Skin's a Rose when you Spray it

Toner - Moisturizer - Cleanser - Make up Setter

Refresh Yourself!!

Looking back at the previously mentioned Benefits of Rose Water post, I decided to experiment a little. I'd like to show a very simple how to that will leave your skin glowing and thanking you. I can't wait for summer, I'm definitely going to hold a mini spray bottle around with this mixture. I can keep cool while toning and moisturizing my skin.
Rose water has the ability to soothe the senses and skin. It helps to retain moisture and is mildly astringent, which helps to even skin tone and improve its appearance.
These qualities make it an excellent ingredient for a shaving cream and for any product aimed at calming skin. Rose can also be sprayed on hair to help protect & moisturize it. 

Rose Water Mist/Spray

Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum Sambac) Scent

1 part water 
1 part natural Rose water  
(I used a Baladi Rose Water brand imported from Lebanon) 

optional 2 drops Arabian Jasmine oil

(I used this to add a little flowery scent to the spray)

•  I've sprayed this day & night. I love the feeling of it especially in the morning, I feel like it helps me wake up, along with toning. I apply it during cleansing, after cleansing, & before bed.
• I've even tried it after applying make up & yes it did help to set the make-up.
• I've also sprayed it on my hair to soften. I have yet to see drastic results since it's only been a couple days. But so far so good!
• Not to forget, this can be used by men or woman as After-shave 
• You can spritz it on body (especially helpful with the optional essential oil to add fragrance) Body Mist or Air Freshener 
• Spray on sun burned skin for soothing Sun Burn relief

Benefits of Rose Water

A close friend asked me to post about Rose water & it's benefits - so here goes.

Rose water is a staple in Lebanon. It's a must in the house whether to be used for baking or as home remedies for skin irritations & more.

Rose water is a by-product of Rose Oil.  During the preparation of Rose essential oil, a distillation process is used & the oil is separated from the water - making both a Rose Oil & Rose Water. Both the rose oil & the rose water contain a beautiful scent & natural healing properties.  Rose water contains a variety of nutrients and vitamins; one vitamin that is highly available in rose water is Vitamin C (a must in everyone's diet). Vitamin A can also be found in rose water, as well as antioxidants - such as flavonoids (Quercetin - allergy suppressant, gallic acid, malic acid, citronellol geraniol and more.

Rose is a natural astringent (contracts tissues and canals of body, diminishes blood or mucus discharge) with anti-inflammatory properties.  It has hydrating & rejuvenating affects on the skin.

BENEFITS 

Please note that these benefits are only found in genuine natural rose water - some manufacturers produce synthetic rose water which have no therapeutic value. It is important you obtain the right product to see results

Astringent -Contracts tissues -Diminishes blood/mucus discharge	Relieve Eye Irritation & Infection	Applied by cotton swab, dab eye lid & around the eye area to relieve eye irritation Also helps reduce puss due to conjunctivitis or bacterial infections of the eye. Antiseptic. Apply throughout the day, especially before bed and after waking up.  Anti-inflammatory
	Facial Toner	Helps absorb excess Oils Helps in controlling Acne
	Diminish Wrinkles & Pores	Tightens pores Reduces appearance of fine lines
	Soothes Headaches	Dab on temples and eye area to ward off or soothe headaches.
	Reduces Skin Redness	Diminishes the redness caused by enlarged capillaries.
	Bleeding	May help reduce or stop bleeding in minor cuts & wounds Cleanses cuts & wounds
Aperient  -Laxative -Purgative	Constipation	Helps in relieving constipation & gas
Carminative -Relieves Flatulence	Gas / Flatulence	Helps in relieving constipation & gas
Refrigerant -Cooling effect	After Shave	Reduces irritation after shaving
	Hives Rashes  Chicken Pox Eczema	Mixed with Corn Starch - Reduces Irritation & diminishes Itch
	Sunburn Soother	Soothes & cools sunburned skin slightly disinfects skin to help in preventing infection & irritation
Cardiac Tonic -Stimulates & Strengthens Heart Metabolism	Heart Health	Aids in Circulation used in treatments for heart disease Anti-inflammatory
Other Properties	Make-up Setting Spray	Add it to spray bottle Spritz lightly over your face.   It will set your makeup and gave you a dewy finish for hours.
	Body Mist	Add it to spray bottle Spritz lightly.  (Add a couple drops of Rose oil to enhance smell)
	Hair	Add to shampoos to give refreshing smell & help soften & condition hair. Pour over head while showering - can reduce inflammation of the scalp,  Can increasing blood supply to the scalp and promotes hair growth.
	Natural Cleanser	With the addition of a few drops of Rose Oil, you could make a natural cleanser.
	Make-up Remover	With a cotton swab, you could use Rose water as a make-up remover. apply in a circular motion (take note not to press hard, so as to not irritate the skin)
	Balances skin pH	Helps in controlling dry & oily skin Soothes dermatitis conditions ie. eczema
	Hot Bath	Add to a hot bath for relaxation help Helps in trapping moisture - making skin smooth & firm Relieve fatigue Improve your mood  Reduces stress and depression
	Emotional & Psychological	Mild sedative and anti-depressant Improves Mood Reduces stress Relieves Nervous tension
	Air Freshener	Just as a body mist, this natural remedy can be used on both the body & in the home. Spritz Rose water (with a few drops Rose oil) for a refreshing scent
	Cooking	Rose water is used in many desserts & baking recipes. Some use it as a substitute for vanilla extract

