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

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!

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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!

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.

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?

Great idea for cleaning in house grilling units!

Get rid of those rough heels!

Tie Dye Idea

Baking Soda

Here are some helpful tips for using Baking Soda. A cheap but effective product for so many uses.

Too much hair product:
If your hair is starting to feel filmy, blend 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into your normal amount of shampoo, then wash as usual. The baking soda will remove the filmy feeling from your hair.

Great breath fast:
You don't need expensive mouth washes to get better breath. Simply gargle with a mixture of 1 cup of water, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This combo will knock out any germs that are causing your bad breath.

Clean greens:
To wash spinach, Swiss chard, or any other leafy vegetable, fill a large bowl with cold water and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Move the vegetables around in the water, soaking them for three minutes, then rinse. All the dirt will fall to the bottom of the bowl and you'll have clean greens.

Milk protector:
To keep milk from curdling, stir in a pinch of baking soda before you heat it.

Vacuum clean treat:
Sprinkle some baking soda into the bag of your vacuum cleaner to keep it smelling fresh.

Fire prevention:
Because baking soda creates carbon dioxide, it's a useful substance to have around where there are flammable chemicals or grease. Keep a package handy and throw on a fire in case of emergency. The soda will prevent oxygen from feeding the flames.

Some helpful cleaning tips

Cleaning is one of those things where we do it the way it’s always been done.

What if I told you that cleaning knowledge that’s been handed down from generation to generation might be wrong? Well, not wrong per se, but there is a better, more efficient way that will make your home cleaner and take less time.

Don’t believe me? Check out these 7 things you’ve been cleaning wrong your entire life:

1. Cookie sheets

Make up a mixture of 1/4 cup baking soda and enough hydrogen peroxide to make a nice paste and then rub it all over your cookie sheets and baking pans. Let it sit for a few hours and then rinse off. Like new!

2. Shower head

Pour white vinegar in a plastic bag and secure it around your shower head for an hour. Wipe it clean with a wet cloth and it’ll be good as new.

3. Microwave

Fill a bowl with water and vinegar and microwave on high for at least two minutes. Your microwave will get delightfully steamy and all you’ll have to do is wipe away the grime.

4. Blender

Rinse out your blender, and then fill it with hot water. Squirt in a little dish soap and give it a whirl, and then rinse. Your blender should be clean as ever!

5. Toothbrush

Grab a clean cup and fill it with white vinegar and stick your toothbrush inside. Let it sit for a few hours and your toothbrush will be less disgusting.

6. Toaster

Grab some cream of tartar, some water, and get scrubbing so your toaster starts looking fantastic again. (And for the inside? Some models have pull-out drawers so you can remove crumbs easily.)

7. Oven

Make a paste using water and baking soda and spread it all around the inside of your oven. Let it sit overnight, and then take a wet rag to wipe out as much of the baking soda mixture as possible. Next, spray some vinegar on the inside of your oven and wipe down with a wet rag. Then turn your oven on low for about 20 minutes to let it dry.

Great uses for Vinegar

1.Most people have heard this trick before. What isn't well conveyed is that white vinegar and water is truly the best hardwood floor cleaner out there. Chemical cleaners can deteriorate wood over time, and often won’t leave hard wood with a beautiful shine. Mopping with vinegar with clean and sanitize as well as restore the beautiful luster of floors. The smell evaporates quickly, and a vinegar and water mixture can be used as often as you want without risking damage to the wood. It replaces cleaner and polish.

2. So many ant killers contain harsh, poisonous chemicals that no one wants in their home. Spraying white vinegar wherever ants congregate in the house will deter them without damaging the area. This is especially great if you notice ants coming in from a carpeted room. Mopping with vinegar regularly is a great preventative measure if you know an area is susceptible to ants.

3. Replace yet another chemical cleaner with vinegar as a natural and cheaper alternative. Glass and mirrors will shine when cleaned with a mix of white vinegar and water.

4. A small amount of vinegar in the laundry helps remove stains, keep colors bright, and deter lint. To compare, a cup of bleach in the white load is to a cup of vinegar in the color load. Fabrics will stay brighter and newer longer, and the need for dryer sheets is completely eliminated.

5. Either white or apple cider vinegar is a great hair rinse. It effectively removes built up residue, especially from shampoo, restoring shine to hair without using oily hair products. This is great for people who are susceptible to dandruff or an oily scalp.

6. A good hair dye job requires you to not wash your hair at least 24 hours before hand. Another great step is to rinse the hair with vinegar, which will completely remove any hair product build up that could compromise the dye’s result, while not compromising hair’s natural oils.

7. Gnats, especially, cannot stand up to vinegar. If you notice bugs infesting your houseplants, spray a one part vinegar and five parts water mixture on the leaves. Dilute this mixture even more and use it the next time you water the plants.

8. Firstly, soaking your coffee pot in vinegar with effectively dissolve all the built up residue without risking the dishwasher. Furthermore, run vinegar water through the coffee machine itself weekly to clean the inside of it. The vinegar will evaporate, leaving otherwise impossible to clean parts of the coffee maker clean.

9. Especially in vegetable gardens where the aim is to not introduce harsh chemicals to the soil, vinegar is great weed killer. It’s super effective while being much cheaper than other organic weed killers, and accidentally spraying it on plants won’t hurt them at all.

10. Especially with babies prone to spit up, pets with upset stomachs, or the unfortunate long night, vinegar will neutralize the harmful effects of vomit on carpet or fabric. The high acidity of vomit can remove color from fabric, leaving bleached