All Health Related Tips

How to avoid kidney stones

2009-10-15T01:23:00.000-07:00

What is a kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in a kidney.

Kidney stones (or calculi) are hard stones that can form in one or both of the kidneys.

Types of Kidney Stones :

Primary stones are formed in acidic urine. alcoholism, excess intake of nitrogenous rich food.

Secondary stones arise in alkaline medium and are formed due to local infection.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones :

Painful urination, blood in your urine.

Frequent urination and presence of blood in the urine.

Extreme pain in your back and side.

Chill, shock, vomiting, nausea and sweating.

Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.

Burning feeling when you urinate.

Causes of Kidney Stones :

Insufficient intake of fluids.

Excess intake of Vitamin D and lack of Vitamin C.

Excess intake of meat,condiment and spices,white flour and sugar. products, tea and coffee.

Overeating can lead to formation of stones.

Have a family history of kidney stones

Treatment of Kidney Stones :

Avoid foods that irritate the kidneys.

Try to drink 12 full glasses of water a day. Drinking lots of water helps to flush away the substances that form stones in the kidneys.

You can also drink lemon-lime sodas, and fruit juices.

If you are prone to forming calcium oxalate stones, you may need to limit foods that are high in oxalate.

Kidney beans are effective remedy for kidney stones and other kidney problems

Celery can be used regularly to prevent stone formation.

Restrict protein diet.

Yoga is also very beneficial.

Swine Flu Virus - Symptoms and Treatment

2009-10-03T00:51:00.000-07:00

The Swine Flu H1N1 Virus symptoms are just like ordinary flu but more severe. Even without treatment, most cases recover within a week and do not suffer complications; however, experts point out that the behaviour of this H1N1 virus strain is unpredictable and uncertain.

A Pandemic Is Declared, on June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.

More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. As of 26 June 2009, there has been 59,814 reported cases of the H1N1 flu worldwide with 263 deaths. This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.

What is swine flu ?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.

Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Is the current swine flu virus contagious?

Various international agencies (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, World Health Organization) have determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

WHO has escalated the world Pandemic Phase from Phase 3 to Phase 4 (in a 6-scale Phase), indicating that a worldwide pandemic due to swine flu H1N1 is possible.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people.

How does swine flu spread?

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads.

Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.

Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with live flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How are human infections with swine influenza diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus).

However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.

Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to a hospital laboratory for testing.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick.

That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset.

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Is there a vaccine for Pandemic Flu?

Because the virus is new, there will be no vaccine ready to protect against pandemic flu.

Vaccine against Swine Flu virus H1N1 needs at least 6-12 months to be produced.

Seasonal flu vaccine or past flu immunization will not provide protection.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. The US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses.

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.

If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

The virus can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. The virus can then be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, doorknob, child's toy or phone handset and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.

Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket.

Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.

When you wash your hands with soap and warm water that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores.

If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs (next 2 slides), seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal

Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.

Keep surfaces (esp bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, children's toys, phone handles, doorknobs) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

Helpful Eye Care Tips

2009-04-22T00:40:00.000-07:00

The best way to protect your eyes from that weary look is to have a very short exercise just sitting relaxed on your chair.This exercise can be follow by everyone for there better eye sight and for tired look of eyes

Simple Eye-Care Tips

Vitamins A, B and C is very essential for the good care of the eyes. Carrot, celery, parsley, spinach etc contain a large amount of vitamin A.

8 to 10 hours of sleep is a must for bright eyes.

Blinking your eyes several times

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. It soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.

Roll your eyeballs both clockwise and anticlockwise and take a deep breath Later slowly open your eyes while releasing your breath.

Do not rub the eyes too hard.

Rub your palms against each other until they are warm, just put these warm palms on your closed eyes to feel relaxed.

Splash water on your face to get that relaxing effect.Just do it by blinking eyes. You’ll definitely feel refreshed.

Drink at least 12 glasses of water to avoid any kind of puffiness in the eyes. Drinking lots of water helps to flush out waste from the body.

Insert 2 drops of pure rose water using a dropper to feel refresh.Put it at bedtime.

Always use sunglasses during the peak day time to protect your eyes from sunrays. Direct sunrays cause heavy damage to eyes.

Place a slice of potato or cucumber on both the eyes, after 10 minutes remove and wash the eyes. This helps to avoid and dark circles around the eyes.

Eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products which contain Vitamin A, B and C. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

Safety and Health Tips for summer

2009-04-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

These days heat is increasing more and more which cause many health problem. To avoid and face this summer there are some helpful tips listed below

Drink plenty of liquids like water, juices, cold shakes, sweet lime-soda etc.

Avoid eating junk and heavy food.

Eat lots of summer-fruits like watermelons, grapefruits etc. Eating plenty of salads with broccoli lettuce, cucumbers etc are also advised.

Protect your eyes from damage; wear sunglasses.

Avoid exposure between 12pm and 4 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Instead have a healthy lunch to refuel and re-hydrate.

Don’t forget to protect your nose, lips, and ears. They tend to burn more easily.

Avoid venturing out too much during the daytime. Try and stay indoors
or in air-conditioned places when possible.

Do not eat out-side or street cooked foods, as the possibility of germs
growing on them is comparatively higher.

Do not eat stale food.

Do not cook food in water that is static for a long time. Use fresh and clean water always.

Avoid eating red-meat during the summers

To keep your body surface clean from dust and sweat take a bath twice everyday.

Apply antiperspirant powders.

Do not use too much of make-up or any oily cream or lotions while venturing out in the sun.

Apply sun screen lotion while going outside.

Eat proper food and also exercise. As these too show a positive effect on your skin.

cardio exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer

2009-03-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

For women’s health, one of the best ways to start working out is by doing cardio exercises.

Cardio could be running, biking, swimming or just long walks at a brisk pace.

Cardio exercises such as running, whether outside or on a treadmill, help manage and control body weight and reduce the risk of chronic disease and illness.

Cardio exercises are best when you do them 3-4 times a week for a minimum of 20-30 minutes during each workout.

A good example is by starting off walking at a slow to normal pace. Once you free from discomfort, you can slowly increase the pace.

Research has shown that cardio exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer almost by 20 percent

Benefits and Source of vitamin A

2009-03-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

Benefits of Vitamin A :

Maintains the health of the specialized tissues such as Ritena.

Helps in growth and health of skin.

Promotes normal development of teeth , soft ,
& skeletal Tissues and helps your eyes adjust to light changes when you come in from outside and also helps keep your eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist.

Source :

Beef liver, Egg yolk, Cheddar cheese, Fortified milk

Eggs , Meat & dairy products.

Beta-carotene, comes from green , leafy vegetables & intensely colored fruits & vegetables.

It's suggest that women consume 800 mcg or 0.8 mg and men consume 1000 mcg or 1 mg of vitamin A daily.

Lemonade Benefits

2009-03-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

Lemonade is nothing but a juice which made from lemon which squeeze in water.

lemon contains an unusually high proportion of citric acid and the aromatic hydrocarbons which provide its flavor.

Fresh lemon with warm water drink in the morning will bring your metabolism up.

Lemons are best, You might lose some weight too.

TIPS

Drinking lemonade over a long period helps build strong bones and teeth.

It has extensive calcium.

It is also helpful in digestion.

Lemons help clean the blood, lower cholestrol and blood pressure.

SOUND SLEEP

2009-01-15T05:21:00.000-08:00

Sleeping pills are not the best way to solve sleeping problem.For older people, sleep pill can increase the risk of falling

A regular exercise routine will help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more refreshed,

Avoid drinking water in greater quantity just before bed and during the night

If you haven't fallen asleep within 30 minutes, then try to Get out of bed and do something relaxing, such as deep breathing or meditative exercises.

Regular meditation for at least 5-10 minutes before sleeping leads to proper sleep, making your breath calm and normal which helps you enjoy a sound sleep.

While children and teenagers generally need eight or more hours sleep every night, by the time people are 40, they usually only need seven hours a night.

TIPS

keep a bunch of fresh flowers in your room. research has shown that inhaling pleasant fragrances of flowers help to get pleasent dreams and sound sleep.

ROSE WATER TIPS

2009-01-15T04:57:00.000-08:00

Rose water is a totally pure and natural product which does not contain any preservatives,

It has been found to be a very useful skin tonic and is used cosmetically as a facial cleanser and toner.

Rose water is made from distilled water of the roses.

Rose water is used as an important ingredient in many body creams due to its pleasant fragrance.

Rose water is also a very useful toner.

Rose water also has certain antiseptic and anti bacterial properties. This is because it is useful to cure certain skin problems as well

TIPs

To cure burning of eyes, put two to three drops of pure rose water into the effected eye.

Watermelon helpful for health

2008-12-16T22:41:00.000-08:00

Watermelon is an amazing fruit. It acts as a natural moisturizer as well as a toner and keeps the skin cool, glowing and fresh.

Watermelon has always been a good source of vitamins A and C, and provides potassium and fiber. But now consumers have even more reasons to enjoy a sweet fruit.

Scientists indicate that watermelon contains high levels of lycopene-an antioxidant that may help the body fight cancer and prevent disease. Found only in select fruits and vegetables, lycopene is very effective at trapping cancer-promoting agents called free-oxygen radicals.

It contains many great nutrients, is fat free, available nearly year round and is cheap.
In addition, it's full of water and sweet enough to be a favorite for adults and children alike.

The watermelon consists of 93% water. A two- cup serving of watermelon contains many important vitamins and minerals. It is a multi-vitamin fruit and contains vitamins A, B6 and C to potassium and iron, which will surely boost your health. Dieticians advise that we should begin the morning with diced melon as they cleanse the body. A bowl of watermelon every morning starts a summer day off with close to no- fat, high fiber goodness. Taken with breakfast, it helps to protect you from the heat. Watermelon is also recommended to be taken in the evenings which are filled with physical activity.

TIPS TO REDUCE CANCER

Have a plate of water melon every alternate day.It has high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant that helps reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases

Pomegranate Benefits and For Wrinkle Free Skin

2008-12-15T22:49:00.000-08:00

Pomegranates possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and they aid in strengthening of the immune system along with aiding in wound repair. They can also help in fighting osteoporosis as they help in slowing down the deterioration of cartilage.

Pomegranates are one of the richest sources of natural antioxidants. The antioxidants help counter daily effects of oxidation and the aging effects of too much exposure to the sun

It is a rich source of various vitamins. Pomegranate is a good, natural source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid.

You can also use a cotton ball to apply pomegranate juice to your face after cleansing.

The potassium in pomegranates, which is important for muscle contractions, possibly has a role to play in preventing high blood pressure.

Pomegranates have already been associated with reducing the risk of heart disease and preventing prostate cancer.

consuming a glass of pomegranate juice everyday extended the doubling period to 54 months, and that there was also evidence that the juice was actually killing off prostate cancer cells.

Studies have shown that pomegranate seed extract applied to the skin may reduce the formation of some forms of skin cancer, suggesting that its antioxidant capabilities may be responsible for some of pomegranate's skin benefits.

HOME MADE FACE PACK OF POMOGRANATE

Dry and Mash the shells of pomegranate & orange

Add 1tsp of mashed pomegranate powder with 1tsp of Orange peel powder little bit of turmeric and Mix it with lemon juice.

Make a thin paste of it and apply it on the face.

Wash it after 10mins.

It will remove the pimples/acne from the face.

Pomogranate and Orange are rich in vitamn C and act as scrubbers and Tumeric acts as an anti-bacterial.

GREEN TEA BENEFITS

2008-12-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

Green tea helps to lower LDL cholesterol, which is responsible for the formation of blood clots and thus reduces the risks of stroke and heart attacks. It is in fact as effective as aspirin in preventing platelets from clotting and greatly reduces levels of thromboxane, which is the villain in causing blood clots. It also promotes the production of HDL and does away with plaque present in the arteries. This fact maybe explains why the Japanese who drink a lot of green tea do not suffer as much from heart disease as their compatriots around the world. The anti oxidants in the green tea are supposed to ensure that the liver is protected against toxins present in cigarette ad alcohol. Early days yet, but the research done seems to point that way.

Green tea also helps to burn those extra calories and when combined with caffeine augments the calorie burning. It increases the energy that is expended, helps to oxidize fats.

green tea and its extracts have also been used to prevent dental plaque and hence prevent tooth decay. Deodorants and creams promoting oral health are being advertised strongly as science and technology has provided evidence that green tea can actually afford some protection against bacteria causing cavities because of its fluoride content.

The anti oxidant present in green tea help to decrease inflammation of blood and this in turn helps to prevent arthritis. New studies indicate that the beneficial effects of green tea could also include means to combat cancer especially lung cancer.

Special Benefits of Green Tea

Reduces high blood pressure

Lowers blood sugar

Fights cancer

Green tea also boosts the immune system because of its high concentrations of polyphenols and flavenoids.

What else can tea be used for?

IT can be used as garden fertilizer or compost.
IT can be used to sooth puffy eyes by placing used tea bags over them.
IT can be added to herbal bath mixes for skin care.
IT can relieve sunburn by applying a tea soaked compress.
IT can be used to relieve the itch from mosquito bites.
IT can be use for cooking.
IT can be used as a fabric dye.

Red Wine Increase Your Life

2008-12-15T08:47:00.000-08:00

Moderate consumption of red wine has been widely reported to reduce risk for cardiovascular disease.

Many studies investigated the benefits of red wine suggested that moderate amount of red wine i.e one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men lowers the risk of heart attack for people in middle age by ~ 30 to 50 percent.

It is also suggested that alcohol such as red wine may prevent additional heart attacks if you have already suffered from one.

Other studies also indicated that red wine can raise HDL cholesterol (the Good cholesterol) and prevent LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) from forming.

Red wine may help prevent blood clots and reduce the blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. Indeed, studies showed that people from the Mediterranean region who regularly drank red wine have lower risks of heart disease

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a type of chemical produced by plants to ward off fungi and bacterial infections. It is often found in their skins since this is the main point of access by parasitic invaders.

Resvartrol has antioxidant properties. Many beneficial health effects in connection to resveratrol have been reported, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. This has led some to call resvaratrol a longevity enhancer, good for overall health. Resveratrol is most often associated with its cardioprocective (heart and artery-healthy) benefits.

Resveratrol in red wine

Some researchers believe that resveratrol might be the key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces "bad" cholesterol and prevents blood clots.

The resveratrol in red wine comes from the skin of grapes used to make wine. Because red wine is fermented with grape skins longer than is white wine, red wine contains more resveratrol. Simply eating grapes, or drinking grape juice, has been suggested as one way to get resveratrol without drinking alcohol. Some studies have suggested that red and purple grape juices have some of the same heart-healthy benefits of red wine.

Other foods that contain some resveratrol include peanuts, blueberries and cranberries. It's not yet known how beneficial eating grapes or other foods might be compared with drinking red wine when it comes to promoting heart health. The amount of resveratrol in food and red wine can vary widely.

Liver Protection Tips

2008-12-14T23:39:00.000-08:00

Ways to Protect Liver

Liver is one of the most important organs of our body which perform number of important works inside our body.It builds complex molecules from simple substances absorbed from the digestive tract. It also do processing of alcohol and toxic substances in blood and produce important substance like bile which help body in absorbing fats and cholesterol.

Symptoms
Fatigue, general malaise, digestive disturbances, allergies and chemical sensitivities, premenstrual syndrome and constipation.

