The benefits of fruits

Eating fruits and veggies will provide vitamins and plenty of antioxidants. They also can help you ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent some types of cancer, avoid a painful intestinal ailment called diverticulitis, and guard against cataract and macular degeneration, which are two common causes of vision loss. Fruits are finding their way into many aspects of the treatment.

Oranges and lemons: Well-known for their high vitamin C content. Oranges and lemons are being used in skin care treatments to tighten and firm the skin, promote cell turnover as well as enhance skin-lightening effects. To be used effectively, fresh orange and lemon halves can be rubbed over the surface of the skin following the removal of a mask and just before the application of sunscreen and moisturizer. On less sensitive skin types, they can also be rubbed onto the skin prior to a modeling mask, and the juice left on the surface will penetrate beneath the firming mask. Both options result in bright, revitalized, firm and taut skin.

Blueberries: The latest range in antioxidant benefits, blueberries have topped the most popular list. Blueberries are most effectively used as a freshly made treatment mask. They can be gently mashed and applied directly to the skin with a brush, or mixed into a gel base. Be sure to protect your hair and clothing in order to prevent any possible staining.

Bananas: This fruit, especially when blended with milk and/or honey, makes a fabulous treatment mask. Bananas themselves provide firmness and moisture. When mixed with honey or milk, you will receive added hydration as well as exfoliation.

Please always remember to check for allergies, especially food allergies, when applying any product to the skin.

Almonds for health

I truly don't like almonds much. Therefore, I do not care about this kind of nut family before. However, I just read an interesting article about the benefits of almonds, and I found some helpful information. A handful of almonds may be a simple way to improve heart health, say Tufts University researchers. The study concluded that almonds are a source of several antioxidants and antioxidant compounds. Almonds have antioxidants levels similar to those found in many fruits and vegetables. " the analysis of almond skin antioxidants sheds more light on all the nutrients in almonds that provide a health benefit," says Jeffery Blumberg Ph.D., study author. In addition, eating almonds may improve blood sugar levels. If you want to find more further information, visit portfolioeatingplan.com. You can also find some healthy recipes using almonds at that website, too.

Maybe, due to its benefits, I now should start eating more almonds to have a healthy system. Here's one of the almond recipes: Honey Roasted Almonds

Foot massage

After a hard working day, our bodies need to be relaxed. Some of my friends like facial or shoulder massages, but I love to massage my feet because it's the fastest and effective way to release my stress. However, I don't have time to go to the spa or salon to enjoy the massage. I always do the foot massage by myself at home, but it doesn't bring much result. Maybe I don't know how to do it professionally. Therefore, I'm looking for a good book or DVD showing me the tips and how to do the foot massage step by step.

This video named "Comprehensive Reflexology and Massage the foot" by Meade Steadman, an expert massage therapist, is what I'm looking for. Just in 1 hr.28 mins, Meade provides detailed instruction, demonstrating the strokes and techniques on both the right and left foot and on different models: young and old, male and female. For the reflexology section, Meade discusses the body’s physiology, contraindications (particularly geriatric concerns), history, and how the anatomy of the foot maps to each part of the body. The comprehensive massage demonstration shows techniques to work the foot and lower leg for flexibility, relaxation, and improved circulation. Meade’s demonstrations show how to warm up the feet, work the “whole body” for balance, and focus on specific areas of concern. This video received 2006 Gold Davey Award, 2006 Telly Award, and was featured in Massage Magazine, Oct. 2006. If you're interested in this video, you can find more information or buy the video at videoshelf.com.

Here's another 5 mins video showing you some very easy but effective foot massage techniques that can help you melt stress away from your family or friends.

Foot Massage Lesson by Health-Choices Holistic MassageSchool

Avoiding sun damages

More than one million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Many more are diagnosed with pre-cancerous conditions. These numbers continue to increase, not only in the U.S., but worldwide. Despite the alarming increase in skin cancers, especially in the teen and young adult population, some people still believe that a tan is healthy. They're wrong. Although sunlight is a primary source for vitamin D which helps keep our bones strong, there're several factors which are responsible for the alarming rise in skin cancers. Today, the continual erosion of the Earth's ozone layer due to pollution has led to a decrease in the amount of ozone protection than was afforded previous generations. Moreover, there're over 400 medications prescribed that leave patients with an increased sensitivity to sun exposures and a heightened susceptibility to sun damages.

