What is argan oil?

Argan oil is an oil extracted from the kernels of the argan tree. The oil is highly valued for its many cosmetic, therapeutic and medicinal properties. Among other ailments, argan oil is an effective treatment for dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, wrinkles, stretch marks and acne.

One of the hottest sellers in the natural skin care industry, argan oil is particularly gentle on the skin, and for this reason, is recommended for consumers with naturally dry skin and/or sensitivities to common skin care products.

Where does argan oil come from?

Argan oil comes from a 10,000 square mile UNESCO-protected biosphere in southwestern Morocco, and can only be extracted from trees grown in this area.

Used for at least 3,500 years by the Berber people of this region, the oil was traditionally processed by hand, in a laborous process, in which a single litre of the oil took two days of manual labor.

In the early 1990s, argan oil production shifted from the Berber people to modern factories in Casablanca, though government agencies and NGOs have redirected much argan production back to the Berber women.

What’s in argan oil?

Argan is high in antioxidants, squalene oil, polyphenols, essential fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acids and has at least 200% more vitamin E than olive oil.

What makes argan effective for anti-aging?

The antioxidants in argan oil fight free radical damage and can protect against aging from the sun. The fatty acids enhance cellular health, with the collagen and elastin required to keep skin young and healthy.

Does argan have other applications?

Argan oil makes an effective hair conditioner. You can add argan to your hair, whether wet or dry, and it’s an ideal remedy for dry hair or split ends. Experiment a little; a few drops can add shine to hair and improve its appearance.

You can also use argan oil to strengthen your nails. Mix one part each argan oil and lemon juice, paint it on your nails with a brush and leave it on for fifteen minutes.

In addition, argan oil can be used for cooking, though cosmetic argan is made with a different process than product meant for cooking and should therefore be used for that purpose only.

Are there side effects with argan oil?

You’ll find that argan oil is very safe. In fact, it’s recommended for people with skin sensitivities and irritations to common skin care products. There are no known wide spread side effects with argan oil, but if you have specific concerns regarding argan, it’s best to speak with your physician.

What’s this about argan oil and fair trade?

Upon efforts from two German government agencies and several non-government organizations, much production of argan oil has shifted away from modern, foreign-controlled factories in Casablanca and large cities and back to the local Berber women who perfected the extraction process over thousands of years.

The issue of argan oil products manufactured in large-scale factories has not disappeared completely. In particular, argan products with preservatives and packaged by some major cosmetic brands have origins in such industrial workshops.

Fortunately, the global interest in ethical consumerism has contributed to fair trade cooperatives, in which women extract and process argan oil in their traditional manner, with competitive wages, flexible working conditions, health care and educational opportunities.

Should I buy pure argan oil or just an argan-based product?

Buy argan oil in its pure state. This preserves the integrity of the beneficial nutrients in argan oil, for maximum benefits, be they cosmetic or otherwise.

Additionally, pure argan oil is more likely to have been processed in a fair trade cooperative than a factory and by a manufacturer that claims to share the benefits of argan production with local Berber women but fails to do so.

Look for an argan oil product manufactured by a small or mid-sized skin care company. They’re more likely to extract their products ethically, in a fair trade co-op, than the larger brands. Look for a commitment from the company that it’s been processed in this manner. One example? Skinception Cold Pressed Cosmetic Argan Oil.

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Snacking on dried out rice cakes and wilted lettuce leaves is no way to spend your mealtimes. You don’t have to eat bland, boring foods just to trim up. It is possible to eat great and lose weight all at the same time. If you choose quality foods and have a willingness to try new things, you can get down on delicious meals and shed pounds too.

You can’t possibly lose weight if the foods you use to prepare you meals are unhealthy and loaded with calories. When you avoid processed nonsense and stick with fresh ingredients, you can’t go wrong. Anything boxed, frozen, jugged or canned is considered processed and has no place in a healthy diet.

Foods that should be staples in your healthy meal plans include fresh fish, naturally raised meats, organic poultry, organic whole eggs, raw nuts, fresh herbs, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Natural foods are better for you because they are low in calories and filled with plenty of nutrients your body can use.

Also, natural foods aren’t loaded with a laundry list of additives that contribute to weight gain, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and other health problems.

