Cool Off Watermelon and Fruit Salsa

Ingredients:
2 cups variety of fruit (strawberries, kiwi, berries, peaches, etc.)
1 seedless watermelon (or other seedless melon of your choice)
1/4 cup bottled sangria or sparkling white grape juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:
Slice the melon of your choice into 4 pieces 1/2 inch thick and refrigerate. Cut fruit into small bite sized pieces. To make the salsa combine fruit pieces in a bowl with sangria or white grape juice. Toss together, cover and refrigerate for 2 to 5 hours. When ready to serve, sprinkle lemon juice over melon slices and top with salsa.

5 Reasons to Use a Sunless Tanner

It is well-known that over-exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause skin cancer. It is also a known fact that tanning beds emit more UV rays than the sun, and are more likely to cause skin cancer, as well. In order to avoid developing skin cancer via sunbathing or tanning beds, here are five reasons sunless tanning is better for you.

1. According to the American Cancer Society, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Ultraviolet rays and tanning beds can all cause skin cancer. In fact, they estimate that five or more sunburns more than doubles your risk of developing skin cancer.

2. According to the Academy of Dermatology, the sun’s rays are more damaging today than in recent years. One doctor related that most people associate bronzed skin with good health. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

3. Sunless tanning can be done in the privacy of your own home. It is important to test the product first. The last thing you want to do is to reveal an “orange” tan. Apply the sunless tanning lotion you’re going to use to a small area on your skin and wait 24 hours to see how it works.

4. Sunless tanners are perfectly safe. Before applying the tanner, use exfoliates to remove dead skin. Experts say it will remove any scaly patches and make the application of the tanning lotion more effective.

5. Sunless tanning can be accomplished over a period of time, no matter what time of year. Don’t go full out for the bronzed look, but a little over time will give you the desired results.

Sunless tanning lotions are in. Whether lotions, gels, foams, creams, sprays, or the many varieties available today, there is no need to risk getting skin cancer anymore.

*Please remember your new bronzed skin is still susceptible to the sun's rays - always use sunscreen whenever outside and exposed to the sun!

11 Tips to Help Keep Your Skin in Shape this Summer

While we all have different complexions, summer is a time when we have to be extra careful when exposing our skin to the sun.

Here are tips to keep your skin in shape this summer:

1. Use Sunscreen - This is the most effective way in which to shield your skin from the sun’s rays. Use SPF30 sun block and apply it every 20 minutes.
2. Seek out Shade - Whether at the beach or sunbathing in your backyard pool, try to stay out of the sun when the heat is most intense, between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm.
3. Take Cover - Wear brimmed hats and light colored clothing to cover your arms and legs.
4. Use Mild Soaps - Do not use strong abrasives on your skin. Cleanse your skin with warm water and mild soap.
5. Use Natural Products - For sensitive skin, try not to use harsh products whose chemicals can cause irritation to your skin.
6. Use a Moisturizer - You can use baby oil which will not only protect your skin put prevent it from becoming too dry.
7. Sunscreen the Sensitive Parts - When sunbathing, use the sunscreen particularly on the most sensitive parts of your body such as shoulders, back of your legs, and neck as these areas are most vulnerable.
8. Protect Your Eyes - Wear sunglasses when exposed to the sun to help protect your eyes.
9. Be Gentle When Removing Makeup - Gently remove makeup with cotton balls so as to not to irritate the area around your eyes.
10. Be Gentle When Drying - When bathing or showering, it is important not to completely rid your body of its essential oils. Therefore, don’t vigorously dry your body with a towel, but simply pat it dry and add moisturizer afterwards.
11. Beware Razor Burns - Before you prepare to shave your legs and underarms, use any of the shaving creams or lotion products available. The last thing you need is to expose your legs to the sun if they have razor burns.

If you follow these tips to keep your skin in shape this summer, you will no doubt avoid any further damage to your skin and be able to enjoy the summer activities you have planned.

Natural Sunburn Relief

While there are many over the counter topical creams and anti-inflammatory medications you can use to alleviate the pain and soreness associated with sunburn, there are natural sunburn relief products which can relieve the discomfort as well.