When sun damage comes to the appearance of the skin, wrinkling and thinning of the skin are often thought of as a natural aging process. However, these effects are primarily the result of long-term exposure to sunlight. Cumulative exposure to the sun damages the epidermis (the outer layer) and the dermis (the deeper layer), causing elastin fibers to thicken and become more numerous. Damage to the collagen causes it to undergo degradation, too.

Therefore, using sun protections is the best solution to minimize, avoid, and even repair skin damages. Sunscreen (also known as sunblock, suntan lotion) is a lotion, spray or other topical product that helps protect the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and which reduces sunburn and other skin damage, ultimately leading to a lower risk of skin cancer. The best sunscreens protect against both UVB (ultraviolet radiation with wavelength between 290 and 320 nanometres), which can cause sunburn, and UVA (between 320 and 400 nanometres), which damages the skin with more long-term effects, such as premature skin aging. Most sunscreens work by containing either an organic chemical compound that absorbs ultraviolet light (such as oxybenzone) or an opaque material that reflects light (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), or a combination of both. Typically, absorptive materials are referred to as chemical blocks, whereas opaque materials are mineral or physical blocks.

I'm now working at Skin Sciences and selling Doctor's Program Sunblock SPF 30. Most of my clients are confused about the benefits of SPF. What does the number 30 in SPF 30 mean? Is SPF 30 is better than SPF 15? I know some of them are looking for SPF 100 or even stronger. Is the higher the SPF, the more benefit we will receive?

Sunscreens are rated by the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) system. The SPF rating is primarily the amount of UVB protection the sunscreen provides. The rating (SPF15, SPF20, SPF 30, etc.) indicates how much longer a person can be in the sun before burning than when not wearing sunscreen. For example: suppose you can stay in the sun for 10 minutes before starting to burn if you are NOT wearing sunscreen. When using sunscreen you can stay in the Sun your initial 10 minutes multiplied by the SPF rating. So if you use a sunscreen rated SPF15, you should be able to stay in the Sun for 150 minutes (10 x 15) or 2.5 hours before starting to burn. Reapplying sunscreen reinforces the protection although it does not extend the time you can remain in the sun.

In theory, the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn). However, in practice, the protection from a particular sunscreen depends on factors such as:

* The skin type of the user.
* The amount applied and frequency of re-application.
* Activities in which one engages (for example, swimming leads to a loss of sunscreen from the skin).
* Amount of sunscreen the skin has absorbed.

Generally, according to many testing results, an SPF over 30 does not provide significantly better protection. Therefore, besides using sunscreen, we should use sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and sun avoidance between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to avoid skin damages.

Looking for Shimmering Shades

If you choose to emphasize your eyes, go with metallic. Gold and silver and all shades in between are colors you'll want to have in your make-up kit. Don't wait to wear them at night. Shimmer is hot for daytime wear, too. Choose two colors: one for the lid shade, carrying it into the crease, and another for the highlight. Be sure to line your eyes. Select the darkest shade of shimmer and wet an eyeliner brush to line your eyes. If you feel that you need a little extra depth, line the outside of the eyes, too. If you've chosen a warm metallic shadow, use a rich brown liner. If you've selected a cool silver or pewter shadow, use a soft black or deep gray liner. When you're using lots of liner, keep the lips and eyes understated. Liquid liner is back, so don't be afraid to emphasize those baby blues.

The skin is pale and delicate and without a tan this spring season. The sunless tan is gone. You need just a shimmer of highlights on the face to give the skin a little color and healthy glow. Blush may be emphasized or kept to a minimum. Think pink and pretty pastels. Cool tones are the choice of the season although they don't always work for every skin tone. Does your skin have too warm of an undertone to wear pink? Try mixing a little soft coral or apricot in with a sheer pink to create your own version of pink. Bronzes this season are more about the look of shimmer and highlight. The fake tan is out, and so is the sun-kissed look of the bronze. Highlights on the skin are created with soft shimmering shades of gold, apricot, or pink.

Lipstick is back this year, and glossy gloss is last year. The spring lipstick colors are nude and pink. Lipsticks should be moisturizing and have a little shine or shimmer. They should not be matter! If you're not sure of your best color, look at the inside of your lower lip to see your best tone of natural, and then go a shade lighter.

Recommending: Soy

Research now shows that consumption of soy protein, which is rich in soy antioxidants, can improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. Soy, already recommended by doctors for its health advantages including weight management, menopause relief, heart disease reduction, bone health support, and "beauty from the inside out" to its growing lists of benefits.

