10 Steps to building a Stronger Immune System
March 3, 2010 by Craig
Filed under Beauty, Body, • Headline
1. Lemon Juice Intake.
Lemon juice is an electrolyte that restores the acid-alkali balance of the body. Adding a squeeze of lemon, into your drinking water, tea, salad dressings, dips and sauces, is a good way to fight bacteria and viruses and keeps the skin healthy. Lemons are rich in Vitamin A, C and P (bioflavonoid). It has a powerful antibacterial property that helps treat cholera, malaria, influenza, common colds and typhoid fever. Lemon is also considered as a diuretic, which means it is good for people with urinary tract infection and high levels of uric acid, which are the main causes of rheumatism and arthritis.
2. Herbal Healing Habits.
There is a particular herb for a particular illness. Nature offers plenty of medicinal plants that can help your body cope with allergies or even sickness. Garlic and ginger for example, can be chewed or boiled into a concoction, to prevent colds and normalize your blood pressure level. To relieve stress, one may take a hot bath with chamomile, calendula, rosemary and lavender. Plants make wonders too!
3. Sleeping Sufficiently.
Our body takes more time repairing its cells and tissues when we are sound asleep. Sleep boosts endocrinal health and balances the hormones that regulate our bodily functions. Because sleep calms our adrenal glands, it regulates the cortisol levels in our body making our heart rate normal, making our mind and muscles relaxed and stress-free. Sleep contributes a lot in keeping weight down, in having clear thinking and reasoning, in improving mood and emotional conditions, and in having a vibrant, healthy skin.
4. Protein Policy.
Protein is the building block of our tissues. A high-protein and low-carb diet is more recommendable, which promotes bone and muscle growth rather than fat and lipid deposits in our body. Protein also makes the body more active and strong, which is advisable for people who goes to the gym or loves outdoor activities.
5. Water Is Life.
Headaches and stress are common signs of dehydration. Our body is 60-80% made out of water, thus lacking it could lead to cellular malfunction. The best way to enjoy water is before and after an activity. Eight glasses or more is the advisable quantity to cleanse you. Without water, the body is not able to fully absorb nutrients and correct balance of your acid-alkali level. The healthiest type of water is alkaline water, which helps the body combat free radicals, toxins and anti-bodies.
6. Avoiding Coffee and Chocolate.
Caffeine is the worst thing in chocolate and coffee that gradually dehydrates the body as opposed to water. Coffee and chocolate may corrupt your body of essential nutrients and minerals, as it becomes acidic when processed in the body. Since, coffee and chocolate are usually coupled with sugar; the body is disabled from sending out natural hormonal signals that make us sleepy when we are tired. Summarily, coffee and chocolate is the biggest adversary of water and sleep, which is not healthy.
7. Don’t Be Too Sweet.
For someone with a sweet tooth, sugary foods are plainly irresistible. However, sugar counts for a lot of sickness and deadly diseases, one of which is diabetes. When we consume food with carbohydrates, sugar readily becomes a bi-product after digestion. The body needs sugar to form energy but too much of it is really dangerous.
8. Get Addicted To Fruits and Vegetables.
If there is something in this world that you should get addicted too, that is eating fruits and vegetables. Aside from vitamins and minerals that are present in fruits and vegetables, antioxidants, fiber, enzymes and rare forms of protein are found in them. Having this diet also supplies your body with potent Vitamin C, which is best in protecting the cells from viruses.
9. Get Physical, Go Outdoors.
If you’re the type who doesn’t like the four corners of the gym and loves nature, the most enjoyable way to sweat it out is doing outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, jogging, rock climbing and many more. The body needs to excrete salt deposits and lipids through sweating and the constant cycle of dehydration and rehydration. Viewing the scenic beauty of nature is also proven to relieve stress and psychological imbalance. If you can’t get outdoors and need something gentle but very affective, think about investing in a vibration exercise machine. Or maybe your life is hectic and don’t have time? This investment can give you the benefit of a 1 hour workout in 10 minutes.
10. Enjoy Quality Time.
Modern science has pointed out that stress is a major culprit in contracting diseases. Emotional and mental problems are equated to ‘system failure’ like in your computer. The body needs time to breathe, which is lacking when we are full of activities or pre-occupied and anxious. Breathing deeply helps the body get the right amount of oxygen it needs. Take yoga sessions to improve breathing or learn a self-taught meditation exercise. Talk to friends. Talking your worries out frees you from anxiety and mental or emotional stress. Be happy and laugh more regularly, as they say it is the best medicine!
