Heat or Ice for Pulled Muscle

Have you ever pulled a muscle and wondered what is best; is it heat or ice for a pulled muscle?

The next time you twist, pull or strain something, think twice about grabbing a heat pack.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the best way to treat an acute injury (e.g., pulled muscles, sprains) in the first 48 to 72 hours is with ice.

An ice pack or frozen gel pack wrapped in a thin towel will help lessen the pain and reduce swelling associated with the injury.

Do not apply for more than 20 minutes and wait at least 20 minutes before applying it again!

Source: American College of Sports Medicine

Loosing Weight with Butter Boxes

It can be fun losing weight with butter boxes. Butter and margarine comes in one pound boxes. Before and as you diet, collect empty butter or margarine boxes from friends and family. As you diet, stack one on top of the other. Soon, you'll be amazed and motivated as you see the pounds you lose stack up.

This dieting tip is courtesy of Makeup and Beyond

Lower Abs Exercise: Flatten abs with this great abs exercise. Get a tight stomach!

How Sugar Causes Cavities

You have heard it all your life "sugar causes cavities." I am person who doesn't like blanket statements, I like to know why ... so how does sugar cause cavities?

Geha explains it so simply:

"Bacteria live in your mouth all the time. Some of that bacteria form a sticky substance called plaque on the surface of the teeth. When you eat sugar, the bacteria in the plaque turn the sugar into acids that can dissolve the hard enamel that covers your teeth. That's how cavities start. If you don't eat much sugar, the bacteria can't produce as much of the acid that eats away at the enamel. "

Photo: Courtesy wikipedia

Subject source: www.gehadental.com

Indoor Tanning Increases Melanoma Risk by 75%

Skin cancer takes the lives of our young and our old, and the risk is not always from being outside in the sun. According the the American Academy of Dermatology, indoor tanning increases the risk of melanoma by 75%.

What is even more shocking is it is being reported that melanoma is the most common form of cancer for our children in the 25 - 29 age group; and the second most common form of cancer for our children in the 15 to 29 year age group. Something to think about.

Follow the link for more information about our young and melanoma. American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org/media/psa/index.html

Putting Good Food into the Body the Easy Way

If you are like me, you like putting good food into your body the easy way, however, sometimes we slip and forget what some of those good foods are and how to use them. So here is my list of some of the best foods for the body with reminders of how to use them. Of course if you have certain food allergies or medical conditions that restrict certain foods, don't add them to your diet.

Carrots - Good in salads, by themselves as a crunchy snack, or cooked as a dinner veggie.
Oatmeal - This is a great breakfast food. It fills you up and stays with you.
Citrus fruits - Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes ... Eat by themselves, in drinks, salads, sauces ...
Tomato - These can be eaten raw, in salads, on sandwiches, or in your favorite sauce or salsa.
Grapes - Can be eaten raw or in the form of juice. Eat in salads, sandwiches, or by themselves.
Kiwi fruit - Under all that "hair" is a yummy green fruit. If you haven't eaten one, you are missing out. Be sure to peel the skin off first. Eat whole or add them to a fruit salad. Great with bananas.
Garlic - Great on toast, in sauces, and cooked with meats or pasta.
Sweet potatoes - Not only for the holidays! They go great with most any meal. Bake and eat.
Peas - Make a pea salad, add to a garden salad, or simply heat some peas for a side-dish. Onions - Great sauteed or raw. Treat yourself to a sweet Walla Walla's or Vidalia onion when they are in season - yummy! Onions are so versatile you can eat them everyday in many ways.
Bran - Bran cereal, bran muffins (watch the sugar please) are great breakfast items.
Spinach - Some like it cooked, but I don't, but don't let that stop you. Eat it raw! It's great.
Fish - Salmon is high on the list of good fish to eat. Whatever fish you choose, skip the coating, and simply broil it with a touch of butter and lemon.
Blueberries - A powerhouse of anti-oxidants. For a yummy breakfast mix a small container of low-fat yogurt, fresh blueberries, and grape-nuts (not the flakes) together in a pretty cup.
Cabbage - Great raw in salads, stuffed and baked, or boiled.

