blogchatter – Page 6 – That Madras Mom

June 17, 2021June 25, 2021

5 reasons why we procrastinate and how to overcome it

“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” – Benjamin Franklin

An act of unnecessarily postponing things , decisions or actions is called procrastination. People often confuse this with laziness but both are very different in their own ways.

Procrastinating is active meaning you chose to do something else instead of the actual task that you are supposed to be doing. Laziness on the other hand is being inactive and not deciding to do anything at all.

Procrastination is usually ignoring an important task in favour to something else that is much more easier to complete. Minor instances of procrastination can make us pay a heavy price. So it is always better not to give in to it, even if it is a smaller instance.

Primary issues cropping up would be demotivated behavior leading to low performance. But if it continues in the longer run it might lead to depression due to accumulated stress and degrade physical and mental health.

Most often misinterpreted as a matter of willpower, people fail to recognize that procrastination is something much more complex. Self-control is most important to give us the push to complete a task. We often get demotivated when factors like anxiety,negativity, failure interfere with self-control and take us in the opposite direction away from motivation.

Exhaustion and delay in receiving the reward for completion of task may make you disregard the value of the reward which interferes with the self-control and motivation. We must keep in mind that both self-control and motivation work hand-in-hand for us to complete a task or do an action. Anything in interference to these two will definitely have a negative impact.

Why do we procrastinate?

Unclear or abstract goals

When you have a concrete goal that is clearly defined you are more likely to show greater interest in completing the steps to achieve it. Contrary to this if your goal that is set is abstract or vague you are more likely to procrastinate.

Late rewards

When tasks come with the late reward package you are likely to deem it unimportant because the reward is getting to you a little late. Delay discounting where people tend to discount the value of rewards that they would be receiving later crops up. So people become biased to tasks which offer them a reward earlier and would be much interested to complete it first even if it is not critical.

Disconnect with future

A disconnect between the present and the future individual known as temporal discontinuity causes procrastination. People become carefree that the present is the only time to be concentrated and the future can be handled when it comes with the flow.

For someone who is advised a healthy diet by the physician failing to do so because, it is only the future individual who will be the sufferer. They fail to realize it is the individual’s present eating lifestyle that would cause the problems in future.

Optimistic future

People procrastinate because they are optimistic about the completion of tasks in future given the fact that they are confident of the availability of time and their ability to complete. Most often they fail when it comes to calculate the inadequate time at their disposal to complete the task and console themselves by saying the next time it would be different if in case it is a repetitive task.

Inability to make decisions

People procrastinate in situations when they are unable to decide the next course of action. Given the fact that the options in front of them would be too many to choose from, too important to choose and too similar to choose. In such cases the individual is said to have indecisiveness to proceed.

Anxiety and being overwhelmed

Sometimes when people feel anxious and highly overwhelmed they tend to procrastinate. Overwhelming could be due to situations where there is a single huge task or a couple of simple tasks. Anxiety on the other hand will have the capability even to put this into a loop- Anxiety and procrastinating due to anxiety.

Fear of failure, evaluation and negative feedback.

Exaggerated and unjustified would be right to name the fears in most cases when people procrastinate. The fear of being evaluated and given a feedback from the public make people worry and end up in procrastination.

Fear of failure is another important factor that plays a major role and could also be considered a subset of the evaluation and feedback fear. This would make them continue to work and not come to completion because of the fear.

How to overcome procrastination?

Agree or identify that you are procrastinating

The first step is to Identify that you’re into procrastination. Most people fail to recognize that they are procrastinating and think what’s stopping them.

How do you identify?

Waiting for the right time to work on it or make decisions.Read the instructions again and again but not taking any action or devising a strategy to work.
Low priority tasks are filled for the entire day in your planner.
Putting off a task in to-do for a long time though you know its important.
Try to fix why you are procrastinating.

Most times it is because of the task that is presented if it is vague or too simple or is overwhelming to be completed. Not having a proper strategy or the fear of success and failure could make you procrastinate. So identify the why and try to fix it.

Stopping the habit of procrastinating by adopting anti-procrastinating strategies.

If its an old habit it takes time to die hard. So understand that you cannot overcome this overnight. It takes time to forget the habit. Think how you could adopt strategies that will help you not procrastinate.

Strategies that help overcome procrastination

Forget the past.
Self-rewarding
Be capable of taking decisions immediately rather than postponing.
Peer pressure works so have someone check on you.
Commitment to the task
Lessen or minimize the distraction
Act on the go.

Take more control on the task. Think of it in a way that you choose to complete rather than you need to or you have to.

Procrastination is not a disease. It is not late to start correcting it, even if you are a senior citizen. Everybody gets a chance make mistakes, learn and bounce back. Make sure you do not procrastinate to getting started on the way to stop procrastinating.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’

COPYRIGHT NOTICE –
@Sindhu Vinod Narayan. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Sindhu Vinod Narayan (Thatmadrasmom) with the right and specific direction to the original content.

