How to Naturally Get Rid of Bed Bugs - Help!!

I Have bed Bugs - What Do I Do Now?

Many other nice people are in the same situation as you are. They want to naturally get rid of bed bugs too and do not really know what to do.

There are three main things that you need to do when you find you have bed bugs.

We will briefly cover each of these however first take a deep breath, relax for a moment. We can get through this situation with out the stress that many people go through.


* 1. Isolate the problem

* 2. Vacuum the infested areas thoroughly

* 3. Treat the infested areas thoroughly


Just a word of caution and encouragement before we start.


The caution part first;
This will be quite a bit of work. Each step needs to be done thoroughly and with care to make sure you do not miss any bed bugs. If you do not get all the bugs the infestation will come back. Most times when people have to re-treat it is because they have not gotten all the bed bugs during the initial treatment.

Now the encouragement part;
This is a very doable job. Since bed bugs started their return to prominence in the last few years many new products and methods are now available. You have all the means at your disposal to naturally get rid of bed bugs without the use of toxic chemicals or expensive exterminators.


Item 1 Isolate the Problem; this is very important. You do not want to spread the bed bugs through out your home. In most cases the bugs will be confined to one or two rooms unless there there has been an infestation for some time.

Do not use a fumigant or bomb in the infested room Do not move anything from the infested room into other rooms of the house. Do not remove items such as clothes or bedding though the house without covering it in a plastic bag. Do not move anything into the room temporarily such as boxes, clothes, cleaning supplies and then move them to another room.

All of these will spread bed bugs throughout the house and mean you have more rooms to treat.


Item 2 Vacuum the infested area thoroughly; this is the best way to get most of the bed bugs captured before the treatment gets started. The more you have removed the better.

If possible have someone work with you; they can help move and turn over the furniture and mattresses as you vacuum. They can make surer there are no spots that are missed and they can be a great support to you as you work on this process.

Bed bugs are good hiders; they do not need a lot of room and they will pile on top of each other in a small space if necessary. Make sure to vacuum all furniture completely. Do not forget the insides of the chest and backs of the drawers. Bottoms of furniture offers many places for bed bugs to hide. Turn things over and do a very good job here; especially around the legs and corner bracing.

Any where that you vacuum be sure to get the corners, any cracks between the wood, folds in material, joints and any other place a bug could hided.

Be sure to vacuum the base boards and corners of the rooms where the base boards meet; this is a favorite place for bed bugs to hide.


Item 3 Treat the infested area thoroughly; as with the vacuuming this is very important to make sure all areas are treated.

There are several treatments that need to be considered and used. We will briefly cover these in general terms since there are many types of each on the market.

Steam
Bed bugs are very susceptible to heat so steam is very effective in killing them. Steam will also take care of other insects, mites etc that may be present in the area. Steam treatment is the same as the vacuuming. You will need to make sure you have gotten all the same areas that you did with the vacuum. Do Not try to do these steps together to save moving the furniture; one is to remove bed bugs the other is to kill them. You do not want any to escape or be missed from taking a short cut.

Contact Spray
This is going to be your best friend during the time you are treating the infestation since you can spray any bugs you see moving around. These products have various methods of killing the bedbugs, most cause the bug to dry out. Some have faster killing time and less residual killing time for the bugs that crawl through the area later. It is good to have the residual kill time so that you kill hidden bugs after treatment and as a precaution however quick kill can save time and prevent the spread of the little creatures to other areas. Some of both sprays may be advisable.

Powders
There are several types of powder available. These products are completely harmless to people and pets; they are an excellent for treatment in hard to reach areas such as wall cavities, electrical outlets and plumbing openings. They are also good as a preventative measure to bed bugs moving to other areas or getting on your bed.

The powder does not kill the bed bugs right away like the contact spray. It scratches the hard outer skin and causes the bugs to dehydrate. This happens in a short time however they can still move about until then. The good thing is you can spread the powder in areas that bed bugs could hide; closets, corners of rooms, behind the dressers, inside the dresser below the drawers. Anywhere that you will not disturb the powder; under the bed is a great place since this is the bed bugs ultimate destination.

No one product is the answer to treating the infestation; all have their good points and all work well in the overall treatment plan. It is advisable to do your research and get several products to make your treatment the best and as effortless as possible.

There is not enough space here to adequately detail the steps for treating your home; we have just touched the basics. For more information and details go to the site below.

by Otha Hansford

Does Rosacea Laser Treatment Work for Sensitive Skin?

If you are considering rosacea laser treatment, here are some facts that may help you to decide whether this is a good treatment option for your sensitive skin.

Did you know that one of out every five diagnoses made by dermatologists is for rosacea?

Rosacea is an unfortunately a very common chronic skin problem especially for people over 30. Some people begin to see signs of rosacea around age 25 with flushing and redness of the face.

If rosacea progresses, you will begin to see small red bumps on your face, some of which may look like acne sores. Eventually the face becomes permanently red and the skin thickens.

Although most rosacea sufferers are women, men who get rosacea are more likely to develop rosacea symptoms that cause the nose to become large and thickened.

If you begin to see signs that you may have rosacea, the time to take care of this is right now. Don't wait! Even though there is no known medical cure for rosacea, you may be able to reverse or even eliminate many of the symptoms.

To do this you will need early rosacea treatment combined with healthy lifestyle and diet adaptations that will help your skin to stop the cycle of inflammation and redness.

Initial Rosacea Treatments

Most dermatologists will initially treat rosacea with medications and topical creams, along with lifestyle and dietary instructions to minimize your rosacea outbreaks.

Sometimes these rosacea treatments, combined with a more healthy natural diet, are enough to get your rosacea under control. Many cases of sensitive skin respond well to a less toxic diet and lifestyle. If not, then your doctor will likely recommend rosacea laser treatment.

Rosacea Laser Treatment

Rosacea laser treatments first were used in the 1980's, and newer and gentler technologies were developed in the 1990's. These have shown some promise in treating some of the more severe rosacea symptoms like red bumps, spider veins, thickened skin, and permanently reddened skin.

These do have some risks and side effects for sensitive skin, and so you want to be cautious in your approach, and to work with a very skilled dermatologist to minimize any risks.

How Laser Treatment Works

A laser emits wavelengths of light which act on the swollen blood vessels right below the skin which cause the redness. The laser effectively disintegrates the swollen blood vessels, thus reducing the redness in the skin.

Lasers can also stop the thickening of skin that happens with advanced rosacea which can enlarge the nose and cheeks. In severe cases of rosacea, lasers can help the skin to return to a more normal and healthy appearance.

Rosacea Laser Treatment Side Effects

When you have sensitive skin, it is wise to be cautious before trying any kind of laser or surgical treatments. It is always best to try all the other options first such as a rosacea diet, rosacea home remedies, and rosacea medications FIRST.

The reason for this is because laser treatments are intense. They cause temporary bruising which last 1-2 weeks before fading. You may also experience a temporary darkening of the skin. You may see a lot of swelling and redness on your face for a few days.

In addition, laser treatments are not a rosacea cure. You may need lifelong follow up treatments.

After all this, there is a chance that rosacea laser treatments may not work. And for some people, they may actually make your rosacea worse.

Types of Rosacea Laser Treatment

There are new technologies coming out all the time that are attempting to create the maximum benefits for rosacea patients, with a minimum of bruising, redness and other side effects.

Although some research suggests that laser treatments that induce bruising MAY be more effective, this isn't an option that will work for many people who are unable to take several weeks away from their job until the bruising heals.

Most laser Treatments for rosacea fall into two categories:

* Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) requires up to three treatments, spaced six to eight weeks apart.

* Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a newer technology which bruise less, and which require four to six treatments spaced three weeks apart.

Some new technologies such as a high-energy, long pulse-duration pulsed-dye laser are now emerging which are demonstrating better results, less side effects and less bruising.

Other Considerations for Rosacea Laser Treatment

Most laser treatments for rosacea cost anywhere from $300 to $600 per session. These treatments are generally not covered by medical insurance. As I mentioned before, laser treatments are NOT a rosacea cure, and you will likely need lifelong follow up treatments.

