Craters on Your Face: How to Minimize Pores

Large and open pores can be a big problem and it can be frustrating. Pores become visible as a result of improper skin care and the presence of blackheads. Your genes, the environment, and your age are all contributing factors to pore size.

Good news! You do not have to live with large pores for the rest of your life. Here are some natural and inexpensive ways to minimize your pores.

1. Keep your pores clean.

Use mild soap for washing your kin. Cleansers that contain ingredients such as oatmeal and milk are better choices. You can also make a mixture of the following:

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup milk (whole)

2 tbsp. Baking soda

1 egg white

This mixture can clean your pores deeply and remove dirt and bacteria that can clog your pores. After massaging this mixture on your face, rinse with lukewarm water.

2. Exfoliate

Every now and then, dead skin cells and dirt build up on your skin. Exfoliating your skin can help remove dead skin cells. Do this twice a week. Dead skin cells and other dirt can clog your pores. You can use sugar or whole oats to exfoliate your skin.

3. Open Pores with Steam Bath

Boil water on a pot and put your face directly over the steam for about 15 minutes. The steam can help open up your pores and remove dirt clogged in it. Do this every week. Apply mask after steaming your face.

4. Moisturize and tone

Use aloe to moisturize and tone your face. Alcohol-based astringents can damage and dry your skin.

5. Drink plenty of water

Water keeps your skin hydrated and it gives your skin a healthy glow. Aside from that, water aids in the healing process.

6. Say No to Smoking

Smoking does not do you any good. Aside from lung problems, you will also get unhealthy skin from smoking.

Losing Weight: Top 3 Healthy Habits

Controlling that weight involves lifestyle changes that you have to be willing to live with for the rest of your life. Slowly ease these minor changes into your daily life and you will see the changes. You can stop dreaming and live your dreams in losing those extra pounds.

Healthy Eating Habits
Always start your day by eating breakfast. Break+fast - it means that you are breaking the fasting when you were sleeping. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because this will get your body going for the rest of the day.

Eat at regular intervals because this will prevent you from overeating. The best thing to do is find the eating habit and schedule that works best for you and make sure to stick to it.

Keep extra food back in the kitchen. Serve the amount of food that you are able to finish. The reason is that bowls of food on the table attracts more appetite.

Buy Groceries with a Full Stomach
Believe it or not, going to the supermarket with a full stomach can save you a lot of money. List the things that you need to buy and stick to it. Avoid buying junk foods because it will only contribute to your weight.

Plan to Succeed
You will need a game plan with your meals and snacks. There are certain times during the day when you get hungry. Always have healthy snacks with you to take a bite any time you need it.

Top 6 Apple Facts You Should Know

Apples are often consumed raw save for the seeds which are usually removed. They can also  be canned or juiced. Apple juice can also be fermented in order to produce cider which has health benefits. The saying "an apple a days keeps the doctor away" can be dated back to 19th century in Wales. This is because it is believed that there are many health benefits of apples. Despite having a low vitamin C content, apples are rich in antioxidant which means that it can be cancer preventive.

Here are some benefits that you can get from apples:

Immune System Boost
The fiber and vitamin C in apples can boost your immune system. A medium apple is the same as eating a cup of fruit so you can meet your daily fruit consumption.


Cancer Prevention
Apples can prevent a number of cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer. Apples are rich sources of antioxidants. This property of apples can help prevent cell and tissue damage.

There are high levels of flavonoids and naringin in apples which can help in the prevention of lung cancer. According to a research, the risk for getting lung cancer for people who consume apples is lowered.

An apple a day can also lower the risk for breast cancer. The more apples you take, the lower the risk.

Apples can help regulate bowel movement. Despite having a lower fiber content than other fruits, its ability to regulate bowel movement can reduce colon cancer risk.

Eating apples can also reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Prevention of Dementia
A new study made on mice shows that apple juice can fight the deterioration of the brain that may lead to Alzheimer's. Apple juice has been found to increase acetylcholine which prevents cognitive deterioration.

Lowers Cholesterol
Apples contain pectin which can lower the bad cholesterol in the body. The fiber in the apple prevents reabsorption which results to lower cholesterol levels. With this, you will have a healthier heart.

Weight Loss
Apples can make you feel full without eating too much because it can satisfy hunger. As a result, this can help you shed off those extra pounds. If you have weight problems, chances are you will have some health problems as well. By eating apples, you can decrease your weight and stay healthy at the same time.

Eating an apple before your exercise regimen can boost your endurance because more oxygen is made available to your lungs.

Prevents GI Problems
Whether you are having gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or constipation, the fiber in apples can help absorb excess water or keep things moving down your colon.

Irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids can also be averted by apple consumption.

So eat an apple a day and keep the doctor away. On second thought, eat more than one apple per day, and you will surely see the difference.

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.