Beyond the Benefits of Almond Oil

Of late, almond oil has become one of the most popular oils as more and more number of people have become aware of its many uses and benefits. Its popularity might have increased in the beauty industry in recent times, but you can easily find this oil and its benefits mentioned in the history of various civilizations.

Almond oil comes in two variants – sweet and bitter. The more popular one is sweet almond oil which is basically extracted from sweet almond seeds. It is loaded with beauty and health benefits which is the reason behind its wide usage in beauty products and for the purpose of consumption. On the other hand, bitter almond oil is extracted from the bitter almond plant and is not meant for consumption or external application.

Almond Oil for Skin:

Sweet almond oil is a very popular ingredient in beauty products. It is particularly used in a lot of skin care products as studies have found that its composition is somewhat similar to the natural oil found in a baby’s skin. This composition helps in protecting your skin, prevents common skin problems and keeps it youthful and healthy.

Here are a few ways in which you can use this oil to take care of your skin:

1. Almond oil is a rich source of Vitamins A, B and E which are great for your skin’s health. Pick up any expensive skin care product and I am sure they will claim to have these Vitamins as ingredients.

2. If you want to get rid of big bad dark circles, just rub sweet almond oil under your eyes daily before going to bed.

3. Almond oil is one of your best bets when it comes to reversing and preventing signs of aging. It helps in renewing the skin cells and revitalizes the skin, making you look fresh, young and radiant.

4. Almond oil is not only a good moisturizer but also works as a great ingredient in scrubs which can help you to get rid of impurities and dead skin. This oil also helps in reducing inflammation, redness, and itching of skin and thus acts as the perfect solution for skin problems like psoriasis and eczema.

Almond Oil for Hair:

Almond oil is known to strengthen hair and add shine to them. It also stimulates hair growth and reduces breakage and hair fall. Regular usage of this oil ensures that your scalp and hair remain healthy.He re are a few ways to use almond oil to get beautiful and lustrous hair:

6. The simplest way to take care of your hair is to give them a regular oil massage. Add almond oil to hair and wrap with a hot towel. Regular usage of this oil for hair massage also helps in nourishing the hair from the cuticles, which makes them all the more smooth, soft and manageable. It also promotes blood circulation in the scalp, promotes growth of new hair, fastens the process of repair of damaged hair, protects the hair from breakage and all in all makes them stronger.

7. If you suffer from heavy hair fall and split ends, mix almond, castor and olive oil in equal proportions; heat it and apply this combination to your hair. Apply this once a week and you will notice a change in a few weeks.

8. Almond oil has a very light texture which makes it an ideal substitute for shine enhancers or leave-in conditioners for hair. This natural substitute works better than the chemical-laden hair products.

9. To help in repairing damaged hair, mix mashed avocado with almond oil and apply it as a hair mask. Leave it for 20-30 minutes followed by hair wash with your favorite shampoo and conditioner. This will leave your hair shiny and soft.

10. To get rid of dandruff, mash gooseberry and mix it with almond oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp. Keep it on for 20-30 minutes followed by a regular hair wash.  This hair mask will help in soothing your scalp and will ensure that your hair appears black and shiny.

Other Beauty Benefits of Almond Oil:

Almond oil has innumerable beauty benefits which are not restricted to hair and skin. Here are some other beauty benefits you can derive from almond oil:

11. We all want to have soft and pink lips. One of the simplest ways of preventing and treating chapped lips is using almond oil instead of petroleum jelly or your artificial lip balms.

Make your own natural lip balm by mixing 5-6 drops of almond oil with 1 tbsp. of honey. You can store this in an empty lip balm container and use it on your lips whenever they feel dry. You will notice that your lips are soft and smooth and have that natural healthy pinkish glow to them.

12. To get those healthy and strong nails, all you need is a few drops of almond oil. Presence of almond extract, potassium and zinc in almond oil ensures that your nails are left strong and hydrated, thus making them less prone to peeling and breaking.

