Alternatives to Shampoo

My last post was about commercial shamoos and the harmful chemicals in it.  It seems like these chemicals are in all the shampoos you find at places like Walmart.  So the only way to get a bottle of shampoo that doesn't have these chemicals is to get it at a health food or vitamin store.

Another option is to use products right from your kitchen.  I've tried one of these options.  I really wasn't expecting much.  But I was and am pleasantly surprized.  What's the home remedy?  Baking soda!  Sounds weird, I know.  But I made a paste with water and poured it on my scalp just like it was shampoo.

I liked the results.  But first, let me finish with the details.  After I rinsed out the baking soda I poured a glass of water through my hair that had about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it.  The recipe I had said to do this to make sure you got rid of all the baking soda residue.

My hair was clean and soft.  It was also shiny.  My scalp felt good.  This really works.

I can see where there would be times when this prodecure would be a little inconvenient if, say, you were in a hurry.  For times like that, you would want a "regular" bottle of shampoo in the shower.  This is where the shampoo from the health food store would come in handy.

I hope it makes my hair thicker.  Time will tell.  Till next time.

Does Shampoo Cause Thinning Hair?

There are numerous reports lately about the chemicals in our shampoos.  Studies are showing that these chemicals are causing skin and scalp irritation and harming the hair follicle.

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are two ingredients that can be found in nearly every commerical shampoo.  They are defined as detergents and surfactants. 

Recent studies about the effect of SLS in particular have raised concern about this chemical and the harm it is doing to the hair and skin.  It irritates the scalp and causes rashes and allergic reactions.  It causes thinning hair.

But because of the foaming action of these chemicals, the shampoo makers consider it a vital ingredient in the shampoo.  The foaming action, or suds, makes people think a product such as a soap or shampoo is cleaning the hands or the hair because of the suds.  But this is not the case.  The suds are just for show!

If your hair is thinning, or if regular shampoos seem to irritate your scalp, try a shampoo from a health food store that does not have SLES or SLS in it. 

You can also use household products to wash your hair like baking soda.  Yes, baking soda.  Those who use it say it works great.  Mix with enough water to make a paste and use just like shampoo.  You might want to rinse with a little vinegar to get all the baking soda out.  Just pour about a tablespoon into a glass and use as a rinse.

Beauty Secrets of Olive Oil

Olive oil is wonderful for our health.  It staves off hardening of the arteries, helps to prevent heart attack and stroke and so much more.

But it's also great for the outside of our body, namely hair and skin.  Some women use it as a facial moisturizer and say they wouldn't go back to their old moisturizers.  Try it on your face (a small amount, of course,) and see if it completely absorbs in about 15 minutes. 

It's wonderful to soften feet.  Here's something to try:  massage olive oil into your feet, put on socks and sleep in them overnight.  Your feet will be softer than they've ever been and look great.

In ancient Great Britain, Queen Anne had a beauty treatment for her hair that she liked so much, it was forbidden to be made public.  Her barber had created it for her.  When she died it was discovered that her secret beauty treatment was two ounces of olive oil and four ounces of honey.

Years ago, I put this on my hair from time to time.  It worked pretty well.  I remember that it made my hair very shiny.  It's a mess to wash out. 

Here are some more modern olive oil treatments:  try a teaspoon of olive oil in a cup of plain yogurt, mix well and apply to your hair and scalp after your shampoo.  Leave in five minutes and rinse out.  They say this is used in Italy a lot. 

Another recipe for the hair that sounds good is to put a teaspoon of olive oil in your favorite hair conditioner.  Of course, I imagine this would be hair conditioner that you rinsed out. 

This is food for thought (and inspiration):  At the age of 72, actress Sophia Loren was named the Most Beautiful Natural Woman in the world.  She had competitors like Catherine Zeta Jones that were half her age.  They asked her what her secret was for looking so young.  As you may have guessed, she said olive oil, as well as "love of life." 

What an inspiration! 

Benefits of Olive Oil

The health benefits of olive oil are nothing short of amazing.  It's been reported that olive oil can ward off cancer and prevent heart attack and stroke.  It can do much more.  Arthritis and asthma are said to be helped by it.  It's great for the liver, the gallbladder and stomach.

Olive oil has properties that protect against hardening of the arteries.  It can do this much better than seed oils, even though seed oils do lower cholesterol.

