• Health

    Herbs for your Health

    Very often we feel tense and irritable. Sometimes we know the reasons (like PMS) and sometimes we can’t really identify the reasons amongst the thousand little daily stresses. That’s where herbs can come in handy. Unlike tranquilizers, herbs that work to relax nervous tension also counter stress by reviving and toning the central nervous system. The two finest treatments are skullcap glowering top (Scutellaria lateriflora), which is suitable for a wide range of nervous complaints and valerian root (valeriana officinalis), which is suitable for nervous spasms and tremors, phobias, insomnia and restlessness. Fortunately they work well together. You can take an infusion individually or in combination. Take 1 cup infusion up to three times…

  • Health

    Dark Circles

    Do you suffer from dark circles under the eyes? Do you have to put on a ridiculous amount of make up to cover them up, even though sometimes you feel like going for the “natural look”. Well here is a little something from us to give you more information about dark circles, why they happen and how they can be helped. Dark circles around the eyes are a concern for many people. There are many contributing factors that make dark circles around the eyes more noticeable. Allergies – Although allergies are often the blame for dark circles, anything that causes chronic nasal obstruction can be the reason. Drinking too much…

  • Recipes

    Cream of Tomato Soup

    Another classic that you definitely find in most family recipe books. This soup is quite popular and we see why. Pair it with a sandwich and you have a quick lunch on the go. To make it you will need: Ingredients 1lb ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped3 oz chopped onion¼ lb chopped young carrot1 litre of chicken or vegetable stockSalt and pepper½ pt single creamChopped chives or basil to garnish Instructions Simmer the vegetables with one and a half pints of chicken stock until tender. Puree the soup in a blender until it is very smooth. Add the seasoning and remaining stock. If the soup is to be served cold…

  • Comment

    Why are most men romantically challenged?

    Why are most men romantically challenged? This question has gone round and round in my head over the years and I still can’t find the answer. Is it linked to the difference in our genes? Are we really from Venus and are they really from Mars? And if so, why is romance so scarce on Mars? For most women, romance is like air; we need it to breathe. I know that not all women have the same definition of romance. This issue of individual personalities brings up the Golden Rule of Romance: Know thy woman! Men can forget about any packaged plan or list of “romantic things to do”. Some…

  • Hair

    Getting a new haircut to get you in the mood?

    Just as a frame should be chosen to complement a picture, a hairstyle should be chosen to complement the face that it surrounds. Here are a few tips to get the right cut for your face shape. Oval : This type of face — which features a gently rounded hairline and a jaw line that is only slightly narrower than the temples — is considered the “ideal” shape because of its natural balance and symmetry. People with this face shape can switch hairstyles — and looks — with the greatest of ease. Square :The key to complement this face shape is to introduce an element of softness. Wispy fringes, flowing…

  • Review

    A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman

    Ever wanted to take time out? Walk away from your life and reinvent yourself? Stop being a mother, a wife, a girlfriend, a businesswoman, a cook, or a lover? Just be YOU. Joan Anderson did just that. After 30 years of marriage, she packed her bags and took a year out, to be alone and find herself again. She retreated to her cottage in Cape Cod and got to know herself again, not in relation to others, but in relation to herself. This is a true story, a moving account of woman’s journey back into her soul. This is proof that we can all find our roots, our essence, and…

  • Health

    How To Manage Your Acne

    Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The scattered lesions caused by acne can manifest as single or multiple bumps generally called nodules or papules. The lesions are associated primarily with the sebum-producing glands that surround hair follicles in skin that is visibly greasy. Acne is most likely caused by a combination of factors. First, there is an increase in sebum production and a blockage of the hair follicle. With the follicle is blocked, the population of normal bacteria in the follicle increases dramatically. The bacteria produce inflammatory chemicals, which leak into the surrounding skin. Acne is common in adolescents and young adults. It…

  • Interior Design

    Flower Arranging

    Whether it’s a dinner party, a birthday party or simply to decorate the house, flowers are always a beautiful thing. When arranging flowers, you need to be aware of some things. Here are a few helpful hints we have to help you arrange your flowers. Decide where you will place your flower arrangement before you make it so you can determine if the finished piece should be tall or wide or round and full. Select a container that is appropriate for the decor and/or theme of the arrangement. Choose a vase that is in proportion to the flowers. Often the vase should make up one half to one-third the size…

  • Health

    Over Active Bladder

    Do you find yourself going to the toilet to urinate too often? Do you get up in the middle of the night more than once to go to the toilet? This could be due to an overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is a treatable medical condition. Its symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency, and accidental loss of urine due to a sudden and unstoppable need to urinate. This condition is not normal at any age. If you are experiencing a lack of bladder control, see your doctor. Most bladder control problems can be successfully treated! The symptoms of overactive bladder include: Frequency — often having to urinate more than 8 times over…

  • Recipes

    Chicken Chow Mein

    If you’re into Chinese noodles, then this is the recipe for you! In China, chow mein is made with soft noodles. For crispy noodles, add more oil than the recipe calls for and cook the noodles longer to dry them out. (You can substitute shrimp for the chicken). Ingredients 1 pound chicken (or shrimp)1 cup celery1 pound broccoli1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced1/2 pound dry won ton noodles1 pound bean sprouts or snow pea pods1 medium onion, sliced1 green onion, diced along the diagonal1 carrot, sliced (optional)1 red pepper, sliced (optional) Seasonings for Chicken1 teaspoon soy sauce1 – 2 teaspoons oyster saucesalt, pepper to taste1 small piece (less than 1 teaspoon)…