Style & Serenity

Turmeric, it’s not just any spice.

December 3rd, 2014

Turmeric is a spice used to add color and flavor to your meal and it has some amazing healing powers. Both the Chinese and Indians use it as medicine. It’s used to treat everything from liver problems, depression, bursitis, inflammation and stiffness related to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It’s also used as a cleansing agent and a digestive aid in India. There’s not always much research to back up all it’s alleged benefits. Here’s what we know about the seasoning.

Several recent studies show that it HAS anti-inflammatory properties and that it modifies immune system responses. A study done about eight years ago showed turmeric was more effective at preventing joint inflammation than reducing joint inflammation.

A clinical trial found that a turmeric supplement called Meriva provided long-term improvement in pain and function in a hundred patients with knee osteoarthritis. On the flip side, high doses of it can act as a blood thinner.

Some Great Ways to take Turmeric

Turmeric root can be eaten plain. Just wash it, peel the skin off and you can eat it raw or eat it in your salad.
The powder can also be added to your salad dressing use it in your soup, make it a creamy dip by mixing it with dried onion, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.
You can use fresh turmeric root with other fresh fruits and vegetables and make it a delicious and healthy smoothie.

Turmeric used for cosmetic purposes

Turmeric is effective in treating acne because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Turmeric face mask helps to clear acne scars and inflammation.
Mix turmeric powder and sandalwood powder and lemon juice. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. For acne scars, apply a mixture of turmeric and plain water on the marks for 15 minutes. For oily skin mix 1 ½ tablespoons of sandalwood powder and a pinch of ground turmeric with 3 tablespoons of orange juice and leave it on your face for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
For dry skin combine 1 egg white, 2 drops of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, rose water and a pinch of turmeric. Apply it to your face, neck, elbow, knees and let it dry. Wash it off with warm water.
You can use turmeric to heal your cracked heels. Apply 3 spoons of turmeric with a few drops of coconut oil on your heels for 10 to 15 minutes before taking a bath. If you do it regularly it will help soften your heels..
Turmeric with milk also treats skin conditions like poison ivy, eczema and soriasis.
Mix turmeric and olive oil and apply it on your scalp for 15 minutes before taking a shower to treat dandruff and other scalp issues like dermatitis, eczema that can lead to itchy, flaky skin, inflammation and thinning hair.

You can buy Turmeric powder or fresh organic turmeric root.The powder should be kept in tightly sealed container and stored in a cool dry. Fresh turmeric should be placed in the refrigerator.

Motherhood

November 28th, 2014

I thank God every day for giving me the gift of motherhood.

It has taught me to become more patient, loving and compassionate.

It has taught me to put someone else’s needs before mine.

It has helped me appreciate my parents more.

It has helped me grow as an individual.

I have learned to see the world in another light.

I have become more optimistic, spiritual and calm.

I know that we are in this world for a purpose.

I think that our purpose is to serve others.

For now I will start by serving my family.

Give Thanks!

November 26th, 2014

It’s that time of the year when we gather with our loved ones to share a Thanksgiving meal. For many of us, Thanksgiving means feasting on massive amounts of food, four-day weekends, football games, floats, family reunions, or a forerunner to Christmas festivities.

While we are busy doing all the cooking and celebrating, lets not forget to be thankful. Last Thanksgiving, I lost a very special person in my life. My beautiful friend Josephine, one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met passed away. She was one of those people that made everyone she came in contact with feel special and loved. I’m not sure she knew this even though I had told her repeatedly how amazing she was, but she was someone that really impacted my life. I’ve learned some great lessons from her, even after her death. I strive to be like her and my mother whom I am lucky to have. Josephine was so filled with love. So rich with kindness. Her three beautiful daughters remain heartbroken but filled with her never ending love. I spent Thanksgiving last year broken hearted for her loss. Although it’s one of my favorite holidays, there are so many loved ones that are gone that come to mind during this time. I can wallow in my sadness but instead I choose to focus on the present and cherish the ones that I have with me.

Ever since my daughter can read and write, we’ve been writing a grateful list on Thanksgiving. This is a practice we try to do weekly but it’s a must on Thanksgiving. This year, we will try a new way of being thankful. We plan on writing a grateful note to each member of our family. Now you may think, “that’s a lot of writing” and it is, but sometimes you have to sit, think and put pen to paper in order to really realize just how much you have.

Maybe you can do something similar with your family. This year when you gather with loved ones, try to pay attention to who is sitting around you instead of what’s on the table. Focus on how fortunate you are to share a meal with your family and friends. Take the time to tell them how much they mean to you. Really, look at what you have!

We live in the most amazing country, so be thankful. Most of us have a warm house to shelter us from the cold, our refrigerator is stocked with food. We’ve got running water, a TV in almost every room, warm showers and our closets are bursting with clothes.
Yet many of us still want more. We want bigger homes, better cars. We feel envious of others who seem to have it all. If you take time to really look into what makes you happy you realize that you have it all. Don’t compare yourself with others, you don’t know what is going on in their lives. You have everything that you need and that’s what you have to realize.

It’s not about the things you have, it’s about the ones you love.

It’s about the moments of happiness that you experience with your family.

