Becoming la niña – Page 7 – Love, Life, & Natural Beauty

Spring Cleaning: Homemade Solutions

Spring begins on Wednesday, March 20th. That’s only 2 days away, and I can’t wait! But before I start packing my beach towel and bikini, and heading to the beach… I have a lot of spring cleaning to do.

For the next few post, I will be focusing on spring cleaning. There are many cleaning products on the market today made to make our live a little easier, when it comes to cleaning. However, these commercial products are chemical based, which may have some long-term health and environmental concerns. Not to mention, they can be very expensive.

Although there are a growing number of non-toxic home cleaning products available today, there are a lot of easy-to-make, natural alternative we can find right in our pantry.

All Purpose Cleaner
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, and 1/4 part of baking soda in a spray bottle. Use this mixture on counters, sinks, and toilets. Let it sit a little longer for tougher stains. Don’t worry about the vinegar smell, as it disappears as the vinegar evaporates. Do not use vinegar on grout as it will cause it to break down.

Floor Cleaner
Add 1/4 cup of castile soap, and 1/2 cup of lemon juice to 2 gallons of water. Use this on all floors unless the manufacturer has specified to avoid all detergents.

Bathroom Mold
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on mold and let sit for about an hour before rinsing.

Mirror and Glass Cleaner
Mix 2 teaspoons white vinegar in 1 quart of water in a spray bottler. Use this on mirrors and glass. Wiping with newspaper leaves a streak-free, lint-free shine.

Happy cleaning!

Seeing Spots!

Ever wonder where those white spots on your nails came from, or what they are?

There are many myths surrounding those mysterious white spots on fingernails that occasionally show up, but the truth is that the majority of white spots on fingernails are caused by a previous injury to the matix or nail bed. They are not caused by a calcium deficiency. They’re called “leukonychia” and are very common. The spots also can be a sign of an allergic reaction to nail polish or nail hardeners and, sometimes, are a symptom of a mild infection.

No need to worry though, these spot are temporary and will eventually grow out with your nails. However, it can take more than eight months for nails to grow out completely so the spots may be around for a while.

“Sometimes, a change in the appearance of your nails does indicate an underlying disease, but these changes would be more dramatic than just the occasional white spot. Nails that turn completely white, for example, can indicate liver disease, but by the time this happens, you probably would have other symptoms.” – Andrew Weil, M.D.

So there you have it. They may be unsightly for a little while, but there is no need to worry… More reason to get that brand new nail color!

Under the Weather?

I try to treat my cold as soon as I feel the slightest tingle in my throat. Sometimes I’m too late and the cold takes over. Growing up, my mother always had a jar of honey and diced onions prepared for such an occasion. Although it did the trick, since honey and onions both contain antibacterial properties, it wasn’t the greatest thing to swallow.

Sneezing, coughing, aching, and runny noses are not symptoms of the cold virus, but rather the signs that your immune system is fighting the virus. So why do we try to suppress these symptoms? Rather than drying out the mucus with over-the-counter antihistamine, we should accelerate the healing process by thinning the mucus and making it easier for the body to get rid of it.

Steam baths, or a hot shower will help alleviate the stuffiness. You can increase the power of steam by adding a handful of antimicrobial, decongesting herbs, such as eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary, or peppermint, to a quart-size pot of boiling water. Remove the pot from the heat and steep the herbs for 10-15 minutes with the top on. Placing your face at a comfortable distance over the steam and covering your head with a towel, inhale through your nose if you’re stuffy, or through your mouth for chest congestion.

Oregano, rosemary, and peppermint are high in antioxidants. Ingesting these herbs can help your body fight off an existing cold. Drinking warm liquids, such as herbal teas and chicken broth, help thin the mucus. A combination of rosemary, thyme, and eucalyptus in tea form help ease cold symptoms, fight off infection, and break up congestion in the lungs.

And don’t forget… get plenty of rest, which is what I’m about to do right now! Get well soon.

Beauty Shot

I’m not a drinker, but Vodka is a spirit I always have on hand. Vodka was created in 1430 by Kremlin monks who used it as a topical antiseptic and cure-all drink. Vodka is a grain alcohol, which means it is made by the distillation of fermented grains or potatoes. Today, we can still use this clear liquid’s antiseptic properties for great beauty recipes.

You can use straight vodka as an astringent. Just apply with a cotton ball morning and night to tighten pores, get rid of grime, and refresh your skin.

Just a dab of vodka on a cold sore will dry it up.

Adding a shot of vodka to your bottle of shampoo will help cleanse your hair and scalp. Some say it can also stimulate hair growth. And a shot of vodka to your conditioner will help seal cuticles and reduce frizz.

Get rid of foot odor by soaking your feet in straight vodka. Or, add a little vodka to your foot bath during a pedicure.

So remember, vodka is not just for drinking… save some for beauty. Enjoy!

Winter Grapefruit Scrub

I found this scrub on OrganicAuthority.com. It’s a really great scrub to use during the winter months to help soothe dry, flakey skin, and grapefruit is loaded with vitamin C. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength. Vitamin C also helps create scar tissue and ligaments, and it helps your skin repair itself.

Grapefruit is quite acidic and acts as a mild chemical peel on your face, leaving your skin soft and with a healthy glow. That being said, you should only use this scrub once a week, as it may cause irritation if used too often. Likewise, if your skin is sensitive, be sure to do patch test on the inside of your arm before using this scrub, to avoid irritation. – WebMD

1/2 pink grapefruit, peeled

1 cup brown sugar

water or grapefruit juice, as needed

Toss the grapefruit and sugar into your blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. If you’re having trouble getting things moving in the blender, add the water or grapefruit juice – 1 tablespoon at a time – until things are blending up nicely.