Try some of these to get that relief you need:

• Aloe Vera, which is used in the treatment of burn victims, is quite effective in the treatment of sunburn. Simply apply a thin layer to the affected area and repeat the application every hour. Aloe Vera plants are beautiful and easy to use, just break off a part of one of the leaves and use the soothing ointment inside to rub on your sunburn.
• Herbal teas can offer a respite from the discomfort of sunburn as well. Non-herbal black tea is one of them. Steep six bags in four cups of hot water, cool, and apply it to the affected area with a cotton cloth. In fact, tea bags have long been known to alleviate puffiness and burns to the eyes as well. Place a cooled teabag on each closed eyelid, lie down, and let the tea do its work.
• Try an herbal bath using either chamomile or lavender essential oils. This is another effective means by which you can relieve severe sunburn symptoms. You may want to try tea tree oil, which helps heal skin burns and other skin irritations, and products rich with it can be helpful as well.
• Apply cold compresses by using cool tap water on a cotton towel and apply it to the affected areas. A cool bath is also recommended. Do not shower as the pulsating water on your sunburned skin will cause further pain.
• An oatmeal bath will not only relieve the itchiness accompanying dried sunburned skin, but sooth and alleviate the burn as well. There is powdered oatmeal available with which you can add to a tub of cool bathwater.

While some people look forward to getting a great summer tan, bathing in the sun too long can have caustic affects. Use SPF 15 or higher sun block, depending on your skin tone, to prevent severe burning. Apply it before you go out into the sun and every 20 minutes thereafter.

The rule of thumb when sunbathing is: 20 minutes in the sun and 20 minutes out of the sun. In this way, you can acquire a tan comfortably and safely.

Banana Boat Sport Sunblock

A product which has been receiving rave reviews in the sunblock arena is Banana Sport UVA & UVB Sunblock. This product provides a broad spectrum of UVA and UVB protection. It is not only hypoallergenic, but non-greasy, and fragrance free.

For those with sensitive skin, Banana Boat Sport has the product for you. While this lotion has an SPF of 15, Banana Boat Sport comes in a variety of SPF levels ranging from 8 to 50. In fact, the makers of this product recommend that if you are light or fair, you should use SPF 50 if you intend to stay in the sun for five hours or more. It should be applied 15 minutes before sun exposure. It is waterproof and sweatproof, but should be reapplied after swimming or when drying off with a towel.

Banana Boat Sport UVA & UVB Sunblock comes in a handy tube, and has been recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as a safe and effective sun screen.

As with most sunblocks, using the proper SPF level and applying it generously will protect you from the sun’s rays. In addition, wearing sun brimmed hats, sunglasses, and light clothing are additional safeguards to protect you from the sun.

Those who have used Banana Boat Sport comment on the fact that is feels more like a moisturizer than anything else. It has a light, fluffy body to it, and it not at all oily. Very light-scented, it washes off easily and does not have to be reapplied at all because it lasts so long.
In fact, some have gone so far as to say Banana Boat Sport is the most comfortable to wear waterproof sunblock they have found. Finally, the general consensus is that this sunblock does exactly what is says it does.

As we all know, with summer approaching, protecting the skin against cancer and premature aging is of utmost importance. Therefore, if you want a product that is not only effective but gives you the protection you need, try Banana Sport Boat UVA & UVB Sunblock.

Where can you buy it? Amazon.com

Turkey and Avocado Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts

Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked and sliced turkey (you can use Rotisserie deli turkey)
1 large avocado sliced
2 red apples, cored and sliced
Bunch of mixed salad leaves

Dressing:
3 tablespoons apple juice
3 tablespoons low-fat natural yogurt
1 teaspoon clear honey
1 teaspoon mustard
2 oz of toasted pine nuts for garnish

Directions:
Place all the salad items in a large bowl and gently toss together. In a separate bowl mix all the dressing ingredients together except the pine nuts. Pour dressing over the salad and top with toasted pine nuts. To toast the pine nuts, place a little olive oil or non stick spray in a non stick frying pan and toast the pine nuts for approximately 2 minutes.

The Benefits of Fish Oil to Your Body

In the past decade, researchers have been studying fish consumption and the benefits it brings to the body. Fish and fish oils have been shown to decrease the negative effects of cardiovascular disease (CVD) on the human body. The way this has been done is through the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. What are omega-3 fatty acids? You'll learn that and more on how they help to treat patients with CVD and those without who may be at risk later in life.

