Health & Beauty - Natural Teeth Whitening

This is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to help whiten your teeth and freshen your breath.

You will need:

• A pre-brushing rinse. I like Listerine Whitening Vibrant White.
• Baking Soda in a small container with a lid.
• Hydrogen Peroxide. I like to use the smaller bottles with the built-in sprayer.

Start with a pre-brushing whitening rinse. Use as recommended.
Take a dry toothbrush and dip it liberally into the baking soda.
Spray some hydrogen peroxide on the brush.
Brush as usual. Don't forget to brush your tongue!
When finished don't rinse your mouth with water, but finish by brushing with your favorite toothpaste.
Follow if you wish with a post-brushing rinse or an anti-bacterial rinse recommended by your dentist.

Health & Beauty - Nails

I had the world's worst nails - they were weak, they pealed, cuticles were a wreck. If I could walk though life without ever showing my finger tips I would be a happy girl. Have to show the rest of the hands - I love sparkly rings! Just don't look at the finger nails.

I found the secret - after more than 45 years - to perfect, beautiful and strong nails! The investment is minimal, but it does take a little time and consistency is the key.

You will need:

• A small container with a lid.
• Olive oil.
• A nail buffer and smoothing cream. I love the Chamois Buffer and Cream Smooth from Vermont Country Store. The buffer is soft and doesn't dry out as many of the mass marketed buffers do. A link is below:
  http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Nail-Care/Chamois-Nail-Buffer-and-Nail-Cream-Set/D/30102/P/1:100:1000:10150/I/f10008?evar3=SEARCH

Once a week at a minimum soak your nails for 10 minutes each hand in the olive oil. It softens the cuticles and the properties in the olive oil seem to help strengthen the nails. Wipe off. You can store the olive oil for future use, so you're not wasting. Use the Vermont Country Store's nail cream and buffer. Your nails will be extremely shiny and strong. You won't need polish! For that matter, your nails will be so silky that polish won't adhere too well.

You don't want to buff too frequently, you'll wear down the nail bed. Once or twice a week is sufficient.