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Archive for December, 2011

Hair is the crowning glory of the body, and at the same time it is an indicator of the body’s overall health. Shiny, lustrous hair that are strong at the roots means that the person is healthy; while discolored, dull hair with split or weak ends indicate an internal disorder with the body. Hair itself is made of a protein called as keratin. It grows from pockets within the scalp of the head, known as follicles.

Though hair is a non-living part of the human body (at least because it has no nerves in it), it needs to be taken great care of. We already know how much care people are already taking of their hair. Even if you put your television on for half an hour, chances are that you will come across ten advertisements flaunting their hair-care products. But do these products really work?

In this article, some Ayurvedic herbal techniques of hair care are explained. The common problems with hair are falling hair, dull hair and dandruff. Let us see some simple methods of treating these problems.

Vitamin C is considered to be the best nutrient for the health of hair. That is why the best herb for hair is the Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), which is traditionally known as amalaki. Almost all Ayurvedic therapies for solving hair problems use amalaki in some form or the other.

(1) Treatments for Falling Hair

Hair may begin to fall due to some disease or due to dandruff. Stress is also related with hair-fall, and so is advancing age. In fact, the biggest worry of people as they age is that they will lose their beautiful hair. The following methods can take care of hair fall problems:-

1. Soak some amalaki (Indian gooseberries) powder in water overnight. In the morning, this powder will have softened. Press the soft powder in the water so that all the juices are exuded into it. Then add the juice of a lemon in the water. This is a very vitamin C rich solution. Wash your hair with this solution. Apply a lot of pressure, and apply the solution just as you do with a shampoo. This will not only stop the hair fall; it will also bring a lively sheen to the hair. Read the rest of this entry »

High protein diet plans have always been popular with athletes and are now increasing in popularity among regular dieters.

While normal people who do not exercise can eat moderately high amounts of protein foods, athletes and people on muscle building diets should eat at least 1 gram per lb of bodyweight in order to build muscle. A high protein diet plan is followed by bodybuilders. Bodybuilding athletes always include a high protein food source in their daily diet.

Whether you need to lose weight or want to build muscle, a diet plan with plenty of protein will help you achieve your goal. Consuming high amounts of protein and low amounts of carbohydrate allow for a slow burning of energy and maintain stable blood sugar levels. This maintains a healthy pancreas and assists in maintaining healthy weight. Whereas diets high in carbohydrates have been linked to obesity, low-carb, diets with plenty of protein have been found to support weight loss.

Protein is the fuel for muscle building. During weightlifting and intensive training, muscle tissue breaks down. In order to rebuild that tissue we need to be on a high protein diet plan. If your goal is fat loss, a high protein diet is also very important. Most high protein diets are also low in carbohydrates and saturated fats. To accelerate weight loss, you need to reduce carbohydrates and lower the calorie intake. A high protein diet plan can help you to do this. The total amount of protein consumed should be spread over 5 to 6 meals throughout the course of a day.

The times of day you eat protein foods is important. Eat protein foods at breakfast, before a work out and for your evening meal. A good higher protein diet plan will include a good, breakfast high in protein. Immediately after a work out drink a protein shake or drink to assist with quick muscle repair. A protein meal (slow digesting form of protein) before bed, might seem strange but it provides a slow release of high quality amino acids while you sleep.

Beyond basic beauty care for men, there are thousands of opinions about what does and does not look good. For everyone woman that only looks at clean shaven men, there is one who would only date a man with a full beard.

The aesthetic of beauty care for men must begin within the man himself, not from outside opinion. The most attractive quality a man can have is self-confidence. Take a long look at yourself in the mirror, evaluating your strengths and weakness. Be very careful not to become too critical or arrogant. Make a list of physical features that you like and dislike about yourself. Be very specific about it. If you do not like your eyebrows, decide what makes about them makes you unhappy. Once a basic list is compiled, you know what features to accent and which to improve.