VividLife.me Contributor
Whether you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle or overcome an illness, Craig Jacobs & Healthier Living 4 You, offers you educational health information and wonderful health products. After Craig’s mother (Beverly Jacobs) was healed from their 3 in 1 FIT – Detox Foot Bath in 2003 from an overloaded body full of heavy metals which caused her chronic fatigue, depression and very painful joints, Healthier Living 4 You was born. There are 4 simple things you can do to live a healthy life very easily. First, start eating a healthy alkaline diet, drink good clean alkaline water, detox your body on a regular basis and exercise daily. Learn more on their products by going to www.healthierliving4you.com these are products every household needs! For some great health tips visit their blog at www.hl4y.com. Or for a great report on Your Toxic Truth visit: www.yourtoxictruth.com. Call us toll free – 1-866-745-5743
Live the Mystery
How willing are you to live in the mystery? How willing are you to live the mystery? Or another way to ask this question is how willing are you to allow the mystery to live you?
You see, you live in mystery. Or, better said, you are a living mystery.
Very few people are ready and willing to accept this mystery. The mind wants to figure the mystery out, seeking to grasp and hold onto the mystery. The mind asks:
• What about this?
• How do I?
• But what if?
• How does it work?
• What will happen when?
And there is nothing wrong with these questions. Yet the deepest longing of your heart and soul, the deep yearning for truth, cannot be grasped and understood – it can only be experienced.
I heard a story once that a great scientist (I think Einstein) said: “God doesn’t play dice with the universe”. With the advent of quantum physics, another leading scientist reveled: “God not only plays dice, but he throws the dice where no one can find them.”
This is simply a way of saying that we are part of a mystery that cannot be explained, that cannot be understood, that cannot be grasped. But it can be experienced. The mystery can be revealed; you can literally experience a revelation; you can experience the revelation of the mystery.
In my experience, the fastest way to experience this mystery, to live this mystery, is through the heart. When you live from the heart, you transcend the mind. For many people, the mind serves as a barrier to the experience of truth. Not because the mind is bad, not because the mind is wrong, but simply because the mind has been conditioned, trained, away from truth.
The mind has been conditioned to have all sorts of beliefs, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions. And none of these beliefs can show you the mystery of reality, the mystery of life, because this mystery can only be experienced directly. It can be experienced not through thinking, feeling, or doing, but rather through surrendering.
It is natural, almost inevitable, to be afraid of living the mystery because living the mystery means seeing that you are not in control. For those of us who like to think we control life, or at the very least control ourselves, surrendering to the mystery can seem daunting, overwhelming, even unbearable.
Yet the truth of the matter remains – we are part and parcel of an incredible mystery. And we do not control the mystery. It is when you are willing to surrender to this mystery we call life that true beauty can begin to reveal itself.
So take some time this week to reside in the heart. Reside in your heart and see if you can let the mystery guide you to an experience of your exquisite nature.
VividLife.me Contributor
Sarah Maria, author of Love Your Body, Love Your Life, outlines her 5-step process for helping you feel great in and about your body. Her work embraces the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, for true, lasting healing. Purchase your copy http://www.amazon.com/dp/1605501530/?tag=brefrebea-20, begin to love your body today. Visit: www.sarahmaria.com, www.breakfreebeauty.com.
Sparkle Organically this New Year
February 17, 2010 by Julie Urlaub
Filed under Beauty, • Headline
Living green is all the rage and women especially have taken to adopting eco awareness in their daily living. As an eco friendly consultant helping others to live green, it makes sense to look for different ways to integrate eco awareness into your life. The most impactful areas of our lives are those that we do by habit. Take for instance, your makeup.
Personal care product preferences are often very heavily brand-driven. However, in living green offers opportunities to evaluate alternatives to traditional brands. Living green includes choosing products that are good for the environment as well as your personal health.
Why opt for organic makeup? According to the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), many conventional products continue to have alarmingly high levels of carcinogens and recommend avoiding products containing the following ingredients:
• Cocoamidopropyl Betaine
• Oelfin Sulfonate
• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
• Potassium Cocoyl Glutamate
• Parabens
• Phenoxyethenol
A great resource for questions pertaining to safe ingredients in skin care is Skin Deep. Skin Deep is a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group.
If you are curious as to the hottest organic makeup trends this holiday season, a personal favorite is SaffronRouge.
