment with a doctor or dermatologist. People suffering from hypochondria will continue to fear cancer even after seeing the doctor, or dermatologist, and getting several second opinions, each of which conclude that the mole is benign and nothing to be worried about. They will imagine that they have additional symptoms and ‘self-diagnose’ cancer and try to convince others, including doctors, that they have cancer.
 
Although this response is unreasonable, it is equally unreasonable not to have a rapidly growing mole checked by a doctor.
 
 
 
Fear of disease
 
This fear is usually based on a misinterpretation of bodily symptoms or functions. The fear of having a serious disease tends to persist despite doctors’ assurances that there is nothing to be concerned about.
 
There are several things which may trigger hypochondriacs’ concerns of serious disease:
 
•Bodily functions. People with hypochondria might have a preoccupation with their bodily functions, frequently misinterpreting normal bodily functions. Sweating, heartbeat, urine output, and other functions may be closely monitored to the point of obsession – careful logging of bodily functions.
•Minor physical abnormalities. The preoccupation might be to do with small, trivial physical abnormalities – like a mole, bump, lump, scratch, or sore.
•Vague and ambiguous physical sensations. The complaint may be less specific and diagnostically irrelevant. For instance, some complaints of hypochondriacs may be tingling teeth, a tired heart, or aching veins.
 
The preoccupation can often be overwhelming and little or no medical expertise can allay the fears of the person suffering from hypochondria. The preoccupation is not assisted by the media and the endless amounts of information available to the person who often consumes it enthusiastically. Every piece of information they find about the disease they believe they have makes them believe they have it to an even greater extent.
 
 
 
Symptoms
 
The symptoms of hypochondria vary from mild (occasional preoccupation with one disease that eventually fades until something triggers it) to severe (continuous, obsessive and extremely debilitating preoccupation with one or many diseases). Here are some of the symptoms:
 
•Long term preoccupation with the fear that you have a serious disease.
•Concern that every minor complaint is a symptom of a very serious, rare, and undiagnosed disease.
•Seeing one doctor often and continuously seeking second opinions.
•Going to different doctors frequently.
•Continuously having multiple tests and scans for various disease and symptoms, even to the extent of exploratory surgery. 
•Continuously talking about the fear of having a serious disease, symptoms of the disease, and a continuous preoccupation with discussing the disease and doctors.
•Obsessively researching medical- and health-related topics.
•Continuously checking, screening, and monitoring your own body for abnormalities (and finding them).
•Believing that you have every disease you hear about, or being able to identify with symptoms of diseases you hear about.
 
The difference between normal concerns and hypochondria is the extent of the concern and the active engagement with it. If, despite numerous doctors telling you otherwise, you still believe that you have a disease and can find symptoms of that disease in yourself, then you are a hypochondriac.
 
While it’s prudent to be cautious of your health, becoming obsessed with it has severe and serious consequences for your mental health. If you believe that you or a loved one may have symptoms of hypochondria, ironically, it is best to consult a doctor or psychologist for treatment options. In many cases, when someone understands that they are prone to hypochondria, they have a better chance of being able to control their compulsions. 
 
 

10 Ways to Use Castor Oil

 
Castor oil sounds like an old-timey remedy, doesn’t it? This traditional remedy actually has a lot of modern uses!

Traditionally, folks have used castor oil as part of a “pack” to soothe aches and pains. You’d soak a piece of flannel in castor oil, wrap a hot water bottle with it, and apply the pack to the injury. It’s also an effective laxative, and folks have been using a spoonful of castor oil to..er..get things moving for centuries.

Castor oil comes from the castor oil plant or “hand of Christ,” and it’s an ancient remedy for skin ailments and digestive issues. The oil is expressed from the castor bean. The bean itself is toxic, but the oil is not. Castor oil has some great healing properties, and while it’s not as widely used now as it once was, it’s making a comeback as folks discover what a great natural remedy it is!

Many classic applications for castor oil are still useful today, and it turns out that there are lots of other ways that you can use castor oil on your body and around your home. Check out these 10 uses for castor oil!
 
1. Chemical-Free Cuticle Oil

Get beautiful cuticles and nails without drugstore cuticle oil, which often contains synthetic mystery ingredients. Just rub a little castor oil on your nail beds to soften cuticles and nourish your nails. To really treat yourself, massage in the castor oil, then wrap your hands and feet in warm, damp rags.

2. Oil Cleansing Method

Soap and water is a harsh way to clean the sensitive skin on your face, and many people are turning to the oil cleansing method as an alternative. That might sound crazy: isn’t washing your face supposed to be about getting oil off? But proponents of the oil cleansing method – OCM for short – swear by it! The OCM combines castor oil and olive oil to cleanse and moisturize your skin. Alexandra at Creative Simple Life has a great explanation of how (and why!) the OCM works.
 
3. Feed Your Ferns

Isn’t is sad when ferns get droopy? Perk them up with castor oil! Combine 1 teaspoon castor oil, 1 teaspoon natural liquid soap, and 1 1/2 cups water to make a little plant pick-me-up. Just put a scant 1/4 cup of the mixture into the pot before you water it to cheer up those sad little ferns.

4. Soothe Mouth Sores

Don’t you hate it when you bite the inside of your cheek or somehow manage to get a cut on your lip inside your mouth? Castor oil can help those painful sores heal more quickly and prevent infection. The oil has antibacterial properties, and it’s safe to ingest, which makes it great for injuries in or near your mouth.

5. Itch Relief

Whether you have a healing cut or a bug bite that’s driving you bananas, applying a little castor oil can help stop the itch. Just massage a drop of oil onto the itchy area, and you should start feeling relief almost right away.
 
6. Get Lustrous Locks

Just a little bit of castor oil is great for conditioning your hair. You can massage a very small amount – a scant 1/8 teaspoon at most – to the ends of your hair to prevent split ends. Massage about the same amount into your scalp and let it sit for 10-15 minutes as a scalp treatment before you wash your hair.

7. Give Moles the Boot

Are moles digging up your garden? Mix 1/4 cup castor oil in a gallon of water, and pour it over that molehill to send them packing! The best part? The castor oil doesn’t hurt the moles, they just don’t like it, so this is a cruelty-free way to deter these garden pests. Boom!
 
8. Soothe Muscle Aches and Pains

Make a castor oil compress for sore muscles! Soak a small rag in castor oil, cover in plastic wrap, and use medical tape to secure it to the area that’s sore. You can use a heating pad to help the oil absorb quickly or leave the compress on overnight to help relieve pain.

9. Lubricating Metal

From scissors to door hinges, a little castor oil can lubricate any moving metal parts without using the usual petroleum-based lubricants. This is especially useful for tools like kitchen scissors that are going to touch food after you get them working again.

10. Get Things Moving

One of the most common uses for castor oil is helping to relieve constipation. Adults can take 2-3 teaspoons of castor oil for a mild laxative effect. If you want to give castor oil to a child, ask your paediatrician for dosage advice, since it can depend on weight and age.