Health and beauty - blog

Win a 12-month Spanish course subscription

2011-07-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

I'm giving away three 12-month subscriptions to my Spanish online course.

No purchase required.

My Spanish course includes: 45 interactive dialogs, vocabulary audio flashcards, grammar lessons, pronunciation practice, speaking and listening drills, children's lessons, quizzes, Spanish learning articles, and more.
See more details.

Be the first one to find out about my Spanish course offers, sweepstakes, contests and coupons:

Free Spanish course

2010-03-09T03:41:00.000-08:00

At Spanish Bookworld you can find my new free Spanish course.

This course brings you interactive online movies with dialogs, flashcards, grammar, pronunciation and numbers; downloadable mp3s and videos; kids' lessons, and Spanish learning articles.

All the online lessons, mp3s and videos in this course come with exercises and drills to help you practice speaking and understanding Spanish.

To start learning Spanish now, sign up for free!

Who am I? My name is Maria Fernandez. I'm the author of several Spanish courses including Learn Spanish At Your Own Pace (book + 2 cds), Spanish for Beginners Cd-rom, Spanish Podcasts for Beginners, and all the courses at www.spanish-bookworld.com

New Spanish language learning blog

2009-06-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

I've started a new blog dedicated to Spanish language learning. It has free Spanish lessons, podcasts, videocasts, videos, articles on how to learn fast and efficiently, product reviews, and much more.

Childhood obesity - how to fight it successfully

2008-06-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Here's another article I've written about weight loss. This one deals with childhood obesity. It's called How to help your children lose weight.

There you'll find details on obesity, what causes it, and how it can be fought.

I've also included some very helpful videos, tips on how to improve your child's lifestyle, books that can help you and your children, and how to develop a positive attitude towards food and cooking.

Tips on how to keep your weight down

2008-06-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

If you want to read about how to stay slim after dieting, I've just written a page called How to keep the pounds off after dieting and still enjoy life.

There I give you lots of practical tips on how to avoid putting on weight, and how to enjoy life to the full.

How to avoid getting wrinkles

2008-04-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of things that can help you have a younger looking skin. Here are some of them:

• Avoid exposure to the sun, especially if you’re not wearing a good sun block.

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco, including passive smoking.

• Drink no fewer than eight glasses of water per day.

• Eat little or no processed meat.

• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and raw vegetables.

• Increase your vitamin E intake.

• Do facial exercises to strengthen your muscles.

How to find out what type of skin you’ve got

2008-04-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here’s a quick experiment you can make to find out if you’ve got dry, normal or oily skin:

• Wash your face with a neutral ph soap and tepid water, then dry it carefully with a soft towel.

• If your skin feels tight, it means it's dry.

• If it doesn't, put a tissue over your face and press it slightly. Release it and look at the tissue.

• If you can see greasy spots on it, then you’ve got oily skin.

• If you can’t see any spots on the tissue, and your skin doesn’t feel tight, then you’ve got normal skin.

How to get shiny hair

2008-04-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some very simple ways of making your hair look beautiful and shiny:

• Rinse your hair with cold water.

• If you have dry hair, try not to wash it more than twice per week.

• If you use a hairdryer, remember that the cold air setting will not damage your hair the way hot air does.

How to get a nice tan and protect yourself against the sun at the same time

2008-04-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Here's what you should do if you want to get a wonderful tan and have a beautiful skin all year round:

• Before sunbathing, you should prepare your skin by exfoliating and hydrating it.

• Use a strong sun block, not just any sun block, but one designed for your particular skin type and color.

• When applying sun block, remember to use generous amounts of it all over.

• Reapply the sun block at least every two hours, or after going in the water.

• You should use sun block even if you’re already tanned, and on cloudy days.

• You should also avoid sunbathing when the sun is high in the sky, roughly between midday and four in the afternoon.

• After sunbathing, always use a good moisturizer.

• If at any point you see any marks or spots on your skin, monitor them, and consult your doctor if you notice any changes in their shape or color.

A truly inspirational weight loss video

2008-04-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

Losing weight often feels like an impossible task, an unreachable goal that stares at you from a distance and screams "you'll never get me".

Has anyone ever managed to lose weight?, you wonder. Your magazines tell you everyone can do it, but the people in the before and after pictures often look equally large in both. Only their hairdo and clothes are different.

