Homemade Skin and heir Toner For Glowing Skin and heir

All of us know that cleansing is an important step in any skin care regime. But few of us know that skin toning is equally important. Cleansing and toning go hand in hand for any skin care routine. To be more precise, cleansing, toning and exfoliating all three together makes your skin glowing, supple, young and beautiful.

To maintain your skin young, even-toned and glowing, include skin toning in your routine beauty care regime. In case of oily skin, toning becomes even more important. Skin Toner is applied after cleansing your face to absorb excess oil from the surface of your skin, get rid of the debris and residues of dirt and cleanser, leaving it sparkling clean and acne free!!.

There are many skin toners available on the market, but they are expensive and pinch your pocket heavily. Most of them are chemically based, so why we should shell out so much money on such toners that can do more harm than doing any good to your skin?  Moreover why should you spend money on something when a better thing can be found in your kitchen?

Here are given tried and tested great homemade skin toner recipes. These recipes use natural ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen and are quick and easy to make. They do not cost you much and are also very effective compared to the ones available on the market Choose one of these that suits your skin type and find your way to even-toned glowing and soft skin!!

1. Rosewater, Glycerin And Alum Toner For Normal Skin: Take 50 grams of rose water, 1/2 tablespoon of alum and 100 grams of glycerin. Combine all the ingredients and mix them well together. Dip a cotton pad into the solution and wipe your face and neck with it. Leave it there for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with normal water. You can keep this homemade toner for skin in refrigerator for regular use.

2. White Vinegar Natural Skin Toner: When you want to apply skin toner, combine water and white vinegar in equal measures. Take a cotton pad, dip it in the mixture, squeeze it a little and wipe your face and neck with the damp cotton pad. This is a quick and easy homemade facial skin toner recipe.

3. Camphor And Rosewater Toner: Take a rose water bottle, add a pinch of camphor into the bottle and mix it well. Use this solution as a skin toner. Dip a cotton ball or pad into the solution and cleanse your face with this natural toner 2-3 times a day. This natural facial skin toner is very helpful for the ones who are suffering from acne, pimples or oily skin.

4. Lemon Juice As A Natural Toner For Skin: Message gently with lemon juice or rub lemon peels lightly on your face, leaving it there for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with normal water. This is one of the fastest, as well as easiest natural methods to tone your face. Bonus point is that it also helps in lightening the skin complexion and makes it oil free.

5. Cucumber And Yogurt / Curd Toner: Grate a fresh cucumber and add half a cup of plain yogurt / curd. Mix the ingredients well, and then apply it your face and neck, leaving it there for 5-10 minutes. Rinse it off with normal water. Store the remainder in your fridge for future use. This homemade toner is very effective for oily skin.

6. Honey, Lemon And Egg Toner: Take one egg and whisk it until it thickens. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon. Mix the three ingredients well together. Apply the honey, egg and lemon juice toner onto your face and neck, avoiding eyes and lips. Leave it there for 10 minutes and then rinse it off with normal water.

7. Essential Oils And Salt Toner: Mix 2 teaspoons of salt with 100 ml of witch hazel (available at local drug stores). If witch hazel is not available, you can even use water instead. Mix a couple of drops of tea tree oil or any other essential oil of your choice. Add a few drops of lemon juice and mix well all the ingredients together. Keep this solution in a bottle in your fridge. You can use this homemade facial toner in the morning and evening after washing your face and before applying makeup.

8. Apple And Honey Skin Toner: Take one apple and blend it with 1 teaspoon of honey to form a thick paste. Apply this toner paste on your neck and face, leaving it there for 5-10 minutes. Rinse it off your face with normal water. Use can use this toner mask every day to get clear and glowing skin.

9. Mint Skin Toner For Dry Skin: Boil 2 handfuls of mint leaves in 100 grams of water. Mix well 1/2 teaspoon of alum with it. Strain this mixture and let it cool down. Keep this mint extract in your fridge. When you want to use this homemade mint toner, mix 2-3 drops of the extract in a cup of distilled or normal water. Apply this with cotton pads on your face to cleanse and tone your skin.

10. Tomato Juice And Honey Skin Toner: Extract tomato juice and combine it with organic honey in equal measures to form a thick paste. Mix these two natural ingredients well to have uniform consistency paste. Apply on your face, leaving it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off with plain water. This is a very effective natural skin toner for oily skin.

