Why Is Childhood Obesity Still On The Rise?

January 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control suggests that childhood obesity is still on the rise, despite massive efforts at the federal level to keep it in check. For many in the public health sector, it’s a wake-up call: if we don’t do something about this problem now, it will saddle future generations with massive healthcare costs they can’t afford. 

 

Part of the solution is to understand what is creating the problem in the first place. Childhood obesity rates were low before then 1980s, but once the Reagan decade got underway, it was clear that we had a problem. Children were getting bigger and bigger. 

 

Experts now believe that several factors are to blame. The first is the increase in sedentary lifestyles. Children are now much more likely to spend their evenings in front of screens than they are to make fun in the outdoors. 

 

The second and perhaps more important factor is the type of food that children consume today. Diets in the past were mostly meat and vegetables, with a bit of dairy thrown in for good measure. It wasn’t perfect, but it was undoubtedly an improvement on what kids are eating today. Now, their diets are chock full of refined sugars and carbohydrates in addition to meat and fat. It’s a deadline combination of nutrients that appears to predispose people to obesity and rapid weight gain. 

 

Are you worried about the childhood obesity epidemic? Please take a look at the following infographic to learn what’s causing it and how to stop it. 


Infographic by University of Nevada-Reno

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3 Health Issues We Don’t Always Take Seriously

December 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

There are certain issues with health that we will take seriously and we will always focus on. For instance, if you have a pain in most areas of your body, you’re probably not going to ignore it. This can lead to a lot of false alarms. Back pain, for instance, is known for having a bark for worse than it’s a bite. So people often rush to the doctor only to discover that they’ve just pulled a muscle. However, there are other issues that we won’t focus on at all. Here are some of the health issues that you certainly shouldn’t ignore and are more important than you think. 

Pic Credit Pexels CCO License

 

Hearing 

 

It’s probably easier than you think to damage your hearing. Once sound reaches above a certain volume, your hearing is at risk. The worrying thing is that there are a lot of situations in typical daily life that cause this type of danger. A train passing by is loud enough to damage your hearing and so is an Imax theatre. These are things which we don’t even think about and we often consider are completely safe. There’s also the dangerously loud noises that will be apparent in certain work environments too. 

 

It’s also fair to say that a lot of people underestimate the importance of their hearing. For instance, you might not take the problem of tinnitus seriously. However, this can impact your quality of life and it’s not uncommon for people with tinnitus to feel depressed or even suicidal. Crucially, you can’t cure tinnitus which means that the only option is to come to terms with a condition like this once it sets in. 

 

So the question then becomes how should you handle the issue. There are numerous options here. One of the best possibilities is always going to hearing protection and this is available in various different forms. So, you will always be able to find the right choice that you need. That could be ear muffs, custom protection or earplugs. 

 

Oral Health

 

Ignoring this issue is not a case of misunderstanding the importance. Instead, it’s about avoiding something that we all hate. We’re of course talking about the dentist appointment. No one likes going to the dentist because there’s always the concern that you might end up with a filling or worse still, a root canal. The problem with this is that dental checks are actually quite crucial. 

 

Dental checks aren’t just to make sure that you are brushing your teeth regularly enough. It’s also about ensuring that you’re not showing any signs of serious health issues like oral cancer. A doctor won’t check this, only a dentist will typically notice the signs and help you move forward with a potential diagnosis. 

 

As well as this, there are certain oral health issues that impact other areas of the body. An example of this is certainly going to be teeth grinding. Grinding teeth can cause you to develop issues with headaches. If you’re waking up with headaches in the morning, this is usually a clear sign that there’s a problem with your teeth. 

 

Diet

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Your diet can affect a lot more than just your weight. Studies show that the food we eat can impact everything from our mood to our general level of fitness. Some studies have even suggested that diet can mean you are more at risk of developing long term cognitive issues including dementia. Diet also becomes far more important as you get older. Once you start to age, your body is less able to bounce back as effectively. Instead, it becomes difficult to both lose weight and stop the negative impact of unhealthy foods. 