Another important thing to consider is your choice of doctor. You REALLY want to be sure that you choose a very skilled, very experienced doctor who has SPECIFIC knowledge of how to use laser treatment with rosacea. The reason for this is that the doctor needs to create an even skin tone for the entire face. If he or she over treats an area, you will have a white patch on your face!

Rosacea laser treatment may be an effective rosacea treatment for sensitive skin if you have exhausted all other treatment options and still have not found relief from your moderate or severe rosacea symptoms. Educate yourself and be sure to choose an excellent doctor who has all the necessary skills, and who can help you make informed choices about your rosacea treatments. Done correctly, rosacea laser treatments have helped many people to ease their symptoms and to live more happily without the pain and embarrassment that rosacea can cause. by M Rochell

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes can cause a lot of health complications if it goes on unchecked. Without treatment, type 2 diabetes can be fatal due to the complications that arise from it. So a speedy diagnosis is of utmost importance here. However, sometimes the patient is ignorant of the symptoms of diabetes. Hence they go on without check ups until things get really bad for them. This should be avoided at all costs. This is why it is important to know the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

The possible symptoms of type 2 diabetes caused by high blood sugar level are as follows: -

* Increased hunger (especially just after you have finished eating). * Increased thirst. * Mouth drying out inexplicably. * Urination occurring frequently. * Unexplained weight loss, even though you have a good appetite and are feeling hungry as you normally do. * Fatigue. You feel tired very easily, you feel weak. * Your vision keeps blurring. * You get unexplained headaches. * You lose consciousness (this a rare thing to happen but it does happen).

If you think that you have any of these symptoms, you must contact your health care professional at once. This is a disease that is not to be trifled with. You will be putting yourself at a great amount of risk if you choose to ignore the symptoms.

If you are unsure about your symptoms, you should still consult your health care specialist. He will be able to explain to you the exact nature of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

The main problem with type 2 diabetes is that the symptoms either do not show up at all or they develop so gradually that the person cannot tell that it is happening. This is why it is said that many people who have type 2 diabetes do not even know they have it. This is what makes it all the more important to go in for a check up even if all you have are faint suspicions. In most cases, diabetes is only diagnosed when the symptoms show themselves fully. By this time, the disease has already progressed to an advanced stage. So catching it earlier on would be a huge advantage in your favor.

Here are the other symptoms that people suffering from type 2 diabetes might develop: -

* Cuts and sores take longer to heal. * Person develops itchy skin, especially in the area surrounding the genitals. * Yeast infections become more frequent. This is actually a direct result of the higher blood sugar level - yeast love sugar. * Weight gain (yes, it contradicts the earlier list but it happens). * Acanthosis nigricans - the skin around the neck, armpit and groin turns dark and velvety. * Hand and feet feel numb and tingle sometimes. * Your vision is worsened, meaning you have trouble seeing things. * Impotency

So if you have one or more of these symptoms, it might be a good idea to get checked for type 2 diabetes. by Gen Wright

Best Mid-Priced Wrinkle Creams Are the Best You Can Buy - At Any Price

The best midpriced wrinkle creams sound like a compromise -- this is what you buy when you just can't afford the best, most expensive cream.

Here's a lovely surprise: the best midpriced wrinkle creams are actually the best you'll find anywhere, at any price.

That's because -- though you may find it hard to believe -- there's no relationship between price and quality.

There's only one exception to that truth, and that's at the very bottom end of the price scale. If you buy a wrinkle cream for $5, you know the manufacturer gave up all attempt at real quality to make the cheapest stuff on the shelf.

Don't just take my word for this.

My favorite consumer magazine tested wrinkle creams a couple of years ago. Now nobody's perfect and anyone can be wrong, but this magazine is a class act, and millions of people trust it (including me).

So what did they find?

"There was no correlation at all between price and effectiveness," they said. One of the best products they tested cost under $60, and one of the worst cost $335.

It happens that the best such creams I've ever used are only midpriced. They would have been among the lower-priced products in the magazine test I've I've just mentioned -- but they are very modern; they didn't even come on the market till after the magazine test was published.

So what should you be looking for in a wrinkle cream?

Look for cutting-edge ingredients that have been proven effective in clinical trials -- and make sure the cream contains these ingredients in the same concentrations that worked so well in the trials! It's common for skin care products to use only small amounts of effective ingredients, too little to be any use, just so they can name the ingredient on the label.

What are those ingredients? I'll name three, all proven effective used all alone, and very powerful when used together in a skin care formula with other effective ingredients.

-- Cynergy TK contains keratin, an essential component of healthy skin, hair and nails, in a unique "bio-available" form -- meaning it's very easily absorbed and used by the skin to heal and produce new skin cells. It stimulates the skin to boost its own natural production of collagen and elastin, also stimulates the skin's antioxidant production, and in just an 18-day trial improved skin elasticity by 42 percent.

-- Coenzme Q10, or CoQ10 for short, is a superb natural antioxidant for the skin, combining with natural Vitamin E to create perhaps the most powerful antioxidant combination in skin care. That's important because oxidation damage is a major cause of aging skin and wrinkles. Most CoQ10 is absorbed poorly, however, and most skin care products don't contain enough to be effective. The best I've seen is CoQ10 in a "nano-emulsion," tiny particles that are absorbed deeply into the skin and have wonderful anti-wrinkle effects.

-- An extract of seaweed from the Sea of Japan called Phytessence Wakame blocks the loss of hyaluronan (or hyaluronic acid), which is another essential ingredient for youthful skin -- and is usually lost more and more as we get older.

Find those ingredients and you'll have my choice of the best midprice wrinkle cream, and -- this is no surprise -- it's also the very best I've ever found. by Kathryn Lane

Aging of Skin and Collagen and Elastin: What's the Deal?

Are you just plan fed up? No matter which anti aging cream you try, you are still stuck with an aged, wrinkled skin that just refuses to improve. If you want to really want to get rid of those wrinkles, you need to know what aging of skin and collagen and elastin have to do with each other.

How aging of skin and collagen and elastin are related
Let's first look at why our skin actually wrinkles with time. When we our young our body produces a lot of collagen and elastin internally. These proteins are necessary for keeping the skin firm and elastic. A constant supply of the proteins by our body to the skin takes care of the wear and tear that naturally occurs.

With age, however, our body's ability to produce these proteins keeps decreasing gradually. Ultimately, a stage comes when the supply of new proteins is not enough to keep pace with the breakdown of the fibers in the skin. This makes the skin loose and saggy. Wrinkles and fine lines also start appearing all over it then.

It becomes obvious now that the way to reverse wrinkles from the skin is to increase the collagen and elastin content in it. The problem lies in finding the right way top do it.

The common ways people try to do this is by taking collagen injections or using creams containing these two proteins as ingredients. There are problems in both the approaches. Let's find out what they are.

One thing is, the collagen that both these treatments use is a synthetic one. It doesn't mix properly with the natural collagen structures of the skin and so the effectiveness of these treatments is also limited. The injections can in fact cause side effects like allergies, pain and muscle weakness too.

The problem with the creams is - collagen molecules are too big in size to be absorbed by the skin. So most of it is left unused on the top of the skin and doesn't have any visible effects on the skin.

What you really need is a way to increase your body's ability to produce these proteins.

Natural substances like Manuka Honey, Cynergy TK and Avocado Oil are able to do this effectively.

Not only do they stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin, but keep it moisturized, soft and supple too. These ingredients keep the skin safe from free radicals and the UV rays too.

Aging of skin and collagen and elastin are closely related. Just make sure to use natural substances that can increase the production of these proteins in your body - and you will never have to worry about wrinkles again. by Frank Langella

Discover the Best Nightcream Out There

Ever wondered how some people have this fresh, beautiful skin effortlessly, while you seem to be stuck with a dull, lifeless skin? What is their secret? Actually, there is no secret to a great looking skin. Just some basic skin care and a good nightcream - that's all it takes.