11. Lemon Juice, Peppermint Tea And Witch Hazel Skin Toner: Take 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, a peppermint tea bag and 2 tablespoons of Hazel. Soak the tea bag completely in boiling water for a few minutes. Take out the tea bag and let it cool down. Mix well lemon juice and hazel with the tea bag solution. Dip a cotton pad into the solution, squeeze out the extra solution, and then wipe your face and neck with cotton pad.

12. Aloe Vera – An Effective Natural Facial Toner: Squeeze out juice from an aloe Vera leaf and apply on your neck and face. Aloe Vera juice not only works as a natural toner, but heals sunburns and removes rashes on the skin too.

13. Milk, Honey And Egg Natural Toner For Skin: Take 1 teaspoon of milk, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 full egg. Mix well all these three ingredients together to make natural toner at home. Apply it on your face, leaving it there for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse it off with normal water.

Include the above homemade natural toners of your choice in your regular beauty care routine. Use them after cleansing your skin and find your way to fresh and lively glowing skin.

Coconut Oil For Face And Skin

Wondering how to get baby soft skin on your face? Then coconut oil is one all natural beauty mufti-tanker that can help you with that. Coconut oil is not only rich in many minerals and essential vitamins, but it has many skin care benefits, such as moisturizing, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is boon for those who prefer to apply chemicals free skin care regimen.

Is Coconut Oil Good For Face And Skin?

Coconut oil is so versatile in beauty care that you can use it in making homemade body lotions or use as makeup remover, excellent serum for strengthening nails, homemade eye creams, various beauty masks, and hair treatments. By using coconut oil on skin and face you can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and get gorgeous, dewy and glowing facial skin. In this article, you will find uses for coconut oil on face and skin.

How To Use Coconut Oil On Face And Skin?

1. Day To Day Normal Face Cleansing Routine: Before you sleep at night, cleanse your face with virgin coconut oil. This do-it-all oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that can be beneficial for a topic dermatitis. For deep cleansing your skin, rub the oil into your face and neck using your fingers in circular motions. For having added moisturizing effect on your skin, leave it there overnight and wash off residual oil with your normal facial cleanser in the morning. This coconut oil natural remedy is very effective for postponing development of wrinkles on your face.

2. To Exfoliate Your Facial Skin With Coconut Oil: Ditch the chemicals laden beauty products available on the market, and try this equally effective chemicals free homemade coconut facial scrub to exfoliate and get a super smooth skin. Warm up a few tablespoons of pure coconut oil at a low heat and mix with an equal amount of salt or crushed sugar. Add in a couple of drops of any essential oil of your choice to produce a sweet smelling 100 percent pure natural homemade coconut oil face mask.

3. Coconut Oil Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin: Try coconut oil – a 100% chemicals free moisturizing cream – instead of your night cream for dry skin. It works overnight to hydrate your skin and cut down on water loss. This versatile oil contains vitamin E – an anti-aging element to protect your skin from premature aging and maintaining its youth. It is also loaded with fatty acids that work to fortify the skin’s fence to lock in moisture to keep your skin hydrated.

4. Coconut Oil As Eye Cream: Try pure virgin coconut oil around the delicate eye area instead of your store-bought eye cream. The area around your eyes is prone to developing fine lines and wrinkles and thus need extra care. This super hydrating coconut oil can work the trick to avoid occurrence of premature fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes.

5. Coconut Oil For Chapped Lips: Rub unrefined coconut oil on to your lips to soothe them. It will soften-up your lips, hydrate them and help lock in the moisture. As it’s completely edible, so it won’t do any harm even if you ingest a little. Rather eating coconut oil is good for your health. On the other hand the chemicals in a lip balm may harm you.

6. Coconut Oil As Make-up Remover: Antibacterial coconut oil can gently and easily remove the most resistant waterproof eye mascara and make-up. Apply it directly to your face as an oil cleanser or wipe the make-up off with a coconut oil soaked cotton pad. You can sweep a coconut oil soaked cotton pad over eyes to help break down highly pigmented eye mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow, while adding much desired moisture to the eye area. When you use coconut oil as a make-up remover, no make-up stands a chance and any make-up is sure to melt away. Finish the process with rinsing your face off to remove any remaining dirt, debris and oil.

