5 things not worth Stressing Over! {Health}

PS: And, keeping in mind the extremely stressful bridal season, I have guest posted the top 10 tips for brides at zuri.in. So, do not forget to check that out :)

So, the last few days have been quite irritable for me taking into account that I have not been well lately and also because I ended up causing too much damage to our vehicle and regretting over it. And, that one incident itself resulted in almost a one and half day of non-productivity!! 

The worse is that when we are in creative jobs instead of the routine ones, a lot of our productivity depends on what kind of mood we are in, at least it does for me. Which is why I can write a lot of posts in one stretch and none in another!! Well, finally, since I got over my non-productive stretch, I am trying to do everything to not to run into that rut again!! And, that is why I have decided to post only thrice a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday so that I am not stressed about writing posts everyday!!

So, let us check out what are some of the things which are really not worth a dime to stress over! And, probably that will help you as well to deal with some of the everyday things in a positive way!!

Materialistic Things

Recently, I ended up banging my car. I have a history with electronic items, whether it is a mobile or laptop, nothing lasts with me for more than 6 months in perfect and pristine conditions. 

I have changed more than 4 laptops in last 3 years!! My present one does not have a battery, the speakers were damaged within a year of buying it, the control key came out within a month and, oh yes, the left hinge is broken!! 

Lately, something went wrong with my vaccum cleaner! And, the coolers I buy never seem to last. Somehow, my Sony Xperia is still managing well but it has suffered from some scratches :(

So, now, even if I go and buy something, I always let someone else choose the piece which I want to buy!! Absolutely essential for me if I want them to be in better condition. Anyways, jokes apart, if I started getting stressed about all these things, I would never get any work done. 

So, I would only say these things are really not worth stressing about. So, relax and enjoy. If your laptop has conked out, take a day off the internet and really enjoy your real world. Go and read a book. You would definitely love the change. 

Your Dreams

This is a personal observation. Yes, you should work your ass off for your dreams and aspirations but never lose sleep over it. Dreams and goals are supposed to make you feel good, not stressful. They are a place which makes you blissfully happy and ignites you with the passion of doing more. 

But, if they start stressing you, remember that probably you should ease off a bit and enjoy life more so that when your dream really comes true, you will not forget to be happy. Nothing is worth your happiness, not even your dreams. So, take a break. 

Learning Something New

Unless you are a student and have to clear an exam, learning should not be a difficult process. It should be fun. And, remember, that life itself is a learning platform so you are learning every single second. 

So, if you are really forcing yourself to do something, may be you do not have an aptitude for it or you might just not like it!! Worse still, it can be your choice of career as well. 

Just remember that make learning fun instead of stressing over it. You can find newer ways to accomplish the thing you are trying. For example, you really want to learn swimming but whenever it is time for classes, you find yourself making all the excuses, may be its just not worth it or just go with it and may be you will have fun at the end of it :)

Regret

Ok, so, this is one thing I would say NEVER to have. In fact, I have followed it up after learning something new (above point) just for a reason. Sometimes, it is difficult for us to learn things but if we leave them in mid way, we might end up regretting that why did I not finish *that thing*!! You really do not want that!! So, do whatever you really want to unless it comes to hurting people. Regret is one of the worse things in life.

Finances

So, this is the most tricky part. The more money we have, the more we covet. So, unless you are really below the poverty line and earning your wages on a daily basis and living a hand to mouth existence which obviously you are not, since you are lucky enough to surf the internet and read, there is really no need to stress about money. 

In fact, there is something in what Rhoda Byrnes says. The law of attraction. What we think becomes the reality of our lives! So, yes, if you think you are poor, you will get more poor but if you think you are comfortable enough, you would attract more money :) Positivity is extremely important. 

So, these are somethings for which being concerned or sad is actually very useless in life. Instead, direct that energy to being more positive and do something good instead. And, do not forget What You Think Will Happen So Always Think Good and Well. 

So, what do you think are the other useless things in life to worry about? 

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My Best Friend's Wedding! {Bridal Files}

So, my friend is getting married and soon. Well, I have given her many many advises, most of which she chooses to ignore. She is making a worse bride than me!! She is hardly going to the parlor coz she is acne-prone and says that facials do not suit her. 

Well, she never really had any till date! Only clean ups. Well, her buying spree is even worse because she is so besieged with indecision. And, thank god she does not know about the blog otherwise she would kill me :D Anyways, lets check out the tips I have given her. 

Buy only what YOU Like without looking too rude!!

There is no dearth of advises and pressures when one is getting married or engaged or literally any life event, especially if you live in India. And, then, there are so many expectations when it comes to being a bride - she should listen to what her elders say and not be rude or adamant on a decision and blah blah. 

Well, in my time, I had to buy one saree which I absolutely hate. It was over-priced and low on quality and I do not like that sort of sarees but unfortunately no one else listened to me. Anyways, that is an old story. But, it is actually quite sad that people want the bride to dress up as they wish not as she wishes. 

Do not forget the medicines kit

You would want to check on your period schedule and get your medicines in order. And, then, there are other emergency medicines which you should carry with you. Keep a first aid sort of a mini-kit in all of your bags - one which you take with you to the wedding venue, one which goes straight to your in-laws place and one with you for the honeymoon. 

For Acne-prone and Oily or Combination Skin

So, take cinnamon and nutmeg out of your kitchen shelf, grind them and take a bit of the powder. Mix it with water / green tea / tomato juice / ginger juice / potato juice and apply on entire face or acne spots and breakouts or blemishes. Let it dry and wash off. 

