Lip Care Regime for Pink and Soft Lips Naturally

Lips define your face and expressions; they give your face the ultimate appeal.  So, you should take care of your lips on a daily basis. Without care, they can become dull, dark, and crack; while a proper lip care regime can give your lips a natural pink hue.  Here are few tips on lip care:

Scrub your lips using a soft toothbrush every morning. This will remove the dry and charred skin from the lips and will keep them soft.

Massage your lips every night with almond oil and lemon juice this will lighten the dark color of your lips. Honey and lemon juice is also helpful in lightening lips.  

Apply glycerin and lemon juice in equal quantity on lips.  This keeps your lips soft and moisturized.

It is very important to keep your lips hydrated and moisturized. Dry and chapped lips look dark and unhealthy. You can use a good lip balm to keep them moisturized. You can go for fresh milk cream to nourish them when you are at home. Select a lip balm with SPF if you stay outdoors for longer duration.

Never lick your lips. Some people have this tendency of licking their lips when they feel their lips are dry. Instead of giving any relief this worsen the condition of lips, leaving them more dry and dull. 

Sugar scrub is very useful in making lips soft and pink. Take a half spoon of olive oil, little sugar, and honey. Mix them well and rub lightly on your lips. You can leave the mixture for 10 minutes, and can follow this procedure once in a week.

Slice a lemon in two halves. Apply on lips in a circular motion for 5-7 minutes. This helps in reducing the pigmentation on lips. Apply a lip balm after washing your lips. This routine can be followed twice in a week.

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Eat Almonds. Reduce Belly Fat

According to a study  published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, consuming 42 grams of almonds (around 35 almonds) daily could improve levels of low-density lipoproteins and total cholesterol and help to reduce waistline and leg fat apart from protecting against heart disease.

The study was conducted on 52 middled-aged people. They had high LDL and cholesterol levels. They were given diet that could reduce their body fat along with snack including almonds. After some time, cholesterol level in their body  and fat mass in their abdomen decreased.

Claire Berryman, the lead researcher of the study, said, “Our research found that substituting almonds for a high-carbohydrate snack improved numerous heart health risk factors, including the new finding that eating almonds reduced belly fat.” The study was conducted by researchers of Penn State University.

Facts to know: 

One study reported that almonds increase the levels of alpha tocopherol in the blood stream. Tocopherol is an antioxidant that lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow.

Almond is known to be one of the world’s healthiest foods. It is rich in minerals, fiber, vitamins etc.

Almond contains folic acid, which is important for the development of cells and biotin. Biotin improves skin quality, fight against hair loss, and prevents weight gain. It also lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Almond is low in carbs and high in fiber and vitamin E. Vitamin E protects against heart diseases and sunstroke. It is vital for healty skin and hair.

High levels of mono and polyunsaturated fats in almonds help in reducing total cholesterol and raising healthy cholesterol (HDL).

Read:

Ways to Eat Ginger

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Homemade Hair Masks

Hair Mask 1: Egg and lemon

Beat egg and add a lemon juice. Apply on hair.

Hair Mask 2: Egg, milk, lemon, olive oil

Beat the whole egg or the part (yolk or white) that is suitable for your hair type. Egg yolk is preferred option. Add a cup of milk. Squeeze a lemon to the mixture. Add 1 spoon olive oil. Whisk the mixture well to get harmonious texture and apply on hair.

Hair Mask 3: Milk and Honey  

Mix a spoon of honey in a glass of milk. Massage the mixture on your hair from root to tip. 

Hair Mask 4: Banana and almond oil

Mash one banana and add 1 teaspoon of almond oil. Mix well and apply into your hair. You can use coconut oil, olive oil or honey in place of almond oil.

Hair Mask 5: Avocado, milk, olive oil

Take a small mashed ripe avocado. Add a cup of milk and 1 spoon olive oil. Mix them well and apply.

Hair Mask 6: Olive oil and lemon

Take 4 spoon of olive oil and squeeze 1 lemon. Mix them and apply on your hair. It is suitable for itchy scalp. It is also reliable to get rid of dandruff.

Hair Mask 7: Egg and Oil

Mix two beaten eggs with 6 tbsp of oil. Beat the mixture to get a uniform texture. Your mask is ready. You can apply on your hair and scalp.

