Tips For Skincare in Summer

Summer is accompanied by summer grills, cocktails, fresh juices and mocktails. But never forget, it brings tanning, dehydration and special care needs to be taken for skin, hair etc as well.

Fresh Juices - Most of us have a habit of coming from the office and going directly to the freeze for some chilled aerated drinks. We must keep in mind that they have high sugar content, which is not good for your health. Summer is welcomed by number of fresh fruits such as watermelon, mangoes, melons, lychee etc. Try fresh juices or cool fruits. Enjoy coconut water or green mango drink to stay hydrated and keep your skin fresh as well. Try fresh juices or cool fruits. Enjoy coconut water and refreshing milkshakes or smoothies.

Protection from Sun - The sun rays are strongest in the afternoon. Stay indoors in the afternoon if possible. Never use sunscreen with too high SPF or too low SPF. Sunscreen with too high SPF, is very strong for your skin. Sunscreen with very low SPF may not be of any use as they are very mild. Go to you skin specialist to know what your skin actually needs. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go out so that it goes into the skin pores for 100%results. 

Water Based Moisturizers and Toners - If your skin is too oily, use Oil-Free Water Based Moisturizers. There are number of Water Based Moisturizers available in the market ranging from dry to normal or oily skin. Using a skin-toner or rose water is advisable to keep the skin cool. It has natural cooling trait that is very good for the skin.

Be Hydrated -  We lose lot of moisture in summer. You must not let that glow go off your face. By drinking lot of water, skin stays soft, supple and well moisturized.

Cleansing and Scrubbing - We must cleanse our face twice a day. Cleansing and moisturizing the skin before sleeping is a must. It is important to use dead skin and dirt that goes into our pores due to sweat in summer. Exfoliation of skin is very important. Using herbal scrubs is advisable. Apply homemade face pack, that suits your skin after scrubbing the face. Various skin tan removal creams are available in the market. Use these creams to avoid tanning.

 Happy Summer :)

Tips to Quit Smoking - Anti-tobacco Day (May 31)

Thank you for loving my blog “tips for healthy teeth and gums”. I wanted to write something on Anti-tobacco Day as well. Tell me, how much we love our father? And why not? He is our Idol. Is he really our idol. Yes, we learn from our idols. But what if he is a chain smoker? Isn't it disgusting?

My friend, Jane was very disturbed by the smoking habit of her dad and nearly every day there used to be a fight in their house lest I suggested her some food that would lessen the craving for smoking. Within a month after taking this food plan, my friend’s family was a real happy family. I wanna share with you the list of diseases and consequences that generates while smoking:-

• Bronchitis and Emphysema
• Impotence
• Lung Cancer
• Mouth Diseases
• Heart Disease
• Strokes
• Miscarriage

On the Anti-tobacco Day, I would like to share some food items that will help to quit smoking. And the best part is that it really works if the diet is taken seriously and regularly. Tobacco contains nicotine. You are right, the nicotine in tobacco is what people are addicted to. Many people like Jane’s father can quit smoking, then why not you or your loved ones. Impossible is nothing, it’s just about the will power and the magic of the selected food.

1. Milk - Milk is very effective in quitting the smoking habit. Drinking a glass of milk every day an hour before the normal smoke time will do you good and also keep you healthy.

2. Omega-3 fatty food - Certain food textures like fish etc. can also help chain smokers to fight the craving to smoke. Crunchy food tends to be more satisfying for a quitter. Food like beans, fish and flax seeds are rich in Omega-3.

3. Popcorn - It is strange but true, popcorns play a vital role to quit smoking. You can have popcorns, without butter, to help stop those nasty urges of smoking. Popcorns give you that salty taste which does not tastes good while smoking. 

4. Salt - Try eating a lot of salted food inorder to quit smoking. The salt content in the food will help curbing the desire to smoke.

5. Turmeric - This is an Indian spice and is one of the best ingredients to add to any dish, especially if it is a South-Asian cuisine. This spice lowers the smoking urge for chain smokers.

6. Water - Drinking lot of water will to keep the body hydrated. It will keep your tummy full. This in turn will prevent you from urge to smoke.

7. Blueberries - Not only blueberries, but any type of berry will help you to stop smoking. Strawberries, cranberries, mulberries are some of the berries to help you quit smoking.

