Striving4Zen

Required time: About 30-40 minutes
Skill level: Goof-proof

Labels: DIY, how-to, self-tanner, tea bags

A new study finally proves what an old Russian taxi driver once told me: Soda makes you weaker. (Seems the ingredients in your typical cola actually disturb the potassium levels in your blood, and can weaken muscles.) This is, of course, why alt beverages are big these days, and especially trendy probiotic drinks like Kombucha, a fermented tea that's got all the fizz of a soda but actually shows some health benefits. Kombucha helps the good bacteria in your gut to thrive, improving digestion, and may also help to relieve joint or muscle pain.

Try making your own. The following may seem a bit like a high school biology class, but it's easy to do, gives excellent results, and is eco-friendly and very easy on the wallet. (There's even a whole Flickr community dedicated to the DIY kombooch.) Without further ado, the first step is to grow your own living SCOBY (i.e. Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast)...

• Set a half bottle of a commercial kombucha, like GT, on your counter for one week. Cover with a cheesecloth. A thick "mushroom" like culture will grow on the top. That's your living SCOBY!
• Brew four green or black teabags in about three quarts of water. Add one cup of sugar and let it cool in a glass mason jar.
• Gently add the SCOBY and half a cup of the original, bottled kombucha. Now, rest the concoction (covered in cheesecloth) in a dark, warm place (around 78 degrees) for two weeks.

Et voila! You're now ready to drink your homebrew batch of kombucha. By the way, you can reuse the SCOBY you've cultivated over and over.

Thanks!

Labels: beverages, DIY, healthy beverage, kombucha, soda, study

Required time: About 30-40 minutes
Skill level: Goof-proof

Ingredients:
4 black tea bags
2 cups boiling water
Sponge or spray bottle

Optional:
Body lotion
Pure cocoa powder

Instructions:
When water has boiled, add the tea bags to steep. Leave in for 10-15 minutes, or until tea is dark and cool enough to touch.

In the meantime, take a shower to ensure your skin is oil- and sweat-free. Afterwards, make sure skin is completely dry.

Stand on something you don't mind getting dirty. If using a sponge, drench it in the tea and wipe all over your body. If using a spray bottle, fill it with tea and spray evenly. Let skin air-dry and apply another coat for a deeper shade.

Tea will stain clothes if wet, so make sure you're all dry before dressing. The "tan" should last 3-4 days.

Optional: For bonus color, mix cocoa powder into body lotion until you reach desired color and apply for an all-over bronzing boost.

THANKS!!

Labels: DIY, natural products, self-tanner

A Healthy Way to Roast Almonds

Roasting brings out the flavor of the nuts, and develops their sweetness. It is safe to roast nuts if done at a low temperature-typically a 160-170 degree Fahrenheit oven (at higher temperatures than this, research clearly shows damage to nuts' delicate fats) for 15-20 minutes will do the trick. Place nuts on a cookie sheet in a single layer. To enhance the "roasted" flavor, try putting a little Bragg's Liquid Aminos or soy sauce into a spray bottle and misting the nuts before roasting.

Avoid Commercially Roasted Nuts

Roasting nuts at a temperature higher than 170F will cause a breakdown of their fats and the production of free radicals. When nuts roasted at the high temperatures used commercially are consumed, the free radicals they contain can cause lipid peroxidation-the oxidizing of fats in your bloodstream that can trigger tiny injuries in artery walls-a first step in the build up of plaque and cardiovascular disease.

Source

Labels: Bragg's Liquid Aminos, DIY, free radicals, Nuts, roasted nuts

According to Allure, "The trend toward using natural ingredients was pioneered by perfumer and author Mandy Aftel."

In her book, Scents & Sensibilities: Creating Solid Perfumes for Well-Being (approximately $5), Aftel provides a "recipe" for creating your own solid perfume. While the talented perfume maker sells her Single Solids, Double Solids, and the ultra-luxe One-of-a-Kind Antique Cases on her website, you can create these thoughtful and easy gifts for your friends and loved ones on your own.

How-To Make 'Em

• In a beaker or small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil with 20 drops of essential oil. Example: 7 drops of ylang ylang and 13 drops of grapefruit. She recommends Whole Foods or your local health food store as a go-to place for inexpensive oils.
• Melt 1/2 teaspoon of grated beeswax over heat (she used a hot plate).
• Mix oils and wax together, then pour into a small container. Aftel recommends using antique cases, small tins, or lip balm jars — basically anything that closes with a latch, is not too deep, and is rounded in shape for easier finger scoopage. Your solid will set in about 10 minutes.

