Baker's Best of Health

Let’s Dish About DASH

2012-01-27T05:50:00.000-08:00

U.S. News and World Report recently named the DASH Diet as the “best diet overall,” citing its easy-to-follow, heart-healthy benefits. And, as any long-time Jerry Baker fan knows, my dad has been ringing the praises of DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) for years due to its ability to blast high blood pressure.

So what’s so great about DASH? Plenty! Of course, you have to give up fast-food, sugary treats, and other obviously unhealthy menu items. But with the focus on fruits and vegetables, and lean, low-salt meals, followers are easily satisfied. And there are plenty of delicious whole grains, proteins, and low-fat dairy that’ll keep you happy, too—while you whittle your waistline and tune up your ticker.

Let’s be honest. Most folks know what they need to eat to stay healthy. The DASH Diet solves that problem by spelling out exactly how much of each food group should be consumed every day, based on your number of calories per day. Type “DASH Diet” into an Internet search engine and you’ll discover a slew of websites devoted to the plan.

In the meantime, here’s one of my favorite recipes for a midday snack that fuels you up the right way:

In a cereal bowl, combine 1 cup of fat-free, plain yogurt and 1 tablespoon of apricot preserves. Stir until well-blended. Peel 1 medium, slightly green banana, and cut it into bite-size pieces. Swirl the banana into the yogurt mixture and sprinkle it with a dash of cinnamon. Then spoon it up to your heart’s content!

Got the Wintertime Blues?

2012-01-20T06:30:00.000-08:00

The dark and gloomy days of winter can make even the happiest of people feel sad, sleepy, moody, and just plain depressed. That’s because inadequate exposure to sunlight can inhibit the release of serotonin and trigger seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Sunny spring and summer are still months away, so try these tips to trigger a brighter mood:

1. Get aerobic exercise. Moving your body will force oxygen into your cells, increasing energy production. It’ll also signal your brain to release “feel-good” chemicals called endorphins, which boost mood. Plus, exercise enhances sleep and curbs weight gain, both of which can increase energy.

2. Lighten up. Try what’s called a dawn simulator—essentially a bedside lamp whose glow increases gradually from dim to more intense light, mimicking a natural sunrise in mid-May. All you do is program the “fake dawn” to start 1 to 3 hours before you awaken, and your body detects the changing light through your closed eyelids.

3. Rub the blues away. Massage may help reduce symptoms of depression, especially when mood-boosting oils, like bergamot, geranium, jasmine, or ylang-ylang, are used.

IMPORTANT: Ask your primary physician for a referral to a mental health professional if you’ve been unable to experience pleasure for two weeks and have at least five of the following symptoms:

· A persistently sad, anxious, or empty mood.

· Sleeping too little or too much.

· Weight loss or gain.

· Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.

· Restlessness or irritability.

· Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.

· Fatigue or loss of energy.

· Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness.

· Obsessive thoughts of death. In fact, if the thought of suicide pops into your head even once, head for the emergency room immediately, or call an emergency help line.

If you just can’t seem to fade the winter blues, distract yourself by planning a fun activity that’ll get you out of the house. If you can, take your annual vacation now rather than waiting for summer—then head for the sun! Even something as simple as scheduling a dinner with friends will lift your spirits and give you something to look forward to.

6 Soothing Strategies for a Sad Spine

2012-01-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

If you’re like a lot of folks, this time of year you’re probably trying to lose weight and whip yourself into shape. But it’s easy to hit the gym a little too hard, go overboard on a new exercise, and strain the heck out of your back!

Few conditions are more painful than persistent back pain. So try one or more of these simple strategies to get your back healthy in a hurry:

1. Keep moving. Resting for more than a day or two reduces muscle flexibility and strength and can lead to further disability.

2. Get in a good workout. That’s right—just limit what you do while you’re at the gym. For instance, if you usually walk 3 miles on the treadmill, cruise through 2 miles at a slower-than-normal speed.

3. S-T-R-E-T-C-H. Stay relaxed, cushion your back with a pad, and use slow, gentle movements as you extend your arms over your head and stretch out your legs along the floor. Hold each stretch for about a minute, then relax.

4. See what’s afoot. Wear shoes that have plenty of cushioning. Cross-training or walking shoes are just what the doctor ordered.

5. Swim with fins. Don swim fins and tread water for several minutes, or as long as you can. The exercise isn’t weight-bearing, so you’ll place little or no strain on your back.

6. Take an anti-inflammatory. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and similar drugs often work as well for back pain as more powerful prescription drugs. They help in two ways: They’re analgesics, which means they work directly on pain, and they have anti-inflammatory effects, which reduce painful swelling.

Whether it’s a bad back, a stiff knee, or arthritis pain that’s keeping you from enjoying yourself, get back in action with the soothing relief of Baker’s Best Arthritis Pain Cream! Just rub it on and you'll feel aches and pains start to melt away.

Ring in the Benefits of…Bell Peppers!

2012-01-06T12:19:00.000-08:00

Here’s hoping 2012 finds you happy and healthy. And this year, you can resolve to be more adventurous in your cooking by using healthy ingredients that taste terrific.

What better way to “ring” in the New Year than with bell peppers? You can grill ‘em, toss ‘em into salads, or eat ‘em as is. Bell peppers not only taste great, but they also offer amazing health benefits. For one-third the calories of an orange, a bell pepper packs twice as much vitamin C, an antioxidant that gobbles up cell-damaging free radicals. Vitamin C may also help lessen the severity and duration of a cold.

To be a pepper person, whip up this dee-lish dish:

Unstuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

2 cups of sliced green bell peppers

1 cup of sliced green onions

½ cup of sliced celery

1 tablespoon of olive oil

4 ounces of lean ground beef

½ cup of water

¼ teaspoon of dried thyme

¼ teaspoon of salt

2 cups of cooked rice

Instructions:

Sauté the peppers, onions, and celery in the oil until the vegetables soften. Crumble the beef into the pan and brown it. Stir in the water, thyme, and salt. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes, until the water evaporates. Add the rice, stir, and serve.

Happy New Year!

Make 2012 Your Lucky Year!

2011-12-30T06:00:00.001-08:00

Did you ever wonder why some folks have a traditional food they always eat on New Year’s Eve? There’s probably a reason the custom was started in the first place. For example, if you’re from the South, you may welcome the New Year with black-eyed peas (which look like coins when they’re cooked) and greens (for their resemblance to folded paper money). Fish and pork, which swim or push forward, are both seen as signs of progress, so they’re a logical choice for a New Year’s menu.

Eating grapes to ring in the New Year is a Spanish custom that began in 1909 when there was a grape surplus and wine makers wanted to sell their excess stock. The idea stuck and a tradition was born. Here’s how it works: Revelers eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Each grape represents a month of the coming year, so if the fifth grape is sour, for example, May might not be your best month. But if you can gobble up all 12 grapes before the last chime sounds, you’ll be rewarded with good luck and success.

So add a little fun to your New Year’s Eve bash by sharing the grape-ful story with your friends. Push 12 grapes onto individual kebab skewers, then drizzle them with honey, lime juice, and allspice, and broil them until they’re warm. Serve them at midnight, then make a toast to a great 2012!

Happy New Year!

Make this perfect pecan pie a traditional holiday sweet

2011-12-23T06:35:00.000-08:00

By now we all know that nuts are a heart-smart snack. So pack your holiday pies with plenty of pecans! This easy recipe is one of my family favorites because it mixes the mighty nut with cholesterol-clobbering oatmeal. Now, don’t get me wrong—this Oatmeal-Pecan Pie is certainly not a health food, but the good-for-you ingredients won’t make you feel too guilty about reaching for a second slice!

1/2 cup of butter

2/3 cup of sugar

2/3 cup of dark corn syrup

2/3 cup of rolled oats

2 eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 9-inch piecrust

1/2 cup of whole pecans

Whipped cream (optional)

In a saucepan, melt the butter. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar, corn syrup, and oats. Then stir in the eggs and vanilla, and pour the mixture into the prepared crust. Top the filling with pecans, and cover the edge of the pie with foil. Bake at 325°F for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more. Top with Cool Whip® or whipped cream.

Merry Christmas!

Go Nuts for Nuts!

2011-12-16T07:56:00.001-08:00

Crunchy, delicious, satisfying nuts are all the rage lately. In fact, they’ve really come out of their shell (so to speak) since the days when folks were reluctant to eat them because of their high fat content. But through the marvels of modern science, we’re beginning to see the light. Nuts are tiny power packets of heart-healthy fat, laced with trace minerals critical to maintaining good health.

Over the past few decades, one study after another has revealed that people who eat a handful of nuts five or more times a week cut their heart attack risk in half, compared with those who never eat them. And here’s the kicker: The protective effect is the same, whether the nuts studied were walnuts, almonds, macadamias, pistachios, mixed nuts, or peanuts. (Yes, I know, peanuts are technically a legume, but their fat, calorie, and nutrient profile is a very close match.)

But let’s get back to nuts’ high fat content. While it’s true that eating lots of saturated fat from fatty meats and baked goods can quickly slam your arteries shut, the fat in nuts actually opens them up and makes them more pliable. Here’s what you can expect from your favorite crunchy snack:

· Almonds—a 24-nut serving has 169 calories and helps reduce insulin resistance and “bad” LDL cholesterol.

· Walnuts—a 14-nut-half serving has 185 calories and helps lower breast cancer risk.

· Pecans—a 20-nut-half serving has 196 calories and helps lower LDL cholesterol.

· Pistachios—a 49-nut serving has 161 calories and helps improve “good” HDL cholesterol and reduce lung cancer risk.

· Peanuts—a 27-nut serving helps control diabetes and reduce LDL cholesterol.

So, if you’re worried about overeating at parties and get-togethers over the next few weeks, pass over the not-so-healthy offerings, and go nuts instead.

Give the Gift of Stitch

2011-12-09T07:16:00.001-08:00

Last week, I extolled the virtues of needlepoint as a stress reliever. So why not pass the idea on to a pal who could use a distraction? It could be a busy young mom, a neighbor who’s recovering from an illness, or just a friend who needs a time out from December’s busy days.

Giving the gift of needlepoint is easy, even if the recipient hasn’t discovered the craft yet. All you have to do is fill a canvas tote with essentials for getting started, like:

· A package of needles

· A threader

· Scissors

· Canvas with a simple design like an initial

· Threads

· Stretcher bars

· A coupon for needlepoint lessons from you

Once the lucky recipient of your stitchin’ gift gets the hang of needlepointing, set up a few get-togethers so you can work on her project together. That way, if she has a question about technique, you’ll be ready and able to assist. When her canvas is finished, it can be mounted onto the canvas tote the gift was presented in. And there you have it: You’ve given a friend a wonderful present—and hopefully a new hobby, too!

Start Stitching and Stop Stressing

2011-12-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

The hustle and bustle of holiday hype can jangle your nerves and stress you out. And Christmas is still three weeks away! So set aside some daily “me time” so you can relax and enjoy the season. My stress-busting choice? Needlepoint!

Studies show that performing a repetitive task is a distraction from worry because it interrupts your train of thought. Here’s how needlepoint can help you do the trick:

· Choose a simple project, or a simple part of a complicated project—like a background that’s a solid color.

· Turn on music that relaxes you.

· Be sure your stitching area is well lit, with the light directed at the stitching in front of you rather than coming from over your shoulder.

· Sit down and put up your feet—get comfortable.

· Start stitching, and as you do, slow down your breathing to match the action of putting the needle in and out of the canvas.

Before you know it, you’ll feel relaxed and ready to finish your holiday shopping. And, who knows? You just may have a completed needlepoint project to share with your family by the time 2012 rolls around.

Canvas by Birds of a Feather

Mmmmm….Muffins!

2011-11-23T07:45:00.000-08:00

Here’s a terrific recipe for pumpkin muffins that’s sure to be a hit tomorrow morning. They taste and smell sinfully delicious, but they’ve only got 159 calories each—so you’ll have plenty of room for turkey and all the trimmin’s later in the day! Truth is, these muffins are good enough to be a part of your healthy, whole-grain diet any time of year, so you can skip the sugary, processed snacks.

Ingredients:

1½ cups white whole-wheat flour

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 egg

1 cup canned pumpkin

½ cup honey

3 tablespoons canola oil

½ cup raisins

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a large bowl, mix the flour, spice, baking soda, and baking powder. In a small bowl, combine the egg, pumpkin, honey, and oil. Stir until well blended. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients, and stir just until mixed. Fold in the raisins, and ladle the batter into the paper liners. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don’t Let Indigestion Get the Upper Hand This Thanksgiving!

2011-11-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

It’s easy to overeat at Thanksgiving—especially when you’re a guest and you want to show your hosts how much you appreciate their delicious turkey…and stuffing…and sweet potatoes…and gravy…and pie…and—urp!—more pie. You get the picture. Next thing you know, you’re stuffed to the gills and suffering.

The problem is that eating a gargantuan meal all but guarantees a bout of indigestion because all that food in your stomach requires enormous amounts of digestive acids. So keep the portion sizes small, and then you can sample a little bit of everything.

Any time you overeat, a bad case of indigestion can ruin your day. But when it happens on Thanksgiving, right in the middle of a delicious feast, it’s time to give thanks for a bounty of down-home helpers like these:

Good old water is one of the quickest, cheapest, and best remedies because it dilutes the burning acid. As soon as the indigestion starts up, slowly drink a couple of large glasses of water to ease the pain.

Stand up at the first pangs of indigestion and let gravity help fight the feeling. You’ll feel better as soon as the acid drains back down into your stomach and settles where it’s supposed to be.

When the telltale gnawing begins, loosen your belt a few notches, untuck your shirt, or undo a few buttons.

Chew a stick of gum to increase the flow of saliva, which acts as a natural acid neutralizer in your tummy, and eases your gastric distress.

If you’re still feeling uncomfortable at bedtime, raise the head of your bed a few inches by putting boards or sturdy blocks under the legs of the headboard.

Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving

Get Extra “D” During Standard Time

2011-11-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, we finally got to make up for that hour we lost last March when daylight saving time began. The return to standard time is a welcome reprieve for those of us who think of ourselves as sleep deprived. That extra hour of sleep Sunday morning made me feel like a million bucks!

And I’m not the only one. Studies show that there are fewer car accidents during the week after we set our clocks back in the fall. After getting a little more rest over the weekend, rush hour commuters are far more alert than they are in the spring, when daylight saving time begins.

But for some folks, the benefits of that extra hour are overshadowed by increasingly shorter days with less and less sunlight, and the thought of a long, cold winter ahead. If this sounds familiar, here are a few things you can do to lighten up the winter blues:

· Use as much indoor light as your budget allows. Try filling your sockets with full-spectrum light bulbs that include all the colors of the rainbow and look much more like natural daylight.

· Plan special events that will keep you happy. Make firm commitments now, so you’ll have something to look forward to when the blahs set in. And if you can, take your annual vacation in the winter, rather than the summer, and head for the sun.

· Get 30 minutes of regular exercise a day to get your endorphins circulating and you’ll find it much easier to combat the depression of a long, cold, dark winter.

· Help your body make up for what it’s missing when it’s not exposed to sunlight: vitamin D—a.k.a. the sunshine vitamin. Milk is loaded with D, so drink at least one glass a day.

If the thought of guzzling milk every day doesn’t exactly float your boat, check out our amazing Eterni-D™Anti-Aging Formula. It channels the benefits of vitamin D (plus two other amazing super-nutrients—FOS and resveratrol) to help boost your immune system and improve your mood. And best of all, you can try it—FREE for 21 days!

Fade the Freckles and Stop the Spots!

2011-11-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

I’ve always had freckles on my arms. But when I noticed a few larger, darker ones cropping up on the backs of my hands, I absolutely refused to admit they were “age spots.” I didn’t want to look “old,” and, well, age spots come with age—the only reason we develop them is because we’ve lived long enough to soak up a lot of sun.

Some people develop more of these freckles than others; some get them on their face, chest, or hands. The spots can pop up anywhere your skin has been overexposed to the sun’s destructive rays. Medically, these spots are called solar lentigines. (There, doesn’t that sound better than age spots?)

Most age spots are harmless marks, but always examine them carefully to be sure they’re not skin cancer. If a spot enlarges, changes color or shape, bleeds, itches, or thickens, have your doctor check it out right away. Remember the easy ABCDs of melanoma from the American Cancer Society:

A is for asymmetry: if half the mole or birthmark does not match the other, it could mean trouble.

B is for border: watch for irregular edges that are notched or blurred.

C is for color: Look for spots that are not the same color all over.

D is for diameter: If it’s larger than the head of a pencil eraser or growing, see your doctor.

If age spots, brown splotches, and uneven skin tone are making you look older than you feel, then it’s time to get your hands on our newest beauty breakthrough! So fool the clock and fade the spots with Baker’s Best Age Spot & Skin Brightening Cream. It contains natural antioxidants and extracts that help minimize sun damage and fight off the signs of aging. And best of all, you can try it—FREE for 21 days!

Treat Yourself On Halloween!

2011-10-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

I’m looking forward to a spooky night this Halloween, filled with frills, chills, and thrills. And I can’t wait to see the little kids in my neighborhood dressed up as beautiful princesses and scary zombies. They get so excited—and who can blame them? Not only do they get to wear costumes, they also get to fill their bags with piles of yummy candy!

And don’t worry if you get tempted by the treats you’re handing out, too. Just make sure it’s chocolate you’re munching on. Chocolate! Really! New research shows that chocolate may actually be good for you. It’s loaded with antioxidants that can make us live longer and battle heart disease. And you don’t need a study to tell you this—chocolate contains a chemical that improves your mood!

But don’t let this news give you the license to go crazy at the candy bowl. Researchers figure that you’re better off reaching for solid chocolate candies or those with nuts rather than those with creamy fillings, which contribute calories but very few antioxidants. Also be careful of chocolate in desserts such as cake, cookies, and ice cream. Although you get the health benefits of the chocolate, they come with a lot of calories and other ingredients that could spell trouble for your heart.

Happy Halloween!

Soothe Your Skin, Naturally!

2011-10-21T05:39:00.000-07:00

It was a long summer season, and your face has seen a lot of sun, wind, and weather. So why not treat it to a soothing massage before winter’s icy gusts start a-blowin’? It’ll leave your skin feeling cleansed and refreshed and ready to face whatever trouble Jack Frost is planning.

My favorite DIY recipe works for both oily and dry skin. The only difference is the type of dried herbs used. For oily skin, raspberry, rosemary, and sage leaves work best. Dry skin will love chamomile or rose. Calendula, comfrey, and lavender work well for both skin types.

Put a handful of your herbs of choice in a 1-pint glass mason jar. Fill the jar to nearly the top with almond or apricot oil. Twist the lid on tight, and stash the jar in a warm place (like near your stove). Every morning, give the jar a vigorous shake. Do this for a couple of weeks, then open the jar and strain out the herbs. Finally, add a few drops of essential oil (your choice), and mix well. You now have a customized massage oil to rub into your skin each day.

To keep your skin soft and fresh-from-the-spa smooth, top off any treatment with our new “Dream Cream.” Baker’s Best Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Cream is loaded with nature’s most hydrating botanicals to soothe your skin and uncover a radiant, youthful glow! Check out our “Love Letters” to see what our happy customers have to say. Then experience the amazing results for yourself—FREE for 21 days!

Give Your Body a Healing Jolt of Joe!

2011-10-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

There’s nothing I look forward to more every morning than a nice cup of coffee. But a hot, steaming mug full of joe does more than help open your eyes in the morning. It can also stimulate specific parts of your body just when you need it most. Take a look:

· If you don’t drink coffee often and have trouble with fluid retention now and then, try a cup—black. It’s a natural diuretic that can wash fluids from your body, which is especially helpful for premenstrual bloating.

· If your head is pounding and you’re not too queasy, down some coffee—the high-test kind with plenty of caffeine. Taking 130 milligrams of caffeine (the amount in about 1 ½ cups of coffee) and two aspirin tablets relieves a headache 40 percent better than aspirin alone.

· The next time you’re a little constipated, knock back a cup of strong coffee. It stimulates the intestine and will help you stay regular.

So what are you waiting for? Brew up some relief! But if coffee just isn’t your—um, cup of tea, experience soothing relief from constipation with Baker’s Best Cleansing Colon Formula. The unique combination of fiber, bran, and healing herbs helps trigger your body’s natural ability to detoxify—and you’ll soon be breathing a huge sigh of relief! Experience the amazing results yourself—FREE for 21 days!

Clean Greens For A Clean Bill of Health

2011-10-07T05:47:00.001-07:00

First cantaloupe caused a scare across the country. And the latest news is that some shipments of Romaine lettuce have also been tainted with the deadly listeria virus. It has me wondering “What’s next?”

Last week, I talked about the proper technique for washing a melon before eating it. Here’s how to be firm with germs on other types of produce:

1. Soak salad greens in a large bowl filled with cold water, 4 tablespoons of salt, and the juice of a whole fresh lemon. Let them sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse ‘em under cold water.

2. Most bacteria and dirt are trapped near the ends of fresh fruit and vegetables, where the blossom fell off or the stem was attached. So before you wash that zuke or cuke, slice off—and dispose of—the ends.

3. Wash waxy fruit or veggies, then sprinkle on a little baking soda, and use a damp paper towel to rub the coating off. Rinse each piece thoroughly when you’re done.

4. Keep a bottle of this germ-killer handy to clean smooth-skinned fruits and veggies: Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 3 cups of water in a handheld sprayer bottle and spritz your fruit or veggies with the solution. Count to 10, and then rinse it off under running water.

By the way, those handy bags of pre-chopped lettuce you can pick up at the grocery store are usually the culprits when it comes to carrying bacteria (they are in this case). So do yourself a big favor and wash any and all leaves thoroughly after tearing open the bag.

Cantaloupe Recall is No Joke

2011-09-30T05:37:00.000-07:00

Remember the old joke about melons not being able to marry because they “cantaloupe”? Well, nobody’s laughing about the juicy orange melons these days, thanks to the recent deadly listeria outbreak that has been traced to a melon farm in Colorado.

Jensen Farms voluntarily recalled its tainted melons, but if you’ve recently purchased a cantaloupe and it bears a label reading “Colorado Grown,” “Distributed by Frontera Produce,” “Jensenfarms.com,” or “Sweet Rocky Fords,” get rid of it, pronto. Then thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces it may have come in contact with.

Of course, not all store-bought melons have labels on them. If you have any doubt at all about where cantaloupes you’ve already purchased originated from, toss ‘em out. But if you’re outside of the states where the Jensen Farms melons have been distributed (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming), and your melons are clearly labeled, you may feel comfortable enough to eat a purchased cantaloupe—after taking a few precautions.

Before slicing your melon, wash your hands and then wash the outside of the fruit with soap and hot running water. If the cantaloupe is carrying any bacteria, and you don’t wash it first, you’ll drag those germs through the melon with the very first cut. Cut the washed melon in half and scrape out the seeds. Then clean up thoroughly. Wash your hands, cutting board, and utensils so that you don’t transfer germs to other fruits and vegetables.

According to the CDC, there are typically three to four listeria outbreaks every year, but produce is rarely the culprit. And while some healthy adults can consume the listeria bacteria without getting sick, it can be deadly for older folks, and people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms include fever, cramps, and muscle aches, often accompanied by an inability to speak.

Keep Those Kiddos Healthy!

2011-09-23T05:57:00.001-07:00

This time of year, youngsters start bringing colds, flu, and other airborne illnesses home from school. So teach your kids how to avoid germs, arm them with hand sanitizer, and when they get home, treat them to a scrumptious, immunity-building snack.

With Halloween and jack-o-lanterns just around the corner, pumpkin seeds are just what the doctor ordered. They’re loaded with zinc—a critical mineral in fighting viruses. Let them eat ‘em by the handful, stir them into yogurt, or sprinkle them on top of soup or salad. Kids will gobble them up—and you’ll love them too!

Or you can sow seeds into a snack by mixing them up with other power-packed ingredients in a yummy trail mix. Start with dates, apricots, raisins, figs, and (a few!) pitted prunes. Add some pumpkin seeds, and of course, a handful of M&Ms for a mouthwatering treat. Have the kids go easy, though. This mix is really calorie-dense, so a little will take them a long way.

A Spoonful Of Sugar...

2011-09-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

It's time to sprinkle out a few healthy uses for sugar, Sugar, because the diet no-no can be good for you, too!

Even if you’re cutting back on sugar in your diet (good for you!), there’s no reason to banish the white stuff all together. After all, there are plenty of sweet ways to use it to look great and feel your best, like these:

· Got freckles? Dissolve a little sugar in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, then apply the mixture to each spot with a cotton ball. Repeat the process every couple of days, and the freckles should fade away.

· Sugar clears up pimples, too! Just mix it with a few drops of water, and dab it on the blemishes.

· Make an instant skin smoothing sugar scrub by adding a teaspoon of granulated sugar to a squirt of liquid soap. Then gently scrub it into your arms and legs for smooth skin, all winter long.

To keep your skin soft and fresh-from-the-spa smooth, top off any treatment with our new “Dream Cream.” Baker’s Best Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Cream is loaded with nature’s most hydrating botanicals to soothe your skin and uncover a radiant, youthful glow! Experience the amazing results for yourself—FREE for 21 days!

It’s true that you are what you eat—so choose your food wisely!

2011-09-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

Of course you know that using a moisturizer can help make your skin look terrific. But did you realize that what you put in your body can affect the beauty of your skin just as much as what you put on your body?

In fact, you can almost always treat dry skin without spending a fortune on fancy skin care products. Here’s the lowdown on how to feed your face so it looks its best:

· Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

· Eat lots of cold-water fish, such as salmon and tuna. They provide omega-3 fatty acids, which help your skin retain water to keep it plump, supple, and smooth.

· Forego refined white carbohydrates and choose complex ones like whole-grain bread and pasta, fresh fruit, and veggies.

· Eat healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts to get lots of vitamin A, which your skin needs to help combat the signs of aging.

And here’s a skin-smart snack that’s outwardly sinful, but inwardly angelic:

Wash ½ cup of fresh raspberries, and pat dry. Pile the berries in a dessert dish, and set aside. Roast 2 tablespoons of chopped unsalted pecans in a toaster oven. Sprinkle the nuts over the raspberries, and pour ½ cup of chocolate soy milk over the top. Then raise your spoon to healthy skin, and dig in!

To keep your skin soft and fresh-from-the-spa smooth, treat yourself to our “Dream Cream.” Baker’s Best Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Cream is loaded with nature’s most hydrating botanicals to soothe your skin and uncover a radiant, youthful glow! Experience the amazing results for yourself—FREE for 21 days!

Keep That Summer Blond For Pennies!

2011-09-02T08:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day! It may be the unofficial end of summer, but don’t let that get you down. You can keep the sun-kissed look of highlighted hair all year long. But instead of spending money on a professional treatment, just whip up this classic hair-lightening concoction that’ll trim your tresses with natural summer highlights in any season:

Mix the juice of 2 limes, the juice of 1 lemon, and 2 tablespoons of mild shampoo in a container. Pour the solution onto your hair, and massage it in well. Then sit in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, and apply a good conditioner. Repeat the process until you think you’re blonde enough to have more fun!

If it’s red highlights you’re after, here’s a custom-made perker-upper that you can brew right in your kitchen:

After shampooing in your usual way, rinse your hair with strong black coffee that’s been cooled to room temperature. Give the java 15 minutes or so to work its magic, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Now you’ll feel sunny, sassy, and fresh, no matter what the season!

Overdo It This Summer?

