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this website has everything i'm looking for in a healthy lifestyle

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With so many different fads out there, weight loss often seems more like a magic trick than it does something you can approach from a common sense angle. It's not simply a matter of reducing your calories, or burning more calories than you consume, you have to feed the body what it really needs so that all of your organs and systems can work the way they're designed to.
Why Maintaining a Healthy Weight is So Important
It's been drilled into our heads that we should be at a healthy weight, so much so that you lose the plot and forget just why it's so important. After all, nothing bad typically happens right away when we go off track and start eating whatever we want. In the back of our minds we know it will catch up to us at some point, but probably not today, so what's the big deal? Here are the major reasons why you should establish what your healthy weight is, get there, and stay there.

Live Longer

The first thing that makes it a big deal is that you'll be able to have more years if you can keep your weight under control, all else being equal. Since being overweight has been linked to hundreds of different diseases and conditions in the body, it's vital to keep your weight under control or risk the likelihood of something bad happening to you on a sooner timetable than it otherwise would have.

Live Better

Not only will you live longer, but you'll have a better life during those years. Being overweight can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders, so your brain wants you to be fit, and wants you to be happy. Giving it the best shot at happiness is important, and you can do that by feeding the body foods that help it function at its best. The short term benefit is you'll feel more energetic in the moment, and have better days, and the long-term benefit is you'll end up with a better life.

Live More

When you're not carrying around the extra weight, you'll find yourself more likely to go out and do things. When you're feeling weighed down and sluggish, taking the dog for a walk, going for a swim at the beach, and even going on vacation seem like chores rather than fun, invigorating, life-affirming activities. When you're at a healthy weight the world just seems like a better place to be.

Worry Less

When you're weight is up, you'll immediately start to worry more because of the fact that you're overweight. And rightly so, since you'll have more to worry about in the form of things like developing diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. When you're at your ideal weight these terms don't have the same sort of shock value because you're doing your best to keep them from happening. They may still happen, but at least you won't have the regret of knowing you contributed it to it by willful negligence.

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Weight Loss Programs, Diets, Tips & Foods | Bembu

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With so many different fads out there, weight loss often seems more like a magic trick than it does something you can approach from a common sense angle. It's not simply a matter of reducing your calories, or burning more calories than you consume, you have to feed the body what it really needs so ...

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I can spoon this into my mouth and lose weight?

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If you're looking to lose weight fast, don't turn to diet pills or dangerous drugs. These one spoonful hacks will help curb your appetite and provide your body with nutrients and healthy substances it needs to get back on track and shed the pounds.

1. A Spoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar for Blood Sugar Support

Apple cider vinegar has a number of uses around the home as well as externally and internally for the body. When you add a teaspoonful to a 12 ounce glass of water you'll be adding in nutrients that you just wouldn't get from water alone, and hydrate yourself at the same time. You'll also be helping to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

The best apple cider vinegar is organic and unpasteurized, and contains "mother of vinegar". One brand that is highly recommended and easily found locally or online is Braggs.

Why It Works: Monitoring your blood sugar, or at least keeping it in mind when you're crafting and timing your meals, is a good way to avoid spikes that can lead to weight gain. Research into how ACV helps your blood sugar is very promising, and worth making it a part of your daily weight loss routine.

2. A Spoonful of Raw Organic Honey for Digestive Enzymes

There are enzymes and antioxidants in unprocessed honey that are beneficial to the body, but sadly aren't found in the majority of honey found nationwide. The amount of enzymes in honey that hasn't been processed is amazing, thousands of different enzymes designed to help the digestive system.

Processed honey, the most commonly found honey, has these enzymes stripped away, and therefore doesn't provide the same benefit. Be sure the container lists both organic and raw on the label. Although there's no such thing as organic bees, the fields surrounding the honey production facility will be certified organic.

Why It Works: Keeping your digestive system happy is a major component for losing weight. The digestive enzymes and antioxidants in raw organic honey support the digestive system and the body as a whole, helping you slim down without exerting much effort.

3. A Spoonful of Coconut Oil to Suppress Your Appetite

Coconut oil has several benefits, and when you're looking to lose weight the most important of these is its ability to help with weight loss. When comparing oils it's easy to see that coconut oil has more saturated fat than some of the most commonly used oils, but it also contains healthy fats, and the saturated fat it contains is not the same sort of saturated fat found in a cheeseburger.

You can use it in your cooking, or you can take a spoonful directly if you're looking to hold yourself over between meals. It has a delicious buttery flavor that will make you feel like you're not even on a weight loss program.

Why It Works: Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that not only help you feel full when you eat it, but go to work increasing your metabolism so that you'll naturally burn fat.

4. A Spoonful of Ginger to Aid in Fat Loss

Ginger is a spice that will help you get rid of fat specifically, not just overall body weight. This is important when trying to hack your weight loss because you want to make sure that it's fat you're losing and not simply water weight or muscle mass.

You don't have to stuff a spoonful of ginger powder or minced ginger in your mouth to get the benefit. Add a teaspoon or a tablespoon to a dish that you're making and you'll get the positive effects it entails. It can help spice up a soup or chili, and can even give a smoothie a punch.

Why It Works: G inger works on the body in two ways, it helps to improve your digestion, which alone will help you lose weight if you've struggled with a sluggish digestion. It also acts as a metabolism booster, which means you'll be burning more calories per hour than before, leading to effortless weight loss.

5. A Spoonful of Thyme for Antioxidants and Vitamins

If it doesn't taste good, the chances of you taking a spoonful of anything are rather low. In this case, thyme is a seasoning that you can use in your cooking or make into a tea for added weight loss benefits.

Thyme will add plenty of flavor to chicken breast, as well as lean turkey breast. Sprucing up these lean proteins is important, because they'll help you lose weight as well, and when you combine them with a tasty herb you'll find it pleasurable eat them, rather than a chore.

Why It Works: Thyme isn't just a tasty herb, it's loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that will help keep the cells of the body protected and able to cope with the stress that comes with losing weight. It's also a diuretic, which can help release store up water weight and toxins.

6. A Spoonful of Turmeric for Antioxidants

Turmeric is a spice that is often used in Indian cuisine, but hasn't gotten much traction in other types of food. It's easily recognizable by its bright orange-yellow color, and adds its distinct flavor to a meal. It also adds plenty of antioxidants and helps you burn fat.

You can use it as part of your cooking, make it into a tea by adding hot water and stirring until it's dissolved. But perhaps the easiest way to eat more turmeric is to add it to lean meats, from lean beef to chicken breast. It has the ability not only to give the dish an amazing color, but also a delicious flavor that plays nice with other spices.

Why It Works: Turmeric is one of the lesser-known spices that is effective for weight loss. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it will help you ache less and give you more get-up-and-go that results in quick weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.

7. A Spoonful of Flaxseed for Omega-3s

Flax will not only help keep you satiated until your next meal, it contains antioxidants and fiber that make it more likely that your weight loss strategy will pay dividends.

Adding ground flax to your diet is as easy as using a spoon. It sprinkles over the top of a salad, and can quickly be added to a soup or smoothie to boost its nutrition without changing the taste much.

Why It Works: Getting enough of both types of omega-3s is important if you want your body to be able to do its job the way it is designed to. Many times weight gain occurs from a nutrient deficiency, so making up for that shortage is priority one. You'll be surprised at what a difference it makes when you start getting all of what you need.

8. A Spoonful of Cinnamon for Essential Minerals and Fiber

Cinnamon is not just a tasty spice that makes desserts taste nice, it's a tool you can use as part of a comprehensive approach to weight loss. When used at the right time, and in the right way, cinnamon can be a powerful ally that will spur on results.

One popular mix for weight loss is cinnamon and honey. Take a spoonful of each and mix them together in hot water to form a sort of tea. You can drink this anytime of day to help with your weight loss strategy.

Why It Works: Cinnamon contains minerals that your body needs each day, and is a surprising source of fiber. By helping you meet your fiber requirement for the day, a spoonful of cinnamon will help you maintain a healthy weight, or get you to one if you're not there yet.

9. A Spoonful of Lemon Juice to Support the Immune System

Lemons are often used for their astringent properties in cleaning products, and the same cleaning power can go to work to help your body lose weight, and help you feel good along the way.

Add a spoonful of lemon juice to a glass of hot water first thing in the morning and you'll be helping your digestion and starting your day off with a blast of Vitamin C. Add lemon to your water throughout the day and you'll be helping to alkalinize the body which helps with weight loss.

Why It Works: Having a properly functioning immune system is key to losing weight. Not only will you be less likely to come down with a cold that can put your exercising on ice, but Vitamin C can help turn your body into a fat-burning device rather than a fat-storing one.

10. A Spoonful of Dark Cacao Powder for Antioxidants

You've probably heard of the beneficial effects of dark chocolate, that it's loaded with antioxidants and doesn't have the added sugar that's in milk chocolate. One of the most accessible ways to enjoy dark chocolate is with dark cacao powder.

Add a spoonful of dark chocolate powder into a smoothie and you'll not only be adding in the key chocolate flavor that will curb cravings, you'll be boosting your antioxidants for better health and easier pound shedding.

Why It Works: The polyphenols in cacao powder are what makes this work. They have a positive impact on your digestion which leads to a better functioning body, less stored body waste, and a lighter you.

11. A Spoonful of Mashed Avocado for Healthy Fats

When in doubt of what to eat and wondering how to lose weight fast, grab an avocado. There's really no time of day that isn't suited for the soft and refreshing taste of avocado, and you can add it to a breakfast smoothie, use it as a snack between meals, on salads, or as a garnish at dinner.

Mashing it up makes it even easier to digest, and a spoonful will give you a jump on the amount of fiber you'll need to consume each day in order to facilitate weight loss. Always be sure that you're getting enough fiber, a minimum of 25 grams and up to 35 grams if you can manage it. Start slowly to increase your fiber and you'll see results via the weight you lose.

Why It Works: Avocados are full of healthy fats which will actually help you to burn fat rather than gain it. They're also a great source of potassium, an important mineral when trying to lose weight.

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If you're looking to lose weight fast, don't turn to diet pills or dangerous drugs. These one spoonful hacks will help curb your appetite and provide your body with nutrients and healthy substances it needs to get back on track and shed the pounds. 1.

