7 Step Valentine's Day Skin!

7-Step Valentine's Day Beauty Prep

One of the biggest date nights of the year is on Friday and you know what that means: pre-date prep is in full effect. Start prepping your skin early…you know…before the big date… and you’ll be in tip-top shape and full of confidence when the night comes. Don’t wait until the night before your date to start your beauty prep countdown. Here’s a routine that’ll have your skin looking flawless on the big day.

Day 5: Blemish-Blasting Cleanser: Start your V-Day date night prep by having flawless skin — blemishes are not cute when you’re on a date, and it’s best to proactively fight against ‘em instead of trying to heal them after they’ve made their (unwelcome) arrival. Cleanse your skin (and wash current + potential blemishes away) with a tough USDA certified organic acne cleanser to ensure your skin is squeaky clean, smooth and even in tone.

Day 4: Face Mask: You’re already on your way to flawless, date-night-approved skin, but let’s take it a step further with a treatment for your skin. Slather on your favorite hydrating USDA certified organic face mask (moisturized skin = glowy skin!), kick back and let it work its magic on your skin up to two times before date night — make sure to take full advantage of this “me” time because you deserve it. Put this on before you hop in the shower, making sure to let the steam work its magic on opening up your pores for an added bonus.

Day 3: Whiten Your Teeth: Pearly whites are an absolute must on any date night — but especially this one — so give yourself some time to get them looking their best. There are a ton of different ways to approach whitening (whitening toothpastes, at-home kits, DIYable methods… the list goes on) so choose whichever method you’re most comfortable with about five days before your date.

Day 2: Hair Mask: Shiny, healthy, volumized hair is the name of the game on Day 2 of your Valentine’s Day date night prep countdown. Give your locks a healthy dose of serious hydration so it looks extra lush on 2/14 by applying a rich hair mask. Apply this stuff to the shaft of your hair up to two times leading up to date night. Avoid the roots of your hair and apply at the beginning of your shower and then rinse it out at the very end so it can really sink in and do work. Avoid heat tools in the days leading up to date night so your hair is extra healthy and shiny.

Day 1: Touch Up Your Nails: It’s crunch time! Date night is here and you’re prepped, so today is all about the final, finishing touch: having chip-free nails. Spend a few minutes sprucing up your digits in the morning with a fresh coat of paint and/or a shiny top coat to make them straight up dazzle.

There you have it! 5 days and 5 ways to prep and primp for date night without stressing yourself out.

Enjoy!

Best and Worst Holiday Foods For Your Skin!

Try to limit foods with high amounts of fat and sugar

By: Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD

The holidays are coming – and so is holiday food. Cookies, homemade pies, candy canes, gingerbread – with so many tempting foods around, the holidays can mean straying from our usual good eating habits. But weight gain and poor nutrition aren’t the only things you might worry about.

What you eat also can affect your skin’s appearance. Many holiday treats – and the sugar and fat they usually contain – can make your skin look less than its best. Sugar and fat can cause your skin to produce more oil, resulting in blemishes.

Foods that are the most nutritious for you to eat for overall health also are the best for your skin health. When you’re healthy and eating right, your complexion is clear and your skin has a beautiful glow.

We all look forward to special food at this time of year, and they definitely can be part of your holiday. But focus on the treats that usually are unavailable the rest of the year and eat them in reasonable portions without overindulging.

The worst foods

Here are a few foods to avoid or to consume in small portions to keep your skin looking great:

Egg nog: This traditional holiday drink is high in fat and laden with sugar. One cup has 10 grams of fat – about a sixth of the daily recommended amount if you’re consuming around 2,000 calories a day. A one-cup serving also has 20 grams of carbs – or five teaspoons of sugar. If you crave this thick, sweet and creamy beverage, try enjoying a small serving.

Creamy dips: This party staple usually contains high-fat ingredients such as mayonnaise (one tablespoon = 10 fat grams) or cream cheese (one tablespoon = 5 fat grams). Instead, go for shrimp with cocktail sauce or salsa scooped up with baked tortilla chips.

Pie: Holiday meals usually feature pie – or several different pies – for dessert. That flaky, buttery crust is mostly white flour and shortening. Then there is the sugary filling. Apple pie filling can have 22 grams of sugar per serving – that’s more than four teaspoons. If you must have pie, choose a sliver of pumpkin pie – the filling is high in vitamin A and fiber, which promotes skin health – and consider leaving the crust behind.

The best foods

Here are some foods that will help maintain your skin’s healthy glow:

• Choose raw vegetable appetizers in a wide variety of colors. This will ensure you’ll eat a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. Carrots, for example, are rich in beta carotene and vitamins A and C, which improve your skin health.

• Look for foods that have omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish. Omega 3 fatty acids help reduce redness in your skin, and help preserve your skin’s collagen, which helps to keep it firm. The top source of omega-3s is fish such as salmon, tuna (bluefin and albacore) and lake trout.

• Eat nuts such as sunflower seeds, which contain vitamin E, and brazil nuts, which contain selenium, a mineral that can improve your skin’s elasticity and can help battle skin infections. Nuts also contain omega 3 fatty acids.

• Look for foods that contain zinc, which can help reduce inflammation and bacteria production. Foods such as cocoa, chocolate, spinach, cashews, avocados, blackberries, raspberries and turkey contain zinc. Bonus: Chocolate also has flavonols, an antioxidant that helps to fight free radicals and sun damage, which keeps the skin looking younger and more radiant. But keep your chocolate portion small – no more than one ounce!

