Natural Beauty Care and Fitness tips

Olive oil protects against heart attack, stroke

2009-04-04T04:22:00.000-07:00

Portuguese researchers have identified a vital component of olive oil that gives greatest protection from heart attack and stroke,reports yahoo.

Lead researcher Fatima Paiva-Martins from University of Porto has discovered an antioxidant called DHPEA-EDA that protects red blood cells from damage more than any other part of olive oil.

"These findings provide the scientific basis for the clear health benefits that have been seen in people who have olive oil in their diet," said Paiva-Martins.

During the study, research team led by Paiva-Martins compared the effects of four related polyphenolic compounds on red blood cells subjected to oxidative stress by a known free radical generating chemical.

Heart disease is caused partly by reactive oxygen, including free radicals, acting on LDL or "bad" cholesterol and resulting in hardening of the arteries. Red blood cells are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage because they are the body's oxygen carriers.

They found that DHPEA-EDA was the most effective and protected red blood cells even at low concentrations.The new discovery, Paiva-Martins believes, can lead to the production of "functional" olive oils specifically designed to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Lipstick Selection and Applying Tips

2009-02-21T06:55:00.000-08:00

Tore lipstick - and perfume - in the refrigerator. It'll last longer.
Never use a tester on your lips - it's unhygienic. Test lipstick on your fingertips instead of the back of your hand - the colors and texture are closer to that of your lips.
If you want your lipstick to last, use pencil first as a base. Outline and colour in your lips with pencil (nude, if your lipstick shade is light) and slick your lipstick on top.
Your lips will also look softer, 'smudgier,' and less defined if you don't use pencils or lip liners.
To avoid lipstick on your teeth, after application, run your index finger through the middle of your lips and pull it back out. The excess will come off on your finger, not your teeth.
In an emergency make-up situation, your lipstick can double as blusher. (But never use blusher on your lips.)
Outline your lips in pencil before you apply lipstick or gloss if you don't want your lipstick to feather.
Women over 50 usually look better with a cream lipstick rather than a matte or gloss. Every bit of moisture helps.
If your lipstick shade turns out to be brighter than you thought it would be, colour in your lips with a pencil a few shades darker than your lipstick (for instance, brown pencil under dark red lipstick) and layer the lipstick on top. Or coat the lipstick with a darker lip gloss, which will turn down the heat.

To begin finding the perfect red lip color, match the appropriate red with individual skin tone:

Cool Skin Tones
· Look for reds with pink, purple or blue undertones.

Warm Skin Tones
· Are enhanced by yellow and orange reds.

Neutral Skin Tones
· Choose a red with brown undertones.

A brick red lip color is considered a universal red and can flatter all skin tones.

To Apply Red Lipstick:

Start with a Vitamin E stick or lip balm to prevent color from caking and looking dry.
Use a neutral colored lip liner or one in a shade that’s closest to natural lip color. Line all around to prevent lip color from bleeding.
Using a lip brush containing natural hairs, apply one coat of color. Blot with a clean tissue and apply a second coat.

To make red lip color sheer – mix equal parts lip color with clear lip-gloss or lip balm. Apply with a lip brush and blot color. Follow with a light coat of lip-gloss.

Get perfect eyebrows

2009-02-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

In order to achieve the best framing results for your brows, you will need three main tools:
1. Tweezers
2. Brow Brush
3. Brow Pencil

Tweezers:Tweezers are used to tweeze any hair that obviously lie outside of your brow's natural shape and thus disturb it. You should begin by tweezing from underneath the brow and pull hairs in the direction they are growing. Your movements for tweezing should be in a sharp and swift movement. Make sure that you pull one hair at a time, alternating from one brow to the other. Doing so will not only eliminate over tweezing but also get you a more balanced look.
Brow brush:Brow brush is used to brush your eyebrows into shape. You should always brush your eyebrows hair upwards. So make sure that you work upward and outward to give your brow a new definition. You can also spray brush with hair spray to keep the hair up. In order to get that groomed look you should coat the hair with clear mascara. And if you want that dramatic look then you should coat your hair with dark mascara.
Brow Pencil: Brow pencils are used to fill in those unwanted gaps in your eyebrows if there is any. With the help of an eyebrow pencil you should apply the light feathery strokes in order to draw in each hair. Begin at the bottom of your hair follicle and draw upward following the hair direction. Then brush with the Brow brush to blend in the eyebrow pencil, again working upward and outward.

Recommended Brushes
Throw away the sponge-tip applicators that come with eye shadows and forget about using your fingers. Brushes provide a natural and even application, and you’ll end up using less of the product. Each woman should own the following brushes:
An all-over shadow brush (a medium to large scallop-shaped brush for light, highlighting, base colors)
A small to medium shader brush (for lid colors)
A rounded crease brush (to line the crease, lash line and to apply intense colors)
A blending brush (to soften the shadows)

How to Apply Colors
Using the all-over brush, apply the lightest color starting from the lash line and up to the brow bone. Soften with the blender brush by using a “windshield wiper” motion (this is a crucial brush, since it blends away any harsh lines).

Using the shader brush, apply the lid color (usually a medium brown, beige, rose or pink) from the lash line to just below the crease. Avoid extending past the crease to prevent color from looking too harsh. Use the blender brush to soften both colors.
Using the rounded crease brush, apply the contour shade (the darkest one) last and sparingly! Start at the outer corners of the eye and make an inverted “V” shape – line the lash line and the crease of the eye slowly working inward to the middle of the eye. Again soften color with the blender brush.