I love grilled chicken, but if I had to eat if every day, I’d go bananas—I imagine you would too.  Free yourself from the bondage of humdrum, tasteless meals by experimenting with recipes. Thumb through cookbooks, surf the Internet and use your imagination to whip up meals you can’t wait to sink your teeth into.

When you come across recipes that have unhealthy ingredients, simply swap the bad ingredients out for healthier ones. For instance, if a recipe calls for milk, you can replace this ingredient with coconut or almond milk. Also, don’t be afraid to switch out spices and seasonings to add a new flavor to a dish.

Vary your cooking methods to keep things fresh and give food a different taste. For instance, if you always broil your steak, try sautéing it, or covering it with olive oil and dropping it on the grill. All of these cooking methods are healthy and easy to master.

Healthy French Toast:

Directions: Mix the eggs in a bowl. Dip the bread in the egg mixture until it is completely coated on both sides. Heat a pan on low to medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the egg coated bread and cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle the toast with cinnamon and serve it with 2 teaspoons of maple syrup.

Baked Chicken a la Isabel (one of my creations)

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a small pan and melt it over low heat. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of each of your spices in a small bowl and pour in the melted coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients together. Let the spice and coconut oil mixture cool.

Rub the spice and oil mixture under the skin of the chicken with your hands. Once the chicken is completely coated, place it breast side down in a glass baking pan and pop it in the oven. Let the chicken cook for 1 to 2 hours until it’s done.

There’s nothing boring or tasteless about the above recipes. If you’re creative and are willing to experiment with new recipes, you can chow down like this everyday and look fantastic doing it.

Your dream of permanent weight loss is just a reach away. Watch this video to find out how The Diet Solution Program can help you eat great and lose weight.

If being tired, bloated, overweight, sluggish, gassy and constipated has become a way of life for you, some simple diet plan strategies are in order. If you’ve spent most your life feeling this way, you may not believe a few dietary changes will make much difference. I’m confident that if you make these tweaks and stick with them, you’ll feel healthier after just a few weeks.

You absolutely cannot survive without water. If you try to, it won’t be long before your lips resemble powdered donuts and your organs shut down. It’s amazing how doing something as simple as drinking more water can improve your overall health.

Water rids the body of toxins, metabolizes fat and acts as a natural laxative. Water also lubricates the joints and suppresses your appetite. When you drink a glass of water 15 minutes before your meals, you eat less (music to my ears).

Most experts recommend 64 ounces (8 cups) of water each day. But if you weigh 300 pounds, 64 ounces of water isn’t going to get it. Aim to drink half of your bodyweight in ounces of water each day. If you exercise, sweat a lot or drink caffeinated beverages (limit caffeine), add a couple of extra 8 ounce cups to this amount.

Got milk? If you do, you might want to get rid of it. Doing so may ease allergies, digestive disorders, congestion, sinus infections and rheumatoid arthritis. If you are lactose intolerant, giving up milk and other dairy can help improve nutrient absorption.

Keep in mind, milk is only as healthy as the cows that give it. Dairy cows are routinely given antibiotics and growth hormones, and fed an unnatural diet of chemically treated grain. All of this stuff passes to the milk supply. When you drink milk, the toxins wear on your health.

I know you’ve been taught that milk is the be all and end all for calcium. Don’t believe the hype. In reality, milk is produced using methods that jeopardize your health. This stuff is also processed to the point where most of the calcium is unusable by the body.

Trust me. Your bones aren’t going to turn into dust if you stop drinking milk. There are plenty of non-dairy sources of calcium available–cauliflower, leafy greens vegetables, broccoli, oranges, sardines with bones, salmon and almonds, just to name a few.

Wheat is difficult to digest, so it’s notorious for causing constipation, gas and bloating. This ingredient has also been shown to contribute to irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue and joint pain. When you eliminate wheat from your diet, you can send some of these ailments packing.

Wheat products like bread, pasta, crackers and cookies are the primary source of carbohydrates for most people. These foods digest quickly and cause the rapid release of insulin. The more insulin in your blood, the more likely you are to store fat. If you’re trying to lose weight, eating products that contain wheat can work against you.

You’re better off replacing the wheat in your diet with vegetables and beans. These foods are healthier sources of carbohydrates because they digest slowly and keep you full longer. Beans and veggies are also packed with the fiber you need for good digestive health.