Saffron Rouge is the source for organic skincare and aromatherapy. One sustainability concept is to purchase locally. If purchasing organic skincare locally isn’t available to you, this is the place to go! They offer everything from face and hair care, cosmetics, for women, men, and babies. An added bonus, InStyle magazine recognized SaffronRouge as their choice for organic beauty online. Bring on the sparkle!
VividLife.me Contributor
Founder and Managing Partner of Taiga Company, Julie began her career campaigning for clean air legislation with Citizen Action in Washington, D.C. Expanding into Energy Management Services and later, a small business owner in the Oil and Gas Industry, Julie leverages over 15 years of Consulting and Business Development experience in the Energy, Medical, and Information Technology industries.
Today, as a sustainability consultant, Julie speaks, writes, and advises clients on a variety of issues related to the intersection between environmental stewardship, sustainable business practices, and sustainable living.
Self-confidence from the Self
In my experience, there is only one real way to increase your self-confidence, and that is through Self-confidence. Self-confidence, with a capital “S”, comes from focusing on the Self, your true Self, your actual Self. Self confidence with a small “s” comes from looking for stability, safety, and security, in that which is inherently unstable, transitory, and fleeting, which is never ultimately effective. Let me explain…
A lack of self-confidence, or low self-esteem, comes from the ideas, beliefs, attitudes, etc. that say you are not quite enough the way you are, that something is lacking. Perhaps you think your body is not thin enough, strong, enough, or healthy enough. Maybe you think you are not smart enough, not fast enough, not loving enough. Maybe you think you are too selfish, or too giving. No matter what your particular story line, no matter what your particular perspective, you think and believe that something is wrong with you, that you are somehow flawed and lacking in some way.
This belief-system, this set of assumptions, is the result of your conditioning and is simply not true.
You can spend your whole life working to build your self-confidence by changing certain things about yourself. And it can feel like it is working, like you have improved your self-confidence.
The problem is that anything, absolutely anything, that you perceive of as an object is transitory and fleeting. So you can improve your health, increase your income, experience beautiful relationships, but all of this is subject to change, and when it does, it can undermine the sense of confidence that you worked so hard to achieve. So consider instead shifting your focus entirely. Shift your focus from the ever-changing person of your imagination, to the Self which is immutable and never-changing. This is the Source of true Self-confidence.
The fact of the matter is that who you are, or rather what you are, is already, has always been, and will always be perfect. Who you are is the eternal Self, the Source of all reality. You cannot not be perfect. Yet in order to see this, you need to continuously shift your reference point. You need to fastidiously shift your focus away from the fleeting and temporary “person” that you think yourself to be and shift it toward that which is eternally perfect.
Instead of constantly looking for ways to improve yourself, give up the idea that you need improvement. Instead of spending your whole life attempting to perfect your “person”, discover that you not a person in need of perfection. Who you are is already perfect.
Life then becomes a practice of letting go of all the false ideas and beliefs that you carry around with you. Just like an overweight suitcase, these false assumptions drain you of your energy, vitality, and beauty. They eclipse the experience of your perfection.
So if you are interested in true Self-confidence, consider this as a practice:
- Accept the premise that who you are, exactly as you are, is already perfect.
- Become aware of every thought, idea, belief, behavior, feeling, and perception that runs contrary, that tells you somehow you are not quite good enough.
- Practice letting go of those perceptions. Let them go, one-by-one, staying focused always on that which is eternal and unchanging.
When you realize that what you are is already perfect, all questions of self-confidence disappear of their own accord and you are left with the ultimate Self-confidence.
VividLife.me Contributor
Sarah Maria, author of Love Your Body, Love Your Life, outlines her 5-step process for helping you feel great in and about your body. Her work embraces the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, for true, lasting healing. Purchase your copy, begin to love your body today. Visit: SarahMaria.com, BreakFreeBeauty.com.
8 Nutrients that Improve Your Looks
January 20, 2010 by Lisa
Filed under Beauty, • Headline
Sooo ”You are what you eat.” Does your diet really have an effect on your appearance? Yes! Eating sensibly helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it also helps to maintain a healthy appearance. When the things you eat are good for you, you’ll look good too. Here are 8 foods that not only help you feel great, but help you look great to!
“The body is the garage in which we park our soul”
Water
Drinking plenty of water every day helps the skin look soft, supple and more youthful. By keeping the body hydrated, your overall appearance will benefit, from improved skin texture, hair and nails. If you’re feeling bloated, it may be due to an increase of sodium in the body. Increase your intake of water to help flush it out. Water also helps in the weight-loss process.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps the body fight infection and disease. It pumps up the immune system and also promotes healing.
