Thursday, February 23, 2012

Yogurt to Cure Acne

Using yogurt to cure acne is a stance many of us take to. Well, here is why including yogurt in your beauty regimen is a must. Packed are a few recipes with yogurt, that may help you in getting rid of acne...

The acne crises has been hovering around for ages. We are fed up with the treatment that is meted out to us by the sudden eruption of acne. For some, acne is like an occasional visitor who makes his presence felt in a magnifying impact and how! And for some, acne is like a perpetual resident who has booked a seat for itself since time immemorial! Acne has hounded us from the time we hit sweet sixteen, has pounded us when we were in our twenties and have sustained their oppression till we have hit the 'forty'-fication mark... does it end there? Do I need to spell it out! So what is the best and the most lucrative method to get acne kick the bucket? It's just one magical word: yogurt. Yes, yogurt is the answer to curb acne. Here we tell you why you must use yogurt to cure acne and how you could kiss acne goodbye with a smile.

So, What is Yogurt?

Yogurt is a milk product that is obtained when the milk is fermented. It is thick and has a solidified consistency. It may be thick and creamy or it may be cube like in appearance. It may not be extremely thick and rich when the milk used is skimmed or is adulterated. Yogurt has antibiotic properties, being acidic in nature, that treats acne. The two bacteria that are present in yogurt are lactobacillus acidophilus or lactobacillus bulgaricus which conduct a great job in fighting acne.

Why Use Yogurt to Cure Acne?

Yogurt is one product of milk that can be consumed by all those who are lactose intolerant. Thus, if you cannot drink milk, you are free to have dollops of yogurt. You may either eat it for breakfast or may have it with your meals.
Yogurt is safe and is absolutely edible, even when you are suffering from acne. If you include yogurt in your diet you are not aggravating the trouble as the bacteria that are present are beneficial and do good to the skin.
The acidic nature of yogurt has the capacity to kill the bacteria that cause infection of the skin and who are also the prime culprits of sudden breakouts on the skin's surface. It also prevents the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads which may further lead to cysts and infections of the skin.
Yogurt consists of zinc and vitamin D that help in fighting acne and repairing the damaged and affected skin tissues.

How to Use Yogurt to Cure Acne

Here are some recipes that you could apply and feel the difference. You may find that acne visit you less often or may have found an all together new victim leaving you high and dry. (Lucky you!)

Yogurt and Honey
Mix a teaspoon of honey and a blob of yogurt. Blend it for an even appearance. Apply the concoction weekly on your face and wash it off after 10 to 15 minutes. Reduced acne and glow redefined!

Yogurt and Lemon
Squeeze a few drops of lemon into 2 teaspoons of yogurt and mix it well. You can apply this recipe regularly. Application is either through a ball of cotton, or with a facial brush. The finish would be all the more even when applied with a facial brush. However, a cotton ball will do if you are not comfortable or do not have access to a facial application brush.

Yogurt, Honey, and Porridge
Mix yogurt, honey, and half teaspoon of porridge in a bowl and apply it on the face. Leave it on for 30 minutes and dab a towel on the face to remove the contents. Dip the towel in lukewarm water and place it on the face and gently slide it down to get rid of the stickiness. This will be a nourishing face pack that, if applied every fortnightly, can help you reduce the occurrence of acne.

Yogurt and Banana
You could slice a banana and mash it perfectly. You may mix the mashed banana in 2 to 3 teaspoons of yogurt and apply it on your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off. Avoid conversing or chatting up with anyone to kill time when you have the face pack on. This will tend to stretch the skin and make it prone to a preponed appearance of wrinkles.

Simply Yogurt
If you are running short of time and want a quick fix, just apply yogurt to cure acne without any accompaniments. Yogurt is good at its job even when you rely on it as a single contender to fight acne.

Yogurt and Cucumber
This is a good alternative to clear acne and get rid of excess oil or sebum deposits when heat strikes. This yogurt face mask for acne is sure to work wonders for your skin. Mix yogurt and cucumber and apply it on your face. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. For added rejuvenation, spray cool water on your face or slide an ice-cube through the contours of your face.