Also, another tip for oily or combination skin to fight the oil is to wash the face with salt water. Do try out this tip.

Think about Honeymoon and plan beforehand without getting stressed

The wedding is just 2 months away and they have not yet zeroed in on the place and looking at the super-expensive airfares and considering they are planning out of India trip, it is high time one should select and plan the trip unless you are taking some break before leaving for the honeymoon. Otherwise, you would end up getting stressed about planning for it and end up paying more because of delaying it for too long. 

Go and take care of your Skin

She has absolutely perfect hair but not-so-well-behaved skin so she should actually go to a doctor and get some advise. But, she simply refuses. I guess it would do good to find out treatments for acne-prone skin and give them a try way before the D-date so that you know if it helps the skin or not. So, you do not end up making the same mistake she is making, ok?

So, these were just some of the tips I shared with her. There were lot more but those were situational. So, I would discuss them later on. What advise would you give your best friend for her wedding and does she listen to you?

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5 tricks to sleep quickly and deeply {Five Series}

So, I have so much trouble sleeping sometimes that the regular tricks have stopped working. So, these are somethings which I have tried and not so much tried but some ideas which might really help with sleeping better. But, first let us review the regular tricks:

• Drinking a glass of warm milk induces sleep. 
• Lavender water or Essential Oil also helps relax and soothe mind and sleep.
• Reading a book. 
• Closing all electronic devices an hour before bed calms the mind down. 
• Dim the lights of the room and relax.
• Meditation, yoga and light exercises can also help.
• Regular exercises helps regulate the body mechanism. 
• Eating a light dinner two hours before bed helps too. 
• Avoid lot of fluids in the evenings. 

These are the regular tricks which help but now I have some more to add to. So, check them out :)

Chanting

Hinduism has so many chants and hymns and almost all children are supposed to learn some of them. Similarly, all other religions would have their own prayers. When you are ready to go to bed, lie down and chant or say those prayers. It really helps. I have been trying this since three four days and its been helping me more or less. 

Reading

Yes, I have mentioned it above. But, I have also noticed that an exciting book can in fact be a deterrent to proper sleep. So, the trick is to read really boring philosophical books or some thing which is interesting but doesn't keep you thinking what happens next. 

I am reading a book right now on thought processes and thinking mechanism of humans. Its damn interesting but I can sleep over it. Another trick which I am borrowing from Tine's blog is listening to audio books or reading really boring subjects. 

Well, listening to audio books is not high on my list coz having any electronic device at that times causes chaos in my mind. But, yes, reading a really boring book is an anti-dote. In fact, recently, I laid down my hand on a book which is very negative and pessimistic and trust me, I am hating it so much that I sleep :D

Lights OFF

Yes, I have mentioned it. But, don't underestimate the power of darkness to induce yourself to sleep. Sleeping with eye masks on is also a great idea as it forces you to close your eyes and drift gently. Well, I have not tried it yet so can't really say how much it works. But, yup, its a trick which I will try soon :) Btw, darkness thing works!!

Massage

Oh my gosh!!! This is so relaxing. Switch off the lights, take a bottle of oil or lotion and massage your legs or hands or whatever and you will feel sleepy. It really works like a charm. And, keeps the skin really soft and moisturized. So, added benefits :)

Candles

Ok, not candles exactly but a warm room really helps a person sleep. So, you might want to adjust the temperature of your room if you have a thermostat. But, I would say, instead, light a candle because it harmonizes a place. A tea light candle would also do.

So, these are my tricks which really help sleep. Btw, lavender thing doesn't really work for me. But, you can always give it a try!! So, what are your tricks to sleep easily???

5 Simple Diet Tips to keep my family Healthy which you can also follow {Health}

Lately, being the sole caretaker of the house and our meal plans, I have started drifting towards the easy and not-necessarily healthy meals. Breakfast is proving more difficult to plan in the long run. It looks like a mess menu with 7 days with different breakfasts repeated without break week after week which is really monotonous.

I have not yet been able to tackle this breakfast issue because of my laziness as well but some of the healthier things I have been able to incorporate in our routine has definitely improved our health overall. Unfortunately, hubs does not take eggs so the protein has to be made up from somewhere else which is as yet I am unsure of.

One Apple a Day keeps Cravings Away

One good thing hubs has is not munching and eating unnecessarily. He has a limited appetite when compared to my voracious one. And, he also has a very limited meal needs. I am the one who needs variety and I so wish there was someone at my beck and call.

Anyways, so to make our breakfasts more fulfilling and due to lack of time to include fruit in any other meal, we take one apple per day during the breakfast. As a rule, I would recommend the fruit at the end of the breakfast so as to help cleanse the teeth as well but eating fruits on empty stomach is also a good idea!!

photo credit: abbyladybug via photopin cc

Good Ol' Dalia or Oats

Did I tell you I suffer from borderline cholesterol? Yup and what else can come to my rescue but the oats. Yes, I love dalia as well. I did not use to like it much but over the years palates have changed. If you are taking oats, I would suggest you to go sugarless way but then considering even I do not find it palatable, a bit of sugar can do no harm. 

Lets go nutty

I love nuts - cashews or walnuts or almonds. I do go easy on the raisins and dates and pistas and all other dry fruits. But, I totally love pine nuts. We used to get loads of them in Simla from our friends (the fresh produce) but if you go to buy them in the market, you really do not find a fresh produce. 

