Because I am WOMAN-Menopause Helps tips and

All I want is somebody fabulous who worships me.  Is that too much too much to ask for?

Menopause: Alternative Solutions by Michelle Dinmore Just when you get done with the PMS word, now comes the "change of life" phrase. Don't women ever get a break? You know, men sure got the easy part. Right when you start getting hot flashes and miss a few periods the big, "Oh, Oh," comes to mind. Most women rush to their doctors to find the answers, but in all reality all you get is some special name for horse urine to treat the problem. No, I'm not joking. Estrogen replacement is made out of pregnant horse urine. Ask your doctor if you do not believe me.

Anyway, I'm here to give you some alternative solutions to menopause if you prefer not to use the highly controversial HRT (Hormone Replacement Treatment), but if you are having any severe reactions to your changes, it may be wise to take it. As always, be careful with any medicine, herb, or alternative treatment and read all warnings before using them. Do not use HRT along with alternative methods unless you ask your doctor first.

One of the best and most highly recommended products on the market for Menopause today is soy. Soybeans have the natural ability to mimic estrogen. This plant estrogen is called phytoestrogen. These estrogen-like compounds are found in almost all soybean-based products like tofu, miso, and vegetarian meat substitutes. Some other foods also contain phytoestrogens like, flaxseeds, pomegranates, and dates.

Red Clover is an herb that is said to be even higher in phytoestrogens than soy. Red Clover can be used as tea, or taken in capsule form. Many people that are allergic to soybeans do well with Red Clover. Red Clover is said to be a 100% safe with no side effects, unless you are allergic to ragweed. It is also stated to help prevent certain cancers by cleansing the blood.

Wild Mexican Yam is another popular treatment for menopausal symptoms. It contains compounds similar to the hormone progesterone, which is decreased during a woman's changes. When a woman stops ovulating, her ovaries stop producing both estrogen and progesterone, so it may be a good idea when using and estrogen plant source replacement, to also use a progesterone one. Many people do okay just using the soy or Red Clover, so I'll let you decide on this one.

Certain vitamins and minerals are vital for maintaining health during this time. Calcium and magnesium are very important. With the loss of estrogen, so starts the loss of bone connective tissue. Vitamin E and lecithin are said to work together to help with hot flashes and other complaints. B-Complex helps relieve stress as well as improves circulation and cellular function.

There are a lot of good natural products out on the market today that have been proven to help many women going through their changes. You can find these items in your local health food and vitamin stores. I hope that some of the information I provided you will help you deal with this cycle that inevitably we all must one day face. Best of luck to you and your health!

***
Black Cohosh is an oestrogenic which means it has the capacity to  promote or mimic the action of female hormones.  Other herbs that fall into this category are red clover, sage, hops, licorice.  So if Black Cohosh isn't working for you, you might find that a different one of these plants works better due to your particular constitution.  Margi Flint recommends sage sprays and a lot of herbalists highly recommend sage to all elders.

Blue Vervain,  Vitex, Angelica and Licorice all work to balance the hormones in your body, also.   Something I heard in a recent webinar makes me think that one large dose in the morning when your prolactin levels are high might be better than several small doses.

Starting with perimenopause and into menopause your body starts to shift production of hormones from the ovaries to the  adrenals.  This causes a huge problem for a lot of women, because well, just think about the condition of our adrenals.

So while managing the hormone swings of menopause is important, you might find that you are better served by getting in there and really supporting your adrenals. Adaptogens are key.  Nettle seed is probably one I would investigate,  Licorice, Eleuthro, Borage, and Ashwaganda are other adaptogens that are specifically supportive of your adrenals.

As always diet is important as the hormone production changes over, you need to make sure you are getting enough healthy fats - your Omega 3's are really important to your adrenal glands.   If you are vegetarian trying to get by on Flax and EPO,  I'd like to tell I think you can get enough EPA and DHA,  but I don't believe it.

Eating a lot of phytoestrogenic plants can help, too.   Soy (fermented, non GMO sources), beans, chickpeas, nuts and seeds are good sources.

Magnesium, magnesium, magnesium.  Women in this country get too much calcium and not enough magnesium to maintain a proper ratio in their bodies.  I cannot tell you how many times adding magnesium supplements to the diet has caused menstrual cramps to just disappear.