This post is part of #causeachatter for blogchatter

June 16, 2021June 23, 2021

5 reasons why women should start investing

Gone are the days when men were the only earning members and the finance minister of the house. We now live in a period wherein men and women play an equal role in working to raise the standards of the family and also help provide a better lifestyle. So if both work hard the odds of leading a high-quality standard of living are guaranteed, once they earn, how to plan on the expenditure and investments is all together with a bigger subject that needs more knowledge.

We surpassed the period where men decide the expenses and allow the budget for household expenditure. The world we now live in wholeheartedly accepts or to put it better believe that women can handle finance equally or should I say much better.

The world of smartphones gives her easy access to buy a gold bond if she wants to invest in gold. Not only that gone are the days where it’s difficult to know how to make money or how to invest. All this is now available at her fingertips just by a click or by asking a query( thanks to Alexa and Siri). Shoot the query and within a blink of an eye, you get results and solutions. It’s now even easier to get certified in the financial sector with the wide range of courses available online through various learning portals. Women can not only equip themselves with knowledge but also start making money by investing and saving. Not to forget that life and medical insurances can also be applied with a click from an app.

The modern world truly opened doors wide for women of this age to explore the world of finances from the comfort of home.

Since women are much better to handle situations and multiple events happening they also forecast long-term plans and can make better investment plans to improve the quality of lifestyle and achieve future goals.

Here are the hows and why I urge women to start investing.

Future goals: Women always think ahead be it the five-year plan or a ten-year plan. They make the blueprints and work on achieving the goal. Improving the quality of lifestyle, acquiring properties, higher education, vacations, and whatnot. Ask her what she wishes for in the future you will get your answers in a jiffy and that too with proper planning and priorities sorted. This is ideally the goal most women have be it someone who works in the corporate or a housewife who helps manage the home.

Learning about investment: Online classes are not only for school-going kids these days but also for adults. Virtual learning opened doors to many fields including finance. Learning centers, youtube, and dedicated Facebook and what’s app groups are now becoming better options to kick start financial learning. Doing this will not only enable you to manage finance at home but could also open doors to various job opportunities which would mean extra income to save more.

Advisors: If managing it on your own is a situation that happens not to worry when you have experts in the field to guide you through the process of selection of investing in where and what. It is completely ok to not know the technicalities and how-tos of investing and take help from experts. As long as your goal is met, this is not something to be worried off.

But make sure to convey what your goal is and how you plan to achieve meaning the milestones that you would want to see before the final goal.

Being financially independent: Every woman working or no, married or single must be financially independent. Unforeseen events can happen anytime with no warning. This could be a recession, loss of property, theft, or even problems in the relationship. If you are financially independent there is nothing to worry off, as long as you can take care of the situation on your own and not sit and brood thinking that you are hopeless and need money.

Better investor: Studies on comparison between man and woman bring out results that women are willing to access risk, patiently learn the how-tos, and not expect quick outcomes. This slow but patient approach marks them separate as better investors than men. They don’t choose shortcuts but are willing to take the longer route to attain their goal.

The lockdown last year saw a lot of women giving wings to their entrepreneurial spirit and give it their best. Supporting them gave me a lot of happiness. Though I’d say that I gained no monetary benefit, the feeling of uplifting people definitely is something above money. But don’t let that die out your dreams.

So if you are someone who is still depending on your better half for finances, there is no much better time than now for you to make the decision. Take smaller steps, take the time to gain expertise, explore the opportunities, choose the best of what suits you, invest, save and live a carefree life and the life of your dreams. Be financially independent and make the world yours.

Saving is an important habit that can be cultivated over time. What matters is to get started and be cautious of how the money is spent.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

June 15, 2021June 16, 2021

5 reasons to track your periods

The four-day bloody show for each women may stir in many emotions depending on their need. For some it might bring happiness, for some a feeling of dejection and a good-to-go for the rest. It not only helps you to plan natural conception but also also helps prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Did you know that your period could also give you the hint that your body is working fine? Women who do not track their periods end up giving a blank stare when they aren’t sure of the day of the last period. It’s fascinating and at the same time empowering to track the cycle. Tracking periods makes it easier to identify gynecological problems at an earlier stage and also in understanding the sexuality and our body. Regularity in getting your periods is one of the key indicators of overall well-being.

Most women have a 28-day cycle ,whereas it’s generally considered to be normal if the cycle is anywhere between 21-35 days. Tracking the cycle also helps to identify the ovulation period that makes it easier to plan conception. Understanding your cycle and your ovulation dates makes it easier to plan. Women ovulate 14 days before each cycle, depending on the length of your cycle. So planning conception during ovulation increases your odds of becoming pregnant.

At the same time, it also helps prevent unwanted pregnancies when you avoid intercourse during your ovulation period. So the tracking of periods play a major role be it planning for a pregnancy or not to becoming pregnant as well.

But if your periods aren’t regular, which means your cycles do not fall between the normal duration it indicates an underlying health condition that needs to be checked. Vaginal infections, fibroids, pelvic inflammation, PCOD could be reasons that your period is irregular.