Yogurt, Banana and Olive Oil
Another variation to the yogurt-banana-recipe is to add a few drops of olive oil. Apply the mixture only when the mixture is not grainy. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off with cool water. There is bound to be some stickiness; you may wash your face with a mild soap, with gentle strokes, to get rid of the patented sticky shine on the face, especially on the T-zone.

Yogurt and Fullers Earth
Add a pinch of fullers earth to yogurt. You may also add a pinch of sandalwood powder and apply the concoction on the face. Fullers earth has healing properties that dries the sebum seeded within the skin and heals the cracked surfaces of the skin. It also closes pores which reduces the chances of the pores inviting dirt, further leading to breakouts like blackheads and whiteheads.

Yogurt and Strawberries
This face pack promises to diffuse an instant glow on your visage. Two teaspoons of yogurt poured in a bowl of strawberry puree should be blended well and applied on to the face. The spread must be left to dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Wipe off the pack with a wet face towel. Rinse your face with water and pat dry with a towel.

If you are not the type who wants to make an effort to navigate to the kitchen counter and concoct these recipes then I do have some good news for you! All you need to do is to gobble up a bowl of yogurt every day to cure acne. Sounds easy... well it's rewarding too!

By Azmin Taraporewala

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/yogurt-to-cure-acne.html

Eating Yogurt for Constipation

Constipation is a very common health condition which can be easily cured. What many people are not aware of is that laxatives can help ease the problem. Find out about the many advantages of eating yogurt for constipation here...

Yogurt first became popular in the United States during 1970s when the new trend for a healthy diet entered the market, and more and more people realized its significance and wished to join the bandwagon. All types of naturally fermented yogurts are beneficial for health, except the ones which have added preservatives, artificial flavors and sugar. Yogurt is known to be excellent against yeast infection and infections which affect the intestines. There are many friendly bacteria present in yogurt which are known as probiotic. Some of the friendly bacteria are Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillis, which when introduced along with the microorganisms within the body, begins to work as bacterial laxative and helps in softening the hard stool which leads to constipation. This article will discuss the advantages of eating yogurt for constipation and other stomach disorders.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation is a very common as well as a very uncomfortable health condition, wherein the stool gets hardened and does not pass through the bowels smoothly. This condition usually occurs as a result of intake of foods high in fats, preservatives, low intake of water and healthy liquids, lack of laxatives such as dairy products, and very less intake of fiber through green vegetables. This condition can become consistent and leaf to painful bowel discharges as the hard stool can create bruises around the anus, which can further lead to infections.

Many who have suffered from constipation through most of their lives, have in some cases developed anal fistula in the inner tissue of the anal cavity, which when injured by hard stool and pressure from within, can cause bleeding and pus formation. Those who have been suffering from stomach ulcers and painful stools can finally relax and enjoy the soothing and healing effects which yogurt has on the digestive system. The friendly bacteria will help bring down the inflammation in the ulcers and would give respite from the burning and stinging sensation caused by the ulcers.

Yogurt for Constipation in Infants

When infants are fed only breast milk their stool is soft and usually not that smelly, but once they are made to eat semi solid foods, their stool may either become too loose or they may end up getting constipated. Sometimes, babies do not experience bowel movements for days, which is normal but must not be allowed to continue beyond two days. If the baby is feeling uncomfortable and is crying a lot, you must try feeding him some yogurt. Let the yogurt be of room temperature and remember to beat the yogurt properly so that it is easy for the baby to drink. Your baby will be able to pass stools within a few hours. If not you must get the baby checked by the pediatrician immediately. Feed the baby yogurt 3 times a day for the next 4-5 days and all will be back to normal. Just to remain on the safer side, try to include yogurt in your baby's daily diet whenever possible. You could also try adding some natural honey to the recipe or add natural and unsweetened maple/apple syrup, so as to make it more appetizing for the child.