 

So, how can you make sure that you are eating the right diet that your body needs? Well, there are a few possibilities here. For instance, you can think about simply getting your five a day. However, your main focus should be on antioxidants. These are found in lots of natural foods. They help fight back against the process of oxygenation in your body. This is another process that has been linked to a variety of negative issues that can impact your body. It’s usually just a case of ensuring that you are consuming more fruit and veg. 

 

We hope this helps you see that there are certain health issues that we tend to ignore and that we definitely shouldn’t. Instead, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers here and take the right steps to ensure that we are protecting our health. 

 

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It’s Always BBQ Time!

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Summer has gone, and with it, the joys of outdoor living. For a few months, families enjoy the pleasure of a long evening in the garden, feeling the warmth of the sun as they prepare their dinner outside. Everybody loves a good BBQ party. There’s a sudden sense of freedom about food that no other cooking method can reproduce. Grilling your food outside is all about conviviality, simplicity, and healthy choices too. Indeed, people are more likely to create balanced dinners that focus on the real taste of food when they’re in front of a BBQ. Simple food is always the best! Unfortunately, now that the summer has gone, you can wave bye-bye to your beloved BBQ recipes. But what if we’d tell you that it’s always BBQ season? 

Pexels – CC0 License 

 

But it’s raining outside! 

How can you prepare a BBQ party in autumn, when the rain can fall without warning? The answer is: You don’t need to plan an outdoor meal. You can use an indoor, smokeless grill, for instance. Gotham has some excellent models that are guaranteed to meet your expectations – you can click here for more Gotham smokeless grill reviews. Indeed, grilling remains a viable cooking option throughout the colder months of the year. While you might need to move the BBQ indoor, nothing is stopping you from enjoying the same effortless recipes you loved during the summer.  

 

It’s unhealthy!

You are always in charge of your food. While the summer BBQ tends to stay on the healthy side, because of the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in summer, things can be a little different in winter. However, all you need to do is to take a look at what you’re eating. Making nutritious meals your priority can help to tackle indulgent excesses in winter BBQ parties. For instance, if you’re going to make burgers, you can prioritize wholemeal buns. Alternatively, if you’re worried about sugar-loaded sauces, you can easily add flavors to your food with spices instead. 

 

I don’t eat meat

You don’t have to be an enthusiastic meat-eater to throw a BBQ party. In fact, there are plenty of yummy vegetarian grilling recipes from cooking light here, for inspiration. Grilled eggplant, for instance, is super nutritious and filling too. If you want a meat substitute, tofu works well on a grill and is ideal with a salad of warmed vegetables. For a casual pick and mix dish, use grilled sweet potatoes with a homemade salsa – and don’t be shy with the chilies! 

 

There’s so much to prepare!

There’s no reason why planning a BBQ meal should be the job of one person. The advantage of grilling your food is that everybody can contribute to the meal and help to get things ready. You can enroll the kids to prepare a marinate for your veg and meat, for instance. Once the ingredients are cut, you can let your family pick and mix them as they see fit. A BBQ party is the occasion for the family cook to relax! 

 

If you’re missing your summer BBQ party, there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy a deliciously grilled dinner at home, even when the weather is horrible outside. More importantly, a BBQ can be fun, relaxing, and healthy, so there’s no reason to deny yourself the joys of winter grilling! 

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Is Your Bad Habit Beyond Control?

April 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

Bad habits – we all have them. They are the little things in life that often make it a tad more bearable rather than just a slow slog through the workday to the weekend. Whether it’s that glass or red with dinner or the TV shows that have been building endlessly on the planner, you’re bound to have something in your life that can be classified as a bad habit. You might not even realize it’s bad for you, but don’t worry, we’re going to help you there. As well as checking out some of the signs that your bad habit has grown too powerful, we’ll also check out some of the ways weird bad habits can negatively impact your life.

