The Interesting Uses for Everyday Objects

Rubber Band Paint Can



Whenever you have to paint a room, there is always the worry of the mess you are about to make to do it. With hardwood floors there is so much worry of never seeing your deposit again that you might refrain from ever painting an ugly color off. As we all know, wiping the paintbrush on the sides of the can not only causes a mess on the can, but simply doesn’t work well enough that it seems worth it. This is where simple ingenuity comes in. Wrap a rubber band around the can, directly over the middle of the open mouth of the container. When pulling your brush out, wipe it across the rubber band. This keeps the mess off the sides and cuts down dramatically on spillage.



Straw Tab



Popping open a can of soda is a great way to refresh yourself and get that much needed caffeine jolt. But for those who want to keep potential messes to a minimum, or don’t want soda to get to their teeth, there is a simple solution for that roaming straw. Simply turn the tab around so its larger hole is now over the open mouth, and stick a straw through. The tab will keep the straw in place and is a near perfect size!



Trash Can Holes



Taking out the trash is one of those few jobs that is necessary and simple, yet no one wants to do it. Most of that trepidation comes from the fear of what will happen if the bag rips or doesn’t come out easily. For the latter issue, there is a simple solution that can help out immensely. By drilling two holes near the bottom of the can, you create an escape for the air that keeps it from vacuuming the bag down and forcing you to tug at the potential time bomb of trash bag handles in your hands.



Water for Crispy Pizza



When microwaving a slice of pizza, you are running a terrible risk. When you pull the piece out, will it be recognizable from the crispy slice you received earlier that day or the night before? Or will it be a soggy mess of sadness that flops down the minute you pick it up and sends blazingly hot cheese into your lap? If you follow this simple advice, you can at least cut down on some of the terrible sogginess and enjoy some half-decent leftovers again. Put a small amount of water in a microwavable cup into the microwave along with your slice.



Comb Holder for Nails



Banging your fingers with a hammer hurts. This is common knowledge, and a big reason why we all do that weird test swing thing before we start wailing away at the wall. Yet, for those of us who still manage to catch our thumbs in the path of the hammer, there will always be a need for something to save us and our abused digits. A comb, for example, does wonders. The teeth of a comb, while flexible, are fairly rigid still and perfect for holding nails in place. This is also especially helpful since it means your fingers won’t be anywhere near the mallet and can keep your piano playing days going a bit longer.



Toothpaste Headlights



Headlights on a car are essential to our safety, and car shops are essential to keeping those pieces working correctly. Yet, it also seems that car shops have an essential need to overcharge by leaps and bounds for simple things, and buying replacement parts is equally expensive. When it comes to your headlights, if you are experiencing a foggy or dimming light, there might be another way than industrial cleaners or replacement lights. Grab a tube of toothpaste and rub it on the light. Now brush it on (preferably not with your actual toothbrush) and then rinse. You will notice that all the dirt, muck and grime have gone as the toothpaste does a remarkable job cleaning!



The Cord Control



Opening a box of cords, any cords, is an exercise in patience and temper management. Anything from Christmas lights to headphone cables seem to find a way to wrap themselves in knots around other cables no matter how neatly you stack them together. Yet, there is an easy solution you may never have thought of: toilet paper rolls. Take an empty toilet paper roll and fold the cord up and set it inside. Now put the paper roll, open sides up and resting on the bottom of the box respectively, and place them side by side in the box. If you have a big enough box (and enough cords), you can even lay down a piece of cardboard between them and make a second stack! Label them with marker on the outside for easy detection.



The Plastic Packs



Any time you buy a super cool utensil, or cd, or video game and it comes in one of those plastic packs, it feels like the world is taunting you. There it is, the thing you bought, inside this seemingly indestructible package that laughs at steak knives and breaks your scissors. Forget opening them with your hands, they are tear proof by design and even if you manage to get it open, you will have to tear the plastic at whatever angle you can achieve just to get inside. For this, there seems to be no hope, that is until you realize the obvious; you’re can opener is built perfectly for this job. By using a hand crank can opener on the side of the package, you can get any simple plastic package opened up in no time.

British vs American English

Eating More Protein, Less Refined Carbs Could Help Keep Your Weight Off

 

Protein-rich diet

Include in your diet high-protein foods such as lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and low-dat dairy products, Larsen advises. Legumes are also great protein sources, as are nuts and almonds.