Remember: Always start with a light application and add more color accordingly. For more intense shadow color, slightly dampen the applicator brushes (but not the blender brush) with a drop of bottled water. Overall, there are no rules when it comes to makeup, but these tips will help prevent even the most dramatic shadow colors from looking harsh.

Look Like Sexy

2009-02-21T06:33:00.000-08:00

They say that there’s a sex kitten simmering within every one of us. Well, if you feel a stab of envy every time you browse through a Cosmo or an Elle, it’s about time you took that step —towards looking utterly sexy and sensuous. But assuming that you don’t possess an hourglass figure, designer clothes or a million dollar smile, how can you unleash the sex kitten within you?
Well, looking sexy is a simpler feat than you might think…!
Love Your Body type: You need to feel proud of your body type and make a note of your best features. Nice legs, a great bust line, slim shoulders, nice toes, attractive eyes? Figure it out, literally. Then capitalize on those assets.
The Sexy Ensemble: So what if your hips stretch for miles? How about concentrating on your neckline, then and getting the sexiest set of plungers ever? Basically you need to get together a wardrobe that camouflages the bulges and accentuates all the curves, but most of all makes you feel comfortable.
Choreograph Your Look: Throw in some sensuous make-up and matching accessories and you’ll divert the attention to the right places!
Ooze Confidence: Ultimately it’s not just about how deep your necklines plunge or how high your mini-skirts ride. It’s about feeling comfortable in your clothes and confident enough to carry off what you wear. Once you let this seep into your mental makeup, the style and the sexiness will bounce off automatically. And what’s more, your confidence will translate into your own exquisite brand of

Makeup Basics

2009-02-21T06:17:00.000-08:00

Apply foundation:

The easiest and fastest way is with a sponge. Make up sponges, available at your local chemist, come in many shapes. The ‘wedge’, however, is by far the most effective because its corners make it easier to cover hard-to-reach places, such as the corners of your eyes and the creases next to your nose.
Concealer brushes can also help you apply foundation in small crevices if your sponge is too large. To use a sponge, dip it in a very small amount of foundation. Then, press it against your face, rolling it gently over the area you want to cover. Don’t drag the sponge across your face, as this can create a streaky effect. Press a tissue against your face when you're done to even out your application and lift off any excess foundation.
Another trick of the trade: Make-up artists love using brushes to apply foundation because they cover big areas quickly. Synthetic bristle brushes don't absorb the make-up, which makes it easy to apply evenly, and synthetic brushes are also easier to clean than the natural-bristle ones. To use, put a small amount of foundation on to the brush and apply a thin coat to the skin as needed. Make sure you don’t use too much foundation, or you could be left with a very cakey, mask-like appearance.

Concealer:
Select concealer lighter than foundation. Apply around the inside corner of the eye. Using a brush spread the concealer evenly. Don’t pull the skin. Do it on the area only. You can apply in the facial areas if there are marks of pimples, freckles etc. But use very lighter shades.

Powder:

Next dust a small layer of powder using a brush. Do not use the sponge to do it. And dust off the excess if it is there.

Body Shampoos and Scrubs

2009-02-21T05:55:00.000-08:00

Body Washes
Body washes, also known as body shampoos and body cleansers, are aptly named, as they are essentially detergents for the body. These solutions are good for any skin type and are much better than bar soaps, which can be irritating to the skin. Body washes are just as effective, but are much less drying, because they actually have moisturizing properties. In fact, most body washes contain oils that stay on your skin, providing an emollient benefit. Other ingredients, such as vitamins, amino acids, and proteins may also be incorporated into these cleansers. Though these ingredients often get washed down the drain before they have a chance to work on your skin, they don’t hurt. However, many people do not like the moisturizing film that these products leave behind. If you are one of those people, you can use a regular body wash and follow-up with a gentle moisturizer.

Body Scrubs
Exfoliating the skin on your body unclogs pores, helps the skin to absorb moisture, and removes dead skin cells, allowing healthier skin cells to emerge. When exfoliating your skin, you can use various methods, such as loofahs and specially formulated AHA or BHA products. Before using loofahs, however, you should be aware of the dangers they pose. Because they hang in the shower or bath without being cleaned, they provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Scrubbing a blemish or another skin injury with a loofah could be dangerous to your health. To avoid loofahs, you can use a clean, soft washcloth and a body scrub. Washcloths are gentle and can be washed after every use. There are also many different body scrubs on the market to choose from. Most contain oils and other water-binding agents to help moisture the skin while removing dead cells. When choosing a body scrub, look for these ingredients. Most importantly, be gentle while you are exfoliating. Though the skin on the body is can handle an occasional scouring, you can damage your skin by being too rough

Nail Care Tips and Recipes

2009-02-21T04:42:00.000-08:00

Nail Care

Our nails can be your biggest asset in looking well groomed and put together when presenting yourself, but it is also one of the easiest parts of your exterior image that regularly suffers. Your nails also play an important role in providing adequate protection for the sensitive tips of your fingers. Constant wear and tear on your hands and nails due to the everyday typing, filing, moving boxes, fumbling for keys on the way to your commute, cooking, washing the dishes, dealing with pets, etc. leaves your nails suffering for relief. Many products do not do anything to rebuild your nails; they simply put on a thick plastic coat that can make your nails unhealthier than before you tried to treat them. Fortunately, there are several remedies & supplements mother nature prescribes for nails that need some extra love and attention.

