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Costa Rica has a Blue Zone... Pura Vida Blue.

A harmonious and pacifist society, a large and well preserved biodiversity, a country without an army since 1948, with ¼ of its territory maintained as wild life preserves and a country selected for the second time as the happiest country in the entire planet, add up to a series of positive and very unusual values in the present day world, all converging in a small country called Costa Rica. As if all these illustrious distinctions were not enough, Costa Rica also posses one other outstanding distinction: Nestled within its territory is the only Blue Zone in all of Latin America.

Blue Zones?

The Blue Zones are a few, small portions of the planet where people live much longer than the norm; areas where persons over 100 years old abound.

(You can read more about the Blue Zones concept in this prior article: RevistaUtopia.com/Guanacaste-Blue-Zone.aspx or by visiting the website of the authors of the study: BlueZones.com )

Although the study is an ongoing process, so far very few Blue Zones have been identified in the world, so few in fact that they can be counted with the fingers of a single hand, a widely open hand where the Nicoya peninsula would probably be the thumb.  The other 4 Blue Zones are smaller areas found in California, Japan, Italy and Greece.  Long, satisfying lives are abundant in Costa Rica’s Blue Zone, an area almost as extensive as the other 4 Blue Zones put together.

Throughout all of Guanacaste and doubly so in the Nicoya Peninsula, one can see an unusual number of young kids in their 80s, 90s or 100s, completely lucid and active, riding their bicycle, doing their shopping, fixing their home, cooking the meals for the family or even chopping firewood for the stove. And they are usually smiling!

The Nicoyan recipe for a long and happy life.

Truly there are no major secrets to the unusual longevity of the people of the Nicoya area.  Rather exist a group of clearly identified physical and social elements that together make the magic happen.

Physical elements:

· The rich mineral content of the subterranean water of the province – particularly its high content of calcium and magnesium – fortify the bones and muscles. In addition, the water also contributes a daily supplement of other minerals and ions essential for better functioning at the cellular level, especially for older adults.

· A diet rich in beans and corn have been identified as a beneficial and very healthy dietary combination.

· Regular physical activities, along with doing at least a little work each day without skipping.

· A dry and sunny climate, which is especially beneficial for the elderly, guarantees fewer respiratory illnesses and higher levels of vitamin D.

However, the Nicoyan prescription is not complete until we add the social and philosophical vision that guides the life of the centenarians.

Emotional elements:

· Having a life plan that has been thought out and customized for each individual.

· Living a life free of stress and free of negative thoughts.

· Cultivating solid social and family relationships.

· Appreciating life and living it with an optimistic outlook.

· Knowing (and never forgetting) how to enjoy, how to listen, how to rest and how to laugh…

Interesting, isn’t it?  Put like this it does not appear to be complicated at all!

Would you like to try this recipe? Just put all these ingredients together and mix them well. Then add a huge smile, several photos of your family and friends and a short list of the things most essential to your happiness. Knead all this slowly, cut it in small pieces, bake it for a while under the sun and it’s ready. You can start adding a bite of these healthy Nicoyan biscuits to each and every day!

This longevity recipe that these chefs of life have prepared in Nicoya has proven to be an effective formula, which – without a doubt – at least merits a try. None of the ingredients are hard to find or things that you can’t cultivate yourself.

A deep appreciation for life, drinking plenty of water, a diet rich in nutrients and minerals, good social, positive feelings, daily physical activity and a life plan to suit the individual – these are things that we can all start doing within a short time.

The recipe for a long life has already come out of its mold and is served on the table.

Those wise Nicoyan centenarians have lovingly unveiled their secrets for us and are inviting each and every one to learn from their experience so that we too, can achieve the benefits of their discoveries.

Are you ready to reach triple digits?   If so, adjust the colors on the canvas of your life and begin to include in your life some more of those Nicoyan hues, a little more of that life enlarging and positivist pigment called PuraVidaBlue!

Article courtesy of RevistaUtopia.com

1) What Is A Pimple?

A pimple is a result of a blockage of the skin's pore. It is a skin disorder that ranges in seriousness from mild to severe and affects nearly majority of teenagers to young adults in their early twenties.

2) Why We Must Get Rid Of Pimples?

Apart from being just a physical condition, pimples can have adverse emotional effect and can severely affect one's self-esteem and self-confidence. That alone is enough reason for one to get rid of pimples.

3) What are the causes of pimples?

Pimples are caused by the blockage of follicle ducts of sebum glands. However, this may be caused by many indirect factors such as stress and environment.

4) What are the common ways of getting rid of pimples?

- Drink lots of water throughout the day to flush the toxins out of your body which might help to lighten your condition
- Cleanse your skin 3-5 times daily with a specialized acne cleanser or an unscented soap.
- Exercise regularly to reduce your stress level which will indirectly help to improve your skin condition.
- Lime juice mixed with groundnut oil may be good treatment for acne and pimples

5) How To Get Rid Of Pimples Fast?

- Apply a bit of toothpaste on the affected area before bed to reduce irritation and redness.
- Mix three table spoons of pure honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply it on the pimples and leave it there overnight. Wash it the following morning with warm water. Continue this for several weeks to achieve results.

Article Courtesy of: BeautyTipsVilla.com

I have been wanting to make my own homemade shampoo for such a long time!

I have searched far and wide!

At first I considered the “No ‘Poo” method which MANY people swear by…but it just didn’t seem like it was for me. So my search continued.

Eventually I found two very similar recipes I liked from Crunchy Better and Wellness Mama. Both contain what I consider to be the “magic ingredient”….coconut milk!

While I didn’t make my own coconut milk (I think I will try it next time I make this shampoo), Crunchy Betty has a good tutorial on how to do so.

So here is my version of:

Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo

1/4 cup coconut milk (Like I said, you can either make your own, or use store-bought)

1/3 cup liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)

1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil

10 to 20 drops your choice of essential oils (I used lavender. Next time I think I’ll do something citrusy just for fun. :-)

Combine all ingredients in a shampoo bottle or jar and shake well to mix. (I bought the squeeze bottles above at the dollar store.) You can keep it in the shower for up to one month…just shake before use.

Use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo. (I used a little more, but my hair is pretty long right now!)

I loved pretty much everything about this shampoo. It smelled good…it lathered up nicely (which I feel strongly about)…and after washing, rinsing and drying…my hair felt soft and smooth. No fly-aways.

Article courtesy of:  OneGoodThingByJillee.com