Low-glycemic diet

The goal is to eat as many coarse and wholegrain foods as possible (i.e. wholegrain breads and pasta, whole oats and wholegrain cereals) and limit your consumption of refined carbs, according to Larsen:

• Eat more vegetables, except corn.
• Eat bananas, grapes, kiwi, pineapple and melon in limited amounts.
• Potatoes should be cooked as little as possible. Avoid mashed and baked potatoes.
• Pasta should be cooked al dente and is best eaten cold.
• Choose rice varieties such as brown rice, parboiled rice or basmati.
• Avoid white bread, white rice and sugary breakfast cereals.
• Cut back on your sugar intake

Example of a day's menu

So what is a typical high-protein, low-GI diet like? Here's the suggest:

• Breakfast of low-fat yogurt with muesli (no sugar added), wholegrain crispbread with low-fat cheese, an orange
• Morning snack of vegetable sticks and low-fat cheese sticks
• Lunch of wholegrain rye bread with lean meat or chicken cold cuts, mackerel in tomato sauce and vegetables
• Afternoon snack of wholegrain rye bread with low-fat liver pâté and cucumber
• Dinner of stir-fried turkey with vegetables and wholegrain pasta, avocado salad with feta cheese and sugar peas

 

Remember to eat high-protein and low-GI foods to stay slim.

Fertility After Forty

The most fertile years of a woman's life are those between 18 and 28. Even into the mid-thirties, it is usually fairly easy to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. During these years the hormones that control ovulation, enhance conception, and ensure a healthy pregnancy are usually made easily and in generous quantities. And detrimental life-style choices have not had decades of repetition to create chronic problems.

But more and more women are waiting until their late thirties, early forties, even late forties, to have children. Is this too late? Are these destined to have high-risk pregnancies? Will these children have more birth defects?

The answer to these questions - and others like them - is "no!" for wise women who enlist the help of green allies to increase fertility, ensure conception, prevent birth defects, and promote a healthy pregnancy and an easy delivery.




Increasing Fertility; Ensuring Conception

Increase your chances of conception by meditating. Cultivating a calm attitude, not surprisingly, enhances fertility. Even taking a quiet five minutes alone just for you, free of all responsibilities, can bring big results if done frequently enough.

Use lunaception to time your ovulation so you have the best odds of conceiving. It's fine to have sex in the weeks before ovulation, especially if the sex is focused on the woman and her orgasm, but do save your best efforts for those three nights when your "moon" is full and bright and ready to frolic.

Orgasm on the part of the male is necessary for fertilization. The woman's orgasm does increase the possibility of conception. Women who experience orgasm after their partner (up to 40 minutes after his ejaculation) have the very best chance of becoming pregnant.

Red clover is the single best remedy for women over forty who want to conceive but can't - even if there are medical reasons for not conceiving such as blocked tubes, diabetes, ovarian cysts, internal scarring, or endometriosis. There are many heart-warming success stories I could share about red clover! But suffice to say, drinking 2-4 cups of the infusion of the dried blossoms (neither tincture nor tea nor pills will work for this application) seems to do wonders for fertility, no matter what your age.



Preventing Birth Defects

Boosting your nutritional status makes birth defects less of a worry. Women who drink 2-4 cups of stinging nettle infusion daily and eat cooked leafy greens as well as lettuce salads are getting the abundant folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals needed to create a healthy baby. (Tinctures, pills, and teas contain little or none of these important nutrients.)

Vitamin E is an especially critical nutrient for fertility after forty and freedom from birth defects. Freshly-ground wheat flour, cold-pressed oils, and nut butters are all good sources of vitamin E, as are stinging nettle infusion and most cooked seaweed, such as kelp. The man's vitamin E level has as much, if not more, bearing on freedom from birth defects as does the woman's vitamin E level.

Avoid heat , both of you. Hot tubs, even prolonged soaking in a hot bath, can cause temporary (up to several months) sterility in some men. In women, it can endanger the early embryo and trigger a miscarriage or birth defects.

Avoid drugs , both of you, including alcohol, tobacco, coffee, as well as over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs (except those you absolutely need). Your liver needs to be strong and so do your kidneys, so you can conceive and gestate a child. Instead of alcohol, which damages the liver, drink herbal infusions or alcohol-free wine or beer. Instead of tobacco, which may contribute to birth defects and low birth weight, try smoking a little dried peppermint, or, better yet, go for a walk. Instead of coffee, which challenges the kidneys, you may wish to drink green tea or black tea, or try coffee substitutes, especially the one made with dandelion roots. Instead of drugs to ease everyday aches and pains, use the gentle herbal remedies in this book instead.



