Spring is a transitional season, carrying nature from the inert, conservative state of winter into the high activity of summer. So the goal of the spring cleanse is to lighten up our system and make ourselves more vibrant and efficient for these increased physical challenges and activities.

In Chinese Medicine, spring relates to the wood element and to the liver and gall bladder. As such, the liver is the main focus of our spring cleanse. The liver relates to the emotions of unresolved anger and irritability. Spring is characterized by the strong energy of growth and change so it is important to allow this energy to flow smoothly without blockages. By engaging in exercises and movement, being in nature, and relaxation techniques for the heart and mind, such as meditation, one can experience relief from congestive emotions and support the health of their liver (and consequently, the entire body) at the same time.

I’d like to offer some holistic mind/body preparation tips to help you get the most out of your spring cleanse. Here is a link to a detox report you may find helpful as well. Depending on your personal goals, you may choose to make your own detox regimen more or less involved. Just remember that it’s important to begin any type of cleanse under the supervision of an experienced healthcare provider who can guide you in the process—especially if you have health concerns or chronic ailments.

Planning Your Spring Cleanse
A spring cleanse can be as short as three days or as long as 21 days—but I find that 10 to 14 days is optimal for most individuals. You might choose to start with a preparation phase, followed by a middle segment that is more intense, and wind your cleanse down by repeating the preparation phase. But however you plan your detox, the basis should always be a fresh, healthy diet with a focus on plenty of organic vegetables, whether steamed or raw, in addition to high quality nutritional supplements to support the various phases of detoxification. And don’t forget plenty of pure water (and herbal tea), as hydration is extremely critical during a cleanse.

If you can plan for time off of work during your cleanse, this is ideal. Giving yourself the space to expand, relax and meditate on the things you wish to let go of can help you release toxins of all kinds: emotional, physical, mental and spiritual. If you can’t take time off of work, try to give yourself a few hours a day to create a sacred space to unpeel the layers of obstructions that may be affecting your health and vibrancy.

Cleansing and purifying your home, work and other environments is also an important preparation step. Cleaning out the stagnant winter energy, dusting and removing pathogens that may be lingering inside your home and getting rid of clutter in your surroundings can have a profound positive impact on the health of your body, mind and spirit.

Designating a sacred space for meditation, relaxation and contemplation, etc., sends a message to your entire being that your commitment to vibrant health, clarity and anything else is sincere and profound. See what positive changes will arise when you focus your energy into a sacred healing space for yourself!

Preparing Your Mind for Spring Detox
If you had the opportunity to experiment with and experience meditation and inner reflection during the winter, you’ve likely discovered aspects of yourself that you no longer need to hold onto. So, as part of the cleansing process, it’s always useful to decide what it is you’re prepared to let go of as you move forward into the spring.

An expansive approach to detoxification looks at the “cleanse” as a means of increasing your degree of freedom and openness. We can take our example from nature: Just as the day expands from dawn to dusk and the weather warms with the arrival of a new season, we can allow our perceptions to expand. One of the most profound ways to do this is through the use of meditation. By engaging in regular meditation, we can embrace those things in life that previously troubled us. Letting go of our afflictive emotions which have so much control over our perception of reality is an important part of the cleansing process.

That’s why, when engaging in a cleanse, we should always begin with the ultimate goal of creating greater freedom and opening up. This can be done with simple mediation practices which focus on your breathing, such as Shamata meditation.

During this unfolding process, our overloads and afflictions are released and allowed to dissipate like dew in the morning sun. As we detoxify and let go of some of these limiting perceptions and emotions, we find that the same stimulus no longer brings the same response, and that life naturally becomes easier.

A successful cleanse can do just this and more. In addition to more vibrant physical health, we can also develop a deeper sense of compassion, understanding, and release and transform negative patterns—allowing us to move forward into the next season with a healthy heart and mind, too. For more tips on preparing for your spring cleanse, visit www.DrEliaz.org.

