Health Tips

Weight Loss Tips

Watch your diet carefully and eliminate all the empty calories from your diet, as the foods that provide empty calories are very low in other essential nutrients required for good health.
Focus on lean fibrous carbohydrates from fresh fruits and vegetables, whole cereals, grains and its products, whole pulses, sprouts, beans and legumes. These foods are not only rich in many vital nutrients but are also low in total fat.
Avoid the consumption of refined carbohydrates and simple sugars altogether as this is one of the major reasons for weight gain around the tummy.
Avoid fried foods, fatty foods, junk foods, processed foods, canned foods, refined foods, sweets, chocolates, and bakery foods like cakes, pastries, cookies; sweetened artificial drinks and juices, carbonated beverages, sodas and colas.
Include lean good quality protein in your diet in the form of lean cuts of poultry, lean meat, egg whites, fish and fat free or low fat dairy products. However avoid the consumption of organ meats, shell fish and egg yolks as they are high in cholesterol and saturated fats.
Your cooking method is very important. Use a non stick pan preferably to cook your vegetables and poultry. For instance fish is a very healthy food and has natural healthy fatty acids – omega 3 fatty acids. But if you fry the fish remember the frying destroys all the healthy fatty acids and other nutrients. So instead use other healthy methods like baking, steaming, boiling or grilling instead of deep frying or shallow frying with lots of oil.
Besides these dietary changes, exercise is equally important to lose weight. Focus on strengthening exercises especially for your midsection like pelvic tilts, crunches and scissor kicks.

Tips to Reduce Tummy

Dont eat junk food. Drink a LOT of water - helps to flush the system.
Eat small meals every few hours thoughout the day - dont skip meals. Slows your metabolism.
Short of surgery, there is no simple process to quickly remove the fat. Reducing it requires time, patience and work.
When you exercise, make sure your movements are smooth and controlled.
Do your best to not arch your back during your abdominal workout. Arching your back can strain the muscles in your lower back and increase the length of time it will take to lose the fat.
Do some crunches when you would normally be lying around and doing something passive (like watching television or listening to music). Crunches are one of the best exercises you can do to work your abdominal muscle area.
Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet. All of the exercise in the world won't do you any good if you aren't eating healthy as well. Healthy foods have fewer calories and are easier for your body to digest.
Stay away from saturated fats and foods containing high fructose corn syrup. Saturated fat and high fructose corn syrup are two of the leading reasons why people have problems with belly fat in the first place.
Maintain proper posture. By sitting up straight you will be able to reduce the appearance of your stomach fat. Proper posture will also help you when you work out and you'll find that you have less muscle aches!

Exercise

Lye down on a flat surface and lift both your legs and start doing cycling upwards. You will get little pain in your thighs and this exercise helps you to reduce your tummy fat as well as thighs.
Lye down on the floor near your cot and put both the legs on the cot and lift your head up and touch your knees with your forehead. The hands should be left free without holding anything. This is one of the fastest method to reduce the tummy fat.

Tips to Cure Scars

Soak 4 almonds overnight, peel the skin and grind it to a paste. Mix rose water with it and apply it on the face to clear pimple scars. Almonds can be taken internally as it is rich in vitamin E and nourishes our skin from within.
Apply olive oil regularly on the face and massage lightly. The scars will fade off in course of time.
Mix radish juice with a little gram flour and buttermilk and apply to the face .Wash it off after 20 minutes to clear scars left by pimples. Do it regularly.
Dab honey on the spot and cover it with a bandage to get rid of blemish overnight.
Drink carrot juice regularly with honey for a month to clear marks, scars and blemishes.
Tomato pulp can be applied everyday on the face and washed off after half an hour to get rid of scars from pimples.
Apply a face pack of 1/2 tsp of orange peel powder, 1/2 tsp of fuller's earth and 1/4 tsp of mint powder (or grinded paste of 5-6 fresh mint leaves) once or twice a week to get rid of scars naturally. Keep the pack for 15-20 minutes and wash it off.
Raw potato juice applied daily cures skin blemishes. Raw Potato juice can also be mixed with fuller's earth (multani mitti ) and applied to get rid of scars and blemishes naturally.
Mix Dried orange peel powder with curd and use it as a face pack to clear blemishes and scars naturally.
You can use Aloe Vera based cream or fresh Aloe Vera gel to get rid of pores due to pimple.

