Vitamin E anti-aging face mask recipe:

• 2 capsules – Vitamin E
• 1 tbsp – Kefir or plain yogurt
• ½ tbsp – honey
• ½ tbsp – lemon juice

Mix the ingredients. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Turmeric anti-aging face mask recipe:

• ½ tsp – turmeric powder
• ½ tbsp – honey
• ½ tbsp – sour cream

Mix very well. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. First, rinse off with lukewarm water. Make sure to clean well your eyebrows and the opening of your nostrils. Now, turn the water ice cold, and rinse off a second time to close the pores.

Rejuvenating mask recipe:

• 1 tbsp – grated cucumber
• 1 tbsp – Kefir or plain yogurt

Mix the ingredients. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Facelift mask recipe for oily skin:

• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp – powdered milk
• 1 tbsp – witch hazel
• Juice of 1 lemon

Mix the ingredients until smooth. Apply the mixture on your face and neck for 15 minutes. Use the leftover mixture along with warm water to remove the mask.

Anti-wrinkle banana mask:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 mashed banana
• ½ honey
• ½ sour cream

Mix the ingredients. Apply on face for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Anti-aging aloe mask recipe:

• 1 tbsp- aloe vera juice
• 1 tsp – mayonnaise
• 1 tsp – honey

Mix very well. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off: first, with warm water, then, with cold.

Anti-aging apple mask recipe:

• 1 apple
• 1 tbsp – olive oil
• 1 tsp – honey

Bake the apple in an over or in a microwave. Mash it and mix with other ingredients. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

• Almond oil, coconut oil and castor oil also have the ability to tighten the sagging skin. Take some oil and massage it on your skin on regular basics.

• Try to apply apple, pineapple, grape or lemon juice on your face for about 10 minutes.

• Make fruit ice cubes to use for the face.

• Eat lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables that will provide vitamins, minerals and natural antioxidants and keep your internal body replenished. Stay away from refined sugars and junk food.

• Dietary supplements for tightening a sagging skin involve vitamin C, vitamin E and MSM (methylsulfonyl methane).

• Keep the skin hydrated and smooth by drinking ample amount of water.

• Exercise regularly! Exercise that gets your heart rate high enough for 20 minutes or so (enough to make your skin flushed and sweaty) is a great way to rejuvenate your body.

• Here is a simple toning exercise that you can do everywhere, several times a day: Squeeze your buttocks as hard as you can for a count of three, then release. Repeat 10 times.

• Practice face yoga.

• Get massage or learn self-massage.

• Get fresh air.

• Get enough sleep.

Look gorgeous!

Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power. – Barbara Jordan

The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up and does not stop until you get into the office. – Robert Frost

Brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It contains 20 billion cells and 300 billion intercellular connections. Brain is like as a central computer – it is responsible for what we feel, think, say, and do. Considering everything it does, the human brain is incredibly compact, weighing just about 3 pounds. There are foods and nutrients that are essential for brain function. Although no one “miracle” food is going to make you a genius, or cure Alzheimer’s, regularly adding “brain foods” to your diet will help you boost your IQ, improve your mood, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young.

Complex carbs. Brain uses nutrients and glucose at 10 times the rate of any other tissue. To work at maximum capacity, it needs a continuous supply of energy, ideally from complex carbs, such as oatmeal, bran, brown rice, and legumes.

Fruits and vegetables. They provide energy and antioxidants to help maintain balance, coordination and memory function. The best antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, Brussels sprouts, spinach, plums, broccoli, beets, avocados, oranges, red grapes, red bell peppers, cherries, and kiwis.

Proteins. Proteins provide the building blocks for most of the body’s tissues, nerves, and organs, including brain. Protein is found in meat, fish, dairy products, legumes and nuts.

“Good fats”. The brain is more than 60% fat. Fats regulate key aspects of the immune system, blood circulation, memory and mood. “Good fats” are found in nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, cashew nuts), oils (olive, sunflower, flax seed, wheat germ oil), and cold-water fish (salmon, sardines, trout, herring, mackerel and tuna).

Oxygen. Brain gets 20% of the blood flow and uses 20% of the oxygen supply. Some foods, that help provide oxygen to the brain, include potatoes, onions, tomatoes, parsley, peppermint, and horseradish.

Water. Water makes up 80% of the body. It is vitally important for communication within the brain and the central nervous system. Keep a bottle of water handy so you can get your eight glasses a day.

Vitamins and minerals, that are essential for growth and functioning of the brain, include:

B complex vitamins are particularly important for the brain. B vitamins can be found in meat and meat products (such as liver and kidney), turkey, tuna, cod, whole-grains, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, soya beans, and yeas.

