Face Tips

Skin tips from Petals Hair & Beauty, Westport

Mayo Advertiser, April 22, 2011.

Staying young and keeping skin radiant is the primary concern of most women. Preventing wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes, lips and on the neck is possible by following some basic rules.
Firstly, have regular facials, the massage alone strengthens underlying muscles, nourishes and stimulates cell activity and gives radiance. Currently Petals offers for €49 a Luxury Clarins Pro-Active facial with an Aveda shampoo and blow dry.
Do:
Cleanse—use anti-oxidants and moisturiser. Clarins currently have on offer their day cream with a free travel night cream to give the skin a boost within the same range.
Apply skin treatments and serums to clean, dry skin morning and evening.
Make sure anti-oxidants penetrate the skin. Colin resultime Radiance cream at €69 is a great day and night cream.
Moisturisers with a sun screen are a must to protect from the sun.
Choose a foundation that is anti ageing such as Smashbox Anti Ageing Halo Powder with an SPF of 15, guaranteed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in 10 minutes.
Use oil such as Nuxe Huile Prodiguse (€18) mixed with a body to lotion to ensure lasting action. Great on nails and hair also.
Don’t smoke.
Don’t gain or lose weight repeatedly.
Don’t get too thin.
Don’t run to excess.
Don’t do facial exercises.
Avoid the sun. It causes pigment changes, sunspots and other unsightly eruptions, including broken veins. These can be treated on the face at Petals, by an experienced electrologist.

Paula patton- On how she stays fit

Paula Patton is a 34-year-old actress and wife of RnB singer Robin thicke(they are expecting their first baby). She is most popular for her role as Ms. Rain, the heroic teacher in the emotionally powerful film Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire. She is a very beautiful woman who takes healthy eating and exercises very seriously. According to her, this is whats kept her in shape all these years. Below is how she stays healthy, happy and stress free. Hopefully this will inspire people to stay fit.

Paula's Feel-Good Guide


1. Breathe Deep

"A year ago, I started doing Ashtanga yoga five or six days a week. Even if I do 30 minutes, I can clear my head. I've cut back during my pregnancy. I told my trainer I don't want to see the inside of a gym. She said, 'Don't worry. I'll have you back [in shape] in six weeks.' "

2. Go Green

"I'm trying to eat smart because I don't want [losing the] postpregnancy weight to be difficult. There's this packet of nutrients called Green Vibrance, and I at least try to have that. I also try to eat a salad every day. I switched from drinking coffee to green tea, but I've been craving milk shakes. My trick for not giving in: Fill up with some fruit or water first, then see if I still want one."

3. Feed Your Face

"Since I've been pregnant, my nails have been stronger and my hair is thicker. My skin has been dry though, so I use a lot of La Mer products. I've also been doing Intraceuticals oxygen facials and Shiseido eye masks. I'll pop them on and look fresher. I'm also loving my Clarisonic facial wash brush. It's my new toy."

4. Get Some Shut-Eye

"When people say 'You have a pregnancy glow!' I wonder if it has to do with my healthier lifestyle. No more cocktails, and I'm getting more sleep than ever—nine or 10 hours a night. I was never that girl!"

hopefully, we can all include some of the above tips to our fitness regime. i personally drink green tea. its full of anti oxidants and has anti ageing benefits :)

Photo credit: womens health mag

Reduce Your Risk of Salmonella from Eggs

Eggs are one of nature's most nutritious and economical foods. A bacterium, Salmonella Enteritidis, can be on both the outside and inside of eggs that appear to be normal, and if the eggs are eaten raw or undercooked, the bacterium can cause illness.

What can I do to reduce my risk of getting Salmonella Enteritidis from eggs?

Eggs, like meat, poultry, milk, and other foods, are safe when handled properly. Shell eggs are safest when stored in the refrigerator, individually and thoroughly cooked, and promptly consumed. The larger the number of Salmonella present in the egg, the more likely it is to cause illness. Keeping eggs adequately refrigerated prevents any Salmonella present in the eggs from growing to higher numbers, so eggs should be kept refrigerated until they are used.