With the holiday excitement behind us followed by the inevitable New Year’s resolutions to improve our lifestyle and eating habits, let’s take a look at the realities of what stress does to our health. This may help us find a deeper motivation for sustaining needed changes that benefit us on all levels.

“Fight or flight” mode uses up the body’s resources to escape from danger. This is a ‘“catabolic” or “wear and tear” physiological state. Healthy physiology maintains a more “anabolic” or “build and repair” state of being, while chronic catabolic metabolism breaks down the body/mind/spirit. Long term stress is like borrowing on your “equity line of credit.”

Here is a list of some of the deleterious effects of chronic stress:
• Disrupts brain-neuro-endocrine system
• Lowers adrenal function
• Causes hormone imbalance
• Causes immune suppression
• Causes Sugar/insulin imbalance
• Increases weight
• Disrupts Sleep
• Promotes catabolic process
• Triggers emotional/psychological domino effects
• Promotes negative beliefs and thought patterns, self doubt, depression, anxiety
• Isolation
• Breaks down muscle mass
• Causes loss of bone mass
• Increases risk of infection
• Increases allergic responses
• Increases risk of CVD, autoimmune disease, cancer
• Promotes inflammation
• Inhibits digestion
• Imbalances neurotransmitters
• Poor rebuilding and repair
• Causes nutrient deficiencies

Serious stuff! So, what can we do to shift ourselves into a healthier pattern and reduce stress? We can learn much from meditation, which encourages us to closely examine ourselves with a sense of honesty coupled with compassion, rather than judging and criticizing ourselves. From this process we can often find a deeper source of real motivation to make changes. Continuing to tap into this deeper sense of motivation is a key to maintaining our desire to practice healthful habits. Understanding the real damages of stress in our lives helps to maintain motivation to incorporate consistent practices to reduce stress. Meditation also teaches us that change comes about by taking small steps and making them part of our lives rather than making dramatic leaps that we are not able to sustain. For example, committing to 15 minutes of daily meditation and breathing is a simple small step that has profound benefits.

I work with many people who have life-threatening illnesses. Many of my patients have expressed that the opportunity that such a severe health challenge offered was the shift in priorities – a shift away from a narrow focus on accomplishment and goal orientation, to the feeling of connectedness and love given and received between friends and family, connecting with nature and becoming more acquainted with their inner life. Life became much simpler, yet more profound. We have the good fortune to learn from these experiences and examine our lives, re-prioritize, simplify, and take steps to create some spaciousness, equanimity and connectedness in our daily lives. Our physiology will respond in kind. Find out more at www.dreliaz.org.

Ginger
Praised by Confucius, ginger has been considered the universal medicine for many years. It is gentle on the stomach and is commonly used to relieve symptoms of nausea, indigestion, fever, and infection. More advanced research suggests that it may even be used for heart health, digestive health, preventing colds and flu,and assisting in weight loss.

Thyme
This herb is considered one of nature’s most powerful antiseptics and is commonly used in certain mouthwash and decongestant products. Thyme can be added to teas and herbal drinks, where it helps relieve sore throat, cough, bronchitis, and laryngitis.

Garlic
Garlic has a number of active components, including allicin, alliinase and sulfur compounds, which contribute to its potent antibiotic, anti-viral and fungicidal properties. These assets make garlic highly effective in lowering high blood pressure, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and boosting the immune system.

Mint
In addition to carrying a distinct fragrant quality, mint also has the ability to settle the digestive tract, thus decreasing the severity and length of stomach aches. The herb can be added to teas, salads or eaten by itself to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and hinder the growth of toxic bacteria in the stomach.

Lavender
Lavender is another fragrant herb that is used in a variety of medicinal and cosmetic products. It is largely cultivated for its natural oils which can calm nerves, alleviate headaches, and help to reduce stress.

Turning to herbal remedies for safe and natural treatments is an affordable way to maintain your health and vitality, while building your immune system and preventing many common illnesses. Not to mention leaving just one small ecological footprint or two in your garden bed.

