Exfoliating Foot Mask

Exfoliating Foot Mask

• 1/2 C. oatmeal
• 1/2 C. cornmeal
• 1/2 C. coarse salt
• 1/2 C. unscented body lotion
• 4 T. Aloe Vera Gel

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
Slide feet into mixture and rub, beginning at toes,
working up to heel and ankle. Do one foot at a time,
rinsing in a separate bowl of warm water.
Cooling Foot and Body Powder

• 1/2 cup powdered arrowroot
• 1/2 cup cosmetic clay
• 2 tbs. powdered ginger
• 20 drops tea tree oil (or lavender essential oil)

This light, fragrant powder absorbs moisture
and fights bacteria to eradicate perspiration and body odor.
It also helps relieve athlete’s foot.
It contains tea tree oil and powdered ginger,
both of which have antiseptic and antifungal action.
If you’re making a body powder, you may prefer to use lavender
essential oil in place of the tea tree oil;
it has a little less antiseptic power, but more fragrance.
Instructions for making powder: In a large jar,
combine the arrowroot, cosmetic clay and ginger.
Cover and shake to mix.
Add the tea tree or lavender oil and shake again.
You may want to sift the powder through a fine mesh strainer to break
up any drops of oil. Store in a covered, dark glass jar.
Apply as needed to feet or body. Stored in a cool, dry place,
the powder will keep indefinitely.

Exfoliate your feet

Use a loofah sponge to exfoliate tops, sides and bottom of your feet.
Remember to scrub all of your toes too.
After drying with a fluffy towel, apply your favorite moisturizer
generously and then put on a thick (heated from the dryer)
pair of socks on for a pampered feeling.

Deodorizing Foot Bath

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 5-6 Tbsp Epsom salts
• 1 gallon warm water

Soak the feet for 10 min.
Next try this smoothing foot defoliant

• 8 strawberries
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped almonds.

Mix gently being careful to not over mix. Massage all over feet
rinse off and dry thoroughly.
Next use this wonderful Banana Foot Cream

Dry feet will become smooth and soft overnight if you mix:

• 1/2 Banana
• 1 Tablespoon Honey
• juice from 1/2 Lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon Natural margarine

Smear on feet and wear thick socks to bed. Wash off in the morning.
Follow with Deodorizing Foot Powder

• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 2-10 drops of your favorite essential oil

Mix baking powder and oil in a plastic bag, shake well.
Allow to dry. Break up any clumps that may have formed.
Dust feet regularly with the powder and add a teaspoon in the shoes
overnight.

Food Combining Guide

Like a horse and carriage, to be in a successful relationship, you and your partner must be compatible. The same theory applies to food. In order to achieve the maximum benefits from your diet, combining the right foods will help your body, specifically your digestive system work in harmony.

Food combining basically means consuming foods that are compatible with each other within the digestive system. By combining foods that compliment each other, your digestive system is able to function optimally. It has been said that different food groups seek different digestion times and knowing this can help you plan your meals more effectively.

One of the golden rules of food combining is to avoid mixing protein and starch at the same meal. These foods have different digestion properties, and mixing them up could hamper with and slow down the digestion process.

Other food combining tips:

* Don't eat starches or proteins with acidic foods such as tomatoes. The acidic foods neutralize the alkaline that is required to digest and may result in fermentation and/or indigestion.

* Proteins and fats should also be eaten at separate meals. Both fats and proteins require hours in order to digest. When eating protein, try to remember that, at a time, your body only needs a portion (that is about the size of your palm or clenched fist) unless you are on a specific diet recommended by a doctor or dietician.

* When eating a protein source, try not to mix it with another protein source.

* When eating fruits, try not to mix them with either carbs or protein sources. The digestion of fruit is slowed down when combined with other food sources.

Easy Steps To A Pedicure

1.Before putting on those sexy, comfortable open toe shoes make sure your feet skin is in good condition. With these easy nine steps you too will have silky feet. So go ahead get ready to do your own pedicure.soak your feet for 10-15 minutes in warm water containing Epsom salt or foot soak

2.Use a pumice stone, exfoliating scrub to gently scrub the soles of your all over your feet and heel to remove dead skin.
3.Dry your feet.


4.Trim your toenails and push back cuticles.

5.Rinse feet once again and pat dry.

6.Massage feet with plenty of foot lotion. Body lotion, petroleum jelly or cream can be use to replace foot lotion.

7.Wrap feet on plastic bags and cover for at least 15 minutes.

8.Paint toe nails. Make sure to apply at least to coats of nail polish and a top coat of clear nail polish to give it more shine. Give it enough time to dry, before putting on any shoes. If you put on shoes too soon your pedicure will get ruin.

9.Enjoy your self given & low cost pedicure!