2011-08-26T05:52:00.000-07:00

Aaahhh... There’s nothing like late summer’s cooler breezes to get us out of the house to enjoy the day. Unfortunately, sometimes we become overly enthusiastic, underestimate our fitness abilities, and wind up spraining or straining an ankle! Here’s how to keep one step ahead of muscle or tendon pain:

Pump out the fluid—reduce swelling by gently moving your ankle through its full range of motion. Simply sit in a chair and gently raise and lower your foot, then rotate it as much as the pain allows.
Wrap it up—a natural way to help your injured ankle back to health is with a comfrey wrap. Buy three or four whole leaves of this traditional trauma-treating herb from health food store. Blanch the leaves by dipping them briefly in boiling water. Let them cool a bit, then drape them over the injured area and cover with an elastic bandage. Replace the leaves daily until the sprain heals.
RICE is right—E.R. docs see a lot of sprained ankles. Their advice is almost always to take the following four steps: 1) Rest it; 2) Ice it; 3) Compress it. 4) Elevate it. Continue these steps, for at least two days after the injury.

If arthritis, damaged cartilage, or painful swelling and stiffness are making your outdoor activities miserable, then Baker’s Best Maximum Strength Joint Formula is just the relief you’ve been looking for. Its terrific trio of ingredients—glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM—packs a triple-punch to revitalize your joints and put a youthful bounce back in your step.

Treat Your Tootsies!

2011-08-19T06:30:00.002-07:00

Are you badgered by bunions? It could be the shoes you’re wearing. If you’re into fashion footwear and buy shoes for style instead of support, you can literally change the ways your foot bones grow. If you can feel a knobby bump at the base of your big toe, that’s a bunion. And that means your shoes are forcing your bones to grow in some pretty unnatural ways.

Short of surgery, there’s no way to get rid of bunions once they form. And surgery is a reasonable choice when they hurt so much that you can’t get around very well or when the pain doesn’t go away even when you slip out of those sleek-looking pumps. But before you consider foot surgery—and the risk of complications that comes with it—you’ll want to explore some gentler ways to reduce the pain and keep the bunions from getting worse. Here’s a few that may help:

· Place a donut-shaped pad between the bunion and your shoe to reduce the pressure.

· Wear snug socks. The more tightly your socks cling to your feet, the less likely they are to rub your bunions the wrong way.

· Stretch ‘em out with rubber bands. Sit with your feet together and loop a thick rubber band around both big toes. Move your feet as far apart as they’ll go, hold the stretch for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat the exercise 10 times at least once a day.

· Buy some new shoes that are wide enough for your feet to slip into comfortably, preferably with a low or flat heel.

A comfrey footbath can quickly soothe painful bunions. Comfrey contains chemical compounds that reduce skin discomfort and help sore areas heal. To make a footbath, steep an ounce of dried comfrey leaves (available at health food stores) in a few cups of simmering water for 10 minutes. Add enough cool water to make the temperature comfortable, pour the water into a basin, and soak your feet for 20 minutes or so. If you can’t find comfrey, it’s okay to substitute Epsom salts.

Need a little instant therapy for achy feet? Try our amazing new Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream—FREE for 21 days! Just massage it in and you’ll feel the therapeutic action immediately as it heals and protects your tender tootsies. Click here to see some of the Love Letters we’ve received from women who L-O-V-E their pretty new feet!

Lift the Brain Fog

2011-08-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

It’s easy to fear the onset of Alzheimer’s when you forget important numbers, make embarrassing verbal slips, or can’t remember why you went into a room. In most cases, however, forgetfulness isn’t a symptom of disease but merely a by-product of being distracted or fatigued. Instead of stressing yourself out further by fearing the worst, try adding brain-fog-lifting foods to your diet! Here’s a taste of mind-boosting munchables:

· Broccoli is rich in folate, a B vitamin that lowers levels of an amino acid that’s been linked to Alzheimer’s. Toss it in a salad or steam up some florets.

· Nuts, oily cold-water fish, and flaxseed are all loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are needed to transmit the impulses that carry thoughts, improve focus, and possibly reverse memory loss.

· Meats and poultry are rich in B vitamins, which your brain needs to function properly.

· Orange juice may help keep levels of homocysteine (a by-product of natural body functions that, in excess, is associated with Alzheimer’s) in check.

· Tofu contains compounds that act as antioxidants, gobbling up renegade oxygen molecules that can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Are you looking for an extra boost that’ll help keep you sharp as you get older? Our amazing new Eterni-D Anti-Aging Formula can help improve memory, concentration, and focus. And it can also help strengthen bones and muscles, boost immunity, and support heart health. Try it FREE for 21 days!

2011-08-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

There aren’t many good things to say about back pain, but here’s a small bit of comfort: It usually doesn’t last long, and it’s rarely serious. Most people recover in a few weeks without spending a dime at the doctor’s office.

Okay, now for the lousy news: Sooner or later, just about everyone gets it. Sure, you can injure your back on the job or in a car crash, but by far the most frequent cause isn’t anything catastrophic—it’s everyday weakness and inflexibility in the muscles that support the back.

But you don’t have to twiddle your thumbs and wait for Father Time to cure your aching back—you can help him along. In fact, you should, because if you treat a back problem in the early stages, you may reduce the likelihood of long-term pain and disability. Back pain that’s severe or doesn’t start getting better within a week or two should always be checked by a doctor. For garden-variety aches, though, here’s what you need to do:

1. Move and keep moving. The worst thing anyone with an achy back can do is to sit still. In fact, resting for more than a day or two reduces muscle flexibility and strength and can lead to further disability. Let your pain be your guide and do everyday activities as you can tolerate them.

2. Grab an oversize exercise ball and give this mini-workout a try. First, lie face down across the ball with your hands and feet on the floor. Lift one arm and then the other as high as you can, raising your torso from the ball. Pause for a count of 10, then return both hands to the floor. Next, place both hands behind your head and lift your torso as high as you can. Hold for 5 counts, then release. Repeat as many times as is comfortable.

3. Even if your back pain has you lying on the floor, you can stretch your arms and legs, elongating the tissues in your back and drawing healing blood and oxygen to the area. Just remember to stay relaxed, cushion your back with a pad, and use slow, gentle movements as you extend your arms over your head and stretch your legs along the floor. Hold each stretch for about a minute, then relax.

4. A traditional Epsom salts bath can help ease spasms and relieve pain. Add 2 cups of the salts to a hot bath, sink down, and feel the relief. Afterward, place an ice pack on your back.

The special blend of aloe vera, emu oil, lidocaine, menthol, and more in Baker’s Best Arthritis Pain Relief Cream combines old-time healing wisdom with the miracles of modern science. Its quick penetrating action can help bring temporary relief to an aching back in just minutes, so you’ll be back on your feet in no time at all. And best of all, you can try it—FREE for 21 days!

2011-07-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

You know that using a moisturizer can help make your skin look terrific. But did you realize that what you put in your body can affect the beauty of your skin just as much as what you put on your body?

In fact, you can almost always soften up dry skin without spending a fortune on fancy products. Here’s how to nourish your skin so it looks its best:

· Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

· Eat lots of cold-water fish, such as salmon and tuna. They provide omega-3 fatty acids, which help your skin retain water to keep it plump, supple, and smooth.

· Forego refined white carbohydrates and choose complex ones like whole-grain bread and pasta, fresh fruit, and veggies.

· Eat healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts to get lots of vitamin A, which your skin needs to help combat the signs of aging.

And try this skin-smart snack that’s outwardly sinful, but inwardly angelic:

If dry skin’s not a problem for you, but a scattering of age spots is making you look older than you feel, that’s just one more reminder to slather on the sunscreen. Most of us tend to fuss over our faces, and forget about our hands. But they’re constantly exposed to the sun, so treat them to sunscreen every morning, too!

Most age spots are harmless, but it’s important to examine them carefully to be sure they’re not skin cancer. If a spot enlarges, changes color or shape, bleeds, itches, or thickens, have your doctor check it out right away. Remember the easy ABCDs of melanoma from the American Cancer Society.

· A is for asymmetry: If half the mole or birthmark does not match the other, it could mean trouble.

· B is for border: Watch for irregular edges that are notched or blurred.

· C is for color: Look for spots that are not the same color all over.

· D is for diameter: If it’s larger than the head of a pencil eraser or growing, see your doctor.

To gently erase those annoying age spots and even out your skin tone, try our newest beauty breakthrough—Age Spot & Skin Brightening Cream. It contains natural antioxidants and extracts that help minimize sun damage and fight off the signs of aging. And best of all, you can try it—FREE for 21 days!

2011-07-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

Are your hinges (joints) so creaky in the morning that you feel like the Tin Woodman without his trusty oilcan? By age 40 or so, many of us begin showing a few signs of arthritis. Here’s how to ease the strain while strengthening your muscles—and make you feel like a new person!

1. Hide the high heels. Wearing heels higher than 2 inches shifts your body weight onto your hips and the inner part of your knee joints, often making arthritis the result.

2. Cut the calories. Gaining a single pound makes it feel like four times that much on your knees. If you lose as few as 11 pounds, you can reduce knee pain by 50 percent.

3. Lay off the lattes. Drink more than four cups of coffee a day and you’re doubling your risk. The caffeine alters the mineral balance that’s needed to make cartilage and dries up the fluid that keeps your joints lubricated.

4. Stretch yourself. Stretching for 20 minutes a day will make you feel a whole lot better. Check with your doctor to make sure you’re doing the most appropriate exercises for your form of arthritis.

5. Exercise your options. Regular exercise lubricates your joints and helps with weight loss.

Of course, exercise is a tricky issue if you have arthritis. You obviously don’t want to push yourself too hard when you’re hurting. On the other hand, regular exercise lubricates your joints and helps with weight loss. If you’re ready to start an exercise program—and you have the go-ahead from your doctor—keep the following points in mind:

· You’ll get the most benefit by alternating high-impact forms of exercise, such as jogging, with low-impact workouts, such as yoga or cycling. Obviously, this is true only if your arthritis is pretty mild.

· Walking is almost always a good choice. If you have too much knee or ankle pain to walk, ride a stationary bike.

· Swimming is a very safe and effective form of exercise. And because water supports your body weight, there’s little or no painful pressure.

Don’t let arthritis, damaged cartilage, or painful swelling and stiffness make you miserable. Our Maximum Strength Joint Formula is a special blend of not one, not two, but three clinically tested ingredients in one powerful new supplement. It’s specially designed to help maximize joint health, ease arthritis pain, increase flexibility, and give your sore joints a whole new lease on life. Try it—FREE for 21 days!

2011-07-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is hot, hot, hot, I’m wearing sandals and flip-flops every day. So I’ve become very aware of my extra-rough feet! But growing up with a dad like mine, who always has a DIY cure for everything, I knew I could find a way to soothe and smooth my tender tootsies—without spending an arm and a leg—and just in time to keep my cool for the rest of the summer!

Here’s a handful of helpful hints that’ll do the trick in no time:

· Rub a half a lemon on your feet and heels.

· Mix equal parts of honey and milk, and massage the lotion into your feet’s thirsty skin. This is best done in the shower where you can simply rinse off when you’re done.

· Make a big pot of oatmeal, cool slightly to a tolerably warm temperature, and slather it on your feet and wherever else you could use a little extra moisture. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off in the shower.

· Soak your feet in a pan of water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda added to it. As the callused skin loosens, gently rub it away a bit at a time with a pumice stone or emery board. Follow up with your favorite cream to soften your feet.

Need a little instant therapy for rough, dry, or achy feet? Try our amazing new Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream—FREE for 21 days! Just massage it in and you’ll feel the therapeutic action immediately as it heals and protects your tender tootsies. Click here to see some of the Love Letters we’ve received from women who L-O-V-E their pretty new feet!

2011-07-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

There’s plenty of talk nowadays about working on brainteasers to keep your mind sharp as you age. But there’s not always time to sit down and think your way through a Sudoku grid or tackle the daily crossword puzzle. So give your brain a healthy workout with one of these tricks:

· Chew on a stick of gum, and you just may remember that phone number you forgot to write down. Studies show that chewing gum improves memory, possibly because it raises heart rate. This boosts the delivery of glucose and oxygen to the brain and creates a surge in insulin, which may be the key to recalling facts.

· Exercise with a buddy. While it’s true that any exercise enhances blood circulation and therefore memory, it seems that activities—such as tennis or ballroom dancing—that require moving in sync with another person and responding to each other’s movements are the best way to keep your brain on its best behavior.

· Keep your blood sugar levels stable. One way to do this is by eating several small meals featuring complex carbs and protein throughout the day, rather than three large meals. Smaller meals could include apple slices smeared with peanut butter; a bagel with banana and low-fat cream cheese; cut-up raw veggies with low-fat cottage cheese; a small salad and a handful of nuts; a glass of low-fat milk and half a turkey sandwich.

· Try a mind-expanding elixir like this Brain Brew: Combine 2 parts dried gingko with 1 part each of dried hawthorn, rosemary, and yarrow, and add the mix to a cup of hot water. Steep, covered, for 15 minutes, and drink 1 or 2 cups a day. (Note: If you take aspirin or blood-thinning medication, consult your doctor before using gingko.)

You say you’re not a big fan of mixing up your own herbal concoctions? Our amazing new Eterni-D Anti-AgingFormula can help strengthen bones and muscles, boost immunity, and support heart health. And it can also help improve memory, concentration, and focus. Try it FREE for 21 days!

2011-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

We’re trying something new here at Baker’s Best Health, and we’re pretty excited about it! If you regularly receive mailed advertisements from us, you may have noticed the new QR code on the pages of this month’s mailing. It’s the funny looking black and white square that’s actually a two-dimensional barcode. The QR code allows us to participate in “mobile tagging,” and if you found this site using your smartphone, here’s a big warm welcome to you!

And to those of you who are regular readers, thanks for stopping by again!

This week, I thought I’d let you in on a few techniques I’ve learned over the years for dealing with back pain. As most of us unfortunately know, few conditions can cause more trouble than persistent backaches. So try one or more of these simple strategies to get your back healthy in a hurry:

1. Get up and moving as soon as you can to increase circulation and bring healing nutrients to damaged muscles. Lying in bed can make your suffering muscles weaker and tighter.

