Why I Put Cucumbers on My Eyes Before Bed Each Night

 Source: https://tropicalhealth.com/put-cucumbers-eyes-bed-night/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TH240424

If you are like me, you have a regular bedtime routine that helps you prepare for a great night’s sleep. My routine generally starts with a cup of chamomile tea, a few before bed stretches, and turning my phone off until the next day. I find that these things all help me relax and prepare my body and mind to wind down. 

Recently, I have added something new to my bedtime routine, placing cucumbers on my eyes. Yes, I know that it sounds weird, but it actually helps me relax and has a number of other valuable health benefits a well. I have always struggled with puffy eyes – something I think I have inherited from my father’s side of the family. Since adding cucumbers to my bedtime routine, I have noticed an improvement in the skin around my eyes, plus it is just so relaxing. You have to try it for yourself!

Research supports using cucumbers on eyes

Studies show that cucumber juice can reduce swelling, ease damaged skin and provide powerful antioxidants for the skin around the eyes. Cucumbers are loaded with skin-loving vitamin C and folic acid. Vitamin C has been shown to revitalize skin while stimulating the growth of new cells. Folic acid encourages antioxidants that help reduce the impact of environmental toxins that leave eyes looking tired and puffy.

Cucumbers also have a high water content, which soothes and moisturizes skin around the eye. One study even found cucumber juice to be a viable wrinkle remedy because of its ability to restore the skin’s natural elasticity.

How to use cucumbers on your eyes

To incorporate cucumbers into your beauty and bedtime ritual, it is crucial to make sure that you have plenty of chilled organic cukes on hand.  Clean and dry your skin thoroughly and follow up with a natural moisturizer such as coconut oil. Make sure that your bedroom is dark and free of any distractions. You will need to lie still with the cukes on your eyes for at least 15 minutes for a good result.

To prepare the cucumbers, cut off one end and discard. Cut two slices about half an inch thick (be careful not to cut the slices too thin). You can leave the peel on or take it off. I prefer to take it off, but that is a personal preference.

Take your cucumbers to your bedroom and recline in a comfortable position. Set a timer for 15 minutes and lay back in a reclining position. Place a slice of cucumber over each eye and relax while the natural cucumber goodness soaks into your skin. When the slices become warm, flip them over to enjoy the cooling sensation again.

I do this at least five nights a week, and you can do it as often as you wish. If dark circles and puffiness persist, speak to your health care practitioner as it could be a sign of a health condition needing attention.

If you aren’t into putting cucumbers on your eyes, you can use natural products that contain cucumber juice to add to your daily beauty regime.

Other great bedtime habits

Sleep is essential to great health, even skin health, and adopting a bedtime routine will prepare your body for the rest it needs to repair and revive. Here are a few suggestions that may help you to ease into a great night’s sleep.

• Take a warm bath with Epsom salts
• Listen to some quiet and relaxing music
• Enjoy a cup of warm broth or herbal tea
• Spray your pillow with lavender mist
• Relax and breathe deeply for ten minutes
• Do yoga
• Plug your phone in outside of your bedroom
• Write in a journal
• Eat a light and healthy snack

-Susan Patterson 

7 Fruits And Veggies You Should NEVER Peel

 Source: https://thealternativedaily.com/7-fruits-veggies-never-peel

Everyone knows that eating fruits and vegetables is always a smart and healthy choice over most alternatives, especially considering how unhealthy products are constantly being marketed to us on a daily basis.

However, while eating fruits and veggies, you could be missing out on nutrient value by avoiding the peels. For the most part, people avoid peels because they think they are dirty, have pesticides or are hard to digest. With moderate washing, these problems can surely be avoided. So, if peels are actually healthy, why should we avoid them?

Here are some examples of where you could be missing out on nutrients:

1. Potatoes

Potato skin is absolutely loaded with nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Potatoes are commonly known as a healthy food, and for good reason. Their skin is actually packed with far more nutrients than the actual vegetable itself. With that said, sweet potato is also packed with a large amount of beta-carotene that converts to vitamin A while going through the digestion process. Our cell health and immune system regulation are very dependent upon vitamin A.

2. Citrus fruits (yep, really)

Shockingly, the peel of an orange has twice as much vitamin C as what’s inside. It also has far more riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The peel also contains flavonoids, which have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. If you don’t want to eat it whole, you can easily grate the peel and put it on top of salads, or use it for dressings.

3. Cucumbers

The dark skin of cucumbers has grand amounts of antioxidants, which help the body avoid several diseases. Also, it has fiber, potassium and vitamin K. This is arguably the best example on this list. So, the next time you are having a meal like a Greek salad where the peel is usually gone, ask the chef to make a change.

4. Eggplant

An eggplant’s purple hue comes from a very powerful antioxidant called nasunin, which is great against cancerous development, especially on our nervous systems. Nasunin is also believed to have anti-aging properties. What most people do is peel off the skin and then cook it, but clearly, you’re missing out on nutritional benefits. Eggplant skin is also very rich in chlorogenic acid, a phytochemical that is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Mango

Experts have discovered that mango skin has properties similar to resveratrol, which burns fat and inhibits the production of fat cells. The peel also has much larger amounts of carotenoids, polyphenols, omega-3, omega-6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids than on the inside. Also, they contain quercetin. The skin can be eaten raw or deliciously cooked.

6. Carrots

Since the skin is basically the same as what’s underneath it, they have very similar properties. The peel is very rich in polyacetylenes, a compound that may have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, you will find the absolute highest concentration of phytonutrients in carrot skins, thus, you have to wash them extensively.

7. Watermelon

All watermelon peels contain citrulline, which is loaded with antioxidant properties that convert to arginine, an essential amino acid. Arginine is great for the heart, immune system and circulatory system. The best way to eat the peel is by throwing it in a blender with the flesh.