Wednesday, May 29, 2013

45 Uses For Lemons That Will Blow Your Socks Off


More on LEMON!! Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to soothe sore throats and add some citrus flavor to our foods. However the diversity of applications for lemons far exceeds general knowledge and once you read the following list, you’ll likely want to stock at least a few lemons in your kitchen 24-7.

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1. Freshen the Fridge
Remove refrigerator odors with ease. Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours. (Be sure to toss any malodorous items that might be causing the smell.)
2. High Blood Pressure
Lemon contains potassium which controls high blood pressure and reduces the effect of nausea and dizziness.
3. Prevent Cauliflower From Turning Brown
Cauliflower tends to turn brown with even the slightest cooking. Make sure the white stays white by squeezing on a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice before heating.
4. Mental Health
Lemon water can pep your mood and relieve you from depression and stress. Long distance walkers and world travelers as well as explorers look upon lemon as a Godsend. At the onset of fatigue, suck the lemon juice through a hole in the top. Quick acting medicine it is, providing almost utmost refreshment.
5. Restart Cutting Boards
No wonder your kitchen cutting board smells! After all, you use it to chop shallots, crush garlic, and prepare fish. To rid the smell and sanitize the cutting board, cut a lemon in half and rub it all over.
6. Respiratory Problems
Lemon water can reduce phlegm. It can also help with proper breathing and aids those suffering with asthma.
7. Treating Arthritis and Rheumatism
Lemon is a diuretic - it assists in the production of urine which helps reduce inflammation by flushing out toxins and bacteria while also giving you relief from arthritis and rheumatism.
8. Prevents Kidney Stones
Regular consumption of the refreshing drink: lemon juice mixed with water may increase the production of urinary citrate, a chemical in the urine that prevents the formation of crystals that could become kidney stones.
9. Keep Insects Out of the KitchenYou don’t need insecticides or ant traps in your kitchen: just give it the lemon treatment! First, squirt some lemon juice on door thresholds and windowsills. Then squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in. Finally, scatter small slices of lemon peel around the outdoor entrance. The ants will get the message that they aren’t welcome. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas: simply mix the juice and rinds of 4 lemons with 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water and wash your floors with it. These pests hate the smell.
10. Anti-Aging
Lemon water reduces the production of free radicals responsible for aging skin and skin damage. Lemon water is calorie free and an antioxidant.
11. Fruit and Vegetable Wash
You never know what kind of pesticides or dirt lurking on the skin of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Slice your lemon and squeeze a tablespoon of juice into a spray bottle with water. The lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and will leave your fruits and vegetables smelling nice too.
12. Treat Infections
Lemon water can fight throat infections due to its antibacterial property. If salt water doesn't work for you, try lemon water for gargling.
13. Deodorize Your Garbage 
If your garbage is beginning to smell yucky, here’s an easy way to deodorize it: Save leftover lemon and orange peels and toss them at the base under the bag. Repeat once every couple of weeks.
14. Keep Guacamole Green
You’re making guacamole for the big party, and you don’t want it to turn brown before the guests arrive. Simply sprinkle a liberal amount of fresh lemon juice over it and it will stay fresh and green - and the flavor of the lemon juice is a natural complement. Make fruit salad in advance too. Just squeeze some lemon juice onto the apple slices, and they’ll stay snowy white.
15. Purges The Blood
We consume a lot of junk food or food with a lot of preservatives and artificial flavours. This builds up  toxins in the blood and body. Daily consumption of lemon water helps to purify the blood!
16. Make Soggy Lettuce Crisp
Don’t toss that soggy lettuce into the garbage. With the help of a little lemon juice you can instead toss it in a salad. Add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water. Then put the soggy lettuce in it and refrigerate for 1 hour. Make sure to dry the leaves completely before using in salads or sandwiches.
17. Oral Health
Lemon juice also stops bleeding gums and reduces toothaches.
18. Lighten Age Spots
Why buy expensive creams when you’ve got lemon juice? To lighten liver spots or freckles, try applying lemon juice directly to the area. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse your skin clean. It’s a safe and effective skin-lightening agent.
19. Create Blonde Highlights
For salon-worthy highlights, add 1/4 cup lemon juice to 3/4 cup water and rinse your hair with the mixture. Then, sit in the sun until your hair dries. To maximize the effect, repeat once daily for up to a week.
20. Make a Room Scent/Humidifier
Freshen and moisturize the air in your home on dry winter days. Make your own room scent that doubles as a humidifier. If you have a wood-burning stove, place an enameled cast-iron pot or bowl on top, fill with water, and add lemon (and/or orange) peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and apple skins. No wood-burning stove? Use your stovetop instead and simply simmer the water periodically.
21. Clean and Whiten Nails
Pamper your hands without a manicurist. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 cup warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 5 minutes. After pushing back the cuticles, rub some lemon peel back and forth against the nail.
22. Cleanse Your Face
Zap zits naturally by dabbing lemon juice on blackheads to draw them out during the day. You can also wash your face with lemon juice for a natural cleanse and exfoliation. Your skin should improve after several days of treatment. Lemon water is also a cooling agent, best way to beat the heat.
23. Freshen Your Breath
Make an impromptu mouthwash by rinsing with lemon juice straight from the bottle. Swallow for longer-lasting fresh breath. The citric acid in the juice alters the pH level in your mouth, killing bacteria that causes bad breath. Don't forget to rinse, as long-term exposure to lemon acid can harm tooth enamel.
24. Treat Flaky Dandruff