Red meat is considered a warming food in Ayurvedic circle; probably due to its high saturated fat content.  There is also a link between eating red meat and a reduction in your body's production of oestrogen, possibly due to the estrogen fed to the cattle during production, so cutting back is probably a good idea.  I know people who have switched to grass fed beef and noticed a reduction of symptoms as well.  

***

Menopause Body Oil

  

6 drops lemon oil

5 drops geranium oil

2 drops clary sage oil

1 drop angelica oil

1 drop jasmine oil

2 ounces vegetable oil or body lotion

Combine the ingredients. Use at least once a day as a massage oil, in a

lotion, or in a bath (add 2 teaspoons to the bathwater). If this formula is

too oily for you, add the same essential oils to 2 ounces of a commercial

body lotion instead. The best type to use is an unscented, basic lotion that

contains ingredients that are as natural as possible

***

MENOPAUSE SYMPTOM RELIEF

1 C. water

2 tsp. bruised anise seeds

2 tsp. bruised fennel seeds

3 tsp. powdered red clover flower tops

Honey and/or lemon, to taste

Bring water to a boil in saucepan. Add seeds and clover and remove from heat. Steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain. Add honey and/or lemon. Drink cool or reheat.

Healthy menopausal women may use up to 3 cups a day. If headache, rash, stomach ache, or other side effects develop, discontinue use. As this is a natural alternative to estrogen replacement therapy, USE THIS FORMULA ONLY IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

You can have the sexiest LIPS around-here's how

Let`s face it – lips are sexy! If you want them even sexier try this technique, which will make them look gorgeous









1. Cover your lips with nude powder or any other type of makeup base.


2. Use a bright lip liner to line the lips


3. Apply your favourite lipstick cover. You will notice the coverage is better than, when using it on bare lips


4. Add some lip gloss and you are now a real temptation.


The good news is that it when you apply lipstick using this method, it will last for longer.

One of the most common conversations I have with clients is about lipstick. Every woman who has ever sought out to purchase cosmetics knows the power and excitement that a new lip color can provide: It is an inexpensive, cheap thrill that can brighten any rainy day or lift any melancholy mood.
Lipsticks come in all shades, textures, pigments, finishes, and formulas. So how do you know what is best for you? With so many brands and colors to choose from, here are 5 simple tips for flawless lips:
1. Create a visual. See a lip color you like or want to try in a magazine? Rip the photo right out and keep it in your purse. That way when you are shopping for new lipstick you can have photos easily accessible.

Product Pick: I love Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids in Pink Pop and Fuchsia Flash.

2. Play with the finish. You really don't know what you prefer until you try it. Test sheer textures all the way to matte finishes. See what feels best on your lips and find what would be most comparable to your daily makeup routine.
3. Experiment with color. Always wanted to try a red lipstick? Look at a few different shades of red from blue undertones to orange undertones. Find what looks best with your skin tone and the level of color you are most comfortable with. The same goes for all shades when looking for the right tone, from pinks, to berries and mauves.

Quick Tip: "You can easily turn a bold colored lip into a more sheer tone by blending a small amount of lipstick on the lips with your fingers. Apply a lip balm, such as Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 on top for moisture and you have two great ways to wear one lip color!"

4. Ask an expert. Makeup artists come with a wide range of knowledge when it comes to products and color. If you are shopping at a makeup counter, don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. You can always learn from the pros and walk away with a few new and exciting recommendations.
5. Exfoliate and condition. Once you've picked your favorite color, exfoliating and conditioning are the most important things to do when it comes to lips. Exfoliate the lips gently with a quality lip scrub, to get all the dead skin cells off. Then follow up with a conditioning and hydrating lip balm. This is best to do at night before bed.

Quick Tip: “Take a small amount of petroleum jelly and mix with white table sugar. Apply all over the lips in a scrubbing motion and rinse with warm water. Apply your favorite Kiehl's lip balm on top for added moisture.”

The most important tip of all? Whether you opted for a sheer nude or a shocking pink, the most beautiful accessory of all is a smile!

Deodorant Recipe -get away from the chemicals

Deodorant Recipe
I found this recipe a few months ago and I am now testing it to see if I like it enough to stop buying store bought deodorants with all the cancer causing agents >>>>

You’ll notice that it calls for some strange butters like kokum and illipe. My first batches didn’t have these hard butters and instead called for more beeswax. However, I found that the beeswax left a waxy orange residue on my clothing. This latest recipe creates a firm, stick-like deodorant without leaving a waxy residue. I apply it once a day and it’s been working great, even on hot summer days.

