Monday, October 29, 2012

Air Cleaning Plants

Few people take into consideration the benefits of air cleaning plants and instead opt for expensive humidifiers and air purifiers. Filter replacements, upkeep and the electricity to operate these machines can be costly. Cleaning these machines is time-consuming. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, all plant life is known to provide the air required for breathing and to keep it clean. Why not take advantage of this natural air purifier and humidifier indoors?

Children in schools, families in their homes and employees in an office building can all benefit from air cleaning plants. If a lot of time is spent indoors, chemicals are inhaled constantly and a lot of people are completely unaware. Those suffering from chemical sensitivity may be unknowingly exposing themselves to multiple chemicals that may cause a variety of ailments. This is especially true for contractors and their employees handling insulation and building materials on a daily basis. Because of this, NASA paired up with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America to find out exactly how effective some common houseplants are at purifying the air indoors.

The findings of this two year research project prove that keeping plants indoors is just as beneficial, if not more so, than buying expensive air purifiers and humidifiers. Indoor air cleaning plants are fairly inexpensive and easily found at local nurseries and plant retailers. Many of these plants are extremely low-maintenance and need very little attention.

Just a few of the plants known to effectively filter pollutants out of the air when kept indoors are:

Peace Lilly (Spathiphyllum) - This makes an awesome houseplant because it does not require much sunlight and lets you know when it needs water. If the plants starts drooping, water it and it perks right back up. Keep it a few feet from a window but if the leaves start to yellow, move it to an area with less sunlight. These plants have pretty white blooms on them and will multiply in the pot they are in, so you can thin them out and re-pot some of the new shoots to have multiple plants at no cost to you.

Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Sansevieria laurentii) - Also known as the Snake Plant, this plant is great for reducing toxins in the air, but it's leaves are toxic if ingested. This plant also requires low lighting and very little water and is excellent for removing toxins from the air.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) - This is another plant that can tolerate infrequent watering and lower lighting conditions. It is recommended that if the plant is in front of a window it is turned often so that the sunlight is evenly distributed. This plant also shows signs of over-watering or under-watering. Yellow or pale leaves mean too much water, brown leaves mean not enough water.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - In a hanging basket, these plants send out beautiful flowering shoots that make the plant resemble a spider. They require low to moderate sunlight, infrequent watering and are also easily reproduced at little or no cost.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Traditional Chinese Medicine: The Three Treasures



It's a proven fact that traditional Chinese medicine is the answer to a great deal of longevity questions. If you're serious about improving not only the length, but also the quality of your life, you can't ignore what the Asian health experts have been teaching for centuries.

Today, we'll look at what's called The Three Treasures.

In case you haven't heard, the three treasures are the three types of energy found in the universe. They're naturally present in each and everyone of us and are called Jing, Chi and Shen.

Let me take a moment to run you through them and tell you about their purpose.

Jing

Jing is the actual energy that determines the length of your life, as well as how much power you're going to have to accomplish things.

You were born with this energy and the more of it you have, the more you're going to be able to achieve in life. Normally, the successful action takers you see are the ones with a good amount of Jing.

This particular energy is used up through stress, lack of balance in life, too much work and excess.

When it is completely spent, you will die, so it's a good idea to replenish it daily, which can be done through the consumption of tonic herbs.

Chi

This is the energy you get from breathing or eating. It is spent as you go through each and every day, which makes you feel tired, but you can replenish it quite easily through deep breathing and proper nutrition.

As you breathe in, you're providing Chi to your body. That's why you'll see great Chinese masters meditating and doing a whole lot of breathing exercises.

When you have enough Chi, it will nourish your brain, your intestines, your heart...
... pretty much your entire body.

If you're unable to replenish Chi on your own, you can take some tonic herb extracts to help you with that.

The last type of energy we'll talk about is called...

Shen

This energy has to do with your emotional and spiritual functions. Your thinking, your perception of the world and your mental abilities are directly connected to Shen.

Naturally, if you're struggling emotionally, your shen will recede. Fortunately, just like in the case of the other two energies we mentioned, you can utilize tonic herbs to replenish it.

What tonic herbs to use?

There are more different types of tonic herbs available than I can list in this article. It is important to understand, however, that in order to enjoy the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine and particularly the three treasures, you need to take in herbs that are pure, completely genuine and cultivated in their natural environment.

You're mostly going to be dealing with extracts, so when you purchase them, you must be sure that whoever provides them to you is a legitimate distributor that has your best interest in mind...
... not just money.

Traditional Chinese medicine is often under appreciated, especially in the western world, but if you understand the theory behind it and apply it in your life, it'll improve the quality of your life in a tremendous way.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Top Cosmetic Dentist Fixes You Can Get

What can a cosmetic dentist do for you? Many people know they need to see a dental care provider for cleanings and exams, but did you know that these providers can also help you to improve the way your teeth look? If you have thought about getting some work done to really clean up and improve the way they look, talk to a dental care provider about the options right for your situation. The good news is that there are dozens of options available. Most provide great results without much pain or discomfort either. What is right for you?