The best days to go for vacation or party can also be done since you might be well prepared with period supplies like the pads, menstrual cups. And save the nicest white pant from the bloody show.

Tracking periods also helps in understanding mood. Irritability, anxiety could not just be part of PMS but mood swings during the menstrual cycle helps understand the rhythm of the cycle. So the moods are much more than PMS, knowing and tracking them makes you well prepared to manage them.

We now live in a world that every human being owns a smart phone and has it loaded with apps starting with one for work, meets and even tracking drinking water. Why not have an app that lets you know about your bodily functions and help in your well-being.

What to look for in period tracking app?

Easy to understand tracking mechanism.
Clear instructions to input period start date and end date along with flow, discharge pattern and moods.
Indicate fertile period and ovulation date.
Reminder before couple of days to period start for keeping supplies handy.

I tried out a couple of apps to track my periods that really helped to understand my body better. It also helps in calculating your LMP when you miss your period and helps to calculate the due date.

Here are three apps that I tried and recommend for period tracking.

PERIOD CALENDAR:

Period calendar helps in tracking and predicting period dates. Major advantages are the prediction of fertile window and ovulation date. Tracking of temperature,mood,weight, birth control and intercourse are additional features.

Additional feature of pill reminder helps when you take supplements or birth control pills.

Available on android and iPhones.

Download

FLO PERIOD TRACKER

Flo uses machine learning to accurately access periods and ovulation dates. The calendar is simple and bold helps in tracking moods, symptoms and sex drive.

Sleep cycles, water consumption and physical activity can also be tracked. The dashboard that portrays the insights help in making us understand more about body and cycle.

Available on android and iphone.

Download

CLUE

Ranked as the top app for tracking periods and ovulation by the obstetrics and gynecology journal this app helps in identifying unique patterns in menstrual cycles. There is no pinks, butterflies and the app caters to all age groups. The app uses science to keep track of moods, periods, health log and exercises.

The unique algorithm uses the data that is input to provide predictions, so the more the usage the smarter the app.

Download

Now that you know the benefits of tracking periods, start doing it and thank me later. When you have tonnes of apps for everything you need or sometime for things not needed, why not have one to track your health.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’

May 22, 2021May 27, 2021

When patriarchy needs to walk out

If patriarchy had a specific beginning in history,

It can also have an end.

– Maria Miles

Patriarchy is a system in a society, where the male gender hold the power and the females are excluded. Given a super power this word is in the top of my list of words to be removed from dictionary.

The term in itself might sound new to many but is an age old practice that’s been there in the families for long. A lot more women and a handful of men who understand that this needs to end have taken necessary steps to get this out. But the efforts are all still only a drop in the ocean. But nevertheless it cannot be ignored and such experiences can motivate more people to come forward to get rid of it permanently.

What made me write this article is a recent movie that me and the hubster sat down to watch during one of the weekends.

“ The Great Indian Kitchen” it is. The movie has been getting attention from all directions as in the sub titles made it easier that people from er languages also geared interest to watch it. Not to forget the fact that the movie got released in a much lesser known OTT platform, people even went to the extent of paying the membership just to watch this movie. Thank goodness the movie stirred up a lot of news and Amazon decided to stream it on their platforms , that it saved me from spending on a new OTT membership. Glad this happened else that would have been one more reason for me to brood.

The film is set in Kerala, where in a newly wed couple start getting to know each other. That’s what happens in arranged marriages. You don’t immediately let your husband take up kitchen duties or pitch in to help, because it’s a society governed by patriarchy.

A typical morning in the house, and as the scenes unfold the husband does not even drop his coffee mug in the sink and that is the duty of the wife. Should I mention as one of the duty? The mother in law makes elaborate preparations chopping vegetables, grinding, tossing vessels, cookers what not. What I thought was supposed to be a lunch preparation turned out to be the scene for breakfast.

Not to mention the chutneys being ground on mortar and pestle and dosas straight to the plate from tawas. To top it all the way in which the father and son eat literally got me sick as I was having my lunch.

The mother in law and daughter in law sit down on the same table which the daughter in law finds difficult to cope. It looks like the mother in law has no voice to speak against such practices or is gotten used to adjusting. The level of treatment the men expect goes to Himalayan heights when the father in law is given the toothbrush with paste in hand to go brush the teeth and slippers being delivered right at his feet when he steps out. Blood boiled that I had to turn it off to calm myself for a while before I resumed watching.

The mother in law leaves abroad to help her pregnant daughter leaving all the responsibilities and duties to take care of the immature children of the house( the father and son). What started off to be a little hectic gets worse in one or two days. The never ending chores in kitchen , house cleaning , washing clothes makes her tense. To add to the woes the kitchen sink starts to leak which is left unattended even after multiple reminders she does so that her husband calls up the plumber.

The husband who is a shabby eater in the house is a perfect gentleman with table manners at the restaurant. When commented he gets pissed and makes the woman apologize. Atrocities!