For this recipe you’ll need...

• a scale that measures partial ounces
• .45 ounce kokum butter
• .45 ounce illipe butter
• .20 ounce mango butter
• .90 ounce shea butter
• .35 ounce beeswax
• 1 ounce of oil (an herbal infused oil is great!)
• 3 T baking soda
• 1/8 tsp lime juice
• Get all your ingredients (except the lime juice) right here
• Direct link to the "butters" page

To begin, weigh out all of your different butters and beeswax and place them in a pot or double boiler. Heat very gently, stirring continuously.

Once they are completely melted, turn off the heat and slowly pour in the oil. (I like to make an herbal infused oil for this using aromatic anti-microbial herbs. Sage, lavender, thyme, rosemary and cottonwood are all great ones to use. Here’s a video on how to make an infused oil. If you aren’t using an herbal infused oil you may want to add essential oils instead.)

After a couple of stirs the mixture should again be clear with the butters and oil completely combined.
Next add the baking soda and stir well.

Then add 1/8 tsp of lime juice. When you add this it will react slightly with the baking soda and produce a more combined end product (before the baking soda was probably all clumped at the bottom of the pan).
Keep stirring to let it cool briefly.
Then, while still liquid, pour it into a used (or new) deodorant container.

I have made this and am testing it now to see if it works as good as the store bought, because I really want to get away from all the  bad ingredients in store bought products....I will let you know

There you have it! My best deodorant recipe that has taken me a year to formulate. I hope you enjoy making your very own deodorant!

Homemade Natural Neosporin

Healing ‘Boo-Boo’ Salve, a.k.a Homemade Natural Neosporin

Yield: 16 ounces

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup dried comfrey
• 1/4 cup dried calendula
• 2oz beeswax (equals out to 2 of the 1oz bars or 4 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons of honey (optional)
• 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• jars (I use these)

Instructions

In a medium pot - mix the coconut oil, olive oil, dried comfrey, & dried calendula. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Strain the herbs from the oil using a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Discard of the herbs.

Wipe any remaining herbs from the pot you used, and add the oil back to the pot. Turn the heat to medium. Stir in the honey (if using) until completely combined. Then, add in the beeswax - stirring until completely melted. Mix in the lavender essential oil, if using.

Pour the mixture into your jars. Stir it occasionally while it cools to ensure even settling. Seal once set.

Homemade 'Vicks Vapor Rub'

Homemade 'Vicks Vapor Rub'

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons beeswax
• 25-30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 20-25 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10-15 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

Melt the olive oil & beeswax in a small saucepan on low heat until melted, stirring with a wooden spoon. Turn off the heat & stir in the essential oils - drop by drop (keep stirring until all have been added). Pour into a small glass or metal container. Store in a cool, dry place for up to a year.

Homemade Shower Soothers

Homemade Shower Soothers

Yield: 6 shower soother discs

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons water
• several drops of rosemary essential oil
• several drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• several drops of lavender essential oil

Instructions

Combine the baking soda & water together with a spoon. Fill a silicone muffin liner or pan halfway with the mixture. Add a few drops of each of the essential oils, and then fill the rest of the way with the baking soda mixture. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Once cooled, add a few more generous drops of each essential oil to both the top & the bottom of each disc. Or, for maximum scent power - store the discs as is, and add the essential oils to both sides shortly before using. Store the discs in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 6 months.

Rose Water

Rose Water

This is both a Food and an all natural Remedy
used in cooking and homeopathic remedies and even Spells and Rituals call for it

Using roses that have been sprayed with insecticides will result in the toxins being extracted into the water.
so please only use organic roses.

to make this

3 parts witch hazel extract, vodka, or gin
1 part distilled water
Fresh, organically grown roses or rose petals

Mix the witch hazel (or vodka or gin) with the distilled water. Place the fresh roses in a quart jar. Completely cover the roses with the alcohol mixture, adding enough extra that the alcohol mixture rises 2 to 3 inches above the flowers. Cover tightly and place in a warm, shaded area. Let the mixture sit for 2 to 3 weeks.

Strain out the roses and rebottle the water for use. Rose water does not need refrigeration, but storing it in a cool place will prolong its shelf life.