13. Almond oil is a preferred option for moisturizer because it is much lighter and less greasy than most of its natural counterparts. The fact that it is light weight helps in its easy absorption by the skin in no time with the added advantage of a sweet fragrance that it leaves behind.

14. If you want those big flirty eyelashes then make sure you have a bottle of almond oil in your kitchen. Just dip an old mascara brush in the almond oil and apply the oil on the eyelashes just like you would apply mascara. Repeat it a few times just like you would when you are trying to apply multiple coats of mascara to ensure that all the eyelashes are covered in oil.

15. As almond oil is one of the least greasy and light oils it acts as an ideal makeup remover.  It opens the pores and ensures that all the makeup is removed. It also prevents chances of acne and pimples, thus making it a good makeup remover for all skin types.

Health Benefits of Almond Oil:

Now that we have discussed the beauty benefits of almond oil, let us take a look at the health benefits of this amazing oil:

16. Almonds oil is rich in potassium, folic acid, monounsaturated fats and protein, which help to prevent various heart diseases. Just add half a teaspoon of sweet almond oil to your regular cooking oil.

17. Almond oil has high potassium content. It is also low on sodium content which helps to regulate the blood pressure and maintains the cholesterol level in the blood, thus preventing the development of any heart-related issues.

18. Almond oil is known to boost immunity. Regular consumption ensures that your body is ready to fight common infections like cough, cold, fever, stomach infections etc. It is also an effective laxative and aids digestion which is particularly a better option for aged people who have to rely on medicines to aid digestion. Two tablespoons associated with neat almond fat taken twice a day can be helpful, but you shouldn’t consume this for the greater part of the week.

19. Almond oil boosts memory and strengthens the nervous system. Just add a few drops every day in a glass of milk and consume it regularly. Also, it is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats which makes it ideal for consumption and a great substitute for olive oil as well.

20. Massaging with Almond oil not only helps in enhancing the blood circulation but also helps in a child’s bone development.

21. Almond oil has analgesic properties. It helps in relieving pain and stress from strained muscles. Just heat a few tablespoons of oil and massage it to the affected area to get instant relief. It also helps in getting rid of joint pain and other related issues for elders.

Now that you are equipped with all this knowledge about the numerous benefits almond oil has to offer, make sure you add a bottle of this amazing oil to your shopping cart the next time you visit the super market. If you already have it in your kitchen, then what are you waiting for – go and grab it and start using it to get that glowing skin, the long lustrous hair and the healthy body you always wanted!

Happy Summer!!!

We wish you a summertime full on sunshine (sunscreen), outdoor activity, laughter, smiles, and good memories.  

Here are some of our favorite summer quotes for your enjoyment:

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.  ~Russel Bake

 A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.  ~James Dent 

To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee.
~Emily Dickinson   

Oh, the summer night
Has a smile of light
And she sits on a sapphire throne.
~Barry Cornwall 

In summer, the song sings itself.  ~William Carlos William 

A life without love is like a year without summer.  ~Swedish Proverb 

Each fairy breath of summer, as it blows with loveliness, inspires the blushing rose.  ~Author Unknown  

Hey! It's summer! Be free and happy and danceful and uninhibited and now-y! ~Terri Guillemets  

Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year - it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.  ~Author Unknown  

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  

A man says a lot of things in summer he doesn't mean in winter. ~Patricia Brigg 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!!

Yoga Compliments Endurance Sports

Cross-training and outdoor exercise can do wonders for your body and mind. "Expanding your exercise horizons beyond yoga is a good idea," says Walt Thompson, Ph.D., a professor of health and exercise science at Georgia State University. "It's good to challenge the body in new ways." Most traditional yoga styles, he notes, don't raise the heart rate high or long enough to develop true heart-saving cardio-respiratory fitness. Nor do they develop the kind of strength you can build through rock climbing, bicycling, swimming, or running up hills.

We're talking about cross-training here, adding another complementary activity while you keep right on practicing. In fact, the best part about taking your workouts outdoors, besides the sheer fun of it, might be the way they'll take your yoga to another, higher level: Improved endurance from running or hiking helps you get through tough classes with ease. The strength built from biking or swimming or rock climbing lets you hold poses longer, go deeper, and try that "too-advanced-for-me'' posture you've been avoiding.