The poor thing when she decides to take up a job is being advised by the father in law to leave all the thought because that’s what the mother in law did. Makes me want to question, who are these people to give opinions if a girl should work or no? All the education and experience only to wash clothes by hand and pound chutneys in mortar is highly unacceptable. It is really saddening to see that women in yester generation continue to do all this for their husbands and son and also give unrealistic hopes that the daughter in law who comes in will continue to do the same.

Being a millennial parent, it is our duty to raise sons who will equally respect the female gender. Raise sons who will cook, clean and help the women in the family. Raise sons who will do their own chores which includes keeping their rooms, tables clean , help in putting away dishes to sink and give some rest to the ever working women in the family.

Do not glorify if men in the home do this or tell the woman she is lucky to have them do all this. Let’s normalize such behaviour from men.

It was said in olden days that” the key to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. Whoever said that only meant tasty food not sumptuous spreads for every meal of the day that also includes room service to clear away mugs, plates and not to mention the leftover clean up after they ate.

Mentioning the clean up, I feel even diaper duties were far better after I saw the table in that movie.

The generation we now are supports equal parenting and gender equality. Let the men of the family take up kitchen duties during the period when the women menstruate, not citing purity as reasons as I also do not believe in it. This is just to make them capable of taking it up and not just relying upon women for food and everything.

Stop practicing that women should serve food to men and should serve themselves. Change that. Either sit together for a meal or have the men serve you once they finish. I don’t think that is going to reduce their worth or what so ever.

Raise your sons equivalent to your daughters. Do not practice gender based chores at home, it has to be shared equally. Only if this is done , your daughter in law would be happy that she is into a home that believes in modern way of thinking rather than surrendering to patriarchy.

Recently a picture that brought tears was a woman with an oxygen concentrator cooking in the kitchen captioned unconditional love= mother. This is the result of patriarchy. The person has no shame in portraying the suffering of the mother. The picture brought in a lot of negative traction. The women need to stand up against such practices.

It all comes down to making a change . Be the change to see more people joining you.

Men can make their own coffee or tea and can clean up. They can also look up simple recipes to cook, just saying.

If the daughter in law decides to make a change support them and don’t stand as a hindrance as push them into the same pit.

Do not raise sons with expectations that the wife will take care of everything for him just like how she does.

This post is part of #causeachatter for blogchatter.

April 30, 2021

Z’s which help in skincare

The final alphabet, the final post for this season and the last of ingredients from this series of mine.
This was the most difficult alphabet for me to find ingredients, try out the DIYs and then put them out here.

So here they are, the Z’s which help in skincare.

Zucchini

Zucchini is a type of summer squash. This dark green vegetable also is rich in nutrients which help in maintaining good skin.

Zucchini is rich is water content and thereby it helps in maintaining great skin health.

Zucchini is rich in riboflavin which helps in maturing of collagen.

Synthesis of collagen is very essential for good skin health, hence the vitamin C in the squash that is present in abundance helps in collagen synthesis.

Collagen and elastin is very essential for radiant healthy looking skin. The production of latter is boosted by vitamin C which also helps in reducing cellular damage.

Collagen also helps in keeping skin firm and wrinkle free. So the vitamin from zucchini is very much essential.

Zucchini helps deal with summer heat and helps in hydration which is the reason it is known as summer squash.

The lutein in zucchini helps in dealing with inflammation. Thereby when inflammations are reduced, skin tends to be healthy. The damage to the skin from sun is minimized thereby the moisture barrier is left untouched. Which is the main reason to mention that zucchini helps in hydration.

The water content in zucchini is 95%, which makes it great for consumption as well. So in way you are contributing to the hydration through food so it also helps the skin.

The antioxidants help in protecting against free radical damage.

DIYS:

Blend zucchini peels with overnight soaked masoor dal. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Blend two tablespoons of zucchini paste with a teaspoon of oatmeal. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for oily skin.

Blend two tablespoons of zucchini paste with one teaspoon of olive oil and oats powder and a egg yolk.Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for dry skin.

Slice zucchini and place them over the eyes and face. This is for reducing dark circles and also providing natural glow.

ZINC:

Zinc is a very essential mineral to be included for a healthy body and is also great for skincare, especially in fighting against acne.

When we term it essential it means the body cannot prepare or produce zinc and it needs to be included in daily diet.

It’s known as trace mineral because it is needed only in minute quantities on a day to day basis

Zinc helps fight against viruses and bacteria. Zinc also has anti inflammatory properties which help in healing the redness and sensitivity caused by acne.

It could also help in making the scars disappear.

Zinc protects skin from sun damage and is a common ingredient in the topically applied sunscreens.

Zinc works as an antioxidant but not technically. It helps fight against free radical formation and protecting the cells which helps in formation of collagen.

How can you include zinc in diet?

By including below in your daily food

Beans, nuts, whole grains, poultry and dairy products.

