Ever tried to give up coffee? Caffeine is just one of the many things that contributes to skin moisture loss! Here’s a few more reasons to kick the habit, courtesy of KidSpot

If you rely on a cup of coffee to get you going in the morning, or a bar of chocolate to see you through that mid-afternoon slump, it’s time to make some changes! Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world and is found naturally in both coffee and chocolate (as well as tea, cocoa, cola-based drinks and energy drinks). Caffeine is a psychoactive drug, which means it affects people’s minds and moods. When consumed, it stimulates the heart and central nervous system and can stay in the blood for up to 12 hours.

Health risks of caffeine

Australian health experts recommend that adults should not consume more than 600mg of caffeine every day – this is the equivalent of about four cups of strong coffee or six cups of black tea. However, The Australian Drug Foundation suggests that consuming as little as 350mg of caffeine each day is enough to cause caffeine dependency.

Caffeine affects everybody differently – it raises blood pressure and stimulates the heart muscle but it can also increase urination and cause shaking/tremors and sleeplessness. Long term consumption of caffeine, in excess of 600mg per day, can cause more serious health risks such as:

• Ulcers
• Depression
• Heart disease
• Infertility
• Severe insomnia

Pregnant women who consume large amounts of caffeine have a much higher risk of miscarriage and of giving birth to low-weight babies.

How to give up caffeine

Caffeine addiction is real – so banking on it to give you an energy boost whenever you need it is definitely not good for your health. Here are five proven ways to kick your caffeine habit for good:

1. Reduce your intake

There’s no need to go cold turkey when giving up caffeine. Chances are, you’ll find it a lot easier to give it up if you wean yourself off it slowly. If you drink ten cups of coffee a day, then reduce your intake to eight cups in the first week and six cups in the second week and so on. It’s important that YOU set the pace and reduce your intake as quickly as you feel able. Withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and fatigue can be significantly reduced by weaning yourself off caffeine slowly.

2. Drink more water

Staying hydrated when you are quitting caffeine is crucial, so up your water intake especially in the morning. Take a bottle of water with you wherever you go and drink, drink, drink. Water will fill up your stomach and take the edge off any caffeine cravings you might have. If water isn’t your drink of choice, add a slice of lemon and a couple of fresh mint leaves for extra flavour. Kidney Health Australia says there is no set amount of water you should be drinking every day, but recommends that you listen to your body and drink to quench your thirst.

3. Try an alternative drink

It’s a good idea to find a substitute drink when you are ditching caffeine. Herbal tea is a great alternative as there is a huge variety of flavours on offer. Not a fan of chamomile or peppermint? Try something more exotic like rose or cinnamon. If the thought of herbal tea makes your stomach turn try a natural coffee substitute, like Dandelion tea, which tastes and looks very similar to coffee.

A word of caution: If you’re tempted to opt for decaffeinated coffee, you may want to think twice. Most decaffeinated coffee still has some caffeine in it! And the same goes for green tea – despite its perceived health benefits, green tea contains about the same amount of caffeine as regular black tea. The golden rule here is substitute wisely.

4. Know your reasons

There will be moments when you will long for a nice hot cup of a coffee or a glass of ice-cold coca-cola, there’s no doubt about that! But stay strong! Get clear in your head why you want to give up caffeine and keep reminding yourself of these reasons. For many people who rely on coffee or tea for that quick pick-me-up, quitting caffeine is as much about the drink itself as it is about the ritual of sitting down with a hot drink and having some time out. Being aware of this, and being able to clearly define your reasons for quitting caffeine, will help you to break the habit faster.

5. Keep active

Participating in regular exercise while you are quitting caffeine has several important benefits. Firstly, exercise will move the blood through your kidneys faster – which means your body will detoxify a lot quicker than if you did no exercise at all. Secondly, daily exercise will help you to sleep better at night. If caffeine has been a staple part of your diet for a long time, chances are that your sleep patterns have been disturbed. A brisk walk or light jog will keep your circulation moving, and in itself give you a natural burst of energy.

Source: http://www.kidspot.com.au/MySpot-healthy-eating-5-ways-to-quit-caffeine+6924+267+article.htm

Image Source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

The World Health Organisation (WHO) organised Hand Hygiene Day on the 5^th and 7^th of May this year.

It called for healthcare facilities to create their own action plan based on using the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework. WHO prepared 3 Template Action Plans – inadequate/basic results, intermediate results or advanced/leadership results to help facilitate the development of individual action plans. Participants were then called to share their hand hygiene activities in support of SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands, on their own web pages. You can see some of the results here.