Visit our website for women for more health tips at www.makeupandbeyond.com

Pillow Talk - Choosing a New Pillow

Have you found yourself involved in pillow talk? I'm not talking about laying next to your best friend chatting the night away sharing secrets. I am talking about telling your pillow that it's time to go. Now that you are ready to part with your long-time worn-out friend what type of pillow should you consider?

• For the lady who sleeps on her side, a firm fiber-filled pillow may be just the support you need.


• For the lady who sleeps on her back or stomach, a plush down-filled pillow creates a perfect cradle for the head.


• For the lady who sleeps on her side or back, a U-shaped foam pillow will cradle the neck and head while relieving stress and supporting the neck.


• For the lady who sleeps on her side, but requires neck support and luxury, a firm down-filled pillow could be your next best friend.

Then there are the specialty pillows for acid reflux, aching backs, tummy support for pregnant mommies-to-be ... the list is endless.

So when you've had your pillow talk with your old trusted friend and it's time to say good-bye, think about how you sleep, and what type of pillow best suit your sleeping habits.

dj80110

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is said to generate mental and physical well being, and for some, increased longevity. Yoga affects both the conscious as well as the subconscious mind if practiced religiously.

Each yoga pose has a specific benefit. Some yoga postures are practiced to increase the spiritual and mental well-being of the person more than they are the physical well-being.

Tips For Yoga
- Yoga is best practiced in the morning when the mind is at peace and energized.
- Yoga should be done in a quite and well ventilated area that is free from distraction, dust, pests, unpleasant odors, clutter, and moisture.
- Before your yoga session, empty your bowels and drink a glass of lukewarm water.
- Loose cotton clothing should be worn for easy movement.
- If you are a beginner, practice all the movements slowly and steadily.
- The more you practice yoga, the calmer you will be, and your movements will flow smoothly.
- Use a proper mat for sitting and laying down postures.

Anti-oxidants, Free Radicals, and Ocean Spray Cranergy

More and more we hear in health news that we should provide the body with anti-oxidants to defend the body against free radicals. In a nutshell, free radicals are molecules in the body that do not have their own set of electrons. They go about stealing electrons from other molecules which damages our bodies. Free radicals are believed to be contributing factors to premature aging, cancer, and many other diseases of the body.



This post is not about free radicals, but more about Ocean Spray's Cranergy drink with powerful anti-oxidants that fight against free radicals. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the label.



Their powerful drink Cranergy with green tea extracts packs a whopping 100% RDA (recommended daily allowance) of vitamin C; 50% RDA Niacin; 50% RDA vitamin B12; 50% RDA vitamin B2; 50% RDA B6; 50% RDA Pantothenic Acid in an 8 ounce glass. The one I purchased contains Splenda, instead of sugar and taste very refreshing with only 35 calories per serving.



I am not being paid for this review, but wanted to share it with our readers because I feel it is certainly an affordable and tasty win-win product. Here is a link for you if you want to read more about this product.



For more beauty and wellness tips, visit our website at Makeup and Beyond

Victorian Era Bathing Instructions

I've had a book for several years titled The Physician and Sexuality in Victorian American written by John S. Haller and Robin M. Haller (book link below). I'm always amused when I pick up this book. It reminds me of how fortunate I am to be living in this century, instead of in the Victorian era.

Tonight, I read that physicians in the Victorian Era were opposed to women taking baths in the "zinc coffin" (bathtub). I had to giggle when they described the ritual:

"That zinc coffin, wrote Dio Lewis, M.D., "in which you lie down, put your head on a strap at one end, and keep yourself from drowning and then balance yourself for a while in a sort of floating condition, is simply a stupid absurdity."

It went on to say: ...."the rubber or oil-cloth bathing mat which the woman placed on the floor of her bedroom was the most hygienic".

