Honey – Good for you and your skin!

With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, honey has long been considered one of the best natural products for your body and your skin. Here are three great reasons why this sweet syrup is pure liquid gold…

1.     Preventing Illness: Packed with antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, honey has been used for everything from healing wounds to curing colds. If you’re looking for an all-natural way to feel better when you’re down, include honey in your daily diet.

2.     Skin-Clearing Properties: If you’re suffering from a nasty breakout or some stubborn scarring, try smoothing  honey onto the affected area and let its antibacterial elements do the work for you. Honey lightens the skin, so it’s perfect for treating dark spots that just won’t go away.

3. Helps Maintain Your Overall Health: Studies show that including honey in your everyday diet will cause an overall betterment in your quality of life.

Sleep promoter, dandruff treatment and skincare “must-have,” honey is a true miracle worker.

Men’s Skincare Trends

Men are becoming more skin-conscious, so here are some simple tips for healthy maintenance

1. Moisturize for a healthy, natural glow

More men than ever are caring for their skin, realizing the need to keep it hydrated. We recommend Herbacin’s Camouflage Moisturizing Face Balm, specifically formulated for men.

2. Use tinted moisturizer or BB cream

Men wishing to minimize imperfections on their skin should use a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. These effectively cover acne scars, redness and even prominent acne.

3. Fill in your beard

Is your beard not as full as you’d like?, Use eye shadow to fill in the gaps. Any shadow similar in color will work; use a fluffy brush to apply to areas where facial hair is sparse.

4. Beard shampoo and conditioner A growing trend is to wash beards with shampoo and conditioner specifically designed to keep facial hair beards clean and soft.

Workouts for the family

To keep your whole family fit and healthy this fall, try these easy and accessible workouts.

Yoga

Practicing yoga is great for all ages and levels of flexibility—and you can do it anywhere! Take your mats to the park or the beach for a fun day outside, incorporating fitness and family time.

Dance

Dance is another perfect activity for children and adults of all ages. Zumba gets you into high gear while the kids can just dance around and have fun! You don’t need to actually attend a zumba class, just blast some music and let loose around the house!

Stroller Run

If you still have children in strollers, try running while pushing them around the park. This workout targets your core as well as your arms and legs. Rather than running the whole time, try doing intervals; this will push your body even harder..

The key? To have fun!

Five ways to contribute to your community

1. Plant a tree

Planting a tree is a great way to contribute to your community.  You will be helping  the environment as trees release oxygen into the atmosphere—and you’ll also enjoy watching it grow!

2. Promote Local Businesses

Another way to contribute to your community is by buying locally-grown product and purchasing from independent local stores.

3. Fundraise to bring awareness for a cause

Starting a fundraiser is an effective way to (a) increase awareness of problematic issues and (b) get the ball rolling in the search for solutions.. Does your local library need some help, or does your recreation park need revamping? You can help out by raising money for something meaningful in your neighborhood.

4. Clothing Drive

We all have clothes in our closets and drawers that we never  use. What better way to recycle them than hosting a clothing drive? Donating clothes is a great way to free up wardrobe space as well as giving to those less fortunate.

5. Prepare and Serve Meals

Preparing meals for needy neighbors brings people together. Gather a group of friends and make easy meals to pack up and deliver to neighbors who, because of illness, age, crisis or many other reasons would benefit from your help.

Using Herbs Instead of Salt

Herbs can add to the overall flavor of a meal while helping you  control sodium intake.  Because of their more intense concentrated flavor, dried herbs can be substituted for fresh herbs at a ratio of 1 to 3.

Here are some easy-to-find herbs that will boost the flavor of your menu choices without adding salt:

Basil – This bold herb can be used in everything from salads, soups, sandwiches, pasta and pizzas for a classic Italian flavor.

Chives – From the leek family, chives often flavor foods such as potatoes, soups and meats. Great in omelets and lovely used as a fresh garnish.

Cilantro – A very distinctive “colorful” flavor—fresh and green. Used in Mexican and Southwest cooking, it’s perfect when paired with lime in salad dressings.

Dill – A fresh, light-flavored herb often paired with salmon, sweet roasted carrots or creamy new potatoes to add flavor with less salt.

Oregano – Used in many Italian dishes, oregano has a very distinctive aroma. Works well on grilled fish and in soups, salads and tomato sauces.

Parsley – Flat leaf or curly, parsley is the most versatile of herbs, imparting a subtle flavor that mixes well with other herbs. Used in salads and with vegetables, fish and meats.

Rosemary – This herb is commonly used in Mediterranean cooking and is often found in breads and pork dishes to add flavor.

Sage – Often used in winter recipes, especially with roasted meats and winter squashes. Sage leaves can be flash fried for a delicious garnish, especially over pasta dishes.

Thyme – There are several varieties, including lemon and spicy orange.  Thyme is a good addition to  roasted vegetables and chicken dishes, as well as salads and fish.

Experiment with these herbs; you’ll be surprised  how much flavor they bring to your favorite foods and you’ll not miss salt at all!