 

Grey’s Is Love Grey’s Is Life

Pic Source

 

We chose Grey’s Anatomy, but this could really relate to any TV show you’re obsessed with. As Aaron Sorkin once famously suggested, there’s a difference between being a fan and having a fetish. You can probably tell which one this https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/ is. It’s a finer line than you’d think but if a TV show is quickly becoming more important than aspects of your real life, you can bet that your bad habit is out of control. Though, who could blame you if you can’t stand to miss an episode of Grey’s. Still, it’s worth pointing out that if you’re sitting watching TV, you’re missing out on other aspects of your life. As well as this, doctors have now suggested sitting for long periods can cause cancer! Let’s face it if you’re binge-watching TV you’re probably not doing squats or sitting on your exercise bike. If you are, that’s awesome, keep it up!

 

Waking Up In Weird Places

 

Again, this could mean that you fell asleep on the sofa watching Netflix. Generally seeing the ‘are you still watching’ message isn’t a good sign. It’s Netflix basically saying, hey, maybe go outside? But, on a more serious note, waking up in a weird place is actually a sign you could have a substance addiction. Drinking too much alcohol can cause blackouts. Sound familiar? You might want to check out a site like https://www.rehabclinic.org.uk/treatment/alcohol-rehab/. If you can recognize the issues, it’s a lot easier to deal with the problem and get to a better place, improving your life.

 

What? It’s Only Costing Me….Oh

 

Of course, it’s possible that a bad habit isn’t bad for your health but rather your bank balance. A lot of bad habits are expensive. For instance, if you love junk food, you’ll be spending a lot each month on things that literally end up in the waste. Yes, that kind of a waste. When we think of bad habits, we often think of the cost of alcohol and cigarettes. Junk food costs a lot more than you probably realize.

 

I’ve Been Doing This For How Many Hours?

 

More than you’d probably like to admit if you’re a gamer. Yes, gaming can be addictive, and if you check the stats on a game you’ve been playing, you might find you’ve played for a hundred hours. But that’s nothing. People with a gaming addiction waste days of their life on virtual worlds. The biggest issue here? You’re missing out on the real things around you.

 

Has this article made you see your own addiction is out of control? Start cutting back, and you can fill your life with other things, improving your world.

Free

 

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Healthy Finds

April 3, 2018 Leave a Comment

When I was younger my parents had a garden out back that seemingly could feed an army. They had everything: sweet corn, potatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkins, strawberries, and tomatoes just to name a few. They even had a few different fruit and nut trees in the yard so when we went to the grocery store the only thing we ever needed to buy was milk and the occasional bit of meat when game meat in the freezer ran out. Having everything so natural and so fresh is what my mom credited to her awesome cooking. I’m sure there was plenty of skill involved too, but having those all-natural ingredients without the additives that are so often found in today’s foods definitely helped. Now that I have a family of my own I wish we had the ability to grow the type of all-natural food that my parents did. When I dug deeper into the all-natural label that the different food manufactures placed on their products I was disheartened to learn that hardly any of them were truly all natural. They all had something added to them. I don’t have the time to constantly do the deep delve into all food products I’m feeding my family. That’s why healthy-finds.com is such a life saver.

It provides the one shop connection for the healthiest, closest to natural foods on the market. They partner with all of the top brands which are dedicated to truly making the best possible products such as REAL Foods and Oobroo just to name a few. Being a member doesn’t just have the pros of knowing you’re getting the best stuff either. Every week I get a newsletter giving me a heads up to what products are coming out to try as well as pointing out all those nasty lies from big pharma and big food. The combination of discounts, bargains, and coupons allows makes it feel like a real grocery store type stop, just on the computer. No need to travel to that Farmer’s Market. It’s great having the confidence in the food I give my family. I suggest if you’re sick and tired of being lied to and deceived by the Big Food, step into the Healthy-Finds family. Just joining gets you $60 in free gift cards. It’s a place for those who care about what’s going into your body.

Healthy Finds connects you with innovative health brands that are carefully reviewed by their Wellness Team.  The gift cards are good at dozens of these cutting-edge brands.

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HemRid Review

February 16, 2018 Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post from tomoson.com, however, these are my own personal thoughts and opinions.

