Get rid of Flab

Loose or Saggy is a result of various factors. It is a widespread problem, and many women are experiencing it everywhere. Loose skin occurs when you lose fat or after childbirth. For some saggy skin is a result of growing old or aging. Aging is a natural phenomenon, and it is constant to life. Nature itself has provided us with essential oils to tighten skin when they sag or go loose.

For humans, loose skin is almost unavoidable. The best we can do is to is to correct the skin when this happens by making it firm up. Skin tightening is, therefore, a form of anti-aging and pore-reducing treatment.

The process of skin tightening helps us to maintain a firm, taut skin. It also helps to minimize pores which then makes the skin to look fresh and flawless. Compared to the popularly expensive and chemical-filled beauty products, there are natural and healthy means that have been used to tighten the skin over time.

This alternative is to use essential oils. Cold pressing or steam distillation are the processes for the production of essential oils. They contain high powerful plant extracts that have medicinal and healing benefits.

Best Essential Oils To Tighten Skin

1. Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is beneficial in reducing the appearance of saggy skins. This oil is useful for the correction of age spots and the removal of sunspots. It helps to iron out the issue of skin discoloration.

Frankincense essential oil is severely potent in that it helps to shield the skin. It protects the skin from blemishes, large pores as a result of aging and wrinkles. Frankincense oil can strengthen skin and increase its defense tool against the invasion of bacteria.

This natural oil can reduce blemishes and improve appearance with age. Studies showthat it helps to reduce the appearance of scars, heal wounds and lift skin. It is useful for naturally removing surgery scars, improve healing of skin and oil dry skin.

How To: 

• Add six drops of frankincense oil to any carrier oil of your choice and apply topically to the skin.
• The mixture can be used on any saggy part of the body like jowls or under eyes.
• Remember to do a patch test first to avoid allergic reactions.

2. Neroli Oil

It is one of the best essential oils to tighten skin. Neroli oil contains a natural chemical called citral that helps in the regeneration of skin cells. It also helps to cause the growth of new tissue cells in the body while repairing old ones. This is possible because of its Citral content; which is a natural chemical that helps to renew cells.

Neroli oil decreases skin pores and increases skin elasticity, therefore making it suitable as a general anti-aging oil. It is useful for the creation of potent anti-aging masks and solutions. This oil is naturally effective without exposing the skin to any harms caused by most chemical skin treatments.

The oil is especially beneficial to people with sensitive and oily skin. It helps them to smoothen fine lines without any risk of pain.

How To: 

• Rub about four drops of Neroli oil on affected parts of the body.
• Applying it at night helps the body get the most benefit from therapeutic treatments

3. Lavender Oil

Arguably the best of essential oils to tighten skin, lavender oil not only helps to heal burns, cuts, and other conditions, it also improves skin cells; hence, repairing the skin.

The average American is today at risk of diseases that can shut down the body’s immune system. If this happens, it can cause a lot of damage to the body and consequently, the skin. Therefore, the body needs antioxidants to be able to ward off these risks.

Scientific studies prove that Lavender oil helps the body to provide three most important antioxidants for the body. These are glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Because lavender oil is rich in antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, it can be of immense benefit to the skin when mixed with coconut oil or aloe vera.

How To: 

• Mix lavender oil with frankincense oil or any carrier oil of your choice.
• Then, apply to body first thing after a bath in the morning or just before you go to bed.

4. Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil contains regenerative components that help to increase the generation of skin cells. It includes Astringent, a potent substance that helps to increase the rate at which biological tissues shrink and draw together. It is used medically to reduce swellings and is a significant content of cosmetic products.

Also, grapeseed oil helps to balance and maintain epithelium and nerve cells that reduce stretch marks plus tighten loose skin. The rate at which it causes tissues to shrink is the reason for an increased stimulation of blood flow. Blood flowing carries with it nutrients that the body needs and this causes the skin to become firmer and tighter.

How To:

• Pour few drops of grapeseed oil on your palms and rub together.
• After this, the body with the oil, concentrating on any part of the skin that needs tightening or healing.
• Apply the oil in the evening, before bed, and let it sit overnight for best results.

5. Pomegranate Oil

Pomegranate oil is a powerful, natural remedy that is employed in the treatment of skin related issues, even skin cancer. It has been trusted for centuries for its diverse healing abilities. It is favorite among many circles of healers and natural health enthusiasts.

Pomegranate juice is mostly linked to being an anti-aging compound. It gets its dark red color from its bioflavonoids content which is used in alternative medicine to treat allergies, support blood circulation and act as an antioxidant. Its dark color is also great for protecting the skin from damage caused by the sun.