How To Get Your Partner On Board To A Healthier Lifestyle!

We’ve all seen those happy, fit couples: they chop salad ingredients together, post complicated yoga partner poses on Instagram and are constantly comparing their daily step counts.

But what happens when one half of a couple embarks on a life-changing fitness journey and the other member’s butt stays firmly glued to the couch?

1.) Communicate your needs — and what needs to change

2.) Know that compromise is key

3.) Reassure your partner it’s about you, not them

4.) Celebrate the small wins

Tips for Getting Healthy Together

• Plan date night at home: Instead of hitting your favorite restaurant (and dodging temptations on the menu), try taking date night in and cooking a healthy dish together.

• Get physical: Getting fit doesn’t have to involve the gym. Try a couples bootcamp in the park, play some beach volleyball or a game of tennis, or go out on the town dancing! Anything that gets you active together will have you both feeling great and wanting to move more.

• Go food shopping: Okay, grocery shopping may not be your idea of a steamy date night, but it can be a great way to explore new foods and flavors together. If the shopping is usually your domain, bring your partner along and let him/her make suggestions. Look up a new recipe you can make together or find a local international foods market and try some out-of-the-ordinary products.

• Sync your schedules: Getting on the same page with your partner can go a long way toward both of you achieving your fitness goals. For example, If you find yourself wanting to make time to exercise at 6 a.m. four days a week, but that leaves your partner suddenly responsible for getting the kids up and ready for school, making sure you’re both on the same page will ensure that you are able to stick to your goals long-term.

• Plan for fun indulgences: Being a fit couple doesn’t mean you have to swear off your favorite foods. Once a week, plan to enjoy a special dessert or cocktail — then take the time to really savor it and each other! Having a treat to look forward to each week will help keep you committed to your healthy lifestyle the rest of the time.

5 Best Foods For Healthy Skin

Nutrition is important for health. An unhealthy diet can damage your metabolism, cause weight gain and even hurt organs, such as your heart and liver.

But what you eat also impacts another organ — your skin.

As scientists learn more about diet and the body, it's increasingly clear that what you eat can significantly affect the health and aging of your skin.

1. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring, are excellent foods for healthy skin. They are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids which are important for maintaining skin health.

2. Avocados

Avocados are high in healthy fats. These fats benefit many functions in your body, including the health of your skin.

3. Walnuts

Walnuts have many characteristics that make them an excellent food for healthy skin.

They are a good source of essential fatty acids, which are fats that your body cannot make itself.

In fact, they’re richer than most other nuts in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Walnuts also provide small amounts of the antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium, in addition to 4–5 grams of protein per ounce (28 grams)

4. Green Tea

Green tea may protect your skin from damage and aging.

The powerful compounds found in green tea are called catechins and work to improve the health of your skin in several ways.

5. Sunflower Seeds

In general, nuts and seeds are good sources of skin-boosting nutrients. Sunflower seeds are an excellent example. One ounce (28 grams) of sunflower seeds packs 37% of the RDI for vitamin E, 32% of the RDI for selenium, 10% of the RDI for zinc and 5.4 grams of protein.

Make sure your produce and meats are USDA certified organic.

How To Stay Relevant In YOUR Business!

It only makes sense to think that any business is at risk of being behind the times if it isn’t actively thinking ahead of the curve. At Blu Skin Care, we try our best to stay up to date with all relevant USDA certified organic ingredients that we believe may help develop a better product for our customers.

Here are five accessible ways to stay relevant.

Watch videos online

YouTube has exploded with expert user-generated content on just about everything. From business finance tutorials to coding courses, business leaders are likely to find the answers to most of their questions in video form online.

Look at your own sales trends

Today’s consumers are far less brand loyal than they were 30 years ago. This means that you may have to work even harder to earn their trust and keep them coming back for more. One way to keep them coming back is to offer them new, hot and trending items before the competition. Another way to make sure that you are keeping ahead of the competition is to pay very close attention to your sales beyond the bottom line.

Are a lot of people buying things that they didn't buy before? Are they asking for a specific new offering? Talk to your customers with your numbers in mind to identify hot trends.

Read trade magazines

Being busy is no excuse to stop learning. You must actively seek out opportunities to stay abreast of what is happening in your industry, and trade magazines are easily one of the best resources.

It's not enough to subscribe to the magazines. You must read them.

Trade magazines include targeted, credible, insider information. They can provide many points of view for the same problem. They can give you a sense of what your larger community is working on so that you can incorporate some of the most popular practices at your business or develop new practices of your own.

Track your competitors

In some circles, it has become popular to say, “We don’t care about what the competition is doing.” However, there are real advantages in keeping an eye on what your competition is doing.

Tracking your competition can be a huge time and money saver. Noting their failures and success allows you to see which kind of marketing initiatives or products will resonate with your consumers.

Are they investing in new services? Is there is a place for you to fill a void or do something better? Can you find your competition’s disgruntled employees on social media and help them out?

Follow industry leaders on social media

Like YouTube videos, social media offers up-to-the-minute information on almost everything.

It can also be a great way to learn more about the people who are influencing your industry in critical ways.

