We all want to be healthy, wealthy and beautiful. But when it comes to talking about beauty, some people know a lot about skin care, while others haven’t a clue what our skin is designed for.

When we reach the age that we begin to see fine lines and wrinkles, we start to look for solutions. I may not be a doctor, but I studied anatomy and physiology while at university and I know that our skin deserves all the nutrition we can give it. If anything, we have to feed our skin natural, healthy, raw food instead of processed food if we expect it to stand up to wind and sun.

The skin normally renews its cells every 28 days. We can talk all day long about lotions and creams, but applying a cream with nutrients to the surface of our skin does not ensure that those nutrients actually penetrate into our skin cells.

I want to share a personal story with you. A couple of years ago my 30-year-old son fell ill and I was shocked by the doctors’ diagnoses. One said that his intestines were abnormally long and the other said he had warm tape! I couldn’t believe it.

Neither could my son. Rejecting what the doctors had said, he decided to clean his body. At first, he visited doctors who specialized in natural medicine. They put him on a diet, but all that did was cause him to lose a lot of weight. He then turned to reading about alternative medicine, followed their recipes and instructions, and cleaned his liver. As a result, he was able to get rid of 30 stones from his liver.

When I visited my son in Europe recently, I was amazed at how he looked so radiant and healthy, his skin practically glowing. He told me that he ate five times a day, eating nothing but natural, balanced food and forgoing anything that had added salt or sugar, as well as no smoked foods or white bread, and drank fresh juice every day.

His story typifies how a clean body and good nutrients can affect our skin. By ensuring that our body has the nutrients it needs, and by including a few key herbs, oils and other remedies in our regular routine, we can not only quickly improve the quality of our skin, but we can also look good as well as feel young and healthy. Essential fatty acids are vital to our skin. Good-quality oils help to keep skin lubricated and healthy overall, since what happens inside your body determines the quality of your skin.

While the main goal is to detoxify our bodies for our own good health and a healthy skin, it is also important to create good eating habits for our children. A child is a mirror of our own habits, and by giving our babies some bites of cake, pizza or overcooked food rather than fruits and vegetables when they start to eat real food, we are creating some very bad habits for them. The answer, of course, is education.

Processing removes essential nutrients from foods, may also destroy nutrients or change them into toxic substances. We need to teach our kids to eat those foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and plums. A wide variety of different foods is always recommended for a healthy balanced diet so that the body receives the vast complement of nutrients it needs for good health. Replace processed foods with fresh ones, don’t eat junk food, don’t drink soft drinks, stay away from sugar, and you’ll be well on your way looking younger.

Simply eat a well-balanced and varied diet that includes more then 25 ingredients per day and have a healthy lifestyle. Believe me, it will help to keep your skin in good condition. Also learn how to read product labels to understand better what is healthy for our skin and what is not.

Zita Parekh, Anti-Aging Specialist

Zita Parekh
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-healthy-food-and-lifestyle-can-effect-our-skin-486042.html

Now days so many people live in a fast paced existence that leaves them reaching for a fast meal from convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Unhappily, these kind of foods, many of which incorporate chemicals and food coloring, are harmful to health.

To cut out the chemicals and preservatives for continued good health, means going back to food in their natural state. Skip the pre-packaged and pre-prepared foods as often as possible.

These fast foods are not whole food giving the vitamins, minerals and enzymes needed by your body. Sometimes what is eaten is not even real foods and provide little nutrition to build or restore health.

You need to take a look at what you eat and whether you are getting your health and nutrition needs met. One health and nutrition secret is to use the first-rate foods, grown organically if possible.

Eating a balanced diet is genuinely the best way to ensure that you have good health and good nutrition. Nutrition experts suggest that the daily diet include so many servings from the five food groups of breads and cereals, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat/protein such as poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Fats would be included, but used sparingly.

People living 50 to 100 years ago usually ate that way all the time, gaining nutrition from whole grain foods, vegetables and fruits grown and eaten fresh from the garden, or sold locally. They generally ate smaller amounts of meat or chose meals with beans, peas and other legumes.

Are you one of the people that consider that if you don t eat well, you can just pop a vitamin pill and make up for it? Here is an additional health and nutrition secret: your body absorbs vitamins and minerals found in foods more readily than those found in vitamin pills.

Make vegetables, specially leafy green vegetables very dominant in your diet for a natural source of the vitamins and minerals that you must have for good health. Without this good source of nutrition, it is very hard to have good health. Choose genuine food over vitamins, then fill in if you think you are lacking with a super food powder.