This essential oil is best for tightening skin, treating sunburns and acting as a natural sunblock or sunscreen.

How To: 

• Pomegranate is applied by rubbing drops of it on the skin and massaging deeply into affected parts of the body.
• Apply the oil to clean skin and, if necessary, wash the area beforehand with a mild exfoliating scrub.
• Apply the oil in the evening, before bed, and let it sit overnight for best results.

6. Almond Oil

Last on our list of essential oils to tighten skin is Almond Oil. Almond essential oil is rich in vitamin E which has earned it its status as a great moisturizer. It is also potent in helping to get rid of the loose and saggy skin, including stretch marks. The oil contains antioxidant properties that can repair as well as rejuvenate new skin cells.

How To:

• A little drop of almond oil is powerful enough and can repair the skin if rubbed on every day.
• You can apply almond oil to every area of the skin, including under the eyes.
• Almond oil tightens the skin and leaves it soft and agile.

There you have 6 essential oils to tighten skin. Get rid of sagging skin and wrinkles and look as fresh as a baby.

Cautions, Usage, and Warnings!

The potency of essential oils should not be underestimated. It should be used with great caution. Pure essential oils are highly potent and concentrated hence, should not be applied indiscriminately to the skin.

Take care to dilute essential oils when appropriate, so they should be diluted with carrier oils such as olive oil, coconut oil,  jojoba oil or castor oil, sweet almond,  Grapeseed Oil, and Avocado Oil. The Best Carrier oil that I recommend is jojoba oil because it is healing and moisturizing for all skin types.

Before direct application on the skin. you can do a skin patch test to check its effects on your skin. Rub your diluted oil onto the inside of your forearm. If you don’t experience any irritation or discomfort within 24 hours, the oil should be safe for you to use

To blend your essential oils into a synergy, You only need to use a few drops of essential oil. The dosage varies, but the standard practice is to take 4 drops of any carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed, avocado, or any oil you’d like (preferably one without a strong scent) and add 1 drop of your essential oil blend to it. You can mix different essential oils together as long as you keep to these proportions.

You can make a large batch of the oil, or you can mix up a small batch as needed. When making a large batch, use significantly more oil than with on-demand batches. For example, a 16-ounce bottle of carrier oils would need at least 50 drops of essential oil, either alone or as part of a blend, for therapeutic effect.

I recommended that you start by making small blends for testing. These blends should consist of only 10-15 drops of essential oil total.

Starting out with a small blend is a good idea because it allows you to test your blend before committing yourself to a large batch. That way, if you hate the blend, you can use it in some other way (like a scent for a homemade cleaner)without it being too much of a financial loss.

Be sure to only use the purest grade of carrier oils since they have therapeutic properties of their own and enhance the action of the essential oils. Consider adding other elements, such as vitamin E oil or glycerin, for extra moisturizing.

Talk to your doctor or certified aromatherapist before use if you:

• are pregnant
• are nursing
• have an existing medical condition
• wish to use essential oils on children or older adults

Potential side effects of using essential oils include:

• skin irritation
• skin inflammation
• sun sensitivity
• allergic reaction

Save drawer space - Folding T-Shirts

It works!!

Magnetic Therapy Bracelet Benefits

Polarity

A magnetic bracelet contains one or more magnets. According to Gale, the effects from the bracelet vary depending upon which magnetic field faces your wrist. Discover Magnetics.com reports that the negative side of a magnet used in a therapeutic bracelet may have a green dot and the positive side may have a red dot.

In keeping with Chinese medicine, the two poles of the magnet produce diametrically opposing benefits and usually, the negative pole should face the body. This allows the "qi," or the body's natural energy paths, to open and flow freely, promoting health.

Negative Pole

Gale details the potential benefits from wearing a magnetic bracelet with the negative pole facing the wrist. These benefits include balancing pH in the body, restricting the unwanted growth of microorganisms and getting rid of free radicals in the bloodstream. The negative pole may also help you relax and may increase your body’s oxygen production, bringing more oxygen to individual cells for improved health.

Gale suggests purchasing a small inexpensive magnet to see if you experience benefits before buying bracelets with more expensive magnets.

Positive Pole

The red dot, representing the positive pole on a therapeutic magnet, should rarely face the body, according to both Gale and Discover Magnetics.com. Wearing your magnetic bracelet this way may promote unwanted acid production in the body and may increase free radicals in the blood. You may experience insomnia and retain excess water. In addition, wearing the positive pole next to your body may deplete the oxygen stores in your blood, leaving you feeling drained.

However, if your body pH is alkaline, wearing the positive pole next to your wrist may help balance your pH levels.