7. Coconut Oil Face Wash: This at home face wash treatment will open up your facial skin pores and let the coconut oil go inside and shove out all the dirt and grime that’s inside. Regular use of the coconut oil face wash over time will also help even out your skin tone. Follow this process:

(i) Gently rub organic coconut oil into your face with the help of your fingers in circular motion for about half a minute;

(ii) Place a warm, wet wash cloth – clean and soft towel – onto your face to open-up the skin pores.

(iii) Wait for about 15-30 seconds, and then gently rub off the oil from your face with the wash cloth. No scrubbing. Alternatively, you can use organic cotton wipes or baby wipes – they are of a nice size and softer than a wash cloth.

(iv) If you desire so, splash some warm water to remove oil residues from your face.

Done!! It could not be easier than this, right?

Tips:

(i) If you like you can add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to coconut oil to make it smell sweet.

(ii) You can use this face wash also in the shower, but I don’t advise washing it off right away. Give some time to your skin to absorb the coconut oil to get the optimum benefits, and then try to remove any excess oil.

(iii) You can try adding other oils to the coconut oil to get supplementary benefits. One such oil that you can add is castor oil in 1:1 ratio.

Caution:

(i) Some people get acne breakouts when they use coconut or any other oil on their skin or face. It’s recommended that first you try a little coconut oil on just one patch for a few days to test it.

(ii) Also in case you experience any itch, redness or swelling, discontinue its use.

Biggest Makeup Mistakes That Age You

hair & nails

Try: Primrose & Black Currant Oil

"Consider supplementing with gamma-Nicole acid (GAL), a fat that helps promote healthy skin, hair, and nails and is very hard to come by in the diet," says Prevention advisory Andrew Weill, MD, clinical professor of medicine at the University of Arizona. "The best sources of GAL are evening primrose oil and black currant oil; take 500 mg of either twice a day and expect to use them for 6 to 8 weeks before you see results."

For stronger nails

Try: Fish Oil

"Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for nail health," says Weill. "Eat a few more weekly servings of omega-rich flambeed, walnuts, and oily, cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or take daily supplements with 2 to 3 g of fish oil to get a combined 1 g of EPA and D H A."

For firm, smooth skin

Try: Denim Prime Renewal

The idea that a bio marine-based complex can shore up aging skin may sound a little fishy, but the evidence is impressive, says Bultmann. Postmenopausal women taking the supplement (which is recommended for those age 50 and up) saw significant improvement in skin firmness and smoothness in a 6-month study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition—and the results were seen on the face, decolletage, and hands. Likewise, in a similar 12-week study on women taking a sister supplement (Denim Time Perfection, suggested for women 35 to 50), skin's moisture content increased by 30%. Other changes include a visible reduction in fine lines, a fading of sunspots, and an overall brighter complexion.

The contents of the Denim capsules—which contain a proprietary protein derived from a deep-sea fish and high concentrations of antioxidants such as vitamin C and I eyeopener —work in part by increasing production of collagen and elastic, as well as chronically acid, the body's natural moisturizer, says Sediment's Lars Landmark, PhD. Take the Denim supplement suggested for your age, advises Bultmann, who uses Time Perfection herself and recommends it to patients. Although a 90-day supply of Prime Renewal ($265) is significantly more expensive than Time Perfection ($195; both at denim us), the dosage supplies twice the amount of the bio marine complex.

Brushing hair from the top

Why it’s bad: Running a brush through your hair is like a mini scalp massage. But if you've got tangles, they will be ripped out instead of worked out, says Lisa Stroboscope, creative director of ECRU New York. “Starting at the top also stretches the hair to the point of snapping, resulting in split ends and breakage.” (Check out these 11 bad habits that are causing your hair to thin.)

The fix: If you have knots, start from the bottom. Work out as many tangles as you can before running a brush through your hair top to bottom. 

Using conditioner all over

Why it’s bad: Conditioner is meant for damaged hair (read: your ends). Using it all over will just weigh down your 'do. “Hair at the roots cannot absorb conditioner because it’s healthy, leaving the product just sitting on the scalp,” says Stroboscope.

The fix: Apply conditioner to the bottom half of your hair only.

Drying your hair with a towel

Why it’s bad: Your hair’s cuticle—that’s the outer layer—is shingled like a roof. The flatter it lays, the shinier it looks. Rubbing the towel back and forth roughs up the cuticle, which can cause damage that fades color and promotes dryness.

The fix: Stroboscope suggests wrapping your hair in the towel to absorb the water, running the towel from roots to ends in the direction of the cuticle, or simply squeezing the water out of the hair with a towel or old T-shirt.

