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Showing posts from August, 2012

DIY Natural Room Scents

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  Keeping the supply list simple.  I only used items available at the grocery store or in my yard for these scent recipes. I want this to be easy and inexpensive so that I can set up a sustainable routine of pleasantly scenting our home. These recipes are simply guidelines and don't have to be followed exactly. In fact, I change them up all the time based on what I have on hand in my kitchen or yard. How to Make Natural Room Scents Skip the photos - Go straight to the recipe Fragrant items for naturally scenting your home: citrus -- I've tried other fruits. Some of them smell good initially, but they don't hold up for more than one use. Citrus is sturdier, longer-lasting, and gives these scent recipes freshness. Lemons and oranges are particularly fragrant and have the best staying power in these scented waters. herbs -- Any herb can be used for making a room scent, but the ones that are sturdier and on woody twigs hold up the best. My favorites for ro

Make Your Shaver Last Longer and other great tips

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Other great tips 5 Strange But Amazing Uses For Apples Lemonade Kool-Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner Use Aluminum Foil as Dryer Sheet Use Shaving Cream To Clean Bathroom Mirror Use Lemons To Make Soggy Lettuce Crisp How To Restore A Sponge With Salt Tired of throwing out expensive razors only after a few uses? Try this tip next time you shave: Pour a little bit of baby oil on the blades before you shave You can also shave with baby oil, rather than shaving cream, for a smoother (and closer) shave!

Making Your Inner Liner Last-Makeup

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INNER LINER LONGEVITY photos + post by amy nadine, graphic design by eunice chun How oh how can we keep the inner waterliner from fading fast? It’s a tough one, because our eyes are meant to stay wet, so the pencil that we’ve traced along our inner rims is constantly rubbing against our wet eyes every time we blink. Sigh… but I can share this little trick that does seem to make it last a couple hours longer. I’m not saying it’s the healthiest thing to do, so no need to make that comment below! I’m just saying when I’ve sent a client down the red carpet, I’ve used this trick to make it last throughout a long awards show. So how about we do it on important nights, not every day?! Here’s how: Rim your waterline with a black kohl or kajal liner. This one is our favorite because it’s waterproof yet creamy. Blink your lids together to get the product on the upper waterline. For those of you who are very comfortable with lining your eyes, look down and lift your upper l

Pineapple Crock Pot Ribs

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Paleo Pineapple Crock Pot Ribs  Ingredients: 1-2 pounds of pork ribs. Go with 1 pound if you have a smaller crock pot or slow cooker 1 medium fresh pineapple 1 tsp paprika 2 tbsp sugar-free dijon mustard Directions: Slice ribs apart and set aside. Cut off the top of your pineapple Cut the entire pineapple in half lengthwise Use a paring knife to slice as close to the rhine as you can to slice out as much pineapple as you can. Save the remaining two “boat” halves. Cut the pineapple pieces into 1″ cubes. Mix the dijon mustard with the paprika and rub all over the ribs. Place the ribs into the crock pot first, and then dump the pineapple cubes on top of them. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serving Use at least one of your carved out pineapple halves to plate the meal, especially if you have guests. Even if you’re cooking for one, it’s still pretty cool to eat out of a pineapple! Matt, I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do, and I know you’ll use the Pineapple as

Infograph of Drinking Water

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More About the Foods for Glowing Skin

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Foods for Glowing Vibrant Skin   Charlie Pulsipher Most of your skin’s health and its ability to react to stress, damage, and the environment rely more on lifestyle than on what you slather on your face. We treat each part of the body as distinct and separate, buying different products for hands, face, feet, and bodies or taking pills to work on one specific ill. This is how the medical, pharmaceutical, and beauty product worlds see us, as just specific parts that require attention. Your face is not you alone, neither is your foot or your kidney. The heart is not the only part requiring attention when blood pressure starts climbing. The individual parts of the body are all interconnected, tied together with countless cells that are all relying on you to feed them well so they can be their best. It shouldn’t surprise you that the things you should do to improve heart health, control weight, and lower your risk for developing diseases are the sam

Another ACV Toner for Your Face

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Making Your Own ACV Toner Step number one – acquire some apple cider vinegar. You want the good stuff. Trust me. Don’t skimp on whatever is cheapest at the store. You want raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that is still full of enzymes, minerals, nutrients, and beneficial strains of bacteria (called the ‘mother’). My favorite by far is Bragg’s , but I also like Eden Organics . Step number two – add your ACV to a small glass container mixed with filtered water. Start with a 1:1 ratio (50% ACV, 50% water), but you might find you need to dilute the mixture more based on the sensitivity of your skin. Step number three – take a cotton pad or the corner of a washcloth and dip it into the solution. Spread evenly all over your face after washing it. Don’t rinse it off, but just let it air dry, then finish with a light layer of coconut oil as moisturizer. This toner is incredible for balancing your skin tone, getting rid of acne and pimples, and giving you that ‘glow’ – na

