This is a great quick-look poster with a few of the many things you can do with that coconut oil you bought that’s just sitting around.
It is not appropriate for high-heat cooking, other than that, at my house we use it for everything. Oil pulling, teeth brushing, hair frizz, baking, sauteing, nail fungus, dandruff, hand moisturizer, bug bites… this stuff is amazing! I don’t know what I ever did without it! You can mix a few drops of essential oil for scented moisturizer or flavored mouth cleaner, personal preference. Enjoy!
There is no better way to complete your goals by challenging yourself, so why not? There is no better trainer than ourselves, and let’s faceit, if you don’t do it, no else will do it for you.
The best part is, you don’t need anything else but yourself to hit a whole range of lower body muscles with the following exercises.
• Your glutes with the squats and sumo squats (remember to contract your glutes when returning to stand to increase the effectiveness)
• Your quads and hamstrings with lunges and squats (to increase resistance, go low in the lunge and squat)
• Your calves with calf raises (perform with step to increase difficulty)
• Your lower abs with leg raises (slow and controlled movement)
The human brain is the most amazing and baffling organ of our body, as well as the source of many mysteries. Although the human brain makes only 2 percent of our body weight it has over 100,000 miles of blood vessels! It’s the source of every pain we feel, and yet it doesn’t have any pain sensors inside! The brain develops at the rate of 250,000 neurons per minute in early pregnancy! Check out some unbelievable facts about the most fascinating structure of the world, the human brain:
NEW HAVEN — A screening test performed on a newborn’s placenta can help determine the risk of that child developing autism, according to research at the Yale School of Medicine reported today.
Knowing that there is a high risk of autism in a newborn child gives the parents a chance to watch for signs of the disorder and to use techniques that could reduce symptoms, according to Dr. Harvey Kliman, the senior author of the study, which is published in today’s online issue of Biological Psychiatry.
“We know that early intervention has a very significant impact on these children,” Kliman said. “From my point of view, because the prevalence (of autism) is one in 50 now … I think that everybody should be screened.”
Kliman, research scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the medical school, had studied a phenomenon of abnormal folding of placental cells, and saw a connection to disorders of the brain. The latest study confirms more strongly than ever that the cellular abnormalities are a marker for autism, and possibly other brain-related disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive and attention-deficit disorders.
“This is an abnormal structure that only can be seen at the microscopic level. It can only be done after delivery,” Kliman said. “The brain is extremely sensitive to abnormal folding. It’s the most folded organ in the body.”
Since the placenta is discarded, there is no harm in studying its cells, but any abnormalities would appear in every cell, Kliman said.
In the study reported today, researchers from Yale and the MIND Institute at the University of California at Davis examined placentas of 117 newborns whose families already had a child with autism, putting them at higher risk of having a second such child, and compared them with 100 placentas from newborns in families without such a risk.
The results were dramatic: the at-risk placentas were likely to have as many as 15 of the abnormal folds, while the control placentas had no more than two. More than four such abnormalities indicates that the child is almost certainly in the at-risk group, meaning he or she is nine times more likely to have autism, Kliman said. “The actual outcomes of the children won’t be known for at least a year from now,” he said.
Now, family history is the only way to determine whether there is a chance of a child developing autism, Kliman said. Testing placental cells “gives us a tool to identify those children who are at risk at birth, way before any other modality. … I view this as the check-engine light for pregnancy.”
When Chris Sullivan became pregnant with her daughter, Dania, she was a counselor in Moorsville, N.C., who saw families with autistic children. Her clients would ask if there were a way to detect the disorder early. Continued…
Walking around in the aftermath of yesterday’s tragedy I heard people say over and over, “I can’t believe this happened here in Boston.”
Most tragedies seem distant and removed.
Until tragedy lands on our front door.
For those of us who have ever considered Boston to be home, yesterday’s explosions shook many to the core. The normal reaction is shock, anger, even numbness. It feels surreal that terror of this magnitude came so close. As the American Psychological Association states, “shock and denial are normal protective actions” after a traumatic event.