Vitamins A, C and E are powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals.

Good sources of vitamin A include liver, cheese, eggs, cold-water fish (such as salmon, sardines, trout, herring, mackerel and tuna), fortified milk and yoghurt. Beta-carotene is turned into vitamin A in the body and can perform the same functions in the body as vitamin A. The main food sources of beta-carotene are yellow and red vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, red peppers, mango, melon and apricots.

Vitamin C can be found in fruits and vegetables, such as parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemons, papaya, and Brussels sprouts.

The richest sources of vitamin E are olive, soya, and corn oil, nuts, seeds, and wheat germ.

Folic acid is also necessary for nervous system, and its deficiency can lead to neurological disorders such as depression and cognitive impairment. It can be found leafy green vegetables, legumes, sunflower seeds, liver, baker’s yeast, oranges, bananas, cantaloupe, raspberry, beets, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Phosphorus has an important function to perform in the brain. Phosphorus can be found in whole wheat, cucumbers, cauliflower, celery, mushrooms, oats, and egg yolk.

Deficiency in iron can sabotage attention and memory power. Good sources include meat, beans, spinach, and fortified cereals.

Sulphur is also vital for the brain. Sulphur can be found in onions, garlic, carrots, strawberry, cucumbers, and potatoes.

Calcium is needed for nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction. It can be found in green leafy vegetables, apricots, apples, grapes, cherry, strawberry, and whole milk.

Choline builds neurotransmitters that pass electrical impulses between brain cells. Choline can be found in egg yolks, peanuts, liver are soy products.

Zinc deficiency is associated with brain disorders. Zinc can be found in oysters, wheat germ, beef, lamb, pork, crabmeat, turkey, chicken, lobster, clams and salmon.

Copper also aids in nerve and brain function. It can be found in nuts, shellfish, liver and kidney.

Take care of your brain! Eat well!

Health benefits of coconut oil

• Coconut oil strengthens the immune system. It helps in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as influenza, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis and even HIV.
• Virgin coconut oil balances out-of-range cholesterol levels in the body.
• Coconut oil helps reduce risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Coconut oil helps reduce risk of cancer.
• Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar.
• Coconut oil enhances weight loss. Fats contained in coconut oil are easily converted into energy quickly, thus giving it no time at all to accumulate in the body. Coconut oil also speeds up metabolism, and boosts energy and endurance.
• Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing anxiety and stress.
• Coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.
• Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of important nutrients.
• As coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important nutrients (including minerals, such as calcium and magnesium), it helps in getting strong bones and teeth.
• Coconut oil helps in preventing liver, kidney and gall bladder diseases.

Add coconut oil to your daily diet! It can be a healthy alternative to butter or margarine. It is also ideal for frying foods, as it possesses a high smoking point. Moreover, coconut oil is very stable, and has a long shelf-life.

Coconut oil for a healthy hair
Virgin coconut can give you stronger, shinier and healthier hair.  It strengthens your hair shaft and root, reducing split ends and hair breakage. Coconut oil is the best hair treatment for dry, damaged hair and itchy scalp. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs.

Coconut oil hair treatment recipe:

• Scoop out some coconut oil into a cup. Put the cup in a pot with warm water to melt the oil.
• Pour some of the warm oil into hands and run your fingers through your dry hair.
• Coat your hair with the oil. Use just enough so that the oil will penetrate the hair, without leaving an oily or greasy look. Use more oil at the ends, less in the middle and near the roots.
• Put on a shower cap. For very dry hair, leave the treatment overnight; for oily or normal hair, leave it for an hour.
• Wash out hair with a gentle shampoo. Skip using a conditioner.

• For dandruff treatment, combine coconut oil with two-three drops of tea tree, rosemary, geranium, or cedarwood essential oils.

Coconut oil for a healthy skin
Virgin coconut oils will moisturize and nourish your skin using only its pure natural ingredients, without any preservatives, chemicals or solvents. It improves skin lipid levels, increases hydration, reduces roughness and scaling, and fights viruses and bacteria.

Deep skin moisturizing and conditioning treatment:

• Shower and exfoliate all over your body.
• While still in the shower take some virgin coconut oil and rub between your palms to melt the oil.
• Massage the oil onto your skin.
• After covering your body in coconut oil, rinse off in warm water.
• Step out of the shower and use your towel to gently pat dry your skin. This will leave a nice thin layer of coconut oil on your skin.