Buy Bracelet

DIY Shower Steamers

Ingredients

• 2 cups baking soda (that’s one 16-oz. box)
• 1 cup citric acid
• Witch hazel
• Essential oils of your choice
• A silicone muffin pan (or something similar)

Directions

1. Measure the baking soda and citric acid into a bowl, and mix until well combined.
2. Add your essential oils. You can use up to two teaspoons. Stir to combine. If you’d like to color your steamers with food coloring, add that now, too.
3. Lightly spritz the surface of the mixture with witch hazel. Then, give it a good stir.
4. Continue spritzing and stirring until you end up with a consistency of wet sand. It should hold together. Just be careful not to spray it too much. You don’t want your shower steamers to fizz before you use them in the shower.
5. Then, divide your shower steamer mixture between the cups of a silicone muffin pan. Press it in with your hands or the back of a spoon, so it’s firmly packed. This recipe makes eight steamers.
6. Allow the steamers to dry. Then, remove them from the muffin pan (they’ll pop right out if you used a silicone pan). Store them in an air-tight container until you’re ready to use them.

Homemade Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 30+ drops essential oil

Lip Balm Instructions

1. Melt beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler or small glass bowl over a small pot of boiling water, stirring constantly until melted.
2. Remove pan from heat but keep over the still-hot water to keep the mixture melted.
3. Add essential oils to your preference. I just added peppermint in this recipe. I recommend adding a few drops at a time and testing a tiny amount on your arm to make sure the scent is to your liking.
4. Once you’ve added the essential oils, use the pipette or a dropper to fill the lip balm tubes. This must be done quickly since the mixture will start to harden as soon as it is removed from the heat.
5. Let tubes sit at room temperature for several hours until cooled and completely hardened before capping them.

Notes:
Use an extra teaspoon or two of beeswax if you prefer a thicker and longer-lasting lip balm or slightly less if you prefer a smoother and softer lip balm. Since there are no water based ingredients, you can re-melt and add more of each ingredient during the melting process until you get the exact texture you want. When experimenting, I’ve put a few drops of the melted mixture onto a piece of parchment paper and let harden in the fridge so I could test it before putting the mixture into tubes. Have fun with it! This makes 12-14 tubes.

Making Bath Bombs at Home

Dry Ingredients

• 8 oz Baking Soda – Just under 1 cup (I suggest measuring your dry ingredients with a kitchen scale, because you want precise amounts! If that’s not an option for you, I’ve provided volumetric measurements, too – just know that they are approximate.)
• 4 oz Epsom Salts – A slightly heaping 1/2 cup
• 4 oz Citric Acid – 1/2 cup
• 4 oz Corn Starch – 3/4 cup

Wet Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Water
• 3 Tablespoons Oil (Almond oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, hemp seed oil, fractionated coconut oil, or olive oil)
• 20-30 drops of Essential Oils
• 3-5 drops food coloring (optional)

Directions

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. I suggest using a whisk to break down any clumps and make sure all the ingredients are well mixed.

Combine the wet ingredients in a small container (with a lid) and close the lid. Shake vigorously to mix in the food coloring – you want every drop of liquid to be colored.

SLOWLY pour the colored liquid into the dry ingredients, while mixing. If you add too much at once, you’ll hear the mixture begin to fizz – stir it up quickly to stop the fizzing.

When your mixture can be pinched and retain some shape, you have the perfect amount of liquid! If you need more liquid to get to this point, add a little more oil.

Press the mixture into molds. I used muffin pans and a measuring spoon, after my silicone molds didn’t cut it. You have to pack the mixture very tightly, and the silicone molds bend and distort too easily.

To get the perfect size of your bath bombs, you need to fill a standard-sized muffin 3/4 full, but the smaller ones crumble less and look just as cute! :-) To make them even cuter, you can add dried herbs or rose petals in the bottom of the muffin pans.

Right after you press the mixture into the molds, take them out and let dry outside of the mold. Bonus – they make your house smell so good! I live in a dry area, so they were ready to go in just a few hours, but I would let them dry overnight to be safe.

A few tips on storing 
Don’t seal your bath bombs in an airtight container. They release air and a sealed baggie or container will bulge and eventually pop open! These cute little cellophane gift bags are perfect, and they’re ready to be gifted :-)

Some ideas for colors and scents

Purple food coloring with lavender and a drop of peppermint essential oil. The lavender is relaxing while the peppermint provides a tingle for sore muscles.

Yellow food coloring with lemon and sweet orange essential oils. This citrus blend is great for an energizing morning bath!

Green food coloring with lemongrass, rosemary and thyme essential oils. An herbal blend that’s great for your hair.