There are an infinite number of ways that following industry leaders on social media can help you keep your business relevant. To name just a few: (1) Getting the opinions of thought leaders can help to challenge your own beliefs on where your industry is headed. (2) Thought leaders often have social media styles that can inspire you and your team when you need some fresh ideas. (3) Your audience is likely paying attention to these influencers, so you can get some good insight by being where they are.

Ultimately, almost no company is immune to changing consumer tastes and evolving marketplaces. Business leaders need to stay ahead of the curve to survive. So, take these and other precautions to keep your business relevant for years to come.

Courtesy of NBC news!

Beat The Heat!

10. Drink More Water

9. Keep Excessive Sweat at Bay

8. Make a DIY Air Conditioner

7. Optimize Your Fans

6. Keep Your Food Cool and Avoid Using the Oven

5. Exercise Comfortably, Even in the Heat

4. Optimize Your Windows

3. Cool Your Car Down Quickly

2. Stay Cool While You Sleep

1. Know Your Body’s Best Cooling Points

How to Get Rid of the BLOAT!

Behaviors, Food Choices And Activity

Eating behaviors and other habits such as gum chewing, gulping foods and drinking with eating can cause us to swallow air. Bulky foods such as lettuce, cabbage, and dense breads not chewed into small enough pieces increase swallowed air.

Typically, swallowed air contains oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It tends to not have a foul smell, but it does contribute to the discomfort associated with gas.

People vary widely in how sensitive they are to gas production. Keeping a food record to document incidences of gas in relation to foods eaten can shed light on whether food or behavior may be aggravating the situation. Whenever possible, be sure to eat USDA certified organic fruits, meats and veggies.

Behaviors And Food Choices That Can Lead To Gas

• Behaviors

  • Talking while eating

  • Eating when upset

  • Smoking or chewing tobacco

  • Using a straw or sports bottle

  • Overloading your stomach

  • Deep sighing

  • Drinking very hot or cold beverages

  • Chewing gum or eating hard candy

  • Drinking from a water fountain

  • Tight-fitting garments

  • Long-term use of medications for relief of cold symptoms

• Foods

  • Carbonated beverages

  • Spicy, fried or fatty foods

  • Broccoli, cabbage, onions

  • Beans

  • Apple or prune juice

  • Dried fruits

  • Anything containing sorbitol, mannitol or maltitol, found in many low-carb or sugar-free foods

Beat The Bloat

Bloating is a sensation that makes the abdomen feel larger than normal. The abdomen doesn't get physically bigger until its volume increases by one quart, so the bloated feeling may occur, but the abdomen is not distended. Intestinal gas may cause the feeling of bloating.

Here are additional suggestions to decrease bloating:

• Eat slowly, and consume smaller, more frequent meals

• Chew your foods well

• Drink beverages at room temperature

• Have your dentures checked for a good fit

• Increase physical activity during the day

• Sit up straight after eating

• Take a stroll after eating

It is important not to completely omit foods from the diet that may cause gas. As we know, a high-fiber diet is important for bowel regularity and colon health, so it is well worth the patience it may take to slowly build up tolerance to these types of carbohydrates. Start by adding the offending high-fiber food in smaller quantities, such as a half cup or less. Be sure that fluid intake and activity levels are adequate, as they help to move foods through the digestive tract.

Natural And Other Remedies For Gas May Include:

• Peppermint tea

• Chamomile tea

• Anise

• Caraway

• Coriander

• Fennel

• Turmeric

Three Reasons Why You Should Use USDA Certified Organic Skin Care!

1. You’ll lessen your overall chemical load

There is some controversy about whether or not the penetration of products can travel all the way into the bloodstream. Our skin, the largest organ on our body, is still absorbing anything that we apply topically. In fact, it’s been established that 60 percent or more of topicals are absorbed by the skin, so you want to make sure you’re only letting the good stuff in.

Therefore, the same rule applies to selecting skin care ingredients as when you’re weighing whether to spring for organic fruit this week.

If you’re not ready for a total organic overhaul of your skin-care routine, try swapping out products that you put on areas of your face where the skin is thinner—such as your eyes, mouth, and forehead—because those areas often absorb products more quickly. 

2. Organic products are just as effective

Natural products have historically had a bad reputation for not working as well as their drugstore counterparts—but no more. Now-a-days, organic products can provide desired results with the advanced technology we have to produce high quality effective skin care.

3. Organic farming is better for the environment

As if scoring mirror-don’t-lie benefits for your skin isn’t enough of a reason to make the switch to usda certified organic skin care, you’re also doing the planet a major favor by switching over to the healthy stuff. Organic is better for the environment, and companies often use recycled goods for their packaging—a win for preserving our mother earth.

Best Skin Care Tips - EVER!

1. Squeezing a pimple will never make it better, faster.

Stop touching your face. Your hands are covered in bacteria most of the time. If you’re touching an already-inflamed zit or infection, you’re only adding debris to the pimple and delaying its demise.

2. More product does not equal better skin.

More product isn’t a good thing. Too much product can clog pores (especially if the moisturizers aren’t noncomedogenic). Plus, certain ingredients don’t play well together.

3. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a skin-care product for it to be really good.

Listen, we’ve all heard about the miraculous powers of ultra-expensive potions and lotions, but there’s just zero reason you’d ever need to spend your rent money on a little hydration boost.

4. SPF is key—and you can make it even better with some mix-ins, too.

If you needed to have a skin-care desert island pick, it’s gotta be SPF. Any dermatologist will tell you that sunscreen is the most-important skin-care step because it protects from free radical damage that can cause skin cancer and early signs of aging.