2. As soon as your back starts hurting, apply a cold pack to your sore muscles. Cool the area for about 20 minutes every few hours for at least a day after the pain starts.

3. Find at least one position, and possibly more than one, that puts the least strain on your overworked muscles. The less strain you put on your back muscles, the more quickly the injury will heal.

4. Wear shoes that have plenty of cushioning. Cross-training or walking shoes are just what the doctor ordered.

5. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and similar drugs often work as well as prescription drugs for back pain. They work directly on pain, and they have anti-inflammatory effects, which reduce painful swelling.

If you feel like persistent pain is robbing you of the things you like to do, whether it’s gardening, dancing, hiking, or even tying your shoes, then Baker’sBest Arthritis Pain Relief Cream could be right for you. Click here to see what folks have to say about living pain free!

2011-06-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and the bright sun is perking up our days. But if your dull lifeless hair needs a bit of its own perking up, try a little DIY at home instead of dropping big bucks for blonde highlights from a salon. Here’s an easy way to add a little summer flair to your hair:

Combine 1 cup of lemon juice with 3 cups of brewed (and cooled) chamomile tea. Pour the solution over damp hair, then head outdoors. Sit in the sun for an hour or so, rinse thoroughly, and follow up with a good conditioner. Repeat the process until your hair helps you answer the age-old question: “Do blondes have more fun?”

And if swimming in a chlorinated pool this summer has given your blonde hair a greenish tinge, pour yourself a glass of red wine. Don’t drink it, though—pour it on your head! Work it through the strands, follow up with your normal shampoo, and that’ll be the end of the green-hair blues!

2011-06-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day is this weekend, and in honor of the occasion, take a minute to ask your dear old dad if he’s been getting his prostate checked regularly. The PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is an easy blood test that should be performed annually for any man over the age of 35. One of the conditions that can be diagnosed with a PSA is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarging of the prostate gland.

Studies show that the herb saw palmetto can work successfully as a remedy for BPH when used under the supervision of a doctor. And although it can’t cure prostate cancer, saw palmetto can help prevent it.

Here’s a tea that was specially created for men. So brew up a cup, and toast to the health and happiness of your dad and all of the other men in your life!

Mix 1 teaspoon of saw palmetto berries, 1 teaspoon of hawthorn berries, 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon of marshmallow root, and ½ teaspoon of marsh mallow root together, and put them in a pan with 6 cups of water. (All of these ingredients are available at health food stores.) Bring to a boil and let simmer for 25 minutes. Allow the tea to cool, strain out the herbs, and then bottom’s up—here’s to a better man!

If you want to “restore the roar” with a stronger and healthier prostate, then you owe it to yourself to try our Potent Prostate Formula. It’s made with a select blend of special ingredients including saw palmetto, Pygeum africanum, pumpkin seed, and zinc that is specifically designed to optimize prostate health. And the best part is that it’s easy—we’ll send you the Formula to try for 21 days—RISK FREE!

2011-06-10T06:06:00.000-07:00

Honey is so much more than a natural sweetener you keep on hand to liven up biscuits and tea. It also has healing powers that are hard to beat…and easy to use! So if you’re coughing like crazy, don’t rush to the store for a costly cough syrup. Just reach into your pantry for honey instead. But that’s just for starters. Here’s a handful of helpful ways that honey heals:

· Banish blackheads. Heat 1/8 cup of honey and mix it with 1 egg white and ½ cup of dry oatmeal, then dab it onto blemishes. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then wash it off with warm water. Splash your face with cool water and gently pat your face dry.

· Bypass a hangover. After a night of drinking too much, eat a teaspoon of honey on a cracker or piece of toast. Honey contains as much as 40 percent fructose, which is a sugar that’s known to speed the metabolism of alcohol.

· Smooth your skin. Make a refreshing mask by smoothing a thin layer of honey on your face and leaving it for 20 minutes. Then rinse it off with first cold, then warm water. You’ll feel tingly, fresh, and smooth immediately.

And to keep your skin soft and fresh-from-the-spa smooth, treat yourself to our “Dream Cream.” Baker’s Best Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Cream is loaded with nature’s most hydrating botanicals to soothe your skin and uncover a radiant, youthful glow! Experience the amazing results for yourself—FREE for 21 days!

2011-06-03T05:58:00.001-07:00

If you’re a garlic fan, then you already rely on the pungent bulb to add zesty flavor to your cooking. But did you know that garlic also has a big reputation for being able to cure whatever ails you? It’s true! In fact, garlic packs such a potent healing punch that you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again. All that and terrific taste, too!

Here are five fantastic ways to use garlic for great health:

1. Clear up nasal and sinus congestion in a hurry by tossing some chopped, raw, fresh garlic in a bowl of hot soup, and sipping to promote drainage.

2. Treat a throbbing earache with a little concentrated garlic oil made from 1 sliced garlic clove in 2 teaspoons of olive oil, and heated for 2 minutes. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, and elt it cool to lukewarm before dropping it into your aching ear.

3. Keep biting, stinging insects away by frequently eating garlic during the summer.

4. Stop athlete’s foot in its tracks by soaking your feet in garlic water. Crush several garlic cloves and drop them in to a tab of warm water with a splash of rubbing alcohol, then gently place your feet in the tub for about 10 minutes per day.

5. Strengthen your nails with garlic oil. Prick the end of a garlic oil capsule with a pin, and gently squeeze a drop on each fingernail, rubbing it into the entire nail bed. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then wash your hands with warm water and gentle soap.

2011-05-27T05:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you have fun plans for the holiday, whether it’s working in your garden, taking a hike, or hosting a family/friends cook-out. No matter what your plans are, why not try something new this weekend by whipping up a batch of Chilled Blueberry Soup? That’s right—Blueberry Soup! I can’t think of a better way to honor Memorial Day than with the brainy berry that’s been shown to bolster memory. And trust me—this recipe has been in my family for generations, and I know you’ll love it. Here’s how to stir some up:

In a blender or food processor, combine 2 pints of fresh blueberries, ½ cup of lemonade, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint. Process on high until smooth and creamy. Ladle into four cups or stemmed glasses, and garnish each with 1 tablespoon of sour cream. Refrigerate until serving.

2011-05-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

It’s dandelion season! And if you’re like most folks, you probably think they’re nothing but nasty old weeds. But to certain members of the older generation, having a patch of those golden flowers growing in your yard is like having a drugstore right on your doorstep! In fact, as long as your lawn isn’t chemically treated, every part of the plant is actually good for you—and it’s especially effective against indigestion, and kidney and liver problems.

You can toss young leaves in salads, steam them like spinach, and use them along with the roots to make tea. Here’s how to brew up a cup:

Put 2 teaspoons of fresh, chopped dandelion roots and leaves in a pan, pour in ½ cup of spring water, and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat, and let the mix steep for 15 minutes, then strain and enjoy the hot liquid. Make a cup two or three times a day, and drink to your health.

But don’t stop there. If your yard is dotted with dandelions, fill a bucket and try this dandy dandelion wine:

Juice 4 lemons and 4 oranges, and put the citrus rinds, juice, and a gallon bucketful of dandelion blooms (no stems) in a pan with 2 gallons of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, and continue boiling for half an hour. Remove the pan from the heat, and let it sit for 24 hours. Strain the mixture into a crock or large glass jar, and stir in eight cups of sugar and 1 package of baker’s yeast. Cover the container, and leave it in a cool, dark place for two weeks. Then strain the elixir again, and pour it into wine bottles. Cheers!

2011-05-06T05:40:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day is only two days away, so you still have plenty of time to whip up a gift that’ll make your mom feel like a queen. And I’ve got just the thing: a jar of beautiful and soothing bath salts that you can make yourself. She’ll admire your handiwork—and your thoughtfulness, too! Here’s how to DIY:

Put 6 cups of rock salt in a bowl. In another bowl, mix ½ cup of liquid hand soap, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 4 to 5 drops of food coloring (choose your mom’s favorite color, of course!) together, and pour the solution over the salt. Stir to coat the crystals, and spread them out on wax paper. When they’re completely dry (usually in about 24 hours), put them in a decorative jar. Wrap a festive ribbon around the neck of the jar and attach a tag with use instructions: “At bath time, pour ¼ cup of the crystals into the tub under running water for a soothing soak.”

That’s all there is to it. Happy Mother’s Day!

2011-04-29T05:49:00.001-07:00

Last week’s Earth Day celebration has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean we all shouldn’t still be thinking green.

For example, it goes without saying that you should eat plenty of fiber-rich oatmeal for a healthy heart—and use it to soften your face, soothe your aching feet, and nourish your plants. But what do you do with all of the empty oatmeal canisters? Plenty! Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

· Use them as storage containers in the workshop or craft room.

· Mold big pillar candles in them.

· Fill them with tissue paper and use them as gift boxes.

· Turn them into building blocks or bongo drums for the kids.

· Cover them in decorative fabric and use them as vases for dried flowers.

2011-04-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

No doubt the Easter bunny is already starting his hippity-hopping down the good old Bunny Trail to deliver his goodie-filled baskets Sunday morning. And this year I’m going to welcome him with open arms—and an open mind about the chocolate he’ll be leaving behind. Believe it or not, when eaten in moderation, chocolate is actually a colorfully gift-wrapped assortment of health benefits!

It’s true: New research suggests that chocolate may be good for you. So here’s the skinny on “health by chocolate”:

Dark chocolate packs 5,700 antioxidant units in 1 ½ ounces, and milk chocolate weighs in at around 3,000. Not bad, considering the fact that 5 strawberries—antioxidant-fighting heavyweights—only offer about 2,400 units.

Test-tube research has shown that chocolate may prevent bad cholesterol from undergoing a process that makes it more damaging to your heart.

There’s a reason you turn to chocolate when you’re feeling blue: It contains a chemical that improves your mood!

Now for the “in moderation” part. Choose solid chocolates or those with nuts rather than those with creamy fillings. Also, chocolate in ice cream, cakes, and cookies may have health benefits, but they also come with a lot of calories and other ingredients that could spell trouble for your heart.

The bottom line? Thank the Easter bunny for his generosity and enjoy your chocolate goodies in moderation!

2011-04-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

When I was a child, we made egg ornaments every year to give as special Easter presents. It’s easier than it sounds, and your personal touches will be appreciated by the lucky recipients. So go ahead and give it a try!

You will need:

Long carpet needle
Raw eggs, at room temperature
Acrylic paint
White glue
Decorative trimmings, such as sequins or stickers
Embroidery floss
Clear acrylic fixative (available at art supply stores)

Instructions:

Using the carpet needle, very carefully poke a hole at each end of an egg, making one hole a little larger than the other. Hold the egg over a bowl, with the larger hole pointed down, and gently blow into the smaller hole, so the yolk and whites flow out. Rinse the inside of the egg thoroughly with clear water, and lay it on paper towels to dry overnight. The next day, decorate the eggs with the paint and trimmings of your choice. Then, for each ornament, thread the carpet needle with a 12-inch length of embroidery floss, and pull it through both holes in the egg. Tie a knot at the end that’s outside the smaller of the two holes. At the other end, tie a loop for hanging. Spray the finished product with acrylic fixative.

2011-04-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

Are your feet bothered by a bony bump on the outside of your big toe? If it hurts like crazy, chances are it’s a bunion. I’m guessing your doctor might recommend surgery, but I’d prescribe shopping instead. WHAT??? That’s right—shopping. It’s certainly more fun and less risky, so it’s a great first step. Here’s what you need to get:

Comfortable shoes that really fit. Go ahead and have your feet measured in the store. You might be surprised that “your size” really isn’t. Look for shoes that are wide enough to slip your foot into easily, preferably with a low or flat heel. And forget about “breaking them in.” If they’re not comfortable right this minute, walk on by.

Snug socks. It sounds crazy, but the tighter your socks, the less likely they are to rub your bunion the wrong way. No rubbing equals less pain, and that’s exactly what you want!

At the end of the day, rub in quick relief with our pain-taming Arthritis Pain Relief Cream. And best yet—you can try it RISK FREE for 21 days!

2011-04-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Happy April Fool’s Day!

But this is no fooling—April has been designated as Sports Eye Safety Month and Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. So, let’s celebrate the power of positive winking with these simple tips that’ll keep your peepers happy:

At least once an hour—and preferably two or three times—take your eyes off what you’re doing and look into the distance for about 5 minutes.

If you spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen, sit at least 20 inches away, and be sure that the top of the screen is either right at or just below eye level. Improper monitor placement is a common cause of eye pain.

Covering your eyes with a warm, moist cloth is like giving them a relaxing bath. As soon as they start aching, soak a washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and drape if over your eyes. A compress works for dryness as well as for eyestrain and infections such as styes and conjunctivitis.

2011-03-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Even though winter has officially ended, it’s still pretty darn chilly around here! And I have to admit that the cold weather is making my skin feel extra rough, especially my arms, legs, and elbows. Are you feeling the same way? Then whip the dry patches into shape before you start baring more skin this spring with a one-ingredient solution that’ll have you feeling moist and dewy in no time at all:
• Avocado—mash it up and apply it to your skin, then rinse it off with warm water after 20 minutes.

• Baby oil—add a drop or two to your bathwater.

• Buttermilk—massage it into rough skin once or twice a day.

• Honey—smooth some on your face, leave it on for 20 minutes or so, then rinse with warm water.

• Petroleum jelly—smear it on very dry skin before climbing into bed.

And don’t forget to drink lots of water! The more water you drink, the more moisture is available to keep your skin soft. So don’t be stingy with the H2O—drink at least 8 to 10 glasses a day and keep a water bottle handy when you’re exercising.

2011-03-18T05:52:00.001-07:00

There’s never a good time to come down with a cold, but now—with the weather finally warming up—seems to be the worst time! And everyone I know seems to be fighting a runny nose, cough, and congestion.

Experts have told you that you can try to stay healthy by washing your hands with antibacterial soap several times a day. But why not take your sanitizing to the next level?

