Effortless Ways to Look Good – even when traveling

Driving down for a family function or traveling by train to a weekend getaway or jet-setting halfway across the world, there is no doubt that traveling takes its toll.  It is stressful and when traveling what heightens this stress is trying to look good.  

However, these effortless and effective methods will show you that looking good and traveling can be done in conjunction.  Face your next travel with a smile knowing that you could run into someone special and not want to hide! Seriously though, remembering these uncomplicated and easy tips will ensure that you won’t stress about how you look the next time you travel.

•         This is probably the most clichéd yet often forgotten tip – hydrate.  It is everywhere because it is absolutely vital.  Your body will feel healthy and your skin and hair will remain refreshed and rejuvenated.  Drink up before and during your journey.  Carry reusable bottles that will save you money, not have you drink water that has been chemically treated and are also environmentally friendly.

•         Keep your face clean which means don’t wear heavy make-up.  The fact is that the skin absorbs dust and dirt during travel and if your pores are covered with make-up they would land up getting clogged from the dirt.  You will most surely have a breakout of some kind on your skin when you reach your destination.  Let your skin breathe – even if you ‘fear’ being seen without make-up, use a light water based one and keep fresh clean wipes handy.

•         Keep blotting tissues or rice paper handy to blot out the oil especially around the ‘T’ zone.  Dabbing up this unwanted ‘shine’ due to the excess oil will not only keep your skin’s moisture intact but let you reach your destination looking fresh and dewy as a rose.

•         If you are traveling on a plane, the air-conditioning will dry out your skin.  Keep a light moisturizer handy.  Use it on your face, neck and hands.  In case you must apply make-up, use a shaded moisturizer instead of heavy foundation.

•         Just like your skin, your lips are vulnerable too and develop fine cracks.  This is most certainly not the way to look good! You could opt for a sensually coloured lip balm or a medicated one to keep those lines and cracks away.  A quick dab of gloss over the medicated balm has the same sensory effect. 

•         It is not possible or feasible to keep running to the restroom each time you wish to put on make-up or touch it up.  On road trips it’s almost impossible! Also carrying your entire set of cosmetics would also be inconvenient, so how about investing in a multi-tasking beauty stick.  These are available at all leading cosmetic stores. 

•         While skin care is crucial, don’t forget to care for your lovely tresses.  Invest in and carry a good quality wooden brush.  This will prevent your hair from being caught in a storm of static electricity. If the ride includes harsh sun and weather conditions, it would be wise to wrap your locks in a scarf or stylish cap.  Protect your hair and look ravishing!

As an added favour to yourself, wear a wrinkle-proof outfit in a colour that will match any shade of make-up.  Keep your cool, smile a lot and don’t forget to eat right!  There you have it – easy tips to keep you looking smashing and feeling great.

The difference between ageing skin and dehydrated skin

The largest organ of the body- skin, like all other organs shows signs of degradation with time and the natural ageing process. The top layer of the skin also known as Stratum Corneum protects the skin and is formed from water based cells and an acidic mix of waxes(sebum and sweat) and oily lipids. When this top layer of skin gets damaged, the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and other internal organs get harmed.

So what damages the top layer of the skin?

Natural Ageing:

After a certain age the physical changes in our body becomes normal. The Sebaceous gland that secrete an oily, waxy matter called sebum which lubricates and makes the skin waterproof decreases with age. Thus reducing the amount of natural hydrators making the skin(and hair) rough and dull, and the production of collagen and elastic deteriorate making the skin slack. With age the skin also steadily loses it’s ability to renew and restore the fats in the protective layer of the Stratum Corneum. And as the person grows older the blood flow to the skin also reduces. All these age related factors contribute to the drying of the skin. Although there are products that can stall this ageing for a while, the physical changes to the skin are inevitable as the person gets older. 

The most sought-after skin is that which looks and feels young. However, I urge you not to go in for any medical or anti-ageing surgical procedures without consulting an expert. All these procedures have their innate risks and it would be prudent to weigh these against the benefits. Constance persistence and a healthy lifestyle with a detailed skincare routine will help minimize the signs of premature and natural ageing skin.

Dehydrated Skin:

Dehydrated skin of all skin types be it dry, oily, or a combination of the two is a temporary and treatable condition. Dehydrated skin by its very definition is skin that lacks moisture and has low water content which happens due to a loss or reduction in bodily fluids. It feels taut, flaky and itchy, and can be aggravated by too much exfoliation, poor diet, an increased intake of caffeine and alcohol, smoking, and exposure to the sun.Replacing the lost fluids by drinking water, eating vegetables and fruits rich in water, and taking precautions for your skin in harsh conditions will help restore the smoothness and elasticity of the skin. Including exercise in your daily routine will help with blood circulation in the body and in turn help the skin detox and stay hydrated. Even though the natural ageing of skin is unavoidable, you can still prevent damage to it- prevention after all is a lifetime process.