CVD is a big problem in this country. With obesity and diabetes amongst the population at staggering highs, it has become more prevalent. Clogged arteries are leading to strokes and death. Plaque riddled coronary arteries are leading to thromboses and heart attacks. Controlling the diet is the major way to reduce a person’s risk for these types of health problems.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in fish, their oils, and plants sources, such as flaxseed, canola, soybeans, and the oils of each. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and alpha linolenic acid (LNA). The first two mentioned have the most benefit on the heart and its health. The last omega-3 fatty acid is found mainly in plant sources. The first two are found in fish that are have a high fat content, but low saturated fat content. This is important. There are good fats and bad fats. Foods that contain fully saturated fats are worse than those fats are mono- or poly-unsaturated. These fish include: mackerel, salmon, trout, and tuna.

The recommended dose of omega-3 fatty acids is at least two to three days a week from natural sources such as those I’ve already named. Consuming fish and plant sources on a regular basis seems to reduce the risk of that person developing the precursors to CVD and its related conditions. Change in diet alone is enough if you have never been diagnosed with any heart related abnormalities.

For those individuals with a history of CVD, fish consumption is also recommended. Depending on how advanced their condition, supplements of DHA and EPA may be prescribed by the doctor. As with any supplements, make sure that you get the doctor’s okay before taking them, because they could do more harm than good if too much is used.

What the research shows to be true is the following:

• The incidence of blood clots causing sudden heart attacks is decreased
• Blood pressure lowers
• Arterial plaque growth is retarded
• The level of triglycerides in the blood is lowered
• Decreased level of cardiac arrhythmias

More research still needs to be done to investigate any other properties of omega-3 fatty acids on the body. But, for now, we know that fish and fish oil keep the heart pumping fine.

Blueberries - What are the Health Benefits?

Forget about the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Recent studies now confirm that blueberries have far more beneficial effects than apples.


Here are some of the great health benefits of blueberries:

• Have you become forgetful? You know, misplaced the car keys or can’t remember someone’s name. Well the good news is that blueberries, consumed on a daily basis in a bowl of cereal, for example, can improve memory.
• Blueberries ranked the highest in antioxidant properties, and have been proven to aid in the anti-aging process. Moreover, blueberries are known to restrict the harmful effects that free radicals can cause. Not all free radicals are considered harmful, but some can cause damage to our cells, as well as cause various types of cancer. The older we become, the more difficult it is to safeguard against these free radicals. By consuming blueberries, we have a better chance of minimizing the damage.
• Blueberries have also shown to lower cholesterol, which is a major problem among many people today.
• Research has proven that a specific component in blueberries reduces the chances of urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from lining the walls of the urinary tract.
• Blueberries have effective anti-inflammatory, anti-blood clotting, and antibacterial effects. In fact, they have been used in cases of diarrhea and food poisoning.
• Studies have also shown that blueberries can improve eyesight, and are thought to help in reducing eye fatigue.
• Researchers feel there is a great chance that blueberries can help in the fight against obesity and heart disease. But the most exciting news is that it may be linked in the fight against cancer.

A half cup of blueberries a day can make all the difference in fighting off potential health problems. The next time you go to your supermarket, pick up a pound of fresh blueberries or a bag of frozen blueberries. You will see remarkable results after a few weeks.

3 Herbal Teas and Their Benefits to Your Health

While herbal remedies have been used in some cultures for centuries, other societies have just begun to accept their benefits. Even now, some people still rely on modern medicine for problems that can be treated effectively with an herbal remedy because they are leery about them. A great way to get the benefits of herbs without taking supplements is to brew them into a tea. You then get the benefits along with a great tasting drink. Here are three great herbal teas and what they can do to help you.

Valerian Tea
Valerian has been used for centuries to help with a whole host of medical problems. Most recently it has been used to calm nerves and even soothe severe anxiety and restlessness. It is a great tea to enjoy at the end of the day when you want to unwind and relax. Because it acts as a sedative, Valerian is often used to cure insomnia and get a restful night’s sleep. It is commonly used to help with cramps and digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome.
You should also be wary of continued use because it can become addictive and produce withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it.