Collagen helps the skin remain elastic but firm, which keeps the skin wrinkle and line free. Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage are all vitamin-C-rich foods.
Green Tea
Green tea has been shown to lower cholesterol, improve immune function and reduce the risk of specific types of cancer. It is also rich in antioxidants If you’re a big coffee drinker, try replacing your morning java with a cup of green tea. Without cream, sugar or other artificial flavourings, you may notice a reduction in weight while satisfying your caffeine fix.
Soy
Soy proteins are rich in amino acids, vitamin E and many anti-oxidants. These components help the skin retain moisture, smooth out skin’s appearance and improve its elasticity.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)
EFAs like omega-3 are known as “good fats,” which helps cellular functioning. They help skin, hair, nails, muscles and practically everything involved in your physical appearance. Chia, flax and Salba seeds are fabulous. Nuts and avocado, olive oil, try coconut oil!!
Green vegetables
Vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale are rich in Vitamin A, C, E, iron and fibre. We’ve already discussed the benefits of vitamin C, but equally important to looking great is your intake of vitamin A and E. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties and maintains moisture for eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin E is essential for healthy, smooth and younger looking skin.
Garlic
The effects of garlic have been widely known for centuries, but only recently taken seriously by modern science. In studies, this mysterious and potent food has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and even prevent cancer. With its anti-fungal property, skin fungus issues will surely improve. (eczema, athlete’s foot, candida)
Chocolate
Well, maybe chocolate isn’t the most health-conscious food on the planet. However, it does have positive effects on your mood by pumping up endorphins and serotonin, (Guess what? Exercise does the same thing!) This gives you an overall calm and pleasant feeling. And when you feel good, you look good. Who can argue with that?
I would love to hear from you. Share what you’d like to read about, what you’re searching for or what makes you smile. Email me @ lisa@graciouslyliving.ca, or visit www.graciouslyliving.ca
VividLife.me Contributor
Lisa Berry is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer, Live Cell Analyst, and Certified Life Coach
Contact info lisa @graciouslyliving.ca or call 905 442 0973
6 Tips to Feel Beautiful Today!
How many times have you waited for something to change so that you could finally start feeling beautiful?
If you are like most women, the answer is “all the time.”
Here is the problem: Most of us tend to live with the delusional belief that we somehow need to change in order to be beautiful. It usually sounds something like:
When I lose this extra weight, then I will be attractive.
If I can just get my abs a little more toned, then I can wear that bikini I love.
I feel so much better after I put on my make-up in the morning.
I looked much sexier before I had these wrinkles.
My hair looks drab and lifeless until I get it colored.
Unfortunately, we think these stories, these lies, that we have been taught are true. We believe that we somehow need to change who we are, how we look, and what we do in order to finally be sexy, attractive, and drop-dead gorgeous.
This is a lie – an erroneous, ubiquitous, and often painful lie. The truth of the matter is that you are inherently, unconditionally, and absolutely beautiful and loveable right now, without changing a single thing.
Fortunately, very fortunately, you can expose these lies and choose to no longer live under their spell.
Ready to get started? Here are 6 simple and sure-fired ways to help you feel beautiful today:
1. Become aware of what you are thinking.
Simply become aware of the stories you are telling yourself so that you are no longer reacting on auto-pilot. Through awareness alone, you can begin to transmute your reality and transform lies into truth. Actively acknowledge that there is no inherent truth in the belief that you need to change something about yourself in order to be attractive. Consider that you can start feeling beautiful immediately, in this moment, without changing a single thing.
2. Set an Intention to See Beauty
Setting an intention is simple: intend to create a different reality for yourself. Here are some examples:
I intend to experience my inherent beauty.
Or: I intend to see my beauty and perfection at all times.
Or: I intend to know I am inherently beautiful, lovable, and worthwhile.
Do you ever see your reflection in the mirror and grimace at your wrinkles, vowing to purchase the latest anti-wrinkle cream? Set an intention to find your beauty in your reflection.
Or when you undress, do you ever suck in your stomach, berating yourself for not yet losing those 5 extra pounds? Set an intention to appreciate the body that you have right now.
Do you ever go shopping for clothes and wish you were a size (or more) smaller? Set an intention to unconditionally accept your body.
