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All-Natural Homemade Skin Cleansers

Did you run out of skin cleanser unexpectedly? Use one of these recipes to whip up a quick substitution!

• Use plain yogurt to gently cleanse your skin if it’s normal or dry. If you have super sensitive dry skin, mix some cooked, unflavored oatmeal into your yogurt. Add a small amount of cornmeal into the yogurt mixture to give it an exfoliating quality.

• If you prefer using cleansers that fight aging, mix up equal parts of honey and olive oil diluted with two parts of distilled water. The honey and oil combine to be hardcore moisturizers.

• The best way to clean oily skin is with steeped green tea.

 

What are your favorite all-natural homemade cleansers?

Easy and Basic Skin Care Regimen

I’ll admit it: while I’m huge into cleansing my insides, sometimes I’m a little lazy when it comes to cleaning my skin. That’s why I was so excited to find this easy four-step cleaning regimen. This way, I can clean my skin without spending all of my time in front of the mirror applying creams and toners.

 

1. Cleanse

A simple cleanser will be sufficient. I simply refuse to spend more than $20 on my cleanser. If you have dry skin, go with a creamy cleanser. Oily skin? Go with a clear cleanser. And the good news? You really should only wash your face in the evening—no reason to scrub in the a.m. I really like the Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser.

 

2. Exfoliate

There are a few different types of products you can use to exfoliate. The most popular type is a scrub. I’m partial to Burt’s Bee’s Citrus Facial Scrub.

 

3. Moisturize

Moisturizer is a must-have! It helps to improve the state of your skin. I am crazy about the feel of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.

 

4. Protect

It is so important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. If you can, find a moisturizer that also has a respectable SPF content such as Neutrogena’s Healthy Defense SPF 50 Daily Moisturizer.

5 Worst Acai Berry Supplements

I’ve shared my top 5 acai berry supplements with you…now it’s time to look at the bad and the ugly.

 

1. 
   Garden Greens AcaiCleanse

According to a number of reviews I’ve read about this product, it simply doesn’t work.

 

2. 
   Perfect Acai

Looks like this supplement does the opposite of what it’s supposed to do—it actually decreases your energy!

 

3. Aristo Health Acai-Blueberry & Lime Wellness Bar

In a word? Yuck.

 

4. 
   Genesis Today Acai Juice

Another yucky product. You have to choke this one down.

 

5. 
    
   Natrol Acai Capsules

This one is terrible. The capsule coating is actually made of plastic. Don’t even go near this one.

Top 5 Acai Berry Supplements on the Market

 
Acai berry is a fantastic supplement that can help to improve your overall health. But which supplements are the best? I’ve done some research and have found the top 5 acai berry supplements for you to check out.

1. 

   Gaia Herbs Acai Berry

This brand of acai berry supplement is 100% vegetarian, which can be very important when it comes to those who have dietary restrictions and limitations.

2. Amazon Thunder Acai Berry Pulp Puree

If you’re interested in a liquid supplement rather than a capsule, this one is great. It’s easy to take and is very effective.

 

3. Wu-Yi Acai Power Tea

Another alternative to capsules and liquids is this acai/grape-flavored tea. The taste is refreshing.

 

4. Living Orchard Pure Acai

This brand’s acai berry supplement has fantastic reviews—it looks like it really works, and people have found a brand that they want to stick with.

 

5. Acai 100

Thick and pure acai berry juice that has a great taste.

 

What’s your favorite acai berry supplement?

 

Colon Polyps: Fast and Simple Facts

I’ve been thinking about colon polyps lately, and I feel like I’ve finally figured out a way to make them understandable. Here are some quick facts for you to keep in mind when it comes to colon polyps:

• A colon polyp is a growth on the surface of the large intestine.
• These types of polyps can be either flat or raised. Flat polyps, which are harder to see, are more likely to be cancerous than raised polyps.
• Some types of colon polyps can become cancer, while others are benign.
• Most who have colon polyps will not experience symptoms.
• Common symptoms include: diarrhea/constipation for more than a week and blood on toilet paper, on your underwear, or in your stool.
• When polyps are found, your doctor will likely remove most of them and test them for cancer.
• If you’re 50 years old or older, talk to your doctor about being tested for colon polyps.

9 Uncommon and Serious Side Effects of Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk fiber is just like other fiber products—it increases the amount of water in your poop, making it softer and easier to pass. However, you should be aware of the following nine side effects that can occur when taking this fiber supplement:

1.       Difficulty breathing

2.       Difficulty swallowing

3.       Chest pain

4.       Rash/hives

5.       Dizziness/nausea

6.       Rectal bleeding (ew!)

7.       Swelling of tongue, face or lips

8.       Severe abdominal pain

9.       Vomiting

If any of these side effects occur, stop taking psyllium husk immediately and contact your doctor.

You May Not Want to Use Psyllium Husk if…

There are several instances in which you should talk to your doctor before trying out psyllium husk including:

·         If you’re pregnant

·         If you have diabetes

·         If you are under 7 years old (but I doubt you’d be reading this blog if this is the case. I jest)

·         If you have difficulty swallowing

·         If you’ve had stomach issues before

While psyllium husk is a very safe supplement, it’s still a good idea to talk to your doctor before you begin taking it, especially if you fit one of the above five categories.

Psyllium Husk Seeds: Miracle Fiber Powder?

I’ve been hearing a lot about psyllium husk, a fiber supplement that is available in powder and capsule form, most typically. Psyllium husk is made from the plant called Plantago ovata. Want to know something crazy? These seeds swell up to 20 times their size when they interact with water. This is just one reason why it’s so important that you drink loads of water if you’re taking fiber supplements such as psyllium husk.

But what exactly can you expect from psyllium husk? Here are some of the benefits:

·         Acts as a lubricant

·         Fights against constipation

·         Cleanses the colon

·         Lowers cholesterol

·         Safe laxative

·         Helps with weight loss

·         Helps with blood pressure

·         Treats intestinal and stomach ulcers

·         Helps heartburn

Hey—even I’m blown away by how much these seeds can do!

What is Soluble Fiber and Where Can I Find it?

Fiber, fiber, fiber. It’s the necessary evil that makes our digestive systems cooperate. But did you know that there are different types of fiber? Soluble fiber is what helps your stomach prevent both constipation and diarrhea—it’s the fiber that helps us to have healthy digestive systems. Soluble fiber has also shown to lower cholesterol—talk about hitting two birds with one stone!

Here are some foods that are high in soluble fiber. Add them to your diet and tune your digestive system back into shape.

·         Soy

·         Rye

·         Barley

·         Oats

·         Carrots

·         Beans

·         Bananas

·         Flax seeds

What’s your favorite source for soluble fiber?

Insoluble Fiber: Push Out that Poop!

Now let’s talk about insoluble fiber. It’s the type of fiber that does not dissolve in water. Instead, it helps to push poop through your colon by softening and adding to the bulk of your stool. Yummy, right?

Here are some foods that are high in insoluble fiber:

·         Vegetables

·         Seeds

·         Fruit skins

·         Whole grain products

·         Nuts

How do you plan on adding more insoluble fiber to your diet?