You can protect your skin by:

•    Using sunscreen on a daily basis, even during the winter months

•    Having balanced nutritional meals

•    Staying hydrated- Lack of which can lead to rashes, abrasions and other inexplicable skin changes

•    Limiting the use of harsh soaps- the ones that are heavily perfumed

•    Lavishly pampering your skin with lotions and boy butters - Moist skin looks healthier and also heals a lot quicker.

With frenzied working hours and hectic schedules, we tend to ignore some vital bodily signs- skin included. The crucial thing is to ‘listen’ to your skin and body and work with them rather than fighting against the inherent nature. Establish for yourself a high moisture yet gentle skin care regime and give your skin time to heal. Your skin may feel oily but may still needs to be hydrated as it lacks water. Healthy skin goes beyond appearance- it keeps you from getting sick and damaging your bones, muscles and internal organs.

Healthy skin means a healthier you !

 

Detox for all-round benefits

Detoxing is about cleansing your body and mind from the inside out.  Toxins from food and the environment build up in our system affecting not just our physical wellness but also mental health too.  With the fast paced environment and frenzied work hours, everyone is looking for convenience and foods to match their pace.  The result is the increasing dependence on processed foods loaded with fats, calories and health depleting chemicals and preservatives.  Fruits and vegetables are being excessively treated with pesticides and livestock are being fed hormones and steroids in a bid to fatten them up to make them more appealing.  The truth is that none of these can be completely done away with but eliminating or reducing processed foods, alcohol, caffeine from your daily diet is a start.  Switch to organic products and buy meat and dairy where you are sure the livestock has been raised on grains alone.  Detoxification leads to the removal of the toxins leading to healthier mind and body.  Why should one detox once in a while at least?

The most appreciable and conspicuous benefits of detoxing are the ones related to the physical being of a person.  Toxins tend to get deposited in the major organs like the liver and stomach.  Detoxing relieves these organs of this ‘weight’ and allows them to work more effectively.  You are left feeling lighter and having a lot more energy.   Detoxing clears away obstructions in the body’s immune system too allowing it become stronger and fighting off illnesses that a weak body would otherwise contract.  Most people, women in particular, are worried about how their skin looks and being the largest organ detoxing has benefits for it too.  Smoother, clearer and softer skin is discernible at the end of a detox plan and some claim that acne gets visibly better too. 

The other major benefit of detoxing is healthier, stronger and shinier hair.  When toxins are released from the body, the hair is able to grow uninhibited.  As toxins are released through a detox program the circulation of blood increases and nourishes the scalp too.  The absorption of vital like calcium and iron increases too lending strength to bones and nails as well.  

Not just physical well-being, a person’s mental health improves as well through detoxification.  Accumulation of toxins can affect brain functions as well – often people notice that they may feel chronically tired, have trouble remembering and or concentrating and even have trouble sleeping.  A proper and well-managed detox program will go a long way in clearing these symptoms changing the outlook of a person completely.  There are a number of methods, diets and foods said to detox the body and one must choose that which is most suitable and doable for them.  We provide you with a list of foods that have been proven to ‘kick out’ the toxins and ‘pack a punch’ towards a healthier you.

-         Cucumber, Garlic, Broccoli, Lentils, Turnip Greens, Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Turmeric, Red Peppers, Citrus Fruits, Grapefruit, Watercress, Moong Beans, Artichokes and Whole Grains

This list in only indicative and not exhaustive so make your choices carefully!  The most important thing to remember in a detox program is to drink enough water – this will remove the released toxins out.  Add green tea to the program – it helps to flush out impurities better and is great on taste too.  Happy Detoxing!

Popular Fad Diets – nothing miraculous about them

Just like the year gone by, this year too there must be resolutions made and funnily enough many people will have weight loss as a resolution – possibly again.  For weight loss to be a realized dream, one must be extremely conscious of the consequences of going on a diet, especially fad diets that would be in ‘vogue’ or the latest ‘fad’.  These diets would make tall promises of quick and long term weight loss with minimal effort, miraculous fat reducing ideas and ‘secrets’ to shedding loads of unwanted weight.   The truth is fad diets sound really good and that is the catch – they only ‘sound’ good and can actually be quite harmful.  Most of these fad diets cause more harm than good to their ‘followers’.  Such diets promote very rapid weight loss, the users will consume less calories than required for the body each day, increase in fatigue and decreased energy levels, irregular eating habits, lack of vital nutrients like fats, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals.  Let’s look at some of the ‘fad diets’ popularised yet again in the year gone by:

Paleo diet: It consists of fish, vegetables, meat, fruit and roots and disallows legumes, grains, salt, dairy, refined sugar and oils.  There is hardly any scientific evidence to support its benefits.  The fact is, it a just a restrictive eating style and not even a fad diet.