Emotional Issues

Ambivalence about pregnancy and parenthood is normal and natural. But the older a woman gets, the more complicated her emotions about it may be. Add to her emotional soup pot strong opinions from family and friends, confusing information spread by the popular media, and fear-inducing pronouncements from "helpful" medical professionals, and that pot will be in danger of boiling over. Herewith then, some wise woman hints for keeping your cool in the midst of overt and covert confusion.

Contrary to current opinion, having children in your forties is ordinary and common worldwide. The Bible mentions several women having children in their fifties. What is unusual and unique to our time is having a first child in one's forties. Our mother’s, mother’s, mothers were having their fifth or eighth or tenth child when they were in their forties, not their first. If people tell you it just isn't done, close your eyes and call upon the spirit of your great-great-great-great grandmother, then smile and tell them it seems utterly ordinary to you.

Feeling tense and distressed about choosing or refusing motherhood? Motherwort tincture is my favorite calmative. A dose of 10-20 drops helps clear your mind, eases your tension, and assists you in discerning the best path to follow.


Bach flower remedies excel as helpers when you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Try:

- Aspen when you feel anxious, apprehensive, or afraid of the unknown.
- Mimulus when you are dwelling on a specific fear.
- Elm when you feel overwhelmed or inadequate.
- Red Chestnut when you are afraid for or worried about your baby to be.
- Rock Rose when you are trembling, shaking, or weeping from anxiety or fear.


Regular gentle massage or Reiki treatments not only help you calm your distress, they also guide you in creating a strong center that's resistant to being pushed around by other people's opinions. Massage and/or Reiki also help prepare your mind/body for a healthy pregnancy and a safe birth.




Special Allies for Pregnant Women over Forty

The single most important herb for pregnant women over forty is comfrey (Symphytum uplandica hybrids). The leaves of the mature plant contain an abundance of constituents beneficial to mother and babe, including generous amounts of minerals, alantoin, proteins, and many vitamins. The minerals in comfrey help ensure healthy nervous system growth; the fetus’s developing brain uses the proteins. And the alantoin helps the mother's tissues become stretchy and elastic.

Aging can lead to increased stiffness and brittleness in bones and muscles, making pregnancy more arduous and painful, labor slower and more difficult, and injury more likely during birth. The hormones of pregnancy, which help soften and relax the pelvic tissues, may not be produced in adequate amounts. Comfrey comes to the rescue! Comfrey creates flexible and strong tissues throughout the body especially mucus surfaces (including intestines, uterus, bladder and vagina), the bones, the ligaments and tendons, and the skin.

Regular use of the leaf infusion, at least a quart a week, promotes a safe delivery by:

- strengthening uterine muscles and preparing them to work easily and well
- strengthening perineal tissues so they become resistant to tearing
- strengthening uterine ligaments so the uterus does not prolapse
- strengthening the bladder and increasing resistance to bacterial infection
- strengthening the vagina and helping to promote an environment hostile to infection
- providing easily assimilated minerals to prevent eclampsia and other complications
- helping the bones of the pelvis flex and open during birth
- increasing iron in the blood and thus forestalling post-partum hemorrhage.


Some people feel that comfrey is not safe to use during pregnancy. Some people feel comfrey is not safe to use internally at all. I disagree. The roots of comfrey do contain compounds that are best avoided during pregnancy (as do all parts of the wild plant). In fact, I rarely use comfrey root because of the possibility of liver congestion, and I strongly caution those who have had hepatitis, chemotherapy, or alcohol problems to strictly avoid comfrey root. Yet even these people can benefit from use of comfrey leaf infusions.

Another important herbal ally for women over forty who desire a child is chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castii). It has been used in Africa and parts of Europe for several thousand years to discourage the male libido. In women, the effects seem to be the opposite! It may also be a fertility enhancer. Most importantly, chaste tree is a strengthening tonic for the pituitary gland, the master control gland for the endocrine system. Daily use of the tincture of the berries (1 dropperful/1 ml 2-3 times daily) had been shown to increase progesterone - the hormone of pregnancy - and luteinizing hormone - which promotes conception. Because it can lower prolactin levels, chaste tree is best discontinued during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is not recommended for women over forty. In general, this herb promotes blood flow to the uterus and surrounding tissues. This can promote the growth of fibroids and increase the risk of post-partum hemorrhage. Ginger is a better warming tonic; motherwort is better at relieving pain; and raspberry is better at preparing the uterus for birth.

source from : http://fabulously40.com/article/id/fertility-after-forty-29

"XOXO" ?

