Beauty Products

Could a Green Tea Diet Be the Answer to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off?

2017-12-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

Everyone who feels that they need to shed a few pounds are familiar with their calorie intake and have more than likely tried many diet plans and along with those diet plans instead of trying to stick with water may have given into the temptation of drinking fizzy sodas and squash which are laden with sugar...and calories...because drinking water is not the most exciting! What many people may not have considered is that green tea, as part of a correctly monitored diet and exercise can contribute to weight loss and sustaining that weight loss. Green Tea and its fat burning properties is becoming a more and more talked about contributor to weight loss.

Green Tea Natural Weight Loss

Before Meals

When you feel hungry one tends to eat a large amount in a very small amount of time, if you are on a diet then it may not be enough to satisfy you and you may be tempted to eat 'just a little bit more'. Drinking water before you eat can help make you feel satisfied earlier when you are eating and therefore you won't eat so much. Try substituting green tea instead of water. It can be drunk warm or chilled and if you are not so keen on the taste you can spruce it up by adding lemon juice or a small amount of honey.

With Meals

Green Tea drunk with a meal can provide an aid to digestion and will help you stay hydrated. One of the properties of green tea is as an appetite suppressant so adding green tea to your diet can help you to lose weight and keep the pounds off.

Between Meals

One dieter's nightmare is not being able to graze between meals. If you have added green tea to your diet then drinking a few cups between meals will help to fill you up. By substituting a glass instead of a snack the weight should start falling off in no time.

There are so many health benefits of green tea that it would be a loss if you don't consider adding it as part of your diet. You will only benefit and if you are substituting a cup of green tea for the snacks you would normally consume then you will have the added benefit of consuming the recommended amounts. To keep the weight off, don't discard the green tea but try and turn drinking it into a habit. If you have difficulty drinking so much green tea then perhaps try green tea weight loss supplements commonly known as fat burners. Drinking tea is an age old habit so if you don't drink it then why not start now and feel the benefits of green tea.

Look Younger and Feel Better With Anti Ageing Foods

2017-11-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

You cannot help the fact that you are getting older, but you can certainly stave off all the visible signs of ageing by incorporating certain foods known to have age-defying properties into your daily diet. These foods give you natural youthfulness and vitality and improve the quality of your life. Read on to know more about the foods that fight age.

Essential Anti Ageing Foods

Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of magnesium, antioxidants and other minerals and vitamins such as zinc, iron, potassium and Vitamin E. These essential nutrients help in controlling blood pressure and fighting against diseases. Eggs are rich in biotin, iron, protein as well as Vitamins, A and B12, and are beneficial for your overall health. Pomegranates work wonders for your skin because they contain large amounts of antioxidants. They also control your cholesterol levels, while pomegranate juice is a vital blood thinning agent, almost as efficacious as aspirin.

Oatmeal is another super food that contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, proteins, iron and antioxidants. It also contains soluble fibres that help in controlling your cholesterol levels. Blackcurrant berries are stuffed with antioxidants that boost your memory, protect your cardiovascular system from the action of destructive enzymes, and improve your night vision significantly. Increase your intake of avocados for fresh young skin. Avocados contain plenty of monounsaturated fat that lowers your cholesterol levels. They are also a rich source of Vitamin E, which keeps your skin young and smooth.

Berries such as blueberries, blackberries as well as black currants consist of phytochemicals-powerful antioxidants that have anti-ageing properties that safeguard your body against the harmful effects of free radicals. Red grapes are not considered to be berries but possess similar properties. Raw nuts have high levels of fibre and are rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, copper and vitamins. Eating a bowl of nuts everyday will greatly boost your immunity. Avoid roasted or salted nuts as they can cause more damage than provide benefits.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene- a powerful antioxidant that combats a number of diseases. It is a well-known fact that eating a single carrot everyday reduces your risk of lung cancer. Beta carotene also improves your vision and protects your eyes from ocular conditions. Carrots boost your immune system if eaten raw, so make them an essential component of your salads. Brown rice and whole meal pasta are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates that energize you all day. Brown rice also contains Vitamin B and fibre that aids digestion. Steamed brown rice is much better than its fried counterpart.

Your body requires a certain amount of fat as well as quality proteins that can be found in fish. Fish also supplies your body with Omega-3 fatty acids that boost your immunity levels and reduce the chances of getting heart disease. Various studies have reported that fish also reduces the risk of esophageal, colorectal and stomach cancer. Adequate water intake is a vital part of any balanced diet because it cleanses your body from within, eliminates harmful toxins and keeps your skin supple and hydrated. Incorporating these foods in your daily diet will make you look and feel younger.