Tips to Cure Prickly Heat

Mix pure sandalwood paste with milk and apply .
Apply water of edible palm fruit (nongu ) to cure prickly heat.
Natural yogurt can be applied to cure prickly heat
Peel the skin of edible palm fruit and grind it to a paste and apply it. It is an effective home remedy for prickly heat.

Tips for Sunburn

Apply honey or Aloe Vera gel.
Natural Yogurt can be applied to cure sunburn.

Remedy for Blackheads

Grind ripe papaya until creamy. Mix it with 1/4 tsp of gram flour or besan and apply to the face leaving the area around the eyes. Wash it off with cool water after 15 minutes .

Tips to cure Body Odor

Mix juice of one lemon in a bucket of water and bathe in that water.
Wear cotton clothes as they absorb perspiration better.
Keep your underarms free of hair, as hair collects perspiration and might cause offensive odor.

Remove Unwanted Facial Hairs

Mix gram pulse flour (besan), wheat flour, milk cream, a few drops of lemon juice, mustard oil and water together and rub it in circular movements and wash it off. Do it regularly. Start this treatment from an early age as hair is soft and fine at that time.
Mix sugar, water and lemon juice to a thick paste. Apply it and wash it off when it dries. Do this once a week to prevent hair growth.

Tips to cure stretch marks

Have a good nutritious diet .
Apply vitamin E oil or Aloe Vera gel to cure stretch marks. This is a good natural remedy for stretch marks.
Apply cocoa butter to cure stretch marks.
Massage with sesame seed oil or olive oil regularly. This helps to fade off stretch marks.
Do regular exercise to tone your muscles.

Remove Tan and Increase Complexion

To remove tan, mix rice flour with curd and apply it on the face. Massage gently using circular movements and wash it off after 5 minutes.
Mix a tsp of curd, fresh lemon juice and honey and apply it on the face. It lightens skin color.
Lettuce juice can be used in packs to remove tan.
Apply raw potato juice to remove tan. It can also be mixed with a little lemon juice as lemon has natural bleaching properties.
Mix cucumber paste with lemon juice and fuller's earth and apply it for 15 minutes and then wash it off. It is an excellent anti-tan pack.
Mix chick pea powder in a little water and apply to the face. Remain for 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water. This improves complexion or lightens your skin tone.
Mix tomato juice with a little curd and apply. Wash it off after 20 minutes.
Honey mixed with a little lemon juice is an excellent natural bleach.
Dry lemon peels and powder it. It can be used in face mask to get rid of tan. It is a natural bleach.
Grind raw potato, mix pure sandalwood powder, gram flour and a little lemon juice to the pulp. Apply it to the neck and wash it off after 5-10 minutes. Do this regularly to remove darkness of the skin.
Mix tomato juice with a little semolina and use it as a scrub. Do this regularly for a bright face. Do not use scrub on pimples.
Green gram flour mixed with milk makes a good natural scrub.