Great Essential Oil Combos

• Clary sage and rosewood.
• Patchouli with either rose, ylang ylang, or frankincense.
• Plain ol' vanilla extract will work, too — imitation not allowed.

Thanks Bella!

Labels: DIY, essential oils, Mandy Aftel, natural products, perfume

HSN and Carol Alt, international supermodel, actress and "go-to expert" on raw nutrition/beauty, have joined together to transform the natural beauty category with the introduction of RAW Essentials by Carol Alt.

RAW Essentials goes beyond natural and organic with skin and body products that are completely raw yet still highly effective. Made with raw ingredients that are Certified Raw(TM) by Carol Alt and free of synthetic preservatives, RAW Essentials is created through a special low-temperature manufacturing process that helps ensure the products retain the nature of the key ingredients that are essential for glowing, healthy-looking skin.

"HSN's mission is to bring new discoveries to our customers and RAW Essentials is unlike anything available in the marketplace today," said Michael Henry, SVP Merchandising for Beauty at HSN.

"I am passionate about using raw ingredients and living a completely raw lifestyle," said Ms. Alt. "My philosophy is that it's just as important to know about what we put on our bodies as well as what we put in our bodies. I created RAW Essentials for the healthy appearance and beauty of my own skin and I am thrilled at the opportunity to offer HSN viewers a fresh, raw alternative in beauty. I cannot wait for the launch in December on HSN."

Not knowing what products Carol could trust, she began creating skin care products in her very own kitchen. Raw Essentials is created from 100% raw, active ingredients derived from the earth. Unlike many other companies, Raw Essentials doesn’t use any irritating petrochemicals, parabens, preservatives, synthetic additives or fillers.

The December debut will feature four stand-out items including:

RAW-ACTIVATE Daily Revitalizing Facial Moisturizer $29.50 - 1.7 fl oz. -- Blended with aloe vera gel, virgin coconut oil and tamanu oil, this Carol Alt Certified Raw(TM) moisturizer adds a fresh, vibrant glow to the skin. It contains a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals found in the environment.

RAW-COVERY Facial Revive Wash $35 - 4 fl oz. -- Formulated with aloe vera and oil of the tamanu tree, this lush, foaming face wash refreshes as it cleans. Other ingredients include: beta glucan; oat extract; sucrose cocoate, and soy protein.

RAW-SURECTION Body Wash $18.50 - 8 fl oz. -- This luxuriously gentle body wash is rich in nutrients that cleanse and filled with Carol Alt Certified Raw(TM) oils and humectants to make the bathing experience a pleasure. Raw ingredients include: aloe vera; beta-Glucan, oat extract; decyl and lauryl glucosides and alpha hydroxy acids.

RAW-JUVENATE Eye Recoup $22.50 - .5 fl oz. -- Blended to revitalize thedelicate and often dehydrated area around the eyes, this rich eye cream includes Carol Alt Certified Raw(TM) ingredients such as Aloe Vera; Coconut, Tamanu and safflower oils; Shea butter; Tocopherol; and a selection of Chinese herbs.

An expanded assortment of products will be introduced exclusively on HSN during the line's official launch January 27 - 28.

Source

Labels: Carol Alt, DIY, eating for good skin, food for the face, HSN, raw beauty, raw food, skin care

One of my friends is a true follower of all things natural. Food? All organic and local. Clothing? Either recycled or handsewn. Beauty? When it comes to products, nothing of the paraben / synthetic nature remotely touches her body.

So, when I saw her splash a little bergamot oil on her pits one day, I was intrigued. "It's a natural deodorizer," she said. I gave it a whirl. With surprising results, I was practically stink-free. From what I could tell, my underarms smelled rather nice — well, like citrus. She also recommended I dab on a little baking soda if I ever felt a little drippy.

Like playing mad scientist? You can always mix up your own custom scent. Try Aura Cacia Bergamot Essential Oil ($13.59) paired with a complementary aroma such as sandalwood, nutmeg, vetiver, geranium, lavender, lemon, neroli, or ylang ylang.

Thanks Bella!

