5 Ways to Look and Feel Younger
Look anywhere in Hollywood, and pick up to read just about any magazine dealing with body health, and you will notice that there is an overwhelming interest in maintaining one’s youth, longevity and vitality. However, not all of us can afford plastic surgery and body augmentation procedures… Wouldn’t it be nice to do something that would make us feel good about ourselves, but in a natural way? Using natural foods and natural products that we could go to the grocery store and buy?
Baking Soda and Water.
Seriously. Most probably wouldn’t have guessed that the health of your teeth is an indicator of your internal and external health. Without using chemicals, special toothpastes and seeking out the services of professionals to whiten your teeth. You will actually be able to find a more natural and more affordable way of getting the same result with baking soda and water. For example, did you know that you can mix baking soda and water together as a natural toothpaste? Brushing with this homemade teeth whitener solution helps removes surface level stains from things like coffee and cigarettes. Unlike some teeth whiteners, baking soda and water isn’t harsh, and will not strip your teeth of their natural protective enamel.
Eggs
Eating eggs are not only a good source of omega-3 fatty acids to boost your protein consumption, you can also use eggs for a natural face mask. Experts specifically state that you should use the egg whites, beating them until they become foamy, and then applying the egg whites, gently, to your face. The key is to let the egg whites stay on your face for between 15 to 20 minutes (or 25-30 minutes, and possibly adding a little citrus to the mixture for a deeper, fuller cleanse). The egg whites mask should be removed from the face using warm water.
Not only are egg whites (and a bit of citrus) good for cleansing the skin and pores, this natural facial mask concoction is great for tightening the skin.
Mayonnaise.
This condiment not only tastes great French fries and sandwiches, it is also great for your hair. If you’re looking to get that shine your hair used to have, back, this is a great natural alternative, instead of using chemicals. Mayonnaise should be applied with a teaspoon of vanilla extract to dry, unwashed hair. Think of it as conditioning your hair prior to getting it wet and prior to washing it with shampoo. As with most conditioners, instructions will usually state, once the conditioner is applied to the hair and combed through to the scalp. That should place a towel or shower cap over your hair, for a more intense, full, deep treatment. Experts will usually suggest leaving on the natural hair solution for 20-30 minutes. However, you can leave it on for an extra 15-20 minutes, if desired. It is suggested that you can add shampoo to your hair to cut back on the natural oiliness of the mayonnaise, finally ending with a thorough rinsing of your hair with cool water. Result: shiny and silky hair.
Coconut Milk.
Speaking of shampoo, did you know that coconut milk can be used as a natural shampoo? Recipes say that you require the following ingredients:
2/3 cups castile soap
1 tsp vitamin E oil
1 tsp coconut oil (microwave for 30 second, or on low heat on stove) until liquefied
Ingredients should be placed together in a container (insure you can place a lid on for shaking and storage), and mix the ingredients thoroughly by shaking the contents of the container very well. You can apply the natural shampoo to your hair as you would with regular shampoo, using a small amount to wash your hair. Due to the potency of the natural shampoo, one mixture should last you a while.
Another thing to add is that depending on the type of hair you have, you may not need to wash your hair every day. For some, washing their hair every day is an absolute must, as oil, grease and dirt gets trapped in their hair quite easily, after just a few days. Other hair types require a happy-medium of well-oiled hair in order to prevent hair from becoming dry and breaking, especially during colder seasons. So while washing one’s hair several times a week can help restore it back to life, washing one’s hair too much can strip hair of its nutrients.
Iron rich diet
Iron deficiency has been known to produce a pale look, bags and dark circles under the eyes, hair loss and other negative effects. Feeling tired is also a cause of not having enough iron in your diet. Iron is an essential mineral that maintains a normal cellular function in your body. Foods like spinach, kidney beans, clams and mussels, lentils, and tofu are some of many foods that contain a high source of iron. The highest sources are found in lean meats and seafood.
Sources: prevention.com, livestrong.com, realsimple.com, freepeople.com