Put this health and nutrition secret to work in your daily life and you will find over time that you are taking your health to a new level, rather than sacrificing your health because of poor or empty nutrition.

Jeannie Crabtree
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/forgotten-health-and-nutrition-secrets-106997.html

Organic dog food is the best option if you need to rely on commercial preparations. Commercial dog foods usually contain high levels of sodium, preservatives, artificial colors and other additives that are toxic to your pet. Organic dog food products provide a guarantee that the product is natural and does not contain these toxic additions. Furthermore, the ingredients may be free of pesticides but you would need to check to make sure.

Some organic dog food products are better than others, providing high quality ingredients and ensuring that only whole grains and high quality proteins are used. Manufacturers can make all sorts of claims about their products, so you will need to take some time to research which organic dog food products are best. Once you have found a few products that look genuine, try them. Monitor your dog’s health carefully. If he has more energy and looks better after a couple of weeks using a particular organic dog food brand, that is a good indication that the product is good.

However, canned organic dog food products are still processed and dry organic dog food is even more so. It is important for your dog’s health to incorporate some raw food and healthy scraps in his diet as well. Sardines are good for providing essential fatty acids and your dog will probably enjoy them. You may also wish to consider a nutritional supplement for your dog to ensure he is getting adequate nutrition.

Here are three good reasons to use organic dog food:

1. Non Toxic. Good organic dog food products are free of harmful chemicals that can lower your dog’s immunity and compromise his health. Liver and kidney failure can result if your pet’s system is exposed to too many toxic chemicals, particularly when they also are not obtaining adequate nutrition. Just by avoiding harmful additives and exposure to poisonous chemicals, you’re dog will be much better off. By also feeding him a highly nutritious, natural product, you are making it possible for him to live a long and healthy life.

2. Nutritionally Sound. A genuine organic dog food product will not only be as natural as possible and organic, it will contain high quality ingredients that offer your dog sound nutrition. The internet is a great place to source quality organic dog food products. Read the information carefully. Do they use whole grains? Do they guarantee high quality protein? Do they offer any guarantees to consumers? The best products are likely to be made by small manufacturers whose business is serving the best needs of your pet.

3. Yyour Dog Will Be Happier. At the end of the day, don’t we all want our pets to have happy lives? If your dog eats a healthy diet, he will have more energy and naturally be more active. This is the cycle leading to good health. If your dog is suffering from any degenerative illness that is diet related, it is possible to reverse it with a healthy, balanced diet and exercise.

Genuine organic dog foods can make all the difference to your dog’s health and well being. Ultimately, if they can be combined with raw food and added home made meals, your dog will probably be the happiest dog on the block!

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/why-you-should-feed-your-dog-organic-dog-food-113236.html

Broccoli is said to be one of those super foods that are very healthy and good food you. It is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, iron, and potassium which are four very good reasons to eat it often. And we do like broccoli at my house. Some of our favorite foods contain broccoli: broccoli covered with cheese sauce, cream of broccoli soup, broccoli and cheese dip, broccoli cheese soup, and deep fried broccoli cheddar bites. Yes, at my house we only like broccoli if it’s swimming in cheese or cream, or has been battered and deep fried. Even when I steam broccoli in an effort to eat it more healthfully my entire family puts butter on it to make it taste better.

While I think it’s good that we are eating broccoli, I think the high fat foods we are eating with are so bad for us that we are better off skipping the broccoli and batter, cream, and cheese sauce that goes with it.

I have even tried cutting raw broccoli in small pieces and hiding it in a tossed salad. Those small pieces of broccoli stuck out like neon signs and my family picked out every last piece before eating their salad. I at least tried one bite before picking the broccoli out my salad.

What can a person do when they know there are food that are really healthy and good for them, but cannot seem to find a way to enjoy them in healthy way or at least a semi-healthy way?

After years of struggling to find a way to way to consume broccoli in a way that’s at least semi healthy I found two ways that my family loves it and that no longer leaves it swimming in a complete sea of fat.

The first way; we have it in a stir fry! The strong yet delicious flavor of stir fry sauce cut the strong taste of broccoli and makes it rather tasty. I’ve found that beef or chicken with broccoli is pretty good; but my favorite is chicken with broccoli, sugar snap peas, and water chestnuts.