Best Yogurt for Constipation

Greek yogurt for constipation is by far one of the most effective foods that relieve constipation, because it is the thickest, creamiest and also the most nutritious among all other types of yogurt. There are a lot more probiotic present in Greek yogurt which can help alleviate gastrointestinal problems such as gas, constipation, diarrhea and infections within the intestine. The lactose present in the yogurt helps to loosen the stool and makes its passing much more easy. Fortunately yogurt does not cause diarrhea and is instead good for controlling diarrhea caused as a result of strong medication or viral infections. Doctors today advise each and every one, including those who suffer from lactose intolerance, to include probiotic into their daily diet. This can either be done through supplements or through the consumption of yogurt.

Those people who do not really appreciate the tangy taste of yogurt can go in for flavored and sweetened yogurt available in almost all stores today. Though there is a flip side to this, because sweetened yogurt is not suitable for people who are diabetic nor should it be eaten by people who have been suffering from or are susceptible to yeast infection. The reason being that glucose in the yogurt is food for the fungal infection and will only help and encourage it to grow and spread more aggressively.

While yogurt is good for preventing constipation, eating green vegetables on a daily basis can help do wonders. These vegetables have necessary fiber which acts as roughage and eases the passing of stool. Hopefully this article stating the advantages of eating yogurt for constipation has been informative.

By Rohini Mohan

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/eating-yogurt-for-constipation.html

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Yogurt Places In Metro Manila

1. Yoh-Gurt Froz


Topping the list is Yoh-Gurt Froz, the pioneer in the frozen yogurt business in the Philippines. It all started as the Gatchalian family’s favorite dessert during their visits in Hong Kong. In 2005, they decided to make it as a business, even if at first, they were reluctant about how Filipinos will accept the tangy taste of yogurt as an ice cream flavor. They opened their first stall at Sekai Building in Ortigas. In less than a year, they opened another two branches. Today, Yoh-Gurt Froz is the largest frozen yogurt brand in the country with a total of 11 stores around the metropolis, mostly inside Hobbes & Landes. For many froyo fanatics, their tangy-sweet, 98-percent fat-free yogurt mix from the US and Australia is the best-tasting of all frozen yogurt brands. More than 40 toppings are available to choose from, and Yoh-Gurt Froz is known to be generous with their servings. Yoh-Gurt Froz is available in plain regular cup (P80) or plain large cup (P110) with an additional P40 per cup for three toppings of your choice. Yoh-Gurt Froz stores are located at Thompson’s Square Tomas Morato; Eastwood City; Robinsons Place Manila; SM Mall of Asia; East Tektite Tower Ortigas; and in Hobbes & Landes stores in Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Plaza, Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5 and Promenade Greenhills.

2. Red Mango


This frozen yogurt brand started in South Korea and branched out in Los Angeles, New York, Bangkok, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Singapore and now in Manila. Red Mango is the most recent player in the frozen yogurt business in the Philippines brought by the Tanmantiong sisters (yes, they are the daughters of Jollibee president Ernesto Tanmantiong). Since its first store opened 11 months ago at TriNoma, it has gained fast popularity among the upper-class Filipino froyo lovers. It has the most attractive store concept with servers clad in fashionably chic uniforms. The stores are designed to be hangout places (some stores have comfy sofas) than simply being take-out counters for frozen yogurts. They’re the only frozen yogurt store that serves dine-in froyos in a special ceramic bowl. Their yogurts are mixed from local and imported ingredients with a wide variety of toppings to choose from. Red Mango is the only store that offers mandarin orange and pomelo for toppings. There are also other choices such as cereals and nuts as well as special toppings such as Almond Mochi and Red Beans. Their all-natural, original frozen yogurts are available in small (P80), medium (P115), large (P150) or family size (P220) cups. Also available in green tea flavor or on shaved ice with three toppings (P125). Red Mango stores are located at TriNoma, Eastwood Mall, SM Megamall and Greenbelt 3.

