Golden Tips to Prevent Chapped Lips this Winter!!

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” ~ Edith Sitwell

Winters are refreshing and can be a dream comes true for many if we are able to have healthy lifestyle out of cold weather and daily chores. There is very less escape to chapped lips as the very thin skin of our lips does not have oil glands to save these from being chapped. It is not just a symbol of beauty, smile or self esteem to have soft, fresh and luscious lips but is also an important health factor. The dry lips can cause cold sores, bacterial infections and many other severe problems. Even the expensive lipsticks advertised by our favorite models cannot prevent lips from getting dry and cause health issues. The golden secret is to follow home remedies. Yes, using products that are available in our kitchen!

Sugar

The natural softness of lips can be recovered by exfoliating dead cells off your chapped lips.

Follow the following steps:-

Mix two teaspoons of sugar and one teaspoon of honey in a bowl to make a paste.

Apply the paste to your lips

Let it rest for a few minutes.

Gently rub the mixture around on your lips with your fingers.

Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Milk Cream

Milk cream acts as a good moisturizer due to high content of fat in it..

Follow the following steps:-

Apply fresh milk cream on your lips and keep it on for about 10 minutes.

Gently wash your lips with lukewarm water using cotton ball.

Keep following the steps daily until you get the desired results.

Lemon Juice

The lemon juice also helps to prevent aging of the skin.

Follow the following steps:-

Mix one teaspoon of milk cream with 3 drops of lemon juice in a bowl

Keep the bowl refrigerated for an hour.

Take out the mixture and apply it on and around the lips, before going to sleep.

Rose Petals

Follow the following steps:-

Wash rose petals with water to clean them.

Soak the petals in milk for a few hours.

Make a thick paste of rose petals by mashing them.

Apply the paste on your lips and keep repeating many times a day and before going to sleep.

Note: If dairy products cause irritation to skin, glycerin can be used instead.

Castor Oil

Follow the following steps:-

Mix one teaspoon of castor oil, one teaspoon of glycerin and a few drops of fresh lemon juice in a bowl.

Apply the mixed liquid on your lips before going to sleep

 Wash it off with a lukewarm water using cotton ball in the morning.

Repeat the steps daily until your get the desired results.

Cucumber

Follow the following steps:-

Gently rub a small slice of cucumber across your dry lips

Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes

Wash your lips with water.

Repeat these steps many times a day for early results.

Honey

Honey acts as a good moisturizer and has healing and antibacterial properties. Apply pure organic honey on your chapped lips and repeat it many times a day. You can also make a paste of honey and glycerin and apply it before going to sleep.

Green Tea Bags

Apply pressure against your lips with used tea bag for at least 4 minutes and keep repeating this method until you get the desired result.

Water

The reason behind your chapped lips can also be dehydration. So, keep yourself hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera has displeasing taste but has amazing healing property!. Apply a small amount of aloe Vera gel on your lips daily.

Coconut Oil

Simply apply pure coconut oil many times a day on your lips to keep them moist. You can also use olive oil.

Mustard Oil 

Apply lukewarm mustard oil in the navel daily.

Glycerin 

Apply pure glycerin on your lips daily. The petroleum jelly can also be applied in day and at night before going to sleep.

Ghee 

Apply lukewarm ghee(clarified butter) or butter in navel or on lips daily.

So, it is time to bid good-bye to chapped lips this winter. Have happy winters and enjoy! Stay moisturized.

Easiest tricks to remove dark circles naturally

Beauty is how you feel inside and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical-Sophie Lauren

But, are your eyes the reason of your pride or these are becoming the source of depression because of dark circles?? The dark circles have become common problem due to our busy life style, stress, inadequate sleep hormonal changes or even may be hereditary. If we do not pay heed to our eyes, these can severely affect our looks and Health. Although, a variety of beauty products are available in the market promoted by our favorite celebrities; but these products don’t prove to be beneficial in the long run. It is better if we step towards some natural tips. We don’t even have to roam here and there to find these remedies as these remedies are readily available in our kitchen. 

Let’s have a look at some of the home remedies for saggy bags under our eyes.

Raw Potato

Potatoes help to remove puffiness near eyes becsuse of the natural bleaching agents present in them.

Procedure:

Take one or two potatoes and extract their juice.

Dip cotton balls in the juice and apply them over your eyes.

Leave the cotton balls over your eyes for about ten to fifteen minutes

Rinse off with cold water.

Repeat the steps daily until you get the desired result.

Note: In case of busy schedule, you can also rub thick slices of potatoes directly under your eyes daily

Cucumber:

Cucumber acts as an astringent and skin toner because it contains skin lightening agents.

