Best Nuts

WALNUTS: best source of plant protein, high in omega-3s, helps lower bad cholesterol, good for heart health. Walnuts also contain fiber, B vitamins, magnesium and antioxidants. Can help with asthma, arthritis and eczema.

PECANS: help prevent heart disease, contains vitamin E, calcium and potassium. Pecans have the highest concentration of antioxidants among nuts and are second to walnuts as a source of omega-3s. May aid in weight loss by increasing metabolism.

ALMONDS: helps the body block fat and carbohydrates, contains vitamin E, protein, potassium and fiber. Almonds have the most calcium among nuts. Eating almonds helps give you the feeling of fullness when you eat, prevents osteoporosis and regulates blood pressure.

BRAZIL NUTS: rich in selenium which helps the immune system and may decrease risk of lung, prostate and colon cancer.

PISTACHIOS: contains potassium and lutein which help keep cholesterol from clogging arteries.

MACADAMIAS: contain beneficial oils, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. Eat macadamias for a healthy heart and reduced risk of diabetes and cancer.

HAZELNUTS: contain vitamin E, and B vitamins, help prevent Alzheimer’s and cataracts.

CASHEWS: are iron-rich, and also contain zinc, magnesium and copper. Cashews help maintain healthy teeth and gums and provide energy.

Best Ways to Use Colors

Yellow: creates energy, causes optimism. Use in bathrooms and kitchens. Look at the color yellow when you need your mind to be active and alert.

Red: causes excitement, action, stimulates appetite. Use in play areas, family rooms. Mute the strong emotions of red with calming blues or greens. Look at the color red when you need to be courageous and confident .

Blue: has a calming effect. Use in bedrooms with touches of red and yellow to perk it up a little. Look at the color blue when you need to feel peaceful.

Green: creates harmony, serenity, diminishes appetite. Use in kitchens, halls, entryways. Look at the color green when you are looking for a sense of balance.

Orange: creates enduring cheerfulness . Use anywhere. Look at the color orange when you need to be enthusiastic.

Purple: stimulates imagination and creativity. Use in living rooms and offices. Look at the color purple when you need to have good judgment.

Best Kitchen Gadgets You’ll Actually Use

Vidalia Onion Slicer: You’ll finally stop hating chopping onions. Dices and minces onions, green peppers, celery and cucumbers in a jiffy.

Mini Food Processor: Peel a whole head of garlic, whirl the cloves in the processor, and keep this fresh minced garlic in the freezer to easily access for recipes. Also, use it to make corn flake or other cereal crumbs.

Reynolds Release Aluminum Foil: Line all your baking pans and casserole dishes with this no-stick foil and never have to soak them again. Cook frozen pizza on this and say goodbye to pieces of foil that stick to the crust.

Lemon Wedge Squeezer: Small enough to carry with you to squeeze lemon or lime wedges or slices into drinks. Easy to use for fresh lemon juice for recipes.

Velcro Cord Ties: Use these to wrap up the cords for all your kitchen appliances and easily undo them when you need to.

Silicon Basting Brush: Perfect for glazes and melted butter. Doesn’t get sticky or gummy like the bristle brushes do.

Lemon Zester: You won’t buy spice jars of lemon, lime, and orange peel when it’s this easy to shave off the fresh stuff.

Best Food Additives to Avoid

Aspertame(aka Equal, NutraSweet, aspartic acid): can cause physical and mental fatigue, headaches, dizziness and seizure, anxiety and depression, rashes, heart palpitations and memory problems. Found in diet foods, sports drinks, toothpaste, and even vitamins.

Trans-Fat (aka vegetable shortening, hydrogenated oil): Can lead to heart disease, weight gain. Increases LDL cholesterol while reducing good HDL levels, leading to heart attacks. Found in fried foods, bakery items, chips, hard-stick margarine.

MSG (aka monopotassium glutamate, hydrolyzed protein, sodium caseinate, autolyzed yeast): Can cause weight-gain, stress, fatigue, and moodiness. Found in soups, salad dressings, and crackers.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup –can lead to weight gain, cause diabetes, heart disease, blood clots and cancer. Found in almost everything, try to avoid use when it is one of the first ingredients listed.

Gluten: Sensitivity to gluten (celiac disease) causes digestion problems, anemia, fatigue, joint pain. Found in wheat, rye and barley.

Sodium Nitrite (aka sodium nitrate, sodium erythorbate): Can cause brain fog, headaches. Avoid processed meats such as hot dogs, sausage, and coldcuts.

Best Natural Facial Masks

Apply mixture to face. Leave on 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warmish water.

Recipe #1
½ c. canned pumpkin
¼ c. fresh ginger, sliced
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ c. brown sugar


Recipe #2

2 tbsp. canned pumpkin
½ tsp. honey
1 tsp. yogurt


Recipe #3

3 tsp. oatmeal, ground
1 tsp. honey
¼ tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 drop tea tree oil


Recipe #4

½ cucumber, peeled and pureed
1 tbsp. yogurt