Battling dandruff is enormously unpleasant, but it turns out the remedy for an itchy, flaky scalp is far more damaging than the presence of snow drifts on your shoulder. A recent study in the journal,Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry studied the effects of a climbazole, a fungicide found in anti-dandruff shampoo. The researchers found that the chemical killed or stunted the growth of algae and aquatic plants once it reached waterways, disrupting ecosystems. Via Ecouterre Read more |
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Athletic companies such as Nike have made great strides in making athletes’ dreams a reality. Nike, the world’s largest sporting-goods maker introduced the FuelBand last year. The FuelBand is a consumer wristband that tracks the user’s footsteps and calorie consumption. In addition, Nike introduced a line of sensor-embedded training shoes to help runners brag on social media. Not to mention the crème de la crème which debuted at the Olympics, the FlyKnit, a shoe made from a single, lightweight knit upper that provides sock-like comfort and feather-like weight. This unparalleled innovation has been four years in the making; it is unlike anything else on the market. With all these advancements in technology there are many options to help you on the road to fitness. That said we’ve come a far way! Innovation=Progress In today’s consumer world where products are available with a simple click of the mouse, it is easy to over indulge. We all find at some point that we have a closet full of clothes we don’t wear or rooms full of things we don’t use. We start our days in a frenzied rush of caffeine and traffic jams and end our days exhausted and depleted. The burden of keeping up with a rigorous schedule of activities and responsibilities results in us making poor lifestyle choices. Many of us are frazzled, stressed, unhealthy and overwhelmed. Our lives have become complicated by the very things that are supposed to make them simpler. With global economies collapsing and many people feeling disillusioned with the unkept promises of modern living, there is a cultural shift happening in favor of a more paired down, minimal, simple life style. People are taking stock of what they have (or have lost) during these tumultuous years of the global recession and are opting to keep only what is essential.
This new era of simplicity brings us back to fundamentals or those core values of family, community and consciousness. Living a life of minimalism does not mean that we have to deprive ourselves. On the contrary, minimalism means that we rid ourselves of the excess. It means that we pause, take a breath and evaluate what is most important to us. It means that we look deep inside ourselves to find out what we need to feel at peace, to feel content, to feel free. Here is a great perspective on living a minimal life from the blogger, The Everyday Minimalist: A Minimalist’s Train of Thought
So how do we begin to untangle ourselves from the rat race and simplify? Here are five things you can do right now to begin living a more minimal and fulfilled life. Step 1: Take out a pen and paper. Make a list of the 5 most important goals in your life. If you know what is most important to you, then you can focus on achieving these core goals without wasting energy and resources on other things. Once you have established an outline for your life, using these 5 major goals, everything else will fall into place. Step 2: Purge your belongings. Most of us wear only 20% of our wardrobes 80% of the time. That means that we have closets full of unnecessary clothes, shoes and accessories. The common rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it or used it in a year, donate it, sell it or recycle it. Purging the unnecessary items from your home not only frees up physical space, but it also frees up mental space. If you don’t own it any more, you don’t have to concern yourself with washing it, dusting it, repairing it, etc. Step 3: Organize what is left. Assign a home to everything from paper clips to toothpaste. Clutter is the enemy of simplicity. If our counter tops are cluttered with paper and our closets cluttered with stuff, our minds will also be cluttered. In the Chinese practice of Feng Shui, clutter prevents the Chi or Life Energy from circulating freely. If our Life Energy is blocked, we will experience anxiety, stress and discomfort. A clean an organized space is a calm and peaceful space. Step 4: Learn to say no and not only to new purchases, but to social engagements and other commitments. Minimalism not only applies to our