Diet and Lifestyle:

Eat a balanced diet. You may need to watch how much protein and sugar you eat.

If you drink alcohol, the most important way to help yourself is to stop.

Avoid strenuous exercise

Always wash properly fruits and vegetable before eating them.

Add good amount of high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetable, food grains, cereals etc in your food.

Drink enough amount of water during day.

Decrease the intake of food high in fats. Thus reducing the risks of gallbladder disorders like gallstone etc.

Visit your doctor regularly for regular checkups.

Follow day routine of regular exercise and meditation.

Avoid buying eatable items from unhygienic and roadside vendors.

Avoid intake of high salt in your food because it can lead to water retention and liver problems.

Avoid intake of calorie rich food, desserts, snacks, cold drinks etc.

If diabetic, put control on diabetics.

Maintain your weight under control to ideal levels because obesity can increase the chances of liver disorders.

Consumption different medication with care because some medicines can affect our liver negatively. Do not consumption more amount of medicines as directed by your doctor.

Do not mix different medicines without your doctor’s permission.

Try to reduce the intake of alcohol and avoid mixing drugs with alcohol intake.

Get yourself and your family members vaccinated for available liver protective vaccinations.

Use only disposable springs, needles because liver disorder like Hepatitis C can transmit through

use of contaminated springs.

Always go for safe sex, use condoms.

HONEY :- A Natural Beauty

2008-12-14T23:26:00.000-08:00

Today manufacturers are increasingly using honey in skin moisturizers, facial masks, hair conditioners and shower gels in response to consumer demand for more natural formulations.

Did you know!

All-natural honey is an effective treatment for minor abrasions and burns. A recent review of medical research documents its effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent.

A Natural Moisturizer

The skin’s ability to stay hydrated is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity. As skin ages, or as it is exposed to environmental stresses and chemical agents, it loses this ability to retain water, becomes dry and appears wrinkled. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains water. So honey is a natural fit for a variety of moisturizing products including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners. Because honey is also an anti-irritant, it is suitable for sensitive skin and baby care products.

Skin Softening Bath

Add ¼ cup honey to bath water for a fragrant, silky bath.

Hair Shine

Stir 1 teaspoon honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing, pour mixture through hair. Do not rinse out. Dry as normal.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Research is currently underway to develop a process using honey to create alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are an important ingredient in many skin creams and moisturizers because they help exfoliate the skin. Increased exfoliation, or renewal of the skin cells, gives skin a younger, more vibrant look. Exfoliation can also cause skin irritation so honey’s natural moisturizing ability makes it a perfect fit for AHA products.

Moisture Mask

Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Smoothing Skin Lotion

Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon lemon. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Antioxidants

Preliminary studies have also revealed that honey has significant natural antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of UV rays and in aiding in skin rejuvenation. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. Because chemical and physical barrier sunscreens can cause skin irritation, companies are researching the use of antioxidants, anti-irritants and moisturizers in their sun care products. The natural properties of honey make it ideal for these products. Look for honey to appear in the ingredient statements of more and more cosmetics, sunscreens and skin care products.

Honey Cleansing Scrub

Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds and ½ teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.
Firming Face Mask

Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin and enough flour to form a paste. (Approximately ¼ cup). Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Honey Pat. This is the best way to bring a lively glow to your face and body while you moisturize and smooth. And it’s so much fun! Just bring one of those cute little honey-bears into the tub with you. Squeeze some honey anywhere on your skin and pat it with both hands. As you continue to pat your skin, the honey gets really sticky, and will pull up your skin gently with every pat. This is the BEST for circulation, and you’ll end up with a gorgeous glow. Rinse off the honey when you’ve had enough.

Honey Bath. If you don’t have time to pat-and-glow, just add 1/4 cup or so of honey to your bath. Mmmm—sweet, silky, and luscious skin.

Honey Shiny Hair. Mix 1 teaspoon honey, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and 1 quart of warm water. After shampooing, simply pour through hair. Let your hair dry as you normally would; you don’t need to rinse it out.

Moisturizing Honey Mask. Mix 2 tablespoons honey and 2 teaspoons milk or cream. Smooth on face and allow to remain for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Honey-Apple Toner. This sweet alpha-hydroxy miracle will help to firm, smooth, and moisturize your skin. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 peeled, cored apple with a tablespoon of honey and pulse until smooth. Apply pulp gently to face and allow to remain for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Good-Enough-to-Eat Facial Cleansing Scrub. Combine 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon finely-ground almonds, 2 tablespoons dry oatmeal, and enough lemon juice to moisten. Massage mixture gently onto face, then rinse with warm water.

Honey Hair Conditioning Treatment. This great formula combines the benefits of honey and olive oil for lustrous, silky, healthy hair and scalp. Simply combine 1/2 cup honey and 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup olive oil (depending on the dryness of your hair and scalp). Saturate hair and scalp with this conditioner, then put on a shower cap and allow the conditioner to remain for 30 minutes before you shampoo and rinse as usual.

Benefits Of Green Vegetables

2008-12-14T23:20:00.000-08:00

Benefits Of Green Vegetables !

A nutrition professor once told me that it was common for our ancient ancestors to eat up to six pounds of leaves per day. He imagined them walking along from one place to another, just picking and eating leaves as they went. Can you imagine eating a grocery bag full of greens each and every day? Few of us even eat the minimum USDA recommendations of 3 cups of dark green vegetables per week. And yet, these veggies deliver a bonanza of vitamins, minerals.
Health Benefits

Dark green leafy vegetables are, calorie for calorie, perhaps the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene,and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of fats.
Perhaps the star of these nutrients is Vitamin K. A cup of most cooked greens provides at least nine times the minimum recommended intake of Vitamin K, and even a couple of cups of dark salad greens usually provide the minimum all on their own. Recent research has provided evidence that this vitamin may be even more important than we once thought (the current minimum may not be optimal), and many people do not get enough of it.

Vitamin K:

Regulates blood clotting

Helps protect bones from osteoporosis

May help prevent and possibly even reduce atherosclerosis by reducing calcium in arterial plaques

May be a key regulator of inflammation, and may help protect us from inflammatory diseases including arthitis

May help prevent diabetes

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, so make sure to put dressing on your salad, or cook your greens with oil. Almost Carb-Free

Greens have very little carbohydrate in them, and the carbs that are there are packed in layers of fiber, which make them very slow to digest. That is why, in general, greens have very little impact on blood glucose. In some systems greens are even treated as a "freebie" carb-wise (meaning the carbohydrate doesn't have to be counted at all).

Pistachios in demand

2008-12-02T02:14:00.000-08:00

Pistachios are a popular snack food and are used to make a variety of sweet and savory foods, from ice cream. Pistachio nuts are especially popular in Indian and Mediterranean cuisines. To remove the brownish skin, blanch pistachios in boiling water for about two minutes. Drain and cool slightly, then rub off the skins while still warm.

Pistachios are an excellent source of nutrients and calories.

At 160 calories per ounce, pistachios are high in important vitamins and minerals like thiamin (B1), phosphorus, magnesium, copper and iron.

Pistachios are also a “Heart Smart” food too with significant amounts of monosaturated fat, which in recent studies has been shown to lower blood cholesterol, possibly reducing the risk of heart disease.

Pistachios are also low in saturated fat and are cholesterol free.

Nutritional Highlights

Pistachios (raw), 30 nuts (18g)
Calories: 99
Protein: 3.68g
Carbohydrate: 5.25g
Total Fat: 7.7g
Fiber: 1.8g

ALMOND BENEFITS

2008-12-02T01:50:00.000-08:00

Raw almond nuts are rich in vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and fiber. Bitter almonds are used for almond oil and it is this oil which is famously used in the liqueur Amaretto. Almonds are thought to originally come from the regions of western Asia and North Africa; they are an ancient food which has been eaten since ancient Greek and Roman times. Almonds are now typically cultivated in the Mediterranean countries and also in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Morocco and also in the American state of California.Roasted almonds are slightly harder in texture than natural almonds because the dry-roasting process removes some of the moisture. Natural almonds are better for baking and cooking.

You can create delicious milk shakes by blending almond milk with frozen fruits.

Almonds contain protein and help to prevent diseases such as gallstones, type 1 diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, cholesterol and aid weight loss. They are a good source of manganese, copper and vitamin B2 which help to fight against the health damaging free radicals and increase oxygen-based energy production which promotes the antioxidant molecule, glutathione. The flavonoids in the skin of the almonds, together with the vitamin E which is in the flesh of the nut, make almonds when eaten with the skin on, an extremely powerful antioxidant food with a double whammy effect.

BENEFITS

• Good source of protein and minerals especially for vegetarians

• Contains the anti-cancer agent leatril

• Very alkaline

• Excellent source of vitamin E and B vitamins thiamine and niacin

DISADVANTAGES

• Immature almonds can contain cyanide-producing compounds

• High in calories

• Some people may have an allergic reaction

Nutrition Information

• Shelled Almonds are a vitamin E-rich food; because of their skins, they are even higher in vitamin E than blanched almonds. One ounce (about 20-25 almonds) provides 35% of the daily value for vitamin E.• Almonds are also high in protein, having as much protein, ounce for ounce, as red meat, but without the cholesterol.

• Dietary fibre

• Folic acid

• Magnesium

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Tryptophan

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

• Vitamin B3

• Zinc

• calcium

Garlic: TIPS For Health

2008-11-27T23:08:00.000-08:00

Garlic is well known to all as it’s wide use as a spice or condiment in Indian and continental cuisine.

Garlic belongs to the onion family who has given lots of importance in Ayurveda. It contains allicin, vitamin C, B6, selenium, magnesium, potassium, calcium and manganese and falconoid. Allicin has various properties like antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal that is why garlic is widely used for skin infections like as athlete’s foot, herpes and warts, digestive and lung infections which includes diarrhea, coughs and colds.

Garlic is considered one of the most important herbal for blood pressure and cholesterol reduction.Eating garlic on regular basis may provide some protection against gastric cancer. Garlic has a very strong flavour, and it is difficult to eat in raw condition. It needs to be either mixed with other foods or to be added it in food while cooking. Allicin gets distributed throughout the meal, providing you with the benefits of its anti-carcinogenic and antiseptic properties.Garlic is considered as something of a miracle food and uses it as a home remedy for many complaints. The healing properties of garlic as an antiviral and anti bacterial agent are now backed with scientific evidence. Scientists have shown that the compounds in garlic are good for heart. They lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol production in the lever, suppress harmful cholesterol and raise level of the beneficial high-density lipoproteins in the blood. The daily dose recommended is about 6g, equivalent to two or three cloves.

Garlic is also extensively used for curing asthma, arthritis, sciatica, lumbago, backache, bronchitis, chronic fever, tuberculosis, rhinitis, malaria, obstinate skin disease including leprosy, leucoderma, discolouration of the skin and itches, indigestion, colic pain, enlargement of spleen, piles, fistula, fracture of bone, gout, urinary diseases, diabetes, kidney stone, anemia, jaundice, epilepsy, cataract and night blindness etc.

Garlic can be eaten raw in order to reduce nasal congestion and also in helping to reduce the amount of mucous in the nasal cavities. Garlic is also said to aid in the cleansing of the body's blood. And, true or not, it has been said that if you cut several onions in half and place them around your home, you and your family will not get any more colds.

Peel off the garlic only just before the cooking other wise it may lose many of garlic’s potent health properties. The natural compound of Allicin as found in garlic loses its beneficial properties within hours because it begins to react with garlic's other components as soon as the clove is crushed.

Garlic can also prevent blood clotting and increase the rate at which blood clots are broken down, but large amounts- ten or more cloves a day- may have to be eaten before any effect is noticed.

DISADVANTAGE to eating garlic is that it makes the breath smell and in few people can cause allergies

Benefits of Beet Root

2008-11-25T02:11:00.000-08:00

Beet root has natural property of cleaning the kidneys and gall bladder. The potassium present in it helps in providing nourishment to the body for daily functions while chlorine organically cleans the liver and kidney. In addition, it has positive effects on one’s digestive system as it helps in the treatment of digestive disorders and problems like jaundice, nausea and vomiting due to dysentery or diarrhea. Beet root combined with carrot juice can prove extremely beneficial in building the red corpuscles thereby helping in treating low vitality and anemia. Being an excellent solvent for inorganic calcium deposits, beet juice helps in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. It is also extremely beneficial for women as it aids in the regulation of menstruation.
Along with having numerous health benefits, beet root is also beneficial for the skin. The water in which beet roots have been boiled proves effective for the treatment of boils, inflammation and even for skin breakouts like pimples. Similarly, the decoction of beets mixed with little vinegar can be used for the treatment of dandruff. Though beet root has various health benefits, it should be avoided by diabetic patients since it is high in sugar content.

Beetroot soup provides taste with health and it can be easily prepared at home. It has a stimulating effect on liver’s detoxification process and its fibers help in promoting healthy cholesterol levels and bowel function. Being rich in folic acid, fiber, manganese, potassium and phosphorus, beetroots are a healthy and a nutritious form of food item which can be easily made into soup to experience taste with health .Simple, healthy yet delicious beetroot soup can be made at home by following the given recipe.

Health Benefits and Medicinal uses of Onion

2008-11-25T01:45:00.000-08:00

The uses of onions are primarily in cooking, as it is the most abundant ingredient in most dishes. However, there are some medicinal uses of onion. Onion have an antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some people mixed vinegar with onion juice and apply it in their freckles and warts, it is believed that it can remove/reduce this skin problems.

Onion is Benenificial in the following conditions:
Onions stimulate the immune system.
Onions are also used as a diuretic,expectorant and antiseptic.
Onions may be particularly beneficial for women in combating osteoporosis.
Onion can improve lung function,especially in asthma.
Influenza Colds, Tuberculosis ,Insomnia ,Pneumonia ,Antiallergy,Obesity,Reduce inflammation
Slightly laxative ,High Blood Pressure ,Lowers cholesterol ,Prolong longevity
Helps destroy worms and other parasites.
Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tube)
Neuritis (inflammation of the nerves)
Vertigo (inflammation of nerves)
Diuretic (increases the secretion of urine)
Diabetes mellitus - lowers blood sugar.
Valuable for the hair, nails of the fingers and toes, and for the eyes.
Sinus conditions - helps to drain mucus from the cavities and loosen phlegm.
fresh or cooked onions have antiplatelet, adhesiveness, thus preventing thrombosis.

Dengue causes and tips to cure

2008-11-25T01:12:00.000-08:00

Dengue can be diagnosed by blood test. The infected person as such cannot spread the infection but can be a source to spread it.Dengue fever is a flu kind of illness spread by mosquito bites. Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the dengue family virus. This is also widely known as 'Break bone fever' due to the severe joint pain caused during the attack.

Dengue is an infectious disease causing frequent epidemics.Dengue hemorrhagic fever is often complicated and severe. This rather can be termed as a complication dengue fever. Those bitten by the mosquito can get dengue fever and those already infected once if infected again are prone to higher risk of getting dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Dengue is spread by the bite of an 'Ades' Mosquito. This mosquito bites the infected person and then bites someone else who is not affected thus transmitting the infection. These mosquitoes are active during the day time and spread the infection during day time. These mosquitoes live among human beings and breed in discarded tyres, flower pots, water stores etc.,
Dengue fever starts suddenly accompanied by headache, severe joint pain ,rashes, nausea and lack of appetite. The illness can last up to 10 days and the complete recovery could take about four to six weeks. Widely the dengue infections result in relatively mild illness however in some cases it may lead to the dengue hemorrhagic fever. In the complicated stage the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding through mouth, nose and gums. This is most prevalent among children and young adults. This stage requires close medical attention.