Anti-Aging Creams - How Well Do They Really Work?

2017-11-15T09:14:00.000-08:00

With more and more older women being concerned about their skin, you´ll find that there are plenty of anti-aging creams on the market. They claim to reduce wrinkles and ease the impact of the years of sun and free radicals on the skin. The question is, do these creams actually prevent your skin from aging?

Moisturizers that claim to put a stop or at least slow the effects of aging are not all telling the truth. A huge number of studies and tests have found that most of these anti-aging creams don´t have a lasting effect on the skin and any effects they do have tend to be short lived and not very spectacular. But some of the ingredients can and do change the appearance of your facial skin, even if only for a period of time.

Retinol

This vitamin A derivative is found in animals and is vital for the proper growth of skin cells. Including this vitamin in anti-aging creams can have a positive effect. Retinol stimulates the growth of new skin cells, creating a healthier look. It also can be used to reduce the appearance of dark spots on the face and hands, which often appear with age and sun exposure. Many women use creams with retinol to help reduce liver spots on the backs of their hands.

Hydroxy Acids

There are two main types of hydroxy acids that are used in anti-aging creams, alpha and beta. Beta hydroxy acid is more commonly known as salicylic acid and is mostly found in acne treatments. Alpha hydroxy acids are many, including citric acid, lactic acid and glycolic acid. Both alpha and beta hydroxy acids are used in chemical peels. The idea in including them in anti-aging creams is to help remove older, dead skin cells, making room for new ones that will look more youthful. However, you will find that the majority of creams simply don´t contain a strong enough concentration of these acids to do much good.

Collegen

You've no doubt heard of collegen as a lip plumper. It is also an ingredient often found in anti-aging creams and when applied to the skin, can help hydrate it and plump the skin cells up. This temporarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles by swelling up the loose skin and making it appear softer and smoother. Many people find satisfying results with the proper amount of collegen, but not all creams contain the same amount.

Sunscreens

While many anti-aging creams contain sunscreen or sunblock and boast an SPF rating, this is more of a preventative measure, rather than a reversal of effects. It is nearly impossible to undo the effects of years in the sun, but you can certainly protect your skin starting now and make sure that the sun doesn't age you any further.

Not all anti-aging creams work. Some simply don´t have any ingredients that will actually make a difference. Some have them, but in such low concentrations that your skin won´t even notice the difference, while others have enough to actually make your skin smoother and younger looking. However, it´s important to note that most anti-aging creams have only a temporary effect, so you´ll need to continue using them as long as you want to maintain the youthful appearance. As soon as you stop, the wrinkles will be back again.

How To Beautify Your Body With Organic Scrubs When On A Budget

2017-10-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Homemade organic body scrubs are just one of the many ways you can treat yourself to excellent skin care without spa prices. With these scrubs, not only will your skin be cleansed and exfoliated, but regular use improves circulation and pulls toxins from the skin.

In the following 7 recipes, it is important to use organic ingredients so that you are not absorbing other toxins through the skin. Most ingredients can be found in health food stores and are readily available online. ALL of these scrubs should be used in the bath or shower and should be followed by patting your skin dry and applying an organic moisturizer for overall skin care.

Awesome Dry Skin Scrub

This mixture should be made up and stored in a quarter sized airtight container (Mason Jars are great) for easy use when you want it. You will just need to take about 3/4 cup and mix with enough distilled water to make a paste when you are ready to use it in the shower, gently rubbing over your body.

Ingredients

tablespoons organic almond meal

4 cups organic chickpea flour

2 cups organic dry milk powder

1 1/2 teaspoons rose essential oil (essential oils can be found in health food stores and on the internet, just be sure that they are produced from organically produced base plants)

Apple fresh Body Scrub

This organic skin scrub should be made up at least 10 hours before use, but not longer than 1 week. Two applications are made with this recipe, allowing you to use one soon and one at the end of the week. In a large, microwave safe bowl, warm the cream (10 to 20 seconds). Add ingredients in the following order and stir with each one added: apple juice, honey, oats, tapioca, Epsom Salt, lavender oil, and lemon peel oil. Pour into airtight container and refrigerate for at least 10 hours before first use.

Ingredients

2 cup Epsom salts

1/2 cup freshly juiced organic apple juice

1 teaspoon organic lavender essential oil

1/2 teaspoon organic lemon peel essential oil

2 tablespoons organic honey

1/2 cup organic tapioca pearls

1/4 cup organic whole rolled oats, crush slightly by pounding while in a zippered storage bag

3/4 cup organic whipping cream

Invigorating Renewal Scrub

This scrub is revitalizing for both your skin and your energy level. The recipe makes enough for two applications and should be used within 10 days of creation. Mix all ingredients well and store in refrigerator.

