Relax & Reclaim

In response to one of my recent articles, a frequent reader, Janina Odell commented asking about how to deal with dry, brittle hair. I gave her a recipe in my response that should help her out. This got me thinking though, how many other people have the same issue?  So I did some research. Your hair is made of keratin ( the same protein that makes up your nails and the outer layer of your skin ). The part you see and style is called the hair shaft. It's actually dead tissue made by your hair follicles tiny bulb-like structures beneath your scalp's surface. We've all heard of thinning hair problems, but do we really know how common this problem is? Let's take a look at a few interesting numbers.... Approximately 70 million Americans have fine or thin-looking hair and it's growing (pardon the pun) 4 million women and 5 million men will have noticeably thinner-looking hair before they reach age 60 By age 65, 48% of all women reported thi...

If you thought table grapes were the same all year round, it's time to have a taste test. The year's best crop is fresh from Mexico. From May through July, the finest harvest of green, red and black grapes will begin to hit supermarket shelves. These grapes' bright color and crisp texture signify the end of winter, when fresh, new harvests begin arriving from the Mexican state of Sonora.  Grapes for wine and brandy have been grown in Sonora since the days of the Spanish missionaries almost four centuries ago. Out of this tradition, growers in Sonora began growing fresh grapes that are enjoyed across the world. Sonora grapes are coveted for their notably sweet, juicy flavor. With more than 30,000 acres of vineyards, Sonora supplies 300 million pounds of grapes for U.S . consumption. Grapes offer several benefits. Not only are they a handy snack, but they're a unique addition to many summer dishes, including green salads and fruit salads.  They enhance the beau...

Have you ever had issues with trying to go to sleep?  We know we need to get some sleep in order to function well the next day. I've DEFINITELY been there and I also know what a toll it can take on the human body. I believe it's called "junk sleep". Anyway, getting a restful night of sleep helps us stay pleasant and productive. Over the years I've had the pleasure of speaking to some very knowledgeable people on this subject.  They've given me some great suggestions on how to sleep better and I'd like to share a few of them with you. Here are some effective strategies to help you get some of the best uninterrupted, high-quality sleep known to humanity: 1. Avoid Caffeine in the Evening: Coffee, tea, and energy drinks can affect sleep for hours after consumption. Aim to stop caffeine intake by the early afternoon to give your body time to unwind. 2. Quit Smoking: Nicotine is a stimulant and can make it harder to fall and stay asleep. If you’re not ready to ...