Archive for March, 2010

Walking is possibly the safest and most beneficial physical activity for improving health. As walking is low impact, extremely practical and as such is an effective form of movement. The health benefits of walking include improved health in the circulatory, respiratory and skeletal systems, better mental health and reduced risk of many medical conditions. The health benefits of walking and the training principles of walking will be discussed in this piece.

The health benefits of walking

As walking is a predominantly aerobic exercise it provides a range of improvements in health:
- improved fitness (aerobic power, strength, flexibility and balance)
- decreased risk of diabetes
- reduced risk of heart disease
- weight loss (via fat loss) or maintenance of a health weight
- increased bone density
- reduced stress and increased productivity

Training’ principles of walking

For the majority of the population walking is a fairly straightforward exercise it’s something we learnt very early on in life. Despite this it is still important to realize that the health benefits mentioned above will only be maximized by following some of these tips:
- for weight loss it is recommended to walk (or undertake other exercise) for 60-90 minutes most days of the week
- for maintenance of a health weight walking is recommended for about 30-60 minutes most days of the week
- for improved fitness add variety to you walking, alternate hard/easy or long/short walking days and include the occasional hill
- finish your walking session with a few stretches to improve your flexibility
- walk with hand weights to improve strength
- walk to (or at least part of the way to) work, school or uni and you’ll save your self some petrol money
- vary the surface on which you walk (maybe roads, footpaths, trails, grass, sand)
- if you have minimal fitness start slowly and over a few weeks build up to longer, faster walks

As good as walking is for you health it is necessary to supplement it with some higher intensity, impact based exercise. Examples of this could be jogging, team sports such as soccer, basketball or tennis and if you have bad knees perhaps cycling is the best option.

Walking is great for your health, but it also provides a few more benefits to the community. If more people get outside and walk there will be less congestion on the roads, lower pollution levels and the streets will be safer. So get out there and go for a walk.

The use of hairspray and other styling product can leave you in a sticky situation that can be hard to clear up. Hairspray use will cause buildup over time that will cause hair to become limp, dull and difficult to manage. Luckily there are some tips and tricks to getting your hair squeaky clean and buildup free.

Of course there are a number of specialty shampoos that can be purchased from salons and some stores that are specifically designed to remove hairspray and product buildup. These shampoos are very effective but the downside is they can be expensive as well ranging from $10 to $40 or more. Degunktify by Herbal Essence is an affordable shampoo for removing buildup that can be used weekly. Many salons offer a professional buildup remover service as well, but generally they are just using these same products you can purchase yourself. If you don’t mind spending some money this may be the best option for you.

There are however less expensive alternatives that can be just as effective. If you would like an easy at-home remedy for buildup removal simply mix together in a small bowl or bottle a generous amount of shampoo (clear shampoos work better) and 1 -2 tablespoons of baking soda. Make sure that it is completely mixed into a paste before applying it as you would your usual shampoo. Lather, then let set for 1 – 2 minutes, rinse and then repeat the process.

Another effective home remedy for removing buildup is a mixture of water and vinegar. Apple cider vinegar works best as it has a more pleasant smell as well but if you have hard water you may want to use distilled vinegar for best results. Mix equal parts warm water and vinegar and then after shampooing with your regular shampoo apply the mixture to hair, let set for one minute, then rinse. The smell should be very slight or nonexistent so don’t worry about offending anyone that gets close.

For those who tend to have dry damaged hair as well as a product buildup problem using baby oil can kill two birds with one stone. Generously apply baby oil to the hair then comb through thoroughly to evenly coat each strand. Allow the baby oil to soak for 5 – 10 minutes then shampoo vigorously with a clarifying shampoo. This will help remove the buildup from the product and will leave hair very soft to the touch.

Using these methods you can ensure you never have to sacrifice looking good, so go ahead and spray on, because nothing can stop you from looking your best, especially not a little buildup from your hairspray.

Some of us refuse to believe that beauty begins inside. It’s kind of like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz,instead of looking within and understanding that she was the only one that had the power to make her dream come true she looks for the answer else where. I guess, that’s the way it goes with our own individual quests for beauty as well. The old saying goes “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” I believe the very first beholder should be ourselves but when it comes to beauty we like Dorothy look outside for our answers. We look for approval from others tending to take criticism to heart while taking compliments loosely, that is if we measure beauty by Hollywood’s standards, which pretty much tends to be the measuring stick in our society.

Most little girls believe they are beautiful and will someday lead a very romantic life with Prince Charming living happily ever after. They start school leaving the admiration of their parents and Aunt Kathy behind to become a part of the outside world. Learning now that they are not only being compared but they too are sizing themselves up with other little girls and so starts the competition based on fear, prejudice and conflict.

Suzie has buck teeth, not only is she laughed at by peers but is referred to as Bucky all through school. Marilyn has gorgeous blond hair and green eyes she makes the cheer leading squad and Homecoming queen. The Tin man and the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz believed that because they were different they couldn’t be normal or over come obstacles in their lives. Reasoning that if the Tin man had a heart and the Scarecrow had courage they would be perfect and then they’d be happy. Who told them they were different?

