If your wallet isn’t agreeing with everyday beauty budgets, start searching your kitchen cabinets because you can find ingredients to create fresh, homemade, and even organic beauty solutions! Their more effective and cheaper then those expensive drugstore products and your skin and hair will thank you later! Do you have any natural beauty tips? If so, leave me a comment below

For Brilliant hair
- To mend split ends rub olive oil into the ends of hair. Leave in for 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual. The oil nourishes hair and adds moisture.

- To add brightness and a shiny gloss to hair, Julia March, owner and specialist at Julia March Skincare, recommends combining 2-3 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar with a cup of water. Use this mixture after shampooing, and be sure to rinse to avoid a lingering vinegar aroma!

- Done with that beer? Put it aside for the shower. After shampooing, rinse wet hair with a tepid beer for added volume and shine.

For a radiant face
- Problem skin? March suggests letting the face absorb the vapors from a steaming pot of 3 tablespoons of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar combined with a quart of filtered water. Raw apple cider vinegar can also be used as a tonic for oily skin when mixed with distilled water at a 1:1 ratio (not steamed).

- To combat puffy eyes, apply used black teabags to the swollen area.

- If slightly sunburned, apply cucumber slices to the face. Dry skin will draw moisture from the slices, in addition to being nourished by the many vitamins in cucumbers.

- For hydration and a radiant glow, March recommends applying a facial mask of raw honey and plain, full fat yogurt for 15- 20 minutes. The fats in the dairy and honey will moisturize and nourish the skin.

For smooth skin
- To exfoliate the body effectively and inexpensively, create a DIY body scrub with olive oil and sea salt. Pay special attention to rough areas like elbows, knees and feet. March notes that a few drops of lavender extract add a nice and soothing scent to this homemade concoction.

- All out of bath foam and in need of a luxurious bath? Adding a quart of full cream milk to bath water will help restore and calm skin’s lipids while milk proteins help maintain skin’s elasticity.

- For hard and white nails, spoil fingers with a lemon bath. Dip nails into one half of a lemon and turn them, squeezing out the juice. Let them soak for a minute.

For whiter teeth
- As a cheap alternative to whitening teeth, mix a teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt with a small glass of water until mixture is paste-like. Brush teeth as usual and rinse well. It is proven that baking soda will help lighten stains, but be careful not to use too often. Once every two weeks should be enough, as baking soda can be abrasive and erode tooth enamel.

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What’s the best form of exercise to keep you fit over the holiday season?  Some you’ll actually do.  As long as your fitness program raises your heart rate, includes strength training and is done at least thirty minutes a day five days a week, you are on track to keep your fitness goals even over the holidays.

Variety is the spice of life; it keeps you motivated and works better for your body by working different muscle groups. You don’t need to go to a gym or fitness equipment to stay in shape.  Here are ten simple, effective exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home that can help prevent putting on extra weight this holiday season.

Jump
Act like your kids on Christmas morning!  Jump up and down, or do some jumping jacks. They’re a great way to get the heart pumping and the limbs loosened up. 15-20 repetitions with a minute or two of rest between sets for thirty minutes should be sufficient. This will increase endurance and work on toning your thighs.

Push-ups
Push-ups confer all the same strength-training benefits of bench presses with barbells – without the risk of handling heavy weights and need for a “spotter.” You can adjust the intensity by elevating your feet. Push-ups do more than work your arms, there a total body workout.

Leg Lifts
This provides a strength training workout for the thighs and adductors (muscles that attach the upper leg to the hip). If you can’t manage leg lifts with a straight leg, bend the knee.

Crunches
You may not get “ripped” by doing crunches, but you’ll definitely work your ab muscles – and this will award real benefits to your back as well, and you will see an improvement in toning your abs.

Run, Jog or Skip
This is an exercise you can do while watching TV, doing household chores or just decorating the house for the holidays.  Just have fun, be inventive, creative as if no one is watching you!
Squats
It’s what you do every time you sit in and get up from a chair.  Just do it several times until you “feel the burn”.

Weights
Household weights that is.  You can get in a good resistance workout by lifting cans of food, milk and water jugs, sacks of flour or even the kids!  You would be amazed at how much weight training equipment is just sitting in your pantry, refrigerator or around the house.

Stairs
Finally, you don’t have to buy a bench step and sign up for a step class to do step. Chances are you’ve got a step or two around your home. So while those cookies are in the oven, run the stairs a few times. The timers will make great intervals and keep you fit while baking!