Cooking reduces the number of bacteria present in an egg; however, an egg with a runny yolk still poses a greater risk than a completely cooked egg. Undercooked egg whites and yolks have been associated with outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. Both should be consumed promptly and not be kept warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

What are the specific actions I can take to reduce my risk of a Salmonella Enteritidis infection?

1.Keep eggs refrigerated at ≤ 45° F (≤7° C) at all times.
2.Discard cracked or dirty eggs.
3.Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs.
4.Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and eaten promptly after cooking.
5.Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
6.Refrigerate unused or leftover egg-containing foods promptly.
7.Avoid eating raw eggs.
8.Avoid restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs.
9.Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided, especially by young children, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune systems or debilitating illness.

Who is most at risk for getting Salmonella Enteritidis?

The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems may have a more severe illness. In these patients, the infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

How do I know if I have Salmonella Enteritidis?

A person infected with the Salmonella Enteritidis bacterium usually has fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea beginning 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated food or beverage. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without antibiotic treatment. However, the diarrhea can be severe, and the person may be ill enough to require hospitalization. See a doctor as soon as possible if the above symptoms are suspected.

Source :CDC

Superfoods - apples and avocados

Fruits and vegetables possess amazing properties capable of countless functions in the body which promote the longevity of life. They are indeed ‘super’ in their activities because they boost the immune system thereby improving health conditions in the most natural and effective way. They do this by engaging in activities which target high cholesterol, heart disease, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cancer. Research has shown that these conditions improve by 50-70% in people who changed their eating habits and lifestyle by eating more healthy, balanced meals and incorporating exercise as part of their routine. We may take them for granted because they are readily available, underestimate their powers or just lack the knowledge of their special health benefits. This article will focus on two of my favorite ‘superfoods’ apples and avocados which have amazing qualities.

APPLES
There just isn’t enough paper in the world to write about all the benefits of an apple and that’s probably why it is one of the most talked about fruit. Apples are high in antioxidants which are great in fighting all the nasty stuff in our body. A great source of vitamins A, B1,B2, B6 ,C, also high in minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium.

What do these do? Everything from anti-cancer promotion to improved digestive health, never underestimate the power of an apple! If you suffer from any digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, apples are very important to your diet because the pectin (soluble fibre) in apples works by eliminating toxins found in the intestines, facilitating the removal of the most stubborn and unwanted products especially when nature calls, if you catch my drift. Another juicy fact is that because apples are great at attacking harmful toxins inside the body, they are one of nature’s best detox agents i.e quercitin which is a phytonutrient found in apples fights high cholesterol which reduces the risk of heart disease. Another great fact that will excite the ladies is that eating apples will help reduce the appearance of cellulite. The juice from the apple combats cellulite by eliminating the toxins in the fat tissue. The great thing is you don’t have to waste too much money on cellulite creams if you combine a great balanced diet with exercise.

Useful tip: try eating a couple of apples and drinking some peppermint tea when constipated, feel the magic!

AVOCADOS
Avocados are classified under vegetables, they are a meal on their own because they contain all six human nutritional needs required for a balanced diet such as vitamins (B, C, beta-carotene), minerals (potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus), protein, essential fatty acid (in form of omega oil) and natural sugar.

What do these do? All these work very hard to give you great skin, healthy hair and scalp. They do this by playing a vital role in the fight against harmful free radicals which age the skin and increase the appearance of premature wrinkles. Fighting these harmful free radicals will not only give you a younger radiant skin but will also boost your immune system. Studies have shown that avocados also contain an antioxidant called lutein, which combats a variety of health challenges in the body such as prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Useful tip: Avocados are wonderful to use as face masks, by replenishing the skin
through moisture, also place slices of cucumber on tired eyes to relieve puffiness.


Mariam Waziri
Biotech Scientist

The headache of self-medication

What is self-medication?

It is simply taking medication that has not been prescribed by a medical doctor for a perceived illness or disease. Perceived because a diagnosis has not been made.