Take the example of Nicole Nakoneshny, a 34-year-old fundraising consultant who lives in Toronto. You can often find her on the popular biking and running path that runs along Lake Ontario near her home. As her feet bounce along the pavement, her mind soars. "Because running is such a repetitive activity, I find it quite meditative," she says. "By the end of the first mile, I'm into this groove." That state often sparks flashes of insight that can have real value in her day-to-day life. "Solutions come to problems you've been struggling with," says Nakoneshny, who has been practicing yoga for 4 years. "I can recall one instance when I had been trying to come up with a way to approach a prospective donor for a charity I was consulting for. During a run, I had a moment of clarity, and a strategy emerged that resulted in a seven-figure gift for the charity."

"The breath is a remarkable tool for calming," she says. "Just doing the ujjayi breathing from your diaphragm will help you get into that semi-meditative state.'' Gently constrict the throat, creating a little resistance to the air flow and producing a soothing sound when you inhale and exhale. Some compare it to the "ocean'' sound you hear in a seashell; others call it "Darth Vader breath.'' Either way, says Nakoneshny, "just take some real deep breaths and start moving."

How yoga helps her running: "In a sense, my running is sort of an extension of the yoga class. Through the deep breathing and quieting of the mind we all learn in class, I can get into that moving meditation when I run."

How running helps her yoga: "Endurance is never an issue for me in my yoga classes, so if we have to hold some particularly difficult pose for a long time it's not a problem, and I'm certain that's due in large part to my running. From a strength point of view, running has given me strong legs, which is enormously helpful for some of the standing poses."

Published 01/08/2008 Runner's World

Crossfit Mythbusters

    The Lab in Seattle

True or False? CrossFit is for meat-heads who yell, grunt and assign first names to their biceps. False. Members of our digital team recently took to Crosffit in Seattle for an eye-opening, myth-busting workout. As it turns out, CrossFit isn’t actually a breeding ground for men who can sum up their lives with the three-part acronym GTL.

what is crossfit?

CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that uses functional movement executed at a high intensity for a short period of time. The routine is determined at the start of each day and all athletes participate in the same WOD (workout of the day) scaled to meet their individual ability. The workout we did involved 10 reps of throwing a medicine ball to meet a target on the wall and then catching it back into a full squat, followed by 10 burpees. We repeated this for seven minutes trying to complete as many sets as we could. I realize that in written format, the workout seems harmless but I can assure you it was challenging, tiring and very, very sweaty.

four crossfit myths - busted

crossfit is a cult
False. It is an incredibly fun and addictive workout with a strong sense of community. When you go through the gruelling workouts together, you can’t help but get close with people around you. It’s the support from others that pushes you to try things you never thought were possible and overcome perceived limits.

crossfit is dangerous because you can get injuredAs with most sports, injury can always happen and is usually the result of bad coaching. As long as you have been properly trained and coached through CrossFit your chance of injury is no greater than if you were doing anything else. A good coach can identify and correct bad form and recognize when someone is pushing themselves too hard.

crossfitters have egos bigger than their biceps (if that’s even possible)The one thing that really sets apart a CrossFit facility to a standard gym is the fact that there are actually no mirrors. In CrossFit, the movements you are doing are so technical, that trying to catch a glimpse of yourself would throw you off and jeopardize your form. Egos are checked at the door and while the atmosphere can feel competitive, you are only ever measured up against your own records to document progress.

you will be yelled at

A huge part of the CrossFit experience is that supportive team and community aspect. I wouldn’t necessarily

call it yelling as much as I would call it “encouraged, loudly”. The “yelling” is good-natured and meant to help

you push your limits and find your edge. So yes, you will probably get “yelled” at but it won’t be the same as

your mother sending you to your room.

After our first class, some of us were bitten by the CrossFit bug and couldn’t wait to go back, for others,

once was more than enough. We could all agree that we had created stories about what CrossFit was and, 

in most cases, had been proven wrong. Are you a CrossFit junkie? What other myths need busting when it 

comes to the CrossFit world?