HemRid

Everyone deals with pains in their life. Back pain, knee pain, and headaches are just some of the most common. But a pain that I have been dealing with for some time now is a “rear-end” pain, or more commonly known as hemorrhoids. I noticed that while sitting one day that I was in extreme discomfort and that discomfort grew to a full on pain in my rear, literally. Hemorrhoids are when you’re your veins in your rectum flare up and become swollen. Under normal circumstances, it can happen when you strain during bowel movements but in my case, it came on after pregnancy. There’s nothing more irritating either than an itch that you can’t scratch because of the pain it causes. I tried the normal stuff of ointments, cold presses, and wet wipes but nothing seemed to relieve it fully. I really didn’t want to go to the doctor for a prescription, partially because of the money and partially because my doctor is also a close family friend, and I really didn’t want my business to be more than me, myself, and I. So, I went looking for a cost-effective, private way to deal with my personal issues and that brought me HemRid.

HemRid is an average size pill that you take once a day to relieve the itching, burning, and pain that is caused by hemorrhoids. I noticed relief from the horrible effects of hemorrhoids gives in just a couple days. Not only did I find relief fast, I noticed it lasted a long time. With this pill having a longtime effect, I won’t have to stress about getting any more hemorrhoids. However, if I happen to get one I know I can find fast relief for the pain in my rear with HemRid. #hemrid

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7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party

August 28, 2017 Leave a Comment

“This post was sponsored by Fresh Avocados – Love  One Today® as part of an In-Home Party Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.”

Growing up, my mom served avocado with just about every meal we had.  She loves them more than anyone I’ve met before, except maybe me.  I don’t know if it was due to her influence of serving avocados so much or if it’s because I have the same cravings as she does, but like her, my kids were raised on avocados.   From tacos to salads to my 7 layer dip recipe, I serve avocado’s just about daily.  I even use them in my smoothies.  As much as I love avocados, I equally love to host parties. Of course, I show off my favorite avocado recipes during all of my events.  Some I’ve created myself and some I talked my mom out of.  I’ve tried just about every avocado recipe online that I could find as well.

Wholesome fresh Avocado 7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

 

There are several reasons why it’s easy to get the kids to eat avocados. In fact, they were my kids first fruit. They are smooth and have a creamy consistency along with a mild taste. I would mash them up and feed them from a spoon until they were old enough to have slices of them. Like my own kids, even before I knew about the nutritional value of fresh avocados, I loved them. After learning that Avocados contribute nearly 20 nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients, that are important to infant/toddler nutrition, I started giving them to the kids even more often than I already was. My mom probably knew all of this when she served us avocados, but being a child, all I knew was that I loved the taste. She was counting on that when she served us meals with avocado in them. I’m sure she also knew that wholesome, fresh foods are less likely to contain added sugars, salt, and other processed ingredients.

Today I’d like to share my favorite 7 layer dip recipe with you so you can encourage your own kids to enjoy avocados. It’s sure to be a party favorite so go ahead and bookmark my post to save my recipe.

Wholesome fresh Avocado 7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

Ingredients:

5 Ripe Avocados. Use 4 in recipe and dice 1 for the top.
1 can of refried beans.
16 ounces of sour cream.
1 pack of dry taco seasoning mix.
1 to 2 lemons (need 2 teaspoons) or lemon juice.
Garlic cloves (grind 3 cloves).
Green onion (chop 3 to 4 stalks)
2- 8-ounce blocks of cheese, grated (I use mild).  If you’re in a hurry, pre-grated cheese works well.
1 small can of sliced black olives.
1 medium-sized tomato diced, chunky sizes.

Instructions:

In a glass bowl spread the can of refried beans evenly along the bottom.
Combine the sour cream and the dry taco seasoning, then spread on top of the beans.
Mix the avocados with the lemon juice and garlic. Sometimes I mash them, sometimes I cube them. Add on top of the sour cream mixture.
Add the cheese, green onions, black olives and tomatoes to top it off.

Serve with Tortillas.

7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

To learn more about Fresh Avocados – Love One Today®  visit their website.

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What’s your favorite way to eat a Hass Avocado?