If itchy, scaly dandruff has you scratching your head, relief is in your fridge. Just massage two tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir one teaspoon lemon juice into one cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until the flakes disappear.
25. Get Rid of Tough Stains on MarbleYou probably think of marble as stone, but it is really petrified calcium (also known as old seashells), so it's porous and easily stained and damaged. If washing won’t remove a stubborn stain, cut a lemon in half, dip the exposed flesh into some table salt, and rub it vigorously on the stain. But do this only as a last resort; acid can damage marble. Rinse well!
26. Remove Berry Stains
It sure was fun to pick your own berries, but now your fingers are stained with berry juice that won’t come off no matter how much you scrub with soap and water. Try washing your hands with undiluted lemon juice, then wait a few minutes and wash with warm, soapy water. Repeat until your hands are stain-free.
27. Soften Dry, Scaly Elbows
For better looking (and feeling) elbows, mix baking soda and lemon juice to make an abrasive paste, and rub it into your elbows for a soothing, smoothing, and exfoliating treatment. Then rinse in a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water. Finally, massage with olive oil and dab dry with a soft cloth.
28. Headaches 
Lemon juice with a few teaspoons of hot tea is the treatment of a sophisticated New York bartender, for those who suffer with hangover headaches, as well as headaches from other causes. He converts his customers to this regime, weaning them away from drug remedies completely.
29. Chills and Fevers
Chills and fevers may be due to a variety of causes - never the less, the lemon is always a helpful remedy. Spanish physicians regard it as an infallible friend.
30. Diptheria
Skip the vaccine for this disease. Lemon Juice Treatment still proves as one of the most powerful antiseptics and the strong digestive qualities of the fruit are admired around the world. With the juice every hour or two, and at the same time, 1/2 to 1 tsp. should be swallowed. This cuts loose the false membrane in the throat and permits it to come out.
31. Vaginal Hygiene
Diluted lemon juice makes a safe and sane method of vaginal hygiene. As a powerful antiseptic it is  free from irritating drugs in douches and suppositories.
32. Forget The Moth Balls
A charming French custom to keep closets free from moths is to take ripe lemons and stick them with cloves all over the skin. The heavily studded lemons slowly dry with their cloves, leaving a marvelous odor throughout the closets and rooms.
33. Stomach Health
Digestive ailments are common but warm water and lime juice is the solution to most digestive problems. Lemon juice helps to purify the blood, reduces your chances of indigestion, constipation, eliminates toxins from the body, adds digestion and reduces phlegm.
34. Disinfect Cuts and Scrapes
Stop bleeding and disinfect minor cuts and scraps by pouring a few drops of lemon juice directly on the cut. You can also apply the juice with a cotton ball and hold firmly in place for one minute.
35. Soothe Poison Ivy Rash
You won’t need an ocean of calamine lotion the next time poison ivy comes a-creeping. Just apply lemon juice directly to the affected area to soothe itching and alleviate the rash.
36. Remove Warts
You’ve tried countless remedies to banish warts and nothing seems to work. Next time, apply a dab of lemon juice directly to the wart using a cotton swab. Repeat for several days until the acids in the lemon juice dissolve the wart completely.
37. Bleach Delicate FabricsAvoid additional bleach stains by swapping ordinary household chlorine bleach with lemon juice, which is milder but no less effective. Soak your delicates in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing.
38. Clean Tarnished Brass and Polish Chrome
Say good-bye to tarnish on brass, copper, or stainless steel. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt (or substitute baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and coat the affected area. Let it stay on for 5 minutes. Then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry. Use the same mixture to clean metal kitchen sinks too. Apply the paste, scrub gently, and rinse.Get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome. Simply rub lemon rind over the chrome and watch it shine! Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.
39. Replace Your Dry Cleaner
Ditch the expensive dry-cleaning bills (and harsh chemicals) with this homegrown trick. Simply scrub the stained area on shirts and blouses with equal parts lemon juice and water. Your “pits” will be good as new, and smell nice too!
40. Boost Laundry Detergent
For more powerful cleaning action, pour 1 cup lemon juice into the washer during the wash cycle. The natural bleaching action of the juice will zap stains and remove rust and mineral discolorations from cotton T-shirts and briefs Your clothes will turn out brighter and also come out smelling lemony fresh.
41. Rid Clothes of Mildew
Have you ever unpacked clothes you stored all winter and discovered some are stained with mildew? To get rid of it, make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub it on the affected area, then dry the clothes in sunlight. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
42. Eliminate Fireplace Odor
There’s nothing cozier on a cold winter night than a warm fire burning in the fireplace - unless the fire happens to smell horrible. Next time you have a fire that sends a stench into the room, try throwing a few lemon peels into the flames. Or simply burn some lemon peels along with your firewood as a preventive measure.
43. Neutralize Cat-Box Odor
You don’t have to use an aerosol spray to neutralize foul-smelling cat-box odors - or to freshen the air in your bathroom. Just cut a couple of lemons in half. Then place them, cut side up, in a dish in the room, and the air will soon smell lemon-fresh.
44. Deodorize a Humidifier
When your humidifier starts to smell funky, deodorize it with ease: Just pour 3 or 4 teaspoons lemon juice into the water. It will not only remove the off odor but will replace it with a lemon-fresh fragrance. Repeat every couple of weeks to keep the odor from returning.
45. Reduce Asthma SymptomsIn addition to a general detoxifying diet, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice before each meal, and before retiring can reduce asthma symptoms.
* If you do consume lemon peel, stick to organic lemons to reduce your pesticide exposure.
~with Thanks to Paul Quaiser