Walk
It’s also simple, low-impact and easy on the joints – just put on a comfortable pair of shoes, step outside and walk at a fairly brisk pace around your neighborhood. It’s a great way to clear the head and improve your mood.  It may be cold, but it will give you an opportunity to enjoy all the lights and decorations for the holiday season.

Yoga
Yoga is a great total body workout that not only strengthen and tone your muscles but completely stretches you while leaving you energized and relaxed at the same time.  Opt for some yoga videos you can do from home.  Their not expensive, they usually run anywhere from $9 to $16 at Amazon.com.  Just pop a video in one in when you have twenty minutes to an hour to take some time for yourself so you can get out of your mind and back into your body.  Try Ultimate Power Yoga by Rodney Yee.

These are simple exercises anyone can do at home and they work.  Remember, be creative and do what works for you, when you can fit it in here and there.  While you may not be getting a workout on treadmills or elipticals, the end result is the same and you should have a little extra cash this season to go and spend it on holiday gifts, or even treat yourself!

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Coconut oil, due its high saturated fat content was branded as unhealthy and artery-clogging which could cause heart diseases. This claim has been widely disproved by the scientific community and it is now being hailed as one of world’s healthiest cooking oils. Though it may take time, perceptions are slowly changing as people are beginning to realize its tremendous benefits. Coconuts and coconut oil have always been a part of the cuisine in tropical countries like India (South) and Sri Lankaand even today coconut is indispensable in their diet. For now, let’s leave aside the health benefits and focus our attention on the beauty uses of this wonderful oil. South Indian women swear by it. They attribute their dense, long, raven black hair and a flawless, clear complexion to good genes and the liberal use of coconut oil in their diet and beauty regimen.

Technically what makes it a good oil to use for cosmetic purposes and skin care is its chemical formulation. Its small molecular structure allows for easy absorption through the skin, giving it a soft, smooth texture and hence is an ideal treatment for dry, rough and wrinkled skin. Unrefined Pure Virgin coconut oil is extremely high in antioxidants that can penetrate deep into the underlying tissues of the skin to prevent and protect against the formation of free radicals that make the skin lose its elasticity. Regular application protects the skin from developing ugly spots and blemishes caused by aging and overexposure to sunlight. That’s why this oil is regarded as the best natural ingredient lotion for the skin. It’s also very inexpensive and is easily available. The lovely smell and feel of virgin coconut oil is so enticing that you will fall in love with it.

Coconut oil pre-bath massage

One of the previous posts The luxury called ‘oil bath’, had elucidated how a pre-bath whole body massage with oils, better known as ‘Abhyanga Snana’ in Ayurvedic terminology keeps the skin soft, young and supple for years. After bath, just pat yourself dry; do not rub your skin vigorously with the towel so that your skin retains a bit of oiliness. This oil-massage is also highly recommended for people with extremely dry skins, persons of all age-groups and for all skin-types in winter. And if you do not have the time to indulge in an oil-massage everyday do remember to add a few drops of coconut oil to your bath water.

Coconut oil as an after-bath moisturizer

Coconut oil can work as an excellent skin moisturizer if applied immediately after a shower. Oils such as olive, jojoba or coconut oil, and Vaseline (petroleum jelly) sit on top of the skin and lock in moisture, thus acting as a water sealant. That’s why they work best when applied to damp skin. Keratosis pilaris, a skin problem can be alleviated with the regular use of coconut oil on body after a bath while the skin is damp. People suffering from mild to moderate Xerosis due to some defect in their skin’s barrier have a dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin. They should regularly moisturize their skin with pure coconut oil after bath to deal with this condition effectively.

Coconut oil for other skin problems

An external application of coconut oil also relieves eczema symptoms. It can also help in conditions like fungal infections in toes, athletes foot. As an under-arm deodorant it helps to prevent body odour.

Coconut oil to protect your skin and hair from sun damage

If you can’t help venturing out in the hot sun often, then apply coconut oil to your scalp as a protection from the harmful and drying effects of the UV rays and also do not forget to soothe your skinafterwards with a liberal application of aloe vera gel to which a few tsps of coconut oil is added.

Coconut oil in face packs

Do not forget to add a few drops of coconut oil in your face-packs in winter, if you are above thirty and if you have dry to normal skins.

Coconut oil to cure cracked heels

For cracked heels, combine coconut oil with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and apply over those areas before going to bed.

Coconut oil for dry, flaky lips

Dry, flaky lips can also be rejuvenated with a liberal application of pure coconut oil on them.