5. Your neck and décolletage deserve as much TLC as your face.

Just because your neck and décolletage—you know, the fancy French term for the delicate area around your clavicle and above the breasts—aren’t technically on your face doesn’t mean they don’t need the same kind of TLC. In fact, dermatologists consider the face and neck as a part of one skin unit because your décolletage is susceptible to the same signs of skin damage. There are many products designed specifically for the area below the chin. Some of them advertise lifting and firming properties.

Sleep Tips: 6 steps to better sleep

You're not doomed to toss and turn every night. Consider simple tips for better sleep, from setting a sleep schedule to including physical activity in your daily routine.

Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night's sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.

While you might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. Start with these simple tips.

1. Stick to a sleep schedule

Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep. The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is at least seven hours. Most people don't need more than eight hours in bed to achieve this goal.

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Try to limit the difference in your sleep schedule on weeknights and weekends to no more than one hour. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle.

If you don't fall asleep within about 20 minutes, leave your bedroom and do something relaxing. Read or listen to soothing music. Go back to bed when you're tired. Repeat as needed.

2. Pay attention to what you eat and drink

Don't go to bed hungry or stuffed. In particular, avoid heavy or large meals within a couple of hours of bedtime. Your discomfort might keep you up. Stick with a diet rich in USDA certified organic fruits and vegetables.

Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too. The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine take hours to wear off and can wreak havoc on quality sleep. And even though alcohol might make you feel sleepy, it can disrupt sleep later in the night.

3. Create a restful environment

Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Exposure to light might make it more challenging to fall asleep. Avoid prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.

Doing calming activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath or using relaxation techniques, might promote better sleep.

4. Limit daytime naps

Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep. If you choose to nap, limit yourself to up to 30 minutes and avoid doing so late in the day.

If you work nights, however, you might need to nap late in the day before work to help make up your sleep debt.

5. Include physical activity in your daily routine

Regular physical activity can promote better sleep. Avoid being active too close to bedtime, however.

Spending time outside every day might be helpful, too.

6. Manage worries

Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Jot down what's on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Meditation also can ease anxiety.

Know when to contact your doctor

Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.

Mayo Clinic

Happy New Year 2019! This is our year!

This year is going to be one of the best ones yet. This is the year when you put your own needs first, when you honor where you are no matter what has happened or will happen in your life. As I prayed when the new year was approaching, God dropped into my Spirit “manifestation”. This is the year that His blessings will manifest 10 fold in our lives. This is the year of allowing things to happen the way God intended.

Can we also make 2019 the year of allowing ourselves to accept support? Yes! Can we make 2019 the year of treating ourselves without guilt? Can we make this year the year of self-compassion and helping others? You betcha!

Self-care isn’t just one thing, and it’s not the same thing to everyone. Basically, self-care means taking time to focus on things that contribute to your well-being. Self-care can be taking a bath, going to the doctor or therapy, scheduling thirty minutes for yourself to read at night, or simply saying no to going out. In 2019, try making self-care a priority. See if you can do something small for yourself every day — even if it’s taking five minutes in your morning to turn your phone off and enjoy your breakfast without thinking of work. Get creative!

Also, remember to have compassion for yourself. You’re not perfect, and there are going to be days when you’ll mess up. But guess what? That’s totally okay. Perfection is overrated anyway. Happy New Year!

Healthy Eating This Holiday Season!

It can be tough for many of us this time of year. It’s usually filled with fattening treats and seasonal delicacies, many of which are not considered “healthy”. It’s often so hard for many of us to “stay on track”. Here are some tips to stay healthy this season.

#1 Plan ahead.

Heading to a holiday party? Eat before you go. Filling up on USDA certified Organic healthy foods before you attend a holiday event will help you avoid temptation due to starvation. If you have influence over the menu, suggest or bring healthier and organic versions of holiday favorites and experiment with organic seasonal ingredients, such as pomegranates and cinnamon. If you choose to drink alcohol, watch your portions – too much can lower your inhibitions, causing you to slip up on your healthy eating plan.

#2 Treat yourself in moderation.

When it comes to living an organic and healthy lifestyle, moderation is everything. If you spend the months leading up to the holidays looking forward to Zondra’s home made peach cobbler, have some! LOL! Keep your portion in check and compensate by passing on other high carbohydrate/high sugar foods, such as a dinner roll. It’s all about balance: pick and choose when to indulge. If you are in an active weight loss program, one approach is to focus on weight maintenance during the holiday season, rather than weight loss. This will allow you to enjoy holiday favorites in moderation without the pressure of trying to lose weight this time of year.

#3 Stay active. 

Maintaining your physical activity level during the holidays will not only help with weight maintenance, but will decrease stress and increase energy during this busy time of year. Don’t have time to hit the gym? Invite friends and family over for a holiday stroll around the neighborhood to admire the lights and holiday decor. Put the “active” in holiday activities – it might just become a favorite holiday tradition!

#4 Manage stress.

The holiday season is recognized for joyous times with friends and family, but it can be quite stressful too. There can be considerable professional pressures in terms of wrapping up the year in addition to holiday shopping and events. Unmanaged stress can lead to a decreased immune system, weight gain and unhealthy eating and drinking. Be sure to take time to unwind and take care of yourself this time of year.