On another note, the body finds it easier to absorb zinc from animal based food than plant based because the latter has phytates which inhibits the absorption of zinc. So in that case you could consult a doctor to take a supplement.

As one of the DIY I’m sharing a smoothie that is rich in zinc.

ZINC SMOOTHIE

Blend the below ingredients

Nut milk two cups

One tablespoon of hemp hearts, coconut oil and vanilla essence

Mixed nuts 1/3 cup

One frozen banana

2 dates deseeded

Protein powder two scoops

3 teaspoon cocoa

You could add in stevia in case you do not prefer bitterness.

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

April 29, 2021

Y’s which help in skincare

We’re almost at the tail end and yes its the day of the Y. So what could I think of for Y. I did manage to find some that would help you out and I hope all the ingredients mentioned from A-X and the DIYs were useful. Do let me know if you would want me to write about anything in particular.

Let’s get to the topics and take a look at the Y’s which help in skincare.

YOGURT

The always available ingredient in fridge is also the fountain of youth. Its a rich protein source. So protein be it when applied or if consumed helps in repairing skin cells. It makes the skin appear more radiant and youthful.

What protein does to the body when consumed like strengthen ,repair and nourish is what it does when applied topically over the skin.

The lactic acid in yogurt helps in shrinking pores and tightening skin thereby having an effect in reducing the fine lines and wrinkles.

It has great exfoliating properties and guarantees transformation of dry skin to smooth skin.

Rich in vitamin B it makes skin glow and also aids in skin cell growth and regeneration.

The probiotics present in yogurt help in healing inflammation due to sunburns.

The zinc content helps in regulation of oil secretion and keeping breakouts at bay due to which it is best suited for oily skin.

On the whole yogurt is an all round multitasker when it comes to beauty.

DIYS

1.Crush some rose petals and add in rose water. Mix in a teaspoon of yogurt and honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

REDUCE SUNBURN IRRITATION: Mix in few drops of chamomile oil to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

2.PIGMENTATION: Add in few drops of lemon juice to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

3.SLOW DOWN AGEING: Mix in a teaspoon of olive oil to 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

4.Mix in a tablespoon of oats to 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Let it soak and mash. Apply on to face and do gentle circular motions of scrubbing before washing off.

5 MOISTURIZER: Mix in a tablespoon of cocoa and honey to 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

6, ACNE AND DARK CIRCLE : Dab cotton pad in yogurt and apply on to affected area for acne. Similarly apply under the eyes for dark circles.

IRRITATED SKIN: Mix in a tablespoon of honey and aloe vera gel to 1/4 cup of yogurt. Apply on the specific area and wash off in cold water post 15 minutes.

OILY SKIN: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of honey and turmeric powder to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to skin and wash off after 15 minutes.

EYEBAGS AND DARK CIRCLE: Blend half a cucumber with half a cup of yogurt. Apply under the eyes and wash off after 15 minutes.

YOLK:

The egg yolks are rich in fatty acids which help in providing necessary hydration for the skin and helps in moisture lock.

The yolk is best suited ingredient for dry and dull skin.

Hydration, nourishment and moisturisation is what the egg yolk helps in providing the skin.

DIYs:

Mix in half a mashed avocado an egg yolk and a teaspoon of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for skin glow.

Mix in a teaspoon of honey, almond oil to an egg yolk. Whisk it until it froths. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for acne.

Mash one ripe banana. Add in a teaspoon of olive oil and an egg yolk. Mix well and apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Supple skin: Mix in an egg yolk, few drops of rose water, one tablespoon of honey and a pinch of turmeric. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Please be very careful to not get the yolk into the eyes, nostrils, ears and mouth to avoid salmonella infection.

YELLOW BELL PEPPER:

This beautiful vegetable in itself is a wonder ingredient for youthful skin. Yes it is, but not by applying it on skin. But by consuming the vegetable in itself it weaves a magic to keep skin looking younger and youthful.

Collagen from vitamin C present in yellow bell peppers helps in keeping the skin firm and guards the cells from getting damaged. Bell peppers help in skin protection from free radical damage.

Antioxidants and the phytochemicals which are present in abundance help in making the skin appear youthful.

The antioxidants helps in reversing the signs of ageing. Making skin appear firmer and youthful by fighting against sun and free radical damage which involves no formation of fine lines or wrinkles.

Carrot and bell pepper combination is said to even out blemishes and improve skin tone.

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

April 28, 2021April 28, 2021

X’s which help in skincare

Today we talk about X’s which help in skincare. I chose to write about the two main processes which help in keeping skin clear and healthy. Of course , yes I’d also include ingredients at home that can be used in these processes.

DETOX

In the fast paced world we expose skin to dirt, pollution, makeup and chemical exposure. This in a way is a reason for clogged pores. We usually mention the term “DETOX” only for the body, but it’s time that the skin also needs to be included. Because the skin is your largest organ and needs to have a detox as well.

The skin helps protect against infection, excess water loss, production of vitamin D and helping in regulating the temperature of the body.

