The act of smiling is good for you. The facial movement when smiling triggers positive endorphins to be released. In fact, a fake smile produces the same thing because this physical muscle movement tells the endorphins to expose themselves. Happiness cranks up and stress backs down. Facial expression can give our mood away or cover up our mood. I might grin and bear a conversation I don’t agree with or want to be part of. Smiling tricks the brain to be happy. Positive thoughts produce smiling. Smiling is a facial expression that influences our mood. When we smile and someone sees us smile, it can evoke their feelings to smile too. Smiling becomes contagious. Besides, we certainly make more friends when we smile and make ourselves appear approachable.
Smiling makes you more attractive. Showing those teeth makes you more desirable. I mean think of a dating website…. do you go for the person with a straight face?? This isn’t a passport photo. You display innocence and kindness that make you appear trustworthy with a smile. Your own confidence increases too. When you are more sure of yourself you become more productive and motivated. It’s almost like a painkiller and alleviator to a bad day. Stress can be reduced and then blood pressure lowers.
We smile for photos all the time right?? A smile can be someone’s best feature. Just like other muscles in our body, we have to exercise the ones in the face and smile. Smiling can really ease the tension in a room. We go through life on a roller coaster, but we have to remember to smile and think of what makes us happy, thankful, and loved. I use my smile to help other people because I know a smile can make someone’s day. We often times forget that we influence other people’s lives all the time. So don’t be that person in the photo who doesn’t smile. Be the one who’s pearly whites sparkle grin makes heads turn in the room.
BLOG 216 APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
When yeast is added to traditional apple juice, the fruit sugar turns into alcohol. That is the premise of fermentation. The bacteria in this alcohol then become acetic acid. This acid is the culprit for the sour taste and smell of vinegar. We use vinegar to bake, cook, it’s in most salad dressings, and it is readily used as a preservative. It is not meant to be used in high amounts due to its acidity. Over consumption can lead to stomach problems, damage to your teeth, and it is not good for the lining of your throat. So why are we hearing so many claims that apple cider vinegar is great for our health??
Research doesn’t support many of the claims we hear about this vinegar. Mixing a couple tablespoons with water has been used for several health tricks. Apple cider vinegar has been used as a home remedy dating back to the early Greeks. At that time, it was used topically to treat wounds.
Today, we hear about this product being used for weight loss, to make dandruff go away, clear acne, and to improve heart health. The link to weight loss is based on the notion that vinegar improves blood sugar levels. This would then help people with type 2 diabetes which is associated with obesity. Some say that it is an appetite suppressant. Others say it interferes with the body’s ability to digest starch which means less enters the blood stream.
Vinegar also has antioxidants which can help with cellular repair.
It has been said to cure the common cold because germs can’t survive in the acidic environment that vinegar ingested creates.
When it comes to your gut, apple cider vinegar has the good bacteria that can help with an upset stomach and help stop diarrhea.
It has also been used to stop hiccups.
The potassium and enzymes in this vinegar have been said to increase energy. The potassium can also help with leg cramps.
It has also been said to white teeth when used as a toothpaste.
Some claim it help the coloring of bruising go away.
The key is that a little goes a long way. It is a weak acid, but it is still acid in your body. Having too much can cause heartburn and bloating. Although it may claim to suppress your appetite, prolonged use will damage the stomach’s lining. This is also true for teeth whitening use because eventually your enamel will deteriorate from the acidity. Home remedies are effective in the eye of the beholder and can be the first responder application to a problem that could be treated without too much effort. Do what is best for your body and what works for your body. That is the freedom of choice and the freedom to control your health’s destiny.
BLOG 215 CHAPPED LIPS
Chapped lips can happen at any time to anyone making the lips dry, scaly, or even sore. Some of the main culprits of this condition include dehydration, sun exposure, smoking, constantly licking the lips, possible vitamin deficiency, weather, and breathing through the mouth. As a result, the lips might crack, peel, flake, or feel tender.
There are few home remedies that can help chapped lips. These include:
1. Exfoliation: It is important to remove the dead skin cells off the chapped lips and this can be done by creating a paste with sugar and honey.
2. Coconut oil: This is a natural moisturizer.
3. Caster oil: This is effective at hydrating.
4. Aloe vera gel: This can help with any pain from the chapped lips.
5. Cucumbers: When rubbed lightly on the lips, the juice helps hydrate.
6. Petroleum jelly: This is effective when applied several times during the day.
7. Water: In general, at least drink those 8 recommended glasses per day.
Moisture in the body is a must to keep the lips fresh and smooth. Winter is a hard month for the lips as the skin is literally breaking from this lack of moisture. There’s a lack of humidity and the air is dry. Licking the lips only makes the problem worse because once the saliva dries, it is back to dryness over and over again. Certain lipsticks and products contain chemicals and allergens that can dry the lips. Medications can do this too. This is why the plain, boring, lip balms and moisturizes are more effective. When it comes to flaky skin on the lips, the best idea is to just let it be don’t pick at it and force it to be removed when it is not ready to come off yet. Look for moisturizes that have a wax protectant and vitamin E. Topical steroids can also be used. Sometimes a person finds a chap stick they love and almost become addicted to application due to the fragrance or taste. However, sometimes constant application can cause further irritation. For those with sensitivity, there are hypoallergenic lip balms. If all else fails, a dermatologist can recommend a solution.
Having chapped lips is a very common problem as our lips are constantly being exposed to the weather, to our movement activity of the area, to our foods and beverages, to our talking, kissing, and for the ladies to their lipsticks, liners, and glosses. Plump and luscious lips are in, but not the type that are dry, flaky, and irritated. Keep your smile vibrant and your lips moisturized. Just another reason to drink water, eat healthy, and practice good self-care.
BLOG 214 ENERGY DRINKS
A pick me up, wake me up, pre workout, pre event, you name the need for an energy drink. They started out so innocently with Red Bull and what a Starbucks fancy drink could do. They have now evolved into a market of their own. They’re widely promoted and claim to improve performance. They have actually become the most popularly consumed dietary supplement next to multivitamins. Men between the ages of 18 to 34 years consume the most amount while 1/3 of teen between the ages of 12 to 17 have them on a regular basis. Suddenly sitting through class requires a drink, going to the gym require a drink, heading out for a night on the town means starting with a drink, or just to get through the tail end of a day.
There are basically two types. There are the typical 16oz can or bottle type or the 2 to 3oz energy shot. Caffeine is the main component of these drinks, totaling up to 240mg in that 16oz or about 200mg per shot. A typical 12oz canned soda has about 35mg and a standard 8oz cup of coffee has about 100mg. Caffeine overload certainly provides that alertness and spike. Other ingredients might include guarana which is a Brazilian caffeine source, sugar, ginseng, vitamin B, and carnitine.
Science is showing that there are a number of poor health effects when it comes to these drinks. Energy drinks have actually resulted in hospital visits. About 25% of college students mix them with alcohol. Those who do this have been found to report higher rates of drunk driving, unprotected sex, and other alcohol related injuries. The CDC reports that a person is four times more likely to report binge drinking when they also have an energy drink.
A person might feel might alert or feel that their performance has improved, but excessive intake of caffeine takes its toll. It can lead to poor sleep problems, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, can cause dehydration, can lead to anxiety, and can also upset the stomach. The bottom line is that we live in a world that favors excess. I won’t work out as well, I won’t have as much fun, or I will be tired are all reasons energy drinks can lure a person in. Then this become a habit and then this becomes part of the routine. The excess sugar goes to the waistline and the poor decision making leads to a bad recipe just for a drink. Better off with just coffee. Better off with just getting good sleep. Better off with keep in it simple and clean.