The Grapeseed Extract Magic

For thousands of years, the leaves and sap of grapes, including the fruit itself has been used as a form of traditional treatment in Europe. Grape seed extracts are derived from the ground-up seeds of red wine grapes. The extracts have been found to be effective in treating a number of diseases.

What's in a Grape Seed Extract?
Grape seed extract has a huge concentration of vitamin E, flavonoids, and linoleic acid. Polyphenols have antioxidant properties and it is for this reason that grape seed extracts are derived.

Grape seed extract is said to have anti-aging and anti-cancer effects because of the bioflavonoids that strengthen and protect the cell membrane from free radicals. Free radicals can cause aging and even cancer.

Prior research is optimistic on the future of grape seed extract as they have been seen to have effects on the following conditions:

1. High blood pressure
In a study conducted, researchers have found out that after four weeks of treatment with grape seed, the blood pressure of the test subjects went down.

2. Complications of Diabetes
Research results have found out that the risk of inflammation and glycemia among diabetic patients have decreased after a month of using grape seed extract.

3. Alzeheimer's Disease
Grape seed extract may have the ability to delay the development of Alzheimer's where the inflammation is lowered the the formation of brain plaques known to cause the disease is slowed down.

4. Healthy Blood Vessels
The OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) can improve the health of your blood vessels and blood will flow more efficiently.

Other benefits of Grape Seed include the following:
- even out skin tone
- helps prevent osteoporosis
- relieves constipation
- prevents tooth decay
- improve mental alertness
- improve eye health

Possible Side Effects of Grape Seed Extract
Although grape seed extract is considered generally safe, there are minor side effects that include dizziness, nausea, headache, and itchy scalp. If you have a a cardiovascular disease, consult your doctor first before taking grape seed extract.

If you are taking regular medications, ask your health care provider before taking grape seed extract.

Why You Should Use and Eat Yogurt

Are you lactose intolerant?

Yogurt can be a good substitute for milk because it is easier to digest. Yogurt is cultured in such a way that it can be digested easier. Lactase is formed in the active culture of yogurt and this is not in lactose-intolerant individuals which makes them able to eat yogurt than drink milk. There is less lactose in yogurt than in milk and the process of culturing breaks down the lactose into glucose and galactose which can be easily absorbed by lactose-intolerant people.

High Cholesterol?

There have been some studies that yogurt can lower blood cholesterol. It is said that the live cultures binds with bile acids which can lower cholesterol levels.

Calcium

Yogurt is a very good source of calcium because it enhances the absorption of calcium into the body. Thus, the risk for osteoporosis can be lowered. Vitamin D can also be found in yogurt. With that, the combination of calcium and Vitamin D is good for the skeletal system. It is important that you read the label of the yogurt that you are going to buy.

Have a Healthy Gut

The active culture in yogurt can help clean the colon and prevent other gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipation, and even colon cancer. The good bacteria called lactobacteria that is found in yogurt promotes the growth of other health flora in the intestines.

Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for ulcers and contributing factor to stomach cancer can also be prevented with yogurt.

Yogurt in Diet

Yogurt can leave you feeling fuller and less hungry. This is especially good news to those who are going on a diet.

Higher Immunity

Yogurt can also boost your immune system by stimulating the infection-fighting cells in the body. There are studies that show yogurt may have anti-tumor effects.

Decreases Yeast Infection

Candida or yeast infections among diabetic women are often a problem. Eating yogurt often can decrease the presence of yeast colonies and therefore, reduces the risk of infection.

Given the number of benefits that you can get from eating yogurt, it is not too late to start now. You can even create your very own yogurt at home with the following simple steps:

What you need:

1 quart milk

1 dial thermometer

½ live culture yogurt (or other dried starter)

½ cup powdered milk (for thickness)

1 tablespoon white sugar

What to do:

1. Heat the milk up to 180 °F for one minute, slowly stirring. Cool the mixture up to 115°F by putting it in a cold water bath.
2. Once you have reached with desired coolness of the mixture, add the live culture and sugar.
3. The temperature 115°F should be maintained for 4-6 hours because this is the ideal temperature for the bacteria to do their job.
4. After 6 hours, you will have a cheesy odor and green liquid on top. The texture is custardy. The longer you let the mixture sit, the thicker it will become.
5. Refrigerate. It can last up to 2 weeks. Add fruits before eating.