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I've been needing to lose weight

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When it comes to losing weight and being healthier overall, increasing your metabolism plays a big part. A faster metabolism helps you with digestion, and helps burn off fat and pounds, even while you're sleeping. Conversely, a slow metabolism can thwart your dieting and weight loss efforts and leave you in a state of frustration, feeling like you're genetically programmed to be heavy. Here are foods that have been shown to help give your metabolism a boost and get you on your way to a fitter you.

Almonds
You don't want to go too big on the almonds, because their fat content can undo any boost they have to your metabolism, but research suggests that almonds and other tree nuts can help you out due to the essential fatty acids they contain. The good thing is they taste great, so you can use them as a snack to hold you over until your next meal, or you can chop them up and use them to top a main or side dish. Green beans are one vegetable that lends itself well to slivered almonds. And if you want to liven things up you can get similar benefits from other nuts like walnuts or cashews.
Asparagus
Some claim that asparagus is a negative calorie food, requiring more calories to chew and digest it than it contains. While this may or may not be the case, it's clear that its caloric load is low, while it nutrient load is high. It makes a great food for dieting because of its unique and delicious taste. It's a great side sitting next to a lean meat. Get the organic kind if available, as this will help keep it a very healthy vegetable to assist you in your efforts.
Beans
Beans are often suggested for those wanting to lose weight because their nutrient makeup is such that they have a very positive effect on your metabolism. While they may be colloquially known as the musical fruit, they are definitely worth exploring if you don't currently include them in your regular diet. They make a great side dish for most lunches and dinners, and they can easily be added to soups and chili to make them more robust and flavorful. In the Slow Carb Diet featured in The Four Hour Body, beans are front and center for their slow-burning properties.
Celery
Celery is one of those quintessential diet foods that you see people unhappily gnawing on in lieu of ice cream and hamburgers. But aside from the stereotype, there is something to be said for eating celery if you want to turn over a new leaf and get your metabolism going. It's thought of as a thermogenic food, and also has high levels of calcium to boot. Try dipping them in organic peanut butter so that you can get some good fats along with this time-tested metabolism booster.
Cucumbers
You might not look at cucumbers the same way the next time you see them in a your salad. There are plenty of reasons why they play nicely into your metabolism-boosting strategy. They're packed with water, so they help to hydrate your body, plus they have plenty of vitamins, nutrients, and fiber, all with very low caloric levels. You can try adding them to more than just salads. Cucumber slices or sticks can make a nice side dish to a sandwich or wrap, and can be combined with other vegetables in a healthy mix.
Easy-to-Find Fruits
Maybe you heard the debates going on about exotic fruits like the acai berry, or noni fruit. But you don't have to get exotic in order to find fruits that will serve as a boost to your metabolism. You can find items like Strawberries, Raspberries, Pears, Peaches, Apples, Oranges, and Grapefruit at your local supermarket. Opt for organic whenever possible, and realize that it's a matter of tipping the balance so you're eating more of these foods than you are foods that can slow your metabolism down.
Ginger
The best way to start getting more ginger is to use it when cooking other foods. It's not like you can sit around eating a bunch of ginger root. But it does add a good amount of flavor, and has been shown to have metabolism-increasing properties. Dr. Oz recommends tossing into your next stir fry, and if you use skinless boneless chicken breast, spices, and veggies like celery and carrots you'll soon have a calorie burning meal that will hold you over for hours.
Lean Meats
Lean meats should be combined with exercise to help you develop leaner muscles which in turn leads to an increase in your metabolism. They should have a good amount of protein to them, with fewer calories and fat than their non-lean counterparts. Examples of quality protein you can add to your diet in order to help strengthen your muscles are chicken breast, turkey breast, When making a meal that's great for your body take some vegetables found on this page, as well as the spices listed below, use the on these lean meats and you'll be on your way.
Lemon
Adding a lemon wedge or slice to your water does more than just make it taste better, it also helps to cleanse the digestive tract. You don't have to go on any zany Lemonade Diet or take extreme measures, and it's best not to rely on lemons or any other of these foods to have a huge effect on your metabolism. But they can all work in tandem with each other, and with an increase in the amount of exercise you get each day, and you'll see the positive effects soon enough.
Spinach
Spinach puts up some respectable numbers in the B Vitamin department, which leads to a more productive metabolism. And aside from the direct relation, it's also good for muscle function. If you're strength training, spinach will help your muscles recover, and this will lead to a faster metabolism because you'll end up with better muscle mass which directly leads to burning up more calories, even when you're asleep.

Keep in mind that it's not necessary to switch your diet to only these foods or do anything extreme. Just try to get more of them into your daily menu than you currently do and you should start to see the results of your efforts. Revving up your metabolism is not something that happens overnight, so don't look for a quantum leap. Your body needs time to adjust to your new way of eating. But if you're consistent it will get the hint and start paying dividends.

You may also like our list of 20 Foods to Detox your Body & Mind.

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18 Metabolism Boosting Foods to Speed Up Weight Loss | Bembu

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When it comes to losing weight and being healthier overall, increasing your metabolism plays a big part. A faster metabolism helps you with digestion, and helps burn off fat and pounds, even while you're sleeping. Conversely, a slow metabolism can thwart your dieting and weight loss efforts and leave you in a state of frustration, ...

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I have a stubborn belly fat and back fat i want to get rid of.

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If you're wondering how to burn belly fat and have even considered taking diet pills or fat burners, you should try to do it the all natural way before taking extreme measures. It's not really natural for us to carry all that weight on our midsections, so getting back to a more natural state is one sure way to watch the fat go away, almost as a byproduct of our actions. It doesn't have to be an all-out war to kill your stomach fat. Just make these 10 all-natural adjustments and it should effortlessly come off.

1. Drink More Water
This is perhaps the most easiest and effortless way to lose belly fat, and it's a problem for countless Americans. There is a dehydration epidemic going on, and if we all just drank more water, and got closer to the amount that we actually need each day, there would be less obesity, fewer digestive problems, and more people that are awake and alert throughout the day. But here's the kicker: because it's only involves drinking water it's pretty easy, and easy things are easy to forget to do. If you're conditioned to not drink enough water it can be pretty tough to make a change. But stick with it and soon you'll reach new levels of hydration and reduced levels of belly fat.

2. Aim for Total Body Fat
Trying to spot treat your stomach fat is one sure way to drive yourself up the wall. It may be the one area that you really care about the most, but you have to trust that if you aim for overall body fat loss, the stomach fat will have to go at some point too. Fixating on a trouble spot is one way to keep it around for the long term, because what we put our focus on grows. A problem is only as hard as we make it out to be, so if you're constantly thinking that your belly fat is the hardest thing to get rid of, you'll prove yourself right time and time again.

Get a scale that measures your body fat percentage and aim to get that down to a level that is right for your gender. Keep this in mind: if you want to see your abs guys will have to get to around 10% body fat, while women need to get below 19% or so.

3. Get Sound Sleep
This is perhaps the easiest and hardest thing to do for most of us. Doing things in your sleep can't get much easier, but finding the time in our busy lives to get more sleep can be a challenge. The real struggle is that your deepest and most cleansing sleep comes from getting to bed earlier in the evening. For most that is just not an option, and others are so entrenched in their late nights that they can't fathom going to bed at 10pm or earlier. But science has repeatedly shown the link between getting deep sleep on a consistent basis and having less belly fat. You'll be stressed out less, and you'll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to greet the day, with more energy throughout the day. The body also repairs itself at night, so you're helping yourself in many different ways just by snoozing.

4. Do High Intensity Interval Training
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is where you go hard out for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute, followed by periods of rest where you go very low intensity. The beauty of this aerobic workout is that you spend a fraction of the time but the theory is that you're getting results from this workout that last long into the next day. They say that if you spend 40 minutes on a stationary bike just doing a low intensity aerobic workout, you're only burning fat during that 40 minutes. But with an HIIT workout lasting only 10-20 minutes you end up burning fat the entire day, and long after you've finished the workout.

The process is pretty particular, so you'll need to study up on it. It involves getting your heart rate up to a certain level during the high intensity parts, and getting it back down during the low intensity parts, so you'll need to get a heart rate monitor to effectively do this.

5. Mind Your Vitamins
It's hard to make the connection between your belly fat and a vitamin deficiency, but there's a high chance that if you're struggling to lose fat you may be running short on several key vitamins needed for fat loss. The first of these is Vitamin D, often referred to as the Happy Vitamin. Feeling good is key to losing fat of all types, and if you don't have sufficient amounts of Vitamin D you could be inhibiting your ability to feel good and feel like being active. The key is getting more exposure to sunlight so that your body can make its own supply. You'll also want to make sure that you're taking in enough natural sources of vitamins so that your body has all of the building blocks it needs to function at its best.

You should be eating foods high in Vitamin C, as well as Vitamin E if you want to give yourself the best shot at losing that stubborn fat. It's best to get these vitamins from the foods you eat, rather than using a multivitamin, but if you find that you need to fill in the gaps go with a whole foods multivitamin, since it will be using food sources rather than using synthetic vitamins.

See the foods highest in minerals here

6. Get Healthy Fats Into Your System
Thanks to the no-fat and low-fat craze of the 90s and into the 2000s you'll still find plenty of low and nonfat items at the grocery store. This instilled the wrong view on fats and labeled all fats as bad. But the body needs healthy fat in order to burn fat, so if you've taken to cutting out fat in your diet, it's time to let some of it back in. Go for foods that contain high levels of the fats we're after: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The fat you want to continue to keep out is the saturated fat. Good sources of healthy fats include avocados, olive oil, salmon, and peanut butter. These foods will actually help your fat loss efforts, so don't be afraid of them.

7. Avoid the Unnatural
Our modern world presents us with many things that just aren't natural for the human body to have to deal with. Large portion sizes, sedentary lifestyles, high levels of stress, massive amounts of entertainment to keep us glued to our couches, and tons of pollution in many major cities all contribute to the condition we find our bodies in. The more you can fight against these unnatural items, but better. Make sure you get some daily activity, because that's natural for us. Feed your body plenty of fruits and vegetables, because that's a very natural thing for a human to do. Limit the amount of TV you watch, and take time to just decompress and get in touch with your inner self. Cut out unnatural substances like fast food and junk food. They don't do you any favors and are contributing to the unnatural shape you've taken on.

