Jan 31, 2010

Healthy looking, glowing, beautiful skin

Healthy skin comes from being healthy on the inside. Your skin will not look great if your diet is bad and your digestive system is rebelling.  You only can abuse your body to a certain degree before it shows signs.  So be sensible. Everything in moderation!

Feel like need a few changes in your life? Make sure that you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, cut back on animal products as much as possible, cut out caffeine, alcohol and smoking. Drink plenty of filtered, if possible alkaline water. Most importantly, get good quality sleep at night. Every hour sleep you get before midnight does magic to your body’s renewal and healing. Learn to meditate. Meditation will not just make you feel better but you will live longer.

We are so used to buying everything in the shops that simple, cheap and natural products are truly hard to get. I want to share with you a few simple recipes I use to renew and nurture my skin. The result is visible right away and your skin will be grateful for the treatment if you keep using it frequently.

Cucumber and Oats Facial Mask:
Wash and chop up a fresh cucumber. Add a tablespoonful of oats to it and mix them in the blender or food processor.  Make sure that the mixture is creamy and not too runny otherwise too hard to apply on your face. The oats will make a big difference in how creamy your mask is. Cleanse your face and apply the mask. Have a rest or meditate for ten-fifteen minutes with the mask on your face to enjoy maximum benefits. When the mask has dried wash it off with a face washing cloth in warm water. If you are going out, apply some Herbalife outer nutrition. Skin Activator is best I have found. Next time you can add some honey, almond oil or/and egg yolk to your mask. A beaten egg white is great as a facial mask. 
 Benefits of Cucumber
Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is a trace mineral that contributes to the strength of our connective tissue. Connective tissue is what holds our body together. Cucumber is effective when used for various skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. They also contain ascorbic and caffeic acids. These acids prevent water retention. Cucumber applied topically is often helpful for swollen eyes, burns, and dermatitis.
Cucumber’s nutritional benefits include natural salts, enzymes, and vitamins essential for strong cell growth and repair. In addition, the high mineral content in cucumber peel offers a natural source of fresh, powerful antioxidants. The alkalinity of cucumber is also a positive attribute, and because of its water base, the cucumber is also a top choice as a diuretic. It also has a cleansing action within the body by removing accumulated pockets of old waste material and chemical toxins. If you want a happy skin, then cucumber is the answer. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easier for cucumber to mask all the problem areas. It helps in soothing and softening your skin and can get you relaxed in no time. With so many useful ingredients in cucumber it can help you in treating so many skin problems. It has become part of daily beauty product into face packs, facials, juice and many other things, which can affect your skin. Due to its cooling effect it can be termed as a magic wand for all your skin problems. The cleaning and cleansing property helps your skin tremendously making it soft and supple. The regular intake of cucumber juice is very useful both internally and externally.

To have a healthy glowing and smooth skin use this recipe
Blend 4 - 5 leafs of fresh mint.
Peel and deseed the cucumber.
Add mint leaves to the cucumber to make a puree.
Beat egg white and keep it separate, then add this egg white to the cucumber mixture. Apply this evenly on your face for 20 minutes and then rinse it with water and pat it dry.

Benefits of Oats:
Oats are amazingly high in calcium, potassium and magnesium, together with lots of B complex – all are vital to a healthy nervous system. It is a source of the phytochemical, phytic acid that has a range of anti-cancer effects. Oats are a natural antidepressant, great against stress and anxiety and will calm you down. Eating oats frequently will lower your cholesterol.  It also helps relieve fatigue. Oats are actually considered to be one of nature's most fabulous aphrodisiacs.
Because oats are slightly rough, they are one of nature's most amazing exfoliates. They soften the skin, making it super duper silky smooth. Oats have actually been clinically shown to help heal dry, itchy skin. Speaking of dry itchy skin, many people who suffer from eczema say that an oatmeal bath totally sorts them out! They are totally hypoallergenic unlike many of the ingredients that are given to people who have eczema by doctors. Oats can also soothe chicken pox, mosquito bites, and dry skin (caused by excessive central heating, pollution etc.) They soothe mild burns, any type of irritated skin. Whether you are choosing oats to eat for breakfast, to increase sexuality, or to enjoy soft smooth skin, make sure you buy just plain old (organic of course) oats. Avoid the "just add water" oats and the already flavored oats. If you really want to splash out, you can find raw oats, as most oats have been heated to keep them from going rancid.

