Hoodia Latina

A skin care system that will help you to tone and moisturize or get rid of breakout’s is relatively easy to find, but what if you’re looking for an anti aging skin care product? If you need a skin care system that will fight the effects of aging, read on to find out how you can look young and vibrant every day.

Before you begin searching for skin care products, you should take some steps to improve your health, so that the skin treatment you choose will be more effective. Be sure to drink plenty of water in order to soothe and hydrate the skin. This will help you to reduce the amount of wrinkles that will appear as a result of aging.

Many products use Vitamin A and retinol as the main ingredient in many of their treatments designed to hide wrinkles, and tighten your skin to rejuvenate it’s elasticity in the outside layers of the skin. While botox injections have been popular in recent years, side effects in some of their patients have caused people to look for other anti aging skin care medicine options that work more on external the area’s of their skin.

Vitamin C is also an important part of anti aging, so an anti aging wrinkle cream with the vitamin will most likely help your skin to be more vibrant and firm. MSM Lotion for Anti-aging and Skin Care is one of the anti aging products that is ideal for all skin types since it helps to renew the skin and provides a natural astringent in order to balance sebum production on the skin.

Products that are used to treat oily skin care are also important when you’re fighting the effects of aging–studies have shown that individuals with dry skin tend to get wrinkles quicker, so if you find anti aging skin care treatments that treat dry skin and give it moisture, or products that cleanse oily skin without taking its natural moisture away, you will give your skin the healthy glow it needs to stay smooth and supple.

Ingredients like Aloe Vera are also very instrumental in fighting the signs of aging, and aloe can heal the skin and reduce dark spots and fine lines. Anti aging products like Head Blade Head Shade sunscreen is water resistant, which means that you can even swim while protecting your skin, and the detoxifying properties of certain vitamins and minerals can help you to renew your skin and reduce blemishes during the day.

Whether you’re using skin care products, or surgical procedures for anti aging, it’s best to create a list of skin care tips of your own that is just for you everyone’s skin is different, and you’ll need to find a quality skin care regimen that is perfect for your skin. Remember that proper rest and reduced stress are also great ways to stop the skin from aging prematurely, so be sure to get enough sleep and take time to relax each day.

In order to find the right anti aging products, you should talk to your dermatologist about the best over-the-counter products for you, or you may want to receive facials and chemical peels in order to keep you skin bright and blemish free. Subscribe to the RSS feed at http://www.treatingskinproblems.com/feed for more helpful tips and go to http://www.treatingskinproblems.com

Source: 3x24 The News Magacine

There are several precious herbs and plant species, which when properly identified and used, offer good results. The irony is that though many of these plants are commonly found on roadsides, lack of awareness of their usefulness has come in the way of their utilisation.

Awareness needed

Aloe vera is one such crop, which has been proved to cure ailments and improve health in both humans and animals. Though humans have been using the gel derived from the aloe leaf for a long time, very little study had been done on its beneficial effect on animals.

Myrada Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Gobichettipalayam, Erode district, Tamil Nadu, took up a project to study the usefulness of this plant on sheep and found that it was able to not only cure the internal parasitic infestations in sheep but also foster healthy growth of the animals.

Primary occupation


Mr. Mr. P.Alagesan, Programme Coordinator, Myrada, says, during the last 3-4 years when monsoon failure affected crop production, sheep rearing (Mecheri breed) turned out to be the primary occupation for a number of farmers, especially in Erode district.

The main reason for the popularly of this breed is its robustness and good body weight. Grown mainly for its meat, which is in good demand, the animals do not require any special diet or care. The animals can be herded into open grasslands for grazing and closeted during night in simple rudimentary sheds.

But though it seems an easy practice, there is a major problem which many sheep growers in the district encounter while grazing their animals.

Many parasites enter the body of the animal while it is grazing and create health problems, which, if undetected, can cause death.

“Unlike cattle, the concept of insuring sheep and goat has not become popular among many of the villagers and the death of an animal is a great blow to their economy.

Though the death of an animal by a snapped live electric wire on the ground or attack by wild animals is a rarity, death of the animals by parasite infestation is the most common, says Mr. Alagesan.

But can timely veterinary attention cure this problem?

“Deworming the animals regularly is a common practice among the growers, but for small and landless labourers deworming their flocks is a big expenditure burden. And the infested animals do not exhibit any external symptoms,” explains the Programme coordinator.

Weight gain

Poor weight gain and growth rate, low intake of feed, diarrhoea and worms expelled in their dung are the symptoms to be observed.

Though some sheep growers buy deworming medicines from the market, the price of these medicines is quite high for many of them, particularly, if they have a large flock.

As parasite infestation is a common problem, the Kendra decided to help the sheep growers by finding a suitable, yet affordable and efficient substitute for deworming the animals. Myrada first collected an exhaustive list of sheep growers from Talavadi, T.N.Palayam, and Anthiyur villages, A meeting was arranged with the growers and it was found that most of the sheep growers were quite aware about deworming.

Medicines

Some of them were using medicines from the market and others were using neem oil, bitter vegetable extract and other natural extracts for curing their animals.

With the help of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary University Training and Research Centre (TNVUTRC), Erode, the Kendra selected about 40 sheep from a grower and divided it into four groups of 10 animals each.

Each group was administered a particular set of treatment.

For the first group about 7.5 mg of Albendazole (market name) was administered, for the second group about 50 ml of neem oil, for the third group a vegetable extract paste made by mixing about 20 gm of neem seed and bitter gourd each, 50 gm of garlic and banana stem (edible part) with jaggery and water, and for the fourth group plain aloe vera gel was administered.

The animals which were administered the aloe vera gel showed an increase in body weight, haemoglobin level, decrease in parasite infestation, and infertility problems.

Source:The Hindu Sci Tech

Hoodia Gordonii And Its History As A Natural Appetite Suppressant

The Hoodia cactus plant's strong appetite suppressing properties have been well-known by the desert bushmen of the Kalahari desert for many centuries. Back in the middle 1990's the Council upholstery cleaning price Scientific and Industrial Research did a comprehensive study on the many native bushfoods and plants regularly eaten by the "Sans Bushmen".

The CSIR soon realized that the Hoodia cactus plant not only contains some super powerful properties to suppress your immune system, but it's also non-toxic. This fact was upholstery stain removal during the followup from watching how the animals had reacted when they were regularly consuming the hoodia cactus plant.

The Popularity of Hoodia Gordonii Natural Appetite Suppressants

Piggy-backing on the wild claims of very quick weightloss, many Hoodia Gordonii supplements for appetite suppression have made their upholstery cleaning portland oregon onto the market. Hoodia has become one of the fastest growing and fastest selling weightloss products in a market where many millions of dollars are shed each year on diet supplements.

Before you decide on which Hoodia Gordonii appetite suppressant you want to use to help with your weightloss, it's very important to know more about the Hoodia upholstery cleaning san jose plant. When the CSIR had been able to isloate the active ingredient that was causing the appetite to be suppressed and speeding up the burning of fat- they decided to call it P-57. The CSIR then contracted contracted the rights to Phytopharm- a British Phamaceutical organization.

When Only Phytopharm Holds The Rights How Can So Many Other Hoodia Appetite Suppressants Be On The Market Today?

It is somewhat surprising that there are such a number of Hoodia products available for consumers when Phytopharm holds the rights to P57. While Phytopharm actually holds the license and upholstery cleaners in there are other patent laws that come into play. Only the Phytopharm pharmaceutical company has the legal ability to extract the potent P57 molecule found in Hoodia Gordonii and to use it in any and all of their Hoodia cactus plant diet supplement lines.

That being the case, no one can ever patent the Hoodia Gordonii plant as a whole. Other companies do have the right upholstery cleaning price to make their own concoction of the Hoodia Gordonii appetite suppressant, as well as other hoodia products completely legal- even though they don't posess a license to extract P57.