During World War Two, the government encouraged individuals to contribute to the war effort by providing their own fruits and vegetables. The call to plant “Victory Gardens” was a call to patriotism to do your part. Being as my father was as patriotic as the next man, this particular call was answered by him with great zeal. He immediately began making plans for The Victory Garden. Not an easy task since we lived in the city in a small city house on a small city lot. But my father’s patriotism was second to none so we five kids lost our backyard. Our backyard remained The Victory Garden long after the war ended. Years dimmed my memory of The Victory Garden until the summer of 2005. That was the summer I was diagnosed with breast cancer and a liver problem.

The cancerous tumor was located in a spot that required a mastectomy. The liver problem prevented further cancer treatment. I knew I had to find an alternative treatment for healing. Then I remembered The Victory Garden. My father took great pride in his “fresh, wholesome food.” At that moment I knew I had found my alternative treatment. But I wasn’t a gardener. I never grew a vegetable in my life. In fact, all the flowers around my house were artificial. How do I begin? There must something to genetics because I approached My Victory Garden with the same zeal as my father. Much to the chagrin of my husband, we lost our lanai.

Down from the attic came the storage boxes that were bought, but never used, to put the closets in order. Holes were drilled in the bottom of the boxes for proper drainage. My bemused husband carried cement blocks onto the lanai to place the boxes upon for easy planting and weeding. Several trips to Lowe’s for organic soil and plants and I was in business. My first plantings were several types of tomatoes, several sweet bell pepper plants, cucumbers, potatoes, and summer squash. I supplemented with organic produce from local farm markets and grocery stores. Soon, my entire diet became organic. In six months time, my liver was healed. I have remained on my “fresh, wholesome food” to fight cancer recurrence.

My Victory Garden and I are doing just fine.

Sandy Powers

Persistent bad breath may be due to a treatable dental problem, such as an undiagnosed cavity or periodontal (gum) disease. Sometimes a broken filling can trap food particles. If you visit the dentist and no such problem is found, however, you may want to investigate further and talk to your physician about other possible causes. Occasionally, ongoing bad breath is due to something in the respiratory tract (such as a sinus or lung infection) or gastrointestinal tract or to a systemic (body-wide) condition. Diabetes, for example, can give the breath an unpleasant chemical smell.

Here are some Recipes:

1 Ingredients: honey and fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Instructions: In the morning and at night before bed take the juice ofone fresh squeezed lemon and mix with a little honey to taste and drink. Besides the absence of bad breath, you will also notice that you will feel more energized and rejuvenated. For extra punch, may also add cinnamon or cayenne powder.

2 Ingredients: Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Salt

Water (Preferably Purified)

Tongue scraper

Instructions: Mix one part water with one part peroxide. You can find peroxide in every pharmacyAdd a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking soda so that it is not very salty but you can still taste the salt.This is your mouth wash. You can add some essential oil or peppermint for taste but it is not neccessary .Scrape your tounge with the tongue scraper or brush it with a tooth brush. Don’t brush too hard!!Then swish and gargle with the mouthwash you made above for a couple of minutes.Repeat twice per day or as needed. You will never have to buy mouthwash again.

3 Ingredients: Bicarbonate Soda

Instructions: Brush your teeth with a little pinch of the soda, using a regular tooth paste after and it does the trick. Meaning, it will stop the bad breathe from coming through. What i personally try and do is, brush my teeth with the soda in the morning and in the evening, floss (properly), brush with regular tooth paste, rinse and then rinse again using lukewarm water and salt. To maintain a healthy gum and fresh breath means investing a lot of time towards looking after it, flossing and cleaning properly (a good five minutes) twice and day – morning and evening.

Homemade treatments for bad breath

Keep your mouth clean

Brush thoroughly at least twice a day, and floss daily. Food and bacteria trapped between teeth and at the gum line can be removed only with floss; if it’s left to linger, it’s not going to smell nice. Periodontal disease can result in chronically bad breath.

