Mambo Sprouts

Are You Ready to Winterize Your Feet?

We all know we’re supposed to “winterize” our cars and houses, but what about our feet? It sounds a little crazy, but it makes sense. “Good” feet get dry in the winter, and “bad” feet often get much worse, developing thick, dry skin and even cracks. What worked in the summer may not work in the winter when feet are exposed to the super-drying effects of central heating and sweating in warm socks.

So what can you do to “winterize” your feet?

Ann Thariani, from Gilden Tree recommends three simple things – moisturize more, exfoliate more and protect your feet. Read the rest of this entry »

Wouldn’t it be great to minimize the colds and flu that seem almost inevitable each year? Germs may be unavoidable, but the state of your immune system ultimately determines whether or not you get sick. Fortunately, you can cultivate robust immunity naturally with key foods and nutrients. Plan ahead this year for a happy, healthy winter season.

Giving whole, unprocessed foods center stage in your diet is a powerful wellness-boosting tactic. Fresh fruits and vegetables steal the spotlight with their bounty of vitamins, minerals, disease preventing phytochemicals, carotenoids and other antioxidants—all of which play important roles where your health is concerned.

Vitamin C bolsters your immune system year round, making it a strong ally in preventing colds and flu. It also fights bacteria and viruses, and stimulates white blood cells to combat stress. According to the journal Advanced Nutrition Research, 1-3 grams of Vitamin C daily are recommended for immune enhancement. Top food sources include red peppers, parsley, guava, kiwifruit, broccoli, and citrus fruits.

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Fall commences the beginning of a very exciting but stressful time of year. It starts with September when you begin getting your tykes ready for back to school. The morning rush, homework and after school activities galore! Before you know it, you’ll be hosting holiday parties, out of town guests and shopping until you drop. When you’re feeling frazzled and counting to 10 doesn’t seem to be doing the trick anymore, it’s time to try these stress busters on for size.

The next time you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, try these simple, natural solutions to de-stress and relax:

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Most of us realize the importance of making and checking lists. We may make packing lists, lists of items we need to take along and lists of people we have been meaning to connect with. Some more organized people even have lists of lists! But many of us neglect to consult the most vital list of all – our self-care list. We are complex beings and must attend to ourselves – physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and environmentally.

Life is stressful.

We are always on the go and trying to meet the needs of others while balancing the often-difficult demands of our personal lives. We may find ourselves away from our homes and loved ones at times, eating airport snacks, sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings, lacking opportunities to exercise and dealing with delays, plan changes and set backs.

Before you head out the door pack a self-care checklist to review on the plane or in the hotel. Attending to your needs on all levels will ensure consistent health and balance. You will look better, feel better and radiate higher energy all day long! Following is my personal checklist. Read the rest of this entry »

Who knew that your local grocery store holds the secret to anti-aging in the produce aisle? It’s true; the natural acid in a lemon can give you the benefits of a facial peel and for under $1.

What you will need to make your very own natural peel: Two lemons, two cotton balls, small bowl.

Step 1: Wash your face and leave a little damp.

Step 2: Squeeze the juice from the two lemons into the small bowl.

Step 3: Dip cotton balls in lemon juice, apply to face.

Step 4: Leave lemon juice on face for 10 minutes. You will experience a gentle tingling; it’s from the acid in the lemon. If the sensation is too much for you, leave on as long as you can stand. Note: If you have allergies to lemons please avoid this treatment.

Step 5: Rinse and apply your favorite moisturizer. Enjoy your fresh new glow.
For an extra treat, apply the lemon juice to the tops of hands and follow the same instructions above. Your hands will feel softer and have a nice youthful radiance.

This month, skip the spa and head to the produce aisle for natural rejuvenation.

Contributor Info

Gwendolyn Smith is co/founder and president of Beautevanna.com, an online natural beauty boutique. Gwendolyn is a certified aromatherapist. Ms. Smith holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communication from Rollins College. She has worked as a marketing specialist for Clear Channel Communications, focusing on relationships with clients in the spa/salon and healthcare industries. Ms. Smith is also a motivational speaker, speaking in organizations such as The Anthony House, a homeless shelter and the Center for Drug Free Living.

The body has three “beauty proteins”: collagen to plump and hydrate the skin, keratin to strengthen hair and nails and elastin to help prevent wrinkles from forming. BioSil™ from Natrol pumps up your beauty proteins with clinical results in just one veggie cap (also available in liquid). You’ll notice fewer lines and wrinkles, healthier hair and nails, plus increased bone mineral density. You’re one smart beauty. Visit www.natrol.com

A life without love is like a year without summer. -Swedish Proverb

Sweet, Sweet Summer

The best things in life aren’t complicated—in fact they are blissfully, undeniably simple, especially in summer. With a warm breeze in the air and the outdoors beckoning from every open window, escape your everyday routine while enjoying these seven extraordinarily sweet—and simple—summer pleasures. (Note: a green lifestyle isn’t a pre-requisite for enjoying summer’s best, but we find that the simplest pleasures are all-natural and therefore pro-planet. Read the rest of this entry »

With any luck, spring has finally sprung in your neck of the woods. Long gone and all but forgotten are the cold, dreary and dark days of winter. But what about your New Year’s fitness resolutions? Have those been left in the past as well? Chances are good they have been; studies show that 50% of the people who start a new exercise program give up during the first three to six months. And experts agree that the number of people who quit after starting at the beginning of a New Year might be even higher. So how do you stay on track? Keep reading for tips to stay motivated through the spring—so you can look and feel your best come
summer. Read the rest of this entry »