Today Everything Feels Normal
Walking through Downtown Crossing and into the Financial District this morning, it was hard to imagine the horror of yesterday’s events in the regular activities occurring today. It was business as usual.
Tourists clicked cameras and walked along the streets. Business people walked quickly down the streets. Phones were out, businesses were open. The usual suspects were on the corners asking for money. Students gathered to study and sip coffee. In Starbucks, a financial advisor counseled the woman sitting next to me on the best way to reallocate funds. I walked past a mailman, hands full of mail and packages. Checking my phone, I noted my landlord had emailed a request.
Life goes on. Part of the strength of the people in this country is our ability to be resilient, to cope, to go on.
As my own mentor told me recently; “Sometimes life is not about being successful at living. It’s about continuing on.” I was going through a personal trial, the kind that defines the rest of your life- how it’s lived out, what happens next.
As a city, Boston is also at the place of crisis: the explosions at the Boston Marathon will define every event that ever happens again. No marathon will ever go on in the same way, perhaps even with the same joy. Everything has changed.
When a crisis hits a city, such as yesterday’s explosions hit Boston, people stop. Yet while we stop momentarily, all of us tend to move on quickly if we are not directly touched by the tragedy.And I suppose the cynics among us, even in us, argue that trouble and tragedy is the common problem of modern humanity. Explosions in cities, shootings in towns, a shaky economy, earthquakes, floods, blizzards, and hurricanes are among the tumultuous events that hit us corporately.
Add to that personal trials of financial struggles, relational struggles, health crisis and the other difficulties and the only alternative to giving up in despair may be to continue on.
As I reflected on yesterday’s events – I was standing at the site of the explosion a mere 75 minutes before it occurred- I couldn’t get the phrase out of my head, how now shall I live? In the middle of the crazy times we are in, learning to live in response to these events rather than in spite of them seems to be a healthier, saner way to live.
So while we continue on in strength and resilience, let’s not forget to take time to reflect and heal.
Ideas on Healing and How to Continue on After a Tragedy
• Allow adequate time to feel and to heal.
It’s o.k. to be sad and grieve, even if we were not personally affected by the event.
We are in such a rush to get better and back to “life as normal” in the Western world. From insurance mandated hospital stays to treating illness with over the counter meds and powering through a cold, we are in a rush to get better.
There is no cookie cutter way of responding to traumatic events. According to the American Psychological Association, some people will respond right away and others will respond after time has passed. Some individuals grieve for an extended period of time and others move through grief quickly.
What is important is to be aware of ourselves and sensitive to others.
• Slow down, even for 5 minutes a day
Self-awareness and awareness of others can be difficult in the middle of noisy, busy life. But slowing down helps, even if beginning a “quiet time” for a mere 10 minutes a day. Turn off the electronics and breathe.
Be aware that extreme mood swings, increased irritability and feeling “off” may all be signals from the brain, body and heart that all is not well and restoration is needed.
• Don’t forget to remember
Remembering keeps us sane. Remembering is part of learning.
Remember those who have been injured. Don’t ignore the headlines. Don’t forget to remember those who suffer. Sometimes there is nothing we can physically do. Perhaps, even if we were not directed affected by yesterday’s tragedy, we can do this: extend a bit of kindness to those around us today.
• Share a meal with people you care about.
People who sit down and share meals together live better. Schedules are crazy and even sharing a meal once a day may be hard for families. Do it as the schedules allow. For singles, is it feasible to prioritize cooking and eating with a group of friends once or twice a week? The healthy habit of breaking bread is so much more than the physical food. It’s about what happens in our hearts and minds and souls.
One of my favorite phrases is, “Be kind. Everyone is facing a battle.” Indeed. The battle may be tangible, palpable, and able to be described in words- as in the betrayal of a friend or the diagnosis of cancer. Or it may be more subtle, yet just as potent- increasing fear and anxiety, a shorter tolerance, an inability to cope with today’s problems.
