Love's Gumbo

Love’s Gumbo says: If you don’t have a hair steamer, give your house cleaning steamer or clothing steamer a try.

Image taken from curlynikki.com

What is it: A method of Deep Conditioning.

How to do it: Apply conditioner to wet or dry hair. Cover with wet towel and plastic cap. Sit under a steamer, heat cap or additional hot towel.

Benefits: Hair is more moisturized and softer.

Kelly shares her experiences with Steaming on Healthy Textures.

” those of you that are interested in the steaming method that you keep hearing about, I would like to share my experience using this method with you. I first heard about this method a couple of years ago reading my book Textured Tresses it talks about the benefit of steaming the hair, I back then did not know that you could buy this appliance (a professional steamer) and have it in your home, then I joined HT and heard some ladies were using the steam method on their hair, then I ran across HT member Cassandra (my dear friend) that I have grown very close to, my 2nd message to her asking about her experience with the steamer since she was the 1st I heard talk about this, then MP1979 (another dear friend) shared her experience with us saying she was having great results and then Medmunky(our indian oils expert) talked about it, after this I was sold that this treatment would benefit me because all 3 of these ladies have fabulous hair. So I decided to invest in my very own.

After investigating the benefits of steaming and finally using it myself I learned that steaming in addition to opening up the follicles opens up the hair cuticle allowing the conditioner to really penetrate the hair shaft. Steaming the hair is a way of opening the hair shaft and incorporating moisture into the hair that helps to stop dryness and breakage. Steaming is great if you are experiencing drying & falling hair due to chemical abuse. It is even said that since the steamer is opening up the follicles in the scalp that it helps the hair to grow faster. I have even used my pre-poo hot oil treatments with this before washing my hair. Coconut, olive and jojoba oil are great for this, I have been using my Hairveda Vatika Frosting which I love. Hair steaming even makes the hair soft, I have found that my hair is as soft as a baby dolls. I have now been using my steamer for a while now and I am sold, I thought my hair was healthy already but it has definitely benefited from this.It is now a staple in my haircare regimen.

The directions for steaming are quite simple just wash and put conditioner on the hair or you can massage oil in the scalp, put plastic cap on and sit under steamer for 15-30 min. If the hair is extremely dry I suggest 30 min. I have even sat under it for 45 min with no problems. They say you only need to steam once every 2 wks but I wash my hair sometimes twice a week so I do this at least for one of my washings.

Love’s Gumbo says: If you a stay away spa is not in the budget right now, try a day spa or even a day at a health club with steam and whirlpool. If you live in a large Metro area, try a Korean Spa. They are usually very affordable, and very relaxing. In Atlanta, JeJu Korean Spa is just $25.00 per visit.

Day Spa Retreats and What to Look For
By Tom Andrew

Day spa retreat epitomizes the best day-time relaxation program that one can ever take. In addition to the pure water that is offered for drinking and bathing, one is also treated to special water based treatments to enhance one’s health. By the end of the personal care treatment offered in the retreat, one feels rejuvenated and more at peace with the world.

The staff ideally consists of professional therapists who cater to the specialized needs of customers. Day spas are often recommended to people who have hectic lifestyles that compromise their ability to relax and remain at ease. Doctors often advise their stressed patients to try out a day spa retreat that will revitalize them through the abundance of pleasurable treatments that are offered.

The services that are typically offered include facials that utilize a range of cleansing products that are designed to relax the face muscles, reverse the aging process and clear the skin.

Medical practitioners advise patients who are stressed out or frustrated to go for a day spa retreat that has the benefit of revitalizing them and giving them the chance to experience enjoyable treatments. Facials are commonly offered and are carried out using special products that help the face muscles relax, slow down aging and cleanse the skin.

If you are the sort of person who is a tan lover but cannot afford to sit under the sun for stretched amounts of time in order to attain the tanned look you have several options including specialist UV tanning booths, plus ‘fake’ tan booths. The latter option is safer but can also give you that golden glow you desire.

Taking full advantage of a spa retreat guarantees that one will leave feeling like a new and refreshed person. Salon services are provided in a truly relaxing manner by incorporating other day spa services. Aside from hair styling, people can also enjoy the experience of relaxing pedicures and manicures. Giving someone a gift voucher for a day spa retreat is a highly rewarding way to pamper a loved one and give them a chance to feel special.

Sensational treatments are associated with professional day spa treatments that ensure customers have a completely relaxing day. It is also a good idea to reward oneself with a day spa retreat from time to time so as to escape the hassles of the demanding lives that most people lead. It is a worthwhile treat that is a pleasure to invest in.

The body is first polished, and then wrapped in a thermal blanket. In the meantime, one gets to enjoy a scalp massage. After some time, the thermal wrap is removed and the body massaged with mineral water. The skin is then hydrated using the suitable moisturizer.

