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F’s which help in skincare

F’s which help in skincare

Nature doesn’t fail to surprise be it with fruits or vegetables and the innumerable benefits they have to offer. And now since we are in F, lets see what ingredients in F help in skincare.

FIG

Fig



Fig or anjeer is loaded with antioxidants. When we say antioxidants we know that the major role is to combat skin ageing. FIg helps in rejuvenating skin, evenning the complexion, prevents wrinkles and cures boils and warts. Fig was cleopatra’s favourite fruit.



Prevents wrinkles

The antioxidant property help reduce the depth of the wrinkles. Figs help to decrease melanin production , water loss and sebum production.As a result it helps in increased hydration. Its effective in treating pigmentation, acne and wrinkles.



Rejuvenate skin
Figs help in rejuvenation. The benefit can be attained when you consume or apply them on skin.

DIY
Take fig cut in half, scoop of fresh and mash it up with yogurt or honey. Apply and wash of after 15 minutes. This mask offers instant freshness to skin.


Soft and supple skin
Loaded with vitamin C figs also contain a lot of anti oxidants which help in making the skin tone even.

DIYs
Blend figs with milk and oats and also add half a teaspoon fof dry ginger powder. Apply on to skin and wash off after 15 minutes to discover smooth skin.
Soak and blend figs. Add in 2-3 drops of almond oil. Apply on face and wash off after it dries.


Heal boils and warts
The anti inflammatory property in figs makes them beneficial in healing boils and warts. Figs can be cut and directly used on affected area to gain maximum benefit of reduced inflammation.

FLAX SEEDS

Flax seed


Omega 3 fatty acids have innumerable benefits majorly for health. But sadly vegetarian sources are very limited. But a small seed that gives you what you missed is something great. Flax seeds are enriched with omega 3 fatty acids which play major role in heart, skin and hair health.



When flax seeds are used in topical application, the oil in them helps in providing nourishment to skin, improve skin barrier,regulate sebum production and provide nutrients which are wiped off when skin is exposed to harsh chemicals in the name of exfoliation. The seeds help in replenishing vitamins and minerals there by giving you glowing skin.


Glowing skin: The omega 3 fatty acids in flax seeds help keep the skin hydrated and prevent drying as a result your skin glows.


Anti-ageing: The antioxidants in flax seed help in fighting against ageing thereby reducing fine lines, wrinkles and help in skin tightening and lessening of sagging skin.



Acne prevention: Flax seeds help in balanced production of estrogen thereby reducing chances of breakouts. Flax seeds also help regulate sebum production.



Skin rejuvenation: Flax seed when grounded and made powder can be incorporated into face packs due to its quality of being an excellent agent for exfoliation.



Soothes skin irritation: The anti inflammatory property in the seeds help provide a healing effect to the redness and irritation caused by UV rays and free radicals.


When consumed , flax seeds help in repairing skin from the inside. They help in curbing inflammation, balancing estrogen production and strengthening the skin cells from within thereby helping you achieve flawless and healthy glowing skin.


Consuming two spoons of flax seed each day helps in solving most of your skin care problems. It’s water retention abilities help the skin retain moisture so that your skin never gets dried.



Flax seeds are best absorbed when in grounded form. Always make them freshly ground and add them to smoothies or salads.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

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E’s which help in skincare

E’s which help in skincare

Eggs

E for ‘egg’ stays right . So lets start with benefits of using egg in skincare. Eggs provide a good dose of nourishment to skin since they are protein packed. It is not wrong to call them as super foods. Hydration and elasticity to skin is provided by eggs since they are rich in lutin. They also play a big role in repairing skin tissues and making skin firm since they are protein rich.



Eggs help in improving the texture be it dry or oily skin. The protein rich yolk aids in moisturizing whereas the white that is rich in albumin helps in reducing open pores.



Eggs help in regulating oil production thereby also removing dead skin cells so they’re good ingredients for exfoliation.



1.DIY to reduce open pores
Take two egg whites, beat and mix with one tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply on to areas where pores are visible. Once it dries wash off with lukewarm water.

2.DIY for glowing skin
Take two eggs, add yogurt and beat. Apply this mask on to face and neck.
Wash off after it dries for discover glowing skin.


3.DIY for dry skin
Take one egg and mix in half a tablespoon of honey. Apply on to face and neck.
Wash off after it dries for discover hydrated skin.



4.DIY to reduce eye bags
Egg whites are known to bring in firmness to skin. Take two beaten egg whites and apply the paste beneath the eyes. Wash off after ten minutes.



5 DIY for skin lightening
Take one egg white mix with one teaspoon of orange juice and half a teaspoon of turmeric. Apply onto face and neck. Wash off once it dries.



6.DIY for sensitive skin
Take one egg white, mix with a teaspoon of honey, yogurt and cucumber juice. Apply on to face and neck. Wash with lukewarm water.



7. DIY anti ageing eye mask
Mix one egg white with grated carrot and a teaspoon of aloe vera gel. Apply under the eyes and around. Do not apply on to eyelids.



