Scrub Yourself And Shine After A Fabulous Holi Bash

After the Holi bash, just stand in front of the mirror and you will be shocked to see yourself. Red, Pink, Purple, Green ... you look like an alien . But that should stop you from playing this colourful festival. Just follow these simple tips to beat the Holi hues at home.


What do you do the previous night?

• Apply oil all over your body the night before Holi. You can use coconut oil, mustard oil, almond oil, malai or any cold cream. You should also oil your hair thoroughly to prevent damage caused by the harsh chemicals present in the colours or gulal.
• Mix together 1 tbsp butter, few drops of lemon juice, radish juice, cucumber juice, tomato juice and a little bit of turmeric. Apply this on your face. When the pack dries, rub gently with glycerine and rose water. It moisturizes your skin making it easy for the colours to be washed with cold water.

Make Home Scrubs
Make these easy-to-make scrubs at home and see how it can help you to get rid of all the colour smeared on your face:

• Take 1 tsp each of masoor dal, gram flour, rose water, 2 tsp curd, a pinch of haldi and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply it all over your body. Scrub and wash off.
• Mix besan (gram flour), mustard oil and rose water (1 tsp each) with a pinch of turmeric powder and apply all over. Leave for some time and then wash.
• Mix a mashed banana in 2 tbsp milk cream and apply this paste all over.
• Mix 2 tbsp fuller’s earth (multani mitti), 1 tbsp glycerine, raw milk and curd (2 tbsp each) and apply. However you should use this scrub if you have normal skin.
• To prevent irritation and itchiness, mix 1 tbsp each of cucumber juice, milk cream , freshly ground bottle gourd peels and apply it on your face. Wash it off with coconut water. This paste soothes the skin.

Removing Teeth Stains: Say CHEESE
Colour on the teeth can be removed by rubbing some lemon rind on them for a shine. You can also make a paste of lemon juice, mustard oil and fine salt. Apply the mix and see your teeth glow.

Quick Tips to Relax. Quick Relaxation Tips, How to Relax at Home?

Tired? Not at all ! Quick Tips to Relax

After a long day at work in home or office or outside, it is obvious that you feel tired and all you want to do is lie down on your couch and relax, right? There are many other things you can do to keep fatigue, stress and tiredness at bay. Relax, feel the freshness and if somebody asks you, tired, your answer should be "Not at all"...

Quick Gas Saving Tips in The Kitchen

With the world's oil and gas prices at such a high level, it is very essential to control the usage of gas while cooking and avoid wastage that can lead to loss of energy. According to PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research Association), housewives can actually save upto 30% of cooking gas or kerosene. How, well by following a few simple ‘fuel–saving tips’. Below are some of the ways you can save cooking gas fuel in the kitchen.

• Plan before you start cooking: Light your stove only after you have kept all the ingredients within your reach and ready for cooking. This requires good coordination and planning by the cook so that heat is not wasted during the waiting period.
• Use pressure cookers:Pressure cookers use less fuel for heating and thus reduce cooking time.Use separators in the pressure cooker to cook different items at the same time.
• Use less water: Avoid using too much water when cooking as it wastes fuel. Moreover this takes a longer time to evaporate. Surplus water consumes additional fuel which could otherwise be saved.
• Reduce the flame when boiling starts to save fuelWhen a vessel’s contents reach boiling point, a low flame is enough to keep them boiling. Always reduce the flame once boiling starts.
• Cover cooking pots and pans with a lid: By covering the vessel with a lid, the energy supplied to the water is prevented from being lost through evaporation of the steam. In fact, the useful energy contained in the steam is utilized and transferred to cook the food.
• Use a small burner: Use the small burner or lower flame more often, as the case may be especially when you have time to spare.
• Soak before cooking:You can aslo save fuel if you soak cereals and pulses in water before cooking.
• Use shallow , wide vessels:Hide the flame with broad bottomed, vessel. Do not use vessels which are narrow as they allow the flame to creep up on the sides.
• Use clean burner and clean vessels:Clean the burner if you see an orange, yellow or non-uniform flame. This means there is incomplete combustion of the fuel which means that some of the fuel is not burnt and that is waste of the total heating capacity of the fuel. A bright, steady blue flame means efficient burning.Moreover cooking vessels should always be scrubbed clean.
• Allow frozen food to reach room temperature before cooking

Home Remedies Using Aijwain Seeds, Health Benefits of Aijwain

Ajwain or Bishops Weed is a well known indigenous spice used in culinary process from ancient times. This is also a beneficial herb used as a major ingredient for alternative medicines. Ajwain seeds taste hot, penchant and bitter and known to act as good appetizer, laxative and stomachic. This paricular spice is also considered as effective remedy in managing ailments like vomiting, pile, treatment of ascites, mouth diseases, abdominal tumor, abdominal pain etc. The medicinal value of ajwain is well known in ayurveda and Indian homes. Let us look at some more benefits of ajwain.


