Vegan Food Secrets For Increased Sexual Stamina.

Vegan Food Secrets For Increased Sexual Stamina.

There are several supplements and tips that all claim to be able to boost a man’s sexual stamina and improve his performance. What many men do not know is that there is a secret that vegans know. Research is tentatively suggesting that when you eliminate meat, fish, and dairy products from your daily diet you will see an improvement in your stamina. While this is still not scientifically proven, there are certain foods that all vegans eat that make it possible for them to last longer in the bedroom.

The sex secret vegans know

While you don’t have to give up the occasional steak or cheeseburger, men who add the following foods to their diet are generally healthier and able to perform better sexually.

Whole Grains and Oatmeal

Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast can help increase the testosterone level in your body. This is important since testosterone is the male hormone that controls sexual arousal and libido. Oats and whole grains are high in the amino acid L-arginine which has long been used to treat erectile dysfunction. The amino acid works with nitrogen in the body to improve blood flow to the penis. This makes it easier for men to get and sustain an erection.

Spinach and Leafy Greens

Leafy vegetables like spinach, kale Swiss chard, and broccoli all contain magnesium which is crucial for proper circulation. The mineral helps to dilate the blood vessels which make it easier for men to become aroused. Spinach also contains the nutrient folate which is also important for good circulation. It is able to remove the plaque that can build up on the arteries and cause blood flow to be restricted to the male sex organ.

Oranges, Peaches, and Grapefruit

Any man who wants to improve their sexual performance and their overall health needs to consume at least 200 milligrams of vitamin C per day. Not only can the powerful vitamin boost your immune system, researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch also found that it can improve the count and quality of a man’s sperm. The study consisted of 75 men between the ages of 20 to 35 who were heavy smokers and had already reported having a low sperm count. The men were divided into three groups, with one taking a placebo. These men showed no improvement in the quality of their sperm. The other two groups each took 1000 or 200 milligrams of vitamin C, and while both showed improvement, the most significant was from the men who received the higher dose. To get your daily dose of the important vitamin many nutritionists recommend eating plenty of citrus fruits.

Do Vegans Know the Secret?

While vegans will emphatically state that they do know the secret to having a great sex life, researchers are also quick to point out that this is not entirely true. There is no denying that your physical health plays a large role in your ability to perform sexually, and a vegan diet is considered healthy. Vegans have a lower risk of developing circulation problems, and generally have higher levels of testosterone which both can help them last longer and perform better sexually. What a meat free diet doesn’t address are any emotional issues that might be affecting your performance in bed. Depression, stress, and low self-esteem can also make it difficult for a man to become aroused. In addition, researchers are now claiming that certain fats are actually good for the health of your heart.

Summary

If you decide that you want to try a vegan diet it should be to improve your stamina and overall health. In most cases simply adding more whole grains, citrus fruits, and leafy greens is more than enough to boost testosterone for a healthy and satisfying sex life. If you do decide to make a drastic dietary switch to a vegan lifestyle, it should be done under the guidance of a nutritionist.

Turmeric Superior to Chemical Mouthwash For Oral Health.

Turmeric Superior to Chemical Mouthwash For Oral Health.

Turmeric: The Ancient Super herb

Since ancient times, turmeric has been used for remedying oral ailments, among other therapeutic applications too numerous to count.[1] Consider that plants like turmeric were first eaten for thousands of years before our species ever devised the modern day oddity of encapsulated or tableted extracts that could be swallowed without significant oral contact. It is only logical, therefore, that after long stretches of biological time, taking the root orally as either food, spice or medicine, it would agree with and have benefit for that part of our anatomy and its unique physiology.

Indeed, recent research shows that turmeric extract and turmeric oil may even reverse precancerous changes in oral submucous fibrosis in humans.[2] [3] In addition, there are at least a dozen studies showing turmeric extract can kill oral cancer cells,[4] including a recent study showing that turmeric extract-loaded nanoparticles kill chemotherapy-resistant oral cancer cells.[5] But turmeric’s positive role to play in oral health encompasses more than relatively rare health issues like oral cancer, as it also has tangible value to the vast majority of folks who use common mouthwash in an attempt to keep their mouth clean of plaque.

What gives Turmeric magical healing powers?

Turmeric contains approximately 3-4% curcumin by dry weight. This yellow pigmented polyphenol has been studied extensively in human clinical research as a natural alternative to the common mouthwash ingredient known as chlorhexidine for the treatment of gingivitis, “inflammation of the gum tissue.”