Aging, hormonal changes, and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, and stress can adversely affect the appearance of skin complexion, induce wrinkles, and cause thinning hair and brittle nails. In order to help avoid these signs of aging, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine reports that individuals over the age of 50 spend approximately $44 billion dollars annually to augment their looks and appear younger. In addition, to smart protective steps, like using sunscreen and avoiding smoking, consuming protein and antioxidant-rich foods can have a positive impact on the health of hair, skin, and nails.

Anti-wrinkle Foods

We all like to look and feel our best. Part of looking our best is reflected in our complexion. Our skin is an excellent indicator of the state of our inner health. Pre-mature wrinkling, dry skin, roughness, eczema, rosacea, and acne are all reflections that our inner health is "off".

As our age, the skin tends to change as the body produces less oil, leaving our skin rough and dry. In addition, in the deeper layers, a decrease of two proteins called collagen and elastin causes the skin to thin, wrinkle, and sag. Although the integrity of the skin is partially influenced by hereditary factors, other factors such as sunlight, smoking, eating inflammatory foods, harsh chemicals, and stress can all accelerate the aging process. In order to keep the look and feel of our young and radiant skin, it is best to consume as many anti-wrinkle foods as possible.

1) Eliminate all inflammatory foods from our diet such as sugar, trans fatty acids, and saturated fats which can accelerate the aging of the skin. Focus on nutrient-dense foods such as lean proteins, soy food, green tea, low-fat dairy products, beans, and whole-grain breads and pastas.

2) Supplement with fish oils. Consuming a minimum from two to three grams of fish oils daily will increase the oiliness of our skin.

3) Pump up the amount of fruits and vegetables we consume to approximately five to nine servings per day. Specifically vitamin C and phytochemicals found in berries and broccoli promote the production of collagen and elastin. As a general rule, the more colorful fruits and vegetables are, the healthier is for us.

4) Do not smoke. Smoking is one of the fastest ways to accelerate the aging of our skin.

5) Minimize dehydrators such as coffee, tea, and sugary pops or drinks. Focus on liquids that promote skin health such as berry herbal teas, green teas, and distilled or reverse osmosis water.

Generally, our skin is the largest organ in the body and one of the best indicators of health. By following these steps above, we will quickly discover that healthy glow we have been looking for.

(Source: Dermascope magazine)

Sandals 2007

Wintertime is almost over. Let's enjoy your wonderful springtime with these pretty sandals. With the brilliant and youthful colors, as well as its fashion styles, this 2007 sandal collection from Victoria's Secret may bring you a happy season. Moreover, Victoria's Secret also have over 100 sexy style sandals with reasonable prices. Check out Victoriasecret.com if you still want to see more pictures and their unbelievable prices.

Five minute makeup

Sometimes, we are too busy to spend at least 20 minutes a day for applying makeup. Here are some easy steps which will help make you look and feel better in just five minutes. Makeup in five minutes is perfect for ones who are in a hurry. It is very easy and fast to apply, and will not take up a lot of time.

Before wearing makeup, wash face with cool water or toner to remove dirt on the face. Then, set out necessary things.

First minute: Apply moisturizer on the face and neck. Then apply foundation with foundation brush, foundation sponge, or even fingertips. No matter which liquid foundation, stick foundation, or powder cake, apply it over the face. However, if one has wrinkles in some areas such as forehead, under the eyes, or around the corner of the mouth, remember to apply just a thin layer of foundation on these areas.

Second minute: Use eyebrow pencil to define the eyebrow. With a wide forehead, should have a short eyebrow, and the long eyebrow for one's small and narrow forehead.

Third minute: Apply powder blush. Dip powder brush into powder and pat it under and over eyes, T-zone, and chin.

Fourth minute: Apply eye shadow in natural shades. Then apply eyeliner to define the eyes and use it according to shapes of eyes. After this, apply mascara to eyelashes.

Fifth minute: Apply lip color and lip gloss. Then touch with a little amount of powder on nose and t-zone. If necessary, check the blush last.

I hope these steps above will be helpful for you in changing your appearance just only in five minutes makeup.

Basic Smokey Eye

The eyes are considered as the soul of our faces. Through the eyes, we may see one's characters as well as distinctive features. In make-up artistry, some people may focus on the face's foundation, but I always spend most of the time on the eyes. I just found a very good video tape about the basic smokey eye for holidays or parties, and I want to share to all of you. Sandy Gold (a professional makeup artist, Freelance T.V Host, and Reporter) will help you have attractive eyes in just five minutes. It's very easy to do. If you're interested in makeup, you can take a quick look to Sandy's blog. I hope you guys will have fun.