Some Home Remedies Using Ajwain

• Digestion:Chew ajwain seeds. If you find the tase bitter, add a little sugar and eat it. It helps in curing indigestion. Ajwain is a good digestive. Mixed with buttermilk it is a good anti-acidic agent.
• Diarrhoea and dysentry: As a cure for diarrhoea and dysentry, boil a cup of water with 1 tbsp of Ajwain till the water is reduced to half its original volume. Drink this water.
• Colicky pain due to flatulence (gas), indigestion and infections in the stomach: Any collicky pain in adults as well as children can be relieved by taking one teaspoonful of ajwain along with 2-3 pinches of common salt in warm water. Use half the dose in children.
• Cold & cough: There are various methods to take this. (a)Take a tablespoon of ajwain seeds crushed and tie it in a small cloth bundle. This can be used for inhalation.You can also place this bundle near the pillow, while sleeping. Drinking hot water after chewing little ajwain cures cough. Chewing betel leaf with ajwain at night before sleeping controls and cures dry coughing.
• Blocked Nose: Add 1 tbsp of Ajwain to a bowl of boiling water and inhale the steam. This helps in relieving nasal congetion.
• Rheumatic pain: Ajwain oil must be applied on affected part of body.
• Chronic bronchitis and asthma: Mix ajwain with jaggery (gur). Heat the mixture to make a paste and take 2 teaspoonsful twice a day. It helps to bring out the mucus easily.
• Influenza: Take boiled water with 3 gm ajwain seeds and 3 gm cinnamon bark for 3 days-thrice a day. This cures influenza.
• Toothache: Give smoke to the aching tooth by burning ajwain seeds. After 1 or 2 hours, gargle with lukewarm water prepared by boiling 1 tsp. ground ajwain with (little salt).
• Earache: Putting one two drops of ajwain oil relieves earache.
• Heartache: Take i tsp ajwain with hot water. This stimulates the heart and relieves heartache.
• Reducing Alcohol Craving: If people who consume excessive alcohol develop discomfort in the stomach, taking ajwain twice a day, will be very helpful. It will also reduce the craving and desire for alcohol.

Home Remedies Using Cinnamon, Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices, used in cooking from a very long time. When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
Recent studies have shown that cinnamon has some very important health benefits and hence widely used as an alternative medicine for various ailments. New research suggests that for longer and better health, try a daily sprinkle of cinnamon.


Health Benefits of Cinnamon
A great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium, cinnamon is an effective remedy for

• Reducing blood sugar levels
• Lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
• Helps in digestion.
• Curing the common cold.
• Treating diarrhea.
• Reducing arthritis pain.
• Boosting memory and cognitive function.
• Treating toothaches.
• Eliminating bad breath.

Research Reports
According to the Times, studies have shown that among 30 patients who took 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon extract for 40 days, average glucose levels fell to 18% from 29%, triglycerides to 25% from 30%, and total cholesterol to 12% from 26%. In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

How to take Cinnamon?

For Coughs and the Common Cold: Add a cinnamon stick to boiling water and boil it for 2 minutes.Remove the stick and use the cinnamon water for any herbal tea or black tea. Drink this tea two times per day.

For Treating Cholesterol, Arthritis Pain, Diabetes

• Simply eat half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily.
• Sprinkle cinnamon into your coffee or tea.
• Add cinnamon powder to your cereal or oatmeal.
• Simply add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast (Not for Diabetic Patient, Avoid Honey.Anyone that is currently taking medication for controlling blood sugar levels or blood thinners should consult their doctor before using cinnamon as a regular supplement)

For Toothache
Make a paste using one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey. Apply a small amount of this paste directly onto the aching tooth 2 or 3 times daily. You can store any extra paste in a small container at room temperature.

For Headaches
A fine paste of this spice should be prepared by mixing it with water and it should be applied over the temples and forehead to get relief.