Whitening Is Number One

One of the most commonly sought after treatments from the cosmetic dentist is teeth whitening. If you have tried those over the counter products and not had much success with them, you are not alone. Many people struggle with them, but your dental care provider has better products in office. These products can give you a brilliantly clean and beautiful smile without any delay. You may even find this to be a fantastic way to get your smile the way you want it.

Chipped Teeth? Missing Teeth?

If you have problems with the structural element of your teeth, such as chipped or missing teeth, perhaps the best method for fixing this is with veneers. These are placed on the outer portion of your teeth. They hide whatever is lurking underneath. Once in place, they can give you a great looking smile that hides any staining or missing structural components.

Missing teeth can also be fixed with the use of dental implants. Implants are one of the best options for a realistic, long lasting solution for replacing the tooth. Keep in mind that while bridges and dentures are additional options, implants offer a better end result that lasts longer.

Misaligned Teeth Fixed

If your teeth do not align properly, this can cause a distortion in the way your face looks. Even if you are an adult, you can see significant improvements by talking to your dentist about your options. Generally, newer products can make these necessary position changes without requiring the use of metal braces. In fact, new technology works very well to be invisible so no know needs to know you are fixing your teeth aside from you.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Improving Your Body With Core Strength Training

One of the most important parts of your workout routine is core strength training. What you are going to find is that these exercises help to improve the muscles that are essential for the transfer of energy in your body. These core muscles in turn are the ones that are most used when you are participating in sporting events and running.

Your muscles in this core region include the abdominal muscles, the muscles in your hip are and the muscles along your spine. This means that no single exercise is going to give you the core strength training that you need and that you will need to incorporate a series of exercises if you want to end up with the best results possible.

The following is a list of 15 exercises that you can do to help boost the strength of these muscles. It is recommended you have a medicine ball, stability ball and a desire for a shredded midsection on hand to ensure that you can successfully do all these exercises.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Foods You Enjoy That Might Make You Constipated

Constipation is a condition of the digestive system which causes one to have feces that are difficult to expel. Part of the function of the digestive system is to eliminate waste from the colon through bowel movements. When feces cannot be readily eliminated the colon can become a breeding ground for bad bacteria and inflammation. Constipation is defined by infrequent bowel movements and hard, dry stools. When one needs to strain to have a bowel movement it can be very uncomfortable and painful. Sometimes constipation is temporary and can be easily corrected. However, if it becomes chronic other health issues can arise.

Foods that usually cause constipation are those that are low in fiber and high in fat. Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables and grains that the body cannot digest. The body needs both soluble and insoluble fiber for proper digestion of food. Soluble fibers create a gel that softens stools that collect in the colon. Insoluble fibers provide bulk for adhering and accumulating properties needed to help expel feces. It is the bulk of fiber which helps to prevent dry, hard stools. Low fiber is a major factor in causing constipation. Natural fiber has been removed from refined and processed foods which causes them to be low or totally devoid of fiber. Convenience foods such as prepackaged meals and snacks also fall into a category of low fiber foods. In fact Low fiber foods make up the majority of foods that many people eat on a daily basis.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is described as a condition in which a blood clot gets formed in a deep vein of the body. Blood clots arise as a result of thickening of blood along with its clumping together at one place. Most of the time, deep vein blood clots occur in the region of thighs or lower legs. However, these clots can also occur in other body parts.

Deep vein thrombosis can originate in the upper extremity, lower extremity, pelvic or abdominal regions. When deep vein thrombosis is below the knee, it's called distal. When above the knee, it's called proximal. If a deep vein blood clot breaks away, it can travel through the stream of blood. This loose blood clot is known as Embolus. It can block the flow of blood by travelling to arteries in lung regions. This state is known as PE or Pulmonary Embolism. PE is considered to be quite a serious condition because of its capacity to damage lungs as well as other body organs, and causing death.

There is a greater tendency for the blood clots present in the region of thighs to come off and result in pulmonary embolism as compared to blood clots found in other body parts, including the lower legs. Blood clots can also get formed in the superficial veins (veins that are present just below the skin surface) but these clots do not break off.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Celebrating "National Chiropractic Health Month" in October

October is National Chiropractic Health Month. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) across the nation annually recognize October as National Chiropractic Health Month with a unique focus each year. The ACA's theme this year is "Discover Chiropractic Health: Find Your Game" with a "focus on how everyone can take steps towards optimal health, wellness and functioning."

An estimated 21 million Americans use chiropractic care and the numbers are increasing. That is because regardless of age, medical background, or fitness level, chiropractic care has something for everyone. Chiropractic has helped millions get healthy, stay healthy, and greatly improve the quality of their lives.