When making Valerian tea, do not use boiling water. You can decrease its potency; just use hot water.

Echinacea
Want to be able to strengthen your immune system and better fight off viruses like that flu? Or course you do. That’s why you should try to drink Echinacea tea regularly. This tea stimulates your t cells and helps boost interferon production; both essential parts of immune functioning
A few people may be allergic to Echinacea, so if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction or an asthma attack, see a doctor immediately.

Hawthorn

If you’re looking for a natural, effective way to help improve your heart function and circulation, you should try hawthorn tea. This herb has been known to help the heart, relieve blood pressure problems, lower cholesterol, and improve circulation. It’s also an antioxidant which means it helps prevent cancer and improves overall health.

Before drinking herbal teas, taking herbal supplements, or taking any medications, you should talk to your doctor. Herbs can have side effects, complications, and drug interactions; just like prescription meds. You doctor will be able to tell you if it’s safe for you to use certain herbs or not.

If used properly, herbal teas can be a great way to naturally improve your health and help you live a happier life. If you benefit from these teas, there are many other options that you can try to maintain good health.

Cranberry Pecan Couscous Salad in Lemon

Tangy, crimson-colored dried cranberries and toasted pecans are a dynamic combination in this special salad. If you plan to make it more than 2 hours in advance, hold back on adding the cucumbers until serving time so they will retain their special crunch.

Ingredients:
1 cup shelled pecans
1 1/2 cups couscous
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 cups boiling water
1 cup thawed frozen peas
3 scallions, very thinly sliced
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil


Lemon Dressing Ingredients:
Zest of 1 lemon
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 /2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast pecans in a shallow pan until fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes. Set aside. Place the couscous, cranberries, and turmeric in a large bowl. Pour in the boiling water, stir, then cover the bowl with a large plate or foil. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove cover and fluff the couscous with a fork. Cover again and let sit 5 more minutes. Stir in the pecans, peas, scallions, cucumbers, and basil.


Combine dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously. Pour over the couscous mixture and stir. Let the salad sit at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend. If longer than 1 hour, cover and chill, but then bring the salad to room temperature before serving.

The Sommercizing Diet Plan

The Sommersizing Diet was founded by Suzanne Somers and The Sommersizing books have made the best seller lists.

The diet is based around eating the right type of carbohydrates and good fats and also food combining. The believe is that if you eat low glycemic index carbohydrates your blood sugars and insulin levels will remain stable allowing your body to burn more fat.

You are also encouraged to food combine, which involves eating meat, full fat dairy products and vegetables together without carbohydrates or fruit. You can also eat whole grain carbohydrates alone with vegetables but no meat or dairy. Fruit should always be consumed on its own preferably on an empty stomach.

There are also a list of foods you should completely avoid. There are specific guidelines in The Suzanne Somers Diet Book which explains in full detail when to eat fruit during the day, how to effectively combine your meals and many recipes as well.

This diet takes a little getting used to but unlike the Atkins diet or other low carb diets you are allowed to eat the right type of carbohydrates from day one and throughout the diet as long as you eat them in the right combinations in relation to other foods.

The diet consist of two stages:

• Sommersizing Stage One: This is the stricter phase of the diet where you must fully food combine and avoid all sugar, you are allowed to use the Sommersizing sweetener. You must also avoid all caffeine and alcohol.
• Sommersizing Stage Two: This is the least restrictive and final phase of the diet. You start this phase once you reach your goal weight and stay on it for life. During this phase you are allowed to eat chocolate and drink red wine in moderation. You can also create slight imbalances during food combining, such as adding pine nuts to your whole wheat pasta.

Insomnia and Depression - a Common Link

Many people already know that depression can be a major cause of insomnia. When you’re so worried about life, it’s hard to clear your mind and get a good night’s sleep. But did you know that lack of sleep may lead to depression? Here is some information to help you understand the link between these two pressing problems.

When you think of a depressed person, you may picture them lying in bed all day, but even though they may not want to leave their bedroom, that doesn’t mean they’re sleeping. While only 15% of clinically depressed people get more sleep than when they’re feeling fine, more than 80% of them don’t get enough sleep. In fact, one of the best indicators of depression is someone who wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. While they tend to get about 6 hours of sleep a night, it’s still enough of a loss to become a problem.