Coconut oil for dark elbows and knees

Take half of squeezed lemon and pour half a teaspoon of coconut oil in lemon skin, rub on dry and dark elbows and knees to help with spots.

Coconut oil to remove eye makeup

Use it to remove eye makeup by gently applying it on damp cotton wool and delicately remove it with gentle inward motion.

Coconut oil for hair

Coconut oil can be used as a pre-shampoo hair conditioner. Warm the bottle of coconut oil by placing it in a container of hot water and then take a few drops of this warm oil in your palm and massage it gently into your scalp. It smells nice and as mentioned earlier its small molecular structure allows for easy absorption into the scalp. You can leave it overnight. This oil-massage also ensures a peaceful slumber and is especially recommended if you have trouble falling asleep easily. Shampoo it off the next morning and it will leave your hair with a smooth texture. If you do not like to keep it the whole night, then apply it a few hours before washing your hair and cover your head with a shower cap to allow deeper penetration. But you can get better results only by leaving it overnight. This treatment with coconut oil is as good as an expensive hair treatment at the salon. Coconut oil application also helps with dandruff problems too and hence much preferable to other strong medicated shampoos. You can also prepare many herbal oils using coconut oils as the base. For instance, this Aloe-oil helps withsplit ends and this Amla (gooseberry) hair oil and hibiscus-based hair oil not only promotehair-growth and prevent premature graying but also help with insomnia.

Curry leaves hair oil for premature graying

Curry leaves oil also delays premature graying of hair. Here’s the procedure of preparing it. Take a bunch of curry leaves and grind it with little water to get a paste. Add this paste to 2 cups of coconut oil and heat the mixture till all the moisture evaporates. After it cools, store it in a bottle. Use this to deal with gray hair problems.

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Previously, studies have linked higher intakes of whole grains to lower stores of abdominal fat. Nicola McKeown, from the USDA Human Nutrition Researcher Center on Aging at Tufts University (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues analyzed data collected in The Framingham Heart Study, examining dietary data collected on 2,834 men and women enrolled in The Framingham Heart Offspring and Third Generation study groups.  The study participants, ages 32 to 83 years, underwent multidetector-computed tomography (MDCT) scans, to determine volumes of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which surrounds the intra-abdominal organs, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), found just beneath the skin.  Prior studies suggest that visceral fat is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors including hypertension, unhealthy cholesterol levels and insulin resistance that can develop into cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.  When the team compared the relationship of both visceral fat tissue and subcutaneous fat tissue to whole and refined grain intake, they observed a more striking association with visceral fat. They also observed that participants who consumed, on average, three daily servings of whole grains but continued to eat many refined grains, did not demonstrate lower VAT  volume.  The researchers conclude that: “Increasing whole-grain intake is associated with lower [visceral adipose tissue] in adults, whereas higher intakes of refined grains are associated with higher [visceral adipose tissue].”

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O‘s creative director, Adam Glassman, offers simple guidelines for letting your accessories shine.

Items shown clockwise, from top left:

1. Your necklace should be working for you—a long strand that hits just below the bust makes you look taller and leaner.
Gold-plated faux-crystal necklace, Jennifer Miller Jewelry, $150

2. Not sure when “finishing touch” becomes “overkill”? You can never go wrong with a stack of skinny bangles.
Gold-plated bangles with faux diamonds, Jennifer Miller Jewelry, $45 for set of three

3. Don’t be afraid to add something disarmingly bold and masculine—like this oversize watch—into the mix.
Rose-gold-plated stainless steel watch, DKNY, $155

4. Try wearing just one big, memorable piece. A wide cuff like this can easily become your calling card.
Antiqued gold-plated brass cuff, Zara Terez, $125

5. When shopping for earrings, consider the shape of your face: Pendants look best when yours is round or square. Studs, buttons, or short drop earrings offset a long or oval face. Hoops are always a good choice.
Glass and resin earrings, Olivia Stone, $118

6. A ring should flatter your fingers. Narrow bands or styles that extend toward the knuckle make your digits appear longer; thin fingers can pull off a wider style.
Gold vermeil and labradorite ring, Stephen Estelle, $219

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Feeling sluggish or out of sync lately? Having skin problems, aches and pains, or digestive problems? If so, it might be time for a detox.  Practiced for centuries by many cultures around the world, including ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health and give you back that youthful glow!

“The body has its own natural healing system,” says Peter Bennett, N.D., medical director of Helios Clinic in Victoria, B.C., and co-author with Stephen Barrie, N.D. and Sara Faye, of 7-Day Detox Miracle (Prima Health). “Detoxification enhances this system,” he explains.  Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. It does this mainly by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.

