Friday, October 19, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Indoor UV Rays
As an esthetician I am asked “what can I do to help my complexion look better?” The first thing I ask my clients is to tell me about their current skin care regimen. I always pause when I do not hear them mention that they use an SPF. I respond to their question by saying if you only change one thing about your skin care would be using SPF everyday. Yes, most of us use SPF when we are going to be outside but not everyone uses it when we are indoors. UV rays damage the skin, age it prematurely and increase the risk of developing skin cancer. While UVB rays do not usually penetrate windows, UVA rays are present indoors. Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury vapor that emits UV rays. Computers, copiers and halogen lights emit UV rays at lower levels. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using no less than a SPF 15. This will provide 5 hours of indoor UV exposure protection. I recommend to my clients the use of SPF 40 will provide 13 hours of indoor UV protection.
Source: Uploaded by user via Cali on Pinterest
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Smoking and Vision
Did you know that smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, retinopathy, macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome? It also causes plaque build up in your bloodstream that can weaken and harden small arteries that are in your eyes. Cigarette smoke enhances oxidants that can damage cells in the body thus increasing your risk of retinal damage and vision loss. All is not lost however. The eye is able to heal, although very slowly, from the damage cigarette smoke has caused. Studies have shown that people who quit smoking will have a 6.7% reduced risk of macular degeneration after 1 year and after 5 years smoke-free and additional 5%.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Black Pepper
Black pepper is just not for seasoning your foods, it can be used on cuts to stop bleeding. Simply wash the cut with soap and water and place black pepper on the area (cayenne pepper also works and it has styptic and antibacterial) and wrap with gauze and tape. This comes in handy if you are camping or hiking. Of course you will want to seek the advice of a doctor after you do this to determine if you will need to have stitches. FYI: onion skins work well also and have natural healing properties.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Soda Facts
Source: wellnesswithacause.blogspot.com via Cali on Pinterest
I knew there was a reason that I do not drink soda....repost from Alex Body Revolution.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
How to be Happy
Here is a list of 15 things which,
if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much
happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain,
stress and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing
ourselves to be stress free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore.
Starting today we will give up on all those things that no longer serve us, and
we will embrace change. Ready? Here we go:
1. GIVE UP YOUR NEED TO ALWAYS BE
RIGHT
There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong –
wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or
causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not
worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is
right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be
right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will
that make? Is your ego really that big?
2. GIVE UP YOUR NEED FOR CONTROL
Be willing to give up your need to
always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations,
events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers
you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone
to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you
feel.
“By letting it go it all gets done.
The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is
beyond winning.” Lao Tzu
3. GIVE UP ON BLAME
Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t
have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start
taking responsibility for your life.
4. GIVE UP YOUR SELF-DEFEATING
SELF-TALK
Oh my. How many people are
hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive
self-defeating mindset? Don’t believe everything that your mind is telling you –
especially if it’s negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.
“The mind is a superb instrument if
used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” Eckhart Tolle
5. GIVE UP YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS
about what you can or cannot do,
about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to
allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your
wings and fly!
“A belief is not an idea held by
the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind” Elly Roselle
6. GIVE UP COMPLAINING
Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many,
maaany things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and
depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or
miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those
feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the
power of positive thinking.
7. GIVE UP THE LUXURY OF CRITICISM
Give up your need to criticize
things, events or people that are different than you. We are all different, yet
we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved
and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is
wished by us all.
8. GIVE UP YOUR NEED TO IMPRESS
OTHERS
Stop trying so hard to be something
that you’re not just to make others like you. It doesn’t work this way. The
moment you stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not, the moment you take
off all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will
find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.
9. GIVE UP YOUR RESISTANCE TO
CHANGE
Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change
will help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around
you. Follow your bliss, embrace change – don’t resist it.
“Follow your
bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph
Campbell
10. GIVE UP LABELS
Stop labeling those things, people or events that you don’t
understand as being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by
little. Minds only work when open. “The highest form of ignorance is
when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne
Dyer
11. GIVE UP ON YOUR FEARS
Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t
exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the
outside will fall into place.
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear
itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
12. GIVE UP YOUR EXCUSES
Send them packing and tell them
they’re fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we limit ourselves
because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on improving
ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of
excuses – excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.
13. GIVE UP THE PAST
I know, I know. It’s hard.
Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future
looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the
present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now
longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you
when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do
and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear
vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.
14. GIVE UP ATTACHMENT
This is a concept that, for most of
us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still
is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time
and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t
mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing
to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love…
well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t
be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so
peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where
you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond
words.
15. GIVE UP LIVING YOUR LIFE TO
OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS
Way too many people are living a
life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others
think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents
think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their
teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore
their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing
everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose
control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want,
what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one
life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let
other people’s opinions distract you from your path.