Nail Facts

Nails grow about 1mm each week.
You should never cut your cuticles. This can damage and maybe even kill the root of your nails.
Another important fact about the nails is that proper nutrition, good general health and gentle care to the nails lead to good nails.

How To Strengthen Nails

Take daily a dose of 1 tablespoon of unflavoured gelatine.
Two to three kelp tablets can be taken daily to strengthem the nails.
Blue iris flowers steeped in water overnight and brushed regularly on the nails will strengthen the nails.
Make an infusion of elm leaves. Steep clean nails in this preparation everyday. This will prevent brittleness.

Nail Bleaching Recipe:

If your nails become discolored apply a lemon bleaching.
Mix 3 tablespoons orange flower water and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a bottle and use.

Lip care Tips

2009-02-21T04:36:00.000-08:00

Lips have only three to five layers of skin cells compared to 15 over rest of the body. So you need to take care of your lips and protect them, much more than you do for the rest of your body. Essentially, protect your lips against the environment just like you would protect your skin, with moisturizers, sunscreen et al. It might be a good idea, however, to avoid regular usage of lip-balms that are petroleum-based, as these are addictive. So look for balms that are non-petroleum based.

If your lips are prone to dryness and cracking, check out a daily maintenance product like Blistex Revitaliser, which has been shown in trials to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the surface of the lips in one month. Available at most chemists, it contains AHAs (skin-exfoliating alpha-hydroxy-acids), moisturisers, vitamins A and E and an SPF 15.

Lips are one of the most exposed areas of skin, yet they have an extremely thin outer layer and few sebaceous glands. Centrally heated offices (which can be particularly dry) and whipping winter winds both take their toll. If you are going skiing or to hotter climes, remember that lips contain no melanin and can quickly become badly burnt without protection.

Homemade Eye Care Recipes

2009-02-21T04:26:00.000-08:00

Dark Circles

This caused due to the lack of sleep, stress, fatigue, dietary deficiency or disease. People with insomnia generally suffer from this. In case you suffer from insomnia or some chronic disease, you must consult a doctor and along with this follow a regular skin care routine. The skin around the eyes is very delicate and special care should be taken to maintain it. Cleanse your eyes at bedtime with a rehydrant gel with the help of a moist cotton pad and then apply an under eye cream, preferably and almond and honey cream. Almond is mild natural bleach and it helps to remove the dark circles. Make sure that no cream is left in the delicate region around the eyes as it may result in puffy and swollen eyes. Use only those masks around the eyes that are specially made for that delicate region. One such specialized mask is the seaweed mask which is available in liquid form and is of light texture and has watery consistency and forms a light film on the skin. It can easily be removed with water.

Eye Recipes: To keep eyes sparkling, there are several simple home recipes as described below:

rate half cucumber, strain it and keep in the fridge to cool. Take two pieces of cotton wool dipped in rose water and the cold cucumber juice, and place these on your eyes at least twice a day. You should lie down, and relax, and keep your mind free from tension, anxiety and worrying thoughts. Apart from relaxing your eyes, cucumber juice will lighten the darkened area around the eyes, especially when combined with lemon juice or lanolin cream.
Prepare black tea (do not put milk) and allow it to cool. Soak cotton gauze in cold tea and use as eyes pads.

Cervical Cap Usage In Birth Control

2009-02-21T03:58:00.000-08:00

What is a cervical cap?
The cervical cap is a small, soft rubber cap that fits snugly over a woman's cervix. The groove on the inside of the cap creates a seal and keeps the cap in place together with support of the vaginal wall. The cap acts as a barrier to sperm and the spermicide chemically kills sperm.

How is a cervical cap used?
Cervical caps come in different sizes to fit women, and need to be fitted by your doctor or at your local womens clinic. A cervical cap can remain in place for 48 hours.
You can have intercourse multiple times while wearing the cervical cap -- you don't need to reapply spermicide, but you should check to make sure the cap is still in place. The cap is effective for up to 48 hours, and must be left in place for at least eight hours after intercourse.

Insertion:Fill the cap dome one-third full with spermicide. Squeeze the rim together with thumb and forefinger and insert into vagina. Push cap deep enough inside so it will stay, then use forefinger and middle finger to complete insertion. Make sure dome of the cap is pointing outward toward the vaginal opening; grasp it between your fingers and push cap as deep into the vagina as it will go. Check that the cap is covering the cervix by running your finger around the rim. If you do not feel a "bump" of your cervix, you most likely have it on correctly. Press on the dome for suction, then twist the cap (like a lid on a jar) to make sure the cervix gets completely covered. Check the fit by wiggling and tugging firmly on the dome, then by running your finger back around the rim. If you can feel your cervix being pulled and the cap remains in place, it is correct.
Removal:Remove by tilting cap to the side then hook your finger under the rim and pull down, off the cervix and out of the vagina. Leave the cap in at least 8 hours after intercourse

Cervical Cap Care
After using your cervical cap wash it with soap and warm water. To make sure the cap stays effective, regularly check the condition of the cap. You can hold it up to the light or fill it with water to check for holes. Avoid using oil-based creams, including vaginal medications as they can cause damage to the cervical cap.