8.DIY to remove black heads
Apply beaten egg white on to nose. Take a strip of paper towel and place over the area. Apply one more layer of egg white. Leave it to dry for about 30 minutes. Peel off.



When using masks containing egg whites make sure you do not put them into eyes and mouth. Eggs have salmonella which could cause an infection.

Eucalyptus


Originally native to australia eucalyptus is now grown all over the world. The eucalyptus oil is derived from the tree’s oval shaped leaves.


An ingredient that cannot be directly applied on to skkin but can be found in many of personal care products. It’s uses in skincare would mostly include healing of skin.


Soothes insect bites
A natural anti septic ingredient, eucalyptus helps in healing of bug bites,cuts and burns. The additional anti microbial property helps in prevention of new germ infestation. Makes an easy application too. Just dab a cotton ball in 2-3 drops of oil and apply on the affected area.



Heals cuts and scrapes
Eucalyptus oil helps make an easy anti-septic spray. Be it a cut or a burn you can now make your very own anti-septic spray at the comfort of your home. Combine 10-12 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to two cups of water and store in a spray bottle. Tada!! so easy isn’t it.



Heals sunburns

Sunburns are really painful and irritating. A refreshing spray that helps heal the burns and also makes your skin fresh is what everyone needs. The pain relieving properties and anti inflammatory properties help in healing sunburns. Combine two ounces of water, a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil and your spray to heal sunburns and to deal with a hot day is ready.


Eucalyptus is usually diluted with a carrier oil when making lotions, moisturizers. Eucalyptus also finds its place in soaps, shower gels and handwashes because of its ability to soothe the skin and heal.



DIY SHOWER SPRAY

Mix 15-20 drops of eucalytus oil( 2 caps) to 4 ounces of distilled water and store in spray bottle. This makes a great rejuvenating shower spray. Make sure you store this only in glass bottles since eucalyptus is known to break plastics. This shower sure does calm down the muscles and gives a relaxed effect to the whole body and mind.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

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D’s which help in skincare

D is for dates. Lets start with this little brown powerhouse of nutrients and what it has to offer for skincare. These brown treasures are beauty balms of skin illumination.

Dates is an excellent source of vitamin C and D which helps in maintaining the elasticity of skin. It also helps in keeping skin buttery smooth. Dates play a major part in being one of the main foods which have anti ageing properties and also helps in reducing melanin supply.

Packed with vitamin B5, the highly nutritious dates also helps deal skin frustrations. B5 also known as pantothenic acid is a water soluble vitamin that finds its place in most lotions and creams. This helps in healing the skin.

Dates help in treating skin allergies that occur in the form of breakouts.

Tannin in dates helps in cell damage and reduces inflammation since it is rich in antioxidants.

Softer and smoother skin is definitely guaranteed since its rich in nutrients which strengthen the skin tissues from within resulting in smoother skin.

The vitamin A helps reduce black heads and dark spots and help you in getting healthier skin.

Dates in paste form when applied on skin is a natural moisturizer.

Daily in take of dates can help treat dry lips. Try taking date with milk post dinner to see the difference.

Dates mixed with lemon and orange juice can help heal insect bites and itching caused by it.

DATE FACIAL MASK

FOR RADIANT SKIN:
5-6 dates
One cup of boiled milk
One tablespoon each of semolina and honey.


Blend dates( soaked in milk for an hour)( and milk initially followed by honey and semolina.
Apply the grainy textures paste over face and neck, leave for about 30 minutes. Wash off to discover buttery smooth glowing skin. Repeat this once a week to see visible difference in skin.

FOR FIRM SKIN

5-6 dates
Half a cup of boiled milk
One tablespoon of oats
One tablespoon of honey

Blend dates(soaked in milk ) with milk, oats and honey.
Apply on to face and leave on for 30 minutes. Wash off to discover firm hydrated skin.

Drumstick leaves (moringa)

Drumstick leaves or moringa as it’s commonly known is definitely one of the hidden gems that nature had to offer for skincare. It recently gained more limelight as a magical ingredient for almost certain number of ailments including being beneficial for good looking skin.

Moringa is enriched with vitamin A which is responsible for building up collagen which forms the major part of your skin. Vitamin C which helps fight signs of ageing and vitamin E which is anti inflammatory.



LIP CARE

Moringa is known to have moisturizing properties which is why it could be found as an ingredient in lip balms and cream. Makes lips soft and supple.



ANTI AGEING
The vitamin C present in moringa helps fight signs of ageing. The antioxidants help fight against free radical damage which play a major role in wrinkle formation. The cytokinins present help in increasing cellular growth and prevent cell destruction. It is beneficial in both the powder and oil form. So with moringa you could wave goodbye to dull sagging skin and say hello to firm and healthy skin.



REDUCE DARK SPOT AND PREVENT ACNE
Moringa powder when taken helps in purifying blood and flush out toxins from the body.Toxin buildup is one of the major reasons for breakouts and acne. Flushing them out helps prevent acne.



REDUCE OPEN PORES

Moringa helps in firming up the skin by boosting collagen production, hence also helps in reducing open pores in the skin.

