Beauty is always considered the most effective thing for almost every human being. If you are beautiful but you don’t have clear and smooth skin this can be negative element for you. Smooth and clear skin is additional benefit for every person who wants to look beautiful.

As the age increases, the skin loses its ability to withstand the ravages of the environment and our modern lifestyles. So, you should use sunscreen and some effective homemade things that can soothe your skin as provides you beauty as well. If you want to look beautiful, you may follow some tips that can prove helpful in keeping you attractive and beautiful.

Tips for beautiful skin

Water is the most considerable element if you want to look good. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. To get clear skin you can try an effective remedy by cutting some beetroot into small pieces and grinding them. Now, try to squeeze juice from beetroot and massage to your face for 5 minutes. Shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour.

Another method that can be effective is that takes a bowl and mixes sandalwood powder with rose water and adds 4 to 5 drops of milk in it and applies on to your face and body. Shower after 15 minutes with warm water. Mix Turmeric, sandal powder and olive oil and apply to body. Shower after 10 minutes. Massage your skin with milk. Milk has moisturizer; it will keep your skin smooth.

Aloe Vera is one of the best-known herbs for skin care. Freshly extracted aloe Vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns. It’s extremely easy to grow as well, thriving in a pot on a sunny windowsill. Its extract is also widely available at drug stores if you don’t want to grow your own. Just smooth it on.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A healthy breakfast will improve blood sugar levels, boost the metabolism and reduce the desire to binge on snack foods throughout the day. Studies now prove, people who eat a healthy breakfast are slimmer than those who skip breakfast.

Below are 5 health breakfast ideas that you can begin using today:

1. Super-Fast Omelet: Ingredients: 2 eggs, 2 ounces of diced turkey bacon and ¾ cup of chopped spinach. Method: Whisk the eggs until light and fluffy. Add the bacon and spinach and mix until all ingredients are well combined. Place the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for one minute, add a slice of whole wheat toast and you have a perfect breakfast to start your day.

2. Strawberry Smoothie: Smoothies are fast, easy to prepare and are great when you need to get up and go. Ingredients: 1 cup of reduced fat milk, 1 cup of strawberries, ½ cup of yoghurt and 4 ice cubes. Method: Place all the ingredients in the blender on high and mix until smooth. Pour into your favorite cup and enjoy.

3. Lean Mean Veggie And Cheese Wrap: Wraps are quick, healthy and a great way to start the day. Ingredients: 1 flour tortilla, 1 cup of cooked mixed vegetables of your choice, 2 tablespoons of grated low-fat cheddar cheese. Method: Lay the tortilla on a plate and spread the cheese over the top. Microwave the tortilla on medium heat for 40 seconds. Add the vegetables, roll the tortilla and eat while hot.

4. Quick Fruit Salad And Yoghurt: Fruit salad and yoghurt would have to top the list as an all-time breakfast favorite. Ingredients: 1 small banana, 1 small apple, ½ cup of mixed frozen berries and 1 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt. Method: Slice the banana and apple thinly and place in a bowl. Add the berries and toss the ingredients together. Top off the fruit salad with the vanilla yoghurt and enjoy.

5. Homemade Muesli: Low in fat, high in fiber and made just the way you like it. Ingredients: ½ cup of lightly toasted rolled oats, 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds, 1 tablespoon of plump juicy raisins, ¼ cup of dried banana and pineapple chips, ¾ cup of reduced fat milk. Method: Put all ingredients in a bowl, stir until combined. Add the milk and start your day the right way.

Now you have 5 healthy breakfasts for your work week. Each of the recipes takes just a few minutes to prepare. A healthy breakfast is a great way to begin the day and kick your metabolism into gear.

Soup can be can serve as a delicious appetizer to any kind of meal. Depending on the ingredients used, it can also be a quick, go-to meal on its own. While there are plenty of instant soups that you can make within a few minutes, nothing beats the homemade variety – especially when cooked using a crockpot. So whether you like your soup light or thick and creamy, here are easy soup recipes you can make for your crockpot cooking:

Crockpot Healthy Taco Soup

What you need:

• 1 kilogram ground beef
• 4 bell peppers, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
• 3 cups bone broth
• 1 cup diced green chiles
• 3/4 cup culinary coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Jalapeno slices, for topping
• Green onion slices, for topping
• Lime wedges, for topping
• Avocado slice, for topping
• Cilantro, for topping

In a pan over medium heat, melt the coconut oil then cook bell peppers and onion for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Add the ground beef to the pan and stir until cooked through. Drain and transfer mixture to a slow cooker. Season with chili powder, cumin, sea salt, pepper, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and onion powder and stir to combine ingredients well. Add diced tomatoes, bone broth, green chiles and coconut milk. Cover and cook for 8 hours on low. Add desired toppings before serving.