The ritual for bathing without a tub: "...you must have a wash-bowl with two or three quarts of water....a pair of bathing mittens-simple bags......these are made out of worn out crass or Turkish towels. .....with a piece of good soap - matters what little kind - you are ready. .....standing on the centre of your bathing mat, with your mittens or bags upon your hands. Seize the soap...go over every part of the skin..... Rub the soap several times.... Now, dipping your hands into the water, rinse off the soap, although if it is winter, and the free use of water chills you, you may apply very little water and wipe the soap-suds from your skin. .......it is an excellent practice to leave a certain portion of the soap on the skin. It will continue the neutralizing the oil."

Yeah...right. These instructions exhaust me so I must climb into my steel coffin after lighting my scented candles, pouring myself a glass of wine, and grabbing my blow-up pillow.

If you are intrigued by the Victorian Era, you may enjoy the book
THE PHYSICIAN AND SEXUALITY IN VICTORIAN AMERICA

Fibromyalgia Tender Points Body Chart

For those who suffer with Fibromyalgia, sometimes it's helpful to look at body charts to remind us that the pain we're suffering is from the disease and not a pulled muscle that never heals.

The chart to your left is from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (NIAMS). If you have, or suspect you have Fibromyalgia, NIAMS website may be a useful tool.

Fibromyalgia Tender Points

"This illustration shows an outline of the female body marked with the location of the nine paired tender points that comprise the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia. For a fibromyalgia diagnosis a person must have eleven or more tender points. One of these predesignated sites is considered a true tender point only if the person feels pain upon the application of 4 kilograms of pressure to the site."
Source: NAIMS

Is Saturated Fat Good Fat or Bad Fat?

Some people get confused and wonder if saturated fat is good fat or bad fat. Think of saturated fat as being solid fat, and solid fat is bad fat. Most animal products, chocolate, coconut, and palm oil contain saturated fats that can increase the levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Source: The choice is yours: A practical guide to take off and keep off pounds sensibly

How Many Calories Are in a Whole Chicken?

Have you ever wondered how many calories are in a whole chicken? The average three pound bird has 2600 calories. Now that's the bad news; but where there's bad news, there is also good news.

If you remove the skin and the fat from the bird, leaving only the meat, that 2600 calorie bird will now only have 800 calories.

Source: The Choice Is Yours - published 1998

For more dieting tips, look under our Health section or visit our website at

Makeup and Beyond

Chapped Lips and Cinnamon Lovers

If you are a cinnamon lover, and your lips are chapped, or your mouth is irritated, cinnamon could be the problem.

For some, exposing the mouth to an excessive amount of this spice can cause dry, chapped lips, sores in the mouth, red tender gums, and yes, even tender taste buds.

Cinnamon is a popular spice and is found in a large variety of products; thus, we recommend that you check your food labels. Cinnamon is commonly found in chewing gum, toothpaste, cookies, cereal, bread, mouthwash, snack, pastries, ice cream, and mexican food.

After eliminating cinnamon for two weeks from your diet, if your mouth is still sore, visit your dentist or health care provider. The problem could be more than just an irritated mouth.

Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Natural Cosmetics

This is the last post in our series of Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics.

Natural or Organic Makeup and Skin Care Products
If you prefer using natural/organic cosmetics, with little or no chemical additives, you can expect their shelf life to be less than that of chemically preserved products. The reason for this is obvious - no chemicals, usually means no preservatives for killing bacteria.

While natural products can be a nice alternative to chemically produced products, extra sanitary care must be taken when working with and storing them.

Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Cosmetic Recalls

This is the fifth part in our series of Spoiled Cosmetics.

Cosmetic Recalls
Do you know of any cosmetic recalls on the products you use or are considering purchasing? Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website if you are concerned about a product recall. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for U.S. safety regulations of the cosmetics and skin care industries.



Next in the series of Spoiled Cosmetics - Natural or Organic Makeup and Skin Care

Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Bacteria

This is the fourth part in our series of Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics.

Bacteria Build-up in Cosmetics

Simply opening any container exposes the content to bacteria, and cosmetics are no exception. When your applicator (hands, brush, wand, sponge…) touches your body, an object, or even the air, it collects bacteria. Then, when the applicator is put back into the product and stored away for later use, the attached bacteria is also stored.