Swelling, itching, breakouts and redness are results of skin erupting because of not doing a detox. But on the other hand if detox is being done religiously and on a regular basis, you could reverse the adverse effects and in fact help in boosting skin health.

FACTORS:

STRESS: Stress often brings out its effects in the form of acne and inflammation.

SUGAR: If in take of sugar is more, it could result in breakouts and pimples.

LIFESTYLE: improper sleep cycle, inadequate hydration , drinking and smoking also have adverse effects on skin.

SIGNS THAT YOU BADLY NEED A DETOX:

Dry and dull skin.
Patches and blemishes
Wrinkles and sagging
Oily skin
Sensitive and dry skin

WAYS TO DETOX:

WORKOUT: Exercising indirectly contributes to skin detox. When you exercise you sweat it out and that helps in flushing out toxins.

FACIAL OR SPA: Taking up a facial at home or at a parlour or going for a spa actually helps in skin detox.

HYDRATE SKIN INSIDE OUT:
Hydration from inside involves drinking adequate water.
Hydration from outside is applying moisturizer or a serum that suits your skin type. Make sure to do it twice.
Also when you use a serum it not only helps in hydrating the skin but in a way it also helps in better absorption of other skincare products.

CLEANSING:
Cleansing is a great way to remove off dirt and make up form skin. Ensure to do a double cleansing and make it part of your daily skincare routine.

TONER:
Toners help in eliminate any residue oil from the cleanser, It prepares the skin for the products that follow. It helps in maintaining the pH of the skin. Also helps to shrink the pores.

EXFOLIATION:
Exfoliation is done to remove the dead skin cells and dirt. This is one of the secrets to glowing skin.

MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Give up on alcohol and smoking. Smoking causes the fastening of the ageing process.
Alcohol promotes dehydration . So both are a no-no if you want clear skin.

CUTTING DOWN ON SUGAR:

Sugar consumption in excess is one of the major reasons for breakouts and acne. Cutting down on sugar helps in a great way to maintain good skin. Fruits and dark chocolates would be great alternates for your sugar craving.

STEAM:

Going in for a hot steam helps to open pores and release the dirt and other residue.

BALANCED DIET: Eat a well balanced diet that include more of fruits and vegetables. Limit intake of carbohydrates, sugar loaded food and fried food.

PROPER SLEEP CYCLE:

Skin needs its repair time just like the body. Dark circles would first pop out indicating that the skin doesn’t have enough repair time and needs a detox badly.

DETOX BATHS:

You could also go in for detox baths like adding epsom salt, ACV, sea salt or coffee grounds to warm bath water and enjoy a relaxed bath.

SWITCH FROM CAFFEINE : Make a switch to eliminate caffeine and to include green tea. You will start noticing wonders.

DETOX DRINKS:

VITAMIN C: Squeeze in some lemon juice in two liters of water. Add in some pineapple, kiwi amnd let it infuse. Drink it the whole of the day.

ACV water: Mix two tablespoons of water to 2 liters of water. Not more than two tablespoons of ACV a day , keep that in mind.

TURMERIC WATER: Add 3-5 fresh turmeric slices in two cups of water and boil. Add some honey before drinking if needed.

EXFOLIATION:

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the external skin. It helps in brightening the skin by removing the dirt, boosting blood circulation and improving the appearance of the skin.

Types of exfoliation

MECHANICAL: Mechanical exfoliation involves removing the dead skin cells using a scrub, brush or a sponge.

CHEMICAL : This involves using acids like AHAs and BHAs.

More details on exfoliation here.

DIY Scrubs:

Blend a cup of strawberries, two drops of ACV, half a cup of yogurt and half a cup of almond powder. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.
Mix in half a teaspoon of lemon juice and water. Add one tablespoon of salt. Apply on to face and gently scrub and wash off.
Blend one kiwi, two tablespoons of brown sugar and add in a teaspoon of olive oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.
Mix three tablespoons of coffee grounds to a cup of yogurt. Add in some honey and apply on to face. Gently scrub and wash off after 15 minutes.
Mix in two teaspoons of tomato pulp, yogurt and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

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

April 27, 2021April 27, 2021

W’s which help in skincare

We’re almost at the final leg. Today’s post is on W. The same time last year, I went into labour last year as I was typing my post for W. Brings back nostalgic memories.

Today lets look at the ingredients in W that help maintaining great skin. For a bonus I’m also giving you all winter skincare DIYs from ingredients at home. Thank me later.

WATERMELON

High water content in watermelon can help in hydrating skin from within and make it smooth and supple. It’s a boon for people with dry and flaky skin.

Watermelon is a natural toner that can help in shrinking of body tissues.

The presence of antioxidants like lycopene , vitamin A and C help in fighting against free radical damage. Hence watermelon has great benefits for anti ageing.

Watermelon also encourages boosting production of collagen and elastin which help in making skin look young and firm.

Vitamin A in watermelon helps in shrinking pore size thereby reducing the oil storing capabilities. Hence this results in reduction of acne.