Written by Allessia from the lululemon blog

10 reasons we're cuckoo for coconut oil

By Alli on the Lululemon Blog

This nut may fall close to the tree but its powers reach far beyond the sand. Smear it, cook with it, eat it – there’s almost nothing it can’t do. We're talking rich, raw, pure virgin coconut oil - the godly grease that seems to be the hottest thing to drop lately. From the outside in and back again, here are 10 ways to indulge in this tropical multi-tasker:

5 Tips for 1st-time Triathletes

Thinking of training for your first triathlon?  Here are some training tips from RaceRaiser:

1. Start with a fun sprinter.  Begin with a shorter distance, either sprint distance or Olympic distance event. Training commitment for a sprint is about 5 hours a week, and Olympic distance slightly more.  You can find great resources and training plans online for free!

2. Stay close to home. For your first race, be kind to yourself and choose a race that is close to you. Help reduce race-day stress and hassle if your event is within driving distance from your house.  And maybe you can even race portions of the course...

3. Race for a cause Pick something near and dear to your heart to raise money for.  Not only will this help to inspire you while training and on race, you are doing something bigger than you.  Why not give racing a new dimention by making a difference in our society.  What a reward!  

4. Work on transitions  Begin practicing fast and smooth transitions right from the get-go.  Time your 
transitions. Practice exactly as you would on race day.  

5. Plan to rest.  Just as you plan to train, and plan to take care of yourself.  Resting is just as important as training. Stretch on your off days and eat healthy foods to feel primed to compete.  You want to do enough training to complete the event and have fun.

Enjoy and embrace every moment!

Fitness Fashion Disasters

A guide to what not to wear when partaking in training or at the gym

From about.com

The gym is a great place to workout, but it's also a great opportunity for people-watching. Where else will you see a woman decked out in a shiny leotard, pink leg warmers and an Olivia Newton-John headband? The gym is also great because there's so much flexibility with what you can wear. It's the one place you can literally roll out of bed, throw on some old shorts and show up without anyone batting an eye. Still, there are some basic fashion rules when it comes to exercising at the gym and following them will help you have more comfortable workouts while avoiding any double-takes as you walk by.

1. Men in Tights

When I asked friends the worst fashion disaster they see in the gym, all agreed that men dressed in spandex or Lycra tights came in at number one. Tights, while obviously comfortable and allowing for freedom of movement, tend to show things most of us don't want to know about. Bicycle shorts are an exception, provided you're actually riding a bike. Running tights also make the cut if you're running or walking outside in chilly weather. In the gym, however, most exercisers agree that looser-fitting shorts or track pants are the way to go. If you prefer tights, one option is to cover them with a pair of loose, lightweight shorts.

3. Exercising With No Underwear2. Exercising in Your Underwear

Being comfortable at the gym should be a priority, but there is such a thing as being toocomfortable. I witnessed this during one early morning workout when I saw a man exercising in his tighty whiteys, an unpleasant experience for me and the other exercisers around. Did he forget his pants and decide to workout anyway? We may never know. Remember that exercising in boxer shorts, bras or anything else that looks like underwear should be avoided and is most likely against your gym's rules (at least, I hope it is). If you end up at the gym and realize you've forgotten something critical, and pants would fall into that category, it's okay to skip your workout for the day.

On the other hand, forgetting to wear underwear under your baggy shorts or short-shorts can also be uncomfortable for other gym-goers. This is especially true if you're stretching or doing yoga poses, which could give others an eye-full they may wish they hadn't gotten. Even if you're not a fan of underwear, make gym workouts an exception and make sure you're covered before heading out to the gym floor.

Similarly, you want to wear the right kind of underwear for exercise, especially for women. Wearing your regular bra during workouts may not offer enough support, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly. As Cynthia Nellis, About.com's Fashion Guide suggests, "Add an exercise bra for support instead of an every day bra."