(reblogged from www.purposefairy.com)
(reblogged from www.purposefairy.com)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Laughter
Recent research suggests that laughter can improve
cardiovascular health. Some gelotology (the study of laughter and its effects
on the body) findings have shown laughter increases blood vessel diameter by
30-40 percent, thus increasing blood flow, a similar effect as exercise. Scientists
find that as blood flow increases (during laughter), stress on the
circulatory system decreases and rejuvenating oxygen is transported to organs which helps the
body’s cells rid themselves of waste. Laughter also decreases inflammation and boosts
the immune system by increasing levels of interferon gamma-1b, a compound
critical in the fight against infections. (Reposted from www.greatist.com)
Monday, April 30, 2012
Eating from the Rainbow
Rule #6 of The Amen Clinics
7 Rules for Brain Healthy Eating: Eat from the rainbow. Your body will love you
for it! This means put natural foods in your diet of many different colors,
such as blueberries, pomegranates, yellow squash, and red bell peppers. This
will boost the antioxidant levels in your body and help keep your brain young.
Of course, this does not mean Skittles or jelly beans.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Top 10 Foods for a Healthy Glow
You can slather yourself from your forehead to your pinkie toe in organic lotions, but if you think that alone will make you glow, you are mistaken. Good nutrition is the pillar of a healthy lifestyle and physical beauty. Here are a list of the top 10 foods to eat for a healthy glow.
1. Tomatoes. Organic tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant shown to help fight illnesses of all stripes. They're also loaded with vitamins C and A, and if you believe Dr. Oz, they could be as good or better than açai and goji, those trendy, expensive antioxidants you couldn’t stop hearing about for a few years.
2. Green tea. In a nutshell, people who drink green tea have about a dozen health advantages over people who do not—from cancer prevention to longevity to gentler skin aging—thanks to its antioxidant polyphenols. Organic green tea is preferable (nothing undoes positive health effects like a load of pesticides) and can be found in bulk for cheap at large grocery stores.
3. Broccoli. This is the item on the list you'd be best off learning to love if you don't already, because its nutrition profile beats out all other veggies according to a Harvard University study. It has well-documented anti-inflammatory effects, which can help with everything from eye health and arthritis to heart disease and sun damage. Eat it a couple of nights a week if you can. A favorite simple recipe is broccoli steamed with olive oil, salt, and garlic.
4. Salmon. You obviously want to be careful about sourcing when it comes to any fish choice—check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium's new recommendations for salmon here—but the short version is, wild Alaskan is a good bet. Salmon is loaded with anti-inflammatory omega 3s, healthy fats, and vitamin B12. Bonus side effect: Glowing skin.
5. Extra virgin olive oil. It’s gotta be EV: Eat it for heart-disease prevention, cancer prevention, its cholesterol-lowering good fats, its antioxidants, and because it’s completely and utterly delicious and frankly, a good olive oil tastes better than butter.
6. Dark leafy greens.Yes, they can be bitter and less than exciting at first, but they are loaded with vitamins and iron and can be snuck into meals easily (omelets, pasta, salads, etc.). Prepared the same way as the broccoli suggestion takes five minutes and is super tasty with eggs for breakfast.
7. Walnuts. These shelled suckers are packed with good fats (the monounsaturated kind), which is great for heart health, lowering cholesterol, boosting brain function, and reducing inflammation. You don't need many of these to reap the benefits, though. Go easy.
8. Blueberries. What gives these guys a leg up on other fruit is the fact that they're super low in calories and very high in vitamin C, fiber, vitamin E, and other brain-boosting nutrients. A Tufts University study found that when they evaluated 60 other fruits and veggies for their antioxidant capability, the blues came out on top.
9. Dark chocolate. You should eat this because it’s delicious, and because a recent study also showed its capacity to protect skin from UV damage.
10. Avocados. As if anyone needed another reason to eat avocados, it's encouraging to know that in addition to being nature's unadulterated butter, they're also loaded with cholesterol-lowering power, potassium, folate, carotenoids, vitamin E, and happiness-inducing monounsaturated fats.
Source: wellnesswithacause.blogspot.com via Cali on Pinterest
(This is the tenth installment in a series inspired by No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics, a book by GOOD's features editor Siobhan O'Connor and her co-author Alexandra Spunt.)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Brain Health
Rule 2 of The Amen Clinics 7 Rules for Brain Healthy Eating:
Drink plenty of water and not too many of your calories. Did you know that your brain is 80 percent water? Anything that dehydrates it, such as too much caffeine or much alcohol, decreases your thinking and impairs your judgment. Make sure you get plenty of water every day. A recent study found that on average Americans drink 450 calories a day, twice as many as we did 30 years ago. Just adding the extra 225 calories a day will put 23 pounds of fat a year on your body and most people tend to NOT count the calories they drink.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Ayurvedic Medicine
There are many different types of modern treatments that people use for various health problems these days, and most people don’t think twice about questioning what they have been prescribed. An ayurvedic treatment will be able to help you get back to the roots of your problem because these treatments have been used around various parts of the world for thousands of years.
Ayurveda has proven that it can stand the test of time, so you should not dismiss it right away if you are looking for some kind of alternative solution.
There are many different types of treatments that people try for certain health issues, but sometimes nothing seems to work against the real problem.
This is because, unlike ayurvedic treatment, modern medicine usually looks at the symptoms of the problems instead of the root cause of the health issues.
When you take a look at what is really causing the problems in the body, it usually has something to do with a lack of overall health in the person’s body.