Procedure:

Extract the Cucumber juice.

Repeat the same steps as that of raw potato.

Note: You can also rub the slices of cucumber directly but keep them refrigerated first for soothing and refreshing effect.

Lemon juice:

Lemon is also effective as it contains vitamin C.

Procedure:

Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice, two tablespoons of tomato puree, a pinch of gram flour and turmeric powder.

Rub this thick paste gently around your eyes

Rinse it off with water after ten to fifteen minutes.

Continue following the procedure  two or three times in a week for better results.

Note: if lemon juice causes burning sensation, stop following this home remedy.

Tomato:

Tomatoes act as bleaching agent for skin.

Procedure:

Take one tablespoon of lemon juice.

Take two tablespoons of tomato juice and mix with lemon juice.

Soak a cotton ball in the juice and apply it gently around your eyes.

Continue this procedure until dark circles get lighter.

Here is another method of using tomatoes for removing dark circles.

Take a glass full of pure tomato juice and add one tablespoon of lemon juice to it.

For enhancing taste, add a pinch of salt and crushed mint leaves.

Blend the mixture well and drink the immediately after making it.

This mixture will remove all the toxins of body to reduce the dark circles.

Repeat this procedure till you get the maximum results.

 

Cold Water:

Cold water not only removes the dark circles around the eyes but also reduce the puffiness around them. It works by constricting the blood vessels under the eyes.

Procedure:

Take a bowl full of cold water and soak a soft cloth in it for a few minutes.

Take the cloth out and squeeze the excess water.

You can also wrap ice cubes in a soft cloth instead of cold water.

Press it lightly over your eyelids for 5-10 minutes.

Repeat the procedure 3-4 times daily for a few weeks.

You can also use cold milk instead of water for this procedure.

Note: You can also perform this procedure with cold milk in the place of cold water.

Turmeric:

Tumeric is known as the “Holy Powder” of the kitchen. Besides its healing properties, it also acts as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It not only removes the dark circles, but also softens the skin around the eyes.

Procedure:

Take two teaspoons of turmeric powder and add a few drops of lemon juice to it.

Mix them well to make a thick paste.

Apply the paste over your dark circles and leave it for at least 10 mintues.

After 10 minutes, clean it off with damp cloth.

Repeat this for a few days.

Chamomile Tea Bags:

Tea has anti-oxidant properties which help in reducing dark circles.

Procedure:

Take a few tea bags and soak them in hot water.

Rinse the bags in cold water.

Place the bag on your eyes for about 15 minutes.

Remove the bag and wash your eyes with plain water.

Repeat the procedure daily.

Almond Oil

Almond oil is a rich source of vitamin E which is necessary for your skin. It revitalizes your skin by removing dead cells and makes it smoother and softer.

Procedure:

Take a few drops of almond oil and put it on your fingers.

Apply the oil over the dark circles and gently massage over them.

Leave the oil for the whole night and wash it on the next morning.

It seems tacky but proves a wonderful remedy.

Follow the procedure daily until the dark circles disappear.

 “The world looks better with happy eyes”. Take care and stay sassy.

How to turn a balcony or a terrace into a small garden?

How to turn a balcony or a terrace into a small garden?

Everyone loves to live in the lap of nature. But in today’s era with an increasing rise in population, the balance between the environments is at an alarming stage. The cities are getting over crowded with more and more houses and less greenery. The life in urban cities is getting lost in cemented jungles as we are sacrificing our precious lands for building homes, parking lots and industrial sites. It is harsh and sad truth to say that a few very few cities are actually suitable for the well being of a person. The lesser the number of trees, the more we are closer to diseases. The nature lovers, who wish to live near their mother earth, are forced to enjoy the nature’s glory in city parks and gardens. So shall we lose hope and just depend on city parks for fresh air?? Well, this is not a pleasing idea. Thanks to the person who came with the idea of turning our balconies or terrace into a small garden. Terrace or balcony gardens are the recent trends in urban cities that are not only contributing to beautify our homes but also fulfilling the dreams of nature lovers. Now people can sip their morning coffees sitting near their favorite plants in their own mini gardens without losing a single penny for extra land.

Pre-requirements for a terrace garden

Before starting the work, we must know the basic steps regarding our gardens. Here are some points which will prove beneficial for us.

The main motive of your garden

So what do you actually want from your garden?? If it is just meant to be for decorative purpose then ornamental plants are the key option. But you want to be more productive, then you can choose herbs or other food plants.

 Direction of plants

It is better to grow vegetables in Western or Southern face to have sufficient sunlight. In case of the warm topical climate in the area, it is necessary to provide afternoon shade to vegetables.

Size up your space

Before planning anything about your garden, one must analyze how much space he actually has for the garden. If the space is small, then it must be utilized for small potted plants. But if it is large enough, then it can be used for both farming and decorative purpose.

Spacing and seating arrangement for viewing garden

Nothing can be more pleasing than sitting in the lap of nature and performing your favorite leisure activity. So if your garden is meant for aesthetic purpose, adequate space for sitting and taking a walk should be provided. Space for a bench and a chair should be maintained according to the need.

If your garden is giving you fruits and veggies, sufficient pathway must be provided to walk amongst the rows of the plants. This will ensure proper inspection of the quality and the needs of the plants also.

A Strong Roof

The most important key factor for maintaining a terrace or balcony garden is the roof. A strong roof is the key foundation for the success of you hard work. Beams and pillars must be installed to strengthen the roof. Make sure that your roof can bear the weight of the plants you wish to grow.

If you wish to grown trees and veggies, make your roof must be waterproof enough to hold the water retained in the soil. For that, the base must be coated with layers of coal tar and other waterproofing materials to avoid any leakage into the home.

But if you are opting for a regular garden with just pots, then no extra efforts are required. If you are not sure about the quality of your roof, you can hire a professional to assess the strength. 

A Proper Drainage System

Another important thing to be kept in mind is proper drainage system. Proper pipelines must be installed and thorough inspection must be done on regular intervals. Even a small blockage can put your months of hard work into stake.

Adequate sunlight for the plants

Like humans, plants also have their own needs and comforts. If these are not fulfilled, their growth is hampered resulting in inadequate quality. Some of them include proper sunlight.

For the survival of the plants, sunlight is the main source. Plants need sunlight for performing photosynthesis to consume carbon dioxide which is their main morning FOOD!!

Some plants require more sunlight exposure whereas plants like Aloe Vera grow very well in shady areas. Hence this factor also must be kept in mind.

Rich organic soil

A good quality Soil is the heart of the gardens. It lays a strong foundation for the growth of plants. Plants fail to thrive into the urban nutrient deficient soils. An ideal soil requires availability of proper nutrients, proper moisture and regular vermi compost in adequate quantities. This requirement is important for both sandy and clay soil according to the plants selected.

Selection of plants

Another very popular option is the prevalence of beautiful potted plants. They are available in different shapes colors and sizes, highly affordable, these pots can be used to plant the most beautiful and vibrant flowering plants adding zest, life and life to your garden

Tips for maintaining your Garden

Sunlight

A terrace garden must be exposed to at least four to six hours sunlight daily for the proper growth of plants. In areas of excessive sunlight, plants can be shielded by using green clothes or making temporary sheds. Avoid overexposure as it can lead to dryness and even death of plants.

Watering

It is recommended to water the plants early in the morning as they need it to perform the photosynthesis. During summers, make sure you water the plants twice a day to compensate the loss due to transpiration. However in winters, there is less loss of moisture so watering once in a week is also enough. Avoid watering daily during rainy season.  Always remember that excess watering leads to loss of nutrients and oxygen and can harm the growth of plants.

Soil Quality

Soil must be reinforced with nutrients every week as it tends to lose its quality with time. The area should be ploughed sufficiently and fertilizers must be added to enrich its value. We can make organic fertilizers by adding manure, cow dung, dead leaves and even left over kitchen foods!! Special care must be taken during rainy season as it tends to wash away the nutrients.

Fencing

Adding fences to your garden transforms it into a more organized region. It also keeps different varieties of plants separated from each other.

Trimming and pruning

Seems weird, but plants also need proper grooming like we humans do. Trimming and pruning not only keep plants in proper shape but also promote their health and well being. Dead leaves and stems must be removed regularly to glorify their beauty.

Pest Control

Plants attract a certain number of insects around them. These culprits not only destroy the plants but also hamper the beauty of our gardens. Proper pesticides must be sprayed regularly to protect the plants. One of the best ways is to hang bird houses in your gardens which not only provide shelter to the birds but these birds act as natural pesticides by feeding on them.

Weeding

Weeds are the most prominent enemies of gardens. They steal up the essential nutrients from the soil and hamper the growth. One must regularly check the garden and remove the weeds either manually or by using chemicals. But make sure that those chemicals don’t harm the desired plants. 

Your beautiful garden is the eye catcher of your pretty home. So sit back with your family and nurture the beauty of your home!!