Lifestyle Choices

Good health, which is the basis of a long and happy life, is a state of energy balance. Energy in its undifferentiated state or potential is known by the Chinese as Tao. Tao is manifest in all things through the dynamic interaction of the two polar energy forces, yin and yang. (more…)

There are three kinds of permanent hair colourants: vegetable dyes such as henna, metallic dyes such as those used to gradually cover grey hair, and the aniline dyes or oxidation tints, which include most of the colourants used professionally in salons.

The Vegetable Dyes

Henna is the best-known, since its use dates back thousands of years. Taken from the Lawsonia plant, which is indigenous to Africa and Asia, henna varies in colour depending on which country it comes from. It can be strong orange in colour, as Moroccan henna, or a deep red, as the henna that comes from Iran — the most sought-after in the world. The plant is harvested, dried in the sun, and then crushed into a greenish powder, which is what one puts on the hair. It coats the hair shaft’s cuticle a reddish colour. (more…)

Diseases Carried by Rats and Other Rodents

Of all the enemies that man must contend with in the animal kingdom, the worst is the rat. Not only do these animals carry harmful germs, but if given a chance, they will also destroy our food supply. Rats invade stores, destroying fruits, vegetables, meats, grains, carpets, clothing, and innumerable other things.

Rats destroy ten times more by pollution than by what they eat. They burrow under houses and buildings, weakening foundations. On the farm they destroy more eggs and chickens than all the wild animals combined. (more…)

Which mattress is best?

Latex foam on a laminated wood base is considered smart among the handwoven set (a disadvantage is that restless sleepers generally hit base). These mattresses are generally 4inches deep and don’t need turning, don’t make fluff, and don’t attract moths or vermin.

Foam plastic mattresses have the same qualities and keep their shape and resilience better than they used to.

Interior sprung mattresses are made of coiled wire springs, well padded with cotton waste, coiled hair and rubber or plastic foam. Beware of those which are over-sprung: one bed almost threw me out every time I turned over. (more…)

Like fingerprints, everyone has a complexion that is uniquely their own. Some people have facial skin that’s oily, others have skin that tends to be dry. And some people have skin that is dry in some places and oily in others. Your age, family history, and environment can all influence your skin type.

Knowing your skin type, and learning about the best products to cleanse, tone, and moisturize is important to having your skin look its very best. Products that make one type of skin look great can do nothing at all for another type of skin.

What’s your skin type? Check these profiles to find out:

Your skin type is oily if…

1. your skin frequently looks shiny
2. you have blackheads or blemishes frequently
3. you have few visible lines

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The naturally fermented, dark-brown liquid called tamari or shoyu is true soy sauce. Tamari is made by mixing cooked soybeans with a grain and a mold, then allowing the mixture to ferment in salty brine from twelve to eighteen months.

You will find natural shoyu or tamari in Asian markets and health food stores, packaged in glass containers. Use tamari as you would soy sauce in rice and vegetable dishes, soups, casseroles, marinades, and stir-fries. Do not boil tamari sauce-add it at the end of cooking to preserve all its enzymes and nutrients. A little bit goes a long way, as it is salty and very high in sodium.

Soybeans can be either green (fresh) or dry. Green soybeans are harvested just before maturity, when the beans are still green, and have a sweet flavor. Green soybeans can he enjoyed as a snack, served as a main vegetable dish, stir-fried, or added to soups and salads. They can be boiled in the pod (which is not eaten), or shelled. They are also sometimes called edamame. Some Asian markets stock fresh green soybeans; however, they are most likely to be found in the frozen food section of natural foods stores. Refrigerate fresh soybeans and use them within two days. Frozen, they will keep for several months. (more…)

There are different types of tofu, primarily distinguished from one another by their texture. Silken tofu, or Japanese-style tofu, ranges from the softest to medium-soft. Chinese-style, or hard-pressed tofu, is medium-firm to dense-firm.

The medium-firm tofu is good for slicing, freezing, and cubing. The softer form may be used the same way but it has to be drained and squeezed dry, and it does not hold its shape as well. It is best in recipes that require blending, such as mayonnaise and cheesecake. You can make tofu firmer by placing paper towels on the top and bottom of the tofu and placing a heavy chopping board on it for fifteen minutes or longer. (more…)