Two Awesome Homemade Yogurt Face Mask for Beautiful and Glowing Skin

Yogurt face mask for Glowing Skin

Ingredient: 

Yogurt is super loaded with multi-vitamins and minerals nourish and revitalize faded skin. Yogurt is great ingredient for acne prone skin as it contains anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, as well as alpha hydroxyl acids that kill acne causing bacteria. There are lots of nutrients like Vitamin B2, B12, B5, Calcium, Lactic Acid and Zinc found in yogurt which very useful for skin.

Honey is rich in antioxidants which prevent free radical damage and reduces fine lines/wrinkles. It softens and moisturizes skin naturally.

Oatmeal is a great exfoliant that helps to nourish skin and removes excess dirt from deep within skin pores.

Directions to use the mask:

1tbsp Yogurt, 1tbsp Honey, 1tbsp Oatmeal, 

Combine all the 3 ingredients mentioned and mix them well. Apply a thick coat on your face. Let the mask rest on the face for 15 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water after 15 minutes. Make sure that the mask comes out well. Splash cold water on your face to close up your pores. If your face feels stiff then use a drop of olive oil on your face as a moisturizer.

Yogurt face mask for Bright Skin

Ingredient: 

Yogurt is super loaded with multi-vitamins and minerals nourish and revitalize faded skin. Yogurt is great ingredient for acne prone skin as it contains anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, as well as alpha hydroxyl acids that kill acne causing bacteria. There are lots of nutrients like Vitamin B2, B12, B5, Calcium, Lactic Acid and Zinc found in yogurt which very useful for skin.

Strawberry is rich in vitamin C. Strawberries are also rich in both Salicylic acid and Alpha hydroxyl acid which provide skin lighting and brightening benefits.

Honey is rich in antioxidants which prevent free radical damage and reduces fine lines/wrinkles. It softens and moisturizes skin naturally.

Directions to use the mask:

1tbsp Yogurt, 

1tbsp Honey, 

2 fully ripe strawberries, 

Mash two ripe strawberries with the help of fork and add 1tbsp of yogurt and 1tbsp of Honey. Mix them well and make a smooth mask. Apply the mask on your clean face in circular motion. Let the mask sit for 15 minutes and dry. After 15 minutes rinse off the mask gently with warm water.Splash cold water on your face in order to close the open pores. 

Get Well Honey!!!

Raw honey is more than just a natural sweetener. It has many medicinal properties. It helps fight many diseases. Here are few of them:

ASTHMA

Mix half a gram black pepper powder with honey and ginger juice. Take this mixture at least thrice a day to reduce asthma attack.

Ingredient: Honey, black pepper and ginger juice.

Weight Loss

If you have honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water daily in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, you will lose weight.

Ingredient: Honey and Cinnamon powder.

Heart Tonic

One teaspoon of anise powder mixed with an equal amount of honey is a tonic for the heart. It strengthens the heart muscles and improves its functions.

Ingredient: Honey and Anise powder.

Blood Pressure

Take one teaspoon of garlic juice mixed with two teaspoons of honey. This can be had twice a day in the morning and evening. Regular use of this mixture is beneficial for high blood pressure.

Ingredient: Honey and Garlic juice.

Eyesight

Regular use of honey mixed with carrot juice helps improve eyesight. It should be taken one hour before meals in the morning.

Ingredient: Honey and Carrot juice.

Gas

If honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas in no time.

Ingredient: Honey and Cinnamon powder.

Blood Purification

Take one glass of warm water and stir two tablespoons of honey and one lemon juice. Take this preparation daily before evacuation. It helps purify the blood and reduce fat.

Ingredient: Honey, Warm water and lemon juice.

Allergy Protection

Honey has been used as an alternative and natural allergy treatment for many years, with many sufferers swearing by its anti allergenic properties. One study found that the use of honey resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in symptoms for birch pollen allergy.

Ingredient: Honey.

Soothes cough and cold

Perhaps among the most enjoyed health benefits of honey, the super food can be used to soothe cough and cold. A mixture of fresh lemon juice and raw honey provides relief to sore throat and helps stops the tickle that stimulates coughing. Raw honey kills bacteria and viruses.

Ingredient: Honey and fresh lemon juice.

Honey for School going Kids

If your kids are finding it hard to cope with the physical strain from the buzzing activities at school, prepare them some sandwiches with honey, butter and chicken slices to make sure they have enough energy to sustain through the day.