Oat and Honey Milk Bath
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup almond milk (you can buy your own, or simply soak some almonds overnight and blend them up!
5-6 drops of lavender (to ensure that you truly chill out in your bath!)
Place the ingredients in a small, natural fabric bag, such as hemp, muslin or cheesecloth. Hang the bag under the faucet as you fill the tub, then put the bag into the bath as you soak up the goodies.

Enjoy good health and healthy skin!

Jan 23, 2010

Longevity and healing by Oil Pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic method

How would you feel is someone told you that you could live up to 150 years by using a simple method every day? How would you feel is someone told you that this method had been used by the Indians for thousand of years and it is a simple way to remove toxins from your body and heal many illnesses and diseases?
Oil Pulling is reported to cure mouth disease, stiff joints, allergies, asthma, high blood sugar, constipation, migraines, bronchitis, eczema, heart, kidney and lung diseases, leukemia, arthritis, meningitis, insomnia, menopause, hormonal issues, cancer, AIDS, chronic infections, varicose veins, high blood pressure, diabetes, polio, cracked heels and many more. 
Interestingly, Ayurveda advises oil swishing "to purify the taste-buds and the entire system", as explained by Dr Deepak Chopra in Perfect Health. According to this life science, the tongue is mapped by organ-locations - that is, each section of the tongue is connected to the kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, small intestines, stomach, colon and spine. Thus, an oil-massage soothes and stimulates the key meridians where taste meets organ. Simultaneously, as in any skin-massage, the inner skin and lining of the mouth, palate and tongue become warm and supple and the lubrication prevents dryness (the vatic effect). The Ayurvedic purification of the taste buds also has its equivalent in dietetics as 'antioxidants'. Oxidation literally means 'the purification of body-tissues'. 
Oil pulling was a regiment developed by Dr Karach. It is a healing procedure involving cold pressed oils. Using this method, one could heal a lot of chronic illnesses, diseases preventing the need for surgery or medication. 


What did the procedure involve?
It is swishing 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed oil in your mouth first thing in the morning on empty stomach for around 15-20 minutes. Doing so would heal the tissues of all your organs at the same time. Harmful toxins would be eliminated without destroying any beneficial pro-biotics. Moreover, making this as your daily routine would prolong your lifespan according to Dr Karach. Make sure that you DO NOT swallow the oil. Slowly swish the oil in your mouth sipping, sucking it through your teeth. Use your saliva to swish the oil around in your mouth. Doing this will use your enzymes, which in turn will draw out harmful toxins out of your bloodstream. So make sure the oil is not swallowed as it will absorb toxins. As you continue oil pulling, the oil gets more thin and turns white. After 20 min spit it out in the sink or the toilet. If the colour is not white, it means you are not done. Next time, do it longer. Your oral cavity should be thoroughly rinsed. You can rinse it with salt water, use normal tap water and good old fingers to clean or if you wish, brush your teeth as normal. After you've done, clean the sink, because it may contain lots of harmful toxins that you just eliminated. 
Oil Pulling will generally increase your metabolic rate, your energy and thus your health. 
The oil pulls all mucous, bacteria and toxins from your body through your saliva. According to Ayurvedic medicine, mucous is a poison that is toxic that must be removed. There is no doubt now that the health of your mouth is directly linked to your organ health. The bacteria in your mouth, the really bad stuff that forms plaque, is very attracted to the acids in the oil. As your mouth is populating with all this nasty bacteria (or worse, infections) you are swallowing the stuff. That bacteria is attacking you internally. That is why some people have had heart attacks after a dental procedure, like a root canal, that infuses their body with nasty stuff. Oil Pulling simply removes bad bacteria and toxins so that it cannot go anywhere else. 
TIPS:
Keep your chin tilted up makes sure the oil gets to the back molars. If you oil pull after meals, wait at least 4 hours before you oil pull and one hour after drinking. 
A worsening of symptoms is an excellent indication that the disease/ailment is being dealt with and being cured. Do not stop Oil Pulling if you feel aggravated symptoms or heightened side effects after a day or two. Your body is healing. 
Change what oil you use, you will get different results and gain new energy. Recommended oils: best results are reported with organic cold-pressed Seasame Oil, Sunflower Oil and Coconut Oil. 
It is most astonishing what a great result can be achieved by this absolutely harmless biological healing method. One of the most striking results of this process is the fastening of loose teeth, the elimination of bleeding gums and the visible whitening of the teeth. 
Watch Natasha's video on how to do Oil Pulling 