While you can expect chemical preservatives to keep your products relatively safe when they are new, overtime preservatives age, weaken, and eventually lose their ability to effectively kill unwanted bacteria increasing the likelihood of cosmetics becoming spoiled.

Next in series of Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Cosmetic Recalls

Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Preservatives

This is the third part in the series of: Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics.

Cosmetic Preservatives
Most cosmetic products, including makeup and skin care products, contain preservatives. Preservatives are added at the time of manufacture for the purpose of killing unwanted bacteria and to extend the product's shelf life. However, some preservatives added by manufacturers are of such poor quality that they degrade quickly; or not enough is added to the product to be effective. In either case, the preservatives fail to adequately kill bacteria.

When we use spoiled cosmetics, our skin may react with a rash; or our face may seem to be more prone to break outs than before - yet we never put two and two together and uncover the real culprit - a spoiled product in our makeup bag.

While there is a cry from some consumers for more products that are natural and lack chemical preservatives; there continues to be a large portion of the population preferring preservatives and the protection they provide.


Next in our series of Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics: Bacteria

Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Sniff and Sight Tests

This is the second part in the series of Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics...

Cosmetic Sniff and Sight Tests

Sniff Test
For all your cosmetic products, including your makeup and skin care products, give them the "sniff" test.

• Do they smell different than when you purchased them?
• Do they just smell odd and you're not comfortable with what you are smelling?

If they do, then they may be contaminated and you should consider tossing them out.

Sight Test

• Do your skin care and makeup products look funny or different?
• Has the color changed?
• Has the formula separated?
• Is the consistency different from what it was when you first purchased it?

If your answer is yes to any of these questions, the product may be contaminated and you should consider tossing it out.

Next in our series of Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics: Preservatives

Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Expiration Dates

Last year I wrote an article about spoiled cosmetics, but it's rather lengthy for a blog. Therefore, I've decided to put it out in segments for this blog.

The first in the series of six posts about Spoiled Cosmetics is about expiration dates. When I worked as an independent beauty consultant, I was baffled when I tried reading some expiration dates. I was given a page of code and then I had to break down that code to decipher the date. As a consumer, I don't have a page of code for all my cosmetics, so I have to be my own detective.

Expiration Dates
Cosmetics do expire, and expiration dates are sometimes, and I express, SOMETIMES, printed on the inside or outside packaging.

Other dates printed on products are manufacturer dates. This information is more for the manufacturer than it is for the consumer, but combined with an expiration guide, it can be a helpful tool.

Consumers are not always able to decipher the date if it is in code. For example, SF0934 could mean the product was manufactured in “S” San Fernando, CA and expires March 4, 2009. How do we know as consumers that this is an expiration date? We don’t, and won’t, until someone steps up and makes change happen. But in the meantime, you can set your own criteria for fresh cosmetics.

While these suggestions won't scientifically prove your cosmetics are spoiled; they can be useful tools. Remember, you are your own cosmetic detective.

Next in series - Signs of Spoiled Cosmetics - Sniff and Sight Tests

Defining the Word Menopause

Most women are actually confused by the meaning of menopause. They experience hot flashes, confusion, irritability, sleepless nights ... and then they ask their doctor: "Am I in menopause YET!" The doctor tells them "no" and the woman wants to yank the poor doctor's socks off.

The term "menopause" is actually the time in a woman's life that she can say that she's not had a period in 12 months.

It is the leading up to menopause (perimenopause) that women start experiencing the heavy negative effects of life's changes - such as hot flashes, grumpiness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety...

Women dread "going" through menopause, but what they are actually dreading is going through PERIMENOPAUSE...the time leading up to menopause.

Menopause brings with it a whole new set of rules: Higher risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, sagging breast, painful intercourse, Oooooh - grumble, grumble....I just don't want to go there so scratch that last sentence!

The next time you see your doctor; don't ask "Am I in menopause?" -- Instead ask: "Am I in perimenopause?"  Then ask him if you can stand in front of the office staff's open refridgerator to complete your own personal summer.

Happy perimenopausing!