EXOTIC HAIR THICKENING RINSE

I believe in essential oils.... Try this recipe to get thicker hair!!

This aromatic rinse from the Spa Botanica can be used to treat either oily or normal hair.  Ylang-ylang is said to help increase hair growth and is soothing for irritated and oily skin.  If you have an oily scalp, use this hair rinse every second day.  Not only is mint anti-septic and gives a cooling effect to the scalp, it combats dandruff and stimulates hair growth as well.

1 cup of warm water

6 drops of ylang-ylang (for oily scalp and hair)

or

6 drops of mint essential oil (for normal scalp and hair)

Milk & Honey Purifying Bath

From Thai Spa Book!!

Thais have long believed in the goodness of honey as a medicinal substance that helps cleanse, soothe and moisturize the skin. The Banyan Tree Spa has created a bath of milk and honey to refresh and soften your whole body. Sprinkle some fresh rose petals onto the water just before you step in, and then lie back and enjoy a warm, languorous soak.

3 teaspoons      honey
2 litres              fresh milk
10 drops          your favorite essential oil
1 handful          bath salts
Scattering         red rose petals

Mix the honey, fresh milk and bath salts together and stir well until the honey and bath salts have dissolved. Add the mixture to a tub of warm water.  Add the essential oil to the tub, then sprinkle rose petals on the water and luxuriate in a soothing soak.

Carrot & Apple Juice

For great digestion, try this juice!!!

Carrots are full of beta carotene, an important source of anti-oxidants. And pineapple contains enzymes that help digest protein.

Ingredients for 1 pitcher:

2 and a half kg of fresh carrot peeled and diced
2 and a half g of fresh pineapple peeled and diced

Method:

Mix the carrots and pineapple in a juice extractor to obtain approximately 2 and a half litres of juice. Serve chilled.

AROMATHERAPY IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

SMELL is one of our 5 senses and has a direct route to the brain to stimulate and awaken our hidden tendencies.  Incorporating aromatherapy into our everyday life is therefore a good way to benefit our physical health. Below are some tips from MBW Institute for using in our daily life.

General Cleaning
Add a few drops of lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, lime, bergamot, pine, lemongrass or thyme is a good addition to any cleaning activity.  It reduces chemical smell and these oils are naturally anti-bacterial.

Bathroom Cleaning
Add thyme to the water and use it to wash down and rinse the ceiling and walls with.  Thyme works well to prevent mould growing in these moist conditions.

Vacuuming
Add a drop or 2 of thyme, eucalyptus or tea tree to your vacuum cleaner bag or add drops to a cotton wool ball and pop that into the vacuum cleaner bag.

Washing
For washing, clearer essential oils are recommended, eg lavender, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, lemongrass, bitter orange or geranium.

Add a few drops of eucalyptus or pine to your washing if anyone in the house has a cold.

For general washing of clothes, add five drops of essential oils of your preference with the fabric conditioner or final rinse.

For Smelly Shoes
Add drops of tea tree, rosemary and eucalyptus to a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda.  Mix this and keep it in the shoes overnight.

Ironing
Add 2 drops of your favorite oil to 200ml of water in the spray bottle and give your clothes a quick spray before ironing.

Storage
Drop the essential oils on the cotton wool balls and pop them in the airing cupboard.  Effective moth repellents are camphor, patchouli, lavender, lemongrass, thyme and rosemary.

Fragrancing

Room sprays are easy to make.  Use a plant spray and add about 4 drops of essential oil and equal amount of alcohol to 200ml of water.

For the kitchen: use a mixture of rosemary, lemon, lime and eucalyptus.

For the living room: use a mixture of cedarwood, geranium, orange, lavender, sandalwood for a warm smell. For a more refreshing smell, use a mixture of rosemary, pine, lemon, geranium, palmarosa, sweet orange, petitgrain, lemongrass and mandarin.

MORE HAIR REMEDIES

For Dry Hair

• Massage the creamy insides of an avocado into clean dry hair and leave for 15-20 min.
• Massage coconut oil into your hair and leave for a few hours.
• Wash several times before your hair feels silky rather than oily.

For lackluster Hair

• Massage 2 large, grated carrots into damp or dry hair.  Trap with a bath hat and leave for 15-20 min.
• Squeeze half a lemon into 200 ml of water and use the mixture as a final rinse after shampooing.

REMOVE MOLES AND SPOTS!!!

Need to get rid of moles and spots?  Take a look at this chart and remove those unlucky ones.  If you can't read Chinese, then fyi, those in black means bad and those in red are the good ones.  Proasis salon is offering this service from $5 per mole/spot.  Visit http://www.proasis.com.sg/

FACIAL EXERCISES

Do some simple facial exercises to prevent fine lines and aging.  I recommend doing it while watching tv to save time.  If you don't mind strangers staring, then doing this exercise on the train or bus is also a good way to kill time.  

HOW TO ACHIEVE GREAT ABS???

Think this is a great video... lets try!!

Home Service Foot Reflexology

Yawn!!! Its a sleepy Sunday!!!!  Need to work tomorrow after my 1 week break and what better way to boost my energy to counter the Monday Blues??  Foot reflexology at the comfort of my own home is undoubtedly the best!!!!  If you are lazy to go out and want the same foot pampering to detox, you can try my favorite Foot Reflexologist.

John Ang has been my family's Foot 'doctor' for many years.  He charges S$40/hour including transportation which I feel is very reasonable and relatively cheap for a good professional service.  He starts from 12 pm to last appointment at 10pm.  You have to book early because he has a tight schedule.  

Thank You John for just giving me a good foot massage again :)
Call John @ 93870708.  

EAR CANDLING + HEAD MASSAGE

Just reached home from a 1 week trip to China and had an unforgettable flight experience.  The plane was supposed to land but instead circled round the air of Shenzhen airport for almost 2 hours due to extreme strong winds and rain.  Many passengers on board were vomiting because of the constant turbulence.  The captain finally decided to detour to land at another China Airport, Haikou, which had slightly better weather.  Maybe the captain wasn't worried at all cos it could be common, but to me, it was life and death.  I actually tot the plane may crash anytime and I started to miss my family very much.  We stayed at Haikou for a night and took off the next evening to our destination when the weather was more favorable.  

After the ordeal and pressure from flying, our body system is exhausted and needed some tender loving care.  I went for a full body massage at China which was cheap and good and was a great way to relieve stress.  I also requested for Ear Candling Treatment....  Ear Candles are excellent in the treatment of sinusitis, headaches, T.M.J. pain, otitis externa, tropical ear, tinnitus, and many stress related symptoms.  Results were great :)

A KIWI A DAY, KEEP THE WRINKLES AWAY... and more!!!

I just learnt that Kiwi is a god sent anti-oxidant rich fruit that can combat free radicals that are linked to cancers, heart disease and signs of aging. It is loaded with Vitamin C, E, potassium and fibre.  People who has asthma should therefore eat more of this wonder fruit.  Loaded with high fibre content, the kiwi can help to prevent colon cancer.  So, stock the kiwifruits now and eat it daily.  For varieties, try the Kiwifruit Smoothie.

KIWIFRUIT SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of milk
2 scoops of yoghurt
1 sliced banana
2 table spoons of fresh mint
2 green kiwifruit peeled and finely diced



METHOD:
Blend the milk, yoghurt, banana and mint together in a blender till smooth.  Then add the kiwifruit and blend briefly.  Serve immedately.

Shiatsu Self Massage

A rainy day = A sleepy day!!  But its still working hours.... Do a self Shiatsu Massage to re-energize :)

FAT BURNING DIET PLAN

My girlfriend came over and we had a late and hearty dinner.  Sigh!!  We are suppose to be on a DIET!!!! Sob Sob!! Dieting needs plenty of discipline, which many people lack, including me.  Am I really ready to start this dieting plan???  This worked miracle for my friend.... I must try!!