Now that there are such a wide range of Hoodia products available which are made from the Hoodia plant, it's crucial that customers don't fall into the trap and upholstery cleaning portland oregon inexpensive, ineffective, limitations and also that they make sure that they only purchase Pure South African cactus Hoodia Gordonii Products for the best results.
Source:Corsavoo.com

Se acrecienta cada vez más la cosmética verde. Una guía para tener en cuenta a la hora de comprar estos productos.
Los productos de origen vegetal se imponen cada vez más en los mercados de la cosmética, y además se multiplican con el paso del tiempo. La fitocosmética es actualmente una de las apuestas más fuertes dentro de la belleza, ya que plantas reconocidas por sus propiedades benéficas, como el aloe vera, se reinventan para que sus efectos sean mejores. Una guía con todas las virtudes que incorpora la propuesta de la "onda" verde.

de siempre, pero nuevos

Caléndula. Se utiliza principalmente su flor con fines terapéuticos. Presenta compuestos químicos que tienen acción cicatrizante y anti-inflamatoria , explica la dermatóloga Débora Kaplan. Por estas mismas propiedades, también es utilizada para tónicos faciales y se incorpora en líneas de productos para bebés. La caléndula ayuda a restaurar el equilibrio de las pieles más frágiles y disminuye el enrojecimiento e irritación. Dos virtudes que lo hacen ideal para las líneas de cosmética infantil , agrega la dermatóloga Cristina Pascuto, asesora médica de la firma Pierre Fabre. Aloe Vera. Es conocido como ideal para humectar pieles irritadas. A la vez, su aceite esencial es usado para quitar el estrés.

Arándanos. Es antioxidante. Por otra parte, tiene propiedades emolientes y descongestivas. Se los usa para cremas, geles y máscaras anti-age , dice Paula Schaievitch, de la firma Icono Cosmética. Granos de café verde. Tienen poderosos antioxidantes que ayudan a prevenir el daño producido por los radicales libres y el estrés oxidativo. Es una de las últimas incorporaciones de la belleza, se usan en los productos de limpieza y en las cremas antiedad.

Tomate. Es rico en azúcares y vitaminas. Se utiliza en cremas antiacné e hidratantes , explica Schaievitch. Yerba Mate. Previene el envejecimiento de la piel. Además tiene nutrientes y minerales que protegen a la dermis de las agresiones del medio ambiente. En el mercado se pueden conseguir desde cremas a base de yerba mate para atenuar los primeros signos de la edad hasta tónicos hidratantes.

Candeia: Es un árbol que crece en Brasil. Tiene un activo natural con propiedades cicatrizantes, antiflamatorias e hidratantes. Se lo incluye en toda la línea de maquillajes (tanto en bases como en labiales y sombras de ojos) porque mantiene la piel en buen estado, hidratada y desestresada , agrega Jelena Nadinic, química de la firma Natura. Avena. La semilla tiene propiedades antiinflamatorias y es utilizada en productos hipoalergénicos que ayudan a calmar irritaciones. También es un poderoso cicatrizante que previene y repara los daños causados por las radiaciones U.V. y la edad.
Fuente: La razon

La caída de los precios internacionales de los commodities (materias primas comunes) coincide con algunos intentos aislados de efectuar una reconversión productiva y con lamentos por no haber aprovechado los extraordinarios precios que tuvieron la soja y otros granos durante algún tiempo.
La reconversión productiva del campo argentino está avalada por algunas demandas mundiales como es el caso del cultivo de la granadina en la Región Norte (Salta y algunos intentos cordobeses) con experiencia israelí para abastecer mercados europeos.
También siempre hay interés por la producción de “semillas”, que no es lo mismo que la siembra de cientos de hectáreas de granos en secano (sin riego), al contrario se trata de superficie más acotadas, en buenas tierras, con tecnología alta y bajo riego.
Esas semillas, de cereales, oleaginosas y hortalizas, son las que se venderán a los productores o se exportarán para que siembren trigo, maíz, soja y girasol entre los commodities, o zanahorias y lechugas.

NUEVAS ALTERNATIVAS. Muchos productores, algunos hijos del esquema asociativo que nació con los grupos de Cambio Rural (a partir de la década del 90), han comprendido que deben juntarse y buscar nuevas alternativas.
En el caso “granadina” (en Salta y algunos intentos cordobeses), como nos explicaban, requieren una fuerte inversión inicial, una espera de cuatro años, y en el futuro un mercado europeo en expansión.
El aloe es un fenómeno: de las tierras áridas riojanas pasó a las más húmedas bonaerenses con un esquema industrial cosmético desde el inicio, como ocurre con la extraordinaria producción de aromáticas (lúpulo, manzanilla, orégano, menta, coriandro) que se exportan por seis millones de dólares en un semestre.
En el país, la reconversión productiva está sostenida por demandas internacionales y la necesidad de hacer frente a las numerosas contingencias climáticas y las oscilaciones de los precios desfavorables para los cultivos más comunes.
Ingenieros agrónomos, investigadores, psicólogos sociales que analizan la crisis alimentaria, químicos, todos los consultados aseguran que la reconversión debe ser tanto en el área productiva como en la industria agroalimenticia.

EXPORTACIONES. Algunos analistas indican que el sector agropecuario debe exportar productos que tengan un valor superior a los 3.000 dólares la tonelada como carne de cerdo procesada o envasada al vacío, cortes de la cuota Hilton que llegaron a pagarse 11.000 dólares la tonelada, y comidas tipo gourmet.
Un ejemplo que sorprende son los berries (blueberries, arándanos, frambuesas) que en el imaginario colectivo estaban reservados a las fríos valles de la cordillera patagónica y que sin embargo, para sorpresa de muchos, fructifican en Concordia (Entre Ríos), Tucumán y en varios campos a la vera de las rutas 9 y 8 donde se producen y exportan.

“LLEGÓ EL MOMENTO”. Los precios de los commodities bajaron en el mundo y las retenciones quedaron altas mientras el campo batallaba, entonces empresarios como Pedro Blaquier o economistas como Salvador Di Estéfano (Fundación Libertad) coinciden en que el escenario cambió y que la comercialización de granos se paralizó. Ante esta situación, los pragmáticos advierten que llegó el momento de reconvertir.
La realidad argentina es de 4.500.000 hectáreas de trigo sembradas, un millón menos que el año anterior, una cosecha de 20 millones de toneladas de maíz, un crecimiento de la cebada por encima del trigo, y la apuesta de algunos por aumentar la producción de soja y superar las 16 millones de hectáreas.
Pero en muchos lugares de Argentina, algunos dueños de campos se preocupan por la fertilidad de los suelos, no quieren alquilar, prefieren buscar alternativas que les permitan oler la tierra madura y ver crecer los cultivos aún cuando la rentabilidad sea esquiva al principio.
Sino pregunten en el sector de los olivares en Mendoza, San Juan y la Rioja donde todo parece mejorar, al igual que la fuerte presencia de la citricultura, o bien a la tímida apuesta a la acuicultura, con tecnología adecuada, en los tanques australianos donde antes abrevaban los ganados bovinos.
El desafío está planteado. La reconversión es amiga de la paciencia, del riesgo, de la visión empresaria y del doble esfuerzo, porque mientras se afianza hay que sembrar los commodities para subsistir en el negocio del campo.
Fuente: El diario de Parana

Lifestyle and dietary changes that include eliminating sugary and fatty food, exercising and quitting smoking can help, as can over-the-counter and prescription medications.

But there are several natural remedies that can be used instead of or in addition to medications, according to Dr. Allan E. Sosin, founder and medical director of the Institute for Progressive Medicine in Irvine, Calif.

"It really depends on what’s going on with the person and whether or not they’re having severe symptoms," he said. "If they’re not showing severe symptoms, we may just start them with natural items. People will come in on the medications, and we’ll add the nutritional supplements in and sometimes they’ll get off the acid blockers altogether."

Here are five natural remedies that treat the symptoms of acid reflux:

Glutamine. An amino acid that naturally occurs in the human body, glutamine can be found in dietary sources such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, dairy products, cabbage, beets, beans, spinach and parsley. Sosin said glutamine is an ant-inflammatory that reduces intestinal inflammation associated with acid reflux. It is sometimes used to aid recovery after abdominal surgery and is believed to have "cleansing" properties.

Aloe vera. The sticky gel that seeps from the aloe vera plant has long been used to treat cuts and rashes and many believe the plant to have medicinal properties when taken orally as a juice. Aloe vera has been used to treat stomach upset, diarrhea and inflammation associated with bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

Licorice. Most often associated with candy, herbal licorice is used in Eastern medicine to treat diseases of the spleen, liver and kidneys. It is also believed to be effective in treating stomach and intestinal ulcers, reducing stomach acid levels, coating the stomach wall with a protective gel and relieving constipation.

Apple cider vinegar. Although this vinegar is purported to treat everything from hay fever to warts (with little evidence to back up its effectiveness), it does appear to have a calming effect on stomach acid.

"I really don’t know how it works," Sosin said. "You would think it wouldn’t because it’s very acidic on its own. But lots of people respond to it really well. I think it may have something to do with the fact that it helps with digestion and a lot of acid reflux symptoms stem from not digesting food well. A lot of times, when other things haven’t worked, people find apple cider vinegar does. And it can be taken indefinitely."