Male skin contains more oil, an average of 15% more than women. Take care of your skin with basic grooming habits and be mindful of any blemishes that appear. When combating oily skin, make sure not to go overboard and dry it out. Skin should look both natural and healthy. If you decide to cover up acne or other faults with make-up, be certain to find one that matches your skin tone. Blotchy skin from make-up can be just as distracting as the acne itself.

Hair and hair loss is a big issue for men. Infomercials talk about balding and bald men like they are under a curse. They promote everything from toupees to spray paint for your head. A simple solution sometimes is best. Most balding men look best with short hair, because it draws less attention to the bald spots. Some guys shave their head when their balding gets too severe to create a nice, clean look.

Simple grooming habits heighten man’s attractiveness. Take care of your teeth. Bad oral hygiene makes a man look lazy and unhealthy. Take the time to brush your teeth an extra time before you meet that special someone, and use an antiseptic mouthwash. While fresh breath might mean a good night kiss, the goal of using mouthwash is to give you healthy gums. The healthier the gums, the better the breath.

If you chose to wear make-up, keep in mind that the same rules that apply to women should apply to men. With the exception of certain areas that might wish to make stand out, keep the make-up subtle. The goal is to enhance your natural handsome face, not to create a mask to hide behind. As eyeliner grows in popularity for men, it is important to make sure that you get clean lines. If you are going to take the time to apply it, make sure that it looks good.

The winter months literally assault hair in the worst way, if you do not prepare it for the most rigorous season of the year. While the first snow falls outside your home, the first dandruff signals may appear over your shoulders. Such flaking occurs due to excessive cell production but it can be prevented by using a good dandruff shampoo on a regular basis.

This time of the year is when long hairstyles are not only recommended and desirable as they are the perfect complement for the many festivities occurring during the winter season, including Christmas and New Year. As the winter is approaching, natural hair care needs to be adjusted to keep it from damage, which is caused by the elements of the weather.

Winter can ruin your personal appearance when it comes to choosing an incredible and stylish hairdo and dry flaking scales of skin start “snowing” of your head as a result of dandruff, causing persistent scaling or itching of the scalp. Apply dandruff shampoo to your hair when you are not suffering from dandruff is also a good preventative measure.

The strong winds of the season are a danger that no type of hair care can resolve without the aid of hair conditioners that help to moisture the dryness of your hair. Some women prefer to wear hats, scarves or even wigs to “protect” their hair. That practice is not accurate, since hair can snag and break. Besides, long wig hairstyles are anti-natural.

Unless your hair is severely damaged, avoid wigs and do not use hats without protecting your hair with a silk scarf. No matter how cold the winter weather, keep your hair care routine, and use a dandruff shampoo to control dandruff or prevent it. Browse through magazines or pictures online to find modern or classic long hairstyles prior to winter to find the perfect hairstyle and then let your hair grow long enough to accommodate the style that you have chosen.

If winter weather is too rigorous in your city with cold harsh air, you may damage your hair if you do not prepare ahead of time with the proper hair care. Humidifiers are useful during this season because they add moisture to your environment hydrating your home’s air, but if you do not wish to use one, simply set a pot of water on your stove, and let the water steam into the air, which will prevent dandruff as well.

As for your long hair care, air dry it whenever possible, concentrate the conditioner on its ends, wash it under the shower and leave it hanging down. As part of your hair care, make sure to use a dandruff shampoo and do a final rinse in cold water disregard the cold winter temperatures, keep a super absorbent hair drying towel close by, and remember, never brush your hair when it is wet which can cause the hair to break.

 

Eat all you can and still lose weight. Its the secret wish that many dieters have that has been exploited by big companies in the diet industry.

This is a bit of a misleading statement. You might recognize it from the Akavar commercials but I’m not going to talk about unsafe and ineffective diet pills but rather an unconventional dieting method that has become very popular in recent times.

The statement is better phrased as “Eat More and Still Lose Weight”. Some traditional diets advocate starving yourself and many people still believe this is the way to lose weight. Its a big myth. You actually do yourself more harm by not eating as much as you should.

