Monday, May 3, 2010

Bananas For Facials and All Around Remedies

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression "going bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:


Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!
This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.
 
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
 
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.




PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
 
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology inAustria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips.. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady..


Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS

On a personal note.... the least expensive facial on the market... is a banana!  Mash it up as is or add some yogurt, apply to your face for 10 minutes then rinse.  Will leave your skin feeling smooth and fresh.

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!

Monday, February 15, 2010

A David-vs.-Goliath Economic Strategy

This is a re-post with permission from the Nashville Wraps blog!  It is worth your while to read....


In the retail gift, home and gourmet food industries it seems that we are often in a David versus Goliath scenario. Independent retailers as the Davids have gained ground recently against the Goliaths, or the big-box retailers. However, Goliath still rules retail, and to a degree they has contributed to the destruction of many American jobs in the process.


We can change the face of American economics without government intervention, but it is going to require a grass-roots effort.

Grass roots… A contagious movement that springs from individuals, communities and social associations which is not government sponsored or mandated, come from the heart and seeks to produce positive and lasting change in a society.

An example of a successful grass-roots movement is the now mainstream concept of going “green”. The green movement is changing our everyday lives in both social and business areas. Green business is good business, not just for the revenue stream it provides (which is a life saver); but for its lasting, positive benefits.

So what kind of new grass-roots movement do we need? Made in America!

It begins with reading labels. When I go shopping for anything (typically tools, apparel, and electronics), I first find out where the product was made before I make my buying decision. I often wind up not buying anything because the labels are telling me places like Vietnam, China, Indonesia, or some 3rd world country where corporations have sought out the cheapest labor (often without regard to anything else). When I do not buy I always make it a point to tell someone why. The way to change the mentality of large-scale importers (most large retail companies in America today) is to demonstrate our displeasure by affecting their wallets.

Recently I was shopping for a pair of khakis. The Dockers brand at Kohl's(a department store near me) were “on sale” advertising 60% off. They showed a “list” price of $70, but all pants were marked at $29. So I looked at the labels and found: Dominican Republic, Haiti, China, and Malaysia . How many pairs did I buy? You guessed it…zero! I realize I may be the expection here but what they haven’t realized is that the slacks are really worth $70 and if made in nthe US would sell for that in my opinion. We are trading American Jobs to by Dockers for $29…no thanks.

As a retail business operator, your buying power, while just a fraction of Wal-Mart’s and Kohl's, will represent an opportunity for the grass roots to take hold. So if you tell your wholesale sales representatives to rep products made in America, they will also carry that message to their National Sales Manager and so on. I realize this is very simplistic and other factors are at work, such as manufacturing capability, competitive pricing, and so on, but there are answers available if we really want to seek them.

Our David-versus-Goliath battle is different because the stone we use is intended show that there is a better way for all of us. We need the Goliaths in our economy, but we need them to help build our American manufacturing segment back to pre-Wal-Mart levels, and we can do just that.

I may be a dreamer, but dreams are what realities are born from. Are you a dreamer too?

Friday, January 29, 2010

Will Smith's Words Of Wisdom

Will Smith's personal words of wisdom are nothing short of powerful... enjoy!

We should all listen to this everyday for inspiration!

Thanks to The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur for sharing this with (me) his readers.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Shea Jelly Recipe


I just stumbled upon a great recipe I wanted to share!  Enjoy and let me know if you need any help locating ingredients.

Non-Petroleum Shea Jelly

1 ounce Natural Shea Butter
4 ounces Grape seed oil
1/2 ounce grated beeswax
12 drops grapefruit seed extract

(most ingredients can be found at a natural grocery store, such as Sun Harvest or Whole Foods) 

1. In a double boiler over simmering water and medium heat, combine the grape see oil and beeswax, heat gently until the wax has melted, then add your shea butter. Don't overheat 120 degree is sufficient.

2. Remove mixture from the heat and add the grapefruit seed extract.

3. Cool over ice water and stir with a spoon till it thickens in consistency.

Store in a glass jar with screw-top. (I think a plastic one with screw top will work fine too). This jelly should keep for a year.

Be very careful not to get ANY water into your mixture.

Enjoy!!
(recipe compliments of West Africa Shea Butter Company)

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Lemon Grass Essential Oil in Your Car?

Lemon Grass in your car? You betcha!!

Lemon Grass essential oil properties have been known to create a sense of emotional well being, this is a good thing during 'these times'. The light citrus fragrance acts as a tranquilizer - taming stress, anxiety and even depression. This great product has so many more qualities however; I am stopping here as this leads into why I'm blogging about it.