Cinnamon Nutmeg Toothpaste

Cinnamon Nutmeg Toothpaste – Calcium Carbonate Base

2 tablespoons calcium carbonate (make your own by following this belowl)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional)
1/2 teaspoon xylitol
2 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil
1-2 teaspoons water (hydration rates may vary greatly according to region and personal preference – start with 1 and go from there)
3-4 drops cinnamon essential oil
2-3 drops nutmeg essential oil

Whisk together the dry ingredients: the calcium powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, and xylitol. Using a fork, blend in the coconut oil until uniform. Add the water and the essential oils and use a whisk to stir it very briskly. Make it as smooth as possible and add more water or calcium a bit at a time, if necessary. Spoon into a small pastry bag fitted with a screw-on cap, a small sandwich baggie with the corner cut off, or other squeezable container. You may also thin it with an extra teaspoon of water and place it in a pump bottle.

Cinnamon & Nutmeg Toothpaste – Clay Base

(This is my homemade version of Earthpaste – definitely check it out if you’ve never tried it!)

4 tablespoons bentonite clay
1 teaspoon xylitol, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 tablespoons hot water
3-4 drops cinnamon essential oil
2-3 drops nutmeg essential oil

Whisk together the clay, xylitol, and sea salt. Add the water and essential oils and whisk vigorously until a thick, uniform paste forms. Spoon into a small pastry bag fitted with a screw-on cap, a small sandwich baggie with the corner cut off, or other squeezable container. I’ve seen others use small mason jars, but I personally prefer something squeezeable. Be aware that the clay will thicken over the course of a few days.

The Ingredients

Calcium is an essential mineral for proper and healthy body function, as I mentioned above. By ingesting it, we ensure adequate amounts are available for proper body function. By using it in toothpaste, it is a mild-but-effective abrasive and it creates a lovely creamy base.

Bentonite clay is an edible clay that is not only chock full of essential minerals our bodies crave, but it helps rid our bodies of toxins. In toothpaste, it also functions as a gentle abrasive. (Read “Clay As a Natural Home Remedy (Yes, Really)”)

Unrefined sea salt & baking soda are both gentle abrasives. (If you’re worried they might be too abrasive, check out their RDA values here.) More than that, however, they are crucial for neutralizing the acids around your teeth. As bacteria grow through the day by feeding on the sugars of food debris in your mouth, their wastes create an acidic environment, which eats away at tooth enamel, creates halitosis, and can enflame gums. The salt and baking soda do the very important job of neutralizing those acids.

Coconut oil gives a nice “mouthfeel” to the toothpaste and provides a good consistency to the mixture, but more importantly, unrefined coconut oil has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties that help keep the bacteria at bay.

Xylitol is included as a sweetener to make the toothpaste more palatable. Typically sweetener in a toothpaste would be a big no-no, as we’re specifically trying to reduce the sugars on the teeth, but xylitol is a bit unique and I’ve seen a number of holistic dentists recommend it specifically to prevent tooth decay.

Xylitol is a slightly contentious ingredient, however, for how it is metabolized by the body when ingested, but due to my own research and decision-making process, I’m comfortable using it in this recipe. If you prefer to avoid it, you may use stevia, but be sure to check the stevia’s ingredient list for glycerin, as glycerin is highly undesirable in toothpaste. Glycerin coats the teeth to prevent stains, but it simultaneously prevents teeth from repairing themselves. It takes up to 30 times longer to brush off, as well.

Xanthan gum makes the paste more “gummy” and more like conventional toothpaste. It is optional and is included just for texture.

Essential oils are included not just for flavor, but for their antibacterial and healing properties as well.

Our caveat and disclaimer: Since essential oils in this application are used in a medical capacity, be sure to source pure oils – avoid fragrance oils that are more appropriate for cosmetics, such as making soap. Since we’re not ingesting the toothpaste in large quantities and only use a small amount of this recipe at a time, the amounts we call for here are designed to be safe even for young children, but keep in mind to use essential oils sparingly and carefully. Pure essential oils are extremely potent and can have serious side effects if ingested in large amounts (“large amount” can even be a teaspoon or so, considering their potency). For example, nutmeg oil is on par with certain heavy drugs and can cause delirium and hallucinations when taken in large doses. If you have any questions about your personal health, the efficacy of using pure essential oils, or are pregnant, contact a certified aromatherapist or other knowledgeable professional to help you decide which to use.