 

7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

 

7 Layer Dip, Recipe + Love One Today® Avocado Party #AvoKids #IC #ad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Cooking, Food, Healthy, Kids, Party Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Is Your Teen Suffering From a Mental Health Illness?

August 8, 2017 Leave a Comment

Even though your child may be growing up, you still worry the way you did when they were five years old. As a parent, you feel it’s your responsibility to keep them safe and secure, but you can’t wrap them up in cotton wool. Teenagers, especially, go through different emotions every day. It’s a time when everything is changing and they’re trying to find their place in the world. They may be affected by their first loves, they may be under immense peer pressure or there may be an underlying mental health disorder. So, how do you tell the difference? Look out for these signs.

Flickr

 

Depression

Did you know that one in five teenagers will experience depression? We have times when we feel low, but chronic depression is different. If you notice your child is withdrawn and unhappy for longer than a few weeks, it may be a sign of depression that needs help. You may also notice that your teen isn’t interested in participating in activities, has a loss of appetite and looks fatigued regularly. Someone suffering from chronic depression and also lose or gain weight and lash out over small things. Depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse so keep your eyes out for odd behavior. You can get help from www.orlandorecovery.com if you suspect drug or alcohol abuse. It’s often used a form of escapism but it certainly won’t make matters easier.

 

Anxiety

Teens are often under a lot of pressure. They have school work, exams, friendships, relationships and family life to worry about, if not more. A certain amount of anxiety can be normal for teens, but there are certain signs that anxiety is getting out of control. Your teen may experience sweaty palms, a dry mouth and tightening muscles. Keep a look out for your teen experiencing dizzy spells or heart palpitations. You may also notice an inability to sit still or full on panic attacks. Anxiety is the result of feeling overwhelmed by fears. These fears are often irrational and can be calmed once anxiety has been diagnosed. Take a look at these breathing techniques – http://www.anxieties.com/57/panic-step4#.WYm43YjyuM8.

Flickr

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Unfortunately, teens are experiencing PTSD more often than ever. It’s sad to think that a teen could experience PTSD because of witnessing a shooting in a school or being a victim of a violent assault. If your child is suffering from PTSD, you may notice difficulty in sleeping or tense behavior in certain situations. To learn more about check out this ParentingPod guide on teen PTSD. Many teens who are suffering from PTSD will suddenly get poor school results and have difficulty concentrating on their work. It’s a disorder that can benefit hugely from the right kind of counseling and care.

Flickr

 

Eating Disorders

Sadly, over half of teenage girls are willing to do something unhealthy to lose weight. They’re raised in a world where an image is everything and they think they have to live up to it. A girl will never be under more pressure to look good than during her high school years. It may be something she’s got into her own head by looking at magazines and watching movies, or it may be something her peers have teased her about. Either way, desperation to lose weight can quickly turn into an eating disorder.

 

If you suspect your teen has an eating disorder, look out for symptoms like changes in skin or constant break outs, hair loss and a reduction in weight. You may also notice changes to behavior, like wanting to exercise more often or significantly reducing portion sizes at meal times. Talk to your teen about body image and find out how she views herself. Do what you can to build her confidence up and keep an eye out for any ‘friends’ that may be convincing her she isn’t good enough.

 

What You Can Do When You Suspect a Mental Disorder

The first thing you need to do when you think your teen is suffering from a mental health disorder is paying close attention. Your teen may not want you asking questions and could shut you down if you attempt it, so make sure you monitor your teen from a distance. It’s important to have a relationship built on trust, so don’t be tempted to snoop through laptops or diaries. You need to present yourself as your teens’ safe zone. They should be able to feel secure in approaching you when needed.

 

If you notice something that concerns you, bring up your concerns with your teen and offer to help. If it reaches the point where your own methods aren’t working, you may need to seek professional help from your local doctor.

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Save Money On Beauty Products: Looking Good The Natural Way

August 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

Of course, you want to look good, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on beauty products. We all have those moments in front of the mirror when we feel dissatisfied with the way we look but don’t cover up your face with layers of makeup when there are natural ways to enhance your beauty. Unconvinced? Read on to find out more (and save yourself a ton of money).



