Choosing a Healthy Cooking OilThere are so many different choices for cooking oils. In a large natural foods store, there might be an entire aisle full of bottles and tins from all across the world. With nutritional studies emerging all the time that seemingly contradict each other, it can be hard to know exactly which oil is the best choice for your family. I decided it was time to find out for sure. I'm not an expert, but I thought I would share what I found out.
Coping Skills with Depression and AnxietyA few years ago, I needed help with coping with depression and anxiety. I went to classes to learn. I don't usually tell people this, but it helped me learn so much. It helped me then and it is helping me greatly now! A lot!
Cancer: Health Isn't The Only Price You PayHearing a doctor tell you the hard truth, that you have cancer, takes your breath away. After a little while it becomes abundantly clear that the initial shock is compounded by the overwhelming costs involved. It's an added stress to you and your loved ones.
Simple Memories of Simple MomentsMy father shaved every Saturday night after his bath. The smell of the week's sweat was washed away, replaced by the clean light fresh smell of the Sweetheart soap he used.
Beat the HeatI live near Portland, Oregon and we are in the midst of a heat wave. We usually have temperatures in the 80s at this time of year, but today it is forecasted to be 105! Many people, including myself, don't have built in air conditioning. Here is what my family is doing to keep cool.
Natural Remedies for Head LiceMy husband and I discovered head lice in our teenagers' long hair. It has been a few years since our last outbreak so I did some quick research online to make sure I was treating the infestation correctly.
Walk to Lower Blood PressureI downloaded a free pedometer app to my smartphone. I also have audio books on my phone. The pedometer tracks my steps and plots them showing my progress. Today, I walked two miles or 6,089 steps according to the pedometer while finishing a book. My blood pressure went from 140 to 107 in that two mile walk.
Re-Dyeing Your HairTake a look down any aisle devoted to hair care products. More than likely, you will find a section displaying hair coloring products. You may see a myriad of different brands, colors,and degrees of permanence. What you won't see, is the word 'dye'.
Dealing with A Broken ShoulderFour months ago, my feet went out from under me when I walked on a glazed concrete garage floor that had become wet from rain. I landed on my shoulder and knew from the crack I heard that I'd broken it. X-ray confirmed that I had a fractured proximal humerus bone.
Unexpected Weight Loss from Taco SaladsFor quite some time I've wanted to own a tortilla pan because I love taco salads in those deep fried tortilla bowls. It just so happened that our area 'box store' had them featured in their sale ad. And as luck would have it, another store just happened to have large flour tortillas marked down to half price.
Many Uses for Aloe VeraI have always known that the aloe vera gel from my plants were a good healing plant for scrapes, burns and wounds. It has been used for thousands of years. I have since discovered many more uses for this plant.
Homemade Cough RemediesColds, coughs and sore throats are among the most common seasonal complaints. Although coughing sounds unhealthy, it is actually the body's highly effective way of keeping our lungs and airways clear.
Tips for Avoiding Office IllnessesWith cold and flu season almost here, one of the thriftiest and best tips is to avoid getting sick. You save money on doctor visits and medications and, most importantly, you stay healthy and productive.
Nine Tips to a Great Night's SleepGet yourself tuckered out. If your body is tired, you will be tired. So instead of cracking open the back door when you get home so your beagle can get some fresh air, grab a leash for your pooch and get out for a walk. Getting your blood flowing will jump-start your energy when you are feeling sleepy and prep you to be dog-tired when nighttime rolls around.
The Green Way to Get Rid of Unused Prescription...Whether the prescription is for people or pets, most of us can find at least one or two bottles containing unused or outdated medications in our medicine cabinet.
Arm Yourself Against Winter IllnessWinter weather causes a multitude of health problems, but many of them can be avoided with low cost, preventative health care. Arm yourself against winter problems by stocking your home with healthy supplements to your daily routine.
Build Your Own Emergency Medical KitIt's terribly important to have a medical kit in a convenient place, and I've also found that it's important to have one that's portable, so you can grab it in an emergency.
Skin Care For LessWhile I'll never look like the glamorous women I see on TV, I can keep a tight skin regimen for much less than the ads on TV advertise.
Treating Serious Behavioral Issues In ChildrenYou might suspect your child might have a disability, screening for disabilities at the child's school is the first step.
Saving Money on ToiletriesA large portion of our grocery budgets go to non grocery personal care items. How do you save money on toiletries like shampoo, soap, lotion and other personal care products? Here are tips from the ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas here.
A Green Guide to Hair DyesMost commercial hair dyes contain ridiculously toxic chemicals. Many contain additives (often unregulated) that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and a host of other serious health problems. So why are people willing assume the risk?
Product Review: Gray Magic Color AdditiveSomeone on Thriftyfun recommended Gray Magic for hard to color gray hair. I tried it last week and it worked. The instructions recommend 10 drops for one ounce of color.