Preventive Measures to control Dengue Fever

Keep the water stores clean and closed.

keep yourself well covered when outside.

Take prompt medical advice once fever starts.

Use mosquito repellents.

discard all unwanted items getting gathered around the living area to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes.

HOW TO AVOID STOMACH CANCER

2008-11-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) is the growth of cancer cells in the lining and wall of the stomach.

chances of getting stomach cancer?

Your chances of getting stomach cancer are higher if you have had a stomach infection caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which also causes ulcers in the stomach.

You are also more likely to get stomach cancer if you:

Are a man

Are older than 50 years of age

Have a close relative who has had stomach cancer

Smoke

drink alcohol in more contain

Have small growths in the lining of your stomach

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

Sometimes cancer can grow in the stomach for a long time before it causes symptoms. In the early stages, stomach cancer can cause the following symptoms:

Indigestion, stomach discomfort or heartburn

Nausea or loss of appetite

Feeling tired

When the cancer is larger, it can cause the following symptoms:

Blood in your stool or stools that are black in color

A bloated feeling after eating, even when eating a small amount

Vomiting after meals

Unintended weight loss

Stomach pain, especially after meals

Weakness and fatigue

HOW TO AVOID STOMACH CANCER

Prevent stomach cancer by becoming familiar with the risk factors involved. Stomach cancer was much more common when the American diet included more preserved and cured foods, and as a result, researchers have been able to identify key foods to avoid as well as many to incorporate into your diet as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Reduce your risk of stomach cancer by avoiding diets that are high in smoked or pickled foods as well as those high in salted meats and fish.

Consider eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables to lower your risk of stomach cancer. A diet rich in whole grain foods is also recommended by the American Cancer Society.

Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking to help prevent stomach cancer. Tobacco use has been proven to increase the risk of many types of cancer, including stomach cancer, while consuming large amounts of alcohol has also been shown to contribute stomach cancer.

Drink green tea as part of a healthy diet and you may decrease your risk of stomach cancer.

Follow up on any stomach cancer symptoms, such as persistent abdominal pain or excessive vomiting. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss these symptoms, especially if you belong to an at-risk group.

Tips to avoid Back pain

2008-11-12T02:16:00.000-08:00

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in this country. Eighty percent of the population will have some sort of serious back pain in their lives.

Good posture and regular exercise helps minimize chronic back conditions. Regular exercise is good but it is important not to strain your back.

Back Pain Tips

Lifting.

Avoid bending from the back or twisting while lifting objects. Instead, hold the object close to your body with a good base of support and your legs apart. Then, bend from the knees, lift and turn your entire body from the feet to move objects and avoid putting stress on your back.

Build up muscular strength and flexibility.

Your abdominal muscles and back muscles work together in order to give your spine support and strength. Strength and flexibility in your hips and thighs help towards maintaining good pelvic bone alignment.

Build strength as you stand.

Try standing on one leg when standing while doing the dishes or brushing your teeth. This will help build strength in the core muscles of your lower back and abdomen. Use the sink to stabilize yourself if needed and alternate your legs every 30 seconds.

Regular exercises

such as swimming walking and cycling allow your muscles to function better.

Remember, consult your doctor if you are at all worried about new forms of exercise.

Avoid prolonged stand

Try to avoid standing or bending down for long periods.

Change your position.

When standing for long periods of time, such as cooking or cleaning, widen your stance or alternate your position to avoid repeated stress on the same muscles.

Seating and back problems

Chairs need good back support. Use chairs that are at the right height. Straining to get on or off a chair , especially if you have to twist the spine into strange positions, can cause discomfort and injury. Ergonomically designed chairs are best.

Good bed mattresses for back problems

It is important to get a mattress that provides enough back support. Get a medium-firm mattress rather than a very firm mattress. Use pillows to support the neck, but not to the extent they push your head neck into odd angles.

Lifting, load carrying, and your back

Poor lifting and carrying techniques are the most common and most avoidable causes of back injury and pain.Never carry loads that are too heavy.Work places are legally obliged to provide appropriate equipment for you to carry out your work. See your boss if you feel you are at risk.Make sure that when you do lift you keep your back straight and bend at the knees to weight-bear.If you think you may have trouble lifting something get help. Don't risk back injury.

Weight gain and back problems

Maintain a healthy weight.If you are overweight it puts a tremendous strain on the back muscles. Losing weight can make a dramatic difference to back pain and discomfort.

Losing weight makes you more energetic.

Smoking and back problems

Smoking causes diminished levels of oxygen levels to spinal tissues. Diminished oxygen levels can hinder the healing processes if you get a spinal injury.

Wear comfortable shoes.

High heels, and flip flops can throw off your body alignment. High heels will create an anterior pelvic tilt, which pulls on the muscles of the low back. Flip flops do not lend enough support for the feet.

TIPS TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER

2008-11-12T01:45:00.000-08:00

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast.

There are two main types of breast cancer:

Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Most breast cancers are of this type.

Lobular carcinoma starts in parts of the breast, called lobules, that produce milk.

In rare cases, breast cancer can start in other areas of the breast.

TIPS TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER

Take a Walk

Women who spend a little more than an hour a day walking may reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by 23 per cent, compared to their non-active peers.

Eat fruit

You can't go wrong with this – almost all dietary advice comes down to the single instruction to eat more fruit and veg. Diet is thought to be a key factor in one in four cancer deaths – and animal fat in the diet is the suspect ingredient in breast cancer. The Japanese, who eat a diet of fish, rice and vegetables that is extremely low in animal fat, also have low rates of breast cancer.

A high-fat diet increases the levels of the female hormone oestrogen in the blood, which encourages the growth of cancer cells. In populations with a high-fat diet, women tend to start their periods earlier and reach menopause later so they are exposed to high levels of oestrogen for longer, increasing their risk of breast cancer.

Studies into what effect eating fruit and vegetables has on breast cancer have produced mixed results. One study found that, when combined with taking exercise, the results were dramatic. Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology last June, it showed that women who ate their five portions a day and walked briskly for at least 30 minutes halved their risk of breast cancer.

Avoid less drink .

It may be unpopular, but it works. Every alcoholic drink a woman consumes on a daily basis increases her risk of breast cancer by 6 per cent. Drinking has been rising, especially among young women, and researchers estimate it accounts for 2,000 cases out of the 40,000-plus diagnosed every year.

Cutting down on drinking could be a wise move for the 18 per cent of young women aged 16 to 24 who consume more than three drinks a day.

But going teetotal may be a step too far. Moderate drinking is good for the heart, especially in middle age, and this could outweigh the higher risk of cancer. The dull but true reality is that moderate drinking is best for all-round health.

Protect yourself from the sun

Avoid peak radiation hours.

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Minimize or avoid being outside during these hours.

Stay in the shade.

If you go outside, minimize your sun exposure by staying in the shade.

Cover exposed areas.

Wear light-colored, loosefitting clothing that protects you from the sun's rays. Use tightly woven fabrics that cover your arms and legs, and wear a broad-brimmed hat that covers your head and ears.

Don't skimp on sunscreen.

Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

Don't use indoor tanning beds or sunlamps.

These can damage your skin as much as the sun can. There's no such thing as a healthy tan.

Give birth

Having children, especially before the age of 30, helps protect against breast cancer. It is down to those hormones, again. Over the last century, economic progress has led to delayed childbirth and smaller families as women with their own careers have sought to balance the demands of work and home. But researchers estimate that delaying childbearing increases the risk of breast cancer by 3 per cent for each year of delay.

Breast-feed

Breast-feeding protects against breast cancer, as well as being best for the baby. But smaller families and the rise in the number of working mothers has meant the time spent breast-feeding has reduced. Breast-feeding for six months reduces the risk, experts say. Yet many women never get that far. In England, 77 per cent of mothers start breast-feeding but more than a third switch to bottle-feeding in the first six weeks.

Increase oxygen contain in your body.

An underlying cause of cancer is low cellular oxygenation levels. Poor oxygenation comes from a buildup of toxins within and around cells, causing red blood cells to clump up, slowing down the bloodstream, and restricting flow into capillaries. Increasing oxygen into your body will lower your acidic level to alkaline. Cancer cells do not survive in a normal alkaline environment.

You can increase oxygen in your body by doing breathing exercises as explained in The Yogi Science of Breath.

5 Helpful Tips to look Younger

2008-11-10T03:18:00.000-08:00

Tip 1

Reside in a sanitary atmosphere. People who live up to 100 years old have some environmental items in common like pure and clean air, well-preserved nature, pure water and very little stress. You can supply cleaner air by planting new plants in your garden and planting more trees in your section. Extra plants in the area entail additional oxygen to breathe. Keep in mind that what we breathe in is the precise thing that plants exhale, and vice versa.

Tip 2

Pay attention to your teeth. Have you ever observed that there are many older people who have dentures? The reason for this is that as we get older, our body soaks up and stores less calcium (which in addition clarifies why older women are diagnosed with osteoporosis).

Therefore, try to steer clear of losing your teeth forever. Brushing your teeth every meal is the most essential yet the most useful routine for great looking teeth. In order to make your teeth shiny and white, you can utilize teeth whitening products. Tea and coffee can stain your teeth immediately so brushing after a meal is a must.

A good idea is to see your dentist at least two times a year. And always remember to drink at least two glasses of milk daily, just like we tell the little ones.

Tip 3

Regardless of what you do, whether you have a challenging agenda or just enjoy being lazy in your comfortable house, make certain that you are receiving plenty of sleep, and a good sleep at that. Your eyes will be the first thing to show if you are getting enough sleep. A pair of gleaming and dazzling eyes positively makes you appear younger. However, how many hours of sleep are recommended?

Maybe you were raised believing that you should get no less than eight hours of sleep at night. Believe it or not, you shouldn't. A new report states that people who sleep six to seven hours live longer and are in better health. Sleeping too long is not healthy for you. In reality, sleeping for five hours is healthier than sleeping for eight hours.

In order to sleep well, use something natural to induce sleep. A great example is milk. A little aerobic and sex can also assist you in sleeping sound.

Tip 4

Do not apply a large amount of makeup. It is true that makeup can make you look attractive. However, the makeup's style, composition and amount can make or break you. You won't look like a criminal with minimal makeup. Instead of using dark aggressive looking colors, utilize lighter tones and pastel colors. In addition, you might try brown shades of lipstick. This will permit you to appear more natural and many years younger.

Tip 5

Maintain your hair in a short style. Long hair adds years to your look, essentially making you look like a weary and fatigued witch. You can increase your youthfulness by testing a shorter cut. You might ask your hairdresser to give you side swept bangs to show off your gorgeous face. You can also make your hair look vivacious and gleaming. A slight highlight might also work. Coloring your hair a darker color (black or dark brown) will not only make you appear younger, but will cover up those grey hairs as well.

8 Tips to Rapid Weight Loss

2008-11-10T03:11:00.000-08:00

Water - Drink more water. Your body is composed of mostly water. Doesn't it make sense that water should be a major part of your daily nutrients? While most people don't tend to think of water as a nutrient, it is essential to carry nutrients in your blood, to lubricate your joints, to help your brain function properly, to keep your kidneys working well, to aid your digestive system, and it's needed in practically every biological activity that your body does. The formula for how much to drink is easy. Take your bodyweight, divide it in half, and drink that many ounces of water each day.

The Meat of the Matter - Eat more lean protein at every meal. The good proteins are fish, tofu, nuts, and beans. The bad proteins are beef, pork, and factory-farmed chicken and turkey. These foods not only contain more fat but they can also have hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals in them.

Find the Fats - Eat the right fats. Get rid of things that can clog your arteries and put you in the high-risk category for heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. Remove the chicken skin. Switch to low-fat salad dressing or skip it completely. You'll actually taste the salad! Stop using corn oil and other vegetable cooking oils. When heated, they become trans-fats and are not digestible. Use olive oil, preferably extra virgin olive oil. Don't eat any margarine, partially hydrogenated oils, or fried foods.

Lose the Booze - Avoid alcohol in all its different forms - wine, beer, mixed drinks, and hard liquor. Despite what some studies might tell you, you won't lose any health benefits by not drinking alcohol. Remember that alcohol is a poison to your body and not a health food. Instead, drink herbal teas and water.

Curb Your Carbs - Eat less white bread, white rice, white sugar. These products are refined and are stripped of their nutritional value by the processing that they undergo before making it to the store shelves. You can still eat carbohydrates. In fact, you need them daily to supply your body with energy. Work on eating foods like oatmeal, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and fruits.

Eating Raw - Raw vegetables and fruits provide nutrients and fiber. Try to eat a diet that is full of whole grains, seeds, sprouts, and nuts. Some of the best fruits to eat are blueberries, strawberries, apples, pears, and oranges.

Dump the Dairy - Reduce your intake of cheese, butter, ice cream, and milk. These foods are all high in fat content. Many people have food allergies and dairy products are often the number one problem. Doesn't it seem a little strange that we are the only living things on the planet that drink milk after we're weaned from our mothers? What's even stranger is the fact that we are the only creatures on the planet that drink the milk of a completely different species. If you still feel the need for dairy products, go for low-fat yogurt.

Muscle Up - Weight training boosts your metabolism. Muscle burns calories at a higher rate than fat. As a result, your metabolism is running at a higher level. You burn more calories even while you're sleeping when you have more muscle mass. Weight training should be done a minimum of three times per week. Alternate the training sessions - upper body one day, then lower body the next day or work on the pushing muscles for one session followed by the pulling muscles the next session. Always give your body a chance to recover by waiting at least 24-48 hours before working the same muscle groups.

Homemade Tips For Hair removal

2008-11-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

For facial hair removal:

1. Apply a mask of a paste made of sugar, lemon and water in the direction of hair growth. Rinse after 10-15 minutes. Apply twice a week.

2. Apply a mask of a mixture of 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 4 teaspoons honey in the direction of hair growth. Rinse after 10-15 minutes. Apply twice a week.

3. Mix turmeric powder with milk and apply on the face. Scrub it off slowly moving your fingers in circular motion, and then wash with cold water.

4. Blend one egg white with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 tablespoon of corn flour until it becomes a sticky paste. Apply the mixture on your face. When it dries gently peel it off. Repeat this 3-4 times a week.

Body hair removal: Body Sugaring

Sugaring Solution:

Mix lemon juice (1/2 lemon), sugar (1 cup), and honey (1/4 cup) in a bowl. Microwave or heat on a stove until it bubbles up into a smooth consistency. Remove from heat and let it cool.(neither too cold nor too hot)

Application for Removing Hair:

Wash and dry your body part where you want to remove hair. Dust with some cornstarch or plain flour to absorb body oil. Spread a thin layer of the sugaring solution in the direction of the hair. Cover with a strip of fabric, rub your hand on the strip and pull it off quickly against the direction of the hair growth. It will be slightly painful, but tolerable. Repeat it 2-3 times.

You can store the unused sugaring solution in a jar and reheat the mixture when you use it next time.

