Fight Stress and Depression

Do you head to the kitchen when you're tired ... or stressed ... or sad ... or just plain bored? I know I do :) You may think that's a bad habit, but it turns out that it's a smart plan — if you pick the right foods.
“You are what you eat”, a saying usually applied to the physical effects of the foods we eat, is also applicable to how food affects our emotional well being.Exactly how these foods fight depression is not known. Researchers suspect that they may change some fats in the brain membrane.They believe that this could make it easier for the brain chemicals to pass through.
Eat more...

•  Salmon and mackerel: Are a great choice, because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids also help prevent stroke and heart disease and may help in the prevention of some cancers. Salmon also contains selenium, which is an essential antioxidant mineral. You should eat wild salmon, given that it contains more omegas than farmed, or Atlantic, salmon. 
• Oatmeal: Carbs help you produce serotonin, a calming hormone that helps fight anxiety's negative effects-which is probably why many of us crave them when we're stressed. Go with the craving and choose healthy sources. Oatmeal is high in fiber, which means that your body will absorb it slowly. In one fell swoop, you'll prolong the serotonin boost, keeping yourself feeling full for longer (and on less) and making sure your blood sugar's in check.
• Spinach: Low levels of the B vitamin folate, found in spinach, peas, navy beans, orange juice, wheat germ or avocado, may play a role in depression in some patients, said Brent Bauer, director of the Mayo Clinic's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program.
• Vitamin D and B supplement: Vitamin D has been shown to help with seasonal affective disorder. It may also have an anti-inflammatory effect and increase the flexibility of cell membranes, making the brain's neurotransmitters work better. B vitamins - Studies indicate low levels of the B vitamin folic acid along with high levels of homocysteine, a protein, make you more likely to be depressed. Folic acid, vitamin B2, B6, and B12 decrease levels of homocysteine. B vitamins can be obtained by eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes.
• Blueberries and Raspberries: Berries are jam-packed full of antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber. These substance work tougher to keep you feeling great every day.
• Whole grains: A good source of B vitamins, break down and release sugar slowly, so you don't get high levels of insulin and the ups and down of blood sugar. Also try oats, brown rice, or whole wheat bread or pasta.

Every person has the blues from time to time. But when they take place on a more frequent basis, you should be worried. You can adjust your diet to help stabilize your mood. It is crucial to eat meals at regular intervals with the purpose of keeping your serotonin levels in check. It is a chemical in the brain that has a calming effect. High-quality nutrition is the best defense for fighting depression.
Be healthy. Fight Stress!

Do I breath healthy ???

The function of breathing is to maintain a very specific ratio of O2 to CO2. Ideally, at rest, an adult should breathe lightly and only through the nose. A healthy person can perform exercise and continue to breathe through the nose, whilst a sick person requires larger breaths almost all of the time.
Mouth breathing leads to hyperventilation- an increase in the amount of air we breathe above the normal volume we require. The normal volume of air required per minute at rest is 4 to 5 litres, approximately 8 to 12 breaths per minute.
Ask yourself the following questions

• Can you hear yourself breathe ?
• Do you breathe through your mouth ?
• Is your nose continually blocking ?
• Do you often sigh ?
• Do you yawn excessively ?
• Do you wheeze ?
• Do you pant ?
• Do you snore ?
• Do you wake in the morning still feeling tired even though you have slept through the night ?
• Do you have difficulty sleeping ?
• Do you have an irritable cough ?
• Do you blow your nose excessively ?
• Do you clear your throat often ?
• Do you get short of breath ?
• Can you feel the upper chest move when you breathe ?
• Do you get headaches or dizziness ?
• Do you require medication to assist you to breathe comfortably ?
• Are you anxious for no apparent reason ?
• Do you have anxiety attacks ?
• Do you breathe more than 14 times per minute when sitting quietly ?
• Do you get asthma when sleeping ?
• Do you get asthma when exercising ?
• Do you get asthma following a chest infection ?

        If you answer yes to 2 or more, you may be hyperventilating. 

To achieve the correct breathing technique, ensure that it is deep, maximizing on oxygen intake. It is important to ensure that the diaphragm does the work. A simple test is putting one hand on the belly and the other on the chest. With every inhalation, the hand on the belly should rise higher than the on the chest.