7 Dangerous acts after a meal

1. Stop Smoking or Do not Smoke after meal - Experiments from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes. Chances of cancer is higher.

2. Do not eat fruits immediately after meal - Eating fruits immediately after meals will cause bloated stomach. One can eat fruits one-two hours after meal or an hour before meal.

3.  Do not drink tea after - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hundred thus difficult to digest.

4.  Do not loose your belt after meal -  Loosening the belt after meal will easily cause the intestine to be
twisted and blocked.

5. Do not bathe after meal - Bathing after meal will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs and body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease, this will weaken the digestive system.

6. Do not go for a walk after meal - People always say that it is good to take a walk after a meal. People believe that taking a short walk after meal makes your stomach feel lighter. But the fact is that walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

7. Do not sleep immediately after meal - Lying down or sleeping immediately after having meal can cause gastric and infection in our intestine and the food  will not be digest properly. 

Get Rid of Tan Naturally!

Curd and Turmeric

One of the best natural remedy to remove tan is to use curd and turmeric face pack. Curd is acidic in nature that helps remove tan and turmeric helps you to get a glow on your face. Method: Take some chilled yogurt and a pinch of turmeric and mix them well in a bowl. Apply this mixture on your face, neck and other tanned area.  Leave it to dry for about 30 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

Potato

Potato is just not a treat for your taste bud but can also works wonders on your skin. Raw Potato juice is again a best natural way of getting rid of tanned skin. One can apply the potato juice on the tanned skin to make it lighter.  Another way, mix 1 tablespoon of lime juice and potato juice, apply it on the affected area and leave it for 10-15 minutes (depending upon your skin type). You can apply this mixture daily for a few days to get back your natural shade.

Please note that people with sensitivity may reduce the quantity of lime juice as it may irritate your skin.

Lime Juice

Lime juice is the most tried and tested ingredient that helps removing tan to a great extent. The citric acid in the lime juice breaks the dead cells down, thus removing the tan as well. Take a lime slice and rub it for two minutes on the area that has tanned. Leave it on for ten minutes. And then take a shower the way you normally do. Though this will help you feel fresh but you need to very careful while applying it as your skin may start itching. Please wash it off immediately if you feel some irritation on your skin. Sensitive skin may not bear the effects of the acid in it. 

Sugar, Lime and Glycerine

Mix ½ cup of sugar with few drops of glycerine. Add ¼ cup of Lime juice in it. Use this scrub on the tanned area; gently scrub your face with the tips of your finger. Sugar will scrub your skin, glycerine will make it soft and lime will lighten the tan.

5 Things Parents Should Not Say To Their Kids!

Words hurt and they cannot be taken back, so be careful while communicating with anyone especially to your kids. How parents communicate with their kids directly impact the parents-child relationship in long term. We all are humans and sometime times we don’t give ourselves a pause and think that what we are communicating? Simple statements that parents make, usually in a moment of frustration with their kids can cause damage later on.

It’s no secret that parents should pay attention to how they communicate with their children, however check out these five things parents should not say to kids. These points may also help parents to turn a moment of frustration into positive life lesson.

         

“I don’t care”

Kids are innocent; they love to share details and want to ask too many questions. Their topics can be funny and genuine at times. Just be aware of saying “I don’t care” because you might be cutting off the communication with your kid and indirectly telling them that something that is important for them is not so important to you. Most parents face difficult time when their children reach the adolescent age. Parents complain that their teens don’t communicate with them. Now this is the time when a question should be asked to the parents that how has the parent-child communication been nurtured throughout the child’s life? There’s an unspoken trust that occurs when communication is nurtured. Parents should be able to communicate to their kids that they are free to discuss if they have any issue. Don’t let the day end without addressing your kid’s need to share with you.

“Act your age”

Sometimes you may have noticed that your seven years old daughter or son acts like three years old kid and you tell her/him to “act your age” or “behave according to your age”. Growing children are full of activities; sometimes they act childish and sometimes matured as if they have really grown up.  According to experts - this common reaction is less about child’s behaviour and more about parents trying to manage their own frustration. Because most of the time when you are in happy mood, it is less likely that you will scold your child or get irritated with his childish behaviour. But if, you are in a bad mood then you may land up some part of anger on your kids saying something to them without realising what it would impact on them. Kids may think that parents are criticizing them at a time when they are in a playful mood. For Parents – When you are in a bad mood, just take a pause and come up with an effective response instead of a reaction. 