You deserve to feel healthy and vibrant everyday, don’t you?  If you drink more water, eliminate wheat, and oust dairy from your diet, you’ll feel healthier and lose weight as a result. Try the above strategies out for a few weeks and experience the results for yourself.

Have you forgotten what it’s like to feel energetic and refreshed? If you’re overweight or just want to feel healthier, this simple diet plan can give you the tools you need to take control of your health.

The dust has finally settled around the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa, the latest barometer on which Republican will go head-to-head with President Barack Obama. In the brief lull, the country is still coming to terms with its financial woes and the repercussions of the debt downgrade.

This week we take a look at the debt super-committee’s digital plans and find out if Newt Gingrich has any human fans. We’ve even got some mobile apps to let you mess around with President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush. This is the Week in Politics & Digital.

Earlier this month, the U.S. government voted to raise the debt ceiling, thereby preventing the country from defaulting on its increasing debt. That decision, however, only forestalled the more serious act of massively reducing the budget.

Sensing that mass bickering between the aisles wasn’t going to work, the White House created a bipartisan “Super Committee” to hammer out the difficult details. Although the group is yet to meet, co-chairs Sen. Patty Murray, D.-Wash., and Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R.-Texas, said they are busy both assembling the team and planning a website to gather public input on how best to cut the budget, reported the LA Times.

The Super Committee only has until November 23 to recommend a plan to cut $1.5 trillion over the next decade. The plan will then go to Congress for a vote by December 23.

Despite skepticism thrown on former House Speaker and GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich for supposedly boosting his Twitter followers with fake accounts, an exclusive study for Mashable has vindicated Gingrich.

Gingrich claimed the large amount of inactive followers was due to his brief stint on Twitter’s “Suggested User List.” We asked Topsy, a social media search company, to go through the followers of every politician on the List to determine if Gingrich’s claim was verifiable. Well, the results show all the politicians on the List have similar numbers of inactive or fake-looking accounts.

“The followers of SUL politicians are not very active on Twitter,” says Rishab Ghosh, co-founder of Topsy. “Between 74% and 90% of their followers haven’t tweeted in the past month, and 30% to 41% have never tweeted at all.”

Gingrich’s users may still be inactive but there’s now little evidence that he bought or artificially boosted his numbers.

You can finally make President Obama or President Bush say whatever you want, thanks to two free apps from iSpeech. The text-to-speech company also has a speech-to-speech version that costs $2.99.

Whether you wish Obama was tougher on his critics or just wish the President could record your voicemail, you now can literally put your words into his, or Bush’s, mouth.

Image courtesy of Flickr, jeannerene, Francisco Diez, Gage Skidmore

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Look out gamers — here comes the Razer Blade. It’s unusually thin at a mere .88 inches, and it’s relatively light at 6.9 pounds, but its claim to fame is those groundbreaking configurable OLED buttons and LCD touchpad that gives mobile gamers a versatile new way to win.

The Razer Blade is due sometime in the fourth quarter of this year, and it’s made by that same company that creates gaming mice that we’ve favorably reviewed, as well as keyboards and other gaming accessories with a certain design flair. In fact, the company wowed us in January at CES with a prototype “Switchblade” laptop whose keyboard did away with conventional keys altogether, instead substituting lots of tiny OLED touchscreens. Yes, Razer has credible design chops.

We haven’t tried this Blade laptop yet, but from what we can see, it has more going for it than just a pretty 17-inch face. It’s powered by a dual-core 2.8GHz second-generation Core i7 2640M processor with 8 gigs of RAM and a Nvidia GeForce GT555M 2GB graphics card. Not bad, but on the other hand, there’s no solid-state drive inside — just an old-fashioned 320GB SATA drive. And we’d rather have a quad-core chip like the fastest MacBook Pro’s. See what you think of the specs — check the Razer Blade’s full spec list here.

That’s why we’re scratching our heads, wondering why this laptop is so expensive at $2,799.99. Maybe it’s because of its snazzy new tiny-screen paraphernalia.

Judging from Razor’s pre-sale guff, the screens and their “Switchblade UI” must be expensive to build — they consist of 10 “dynamic adaptive tactile keys” — each a tiny OLED screen — that can be configured according to whatever game you’re playing.