Sodium bicarbonate. Also called baking soda, used to kill odors in refrigerators, this can be used as an antacid to treat heartburn and stomach upset, Sosin said, adding that it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure or those on sodium-restricted diets.

Source: FoxNews.com

Garden Girl, a forwardly progressive natural skin care company in Needham, Massachusetts, has announced their continued commitment to the environment by offering eco-friendly refills on a selection of its most popular skin care products.

Retro-inspired and creatively produced, Garden Girl has given consumers even more reason to celebrate healthy skin the natural way by providing a way to save money and help the environment. Garden Girl’s complete line of skin care is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors, artificial fragrances, petroleum and unnecessary chemicals, and the announcement of the more environmentally friendly packaging was a natural step for the company, according to Garden Girl’s management team.

The refill product option is very simply organized for the ease of consumers wanting to take advantage of a greener footprint. Once a purchase has been made of one of Garden Girl’s four most popular items â€' No Worries Face Cream, Nature vs. Nurture Face Cream, Cookies and Cream Masque or Starting Over Natural Microdermabrasion Cream â€' consumers may order refills with minimal packaging. The consumer simply cleans and sterilizes the original jar that they had previously purchased then refills it with the new package.

No Worries Face Cream was created especially for sensitive skin, and is rich in organic jojoba and aloe, plus hyaluronic acid, to provide deep but gentle moisture that will help battle fine lines and trap moisture, yet won't irritate skin. Green tea extract and vitamins C and E provide much needed antioxidants to help keep skin protected, repaired and refreshed.

Nature vs. Nurture Face Cream is packed with rich, hydrating ingredients and natural fruit extracts. Organic jojoba and hyaluronic acid, along with rich shea and aloe butters, add and trap essential moisture to reduce fine lines, while the antioxidants in green tea extract and vitamins C and E fight free-radicals. A multi-fruit acid complex from sugar cane, apple, orange and lemon extracts work overnight to repair damage and exfoliate the skin, revealing a fresh face in the morning.

Cookies and Cream Masque, made with ground vanilla beans plus rich rice bran oil, white kaolin clay and honey, draws out impurities and leaves skin moisturized, smoothed and renewed.

Starting Over Natural Microdermabrasion Cream uses shea butter, as well as jojoba, avocado and hemp seed oils to nourish and replenish skin. Tiny crystals safely buff away dead skin that clogs pores and causes imperfections. A glowing complexion emerges with fewer lines each time this naturally effective cream is used.

In addition to the introduction of the new refill packaging for these four products, Garden Girl maintains a commitment to provide earth-friendly products that are never tested on animals. The company is dedicated to allowing consumers the opportunity to support a green lifestyle while taking exceptional care of the body’s largest organ: the skin.
SourceFPRC

Referentes de la Dirección Nacional del Servicio Federal de Empleo, en coordinación con áreas de la Secretaría de la Producción, presentaron el programa Fortalecimiento de los Entramados Productivos Locales ante técnicos de distintos organismos e instinstituciones provinciales y referentes municipales de producción y empleo.

En la sede de la Dirección de Desarrollo Rural y Agricultura Familiar se dieron a conocer este viernes los lineamientos del programa Fortalecimiento de los Entramados Productivos Locales, a fin de despejar las inquietudes de los participantes y trabajar sobre ideas o proyectos concretos, evaluar su pertinencia y facilitar su avance y posterior efectivización.

El enfoque

Al principio de la jornada la referente de la Gerencia de Empleo y Capacitación Laboral de Entre Ríos, Mariela Rothman, habló sobre las características de las políticas actuales del Ministerio de Trabajo, manifestando que “antes se trataba de sostener la creación directa de empleo, por ejemplo a través de la formación profesional; ahora se busca la promoción de acuerdos territoriales de empleo, por lo cual ya no se interviene directamente en su creación, sino que se trata de mejorar la dinámica productiva de la localidad”.

Este enfoque integral intenta “tener en cuenta tanto la dinámica productiva, como la dinámica institucional del territorio, haciendo hincapié en que los actores locales puedan identificar los problemas del empleo local y construir líneas de proyecto en ese sentido; por eso lo novedoso y distintivo es el reconocimiento de la lógica territorial a la hora de producir políticas”, afirmó Rothman.

Características de los proyectos

Mediante este programa se pretende apoyar la formulación de proyectos productivos y la instalación de centros de servicios locales, de los cuales los primeros están pensados para ser presentados por una unidad productiva, específicamente una organización formal de productores (cooperativas u otras) o una agrupación de productores en vías de formalización.

En el caso de los proyectos para la instalación de centros de servicios, están concebidos para responder a las demandas de asistencia técnica, apoyo legal y capacitación de diversas unidades productivas, individuales o independientes, formales o informales. Los centros pueden ser administrados por el municipio u otros programas o instituciones idóneas que tengan ingerencia en el territorio y su alcance puede exceder la localidad o región, teniendo en cuenta la dispersión de las actividades productivas.

Destinatarios

Podrán ser beneficiados por la implementación de este programa los emprendimientos municipales y de productores asociados en cooperativas u otras formas organizativas formales. Por otra parte, se verán favorecidos los trabajadores desocupados a partir de la generación de nuevos empleos, los trabajadores en actividad que puedan mejorar su salario y los productores independientes a través de los centros de servicios.

Los referentes del programa insistieron en la importancia del rol que cumple el municipio en este sistema, ya que es el que recibe y administra los fondos, compra el equipamiento necesario, y oficia de mediador entre las distintas unidades productivas.

Evaluación

La preevaluación de los proyectos estará a cargo de la Dirección Nacional del Servicio Federal de Empleo, la cual acompañará el proceso de formulación de éstos, impulsando un diálogo permanente con devoluciones constantes, a fin de facilitar la faz operativa en la formulación y aprobación de aquellas iniciativas que sean pertinentes y representen un impacto en el empleo del territorio.

Inquietudes e Iniciativas

A su momento, los asistentes a la jornada señalaron que uno de los problemas que se presentan a al hora de emprender cualquier actividad productiva es “la cuestión de la economía informal, que es una realidad común en las localidades; por ejemplo hay sectores sin documentación, como los grupos de pescadores”. Ante esta inquietud, los referentes respondieron que en el desarrollo del proyecto se puede partir de la informalidad, “siempre y cuando se tenga en cuenta que la meta es la paulatina formalización y el fomento del asociativismo; en el caso de grupos de productores como los Profam o los Giser, no serían aptos para la presentación de un proyecto productivo pero sí podrían insertarse en el marco de un Centro de Servicio”.

Luego se fueron presentando distintas iniciativas entre las cuales se encontraban los agentes del municipio de Concordia, quienes después de realizar un análisis diagnóstico de base territorial han decidido fortalecer el trabajo en tres sectores: textil, muebles y stevia. En función de ello, se encuentran ante la demanda de generar talleres de asociativos por lo cual consideran que su situación se enmarcaría más en un centro de servicios.

Por otro lado, el personal de la Dirección de Desarrollo Rural y Agricultura Familiar se refirió a la situación de una Cooperativa de Aloe que ya tiene dos años de vida e involucra a 22 productores de dos grupos Giser en el norte de la provincia de Entre Ríos y el sur de Corrientes. Estos grupos vienen gestionando por distintas vías la posibilidad de construir una planta extractora, la cual posibilitaría agregar valor a la producción e ingresar un producto industrializado en el mercado.

Participantes del encuentro

Asistieron al encuentro personal técnico de distintas áreas de la Secretaría de la Producción, referentes de Cáritas Paraná, INTA Paraná y Feliciano, PSA, Organismo para la Producción y el Empleo de Paraná y representantes de municipios, oficinas de empleo, áreas de Producción y distintas cadenas productivas de Concordia, Feliciano, Tala y Larroque, entre otros.
Fuente:la voz.com.ar

