One of our members asked what do I recommend for under eye bags.
Well, before you rush and go purchase some expensive eye care product with a million claims, it’s always important to look at the root cause.
WHY do we get bags under our eyes?
SLEEP ISSUES: When you sleep, fluids settle in the tissue beneath your eyes. Getting too little sleep can cause your blood vessels to leak and mix with those fluids, leading to dark circles.
ALLERGIES/SINUS PROBLEMS: In addition to stuffing up your nose, allergies cause swelling in sinus tissue, which can appear as puffiness under your eyes.
TOBACCO USE: The nicotine in tobacco disrupts your natural sleep patterns, which can cause fluids to collect beneath your eyes. Smoking also produces substances that break down the elasticity of the skin and the collagen that helps keep skin firm.
ALCOHOL USE: Although alcohol is a liquid, it dehydrates the body. When you are dehydrated, the skin under your eyes becomes flabby and weak, causing bags to form.
AGING: As you age, muscles and tissues weaken, and the fat that naturally supports the eyes can sink to the area beneath your eyes, making them appear swollen. Fluids can also collect in the area.
EATING SALTY FOODS: Your body retains fluid when you eat salty foods. One of the places these fluids collect is beneath your eyes.
NOT REMOVING MAKEUP: If you don’t remove makeup before going to sleep, it can irritate the tissue beneath your eyes, causing it to swell.
TOO MUCH SUN: Sun exposure can damage skin cells and the collagen that keeps the skin beneath your eyes firm.
HEREDITY: Some people are simply prone to having under-eye bags because it runs in the family. If your mom or dad had them, chances are you will too.
Tomorrow, we will look at some solutions for bags under our eyes!
The human body is extremely sensitive to touch and smell. For years, humans have been consuming cocktails of harmful chemicals in unknown quantities, putting their trust in random OTC finds at the drug store.
Today, the modern day natural solution comes in the form of essential oils. These essential oils naturally feed our senses (with positive results). People the world over turning to essential oils as a way to enhance their daily lives.
With over 390,000 plants known to science, it can easily become overwhelming to start an essential oil collection. The world of essential oils is filled with benefits that vary from muscle relief to sleeping aids, to breathing aid..
One of the first essential oils for the essential oil chest should be Frankincens.Frankincense is a spice that has been used for thousands of years to help:
Decrease visible signs of aging
Fight bacteria
Strengthen immune system
Reduce stress
Balance hormones & improve fertility
Promote cellular regeneration
Meet Pure Frankincense
Personality: The peacekeeper—calming and balanced. Favorite Color: Golden brown. Aroma: Fresh, woody, and slightly spicy with a citrus top note. Best Trait: Rejuvenating the skin and promoting a harmonious environment. Comes From: Somalia Cool Fact: Once worth more by weight than gold, frankincense was used by ancient Egyptians for everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin!
Usage Ideas:
Breathe & Rejuvenate: Rub two (2) drops of Frankincense into your palms and inhale or apply to your temples for a rejuvenating experience.
Diffuse Inspiration: Diffuse three to five (3–5) drops of Frankincense to help elevate your mood and increase focus.
Ground & Calm Foot Massage: Massage 3–5 drops of Frankincense onto the bottoms of your feet to help ground and calm your emotions.
Dilute: No dilution necessary, but dilute if you have skin sensitivities Plant Parts Used: Gum (Resin) Extraction Method: Steam distillation
How much are you spending each month on groceries right now?
Two years ago the home loan interest rate was 3.0% allowing you to own a $700,000 home. That same interest rate is now 7.2% allowing you to own a $400,000 home. Maybe you bought that $700,000 home two years ago, but with rising inflation causing groceries and fuel to soar, you could probably use some additional residual income about now.
I’m been earning residual income for over 18 years with Melaleuca—a totally debt-free company offering safer, more natural, American-made products at Target prices. It never hurts to look at ways to earn some additional residual income and save on your day-to-day consumer products.