3. California Berry


California Berry is one of the fastest-growing frozen yogurt brands with seven branches to date. It is popular for its signature creations, giving customers a ready menu of frozen yogurt + toppings combinations. Its Californiaberry Special is the most popular signature creation which is a frozen yogurt topped with mangoes, kiwis and strawberries. Rocky Road (chocolate chips, almonds and marshmallows) is also popular as well as their own version of the Banana Split (banana, strawberry and white chocolate chips). They also offer seasonal flavored yogurts. Recently, they served coffee-flavored yogurts (which became so popular among dads) and this month, they are offering a lychee-flavored frozen yogurt. Their imported yogurts are homegrown and are made from 100-percent non-fat milk, very low in sugar with no artificial flavors and colors. Among all the frozen yogurt stores I’ve visited, this is the only one that personalizes every cup they serve to customers just like how coffee shops are doing. Each size of their cups also has its own unique design, making it attractive especially among kids. California Berry is available in medium cups (P85 for plain, P115 with three toppings or any plain yogurt signature creation, and P120 for any flavored yogurt signature creation) and large cups (P115 for plain, P145 with three toppings or any plain yogurt signature creation, and P150 for any flavored yogurt signature creation). California Berry is located at Silver City Pasig; Madison Square Greenhills; Paseo Center Makati; Tomas Morato QC; Robinsons Galleria, SM Megamall and The Block, SM City North Edsa.

4. Golden Spoon


Golden Spoon is an international frozen yogurt brand that started in Orange County, South California. Among all the froyo brands in the Philippines, it is well-known for its wide choices of yogurt flavors, thus, the tagline “The Ice Cream Lovers’ Yogurt.” Among the bestsellers are Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, New York Cheesecake, Boysenberry and the “low-fat” Peanut Butter and Toffee Heath Bar yogurt flavors. They are served in either cups (mini for P85, small for P155, large for P220 and quart for P475) or cones (regular for P125 and waffle for P175). Perfect for take-outs and out-of-town travels since they also sell insulated bags with ice gels to maintain the frozen freshness of the yogurts even for several hours. This frozen yogurt brand is still very new but it is already starting to make its mark in the industry. Golden Spoon stores are located at Shangri-La Plaza and Paseo de Magallanes.

5. Yo Swirl


Unlike other froyo brands that use powdered yogurt, Yo Swirl boasts of its naturally fermented yogurt with more than a billion live active and probiotic cultures per serving that make their frozen yogurts packed with natural health benefits. No wonder it tags itself as the “real” frozen yogurt. Among all the froyo brands I’ve tried, they have one of the smoothest yogurt textures. Manufactured by the BTIC group, I’m sure they’ve mastered the craft in ice cream making that’s excellent in taste and has high quality texture. They have four yogurt flavor selections: chocolate, green tea, plain and tarty, which is the extra sour version of the plain flavor. They have 24 selections for toppings with their mangoes, strawberries and blueberries combined with crushed grahams and nuts as their ultimate bestsellers among adults. Yo Swirl is affordably priced at P75 for all yogurt flavors (one size only) plus P25 for regular toppings and P35 for premium toppings. Yo Swirl’s first store is located at Shangri-La Plaza and at The Venice Piazza, McKinley Hills in Fort Bonifacio.

Reference: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2009/december/22/lifestyle2.isx&d=/2009/december/22

Friday, February 3, 2012

D.I.Y Ice Cream Yogurt

Many pinoy's love yogurt nowadays, you could see stores popping everywhere around the metro - some are cheap, some are...well a little expensive but have you ever considered making your own Ice Cream Yogurt or Gelatto de Yogurt?

Well here's how.

Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes


Ingredients:

14 ounces (350 g) whole unsweetened yogurt
6 (150 g) ounces fresh fruit
1/2 cup (125 ml) cream
1/4 cup (50 g) sugar

Preparation:

Wash, peel and pit (if need be), and mince the fruit. Combine it with the sugar and let the mixture rest for an hour. Dilute the yogurt with the cream, mix the fruit into it, and pour the mixture into the ice cream machine.

That's it! Now that you have your own Yogurt Ice Cream try putting some fresh fruits or syrups to make it more delicious and fun.