Healthy Body

The kitchen is often one of the most complicated rooms in the house to clean. Most households have numerous cleaners just for the kitchen. These include floor cleaners, oven cleaners, dish detergent, and one or more surface cleaners. This is often not only expensive, it can also results in a lot of added chemicals in our homes.

Making our own natural cleaners can save money and avoid the hazards of cleaning the kitchen with harsh chemicals. Here are some cleaners you can make easily:

Oven

Traditional oven cleaner can be smelly and hazardous. To keep the oven from getting so messy in the first place, try sprinkling a generous amount of salt on spills right after they happen, while the oven is still hot. Once cooled, you can usually scrape the spill up easily.

For regular cleanings, a mixture of equal parts baking soda and hot water is safe and effective. This will make a paste that you can apply and let sit for one minute before scrubbing and rinsing off. For tough stains, add an equal part of salt to the mix, apply and heat the oven to 500 degrees for one hour, then let it cool and rinse off.

Dishes

If you wash dishes by hand, adding baking soda to liquid soap makes a cleaner that can be more effective and less damaging to the environment than regular dish detergent. There are also organic dish detergents available in health food stores. In the dishwasher, washing soda and borax are a good home-made alternative to traditional dishwasher detergents.

For the rinse cycle in the dishwasher, adding vinegar will keep your dishes spot-free. It’s also good for keeping the dishwasher itself clean. The rinse compartment in many dishwashers will not hold vinegar very well, so you might want to add it at the beginning of the rinse cycle.

For pots and pans that are greasy or have food stuck on them, soak in a solution of baking soda and water. Coarse salt and lemon juice work wonders on copper pans.

Drains and Garbage Disposals

Clogged drains can often be cleared by pouring a cup of baking soda and a cup of table salt down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Let that sit for ten minutes, then flush out with boiling water.

Baking soda and vinegar are also great for cleaning the disposal. Pour those ingredients down the disposal, let sit for ten minutes, then put a few ice cubes in the disposal and run it. Citrus peels or cut up citrus fruits that are going bad will freshen the disposal between cleanings.

Floors

Floors can often be cleaned with nothing more than a damp mop. If you need something more potent than water, white vinegar is effective and safe for almost any type of hard flooring. Dish detergent also does a good job.

Soy has long been used as a healthy substitute for many food ingredients. The bean has been touted for decades as a source of numerous nutrients, including protein, amino acids, calcium and fiber. And more recently, it has been discovered that soy also contains phytochemicals that boost its benefits to our health.

Soy for the Heart

Scientists have been studying soy’s benefits to the heart since 1909. Soy has been found to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, while preserving HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Soy also contains lecithin and Vitamin E, two natural antioxidants that are good for the heart.

Another heart benefit of soy is the fact that it contains the isoflavone genistein, which is thought to reduce blood clotting. This could help prevent both heart attacks and strokes. Genistein is also believed to help prevent the formation of artery plaque.

Soy Protects Against Cancer

Many types of cancer have been linked to elevated hormone levels. Excess estrogen, for example, has been associated with numerous types of cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. The isoflavones found in soy, genistein and daidzein, are being studied in relation to the prevention and treatment of these and other hormone-related cancers.

These components of soy are believed to prevent and sabotage the growth of cancer in a number of ways. They can prevent estrogen from entering cells, and they may block genes and processes that are necessary for cancer to take hold, grow and spread. Studies have also shown genistein to activate helpful genes that promote the self-destruction of cancer cells.

Soy for Healthy Bones

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients we can consume for healthy bones. Using soy as a replacement for animal foods allows us to keep calcium in our diet, as a number of soy foods are high in calcium. In addition to calcium, soy contains magnesium and boron, two nutrients that enhance the effects of calcium.

Soy Fights Hot Flashes

Hot flashes and night sweats are two of the most bothersome symptoms of the menopause. Research has shown that menopausal women who consume soy flour each day have a large reduction in symptoms such as hot flashes.

How Can I Add Soy to My Diet?

There are many foods available that contain soy. Soy milk can be used as a substitute for cow’s milk, and soy flour is a healthy substitute for wheat flour. Tofu is a popular soy-based food that can be eaten alone or used in recipes. And fresh green soybeans, known as Edamame, can be cooked and eaten alone or used in recipes.

Soy has numerous health benefits. It provides us with several essential nutrients, and studies have proven it helpful in the prevention and treatment of many ailments. Adding soy to your diet is very worthwhile, whether you are battling health problems or just want to improve your overall health.