Anyways, either chop your nuts and store them or powder and store them and sprinkle them on the oats, dalia, sweets, salads, smoothies, milk shakes and what not? Best way to get omegas and good fats. Not only that, I have a huge amount of flax seeds sitting at home. Eating them raw is manageable but I am sure most would hate it so roast them and powder them in small batches and finish within a week or 10 days. 

photo credit: cygnoir via photopin cc

Snacking 

As much as I love my gol gappas and aloo tikkis, they do not taste yummy unless you are in the right mood and then I am so lazy that getting ready to go out is a huge task. Instead, I can grab a sandwich or something else made at home. In fact, I have been gorging on roasted lotus seeds. I love them and I love chat masala so mix the two and a yummy and filling snack is ready. 

Similarly, I love bread and there is a host of dishes we can do with it. The simplest starts with assembling all the raw salad veggies in between bread slices and my favourite is to mix cheese and onion and salt and put the mix between the slices and toast it in sandwich maker. A few minutes and you get an absolutely lip-smacking dish ready. Well, that is only for cheese and onion lovers though!!

And, finally Tea, Herbal or Not!!

No, I am not much enamoured of the fact that I have become a tea-addict but sometimes when I have been in the mood I have noticed that drinking any herbal tea helps prevent cravings. Specially talking about ginger tea, it is absolutely amazing that how filling it feels after having it. 

Also, a good accompaniment to herbal teas are multi-grain biscuits. Now, it depends on whether you make at home or buy them in the market. I, for one, love the Mcvities brand of biscuits. 

These are a few healthy things which are there in my routine. Forget exercise, forget drinking water and forget proper sleep, none of them are really happening with me. So, if you are going through the same phase as I am, I would suggest t come up with short cut health tips which you can follow without disturbing your schedule too much. 

So, what are your regular health care tips? Those small things which you do in your entire day which does not feel really important but can do wonders in the longer run. A small routine change, a simple inclusion of a meal plan or a brisk walk of 10 minutes - what is your secret? 

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What I am doing for my Skin and Hair this Winter? {Skin Care}

Btw, did I share with you guys that I am in Delhi and the weather is decidedly chilly and dry and my skin is really not doing that well without a moisturiser. Not that Hyderabad is not equally dry, though. So, how are you thinking of taking care of your skin from the onset of winters. Have you prepared it for the change in weather?

So, once upon a time when I had written about winter skin care, I had mentioned that our skin care regime starts with having a bath in a day but now I would like to change it a bit. Our skin care regime starts with how we start the day and what we eat. As it is, we take less water in winters and if the body lacks good fats, skin does tend to get dry. 

Tip #1 - Water does not hydrate your skin!!

Okay, so a very common misconception is that if we drink 10-12 glasses of water, it should be enough to hydrate the skin from inside out. Well, that is not so! Water is necessary to maintain hydration levels but not enough. So, what out body needs is good fat and omega 3 and vitamin E for keeping soft and supple. 

Solution : Load on the nut even before the winters set. If you do take any smoothies or oats or other cereals, put a spoonful of nuts in it. Otherwise, powder the nuts together and eat them with your meals once or twice a day. Another good option is flax seeds or alsi beej (in hindi). Roast them and powder them. Consume within 10 days. 

Tip #2 - Moisturize inside the shower!!

I have always recommended layering, specially in winters. But, an even better option which is helping me get through these days is moisturising inside the shower. Take your lotion with you and once you wipe yourself off, moisturize immediately. Forget the 3-minute moisturization rule. And, remember this instead. 

The skin is plump and extremely absorbent in the shower due to the heat and immediate cleansing so it drinks up the moisturiser or body oil you apply and prevents the water from escaping keeping your skin hydrated for an entire day. 

Sometimes, if your skin is extremely dry, you might need to apply the body lotion again in the later half of the day. At that time, you can use your toner and dampen your skin and then follow with the moisturiser; unless you take bath twice in a day!

Tip #3 - Sugar is your best friend right now!

Still feeling dry? Moisturising is not enough? Your skin needs regular exfoliation in the winters. And, you really do not want to use anything else right now. Sugar is hydrating as well as exfoliating so it is your best bet. I would recommend the homemade body polish which makes my skin absolutely amazing twice a week! Unless you have acne-prone skin in which case you need gentler exfoliation.

Another tip I would love to include here is that dry brushing should be a regular in your daily routine. It helps increase the skin cell turnover everyday and helps the body lotions and oils to get absorbed better in the skin. Also, it prevents the dry skin itch almost all day long.

Tip #4 - Not only hair but scalp also dries out!!

So, when you are busy taking care of your skin, do not forget that taking good care of scalp will keep the blood flowing to the follicles and promote hair growth which is generally less in the winter months. Also, scalp can get dry and tighten so I moisturise my scalp with 2-3 drops of pomegranate oil. You could also try out grapeseed oil for the oily skin or hair. 

Tip #5 - And, get going!! 

Do not ditch the early morning exercises in favor of warm blankets because it will make you lazier and prone to junk food cravings. And, in turn, cause you to accumulate more fat and make your skin dull. A fresh morning exercise can rev up your blood circulation as well making your skin well-accustomed to the weather changes. 

And, the bonus tip - Do not forget the sunscreen. Winter sun is just as strong as the summer one because UVA rays are still aging your skin.

These were my secret tips for skin and hair this winter. Now, its your turn. What are your special and secret tips for skin and hair care in winters?