Creamy Slow Cooker Mushroom and Spinach Soup

What you need:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups sliced white button mushrooms
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 cups frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• 1 cup milk
• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat then cook the garlic, mushrooms and onion for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the spinach then season with salt and black pepper. Transfer mixture to a crockpot. Add chicken broth, half and half, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, white pepper and thyme to the pot. Stir lightly. Cover and cook for 3 hours on low. Add the cheese tortellini and milk 30 minutes before cooking time is done.

Both of these delicious soups for your crockpot cooking are hearty, sure to satisfy your craving!

Iodine and breastfeeding – both are controversial subjects.  In the world of breastfeeding there is a lot of controversy about what is best for you and your baby, and how long to breastfeed.  The truth of the matter is that, there are some misconceptions regarding the safety of breastfeeding while taking iodine.

If your thyroid hormones are low and you are having trouble losing weight, then there is good reason to believe you need more iodine.  Understanding how your body works is most important when taking any supplement while you are pregnant or nursing. 

Are you struggling to maintain your milk supply even though you are drinking enough water?

Your body needs sufficient amounts of iodine for your milk supply.  This very important element is essential for you and your baby while pregnant and breastfeeding.  Studies have shown that infants you do not have enough iodine in their diets will suffer.  Some will even become mentally handicapped. 

Are you happy with your energy levels?

Your energy levels, metabolism, hair growth, breast milk supply & thyroid function will all benefit from supplementing with iodine. There are few to no side effects to taking too much iodine. Many women who suffer from low milk supply while breastfeeding can tell within a couple days an increase to the milk supply.  If you think you may be seriously deficient, there is a test you can take that will determine how much iodine you need.  If you Google iodine loading test, you will find a couple companies that will help you find out what your iodine levels are and how much iodine you need.

If you thumb through most books about breastfeeding, you are not likely to find a section on constipation. This is because true constipation in a fully breastfed baby is very rare. In fact, most experts agree that if a breastfed baby is constipated, there is something medically wrong.

Breast milk is a natural laxative; however a breastfed infant may become constipated due to the introduction of foods or formula. Formula in particular is constipating. If you have recently started giving your baby formula, this may be the reason for the constipation. The single best remedy is simply more breast milk.

Reasons for constipation in a breastfed baby:

1. Illness that requires medical care (call your doctor!)

2. Formula consumption

3. Starting solids

Signs/definition:

1. The American Academy of Family Physicians defines constipation as a delay or difficulty in defecation (pooping) for more than two weeks. In a newborn (less than 6 weeks old), the AAFP recommends that parents contact their physician if their infant has had fewer than five bowel movements per week over a two-week period

2. Hard, pebble-like stools

3. Excessive straining and crying in pain. Some straining, grunting, and fussing is normal. Babies are learning how their bodies work. Grunting, straining, and fussing that results in a soft bowel movement is not constipation and does not need to be treated.

Remedy/Treatment for babies younger than 6 months:

1. If you have been exclusively breastfeeding, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of a more serious problem and your baby needs to be evaluated by your health care professional. Constipation along with weakness, a weak cry, and reduced eating could indicate botulism. While very rare, this is a life threatening disorder and requires prompt medical care.

2. If you were providing formula as a supplement, but mostly breastfeeding, stop giving the formula and exclusively breastfeed. Cow’s milk protein is very irritating to a baby’s tummy and intestines. Providing only breast milk will help sooth that irritation.

3. If you have been formula feeding, start breastfeeding (if your baby is less than 2 weeks old) or get the help of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to re-lactate. Even if you have never breastfed before, you will most likely be able to produce milk. If breastfeeding is simply not an option for you, use donor breast milk. You can either contact a milk bank (this could be expensive) or you can ask a trusted friend or family member for some of her milk.