There are a number of good home remedies for head lice. One very good lice treatment is a combination of mayonnaise, vinegar and tea tree oil. To make it, mix mayonnaise and vinegar together in a bowl until the consistency is like cake batter. Add about eight drops of tea tree oil and stir it in. The smell may seem strong but it will dissipate. Next, separate the hair into one inch sections and apply the mixture. Be sure to get complete coverage from the scalp all the way down to the tips of the hair.

It is easiest to start at the back of the head and work your way up. Once you have done the whole head, wrap the hair up with a clip on the top (if the hair is long) and put a shower cap or grocery bag over the hair, press the bag down to remove the air. Leave on for a minimum of 2 hours.

While doing this, take your spray bottle and fill it to 3/4 full with water, then add about 20 drops of tea tree oil, then shake vigorously. Now as you wait for the hair to finish take the spray bottle to anything in your home that could be a living place for lice such as couches, beds, pillows, blankets, etc. Do a good misting with the spray on all these items, rather than a soaking.

The tea tree oil works as a repellent, because headlice, ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and horseflies hate the smell, so you could also use the spray on your pets. Also you want to add about 5-10 drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo, so then when your child is around other children that may have lice, the lice won’t make your child’s head their new home because they hate the scent.

After leaving the treatment on your hair for two hours, rinse your hair in the sink until all the substance has been removed. Then take a look in a mirror! You will be amazed at the number of dead head lice you will see on top of your hair. You will need to comb your hair thoroughly in order to remove both the dead bugs and the eggs. You’ll find that the eggs which are usually hard to comb out will come out freely now, because the vinegar has eaten the glue that’s used to adhere them to the hair shafts. If your treatment has resulted in tangles, use a conditioner prior to combing.

Upon completion of these simple steps, you and your home will be rid of lice. After 7-10 days of the first treatment, repeat these steps just like any lice treatment to completely eliminate any lice eggs from surviving. Continue to spray your home with the oil/water mix to prevent further infection should someone with lice enter your home. Unlike other lice treatment, this treatment is completely guaranteed. It is the most cost effective, efficient and affordable treatment around.

You may hear of many home remedies for head lice. One such lice treatment is to mix vinegar and mayo into a bowl until it has the consistency of cake batter. Add to this mix about 8 drops of tea tree oil. The aroma is somewhat overpowering but will shampoo out. Section the hair into one-inch sections, brush the mixture starting at the scalp and spreading it down the length of hair. A word of caution: vinegar can burn eyes. Pests such as headlice, ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and horseflies dislike the odor of tea tree oil, thus making it a great repellant.

- samora jinqua

If you have gained a couple of extra pounds and can’t seem to fit into that little prom dress you have been looking at chances are you are pretty bummed. There is a large variety of plus size prom dresses on the market if you know where to look for them. One advantage of wearing a plus size prom dress is that you will not have to worry about five other girls at your prom wearing the exact same dress as you. It can be a little upsetting to find out that you have gained enough weight to have to shop in the plus size section. Maybe you have been plus size the whole time and just need assistance in finding the perfect prom dress for one of the biggest nights of you life. No matter what your reason, we are here to help.

Some young people traditionally have difficulty finding attractive and appropriate clothes for their winter, spring or summer formal dances. If you find yourself in such a circumstance, perhaps you should look for a professional to do alterations. It then becomes possible to find the perfect dress that “almost fits,” and have it adjusted to make you look your very best. Professionals are experts, and have spent their entire career improving the fit of clothes. They will also take your opinions into consideration, making the finished product something you are not simply wearing, but have contributed to the final product.

The most flattering colors for plus size prom dresses are stunning deep, dark shades of black, grey, purple, and red. These colors will make you look great in your plus size prom dress. While you may be tempted to incorporate your favorite colors into your dress, you might want to think again if the colors you are considering are very light. White and other very light colors do not normally look very good on most people. These light colors definitely work against the goal of looking great on that special night. Also, “hot” colors, like pink for example, can even make a toothpick look wide, so its best to stay away from them.

If you are searching for a plus size prom dress for your special night, don’t worry that you won’t have the same opportunity to find the perfect dress as other girls may. In fact, the opposite is more likely true, because you have an even better chance to find a wonderful dress that other girls won’t also be wearing at your event. There is nothing worse than showing up for your prom and finding several other girls wearing the exact same dress that you thought was perfect for you. Choosing a plus size dress is a way to show your unique beauty on your special night.

Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Visit us for plus size deals on Plus Size Maternity Clothes at http://plus-size.discountsonline.com

- Andrea Dilea

If you go to the spice section in the grocery store, you will see many types of herbs. How many of those do you use in your cooking? Did you know that you can grow many of them in your own garden?

Herb gardens are great for cooking purposes, but they can also be home to medicinal and fragrant plants. And if all of those benefits aren’t enough, they are quite beautiful as well.

Cooking Herbs

There are many cooking herbs that you can grow in your garden. Basil, bay, dill and chives are just a few of the many delicious spices that come from easy-to-grow herbs. Most plants grow large enough to provide a bountiful harvest that you can share with friends and family.

Fresh herbs are much tastier than the store-bought ones because they haven’t sat around long enough to lose flavor. So a little bit goes a long way. Some cooking herbs are perennials, so they will come back for you to enjoy year after year.

Medicinal Herbs

Many herbs are known for their medicinal qualities. Yarrow, St. John’s wort, and hyssop are some of the most used medicinal herbs. Herbal remedies can be found for almost any common ailment, and they are less expensive and often have fewer side effects than traditional medicines.

Fragrant Herbs

Many herbs have a pleasant fragrance in addition to culinary uses and medicinal qualities. So some people grow herbs simply for their beauty and scent. Some fragrant herbs mingle well with regular flowers to add beauty and fragrance to a traditional garden.

Making Money with Herbs

Growing an herb garden can turn into a profitable business. Many herbalists dry and grind culinary herbs to sell, and some even make their own signature blends. Others grow medicinal herbs and sell them to companies that make herbal medicines, or directly to customers.

Herbs Make Great Gifts

Culinary, medicinal and fragrant herbs make thoughtful and useful gifts. You could give entire plants or cuttings so that recipients can grow their own. Or you could dry and grind culinary herbs that they can use in cooking. For a friend or family member who is sick, you could prepare an infusion or tincture and deliver it to him or her.

Another great way to present culinary or medicinal herbs is with recipes. You could print the recipe on some pretty stationery or a note card, package the other ingredients with it, and present it to someone who loves gourmet food or enjoys using home remedies.

There are many benefits of growing an herb garden. It puts the things you need for cooking and herbal remedies right at your fingertips. It allows you to use the ingredients fresh instead of buying them from the store, where it’s hard to tell how long they’ve been sitting on the shelf. And it allows you to make money from the herbs or give them as gifts. The many uses for herbs make herb gardening well worth the time spent.

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of any balanced diet. But nutrition experts also recommend eating a certain number of servings of meat and dairy products each day. It’s not surprising that many people who are considering becoming vegetarians hesitate because they fear that they will not get adequate nutrition.

The truth is that vegetarians can eat balanced diets too. It takes careful planning, but it’s not as difficult as one might imagine. The key to eating a balanced diet as a vegetarian is to know what foods give you the vitamins and nutrients that most people get from animal sources.

Calcium

Calcium is important because it strengthens our bones. Most people associate calcium with milk and cheese, but these are not the only sources of the important mineral. There are many vegetables that contain calcium.

Leafy green vegetables are one of the most popular sources of calcium among vegetarians. Broccoli and beans are also rich in calcium. Soy products provide lots of calcium as well, as do fortified fruit juices.

Lacto and ovo-lacto vegetarians can consume milk and milk products, so it’s easier for them to include calcium in their diets. But vegans can get the calcium they need for strong bones as well.

Protein

A common myth about vegetarianism is that it is extremely difficult to get enough protein. The fact is that although vegetarians usually eat less protein than those whose diet includes meats, meat-eaters often eat too much protein. Plant proteins can also be healthier, because they do not come with the large amounts of fat and cholesterol that animal proteins someetimes do.

Beans are a great source of protein for vegetarians. Grains, nuts, and seeds are also protein-rich. Even many vegetables, such as corn, provide a large amount of protein.

Vitamins

One thing that vegetarians usually get plenty of is vitamins. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with them, and many of these foods have several different vitamins in one delicious package. But there are a few vitamins that vegetarians need to take extra care to include in their diets:

- Vitamin B12 is one important vitamin that is usually obtained through meat, eggs or dairy products. Lacto and ovo-lacto vegetarians do not need to worry about getting enough B12 in their diets. Vegans, on the other hand, might want to consider taking B12 supplements.

- Vitamin D is also often lacking in vegan diets. Those who consume dairy products that are fortified with Vitamin D do not have to worry about it, but strict vegans usually don’t get much of the important nutrient. Two solutions are to get plenty of sunshine, which causes our bodies to create Vitamin D on their own, or to take Vitamin D supplements.