Heart Disease Prevention

2008-11-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

1. Eat your Vegies
Researchers have found that men and women that added a couple of servings of whole grains, nuts, beans,and tofu to their diets each day for a month lowered there LDL cholesterol by nearly 30 %.

2. Fight Cholesterol with the right Fat
A group of 17 Ausie men with high cholesterol swapped macadamia nuts for 15 % of the calories in their diets, and their total cholesterol droped by 3 and 5%, while their HDL-good cholesterol rose by nearly 8%. Macadamia nuts are the best source of monounsaturated fat.

3. Run indoors on Hazy polluted days
Researchers in Finland found that exercising outside on hor and hazy days when air pollution was worst cut the ozygen supply to the blood, making it more likely to clot.

4. Avoid second hand smoke
Researchers in Greece found that people who were exposed to cigarette smoke for just 30 minutes three times a week had a 26 % greater risk of developing heart disease than people who were rarely exposed to secondhand smoke.

5. Engage in Strenuous Exercise like swimming and hiking
UK research has found that people who burn just 50 calories a day in strenuous activities are 62% less likely to die of heart disease than people who burn nearly seven imes as many calories during less active exercises like walking and golfing.

6. Meditate for 20 minutes a day
Thomas Jefferson University researchers have found that this down time may reduce anxiety and depression by more than 25 %. Research has also found that patients with coronary artery disease who had the most mental stress were 3 times more likely to die during the period of study than those with less stress.

7. Drink Cranberry Juice
University of Scranton scientists found that volunteers who drank three 8 ounce glasses a day for a month increased their HDL – good cholesterol levels by 10%, enough to cut the risk of heart disease by 40%

8. Eat Breakfast
In a study of 3900 people, Harvard researchers found that men and women who ate breakfast every day were 44% less likely to be overweight and 41% less likely to develop insuline resistance, both high risk factors for heart disease

9. Walk for ½ Hour Daily
People who walked an extra 4,000 to 5,000 steps each ay lowered their blood pressure by an average of 11 points according to the University of Tennesee.

10. Eat Whole Grain Cereal
A study of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that 2 servings of whole grain cereal a day can reduce the risk of dying of heart disease by nearly 20%.

11.Make lots of friends
According to research from the University of Chicago, lonely people have a harder time dealing with stress and are at greater risk of heart disease than people with a wide circle of friends.

12. Slash the salt now
A 20 year study of the Journal of American Medical Association found that overweight men with the highest sodium intake were 61% more likely to die of heart disease than those with lower salt intakes. Mrs. Dash is a great alternative to salt.

13.Double the Tomatoe Sauce
The lycopene in tomatoe sauce prevents harmful buildup of cholesterol on artery walls.

14. Eat a Grapefruit a day
Eating a grapefruit a day or drinking 8 ounces of -not from concentrated - juice can reduce arterial narrowing by 46%, lower your bad cholesterol level by more than 10%, and help lower your blood pressure by more than 5 points.

15. Eat Garlic
In addition to lowering bad cholesterol and helping fight off infection, eating garlic may help limit damage to your heart after a heart attack or surgery. 16. Beans are a good for the Heart
Beans are a great source of homocysteine-folate and bad cholesterol lowering. Researchers have found that people who ate four or more servings a week had a 22% lower risk of developing heart disease .

17. Wash your Hands often
German researchers studied 570 people for an average of 3 years and found that those with the most antibodies (from fighing infection) in their systems also had the most significant clogging of their arteries, hearts, necks, and legs. Use liquid soap as germs may live on bars.

18. Lift weights Harvard researchers found that lifting weights for just 30 minutes a week is enough to reduce your risk of heart disease by 23%.

19. Skip the french fries and bad trans fatty acids
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the exercise and nutritional habits of 80,000 women were recorded for 14 years. They found that the most important correlate of heart disease was the women’s dietary intake of fods containing trans fatty acids, mutated forms of fat that lower good HDL cholesterol, and increase bad LDL cholesterol. One of the worst foods is French fries.

20. Snack on Nuts instead
Harvard research has found that men who replaced 127 calories of carbohydrates – that is about 14 baked Lays potato chips – with 1 ounce of nuts decreased their risk of heart disease by 30%.

21. Rinse and brush
Rinse your mouth with Listerine and Brush with Colgate Total toothpaste. This should reduce oral bacteria, which can decrease your risk of heart attack by 200 – 300% according to U of Buffalo research.

22. Pour on the Olive Oil
Men whose diet include as much as 2 ounces of Olive oil a day have an 82% lower risk of having a fatal heart attack than men who consume little or none. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats-known to hinder the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol into its artery – clogging form.

23. Lower your Blood Pressure under 120/80
If your blood pressure is high – more than 140/90 – knocking 20 points off the top number and 10 points off the bottom number can cut your risk of dying of heart disease in half.

24. French Red Wine versus German reds
According to the American College of American College of Cardiology, French red wine has up to 4 times more artery protecting enzymes than German reds.

25. Go fish
The American Heart association recommends eating fish at least twice a week. If not try taking a fish oil supplement instead. Besides lowering blood pressure and clearing plaque from arteries, 1 to 2 grams of fish oil improves the blood flow and helps maintain regular heartbeat.

26. Add Flaxseed to your diet
Flaxseed and Flaxseed oil is a natural source of omega 3s.

27. Take a baby Aspirin a day
Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that regular baby aspirin consumption cut the risk of coronary heart disease by 28% in people who had never had a heart attack or stroke, but were at heightened risk. For maximum impact on blood pressure, take a low dose aspirin before bedtime.

28. Fortify with Folic Acid
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that people who consume the recommended amount of Folic acid daily had a 16% lower risk of heart disease than those whose diets are lacking in this B vitamin. Good sources of Folic acid include…asparagus, broccoli, and fortified cereal.

29. Choose Dark Chocolate – Cocoa
Cocoa contains flavonoids that thin the blood and keep it from clotting. One of the good fats in dark cocoa is oleic acid, which is the same healthy monounsaturated fat found in Olive oil.

30. Get your daily B Vitamins
A study at the Cleveland clinic found that men with diets low in B vitamins were more than twice as likely to develop heart disease as men with higher levels of B vitamins in there system.

31. Potassium is good for health
Slice a banana on your cereal, bake a sweet potato or yam, cook some spinach. Studies show that not getting your daily 3,500 milligrams of potassium can set you up for high blood pressure. Other good sources include raisins, tomatoes and papayas.

32. Increase fiber intake
Eat bran cereal or take fiber supplements like Metamucil 15 minutes before eating each meal. It has shown to help slow the digestive process of highly processed starchs and sweets. Diets high in foods that quickly raise blood sugar may increase heart disease risk.

Health tips by Dr. Batras

2008-11-08T22:09:00.000-08:00

1. Asthma

a. Keep your surrounding areas dust free .

b. Avoid strong perfumes , excessive mental & physical strain and pesticides.

c. Have a light and early dinner

d. Avoid cold drinks , artificial coloured foods and oily food.

e. Do regular breathing exercises.

2. Arthritis

a. Use a firm bed and a thin pillow

b. Use a high bed chair

c. Avoid lifting heavy objects

d. Eat plenty of spinach , sprouts & sweet lime

e. Keep your weight in check

f. Avoid sour food

3. Head pain

a. Take adequate sleep.

b. Avoid bright lights & loud noises.

c. Don't overstrain your eyes.

d. Regularize your lifestyle.

e. Avoid self medication.

4. Female disorders

a. Treat anemia.

b. Ensure good hygiene.

c. Avoid late marriages & late pregnancies.

d. Avoid use strong irritant soaps.

e. Keep your weight in check.

5. Skin disorders

a. Use a mild soap

b. Have a regular sun bath

c. Avoid excessive scratching

d. Avoid chocolates , nuts & fried food

e. Have a balanced diet

6. Stomach related disorders

a. Eat your meals at regular intervals.

b. Include plenty of fluids , green leafy vegetables & fresh salads.

c. Chew your food thoroughly.

d. Move your bowels regularly.

e. Practice relaxation exercises regularly.

7. Acne

a. Use a mild soap

b. Wash your face 4 to 5 times a day.

c. Check dandruff.

d. Do not squeeze or pick your pimples.

e. Avoid use of cosmetics & ointments.

8. Obesity

a. Include plenty of fluids , salads.

b. Do not eat in between meals.

c. Avoid fried foods , chocolates & sweets.

d. Avoid mental stress & strain.

e. Exercise regularly

9. Leucoderma

a. Expose the effected areas to morning sunlight - 30 minutes per day.

b. Include plenty of iron in your diet.

c. Avoid tamarind , fish & sour food.

d. Avoid use of creams & powders.

e. Relax mentally.

10. Psoriasis

a. Use a mild soap.

b. Avoid creams and powders.

c. Wear light cotton clothing.

d. Keep your skin clean.

e. Avoid excessive scratching.

11. Diabetes

a. Keep your weight in check.

b. Include plenty of fibre in your food.

c. Make exercise a part of your routine.

d. Check your sugar level regularly.

e. Don't ignore even a mild wound or injury.

12. Hair loss

a. Control dandruff.

b. Avoid wearing a helmet for long hours.

c. Include plenty of protein in your diet.

d. Avoid frequent change in oils and shampoos.

e. Do not use soap on your scalp.

Managing Heartburn

2008-11-08T04:37:00.000-08:00

First, try over-the-counter medications along with lifestyle changes:

Don't lie down for 3 hrs after eating.

Avoid foods, drinks or medicines that aggravate heartburn, such as fried or fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, sodas, citrus fruits, tomato products and alcohol.

Eat smaller portions at mealtimes.

Wear loose fitting clothing.

Maintain a normal body weight.

Stop smoking.

If over-the-counter medicines and lifestyle changes don't eliminate your heartburn, see your doctor. There are now several prescription medicines that may help. These are generally in 2 classes:

H2 Receptor Antagonists - these decrease the flow of stomach acid.

Proton Pump Inhibitors - these decrease the flow of stomach acid to a greater degree.

Important Questions To Ask Your Physician If You Want To Be In A Clinical Trial

2008-11-08T04:32:00.000-08:00

Participating in a clinical trial can be a very rewarding experience, both personally and altruistically. But before entering a clinical trial, there are several questions to ask your physician or the principal investigator of the clinical trial:

Am I a good candidate for this clinical trial?
Will trial participation enhance my medical care in any specific way?
Does participation in this trial give me access to medicine that is not yet available to the general public?
Is there a chance that I will be in the placebo group? If I am in the placebo group, will I have a chance to try the study medication after the trial?
How long is the trial?
Where is the trial being conducted?
What treatments will be used and how?
What is the main purpose of the trial?
How will patients' safety be monitored?
What are the known risks (short-term side effects and longer term effects) of this study medication?
What are the possible benefits of the study medication?
Can I opt to remain on this treatment, even after termination of the trial?
What are the alternative treatments besides the one being tested in the trial?
Who is sponsoring the trial?
Do I have to pay for any part of the trial?
What happens if I am harmed by the trial?
Are there certain behaviors or activities I will have to avoid during the trial (e.g. smoking, drinking, getting pregnant)?
Are there certain behaviors (e.g. diet, exercise, contraception) that I will have to practice during the trial?
What are the risks if I were to get pregnant during this trial?
How will my medical costs be handled during the trial?
Will I be asked to take invasive medical tests that I would not otherwise need?
What kind of time commitment will I be making per required visit by participating in this trial?
Will I be compensated for travel, childcare or other incidental expenses?
How will this trial add to the body of medical knowledge in this field?
Will the results of this trial potentially impact my own medical care?
When do you anticipate the results of the clinical trial being available to the medical community?

Preventing Hair Loss by Dr. Donnica Moore

2008-11-08T04:17:00.000-08:00

Take care of your hair - by paying less attention to it. Coloring or perming your hair too often can damage it. Don't perm and color the same day.

Limit heat exposure. Too much blow-drying or hot-curling can damage hair.

Limit chlorine exposure. Wear a bathing cap while swimming and shampoo immediately afterwards.

Hair is more fragile when wet. Avoid vigorous combing or brushing wet hair. Using a conditioner or detangler after shampooing can make grooming easier.

Avoid drinking too much alcohol and avoid using it on your hair. Hair care products that contain alcohol can make hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.

Over-brushing damages hair -- 100 strokes a day is history.

Over-pulling also damages hair. Tight ponytails and braids are damaging.

Healthy hair is found on healthy people. Crash diets, illnesses, and even childbirth can cause or exacerbate hair loss.

Medications that can cause hair loss include Vitamin A, certain antidepressants, testosterone products, beta blockers, certain cholesterol-lowering agents, and chemotherapy.

Stopping birth control pills can contribute to hair loss.

Certain medical conditions like lupus, having polycystic ovaries, and hypo or hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss, so consult your physician if you experience unexpected hair loss.

Crash diets aren't good for your health or your hair. Rapid weight loss plans, especially low-protein diets, can cause hair loss.

Getting a Better Night's Sleep by Dr. Donnica Moore, M.D.

2008-11-08T04:11:00.000-08:00

Practice good sleep habits, such as going to bed at the same time each night.

Wake up at the same time every morning.

Avoid naps unless they are scheduled to make up for a sleep deficit the night before.

Avoid caffeine for 8 hrs before bedtime.

Avoid nicotine.

Avoid late night sugar snacks.

Limit alcohol to fewer than 2 drinks.

Get regular exercise.

Establish a pre-bed routine.

Avoid watching TV in bed.

Avoid large evening meals and spicy or greasy foods that might give you an upset stomach or indigestion.

Aim for a dark, quiet sleep environment with a comfortable temperature and humidity.

Avoid crash diets or skipping meals.

Use reliable sleep aids when necessary: decaffeinated hot tea, milk, a warm bath, a massage, and sexual activities are great sleep inducers.

Melatonin is a popular over-the-counter sleep aid, but has been shown to have a weak effect in sleep disturbances other than jet lag.

If these practices still don't offer the sleep you need, talk to your doctor about an evaluation of the problem and short-term prescription drug therapy.

Dental Health Tips

2008-11-08T04:04:00.000-08:00

Always use a soft bristle brush.

Rinse your mouth after every meal.

Floss in between the teeth to remove the embedded food particles.

Oral health is mirror to the general health so always keep the good oral hygeine.

Eat sugar free chewing gum in case of dry mouth to stimulate the salivary flow.

Eat hard nuts to stimulate the salivary flow and to exercise the muscles of mastication.

Use pea size amount of tooth paste in cases of infants and encourage them to spit the paste after brushing.

Date with the dentist on his/her first birthday.

Always use the alcohol free mouth wash as the mouth wash with alcohol leads to xerostomia (dry mouth )

Report to the dentist/physician in cases the ulcers do not heal.

Always report to the qualified dental specialist/physician.

Health Tips from Dr Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore!

2008-11-08T03:53:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT INFO for all ...from Dr.Devi Shetty
Very informative & follow the way as the famous doctor from Bangalore's Narayana Hrudayalaya Dr.DEVI SHETTY AS suggested.

Not only read, also propagate this . Kindly take print out of this and give it to those who are not connected to Internet.