Do this treatment right before going to bed, several times a week, and you would not experience any dry itchy skin symptoms – even during the cold dry winter months.

• Virgin coconut oil is safe to use as a facial moisturizer. It does not clog pores. Moreover, it can help reduce acne symptoms.
• Coconut oil is gentle enough to use as eye makeup removal, and it can lubricate the skin for shaving.
• Coconut oil make it a great topical remedy for rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and diaper rash.
• Coconut oil makes great massage oil. It is easily absorbed by the skin and promotes healing. It will make your skin soft, shiny, smooth, and mmm… yummy!

Most of the cholesterol is synthesized by the liver itself. This proportion of the cholesterol in the body is not affected by the type of food that we eat. However, a substantial quantity of cholesterol is also derived from the food we eat and therefore can be managed with proper diet.

Even though healthy diet choices can keep the arteries free of cholesterol, we pay minimal attention to what eat when we are young. The reality check on cholesterol generally occurs after the age of forty when the harm has already been done. By this age, we are so accustomed to a particular diet that it becomes difficult, if not impossible to change over to a diet that is heart-friendly.

Unlike the so-called healthy weight loss plans that are inclined towards slimness with no regard to nutritional needs, the cardiac diet is based on sound medical principles. The diet proposes gradual and natural weight loss with focus on reducing the risk of heart disease or stroke by promoting weight loss. It aims at managing cholesterol levels through dietary modifications and a move towards a more active lifestyle. Though the diet is primarily meant for those who have, unfortunately, experienced cardiac problems, doctors recommend that the diet should also be adopted by those at a higher risk of heart disease (due to hereditary or genetic reasons).

The target of the diet is to lose weight since obesity increases the risk of a heart disease to a large extent. It also aims at maintaining healthy levels of HDL and LDL.

The cardiac diet recommends choosing healthier foods and does not promote the denial of a specific food group. Some of the choices that you can make are:

-   Whole grain breads and low fat rolls over butter rolls and commercial doughnuts.

-   Vegetables, frozen or fresh, over fried vegetables with cream or butter.

-   All types of fruits except coconut or avocado. Fruits in cream or custard are recommended.

-    Lean meat (three ounces of meat is sufficient for daily requirement of proteins) instead of prime and fatty meats.

-    Low fat dairy products in place of whole milk and yoghurt.

-    Home made low fat soups in place of cream soups.

-    Home made deserts with recommended oils rather than high sugar foods like candies, chocolates and brownies.

-    Adoption of cooking mediums like canola, olive and soybean oils as against solid fats, butter and gravy with meat fat.

-    All beverages, including alcohol are allowed in moderation except for those containing fats, salts and egg yolks.

The cardiac diet is about a balanced diet with recommended ratios of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. There is an equal emphasis on exercise depending upon tolerance levels. A 10-15 minute walk before breakfast and dinner is recommended even for those who already have a cardiac condition.

Modern day lifestyles that are more inclined towards materialistic gains have led to a situation where spirituality, diet and health are ignored at the cost of making it ‘big’ in life. What we fail to realize at times is that comforts and facilities are relevant and pleasurable only if we are in good health and are able to enjoy them.

Any unbiased dietitian will tell you that our diet today is more inclined towards being acidic. It is no surprise, then, that the increase in incidence of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular problems and diabetes is highly correlated with the intake of acid forming foods; foods that are part of our daily fast-food diet. These foods contain high levels of sugars and saturated fats. The human body is naturally alkaline and therefore high levels of acid-producing foods upset the acid-alkaline balance.

However, just because the human body is alkaline, it does not mean that all foods that we intake should be alkaline in nature. Good health basically depends upon striking a healthy balance between the acidity and alkalinity produced in our body.

The human body performs best in an internal environment that as a pH level of 7.39. pH refers to power of hydrogen, which is arrived at by calculating the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14.

Pure water has a neutral pH of 7. A pH between 7 and 14 indicates an alkaline environment while a pH between 0 and 7 indicates an acidic one. Since the human body should have a pH level of 7.39, it means that the internal biochemical environment, as a whole, should be slightly alkaline. The range between which the body can function efficiently is also very small.

To maintain the ideal pH levels, it is essential that we understand the acidity or alkalinity of various foods to be able to balance the overall effect that our diet has on our internal flora. All foods are classified as acidic or alkaline. This is done on the basis of the ash that they leave behind after they go through a metamorphosis during the process of metabolism.

Since one of the causes of specific diseases is understood to be based on the level of acidity or alkalinity of the human body, many ‘so called’ healthy weight loss plans recommend all acidic or all alkaline foods to treat the specific disease. However, eating optimally to achieve the ideal pH level is a more recommended option.