By eating more, it doesn’t mean that you have to hog your food down. Unless you want to put on a few more pounds, then go right ahead. As in the Skinny Switch Secret Diet, instead, you eat anything you like because its not about what you eat but rather how you eat it in regards to calorie values.

The main characteristic of this dieting method is that you have to eat 4 to 5 small meals a day. Read the rest of this entry »

All the way from Italy where beauty meets fashion, introducing new hair product line Davines. The results are truly divine. Davines hair care company is family owned and is very popular in Europe. Davines products offer quality and great results with the use of their products. All products are created for specific type of hair and specific hair condition. Ingredients that Davines used for the creation of their exquisite product line are all derived from nature.

Davines Alchemic Products

Davines Alchemic product line supports hair color and contains color pigments in order to enhance the hair color that you already have. Alchemic Conditioners will provide moisture and softness to your hair as well as vitality of your hair color.

Essential Hair Care

Davines Essential hair care product line includes product such as Davines MoMo, NouNou, Love and many other strange names. All of these products have been designed specifically for the different hair types. From brittle, colored, dry and curly hair types you will find something amazing. All of essential products have been created with natural engridients and will prolong and strengthen your hair. Show some love to your curls with Davines Love product from essential line, this amazing product line not only smells fantastic but show an amazing results.

For Wizards Styling Products

Davines For wizards styling products will make you feel like a true “wizard”. Unbelievable control and style that was not possible with any other products on the market is made possible with Davines for Wizards. These hair styling tools will be a must have styling arsenal for any hair dresser or hair stylist out there. When it comes to creativity, there is no limit of what can be done with tools for Wizards.

Davines Defining Styling Products

If you ever wanted to define your hair style, this is the right product for you. Davines Defining styling products will provide definition to any hair style. With naturally derived ingredients these styling product will replace all of your current sprays mousses and gels. Davines Defining product will make you stand out with defined styles. Davines research team spent countless days in order to develop the perfect hair styling system that will protect and nourish hair and at the same time support great style.

Davines SU Sun Care System

When you go on vacation or go out on the sun, your hair will be exposed to salt water and damaging sun rays. Davines SU Sun Care system provides full protection from hair to your body. Su Sun care system is designed to protect and to revive hair and body from sun, Read the rest of this entry »

The Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital Diet has been around for decades under a variety of names, including the Sacred Heart Diet, the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Cleveland Clinic Diet, and the Spokane Heart Diet. Although no institution lays claim to being its source, the details of this meal plan have been widely circulated and, in some instances, even recommended by medical professionals. There are claims that users can lose up to 10 lbs in a week by following the steps described here.

However, dieters are cautioned to consult their medical advisers before using this diet.

The main component of the plan is vegetable SOUP. You are required to make a pot of soup with the ingredients described here. You can have as much of the soup as you like over a period of seven days, along with a few other items that are mentioned below.

SOUP CONTENTS:

* One or two cans of stewed tomatoes.
* One large can of beef broth (without fat)
* Three or more large green onions
* One packet/can of chicken noodle soup (similar to Lipton Soup mix)
* One bunch of celery
* Two green peppers
* Two pounds of carrots
* Two cans of green beans

Seasoning: Pepper, salt, parsley, curry, bouillon, and Worcestershire sauce are permitted.

Process: Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and cover with water. Boil on high for ten minutes, then simmer until the veggies are tender.

The soup can be eaten at any time you are feeling hungry, in any quantities. It does not add calories.

DRINKS:

* Tea, including herbal teas
* Coffee
* Skimmed milk
* Cranberry juice
* Plenty of water. Eight glasses per day recommended.

EXCLUSIONS:

No alcohol during the seven days of the diet. Allow at least half a day after finishing it before consuming any alcohol.
No bread
No carbonated drinks, such as sodas
No fried foods

DAILY PLAN

Day 1: Eat any fruit except bananas. Watermelon and Cantaloupes are recommended as they have fewer calories than most other fruits. Food today consists of fruit and soup only.