Tips for Wrinkles

Massage the skin with olive oil or pure coconut oil regularly to prevent wrinkles. Do not use soap that day, instead use gram pulse flour.
Massaging pure sesame seed oil mixed with equal quantities of almond oil also prevents wrinkles.
Apply egg white to the wrinkled skin and wash it off after it dries with warm water. For fine lines under the eye, this home remedy is very effective. Within a few days you will find the lines reducing.
Mix egg white, rose water and glycerin and use it as a face pack once or twice a week .
Mix egg white, a little cucumber juice and half a tsp of lemon juice and apply it on your face. Wash it off after 15 minutes. This is an excellent natural anti wrinkles pack .Use once or twice a week.
Apply milk cream mixed with little lime juice. Do this for a month daily and you will notice changes in your skin. Dry skin are more prone to wrinkles, so keep your skin moisturized and hydrated.
Take half a tsp of ginger paste in the morning with honey as it is an effective natural remedy for wrinkles.
Another method to include ginger :Wash ginger well, wipe it dry, peel the skin and cut it into round slices. After that, soak it in honey and bottle it. Take 2 pieces daily in the morning to have a youthful look. Make this preparation every week as it tends to get spoiled soon.
Stick to natural or home made products as the chemicals does more damage to the skin. Use mild products.
Protect your skin from excessive exposure to the sun as it causes wrinkles. Avoid going out from 12 a.m. to 3 p.m. Protect yourself by wearing sunglasses and wide brimmed hat if you have to go.
Mash banana until creamy. Apply this mask and wash it off after 15 minutes to prevent wrinkles.
Massaging face with apricot kernel oil moisturizes the skin and slows down the aging process.
Rub the core of pineapple on the face .Wash it off after 10 minutes. This home remedy for wrinkles works well.
Include green tea, almonds, olive oil, fenugreek in your diet as they are rich in antioxidants and slows down the aging process.
Utter the words 'E' (smile widely) and 'O' (pretend to whistle) to prevent wrinkles. Do this 15 to 20 times two or three times a day.
Exercise regularly to improve blood circulation and take a healthy diet as what you eat reflects on your skin. Take care of your skin the natural way.

Tips for Happy and Stress Free Life

Stress has become the cause of many illness in modern times. Both physical health and mental health are interconnected .So to remain healthy, one has to be both physically and mentally fit. Happiness is an outstanding characteristics of mental well being. Here are a few tips to remain happy and stress free .

Take a nutritious diet which is very important for both physical and mental health. Include lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, pulses, sprouts in your diet. Go for organic ones.
Take up a hobby (anything you like) besides your profession. It is a great way to relax and be happy. It relieves you of stress. Gardening is a wonderful hobby to be close with nature.
Go for an early morning walk and enjoy the fresh air, the birds chirping, the greenery, the beautiful sunrise... It is a sure way to de-stress yourself .You will forget yourself in nature's wonders.
Listen to any music of your choice. It is a great way of relaxing.
Practice deep abdominal breathing as it reduces stress .When you inhale your stomach should bulge out, when you exhale it should go in. You can practice for a few minutes daily .
Yoga: Savasana or the corpse pose relaxes the body thoroughly. You can practice for 15 minutes daily.
Meditation: Practice meditation .You can learn from a person who is experienced in it. It is a surest way to reduce stress.
Go for a vacation: Take an occasional break from the routine and enjoy a lovely holiday.
Massage is a great way to de-stress yourself. Have a massage with essential oil or a warm scented bath.
Sleep is very essential for the body as it is rejuvenating and helps us to relax.
Laughter is the best medicine. Watch a humorous movie which is a wonderful way to relax.
Don't bottle up your emotions, share it with a trusted friend or write it in a piece of paper and tear it.
Plan your day well and practice time management techniques.
Always remember it is easy to change ourselves rather than trying to change someone else.
Be optimistic as it helps to lower stress.
Learn to accept realities.
Love yourself the way you are and be happy.