Success Rate
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medications that might interfere with its use. 82-91% The low end of the effectiveness range reflects typical use (use is not consistent or always correct). The high end of the effectiveness range is for perfect use (use is consistent and always correct). Effectiveness decreases for women who have had children.

Side Effects
Most women who use a cerical cap have no problems. The side effects that some women have include:

Spermicides may irritate the vagina and surrounding skin.
The rubber or latex in the cerical cap may cause an allergic reaction (this is rare).

Advantages

Can be inserted many hours before sex.
Easy to carry around, comfortable.
Does not alter menstrual cycles.
Does not affect future fertility.

Disadvantages

Does not protect against HIV/AIDS.
Requires a fitting in a clinic.
Some women cannot be fitted.
Possible allergic reaction.
Can be dislodged during intercourse.

Contraceptive Sponge In Birth Control

2009-02-21T03:48:00.000-08:00

What is a contraceptive sponge?

The contraceptive sponge is a small, disposable sponge that contains spermicide and is placed over the cervix to kill sperm before they enter the uterus or fertilize an egg. A contraceptive sponge can only be used once.

How is the contraceptive sponge used?

The contraceptive sponge is moistened with water and then inserted into your vagina, placing it over your cervix, which is the opening of your uterus or womb. You can have intercourse multiple times while wearing the contraceptive sponge, but you must remove it within 24 hours from the time you first inserted it.

Insertion:Holding the sponge in one hand with the dimple (concave) side facing upward, and the loop dangling down, wet the sponge thoroughly with clean tap water. Gently squeeze the sponge to produce amounts of suds. This activates the spermicide and facilitates insertion. Fold the sudsy sponge in half - still with the dimple side facing upward - and insert deeply in the vagina, along the back wall to cover the cervix. The dimple should face the cervix, and the loop should face away from the cervix.
Removal:Wait at lease six hours after the last act of intercourse before removing the sponge. Put a finger into the vagina and reach upward to find the string loop. Bear down and push the sponge toward to vaginal opening. Hook the finger around the string loop or grasp the sponge between thumb and forefinger. Slowly and gently withdraw from the vagina. If the vaginal muscles seem to be holding the sponge tightly, wait a few minutes, then try again. While relaxing, breathe out slowly while bearing down and remove.

Diaphragm Usage In Birth Control

2009-02-21T03:35:00.000-08:00

A diaphragm is a dome-shaped bowl made of a thin, flexible rubber that sits over the cervix (the area between the vagina and the uterus). A diaphragm holds spermicide in place over the cervix, this spermicide then kills sperm preventing fertilization.

How is a diaphragm used?
Getting a diaphragm requires a fitting at your local doctor or womens clinic.
Diaphramns can be inserted up to 2 hours before sexual intercourse, as the spermicide is only effective for 2 hours. Each time your have intercourse you will need to add more spremicide to your diaphragm. Do this by leaving the diaphragm in and using an applicator to add more spermicide directly into your vagina.

Insertion:Before inserting your diaphragm, place a tablespoon of spermicidal jelly on the inside of the dome. Squeeze the rim of the diaphragm and keep the spermicide facing up. Then slide the diaphragm into your vaginal canal and over your cervix.

Removal:You diaphragm should be left in for 6 hours after intercourse, but not longer than 24 hours. You can remove the diaphragm by hooking your finger around the frotn rim and pulling down and out.

Diaphragm Care:After using your diaphragm wash it with soap and warm water. Diaphragms must not have holes or cracks to maintain effectiveness. An easy way to check is to hold it up to the light or fill it with water. Avoid using oil-based creams, including vaginal medications as they can cause damage to the diaphragm

Success Rate:In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medications that might interfere with its use.

Side Effects
Most women who use a diaphragm have no problems. The side effects that some women have include:

Spermicides may irritate the vagina and surrounding skin.
Strong odors or vaginal discharge may appear if the diaphragm is left in too long.
The rubber or latex in the diaphragm may cause an allergic reaction (this is rare).
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare complication.

Advantages

Can be inserted 2 hours before sex.
Easy to carry around, comfortable.
Does not alter menstrual cycles.
Does not affect future fertility.May help you better know your body

Disadvantages

Does not protect against HIV/AIDS.
Requires a fitting in a clinic.
Needs occasional refitting.
Possible allergic reaction.
May increase risk of bladder infections.
Can be messy.

Condoms Usage in Birth Control

2009-02-21T03:14:00.000-08:00

What is a condom?

Condoms are a thin rubber tube which fits over the man's erect penis before intercourse. When the man ejaculates, he does so into the condom which prevents the sperm from entering the vagina. Most condoms are made of latex and when coated with spermicide are considered an effective means of protection from pregnancy and the spread of STDs. There are other condoms available which are made of animal intestine but these are less effective for disease prevention.

How effective are condoms?

When condoms are used properly, they are about 95% effective in the prevention of pregnancy. When condoms are used with spermicidal foam, their effectiveness rate is nearly 100%. Furthermore, condoms provide excellent protection from the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, although the exact rates of success are unknown. The latex condom is the recommended form of STD and pregnancy prevention.

How are condoms used?
When using a condom, you check for holes and review the expiry date. Note: never carry a condom in a hot, confined place such as your wallet. Always ensure they are kept out of direct sunlight. Squeeze the tip to release the air and then roll the condom down to the base of the penis. Some rolled latex will remain at the base of the penis to make it easier to pull the condom off after ejaculation. Be sure that your fingernails or jewelry do not damage or rip the condom. After orgasm, the man should hold the base of the condom during withdrawal from the vagina or anus. After the condom is away from the genitals of the partner, the condom can be safely removed.