Make a beeline for the honey

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We have the bees to thank for this luxurious way to enhance the look and feel of our skin. Using raw honey (not the processed stuff filling up the store shelves), make a face mask that will give your face a beautiful warm glow. Simply rub a little honey between your fingertips, then apply it to every area of your face. Lie back, and bask in the feel of the honey as it gets to work on your skin. After around ten minutes, get up and rinse your face with warm water, and pat dry with a soft towel. Your face will look and feel great due to honey’s natural healing properties.

A honey face mask may even knock a few years off your weathered looks as it contains antioxidants that are perfect for slowing down the aging process. Those who suffer from acne will benefit as well, due to honey’s antibacterial properties. So, thank the bees for a job well done. In this instance, there is no sting in the tail!

Go bananas with your hair

There are loads of beauty products on the shelves for maintaining the luster of your hair. You could even opt for a hairspray wig, particularly if you have dry or damaged hair. However, there are natural ways to mend your hair, so the next time you are in the supermarket, we recommend you add eggs and bananas to your shopping basket.

Simply form a paste using one egg and a mashed up banana. Mix them together, and apply the paste to your hair. Leave it on for around twenty minutes, and these wonderful foods will add moisture to your hair, giving you a wonderful shine and making the top of your head feel great.

Moisturise with oranges

 

 

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Oranges offer many health benefits, but they are also a great way to soften the hardened skin on your elbows and knees. Simply cut one in half and rub it over the dry patches on your skin. Voila! Your skin will feel softer, and you will have given yourself an orange tan to boot! Warning: insects will love the smell of your skin too, so we advise you to wash over the sticky residue before you become an impromptu fruit salad for tempted beasties!

Oranges are not the only fruit

There are tropical fruits we have heard of, such as the oranges above, and some we haven’t. The cupuacu fruit is something we had never heard of, until now! Apparently, it tastes like a mixture of bananas and pears, which sounds absolutely delicious. However, other than making a wonderful breakfast option, the fruit offers some fantastic ways to look after your hair and skin. Cupuacu contains natural ingredients to smooth and soften your hair, hydrate your skin, as well as many other benefits. Follow this link about cupuacu butter to find out more about this seemingly magical fruit and how it could help you.

Exfoliate with olive oil

Don’t buy an expensive body scrub from the local beauty shop. Instead, use this effective mixture of olive oil and sea salt. Mix a 2 to 1 ratio of the olive oil and sea salt, and rub the mixture into your skin to get rid of any dead skin cells. Your skin will feel smoother, and you will have saved yourself a lot of money by using something you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard.

Solve your itchy scalp problems

Dandruff is an embarrassing problem many of us have to deal with, and there are many shampoos on the market that promise to fix the problem. However, we have a little trick you might find useful. There are already tea tree oil shampoos on the store shelves, but add a couple of drops of tea tree oil into your regular shampoo, and moisturize your scalp. Regular treatment should remove those pesky dry flakes, reducing the risk of those awkward moments when somebody asks you if it has been snowing recently.

Crush a grape

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Another natural recipe for your skin, and one that can enhance your tired complexion. Simply crush a handful of grapes and mix them with a couple of tablespoons of white flour. Apply the paste to your face, and leave for around ten minutes. Wash it off with warm water, and marvel at the results when you look into the mirror.


Despite the smell…

A beauty tip that may not be the most fragrant on this list, but it is one you may find useful. This one is for those of us with brittle nails that are at constant risk of breaking all the time. Chop up some fresh garlic and add it to your nail polish. Leave the mixture to sit for about a week before applying to your nails. The garlic will harden and strengthen your nails, but we know what you are thinking. What about the smell? Don’t worry; you won’t fend off potential suitors as the smell will wear off after only a short time. Hint: great for keeping away vampires too!