Eating a balanced diet is no harder for a vegetarian than it is for anyone else. Getting all of the vitamins and minerals we need requires us to eat a variety of foods, and to make sure those foods have enough of the things we need in them. By educating yourself about which foods have the nutrients that vegetarian diets often lack, and making it a point to include those in your diet, you can be a healthy vegetarian.

You can meet wonderful people while ballroom dancing. The dances are easy to learn, with many different styles such as tango, foxtrot, swing, waltzes, salsa, and the cha cha. Many people decide to start learning to dance for their weddings of some other social function, and have enough fun that they decide to continue. Others take up dancing as a hobby, for exercise, or simply to meet new people. Arizona has seen the number of ballroom dancers soar because it is such an enjoyable activity.

There is no age limit for competition – young and old alike can experience the joy that comes with participating in ballroom dancing contests. Ballroom dancing clubs are sometimes offered on college campuses for students. The entire community is welcome to be a part of a local club. Dancing competitively is thrilling and in the process you can tour all over the country! Beautiful clothes are just one perk. Nothing beats the excitement of winning the top prize. Not everyone will enjoy competing in ballroom dancing, but that is only one reason out of many that make learning this skill rewarding.

Whatever reason appeals to you, there is probably a dance studio near you that you can try out. For dancing Arizona, there are many studios that offer a variety of classes, including line dancing and country dancing in addition to the more standard dances. Check out Arthur Murray in Mesa, AZ if you live near Phoenix, AZ. Dance in Arizona, or any other state, is stimulating and great exercise. Consider trying out this activity to spice up your life!

If you are interested in dance lesson Arizona, you can use the internet, the yellow pages, or your local paper to find classes and dance studios. Ballroom dancing is popular in many places, and there are many studios and teachers to choose from.

Most US cities have clubs for Latin dance, and once you have learned to dance you can head on out for a night on the town. There will plenty of people to dance with, especially if you can show off some dancing skills! If you are bored with your current spots you will find this to be a great alternative, plus you will get to hear great new music.

Do you and your significant other want to learn something new? If so, check out dancing in your state today! It is a great way to start something new together and it just might strengthen your relationship too! Go out and bust a move on the dance floor tonight!

Ballroom dancing is a great way to have fun and meet new people, all while staying fit. You can learn the waltz, foxtrot, cha ca, swing, meringue, or salsa for a special event or just to learn a new talent. Whatever your age or level of skill, there is a dance class just for you. If you’re looking for dance lesson arizoan, the Arthur Murray studio is a popular choice, as are many other studios in the phone book or on the Internet. You can hit these lessons and dance Arizona all night long! You can take a significant other or go stag, and check out dance AZ today!

- Chad Michael Lawson

The problem of lice has become very widespread in our society with women being especially susceptible to an infestation. Before we can begin to think of talking about preventing and treating head lice, we first need to understand what lice are. As your doctor might explain to you, head lice are parasites which live in the hairy areas of our bodies.

Lice are more common than many people realize. Women tend to have more problems with lice because they are more likely to have longer hair. Dealing with “headlice” is not as easy as just washing your hair a few extra times. You will need to take special steps to rid yourself of lice.

The fact that lice feed from human scalps is the most difficult for people to deal with. Lice can cause a person to loose blood. Lice also multiply rapidly and can increase their numbers in a short time period. A person will have a very itchy scalp when the lice begin multiplying and feeding on their scalp.

Discussing about different ways of keeping the hair free of lice is very important, if not this article would be incomplete. At present there are several brands of shampoos that are found to be specially manufactured to treat lice. One should know that a lice removal shampoo is completely different from a normal shampoo.

There are many “head lice treatments” which can which are effective. Home remedies sometimes are also helpful. A regular lice comb is the cheapest and most common remedy for head lice problems. It has close bristles which trap lice and it works best when it is used on mature lice. Choose the right treatment for your problem.

The best treatment for head lice is preventing them in the first place. Some of the simple techniques you can try to lower your risk of contracting lice is to wash your hair at least three times a week, avoid people with active infestations, and increase your knowledge of the problem by reading material on the Internet which addresses head lice. You’ll also find articles regarding effective but unusual remedies to use if you do get head lice such as applying a mixture of lavender and lemon extract.