Remember:

Never use a condom more than once.
Always use a latex condom for effective prevention of STDs
Lubricated condoms offer more protection from breakage and spillage of semen.
Always use water-based lubricants
You can double up condoms during vigorous sex. Use an unlubricated condom on the bottom, and a lubricated one on the top
Unlubricated condoms are best for oral sex
Practical concerns when using condoms

One of the problems with a condom is that you must interrupt foreplay momentarily to put it on. Some people get wrapped up in the moment and forget to practice safer sex. Making the condom a part of your sexual ritual will go a long way to ensuring proper use. An additional incentive to use condoms are the many varieties and brands to choose from.

Condoms come in different sizes and some have special ridges to increase enjoyment for both partners. Experiment with different brands until you find the one that is best for you. Another concern is that latex condoms are weakened by oil based lubricants such as Vaseline, edible oils and medications. If you wish to use lubricants during sex play make sure that they are water based.

Firm and Tighten Your Breast

2009-02-21T03:03:00.000-08:00

To firm breasts and tighten the skin, mix one teaspoon of vitamin E oil with one tablespoon of yogurt and an egg. Massage this mixture into breasts and wear an old bra over the mixture for at least twenty minutes.
Medical experts recommend the following measures to best protect your breasts while maximizing your overall health. Expose your breasts to sun and moonlight. It feels good to experience the sun, sea, and air on the rest of your body at topless beaches or in the privacy of your back yard!
Enjoy nurturing yourself. You need to massage your breasts and/or pamper yourself with a massage or your favorite spa treatment. It is a MUST survival skill.
Stand facing a wall at arm’s length. Place palms on the wall. Push against the wall as if you were pushing it away, without bending arms at the elbow. Hold for eight counts and relax arms for eight counts. Repeat this eight to twenty times a day.
Til or Sesame Seeds are very effective in firming and enlarging the breasts of women. This seed is made up of calcium, protein, iron and phosphorous and should be included in one’s daily diet. The oil also can be applied on the breast.

Remedies For Pimples

2009-02-21T02:57:00.000-08:00

In gram flour add curd (yogurt) and make paste and apply on face, before it dries completely rub that. Do this for every two days. It is good to avoid pimples.
Take ripe papaya and mash then apply on pimples.
Apply a paste made of nutmeg, pepper and a little water. Apply on the pimples and allow it to dry. Then wash off.

Avoid Blackheads: Mix 1 tea spoons groundnut oil with 1 tea spoons fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples .Ground drumstick pods and leaves and mix with fresh lime juice, and apply on pimples. This is also good for blackheads and dark spots.

Avoid Whiteheads: Mix Cornstarch With Vinegar, make a paste and apply on the area for 15-30 minutes; wash off with washcloth and warm water, this helps to get rid whiteheads.

Homemade herbal recipes for natural beauty skin

2009-02-21T02:47:00.000-08:00

Toner pack for a normal skin- Smash a small size fresh cucumber and mix with a cup of fresh curd and make a paste. Apply to your face and wash after 10 minutes. It gives a natural complexion.

Refreshner pack for normal skin - Mix egg white, carrot and honey and use it as a pack on your face. A face pack twice a week is good for you.

Rich pack for Dry skin

Beat egg white and mix with 1 tsp. of honey and sunflower oil. Apply on the face for 20 minutes.
Mix banana, egg white and curd. Smash it well and apply to your face, hands and legs. It will give soft smooth skin.Apply curd all over the body for 20 minutes. It is good for hot boils on the body.Crush soaked almond and apply to your face. It is good for skin and it is a good moisturizer too. It protects against white patches on the face.

For oily skin with pimples- Mix 2 tsp. Fuller's earth with 2 tsp. of chilled rose water. Make it a paste and apply on the face with brush. After 20 minutes rinse with warm water. Do once a week.

Anti-wrinkle mask - Mix 2 tsp. of oat meal and half cup of milk. Boil it till it cooks well. Add 2 tsp. of olive oil. Allow it to cool and apply to your face. After 20 minutes and rinse with Luke warm water. You can do it once in every other day.

Face Packs For Oily Skin

2009-02-21T02:28:00.000-08:00

Mash six strawberries with a teaspoon of Brandy, two spoons of breadcrumbs, two spoons of fuller's earth and a few drops of rose water. Mix well and apply a thick layer on the face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes.
Tomato Mask: For oily skin, mash up a ripe tomato and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm (not hot) water.
Mix half teaspoon honey with egg white and one teaspoon lemon juice. Add fuller's earth or brewer's yeast powder. Mix into a paste and apply. Remove after 20 minutes with water.
Mix one tablespoon (curd) yogurt with fuller's earth and apply. Yogurt itself can be applied o the face. It helps to soften the skin and restores the natural acid mantle.
Make a pulp of raw papaya and apply. Papaya has a cleansing action, softening dead skin cells and aiding their removal.
For oily and combination skins: Mix one tablespoon yoghurt with fuller's earth and apply. Yoghurt itself can be applied on the face. It helps to soften the skin and restores the natural acid mantle.
For all skin types: Grated cucumber can be applied all over theface. The juice is good for the skin around the eyes too. Helps to tighten the skin and has a cooling and refreshing effect.