Every once in a while, however, there's a little something that restores your hope. For me, it was this video called 'My Weight Loss Journey", a truly inspirational set of pictures for those traveling along the same road. I hope it helps you too.

Organic skin care products

2008-03-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for organic skin care products, at Health and Beauty you can find a huge selection.

Prices are very competitive and you’ll find plenty of information on all the products.

Here some of the top organic skin care products you can get:

Ecco Bella's M.D. Formulated Skin Care

Aubrey Organics Facial Cleansing Cream

Sea Buckthorn Skin Care Bar with Sandalwood

Organic Skin Care Oil - Jojoba

Avalon Organics CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Night Cream

Nature's Gate Organics Light Switch Lemon Skin Brightening Serum

Sanoflore Organic S.O.S. Skin Accidents, Camomile & Helichrysum

Amino Derm Gel Clear Skin Complex

John Masters organics Lavender Hydrating Mist for Skin & Hair

Juice Beauty Organics to Clear Skin Kit

See yourself with 8,000 hairstyles with this virtual demo

2008-02-21T07:23:00.001-08:00

If, like me, you’re fed up with your hair salon horror stories, this blog post is for you.

Ever wondered what you’d look like if you got a different haircut or used another color dye, but don’t have the guts to do it? Can you see yourself with your favorite celebrity’s hairstyle?

Yes, you can, and you don’t even have to leave your computer. All you have to do is upload your photograph at The Hair Styler virtual demo and you’ll be able to view yourself with more than 8,000 different hairstyles, in 53 hair colors.

So, no more nasty surprises for any us. Next time we go to our hair salon, we can be confident of what the result is going to look like. I’m guessing this is going to save me a small fortune. If you’re curious about the virtual demo, here’s an interactive sample:

How to get rid of skin discolorations

2008-02-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

There are many products on the market that can help you get rid of dark skin spots and other skin marks. The problem is, many of them are not safe to use. They contain mercury, hydroquinone and other harmful ingredients that have been linked to liver damage, thyroid disorders and even leukemia.

I have been looking for safe and effective alternatives and the one I can recommend is Meladerm® Pigment Reducing Complex. This extensively researched and thoroughly tested compound contains only safe active ingredients like: mulberry extract, licorice extract, lemon juice extract, bearberry extract, emblica powder, lactic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide (vitamin B3).

You can start noticing a reduction in your sun spots, birthmarks, acne marks and other skin discolorations after using Meladerm® Pigment Reducing Complex for just 2 weeks. Your type of skin, intensity of the spots, exposure to sun over the years, etc., will affect the results, but usually after two to three months of regular use the overall improvement is very satisfactory.

You can find more information, details on how to use Meladerm® Pigment Reducing Complex and customers’ feedback here.

How do I know when my menopause is starting?

2008-02-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

There is a long list of symptoms associated with the menopause. They are symptoms of hormonal change and fluctuation. Some women experience many of them, others just a few, and the luckiest ones none at all. On average women reach the menopause at age 51. That’s when you haven’t had any periods for 12 consecutive months.

Although the word menopause theoretically refers to the time when a woman stops having periods altogether, it is often used to describe the years leading up to the final change. Nowadays this period is also known as the perimenopause. According to many studies it can last anything between a few months and fifteen years.

The perimenopause is not a disease. It is a natural stage that every woman experiences differently. Knowing about the possible symptoms will help you prepare for it.

Perimenopause - symptoms
PMS	fatigue	changes in urination	food cravings
forgetfulness	gum problems	depression	breat pain
changes in body odor	hair loss	weight gain	loss of bone density
pain during sex	fibroids	insomnia	increase in allergies
heart palpitations	irregular periods	headaches	dry skin
mood swings	anxiety	hot flashes	loss of libido
vaginal dryness	joint pain	irritability	fuzzy thinking

Many of these symptoms can be difficult to cope with. They can affect your family life, relationships, health, work life, etc. To help you ease the effects, there is a website called As We Change where you can find a wide range of products that will allow you to improve your quality of life.

How to make your eyelashes look fabulous - without extensions or surgery

2008-02-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

I’ve just come across a product that I wish I’d discovered a decade ago. Have you ever wondered how much more beautiful you’d look with longer, fuller, sexier eyelashes? It’s something I’ve asked myself many times, and since last week it’s not a dream anymore.

The magic product is called LiLash™ . It’s a stimulating formula that makes your eyelashes look long, luscious and thicker. A nonirritating, high quality, cosmetic that’s easy to use and fast-acting.