Are you open to a cup of coffee and some valuable information?
It’s Thursday, and I’m cleaning, so I don’t have to spend my whole weekend doing it. This is what I use for my cleaning day:
Zoom in on all the containers. No ammonia, no formaldehyde, no phthalates, no toxic chemicals. Now, look at the size of the washing machine detergent bottle. Look at the window cleaner. The far left container fills the center spray bottle six to eight times. That’s a lot of mirrors and glass. That small bottle is about six dollars. Compare it to the three dollar or more price tag purchase on Windex from Walmart or Target. That doesn’t make sense.
I prefer EcoSense! For those who want to make a difference in the air, your home and your health,
this is a wonderful switch. Doesn’t that make (Eco)Sense?
Today is NATIONAL COMPLIMENT DAY. What a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done! Today’s the day to give an extra compliment to anyone and everyone you meet.. A compliment has a powerful effect. It can instill confidence in a child, or validate someone’s hard work. A compliment not only improves the receiver’s mood, but it also says something about the giver. It tells them you noticed.
Whether we recognize someone’s achievement or their classic style, a compliment can go a long way. To give a great compliment, first be sincere. People have a way of knowing when we are fake. If you don’t mean it, it’s worse than getting a thoughtless birthday gift.
Complimenting character versus a new haircut are different rewards. The first says you respect the person and the other tells them you paid attention. Sometimes the receiver needs to hear one or the other, or both. Human beings like to be unique, original. Strive to compliment what makes a person stand out above the rest. Take the time to reflect on what you admire about the person and go for it.
The Post- Holiday Season typically presents challenges to both our physical and emotional health. Whether it’s the rush of it all, overextending ourselves physically, Seasonal Affective Disorder from the short days, dealing with difficult relationships, financial stress, inclement weather, or a host of other issues, it can be a tough time.
I’m not an authority on this subject, but I have observed a number of things that can help keep you physically and emotionally healthy through this winter season.
PHYSICAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
There’s are fewer daylight and your skin is almost totally covered with clothing such that your natural vitamin D production is almost nil. Those short days also lend themselves to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which can not only depress your immune system, but also affect you emotionally. Your home and workplace is shut up against the cold, so you have a lack of fresh air and a greater exposure to disease-causing microorganisms. That closed environment also makes it easier for you to get infections from those around you.
Colder temperatures are also more stressful on your body, requiring greater adaptation to stay healthy. So what can you do:
1. Be sure to take at least 5000 i.u.’s of Vitamin D-3 daily — you may need 10,000, especially if you live in a non-sunny climate. 2. Get some fresh air in your home, even if that’s just opening some windows for a few minutes or leaving a window cracked in your bedroom at night. 3. If you are particularly bothered by the short days, consider getting one of the specially designed full-spectrum lights and expose yourself to it in the early morning and late afternoon. 4. Take other immune system stimulating supplements, such as L-Lysine, echinacea, IP6, etc.
I personally take Peak Performance Packs year round to help keep my siystem at optimal health. What do you take or do for the winter?
I know a lot of people who think Mrs. Meyers is a wonderful, safe cleansing brand for their family. So did I until I learned a lot moref about the company and the ingredients they use.
If you are one of the many people who use these products, did you know that Mrs. Meyers brand is NOT non-toxic? Recently thee company has been involved in a class action lawsuit for claiming to be safe, when, in reality, they’re not! In fact, Mrs. Meyers dish soap was found to have the HIGHEST levels of carcinogens at 204 parts per million.
If you think you will switch to Seventh Generation, Simple Green or Method for your cleaning needs, think again. Both companies have also been involved in class actions suits for safety issues. Most of the products these companies sold were labeled as “Non-Toxic”, “Organic”, or “n”Natural,” when in fact they were not. But throwing the words “Non-Toxic” or “natural” on the label allowed them to charge more or the products.
