A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #22: Homemade Face-Lifting Mask

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Egg white and lemon: excellent in a meringue, even better on your face!

Eggs and lemons are two of nature’s super foods, loaded with vitamins, minerals, and protein (in the egg). But both are also excellent sources for natural skincare.

If you’ve been following along so far, you already know that lemon can brighten and lighten your skin, dissolving dark spots and even freckles. But eggs are equally excellent ingredients for glowing skin!

The proteins in eggs can help to heal, rebuild, and renew your skin. They are naturally astringent, which make them a great choice for those with oily skin, and their drawing powers help to remove and clear away blackheads.

You can leave this mask on for up to 15 minutes. You should feel it tightening as it dries. That’s how you know it’s working! Take some time to relax and renew while the mask does its work. You’ll feel and see the difference in no time!

Image via shutterstock

Stuff to Know:

• Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
• Use this mask right after you make it. Do not store it or save it for later.

Egg White & Lemon Mask to Firm, Lift, and Tighten the Skin

Ingredients:

• 1egg white
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Steps to Make:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients.

To Use:

1. Remove all makeup first.
2. Using your fingers or a gentle makeup brush, apply the mixture in a thin layer to your entire face and neck.
3. Spread the mixture evenly across your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. Avoid the delicate eye area.
4. Leave on for 5-15 minutes.
5. Rinse well with temperate water.
6. Pat your face dry. Do not rub.

Do you use eggs or lemons in your skin care routine?

Seahorse Dream

A little video I made of the seahorses at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I do indeed dream of seahorses Do you?

Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday! Been busy as a bumblebee over here but that doesn’t mean I have nothing to share. For YOU? My wonderful readers? I share love… and the following links, which may or may not suit your Thursday needs, wishes, or desires, but nevertheless are here for you to click and peruse at your leisure.

Away we go!

1. What they don’t tell you at graduation, via the Wall Street Journal

Commencement speeches are meant to be inspiring. But this? Is the real deal. Read it and get yourself back in the game of life.

2. The Playboy Club Bunny Manual, via The Selvedge Yard

A scanned (and scannable!) copy of the original manual from way back when, including info on Bunny Council Meetings and how to avoid getting demerits. Worth a retro read

3. Magnetic implants to attach your iPod to your arm? Why not? Via Geekologie

Also handy for keeping track of tiny screws, nails, and jewelry-making materials!

4. Stainless steel + natural = my ideal office space, via Apartment Therapy

5. Entangled Publishing call for submissions with a holiday theme

Got a romantic short story or novella with a holiday theme? Check out Entangled’s requirements, then get your stuff out there!

6. Three times you should use a comma, via The Write Practice

Much easier to remember than when not to use a comma. Next up: apostrophes (not actually sure about that, but it should be).

7. Mind-controlled robot arms show promise, via Nature

THIS, my friends, is the dream of the future. Watch it and weep for joy (or from fear, depending on your outlook)!

8. Power postures can make you feel more powerful, via Wired

Power postures are more than just standing up straight. They’re positions that make you feel BIG. Stretch out. Take up some space. Open your lungs. Breathe deeply. Shove your way into that interview and show ‘em who’s boss! (er… take that last bit lightly, please).

9. How to walk on the sidewalk like a reasonable human being, via SFist

Walk on the right. Pass on the left.

WHY DOES THIS EVEN HAVE TO BE A DISCUSSION?

10. Finally, ten crucial proofreading tips, via Working Writers

Gah, even we professionals need a reminder now and then. Great words of wisdom, especially that part about taking breaks. Also: buddy checks are crucial for some materials. It’s always nice to have someone else find the errors you missed! HAHA. Well, it’s humbling, anyway

That’s all for now Have a wonderful weekend!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #21: Practice Mindfulness Meditation

Image by Nicolas TACCHI via Wikimedia Commons

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

You knew it was coming, didn’t you?

You knew I wouldn’t ignore the physical, mental, psychological, emotional, and spiritual benefits of meditation when discussing natural health and beauty. And yet, some of you resisted. And you’re still resisting because you Just Don’t Want to Meditate. Or you Just Don’t Have the Time. Or you Just Don’t See the Point.

I won’t be coy and pretend it’s easy to learn or to practice. I won’t tell you you’ll gain psychic superpowers or solve all your problems overnight.

I will, however, remind you of the benefits of learning to meditate and of putting that practice to use.