Here are options of oil that can be used with egg yolk to prepare nourishing hair mask:

Egg yolks/Egg whites/Whole egg and Olive oil

Egg yolks/Egg whites/Whole egg and Almond oil

Egg yolks/Egg whites/Whole egg and Castor oil

Egg yolks/Egg whites/Whole egg and Linseed oil

Egg yolks/Egg whites/Whole egg and Lavender oil

NOTE:

The egg yolk is rich in fats and proteins. It is a natural moisturizer. Egg white contains bacteria-eating enzymes and removes unwanted oils from hair. Egg whites contains the bulk of egg’s protein.

• Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a month.
• Whites-only treatment can be applied twice in a month.

Use egg white if you have oily hair and egg yolks if you have dry hair.

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Hair Spa at Home: Steps Explained

Ways to Eat Ginger

The herb, ginger is used as spice and is known for its medicinal properties. Its underground stem can be used fresh, dried (known as sauth), or in the form of oil or juice. Ginger is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, anti-vomiting, anti-cancer, digestive, and immune-boosting properties.

Here are some ways to eat fresh ginger root:

Ginger tea:

Add finely chopped ginger to boiled water. Let them boil for 2-3 minutes and strain out ginger. Add 1 teaspoon of honey. You may add a little lemon juice for taste.

You can also add chopped or crushed ginger to normal tea. 

Ginger lemonade: Ginger lemonade: Take a large pitcher. Add ½ cups of lemon juice, 1 cup of ginger syrup, and 2 glasses of cold water. You can adjust lemon juice or syrup according to your taste. You may add ice cubes. You can add lemon wedges and mint to garnish the lemonade.

How to make ginger syrup?

Take 1 cup water, 1 cup grated ginger and 2 cups sugar. Put the ingredients in a small pot. Place the pot on medium heat and stir the mixture until sugar dissolves. Then let the syrup steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain ginger from the syrup.

Fruit juice: You can add a medium sized (1/2”) ginger root while preparing your favorite juice

Salad dressing: Chop long and thin slices of ginger and garnish the salad.

Ginger pickle: Chop small and thin slices of ginger. Add salt, turmeric powder, green chilies, lemon juice, and mustard oil to the chopped ginger. Mix all ingredients properly and let them dry for 4-5 days in sun heat.

Ginger Milk: Boil a glass of milk with some (1/2”) chopped ginger. You may add sliced almonds or cinnamon for taste. 

Note: Too much consumption of ginger can cause side effects such as mild heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and mouth irritation. You should reduce your consumption of ginger if you experience any of these symptoms.

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Hair Spa at Home: Steps Explained

Hair spa is one of the most preferable treatments for damaged hair. A good spa treatment gives life to your damaged hair. You should go through multiple sittings to get desired result. Without doubt, visiting a beauty salon is the easiest option; but it will pinch your pocket for sure. Also in salon spa, your hair can come in contact with harmful chemicals. So, home spa is safe and economic option.

Things you need:

• Hair Oil
• Towel
• Warm water
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shower comb
• Hair mask

Six easy steps of hair spa at home

STEP 1 Massage your scalp and hair with hot /warm oil

Give a good massage to your scalp and hair with warm oil. Hot oil smooth up cuticles, soften dry and rough hair, seal in moisture, and minimize the look of split ends. You can opt for olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or castor oil. These oils are considered good for hair. Massage the hair for about 15-20 minutes.

You can mix essential oil to provide nourishment. Peppermint oil is considered good for dry hair whereas basil, lemongrass, and rosemary are suitable for oily hair. Lavender, cedar wood and chamomile can be applied to both dry and oily hair.

Don’t apply very hot oil to your scalp, else it will damage them. You can use prepackaged hot oil available in the market to avoid risk.

STEP 2 Steam your hair

Take some warm water and dip a clean towel in it. Squeeze it well and wrap the towel around the head to cover all your hair. Leave the wrapped towel on the head for about 15-20 minutes. Steaming helps oil penetrate well into the scalp.

STEP 3 Wash your hair

This step can be performed right after steaming or a day later. If you are washing right after steaming, you have to use lukewarm water for washing hair. If you are washing next day, you should use normal water.

You can use any mild shampoo of your choice.

STEP 4 Apply conditioner

Select a conditioner that suits your hair.  Apply evenly to each strand. For even application, divide your hair into small sections with the help of shower comb. Do not apply conditioner to scalp. You can use homemade conditioner as well.

STEP 5 Apply hair mask

Hair mask gives the required nourishment to hair. You can apply a cosmetic hair mask or prepare at home. Egg hair mask is easy to prepare and suits almost all types of hair. You should massage the mask lightly on hair. Make sure that you use ample quantity of mask that each stand gets covered. Cover the hair with warm towel (Refer step 2). Leave the mask for 20-30 minutes.