Through community gifts and the creative expertise of visionary landscaper and businessman Jeff Law, a calming garden called the "Oasis" blooms in the outdoor atrium at ABC West in southwest Houston.
The sound of water trickles from a donated fountain, providing solace for students during the school day. Plants glorify the space and encourage visits from bees and butterflies. A gratis picnic table allows students to visit the compact Shangri-La to write in journals or to simply decompress.
The project was spearheaded by teachers Bette Channell and Cordegus Monette as they brainstormed about the possibilities for the plant-less, unused space. The teachers felt that a garden would be especially calming for the special needs students, many of whom are emotionally disturbed.
Channell and Law, both Heights neighbors, spoke about the possibility of renovating the space as a community project.
"I knew Bette was a teacher," said Law, who owns a tropical xeriscaping company called "Ka*Bloom!" and Indian Summer Lodge, an event center and garden. "I had troubled teenage years myself. I used to teach and I missed the interaction with kids."
Law showed up at the school in May with garden tools in hand and worked with about a dozen ABC teens interested in assisting. Students had previously removed debris and weeds from the area. They uncovered paver stones, washing them to reveal renewed colorful surfaces.
Donations of plants like aloe vera, hummingbird bushes, salvia, switch grass, philodendron and variegated flax lilies were delivered and planted along with soil. Plaques were used to identify the plants and the students who set them in soil. Law told students how to care for the plants.
Students like Richard Ibarra, 15, became involved as vested owners of the garden. Ibarra says he looks forward to eating lunch in the transformed space.
Law says the intent was two-fold: to teach the urban teens about the environment and to allow them to realize they have the ability to make changes in their own lives by changing the usable space within the garden.
ABC West Principal Faye Wells says summer school students and staff continued to water and weed the garden throughout the summer. She looks forward to seeing the eager looks on the faces of returning students who inspect the garden's growth.
Students at ABC West are ages 5-22 and are referred by their home districts, explained Special Schools Senior Director Deborah Johnson. They may have emotional disturbances, mental retardation, autism spectrum disorder and other impairments, but they are people first, just like you and me, she said.
"HCDE's Academic and Behavior Centers (ABC) assist any of 26 area school districts in providing educational programs for students with disabilities," said Johnson.
ABC features small classes with low student-to-teacher ratios and highly trained staff. Instruction is individualized as determined by (school) admission, review, dismissal committees (ARDs) and accomplished in age-appropriate classes to ensure academic and behavioral growth. The ABC goal is successful student reintegration into the home district.
The mission at ABC is "to instill in all students a commitment to learning through relevant and challenging experiences." Teacher and coach Channell says the garden is the perfect venue for learning life lessons: that hard work is rewarded.
Companies making donations to the Oasis garden are: Jeff Law's Ka*Bloom!/Indian Summer Lodge, San Jacinto Stone Company, Buchanan's Native Plants, Joshua's Native Plants, A Cut Above, Chuck Scianna/Sim-Tex, Tim Phelen/Waller Co. Land Company, Jan Laughlin and Chris and Charlie Munden.
Source: abc13.com

Folk medicine has existed side by side with human beings for thousands of years. In an effort to cope with an environment that was often dangerous, man began finding ways to treat medical problems.
At first, these came through trial and error, using various plants and other methods derived from observing how animals reacted to and treated themselves when ill or injured.

Over time, individuals became more skilled at helping the sick and injured. Medicine men, shamans and priests responsible for healing ceremonies, religious rituals and other rites, emerged and were charged with ensuring the safety and health of their communities.

Much of this lore has been passed down through families for generations, and some have even been adopted for use by the medical profession.

The use of Aloe Vera is such a product. Throughout ancient and modern history, aloe plants have been used for their remarkable medicinal properties. Isolated societies as far removed as the indigenous peoples of South Africa independently discovered the uses of aloes.

Interest in the healing properties of aloes was sparked in the late 1940s when aloes were successfully used in the treatment of Japanese radiation burn victims after Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Twentieth century scientific literature contains many references to the aloe plant's diverse biological properties. Experiments have brought to light new aspects of this plant's versatility such as an anti-fungal effect, an inhibitory effect on cancer cells, an anti-inflammatory effect and an anti-aging effect.

But along with the folk medicines and practices that seem to work even in our heavily dependent synthetic drug world are some practices that leave more modern thinking individuals shaking their heads.

Among the illnesses that do not fall within the realm of recognized medicine is one called "liver grown." This is an illness found among the Pennsylvania Germans.

This illness, they believe, occurs when the liver has become attached to the ribs or some other part of the body cavity. It is more common among children and believed to be caused by exposure to a strong wind, the result of staying outside too long or from being shaken up while traveling.

Diagnosis is made by feeling the lower chest and to see if the flesh is pulled inward. Folk Treatment may involve stretching the child's arms and legs behind them to loosen the liver or by passing them through a warm horse collar, bramble bush or other similar process.

In common medical terms, this same disease is known as "failure to thrive."

Researchers note that these remedies are often learned and passed down from generation to generation.

Folk medicine practitioners use a variety of methods to treat illnesses. Each folk healer has specific treatments, which often include prayer, dancing, medicinal herbs, massage, sweat baths, coining (a process of rubbing the skin with a metal coin) and other practices outside the realm of modern medicine.

Nearly every family has some specific home remedy that has been learned and passed down by older family members, and even in the face of more modern health beliefs they will continue to use these folk remedies before seeking traditional medical treatment.

For instance, ginger is used to treat gas or nausea. Other examples of folk treatments include using ginseng as a tonic and celery seeds for rheumatism. And, in many instances the folk treatment relieves symptoms.

Many plants provided the basic ingredients that were used in the preparation of medicines and remedies by the backwoodsman. According to an article on Folk Medicine by Peggy Fisher, BSN, from West Virginia, there appeared to be a belief among the early settlers that the more distasteful a concoction was, the more effective it would be.

"Some of their remedies are still used today in patent medicines. Wild cherry bark for cough medicine is an example. Sassafras, catnip, horehound and pennyroyal were all brewed into teas and used to treat coughs and colds," according to Fisher.

Red cedar leaves and twigs were boiled and inhaled for bronchitis. Leaves and bark from black and white willow were made into a tea to break a fever. The willow has an abundance of salicylic acid (aspirin).

Golden seal, bloodroot and wild ginger were used in a variety of early concoctions. The pitch from the white pine could heal wounds. Blood flowing from a cut could be stopped with powdered bark of a hemlock tree and that tree bark could also be used to treat burns. Toothaches were treated with cooked pine needles and rhododendron oil could relieve rheumatism.

In addition to these historical practices, the spectrum of folk medicine in the United States has been extended by the influx of new immigrant groups.

While the Appalachian Mountain Range has strong pockets of people who believe in using folk remedies, so do sections of people from Louisiana's backwater areas. Indians from all tribes still use many herbal treatments.

Folk medicine exists side by side with modern medical practices. Those who use and believe in it have acquired much of their knowledge from generations of others who have used the treatments.

The traditions of folk medicine stress the importance of balance and harmony within the body. A sense that each person is connected to the earth and the cosmos is very important, as is the belief that an illness should be treated with every resource available.

Source: Banner Graphic

South African goods such as olives, aloe products and certain fruits are proving a hit in speciality stores around the world.

South African tea, mineral water, gourmet spice rubs, olives, fruit, chocolate, speciality bakes, aloe products and a host of other upmarket goods grace hundreds of high-end stores around the world.

Julian and Rozel Abramson of Fynbos Fine Foods of Tierfontein, just outside Malmesbury, are one couple in the thick of the burgeoning scene.

The Abramsons didn't want to see their peppers go to waste a few years ago and got into the local market with them. Now they export a range of yummy pickles and spreads to high-end stores in Europe and the US.
On their five-hectare plot in Tierfontein, just outside Malmesbury, the Abramsons and their staff grow chillis, tomatoes, brinjals and herbs for their bottled range. They are among the biggest chilli growers in the province.

Recently they beat 33 000 international hopefuls to win a silver trophy for outstanding appetiser in the US National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Sofi Awards.

They will also exhibit at the South African Pavilion at the highbrow New York Fancy Food Show.

The Abramsons' winning product was created by necessity. They had a glut of brinjals which they dried, but the result was less than appetising, so they used it as a base for the relish which won the award.

Their storerooms are filled with large vats of marinating or drying chillies. The spotless industrial kitchen is where tons of savoury spreads, chilli jams and hot sauces are made, bottled and labelled. They are mindful of protecting the planet and reducing their carbon footprint, so everything is done in-house and mostly by hand, making their enterprise labour intensive.

Julian studied horticulture and worked on farms in Israel and Canada, where he learnt about hydroponics.

On their return to South Africa 12 years ago, the couple bought their farm and produced red, green and yellow peppers for Pick n Pay.

To their dismay the chain would only take perfectly shaped peppers; the rest they had to discard as pig fodder.

So they had no idea that the day Rozel and a friend experimented with using the peppers to make a chilli ginger jam would change their lives.

Soon gourmet local food shops were stocking their jams, including their tomato chilli, under the Fynbos Fine Food label. Rozel expanded her repertoire and now they have more than 20 different products.

Their break into the international market came when a tourist tasted their goods, and within a matter of months they were selling to the United Kingdom. Today they sell to many countries in Europe.

One of Rozel's favourite products is her Dream Sauce, so named because she dreamt she was making a savoury sauce. She woke up, scribbled down the recipe and the next day the couple made the sauce using the dream recipe.