Hopefully you get the idea; set an intention to see yourself through the eyes of beauty.
3. Take a “Meditation Moment”
Meditation is the mental equivalent of brushing your teeth. This means that it is an essential and indispensable daily activity designed to help rest and rejuvenate your body, cleanse your psyche, awaken your spirit, and help you live a life that you love.
Nourish yourself with instant meditation moments throughout the day.
Are you waiting at the bus stop on your way to work? Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to connect within.
Are you making dinner for the family? Take 30 seconds and focus on the sounds, smells, and sensations in your environment, letting them nourish your senses.
Are you in the shower, getting ready to start your day? Turn your attention to the feeling of warm water cascading against you, gently caressing your body, and allow yourself to relax.
These meditation moments can happen anywhere, anytime – 30 to 60 seconds of closing your eyes and connecting within can make all the difference in the world.
4. Your Body is Your Best Friend
Your human body is your truest ally. Befriend it and it will serve you tirelessly.
Treat it as you would a dear friend:
Feed your body with healthy food, taking the time to give it proper nourishment.
Remember to exercise, and make it enjoyable. If the gym makes you cringe, opt for yoga, Pilates, dance, or good old walking. Anything to get your body moving will do wonders.
Relaxation is key. In our harried and hurried world, it is essential that you remember to relax and rejuvenate.
Instead of critiquing your body for not being enough of this and for being too much of that, offer it gratitude and appreciation for it unwavering support and devotion.
5. Create Meaningful Moments
Every day is filled with countless tasks and errands: going to work, talking with friends, picking up the kids, supporting your significant other, washing dishes, going to the gym, visiting the supermarket, shopping – on and one it goes.
Remember that you can imbue each moment with meaning. It can be as simple as smiling at everyone you meet, reacting with compassion and love instead of anger, or making sure to tell your friends and loved ones how much you care about them.
6. Your Smoking Hot, Inside Out
Remember, you were born beautiful. Believing that you are unattractive is a learned habit. You can unlearn it and discover the Joy, Peace, and Love that are your natural sate and birthright!
So that is it – 6 Simple Steps. 6 simple steps to start feeling beautiful, right now, in this moment. You don’t have to go anywhere or do anything to experience the Beauty that you already are. In fact, there is nothing you can do, say, or buy that will make you any more perfect, any more beautiful, or any more desirable than you are in this very moment. Simply know this, and you will revel in your true beauty.
VividLife.me Contributor
Sarah Maria, author of Love Your Body, Love Your Life, outlines her 5-step process for helping you feel great in and about your body. Her work embraces the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, for true, lasting healing. Purchase your copy, begin to love your body today. Visit: www.sarahmaria.com, www.breakfreebeauty.com.
Explore Your Own Truth
Are you out of sync with yourself? Are you living life by your own design or do you play safe with the fear of not living up to someone else’s standards? Do you have a desire to uncover who you are, but just aren’t sure how to?
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” Joseph Campbell
What if two words could change everything for you? Communicating who you are in all that you do is the key to authenticity! This blog is about one of my favourite books, “Style Statement” where the mind and matter meet.
So what is a style statement you might ask? As defined by the authors; style statement integrates the various aspects of your being in an effective balance. It consists of two words: the first word is your fundamental nature; 80% of who you are. The second word is your creative edge, your distinction, the 20% of yourself that makes all the difference. Your foundation word represents your being and your creative edge is how you express and distinguish your being.
This brilliant book allowed me to uncover my true essence, giving me full permission to be myself. Style Statement is one of most thought out books I have every come across and it makes complete sense. When the spirit and the look and feel of your life are connected to your true nature the world responds accordingly. http://www.stylestatement.com/
Are you the individual that you believe you are? Or are you living life in disguise? “Instead of feeling just shy of your potential, uncomfortable in your own skin, or like a big fat-fake, you can use the truth of your Style Statement to steer you toward the big-as-life-you.” According to the authors Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte; this combination of energy, ideals, and aesthetics is a powerful equation for creating ease and results in life.
As stated in the book; your first word is your foundation based on your surroundings such as; your living space, like the style of your couch or home and works as your basics do like your essential clothing pieces. Your second word or creative edge works like your accessories do. It is the spice to your life, the finishing touches such as a design, or color or pattern. The belief is everything matters, some characters are revealed and others concealed. The point of defining your own “Style Statement”, is to affirm an identity that reflects the real you. Every choice we make is an expression of our beliefs. This workbook will give you clarity on how you got here and where you want to go, revealing what works well for you and what doesn’t.
