steam

Gym

The Heat Is On! Saunas or Steam Rooms

One of the top reasons I belong to my gym is for the steam room.

One of the top reasons I belong to my gym is for the steam room. Whenever I feel a cold coming on, I head over to the facility and strip down to a towel for a 15-minute breather. While I prefer the misty heated room, others prefer the drier sauna, though they both tend to provide the same benefits. Still, there are differences between the two types of steam baths.

For starters, saunas are much hotter than their wetter counterparts. A room with wooden planks and a small oven, saunas are very hot — temperatures ranging between 140-212 degrees F with a low level of humidity (ranging from five to 30 percent). The only steam you will see in a sauna is the result of pouring water over the oven or the steam rising from your own skin. Steam rooms, on the other hand, are still very hot at 110-115 degrees F with a humidity level of 100 percent. The steam in these rooms is pumped in through a vent and often causes a fog so thick you can hardly see your hand in front of you.

Curious to know more about the benefits and warnings?

Video games

Thanks to Steam, Portal Is Free on Your Mac Until May 24

PCs may set the standard for playing games on a computer, but if you have a Mac, you don't have to be left out in the cold.

PCs may set the standard for playing games on a computer, but if you have a Mac, you don't have to be left out in the cold. Spore showed us a good time when it was released back in 2008, and now thanks to Steam — a platform that allows you to game on Apple computers — you can play a number of games on either your PC or Mac, including Portal, which is free for download until May 24.

Sure, the selection for PC users is far superior (Resident Evil 5 and GTA IV, among other big titles), while Mac users are restricted to the likes of Bejeweled 2 for the time being. On the bright side, at least you have Portal to keep you occupied until Steam's Mac game lineup gains some ground.

healthy living

Make Your Own Eucalyptus Steam Room (and Cure a Cough)

Whenever I have a bad cough — take the last EIGHT days for instance — I'll take a hot shower for some temporary relief.

Whenever I have a bad cough — take the last EIGHT days for instance — I'll take a hot shower for some temporary relief. The warmth of the heat coupled with the steam helps moisturize my dry and irritated throat and helps loosen the phlegm in my chest. Because the cold I have this week is especially brutal, my friends have been offering me all sorts of remedies, like these Aura Cacia eucalyptus shower tabs ($6). You put one of these tabs on the shower floor with you and as the hot water dissolves it, your bathroom becomes turns into a eucalyptus steam room. Besides eucalyptus, there are also peppermint and lavender tabs available.

This whole process is pretty similar to making a steam bowl with essential oils, except that you get a lot more of it at once. And because eucalyptus is a natural decongestant, taking a shower with one of these tabs really helps clear up my sinuses and loosen up my cough. My only gripe is that they are ultimately pretty pricey, and don't last an incredibly long during a shower. I think I might experiment with this concept by putting a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the shower floor, or hanging a bundle of fresh eucalyptus in the shower.

recipes

Fast & Easy Dinner: Broiled Tofu and Steamed Mustard Greens

When cooking quick and uncomplicated meals, don't be afraid to take some help from store-made sauces, condiments, and jams.

When cooking quick and uncomplicated meals, don't be afraid to take some help from store-made sauces, condiments, and jams. This recipe is packed with exotic and spicy flavor thanks to a purchased hot mango chutney. The chutney is jazzed up with sautéed onions and peppers before being brushed onto triangles of tofu. Steamed mustard greens act as a bed for the tofu and veggies, but other greens like broccoli rabe or collard greens would work.

To serve this vegetarian dinner, get the recipe now.

fast and easy

Fast & Easy Dinner: Lime-Steamed Salmon

In an attempt to improve his eating habits, my father recently purchased a steamer.

In an attempt to improve his eating habits, my father recently purchased a steamer. Naturally, he asked me for some healthy and delicious recipes that feature steamed ingredients. Well, Dad: this one's for you.

Lime slices and crisp green beans act as a bed for plump salmon fillets. Fresh ginger and lime zest combine to make a fragrant sauce for the salmon. For a complete meal serve with brown rice. To check out the recipe, read more

Bathrooms

Casa Quickie: Steamer-Free and Wrinkle-Free

I'd love to own a garment steamer, but I really don't need another space-hogging appliance lying around the house.

I'd love to own a garment steamer, but I really don't need another space-hogging appliance lying around the house. While I do actually enjoy ironing, I tend to leave it to the last minute, so it's impractical for my morning routine. Wrinkles aren't practical either, though.
Instead, I hang my clothes from the rod at the end of my shower (far from the faucet), close the bathroom door, and then take my morning shower, letting the steam do all the work. By the time I'm finished, my clothes are wrinkle and odor free! If you don't have a shower rod in your bathroom, you can really hang your duds anywhere in the bathroom. Just make sure you close the door so the steam is contained, and don't allow your clothes to get wet.
Source

steam

Style For Style: Shower Steam Your Clothes

It would be nice if every household had a garment steamer but the reality is that the majority don't.

It would be nice if every household had a garment steamer but the reality is that the majority don't. So then what is a girl to do when she has a fabulous cocktail party to attend and her Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Satin Strapless Dress, $995, is all wrinkled? Yes, an old fashioned iron might do the trick, but sometimes a fabric is too delicate for that. Plus, your lackluster ironing skills may burn a hole in your lovely dress. Oh no!



To see my easy solution to unwrinkle clothes, read more

eucalyptus

Relax Already: Eucalyptus Steamer

For a relaxing steamer when you're starting to feel a bit under the weather, try this using: 6 drops of eucalyptus essential oil 6 cups of water Bring the water and oil to a near boil.

For a relaxing steamer when you're starting to feel a bit under the weather, try this using:

6 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
6 cups of water

Bring the water and oil to a near boil. Using a towel, make a tent over the water and steam your head for 5 minutes. I would recommend turning the burner off and putting the pot on a trivet away from the stove starting to steam.

The eucalyptus steam will help ease symptoms of bronchitis, colds, coughing, fever, flu and sinusitis.

Fit's Tip: If the steam is too hot on your face, use a bigger towel and move further away. You can get the oil at most health stores as well as online. Buy it here for $11.95.