If, like me, you wear contact lenses and are worried about irritation, LiLash™ can be used even on the most sensitive eyes. It has been tested by physicians for safety and effectiveness, and boy, it works! I don’t hesitate to say that it’s the best eyelash enhancement product I’ve ever tried. It’s not cheap, though, at $139.97, but it’s a lot less than eyelash extensions, and well worth it when you see the results. Besides, you get your money back if it doesn’t do the trick for you!

Ten fabulous cooking tips

2008-02-19T09:35:00.000-08:00

Here are ten great tips that will help you produce wonderfully tasting dishes:

When cooking meat, add the salt at the end. Salt makes meat lose water and it can dry out too fast.

To check whether a fish is fresh, slide your fingers against the scales. The fewer scales it loses, the fresher it is.

To prevent cauliflower from smelling when you boil it, add some bread soaked in oil to the water.

New potatoes are better cooked in boiling water. Other potatoes should be boiled in cold water.

Meat should never be washed. If for any reason you need to clean your meat, do it with a cloth instead of water. That way it won’t lose blood and won’t get dry.

When cooking whole fish, do not make cuts on the skin. Otherwise it will lose water, dry out and lose flavor.

If you need to keep meat in the fridge for a few days, wrap it parchment instead of plastic or foil, that way it will be able to breath, and will last better.

To peel chestnuts easily, make a cut through their skin before putting them in the oven, and peel when while they are still hot.

When grilling or barbecuing chops, add some rosemary or thyme to the meat, or even better, to the fire. That will give them a wonderful flavor.

When making cakes, to prevent glacé cherries from going to the bottom, sprinkle them with a bit of flour first.

Yoga accessories at the best prices on the internet

2008-02-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

Awesome. In this one-stop yoga accessory store you can find high-quality mats and mat rolls, bolsters, blankets, straps, blocks, towels, balls, eye and neck pillows, rugs, mat bags, kits, sandbags, wedges, mat cleaners, yoga gifts, Thera-Bands, music and Pilates accessories. All you need, and at the lowest prices. You also get 24-hour shipping on every product.

If you’re looking for publications, here are dozens of yoga books . You’ll find titles like: Yoga Anatomy, Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga, Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing, The Yoga Face: Eliminate Wrinkles with the Ultimate Natural Facelift, The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice, Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual: An Illustrated Guide to Personal Practice, and many more.

For yoga and relaxation audio books and cds, go to the English Bookworld store. There you’ll find: Indigo Ocean Dreams, Indigo Dreams, Yoga Nidra Meditation CD, Yoga Breathing, Yoga for Emotional Flow, Yoga Wave, and dozens more.

How to reduce your salt intake without making your food taste bland

2008-02-14T01:27:00.000-08:00

A very easy way of consuming less salt is to add fresh lemon juice to your dishes when serving them, instead of salt (or at least part of the salt) while you cook them. Another trick is to use spices and herbs , including dried herbs. Simply sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice or some herbs over your potatoes, pasta, rice, vegetables, fish, chicken, and even soups, and you won’t notice that the usual salt isn’t there.

Lemon juice, herbs and spices not only help you reduce your salt intake, but they also add new flavors to your meals. Lemon juice is particularly nice on rice dishes and fish, but it’s also good on meat and vegetables.

Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, cilantro and thyme will enrich your dishes, apart from making them visually more attractive, and giving them a wonderful aroma. If you’re concerned about price or availability, you can grow many fresh herbs in your own garden or on a windowsill.

Do you have any salt-reducing tips you’d like to share? Or perhaps you grow your own herbs? If you want to talk about your experiences, please post a comment below!

Panic attacks: how to understand and manage them

2008-01-15T20:38:00.000-08:00

The first time I had a panic attack I ended up in the emergency room. My fingers were numb, my heart was racing, I was short of breath, shaking, frozen all over, and convinced I was going to die. I was going crazy. I was so frightened. I had no idea what was happening to me.

I distinctly remember sitting in front of a doctor who was smiling in a horribly patronizing manner and telling me I was just imagining it. Yes, he was right, I was only imagining it all. But instead of showing off his (imagined) superiority, he could have explained to me what a panic attack is and how I could cope with it. He must have known it wasn’t going to be the only one I’d have. He could have helped me so much, but instead he chose to laugh at me, and discharge me unenlightened.