Labels: aroma, bergamot oil, deodorant, DIY, essential oils

Source

Labels: DIY, egg whites, facial, living holistically, mask, passion fruit, skin care

A sour, sharp-tasting liquid containing acetic acid. Produced from the fermentation of the juice of various fruits, berries, honey, molasses, or even cereal grains as in malt vinegars. Cosmetic vinegars have been used as a complexion aid for centuries. Vinegar closes pores and preserves or restores the skin's natural acidity (pH balance). Vinegar keeps both oily and dry complexions soft and fresh and can combat the ravages of alkaline soaps and make up.

Source

Labels: apple cider vinegar, DIY, living holistically, skin care

You probably don't open the refrigerator in search of beauty aids, but you might want to start. Turns out, some common kitchen staples are chock full of oils and potent phytochemicals (including antioxidants) that give your skin and hair a healthy boost.

Here, we've put together a list of body-pampering pantry basics, along with expert tips on how to apply them.

AVOCADO
Rich and buttery, avocados are perfect for hydrating dry skin and hair, says Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home (Owl, 2002). Avocados contain skin-nourishing vitamin E and phytosterols, which, similar to the skin's own lipids, provide a barrier to environmental elements and lock in moisture.

• Make it: Donna Maria Coles Johnson, who wrote Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions (Storey, 2000), likes to mix a couple of tablespoons of avocado with a tablespoon or so of banana and egg yolk for a moisturizing face mask. For a hair pack, Cox suggests mashing avocado into a smooth paste and spreading it on clean, damp hair for 20 minutes.

COCOA
The antioxidant powers of this distinctive bean promote healthy skin. Preliminary research shows that topically applied cocoa reduces skin irritation and combats cellular damage, and eating chocolate—contrary to popular belief— may even improve the skin's appearance (Journal of Nutrition, 2006, vol. 136, no. 5).

• Make it: For a soothing mask, mix cocoa powder with a little water or buttermilk—an excellent source of lactic acid that stimulates the cocoa's antioxidant function and softens the skin, says Audrey Kunin, MD, author of The DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual (Simon & Schuster, 2005).

GREEN TEA
Green tea's plentiful antioxidants help fight free radical damage. And its active ingredient, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is a powerful anti-inflammatory, according to Kunin. When applied topically, the tea reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles and can even help prevent skin cancer and signs of aging resulting from sun damage (Current Drug Targets, 2003, vol. 3, no. 3).

• Make it: Apply a compress soaked in chilled green tea to irritated skin or puffy eyes. Caffeine and EGCG help reduce swelling and calm skin, Kunin says. Cox likes to use green tea as a toner: Brew strong tea (one or two tea bags per 1 cup water) and apply to face after cleansing.

HONEY
Honey can be used head to toe, Cox says. Its strong antimicrobial properties help clean and clear away bacteria, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, she says. According to Kunin, honey is also a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin.

• Make it: To help clear up blemishes, Cox suggests dabbing honey on pimples. Kunin likes honey for a hydrating and exfoliating mask: Apply a thin layer of honey over face and neck for 10 minutes. If the honey is hard to spread, gently warm it first and/or dilute it with a small amount of water.

OLIVE OIL
For centuries, olive oil, rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, has been the beauty ingredient of choice for dry skin and hair.

• Make it: Apply olive oil to damp skin before bed, put on your pajamas, and wake up to smoother, hydrated skin, Coles Johnson says. For a fresh, uplifting scent, she suggests adding a few drops of citrus essential oil to the olive oil.

SUGAR AND SALT
When used as natural exfoliating particles, sugar and salt help loosen lifeless epidermal cells that need to be physically removed, Kunin says. But they can also cause irritation, so use a gentle touch, especially with salt.

• Make it: Simply mix a tablespoon or two of salt (sea salt contains skin-nourishing minerals) with any light vegetable oil for an easy body scrub, suggests Cox. For a gentle facial scrub, mix a teaspoon of sugar with your favorite cleanser and apply in small, circular motions, she says.

Source

Labels: DIY, food for the face, living holistically, skin care

A light, refreshing, [safe] yet very effective deodorant spray.

Ingredients:

3 oz. witch hazel
1 oz. high proof vodka
1 tsp tea tree oil
1 tsp rosemary oil
1 tsp grapefruit seed extract
1 tsp lime oil

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together and pour in a fine-mist spray bottle. For a stronger deodorant, substitute 1 oz. of the witch hazel with lime juice.

[Note: perform a skin test if you have a sensitivity to citric acid.]

Source

Labels: deodorant, DIY, herbal deodorant, living holistically

Summer sun and seaside fun can be damaging to our skin, but even indoor skin can use a little help feeling and looking fresh.

