health | Saved By Grace

Bau Del Aire 2 in 1 Oil Absorbing Primer and Mask {Review}

March 25, 2024 By Christine 1 Comment

I have combination skin and this can often cause me issues with blemishes. My cheeks are often dried out and they get blemishes on them in dry patches and in my “T-Zone” I get oily blemishes. My forehead and chin almost always look shiny and this annoys me quite a bit. I was happy to test out Bau Del Air’s 2 in 1 Primer and Mask* to see if it could help me in my oily areas.

The Bau Del Air 2 in 1 product contains no parabens, color, oil, silicone or fragrance and is not tested on animals.

To use, the instructions say to apply over the face, sparingly, and it will absorb oil. I was not able to use it in this manner and I will explain why in a moment.

Bau Del Aire contains sea water so I assume this is why it is able to soak up oil.

Pros:

I did like that it was not tested on animals and had absolutely no scent so it would be great for those that prefer to not have heavily scented products.

Cons:

The bottle is extremely difficult to use to begin with. It has a pump feature that is plugged with a rubber/silicone like substance for what I assume is there to keep it from spilling during shipping. I had to really work it out for about 10 minutes with various objects before I could even get it to work. When I finally got it open, I only got a very liquidy substance that was a milky water like consistency. I shook the bottle gently, thinking maybe it needed to be shaken before use (The bottle offers no instructions to do so) to get the correct consistency. When I shook it, a great deal of it flew out everywhere. I was unable to use the pump at all, really, and the little bit I did get out had hard chunks in it, the kind you would see in an old product. I did not get enough out to apply to my face. This was a huge disappointment. I would hope it was just an error in manufacturing of the bottle/pump, but even after shaking, the product did not look any better. I did try to use it as a spot treatment on a blemish and saw no specific results.

The consistency I kept getting when I used it.

Verdict:

I would not recommend this product. As stated, I did use it as a spot treatment for a blemish and saw no specific results after trying it for 4 days.

To Purchase:

If you still want to give it a try on your own, check out the Bau Del Aire site. It retails for $18.00

Filed Under: Beauty, Product Reviews Tagged With: beauty, health

100+ Things to be Happy About

March 24, 2024 By Christine 3 Comments

I don’t know about anyone else, but as winter drags on and spring seems to take forever to get here in Montana, I start to feel the effects of lethargy, frustration and even depression. I started keeping a journal of things to be happy about to not only help myself remember even little things matter in life, but there are so many little things that are absolute blessings!

In an effort to share my happiness with my readers, I want to share 100+ things off my list to be happy about. I recommend bookmarking this page to come back to when you need a boost in happiness!

Who knows? You may even get some ideas on how to cheer yourself up

Fresh, warm, clean Pj’s right out of the dryer
Baby Laughs
The first day at the Farmer’s Market
Tulips and buds on trees starting to come out in spring
Seeing your goals happen
Lazy afternoons in bed
Home made soup
Car shows
A fresh clean new pair of socks
Good coffee
That “accomplished” feeling
Really good desserts
Watching squirrels
A candle-lit room
That first grill of the season
Fishing, even if you don’t catch anything
A good belly laugh
Love notes
Soda in glass bottles
Old Fashioned taffy pulls
Day trips
A feeling of security
Warm blankets on cold nights
Star gazing on a clear night
Bubble wrap
Yard sales and hidden treasures
Warm maple syrup
Fun fabric patterns
A phone call from a long lost friend
A rainy night while falling asleep
Finding a new solution to an old problem
Fresh Farm eggs
Going through old photos
The smell of fall in the air
Vanilla bean ice cream
Yogurt bars with unlimited toppings
Being recognized for your hard work
A new soap
Trying a new food and liking it
The smell of citrus
Cupcakes
A good hair day
A moment where you were very witty
A clean home
The smell of cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven
The sparkle of fresh snow
“Open” Signs
Lasagna the next day
Cherry Pie
Funny sayings like “Hunky Dorey”
A long needed apology
Hand cut French fries
Cashing in change you have been saving
Your children making the right choice
Angel food cake
A & W root beer in frosted mugs
Napping in the shade on a summer day
Doing a new craft
Strawberries in Champagne
Great smelling candles
Finding that outfit you feel extremely confident in
Watching a cat “hunt” a string
Going berry picking
Seeing a wild animal
A homemade gift
Kilts
Spoon rings
Sneaking a taste of a recipe you are working on
Sleepy-head kids
Hearing “your song” on the radio
A fresh box of crayons
Wind Chimes
Children playing “dress up”
Penny Candy
50′s music
Watching old music videos
Layer cakes
Cheese tasting
Water fights
A new lipstick
“Finger nail” moons
Getting a “real” letter in the snail mail
A really awesome salad bar
Knee socks
Eating the cake icing first
Drive ins
Playing with the toys in the toy department
A brand new pair of jeans
Getting something for free with coupons
gourmet chocolate
Home made Mashed potatoes
Robin’s eggs
Learning something new every day
The smell of cedar
Canapes and Petit Fours
Piglets
Strawberries dipped in sugar
Decorating Easter Eggs
Balloon animals
Water Parks
Fresh brushed teeth
Girl scout cookies
Laughing at yourself

Happy Days are ahead!

Photo from iStockphoto/Moncherie

Filed Under: Health, Homelife Tagged With: Family, health

Twiztt Cook Wear By Joan Lunden {Review}

February 26, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

It is no secret that I love to cook. Now, if you ask me to bake for you, that’s another story. For whatever reason, it is not one of my fortes.

One thing I loved about going to culinary arts school was all the awesome cooking equipment they had in class and I used to dream of having amazing cook wear like that at home.

