13 Surprising Uses for Honey

It’s often said that the famed ancient beauty Cleopatra would soak in honey and milk baths. Well, whether or not that’s true, it’s certainly not surprising that the story has persisted for so long — honey has a tremendous effect on the skin. And that’s not all — honey is a powerful antiseptic and a fantastic natural sugar substitute. Click through for these and more alternative uses for honey.

Health

1. Relieve Hangovers. Had a little too much fun last night? A few tablespoons of honey, which is packed with fructose, will help speed up your body’s metabolism of alcohol.

2. Heal Wounds, Cuts, Scrapes & Burns. Don’t reach for the Neosporin the next time you cut or burn yourself — simply apply honey to the affected area. Honey works as a natural antiseptic.

3. Soothe Sore Throats and Coughs. Combine honey with the juice of one lemon and drink. It works like a wonder!

4. Remove Parasites. Hopefully you’ll never have to use this trick, but if you do, combine equal parts honey, vinegar and water and drink. The combination of these three ingredients is the perfect parasite killer.


Beauty

5. Moisturize Dry Skin. Honey is a fantastic moisturizer, especially on dry patches, like your elbows or hands — even your lips! Rub onto your dry, patchy skin and let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing off. Honey also makes a great lip balm!

6. Condition Damaged Hair. Honey is a great natural conditioner. You can simply add a teaspoon of the stuff to your regular shampoo to smooth your damaged locks. You can also combine it with olive oil for a deeper conditioning. Let it soak for 20 minutes with your hair wrapped in a towel before shampooing as usual.

7. Have an Amazing Bath. Relax your body and soak your skin in a soothing bath. Add 2 tablespoons of honey to 1 cup of hot water and let it dissolve for about 10 minutes. Add 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil and add it to your bath.

8. Remove Acne. Stubborn acne can really benefit from a small daily dab of honey. Place a band-aid over the pimple, and take it off 30 minutes later.

9. Give Yourself a Facial. Combine 2 teaspoons of milk with 2 tablespoons of honey. Cover your face with the mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing off.


Food

10. Boost Your Energy. Quit turning to coffee for your daily energy boost! Replace your cup of Joe with a cup of tea. Mix in a tablespoon or so of honey.

11. Substitute Honey for Sugar in Baking. For every cup of sugar a recipe calls for, replace it with 3/4 cup of honey. For best results, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and reduce another liquid in your recipe by 1/4 cup. Also, reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees.

12. Make Almond Milk from Scratch. You’ll find a great recipe here.

13. Make Infused Honeys. Why have plain old regular honey when you can have ginger lime honey or hot pepper honey?! For these and more infused honey recipes, click here.

Lavender: It’s Not Just For the Sleepless Anymore

I have known people, with chronic sleep issues, who maintain a small bowl of lavender next to their bed. When sleeplessness sets in, they just take a few whiffs of this purple herb and they are immediately transported to a more restful place (I am talking sleep, not the afterlife). Some people spike their tea with a bit of lavender to sort of “smooth things out” before bed, and some people prefer to scent their pillow, or even nightclothes, with the perfume redolence of lavender. However, barring those who drink lavender tea, most people choose to keep lavender close, but not so close that the actually take it into their body.

This is a shame, as lavender can be overpowering when overused, it can also be exceptionally subtle and nuanced when used right and in the right amounts (remember, less is more). Lavender (the flowering plant, not the color) grows in many temperate climes around the globe, and is a relatively short-lived herbaceous perennial plant. While the oil from a lavender plant holds antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties when applied directly the skin, eating the actual flower provides a good boost of vitamin A, calcium, and even some iron. But as mentioned before, integrating lavender into your cooking can be a bit tricky, but worth it.

Lavender probably integrates the most seamlessly with baked goods and sweets, but also has other applications. Recently writer Genevieve Diesing wrote a piece for the Atlantic Online championing a handful of lavender recipes, including lavender syrup, blueberry lavender jam, and (many people’s favorite combo) lavender marshmallows. I personally dig the following recipe for lavender aioli, which goes beautifully over late summer vegetables, or pasta:

Lavender Aioli

• 1 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled and crushed
• 3 fresh lavender sprigs (leaves and flowers) crushed
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1. In a small saucepan, gently heat the oil on med-low with the garlic and lavender for about 15 minutes (do not allow the garlic to brown)

2. Remove from heat just before oil starts to bubble. Allow to cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).

3. Then strain the lavender oil, pressing with the flat edge of a spoon to get everything from the garlic and lavender. You can throw away the herbs after this.

