Fresh Fish

Check the following when choosing fish from the market:

• Eyes must be clear and bright, not red. They must be full and often protruding not sunked.
• Scales must be shiny and intact.
• Gills must be pinkish red and not slimy.
• Flesh must be firm, tender, and should spring back when lightly pressed with the fingers.

Herbal Medicines for Aches and Pains

Herbs and other plants have been used for healing since the beginning of time. Although the use of herbal medicine is more prevalent in rural areas and among the elderly, it will not hurt to have your own little drugstore at your backyard.

Here are the most common plants used for their therapeutic physical benefits:

Lagundi and Yerba Buena. For different body aches.
Sambong. For stomach pains and swelling.
Bayabas. For headaches and swollen gums.
Alagaw. Used to relieve gas pains.

PRECAUTIONS. Some things to consider before taking any herbal medicines:

• Consult your doctor.
  
• Herbs should not be taken by children or pregnant or nursing women, unless under a doctor's supervision.

Effective Underarm Deodorant

Baking soda is a natural underarm deodorant. True.

It's simple chemistry. The unpleasant smell we call body odor occurs when skin bacteria mix with the perspiration and fatty acids that are secreted from glands just below the skin's surface. The bacteria digest these fatty acids and excrete them, causing the odor.

Baking soda neutralizes the fatty acids making them a less desirable food source and at the same time slightly weakens the bacteria.

One hitch: Baking soda will not stop wetness. So while it can keep you sweet-smelling, you may want to apply an anti-perspirant.

Do-It-Yourself-Massage

Get relief from the following body aches and pains with some of these suggested simple strokes:

Headaches. Apply pressure on your temples using your thumbs. Breathe deeply and rotate your thumbs.

Tensed Shoulders. Place your right hand on your left shoulder and gently squeeze using your palm and fingers. Hold for several seconds before releasing. Do the same with the other shoulder.

Tired Hands. Make circular movements using your thumb around the base of the palm of the other hand. Put a little pressure while doing the massage.

Backaches. Put your hands/fingers on the lower back at either side. Stroke down firmly and glide back.

Aching legs. Place both hands on the sides of the leg. Massage smoothly from ankle up to knee part repeatedly.