The Health Benefits

Makeup Tip

2008-09-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

How to Create the Smokey Eyes Effect

Want sexy, smokey eyes? All it takes is seven simple steps and some guidance.
Sexy, smoldering eyes glam up any event. And they are not only reserved to Hollywood's A-Listers. If you know how, you can achieve this look at home, without the need for a professional beauty therapist and all it takes is five minutes.
When it comes to smokey eyes, the main key to bear in mind is to blend, blend, blend. Follow this quick guide to help you get those smoldering eyes.
You will need:
Three different shades of an eye shadow of your choice. One dark, one medium and one lighter shade of the same colour.
Eyeliner (either black or brown)
Mascara (either black or brown)
A good quality eye shadow brush
Translucent powder
Step 1Before applying the eye shadow, make sure your eyelids do not contain any oil or residue. And, just to be on the safe side, dust the eyelid with a little translucent base powder before applying the makeup.
Step 2Starting at the inner corner of the upper lid, line the eye using your eyeliner just above the lash line. Make sure you line the other eye exactly the same.
Step 3Apply the lightest shade of eye shadow or highlighter just under the eyebrow, across the brow bone. Dust over the full lid once you're done. Don't forget the other side.
Step 4Using the medium-toned shade, apply the eye shadow to the upper portion of the eyelid. Start at the lash line and work your way upwards to the crease of the eye. Remember to blend, blend, blend.
Step 5Using the darkest shade of eye shadow, apply the shade to the eyelid, starting at the outer most corner of the upper lid. Slowly blend the shade to about the middle of the eyelid. When you're done, blend the shade into the medium shade.
Step 6To intensify the smokey-eye effect, you can add some eyeliner to the lower eyelid, making sure to not go under the eye line.
Step 7Next apply mascara to create brighter eyes.
You're done.
Source: http://health.learninginfo.org

Dandruff Causes

2008-09-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Compared with and other natural , dandruff is a minor problem. But walking around with white flakes on your head and shoulders is embarrassing — doubly so if your dandruff flares up just before an important job interview or romantic encounter.
The exact cause of dandruff has long been uncertain. Some general practitioners believe it is the result of either too much or too little oil being produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp.
However, some dermatologists suggest that it is caused by an infection, and a yeast fungus has been isolated that is believed to breed in a combination of sebaceous oil and dead skin cells. And while they don't cause dandruff, hormonal and seasonal changes can also exacerbate the problem.
Dandruff is characterized by accelerated cell turnover — in other words, the cells on the surface of your skin build up like crazy.
“Typically, it takes 21 days for new cells to migrate to the surface of your scalp, where they are shed, says Dr. Yohini Appa, director of product efficacy at the Neutrogena Corporation. “Ideally, it’s an invisible process. But with dandruff, the cell reaches the surface in half the time.” As a result, cells build up on your scalp in clumps before they’re shed. And when they shed, they look like tiny white flakes.
Dandruff can be controlled if not cured. Click here for information on dandruff treatments and remedies.
Source: http://health.learninginfo.org

Chicken Breast Nutrition Facts

2008-09-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

Chicken breasts are rated as a great source of lean, quality protein. Provided that the meat is skinless, a chicken breast has the least amount of fat. When compared to a fat trimmed T-bone steak, chicken breasts have less than half the fat content.
Chicken breasts can be prepared in a variety of ways, but if your aim is to keep your meal as low in fat as possible, it is best to skin the chicken breast before cooking. The skin of a chicken is full of saturated fat, and when cooked with the skin, the fat drips down into the breast meat, changing its nutritional profile.
Many athletes, specifically bodybuilders and fitness competitors, as well as generally health conscious people consume chicken breasts as their number one protein source — not only because of its nutritional quality, but also because chicken breast is extremely versatile, making it a great option to vary healthy meals. It can be baked, boiled, grilled or poached and can be eaten hot or cold.
A typical 1-cup of oven-roasted chicken breast with no skin contains about 231 calories. Of these calories, 5 grams are derived from fat, zero from carbohydrates and 43.4 grams from protein. While the fat content is already relatively low, only 1.4 grams of the 5 grams of fat is considered saturated fat.

Source: http://health.learninginfo.org

Breathing Exercises:

2008-09-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some breathing exercises to help you retrain your body to intake oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide more effectively:
First, take in three maximum breaths inhaling from mouth. Next, take three maximum breaths through the nose and notice the difference. Now, inhale through the nose and exhale only through the nose. As you breathe, contract stomach muscles and increase the size of breath with each inspiration. Breathe until you have reached your lungs' full capacity. Try this both at rest, then practice during your walking or exercise program. If you have a difficult time nasal breathing or want to stimulate an involuntary response, place one drop of Peppermint essential oil into the hands, then touch your upper lip just below the nose.
Reference:
Douillard, J., Body, Mind, And Sport (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001).
Article by Laura M. Turner:Laura M. Turner, M.S., CHHP is an author and certified holistic health practitioner through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Want to know how to use these principles to heal your life? Let Laura show you. You'll find all the answers in her latest book: Spiritual Fitness The 7-Steps to Living Well: http://www.beauty-and-body.com/Spiritual_Fitness_Info.htm.