Treat yourself and go on one of the the many day spa retreats around the country now.

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How to Build Your Self Esteem Following a Bad Relationship

By Jill Jackson

Relationships going bad are events that affect a large number of people at some point during their lives. In extreme cases people have to endure mental abuse from their partners, which can have a destructive influence on them that they live with for the rest of their lives. This is one of the major causes of low self esteem.

It is not easy to bounce back from the mental abuse you were made to bear and your self-esteem can be in tatters. This type of mental abuse is generally because your partner wants to make you feel worthless and insecure.

Your partner acts this way to gain control and boost his or her own ego (yes, women can be destructive, too). They want you to suffer low self-esteem to stop you thinking for yourself. Getting out of a relationship like that is your first priority to enable you to keep your sanity.

To ensure that you bounce back from this mental abuse you will need to take action. It’s important to stay active. Make time for your family and friends, because an abuser takes pleasure to alienate you from your loved ones.

Keep your mind focused on other things so that you don’t spend all day at home and become dependent on the destructive person is fuelling your low self esteem. Get in contact with friends, read empowering books and watch uplifting films or start a project like learning a new skill.

It is important that you keep yourself occupied. If you have a job, continue to work and take note of your goals and achievements. If you don’t have a job, look for one. Working can get your mind off of your problems and confirms to you that you can do whatever you concentrate on – and lead you to overcoming your low self esteem.

Avoid jumping into other relationships until your emotions have healed. Early on you are more likely to enter into a relationship with a partner just like your ex. You don’t want to get into the same situation as before and repeat the cycle of abuse.

Never waste time on thinking about your ex partner – It does not matter if it is positive or negative thoughts. A lot of people spend masses of time thinking about how much they hate their former partner or how they wish they could get revenge.

Release the anger and simply focus on what’s important – you! You owe it to yourself to move forward. Don’t be afraid to seek some low self esteem help. A counsellor can assist you with your feelings and help you build your self-esteem back up. Refuse to let a destructive relationship destroy your spirit.

If you would like more information on the ultimate relaxation system that will naturally help you to build your self esteem click here.

Jill Jackson live is Thailand and writes articles for various publications

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Love’s Gumbo Says: Don’t forget to check Shelley of Naturi beauty at the end of the page for a demonstration on cooking some of these anti-aging foods.

Anti Aging Foods That Make You Look and Feel Young
By R Chandler Smith

Aging is a natural phenomenon in a human lifecycle. It can’t be prevented because as each year passes by people age. And it is a fact that as people age, there will be physical changes that come along with it. Wrinkles will show up, there may be memory deterioration, and there would be a high risk of contracting diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, elevated blood pressure and cardiac failures.

But we can slow down aging by eating the right kinds of food and living healthy. This way it would be looking and feeling healthy and youthful at the same time. And since more and more people are health conscious nowadays and most of these people take into consideration their food intake, many have now known the benefits of eating anti-aging foods. These anti aging foods are rich in antioxidants that help keep skin firm by safeguarding the skin’s collagen and elastic tissue from oxidants or free radicals that damage it.

Berries

Berries of all hues contain vitamin C and phytochemicals known as flavonoids that are powerful antioxidants which help protect the body against damage caused by free radicals and aging. Blueberries are also known to have memory-boosting potential.

Avocado

Avocado is a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat that helps reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the body. It is a good source of vitamin E which can help maintain healthy skin, prevent skin aging, and alleviate menopausal hot flashes. It is also rich in fiber that is good for the digestive system and the heart.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts assist the body in fighting toxins and cancer. It is best to eat them raw or very lightly cooked so that the important enzymes remain intact.

Green Leafy Vegetables

These vegetables are prime sources of lutein and zeaxanthin that protect the eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. Green leafy vegetables are also rich in vitamin K which helps reduce bone loss and prevent fractures.

Nuts

Nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants. They also enhance the digestive and immune systems, help control and/or prevent cancer, and control cholesterol levels.

Whole Grains

Whole grains like whole wheat, oats, brown rice and cereals are high in fiber and vitamin B which help improve the digestive system. They help prevent diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, high blood pressure and gum.

Wine

Drinking alcohol in moderation help prevent heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory deterioration. Red wine on the other hand contains resveratrol which is a potent antioxidant, inflammation depressant, fat burner and artery protector. Although animal research has shown that high amounts of resveratrol may prevent cell death in the heart and brain which would prolong life.

All of the aforesaid anti aging foods ordinarily are not hard to come by. These are all found in the supermarkets and grocery stores. Therefore there will be no further reasons on not having these foods in your list whenever you go shopping for food. Stock up the grocery bags with these anti aging foods for a much healthier brand new you.

To learn more about eating healthy foods to improve your quality of life and add years to your lifespan, check out Anti Aging Foods.org

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