Does your Face Ready for Winter?
January 23, 2021
Winter Facial Care Recommendations
These products could be recommended from personal experience to use during colder period of year when skin becomes more sensitive and gets often very dry.
Read the rest of this entry »High-Sugar Drinks to Avoid this Summer
July 31, 2020
Avoiding all sugar is simply not realistic. It’s in so much of our food supply, including items you wouldn’t think have sugar in the first place, such as ketchup and bread. Soda is largest source of added sugar by far the in the American diet, accounting for a third of our overall consumption.
High-Sugar Drinks to Avoid
1. Pina Colada (16-ounce): This sweet cocktail is made with rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice. Empty calories come from both alcohol and added sugar. A typical glass sets you back a whopping 28 teaspoons of sugar!
Nutrition Info Estimate: 880 calories, 112 grams sugar
2. Sangria (16-ounce): Sangria is a sweet alcoholic beverage made by mixing wine with fruit and juice. While it all depends on what ingredients go into your brew, a standard serving contains about 19 teaspoons of sugar.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 400 calories, 76 grams sugar
3. Pink Lemonade (16-ounce): This widely available beverage uses added sugar to balance out the sour lemon taste. A glass of storebought pink lemonade typically contains about 13 teaspoons of sugar.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 440 calories, 51 grams sugar
4. Thai Iced Tea (16-ounce): Thai iced tea is commonly made by mixing chilled Ceylon tea, sweetened condensed milk and sugar, of course. You can find this beverage at Thai and Vietnamese restaurants.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 255 calories, 42 grams sugar
5. Cola (16-ounce): Whether you prefer Coke or Pepsi, you’ll find some version of cola at almost all eateries. This sweetened, carbonated beverage contains trace amounts of caffeine and large amounts of sugar. A 16-ounce serving contains 12 teaspoons of added sugar.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 206 calories, 49 grams sugar
6. Coffee Frappuccino (16-ounce): This sweet treat is usually blended with syrupy sauces and heavy cream. A typical 16-ounce serving can contain 13 teaspoons of added sugar.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 240 calories, 50 grams sugar
7. Orange Soda (16-ounce): Unlike its whole food counterpart (the fresh orange), orange soda is formulated with added sugar and food dye, which may be linked to hyperactivity in kids. Yellow 6 is a common dye used to give orange soda a tinge of sunset yellow. Instead of swishing down orange soda, try 100% orange juice, or better yet, just eat the fruit!
Nutrition Info Estimate: 255 calories, 63 grams sugar
8. Hot chocolate (16-ounce): Rich hot chocolate is a wonderful holiday treat, but drink it regularly throughout the year and you could be adding lots of empty calories to your waistline. A standard 16-ounce serving of hot chocolate is 400 calories — almost as many as a cheeseburger.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 400 calories, 43 grams sugar
9. Ginger Ale (16-ounce): This ginger-flavored carbonated beverage lacks the anti-inflammatory health benefits of actually consuming ginger. Like soda, ginger ale is loaded with added sugar. A glass contains 11 teaspoons of sugar diluted in water.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 166 calories, 43 grams sugar
10. Fruit Punch (16-ounce): Don’t be fooled by “fruit” in its name because fruit punch has very little in the way of fruit. In fact, fruit punch gets most of its flavor from, you guessed it, sugar. A glass of fruit punch has 15 teaspoons of added sugar.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 227 calories, 58 grams sugar
11. Sweet Tea (21-ounce): Sweet tea is a traditional Southern drink that can sometimes be sweeter than soda. It’s typically made by diluting lots of sugar into hot Lipton tea. An article in Slate alleged sweet tea can reach 22 Brix of sugar meaning it’s 22% sugar. If so, you could be drinking something that’s twice as sweet as cola. We don’t have the official stats, so we’re going with the meager 7 teaspoons of added sugar you’ll get if you sip 16-ounce of sweet tea elsewhere.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 110 calories and 28 grams of sugar
12. Vanilla Milkshake: A serving of vanilla milkshake at a popular fast food chain provides good insight into what a dense drink can pack. It amounts to 500 calories and 66 grams of sugar, which is 17 teaspoons of sugar.
Nutrition Info Estimate: 500 calories, 66 grams sugar
/Information from Internet resources
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Easy Pelvic Muscle Trainer for Women and Men
June 1, 2020
The Super Kegel exerciser helps treat weakened pelvic muscles as it helps tone and tighten your thighs, buttocks and lower abs. It also helps improve bladder control, pelvic floor strength, and enhanced intimacy. Crafted of polypropylene-coated stainless steel, the Super Kegel also helps to alleviate leakage due to incontinence.
Super Easy to Use
Simply place the Super Kegel between your upper thighs, then adjust the exerciser until it’s resting snugly and comfortably up against your buttocks. Make sure the narrower end of the exerciser is facing towards the front of your body and the open wide end is placed near your buttocks. Then, simply squeeze the exerciser using your upper/inner thighs and buttock muscles. Make sure your inner kegel muscles are being tightened as well. Tighten your muscles and slowly hold. Clench your muscles as tightly as you can to get the most benefit. Relax your muscles, then repeat.