The second way is a broccoli and cauliflower salad that does contain some salad dressing but it’s not an overwhelming amount. To make it you’ll need: 1 large bunch broccoli with the florets cut into bite sized pieces; one large head of cauliflower with the florets cut into bite sized pieces; 1/3 cup chopped red onion; 1 cup Miracle Whip light; 1/3 cup sugar or sugar substitute; 2 tablespoons vinegar; 2 hard boiled eggs. Optional: 4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled and 1/3 cup shredded low fat cheddar cheese.

In a large bowl combine the broccoli, cauliflower and onion (add bacon and cheese at this time if using). Set aside. In a separate small bowl, mix together the Miracle Whip light, sugar or sugar substitute, and vinegar. Pour over vegetable mixture and chill. Slice the hard boiled eggs and garnish the salad with them before serving.

Even though I listed the cheese as optional I do admit that I usually put it in the salad. I haven’t totally avoided having cheese with my broccoli but it’s a much healthier cheese than the processed cheese sauce I used to have my broccoli go swimming in.

If you aren’t a fan of broccoli yet but want to try and eat more of it because it is so healthy and good for you, try it in the salad recipe above or in a stir fry. While it may not become one of your favorite foods, it may become a food you enjoy having.

Dorrie Ruplinger
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/broccoli-is-not-a-health-food-at-my-house-74797.html

This is a simple lemon sponge cake which is light, lemony and delicious, and is easy to prepare and cook. Anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy the clean and fresh flavour of this sumptuous recipe, and it is always a good idea to make more than you think you need as it seems to disappear rather quickly!

The lemon sponge cake is best done as a tray bake but it works just as well when made as fairy cakes.

You will need a 12″x8″x1.5″ baking tin which needs to be greased and lined with baking parchment.

Preheat your oven to 190c/170c for fan assisted oven/gas mark 5

Ingredients

8oz/225g Unsalted butter cut into small pieces and at room temperature

8oz/225g Golden caster sugar

8oz/225g Self raising flour sifted

3 Medium eggs at room temperature

5fl oz/150ml milk

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, sifted

Finely grated zest and juice of two un-waxed lemons

4oz/110g Golden Granulated sugar

How to make the Lemon Sponge Cake

1. Put the butter and caster sugar in a bowl or mixer and cream together until light and fluffy.

2. One at a time put in the eggs and mix well, make sure you scrap down the sides of the bowl.

3. Add the milk whilst still stirring and beat to a creamy consistency.

4. Now add the flour and baking powder, continuing to whisk all the time.

5. Add the lemon zest only and mix well.

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, smooth over the surface and put in the middle of the oven.

7. Bake the lemon sponge cake for 30 minutes until the top is golden and the sides just shrinking away from the sides of the tin, use a clean skewer to test the centre of the cake and make sure it comes out clean.

8. Remove from oven when done and leave for 10 minutes now use the skewer and prick the cake all over as the next part is really yummy.

9. Mix the granulated sugar and the lemon juice together in a bowl and stir until the sugar has almost dissolved.

10. Spoon over the cake evenly and now leave to cool completely and allow the lemon juice and sugar to soak into the cake.

Top tip

If you would like to make this lemon sponge in the form of fairy cakes , simply bake per the instructions above but bake it for 15-18 minutes, checking occasionally.

Lemon sponge cake serving suggestion

Serve the sponge with lemon sauce or vanilla custard or just with a hot cup of Darjeeling or Ceylon tea, put your feet up and enjoy.

Steven Aucoin
http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/lemon-sponge-zingy-and-fresh-lemon-sponge-cake-1027428.html

Constipation is the infrequent and difficult passage of stool. Passing one or more soft, bulky stools every day is a desirable goal. While troublesome, constipation is not usually a serious disorder. However, there may be other underlying problems causing constipation and, therefore, testing is often recommended. The cause of each of these “types” of constipation probably is different, and the approach to each should be tailored to the specific type of constipation. Constipation can also alternate with diarrhea. This pattern is more commonly considered as part of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). At the extreme end of the constipation spectrum is fecal impaction, a condition in which stool hardens in the rectum and prevents the passage of any stool.

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States. More than 4 million Americans have frequent constipation, accounting for 2.5 million physician visits a year. Those reporting constipation most often are women and adults ages 65 and older. Pregnant women may have constipation, and it is a common problem following childbirth or surgery. Most people, it is normal for bowel movements to occur from three times a day to three times a week; other people may go a week or more without experiencing discomfort or harmful effects. Normal bowel habits are affected by diet. The average American diet includes 12 to 15 grams of fiber per day, although 25 to 30 grams of fiber and about 60 to 80 ounces of fluid daily are recommended for proper bowel function. Exercise is also beneficial to proper function of the colon.