Though there are OTC (over-the-counter) drugs that people can purchase without a doctor's prescription; the aim of OTCs is to provide temporal relief of symptoms. They do not cure the root cause of the illness/disease. Some of these drugs are painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, cold remedies, antidiarrheal agents and so on.

In Africa where malaria is endemic, people are in the habit of 'treating' themselves for malaria as every fever is interpreted as malaria fever. More often than not this practice interferes with management and cause other complications such as drug resistance.

Another danger of self-medication is the accumulation of toxins in the body from the breakdown of drug components that the body invariably may not need. There are also dangerous drugs which if taken over a long period of time without proper monitoring can lead to other diseases and may even be fatal.

What to do?

It will be easier and more cost-effective in the long-run to seek medical advice from a medical practitioner early! It is better not to gamble with other people's prescriptions or opinions of what may be going on in your body. Take time also to learn the names of drugs you are taking and ask your doctor about medication prescribed for you. Remember that you are also part of your management and have a right to know what goes into your body.

Dr Efe Iruobe

Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: Have a Healthy Heart

Step 1

So, how's your mum?

Researchers have long believed that having a close family member (mum, dad, sister, or brother) with cardiovascular disease was one of the clearest predictors of heart trouble in your own future. But according to a 2006 Swedish study, it's really Mum you need to worry about. Your risk increases by 17 percent if your father has heart disease, but it shoots up by a whopping 43 percent if your mother is afflicted. This may be more environment than genetics, since children typically spend more time with their mothers and tend to learn lifestyle habits from them. But even if you don't smoke and do exercise, it's possible that your risk could still be up as much as 82 percent if both of your parents had heart disease.

Which doesn't mean you're doomed, of course. But it does mean you shouldn't waste any time. If you have a family history, specialists recommend in-depth tests that go beyond the normal blood workup every few years, starting in your mid*40s. First, talk to your doctor about having a CT scan of your heart, which can detect attack-causing plaque buildup in your arteries — even years in advance.

All women should request more detailed blood tests that measure not only the level of cholesterol but its type and size — factors that affect the heart in ways that scientists are only now beginning to understand. Talk to your doctor about a standard lipid profile. A blood test can also detect the presence of C-reactive protein in the bloodstream, which may contribute to plaque formation. More prevalent in people who are overweight, sedentary, hypertensive, or smokers, C-reactive protein's presence accurately predicts the likelihood of heart attacks in women with relatively low cholesterol, and researchers speculate that it could signal heart disease before symptoms develop. Ask your doctor to check your numbers next time you get blood work done.

this is an 8 part feature focusing on ways to keep your heart beating for a very long time.

Fashions That Can be Hazardous to Your Health

We've all heard various fashion rumors throughout the years. Some may have been invented by parents who did not care for "new" fashions that were not up to their standards. Some may have been invented by teens who did not buy in to the latest fashion craze, and some may truly be urban myths. Want to know the low-down on some of these fashion tales? Read on…

1) Thongs can cause infections- This one is true, but it’s not just thongs that can cause vaginal infections. Wearing very tight jeans or too-tight underwear of any kind may lead to infection in women, due to the close proximity of the anus to the vagina, not to be too graphic. This proximity allows bacteria to spread, especially when tight clothing is added to the mix.

2) Carrying a heavy purse can cause back problems- Perhaps not back problems, but certainly back pain. Why? Because people tend to carry heavy bags on one side, rarely switching sides. This can cause back strain over time. Does it cause permanent damage? Not likely.

3) Skinny jeans can cause nerve problems- This one is actually true. When nerves in the groin become compressed as a result of wearing too-tight jeans, pain, tingling, or burning can result, and may even be permanent. This condition is called meralgia paresthetica, a fancy term for a pinched nerve.

4) Underwire bras can cause cancer- This one is not true, but they can cause discomfort, as can any bras that don’t fit properly. Many women attribute back pain to their bra, when it is likely weak back muscles supporting large breasts that are the issue.

5) High heels can cause back problems- This one is true, and high heels can also damage your feet. High heels are hard on your arches, and make you tip forward on your back, affecting correct walking posture. Over time, incorrect posture can lead to back pain.


There’s often a small kernel of truth in even the most outlandish claims.