There was a chat, arranged by WIPRO for its employees, with Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist). The transcript of the chat is given below:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What are the five thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?
Dr Devi Shetty:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar
-------

Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
Dr Devi Shetty: No
--------

It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
Dr Devi Shetty: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.
--------

Are heart diseases hereditary?
Dr Devi Shetty: Yes
---------

What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?
Dr Devi Shetty: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.
-------

Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?
Dr Devi Shetty: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints
---------

You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?
Dr Devi Shetty: Mother Theresa, who was my patient.
--------
Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?
Dr Devi Shetty: Extremely rare
--------
Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age (I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?
Dr Devi Shetty: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.
---------

How do irregular eating habits affect the heart?
Dr Devi Shetty: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.
---------

How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?
Dr Devi Shetty: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.
---------

Can yoga prevent heart ailments?
Dr Devi Shetty: Yoga helps.
----------

Which is the best and worst food for the heart?
Dr Devi Shetty: Best food is fruits worst are oil.
---------

Which oil is better - gingili, groundnut, sunflower, saffola, olive?
Dr Devi Shetty: All oils are bad; the so-called best oil company has the largest marketing budget.
--------

What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?
Dr Devi Shetty: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.
--------

How different was it in treating Noor Fatima, the little kid from Pakistan ?
Dr Devi Shetty: It was extremely difficult, Because of the media attention. As far as the medical treatment is concerned, she is like any other child
with a complex heart problem.
--------

What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?
Dr Devi Shetty: Help the person into a sleeping position, put an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him
to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.
-------

How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?
Dr Devi Shetty: Extremely difficult without ECG.
---------

What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious
heart problems.
Dr Devi Shetty: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, edentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.
-------

Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?
Dr Devi Shetty: Yes.
------

Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?
Dr Devi Shetty: Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child
--------

Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart? What precautions would you recommend?
Dr Devi Shetty: When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.
--------

Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?
Dr Devi Shetty: Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.
--------

Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?
Dr Devi Shetty: No.
-------

Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?
Dr Devi Shetty: No.
------------

How would you define junk food?
Dr Devi Shetty: Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds, samosas, and even masala dosas.
----------

You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?
Dr Devi Shetty: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.
----------

Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?
Dr Devi Shetty: No.
----------

Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?
Dr Devi Shetty: Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary
care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.
----------

Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?
Dr Devi Shetty: No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.
-----------

Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?
Dr Devi Shetty: Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.
------------

Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?
Dr Devi Shetty: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.
----------

What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?
Dr Devi Shetty: Diet, exercise, drugs on time. Control cholesterol, BP, weight.
---------------

Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?
Dr Devi Shetty: No.
-------------

What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?
Dr Devi Shetty: There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and
go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.
------------

Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?
Dr Devi Shetty: No.
----------

Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?
Dr Devi Shetty: Nature protects women till the age of 45.
---------

How can one keep the heart in a good condition?
Dr Devi Shetty: Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for a health checkup if you are past the age of 30 for at least once in two yrs. And work very hard...
Enjoy.....Life..........

Hair Straightening

2008-11-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

Those with straight and silky hair are quick to rush in for a perm, while those with curly, wavy locks long for smooth and straight hair. Here's how to get your hair straighter, faster.

The grass is always greener on the other side, which is why those with straight and silky hair are quick to rush in for a perm, while those with curly, wavy locks long for smooth and straight hair. It is however far easier to curl straight hair than it is to straighten curly hair. Straightening hair is a lengthy and apparently never-ending process. If you've always dreamt of having straight hair but didn't know where to begin, if you've longed for smooth and silky locks without a clue as to how to achieve the same, you've come to the right place. Read on for tips on getting your hair straighter, faster.

Long Hair

Grow your hair long. Short hair tends to curl more, and is harder to straighten. In comparison, longer hair is relatively easier to straighten. Because of the weight of long hair, the top portion tends to straighten out on its own, leaving only the ends curly and giving a very nice, soft effect. This, of course, depends on the strength of curl you have in your hair. Very curly hair may retain its curl along the entire length, even when very long.

Chemical Straightening Should you straighten your hair chemically?

One thing that is important to remember is that even after you straighten your hair chemically, you will still need to blowdry it straight after every wash. The only difference is that it becomes easier to blowdry your hair straight at home after a chemical straightening and you will not need to go to the parlour to get it blowdried straight. Remember to always blowdry hair straight in sections. Invest in a powerful blowdryer for maximum effect. A blowdryer with a diffuser attachment reduces frizz. Alternatively, try applying a leave-in conditioner or a serum like Livon to combat frizz.

Ironing Hair

If you like rod-straight hair (think Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Na Ho), ironing hair is easier to do at home than blowdrying, but ironing is harsh on the hair and again, it only lasts until the next wash. So if you iron your hair regularly, avoid other chemical treatments such as colouring your hair. Trim your hair regularly to keep split ends in check and maintain your length at a few inches below your shoulders. If you want to keep it longer like perhaps waist-length, avoid ironing the ends of your hair and iron it only from the top. Let the ends remain curly. In this manner the ends will be healthier and you will be able to grow hair longer. Consider investing in a ceramide hair iron, where the ironing plates are made from ceramide. These irons are more expensive than regular irons but are more effective and also far, far gentler on hair. If a ceramide iron is beyond your budget (they generally cost at least Rs 3,500), consider going in for a steam iron instead. Make sure you try out the iron before buying it as you don't want to be stuck with an ineffective hair iron.

Japanese Hair Bonding

This is the latest method of chemically straightening your hair. When your hair is straightened by this method, you will not need to blowdry your hair straight after every wash. The hair that has been straightened stays straight for life, and you will need to re-straighten new hair as it grows by way of touch-ups. This is the most expensive method of hair straightening, and some parlours charge as much as Rs 10,000 for hair a few inches longer than the shoulders. Make sure you go to a reputed parlour, as there is no point if this job is not well done.

HOW TO OIL YOUR HAIR

2008-11-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

Oiling hair is a technique to make hair healthy. Oiling done correctly can make your hair healthy and strong.
Hair is the most important ornament of beauty. Lucky are the women who have naturally beautiful hair. But it is equally important for all of us to oil hair regularly. Oiling is essential to cope with the problems like hair fall and dandruff. Without oil, hair can become rough, dry andfrizzy. Oiling hydrates and moisturises hair. So good is oiling, that it can correct the dryness and damage of strong hair dyes on your hair.
Oiling hair is the most important task for maintaining long and stronghair. (You must have heard this a zillion times from your grandmother) You can select the oil according to your preference. You can select from coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or any other oil that you like. But do avoid mineral oil. Oiling hair is important than using any other cosmetic products and treatments. You can turn your hair from dry to dramatic with the useful hair oiling tips below. Read on to get hair that radiates good health.

Tips for oiling your hair

You use different techniques for doing things in your daily life. Oiling hair should also be done using some smart techniques to optimise its effectiveness. If you want to avoid hair fall and grow thick and shiny hair you can try the following hair oiling secret

Heat oil to a warm temperature before applying it on your hair

Make partitions while oiling your hair. Rub oil in each partition. Make as many partitions of hair as you can. This will help oil to reach the scalp properly. Do not just pour oil on your hair

Avoid using too much of oil. Start applying little to each part ofhead and then massage. Massaging is important than the quantity of oil you use

Dip your finger tips in oil. Gently massage with finger on scalp by putting your hands inside hair

Massage with your fingers at least for 10 to 15 minutes after oiling your hair

Avoid washing your hair immediately after oiling. If you do not like to wear oily hair, you can oil it before going to bed. You can wash your hair the next day. For best results let the oil stay for one day on your hair. When you make the oil stay for longer time it soaks in the scalp better

Oil your hair at least once a week. If your hair is very dry you should oil it at least twice a week

Rub oil on the roots of your hair. it helps to improve blood circulation and make hair silky and strong

If you want to keep your hair break free, oil it regularly. Oiling hair will also help you relax after a long day. Massaging hair is a popular stress buster.

Optimal use of oil requires lesser shampoo to wash it off. This will help to save your time and avoid misuse of oil. Oil is a conditioner and hair moisturise. It may not stop heavy hairfall but it certainly controls hair breakage and split ends. Regular oiling makes hair lustrous and adds shine to it. All you need is a good shampoo and conditioner after oiling and you will be set to comb your beautiful hair.

HAIR STYLING TIPS

2008-11-06T04:27:00.000-08:00

Style your hair with care with these tips:

1. Never use a blow dryer on dry hair.

2. Cut your hair frequently. It is better to trim a minimal amount of hair often, than it is to cut off a whole lot once a year, as your hair stays in healthier condition.

3. If you want a change of style but want to keep the length, get your hair cut in long layers. This also helps remove spilt ends.

4. Use rubber bands that are covered with fabric when you want to tie up your hair. This reduces breakage.

5. Natural bristle brushes are preferable to plastic and polyester bristles. They are gentler on the hair. Unless your brush has natural bristles, you should never brush wet hair, as wet hair tends to snap easily.

6. If you blow-dry your hair right, there is no reason why it cannot look as good as salon-blow-dried hair. The trick is to blow-dry your hair in sections.

7. If you section it well, you should be done after 11 or 12 sections, and it should not take you more than fifteen minutes. However, if you randomly section your hair, it may take a lot longer, so be systematic about it. Another reason to stick to systematic sections is that you will not be blow-drying hair that is already dry, and in this manner you will reduce damage to your hair.

8. Stick to making sections with the help of horizontal and vertical partings to your hair, and doing blocks at a time.

9. Make a horizontal parting two inches above the back of your head. Part the rest of the hair in the center, and pile up each side on top and clip it up, using one clip for each side.

10. Divide the loose hair into two sections, and blow-dry each section with the help of a round brush.

11. If your hair is very curly, it helps if your blow dryer has a flat nozzle attachment to better direct air.

12. Move the blow dryer along the length of your hair along with your brush.

13. After you have got the bottom done, keep moving upwards in sections, until you have finished all your hair. Simply use horizontal and vertical partings to section your hair.

14. If you are using a straightening iron to straighten your hair, use it with care, and use it sparingly. It can be very damaging if used often, and if you do not follow up with extra care for the hair.

15. On the other hand, if you are using a curling iron, don�t place the iron at the ends of your hair. Place it around four inches above the ends, and then feed the ends into the iron. Hair ends are the most fragile part of your hair, and in this manner you reduce the damage to the hair ends as you avoid prolonged high heat exposure.

16. Wearing a leave-in conditioner at all times keeps the hair moisturized and also helps prevent damage caused by exposure to sunlight.

HOW TO USE STRAIGHTENING IRONS

2008-11-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

Learn to use a hair straightening iron and let your hair speak your style statement. Straight hair is just a slide away.

Straight silky flowing hair is what most women desire. Hair is a women's crowning glory which only appreciates with love and care. Hair care products and hair treatments have been around the world since ages. At present straight hair seems to have captured the hearts of millions of women. Today, a woman with the curliest of tresses can have the straightest of hair. It is no secret that a straightening iron can press out all those unruly waves and curls to a sleek, shiny mane.

Straight hair is easier to manage and there is a chic quality attached to them that makes them a hot favourite amongst women of all age groups. Straightening irons have now become an inseparable appliance for any beauty makeover. If you fancy straight hair but find it difficult to use straightening irons, read on to get some basic lessons on how to use a straightening iron.

Steps for using straightening iron

Here are some easy steps which will help you learn to use a straightening iron. Follow these simple tips and get lovely straight hair falling on your cheeks. This method keeps hair straight till the next shampoo. Sprinkling water and excessive sweating may bring back the waves. Avoid rains and running around too much to maintain the look.

Now, that you know the process of hair straightening, all you need is a good hair straightening iron. Avoid using other heating appliances as it can cause hair fall and damage. Make sure that you buy a good ceramic coated hair straightening iron.

Frequent straightening of hair is not good for the health of your hair. You can try it for special occasions. hair straightening exerts pressure on hair making it weak. So it is necessary that you take proper care of your hair. oil your hair and massage it regularly to make your hair strong. When you use hair straightening irons, make sure that you also use proper hair care products thus preventing hairloss. All the best!

QUICK HERBAL TIPS

2008-11-06T04:13:00.001-08:00

Skin Cleanser:
Found in your own kitchen is a simple, chemical free cleanser good ol� unboiled milk. All you need to do is dip a piece of cotton wool in milk and wipe your face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores. Another fine cleanser is almond oil, especially effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes.

Skin Moisturizer:
For normal skin care, you can take 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix it into a paste. Apply it on your face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue watch your complexion glow. For dry skin, you could use a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey; it will not only help moisturize the skin but also acts as a good cleansing agent.

Skin Nourishment and Bleach:
For nourishing your face try a protein mask. You can prepare this mask by first soaking 1 tablespoon urad dal and 4 almonds in water overnight and then grinding them into a paste. You can then apply this protein mask to your face and wash it off after half an hour. This exceptional protein mask will not only nourish the skin but also bleach it.

Wrinkle Prevention and Softer Skin:
To prevent wrinkles and soften your skin, you could try pure castor oil; it is known to slow down the aging process of the skin.

Skin Conditioner:
Another simple and excellent skin conditioner that can be made out of 1 tbsp. honey blended with 2 tbsp. cream (of milk). Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off. It works like magic.

Skin Blemishes:
For skin blemishes, you can try rubbing a raw potato on your face.

Sun-Protection Lotion:
Its summer time. Time to cool off. So lets wind up with a good home-made sun-protection lotion. Take cucumber juice and equal amounts of glycerine and rose water and make a concoction. This should be refrigerated. Try it, its really cool.

PREMATURE GREYING

2008-11-06T04:10:00.000-08:00

What can I eat to prevent premature greying?

Eating seafood is possibly one of the best things you can eat to promote all-over hair health. It is rich in zinc, iodine and protein, which are excellent for the hair. So if you enjoy seafood, make it a point to have fish several times a week. Remember that eating canned fish will not give you the same benefits as eating freshly cooked fish. If you don�t eat fish, consider fish-oil supplements.

Iron is good for hair and is found in dark green vegetables, meat and some pulses. If you are unsure about whether you are getting enough iron, include an iron supplement every once in a while in your diet. Remember that too many iron supplements can be bad for you. Women lose iron while menstruating, so perhaps during or after your cycle you can have iron-fortified supplements for a few days.

Eating foods rich in Vitamins B and C will ensure that your hair stays strong, does not break easily, and does not grey early. Pork, vegetables, whole grains, wheat germ, soymilk are all rich sources of Vitamin B, while citrus fruits are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Eating adequate Vitamin C helps increase absorption of iron. Try and have a glass of orange juice daily.

Your hair will never be healthy if you do not drink enough water. Drink at least eight to ten glasses a day.

What oil can I apply to my hair?

Rosemary oil is believed to gradually darken grey hair over a period of time. Soak rosemary leaves along with a few basil (tulsi) leaves, in jojoba oil, for a period of four weeks. Massage your scalp and hair with this oil (after warming it up).

Most oils are not easily absorbed by the hair, which is why you need to leave oil on for at least forty-five minutes. It helps greatly if you steam your hair after applying oil.

Boil dried amla pieces in coconut oil until the pieces turn black and the oil darkens. Apply this oil to the hair. It strengthens hair and prevents greying.

Boil tealeaves in water and rinse your hair with this liquid 20-30 times. Then, leave on for 15-20 minutes before the final rinse.

What else can I do to promote hair health and delay greying?

Washing your hair with very hot water or using hair-dryers excessively weaken roots, and may lead to premature greying. When using a hair-dryer, take care not to point it to your scalp. Similarly, try and wash your hair with cool or lukewarm water.