The lycopene and beta carotene help in protecting against sunburns.

DIYS:

ACNE PRONE SKIN: Mix a tablespoon of watermelon juice to one mashed banana. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

OILY SKIN:Blend half a cup of watermelon with a tablespoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

DRY SKIN:
Blend a teaspoon of yogurt with 4-5 slices of watermelon. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

ANTI AGEING:
Mix in a tablespoon of watermelon juice to half a mashed avocado. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

BRIGHTENING PACK: Blend two tablespoons of curd with 4-5 slices of watermelon. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

GLOW MASK: Mix in a tablespoon of watermelon juice and raw milk. Dab a cotton pad in this mixture and apply on to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.

WATER

Adequate amount of water consumption is essential to maintain well hydrated healthy skin.

Only if enough water is consumed the essential nutrients get circulated around the body.

It will also help in improving skin elasticity and make it supple so you do not age prematurely.

Water helps in flushing out toxins and keep skin clear from any infection.Helps in keeping acne and breakouts at bay.

Drinking enough water helps in tightening the skin and therefore makes skin look more firm.

Water helps in maintaining the natural pH of the skin.

Water helps in reducing dehydration therefore makes eyes look sparkly and also reduce the puffiness around the eyes.

Intake of adequate water helps in maintaining healthy gut and thereby aids good digestion.

HOW TO INCLUDE WATER?

LEMON:You could squeeze in lemon juice on your salads or even infuse lemon in drinking water.

GINGER: Adding ginger to tea concoction can aid in digestion and reducing inflammation.

CINNAMON: Infuse cinnamon sticks in water. Helps cut down on sugar craving and also regulate blood sugar levels.

HONEY OR ACV: Adding few drops of honey or ACV will help in clearing out acne.

MINT: Mint aids digestion and is great for detox. Infuse few mint leaves in water overnight for a refreshing day ahead.

What kind of water for skin? It is always best to use lukewarm water on skin.

WINTER SKIN DIYS

Winter is known to be harsh over the skin. And if you already have dry skin then winter is definitely a season that you don’t wish for.

DIYs

MILK AND ALMOND: Mix in 3 teaspoon of almond powder to two tablespoons of milk. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

YOGURT AND HONEY: Mix in a tablespoon of honey to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 10 minutes.

COCONUT OIL: Coconut oil is a great moisturizer. Apply a light layer to see smooth skin.

STRAWBERRY: Blend 2-4 strawberries with two teaspoon of fresh cream and a teaspoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

BANANA AND MILK: Add in a tablespoon of milk to mashed banana. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

ALOE VERA AND SESAME OIL: Mix in a tablespoon of aloe vera gel to a teaspoon of sesame oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 10 minutes.

CARROT AND HONEY: Mix in a tablespoon of honey to one pureed carrot. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

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

April 26, 2021

V’s which help in skincare

I’ve already written a lot about ingredients be it spice, fruits or even condiments. So for V I decided to write about two of my favourite vegetables that help in maintaining good skin. Given that I’ve already stated benefits of tomato and cucumber let’s see what potato and carrot give us. There is also one surprise ingredient for which you will have to read till the end.

POTATO

Potatoes help in brightening and even out the skin. The catacholase enzyme in potato help in lightening the skin.

The above said is the very reason that potatoes help in reducing dark circles.

Potatoes also are beneficial to provide anti ageing effects.

Potatoes help in reducing inflammation.

Potatoes help fight against free radical damage.

Potato when made as juice is a hydrating ingredient for skincare and is best when used by people who have dry skin.

DIYS:

BRIGHTENING: Take two teaspoons of potato juice and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

BUGBITE: Take a slice of potato and apply on affected area. After 3-5 minutes remove the slice. Repeat if needed. This would help in lessening itching.

REDUCE PUFFY EYES: Refrigerate potato slices. Apply on the eyes and take off after 10-15 minutes.

FOR ACNE: Mix a tablespoon of potato pulp, tomato pulp and honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

FOR PIGMENTATION: Mix in a teaspoon of potato juice, rice flour, honey and lemon juice. Apply on to face and leave to dry. Gently scrub and wash off.

ANTI AGEING: 1. Blend one potato and two strawberries along with half a teaspoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off in 15 minutes.
Mix 2/3 grated potato with yogurt. Adjust consistency and apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

SKIN TIGHTENING: Mix one eggs white with juice of half a potato. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

REDUCE SPOTS: Mix one tablespoon of multani mitti to two tablespoons of potato juice. Adjust consistency and apply on to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.

CARROT

Carrots prove greatly beneficial to skin health. Vitamin C and beta carotene are the best of anti oxidants that can fight ageing skin.

Vitamin C helps protect against free radical damage. Beta carotene helps fight against harmful UV radiation.

Carrots are great for flushing out toxins from body when consumed. Carrots also have abundance of Vitamin A which help in flushing the free radicals.

Beta carotene in carrots also helps in healing scars and blemishes.

Including carrots in diet can help form a protective barrier against harmful UV rays and also help in hydrating dry skin.