4. In a food processor or blender, process the eggs and lemon juice until well blended. With the motor running, slowly add the lavender oil a few drops at a time, then in a thin, steady stream until all the oil is absorbed and the mixture has emulsified.

5. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

18 Handy Uses for Essential Oils

Essential oils have a plethora of amazing uses for everything from pampering yourself to cleaning and helping with various ailments.

What are essential oils? Essentially…an essential oil is an aromatic liquid extracted from leaves, twigs, berries, bark, wood, root, flowers, citrus peels, or other plant matter. They are not actually oily, but have more of a water-like feel.

Though essential oils are natural, they are very concentrated and should be used with caution. A few things to keep in mind:

• Most essential oils should not be used undiluted or “neat” directly on the skin (except for lavender, tea tree, German chamomile, rose, sandalwood, and geranium). Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba, sesame, grapeseed, etc.) unless you know it is safe to use undiluted. To test if you are sensitive to a particular oil, combine 1 or 2 drops to a teaspoon of carrier oil in a small container. Dab a small amount to your wrist or the crook of your arm and wait for 24 hours.
• Don’t use undiluted essential oils on pets, especially cats, as certain oils can be toxic to them.
• Use extra caution if you have a serious health condition or are pregnant.
• Educate yourself about the properties and contraindications of each oil before using it.

Now that we have that out of the way, on to the uses!

Home

All-purpose cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of antimicrobial tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle for a great all-purpose cleaner.

Dish/floor/counter cleaner: Fill your sink or a bucket with 1 1/2 gallons of hot water, add a touch of unscented dish soap, and 5-10 drops of the oil of your choosing. Good picks: lemon, tea tree, and mint.

Laundry: Mix 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil with an unscented laundry detergent before each load. Good picks: lavender or frankincense. You can also make your own fabric softener by adding 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil to a one-gallon jug of white vinegar. Use 1/3 cup per load.

Air freshener: Combine 1 teaspoon of essential oil to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray as needed. Before using on fabrics, do a spot check to make sure it doesn’t stain. Use your favorite scent all over your home, or use different fragrances for each room to mix it up.

Kill mold: In a spray bottle, mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water. Spray on problem areas and don’t rinse. Another option is to mix 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar with 10 drops of lavender essential oil.

Repel mice: For a natural repellant, add 2 teaspoons of peppermint to 1 cup of water and spray in areas where you think mice might frequent.

Keep moths away from clothes: Soak a cotton ball with a few drops of patchouli essential oil and place in your closet.

Beauty

Treat acne: Use a dab of tea tree oil on the blemish.

Soothing foot bath: Add 5-8 drops of peppermint or rosemary oil to a large, hot foot bath to relieve pain and stimulate circulation. To control perspiration and odor, add 2 drops of cypress oil.

Massage: Use a light carrier oil like vegetable, sunflower, or walnut as a base for a massage oil. Add a few drops of peppermint for sore muscles, ginger for your lower back and joints, or avocado oil for a luxurious foot bath.

Calming bath: There’s an essential oil for almost any ailment. One way to reap the beneficial benefits is to add 5-10 drops of your oil of choice to a warm bath. For deep relaxation, try 5 drops of lavender, 1 drop of Roman chamomile, and 1 drop of neroli. Another option is to make your own bath salts by adding 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of essential oil for every 1 cup of either sea salt, Epsom salt, or baking soda. (See: How to Make Scented Bath Salts)

Combat hair loss: Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to a dollop of shampoo or conditioner to increase circulation to the scalp.

Health

Congestion: Add a few drops of peppermint oil to a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam to fight congestion. Eucalyptus also works well.

Insomnia: In a spray bottle, mix a few drops of lavender oil to water and spritz on your pillow before bed.

Headaches: Mix a small amount of peppermint oil to a carrier oil, apply to fingertips and massage temples. If peppermint is too strong, add lavender for extra calming properties.

PMS: Dilute rose otto or geranium essential oil in a carrier oil and apply to neck and shoulders, or add the oils to a warm bath.

