Tea is good for you!
Posted by
Kassandra
Posted on: 09/10/08
Tea is good for you!
Most people know that drinking tea has numerous health benefits. I acquired a taste for tea during my teenager years and have been obsessed with collecting, tasting, and discussing tea ever since. But what are the magical properties of tea? Sure, we know it is healthy but HOW much so?
According to Miracle News Today, "Green tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. In test tubes, catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties. Studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder."
How wonderful is this? The best part is the variety of different teas to try all over the world. In India there is Chai, the East has green, jasmine, and different root and flower teas, in Britain there are stronger brewed english teas that can be served with milk or lemon slices. There are so many varieties, rituals, and brewing methods depending on the time of day and culture.
So next time you are thirsty and water is not good enough, try some nice brewed tea. My favorite way is using a tea kettle and then brewing loose leaf for 3-5 minutes. That way all the nutrients will be soaked into the water with a delectable taste of flavor.
There can be a few disadvantages of tea. For instance, tea laden with heavy cream and sugar probably will not provide much benefit. Also, tea may impede the absorption of iron. Miracle News Today remarks that, "adding lemon or milk or drinking tea between meals will counteract this problem."
Here is the news article for more information and my citings.
Mineral Makeup
Posted by
Kassandra
Posted on: 08/21/08
Mineral Makeup
All the hype now is mineral makeup. In fact, the majority of television makeup ads I recall seeing recently are mostly celebrities endorsing the benefits of using "mineral makeup." I note this in quotation marks because, big surprise here, most of the time it is NOT true mineral makeup. Advertisers will claim to be using all natural ingredients when in fact perhaps they are only using a few, and other times they are just straight out lying.
I got involved with mineral makeup about 5 years ago. I was SO tired of breaking out from all the gunk I put in my skin and not to mention the PRICE of good quality makeup. I have never used Almay, Covergirl, Revlon, I imagine they are making better products now but years ago all their stuff looked so cheap to me. And just like different quality makeup brands, there is a difference in quality when it comes to certain mineral makeup.
Bare Escentuals claims to be one of the first pioneers for mineral makeup (started in 1976) but only finally achieved celebrity-like status in the last 10 years. Their tagline is "makeup so natural you can sleep in it!" Thus, theirs was actually the first i tried. I will be honest, the first time I used it I absolutely hated it. Despite having different foundations to use my skin looked MUCH darker than the rest of my body. People asked me if I burned my face and covered it with makeup!! I cannot stand unnatural looking skin or having a done up clown face. Not to mention, the concealer did absolutely nothing to cover acne breakouts well. So I stopped using it for a few years.
Recently, I did try it again and I have to say that they have gotten a lot better with their quality. The brushes are still mediocre (purchase good quality brushes!) but the makeup seems to sit better and blends well with skin. There are also separate products to purchase to cover old acne scars and sudden breakouts.
My grade 5 years ago: C-
My grade recently: B+
Sheer Cover is another mineral makeup that has reached "celebrity" like status in the last few years. They claim to use 100% pure minerals (like Bare Escentuals) and also SPF protection. I bought into it and used their stuff for about 6-8 months. First of all, their system of buying online is outrageously over priced!! The initial set up fee is cheap, then they charge you out the A$$ for follow up shipments. Secondly, the makeup looks flaky and does not sit well on light skin. Only on summer days when my skin was a little more tan and my complexion cleared up did it look decent. Lastly, their brushes are not that good either. Personally I would save your money and not waste your time. Despite the Leeza Gibbons celebrity endorsements the products are sub-par and I am fairly certain not 100% true mineral makeup (despite their claims).
My Grade: C-
Jane Iredale is the cream of the crop. As soon as I used this mineral makeup I knew this was the right choice for me. Her makeup glides on very well and masks redness and acne. The products are very high quality, which is why dermatologists and salons are the only places that carry her products (and the internet too of course). Despite the price, I found that these products last for months and months. I have some blemish cream that I have been using for over a year and it is not even half way gone!
Also, unlike other mineral makeups all the ingredients are listed so you KNOW exactly what you are putting on your skin. They do not test on animals either. I highly suggest investing in her products.
A word of caution and advice. There are so many colors to use, I strongly recommend visiting a salon professional and having them pick out the proper colors for your skin type. Pictures will not help since everyone has different skin types. TRUST ME =) Then you can always order more online once you know your skin type.
My grade: A
Next time I'll be discussing skin care lines I have used in the last 10 years.... should be fun!
Kassandra
is loving her little adventures.
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