You can continue on. I can continue on. As I watch families laugh together and businesses set up shop, I am once again admirable of the American people who continue on despite the fact a terrorist(s) attempted to stop us from doing so yesterday.
As we continue on, may it be with greater care for one another- and ourselves.
I have acne-prone skin. I have that terrible hormonal adult acne which means whenever that female monthly time comes around, I have breakouts mostly around my chin.
Well, the past few months have been very stressful which resulted in my skin and body reacting in some very extreme ways. One of the most annoying body reactions was excessive breakouts all over my chin and cheek area which led to dark marks, uneven tone, and dull looking skin.
My skin had started to peel and no amount of added moisture (my favorite oils, vaseline, face lotion, etc) seemed to do anything with my skin to give it the moisture it needed.
And then I had a light-bulb moment and realized I may just needed to do some exfoliating. I don’t know why, but for some reason I oftentimes forget this step in facial skin care. However, now I am a true believer!!!
Since it was late and I was at home, I decided to make my own natural homemade exfoliator.
I simply used salt, Kosher salt, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, and a smidgen of castor oil.
I combined all 4 components into a paste-like texture that looked liked this:
I went into the shower and used my homemade exfoliator by making gentle circles all over my face. I made sure to not scrub hard as the Kosher salt is pretty thick and coarse.
Any leftover exfoliator, I applied to other needed body areas such as my feet and elbows. And since I don’t like the feeling of excess oil being left on my face, I washed away most of the oil using my Tom’s Sensistive Skin facial bar(I’ll have to write a review about this amazing soap later).
After I’m done, my skin is glowing, soft, and moisturized; and as an added bonus, my dark marks seem to have lightened by at least 50%!
I’ve been doing this routine once a week and so far it has helped me get rid of those small red bumps that would appear on my cheeks and chin, significantly lighten my dark spots, smooth out my skin and even the tone, and leave a nice glow to my face.
My face is loving it!!
You can try to make your own scrubs with: salt, Kosher salt, baking soda, sugar, brown sugar, or oatmeal.
And mix it with any of the following: plain water, your favorite oil (olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, etc), lemon juice, or honey.
Keep in mind that exfoliating, especially over-exfoliation, can lead to dryness and skin damage, which is why I make my scrub with oil so that prevents any drying effects. And be as gentle as possible in order to prevent skin damage.
The best part about making your own exfoliator is that it cost me nothing since I already had what I needed in my pantry cabinets.
Next time, I’m going to try some other combinations like salt with raw honey.
Trying to do more, be more and achieve more has always been an American trait.
If we can do more with less, we have achieved the accolade of all accolades. Many people talk of how they don’t sleep enough but “they are getting a lot done.” Startup businesses talk about sleepless nights. College students have all night study sessions.
Whatever the cost, we get it done.
That is what counts, right? Getting stuff done?
In the last five years, one research study after another is revealing a different philosophy. As Tony Schwartz, author, speaker and founder of The Energy Project says, “Sleep or Die.”
It may sound extreme but Mr. Schwartz might be making a valid point. For anyone who considers themselves to be a creative – and who isn’t a creative in some aspect in our information and digital age – a lack of sleep dramatically decreases not only one’s ability to get their best work done; they may not even live to enjoy it.
Consider some of the results of sleep deprivation from these studies, all done in the last 5 years:
Poor memory (2012 study from UCLA in the journal Child Development)
Increased blood pressure (2009 study by Dr. Fujikawa, Clinical & Experimental Hypertension)
Increased risk of cardiac disease and heart attack (2011, University of Warwick)
Increased risk of diabetes and Alzheimer’s (multiple studies)
Lower ability to focus (Schwartz, The Energy Project, various studies)
Decreased creativity and ability to learn new things (2011, University College of London, published in Sleep Journal).
What a bummer.
In his book The Way We’re Working isn’t Working, Schwartz emphasizes the importance of sleep to the point that he recently made the infamous statement noted in the opening paragraph, “Sleep or die.”