Picking at a pimple

Why it’s bad: We know it’s hard to resist, and you know you've been told this a hundred times, but here’s the bottom line: Picking at a pimple can compound the infection causing it to spread under the skin and, yup, scar. If you don’t want a monster on your face, hands off!

The fix: Kirchner recommends applying an OTC cream with 1% hydro cortisone and 2.5% benzyl peroxide to the inflamed offender. If you absolutely can’t wait for it to go away on its own, visit a dermatologist for a cortisone shot. (For more solutions, check out these new, effective treatments for getting rid of adult acne for good.)

Wearing makeup to bed

Why it’s bad: By the end of a long day, your skin has collected plenty of dirt and oil along with that makeup. Leaving it on all night clogs the pores, which could lead to breakouts—not to mention creates hard-to-clean stains on your pillowcase!

The fix: Traditional soaps are strong enough to remove makeup, but make the delicate skin on your face tight and dry, which could cause flaking, breakouts, and redness. Instead, swipe away makeup first with disposable wipes like Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes ($5.99;yestocarrots.com) and wash your face using a gentle made-for-your-face cleanser. Apply a night cream (we've got one for every budget) and hit the sack with happy skin.

Using eyeliner on your bottom lids

Why it’s bad: Lining your eyes all the way around is very dramatic and can make the eye look smaller, says Petra Strand, creator of Pixie Beauty. (To make tired eyes look more awake,here's what you need to know.)

The fix: Trade your black liner for a powder in a softer shade like dark grey, brown, or midnight blue, says Strand. Dip a flat liner brush into your shadow liner and blend the shadow most of the way across the top and bottom. Then, add small amount of champagne-colored shadow in the very inner corner to open the eye up.

Makeup mishap: Foundation foul-up

When fine lines settle in and sun spots multiply, many women reach for foundation, layering it on like it's going out of style. Unfortunately, instead of hiding imperfections, the more-is-better strategy brings attention to them. Excess product has nowhere to go but to settle into creases, which exaggerates wrinkles, and thick layers piled on top of each other create a dated, mask like complexion.

For smooth, flawless-looking skin, choose a lightweight liquid foundation over a powder. Look for an easy-absorbing fluid formula such as Ghibelline New York Fit Me! Foundation ($8; drugstores); it moisturizes skin and is easier to blend than powders, which can turn chalky and leave behind a dull, flat finish, a trait we associate with older skin. Squeeze a nickel-size amount in your palm and rub it on like you would a moisturizer. Applying with your fingers instead of a brush eliminates the chance of product overload.

Not a fan of foundation? Find out if a BB Cream is right for you.

Makeup mishap: Caked-on concealer

“Concealer can be your best friend when covering blemishes,” says NYC New York Color artist Mathew Niagara. The problem arises when women use the same trusty spot concealer for other issues, such as hiding dark under-eye circles. A cover-up that's thick enough to hide a pimple is likely to have a tacky, heavy consistency that's too rich for the delicate thin skin under the eyes. Instead, use a sheer formula such as Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Fast Fix Concealer Inspired by Carmine ($9; drugstores) to camouflage circles. Tap on with a concealer brush and blend with your finger for the most natural finish, and you'll foil signs of exhaustion without compromising a youthful appearance. (See the pros cover circles with this quick how-to video.)

Makeup mishap: Runny mascara

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While waterproof mascara is less prone to smudging, the stronger formulas can dry out lashes, which can become thinner and more fragile as we age. To get full-looking lashes sans smearing, Carmine, host and makeup artist for TLC's What Not To Wear, offers the following tips:To give the illusion that skimpy lashes are thick, smudge a chocolate brown eyebrow pencil like Cover Girl Brow & Eye Makers Pencil in midnight brown ($4; drugstores) along the roots of the lash line.To coat and seal delicate lashes, choose a gentle mascara such as Bl inc Mascara ($25;blincinc.com). “It's made with polymers that form a tube around each lash to prevent smudging, yet it comes off easily with warm water,” says Carmine.

Makeup mishap: Metallic lids

Like the '80s obsession with perms, every trend must come to an end. One of the hardest for women to kick: frosty eye shadow. When eyelids become less taut, usually around age 40, it's time to graduate from the glitter. Shimmer shadows settle into crinkles, magnifying creepy lids.Matte shadows such as Ghibelline Expert Wear Eyes shadow in pink petal ($4; drugstores), on the other hand, are extremely flattering. Taupe, lavenders, soft peaches, and grays work on all skin tones. Want to up the drama? Incorporate eyeliner in a jewel tone such as garnet or plum for a pop of color. “To create the illusion of a lifted eye, avoid heavy liner on the bottom lash and apply it to the upper, outer corners of the eyes,” says Shawn Townes, national educator for Jane Airedale.