Burns: Apply lavender essential oil to burns to relieve pain and stop the burn from progressing. Do a spot check first to make sure you don’t have a sensitivity. To soothe sunburns, add a few drops of lavender oil to a cool bath. To make the bath even more soothing, fill a nylon sock or pantyhose with oats and drop in the tub.

Toothache: For temporary pain relief before going to the dentist, mix 2 drops of clove essential oil with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil, saturate a cotton ball with the mixture and place it beside the tooth.

14 Surprising Uses for Onions

Rich in antioxidants, thought to prevent cancer, diabetes, and even the common cold, onions are nothing if not a superfood. But that’s not all they are — the same properties that make onions a great food to eat also make them great for other things, from healing your skin to cleaning metal.


Health & Body

1. Repel Insects. Rubbing an onion on your skin is a simple way to repel bugs.
2. Soothe Insect Bites & Stings. Forgot to follow tip #1? Rubbing onion onto bug bites will help to ease the pain.

3. Soothe a Sore Throat. Making onion tea is a great remedy for soothing sore throats. On the stovetop, boil water with onion peels in it (about 1 cup of water for the peels of 1/2 an onion.) Bring to a boil, remove onion and serve.

4. Use in Place of Smelling Salts. Overwork yourself? Feeling light-headed? Onions are a great natural remedy to use instead of smelling salts.

5. Ease the Pain of Burns. Rubbing onions onto burns helps soothe the pain.

6. Remove Splinters. Have a splinter that just won’t budge? Try taping (yes, with tape, or a adhesive bandage) a piece of raw onion to it. Hold tight for about an hour before removing the onion.


Home

7. Polish Metal. Slice onion and then crush it. Combine crushed onion with water. With a cloth, dab it on the metal surface. Rub until clean.

8. Get Rid of that Paint Smell. The same mixture described for polishing metal works great for combating the unpleasant, and sometimes unhealthy, odors of paints and varnishes.

9. Clean Sponges. Okay, so this particular use is actually for the mesh packaging that onions are often sold in, but hey — a way to re-use unnecessary packaging, right?! The mesh is a perfect tool to clean all that gunk that builds up on sponges. Cut it up into smaller pieces for best results.

10. Clean Your Grill. Chop an onion in half, and turn on your grill. Using a fork, glide the onion on the grill to scrub it clean.

11. Make a DIY Dye. Onion skins make great dyes! Place the skins in nylon panty hose, tie top shut, and boil in a pot for about 20 minutes.



Food

12. Make Burned Rice Edible Again. Neglected your rice, and now some of it has burned? No need to toss it! Simply place half of an onion on top of the rice. It will absorb the burned taste.

13. Preserve Avocados. Prevent your avocados from browning by storing them in a plastic airtight container with red onions. Place half of an onion in the container first, skin side up, and then place the avocado. You can use red onion to store guacamole, too: Place some slices on top of the guac’ in a plastic container.

14. Cook Eggs Creatively. Want the ultimate oniony eggs? Check out this great recipe!

I think we have established that I love to crack eggs into veggies, using them as “ring molds” for the eggs in the skillet. Yes, indeed. Check out our Flower Power Eggs and Eggs in Avocado Slices.

A fabulous reader commented that onion slices might make a nice egg mold, so the gauntlet was thrown down. I had no choice.

This is a great version of the eggs in veggie ring molds – sauteed onions are so delicious, and give a nice tang to the eggs. And they are, of course, beautiful on a plate!

Slice your onion into 1/2 inch slices. Then, using the biggest one, place in an oiled skillet over medium heat. When one side is lightly browned, flip the onion ring over and crack an egg in the middle. If you want the egg yolk to show, dab the top of the egg yolk gently with a paper towel and remove the white over the top of it. Then, sprinkle a little water in the pan and cover the skillet. Cook until your egg is done as you like.

Now just sprinkle with kosher salt and cracked black, and sit back and wait for the raves!

For Your Health

Eating for exercise

Eating for exercise

If you are planning to do exercise, it is important that you eat and drink correctly before, during, as well as after getting active.

 

Before exercise

• It is crucial to ensure that you’re well hydrated before exercising. Drink at least two cups of water about two hours before exercise.

• Don’t exercise when the body is depleted of nutrients (like before breakfast).

• For optimum exercise performance, be sure to consume a healthy, well-balanced diet throughout the day.