The 480 x 800 LCD panel directly below those keys has two modes: If you’d like to use a separate mouse instead of its touchpad, you can use that mini screen as an extra screen to display in-game info (think weapons). In its second mode, the mini-LCD functions as a multi-touchpad if you like your gaming laptop to be completely self-contained.

While there are plenty of heavier, thicker and faster gaming laptops such as the $1,599 quad-core MSi GT683 we tested (and liked a lot), this Blade breaks new ground with that innovative user interface.

What you think, gamers? Does this one pass muster?

Watch this noisy video for a peek at the Razer Blade’s unique Switchblade UI in action:

[via Razer]

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This post reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Mashable as a publication.

Hamilton Chan is CEO and founder of Paperlinks. With the free Paperlinks iPhone app, featured previously by Apple as the #1 New & Noteworthy app, consumers can scan and view QR code content with a native app experience. Paperlinks also provides a powerful platform for generating QR codes, hosting content and tracking their performance.

If you raise the subject of QR codes among tech early adopters, you are likely to elicit a passionate response. Some people think QR codes, those scanable black and white squares on everything from billboards to product packaging, are on an unstoppable growth trajectory, while skeptics are quick to dismiss them as a fad.

This reaction is common whenever new technology formats or standards are being decided upon. Pundits want to exhibit their knack for predicting the future and stakeholders (of which I am undeniably one) want to make sure their format wins out. The general public, meanwhile, tends to lay in wait for a particular format to show dominance.

QR codes, in particular, make great fodder for debate because the codes are inherently big and ugly. So far, they have not experienced the same popularity in North America as they have enjoyed abroad, in part because many consumers are still getting used to seeing these codes and figuring out what to do with them.

In my opinion, there is little question that these real-world hyperlinks are increasingly going to be part of our reality and everyday life. Although QR codes won’t be the only technological option for hyperlinking in the real world, I believe they’ll soon be recognized as one of the best-suited options to connect items in the physical world to the Internet.

If there is one thing that can be counted on in our technological future, it’s that information will continue to become more widespread, available and relevant. The Internet will expand from a network of computers to a network of everything, with interactivity pre-programmed into nearly every object we use.

There’s no doubt that QR code traction in the U.S. is on the rise. Evidence has been shown in a number of recent market reports, including a study by Mobio Technologies Inc., which reported a 9,840% increase in QR code use for the second quarter of 2011 (compared to the same time last year).

Even a recent annual report from Gartner, a market research firm, puts QR codes on the “slope of enlightenment” when it comes to mainstream adoption of the technology. Further adding to the evidence, comScore reported that in June of this year, more than 14 million Americans scanned a QR code, representing more than 6% of the U.S. mobile population.

It may take some time before we switch to scanning objects for information, but this direct relationship between an object’s online persona and the consumer will ultimately make life easier. Run out of razor blades for your shaver? Scan a real world hyperlink on your can of shaving cream and order more blades.

Despite the mounting evidence that QR codes are here to stay, many skeptics still believe this technology is no more than a shiny new marketing tool with no future. These are the three arguments I’ve seen repeatedly:

Whether you are a fan or critic of QR codes, one thing is certain: Real world hyperlinks are here to stay. QR codes are just one of the many linking possibilities, but they are popping up everywhere – across all verticals and businesses of all sizes. The popularity of QR codes will continue to gain momentum. Moving forward, the catalyst for their success will ultimately lie in the creative ways they are implemented.

Marketers have the ability to reach their mobile customer base in a way that wasn’t possible before. They need to reward consumers for helping blaze this new trail. The results will be captivating.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, youngvet

Mashable is the largest independent online news site dedicated to covering digital culture, social media and technology. With more than 50 million monthly pageviews and 4 million followers across social media, Mashable has one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.

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Twitter has released a short promotional video that touts that it’s faster than an earthquake.

The 47-second short notes draws attention to the fact that Twitter messages hit New York City before Virginia’s 5.9 magnitude earthquake had a chance to reach the Big Apple. The man in the video, warned of the quake via Twitter, picks up his mug before the quake strikes. He easily ignores the Twitter pillows and napkins being thrown at him.

The quake, which caused minimal damage, has been the subject of countless social media jokes. We expect that some will find the video insensitive, while others will laugh at the video’s whimsical nature.

At the very least, we agree with the video: Twitter is faster than earthquakes. Check out the video above and let us know what you think of the social media service’s video in the comments.