Here are some homemade hairmasks

STEP 6 Wash your hair and dab them dry

Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo. Dry your hair with a soft cotton towel. Don’t use a hair dryer as it will dry the moisture you wanted to give your hair.

Suggestion:

You should spa treat your hair once in a week for one or two months to notice the change. Later on, you can limit to once in a month to maintain the health of your shiny hair.

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Natural Treatment for Chest Congestion

Chest congestion is very common problem in winter. Due to cold, mucus gets accumulated in the trachea and respiratory tract. If not treated on time, it may lead to an infection in respiratory tract. Presence of mucus makes people feel uncomfortable and tired due to short supply of oxygen. Tightened and heavy chest, sore throat, asthma, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, etc may also be felt. 

Here are some home remedies to get rid of chest congestion:

Ginger:  Anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of ginger help in fighting against chest congestion. Also, polyphenols present in ginger help in inhibiting the secretion of mucus. You can have ginger tea and other recipes with plentiful of ginger.

Ways to Eat Ginger

Gargle with salted water: Gargling with lukewarm water with a pinch of salt relieves from cough. It helps in removing mucus from the respiratory tract. It also reduces throat irritation.

Steam: Inhaling steam is very effective in removing mucus from the respiratory tract.  Steam helps in breaking mucus and let them drain out easily.

Turmeric: Turmeric contains curcumin, an active compound that helps in ejecting the mucus and gives quick relief from chest congestion. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory property and helps you deal with cough, pain, and chest congestion. You can add ½ tablespoon of turmeric powder with a glass of warm water. You can also use a pinch of turmeric powder in a glass of warm water to gargle.

Apple cidar vinegar: Apple cidar vinegar makes the mucus thin. Thin mucus comes out easily, thus relieving congestion and helping you breathe better. Mix 2 spoon of apple cidar vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water and drink the solution twice or thrice a day for one week. 

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What to Eat for Good Eye Sight

I am 26 years old and I am wearing specs for around 16 years. The power in both of my eyes started from -5.5. I reached -11 power in 2004 and -13 in 2008 power.  Then, I started thinking on how to reduce the power and get rid of specs. Though, I am not completely successful but I am satisfied with the result of my efforts to reduce power of my eyes.

I focused on a healthy diet. Now I am wearing specs with power -8. I am sure, many of you want to reduce or remove the specs but you are not sure of what to do.

Several vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy eyes. Key nutrients for healthy eyes include: Vitamin A, Carotenoids (Lycopene, Beta-carotene, etc),  Vitamin C, Zinc, Lutein and zeaxanthin, and vitamin E. So, you should include foods that are rich in these components.

Orange-colored fruits and vegetables: Orange-color fruits and vegetables contain Beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid. This is a pro-vitamin-A carotenoid because our body converts them to vitamin A during digestion. They help the retina, cornea, and membranes of the eye to function, thus promote eye health and protect vision. Carrot is very rich in Beta-carotene.

Sweet potatoes : It is important to mention that sweet potatoes have highest concentration of vitamin A. 1 medium sized baked sweet potato contains 561% of your daily requirement. It is very easy to include one baked sweet potato at least once in a week.

Red and pink fruits: Lycopene is also an important carotenoid for good vision. Tomoato, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and apricots are good source of lycopene.

Leafy greens: Leafy greens are rich source of lutins and zeaxanthin. They protect retina from the damage caused by the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and high-energy visible (HEV) light. Over exposure to UV and HEV rays may damage the retina and increase the risk of developing macular degeneration. Some studies also suggest lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of cataracts later in life. Spinach , broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and tomatoes are also rich in lutins and zeaxanthin.

Spinach is full of beta-carotene, vitamin C, anti-oxidants, zeaxanthin , and lutein, which makes it the queen of all super-foods for eyes.

Eggs: Egg is also a reliable source of lutein and zeaxanthin, and zinc. Zinc also helps reduce your macular degeneration risk.

Citrus fruits & Berries: Citrus fruits are powerhouse of vitamin-C. They are also known for reducing the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.

Almonds:  Almonds are rich in vitamin E and other healthy fats. Vitamin-E helps in maintaining good eyesight throughout life by reducing your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Other vitamin-E rich food sources are: Sunflower seeds, peanut butter, spinach, avocados, olive oil, and whole grains.

Fish: Fatty fish are rich in DHA, a fatty acid found in retina. Low level of DHA leads to dry eye syndrome. Plus you will get Omega Three Fatty Acid that will reduce the bad cholesterol from your blood.