Sheer Goddess Skin Care

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade laundry detergent can be just as effective as store bought brands as well. Making your own powdered detergent is a lot easier, less mess, and doesn't take up all the space.

Ingredients:

1 bar Ivory soap (or 2/3 bar Fels Naptha)

1/2 cup borax

1/2 cup washing soda (found in the laundry aisle)

Directions:

Grate 1 bar of Ivory soap (or other not strongly scented bar soap). Add 1/2 cup of borax. Add 1/2 cup washing soda. Mix together and store in air tight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

This recipe is for a low-sudsing detergent and works especially well in high efficiency washing machines.

Try it!
Much love,
Zingara
www.sheergoddess.com

 

Easy Homemade Skin Lightening Remedy!

Avoid lightening the skin tone using harsh, chemical-loaded cosmetics which are expensive at the same time. Try out this easy homemade skin lightening remedy which will brighten and whiten the skin and impart it with a natural glow. This homemade whitening cream will also boost hydration, thereby offering you gorgeous looking skin. This is a perfect solution on how to get lighter skin tone.

Dried Orange Peels and Yogurt:

Orange peels can be dried at home by placing them under the sun. Dry those till all the moisture is gone and the peels turn crisp.

How to:

Grind dried orange peels into powder form and mix 1 tbsp of it with 1 tbsp fresh and unflavored yogurt to make a paste.

This mixture should be applied and allowed to stay on cleansed skin for 15-20 minutes and then rinsed off.

Benefits:

This mask is effective in lightening skin blemishes and spots as well.

It also helps to remove blackheads when massaged on the affected areas in circular motion.

Much love,
Zingara
www.sheergoddess.com

 

How to Stay Active and Enjoy your Winter!

1. Change your mind. Winter isn't just about cold weather; it's a whole new season! Embrace the time of year by sitting down and revisiting your goals, then plan out what you'd like to accomplish during the next few months. We're all so busy these days that time seems to fly, which is why it's important to reflect on our past accomplishments and current goals. It can help you see winter in a new, inspired light.
2. Go out and play! If you can't seem to muster the energy to work out this time of year, try "playing" instead. You can burn quite a few calories playing indoors or out. The best part about playing is that it doesn't feel like working out—though you can still get your heart rate up and have an excellent cardio session. Have a blast in the winter wonderland outside by making snow angels (214 calories burned per hour on average), having a snowball fight (319 calories burned per hour), or even building a snowman (285 calories burned per hour). No snow in your area? Try ice skating—an activity you can do indoors or outdoors. Ice skating can burn more than 450 calories per hour—and it's a blast!
3. Take up a winter sport. If you're a competitive type, why not try a new winter sport? From skiing to snowshoeing, there are many great options that burn mega calories and put a whole new twist on your cold-weather workout plans.
4. Get creative at home. Sure, getting to the gym can be more of a hassle when it is cold outside, but never use snowy weather as an excuse to miss your daily exercise. Instead, work out at home, where's it's cozy and warm. Whether you pop in a new workout DVD, invest in a few pieces of fitness equipment or even just use your body weight for a killer workout, exercising at home can be a convenient (and fun!) solution to staying on track. And the best part about working out from your own home? You don't have to worry about sharing a TV with fellow gym goers or possibly catching an illness at the gym. Home really is where the (healthy) heart is.
5. Try something new. There's nothing like signing up for a new class or joining an indoor sports league to get you up and moving during chilly months. By trying something new, you reignite your motivation for fitness, cold weather and all! Whether it's indoor volleyball, a dodge ball league, a boot camp class or even tennis lessons at a local indoor racquet club, participating in a regular activity that you've paid for (or have teammates counting on you to play in) is a fantastic way to stay active in the winter time. You might even make some new friends or learn some new skills.
6. Set a big goal—and some little goals. If winter weather leaves your motivation to exercise colder than an icicle, heat things up with a challenging, new goal. It can be anything from losing those last 10 pounds, to running a 5K (yes, you can still run outside in the cold) or even doing a full pull-up, but choose a goal that you really want and that will stretch you beyond your comfort zone to reach it. Setting a smart goal that you then break down into smaller, achievable action steps is a great way to start. Instead of focusing on simply working out this winter, this type of goal-setting allows you to focus on the bigger picture—your dreams.
7. Get excited. If you've never been a winter fan, start focusing on what you do love about it and how this time of year provides new opportunities for your fitness and health. From eating delicious in-season produce (oranges, kale, and chestnuts, oh my!), to curling up with a big mug of sugar-free hot cocoa in front of the fireplace after a long workout, there is much to love about winter when you embrace and appreciate it.