You don't have to become a monk or anything, but if you just unplug from the grid for a bit each day you'll see how unnatural our world has become, and you'll see the link between your body and the lifestyle that the masses subscribe to.

8. Cut Back on Alcohol
Alcohol of all types is full of sugar, and sugar leads to fat. If you've managed to cut the sugar out of your life but still indulge in regular alcoholic beverages, you could be sabotaging yourself and not even know it. You may see a study now and then that says one alcoholic drink a day is good for the body because it helps you relax, or it thins the blood. But what those studies don't talk about is the cumulative effect that has on the body, and whether or not you'd be better off in the stomach area by not having that drink each day.

9. Drink Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are about as natural as it gets, often using spices and herbs that have been proven to speed up the metabolism, cleanse the body's internal organs, or reduce stress. You can also consider drinking green tea, as it contains EGCG, but not as much as green tea extract, which may be a better way to go and is still considered a natural way to lose fat. Really anything that helps to calm the body is going to help you lose fat, so you can choose an array of different teas to enjoy throughout the day, and if you replace sodas, juices, and other sugary beverages with herbals teas you're sure to notice a difference in the near future.

10. Be Persistent
Your belly fat only wins when you give up on getting rid of it. Being persistent is a very natural trait. Nature is very persistent, time keeps on going no matter what, and over time if you neglect your belly fat the problem will only get worse. That's why it's good to be just as persistent as nature, and take steps each day to eat the right foods, get a bit of activity, be happy, and nourish yourself. As you do these little things each day, they will accumulate as more and more time passes. It's natural for things to take time to work, which is why you want to avoid fast track promises and gimmicks to lose belly fat, because in all likelihood it will just backfire and you'll be back at square one trying to start all over again.

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10 Natural Ways to Burn Belly Fat | Bembu

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If you're wondering how to burn belly fat and have even considered taking diet pills or fat burners, you should try to do it the all natural way before taking extreme measures. It's not really natural for us to carry all that weight on our midsections, so getting back to a more natural state is ...

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Can i get a Y U M.

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Alfredo Chicken French Bread Pizza is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love! The best part about this recipe is that the crust stays crisp and it turns out deliciously perfect every time 🙂
Alfredo Chicken French Bread Pizza

Alfredo Chicken French Bread Pizza is a keeper for sure... you'll love the combination of flavors!

Here's another variation that you may also enjoy...
French Bread Pizza... done right! BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
Hope your Thursday is super awesome!

AND Happy Cooking,

xoxo~ Ruthie

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Alfredo Chicken French Bread Pizza - Cooking With Ruthie

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Alfredo Chicken French Bread Pizza is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love! The best part about this recipe is that the crust stays crisp and it turns out deliciously perfect every time 🙂 Alfredo Chicken French Bread Pizza Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 6 mins Total time 16 ...

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Proughnuts? oh well. COFFEE. YES

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Oh my god. I LOVE DOUGHNUTS AND I FOUND A REALLY TASTY AND LOW CALORIE ONE THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY

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Whole Grain Maple Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts (& Muffins)

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A healthier, low fat, makeover recipe for donuts or muffins with maple glaze or sugar spice coating; gluten free option

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I love love love taking baths!

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A detox bath is a way to help cleanse the body, relax the mind, and provide extra support to various systems of the body. There are different types of detox baths that you can take, each with their own goal and benefits provided. Some of them are pretty classic, others are baths you might not have heard about before.

Photo: Practically Functional

1. Sea Salt Detox Bath- A salt bath is one of the oldest baths out there, and has been used for decades to help people relax. But did you also know that the salt itself can help to pull toxins out of the body, as well as provide extra benefits to your skin. This recipe uses sea salt, so you are getting all natural salt and not the kind that is iodised and sold in bulk in cylindrical containers. Some of the benefits reported from taking this bath: having more energy at the start of the day, not needing a caffeine jolt, and feeling better throughout the day.

2. Essential Oils Detox Bath- You can turn a bath into a sensory sensation just by adding some essential oils to it. The great part is that you can be very strategic with this and include oils based on what you're problem du jour is. Let's say you're having a long day and you feel totally fatigued. There's an essential oil for that and you'd want to choose peppermint for that bath. They have it all mapped out for you and have you covered whether you're feeling stressed, depressed, worn out, or if you're having a headache. It's customized detoxing in a tub!

3. Hydrogen Peroxide Detox Bath- Also referred to as an oxygen detox bath, the use of hydrogen peroxide gives it plenty of healing properties. For starters it helps your body get rid of toxins, providing that detoxifying effect you're going for. It is also antibacterial and antiviral, which makes it a great bath to take if you've been around a large group of people, have traveled by bus, train, or plane that day, or otherwise have been subjected to a situation that provided plenty of chance of getting germy. The recommended soaking time is a half hour, so enjoy and don't forget to calm the mind while you're in there.

4. Ginger Detox Bath- Ginger is a root that has plenty of healthy properties when you eat it, but it can also be used in other ways to help the body, like making a ginger bath. They say you can use different forms of it, either grating fresh ginger into the bath or sprinkling in some ginger powder. The author of the recipe says that it's a way to get the body to sweat a lot more and get an extra amount of toxins out, similar to taking a sauna or sitting in a steam room. They say it led to feelings of increased energy, feeling cleaner, and kicking the symptoms of an oncoming cold.

5. Baking Soda Detox- Did you know that common baking soda, the kind you might keep in your fridge to absorb the odors, can also be used as a detoxing device? That's right, just by adding this to a bath you are giving it properties it otherwise wouldn't have. It's been said that this bath can help you de-stress. It's important to look at stress as a toxic condition, and to look at ways of relaxing as a way to detox the body. The scientific way of referring to baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and it's great for neutralizing the chlorine that's been added to most city water sources. It's hard to detox in a bath that is full of a toxic chemical, so it's good that this makes it naturally cleaner.

6. Bentonite Clay Detox Bath- Bentonite clay is presented as a way of taking a heavy metal detox bath since it is said that it draws these metals out through its magnetism. Heavy metals can enter the body through any number of ways, and chances are if you haven't cleansed your body of them yet, you have accumulated them over the years. The most common way is just by drinking water than hasn't been properly filtered. Other ways are through dental work, eating foods that have been treated with certain chemicals, and much more. That's why it's important to do a regular detox for these heavy metals.

7. Seaweed Detox Bath- This uses a special mix of clay, bladderwrack, and kelp to create a bath like you probably haven't had before. They claim it helps to increase the flow of blood as well as lymph fluids in the body by creating an electromagnetism that isn't achieved with other detox bath methods. The instructions are easy enough to follow, and 20 to 30 minutes later you'll be all done. This package takes the guesswork out of what should go into your bath, and makes it really easy to just dump it in, mix it up, and hop in for a good detoxifying soak.

8. Epsom Salt Detox- Epsom salts are great to have around the house because they have many uses when it comes to your health. One of those is to put them in the bath with you so that it is drawing out toxins while you are relaxing in a hot bath. Epsom salt is said to be able to help with the circulatory system as well as improving nerve functions. Taking a regular epsom salt bath is a relatively easy and painless way to improve your health and well-being. Here's an easy step by step on how to draw a bath relying mostly on epsom salts.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Bath- If you're not familiar with the benefits of apple cider vinegar, it's important to take the time to learn about what it can do for you, both taken internally, and used externally to treat a number of conditions. Here they're using it in a detox bath to help with conditions like arthritis and gout, as well as anything else caused by inflammation. This is a good bath to take if you feel you need to sweat the toxins out, and also if you want to make sure that you get to sleep without lying awake with a wandering mind.

10. Magnetic Clay Detox Bath- Here's a special clay that is said to be magnetized so that it draws certain things from your body. The great part about these clays is that you can use them to treat certain conditions, like having excessive amounts of mercury in your body, or things like arsenic and aluminum. Each one is specially formulated to treat that specific material. They break down the sources of these contaminants to help you assess which ones you're most at risk for. You can use them in succession so that you make sure you are free of all of these metals and then focus on maintaining that state.
Detox Bath FAQ Do detox baths work for colds?
Some detox baths are designed especially to fight off a cold when taken at the first signs and symptoms. They may help to boost the immune system just in time to stave off the cold. If you've already got a cold there's no harm in taking a detox bath as it may help with the immediate symptoms you're struggling with, and may be able to draw out the toxins that led to the cold in the first place.
Do detox baths burn calories?
Even though you'll likely notice that you're sweating more while taking a detox bath, and that you sweat for up to several hours after taking the bath, there's no indication that you are helping to burn calories the way that you do when doing cardio for fitness.
Are detox baths safe?
Most detox baths that we've evaluated appear to be safe, and there are very few contraindications to taking them. If you have a specific concern about a particular bath it's always a good idea to run it past your doctor before trying it. This way you won't be bringing in excessive stress and worry and will have a more calm and confident attitude while bathing.
What are the benefits of detox baths?
The benefits of a detox bath vary by the type of bath it is. Some are geared towards drawing out toxic heavy metals. Others are designed to get you to sweat excessively so that you can get other toxins out of your body. Some use aromatherapy to help relax the mind and detox you by helping to release toxic thought patterns. Overall, you simply feel better after taking a detox bath, and the added ingredients make it more effective than simply taking a regular bath.
Will a hot bath help to detox?
A hot bath can help to open your pores and get you to sweat which may help the detoxifying process slightly. The reason that a proper detox bath is labeled as such is that it is using various ingredients to help you detox even more than simply sitting in a hot bath. But a hot bath can be very relaxing, so it shouldn't be overlooked and can serve it's own purpose.
Do detox baths help you lose weight?
Detoxing in general can be a catalyst for weight loss, especially if you have large accumulations of body waste stored up, and if you use the detox process to establish a better eating habits or to start a diet program.
Do detox baths help with acne?
Taking a hot detox bath will cause steam to rise to your face and open your pores. Opening your pores in this manner will set the stage for further cleansing with an exfoliator or other acne product.
Does Dr. Oz recommend detox baths?
Dr. Oz does recommend certain detox baths, and especially one in particular that has you mixing lavender oil and epsom salt. He advises a 30 minute soak and making the water hot.
Can a detox bath help with digestion?
Compared to a detox program a detox bath doesn't do as much for your digestion, but if you are very stressed you could be causing a sluggish digestion. Relaxing in a detox bath can help in that regard, relaxing your body and allowing your digestive organs to function more properly. To accentuate the effect you can gently rub your stomach while in the bath in a clockwise direction.
How often should you take a detox bath?
The beauty of a detox bath is that you can take it whenever you want and whenever you feel like you need one.