With this DIY sanitizing wipe, you’ll kill germs where they’re lying in wait for their next victim: doorknobs, telephones, light switches, and other surfaces sick people touch. And it’s a “two-fer”—one swipe will cut through grime and kill germs at the same time! Here’s how to whip up a batch:

Mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 4 parts water in a handheld sprayer bottle. Then simply spray the solution on the surface to be cleaned, and wipe it away with a soft, clean cloth.

Here’s to a happy, healthy spring!

2011-03-11T06:23:00.001-08:00

There’s nothing like a fresh, juicy grapefruit. And March is the perfect time to pick ‘em up at the grocery store because it’s their peak season.

What’s all the fuss about? Grapefruit—especially the red and pink varieties—is teeming with antioxidants that help fend off cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. You can eat ‘em on their own, popping slices into your mouth one at a time, but here are a few ideas that’ll really brighten up your day:

Toss Ruby Red grapefruit pieces into a green salad.
Sprinkle shrimp with grapefruit juice instead of lemon juice, or top grilled fish fillets with grapefruit pieces.
Combine white, pink, and red grapefruit slices in a fruit salad to add a rainbow of color and a medley of flavors.
Make a colorful splash with this refreshing thirst quencher that packs all the vitamin C you need for the entire day. Here’s how to make it:

Pour 1-1/2 cups each of frozen grapefruit concentrate and frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed) into a large punch bowl. Stir in 2 liters of sparkling mineral water and some crushed ice. Thinly slice two lemons, and place the slices and 1/4 cup of fresh raspberries in the punch bowl. Ladle the delicious drink into chilled glasses, and enjoy!

2011-03-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

If you (and everyone around you) seem to be coughing and sneezing up a storm, try one of these down-home remedies:

Herbal Throat Spray—For a blast of natural sore throat relief, buy yourself a new plant mister. Then brew up a triple-strength tea with 3 teaspoons each of dried slippery elm, echinacea, and licorice (available at health food stores) in 3 cups of water. Bring it to a full boil; then reduce the heat, and let it simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out the herbs, and pour the brew into your new spray bottle. Open your mouth, stick out your tongue, and spray the back of your throat as needed during the day. Ahhhh, soothing relief! (Caution: Licorice shouldn’t be used by folks with high blood pressure or kidney disease.)
Rub on the Oil—Make your own chest rub by adding 3 to 4 drops of an essential oil (try eucalyptus, lavender, or thyme) to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply liberally to your chest, cover with a clean cloth, and settle into a comfy chair with a cozy afghan and a good book.
Hail Mary!—Try a bloody Mary, without the booze! Mix some lemon, a celery stalk, and horseradish in a glass of tomato juice, and drink it down. Tomato juice is full of vitamin C, but it’s the horseradish kick that really does the trick. Its powerful fumes will loosen mucus congestion, making your cold more bearable.

2011-02-25T05:56:00.000-08:00

If you’re feeling the effects of a long winter stuck indoors, spice up your day with a sensational blues-busting foot rub! It’ll refresh and restore your vitality, and perk up your senses. Here’s how:
Add 3 to 4 drops of essential peppermint oil to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Massage the soothing solution into your clean, dry feet, and let yourself sink into the sensation.

Then sit back with a cup of energizing tea. Steep 1 heaping tablespoon of a combination of two or more herbs in a quart of boiling water for 15 minutes. The following herbs are known for their recuperative actions and will help you restore the roar: lemon balm, rosemary, vervain, lime blossom, passion flower, and chamomile.

Cool your tea, then sip it throughout the day.

And if you’re looking for an enhanced, extra-strength formula that will work like crazy on your dry-as-sandpaper feet, look no further. Our Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream is just what the doctor ordered to turn your rough, flaky feet into sandal-ready showcases—just in time for spring!

2011-02-18T05:35:00.001-08:00

Do you think you eat enough fruits and vegetables everyday? Sometimes it’s hard to keep track. So to encourage folks to eat healthier, the 5-A-Day for Better Health initiative was launched by the CDC as a reminder to eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

But don’t be overwhelmed by the choices—natural, organic, or locally grown—because you really can’t go wrong. Just buy the items you think look the tastiest, and give ‘em a good washing when you get them home. Here’s a few techniques to keep ‘em clean:

1. Research shows that most bacteria and dirt are trapped near the ends of fresh fruit and vegetables, where the blossom fell off or the stem was attached. So before you wash that zuke or cuke, slice off—and dispose of—the ends.

2. Put 3 or 4 teaspoons of baking soda in a sink full of warm water, swish the produce through it, and gently scrub the skin with a soft brush. Rinse with clear water, and you’re good to go!

3. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 3 cups of water in a handheld sprayer bottle and spritz your smooth-skinned fruit or veggies with the solution. Count to 10 before rinsing it away.

4. Soak salad greens in a large bowl filled with cold water, 4 tablespoons of salt, and the juice of a whole fresh lemon. Let them sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse them under cold water.

2011-02-11T06:12:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine’s Day!

So, are you ready for a smooch from your sweetie? Or are you thinking, “Why, oh why does Valentine’s Day fall right smack in the middle of winter, when my lips are chapped, dry, and totally unkissable?”

The problem is that lips don’t produce any oils on their own, so once they’re chapped, it’s up to you to heal them by bringing them much-needed moisture. Here’s how to treat them right and prevent them from chapping again:

1. Slough off flaky, rough skin with a clean, damp washcloth.

2. Rub in a coating of .5% hydrocortisone cream twice a day.

3. Seal in the moisture with a lip balm that contains a protective wax (like beeswax) and sunscreen.
And by the way, you may not see the connection, but eating green vegetables is a great way to keep your lips in the pink. That’s because greens are rich in zinc, essential fatty acids, and riboflavin—everything your lips need to retain moisture and stay healthy. So like your mom always said, “Eat plenty of greens every day!”

2011-02-04T06:06:00.000-08:00

If the fiery array of spicy snacks on Super Bowl Sunday—hot wings, pizza with extra onions, zesty chili—have you wondering how you’re going to put the brakes on the blaze of heartburn on Sunday night, don’t automatically reach for the Tums®. Try dousing the flames with any one of these homemade healers first.

Chew gum. Look for a brand that contains sodium bicarbonate, a known stomach settler. Chewing gum also stimulates saliva that neutralizes acid.
Say 'ello to aloe. Aloe vera juice (not the gel, which is for external use only) can take the burn out of heartburn by coating the esophagus and keeping stomach acid where it belongs. Drink 1/2 cup after you've finished eating.
Try papaya. To reduce acid reflux and soothe indigestion and gassiness, drink a cup of papaya juice laced with 1 teaspoon of organic sugar. Toss in two pinches of cardamom as well—it aids digestion and reduces gas and cramping.

Whatever you do, don't get so swept up in the game that you don't pay attention to the time. Finish eating at least three hours before you plan to go to bed, then take a short, leisurely stroll around the block to aid digestion before hitting the sack.

2011-01-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

Between winter’s harsh, icy winds, and dry indoor heat, your lips take a beating and end up chapped, cracked, and sore. So treat ‘em right, and they’ll be kissably smooth, just in time for Valentine’s Day—and beyond! Here’s how:

Use lip balms that contain beeswax. They’ll protect your lips without creating a glossy oil slick.
Run a humidifier to add moisture to the air and counteract the lip-drying effects of your furnace.
Don’t lick those smackers! It’ll dry lips out even more.
Kick the habit. Smoking makes lips more prone to drying and chapping.
Whip up a homemade lip scrub by adding a few drips of grapefruit juice to a tablespoon of granulated sugar in a small bowl. Mix it together with your fingers until the sugar is saturated, then rub it onto your lips. After 5 minutes, rinse with cool water and coat your smooth, soft lips with lip balm.

2011-01-21T06:07:00.001-08:00

Now that winter has kicked into high gear, eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is more important than ever. After all, with all the snow and ice outside (not to mention the sub-freezing temps!), physical activity is harder to come by, and getting the recommended 5-a-day servings will help you stay fit and healthy. I actually look forward to January because I know that’s when I can find a fresh crop of my favorite juicy treat: grapefruit.

These days I can’t get enough—it’s that good! And it’s so good for you, too, because it’s loaded with free radical-clobbering antioxidants.

I like to just slice into grapefruit, scoop out the juicy flesh, and eat it by the spoonful. And once you check out the rest of these tasty ideas, you’ll never have grapefruit hanging around the fruit bowl for very long:

Toss grapefruit pieces into your green salad for an extra boost of color and fiber. Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette.
Combine segments from white, pink, and red grapefruits in a fruit salad. It’ll brighten your day!
Sprinkle your shrimp with grapefruit juice instead of lemon juice. Or top broiled or grilled salmon with grapefruit pieces.

2011-01-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

Are your feet extra-sensitive to the cold? Mine sure are and this week, as temps have plunged, I’ve been feeling extra frosty. So here’s how I handle the big chill: Before heading outdoors, I put on a pair of thin socks. Then I grab a thicker, warmer pair, and shake about ½ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper into each sock. I slip these over the thinner ones, and then I’m good to go. My feet stay toasty warm, even when everyone else has footsicles!

When you come inside from the cold, there’s no better way to treat your feet than with our Revitalizing Foot & Heel Cream. The enhanced, extra-strength formula works like crazy on tired, worn out, or neglected feet, smoothing and soothing even the roughest, toughest skin.

And here’s a feel-good foot tip for your furry pals: If you like taking your dog for walks, even on the coldest days, rub his paws with a little hair conditioner before heading out. It will help keep salt and other chemicals from irritating his footpads. Then when you get back inside, wash Fido’s feet (including the hair between his toes) with dog shampoo and rinse them thoroughly—before he has a chance to lick off any of the toxic chemicals. That way, both of you will be happy!

2011-01-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

Maybe you think you’re too busy, or too old to work out, or perhaps you have a chronic condition like arthritis that you’re afraid will get worse if you exercise. Well, it’s time to drop the excuses! Adding just 30 minutes of walking per day is enough to prevent weight gain and encourage moderate weight loss. Getting your body moving may also help ease chronic joint pain. Just make sure you check with a doctor before beginning any exercise plan.

Now here’s the great news: You don’t have to get all 30 minutes of daily exercise in one shot. Research shows that three brisk 10-minute walks per day are just as effective as a 30-minute walk. And this workout won’t cost you a thing!

So if you’ve resolved to get fit this year, good for you! But don’t be discouraged if you overdo it on the first day. Just massage the aches and pains away with our amazing Arthritis Pain Relief Cream. And it’s yours to try RISK-FREE for 21 days!

2010-12-30T06:18:00.000-08:00

Just in time for New Year’s Eve celebrations, here’s a few hints to help you handle the New Year’s Day hangover…or the rumbly tummy you might get, compliments of all the chips, dips, pizza, and buffalo wings you chow down during Saturday’s Bowl games. (Go State!)

Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are all bland and binding foods that are easy to digest and give your body the nutrition it needs while your stomach’s recovering.
If your tummy’s doing flip-flops, grab an uncut lemon, scratch into the peel, and sniff the clean, fresh citrus scent.
The volatile oils in peppermint can help counteract nausea. Simply uncap a vial of peppermint essential oil and inhale for a few seconds. If that doesn’t work, place a single drop of peppermint oil on your tongue to calm stomach upset that often accompanies a hangover.
Sip a sports drink to settle things down. Or, if you don’t like the taste of sports drinks, reach for carrot juice instead. Both choices are loaded with potassium and sodium, so they’ll restore your electrolyte balance in you’ve been vomiting.

2010-12-22T06:02:00.000-08:00

Has a day of hustling, bustling, and last-minute Christmas shopping left your feet feeling sore and—yikes!—blistered? Well don’t pop them! Here’s how to tend to the troubling bubbles so you’ll be back on your feet again just in time to hit the supermarket to purchase fixings for your holiday feast.

Wash the area well with soap and water, then dry it thoroughly when you’re done. Too much moisture will soften the blister and make it more likely to break open before it’s ready.
Use an alcohol-based tincture of St. John’s wort to moisten a square of gauze, then apply the oil to the blister after you’ve washed it.
To reduce tenderness and speed healing, apply a salve that contains the herb calendula (available at health food stores) along with skin-protecting vitamins A and E once a day.
Protect blisters with a bandage, but expose them to the air for at least 20 minutes a day.

Keep your feet happy and healthy with a daily treat of Baker’s Best Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream. The enhanced, extra-strength formula works like crazy on tired and worn out feet. Try it risk-free for 21 days!

2010-12-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

Few conditions are more painful than persistent back pain. And you don’t want back attacks to make you miss a single minute of the holiday celebration. So try one or more of these simple strategies to get your back healthy in a hurry:

1. Don’t be a bed bug. Get up and moving as soon as you can to increase circulation and bring healing nutrients to damaged muscles. Lying in bed can make your beleaguered muscles weaker and tighter.

2. As soon as your back starts hurting, apply a cold pack or ice cubes wrapped in a towel to your sore muscles. Cool the area for about 20 minutes every few hours.

3. Get comfortable. Experiment a bit to find the position that causes you the least pain. The less strain you put on your back muscles, the more quickly the injury will heal.

4. Wear shoes that have plenty of cushioning. Cross-training or walking shoes are just what the doctor ordered.

5. Once or twice a day, stand on one leg next to a sturdy table and extend your other leg in front of you, with the heel resting on a chair or low table. Lean forward at your hips and try to touch the toes of your outstretched foot. Don’t go too far, just to the point at which the pain starts. Hold the stretch for a moment, relax, then repeat the movements with our other leg.

6. Take an anti-inflammatory. Studies have shown that aspirin, ibuprofen, and similar drugs often work as well for back pain as more powerful prescription drugs.

If you feel like back pain is robbing you of the things you like to do, then you owe it to yourself to try Baker’s Best Arthritis Pain Relief Cream—RISK FREE! Its quick penetrating action can help bring soothing relief to muscle aches, joint pain, and even a sore, aching back.