8 Beliefs that Make You More Resilient


What you believe either weakens you or makes you stronger.
Running through water

 
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Most people live lives of quiet desperation because they focus on things that they cannot control: outside events, things that happened in the past, what other people are thinking... As a result, they fail to focus on what they can control: their own thoughts and beliefs, their own attitude, their own emotions, and their own behavior.

Of these four things, by far the most important are your thoughts and beliefs, because what you believe about life largely determines how you see, feel (your attitude and emotions) and what actions you take (your resulting behavior.)

Here are eight personal beliefs that not only will propel you completely out of desperation but give you the emotional stamina to handle just about anything the business world throws at you. Here they are:

1.  If I allow success to make me complacent about staying motivated and moving forward, today's success can breed tomorrow's lethargy. Embrace opportunity and enjoy the challenge.
2. I learn more from failure than from success. Failure renews my humility, demands and sharpens my objectivity and makes me more resilient. Learn from lessons.
3. Goals that contain the phrase "I'll try..." are half-commitments. If I want goals that truly motivate me, I use phrases like "I will" and "I must." Strive to achieve.
4. What holds most people back is fear of failure - yet if I don't take action, I'll fail by default, so what have I got to lose? Feel the fear and do it anyway: great motto.
5. What I say reinforces what I think, so if something is about to come out of my mouth that doesn't serve my purpose, I simply keep my mouth shut. Watch the words you use internally also, treat yourself with utmost respect.
6. I am responsible for my own happiness, so when other people are unkind to me, it reminds me to be kind to myself and forgive them for not knowing what is best for all of us.
7. There are five magic words that make even the most difficult situation easier to handle. Those magic words are: "Do not take it personally."
8. While there are situations (such as a death in the family) where strong emotions are appropriate, most business situations are not worth even an ounce of misery. Keep things in perspective, with peace of mind at the forefront. 