Stomach Upset
Honey taken with cinnamon powder also helps in curing stomach ache

Easy Tips for Cleaning Gold jewelry, Cleaning Gold Jewelry at Home

Gold jewelry never goes out of fashion. Gold jewelry is something which you can wear everyday. Pure gold is extremely soft, doesn't react with other elements and hence doesnot tarnish. But to make your gold jewelry sturdy enough, other metals are mixed with it, creating an alloy, which tarnish your jewelry. But while it sits on your finger or around your neck looking beautiful, your jewelry is secretly collecting oils from your skin, dirt, toxins from the air, residue from soaps and body lotions and overtime these affect the appearance of your gold jewelry. When your ornaments start looking dull or grungy, there is every chance that you may be tempted to take it to a jeweler for a professional cleaning. But unless it’s scratched or seriously filthy, you don’t even need to spend money on commercial jewelry cleaner, because everything you need to give gold a good basic cleaning and shine is probably already in your home. Presenting before you some easy ways to keep your gold ornaments clean and shiny.


Liquid Soap Method
Put a few drops of liquid detergent in a bowl of warm water. Mix gently. Soak the gold jewelry in the solution for 15 minutes.Take a soft-bristle toothbrush or an eyebrow brush and scrub each piece of jewelry with it. Rinse each piece in warm running water. Blot dry with a soft cloth. If your jewelry is studded with stones, then wipe the jewelry with a cloth that's been dabbed in liquid soap solution. Rinse the jewelry with a cloth dampened with plain water.Lay the pieces upside down after cleaning so there is no moisture left.


Ammonia Method
Dont use this method too often but once in a while for special occasions you can try it. Mix one part ammonia to six parts water. Soak your gold jewelry in the mixture for just one minute or so and use a strainer to pulling it all out quickly at once. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly under running water and wipe with dry using a soft polishing cloth.

Toothpaste Method
Gold jewelry can be be cleaned using your old toothbrush and tooth paste. Gently scrub off grime using toothpaste. You can also apply the toothpaste to a cloth and hand polish your jewelry. Rinse in clean water. Use this method for gold items that you often wear.

Boiling Method
Boil your gold jewelry in water if you need to get oil, grease, or wax off it. Oil, grease, and wax will float to the top of the water. So long as the ornament is submerged in water no harm will come to it or any stones.

For those beautiful, kissable lips: Try these home remedies

Don't you think lips that are soft, pink lend a fresh invigorating look to your face? Lips require constant nurturing. Lip care comprise a series of activities that need to be performed on a constant basis to get a fruitful result.



How To Exfoliate Your Lips?

• Toothbrush Method: Use old tooth brush, with soft and straight bristles. Put some petroleum jelly on it. Rub your lips with this toothbrush in circular motions. Leave on the petroleum jelly on your lips for rehydrating them.
• Sugar Method: Mix a little bit of olive oil with some sugar and make a paste. Rub the mixture gently on the lips with a soft cloth and massage the lips in circular motions. The more you rub in the mixture, the more your lips will exfoliate. Rinse after sometime.
• Baking Soda Method:Take some baking soda and mix it well with water to form a paste. With a toothpase, rub the paste across your lips in circular motions. Rinse off your lips after rubbing your lips properly.

How to Attain Soft Lips?

• Apply thick layer of honey or castor oil on your lips, as it will draw the natural moisture to your skin. Apply thick layer of honey or castor oil on your lips, as it will draw the natural moisture to your skin.
• Apply tomato paste and milk cream for soft pink lips.
• Apply mixture of rose petals and milk cream to preserve the red color of lips.
• Rub your lips with baby oil or petroleum jelly before going to bed at night.

Other Tips

• Apply almond paste to add glow to the lips.
• Drink 8 glasses of water regularly to keep your lips hydrated.
• Avoid biting lips as it causes the lips to swell.
• Apply lip gloss. Lip gloss not just lends a moisturizing effect to your lips, but also makes it appear luscious.
• Eat plenty of green veggies and fruits.

Some Safety Tips For Those Nine Months

Just go through the most beautiful period of your life, your pregnancy period, with some easy-to follow tips on your diet and deal those common health blues without any worries.


Morning Sickness:To combat morning sickness, eat smaller and frequent meals instead of eating like a glutton.

Constipation:Increase fluid intake. Eat more natural laxative foods like whole grains, dried fruits and fresh fruits, vegetable rich in fibre and juices which induce good bowel movements.

Backache: Usually a pregnat lady experiences this in the lower back and down the legs, which is a very common problem. To get rid of it, go for a relaxing back massage. You can also try back-strengthening exercises. But consult your doctor first.