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10 Detox Baths to Cleanse, Relax, and Rejuvenate You | Bembu

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A detox bath is a way to help cleanse the body, relax the mind, and provide extra support to various systems of the body. There are different types of detox baths that you can take, each with their own goal and benefits provided. Some of them are pretty classic, others are baths you might not ...

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I'm often tired during school, so reading all these ways to help me sleep.WOW

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Getting to sleep is like solving a personal puzzle, with a different component of a good night's rest being a piece of that puzzle. It's different for each of us, and unlocking your unique code is crucial if you want to function at your best and view life with a cheery disposition. Sleeping well is our natural way of life, so having sleeping problems is a sign that something isn't right. Here is a list of all-natural sleeping remedies, tips, and some natural sleep aids that could be the key.
Try Melatonin, Valerian Root, or Kava
A lot of studies have been done on supplementing melatonin as a way to naturally induce your body into falling asleep. While some swear by it, others say it didn't help with their sleeplessness at all. Some studies have called it safe, but also said it was ineffective, and other studies say it's effective but has its share of side effects if taken in large doses or for a long duration.

Valerian root is used for people suffering from insomnia, and studies have shown that it can work both for helping you get to sleep, and also keeping you asleep through the night. The best part about it is that it's not supposed to leave you feeling groggy the next day. It also has the least amount of side effects between melatonin and kava.

Kava has more recently come to light as a possible sleep enhancer, but preliminary findings suggest that there may be too many side effects at play, and there are too many additional effects it has on the body for it to be used as a reliable sleep aid.
Optimize Your Environment for Sleep
Having the right environment for sleep is important, and often determines how fast you'll be able to fall asleep, and how many times you'll awake during the night. For example, many times there will be a TV in the bedroom for watching TV in bed, falling asleep to the news or late night talk shows. We discuss more about why this might not be the best set-up below.

You also should take into consideration what sort of mattress you're sleeping on, what sort of pillow you're resting your head on, how dark it is, and whether there are any noises bothering you. You can also experiment with different bedtime rituals. Some people do well with a shower or bath before bed, while others associate this with waking up and it only exacerbates the problem.

Make your bedroom a sacred place for sleeping. Don't do any work in bed, or watch movies in bed, because this conditions you to stay awake while in bed. Making your bed in the morning can help establish your bed as the place for slumber, and can make it even more inviting when it's time to turn in for the night.
Wear Yourself Out During the Day
Sometimes it's harder to get to sleep if you haven't had much activity throughout the day. One way to make sure you expend this excess energy is to take a one hour walk each day. You don't even have to walk briskly, just take a stroll for an hour. You can choose the same route each day, or explore your neighborhood by walking 30 minutes in any direction and then returning home.

You might feel like your daily routine provides enough energy expenditure, what with all of the running around, the job, the kids, the spouse, and all of the other fun things, but if you're the type that has energy to spare you'll need to find time to fit a daily workout in, or at least 30 minutes of some sort of aerobic or strength training activity. You also get the added bonus of less stress and better overall health.
Get It Out Of Your Head
If you're physically exhausted but still can't turn your mind off, there must be something on it that you don't want to forget. Sometimes it helps to get up, write it down on paper, and then try to get back to sleep, confident that you'll attend to it in the morning. If it's a lot of little things, make a list. Of course this can also backfire, and you might start thinking of other things to write down, so try it once and see if it has a calming effect on your mind.

Telling yourself "I can't get to sleep!" becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and jumping from subject to subject but looping again to the same thoughts is a sign that you might be better off staying up a little longer until your mind can relax. Perhaps you are forgetting something and this is your mind's way of making sure it gets attended to before letting you go to sleep.
Get Ready for Sleep An Hour Beforehand
Don't over-stimulate your senses right before you go to bed. A nightly habit for many is watching television or a movie, or surfing the web. When you try to go to sleep right after that the images are still flashing in your mind, making it harder to calm down and get to sleep.

Also, don't eat too late in the evening, and avoid caffeinated drinks and chocolate at dinner time. Eating late meal means the food will still be on your stomach when you're trying to get comfortable and fall asleep. Try eating dinner before 7pm and avoid snacking before bed.

An hour before you're ready to sleep try reading a book, listening to soft and pleasing music, taking a bath, lighting some scented chamomile or lavender candles, meditating, enjoying time with your pet, and anything else that makes you feel good, without having a bunch of moving, flashing images. Be sure to do all of these activities out of your bed, and use your bed when you're ready to sleep.
The Perfect Pillow Can Lead to a Good Night's Sleep
Your pillow has a lot to do with your comfort level and how well you sleep during the night. If you have a case of snoring there are specially designed pillows for that. Some people find that they sleep best with multiple pillows, using one for their head, and using another to prop up their torso, or separate their knees to relieve pressure on their back.

There are pillows available that dissipate heat so you don't have to flip them, and some that are meant for those that sleep on their sides. There are also pillows that are recommended by chiropractors because they help line up the spine and reduce pressure points. This is a time for experimentation to see which one works best for you, and yields the most positive results.
Correct Any Snoring Problems
Snoring can be a real deterrent to good sleep, even though it is often associated with sleeping deeply. Many snorers will wake themselves up at some point, either due to the noise, or because they stop breathing due to a closed airway. This can result in not getting any REM time in, and feeling exhausted even after a full 8 hours of "sleep".

Many of the snoring remedies involve keeping the lower part of the jaw pushed forward so that the airway stays open and snoring subsides or is greatly reduced. This can be done either with a chinstrap, a mouthpiece worn inside the mouth, or a pillow shaped in a way that keeps the head in the right place.
Take a Siesta
It sounds counterintuitive that a nap during the day would help you fall asleep at night, but more and more evidence points to this being our natural sleeping cycle. If you're used to fighting off midday fatigue with things like energy drinks, another cup of coffee, or rigid determination, see if there's a way for you to get that cat nap in when your body is telling you that's what it needs.

For most of us it's not exactly easy to take a nap during the day, because we're trying to eat lunch or squeeze in errands during our lunch hour. There might not even be a very good place to lie down. But if you can make it home for lunch it's a great practice to start, and if you can't, just go easy on yourself and acknowledge that feeling sleepy after lunch is not something to combat.
Try Waking Up Earlier and Going to Bed Earlier
By waking up earlier you increase the number of waking hours before it's time for bed again. Sleeping in late and trying to get to sleep later that night at a reasonable time is sometimes hard because your body is looking for a solid 16 hours of wakefulness. To break this cycle you can force yourself to wake up early one time, and that night it will be easier to fall asleep at the time you want.

You can also start getting to bed at an earlier time. If you force your body to stay up past the point where it has started to release its natural production of melatonin, when you start to get sleepy, start yawning, and start getting that foggy feeling like you should really lie down, then you might find it harder to sleep when you actually make it into bed.
Talk Things Over with Your Partner
Talk to you partner if you've noticed that you're having trouble getting or staying asleep because you're sharing the bed. It could be that they're a loud snorer, or that they toss and turn, or go to bed at a later time than you do. Once you've found out what the problem is you can work together to fix it so you both can sleep more soundly.

It might be that you'll need to address their snoring with special pillow or mouthpiece, or invest in a bed that is designed to better accommodate two parties. Or you might need to agree on a joint lights out time that splits the difference between the two bedtimes.
Your Mattress: A Big Part of Your Sleeping Puzzle
Perhaps no other sleeping tool is more important than what you're sleeping on. While mattress companies often exaggerate the importance of a good night's sleep, they're actually onto something when they make the connection to your mattress. If you've got lots of pressure points and find yourself tossing and turning before you finally nod off, you may need to go mattress shopping.

The good news is that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on the brand name mattresses advertised on TV. You can often find off brands that offer similar technology at a much lower price, including memory foam and pillow topped mattresses. You can go to the mattress shop and try out the expensive mattresses and then shop online to find a bargain and still get all of the benefits of a better night's sleep.
Wear a Sleeping Mask and Use Ear Plugs
If you've done your best to modify your environment, but still find that sensitivity to light and noise is your problem you may need to get into the habit of using a sleeping mask or wearing ear plugs. Although it may be even harder to fall asleep at first, once you get used to the feeling of having a mask on your eyes, or plugs in your ears, they can be very helpful in your sleeping efforts.

They now have one-piece units that cover both the eyes and the ears, with noise-canceling pads over the years, and eye flaps that go halfway down the cheek to insure no light gets in. These are a good solution for those that need to wear both, since it's easier to take them off and on as one unit.
Wrapping Up
It's typically best to avoid prescription pharmaceuticals and even over-the-counter sleeping aids, as even with recommended dosage and use you can come to rely on them. If you've tried multiple natural sleeping remedies and still find yourself losing shuteye, you should consult with your doctor. They may be able to determine the underlying cause and treat you without medication if you tell them your wishes.

Welcome first-time visitors! Please make sure to like Bembu on Facebook to get the latest tips on how to live a healthier & happier life.

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12 Natural Sleep Aids to Get Better Sleep | Bembu

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Getting to sleep is like solving a personal puzzle, with a different component of a good night's rest being a piece of that puzzle. It's different for each of us, and unlocking your unique code is crucial if you want to function at your best and view life with a cheery disposition.

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oh my god so many recipes. :D

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Detoxing with drinks is one of the simplest and most beneficial ways of cleansing the body and feeding it the nutrients it is really craving. What seemed like just another fad has stood the test of time, and a detox drink cleanse has become one of the ultimate methods of losing weight and giving your digestive system a well-deserved break from having to break down and digest food.

Detox Drink Recipes

The liver is the most important detoxifying organ in the body, so it makes sense to drink fruits and vegetables to help it function at its best. Here is a list of detox drink recipes that can be incorporated into any detox program you're following, or just enjoyed on their own for their immense health benefits...

