Acne Home Remedies

Here are a few acne home remedies that are said to be helpful:

• Apply lemon juice, let set for 30 seconds, wash with cool water, and pat dry with a clean towel.
  
• Apply cucumber juice, let set for 30 seconds, wash with cool water, and pat dry with a clean towel.
  
• Orange peel pounded well with water and applied to affected areas has been reported as being helpful.
• Drink plenty of pure water each day to impart a healthy glow to the skin.

Dr. Ben Kim has a natural approach to curing acne. Click here to read his excellent article.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Healthy Hair Tips

Here are four tips for healthy hair that anyone can do.

Lifeless Hair

If using a body building gel or mousse, don't use it on wet hair because it will make your hair go limp. Water will dilute the active ingredients in most volumizers. To use a gel or mousse properly, first towel dry your hair to remove excess moisture, and then massage the volumizer into your hair and style as usual.

Fading Hair Color

To lock in color, try using a shampoo that has a slightly acidic Ph. All shampoos designed to clarify, thicken, or control dandruff contain harsh, color-dimming ingredients and should thus be avoided.

Hair Breakage

Your hair is fragile when wet, so comb it properly. Here's how to do that.

• Always use a wide-tooth comb for detangling.
  
• Begin at ends and work through gently.
  
• Then go back and comb through from scalp.

Enrich Your Dark Hair Color Naturally

Brew a strong cup of espresso. Let it cool completely. Once it's cool, pour on your dry hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

I think you'll find these four healthy hair tips quite useful.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Vitamin Supplements: Synthetic vs. Natural

Today, let's examine the controversy in the health world about the human body’s reaction to synthetic vs. natural vitamin supplements.

Many authorities argue that the small chemical differences between synthetic and natural vitamin supplements are of no consequence.

However, a number of studies suggest that the human body recognizes the difference and that the body more easily absorbs and assimilates natural forms of vitamins (including A, B-complex, C, D, and E). Thus, the natural forms provide many more benefits where deficiencies and disease are concerned than synthetics.

It just makes common sense that synthetic vitamins wouldn't be as healthy as the real thing, doesn't it?

Not only are synthetic vitamins highly processed, but the "vitamins" coming out of the laboratory no longer contain the micronutrients that accompany them naturally in whole foods.

The synthesized pills lack many important co-factors, including minerals, enzymes, co-enzymes, trace elements, amino acids, proteins, essential fatty acids, and phytonutrients.

Without the important co-factors, can synthetic vitamins possibly have the synergistic, nutritional, and positive health effects of vitamins derived from whole foods?

I think the answer to that one is obvious, don't you?

Get your vitamins from whole, unprocessed foods.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

P.S. Click here to read an interesting article about the three B-complex vitamins. Learn which is the worst dressed, best dressed, and fairest of them all.

Backpack School Safety

Today I want to share a natural health tip about safely wearing a backpack to school.

This important information comes from my friend, Dr. Ben Kim:

With today being the first day of school for many children around the world, I just wanted to remind all of you parents out there to have your children develop the habit of wearing their backpacks evenly over both shoulders.

This habit will help to prevent the development of a spinal curve from the uneven distribution of weight caused by slinging a backpack over just one shoulder. Young children in particular are susceptible to developing permanent curves because their growing spines are quite malleable.

Not only will the habit of carrying a backpack over both shoulders help to prevent a curved spine, it will also promote good muscle development and balance throughout the shoulders, trunk, and legs.

By the way, adults who use backpacks can also benefit from this advice. Even though the typical spine is completely done growing by the age of 25, carrying a backpack evenly over both shoulders can help prevent the development of muscular imbalances in the upper back and trunk that can lead to chronic aches and pains, including headaches.

I don't know about you, but during my 24 years as an English teacher I used to swing my backpack over one shoulder and then trudge around like I was cool or something.

Luckily, I didn't have that much weight to carry in my backpack to school, so I managed to avoid any of the potential problems Dr. Kim mentions above.

Anyway, if your kid lugs a backpack to school, be sure to share Dr. Kim's advice.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

P.S. Speaking of backpacks, you'll want a copy of Dr. Ben Kim's wonderful 85-page Eight Essential Strategies for Academic Success. This is a study guide that every student can use to improve learning and grades. Click here for details.

Eyebrow Shaping Tips

Today's blog entry is for ladies who prefer the sculpted look over the natural look where eyebrows are concerned.