Posted in Body care, Nail Care

Cracked Heels

What are cracked heels: Cracked heels are a common foot problem that are often referred to as heel fissures. Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin (xerosis), and made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick (callus). For most people this is a nuisance and a cosmetic problem but when the fissures or cracks are deep, they are painful to stand on and the skin can bleed - in severe cases this can become infected.
What does a cracked heel look like:
The skin is normally dry and may have a thick callus which appears as yellow or dark brown discolored area of skin, especially along the inside border of the heel. Cracks in the skin are usually obvious
What are the symptoms of cracked heels:
If the cracks are bad enough there will be pain on weight bearing, that is not there when weight is off the heel. The edges or rim around the heel will generally have a thicker area of skin (callus). Wearing open or thin soled shoes usually make the symptoms worse
. What causes cracked heels:
Some people tend to have a naturally dry skin that predisposes them to the cracks. The thickened dry skin (callus) around the heel that is more likely to crack is often due to mechanical factors that increase pressures in that area (eg the way you walk). Other factors that can be involved in the cause of cracked heels include: * prolonged standing (at work or home, especially on hard floors) * being overweight (this increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways - if the skin is not supple and flexible, the pressures to 'crack' are high) * open back on the shoes (this allows the fat under the heel to expand sideways and increases the pressure to 'crack') * some medical conditions predispose to a drying skin (eg autonomic neuropathy in those with diabetes leads to less sweating; an underactive thyroid lowers the body's metabolic rate and there is a reduction in sweating, leading to a dryness of the skin) * skin conditions (eg psoriasis and eczema)

General Foot Care Tips for all Feet

General Foot Care Tips for all Feet

A beautiful and healthy feet is true reflection of your personality. It is said that the look of your feet gives the observer an idea of the way you take care of yourself. You have to regularly take care of your feet if you want to have beautiful and healthy feet. Here are few useful tips:

- Wash your feet daily. Rinse off all soap and dry thoroughly, especially between toes.

- Trim nails straight across, and not too short. Don't cut out or dig at corners.

- Do not trim, shave, or use over-the-counter medicines to dissolve corns or calluses

- Wear clean socks or stockings, changed daily. Don't wear any that are too short or too tight.

- Wear shoes that fit. Use comfortable shoes that allow your feet to relax and breathe easily.

If your feet sweat more than others, follow these tips:

- Wear shoes made of leather or canvas - not synthetics. Sandals are good.
- Switch shoes from day to day.
- Use foot powder.

Foot Care Tips for Diabetics

Diabetics have an increased risk for infections in their feet. Decreased circulation and changes in the blood vessels in the extremities can cause healing to be delayed therefore, complications can be devastating. If the body can't fend off the infection, gangrene can develop which often forces amputation of the affected limb. Follow these tips to reduce the risk of complications and infections:

- Make sure to inspect your feet daily. Using a mirror can help you see all areas on the bottoms of your feet.

- Any signs of trauma such as redness or blisters, cuts, cracks, swelling or color changes should be taken seriously, if you are diabetic and must be reported to your healthcare provider immediately.

-Wear shoes that are clean from inside. Look inside your shoes before putting them on. Remove any foreign objects hiding in there, such as gravel. Wear clean well-fitting socks.

- As others do, you should also wash your feet everyday and make sure that you dry them thoroughly. Inspect between your toes.

- Try not to cross your legs for long when you sit down. This can limit circulation.

- Visit a podiatrist for corns, calluses or ingrown toenails. Self-treating these conditions could be dangerous.

- Protect your feet from extremes in temperature. Too hot or cold is dangerous.

- Regular exercise improves circulation to all your extremities, therefore, ask your healthcare professional about an exercise program that's right for you.

- Follow General Foot Care Tips provided above on this page. See your doctor if you notice anything abnormal.

Inspect Your Feet

1.Make sure to inspect your feet daily.
Any signs of trauma such as redness or blisters, cuts, cracks, swelling or color changes should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. Using a mirror can help you see all areas on the bottoms of your feet.
2. Does The Shoe Fit?
Be certain that your shoes fit with room to wiggle your toes. Look inside your shoes before putting them on, in case there are any foreign objects hiding in there, such as gravel, that could cause sores or irritation. Wear clean well-fitting socks

. 3. Toe The Line
Wash feet everyday and make sure that you dry them thoroughly. Inspect between your toes.

4. Nail Care
Always cut nails straight across and then smooth the edges with an emery board. For ease in cutting toenails, trim them after your bath or shower.

5. Do Not Self-Treat
See a podiatrist for corns, calluses or ingrown toenails. Do not attempt to self-treat these conditions
.
6. Prevent Cracking
If your skin is dry, apply cream or petroleum jelly to feet and heels, but avoid the area between your toes. If cream sits in the crevices it can waterlog the skin and make it more susceptible to infection.

7. Keep Circulation Flowing
Try not to cross your legs when you sit down. This can limit circulation
.
8. Keeping It Moderate
Protect your feet from extremes in temperature. Keep bath water temperate in the 85-90 F degree range (30-32 C). If neuropathy is present, you may not be able to feel if the water is too hot, and burns could result. Never use heating pads or hot water bottles. Protect your feet from temperatures that are too cold, as well. Prolonged cold can decrease circulation even more.

9. Pump It Up
Ask your healthcare professional about an exercise program that's right for you. Regular exercise improves circulation to all your extremities.
10. Last But Never Least
It's so important to practice preventative care like the tips listed here, every day. If you notice anything that does not look normal please follow up with your healthcare professional immediately. Also, for ultimate foot health, make sure that your healthcare professional assesses your feet at every routine visit.