Clean your tongue

Bacteria left on your tongue can contribute to less-than-fresh breath, so be sure to brush your tongue after you’ve polished your pearly whites.

Ditch your dentures

If you wear dentures, never wear them to sleep. Give them a thorough cleaning and leave them out until morning.

Wet your whistle

A dry mouth can equal smelly breath. Saliva helps clean your mouth; it has a natural antibacterial action and it washes away food particles. (Reduced saliva flow at night explains why your breath smells sour when you wake up in the morning.) Try sucking on sugarless mints to stimulate saliva production.

Avoid potent foods. Garlic and onions, among other foods, contain sulfur compounds that move on to the lungs after they are absorbed in the bloodstream. Certain fish, such as anchovies, and seaweed are high in “fishy” amine odors. Unfortunately, during the move the chemicals that make these foods so tasty and pungent stick around. And they don’t smell so great as you whisper sweet nothings into your sweetheart’s ear.

Home Tips for Bad Breath:

Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily can help to remove odor-causing bacteria. Before trying any natural remedies for bad breath, it’s important to visit your dentist to have your teeth examined and cleaned. If a cause isn’t identified, consult your doctor for further investigation. Here are some home remedies to consider:

• Drink tea. Preliminary research suggests that compounds in both green and black tea called polyphenols may stop the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath. Polyphenols may also prevent existing bacteria from producing malodorous compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. Both green and black tea have polyphenols. Get some tips on how to brew green tea.
• Try a mouthwash containing zinc ions. Zinc appears to directly neutralize malodorous sulfur compounds and improve breath. It’s found in several health food store mouthwashes as well as some drug store brands.
• Use a tongue scraper, which helps to remove dead cells, food particles and bacteria from the tongue. A tongue scaper is a special plastic instrument found in drug stores and some health food stores, that costs several dollars. Tongue cleaning with a scaper is recommended as a daily regimen to remove ama. The key is to do it gently and to rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward. If you can’t find a tongue scraper, use a toothbrush to clean your tongue.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water and other fluids will help keep your mouth moist. Another reason drinking fluids might help: In traditional Chinese medicine, bad breath is often the result of excess heat in the stomach. Water, soup and watery fruits and vegetables, such as cucumber, are thought to help to rebalance the body.
• According to traditional Chinese medicine, bitter foods, such as Belgian endive and many dark green leafy vegetables are also believed to help stomach heat. Certain foods, such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, milk and fried or spicy foods are thought to worsen the problem.
• Snack on crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, celery, carrots or jicama. Crunchy foods can help remove food, bacteria and plaque from teeth.
• Try a mouthwash that contains essential oils. Preliminary studies suggest that essential oils, which are plant oils, may help to reduce bad breath. One study compared an essential oil mouthwash containing tea tree oil, peppermint oil and lemon oil to a standard mouthwash and found that the level of volatile sulfur compounds was significantly less after the essential oil mouthwash compared to the conventional mouthwash. It’s best to use a commercially-prepared product (check the health food store) rather than buying essential oils and making your own mouthwash.
• Use herbs to freshen your breath. Chew on a small sprig of fresh rosemary, parsley, spearmint, or tarragon for up to a minute.

Sources: Barton Publishing, Health How Stuff Works

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease characterized by scaling and inflammation. Scaling occurs when cells in the outer layer of the skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin’s surface.

Psoriasis affects as many as 80 million people worldwide. Although the disease occurs in all age groups and about equally in men and women, it primarily affects adults. People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, including pain and itching, restricted motion in their joints, and emotional distress.

In its most typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch and may burn. The skin at the joints may crack. Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet but it can affect any skin site. The disease may also affect the fingernails, the toenails, and the soft tissues inside the mouth and genitalia. About 15 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces arthritis symptoms. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis and other chronic skin conditions can make life miserable for people who have them. The itching and burning is complicated by medications that are expensive and filled with potentially-dangerous steroids.