Why is it so important?
1) Healthy breathing increases the oxygenation of blood and efficient removal of toxins from the circulation system.
2) Healthy breathing facilitates digestion and effective assimilation of ingested food. Digestive organs like the stomach receive much more oxygen and operate optimally.
3) The nervous system receives a health boost. The central nervous system is the body's primary communication channel. If it is healthy, the entire body manifests this.
4) Not many people realize the effect of healthy breathing on the glands, primarily the pineal and pituitary glands.
5) The brain needs plenty of oxygen to be happy. Quantitatively, it requires three times more oxygen than the rest of the body.
6) Sufficient oxygen leads to smooth skin with a natural sheen.
7) Deep breathing exercises the diaphragm, giving the small intestine, the stomach, pancreas and liver a soothing massage.
8) The heart also gets this treatment, stimulation blood circulation in all the organs stated.
9) Healthy powerful lungs are the result of healthy breathing. Having this goes a long way in protection against respiratory problems like bronchitis.
10) When the breathing process is slow and deep during yoga, it reduces the workload the heart faces. This happens twofold. First, there is greater contact between lungs and the blood, increasing the surface area of operation. Secondly, there is a distinct pressure differential in the lungs. The increased circulation allows the heart a bit of a rest bite. The heart attains greater strength and operates at an optimum level. Blood pressure and related heart diseases reduce as a result of this cardiac efficiency.
11) Healthy breathing is often about more than just physical health. At the heart of meditation is healthy breathing. When the mind focuses on the breaths and breathing exercises it often escapes from the stresses of life.

Healthy breathing should always be practiced in a quiet and calm atmosphere. As the methods of deep breathing and healthy breathing are mastered, one may find themselves breathing more deeply on a regular basis without every thinking twice about the benefit to the body.
Be healthy.Breath healthy.

Pamper Yourself - AT-Home SPA

You are always busy, stressed out, your full working day does not allow you to go to a Spa salon, or you think that it costs too much money for a day, or just some hours.

So, let's start thinking of your own Spa at home.It's easy, not expensive and you can organize these happy and relaxed moments whenever you have time or desire.

The following are some basic elements to include in creating a home spa experience that will melt away stress and leave you feeling pampered and relaxed.

Privacy: Perhaps the most important part of the home spa experience is being sure that you have enough time, no calls - let it go to voice mail, no hurries and nothing that will take your mind of relaxing ,otherwise you may end up feeling even more tense.

Music:Music is an important part of relaxing, too.What kind of music do you prefer, which one make you feel better, relaxed and happy? Someone may choose nature sounds with waterfalls and birds sound in the background, while others are for classical music.It's up to you, it just should have a positive effect on you.

Lighting: You’d be surprised at how lighting can create a stress-relieving mood. Lighting the room with candles can fill the area with a soothing scent and create a very relaxing atmosphere.

Bath Products: You can go a long way in creating a luxurious bath with a few helpful products.Lavender-scented bubble bath,for example, uses the power of aromatherapy to soothe you. Body scrubs are used in spas to exfoliate skin, and can be used at home as well. There are also skin moisturizing you can add to your bath to nourish your skin and make the pampered feeling last.

Beauty Treatments: While you’re relaxing, you may as well get more beautiful! Putting a conditioning treatments in your hair and a purifyng masque make your face and scalp feel good and leave you looking more beautiful afterward. Rubbing your dry skin with a loofahand scrubbing calloused feet with a pumice stone can be a little more work, but you’ll love the results, and it’ll only take a few minutes.

After Tub Care: You may want to follow up after you get out of the tub by applying a rich conditioning cream to your skin and a coat of nail polish to your toes. Again this will keep you feeling more pampered between spa treatments.

Massage: You may think a home spa treatment can’t include a massage, but it can! If you can’t enlist the soothing hands of a partner, you can use a self- massager do the same job: loosen up tight muscles, promote circulation, and make you feel great. Or, if you’re really in the mood to indulge, you can even hire a professional massage therapist to come to your house! 

Sugar Scrub:Make your own sugar scrub to exfoliate your elbows, knees, back, arms and legs. Just take one cup of brown sugar, one cup of raw oatmeal and one cup of olive oil. Mix the ingredients together in a jar and then apply to dry skin. Stand on a towel or plastic bag and massage slowly in circles. Step right into the shower and rinse off the scrub. 

Refreshing foot scrub:

Combine two tablespoons of vegetable oil, two tablespoons of natural sea salt (or beach sand, which you can get at the craft store), three drops of rosemary oil and three drops of peppermint oil. Mix the ingredients into a paste and then massage the paste onto your feet.
Concentrate on rough areas, such as your heels or calluses. When you rinse off the mixture, your feet will be silky smooth.
Botanic Choice has inexpensive vials of essential oils. It’s nice to have a few vials of your favorite scents on hand for aromatherapy and spa treatments. If you’re just getting started with your essential oils collection, try Lavender, Rosemary, and Peppermint oils.

Pumpkin Facial Mask:(all skin types)

Pumpkin adds moisture to your skin, no matter what your skin type. Just use three tablespoons of pureed pumpkin from a can and one-half teaspoon of honey. If you have normal or oily skin, add one-quarter teaspoon of milk. If you have dry skin, add one-quarter teaspoon of buttermilk.

Once you’ve mixed together all of the ingredients, clean your face using your regular cleanser. Spread the mask over your skin and then leave it on for 15 minutes. Clean off the dried mask with warm water. You can follow it up with rose water (see below) and then apply your moisturizer. 