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5 Healthy Takeaways from "Perfect Digestion" by Deepak Chopra {Five Series}

Finally, I have also started reading some of the books which would be useful for the blog and me :) And, this one has scored high on my list. For a beginner health enthusiast, it can serve as one of the foundation books. It explains ayurveda in a simpler way than I could ever understand it till date. So, check out 5 new things I learned from the book.

One holistic system

Ayurveda treats our entire body as a single unit with each part having its own portion of intelligence as opposed to a machine controlled by a central engine. The nutrients from our food enhance the said intelligence. Ayurveda also believes that perfect digestion is the key to keep the body free of any disease.

Our thoughts, our imaginations, our feelings, desires and energies are as much "us" as are our fingernails, our blemishes and our digestive tracts.

Ayurvedic Doshas

Pitta characteristics so do check out if they concur with your nature!

Ayurveda understands a body as a part of three doshas - Vata, Kapha and Pitta. 

Vata - controls movement like breathing, blood circulation, food passing through the digestive tracts, nerve impulses sent to and received from the brain. 

Pitta - represents metabolism or digestion like processing food, air and water and facilitate proper intellectual functioning. 

Kapha - governs body structure, holds cells together and forms muscles, fat, bones and sinew, also governs digestive fluids int he body. 

Everyone has all 3 doshas in equal measures but some imbalances in the body may lead to one or other dosha dominating over the others in which case the said dosha must be pacified and balanced . Our body is in a harmonious state when all these three doshas are in perfect balance. 

Digestion is considered a heating process in Ayurveda which is why it is denoted by the agni or digestive fire. 

• Too high digestive fire means pitta dosha which leads to excessive appetite.

• Too low digestive fire means kapha dosha which leads to low energy and weight gain. 

• Too variable digestive fire means vata dosha which leads to extreme hunger or loss of appetite. 

• Perfect digestive fire in which all doshas are balanced. 

Kapha characteristics so do check out if they concur with your nature!

Small Intestine and Its Role

Small intestine is one the major organs where the maximum digestion and extraction of the intelligence from the foods happens. To keep it healthy,

• eat variety of foods everyday

• foods should not be over-cooked or raw

• foods must not be too hot or too cold  

That is why ice cold water is not a preferable option, as much you might crave it!!

Spice to eat to keep the digestive system in healthy order - black pepper, ginger and nutmeg.

Vata characteristics so do check out if they concur with your nature!

Ama and Ojas

When the body is in perfect harmonious state, it produces a biochemical called Ojas which represents the positive flow of energy in the body. It means the body is in complete harmony with the mind.

A complete opposite to this harmonious state is when the body feels sluggish. A sticky biochemical called Ama is produced in such a state. It can be due to improper lifestyle, improper diet or improper digestion.

Signs of ama production in the body - lethargy, feeling of  heaviness, weakness, weak immunity, fatigue, emotional instability, low energy levels.

Visible sign - white coating on the tongue which is also present throughout the digestive canals of the body. That is why tongue scraping should be done right after brushing your teeth.

How to eliminate Ama from the body?

• Eat in a settled and quiet atmosphere where there is no television or talking. 

• Rest quietly for a few minutes after a meal to begin the digestive process in a effortless way. 

• Always eat while sitting. it helps the body relax. 

• Do not eat while upset. Wait for a few minutes to stabilize your emotions and then start eating. 

• Do not overeat. Always eat only 3/4th of your total capacity. leave eating when you feel almost full and still feel light. 

• Always avoid cold drinks or foods. Cold freezes the digestive fires and may lead to creation of ama. 

• Always eat slowly. After a bite, chew and wait till you swallow it before taking another bite. 

• Do not eat till your preceding meal is digested. It takes 3-6 hours for the previous meal to digest so if you feel heavy but crave something to eat, snack on a fruit or any warm beverage. 

• Always eat fresh food. 

• Drink hot water throughout the day, as often as possible, to dissolve the ama in your body. 

sort of diet you should maintain according to your specific dosha

6 Ayurvedic Tastes

Ayurveda identifies 6 tastes in order of digestion - sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. It is important to incorporate all these tastes in all our meals throughout the day. And, one should eat them in their order of digestion as specified.

For example, sweet should be eaten before anything sour which should be eaten before a salty dish which should precede a pungent one which should precede bitter and lastly, follow with an astringent. That is why dessert should be taken first and salad should be the last meal.

Have you read the book? Do you think digestion is the key element to our well-being? 

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5 reasons for Anal or Rectal Burning or Itching and How to Treat It! {Five Series}

Healthy Diet eases every Health Problem!

Hey All!! I know I disappeared again! Even I am tired with my habits but I shall surely elaborate on those reasons in some other post. For now, I came across this extremely important topic which I wanted to discuss. So, anything which has to do with the genitalia is a generally embarrassing topic to discuss and many times it is overlooked health aspect.

Sometimes when you are passing out stool, you might feel burning sensation or sometimes when you have a change in diet or hydration levels, the skin there might be prone to itching. Whenever you face such situations, it is generally the symptom for anal or rectal burning and inflammation. Let me discuss a few of the causes for this problem. 

Too Spicy Diet

This is one of the most important causes for any kind of change in your body. When you start eating too spicy foods or too much of peppers or hot sauces, the chemicals in them can irritate the skin near the rectum and cause it to inflame. Also, a lot of caffeine and sugary foods can also lead to this condition. So, this is the first thing you need to cross out of your check-list. 