My favourite part of the book was the lifestyle mapping. Exploring various questions pertaining to the eight domains of life enables you to uncover your style statement. Later on this lifestyle map can be used to assess and adjust your lifestyle representing the major domains of self-expression. As stated in the book when asked the question how can two words define so much of me? A single word can distill all that you know to be good, beautiful and true. Words carry energy. Look into a word, and you will find a world of meaning and possibility. Applied with purpose, words are magic formulas. Your Style Statement words summarize the ideal look, feel, and spirit of how you move though the world. I believe I have almost nailed down my “Style Statement, almost finished this book.”
In conclusion, you may be constantly altering your image or your direction in life, but if you look more deeply into your varied interests, jobs, relationships, or clothes, you will notice themes. Your “Style Statement” anchors you to your core, which can be spoken truthfully in continuous ways.
I highly recommend this book for anyone with a desire to create a life that reflects what’s true to you in every way. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the authors Danielle LaPorte this year. She is definitely a “Sacred Dramatic”(her style statement) and one beautiful soul! Danielle as authentic as they come, has a website called White Hot Truth, check out her blogs for some real inspiration. http://whitehottruth.com/ Her tagline speaks volumes about who she is “Self Realization Rocks.” She runs Fire-starter courses for entrepreneurs and people who are looking to kick start their lives and careers. Danielle is as real as they get and quite frankly the world could use more purposeful people like her to fuel their souls. Her handcrafted note cards for sale on her site genuis. You can purchase the Style Statement book on-line or at major bookstores such as chapters.
Below is a short u-tube clip of Danielle and Carrie discussing the book the “Style Statement.” Here’s to the beauty of moving your life in the direction you want it to go; by communicating who you are in all that you do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTzlzbyySFc
Featured Contributor
Amanda Willett
Amanda Willett believes that all women are uniquely beautiful. As the founder and CEO of BD IMAGE Services, Amanda aims to teach women how to accept, embrace and present their matchless beauty to the world. She believes creating a presence, leaving a lasting impression always, will set the stage for success.
Amanda believes we all have a vision of the woman we would like to become and her goal is to inspire you to make that vision a reality. With a desire to redefine the meaning of beauty, Amanda teaches women how to reveal their inner diva. Her workshops propel women to uncover and express their authentic selves, giving them the confidence to put their best self forward. As an image professional, Amanda provides services for individuals and corporations through coaching, personalized consultations, presentations, seminars and workshops.www.bdimageservices.com
Are You Stressed Out??
Stress levels often peak in our 30’s and 40’s and after years of juggling career and family. We allow our roles in life to consume us and often forget to take care of ourselves, all the while making sure everyone else is taken care of. Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreak havoc on our bodies and mind. Undue stress causes illness and can age you in a heartbeat. We all see people who look fabulous as they age and those who look worn and weathered. Life is truly all about choices and the only one going to take care of you is you. Check out prevention magazines tips for aging beautifully and achieving health and wellness. http://www.prevention.com/agebeautifully/
The past couple of years have been a real eye opener for me. Illness, wrinkles, and exhaustion have been brought on by trying to be superwoman. Getting diagnosed with adrenaline fatigue was my breaking point and my body’s way of telling me, you can’t keep going like this. Adrenaline fatigue is caused overtime by ignoring the symptoms of stress and can take months even years to disappear. If you would like to learn more about the symptoms or diagnosis of adrenaline fatigue go to http://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue.asp I have realized you can’t completely eliminate the stressors in life but you can control how they affect you. Managing stress is all about taking charge of your emotions and thoughts, your schedule, your environment and the way you deal with problems. It is all about mindfulness and living in the present moment according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, this is just one of a series of six videos that looks at stress and coping with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGaRyLN9gb8&eurl=http://www.learnmindfulness.co.uk/videos
Knowing what causes you stress is a powerful tool. This can be accomplished by either dealing with the situation by avoiding the stressor or altering the stressor. Perhaps certain people in your life should be avoided or changing /altering your everyday routine is required. For me learning to say no has been a big one in avoiding stress. I am a yes girl and like to pretend I can do it all. The other way would be to change how you react to certain stressors in your life by either adapting to the situation or accepting it for what it is. I am thankful my eyes are wide open, it has allowed me to focus on what matters most for me. The coming months will mean giving up a few things, but will mean gaining a whole lot more. These are my tips for coping with stress and achieving optimum health. Most of these I am sure you have heard many times before. I did too, but guess what I am listening now. Heres wishing you years of a beautiful mind, body and soul.