A detox program can help the body’s natural cleaning process by resting the organs through fasting, stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body, promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin, improving circulation of the blood and refueling the body with healthy nutrients.  “Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life,” says Bennett.

Where To Begin
First, cut back on toxins.  That means eliminating alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants and toothpastes), and substitute with safer, natural alternatives.  A good, all natural cleanser to try is Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap.  An excellent all natural cleansing conditioner that takes the place of shampoo, condtioner, leave in conditioner and detangler is WEN Cleansing Conditioner.

Another deterrent to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the “adrenaline rush” to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. So it’s a good idea to detox stressful life situations along with detoxifying your body.Yoga and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring.

10 Ways to Help Your Body Detoxify
After a detoxification program, you can cleanse your body daily through diet, supplements and lifestyle practices.

1. Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.

2. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.

3. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.

4. Drink at least 2 quarts of water daily.

5. Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.

6. Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.

7. Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.

8. Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration.

9. Dry-brush your skin or try detoxifying patches or detox foot spas / foot baths to remove toxins through your pores. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.

10. Exercise!  Yoga or jump-roping are good. One hour every day.  Also try  martial-arts based exercise program that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.

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Lycopene, an antioxidant compound found in high concentrations in tomatoes, has been shown by previous studies to exert beneficial effects on the heart, blood pressure, prostate, and bone. M. Rizwan, from The University of Manchester (United Kingdom), and colleagues studied 20 healthy women, average age 33 years, with skin types defined as phototype I/II.  Women either received either 55 grams of tomato paste (containing 16 milligrams/day of lycopene) in olive oil, or just olive oil, to consume daily for 12 weeks.  The team found that the daily dose of ultraviolet light needed to cause skin reddening increased, from 26.4 mJ/cm2 at the study’s start to stand at 36.6 mJ/cm2 after lycopene supplementation, a result which shows an improved resistance of the skin to reddening among those subjects who consumed the tomato paste. Additionally, the researchers found that lycopene supplementation reduced the UVA-induction of the matrix metalloprotease enzyme MMP-1, which has a key role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix during premature skin aging. The team concludes that: “Tomato paste containing lycopene provides protection against acute and potentially longer term aspects of photodamage.”

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In today’s world, life can be very hectic. Most of us have to meet deadlines, balance personal and professional work and try to get it all done within 24 hours. With such a big work load and much less time, we barely get the time to relax these days and do something good for ourselves. The body needs time to replenish itself, physically and mentally. The result is heightened stress and anxiety. Many people suffer from depression, stress and hypertension which can be lethal if ignored. So here are some ways to relieve stress and get back on track to a happier, healthier life!

Start with simple techniques like Yoga for anxiety to relieve stress. Yoga works on the mind, body, spirit. It relaxes you and brings you peace from within. It’s great for anyone but especially those with a busy, stressful life. Visit a spa once a month and get a body or head massage. They can do wonders when it comes to releasing stress. Develop a healthy diet to keep yourself physically fit. If you feel tired all the time and if you feel that your mind is not working fast enough, try to include glucose in your diet. The brain needs glucose as the substrate. It helps get those grey cells working faster. You could also try taking some multivitamins as well.

Yoga is the perfect solution when it comes to relieving stress. Try a Yoga DVD or go to a professional to learn meditation and yogic exercises. Everyday, try to devote 20 minutes to meditate. You will notice a difference right away. Your body will relax, it will stay healthier and you will feel less tired. Try to eat healthy foods and take multivitamins. Find out the root causes for stress in your life and try and change that if possible. Stay away from negative people. Take an occasional break from work and go out with friends or family. Devote some time when you can connect with yourself. Try some of these methods and give yourself the life you deserve.

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French women are known for their natural beauty and simple beauty routines.  Less is more when it comes to the french and their beauty phiosophy is about being beautiful and sexy, naturally!  French women believe that makeup was designed to enhance a woman’s face, not cover it up.

To stay beautiful, french women eat a balanced diet that includes lots of organic fresh fruit and vegetables from the market, which they walk to several times per week.  They also drink 6-8 glasses daily.  Remember, the best way to get a healthy glow is from within!  Here is what the french do to look and stay beautiful!

Skincare
French women are renowned for their simple skincare regimes and believe that skin care is more of a necessity than cosmetics.  They make sure to exfoliate their skin and are also loyal users of anti-agingcreams.  There’s a certain philosophy that French women have.  Skincare lasts a lifetime, while make-up lasts just a few hours.