It was perfect, they liked it, their clients loved it and their dream sauce has become a permanent product.

"When we started the farm we employed five people, then 12, now we have 28. And at the height of the picking season we employ up to 60 people," Julian said.

Their staff have remained loyal to them, and have grown with them.

Pickers have moved their way into the kitchen and storeroom as the work needs have changed.

Julian and Rozel say they chose their piece of land because of the water quality and its proximity to Malmesbury and to Cape Town. It is their little bit of heaven.

Source:iol

A BUSINESS selling natural slimming products is banking on healthy growth after signing deals to take its supplements into pharmacies for the first time.

Studio Products mainly sold its herbal-based products to health and beauty shops but is now supplying to Norchem Healthcare pharmacies, which has 20 North East pharmacies and also sells to 150 independent chemists.

The deals comes shortly after Hartlepool-based Studio products linked up with Dublin company Perrans Distributors to take its products into 1,200 pharmacies in Northern and Southern Ireland.

Studio, which employs 10 people, distributes natural supplements used by slimmers including Hoodia Mint, which incorporates a herb used for hundreds of years by bushmen in southern Africa.

Hoodia comes from a cactus-like plant which grows in Africa and has celebrity fans such as actress Angelina Jolie. Legally, the company cannot make any claims about what the product does but word-of-mouth has led to soaring sales at national health shop chain Holland and Barratt, which has 550 stores.

“We have seen our sales to Holland and Barratt increase from 100 bottles of Hoodia Mint a week last year to 300 bottles now. It’s an incredible increase and is something we are keen to repeat with other pharmacies,” said Studio sales manager Ray Walker.

Source:nebusiness

: Henkel India has announced the latest range of Body washes from Fa – Fa Yoghurt range.

The company says that Yoghurt has been recognised as the nourishing way to soft supple skin since time immemorial. Fa is India’s first body wash to contain yoghurt, which leaves the skin soft supple and smooth after every bath.
The product of Fa comes in two variants – Yoghurt Vanilla Honey and Yoghurt Aloe Vera. While Vanilla Honey is a creamy concoction of honey with a hint of vanilla, Aloe Vera has aloe extracts. Fa Yoghurt body washes are priced at Rs 75 for 250 ml with a loofah free with every pack. The body washes are available in super markets and cosmetics outlets.


Henkel India MD Satish Kumar says, “Fa today is successful in over 120 countries, and this new range from Fa will further enhance its brand offering to the customer. The key ingredient in the new range is Yoghurt and in India yoghurt has been known for decades for its benefits to skin. We hope the customers will embrace this new range.”

The company further notes that consumers the world over are switching from bar soaps to a liquid soap format, be it shower gels or body washes. The superior bathing experience that a body wash offers vis-à-vis soap is increasingly being recognised by Indian consumers. The mindset has now come to encompass a holistic bathing experience along with healthy beautiful skin.


Henkel India category manager, personal care Srikanth said, "Apart from the goodness of yoghurt, the new range of Fa body washes has been dermatologically proven for good skin compatibility and ensures maintenance of natural moisture balance of the skin. The formulae are pH skin neutral and prevent the skin from drying out.”

Source:Indiantelevision.com

En aras de establecer un sistema sustentable de producción, procesamiento y comercialización de la planta de “Aloe Vera”, PDVSA Refinación Oriente trabaja aceleradamente en la culminación de la infraestructura instalada en la población de Caigüa, municipio Bolívar del estado Anzoátegui, para el procesamiento Industrial de Gel de Zábila.

Con esta iniciativa, Petróleos de Venezuela brinda a las comunidades organizadas del área de influencia del Complejo Industrial “José Antonio Anzoátegui”, la oportunidad de desarrollar las potencialidades agrícolas, industriales y turísticas de esta zona.

Este proyecto de desarrollo endógeno contempla la siembra y mantenimiento de aproximadamente 200 hectáreas de zábila, que servirán de materia prima a los proyectos de procesamiento artesanal e industria de esta planta perteneciente a la familia de las Liliáceas.

Actualmente, la Gerencia General de Refinación Oriente, procura la culminación de varias obras de vialidad, seguridad industrial y de servicios que permitirán el acondicionamiento de la infraestructura que albergará los equipos para el procesamiento de 10 toneladas diarias de gel de Zábila, para la fabricación de productos de uso industrial como detergentes y desinfectantes.

La puesta en marcha de esta planta industrial beneficiará a casi 3 mil habitantes de las comunidades ubicadas en la quebrada de Hoces, resguardo indígena de la zona rural del municipio Bolívar y generará aproximadamente unos 130 empleos directos y más de cien indirectos.

Desde hace más de un año se puso en funcionamiento la planta artesanal de Zábila, donde un grupos de mujeres trabajan en el procesamiento artesanal de más de 500 mil kilos al año de la penca de zábila, para la obtención de productos medicinales, gastronómicos y cosmetológicos, logrando comercializar a pequeña escala jabones, shampoo, licores, mermeladas, etc.

PDVSA sigue avanzando a paso de vencedores en el fortalecimiento de la siembra petrolera en el Oriente del país, impulsando el modelo económico socio-productivo que permite que las comunidades sean protagonistas de su propio desarrollo.

Fuente: En Oriente.com

Pocas plantas pueden ofrecernos tantas propiedades como el Aloe Vera. Sus innumerables beneficios físicos y nutricionales y sus múltiples aplicaciones preventivas y curativas, lo convierten en elemento base de recetas, preparados terapéuticos y productos cosméticos.

Uso desde la antigüedad

El uso del aloe es de los más antiguos en fitoterapia –aplicación de las plantas con fines terapéuticos-. Se conoce desde el tiempo de los antiguos egipcios, como ha quedado reflejado en jeroglíficos y papiros. Sus sacerdotes y alquimistas utilizaban aloe para preparar pócimas medicinales, e incluso era empleado para embalsamar momias.

Esta cultura, que puede considerarse foco principal de la medicina clásica, conocía muy bien todas sus propiedades curativas y diferentes aplicaciones.

Poco a poco el uso aloe vera se fue extendiendo a todas las cultura, sobre todo, en las zonas donde se cultivaba la planta. En nuestro país, después de haber estado durante siglos relegada a un segundo plano, vuelve a resurgir gracias al auge de los tratamientos con medicina alternativa.

Composición

La pulpa es la zona de la planta del aloe vera donde se concentra la mayor parte de sus propiedades. Se caracteriza por su textura gelatinosa y contiene el gel de aloe. Este gel de color blanco amarillento, procede de las células de la parte central de la hoja y constituye toda una fuente de salud.

Esta planta contiene más de 160 elementos diferentes entre los que encontramos monosacáridos y polisacáridos; enzimas (oxidasa, amilasa, catalasa, lipasa…); más de 20 minerales (calcio, magnesio, cobre, sodio, hierro, potasio, zinc...); 18 de los 22 aminoácidos que se hallan presentes en el organismo humano, y siete de los ocho que se consideran esenciales; y vitaminas, sobre todo del grupo B (B1, B2, B3, B6...) que mejoran el estado de la piel y funcionan sobre el sistema nervioso.

Según explica Lourdes Prat en su libro El gran libro del Aloe Vera: "La ciencia se esfuerza en clasificar y estudiar todos sus componentes para ver cuál es el más efectivo en determinados tratamientos, pero parece ser que es la sinergia de todos ellos la que le otorga la condición de planta curativa única y excepcional".

El aloe vera es una planta que tiene el poder de regenerar sus propias hojas para mantener su vitalidad, y es esta misma fórmula la que nos permite a nosotros obtener grandes beneficios curativos y nutricionales de ella.

Beneficios Curativos
Refuerza el sistema inmunitario porque contiene acemanano que es un polisacárido que actúa como un potente estimulador de glóbulos blancos que destruye las bacterias.

- Es cicatrizante, tiene una gran capacidad para regenerar las células. Es eficaz en toda clase de heridas ya sean externas (en la piel) o internas (por ejemplo, úlceras estomacales). Su comprobación científica tuvo lugar, por primera vez con los heridos por las bombas atómicas de Hirishima y Nagasaki. Los especialistas pudieron observar la magnífica evolución de los pacientes a los que se les había aplicado cataplasmas hechos con aloe puro.

- Antiinflamatorio. La planta contiene ácido acetilsalicílico que contribuye en gran medida a reducir el dolor y la inflamación que provocan los procesos reumatoides o artríticos, las tendinitis y las contusiones.

- Rejuvenecedor. El aloe aumenta la producción de las células fibroplásticas que se encuentran en la dermis y que son las responsables de la formación de colágeno, además aporta proteínas que mantienen la piel tersa y flexible. Con la aceleración de la formación de colágeno se atenúan las arrugas existentes y se reduce la aparición de otras nuevas.