To apply, wash your face as usual, then gently massage 1-2 tablespoons of the scrub into your still-damp skin. If you like, you can let it sit on your face for a few minutes before gently wiping the scrub away with a warm, damp wash cloth.

Follow up with a good facial moisturizer. – OrganicAuthority.com

Enjoy!

Chocolate and Beauty

Yes, I said it!…Chocolate.

Growing up, I was told that eating chocolate would give me acne. Contrary to this popular belief, chocolate has many beauty and health benefits.

Now I’m not talking about candy bars from the candy aisle. Although none of these will make your skin break out, they don’t have any beauty or health benefits either. I’m talking about dark chocolate with at least 70% of cocoa.

Cocoa is good for the heart. “…Cocoa contains naturally occurring plant substances called flavonoids that help keep platelets less sticky, decreasing your risk for heart attack or stroke from a clot,” explains Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D., M.S., Wellness manager for Cleveland Clinic’s Lifestyle 180 program, and YouBeauty nutrition advisor.

Chocolate is also a good stress buster. Chocolate contains valeric acid which can help relax your muscles and nervous system. Eating chocolate releases endorphins in your brain, which make up feel happy and relaxed.

Using chocolate on your skin will make it soft, due to the cocoa butter it contains. It has powerful anti-oxidants to help smooth out wrinkles, prevent free radicals from causing damage to the skin’s elastin, protein, and collagen. Chocolate nourishes, hydrates, and moisturizes the skin. Who knew??

The simplest chocolate beauty recipe I can give you is to melt a few dark chocolate squares (70% cocoa) in a double boiler, or in the microwave. Let it cool enough as not to burn you. Apply to your clean face with a synthetic brush. Let sit for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse off, pat dry, and apply moisturizer. I have a few more chocolate beauty recipes I will try, and share with you in the near future. In the mean time, indulge in a little chocolate every now and then… It’s good for you!

Beauty Basics 101: Mangos

Mangos are my favorite fruit. They are so delicious, and if you’ve ever had one from the Caribbean, they’d be your favorite fruit too. However, mangos are not only delicious, they also have incredible beauty and health benefits for you to enjoy as well.

Eating mangos or drinking its pulp provides the body with needed vitamins and minerals. Not only do mangos contain vitamins B and C, but one cup of sliced mangoes supplies 25 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin A (beta-carotene), a powerful antioxidant, which promotes good eyesight and prevents night blindness and dry eyes. The antioxidant compounds found in mangos also help protect against cancer. And the high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C help to lower cholesterol levels.

Mango are also great for your skin. The vitamin C helps treat acne and the scars that come with it. Antioxidants keep your skin looking young and supple, keeping the wrinkles at bay, restoring elasticity, and easing the skin cell regenerative process.

Here are a couple of beauty recipes for your face and body.

Body Scrub

1 mango

1 tbsp honey

2 tbsp milk

1/2 cup sugar

Peel, pit, and dice the mango. In a food processor or blender combine all the ingredients. Process until smooth. After cleansing, use the scrub all over your body to exfoliate dead skin. You may use this on your face as well, but be sure to be gentle and avoid the eye area. Rinse with warm water. Make this scrub right before you use it, as it doesn not store well. Do this once a week for soft, smooth skin.

Mask

2 tbsp mango pulp

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp almond oil

Mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Apply the mask to your face with a synthetic brush. Let sit for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Apply moisturizer. This too has to be made right before use. Do this once a week for soft, moisturized, radiant skin.

Enjoy!

Sleep Smoothie

I’m always looking for new, natural ways to improve my sleep. I recently found out that cherries are one of the richest known sources of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which also help reverse the effects of aging… Bonus!!! Strawberries also contain melatonin, while bananas contain loads of magnesium, a calming mineral, which lowers blood pressure and help us relax for sleep.

1 cup tart cherry juice

1 banana

1 cup frozen strawberries

5 ice cubes

1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Combine the cherry juice, banana, strawberries, ice and vanilla in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Sleep is so important because it helps us re-boot. Not getting enough sleep (7 to 8 hours/night) negatively affects our weight, mood, thought process, and energy levels. A consistent sleep schedule will help with all of these. Sweet dreams!

Beauty Basics 101: Apricots

Apricots are high in mineral content. They contain vitamins A, B, and C and are very helpful in the removal of pimples and other blemishes. Apricots contain lycopene, which can help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Apricot oil is cold pressed and refined from the dried kernels of the apricot fruit. It is a very mild natural oil, often used in baby products because of its fine, gentle nature. It has anti-inflammatory effect which may help soothe minor skin condition such as scabies, itching and eczema. Apricot oil is also rich in essential fatty acids, which makes it a great choice for dry irritated skin, but is light enough to benefit oily skin as well, without leaving an oily feel, helping the skin retain its elasticity and suppleness.

Apricot Facial Mask

1/2 cup dried apricots

1/2 cup warm water

1 tbsp non-fat dry milk powder

1 tbsp honey

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Spread the mask on your face and let it set for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Apply moisturizer.

This mask will help your skin look and feel smoother and softer. Enjoy!

The Fruit Inside

Over the weekend I tasted, for the first time, a very popular all natural fruit juice. It was delicious. But what is great about it is that the recipe is right on the label! What a brilliant idea! Well, seeing that they’re making it so easy to mix a tasty concoction, I decided I needed to try making it on my own to see if it tasted just as good.

5 blackberries

4 raspberries

4 strawberries

3 1/2 apples

1/2 banana

I went out and bought the freshest ingredients I could find. Using a juicer, juice all the ingredients together. Shake well before drinking. You can store it in the fridge for a couple of days, but drinking it fresh is best.

This turned out so great…even better than the one I bought…shhhhh. And so healthy. I will definitely be making more of this and other combinations they have. I hope you all try it and let me know what you think. Enjoy!