  FAT BURNING HOSPITAL DIET

From the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital, used for over-weight heart patients to lose weight rapidly, usually before surgery.

The 7 days eating plan can be used as often as you like.  As a matter of fact, if correctly followed, it will clean your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being as never before.  This diet is fast fat burning and the secret is that you will burn more calories than you consume.  Because everyone’s system is different, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three you will have more energy than you begin if you did not cheat. After being on this diet for several days you will find your bowel movements have changed, if necessary eat a cup of bran or fibre. Although you can have black coffee with this diet you may find that you do not need the caffeine after the third day.

After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 4 to 7 kg and have an abundance of energy. Continue this plan for as long as you wish and feel the difference!

Definite NO NO’S !

No bread

No alcohol

No carbonated drinks (including diet drinks)

No fried food

Definite MUST MUST

Stick with water, unsweetened tea, black coffee, cranberry juices unsweetened fruit juices and skimmed milk (on days when fruits and / or milk are allowed)

The fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry. Eat as much as you want. Remember, the more you eat the more you will lose! You can substitute broiled / baked chicken or broiled fish on only one of the days (Day 5 & 6) Absolutely no skin on the chicken! You will need high protein in the beef on the other day.

Any prescribed medication will not hurt you on this diet. Continue this plan for as long as you wish and feel the difference mentally and physically!

Slimming Wonder Soup:

Ingredients:
   

• 2 large onions
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 large cabbage                     
• 1 bunch of celery    
• 1 Peppesoni (green peppers)
• 1 chicken drumstick (skinless)
• Seasoning:  salt, pepper

Cut vegetables into small or medium pieces.

Cover with hot water, put in slow cooker till vegetables are tender.

Eat this soup any time you are hungry. Eat as much as you want. This soup will not add calories. In fact, the more you eat the more you will lose – taste like minestrone.

7 DAYS SLIMMING WONDER DIET PROGRAM

Day 1 :           All fruits except bananas. Melons and watermelons are lower in calories than most fruits..  Eat only the soup and fruits, for drinks; tea, cranberry juice and water

Day 2 :           All vegetables, eat until you are stuffed with all the fresh raw or canned vegetables. Try to eat green, leafy  vegetables and stay away from dry beans, peas and corns. Eat along with the soup.  For dinner, eat a baked potato and butter! Do not eat any fruit today!

Day 3 :           Eat all soup, fruits and vegetables you want! Do not have a baked   potato.  If you have not cheated, you will lose 5 to 7 pounds (2.2 to 3.2kg)

Day 4 :           Bananas and skimmed milk. Eat as many as 3 bananas and drink as many glasses of milk as you can today,                 along with the soup.  Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates and so is the milk. But on this particular day your body will need the potassium and carbohydrates, proteins and calcium, to lessen your cravings for sweets.

Day 5 :           Beef (chicken ) and tomatoes. You may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes or as many as 6 fresh tomatoes today. Try to drink at least 6 glasses of water today to wash away the uric acid in your body.  Eat the soup at least twice.

Day 6 :            Beef or chicken and tomatoes. Eat to your hearts content on the beef (chicken) and vegetables today. You can even have two or three steaks if you like with green, leafy vegetables, but no baked potato!  Be sure to eat the soup at least twice today.


Day 7:                Brown rice and unsweetened fruit and vegetables.  Again, stuff yourself, be sure to have the soup at least twice today.  By the end of the 7 days, if you have not cheated on the above diet, you will have lost 10 to 17 pounds (4.5 to 7.7kg).  If you have lost more than 15 pounds (6.8 kg), stay off the diet for 2 days before resuming again from day 1.

DIY HAIR MASK is also A MOISTURIZER????

Hey!!!  I am reading a Thai Spa book now and came across an Egg & Honey Moisturizer for dull and dry looking skin.  The ingredients used are exacts of my first post 'DIY EGG, HONEY & OLIVE OIL HAIR MASK'.  This moisturizer is a recipe from the Banyan Tree Spas in Phuket and Bangkok.

Hmmm.... so besides using it on your hair, this recipe is also a moisturizer that helps to hydrate and improve your skin's texture.

Here's the recipe:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 2 drops of pure olive oil

Mix all the ingredients together and beat well for 2-3 min.  Spread the mixture all over your body and leave on for 10-15 min.  Rinse off.

REFLEXOLOGY

YAWN!!  I have been feeling tired and sleepy even with more than enough sleep.  What are the ways to detox and rejuvenate and recharge my battery?   I know I needed a good massage badly, but with a tight working schedule, I was left with no choice but to do a mini foot reflexology myself..
Reflexology is a mirror image of your body system.  A professional reflexologist is like a fortune teller, he will be able to tell you your problem areas just by massaging the reflected area.  Just after 1 session,  your feet will feel much lighter and you will feel good.  Ok..ok.... I am not a Pro reflexologist, but I do feel slightly recharged after my experiment.

AVOCADO MASK

Need a softening & nourishing mask for face and body?

Mash the creamy insides of an avocado into a soft paste and apply to your face and using the avocado stone to massage the flesh into your skin with small, upward, circular motions.  Wash off with warm water after 15 min.  The nourishing oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E and leaves your skin feeling soft.

DIY HAIR REMEDIES

I have neither thinning hair nor dandruff, but I find these 2 remedies simple and recommended to my friends.  The results was satisfactory.  Its worth trying :)
For Thinning Hair

• Whisk 2 eggs and massage them into your hair.  Wash off after 10 min to enhance hair growth and strength.
• Put several sticks of celery through a juicer and massage the juice into your scalp.  Leave on for 15 min before washing.

For Dandruff

• Mix a large handful of crushed mint leaves into your conditioner and leave on the hair for 15-20 min

Say Goodbye to Dandruff!!!

Proasis Hair Salon has introduced a 100% Natural Herbal Coloring & Treatment that promises the following benefits:

• Prevent hair problems and moisturizes scalp
• Reactivate hair follicles
• Improve hair texture and pigmentation
• Prevent itchiness, dandruff, oily scalp and delay white hair growth

The available colors are black, brown and red.  These colors are extremely good for covering whites and grays, but if your hair is black, the hair color will not have a prominent change.

For more information, visit http://www.proasis.com.sg/

MAKE UP BRUSH CLEANSER

Why spend money on make up brush cleanser when it is SOoooo available at home?  Treat your make up brushes like your own tresses.  Give them the same shampoo and conditioner that you give your own hair.  You need to clean your brushes at least once a week or more depending on your usage to prevent bacteria and also to keep your brushes in good condition.

Step 1 : Pour some shampoo into a glass of water
Step 2: Dip the brushes 1 by 1 into the glass, but make sure you keep the brush pointing downwards to prevent water from getting to the handle
Step 3: Pour some conditioner into a glass of water and repeat step 2
Step 4: Dip the brush into a glass of clean water
Step 5: Squeeze excess water from the brush and lay them flat on a towel to dry

Note: Do not leave the brushes to dry pointing upwards cos if they are, the handles which are made of different materials can have problems.

THALASSO BALI CREME BATH FOR HAIR

The following creme bath remedy by Thalasso Bali at the Grand Mirage Resort is particularly suitable for dry hair.  Try It!!!!  


INGREDIENTS:

• Fresh Aloe Vera (150g)
• Vitamin E Moisturizing Cream (100ml)
• Jasmine Essential Oil (3 drops)
• Camomile Essential Oil (3 drops)

1. Peel the aloe vera and discard the skin.
2. Blend the aloe vera until it becomes a thick paste.
3. Transfer the aloe vera to a bowl and mix the moisturizing cream and essential oils.
4. Mix thoroughly by hand.
5. Apply the creme bath to the roots of the hair and massage in hard circular motions.
6. Wrap with towel or shower cap and rinse off after 20-30min.

