Hair removal at home

There are so many methods to remove hair from eyebrows, facial skin, hands or legs. Waxing is a method widely used. You can buy wax from stores. But if you prefer homemade hair removal here is the help. The homemade hair removal is safe and it won't make your skin dry or rough. All you need is learn how to do it. Mostly homemade hair removal methods take time and effort. Here the method I explain here is a simple homemade hair removal tactic. You will become an expert in homemade hair removal with two or three tries.

Homemade face hair removal-how to prepare.

All you need: Sugar - 5tsp. Lemon - 1 Honey - 1tsp. Glycerin - 1tsp.

Preparation of homemade wax is simple. Squeeze the juice of one lemon. Add the lemon juice to 5tsp. sugar in a pot. Heat it in a low flame. The sugar starts to melt. When it becomes light brown switch off flame and add honey and stir well. Then add glycerin.

Homemade hair removal - how to do

You need to buy waxing strips. Or use cotton pieces for it. Keep the wax warm. Then using flat wooden or metallic knife to spread the wax on legs or hands. When you do this on face take care to spread wax very thin and spread in small portions. Move the knife towards the direction of hair- from top to tip. Then immediately put the wax strip on the area and press lightly. Peel the wax strip out towards the opposite direction of hair-from tip to upwards. Do a sudden pull. Take care to do peeling very gently. Do this allover the area. If hair is not removed completely repeat it on that area only. Do not repeat more that two times at a stretch. And if the thickness of wax you are spreading should not be less or more. Spread it evenly. Homemade hair removal is simple.

After finishing waxing clean the skin to remove excess wax. Glycerin and honey added in this homemade hair removal wax moisturizes skin. If your skin feels extra dry, apply any moisturizer or oil to the skin. Take care of sun burn by going out in the sun after waxing. This homemade hair removal is as good as a saloon waxing.

Tic Toc tea cups recipe

These Tic Toc tea cups are perfect party fare and even the boys will think they taste great.

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

1 min

Ingredients:

• 1 pkt (250g) Arnott's Tic Toc biscuits
• 1 pkt (250g) marshmallows 4 flavours
• 1 pkt (200g) Allen's Freckles
• 1 pkt (34g) Lifesavers Musk, halved
• 100g white chocolate, melted

Method:

Lay out the Tic Toc biscuits on a serving platter. Use the melted chocolate to 'glue' a marshmallow to the centre of each biscuit.

Place a dot of glue on the top of each marshmallow and place a Freckle on top.

Place a dot of glue on the cut surfaces of each Lifesaver half and stick it to the side for a cup handle.

Macaroni cheese recipe

There's nothing simpler to make - or more comforting to eat - than macaroni cheese. Serve on its own for an easy Sunday dinner or as a side dish with a barbecue and a fresh green salad.

Serving Size:

4

Special Info:

Egg free, Nut free

Ingredients:

• 3 cups macaroni
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2/3 cup thin cream or evaporated low fat milk
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Method:

Cook macaroni according to packet instructions, it will take 6-10 minutes.

When al dente, drain macaroni and return to pot.

Add cheeses, cream or milk and salt to the macaroni and stir over a low heat until cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.

Baby banana pancakes recipe

These tiny bite-size pancakes are more banana than pancake which babies don't really mind and mums love getting another serve of fruit in for the day.

Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, cut into disks
• 1/4 cup wholemeal self-raising flour (for dusting)
• 1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 50g butter, melted

Method:

Dust the bananas in the 1/4 cup of flour to coat.

In a bowl, mix the batter by combining the 1 cup of flour with the egg and milk and sugar and whisking vigourously.

Heat a frying pan and melt a little butter in it.

Dip the banana disks in the batter and fry on each side until golden.

French toast recipe

French toast is delicious breakfast recipe for the family. Sliced bread soaked in an egg mixture and fried, French toast is a great way to get your kids to eat eggs without them knowing.

Serving Size:

3 slices

Ingredients:

• 3 slices bread
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup milk

Method:

In a large bowl, whisk egg and milk until well combined. Preheat a non-stick frypan to medium-high heat.

Dip each slice of bread in the egg wash until coated on both sides and put straight into the frypan.

Cook for 2-3 minutes each side until golden and separates easily from the frypan.

If the bread is sticking to the pan, cook a bit longer.

Serve plain, buttered, or with your child's favourite spread or cheese.

Notes:

• French toast is a delicious way to get fussy eaters to eat eggs.
• To maximise egg intake, reduce the milk to a teaspoon or two. If you do this, there may only be enough egg wash to coat two slices of bread.
• Recipe created by Melissa Hughes for Kidspot.