Hair Care

Have a good diet which should include lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits and sprouts.
Avoid shampoos as far as possible. Instead use sikkakai or besan or paste of fenugreek seeds, it will clean and soften the hair. If that is not possible, then go for herbal shampoos.
Henna or mehandi is a best way to keep a cool head. It conditions the hair, promotes growth, protects our hair from the harmful effects of the sun and also gives a glossy tint. However persons with sinus problems should avoid this.
Use wide toothed comb to remove tangles and do not comb wet hair. Avoid using hair dryer to dry your hair. Do not tie your hair tightly. Always use coated rubber bands or soft hair tie.
Brush your hair daily using a brush with rounded tip bristles to improve blood circulation.
Apply paste of gooseberry powder to prevent hair graying and falling. You can add gooseberry powder to henna paste also. Include amla or gooseberry in your diet as it is a rich source of vitamin C.
Apply coconut oil mixed with fresh lemon juice to cure dandruff. This is an excellent home remedy for dandruff. Avoid creamy conditioners when you are having dandruff problem.
Soak 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. In the morning, grind it and apply the paste on the scalp and wash it off after half an hour to get rid of dandruff. This natural remedy for dandruff is very effective. This natural remedy also stops hair fall.
Heat coconut oil, switch off the gas when heated, then add neem flowers to it. Close it and keep it aside. When cooled, filter it and use that oil regularly to prevent dandruff.
Grind white pepper with milk, warm it and apply it on the scalp, then wash it off after 15 minutes to cure dandruff. Do this once in a week.
Apply 2 tbsp of vinegar (diluted in a little water) to the scalp and massage gently and wash your hair after 15-20 minutes. This natural remedy also cures dandruff.
Mix a little sour curd, fresh lemon juice and an egg and apply it to the scalp. Wash it off after 20 minutes. This home remedy helps to get rid of dandruff. Do it once in a week.
Fenugreek tea is not only good for the health but also nourishes and promotes hair growth if taken regularly.
Cover your hair with a scarf or shawl during travel to prevent tangles and to protect your hair from dust.
Home remedy for frizzy hair: Massage warm castor oil + almond oil into your scalp gently. Wrap a hot towel (dip towel in hot water (bearable) and squeeze the excess water) around your scalp so that the oil gets absorbed into the hair. Do this once a week for healthy, lustrous hair. It also controls frizz.
Avoid chemical treatment on your hair. Hibiscus flowers and leaves are good conditioners for the hair. You can grind 2-3 leaves or flowers and use its juice along with your herbal shampoo.
Always dilute shampoo in a little water and use it. Do not use it directly. Wet your hair first and then apply this diluted shampoo.
Amla Oil nourishes and promotes hair growth. It also prevents hair fall. For homemade amla oil recipe, refer natural hair coloring.
Mayonnaise is an excellent conditioner for dry hair. Massage your scalp with mayonnaise and leave it for half an hour. Then shampoo as usual. Always rinse your hair well so that no traces of shampoo is left behind.
Apply a few drops of olive oil to get rid of frizz.
Massage your scalp with olive oil using your finger tips. Remain for half an hour and wash hair well.This natural remedy is an excellent conditioning treatment. Do this once in a week for healthy hair. It also controls frizz.
Vinegar is a great conditioner and can give shine to your hair. Mix 1 tbsp of vinegar to a mug of water and use it to your last rinse. It also controls frizz in dry hair.
Dilute 3 tbsp of beer in a mug of water and use it for the final rinse to give your hair a healthy shine.
Boil soap nut skin in water, cool it and use that water for the last rinse for silky hair.
Conditioner for dry hair: Beat an egg well and add 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and 1/2 tsp of vinegar to it. Mix well and apply it to your scalp and remain for half an hour. Then wash well with a mild shampoo.
Home remedy to get rid of lice and nits:
Mix vinegar with a little water and apply to the scalp. Leave it for 20-30 minutes. Then remove the lice using lice comb and the nits by hand. Then wash your hair well. Vinegar help to loosen the nits and they can be removed easily. Do this for a few days to get rid of lice and nits. Keep your pillow covers, towels and combs clean by washing them in hot water. Then soak them for 5 minutes in warm water to which a few drops of antiseptic solution is added and dry them.
Do not share combs, hats, scarf or anything used for hair with anybody.
Powder Custard apple seeds. Mix it with a little water and apply it to the scalp. Wash it off after 20 minutes with a herbal shampoo. This home remedy for head lice is very effective.
Apply olive oil lavishly on the hair. Remain for an hour. Then comb the hair using the lice comb to remove lice and nits. This is an effective home remedy for head lice. Then wash hair well with a mild shampoo.
Drink 8-9 glasses of water daily.
Squeeze juice of 1 lemon in a mug of water and use it for the final rinse for oily hair.
Apply Egg white on the scalp and wash it off after 15-20 minutes. This home remedy stops hair fall and also nourishes the hair.
Take food rich in protein, essential fatty acids, carotenes, iron, silica, zinc, Vitamins E , C,Vitamin B (especially biotin) to have a healthy head of hair.
Exercise for 5 days a week as it improves blood circulation to your scalp.
Lastly maintain a healthy life style as the health of your hair is related to your lifestyle. You can also refer Home remedies to check hair fall.