2010-12-10T06:20:00.000-08:00

‘Tis the season to be jolly, so don’t let yourself fall victim to stress this holiday. It’s not always easy, what with last minute shopping, decorating your home, getting ready for company, and concerns about pushing an already tight budget to its limits. So here’s a few quick tricks that’ll short-circuit the stress in the wink of a reindeer’s eye:

Breathe. Taking slow, deep breaths and focusing on the sensation (called mindful breathing) won’t shrink the long line at the toy store, but it will lower your heart rate and help you gain a sense of control.
Spend quality time with your pet. Your furry friend loves you unconditionally, so playing a quick game of fetch with Fido or cuddling on the couch with Kitty will lift your spirits and serve as a buffer against stress.
Take a walk. A simple walk at a brisk pace enhances the flow of brain chemicals that block the effects of stress. It doesn’t have to be a long walk—even a dash up and down the stairs will do in a pinch.
Munch on chocolate. It’s true—eating chocolate helps release endorphins, those brainy chemicals that control your mood.

At the end of a stress-filled day, refresh yourself with a relaxing foot massage. The enhanced, extra-strength formula in Baker’s Best Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream keeps your feet happy and healthy, and works like crazy on tired and worn out tootsies. And best of all, you can try it risk-free for 21 days!

2010-12-03T05:34:00.001-08:00

Mmmmm, there’s nothing quite like the rich aroma of cinnamon to really spice up the holidays. Try one of these remarkable recipes to get your whole house smelling divine.

Cinnamon Ornaments:

These great-smelling ornaments make neat homemade Christmas gifts. The kids and grandkids will have a blast making these special treats.

Mix 1 cup of ground cinnamon with 4 tablespoons of white glue, and gradually add in the water. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on a cutting board or counter, and roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thick. Cut shapes from the dough with cookie cutters, and poke a hole at the top of each for hanging on the tree later. Let the ornaments dry at room temperature for 2 days, turning every 8 hours or so. You can decorate your pretty new ornaments with white paint, or just hang them as-is on the tree using colorful ribbons.

Anise-Cinnamon Tea

Combine 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of aniseed, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of honey in a small pan. Bring just to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and serve hot.

2010-11-24T05:20:00.001-08:00

If company’s coming this holiday season and you need to get rid of lingering odors in your home fast, try one of these easy air-freshening tricks:

Heat the oven to 300°F, and set a whole, unpeeled orange inside. Bake it for about 15 minutes with the oven door slightly ajar, then turn the oven off.
Throw pieces of dried lemon peel into your fireplace.
Soak cotton balls in vanilla extract, and tuck them behind the covers in your heat registers.
Toss a handful of citrus peels into a pot of boiling water along with a few cloves and a shake or two of cinnamon. Reduce the heat, and let the fragrant brew simmer.

Aaaahh—now you’re ready for your visitors! So roll out the welcome mat and let the fun begin.

2010-11-19T05:19:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be the same without the warm, melt-in-your-mouth taste of sweet potatoes. Besides having remarkable flavor, sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other heavyweight health problems. So give thanks to the sweet potato this Thanksgiving – and every other Thursday of the year!

These healthy sweet potato fries will make you forget about your craving for those greasy fast-food French fries. Here’s how to whip up a batch:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray two baking sheets with canola oil cooking spray. Cut 4 scrubbed, unpeeled sweet potatoes in half, then slice each half into several long wedges. Place the wedges on the baking sheets, mist them with additional cooking spray, and sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Bake the fries for 20 minutes, then turn them and cook for an additional 10 to 20 minutes, or until they’re brown and crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle.

2010-11-12T05:52:00.001-08:00

I’ve always been a coffee person, but lately I’ve discovered that there’s nothing better on these chilly, damp fall afternoons than sipping a big mug of tea by a cozy fire. It warms me up from the inside out and leaves me feeling rested and healthy.

What is it about tea that makes me feel so good? It turns out that tea is packed with antioxidants, those powerful free radical fighters that can rev up our immune system and help it fight off colds, flu, and even cancer. So even if you think you’re not a tea drinker, give it a try! Start by substituting a cup of tea for your usual cup of coffee in the morning. You’ll still get a little wake-up call (tea delivers 47 milligrams of caffeine per cup), plus one-third of your day’s worth of the antioxidants your body craves.

Here’s how to make the perfect cup of hot tea:

Start with cold water in a kettle or pot. Bring just to a boil and then pour over a tea bag in your cup. (If you’re preparing green tea, let the boiled water sit for a minute before pouring it over your tea bag.) Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes to maximize your antioxidant does. Remove the bag promptly to prevent bitterness from too much tannin. Then find a cozy spot by the fire, sip, and relax.

2010-11-05T05:22:00.000-07:00

Have your bowels been acting a bit sluggish lately? For most people, constipation is a minor inconvenience, generally remedied by getting your body in gear and eating a few foods that will naturally get things moving along. Here are a few steps you can take that’ll return you to regularity:

Lick it with lemon. Lemon juice is a powerful cleanser and helps jump-start the digestive system. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water—and the mouth is where good digestion begins! Simply add a squeeze of lemon juice to ½ cup of warm water, and sip before every meal.
Snack on strawberries. Here’s an old remedy that’s a pleasure to try. Many people believe that eating fresh strawberries will clear up constipation. It makes sense, too, since fruit is a soluble fiber, which does ease the passage of waste through the colon.
Jog it loose. Get into the habit of regular exercise. It’s good for lots of things that ail you, including constipation. Exercise helps food travel through your intestines more quickly and reduces stress and anxiety, which cause you to tighten up in more ways than one.
Have a triple cocktail. Prunes, bran, and applesauce mixed together will really get things moving. If you want to give it a try, mix four to six chopped prunes with 1 tablespoon of bran and ½ cup of applesauce and eat it just before bed.

You can experience even more soothing relief from constipation with our new Cleansing Colon Formula. The unique combination of fiber, bran, and healing herbs helps trigger your body’s natural ability to detoxify—and you’ll soon be breathing a huge sigh of relief!

2010-10-29T05:35:00.001-07:00

Halloween is this weekend, and I’m anticipating a spooky night filled with chills and thrills. But mostly I’m looking forward to seeing my little neighbors dressed up as ghostly monsters and brave superheroes. They get so excited—and who can blame them? Not only do they get to dress up, they also get to fill their bags with piles of yummy candy!

Keep your little trick-or-treater safe this Halloween by following a few simple rules:

When selecting a costume, make sure hems, sashes, and capes aren’t so long that your child could trip over them. And avoid high heels, too.
Make sure younger kids are accompanied by a responsible adult. And have older kids carry a cell phone so they can check in with you often. Then set a time for them to be home.
Let your kids know they are not to eat any treats until all of the candy has been inspected by you.
Have your child carry a glow stick or flashlight, or have them put reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

Just when you think it’s safe to take a breath, hold that thought because winter allergies are about to kick in. Once you turn on the furnace, you start stirring up a whole lot of allergens like mold, pollen, and dust mites—which trigger sneezing, stuffy noses, and itchy eyes.

So keep your allergy meds handy and try these timely tips:

Wash your bedding once a week in hot water, and dry it on the highest heat on your dryer.
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask whenever you dust or vacuum. Pick up a packet of these disposable dust masks at your local drugstore.
Have your furnace serviced before you turn it on for the season, and then change the filter frequently—every couple of months or so.

Keep in mind that it’s not just turning on your furnace that can trigger winter sneezes, wheezes, and itches. Dust mites are major indoor allergens, too—and they love to sleep in your bed, so use a natural citrus laundry detergent and wash your bedding often.

2010-10-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Being on your feet all day long can lead to a lot of problems. Your feet can dry out and become cracked, which is not only unsightly, but can be painful as well. But there is help—give your feet a treat with this old-time moisturizing foot fixer:

Put 1 ripe, smashed banana, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of margarine, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl. Stir them together until the mixture is nice and creamy, then massage it onto your clean, dry feet. Pull on a pair of cotton socks, and head to bed for the night. In the morning, your feet should look and—more importantly—feel much better.

You say you don’t happen to have any ripe bananas lying around? Try our amazing new Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream—FREE for 21 days instead. Your feet will be baby soft, sexy smooth, and dancing with energy—guaranteed!

2010-10-08T05:46:00.001-07:00

If the flu strikes, don’t just take it—fight back! Grab some garlic and start with a soothing foot rub: Apply a thin coat of olive oil to the soles of your feet, followed by a rubdown with the cut side of a clove of garlic. Then slip on a thick pair of socks, and get to bed—pronto! When you wake up, you’ll feel a whole lot better—guaranteed!.

Garlic is as powerful as it is pungent, and it’s great for bolstering your immune system. Reach for a few more cloves of garlic, chop ‘em up, and toss ‘em into your favorite hot soup. Or whip up a batch of this recipe—it’ll ease stress, restore energy, and reduce fatigue so you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time at all:

Mix 2 teaspoons of miso paste, 2 cloves of garlic (crushed), 1 tablespoon of grated onion, and 1 teaspoon of vinegar in a large mug or soup bowl. Pour 1 cup of hot vegetable broth over the potent concoction, stir to mix, and sip your troubles away.

2010-10-01T05:59:00.001-07:00

The next time you pop open a cold brewski, give a little toast to good health. Wine may get all the headlines, but beer – from the lowest-calorie lites to the creamiest of stouts – is full of these healthy benefits:

Improved circulation. Studies have shown that quaffing one or two beers a day can reduce your likelihood of having a stroke, heart problems, or other vascular diseases.
No more flaky stuff. Hops is the herb that flavors beer, and Native Americans have used it as a cure for dandruff (among other things) for generations. There’s no need to comb the fields and woods for hops, however – just shampoo your hair with beer, or add a squirt or two of the “suds” to your regular shampoo.
Less stress. After a long, hard day, relax in a soothing beer bath to boost your spirits and soften your skin. Just pour three bottles of inexpensive brew into a tub full of water, settle in, and think dreamy thoughts!

2010-09-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

The older I get, the more I realize how delicate and fragile the skin around my eyes is. Of course, I use Baker’s Best Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Cream on the rest of my face (my neck, too!), and I love the results. But around my eyes, I like to use cream that’s made specifically for the extra-fragile skin.

So I always follow these tips when applying any cream around my eyes to minimize wear and tear:

Starting at the outside corner of one eye, go under the eye toward the bridge of your nose, then across the bridge of your nose to the upper lid of the opposite eye. Then continue under the second eye and back across your nose to the first eye’s lid. Applying the cream in a figure eight motion like this allows you to evenly distribute the moisturizer without pulling on the delicate skin below your eyes.

2010-09-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about one in three of us suffers from arthritis. One in three! Yet there is plenty of good news on the arthritis front. For one thing, most people who get it will have a relatively minor form.

In addition, doctors are discovering new treatments all the time—and I’m not necessarily talking about revolutionary new drugs or procedures. But as it turns out, some of the most effective treatments involve exercise and stretches that you can do anywhere.

Aim for 20 minutes of stretching exercises each day, focusing on your shoulders, ankles, knees, and fingers. After your stretching routine, try this super simple relaxation technique for pain relief:

1. Lie on your back on an exercise mat or blanket with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Your feet should be about hip-width apart and about 1 foot from your hips.
2. Keeping your shoulders on the floor, lift your head a bit by resting it on a pillow, and close your eyes.
3. Rest your hands on your ribs, with your elbows out to the sides.
4. As you lie on the floor, focus on your neck and lower back, thinking of them as becoming softer and softer.
5. Concentrate on breathing deeply, and imagine yourself in a beautiful, pain-free setting.
6. Take as much time as you need, and don’t open your eyes until you have reached a state of calm.

Make this part of your bedtime routine, too; it’ll help you wind down before climbing into bed.

If you feel like arthritis and other pain is robbing you of the things you like to do, then you owe it to yourself to try Baker’s Best Arthritis Pain Relief Cream—RISK FREE! Its quick penetrating action can help bring soothing relief to muscle aches, joint pain, and even a sore, aching back.

2010-09-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

Cooler temps this week have put me in the mood for soup. And the timing couldn’t be better, because squash is in season. I love squash—it’s delicious, beautiful, and oh-so good for you, too! Plus, it’s loaded with beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in your body. It can also help prevent cancer, pump up your immune system, and even protect your skin against sunburn.

But, I have to admit, even with all of squash’s healthy benefits, I eat it because it’s yummy—and it makes an amazingly tasty soup!

This silky-smooth Ginger Butternut Soup, with its soothing warmth and gingery bite, is all you’ll need to chase away the chill on a cool September evening. Best of all, it’s on the table in 30 minutes!

Ingredients:
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ground coriander seeds
1 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 butternut squash, cooked and pureed
4-inch piece fresh ginger, finely minced
3 cans (14 ½ ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
Reduced-fat sour cream (optional)

In a deep pot over medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic, coriander, and allspice in the oil and butter for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Add the squash, ginger, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Top each serving with a small dollop of the sour cream, and dig in! (Yield: Six servings.)

2010-09-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

There probably isn’t a single nutrient that does more for your body than vitamin C. And now that ragweed allergy season is in full swing, you can combine nature’s heavy hitter with vitamins A and E to fight sinus headaches. Together they can strengthen your membranes and immune system, reduce congestion, and help protect against cold- and flu-causing germs.

Check the drugstore for a combination vitamin, then ask your doctor about the dosage that’s right for you. Or you can get your daily dose by eating vitamin rich fresh produce like oranges, apricots, carrots, and tomatoes.

Here’s a super salad that’s anything but green. It’s a zingy side dish that’s got a delicious taste and a big dose of health benefits—it’s loaded with vitamins C and A.

Ingredients:
1 can (15 ounces) whole baby beets, drained
1/2 cup canned mandarin orange segments, drained
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel.
1/4 cup orange juice
1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary

Cut the beets in half and place them in a small bowl. Add the orange segments, orange peel, orange juice, and rosemary, and stir. Chill well, then serve and enjoy!