Olive oil is a staple of countries in the Mediterranean.  Although their diet is rich in fat, they have lower rates of heart disease than countries like the United States.  Olive Oil rreduces the risk of stroke, heart attack and blood clots.

It's great for cooking and frying.  It goes great with salads, vegetables and fruits.  Many people swear by it for beautiful hair and skin.

They say extra virgin olive oil is the best for health.  This is because it is the oil from the first pressing and the most natural.  Oil from the second pressing is virgin oil.

Keep your bottle of olive oil in a dark, cool place.  My next post will be about olive oil and beauty.

Watermelon and our Pets

If you read my last post you know that the water from a watermelon has amazing health benefits.  It is really not water, but plant serum.  It is a biological water that has been involved in thousands or maybe mllions of chemical processes that happen within living plant cells.

It is wonderful  for the kidneys.  It's good for arthritis and gout, too. Who knows what else?

What about our pets?  Do you think a spoonful of watermelon water in your pet's drinking water or food would be of benefit?  Of course, I'm going to check with a vet first.  Some things that are okay for humans are not so good for our pets.

One of my cats is about fourteen years old and I'm wondering if some melon water would be good for her.

I can't wait to find out. 





   

 

The Health Benefits of Watermelons

Watermelons are already in grocery stores and it won't be long till we can taste those delicious home-grown watermelons of summer. 

Did you know that watermelon has amazing vitamin and mineral properties?  The water in watermelon is not just water.   At one time I thought it was.  Scientists refer to the water in watermelon as "living water."  It is a biological water that has participated in the chemical reactions of the living plant cells.  These plant cells have went through thousands and possibly millions of chemical reactions.

In fact, the water is actually "plant serum."  Some experts say that nothing is as helpful to a person's kidneys as is this serum that is the water inside of a watermelon.

Minerals such as potassium, iron and magnesium are in plentiful supply in watermelons.  It has many vitamins, especially C, B6, B1 and folates.

"Living water" helps your kidneys to remove waste material and toxins.  It helps any type of renal function.  Here are some ailments that it benefits:

Early state kidney failure - symptoms are fluid retention and scany urine output.

Kidney stones and granules - melons have an amazing alkalizing ability and they assist in the dissolving of stones in the kidneys.

Urinary infections - the "living water" in watermelons has an alkalizing effect that stops bacteria from multilying.

Watermelons also help arthritis and gout by fighting uric acid.

So plan on eating plenty of watermelon this spring and summer.  Hopefully, if enough is eaten, it will keep you healthy and get you through the winter months .

Cancer Prevention with Pineapples

Pineapple is delicious.  I like to get a can of pineapple chunks and eat it in a bowl with cottage cheese.  It makes a great breakfast.  Especially if you like to have fruit for breakfast.

But there's another reason to eat pineapple.  It might prevent stomach cancer.  It has a powerful enzyme in it called bromelain.  In 2007, medical journals reported this enzyme reduced tumors.

In fact, this enzyme from pineapples was found to be even better than a cancer drug that has been used for 40 years! 

You would think this would be big news.  Here is where you have to watch out for the pharmaceutical industry.  Bromelain is a natural substance.  Pineapples are extremely cheap compared to cancer drugs.  Is this why there are not numerous press releases about bromelain?

To get most of the bromelain from pineapple, it should be a fresh pineapple.  The canned variety loses a lot of the enzyme during the canning process, though it retains most of the vitamins and minerals.

Pineapple stops carcinogenic substances from forming in the stomach.  Especially nitrosamines.  These are carcinogens that are known to be one of the leading causes of stomach cancer.

So start putting pineapple on the grocery list.  It's delicious and you need it.

Have Fun Planting the Seeds in Fruit

It's Spring and the move is on to plant things.  Flower gardens are being planted as are vegetable gardens. 

Besides the flowers and vegetable gardens there is something else to plant.  Something that is different and delightful.  Ever think about planting the seeds from the fruit you eat?

It's a hobby that many enjoy.  The choices are multiple.  There are apple, nectarine, orange and lemon seeds just to name a few.  They are small and easy to keep.  If you live in a warm climate, they can be planted outside.  Or, they can be potted and kept indoors.

It is easy to get most seeds to root if you know what to do.  Apple seeds, for example, require you place them in the refrigerator.  Lemon seeds need to be placed in a sunny window.