- Helps tone and tighten your pelvic muscles
- Effective for women and men
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Attract Positive Energy with Wind Chimes
January 2, 2020
Some people believe that Wind chimes help to attract positive energy and suppress ill luck. The gentle tinkling sound that emanates from it helps this energy to linger on and meander gently in your space thereby attracting prosperity. Feng Shui lists the different types of wind chimes and its placement to gain maximum profit.
https://amzn.to/2Fd0ZYJ Metal wind chimes should be hung in the West, North or North West zone. When hung in the West, they attract good luck in the lives of children and assists them in bringing honour to the family. Similarly when wind chimes are hung in the North direction, they open up career opportunities and when hung in the North West zone, brings the luck of mentors into your lives.
https://amzn.to/2ucXcIK Wooden wind chimes are best suited in the East, South East and South direction. It brings growth to the residents when hung in the East zone; brings money when hung in the South East direction; and attracts fame when placed in the South direction.
https://amzn.to/2FgUFiZ Ceramic wind chimes are best suited for South West, Center and North East zone. However do not hang wind chimes in the South West zone as it can exhaust the romance luck. Also, do not hang wind chimes in the toilet or store room unless advised by an expert as it attracts negative energy of that zone.
When you hang wind chimes outside or inside the shop or near the entrance, each time the door opens and makes the tinkling sound, it not only attracts good energy but also entices the customers to come in. To enhance good energies, wind chimes with 6 or 8 hollow rods are the best bet.
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How to look younger with Green Tea?
December 2, 2019
Green tea can’t make you grow younger, but it contains so much antioxidants that it has a youth-ing effects. I am drinking green tea for many-many years and love it. When I was introduced to the green tea at the first time (after being the Black Tea/Coffee girl) I did not understand that new look and flavor. But knowing all health benefits of the green tea I slowly adapted new qualities and made it my everyday’s drink.
Recently I looked online for some homemade masks ideas and found out that green tea is amazing for the skin, and you can make your own green tea mask at home. A green tea mask contains many powerful antioxidants- it will hydrate your skin, slows down the aging process and helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
I will post some recipes for green tea homemade facial mask in next post, when I tried it myself.
Now I can share my old- favorite one- which I use sometimes at home. Usually I use the Magic Bullet to prepare my facial masks but you can just mash all ingredients in small cup as well.
Aloe Vera facial mask:
– one aloe vera leaf- cut from the side and take the inside gel – about two tablespoons.
– one tablespoon liquid green tea.
– one capsule of vitamin E (cut the capsule and squeeze the oil)
– optional: one teaspoon of plain yogurt.
– one teaspoon of the corn starch ( keeps mask together)
After blending all ingredients apply mask on clean face with the facial brush and leave it for 10-15 min, then rinse with warm water and apply the moisturizer.
And … here we are … fresh and happy 🙂
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* Wheat Berry Salad for your Thanksgiving Dinner.
November 28, 2019
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I recently tried the wheat berry salad in Whole Food store. It was made from wheat berries, cranberries, honey, almond chips and a little bit of parsley and honey.
It reminded me the salad which we had back in Ukraine for Orthodox Easter. Just we had it with crashed poppy seeds and a little bit of cream.
What are wheat berries?A wheat berry is actually the unprocessed wheat seed, also known as the kernel. Wheat berries contain the whole grain — endosperm, bran and germ — and that’s what makes them so healthful. They contain all of the fiber, protein, carbohydrates, iron as well as many B-complex, minerals, and phytonutrients that are removed during the refinement.
The bran makes up nearly 15 percent of the wheat berry. It’s included in whole-wheat flour, but not regular flour. You can find wheat berries in health-food stores.
Some guidelines for cooking wheat berries call for soaking them overnight, but often you can just cook them for an hour or two to get the same result. The more they’re cooked, the softer they get,
personally I like a nutty, crunchy texture.
Recipes with wheat berries you can always find on the Internet; you might find the wheat berry salad I recently enjoyed, as well
as other salads and ideas.If you have gluten tolerance, you probably can not enjoy the Wheat Berries dishes. Wheat allergy occurs when there is an allergic reaction to gluten (the protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats). Gluten refers to a group of proteins that are difficult for humans to digest.
For these who want to try the salad, I found that recipe on wholefoodsmarket.com
Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad
From The Whole Foods Market Cookbook
Wheat berries are the mother grain from which pasta, bread, and flour are
derived. Most of us have never tasted the true flavor of wheat. Little wheat
berries pack a nutlike flavor and are pleasantly chewy. Use a crunchy, firm,
sweet-tart apple (such as a Granny Smith or Gala) for this salad. Lemon juice
and vinegar keep chopped apples from darkening so you may make this salad the
day before serving. Try substituting dried apples for the fresh ones for another
flavor variation.