8. Cheese - Grab a piece of cheese to curb the urge to smoke. Salty cheese does wonders for people who want to stop smoking.

9. Celery - You can chew on fresh celery leaves to help you to quit smoking. Try variant vegetable salads containing celery for an otherwise healthy lifestyle also.

10. Cinnamon - Just inhaling deeply a cinnamon stick, mimics the deep drag on a flavorful cigarette. What a natural way! Chewing a small piece of cinnamon stick is very beneficial to curb your craving.

11. Dark Chocolate - If compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate is the best for you to quit smoking. Munch a heavenly dark chocolate if you get the urge to smoke, you’ll love it.

12. Dried Fruits - Aroma of dried fruits help to lower the cravings to smoke. Consuming them on regular basis will also make a difference to stop smoking.

13. Ginger - Ginger is a natural agent to curb all urge for smokers. If you cannot consume a piece of ginger, grind it and mix it with a spoon of sugar and have it. It will help you to forget about the thought for smoking.

14. Herbal tea - There are various herbal tea available nowadays. Sipping on a hot glass of herbal tea of your flavor will help you in reducing the urge to smoke a cigarette.

15. Lean Meat - Do you know that all types of lean meats will help you quit smoking? Enjoy lean meat topped over bread or with mashed boiled potatoes and steamed rice. 

Stay fit and quit smoking!!

Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums - Remedies and Food

It is often said, "Keep smiling, it costs nothing". White teeth are often associated with health and beauty. You can have a beautiful natural smile that you have always dreamt of. With just a few tips for healthy gums and teeth, you can make it possible.

Brush your teeth regularly

-The first and foremost thing that you need for healthy teeth and gums is brush your teeth twice a day
-The brush must not be too hard. Instead it should put gentle pressure on your teeth
-Keep the brush at 45-degrees angle
-Brush for 2-3 minutes

Floss regularly

Flossing means cleaning between (one's teeth) with dental floss. While to most of the people, flossing appears nasty process, it removes plaque that would otherwise stay in between the teeth and cause decaying. Flossing also removes swelling and inflammation.

Use an effective mouthwash

Good quality of mouthwash not only helps in removing bad breath, but also keeps harmful bacteria at bay.

Go for sugarless gums

It is a good practice to chew sugarless gum, sometimes for 10 minutes after eating. If we chew it for extended amount of time, it will further lead to jaw problems. Regular chewing gums (with added sugar) is not advisable since its the home for bacteria and plaque.

Use Oil Pulling

The ancient ayurvedic remedy of oil pulling is going on since ages and ages. Slosh a tablespoon of sesame, sunflower or coconut oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Then spit it out. This lubricates the gums and whitens the teeth.

Dentist Check-up

We must go to the dentists regularly after every six months. The visits may be frequent if we are facing problems like toothache, bad breath or other bacterial infection.

Recommended food for healthy gums and teeth:-

Milk - Milk, as we all know contains calcium, it helps in fighting against periodontal disease (gum related problems).

Salmon and Atlantic mackerel - These fatty fish are rich source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is highly recommended for sound oral health. It helps in absorbing maximum calcium.

Orange - This may be very surprising for most of us but citrus fruits for eg. oranges keep the gums healthy. Vitamin C that is present in citrus fruits reduces inflammation.

Strawberries - Strawberries bring a big smile to our face. They too contain Vitamin C that strengthens gums, which is integral part of oral health.

Green Tea - Green tea controls bacteria. It also lowers the acidity of saliva and dental plaque. Hence it is vital tool in preventing cavities.

Raisins - Recently a study was conducted which revealed that an element in raisins called oleanolic acid, prevents bacteria from sticking on to the teeth and hence is recommended.

Cheese - "Say Cheese" for a beautiful smile. Most of us are unaware but eating cheese after meals help to remove plaque and food particles. If at all we are not able to brush our teeth after dinner, go for Swiss or other aged cheese. Cheese is made up of milk, since it contains calcium, it is good for bones and teeth as well.

Water - Last but not the least, water is a boon for our teeth. Water not only removes the minute food particles stuck between the gums but saliva itself is the best defense against tooth decay.

For those with unhealthy teeth and gums, bring your smile back right away and for those with healthy teeth, keep smiling. And yes never forget, smile is still the sexiest curve on your body.