physical belongings but also to our work and social calendars. When we commit ourselves to living a simple life, we also commit to freeing ourselves from the social pressures of keeping up with the latest and greatest, whether it is the latest electronic gadget or the greatest neighborhood hot spot. Take time to enjoy a simple home cooked meal with your family. Instead of a night out on the town, curl up on the couch with a DVD and some popcorn. Is your boss asking you to work voluntary overtime on the weekends? Sure the extra money would be great, but spending the day relaxing with a good book would be even better. Step 5: Tap into your creativity. Instead of purchasing a new gift to give a family member for their birthday, give them an experience, a memory, they will remember like a day trip to the beach or a hike through the Blue Mountains. Experiment in the kitchen and cook exotic meals for your family. Food is such a fun way to bring people together and to create wonderful memories. Host a themed potluck dinner such as a Hawaiian Luau and invite all your friends to bring a dish. Sign up for an art class or poetry workshop. Learn to play an instrument. By accessing our creative side, we nourish our souls, calm our frazzled minds and uplift our spirits. Again, living a minimal life does not have to be about going without. It is about embracing what you have, assessing what is superfluous and finding new ways to be content and happy in the present moment. It is about living consciously and being aware of the impact of your choices, your words and your actions. So, take the time to slow down…breathe…and enjoy the journey of a life well lived. Corey R. Breneisen is an artist, teacher, mother and green revolutionary. She is on the constant look out for ways to simplify life and inspire creativity. When she is not chasing after little people or working in her studio, she can be found hanging out in her hammock enjoying the Jamaican sunshine. Raw and living foods, although growing in popularity, are not a fad or a new style of eating; as some people are lead to believe. In fact, the consumption of raw and living food has been around for centuries and is more innate to us as humans than we believe. Before we as humans discovered fire we were eating right? No doubt we were eating, enjoying and surviving off food that was not ‘cooked’! So what do I mean by raw food? Put simply, raw food is food that has not been heat treated (i.e. ‘cooked’) typically above 117 degrees Fahrenheit or 48 degrees Celsius. The whole concept of raw food is that it is food that is still alive… it is still living; if you were to plant it – it would reproduce. Hence the term ‘living foods’. Food in this state has all its enzymes, oxygen and phyto-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) intact. Nothing is taken away because fire or high heat temperatures have not been applied. As someone who eats mostly raw and living foods, I often get asked: “So what do you eat?”
These days raw food dishes have become so exciting and creative that you can convert traditional favorite recipes (e.g. pizzas, brownies, ‘pasta’ and soups) into delicious nutritious treats made from all-natural raw ingredients. And you don't have to toil for hours in the kitchen in order to do so. Gone are the days of boring fruit plates and shredded carrot and cabbage ‘salads’! Many of my own personal favourites that I make at home (such as my super smoothies and raw vegan ‘sushi rolls’ or veggie wraps) call for common ingredients and basic kitchen equipment. Now there is absolutely no excuse for getting a minimum of your five servings of fruits and vegetables a day! Are you getting yours? The benefits of raw and living foods are numerous! And scientific research is forever discovering the profound results relating to the impact of raw foods on our health – especially in the areas of common lifestyle disease prevention, and healing. Many people turn to raw food for different reasons. I, simply just love the way it makes me feel! And I can personally relate to many of the following benefits. Hopefully, these benefits will inspire you to bring some more ‘life’ to your plate, and in turn more vitality and health to your life. Some of the more impelling benefits why more and more people are either turning to raw food or increasing their intake are:
Why you need to know what it is? Well to be an informed consumer helps you make better decisions for you, your family and the environment. Choose products that can be reused and recycled. By doing that you are reducing the amount of waste you produce.
Start recycling today!!