Now, just using a nightcream is not going to be enough to rejuvenate your skin. You need to make sure your body is healthy and nourished, only then will your skin be healthy too. Any problems or deficiencies in your body and they are sure to show up on your skin.

So start by including fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. They will provide all the vitamins and minerals your body and skin need to keep healthy and disease free. Drinking plenty of water will remove all the toxins from your body and keep your skin hydrated. This will protect it from the damage that a dry skin is prone to.

Also make sure to protect your skin from over exposure to the elements. Using a sun screen and wearing sunglasses, a scarf or a hat - all of these precautions can protect your skin from the damage that the sun or the wind can cause.

All these steps will minimize the damage your skin has to suffer during the course of the day. The best nightcreams can work on this and reverse the damage completely and make you skin good as new. Let's find out now how to select the right cream.

The effectiveness of a nightcream or any skin care product lies in its ingredients. Use a cream with the wrong ingredients (chemicals) and your skin will be even worse off.

It's essential you find a cream containing natural ingredients only. It will protect your skin from the damage that chemical laden creams can cause.

Look for natural ingredients like Active Manuka Honey in your nightcream. This honey effectively moisturizes the skin and protects it from bacterial infections also, due to the special enzymes it contains. It also enhances Collagen and Elastin production in the body, which helps in keeping the skin firm and wrinkle free.

Phytessence Wakame is a Japanese sea kelp that nourishes the skin with vitamin B complex and minerals like iron, calcium and potassium. It also protects the skin from the UV rays of the sun - the number one cause of age spots.

Shea Butter is a light natural fat derived from the Shea tree. It is a wonderful moisturizer and emollient and keeps the skin soft and supple. It is also good at removing scars, blemishes and stretch marks from the skin.

Make no mistake about it. The ingredients of your nightcream will determine how effective it is going to be. Make the right choice and you can enjoy a soft, beautiful skin for a long time. by Frank Langella

The Best Collagen Skin Care

In order to have the best skin care possible, you need to address the symptoms of aging skin. Collagen skin care if done properly is the best thing you can do for your skin. Collagen is one of the most important proteins in your skin. It is responsible along with elastin at giving your skin the youthful look and feel of younger skin. It keeps our skin firm and gives it more elasticity.

Not all collagen treatments are effective. The most effective skin care involves using a product that will help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in your body. Only specific natural ingredients will do this.

You may have heard of certain collagen skin care products that contain collagen. These products are virtually useless. You cannot apply this protein effectively to your skin. The molecules are too large to penetrate the layers of skin.

As we age, our bodies produce less and less of these vital proteins, thus your skin is losing its elasticity. The collagen skin care that I am referring to in the first paragraph is simply using the right skin care products that will stimulate the re-production of the protein. In essence, most collagen skin care treatments do not work because they do not restore the protein in your body.

Unfortunately, many cosmetic companies put the word collagen on their labels. This is simply a marketing ploy, as the majority of these products do not actually boost the production of the protein.

There are skin care products that will help to restore your levels of collagen. These skin creams contain specific natural ingredients that will help boost your production of the vital skin proteins. This is the only collagen skin care treatment that will work effectively.

One of these specific natural substances is Cynergy TK. You will find it in the best skin care products available. However, you will not find it in products found at the local drug store.

If you would like more information on the best and safest natural ingredients used in effective collagen skin care treatments then please visit my website today. by Tara Mathews

What Can A Pregnancy Stretch Mark Cream Do For Me?

Unfortunately there are reminders and those reminders are called stretch marks. Some woman don't develop any, some only have a few and other woman have them everywhere. Stretch marks are not pretty and can make a woman feel less comfortable in her own skin. There are ways to get your body ready for the elastic requirements of pregnancy and to treat it after you have given birth. Using a good pregnancy stretch mark cream correctly and regularly can really help you get your body looking the way you want it to.

Stretch marks are generally found on the belly, buttocks, breasts, inner thighs and outer thighs. Having dry skin for the duration of the pregnancy will lead to more severe stretch marks. It is important that you constantly moisten your skin with pregnancy stretch mark cream from the very beginning of your pregnancy to at least one year following birth. Some people think that stretch marks are a genetic disposition, but what is actually genetic is skin type. Dry skin needs more attention.

Preventing stretch marks is much easier than it is to get rid of them. It is more important to apply the pregnancy stretch mark cream after you shower, at least once mid day, and most definitely before bed. More cream should be used if you have the time and if your skin is dryer than normal. For the bare minimum use at least twice a day. Rub the cream in a circular direction as if you were massaging your skin. Cover all trouble areas and any additional dry skin.

You have to work hard to avoid stretch mark, but it is worth the effort. Don't plan on taking care of them after the birth. Making stretch marks less visible is by far more difficult than preventing them. Damaged collagen will appear pink and over time it will fade to white. The first year after the development of stretch marks is the only window of time you have to use pregnancy stretch mark cream and after that you will have to look for a more drastic resolution like laser technology.

The more flexible and moist your skin is during pregnancy, the less likely collagen will be torn to form your ever growing body. by Marie P.

Facial Rejuvenation - It's Not Too Late To Look Great

I know that most of you have been looking for an effective facial rejuvenation system for what seems like forever. Everyone has gone through years of fruitlessly searching for these products trying cream after cream only to have the same end result. With all of the new products that have come out why is it so hard for us to find a formula that really works? A lot of the problems causing your frustration are caused by the way that the major cosmetics companies manufacture their skin care products. In an effort to keep their costs low and to increase their profit margin, these companies have resorted to using only the lowest cost materials in order to make up their cosmetics products which is why their products don't work. These companies are selling facial rejuvenation products that are full of toxic chemicals that may well have a detrimental effect on your health. Some of the ingredients that you will commonly find in these products are chemicals that are known for their organ toxicity and for their propensity to cause people to develop cancer. Why would these companies be allowed to use these types of ingredients in their skin care products? It seems to be because they are above the Federal Government's jurisdiction. Regulation imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was overturned by the high court, so they cannot control what these companies put into their products. What you need to do is to try and find yourself a facial rejuvenation product that contains only healthy, natural ingredients. Products that contain ingredients such as this are much more difficult to find than the usual unhealthy junk that we are overwhelmingly exposed to, but it is well worth your time to try to track these quality products down. If you want products that contain ingredients that will truly return your skin to its former luster then I suggest that you give the products of a company in New Zealand a try. You have probably never heard of them before because they spend all of their promotional dollars on research and development of superior skin care products, but they are well worth tracking down. Their line of products for facial rejuvenation will give you everything that the other products on the market won't. They contain protein peptides such as Functional Keratin that will renew your skin by increasing the production rate of your own collagen and elastin. They will also raise your level of hyaluronic acid using a kelp extract known as Phytessence Wakame. What these ingredients do is that they build up these foundational tissues to the point at which you had them years ago. You will simply not believe your eyes when you see just how much younger you look after just a few short weeks of using the products. These products truly work, and I would advise for anyone wanting to ease the damage that time has done to try them. More so than anything else that I've tried this facial rejuvenation system really works. by Kathleen P. Walsh