#5 Experience holiday pleasures.

So much of what we do around the holidays includes eating and drinking – but it doesn’t have to! Instead focus spreading holiday cheer by writing holiday cards or listening to music. Enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the holiday season.

5 Ways to tone your thighs!

2019 is coming quick and if you are like me, you want to head into the new year feeling great about your body. So, if you are feeling like you want to make a positive change for your body, follow these steps to get slim and muscular thighs. Even if you are in very good shape it can sometimes be difficult to have a toned body. Thighs are especially difficult because they are such a big muscle and don't often look sleek and toned. However, with some effort and diligence you can have sleek toned thighs – all it takes is a little time.

1.) Do squats. Squats are a great way to build lean muscle and tone your inner thighs. Keeping your feet shoulder width apart bend your knees to a 90 degree angle. You can do this up against a wall or not, and keep your shoulder blades and lower back pressed up against the wall. Stay in this position for one minute, take a 30-second break, and repeat. Do about ten reps a day. 

2.) Try squat jumps. Squat down, keeping your back as straight as possible and your eyes straight ahead. Touch the ground with your fingers. The lower you get the better, but don’t let your knees come in front of your feet. Now jump straight up, keeping your core centered beneath you. Do as many as you can, then take a one-minute break, then do three quarters of whatever number you just did. Do exercises like this three or four times a week if you can.

3.) Try the curtsy lunge. Lunges are great for your thighs and target the muscles directly. Step one leg back behind and across your backside, bending the front leg 90 degrees to lower yourself closer to the floor. Keep as much weight as possible on the front leg. Return to an upright position with your feet side by side. Repeat. Do this exercise on both sides.

4.) Do dumbbell lunges. Lunges are a great way to build muscle and burn fat. Begin by standing with your feet shoulder width apart, with a 5-10 pound dumbbell in each hand. Step forward with one foot and make sure the front thigh is parallel with the ground. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. Do about 20 lunges a day. This is an exercise that you can do at home if you have dumbbells available, or try it without dumbbells, which is still a really good body-weight exercise.

• If lunging with dumbbells is too difficult, try doing them without weights.

5.) Use resistance bands. You can use resistance bands to tone your thighs as well. Try using resistance bands to make certain exercises hard, such as by doing leg extensions while sitting in a chair. You can loop the resistance band around the chair legs, and then loop the ends of the bands around your ankles and alternate extending your legs.

• Try doing squats with a resistance band.

Be sure to follow up your exercise routine with plenty of water and make sure your diet is loaded with USDA certified organic fruits and veggies. You can also use our USDA certified organic skin care products right after you workout.

Wanna Know How To Get A Six-Pack?

Before you tone a six-pack, you’ll need to shed any excess pounds—and that starts in the kitchen. Countless studies have shown that diet, not exercise, is the key to weight loss. It doesn’t hurt to add usda certified organic skin care products to your regime for extra credit. Just remember, whatever you put on your skin seeps into your blood stream. One 2014 analysis of past studies found that exercise didn’t have any effect on the first six months of a weight-loss program, but participants who ate well and worked out lost the most pounds after a year. “Food is everything and exercise is extra credit,” says registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein, creator of Beachbody’s 2B Mindset program. “You can do 500 crunches a day all you want, but you’ll never see them if you’re carrying extra weight.” To get to a healthy weight, you’ll need to eat fewer calories and replace junk foods with satisfying, nutritious and usda certified organic food choice options.

What is baking soda?

It's 100 percent sodium bicarbonate, which can be used as a leavening agent in baked goods. When mixed with an acid, baking soda reacts, making bubbles and giving off carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough to rise. Anecdotal reports throughout history suggest that many civilizations used forms of baking soda when making bread and other foods that required rising.

In its natural form, baking soda is known as nahcolite, which is part of the natural mineral natron. Natron, which contains large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, has been used since ancient times. And no, you don't need to get aluminum-free baking soda (you are confusing that with baking powder), as baking soda is already aluminum free.…

11 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Your Health

You can purchase a box of baking soda for under $1, making it one of the least expensive home remedies to keep on hand. In addition to using it for minor accidents and injuries, baking soda can become a part of your regular hygiene routine.

1. Natural Deodorant

If you want to avoid the parabens and aluminum found in many deodorants and antiperspirants, try a pinch of baking soda mixed with water instead. This simple paste makes an effective and simple natural deodorant. You can also simply brush some dry baking soda under your arms.

2. Insect Bites and Poison Ivy

Apply a paste made of baking soda and water to insect bites to help relieve itching. You can also try rubbing the dry powder onto your skin. This is also effective for itchy rashes and poison ivy. Baking soda helps to relieve minor skin irritation and itching by neutralizing toxins and irritants on your skin's surface.2

3. Heartburn, Indigestion, and Ulcer Pain

Most over-the-counter antacids contain some form of bicarbonate. Baking soda works by immediately neutralizing stomach acid, helping to relieve heartburn, indigestion and even ulcer pain. I have personally recommended this to many, including family members, and have been surprised how remarkably effective it is.

Dosing is typically ½ teaspoon fully dissolved in a half a glass of water, taken every two hours (do not take more than seven ½ teaspoons in 24 hours, or three ½ teaspoons if you're over 60).3

This should only be used as an occasional (not chronic) treatment, however, and be careful not to consume excessive amounts, which can cause serious electrolyte and acid/base imbalances.4

4. Foot Soak and Exfoliator

Add three tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water for an invigorating foot soak. You can scrub your feet with a baking soda paste for additional exfoliation. A paste made from three parts of baking soda combined with one part water can be used as an exfoliator for your face and body, too. It's natural, inexpensive and gentle enough to use every day.