DIYS



For problematic skin
A tablespoon of moringa, honey, rose water and lemon juice.
Adjust consistency and apply on to face.
Wash off after ten minutes.



MORINGA WITH AVOCADO for refreshed skin
One tablespoon of moringa powder, honey and lemon juice to be mixed with 1/2 mashed avocado

Adjust consistency , apply and leave on for about 10-20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.



BLEMISH REMOVER MORINGA PACK
One tablespoon of moringa powder and honey mixed with one teaspoon of lemon juice.

Mix all these with 1/2 mashed banana. Apply this paste on to the blemishes and wash off after 20 minutes.
Repeat to see best results.

MORINGA BODY SCRUB
Mix one cup rolled oats(powdered into flour) with 2 tablespoon of moringa powder, one cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of coconut oil.
This exfoliating scrub gives best results for both face and body. It has a shelf life of about a month.


Moringa has become a superfood in addition to being applied externally over the skin. With its re-entry into the skincare industry matcha and turmeric have taken a back seat.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

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C’s which help in skincare

We are surrounded by a lot of C’s that can be incorporated into your skincare habits to get you the healthy glowing skin.

Coconut oil:


Coconut oil with its combination of natural fats makes it one of the staple in the kitchen. The fats present like the linolic and lauric acids makes it a good skincare ingredient. But do keep in mind that only pure coconut oil or extra virgin coconut oil will yield you the benefits.



HELPS IN LESSENING PIGMENTATION AND DARK CIRCLES
Coconut oil helps in lessening of dark spots or pigmentation under the eyes when massaged generously. It also helps in reducing the puffiness or eye bags as commonly known due to its anti-inflammatory properties.



ALLEVIATES STRESS
Stress can be induced any time and for people at any age. A calming coconut oil massage is all what you need to soothe your senses. The subtle fragrance also helps you calm your mind and make you relaxed.



HIGHLIGHTER
A highlighter is what elevates the beauty in your makeup especially at the cheeks. Just a squeak line of coconut oil over the cheeks sure does give you a glow that reflects light. This is one of the major reasons coconut oil is one of the major ingredients in base makeup products.



REMOVING EYE MAKEUP AND A GOOD EYECREAM
Though we generally prefer using waterproof kajal or mascara for their long lasting smudge free looks, it is highly a tiresome job to take them out. Coconut oil works like a wonder in such cases and makes removal of kajal and mascara pretty much easier. If your skin under the eyes is dry due to weather or dehydration all you need to do is to dab a light layer of coconut oil under the eyes and pat gently. This sure does help in eye relaxing and also improving complexion of the darker areas.



LIP BALM OR LIP SCRUB
Coconut oil can be used as an ingredient in lip balm and also lip scrub.

If u mix it in with brown sugar and honey and apply foe a gentle exfoliation it works great as a scrub.
For a lip balm mix in coconut oil, bees wax and cocoa butter and heat using double boil method. Once melted you could add them to lip balm containers and if needed also include essential oils.

You could play with the ingredients in terms of quantities so that you get the desired consistency.



GREAT USAGE AS CLEANSER
As a first step to face wash, you could apply coconut oil on your face and massage with circular motions and wash off with your regular face wash. Due to its anti bacterial, anti fungal and moisturizing nature its the best nighttime skincare product that most women could vouch for.

COFFEE GROUNDS


Next time after making coffee if you are left with coffee grounds that you decide to trash, you may rethink and pause. The caffeine in coffee grounds has antioxidants that help prevent sun damage. They can be repurposed into excellent exfoliators for both the body and the face.
But if you have sensitive skin this might not be great for you as coffee grounds could be harsh on your skin.



EXFOLIATION
Mix in coffee grounds with a spoon of yoghurt and apply on to face and neck. Once dry rinse with warm water for glowing skin. Make sure you use this only once a week.



BODY POLISH
Make a mixture of granulated sugar, almond oil and coffee grounds. Apply on your body and gently scrub especially the dry areas like the knees and elbows. Say hello to shiny skin.



FOOT SCRUB
Coffee grounds can also play a good role in making them one of the best foot scrub. Mix in coffee grounds with epsom salt and olive oil. Apply on to feet and heels. Scrub gently and wash off to discover feet with baby soft skin.



REDUCE CELLULITE APPEARANCE

As we age one other major concerns are the cellulite marks that make you embarrassed.Worry not when you have coffee grounds. Mix in coffee grounds with water or coconut oil apply on areas where cellulite marks are visible. Wash off after a gentle massage. Do this twice a week to see the marks making slow disappearance. The scrub breaks down the fat and increases blood flow to the area thereby visibly reducing the cellulite marks.

CUCUMBER


Cucumber is packed with skin loving nutrients . They particularly contain vitamin C which is an antioxidant and caffeic and folic acid which help in boosting collagen production and help fight signs of ageing.


KEEPS SKIN HYDRATED
When skin is well hydrated it has good elasticity and firmness. When its not the skin becomes dry and flaky. Include a lot of cucumbers in diet to keep skin hydrated. The 96% of water present in cucumber is the main reason cucumber provides superior hydration to skin.