Makeup mishap: Vampire red lips

It's an age-old fact: a dark color, be it on your floor, wall, or even lips, makes any surface area look smaller. Because lips naturally lose fullness over time, the last thing we want to do is shrink them. Plus, deep hues make teeth look less white (try this color guide to make your teeth look whiter). “For lips that look juicy, wear vibrant lip glosses and lipsticks,” says Niagara. To instantly update your look, slick on a sheer version of popular lip colors such as coral or hibiscus—try Cover Girl Nature's Gloss Balm ($6; drugstores), a line that's full of fresh, youthful shades.

Makeup mishap: Sunken cheeks

“Women always choose blah cheek colors because they're afraid of color,” says Carmine. The reality is that bright blush actually brings youth and vitality to the face, helping to restore the look of fullness to sallow cheeks. “Ditch dusty browns and roses and go for a cream formula in a floral shade,” she says. Creams blend better than powders and add the extra moisture mature skin needs.

One to try: Jane Airedale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink ($25; shop.janeiredale.com). To apply, start by positioning your brush higher on the cheeks, then blend the blush downward toward the apples. This technique creates a more modern finish, compared with the pink stripes up to the temples that were popular back in the day.

Makeup Mishap: Over plucked Brows

It's important to resist the urge to over pluck brows, especially as we age. Over tweeting can make brows disappear entirely, and those strands may never grow back. Thankfully, there are brow pencils and powders like Sonia Kashmir Arch Alert Brow Kit ($10; Target) that can bring sparse hairs back to their fullest potential.

To apply, start at the inner brow and work your way outward using a stiff, angled brush or sharp brow pencil, whichever you prefer, and make short, feathery strokes. Are your brows still aging you? Here are a few more tricks for youthful brows.

Makeup mishap: Powder overload

There's a fine line between glowing and greasy skin, and many of us aren't sure where it is. The biggest mistake women make when trying to control shine is forgetting to leave a little of that natural glow. One too many pats of powder can wash out the dimension from your face. “A little glisten makes you look fresh,” says Carmine.

To tone down oil without going overboard, use a lightweight pressed powder containing oil-absorbing mica and silica like makeup artist favorite MAC Blot Powder Pressed ($24;maccosmetics.com). Dust it on with a small blush-size powder brush rather than a big dome brush, which can dump powder like a bulldozer. For touch-ups throughout the day, Carmine recommends using the compact's puff and tapping it onto, rather than rubbing it across, the skin, a technique that promises to deposit just enough product without crossing the line.

Amazing Benefits Of Multani Mitti For Face, Skin And Health

Multan Mitty, better known as the Fuller’s earth is a clay substance that is hugely popular for its healing property against acne and blemishes.  It is very rich in magnesium chloride which helps to reduce acne. Originally used as an absorbent in the wool industry this ingredient is now greatly used in many skin care products. You can use it as a cleanser, toner and most importantly as Multan Mitty facial packs, which are very popular. It’s very pocket friendly and has no side effects either. Go natural this time to have a glowing skin. It is sweat resistant and can also be used to improve your hair condition. But for today I will concentrate on benefits of Multan mitt on face, skin and health. Let’s have a look.

Multan Mitty for Face:

 

1. The reason that Multan mitt is so raved about because it removes the dead cells from the skin making space for it to breathe.

2. Multani mitti masks are very effective in making your skin glow as well as improving the texture of the skin. It also makes it radiant by removing acne and blemishes to a great degree. It is well capable of removing all the impurities from your skin so that your pores are not clogged anymore and thus prepares your face for serum or cream application. In this way the cream gets more absorbed and works more effectively.

3. One of the most popular uses of multani Mitti is for those with oily skin. Multani mitti with rose water makes an excellent  face masks for oily skin. For dry skin, add milk and almond paste with it. It improves blood circulation also!!