Studies show more than 95% of the population needs at least 7 hours of sleep to be at their optimal level but most people never get that much sleep. In a blog post about how sleep deprived we are, Schwarz states, “ We’ve literally lost touch with what it means to be fully awake.”
Sigh. I feel the need for a nap.
My curiosity is also alerted about what Schwarz means by being “fully awake.” I wonder how I would live differently, write differently, and think differently if I was sleeping more than 7 hours every night.
But in this activity driven, over-stimulated world can I make the choice to eliminate stuff and activities in order to sleep more and think better? After all, I’m uber-guilty of reading “just one more blog post,” writing one more chapter, creating one more piece of art, answering one more email all into the late hours of the night. To get enough sleep, the sleep Schwartz claims (and studies show) would help me write, work and live better, I would have to make significant changes in my life.
At my worst sleeping habits a few years back, I was getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night. I commuted four hours in addition to working up to a 12 hour day. I was also working on a side writing project. To say I was tired is an understatement. Some of you are doing exactly what I did. I know the pain of trying to make stuff happen, be a good employee and try to stay connected with family and friends. I was exhausted, but trying to pretend I was fine. It worked for about 6 months.
Looking back, the decisions I was making were not good. I was very reactive and there was no sense of vision in my life. I don’t want to return to that: either the lifestyle or the mentality.
I’m back in a place where my sleep times are irregular and inconsistent. It’s not at the extreme deficit I was in, but I know better than to think I’m immune to slipping back to my old ways.
I’m going to try an experiment for the next month. I’m going to prioritize sleep and work on getting 7 hours of sleep every night. I’m going to track my progress and my productivity during my waking hours. The goal would be to experience the feeling of “fully awake.”
How about you? How important do you think sleep is to your ability to think clearly, create brilliantly and live with more energy? What changes would you be willing to make in order to get more sleep?
I am curious to hear your thoughts on the power of sleep and its effect on creativity. Leave a comment.
Melissa is a blogger and artist, pursuing the location independent lifestyle at http://www.launchyourcreativelife.com Follow Melissa on Twitter @melissauclair.
And while a lot of people start going to the gym for swimsuit season, looking good in a swim suit is not my motivation behind setting the alarm clock early and hitting the street for an early run.
For me, staying strong and fit isn’t just about today. Staying healthy is an integral part of the vision for my life.
I want to stay fit for the person I will be in three decades. It’s about being in the best shape possible so I can participate in life.
It’s hard to enjoy life to the max when we aren’t feeling our physical best.
That’s why taking the steady route to fitness and good health is better than working out in fits and spurts. Because health isn’t about getting fit for a season. Good health is about being fit for life.
It’s about our kids and our families and friends. It’s making sure we are here for the important events in life like watching sunsets in June and shoveling snow in February.
Staying fit is about being able to throw my nephews up in the air and chasing my youngest sister around the park.
It’s about walking all over Boson and participating in community activities- now and in thirty years.
In the near future, I want to backpack through Italy and coast of La Cinque Terre. I want to hike all over Bali and Manila.
I want to throw my own kids up in the air one day. I want to run over (medium sized) mountains and through nature trails. It’d be nice to beat my brother in arm wrestling (probably just a fantasy).
I won’t be able to do what I want to do, to live the life I want to live, if I’m lugging around a lot of extra pounds or if I don’t keep my bones and muscles strong .
I worked for more than 8 years as a RN in acute care hospitals. I saw what happened to people who spent years doing all sorts of activities but neglected to care for their own bodies.
Watching a grown man- a big, tough guy- break down crying sitting on the side of the hospital bed was heart wrenching.
He was significantly overweight and was recently diagnosed with diabetes. To top it all off, the knee operation after an accident was going to require a lot of physical therapy and his pain was intense. He had a lot going against him in his battle to regain his health. Now he couldn’t take care of his young family like he wanted to. They were going to take care of him.