GREAT ASTRINGENT
Astringents help to tighten pores in skin and is especially beneficial to acne prone skin. Cucumber is a mild astringent that works great for acne prone skin.


HELPS TREAT PUFFY EYES
Cucumbers are perfect to treat puffy eyes. Just cut few slices of chilled cucumber and place over eyes for a cooling effect.


DETAN AND SOOTHE SUNBURN

Cucumber juice when applied on affected area can help in removing tan and also provide soothing sensation to areas of sunburn.

DIY



FOR DRY SKIN: Mix in equal parts of cucumber juice to aloe vera gel to boost hydration to dry skin. Let this sit for 15 minutes and then wash off.


ACNE PRONE SKIN: Mix in cucumber juice to oatmeal one table spoon and honey one tablespoon. Apply and wash of after 15 minutes. Cucumber juice helps in soothing, honey provides anti bacterial goodness and oatmeal helps in removing excess oil.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

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Gender stereotyping what needs to be changed #causeachatter



When I was young, the word gender was seen or heard only once a year. I hope I would bring back nostalgic memories to all of you. That was a filed in DATA SHEET in school diary. I really could not understand whatsoever was the reason to have the field, cause can’t we identify them with the names? Do we specifically require a field? This was way back in the 90s when we did not know there was something termed “gender stereotyping”.

UNISEX NAMES


But now are the times when people say we have chosen a unisex name. I was like “What the hell is that?”. I thought the term “unisex” was used only for dresses, shoes or salon. May be this is why schools had the field on their forms procrastinating such a situation that both genders can use the names. Don’t get me wrong that I have a wrong opinion about unisex names, I am all okay with it, but just that it was something new to me and discrimination based on gender with regards to naming was so very new.

Where does it all start?


At home is definitely the straight answer most people would give you. And why would that be? It’s because we were brought up that way.We I mean the previous generation But during the course of us growing up and getting exposure to information of all kinds, somewhere down the lane we realized that this is not how it should be.


We as humans have evolved a lot and especially with concepts like gender stereotyping, sustainability, saying no to patriarchy. But we still have a long way to go in making our parents or grandparents understand the same. We have to be patient and understanding to make them absorb the concept on why we do not agree upon gender based discrimination. Making them understand that it has to be corrected from the roots I.e. home is another herculean task.


The Millennial parents, may be I’d say a 50% of us depend on our parents to help raise kids. Most parental conflicts arise here where our methodologies of thinking with respect to bringing up kids differs.


We believe in gentle parenting, no gender bias however that might sound weird to them because them and their forefathers had an entirely different way of parenting.


Our ways of treating kids, bringing them up to understand that a boy playing dolls and girl playing with a car is totally acceptable is kind of hard for them to process. But in a slow pace they would understand that in today’s way of life it is more necessary that both man and wife contribute and take up roles that are not looked down based on gender bias.


In a nuclear set up a man doing laundry and helping with chores around is totally acceptable, Their way of lifestyle of being there for each other taking up or swapping each others role is definitely making them good role models for their kids and a bad portrayal for the elders who still aren’t aware of the gender stereotyping.



Gender stereotyping could have adverse negative effects on children because of early environmental influences in their life. Any kind of genetic bias could be termed as insignificant and can be overcome by positive environmental influences.



Recently I came across books that support gender stereotyping. As a parent I would never opt to do something like that. But in this case my daughter received this as a birthday gift. Drawing book for girls with bright pinks all over. I was dumbstruck looking at the level of how even books try to thrust such notions. Shouldn’t girls colour dinosaurs or vehicles and only stick to princesses and flowers. I was totally not okay with her getting this book having been raised in a gender neutral environment.


Leave alone books, if you look at toy section in most outlets you do have separate sections based on gender. Where house keeping and cooking ranges are placed for girls; boys will conquer the world with scientific experiments and robotics. Why can’t girls play with robots and boys with kitchen sets? It sad to know that parents and kids these days don’t bring in gender discrimination but that feeling creeps when you enter the toy stores. This should definitely change.

How to handle kids and raise them in a gender neutral environment?


Support the choices they make –Let kids take up what might interest them and not discourage them from playing with toys and activities they show interest. On another note, if your kid is following stereotypical choices by nature, do not intervene. In order to prove gender evenness do not offer different stuff to girls who love to cook and boys who love to ride. Offering them cross-gender alternatives is a definite must. Do not influence them in a gender stereotypical manner be it a toy, dress, activity, friends or making choices in career. Asking them to evaluate their strengths, encouraging and respecting their choices is definitely a good way of upbringing.


Battling Social and Peer pressure – Kids often make mistakes in making choices at schools or more based on what their peers choose and even if that is something that doesn’t make them happy, they make the choice for the sake of making them feel accepted. Teach them how to be true to themselves by making choices that make them content rather than pleasing others.


Encouraging positive traits which the kids have irrespective of the gender something like being fearless or nurturing. Boys being of a nurtured nature and girls going out to conquer is totally acceptable.


Being okay with dressing practically – A girl needn’t be in skirts and frocks all throughout her life. Dressing up in shorts and pants when practical or when she needs is acceptable. And for boys hot pinks and reds are definitely must wear colors. If not they’re definitely missing out on something.