Charcoal Black Lemonade - Although it might not look as appealing, this detox drink tastes almost exactly like regular lemonade, but the added charcoal (which is tasteless) gives you a serious health kick! It helps rid the body of unwanted toxins, decreases gas and bloating, and relieves stomach aches.

Immune Boosting Strawberry Smoothie - This ideal detoxing breakfast is quick and easy - simply blend 6 ingredients together and drink! Instead of sugary or carb-loaded cereal or toast, you get an immune boosting detox drink full of vitamin C, fiber, potassium and manganese.

Lemon Ginger Detox Drink - Ginger is extremely powerful and detoxing. It helps kick start your metabolism, and will keep it raised throughout the day, allowing you to burn extra calories when you work out. Lemons are also a natural detoxifier that have a diuretic effect, helping your body get rid of unwanted toxins.

Iced Turmeric Green Tea - Packed full of incredibly powerful ingredients that provide essential nutrients to have you feeling strong and clean all day, this easy turmeric green tea is a perfect summer beverage. Turmeric is an extremely valuable anti-inflammatory agent that helps the body absorb antioxidants and boost brain function.

Detox Cactus Smoothie - This light but creamy detox smoothie has a burst of tropical flavors, and is far tastier than it perhaps sounds (if the cactus is putting you off!). Cactus leaves are extremely healthy and detoxifying, providing you with essential vitamins and minerals that help lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

Superfood Detox Smoothie - This beautiful deep maroon colored smoothie is full of antioxidants and essential nutrients that will detox and boost the body, with delicious ingredients, including blueberries, pineapple, grapefruit and goji berries.

Iced Green Tea Citrus Detox Drink - This citrusy iced green tea has the added benefit of basil leaves, which contain a number of essential oils, including eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, terpineol and limonene. These beneficial compounds have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and the herb actually tastes extremely refreshing along with citrus!

Orange, Carrot & Ginger Juice - This vibrant juice is full of vitamins A and C from the oranges, which will boost your immune system and reduce bad cholesterol, while the beta carotene and vitamins in the carrots provide the ultimate health boost and detoxification! They aid digestion, increase oxygen carrying capacity and are great for hair and nails.

Apple Beetroot Carrot (ABC) Juice - This detoxifying concoction of three powerful foods gives you the ultimate vitamin and mineral boost, and can be counted as two of your vegetable portions and one of your fruit portions for the day. It is enriched with nutrients that are essential in helping the body detox and metabolize food.

Ginger Cucumber Apple Detox Juice - This detox drink helps release toxins from the body while aiding the digestive system. The apples add a subtle sweetness, while the cucumber adds a refreshing twist. The ginger gives it a nice potent kick, and the allspice, unsurprisingly, adds a hint of spice!

Heavy Metal Detox Oatmeal Smoothie - The powerful mix of oats with the herbs parsley and cilantro help rid the body of harmful metals, including lead, copper, mercury and aluminum. As well as detoxing heavy metals, this super drink also lowers blood pressure and gives you a good dose of dietary fiber.

Green Detox Juice - This is absolutely bursting with green vegetable goodness, as well as anti-inflammatory-rich ingredients. The cocktail includes cucumber, zucchini, spinach, green capsicum, celery, apples, ginger and lemon for an energy-boosting, detoxifying vitamin hit!

Clementine Cinnamon Cilantro Detox Drink - This is a great detox drink for flushing out harmful toxins. Clementines are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is great for the immune system, while cinnamon has antioxidant properties, which help burn fat. Cilantro, or coriander, is filled with antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins and dietary fiber, and works like a natural cleanser.

Plum Persimmon Green Smoothie - This 'green' smoothie (that actually comes out brown!) is bursting with flavors from a number of fruits and vegetables, including green apple, black plum, persimmon, spinach, ginger, satsumas, kale and lemon.

Holiday Detox Apple Strawberry Smoothie - This sweet and tropical fusion is perfect when you have the winter blues and need a detoxifying pick-me-up to kick start your day. The ingredients include bananas, strawberries, apples and coconut water, for an immune-boosting, digestive-cleansing drink!

Detoxifying Berry Beet Smoothie - This simple detoxifying drink is filled with powerful cleansing and anti-inflammatory-rich ingredients that energize and rejuvenate. The ginger, berries and beetroot work together to rebalance the body.

Green Smoothie With Sea Buckthorn - You might not have heard of sea buckthorn, also known as 'the lemon of the north'. They are small orange berries that pack a serious amount of vitamins that are great for your body and skin. The vitamin C content in sea buckthorn can be up to 9 times higher than in classic citrus fruits like oranges and lemons.

Citrus Smoothies - This is going to be a big boom of citrusy flavor, but that's not all it contains. A banana is in there to insure that you're getting potassium into the body, as well as fiber to keep things moving. Your two basic detoxifying organs are the liver and the colon and this seems to appeal to both of them at the same time. Lemons, limes, oranges, and tangerines all mix together to give you all the Vitamin C you could ask for, and to bombard your body with antioxidants as well.

Cranberry Detox Smoothie - This delicious, pretty smoothie is made with just a few healthy ingredients that can work as a detoxifying breakfast. The cranberries give you a boost of vitamins, fiber and minerals for a nourishing drink.

Kiwi Super Green Smoothie - Simple is the mantra of this smoothie - simple ingredients and simple to make. But what you get is an extremely refreshing, nourishing and energizing green smoothie. Kiwifruit is extremely beneficial to the digestive system, so this detox smoothie is a great option if you are constipated or irregular.

Matcha Mango Pineapple Smoothie - The matcha in the title means that you're getting the real deal green tea that is used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Talk about a big boost of antioxidants, this smoothie can't help but be green because of the tea. The pineapple is a nice touch, and the mango really lends a hand with additional vitamins and nutrients that are tough to find in other fruit choices. You're left with a tropical-tasting blast of antioxidants that will be of great help to your body.

Pomegranate Pineapple Lemon Juice - Pomegranate is surging and popularity recently, and it's not surprising to see why. It's a great detox food, containing more antioxidants than green tea. Green tea has pretty much set the benchmark as far as antioxidants go, so this is pretty impressive. There's also pineapple in this, so you're going to get some sweetness and the extra vitamins it contains. The lemon will help rev up your metabolism, and balance out the sweet flavors.

Photo: Miss Kait

Green Lemonade - Sometimes it's easy to forget how the body responds to all of these good things for it. Here's a breakdown: The ginger prepares your body to be more receptive to the other items in this ade. The kale comes through and gives your body a dose of phytonutrients. The lettuce also contains plenty of goodness for you, and the apple needs no introduction. The apple gives this the sweetness it needs to be great tasting and not just a good detox tool.

Love Your Greens Juice - If you loathe the idea of eating your greens, this recipe is designed to get you to like them again. Since you won't have to chew them up, just drink them down, you can get all of your greens in just a few seconds. But the other part of this recipe is that they want you to enjoy your greens, so they've added some lemon to help the greens taste better. With cucumber, spinach, collards you're getting plenty of phytonutrients, as well as hydration. Your body will thank you, and several organs will benefit from this concoction.

Super Hydration Juice - When it comes to detoxing the body one of the first steps that is often recommended is to hydrate the body. Most Americans are dehydrated to some extent due not only to the lack of water intake, but also the drinking of dehydrating beverages like coffee and soda. Here's a way to introduce hydration back into the equation, boosting metabolism, flushing toxins, and providing nutrients from ingredients like strawberries and apples. Keep it organic for better detoxifying effects.

Sugar Free Indian Gooseberry Drink - Since American history dates back less than 300 years, it's good to look to other cultures to find food items that have worked for several generations. In this case it's Indian gooseberry, aka aamla, that is used as a base. The scientific research is starting to back up what drinkers of the tea have been saying for a long time. Studies on rats show that this can help lower blood sugar levels. A huge boost to the body, and the lemon also gives a nice astringent effect as well.

Red And Green Festive Cocktail - Any time you mix kale with pomegranate you are doing a huge service to your body and your well-being. The antioxidants in the pomegranate will help battle free radicals, and the kale provides fiber, protein, and phytochemicals. Additional antioxidants are found in cranberries, with a pear added for sweetness. The use of mint gives this a fresh taste, and they say you can add stevia, an all-natural sweetener until it tastes good to you.

Photo: So Let's Hang Out

Rainbow Veggie Juice - OK, so it doesn't really look like a rainbow once you're finished making this, but the vegetable lineup before you juice them definitely reads like the colors of the rainbow. You've got red from tomatoes and peppers, orange from carrots, yellow from lemons, green from celery, parsley, romaine, and cilantro. All that's missing is something blue, but not too many foods fit that bill. This is a fantastic way to group your daily allowance of veggies into one yummy juice.

Citrus & Green Tea Detox Smoothie - Most of the time smoothies don't contain tea in them, but they've decided to use the granddaddy of all teas, green tea. This means you're going to get plenty of detoxification going due to the antioxidants it contains, but you'll also help speed up your metabolism because of the EGCG. The addition of citrus fruits only adds to the vitamins you're getting, and makes it taste better. They've even snuck in a banana for potassium and fiber, and Greek yogurt for protein and a smooth texture.

Golden Detox Drink - Turmeric is not only a metabolism boosting spice, it also contains detoxifying power, helping the liver break down toxic chemicals. Ginger also adds cleansing qualities, and organic lemon juice with cayenne pepper is reminiscent of the detox lemonade diet. The overall effect is you're getting a powerful blend of spices with just enough sweetness added to make it taste good and keep you drinking it. The boiling makes sure that all of the ingredients get equally dispersed.

Whole Food Spicy Green "Juice" - If you don't like to eat spinach, but know you should because of all of its impressive health benefits, this is a pretty good compromise. You're using a copious amount of it, and adding in other ingredients like cucumbers and ginger to make sure that you get a well-rounded experience. The spice comes from the ginger, so if you're not a fan, you can take it out but then you're missing out on its cleansing effect. Overall this is a refreshing beverage that you can use to detox, or just as a pick-me-up when you need it.