Gingivitis is classified as a non-destructive periodontal disease,[6] and involves bacterial plaque-induced inflammation, but if left untreated, it can progress to a form of periodontal disease that can be highly destructive. Some of the most common symptoms associated with gingivitis are bad breath (halitosis),and bleeding, bright, tender or swollen gums.

Chlorexidine, while considered the gold standard in dentistry for the prevention of dental plaque,[7] was flagged in 2012 in a patient safety alert issued by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), due to its potential to induce anaphylactic reactions.[8] While chlorexidine-induced analaphylaxis is an exceedingly rare reaction, low level exposure has been confirmed in numerous scientific studies to cause a variety of complications.[9] [10] [11] Clearly, safer alternatives are needed and especially if they can be shown to be more effective.

Turmeric

Turmeric Mouthwash Shown Superior to Chlorexidine

In 2012, a study published in the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology compared the efficacy of a .1% curcumin extract mouthwash + .01% eugenol (Group A) to a more strongly concentrated .2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash (Group B), in subjects with mild to moderate gingivitis. Both Group A and Group B consisted of 30 subjects who were advised to use 10 ml of mouthwash with equal dilution of water for 1 min twice a day 30 min after brushing. They were then tracked for plaque and gingival changes at day 0, day 14h and day 21. Both their direct experience (subjective) and objective criteria were assessed at days 14 and 21.

The results were as follows:

On comparison between chlorhexidine and turmeric mouthwash, percentage reduction of the Plaque Index between 0 and 21 st day were 64.207 and 69.072, respectively (P=0.112), percentage reduction of Gingival Index between 0 and 21st day were 61.150 and 62.545 respectively (P=0.595) and percentage reduction of BAPNA [The N-benzoyl-l-arginine-p- nitroanilide assay; a measurement of pathogenic bacterial activity] values between 0 and 21st day were 42.256 and 48.901 respectively (P=0.142). 

In all three objective parameters tested, turmeric extract was at least as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash at improving the patient’s oral health. However, technically, the curcumin formulation beat out the chemical mouthwash in all 3 measurements, and at only one-half the concentration.

Also, subjective evaluations showed that the turmeric mouthwash was better received by the subjects.

One of the major differences with a turmeric (curcumin)-based mouthwash is that if one happened to swallow some, it would not result in the type of adverse effects associated with a biocidal/antiseptic chemical such as chlorhexidine. In fact, given the broad range of documented health benefits of turmeric, it would actually provide some side benefit, were this to happen.Additional human clinical research has confirmed curcumin’s effectiveness as a chlorexidine alternative in reducing plaque,[12] as well as reducing plaque-associated gum inflammation.[13]

Ultimately, the choice is yours. But remember, always exert caution when embarking on any new dietary and/or supplement change, and do so under the guidance of a trained professional such as a medical herbalist or integrative physician. And remember, the quality of the herb will depend on whether it was organically produced (non-irradiated), well-handled and preserved in order to eliminate mycotoxins and related microbial contaminants.

Sit Correctly And Avoid Heart Problems

Sit Correctly And Avoid Heart Problems

Heart Ailments as a Focus Area

One of the most important focus areas for individuals is a healthy heart. All nations, races, sexes and age groups are now equally prone to heart related ailments across the World. This problem is even more acute in areas where there is a genetic predisposition to heart problems; like the Indian subcontinent. It is estimated that over the next couple of decades, one in every three individuals will have some issue related with the heart by the time they reach their fifties.

Reasons For Heart Problems

There are so many reasons given for the increasing incidence of heart related problems. This is true even for young, healthy people and those who do not have a genetic predisposition. Some of the reasons which impact the heart are:

-Exposure to pollution, whether environmental or noise.
-Food sources are poisoned across the world. Everything we eat has chemicals, hormones and impurities, including the freshest of sea food.
-Impure milk and milk products.
-Drinking water is contaminated. Treated water has excess amounts of unwanted elements and minerals which also cause damage.
-Stress levels.
-Lack of sleep or other sleep related problems.
-Incorrect lifestyle.
-Bad eating and drinking habits.
-Alcohol, tobacco, coffee and drugs.
-Excessive, unrequired or over-the-counter medication.
-The Most Important Factor For Heart Problems

Most of these risk factors are known to us even though we may not pay attention to them. However, one of the most important factors is the way we sit. The modern way of sitting is one of the main causes which accelerates or initiates heart problems.

