Does milk increase the weight? {Health}

Ok, so this is a question for you all! What do you think? Milk or eating dairy products everyday increase the weight?

Well, in my opinion, yes it does! I have been without milk for almost a year or more and I had noticed a drastic decrease in my weight. Also, its not only my experience but one of the guy colleague who is literally paranoid about weight attests the fact.

Well, some do say that it actually depends on person to person as to what contributes in their weight increase or decrease. To a lot of extent, that is absolutely true!

But, when it comes to milk, there are quite a lot of milk types - whole milk, toned, skimmed and what not! Honestly, I can't even understand what toned, doubled toned and skimmed are for but anyways they are different levels of milk processing.

Now, whole milk has maximum amount of calories and skimmed non-fat milk has least amount. And, many people are used to adding sugar in milk so that adds extra calories to the body thus resulting in weight gain.

On the other hand, it comes as a boon for underweight people. Drinking two glasses of milk a day can improve your weighty issues. Also, milk mainly contains proteins which improve the muscle mass. So, a healthy dose of exercise is required to fight off that muscle mass in unhealthy weight gain.

Now before you start discontinuing milk, let me also state that since it is rich in proteins and helps in building the muscles, not taking milk on a regular basis can actually leave you weak and without energy in the long run. I have myself undergone the situation. I was wan and weak and irritable all the time!

So, the best bet is to drink a glass of skimmed milk. But, also remember that excess processing of milk actually strips off the nutrients! So, honestly, I have no idea what to drink and what not. I as usual do not mind a lot of fat so I love whole milk :D And, btw, I should also add that some people claim milk and dairy products help lose weight!

What about you? You like skimmed milk? Or, you prefer to do the no-milk show?

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Gynaec consultation before marriage {Bridal Files}

I am reviving the bridal files after a long hiatus. As I have earlier also explained, writing about something which I have never been through does not really come easy to me. Now, how did this come?

One of my colleague is getting married soon and we were just discussing about the various issues involved in a relationship. So, there are a few points I thought would be good if everyone knows about them.

Pre-poning or Post-poning of Periods

Well, having periods around the D-day is most inconvenient, not to mention it is forbidden to sit in pujas at that time! So, always keep a track of your periods during that time.

Also, if they are by any chance falling around the same time, better consult a gyneac on how to postpone or prepone them. I would suggest preponing so that you are over with them when the actual ceremonies start.

How to avoid conception?

Well, this can be done before or after marriage. But, if you are sure you do not want to conceive right away, it is always good to consult a gyneac to know the ways of avoiding the errors. I would suggest the couple to go together!

Medical Test before Marriage

This is something I have discussed long before. Getting a thorough checkup of the reproductive system done beforehand for both bride and groom would avoid a lot of unfortunate events in the later life.

These are a few pointers right now in my mind. Please feel free to add more to them. I know this might sound very obvious or you might die with embarrassment just thinking about the idea of discussing these issues with the prospective groom or bride but it is practical and its always good to be aware.

What do you think? Should one go for such consultations or not?

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5 Oils I love for my Hair {Five Series}

I am so stumbled by the writer's or shall we say bloggers block so I thought of one topic I would love to write about and suddenly, it popped. I love oils and I love taking care of my hair so combine them both and voila, oils for hair :D

Ok, that was no rocket science but trust me, it is not easy to write a post with full conviction. So, one has to constantly either evolve their likings or stick ot something they believe fully in!! So, lets check out which oils I totally love using on my hair.

Coconut Oil

Not my first choice generally but it is said that coconut oil gets absorbed very easily into the hair. And, since I started to try TBS Rainforest Coconut Oil, I am liking it a lot. I am using it as a leave-in serum as well which is working out decently!!

Almond Oil

Ok, Rogan Badam has to be my favorite. It has revived my hair, after all.

These were the bring oils so lets move to something exotic now!

Grapeseed Oil

It is supposed to stimulate hair follicles and improve hair growth so how could I pass this one? I included a few drops of rosemary EO and use 3-5 drops of the mix as scalp treatment for my hair after washing it. In case, you are wondering, it is not oily AT ALL!!