5. Relaxing Soak

Baking soda and apple cider make a wonderful spa-like bath for soaking. It also cleans the tub and the drain, as a bonus!

6. Hand Cleanser

Mix three parts baking soda with one part of water to make a natural hand cleanser that will scrub away dirt and neutralize odors.

7. Splinter removal

Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a small glass of water, then soak the affected area twice a day. Many splinters will come out on their own after a couple of days using this treatment.

8. Sunburn Remedy

Add ½ cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater, then soak in the tub for natural relief. When you get out, let your skin air dry, rather than toweling off the excess baking soda, for extra relief. You can also add a mixture of baking soda and water to a cool compress and apply it to the sunburn directly.

9. Enhanced Sports Performance

Distance runners have long engaged in a practice known as "soda doping" -- or taking baking soda capsules -- before races to enhance performance, a measure that's thought to work similarly to carbohydrate loading. It's also been shown to improve speed among swimmers.5While I don't suggest you try this at home, it's another example of baking soda benefits. Researchers noted:6

"Essentially, sodium bicarbonate is an alkali substance that increases the pH of the blood. This seems to reduce and offset the acidity produced in the muscles during intense, anaerobic exercise that produces lactic acid most quickly, such as fast running or swimming."

10. Tooth and Gum Paste

Baking soda has a mild abrasive action that helps to remove plaque and polish, clean, and deodorize your teeth.7 One review of data from five controlled clinical studies found that toothpaste containing baking soda "enhanced plaque removal effectiveness of tooth brushing to a significantly greater extent" than brushing with a non-baking soda toothpaste.8

Baking soda also has antibacterial activity and has been found to kill Streptococcus mutansbacteria – a significant contributor to tooth decay.9 For an incredibly effective tooth and gum paste, use a mixture of six parts of baking soda to one part of sea salt.

Place them in a blender and mix for 30 seconds, then place in a container to use. Wet the tip of your index finger and place a small amount of the salt and soda mixture on your gums.

Starting with the upper outside gums and then the inside of the upper, followed by the lower outside of the gums then the lower inside, rub the mixture onto your teeth and gums. Spit out the excess. After 15 minutes rinse your mouth. This mixture is incredibly effective at killing bacteria.10

You need to exert some caution in this area though as many believe baking soda can be too abrasive on your enamel, and Dr. Curatola believes that killing the oral microbiome may be highly counterproductive.

11. Teeth whitener

For a natural way to whiten your teeth, crush one ripe strawberry and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Spread the mixture onto your teeth and leave on for five minutes. Then brush your teeth and rinse. This method should be used no more than once a week, as excessive use could potentially damage your tooth enamel.

How to Use Baking Soda as a Natural Cleanser

If you find it hard to believe that something as simple and inexpensive as baking soda could reallyclean your home, consider this: baking soda was used to clean and restore the inner copper walls of the Statute of Liberty during its 1986 restoration. It effectively removed grime without damaging the copper. Be sure to use USDA certified organic products.

Is Flaxseed The New Wonder Food?

Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There’s some evidence it may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. That’s quite a tall order for a tiny seed that’s been around for centuries.

USDA Certified Organic Flaxseed was cultivated in Babylon as early as 3000 BC. In the 8th century, King Charlemagne believed so strongly in the health benefits of flaxseed that he passed laws requiring his subjects to consume it. Now, thirteen centuries later, some experts say we have preliminary research to back up what Charlemagne suspected.

Flaxseed is found in all kinds of foods from crackers to frozen waffles to oatmeal. The Flax Council estimates close to 300 new flax-based products were launched in the U.S. and Canada in 2010 alone. Not only has consumer demand for flaxseed grown, agricultural use has also increased. Flaxseed is what's used to feed all those chickens that are laying eggs with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, it owes its primary healthy reputation to three of them:

• Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
• Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75 to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods.
• Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types.

The Health Benefits of Flax

Although Lilian Thompson, PhD, an internationally known flaxseed researcher from the University of Toronto, says she wouldn’t call any of the health benefits of flax "conclusively established," research indicates that flax may reduce risks of certain cancers as well as cardiovascular disease and lung disease.

www.webmd.com

Stay Hydrated This Summer!

Common Signs of Dehydration:

• Hungry after eating
• Dry lips/mouth
• Bladder pain
• Anxiety
• Kidney problems
• Yellow urine
• Excessive thirstiness
• Constipation

These are just some of the most common signs you may not be drinking enough water, and most people don’t realize they need more liquids until they’re way past the point of being dehydrated. So, the best way to stay on top of your hydration needs is to find ways to consume more liquids and water-rich foods throughout the day.

Taking in enough fluids can help lower cortisol in the body, prevent false hunger signals, keep your bladder healthy, ensure your kidneys filter toxins as they should, and your lips should stay moist and supple. You may also notice you have less headaches throughout the day and are more energetic. Your kidneys shouldn’t cause issues for you when you consume enough water, and you may even have a flatter tummy since your body can filter wastes more effectively. Drinking enough water is a great place to start when you want to start hydrating more effectively, but you can also consume more water-rich foods too.