Vitamin A in carrots is responsible for firmer and healthy skin. The beta carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body.

The vitamin A that carrot offers helps in dealing with oily skin from inside out.

DIYS:

EXFOLIATION: Mix in equal quantities of carrot juice, egg white and yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

MOISTURE PACK: Mix in a teaspoon of milk cream, honey to two teaspoons of grated carrot and few drops of olive oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

FACE MIST: Mix in some orange juice to rose water which is the base. Fill in to spray bottle and use when you need to refresh skin.

OILY SKIN: Mix in a cup of orange juice and a tablespoon of curd, besan and lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 30 minutes.

DRY SKIN: Mix two tablespoons of grated carrot to a teaspoon of honey and milk. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Mix equal parts of carrot juice to aloe vera gel. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

VODKA

This was the secret ingredient I was talking about. Vodka is generally prepared from potatoes, cereals and grapes upon fermentation. Contains 40% methanol and preferred more by women in social gatherings.

WHY VODKA?

Vodka is a great anti ageing serum that helps in skin tightening and reduces wrinkles.

Vodka works as an anti septic. Helps in reducing the acne spots and also reduce dark circles.

Vodka helps in reducing pores due to its astringent properties.

Vodka is a great ingredient to remove odour from feet.

Vodka makes it easy to remove blackheads and whiteheads.

Vodka as a cleansing agent is great for removing makeup.

DIYS

TONER: Mix in two to three teaspoons of vodka to two cups of water. Add lavendar or orange essential oil if needed two to three drops. Transfer to spray bottle.

CLEAR SKIN: Add in a teaspoon of vodka to freshly brewed green tea one cup. Apply this solution with a cotton pad and leave in for 5-10 minutes. Wash off.

MAKEUP REMOVER: Mix in a teaspoon of vodka to two teaspoons of water. Dab a cotton pad in this solution and apply on face. Wash off.

SMOOTH SHAVE: Immersing your razor in vodka helps to keep it rust free and keeps skin smooth after shave.

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

April 24, 2021April 24, 2021

U which helps in skincare

Almost all of us dream of flawless,clear and healthy skin. Taking care of skin in best possible manner is what we need to do to achieve. You needn’t shell out extra money from your expenses for it.

Knowing which ingredients works how is of utmost importance. Also you need to check if the ingredient suits your skin. Just because there is a home remedy available you cannot go try everything on your skin.

Your skin is not a laboratory to conduct experiments. Make sure you do patch tests before applying anything over the face.

Let’s take a look at the U ingredients.

Urad dhall

The humble urad dhall not only helps in making fluffy idlis or crispy vadais, it also has benefits for skin.

Urad dhall helps in exfoliation. Helps to remove dirt, impurities and dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin.

The naturally present antiseptic properties helps urad dhall to fight against acne causing bacteria. It helps in controlling excess oil secretion and thereby reduces acne occurrence.

The nutrients help maintaining your skin. It is also a natural bleaching agent that upon continuous usage will yield radiant skin.

Urad dhall has cooling properties that helps in healing sunburn. It also helps in DETAN.

Urad dhall helps in skin regeneration and is a good ingredient for youthful skin. The anti ageing properties present in urad dhall helps in reducing age spots and fine lines.

DIYs

To reduce age spots and fine lines : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall and mix in 1/2 rice flour and some lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Glow pack : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall and 6-7 soaked almonds. Apply the paste on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Exfoliate : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall . Add in two teaspoons each of milk and ghee. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Remove tan : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall . Add in two teaspoons of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

For acne prone skin : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall. Mix in two teaspoons of rose water and almond oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Ubtan for skin

An ancient skincare secret passed down generations and is now being incorporated by skincare brands to their products.

Each family has their own secret recipe. The ubtan is an ancient Ayurvedic mixture of ingredients that help the skin heal, exfoliate, detox and stay clear.

Benefits

Ubtan helps in bringing out the natural glow of skin from within.

It discourages growth of facial hair and ingrown hair.

Ubtan gives you youthful skin. It makes you look younger thanks to the presence of turmeric in ubtan which helps fight signs of ageing.

Ubtan helps in cleansing the skin deeply.

How to use

Oily skin : mix the powder with lemon juice and curd. This helps in controlling excess oil secretion.

Dry skin : mix the powder with milk to cream. This helps in moisturizing and hydrating the skin.

Ubtan recipes

Face: Mix one tablespoon each of sandal powder oats, half a tablespoon of fennel powder neem powder, three tablespoon of besan , a pinch of TURMERIC. Add overnight soaked and peeled grounded almond. Use rose water to make paste for oily skin and milk or cream for dry skin.

Body : mix in overnight soaked and peeled grounded almond powder to a teaspoon of neem powder , half a teaspoon of fennel powder, a cup of besan and half a cup of oats and a pinch of TURMERIC.

Ubtan is easy to make at home and ingredient are readily available doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. You could add more or reduce ingredients as per your convenience.

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