2010-08-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

The end of summer is ripe with fantastic fruits and vegetables that are farm fresh, either from your local farmers’ market or grocery store produce aisle. And not only are the current crop wallet-friendly, they also taste their juiciest best! Here’s my list of the 5 best fruits and veggies you can buy fresh right now:

1. Apples. Crispy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy, apples top the list of most folks’ favorite fruits. For the next few months, you’re sure to find your favorite variety readily available, and at its peak of ripeness. Scrub the skin clean and bite right in, or slice a few and add ‘em to a leafy green salad.

2. Blueberries. These tasty treats are loaded with antioxidants that’ll help keep you in the pink of health. Eat them by the handful, or whirl them into a frozen yogurt smoothie.

3. Cucumbers. Sure, you can find cukes year-round at the supermarket, but bagging them at your local farmers’ market makes ‘em taste extra fresh. Add thin slices to your sandwich to add zest and crunch, or toss them in a cold pasta salad for a late summer side dish.

4. Nectarines. Summer’s sunniest delights are so juicy, sweet, and delicious, it’s hard to believe they’re good for you, too. But they are! Nectarines are loaded with beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamins A and C. Take a bite and get the juices flowing! Or finely chop one and stir the morsels into fiery salsa for a sweet-hot sensation that’s out of this world.

5. Tomatoes. There’s nothing quite like biting into a tomato that’s still warm from the garden. But don’t worry if you didn’t grow your own this summer—just head out to the farmers’ market and bring home a bagful. Then slice ‘em, dice ‘em, and let ‘em brighten up your salads, pastas, and burgers.

2010-08-20T05:49:00.001-07:00

Working or playing outdoors can make your hands really rough, but fancy store-bought hand lotions can leave your budget in bad shape! So here’s a make-it-yourself concoction that’ll make your hands soft and smooth, while keeping money in your wallet:

Boil 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary, 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers, and 4 cups of water in a small, uncovered pan over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature, and then strain out the solids. Store the remaining liquid in a bottle in the refrigerator. Apply it to your hands with a cotton ball, and let your hands air-dry.

And don’t forget about your fingernails when you’re pampering your hands. Treat them to a home-spa beauty soak: Beat 1 egg yolk in a small bowl. Soak your fingernails for about five minutes, then rinse off the egg and buff your nails dry.

For a special finish, add a coat of clear fingernail polish to your nails. Dry it extra-quick by dipping your painted nails in ice water several times. The polish will harden in no time at all, so you can be on your way.

2010-08-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

I was looking at old family photos the other day, when I realized that my teeth just aren’t as white as they used to be. I guess they’ve been stained over the years by my morning coffee habit—and my occasional glass of red wine, too. To brighten them up, I’d rather not spend an arm and a leg at the dentist. If you’ve got the same problem, here’s a quartet of DIY tricks you can try instead:

Crunch into an apple. The biting and chewing action will gently and safely polish away tooth stains.
Chew on carrot sticks. They’ll sand away discoloration, and as a bonus, carrots are one of nature’s best breath sweeteners!
Munch on celery. It can gently abrade away tooth tarnish. And the gentle burst of water that you get with each bite helps flush food particles and odor-causing bacteria from your mouth.
Swish with strawberries. Fresh strawberry juice is said to whiten teeth over time. Paint the juice on your teeth and leave it there for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water with a pinch of baking soda added.

These tips should help give the discoloration the brush-off—and your pearly whites will be pearly and white once again.

2010-08-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you just can’t, well…go? If constipation has you feeling all blocked up and increasingly uncomfortable, check with your doctor, then see if these tips might help.

Exercise regularly; it’s good for lots of things that ail you, including irregularity.
Make sure you drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.
Ditch commercial laxatives—regular consumption is self-defeating because they train your bowel to wait for artificial stimulation, rather than responding to natural body signals.
Mix 4 to 6 chopped prunes with 1 tablespoon of bran and ½ cup of applesauce, and eat it just before bedtime.
Eat some beans. They’re loaded with fiber and will jump-start a stalled gut.
Lemon juice is a powerful cleanser. Simply add a squeeze of lemon juice to ½ cup of warm water, and sip it before every meal.

You can experience even more soothing relief from constipation with our new Cleansing Colon Formula. The unique combination of fiber, bran, and healing herbs will trigger you body’s natural ability to detoxify—and you’ll soon be breathing a huge sigh of relief!

2010-07-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

The heat is on—and it is sizzling! So take advantage of the weather and get outside to enjoy the sun. But don’t forget your sunglasses!

You’ll look cool—and the skin around your eyes will stay more relaxed—when you shade your eyes with sunglasses. After all, it’s not just the sun that accelerates aging; it’s those constant muscle contractions, too.

So get in the habit of wearing shades every time you go out. And be sure to choose sunglasses that block UV light. Wraparound styles and those with wide sidepieces offer extra protection to the crow’s-feet area.

Want to make those crow’s feet hit the road faster? Our new “Dream Cream” (Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Cream) is packed with powerful peptides, amazing antioxidants, and other incredible ingredients that’ll send fine lines and age spots packing. Try it and see the beautiful results for yourself—FREE for 21 days!

2010-07-23T06:36:00.000-07:00

It’s getting hot out there! Along with the heat comes sweaty feet and with the sweat comes the stink. Let’s face it: Nobody wants to put up with stinky feet. So I dug through some of my dad’s health books, and I found this dusting powder recipe that’ll quell foot odor:

Combine 2 parts powdered calendula flowers with 1 part each powdered slippery elm, lavender flowers, and aluminum-free baking soda. Powder some on your feet before putting your socks and shoes on and you’ll be a cool customer all day long (well, your feet will be, anyway).

If you’re fresh out of calendula flowers and slippery elm powder (after all, not everyone makes regular trips to the health food store), why not try our new Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream—FREE for 21 days? It’s like instant therapy for rough, dry, cracked, and aching feet. Plus, the pleasant coconut fragrance (with just a touch of peppermint) helps eliminate foot odors. So your feet won't just look good—they'll smell good, too!

2010-07-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

If the heat this week is making you feel too lazy to even lift a fork, collapse on your beach chair and sip a whole day’s worth of vitamins A and C right through a straw! As a special bonus, this sensational sipper will help boost your immune system and keep you in the pink of health, too.

Here’s how to whip up a delicious and frosty Cantaloupe Smoothie:

Combine ½ cup of cold fat-free evaporated milk, 3 cups of cold cantaloupe cubes, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a dash of ground cinnamon in a blender. Blend until smooth, and pour into a large chilled glass. Then sip, relax, and chill out!

You say you’re not crazy about cantaloupe? Whirl up this Super Banana Shake instead. The potassium in the fruit will put a little extra spring in your step:

In a blender, combine 1 very ripe banana, 1/ cup of fat-free plain yogurt, ½ cup of fat-free milk, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of wheat germ. Blend on high until creamy and smooth, then pour the shake into a tall glass and dust the top with cinnamon. Then sip and enjoy!

2010-07-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the 4th of July, here’s a terrific summer recipe for colorful Red, White, and Blueberry muffins that’ll get your day started with a bang:

2 large eggs
1 cup of milk
½ teaspoon vanilla
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup of sugar
½ butter or margarine, melted
3 cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups blueberries
1½ cups raspberries

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare muffin pans with non-stick cooking spray, or line with muffin papers.

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla, baking powder, and sugar until well blended. Add the melted butter, and mix well. Stir in the flour with a spatula until it is evenly moist. Then gently fold in the blueberries and raspberries. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full of batter, and bake for 25 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned.

Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan. Then let the fireworks begin!

2010-07-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Little can compare to guilty pleasure of dunking a crispy tortilla chip into a dish of creamy fresh guacamole. But there’s no need to feel guilty! After all, you’d be hard-pressed to find a healthier fruit than the mighty avocado. Just swap your salty, oily chips for carrots, celery—or any other fresh veggies that suit your taste buds’ fancy—and dive into the green stuff.

And if you just can’t get enough fresh avocado, substitute your usual topping on bagels, baked potatoes, sandwiches, and toast with lower-calorie One-Minute Avocado Spread. It’s got far fewer calories and grams of fat than butter, cream cheese, or mayo, and boy, oh boy is it delicious. Here’s how you can whip some up for yourself:

In a medium bowl, mash 1 medium seeded and peeled avocado with a fork. Stir in 2 tablespoons each of lemon juice and chopped fresh basil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill the spread for at least 1 hour to blend the flavors. Then spread and enjoy!

2010-06-18T05:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads out there! Here’s hoping you can spend lots of time with your kids (and grandkids!) this weekend. But if you’re worried that arthritis pain will ruin your fun, consider this old Baker family remedy for achy joints:

According to my dad, whenever Great-Grandma Putt’s arthritic knee started acting up, she went to the garden and cut a head of cabbage. Cabbage leaves have been used for centuries to soothe inflammation, and a sturdy outer leaf is just the right shape to place over a bent knee or an elbow.

If you’d like to give this DIY painkiller a try, blanch a cabbage leaf or two, then apply it, either warm or cool, to inflamed joints. Wrap it with gauze or an elastic bandage to hold it in place. Before you know it, you’ll be running circles around the neighborhood!

For instant relief—without the cabbagey smell—try our amazing Arthritis & Pain Relief Cream. Just rub it on and you’ll feel all your aches and pains melt away. Try it FREE for 21 days!

2010-06-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Sleeveless tops, shorts, and sandals have become my daily “uniform” now that the temps have really warmed up. So I’ve become very self-conscious of my extra-rough feet and not-so-soft elbows! But growing up with a dad like mine, who always has a DIY cure for everything, I knew I could find a way to soothe and smooth my arms and feet—without spending an arm and a leg!

Here’s a handful of helpful hints that’ll do the trick in no time:

Rub a half a lemon on your feet, elbows, and heels.
Mix equal parts of honey and milk, and, starting at your feet, massage the lotion into your thirsty skin. This is best done in the shower where you can simply rinse off when you’re done.
Make a big pot of oatmeal, cool slightly to a tolerably warm temperature, and slather it on from head to toe. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off in the shower.
Soak your feet in a pan of water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda added to it. As the callused skin loosens, gently rub it away a bit at a time with a pumice stone or emery board. Follow up with your favorite cream to soften your feet.

Need a little instant therapy for rough, dry, or achy feet? Try our amazing new Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream—FREE for 21 days! Just massage it in and you’ll feel the therapeutic action immediately as it heals and protects your tender tootsies.

2010-06-04T05:26:00.000-07:00

I love summer, but the humid days and soaring temps are making me feel like I’m melting, and my not-so-heat-proof makeup isn’t helping matters one bit. So I’ve done a little digging to see how I can keep my makeup fresh and bright all day long, no matter how hot it gets. Here’s what I’ve discovered:

Use a light foundation that contains an SPF of at least 15, so you don’t have to add a heavy layer of sunscreen underneath your base.
Dust face powder on your eyelids before applying eye shadow. That way, you’ll avoid colorful clumping in your creases as the day heats up.
Use waterproof mascara every day—it’s sweat proof, too!
Avoid waxy eyeliner pencil on the hottest days, because it just won’t stay put. Instead, wet a Q-tip, dip it in dark, powdered shadow, and line your eyes with that instead.
Give yourself a nice natural glow with powdered bronzer or self-tanning lotion for a safe, sun-kissed look.
Slick on some lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 before putting on your lipstick.

And make it a rule of thumb any time of year to remove your makeup completely before going to bed. Then nourish your skin with our Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Cream. It’s like a fountain of youth in a jar!

2010-05-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

I love Memorial Day weekend. The weather is usually just right, and Monday is the perfect time for a backyard barbecue, since everyone has the day off from work.

But don’t let your guests munch on junk while they’re waiting for the grill to heat up. Instead, treat them to this lively mango salsa—it’s delightful! Mangoes are packed with vitamins A and C, which gobble up free radicals, substances that may contribute to cancer and heart disease. And that’s not to mention that they’re absolutely delicious. Here’s the quick ‘n’ easy recipe:

Combine 2 cups of cubed mango, ½ cup of chopped red onion, 1 minced jalapeno pepper, 1 cup of peeled, diced cucumber, and 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro leaves in a bowl. Gently stir, then squeeze in the juice of one lime, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve the mango salsa with flaxseed chips. They’re just as tasty as their more fattening tortilla cousins—but even die-hard junk food junkies will reach for more!

2010-05-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

I bought fresh blackberries at the farmers’ market this week, and my family gobbled them up so fast that I had to go back for more the next day!

Of course, blackberries are more than just yummy nuggets of juicy flavor. They’re brimming with compounds that can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Blackberries are also loaded with quercitin, which halts the production of histamine. That’s the substance that makes allergy sufferers sneeze, wheeze, and generally feel miserable. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that blackberries ripen just as the outdoor allergy season begins.

They’re good for you and they taste great—what can be better than that? How about this Blackberry-Peach Crisp recipe—it’s a family favorite that I like to bake whenever these berries are in season:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of sugar, and ½ cup of flour. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in ½ cup of butter until the mixture is well blended and moist enough to form a ball. Place 4 cups of fresh blackberries in the bottom of an 8-inch-square baking dish. Toss with ¼ cup of flour. Add two cups of fresh peaches to the baking dish. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the fruit. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

That’s all there is to it! And at only 200 calories per serving, it’s a guilt-free treat you can truly enjoy.

2010-05-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Want to get some of the same anti-aging skin benefits you’d get from prescription skin-care drugs? Then eat an apricot! The lovely yellow-orange fruits are rich in beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body. And vitamin A is a key part of the retinoids that are the main ingredient of those pricey doctor-prescribed creams (like Retin-A). So snack on an apricot every day—there’s no doctor’s visit required!

Here’s an easy recipe for apricot salsa that puts a south-of-the-border spin on the sweet fruit:

In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of canola oil, 1/8 teaspoon of coarsely ground black pepper, 6 diced fresh apricots, ½ cup of diced red onion, and 1/3 cup of diced red bell pepper. Then break out the tortilla chips and dunk, dip, and munch!

Apricots are delicious on the outside of your skin, too. Whirl chunks of fresh apricots in a blender with drizzles of honey and olive oil until it reaches the consistency of body lotion. Store the moisturizer in the fridge between uses, and rub it into damp skin after you shower.

