From the kitchen to the laundry and closet

With the ever growing green ideas and needs for our health and our planet, and to keep toxins down in our home, as well as safeguard our families, here are a few new (old) solutions for baking soda. (from Publix Greenwise)

Baking soda is more than a riser for cakes and baked goods, here are a few household uses:

1. Pour it down the drain to eliminate odors.

2. Sprinkle it to extinguish a kitchen fire.

3. Add 1/2 cup to the rinse cycle for fresher laundry.

4. Use it on a clean, wet sponge to scrub and freshen your kitchen microwave.

5. Try it to make stainless steel pots shine.

6. Sprinkle in sports shoes and gym bags to deodorize them.

7. Freshen your dog by rubbing baking soda into his fur, then brushing it out.

8. Get rid of tea stains in mugs with a mixture of 1/4 cup baking soda and a quart of warm water.

9. Eliminate food odors in the dishwasher by sprinkling baking soda in the bottom, then runnig the dishwasher as usual.

10. Use it as a facial scrub--just moisten to make a paste.

Myths about Skin Cancer, Tanning

People actually get less than 25 percent of their total sun exposure under the age of 18. Each 20 year period after that averages another 25 percent. Therefore, it is imperative that you use sunscreen all the time, beginning as soon as possible. Even if you are just driving to and from work, or sitting in front of a computer, slather on sunscreen. Ladies, the SPF in your foundation or moisturizer is probably not enough either.

More than a million people, 71 percent of women under 30, go to tanning salons which is more deadly than the sun itself. The high-pressure bulbs in tanning beds emit as much as 12 times the UVA the sun does, increasing your chance of melanoma by as much as 75 percent! So, the only safe tan is the one that comes in a bottle.

Wear sunscreen everyday, especially if you are going to the beach and reapply after 80 minutes, or after swimming. 

What is a good sunscreen?

Read the labels, look for "broad spectrum", zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, these will shield you from UVA and UVB rays. Use at least an SPF of 30, for fair skinned people, try to use a higher SPF.

Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your neck, chest, back of neck, ears, top of your head and tops of your feet!

For more info, visit our website at, www.FloridaSpaGirls.com

Eyes, the eyes have it

Everyone is at risk for eye damage from the sun, year round. The greatest risk is between the hours of 10 a.m and four p.m. Those with the highest risk, are the ones outside the most; truck drivers, fishermen, farmers, beach-goers, skiers and the like.

Ultra violet (UV) radiation in sunlight is commonly divided into UVA and UVB and your sunglasses should block both forms. 

People who spend long hours outdoors without adequate eye protection can develop photokeratitis, reversible sunburn of the cornea. This is painful condition can result in temporary loss of vision. When sunlight reflects off of snow, sand and water, it further increases exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These invisible high-energy rays lie just beyond the violet end of the visible light spectrum. The same harmful rays that damage the skin, can also increase your risk of developing eye problems such as cataracts- a clouding of the eye's lens that develops over years.

For more information, go to www.floridaspagirls.net

Healing Music

Music touches the soul in any language. Music can be a powerful catalyst for healing since it touches the very core of our soul. Listening to (healing) music; lowers our blood pressure, boosts the immune system, relieves depression, improves concentration, enhances creativity, manages pain and lowers stress hormones.

A fine wineglass sings when resonated with its fundamental frequency. Jeffrey Thompson, D.C., discovered people also resonate when exposed to their fundamental frequency. Incorporating his special knowledge of binaural beats formed by programmed phasing of sound between the channels in headphones, he synchronizes both hemispheres of the brain as visualized on various scientific medical monitors. The brain synchronizes with the beat and then  he beat is slowly changed to the frequency of the state of mind desired, such as alpha for relaxation or delta for deep sleep.

Dr. Thompson has incorporated various isolated frequencies that elicit the desired responses into musical notes and then composes nonlinear music using complex algorithms of musical notes combined with up tot 50 channels of various sound elements. 

The type of audio stimulation one selects should be based on the desired entertainment of brain waves and the state of consciousness associated with that frequency. For example, for insomnia; music designed to increase delta brain waves might be best for those seeking a sleep aid or state of deep relaxation.

Even in times of war, soldiers and personnel have been saved by music, http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/2008/10/Healing-Lessons-from-a-War-Zone.aspx?p=2

Natural Remedies

As consumers we are always looking for something to help alleviate an ache, pain, skin irritation or other problem. More people are looking towards homeopathic remedies as these are effective, but they have fewer side effects and, are less expensive.

For superficial burns, cuts and scrapes, trim part of an aloe plant and squeeze some of the sticky juice onto the affected area two to three times per day to soothe and aid in healing.

For deeper cuts and scrapes, add a few drops of water extracted calendula tincture to a bandage and apply to the cut or scrape. Change the bandage to to three times per day.

For sprains, bruises and minor aches and pains, apply traumeel ointment, botanical and mineral substances with anti-inflammatory and other healing properties, to painful areas and rub in as often as needed.

For more natural remedies, visit; www.FloridaSpaGirls.net

 

Antioxidants, surprises

Chocolate lovers you are going to love this! Researchers a the University of Oslo wanted to know which foods have the highest concentration of antioxidants, the natural chemicals in food that make us healthy and prevent disease. They tested 1,113 common foods and drinks.

The most surprising? Chocolate ice cream rated higher than fruits like honeydew and green grapes! Here are the best 10 foods to eat to "anti" up:

1. Blackberries, 1 cup

2. Walnuts, 1 ounce

3. Strawberries, 1 c

4. Artichoke hearts, 1 c

5. Cranberries, 1 c

6. Brewed coffee, 8 ounces

7. Raspberries, 1 c

8. Pecans, 1 ounce

9. Blueberries, 1 c

10. Ground cloves, 1 teaspoon

originally published in Fitness magazine, November 2006.

Detox, for your health

Detox is synonymous with celebrities for addictions (usually alcohol or drugs). However, detox is known in the health and beauty, or spa industry, for ridding the body of toxins. Popular detox diets not only offer to flush poisons from the body, but also eliminate excess weight, can clear you complexion and aid the immune system. 

Detoxifying, or purifying the body of harmful substances is a not new, it has actually been around for centuries. Detox, short for detoxification, is ridding the body of toxins such as drugs, alcohol and pollutants from our environment. 

A few reasons to be concerned about detoxing, which can be serious; vitamin deficiencies, muscle breakdown and blood sugar problems. Depriving the body of vitamins and minerals can weaken the body's ability to fight infections and inflammation. Diets can upset the blood sugar, potassium and sodium levels in the body, people with diabetes, heart or kidney disease or women who are pregnant or nursing shouldn't try detox. 

The safe, natural detox is by drinking water. Water is natural, offers dehydration as well as minerals and will flush the system along with your built-in detox; the liver, kidneys, lungs and skin. 

A few other side-effects to watch out for when detoxing include; headaches, fatigue, irritability, aches and pains and frequent urination and then dehydration.

Always consult with your doctor and a nutritionist prior to starting any diets or detoxes.

Visit, http://www.floridaspagirls.net for more information.