Some health care providers discourage using un-processed breast milk since you could be exposing your baby to drugs or illness through the donor milk. However, if you trust this person and their baby is healthy, you most likely have nothing to worry about. This could be a great use for the frozen breast milk of friends who aren’t sure what to do with their surplus supply. While you can try an alternate formula, they are not derived from human milk, therefore it is likely the problem will not be solved or could even get worse.

Babies older than 6 months:

1. More breast milk! If you are in the process of weaning, go back up on the number of feedings per day until the problem resolves. Back down on how much food or formula you are giving. See a Registered Dietitian to discuss solid foods that are less constipating for your baby.

2. Time. Usually, constipation will go away without any help from special foods or medications. Although there are over the counter treatments for constipation, talk to your health care provider before using them. Repeated bouts of constipation can be a sign of a more serious problem.

3. If you are certain it is constipation and you have approval from your health care provider, the American Academy of Family Physicians states that “Parents may give infants 1 oz of sorbitol-containing juice (such as prune, pear, or apple) to treat constipation.” This should only be given to babies over the age of 6 months.

4. Some health care providers recommend giving corn syrup for constipation. This is not necessary as the other treatment options mentioned will usually work better. However, if you do decide to give your baby corn syrup, put 1 teaspoon in 2 oz. of water. Do not put the syrup directly into formula or pumped breast milk. Corn syrup works by drawing water into the intestines and stimulating the intestine to move stool on through. It is easy to overdo the corn syrup and cause diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance. Both of these problems can be harmful to your baby.

References:

http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Medicine_OTC.htm

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060301/849.html

Raw milk (from cows, goats, yaks, horses, sheep) has historically been considered a superfood. It has been used both in the daily diet (often fermented) and by special groups with extra nutritional needs, like the elderly, pregnant or nursing women, warriors, and sick people. An ancient Babylon text tells how raw milk was used to drive out the demons of sickness, “Bring milk and laban [curdled milk] that man become as pure as laban; like that milk may he become pure.”(1)

A portion of raw milk was drunk fresh and warm from the cow (or other animal), but a lot of it was fermented, or cultured, into a variety of delicious products – yoghurt, kefir, cheeses, lacto-fermented beverages, etc. – due to both the lack of refrigeration and primitive people’s knowledge of the health benefits of “probiotics”.

As early as the 1800’s, we have documented texts of medical doctors using a diet composed exclusively of raw milk to heal an incredible variety of diseases – ranging from asthma and diabetes to colitis, obesity and tuberculosis. How does raw milk work to heal such a variety of very different disorders?

Many of my readers who have gone on The IBD Remission Diet (an elemental diet used to induce disease remission) also found that a variety of other illnesses cleared up at the same time. This is one of the reasons I refer to the time on the Diet as a “healing spa”. If the digestive system is the foundation of health in the body, and natural healing heals the entire body holistically, then of course you are going to see positive results in all aspects of your health. All of your organs and systems will heal and balance, over time, given the necessary tools. An elemental diet – and raw milk is truly the first, original elemental diet, provides the body with the tools to heal holistically.

In his book, The Untold Story of Milk, naturopathic physician Ron Schmid writes:

“According to late 19th century proponents, the ‘secret’ of the milk cure lies in the fact good raw milk is a food the body easily turns into good blood. In illness there is one or both of two conditions in the blood: insufficient quantity, or abnormal quality. The milk diet corrects both and, acting through the blood and the circulation, heals the cells and thus the tissues and organs. The muscles on a milk diet harden, almost like an athlete’s, because they are pumped full of blood, as are the organs.”(2)

However, there are some rules that need to be followed. As with The IBD Remission Diet, there are some crucial guidelines that need to be implemented to have success with the raw milk cure. Some of the doctors who used the raw milk cure with patients in the 1800’s through to the 1930’s used raw milk in conjunction with mild, easily digestible foods like fruit. But the vast majority swore by the need to consume only fresh, raw milk, and vast quantities of it.