- Coagulante. Contiene calcio, potasio y celulosa y provoca en las lesiones la formación de una red de fibras que aseguran las plaquetas de la sangre, ayudando a la coagulación y cicatrización.

Beneficios Nutricionales

El aloe contiene más de 80 componentes nutricionales: minerales, aminoácidos y vitaminas, razón por la que se le otorga un importante papel como suplemento nutricional al que se puede recurrir en estados carenciales, o simplemente como preventivo.

En China forma parte de la cultura culinaria, suelen cocinarlo rebozado. Los primeros productos que se comercializaron con aloe fueron yogures, de mano de la industria suiza. A nuestro país poco a poco están llegando estas novedades.

El gel de aloe puede utilizarse en la preparación de jugos, zumos o infusiones. Con poca cantidad pueden observarse magníficos resultados. Lo mejor para realizar nuestras recetas sin excedernos en la cantidad recomendada, es consultar con un especialista médico o farmacéutico para que nos asesore.

Aplicaciones

- Dermis. En la piel el aloe vera tiene multitud de propiedades. Actúa como magnífico limpiador para elimina las impurezas y toxinas y desinfectar.

_Rehidrata, restituye los líquidos perdidos, repara los tejidos y regenera las células. Es antiinflamatorio y mejora la circulación sanguínea y, consecuentemente, el estado de la piel. Elimina marcas de granitos e imperfecciones, cicatrices y manchas.

- Se emplea como after sun, para después del sol porque hidrata y refresca la piel agredida por la exposición solar.

- Pelo. Es perfecto para el pelo graso porque tiene tendencia a resecar. Si se desea regenerar las puntas en cabellos secos, debe mezclarse con algún aceite natural hidratante como el de rosa mosqueta, joyoba, argan (proviene de un árbol de marruecos), aceite de almendras dulces…

- Dientes. El gel dentífrico realizado a base de aloe mejora la higiene bucal y ayuda a prevenir la caries. Además es eficaz para las encías inflamadas.

- Estómago e intestino. El jugo del aloe vera resulta eficaz para tratar las inflamaciones del intestino porque puede regular y equilibrar su función y neutraliza la acidez del estómago por lo que es muy recomendable en cosos de úlceras gástricas.

- Músculos y articulaciones. Numerosos estudios concluyen que esta planta ayuda a prevenir la artritis y a reducir la inflamación del as articulaciones.

- Gripe, hepatitis, meningitis... El aloe es un producto que refuerza el sistema inmunológico y, por tanto, previene de muchas enfermedades causadas por virus o bacterias.

Recomendaciones

Puede utilizarse todos los días, ingerido mediante un preparado o sobre la piel como si de una crema se tratase. También puede frotarse la piel con un trocito de penca que cortemos de la planta. Si se aplica sobre la piel no existe ningún problema, pero si decidimos ingerirla debemos tener precaución con la dosis. En este caso, es mejor consultar con un especialista en medicina natural.

El aloe puede extraerse directamente de la planta, retirando la capa externa y tomando la parte gelatinosa, que hay que lavar con abundante agua antes de ingerir porque tiene una sustancia que la envuelve (entre la parte verde de la hoja y la gelatina) llamada acíbar que es un poco abrasiva y desagradable al sabor y, además, puede provocar diarrea porque es un fuerte laxante.

Para conocer si un producto realizado con aloe es de calidad, el consumidor debe fijarse en la etiqueta. Ésta debe certificar que se trata de aloe puro 100% o con dosis alta, porque sino apenas tiene propiedades. Existe un sello que la Internacional Aloe Science Council otorga a los envasadores que cumplen las normas de utilizar el 100% aloe. Este certificado es una garantía de calidad que ayudar a diferenciar un buen producto.

Si queremos tener una planta en casa, al comprarla debemos asegurarnos que no ha sido fumigada con pesticidas, ni ha estado en contactos con productos químicos; de este modo, evitamos que produzca alergia o reacción dérmicas. Aunque actualmente las venden con fines terapéuticos y ya están preparadas para que puedas llevarla a casa y utilizarla.

No necesitan de demasiados cuidados porque se adaptan fácilmente a casi cualquier climatología. Crece y se multiplica rápidamente y su gel es eficaz desde que la planta es pequeña, aunque las propiedades son más potentes cuando la planta tiene 3 años aproximadamente y su penca alcanza los 20 ó 25 cm.

Fuente: El Pais Vallenato

La Corporación Mattress Giant, la quinta tienda de colchones más grande del país, lanzó hoy a lo largo y ancho de la nación la línea Casa Cristina(TM) de colchones de la periodista Cristina Saralegui. Esta colección, inspirada por la popular presentadora y productora ejecutiva del Show de Cristina, refleja el estilo personal y la vibrante sensibilidad de Cristina.

La Colección de Colchones Casa Cristina(TM) esta disponible en las 359 tiendas de Mattress Giant, el primer minorista de su tamaño que brinda la asequible línea de colchones a los consumidores. La misión de Casa Cristina es darles el poder a los hispanos de crear un hogar hermoso que refleje su herencia al mismo tiempo que expone al consumidor general a la calidad del diseño hispano.

CRISTINA SARALEGUI es una periodista con más de 30 años de experiencia que ha sido reconocida como una de las personas más influyentes para la mujer hispana de hoy. Al hacer el anuncio, dijo: "Me complace en extremo que Casa Cristina(TM) se haya convertido en una línea de productos para el hogar cuyos consumidores han aceptado su estilo y confiado en su calidad. La asociación con Mattress Giant, uno de los minoristas más grandes y más confiables de la industria, fue algo natural, para lanzar los colchones Encanto y Esencia al mercado".

"Como Cristina, Mattress Giant es un socio confiable que ayuda a los consumidores a encontrar soluciones sensatas y de alta calidad para sus vidas -- y hay pocas cosas más importantes que dormir bien por la noche", dijo Terri Stephens, vicepresidente de mercadeo y publicidad de Mattress Giant. "La adición de las colecciones de Casa Cristina(TM) dan fe de cuán profundamente entendemos a nuestras consumidoras, sus necesidades y las personas y personalidades más importantes en sus vidas".

Los colchones de Casa Cristina(TM) son una de las quince categorías de productos de la creciente colección Casa Cristina(TM) de Cristina Saralegui, que incluye muebles, lámparas, complementos para el hogar, y productos para el dormitorio y el baño. Los dos modelos que actualmente están a la venta en Mattress Giant, Encanto y Esencia, son totalmente hipoalergénicos, con cobertura de cachemira, seda y bambú 100% natural, que absorben la humedad y permiten la libre transpiración. La cubierta del colchón Esencia también contiene áloe, que tiene propiedades antibacterianas para un descanso más higiénico.

La colección de colchones Casa Cristina(TM) la fabrica Lady Americana, uno de los mejores y más importantes fabricantes de colchones de la industria. Esencia y Encanto forman parte de la iniciativa The Eco-Comfort(R), una estrategia ecológica que refleja su compromiso con dejar una mínima huella ambiental.

Sobre Cristina
Honrada 12 veces con el premio Emmy(R), Cristina es uno de los nombres más reconocidos y confiables de la comunidad latina. Fue nombrada recientemente una de las "25 latinas más influyentes en Estados Unidos" por la revista Time Magazine y la revista Home Furnishings News (HFN) la nombró una de las "50 personas más influyentes en el diseño y la decoración del hogar". Tras 19 años en el aire, "El Show de Cristina" es uno de los programas más vistos en la televisión en español. Se transmite los lunes a las 10:00 p.m. (hora del Este) en la cadena Univisión. Cristina también es propietaria de su propio estudio de producción, Blue Dolphin Studios y de una página de Internet bilingüe, www.cristinaonline.com .

Sobre Mattress Giant
La Corporación Mattress Giant, con casa matriz en Addison, Texas, es una de las vendedoras de colchones de más rápido crecimiento en los Estados Unidos. Mattress Giant está experimentando un crecimiento enorme, en parte gracias a su intenso enfoque y compromiso con la capacitación en ventas, la atención al cliente y la dedicación de sus empleados. Con más de 350 locales en todo el país, Mattress Giant se ha convertido en la tienda de máxima especialización en la venta de colchones. Cada tienda le brinda al consumidor la mejor selección en cuanto a diseño innovador, precios y marcas nacionales.
Fuente:Què pasa Bulletin

A la sábila se le llama Aloe Vera. La palabra Vera viene del latín, que significa “verdadera”. Pertenece a la familia de las liliáceas. Existen más de 200 especies. Es una planta que se cultiva el año completo. Originaria de África.
A nivel popular en nuestro país dominicano, así como en otras naciones de habla hispana le dan el nombre de sábila al árbol de aloe y pencas a las hojas de ésta. El color de las hojas o pencas varía desde el gris, hasta el verde brillante. Esta planta se cultiva bajo cualquier condición, especialmente en terrenos áridos, arenosos o arcillosos, no requiere de regadera, pues posee su propia agua, mientras más seco es el terreno, mejor es su crecimiento.