HELPFUL TIPS: Fitness & Exercise Tips for Women & Men

2008-11-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

HELPFUL TIPS: Fitness & Exercise Tips for Women & Men

Ten Tips for Using Healing Music

2008-11-05T03:43:00.000-08:00

Are you trying to steer away from traditional prescription medications or even over-the-counters medications? Give music a try! Humans have used music for healing purposes for hundreds of thousands of years. They have used it for lulling a newborn, for calming a toddler, for energizing a tired adult, for celebrating a birthday, a wedding, or a graduation. We use music in nearly every possible aspect of life to enhance the positive effects of the occasion. Music as medicine, complimentary medicine is becoming as well-known as OTC medications. Here are some of the top ways I recommend to my patients on a daily basis:

1. If you are a pregnant woman, sing softly to your growing infant for 20-30 minutes each evening. It will calm and comfort both baby and you.

2. If you sang to your infant, now these same songs will calm your toddler and pre-schooler. If you didn't start now to associate soothing songs with comfort and crying stops quickly.

3. Having relationship problems? Try finding some of the songs that were "your songs" during your courtship. Playing them when your spouse arrives home in the evening or just humming them softly changes the mood and energy in the room quickly and effectively.

4. Feeling stressed out with work, family and bills? Choose your favorite soothing music and listen to it for 5 minutes upon awakening, while driving to work, during lunch, on the way home, right after dinner and right before bed. These five-minute doses of calming music will do wonders for your body and mind.

5. Anxiety, nervousness, jittery? Try the technique of vocal toning. It is quite simple and does not require a "beautiful" voice, vocal training or even knowledge of music. Toning just involves make along vowel sound such as "ahhhhhhhh" or "ohhhhhhhhhhhhh" on the exhaled breath. Five minutes of vocal toning 2 or 3 times a day has a very centering and calming effect on the mind and the body.

6. Trying to quit smoking, or cut back on eating or drinking? Vocal toning can also help you through the craving moments when you're most tempted to give in to your habit. Once you've mastered this technique you'll find all kinds of uses for it.

7. Insomnia keeping you from getting the rest you need? Music, whether making it or listening to it quietly though headphones, will calm down your heartrate, your breathing, and help you release and relax muscles. As you get more relaxed, your thoughts slow down and your mind empties itself as you drift into peaceful sleep.

8. Having surgery or a medical procedure this year? If you're having anything requiring anesthesia whether local or general, bring your headphones and iPod or discman. Listening to music through headphones before, during and after the procedure will allow you to use less anxiety meds, anesthesia, and pain meds afterwards. This is a well-documented phenomenon that few people take advantage of!

9. Do you struggle with arthritis, fibromyalgia or other achy joint pains? Listening to favorite music through headphones can help you relax and simply take your mind off of your aching body and joints. Music will not take the place of analgesics but it will definitely help you to need less and your stomach will thank you for that!

10. Have a family member of loved one with Alzheimer's or other dementia? In the latter stages of Alzheimer's, after the patient no longer knows their family members or where they are or what year it is, they can still hear the music of their courting years and youth, and recognize it and sometimes sing along to it!!

Fitness & Exercise Tips for Women & Men

2008-11-04T02:58:00.000-08:00

As we age, our bodies lose muscle tissue and our metabolism slows down. Exercise is the best way to get physically fit and lose weight. Starting an exercise regimen at any age is extremely beneficial and can add years to your life.

Working out takes discipline and should not be painful. "No pain, no gain" is just a myth and is not good advice to follow. Exercise should make you feel healthy and fit, not looking for the ibuprofen and ice packs.

Experts advise that 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity at least three times a week is beneficial for both men and women. Select the best plan that is favorable to your lifestyle, whether it is at home or a fitness club.

Opt for a form of exercise you will enjoy the most and start out slowly, increasing your activity and work out-time gradually. Consider adding basic weight training to build muscles, burn calories and control body fat.

Aerobic Activity Training
Bicycling

Brisk walking

Dancing

Jogging

Jump Rope

Roller-skating

Skiing

Swimming

Tennis

For beginners, try increasing personal fitness in your everyday life by walking more, doing some yard work, painting, and parking your car further from your destination. Not only will you have the satisfaction of getting things done, you'll enjoy the benefits of being physically fit.

You don't need to lump your exercise all in one session. Try it in 10 minute increments if this is easier for you and as time allows. While there's no plan or guarantee for everyone, get started and find out what works for you.

Consult your physician before starting any exercise routine and understand that diet and nutrition will play a big factor in your overall results.

Fitness & Exercise Tips
Get busy at home. Clean your house more frequently, do more gardening and yard work.
Walking is one of the most popular forms of exercise, and for a reason. It's easy to do and comes naturally.
Begin exercising at least 20 minutes a day. Start slow.
Take it one day at a time, with realistic goals.
You don't need to invest in fancy fitness equipment. Buy yourself a $5 ab-roller, this is very easy to travel with.
Treadmills and exercise bikes are great aerobic activity tools for cold months indoors.
Add entertainment such as music or tv to your indoor activity.
The more muscle you gain, the higher your metabolism.
Get family and friends to exercise with you.
Take multi-vitamins.
Don't allow yourself to watch your favorite TV show unless you do it on a treadmill or exercise bike.
Add hand weights gradually to your routine.

10 TIPS to beat hair loss

2008-11-04T02:53:00.000-08:00

* Eat lots of paneer, spinach (palak), green veggies and milk.
* Regularly oil and shampoo your hair. That's a must at least three times a week, to nourish your scalp. Applied oil must be washed within 24 hours or else it could mix with dust and clog the pores.
* If you are allergic to oil then try to use medicated oil. Or else go in for a potion or hair tonic which has no component of oil. These too can nourish your scalp. They are also known as hair vitalisers.
* Henna is also a good scalp conditioner, but not a good hair conditioner as it tends to make the hair dry and brittle. Hence you must use oil after washing off the henna, before shampooing.
* Washing your hair after a session of rigorous exercise like gymming, jogging etc when the scalp tends to sweat a lot is a must.
* Once in a while chemical treatments like perming, chemical straightening etc are alright, but too much of it causes breakage of hair.
* Another reason for hair getting damaged is heat exposure to the hair and scalp, with a blow-dryer, hot oil or hot water and usings combs with sharp teeth.
* Never comb your hair when it is wet. Towel drying is the best way to dry your hair.

Why does hair fall?
Lack of hair oil, acute illness, dandruff, emotional shock or stress, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiency and hair colouring, sans the correct regime to go with it. Of these, stress is a major cause of hair loss and baldness, in India and this condition is called Alopecia areata. The cure for this is simple - learn to live a relaxed life through regular meditation, occasional massages, music, yoga and prayers, which are all excellent stress busters. Last but not the least, good hair is the barometer of good health, so practice these mantras and let your hair shine.

How to Apply Eyeshadow, eyeliner, pencils

2008-11-04T02:50:00.000-08:00

Making the eyes come alive is a real art and like any good artist you will have to first leam the exacting techniques of accurate Brush work and careful .colour-blending. Almond shaped eyes are considered to be the ideal. So when making-up eyes, one tries with the help of light and dark eye make-up to inake the necessary changes to give the eyes an almond appearance.

Eye is a part of your body and beauty. Make-up can adorns your beauty only if it is applied very carefully. Your Eyes are the window to your soul. Eye makeup is a complex set of steps. Select a foundation that is conformable to your skin tone and dab some spots around the center of your face. Put your foundation first over your whole face before you start on your eye makeup. Mix the foundation using a make-up sponge or your fingertips till it covers your entire face.

Be particularly careful about mixing your foundation at the edges so that it does not look like a mask. Apply an eyeshadow primer from lash to brow to make your eye makeup remains last. You can skip this step if you prefer. For your eyes, select the eye shadows in compatible shades. Actuate the lightest shade just below your brow bone, and the medium shade over the rest of your eyelid. Apply the dark eyeshadow into the crease of your eyelid to deepen your eyes. Combine the two where they meet with your fingers to give a more natural look.

Apply the light shadow from lash to press at the center of your eyelid. Putting on liquid eyeliner does take some exercise, so have a bottle of makeup remover to hand until you are confident in the technique. There are two sections of eyeliner, wet and dry. Wet eyeliners attend to give a darker, more dramatic look. Dry eyeliners are milder and better for creating a smoky look. If you purchased eyeliner which is a pencil or stick, draw around the rim of the eyes in a straight line.

Not to use a lip liner if you wish for your face to look slimmer and if you must use one, line your lips after putting lipstick as then you won’t be left with a grisly looking lip outline when the lipstick wears off. Avoid using lip liner which is too dark. Use a brush to fill in your lips with the desired color. Don't draw the pencil across your eyelid as this could result in elongation of the skin. Inspite, apply the color to the palm of your hand, pick up some of the color with your pinky and apply softly to eyelid.

Eye Pencils

Whether they are being used to shade or define the eyes, lips or brows, pencils should glide on smoothly, without dragging the skin, If they seem to be too soft and crumbly, place them in the freezer for a few minutes to harden before applying, Ifthey are too hard and pull at the skin, soften the point first by gently running it over the back of the hand.

An eye pencil is used in the crease of the lid or as an eye liner. Eye pencils come in many colors, and the newest are creamy enough to spread like cream eye shadow. Used with shadow, pencils can effectively compliment your eyes.

An eyebrow penciI is harder and is made to be used on the eyebrows.

Eyebrow Pencils

These can be used to fill sparse brows and enhance the overall shape, Take a sharpened pencil in the shade closest to the natural colour of your eyebrows and fill any open spaces using short irregular strokes to simulate real hair, When defining the brows, avoid drawing on one strong line as this will look false, Work over the brows in small feathered strokes, If the definition is too strong, soften it by dusting with translucent powder or roll a cotton bud over the brows.

Applying Eyeshadow

Eye shadow, in striking, slightly shimmering tones, applied with a light hand, can give the face an air of lumrnosity. EYESHADOW should always glide on smoothly, and can be used to subtly change or enhance the shape of the eyes, to add simple definition or to make a strong impact, depending on your choice of colour. It is also useful to disguise the blueness many of us have on the skin on our eyelids.
More on Eye Shadow

Eyeliner Application

EYELINER Application requires a steady hand, Ifyou find it difficult to apply liner with precision, try drawing it on using small feathered stokes and then blend with a fine-tipped brush or the point of a cotton bud , To make things easier, put a mirror on a flat surface and then work looking down into it.
More on Eye Liner

Eyeliner is gettable in a wide range of hues, from the common black, brown and grey to more adventurous shades such as bright primary colors, pastels, frosty silvers and gold. Using lipstick with moisturizers and sun protection is one efficient way to ward the lips from weather changes. Lipstick adds the finishing touch to any makeup application. For longer-lasting lip color, shade both lips with lip liner after outlining them.

Face powder is among the few beauty essentials. Mineral face powders are chemical and fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Powder gets stick on eyebrows and eye-lashes, if not cleaned with an eyebrow brush. A powder must always be applied after the foundation and earlier the eye makeup. Opt for an oil-free powder if you have oily skin. Avoid applying large amounts of powder under the eyes. Always remove the excess powder with a clean brush. Apply cream blusher in light downward direction to prevent it from creasing in specks of color from catching in the fine hairs on your face.

Eyebrows

Factors to be considered before shaping your brows:

The facial distance from hairline to chin.
The distance between both the eyes.
The hair color and color of eyebrows.
The facial distance from hairline to chin.
The width of the forehead from temple to temple.
The thickness of the brows

Small eyes: Don't use too much shadow or liner - it will make you eyes look smaller. Apply a light color on eyelid, use a darker color in the crease and use a highlighter under the brow.

Large eyes: Wear darker shadow on the lid and extend it to the crease. Use a flat color under the brow to highlight.

Deep-set eyes: Use light colors on the eyelid and under the brow. Use a medium color in the crease. Emphasize the outer corners with shadow.

Wide-set eyes: Use darker colors on the inner corners of the eye.

Hooded eyes: Apply light colors on the lid. Use darker colors from the center of the eyelid to the outer corners and blend.

Round eyes: Make round eyes longer by using color all around and extending toward the outer corners.

Asian eyes: Apply highlighter under the brow. Use light shadow on the inner half of the lid and a darker color on the outer half.

How to apply eye mascara

With modern mascaras there is no need to pump the wand in and out of its container before applying, This can actually cause overload and result in clogged lashes, You need only enough product on the wand to coat the lashes, so any excess should be wiped off with a tissue, Roll the wand through the lashes to help curl-definition, Always work on the upper lashes from underneath to avoid overloading and keep mascara on the lower lashes to a minimum, especially if you are looking tired or have a tendency to rub your eyes a lot.

How to Choose The Right Sunglasses

2008-11-04T02:43:00.000-08:00

The sunglass size should be in proportion with the face size. This means that smaller sunglasses are best for smaller faces; larger sunglasses for larger faces. The frame shape should contrast with, that is, be the opposite of, the shape of the face. These tips must not be taken as rules but they can help you to choose your right frame.

Oval face
Almost any style works for oval face. Experiment with the latest looks, such as wraparounds or shields. Square shaped frames with gently rounded edges and higher temples also look good on an oval face.
Frame suggestions : Any frame shape

Round face
Frames should make the face appear longer and thinner. In general, look for frames equal to or slightly wider than the broadest part of the face. Minimize the curves and add definition with soft, angular, rectangular styles or double brow styles. Higher temples will create a longer profile. Sunglasses with brow bars also pull the eye upward, making the face appear longer.
Frame suggestions : Wider frames with angular / rectangular styles.

Diamond shape
This face shape has wide or high cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin. Oval sunglasses will soften the contour of the face, although softly curved square frames will work as well. Make sure the styles are no wider than the top of the cheekbones.
Frame suggestions: Oval, Square, Rimless.

Square face
This face shape consists of a strong jawline, a broad forehead and wide cheekbones. Reduce the angles with soft, curvy styles that will give the face some definition such as cat-eye styles. The classic oval also works well for this face shape.
Frame suggestions: Oval, Round, Cat Eyes.

Oblong face
Widen and shorten the face with sunglass styles that do not extend beyond the widest part of the face. Round or square shapes will look great on this face. Frames with short horizontal and long vertical lines also work. Decorative or contrasting temples add width to the face.
Frame suggestions: Round, Square

Triangle shape
This face has a narrow jaw and a wide forehead. Soften the lower portion of the face by accenting the eye area. Styles such as cat- eyes should angle outward at the top corner and be wide enough to balance the jawline. You can also try metal frames with rimless bottoms.
Frame suggestions: Frames with a Straight Top Line, Cat Eyes

Skin Tones

* Pale complexions: Try lightweight frames or those with a touch of colour such as rose or amber. Tortoiseshell frames suit fair complexions (avoid darker versions) but clear, blue or green tinged frames tend to drain colour from cheeks.
* Dark complexions: Olive, Mediterranean, Golden or Asian skin and dark hair can look stunning in silver, gold or clear frames – but avoid black which can be too heavy.
* Black Skins: All metallic frames suit black skins and amber often works well – be very careful with black frames, which can look spectacular or awful!

Advantages & Disadvantages of Laser Hair Removal

2008-11-04T02:19:00.000-08:00

Laser hair elimination is the best permanent solution for hair removal from the body.