~with thanks to Geoffrey James

Monday, May 27, 2013

When Life gives you a lemon......


When Life gives you a lemon, put it in your freezer?

Are you a vitamin water junky? Have you been paying $2-$4 a bottle for a "fortified" water drink?

Well why not make your own vitamin water that comes straight from mother nature herself, save a few bucks and actually know what is in that water?! 
Novel idea , right? Are you ready for this?
FREEZE YOUR LEMONS!
We all know that lemons are loaded with Vitamin C (helps to neutralize free radicals linked to aging and most types of disease, as well as fight colds and flu). But did you know that lemons contain more health-benefitting nutrients than other citrus fruits like oranges or tangerines?
They contain citric acid, flavonoids, B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber. Surprisingly, the lemon peel contains as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice.
My nickname is Lemon, I use it everywhere everywhere, love love love it!!

Below is a list of some of the many benefits of this powerful and flavorful little fruit:

• Lemons contain more potassium than apples or grapes.
• Lemons help restore balance to the body’s pH. Start your day with clean water and  the juice of 1/2 a lemon. 
• Lemons help detoxify the liver and improve regularity. Yes, a glass of purified water with fresh lemon juice is an important way to start the day.
• The citric acid in lemon juice helps to dissolve gallstones, calcium deposits, and kidney stones.
• The lemon peel contains the potent phytonutrient tangeretin, which has been proven to be effective for brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
• Lemons have powerful antibacterial properties; experiments have found the juice of lemons destroy the bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases. They can also destroy intestinal worms.
• The Vitamin P (bioflavonoid) in lemons strengthens blood vessels and is useful in treating high blood pressure.
• Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including naturally occurring limonene, which studies have shown slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals.
As we make our way through spring and the heat of summer, throw a couple of lemons into the freezer and grate your way to a thirst quenching and refreshing drink while boosting your health! And GRATING frozen lemons is not just good for wetting the whistle! Try grating into your favorite dishes; seafood, chicken, pasta, salads, soups or just about anything that would be sassier with a little citrus twist! Of course, put the chopped lemon (at least 1/2, including the peel) in your morning green smoothie - its flavor with dominate and you'll feel sunny and fresh.
Here's to great squeezing your way to a better healthier you!!! 

Monday, May 20, 2013

SUNSCREENS - which to avoid and why


What Not to Bring on Vacation

Packing for your next vacation or day in the sun?  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) believes these items should never make it into your suitcase, beach bag or backpack.
No Spray Sunscreens

1) No Spray Sunscreens

Given the ease of applying them on squirming kids and hard-to-reach areas, these super-popular aerosolized sunscreens may seem like a dream come true. But there’s growing concern that these sprays pose serious inhalation risks. They also make it too easy to apply too little or to miss a spot, leaving bare skin exposed to harmful rays.
Even though the Food and Drug Administration expressed concern in 2011 about the safety and efficacy of spray sunscreens, companies continue to turn them out. One in every four beach and sport products in our 2013 sunscreen report are sprays. They’re found in products such as:
CVS Sheer Mist Sunscreen, SPF 70
Coppertone Sport Pro Series Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50
Banana Boat Sport Performance CoolZone Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 30
No Super-High SPFs

2) No Super-High SPFs

Products with sky-high SPFs may protect against sunburn but could leave your skin exposed to damaging UVA rays.
Although the letters SPF stand for “sun protection factor,” this refers only to protection against UVB radiation, which burns the skin. It has nothing to do with the sun’s UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin, suppress the immune system, accelerate skin aging and may cause skin cancer.
One in seven of the sunscreens in EWG’s sunscreen guide this year boasts SPFs higher than SPF 50+. These high-SPF products may tempt people to stay in the sun too long, suppressing sunburns but upping the risk of other kinds of skin damage. The FDA is considering limiting SPF claims to 50+, as is done in other countries. Capping SPF ratings would cut down on the false sense of security that higher numbers can impart.
EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled with anything higher than SPF 50+ and reapply sunscreen often, regardless of SPF. Some high-SPF products:
Banana Boat Kids MAX Protect & Play Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110
Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Spray Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 100+
No Oxybenzone