There are some home remedies that can stop psoriasis and eczema in their tracks. Ask your doctor about trying some of these before you resort to costly crèmes and ointments.Herbalists suggest that red clover can act as a home remedy for skin problems. It has a high mineral content and reportedly works by changing metabolism and tissue function. Red clover can be taken in teas, compresses, ointments and syrups. Other vitamins and herbal home remedies that can treat psoriasis and other skin problems include devil’s claw root, fish oils, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc and milk thistle. Selenium and zinc are common ingredients in over-the-counter skin and dandruff preprations. Eczema and psoriasis sufferers also swear by dead sea salt baths. You can purchase dead sea salts at your local bath or health food store and prepare a bath at home containing the salts. Speaking of baths, regular bathing can help people with eczema. Make sure to moisturize afterwards while your body is still damp, to seal in the water. Keep the water lukewarm, since that is less drying than hot water. Soak for at least 10 to 20 minutes, and don’t get out until yourskin starts to look like a prune. That means your skin is soaking in water and becoming hydrated. Don’t use soap any more than you have to. Use mild soaps with glycerine, or superfatted soaps, on important body parts. When you do dishes or clean house, wear rubber gloves to keep the cleaning products off your skin. Another home remedy to stop psoriasis and eczema is to put cotton gloves inside your rubber gloves, to absorb any sweat that the rubber gloves can produce.

Your refrigerator can contain many helpful home remedies for eczema and psoriasis. Try mayonnaise as a moisturizer, and cucumber slices to ease itching. Try an oatmeal bath to reduce itching, or add olive oil to your bath water for extra moisturizer.Stress can be a big contributor to eczema and psoriasis. One simple home remedy is meditation, using scented candles or whatever else keeps you relaxed. Combine this with your soothing bath for double potency.Home remedies will not always put a stop to more severe cases of psoriasis and eczema. In that case, you should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if eczema is oozing, the itch keeps you awake, or over-the-counter products don’t give you relief.

Cabbage Leaves

Cabbage leaves have been successfully used in the form of compresses in the treatment of psoriasis. The thickest and greenest outer leaves are most effective for use as compresses. They should be thoroughly washed in warm water and dried with a towel. The leaves should be flattened, softened and smoothed out by rolling them with a rolling pin after removing the thick veins. They should he warmed and then applied smoothly to the affected part in an overlapping manner. A pad of soft woollen cloth should be put over them. The whole compress should then be secured with an elastic bandage.

Avocado Oil

The oil of avocado has been found beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be applied gently to the affected parts.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E therapy has been found effective in the treatment of psoriasis. The patient should take this vitamin in therapeutic doses of 400 mg a day. It will help reduce itching and scab formation.

Lecithin

Lecithin is also considered a remarkable remedy for psoriasis. The patient may take six to nine lecithin capsules a day-two or three capsules before or after each meal. If taken in the form of granules, four tablespoonfuls may be taken daily for two months. The dosage may be reduced thereafter to two tablespoons.

Diets

Carrots, beets,cucumbers and grapes juices

Since psoriasis is a metabolic disease, a cleansing juice fast for a week is always desirable at the beginning of the treatment. Carrots, beets, cucumbers, and grapes may be used for juices.

Well-balanced diet made of raw seeds, nuts

After the juice fast, the patient should adopt a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits. Emphasis should be placed on raw seeds and nuts, especially sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and plenty of organically grown raw vegetables and fruits.When there is a substantial improvement, goat’s milk, yoghurt, and home-made cottage cheese may be added to the diet.

Avoid animal fats, refined or processed foods

All animal fats, including milk, butter, eggs; refined or processed foods; foods containing hydrogenated fats or white sugar; all condiments; and tea and coffee should be avoided. When there is a substantial improvement, goat’s milk, yoghurt, and home-made cottage cheese may be added to the diet.