A pillow fight with your child, a phone call to a good friend, the one you can tell your secrets to. I’ve got a few of those and I cherish them.

I also have an amazing cousin and sister I can fight with, yell at and despite it all, I know that they will always be there for me.

My husband is the person that always cushions my falls. Laughs at me when I am ridiculously angry and irrational. Loves me despite the fact that I have gained weight!

My parents provide me with unconditional love and guidance to this day. I’m blessed to have them both.

The love and protection of my siblings, my sister’s in law.

The adoration of my child.

My health and the health of my loved ones.

These are my greatest reasons to be thankful. I’m sure you have your own list.
Find a quiet place, take in your surroundings and be thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving!

A gesture of kindness

November 11th, 2014

Last night I had a friend drag me out to an event I was not planning to attend. The past couple of weeks have been a very tough time for me. I’ve been going through a health scare with my mother and various other things. I’ve also come to certain realizations that are going to change my life dramatically. Suffice it to say that I have not been in a very social mood. Nonetheless my beautiful friend insisted that I go out for the evening and it was just what I needed!

My friends kindness made me think about how we impact each other as human beings. I thought about another girlfriend who has been going through an equally rough time with her father’s health. How can I help her? What can I do to bring her a moment of joy? A gesture that may seem so small can make a big difference.

Life can present us with many challenges. It’s easy to be caught up with our own pain and problems. Each one of us have our own story, our own journey in life. We are all so wrapped up in our own lives that sometimes we miss what’s going on in the lives of others around us.

Pain, fear, grief, loss, loneliness, depression, we’ve all gone through some of these feelings. Perhaps experiencing these emotions helps us feel compassion for others. It also reminds us what we can do. So look around you, maybe it’s your neighbor, an acquaintance, a friend, a sister or even a spouse. Take time today, this week or this month to look closer and lend an ear or a shoulder for someone to lean on.

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I’m thankful for my friend Sine for encouraging me to go out. She helped me forget my worries for a few hours. It was the first time I had laughed in weeks. Thank you Sine for your love and friendship!

Do you know someone in your life that may be in need of a kind gesture? Ask yourself how you can help. Think of it as a kindness that you can do and then they can pay it forward.

What do you think? Make a comment, tell a friend, share my blog. Pay it forward.

Coconut oil and its benefits

October 15th, 2014

My mother is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. She is beautiful inside and out. She can sit next to a woman half her age and she is still the one with the most beautiful skin. People are always asking her what her secret is. All my life she has used natural products that can be found in any of our homes as a part of her beauty ritual.

On this blog, I’m going to share the benefits of coconut oil with you. There’s so much you can do with it.

I’m sure most of you know that cooking with coconut oil has great benefits. You can also use it in your salad dressing and use it on your hair, skin and much more!

You’ll be surprised to find out that coconut oil can be used to highlight your cheekbones. Just put a small amount over your makeup and voila!

You can use it as shaving lotion, combine it with Himalayan crystal salt and use it on your face each night. You can make it into a wonderful body scrub by combining it with sugar.

Here is the recipe for the body scrub.

2 cups of cane sugar
1 cup of kosher salt
melted coconut oil
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of almond extract
1 tablespoon of vitamin E oil

You can stop using those expensive make-up removers and just use coconut oil, the bonus is that it makes your eyelashes stronger and longer. And by adding just a few ingredients you can turn it into a natural deodorant. Here is how.

1/3 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of baking powder
¼ cup of arrowroot powder
4 tablespoons of cornstarch (this adds an antiperspirant effect to the deodorant)
Use tea tree, sweet orange, lavender oil to give it a lovely smell

You can also use it to make a great lip balm or lip gloss. Here is how to make ¾ ounces of it.

3 teaspoons of sweet almond or apricot kernel oil
4 teaspoons of melted coconut oil
2 teaspoons of grated beeswax
5 to 10 drops of sweet orange oil or another essential oil

In a small pot, combine the almond oil, coconut oil and beeswax. Melt over low heat until everything is liquid and whisk to combine. Remove from the heat and whisk in the essential oil. Put it in a little pot, let it sit for at least 20 minutes or until it’s firm.

You can also use coconut oil regularly on your baby as a diaper rash cream. If your pregnant just apply it on your belly to prevent stretch marks. Add your favorite scent and use it as massage oil. You can use it as sunburn care, a facial moisturizer and a body moisturizer. I use it right after my shower. I use it to treat my dry feet, elbows and hair.

To use it as a deep conditioner for your hair just rub a small amount into the ends of your hair, comb through, put it in a loose bun and leave it on overnight. In the morning just wash it off. You can also rub a small amount on your hands and run it through your hair for flyaways and frizzy areas. It’s a great product to use in the winter because this is when we experience a lot of dry skin and hair. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Coconut oil can be used for so many other things. This is a great start. Just make sure when buy a Coconut Oil is organic, extra virgin and cold pressed.

Enjoy and tell me how you like it. I’ll have more great home remedies in my future blogs.

Happy moisturizing!

Turmeric, it’s not just any spice.

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Motherhood

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Give Thanks!

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A gesture of kindness

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Coconut oil and its benefits

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