Most cases of constipation are caused by a low fiber diet or dehydration. Constipation is most common in children and older people, and affects women more than men. One in 200 women have severe, continuous constipation and it is most common before a period and in pregnancy. Constipation in children often occurs if they hold back bowel movements when they aren’t ready for toilet training or are afraid of it. Severe cases (”fecal impaction”) may feature symptoms of bowel obstruction (vomiting, very tender abdomen) and “paradoxical diarrhea”, where soft stool from the small intestine bypasses the impacted matter in the colon.Constipation in children can lead to soiling (enuresis and encopresis).

Home Remedies and Treatment Tips of Constipation

1.Every morning when you wake up, eat two apples. Bite them with the teeth instead of using a knife to cut them into slices.

2.Drink a glass of water with a teaspoonful of honey in it at night before going to bed.

3.The best and simplest medicine is to drink a glass of lemon juice in water with a pinch of salt in it. This will treat any kind of constipation that may be present.

4.Guava when eaten with seeds provides roughage to diet can give relief from constipation.

5.Natural remedy for constipation is to add a little extra sugar or some honey a glass of milk. Drink twice a day

6.Try One tablespoonful of corn syrup added to 8oz of water to cure constipation.

7.Ayurvedic medicine for constipation is Triphala Churna. It is a powder made by grinding three kinds of herbs. A teaspoon of this powder taken with warm water or milk at the time going to bed is beneficial.

8.Ginger tea is a great home remedy for constipation. It helps start bowel movement.

9.Drink a glass of warm water early in the morning, walk around for a while, and then visit the toilet.

10 Eat a lot of raw salads and green vegetables. Drink plenty of water, but not immediately before or after a meal.

11.Have a glass of warm water with fresh lime in the morning.

12.Spinach cooked with green onion stalks, are very good for clearing the bowels.

Jerry White
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/constipation-home-remedies-and-treatment-tips-156711.html

The first step in bathroom cleaning is to remove all the laundry from there and keep it in washing machine. Most of the people have a tendency to leave our cloths in the bathroom only after having a bath. We would not be able to clean the bathroom completely if the laundry is still lying there in bathroom.

Now the second step is to remove dust from the ceiling and other corners. We can remove dust using a clean wet cloth. It is good that most part of the bathroom is made up of material which is easy to clean. But easy to clean does not mean not to clean. After cleaning ceiling etc. we need to clean dust from vents and fans. On fans normally the dust resides on the back of the fan wings so at times we need to take them off while cleaning.

Next step is removing all the curtains, draperies etc from bathroom and keep them separately to clean them up. We need to remove dust, rinse and dry the screen before replacing them at their position.

Now the main part of bathroom is shower and tub. We need to scrub them up properly to remove all unwanted dust or particles from their. First scrub the tub and shower with wet cloth and then apply detergent over it. After this rinse their surface with pure water and dry the surface. Make sure you don’t use any acidic material on the tile surface. Tiles are very prone to reaction with acids even very mid acids like vinegar and lemon juice.

Now it’s the turn to clean up your toilet. It is the area in bathroom which needs some extra care as it is most prone to germs and harmful microorganisms. Please make sure you wear some sort of gloves before starting to clean them up. I am sure you would never want to have germs placed on your hands. Now you can use any disinfectant detergent to clean the toilet. After disinfectant you should clean the toilet with pure water. Completely rinse it till it has no sign of any detergent. Now leave it for some time to dry.

Next step is cleaning the floor. You can wash your floor with detergent and water and then mope it. If you are expecting some guests in the house then you may need to do some extra arrangements in the bathroom like placing extra soap, shampoo etc.

For cleaning your bathroom walls you can use your car wax. Otherwise a general bathroom cleaning solution will also work. For cleaning up sinks vinegar solution is a good choice. But sinks are very prone to having stains. Just in case you have stains on sink you will have to use a stain remover. Lemon juice can be used for light stains and a paste of lemon juice and borax is good far heavy stains.

Now at last when your entire bathroom is neat and clean, please put the towel in towel area. Remember to put new soaps, shampoos and hair dryers as well at their places.

Happy Bathroom Cleaning!!!

Vernon Purcell
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/bathroom-cleaning-738964.html