Follow these tips from Victoria of Vitality Products for quick and painless eyebrow shaping and plucking.

1. Pluck right after you shower. Your pores will be open and the process will be less painful.

2. With the index and middle fingers of your left hand, hold your eyebrow slightly taut by the hairline. With the tweezer, pull the hair gently back in the direction it grows, then up and out.

3. Trim very long eyebrow hairs with small scissors but be careful not to pluck out the long hairs because this could leave a gap in your brow. If you accidently pluck out a long hair and have a gap, use a dab of eye shadow a shade lighter than your eyebrow color to fill in the hole. You can use a cotton swab or sponge tip applicator and get a natural look.

4. Use an old toothbrush to comb your brows into place. You can also spray some hairspray on the toothbrush and use that to brush them. It will keep coarse eyebrows in place all day.

5. Don't overemphasize eyebrows when you are older. That approach looked good on Brooke Shields when she was 14, but when you are older, overemphasizing can leave you harsh and hard looking.

6. Don't outline your brows with a pencil, making them look painted on. That will only date you and make you look 10 years older than you are. Fill in little gaps with a pencil or eye shadow and use soft, feather like strokes.

7. If you overdo the pencil or shadow, brush the brows again with a toothbrush or eyebrow brush and it will soften them up. You can also use a little face powder on the brows to lighten them up if they look too dark after filling them in.

Okay, that's it from eyebrow central.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Wasp Sting Treatment

Wow, I stripped down to my short pants to mow the lawn on Monday afternoon and managed to accidentally piss off a yellow jacket when I apparently disturbed his nesting spot with my gasoline-powered Weed Eater.

I didn't even see it coming.

I was just whacking down weeds, when, kaboom, suddenly it felt like someone had jabbed me with a sharp needle full of something as nasty as Michael Jackson in a see-through nightie.

Instant and intense pain.

Yes, that yellow jacket bit me.

I mean, seriously, that little fellow planted a stinger a few inches above my left ankle and had me jumping around like I'd just plugged my big toe into our clothes dryer's 220 outlet.

I didn't realize I could still move that quickly at age 57.

But I did and managed to slap him away, run up the slope of the yard to safety before any possible brethren of his came after me, and then pulled out the stinger and as yet not depleted poison sac.

How's that for fast?

I moved faster than a draining yellow jacket's poison sac.

Even so, that sting hurt worse than having dinner with Michael Jackson.

Like a dummy, instead of coming into the house to research what to do about a yellow jacket sting, I acted tough and shook it off and went back and finished the yard work.

I finally put some stuff called MicroMinerals on it after finishing the yard work and taking a shower, but that didn't help much so I just went to bed, figuring it would be fine in the morning.

I didn't sleep much.

Tuesday morning I got up and did the homework I should have done as soon as I got stung.

I learned that vinegar, onion slices, and baking soda work well for removing stings from wasps and hornets.

So I went down to the kitchen and mixed together...

1 teaspoon of chopped onions
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar

I smushed the above three ingredients in a bowl and wrapped the resulting mess in a piece of cotton cloth and applied that to the bite with just a little pressure.

Within fifteen minutes the itching and pain had dissipated.

As I write these words seven hours later, the spot where I was nailed by that little flying bastard is just about back to normal.

Moral
If you get stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet, have the sense to stop what you're doing and immediately apply the above home remedy and save yourself hours of itching and annoying pain.

Oh yes, if you're allergic to insect bites or if you get stung by several bees or wasps at once, visit your favorite natural health practitioner and get professional help because stings like these can be life-threatening in some people.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

A Cherry for Health

Hey, you must add some fresh cherries, which are now in season, to your health routine this week.

I don't know about you, but when my local supermarket runs specials on cherries, I won't leave the store without buying several pounds of these delicious and healthy orbs.

Folklore has long touted the humble cherry as a health-giving food, so it's nice that hard science is now confirming what natural health nuts have known for years.

Dr. Russell J. Reiter, professor of neuroendocrinology at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, conducted a five-month study and found that tart cherries contain significant amounts of melatonin — a hormone produced in the brain’s pineal gland that has been credited with slowing the aging process, and fighting insomnia and jet lag.

Reiter says, "The combination of antioxidants in cherries can be very beneficial."