 

 

 

Love Love Love ......

How to Look Good Naturally

These plants and herbs can keep your skin glowing.


Anise The aromatic seeds have mildly antibacterial properties and can be used to freshen the breath. The essential oil can be used in massages – but don’t use it if you have a rash.




Banana is rich in Vitamin A and potassium. The mashed pulp is very gentle when used on the skin, making good refining and cleansing face masks.






Chives have a high sulphur and iron content, so the juice makes an excellent skin tonic and cleanser when dabbed on to the skin.





Clove oil’s antiseptic qualities make it a valuable ingredient in toothpastes. Use it as a mouthwash and in other oral hygiene preparations.








Coconut Blended with other ingredients, coconut makes a nourishing pre-wash hair-conditioning treatment. It may also be used as an intensive skin moisturiser.





Kelp is rich in vitamins and minerals, so it is a useful ingredient in facemasks and bodycare treatments for skin problems. Use dried or powdered.







Macadamia A thick-textured oil that can be used in small quantities in homemade cosmetics, it is a natural skin soother. Use on its own on dry or chapped skin or mix it with a fragrant oil for hair gloss.





Melon rich in vitamins B and C, melon flesh is useful in homemade recipes for cooling facemasks and nourishing skin treatments.






Parsley tea makes an excellent mouthwash and anti-freckle lotion. Pulp it in a food processor to add to tonics, toners and skin cleansers.




Potato Mashed and cooled, it can be used as an intensive moisturising treatment and facial mask that is particularly suitable for dry complexions. It may also be used to soothe swollen eyelids and sunburn.






Sesame In oil form, sesame can be used in a variety of nourishing skin treatments. As it is very light-textured and light, it has excellent lubricating qualities and makes a good base oil for massage.






Strawberry Being mildly astringent, strawberries are a refreshing natural cosmetic for cleansing and toning the skin. Fresh strawberries contain an acid that whitens teeth.

Happy Chinese "Snake" New Year

 

 

Rainbow Wynne Wishes All ....

 

A Wonderful Year Filled With Peace

Happiness, Prosperity & Joy ! 

The Perfect Shave for Guys

For the closest shave, nothing beats a straight-edge razor. But if you don't know how to use one, you could get hurt. For the next best thing, try these tips :





1. Wash your face with an alcohol-free cleanser.
2. Open pores by applying a hot towel to the face, or shave after a hot shower.
3. Rub shaving cream in a circular, upward motion to lift hairs, so they're easier to cut.
4. Go with the grain, moving from the side towards the nose, then to the chin. Next, go against the grain. Don't shave one area more than three times - it irritates the skin.
5. Finish with a splash of cold water, then alcohol-free aftershave.


Replace a razor after three shaves. Rinse it in hot water after use and store upright, never facedown - that helps bacteria grow.

The Health Benefits of Apple Vinegar

1. Beat workout exhaustion

Exercise and sometimes extreme stress cause lactic acid to build up in the body, causing fatigue. Interestingly, the amino acids contained in apple cider vinegar act as an antidote. What's more, apple cider vinegar contains potassium and enzymes that may relieve that tired feeling. Next time you're feeling beat, add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a glass of chilled vegetable drink or to a glass of water.

2. Whiter teeth

Gargle with apple cider vinegar in the morning. The vinegar helps remove stains, whiten teeth, and kill bacteria in your mouth and gums. Brush as usual after you gargle. Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week. This will help remove stains and whiten your teeth. Use it just as you would toothpaste. You can also use salt as an alternative toothpaste. If your gums start to feel raw, switch to brushing with salt every other day.

 

 

3. Tummy troubles
Sip some vinegar water. If a bacterial infection is at the root of your diarrhea, apple cider vinegar could help contain the problem, thanks to its antibiotic properties. What's more, some folk remedy experts contend that apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which can help soothe intestinal spasms.

4. Hiccups

Take a teaspoonful of vinegar. Its sour taste could stop a hiccup in its tracks.

5. Indigestion prevention

Sip this before eating. If you know you're going to indulge in foods that will make you sorry later, try this folk remedy first. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it 30 minutes before you dine.

6. Nighttime leg cramps

Sip some vinegar water. This old folk remedy should please apple cider vinegar fans. Add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and a little honey to a glass of water and drink to ease nighttime leg cramps. Of course, by the time you walk to the kitchen to put the drink together, your cramp is likely to be history — but maybe that's just the point.