Grapefruit-Cado Sunrise Smoothie - Grapefruit juice all by itself makes for a good detoxifying drink, so when you start doctoring it up with other superfoods you know you've got a winner in the making. Here they've used avocado, so you're getting the benefits it brings, like healthy fat and potassium. There's also banana, strawberry, and orange juice, so you've got plenty of vitamins and minerals to help your body get clean. A bit of maple syrup is optional, if you find it needs a sweetener you may want to use honey or stevia to keep it totally healthy.

Detox Blueberry Fruit Smoothie - Blueberries do the heavy lifting on this detox smoothie, with all of their antioxidant power. Bananas lend their support, adding fiber and potassium to the mix, and there's also cranberry juice which has a cleansing effect, and can even be used to treat a urinary tract infection. Overall this is a nice combination of flavors, as well as a mixture of three superfoods in their own right into one easy-to-drink smoothie. Good for a morning drink, or any time of the day if you're trying to eat detoxifying foods.

Photo: Girl Cooks World

Orange Surprise - Only four ingredients in this recipe means that they're keeping it very wholesome, and only foods that are known to help cleanse the body have been invited to the exclusive party. Surprise! There's no oranges here. They're referring to the color of the drink caused by the carrots. You're also getting the powerful benefits that are in celery, the goodness of apples, and some lime for a nice citrus twist that helps to pull this drink together.

Green Smoothie - Anytime they add avocado to the mix you know you're going to get a smooth texture, healthy fat, and a soft flavor. They also include cucumber for its hydration properties so you'll be able to flush out more toxins. They even show you how to keep this recipe vegan, which also keeps it dairy free, and also makes it Paleo friendly. You might not notice it once it's finished, but it contains plenty of healthy nuts, so you get the benefits of nuts, without having to crunch them up. Flax seed gives you an omega-3 surprise so you've got a well-rounded detox smoothie here..

Drink Your Veggies Pizza - When we first heard of the idea of drinking a pizza, we were a little skeptical. But the more we thought about it, it makes sense. Wrapping your mind around the idea of helping the body with the flavors of pizza is step one. But once you see the ingredient listing you'll see that it's a superfood powerplay here. The lycopene from the tomatoes is the biggest factor, but your body gets carotenoids from the peppers. There's also enough kale used in this to supply your body with plenty of toxin-fighting agents.

Ayurveda Detoxifying Tea - They refer to this as a tea, but it might be unlike other teas you've tried, since you don't steep it from a tea bag. It's made from herbs and seeds that you boil together and then drink. The use of traditional Ayurvedic herbs and spices, including cumin, coriander, and fennel mean that your body is going to be able to filter out harmful elements while being replenished with foods it can tolerate much better. They also include a recipe for a more traditional fruit and veggie smoothie so you're really covered as far as your detox efforts go.

Mango Ginger Lemonade - Ginger is a great healing food, so anytime you feel that your body needs to calm itself down, you can turn to it for support. It helps the other foods around it get more properly absorbed by the body. That's why you'll see it several times in this list. It amplifies all of the health benefits from the other superfoods. Here's they've mixed it with mango, not just for the amazing flavor, but for the alkalizing effect it has on the body. If you've been eating a lot of acidic foods it's high time to introduce more alkaline selections.

Love Your Liver Juice - The liver is the crux to your detoxing program, so anything that makes it happy is going to provide you with the results you seek. Here they've singled out the liver in this juice, and are sending massive amounts of vitamins and minerals that are specifically geared towards helping it function optimally. Item one on the list is beets, and if you haven't looked into this amazing superfood you should, it's worth the read and it's worth going out of your way to make sure you're getting it.

Photo: Jeanette's Healthy Living

Detox Beet and Carrot Smoothie - The beets alone would have been enough to call this a detox drink, but they went and added a lot of other antioxidant-rich foods, including green tea. You're also benefiting from the anti-aging and cancer-preventing properties of the carrot. The grapes also contain Vitamin C so you'll be helping your immune system, making this a great drink for the cold winter months when everyone is getting the flu around you. They also contain resveratrol, an antioxidant that can help prevent heart disease.

Detox Smoothie - Here's a way to make a simple smoothie that has massive detox potential. Starting with a base of spinach is always a good step, and they've made it taste good by adding pineapple juice and lemon. There's also ginger included, which will act as a sort of catalyst for the other ingredients to work their magic. Your body will be able to better utilize the nutrients that spinach contains, maximizing how good you feel, and how many toxins you're able to purge.

Low Carb Green Smoothie - Remember the wheat grass craze that hit the health food scene years ago? It's pretty much died down since then, but the fact remains that it's super good for you and has tons of detox features to it. Here they're mixing it with spinach, can't go wrong there, and they've upped the taste factor by adding some stevia as well as almond butter and coconut water. They've kept the fruit to a minimum to avoid added carbohydrates.

Spring Cleaning Detox - If you haven't discovered flax seeds, here's a good place to start. They provide omega-3s to help fight inflammation, and can help regulate your digestion so you're able to be more regular, which is a huge boon to your detoxification plan. Apples, carrots, and ginger root lend a hand to make this a pretty potent cocktail as far as cleaning you out and giving you some nice nutrients to replace the harmful substances you'll hopefully be getting rid of.

Cranberry Bliss Detox Smoothie - Cranberry gets into the title here, but there are plenty of other fruits and ingredients that help get you to your detox goal. Cranberries have long been known for their astringent properties, especially when it comes to the liver. Here they get blended up with pears, apples, and turmeric spice so your body is in for a treat. It's fascinating the way your body responds to these wholesome foods in such a stark contrast to all of the pre-packaged and fast foods that cause so much harm.

Natural Daily Detox Remedy Drink - This is a detoxifying drink that you can use each day, rather than a one-off beverage. It's quite simple, and involves just two mandatory ingredients. They say you should add Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with lemon juice to water. They recommend getting a brand of ACV that has "the mother" in it. One of the best brands out there is Bragg, which also happens to be organic. It's provides a great cleansing to your entire digestive tract.

Photo: Lating Cooking DIva

Cocktail Wellness - This cocktail incorporates the use of kombucha, which if you haven't been exposed to this beverage might be a little off putting at first. But it's supposed to provide your body with good bacteria that can aid in your digestion. When you improve your digestion you automatically help your body eliminate toxins, because you're improving one of its routes of elimination. Honey is a great addition for sweetness, and there's also yogurt that will add even more probiotics.

Lemon Ginger Detox Drink - Why make things complicated? It doesn't take a lot of bells and whistles to help the body detox. This one lists its ingredients right in the title, it's simply combines lemon and ginger with water so your stomach can get ready for the food you'll eat that day. This is a great drink to enjoy in the morning when you first wake up, about 30 minutes before you eat breakfast.

It's a great idea to do a regular cleansing of the body instead of simply bombarding it with processed foods and letting toxins accumulate. You can decide what sort of program is right for you, as there are many different detox plans available. Some people detox over a long weekend, some for two weeks or longer. It's up to you to determine what your body needs and what you're willing to attempt. Good luck!

You may also like our list of 18 Detox Teas for Daily Cleansing

You may also like:

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47 Detox Drinks & Recipes for Cleansing & Weight Loss

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Detoxing with drinks is one of the simplest and most beneficial ways of cleansing the body and feeding it the nutrients it is really craving. What seemed like just another fad has stood the test of time, and a detox drink cleanse has become one of the ultimate methods of losing weight and giving your digestive ...

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I've been wanting to find a good detox drink that actually tastes good, and I found one with watermelon!

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Whether you're just trying to steer clear of the sugary drinks, or aim to really help your body flush out any toxins lurking in your system, this refreshing blend of foods and flavors will satisfy your tastebuds needs.

Included: Watermelon/cucumber, lemon/lime, mint leaves, and water.

Why Watermelon (or cucumber): Watermelon helps the body flush out toxins because it contains the organic compound citrulline, which is an amino acid that has been shown to help the liver and kidneys filter and get rid of ammonia. Ammonia comes in external forms, but is also a by-product of the proteins our bodies are burning up constantly for energy, and it's quite damaging to our cells. Cucumber also contains citrulline, but not as much as watermelon. Watermelon may also just give the liver an overall boost.

Why water: H20 is just plain good for us, but it's thought that it helps flush nasty toxins and waste through our system, giving organs like the liver and kidney an easier time doing their job.

Why lemon (or lime): Lemon or lime juice helps stimulate and regulate the digestive track (which is why it's so helpful with constipation, heartburn and gas), stimulates bile production, and thins out bile, which allows it to flow more freely.

Bile is produced by the liver and ends up in the small intestine to break down lipids (fats) that we've consumed.

Why mint leaves: Mint leaves are a nice refreshing flavor to add to your drink. On top of that, it can help you digest more effectively, improving the flow of bile from the liver, to the gallbladder, to the small intestine, where it breaks down dietary fats. Mint also helps relax cramped up stomach muscles.

You will need...
-1-2 liters' of water, depending on how strong you want it to taste
-Part of 1 watermelon or 1 cucumber
-1 lemon or lime
-A handful of fresh mint leaves (approximately 10-13)
-Ice cubes

Directions
Slice up a good amount of watermelon into cubes, rind and all, and put them into a jug or pitcher. Cut 1 juicy lime into wedges and toss in with the watermelon. Add a handful of fresh, fragrant, mint leaves and pour in 2 liters of cool water, filling the jug all the way to the top. Let this sit overnight in the fridge and let all the yummy flavors steep and infuse the water. When you want to drink it, put in a generous helping of ice cubes, pour, and enjoy daily.

Watermelon & mint

Cucumber & lemon.

Flavor Tips

* Try substituting a lemon for the lime, cucumber for the watermelon, or a combination of all of them.

* Pour water in first and then add the ingredients. I feel like there's more of a burst of flavor when the water gets poured in and everything swirls around, but there's something to be said for letting it gently infuse itself as well (the water tends to stay a bit clearer as well.)

* Don't add ice to the entire jug, and leave it on a cup-by-cup basis. If you plan on drinking it over time, this can help prevent it from getting diluted as the ice melts.

* Start with 2 liters' of water steeping overnight, and then experiment with longer/shorter times and more or less water.

* Squeeze in the juice of 1 lime and/or lemon and then slice up another and add that to give it a little extra citrus kick.

* This isn't for flavor, but this drink looks mighty appealing in a glass pitcher on a hot summer day.