Heartburn:Acid from the stomach can pass into the oesophagus leading to acidity. Eat smaller meals at regular intervals. See if your doctor wishes to prescribe an antacid.

Bleeding gums:Hormonal changes can lead to bleeding gums. Maintain dental hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and using dental floss.

Stretch marks:As the foetus grows bigger, you may start getting reddish lines on your stomach, hips and thighs. Apply a good cream or lotion. They help lighten the marks.

EAT RIGHT

• Increase the intake of vitamins and minerals and calories (slightly) during your pregnancy. Stop taking junk food, as it has nothing but empty calories (calories with few or no nutrients).
• Almost everyone says that you need to eat for two. But actually the average woman does not need any extra calories for the first 6 months of pregnancy. Just make sure you have something whenever you are hungry.
• Increase your intake of nutrients. You should eat a balanced diet, comprising different food groups like carbohydrates, body-building proteins, and protective minerals and vitamins for immunity.

STAY AWAY FROM

• Raw or partially-cooked eggs, raw or under-cooked meat, unpasteurised milk and raw vegetables. Why? Because they carry harmful bacteria.
• Some varieties of fish, like shark, swordfish and mackerel. Why? Because they have a high level of mercury.
• Liver and liver products that may contain large amounts of retinol. Although retinol is a form of vitamin A, excessive amounts may be harmful for the baby’s development.
• Alcohol, as it can lead to physical disabilities and emotional problems in your baby.
• Smoking. Why ? Because studies have shown that nicotine can put your newborn at a higher risk of psychotic behaviour.
• 
  Caffeine. Studies have shown that consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine a day increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight for the new baby.

Home remedies for Urinary tract infections, Quick relief from urine infection

A urine infection is caused by bacteria (germs) that get into the urine and is a problem faced by many. UTIs are one of the common reason people visit their doctors each year. Men get UTIs, but they are much more common in women. However there are some home remedies that are effective in treating and preventing urine infection.

• Baking Soda:Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda to a glass of water and drink this every morning. The soda neutralizes the acidity in your urine, speeding along your recovery.
• Blueberries:blue berries have bacteria-inhibiting properties. Blueberry juice was found to prevent UTIs.
• Cranberry juice: Drink good amount of cranberry juice as it one of the most simple and natural way of treating urinary tract infection. It prevents as well as heals the infection due to its medicinal properties.
• Pineapple:Eating a cup of pineapple help rid you of your infection.
• Fluids:Increase your fluid intake by drinking lots of water. You can also increase the fluid consumption in the form of barley, fruit juices, or coconut water. The extra fluid will help in flushing and diluting the unwanted toxins) from your body.
• Vitamin C:Eat lots of fruits to increase your vitamin C intake.

Other prevetive measures for UTIs

• Never hold back the urge to urinate.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners, spicy, oily foods, cheese, chocolates, alcohol, beer, soda and carbonated drinks.
• Wear cotton panties.
• Avoid tight fitted clothes.
• Wash your genital area before and after a sexual intercourse.
• Also urinate before and after an intercourse.
• Take showers instead of bubble bath to prevent bacteria entering into the urethra which causes UTI.

Quick home remedies for dark circles, Effective home tips for dark eyes

Dark circle is one of the most common problems faced by many. Just about everyone has their own favorite remedy for dark circles. Home remedies for dark circles can be helpful. Check out these effective home remedies for dark circles.

• One of the famous home remedies for dark circles under eyes is to apply a paste made from a teaspoon of tomato juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, half teaspoon lemon juice, and a pinch of gramflour under your eyes for about 10 minutes.
• Seven to Eight hours of sleep is a must as most dark circles occur for lack of sleep.
• Apply cucumber or potato juice on the eyes with cotton balls.
• Application of used cold tea bag is also helpful in soothing the eyes and curing dark circles.
• Make a mixture of lemon juice, cucumber juice and lanolin cream, apply under the eyes and keep for 10-15 minutes.
• Use sunglasses when going out in sun to protect the eyes from the harmful rays.
• Drinking good amount of water also helps in lightening the dark circles under the eyes.
• Almond oil is considered best in removing the dark circles. Massage the area with the oil at night before going to bed.
• Application of cream with vitamin E and C also helps in reducing the dark circles.
• Apply crushed mint leaves under the eyes for 20 minutes.
• Sarvangasana is the best yoga posture to reduce puffiness and dark circles of the eyes and it should be performed daily.
• Keep cotton balls dipped in rose water under the eyes for 10 minutes daily.
• Eat vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamin E for healthy eyes.