No two snowflakes are alike yet they are beautiful. They are unique in their differences just like we are. We as a society have come a long way with self improvement but we need to accept more the differences in each other. From the Bible we learn that we are to love others as ourselves, but if we don’t love ourselves how can we love others? When we see and truly believe the beauty that we behold we will see and accept the beauty in everyone else. After that the vitamins, beauty treatments and health regimens will only be a plus.

Many of us find ourselves with unwanted hair. Some may be on our backs or chests, maybe it is a woman with facial hair, leg hair, and arm pit hair. All of this is something many of us wish to get rid of. However, choosing the hair removal option that is right for you can be frustrating and time consuming. Don’t worry, there are many different options for you.

Shaving.
Shaving is one of the most popular hair removal methods. It is rather inexpensive and you can choose to make it as fancy or as simple as you wish. You can get a package of disposable razors that are the bare basics for a dollar. Fancier ones can be purchased for a few dollars. Buying a razor that isn’t disposable can be nice for the way they work and how they treat your skin and are still only twenty or thirty dollars. You can also choose a lotion, cream, or gel to help make shaving gentler. This process uses a blade to cut the hair at the skin level. The process needs to be repeated some time within the next week depending on how short you want the hairs and how often you want to do it.

Waxing.
Waxing is a method where hot wax is placed on the skin so that it adheres to a cloth strip. That strip is then pulled off the skin very quickly and in an upward motion. The hair, wax, and cloth are removed in this one big rip. There are many waxing choices. There are several different waxes you can use at home, there is going to the salon, and there are even types of non-wax solutions that can be used in a similar method. Waxing can hurt, especially the first time that it is done. After that it can lessen with each time it is done. However, the amount of pain often depends on the person and the products used. This process removes hair for four to six weeks and will then need to be redone. Additionally, while Brazilian waxes are done to remove all pubic hair, these should only be done by professionals and should never be done at home.

Hair Removal Creams.
There are many different types of hair removal creams on the market. Most of them are a cream or lotion that is applied to the skin and left there for a time. Then they are removed using a cloth, a mock razor that has no blade, or even with the water in the shower. This process has different results for different people. Some have great success with one brand, but not with another. Others have no success with these types of hair removal products.

Electrolysis.
One form of hair removal that is permanent is electrolysis. This is a method that electrocutes the hair follicle and then pulls the hair out. It is fairly expensive if done by a professional. If done at home it often takes multiple times because the accuracy of those doing it at home is decreased. Additionally it is very time consuming because each hair needs to be removed on its own. Over time this method can prove to be permanent, but because of hair growth and error it does take a lot of time and if getting it done professionally can be expensive.

Laser.
Modern technology has brought us laser hair removal. Here you can get your hair removed using a laser (different lasers and even certain types of lights). This can only be done by a professional and is very expensive. However, success is a good thing and this process can completely remove the unwanted hair.

Whether you are looking to spend a handful of dollars or you have the big bucks to take care of your unwanted hair once and for all, there is a hair removing solution that is sure to meet your needs. Shop around and find the deal that is best for you. You certainly have the choices.

If you suffer from oily skin, herbal beauty treatments come in very handy for reducing shine, while still caring for you delicate facial skin.

Oily skin needs attention and care so that you are less prone to breakouts and spots. The advantage of having oily skin is that it ages more slowly than if you had dry skin, so although it can be a nuisance having a shiny nose when you want to look your best, take heart and be comforted by the thought that you will be less susceptible to wrinkles.

The secret of caring for oily skin is scrupulous attention to cleanliness. Avoid soap if possible, as this initially dries your skin, but will then stimulate it to produce more oil, exacerbating the problem. Mix some fine oatmeal with warm water to make a paste and use this instead of soap; it will cleanse your skin thoroughly, get rid of any blackheads and leave your skin soft. It is worth remembering that even oily skin still needs a gentle moisturizer.

There are several factors that tend to cause oily skin. It can be hereditary; this is an easy cause to pin down as you need only look at other female members of your family to see whether they suffer from the same problem.

Hormonal changes, such as puberty and pregnancy, can also adversely affect your skin, as can birth-control pills. A mild adverse reaction to certain cosmetics or skin care products is another common cause.

Oily sin can be radically worsened by eating an inadequate diet, so plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables are essential in resolving the problem and keeping the balance. You skin is an organ or respiration, so try not to eat too much junk food that leaves you feeling sluggish.

By reducing the amount of toxins in your body, your skin won’t need to work as hard to remove them, resulting in skin that looks healthy and feels soft and supple. You should also drink plenty of water each day to flush your system through to keep it hydrated and working well.

A combination of herbs can be very effective in fighting the causes of oily skin and making sure that you remain fresh and glowing for the whole day.

Vervain

Taken as a tincture, vervain helps to relax you and eases the symptoms of stress and depression that commonly cause the delicate balance of the skin to change. Your skin is a powerful barometer for your emotions.

Chamomile

Chamomile is soothing for all types of skin and is particularly useful if your skin is sensitive. You can make a spritzer, as with