DIY Detox Drink

We all have different tastes and preferences, and like to mix things up every once in a while too. Experiment by trying out various ingredients, amounts, and methods (like blending, or boiling into a tea, or infusing into water, etc.) Below is a list of foods that have been shown to help boost your built-in detox system (namely liver, G.I., and kidney function.) If possible, always buy organic to avoid chemical ingredients or pesticides.

Cruciferous vegetables & leafy greens: This group includes a lot of veggie superheroes, and is why you see so many "green" detox drinks or smoothies. Included are broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, bok choy, and spinach. Broccoli and co. increases the amount of glucosinolate (organic compounds) in our body, which in turn help create enzymes that help our body's breakdown and digest things. Leafy greens like lettuce and bok choy have the ability to neutralize metals, chemicals, and pesticides that find their way into our systems.

Avocado: Avocados can help your body produce an antioxidant, glutathione, which our liver needs to do its job and filter properly.

Grapefruit: High in antioxidants and vitamin C, grapefruit or grapefruit juice also aids the liver in flushing carcinogens (things linked to causing cancer, like stuff in cigarettes and tobacco, as well as some pre-prepared foods) and possibly pesticides out of the body.

Beets: The systems in the body all work together, and for various reasons beets seem to be helpful to more than one major organ. However, they've shown themselves to be particularly helpful when it comes to aiding the liver in detoxification.

If it's chilly, try making some detox tea to keep you warm and healthy, or mix up an icy cool drink in hot weather. Play around with what you like and keep in mind things you know are good for your body's own detox system-not things that claim to be a miracle detox system all on their own.

You may also like... Breaking Down Detox: Is it Good, Bad, or Just a Fad?

P.S. Click here to download my free Coconut Oil eBook. It has over 107 everyday coconut oil uses, including uses for- weight loss, pet health, hair, skin, house cleaning, pests, DIY beauty products and so much more.

By Claire Goodall

Claire is a lover of life, the natural world, and wild blueberries. On the weekend you can find her fiddling in the garden, playing with her dogs, and enjoying the great outdoors with her horse. Claire is very open-minded, ask her anything 🙂 Meet Claire

We Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you, ask a question or leave a comment:

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Make Your Own Detox Drink for Daily Enjoyment & Cleansing

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Whether you're just trying to steer clear of the sugary drinks, or aim to really help your body flush out any toxins lurking in your system, this refreshing blend of foods and flavors will satisfy your tastebuds needs. Included: Watermelon/cucumber, lemon/lime, mint leaves, and water. Why...

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You know that friend you are really close with, but you don't know if you should still be their friend because they are "toxic"?

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6 Types of Toxic Friends and How You Can Deal with Them

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Join Melanoma Monday on TODAY: Sign up to help us break a Guinness World Record

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You know how you love your family 50% well LIFE HACKS :D how to deal with that crazy family of yours.

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The trouble with the holiday season is that you have to go home and visit with family, family that can often drive you crazy and stress you out. While there's no way to completely escape those cringe-worthy and awkward situations, there are ways you can deal with them more effectively.

The holidays are a stressful time for everyone, especially if you're visiting family. Slow down and relax-the first thing to remember is that whatever situation you're in, whatever conversation you're having, it'll be over eventually. With that firmly in mind, you'll be able to tackle any other situation.
Photo by Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock.
Understand What's Happening to You: A Brief Primer on Stress

We've gone into detail about what stress actually does to you before. When you're dealing with family, you're dealing with acute stressors that can be draining if you deal with them over and over for the course of an afternoon or evening.

Stress is an unpleasant fact of life. We all experience it for various reasons, and we all try to...
Read more Read

You know what it feels like to be in those awkward situations, or those conversations where you can tell your family is grilling you on something you'd rather not discuss, so it's not difficult to identify. When you have that emotional response however, there are other things going on in your body. Your heart rate accelerates, and your system is flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine, all due to your body's fight-or-flight response ticking on so you're aware, alert, and ready to handle the situation. Unfortunately, dealing with an irritating family member who won't leave you alone isn't something you can deal with by running fast or climbing high. Once you understand what's going on, cooler heads can prevail and you can try to see through your emotional response and de-escalate the situation.

Deal with Stressful Situations by Relaxing and Disengaging

Now that you know what's going on in your body when your annoying uncle asks why you never visit, or your parents demand that you help them troubleshoot their computer before you've even had a chance to put down your bags, now you can begin to deal with the situation in a calm and rational way. First of all, understand that you have the right to be unhappy and upset with the way they're treating you: but that doesn't mean you have the right to make them feel the way you're feeling. In fact, it'll only make the situation worse.

Take a few deep breaths, and try to minimize the stressful situation in your mind. Take a few deep breaths, and say whatever you need to say in order to disengage and de-escalate the situation. If your family is begging you to look at their PC, tell them you'll take a look after dinner, or tell them that you'd like to put your bags down first and then you'll go take a look. Let them know you'll ask them for more information when you're ready. If your annoying uncle asks why you haven't visited, laugh or shrug it off and complain about the high cost of travel, and excuse yourself. If you're worried you'll say something you'll regret, tell your family member that you'll take it up with them later. That'll give you time to calm down and think about how you want to approach the situation, if you want to revisit it at all.

Ultimately, the goal is to get out of the immediate confrontation so you can acknowledge to yourself that you're having a physical and emotional reaction to a stressful situation. Sometimes that's enough to give your brain room to push through the fog of frustration and anger. If it's not enough, practice a coping mechanism like deep breathing or visualizing yourself in a relaxing place to help you calm down a bit before you have to go back to the fray.

If All Else Fails, Hack the Conversation

Excusing yourself and de-stressing will only get you so far. There will inevitably be someone in the family who just won't let the matter drop if you want to excuse yourself or end the conversation. They'll keep prodding you to get a reaction, or they'll follow you around to try and get you to say something. They won't let you leave the conversation alone until they're satisfied with what you say. In those cases, it's time to bring out the dark side and do a little social engineering.

Turn the question around so they're the stressed party. In many cases, the most awkward questions can be defused by answering the question with a question. Return fire with "How would you feel if I asked you that," or "What do you think I'll say," forcing them to answer their own question, or at least tip their hand to what they want to hear from you.

Be sarcastically polite. We're not saying you should turn on the snark, but being dismissive of the question or offering a half-hearted answer will in many cases let the questioner know that you think their little interrogation is silly. Sometimes that's enough to get them to leave you alone.

Go on the offensive. As in, ask them something they'll have trouble with before they ask you. Be careful, this can turn into a sparring match, but sometimes it's better to approach the annoying family member with a smile and start the conversation yourself so you can direct its course. If they approach you and start asking all the questions, you're on the defensive.

Keep them talking. Often, the most annoying family members with the more intrusive questions really just want to hear themselves talk, even if they think they want to grill you for juicy information. Offer up only the minimum amount of information required to get them to launch into a story, or offer it up with an open-ended question at the end so they do the talking. Respond to questions like "So when are you going to have kids" with "I had a friend who waited until her 40s, can you believe that?" It doesn't outright say that's what you want to do, but it does get them talking about what they think about the matter. When they start, listen politely and ask for additional information at every opening. Doing so makes them talk to you, instead of the other way around.

Get rid of them. If you're helping in the kitchen and you're being grilled by a family member, ask them to do something that takes them out of the kitchen, even if it's for a moment. If it's easier for you to escape, do it, and offer to get something from storage, or go find out what everyone else is doing and whether they're hungry, thirsty, or bored. It's another escape mechanism, but it works.

Remember, They're Family: You Don't Have to Like Them

Family is important, but there's no rule that says you have to like or get along with everyone you're related to. If you do, you're very lucky, but just being related to someone doesn't automatically mean the two of you will get along in every situation, share the same views, or even enjoy each other's company. The holidays-that time of year when everyone is stuck together no matter what-is a particularly trying time when you know that family members you don't get along with will be present.

It's a romantic to assume you can push through the stress and irritation at the Thanksgiving dinner table to suddenly become close with a family member you can't stand. If it happens, you're lucky, but it's unlikely. Be kind, respectful, and cordial, but don't force yourself to spend extended periods with someone you dislike just because you "feel like you should." Be assertive enough to excuse yourself from awkward conversations, and choose to spend your time with family members you enjoy instead. In the end, you'll have a happier, healthier, stress-free holiday with family.

Are there any other tips or tricks you use to deal with annoying or frustrating family over the holidays? Perhaps you just avoid them entirely and do your own thing? Let us know in the comments below.

You can reach Alan Henry, the author of this post, at alan@lifehacker.com, or better yet, follow him on Twitter or Google+.

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How to Deal with Family Members that Stress You Out or Drive You Crazy

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The trouble with the holiday season is that you have to go home and visit with family, family that can often drive you crazy and stress you out. While there's no way to completely escape those cringe-worthy and awkward situations, there are ways you can deal with them more effectively.

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Without youtube. I wouldn't be able to watch my favorite tutorial vidoes

www.youtube.com

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Want. Need. Love.

THIS WEBSITE IS EVERYTHING.

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Wanelo ('wah-nee-loh', from Want, Need, Love) is an online community for all of the world's shopping.

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ONLINE SHOPPING

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Sorry, we just need to make sure you're not a robot. For best results, please make sure your browser is accepting cookies.

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I don't like leaving the house often... So ebay :D

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Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles & More | eBay

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Buy & sell electronics, cars, clothes, collectibles & more on eBay, the world’s online marketplace. Top brands, low prices & free shipping on many items.

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my escape from everything else. ^^"

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HugeDomains.com - Shop for over 300,000 Premium Domains

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I love this app because I just like seeing what people do throughout the day, and UGLY FACE CONTEST.

www.snapchat.com

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I count my calories and how much activity i do, i adore this app!

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Take control of your goals. Track calories, break down ingredients, and log activities with MyFitnessPal.

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I always go on here for FOOD and TATTOOS. :D My obsessions ♥

www.pinterest.com

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Another website i adore, is tumblr. I get to express myself.

www.tumblr.com

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I love love love instagram, it's one of my favorite social media websites!

www.instagram.com

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A night with the girls and you all want to do each others' nails? LOOK AT ALL THESE CUTE NAILS OH MY GOOD GOLLY GOSHNESS.