Care for yourself

Store bought, and natural beauty products are only part of the battle in looking good. You can do yourself a favor by looking after yourself on a daily basis as part of your beauty regime. Eating a healthy diet and taking plenty of exercises will ensure you look and feel good. Get rid of skin destroying bad habits such as smoking, and get plenty of beauty sleep to reduce the risks of bags under your eyes. You are beautiful, on the inside and out, so care for yourself in all aspects of your life.

Filed Under: Beauty Reviews, Health Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Pressures We Can Place On Ourselves During The Summer Months

July 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

Summer is a great time of year. A chance to spend time outside and enjoy the sunshine, while basking the great outdoors with family and friends. However, it can also be a time where the pressure is placed on you from all different directions. The magazines and gossip sites are filled with celebrities looking picture perfect in their skimpy bikinis. The desire to lose weight, get fitter and healthier and look out best is increased, and we can all crack under pressure we place on ourselves at this time of year. I thought I would share some of the most common issues we can all face and hopefully give you some clarity on how to deal with it.

Sourced

 

Getting fitter

 

Being fit is a great lifestyle choice to embark on. Having more energy to do the things you love without feeling tired or getting out of breath can be a revelation. But we can also put too much pressure on ourselves and set unrealistic targets. This can then demotivate you on your quest for a better quality of life. We may have all heard the common phrase “no pain no gain” but honestly this can hinder your chances as this website points out. When it comes to increasing your fitness levels, the best advice would be to focus on being more active. Choose to walk more and be outside in the fresh air, consider parking further away from your destination to encourage you to walk. Head out for a run or simply try and make exercise a priority just a few times a week. You will notice a huge difference by just taking things at a slower pace.

 

Changing your diet

 

Your diet is another area you may feel pressurized to change during the summer. On the quest to lose weight or feel better on the inside, you may feel pressured to eat more vegetables and salads. This, of course, won’t ever be a bad thing. But mentally you may be trying too hard or denying yourself other foods which are equally important to a balanced diet. Focus on just eating a range of the food groups to ensure that your body is getting all the nutrients it needs to thrive.

 

Striving for that bikini body

 

Too many of us will see airbrushed pictures in the press and focus on how your body looks in comparison, but these can often not be a true image. This can then place pressure on you to mess with your diet and cut out vital foods like carbohydrates. It may cause you to go to extremes when it comes to fitness or simply become obsessed by achieving an unrealistic visual. Instead, focus on you and what you want and need. Be happy in your own skin and celebrate your body shape.

 

Looking picture perfect at all times

 

Finally, summer doesn’t always lend itself to looking picture perfect at all times. There will be points of the day where you feel hot and sweaty, there may be times you won’t be able to wear your makeup or the clothes you want. Embrace the good weather and go with the flow. Happiness is the best ingredient for looking picture perfect.

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Oh No! You’ve Got A Cold Sore

June 28, 2017 Leave a Comment

Nobody wants to wake up in the morning and see a cold sore in the mirror. That can seem like the end of the world for some people because they understand what it means. Cold sores are symptoms of the herpes virus which unless medicine improves, will stay with you for the rest of your life. Still, there is no need to worry because some estimates suggest around 50% of human beings carry the infection. It’s not something that’s going to send you to an early grave in most instances. Even so, it can cause some issues, and unsightly cold sores like you have now. So, what do you do when that happens to you? I’ll do my best to offer advice.

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Visit your doctor to get checked out

 

The first thing you need to do is book an appointment to see your doctor. Explain the issue, and allow them to perform some tests. Nine times out of ten, they are going to tell you that you’ve contracted a form of herpes. It’s vital you remember that the type of virus that causes your cold sore isn’t the same as that which could affect genitals. It’s just from the same family of conditions. Your doctor should provide you with some information about what you need to do and which medications you need to take. While there is no guaranteed herpes cure, you can find excellent info online for managing the condition. So, you might want to perform some research when you get home to put your mind at ease.

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Use specialist creams and gels

 

Your research should point you in the direction of many different products all claiming to make herpes better. Be careful which brand you select and where you choose to spend your money. Some products are going to produce better results than others. Considering that, you might want to ask for some advice from your pharmacist. You should also make sure you work towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Treating cold sores is often a real pain because they tend to occur in the corners of your mouth. That means any solutions you apply to the skin get washed away quickly. Still, you just need to follow the instructions and keep using the products.