8 Early Signs of Pregnancy

Wondering if you're pregnant? A pregnancy test is the way to know for sure. But what if it's too soon for accurate results? You may notice some subtle signs of pregnancy -- fatigue, nausea, frequent urination, and breast tenderness. Here's some expert advice on how to respond to these symptoms if you're trying to get pregnant.

1. Fatigue

"Extreme, unexplainable fatigue is probably the most common sign of early pregnancy," says Gil Gross, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

"Don't treat fatigue with excessive caffeine if there is a chance you may be pregnant." Instead, "listen to your body, take it easy, and try to keep well-rested," says Donnica Moore, MD, a women's health expert in Far Hills, N.J.

2. Food Aversions

If opening the refrigerator makes you wince and you can't even walk past the local Chinese restaurant without gagging, you could be pregnant. Many women report that such intense food aversions are one of the first signs of early pregnancy. These can be caused by rising levels of beta-hCG hormone, Moore says. The best thing you can do to help yourself through this is to steer clear of triggers.

3. Sensitivity to Smells

Scents that were never pleasant (like cigarette smoke) and even ones that were pleasing (like your partner's cologne) can make you queasy during pregnancy's early stages. "For some women, this can be a tip-off that they are expecting," Moore says. This is likely a result of rising hormone levels. Unfortunately, "there is really nothing you can do except avoid them when you can," she says, "especially cigarette smoke, which is not good for you or the baby."

4. Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can be some of the first indications that you're pregnant. Blame it on rising hormones levels in early pregnancy.

One of the things that can help expectant moms get through their first trimester is the reassurance that the nausea and vomiting will likely pass by 19 weeks. "It also helps to know that morning sickness can be a good thing," Moore says, because rising levels of the beta-HCG hormone, which may cause morning sickness, indicate a growing pregnancy.

When you eat may make a difference, too. "The key is not to let your stomach get too empty," Moore says. "Keep crackers by your bedside and have them before you get out of bed in the morning."  It is also a good idea to eat small, more frequent meals throughout the day and a snack just before bed.  Lemon and peppermint flavored candies can also ease queasiness.

Prenatal vitamins can also trigger nausea for some expectant moms. "Don't take your vitamins on an empty stomach," Moore says. "A lot of women feel better if they take them at nighttime or with dinner."

If you are vomiting often, speak with your doctor about medication options.

Healthy Ways to Gain Weight

For the majority of Americans, "envious" is the word that comes to mind for anyone who needs to gain weight. Most people are on the other end of the scale, desperately trying to lose weight. 

But for people who struggle to maintain a healthy weight or are trying to gain weight, it can be a real challenge.  Reasons for needing to gain weight include health issues, lack of appetite, fueling sports, building muscle, or just trying to overcome skinny genes.

Being a little underweight is not necessarily a problem, says American Dietetic Association president-elect Sylvia Escott-Stump, RD.

"If you are comfortable, able to function and exercise, weighing a little less than your ideal body weight is not a problem and studies show it is associated with good health outcomes," Escott-Stump says.

However, if you want or need to gain weight, do it the healthy way -- which is not about bellying up to an all-you-can-eat buffet. 

Calories Count, But So Do Nutrients

Focus on healthy foods to gain weight, because even though you have more leeway with calories, good nutrition still rules. 

"Weight gain requires eating calorie-rich but also nutrient-rich foods -- not just high-calorie foods with lots of fat, sugar, or empty calories," says Alice Bender, RD, nutrition communications manager for the American Institute for Cancer Research.

The goal is to choose foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and calories so each bite is loaded with good nutrition.

"Start with nutritious foods and then wherever you can, enrich the foods with additional ingredients like yogurt, fruit, nuts, and healthy fats," Escott-Stump says.

Eat Often to Gain Weight

Regardless of why you want to gain weight, eating meals or substantial snacks (think mini-meals) more often is the way to pack more calories into the day. 

"Try to eat six times a day, with each meal (or at least three of them) containingprotein, starch, vegetable[s], and fat," says sports nutritionist and Georgia State University professor emeritus Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RD.

A sample meal would include a turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread with mayonnaise and tomatoes and a fruit smoothie.

Eat often and choose wisely, and you can expect to gain an average of half a pound to 1 pound per week.

Gaining Muscle Mass

"Athletes who want to bulk up need to add sufficient calories and protein along with proper strength training to make sure they gain weight in the right places," Rosenbloom says. 

She advises athletes to eat protein-rich snacks such as a high-protein energy bar, low-fat chocolate milk, or a protein shake immediately after weight training to give muscles the necessary post-workout fuel.

Rosenbloom instructs athletes to snack on high-calorie, high-protein foods and beverages, such as a protein shake with two scoops of whey protein before bedtime.