Pomegranate Seed Oil

Ok, this was part of my hair conditioning and frizz-fighting arsenal. And, of course, it sounds so exotic so I picked this up when I saw it on Soulflower. I used to use it as leave-in serum but can't say how much it has really helped my hair. Probably, more testing is required!

And, now, lets move to the good old ayurveda!

Neelibrigandi Oil

It is one oil in the recent times which has tamed my hair and has been giving it a healthy appearance. The one variant which I got recently is pretty non-sticky as opposed to the general belief that ayurvedic oils are extremely sticky so that's a plus!! In fact, in the recent days, I have been using few drops (2-3) of this oil as scalp treatment instead of the Grapeseed oil mentioned above!

So, what about you? Which oils do you like? Have you used any exotic oils lately for the hair?

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Olay Total Effects 7 in One cream + serum duo SPF 15 {Product Review}

I am doing this review as a part of blogadda program so I had to use it for 7 days and post the review. Unfortunately, the clever me totally skipped that part of the deal!!

So, here goes a quick review of the product and I am extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to whomsoever it may concern. Also, please note that I have not tried the product for a month as I regularly do!

Price: Rs 369 for 20gms

Pros

gets absorbed into the skin easily!

doesn't feel heavy on skin!

prevents skin from getting dull!

Cons

does not really stand tall on all it claims!!

My Experience

Well, for the starters, I do not like the fact that it has spf 15. Since it is an anti-aging product which is a cream-serum combo, it should have either been a night cream (I am sure Olay has something in that category as well) or have a higher sun protection factor if it was intended for morning use.

Anyways, a moisturizer should not be used as a sunscreen so it works out perfectly. The product is really light on the skin provided you don't tend to overuse.

A pea-size drop is enough to cover face and neck. It gets absorbed into the skin within seconds without leaving any greasy feeling. And, the result is a well-hydrated skin. 

Given that I have not been taking care of my skin prior to the arrival of this product, I did see some laugh lines along the mouth. The proper moisturizing from the product did help smoothen them. They are still there but less visible because of supple skin. 

One thing I noticed since I started with this product was that my skin was not getting dull by the end of the day which it had started to when it was peak summers. May be it is this product or the weather itself! Hyderabad has been awesome lately :)

the seven claims! please click on the pic to enlarge and read them and i am sorry to not get a clear pic! next time I shall do better!

But, sine the main ambition of the product is to address seven signs of aging, let me talk about how it fares on those grounds. The pic above shows the seven effects and it also claims to give more fairness. 

Honestly, I do not think I saw any difference on those seven claims! I have a few fine lines under the eye on which there was no effect but then it has been just like 10-14 days I have been using the product! Wrinkles need little more time to improve!

On grounds of even skin tone, I do not think I saw anything either. When I apply the product, it helps brighten the skin but that is that! It does not lighten the skin tone or anything. 

I have few dark spots on the neck but unfortunately there is no improvement in them either! Now, there is change in the skin pores. When skin is adequately moisturized, pores do seem less in size so that is the only change I have seen! 

One thing more I have noticed is that the effects of the product are visible only as long as you keep on applying it. So, I think the product would be more effective when it is used along with its night time counterpart!

can you see the yellow ribbons in the product? that's the serum at work!!

My Verdict

The product is worth being tried once. It might be a good moisturizer for all those who are searching for one! And, it can be used on oily or combination skin as well!!

Have you tried out this product? Do share your experiences!

I am trying out Olay Total Effects as a part of the product review program at BlogAdda.com

  

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Should you eat curd/yogurt at night? {Health}

Well, so you would already be aware that dinner should be the lightest meal of the day! But since I miss a decently filling lunch, I miss all the important ingredients like curd and such which I make up for in my dinner.

But, few months back some body warned me not to eat curd at night. That was because curd at night in winters is extremely cooling for the body. Also, curd is heavy on the stomach and doesn't get digested easily!

And for people suffering with sinus issues, curd at night can lead to congestion and breathlessness as it pours the toxins into the lungs (that is not quite literally right but a metaphor)! Also, it can interfere with sleep. 