Say no to – toys and activities that are openly sexist. Take to social media to influence your vision so that brands realize that changes should be made.

‘This post is part of #CauseAChatter with Blogchatter’.

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Microgreens and environment

Microgreens

The last time you visited the restaurant and your salad has tiny plants on the top , made you wonder what this is?

After taking a small bite, did you feel that you tasted the vegetable or the grain? If yes, you had yourselves a serving of microgreens. Haven’t heard ?

What are microgreens?

Microgreens are vegetable greens which are bigger than sprouts but tiny than baby plants.

Their tiny size can noway be compared to the amazing nutritional benefits they have to offer. Would you believe that they offer more nine times higher nutrients than mature vegetable greens? That’s indeed true. So the next time your given a choice for microgreens or vegetable greens make sure you choose microgreens. But if you can have them both together that’s even better. Microgreens are great addition to any diet.

They are about 1-3 inches tall, but rich in nutrients, aromatic and available in variety of colours and textures.

You needn’t confuse them with sprouts. Sprouts do not have leaves whereas microgreens do. 2-7 days is the grow cycle for sprouts whereas it’s 7-21 days post germination the microgreens are harvested. This is after their first leaves appear.

Microgreens are rich in potassium,zinc, iron , magnesium and copper. They’re also a great source of antioxidants.

They could also help in reducing risk to a number of diseases if included in diets.

  • Heart diseases – Microgreens contain polyphenols a type of antioxidant that helps reduce risk of heart disease. Studies also prove that they help in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol.
  • Diabetes – Microgreens help in reducing stress which help in preventing sugar from entering cells . This is in particular study pertaining to fenugreek microgreens.
  • Types of cancer – microgreens which contains certain type of polyphenols also help in reducing cancer risks.
  • Alzheimer’s disease – Foods rich in antioxidants which are forms of polyphenols helps in reducing risk to Alzheimer’s disease.

Incorporating into diets

Microgreens can be incorporated into diets by a number of ways. Most common would be to include them with salads to give the crunch and texture. They could also be added to sandwiches, pizza toppings and soups.

They could also be included to juices and smoothies. Wheatgrass is one such example.

Microgreens and sustainability

Crops grown to maturity on large farms use pesticides and chemicals because they need to stay fresh to be transported to long distances. Compared to these crop grown to maturity, microgreens are more sustainable. That degree of sustainability would increase if you use organic seeds to grow them.

Microgreens are not an expensive way of lifestyle or something that needs to be consumed at high end restaurants. People often resort that crops that feed us like rice and corn need to be cultivated rather than microgreens that only is for high end lifestyle. The answer is a simple no. My response for that would be below.

Food production on our planet is happening in abundance. But the problem we face is it’s not at the right place. We seem to lose more of it while harvesting, transporting and processing.

One such industry that brings in a lot of waste would be the food industry as per what I had mentioned above. We do not need more staples we need to make food available from what exists.

They’re space saving compared to their conventionally grown peers which are raised to maturity. Microgreens can be grown indoors or in controlled environments where in the mature crops cannot be grown.

They enable you to increase the amount of space that you put into food production.

Most often when you pick up a salad outside all the ingredients like the vegetables,greens are sourced from long distances. They’re bulkier, heavier and could also lose nutrients on their way to the destination. However, microgreens on the other hand can be just transported as seeds to a local farm and cultivated. They can be consumed fresh immediately after harvest compared to matured grown crops that are transported from long distances. In this way, microgreens help in sustainability.

Mature grown crops are sometimes grown with pesticides, chemicals and there are also those which are grown from GMO . These types grow to give yeh perfect yield but only with the use of specific chemicals or fertilisers that were produced by the companies which created the genetically modified seeds in the first place. Imagine the amount of harm they do to the soil.

You don’t use more of peat containing compost that is non-renewable while cultivating microgreens. They can also be grown hydroponically. So, microgreens don’t harm the soil.

Usage of water is very minimal when it comes to microgreens. On fields or farms you end up watering larger areas where water is lost due to evaporation. Water used to nutrient ratio for the microgreens is very much high.

So if you’re wondering to grow your own produce I’d suggest you start with microgreens.

Why growing microgreens at home is easy ?

They don’t require much of equipment or dependent on time. They can be grown indoors or outdoors. This makes it very easy and convenient.

What do you need to grow microgreens?

  • High-quality seeds.
  • Growing medium. This could be a container with soil or growing mats specifically designed for growing microgreens.
  • Good lighting that could be sunlight or 12-16 hours of UV light.

How to grow?

  • Fill your container with soil and lightly water it.
  • Evenly sprinkle seeds on top.
  • Mist the seeds not generously watering them. Cover with lid.
  • Keep a check on them daily and mist the seeds. The seeds need to be moist.
  • After they germinate in a couple of days, remove the lids and expose to light.

Given that they’re easy to grow at home, stating convenience and the ease, they’re an especially cost-effective way to boost nutrient intake without having to purchase large quantities of vegetables.