If you're going to plant a lemon tree from a lemon you got in the grocery store, make sure the lemon is pretty ripe.  There are a couple of ways to germinate the lemon seed.  You can plant it as soon as you remove it from the lemon.  The other way is to wash and dry it, then put between two damp paper towels, place in a ziploc bag and put in a sunny window.  Wait for it to root.  Then plant.

For apples, layer the seeds between two damp paper towels, place in a container and put in the refrigerator.

Let the roots get about an inch long before you plant them.

Sounds like fun doesn't it?  I can't wait to get started.  I'm doing some lemons tonight.

Unique uses for Aspirin

My last post was about aspirin and the fascinating news that it might prevent cancer.  But did you know that this amazing little pill has many other uses? 

It can revive a dead car battery.  Two aspirins dropped into a car battery that has gone dead will cause a chemical reaction that will charge the battery.  It will only last for one more run, enough to get you to a service station.

For your garden, dissolve an aspirin in a quart of water to treat fungus in the soil.  Or make a rooting hormone by dissolving an aspirin in a cup of water.  Then dip a cutting into the cup of water.

The next time you get a mosquito bite wet the skin and rub an aspirin on it.  The same goes for bee stings.

Out of dandruff shampoo?  Try crushing two aspirins into a fine powder and add to the shampoo you poured into your hand.  Shampoo and leave in for a couple minutes. 

What about skin exfoliate?  Just add crushed aspirin to enough water to make a paste.  The skin exfoliates we buy in the store have aspirin in them. 

With all these uses for aspirin, it going to be a lot of fun to try them out.  My first experiment is going to be with the rooting hormone.  I should know about that one in a few days.

Is Aspirin the Cure for Cancer?

Studies have just been released that aspirin may be an effective weapon against cancer. 

Oxford University has discovered that aspirin may not only prevent cancer, but may also keep it from spreading.  The results in their study sounded very promising.

Wouldn't it be awesome if it's found out that aspirin could actually cure cancer?  I'm hoping this will be a giant step towards finding a cure.  Maybe with what scientists discover about aspirin and how it effects cancer, they can find a way to conquer it for good.

One simplified explanation by Oxford's leading researcher is that aspirin inhibits the growth of platelets.  Platelets spread cancer in the body.  In the studies they did, aspirin sharply reduced cancer's ability to spread to other parts of the body.

Of course, there are some doctors and researchers that do not seem very excited about people taking aspirin on a daily basis.  They point to the side effects of aspirin in some people, such as bleeding in the stomach.  But I bet if the evidence keeps growing in favor of aspirin defeating cancer, a way will be found to combat this problem.

Speaking of stomach problems with aspirin, there might be a way around this with vitamin C.  Researchers in Germany say if equal amounts of vitamin C are taken with aspirin, it stops the bleeding in the stomach caused by the aspirins.

This is a great discovery so far.  And it is amazing to think that the world may have had the cure for cancer all along in a little aspirin.                                                    

The Walking Dead Finale

The second season finale of AMC's The Walking Dead had the highest ratings for the season.  With a horde of flesh-eating walkers descending on the farm, the group gave it all they had to survive. 

There were too many heart-stopping dramatic moments to count.  The burning barn, Hershel making his stand in front of the farmhouse, walkers everywhere they turned.  I thought we would lose Hershel during the finale.  I'm glad he prevailed, though.

I think his character intended to fight to the death instead of fleeing the farm.  But at the last moment Rick got through to him.  "This is my farm," Hershel said to Rick.

"Not anymore," Rick said.  Hershel snapped out of it and left with Rick before it was too late.

No major characters were lost.  Patricia and Jimmy, two sweet minor characters, won't be back.  I thought Andrea was going to perish, but that weird, hooded person saved her just in time.  I never read the comic, but I understand that the person who rescued her is a woman and a lawyer just like Andrea.

I hope season three stays down to earth and doesn't get too far out.  I'm afraid if it does it will ruin the show.  If Walking Dead turns into science fiction I think a lot of the fans will leave the show.

I did have a couple of disappointments with the show this season.  I thought Dale was a real asset to the show and was so disappointed when he died.  And I don't understand why the producers killed off Shane.  Shane was wild, volitale and yes, exciting.  Many of us couldn't wait to see what Shane was going to do every week.  Who is going to take his place?  I hope they knew what they were doing.