Saving Money on Cold MedicineTips for Saving Money on Cold and Cough Medicine as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Rinsing your sinuses with a saline solution (salt and water) is a frugal cold solution. Find directions by typing in Neti pot on Google.
Sunburn ReliefThis article contains several tips, product reviews and step by step treatments for sunburn as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. If you have a favorite remedy that hasn't been listed, post it below.
Beating the Heat Index: Do You Know Where Your Loved Ones Are?It's that time of year again: hot, hot, hot. Just in case you forgot, the heat affects everyone differently. Thousands of people in this country die from extreme heat.
Dealing with the Challenges of Parental DementiaIt's trial and error with a parent living in a group homes' "memory care" for dementia. Remembering that entertainment is variable with each person's interest, ability, attention span, health, preferences, understanding/ comprehension, and memories. I have to be ever-observant while with my mother, making best use of every precious moment.
Time to Get Into ShapeIt's that time of year when everyone is running around panicking because soon they'll have to wear shorts or a bathing suit. Here are some tips to get yourself in shape without costing a fortune.
Information About LASIK Eye SurgeryHave you thought about getting LASIK laser eye surgery done?
Emergency Tips For DiabeticsAre you or anyone in your home a diabetic? High blood sugar and low blood sugar can be dangerous and life threatening and you could risk dying from a diabetic coma.
Allergies ChecklistA--Air-condition your home; B--Bathroom mold and mildew can cause allergy symptoms; scrub sinks and fixtures regularly.
Avoiding the Cold and FluConsider the amount of money spent in buying over the counter relief products, money spent at the doctors office, fuel spent going to the doctor and pharmacy, and any loss wages due to being sick in bed, and you will see that the cold or flu can take a bite out of your budget.
Healthier Living in 2008: Tips For MedicationIt's time to clean out your medicine chest. Be ruthless and discard ANY medicine which is past it's expiration date (adverse drug reactions is the 5th leading cause of DEATH in the USA).
DIY Hair Coloring TipsJust got a compliment on my hair color from a professional stylist with whom I shared my use of hydrogen peroxide for highlights and a mixture of red and blonde colored shampoo and conditioner.
More Fibromyalgia Coping StrategiesAfter writing "Coping with Fibromyalgia, One Woman's Story", I got a lot of feedback from friends and family saying that I had not written all I could about coping strategies. They felt I had left out some important points that needed to be made, so it lead me to write this article.
Coping with Fibromyalgia: One Woman's StoryHello everybody, my name is Debra Frick and I have fibromyalgia. Now, I must make it clear that I am no expert on fibromyalgia; except for the fact that I live daily with the pain and I know many people who suffer as I do. This is my story, plain and simple.
Homemade Body Scrubs and WrapsBody wraps are a good way to release stress and toxins from the body. They can cost upwards of $300.00 for a good professional wrap. But, I am here to tell you that you can save lots of money doing it yourself.
Homemade HaircareDid you know that you can make your own shampoos and conditioners? With some natural ingredients bought at your favorite grocery store or the natural health food store, you can have hair that people just oooh and aaah over.
Homemade Manicures and PedicuresA day at the spa can cost a lot of money but everyone needs to pamper themselves also. In this series of articles, I am going to try and help all of us to save some of that money but get the relaxation we need.
Homemade FacialsMost of us really need a day at the spa pampering ourselves. The everyday stresses that everyone feels can really get us down. But who can afford to spend that kind of money in this economy?
The Cleansing Flowers Of The Chamomile...Chamomile is one of the few herb plants that is not used in cooking. It offers many other rewards, though, than just its delicate yellow flowers and ground covering capabilities.
Diet Cookbooks and ProgramsI have been a dieter only for the past 2 years but was astounded by the cost of "losing weight". I had to pay a fee each week for someone to show me how to lose weight...
Personal Care Recipes from the GardenMost of us make a trip to the grocery store or drugstore when we need personal care products. However, if you stop to consider the fact that most of the personal care products we buy in stores are derived from natural ingredients, a trip to the garden may be all we need. Here are some easy and economical personal care recipes right from the garden.
Nature's "Penicillin"This worked for me. I had been suffering from nasal drip, sneezing and other various symptoms when I remembered this formula I recieved. I took a spoonful and within 30 minutes my symptoms were all gone. If you suffer from allergies to any of the ingredients, see your doctor.
Yearly MammogramBeing a retired registered nurse I realize the importance of having a yearly mammogram. Every year I have one. Well my last one showed some calcified density changes.
A Primer on Summer SafetyWhen it comes to summer, Olivia Kane, 36, mostly remembers the happy times:
eating crabs on the beach, chasing flickering fireflies at night, and playing
softball with friends. But there are other memories the Arlington, Va., resident
wishes she could forget. Like the rash from poison ivy that broke out on her
face, neck, and arms two days before she had to walk down the aisle in her
sister's wedding. Or the time she went to the beach to get a tan before high
school graduation. "What I got was a bright red sunburn," she says. "I
had blistered cheeks, a blistered chest, and I was the graduation speaker."