 

During exercise

• Drink plenty of water during exercise to prevent dehydration and limited performance. Drink a half a cup of water every 10 to 15 minutes.

• Don’t consume food during exercise, because the body shifts fluid away from muscles and into the gastrointestinal tract for digestion, lessening your physical performance.

 

After exercise

• Opt for a snack or light meal about 30 minutes after exercise. The ideal post-exercise snack is light and nutritious, containing mainly carbohydrates and protein.

• To achieve the best results, consume a healthy, well-balanced diet every day.

  

Eating correctly before, during, and after exercise will give you the nutrition you need to work out to the best of your abilities. You will feel stronger, have more sustained energy, and get better results from your workout. Make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any eating or exercise plan.

 

The Patrick Miracle

 

 

March 16, 2011: An emaciated Pitbull-mix is discovered in a garbage bag by maintenance workers at the bottom of a 19-story tall garbage chute. The dog is immobile, but ALIVE. This is how he looked on arrival that Newark's animal shelter that night. 

The 22 story apartment building is equipped with garbage chutes on each floor for tenants. Someone had ... no more use for this dog. They had starved it to near death, put it in a garbage bag and threw it down the garbage chute. A maintenance worker cleans out the bin every few days and on Wednesday, March 16th, they were cleaning out the contents of the container to go directly into a trash compacter. The bag moved a little and the worker opened it to find a moribund dog inside -- pathetically thin, cold and near death.

The City of Newark Animal Control was contacted and ACO Arthur Skinner picked up the dog and brought him directly to the Society. The veterinary staff immediately put him on intravenous fluid.His temperature was so low that it did not even register on the thermomenter. He was covered with heating pads and blankets.

After a brief time at the Society's Newark facility, he was ambulanced to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls -- a referral hospital with 24 hour emergency care. If he died during that night, we feel he would know that everyone loved and cared about him and treated him gently and lovingly. He amazed everyone at the Society and at Garden State by surviving with the 24 hour emergency care that they rendered. He was given a blood transfusion, a bath -- and even a walk! In honor of the first day of his re-birth, we call him Patrick -- in honor of St. Patrick's Day and we hope he has the luck of the Irish!

 

It is now 18 months later and just look at Patrick!

Absolutely beautiful!

 

 

 

Go read more about Patrick's amazing story on his Facebook Page :

http://www.facebook.com/ThePatrickMiracle

Thandi the Rhino - 6 Months later

On the 2nd of March 2012 one cow and two bull rhino’s were poached at Kariega Game Reserve. Tragically, one bull was fatally wounded and died during the course of the night, whilst the remaining two were severely injured, but showed an incredible will to survive.

For 24 days wildlife veterinary expert, Doctor William Fowlds, worked tirelessly with the Kariega team to give these survivors the best possible care and chance for recovery. Their bravery was unbelievable, and inspired our rangers to nickname them Thandiswa and Themba, two Xhosa names meaning courage and hope.

Sadly Themba (HOPE) suffered a leg injury on the night he was poached and as a result of infection passed away on the morning of the 26 of March 2012.

Six months after their brutal attack, Thandi continues to inspire and amaze us with her incredible fighting strength and miraculous recovery.

Rocking the Pink: Finding Myself on the Other Side of Cancer

 

Rocking the Pink: Finding Myself on the Other Side of Cancer by Laura Roppé

In 2008, just as Laura Roppé was poised to burst onto the music scene, her doctor called her with news that left her spinning. She had been diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of breast cancer. Just days earlier, she had signed a dream-come-true contract with a record label; now, she wasn’t even sure how much longer she had to live. Never one to back down to a challenge, however, Roppé gathered her courage, took stock of her priorities, and made a decision: Cancer may take my hair, she told herself, but that’s all it’s getting.

More than a cancer journey, Rocking the Pink is a quirky, charming, and poignant ode to love, friendship, and music. Roppé is unflinchingly honest and unfailingly funny as she tells the story of her odyssey: from childhood dreamer and giddy valet parker to the Hollywood stars to disillusioned lawyer, wife, and mother; from budding songwriter and late-blooming recording artist to determined cancer survivor. Full of raw emotion and humor that will make you laugh through your tears, Rocking the Pink is a chronicle of discovering one's true self through life’s difficult circumstances and a testament to the hang-in-tough, take-no-prisoners attitude it takes to kick cancer’s butt.