Egg-cellent Home Spa Recipes

Eggs are high in protein and it can do a lot of things to improve your hair and skin. For people with oily skin and open pores, eggs can be very helpful in tightening pores.

If you are having problems with dry hair, egg yolks can be used. Eggs can also help add body to your hair and achieve that natural shine that you think is impossible.

Why spend a lot on various treatments when you can stay at home and do your very own treatment? Here are some simple egg recipes that you can try at home.



Facial Recipes:

Egg and Honey Mask

Egg yolks contain natural antioxidants and lecithin that can help soften the lines. Together with the egg yolk, honey draws moisture to the skin.

What you need:
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons honey

What to do:
1. Mix the egg yolk and honey.
2. Apply to face and neck.
3. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off.

Egg White Facial Mask

Egg white is the albumen contained in the egg. This is the transparent liquid that you see when you open up an egg. It has no fat content unlike the yolk and has a very high protein content.

What you need:
egg yolk

What to do:
1. Separate the egg white from the egg yolk.
2. Beat it until foamy.
3. Apply the foam to your skin.
4. Allow to dry and then rinse off with warm water.

Hair Recipes:

Egg Yolk Hair Treatment

Egg yolks contain lecithin, folic acid, as well as vitamin A, D, E, B12. All of these are helpful in enhancing a healthy skin and hair.

What you need:
1-2 egg yolks (add more if hair is longer)
1/2 teaspoon shampoo
1 cup warm water

What to do:
1. Mix everything.
2. Apply mixture onto wet hair and leave on for 5 minutes.
3. Rinse.

Egg White for Oily Hair

What you need:
Egg white
water with a piece of lemon

What to do:
1. Before washing your hair, apply egg white throughout your hair.
2. Leave on for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse using the water with lemon. Use warm water.

Coffee Home Spa

Coffee does not only jump start your day but it can make your night as well. Coffee, when powdered, can also be used on your hair and skin. Let coffee work its magic for a healthier and more beautiful you.

Coffee can be used as a facial scrub and a face pack that exfoliates and rejuvenates your skin. Dryness can make your skin look old but with the anti-aging property of coffee, you will be able to maintain a nourished skin.

Coffee Facial Scrub

What you need:

3 teaspoons of ground coffee

1 teaspoon of milk

What to do:

1. Mix coffee and milk until it is made into the consistency of a paste.

2. Massage the mixture on your face in a circular motion.

3. Allow to dry.

4. Rinse with cold water.

5. Pat dry and apply the moisturizer of your choice.

Coffee for Hair Care

The anti-oxidant properties of coffee can also be beneficial to your hair and scalp by preventing falling hair. Coffee can function as a hair conditioner and as a result, your hair is smooth, soft, and silky.

What you need:

Espresso (or any strong brew)

What to do:

1. Allow the coffee to cool down - up to a tolerable warm temperature.

2. Apply coffee to dry hair and leave for 20 minutes.

2. Use warm water to rinse off the coffee.

Body Massage with Coffee

Coffee can also be used for body massage. This can act as an exfoliant and smoothen your skin.

What you need:

ground coffee

cocoa butter

What to do:

Mix coffee and cocoa butter.

The next time you have a cup of coffee that makes you palpitate, try to use it on your skin.

Eat More, Weigh Less

You want to lose weight fast.

What you do: Eat less
What you actually do: Think more about food.
What happens: You feel denied and you end up giving up.

This often happens in diet fads.

How would you like to eat more and still lose weight?

The secret to eating to shed off some pounds is not tricky. You just have to eat those green, leafy veggies and the colorful fruits that you have learned as a child to be very nutritious.

It is a known fact that fruits and vegetables are good for the body because they contain vitamins and minerals that can fight diseases and keep us healthy. The problem here is fruits and veggies are not so appealing to others. Remember how you used to be chased around just to eat those green leaves?

If you can eat more and still lose weight, would you consider changing your mind about these fruits and veggies?

The Secrets:
1. Fruits and veggies contain a lot of nutrients and they are low in calories. You can eat plenty of fruits and vegetables minus the calories. Imagine eating as much chocolate as the fruits or veggies.
2.  Fruits and vegetables will help you feel full for a longer period of time, thus, satisfying your sweet tooth cravings. This will help you lose weight.

Stock up on fruits and vegetables so that the next time you are feeling hungry, eat them instead of junk food, sodas, and chocolates. There is a reason why they are called junk food.