Day 2: Eat plenty of veggies today, whether cooked, raw or canned. Green leafy veggies are preferred. Try to avoid corn, peas and dry beans. No fruits today. As much soup as you want. At dinnertime, a baked potato with butter is allowed as a treat.

Day 3: No baked potato today but have all the soup, fruit and vegetables you can manage.

Progress Report: If you haven’t cheated, you will probably find that you are about 5 lbs lighter at this stage. If you find that your bowel movements have changed, eat a cup of bran or other high fiber food.

Day 4: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much skim milk as you want. Also be sure to have at least one serving of the soup. Your body now needs the potassium, carbohydrates, proteins and calcium contained in the bananas and skim milk.

Day 5: Eat 10 to 20 oz of beef (or non-fried, skinless chicken) and up to 6 tomatoes, as well as at least one serving of soup.

Day 6: Eat beef (or non-fried, skinless chicken) and veggies – as much as you like, especially green leafy veggies. At least one serving of soup.

Day 7: Have plenty of soup. Brown rice, veggies and unsweetened fruit juice allowed. Cooked veggies may be added to your rice, if you like.

Broiled fish may be substituted for the beef on one day.

Progress Report: By this stage, at least 10 lbs of weight should have been lost.

Stay off the diet for two days before starting it again.

Although this diet has more merit than most short-term diets in that it pays closer attention to nutritional requirements during the seven days it is to be followed, the restrictions mean that it can become boring, which increases the temptations to eat snack food or binge on fatty foods. For sustainable weight loss, menus which take into account your food preferences as well as nutritional needs and food groups are easier to follow and more likely to result in fat loss that does not return.

The older we get the more we’re concerned about our appearance. As we age our face shows signs with wrinkles and fine lines. When this happens we start to look for products that can minimize or eliminate these telltale signs of aging. Beauty skin care products can help us minimize or solve this problem.

There are many beauty skin care products on the shelves these days. You can find them in the drugstore or in your favorite department store. They can range in price from as low as a couple of dollars to several hundred dollars. The price doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality or results you may find when you use the beauty skin care product.

Even though there are many products available, there are a few ingredients that actually can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The industry tends to put a hefty price tag on beauty skin care products that contain these ingredients. However, these ingredients are readily available from sources which provide do-it-yourself kits or recipes that can help you save money and in some cases get better results.

One reason why you’ll be able to get better results is because you will be in control of the quality of the ingredient used in your own personal beauty skin care product’s formula. You will also be able to control the amount of these popular ingredients and combine them the way you like.

When you make your own skin care products, it provides you with the knowledge of your skin care needs. You will learn about your skin by experimenting with your own products. It is also fun and surprisingly easy to make your own skin care products. There are several things that you will need to take into consideration when making your own products:

1. Make sure you buy from reputable sources.

2. Have adequate containers available and mixing utensils and make sure they are clean. By making sure they are clean you will prevent breakouts from happening.

3. Although most products that you will make will last several months, be sure to mark the date that you made the product on your container to ensure that you weren’t using the best batch possible.

4. Before making your beauty skin care products, make sure you are knowledgeable about every ingredient that goes into your personal formula. Some ingredients work together making the formula more effective and stronger.

Ayurveda- The Indian traditional system of health care believes in a holistic approach to health care and hair care is one of the vital parts of it. Ayurveda believes that just external application and precautions are not sufficient to keep it full of life, strength, luster, sheen, color, vitality and healthy life long. This issue is discussed in almost every classical text in detail which shows that our Rishis (sages) were also aware of the importance of this field. Ayurvedic Ahara-Vihar (Diet and Lifestyle) concept are two major factors that influence whole body and the health of the hair as well. Irregular dietary habits, Poor diet, Illness and Deficiencies of any particular Vitamin and Mineral affects the quality of hair and problems like dandruff, thinning hair, early baldness, premature graying, spoil the hair quality. In an individual the condition of the hair is the reflection of the complete constitution of his physical state. If the person is not healthy then the bad health will reflect from the hair. Ayurvedic classical literatures thrust upon overall regulation for hair care. Basic guidelines one should follow in life for wellbeing of hair are as follows:

(I). Massage scalp regularly: Topical application of medicated hair oil improves nourishment to the scalp which helps to keep your hair long, lustrous, strong, shining and thick. The warm oil head and scalp massage, especially when done with oil infused with Keshya (hair-friendly) herbs, nourishes the hair and scalp, alleviates dry scalp, enhances circulation. Coconut oil or Sesame oil, infused with herbs like Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Bhringaraj (Eclipta alba) or Japa (Hibiscus), helps maintain the color and luster of hair. Ayurvedic herbal hair oils contain a blend of hair-friendly herbs. If you can massage two or three times a week preferably in morning (1-2 hours before bath) for nourishment. Apply Narikela (coconut) oil or Sarshapi(mustard) oil (depending upon availability and suitability) at least three times in a week. Use of Classical Ayurvedic Medicated Oils like: Bhringraja oil, Neelibhringadi oil, Mahabhringraja oil and Brahmi-Amla oil helps to control complaints related to the scalp and hair.

(II). Regular cleansing of scalp and hair: Always keep your hair and scalp clean to avoid clogged hair follicles and itching of scalp. Cleanse with a gentle herbal shampoo or baby soap or soft home made herbal based shampoo. Over or excessive shampooing, especially with a harsh shampoo can lead to dry out the scalp and damage hair. Use lukewarm or fresh water to wash your hair, and follow with a natural conditioner. Let the hair dry naturally rather than blow-drying it. Trim hair regularly to take care of split ends and natural wear and tear. Regularly cleaning and brushing the hair is very important. When the hairs are brushed, oil-producing glands in the scalp get stimulated. This natural oil makes the hair glossy and healthy. To give extra shine to the hair, after washing rinse the hair with some lemon juice mixed in a cup of warm water.

(III). Regulate dietary habits: Irregular or unhealthy eating habits affect over all performance of all of our systems. Healthy eating is just as important for effective digestion and absorption as the healthy diet itself. Food should be fresh and whole and prepared lovingly. Ayurveda advocates that every one should have food in properly ventilated, calm, quiet corner and should not do any other job at the time of having food like watching your favorite television show or talking and discussing any business issue. Eat with your attention on the food, in a calm and serene frame of mind, and one should chew food properly before swallowing. For a good digestion a healthy person should not drink too much water during meals, few sips of water in between bites is fine, otherwise proper watering time is half an hour after food. One should drink luke warm water if oily, spicy and non vegetarian food is consumed. Dinner should always be light. All of such restrictions are important if you wish to keep your body free of Ama (toxins). Toxins build up in the body obstructs nutrients from reaching the cells and tissues of the body. The food articles and bad habits which one should get rid off are discussed also. They are as follows: Excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, meats and smoking should be avoided. Eating too much fried, oily, greasy, spicy, sour and acidic foods is always harmful. Chemical or synthetic medicines should be avoided. Low blood circulation, anemia, general weakness after disease, stress, anxiety and mental tension should be treated by improving dietary habits and routine. Diseases like typhoid fever, jaundice and hormonal imbalance cause excessive falling of hair and aggravate the incidence of dandruff.

Especially after the age of forty, it is important to undergo periodic internal cleansing to flush away Ama (toxins). Triphala (mixture of equal quantity of fruits of Amalaki – Emblica officinalis, Vibhitaka – Terminalia belerica and Harad – Terminalia chebula) is a very popular, gentle, non- habit forming cleanser that can be taken frequently to regulate the digestive system.

(IV). Nutritious diet: Ayurvedic concept of way of life strongly is of the view, that healthy and nutritious food improves body of hair, so a balanced assortment of nutrients is necessary to prevent premature hair loss and early graying.