This easy-to-make formula will help to dissolve the “glue” that binds dead skin cells together, allowing them to fall away like autumn leaves, revealing the smooth, soft skin underneath. The secret is fresh alpha-hydroxy fruit acid–in this case from tomatoes, still in season–and sugar.

Get the skin-freshening exfoliating formula here:

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup granulated sugar
Chopped fresh tomato
2 tablespoons yogurt or sour cream

1. Place the sugar in a small bowl. Add enough fresh chopped tomato to moisten, then add yogurt. Combine and apply to a clean, damp face, using fingertips to gently massage the formula into skin.

2. Allow formula to remain on skin for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Source

Labels: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, DIY, scrubs, skin care, tomatoes

Mash cucumbers and strain the juice. Smear the juice on clean skin and leave it for a while.

Mix 2 tablespoons of potato flour with 2 tablespoons of glycerin and half a cup of water. Fill up a pot with water, put the mixture in a pan and cook over the pot with the water. Make sure its not boiling. Cool and apply on face as a face wash.

Mix 40gm of orange flowers to 40gm of rose water, 40gm of distilled water, 5gm of alcohol, 5gm of glycerin, and 20gm of colon water. Use as a face wash.

Mash and strain strawberries, apply the juice on clean skin and leave for a while. Mash strawberries and strain them, apply the strawberries on face for 20 minutes and wash.

Melt some yeast in water and apply on face once a week.

Boil rosemary leaves in 1/4 liter of distilled water and 1 tablespoon of brandy. Apply as a face wash with a cotton ball.

Cleansing face, Mix: half a cup of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of yeast and 1 teaspoon of yeast sprout oil; apply on face for 15 minutes and wash.

Source

Labels: cleansers, DIY, facial, skin care, strawberries

Too many bananas in the fruit bowl?

Skip the banana bread and feed your skin instead with this luxuriant yet simple homemade banana body sugar scrub.

Bananas are a natural for body care. Their creamy pulp is luscious and soothing, and works well as a carrier for other ingredients. Banana is nourishing and moisturizing and can be used for gentle exfoliation and skin-tightening.

In this simple formula, bananas and sugar are combined for a wonderfully aromatic and gently exfoliating body scrub.

INGREDIENTS
1 ripe banana
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or your favorite essential oil (optional)

Mash ingredients together with a fork into a chunky paste. Do not overmix or it will become too watery. If you want a banana scrub for your face, reserve some of the banana and mash it separately without sugar.

In the shower, before turning the water on, slather the sugar mixture and gently massage over your body. For your face, gently massage plain banana there, avoiding the eye area.

Rinse off with warm water.

Source

Labels: bananas, body scrub, DIY, facial, living holistically, skin care, sugar

Here's what you'll need:

3/4 cup coffee beans
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Step 1: Put coffee beans, powdered clove and brown sugar in a coffee grinder.
Step 2: Grind coarsely, put in empty tub or Tupperware container and mix a little more.
Step 3: Add vanilla and oil and mix. Feel free to add more olive oil, but do it slowly, as it's easy to go overboard!

By being able to control the sizes of the particles in the scrub, you decide how rough you want it. The oil really does the trick in terms of keeping your limbs smooth. I shaved after using it, and my legs are super-smooth and soft, so don't be afraid to keep it a little chunky.

Source

Labels: body scrub, coffee, DIY, food, olive oil, skin care

Let's face it -- when it comes to our face, we're not always well-stocked...with beauty products, that is. Try these easy-to-find kitchen items next time you run out of your favorite...

Moisturizer: Apply olive oil liberally over parched skin (it mimics the oil that our skin naturally produces).

Toner: Rub half a lemon over skin to refresh and tone skin. Tomatoes work, too.

Exfoliator: combine 1 part sugar to 4 parts body lotion, apply to dry patches and rub.

Makeup remover: Olive oil (again!). It leaves skin clean and hydrated.

Zit cream: Chop up a banana peel and blend with milk. Apply paste to the infected area.

Shampoo: Sprinkle baking soda on your hairbrush and comb through to absorb excess oil.

Conditioner: Take 1 or 2 egg yolks and apply directly to hair. Leave for 20 minutes then shampoo thoroughly. For extra shine, mix with 2 tablespoons of olive oil or honey.

Tooth whitener: Rub mashed berries along your teeth (strawberries are particularly effective) to add sparkle to your smile.