While there are many great workout options this winter, be sure you always stay safe no matter what you do—especially if you decide to enjoy the winter weather outdoors. But most of all have fun out there. It's a wonderful time of year—enjoy it!

Much love,
Zingara
www.sheergoddess.com

 

Improve Your Life With Lemon

Lemons may be small in size, but their health benefits are enormous! Below are four health benefits that can be found by incorporating lemons into your diet:

• Reduce Acne: Apply a few drops of lemon juice to your skin to help unwanted blemishes heal and disappear. Because of lemon’s natural antibacterial properties, they can help reduce acne and skin discoloration caused by acne scars, lighten skin tone, and even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Get Rid of that Cold Quickly: Lemons are packed full of Vitamin C which can reduce the length of your cold when adding them into your diet and even help fight infections. Drinking hot lemon tea helps to soothe throat pain and helps you remain hydrated while you are sick.
• Reduce Blood Sugar Spikes: When you eat, your blood sugar levels rise. Because lemons are acidic, they are a useful ally when trying to control blood sugar more effectively. The acid found in lemons helps to reduce the sharp increase in blood sugar after a meal. Add a few drops of lemon juice to a salad dressing or mix it with some olive oil. You could also sip on some lemon tea after your meal to help regulate blood sugar levels.
• Curb Hunger: Lemons act as a dietary aid by helping to suppress appetites and reduce the desire to eat large portions of snacks or unhealthy foods between meals. You can experiment with different ways of consuming lemon if you want to take advantage of its slimming properties. You can try eating lemon slices or wedges, or even just squeeze some juice into your tea or cola. Some find adding lemon to water helps the taste of water be more appealing and also helps reduce the desire for regular sodas.

Dedi

www.sheergoddess.com

Honey Avocado Facial Mask

Ingredients:

¼ avocado
1 tablespoon runny honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Blending Procedure:

Peel the avocado and remove 1/4 of it. (Slice the rest for a salad or eat it raw. It''s nutritious and delicious!)

Place the avocado quarter in a small food processor and blend until smooth. If you don’t have a small food processor, stir it vigorously with a fork until it is smooth and as free as possible of lumps.

Add the honey and mix further until honey is fully incorporated.

If you do not plan to use it all right away, add the lemon juice to help keep it from turning brown. Store unused portion in the fridge.

Skip the lemon juice if you will be using this product immediately. To use, spread the mixture over clean face and neck skin and rest for 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and then remove excess water from face using a soft towel. Apply toner and/or moisturizer as usual. Enjoy!

Much love,
Zingara
www.sheergoddess.com

The Wonders of Rose…

Natural rose oil has a tonic and astringent effect on the capillaries just below the skin surface, which makes it useful in diminishing the redness caused by enlarged capillaries. Rosewater is very soothing to irritated skin. It is also a tonic and antiseptic. Rosewater has been shown to be very valuable as an antiseptic in eye infections.

The rose also offers a soothing property to the nerves and emotional/psychological state of mind. It is regarded as a mild sedative and anti-depressant. It is increasingly used in treatments for conditions of stress: nervous tension, peptic ulcers, heart disease, among others. There is indication that rose essence may also positively influence digestion, bile secretion, womb disorders and circulation. In addition, a tea made with rose petals (pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1 /2 grams of rose petals) often soothes a mild sore throat.

Rose hips (the flowers which have swollen to seed) are an excellent source of vitamins A, B3, C, D and E. They also contain bioflavonoids, citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, tannins and zinc. Taken in the form of tea they are good for infections, particularly bladder infections. Rose hip tea is also used in the treatment of diarrhea. It is an especially good source of vitamin C.

If you decide to explore rose oil, rose water, or rose tea, make sure that it comes from natural, chemical free sources.

Sheer Goddess only works with organic ingredients and most of our products contain rose or rose hip in their formula. Check us out and choose your favorite products here: http://www.sheergoddess.com/index.htm

It is said that most beautiful things in the world are of no use. But this statement is not at all true in the case of rose. It is beautiful and at the same time it is very useful to every individual. So, let this symbol of love bring love and health in everyone’s life.

Much love,
Zingara
www.sheergoddess.com

 

Beautiful Skin from the Inside Out

We all have our daily skincare routines with cleansers and moisturizes to keep our skin clean, clear, and healthy. Certain foods can also assist in keeping our skin healthy and radiant; like broccoli.

Broccoli includes antioxidants like vitamins A, B complex, C, E, and K; all of which aid in the luminosity to the skin and to revive damaged tissue. The omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, and folate all found in broccoli support the healing process and aid the proper function of the skin cells.