Generally speaking dairy products, meat, seeds, legumes and nuts leave behind an acidic ash. On the other hand, most fruits and vegetables have an alkaline residue. Citrus fruits are generally understood to be acidic in their natural state but turn alkaline once they have been metabolized. Moreover, cranberries, plums and prunes fall under acidic fruits as the acids they contain cannot be metabolized by the human body.

If you want to lose weight and feel that you want to opt in for those ‘quick weight loss’ diets, make sure that you know the overall pH levels of the diet plan. It is also necessary to learn how supplements touted as healthy weight loss supplements affect your internal biochemistry.

Candida is a type of fungus (also called yeast), and is only one of a huge number of micro-organisms that exist in a human body. Normally, in a healthy body, Candida does not cause any problem. However, when the bio-balance is upset by factors such as unhealthy lifestyle, stress, excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrate, chronic use of medications such as anti-biotics, cortisone, the pill, etc, then one finds an overgrowth of Candida in the body.

This can result in toxins being released into the bloodstream and can have many adverse effects on the functioning of the body. The immune system is unable to cope with the continuous release of toxins into the body, leading to dis-ease. Symptoms can include depression, mood swings, sinusitis, headaches, chronic fatigue, joint pain, stomach pain, indigestion, vaginal thrush and other fungal infections, skin rashes and eczema, etc.

Fortunately, Candida can be controlled by means of a balanced diet and by the elimination of certain foods in order to create an internal environment in which the yeast cannot survive. An initial detox diet will ensure, along with our Candidate formula will ensure that the levels of systemic Candida are significantly reduced. Thereafter, a maintenance program should be followed to keep Candida permanently at bay. Remember that Candida thrives on all sugars and refined carbohydrates and it is only by controlling your intake of these foods that you will beat systemic Candida. By following this diet, you will not only be able to control Candida levels in your body, but you will also be amazed at the amount of energy you have. Your skin will clear, your eyes will sparkle and you will even lose weight, despite the fact that you need never go hungry! Many people find that the Candida diet helps to clear joint and back pain, balance sugar levels and blood pressure, control cholesterol and relieve symptoms of depression – all without medication! This is because by reducing Candida overgrowth in the body, the immune system is able to function properly for the first time in years, allowing the body to heal itself!

Some Important Points

When following the Candida diet, you must make sure that your blood sugar levels are kept at an acceptable level by eating a substantial breakfast, lunch and supper. If you find that your energy level is low or you are experiencing dizziness while on the diet, it is probably due to low blood sugar. If this happens, simply add a mid-morning and mid afternoon snack. Please remember to drink lots of water in order to assist the elimination of toxins from your body. After a few days of detoxing, some of your symptoms may become worse and you could also experience headaches. This is quite normal and part of the detoxification process. It will improve after a few days and you will begin to feel healthier than you have felt for years! The Candida diet should be followed for 4 weeks, followed by a maintenance program as outlined.

You may not use sugar in any form – this includes sucrose (cane sugar), gluscose and fructose (fruit sugar). Lactose (milk sugar) to be kept to a minimum.

Candida diet

Foods Allowed

* Rye Vita (contains no yeast)
* Rye Bread (no yeast or wheat)
* Rice Cakes
* Rice, Potato or Rye Flour
* Corn or Soy Flour
* Oats, Corn Meal, Maltabella
* Milk (125ml per day)
* Plain Bulgarian Yogurt (125ml, no sugar)
* Low-fat Cottage Cheese (no sugar)
* Soy/Rice Milk
* Ricotta Cheese
* Potato Chips (no MSG)
* One Fruit per Day (no melons or grapes, make sure fruit is not bruised)
* Herbs
* Chicken, Fish or Meat (preferably grilled, roasted or steamed)
* Sunflower or Olive Oil
* Lemon Juice (30ml per day)
* All vegetables must be fresh or frozen, nothing canned or tinned.
* Avocado
* Sweet Potatoes or Normal Potatoes
* Brown Rice (no white rice)
* Onions
* Garlic
* Walnuts, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamia, Nuts, Pecans, Coconuts
* Plain Popcorn (homemade)
* Hummus
* Herbal Teas (Rooibos, Chamomile, etc.)
* Tomatoes
* Lipton Herbal Teas
* Mineral Water
* Artificial Sweeteners (Advantage, Equal, etc.)