The CHINA STUDY - most comprehensive nutrition study ever conducted

My personal opinion is this. Anyone who cares about his/her good health and interested in good nutrition should read this book.  Everyone who works in the medical profession should read it. What we do with this information after reading the book is a private matter. Some will apply it some won't. Good health is a choice.


THE CHINA STUDY by T. Colin Campbell PhD and Thomas M. Campbell
Startling implications for diet, weight loss and long term health.
Published by Benbella Books Dallas, Texas in 2006.

Watch The China Study series on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dXIFEWg-As

4th January 2010 change to plant-based diet

Once you chose the path of good health it is amazing how things pop up to take you deeper on this path to help you and heal you. My journey to good health seems to be an ongoing process with lots of exciting learning, great experiences and wonderful results. Not to mention the amazing people I have met in person or who's books and websites I have read. They are all out there spreading the news on a healthier diet that could save humanity and the planet from self-destruction. They are advocating this diet against the food industry, diary, meat, McDonalds, Coca Cola, drug companies, the medical profession who is as clueless about nutrition as one can be and many huge companies and governments who does not represent the best interest of the population. 


On 4th January 2010 as a result of reading The China Study and watching the 14-parts video series on YouTube I decided to get back to being vegetarian and this time to go even further. I made a commitment to my health and go on a plant-based diet. Strangely enough, any other time I would never even attempt it and sure would not be able to do it. Not even for a day. However, after reading The China Study it was a logical step and a very easy one. In the last two weeks I ate mostly raw fresh fruits and vegetables with a tiny bit of rice or pasta if I was out. I experienced  right away a huge increase in energy and a better quality sleep at night. I also noticed right after the first days that my skin became more smooth and moist. My heels are the real indicators of any change and I extremely pleased with what I am experiencing. I am looking at food and at people with very different eyes. The China study has changed my life. 

Dec 21, 2009

Brain Plasticity - Tibetan Monks in the Lab


We know that meditation is beneficial. See the video of Tibetan Buddhist Monks - Meditation and Science
We are responsible for our happiness. We are as happy as we make up our mind to be. We know that the brain is capable of building new neuron-connections. Making music is one of the best way of building connections and change the structure of our brain and to find happiness. Train your mind, change your brain.
How meditation can change the brain is now scientifically examined.

A series of video recordings are available about this examination with Tibetan Monks and the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan Monks in the Lab 1/3
Tibetan Monks in the Lab 2/3
Tibetan Monks in the Lab 3/3

Nov 24, 2009

MUSIC STUDIO SCHEDULE 2010

Piano, Singing, 
Musicianship & Theory 
Music lessons will commence on 
Monday, 11 January 2010.
30/45/60 min classes are available. 

Brighton Up! Choir 
Our adult choir will commence on Thursday, 21 January 2010
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7.30pm-9.00pm
Rehearsal fee: $5
Venue: St Leonard's Uniting Church, Meeting Room, 
2 Wolseley Grove, Brighton
For enquiries please email: lifestyleimprovementcoach@gmail.com

Nov 22, 2009

END OF YEAR CONCERT 2009


You are invited to our End of Year Student and Choral Concert!
The concert is at 4.15pm on Sunday, 13th December 2009
St Leonard's Uniting Church, Meeting Room at 2 Wolseley Grove, Brighton, Melbourne
Hope to see you there!
Piroska

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