Easy Crockpot Chicken

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        The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot Ingredients 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon thyme ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon cayenne (red) pepper ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 onion 1 large chicken Directions Combine the dried spices in a small bowl. Loosely chop the onion and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker. Remove any giblets from the chicken and then rub the spice mixture all over. You can even put some of the spices inside the cavity and under the skin covering the breasts. Put prepared chicken on top of the onions in the slow cooker, cover it, and turn it on to high. There is no need to add any liquid. Cook for 4 – 5 hours (for a 3 or 4 pound chicken) or until the chicken is falling off the bone. Don’t forget to make your homemade stock with the leftover bones ! Or even emulsify the juices and onions and you have a great gravy!

Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth

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Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth Here’s what I assembled to make about 4 quarts of beef bone broth: 2 carrots, chopped medium 2 celery stalks, chopped medium 1 medium onion, chopped medium 7 garlic cloves, smashed 3.5 lb of beef bones (from  Full of Life Farm ) 2 bay leaves Kosher salt 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar water  Here’s how I made it: I dumped the vegetables in the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker… …dropped in the beef bones… …tucked in the bay leaves, sprinkled on a wee bit of salt, drizzled the vinegar… …and added enough water to cover everything. I programmed the slow cooker to cook on low for 8-10 hours. When it was done, I poured the broth through a strainer… …discarded the solids, and stored the liquid in a large CorningWare container. The bones I used were pretty fatty so it made the broth taste unappealingly greasy. I stuck the broth in the fridge overnight and scraped off the top layer of solidifi

10 Ways To Slow Down Aging

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10 Easy Ways to Slow the Aging Process By Lauren Borden It is a well-worn cliche but age really is a state of mind.  If you follow these simple tips you'll feel soon younger than your years. And if you feel younger, your body is apt to be respond physiologically and before you know it you'll actually be healthier than others of your age. Of course we can't completely escape the aging process, but there are many easy and enjoyable things you can do to make you feel better and look younger - and most of them don't cost much! Many of the current articles about anti-aging will tell you to drink plenty of water and get lots of sleep and exercise etc, all of which are important, however,  I wanted to share some not so common tips about slowing the age clock. 1) An Inversion a Day When was the last time you went upside down? Unless you are a gymnast, yogi , or grade school kid, it has probably been a while if ever since you’ve seen

ZWOW 29 CHALLENGE-BRUTAL BURPEES

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ZWOW 29 CHALLENGE 10 MIN AMRAP(AS MANY ROUNDS AS POSSIBLE) Alt. Pistol Squats-5 Reps ea. Side Hops-5o Reps Plank Row Knee Tuck-10 Reps 180 Burpess-10 Reps

DIY Beauty Mask

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I Tried It: DIY Beauty Mask       Don’t have time to run to the store for a beauty pick-me-up? Food staples you probably already have at home can work in a pinch. 1. Combine 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons whole-milk yogurt. 2. Warm slightly in the microwave. Give it a good stir. 3. Smooth the mixture onto your face and lie down for 10 minutes. 4. Rinse off with warm water. Say hello to glowing, clean skin. Do you have a favorite at-home beauty remedy? Leave it in the comments below. And while you’re at it, check out our DIY Beauty Video Gallery for more ideas.  Photo courtesy of  shnnn

Using Citronella Oil

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Top 7 Uses For Citronella Oil By Daisy   Citronella essential oil is extracted from the leaves and stems of different species of lemongrass. The oil is used extensively in soap, candles, perfumes and other cosmetic properties. Citronella oil is usually a clear light yellow to brownish colour and has a lemon citrus aroma with subtle woody tones. If you don’t yet own a bottle, then pick up a bottle of citronella oil here and find out seven wonderful things you can do with this magical oil… Insect Repellent Citronella oil is perhaps most famed for its insect repellent properties. It can be used in isolation or combined with other essential oils (such as lemongrass oil) to create an even more potent insect repellent blend. To keep insects away from your home light a candle, allow to burn for a few minutes so a pool of melted wax forms, and then add one or two drops of citronella oil. Alternatively add a drop or two t

Chicken Stock in the Crock Pot

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e Overnight Chicken Stock in the Crock Pot Ingredients Leftover chicken bones or carcass roughly equivalent to one small or medium sized chicken 1 onion, peeled and loosely chopped 1 rib of celery, roughly chopped 1 carrot, roughly chopped (no need to peel) 1 bay leaf 1 sprig fresh parsley 1 sprig fresh thyme Salt, to taste Note: If you are missing any of these ingredients I wouldn’t let that stop you from making it anyway. Stock Directions After removing all edible meat from the chicken put/leave the bones, skin, cooking juices, etc. in the crock pot. If you are using the chicken carcass from the “The Best Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot” recipe just leave every single thing that’s leftover (except the good meat of course) in the crock pot including the original onion and spices you used when making the chicken. Add the onion, celery, carrot and spices on top of the bones and fill the crock pot almost to the top with tap water (leaving about 1/2” at the