One of the most prolific of these doctors, Charles Sanford Porter MD, published a book called, Milk Diet as a Remedy for Chronic Disease in 1905. In the book he relates how at least 18,000 patients had been on the raw milk diet under his care in the last 37 years. This was not some fad diet, or quick-flash trend. This was a solid, scientifically proven method for healing mild to severe disorders. In 1929, one of the founders of the Mayo Foundation (forerunner to the Mayo Clinic), J.E. Crew MD reported that he had been successfully using the raw milk treatment for the last 15 years. He said, “The results obtained in various types of disease have been so uniformly excellent that one’s conception of disease and its alleviation is necessarily changed. When sick people are limited to a diet containing an excess of vitamins and all the elements necessary to growth and maintenance, they recover rapidly without the use of drugs and without bringing to bear all the complicated weapons of modern medicine.”(3)

The great thing is that many medical doctors in the U.S., Russia and Germany published their work and results using raw milk diets from the early 1800’s to early 1900’s, so we have good guidelines for implementation. Personally, from my experience with elemental diets and the rationale behind them, I agree with the majority of doctors who found that if you mixed other foods with the raw milk diet, it was not nearly as successful. The only other food I think you could mix with raw milk and perhaps see an added benefit from is clear homemade bone broths – boiled from organic meat and bones. I say this both because I have an intuitive sense that this would be okay (and perhaps add to the healing power of the regime), and because homemade bone broths have been very beneficial for people on The IBD Remission Diet.

Rules For The Raw Milk Cure

After perusing the writings of various doctors who worked extensively with raw milk treatments, here are the crucial implementation guidelines if you’d like to give the raw milk diet a try:

• Use raw, untreated milk from pasture-fed cows only – milk has the highest curative value in spring and early summer when cows are eating new, high vitamin grass. Do not use milk from grain-fed or barn-bound cows.
• Higher fat milk (from Jersey cows) is ideal. Be sure to use full-fat milk only (not 2% or skim).
• The average adult must consume at least 3 – 4 quarts of raw milk per day. You can consume up to 10 quarts per day, if you wish (note: 4 cups = 1 quart).
• Minimum duration of raw milk diet is 4 weeks to see good results. Follow with gradual food introduction of easily digested foods.
• You must have complete rest during the diet – do not work, take care of family, go to school, etc. This is exactly what I advise people on The IBD Remission Diet, because healing takes a lot of energy.
• Do not consume any other foods or beverages whilst on the diet, except filtered or spring water.

The importance of strictly adhering to these guidelines is summed up in the words of Dr. Charles Sanford Porter, MD:

“It is wrong, if not positively dangerous, to attempt the exclusive milk diet on any amount of milk less than that required to noticeably stimulate the circulation and promote body growth. There is no halfway method of taking the milk diet for people who have much the matter with them. Enough milk must be taken to create new circulation, new cells, and new tissue growth, and cause prompt elimination of the waste and dead matter that may be poisoning the system. With milk alone, digestion and assimilation may go on throughout practically the whole length of the alimentary canal. The addition of even a cracker to the milk seems to cause the stomach to hold all its contents for hours without discharging much into the intestine.”(4)

How Long Do I Stay On The Diet?

Now you may be wondering how long you can safely stay on a raw milk diet. Amazingly, there is no limit. Raw cow’s milk from pasture-fed cows is a complete, perfect food all by itself. In his book, The Untold Story of Milk, Ron Schmid ND, relates numerous stories of people who lived in perfect health for up to 50 years on raw milk alone. Here’s just one of many examples; this is a letter from a man in Burlington, Iowa in 1913:

“I have lived on a strictly milk diet for the past forty-two years, not as a matter of choice, but from the fact that I am unable to take solid food of any kind, even a crumb of bread. At the age of two I took a dose of concentrated lye, which caused a stricture of the food pipe and since then have lived on a milk diet. I believe I have gotten along better than the man who eats. I am five feet, six inches tall, weigh one hundred and forty pounds, and am married and have four strong, healthy children. I take one quart at each mealtime and none between meals. My health is good, in fact I have never been ill in forty-two years.”(5)

Dr. Schmid goes on to give many different examples of people who have had excellent health living on nothing but raw cow’s milk for 3 – 50 years. This is very liberating information! Imagine if elderly people in nursing homes were given raw milk instead of Boost, Ensure and processed foods? Imagine if people with obstructions and strictures were given raw milk, rather than surgery, or having their colon removed?