Oily Skin Care Problems Solved

I've noticed over the years that many people have had problems with oily skin care products. A lot of times a product designed to rid you of the problems related to oily skin will either dry the skin out too much, or it will simply make the problem worse. So how do you find a product that will actually solve your problems? There are a couple of things that you want o look out for when buying cosmetics products. The first thing that you want to do when buying these types of products is read the label carefully. There are many times that you will find that the problem is only stemming from certain ingredients in the product. Typically, oily skin care products will contain at least one, but in many cases multiple alcohols in them. What all of this alcohol will do for you is it will dry up the excess oil that your skin is producing. The problem is that most times these alcohols are so strong that they end up drying out your skin too much. There are other ingredients that you will want to check the label for also. There are certain agents that you will find in cosmetics products that are added with the intent of them acting as natural moisturizers. The petroleum based versions of these are undoubtedly some of the worst that your product could contain. Two of the most widely used moisturizers in oily skin care products are petrolatum, and mineral oil. These are both petroleum based moisturizers, and despite their different consistencies they are actually one and the same. These "moisturizers" will dry your skin out with long term repeated use. These compounds will also give you far more problems with your skin than you ever bargained for. Due to their consistency these ingredients will not easily absorb into the skin. They will leave a greasy film on your skin, attract dirt, and clog your pores, which will eventually lead to blackheads and possibly acne. The kinds of moisturizers that oily skin care products should contain are natural, and plant based. Plant based oils absorb more readily into the skin due to them having extremely similar properties to our skin's natural oil. These ingredients will not leave any sort of oily residue on your skin at all. One of the ingredients that all oily skin care products should contain is a passion fruit extract from Brazil. Maracuja passion fruit is rich in linolenic acid, which helps to nourish and revitalize your skin. What it truly does best though is that it will regulate the production of your skin's oil, so that it will never be too oily or too dry. There are some companies that are producing oily skin care products that work far better than the ones that we're used to seeing. They are a little harder to find because they are typically being produced only by lesser known companies, as opposed to the big names. You should give some of their products a try if you want healthier skin. by Kathleen P. Walsh

My Personal Journey to the Raw Food Lifestyle

My decision to become a rawfoodist was not an easy one. I've been a meat eater the majority of my life. I often recall hearing my grandma saying, "You're a meat eater, eat some vegetables". As a child I hated veggies. I also didn't particularly care for the meat at the table either but hot dogs & bologna was where it was at for me.

During my adolescent years my grandparents and my dad were diagnosed with a myriad of diseases including but not limited to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes and last but not least heart disease. My mother passed away prematurely, they say from natural causes. I personally don't think it's natural at all to die at the age of 54 for no apparent real reason. Putting 2 & 2 together I came to the conclusion that the reason my grandparents and my parents were so unhealthy was because of our diets. I knew from the age of 16 that I needed to do something different if I wanted to remain healthy. I first heard about being a vegetarian from Dr. Paul Goss, creator of New Body Products in Compton CA. I began to attend his herbal, nutrition and Iridology classes on a regularly basis thus my journey on the path to being healthy began.

I remember going on my first diet with my "Big Momma" at the age of 5. Oh yes, you read it right. I started my first diet at 5yrs old. I remember eating boiled eggs, cottage cheese and grapefruits. At birth I weighed 4lbs 5oz, from what I've been told by my father when they brought me home from the hospital he instructed my mother to fatten me up, I was too small and I looked funny. That's when my battle of the bulge began. Needless to say, I've been on and off diets ever since. When I was 12 years old my doctor informed me that I was obese, weighing in at a whopping 203lbs. I didn't know what obese meant at the time and I didn't like the way it sounded.

I thought by becoming a vegetarian I would slim down and become healthy. Boy was I wrong! My eating regime consisted of pasta, breads, rice & beans, dairy, processed vegetarian transition meats, textured vegetable protein and everything sweetened with refined sugar. My weight continued to climb and all the while, I thought I was being healthy by being a "vegetarian". That lasted on and off a few years.

My disenchantment with western medicine began when I was a senior in high school. I became inflicted with some sort of skin disorder. After seeking medical attention from one doctor and then being referred to another and another and another and another still not knowing what the heck I was dealing with having been treated with all types of toxic prescriptions, ultra violet rays and eventually radiation. I still to this day don't know what I had. I saw 5 so called specialist and neither of them could agree on my condition. Needless to say, I was removed from attending school for almost 3 months. I began to understand why the term "medical practice" was used. They were "practicing" medicine on me. I quickly realized that doctors weren't so smart after all and instinctively I knew there had to be a better way.

Roughly six years ago, I began to experience strange episodes in my body. My heart would begin to race, my breathing was disturbed and I would start to sweat. It felt almost like I would pass out if I didn't sit down or like I was shorting out, similar to a light bulb when it's on the blink. I went to see my PCP and I told him my symptoms. He immediately took out his pad and wrote me a prescription for an anti-depressant. I became enraged because I knew I wasn't dealing with depression even though I was deeply saddened by the events of 911 like every other American. My symptoms were more than simply being depressed. I began to ask him how he could just write a prescription without checking me for anything. He hadn't run any labs at all. I became irate and began to have an "episode" right there in his office. This one was really bad because I actually fainted. I awakened with him shining his little flash light in my pupil. He immediately ordered labs for blood tests and he requested to have the results ASAP. Within a very short period of time the results were back and he tried to admit me into the hospital immediately, telling me my red blood cells were not close to where they should be on the charts and that I needed a blood transfusion immediately. I on the other hand didn't trust anything he said and told him that I would be willing to try increasing my iron intake over the next few weeks but having a blood transfusion today was out of the question. I grabbed my purse and marched right out with him in the background trying to convince me to stay, telling me just how serious my condition was and how I could just drop dead at any moment without the transfusion. My reply to him, with my flip attitude and a few choice words, were that if I had been an idiot I would have taken the prescription for anti-depression and still died so I will just take my chances from this moment on and I continued on out the door. When I got home I began my research on anemia and ways I could increase my iron levels. I had been taking prescription iron for many years already and couldn't understand why my levels were so low. I happened upon an article speaking about how the particular type of iron I was taking needed vitamin C in order for the body to absorb it. I increased my iron from 2 a day to 4 a day with the vitamin C and it worked! I didn't drop dead and today I am no longer anemic.

On to my choice to be raw, yet again I started having symptoms in my body and out of habit I went to the doctor and he wrote a prescription without running any tests and I decided for once and for all I would use food as my medicine and let my body heal itself. Common sense tells me that my body was wonderfully made. When things are out of wacky it fights hard to get everything in order and I knew given the right nutrients my body will heal naturally.

I began to record my journey on youtube and I began with the Master Cleanse. Then I discovered Bunny Berry doing her 100 day raw food challenge. I finished the Master Cleanse with great results and Bunny had just finished her 1st 100 day raw food challenge. She decided to do it again and this time she invited everyone to join her on Rawfu so I did. Honestly, I had never felt better in my life! Then I changed jobs and being 100 percent raw was next to impossible. The symptoms returned and yet again my career path has changed and I'm back home and back on the path. I've decided that my health is primary and I will no longer risk it for a job. I've been 90 percent raw now for almost a week and already my symptoms are reversing, I'm full of boundless energy and I'm happy.

I've learned that being raw means always being prepared and having things prepped and ready to eat on hand will prevent me from falling off the wagon. My ability to prepare beautiful and tasty meals is increasing and my desire to be a catalyst for others is insatiable!

I invite you to join me on my rawfood journey! by Starla Jackson

Fish Oil Benefits for Our Canine Friends

Anyone with a pet dog knows that it is truly another member of the family, and requires the same love and care as any child. Of course, you want to shower your pet with treats, but not all doggie snacks are good, healthy options for your dog's well-being. In fact, many have empty calories and harmful additives, providing little more than taste. Explore the possibilities of salmon oil for dogs to treat your pup and to improve the appearance and condition of its skin and coat while also strengthening the heart.

Salmon oil for dogs is an Omega-3 fatty acid extract from wild Alaska salmon, harvested from the icy Gulf of Alaska throughout the year. In humans, the high Omega-3 levels found in salmon help prevent cancer, arthritis, and asthma, but are best known for battling and preventing coronary disease. Dogs can benefit from this as well, as the fat helps to strengthen their hearts, though the fatty acids are mainly used for skin and fur upkeep.

Salmon is the richest source of Omega-3 fatty acids. There are five species of Alaskan salmon: the King, the Sockeye, the Coho, the Chum, and the Pink. Salmon that have longer spawning cycles and require more activity to swim upstream through freshwater to get to the sea tend to carry higher amounts of fat. Of all fish, the wild Alaskan Sockeye salmon claims the highest amount of Omega-3 at a level of 2.7%. Alaskan salmon are harvested responsibly by environmentally-minded fishermen, ensuring a sustainable habitat and large amounts of the fish for the future.

