Eggless Cake

• Always preheat oven to the required temperature before placing the cake in the oven.
• Prick with a knitting needle or skewer to check if done. The needle should come out clean.
• Never keep the batter too thick. The cake will turn out hard and dry
• The cream used should always be chilled and beaten in sharp upward strokes to incorporate air. Never overbeat.
• While making butter icings, beat the butter well to make it light and fluffy. Then add sieved icing sugar and beat again. Add 2-3 drops lemon juice & colour and essence as required, and beat again.
• Turn the cake tin around between baking if the oven is not distribution even heat and the cake is baking unevenly.

Ice Cream

• Always chill glasses before preparing the icecream in it. This way it will stay stiff longer.
• Use aluminium containers instead of steel to set the icecream faster. Also, place a thick plactic sheet or spread some salt under the container to keep it from sticking to the floor of the freezer.
• Never try to refreeze icecream which has melted completely due to reasons like electricity breakdown. The result will taste disastrous. Instead, add you favourite flavour or fruit and run in a mixie to make delicious milk shake.
• For simple but extravagant looking topping, take 2-3 healthy strawberries. Make incisions vertically from tip to base, to form slices. But do not cut fully. Stop just below the base. Now press sideways gently, to form a fan shaped strawberry. Use as topping decor for cakes, icecreams, puddings, etc.
• It is best to defrost the fridge before making icecream, so that the base of the container is not jammed, as also the icecream will set faster and better.
• Crush chikki coarsely and use as nougat over cakes and icecreams. Use nuts of your choice. 

Nans & Rotis

• A good thing about most rotis is that you can half roast and pile them and do the final roast just before serving
• Puri may be rolled and place between well-rinsed wet muslin cloth at least an hour ahead. Fry before serving.
• Store leftover dough and filling in freezer (properly packed) to make fresh parathas when required. Take care to thaw the ingredients before using.
• Leftover parathas eaten cold with hot tea taste good.
• To keep chappatis warm longer, cover the pile with two piece of clean cloth above and below in a tight steel container. Leave on a griddle that has been warmed first.
• Use the water drained from curdle milk to knead chappati dough. They will turn out softer and whiter.

Non-Vegetarian Dishes

• If fish is to be stored for more than a day, clean it, rub with salt, turmeric and if liked, a dash of vinegar before freezing.

Pickles & Jams

• Always use glass, porcelain or china jars for picklings. Make sure the lids can be secured tightly.
• Never use wet spoons, ladles etc. to remove or handle pickle. Moistures paves way for rotting.
• Always press back remaining pickle with a rubber spatula or spoon back making sure under the pickle is fully submerged the oil layer.

Puddings

• Always sprinkle gelatine over the water. Never put in dry pan, then add water and heat. Never boil gelatine. Only warm to dissolve. Safest is to heat the container over a hot griddle (tawa). Stir always.
• While whipping cream never overdo it or butter will form . Always whip over a tray of iced water or ice cubes. Whip in sharp upward strokes till soft peaks form. Keep in refrigerator till used.
• You can top with any sauce of your choice, if you like while serving or accompany it. Ideal sauces may be chocolate, custard, orange, grape, caramel or just basic coloured sauce.
• Cadbury's nutties & gems, gluced cherries, whipped cream, crumbled biscuits, dry fruits used inside, coloured sugar etc. make excellent decorations for party puddings.
• Day old bread slices can be substituted for cake if cake is not available at hand.

Raita

• Throw in a handful of soaked beans or sprouts to give the added nourishment, as a combination in any raita.
• To make creamier raitas, add half a cup of fresh cream to one recipe of raita. Makes the dish much more rich, though.
• If curds have become too sour to eat as is, tie for 3-4 hours, add milk and use in raitas, curd rice, etc.
• If an onion is too sharp in taste, wash, drain and toss into some beaten curd. Add a dash of salt and pepper, it becomes a tasty raita.
• Save the peel of apples, cucumbers and peaches. Grind them and add to the ingredients of a green chutney (coriander leaves, green chillies, ginger, coconut, salt and sugar). It makes a tasty and nutritious chutney and when mixed with curd makes an unusual raita.

Salads

•  Any salad tastes better and crisp if the vegetables have been soaked in chilled water for a while. 
• A little lime juice added to beetroot will make them a brilliant red colour. 

Sandwhich

• Simple sandwiches can be turned to attractive eats by decorating with simple things like shredded cabbage, tomato slices, carrot juliennes, thinly chopped salad leaves etc.
• If bread is too dry to make good sandwiches, just hold the bread in the steam over a pan of boiling water for a few seconds.
• Spicy green chutneys, salsa dips, yogurt dips, etc. make very tasty in between for sandwiches. A change from the same old bread and jam.

Snacks

• Add a handful of rice flour to bhajia batter for crisper and less oily bhajias.
• Drain and keep any extra channa dal aside after cooking. Chill and then add chopped onions, chutneys, coriander, salt, chopped cucumber and tomatoes. Serve chilled as bhel with cups of steaming hot tea.
• If batter of any bhajias tends to become too thin, wet a slice or two of bread, press out all excess water, and mash it into the batter. This will help greatly in thickening the batter.
• Paneer crumbs, bread crumbs and some melted butter, tossed together form an excellent topping if you run short of cheese, for any baked dishes.
• Use tissue papers for reheating fried snacks. Eg. samosa, vada, kachori, bhajji, etc. The paper will absorb the excess oil and moisture and keep the snack crisp. Reheat on high for 1-1 1/2 minute.
• Always use the back of a perforated spoon to make the frying puris puff up. Use the non-puffed ones to make chaat, bhel, etc.
• To pep leftover farsan which is not getting over, add finely chopped onions, coriander, green chilli and salt, lemon juice, chaat masala. Toss and serve with afternoon tea as a spicy muchy.
•  Always use a clean pair of kitchen scissors to trim edges of bread. Much neater and less messy edges as compared to those trimmed with a knife.
• Always keep a couple of boiled potatoes (skins intact) handy in the fridge. They are very useful when in a hurry. Either bake them, or make a quick curry, or fry them. Eat them in a sandwich, or just plain with salt and pepper. Stir fry and add spices or make a quick paratha.
• Use a pizza cutter to cut rounds into strips for fried noodles, instead of a knife. It is faster and less messy.
• For a quick chaat, fry leftover pieces of bread in ghee till crisp. Arrange the pieces in a plate. Pour curds, salt, red chilli and cumin powders, coriander leaves and green chillies on them. Top with tamarind and jaggery chutney.
• To make whiter and crisper potato wafers add some alum crystals and salt to the water in which you drop the wafers for soaking.
• To make samosas crisper add some cornflour to the maida for dough.
• Use cornflakes as a substitute for sev or papdis. It is available everywhere and give the same crunchiness to a dish, eg. bhel.
• If garlic bread is not available, crush a few cloves of garlic to a fine paste, cream it well into some butter. Spread this on slices of bread and toast it. Serve with piping hot soup. 

Soups

• Always add cornflower to any recipe by first making a thin paste in cold water. Cornflower is an excellent thickening agent to add body to any soup. If not available maida can also be used, similarly. Only the transparency of clear soups will not be there.
• Never over-boil soups as they lose their colour and body.
• Do not throw away the green tender stalks of cauliflower base. Chop fine and use in soups like other vegetables. You will be adding fibre to your soup.
• Dehydrate leftover rice in an oven or sundry, till brittle. Puff up some by deep frying as required, add to soups as rice crispies.
• Toast a few slices of bread till crisp. Grind into fine bread crumbs. Store in a tight glass jar. Use as a handy thickener for gravies, soups, etc., if they feel too watery.

South Indian Dishes

• Use thick short grained rice for dosa and idli batter where ordinary rice is asked for. This will give a netter texture than using long grained basmati rice.
• If the idli sagoo tends to get too watery, add a tbsp. of fine breadcrumbs or 1 tsp. cornflour mixed in 1/4 cup water. Stir well till gravy thickens.
• Excess batter may be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days without turning sour. Do not add salt to that batter beforehand, and cover with a plaintain leaf. Add salt and mix a few hours before using.
• Never beat idli batter too much just before spooning into moulds. Just spoon as is. The air already incorporated while rising is lost and idlis may not be as soft as they should be.
• Grate excess fresh coconut, fill in clean freezer bags, and freeze. After thawing for use, wash with water 2-3 times, for coconut as good as fresh.
• Add a cupful of soaked poha to 5 cupfuls of rice soaked for idlis and grind with the rice for softer and lighter idlis.
• To break open the coconuts easily (the brown ones..), place them in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. This would seperate the shell easily
• If your griddle is large enough make many teeny weeny dosas instead of one big one. Top them with a bit of chutney and sandwich them.
• Make dosas a little less crisp. Roll in any desired filling like a frankie. Add chutney or jam if desired. Make very tasty rolls.
• For those who do not care for a spicy taste, you can sprinkle some grated cheese on the dosa while shallowfrying. Eat with sauce instead of chutney. This will suit the taste of those who are used to bland foods.
• Dehydrate the residue of coconut used for coconut milk by drying the sun. This dried flaked coconut can be used in dry chutneys, sweets, masalas, etc.
• Add a few drops of lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. ghee while steaming long grain rice (basmati) to make the it whiter and keep the grain unbroken. 

Spices

• Add a tiny piece of crushed ginger to tea, while boiling, for the extra zing especially during the winter.
• Warm garlic flakes a little either in a microwave or on griddle before peeling, to make the skin come off easily.
• Sprinkle salt in tamarind before storing, to keep away the worms. Dry well in sun till a little stiff, cool indoors for few hours and then add salt. 1 fistful to a kilogram of tamarind. Store in airtight plastic or glass container.
• Roast cumin seeds on a warm griddle before dry grinding. They will give a better flavour and grind faster.
• To keep salt from becoming lumpy in moist climate, add a dash of rice flour to it. Add a few rice grains in the salt shaker.
• Microwave fresh mint till dry and crisp. Crush coarsely, mix some salt and chilli powder and chaat masala. Sprinkle over freshly fried papads for that extra tang.
• Quickest way to extract pure ginger juice, is to either pound or grate fresh ginger, sprinkle a wee bit of water, and put in a clean muslin cloth. Press out juice with thumb and fingers till only fibre remains.
• If dried herbs are used in a recipe, crush them first to release their fragrance.
• Adding a little dry rice to sugar while grinding it, will keep it from becoming lumpy.

 

Vegetables

• Always mash potatoes when they are still quite hot. They mash more easily and can be finely mashed too.
• To clean the surface of vegetables like potato, radish, sweetpotato, carrots, etc. use a separate plastic scrubber or toothbrush kept for the purpose. Hold under running water and scrub.
• When very finely chopped greens or chillies etc. are required in a recipe, use a pair of sharp Scissors instead of a knife. The job will be made faster, more efficient and safe to cut.
• Add a few tsps. of milk to cauliflower while boiling to rid it of the raw smell. Drain and wash before adding to the recipe.
• Always hold fresh vegetables under running water for a minute, after boiling and draining, to enhance their colour, eg. carrots, greens, peas, etc. Hold in a colander or strainer so that the water passes through.
• Add a pinch of soda bicarb to green vegetables while steaming or boiling or cooking in the microwave to retain the fresh green colour.
• For use of green like sarson ki bhaji out of season, microwave to dehydrate till crisp. Soak in hot water for half an hour, before proceeding as for fresh bhaji.
• Store chopped vegetables in airtight plastic containers in the fridge to keep from browning and drying up.
• Add some salt or vinegar drops while washing vegetables and greens to make them clean and germ free, eg. cauliflower, spinach, etc.
• Place tomatoes in hot water for 5-7 minutes, before using for easier peeling and better taste in any recipe where tomatoes are required to be cooked.
• Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the oil before adding green vegetables. The vegetables will retain their greenness better even after cooking.
• Blanch green leafy vegetables ( fenugreek, spinach, etc.) in boiling water for 2 minutes. Hold under cold running water, press out excess water, store in freezer for about 2 weeks without spoiling.
• If there is a lot of leftover paneer crumbs, dry in a warm oven. Fry till crisp and store in the fridge. Soften in boiling water, drain and add to thicken gravies of any vegetables and curries.
• Wrap potatoes etc. which you may want to bake in the coals, in foil, to retain moisture and also to avoid becoming sooty black.
• To bake potatoes crisp and brown, soak the peeled potatoes in hot water for a while, pat dry and pierce all over with a fork before placing them in hot fat along with the roast.
• Always soak cauliflower in warm salted water for some time to get rid of the tiny insects sometimes present deep inside the florets and not visible to the eye.
• Use chilli oil  instead of the ordinary oil, if you want to make the dish spicier.
• If you happen to put excess salt in the curry, cut a raw potato into about 10 pieces and drop them into the curry & leave for 15 min. They will absorb the excess salt. Remove the pieces before serving.
• To make thick gravy for mutton, chicken or vegetables, grate the onions, squeeze out their juice and brown the onions and the masala. Add the juice as stock, after the onions are brown. The onion flavour is not lost and you don't have to add water to make the gravy.
• Add a few methi (fenugreek) seeds to toor dal while pressure cooking. This makes the dal easier to digest.
• Use a steel knife instead of iron to cut brinjals, plantains, ladies-fingers and mangoes to avoid blackening.
• Pressure cook lots of tomatoes, with adding water to them. Make puree in blender. Strain, cool, freeze in icetrays. When set, remove and fill in freezer polybags. Use cubes as required in recipes.

Others

• Grease the grated on both sides with oil before grating sticky items like cheese or boiled potatoes, to allow for smoother grating.
• Always hold silver foil with edges, invert over the dish. Never attempt to hold with hand. It will stick to the fingers. If small bits are required, cut folded in paper and then apply as above. Smoothen out with the paper itself.
• Place a tsp. of soda bicarb in a corner of the fridge in a small crucible. This will keep smells of foods in the fridge from permeating each other.
•  To allow free flow of sauce from a sauce bottle to a pourer, insert a drinking straw half way, into the bottle and hold it there lightly with one hand while pouring with the other.
•  To prevent moulding of papads during monsoons, slip in a piece of blotting paper under the papads in the container.
• To keep coriander and other leafy greens fresh longer, wrap in newspaper and place in a perforated container in the fridge.
• Insert a hairpin into grapes to deseed them without cutting.
• If the milk begins to boilover, quickly sprinkle a little cold water over it and the overflow will subside.

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Home made Anti aging Face masks

Skin wrinkles are caused by two main factors: heredity and the environment. There is litle you can do about heredity and the natural aging process, but there is something you can do about the other causes. Pollution in the environment, sun exposure and stress can all lead to premature aging of the skin. Using anti aging creams is beneficial fr reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The creams are even more effective when combined with regular facials.

Home made anti aging Masks with With Buttermilk, Oatmeal, Olive & Almond oil

Anti Aging Mask with Butter milk, Oatmeal, Olive Oil, Almond oil

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Oatmeal
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Almond oil

Instructions:

Mix the buttermilk and oatmeal and warm it up until the oatmeal is soft and then mix olive and almond oil and keep it a side for 5 to 10 minutes and let it cool it down. After that spread the oatmeal paste gently with your tips on your clean face and neck, avoid eyes and lips.

Now relax and leave the mask on your face for 25-30 minutes.

Then wash it with cool water and avoid soap, pat your skin with clean towel. Finally tone and apply a moisturizer.

Home made anti aging Masks with Egg and honey

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg
• 1 teaspoon organic Honey (the darker the better) 

Instructions :

Take a tea spoon of honey and egg mix it until you have a smooth and consistent substance. And now apply the paste on your face and neck and relax for 15 minutes.

Then wash it with lukewarm water and pat your skin with a clean towel. Finally apply a moisturizer. 

Home made anti aging Masks with Banana, Cream, Oatmeal & Honey.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe Banana

• 3 tablespoons organic Heavy cream
• 1.5 tablespoon dark organic Honey (the darker the better)
• 1.5 tablespoon Oatmeal flour
• Mineral water 

Instructions :

Mash the banana well and add the rest of the ingredients and blend them well until you have a smooth paste, if it necessary you can add oatmeal also.

And apply this paste on your face and neck gently and relax for 20 minutes. Then wash with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Finally tone and apply moisturizer.

Home made anti aging Masks with Avocado, Cream, carrot, Carrot , egg & Honey.

 Ingredients:

• 1 Egg

• 1 Carrot
• 1/4 fresh Avocado
• 2 tablespoons Heavy Cream
• 1 tablespoon dark organic Honey

 Instructions :

Cook the carrot until you can easily mash it. Peel the avocado and cut it in to pieces. And mix the rest of ingredients and mix it well until you have a nice smooth cream.

Spread the mask gently and equally with your fingertips on your clean face and neck;

Then relax for 10-15 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Finally tone and apply a moisturizer.

Home made anti aging Masks with With Seaweed/Kelp, Egg white, Honey & Orange.

 Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Kelp( Seaweed )powder
• 1 tablespoon dark organic Honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh Orange juice
• 1 Egg white 

Instructions :

Kelp powder, Honey, orange juice , egg white mix it well until you have a smooth creamy paste, then apply on your clean face and relax for 15 to 20 minutes.

Then wash it with a lukewarm water and Finally apply moisturizer.
 

Home made anti aging Masks with Papaya, Egg white, Yogurt, Honey & Lemon.

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg white
• 1 ripe Papaya
• 1/2 Lemon (juice)
• 1 tablespoon dark organic Honey
• 2 tablespoons Plain unflavored Yogurt, with active cultures 

Instructions :

peel and cut the papaya in to small pieces and mash them to a pulp, then pour it into a mixing bowl and add the egg white, yogurt, honey, and the lemon juice and mix it well until you have creamy paste.

And apply on your face gently and relax for 15 to 20 minutes. Then wash it with lukewarm water and pat your skin clean towel and finally apply moisturizer.
 

Home made anti aging Masks with White clay ,Whole wheat flour, jojoba & Almond oil

Ingredients:

• White Clay
• 1 tablespoon Whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoons Almond oil
• 1 teaspoon Jojoba oil
• Mineral water

 Instructions :

Mix the clay with enough water and the rest of the ingredients to make a smooth and sticky paste that will stay on your face without it running off.

Apply the paste gently and on your face and neck, and relax for 15-20 minutes.

Then finally wash it with a luke warm water and pat your skin with clean towel and finally apply moisturizer.

Home made anti aging Masks with Red wine, Green tea, Honey & Egg white

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg white
• 2 tablespoons Red wine
• 1 tablespoons dark organic Honey
• 1 teaspoon Matcha powdered green tea (or use strong steeped fresh green tea from leaves) 

Instructions :

If necessary Warm up the honey and let it cool. Then mix with matcha powdered green tea with 1 teaspoon of fresh water, then gently mix the matcha, egg white, and red wine until you have a smooth cream.

Then apply the paste gently on your face and neck, relax for 20 minutes and clean it with luke warm water. Pat your skin dry with clean towel. Finally apply moisturizer.

Home made anti aging Masks with Lettuce, White clay, Mint & Honey

Ingredients:

• White clay
• 5 fresh Lettuce leaves
• 1 teaspoon dark organic Honey
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• Fresh Water 

Instructions :

Make the lettuce leaves fluid and Filter this juice through a clean cloth into a glass. Mix this filtered juice with the honey and mint leaves; let it rest for a few minutes.

Take enough white clay to make a mask and mix it with the lettuce juice, honey, mint mix until you get a smooth and sticky paste, if it necessary you can add fresh water or rose water.

Apply the paste gently on your clean face and neck and relax for 15-20 minutes.

Then wash it with lukewarm water and pat your skin with clean towel. Finally apply moisturizer.
 

Home made anti aging Masks with Comfrey, Rosemary, Chamomile, Egg white & White clay

 

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg white
• 1 tablespoon dried Comfrey
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped Rose petals
• 1 teaspoon dried and crushed Chamomile flowers
• 2 tablespoons White clay 

Instructions :

Take a bowl and mix the comfrey and chamomile and pour the boiling water over to it and let it cool, and then mix the white clay, egg white, red petals and rosemary in a bowl and add enough comfrey, chamomile liquid and mix it until you get a sticky paste.

Apply this paste on your face gently and relax for 20 – 25 minutes.

Then wash it with lukewarm water and pat your skin with clean towel. Finally apply moisturizer.         

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Home Made lip glosses

Everyone needs to add a little kick of their look every once and a while, and makeup is a great way to do it. But sometimes the done-up lipstick look is a little too much for a natural style, In that case lip glass is a good choice for them who wants to look natural.

A good lip gloss can very expensive and often you do not get very much more your money. Learning how to make homemade lip gloss will not only save you money but it will you give the opportunity to make a lip gloss that is unique and perfect for you. you can make your own with the ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Honey Lip gloss

• 1 tsp beeswax
• 1 tsp of honey
• 2 tsp almond oil

Preparation

Heat the ingredients in small increments of time so as not to overheat. Melt the beeswax in the microwave. And then mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to blend completely. Pour into a small pot and let cool until set.

Mint Lip Gloss

• Vaseline or petroleum jelly -1 tablespoon
• peppermint

Preparation

Melt 1 Tablespoon of Vaseline or petroleum jelly in the microwave and Add 2-3 drops of peppermint to taste. Let cool and set.

Lemon lip gloss

Ingredients

• 1 tsp Honey
• 1 T Vitamin E Oil
• 1 tsp. of Aloe Vera
• 2 tsp of grated beeswax
• 1 T pure almond extract
• 6 drops of Lemon essential oil

Preparation

Heat the beeswax and melt it, then add honey, Aloe Vera, Almond extract, Vitamin E.

then add the lemon essential oil last .

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Apricot Scrub Fades the Stretch Marks

Stretch marks occur when the skin is subjected to rapid increase in size and a scar forms where the skin over stretches. This can occur during pregnancy, rapid weight gain and even rapid weight loss. 

You may heard that only surgical treatment is the final resort for dealing with stretch marks. But it’s not always like that. Stretch marks can be removed with home remedies, but it only needs patience and persistence. Home remedies are very effective but they need time and you have to be regular. 

Stretch marks are not permanent and in most of the cases fade away when proper care such as proper cleansing of the skin with natural oil is done. 

Here are few home remedies for stretch marks. 

* Water has the greatest healing power; try drinking as much water as you can. At least 8-12 glasses a day should be the daily water intake. It helps in enhancing the elasticity of skin, thereby preventing the appearance of stretch marks.

* Extra weight is another cause of stretch marks, so to prevent weight gain, eat a well balanced diet. Eat all the nutrient full food and stay away from junk snacks and fizzy drinks. 

* It is the loosening or stretching of skin that causes stretch marks. To tone your body, exercise regularly. * Nutritional deficiencies can increase the appearance and potential of stretch marks so be certain to maintain levels of zinc, protein, vitamin A and C. Zinc can be found in red meats, shellfish and oysters. Carrots, citrus and milk are essential components in a diet to prevent stretch marks. 

* Adding finely ground coffee to emollient rich body lotion can be used to refresh the skin, reduce the appearance of stretch marks and improve skin quality.

* Massaging in essential oils into the skin will improve the elasticity and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Olive oil, vitamin E oil, Lavender oil and aloevera can be good options for massaging in.

* Rubbing the area with apricot scrub fades the marks in a short duration. 

* Massaging the body with aroma oil reduces the chances of stretch marks. 

Apart from those remedies  you can prepare your own stretch marks removal cream at your home. 

The recipe is very simple. 

Stretchmarks cream Ingredients: 

1tsp.Vitamin E Oil ¼ cup. 

Cocoa Butter 1tbsp. Wheat Germ Oil 1tsp.

Light Sesame Seed Oil 1tsp. 

Apricot Kernel Oil 2tsp. 

Grated Beeswax 

Yield: 3oz. 

Instructions to prepare strech marks cream

Mix together all the ingredients together and heat them gently in oven, so that the cocoa butter and beeswax gets melted properly. And then allow it to cool and mix them well once more and put the mixture in a tight fitted lid jar. And massage with this cream daily.

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Oat meal Scrub is an Excellent Tan Removal

The color of the human skin is determined by the quantity of melanin present in the skin. When the quantity of melanin is increased, the skin is darker. A tan is a sign that damage has been done to your skin.  

There are some tan removal tips to follow.

1.Rice flour with Curd

To remove tan, mix rice flour with curd and apply it on the face. Massage gently using circular movements and wash it off after 5 minutes.

2.Lemon Juice with curd

Mix a tsp of curd, fresh lemon juice and honey and apply it on the face. It lightens skin color.

3. Lettuce Juice

Lettuce juice can be used in packs to remove tan.

4. Potato juice with Lemon juice

Apply raw potato juice to remove tan. It can also be mixed with a little lemon juice as lemon has natural bleaching properties.

5. Cucumber with lemon juice

Mix cucumber paste with lemon juice and fuller's earth and apply it for 15 minutes and then wash it off. It is an excellent anti-tan pack.

6. Chick pea pack

Mix chick pea powder in a little water and apply to the face. Remain for 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water. This improves complexion or lightens your skin tone.

7. Sesame seed oil mix

Mix sesame seed oil, olive oil and almond oil in the ratio 4:1:1 and apply it on your skin. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash it off with warm water using gram flour/besan or a mild soap. This is an effective natural remedy to get rid of suntan. It also improves complexion.

8. Tomato juice with Curd

Mix tomato juice with a little curd and apply. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

9. Oatmeal scrub

Use of natural scrub like oatmeal ( add warm water to oatmeal, mix it well to form a paste) helps to remove dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation.

10. Gram flour with Lemon juice

Mix a little fresh lemon juice, gram flour ( besan) and curd and apply it on the skin for 15 minutes regularly to get rid of sun tan.

11. Milk with Lemon juice

Mix 3 drops of fresh lemon juice to a little milk, apply it on the skin, leave it for 10-15 minutes and wash it with warm water. Do it regularly.

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Home Remedies for Dark Circles

Puffy eyes ( Dark circles under eye )can make you look tired, old and just plain haggard, which is not the way you should feel or look in the morning. The good news is that under eye puffiness is a temporary condition caused by fluids that build up under your eyes as you sleep.
sun exposure, lack of sleep, allergies, Age, Stress, Nutrition deficiency also can be causes of Dark circle under eye.
Home remedies for dark circles

Tomato pack
Ingredients:
• 1 tsp tomato juice
• 3-4 drops of lemon juice
• a pinch of turmeric powder
• enough white flour to make a paste
Instructions
Mash these ingredients together into a medium-thick paste and dab it under your eyes. After fifteen minutes, wash the paste away. This should lighten the dark circles and address puffiness to some degree.
Green Tea Cucumber Slices

Ingredients:
• ½ cucumber
• 1 green tea bag
Instructions: Brew green tea, steep, chill. Slice cucumber and add to green tea. Refrigerate until cool. Place soaked cucumber slices over eyes for 10 minutes.
Potato Cream
Ingredients:
• 1/2 raw potato
• 1 tsp urea-free moisturizer
Instructions:
Peel potato, grate finely. Measure 2 teaspoonfuls into moisturizer, mix well. Apply liberally around eyes, cover with damp cotton pads or gauze. Let rest 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Avocado-Almond Rinse

Ingredients:
• 5 drops almond oil
• 3 slices ripe avocado
Instructions:
Blend almond oil into avocado, smear around eyes. Rest 5 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Daily tips to avoid Dark circles

1. Get enough sleep. Try to go to bed a little earlier than normal.
2. Use sunscreen every day and moisturize in the night preferably using a good under eye cream.
3. Apply cold compresses.
4. Drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin.
5. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Iron deficiency can be a cause for dark circles around the eyes.

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Home Remedies for Gray Hair

Hair color or pigmentation is determined by the two types of melanin, known as eumelanin and pheomelanin. High level of eumelanin gives the hair a dark brown or black coloration, while pheomelanin imparts the yellow to red-brown color to the hair.

                                     

White hair or premature graying of hair is a common site nowadays due to faulty diet and mental worries which are important causes in premature graying of hairs. Other causes of premature graying of hair are unhygienic scalp, washing the hairs with hot water, using drier for drying it and use of artificial hair colors, Unhygienic scalp, using drier for dry the hair, Aging , Genetic Factors , Vitamin Deficiency , Thyroid Disorders , Vitiligo , Stress and Anxiety , Pernicious Anemia, pollution and smoking.

Natural Treatment for White and Gray Hair

* Gooseberries are one of the important components in treating white hair. The fruit is taken and cut to pieces. It should be dried in shade. Direct sunlight should be avoided. This dried pieces are heated in coconut oil till the matter turns into thick dark oil. This should be applied every day.

* Hair should be washed with a preparation made with dried Gooseberry soaked in water overnight. This preparation can also be used for massage.

* Butter prepared from cow’s milk is beneficial in prevention of premature white hair.

* Ribbed gourd can also be used in same way as Gooseberries. This is also as effective as Gooseberries.

                                             

* Massage your hair daily with lemon and coconut oil. Do this for fifteen minutes every day.
* Your diet must include foods that are rich in minerals like iron, sodium, copper and vitamin B. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables is also beneficial as they are rich in antioxidants that help in fighting the free radicals that cause premature graying.
* Over consumption of coffee and tea should be avoided as it nullifies the effectiveness of the vital nutrients, thus stimulating the rate of hair graying.
* Eating Sesame seeds daily and applying its oil regularly helps gray hair to turn black.
* Regularly applying Butter or Butter mixed with Fenugreek powder on the scalp and taking bath with cold water helps to overcome gray hair problem.
* Guava (Amrud) leaves grinded and applied regularly on the hair before taking bath helps gray hair to turn black slowly.
* Massaging scalp regularly with ghee (Prepared from cow milk) also helps to overcome gray hair problem.
* Drinking Carrot juice everyday helps to keep hair black and helps to overcome gray hair problem.
* Neem seeds grinded and applied on the scalp and boiled Neem leaves used for washing hair helps gray hair to turn black slowly.

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Home Remedies for Pimples

Skin is a multi – layered epithelial tissue covering our body. The outermost layer of the skin is the epidermis which suffers from most of the skin ailments. There are millions of oil glands in the outer surface of the epidermis which secret sebum or oil in order to maintain the perfect ph balance of our skin. If and when these glands start secreting sebum more than required, the excess oil along with some dead cells gets accumulated in the pores or follicles of the skin resulting in a blockage. When bacteria join the team, the result is acne.

Home made remedies prove to be the most efficient in fighting acne, especially because they show no side effects for our body and skin.

Egg Face Scrub

                                        

Ingredients :
Yolk of 1 egg.
1 teaspoon of sunflower oil.
1 teaspoon of brewer’s yeast.
Instructions to Prepare:
Now mix the ingredients together. The scrub is ready. Apply it on face for 20 minutes and then wash your face with lukewarm water. Give a splash of cold water after 5 minutes.
Almond and Banana Scrub

                                       

Ingredients :

Yolks of two eggs.
1 cup of almond oil.
1 large sized banana
Instructions to prepare:
Now beat the yolks of eggs with oil till the mixture is well blended. Now mash the banana and mix it with the mixture which was obtained by beating yolks with oil. The scrub is ready to be applied on the face and neck. Apply it for half an hour and then wash it with water containing a teaspoon of lemon juice. Then rinse off with cold water.
Milk powder and Peach Face Scrub
                                     

Ingredients :

2 teaspoons of milk powder.
1 teaspoon of honey.
2 tablespoons of peach pulp.
1 tea spoon of lemon juice.
Instructions to prepare:
Mix milk powder, honey and peach pulp and apply them on face. Wash it off after 15 minutes with lukewarm water containing the lemon juice. Then splash off cold water on the face.
Milk powder and Oatmeal Face Scrub
                                      

Ingredients :

1 tablespoon of milk powder.
1 tablespoon of oatmeal.
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
Instructions to Prepare:
Mix the three ingredients thoroughly and apply the mixture on face. Wait until it dries. Then gently scrub it with fingertips and then wash it off with tepid water. None splash cold water on the face.
Almond and Orange Juice Mask
                                      

Ingredients :

2 tablespoons of milk.
4 almonds.
1 tablespoon of orange juice.
1 vitamin A capsule.
Instructions to Prepare:
Now soak the almonds in water and grind them with milk. Now, add orange juice to it. Now, squeeze out the contents of vitamin A capsule and add it to the mixture and then apply over face and neck for 20 minutes and then wash it off with water.
Aloe Vera and Grand Apricot Facepack
                                    

Ingredients : 

5 teaspoons of aloe vera gel.
2 teaspoons of almond oil.
½ teaspoon of turmeric powder.
4 teaspoons of orange peel powder.
1 teaspoon of ground apricot.
Instructions to Prepare:
Mix all of the ingredients mentioned above together and apply the mixture evenly on the face. Let it stand for one hour and then wash it off with water. This is an excellent care for zits and blemishes.

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Homemade Remedies for Dandruff

Healthy glowing hair is a crowning glory for a woman today. To keep it this way is not very simple given to-days living conditions. The heat and dust and also working for long periods in air- conditioned surroundings. The hair treatments like perms, tinting, and hot rollers also affect the healthy luster of your hair.

Dandruff is the shedding of dead cells from the scalp. It sometimes leads to boils and pimples too. These are some ways in which we can get rid of dandruff.

Chickpea Flour and Curd as Anti Dandruff

                                                

Half cup Chick pea flour
Curd
Take half a cup of chickpea flour. Add to this a little curd and enough water to make a thick paste. Apply on the scalp and individual strands of hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse vigorously with warm water.
Rosemary and Coconut Oil as Anti Dandruff
Half cup coconut oil Rosemary oil Take coconut oil and add a few drops of rosemary oil, Apply all over the scalp. Leave it on all night after wrapping up your head with a towel. In the morning, rinse your hair with a mixture of warm water and lemon juice.
Coconut Oil as Anti dandruff

                                               

Fenugreek seeds
Coconut Oil
Crush a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in about 5 tablespoons of warm coconut pil.It would be better to boil them in the oil. Cool the mixture and apply generously all over the scalp. Leave it on for two hours. Rinse and wash off. This will helps to get rid of dandruff.
Soap Nuts as Anti Dandruff
                                            

Soap Nuts
Soak half cup soap nut overnight in one cup of warm water. Extract the juice from the soap nut br rubbing them vigorously. Strain. Apply directly on the scalp. Leaves this on for 15 minutes. Rinse and wash your hair with tepid water.
Onion as Anti Dandruff
                                           

Raw Onions
Take onion and make it a paste and apply on your scalp. Leave it on for an half hour. Wash thoroughly. After washing if you feel that onion smell is there in your hair just apply some lemon juice and wash it.
Black Pepper as Anti Dandruf
                                           

10 grams black pepper
Fresh lime juice
Quarter cup of milk
Take black pepper powder and add to it the juice of a fresh lime, and milk. Rub this mixture thoroughly into your scalp. Leave it on for an hour and wash it out thoroughly with the water.
To get healthy hair without dandruff, drink at least 2 liter water. Make sure Combs must be washed and hair should be brushed regularly.

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12 Self-help tips for Indians to improve English language command

Posted on November 23, 2009

Self help suggestions and tips on improving Indian-English or Desi-English language abroad

“Are you enjoying the movie?”
“Simply”Translated literally from Tamil, simply means absolutely.

There is nothing wrong with the above conversation if both sides know the intended meaning. Now, move that conversation to somewhere in USA or Canada or England, with someone who does not know the ‘Tamil-English’, the actual meaning is lost in the translations. 

English language and English grammar is a bit tricky for those who are not used to it, for those with English as a second language. The basic mistakes we make are when we ‘think’ in our mother-tongue, and then translate in our head (Many of us say ‘translate in my mind  ), and then speak in ‘translated’ English. Here are some self-help tips on improving desi English overseas:

1. Knowing and Having – the problem of the progressive tense: many Indians often translate and speak with excessive and often inappropriate use of progressive verb form.

For example, consider this:
“I am having a fever.”
“I am having a small family”
“I am knowing that you are having a party without sending me invitation.”

Of course, the correct way of saying is:
“I have a fever”
“I have a small family”
“I know you are having a party without inviting me.”

2. Isn’t it – The tag question: We tend to use ‘isn’t it’ without any discrimination.  . It is a habit, but not a good one – everything is not it.

For example:
“Those are lovely flowers, isn’t it?”
“She is so pretty, isn’t it?”

The correct version, of course, is:
“Those are lovely flowers, aren’t they?” Make sure to refer to plural ‘flowers’ as ‘are’ not ‘is’.
“She is so pretty, isn’t she?” Make sure to refer to her as ‘she’ not ‘it’

3.The Royal treatment – the big word syndrome:
The Indian English dialects have originally evolved during and after the colonial rule of Britain in India. We tend to use the royal and big word in day to day speech; such usage is not common in western day-to-day English, especially in the spoken English.

For example:
That is a magnificent idea!
That is a splendid look!

It is not wrong, but more suitable conversation may be:
That is a great idea!
That is beautiful!

4. ‘But’ or ‘only’ to stress a point: That is another thing. We use ‘but’ and ‘only’ to stress. Consider this Indian way of saying, not correct grammatically:

It was he only who broke the glass.
She was just joking but.
She did not go only.

You could say it better such as:
He broke the glass. Or, It was he who broke the glass. ( the stress is on ‘He’)
She was only joking.
In the end, she did not go.

5. Mr. Smith and Mrs. Johnson – Showing respect by using last name: In India, it is cultural thing that we shy away from using first name for our elders, or our superiors at work. However, Western culture is much more informal when it comes to addressing each-other. So it is okay to call your boss by his/her first name, it is okay to call someone much older than you by first name.
If your Boss is John Davis, it is okay to call him John, instead of Mr. Davis.

6. Uncle and Auntie for friends’ parents – NOT:
Okay, this may be a small exception to the rule – Mr. And Mrs. rule – in some cases. Among India cultures, it is common to address the parents of our friends as uncle or aunt/auntie. That is something new and unexpected to the Americans and other western cultures; some may even not like it. In such cases, it is more appropriate to address the parents of you friends by Mr. And Mrs. So, if you are friend with Laura Miller, and if you run into her parents, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Miller is an appropriate way to address them.

So don’t try too hard on desi touch, by introducing yourself something like:
“Hello uncle! My name is Srivatsan Sridharan. I am being friend with your magnificently beautiful looking daughter, Miss Laura Miller.”

Keep it simple to understand and American, something more like:
“Hello Mr. Miller! My name is Sri. I am Laura’s friend.”

Or if you really feel the need to stress Laura’s beauty
“Hello Mr. Miller! My name is Sri. I am a friend of Laura – your pretty daughter.”

7. Don’t eat up the words:
This happens, especially during early stage, when you are not used to spitting out English like you do your mother tongue. Or, in many cases, you may think that incomplete ending is obvious and make sense, but it does not.

For example:
I was planning on going to the bazaar, but then ….

Come one, then what? I am waiting here. Say something complete, something like:
I was thinking about going to the market, but I changed my mind

8. Describing the whole world in one sentence:
Try not to describe the whole world in one sentence. And, it is even worse if you don’t finish the sentence; that is a double trouble. Thanks for whole background and everything, but what was the ending! 

For example:
I was going to kiss her rosy cheek last night under the beautiful starry sky with full moon, but then….

You may say something like:
It was a beautiful starry night with full moon. I was going to kiss her, but I could not!

Or very simply, without describing the surroundings:
I was going to kiss her last night, but I could not!

9. Making a joke about yourself is not a self-insult:
Humor can save you time and time again in sticky social situations. A light conversation helps with creating a friendly environment.

For example, going back to:
I was going to kiss her rosy cheek last night under the beautiful starry sky with full moon, but then….

Saying something like this is completely appropriate, nobody will take it seriously, if you are known to make jokes.
I was going to kiss her last night, but I had a bad breath! 

10. Enunciation and pronunciation:
And, here is the hard part. Make sure you clearly enunciate your words. Speak clear, even if you have to speak slowly. Know your pronunciation. You may want to refer to the common tips on English pronunciation for Indians.

11. Reduce or lose your accent:
Indian accent – often called ‘thick accent’ – is a key hurdle in clear communications. Work on reducing and losing your accent, if you think that is an issue. For complete details on how to lose your accent, you may want refer to these two posts:
How to lose your accent
Self-help guide on losing your accent

12. Practice, practice and practice:
Yes, cannot say this enough times. Most of the above ways of speaking are our habits, the way we are used to speaking back in India. You cannot change it overnight. Practice as much as you can. It takes time to get used to the new way of speaking. Listen to others – how they speak – and use feedback from others to improve your spoken language.
And finally, don’t worry too much about it, just make it a conscious effort to improve your spoken language; it is a part of the journey abroad. 

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Honey Citrus Lip Gloss

                                            

Ingredients 

7-8 tsp. sweet almond oil 2 tsp.

beeswax 1 Vitamin E capsule 1 tsp.

honey 5 drops citrus flavoring or essential oil (we like lime)

Microwave-safe container with lid.

Cosmetic/balm container with lid.

Preparation 

Melt the sweet almond oil and beeswax together in the microwave safe container for 1-2 minutes.

remove the mixture from the microwave, and pierce the vitamin E capsule with a pin, and squirt into mixture.

whisk the contents of the Vitamin E capsule, honey, and flavoring, into the oil mixture, continuing to whisk until set.

Once it is set take it in a Cosmetic container.

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Home Made Lip Glosses

                                   

A good lip gloss can very expensive and often you do not get very much more your money.

Learning how to make homemade lip gloss will not only save you money but it will you give the opportunity to make a lip gloss that is unique and perfect for you.

you can make your own with the ingredients you probably already have on hand.

                                                            Chocolate lip gloss

                           

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoon grated cocoa butter
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon grated chocolate
1/8 teaspoon of vitamin E oil

Preparation
Take a bowl and combine grated cocoa butter, coconut oil and vitamin E oil and heat it in a microwave.
Heat it up until the ingredients have melted and combined and then add grated chocolate and stir into the mix until well blended.
Use a small container (it should be dried) and pour the mix into it. Let it cool down.

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Nutrition Tips For Healthy Eating

                                    

More people, motivated by large scale publicity, eat expensive diet foods for weight loss. 

But nutrition expert Rujuta Diwekar says that a fit person is one who will manage to lose weight and stay toned by eating a complete meal. 

Here are the nutrition tips for healthy eating.

1. Eat local food (Eat what is grown in your State and surroundings). The further the food comes from the further your navel will be from your spine 

2. The amount you should eat is a question that should be only answered by you. Establish a rapport with your stomach and try as far as possible to eat in silence so that you can hear your stomach tell you to stop. 

3. Always make sure you sleep at the same time every day. 

4. Follow an exercise that you can not only enjoy but will want to pursue for the next 15 years. Make sure to improvise and stay consistent. 

5. Change your attitude and respect your body.

6. Never count calories. Always count the nourishment it provides.

7. Fruits have fructose that are necessary for the body. Any fruit can give you that. Make sure to consume seasonal fruits. Give yourself a sweet visa to avoid cravings and then bingeing. 

8. Use filtered oil in as it the one which retains the necessary nutrients. 

9. Rice is a must-have. Always add ghee in your food.Use coconuts and groundnuts in your meal.

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