I wish I could tell you he was an isolated story.
Unfortunately, I witness hundreds if not thousands of people whose current physical situations were being exacerbated by lifestyle choices: overweight, weak muscles, years of smoking and basic inattention to their own health.
Before I make it sound like I’m a marine about working out…I’m not. I love to bake. I love to eat. I love to cook. I am convinced that what goes on in the kitchen is a lot more than onions and mushrooms sautéing on the stove. I’m working on a book about the joy of baking and building relationship in the kitchen. Working in the kitchen has changed my life.
But at the same time I’m careful that what I love doesn’t interfere with my ability to live.
I don’t eat out at fast food. I watch the salt intake. I’ve eliminated certain foods from my diet. I believe in moderation in all things. I walk every day.
Some days I mess up and have a few too many just-out-of-the-oven warm, chocolate chip cookies. But I get back on track.
I recently returned from a week long vacation where I ate and drank whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. While it made for a free-spirited break from real life, upon returning home, I find my body feels sluggish and my jeans are a bit tighter than I would prefer. Yikes!
The internet offers no shortage of ways to drop a few pounds fast, but if I don’t return to my daily healthy lifestyle, I know those pounds will creep right back (and probably bring a few friends). Further, so-called “Crash Dieting” (aka Fad Dieting, Yo-Yo Dieting) carries its own host of problems, including:
Slowed metabolism
Weakened immune system
Cardiac stress
In particular, shortages of essential vitamins and nutrients to body can cause tremendous stress, potentially carrying long-term, damaging results. When your body doesn’t get what it needs from food, it will turn inward to find it, potentially pulling nutrients from bones and tissue.
Is it worth it?
Even if you commit to a crash diet for no more than a week or two, there are very few (if any) advantages gained. Namely, the weight you may lose is predominantly water, and will very likely reappear once you return to your normal diet. More importantly, a crash diet throws your body’s metabolism into shock. When you severely restrict your calories and nutrients, your body adapts to functioning on the lesser amounts. When you do return to your normal diet, your body will still be accustomed to functioning on less, typically resulting in weight gain. While your body will eventually adapt back to functioning with more food, it could take weeks or months of weight gain before everything balances.
The Bottom Line
Changing your eating habits is still the number one way to manage your weight, but slow and steady wins this race. Committing to healthy lifestyle choices, specifically a balanced diet and exercise, will ultimately yield greater returns in the long run. Consider losing and maintaining weight is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise – you can have one without the other, but they work best together.
If you’re ready to take a closer look at your nutrition and exercise habits, there are several great online tools to help you track what you eat and how often you move. Take a week or two and start logging using one of these tools. Before too long, you’ll be able to identify which foods are undermining you, and areas for improvement.
If you suffer from brittle nails that have a hard time growing, you may want to check this supplement out.
It’s called Biotin and it helps with hair and nail growth. The hair growth may take some time noticing, but you will begin to see almost immediate results for nail strength and growth. I discovered this by accident when I was taking Biotin for weight loss and I quickly noticed a difference in my fingernails. They were noticeably longer, thicker, and stronger. I did a little research to discover that Biotin has been indeed proven to help with nail growth.
And while I did lose a few pounds (I have no clue if Biotin was the true cause of that), I can say for sure it made a world of a difference on my nails.
You can take Biotin alone or with Vitamin B6 because they both help produce the keratin protein found in nails. Along with keratin, Biotin also helps with the production of collagen and elastin fibers which is found beneath the nail and also promotes healthy nail growth.
So, if you struggle and feel embarrassed with your nail appearance, give Biotin a try.
You just might lose a few pounds as an extra bonus. You can’t beat that!