Serves 8
- 2 cups wheat berries
- 7 cups water
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 medium apples, unpeeled, cored and chopped
- 1 cup raisins, or cranberries
- 1 cup finely chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/8 cup lemon juiceSoak the wheat berries at least 6 to 8 hours or overnight in water to cover by a couple of inches. Drain the water, and set aside.
In a saucepan, bring the 7 cups water to a boil. Add the soaked wheat berries and turn down to a simmer, uncovered, for about 50 minutes or until they are totally cooked through. Wheat berries retain a firm, chewy texture when cooked. Drain the water and set aside to cool.
When cool, transfer the wheat berries to a large mixing bowl and add the walnuts, apples, raisins, parsley, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, olive oil and lemon juice. Mix everything together thoroughly. Add more salt if necessary and serve.
Enjoy, and be healthy!
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Do you like Barley Tea?
November 27, 2019
On my last shopping at TenRen’s Tea store I bought a box of the bagged Barley Tea- I never heard about and wanted to try it. I mixed it with my favorite pouchong green tea and it comes up with very nice taste. I started to look online to find out more about it and decided to share some information.
First it is tastes good- for me it’s like the brown rice tea in a sushi place which I already like.
Second- it has some antioxidants and antibacterial effects, plus it improves blood fluidity which increases the blood circulation. I found it very beneficial especially for people who like to practice yoga.
Than Barley Tea might lower cholesterol, and it has a lot of good nutrients.
Nutrients in Barley 1.00 cup (200.00 grams)
(Nutrient%Daily Value)
fiber-54.4%
selenium-52%
tryptophan-37.5%
copper-31.5%
manganese-31%
phosphorus-23%
Calories (270)-15%
Now I haveBarley Tea every day and like it hot or cold!
Try it and see if Barley Tea is something you might like to add to your daily ration. Enjoy!
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references:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-lowering-supplements/CL00013
http://www.livestrong.com/article/238461-the-health-benefits-of-roasted-barley-tea/
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Yogi Tea
November 25, 2019
A while ago we had a Kyndalini Yoga Workshop with Rose and after session she kindly shared the delicious home made Yogi tea. It’s great detox treatment especially after yoga practice. I made it couple times at home and love it.
So many people asked me already how to make it – here is the recipe I would like to share to everyone. TryIt and Love It!!!
YOGI TEA RECIPE – for good health
Make at least 4 cups of Yogi Tea at a time. (One is never enough!) For each cup, use:
10 oz water
3 whole cloves (for nervous system, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
4 green cardamom pods (for colon, helps break up kidney stones and gall stones)
4 whole black peppercorns (purifies blood)
l/2 stick cinnamon (for the bones and sugar regulation)
1 slice ginger root (1/2 inch chunk – peel if not organic ginger) (for general health)
‘/4 tsp black tea (optional)
Boil spices and water together for at least 15-20 minutes. Add black tea if desired and steep for 2 minutes. Add milk(cow, soy, almond or hemp) or sweetener if desired.
To make more than 1 qt, you can use less spices.
You might add more or less spices to suit your taste.
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All ingredients you might find in local organic store or Whole Foods.
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Good Fats….Essential Fatty Acids
November 19, 2019
Let’s talk about Fats.
Fats are important for Health. However, there are “good fats” and “bad fats”. This time discussion is about Essential Fatty Acids EFAs – the “good fats”.
These are vital nutritional components that our bodies need for many functions. EFAs found in the seeds of plants and in the oils of cold-water fish. They sometimes referred as vitamin F and cannot be made by the body; they must be supplied in the diet.
Many factors, including stress, allergies, disease and diet high in fried foods, can increase the body nutritional needs for essential fatty acids.
Consider adding these “good fats” to your diet. Eat healthy and be healthy!
Omega 3-6-9 with a blend of Flax Seed, Evening Primrose, Canola, Black Currant and Pumpkin Seed Oils
Coconut Oil Hair Mask
November 18, 2019
I want to share some of my tips for healthy hair.
First – the Coconut Oil. Once a week or anytime you feel to give your hair a special treat do the Coconut oil hair mask. I do it in a very easy way. I got mine jar of the oil in Indian store, but you can get it from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods as well.
Instructions:
1. Brush/massage hair/scalp for couple minutes.
2. Heat up the coconut oil by either: (1) running the jar under hot tap water, (2) grab some into your palm and mix with other hand fingers – it will be melted by your body heat, (3) put some into the cup and heat over the steam bath.
3. I use my hand and massage small portions into the scalp. If you like – divide your hair into sections and clip each then dip the paintbrush into the coconut oil and generously apply the liquid all over your hair starting with the roots and working your way up to the ends.
4. Clip all of your hair at the crown of your head and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes I am using hot wet towel (I use microwave to heat it) over my head and then shower hat and covering all with dry one to get better result.
5. Shampoo your hair and rinse with warm water, followed by a splash of cool water. This will seal the hair cuticle and make your hair super shine.
Second – Apple Cider Vinegar. I always use approximately tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water for rinsing my hair after conditioning. Leave it on for one min and rinse again with colder water.
Enjoy!
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