Blue food coloring with eucalyptus and lavender essential oils. This blend is so relaxing and smells like a spa.

Red food coloring with rose essential oil.

Easy plug

This handy tip was one I thought of myself.
I am constantly needing to have my Kindle or phone plugged in at some time during the day. So I took heavy duty mounting tape on the back side of my plug strip and attached it right next to my bed. It is really handy to have it right there and not on the floor. I have a Roomba and things would get unplugged when it would bump against my strip.

So this was a great way to get it off the ground and have it so handy next to my bedside!

$13.99 Click picture to buy now

Sanitize a Sponge

Scorched Pan?

If you scorch your pan here is a helpful hint on getting it clean again without scrubbing! First add some water to almost full. Add a good squirt of dish washing soap. Then add a dryer sheet (like Bounce). Let the pan sit for about an hour. Pour the gunk out. 

Clean!

What to do with the oil drippings from a frying pan

I never seem to have an extra coffee can around, so what I do with the excess oil drippings from a pan is simply put paper towels on the oil and let the oil absorb. 

Then throw away the paper towels. Easy and less messy!

Getting rid of burnt popcorn odors

I've burnt popcorn in my microwave many times and found a couple of tricks to getting rid of that burnt smell.

1. Leave a bowl of coffee grounds inside the microwave overnight. The absorbent granules will soak up the smell.

2. Add the juice of a lemon to 1 cup of water, microwave for 3 minutes. The steam and citric acid will evaporate odors.

Getting rid of a pimple!

Blot toothpaste on your zit before bedtime. 

You won't believe the results in the morning!

After the poo

Yes not the greatest of discussions but after the poo what do you do? Walk away? Spray some stinky spray? Well I have a nice tip that will take the stink away and keep your toilet clean.

After the poo, have some cleaning solution (my favorite is Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner) Spray some in the toilet and take your toilet brush and clean it out. It takes just a few minutes. But is a great way to keep your bathroom stink free and the toilet clean!

Fun tip huh?

How to get rid of silverfish

One of the most common household pests that any homeowner should attend to is the silverfish. Silverfish are small insects, usually about half an inch long which choose cool and damp places to breed in. They feed on items that are organic, mostly the starchy kind like cereals and grains, food crumbs, even paper, books and cardboard boxes. When looking for solutions on how to get rid of silverfish, consider safer methods such as home remedies, rather than using chemical based insecticides.

Silverfish usually avoid well lit areas and frequently thrive on moist surfaces. If you are trying to get rid of silverfish in your household, remember to check even the smallest cracks on walls, floors, closets and behind your furniture. Be especially vigilant in areas of your home where there are water pipes, especially in the basement.

Here are six simple home remedies you could use to get rid of silverfish in your home:

a) Spices

Aromatic spices like sage, bay leaves and cloves are easy repellants for silverfish, because of their strong smells. You can put these spices inside porous sachets and use hooks to attach them inside your closets or behind your washing machine. You may also fill some decorative baskets with these sachets and lay these baskets near your baseboards.

b) Mothballs

Another home remedy for how to get red of silverfish is mothballs. Silverfish cannot stand the smell of mothballs, so place these on areas where you find these insects are seen frequently.

c) Cucumbers

The smell of cucumbers acts as a good repellent for silverfish. Cut thick strips of a cucumber and put these strips inside your cabinet, cupboard or other slots where you think silverfish may be hiding. Replace the strips with new once every time they dry up.

d) Dehumidify

Since silverfish love damp and wet places, make sure that there are no broken water pipes or stagnant water where these insects can breed. It is also important to minimize the moisture in the air by using a dehumidifier or simply making sure that all areas in your house are properly ventilated.

e) Boric Acid

You can also try pouring a small amount of boric acid power in the areas where you think silverfish flock. It has been proven that large populations of silverfish have been killed using boric acid as a home remedy to get rid of silverfish.

f) Wet Newspapers

Silverfish can also be trapped using wet newspapers left out overnight. Make sure to collect the wet papers before the insects scatter around and dump these papers into a sealed trash can.

Great idea for cleaning in house grilling units!

NO-Hassle trick to fasten a bracelet

As I struggle to put my bracelet on I realized I could use a paper clip to make the process a bit easier. It works great: I simply unfold a large paper clip into an S shape and slide one end through a link on the non-clasp side of the bracelet. Then I hold the other end of the paper clip, loop the bracelet around my wrist and fasten the clasp. SO easy! Try it out and comment on how it worked for you!

Leftover pizza?

This is a great way to heat up your leftover pizza without making it soggy, chewy and keeping the crust nice and crisp!