These include:

• Reduced stress
• Strengthened immune system
• Increased productivity
• Greater sense of overall wellbeing
• Feeling of “purpose”
• Enhanced mental, emotional, and psychological stability
• Reduced anxiety, fatigue, and depression
• Regulated blood pressure
• Decreased heart rate
• Lowered levels of stress hormones, like cortisol
• Lowered cholesterol levels
• Regulated breathing and increased lung capacity
• Increased creativity
• Improved comprehension and memory
• Greater sense of living in the present moment
• Greater sense of compassionate self-awareness and acceptance

Beginners often start with a practice called “mindfulness meditation.” This easy-to-learn seated meditation increases your awareness of the present moment and brings calm, steady attention to the natural flow of thoughts streaming through your mind.

It requires no dogma, no faith, no organized religion or belief system—just steady breath and compassion for your own humanness.

Stuff to Know:

• Meditation should be used in conjunction with conventional medical or psychological care, not as a substitute for it. If you are suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, an eating disorder, or other psychological or emotional distress, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional before practicing meditation.

How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation

It can be easier to learn mindfulness meditation by focusing your awareness on only one sensation, object, or thought, such as your breath, a candle, or the concept of forgiveness. Set aside a quiet spot to practice and wear comfortable, nonrestrictive clothes.

1. Sit in a comfortable position on a folded blanket, bolster, or firm cushion. You can also sit on a chair with both feet flat on the floor and your hands resting in your lap. Adjust your position so your spine is erect. Sit with your head, neck, and spine in one straight line.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Begin to steady your breath by inhaling for a count of five and exhaling for five. After a few of these deep breaths, breathe naturally again. Notice the way the air feels as it travels in and out of your body through your nose.
4. Continually bring your awareness back to your breath, in and out, in and out.
5. Do not force yourself to concentrate. Simply notice when your mind wanders, and then gently bring your awareness back to your breath. Consistently returning to the present moment takes patience and dedication.
6. Be careful not to punish yourself for wandering thoughts. Thinking is the natural state of your mind. Meditation is not a competition.
7. Now bring your awareness to the object of your focus. This might still be your breath. If it’s an object, like a candle, soften your gaze.
8. Maintain your awareness. When your thoughts start to wander, gently guide them back to the object of your focus. Don’t fight the thoughts. Simply acknowledge them and let them pass, like clouds floating by or like ocean waves.
9. Do this exercise for 10 minutes a day, gradually extending your sessions to 20 or 30 minutes.

Remember:

• Start small! Even 1-2 minutes a day will bring you great benefits, when practiced every day.
• Don’t get too comfortable. You don’t want to fall asleep! If you easily doze off when trying to meditate, take the necessary steps to address fatigue and sleep problems outside of your meditation practice.

Do you meditate?

Do you have any tips for practicing meditation or establishing a practice?

Easy Flaxseed Wrap (Gluten-Free)

Easy Flaxseed Wrap

To see all recipes, scroll to the top and click on Recipes or just click here!

Last week, I posted my recipe for Collard Wraps, a delicious and healthy portable lunch. But I have to admit ~ as much as I LOVE my greens (and I really do), sometimes I want something… fluffier. Bread-ier. More “traditional.” Carb-ish.

We’ve been staying away from wheat and flour around here, for various reasons, and I certainly feel excellent as a result. However! I do occasionally miss a sandwich or burrito.

Well, to my excitement, I discovered this recipe for super-easy wraps made with flaxseed meal, that are the perfect stand-in for a tortilla, pita, or bread. The recipe came from the book Wheat Belly (read my Goodreads review), a very interesting new title about the development of modern wheat and why it causes so many problems for so many people.

The wrap is fluffy, like a pita, but malleable, like a tortilla. So, if you want something less “green” but still super-healthy, you can follow my recipe for Collard Wraps but use these, instead! I’ve found these wraps to be an excellent alternative to any carb-o-licious, flour-based foods I might be craving. They are also delicious when spread with almond butter or cream cheese!

If you make these, I’d love to hear what you spread and/or filled them with, or if you tried an alternative recipe!

Easy Flaxseed Wrap

Easy Flaxseed Wrap (Gluten-Free)

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp. ground flaxseeds
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• pinch sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp. water
• 1 large egg

Steps

1. Mix all ingredients together and blend well.
2. Warm a 10-inch skillet. Add coconut oil to grease if you want.
3. Pour in the batter and spread evenly across the bottom.
4. Cook for about 3 minutes.
5. Lift the edge with a spatula and slide onto a plate. Let cool for at least 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Adjust the recipe as necessary for your needs and tastes. You can determine the nutritional content of your final product using Recipe Calculator.

Do you ever stay away from wheat and/or flour?

If so, do you have any favorite alternatives to bread, pitas, and tortillas?