While the activities by WHO were mainly targeted at healthcare organisations, here are a few interesting facts about and tips for the importance of good hand hygiene in everyday settings.

An article in Parenting Australia reported that*:

• 59% of Aussie households only change their kitchen cleaning cloth when it gets too dirty and smelly (46%) or ragged and worn out (13%).
• Only 23% of adults use an antibacterial soap or hand wash.
• 47% of people don’t always cover their mouth when they cough and only 10% use the health department recommended alternative of their elbow if they cough or sneeze.
• 36% of national households believe they would fail an independent cleanliness test (11% of which said they would fail miserably).
• 1 in 10 admitted to having used the same cleaning cloth in the bathroom and kitchen once or twice.
• 54% of Aussies never or only once a year disinfect their home from top to bottom.
• 55% say their home is not as clean as they would like because they don’t have enough time, 31% hate cleaning and 21% said why bother because it doesn’t stay clean for long.

Here are some tips for us all to adopt good hand hygiene habits:

• Wash your hands regularly especially before and after eating, after going to the toilet and when you first get home.
• Use targeted disinfection on surfaces.*
• Clean contaminated surfaces with products that kill germs.*
• On frequently touched surfaces a spray disinfectant can be used that kills the common cold and flu virus and helps prevent it from spreading further.
• Use more hygienic disposable wipes instead of household sponges.*
• Cover noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing and remember to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.*
• Remember to use good hygiene practice while and after being outdoors.
• Hand sanitisers can offer fast germ protection and are suitable for those occasions when you aren’t able to wash your hands.
• Use a tissue instead of a handkerchief and dispose of it immediately after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.*

*(Source, Germwatch Study, Galaxy Research)

Read the original article at Parenting Australia

Ethanol is a type of alcohol. Alcohol is an effective germ-killing agent that has been used for many centuries.¹ Alcohol has been proven to kill germs such as bacteria².

Ethanol kills bacteria by denaturing proteins in the cell membrane, disrupting cell activity and eventually leading to cell death.

You will find ethanol in Aqium Hand Sanitisers, which kill 99.99% of germs fast. Aqium is a quick and convenient way to sanitise your hands on the go because it is non sticky and air dries quickly so you don’t need to wash, rinse or dry your hands. Aqium also contains moisturisers to help leave your hands soft.

1. Larson EL, Morton HE. Alcohols. In S. S. Block, editors.: Disinfectants and Antiseptics. A. By Chemical Type. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1991. p.191-203.

2. Ansari SA, Sattar SA, Springthorpe VS, Wells GA, Tostowaryk W. In vivo protocol for testing efficacy of hand-washing agents against viruses and bacteria: experiments with rotavirus and Escherichia coli. Appl Environ Microbiol 1989; 55 (12): 3113–3118

Our QV Test Drivers have reviewed the product QV Skin Lotion.

Click here to read the reviews.

QV Skin Lotion repairs and soothes dry skin. With a luxuriously light formulation, it’s easy to apply to all parts of the body. For best results,
apply after your bath or shower.

BENEFITS

• Helps seal in natural moisture by acting as a protective barrier.
• pH balanced, low-irritant formulation, free from fragrance, colour,
  lanolin and propylene glycol.
• Suitable for use on dry, scaly skin, winter itch, ichthyosis, xerosis,
  and dermatitis.
• Suitable for relief of symptoms of atopic eczema and psoriasis.
• Suitable for even sensitive skin types.
• Particularly suitable for infants and the elderly.

INGREDIENTS
Aqua (water), glycerin, petrolatum, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, cetearyl alcohol, ceteth-20, steareth-2, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, propylparaben, dichlorobenzyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, triethanolamine.

SIZES AVAILABLE
250ml bottle
500ml pump pack
1L pump pack

Always read the label and use only as directed
Caution: Avoid eyes.

Click Here to go to the QV Skincare Website

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Here at Ego this month we are all about eating well to improve your skin. This recipe for healthy carrot cake is courtesy of Teresa Cutter: one of Australia’s leading authorities on healthy cooking. This cake is perfect for a late Mother’s Day treat (and full of skin-improvers such as Omega 3!)