Quality pans can cost a little more than the cheaper variety, and trust me, they are worth it. With the new Twiztt line from Joan Lunden, you can have quality pans with awesome new technology (like the Thermolon™ coating!) for a very reasonable price!

Twiztt was developed because Joan wanted a line of cook-wear that could help her eat healthier. As many people know, Joan is a shining example of a hard working woman. Not only has she been in national news programs, but she also has a line of home decor and even skin care products!

The Twiztt pan I was sent is an 8 inch pan with a Thermolon™ coating. The coating helps food not only non-stick, but also helps distribute heat evenly. Unlike other non-stick surfaces, it does not have a toxic release of fumes when heated to high temperatures. The Twiztt pan I reviewed also comes in 10 and 12 inch sizes. The pan is also oven safe.

Check out how well it did sauteing chicken!

Pros:

Does an excellent job at keeping foods non-stick. I loved that I did not have to use and fats, oils or butters to saute in my pan as I normally would. You can use them if you want, but with most foods, even meats it is not necessary. The non-stick Thermolon™ coating was incredibly easy to clean. The pan heated very evenly.

Cons:

This pan cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher as hand washing is recommended. For me, this is not an issue because I hand wash everything, but for some this may be an inconvenience.

Verdict:

I absolutely recommend this pan in the Twiztt line of products. Make sure you also check out the other products in the Twiztt line such as cutting boards, oven wear and bowls.

To purchase:

For sale at most Bed, Bath and Beyond locations or check here to find a retailer near you. The 8 inch pan I reviewed was marked at $29.95.

Filed Under: Health, Homekeeping, Product Reviews Tagged With: food, health

Natural Pain Relief

February 16, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

Since I suffer from some chronic pain issues, and I am leery of taking too many pain medications due to lots of allergies. I have found ways to help my pain by taking supplements or using more natural ways to heal.

Did you know your kitchen holds a lot of natural pain relief in it? It is true! Many things we wouldn’t even think of for pain relief lie in our very own kitchens.

Try some of these tips out for natural pain relief the next time you feel pain instead of reaching for that bottle of over the counter pain relief. They just might surprise you!

For toothaches, try cloves. Simply gently chew on a whole clove and you can find pain relief for up to two hours.
If you suffer from headaches or joint pain, try eating a small bowl of cherries daily. The same compound that makes cherries have their bright red color also works as a powerful pain reliever!
Eat fish or at least take fish oil supplements. I used to brush it off when someone told me it would actually help, but I started taking it years ago for daily joint pain and it helps a lot. It does take a while to take effect, but it helps, trust me. Bonus! Fish oil is good for your heart.
Soak your feet in salt water to ease ingrown toenails, and other foot pain.
If you have stomach issues, you may not think eating a pineapple, which is acidic would help but it does. Pineapples can help ease painful bloating and stomach cramps.
For an extra pain relieving and relaxing back rub, try adding a few drops of pure peppermint extract to your lotion and be amazed at how relaxed it makes you and your tired muscles feel.
If you are stopped up with sinus pain and pressure, try horseradish. Simply enjoy it on your favorite foods for a couple days and watch the pressure disappear.
Honey has some amazing medical uses for pain. It can be great also for dry skin. Make sure you check out my post on amazing uses for honey.
Have you ever looked at a bottle of over the counter headache pain medication? It often contains caffeine. Caffeine is actually a very powerful pain reliever! Try a cup of coffee the next time a headache creeps in.

Please note, I am not a Doctor and I have no medical training so take what I say as just suggestions for natural pain relief and always ask a medical professional about your pain.

Photo Provided by Sarah G via flickr.com

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: health

Neoteric Diabetic Healing Cream {Review}

February 15, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

Diabetes often causes many skin issues. One I deal with is slow healing. I often get small bumps on my arms that itch and scab over. I have seen many types of doctors for this issue, but it still prevails and no one has really been able to give a a direct answer on what they could be. Because I have this annoying problem, I almost always have some that are healing. They seem to take forever to heal and in the meantime, they itch and I personally find them unsightly.

I tried Neoteric Advanced Healing Cream on a couple of these bumps over a period of time to see how fast it healed.

Neoteric works by using the power of oxygen along with Vitamin E, Aloe and a skin protector to work fast to heal skin. It strengthens the skin’s natural defenses and promotes healthier skin.

The secret to fast healing is in the TriOxygen formula which increases circulation and speeds up healing time.

Here is a photo of my skin before using the Neoteric Formula and one two days later:

It’s hard to see the difference, and I apologize my camera’s focus is not that great, as I need a new one, but I assure you there is a difference after just two days!

Here is a photo after just one week of usage:

You can barely even see it now!

Pros:

It really does work, amazingly! I usually take several weeks to heal from these small bumps, but in just a week, they were dramatically healed up and almost unnoticeable! The cream is thick and has very little scent.

Cons:

The price is a little more than I would normally pay for a cream, but I still think it is worth it!

Verdict:

I think the cream would not only be excellent for any diabetic that suffers from slow healing times like myself, but anyone! I was seriously amazed at how fast this cream sped up my healing!

To purchase:

Check out the Neoteric page for purchasing info. Currently, the price is $9.99 for a 4 oz size and 1/2 off the second bottle when you buy one. While there, make sure you sign up for coupons!

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Diabetes, health

Coconut Oil Uses

January 3, 2024 By Christine 1 Comment

Coconut oil is so useful in more ways than just cooking some tasty meals. It has many healthy uses that you may be surprised about. I scoured the web to find the most unique uses for this almost miracle natural resource. Here is my top 20 unique uses for coconut oil.

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