Natural Beauty Tips

Massaging face with apricot kernel oil moisturizes the skin and slows down the aging process.
Mashed apricot applied on the face brightens the skin.
Mash banana well and apply to the face. Rinse off after 15 minutes. It is an anti-wrinkle pack.
Mash banana until creamy, mix 3-4 drops of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of honey and apply to the face.
Dark circles around the eyes can be reduced by applying raw potato juice.
It is also an excellent toner. Apply potato juice on the skin, leave it and wash it off after it dries.
Mix potato juice, lemon juice, oatmeal and fuller's earth and apply it on the face. It is an excellent cleansing mask. It also tightens the skin and reduces pores.
Oatmeal is an excellent cleanser. It removes the dirt and softens the skin. Mix it with raw milk and a few drops of honey and use it as a pack.
Mix oatmeal with a little curd, honey, egg white and almond paste to prevent wrinkles.
Honey is a wonderful moisturizer and is especially great for dry skin.
Mix honey with raw milk and apply it to the face and wash it off after it dries.
Mix honey with lemon juice and apply it to the face to lighten the skin color.
For oily skin, mix a tsp of honey with an egg white and apply on the face and neck, wash it off after 10 minutes
Lemon is a natural bleach. Mix 1 tsp of curd with a few drops of lemon juice and apply it to the face to lighten and bleach skin.
Sugar can be used as a scrub. While washing face add sugar and a little lemon juice to the soap lather and scrub your face.
Add 2 tbsp of salt to a tub of water and bathe in that water to remain fresh. It soothes tired muscles.
Fuller's earth (Multani metti) removes dirt and cleans the skin. Mixed with red sandalwood paste, rose water and a few drops of lemon juice, it makes an excellent pack for acne prone skin . If you have difficulty in getting red sandalwood paste, use the ordinary pure sandalwood paste.
Multani metti with rose water can be used for oily skin to remove excess oil.
Cucumber is a natural toner that lightens the skin. Cucumber juice is used as an astringent to cleanse the skin.
Graded cucumber applied over the face and neck prevents pimples, blackheads and dryness. It has cooling properties.
Mix cucumber paste with Multani metti and lemon juice and apply to the skin. It is a wonderful soother, lightens freckles and an excellent anti-tan pack.
Almonds are rich source of vitamin E. Almond powder mixed with oatmeal and milk can be used to exfoliate dry dull skin.
For dark hands, mix almond powder, sugar, milk cream and lemon juice together and use as a scrub.
Soak 4 - 5 almonds overnight, in the morning peel the skin, and eat it for a glowing skin. You can have 5-6 almonds everyday.
Mash papaya and apply it to the skin regularly. It clears blemishes, scars, freckles and wrinkles.
For oily skin, mix few drops of lemon juice to papaya pulp and apply it. Rinse it off after 20 minutes.
Apply curd on the face and massage in upward direction. Dip a towel in hot water, squeeze it, and wipe your face. Then clean your face with cotton soaked in chilled rose water.

Remedy for Bad Breath

Chew fennel seeds, cardamom seeds or mint to get rid of bad breath.
Take 2 cloves after meals to freshen your breath.
Chewing tender guava leaves helps to get rid of bad breath.
Boil guava leaves in water for 10 minutes. After it cools, filter it and use that water as a mouthwash.
Chew Parsley leaves to get rid of bad breath. You can boil few sprigs of parsley and 2-3 cloves in 2 cups of water. After it cools, strain it and use it to gargle several times a day.
Gargle with salt (rock salt) water every night after meals.
Cleaning of tongue is also important for oral hygiene.
Use toothpaste containing fluoride.
Do not take very hot or very cold food.
Avoid smoking ,drinking alcohol and chewing tobacco.