All the Flavors of the Rainbow

I’ve had a lot of fun playing with flavors as I’ve tested and tweaked and used these toothpastes over the last few months. Here are several I found especially invigorating… or at least interesting!

Update October 29, 2012: I recently discovered the company from which I previously purchased cherry essential oil no longer exists and I cannot find another company that makes it! So…. I’ll reformulate and post my updates when I’ve come up with something new for those popular kid-favorite flavors. Stay tuned!

Remember to use pure essential oils with any of these formulations, and please adjust amounts to your family’s preference!

Vanilla Peppermint – 10-12 drops peppermint essential oil + 4-5 drops vanilla essential oil (pure vanilla extract may be substituted occasionally for the water in the recipe, but considering vanilla is extracted in alcohol, a form of sugar, be sure to rinse well afterward and don’t use with every batch)

Cherry & Chocolate (a kid favorite!) – 12-14 drops cherry essential oil + 6-8 drops cocoa essential oil

Alternatively, cherry + almond can be really lovely – 12-14 drops cherry essential oil + 5-6 drops sweet almond essential oil (avoid both bitter almond oil and sweet almond carrier oil in this application)

Green Tea & Wintergreen - substitute strongly brewed green tea for the water in your recipe + 10-12 drops wintergreen essential oil

For a stronger green tea flavor and additional plaque protection, you can add 1 teaspoon dry matcha powder to either recipe, but due to the high cost of pure matcha, it’s definitely an optional ingredient!

Bergamot & Cardamom – 8-10 drops each of bergamot essential oil and cardamom essential oil

Sweet Orange & Cocoa – 8-10 drops each of sweet orange essential oil and cocoa essential oil

Licorice & Clove – 10-12 drops of anise essential oil + 4-5 drops of clove essential oil

Juniper & Tea Tree Oil – 10-12 drops of juniper essential oil + 8-10 drops of tea tree oil

Clary Sage & Chamomile – 6-8 drops of clary sage essential oil + 8-10 drops chamomile essential oil

How to Make Eggshell Calcium (and Why You’d Want to)

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body.

While most of our calcium resides in our bones and teeth, it’s also important for muscle contraction, nerve health, enzyme activity and cell formation.

In fact, our bodies need ample, daily amounts of calcium… and if we don’t get what we need, our bodies have no problem pulling excess stores from our teeth and bones.

So, let’s just say we want to be sure we’re consuming PLENTY of calcium, especially if we are a pregnant or nursing mama!

In my experience, I do best consuming approximately 2,000mg of calcium a day. I feel the most calm and balanced and don’t suffer from muscle soreness or body stiffness. High-quality organic, and preferably raw, dairy products are phenomenal sources of calcium as are bone broths, fish bones, and even almonds.But since I would need to drink 2 quarts of milk to hit this quota, I sometime rely on a calcium supplement, especially when I’m nursing or pregnant.

Which one to chose? Calcium citrate? Hydroxide? Gluconate? Aspartate? Or Coral Calcium? And, I could go on!

But as natural mamas, we know that the best source is FOOD since it’s the mostly easily accessible for the body.

Did you know that eggshells are a great, inexpensive, natural source of calcium?

Yes, EGGSHELLS!

High-quality eggshells contain 27 essential microelements but they’re mostly composed of calcium carbonate, a form and structure that’s very similar to our bones and teeth.

In animal and human tests, eggshell calcium shows increased bone density, less arthritic pain, and even stimulates cartilage growth.

Sounds great, huh? And it’s really easy to make. Special thanks to Josh Rubin from East West Healing for the recipe .

Ingredients and equipment:

1 carton of organic pastured chicken eggs

If you can get fresh from the farm, even better and try to get eggs from chickens that don’t eat soy. Pay the extra price since this will serve as a supplement and is much cheaper than buying calcium tablets. Confused how to find or know if eggs are good quality? Here’s a tip… the thicker the shell, the more nutrients. I don’t have a good source close to where I live so I order mine from Tropical Traditions and their farms in Wisconsin. I love theirs because they are SOY-FREE, something very hard to find in store bought, even organic eggs.
1 stock pot
1 coffee grinder
1 small Mason jar with secure and clean lid

Directions
Use up your eggs as you normally would, keeping the shell in the carton to make your supplement

When you have your dozen shells, rinse them well in water. Remove any whites that might be stuck but don’t remove membrane as these have extra nutrients.