3) No Oxybenzone

Commonly used in sunscreens, the chemical oxybenzone penetrates the skin, gets into the bloodstream and acts like estrogen in the body. It can also trigger allergic reactions. Data are preliminary, but studies have found a link between higher concentrations of oxybenzone and health harms. One study has linked oxybenzone to endometriosis in older women; another found that women with higher levels of oxybenzone during pregnancy had lower birth weight daughters.
Nearly half of all beach and sport sunscreens in this year’s guide contain oxybenzone, including:
Rite Aid Ultimate Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 85
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Face Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid, SPF 60
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 30
Aveeno Active Naturals protect + Hydrate Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
No Loose Powder Sunscreens

4) No Loose Powder Sunscreens

Loose powder sunscreens are designed to be used on the face and scalp. They often contain tiny particles of zinc and titanium that can potentially offer strong UV protection if enough sticks to the skin. But they end up in the lungs, too, inhaled from a cloud of airborne particles each time they’re applied. There, they can cause damage. Based on studies of rats and people who work in dusty environments, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies inhaled titanium dioxide as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Tiny zinc particles also irritate the lungs and could pass through skin into the body.
FDA’s current over-the-counter rules no longer allow loose powders, including loose powder makeup, to advertise an SPF or make claims of sun protection. But it granted small companies an extra year to remove their powders from the market.
The bottom line? If there’s a chance you’ll breathe it, don’t buy it. EWG recommends that people stick to creams and avoid powders and sprays such as:
Go!screen Natural Mineral Powder Block Brush-on Sunscreen, SPF 30
No Retinyl Palmitate

5) No Retinyl Palmitate

When used in a night cream, this form of vitamin A is supposed to have anti-aging effects. But on sun-exposed skin, retinyl palmitate may speed development of skin tumors and lesions, according to government studies. Why is this “inactive ingredient” allowed in sunscreens intended for use in the sun? Good question.
The FDA has yet to rule on the safety of retinyl palmitate in skin care products, but EWG recommends that consumers avoid sunscreens containing this chemical.
Almost one in four of the SPF-rated sunscreens, makeups and moisturizers in this year’s guide contains retinyl palmitate, including:
Up & up Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Coppertone UltraGuard Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
CeraVe Body Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 50
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 60+
No Combined Sunscreen and Bug Repellants

6) No Combined Sunscreen/Bug Repellents

Skip products that combine bug repellent with sunscreen. Why? For starters, bugs are typically not a problem during the hours when UV exposure peaks. Also, sunscreen may need to be reapplied more frequently than repellent, or vice versa. We recommend that you avoid using repellents on your face, too. Studies indicating that combining sunscreens and repellents leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
EWG recommends that you skip products like:
Bull Frog Mosquito Coast Sunscreen with Insect Repellent, SPF 30
Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus, Cool ‘n Fabulous, SPF 30
No Tanning Oils

7) No Sunscreen Towelettes

FDA’s 2011 sunscreen rules ended the sale of sunscreen wipes and towelettes, but small companies have been granted another year to remove them from their product lines. One key question is whether you get enough sunscreen on your skin to ensure sun protection. EWG thinks these on-the-go packets are not worth the risk. So leave these and similar products on the shelf:
Sun X Sunscreen Towelettes, SPF 30+
No Sunscreen Towelettes

8) No Tanning Oils

Tanning oils are simply a bad idea. They promote risky behavior, encouraging users seek out intense sunshine that results in skin damage and increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Although some tanning oils contain sunscreen ingredients, the levels are always very low and offer little, if any, protection from the sun’s rays. Tanning oils are also associated with an increased danger of sunburn. Avoid products with SPF values lower than 15 or that don’t contain either zinc oxide or avobenzone for UVA protection, such as:
Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil, SPF 4

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