How we sit has a great impact on the entire body, especially on the heart. As highlighted above, one of the biggest contributors to heart disease and blood pressure is the way we sit. The worst way to sit is on a chair or a sofa with your feet down. This is how we all sit today all the time, even at home.

The reason is that sitting like this increases the work load for your heart. The heart has to practically increase its efforts by over sixty percent to pump back blood against gravity and get it to circulate across the body. This puts an amazing amount of extra strain on the heart. The wear and tear is surer and faster. In combination with the other causes mentioned above, imagine the load on the heart.

The Solution; How To Sit

What is the correct way to sit? This is the logical question. The answer is thousands of years old and given by the Yogis and Rishis of the past:
Preferably sit on the floor. If you are on the floor itself, there is less work to do, to pump blood upwards.

If you cannot sit on the floor, then sit with your legs up in different positions. Sitting with your legs up cuts out the effort of pulling up blood from the waist downwards, because the body is folded closer to the heart. So the heart now has to pump that much of a distance less (the length of your legs, waist down is more than the upper body), against gravity. That is fifty to sixty percent of the effort gone.

Try sitting with your legs crossed over each other or intertwined. This locks the legs and blood requirement reduces dramatically to the lower limbs. Initially you may find you get pins and needles but with practice, this becomes very comfortable. Keep shifting your legs every few minutes in different positions. Once you are used to it, there will be no discomfort.

Other Benefits of Sitting Cross Legged Or With Legs Up

It has been seen that sitting in this position uses up less energy than sitting on a chair and sometimes even better than lying down.

In addition, sitting in this position and also eating in this position creates a very positive pressure on thedigestive organs. In a short span of a few weeks you may notice digestive problems will reduce.

Sitting like this helps keep the spine supple and maintains your balance. It is good for spine health, back aches and also reduces the load on the lower spine.

This ideal position in Yoga is called Sukhasana. If you cannot sit cross legged, start making it a habit to sit with your legs up as much as you can to keep your heart healthy.

All Natural 4 Step Guide For Glowing Flawless Skin

All Natural 4 Step Guide For Glowing Flawless Skin

Basic Steps to Effective Skin Care:

There are four basic steps that must be taken when caring for your skin: cleansing, toning, moisturizing and protecting. It is important to address each step so that your skin is cared for properly and so that it looks and feels as healthy as possible. There are other specialty steps that you can take if you have specific concerns like crow’s feet or age spots, but those will be discussed in another article.

1. Cleansing:

The first step is cleansing your skin. This is an important foundation step because if your skin is not clean, your pores can become clogged, which can lead to pimples. Choose a gentle cleanser made for your skin type that won’t strip your skin and leave it dry. You can use cream based cleansers, liquid soaps, handmade bar soap (which is much gentler than store-bought ‘detergent bars’). You can even use oil to clean your face. Yes, oil! As strange as that might sound, many people use oils like rice bran or olive oil to clean their face.

Cleansing helps to dissolve makeup, remove dirt, oil and grime that can build up on your face throughout the day. Be sure to clean your face at night before bed, so you don’t have all that dirt sitting on your skin and clogging pores during the night. Some people, especially those with oily skin may opt to also clean their face in the morning.

To clean your face, gently massage the skin in small, circular and upward motions. Cleanse both your face and your neck. Do not rub too hard, and do not tug on your skin. Rinse with warm, not hot water, and gently pat your skin dry. Remember that the skin on your face is much thinner than the skin on the rest of your body, so be sure to treat it gently.

2. Toning

The second step is toning. Toner helps to balance the pH of your skin and remove any last traces of makeup and dirt. Put a little toner onto a cotton ball and gently swipe across your face, avoiding the eyes.

3. Moisturizing:

The next step is moisturizing. A moisturizer helps to soften and soothe your skin and replace natural oils that are removed from the cleansing step. They also help to lock moisture into your skin.

I have a wonderful moisturizer which uses shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, and essential oils of Helichrysum, Lavender, and Rosemary verbenone. Shea butter stimulates collagen production and increases circulation. Meadowfoam seed oil is a wonderful oil with moisturizing and rejuvenating benefits for the skin. Helichrysum calms the skin and assists with collagen production. Lavender is relaxing and has antiseptic properties and Rosemary is stimulating and an effective disinfectant. Rosemary should be avoided in pregnancy, high blood pressure, and in seizure disorders.