Source

Labels: DIY, hair-care, olive oil, skin care

Lots of people aspire to have shiny hair. So what are 'regular' people like us supposed to do in order to obtain hair so shiny? And how can we do it without encouraging the production of harmful materials?

It's easier than you probably think. There are secrets to shiny hair in your house right now most likely. That means you can get the hair you want without spending any money and without contributing to the use of harmful chemicals and factories.

What you can do:

• If you have light hair, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your hair and let it sit.


• If you have dark hair, do the same thing with apple vinegar.


• Regardless of your hair color, you can also run a teaspoon of honey through your hair when you are done washing it. Don't rinse this out! Let it sit and you’ll have shine all day long.


• If you've got eggs or mayonnaise around your house, start using them as deep conditioners. Work them into your hair, especially the ends, when you’re through with washing. Leave them in for 10 minutes or so before washing out.


• Make sure you eat a lot of Vitamin E-it makes your hair glisten! This means more nuts, wheat germ, and leafy vegetables.

Source

Labels: apple cider vinegar, DIY, eggs, hair, honey, shiny hair

Relax Yourself

Massage helps reduce muscle tension and stiffness in numerous ways, including increasing blood flow to your muscles. Some research shows that regular massage may also boost immunity by stimulating the production of white blood cells. Massage helps you relax and improve your mental energy. It may also make you more productive at work.

One University of Miami study found that a brief self-massage at work reduced stress and boosted job performance. After a 15-minute massage, workers were more alert and could complete math problems faster and with more accuracy.

1. Every morning and evening, hammer out the kinks. Using your fists, gently thump the outside of your body, starting with your legs and arms, working from top to bottom. Then move inward to your torso and thump from bottom to top. "Pummeling your muscles and bones will help strengthen the body, stimulate blood circulation, and relax nerve endings," says Walsemann. When done in the morning, this self-massage technique will waken and prepare your body -- and mind -- for the day ahead. When done before bed, it calms down the mind and beats out the stress and tension of the day.

2. Rub your belly after every meal. Most of us do this instinctively, especially after overeating. Place one or both palms on your abdomen and rub it in clockwise circles. This is the same direction food naturally moves through your intestine, so your circular massage will help to stimulate digestion.

3. Rub yourself down before and after exercise. Massaging your body before your stretching, cardio, or strength training increases blood flow to the muscles. Massaging your muscles after exercise may help encourage waste removal and speed muscle recovery. Before exercise, use a pummeling motion with your fists to bring blood flow to your leg and arm muscles. After exercise, rub along your muscles with your palm or fist, moving in the direction of your heart.

4. Give your hands a massage every day -- whenever you put on lotion. Start with the bottoms of your palms by clasping your fingers and rubbing the heels of your palms together in a circular motion. Then, with your hands still clasped, take one thumb and massage the area just below your other thumb in circular motions, moving outward to the center of the palm. Repeat with the other hand. Then release your fingers and use your thumbs and index fingers to knead your palms, wrists, and the webbing between your fingers. With one hand, gently pull each finger of the other hand. Finish by using your thumb and index finger to pinch the webbing between your other thumb and index finger.

5. Roll on a tennis ball whenever you feel tight. If your foot feels tense, stand with one hand on a wall for support and place the arch of one foot on top of the ball. Gradually add more body weight over the foot, allowing the ball to press into your arch. Begin to slowly move your foot, allowing the ball to massage your heel, forefoot, and toes. Note: If the tennis ball seems too big for your foot, try a golf ball instead.
You can also lie on the ball to get at that hard-to-reach spot between the shoulder blades or to soothe tension in your low back. For tight hips, sit on the ball, wiggling your booty around and holding it in any spot that feels particularly good.

Source

Labels: DIY, Holistic Health, massage, self-massage

Honey has many uses for helping the skin. Most recently, in fact, researchers from New Zealand found that burned skin covered with antibiotic ointment healed much more slowly than burned skin coated with honey. Honey not only soothes the pain of burned skin, but it also reduces inflammation and prevents further infection. Being that the burned skin covered with honey healed about four days faster than burned skin covered in antibiotic creams, bringing a small jar with you on that sunny vacation your planning may not be a bad idea.

Source

Labels: burns, DIY, honey, skin

Besides adding some crunch in your salad, cucumber is a treat for your skin. Below are some beauty benefits of cucumber:

Labels: cucumber, DIY, healing with food