10 Things That Make You Look Bad
Posted by admin on Sep 6, 2008
I was reading a book on fashion and beauty and I thought these tips were very interesting.
- Do not chew gum loudly I strongly agree on this one. It is awful to hear someone chewing and popping gum. One day I went to the video store to rent a movie and a lady next to me was chewing gum with her mouth open and popping it. It was so disgusting that I had to move to another section of the store. And even there I could still hear the lady popping her gum.
- Picking your lips in public I would say this is not as bad as picking your nose, but it still looks bad. Besides, it leaves you with a scab afterwards.
- Make origamis with the napkin when you go out to eat or for coffee Sometimes I have felt tempted to do so because I have young children that I have to entertain while the food arrives, but I don’t think I’ve done it.
- Pouting or showing your bad mood to people around you when you are having a bad day Obviously it isn’t their fault you woke up in a bad mood.
- Ignoring someone when they greet you I’m surprised some people actually ignore you when you greet them. But sometimes it is because they didn’t see or hear you.
- Chew on pencils or pens Another thing that I very much agree with. It is gross to see a pencil or pen chewed up. And to see the person actually do it, it is even worse.
- Retouching your make-up at the office I wouldn’t have a problem with this one because I hardly ever wear make-up nor do I work in an office. But I agree that the place for retouching make-up is the bathroom.
- Going out with rollers on your hair I don’t think I’ve seen anyone do this, except on TV programs.
- Forget to brush your teeth I am always nagging at my 11 year old daughter about this one, especially because she wears braces and it is easy for the food to get stuck on them.
- Being indiscreet when someone tells you a secret or asks for your opinion Discretion is very important for a person with good manners. Many people feel very proud to ”say things like they are” and without “hypocrisy”. But many times the person is not being sincere, but indiscreet. I do not advocate hypocrisy but I do value discretion.
Different uses for common house items
Posted by admin on Aug 25, 2008
Nail polish:
- To prevent a run in the pantyhose from getting bigger, apply some clear nail polish at the ends.
- If a screw is loose, put nail polish on it, and screw it back in. Let dry.
- If you do not want your fake jewelry to turn black, coat it with clear nail polish.
Toothpaste:
- To fix a scratched CD, rub with toothpaste, and clean.
- To relieve mosquito or other insect bites.
- To dry up pimples, use the white paste.
- To clean marriage rings.
Hair Conditioner:
- To clean leather shoes
- If a door squeaks, dab hair conditioner on the hinges.
- To remove a band aid, rub the sticky ends with conditioner. Wait for a minute and remove the band aid.
Wax paper:
- To keep faucets free of water spots, rub wax paper on it after you clean it.
- If a book gets wet, place waxed paper between each of the pages. When it dries, it will be good as new.
- To store candles, wrap them in wax paper. This will prevent them from chipping.
Dryer sheets:
- To remove bad odors from shoes, bags, or suitcases, drop a dryer sheet in them and leave it overnight.
- To remove food that has stuck to the skillet, place a dryer sheet on it, and fill it with water. Leave it for a few hours and wash as usual.
5 Tips for Better Sleep
Posted by admin on Aug 20, 2008
Do not watch TV or use the computer before going to sleep: Although many of us like to watch the 9 o’clock news before going to sleep, it is not advisable to watch television or use the computer right before bed. Television and the computer are very stimulating to the brain and it will take you longer to go to sleep.
Have a high-protein snack about two hours before bedtime: The protein helps the body to produce serotonin and melatonin, two hormones needed to produce sleep.
Do not drink fluids two hours before bedtime: Drinking fluids before going to bed will make you get up to use the restroom several times during the night.
Make sure the room is dark: It is not a good idea to sleep with a night light on. The least bit of light can interrupt the production of melatonin in the brain.
Go to bed early: The hours of sleep you get before midnight are worth double while the hours of sleep you get after 12:00am are only worth half.
Meditation exercise to relieve stress
Posted by admin on Aug 19, 2008
This meditation exercise is said to reduce stress and increase energy after just five days of practicing it for 20 minutes every day.
Sit quietly in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and visualize your mind as if it were a full cup. Let your thoughts come and go as you imagine that the cup is emptying gradually. Repeat for five minutes.
Fish Oil Capsules
Posted by admin on Aug 18, 2008
After having read of the many health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids, I decided to buy fish oil capsules. I’ve been taking them for almost two months, and I’m very happy with the results. My allergies are getting better. The eczema I had on the elbows is almost gone.
Last night I read in a magazine about two other health benefits of fish oil that I didn’t know of. It said that Omega-3 fatty acids can also lower high blood pressure and grow new brain cells. I don’t have any problems with my blood pressure but I do need those new brain cells 
Clean Water
Posted by admin on Aug 17, 2008
I was reading an article that left me thinking.
Whenever I drink water, I assume that it is clean and pure. But reading that article made me realize that this is not always the case. In my house we never drink tap water, only bottled or from the refrigerator which has a filter. But according to the article I read, not even bottled water is guaranteed to be clean. According to them, the government does not regulate bottled water.
So, in reality, the water that we drink, or use for bathing, cooking, washing dishes, etc.. is water that has to go through a process. It is not natural and pure water that comes from rain or rivers. One could say this is ’recycled’ water. People use it and then the city collects it, cleans it using chlorine and other chemicals, and resends it to be used again.
In the article I read, the man said he had tested the water and had found particles of a white material which, although not confirmed, looked like toilet paper! I was horrified to think that one can bathe, brush their teeth, hands, etc.. with such water.
Later I discussed this with my husband and he was telling me that as a matter of fact, “things” have been found in the city water tanks. I won’t go into what kind of “things” but I can say it got me thinking.
I know that the city tries to clean the water. But that is another issue. They use chemicals and chlorine which are quite harmful to health, hair, and skin. I’ve been looking for water filters that can get rid of all these chemicals. I’ve found several, but I’m still looking for more information on each one. I will continue with my research because I really want to get a water filter.
Add color to the bath water
Posted by admin on Jul 20, 2008
Few things are more relaxing that a nice tub bath. And you can enhance your experience by adding color to the water. In her book, Natural Beauty at Home, Janice Cox suggests you add:
- Red for power
- Orange for independence
- Green for harmony
- Blue for serenity
- Yellow for soothing nerves
- Violet for creativity
Home Remedies for Hiccups
Posted by admin on Jul 17, 2008
Brown paper bag: Place a brown paper bag around your nose and mouth and seal it firmly using your fingers. Take 15 small breaths in and out fast and then breathe in deeply. Count to ten and release. Repeat until hiccups disappear.
Ice: Fill a glass with ice cubes and add water. Drink it slowly.
Ear plugs: Plug your ears by sticking in your index fingers for about 20 seconds.
Weight Loss Tip
Posted by admin on Jul 5, 2008
Here’s a recipe for a drink that helps to lose weight and reduce inches.
4 oz grape juice
2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of ground flax seed (you can find ground flax seed at Wal-Mart or Trader Joe’s)
Take it before breakfast and before dinner
Grapeseed oil
Posted by admin on Jul 1, 2008
A quick tip for cooking 
I heard on a radio program the other day that the only oil that is safe for frying is the grape seed oil because it is the only oil that does not produce carcinogens when burned.
So I’ve been cooking with grapeseed oil since then and I’m actually very happy with it. It does not change the taste of the foods at all.