“Say you’re Sorry”

Forcing a child to apologize dose not teach a child social skills. Young children do not automatically understand as to why they have to apologize. If you force your kids to say that they are sorry it might delay the child’s natural acceptance of apologizing. For example: A pre-schooler takes a toy from another child and makes him/her cry. Your instant reaction will be to tell your kid to say sorry for his /her act. Here, you are trying to teach your kid to be compassionate, which is a laudable goal. But you should not force your child to say sorry. One can try this: Apologize to the child for your kid as a way to model the behaviour or the method you are trying to encourage. And also, make sure that you are in a situation where an apology is warranted, you deliver it just as easily.

“Don’t you get it”

You have taught your kid to do a job five times or how to add or subtract. But when your kid shows you that it’s still not clicking for him/her, you hastily ask, “Don’t you get it?” This sentence of you can be degrading. A child always desperately wants to do it in order to please his parents. Implicit is a “don’t you get it’ comment are the judgements of “why don’t you get it?” or “what’s wrong with you for not getting it?” While parents may not mean to send those messages, that is the message the child receives.” One can try this: If you are stuck on how to teach your kid something, step away. Take a break. And then return to the “lesson” when you are ready try again, perhaps after researching some alternative ways or approach to teach whatever you child is trying to learn.

“I am going to leave without you”

When your kid refuses to leave the park or a toy store, so you issue an ultimatum which surely freaks your child out: “I am going to leave without you!” For young kids, fear of parental abandonment is very real. But what happens when this threat also doesn’t work? The biggest problem is that we want our kids to believe what we say. If you want your kids to believe you, you should not say something which is patently false. If you threat your kids just to scare them off the child quickly learns that mom or dad makes empty threats. One can try this: Don’t tell your kid that you are going to leave without them. Instead plan ahead because you have seen your child behave in the same manner earlier also. You know what will trigger a tantrum. It’s okay to identify unacceptable behaviour. You can tell them it’s not acceptable but you have to motivate them with a consequence that you can carry out.

The bottom line is be passionate with your kids. Be real and say what’s on your mind passionately.

Benefits of Holy Tulsi ( Basil)

Holy Tulsi is the important symbol in Hindu religious tradition. Hindus believe that it is auspicious to plant Tulsi in their courtyard and worship it in the morning and evening. This sweet scented woody herb is known for its both religious and medical significance. Tulsi leaves are used as natural herbal remedy to cure lot of common ailments.

Here are some medicinal uses of Tulsi:

Healing Power: Tulsi has some amazing healing power.  It promotes the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. Tulsi leaves are known as nerve tonic, as when consumed it soothes our nerves. It also sharpens the memory, keeping one fresh psychologically and helps in stimulated thought process.

Some diseases are caused due to hereditary reason. The hormones play an important role and it is difficult to deal with it. This hormonal imbalance can be corrected to some extent by using Tulsi.

Fever and Common Cold: Tulsi can help in curing fever and common cold, as tulsi leaves acts as preventive against these diseases. In case of acute fever, boil few tulsi leaves with powered cardamom in water. Add sugar and milk to it. Drinking this milk will bring down the temperature.

The juice of tulsi leaves can also help in controlling the fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water can be consumed in every 2-3 hours. In between one can sip some water also. It is very effective in bringing down the temperature, especially in case of children.

Cough: Tulsi is a very important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups, as it helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis.  Simply, chewing tulsi leaves can relieve cold and subside flu.

Sore Throat: Water boiled with Tulsi leaves in it can be consumed as a drink if you have a sore throat. This water can also be used for gargles, it gives immediate relief.

Respiratory Disease:  Recent studies have shown that Tulsi is most effective in upper respiratory tract infection.

-          A decoction of the leaves with honey and ginger can be an effective natural remedy for asthma, bronchitis, cold and cough.

-          A decoction of the leaves with few cloves and common salt can also be given for immediate relief in case of influenza.

***They should be boiled in water till only half the water is left.

Kidney Stone: In case of renal stone, the juice of tulsi leaves mixed with honey (or with Aloe Vera juice) should be taken regularly for six months. It will expel the stone via urinary tract. Tulsi leaves have a significant contribution in strengthening the kidneys. 