Sources: Home Remedies

With easy-to-read layouts and simple text, it runs the full ecological gamut, from geothermal heating to crop rotation to soap making. The Bridgewaters, well-regarded garden writers, help readers answer questions such as how much land they really require, whether or not to depend entirely on natural forms of energy, and which farm animals will best meet their needs. There’s practical information on building an insulated flue-pipe chimney, identifying edible wild plants, and composting with worms. In addition to recipes for jams, rhubarb wine, and other delicious foods, three A-Z sections offer planting and harvesting instructions for vegetables and salad crops, fruits, and herbs.

Alan and Gill Bridgewater began their adventure in self-sufficient living in the 1960s and have been gaining wisdom and experience in the field ever since. They are now considered international experts on the subject.

$12.95 Paperback / 192 pages / 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ / September 2007
ISBN13: 9781602391635 / Skyhorse Publishing

50′s Girl

What do you need?

• poodle applique iron-on or cut from felt
• white bobby socks
• saddle shoes or sneakers
• 3 feet of yarn or tubing for leash

optional: Pink Jacket

Explanation

Poodle skirts were the big thing for girls back in the 50′s. You can use any long skirt you have or get one from a thrift shop or yard sale.
The Poodle applique should be sewn or ironed on. Wear a short-sleeve blouse or an angora sweater, white bobby socks, saddle shoes or white sneakers, and a scarf for neck. Put your hair in a ponytail if you can and hold it with a rubber band. If you have an old 45 rpm record box you could use this to collect candy in.By putting on a pink jacket you change to a pink girl from the movie “grease.” Quotes: “Gee, this sure is a swell party.”

Alice in Wonderland

What do you need?

• blue dress with white collar
• white apron
• hair ribbon
  

optional white tights

Explanation

If you already have a blue dress your all set. If you need a blue dress try a thrift shop or yard sale. Add a white apron like the one in the photo. Put on white tights if you have them and your all done. You could carry a stuffed rabbit for an extra touch.

The fashionable Ghost

What do you need?

• Old white sheet
• eye shadow
• Lipstick
• earrings
• necklace

Explanation

Why be the same old plain ghost? A ghost going out in public might like to get dressed up a little. Use the old white sheet, cut out holes for the eyes and a small slit for the mouth. Then dress it up a little. Put eye shadow and lashes around the eyes. Lipstick for the mouth. Put a little color on the cheeks. How about earrings and a necklace ? You could color in a beard or mustache. Use something besides just a white sheet to be a little more fancy

The American tourist

What do you need?

Guys:

• Hawaii shirt
• shorts
• Large straw hat

Gals:

• bright loud dress
• flats
• big sun hat
• straw bag

Explanation

Don’t forget to have a camera, and maps hanging out, and that look of being lost. Guys can use a tourist bag, (like you get from travel agents, and gals can use the straw bag for their treats.

Angel

What do you need?

• White or light colored long dress
• heavy wire or coat hangers
• tin foil
• cardboard

Explanation

You will need a long light colored dress (white, pink, blue or yellow). If you don’t have one in your closet, try a thrift store or yard sale.
To dress up as an angel you need to make a halo. You can fashion this by making the wire into a ring and then covering it with tin foil. Or make the halo with a ring of gold or silver flowers instead. If you can’t find gold flowers, spray paint any color plastic flowers. You will need wings, you can make these from cardboard and attaching to dress with thread. You will have to make the wings to fit the size of the angel. You could use wire, shaped like wings, for the wings and stretch shear nylon (like old curtains) over the wire and sew it. Attach the wings to your back in advance by sewing or pinning them to the back of your dress. A little glitter on the wings completes the outfit.

Butterfly or Fairy Costume

What do you need?

• 2 large sheets of cardboard
• mixed paint colors
• small paint brush
• black marker

Explanation

The most important thing is the wings. You will have to make the wings from cardboard. Draw a wing pattern on newspaper before you start cutting. You will have to adjust the size and shape of the wings to fit. When you are satisfied with the way the wings look you can cut the cardboard wings out. You should now color the wings. Outline the wings with a black marker and then fill in the center with yellows and golds. If you like, you can use spray glue, then sprinkle glitter over the areas where you sprayed the glue. Or you may want to use a tube of glue and just put the glitter around the boarder. Attach the wings to your dress with staples that can be removed later. Be sure to have the pointed parts of the staples away from you facing out.