I’d started including microgreens into my diet thanks to Indian Organiko from Chennai. I enjoyed varieties of microgreens that were freshly harvested and made me indulge in nutrient rich food.

‘This post is part of #CauseAChatter with Blogchatter’.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘ blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
And sponsored by Bugshield clothing – Enjoy outdoors more.

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Review of Jasmine builds on shifting sands

Jasmine builds on shifting sands

BLURB

Integrated with hybrid multimedia learning tools, Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands is a unique self-help fiction offering. Its captivating narrative ties two seemingly distinct tales in an intertwined journey that explores the manifestation of dreams. At the center of the book is Jasmine’s journey of making it as a successful model in the cut-throat world of fashion. Her tale of victory and failure is enveloped within the master narrative of Sanjay, an erudite knowledge-seeker who meets his spiritual guru- Ma. Set between the esoter ic location of the Himalayas and the urban bustle of Mumbai, the book offers an enhanced learning experience which is further amplified through the embedded microlearning content that is interspersed throughout the text, making for a truly immersive experience.

MY REVIEW

Jasmine builds on shifting sands

Fiction and self-help are two of my favourite genres of books. I really don’t know the time ticking when I settle down in my reading corner with books in any one of these genres.

As much as I enjoy fiction, I also enjoy reading self-help books and try implementing principles which suit my way of life. That’s what they’re written for right?

What I look for in self-help books is strategies, lessons, case studies which tell you what to and what not to do. They should make you feel that you could try attempting to implement lessons learned. Examples which state what went wrong and how could that have been handled to make it successful are stuffs which anyone would basically look for in self-help books.

When I came to know that this book has both self-help and fiction entwined I knew I definitely had to pick it up.

What I could also relate is that the book is set in modern period and so is something everyone of us millenials could resonate to.

It takes a lot of time for us to understand ourselves in a better way. Not knowing about ourselves and instead looking out for others to accept us is something that is not plausible. The process of understanding oneself, about what we can and what we cannot, how we can and when we can is called self-discovery. Not everyone of us do this at the same time. For some of us this process happens early and for some later on. This book embarks you on Jasmine’s journey of self-discovery.

The Prologue and the Epilogue add value by providing a powerful context arising from the author’s own personal experience.

The realistic description of the travel to Kedarnath, the picturesque views of Himalaya would make you embark on a virtual journey. The divine relationship between the author and his spiritual guru , their conversations mentioned provide a lot of spiritual learning.

Jasmine who was about to land into a professional career life eventually landed into the world of fashion. Now that is two extreme opposite fields. So how does she handle it ? Does she succeed or fail ? Is she happy or keeps brooding ?

The field that she landed was something completely new to her. She had her parts of failures, jealousies, competition, wrong ways and finally rose above all of it. The author has a lot of learnings from life which he’s penned out beautifully through the story of Jasmine.

Everyone of us has a dream, a goal or an aim. We pursue our actions towards them . We chart out a goal plan to achieve the results. Did you know that the universe also has a major role in making our dreams come true? Now that is what the author tries to convey.

A motivational book that helps you to stay focused and have a positive approach to rise above hurdles and accomplish the dream. The connection to the universe and it’s integral part in making our dreams come true also is a lesson to be learnt.

I love the writing style of the author which he serves to keep it simple and crisp. No beating around the bush or extravagant descriptions. Overall a good one for self-motivation and self-discovery.

About the author :

Sanjay is an entrepreneur and an ex-banker, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore and a Chartered Accountant. During his successful career, Sanjay has been integrating the essence of a parallel spiritual journey with his material pursuits. He has now set out to share the ways and means of seamlessly traversing through the material and spiritual world. Thereby, enriching each journey.

Click below on the thumbnail to buy yourself a copy.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla, and generously SPONSORED BY Bugshield Clothing – Enjoy Outdoors More!

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Book review of Doctor’s kitchen 3-2-1

Doctor’s kitchen 3-2-1 by Dr. Rupy Aujla

Food and lifestyle go hand in hand. This is a hard reality but that is what it is. Most of us tend to ignore or take proper care of what we eat. The food that we eat is what fuels our body, so we should be careful in knowing what goes inside.

It shouldn’t be destroying the body in the process of consumption.

 On the contrary, stopping to consume as part of a diet plan is not going to be of any help at all.

A good diet and a great workout routine go hand in hand to make you achieve a strong and toned physique. If you do not pay much attention to what goes into your body, it is going to show up in your physique and metabolism. Foods rich in sodium, sugar, and fats can help you curb hunger pangs, make you eat more than what is required making your body pile up the pounds but in the long run, will also be the reason for you to succumb to chronic illness. This is the main reason that you should be aware of what your food is made of before it goes inside your body. So a balanced diet that has carbs, proteins, fibers, and vitamins is the right choice.

Plan and cook your meals I’m in advance so that you don’t run hastily at the last minute. Most importantly this would help you in avoiding reaching out to unhealthy food options such as ready to eat, sugar, and sodium loaded foods. Choose a meal plan that suits your body type and one that would help you in reaching your goal.