Facials-A Natural Homemade Moisturizer

2009-02-21T02:20:00.000-08:00

The skin's ability to stay hydrated is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity. As skin ages, or as it is exposed to environmental stresses and chemical agents, it loses this ability to retain water, becomes dry and appears wrinkled. Honey is an excellent Homemade Moisturizer. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains water. So honey is a natural fit for a variety of moisturizing products including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners. Because honey is also an anti-irritant, it is suitable for sensitive skin and baby care products.

Recipes for making Homemade Moisturizer

Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons honey, the juice from 1/2 of a lemon, and 3-tablespoon yoghurt. Stir in 1 whipped egg white. Apply to face and let set about 15 minutes. Then wash off with lukewarm water.
Mash 1/2 banana and add 1-tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Then wash off with lukewarm water

Male Reproductive System

2009-02-08T04:16:00.000-08:00

Most species have two sexes: male and female. Each sex has its own unique reproductive system. They are different in shape and structure, but both are specifically designed to produce, nourish, and transport either the egg or sperm.

Unlike the female, whose sex organs are located entirely within the pelvis, the male has reproductive organs, or genitals (pronounced: jeh-nuh-tulz), that are both inside and outside the pelvis. The male genitals include:

the testicles
the duct system, which is made up of the epididymis and the vas deferens
the accessory glands, which include the seminal vesicles and prostate glandthe penis

In a guy who's reached sexual maturity, the two testicles (pronounced: tes-tih-kulz), or testes (pronounced: tes-teez), produce and store millions of tiny sperm cells. The testicles are oval-shaped and grow to be about 2 inches (5 centimeters) in length and 1 inch (3 centimeters) in diameter. The testicles are also part of the endocrine system because they produce hormones, including testosterone (pronounced: teh-stass-tuh-rone). Testosterone is a major part of puberty in guys, and as a guy makes his way through puberty, his testicles produce more and more of it. Testosterone is the hormone that causes guys to develop deeper voices, bigger muscles, and body and facial hair, and it also stimulates the production of sperm.

Alongside the testicles are the epididymis (pronounced: eh-puh-dih-duh-mus) and the vas deferens (pronounced: vass de-fuh-runz), which make up the duct system of the male reproductive organs. The vas deferens is a muscular tube that passes upward alongside the testicles and transports the sperm-containing fluid called semen (pronounced: see-mun). The epididymis is a set of coiled tubes (one for each testicle) that connects to the vas deferens.

The epididymis and the testicles hang in a pouch-like structure outside the pelvis called the scrotum. This bag of skin helps to regulate the temperature of testicles, which need to be kept cooler than body temperature to produce sperm. The scrotum changes size to maintain the right temperature. When the body is cold, the scrotum shrinks and becomes tighter to hold in body heat. When it's warm, the scrotum becomes larger and more floppy to get rid of extra heat. This happens without a guy ever having to think about it. The brain and the nervous system give the scrotum the cue to change size.

The accessory glands, including the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland, provide fluids that lubricate the duct system and nourish the sperm. The seminal vesicles (pronounced: seh-muh-nul veh-sih-kulz) are sac-like structures attached to the vas deferens to the side of the bladder. The prostate gland, which produces some of the parts of semen, surrounds the ejaculatory ducts at the base of the urethra (pronounced: yoo-ree-thruh), just below the bladder. The urethra is the channel that carries the semen to the outside of the body through the penis. The urethra is also part of the urinary system because it is also the channel through which urine passes as it leaves the bladder and exits the body.

The penis is actually made up of two parts: the shaft and the glans (pronounced: glanz). The shaft is the main part of the penis and the glans is the tip (sometimes called the head). At the end of the glans is a small slit or opening, which is where semen and urine exit the body through the urethra. The inside of the penis is made of a spongy tissue that can expand and contract.

All boys are born with a foreskin, a fold of skin at the end of the penis covering the glans. Some boys have a circumcision (pronounced: sur-kum-sih-zhun), which means that a doctor or clergy member cuts away the foreskin. Circumcision is usually performed during a baby boy's first few days of life. Although circumcision is not medically necessary, parents who choose to have their children circumcised often do so based on religious beliefs, concerns about hygiene, or cultural or social reasons. Boys who have circumcised penises and those who don't are no different: All penises work and feel the same, regardless of whether the foreskin has been removed.

Get Ripped Abs Easily

2009-02-08T04:05:00.000-08:00

It's called the single-legged Romanian Deadlift. It's a great exercise for firming both the butt and the back of the thighs. Also, because this is a single-legged exercise, it really helps strengthen your ankles and other stabilizer muscles throughout your legs. Here's how to do it:

1. Looking straight ahead, stand and balance on one leg, and kick the other leg out slightly behind you.

2. Maintain a very slight bend in the knee throughout this exercise.

3. Now start to bend forward while simultaneously pushing the butt and hips back and keeping a flat (not rounded) back.

4. While bending over and pushing the hips back, kick your other leg out behind you and reach down with your hands towards the toe of your foot that's planted on the ground and try to touch it. You should feel a stretch in the hamstrings as you get to the deepest part where your back is parallel to the floor.

5. Then, focus on squeezing the butt muscle hard while you reverse the movement and bring yourself back to upright (all the while maintaining that flat back)

Alright, that was one rep! Now do 5-10 reps with each leg for 2-3 sets mixing this exercise into one of your normal workouts (or even just try this at home in your living room). At the end of a couple sets, I guarantee you'll be feeling this big-time in your buttocks and the back of your thighs!