Foods Allowed Weekly

* Whole-Wheat Pasta
* Wheatbix (no sugar)
* Soft Goat Cheeses (Camembert, Feta, Chevre)
* 1 rice cake with carob or yogurt topping
* Tomato Paste

Foods Allowed Twice a Week

* Canned Salmon or Tuna in Spring Water
* Spices (curries, chilies, etc.)

Foods to Avoid

* Anything containing Yeast
* Breads, Marmite, Provita, Bovril, etc.
* White Wheat flour or Pastry flour
* Gluten Flour
* Flake Cereals
* Semolina, Cream of Wheat
* White Pasta
* Fermented or Processed Cheeses (Cheddar, feta from dairy, or hard cheeses)
* Mushrooms
* Peanuts, Peanut Butter, Pistachios
* All Fruit Juices
* Pickled, Smoked or Processed Meats or Fish
* All Vinegars and Vinegar-based Products (dressings, chutney, mayonnaise, etc.)
* All forms of Alcohol
* Honey and other Natural Sweeteners
* Sugar or any product containing Sugar
* All Non-Herbal Teas and Coffees
* Bruised Fruits or Vegetables, Melons or Grapes

Typical Meals (Omit foods to which you are allergic)

Breakfast

* 1 Serving of Fruit
* Porridge (Oats, Maltabella, Corn Meal)
* Rice Cereal (Good for Infants)
* Rye Vita, Yeast-Free Bread, Rice Cakes
* Avocado with Cottage Cheese
* Eggs and Tomato
* Baked Haddock

Lunch

* Salads (add potatoes, greens, rice, beans; the more ingredients, the better.)
* Meat, Fish or Chicken (grilled or steamed)
* Soups or Bakes of Lentils, Pulses, Legumes
* Steamed Vegetables

Dinner

* Meat, Fish or Chicken (grilled, steamed or roasted)
* Pumpkin or Squash
* Brown Rice
* Salads, Stir Fries or Soups (chicken, veggies)
* Yeast-Free Bread, Rye Vita, Rice Cakes
* Avocado, Tomato, Cottage Cheese, Tuna/Cold chicken

Maintenance Program

After the initial four weeks detox, you can slowly re-introduce foods from the ”Foods to avoid list”, but, please remember to use them in moderation. The foods to continue avoiding, or using with caution are: sugars, white flour, fruit juices, dried fruits, prepared breakfast flakes including muesli, alcohol, vinegar and foods containing yeast.

Good luck and be well!

Michele Carelse is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Counselor with more than 12 years experience. She runs her own private practice, as well as an online counseling and information service at Native Remedies

Sciatica is actually a symptom of the compression of the sciatic nerve due to an alternation in one or more of the spinal discs. It may also be caused by a pinched or pulled sciatic nerve.

Sciatica pain is excruciating and severe conditions can lead to partial or complete disability. Long term treatment for sciatica requires sciatic nerve treatment that may include surgery. Home remedies are intrinsic to sciatica alternative remedies and can prove to be very helpful in preventing and managing back pain.

* Make juice of celery and potatoes (add beets or carrots for taste). Both potato and celery are considered to alleviate pain. Also drink two cups of celery tea every day.
* Apply a hot poultice made of turmeric powder, butter oil and garlic to the affected area for an hour. This will stimulate the nerve.
* Garlic is a multipurpose herb. Eat raw garlic pods for eliminating gas, which according to Ayurveda, is one of the major causes behind pain. Heat 150ml of any vegetable oil with ten fresh garlic pods. Use for massaging the affected areas as and when required.
* Fomentation of the affected area will relieve pain and inflammation to a great extent.
* Throw out an overused mattress. Sleep on a comfortable, neither too hard nor too soft mattress.
* A hot bath followed by a cold shower will improve circulation and reduce pain. Alternately, apply a cold pack on the affected area after a hot bath.
* Avoid fatty foods and take plenty of salads that include raw vegetables like radish, carrot, lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, potato and tomato.

Exercise the lower back. Some useful exercises recommended by specialists are:

* The Side Stretch.
* The Back Arch.
* The Hamstring Stretch.

* Take proper rest. Get up from your seat, preferably every hour and stretch your muscles.
* Waist cinching elastic back supports push the abdomen and make a natural cushion and protect nerves around the spine.
* If you have a desk job and work on the computer for long hours, make sure that your chair supports the natural curve of your spine and the keyboard is placed in a way that your elbows bend at right angles while typing.

Small things like sitting and standing in a good upright posture and staying clear from lifting heavy objects matter a lot. So do regular exercise and a healthy diet. Make these a part of your daily care and you may be able to keep sciatica at bay.