The health benefits of salmon oil for dogs aside, your canine friend will love the tasty fishy treat that is served as an additive to its daily meal rather than in plant Omega-3 extract pill supplement form, as the body is more apt to absorb and use the fatty acids from the fish oil. by Thomas Lasky

Herbal Remedies - Natural baby skin care

The relationship between mother and child is essential for the development of this new life, she took him in the belly for nine months so that connection will be essential and should continue in the future development of their faculties. According to investigations so that the union is best for the benefit of child development, mothers should take special care to breastfeeding, hygiene, baby, changing diapers, among others, which are classified in the relationship -communication mother- son.

The baby's health is the main activity to preserve their health until it is independent in their daily activities. To do this you must use the mother of use guaranteed products for babies, personal care products are common astringent for baby's sensitive skin and can sometimes create irreversible damage.

In this situation the mother should choose natural products in this group are the basic quartet for baby hygiene: soap, oil, talc and shampoo made on the basis of herbal remedies, medicinal properties which not only care for and nurture your baby's skin, as well as advocate for common diseases like colds, allergies, infections of various kinds of parasitic zoonoses or by contact with the environment and pets. by Herbal Remedies

Black Spot on Toenail

Having a black spot on toenail can be an ugly site. There are a few reason why you have this spot on your nail. You may have been active in some type of sports or some other physical activity. If that is not the case, you have a toe nail fungus. There are ways to prevent and treat a nail fungus infection.

If you suffer from a painful toenail, if it smells, and if your nails have turned black or yellow, these are the signs of a toe nail infection. Once you detect that you have this problem, you need to start treating it as soon as possible. The sooner you treat it the better.

Black Toenail Spot Treatment

The best treatment for nail fungus is to prevent it from coming back. In order to prevent it, you need to know some of the ways you may have gotten it. Do you have a habit of cutting your nails to short? If so, the problem occurs if you cut them to close to your skin, causing tiny cuts under your nails, which causes the infection to set in.

If your feet sweat a lot and you continue to wear tight shoes, this can also cause your nails to get infected. What you want to do is, wear some absorbent socks that will soak up the moisture. This will help by keeping your feet and toes dry.

Avoid going barefooted in public places. The best thing you can do is wear a pair of flip flops. This helps by not letting your feet touch wet floor which carry the fungus. Some people who have this infection do not care if they pass it along, so you have to be careful.

You may have to see you doctor for black spot on toenail, if this is the case try to avoid taken medications. These medications have known to cause serious side effects. You can do a little research on the Internet, there are plenty to choose from. If you hate doing research, which is understandable, ask your doctor for a recommendation for a good product. by Elliott Hairston

4 Fun Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Facts

Vitamin B6 (also referred to as pyridoxine) is a B-complex vitamin. It was discovered in 1938 by Paul Gyorgy when he managed to isolate pyridoxine from rice bran and use it to prevent and cure the skin condition acrodynia. The main function of B6 is to help the body's cells break down proteins from the foods we eat into a form that they can use for energy but it does more than just this. In this article I will be looking at this vitamin in greater detail by discussing four fun vitamin B6 facts.

1) IT IS WATER SOLUBLE:- Vitamin B6 is water soluble which (as the name suggests) means that it dissolves in water. Water soluble vitamins share two main differences with fat soluble vitamins (the other type of vitamin). First, they are quite delicate and break down if exposed to intense heat or light. Secondly, they cannot be stored by the body and if you consume more than your body requires any excess is excreted in your urine. Therefore, it is very important that you take extra care when storing, preparing and cooking B6 so that it is not destroyed. You must also make sure that you are consuming B6 daily to ensure that you get your recommended daily allowance (RDA) which is 1.4mg for men and 1.2mg for women.

2) IT CAN BE FOUND IN ALL FOODS:- Vitamin B6 is present in all foods at some levels. However, certain foods are a much better source than others. For example, meat, salmon, beans, nuts and peas are all rich sources of pyridoxine. Therefore, if your diet does not contain any of the above foods perhaps you should consider sampling one or two of the suggestions on the above list and making them a permanent part of your diet.

3) GETTING TOO MUCH CAN BE DANGEROUS:- As I discussed above pyridoxine is water soluble and excess amounts are excreted daily. However, it can still be toxic in high doses and cause a number of unpleasant symptoms. For example, overdosing on vitamin B6 for a prolonged period can cause your hands and feet to become numb and even cause nerve damage. Therefore, whilst it is important to get your RDA amount of this vitamin just make sure you do not overdo it.

4) IT HELPS THE BODY PRODUCE A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT SUBSTANCES:- Vitamin B6 helps the body build a number of substances including red blood cells and neurotransmitters. Red blood cells help carry oxygen from the lungs to areas of the body that require oxygen. Neurotransmitters help carry important information between cells. Both of these functions are vital for optimal health which is yet another reason to make sure you get your RDA of pyridoxine.

I hope this article has given you a greater insight into the importance of vitamin B6. As you can see it is essential for breaking down protein, helping your body function properly and much more. by Tom Parker

What is Sea Salt Body Scrub

In advanced skin care many people have taken to exfoliating their skin with body scrubs and other semi abrasive compounds, with much success.

Sea salt scrubs have been known to while it also nourishes, soothes, tones, and vitamin C relaxes. Especially useful on extra-rough areas like knees and elbows.

The rejuvenation effect of sea salt scrubs occurs because the salt minerals in the sea has special effects on your skin. Consider most people from islands nations. On average their skin is much smoother than people from arid or high altitude regions. Popular explanations for this include diet; Usually island people diets consist of higher concentration of seafood. Secondly their bodies are in direct contact with the sea salt of the ocean water or ocean air at a much higher exposure than people in the United States of America.

Sea salt body scrub have been proven to relieve skin ailments such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. Minerals such as sodium, magnesium, potassium, enhance your skin's natural ability to retain moisture, making it smooth and healthy.

What are the ingredients of sea salt scrubs?

Sea Salt Body Scrub Ingredients

Sea salts usually are combined with oils, minerals and fragrances. Most scrubs combine Dead Sea Salt Minerals with 5 natural Oils: Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Sesame Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, & Olive Oil. Rich in Vitamin A, C, D, E & B12 as well as 27 Minerals found in the Dead Sea Salt & Aloe Vera. This combination of oils and salt revitalizes your skin, prevents premature aging, when gently massaged into the Body, dead skin cells are immediately removed, leaving your skin soft & refresh.

Other ingredients you may find in sea salt scrubs: Sunflower Oil, Dead Sea Salt, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol, Shea Butter, Apricot Oil, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Squalene, Essential Oil, Fragrance, Germall Plus and endless amounts of fragrances including nutmeg, jasmine, cinnamon, lavender, coconut, almond, apple, lemon and rose.

How to use Sea Salt Body Scrub

On moist skin massage the salt and oil in a circularly motions until the oil is completely absorbed into the skin. Pay special attention to dry areas such as elbows, knees, feet, and other cellulite-prone areas, gently remove the remaining salt with running water. Usually the scrub is recommended for use-once a week for keeping your skin fresh and smooth.

Smooth Skin Tips

Because body skin is thicker than facial skin, rough exfoliants like salt scrubs and crushed natural ingredients (like nuts) are most effective;

More Sea Salt Scrub Features

* Finely ground dead sea salts, desert salts and kelp formula * Rich, and very creamy exfoliating complex * Replenishes and rejuvenates for softer, attractive skin * Restores nutrients for healthy vibrant skin complexion * Cleans clogged pores * Restores healthy skin glow

Using sea salt body scrubs will go a long way in making your skin smooth and refreshed. Several scrubs exists for various types of skin. Identify your skin type and develop a skin regimen that fits your skin. by Charles

Tampa Breast Enlargement

Tampa Bay Breast Enlargement
Doctor Joshua Halpern is the best choice for plastic surgery in Tampa Bay, Florida, in the use of endoscopic plastic surgery (mini scar surgery that incorporates the use of a tiny television camera) on the abdomen, face, and breast. In addition, Dr. Halpern has lengthy experience with Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction for body contouring. He is an authority on endoscopic plastic surgery, having lectured to plastic surgeons nationally and internationally (including England and New York). Dr. Joshua Halpern developed The Finesse Technique, a gentler way of performing surgery resulting in less swelling, bruising, and discomfort and faster healing. The doctor has designed a number of techniques and medical instruments in the field of plastic surgery (including the "Halpern Breast Marker" and the "Halpern Universal Endoscopic Retractor").