I have seen many good series ruin themselves.  I hope Walking Dead is not one of them.  When a series like this is wildly popular it seems that the producers and writers can't keep up with it many times after the first or second season. 

One more note about Hershel.  For those of you that missed the Talking Dead show that followed the finale.  The producer said on there that they had planned to kill off Hershel's character.  Randell was going to escape and kill Hershel and then Shane was going to kill Randell.  The producer said they were glad they decided to rewrite it, especially when they saw Hershel do the finale.  He was fantastic!

I'd love to hear some feedback on this.  That's all for now.






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Cruise Ships and Crimes

Going on a cruise is easier that it used to be.  You can find great deals on cruises.  These "Love Boats" are big business.  In fact, I think it was the "Love Boat" series that helped to make cruises so popular.

A lot of people are already planning their vacations for summer.  No doubt that sailing the ocean on a luxury cruise liner will be high on the list for many. 

A Few Things to Remember about Cruises

With all the promoting that cruise lines do to get your business, don't forget about the reports of crimes being committed on them.  Everything from murder to disappearances in thin air have happened on these ships.

First rule:  Do not get extremely intoxicated on a cruise ship.  You may think you can drink like the proverbial fish because you don't have to drive home but it's dangerous to put yourself in that position.  Crime statistics bear that out.

Second rule:   Criminals and maniacs take cruises, too.  That includes cruise ship employees.  That's all the explanation you need for victims that have been pushed off the railing and those that disappeared on the ship.  Remember the publicity about Amy Bradley?  She disappeared on a cruise ship (I think it was Rhapsody of the Seas) while vacationing with her parents.

That's all for now.  I might talk more about this at a later time.

Tornados: Fact and Folklore

We're already seeing an outbreak of severe weather, and the experts are predicting it's going to be a stormy spring.

 In the last few years there has been this belief that if you are on the road and a tornado warning is issued, a safe place to be is under an overpass.

A lot of people believe this, and it's easy to see why.  Such an area looks like it would be the perfect place to ride out a tornado.  But many people have lost their lives by seeking shelter under these overpasses.  They are not what they seem. 

They may look strong and secure, but these overpasses can turn into a death trap.  Experts say they become wind tunnels when a tornado approaches.  In Oklahoma in 1999, several people were killed when they sought shelter under an overpass.

Winds can be in excess of 300 miles per hour under the overpass.  By being in such a "wind tunnel" people are killed by flying debris or by being pulled out by the wind.

By the way, the old myth that opening all the windows in your house will keep an approaching tornado from blowing the house away isn't true either.  I have heard that for years.  But, according to the experts, it doesn't help at all.

Stay safe from tornados this spring by taking the proper precautions.

Flower Gardens

It's getting time to start thinking about things to plant.  Home garden stores are already getting in supplies and  there's no end to the things that catch our eye.  Flowers, rose bushes, even trees.

What about having a flower garden this year?  It's a project that most of us would enjoy immensely once we got started.  A lot of delightful planning can go into it if you want it to.  Landscaping diagrams, sunny areas, shady spots.  You can get as involved as you want with the details.

I heard of something I've been wanting to try.  It's called "garden in a bag" and you take a bag of potting soil and plant flowers in the bag.  If I remember correctly, I think you cut X's on the top and bottom of the bag, put the plants in and then just let them grow.

Container gardens are getting popular, too.  Magazines on container gardening should already be in the stores now.  These type of gardens have a certain lure to them.  They are convenient and come in handy when there is a less than perfect place to plant a garden.

You can find pictures in the magazines for container gardens that show layouts for decorating places such as the patio, porch, garden and even window sills.

I'm planning on getting started this weekend with a couple of containers that I can keep inside till all danger of frost is past.  I'd like to hear about anyone else's project, too.

Till next time.

Weight Loss Trick that Really Works

I want to share a weight loss trick that is so easy to do it's nothing short of amazing.  You use nothing but your mind to make this work.  And here is the unusual part:  you do it while eating things that are forbidden in your diet or weight loss plan.