Rocking the Pink: Finding Myself on the Other Side of Cancer Details:

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27857 in Books
• Published on: 2012-02-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, .0 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Order from Amazon or Loot Online


Visit Laura Roppe's "Rocking The Pink" Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocking-The-Pink/227246967287227

Visit Laura Roppe's webpage:
http://www.lauraroppe.com/

And click on the song title to listen to her song - Rocking the Pink



 

Vitamin and mineral deficiency

The body needs a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals each day to remain healthy and function properly. Vitamins are a small group of substances that are essential in tiny quantities for growth and development. Most of them cannot be manufactured by the body, and must come from our diet or other supplementary forms. Vitamin supplements serve as buffers in the event that your diet does not meet your daily requirements fully.

Symptoms of a deficiency in vitamins and minerals usually appear when the lack is already at a relatively advanced stage. For instance, people who do not have enough vitamin A or B vitamins suffer from recurring tiredness, mental or emotional disturbances, loss of appetite, chapped lips, and so on.

The common causes of these vitamin deficiencies include poor eating habits, alcoholism, emotional stress, the improper absorption of vitamins and minerals (usually due to liver or intestinal disorders), the intake of medicines that interfere with the ingestion of vitamins, and lack of exposure to sunlight.

Guidelines for taking vitamin or mineral supplements

Before supplementing your diet with any vitamins or minerals, you should consult a doctor. A doctor will be able to recommend a multivitamin instead of a supplement that only contains one vitamin or the exact minerals that you require or are lacking.

Some people should not take certain supplements if they have been diagnosed with certain medical conditions. For example, people with kidney problems are often advised against taking magnesium.

Although supplementary vitamins and minerals may be helpful, it is important to remember that no supplement will replace the value of a healthy diet. Most major medical establishments recommend that healthy adults get their vitamins and minerals from food rather than relying solely on supplements.

‘Greening’ your exercise routine

We all know that exercise is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, but little do we realise that in trying to keep ourselves healthy we pose numerous threats to the environment in which we live in. We exercise to keep ourselves fit and healthy, but how do we expect to be perfectly healthy if our surroundings are polluted? Being eco-friendly is more popular and well-accepted now than ever before in history. But not everybody knows exactly how to take the concept of going ‘green’ into their daily exercise habits. Here are some ways you can become more environmentally conscious and make your exercise routine ‘greener’.



Tips to green your exercise routine

• Get to the great outdoors

Electrically powered exercise machines require a lot of power and energy to operate. The average treadmill consumes 1500 watts of power. During a 30 minute workout on such a treadmill, 75 kilowatt-hours of energy is used. The equivalent amount of energy can be used to light up a Christmas tree for almost six hours. So, consider using your own muscle power and take your workout into the great outdoors instead.

• Burn calories, not petrol

Instead of driving (which produces significant CO2 pollution) to the gym, run or walk there for a great (cheap) warm-up. If the gym is too far, try cycling or sharing a ride with a friend. Also, keep your workout clothes in your car to cut down on extra stops and petrol. Cutting car time ultimately reduces pollution.

• Try use re-usable water bottles

Staying hydrated is important when you exercise, so instead of buying a pack of bottled water and creating more plastic waste, how about using a stainless steel or recycled water bottle that you can wash and re-use again. Bottled water creates 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste per year. Of course, you can easily recycle plastic water bottles through most local recycling programmes, but it’s always environmentally preferable to reduce waste before recycling it.

ONIONS

 

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.

Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope.  She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion.  It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in NZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. (And no, she is not in the onion business.)

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.

If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better.  If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case.

Whatever, what have you to lose?  Just a few bucks on onions!!! Now there is a P. S. to this for I sent it to a friend in Oregon  who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmers story...but, I do know that I contacted pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill... I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put one end on a fork and then place the forked end into an empty jar... placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs...  sure enough it happened just like that...the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

But here is the other important side to remember. 

LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS

I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge, and sometimes I don't use a whole one at one time, so save the other half for later.

Now with this info, I have changed my mind.......will buy smaller onions in the future.

I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of mayonnaise.  Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in the Mullins family.  My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO.

Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. He's one of the brothers Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula..  He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's.

Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made Mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quaint essential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade Mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.

It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!)

Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.'

Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions...

Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates Toxic bacteria which may cause Adverse Stomach infections because of excess Bile secretions and even Food poisoning.

Please pass it on to all you love and care.

 

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEYS

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments.


How are we going to do this?

It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley and wash it clean

Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool.

Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination. Also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.

Parsley is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

Financial problems and mental health

 

 

The stress and worry associated with trying to maintain control over your finances and keep your household running can result in a range of mental health issues. Some of these include feelings of inadequacy, despair, and pessimism about the future. If ignored, this can in turn lead to depression and affect your mental health.

Getting depressed over an increased debt load is normal and is something most of us will experience at some point in our lives. Typically, the situation is temporary and as the debt lessens, so too does the depression. There are those, however, who don’t see a way out of their financial struggles and become very despondent.

Financial stress can negatively impact things outside of the wallet: your health, your job and your relationships, and too often, people feel financial stress because they feel a lack of financial control.

The most important first step to take if you are feeling financial stress is to acknowledge that you have a problem. This is a tough thing for most of us to do but immediately you will feel better, knowing that you have started to take active steps to resolve your financial issues.

The next step is to get advice from someone who can to help you come to terms with your spending patterns and future financial goals. By writing down all of your monthly expenses (including debt and payments) you have the opportunity to take a cold, hard look at where your money is going each month and where you can save money.

If you are feeling hopeless, remember that it is possible for things to get better.  Don’t wait until you hit rock bottom to begin seeking resources. If you are overwhelmed by financial issues, it is crucial to get help.

5 Things You Should Know About Green Tea & Dieting

Green tea has long been revered for its remarkable healing qualities. In recent times, modern science has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the antioxidant power of green tea can fight cancer and disease, boost the immune system, promote healthier skin, and enhance focus and mental function.

But these studies have found out some other things about green tea. Things that you'll be very interested in if you're sick of that extra weight and want to lose a few pounds. Let's take a look at them in order of importance.



5. Green Tea Increases Endurance & Helps You Exercise Longer

Everyone knows that dieting isn't nearly as effective if you're not pairing it up with some sort of exercise. This, of course, is because exercise burns calories and builds muscle, which in turn boosts your metabolism and leads to even faster weight loss.
Antioxidants in green tea stimulate the use of fatty acids by liver and muscle cells. This reduces the rate that carbs are used and increases endurance while allowing for longer exercise times. A study on lab rats found that green tea increased the time they could swim by as much as 24%.

4. Switching to Green Tea Leads to Calorie Reduction

Want to do something really smart? Stop drinking coffee and soft drinks and switch to green tea exclusively. If you're worried about losing the caffeine burst that you get from your morning cup of Java, don't be. Green tea has just enough caffeine to do the trick, and absolutely no calories!

Many people add sugar and creamer to coffee which sends the calories through the roof. And let's not even talk about the nutritional disaster called soft drinks! Switch to green tea and you'll be getting a healthy dose of powerful antioxidants while simultaneously dropping the calories and sugar.

3. Green Tea Helps Calm Cravings

A recent study found that lab rats injected with green tea consumed 60% less calories than other rats. I'm sure you can imagine how this can help you during a diet. Frequent consumption of green tea also fills up the stomach reduces appetite even further.

2. Green Tea Increases Metabolism

An antioxidant in green tea called EGCG, along with the caffeine, stimulates the central nervous system and causes fat to be released into the blood stream for the body to use as fuel. This process is called "thermogenesis" and it greatly boosts the metabolism.

Caffeine alone can stimulate the metabolism this way, but researches have found that the combined ingredients in green tea do a much better job than caffeine by itself.

1. Green Tea Burns Fat

Green tea's ability to stimulate the metabolism also causes the body to burn calories at a faster rate. Once the body runs out of carbs, it will turn to fat as a source for fuel. This is exactly what you want if you're trying to burn off those pesky pounds!




So there you have it. These 5 things are helpful enough individually, but put them together and you have one heck of a head start on losing weight. Pair green tea with a good diet and exercise and you're well on your way to a slim, fit body!

Green Tea Diet: What You Need to Know

Green Tea Diet: What You Need to Know


"Lose 20 pounds in 20 days!" "Trim inches off your waistline with one easy pill!" With seemingly miraculous guarantees like these, who wouldn't want to give diet pills a try? But with so many diets, supplements and pills to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed by choices. What really works? What's worth your money? And, most importantly, what's actually safe and healthful to be putting into your body?