Ludwig Blau, Ph.D., claimed he cured his gout by eating six to eight cherries each day. Although he had no scientific explanation for his discovery, he said he could only get out of his wheelchair as long as he ate cherries. He noted that twelve other people with gout who ate cherries and drank cherry juice found relief from the disease.

Cherries are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin B1, C, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, flavonoids and the fiber, pectin. Darker cherries are even more mineral rich.

At Forsyth Dental Center a study was done that showed black cherry juice blocked 89% of the enzyme activity that would lead to plaque formation.

One caution, however, and it's an important caution...

Cherries are one of the most chemically contaminated fruits, so be sure to buy organic whenever possible. While shopping, look for fresh green stems with plump, colorful, shiny skinned cherries. Avoid scabby looking cherries that have mold or look like they've been sitting in the store too long.

Cherries are wonderful plain, but they're also terrific in fruit salads, smoothies, and juices.

While I have your attention, how about a fresh cherry smoothie recipe?

Cherry Smoothie Recipe

2 cups tart cherries (seeds removed of course)
1 ripe banana, peeled
1 cup cherry juice (or other juice)

Put cherries, banana and cherry juice blend in your blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Serve immediately. This recipe makes four 8-oz servings.

And, yes, dried cherries can be enjoyed year round.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Vegetarian Recipes

Well, the Fourth of July weekend starts cranking up soon, so we're winding down a bit here at Health & Beyond Online for the holiday.

But, before we turn off our computers and head for the beach (just kidding -- I haven't gone to the beach since watching the movie Jaws when it came out a zillion years ago) , we want to point you to our brand new recipe site:

VegetarianRecipes101.com

Yep, we now have 101 healthy, tasty, and easy-to-prepare vegetarian recipes online for you.

So surf on over there and see how many of these healthy dishes fit your tastes.

Oh, yeah, be sure to sign up for our free vegetarian recipe newsletter while you're there.

Have a great July 4th holiday.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Natural Hair Conditioner

Let's start this week off with a great little tip on how you can make and use a natural hair conditioner at home.

There's really nothing much to it.

Simply mix a ripe, mashed banana with a tablespoon of your favorite honey until very creamy.

Then wet your hair with tepid water and use your fingers and massage the banana and honey mixture into your hair and scalp.

This next part might sound a little silly, but it's a necessary step... wrap your head (just the hair part) in a towel and leave that on for 20-30 minutes.

Almost done.

For the final step, rinse your hair thoroughly and then shampoo and condition as usual. Your hair should seem thicker. This technique can be used once or twice a week to attain thicker, lovelier locks.

I learned this natural hair conditioner method from Victoria, the creator of the hugely popular Tooth Soap and Perfect Prescription for Dental Health.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Fat Loss Tips

I guess Thursday is as good a day as any to share some fat loss tips.

I mean, seriously, if you're lugging around extra weight, any day is as good as another for some simple ideas on how to achieve a little fat loss, right?

Well, to start shedding some pounds, start including the following in your health program...

Eat a calorie restrictive diet. In other words, eat no less than ten times and no more than fifteen times your lean bodyweight in calories. Example: if your lean bodyweight is 150 pounds, each day you should eat no less than 1500 calories and no more than 2250 calories.

Exercise for at least 30-45 minutes three or four times per week. Experts disagree about pace. Some say sweat up a storm; others say to be moderate. The important point is to get off your butt and exercise.

Weight training is great. I try to pump a little iron three days a week with a simple set of weights I bought at K-Mart for something like $25.

Add a quality super green food to your diet. Supplementing your diet with such a product will improve your health and help you with fat loss.

Be sure to eat adequate dietary fat, including high amounts of Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-6 and Omega-3). I use Carlson's Cod Liver Oil.

Following these simple tips will definitely help with fat loss.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

How to Gain Weight

I don't get the "how to gain weight" question very often, but when I do, I have a terrific resource to refer people to, a man by the name of Anthony Ellis.

For today's blog, I'd like to share an excerpt from Anthony's article,

How to Bulk Up and Gain Weight

Below you'll find some basic tips you can use to help you bulk up and gain weight:

• First, to gain weight you must eat more calories than your body burns off, so EAT MORE! It's very simple -- you must eat to gain weight. You need to eat like you've never eaten before. (Staying away, of course, from junk food like donuts and chips or candy).
  
  
• You need to eat six meals a day (have something to eat every three hours). This is a weight gain diet used by body builders who know what they're doing.
  
  
• You should up your protein intake and cut back on simple carbohydrate intake. Your body must have protein to build new muscle.
  