8 ways to increase your water intake throughout the day:

1. Drink a healthy smoothie using USDA Certified Organic fruit and veggies for breakfast.  Having a smoothie is also a great way to get in some water and fiber from your ingredients. Fiber helps hold water in the body and also uses the water to keep you regular. 
2. Consume a salad or soup with your lunch. You can turn them into your main meal if you wish, but even if you don’t have a salad or soup as the main star of your meal, at least consume a small side of one of them. Make sure you don’t have a lot of sodium in the soup or in the dressing. Salt depletes the body from water more quickly. Use water rich foods in your salad and soup like squash, cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, greens, tomatoes, etc.
3. Have at least two pieces of fruit per day. Most fruits are 90 percent water and they will help stabilize your electrolytes. They’re also a good source of fiber and will satisfy your sweet tooth.
4. Avoid take-out and processed meals which are packed with sodium and not much water. They dry out the system and can increase levels of dehydration more quickly (not to mention causing bloating).
5. Eat less sugar and eat more fiber. Sugar can put excessive strain on the kidneys while fiber slows down blood sugar levels and holds water in the body. This one tip may even help you lose a little weight!
6. Aim to eat produce with every meal. It’s a natural source of water and an easy way to work some into your day.
7. Drink herbal tea throughout the day if you get tired of water, or have a few cups after dinner or in place of coffee in the morning.
8. Use an app on your phone to notify you to drink a glass of water every single hour or every hour and a half. You can use your alerts and there are other special apps catered to drinking more water.

You may be surprised at how much better you feel after you incorporate these ways to stay hydrated besides drinking water.

Oatmeal and Your Health!

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015-2020, Americans should consume at least half of their daily grains as whole grains. Many grains qualify as “whole” or unrefined, but one of the most common is oats. An easy way to incorporate more whole grains into your regimen is to start your day with a hearty bowl of USDA Certified Organic oatmeal, which is rich in fiber and protein while low in calories.

Benefits of Whole Grains

Whole grains -- those containing the three original parts of the grain -- are a healthy addition to any diet. Year after year, studies have connected the consumption of whole grains to a variety of health benefits, including weight loss, blood sugar management and diabetes control, arthritis prevention and protection against heart disease. In addition to oats, the category of whole grains includes whole wheat, millet, brown rice, amaranth, barley, bulgur, spelt, quinoa and many other options.

Oatmeal Nutrient Profile

Most oatmeal cooks very quickly and provides you with lasting energy to start your day. That’s because a cup of cooked oatmeal supplies 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber – two nutrients associated with satiety. Feeling full can keep you on track in terms of your weight-loss goals, so you won’t get hungry mid-morning and hurry to the pastry cart at work. Fiber also helps keep your digestive track functioning smoothly. Your cup of oatmeal contains 166 calories before any fruit or sweetener is added.

Skin Benefits

Eating oatmeal may have another, more surprising benefit. A review published in Phytotherapy Research in 2013 found that consuming cereals high in beta-glucans, especially oatmeal, supports skin health. Beta-glucan possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help combat the effects of aging on skin, like wrinkles and dryness. The authors suggested the need for more research to determine the efficacy of including beta-glucans in cosmetic products, too. Remember to use only USDA Certified Organic Skin Care Products.

 

Lemon Juice and Poison! Is there a connection?

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are USDA Certified Organic lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because USDA Certified Organic lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. USDA Certified Organic Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.

These are well-known health facts about USDA Certified Organic lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.

Lemon contains citric acid, which can be effective in treating acne which is great for your skin care routine. The vitamin C found in citrus fruits is vital for that healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. In addition to drinking lemon juice with water first thing in the morning, here are some suggestions on how to prepare a homemade acne treatment using lemon in addition to using our USDA Certified Organic Skin Care Products.

With your finger or a cotton ball, apply fresh lemon juice on acne and leave it overnight. Wash with water the following morning. There may be an uncomfortable sensation of burning at first, but it will soon disappear.

· Mix one part of freshly squeezed lemon juice with an equal part of rose or honey water. Put the mixture on affected areas for at least half an hour. Wash it afterwards with water. This application should be repeated twice daily, ideally in the morning and the evening.

Note: these remedies are safe and natural, but if acne is severe or there are open wounds, consult your doctor first.

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/wellness/health/physical-health/hidden-health-secrets-of-lemons.aspx?p=2#sp1XHDpBxS84svcX.99

What's the culprit behind tooth discoloration!

In today’s appearance and youth-conscious society, the dull, stained effects of tooth discoloration represent a common dental complaint. Beyond the professionally managed teeth whitening, people are using new, everyday products in their ongoing struggle against yellow teeth and other forms of discoloration. From whitening strips and take-home trays to whitening toothpaste and chewing gum, people are going to various lengths to achieve and maintain a white, attractive smile.

Types of Discoloration

Tooth discoloration falls into two main types: extrinsic and intrinsic.

• Extrinsic discoloration occurs in the outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel; enamel stains can range from white streaks to yellow tints or brown spots and pits.
• Intrinsic discoloration occurs in the inner structure of the tooth, called the dentin, when the dentin darkens or displays a yellow (or gray) tint.

Whereas extrinsic staining can be effectively treated using various whitening techniques, intrinsic staining may be more stubborn, potentially requiring alternative cosmetic treatment such as veneers.

What Causes Discoloration?