Rupy Aujla is a medical doctor, home cook, and a portion of food as a medical advocate. That brings us to another point that the food we consume not only plays the part of fuel but also helps in healing conditions and ailments in the notion that food is medicine.

In his recent book, the author brings about a concept 3-2-1.

What is 3-2-1?

A three-part meal with fruits and vegetables for two people cooked in one pan. In this formula or way of cooking the author promises a change in life. The formula aims at ensuring health benefits to optimize healthy living and to streamline the process of cooking. As someone who wants to be fit and healthy by not slogging in the kitchen to cook meals that claim to help in losing pounds, I think this would definitely be a game-changer in cookbooks.

As a working mother of two and also a conscious member of the family who wishes to provide healthy meals to her family, the book does seem to be a quick go-to for me to cook a no-fuss recipe that would yield multiple health benefits. And what took me in awe is the one pan mention which also saves me from the horrendous task of the sink piling up with vessels to be washed. Isn’t this something that all we ladies wish for?

A daily dose of fresh produce, good quality fat, grains, and fibers is what a balanced meal needs to be comprised of and I think the 3-2-1 could be the best way to get this done right. The food that we eat can change the way we think, help in making our mood better, build or boost immunity levels and reduce infection.

When you say you eat well it not only means that you remove unhealthy stuff it is also about taking in foods that help to safeguard yourself from ailments. There is so much to understand between the communications that happen between what you see on your plate and the inner ecosystem. By ecosystem, it means the body that accepts whatever we eat and provides us the necessary energy needed to toil. We also need to understand that in reality we as people find it difficult to continue eating healthily. There is a roadblock somewhere in the form of work, stress, or time that hinders the habit of eating healthy meals in the longer run. Keeping this in mind is what the author promises that his 3-2-1 strategy can help us, in the long run, to eat healthy meals and cultivate an inner chef.

Eat the colours

The author talks about the colors in foods that need to be taken and their health benefits.

Red foods help in relaxing blood vessels and blood pressure.



Green foods help in brain and heart functioning. Green foods that are termed cruciferous have anti-cancer compounds. Green foods like broccoli help in the detoxification of the body.



Yellow and oranges foods are sources of vitamin C and beta carotenes they help in boosting immunity, load the system with anti-oxidants, and also lowering inflammation.

So the next time when we come across the term eat the rainbow or rainbow plate, we must remember it means food that covers all nutritional needs of the body.

The author also provides a lot of recipes ranging from salads, oats, curries, soups, stir-fries that would be in the formulation of 3-2-1 helping us achieve the goal of healthy living. A 100 recipes that guarantee to eat healthily and leading a better lifestyle. So always keep in mind that food is medicine and food is fuel.

What I like about the recipes are that you also get to swap the ingredients with variants that would suit us, By this, I mean a healthy swap or swapping due to non-availability.

Health is something that we need to practice daily and the meal that we consume is what would guide us through this journey of leading a healthy lifestyle. So make sure you make the meal preparation minimal and maximize the utilization of what goes inside us.

Doctor’s kitchen 3-2-1 by Dr. Rupy Aujla

You can buy this book here.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy and Noor Anand Chawla, and happily SPONSORED BY RRE Studios and SHOWCASE Events.

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Five habits of people with good skin

Taking care of good skin

Some people when you look at them, the immediate thought that strikes up your mind is “my my, how clear is the skin?” . Sit down and think if you have asked this question at least once.

For some people, they are blessed with genes who have clear luminous skin. But if you still want to have that beautiful skin that would make eyeballs roll, you need to make sure the below pointers are what you follow. You need to religiously take good care and simple steps to maintain skin. Glowing skin doesn’t appear in a jiffy. It needs your dedication to keep you devoted to follow that regimen.

Here are five most common habits which people who have good skin follow.

1. Hydration

Drinking enough water to keep hydrated

The key and the foremost habit that you need to cultivate if you aren’t doing. At least two liters of water a day. Drinking plain water is the natural way to flush out toxins. If you still don’t drink enough water, you would probably making way for the toxins to pile up and result in clogged pores. Your skin needs to have proper elasticity, be supple enough and free of any wrinkles. For this, drinking water is the first and easiest habit that you can cultivate. Not only good for your skin and great for your body too. Not drinking enough water makes skin dry and lose its shine. The skin deserves its dose of nutrition every day and no better simple food that giving it enough water.

Therefore hydration is the most easiest and first step to good skin.

2. A goodnight’s sleep

A good sleep

Have you ever wondered why the term is coined as ‘beauty sleep’. The repair process of the body needs sleep to be a most important factor. An essential routine that boosts blood circulation and takes care of skin repair. So make sure you have a goodnight’s sleep and sleep like a baby.


3. Sunscreen or SPFs for the rescue

Applying sunscreen

Photo aging refers to skin damage caused to longer exposure to sunlight and UVA /UVB rays. Invest in a good sunscreen and your skin will thank you later. Fine lines, pigmentation showing up as blemishes are often result of sun exposure leading to premature ageing. So make sure before you take your wallet next time you step out, apply a generous amount of sunscreen on face, neck and other exposed parts of body.

4. CTM- Cleanse, Tone and moisturize

CTM routine

Cleanse– Washing off impurities and thereby unclogging the pores.