Vitamin A is one of the age-erasing antioxidants (along with vitamins E and C) that we packed into our Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Cream. Try it FREE for 21 Days, and speed feed your skin with these proven wrinkle fighters!

2010-05-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

As much as I enjoy spending time outside hiking and biking, I don’t enjoy the aches and pains that sometimes go along with these activities. So at the end of a long day filled with outdoor fun, I like to reward myself by sinking into a tub filled with hot water and a dose of this luxurious bath oil that’s a terrific toddy for the body. Here’s how you can mix up a batch of your own:

Combine 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of honey, and ¼ cup of baking soda in a large bowl. Fill your tub with water, pour in the mixture, and then add ½ cup of baby oil. Ease into the tub, and feel your fatigue melt away.

If you’d like to add fragrance to your bath, consider lavender. It’s lovely, and it’s a wonderful restorative for the soul. It relaxes and calms, and banishes your blahs.

Once you’re body is nice and relaxed, if you’re still feeling achy, try our Baker’s Best Arthritis & Pain Relief Cream; it’s just what the doctor ordered. Just rub it in and feel your pain start to melt away. Feel the rapid, dramatic relief for yourself—FREE for 21 days!

2010-04-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Happy May Day! Tomorrow is the traditional celebration of spring that’s honored around the world. Festivities and customs surrounding May Day vary from place to place, but they always have one thing in common: Each celebration involves flowers.

I always liked the idea of a Maypole on May Day: A beautiful pole decorated with colorful streamers, with little girls dancing around it, and fresh flowers flowing from their hair.

But my favorite tradition is to put together small baskets of flowers and leave them on friends’ and neighbors’ doorsteps. Traditionally, getting caught in the act means you’ll risk getting kissed by the recipient. I don’t know if that’s true, but then, I’ve never been caught! Here’s how I make my garden-fresh gifts:

1. Gather fresh flowers from your garden, and trim the stems to form a small bouquet.

2. Tie the stems together with a bright ribbon.

3. Fill a small glass jar with water, and place the flowers inside.

4. Place the jar in a small, handled basket.

5. Leave the basket on a friend’s doorstep, ring the bell, and run!

2010-04-23T06:01:00.000-07:00

The 40th anniversary of Earth Day has come and gone, but keep on thinking green every day. I’m guessing your home is filled with stuff you’d normally throw away or toss in the recycling bin. Well, it’s time to change that way of thinking, and take a fresh look at your cast-offs to see how they could be reinvented in useful ways around your home.

Many first aid and health supplies come equipped with packaging that’s every bit as useful as the product itself (though in different ways, of course). Here are some good examples of potential trash you can turn into treasure:

Boxes from bandages and gauze. Save these boxes until Christmas rolls around, then wrap them like tiny presents and hang them from the tree. You’ll have one-of-a-kind ornaments for free.
Cardboard rolls from gauze. Dismantle the nests of rubber bands in your junk drawer, and snap them around the reel.
Plastic and metal boxes from throat lozenges. Use them to corral all kinds of tiny odds and ends, like buttons, nails, needles, paperclips, stamps…the list goes on and on.
Reels from adhesive tape. Or any other kind of tape, for that matter. Wrap aluminum foil around them, attach a string, and hang them in your fruit trees and berry bushes to discourage fruit-eating birds.
Any of the above. Turn it into dollhouse furniture. Just cover the box, reel, or roll with fabric or decorative paper, and presto! Depending on the size and shape of the object, you’ve got a bed, coffee table, dining table—or whatever your little interior designer desires.

2010-04-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

On April 22, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated in communities around the world. Check out http://www.earthday.net/ to find out how you can get involved in “green up” solutions to climate change in your community.

Every year there’s an increased focus on “buying green,” whether you’re in the market for a major purchase like a new car or home, or you’re simply buying a $4 cleaning product. Manufacturers are pumping out their versions of “earth-friendly” goods every day.

So what about beauty products? If you’re trying to go green in your beauty routine, look for manufacturers that make eco-friendly choices for packaging, product testing, and ingredients. It turns out that some of the most healing, good-for-you products are made from all-natural ingredients.

When it comes to finding the greenest beauty products around, you truly don’t need to look any further than your own kitchen. The next time your skin is feeling sandpaper-rough, mix equal parts of honey and milk and climb into the shower. Then, starting at your feet, massage the lotion into your thirsty skin. When you’re done, simply rinse off, and pat your skin dry.

Not the DIY type? There’s nothing better for your skin than the soothing ingredients in our Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Cream. The natural herbs, butters, and extracts in our “Dream Cream” can help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; reduce the signs of aging; moisturize dry skin; and much, much more. See the beautiful results for yourself—I guarantee you’re going to love your new radiant, youthful glow!

2010-04-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

I’ve gone through lotion like crazy this winter, trying to keep my hands moisturized and protected from the dry indoor heat and cold outdoor temps. And I’ve done a pretty good job! So the last thing I want to do is roughen them up now that gardening season has started.

But then I remembered some of my dad’s old-time tricks that he passed down from his Grandma Putt:

Before heading out to the garden, lightly scratch your fingernails over a bar of soap. Come clean-up time, the dirt and soap washes right out.
For quick and easy clean-up once you’re done with your yard work, place a bar of soap in the toe of an old nylon stocking or panty hose leg, and hang it near an outdoor faucet. Instead of making a mess inside the house, you can scrub up outside without even having to take the soap out of the stocking. And the texture from the hose will help you scrub every inch clean.
Once you’re inside, clean the soapy residue out from under your nails by digging your fingers into the juicy flesh of half a lemon. Keep them there for one minute, then rinse them clean.
Restore moisture to your nails by soaking your fingertips in ½ cup of warmed olive oil for 15 to 30 minutes once a week.

And for a quick fix, nothing beats our amazing “Dream Cream.” The power-packed formula in Baker’s Best Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Cream is fresh, gentle, and highly effective. You’ll love what it does for your face…but don’t stop there—use it on your hands, elbows, décolletage…you get the idea. See the beautiful results for yourself—FREE for 21 days!

2010-04-02T05:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! Here’s hoping you have a wonderful, sun-filled day, and that the Easter Bunny leaves lots of treats for you and yours. If you’ve got leftover hard-boiled eggs, lucky you—not only are they incredible and edible, they’re also oh-so good for you. Eggs, especially the yolks, are loaded with nutrients that everybody needs, but many of us don’t get enough of.

It’s no yolk: eggs are a terrific source of B vitamins, which boost germ-fighting immunity; vitamin D, which builds bone and boost memory; and carotenoids that are critical for preventing age-related macular degeneration, the major cause of blindness in adults. In fact, these sight-saving nutrients are absorbed more easily from eggs than from green vegetables.

Enjoy your leftovers in this dee-lish Egg Salad Sandwich recipe that bulks up the goodness of eggs with crunchy veggies:

1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped red radishes
1/2 cup diced, peeled cucumber
1/8 teaspoon celery seeds
dash of salt
dash of freshly ground black pepper
2 slices whole wheat bread
2 slices tomato
Lettuce

In a small bowl, combine the egg, mayonnaise, celery, radishes, cucumber, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended. Pile the mixture on 1 slice of the bread, and top with the tomato, lettuce, and the remaining slice of bread. Cut the sandwich in half and enjoy your egg!

2010-03-26T06:01:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and warm weather won’t be far behind. So are you ready for sandal weather yet? Don’t worry—there’s still plenty of time to whip your winter-weary feet into shape for barefootin’ and flip-floppin’. But there’s no need to plunk down $25 or more for a professional pedicure, when you can DIY for pennies. Here’s how:

Conquer the calluses. The next time you take a bath, treat your feet to a moisturizing salt rub. Moisten a handful of Epsom salts with a small amount of almond or olive oil. Then scrub your feet until the salt’s dissolved and the oil has softened your skin.
Soften your heels. Rub a half a lemon on your heels to promote smoother skin.
Tend your toenails. Nails are vulnerable to fungus infections that can cause discoloration and deformity. The best treatment is to keep your toes as clean and dry as possible.
Get help from herbs. Calcium and magnesium are essential to nail health. Make a mineral-packed herbal potion by mixing together equal parts of nettles (which is rich in both calcium and magnesium), horsetail, and oats. Steep 1 heaping teaspoon in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes, and drink 1 to 2 cups daily.
Make it a multi. A daily multivitamin will help ensure that your body has the right nutrition for proper nail growth. Healthy nails are less likely to become ingrown or infected.

Start following these steps now so your feet are ready for their close-up once the temps start to rise.

2010-03-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

If you love fresh asparagus, then spring is the perfect time to buy a bunch of hand-cut, fresh-from-the-fields spears at the grocery store. The healthy benefits of asparagus can’t be beat. In fact, it’s the king of veggies when it comes to providing folate, the B vitamin that’s thought to play an important role in preventing heart attacks.

Asparagus is also a good source of vitamin C, part of the nutrition arsenal that keeps your immune system in fighting trim. Just 10 spears can provide about 20 percent of the daily recommendation for C.

And best of all, no vegetable is more elegant than asparagus. With flavor both distinctive and unique, it dazzles when prepared simply, as in this family favorite Hazelnut Asparagus Salad:

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh asparagus, cut into 1½-inch pieces
3 teaspoons light soy sauce
2 teaspoons walnut oil
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons chopped toasted hazelnuts
Red leaf lettuce
Grape tomatoes

Instructions:
Place the asparagus in a heavy saucepan with just enough water to cover. Bring the water to a boil, lower the heat, and cook the asparagus gently just until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Pour off the hot water, then rinse the asparagus in cold water to stop cooking. Pat dry. Place in a glass or plastic bowl. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oil, honey, and hazelnuts. Pour over the asparagus. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Serve on a bed of red leaf lettuce. Garnish with the tomatoes, and enjoy!

Yield: 6 servings

2010-03-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

I recently bought a new variety of tea that looked inviting on the package, but turned out to not taste so good. I knew I’d never drink the stuff, but instead of throwing it out, I decided to keep the bags and use them for their health benefits. Here are a few ways to use tea bags to perk yourself up without ever taking a sip:

Cooled tea bags are just the ticket for sunburned eyelids. Steep four bags in a quart of boiling water for several minutes, then let them cool to lukewarm. Squeeze the liquid from the tea bags and lay them on your puffy peepers.
The practice of soaking sweaty feet and hands in tea has been around for centuries, and for good reason! The tannins in the tea help close your pores, thereby shutting off the waterworks. To try it, steep five bags in a quart of hot water, let it cool, and soak your hands or feet for 30 minutes every other night for a week.
The simplest relief for an angry rash? Squeeze out a cooled tea bag and hold it on your tortured skin.
Comfort a child who’s just had a shot by applying a wet tea bag to the “scene of the crime.”
Try this relaxing soak at the end of a tough day. First, put a few chamomile tea bags in a piece of gauze or a leg cut from a pair of pantyhose. Next, slice an orange thinly. Hang the tea pouch under your bathtub spigot as the warm water runs into the tub. Float the orange slices in the water, climb in, and let your cares drift away.

2010-03-05T06:25:00.000-08:00

I’m sure you already know that bananas are potassium powerhouses that battle cancer, heart disease, and PMS, among other things. But nature’s perfect fast food has even more magic under its skin that can benefit your skin—and your hair, too! Here’s how:

For a facial that you’ll truly go bananas for, puree one banana and one avocado in a blender. Apply the mixture to your skin and leave it on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. If you have dry skin, follow up with a moisturizer like our Baker’s Best Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Cream.
Fresh out of avocados? Try this simple skin treatment instead: Add 1 tablespoon of honey to a mashed banana. Cover your face with the mixture, let it sit for 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.
This mixture is just the ticket for dry, frizzy, or damaged hair: Mash half a ripe banana and half a ripe avocado in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil and three drops of lemon oil. Mix everything together and work the mixture into your dry hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap, wait 60 minutes or so, and shampoo as usual. For badly damaged hair, repeat this treatment up to three times a week until the bounce and shine return.

2010-02-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

If you feel like you’ve packed on a few extra pounds over the long, cold winter, now’s the time to start taking them off and shaping up. After all, swimsuit and shorts season is right around the corner! To help you get started, I dug around our recipe archives and found a terrific green tea smoothie recipe that’ll fill you up and energize you. Swirl it up in the afternoon to send your hunger pangs packing.

Heat a cup of water until it’s almost boiling. Add the tea bag and steep it for 3 to 5 minutes. Sweeten the tea with 1 teaspoon of honey, and then pour it into a blender. Add 2 cups of frozen blueberries, 1 banana, and 1 ½ cups of fat-free milk. Process until smooth, then pour it into two glasses for you and a friend to enjoy.

New research suggests that drinking green tea with every meal may boost your metabolism—so you’re getting that fat-burning boost, and a lot of other nutrients with every sip of this ingenious little whip-up. Enjoy!

2010-02-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

Trout, salmon, and other cold-water fish contain loads of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which can help ease stiff and swollen joints by reducing both inflammation and cartilage destruction. To get the most pain-relieving benefits, I try to eat fish at least twice a week. Here are some terrific, tummy-tempting ways you can add more to your menu:

Add pieces of fresh fish to store-bought vegetable soup to make a chunky chowder. Simmer at least 5 minutes to be sure the fish is cooked through.
Use white albacore tuna to make a tuna salad. Add light mayo and plenty of fresh veggies like celery, carrots, cucumber, and radishes.
When you’re grilling salmon, cook a double batch. Chill the leftovers to mix into pasta salad to have for lunch the next day.
Try this recipe for one of my favorite fish feasts—Orange Orange Roughy: Wash 2 orange roughy fillets and pat them dry. Place thin slices of orange on a broiler pan, then top them with the fish. Sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of walnut oil. Broil at medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the fish is translucent and flakes easily with a fork. Place each fillet on a dinner plate and garnish with grated orange peel.

Trust me—one taste of this delish dish, and you’ll be making fish a regular mealtime feature.