Atkins diet: This again is an eating style and eliminates food groups choosing high-protein and high-fat over carbohydrates - may not be suitable for everyone.

Raw diet: A highly monotonous, restrictive and excessive diet it supports the eating of sprouted grains, plant oils, sea vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, organic fruits, vegetables and their juices.  No animal products are allowed and anything subjected to temperatures of 115F are not allowed.  Again, there is no scientific evidence to back up its utility.

Cabbage soup diet: Only cabbage soup three times a day for 7 days – that does not even sound right!

Master Cleanse diet: Highly constricting and cramping this diet again has no scientific support.  The user can have nothing but a brew of tea, lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper for a whole week.

When people are desperate to shed those stubborn pounds, they will do anything that promises those results.  The truth is these fad diets have tell-tale signs and we give you a list of what those would be.  Knowing these facts would prevent you from following these ‘harmful’ fads: 


- No exercise is required.  Lose weight by following the diet alone
- Eat ‘whatever’ you like (including junk foods) and ‘continue’ to lose weight
- Eliminating whole food groups including those that have a high nutritive value
- Super pills ‘designed’ to block the absorption of fat and suppress the appetite
- The fastest weight loss ever – designed for everyone!
- Suggestions that eating particular and regular foods is a bad idea.  Only some should    be eaten and in certain combinations  
- No scientific backing only over-enthusiastic testimonials from people claiming the  immense benefits they received. 
- Offering a product that is a miracle in the world of weight loss foods


We do hope that with this list, people would be able to identify a fad diet from one that is backed by science and is proven useful medically.  Enlist the help of a professional and save yourself a lot of trouble related to health and the effort put in.  We are certain that you would be able to spot fad diets and steer clear of them.  Here’s wishing you a healthy and happy 2015 and beyond!

Control your portions – Enjoy the festivities

The festive cheer is in the air and with it brings a feeling of elation and stupor.  It is during such times when families and friends unite, people tend to ignore normal diets and tend to overeat.  But that’s not surprising – with the elaborate and scrumptious dishes prepared during festivals, it does get hard to resist. 

The other factor is that these mouth-watering goodies are around for a limited time only making people indulge excessively, lest they lose out. The result - overeating, weight gain and other health issues. 

Don’t get me wrong, as this is not an attempt to make you stay-off these tempting goodies completely.  Rather, it is an endeavour to help you continue eating these heart-warming delights by keeping in mind the portion size.

What is portion size or portion control? It’s not about carrying around a food list or measuring containers but rather using sensible and common visual prompts and techniques that will allow you to treat yourself without going overboard. 

• Try dividing your plate in to three portions – 

One part must certainly be for fruits or vegetables, one for carbohydrates and protein and one for your festive goodies.  This way you are eating right and yet able to satiate those celebratory pangs.

•    Use smaller plates and spoons –

Even if you desire a second helping, it will be smaller.  The fact is that if the plate is big, the normal tendency is to fill it up. Eat less and as slow as you can.

•     Healthy food before the festive food - 

If the temptation to indulge in the festive sinful dishes is too much to resist, eat something healthy before the festivities begin.  A crunchy salad, a fistful of nuts or a bowl of low fat yogurt will do the trick – they will fill you up partly leaving only some space in your tummy to eat just a small portion of the happy yet not so healthy dishes.

•  More dishes need clever choices –

Celebrations means that the number of dishes churned out will also be more.  Make clever choices – the more you see, the more you will desire to have it.  Fill your plate with a maximum of 2-3 foods only to satiate your craving and yet not eating everything just because it’s there.

•  Festivities don’t mean not being healthy – 

If you are the decision maker on who eats what in the home, wield your power to ensure that everyone eats right by buying healthier options and cooking smaller portions of high calorie foods.  Stock up on fruits, salads, nuts and other low fat snack options.  There is no reason not to maintain your health even during festivals.

• Tricks to eat less -

On many occasions people eat and serve themselves more because everyone else is doing it too.  That’s a silly reason – serve food on your plate and eat slowly.  Engage in lively conversations to keep your mind off the food.  Avoid sitting down to eat at such occasions – sitting relaxes you and keeps you focused on the food.  Instead walk around and engage with people instead of your food. 

•      Don’t gorge on the disrupters -

Although it may seem tough at first, try heading straight for the healthier options on the menu before gorging on the ‘disrupters’.   The portion-control strategy is about eating as much as you want of the foods good for you and leaving only just enough room to indulge in the festival temptations.  At home too, keep candies and cookies hidden, while keeping nuts, salad and vegetables in full view. People eat what they can see. 

Enjoy the festive season to the fullest by being mindful. Remember that there is no substitute for drinking enough water, eating right and skipping meals. You cannot save space to gorge on the goodies later. Portion-control is your secret weapon against the ‘ravages of those festive tempters’.