Posts tagged as:

eco-friendly

Delicious beauty boosters

by Gabrielle on February 17, 2010

Faces that have a rosy glow are considered the most attractive because they’re a sign of good health, according to a new study in the Journal of Primatology. Luckily, you don’t need expensive exfoliants or cosmetics to put color in your cheeks. Simply munch carrots, tomatoes, apricots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, spinach and kale. The researchers say these fruits’ and vegetables’ carotenoids—antioxidant-rich plant pigments that soak up toxic compounds in the body—supply more oxygen and blood to the face, giving it a healthy hue.

[photo: D. Sharon Pruitt]

Are the products you buy really organic?

by Gabrielle on February 14, 2010

Considering buying a natural or organic food or beauty product? To be sure you’re getting the natural goodness you’re paying for, the USDA advises you to check packages for these labels:

On foods…
* “100% organic”: It will appear on fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, cheese and other “single ingredient” foods and means it was grown without manmade fertilizers or pesticides. [more…]

Avoid medicine mixups

by Gabrielle on February 13, 2010

You’ve heard that flushed and thrown away medications end up in our drinking water. But, holding onto expired or unused prescription and OTC pills and liquids is a medicine mishap waiting to happen. Now many pharmacies and government agencies participate in take-back programs; simply drop off unwanted meds (your pet’s, too) and they’ll be sent to environmentally-safe disposal centers. Find your nearest participating program by logging on to earth911.com; type in “medication” and your zip code and you’ll be given a list of area locations.

[photo: aussiegall]

Surprising way to hear a “yes” to a favor

by Gabrielle on February 9, 2010

Need to ask someone to help out, for instance, a co-worker to pitch in on a project or your friend to help you paint your living room? Believe it or not, you’re more likely to get people to agree to your request when [more…]

Shine your hair with rosemary

by Gabrielle on February 8, 2010

Want sleek, glossy hair that sparkles—without resorting to harsh chemicals in pricey hair products? Try polishing your tresses with rosemary tea. “Hair looks dull and lifeless when the cuticles—the layered outer shell that protects it like a tree’s bark—are flared open, which occurs when hair gets damage from over-processing or the sun. Rosemary contains compounds that [more…]

Whiten your teeth with greens

by Gabrielle on February 4, 2010

You can get a brighter, whiter smile by simply nibbling broccoli, spinach or other green veggies, especially before consuming tooth-staining foods and beverages—such as soy sauce, tomato sauce, curry, coffee, black tea and red wine, [more…]

Get paid for clearing out your clutter

by Gabrielle on February 2, 2010

Virtually all of us have outdated or broken cell phones, video games, movies, MP3 players, computers and other electronic waste taking up space around the house. At gazelle.com, you can trade those unused gadgets for cash—ranging from $1 to $100 depending on the item and its condition. Once your items are received, [more…]

Erase acne with vitamin B

by Gabrielle on January 22, 2010

My dermatologist prescribed Clindamycin, a topical antiobiotic, to treat stubborn acne on my face, back and neck. While it did clear up the blemishes, I wasn’t happy with a) the high price (do health insurers cover anything anymore?) and b) smearing powerful antibiotics on my skin. Being a natural health writer, I decided to look for a more natural approach. So, you can imagine my surprise when I quickly came across a study [more…]

Get more use out of hand-me-downs

by Gabrielle on January 19, 2010

Did you grandmother give you her sewing machine, but you don’t know how to use it? Got a bundle of children’s clothes from your sister, but they’re too big for your kids? Want to learn how to play your dad’s old banjo, but don’t know where to start? Good news! There are plenty of websites that help you get the most out all your favorite second-hand goods, including… [more…]

Easy way to save the lives of birds and dolphins

by Gabrielle on January 18, 2010

Plastic bottle caps aren’t accepted by most recycling programs because they’re made from a material that isn’t easily recycled. Yet, thrown away, the caps end up in landfills, [more…]

Surprise! Lemon scent makes people nicer

by Gabrielle on January 13, 2010

Want your kids to clean up their room? Your mate to do the dishes? A coworker to help out more with a project? Before you ask, fill the room with a lemon, orange or pine scent, for instance, by lighting a scented candle, simmering citrus slices in a pan for 10 minutes, or spritzing your favorite scented room deodorizer. In a recent series of experiments, [more…]