Heart Disease: Tulsi is very useful for the people suffering from cardiac disease or high blood pressure. For making syrup: You can take 10 grams of tulsi, boil it in 160 ml of water until this volume reduces to 20 ml. Tulsi leaves also helps in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol level, very helpful for diabetic people. In order to prevent the escape of volatile oil, tulsi leaves can be used without boiling.

Stress: Tulsi or Basil leaves are also known as anti-stress agent, as tulsi leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even a healthy person can chew 10-12 leaves of tulsi leaves in a day. It also purifies blood.

Mouth Infection: Mouth infections and ulcers can be cured by chewing few leaves of tulsi leaves. These leaves are very effective.

Insect Bites: This herb is very useful and curative for insect bite or stings. Methods:  (1) Fresh juice of tulsi leaves can be applied on the affected parts. (2) A teaspoonful of fresh tulsi leaves juice should be taken and can be repeated after few hours. (3) Paste of fresh roots applied on affected parts is also effective.

Skin Disorder:  Tulsi juice is beneficial in the treating skin related disease such as ringworm, leucoderma and other skin diseases.

Teeth Disorder: This herb is great when used for dental care. It is useful for maintain dental health, for massaging gums and counteracting for bad breath. Tulsi is also very good for treating pyorrhea. Method: Tulsi leaves when dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. Dried and powdered tulsi leaves can also be mixed with mustered oil and this paste can be used as toothpaste.

Headaches: Pounded tulsi leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can be applied on the forehead for getting relief from headache. It also provides coolness in general.

Gastrointestinal Disease: Tulsi is always acclaimed for its digestive properties. For a person who suffers from abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite, Tulsi and ginger juice can be taken mixed with black pepper.

Life Longevity: Anti-oxidant properties in tulsi help to prolong the life. It fights against and saves the body from external forces. One should take regular intake of tulsi to build up the immunity power in the body and control the disease incidence.

Disclaimer: These are only general guidelines and views expressed as a first aid. It is always better to see a doctor or a physician depending upon the case.

7 Myths about drinking water - busted!

Myth # 1: Drinking water between meals is bad for digestion.

This is one line which we keep on hearing from everyone, also passed down from generation to generation. However, there is no scientific proof to indicate that it will affect the digestive process. Probably it will just fill up your stomach and reduce your appetite for lunch or dinner. But besides that everyone should go ahead and enjoy a glass of water with every meal.


Myth # 2: Drinking 8 glasses of water in a day is good for health.

Drinking 8 glasses of water in a day is the most popular myth these days. Scientists say that there is no clear correlation between good health and sipping water all the day. Doctors also recommend drinking water when one feels thirsty. One should drink more water in summers because we all tend to sweat more in hot and humid weather. Common sense should prevail.

Myth # 3: Drink water, and you can never have too much of a good thing!

Recent studies says that drinking too much of water can in fact be harmful. Excessive water is dangerous in a way that it can lower the salt concentration in the body. Drinking more water than required can cause water intoxication, where dilution of blood sodium takes place because our kidneys are over worked. And unable to excrete the excess water as urine.

Myth # 4: Water cleans out the body's toxins.

Common myth says that drinking a lot of water will clear out toxins from our body, which is absolutely wrong! The truth is that the toxins in our body are filtered out by kidneys. Drinking more water than required will actually reduce the kidney's ability to function as a filter.

Myth # 5: Drink water for healthy skin.

It is a popular belief  that since our body's composition is 60%  water, drinking more water will give you a glowing skin. However, there is little evidence to support this saying.  Water does help keeping skin hydrated but healthy and glowing skin is result of many things which includes good diet, weather, pollution and genetic factors.

Myth # 6: Drinking water can help in weight loss.

I have heard many people saying that "drink more water and you'll shed those extra pounds like magic". This is not true, as we have already discussed earlier that drinking more water will at most fill in your stomach and reduce your food intake. But water is far from a miracle drug to lose weight.

Myth # 7: Drink as much water as you can during a workout.

It is commonly believed that during workouts there are more chances of dehydration, so common myth says that you need to drink more water during exercise. But dehydration sets in only when you lose 2% of body weight. Now you can calculate yourself and will know it is unlikely a normal workout requires increased water intake. Instead, ensure that you are well hydrated during the workouts and throughout the day, without over doing it. Drink water if you feel thirsty during workouts.