7. Stuffy nose

Sip some vinegar. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink. This helps sinus drainage.

8. Sore throat

Reach for the vinegar. As soon as you feel the prickle of a sore throat, employ germ-busting vinegar to help head off the infection at the pass. Turns out, most germs can't survive in the acidic environment vinegar creates. Just mix ¼ cup apple cider vinegar with ¼ cup warm water and gargle every hour or so.

The Iron-Rich Foods

Iron deficiency is common among women. Check out these foods to get more iron in your diet.

Egg yolks

 

Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse rich in protein, healthy fats and various vitamins and minerals, including iron. And they're so easy to prepare -- enjoy hard boiled as a snack or add to salads.





Liver

 

This organ meat boasts one of the highest iron content: A 3-ounce serving provides at least 3.5 mg of heme iron -- that's about 20 percent of the daily value recommended for women. Serve paté as an appetizer on whole grain crackers or toast.





Red meat

 

Iron deficiency is a common nutrient deficiency, especially in women, and if left untreated can lead to anemia. Eating iron-rich foods can boost your iron levels. Red meat such as beef is a rich source of heme iron, the form of iron that is most readily absorbed by your body. Choose lean cuts to cut back on the fat.





Dark, leafy greens

 

Dark leafy vegetables such as spinach and collards are great plant-based sources of iron. To improve your iron uptake, eat them together with vitamin C-rich foods (such as tomatoes, broccoli and bell peppers), which can help your body better absorb the iron.





Mollusks

 

These are excellent sources of iron: A serving of 4 clams provide at least 3.5mg of iron, while a serving of 6 scallops or 3 oysters contain 2.1mg to 3.4mg.





Poultry

 

Heme iron is found in animal foods, including poultry. Chicken and turkey make great alternative heme iron sources to red meat. They're also naturally low in fat as long as you don't eat the skin.





Beans, lentils, chick peas and soybeans

 

These are excellent sources of non-heme iron -- add them to soups, salads and casseroles. Iron from plant-based foods are not as easily absorbed as iron from animal products. So if you are a vegetarian, ensure you consume more non-heme iron in your diet.





Dried fruits

 

These iron-rich fruits make delicious snacks and include dried prunes, raisins and apricots. Eat them on their own or add to cereals, breads, cookies and desserts.





Molasses

 

A great source of iron, one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses provides 3.5mg of iron. Use it as a partial substitute to sugar.

Tips to sweat less

1. Breathe easy
Avoid excessive perspiration by making wiser outfit choices. Ditch form-fitting styles and opt for light-coloured, loose-fitting, breathable outfits with good ventilation.

2. Eat wise
Spicy foods cause what is known as ‘gustatory sweating’, which causes the face to perspire. It’s thought to be a side effect of salivating and designed as a way to cool your skin. There’s one easy way to avoid this kind of reaction – ditch the chillies for good!

3. Avoid alcohol
When you drink, you’ll probably notice your skin takes on a pinkish glow. That’s because alcohol widens the blood vessels underneath your skin, making them appear pinker. It also increases your body temperature, making you sweat more.

4. Dodge the sun
It seems obvious: the sun makes you hot, so avoiding it makes you sweat less. Yet people still venture out into the midday sun where they quickly dehydrate and end up soaking their clothes. Be wise and avoid the hottest parts of the day.

5. Cool down
When you feel yourself perspire, take swift action to cool down – whether that’s jumping into a pool, taking a cold shower or fanning yourself to bring your temperature down a few degrees.


6. Towel off
If you’re prone to sweating, it’s wise to bring a hand towel out with you; particularly while exercising or staying out in the sun. Okay, so it won’t stop you perspiring, but it may just save your blushes.

7. Chill out
It’s not just the sun that can turn you into a sweaty heap; stress also triggers perspiration. Take time to chill out, whether that means a day of pampering or heading to a yoga class. Just remember to avoid bikram yoga!

8. Cut caffeine
Don’t panic! You don’t have to cut out your morning latte altogether; just remember that caffeine is a stimulant, which kicks the nervous system into life and increases the amount you sweat. If you need your caffeine fix, make sure you’re in an air-conditioned environment or can hop in the shower afterwards.


9. Slash the salt
Eating junk foods packed full of sodium can make you a heavy sweater. The reason? The body tries to expel excess salt through sweating, so eating too much salt will leave you sweaty and dehydrated.

10. Be prepared
An easy and effective solution to keep underarms dry is to use a clinical strength deodorant to provide extra protection.