Dr. Joshua Halpern received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology at the University of Southern California and graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

Apart from his plastic surgery practice in Tampa Bay and training other plastic surgeons, Dr. Halpern has been a volunteer at The Spring (an organization and facility which takes care of battered women and their children),Apart from his plastic surgery practice in Tampa Bay and training other plastic surgeons, Dr. Halpern has been a volunteer at The Spring (an organization and facility which takes care of battered women and their children), offering not only his surgical skill, but also providing meals, toys, and financial support. In addition, he has been a participant in "Operation Smile," an organization that travels to countries less fortunate than ours, and reconstructs congenital deformities.

Patients of his were on the covers of Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal. Finally, many doctors, surgeons, and their spouses seek Dr. Joshua Halpern for plastic surgery in Tampa, Florida.

Dr. Halpern has appeared numerous times on network news programs on ABC, CBS, FOX, and UPN. In addition, he has been invited on numerous talk shows including Maury Povich, American Journal, and the Kathy Fountain Show. A number of his patients have graced the pages of Playboy and Penthouse. He has also operated on news anchormen and women, talk show hosts, actors on TV network shows, and MTV.

Certain classics always remain in style: educating patients and treating them with kindness and respect, being open to new technology, yet remaining safe with those new options (e.g. FeatherLift), encouraging patients to achieve healthy skin, maintaining a caring staff and having as a goal to achieve the highest standards of care and quality." He takes enormous pride in them. Finally, Dr. Halpern is a people person and derives tremendous satisfaction when he sees his patients wearing a great smile after surgery.

{Dr. Halpern is a member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (which is the highest licensing body for plastic surgeons). Dr. Halpern also has staff privileges at many of the surrounding hospitals and is one the highly respected surgeons in North America.

Dr. Joshua Halpern also offers a variety of noninvasive rejuvenation procedures to his patients. He has extensive experience in Laser Hair Removal. In addition, many people come in to rid themselves of unsightly leg and facial veins. Wrinkles can be smoothed away with BOTOX® or filled in with Restylane®, radiance, or collagen. Patients come in and enjoy rejuvenating their skin with the "Luncheon Facial Laser." This unique treatment improves your skin without pain, shots, or downtime. You can go out to dinner or exercise immediately after your treatment. Dr. Halpern utilizes the first FDA-approved laser to treat rosacea. In addition, patients who wish to rid themselves of "old-age spots" or "brown patches" can undergo IPL (Intense Photo Light Therapy).
|Dr. Joshua Halpern also offers a variety of noninvasive rejuvenation procedures to his patients. He has extensive experience in Laser Hair Removal. In addition, many people come in to rid themselves of unsightly leg and facial veins. Wrinkles can be smoothed away with BOTOX® or filled in with Restylane®, radiance, or collagen. Patients come in and enjoy rejuvenating their skin with the "Luncheon Facial Laser." This unique treatment improves your skin without pain, shots, or downtime. You can go out to dinner or exercise immediately after your treatment. Dr. Halpern utilizes the first FDA-approved laser to treat rosacea. In addition, patients who wish to rid themselves of "old-age spots" or "brown patches" can undergo IPL (Intense Photo Light Therapy).

You can go out to dinner or exercise immediately after your treatment. Dr. Halpern utilizes the first FDA-approved laser to treat rosacea. In addition, patients who wish to rid themselves of "old-age spots" or "brown patches" can undergo IPL (Intense Photo Light Therapy).

For more information and to get premium plastic surgery in Tampa Bay: DrHalpern.com

Also checkout these other Articles: http://docreview123873.webs.com/apps/blog/show/204883-tampa-bay-breast-enlargement
http://sites.google.com/site/tampabayps/florida-plastic-surgery
http://drhalpern.blogspot.com/2009/01/florida-plastic-surgery.html
http://floridasurgery.wikispaces.com/Florida+Plastic+Surgery by Earl Stevens

How To Look Younger

Seven Great Tips On How To Look Younger...

As you grow older the body starts to let us down. While growing old is

a natural process, there are many things that you can do to change your

appearance and to help you look

younger. In this article, we will look at seven steps that you can

use today to help you turn back the clock.

1) Drink plenty of water. Detoxification is one of the most important

components to long-term health and one that relies almost exclusively on

an adequate intake of good water. Drinking water helps flush out toxins.

2) Get plenty of rest and enough sleep. A good night rest will make you

feel healthier and younger. Your body needs sleep so that it can repair

your body cells and refresh you mind.

3) Smiling makes you look radiant and younger. Smiling also distracts

from areas that show your age. A smile just changes your whole face, be

happy. Outer beauty and inner joy go hand in hand.

4) Use light Make-up A good make-up will can help you to look younger and

prettier. Also try lipsticks with brown shade as these would make you

look more natural.

5) Choose the right clothes to compliment your body and hide the areas

that you do not like. Soft colors will help you look younger because your

skin tones become greyer as you get older.

6) Coloring your hair is also a great way to hide the tale tell grey

hairs. It is best to choose a color that is close to your original color

so that it naturally compliments your facial tones. Otherwise you can

have high lights or low lights put into your hair, and these do not

require re-doing as frequently as an all over color.

7) Look after your skin. Do not clean your face with soap and water but

with a proper cleanser so that it dissolves all the make-up on the face

and cleanses it properly. Always make sure that you remove your make-up

before going to bed. After cleaning your skin make sure that you moisture

it so that it keeps your skin hydrated and younger looking. Take extra

care of sensitive wrinkle areas, near mouth and eyes.

For more practical tips on how to look younger, visit our website at

http://wwbguide.com by Sue Jones

Cosmetics for Younger Looking Skin is Not the Answer

As we get older, we wish for younger looking skin. Some products will help you achieve this, however you must use the right anti-aging skin creams because not all products are created equal and some are just plain harmful to your skin. The important thing is to know how to find the good products.

If you use effective anti-aging skin creams on a regular basis, you will notice an improvement in your skin's health giving you younger looking skin. Avoid using cosmetics to achieve this. Most of these products do not use the right natural ingredients that will help improve the overall health and appearance of your skin.

When applying anti-aging skin creams, do they feel greasy. A good skin product should not leave your skin feeling greasy. It should absorb right into your skin when applied. Cosmetics for younger looking skin will not address the symptoms of aging skin. They will merely cover up the issue for a brief period.

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and suppleness. It begins to form lines, wrinkles and age spots. When this happens, many people look to cosmetics for younger looking skin. Unfortunately, this is not the answer. The reason our skin ages is because that our bodies produce less and less of the vital skin proteins when we age.

When we are younger, our bodies produce an abundance of these proteins, which is why younger looking skin is so moist and supple. In order to restore this look and feel to our skin, you must apply anti-aging skin creams that will stimulate the production of these vital skin proteins.

Therefore, avoid the cosmetics for younger looking skin and focus on anti-aging skin creams that contain natural substances that boost your skins protein production. One of these natural substances is Cynergy TK. This natural ingredient helps to restore the levels of proteins in your skin. It is not available in most brand name products as it is relatively new. It is available online from some small niche skin care companies that have tested it thoroughly on human volunteers.

It is a natural substance, so there are no harmful side effects that you would potentially get with a synthetic product. Choosing to apply cosmetics for younger looking skin is not the answer. Anti-aging skin creams containing natural ingredients are the answer. For more information, please visit my website today. by Tara Mathews

Combating Oily Skin the Inexpensive Way

Do you suffer from over product sebaceous glands, also known as oily skin? Although oily skin will show less signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles versus dry skin, the downside to oily skin is a shiny appearance, large pores, pimples, blackheads or both.