Carrot Avocado Facial Mask:(dry/normal skin)
Combine a mashed carrot, mashed avocado, and a beaten egg with a few tablespoons of honey. Stir well, apply, let sit for about 15 minutes, and then wash off with cool water.
After you’re washed and nourished your skin with the natural face mask above, use grated cucumber or diluted lemon juice as a toner to help tighten your skin and close up your pores. (Remember to keep all ingredients away from the eye area.)
Cuticle softener:This treatment is simple to use and can prevent jagged nails. Combine a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Mix them together in a bowl and then massage the oil into your cuticles. After letting the oil soak in for fifteen minutes, you can wash away the excess oil with soap and water. 
Lemon softener:The acid in lemons will work wonders on your rough elbows and rough knees. Cut a lemon in half and then rub it on your rough patches, then rinse it off in the shower. This treatments soften skins and can even lighten dark areas.
Rose Water:Rose water is a well-known toner and astringent. It costs a lot when you buy it by the bottle, but you can easily make it yourself. Firmly pack rose petals into a cup and place it in a bowl. Pour two cups of boiling water over the top and cover.
Steep the roses until the liquid is cool and then strain out the petals. Refrigerate the water in a sterile glass jar between uses. Apply to the skin with a cotton ball to tone and tighten your skin.

Also, I found lots of home-made recipes here.
If you use to have Spa days at home,or just heard some other ways to do it share it with me ,please, I'll be really thankful :)
                                        Relax, You Deserve it !

Fashion Color Trends for Spring/Summer 2010

 Pantone just announced the color of the year for 2010: PMS 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue.

In their top 10 order Pantone have nominated the following colors for Spring 2010:

1. Violet
2. Aurora
3. Turquoise
4. Fusion Coral
5. Tomato Puree
6. Tuscany
7. Amparo Blue
8. Pink Champagne
9. Dried Herb
10. Eucalyptus

In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color.  It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.
In fashion, Turquoise makes a statement that can look elegant and dressy in fine silk and gemstones, or casual and fun in cotton and athletic apparel. Because of its versatility, Turquoise is a great accent color in jewelry, purses, shoes, hair accessories and even nail polish for women, and ties, shirts and sportswear for men.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantone

Have your Lips SOFT and SENSUAL

If, I wrote in the article posted bellow that "the eyes are the mirror of the soul" then surely the lips are the pathway to your heart.
A wonderful pair of lips can truly make your face look dazzling, more contented and accurate. Since lips are the most striking aspect of the face, just next to your eyes. So, you must be eager to know how to get those wonderful lips.   

• Exfoliate Gentle. Lips are more sensitive than the rest of your face, so facial scrubs can be too irritating.Use sugar to remove dead skin or rub a soft, dry toothbrush over your lips once a week. Lip treatments containing salicylic acid can also peel off the dead skin without harm. 
• Add Moisture. Put on lip balm then blot away the excess before adding lipstick. Avoid flavored lip balms, however, as they may tempt you to lick your lips (causing chapping). Lips that are cracked ot bleeding need treatment with 1 percent hydrocortisone cream and an over the counter antibacterial ointment such as Polysporin.
• Drink Water.Drink plenty of water as it will keep your lips hydrated throughout the day. Make sure that your lips don’t look chapped, rough or dry.
• Avoid Bitting or Licking.Always avoid licking your lips. It may think like you are given that temporary relief, the saliva evaporates quickly, leaving your lips even drier than before they were licked. Hence, you should try to use a quality lip balm that is not scented, as it influences you to lick your lips more often.
• Avoid Smoking and Using Straws.Smoking and the use of straws increase lines around the mouth due to puckering required when using them. As well, the chemicals in cigarettes reduce oxygen in the body which is necessary for healthy cell regeneration.
• Shape Your Lips.You can create an illusion of dimension, if your lips are thin. Dabbing a dot of gloss on the central area of your lower lip will do the trick for thin lips. Gloss will reflect light and impart your lips a fuller appearance. On the other hand, if you have fuller lips, you can make them appear thin by applying dark shades of lipstick. Nude and matte shades will also help to downsize fuller lips.
• Eat a Healthy Diet. Healthy nutritious diet of fruits and vegetables will keep your lips beautiful, pink and hydrated. Try to include green vegetables, fruit juices, and salads in your diet.
• Smile. Just smile...smile ...smile, because you got a perfect pair of lips you are taking care about ;)

And now it's time for some Mystery Ingredients  :)
If you have a cold sore or are prone to them, one of the best ways to treat them is the application of tea bags. Mint tea bags have been known to decrease the swelling of the lips and to alleviate pain. Teas like lemon and mint have tannic acid, an ingredient that operates like an anti-viral agent to treats the root cause of cold sores.
Aloe vera is a great way to keep your lips smooth, soft and pain-free. The best lips are those that are moisturized. Thus, when it comes time to invest in lotions or lip balms, look for those that contain this ingredient.

Find some interesting and useful video tips bellow :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUXQ3dqPUe0