Just 100 grams of broccoli will provide you with more than 150% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Broccoli is also a great source of iron, zinc, phosphorus, and phytonutrients. Eating broccoli raw in a salad or even lightly steamed allows you to get the most nutrients out of those florets.

So have some broccoli today; your skin will thank you for it!

Dedi
www.sheergoddess.com

Rum Maple Pumpkin Thanksgiving Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 graham cracker, crushed into fine crumbs

Ice cubes

1½ ounces rum (3 tablespoons)

3 tablespoons pumpkin pie filling

½ ounce maple liqueur (1 tablespoon)

½ ounce half-and-half (1 tablespoon)

 Instructions:

Place the graham cracker crumbs on a small plate. Wet the rim of a chilled martini glass and turn it upside down and dip it into the crumbs to coat.

Combine the rum, pumpkin pie filling, maple liqueur and half-and-half in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake well, and then strain into the martini glass.

Cheers,
Zingara
www.sheergodess.com

 

 

Zap Refrigerator Odors

I think we've all had that weird odor in our refrigerator at one time or another that we had a hard time getting rid of. Instead of using expensive store-bought cleaning supplies to get rid of odors, try one of these items that you probably already have at home:

1. Baking Soda: Baking soda with warm water works great for cleaning and deodorizing refrigerators. Dissolve about 1/2 cup of baking soda in a gallon bucket with warm water. Remove all the shelves and bins from the refrigerator and use the solution to clean all the shelves and bins then dry and replace.
2. Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds are very effective at removing bad odors in a refrigerator. Simply place dry coffee grounds in a couple of shallow bowls and place the bowls on different shelves in the refrigerator. Within a few days, the coffee grounds will absorb the bad smells.
3. Charcoal: Charcoal is also very effective at absorbing refrigerator odors. Simply place several charcoal briquettes in a couple of shallow bowls and place the bowls on different shelves in the refrigerator. The charcoal will immediately start absorbing the odors, and within a couple of days, your refrigerator will smell clean and fresh once again!

Dedi
www.sheergoddess.com

Stay Warm and Healthy with Ginger

Ginger is probably the most widely used and available herb on the planet. Ancient fables and legends abound with tales of ginger and its many, many uses. It is used in nearly two-thirds of Chinese and Japanese herbal remedies. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginger is said to "rescue devastated yang," a condition in which invading cold or infection has reached the interior of the body. Ginger warms the energy channels and stops bleeding, especially uterine bleeding. It is also a detoxifier.

The warming and pungent qualities in ginger are what make it a very effective healing agent for many conditions. These qualities have a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and circulation of blood. Ginger increases feelings of warmth and well-being. The herb restores vitality and physical fitness; ginger is particularly effective in those individuals, who tend to deal badly with the cold during winter.

Not only does ginger warm us and comfort us, it is also an effective medicine for flues; particularly for the lungs and digestive system. In addition, a hot ginger tea will bring down a high fever, and clear mucous from the body.

 A few examples of ginger's power:

* clears lungs of congestion

* will give relief for congested coughs and lungs

* increases secretions of digestive enzymes

* clears stagnation of food in the digestive tract

* can alleviate nausea and vomiting

* warms up internal cold

* helps with scanty menses

* relief from pain associated with menstrual cramps and ovulation

* assists in lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure

* has bactericidal and fungicidal properties

How To Use Ginger:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine fresh ginger is used to relieve dryness and heat, while dried ginger is used to relieve dampness and chill. It seems dried ginger, for instance, can bring on hot-flashes in menopausal women, whereas fresh will not.

Added to foods, ginger helps with digestion and to break down the uric acid in meats. And adding juiced ginger to freshly pressed juices add a special quality of healing.

Fresh Root:

Tea- can be used for phlegmy colds and chills.

Tincture- for various conditions; to stimulate and warm the circulatory system.

Dried Ginger:

Capsules- helpful with nausea; morning sickness

Tea- to relieve nausea, abdominal fullness, phlegm

Essential Oil:

Massage Oil – This form of the ginger herb can be used in the treatment of various disorders, for the treatment of lumbago and rheumatism add 5 - 10 drops of the ginger oil in 25 ml of almond oil to make a topical application.

The essential oil of the ginger also combines well with the oil of the juniper
or the eucalyptus oil and these can be used as well.

Oil- Many uses! Arthritis, aching joints, tired muscles, cold feet,
cramping, congested breast tissue, etc.

So don’t pass up that lovely ginger in the produce section. Pick it up,
use it, and you will be happy you did!

Much love,
Zingara
www.sheergoddess.com