 

4. Multani mitti is well known for its oil absorbing property. It’s for this reason that it is added in the face packs so widely. It cools down aggravated and irritated skin instantly. It works wonders for acne prone skin. It soothes it and also reduces the redness and the flaming irritation. It not only reduces the acne but also reduces the appearance of them again. To reduce blemishes use a pack of multani mitti with tomato juice, turmeric and sandalwood powder. Apply and leave for ten minutes and then rinse it off. It also acts as a wonderful cleanser which brightens the face immediatety!! However you should always remember that it’s not a magic potion so it will not reduce the blemishes overnight. So you have to follow the mask for a time and be patient to have the glowing and blemish free skin.

5. If you have pimple and those pimple marks are bothering you like hell, then this versatile multani mitti is again at your service!! Add neem paste, ground clove powder and camphor with multani mitti. Add rose water to make a smooth paste and use it weekly to reduce those ugly marks off your skin.

 

6. Multan mitt also reduces sun tan and helps to reduce pigmentation. It can also heal your scar marks. Add some essential oil with Multan mitt for your face pack and it will give soft supple skin in no time.

7. As a scrub, Multan mitt removes black heads and white heads

completely!! Add Multan mitt with grinned almonds and glycerin soap and use this mixture to scrub your face.

8. Multan mitt is truly a great skin care ingredient as it helps you tone the skin too. Add one beaten egg and one spoon of curd to one spoon of Multan mitt. Mix it well and apply it on the face for 20 minutes to achieve a toned skin.

9. You can reduce scar marks by applying the paste of one spoon of carrot pulp mixed with some Multan mitt and 2 spoons of olive oil.

10. Multan mitt can reduce your pimples too. All you need to do is to grind some neem leaves and mix it with Multan mitt to form a fine paste. Apply it for 10-15 minutes and then wash it with cold water.

Multan Mitty is an antiseptic agent. Miu mitti for face benefits also to heal skin irritations and offers soothing effect on the skin

The use of Multan mitti for face is an age old tradition. It contains healthy nutrients and gives natural oils to the skin. Mix it with any other mask and you are set to glow. It helps your skin in many ways like diminishing pore sizes, removing blackheads and whiteheads, fading freckles, soothing sunburns, cleansing skin, improving complexion, reducing acne and blemishes and making your skin glow.

Mix Multan mitt with beans and turmeric for fair and healthy skin. Cleanse your skin thoroughly, apply a thin layer of this paste on your body, face, throat, and chest, and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. You can use this treatment every day instead of soap.

health food for helt

Chronic inflammation can throw off your hunger mechanism and metabolism-regulating hormones, spur insulin resistance, and even cause you to hang onto water weight, says nutritionist Alex Casserole, R.D. What's more, research published in the journal Diabetes has linked elevated levels of inflammatory markers with future weight gain. While pretty much any good-for-you food will lower your body's levels of inflammation at least a bit, these eight foods truly go above and beyond


Fat makes up your body’s inflammation-regulating compounds, called propagandist. And while some reduce inflammation, others egg it on. To up your levels of inflammation-fighting propagandist, seat more omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and D HA—for which salmon and other fatty fish are famous, says Casserole. What’s more, since omega-3's can help decrease your levels of inflammation-causing LL "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides, they can lower inflammation even more, says Rene Fickle, R.D., lead nutrition expert at Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating.


Fish not your thing? No problem. Flax boasts nature's highest concentration of plant-based omega-3's, according to the Cleveland Clinic.


Blueberries are a rich source of riboflavin, which have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, says Casserole. Fewer free radicals, less inflammation.



Turmeric gives curry its yellow color, along with a hefty load of riboflavin, says Casserole. Plus, research from the University of Texas shows that turmeric suppress NF-kappa B, an immune-regulating protein that triggers inflammation.

the Ingredient for Weight Loss

The Perfume Scent That Makes You Appear Even More Attractive

If you feel prettier after a spritz of perfume, it might not be all in your head. Women’s facial attractiveness is rated higher in the presence of pleasant odors, according to a small study published online in POLS One.

Researchers from the Mellon Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia had 18 participants look at pictures of 55 women ranging in age from 35 to 50. While the subjects were looking at the images, the researchers exposed them to one of five odors that ranged from fish oil (the most unpleasant odor) to rose oil (the most pleasant odor)—the other three scents were mixtures of the two. When the study participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of the faces in front of them, researchers found that the more pleasant the odor, the higher the attractiveness rating.