  
• Your exercise routine should be short and intense. Not more than one hour.
  
  
• Focus on free weight exercises because they work the large muscle groups. The best weight training movements for adding weight are the simple ones. For mass, put your free weights to work with squats, bench presses, deadlifts, bar dips, pull ups and barbell rows.

For more weight gaining techniques, click here to read the entire article by Anthony Ellis.

Okay, that's all for this busy Monday morning.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Carob Fudge Treat

I think of myself as a health nut, but I also have limits.

I mean, seriously, if I have to choose between rich dark chocolate fudge and some kind of healthy fudge, I'll take the real thing just about every time.

And the heck with guilt feelings.

With that said, I also appreciate a healthy carob fudge recipe, and today I'd like to share a good one for a carob treat that I got from Janet Cox many years ago.

Wonderful Carob Fudge

2 cups sweetened carob chips
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (smooth)
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups crispy rice cereal (opt)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (opt)
1/2 cup raisins (opt)

Melt carob chips, add peanut butter and flavoring, stir in ceral, nuts, raisins, etc. as you desire. Spread in coated dish until set.

Whoa, sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Mix up and batch and give it a try this weekend.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

How about a Saturday blog entry containing the directions for...

Wayne's Fabulous Vegetable Beef Soup

1/4 head of cabbage, diced into bite size
2 large potatoes, diced into bite size
2 large turnips, diced into bite size
1 1/2 cups diced celery
1 16-ounce bag of mini carrots cut into bite size
1 zucchini sguash diced into bite size
1 yellow squash diced into bite size
1 large yellow or white onion cut into bite size
1 whole garlic bulb, peeled and cut into bite size
1 15-ounce can mixed vegetables, drained
1 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes
1 14.5-ounce can of "hot" diced tomatoes (if you like it hot)
1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 large cans of water
3 bay leaves
2 Tbs soy sauce
2 Tbs steak sauce
1 Tbs hot sauce
3 beef bouillon cubes

Put all ingredients into pressure cooker and cook 30 minutes after control jiggles (or cook in large pot on top of stove). This soup is very rich in flavor. You may add any kind of meat if you wish, but it is very good without it. Enjoy with biscuits or cornbread.

Thanks to Wayne for sharing this family recipe of his for vegetable beef soup that's pleased thousands of palates over the years.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Hot Fruit Dessert

Here's a dessert recipe for your crockpot.

Hot Fruit Dessert

3 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
1 can (11 oz) mandarin orange sections, well-drained
1 can (16 oz) fruit cocktail, well-drained
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, well-drained
1 can (16 oz) sliced peaches, well-drained
3 bananas, sliced
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Place all ingredients in your crockpot. Toss gently. Cover and cook on low about 4 hours. Makes about 2 quarts.

Josh Day
Editor, Crockpot Crazy
http://crockpotrecipes101.com

Jellyfish Sting Remedy

I learned this jellyfish sting remedy from a correspondent who asked to remain nameless.

Seems that he was digging the surf and the beach south of Pensacola, Florida, not too long ago. Having a great ole time swimming and ducking waves and soaking in salt water.

Along comes a school of jellyfish and, kaboom, our friend suddenly finds himself attacked by the creepy critters.

Whack, one sting on the arm.

Slice, another sting on the abdomen.

Then, horrors, he feels a jellyfish sliding up his leg, entering his loose swimsuit, and then, ouch, stinging him where no man wants to be stung!

He comes flying out of the water, yelling in pain, trying not to let his hands shoot into his swimming trunks because by now everyone on the beach thinks a swimmer has gone stark raving bonkers.

He runs up to the concession stand, hollering about jellyfish stings, when a kind onlooker, who's sitting at a picnic table under the open-air, shaded enclosure orders, "Come here."

Our friend limps over, and the Samaritan suddenly starts pouring beer on his stings.

Amazing! Quick relief from the painful stings.

"Any more?" the Samaritan inquires.

Our friend sheepishly points to his trunks, and the Samaritan hands him what's left of the can of beer. Stepping into the restroom, our buddy pours the beer into his trunks and breathes a huge sigh of relief as the sting of the pain immediately lessens and then stops altogether.

This is a true story, and the beer remedy works for jellyfish stings. I don't know why it works, but it does.

So the next time you go to the beach, take a few beers along, even if you're a tee-totaler, like me.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com