This method has become increasingly famous in all over the world. However, it also contains advantages and disadvantages like other methods of hair removal. Therefore, what are the facts close to a laser hair elimination method?

First of all, it must be noted that though number of customers have reported permanent hair elimination after many treatments, the technical facts to back up to this statement in yet being looked into.

Laser hair elimination used lasers to render hair follicles which are inactive however, their re-growth is mostly decreased and hair appears finer and lighter in color.
Advantages of Laser Hair Elimination

* Laser hair elimination is supposed to be more secure if done in a right manner and performed by skilled specialists.

* The majority of consumers have noticed amazing results and even permanent hair elimination.

* The treatment of laser hair elimination can be taken on the largest portions such as the legs, back and chest in one session.

* If there is re-growth after removing hairs by laser, this will be finer and lighter in texture as compared to before.

* Laser hair elimination can be virtually harmless while compared with electrolysis and waxing as a sources of body hair elimination.

Disadvantages of Laser Hair Elimination

* Scientific facts and research is yet restricted and claims cannot be completely proved.

* Laser hair removal technique is not beneficial for red, blonde and gray hair and so many other treatments may be needed.

* Laser hair elimination is not preferred for those persons who have skin tan or darker skin tones.

* If laser hair elimination method is not performed properly, it may cause many skin diseases such as discoloration of skin or burning of the skin.

* The prices of using laser hair removal treatment are very high and it can be about $500 per hair elimination method.

* One who desires to use laser hair removal treatment should be a protected eye during the process of treatment.

Laser Hair Removal is not perfect if one has:-

* Diabetes
* Cardiovascular system disorders
* Pregnancy
* Skin Disorders
* Ontological Skin Disorders
* Infection disorders
* Newly sunburn or very dark sunburn
* Below the age of 17

Laser Hair Removal - Permanent solution of unwanted hair

2008-11-04T02:15:00.000-08:00

It really depends on who looks at it, but hair found on the face, on the back, on the chest, under the arms, on the legs and in the bikini area is generally thought to be unsightly. Such unwanted hair prevents us from wearing some types of clothes, like sleeveless tops, skirts or skimpy bikinis. It also affects our self-confidence to a certain degree.

We women really spend some time and effort into getting rid of the unwanted hair on our bodies. Shaving is the most convenient way of doing it, but also the most time consuming. Sometimes, shaving the underarms and the legs can be a daily chore, and it puts us at risk of having in-grown hair. Some women resort to plucking and waxing, but oh boy, don't they hurt. Besides, they grow back, anyway.

There is a way, however, of dealing with unwanted hair more permanently, and that is undergoing laser hair removal treatment. In laser hair removal treatment, a dermatological surgeon focuses a laser on the part of the skin that is to be treated. The laser then creates a reaction in the melanin in the hair follicles of the treated area. The reaction is supposed to make the hair strand shed and to discourage the hair follicle from producing new cells that will lead to hair growth. Laser hair removal treatment takes four to six sessions to complete, as hair enters different phases of growth.

Laser hair removal treatment, however, works best only with people who have fair skin and dark hair. The laser machine is set to react to the melanin in the skin, so dark-skinned people stand the risk of having their skin being burned by the laser. The laser focused by the machine also generally does not react to blond or red hair, because hair with such colors does not have enough melanin in the strands.

If you think you are a good candidate for laser hair removal treatment, the first thing you should do is to check out the dermatological clinics in your area. You can come up with a list from the phone directory or from the Internet. Look for a clinic where the one operating the laser machine is a real doctor specializing in dermatology or cosmetic surgery. If you are comfortable with it, you can also go for clinics where the machine is run by technicians, as long as there is a doctor supervising the session. Read reviews as you make your list, or you can ask your friends or family members who have undergone the treatment for recommendations.

Once you have picked a clinic, the next step would be to make an initial consultation with the doctor of your choice. Visit the clinic and take note of how clean the premises are and how friendly and helpful the personnel in the clinic are. When you come face to face with the doctor, ask him questions about the field he or she is in, about the machine he or she is using, and the credentials he or she has. Ask as well what form of payment the clinic accepts.

If you already feel confident with your choice, then go ahead and make a schedule for your first session. On every session, all the people involved in the treatment - the doctor, the technician and you - should be wearing eye protection. After all, it is laser you people will be handling, so it is important to keep the eyes protected on every treatment. The treatment is not really painful, but the doctor or the technician will nonetheless apply a gel on your skin to make it numb.

The parameters of the laser hair removal treatment, such as the condition of the skin on the area to be treated and the condition of the hair, will be entered into the machine. The laser will then be allowed to pulse on the skin briefly to check if the data entered on the machine is correct, and then the treatment commences.

After every session, take a couple of days off to rest if you think it is necessary. Keep the treated area clean and moisturized, and use only products that are gentle on the skin. Avoid exposing yourself to the sun, because if your skin gets darker, the effectiveness of the succeeding sessions might lessen considerably. If there is a little swelling, apply an ice pack or cover the skin with soft and clean cloths soaked in ice water to relieve the swelling.

It is possible for complications to arise after each session of the treatment. If the swelling does not go away and blistering of the skin is present, you should go and see the doctor who did the treatment on you as much as possible. They should be equipped to handle such complications.

Laser hair removal treatment is a good way of getting rid of unwanted hair permanently. However, you must remember that this treatment is not for everybody. Consider your choices carefully before going through the process.

Homemade Skin Care Tips

2008-11-04T02:08:00.000-08:00

For Glowing skin

A facemask of egg white and honey gently removes the tan from your face.
Mix oats with honey, yogurt and ground almonds. Apply this in your face, leave it for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Cucumber is a natural cleanser. Mix cucumber juice with milk and use it instead of a cleanser.
Take 1/3-cup cocoa, three teaspoons of heavy cream, 1/3-cup ripe papaya, 1/4-cup honey and three teaspoons of oatmeal powder. Mix it all together. Apply on your face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with warm water. This is best for oily skin
For oily skin, apply a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. While lemon acts as a natural cleanser, grapes will soften your skin and egg whites will tighten it. Don’t be alarmed if your skin tingles.
Cut the lemon and rub the wedge all over your face. Leave it for about 20 minutes, then rinse off with cold water. This will refresh your face. Avoid doing this if you have dry skin.
Mix honey, lemon and vegetable oil .This mixture is a good moisturiser for dry skin. Apply this mask for 10 minutes.
Apply the mixture of honey and milk on the face . This will make your skin glow.
Prepare a mask by mixing a slice of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Let this mask set on your face for 30 minutes for a glowing skin.
Mix half-a-cup honey to your bath water for soft and smooth skin.
For a soothing body pack, prepare a paste of mint leaves and almonds. Mix it with warm water and apply all over your body. Leave it till it dries and rinse with warm water.
Buttermilk dabbed on skin for 15 minutes will soak up oil from your skin without drying it.
Carrot juice applied daily fades blemishes.
For dark underarms and neck apply lemon juice mixed with cucumber juice and a pinch of turmeric daily. Leave this on for 20 minutes.
For removing facial hair.. Apply a sticky paste of egg white blended with sugar and corn flour. When it dries, gently peel it off. Repeat this three to four times a week.
Thin apple slices rubbed onto oily skin will help in controlling oily shine.
For supple skin, apply a ripe smashed banana on your face for 20 minutes daily.
Cauliflower juice applied on warts regularly will make them fall.
For a fair skin, try this natural bleach. Mix orange peels (sun dried and powdered) with milk. Apply this paste for 25 minutes and wash off.
Mix half teaspoon dried curry leaf powder with multani mitti (fullers earth) and apply on the face. Wash it after it gets dry.
Apply the mixture of tomato juice and honey on the face and neck , wash it after 15 minutes.
Apply the mixture of carrot juice and basin. Leave it till it dries and wash the face.
Add two teaspoon of tomato juice with 4 teaspoon of curd and apply on the face.
Add a pinch of yeast with 2 teaspoon of cabbage juice and apply.
Mix 1 table spoon of barley powder with half teaspoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply it on the face and wash after 20 minutes.
Mix pineapple juice and carrot juice together and apply it on the face and wash it after 15 minutes.
Mix vinegar and rose water in equal quantities and apply.
Mix curd and cucumber juice and apply it on the face.
Apply the mixture of coconut water and thick pineapple juice.
Make a paste with 1/2 teaspoon of milk powder, 1/4 teaspoon of egg white and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and apply on the face.
For dry skin, Make a paste with egg yolk, olive oil and lemon juice. Apply it on the neck and face, wash it out after 10 minutes.
For oily skin, take a mixture of oatmeal and egg white and apply it on the neck and face
For glowing skin, use basin or green gram powder mixed with milk instead of soap.
Apply the mixture of raw turmeric and cream of milk on the face and wash it after 20 minutes. It will make your skin fair.
Apply the mixture of honey, basin, cream of milk and olive oil as a face pack.
Apply the paste of fenugreek with milk on the face and let it dry. Wash off with luke warm water.
Make a paste of red sandal wood and apply it on the face every day for glowing skin.

Make a paste with red sandal powder and coconut milk and apply on the face for soft skin.

Reducing your weight

2008-10-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Once you gain weight and the longer you keep it on, the harder it can be to lose. The best way to maintain a well balanced body is consuming low calorie diet and maintaining a regular exercise schedule. In these days there are number of weight loss programs to help you.

You need not to worry if it is difficult to spend money for weight loss programs. You can start your own weight loss program from your kitchen. Go to your kitchen and get rid of all unhealthy foods. First of all you have to remove all those fatty foods, chips, snacks and artificial drinks etc from your kitchen that are main contributors to your heavy weight.Strip That Fat…

Go to grocery store and purchase different varieties of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals and by including them in your foods you can get the proper nutrition. Avoid purchasing cakes and donuts. Purchase baked chips instead of fried. Dried nuts and fruits are good alternative for snacks.

Hair Fall Tips

2008-10-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Falling hair can be curbed immediately, if you take action promptly.

Shampoo hair regularly with shikakai, amia and reetha nuts.

· Combine together five tablespoons of pure, undiluted coconut milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice. Massage well into scalp. Allow it to dry. Wash off thoroughly.

· Beat two eggs along with three tablespoons of water and apply to hair roots. Rinse off. This prevents hair from falling by strengthening the roots.

· Massage whipped egg white all over scalp. Allow it to dry before washing off. It nourishes your hair and arrests hair falling.

· Make a thick paste of methi seeds and wash hair with this.

· Regular massage with warm castor oil goes a long way in promoting luxuriant hair growth.

· Use aloe vera oil regularly.

Five Tips For Flat Stomach

2008-10-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

1. Many so-called “health foods” are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat… yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits.

2. Ab exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs. We’ll explore what types of exercises REALLY work in a minute.

3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs. I’ll show you the exact types of unique workouts that produce 10x better results below.

4. You DON’T need to waste your money on expensive “extreme fat burner” pills (that don’t work) or other bogus supplements. A special class of natural foods is much more effective. I’ll tell you about these natural foods and their powers below.

5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks… they’re all a complete waste of your time and money. Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using that “ab contraption”… they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition strategies. Again, you’ll learn some of their secrets and what really works below.

Care Your Eye

2008-10-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

One of main part of human body is eye which is essentially to be cared throughout our life. Prevention is better than cure. Likewise eye cure is prevented by corresponding eye care. There are simple tips to care our eyes.

Eating excessive fruits and vegetables. Make test your eye regularly. Don’t sit continuously in front of Computer or TV. Have a eye break. Protect your eye from sunlight and other radiations by using sunglasses. Drink plenty of water which removes toxins from body. Avoid continuous rubbing of eyes by fingers or hands. Exercise to eyes by slicing potato or cucumber and keep in for certain minutes which cool your eye nerves and avoids the black round around the eyes. Whenever washing the face rinse the eyes in cold water which removes invisible dust in eyes.

Control Sleep

2008-10-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

I asked many people what is your real problem everyday. 90% of the people from children to adult replied me I cannot sleep properly.
Well changing your body temperature could change you sleep well. Lack of proper food makes u unsleeping. When you go to bed just take a warm breath and free your mind without having any work. Maximum 8 hours of sleep should be there per day and minimum is 6 hours. If more or less than this make body temperature not maintained correctly which leads to headache, mental depression, stress and even heart attack. Keep your bedroom silent which makes an ideal and relaxed sleep. When going to sleep comfort yourself with bedroom. The correct time of sleep is 10.00 PM to 6 AM Maximum. If you follow this then you can sleep automatically.

Control Blood Pressure

2008-10-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

Recent research estimates that one-third of adults in US is having blood pressure. But they don’t know whether they have or not. This leads to sudden heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure. That’s why doctors say blood pressure as a “silent killer”. How to come out of this problem? There are simple steps to control blood pressure.

First make sure that your blood pressure is less than 140/90 mm Hg. If you have diabetes it is advised to control your sugar level and monitor blood pressure regularly. Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and non-oily contents in food. Be active by exercising regularly. Don’t eat which contain large sodium level. Stop or reduce continuous smoking which leads good blood circulation. Reduce stress level by making your mind clear. Take meditation correctly.

Importance of Hip

2008-10-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hip pain and fracture is common both in younger and in elder. How is comes and how to avoid this? Let’s see its importance.

Hip pains are most common while making heavy load works to hip, cycling and due to some accidents. It is primarily due to weak bones and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes loss of bone mass. Don’t pull and take larger weight which causes muscle over strain, so use some materials like crane or human resources to pull it. Have a cool cycling with bending your hip slightly. Walk through water to make your hip limber which allows you to work more than in dry land. Don’t make too many loads on aching hip. Stay out which aggravates your hip. If you have a continuous hip pain just crush some ice and take it over a small bag and apply at the site of pain for some minutes. Take a regular treatment if you have a continuous hip pain.

Control Stress and Fit yourself

2008-10-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

Stress Control is very important for our health. Many latest research shows that stress reduces a person memory power and slow down the attitude he has. High Stress promotes depression for the physical and mental activities of human body. There are simple tips to reduce stress.

Sleep as early as possible around 10.00 P.M. and wake up early at 5.A.M. Refresh your mind by walking in and around by breathing fresh oxygen. Take proper exercise to fit your body which increases blood circulation. Spend little time for the family members and share everything with them. Eat healthy foods and take food at correct time. Think positive always and develop positive attitude in everything you see in your life. Smile and make smile the persons around you.

Making Strong Hair

2008-10-25T12:11:00.001-07:00

I asked many people that what your major problem is. Maximum of them answered me that my hair is continuously falling. Why this problem occurs and how to tackle this? Lack of vitamins and nutrition’s is the main cause of hair fall. Not maintaining the hair by using necessary shampoos and oils. Control of foods.Here are some tips to beautiful your hair style naturally.

Have proper and healthy foods containing vitamins and minerals. Vitamin E which is crucial for good blood circulation to the scalp by increasing oxygen intake. Use natural shampoos for washing your hair. Use Coconut Oil regularly which has high affinity for hair proteins. Comb your hair smoothly and gently until your hair is smooth.This looks great for you…So try it out.

Exercise for a Healthy Heart

2008-10-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

How Do I Get Started?
Before starting an exercise program, talk to your doctor about:

Medication changes.

New medications can greatly affect your response to exercise; your doctor can tell you if your normal exercise routine is still safe.

Heavy lifting.