I know it may sound a little complicated, and the first time you try this butt exercise, you may really need to concentrate on your balance. But after a couple sessions of practicing these one-legged romanian deadlifts, you'll start to get the hang of them and be able to focus more concentration on keeping the butt tight throughout the range of motion.

Get Inner Thighs problem out

2009-02-08T03:57:00.000-08:00

One of the most difficult areas of the body to change and improve is the inner thigh. Almost all of the women have a problem with tightening and reducing the size of their inner thighs. I am sure that most of you have, or will have this problem.

Begin an intense aerobic program that will jump-start you into burning body fat. The aerobic activity should last 30 to 45 minutes a day. Running, jogging, fast walking, cycling, and the like are great options. Just be sure to choose an activity that you enjoy.
Follow a healthy nutrition plan. Reduce your intake of red meat, fried foods, and sugars. Replace them with baked, broiled, or grilled chicken, fish, or turkey. Also, be sure that you are getting plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Perform the right type of exercise that will focus directly on the body part that needs to be changed — your inner thighs. Remember, you cannot spot reduce body fat, but you can tone the muscles in a specific area of your body such as your inner thighs. There are several different types of exercises for toning your inners thighs. A popular inner thigh exercise is often called “Scissors”.

The Best Time to Exercise

2009-02-08T03:46:00.000-08:00

If your exercise time varies from day to day, and it's wearing you out instead of pumping you up, you may be interested in the work of scientists who are studying the proverbial internal clock and how to best determine what time of day you should schedule your workouts.

Rhythm
It's not just for dancingThe secret appears to lie in circadian rhythms, the daily cycles that our bodies follow. These rhythms originate in the hypothalamus and regulate everything from body temperature and metabolism to blood pressure.

The rhythms result from the firing rate of neurons. They have conformed to our 24-hour light-to-dark cycle, and may be regulated and reregulated each day according to the environment.

Warm is better
It is the influence of circadian rhythms on body temperature that seems to yield the most control over the quality of a workout. When body temperature is at its highest, your workouts will likely be more productive; when your temperature is low, chances are your exercise session may be less than optimal.
Body temperature is at its lowest about one to three hours before most of us wake up in the morning, in contrast to late afternoon when body temperature reaches its peak. (To determine your own circadian peak, refer to the box to the left.)

Studies have consistently shown that exercise during these late-in-the-day hours produces better performance and more power. Muscles are warm and more flexible, perceived exertion is low, reaction time is quicker, strength is at its peak, and resting heart rate and blood pressure are low.

Don't fix it if it's not broken
First of all, don't change your schedule if you feel good beginning your day with exercise. Everyone agrees that exercise at any time is better than no exercise at all. In fact, people who exercise in the morning are more successful at making it a habit.

And though it has been suggested that morning exercise may put some people at higher risk for heart attack, further research indicates that there is simply a generalized increased risk of heart attacks in the morning. If your schedule favors an early workout, emphasize stretching and a good warm-up to insure that your body is ready for action.

Other considerations
If stress relief is your goal, exercise always works, all the time. And if you're wondering when it's best to train for an upcoming event, it all depends on what time you'll actually be competing. If an upcoming marathon begins at 7:00 a.m., try training at that time of day.

Though training at any time of day will raise performance levels, research has shown that the ability to maintain sustained exercise is adaptive to circadian rhythms. In other words, consistently training in the morning will allow you to sustain exercise during a morning marathon longer than if you train in the evening

Five steps to sleek shoulders

2009-02-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

1. When you look in the mirror, focus more on your entire body and how each body part is currently proportioned with the others.

2. Make a mental image of how your shoulders will look once you have lost the weight in your waist, hips, and thighs. Remember: you will lose some weight and size in your shoulders as you are losing weight in the other areas of your body.

3. Determine if you will need to start toning your shoulders or if you will need to gain more size in them in order for your shoulders to be in proportion with the rest of your body. If toning is needed, I suggest that you begin shoulder exercises, completing 3-4 sets, 10-12 reps per set, 3 times a week (every other day) using medium weight. If you need to increase the size of your shoulders, I suggest you complete 5-6 sets, 6-8 reps per set, 2 times a week (every third day) using a heavier weight. For shoulder toning, use dumbbells of 8-12 pounds; for size-increasing workouts, use dumbbells of 12-20 pounds.

4. Remember to use the correct technique and amount of weight to avoid injury and achieve the results you are looking to obtain.

5. The shoulders are one of the areas of the body with the least amount of blood flow. This is why you will see results come slowly

What Does the Female Reproductive System Do?

2009-01-31T09:39:00.000-08:00

The female reproductive system enables a woman to:
i. produce eggs (ova)
ii.have sexual intercourse
iii.protect and nourish the fertilized egg until it is fully developed
iv.give birth

Sexual reproduction couldn't happen without the sexual organs called the gonads (pronounced: go-nadz). Although most people think of the gonads as the male testicles, both sexes actually have gonads: In females the gonads are the ovaries. The female gonads produce female gametes (eggs); the male gonads produce male gametes (sperm). After an egg is fertilized by the sperm, the fertilized egg is called the zygote (pronounced: zi-gote).