Propiedades medicinales

La sábila o Aloe Vera se recomienda en los siguientes casos:
1. Quemaduras de primer y segundo grado puede aplicarse directamente su jugo sobre la zona afectada. En quemaduras más graves, se requiere una previa desinfectación de la herida y posterior atención médica. En un tratamiento prolongado, se aconseja el uso de ungüento en vez de jugo.

2. En quemaduras de sol debe aplicarse antes de exponerse al sol y luego de nadar o sudar excesivamente. Para una quemadura leve, debe rociarse la parte quemada en jugo de sábila y luego aplicar suavemente con un poco de algodón. Este tratamiento debe repetirse con frecuencia para reducir el ardor, la resequedad y el desprendimiento de la piel.

3. Para alergias y comezones, el jugo de sábila ayuda a inhibir y reducir la comezón provocada por reacciones alérgicas. Además puede utilizarse para ayudar a cicatrizar llagas y erupciones.

4. Es recomendable la sábila para el cáncer de la piel, el cerebro, pulmón, próstata, leucemia y otros.

5. Estimulante del apetito: Se licúa la sábila con ? de miel de abejas, una libra de rábano. Tomar tres veces por quince días después de cada comida.

Para el cáncer:

Para tratar el cáncer, la sábila es recomendable.

a)Comprar un litro de miel de abejas.

b)Dos o tres hojas o pencas de sábila grande.

c)Tres cucharadas de alcohol natural o en su defecto ginebra blanca.

d)Lavar bien las hojas o pencas y quitarles las espinas, cortarlas en trocitos con todo y cáscara.

e)Licuar estos ingredientes juntos hasta que quede totalmente viscoso, no se le puede echar agua.

Tomar una cuchara sopera 15 minutos antes de cada comida, tres veces por día, durante 10 días consecutivos. El frasco debe agitarse donde se eche el sumo antes de usarse.

Dios hizo todo bueno en gran manera, las plantas que dan frutos y semillas, fueron creadas para el bien de la humanidad.
Fuente:Primicias

Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) (www.aloe-spa.com) is a new spa concept franchised by Aloetrade America LLC. One of the reasons of its expansion is because Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) is greener than other spa and wellbeing centers.

But, what it means to be green in the spa business?

Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) is a green spa concept as a result of the following actions:

1. Natural Formulations. A value between 60% to 99% of the ingredient list into the products used in the Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) treatments are made of a natural product, the aloe.

2. Biological Products. The aloe contained into the products, with some variations, come from different production places with biological and/or organic production procedures. Some products are organic certified. No herbicides, pesticides or chemicals are used into Aloetrade Argentina plantations, and other aloe plantations in Mexico and Venezuela controlled by Aloetrade America.

3. Carbon Free. Most of all, Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) products are carbon free and the aloe production generates carbon sequestration. Aloetrade America LLC is conducting the formal procedures to establish the aloe plantation as carbon free, and to issue carbon certificates.

4. Planet Conservation. Various aloe plantations where Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) get raw aloe, are in desert areas. Aloe plantations are an answer against desertification and cooperate against climate change.

5. Eco-Friendly. Most Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) treatments are green and eco-friendly. Most treatments have minimum water consumption, in opposition to large spas with huge water consumption for the wet treatments. Most Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) treatments are dry treatments. Even the aloe bath use minimum water if compared with other spa water based treatments. Besides it, the packaging of aloe products used is recyclable.

6. Not Genetically Modified. All Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe TM products are not Genetically Modified. Aloe and other natural raw materials, are used just as Mother Nature brought to us.
7. No Animal Testing. All our products are not tested on animals.
8. Paraben Free. All our products are paraben-free. No harmful ingredients.

The Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) promote spa sustainability by protecting and restoring the integrity of the Earth’s ecosystems, ensuring that future generations have the same right as the present generation to Nature benefits.

Aloe-Spa Salute per Aloe (TM) is not just offering a new spa service or concept, but a new way to see and practice sustainability at spa industry. And therefore, the guest experience is absolutely green.

Aloe-Spa Salute Per Aloe is a trademark and a service mark property of Aloetrade America LLC. Aloetrade America LLC is a registered company under the laws of the State of Florida, United States.
Source: Pr.com

US Farms, Inc. (USFM:us farms inc com new
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9:35am 07/23/2008