Seems like the rule of thumb for food is: “If it tastes good, it’s not good for you.” So much of our good and bad eating habits have to do with the type of foods we were raised around, and our views of food as fuel and sustenance as well as a pleasurable, sensual act (use of the sense of taste.) As Humans, we’re practically hot-wired for pleasurable consumption–that is, craving and eating the foods that makes us feel good–in direct opposition to eating for nutrients and energy. This becomes particularly dangerous with the presence of disease, particularly Diabetes. We compromise our good health when we eat processed foods laden with sugar, preservatives, salt, and fat. And processed foods aren’t good for anyone, let alone diabetics, so best you strike the following 10 Worst Possible Foods To Eat For People With Diabetes from your shopping lists.
Chicken Nuggets These ubiquitous finger foods dip nicely and satisfy hunger, but you’d do better to go for grilled chicken strips or a skinless breast. Whether you get them in a restaurant or out of the freezer section, chicken nuggets are made with heavy breading (that you may forget to count against your carbs for the day) and usually more salt, fat, and preservatives than anyone needs.
White Rice Sure, white rice is inexpensive and easy to cook. But like all processed foods made with refined flour, including white bread and white pasta, it offers very little nutrition in return for raising your blood sugar, and it could be loaded with preservatives, too. If you like rice and want better control of your diabetes, try some of the wild rice blends (as well as whole-grain breads, pastas, and cereals). They take a little longer to cook and they do cost more, but they’re healthier and tastier.
French Fries Few people realize how many calories even a small serving of French fries can contain. This can make managing your weight and your diabetes difficult, especially if you eat them frequently. And like white rice, they don’t offer much in return for their effect on blood sugar levels. If you really like fries, bake them yourself at home, without oil. Use skin-on sweet potatoes and skip the frozen supermarket varieties, which are often loaded with preservatives.
Canned Fruit in Heavy Syrup Eating more fruits and vegetables helps people with type 2 diabetes stay healthy and feel full. If your budget is tight, canned produce is an option — it lasts longer and tastes good. Unfortunately, if you don’t read labels carefully, you could end up with fruit that has been canned in heavy, sugary syrup. You can lighten the sugar load of these processed foods by draining and rinsing the fruit, but it’s better to buy fruit canned in its own juice instead of syrup.
Potato Chips When you have to watch your weight, as many people with type 2 diabetes must do, potato chips and other fried snacks can quickly undermine your diet efforts. These processed foods add to your intake of calories, salt, and preservatives without providing much, if any, nutrition or fiber, which can help slow digestion a bit. Plan ahead for those times when you want a crunchy treat and have veggie sticks (cut-up carrots, celery, and zucchini are great) and a low-fat, low-sugar dip you enjoy at the ready.
Soda Having a lot of sodas, even sugar-free sodas, in your diet frequently correlates with a diabetes diagnosis. Most people switch to sugar-free or try to give up sugary drinks entirely to better manage their diabetes (and their weight). If it’s the tingly sensation of soda you crave, try club soda with a touch of fruit juice for flavor. Go easy on the fruit juice, however, because it’s also high in sugar.
Foods With High-Fructose Corn Syrup High-fructose corn syrup is a common ingredient in many packaged foods like cookies and snack cakes, and it’s the focal point of a controversy about its effect on weight, insulin, and health. Many foods that you might not realize contain HFCS actually do, such as sweet pickle relish, ketchup, jams and jellies, and salad dressings. If you’re wary of including this form of sweetener and all its calories in your diabetes diet, simply choose products that list sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup, as an ingredient. Keep in mind though that both sugar and high-fructose corn syrup add calories to food, and try to develop a taste for foods that are less sweet to better manage your type 2 diabetes.
Processed Meats Although they don’t usually contain sugar, processed meats, which are heavy on salt and preservatives, seem to be linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Instead of relying on lunch meats, deli meats, and various kinds of sausages, go for meat that is closer to its natural state. Try using leftovers from a roasted chicken for a lunchbox sandwich, for example. Also, build in more meatless options for type 2 diabetes control.