---

Natural Meadowfoam lavender Moisturizing cream

Ingredients:
- ½ oz. shea butter
- ¼ oz. Meadowfoam seed oil
- ½ tsp. of vitamin E
- 6 drops of Helichrysum essential oil
- 12 drops of Lavender essential oil
- 12 drops of Rosemary verbenone

Preparation:
- Heat the shea butter until almost melted; stir well.
- Add Meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E and the essential oils.
- Refrigerate immediately until solid.

---

To apply moisturizer, take a small amount and gently massage into skin using gentle, upward strokes. Never pull down on your skin, and don’t forget to also moisturize your neck. We’ve all seen ladies with firm facial skin but the dreaded ‘turkey neck’ – saggy, wrinkly skin from the chin down. Using a moisturizer regularly can help prevent this from happening.

4. Protecting:

Finally, the last step is protecting your skin. Not following this step can leave your face unprotected against the elements like sun and wind. Excessive sun exposure can damage your skin and cause your skin to age prematurely, leading to a dry, wrinkly and leathery look. Sometimes moisturizers will include SPF (Sun Protection Factor) so these two steps will sometimes be combined. Protecting also includes using lip balm with SPF to protect against the wind and sun.

The four steps of cleansing, toning, moisturizing and protecting aren’t difficult at all. They’re quick to do and provide such beneficial results that they should become a part of your daily beauty routine.

Garlic Soup Made With 52 Cloves of Garlic Can Defeat Colds, Flu and Even Norovirus

As we sneeze and cough our way through these dark months of contagious nasties, garlic is being hailed for its powers to halt viruses in their tracks.

It has gained its reputation as a virus buster thanks to one of its chemical constituents, allicin.

A recent and significant finding from Washington State University shows that garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting disease causing bacteria commonly responsible for foodborne illness.

When the garlic is crushed, alliin becomes allicin. Research shows that allicin helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure and also helps prevents blood clots. Garlic can also reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Compounds in this familiar bulb kill many organisms, including bacteria and viruses that cause earaches, flu and colds. Research indicates that garlic is also effective against digestive ailments and diarrhea. What’s more, further studies suggest that this common and familiar herb may help prevent the onset of cancers.

‘This chemical has been known for a long time for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal powers,’ says Helen Bond, a Derbyshire-based consultant dietitian and spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association.

‘Because of this, people assume it is going to boost their immune systems. Lots of people are simply mashing up garlic, mixing it with olive oil and spreading it on bread.

‘But how or whether it may actually work has still not been proven categorically.’

Indeed, scientists remain divided on garlic’s ability to combat colds and flu. Last March, a major investigation by the respected global research organisation, the Cochrane Database, found that increasing your garlic intake during winter can cut the duration of cold symptoms — from five-and-a-half days to four-and-a-half.

But the report, which amalgamated all previous scientific studies on garlic, said it could not draw solid conclusions because there is a lack of large-scale, authoritative research.

The problem is that pharmaceutical companies are not interested in running huge, expensive trials — as they would with promising new drug compounds — because there is nothing in garlic that they can patent, package and sell at a profit.

Modified Garlic Soup Recipe

Serves 4

• 26 garlic cloves (unpeeled)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) organic butter (grass fed)
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
• 1/2 cup fresh ginger
• 2 1/4 cups sliced onions
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 26 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3 1/2 cups organic vegetable broth
• 4 lemon wedges

Preheat oven to 350F. Place 26 garlic cloves in small glass baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and toss to coat. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake until garlic is golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Cool. Squeeze garlic between fingertips to release cloves. Transfer cloves to small bowl.

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, thyme, ginger and cayenne powder and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add roasted garlic and 26 raw garlic cloves and cook 3 minutes. Add vegetable broth; cover and simmer until garlic is very tender, about 20 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to saucepan; add coconut milk and bring to simmer. Season with sea salt and pepper for flavour.

Squeeze juice of 1 lemon wedge into each bowl and serve.

Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

If garlic were found to be a wonder drug, consumers could simply buy it in the supermarket for 30p a bulb or grow their own in the garden.

Nevertheless, garlic has a long and proud tradition as a medicine. The Ancient Egyptians recommended it for 22 ailments. In a papyrus dated 1500BC, the labourers who built the pyramids ate it to increase their stamina and keep them healthy.

The Ancient Greeks advocated garlic for everything from curing infections, and lung and blood disorders to healing insect bites and even treating leprosy.

The Romans fed it to soldiers and sailors to improve their endurance. Dioscorides, the personal physician to Emperor Nero, wrote a five-volume treatise extolling its virtues.