Chiropractic care has many health benefits. It is used as proactive care to improve overall health and wellness, by athletes to strengthen and improve their game, and has been clinically proven in an abundant number of research studies to effectively and safely treat many medical conditions such as back and neck pain, headaches, sciatica, carpal tunnel, whiplash and car accident injuries, sports injuries, arthritis, and more. Chiropractic can help expecting mothers have a healthier pregnancy and delivery. It can help ease colic in infants. It can help people who are suffering from allergies and asthma. It can help relieve PMS and menopause symptoms. Chiropractic can improve digestion and elimination. It can improve sports performance. It can increase daily energy levels. And these are just a few of the many benefits of chiropractic care.

During National Chiropractic Health Month, chiropractors are encouraging people to set a new health goal. Whether it's improving your golf game, getting rid of a nagging pain, or just having more energy to devote to your family after work, chiropractic care can help with these goals.

A primary focus of chiropractic health is adjusting and maintaining the symmetry and alignment of the body. This gives the body balance and helps provide a foundation for a strong core. When the body is balanced and aligned, all organs and systems run more efficiently--and a more efficient body is a healthier, happier, more energized body.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The Benefits Of Using Veet Hair Removal Cream

Have you used Veet hair removal cream before? Does Veet hair removal cream work? Veet is the most popular brand out there and majority of users find it to be really effective. Veet works by softening the hair to make it easy for removal with their curved spatula. The spatula is specifically designed to fit in most body parts such the armpits, legs or bikini line. Before your first usage however, apply a small amount on your skin first to see if you are sensitive to it. If no irritation occurs, then it is safe for you to use.

The advantage of using Veet hair removal cream is that you experience none of the irritations that come with shaving such as razor burns or accidental nicks and cuts. With the specially designed spatula, you can easily scrape off the hair even in hard to reach places like the bikini line without fearing that you will accidentally cut yourself. Most Veet hair removal cream reviews state that the regrowth hair is not as rough as in the case of shaving as well. Veet has antiseptic and nourishing solutions in its cream that leaves soft, smooth and hairless skin once the treatment is completed.

The best part of all, Veet hair removal cream is painless, unlike waxing. Of course waxing is the best hair removal solution around because it removes the hair straight from the root. But it is painful and using hot wax can cause minor irritations, especially on sensitive areas. For best results, you need to see a professional waxing therapist because most DIY kits are not very effective and painful to use. This cream at times are really convenient to use, easy to carry around and most of all, does not leave a lot of mess for you to clean up after.

Now Veet hair removal cream also comes in a spray can form. You just spray on the area to be treated like your legs and leave it on for a few minutes. Then use the accompanying sponge to "wash" away the unwanted hairs in the shower. No razor burns to contend with, just soft, smooth hair free skin. There is also another variation that offers a tingly cooling feeling on the skin. Isn't that better than hot wax or sharp razor blades? For best results, exfoliate the treatment area a day before with a body scrub. Nothing too rough, of course. This will help prevent ingrown hair and slough off all the dead cells on the surface so that the cream is better absorbed

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Invisalign - Unnoticeable, Yet Effective

Braces are becoming less of a taboo in today's society. Just visit any middle school or even some high schools and you will see a good number of kids proudly displaying their wired teeth. Gone are the days when kids used to hide these devices. Some of them even look forward to the days when they get to choose a new color for their bands. Now, with that being said, there are still those who choose to go a slightly different route when it comes to fixing their oral issues. They choose to use Invisalign. There are many people who shun this option, because they believe it costs too much. However, if they would consider the benefits, they might change their minds.

One of the most noted benefits of Invisalign is that's it made of clear material. This allows it to be unnoticeable, for the most part. Being able to hide the device may not necessarily be a concern to school-aged children, but it is definitely a concern for many adults, especially those who have careers that force them to communicate with people on a day-to-day basis. For some people, the traditional style of braces is not a feasible option. In their minds, it draws too much unnecessary attention to their teeth. So, without the clear option, their only other choice would be to go the rest of their lives with teeth they are not happy with.

This isn't to say that career-oriented adults are the only ones who lean more towards the invisible option. There are many school-aged children and young adults who take this course of action as well. Even though traditional braces are becoming more accepted by the younger generation as a whole, it doesn't mean that all of them feel that way. In high school, particularly, concern about image preoccupies many teenagers.

Along with the aforementioned examples, Invisalign devices are also beneficial because they are removable. If you ask anyone who has had regular braces what has been the hardest thing about them, most of them will mention the cleaning process. In order to properly brush and floss through all of the wiring, it could take 15 to 20 minutes. Because Invisalign devices can be easily removed, the wearer doesn't have to deal with that hassle.