Genetics and hormones play a part in the amount of oil your skin secrets. Environmental factors and free radicals may also play havoc on the skin too. A free radical is pollution. For instance, if you were standing on a corner and a diesel bus passed you by billowing fumes of gas, then chances are you have been exposed to more exhaust pollution in that single minute than your great grandparents may have experienced in a lifetime. These free radicals are placed in the air by smoke, airplanes, and industrial and agriculture processes. The free radicals (dirt and pollution) clog the pores, thus stimulating the skin to produce more oil.

The most important thing you can do to combat oily skin is to keep the face clean and protected. However, combating oily skin with e harsh cleaners is defeating the purpose. The more drying ingredients you place on your face the more your skin will work to replace the oil you are trying to remove.

Oily skin care needs the same skin routine as all skin types, they are: cleanse, tone and moisturize. Additionally, occasional peels and masks can work wonders to absorb excess oil and freshen the skin. Below are a couple of mask recipes especially for oil skin:

Fuller Earth Mask - Commonly called a mud mask 2 teaspoons of Fuller's Earth 4 to 5 rose water to make a paste Vitamin E capsule if desired Mix all ingredients to form a mask and apply to face. Leave on 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Follow with a toner and an oil-free moisturizer

Cucumber Mask for Oily Skin 1/2 Cucumber 1 Egg white 1 T Lemon juice 1 tsp mint Puree everything together and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water. Follow with toner and an oil-free moisturizer.

In addition to the mask recipes above, there are toners, exfoliation treatments, and moisturizers you can make for oily skin. Common kitchen ingredients like oatmeal, cornmeal, and baking soda can also be used to make facial masks and gentle exfoliates. Additionally, herbs and essential oils can offer so many benefits in your skin care program. Herbs used in toners for oily skin should be: Chamomile-especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, and peppermint and sage, which is also good for its antiseptic values. Carrot seed, Jasmine, and Neroli oils are known to help reduce the appearance of scarring. However, herbs and essential oils are potent, so be sure to study the properties of each herb or essential oil. For instance, the essential oil of Rosemary is known to stimulate the uterus, therefore it is not something you would use if pregnant.

For more informative skin care articles, skin care recipes and how to videos visit Complete Skin Care Therapy. by Carol Belanger

Toxins: Are you aware of the many ways you are being poisoned everyday in your own home?

Warning - many of your common household products contain toxic chemicals!

We have been hearing a lot about Toxins; toxins in the home, the work place, the environment, and our food.

Unfortunately, many people think that if something is on the "shelf", it is safe to use. After all the government would not allow a manufacturing company to harm us by marketing a shampoo that has harmful chemicals in it or a baby lotion that causes a rash, or a toothpaste that if swallowed could poison an individual.

Would they?

We must realize the "government" has no control over personal care products. It has no control over the household cleaners, or the chemicals that are used in the furniture or anything we use on a daily basis. Until someone dies, or someone "sues" a company, nothing can really be done.

This is where we as an individual come into the picture. (After all, who IS the government?) WE must take responsibility for what we use, what we eat, what we drink, what we wear, etc, etc.

But, because we are becoming more aware of what we really want to use and the food we really want to put into our bodies, more and more companies are also becoming aware of the consumer market and are marketing "safe" products.

But beware of marketing. Look before you leap and read the labels. The 5 minutes you spend now can pay off in years of better health.

Many people have used certain cleaning products such as "bleach" forever. After all, isn't that what grandma used or mom used? And some people still believe that it is the only thing that will disinfect. So it burns your skin, your eyes, your nose, and can kill you if you happen to mix it with another cleaner, but, gee whiz, habits are hard to change.

I am here to tell you, you need to start changing your habits. Your children are ADD, and you may well be too, people are dying of cancer and wonder why, you can't lose weight because you have so many chemical calories in your system, your system is shutting down. Everything you eat, you drink, you breathe, is filtered by the bodies organs; think, LIVER!!!

I would say this is just my opinion, but if you are aware at all, you know it is not just MY opinion. Have you looked at Mother Nature lately? Do you think she is as happy as she used to be before so many companies started thinking about just money?

There is a solution and you can be part of the solution or part of the problem. If you will just change from one toxic product to a safer, cleaner, personal care product, garden spray or window cleaner. A baby step at a time is what it takes. You can do it.

What follows is a list of toxic household products from the Environmental Protection agency. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Common household toxins and the products they're found in:)

- Sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) - Lung and eye irritant. If mixed with ammonia or acid-based cleaners (including vinegar), releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems.

- Bisphenol A (BPA) - an additive in platics (such as water bottles) - raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity. Bisphenol A is especially dangerous to developing children even as they are in the mother's womb.

- Petroleum distillates (metal polishes) - Short-term exposure can cause temporary eye clouding; longer exposure can damage the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and eyes.

- Ammonia (glass cleaner) - Eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation. If mixed with chorine, releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems.

- Phenol and cresol (disinfectants) - Corrosive; can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage.

- Nitrobenzene (furniture and floor polishes) - Can cause shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects.

- Formaldehyde, (a preservative in many household products) - Suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs.

- Perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents (Spot removers & carpet cleaners) - Can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen.

- Naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (mothballs) - Naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.

- Hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate (toilet bowl cleaners) - Either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes.

- Formaldehyde, phenol, and pentachlorophenol (spray starch) - Any aerosolized particle, including cornstarch, may irritate the lungs.

Each year, over 1 million children are accidentally poisoned in their homes. More than 250,000 of these victims are hospitalized. 3,000 children will end up in intensive care. Thousands of children and adults are permanently disfigured through contact with chemicals in the home. The most common poison is a household cleaner even though many are considered safe.

Cancer in smokers is a result of daily exposure to trace amounts of carcinogens in cigarettes. People exposed daily to low levels of carcinogens in cleaning products face similar risks.

Chemicals in household products also put the user at risk for nervous system, kidney & liver damage and asthma.

Children are especially vulnerable to chemical fumes. They are closer to floor, crawl on the floor, put blankets over heads.

There are companies that manufacture safer products for your home which are free from ammonia, phenol, chlorine, petroleum distillates, synthetic solvents, and other dangerous ingredients.

Isn't it time you took the time to discover the poisons in your own home. Think about it! by Michael Tomberlin

How Do You Achieve Effective Skin Tightening?

Young people have no concerns over their skin aging and becoming wrinkled. A young person's skin is soft, smooth and pliable. This is because of an abundance of natural skin proteins. These proteins are collagen and elastin and they give the skin its skin tone and texture. Effective skin tightening is usually never on the minds of the young.

However, as we age and our skin loses its elasticity due to your body producing less and less collagen and elastin we begin to think quite seriously about effective skin tightening. There are some top-notch skin care companies producing some excellent products these days. The trick is to find them. When you use these particular products, you will notice an improvement in your skins texture.

The products I am referring to are effective at skin tightening due to the natural substances that are used as ingredients. These natural substances help boost the production of collagen and elastin in your body. If you can increase the production of these proteins then you will see a difference in the appearance of your skin.

After applying an effective skin tightening cream for a few weeks, you will then begin to notice a difference in your skin. This will help motivate you to continue with the product. Now, let us move on to the natural ingredients that are very effective in some of the best skin care products available on the market.

One of these natural ingredients is called phytessence wakame. This amazing substance is derived from a specific type of Japanese sea kelp. This kelp is also used in the diet of many Japanese people.

This natural substance helps keep the skin looking and feeling youthful and works great at skin tightening. This substance is high in calcium along with other important minerals. It also acts as an antioxidant, which helps fight the effects of free radicals. Overall, you would want in your skin care product this ingredient.

For effective skin tightening, visit my website for more information today. by Tara Mathews

Aging of Skin and Elastin and Collagen Loss - What to Expect As We Age

Aging of skin and elastin and collagen loss go hand in hand. When your body begins decreasing the collagen and elastin production, your skin will begin showing signs of aging. Collagen is the protein in our connective tissues, and I having an abundant supply is what keeps our skin free from wrinkles and fine lines.