When a baby girl is born, her ovaries contain hundreds of thousands of eggs, which remain inactive until puberty begins. At puberty, the pituitary gland, located in the central part of the brain, starts making hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce female sex hormones, including estrogen. The secretion of these hormones causes a girl to develop into a sexually mature woman.

Toward the end of puberty, girls begin to release eggs as part of a monthly period called the menstrual cycle. Approximately once a month, during ovulation, an ovary sends a tiny egg into one of the fallopian tubes. Unless the egg is fertilized by a sperm while in the fallopian tube, the egg dries up and leaves the body about 2 weeks later through the uterus. This process is called menstruation (pronounced: men-stray-shun). Blood and tissues from the inner lining of the uterus combine to form the menstrual flow, which in most girls lasts from 3 to 5 days. A girl's the first period is called menarche (pronounced: meh-nar-kee).

It's common for women and girls to experience some discomfort in the days leading to their periods. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes both physical and emotional symptoms that many girls and women get right before their periods, such as acne, bloating, fatigue, backaches, sore breasts, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, food cravings, depression, irritability, or difficulty concentrating or handling stress. PMS is usually at its worst during the 7 days before a girl's period starts and disappears once it begins.

Many girls also experience abdominal cramps during the first few days of their periods. They are caused by prostaglandin, a chemical in the body that makes the smooth muscle in the uterus contract. These involuntary contractions can be either dull or sharp and intense.

It can take up to 2 years from menarche for a girl's body to develop a regular menstrual cycle. During that time, her body is adjusting to the hormones puberty brings. On average, the monthly cycle for an adult woman is 28 days, but the range is from 23 to 35 days.

If a female and male have sex within several days of the female's ovulation (egg release), fertilization can occur. When the male ejaculates (which is when semen leaves a man's penis), between 0.05 and 0.2 fluid ounces (1.5 to 6.0 milliliters) of semen is deposited into the vagina. Between 75 and 900 million sperm are in this small amount of semen, and they "swim" up from the vagina through the cervix and uterus to meet the egg in the fallopian tube. It takes only one sperm to fertilize the egg.

About a week after the sperm fertilizes the egg, the fertilized egg (zygote) has become a multi-celled blastocyst (pronounced: blas-tuh-sist). A blastocyst is about the size of a pinhead, and it's a hollow ball of cells with fluid inside. The blastocyst burrows itself into the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium (pronounced: en-doh-mee-tree-um). The hormone estrogen causes the endometrium to become thick and rich with blood. Progesterone, another hormone released by the ovaries, keeps the endometrium thick with blood so that the blastocyst can attach to the uterus and absorb nutrients from it. This process is called implantation (pronounced: im-plan-tay-shun).

As cells from the blastocyst take in nourishment, another stage of development, the embryonic stage, begins. The inner cells form a flattened circular shape called the embryonic disk, which will develop into a baby. The outer cells become thin membranes that form around the baby. The cells multiply thousands of times and move to new positions to eventually become the embryo (pronounced: em-bree-o). After approximately 8 weeks, the embryo is about the size of an adult's thumb, but almost all of its parts - the brain and nerves, the heart and blood, the stomach and intestines, and the muscles and skin - have formed.

During the fetal stage, which lasts from 9 weeks after fertilization to birth, development continues as cells multiply, move, and change. The fetus (pronounced: fee-tus) floats in amniotic (pronounced: am-nee-ah-tik) fluid inside the amniotic sac. The fetus receives oxygen and nourishment from the mother's blood via the placenta (pronounced: pluh-sen-tuh), a disk-like structure that sticks to the inner lining of the uterus and connects to the fetus via the umbilical (pronounced: um-bih-lih-kul) cord. The amniotic fluid and membrane cushion the fetus against bumps and jolts to the mother's body.

Pregnancy lasts an average of 280 days — about 9 months. When the baby is ready for birth, its head presses on the cervix, which begins to relax and widen to get ready for the baby to pass into and through the vagina. The mucus that has formed a plug in the cervix loosens, and with amniotic fluid, comes out through the vagina when the mother's water breaks.

When the contractions of labor begin, the walls of the uterus contract as they are stimulated by the pituitary hormone oxytocin (pronounced: ahk-see-toh-sin). The contractions cause the cervix to widen and begin to open. After several hours of this widening, the cervix is dilated (opened) enough for the baby to come through. The baby is pushed out of the uterus, through the cervix, and along the birth canal. The baby's head usually comes first; the umbilical cord comes out with the baby and is cut after the baby is delivered. The last stage of the birth process involves the delivery of the placenta, which is now called the afterbirth. After it has separated from the inner lining of the uterus, contractions of the uterus push it out, along with its membranes and fluids.

Build Muscle to Boost Your Breasts

2009-01-31T09:25:00.000-08:00

Breasts are fat, so you can’t firm the fatty tissue but underneath is muscle", she says. The pectoral muscles, to be specific, and they can be built up in a way that gives your breasts a higher, firmer look.

You can strengthen your pecs with four suggested exercises from Albano (see below). Choose three of the four and do them at least twice a week or three times to see results sooner. Albano stresses that these are just a start and encourages women to try different ones. “Everyone will respond differently to various exercises, so you have to find what is right for you,” she says. “And mix up your workout so your muscles don’t get bored, because then they stop developing.”

Start out with 1 set of 10 to 15 repetitions eventually building up to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions using weights that make your muscles feel fatigued when you get to the end of each set. When the exercise becomes too easy, add more weight or another set.