I love using ground almonds, quinoa and linseeds (flaxseeds) and chia when baking gluten free cakes. Almonds top the list because they make any cake or muffin so delicious and moist, plus they are packed with protein to help your body repair.  Red and yellow vegetables such as carrots contains vitamin A precursers called carotenoids (Beta carotene) that help promote vision and support a healthy immune system. I’ve used macadamia nut oil in place of butter which is a delicious source of anti-inflamatory heart healthy fats, you can also use a mild flavoured olive oil. I’ve topped my cake with a good quality thick bio yoghurt and decorated with omega 3 rich walnuts. Enjoy!

500 g (3 large) grated carrots
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups (300 g) almond meal
¼ cup (60 ml) macadamia nut or olive  oil
¼ cup honey
1 cup raisins
2 teaspoons gluten free baking powder

Preheat your oven to 160 C.
Combine carrot, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond meal, oil, honey, raisins and baking powder.
Mix well until combined.
Pour into a prepared 20 cm baking tin.
Bake for 1 –  1½  hours or until cooked through.
Cover if necessary with foil.
Remove from the oven and cool completely in the tin then turn out.
Serve alone or topped with thick natural yoghurt or topping of your choice.
Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days – it freezes well too!
Serves 16.

Topping suggestions:

I’ve used thick natural organic yoghurt for my topping, you can also use the following:

1 whipped ricotta with a little cinnamon, vanilla and honey.
2 A dairy free cream made from 1 cup of raw cashew nuts or macadamias blended with 1/2 cup of water or orange juice and a little vanilla. Blend in a good quality blender like a vitamix until smooth and creamy. Allow to sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to thicken slightly Add a touch more water if you need to thin it down a little.
3 Neutachafel cheese blended with a little lemon, vanilla + honey.

Article Source: http://www.thehealthychef.com/2012/03/my-healthy-carrot-cake/

Image Source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2365 Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our Ego Everyday Test Drivers have reviewed SunSense Sensitive Matte.

Specially designed for sensitive skin, This gentle cream helps protect sensitive skin from the suns harmful rays. Ideal for babies and those with sensitive skin.

BENEFITS

• Free of chemical absorbers.
• Free of fragrance.
• 4 hours water-resistant.

SIZES AVAILABLE
SunSense Sensitive available in 75g tube, 200g tube.
SunSense Sensitive Matte available in 200g tube.

ACTIVES (w/w)
Titanium dioxide 8.5%

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Do you have trouble getting to sleep? At least here at Ego we know that our QV Night Cream is working hard when we are not!

————-

Before fatigue wreaks havoc on your health, pinpoint what’s keeping you up so you can get a solid night’s sleep.

Do you constantly use the word ‘tired’ to describe how you’re feeling? More than 1.2 million Australians feel the same way. This statistic is worrying as experts suggest a healthy amount of sleep goes well beyond making you feel on top of your game, improving your mood and preventing under-eye circles.

Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can help reduce stress, increase your energy, boost concentration, reduce accidents, help maintain a healthy weight, improve heart and immune system health, and may even add years to your life.

The good news is there are plenty of ways you can beat a bad night’s sleep. We’ve identified the most common sleep challenges and reveal how you can get a satisfying 40 winks — starting tonight.

“I can’t fall asleep”

Ideally you should fall asleep within 30 minutes of your head hitting the pillow. However, if sleep eludes you this can be stressful, which makes your sleeplessness worse. “It’s perfectly normal for it take between 15 and 30 minutes to fall asleep, but if it takes any longer than 30 minutes, three times a week over four weeks, this is defined as chronic insomnia,” says Dr Delwyn Bartlett, psychologist and insomnia specialist at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.

What you can do: An inability to fall asleep quickly is often caused by people teaching themselves to think in bed, says Bartlett.

“People who sleep well let sleep happen, and don’t go to bed and start thinking or worrying,” she says. Remember your bed is a place for sleep and sex only. Before you go anywhere near it at night write down tomorrow’s to-do list. This gets anything you’re concerned about out of your head and will help you rest easy as you’ve let go of the day’s worries.

“I’m too wired to sleep”

Stress is just one side effect of feeling under the pump. And if you’re constantly burning the candle at both ends, worrying about making ends meet, and multi-tasking household and work priorities, your sleep may suffer as a result. Long-term activation of the stress-response system — and overexposure to stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline — puts you at an increased risk of numerous health problems, including disrupted sleep, reports the Mayo Clinic.

What you can do: Take time to wind down before you hit the sack at night as this will give your body time to transition from the full-throttle speed you’ve been going at all day to a slower pace, ready for sleep. You can do this by turning your TV, computer and smartphone off and having a relaxing bath by candlelight; listening to soft music; reading by a low light; or doing some gentle stretching and deep breathing.