When it comes to tanning, French women opt a glowing natural tan rather then a fake one.  A frequent dose of sunshine gives them that beautiful, sun-kissed glow.  But all in moderation, they aren’t into the overly tanned “lizard look”.  A french woman uses a daily blast of icy cold water in the shower to really get her circulation going, and help tighten up the pores of her skin.  Once she’s finished showering (or bathing,) she will always apply a rich moisturizer and if needed, re-apply it throughout the day.

Makeup
A french woman’s makeup is always kept minimal and understated.  They don’t carry a load of make-up around either.  At the start of the day she’ll apply a natural looking lipgloss or lipstick for day (or a heavier coat for night), with a dab of concealer and an expert flick of water-proof mascara.  Then wha-laa!  She’s done, a natural beauty!

Hair
When washing her hair, a french woman likes to rinse her locks with a mixture of cold water and apple cider vinegar.  This natural formula gives the hair a lustrous shine.  Once she’s done that, she applies a rich hair conditioner.  Also, weekly deep conditioning hair treatments are a must to preserve a French woman’s crowning glory.  These usually contain hair protein such as keratin.

When it comes to hair, french women are very low maintenance and prefer a fresh, natural looking hair color.  Any hair style with a natural-looking texture that showcases her own unique beauty is good. And, when she’s short on time, she’ll arrange her locks into french twist.  Or if short on time, she’ll wrap her hair into a simple, elegant bun.

To the french, ‘blow-dries’ and hair straightening are not in at all!  The bleached blonde look is also not the norm and is considered to be totally “American.”  But the piece-y tousled look and gathering the hair into a relaxed and sexy up-do is very “in”, in France.  In fact some french women look like they haven’t properly used a comb in days.  Men all over the world happen to find this lived-in and ‘bed-head’ look very sexy!

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French women are known for their natural beauty and simple beauty routines.  Less is more when it comes to the french and their beauty phiosophy is about being beautiful and sexy, naturally!  French women believe that makeup was designed to enhance a woman’s face, not cover it up.

To stay beautiful, french women eat a balanced diet that includes lots of organic fresh fruit and vegetables from the market, which they walk to several times per week.  They also drink 6-8 glasses daily.  Remember, the best way to get a healthy glow is from within!  Here is what the french do to look and stay beautiful!

Skincare
French women are renowned for their simple skincare regimes and believe that skin care is more of a necessity than cosmetics.  They make sure to exfoliate their skin and are also loyal users of anti-agingcreams.  There’s a certain philosophy that French women have.  Skincare lasts a lifetime, while make-up lasts just a few hours.

When it comes to tanning, French women opt a glowing natural tan rather then a fake one.  A frequent dose of sunshine gives them that beautiful, sun-kissed glow.  But all in moderation, they aren’t into the overly tanned “lizard look”.  A french woman uses a daily blast of icy cold water in the shower to really get her circulation going, and help tighten up the pores of her skin.  Once she’s finished showering (or bathing,) she will always apply a rich moisturizer and if needed, re-apply it throughout the day.

Makeup
A french woman’s makeup is always kept minimal and understated.  They don’t carry a load of make-up around either.  At the start of the day she’ll apply a natural looking lipgloss or lipstick for day (or a heavier coat for night), with a dab of concealer and an expert flick of water-proof mascara.  Then wha-laa!  She’s done, a natural beauty!

Hair
When washing her hair, a french woman likes to rinse her locks with a mixture of cold water and apple cider vinegar.  This natural formula gives the hair a lustrous shine.  Once she’s done that, she applies a rich hair conditioner.  Also, weekly deep conditioning hair treatments are a must to preserve a French woman’s crowning glory.  These usually contain hair protein such as keratin.

When it comes to hair, french women are very low maintenance and prefer a fresh, natural looking hair color.  Any hair style with a natural-looking texture that showcases her own unique beauty is good. And, when she’s short on time, she’ll arrange her locks into french twist.  Or if short on time, she’ll wrap her hair into a simple, elegant bun.

To the french, ‘blow-dries’ and hair straightening are not in at all!  The bleached blonde look is also not the norm and is considered to be totally “American.”  But the piece-y tousled look and gathering the hair into a relaxed and sexy up-do is very “in”, in France.  In fact some french women look like they haven’t properly used a comb in days.  Men all over the world happen to find this lived-in and ‘bed-head’ look very sexy!

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