To the detriment of the consumer, many of the Products offered are not, in fact, “natural,” or “non-toxic” according to the class action lawsuits. Most of the Products include at least one or more of the following non-natural ingredients: benzisothiazolinone (‘BIT’), methylisothiazolinone (‘MIT’), laureth-6, sodium lauryl sulfate, lauramine oxide, sodium citrate, glycerin, and sodium hydroxide.
Additionally, the class action lawsuits assert that BIT and MIT are toxic to human skin and can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, the plaintiffs claim, some products are improperly labeled as non-toxic and/or hypoallergenic. According to the natural products class action lawsuit, reasonable customers purchased these products believing they were natural, non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
After reading all of this, these products became a big NO for me.
Some companies feel it’s okay to mislead and take advantage of people who are trying to do better for themselves nd their famiies. People like you and me who spend hard-earned dollars to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.. So, why do companies think they can get away with this?
Primarily because e the cleaning industry does not have to provide a full ingredient list on their bottles. All those little green companies that were trying to do good with healthy ingredients have been bought out by big conglomerate companies like Clorox, P&G, SC Johnson, etc., who saw the benefit of adding green products. Unfortunately, most large conglomerates lacking an interest in continuing the Wellness factors and they have the right to change the formulas. So they do.. They change formulas by replacing the premium ingredients (which may cost a bit more) with cheaper ingredients to make their shareholders and bottom line happy.
So what’s a consumer to do?
I have some great recommendations if you need help! Helping families see that healthier choices are necessary for healthier lives is one of the reasons I do what I do. When I hear good results – it is the joy of my work.
I love cucumbers. I eat one practically every day because the help satisfy thirst, lower blood glucose levels and work as a natural diuretic. but, Cucumbers are not just for salads any more.
Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.
Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your taps, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back theshine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!
My R3 journey started around 2017. I wanted to lose weight feel and better about myself. You see, I wasn’t always overweight or obese, I was always fit in spite of my asthma. To keep my lungs healthy, I worked out several days a week lifting weights. I did aerobics two to three times a week. I swam. I biked with the bike club two “short” rides and one long ride every week. I also rode my bike to work 19 miles each way practically every day. I was active and had a great social life.
Then, I gained a little weight, not much at first. After a major asthma attack which landed me in the ICU for several weeks, I gained “prednisone weight” about 20 pounds. I still participated in the Dublin Marathon three weeks after getting out of hospital. I was so full of Prednisone weight, I walked the marathon. (It took five and a half hours.)
Shortoly afterward i participated in an asthma drug study. During that study, I gained 70 pounds.
I had become fat. Not only that friends treated me differently as though I lacked will power or I was lazy. I wasn’t, but…
Around this time my dad went into a nursing home, since my mother did not drive,I became a driver for her and patient advocate while working 60-hour work weeks and volunteering for local charities. Although I was busy and on my feet all day and water running three days a week, I remained heavy.
At my heaviest, I was 250 pounds and often the heaviest person in the room. I hated it.
At this point, my dad passed, I was now my mothers caregiver, and my doctor suggested human growth hormone injections to see if I could lose weight. His program started out promising, and combined with early morning workouts with a personal trainer, I lost 13 pounds in the first two weeks, but nothing after that. After 3 months we were stopped.
That brings me to that first R3 Challenge around 2017. I took the before picture and submitted it. I didn’t do all that well, but I did lose maybe 10 pounds When comparing the after picture with my before picture you could tell my clothing definitely ldid not look or fit the same. The same clothing is in both photos. If you look closely you’ll see my left arm is in the pants. Most of my work colleagues and friends thought I lost a lot of weight but I hadn’t. I’d lost inches. A Non-Scale Victory (NSV).
I semi-participated in other challenges after that, but never really finished them. My schedule was terrible, I was taking care of everyone and everything but myself. But I finally was just under 200 pounds thanks to swimming and rowing three times a week. It was progress.