Lego Costume

What do you need?

• cardboard box
• paper cups
• enamel paint
• glue

Explanation

The most important thing is the Lego body. You will have to make the lego body from a cardboard box. Pick a box that will allow you to fit inside comfortably and has room for you to make a hole in the top for your head and a hole on either side for each arm. Using glue, attach the paper or styrofoam cups to the cardboard box in straight rows while you are out of the box. Allow to dry completely. All you need to do now, is paint your lego box with either a paintbrush or a spray can. Enamel paint looks good, but will melt plastic cups, so only use the enamel paint on paper cups. You can use any color, but try to get a color that will match your sweat pants or slacks that you plan to wear. When the box is dry, it’s ready to wear.

Oompa Loompa

What do you need?

• orange makeup
• white makeup
• white gloves&gt
• green temporary hair color
• brown turtleneck
• white shorts or capri pants
• white suspenders or cloth strips
• white shoes or sneakers

Explanation

To do makeup, cover the face in orange makeup, adding white makeup on lips and white eyebrows. You could glue some cotton for eyebrows.
Use a wig, or curl hair up at ends. Push some hair up in the front in a wave and hold in place with hair spray. Spray the hair green and let dry.
Get dressed in the clothing listed above. Use suspenders or cut two white strips of cloth to attach and crisscross in the front and back.

Popcorn

What do you need?

• Large cardboard box to fit size
• White paint (spray or can)
• Red paper for stripes (or paint)
• Bottle of glue or glue gun
• Styrofoam packing peanuts

Explanation

1. The box: First pick out a box that is suited to your height and is big enough to cover your body, but not so big that it’s clumsy. Now you need to cut 3 holes in the box. One hole should be on the top (for your head). Measure your head, then cut the hole in box about 2 inches larger than your head. Slip the box over your head and measure where you will cut the 2 holes for the arms. Now cut the arm holes. Be sure to make the hole big enough so arms have room to move.
2. Paint your box: Be sure to paint in a ventilated area if not using water based paints. Spread old newspapers on the floor before painting. Paint the entire outside of the box white. You may want to paint a little inside near the holes also. Let the box dry completely.
3. Red stripes: Measure red stripes from construction paper being sure to measure and make the stripes all the same size. You could also paint the red stripes. Painting is much harder that gluing though. Wait for the stripes to dry on.
4. The hat: The girl in the photo glued styrofoam packing peanuts to an old hat to make it look like popcorn. You could also use a small box for a hat and make it look like a small popcorn box.
5. Finishing touches: Spread glue on the top of the box where your head will come through. Now cover the box with styrofoam packing peanuts and allow it to stick to the box. You can also use real popcorn for this. You can glue popcorn to an old hat and wear the hat if you like. Now if you like you can write the word “Pop Corn” with black paint or write your own name like “Daniel’s Popcorn.”

and now, some recipes and tips for the make-up…

Haloween Homemade Makeup

• 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 Tablespoon Flour
• 3/4 cup Karo light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon liquid food coloring (color of choice) OR
• 1/4 teaspoon paste food coloring (color of choice)
• (paste makes more intense colors)

The above ingredients are the actual face paint to be used. You may wish to add other things for application of makeup and special effects as listed below.

• 1 small mixing bowl
• 4 paper cups
• 4 Cotton swabs or sm. brush
• 1 box facial tissues
• cotton balls or batting
• puffed wheat cereal

Preparation

In bowl, mix 3 tablespoons cornstarch and 1 tablespoon flour. Gradually stir in 3/4 cup Karo corn syrup and 1/4 cup water until smooth. This amount will make up 4 children’s faces. Divide mixture between 4 paper cups.