How To Introduce Raw Milk

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often very hesitant to try raw milk due to bad experiences with pasteurized milk and sensitivity to milk proteins (keep in mind these proteins have been denatured by the pasteurization process). So what’s the best way to start and test whether you can take advantage of this amazing superfood? Here are the guidelines I’ve used with myself and my children (who were not allowed to drink pasteurized milk) to introduce raw milk and test for tolerance:

• Make sure you only use untreated, full-fat, raw milk from pasture-fed cows
• If you have been highly sensitive to milk in the past, then start by making yoghurt from the raw milk. Raw milk yoghurt is the most highly tolerated of all raw milk products. Eat a small amount of yoghurt each day and gradually build up (see Jini’s Raw Milk Yoghurt Recipe below).
• If you like the yoghurt and tolerate it well, then you can make an Indian yoghurt drink called a lassi: Add a pinch of cardamom powder, nutmeg powder and your desired sweetener (stevia, maple syrup, honey) and stir to mix. Add some warm filtered water if the texture is too thick.
• If you want to drink the raw milk straight, it’s best if you drink it in isolation from other foods. For example, have it first thing in the morning and don’t eat or drink anything else with it – consume it as you would an elemental shake (all by itself, on an empty stomach).
• Warm the milk slightly to room temperature or lukewarm before drinking (but don’t make it hot/boiling or you will kill the good bacteria and enzymes that facilitate digestion). Cold milk can be a shock to the system and harder to digest.

Before we found a source of raw milk, my kids would occasionally have a glass of pasteurized milk at a friend’s house. And within half an hour they would have a bowel movement. Now keep in mind that my kids are perfectly healthy, with one formed bowel movement per day. If pasteurized milk affects them so negatively, imagine what it does to an already compromised digestive system? Raw milk is completely different. My kids drink as much raw milk per day as they wish and they still have only one formed bowel movement per day. I drink raw milk straight, eat raw milk cheeses, raw milk yoghurt, and make a shake from raw eggs and raw milk, and I’ve never felt better! If you’d like to source a raw milk supplier in your area go to: www.realmilk.com There are also lots of useful articles on the site if you’re worried about safety issues, legalities, etc.

References:

1. Barton, George A. Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, pg 635.

2. Schmid, Ron The Untold Story of Milk, pg. 76

3. Crewe, J. E. Raw Milk Cures Many Diseases, article, 1929

4. Porter, S. Charles Milk Diet as a Remedy for Chronic Disease, 1905-1923

5. Schmid, Ron The Untold Story of Milk, pg. 75

JINI’S RAW MILK YOGHURT RECIPE

Traditional yoghurt recipes call for the milk to be heated to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, however, this destroys the beneficial enzymes present in raw milk. Therefore, I prefer to not heat the milk beyond 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43°C). However, this usually results in a runny yoghurt (not firm). If you’re going to use your yoghurt in shakes, smoothies or lassis, this is fine. However, if you prefer to eat firm yoghurt, you will need to add gelatin to help firm it up. So the recipe here includes gelatin, but if you’re okay with runny yoghurt, then follow the recipe as is, minus the gelatin.

• 4 cups raw whole milk
• 2 teaspoons of Natren Yogurt Starter
• 1 glass quart jar with lid, sterilized
• 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin

1. Pour 4 cups of milk into a saucepan and sprinkle gelatin over surface of milk. Let sit for 5 minutes while gelatin dissolves.

2. Over low heat, stirring constantly, slowly bring the milk to 110°F (43°C), or until you can keep your finger in the milk while you count to 10.

3. Put the yogurt starter into the wide-mouth quart-size sterilized glass jar. Pour in about 1/2 cup milk and stir to mix really well with the starter.

4. Fill the jar with the rest of the milk, stir lightly, and screw on the lid.

5. Wrap the jar in a towel and let sit in a warm place*, for eight hours.

6. Unwrap and place in the refrigerator. Allow yoghurt to set in fridge (about four hours). If you want an even firmer yoghurt, next time add 1.5 or 2 teaspoons of gelatin.

*If you don’t have a warm place, then put it inside your oven with the oven light on. Do not turn on the oven, just turn on the oven light and close the oven door. If you have a yoghurt-maker, use the recipe here and then follow instructions for your yoghurt-maker for incubation – but still best to incubate for 8 hours.

Note: Do not mix fruit or sweeteners directly into your main batch of yoghurt, as this will interfere negatively with probiotic activity and potency during storage. However, it is perfectly fine to scoop out a portion of yoghurt and mix in some fruit, jam, maple syrup or honey immediately prior to eating – just don’t mix these in with your main batch that remains in the fridge.