Bikini Body Moves: Exercises to

2008-09-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

It’s almost summer season, which means beaches, bikini’s and bodies. . . Don’t be left out this summer. Get your body in tip-top shape with these power bikini moves that target and tone the bits that matter most. Complete about three sets of each move with repetitions of 15-20 using lighter weights and follow with about 10-20 minutes of cardio activity, and you’ll be bikini ready in no time at all.

Stiff legged deadliftsThese are great for toning those stubborn hamstrings (back of the thigh) and also target your glutes (buttocks) muscles. To perform this move, grab a suitable sized barbell and stand with your feet flat on the floor about hip width apart. Place the barbell in front of you, hands wrapped around the bar and palms facing towards your body.
Take a deep breath and while keeping your back straight, lower the barbell toward the floor until you feel the stretch in your hamstrings. Remember to keep your head straight and look ahead of you. Slowly exhale and return to the starting position.
Parking lot lungesThese target your quadriceps (front of thighs) as well as your glutes. To perform this move, stand with your feet together, about hip width apart and grasp a suitable sized dumbbell in each hand. Remember that you will need a long stretch of space as you will be walking across the room or gym.
Place the dumbbells on either side and turn your palms inwards so that they are facing the sides of your thighs. As you breathe in, slowly step your right foot forward, lowering your right knee and keeping your back straight; your left knee will lower automatically. Remember not to let your right knee go over your right toes. Slowly breathe out and straighten your right leg, bringing you left leg next to it and repeat on the left side.
Triceps KickbacksThese are great for toning up those "flabby arms". Stand with your feet together, about hip width apart and grasp a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing inwards and arms bent and firmly at your sides (so that they are next to your chest or ribcage). Remember to keep your upper arm aligned with your body. Slowly lower your torso so that your body bends forward, keeping your knees slightly bent and feet planted firmly on the floor. As you inhale, extend your elbows backwards, so that your forearms straighten out behind you until you feel the stretch in your triceps. Squeeze the muscle and return to the starting position. Remember not to move your upper arm throughout this move.
Bicep CurlsStand with your feet hip width apart and grasp a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing inwards and at your sides. Inhale and slowly curl your right arm upwards towards your chest. Squeeze your bicep, return to the starting position and execute the move with your left arm.
CrunchesBuild beautiful abs with floor crunches. Lie flat on a mat with your knees bent and feet and buttocks flat on the floor; hands behind your head and elbows pointed outwards and parallel to the floor. As you breathe in, slowly lift your upper back off the floor using your abdominal muscles without lifting your lower back off the floor. Hold for a count of one, return to the starting position and repeat. Remember to keep your elbows pointed outwards throughout the move and don’t use them to lift your head off the floor.

Source: http://health.learninginfo.org

Banana Nutrition Facts

2008-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

It’s the bicycle rider’s best friend, a potassium pipeline that instantly picks up a sagging pumper.
It’s a diarrhea sufferer’s ally, a soothing substance that may stop what you most want stopped and help replace what you’ve lost. It helps to replace electrolytes, the very tiny electrical charges needed to power the body and maintain fluid balance.
It’s a helping hand against high blood pressure that may help keep your numbers low.
It’s a tropical fruit, a large berry, that’s handy and healthy, providing 452 milligrams of potassium, 33 milligrams of magnesium, and just over 2 grams of fiber. Studies have shown that people with high levels of potassium in their diet have a lower incidence of hypertension, even if they don’t watch their salt intake.
The banana shares many benefits of its fruity brethren: It’s low in calories, fat, sodium, and much of its fiber is soluble — the kind that can help lower cholesterol. It stands out, however, because it has lots of potassium and a respectable amount of magnesium. That’s why it’s a favorite fruit of most athletes and often is recommended for people with diarrhea or high blood pressure.
Bananas are also a very good source of vitamin B6, providing one-third of the RDA in a single serving.

Source: http://health.learninginfo.org

Breast Reduction Surgery

2008-09-02T07:55:00.001-07:00

Who Makes a Good Candidate?

Good candidates for breast reduction surgery include:
Women with large, pendulous breasts made up of large amounts of glandular tissue.
Women with excessively dense breast tissue.
Thin women with more glandular tissue than fat.
Pre-menopause women (before glandular tissue has been replaced by fat).
Women without certain health complications.
Women with realistic expectations.