I purchased (3) Car Scenter Electric Diffusers from New Directions Aromatics as Christmas Gifts.

http://tinyurl.com/9holb6


There was a specific reason I purchased these as gifts. I have smoker friends and their cars smell awful (including my own *wink*) Fragrance does not come with the car scenter, you get to choose your own. Well... guess what?? Lemon Grass Essential oil helps to eliminate cigarette odors. Another fabulous property of this great oil. So... In addition to the car scenters I purchased 1/6 ounce of Lemon Grass essential oil (http://tinyurl.com/yfulpu4)

Lemon Grass essential oil has so many fabulous properties and benefits that I could blog about it all day long! Below are some general facts and info.

Description: Lemongrass is a fast growing, tall, aromatic perennial grass that grows up to 1.5 metres (4 feet) in height. It is native to Asia, but is now cultivated mostly in the West Indies, Africa, and Tropical Asia.

Color: Yellow to brownish yellow liquid.

Common Uses: Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil is known for its invigorating and antiseptic properties. It can be used in facial toners as its astringent properties help fight acne and greasy skin. An excellent anti-depressant, Lemongrass Essential Oil tones and fortifies the nervous system and can be used in bath for soothing muscular nerves and pain. Lemongrass shares similar properties with citronella and has a great reputation for keeping insects away.
With that being said... I gotta tell ya! This stuff works... it really does eliminate smoke odors from your vehicle. Now if you are not a smoker... no problem there is an array of oils to choose from that will make your car smell fabulous. AND I'd like to add that... I think I am a bit calmer of a driver now. :)


Cautions: Avoid in glaucoma and with children. Use caution in prostatic hyperplasia and with skin hypersensitivity or damaged skin. Avoid use during pregnancy.
It is recommended that this essential oil be stored in dark amber, blue or green glass bottles since it has been found to dissolve aluminum bottles.



Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Undo The New Facebook Change

Facebook users are still howling about recent changes to the homepage. If you are one of them, there is a quick fix to change it back to the way it used to be.

Ten days ago, with no warning, Facebook eliminated the Twitter-like feed of every real-time status update. Now, instead of displaying everything from all your friends, Facebook uses a secret algorithm to display only the posts and status updates that are generating a lot of comments and responses. So you never know what you are missing.

If you hate the change, here is a three-step process to revert back to the old feed:

- Log into Facebook. On your homepage, on the top of the left column, you will see "News Feed". Go to the bottom of that column and click on "More."

- Find the 'Status Updates." Click and drag it to the very top of that column.

- Click "Status Updates" to load that view. Now, Facebook will deliver your feeds just like it did before.

The News Feed option is still on the left. If you click on it, you will see the new view. And if you decide later that reading your Facebook feed is like drinking from a firehose, you can always revert back to the smaller feed.

Hope that helps
Cindy

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I made my National debut......

Have not posted in such a long time.... actually took a bit of a hiatus from here. But I am back and ready to go!! Below is a write up I received on CNN Money about launching a business in El Paso, Texas! WOO HOO!!!! As I tell my family: YEA ME!!

Below taken directly from: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/smallbusiness/0910/gallery.best_places_why_i_launched_here.smb/16.html


I started making soap about four years ago, when my son's doctor suggested that I use glycerin soap for his eczema. After a trip to a local shop, where I paid an arm and a leg for an ugly, boring bar of soap, I decided to learn to make it rather than purchase it. I started sculpting soap into art pieces that looked like real slices of pie or cupcakes. Next thing you know, friends are asking to buy the product to give away as gifts.

Since then, I've founded Sudz N Bubbles, and we've had one our products featured on HGTV. We now have a staff of four.

El Paso was the perfect location for my startup. Living in a Texas border town brings unique advantages. First, we have no income taxes in Texas, and a very inexpensive cost of living in El Paso. Second, we have a very large influx of shoppers from Mexico that flood the city and stimulate our local economy every weekend -- especially during holiday shopping season. Harnessing this market can mean great success for a growing business.

I'm not bilingual, which can be a disadvantage for a local business owner, but with or without the language barrier, it's impossible to deny the influence of Latino culture here. I've developed a quinceanera soap favor especially for this market.

With El Paso as my launching place, my goal is to take my products to a nationally known level. Soap-making has become an addiction for me, and selling my wares is one of the best ways I can think of to support my family and build a business. -Annalyn Censky