I recently decided to give pycnogenol a try. It’s a supplement that is supposed to give you a boost of energy. The brand by Viva Naturals is made from the pine trees grown in Les Landes Le Gascogne forest in southwestern France. It’s goal is to help your body get rid of free radicals. The pine trees are allowed to grow with no herbicides, pesticides or GMO treatments. After taking this supplement for a whole month, I noticed a marked improvement in my energy level. Here are a few other benefits:
Health and Wellness
Understanding Sleep Paralysis: Can’t Move While Sleeping or Dreaming

Have you had an episode of sleep paralysis, where you can’t move while sleeping but are aware of your surroundings?
In a sleep paralysis dream, you see and feel yourself in your bed and the room around you looks normal, but you cannot move your body. In short, it feels like your mind wakes up before your body does.
I personally agree with the theory that this is a situation where your brain is protecting you from sleep walking. The National Sleep Foundation classifies sleep paralysis as parasomnia. WebMD provides a list of factors that may contribute to this issue.
5 Keys to Optimal Dental Health
One of the happiest moments you’ll experience is going to your dentist’s office for a checkup and getting a good report. This is especially true if you’ve had a problem with your teeth in the past, such as gum disease or tooth decay. If you want to hear good news from your dentist at your next appointment, you have to go the extra mile for your smile. Here are five keys to achieving optimal dental health.
Brushing, Flossing, and Rinsing Every Night at Bedtime
The Best Way to Fight a Cold or Flu Symptoms Naturally
Though some people immediately run to the pharmacy for cold medicine at the first sign of a dripping nose and sneezing, in many cases a natural solution is the best course of action. It’s important that you help your body’s immune system fight off the cold. Here are some tips for how to best fight a cold or the beginning of flu symptoms with natural remedies. Keep in mind that it’s always important to consult your physician before trying any new health remedy.
5 Tips for How to Lose Weight and Have Fun in the Process

Eating rich, gourmet foods while watching your favorite shows on television seems like fun until you start to see the numbers ticking higher on your bathroom scale! A lot of people really do want to change their sedentary habits and lose weight, but getting motivated is the biggest obstacle to that goal. Here are a few tips for how to lose weight fast in fun and healthy ways.
Start Walking the Trails
Some people dread working out in gyms because it can be monotonous and boring. Going to the same place every day and looking at the same sights can be less than inspiring. If this is your issue, try walking the trails near where you live. Something about being outside in the serenity of nature gives you the energy and motivation to get healthier. There’s a good chance that there’s a nature trail within 5 to 10 miles from your home where you can enjoy nature while walking off the pounds. Remember to bring your favorite music or an audiobook to listen to while you’re taking in the sights.
3 Natural Soaps: Oatmeal, Goat’s Milk & Shea Soap
Having dry unhealthy skin is so unpleasant. Next to your smile, your skin is the first thing that people see when they meet you. One can spend a mini fortune buying expensive name brand skin items that don’t even work as well as natural solutions. I decided to give three natural soaps a try: oatmeal, goat’s milk and shea butter soap. Here is what I learned about each type of soap and my personal experience with each.
Oatmeal Soap
Benefits: – helps with poison ivy and bug bites – moisturising effect on skin – helps clean skin by exfoliation – can help both dry and oily skin – helps with sunburn, rashes or pain – helps reduce signs of aging My personal experience with oatmeal soap: I only use this soap when I have a skin breakout (it’s good for eczema symptoms) or a bug bite. It does a great job of soothing the area and reducing itching.Goat’s Milk Soap
Benefits: – high content of alpha-hydroxy acids like lactic acid which breaks down dead skin cells and leaves new cells behind – excellent moisturizer- soothes dry skin – contains vitamin D, C, B1, B12 & E – treats acne because of anti bacterial properties My personal experience with goat’s milk soap: I was giving this soap by someone I love and trust who swears by it. It’s extremely smooth, silky and milky as the name suggests. I’ve found it to be a good moisturizing soap that makes your skin smooth to the touch, and of course there are no harsh dyes or scents. I love the way it smells.Shea Soap (raw)
Benefits: – does not strip essential oils from skin – disinfecting skin properties – contains unsaponifiable compounds – contains vitamins A, C & E – fights germs & bacteria – added bonus: shea butter also acts as a sunscreen My personal experience: while I haven’t used raw shea soap just yet, I use shea butter in its natural form almost every day. This stuff is a great skin protectant and makes your skin supple (like butter). It can also help ease the irritation of rashes and eczema symptoms.So Are Natural Soaps Right for You?
I really feel a difference in my skin when I use natural soaps. I hardly require any moisturizer on my skin after using them because they already have moisturizing properties built-in. If you’re a person who struggles with very dry skin and other skin ailments, oatmeal soap, goat’s milk soap or shea butter soap just might work better than your usual product. They may help ease your symptoms (just make sure that you’re not allergic to the ingredients) and give you the soft, supple, clear, glowing skin you’ve always wanted.