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USFM 1.50, +0.30, +25.0%) , a commercial Farming and Nursery company based in Southern California, announced today that it issued a letter to its shareholders of record from its CEO and President, Yan K. Skwara.
Dear Valued stockholders:
I would like to take this opportunity to discuss our recent accomplishments and challenges over the past year, coupled with our growth plans and strategy for the next 12-18 months.
We furnish this update on the recent news of the recapitalization of US Farms, Inc. as management and the Board of Directors felt it was the best time to proceed forward with a new and fresh corporate structure to enhance and increase the ability to capitalize the company's future growth.
Fiscal 2007 was a foundational year for US Farms, Inc. and one marked by accelerated revenue growth from $360,000 in 2006 to over $9.4 Million; however, our foregoing net loss was an area of continued needed improvement. Over the course of the first half of 2008, we have signed agreements with several organizations for the sale of our Farming and Nursery products as we continue to experience growing demand for our plant and crop products which have included Aloe Vera, Garlic, Tomatoes, Asparagus, Jade, Palms and Cycads.
The current Agricultural sector in the United States continues to thrive. Farmers continue to grow crops at record levels to supply the high food demands as countries like China and India continue to up the ante for demand on food worldwide. We are positioning ourselves to be a major player in the Farming and Nursery space in the future to help meet the growing demand for crop and plant products and services.
Where Our Business is Heading
We are entering a particular period of time for US Farms, Inc. which we feel will be marked as a turning point for the company as we transition out of the produce/brokerage business and focus our efforts on the Farming and Nursery side of our business which has always been the staple of the company. We will continue our emphasis on the Aloe Vera Farming and Nursery products due to the higher margins and niche opportunity. Going forward, this should assist us in enhancing our revenues and raise our margin levels to allow us to achieve profitability sooner as we focus on our core products.
We have cut overhead and slashed unnecessary fat and terminated business activities in non performing subsidiary and product activities while aiming to reduce some of our long term debt when financially feasible. Over the course of the past few months, we successfully completed the changeover of the mix of old and new business partners with whom we work. In the past, we relied primarily through a single sales channel largely comprised of our Tomato brokerage business which generated the majority of our revenue in 2007 through a wholly owned subsidiary, which produced lower margins at best. This was costly financially and produced disappointing results. In addition, it caused significant fluctuations in our results of operations as margins have varied month to month.
Company Update/Transactions
The company recently divested out of the Tomato brokerage business to focus on the higher margin Farming and Nursery products that Aloe Vera offers. We will expand into additional crops down the road but the current focus over the next twelve to eighteen months will be establishing our Aloe Brand both on the Farming and Nursery side as well as migrating into the manufacturing side of the Aloe Vera based end products i.e. Aloe Juice, Aloe Gel, Aloe Chapstick, Aloe Vera Spray, Aloe Cosmetics etc. We will continue to grow our Nursery business focusing on higher volume and entering the high margin plant mail order business which we already have a set infrastructure in place to ramp up this business.
We are currently Farming Aloe Vera in the Imperial Valley, Ca. with approximately 250,000 full grown Aloe Vera Mother Plants on 70 Acres. Aloe Vera can only be grown in three states commercially, California, Texas and Florida and due to volatile weather conditions in both Florida and Texas, the Aloe Vera crop grown in Southern California tends to be of the highest quality nationally which is an advantage over competition.
The 250,000 or so Aloe Vera Mother Plants produce approximately 4 million baby aloes per year which are sent to our Nursery/Greenhouse Facility in Valley Center, California (Over 100,000 square feet of greenhouse space) where we grow our Aloe Vera Nursery Products (4" and 6" Aloe Potted Plants) which in turn are sold to Nursery Wholesalers and Retailers. Trader Joe's, IKEA, just to name a few are some well known retailers we work with directly. Margins are in the 50-60% range for these products. The goal is to increase our current inventory levels of our Aloe and Jade Nursery products which will in turn increase sales and bottom line profits. Currently, our inventory levels are extremely low as our demand and sales are currently exceeding our current growing capabilities. This is an area that we are extremely focused on addressing as we believe it will provide positive cash flow to the Company once optimal inventory levels can be reached.
We also sell Aloe Vera in bulk form to customers who then in turn take the leaf and utilize the juice inside the leaf for different Aloe Vera based products i.e. Aloe Juice. We are selling Aloe in bulk form currently at .30 per pound as our margins are in the fifty percent range. Our goal with our bulk Aloe business is to increase our customer base short term as the market demand for bulk Aloe can be very lucrative.
Vertical Integration is a major focus and opportunity with Manufacturing of Aloe based Products i.e. Aloe Vera Juice, Aloe Vera Gel, Aloe Spray, Flavored Aloe Juice, Aloe Balm, and Aloe Cosmetics as this is a multi-billion dollar a year business.
We are committed into moving into the manufacturing side of Aloe Vera based products in the near term where margins are in the 100% plus range as we have recently signed a LOI to acquire specific Aloe Vera Bottling and manufacturing equipment from one of our current customers. This transaction once consummated with adequate financing we feel would have a significant impact on sales and earnings in the future due to the solid demand for Aloe Vera based products coupled with an aggressive marketing team we have in place to ramp up sales from current levels.
We currently have an agreement with Morgan Creek which is a Nursery player out of Canada who has a direct contract with IKEA, the largest furniture retail supplier in the world. We act as a fulfillment center and grower for IKEA plant orders on the Nursery side at our greenhouses in San Diego County. As this relationship develops, we can house and grow more plants for IKEA who currently has over 40 stores in North America and is just starting to expand throughout the US opening more stores. Currently, we are housing IKEA plants at our green houses and delivering and servicing to 10 IKEA stores total on the west coast. IKEA Nursery sales for North America are less than 1/2 a percent of their total store sasles and in simple terms IKEA is aiming for a much larger piece of Nursery business overall. We believe expanding our relationship with Morgan Creek and IKEA at this stage of the game and with IKEA opening more stores in the US in the future, it is clearly a future growth opportunity for us.
Additionally, our long term goals are to pursue the acquisition of additional farm land to strengthen our balance sheet and generate cash flows from growing additional crops, such as: lettuce, tomatoes, olives, etc. Currently, we are leasing out all our farm land in the Imperial Valley of California, which is leased out at approximately $300 per acre per year and we are also leasing out our nursery facilities in San Diego County, which include a 5 and 15-acre nursery facility with a two-acre shade house that houses our palms and cycads inventory not to mention our greenhouses.
Finally, we believe with our existing infrastructure and marketing team in place, that we are positioned to enter the plant mail order business over the next two years. Management has over 20 years of experience in plant mail order.
If we are able to achieve our goals for 2008, we then expect 2009 to be an exciting year for the Company as we continue to enter into agreements with a wide range of nursery wholesalers and retailers who are marketing our products coupled with increases in sales. Purchases of our products by our existing and additional new customers throughout the country will be the primary driver for revenue, positive cash flow and profitability in 2009.
Financial Outlook for 2008
We recently recapitalized the company primarily for purposes of enhancing our financing capabilities moving forward.
Today, our corporate structure is approximately 1,968,387 shares issued and outstanding and approximately 400,000 in the public float.
Previously on June 17, 2008, we had announced that we had executed a Letter of Intent with Chadbourn Securities, Inc. to raise $3 million in a private placement funding. Recently, this LOI has been terminated with Chadborn as we are currently in discussions with several Investment Banking firms for a similar type of capital raise. Raising additional capital will be a large part of our success or failure as with any young company.
Our business is in a transition phase and if we are to finish hitting our goals for 2008 we expect 2009 to be an exciting year for the company. We continue to enter into agreements with a wide range of Nursery wholesalers and retailers who are marketing our products. Most importantly, we are beginning to experience a significant number of sales through these same customers. Purchases of our products by our customers throughout the country will be the primary driver for revenue, positive cash flow and profitability in 2009.
While our decision to terminate our relationships with Tomato vendors resulted in a temporary decrease in our quarterly revenue during the first half of 2008, we expect to experience a return to consistent revenue during the first half of 2009 as a result of the quick and substantial traction we have gained with our Farming and Nursery business with revenue that we will generate through relationships such as the Morgan Creek/IKEA partnership that began in early 2008.
We are working diligently and have achieved results in the face of various adversities that have enveloped the company at different times during the past year. We are working diligently to achieve our goal of increasing stockholder value and believe we have made the right investments in the people, programs and partnerships to allow us to grow efficiently during the remainder of 2008 into 2009.
I would like to express my appreciation to our shareholders and note holders for all of the support they have provided to the company and its management team and for the patience they have displayed as long term investors. Our commitment to deliver solid financial performance continues through the execution of our strategic plan and delivery of sales to our customers.
On behalf of our entire Management team, we thank you for your continued support and confidence in US Farms, Inc.
Sincerely,
/s/ Yan K. Skwara
Yan K. Skwara
President & Chief Executive Officer
This letter contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding the company's future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected revenue and costs, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "estimates," "anticipates," or "believes" or the negative thereof or any variation thereon or similar terminology or expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from results proposed in such statements. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the company assumes no obligation to update or revise any of the information contained in this letter.
Source: Market Watch

DOES IT WORK? Aloe vera and its uses for sunburn, mild skin irritations and constipation by Dónal O'Mathúna .

ANYONE FORTUNATE enough to find the sun this summer, but unfortunate enough to get sunburnt, may have looked to aloe gel for relief. The gel is made from the succulent centre of Aloe vera leaves.

This cactus-like plant is native to hot, dry climates but is now cultivated in many parts of the world. Aloe juice (or aloe latex or aloes) is made from the milky liquid that flows from a shallow cut in the leaves.

Correctly made, aloe gel and aloe juice contain completely different compounds. However, some producers crush the whole aloe leaf, giving products containing both parts of the leaves.

Aloe gel is widely used in cosmetics and skin treatments, while aloe juice is recommended for oral consumption. The juice is recommended for several conditions, most commonly to relieve constipation. The topical (external) use of aloe must be considered separately from oral (internal) use, as the effects are very different.

Evidence from studies

Aloe gel contains complex sugars which trap a lot of water and thus have a soothing and moisturising feel on the skin. Chemical analyses have found a number of compounds which reduce swelling and irritation, along with amino acids, vitamins and many other compounds.

While aloe gel has been used for thousands of years and is produced commercially on a large scale, surprisingly little research on its effectiveness has been published. Most of the controlled studies support its topical use to promote skin healing with relatively mild burns and wounds.

However, studies on applying aloe gel to more serious wounds such as pressure ulcers and radiation burns did not find that it resulted in faster healing.

The research on aloe's internal use is even more sparse. Chemical analyses of aloe juice show that it contains chemicals called anthraquinones. When taken orally, these act as laxatives to relieve constipation.

However, they work by irritating the intestines to cause them to contract and secreting water and electrolytes into the intestines. This causes bowel movements, but concerns have been expressed that the effect can easily become too irritating. Cases have been reported of severe abdominal discomfort, electrolyte imbalances and kidney problems.

In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States ordered aloe products sold as over-the-counter laxatives to be removed from the market. This occurred after manufacturers failed to provide evidence that the laxatives were safe.

Problematic aspects

Internal use of aloe juice carries a number of risks with very little evidence to support its alleged benefits. Less dramatic and safer laxatives are readily available. Internal use is especially problematic for anyone who is pregnant because aloe juice can stimulate the uterus as well as the intestines.

Those with heart conditions should not take aloe orally because of electrolyte disturbances. Given the variety of ways aloe products are prepared, aloe gel may contain some juice and therefore should not be used internally either.

When applied to the skin, aloe gel is tolerated well by most people. Some participants in the clinical trials experienced burning, itching and other symptoms of an allergic reaction.

While these effects went away once use was stopped, an allergic reaction on top of sunburn or another wound would be very irritating. Given its widespread use, people should determine ahead of time whether or not they are allergic to aloe gel.

Recommendations

The long tradition of using aloe gel to treat relatively mild skin irritation, wounds and sunburn has been confirmed by a small amount of research. Its oral use cannot be recommended because of the risk of side effects. However, the popularity of aloe gel has led to many products of varying quality.

Picking a high-quality product can be difficult. The International Aloe Science Council is a non-profit trade organisation that certifies those aloe products made according to industry standards.

The council's website publishes a list of certified products which are also permitted to display a seal of approval on their labels.

Source:IrishTimes.com