Breast Reduction Surgery

2008-09-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

More often performed to bring physical relief than for cosmetic purposes, breast reduction surgery is effective in alleviating 70% to 100% of symptoms in women who have the procedure.
Because the main purpose of breast reduction is for health purposes, it is one type of plastic surgery often covered by medical insurance. In fact, in many cases medical insurance will cover most of the cost. And in the overwhelming majority of cases, patient satisfaction is high; 80% to 95% of reported physical distress is alleviated.
Some women with “too-large” breasts feel self-conscious; tired of being unwanted targets of insensitive jokes, or careless references about ample breasts. Others experience back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by large breasts. Still others simply want clothes to fit and look better. Whatever the reason for seeking breast reduction surgery, some women make better candidates than others.
Source: http://health.learninginfo.org
Contine...Next

Breathing for Perfect Health

2008-09-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

The Two Forms of Breathing:
Before we discuss how you can learn to breathe more efficiently, it's best to note that there are two ways our body has become accustomed to breathing: in the chest/clavicle area and from the diaphragm. It makes sense that chest breathing is shallow and requires more work to supply oxygen to the body. Chest breathing requires a higher heart rate and when used alone, doesn't efficiently engage the lower lobes of the lungs (where the oxygen is taken into the blood). This is easy to do. And, if we don't know any better we may never graduate beyond shallow breathing.
What's the alternative? Enter the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a flat "parachute" muscle at the bottom of the lungs (Douillard, 2001, p. 148). It contracts as we inspire drawing air into the lower portion of the lungs (more efficiently transferring oxygen to the blood). It's also in the lower lungs where carbon dioxide and other gasses are prepared for release. Give it a try: place your hand on your abdomen just below the ribcage. You should feel the diaphragm shrink as you inhale, expand as you exhale. Now alternate between mouth and nose breathing -- can you tell which one more effectively engages the diaphragm?
While thinking about changing your habits: consider the nose is created for breathing and the mouth for eating (except in extreme circumstances when the airway is obstructed, of course). If nose breathing is efficient, it engages both chest/clavicle and diaphragm involuntarily getting them to work together in a seamless system. The key is to make this happen both during exercise and at rest. Ever felt dizzy? Then you know what it's like not to be breathing effectively. Mouth breathing allows too much oxygen to enter the system. This abundance of oxygen cannot be exchanged with carbon dioxide fast enough causing its build up in the blood. This can cause dizziness, even fainting.

Benefits Of Nose Breathing:
Why is the nose a more effective tool for breathing? Here are just a few benefits:
1.) Nose breathing happens in a controlled environment allowing in only the correct amount of oxygen into the body at one time.
2.) The anatomy of the nose has ridges which create a stream of air perfect for oxygen exchange.
3.) Mucous membranes keep air warm or cold and moist, adapting to the body's temperature in its environment.
4.) Cilia (tiny hairs) clean and filter the air to prevent the body from disease and infection.
5.) New evidence suggests nasal passages produce nitric oxide. This not only kills bacteria and viruses but cancer cells. It is also thought to regulate blood pressure and boost immunity (Douillard, 2001, p. 163).
6.) Nose breathing increases the blood supply to cells; this coordinates the body by improving muscle balance.

Reference:
Douillard, J., Body, Mind, And Sport (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001).
Article by Laura M. Turner:Laura M. Turner, M.S., CHHP is an author and certified holistic health practitioner through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Want to know how to use these principles to heal your life? Let Laura show you. You'll find all the answers in her latest book: Spiritual Fitness The 7-Steps to Living Well: http://www.beauty-and-body.com/Spiritual_Fitness_Info.htm.

The Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

2008-09-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Aloe Vera gel is often thought as having one specific function: cooling and helping to heal sunburns. In fact, Aloe is an amazing plant with a wide ability to aid in the healing process, to protect, moisturize, and even extend life. It was used in ancient times for medicinal purposes, and its relevancy has not diminished today. Aloe's usefulness continues to grow as scientists study its properties and possible applications.
Aloe Vera is a cellular re generator and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. These properties alone contribute to Aloe's place as one of nature's healthiest products. WorldwideHealth.com's Health Library lists magnesium lactate, an itch inhibitor, in the minerals contained in the plant. Therefore, in bringing relief to insect bites, acne, sunburns, rashes, and other topical conditions, Aloe makes sense.
But what about the less frequent uses of Aloe? Should Aloe be considered as an addition to diet and lifestyle? Aloe can purportedly do so much more than soothe irritated skin. Taken internally, it can be used as a laxative and to destroy certain bacteria or parasites in the intestines. Unsubstantiated claims include that it can help heal ulcers and settle a queasy stomach. There are a dozen uses for Aloe that have been integrated into modern alternative medicine, and scientists have been able to study some of these claims.
Dr. Timothy E. Moore's research on Aloe and dental health at the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) describes gel from the plant as having the ability to heal, control the accumulation of fluids, and reduce pain. He has also found that in denture patients, aloe can reduce inflammation and discomfort caused by fungi and bacteria. Other uses include post periodontal surgery and on cracks and lesions found inside and outside the mouth.In a study performed by the Department of Physiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, lab rats were given a 10% greater life span by ingesting Aloe. The animals showed lowered occurrences of various diseases including arterial thrombosis and leukemia. In addition, no adverse side effects were found in the rats on a diet that included Aloe.
While anyone considering alternative medicine to treat conditions should consult their physician first, Aloe may be a viable remedy for various ailments. Through observation and further tests, scientists have proven that the healing effects of Aloe extend beyond merely soothing sunburn. Future studies should bring credibility to other claims of Aloe's diverse medical benefits.

Source: http://health.learninginfo.org