Make sure that lifting or pushing heavy objects and chores such as raking, shoveling, mowing, or scrubbing aren't off limits. Chores around the house can be tiring for some people; make sure you only do what you are able to do without getting tired.

Safe exercises.

Get the doctor's approval before you lift weights, use a weight machine, jog, or swim.

What Type of Exercise Is Best?

Stretching:

slow lengthening of the muscles. Stretching the arms and legs before and after exercising helps prepare the muscles for activity and helps prevent injury and muscle strain. Regular stretching also increases your range of motion and flexibility.

Cardiovascular or aerobic:

steady physical activity using large muscle groups. This type of exercise strengthens the heart and lungs and improves the body's ability to use oxygen. Aerobic exercise has the most benefits for your heart. Over time, aerobic exercise can help decrease your heart rate and blood pressure at rest and improve your breathing.

Strengthening: repeated muscle contractions (tightening) until the muscle becomes tired. For people with heart failure, many strengthening exercises are not recommended. (See below)

What Are Examples of Aerobic Exercises?
Aerobic exercises include: walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling (stationary or outdoor), cross-country skiing, skating, rowing and low-impact aerobics or water aerobics.

How Often Should I Exercise?
In general, to achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting 20 to 30 minutes, at least three to four times a week. Exercising every day or every other day will help you keep a regular aerobic exercise schedule.

What Should I Include in My Program?

Every exercise session should include a warm-up, conditioning phase and a cool-down.

Warm-up.

This helps your body adjust slowly from rest to exercise. A warm-up reduces the stress on your heart and muscles, slowly increases your breathing, circulation (heart rate) and body temperature. It also helps improve flexibility and reduce muscle soreness. The best warm-up includes stretching, range of motion activities and the beginning of the activity at a low intensity level.

Conditioning.

This follows the warm-up. During the conditioning phase, the benefits of exercise are gained and calories are burned. Be sure to monitor the intensity of the activity (check your heart rate). Don't over do it.

Cool-down.

This is the last phase of your exercise session. It allows your body to gradually recover from the conditioning phase. Your heart rate and blood pressure will return to near resting values. Cool-down does not mean to sit down! In fact, do not sit, stand still or lie down right after exercise. This may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded or have heart palpitations (fluttering in your chest). The best cool-down is to slowly decrease the intensity of your activity. You may also do some of the same stretching activities you did in the warm-up phase.

What Is the Rated Perceived Exertion Scale?
The Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale is used to measure the intensity of your exercise. The RPE scale runs from 0-10. The numbers below relate to phrases used to rate how easy or difficult you find an activity. For example, 0 (nothing at all) would be how you feel when sitting in a chair; 10 (very, very heavy) would be how you feel at the end of an exercise stress test or after a very difficult activity.

How to View High Quality YouTube Videos on the internet

2008-10-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

I personally love watching youtube videos and sometimes that fuzzy FLV resolution just doesn't do it for me. I always wanted to see the youtube videos with a higher quality and I have found a way to do this. There is a downside, you must have a high speed internet to view high quality youtube videos over the internet.

How to watch high quality youtube videos

Next to the word account there is a small drop down arrow

Press on this for a menu to appear

From this menu choose more..

Then scroll down the page and under the heading account, choose video playback quality

Put a check next to I have a fast internet connection. Always play higher quality video when it is available..

Save settings. That's it.

Now when you are logged into your account and you want to watch a Youtube video it will show you the highest quality resolution for that video. If nothings happens and it is still the low quality FLV version then that just means that youtube video is not available in a higher quality yet.

There is also another little trick you can do to see if a youtube video has a higher quality video available. You simply add &fmt=6 to the end of the url in the address bar in your internet browser. For example a url of one my video's is http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=30qfCgwxzEPw and to see it in higher quality you would change it to http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=30qfCgwzEPw&fmt=6
This only works if there is a higher resolution video available.

Notes:
When there is not a higher quality when you add &fmt=6 then you can also try adding &fmt=18 to the URL to get MP4 instead FLV.

How to restore the Run command window when it is missing from the start menu

2008-10-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

Computer users are often faced with the dilemma of a missing run command window in the Windows XP start menu. The run command window is very important as it lets you type commands in to execute programs and change settings. For example to edit your registry or to get to a dos command window the run window comes in very handy.

There are several reasons why the run command window could be missing from the start menu. Two top causes can be that your computer has had a virus or someone has accessed your computer and changed settings in the Local group policy.

If you get an error message saying “This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator” this means that someone has tampered with your computer settings and disabled the run box access.

How to enable the run command box.

1. Right click your mouse on the start menu icon.
2. A menu will appear. Choose properties from the menu.
3. Go to the start menu tab.
4. Click on the customize button.
5. Then click on advanced.
6. Now browse for run command and make sure there is a tick in the box next to it.

If that does not work try:

Warning: playing with the registry can cause your computer to fail.

1. Open the registry editor (see below to see how)

2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. Make the word explorer blue

4. If there is an entry on the left side that says Norun then click on it once to make it blue

5. Right click on it and choose delete or change the value

(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

6. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer and do the same thing

7. Restart your computer

Another way to restore your run window

Open Group policy to edit

Press on the plus sign next to User configuration

Press on the plus sign next to Administrative Templates

Find Start Menu & Toolbar in the menu and make it blue

A menu will appear in the right side

Double click on Remove Run from start menu

Chose 'Disable' and then click OK

5 Tips On Making Your Car More Fuel Efficient

2008-10-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

With gas prices sky high most individuals who drive are interested in ways they can make their car more fuel efficient and save as much money as possible. While there are no fuel saving tips that will keep your car full of gas without filling up, there are some tips that really can help you save money on fuel over the long run. All of these tips focus on making your car more fuel efficient.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #1 Drive When You Crank Up This might seem obvious, but as soon as you crank up your car you should drive off. However, many people crank up and leave the car idling for a while. Instead of this, when you crank up drive off and only keep your car running when it is absolutely necessary.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #2 Don't Ride the Break Many drivers hit the break more often than is necessary. Additionally there are quite a few drivers that slow down for a braking car when they could easily switch lanes. Not riding the break can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%, so this is a great tip you should follow.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #3 Turn Off Your Car If you are going to be stopping for more than 10 minutes you should switch off your car to keep fuel efficiency at its peak and not burn more gas than is necessary.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #4 Don't Turn Off Your Car If you are only stopping for a brief moment or less than 5 minutes then don't turn off your car because the amount of gas used to crank up is more than you would burn in that short period of time. Fuel

Efficiency Tip #5 Inflate Tires Properly Too many drivers never think of their tires, unless one goes flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis. While gas prices don't seem like they will be dipping considerably in the next few months every tip to help you make your car more fuel efficient is helpful. So, follow the above fuel tips and you will see that over time your car really is more fuel efficient.

Healthy Recipes

2008-10-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

The recipes given below are easy to cook,using minimal fat and spices and hence are easy to digest.Weight reduction diets,diabetics,hypertensives,people with painful joints,even ulcers,would benefit from these simple healthy recipes.

1.Moong Dal Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 cup whole sabut moong dal(preferably sprouted), 1 tsp oil/ghee, 1 tbsp tamarind paste,4 cloves garlic(crushed), 1/4 cup chopped leaves of methi,1/2 tsp jeera, Salt to taste.

Method:

Steam dal with chopped methi leaves in 3 cups water for 5 minutes or till soft.Add tamarind paste and blend in a blender.Add salt to taste.In another saucepan,heat oil;put jeera,when it splutters, add crushed garlic.Pour it over the dal, and simmer for 5 minutes.

2. Paneer Casserole

Ingredients:

1/4 kg paneer(cubed), 6 cloves garlic(crushed),2 tomatoes and 3 onions(cubed),1 tsp grated ginger, 1 small piece pumpkin(cubed),1 cup sprouted moong,2 tbsp cooking corn,1 tbsp cornflour, 1 tsp butter, 1" stick cinnamon, 1 cup dry breadcrumbs(preferably from brown bread).

Method:

Mix all the ingredients,except cornflour,butter and breadcrumbs,in 4-6 cups water and simmer on a slow flame till soft.Roast cornflour lightly in 1 tsp butter and add to the cooked mixture.Pour out this mixture in a baking dish(lined with butter).Sprinkle a thick layer of breadcrumbs on the surface and bake for 15 minutes in a moderately hot oven.

3.Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients:

1 medium cabbage,1 cup rice(cooked with a pinch of haldi and salt),1 tsp curry powder, 1/4 cup boiled peas, lemon juice to taste.

Method:

Separate cabbage leaves,keeping them whole as far as possible.Remove any hard core.Soften leaves in hot water for 5 minutes.Grate the inside hard part of the cabbage and mix with the rice,peas and coriander leaves.Add curry powder and lemon juice to taste.Drain cabbage leaves.Put a little of the mixture in the centre and wrap each leaf around.Arrange in a row,seam side down,in a baking tray.Arrange the remaining stuffing,if any, on either side.Bake for 20 minutes in a moderately hot oven,or steam for 20 minutes.

4.Saucy Cauliflower

Ingredients:

1 cauliflower(approx. 400gm,broken into flowerettes),1onion(chopped),1 small piece ginger (grated),2 cloves garlic(crushed),1/2cup tomato puree,1 tbsp butter,1/2 tsp sugar,1 tsp brown vinegar,Salt to taste,soya sauce and chilli sauce(optional).

Method:

Cook cauliflower with a pinch of salt in just enough water.Arrange in a shallow serving dish.Heat butter and fry onion,garlic and ginger till th eonions are soft and transparent.Add tomato puree,vinegar,sugar,salt and simmer for 5 minutes.Pour the sauce all around the cauliflower.

5.Carrot Paranthas

Ingredients:

1 cup grated carrot,3/4 cup atta, 1/4 cup besan, 1/4 tsp jeera powder,a pinch of ajwain,salt and chilli powder to taste,oil/ghee for cooking.

Method:

With oiled fingers,knead all the ingredients into a soft dough,adding water only if necessary.Roll out,as for chapatis.Cook on a tava with very little oil.A non-stick tava may also be used.

6.Stuffed Capsicums

Ingredients:

4 capsicums,1/2 cup rice,1/2 cup shelled green peas,1 cup tomato juice,1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves,Salt to taste.

Method: Halve the capsicums and remove the seeds.Wash rice well.Cook rice and peas with tomato juice and salt.Mix in coriander leaves.Stuff mixture into the capsicum halves.Steam till capsicums are soft(about 5-7 minutes.

Neck Exercises To Keep You Going

2008-10-23T22:34:00.000-07:00

Got A Stiff Neck?Here are 2 good remedies

1.Sit Upright on a chair.Put your palms against your forehead and apply a little resistance.Try to bend your neck forward.Release.Now put your palms against the back of your head and apply a little resistance.Try to bend your neck backwards.Continue the same way on either side of the head too.
2.Gently try to rotate your neck.Do not overdo.First in a clockwise direction,similarly in an anti-clockwise direction.Rest.

Do you have a pencil thin neck that you wish to build up:

Lie faceup on a flat bench.Put your palms against your forehead and apply a little resistance.Lift up and down until your neck muscles are fatigued.Flip over and reverse the move.

Dos and donts

1.Do not strain your neck too much by sitting or lying in the wrong postures.

2.For persistent and severe neck pain consult a doctor before performing any of the above mentioned exercises.

Daily Health Task Lists

2008-10-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

Just like brushing your teeth, healthy habits should be cultivated on a daily basis. The following is a guide to daily tasks:

1. Activity should be a daily occurrence. Walk, run or jump for a minimum total of 20 minutes a day.

2. Protect your skin. Sun block should be applied on face, neck, arms and hands even in the dead of winter. It protects against climatic toxins too. Moisturize skin daily.

3. Eat fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat dairy products and small amounts of protein. Avoid sweets and other processed foods.

4. Meditate or spend a minimum of five minutes daily in quiet time.

5. Find your spiritual self. Discover what inspires you, raises your level of consciousness, motivates you, and satisfies your soul.

6. Exercise your brain. Read, study, solve problems, and learn new skills. As does the body, the brain atrophies with lack of use.

7. Hug somebody.

Daily Exercise Suggestions

2008-10-23T22:10:00.000-07:00

Walk 10 Minutes a Day and Increase Your Fitness Level

Old thinking was to work out in a sweat-filled gym for hours a day. No pain, no gain. New studies show that even short bouts of activity can increase your fitness level, especially if you're new at working out.

Park and Walk

Whenever you have an errand, park your car as far away as you can handle and walk to the store. At the mall, park at the farthest end and walk the length of the mall. Use every opportunity to walk. At the end of the day, it all adds up to better fitness.

Crunch in Bed

Before you even get out of bed in the morning, do 10 stomach crunches while lying flat on your mattress. Increase daily by one until you get up to 100. Think you'll never get there? Try it. You may eventually have to set your clock to wake up 15 minutes earlier, a small price to pay for a flatter stomach.

Dr.Deviprasad Shetty, (Famous Heart Specialist) answers Queries of Wipro guys

2008-10-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Here was a chat, arranged by WIPRO for its employees, with Dr.Deviprasad Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Famous Heart Specialist) Bangalore.The transcript of the chat is given below. Useful for everyone.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Qn: What are the five thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?

Ans:

1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil

2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid liftsand avoid sitting for a longtime

3. Quit smoking

4. Control weight

5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?

Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy persongets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?

Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone pastthe age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?

Ans: Yes

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices doyou suggest to de-stress?

Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection ineverything in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise requiredto keep a healthy heart?

Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigueand injury to joints .

Qn: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?

Ans: Mother Theresa, who was my patient.

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?

Ans: Extremely rare

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age (I'm currentlyonly 22) or do you haveto worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?

Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart?

Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and yourbody's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?

Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?

Ans: Yoga helps.

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?

Ans: Best food is fruits,chapathi's(without oil) worst are oil.

Qn: Which oil is better - gingili, groundnut, sunflower, saffola, olive?

Ans: All oils are bad; the so-called best oil company has the largestmarketing budget. try to consume less oil while cooking.

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there anyspecific test?

Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP,Treadmill test after an echo.

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?

Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position, put an aspirin tablet underthe tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to acoronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the firsthour.

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack andthat caused due to gastric trouble?

Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG.

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongstyoungsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks andserious heart problems.

Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, edentarylifestyles, smoking,junk food, lack of exercise in a country where peopleare genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks thanEuropeans and Americans.

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?

Ans: Yes.

Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for thechild. Is it true?

Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may nothave a software engineer as a child

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have tostay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart? What precautionswould you recommend?

Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all theseirregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications(short / long term)?

Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modernanti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.

Qn: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?

Ans : No.

Qn: How would you define junk food?

Ans : Fried food like Kentucky, McDonalds, samosas, and even masaladosas.

Qn: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?

Ans : Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?

Ans : No.

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lotof forwarded emails on this)?

Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of anydescription under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearestcoronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulancesince most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead toheart problems?

Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase yourexercise capacity.

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So,does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs inthe house, work as a substitute for exercise?

Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour andeven the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair andsitting helps a lot.

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?

Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?

Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time. Control cholesterol, BP, weight.

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart diseasewhen compared to day shift workers?

Ans : No.

Qn: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?

Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the rightcombination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs andgo for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet toreduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.

Qn: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heartattacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?

Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45.

Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?

Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smokeand, go for a health checkup if you are past the age of 30 for at leastonce in two yrs. And work very hard and Enjoy urLife...