So I decided that if he wasn’t going to help me, I’d help myself. I’d find out what could cause the attacks, how to cope with them, how to make them last as little as possible, and if possible, how to get rid of them forever. These are the main things I’ve learned about panic attacks over the years:

Seek help from good experts. I had a bad experience with them, but that was years ago. Nowadays a lot more is known about panic attacks, and there’s plenty of help available.

Try to find out what’s causing your panic attacks. Is there a particular situation that triggers them? Do you have any phobias? Do other members of your immediate family have them? The better you understand your own panic attacks, the faster you’ll be able to find a solution.

Don’t ignore your panic attacks. It will only make them worse next time they start. Accept them and learn to regain your calmness through breathing and relaxation techniques.

You’re not a freak. A large percentage of people have a panic attack at some point in their lives, but few of us talk about it.

Let those around you know about your panic attacks. Describe to them what you experience and show them how they can help you.

Weight loss myths demystified

2008-01-08T23:49:00.000-08:00

Losing weight successfully is one of the most difficult things many of us would like to achieve. Unfortunately, the amount of misinformation you can get on how to shed off excess weight is truly overwhelming.

To help you out, I’ve chosen seven longstanding myths and I’ve looked at what truth there is in them. Only one of them stands.

Skipping breakfast is a good way to lose weight. Untrue. Having breakfast will not only give you the energy you need to start off the day, but it’ll also allow you to have smaller meal portions because you’ll be less hungry, and even reduce the number of snacks you need. In general, people who eat breakfast are less likely to binge eat than those who don’t.

Dieting is the only way to lose weight. Untrue. For most people, diets don’t work. Statistically, you’re very likely to put back on the weight you lose through dieting, especially crash-dieting.

There are some things I should NEVER eat. Untrue. The “don’t eat this, don’t eat that” approach to food only increases your cravings. The question is not what things you shouldn’t eat, but how often you can eat them without putting on weight. Rather than banning certain foods altogether, cut down on saturated fat and refined sugars, but don’t tell yourself that you’ll never eat your favorite chocolate bar ever again. The odds are, you won’t be able to think of anything else all day, and eventually you’ll give in. Instead, buy a smaller bar, or eat only half of it.

Drinking water makes you put on weight. Untrue. Water is in fact your best ally in your weight-loss battle, and a wonderful beauty treatment. Water helps you get rid of impurities, look younger, tone muscle, combat constipation, increase your energy levels, reduce headaches, and the list goes on. Best of all, water is a natural appetite suppressant. Did you know that the human brain isn’t very good at differentiating between hunger and thirst? Next time you’re reaching for a snack, try drinking a glass of water instead. You’ll soon notice the benefits.

Cooking nice food will make you put on weight. Untrue. Restaurant food often contains more fat and salt than home-cooked meals, but in your own kitchen you can be a good cook and a healthy cook at the same time. There are dozens of things you can do to reduce the amount of calories in your dishes without sabotaging the results: go easy on the amount of oil you use, bake or grill things rather than frying them, trim off the fat before adding the meat to the pot, skin the chicken, use low-fat yogurt, and the list goes on.

Overweight people eat more at mealtimes than thin people. Untrue. Curiously enough, often they don’t. They eat the same, or even less, but they eat more fat and carbohydrates between meals. Remember: it’s often what you snack on that makes you put on weight, not the meals themselves.

The secret to slimming down is to make some lifestyle changes. True. Once you realize this is the only way to get rid of excess weight forever, you’re within reach of your dream. The great news is, even small changes can make a difference from the start: walk for thirty minutes every day, reduce your alcohol intake, buy skimmed milk instead of full fat, substitute processed food with raw vegetables and fruit; learn to cook fast, easy and healthy recipes; drink fruit juice instead of sodas, etc.

In future posts I’ll come back to how to lose weight, and I’ll give you other useful and practical tips.

Health, mind and body products

2008-01-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

There’s an awesome collection of Health, Mind & Body books at english-bookworld.com. In fact, there aren’t just books but also audio books, dvds, magazines, gadgets and food.

Unlike many online stores, this one is really easy to navigate. The left-hand menu has subcategories like: aging, beauty & fashion, disorders & diseases, exercise & fitness, men’s health, nutrition, self-help, and more.

Here are the current top ten Health & Body books:

You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty

Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food

Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain

Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life

The Secret

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

Eat This Not That: Thousands of Simple Food Swaps That Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

You: On A Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management

Skinny Bitch