Step 1: Cook pizza in microwave for 30 seconds upside down. 
This is key–it keeps all of the grease from soaking the dough on the bottom of the pizza. 

Step 2: Flip pizza over and cook an additional 30 seconds in the microwave.

Step 3: Place pizza in a pan on the stove over medium heat until desired crispness (3-4 minutes). 
This allows the crust to get crisp and alleviate the dreaded soggy, chewy leftover pizza taste.

Get rid of those rough heels!

Tie Dye Idea

Replace old beauty products

Cosmetics

Because cosmetic products are used on some very germ-laden areas of our bodies, like around the eyes, nose and mouth, they can breed bacteria. Therefore, they don't have an indefinite shelf-life. The usable life of some common cosmetics are:

- Mascara and liquid eyeliner: three months.

- Cream eye shadows: three to four months.

- Powder shadows: six months if you don't reuse the applicator; three to four when reusing applicators.

- Liquid, cream or powder foundation: one year if regularly applied with a new sponge or puff; six months if applied with fingertips.

- Cream and gel blush: six months.

- Powder blushes: about a year.

Skin-care products

These items can also be susceptible to bacteria growth over time, so if you don't finish a product within a few months, keep an eye on how long you've had it. Discard products like moisturizers, concealers and toners that contain skin nutrients like vitamin C or alpha hydroxy acids after they've been open for about 12 months. Those active ingredients can lose their effectiveness after a year.

Exposure to moisture, air, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can all affect the ingredients in skin care products, so store them in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight. And if a product separates or smells differently than it did when you first opened it, discard it right away.

Shaving products

Old shaving products, like razors and creams, not only become a breeding ground for bacteria, they can also leave your legs looking like you've been through a battle.

Depending on how often you shave, a razor should last a couple of weeks or a little longer. A good rule of thumb is to discard disposable razors when the moisture strip on top wears off. If a blade is visibly rusty, toss it immediately.

Gather up old razors and any leftover shaving products older than a year and trash them.

Getting rid of ANTS

This is a miracle recipe for getting rid of those pesty ants that come every spring and summer. Mix up the solution, pack cotton balls in a jar cover, and put the solution on and they will be gone."

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons boric acid
3 cups warm water

Directions

1. Mix the sugar and Boric Acic well.
2. Add the warm water slowly, mixing all the while so it won't be too lumpy.
3. Store in a jar.
4. When ready to use, put cotton into the top of a jar lid to fill it, and then saturate the cotton to the top.
5. Place where you want it; make several if you need it.
6. Will keep for a long while.

NOTE: I usually drip a drop or two over the edge of the lid to rest on the counter so they will find it sooner.

5 Helpful hints with using WD40

Unstick gum
A squirt makes it easier to pull gum out of carpet and even hair. It's better than cutting out the gum and leaving patchy carpet or a bad haircut.

Get off that stuck ring
When pulling and tugging can’t get that ring off your finger, reach for the WD-40. A short burst of WD-40 will get the ring to slide right off. Remember to wash your hands after spraying them with WD-40.

Clean toilet bowls
You don’t need a bald genie or a specialized product to clean ugly gunk and lime stains from your toilet bowl. Use WD-40 instead: Spray it into the bowl for a couple of seconds and swish with a nylon toilet brush. The solvents in the WD-40 will help dissolve the gunk and lime.

Keep wasps from building a nest
Don’t let yellow jackets and other wasps ruin your spring and summer fun. Their favorite place to build nests is under eaves. So next spring mist some WD-40 under all the eaves of your house. It will block the wasps from building their nests there.

Remove doggie-doo
Uh-oh, now you've stepped in it! Few things in life are more unpleasant than cleaning doggie-doo from the bottom of a sneaker, but the task will be a lot easier if you have a can of WD-40 handy. Spray some on the affected sole and use an old toothbrush to clean the crevices. Rinse with cold water and the sneakers will be ready to hit the pavement again. Now, don’t forget to watch where you step!

Mosquito problem?

At your next outdoor gathering try this SAFE and EFFECTIVE method of keeping mosquitoes at bay! Simply slice a lime in half and press in a good amount of cloves for an ALL NATURAL mosquito repellent...

Organize your shoes

If the shoe fits

If you are keeping your shoe boxes, label what is inside. Use Post-it Durable Tabs because they offer a writable surface and are quick and easy to apply. Alternatively, invest in clear shoe boxes with drawer-front pulls; they allow you to see what's inside so you can easily access your shoes. Or you can take a picture of your shoes and put the picture on the box.

Super soft legs

Shaving your legs with hair conditioner instead of soap makes them soft and smooth. 

Just apply, shave, and rinse.