Though the study (funded in part by Unilever, which owns personal care brands including Dove and Axes) looked specifically at rose oil, the researchers believe their results would apply to any scent perceived as pleasant. “Our findings demonstrate that odor pleasantness and facial attractiveness integrate into one joint emotional evaluation,” says Janine Schubert, PhD, a cognitive neuroscience who was a postdoctoral fellow at Mellon when the research was conducted. That means it’s possible that these two traits are processed by the same area of the brain.

Interestingly, even when the images were manipulated by adding more wrinkles or blemishes, pleasant odors still resulted in higher attractiveness ratings—meaning you shouldn't worry so much about visible "imperfections." "The broader emotional context plays a much bigger role for how attractive a person is perceived," says Schubert.

Amazing All-Natural Perfumes

Perfume for Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a romantic gesture, not a toxic one. Which is why we’ve rounded up the best new natural perfumes that won't kill the mood with chemicals.

Our perfume picks are mostly handcrafted in small batches with plant extracts, distilled flower essences, and essential oils. So giving or getting one feels luxurious and special. Here are our 9 favorites of the season...

A Perfume Organic Mejia. Perfumer Amanda Walker's small batch, botanical blends are super desirable, and "Mejia," might be the sexiest of her five USDA certified-organic scents. It's a delicious blend of three vanillas, rare resins, and spices. The petite bottle is actually a roll-on, and the flower seed-embedded box can be planted.

$65, www.spiritbeautylounge.com

Red Flower Barrette Roll-On Oil. Aside from making exquisite natural candles, Red Flower creates masterful fragrances, like "Barrette." It's the name of a seed used in Indian culture to perfume the hair, and is sometimes burned as an offering. When blended here with patchouli, orange, and black pepper (all certified USDA organic), it's both alluring and restoring. Wear it to yoga to lift stress-related fatigue or anoint your pulse points with it as an aphrodisiac.

$48, www.redflower.com

Strange Invisible Perfumes Black Rosette. Perfumer Alexandra Bailouts is all about luxury craftsmanship. Her forte is creating scents with certified organic, wildcatter dandy bio-dynamic ingredients that focus on "aroma profile, evocative narratives, and the beauty of scent." Black Rosette ear departure, for example, tells a subtle story of seduction using roses, black tea, and spearmint with a hint of bad-boy leather.

1. TO CHOOSE: Lush California Sass (right) packs a wallop of healthy monounsaturated fat. A Florida avocado (left) has less flavor and less fat.

2. TO HALVE: Cut avocado in two lengthwise around its pit. Twist halves in opposite directions to separate them, and then pull apart.

While there are tons of different diets out there, filling up on fiber is perhaps the healthiest and most successful way to shed the pounds. A groundbreaking study at Harvard showed the importance of fiber as it relates to weight loss. The study, which spanned over 12 years, showed that the women who increased their fiber instead of decreasing it, were half as likely to become obese. Simply adding fiber to their diet changed everything for their health. Not only will fiber help you lose weight, fiber also helps to prevent nasty illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. (via Fitness Magazine)

What is fiber anyways? Fiber is found in all plants, but not meat or dairy. Fiber helps you to feel full for longer as it keeps blood sugar levels stable, keeping those cravings to a minimum. It is important that women get at least 25 grams of fiber per day in the form of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is responsible for lowering cholesterol, maintaining a healthy colon, and preventing digestive problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and diarrhea. When mixed with water in the body, soluble fiber becomes a sticky gel-like substance that healthily slows the digestion of food. (via Dietitians of Canada) Be sure to add these soluble fiber foods to your diet:

Insoluble fibers can be described as the “roughage” of the digestive tract. It adds bulk to the diet and has a laxative effect in the body, helping to prevent constipation. Insoluble fibers are found mostly in whole grains and vegetables. (via Web MD)

The awareness that fiber is essential for weight loss is becoming better known, and big companies that produce processed foods are picking up on it,but beware. Many companies are creating “f aux fibers” that are synthetically made in a laboratory or highly processed. They add this f aux fiber to their products as a ploy to lure in consumers. This fiber does not have the same beneficial qualities as fiber found in plant based foods. So if you’re looking to up your fiber intake, it is best to stick to real, whole foods. 

Lack of time is the main obstacle that prevents us from keeping our focus to eat healthy and reach our fitness goals, despite our best intentions. Most of us know what healthy foods we should be eating, but putting it into practice during our nonstop days is another story. That’s why I've got two breakfast ideas, two lunch ideas and two dinner ideas for you that are ready in 5 minutes flat. hat’s less time than take-out!