Benefits of Uva-Ursi

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The Weight Loss Benefits of Uva-Ursi Author: Dr. Edward Group     Source Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is small, woody, evergreen shrub native to Europe and parts of Asia. Also known as bearberry, the leaves of this small shrub have a history of medicinal use dating back to the 2nd century. It has been widely used as a diuretic, astringent, antiseptic, and for urinary tract infections. Uva-ursi has many benefits and, in particular, positive effects for those looking to lose weight. The leaves of the plant are popular with herbalists and contain arbutin, hydroquinone and other chemicals with antibacterial activity. Uva-ursi also contains astringent-like tannins that shrink and tighten mucous membranes, and also reduces inflammation. Uva-ursi also has a diuretic effect due to the ursolic acid and isoquercetin components. Uva-ursi’s Effect on the Urinary Tract The hydroquinone derivative, arbutin, is the primary active compoun

3 Different Ways for Baked Chicken Thighs

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baked chicken thighs – 3 ways!   By Cindy   Marination is the process of soaking foods in a seasoned, often acidic, liquid before cooking. The origins of the word allude to the use of  brine ( aqua marina ) in the pickling process, which led to the technique of adding flavor by immersion in liquid. The liquid in question, the ‘marinade’, can be acidic with ingredients such as  vinegar ,  lemon juice, or  wine or enzymatic (made with ingredients such as  pineapple or  papaya .) [1] Along with these liquids, a marinade often contains oils,  herbs , and  spices to further flavor the food items. It is commonly used to flavor foods and to tenderize tougher cuts of  meat . [2] The process may last seconds or days. Different marinades are used in different cuisines. For example, in  Indian cuisine the marinade is usually prepared with a mixture of spices. (Source: Wikipedia) Note:  I will try to be as accurate as possible, but not gonna lie – mostly eyeballe

DIY Skin Brightening Toner with Lemon Juice

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Ingredients: 1/2 Cup Lemon juice 1 Cup Water 2/3 Cup Witch hazel (can purchase at any drug store) Plastic bottle or jar Facial toner recipe for those with normal to dry skin. *For oily skin add 2 Tablespoons Alcohol* STEP ONE : Mix ingredients in a bottle or jar. STEP TWO: Cleanse skin with facial cleanser and rinse. Repeat. STEP THREE: Apply toner with a cotton pad, sweep upward and outward over entire face and neck. STEP FOUR: Apply moisturizer. Benefits: Witch Hazel: Tightens pores and reduces inflammation. Lemon Juice: Reduce blemishes and lightens skin. Use facial toner both morning and night for a deeper cleanse, smaller pores and bright, radiant skin! *If you have any questions about toner or other skin care needs, please feel free to ask :)

DIY How To Get Your Natural Hair Color Back

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How to Get your Natural Hair Color Back Sometimes it’s fun to change hair color, it gives us a sense of change and a unique way to express ourselves. But what happens our sense of adventure wears off and you want your natural hair color back ? Well lets roll up our sleeves and look at our options. The Waiting Game Patience is your best ally if you have colored your hair with a temporary, semi-permanent, or demi-permanent hair color. These types of hair colors will wash out over time. On the other hand, permanent hair color is permanent and will fade, but it will never wash out. Here is a list of approximately how long you can expect each type of hair color to last until your natural shade of hair color returns. Temporary hair color – Lasts until the next shampoo Semi-permanent hair color – Lasts anywhere from 5-12 shampoos Demi-permanent hair color – Lasts up to 28 shampoos Permanent hair color – Lasts forever How to Artificially Achieve your Natural Hair

Thyroid Problems Try Yoga

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Yoga for Thyroid Problems By: Vidya Subramanian, Onlymyhealth editorial team The world today is no longer the world where the doctor’s word is final, and medicine is the only cure. This is the age of alternate therapies and reinventing the old to keep up with the ever-changing new. Yoga is an example of one such ancient form of physical, emotional and spiritual rejuvenation. It can cure back ache, depression, and even thyroid problems. That’s right. Thyroid problems can be remedied through yoga. According to Delhi-based Yoga practitioner, Shri Anant, “Yoga can cure most diseases, if performed in the right way and  also if one is guided by the right guru”. Before giving advice about specific illnesses, however, he insists that each individual has a separate and unique need, and with the help of a trained yoga instructor, develop a yoga regimen to suit their individual need, but there are some common easy exercises that everyone can try. One of the best exercise