In 2021 my mother passed away and I decided I needed to make life changes. I changed jobs and put my house on the market. I took a trip to South Carolina to check out the housing market.
2022 arrived. For me, 2022 will forever be “Year of the Shoulder”. The year began with a good purchase offer on my home on January 6. That same day, while at work, I tripped over a case of wine, fell and broke my right shoulder (my dominant hand). My house was closing on January 25. I had 20 days to pack, find a new home and move—all with a freshly broken shoulder. I ended up purchasing a brand new house sight-unseen in Florida with a closing date of January 26 — a day after my New Jersey closing. I was lucky as I was also able to find a good mover to match my timeline. It was a very painful move but i made the 16-hour drive with my dog.
Once arriving in Florida, it was time to regroup. I found I moved to a new development in a town I had never heard of, but it was now home.Rain was coming down in buckets. The pain prevented a lot of unpacking (I still haven’t found all of my silverware).
Being on Worker’s Comp, I needed to find an orthopedic doctor in Florida who would accept the Worker’s Comp insurance to care for the shoulder. I finally got an appointment for an orthopedist on April 28. I weighed in at his office at 213.
I wasn’t happy. I went on a girls’ trip vacation wearing a sling and was once again the fattest person in the room. I was sick and tired of being overweight, unhappy and in pain. I had to do something.
When I saw the Challenge beginning June 6 – the same day I started Physical therapy — I joined. I figured I couldn’t work and unpacking the garage was still a tedious, painful, one-armed process. I couldn’t even find my scale in the garage, I had to buy a new one! Nor did I have a mirror.
I started the challenge.Some days were good, some weren’t. My physical therapy lasted the entire length of the challenge. I was in constant pain. When the challenge ended, I was down 25 pounds! I was surprised I lost the weight, since I wasn’t the best at sticking to the plan 100 percent.
The best part, I continued to lose weight (another 15 pounds) after the challenge just by following the Real Life part of R3.
In August, after an 18-month wait, I flew to Washington, DC and Arlington National Cemetery to bury my mother. The flight home was an adventure. After multiple delays and a layover, I arrived at my destination airport, and I woke up two days later in a hospital ICU. Apparently, stress and the pain medication caused a cascade effect resulting in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). I also had never been a diabetic prior to this event, I have no memory of being in an ambulance, in an ER or let alone in an MRI, but I was.
When I was released, to go home —my day trip to DC had turned into a week. I had gained 11 pounds (they said water weight from IVs). It took three weeks to lose the water weight following R3’s Real Life phase. The good news was the endocrinologist approved the R3 plan and liked the idea of my eating five to six times a day to keep my metabolism balanced. By September, my blood numbers were back to normal and I was taken off nearly all of the medications that came home with me from the hospital.
October came and I was down a total of 53 pounds. I decided not to do the Fall R3 challenge. I had a surgical date for a total reverse shoulder replacement on November 16— I didn’t want hospital food ruining my challenge! Knowing I would be incapacitated for six weeks, I cooked R3-friendly meals—enough for 42 days and froze them tor my recovery meals. By the time of my surgery, I had lost an additional 14 pounds. This time, at the orthopedic office, I weighed in at 146 pounds! Fully Dressed. With shoes.
Of course, after surgery, I swelled up and gained 30 pounds! I left the hospital weighing 176 pounds, It took a month to shed those 30 pounds of water weight. Again I did it by following my R3 Real Life phase
On December 31, I was 145 pounds.
I’m happy about the weight loss, especially since I wasn’t allowed any workouts other than walking my chihuahua. I admit I feel better about myself now that i’m closer to my ideal weight. My shoulder needs to finish healing, before I can go back to swimming, water running and rowing, to stay fit, but I’ll get there with R3. I want to lose the last 15-20 pounds for my ideal weight.
Today Im ready to start the January 2023 challenge on January 16. Who is ready to join me?
Hayseeds Creative 