- Get your beauty sleep at least 7-8 hours per day.
- Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day, yoga is great for combating stress.
- Drink plenty of water suggested is yes 8 glasses/day.
- Avoid toxins such as smoking.
- Limit your alcohol intake, enjoy a cup of green tea or chamomile to calm you instead.
- Eat a well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants.
- Take a vitamin B Complex vitamin, 50mg three times per daily along with calcium and magnesium to help keep stress in check.
- Up your vitamin C intake to at least 1000 mg daily when feeling stressed.
- Essential Fatty Acids or omega-3 and omega-6 compounds support the nervous system and are crucial to radiant skin and hair.
- The herb St. Johns Wort relieves stress, onset depression and elevates mood.
- Avoid negative people and situations.
- Learn to meditate.
- Take time to laugh, rent or watch a comedy.
- Have a bubble bath or go to the spa and unwind.
- Take a vacation when you need to.
Featured Contributor
Amanda Willett
Amanda Willett believes that all women are uniquely beautiful. As the founder and CEO of BD IMAGE Services, Amanda aims to teach women how to accept, embrace and present their matchless beauty to the world. She believes creating a presence, leaving a lasting impression always, will set the stage for success.
Amanda believes we all have a vision of the woman we would like to become and her goal is to inspire you to make that vision a reality. With a desire to redefine the meaning of beauty, Amanda teaches women how to reveal their inner diva. Her workshops propel women to uncover and express their authentic selves, giving them the confidence to put their best self forward. As an image professional, Amanda provides services for individuals and corporations through coaching, personalized consultations, presentations, seminars and workshops.www.bdimageservices.com
Green and Gorgeous: Green Beauty Tips
October 15, 2009 by shayne
Filed under Beauty, • Headline
The bathroom is often regarded as a sanctuary of the family home: a place to unwind in a hot shower, pamper oneself with a spa treatment, or simply take care of business in relative privacy. Unfortunately, however, the average American bathroom has become a haven of chemical exposure, housing a variety of personal care products that may be harmful to your health.
Just how toxic is your bathroom? To date, 89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (an in-house panel appointed by the cosmetics industry), or anyone else.Of particular concern are ingredients such as phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, and mercury that are showing up in a variety of personal care product formulas. Current scientific research shows that many of these ingredients present a serious risk to human and environmental health. FDA officials and health experts throughout the world are particularly concerned about the “cocktail effect” that may occur when different chemicals and toxins are mixed in the body and then subsequently in the environment.
A 2004 survey by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research group, found that the average adult uses approximately nine personal care products each day, for a total of 126 unique chemical ingredients.While some products are tested for reactions such as skin redness, rashes, or stinging, there is little to no information about the long-term safety of these chemical cocktails for either humans or the environment.
The good news is that you don’t have to give up washing your hair or smelling good in order to protect your health and be nice to the planet.There are safe, non-toxic alternatives to virtually every personal care product your family needs. Here’s how to look and feel clean and beautiful without indulging in the chemical cocktail.
Read The Labels: Take five seconds to read the label and put down any product that contains phthalates, mercury, toluene, lead, formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, parabens (hormone-disrupting preservatives such as methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben), or BHA. These chemicals are considered the most detrimental to human and environmental health.
Use A Little Less: Reevaluate your beauty regimen to see if you can get by with a little less. Do you really need all of those beauty products in your cabinet? For each product you eliminate, you’ll save money and reduce the chemicals in your body and in the environment.
Be Kind To Animals: Animal testing is unnecessary, unethical, and just plain cruel. Look for the “Leaping Bunny” label to make sure your beauty products are “cruelty-free.” This symbol, created by the The Coalition For Consumer Information On Cosmetics, is the only international standard for personal care products indicating that they have not been tested on animals.
Don’t Leave A Carbon Footprint On Your Face: O.K., so you’ve cut back on the amount of oil and gas you use in your car, now how about reducing the carbon footprint of the chemicals you use on your body? Petroleum derivatives are found in a surprising number of personal care products such as lip balm, lotions, and lubricants, as well as the plastics used in sanitary products. Pass on products that use petroleum or its derivatives (paraffin oil, propylene glycol, and ethylene) and look for alternatives such as beeswax, cocoa butter, and vegetable oils instead.