Fill a stock pot with approximately 6 cups of filtered water and bring to a boil.
Carefully put your eggshells into water. (This will kill any harmful pathogens)
Let cook for 10 minutes.
Drain shells.
Spread the shells on glass or stainless steel baking sheet and let dry overnight. In the morning, put in a 200 degree oven for about 10 minutes to completely dry out.

Once completed, put a few shells into a coffee grinder and run until they are pulverized into a granular form. Continue until all of your shells are powder.

Store in a tightly sealed Mason jar in the cupboard away from heat or moisture.

How to Consume
1 tsp. contains approximately 800-1,000 mg. of calcium. Consume by mixing in a small amount of water with a meal. Consume 3/4 to 1 tsp daily, divided in 3 servings with meals. Don’t consumer more than 1 tsp a day as it can irritate sensitive digestive tracks.

 

Cellulite Scrub

DIY Cellulite Scrub

I
know the dreaded word cellulite, none of us ladies want it.

We
call it orange peel syndrome or cottage cheese skin.

The
secret ingredient in this scrub is the caffeine in the coffee.

Caffeine
is effective for promoting circulation and treating cellulite,

that
is why many high end spas use it in skincare treatments.

This
scrub consists of a wonderful concoction from the coffee,

a
powerful exfoliate and caffeine,

which effectively treats
and fights cellulite.

DIY
Cellulite Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:

• ½ Ground
  Coffee
• ¼ Cup of Sea
  Salt
• ¼ Cup of Brown
  Sugar
• ¼ Cup of Sweet Almond
  Oil or Olive Oil

Directions:
Mix
together the coffee, sugar, and salt.  Then pour in the sweet almond oil, and
stir until mixed well. Spoon the scrub into a clean jar with a tight fitting lid
and store in a cool dark place.
How
To Use:
While
in the shower, massage the scrub into your skin in a circular motion, focusing
on the front and back of your upper thighs or bum.  Rinse off well with warm
water.
Tips:

• Cellulite is a very
  common, and is something that affects all ages, shapes, and
  sizes.
• You can see improvement
  in cellulite by avoiding fatty foods and junk foods.
• Cellulite forms when fat
  cells beneath the skin enlarge, restricting the blood flow and circulation, thus
  causing fluid buildup that enlarges the fat cells. Causing a bumpy
  lumpy appearance under the skin. I know, no one wants
  it, yuck cellulite.
• Using this caffeine
  scrub to exfoliate twice a week will visibly smooth out your
  cellulite.
• Caffeine
  reduces redness of the skin. It also firms and tightens surface of your skin
  through constriction, that is why it reduces the appearance of cellulite.
• Another effective way to
  treat or prevent cellulite is to dry brush your skin.  Use a soft bristled brush
  and gently press on your skin in circular motion.
• Take a hard look at the
  ingredients in the soaps, body washes and moisturisers you use daily. Do you
  know what each ingredient is?  Avoid toxins that can be found in most commercial
  skincare products.  Toxins encourage water retention and the result is
  cellulite, uneven bumpy skin that can be found
  on our bottoms, hips and thighs.
• Daily exercise also
  prevents cellulite from ever forming, get up and start moving.
• Drink a lot of water,
  daily.  It does wonders for clearing your skin, naturally flushing toxins from
  your body, hydrating and giving you a natural glow.

The
great thing about using this DIY cellulite scrub is that it is made at
home

with
common household ingredients, and practically free.

The
downside to using coffee grounds cellulite cream is that it can be
messy.

I
truly believe that it is so worth the effort and mess.

Phenomenal Woman

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
... They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

by Maya Angelou
 

More Little Women Paper Dolls

Here is another lovely set of Little Women Paper Dolls I want to share

because every girl, woman and grandma should have a set.

 

Amy March

Beth March

Jo March

Meg March

 

 

"Little Women" Books and Paper Dolls

I read "Little Women" - Louisa May Alcott when I was a young girl, and it turned into one of my most favorite stories ever. So when I found paper dolls I just had to buy them with my allowance. I treasured them but through the years they finally fell apart, although I did have them for many years.
When I had 4 daughters I encouraged each of them to read the book and we also bought the movie, and they also loved it.
Well I now have a Pinterest, and I found little women links there and am very excited to say I found paper dolls.
So here I am sharing one of my favorite treasures with you.
I hope you will share the book "Little Women" with your girls, neices, grand daughters, friends; and enjoy the paper dolls as well.