Avid exercisers who are not trying to build muscle mass also need frequent healthy snacks to fuel their physical activity and to maintain or gain weight.

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Top 10 Health Benefits Of Cherries

Who wouldn’t love cherries? Apart from tasting really good, they also offer very good nutritional value. Each cherry tree produces about 7000 cherries every harvest season. They are available in a variety of colours ranging from yellow to black but the ones that are mostly consumed are red in colour.

Cherries also come in different shapes from round to heart; They can be eaten as snacks and are also used in making tarts and cherry pies or juice. They benefit us in many ways as it is a source of nutrients and vitamins. They also help in burning fat, however they do not show a drastic loss in weight, you can substitute them with higher calorie food in order to reduce your daily calorie intake. Read below to know few cherry benefits.

The following are the benefits of Cherry:

1. They contain anthocyanins which are good for maintaining a healthy body. The anti oxidants help in inhibiting the oxidation promoted by oxygen and anti oxidants that help protect the body from damaging the preradicals or ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capability) it also measures the total anti oxidant value. Our body should at least contain about 3000-5000 oral units daily to reach the significant oxygen capacity that is required in the blood.

2. Cherries contain melatonin which is five times more than the blackberries, strawberries and helps cure insomnia (which is a sleep deficiency) and maintaining healthy joint function. It is also suggested for jet lag.

3. They also act as anti inflammatory agent

4. It also helps the body to fight against cancer, aging, headaches etc.

5. Cherries also help to control blood pressure and heart rate thus helping our cardiovascular system

6. Cherries contain about 100 calories per cup and provide us with the perfect amount of calories required daily. They also help us in losing weight, as you can toss sliced cherry in lunch time or eat a handful of them in the afternoon; you can also drink a cup of cherry juice by mixing water and raw cherries in a blender and topping it with ice or just eat raw cherries. You can also eat cherry by dipping it in nonfat yogurt, whipped cream and cinnamon. This also tastes very good unlike other raw vegetables and fruits.

7. Cherry fruit health benefits also include provision of the right amount of ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capability) units to the body.

8. Cherries are also alkaline content food which means they will help to maintain the body’s ideal pH balance.

9. Cherries contain vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B and minerals like calcium and phosphorus (which is good for the brain)

10. Cherries give you the energy necessary for the body as they not only help in building blood but they also give you flexibility due to sodium content present in them.

I hope this article on cherry fruit benefits helps you attain good health.

What is French Manicure?

A manicure is a cosmetic treatment that basically involves taking complete care of the nails – starting from filing, shaping, massaging and finally applying polish. Other nail treatments can also be included in the process like application of acrylic nails, artificial nail etc. In French manicure, the only difference is that the Manicure is done to resemble natural nails.

The base of the nail is kept natural (in colour) and the nail tips are painted in crisp white.  It is a very old technique to paint your nails and is loved by almost every woman. French nails lf done properly look very clean and sophisticated.

French manicure looks very feminine and elegant. They look great during working hours and also fun party times. They can be paired with any dress – Indian or western. You can get done by a trained manicurist at nail salons and can opt for them to be done in acrylics, gel nails or with ordinary nail paint. Acrylic and gel French manicure should be better left to professionals as they should be done with outmost care and if not done accurately, you can damage your nail bed. They are very costly too, In India, getting acrylics and gel nails with French tips costs around Rs. 1500 to 3000, depending on where you are getting them done. If you want to save money and don’t want to go for acrylics or gel nails, then you can do them at home with ordinary nail paints. Here is a simple French Manicure at home tutorial.

How to do a french manicure at home

Things you will need for a french manicure:

• Nail remover
• Cotton
• Luke warm water bowl
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Shampoo
• A good hand cream
• Cuticle pusher
• Basecoat
• Light pink/brown nail paint (using china glaze inner beauty)
• White (opaque) nail paint (using OPI Alpine snow)
• French tip guides
• Top coat
• Cuticle oil

Step by Step Instructions on how to do a french manicure:

1. Prep your nails by removing any old nail paint using acetone free formula. Don’t use acetone as it will damage your nails. This is the first and foremost of the french manicure steps.

2. Now dip your hands in luke warm water. Before dipping your hands, add one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and shampoo to the water. Dip your hands for 15 minutes.

3. Take your hands out after 15 minutes and apply cuticle oil and massage your nails for a good 10 minutes.

4. Now push back your cuticles and snip off any dry ones.

5. Apply some good nourishing basecoat and let it dry completely.

6. After your basecoat dries, apply your base colour – light pink or light nude beige/ brown shade according to your choice and let it dry completely. It should be completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

7. When the base color dries completely, put the french manicure tip guides just under your nail smile line as shown in the picture.

