Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Homemade hair treatments


For All Hair Types


To Use: For normal hair, use the entire egg to condition hair; use egg whites only to treat oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize dry, brittle hair. Use 1/2 cup of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair. If there isn’t enough egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from “cooking”) and shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.



For Dull Hair

To Use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water, then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied every other week.


For Itchy Scalp

To Use: Mix 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp water, and massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.


For Limp or Fine Hair


To Use: Mix 1/2 cup flat beer (pour beer into a container and let it sit out for a couple of hours to deplete carbonation) with 1 tsp light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg. Apply to clean, damp hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair.


For Dry or Sun-Damaged Hair

To Use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp hair, let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add 1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application. For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment can be applied once a month.


For Oily or Greasy Hair



To Use: Pour 1 Tbsp cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it all. After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.

For Frizzy Hair

To Use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Healthy smoothie recipes

Almond Orange Smoothie

1 cup (250 mL) vanilla-flavoured almond beverage
1/2 cup (125 mL) orange juice
Juice from one lemon
Juice from one lime
Handful of ice
1 Tbsp (15 mL) honey
 

Blend all ingredients together.

Serves two.

Per serving: 148 calories, 2 g protein, 4 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 29 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre 0 mg cholesterol, 191 mg sodium



Watermelon Bliss Smoothie

2 cups (500 mL) chopped seedless watermelon
1 cup (250 mL) strawberries
1 cup (250 mL) plain low-fat yogurt
Handful of ice

Blend all ingredients together.
Serves two.

Per serving: 149 calories, 8 g protein, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 27 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre, 7 mg cholesterol, 89 mg sodium


Banana Pear Smoothie

2 ripe pears, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 tsp (5 mL) peeled and coarsely chopped ginger root
1 banana
1 cup (250 mL) skim milk
Handful of ice
Sprinkle of cinnamon on top


Blend all ingredients together.

Serves two.

Per serving: 199 calories, 6 g protein, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 47 g carbohydrates, 7 g fibre, 2 mg cholesterol, 66 mg sodium


Spinach and Strawberry Smoothie

1/2 cup (125 mL) low-fat vanilla yogurt
2 cups (500 mL) water
1 medium banana
1 cup (250 mL) sliced strawberries
2 cups (500 mL) chopped fresh spinach, lightly packed
Honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)

In blender, combine yogurt, water, banana, strawberries, spinach and honey or syrup (optional). Blend on high until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Makes 2 servings.

Per serving: about 120 cal, 5g pro, 2 g fat (1 g sat. fat), 25 g carb, 4 g fibre, 5 mg chol, 75 mg sodium. %RDI: 15% calcium, 8% iron, 60% vit A, 100% vit C.










Friday, January 9, 2015