DIY SUGAR BODY SCRUB

If you want soft and silky smooth skin, you will need to exfoliate at least twice a week.  I always prefer something simple.  You dun want to go thru lotsa hassle to DIY.  If its too complicated, I'll rather buy off the shelves.  Try my favorite recipe!!

• Brown Sugar (1 cup)
• White Sugar (1/2 cup)
• Olive Oil (1 cup)
• Moisturizing Cream (1/2 cup)
• Peppermint essential oil (10 drops)

Mix all ingredients until it's smooth and VOILA!!!  You are ready for a good scrub.  You dun even need to use moisturizer after that.

BEAUTY & NUTRITION

If you want flawless skin, sometimes, facial alone is insufficient.  You need to watch what you eat as well.  Blood vessels deliver nutrients to the skin cells throughout the day, whereas nutrients applied to the surface of the skin do not tend to last very long, and not all can effectively penetrate into the skin’s deeper layers.  It will help to understand the different Vitamins and minerals that are vital to our skin and health. 

Vitamin A

• Vitamin A can moisturize skin and avoid dryness.  Vitamin A deficiency can lead to cell membrane damage, hamper skin renewal and cause coarseness and flaking.
• Vitamin A can be classified into alpha beta carotene and retinol.  Both can be absorbed by the body and converted into vitamins.
• Most green, yellow and orange vegetables contain lots of carotene.  Fish oil capsules and lamb oil are good sources of retinol.
• Excessive intake of Vitamin A is harmful.  If you are taking a food supplement, remember the Recommended Daily Allowances is below 2 500 units of retinol or 25 000 units of carotene.

Vitamin C

• Functions
1. Promotes collagen production which maintains skin elasticity.
2. Soothes inflammation, heal wounds and fights skin darkening.
3. Acts as an anti-oxidant to maintain skin youthfulness.
• Vegetables and fruits are good sources of Vitamin C, especially oranges and lemons.
• Adults should have a daily intake of at least 300mgs of vitamin C whilst smokers can increase their intake to 1000mg.  Vitamin C is water soluble meaning that excessive Vitamin C is lost through urinating.

Vitamin E

• Vitamin E is an effective anti-oxidant.  It reduces scar formation and helps to heal wounds.  Taken in conjunction with Vitamin C, it also helps to whiten skin.
• Dried nuts, cereals and eggs are good sources of Vitamin E.
• An adult should have a daily intake of 500 units of Vitamin E.  As Vitamin E is fat soluble, excessive intake is toxic as it overloads the kidneys.

Zinc

• Zinc monitors our skin’s oil glands to maintain a balance in the production of sebum.  Hence, lack of zinc can cause pimples.
• Fish, meat, cheese and milk products are good sources of zinc.
• An adult should take 10-45 mgs of zinc everyday.  Zinc deficiency is rare and unless instructed by doctors, there is no need to take supplements.  Zinc counteracts some minerals such as Potassium and sodium; hence, excessive intake will lead to the loss of these nutrients in the body.

DIY EGG, HONEY & OLIVE OIL HAIR MASK

   I luv DIY recipes!!!  Its fun, inexpensive and effective.  You can try these at home on a lazy day when u dun feel like visiting a salon but still wan some pampering on yourself.  I did not invent these wonderful recipes.... I chanced upon, tested and like it.  Enjoy!!!

EGG, HONEY & OLIVE OIL HAIR MASK

This treatment is extremely good for treating dry, dull and damaged hair.  It leaves your hair soft and shiny and definitely more manageable.

• raw egg yolk (you will need more if your hair is very long)
• olive oil ( about 3 teaspoons)
• honey (about 3 teaspoons)

Mix all the above ingredients and massage well into your hair and scalp.  Then wrap your hair with a towel or use a shower cap and leave the mask on for about 20min.  Rinse off with warm water.

Note: Please do not throw away the egg white!!!  Use it on your face as a pore tightening mask.  Beat the egg white by hand and apply to your face and let it harden.  The egg white draws toxins from the skin's surface and tightens the pores as it cleans.  And dun waste time, apply the egg white once you've got your hair mask on.