One of the most interesting of the recent findings is that garlic increases the overall antioxidant levels of the body. Scientifically known as Allium sativa, garlic has been famous throughout history for its ability to fight off viruses and bacteria. Louis Pasteur noted in 1858 that bacteria died when they were doused with garlic. From the Middle Ages on, garlic has been used to treat wounds, being ground or sliced and applied directly to wounds to inhibit the spread of infection. The Russians refer to garlic as Russian penicillin.

More recently, researchers have unearthed evidence to show garlic may help us to stay hale and hearty in a number of ways.

Last June, nutrition scientists at the University of Florida found eating garlic can boost the number of T-cells in the bloodstream. These play a vital role in strengthening our immune systems and fighting viruses.

And pharmacologists at the University of California found that allicin — the active ingredient in garlic that contributes to bad breath — is an infection-killer.

Allicin also makes our blood vessels dilate, improving blood flow and helping to tackle cardiovascular problems such as high cholesterol.

An Australian study of 80 patients published last week in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that diets high in garlic may reduce high blood pressure.

In 2007, dentists in Brazil found that gargling with garlic water (made by steeping crushed garlic cloves in warm, but not boiling, water) can kill the germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

But they hit a snag: the volunteers refused to continue the experiment, complaining that the garlic gargle made them feel sick. Looking at the garlic soup recipe certainly made me feel queasy. Still, it gave me an excuse to use up my ample supply of garlic.

Though last year’s awful weather caused crop failures on my allotment, I enjoyed a bumper harvest of garlic.

Among its many other virtues, garlic kills slugs and snails. Researchers from the University of Newcastle believe it contains oils that may cripple the nervous systems of these slimy creatures.

There are two schools of thought as to the best way of preparing garlic to make the most of its medicinal qualities.

Argentinian investigators found it releases its allicin-type compounds when you bake the cloves, while scientists at South Carolina Medical University believe peeling garlic and letting it sit uncovered for 15 minutes produces the highest levels of compounds to fight infection.

So you can simply peel half of the garlic cloves and roast the other half with the kitchen door tightly closed (to stop the pong permeating throughout the house).

After an hour-and-a-quarter’s industrious soup-making, sprinkle lemon juice over a bowl of steaming, grey gloop and tuck in.

The heady aroma certainly revs up the appetite and the first spoonful does not disappoint. Delicious as it is, however, one large bowl of home-made soup is a more than ample meal.

As for the soup’s cold-preventing powers, only time will tell. Regular bowlfuls may very well keep me free of winter ailments, thanks to the virus-killing compounds they contain.

Or it could just be that my nuclear-strength garlic breath will keep everyone who is infectious far out of sneezing range for months to come.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin during winter

Dry and flaky skin is a common complaint in the winter time. Cold, dry winter air sucks the life out of silky, smooth skin. Other factors that contribute to dry skin include aging, nutritional deficiencies, and a genetic predisposition.

There are many lotions and moisturizers on the market to combat dry skin. But most of them come with a big price tag. Natural home remedies are not only cheap, but also quite effective in nourishing and hydrating dry skin back to a healthy state.

582 × 350 - inlifehealthcare.com

 Olive Oil

Olive oil contains many antioxidants and healthy fatty acids that are good for your skin. It can soothe and condition dry skin all over your body.

• Dab a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil under your regular moisturizer.
• About a half an hour before taking a shower, rub some olive oil on your hands, legs and other areas with dry skin and massage lightly. Take a shower and then apply a light moisturizer.
• Mix equal amounts of olive oil and fine brown sugar. Rub this homemade scrub on your dry skin using light, circular motions for a few minutes. Take a shower and then apply a light moisturizer.

 Milk Cream

The lactic acid present in milk cream helps exfoliate dry skin. The soothing nature of milk cream also helps preserve the skin’s delicate pH levels. Milk cream is also an excellent moisturizer.

• Mix a few drops of lemon juice, one teaspoon of milk and two teaspoons of milk cream. Rub it on your hands and legs. Leave it on for a while before you take a shower. Do this once daily.
• Add enough milk cream to three to four tablespoons of gram flour to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on your face, hands and legs. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily.

 Milk

Milk has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that greatly help get rid of dry and itchy skin. Plus, the lactic acid in milk exfoliates dead skin cells and increases the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Also, it helps lighten your complexion.