The problem of lice has become very widespread in our society with women being especially susceptible to an infestation. Normally lice are found in the hair of human beings. The bad nature about lice is that a lot of blood is sucked from a person’s scalp by lice. There are various alternatives when it comes to effective head lice treatments. For starters, you can try a good lice removal shampoo. There are many brands available that are specially formulated for treating and eradicating lice. A combination consisting of citrus zest and lavender oil has been shown to work on headlice.

- norman horowitz

Walk into any grocery or drug store, and you’ll see a myriad of tooth whitening products on the toothpaste aisle. There are whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, and entire tooth whitening systems. Some of the toothpastes use natural ingredients such as baking soda, but most products use harsh chemicals that many of us would think twice about putting into our bodies.

There are home treatments that can give us whiter teeth without the questionable chemicals. Baking soda has been used to whiten teeth for years. Some people use it directly from the box, while others find baking soda toothpastes more palatable. Either way, it is well known that baking soda is a great tooth whitener.

Another treatment that has received a large amount of praise is strawberries. The strawberry has an enzyme called malic acid that has been found to be quite effective at whitening teeth. And as a bonus, it tastes better than those store-bought treatments.

How to Whiten Teeth With Strawberries and Baking Soda

There are a few ways that you can include strawberries and baking soda in your dental care regimen. One way is to simply cut a strawberry in half, rub the pulpy side on your teeth, and then brush with baking soda. But you can also make mixtures that include the two ingredients, for added convenience and effectiveness.

One popular method is to puree the strawberries and apply to the teeth with your toothbrush or a cosmetic brush. Let this remain on your teeth for five minutes, then brush with the baking soda. You could also mash up a strawberry or two with a small amount of baking soda and apply, then brush with regular toothpaste.

Things to Consider When Using Strawberries

It is very important to brush your teeth well after using any strawberry treatment. Strawberries do contain natural sugar, and leaving them on your teeth for long periods of time could cause cavities. And the very ingredient that whitens our teeth, malic acid, can be harmful if left on too long. Any type of acid could eat through our teeth’s enamel, and that also provides ample opportunity for cavities to form.

Due to the strawberry’s acid content, it’s probably a good idea not to use strawberry treatments too often even if you do brush well afterward. Once a week should be sufficient. It’s also important to continue to go to the dentist for regular cleanings.

While it is important to take some precautions when using strawberries and baking soda to whiten teeth, these natural whiteners are less expensive than commercial treatments. The strawberries loosen the hold of the stains on the teeth, while the baking soda buffs the stains away. And best of all, the danger of using chemicals on your teeth is not a concern.

There has been much controversy over the use of artificial sweeteners. Saccharin, for example, was once nearly banned, but got by with a warning label on products that contained it. It has since been declared safe by the government. Aspartame has also undergone scrutiny, and is believed to be responsible for a number of troublesome side effects.

With all of the bad press and uncertainty surrounding artificial sweeteners, it is understandable that people might be hesitant to use them. Even if we do use them ourselves, it has been recommended that we do not allow our children to consume them.

Saccharin

Saccharin was the source of heated debate in the 1970s. Studies linked the substance to an increased incidence of bladder cancer in male rats, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration attempted to impose a ban. They were convinced by the food industry, however, to allow the use of saccharin in products as long as the product bore a label saying that it contained saccharin and that saccharin may cause cancer.

In 2001, the FDA lifted the warning requirement, and now claims that saccharin does not cause cancer in humans. The American Medical Association, however, recommends a limit on the intake of saccharin in pregnant women and children. Considering all of the controversy surrounding saccharin, it is likely safer to avoid it altogether.

Aspartame

Aspartame has been linked to headaches, psychiatric disorders, low blood sugar and many other ailments. As a matter of fact, there are at least ninety-two side affects that have been associated with the use of aspartame. Most regulated drugs do not have that many reported side effects.

Unlike some other artificial sweeteners, aspartame dissolves easily and can end up in any tissue in the body. That means that it can cause problems with any tissue or organ. This is a problem for adults, and an even bigger problem in growing children, who could experience more damage than a person who is fully grown and developed.

Other Artificial Sweeteners

While saccharin and aspartame are two of the most controversial artificial sweeteners, most others have been associated with similar side effects. There has also been little testing done on them, so it’s hard to know just what problems could be associated with long-term use, especially among children.

Children Do Not Need Artificial Sweeteners

There is no practical reason for giving children artificial sweeteners. Even overweight children can benefit more from eating naturally sweet foods such as fruits. Giving these kinds of foods to our children in place of sugary sweets or foods with artificial sweeteners will allow them to develop a taste for them, thereby developing healthy habits that they can benefit from for life.