Beauty tips for those used roses for valentines/ cold weather hydrator

1 c firmly packed rose petals
2 c boiling water

for every cup of rose petals use 2 cups boiling water. Rose water has astringent properties and is great for you face.
Cover until cool. Strain the liquid out of the roses. store in a sterilized jar.

Facial mask

yogurt
honey
aloe vera
avocado
cold cream

blend these in a blender. brush on face and let sit for 20 minutes. it will make your skin glow!

PMS Helps

PMS can interfere with our relationships. Here are some quick helps to help with the mood and anxiety of PMS.

• Raspberry leaf tea.
• Chase Tree Berry- popular in Europe
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Evening Primrose oil
• Acupuncture
• Wild yam
• Ginko

Nature has the cure for all that ails us. I will start by using the raspberry tea :)

Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Let's face  it , when you live in a snowy, cold climate it's impossible to get past feeling seasonal depression, unless you spend most of your day at the ski resort.
One or more member of my family suffer from this disorder. Believe it or not, there are things we can do to help the problem.
 1. St John's wart. be careful though and pay attention to any of these side effects.

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to the sun (this may be lessened by regularly using sunscreen)
• Fatigue
• Insomnia (see St. John's Wort and Insomnia)
• Vivid dreams
• Headaches
• Sexual problems, such as a decreased sex drive.

 as well as

 2. Aromatherapy- jasmine oil especially 

3. boosting your amino acids have been known to help.

4. Increasing your sunlight exposure from 6 ma -8am. 

5. Decorating in color, especially yellow and orange. Fresh flowers in your main room can also help.

6. get yourself a light box

The article I read said to avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol is a depressant as we all know, and caffeine is only temporary and has a opposite effect when it is out of your body.

The last suggestion is to move to a warmer climate. I like that idea!

Heloise Updated Recipe For Window Cleaner

Good smelling cleaners are a good way to keep your home smelling fresh through he winter months. Here is a recipe I will be trying.

12-16  oz of water
1/2 C white or apple cider vinegar
1/4 rubbing alcohol(70%)
1-2 drops blue/green food coloring, if desired
1-2 drops lavender, cinnamon, clove or orange oil. combine all ingredients put into a labeled spray bottle.

Everyday Acne Solutions

In the winter we need to add a few things to our regimen to help us avoid drying out our skin and causing acne. The following was recommended for better skin.

• Put a vaporizer in your room.
• Open the window for 10-15 minutes every morning.
• Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.
• Change your skin cleanser in winter. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide will give added drying to your skin.
• Use a moisturizer.
• Make sure you sweat, that is a sure way to clean out the toxins in your body.

Acne is a sure sign that something is wrong on the inside. Your skin can be easily neglected and is an important organ to your body. Taking a multivitamin can assist with better skin health.

The following are some vitamins you may be missing if you are experiencing acne.

• Vitamin A
• Omega 3 acids
• Zinc
• Vitamin C & E

Germinating Seeds for Your Garden

Years ago I worked in a green house and have always started my own garden from seeds. It's so fulfilling to watch them grow from a small seed. 14 years ago my husband and I built a cold frame. I started the seeds inside and moved them outside as them grew and as the days got warmer into the cold frame outside. It had a opaque top to hold in the heat from the day. You must keep opening and closing it though. Too much sun and they will die, too much cold and they will die.
 Last year I started herbs from seeds. I started growing  Basil, Thyme and Rosemary.
I started them in one pot, which is hard to do because they all have different watering needs. It is possible though, and great for cooking.

Most stores have seeds in stock now for germination now. It takes between 15-45 days to germinate the seeds. It mostly depends on the size. usually the larger the faster it germinates. Generally you start 8 weeks before the expected last frost for your area. That would make about March 9th about the start date, but for Tomato plants I like to get a jump start and get them nice and big so they are a good size before planting. So it's time to start planning now,and it helps get through winter.

Things to Get Started
Seeds
soil
pots
warming mat ( this is optional, but seeds like it warm) you can also use the top of a water heater or refrigerator.

Be sure to read the directions on the seed packet, because each seed has different depths and soil preferences. If you want Tomatoes for your garden, it's about time to get started.

As your seedling get bigger you will need to transplant them to a bigger pots, so they don't get root bound. I have successfully grown, corn, zucchini, beets, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, basil, Thyme, rosemary and garlic. My daughter became a beet lover after trying them out of my garden. Everything taste better grown in your own soil.  These are the basics, there's a lot of information on getting started on the internet. here is a link to a good site.
http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/start_seeds.html

HAPPY PLANTING!

                                                                     Warming Mat

                                                                       

                                                                    Seedlings

                                                                        

                                                                  Transplanting

                                                                      

                                                                 Finished Product

                                                      Cold Frame

Coffee Grounds for Plants and Pest Control.

Did you know, your coffee grounds don't belong in the garbage? Whether you drink coffee or not, you have access to the grounds. We have coffee in our office everyday. You could go to your local coffee shop and ask for the grounds. They are happy to part with them.
 Use those grounds in your house plants, roses and azaleas to give your plants added nutrients by adding acid to the soil. They are so great because they also repel, ants, cats and moles.