Color 3 batches with food colors of your choice (1/2 teaspoon liquid or 1/4 teaspoon paste for each batch). Leave 1 batch untinted.

For additional colors, prepare more makeup. Separate tissues into single layers; tear lengthwise into 2-inch wide strips. Using swabs or brush, paint generous coat of untinted mixture on forehead; place strip of tissue over area; pat firmly with fingertips. Brush on more of same mixture to cover any dry spots on tissue. Continue painting rest of face, one area at a time, and covering it with tissue. Don’t paint eyelids or around eyes. Let dry about 15 minutes; time depends on temperature and humidity.

Stir colored batches before using. Paint on 1 color at a time as desired. Let dry slightly before using another color if you want them to blend, or let dry completely if you don’t. To speed process, use hair dryer on air setting.

For deeper, smoother, candy-color effect, use several coats of same color (allow to dry slightly between coats).

TO BUILD UP EYEBROWS, nose or chin (or for beard) apply cotton to damp, untinted mixture. Paint with more of the same. Cover with tissue and paint desired color.

FOR GHOULISH EFFECT, dust made-up face with flour.

FOR WARTS, stick on Puffed Wheat cereal with untinted mixture, then coat with layers of mixture-soaked tissue. Paint desired color.

TO REMOVE MAKEUP, wet face, then gently peel tissue away. Wash face with warm water.

Sources: Robins, Budget101, Halooween.net

Remember that although the following ingredients are natural, some people may experience an allergic or adverse reaction. If you have skin allergies or are unsure about using any of the following ingredients or combination of ingredients, test the products on the inside of your elbow or wrist before washing or conditioning your hair. If there is any redness or irritation, discard the product and consider another option.

Quick-and-Easy Egg Shampoo

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 tsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup Liquid Castle brand soap

Preparation

1. Just mix the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Apply to hair.
3. It is good for all hair types.
4. This shampoo should last one to two weeks.

Note: The egg strengthens the hair by adding protein, olive oil gives it gloss and sheen and lemon juice works as a clarifier.

Soapwart root shampoo

Ingredients

• 2 cups distilled water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried soapwart root (chopped) (most health food stores would carry this)
• 2 teaspoons Lemon Verbena or 2 teaspoons Catnip

Preparation

1. Bring water to a boil add soapwart and simmer, cover for about 20 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, add herb then allow mixture to cool.
3. Strain the mixture keeping the liquid. Pour into a bottle.
4. Makes enough for 6-7 shampoos.
5. Must be used within 8-10 days.
6. Store in a cool dark place.

Herbal Homemade Shampoo

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of your favorite herbal tea, strongly brewed
• 8 oz liquid castile soap

Preparation

1. Add soap to tea.
2. Stir over low heat until well blended.
3. Store in a capped bottle.

Rosemary, Sage Shampoo

Ingredients

• 4 oz of castile soap with any scent is that available – plain, peppermint, eucalyptus.
• ½ oz of rosemary – stimulates the hair follicles and helps to prevent premature baldness
• ½ oz of sage – has antioxidants and keeps things from spoiling and is antibacterial
• ½ oz of nettles – acts as a blood purifier, blood stimulator, contains a large source of nutrients for hair growth
• ½ of lavender – controls the production of sebaceous gland oil and reduces itchy and flaky scalp conditions
• One empty 8 oz plastic bottle or any other empty shampoo or soap bottle.

Preparation

1. Mix the herbs in a mason jar, which has a lid.
2. Boil 2 cups of distilled water.
3. Add 3 heaping tablespoons of the mixed herbs into the boiling water.
4. Pull the boiling water and herbs off the stove.
5. Let the herb mixture sit for 30 – 40 minutes.
6. Put the 2000mg of MSM into the herb mixture after 30 minutes of cooling.
7. After 40 minutes and the MSM are melted, strain the herbal mixture into a bowl.

Sources: AssociatedContent.com, HGTV.com