List of beneficial hair foods include white Sesame seeds, fresh Coconut, Green vegetables, whole Grains, Dates and Raisins, Dadhi (curd), Sprouted mixture of beans, Nuts and Seeds and healthy fats such as Ghee or Oil. Ayurvedic system of medicine advises to cook food with spices and aromatic herbs as they improve digestion and detoxify our body tissues. Ayurveda advocates for regular intake of Haridra (Turmeric), Maricha (Black pepper), Methi (Fenugreek), Dhania (Coriander) and Jeera (Cumin) are both flavoring and Agni (digestive fire) enhancing. Herbs like Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Hingu (Asafoetida), Bhringraja (Eclipta alba) and seasonal fruits especially citrus fruits help to improve digestion and immunity for all age groups and all Dosha types.

(V). Sleep Sufficiently: As per Ayurvedic concepts: Sleep is as important as nutritious food for well being of human body. Improper or irregular sleeping schedule causes disturbance to our body clock. Sleep is the phase when our body repairs tissues and reorganizes systems. One should retire to bed before 10 p.m. and should finish dinner two hours prior to sleep. Light dinner with less spice followed by a glass of milk (an hour after dinner) is always found to induce good quality sleep. Lack of sufficient sleep can lead to poor health of hair.

(VI). Stress management: Everybody faces high levels of mental and emotional stress due to fierce competition in day to day life of modern times. Living regularly in such state of stress can lead to excessive falling, premature graying, dry, dull-looking, lifeless appearance of hair. Herbal tea enriched with any one or more of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandookparni (Centella asiatica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) supports natural ability to manage stress. Always spare time to rest and relax and practice relaxing yoga techniques and meditation to keep stress under control. Massaging scalp with medicated herbal oils is found to be helpful to mental relaxation and to control mood swings.

*Ayurvedic hair cleanser – Blend together coarsely grinded Amalaki (Embilica officinalis) – 50 Gms., Shikakai (Acacia concinna) – 30 Gms. and Arishtaka (Sapindus trifoliatus) – 20 Gms and Water – 1.5 Ltrs. make a decoction by boiling contents so that the water is reduced to 1 Ltr. and keep after straining it for washing the hair, but application of oil is always advisable prior to it. This should be made fresh.This a quantity of ingredients in this formulation is for reference only; quantities should be adjusted as per one’s daily requirement. Use of freshly made hair wash solution is always advisable.

This article in nutshell:
- Shape or condition of your hair is reflection of your internal health.
- Good quality sleep relieves stress which is one of the causes of bad hair health.
- Following healthy food habits is always beneficial for wellbeing of hair.
- High protein diet improves condition of hair, controls excessive falling of hair.
- Crash dieting, hormonal imbalances, anemia and low blood circulation cause hair falling.
- Regular milk intake, sesame seeds, almonds and dry fruits help to make hair full of life.
- Application of Sesame oil or Coconut oil or Mustard oil is always good for healthy hair.
- Regular shampooing with undiluted shampoos should be avoided as it will damage hair.
- Hair oils enriched with Keshya (Hair friendly) herbs are always beneficial for hair.
- Regular maintaining of scalp hygiene is of prime importance to control hair disorders.
- Brushing naturally dried hair stimulates circulation to the scalp and hair follicles.
- Cleaning with hard water should be avoided, as it makes hair dry, rough, messy and dull.
- Always dilute shampoo by adding 100 times soft or mineral water to it.

 

Many people dismiss the option of retiring overseas due to health care concerns.

Many Americans and Canadians, live very well on $2,000 month or less in such places as Mexico, Panama or Ecuador. That includes a maid…interested ladies?

My wife and I lived in various countries for 8 years while living aboard a sailboat. We are in good health, exercise regularly, and never had a health issue in those 8 years. We did have optional laser surgery on our eyes in Venezuela. It cost $350 per eye.

We had total trust in the Venezuelan doctor and have not had any problems with our eyes. I don’t miss wearing glasses either.

We did have friends that needed medical care. One friend was hospitalized in Trinidad for about a week. His private hospital room cost $56 per day, including his meals. When he needed a CAT scan the doctor apologized for charging him $180 for the procedure. It would have been $100 if he had been a local.

What would that cost in the USA now…a week in the hospital and the CAT scan? Read the rest of this entry »