Skip Disposables: According the environmental news website Grist , 2 billion disposable razors end up in United States landfills each year. Invest in a reusable and refillable razor to save money and take a knick out the waste stream.
Source: http://www.5minutesforgoinggreen.com/236/green-and-gorgeous-green-beauty-tips/
Is Your BEAUTY Routine Harmful to Your Health?
We all choose beauty products for different reasons but ultimately all in hopes of promised results. Enhanced with skill-fully applied make-up, a woman often feels ready to take on the world. I can second that, as a woman who gets excited when applying that red lipstick and adding the finishing touches to my face. Giving us confidence, beauty regimes serve as a self-esteem booster and arm us with the power to be more physically alluring. You will be hard pressed to find a woman who doesn’t have some type of beauty routine which psychologically gives her that pick me up! Women choose make-up, acrylic nails, and hair dye to camouflage flaws, enhance their assets, and or to feel glamorous! Guilty as the next, I long for that day at the salon to get just the right color, to try that new mascara that promises longer fuller lashes, and to test the latest eye cream pledging to diminish my fine lines. Although I accept what god gave me and have come to grips with getting older, I am a girly girl and my beauty routine echo’s that.
With all the talk about green beauty, recently I started to ponder the ingredients in the products I use to give myself that boost. What makes your lipstick last all day, your hair shine, your nail polish last a week? The answers are shocking! These products contain harmful toxins, the same cancer causing ingredients were warned to avoid. Most beauty products are not regulated by the FDA or any government agency because they are not considered edible. Cosmetic companies are allowed to use almost any ingredient they choose in every product under the sun. Once these harmful elements are put on your skin they become absorbed by the body. To think women have been using these products their whole life without a clue. The good news is there are environmental groups out there researching these ingredients and offering information on the worse products on the market. Environmental Working Group researchers have scoured thousands of ingredient labels to bring you their top recommendations for what not to buy — products with worrisome or downright dangerous ingredients that don’t belong in your shopping cart or on your skin. I guarantee you’ve been using some of these products for years without realizing its possible damage. I know I have!
You can read more about these products in their skin deep cosmetic safety database. http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com I urge you to review the products in your bathroom cabinet and makeup bag as they may cause you more harm than good.
The Environmental Working Groups use a scale to identify the potential risk products and major brands carry.
Products that score low risk are rated 0-2, moderate are rated 3-6 and highly toxic are rated 7-10.
Below is a list of ingredients contained in most cosmetics and beauty products;
Petroleum by products- Common name brand skin care products often contain these multiple chemicals known to cause cancer, liver disorders and neurological damage. http://www.naturalnews.com/021717.html
Phthalates- Shown to cause serious health problems and are being phased out of most products in the US and Europe.
Nanoparticles- http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Dangerous-Nanoparticles-Lurking-In-Your-Cosmetics-and-Sunscreens?&id=1034878
Lead- Found in almost all lipsticks and not identified on the packaging. A recent study indicates that there is no safe level of lead. Please review the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=223
Mercury- Found in mascara; research shows that mercury accumulates in the body and can cause neurological damage. In 2008 Minnesota was the first state to ban mascara containing mercury.
Parabens- Used as a preservative in cosmetics, lotions, shampoo and deodorant. Possibly carcinogenic, linked to breast cancer, having a estrogenic effect.
So what’s a girl to do, give up her prized possession of lipstick and mascara? Thankfully more companies are realizing the need to develop safe products using organic ingredients and even hemp. Below is some more information on the harmful ingredients previously mentioned and some great alternatives to keep you looking and feeling naturally beautiful. Although I won’t be giving up my lipstick and mascara, I now choose the option of safer brands.
http://www.squidoo.com/safecosmetics
http://www.inspiredliving.com/organic/cosmetics/
Featured Contributor
Amanda Willett
Amanda Willett believes that all women are uniquely beautiful. As the founder and CEO of BD IMAGE Services, Amanda aims to teach women how to accept, embrace and present their matchless beauty to the world. She believes creating a presence, leaving a lasting impression always, will set the stage for success.
Amanda believes we all have a vision of the woman we would like to become and her goal is to inspire you to make that vision a reality. With a desire to redefine the meaning of beauty, Amanda teaches women how to reveal their inner diva. Her workshops propel women to uncover and express their authentic selves, giving them the confidence to put their best self forward. As an image professional, Amanda provides services for individuals and corporations through coaching, personalized consultations, presentations, seminars and workshops.www.bdimageservices.com