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Avoid skin to skin contact with other people

 

This is the most important piece of advice on this page. Now, if you have cold sores, you will probably pass the herpes infection to your partner. So, you need to ensure you’re careful about skin to skin contact while the cold sore is still there. That includes contact where your mouth touches any part of your partner’s body. Of course, you might have caught the virus from your loved one in the first place. For that reason, it’s sensible for them to get checked out too.

 

Cold sores are often unsightly, and they can make ladies feel self-conscious. However, you can usually conceal them using some makeup products. I don’t advise you do that because it could extend the healing process. Still, cold sores are nothing to stress about these days. As I have already said, almost 50% of the population will have them at one time or another. You just need to use special creams and gels to help reduce the discomfort you feel.

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Healthy Habits For Life

June 27, 2017 Leave a Comment

When it comes to your long-term health, getting into the right habits really does make all the difference. The whole point of a habit is that it is something that is very difficult to break. A lot of the time, we naturally associate the word ‘habit’ with the word ‘bad’, so taking back the word to mean something positive should be your first aim! With health and fitness, people often tend to set short-term goals. They may go on a fad diet for a few weeks or go through a sudden burst of exercise to get beach body ready. But, in reality, you are much better off focusing your energy on developing some good long-term habits. Wondering what some of these are? Well, wonder no more!

 

Eat Breakfast Every Day

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Far too many of us don’t eat breakfast in the morning, so if this is you, it is time to make a change. People who eat this morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals and reduce their cholesterol count. They are also less likely to overeat during the day. There is no single ‘perfect’ breakfast that you need to eat every day, but you should be aiming for something which includes some carbohydrates, protein and a small amount of fat. Though this may be a tricky habit to begin with since your body won’t be used to eating in the morning, it is beneficial in the long run.

 

Get Enough Sleep

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This one sounds simple enough, but a huge number of people don’t get the sleep they need which is so important in your physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation can affect memory, learning and logical reasoning. Not only this, if you are tired, you are a lot less likely to have the motivation you need to continue exercising on a regular basis. A major issue that people are having these days is that they are continually surrounded by screens. Studies have found that if you are staring at a screen just before you go to bed, this can affect your body’s serotonin production which is the sleep hormone. Try having a no screens policy in the bedroom to see what a difference this could make.

 

Set Your Exercise Times

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Obviously, there are no guarantees when it comes to your health which is why you need to learn more about the insurance options that are available to you, but exercising on a regular basis is one of the best ways to maintain your long-term health. As we have talked about at the start, the problem comes when people don’t commit themselves to exercise on a long-term basis. That is why you should set yourself certain times of the week to exercise and stick to them as closely as possible. If you have already set aside time for yourself to work out, this will become a fixture of your schedule. If you are struggling for exercise motivation, there are plenty of ways that you can maintain it including getting a workout buddy, setting yourself goals and varying up your routines.

 

Protect Your Skin

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A lot of people don’t give their skin the attention it deserves, which is bad considering how important is is to our overall health and wellbeing. The UV rays from the sun are always a risk, so you should always wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. If you struggle to remember to put this on all the time, you should use a moisturiser with an SPF factor so it becomes a normal part of your skincare routine. Overexposure to the sun can cause sunburn, skin texture changes, dilated blood vessels and skin cancer.

 

Drink Plenty of Water (and Tea)

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Drinking plenty of water is essential to your wellbeing. If you are one of those people who often forgets, you could try keeping a refillable water bottle in your bag and set reminders on your phone telling you to drink water every couple of hours. There are so many reasons why the body needs to get enough water, but essentially, your joints need it to stay in motion, and your brain, heart, kidneys and liver need it to function properly. Rather than going for your usual cup of coffee in the morning, you could instead try drinking tea which has been shown to have a whole myriad of health properties.

 

Though there are plenty more healthy habits you could get into, this guide provides you with a good overview of some of the main ones.          

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