Don't get too frustrated if you've already seen some evidence towards aging of skin and elastin and collagen decrease, because of the tell tale signs of fine line and wrinkles. It is bound to happen to all of us as we get into our retirement/senior years or even sooner for some.

There is help to be found. It is in the form of natural ingredients that stimulates the body to increase its collagen and elastin production. This is what the skin needs to help prevent wrinkles and fine lines.

These ingredients are substances called Cynergy TK™, Nano-Lipobelle H EQ10 and Active Manuka Honey. These ingredients are all found in a great line of skin care products from New Zealand. There are only available by ordering them online. You won't find these same ingredients combined in any products you can find at your local drug store or department store.

I can testify that they work on aging of skin and elastin and collagen loss. I'm in my fifties, and I didn't have many wrinkles to speak of, but I had these fine lines on my chin for a few years. After using these products for two weeks the fine lines are just about gone. I have to look real close with the magnifying mirror to see them. My guess is the longer I use these products eventually these fine lines won't even show in the magnifying mirror, because they will be totally gone.

Check out my web site to read more about these great products and where to get them. You will also find information about ingredients to avoid when shopping for skin care products - ingredients that will actually harm your skin and your health if you continue to use them. by Elizabeth Ruby

Salami in Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Parma

The town, rich in attractions for art lovers, from Antelami, to Correggio and Parmigianino, gave its name to an exquisite charcuterie product bearing the PDO recognition, Prosciutto di Parma, which can be marked with the ducal crown with five points, only after 10-12 months of maturation.

It can be found in stores and in all of the best restaurants. We remember "Parizzi," "La Greppia" and "Cocchi" at the hotel Daniel.

Colorno
From Parma you enter the typical area of culatello. On ancient hunting preserves, along the Po, the Palazzo Ducale reminds of the delightful vacations of the Sanseverino, the Farnese and the Bourbons; today it is the enchanting set for antique exhibitions, from the big one in May to the small market held on every last Sunday of the month. In the area black truffle searching and charcuterie production, in particular the cappello del vescovo, an aristocratic version of famous cappello del prete (for both of them pork anterior shin is used, with rind, cut and boned, but the first one, in addition to the meat has the same stuffing used for cotechino).

You go on towards Sissa, charcuterie production centre among which the most renowned is the spalla cruda, seasoned with a brine based on Lambrusco.

San Secondo Parmense
The spalla cotta from the town of San Secondo is even more famous than its celebrated Castle, built by Pier Maria Rossi in mid fifteenth century; it is a local charcuterie speciality which had a prestigious appreciator in Giuseppe Verdi.

Zibello
Passing close to Roccabianca, you reach the absolute capital of culatello, the epicentre of a production which involves seven neighbouring municipalities. The Culatello di Zibello - DPO recognition - the best quality Italian charcuterie product is unmistakable thanks to its almost round and lean slice, which corresponds to the best cut of the most prosperous pork legs. The restaurant "La Buca" , managed by the women of the family for generations, is noteworthy. Country-elegant atmosphere and good food can also be found at the "Antica Taverna San Rocco" in Ardola.

Polesine Parmense
"Al Cavallino Bianco ", located along the banks of the Po river, recalls tradition and history: Massimo Spigaroli is the paladin of the tastes of the "big river" and of culatello.

The distinctive dish of this restaurant (the one of "Buon Ricordo") is pike with Farnese sauce - small snacks are available in the annex. In the area you can shop for charcuterie products: besides culatello, traditional salamis (strolghino di culatello, salame verdiano, crespone) as well as gola, fiocco di culatello and spalla cruda.

Busseto
The charming Teatro Verdi and the monument to the great composer stand nearby the Rocca. The modest birth home can be visited in Roncole; the villa where he lived at the peak of his fame is in Sant'Agata.

In the village, we recommend the "Trattoria Campanini", with its food store dating back generations.

The 'spongata' is the local speciality, a Christmas pastry with short-crust pastry outside and a filling made with honey, candied fruit in a sugary syrup (Italian mostarda), dried fruit and spices which can be kept for a long time. In bakeries you can buy 'miseria,' a naturally risen type of bread, dressed with refined lard. In Collecchio, we recommend the "Buon Ricordo" restaurant in a nineteenth century villa after which the name "Villa Maria Luigia" with antique furnishing and a pleasant terrace.

The Woods of Carrega, once a ducal vacation resort and now a regional park, are the main attraction in Sala Baganza. The area produces exceptional dry-cured hams and charcuterie products in general. Felino is nearby, it is renowned for the homonymous salami, produced with lean pork meat and belly.

Langhirano
It is the most famous centre for maturing Prosciutto di Parma. A few kilometres nearby stand Torrechiara Castle, with its three concentric walls and stores selling splendid Barbera, and Montechiarugolo Castle, almost bordering Reggio. Corniglio, in the northern valley of Parma is famous for chestnuts, cheese and spongata.

Monticelli d'Ongina
Sheltered by the Po river, the Rocca and the Collegiate of Monticelli d'Ongina send one back to the time of the Pallavicino. Rendezvous for antique collectors every end of the month. Tourists with different interests visit the area for the noteworthy charcuterie production. In this area it is possible to taste the characteristic salamis and the typical pancetta and coppa which have been given the PDO recognition by the European Union (Salame Piacentino, Coppa Piacentina, Pancetta Piacentina).

Carpi
Getting on the main Roman road n. 413, the first stop is Soliera, where a place worth of the greatest attention is located, "Lancellotti": three brothers manage a big trattoria, which proposes maybe the best cuisine in Italy as far as organic herbs and vegetables cultivated in the garden (to be visited), besides meat and exceptional charcuterie products.

At a few kilometres Carpi, which welcomes the visitor with its unexpected Renaissance character due to its patron, the humanist prince Albert III of the Pio family, assisted by the great architect Baldassarre Peruzzi. In town it is possible to taste an exquisite Modena cuisine.

Particularly worth mentioning is the mostarda di Carpi, typical sauce for boiled meat, made with fermented black grapes concentrated and cooked with pears, apples and a few quinces. Amongst charcuterie products: coppa, fioretto, cotechino, zampone, cappello del prete.

Sassuolo
The main road n. 486 of Montefiorino, which goes up to the Radici pass, quickly takes you to the threshold of the Apennines: the busy capital of ceramics joins under the same name "sassolino" (pebble) a charcuterie product similar to zampone and a liqueur made with anise. The area offers white truffle with benefit of local gastronomy. The alcoholic Nocino, walnut liqueur, is an absolute must. The itinerary goes on to Castelnuovo Rangone, the important centre for the charcuterie production, Maranello, Ferrari hometown (the company museum should be visited), and Serramazzoni, scenic vacation resort.

Spilamberto
Heart of the production area of traditional balsamic vinegar, offers cherries and charcuterie products as well, amongst which the guancialino, made with the same filling of the zampone but wrapped in the skin of the jowl (it is produced in Russi, Mirandola and Carpi as well).

Throughout the hilly area of Modena Province the homonymous prosciutto, which has been the given the PDO recognition, is to be found as well as the Cotechino Modena and the Zampone Modena, which have been given the European PGI recognition.

Bologna
It is the city of the two towers, of Piazza Maggiore and S. Petronio, of the University and the arcades which take you to the discovery of an historical downtown which is still rich in suggestion and surrounded by nearby hills.

One of the images which impresses the visitors the most is represented by the "pizzicherie" (delicatessen shops), decorated with great care and a richness of products which is the best business card of the good local cuisine. The city offer is under the banner of gastronomic parochialism: it is difficult to find specialities from other cities of Emilia and Romagna since the local tradition is so rich.

The most classical example of typical products is mortadella which bears the name Bologna and since 1600 can pride itself with a production code promulgated by Cardinal Farnese. The Mortadella Bologna has also been given the PGI recognition. by Enrico Massetti