A body that is completely healthy is going to have a hard time coming down with any kind of
disease because the environment in a healthy body is not a place that diseases like to go. Your body has natural mechanisms to fight against most illnesses, so you need to make sure that these devices stay healthy at all times.
The only time that you are going to really get sick is if you put down your guard and allow your body to make a mess of your overall health.
There are four main things that you are going to want to think about when you are using some kind of ayurvedic treatment, and those four things are your diet, amount of exercise that you get, mental training and making sure that you have time to relax.
These are the four main parts of your overall health, so you need to stay focused on these four things more than anything else. Any kind of ayurvedic solution that targets these points should be able to help you get started on the track to better health.
Most ayurvedic treatments will revolve around the use of an assortment of different herbs from India. The reason that you are going to want to add these herbs to your diet is that they have the perfect nutrients that your body needs on a regular basis. Vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin C and antioxidants are some of the most important aspects of your diet, so make sure you are getting all of these things throughout the day from the foods that you eat or some supplements.
You should do some research on your own health problem and see if it can be fixed with some kind of ayurvedic treatment. Ayurveda will not be able to fix everyone, but it is at least worth a try if you have found that it works for others.
(reposted from www.altmedicinezone.com/ayurveda/ayurvedic-treatment)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Clean Eating
Living a clean eating lifestyle is easy, has many health benefits, and is cheaper than eating pre-packaged, processed foods.
Clean eating is not a new concept. Those involved in any way with health, fitness or nutrition, from fitness competitors to personal trainers to health-conscious individuals, have known about eating clean for years. However, clean eating is gaining popularity as a way to gain better health, easily maintain weight and as a way to lose weight and keep it off for life. But what exactly is clean eating?
At its most basic, clean eating is making the healthiest food choices possible, opting for organic fruits and vegetables and whole grains instead of processed and refined foods. To get started eating clean here are a few simple principles to follow.
Clean Eating Principles
- Eat a small meal every two to three hours (5 to 6 small meals per day total) to keep blood sugar level and prevent hunger
- Combine both protein and complex carbs at every meal
- Avoid ALL over-processed and refined foods (especially sugar, white rice, and white flour)
- Avoid saturated and trans fat, instead consuming healthy fats (like avocados and olive oil)
- Avoid ALL sodas and other sugary juices and drinks
- Choose organic food whenever possible
- Avoid high-calorie, zero nutrient foods (i.e., junk food)
- Eat meals with proper portion sizes
- Drink at least 8 cups of water every day
What Clean Eating is Not
When describing clean eating, it’s important to point out what eating clean is not. Clean eating is not a diet, although it is a great way to reduce body fat, lose weight, and keep the weight off. Clean eating is a lifestyle that requires time, commitment, and pre-planning and is not just a way of eating that can accomplish weight loss or overall health just by doing it on the weekends only. Clean eating is not about deprivation, counting calories or starvation, but about making healthy food choices and providing the body with the best foods possible. There will be times with eating clean will be difficult – think Holiday, restaurants, office celebrations. Remember, this is a lifestyle, not a diet so just because you splurged and had a donut at the office party doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel. Put the donut behind you and focus on your next clean meal!
I am reposting this from www.thejoyofcleaneating.com. I love this website.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Honey
Friday, January 6, 2012
Recycling
Recycling. You may be wondering why I chose recycling as a wellness tip. Recycling is the practice of environmental wellness. Humans, as one of the species that occupy this planet, cannot live a life of wellness if the environment around us is “ill or injured” so to speak. As we keep depleting the Earth of her “non-human” living beings, we are essentially leading to our own death. We all can do our part no matter how large or small it is. If we all just take one step towards living an environmentally aware life, we will make a difference. Lets talk about trees for example. Trees provide shade making our homes cooler thus reduce our use of electricity. Trees filter the air of dust and carbon monoxide as well as other pollutants, giving us cleaner air to breathe. Trees make our water cleaner by trapping chemicals and toxins in the roots. These chemicals and toxins are then stored in the tree. In 2007 the average American threw away approximately 2500 pounds of paper. Not much, right? Not until you realize that it takes 17 trees to make one ton (2000 pounds) of paper. Translation. Population of America in 2007 301 million – 38.25 trees equal 2500 pounds of paper – 11,513,000,000 trees were used to produce the paper that was thrown away (rather than recycled) by each American in 2007. Makes you think.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Sugar
Sugar. Have you every thought that sugar consumption can be bad for your skin? According to dermatologist, Nicholas Perricone, sugar and foods with a high glycemic index (foods that convert rapidly to sugar) have destructive effects on skin. He believes that the basis of aging in caused by inflammation. When we eat sugar or food high on the glycemic index (pasta, rice, bread, potatoes), blood sugar spikes causing biochemical changes in cells. This results in accelerated aging. Every organ in your body (heart, skin, brain, etc.) is affected by inflammation. Our diet is the biggest cause of internal inflammation. Sugar also harms collagen, the protein that supports that body’s tissues and holds them together both internally and externally. Sugar can attach to collagen making the skin stiff and causing it to loose it elastic ability thus causing deep wrinkles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)