I will take this one further. If you mix coffee grounds with water and mix to a paste, it can fix scratches on your dark wood furniture.

I am committed to learning to re purposing things we throw away to improve our health and environment.

Removing Rust From Chrome

To remove rust from chrome, dip crumpled up aluminum foil in Coke and rub. it will remove the rust. I haven't tried this tip yet. I am hoping to get to try soon. If you give it a try, let us know how it works!

Home Remedies for Everyday Problems.

Onions- I was at the nutrition center and was looking for a few things. A lady came up to me at the store. She lived for a time with the Cherokee Indians.
She asked what I was looking for, and I told her  my dogs have ear problems. She told me, she learned through living with the Cherokee Indians, that Onion juice, yes onion juice, helps ear infections and you don't have the problems that antibiotics cause.
~First you grate a onion, then you smash it down slowly in a bowl with a spoon. if you add that bowl to another bowl of hot water, it will warm the juice. Now, take a dropper and drop a few drops in each ear. She uses this for her kids, but they give dogs the same medication so why not try onion juice on dogs too?

Second tip- If you have skin tabs use Milk Thistle. If you apply it everyday to the tab, it will eventually fall off.

Third tip- Garlic oil. which is purchased online or at a nutrition store. Garlic oil fights against infection. Some people will warm it slightly and drop into ears for the same effect as onion oil.

Making your Chocolate Chip Cookies Softer

Want your cookies to stay soft inside? Try adding cornstarch.For a recipe with 2 cups flour use 1 heaping tsp cornstarch. If it calls for 4 cups use just 1 tsp. Now... they are perfect!

Cardboard and Duct Tape fix everything

I had a small accident with my ironing board. ( see picture below) and now there is a whole in the metal part of my ironing board. I do not like ironing, and I don't want to spend more money on something I don't like as well as wanting to add to the land fill, so I am attempting to fix my ironing board. I wanted something thin enough to be able to not tell it was underneath it. I cut a single piece of cardboard.,Cut it to size and replaced the ironing board cover.
 I liked how it ironed. I think I will take it one further and attach pieces to make the whole thing covered in cardboard. Over all, I would call it a success :)

Storing Vegetables

You don't know, what you don't know....


You should never store onions and potatoes in the same bin/container. it's easy to do because you don't refrigerate both but, they cause each other to go bad.


Also storing veggies in their "store" bags in the refrigerator also makes them have a shorter life as well. Instead take them out, put them in the vegetable crisper,  add a paper towel to the bottom of the drawer that you replace often. It will absorb the moisture that causes them to spoil.

Quick Stainless Steel Tip

Baby oil gets the finger print marks off your stainless steal appliances and gives it a quick clean :)

cleaning hard water from shower glass

Ok-- My show glass doesn't look good at all. I am writing this basically for myself, but I am resolute to have them look like they did 5 years ago.

Instructions
1- wipe shower doors down with lemon juice.
2. make a paste with vinegar and baking soda, about the consistency of soft scrub. Use a scotch scrubbing pad or a tooth brush. See instructional video below


 http://www.ehow.com/video_4791130_remove-stains-glass-shower-doors.html

Cold Flu Care

I don't take many medications for the cold and flu season. As soon as I get a  stuffy/runny nose or a sore throat I do this and it either curbs my cold or shortens it.

I make TEA! Yes tea, it's better than most medications. It's called Echinacea Complete Care. It's a herbal tea, and I take it with Stevia to not add to my calories.  It is available at Walmart stores, but you better stock up when you see it, because it goes fast. I think I may have a cup today.

I have also read that honey is a cough suppressant. Honey is nutrient rich, so use it, and don't be shy. In fact replace the Stevia with the honey in your tea. Honey is full of minerals and vitamins as well as electrolytes.

Balsamic Vinegar for Weight Loss

My new favorite snack is tomatoes with a balsamic vinegar drizzle with salt and blue cheese. I love cheese and found that cheese is full of calories, but Blue Cheese only has 100 Calories per 1/4 cup of crumbles. Then after enjoying my snack, I found that I wasn't hungry. It was really weird because I wasn't  eating a huge amount. I told my husband that I thought it was suppressing my appetite and after investigating this side effect, I found that Balsamic Vinegar IS a appetite suppressant upon reading further online.
It works to suppress the time that the stomach takes to empty. which makes you feel fuller longer. It is also full of Iron, Magnesium and Calcium. So enjoy on salads, cucumbers, tomatoes,with no guilt!

additional benefits


 High in cancer-fighting antioxidants
 A natural appetite suppressant
 Reduces cholesterol to prevent heart disease
 Helps retard osteoporosis
 Amino acids slow the effects of aging
 Reduces the severity and frequency of headaches
 Enzymes for digestive disorders and poor metabolism
 Minerals to prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis,
prevent strokes, treat anemia and fatigue,
as well as lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol

Hair Care and Aloe Vera

Last year I heard of a lot of people doing the HCG diet. I decided that would be a great way to lose weight, and it was, but I wasn't ready for the long term consequences to the diet.  My hair went from silky and smooth to curly, kinky and dry. More and more we are finding that the things we ingest in our bodies effect our health. I'd like to take that idea further. The things we use on our SKIN/HAIR also effects our health by seeping into our pores in our skin.