Fast-Food Hamburgers This fast-food staple may be a diabetes risk factor for you. Research shows that African-American women who eat hamburgers in a restaurant two or more times a week are much more likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis than those who do not. A small, plain hamburger probably isn’t the root of this problem — it’s more likely that the oversized patties, buns, and toppings are contributing to these statistics. If you’re eating out, opt for a small, grilled-chicken sandwich with lots of veggies instead. Dr. Hannon recommends researching restaurant menus in advance to plan healthy choices.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed quite the fixation with different types of oils for cooking, aromatherapy, beauty aides, and alternative medicine.
So, I just wanted to take the time out to highlight some of my favorite oils and how I’ve found them helpful in my daily needs.
Coconut Oil: Organic, Unrefined, Cold-Pressed, Extra Virgin
The BEST natural body moisturizer I’ve come across. Slather this anywhere on your body and you’ll be amazed by how soft and supple your skin will be by the next day. Tip: If you have really dry feet, Try This: Rub coconut oil all over your feet, slip on some socks, and get some rest. You’ll thank me in the morning. 🙂
Dry hair? No problem. Apply this oil throughout the hair to give it some added moisture.
Some people swear that taking 1-2 tablespoons a day of coconut oil helps with weight loss. I can’t attest to those claims, but it is yummy when used to cook up some scrambled eggs. Delish!
Believe it or not, I sometimes use this on my face as a moisturizer and it does a great job of getting rid of dry patches and making the face more supple. However, I only recommend doing this for people with dry skin.
Castor Oil: The Palma Christi (Palm of Christ)
I have grown to love this oil. It’s great as an overnight spot treatment on pimples/acne. This oil is too thick to place all over the face, so I don’t recommend it.
Great for dry hands and feet.
If you’re having trouble in the bathroom area(constipation), this is your go-to oil. It’ll clear that right up!
Castor Oil packs have been used for various issues such as inflammation, congestion, constipation, and liver, kidney, and pelvic disorders.
I don’t have this one confirmed yet, but it supposedly helps with the appearance of cellulite. I’m going to try this one out and let you know my results.
Olive Oil: Any type
This is my go-to oil for most of my cooking needs, unless I’m frying.
This is a good oil for body moisturizing, but I prefer coconut oil for my beauty needs over olive oil.
Many claim that it’s great in your hair. I tried this once and well, never again! Ok, maybe further experiments are needed, but I was not impressed.
Lavender Oil: 100% Pure Essential Oil
Great for healing my acne bumps and scars.
The anti-bacterial properties also help with any cuts and scrapes, including cat scratches (cat owners can relate!)
A few drops on my pillow case help me to finally doze off to sleep when my insomnia starts kicking in.
Always great to use in an oil diffuser as a room deodorizer.
Mix this with Eucalyptus oil in warm/hot water for a relaxing bath.
Peppermint Oil: 100% Pure Essential Oil
If you’re sick, this oil will surely give your sinuses some temporary relief and make it easier to breathe again. However, putting this oil in a bath will give you an extreme cooling effect in all areas including your nether regions, so be forewarned.
Another good choice to scent the room in an oil diffuser. However, the minty smell makes my cat go off-the-wall bonkers!
Clove Oil: 100% Pure Essential Oil
Believe it or not, this oil is stronger than lavender oil with its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This oil can zap away a zit overnight. Warning: It can sting a little, so you may want to mix it with a carrier oil like olive oil before applying to the skin.
I haven’t tried this, but apparently it’s great to use with your toothpaste/mouthwash for dental care.
Eucalyptus Oil: 100% Pure Essential Oil
This goes well with lavender oil as a calming and soothing bath oil.
This is another good choice for a room deodorizer.
Citrus-Scented Oils (Orange, Lemon, and Lime): 100% Pure Essential Oil
I only use these oils to get rid of any unpleasant smells that may pop up within my apartment. I have citrus oils to be great as a room deodorizer.
Certain citrus oil brands you can use for baking needs (pies, cakes, etc.) to boost flavor.
I do own and use a lot more oils, but these are my main staples. I’m always looking to experiment and add to my collection, so if you have any other good suggestions/recommendations please forward it my way!
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