Skin Diseases

Do you suffer from psoriasis or seborrhoea or dermatitis? If yes, you can also get those chronic dry skin conditions at the rectum area. Also, less hydration in skin or dry skin can also lead to irritation at the rectal area so drink a lot of water and keep the area hydrated by using hot or cold compress. That helps soothe the irritation there!!

Other Internal Body Problems

Presence of pin worms or diarrhoea or constipation or any other issue in the small intestine or anal or rectal disorders like piles can lead to anal irritation. Also, if the tissues are torn at those areas or abnormal skin growth at that area or using antibiotics can also lead to inflammation. 

Medical Problems

Well, another reason may be you are suffering from diabetes, anemia, inflammatory bowel disease, jaundice, leukamia, lymphoma, thyroid disease so check out if you have any of the above conditions.

Lack of Hygiene

Not washing the area properly or using too drying soaps and liquids can also irritate the area. A gentle cleanser or plain water should be used on the genitals and the basic clothes must be washed and changed on a regular basis. Also, excessive aggressive cleaning after bowel movements should be avoided. When using jets or bidets, make sure that the pressure of water is gentle enough and not too strong to hurt the skin. 

Solution - Banana

Banana is rich in potassium. Potassium is an astringent which shrinks or tightens the body tissue (Source). And, during the rectal inflammation, the tissues of the rectum also become inflamed. 

So, do you think any of the above may lead to your problems? Are you or have you ever suffered from this problem? And, how did you treat it? 

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5 ways to keep the surroundings clean {Five Series}

So, I am a certified obsessive cleaner. Hubs has been saying that since a year for now but I always used to take it for granted but yesterday I was reading this article on cleanliness which made me finally accept the accusations hurled against me!!

Anyways, leaving jokes apart, yes, the disorder and chaos and things thrown here and there do bother me! And, P specializes in it!! I think all guys are like that. They will do the things you specially forbid them to!

But, that is not what is on my mind. A few days back we went to a really good restaurant (where the crowd is generally the high end or well educated class) which is accessible by lift. Unfortunately, while coming back at 11 PM in the night, we find that the lift was littered with discarded mouth freshener packets. I had actually clicked the pics as well but they are in P's mobile and forgot to transfer them!! 

On one hand we are talking about Swacch Bharat Andolan or Clean India Movement and on the other hand we have the same kind of people doing the littering. Yes, it concerns me because if we do not share our responsibility, how do we think we will achieve an objective which is so huge. 

Similarly, on Diwali, I noticed that all the burnt crackers and their packaging were lying around for the maids, sweepers and others to clean. We could at least make a heap of them in a corner for someone to pick up. That would make the things easy for someone else!

keep the touristy places clean

Use Dustbins

The irony of India is that you would find the litter at those places where there is No Littering, cars parked at No Parking and people peeing at No Pee zones! Encourage your children to not throw things around even in the house. Once they learn to keep their own bed and room clean, they follow the same principles everywhere. 

Enjoy your travel!

We take regular road trips or train trips or bus trips or even in the flights and we have so many wrappers because we Indians love to eat. And, all these wrappers end up being thrown out of the bus windows or in the car back pockets.

Worse still, some people end up spilling more than eating and these days we have vacuum pressured air-conditioned buses which start stinking because of these spills. It is inconvenient and un-enjoyable in the longer run. 

Carry an extra disposable bag in which you can store all the things to be thrown or anything which gets spilled. And, try to teach kids not to throw around the food. 

Ask the vendors to carry dustbins

We went to a small hill station nearby for this vacation and we found that there were no dustbins near the food stalls. Everyone was forced to throw the coffee and tea cups on the road. When asked, the vendors said the locals do not use the dustbins, only tourists ask for it.

Even after this bit of awareness, they did not realize the need for dustbins. And, how do we really make them aware of the need? Well, that is a difficult question to answer for me. 

potted plants in the apartment keep the house and ambience clean

Help out the maids and sweepers

Just because we are paying them to clean does not give us the right to throw things around so that they will be cleared off the next morning. In fact, one good thing about my apartment is that we are not allowed to keep the garbage outside the house after 9 AM because the house keeping staff clears it at that time. 

Apparently there is a fine if we are late but the whole point of this is to enforce the habit of keeping the apartment corridors clean, right?

Start composting

Well, this is one of the simplest and best ideas I can give for all to recycle the biodegradable waste which we produce in our house which is the majority of our garbage, anyways! A community compost area is a good idea but we can always keep a separate one at our houses in small earthen pots.

Extra Tip 

All those pet owners, please train your pets to not use the roads or anywhere else as their toilets!! 

I am so thankful that all things are coming together at the right time. Even Indian Top Blogs has started a campaign to promote the awareness of Clean India Initiative. And, I a glad to be a part of the pledge to help my bit to keep my surrounding, my house and my apartment clean.

So, what do you think about cleanliness? Are you a part of the Clean India Initiative? What ideas do you think can be implemented towards keeping or streets clean? 

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5 Tips for Lip Care {Five Series}

Few days back some one had asked me about remedies from pigmentation around the lips. So, lets check out a few ways, I found my lips to remain soft and pink all time :) All the same skin care rules apply so don't forget your lips next time!! All these tips help me to prevent pimented and chapped lips both.

Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize

Very important. Keep a lip balm at your side all the time. Ok, I do have a little reservation on applying a lip balm in a room full of people, especially males. How do you exactly deal with that type of situation? Would really appreciate some tips.