The coconut is rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, made up of medium-chain fatty acids, which have antimicrobial properties, and are beneficial to the immune system. Coconuts are rich in lauric acid, similar to that found in breast milk. The lauric acid found in coconuts is said to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Readily available in the tropics, this fruit has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. Here’s a list of a few uses of this amazing fruit. 1) Skin care For dry and aging skin relief, a dab of coconut oil will leave your skin feeling refreshed and looking great. The oil helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles without irritating. Coconut oil also works wonders on skin problems like psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. The oil from the coconut forms a lipid barrier that wards off sun damage and keeps skin moisturized. The oil’s health-promoting nutrients pass readily through the skin, so using it topically brings benefits that go far beyond skin deep. Tips: * As a Daily Moisturizer: use in place of over the counter lotions. In its natural form coconut oil replenhies dry skin and locks in moisture. * Eye makeup remover: dab a small amount of coconut oil on a cotton swab and wipe your eye makeup off. Cleanse your skin as you would normally 2) Digestion The saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control parasites and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making it a healthy addition to any meal. 3) Hair Care Coconut oil provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. Massage a bit of the oil onto your scalp to help keep hair moisturized. It also helps to reduce dandruff. Coconut oil can be found in many over-the-counter hair products. It is one of the most nutritious products you can put on your hair. 4) Cooking Virgin Coconut Oil is the purest form of cooking oil available. Coconut oil is much less vulnerable to heat damage when heated, making it suitable for cooking. And it helps to enhance the caramelized flavor of roasted sweet potatoes. 5) Overall Health * Help you lose weight, or maintain weight * Reduce the risk of heart disease * Lowers cholesterol * Improve conditions in those with diabetes and chronic fatigue * Increase metabolism and promotes healthy thyroid function * Boost your daily energy These are just a few of the numerous benefits of the coconut. Go crack open a coconut today.
4. Recycling is good for the economy.
Recycling and purchasing recycled products creates a greater demand for more recycled goods. Goods made from recycled materials use less water, create less pollution, and uses less energy. 5. Recycling helps our climate problems. Recycling produces considerably less carbon, which reduces the amount of unhealthy greenhouse gas emissions. Add some more reasons why you do or do not recycle in the comments! DID YOU KNOW:
How to use:
Apply to face liberally with fingers. Do not allow mixture to get in contact with your eyes. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse it off and wipe with a warm towel. 2. Cucumber Honey Toner What you’ll need:
Use a blender and puree the cucumber. Take cheesecloth and sieve puree over a glass bowl, allow puree to stand for 15 minutes while the juice drains. Take the juice, put in a bottle and add honey. How to use: Stir or shake mixture until ingredients are combines. Using a cotton ball dap mixture on face. Apply to face and neck. Solution will air dry within 5 minutes. Note: Store remaining mixture covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 3. Facial Scrub (Great for Dry Skin) What you’ll need:
Using a spoon mash Avocado into a smooth texture, little or no lumps would be best In a small bowl mash the cucumber into a smooth paste, similar to the avocado. Dicing the cucumber into very small pieces would help with the mashing process. Be sure to remove the skin before dicing Combine ingredients in a small bowl add sugar, avocado, cucumber, and honey. Mix the ingredients together add olive oil to the mixture until the consistency of the mixture is pasty. How to use: Apply scrub to face generously and rub with fingertips using circular motions. Leave scrub on skin for 15 minutes then wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel. 4. Facial Moisturizer Coconut Oil is a great remedy for the body, hair, skin and immune system. A few drop of Coconut Oil applied to your face will keep it moisturized throughout the day
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Ahh! Smell the sweet aroma of success. Make as many diffusers as you like. Your special mixtures and blends will definitely keep you delighted and enjoying the scents you have created. Tell us your thoughts on how your diffuser turned out.
2. Eat organic and local
For that extra boost of energy buy your fruits and foods locally or organic. Everyday make your own smoothie mixing organic yogurt, juices and locally grown fruit together in a blender for a healthy start. 3. Walk, run, or ride a bike If the weather’s good, take a run, walk, or bike ride in a park or your neighbourhood. No need to burn electricity while you burn calories, go outside. 4. Plant a garden Always wanted to start growing your own fruits and vegetables? All the digging, planting, watering, and weeding gives you a great workout, with many tasty treats in the end. Want to make your green garden a little greener? Try rainwater harvesting to help grow your plants. 5. Encourage your gym to go green Have your gym start a recycling program, members can bring their bottles from home to be collected and recycled. Trimming your waistline and your environmental impact will certainly make losing those few extra pounds a lot more rewarding. Make these tips a part of your daily green lifestyle routine. |