Who's Full of *&%#

Do you have days where you look like this on the toilet?  

If so, I say ReThink Health. 

Your digestive system is a major influence on your health, and if it's not working as it should, trouble will find it.

This image could mean your body is telling you a few things. And as I always say... LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!

One being the obvious constipation; this is when there's a lack of ability in having a bowel movement. Stools most likely are hard, or you may experience incomplete evacuations. But don't be fooled, what must stay in can come out. Excess pushing or straining may caused prolapse of the rectum (and we sure don't need any more appendages). Moreover, 'straining' over a period of time can lead to loss of intestinal and rectal muscle function, causing you to be trapped in a circle of constipation & pushing.

Think: What goes in Must come out. We eat the food, absorb the nutrients and transfer our body toxins into the remaining matter - the fiber. Now the only thing left to do is expel. The longer it takes us to do such release, the higher the chance we have to reabsorb the toxins.

It's considered healthy to make 1-3 bowel movements daily. Get the toxins out as quickly as possible.  Constipation is not necessarily a dangerous disorder; however,  leaving constipation untreated can cause discomforting symptoms like  abdominal pain, swollen abdomen, vomiting,  skin problems, hemorrhoids, infrequent bowel movements, bad breath,  prolapsed rectum, kidney dysfunction and of course body odor. 

If you understand how our body functions, it'll be easy to see how one can eliminate or reduced constipation and hardened stools. Tools are needed to help our body in this journey of health. Dietary Fiber plays a major role here.There are two types: Soluble & Insoluble.

As there name states, the soluble fiber retains water and turns to gel during digestion. It also slows digestion and nutrient absorption from the stomach and intestine.The reason soluble fiber is good is partly due to the 'gel' for it takes. Think of it as a sponge absorbing all the toxins your body wants to eliminate.

Soluble fiber is found in Foods such as oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, and some fruits and vegetables. 

 Soluble Fiber - Retains water - Forms a gel - Absorbs toxins for elimination

Insoluble fiber, on the other hand is insoluble, the fibers in these foods can't be digested so they remain as fibers - similar to a mop, ready to sweep away all the gunk. Insoluble fiber appears to speed the passage of foods through the stomach and intestines and adds bulk to the stool. It is found in Foods such as wheat bran, vegetables and whole grains.

Insoluble Fiber - Adds bulk to stool - Acts as fibre-mop - Sweeps unwanted matter & toxins out

Note that fiber alone isn't enough. Too much fiber and no water for instance can also cause constipation. Balance is key, and once again listen to your body and your stools, they tell you what's going on inside you. 

Other measures to be taken: 

• Adequate fluid intake
• Exercise
• limit over-consumption of dairy products,
• Don't prevent yourself from making bowel movements when your body wants to. 
• Eat your Fibers

Soluble fiber Sources	Non-soluble fiber Sources
Oat bran Oatmeal Beans and legumes Peas Carrots Sweet potatoes Rice bran Barley Citrus fruits Strawberries Bananas	Whole-wheat breads Wheat cereal Wheat bran Rice (except for white rice) Barley Cabbage Beets Brussels sprouts Turnips Cauliflower Fruits and vegetables with skin

Some people may experience constipation caused by diseases and disorders like hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, colon cancer, neurological conditions (eg. Parkinson's disease), metabolic disorder, and a host of other disorders.

Happy Eating!