Everyone has a weakness for particular foods when it comes to losing weight.  For many it is sweets.  If your goal to lose weight is often sabotaged by a craving for sweets, here is a good way to kick that habit, strange as it may sound:

Start saying silently to yourself "I don't like sweets."  Say it several times a day. It doesn't have to be out loud.  Make sure to make this affirmation even while you are eating sweets.  The first time I decided to try this method, I found myself eating a twinkie soon after.  I was very much enjoying that twinkie, but, dutifully, I said to myself, "I don't like sweets."  The intellectual side of my brain knew it was a lie.  I was loving every bite of that twinkie.  It was comical.  But I stayed with my commitment and it wasn't long until I lost my craving for sweets. 

I believe this neat little psychological trick will work for everyone.  If you try it, let me know how it worked for you.

Try This for Some Will Power in Your Diet

While we're still on the subject of getting healthy and losing weight, I want to share an idea about a will power tactic that I discovered years ago.

This little trick has a good chance of working if the person will make a decision to commit to it.  The only drawback is that it can be inconvenient as it takes a little time and trouble to do.  But if it works for you, it's worth it.  Here goes:  The next time you're about to go off your diet because you can't resist that chocolate cake, do this:

Lock yourself into a bedroom or bathroom where there's a full-length mirror.  Now take off all your clothes.  Now look at yourself in the mirror.

How bad do you want that cake now?  From my own experience, I will guess not nearly as much as before you looked in that mirror.

I have another somewhat unusual tip for dieting that I will tell you about on my next post.  Till then, let's keep those New Year resolutions going!

Warm Up Before Exercising

My last few posts have been about getting in shape for the New Year and I want to share something I found out about warming up before working out.

Jumping into exercise without warming up is a shock to the body. It's not good for vital organs, either. People who start working out without warming up prevent their body from burning fat. Instead, it causes the body to use blood sugar.

Slowly warming up for about 15 minutes lets your body distribute blood to those areas where it is needed instead of quickly depleting it from vital organs. And of course, we all know that warming up protects the muscles and tendons against injury.

So, take care of your health and your body by warming up before exercise.

And don't forget about Thinner-U, the natural weight-loss pill that's helping people to take off pounds.

Thinner-U and Aerobics

If you're going to try Thinner-U to lose weight and get in shape, here's something to do with that extra energy you'll be getting with Thinner-U:

Start doing aerobics. Start out with about 15 minutes a day if you're in bad shape. Don't overdo it. You want to train your body and your metabolism to have an aerobic base. I'll explain more about this in another post, but know now that your body needs to be trained aerobically to burn fat and get you in top physical shape. When I say in top physical shape I'm not referring to a great physique, (although that's a secondary benefit) I'm talking about things like your heart and lungs.

Aerobics will improve your metabolism. By starting out with aerobics as an exercise program you strengthen your vital organs and build endurance. This is what you want to do because as the body is conditioned with aerobics it becomes more and more efficient at burning fat. Your cells will have more oxygen. When cells are filled with oxygen the body has energy and vitality.

The basics of aerobics. Most of us know that aerobics means "with air." When you are exercising by walking, jogging, or dancing, you are doing so aerobically if you can still talk while doing it. The intensity is the key. If you are winded and gasping for air you are not in an aerobic state. Your body has stopped burning fat. When working out aerobically, a person should, however, turn up the intensity for just a very short time and then return to the same pace.

The reason for this is because if the body always exercises at the same level of intensity, it never progresses to being able to burn fat at higher levels of intensity. Therefore, make yourself work just a little harder for about 30 seconds each time.

Thinner-U and the New Year

Losing weight in 2012 can feel great with a product called Thinner-U. What makes this weight loss supplement so interesting is the natural ingredients it has that work with the body to keep it healthy, flush out fat, and supply energy!

You can lose 30 pounds in 90 days with Thinner-U. Those are pretty good numbers. Start now and think of all those pounds that can be gone by summer.

Thinner-U has ancient Indian herbs and a rare green tea compound. Gymnema sylvestre works to keep fat from building up in the cells and is called a super blood sugar buster. The ancient herb ashwaganda is known for longevity and protects from stress.

The rare green tea compound sounds great. It cuts cholesterol and triglycerides. The production of the antioxidant glutathione is provided by 950 milligrams of NAC, an antioxidant ingredient.

Above all, Thinner-U is safe. It is all natural, has no stimulants or caffeine. You can try it for 21 days and if not completely satisfied you still get to keep your 30 day supply just for trying it.

So, what have you got to lose but pounds? Click on the link below and get your 30-day-supply in just a few days.