In order to effectively manage tooth discoloration, it is important to recognize the causes. These include:

• Foods/Drinks: Coffee, tea, colas, wines and certain foods (e.g., potatoes, cherries, blueberries) can cause extrinsic tooth stains.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco can result in discolored teeth.
• Poor Dental Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances can cause tooth stains.
• Disease: Diseases affecting enamel and dentin can lead to tooth discoloration. Certain infections in pregnant mothers can cause discoloration in the baby by affecting enamel development.
• Medications: Antihistamines, antidepressants and high blood pressure drugs can discolor teeth. Maternal use of tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy may result in discoloration of the baby’s tooth enamel. Children who take tetracycline and doxycycline antibiotics during permanent tooth development (before age eight) may experience intrinsic discoloration of the permanent teeth.
• Dental Work: Procedures requiring certain dental materials, such as silver amalgam restorations, can produce a grayish-black cast to teeth.
• Ageing: As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth wears away, revealing the dentin’s natural, yellow color. Additionally, over the years your teeth accumulate more stains and tartars, causing them to darken and discolor.
• Genetics: Some lucky individuals have naturally brighter and/or thicker enamel than others.
• Environment: Excessive fluoride from environmental sources, such as high fluoride levels in drinking water, or from excessive use of fluoride applications, rinses, toothpastes and oral fluoride supplements, can cause discoloration.
• Medical Treatments: Certain treatments can adversely affect the color of enamel and dentin layers. For example, chemotherapy, and head and neck radiation are two such treatments.
• Trauma: A fall or any other injury that damages the nerves or chips/cracks the teeth can lead to discolored teeth in adults and children.

Treatments

Treatment options for discolored teeth vary depending on the cause. Before a custom treatment plan can be developed to combat discoloration, a comprehensive oral health evaluation must first be performed. Common problems such as tooth decay and gum disease will require treatment before esthetics can be considered.

Treatment options may include the following:

• Good Hygiene: Practice proper dental hygiene by brushing and flossing daily, and getting professional teeth cleanings every six months or more frequently, depending on your dentist’s recommendation, to help remove surface stains and bacteria. Use an ultrasonic toothbrush, which more effectively removes stain-causing foods from tooth surfaces.
• Whitening Procedures: Tooth whitening procedures fall into four categories: In-office Tooth Whitening: Your dentist can easily remove extrinsic and some intrinsic tooth discoloration caused by foods/drinks and other causes by applying a bleaching peroxide gel to the tooth enamel. The process typically takes an hour and costs an average of $650 per visit. People with particularly stubborn staining may need to return for one or more additional whitening sessions, or be advised to continue with an at-home use whitening system provided by their dentist. Dentist-dispensed At-home Bleaching: Many dentists believe that professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits may produce the best results over time. More suitable for extrinsic tooth discoloration, home whitening usually is done with teeth whitening kits, gels or strips. Typically, a custom-fit or standard mouth tray and a whitening gel are used. The gel, which is a lower-concentration peroxide-based formulation of in-office versions, is put into the mouth trays and worn daily for an hour or longer (sometimes overnight) for about two to four weeks, depending on the desired shade. Take-home teeth whitening kits cost on average between $100 and $500. Consumer-purchased/Over-the-counter (OTC) for At-home Use: OTC whitening products offer a convenient and low-cost alternative to bleaching teeth without dentist supervision. Featuring a lower-concentration bleaching agent, OTC products — available in supermarkets, drug stores or through the Internet — include rinses, paint-on liquids, toothpastes, chewing gums, dental floss and whitening strips. Toothpastes, chewing gums and dental floss remove superficial stains. Rinses and paint-on brushes with low levels of hydrogen peroxide have some whitening effect; strips present similar esthetic results. Costs will range between $4 and $100. Other Non-dental Office Options: An emerging tooth whitening trend is the availability of whitening treatments or kits in retail venues such as mall kiosks, salons and spas, and even cruise ships and airports administered by non-dental professionals. Prices can range from around $99 in mall kiosks and airports to around $200 at salons, spas and cruise ships.

  Composite Bonding, Crowns and Veneers: For teeth severely discolored by excessive fluoride, root canal treatment, or consumption of tetracycline or other drugs, your dentist may recommend covering the tooth’s outer surface with a color-matched composite bonding material, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns instead of bleaching. Composite resin veneers, which cost about $250 per tooth, are applied directly to your teeth and sculpted in the desired shape and shade. Porcelain veneers, which are thin porcelain shells bonded over the front of your teeth, cost $900 to $2,500 per tooth. Lumineers, an alternative porcelain veneer made from Cerinate porcelain, cost $700 to $1,000 per tooth. Porcelain crowns, also called caps, average $600 to $3,100 per tooth.

Consult with your dentist for the best treatment options for your individual case.

Prevention and Maintenance

Certain lifestyle choices can help prevent tooth discoloration, as well as keep your teeth white after whitening. For example, avoid stain-causing foods and beverages, as well as overexposure to fluoride. If you are a coffee drinker and/or smoker, quit or cut back. Rinse your mouth with water after having wine, coffee or other drinks/foods that can cause tooth stains. Intrinsic stains caused by damage to a nerve or blood vessel in a tooth may be prevented with root canal treatment to remove the inner part of the tooth, called the pulp, before it decays and darkens. In addition to this, be sure to use USDA Certified Organic Skin Care Products to compliment your beautiful smile.