So, does this mean you treat the depression and the sleep disorder goes away? Probably not. Recent studies have shown that the sleep disorder is what starts the cycle, not the depression. Many patients with clinical depression had trouble sleeping for up to five weeks before experiencing depression symptoms. If the person is treated for the sleep disorder while they are still in a normal emotional state, many of them don’t become depressed. However, as mentioned earlier, depression feeds the sleep disorder as well; once a person becomes depressed, their sleep disorder tends to worsen. Current research is pointing towards the fact that while insomnia may not cause depression, treating insomnia may result in fewer depressive episodes for someone diagnosed with clinical depression.

Research has shown that depression not only affects how much sleep a person gets, it also determines what kind of sleep they have. Someone with depression has a short and sometimes barely existent early stage of sleep. Instead of going through the normal sleep cycles, the brain skips forward to REM sleep; the type of sleep that lets us deal with our emotions and convert memories. Their brain also tends to stay in this stage longer than non depressed people. Besides skipping important and vital stages of sleep, depressed people may get different effects from REM sleep than non depressed people. They tend to convert memories incorrectly and put them in a more negative light. Researchers also think that depressed people and their families have this type of REM sleep even if they are not depressed.

It should be noted that these studies have been done on people with unipolar depression. These are people who get depressed, but never enter a manic phase. For those with manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, inability to sleep is completely different than in unipolar patients. It is actually normally associated with the manic phase of the disorder.

While the exact relationship between sleep and depression hasn’t been completely determined, it is obvious that there is a definite link between the two conditions. What is known is that if you are prone to depression and are experiencing insomnia, you should seek treatment immediately to avoid having a depressive episode.

Natural Jewelry Cleaners - Complete Kit

The truth is, at some point or another, our jewelry needs a good cleaning. Well here is the kit that will do it! Non-toxic Jewelry Cleaner will clean all fine and fashion jewelry gemstones, and comes with a unique jewelry polish to remove tarnish from gold, platinum, titanium and sterling silver jewelry. This product increases the luster of pearls; removes tarnish from platinum, gold, titanium and sterling silver jewelry; restores original finish to all precious jewelry metals; restores original finish to Tiffany Sterling Silver Link chains; and is safe for all jewelry gemstones and jewelry metals.

In addition, you can also purchase the GemCare Natural Jewelry Cleaners - Deluxe Care Kit, which includes GemCare's Natural Diamond & Pearls Jewelry Cleaner to clean all precious and semiprecious gemstones, including pearl jewelry and fine diamond jewelry. It comes with a unique jewelry tarnish remover polish to clean gold, platinum, titanium and sterling silver jewelry metals. To really clean any jewelry metal, you need to remove or clean off the dull tarnish that has covered up the original buffed finish.

This product also comes ammonia and alcohol free; cleans platinum diamond jewelry; gold diamond jewelry; cleans and sparkles Swarovsky crystal bead jewelry; and cleans and removes tarnish from gold, titanium and platinum precious jewelry metals.

Here are what customers had to say about this product: “This is a great jewelry cleaner and I have tried them all! It cleans brilliantly without leaving a film. So if you are looking for something that really works this is it.”

Another reviewer wrote: “I found this product at a wedding show a few years ago. This product is certainly what you will need to make your gold products look new. I highly recommend this for all who want their jewelry to continue to look new and beautiful.”

Finally, this user wrote: “I have been looking for a good jewelry cleaner for a long time. My silver necklaces have been sitting in my jewelry box for years because I couldn’t find a product that worked. I have spent a lot of money buying new silver chains and am tired of it. I have so many pins and rings that were given to me as gifts. I want to wear them. Finally, I found this natural jewelry cleaner not only works like a charm, but has no ammonia or other chemicals in it. I can’t say enough about this product. I can finally wear my jewelry again.”

Having jewelry cleaner which actually does the job, and is natural to boot, is a necessity for those who need to renew their precious gemstones. Check out this product and test it out to determine if what these consumers say is true.

Where can you buy it? Amazon.com