Teeth Care

Brush twice a day both in the morning and before going to bed. Train children from childhood to do so. A soft angled brush with rounded bristles can be used.
Eat plenty of calcium rich food and protein as they are essential for healthy teeth.
Learn the proper way of brushing from your dentist. Special attention should be paid to the back teeth and gaps between the teeth. Floss regularly.
Change your toothbrush once in 2 months.
Massage your gums with your finger tip to improve blood circulation.
Avoid sugary foods and drinks to reduce your risk of tooth decay.

Hand Care

Keep your hands well moisturized. Apply a good hand lotion before going to bed.
Exfoliate your hands with a mixture of Bengal gram flour (besan), milk and fresh lemon juice regularly.

For soft hands:

Mix 1 tsp of Glycerin, half teaspoon of lemon juice and a little rose water and apply it two times a day.
Blend banana, add 1-2 tsp of honey to it and apply it the the hands .Wash it off after it dries.
Wash hands, pat dry and apply vinegar diluted in a little water and put on a pair of soft gloves. Wear gloves while washing dishes to protect your hands from the harsh chemicals.
Apply olive oil or sunflower oil .This is an effective home remedy for chapped hands.
Mix fresh cream with a tsp of sugar and a little lemon juice and massage your hands till the sugar granules dissolve for soft hands.
Apply coconut oil mixed with petroleum jelly for rough, chapped hands.

Cure Dark lips

Honey mixed with a little lemon juice helps to lighten dark lips.
Try changing your toothpaste brand as it may be allergic to you.
Mix 1/2 tsp Pomegranate juice with 1/2 tsp beetroot juice and apply regularly to cure dark lips.
Soak 2-3 almonds overnight. In the morning, peel its skin and grind it to smooth paste. Add a little fresh cream and 2-3 drops of lemon juice to it and apply it regularly to cure dark lips.

Chapped Lips

Apply butter (pure & unsalted) or almond oil or ghee and massage gently.
Massage with chilled milk cream and wash it off after 1 hour. This home remedy cures chapped lips.
Massage your lips with pure olive oil or coconut oil regularly to get soft lips.
Massage your lips with a little glycerin mixed with a little rose water for soft lips.
Grind rose petals to a smooth paste and mix it with fresh cream and apply. It cures dry or chapped lips
Apply honey and wash it off after 15 minutes to cure chapped lips
Try changing your lipstick brand. Use lipstick with a moisturizer to prevent dryness. Use good quality lipsticks. Always use trusted brands.

Reduce Weight

First of all we must be determined to remain slim and work towards it. Develop a mind set towards it.
Set realistic goals.
Make lifestyle changes like giving up alcohol, smoking, avoiding fatty food, refined food,...
Include fresh foods as far as possible as processed foods tend to contain high level of salt and sugar
Do not expect immediate results.
Never go for crash diets instead reduce weight gradually and slowly.
Never skip meals as you tend to eat more, the next meal. Do not skip breakfast in particular.
Include lot of fiber in your diet as it gives a feeling of fullness, thereby preventing you from gorging spicy and fatty food.
Nuts contain lot of fiber .They are satisfying and cause people to eat less at meal time.
Take warm lime juice mixed with honey the first thing in the morning.
Go for skimmed milk.
As far as possible avoid weight loss supplements.
When you have cravings for sweets, take a fruit instead.
When you have cravings for certain type of food like chocolates or ice cream, once in a while, you can take in small quantities .
Take fruits and vegetables which has lot of water content like watermelons, cucumbers and white pumpkin.
Keep yourself engaged as boredom leads to overeating.
Drink lot of water, at least 8 glasses per day.
Use the stairs instead of lift. Park the car a little far away and walk to your office. Use every opportunity to be physically active.
Walk, Walk and Walk as much as possible .Even if you are busy, go for walk at least 5 days a week.
Aerobic exercise like jogging, swimming, cycling, running accelerates weight loss. Consult a physician before starting any weight loss program. Aerobic exercise combined with healthy eating will certainly help in weight reduction.
Make your exercise session enjoyable.
Keep yourself free of stress
Finally, weight loss is a slow process, so do not get disappointed and give up.

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