Currently, I have been in search for a Aloe Vera plant, and they are hard to find but, this time of year you should be able to find one.

Upon reading a health and beauty article, I found that Aloe Vera can be used as a conditioner, a scalp treatment and even can promote hair growth. Aloe Vera also has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

The best and easiest way to incorporate Aloe Vera use is to mix a little bit it in the shampoo or conditioner you already use. For a scalp treatment let stay on scalp for approximately 2 hours.

 I am thinking this could help my hair situation, encourage growth, and make it silky smooth. What do you think?

When choosing a Aloe Vera plant, choose the more mature plant whenever possible. These are more potent and their strength increases with age.

Place in a well drained pot with a sandy soil. Do NOT over water. Allow soil to become dry before watering again. Aloe Vera prefers indirect light. You may also replant new shoots for additional plants.

For directions on extracting the Aloe Vera, go to .

http://youtu.be/6GCN2Th7_eY - 

Dark Circles/Dark spots

Here is a trick that I have been wanting to try. I heard on the TV show "The Doctors".If you have  spent too much time in the sun and have "age spots or sun spots" this could help you.

Horseradish root. apply graded horseradish root to your skin to bleach skin discolorations.

Apply lemon juice to slough off the top layer of skin. Leaving skin rejuvenated.

Papaya fruit  has enzymes in it. Peel the fruit and rub the Papaya skin against your crows feet to build your collagen and plump up your skin.
Almond Oil under the Eye helps lighten dark circles under the eye. Almond Oil  is filled with vitamin E, which helps reduce the darkness.

One more idea to help you stay young from the Doctors.




Fountain of Youth Cocktail Recipe
Don’t let the name fool you, there are no lizard parts in Iguana Juice! 

Ingredients for one 8-ounce glass: 
1 ounce Nopales (cactus chunks) 
1 ounce spinach
1 ounce celery
5 ounces pineapple juice

Blend in a juicer, not a blender, to create your Iguana Juice. Serve chilled but without ice. 

Nopal cactus fruit: Contains protein antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage as well as help fight chronic inflammation. High amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamin C help decrease pain and soreness in your joints and muscles, as well as decrease plaque buildup in arteries. 

Spinach: An excellent source of dietary fiber, calcium and protein. Helps improve cardiovascular health; prevent cancer and the harmful oxidation of cholesterol. 

Celery: Contains compounds that help lower blood pressure and prevent cancer. 

Pineapple juice: Contains high levels of enzymes that fight infection and ease digestion, constipation and heartburn. 


I may have to go get a juicer! I love using things that are natural, and easy to buy, rather than chemicals. :)

Sore throat soothing

My mom told me this one...
Marshmallow's help soothe a sore throat.
Yes, I said marshmallows... I will give it a try when I have one.
let me know if this works for you.

Getting Your Whites Back to Sparkling White

Have you heard... Cascade dish washer detergent can help your laundry too?  Use on only cotton blends.
1/4 Cascade
1 c bleach
soak in very hot water
It will bring back the color and take out odor.

Works with toilets and bathtubs too. mix ingredients  let stand for 30 minutes, rinse with scrubber and water.

So it is the beginning of a new year. A little over a year ago I lost quite a bit of weight and gained it back. One of the tools I used to help me lose this weight was a "calorie counter" It looks a bit like this.

You used 711 calories Target daily amount: 1500 Settings Reset BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER MISC Breakfast - 711 Calories Expand list Cheese, Provolone,  Croissant, Butter - Medium,  Ham Honey Smoked Cooked,  Mcdonald's, Tangy Honey Mustard Sauce,  Orange-Strawberry-Banana Juice My items Recent items Search items Food item Unit Calories Orange Juice Canned, Unsweetened 1 fl oz 13 Orange Juice Frozen Concentrate, Unsweetened, Prepared 1 fl oz 13 Orange Juice Drink 1 fl oz 16 Orange Juice, Raw 1 fl oz 13 Babyfood, Juice Orange-Carrot 1 fl oz 13 Campbell, V8 Splash Juice Drinks, Orange Pineapple 1 serving 70 Frozen Novelties, Juice Type, Orange 1 fl oz 28 Orange-Strawberry-Banana Juice 2 cup 234 How to use? Disclaimer

Visit LabPixies.com • About this gadget • Support

I am able to find the meals in the search item area, and keep a count of how many calories I am eating that day per meal. It keeps me on track to lose weight. You can find this if you have a Google account . It is a choice for your dashboard. If you don not have a Google account, then you basically search Google to find a website, there are quite a bit. I didn't actually eat 711 calories for breakfast. That was lunch and breakfast combined.  Happy Weight Loss ! (this was found on I Google)