8. Paint your tips with white nail paint as shown in the picture below:

9. Remove French tips when your nail paint is still wet.

10. After removing French tips, clean any nail polish left over your cuticles using the nail polish remover and q-tips for getting a neat look.

11. Now apply the topcoat and let it dry.

12. Now apply cuticle oil to give extra nourishment to your nails.

Special French Manicure Kits:

If you wish you can buy special French manicure kits available in market or online at very affordable prices, you should first ensure that it contains the following:

The basic French kits contains following things:

• French tips guides (ones we used for making white tips above)
• White nail paint.
• Baby pink or nude colour nail paint.
• Topcoat
• Some kits also contain base coat, toe tip guides and rhinestones for nail decorations also.

Best Readymade French Manicures Kits Available In India:

This kit is easily available in the market and online. It costs around Rs. 650 to 700 depending on where you are buying it from. This kit includes pale pink nail paint, white nail paint, top coat, french tip guides for hand finger tips and for toes tips, rhinestones for adding bling to your nails and acrylic stick for picking up the rhinestones. We totally recommend this kit as it gives total value for your money.

2. Sally Hansen French Manicure Kit:

This kit is available at Beautykafe.com and comes in 2 – 3 variants. This costs around Rs. 610. This kit includes sheer base nail colour, white nail paint for tips and topcoat

3. Bourjois French Nail Art Kit:

This kit is quite expensive but is of excellent quality. You can buy these from any online store as almost all of them stock this kit. It retails for around Rs.1100/-. This kit includes French tip guides, white nail paint, sheer pink nail paint and a topcoat. We totally recommend this one as it is of very best quality.

4. VOV French Manicure Kit:

You can find this kit at your local beauty shops and they retail between Rs.150/- to Rs.350/-. It comes in many variants. The quality of these kits is really good. Beginners can buy these kits for practicing this technique and later can upgrade to the more expensive ones. This basic kit includes everything you need for creating beautiful French nails.

5 Foods For Naturally Glowing Skin

“Skin that is healthy from the inside will glow from the outside” – can we consider this as the modern day adage?

With the heavy pollution and environmental factors like the harsh sun, the stress of balancing work and family life together with unhealthy snacking and intake of junk food? Glowing skin has become an elusive concept for us! When we do not find enough time to give our skin all the care it requires (in the form of essential nutrients and skin care), how can we expect it to glow in good health?

If we can bring some modifications in our diet and follow the basic CTM (Cleansing, Toning, and Moisturizing) regimen, it is possible to acquire glowing skin naturally. After all, healthy skin is what we call beautiful skin!

Today let us look at some wonderful food for good skin, and that of our choice which can make our skin glow, and which can also be called as “beauty foods”.

These are the skin-friendly components in our diet can help us acquire glowing skin naturally. These best food for good skin will help us rectify all the problems from inside out too.

Foods for glowing skin

1. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables:

Adding them to your daily diet is one of the easiest ways to enhance the skin’s natural radiance. Loaded with antioxidants, essential vitamins and nutrients, dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, arugula help rid our skin of dullness and endow us with glowing skin. This tops the list of foods for glowing skin any day!

2. Kiwi:

Speaking of food for healthy skin. kiwis are true skin-savers! High on Vitamin C content, it protects our skin against the onset of wrinkles and boosts collagen synthesis. In fact, any Vitamin C-rich food such as guavas, oranges, bell peppers, grapefruit, strawberries etc. will do the trick. Vitamin C has multiple benefits for our skin including protecting it from sun damage and promoting cell turnover, thus preserving the youth and beauty of our skin.

3. Wild Salmon & Nuts:

Food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for providing skin with a healthy dose of natural oils (good fats) that in turn reduces inflammation, acne, scaly skin and redness. We can acquire smooth, healthy and glowing skin through consumption of nuts like walnuts and almonds and fish like salmon, trout and herring. A perfect source of ingredients expected from skin glowing foods

4. Carrots:

This easily makes its way into the list of skin-friendly food!  Containing high levels of beta-carotene, Vitamin A and antioxidants, carrots can give us healthy skin from the inside by flushing out toxins. It protects our skin from sun-induced damage preventing premature ageing and wrinkles. Thus warding off or at least delaying the ageing process.

5. Water:

This is not new to us but yes, water can make us glow from head to toe! Drinking lots of water throughout the day will keep your system internally hydrated which in turn directly reflects on your skin. Water helps us not only by flushing out the harmful toxins from our system but also by keeping those ugly wrinkles at bay and giving us naturally getting glowing skin. Keep a bottle of water handy and sip when you crave for your favorite cola the next time!

I am sure you have no questions on what to eat for healthy skin anymore! Set your diet. Be healthy and look beautiful too.