Ingredients

2 cups organic chopped oats

Organic essential oils: 4 drops peppermint, 3 drops eucalyptus

2/3 cup organic moisturizer (our homemade milk lotions are great for this)

2 cups Epsom Salt

Lemony Sweet Brown Sugar Scrub

This scrub should be mixed just prior to use because the sugar crystals break down too quickly for later use. It is from these crystals that you get the exfoliating properties.

Ingredients

1/2 cup organic brown sugar

1 1/2 cups organic grape seed oil

1/2 cup organic grated lemon peel

Lemon Fresh Body Scrub

Lemon juice is the major attraction in this recipe as it not only rejuvenates the skin; it detoxifies it. Like all sugar recipes, these ingredients should be mixed just prior to use because the sugar crystals will break down quickly.

Ingredients

3/4 cup organic sugar

Fresh juice from 1 organic lemon

1 1/2 cups organic olive oil

Creamy Orange Body Scrub

This is another sugar recipe, so remember to mix all ingredients just before use and do not attempt to store it. The use of cream in this recipe is a great moisture help, so enjoy! Massage this mixture onto your body and allow to sit for about 15 minutes before you shower. It works best when applied in a steamy bathroom.

Ingredients
Organic essential oils: 8 drops orange and 2 drops jojoba
3 tablespoons heavy organic cream
3/4 cup sugar

Tutti Frutti Body Scrub

This is an excellent summer scrub for combating those drying effects of the sun. Due to preservation issues and the fact that the Epsom Salt will dissolve quickly, you should mix this just prior to use. Apply prior to turning shower on, but while standing in the bathtub. Massage over body thoroughly, preferably with a body puff, then rinse in warm shower. This works as a cleanser, so you will not need to cleanse your body after using this scrub.

1 1/2 teaspoons pure organic vanilla extract

3 tablespoons organic vegetable oil

2 teaspoons organic vitamin E oil

Ingredients

1/2 cup Aloe Vera pulp (taken directly from plant)

3 teaspoons Epsom Salt

1/4 cup organic facial cleanser

1 peeled guava (put through food processor or mashed if soft enough)

1 peeled kiwi (mashed)

Tutti Frutti Body Scrub

This is an excellent summer scrub for combating those drying effects of the sun. Due to preservation issues and the fact that the Epsom Salt will dissolve quickly, you should mix this just prior to use. Apply prior to turning shower on, but while standing in the bathtub.

Massage over body thoroughly, preferably with a body puff, then rinse in warm shower. This works as a cleanser, so you will not need to cleanse your body after using this scrub.

1 1/2 teaspoons pure organic vanilla extract

3 tablespoons organic vegetable oil

2 teaspoons organic vitamin E oil

How Natural Makeup Can Reduce Your Breakouts and Irritations

2017-09-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

A lot of people enjoy wearing makeup and it can sometimes be a bit of a nightmare for our skin. Wearing thick makeup such as heavy foundations and hard concealers can really damage our skin more than we think. We have to remember that our skin needs to breath and therefore natural makeup is the best way forward because it's usually lighter and isn't as full of chemicals as other brands.

Some people have a really hard time with makeup because if they forget to take it off in the evening, they immediately break out and end up with a few spots here and there. This can be a real pain in the neck and it's actually a vicious cycle because the more breakouts you have, the more makeup you'll then put on.

The good thing with natural makeup is that it's usually made from all natural ingredients which means that you're not putting any harmful chemicals on your skin. Because of this, the makeup is usually much lighter and actually allows your skin to breath which is important if you want to have soft and refreshed skin.

Finding the right natural makeup isn't that hard - all you need to do is Google it or go into Superdrug or Boots and you should find their natural range quite easily. However, choosing the right colours and tones is another important aspect and it can sometimes be hard. You could always ask a specialist to help you if you're unsure.

Most natural makeup is made using fine ingredients that's completely organic and this means that you're really unlikely to have a breakout or any irritation unless you happen to be allergic to anything in the ingredients. However, this is very unlikely and most irritations from normal makeup are because of perfumes and chemicals which natural makeup simply doesn't have.

Finding high quality natural makeup is really simple these days - there's plenty available on the web and there are also some leading brand stores that offer a natural or organic makeup range such as Boots and Superdrug. Whatever you do, just read the label first to ensure that there are no harmful chemicals inside.