And, don't forget to apply lip balm every time you drink or eat something, especially if you are no fan of lipsticks. Honestly, I have never applied any lipstick in life and I don't have any idea how they stay on even after you eat something.

Sun Protection 

Oh yes, lips are way thinner than your skin and do not have any natural sun protection built in them. They do not have melanin so they can't protect themselves against sun rays. So, I keep a spf 15 lip balm from Nivea around me all time. If you get a higher spf, go for it.

Exfoliate

Yes, they also need exfoliation. And, protection after that!! So, don't forget to use your sugar scrub next time on your lips as well and see your lips become so soft and pinky pinky ;) Or, you can also use your tooth brush just after you finish brushing. 

Cleanse that Color

You do make it a point to remove all your makeup and sunscreen but do you remember to remove that lipstick or lipbalm? I do make sure to remove it and if I am using oil to cleanse my sunscreen, it also helps in making my lips soft and oil also prevents the chapping of the lips.

Water

More water you drink, more your lips stay hydrated and pink. Does it ever happen to you that reading drink more water sends a signal to your brain and your hand automatically gets stretched to the water bottle? It does happen with me. Now that I am writing it, I am stopping in between to gulp a mouthful of water :D

And, last word, don't overdo anything because lips are really sensitive and they get chapped really fast on mishandling. So, what do you do for your lips? How do you prevent pigmentation and discoloration of your lips?

5 Tips for Autumn and Winter Skin Care {Five Series}

So, winter is almost at the door step and autumn has already made the air pretty dry. The climate of Hyderabad is dry and it just gets more and more drier and sitting in AC doesn't really help!!! Couple of days back, I felt my skin was getting stretchy even after applying loads of moisturizers. So, how did I overcome that? Check out.

Good Cleanser

A gentle, SLS-free cleanser has really helped with the hydration levels of my skin. Recently, I tried out an SLS-based face wash for review purposes and I was amazed at the difference it made to my skin. My skin felt dried up and starved of moisture.

Hydrating Moisturizer

I did realize in this entire process that simply using loads of moisturizer doesn't really help. A hydrating moisturizer is the need of the day. So, I used my trusted aloevera gel and it worked!!! Yup, try to get a water-based gel moisturizers. There are loads in the market, especially, from big brands.

Exfoliation

Yes, something which I have NOT been doing but its extremely important. Dead skin cells are more during colder and drier months so a hydrating scrub is very effectively in preserving the lipid barriers of the skin. Raw Sugar or Jaggery works out the best for me.

Oils

Yes, I know you are afraid of oils but not oils are really oily and using correct amount of oil is very necessary. A drop or two is generally enough. And, there are loads of facial and body oils these days which do wonders for the skin.

My recommendation would be a drop or two of Apricot Oil which goes on skin like silk and makes skin amazingly soft and NO grease either. I do wanna use other amazing oils like rosehip and such and will report back after I use them ;) And, by the way, the oily skin gals can also use oils.

Layering

This is one of the tips which is really effective. Sometimes, products used can be ineffective on their own, especially for dry skins!!! So, layering helps a lot. I do that sometimes for both my face and body. The aloevera gel goes first and then I use a drop or two of any facial oil. Similarly, a body oil coupled with a great body lotion helps the body.

Please remember that all the above tips apply all over the body and not just the exposed parts. So, follow them and enjoy the soft skin this winters :) And, I am so excited for winters. Its my favorite-st climate :D How do you keep your skin protected in winters?

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5 Steps to get fairer skin? {Five Series}

PS: This post is for all those people who have asked me to give tips on fairer skin. I am sorry that I couldn't reply to you all personally but hope this post is helpful to you :)

Since quite long, I have been seeing a trend of questions on this topic from people who are either getting married or who have darker skin tones. So, first of all, I would like to say that you can't really lighten the skin complexion. The skin color is determined by the amount of melanin your skin has and you can't do anything to reduce the amount of this pigment inside your skin. Ok, after that bit of science, I would like to say that you can do somethings to preserve your original complexion.

Sunscreen

Yup, that's the first step to any kind of skin care. And, I totally stress on the importance of this routine. I would suggest Neutrogena Ultra Sheer but my favourite is MVO Moisturizing Face Screen. I have often heard complains that the sunscreen does nothing but the secret lies in using the proper amount of sunscreen to provide full protection.

Double Cleansing

To remove makeup or sunscreen after an entire day of work, use oil or a good makeup remover before washing your face. Its one of the most important routines of the night. 

Face Wash and Tone

Use your face wash as you would and don't forget to use the toner if your face is oily. I would suggest using homemade toners for your skin type. Green tea for oily and combination skin and rose water for dry skin. You can do other experiments with them as well.

Moisturize and Nourish

One of the most important routines even if your skin is oily. Get a good moisturizer. Or, use aloevera gel if your skin is oily. Its the best bet. For dry skin, I would suggest using a facial oil or serum instead of moisturizer at night. 

Face Scrub and Mask

The above steps were regular routine. But, some extra love is needed to keep skin in perfect condition so exfoliate on every alternate day for oily skin or if you layer too many products on your skin at day time. And, if you have dry skin, exfoliate twice a week. 

For dry skin, use sugar to exfoliate. For combination and oily skin, mix salt and sugar to exfoliate. They have alpha-hydroxy acids which help with removing the blemishes and dark spots on regular usage. Also, they keep the skin supple and improve the skin tone by making the skin look brighter.

After scrubbing, always follow with a mask. You can use any commercially-available products. I would not suggest you to use fruit masks after scrubbing with sugar because fruits also have active enzymes and sugar also have active enzymes so that can too much for your skin at a single time. 