Ayurvedically as well, one is suggested to avoid curd at night. But if at all you are interested in having curd, mix a pinch of pepper powder. That's what I read somewhere! Also, it is best if you can manage buttermilk instead but curd mixed with sugar is a complete no no. 

Do you eat curd at night? I shall mix pepper powder from now on!!

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My Hair Diary - May 2013

Can you imagine my efforts are finally paying off? In a completely unobservant stint in front of the mirror, I realized my hair was an inch or two longer than few months back. This comes as a great news after so much trouble of growing an inch or two of my hair :(

In a very desperate attempt, I decided that I would not even get a hair cut till I even out all the layers of my hair. Well, having curly hair and layered cuts since like 3-4 years, it is quite unlikely that leveling of the hair will happen so soon. It might take 2 years for that at the rate of my hair growth!!

Anyways, I am happy to say that I had my last hair cut in January and it has been 4-5 months since my hair cut because that was before 6th Jan. And, I can hardly spot splits (very negligible) !! Isn't that awesome? Especially, when my hair is prone to splits within like 2 months of a hair cut. And, that makes me go back to all the previous hair diaries of this year and find out what exactly has worked out for me.

As far as I remember, I have been pretty regular with oiling my hair though more on scalp and less on ends. But, then, I was definitely using the pomegranate oil and I am planning something even more exotic this month if the budget permits! I think I have to set a beauty budget now otherwise I shall run myself into ruins :D

The simplest secret of how I am helping my hair to grow is using oil before and after hair wash though after is generally more frequent than the before. I wash my hair in the evenings and there isn't much time to oil hair after coming back from office so more often than not I make do without a pre-wash oiling routine.

Huhh...reading back the diaries haven't been much of revelation because I sincerely did not spend much effort on hair as much as I always seem to promise so guess I have yet more potential! If I stick to DIY's like I did in March, I would probably end up with better results. So, lets raise a toast to that, girls!!

But, beware of the air conditioning. It can seriously dry up the skin and tresses. I have to apply oil repeatedly which is a con because that makes my hair look oily and stringy sometimes! Sigh..hard bargains for greater good. But, I am looking at the silver lining right now so not minding the discomfort. And, I can always wash my hair for special occasions :)

I have to add here that a trim is good once in 3 months as it makes the ends looking lush and full! So, off for a trim soon.

Products Used

• Shampoo - Organic Surge Moisture Boost + Kamini Shampoo

• Conditioner - Kamini Conditioner

• Leave-in and Scalp Treatment - Soulflower Grapeseed Oil with Rosemary EO + Soulflower Pomegranate Seed Oil + TBS Rainforest Coconut Oil + Neelibrigandi Oil
  

• Hair Oil - TBS Rainforest Coconut Oil + Neelibrigandi Oil

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How long and how often should henna be for? {Hair Care}

So, I was applying Lush Caca last Saturday when I had a chat with my friend. As I have mentioned earlier as well that to get color from Lush Cacas, one has to keep it for like 4-8 hours and that too it doesn't come in one application! One HAS to apply it 2-3 times in a row to color the hair which lasts for 2-3 months.

Now that I have been smitten with chestnut color since long, I really wanted to follow the coloring process like my earlier attempt with the Cacas. But, this time my friend intervened and gave me an advise that henna, howsoever good it might be, should not be applied on hair regularly!

Henna is extremely drying for hair and if applied often or kept for long time on the hair, makes the hair brittle and thins it and makes it break easily!! She says to get the color, henna should not be kept on hair for more than three hours and there should be a gap of at least 2 weeks in the applications!

Well, hearing this, I decidedly sobered down on the thought of applying Cacas in a row and waited for 2 weeks to passby for the second application and this Saturday, I kept henna only for 4 hours. Yes, a delay of 1 hour due to household chores and my reluctance to wash it off early!

But, there is an upside to it. Henna color keeps on building in the hair for a good number of 3 days after the application even if you wash the hair on alternate days. This at least holds true for Lush cacas. Don't know about regular henna, though!

Anyways, what do you think? How often should henna be applied and for how long?

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