“I can’t stay asleep”

Waking throughout the night or in the early hours of the morning is a common complaint. If you suffer from frequent waking you may be experiencing sleep maintenance insomnia, which suggests you’re not getting enough deep sleep and are likely to be tired during the day. According to the Mayo Clinic, these mid-sleep awakenings often occur during periods of stress, and depression may also be a factor.

What you can do: Waking during the night is normal, reassures Bartlett. “On average we wake between three and four times a night.” Waking up isn’t the problem — it’s if you start thinking or become wired that causes an issue, she says. If you find your mind starts racing, get up. Sit on your bedroom floor in the dark and do nothing. This may help calm a racing mind, but the main aim is to become bored and uncomfortable so sleeping in your bed will feel like a much better option.

By Erin Kisby.

Article Source: http://health.ninemsn.com.au/family/goodhealthandmedicine/8403454/ways-to-sleep-better
Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our QV Test Drivers have reviewed the product QV Kids Moisturising Cream.

Click here to read the reviews.

Highly concentrated, non-greasy and easy to apply all over the body, QV Kids Moisturising Cream is suitable for dry, sensitive and itchy skin. It also contains vitamins A (retinyl palmitate) and E (tocopheryl acetate) in colourful, skin friendly micro-beads that dissolve following application to the skin, making it fun to learn good skin care.

BENEFITS
• Easy for kids to apply themselves.
• Absorbed by the skin for effective moisturising.
• Hydrates dry skin and is suitable for eczema.
• pH-balanced, low-irritant formulation, free from fragrance, lanolin
and propylene glycol.

INGREDIENTS
Water (aqua), glycerin, paraffinum perliquidum, petrolatum, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, squalane, glyceryl stearate se, stearic acid, ceteth-20, laureth-3, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, lactose, cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, tocopheryl acetate, ci77289, ci77492, ci77007, retinyl palmitate, dichlorobenzyl alcohol.

SIZES AVAILABLE
100gm

Click Here to go to the QV Skincare Website

Click Here to read our blog, product reviews or join the QV Test Drive

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Our Ego Everyday Test Drivers have reviewed SunSense Ultra!

Ultra-effective SPF 30+ protection, this light and easy-to-apply sunscreen is perfect for the whole family. SunSense Ultra protects against sunburn with soothing moisturisers that care for your
family’s skin.

BENEFITS

• Maximum SPF 30+ protection.
• Water resistant for 2 hours.
• Smooth, non-greasy lotion moisturises and protects.
• Broad spectrum; blocks UV-A and UV-B rays, and screens infrared
  and visible light.
• Low-irritant formulation, free of PABA, PABA derivatives and lanolin.

ACTIVES (w/w)
Titanium dioxide 3.7%, octyl methoxycinnamate 6.0%, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor 4.0%, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol 2.5%

PRESERVATIVES
Diazolidinylurea
Methyl hydroxybenzoate and propyl hydroxybenzoate.

SIZES AVAILABLE
50ml roll-on
125ml bottle
250ml bottle
500ml pump pack

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Vitamin E is a well known antioxidant that helps prevent the formation of free radicals upon skin exposure to UVA rays and other sources of skin stress. It helps protect the epidermis from the early stages of ultraviolet light damage. Vitamin E also reduces transepidermal water loss from the skin and helps improve the skin’s barrier function.

Vitamin E has been used topically since 1945.  Since then it has been found to help with resolution of fibrositic lesions[1], protect from UV induced skin redness[2]^,[3] and roughness[4], improve the appearance of age spots, increase elasticity and skin barrier function[5], and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.[6]

[2] Potapenko AY, Abieva GA and Pliquett F: Inhibition of erythema of the skin photosensitizes with 8-methoxypsoralene by a-tocopherol. Bull Exp Biol Med 1980; 89:611-615.,

[3] Dreher F, Denig N, Gabard B, Schwindt DA and Maibach HI: Effect of topical antioxidants on UV-induced erythema formation when administered after exposure. Dermatology 1999; 198:52-55.

[4] Möller H, Ansmann A and Wallat S: The effects of Vitamin E on the skin in topical applications.  Lecture presented at the DGF Vitamin E symposium in Bochum, March 4, 1989.

[5] Idson B: Vitamins in emolliency and moisturizing preparations Cosmetics and Toiletries 1976; 93(8):77-79.,

[6] Mayer P: The effects of vitamin E on the skin. Cosmetics and Toiletries 1993; 108:99-109.,