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Painting your nails and then forgetting about it is passé. You have to think creatively in order to enhance them now. What about some spectacular nail art that will make your friends go green with envy? No, it is not a complicated process at all and can be done with relative ease once you get the hang of it. There is no need for expensive nails tutorials too! All you require is a little patience and some time on your hands.

It is best to start with the simplest form of nail art once you make up your mind to try it yourself. Creating tiny dots or adding a few studs to your long, beautiful nails is going to add to their attractiveness as well. However, you must be careful not to set your mind on the most complicated design right at the beginning. A step-by-step approach serves the best when it comes to nail art.

Most DIY tutorials for nails recommend the glitter look which requires painting your nails with alternate layers of sheer and glitter. Dry them off and you are done! Show off your glittering nails to your friends and wallow in their praise for hours. Ninja turtle nails and Halloween nails are great fun too. All you have to do is add dots and dashes imaginatively and you are blessed with the cutest nails ever. What about Halloween though? Can your nails scare too? Sure they can, once you finish painting them with scary dots and designs in garish colors.

Graduating on to the intermediate and advanced stages is a cakewalk. You will not need many days to do so, provided you have a steady hand. The neon light glitter, zebra nails and perfect stripes in multicolor require some practice but you are liable to pass with flying colors once you take your nails tutorials seriously. Oh, I wrote an essay about nails and I didn't even notice. Let's check them out and get inspired.

Music Notes Nail Art
video tutorial
Mustachioed Nails

Colorful Clouds

Nails On Fire!

Quaint Designer Nails

Band Aid Your Nails

French Stones On Nails

Shiny Party Nails

Peacock On Nails

Cute Argyle Nail Art

Blue N White: Pacific Nails

Zig Zag In Red N White

Complex Creation

Nail Divided!

Different Strokes For different Nails

Feather Nail Art

Red Peacock Feather

Modern Nail Art

Penguin peeking Out From Nail

Glitterati On Nails

Black Is Beautiful

Pastel Combination

Butterfly Ready To Take Wing

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Painting your nails and then forgetting about it is passé. You have to think creatively in order to enhance them now. What about some spectacular nail art that will make your friends go green with envy? No, it is not a complicated process at all and can be done with relative ease once you get the hang of it.

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So beautiful *heart eye emoji*

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This hairstyle tutorial is great for medium to long hair! I used my extensions to add extra length! You can start with curled hair to get the look similar to mine, or you can do this hairstyle ...

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This would be SUCH a cute prom or homecoming hair!

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a little bow hair tutorial

I've seen a few different versions of this little bow hairstyle on Pinterest, but I like it most on half up hair. You avoid the "minnie mouse" look that may happen if you wear your hair all up in a bow.

The longer your hair is, the easier time you'll have making the bow. However, mine is mid-length with a lot of layering, so a few bobby pins were all I needed to keep everything in control.

You can start with any texture of hair, straight or curly. All you need are a few bobby pins and a clear elastic or two. I only use 1 clear elastic, but if your hair is heavy or you need a stronger "hold", use two elastics.

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a little bow hair tutorial I've seen a few different versions of this little bow hairstyle on Pinterest, but I like it most on half up hair. You avoid the "minnie mouse" look that may happen if you wear your hair all up in a bow.

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Finally a cute messy bun(???) Because that make sense.

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the messiest of buns hair tutorial

I can't tell you how many times I've gotten a request for a hair tutorial on these messy buns:

And I'm not surprised these are a favorite! They are stunning. The perfect amount of mess.

Here's the thing with messy buns though-it's nearly impossible to dupilcate one exactly. So, when you are trying to recreate, don't be frustrated if your messy bun doesn't look exactly like a photo. Embrace it as your own personal mess.

For this style you'll need two clear elastics, bobby pins, texture powder (or texture spray), hairspray, and a comb.

The texture powder I'm using in this tutorial is by Lanza. The Redken Quick Tease Spray (which I don't use by I refer to) can be found here.

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the messiest of buns hair tutorial I can't tell you how many times I've gotten a request for a hair tutorial on these messy buns: And I'm not surprised these are a favorite! They are stunning. The perfect amount of mess. Here's the thing with messy buns though-it's nearly impossible to dupilcate one exactly.

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Want to curl your hair WITHOUT damaging your hair?

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How to curl your hair with a curling iron

How to curl your hair with a curling iron:

**the curling iron I'm using is actually a 1.5 inch.

(disclaimer: While I am a professional hairstylist, I am not a professional actress. Please forgive the amateur nature of this video, also the noise from the motorcycle that rides by near the end. I am going for the concept here, not an audition for Shear Genius. Thanks!)

In video: Kenra Volume 25 hairspray, Aquage Uplifting foam, Claw clip, Duckbill clips, comb, mirror, 1 inch Hot Tools spring curling iron with heat setting option.

Here is a link to YouTube in case you are having trouble: How to curl your hair with a curling iron

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How to curl your hair with a curling iron

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How to curl your hair with a curling iron How to curl your hair with a curling iron: **the curling iron I'm using is actually a 1.5 inch. (disclaimer: While I am a professional hairstylist, I am not a professional actress.

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One of my hobbies is finding tutorials all over youtube, and I can spend hours upon hours on them

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Soft Waves Hair Tutorial

Now that my hair is much longer, I've gotten several requests for an updated hair curling tutorial. I'm also doing a little bit of a softer wave these days, so I'll show you how to get this look in today's video!

I'm going to use a 1 1/4 inch barrel curling iron from Babyliss. I still love Hot Tools brand as well! I'd say 1 1/4 is the smallest I'd go for a loose wave look. You can also turn the heat down on a curling iron that size ( or smaller ) to get a softer curl.

I used the Soft Swoop tutorial to style my bangs for this look, and you can click here for the tutorial!

top: Destination Maternity (was on sale, can't find online)

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Soft Waves Hair Tutorial Now that my hair is much longer, I've gotten several requests for an updated hair curling tutorial. I'm also doing a little bit of a softer wave these days, so I'll show you how to get this look in today's video!

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Fall is almost here! Where's the heart eye emoji when you need it!!!

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The classic moist pumpkin bread from Down East is spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. This bread improves with age, so plan to make it a day ahead if possible.

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ZUCCHINI BREAD IS SO GOOD AND I'M SO HAPPY OUR SCHOOL SERVES IT. AGH

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A moist and delicious zucchini bread flavored with walnuts and cinnamon. Easy to bake and freeze, this recipe makes two loaves.

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Keeping in Touch with Family and Friends at Home

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The variety of ways to keep in touch with family and friends overseas from Indonesia.

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Keeping In Contact with Friends and Family

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Keeping In Contact with Friends and Family

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About a week and a half ago, I packed everything I could into my car and left home for the start of my graduate career. I had no friends or family where I was going and didn't even know my roommate, and I was moving to a part of the country I couldn't be less familiar with. I realized upon acceptance to WSU that a lot of things were going to change, and I figured that I'd have to rebuild my life almost from the ground up: new apartment, new job and coworkers, new classes and peers, new home state, and most importantly, new friends.

Over the past year and a half, I've been working in an undergraduate research lab with a group of amazing people. I got to know some of the most dedicated, ambitious, and driven minds in psychology, and I wouldn't be working toward my doctorate today if I didn't have the support they've provided me with. Leaving them behind was a scary prospect because I've never fit in so well anywhere else, and I worried that I'd be lost and lonely without them.

And though I often take it for granted, I have also been blessed with an extraordinary family. They have been behind me throughout all of my ups and downs in school and in life, and though I often complain that they check in on me too much, the support they've provided me with has been irreplaceable. Leaving home this time would put me farther away from them than I'd ever been before. How would I cope with the distance and the detachment from my social support network?

Plenty of research has been done on social support and the implications of having too little, and it looks pretty grim. Studies have shown that:

Social support is related to psychological well-being, meaning that the more a person feels he has friends and family who are there for him, the less likely he is to feel depressed and anxious (Turner, 1981).

High levels of social support predict more job satisfaction and longer job tenure than low levels of social support (Harris, Winskowski, & Engdahl, 2007).

Older adults with a chronic illness who had medium levels of social support had 41% less chance of death than those with low levels of social support, and high levels of social support resulted in a 55% lower chance of death. (Zhang, Norris, Gregg, & Beckles, 2007).

There are countless other publications on the important roles both friends and family can play in our lives, and the general consensus is that social support is very vital for life success. Not having enough is bad news for both your health and your career.

Now that we understand the implications of not having a suitable social support network, managing without one doesn't seem like a sensible choice. Fortunately, we live in an age where connecting with people is easier than it's ever been, and I've been using technology every day to keep in contact with mine. Along the way to Washington, I used my smart phone to post status updates on Facebook, text with my sister and my friends, and talk with the rest of my family about the journey (but not while behind the wheel, of course). They were happy to know I was doing all right, and I never felt alone at any point during the 1,100-mile trip.

Since arriving in Pullman, there's been a constant stream of text messages lighting up my phone every single day,whether I'm sitting in orientation, shopping for furniture, or working in my office. It's so simple to shoot a short message out to a friend, and I've done it to connect on projects, plans, and life matters of all sorts. I've also used Facebook as a less direct method of keeping in contact, just like I did when I was in Los Angeles, and the 'Hangout' video chat feature on Google Plus has allowed me to connect with many friends for both academic purposes and personal ones. Just two days ago, a committee of five of my closest friends helped a sixth make a decision on her acceptance to graduate school, and I had lunch with a friend and his family over video chat only a few hours ago.

Most important to me is the confidence that my social support network provides me with, and technology has made this all possible. Not only has a caring ear been within reach whenever I've needed it but just knowing that it's available has given me the strength to pursue new relationships. My friends and family have not been a crutch that carries me when times get rough; rather, they are a motivating force that pushes me to be myself and enjoy the new adventures that await me in the coming years.

What does your social support network mean to you, and how do you keep in contact with the people you care about when you're many miles away?

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The Importance of Staying Connected with Friends and Family

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About a week and a half ago, I packed everything I could into my car and left home for the start of my graduate career. I had no friends or family where I was going and didn't even know my roommate, and I was moving to a part of the country I couldn't be less familiar with.