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Twitter continues to prove itself a valuable current affairs platform. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t good for some laughs. We’ve taken a look at the lighter side of microblogging with some more hilarious spoof accounts that add some comedy to your Twitter stream.

In addition to our top fake celebrities and fictional characters, we’re here with 10 fantastic parody accounts from the worlds of tech, social media and the web.

Take a look through our tweet-tastic gallery below and let us know in the comments which figures — fake or otherwise — from the world of business you’d recommend following on Twitter.

Who knew that cute little green bot had a wicked streak? If you’re a fan of the Android platform — heck, even if you’re not — then follow this account for some Google-centric fun.

Walt Mosspuppet, a puppet comedian and apparently “the only technology journalist in the World,” is well worth a look for a funny take on tech.

Nokia’s CEO gets lampooned in fine old style here with a seriously sarcastic perspective on the Finnish phone company.

This account spoofs the director, president and chief executive officer of Yahoo by imagining the successful businesswoman as a foul-mouthed alcoholic.

If ever a social network was ripe for a parody, it’s got to be Facebook. While here at Mashable we know Facebook’s real PR folk are a lovely bunch, this amusing account portrays them as arrogant and power-crazed.

With a surname that starts with “Ass,” WikiLeak’s Julian Assange hopefully has some thick skin. If not, well, he certainly has more pressing things to worry about.

The underlying tone behind AT&T’s “Parody Relations” can be summed up by its bio — “Covering the USA, kind of…”

This fake version of British video game designer Peter Molyneux amps up his overly complex thoughts to their funniest extremes.

Poor old Zuckerberg. All of that money and he still has to put up with people writing amusing tweets under his (almost) name. Yeah, we’d take that deal too.

Imagine the immense power behind all Google properties is an evil, HAL-esque sentient machine. Funny, or too real?

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that you can never have too many USB ports. Even though modern laptops boast more ports than ever before, a USB hub is a handy accessory to expand your options.

With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at some great USB hubs on the market right now. Rather than go down the boring black box route however, we’ve dug up some fun designs.

If you’re looking for a little more USB in your life, then take a look through the gallery for our selections. Let us know in the comments which ones you’d consider for your connectivity needs.

MoMA’s pea-inspired hub will add a spring-fresh string of four green ports to your desk.

Cost: $32

This utilitarian-looking hub will give you four extra ports before you can say “Potemkin.” If you need more, you can buy additional boats to boost your USB fleet.

Cost: $20.99

This Japanese creation comes with a sheet of decorative stickers to personalize your ‘bot. “Roboto” boasts wind-up action and glowing eyes (as all good robots should).

Cost: $24

Kick it old skool with this cassette-shaped hub.

Cost: $24.99

The goddess of love offers a classic alternative to your traditional hub solution. Made of ceramic, she’ll give your workspace some useful, Greek chic.

Cost: $38

These brick hubs are fun, even if you can’t actually stack them.

Cost: $19.99

Because USB ports are a man’s best friend …

Cost: $18

Pretty and cheerful, these tulip-shaped ports will add a dash of color to your desk.

Cost: $12

Last time we checked, octopodes had eight arms. That, however, doesn’t stop us from liking this cute little four-limbed fella.

Cost: $19.99

We want all three of these retro robotic hubs, although we do think the one on the right looks a little shifty. We’ve been assured they’re Three Laws compliant …

Cost: £9.99 (approx $16)

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Each day, Mashable highlights one noteworthy YouTube video. Check out all our viral video picks.

Music app Shazam has teamed up with Vevo to create a special Shazam for TV-enhanced version of Lil Wayne’s new video, How to Love.

Shazam recently raised $32 million to expand its efforts in creating interactive ads for television content. Weezy’s new video, How to Love, is the first music video that will incorporate Shazam for TV.

Users can use the Shazam app while watching the video on YouTube or Vevo to get access to Weezy’s discography, buy a digital copy of the single and enter a contest to see Lil Wayne in concert. Plus, users can also watch the video on their iPhone or Android devices after they open the tag.

Music videos are an interesting place for Shazam for TV to set its sights. It’s also unique, in this case, that the Shazam experience can be activated through Vevo, where presumably users are watching content online.

We’re fans of the technique and we also dig the video. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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