Grapefruit: Why its a GREAT fruit!

Ruby Reds, nature's multitasker!

When it comes to fruit, Grapefruit is one of the greats ;). Sure, you may be discouraged by the tart bitter taste, but when you consider all the great things a Ruby-Red can offer, you just might start consuming these gems on a regular basis...

• A natural fat burner- Doctors are looking into the possibility that grapefruit is a direct promoter of weight loss. Eating half a grapefruit before a meal can actually help with burning fat if you're dieting or trying to maintain your weight.


• A GREAT source of vitamin C- With the onslaught of cold season at the start of fall, consuming fresh grapefruit or its juice can help combat those annoying germs. The abundant Vitamin C concentration in grapefruit can weaken the severity of cold symptoms, and other diseases as well. Because Vitamin C combats plaque, an artery clogger, eating grapefruit on a regular basis also lowers your risk for heart disease and promotes cardiovascular health.


• A great antioxidant- Like tomatoes, Ruby Red grapefruits are rich in lycopene, a natural antioxidant. This combats free radicals that can damage/age your skin and tumor growth/activity. Encourage your hubby-love to try grapefruit too ;). Studies show men who consume the fruit on a regular basis are less likely to develop diseases such as prostate cancer.

Grapefruit does other great things like lower cholesterol, prevent kidney stones, and protect against Colon Cancer, but I love it mainly because it keeps me going through the colder months. I discovered it when I was pregnant and couldn't take any medication; it really got me through cold season. Its rated as one of the most excellent existing sources of Vitamin C, and trust me it works!!! The taste is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it one. But, when you consider all the good things a slice of grapefruit can do for you, it may be easier to swallow....LOVE!!!

Grocery Store Beauty

Honey...one of nature's best beauty secrets

On your next supermarket excursion pick up an extra box of sugar, a jar of honey, a box of oatmeal, a cucumber, an extra carton of eggs, and a lemon. Why? These six grocery buys double as beauty buys. When combined with each other or other things hiding in your cabinet and fridge they make some of the best masks, scrubs and conditioners etc...

• Sugar-This naturally abrasive exfoliant also contains glycolic acid. When combined with your facial wash and witch hazel it makes a great scrub. It can also be combined with your body wash as a body scrub to slough off the dull top layer of your skin.
• Honey-This tastey goo has millions of uses. Add it to bath water to soften your skin. "Pat" it all over your skin in the shower to improve your circulation and give yourself an instant glow. Use it after you towel dry your hair for a natural shine. Pinken your puckers by rubbing it on fiften mins. a day and then rinsing it off. Honey is also naturally moisturizing and anti-bacterial. It can be rubbed on small cuts or nicks and used to moisturize legs post shaving.
• Oatmeal-Another natural exfoliant, oatmeal is great for scrubs. When combined with honey and milk it makes a very moisturizing and soothing bath. When combined with banana and milk it makes a great facial mask.Oatmeal is also good at healing itchy dry skin. Make a paste, rub it on your problem areas, and rinse off.
• Cucumber- I once heard that every woman over 19 should have a cucumber in her fridge. Its very true! Cucumbers are fantastic at removing under eye-circles (its not a myth). Especially when combined with potatoe juice and placed on eyes for 15 mins. They are also great promoters of hair growth. When mixed with carrot juice, the juice of a cucumber does a great job of nourishing your hair and nails when you drink it. Cucumbers are also VERY hydrating and great for glowing skin.
• Eggs-The pore and skin tightener!!! When combined with honey and olive oil eggs make a great firming mask. Its also a great conditioner for your hair because its rich in protein. Mix the yolk with olive oil for shiny hair. Try an egg white and oatmeal mask to clear up breakouts!!! You can even apply a thin layer under your eyes UNDER your foundation for a temporary but quick eyelift!
• Lemon-Nature's detoxifier is also multifunctional. When combined with honey it lightens dark lips. When rubbed on freckles and age spots it lightens and fades them.When mixed with warm olive oil and applied to the scalp it combats dandruff.It also works as a great astringent full strength on your face.

So there you have it...six grocery beauty finds that really work. What you see here is just a small fraction of the versatiliy of these ingredients. They can be combined with so many things for hundreds of naturally beautiful uses!!! Natural beauty is by far the best beauty because its the healthiest for your skin and body. Makeup companies are now more than ever leaning toward natural cosmetics with the explosion of mineral make-up. Set the base for your skin and body with these picks...

...and check out this link http://www.care2.com/ for more combinations and other natural beauty ingredients...LOVE!!!