If you plan to use fruits, remember that they have active enzymes which do both the jobs - exfoliation and acting as a mask so keep the fruit juices on your skin for 15 minutes and wash off. Using sugar to exfoliate and using fruit juices as mask afterwards can make the skin sensitive. Honey is a good mask in such cases.

These are the steps I follow regularly to keep my complexion glowing. Please remember that whatever you do to your face, do the same to your neck and decolletage. You don't want your neck and lower body to look older and uncared for. But, also remember NOT to overdo things EVER. Keep things regular and you will notice difference in a month. 

What's your secret to preserving your skin complexion? Are you already following a particular routine or going to follow this routine? Do share your results :)

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5 Veggies that help with Acne {Five Series}

So, I was checking through my drafts and I came across this post which I had written long back and just left it as it is. So, let me recount some of the rarely heard home remedies which have great affect on the bacteria which result in acne.

Cabbage

It is rich in Vitamin K and Vitamin C, both of which help in getting a glowing and radiant skin and they also fight hyper-pigmentation. Grate a piece of cabbage and extract its juice. Apply it topically, let it dry and wash off. And, it also helps flushing out the toxins when taken internally.

Radish

Radish is rich in ascorbic acid, which is one form of Vitamin C, and potassium,  whose deficiency can cause acne and Vitamin A and K. It helps fight the inflammation in the skin.

Onion

Rich in Vitamin C. And, 

Onions contain phytochemical compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids that basic research shows to have potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol, anticancer and antioxidant properties [Source].

Cucumber

Rich in Vitamin A, C, E and K and potassium. And, helps soothe the skin. It is an astringent which helps open the skin pores and clean them.

Beetroot

Rich in Vitamin A, potassium, magnesium and Vitamin E which helps heal the scars on the skin. It helps clearing the skin from the inside and flushes out the toxins and also helps lower cholesterol. 

Which other veggies would you add to the list?

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5 Beauty mistakes you might be making too {Five Series}

Whenever my hand used to slide to pick the skin on my chin, I used to get a smack from my mom! And, it has now so ingrained in my subconscious that whenever I pick my skin, I expect my mom to smack my hand :D Obviously because she used to complain it was ruining my skin. In fact, I have done far worse to my skin and hair. Check out my beauty mistakes so that you can stop making them, if you are!

Picking my Hair

This was way back 10 years ago. I used to have a horrible hair and loads of split ends and I used to think if I peel off one of the ends, my hair will be alright again! Well, then, I did not have the extensive hair care knowledge I have today :|

But, it is one of the worst ways you can damage your hair. Remedy is to trim the hair as soon as you spot one split in your hair. Splits tend to travel up the hair length and cause hair thinning.

Picking the Skin

I have a bit of facial hair and I did get threading done for it but believe me when I say, it was so damn painful, especially on the side burns. I started the threading just a few months before my wedding and stopped after a few months.

The remedy is to get rid of the facial hair, of course. But, that is something very difficult to achieve. So, the other and more practical remedy is to stop picking the skin, whether it is facial hair or a pimple. 

Even P (hubs) has a bad habit of picking his pimples and his skin has developed sort of small craters at places so beware of this habit! And, picking the skin to get rid of blackheads or facial hair leads to blood clots which appear as dark marks on the skin. 

How often have you applied your cuticle oil on the nails on your feet?

Well, I would say probably that poor feet nails are the most ignored part (except during the pedicure sessions) coz even though we apply and moisturise our heels and feet when we are going to sleep but actually massaging and spot treating the feet nails is something which we do not do often! 

So, the next time, you sit and moisturise your feet, grab the cuticle oil and apply a lot on your feet nails also. And, remove that old nail polish. Do not be lazy because it an cause your nails to discolour and become yellow.

Washing the Hands all too Often

It should be named mano-phobia after its latin term. It is already called mysophobia after the compulsion to wash hands because of fear of germs or contamination. But, that is not the only reason why people repeatedly wash their hands. It can just be a cleaning compulsion.  

So, I love doing it even if I have touched a dirty napkin or I have removed a plate of my own from the bed to the table or any small thing. And, then, there are big things like washing utensils and washing hands after the cleaning work or during the laundry. All the strong chemicals dry out the hands just like anything and only moisturising them is not really sufficient.

And, not applying sunscreen willfully

Granted that it is one of the most irritating chores on Earth, it is no reason to ditch it altogether. And, I can say that because I am a culprit of this. I hate applying sunscreen. But, I can readily see the disadvantages because of it. My forehead is completely covered with small rashes! Huh. So, dig that sunscreen in your cupboard and use it before you would have to throw it away!!

These are my top beauty mistakes I am still making in my life. What are yours? Do share them below!

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5 daily tasks which Stress you without your realizing them {Five Series}

Like all working couples, we often get very minimal quality time with each other so we took a weekend off from everything including our house and spent the time in a cozy resort. But, still, it was not the least refreshing for us. That made me think what is wrong with me?

And, then, there was a dawning realization, may be the short vacation we took was really not well-planned which stressed me out! Yes, it was an adhoc event which just happened and I was really happy it happened but I would have been more happy if everything went according to me.

Yes, I know its making me sound like a control freak and probably I am one but this is just an example of what can be wrong with even a simple thing of taking a holiday from our regular life. So, stress can really creep up on to our lives in ways we can NOT imagine. It has really become a part of us now a days.