This last question -- and the fact that more and more studies are claiming certain supplements and chemicals can cause more harm than good to your body -- has been pushing people toward the use of gentler, more natural weight loss supplements. As a result, green tea has gained popularity as a safe, effective weight loss aid.

For centuries, certain cultures -- especially those in China and Japan -- have been drinking tea for its health benefits. Among tea choices, green tea has been especially noted for its positive antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and metabolic properties. Many of these benefits are due to its high amounts of polyphenols, especially a certain polyphenol called EGCG. Because they contain potent antioxidant properties, polyphenols are thought to help the body's immune system, protecting cells against disease-causing free radicals [source: University of Maryland Medical Center]. Thanks to this composition of chemicals, green tea has been said to protect against everything from cancer to high cholesterol to heart disease. And some even claim that EGCG may boost the metabolism, suppress appetite and even burn fat.

But will this healthful supplement really help you drop those pounds? Read on to find out how green tea is used in diet pills.

Green Tea Diet Pills

So how can an ancient beverage be used in a diet pill? Green tea diet pills use the same leaves that are used to make the drinkable green tea, but they are in a concentrated form. When a diet pill contains green tea extract, supposedly, the "extract" is the polyphenols from the green tea leaves.

In addition to EGCG and its benefits -- including increased metabolism -- green tea also contains caffeine, which is said to be a mild appetite suppressant. Caffeine is also said to speed up thermogenesis, which is the body's process of producing heat that leads to fat burning.

Though these benefits can be obtained through drinking green tea, some people would rather swallow a couple pills rather than gulp down cups and cups of a beverage every day. For those who do prefer the pill form, there are many varieties of green tea diet pills. Some pills contain 100 percent green tea extract -- these are basically just super-concentrated green tea. However, the majority of green tea diet pills also contain other weight-loss supplements, such as chromium or hoodia. When used in combination with these stronger appetite suppressants, these are said to be more effective, though additional research is needed to be certain.

When choosing a green tea diet pill, the important thing to look for is the amount of polyphenols, also called catechins, which the pill contains, since this is the main substance that gives green tea its weight-loss properties. If you're taking a pill that contains 100 milligrams of catechins twice daily, that's equivalent to about two cups of green tea. Is the pill worth it? Some experts suggest looking for a pill that contains 125 to 500 milligrams of polyphenols, though there is no established recommended dose [source: Pizzo].

Read on to find out if the polyphenols and catechins are really worth the mouthful!

Does the Green Tea Diet Work?

Some experts swear by green tea and say that the high levels of EGCG will help you shed those excess pounds. Others say it's not the EGCG but rather the caffeine in green tea that aids in thermogenesis and in the increased rate of metabolism. Still others claim that green tea alone really is not all that helpful as a weight-loss aid.

There are a number of ways in which a substance can help you lose weight. But two main weight-loss factors are the suppression of appetite and the increase of metabolism; green tea is said to do both. EGCG, that special antioxidant chemical, is said to increase metabolism and lower "bad" cholesterol [source: Pizzo]. Furthermore, it is suggested that EGCG may also help regulate glucose, or blood sugar levels, since it has the potential to act as a "carb-blocker," or to help inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates [source: The Hoffman Center].

It's important to keep in mind, though, that although there have been a few studies on the effectiveness of green tea as a weight-loss aid, results have been mixed. More studies are needed for conclusive evidence for or against the weight-loss properties of green tea. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements such as green tea extract, so strength, effectiveness and safety aren't guaranteed [source: Mayo Clinic].

If you do choose to incorporate green tea diet pills into your weight-loss regimen, there are a few steps that may increase its effectiveness and that will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. First, be sure to drink lots of water. Because many of the ingredients in green tea diet pills are diuretics -- which help rid the body of excess water -- it's important to stay hydrated.

Also, though many green tea diet pills don't contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, it's still important to realize that they do contain caffeine and therefore could cause side effects such as irritability or nausea if taken too often. Follow dosage instructions and pay attention to how your own body is responding to the pills -- if necessary, take the pills only a few days a week, or take only one pill a day. If drinking green tea, aim for two to three cups a day [source: University of Maryland Medical Center]. As with any diet or supplement, you should always talk to your doctor before starting a green tea regimen.