Random Facts of the Day - 12.11.11

• Cherophobia is a fear of fun.
• Sometimes, octopuses eat their arms when they are under extreme stress.
• The average person spends 3 years of their life using the bathroom.
• The most shoplifted food item is cheese
• An owl has three eyelids!  

How to make the BEST Vegan Macaroni & Cheese

Did you Know That?  Vegans can still enjoy popular dishes such as Mac & Cheese, Ice Cream, Cheesecake and other delightful dishes. Here's an awesome vegan recipe. (Courtesy of VegWeb.com) This recipe does not disappoint, try it out! 
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds of macaroni elbows
• How to make the "Cheese" sauce:   
•     1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk
•     1 1/2 cups nutritional yeast flakes
•     1 cup vegetable oil
•     1 cup water
•     1/3 cup  soy sauce or Bragg's Liquid Aminos
•     1/4  block firm tofu (12 ounce)
•     1 tablespoon garlic powder
•     1 tablespoon paprika
•     1 tablespoon sea salt
•     1 dollop mustard (optional)

Directions: 

blog.fatfreevegan.com

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Boil the water in a large pot and cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Add all of the "cheese" sauce ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Once pasta is cooked, drain and put it in the baking pan (about the size of a brownie pan). Pour the "cheese" sauce over the pasta.

3. Bake until the top of the pasta looks slightly browned and crispy, about 15-20 minutes.

Random Pics of the Day 11.22.11

How to make a Herbal Hair Spray

Here's a recipe I used to make a herbal spritz to refresh and moisturize my curls. It should take less than 10 minutes to make!

1. Combine the following ingredients in a spray bottle
• Aloe Vera Juice- 2.5 oz
• Distilled/Filtered Water- 2 oz
• Coconut Oil- 2 tbsp
• Olive Oil- 1 tbsp
• Grapeseed Extract- 3 drops
• Rosemary Oil- 2 drops
2. If the Coconut Oil was solid, it will have to be heated, in order to mix with the other ingredients. Instead of using the microwave, place the spray bottle in a bowl of warm water for about two minutes. 
3. Before using, shake the spray bottle, so that the contents will temporarily mix.
4. Happy mixing!

Best Foods for Fighting & Preventing Cancer

Did you Know that? 
There are tons of natural remedies that can improve your overall health and prevent cancer!

• Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day!
• Eat more fiber: You do not need to take fiber supplements to increase your fiber intake. Instead, begin by eating more dark green, leafy vegetables.
• Eat foods that are high in carotene. These fruits and vegetables are red, orange or yellow in color. For example, carrots, yams and tomatoes are high in carotene.
• Increase your intake of antioxidant herbs: Turmeric, Garlic, Ginseng and Olive Leaf are all excellent examples.
• Avoid processed, refined, junk and fried foods!

These tips were derived from the Natural Remedies Encyclopedia

How to make Money on the Internet

• Sign up for birthday freebies. Many restaurants, clothing stores and online boutiques give discounts or totally free items away. (The freebies are not only for kids) Here's a list of awesome birthday freebies.
• Start filling out online surveys. Completing surveys online will not allow you to quit your job. However, if you have a lot of free time, its a great way to earn a little extra cash. Opinion Outpost, Opinion Place, Valued Opinions are good examples of reputable survey sites (Always check a survey site's reputation of SurveyPolice.com.)
• Swagbucks is an awesome site, to win gift cards by searching the internet using their search engine. Click here to sign up.
• Check out free sample sites. Why invest in a full-size product when you could sample a product for free. This link is for a daily free sample site.
• Finally, if you have a great idea or product. Sell it on the internet. Almost anyone can become a business owner, because of Paypal, free hosting sites and social media.

Best Natural Hair Products

Here is a list of some of my favorite hair products and how I use them:

• Giovanni Smooth as Silk Shampoo: This shampoo is super creamy and silky. It does not dry out your hair. There are different "versions" of this shampoo. (I use the one without C12-14 olefin sulfonate or cocamidopropyl betaine.)

• Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque: This product works well on chemically straightened hair or natural hair. It repairs dry, damaged ends and makes them feel healthy, moisturized and strong. However, I do not like using this product on wet hair, it makes my hair feel dry. I love the way my hair feels when I use it on dry hair. When I use it on damp  hair, I'll apply coconut oil or olive oil on top of the masque and use a heat cap for 30 minutes. I don't rinse it out. Doing this, keeps my hair moisturized for at least 2-3 days.



walgreens.com

• Aubrey's GPB Conditioner: This conditioner is truly amazing. Its so rich, thick and creamy. Also, a little goes a long way. After using this conditioner, my hair feels balanced. It is not dry or brittle, but strong and soft.






• Homemade Whipped Shea Butter: I use a hand mixer to blend Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil and Castor Oil together. It works well as a styling product, moisturizing agent or sealant.



texasnaturalsupply.com

     

How to Save Money

• Turn off the television: Turning off the T.V. saves energy and you'll view less ads.
• Always review your purchases: Use your receipts! After 15 days of purchasing an item, decide if you truly need or want the item. If you decide you no longer want the item, you'll have enough time to return for a full refund!
• Drink more water: It's cheaper and healthier. It will save you money! You will not need to buy as many drinks at the grocery store. Also, it will save precious calories throughout the day!
• Try making things, instead of buying. Or try reusing items for different purposes!
• Check out and compare prices of electronics and clothes online, before you go to the mall.



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These facts were partially derived from this article. 

What are superfoods?

Super foods are natural, unprocessed foods that promote health. Here are some excellent super foods:

• Blueberries- rich in antioxidants, improves brain function, low on the glycemic index
• Broccoli- excellent in fighting cancer, slows down the growth of cancer cells, promotes healthy eyes and strong bones
• Walnuts- good source of protein, decreased risk of heart disease
• Tomatoes- improves texture and tone of skin, improves vision and can decrease the size of gallstones... Eat UP!!

  

Random Food Facts of the Day 10.25.11

• 68 percent of a Hostess Twinkie is air!
• A pound of potato chips costs 200 times more than a pound of potatoes.
• Apple seeds are poisonous!
• Baskin Robbins once made ketchup ice cream.
• On average, a person will spend about five years eating during his or her lifetime.

Random Pics of the Day 10.24.11

These are the Cutest animals ever!

zimbio.com

squidoo.com

thecutest.info

hemmy.net

How does Vitamin A, AHAs and Retinoids prevent Wrinkles?

Did you know that? 

• Vitamin A can help diminish the depth of wrinkles.
• Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs or 'fruit acids') improve the skin's appearance by speeding up the shedding of old, dead cells from the skin surface.
• Retinoids are chemicals that make the skin produce new cells more quickly, making it thicker and more compact.

Random Money Facts of the Day

Random Facts of the Day 
These facts are all about MONEY!!

• Approximately 80% of all paper money in the US contains traces of cocaine.
• The most money ever paid for a cow in an auction was $1.3 million.
• Until the nineteenth century, solid blocks of tea were used as money in Siberia.
• Woodpecker scalps, porpoise teeth and giraffe tails have all been used as money.
• There are 119 ridges around the outside of a U.S. quarter, 118 around the outside of a U.S. dime, and 150 around the outside of a U.S Kennedy half dollar.

Random Beauty Facts of the Day

• According to Harris Interactive, 70% of men and 57% of women shower daily.
• The average bra size today is 36C. Ten years ago it was 34B. 
• (Maybe this should be a health fact, just saying!)
• One in 500 humans has one blue eye and one brown eye.
• City dwellers have longer, thicker, denser nose hairs than country folks do.
• A hard working adult sweats up to 4 gallons per day.

Random Food Facts of the Day

• Grape explode when you put them in the microwave.
• In South Africa, termites and ants are often roasted and eaten by the handful, like popcorn.
• American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad in first class.
• Rats destroy an estimated 1/3 of the world’s food supply each year.
• Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.

How does Grape seed Extract benefit the body?

Grape seed extract contains a high amount of antioxidants.
It can help to:

• Lower high blood pressure
• Help you maintain a healthy body weight. 
• Build up the immune system
• Maintain youthful skin. It fights discoloration from the sun.
• Promote blood flow throughout the body.

How to live LONGER: 5 Simple Ways

Did you know that? You can live longer:

• Abstain from the excessive use of tobacco and alcohol! 
• Decrease the amount of fat you eat within your diet! Aim for 10-20 percent of fat a day instead of 40%!
• Exercise for 30 minutes for five days within the week.
• Sleep for at least 7-8 nights a week.
• Relax, don't stress out over everything!

What are some natural D.H.T blockers?

Did you know that?
Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is a hormone that is linked to the loss of hair follicles on the scalp.
Here are some herbs that help to lower and stop hair loss attributed to DHT:

• Saw Palmetto: Blocks DHT and has no side effects.  
• Nettle Root: Using nettle root along with saw palmetto ensures a great reduction in hair loss. It also contains vitamins such as Vitamin A and C which helps to promote healthy hair. It increases blood flow to the scalp when massaged into the scalp, which results in an increased rate of hair growth.
• Green Tea & Black Tea: Not only do these teas block DHT, they contain caffiene which helps to speed up hair growth. It contains hair nourishing properties.
• Emu Oil: Blocks DHT. Also massaging the scalp with it, helps to stimulate hair growth. 

(These supplements (except Emu Oil) can be found in pill form and in many beauty products!)

Click here for a post about increasing hair growth 

Click here for hair growth scalp massage recipe

Enjoy :)

How to save money when buying groceries

Did you Know That? You can still save money at the supermarket in these hard times :

• Clip coupons and organize them according to their expiration date! Only clip coupons for items that you are interested in purchasing.
• Look out for "mail in rebate" offers. Basically, you purchase an item for the full retail price within a store. Mail the receipt and UPC symbol for a full refund.
• Buy GENERIC brands! Usually they contain the same ingredients as brand name items. If you are spending extra money for organic or all-natural ingredients its not worth it!
• Use a shopping list to keep track of what you need to buy and stick to the list!
• Only buy things that you will use! If you have purchased something in the past that has not been used, or partially used! DO NOT repurchase!
• Grow a garden, for fresh fruits and vegetables! 

Which Vitamins and Herbs relieve Dermatitis?

Did you Know that?
Dermatitis is an allergic reaction that manifests itself on the scalp or skin.
Here are some Vitamins that help to bring relief:

• Vitamin B complex  
• Vitamine E                                      
• Vitamine A & D
• Zinc

Here are some Herbs:

• Comfrey Root
• Red Clover                       






beogradskioglasi.net

• Myrrh

bbcgoodfood.com

By mixing Golden Seal, Vitamin E and Honey, you can make a paste to put on the itchy areas of your scalp.

Random Beauty Facts of the Day

• Americans spend more than $5 billion a year on cosmetics, toiletries, beauty parlors and barber shops
• The Giant African cricket likes eating human hair
• The ancient Egyptians used copper and lead ore to create the world's first cosmetics
• The average person grows up to 6 feet of nose hair
• The origin of the word cosmetics comes from the Latin word Cosmetae, which was used to describe the slaves during Roman times whose function was to bathe affluent Romans in perfume
• In Pre-Colonial Peru, the Incas washed their children's hair with urine to fight against head lice

(Facts from Factsurf.com)

Random Pics of the Day 10.03.11

Random Food Facts of the Day

These facts are all about one of my favorite things: CANDY!!!

• Deep fried chocolate bars contain about 850 calories per bar.
• Chocolate will kill dogs and horses!
• 3 Musketeers Bars were originally made in 3 separate sections of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.
• The world’s most expensive chocolates are Chocopolgie French Black Truffles by Knipschildt at $2,600 per pound.
• Pope Clement XIV was killed with a cup of poisoned chocolate in 1774.
• The world’s oldest chocolates are 106 years old. A tin of chocolates from the coronation of King Edward VII from 1902.
• Facts from here 

How to save money when pumping gas

Did you know that? Pumping gas with these tips can save you money at the pump!
Gas is highly expensive these days. Listed here are better ways to pump gas:

• Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold
• Do not begin by pumping your gas on the high mode, pumping on low minimizes the vapor content of the gas (which is better for your health) and better for your wallet!
•  Fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The higher amount of gas you have in your tank results in  less air occupying its empty space.
• Driving tip: Do not use your gas as you approach a hill. The potential energy of your height on the hill will increase your speed without gas.

See the price of gas around the world here