Recently in HEALTH AND BEAUTY Category

The spa was once regarded as the domain of wealthy women who had countless hours to whittle away while paying outrages prices for exotic treatments administered by wrinkle free, white coated European technicians.

It all seems so positive in December how on the first of January you are going to wake up to a brand new life. You'll shake off all those old bad habits, become fit, lean and healthy. 

While the goal is a great one for so many people by the second week of January they still have not done anything about it and for those who started out with great intentions the first week of January by the first week of February it's all fallen apart. 

Just because it didn't all go to plan like you thought it would doesn't mean that you are a lost cause and should give up your resolution. Here are some ideas to motivate your self to start, or stay on your exercise resolution.

If the first reaction is to head to the pharmacy to pick up something for your cold you might be doing nothing for your health and just wasting money. 

Cold medicines were never meant to get rid of your colds and if you listen to television commercials carefully you'll hear the phase, "Will alleviate  cold symptoms". 

So what does that mean? Are you just wasting money by buying cold remedies?and is there better, cheaper and healthier options for you?

People who eat breakfast regularly tend to have less weight problems, more energy through out the day and better concentration. 

Skipping breakfast is hard on the body and can lead to some expensive health problems down the road (your body was never meant to go for 18 hours between meals). But what to eat for breakfast? 

Food in the last few years seems to become the enemy. Is the food we are eating for breakfast killing us? With hidden salts, hidden fats, and cholesterol,  it seems that everything that we reach for has had a study done to show how bad it is for us. Most people get their health information (and misinformation)from television commercials but how accurate are they?   

What's the truth and how do we eat a healthy breakfast? 

For women who use their hands to take care of their horses, gardens, babies or to play piano, the long finger nail look is never going to happen. 

Totally neglecting your nails shouldn't be an option either because now, as in ancient times, your nails are one of the things that people judge you on to guess your social and financial status. 

Then as in now your nails can show if you have the time and money to look after them.  Well tended nails are a finishing touch to how you look and natural nails can look elegant and sophisticated at a fraction of the cost that nail salons charge for latest nail trends.

Brew a large batch of coffee using double the amount of coffee grounds. Pour in a bucket and mix it with cold water (or ice cubes) to make it room temperature or colder but try not to over dilute. 

Do NOT pour hot coffee over your pet, the coffee must be room temperature or colder. 

Try to find exactly where on your pet they have been sprayed and concentrate on this area. The coffee must soak into their fur and stay on their fur for at least 10 minutes. Wash out with a deodorant soap.

Several years ago I came home late one night and as I always did I let Sam the dog out into the backyard before going to bed. I remember opening the back kitchen door and Sam leaping into the darkness and then a flash of fur and growling. There was suddenly a sickening sensation of burning ammonia all over my face. Sam had jumped a skunk and the frightened animal had spayed the dog, me and the kitchen.

By now we all know the basics to good health are good nutrition and staying active but there are other easy and simple ways to improve your health that you should be doing that won't cost you a dime.

But what do you give someone who is still trying to maintain their New Year's resolution of eating healthier  (or someone who, gasp, doesn't' like chocolate). 

While the whole idea of a treat is to have something special it doesn't mean it has to be bad for you. 

You can do up your Valentines box with all the bells and whistles but instead of filling it full of not so healthy goodies why not fill it up with treats that they will really appreciate.

That combined with the holiday season and all the wonderful foods that go with the holidays is there any wonder that in general people tend to put on 5 to 10 extra pounds between October and January?

If in the past you went from indulging in Halloween candies, the Thanksgiving Feast and all the wonderful nibbles and dinners over the Christmas Season only to be barely able to pull your jeans on New Years Day then this year you need a plan.