4. Stuck in the 80s

Shiny leotards, leg warmers, fluorescent tights, fish-net tank tops...those are things that went out of fashion for a reason. Despite that, there are always a few 80s holdouts still wandering around the gym, and many exercisers I spoke to agree that this is a fashion no-no.

There isn't anything illegal about wearing fashions from another decade (even if you think it should be), and it won't necessarily stop you from getting a great workout. If you're into the 80s and enjoy that fashion, more power to you. But, if you're wearing those things because the last time you entered a gym was 1980, it may be time to update your wardrobe. You'll find the current fashions more comfortable and more attractive.

5. Skimpy Clothing

No one says you have to cover yourself from head to toe at the gym, but there is such a thing as exposing too much skin. Women wearing teeny, weeny sports bras or men wearing teeny, weeny shorts can be a distraction, and may be downright offensive to some gym-goers. As Cynthia Nellis says, "Don't wear anything so short or low-cut that you spend unnecessary time tugging at it." Not only will you be able to focus more on your workout, you'll also avoid eye-popping stares while you're at it.

On the other hand, some exercisers can pull off skimpier clothing, providing they have the right figure and avoid anything too revealing. If you're proud of your body, don't be afraid to show off in an appropriate way.

6. Blue Jeans and Work Clothes

Another fashion no-no is wearing every day clothes for your workout. A number of people I spoke with mentioned seeing people in jeans, slacks, blouses, flannel pajamas and even suits. One person mentioned seeing a woman pumping away on a treadmill wearing wedge heels while other exercisers looked on in amazement.

I have nothing but admiration for people who will workout under any circumstances, even if they've completely forgotten their gym bag. But, most gyms will probably show you the door if you're not wearing athletic clothes. Not only is it a fashion no-no, it makes for an uncomfortable, even unsafe workout. If you left your gym bag at home, now is a good time to go get it.

7. Flip-Flops and Other Non-Athletic Footwear

Another fitness fashion disaster that stands out is the guy wearing flip-flops in the weight room or the woman wearing Crocs on the treadmill. Wearing non-athletic shoes isn't just a fashion faux pas, it's also dangerous and will likely get you escorted to the door. You need good support for your feet when exercising and you also want some protection from things like dropped weights or when that guy in bootcamp class plows over you while going in the wrong direction. The shoes you wear for exercise are probably the most important part of your wardrobe, so invest in a quality pair and keep an extra pair handy, just in case you forget to pack them in your gym bag.

8. Extra Baggage

We've all seen that guy at the gym, the one hauling a giant gym bag from machine to machine. We may even trip over it a few times and wonder, what's in there and why doesn't he put it in his locker like the rest of us? Most gyms frown upon extra baggage lying around so, if you're afraid someone will steal your stuff from the locker room, leave your valuables at home or lock them in your car. If you're bringing gear the gym doesn't have, you may want to request they buy the equipment or just set up your own home gym so you can have what you want.

Similarly, avoid bringing layers of clothes, your jacket, your purse or any other extraneous items. They get in other people's way, may create a hazard and take up space.

10. Perfume, Jewelry and Other Non-Essentials9. Dirty, Ripped or Smelly Clothes

It's okay to sweat at the gym. It's even okay to be a little stinky and dirty after a workout. But showing up in clothes already emanating a disturbing stench is both a fashion (and olfactory) no-no. Similarly, wearing clothes with giant holes or suspicious stains should be avoided. You're working out, sure, but you're still in public and want to be at least semi-presentable. Wearing old tee shirts and shorts is fine, just make sure they're clean and save the ripped items for painting the house or cleaning out your garage.

A few weeks ago, I was in a kickboxing class and found myself ducking every time my neighbor twirled by with her kicks and punches. The reason? Her giant, dangly earrings nearly took out my head off every time she whipped by. Long, dangly jewelry isn't just a fashion no-no, it can also be dangerous, so remember to take it off before you start your workout.

Perfume and cologne are also no-nos at the gym. If you go to the gym straight from work, remind yourself not to wear too much (or any) perfume or cologne that day. When you sweat, the smell becomes much stronger and may bother other exercisers.