Technology

This makes me soooo happy to say this out loud, "Guys, lose your phone sometimes,let the laptop crash, get sometime for yourself". And, of course, sad at the same instant because I can not do that whenever I want. No, not because I have a blog to run but because I can not stay away from the blog.

Networking and media is addictive and at the same time stressful just like our day work. The only difference is some of us have the leisure of leaving office work in the office at sometimes where as technology follows us everywhere just like the poster pug of Hutch ads, anyone remembers??

Answering to the constantly pinging whatsapp or BBM messages to checking out the latest status of our friends to texting the boyfriends sweet nothings at night, it has become second nature to sleep with our phones instead of husbands! And, this disturbs not only our sleep pattern but peace of mind. Constant chaos reigns in the mind.

Cluttered House / Desk / Bed / Floor

This has to be on top of my list, honestly. Because, you might not be able to chuck technology but I can but I can NOT live in a mess. An unmade bed, unwashed utensils, an absent maid, sofa covers peeled off, the layer of fine dust which can not be vaccum-ed on the show pieces, everything disturbs me.

And, if all the cleaning falls on to one single person, it is practically impossible for one to manage all of this, even after keeping the office and blog out of the equation. Nah, do not think it means I have THE perfect house! I am lazy and I can sometimes leave a sink of dirty utensils just as it is.

Incomplete Tasks

This one plays on and on in your mind like a tape, at least it does for me. When I have some TO-DO list, I keep on mentally recollecting it unless and until I really start on it and me being the best procrastinator, I can not see a way of getting rid of the list any time sooner.

Not working with a Plan

Whatever you are doing, your office work or blogging or writing a novel or painting, anything which is done without a plan or a goal becomes very frustrating because you do not know what to do next and you do not know what to expect from that work, whatever amount of effort put in.

The Vibrations around You

Well, this is more tricky. The aura surrounding you plays a huge role in what will your reaction be to it. Any big change in life or other's attitudes or even your own causes a lot of butterfly effect in your lifestyle, even though it might not be apparent immediately.

What, in your opinion, other factors cause stress?

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SLS-free shampoos vs Regular Shampoos {Five Series}

Ok, it has been like 2 years now that I have shifted to the non-commercial shampoos. It is not like I have completely chucked out the over-the-counter products which makes it even more easy for me to analyze and appreciate the difference between both types of products.

Yes, it takes time for one to adjust to the SLS-free shampoos because the feel of the hair is way different after using either of them. So, let me enlist the differences and see if you can agree with them!!

Feel of Hair

This was one of the major difference which I felt. When you use SLS-free shampoo, hair feels rough when you are washing it. Later on, it might not look as if you have get rid of oil entirely coz the hair feels a lot bunched up just like it does when you apply oil!! 

This happens because of the silicone content in the regular shampoos. The silicon coats the hair and makes it feel smooth. Due to the absence of this ingredient in SLS-free shampoos, the hair does not feel as smooth. 

Lathering Issues

It is a myth that SLS-free shampoo do not lather well. It really depends on the composition of the shampoo but of all the SLS-free shampoos I have used, organic surge, Madara, Omved, all of them have lathered generously enough.

Not all SLS-free shampoos are same

Well, just like the regular shampoos, these shampoo category also suffers from the same issues. The one thing which is important is that not all SLS-free shampoos have the same cleansing power. Some cleanse well and are good at removing oil but some might be just good on non-oiled hair and some might be too harsh for the hair as well because of their compositions. 

SLS-free does not mean chemical free

This is the most important point I would like to make. There are brands which do not use SLS but they use ALS which is more or less harsh on hair or they can use parabens or any other chemical but not SLS. So, do remember to buy organic shampoos instead of just going for SLS-free ones.

Expense

Yup, they are comparatively expensive because of the demand and supply difference!!

What do you say? Have you used SLS-free shampoos? Do you find them different from the regular ones?

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How to take care of your feet? {Five Series}

Second post in the series, I thought I would write about feet because I have never touched on the topic before in the last 3 years almost!!

Wear Socks when going out

Yes, that's my formula to protect my feet from sun, rain, wind and what not!!! I always wear socks when out unless, of course, I am dressing up! 

Salt Foot Baths

Second high on my list are the foot baths. If you haven't yet given a warm foot bath try, you are really missing on one of the divine pleasures of life. Try adding salt to relax the tired feet or add essential oils or body oils for a great-smelling feet.

Moisturize, Moisturize and Moisturize!!

That's the next. Always keep them moisturized. If at night, you sleep with body oils applied on your feet, the better. It keeps the heels from cracking and looking ugly. Even when you are heading out or going to wear socks, moisturize first. 

Hygiene is the Word

Yes, socks, dust, pollution, heels, all play havoc on your feet. So, keep your feet clean at all times. Make sure to put your feet inside shoes or socks only when dry. You can use body powders or foot powders to keep the sweat away from the feet. 

When you are back home, first act should be to free the feet from your shoes and socks and wash them, preferably in warm water and mild soap. Dry them in a soft towel. Yes, go for these little luxuries. They make you feel good :) And, get some cute fluffy bunny bedroom slippers.

Footwear

The most important thing for your feet. Keep heels reserved for occasions and go for flats in daily life. These days, there are countless and amazingly chic alternatives - be it flip flops, floaters, ballerinas and I don't know other names :D For me, its always floaters and shoes most of the times and with two left feet, I can never carry heels anyways so wedges it is!!!

How do you take care of your feet?

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