• Soak a washcloth in cold milk and put the cloth on your dry skin for five to seven minutes. Gently wash off the milk with another cloth soaked in lukewarm water. This way this natural moisturizer will remain on your skin. Do this every other day.
• Add a few drops of rose water and lemon juice to four tablespoons of milk. Rub this solution all over your body. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash your body with cold water. Follow this remedy twice daily.

Honey

Honey is considered one of the best natural moisturizers loaded with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and humectant properties. Thus, it helps lock in moisture to make your skin extra soft and smooth. Plus, honey has many essential vitamins and minerals that help improve your skin’s health.

• Before taking a bath or shower, rub honey all over your body and leave it on for five to 10 minutes. Repeat daily to enjoy well-moisturized skin.
• Measure out equal parts of unprocessed honey, beeswax, and olive oil. Melt the beeswax in a small pan over low heat. Remove it from the heat and mix in the honey and then the olive oil. Apply this mixture all over your body and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then take a shower. Repeat daily or every other day.

 Yogurt

Yogurt is an excellent skin-hydrating agent. Plus, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe dry and itchy skin. Also, its lactic acid content helps get rid of any germs or bacteria that may cause dryness or itchiness.

• Apply fresh yogurt on your hands, face and legs and gently massaging it into your skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then take a bath or shower. The mild exfoliating action of yogurt will remove dry skin and leave your skin refreshed. Do this once daily.
• Mix one-half cup of yogurt and three tablespoons of mashed papaya. Stir in a few drops each of honey and lemon juice. Apply it on your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Do this once a week.

 Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is really good for treating dry skin. It has a good amount of fatty acids that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin.

• Liberally apply warm coconut oil all over your body before going to sleep. Wash it off in the morning. Do this daily to make your skin soft and smooth.
• Apply coconut oil on your dry skin after you take a bath or shower. When the skin is warm and supple from your bath, coconut oil is more readily absorbed. Do this daily.

 Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has soothing, antiseptic and antifungal properties that can help combat dry, irritated skin and prevent flaking. This simple remedy will moisturize your skin and form a protective layer that will keep your skin free from any kind of impurities.

1. Cut open a fresh aloe vera leaf and squeeze the gel out of it.
2. Apply the gel on your dry skin. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
4. Do this twice daily.

Try these easy remedies to relieve the discomfort that comes from dry skin and restore its natural soft, smooth texture.

Why You Should Never Drink Ice Water

Why You Should Never Drink Ice Water

When eating out, I always ask my server for water with no ice and they often look at me like I am crazy. But I am not, and below I explain why.

First, take a minute to close your eyes and imagine the following:

It is spring and you are standing on a wooden dock that extends into a high mountain lake. While the temperature in the air is fairly warm, the top layer of the lake has only recently melted and you can tell by the color of the crystal clear blue water that it is anything but warm. You close your eyes and dive in.

What does your body do? What does your skin do? Are you relaxed and open, or tight and constricted? 

“You probably know that warm water opens your pores and makes your skin feel looser, while cold water closes your pores and constricts your skin. Guess what? Drinking cold water does the same thing to your digestive tract!”

What Happens When You Drink Cold Water

- When you drink cold beverages your blood vessels shrink, your digestion becomes restricted and hydration is hindered.

- Instead of working to digest the food and absorb the nutrients to create energy, your body is expending energy to regulate your temperature. This can lead to water loss.

- Drinking cold water after a meal creates excess mucus in your body, which can lead to a decrease in immune system function, making it easier to catch colds and illnesses.

- If you eat food while drinking cold beverages or immediately after, the water temperature solidifies fats from the foods we’ve just eaten and the body in turn finds it hard to digest the unwanted fats from our bodies.

Some people say that drinking ice water is beneficial because it burns more calories. I argue that we do not want to make our digestive system have to work harder; we want to makes things as easy on it as we can. There are many other ways to burn calories!

Benefits to Drinking Warm Water

Here are some benefits to drinking water that is room temperature or warmer:

- Faster + increased hydration
- Natural digestive enzymes are stimulated and therefore your digestion is enhanced
- Food breaks down more easily
- Your bowels move better (warm water with lemon in the morning is great for this!)
- It purifies your blood and increases your bodies natural detoxification processes via your skin, kidneys and lymphatic system

Once you get into the habit of drinking water at room temperature or warm, you will notice a dramatic improvement in your digestion and the way your body feels while eating and after the meal. Some people have also reported reduction in sugar cravings.

So, the next time you eat out ask your server to “Hold the Ice!”