Tone – Toner removes last trace of dirt or impurities from skin post face wash. When done regularly you could see a visible difference in skin tightening due to lesser pores.

Moisturize– A gentle way to keep your skin hydrated and not becoming dry. You could avoid using soaps often and go on to opt for a humidifier.

Above in short in known as CTM routine and is predominantly carries out before bedtime. Doing this religiously helps skin heal of any skin related problems and provides a routine for it to run the repair and regeneration process during the night time.

Also one important point to keep in mind is to choose products for CTM according to your skin type. This will not only prove beneficial but also prevent any side effects by using products which don’t suit your skin type.

5. Eating a healthy and a balanced meal

Balanced diet

A proper meal that has all vital nutrients aids a lot of benefits to your body. So when your body feels good, it immediately shows up on your skin. Not only eating nutrient food, eating right food in the right way is what I’d want to suggest. Foods rich in anti-oxidants like oranges, tomatoes and berries provide a lot of skin benefits. These foods help delay skin ageing and improve collagen building. Avoid foods having excess oil, sugar, preservatives and foods that are processed to flaunt that healthy skin.

As mentioned above, these are five most common habits that are followed by people around the world to maintain good skin. The priority or importance is not strictly based on the order that I have mentioned.

Make sure you do a patch test every time you try out a new product. Do not go by blind recommendations. Make sure to check the ingredients and suitability to skin type before purchasing a new skincare product.

If you experience or suffer from a skin problem do not hesitate to reach out to a dermatologist. Do not go by following everyone’s advice. Until and unless they have experience in the field, do not reach out to random people on social media asking for skincare advice.

Not all highly priced products give you good results and those which are priced less result in failures. Keep that in mind and start taking care of your skin.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla, and happily SPONSORED BY RRE Studios and SHOWCASE Events.

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Lipsmacking Mint peas pulao , sweet potato sticks

Mint peas pulao

We all love pulao. Though it is mildly flavoured compared to its counterpart biryani this dish sure does top it to favourite food lists of many especially the vegetarians and people who prefer mild flavours.

The mint peas pulao is actually a variation of my mint rice with cooked peas being an additional ingredient.

Cooking is all about experimenting. I love adding in new ingredients to existing dishes. When you succeed you have a brand new dish. Voila !!

At the same time you need to be careful while experimenting. The ingredient that you chose to add or substitute shouldn’t overpower and spoil the dish on the whole.

For the same mint rice, I cannot add peanuts . But I can alternate the peas or chhole or chickpeas. So experiment but know how and what.

This mint pulao is made with seeraga samba rice variant. The grains are much shorter but the aroma and flavours are to die for. Also you would require more quantity of rice than basmati because of the size.

Mint pulao recipe

Ingredients

To grind

  • Mint leaves 1 cup
  • Chilli -2 long
  • Poppy seed -1 tbsp
  • Small onions-3-4
  • Ginger -1′ piece
  • Garlic – 2 pods
  • Cinnamon -1′ stick
  • Cloves -2
  • Elaichi-1
  • Star anise -1
  • Bay leaf-1
  • Coconut shredded- 2 tbsp

The whole spices must be soaked in hot water for about 15 mins before being grounded.

  • Seeraga samba rice -1 cup (200 GM’s)
  • Oil as required
  • Green peas -100 GM’s
  • Salt as required
  • Ghee – 2 tbsp
  • One potato boiled and cubed

Method

  • Soak the rice for 30 mins.
  • Grind the paste and keep ready.
  • In a cooker add ghee and oil.
  • Add in the ground paste , green peas and cubed potato.
  • Add little salt, stir and cook for 5 mins until raw smell goes off.
  • Add soaked rice mix.
  • For 1 cup of rice add 1 cup of water.
  • Adjust salt and cook for 1 Whistle.
  • Cook in simmer for 3 mins and turn off.
  • Release pressure, fluff with fork and add ghee.
  • Mix ghee and serve hot with raitha.

Sweet potato sticks

An absolutely perfect side for mint peas pulao. This can be made spicy or just mild depending on your need. This is also a healthy snacking option. Did you know that this can also be offered as snack post 9 months for baby.

Ingredients

  • Sweet potato -3
  • Salt as required
  • Oil for shallow frying
  • Chill powder -2 tbsp
  • Cumin powder -1 tbsp
  • Chat masala-1 tbsp
  • Corn flour to coat the sticks

Method

  • Boil the sweet potato for one whistle.
  • Peel skin and cut into sticks or strips
  • They would be damp so quickly add in corn flour and the spice excluding chat masala.
  • Leave aside for about ten minutes.
  • Heat oil in a pan
  • Add the sticks and fry till golden brown.
  • Take out cool and add chat masala

Lipsmacking sweet potato sticks is ready to be eaten with mint peas pulao or even as snack.

You could also try the same recipe with raw banana, yam and potato. Like I said substitute and play. I’m sure you will definitely keep this recipe safer. Kids will definitely bug you for this snack.

On a healthier note, you could choose to bake the sticks instead of frying them.

I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa.