Day: January 27, 2009

Right Hair Style To Suit Your Face

by shabnamahsan
Here are some tips that will help you choose the right hair style to suit your face, because the right hair style makes u look RIGHT!!!! 
Oval 
You can carry off most styles. Wild curls and big, tousled hair will set off the shape of your face, as will layered styles that add volume. Avoid flat-to-the-head styles or cuts without width at the sides -they will accentuate narrowness. 
Oblong 
A long, narrow face needs a style that gives it fullness at the sides. Ask your hair stylist to cut soft, feathery layers around your cheekbones. This style will make your face seem wider. 
Heart-shaped 
Lucky you! You can have your pick of literally any style  long or short, layered or blunt, straight or curly. Change your style with every fashion whim if you want to! If your face is wider at the forehead and narrower at the chin, you should select a style that de-emphasizes your forehead. For instance, softly angled layers that can be brushed aside. Cutting hair to chin length and layering it throughout also gives it more body. 
Round 
If you have a face that’s too full, go in for a style that gives it height. Part your hair on one side and then draw it back from the sides. If your hair is long, tie it high on the head. Short hair should be closely cropped at the sides, with more volume on the crown. A layered cut or soft, feathered style will tend to suit you. Try to avoid any width in the hair around the sides of your face  this will accentuate the roundness. 
Square 
Longer length, grown-out gamine crops look great on square faces, as do layered bobs with wisps around the face to soften the angles. Long layers add body which flatters your face. Avoid really close crops or severe, slicked-back styles. A hair style with a high side parting and hair that covers one side of your forehead is ideal for you. The cut should focus attention just above or below your cheekbones. Try to keep your hair away from the chin, so that it doesn’t look wider than it is. 

Migraine

by shabnamahsan
Migraine

Migraine is a form of headache which is severe and usually one sided, frequently associated with nausea and vomiting. This is sometimes preceded by warning symptoms which usually affect the eyesight and are known as an “aura”.

Symptoms

People sometimes feel not quite right prior to a migraine eg depressed, unusually happy or hungry, and in addition may suffer from visual changes eg flashing, zig-zag lines, or a blind spot. Sometimes the symptoms are even more extreme. The headache is usually one sided although it is not invariably the same side. Quite quickly nausea and vomiting may follow. The bowels may also be affected and in children sometimes there is no headache but abdominal pain instead.

Causes

Each person is different but there are some “trigger” factors which are commonly involved:

tiredness
physical exhaustion
stress
climatic change
hormones, eg the “time of the month” in women
foods, eg caffeine, cheese, chocolate, red wine

Treatment and prevention

1. Note down your attacks in a diary and try to spot any common triggering factors, and avoid them if possible.

2. Try avoiding any food which seems implicated and at a later stage take a small trial dose of the food again to see whether it genuinely is involved.

3. At the first symptom of an attack take a pain killer eg aspirin or paracetamol, even if this means waking yourself up when you notice symptoms while half asleep in the early hours of the morning. (Often by getting up time it is too late to abort the attack.)

4. Most people find that it helps to lie down in a darkened room, in fact there may be little else you are able to do. In some instances migraine follows a period of rushing around over-stretching yourself, and it might be looked on as the body’s way of slowing you down.

5. Sometimes bathing your head in cold water or using a cold compress on the forehead is helpful.

6. There are some over the counter preparations which contain a pain killer and a medication which stops nausea and vomiting (antiemetic). These are often even more effective than the pain killer alone, as migraine is associated with poor absorption from the stomach and a tendency for food and drink to stay in the stomach much longer than usual (prior to being sick).

7. Your doctor may prescribe something along the lines of the above, or possibly one of the more modern specific antimigraine treatments, which work on one of the chemical pathways in the brain.

8. If the attacks are frequent and disruptive, then your doctor may prescribe a drug to be taken daily as a preventative.

9. Sometimes relaxation and meditation techniques may be helpful as may some of the complementary therapies.

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Increasing Your Activity Means Increasing Your Health

by shabnamahsan


 Aerobics is a great program to help reverse the aging process. If you participate in 40 minutes of aerobic exercise per day you will greatly improve your health. Aerobic exercise increases your heart rate which improves blood circulation throughout your body and pumps more blood to all your muscles, especially your heart.

Ideally, an aerobic exercise such as fast walking, bike riding, dancing or using using a treadmill should increase your heart rate between 70 to 85 percent its normal rate for at least 20 minutes. Because exercise is so important for overall health at any age, making good habits today will only benefit you in the future.

When beginning a new fitness regimen, you should always start slow and build up the level of intensity. You should build up to a 40 to 45 minute aerobic workout gradually. You’ll notice that it won’t take much to increase your heart rate. Also, keep in mind that you may have to modify your exercising routine to suit your current fitness level, but don’t give up, because before you know it, you’ll feel better and look great!

Exercising for your health

In our loose-weight-quickly society, “exercise” has become a bad word, making most of us cringe. For many Americans, exercise is a series of monotonous activities that aren’t enjoyable. It’s something we do and hate, or avoid completely.

We need to change our mind set. Don’t think of exercise as a chore. Try to think of it more in terms of activities you enjoy — like when you used to “go outside and play”.

Healthy lifestyles are about changing destructive habits and building good ones. You can’t make  exercise a habit if it’s doing activities that you hate… So you don’t like the treadmill, try taking your dog for walks in the park or on a local hiking trail. If you don’t like aerobics, perhaps you’d find swing dancing more to your liking. And if you don’t like jogging — inline skating may be more your speed…

The key is to find an activity you enjoy and make it a habit — a healthy habit!


Celebrate the Small Stuff

by shabnamahsan

Colleen Langenfeld

 

Everyday it's the same old thing...rise and shine, get
the kids ready, shoo everyone out the door, go to work
(whether it's in your own home or at an office). Then at
the end of the day, finish one job...to work some more!
And then you get to look forward to doing it all over
again! Yes, yes, you love your work (you DO love your
work, don't you?), you are blessed with wonderful children
and your marriage is happy. Life is good! Then why do you
feel so...blah?

Those everyday-moments are also the everyday-routine. The
trick to making them MOMENTS instead of ROUTINE is
gratitude. When we are grateful for the people and events
around us, we are able to see the glass half full, not
half empty. Moreover, our feelings will begin to swing
into line as well.

One fun way to practice gratitude on a daily basis is to
celebrate those little daily chores. If you have children,
have you ever developed some sort of reward system to
encourage a particular behavior? Kids are not the only
ones who like to be praised! A well-thought out reward
system for adults can produce amazing results and lift
spirits, as well.

Let's put this in concrete terms:

*The morning rush. Yes, everyone knows they should get
their stuff ready the night before. But what is the
incentive for doing so? Nagging? If that's not working
for you, consider sweetening the pot with an appropriate
reward. A favorite meal? An evening of board games? A
sleepover with a friend? Don't forget about the adults.
A new CD might be nice. A walk in the park - or maybe
some time alone. An extra lunch-out in this month's
budget. Of course, a smoother-running household is the
best reward of all. However, celebrating calls for
special attention.

*Why do we reward elementary-age children with
certificates and prizes for perfect attendance? Isn't
it just as amazing (even more so, when you think about
it) when an adult who's juggling multiple
responsibilities doggedly gets to work on time five days
a week, month after month after year after year? Dad or
Mom will probably never ask for balloons and their
favorite meal just for "doing their job" but you can bet
they will not soon forget the gesture.

*I have a friend who throws parties all the time! For a
long while, I could not figure out why. Then it dawned
on me; she CHOOSES to celebrate. And every couple of
weeks or so, she invites friends to celebrate WITH her!
As life's inevitable ups and downs have come along, this
woman is always surrounded by her friends, for whom she
has hosted a myriad of good times. Not a bad place to be.

*What do our children think about the notion of
celebrating and gifts? Is that reserved for special
occasions? And just what constitutes 'special occasions'?
If we are teaching them that life is awesome and they are
wonderful, then the party would be TODAY. In addition,
the gifts would be simple, designed to say "I see you and
I think sharing this day with you is just about the best
it gets". In my mom's words, "pull out the good china and
find the cloth napkins." Wow. Must be a special day!

So while it's easy (and wise) to party over the big events
in our lives, it's just as smart to remind ourselves
through celebrations that life is in the small stuff - and
that's where we live everyday!

Diet Can Help You To Make Healthy

by shabnamahsan
Diet Can Help You To Make Healthy
As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” So, what effect does your diet really have on your appearance? We know that eating sensibly helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it also helps to maintain a healthy appearance. When you feel good about the things you eat, and when the things you eat are good for you, chances are you’ll look that way, too. Here are 10 foods that not only help you feel great, but help you look great, too. 
Water
Drinking plenty of water every day helps the skin look soft, supple and more youthful. By keeping the body hydrated, your overall appearance will benefit, from improved skin texture, hair and nails. If you’re feeling bloated, it may be due to an increase of sodium in the body. Increase your intake of water to help flush it out. Also, water helps in the weight loss process by reducing water weight and replenishes water loss during workout activity.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps the body fight infection and disease. It pumps up the immune system and also promotes healing. Did you also know that vitamin C is essential to collagen production? Collagen helps the skin remain elastic but firm, which keeps the skin wrinkle and line free. Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage are all vitamin-C-rich foods. Keep in mind that their juices are also packed with this important vitamin. 
Green Tea
Also rich in antioxidants, green tea has also been shown to lower cholesterol, improve immune function and reduce the risk of specific types of cancer. If you’re a big coffee drinker, try replacing your morning cup of joe with a cup of green tea. Without cream, sugar or other artificial flavorings, you may notice a reduction in weight while satisfying your caffeine fix. 
Soy
Soy proteins are rich in amino acids, vitamin E and many anti-oxidants. These components help the skin retain moisture, smooths out skin’s appearance and improves elasticity. 
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) like omega-3 and omega-6 are known as good fat, which helps cellular functioning. This helps skin, hair, nails, muscles and practically everything involved in your physical appearance. Like other good foods, EFAs help the cells to function properly, which helps to clear up skin and prevent blemishes, reduce wrinkles, improve hair condition and nail growth. 
Milk
The phrase “milk does a body good” isn’t only a catchy marketing phrase; it’s also a fact. Milk is rich in calcium, vitamins B2, B-12 and D. Calcium, paired with the calcium-absorption booster vitamin D, helps to maintain strong bones, and healthy teeth. Vitamins B2 and B-12 are essential for red blood cell growth, which helps to carry much needed oxygen to cells. What does this mean to your looks? Hair and skin will look livelier and healthier. 
Green vegetables
Vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale are rich in Vitamin A, C, E, iron and fiber. We’ve already discussed the benefits of vitamin C, but equally important to looking great is your intake of vitamin A and E. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties and maintains moisture for eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin E is essential for healthy, smooth and younger looking skin.
Yogurt
Since yogurt is a dairy product, all the benefits of milk also hold true for yogurt. Yogurt also contains friendly bacteria, which aids in digestion, improves the immune system and (when used as a mask) can help hydrate and cleanse the skin. 
Garlic
The effects of garlic have been widely known for centuries, but only recently taken seriously by modern science. In studies, this mysterious and potent food has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and even prevent cancer. Although your partner may not want to kiss you after eating it, keep in mind that garlic is also high in antioxidants, which will help you stay looking young. If you can’t stand the smell or taste, take it in capsule form. 
Chocolate
OK, OK, maybe chocolate isnt the most health-conscious food on the planet. However, chocolate does have positive effects on your mood by pumping up endorphins and serotonin, which help to give you an overall calm and pleasant feeling. And when you feel good, you look good. Who can argue with that?
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Home Manicure

by shabnamahsan
Remove old nail polish with a single stroke by soaking a cotton wool pad with nail polish remover. Wipe away traces of polish around the cuticles stick dipped in remover.
Using an emery board, shape nails lightly, working from both edges towards the centre. Avoid moving the board back and forth quickly, which produces heat that dries out the nail and leads to splitting. Try holding the emery board at a single angle under the nail. Don’t file down the sides- the nail tip needs the sides as support, otherwise it will weaken and nicks form.
Apply a cuticle remover around the nail contours. Using the tip of a cuticle stick wrapped in cotton wool, gently push back the skin. Work away dead tissue before carefully passing the stick under cuticles.
Wash your hands in warm soapy water, and brush nails with a soft manicure brush so that polish will adhere to them properly. Pat hands dry with a towel.
If nails are weak, apply a strengthening or hardening product, paying special attention to the tips. Allow to dry.
Apply a protective base coat, covering the entire nail but stopping short of the cuticle.
Apply two coats of polish, starting with a single stroke down the center of the nail, then across the cuticle base and down the two sides without touching the cuticle. Allow each coat to dry.
Finish with a top coat for extra gloss and the shield against chipping.
For optimum skin and nail health, check that your diet includes plenty of vitamin A, E and B complex, and the minerals calcium, Zinc, magnesium and iodine. If need be, take nail-fortifying vitamin and minerals supplements.

Eight Time-Saving Cooking Tips

by shabnamahsan

By Rachel Paxton

1. Plan meals at least a week in advance 

2. If you know you’re not going to have time to cook one evening, prepare two dinners the night before and just reheat one the next night. 

3. When preparing a meal using grated cheese, chopped onions, etc., prepare more than the recipe calls for and refrigerate the rest for another meal. 

4. Clean your kitchen workspace as you go. When you’re done there will be little left to clean. 

5. On grocery shopping day, have your children help individually wrap their cookies, snacks,etc. for their school lunch boxes. Makes this chore for the rest of the week a breeze and snacks don’t disappear before lunches 

6. Don’t hide your cookbooks away. Organize them where you can get to them easily, and you will use them a lot more. 

7. Keep a notepad on the front of the refrigerator for your shopping list. When you run out of something write it on the list right away. Encourage family members to do the same. 

8. Prepare favorite beverages like lemonade or Kool Aid in gallon-sized pitchers, and you won’t have to make them as often.

Dental Care

by shabnamahsan

Be honest 

b4 u read on answer this: 

1)how long do u brush ur teeth???? 

2)How many times a day do you brush em??? 

3)How often do u change ur brush?? 

4)do you brush ur teeth b4 going to bed??? 

now u can read on 

1) One shuld brush the teeth 3-4 minutes!! 

2) One shuld brush the teeth twice for 3-4 minutes rather than quick brushing several times!! 

3) U shuld change ur brush every 3-4 mnths!!!cozey become ineffective and may harbor harmful bacterial 

4)One shuld brush b4 going to bed coz Mutans streptococci, the bacteria involved in causing tooth decay, multiply 30 times overnight if you haven’t brushed your teeth before going to bed.

Going Bananas

by shabnamahsan

Bananas… This is very interesting.
After Reading THIS, you’ll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again –

Bananas. Containing three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work: Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in “The New England Journal of Medicine, “eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! 

Effective methods for removing Blackheads

by shabnamahsan

It is most important to keep the skin scrupulously clean

Use an oatmeal or almond mask thoroughly to cleanse your face. Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips, paying special attention the problem areas. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water 

Apply undiluted lemon juice, two to three times a day, on the affected areas

solution made out of one and a half cups of hot water and half a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal concoction for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cotton wool. Pat on an astrigent

Warm a little honey and apply on the trouble spots. Wash off after 10-15 minutes

Try out these home remedies for cleaning out your blackheads yourself or get in touch with a qualified beautician

Skin Care

by shabnamahsan

1 Keep it clean. 
Men have approximately 15% oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do. Basically, this means you get dirtier. It is very important; no matter what skin type you have, to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing is important. It keeps pores clear, skin healthy and you looking good. 

Cleansing products should be as chemical-free as possible. Deodorant soaps shouldn’t be used on your face. They cleanse with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind. This may irritate your skin and will clog your pores. Go natural. 

A good scrub is essential for healthy clean skin. It will remove dead cells and smooth the surface of your face. The scrub should be strong without being damaging. Stay away from scrubs that contain rough elements like ground bits of nut or seed extracts. They will tear and damage the skin. A good scrub will invigorate you, not hurt you. 

Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving and don’t forget your neck! 

For an intensive moisture treatment use pure vitamin E, or aloe vera oil. It is available in liquid form, or just break open a capsule and apply the oil directly to the skin. This is a great under eye treatment. Remember it is very important to moisturize this sensitive area of the face. It is one of the first places to show age because the under eye skin secretes no necessary oils on its own. 

#2 Keep it toned. 
Because men are outside more than women are, environmental debris and pollutants are more a factor to their skin’s health. Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm. 

As skin ages, it needs to work harder to maintain its elasticity. Astringents and toners with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids work the best for toning the face. These acids actually can reduce the pore size, and help avoid ingrown hairs. They are aggressive and have quick results. Remember to look for a product that is not photosensitive (sensitive to light). 

#3 Treat your skin. 
Depending on your skin type (oily, dry or combination) and the time of year, there are different products that treat and enhance your skin. Different treatments will have very different results. It is important to know your skin’s needs. 

All types of skin need to be exfoliated. This is the removal of dead skin cells that form daily. This is an essential part of skin treatment. 

After shaving, you need to moisturize with a product that has absolutely no alcohol in it. Avoid heavy fragrant after-shave products too, as they can irritate the skin. 

Skin that is too shiny doesn’t look healthy, just greasy. Blot the excess oils away. Blotting papers or a light powder that will give you a more natural finish, are both good options to try. 

Don’t forget about your lips. Find a balm that has an SPF of at least 15 in it. Peppermint oil has a nice feel and keeps the lips looking luscious. 

#4 Protect your skin. 
Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are preventative techniques that can promote the best skin possible and keep it looking its best longer. Remember that your skin is a mirror of your overall body health. 

Here are the key techniques: 

Avoid over exposure to the sun. 
Sun damage leads to hyperpigmentation (brown spots) which can develop into serious skin disease. Excessive exposure can also exaggerate and thicken fine lines. Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face. 

Stay in shape. 
Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin looking young. 

Eat right. 
Keep vitamins such as C and E in your diet regimen. 

Everything in moderation. 
Too much of anything is never a good idea. Stay away from excessive alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older.

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