Yoga

Surya Namaskara  also known in English as Sun Salutation  is a common sequence of asanas. Its origins lie in India where its large Hindu population worships Surya, the Hindu solar deity.

This sequence of movements and asanas can be practised on varying levels of awareness, ranging from that of physical exercise in various styles, to a complete sadhana which incorporates asana, pranayama, mantra and chakra meditation.

Surya Namaskara, like most asanas, is recommended to be performed on an empty stomach. Therefore some recommend a gap of at least two hours after eating and before performing the namaskara. It is generally practiced in the morning before breakfast or in evening.

For people in certain careers, a desk is something you literally can't escape. While working at a call center, trading on a computer, or managing a welcome desk, you can't do your job unless you are planted at you desk.Below are instruction in three of the simplest stress busting poses. You can do these moves and still do your job!

DIY Facial

A facial is a four step procedure; cleansing, exfoliating, massaging and hydrate.
You will need cleansing milk, a face scrub, cream and a masque to finish off.

Here are some homemade solutions for the same:

Step 1: Cleansing

You can either use cleansing milk available in the market or make your own.

Take two tablespoons of full fat milk and add half a teaspoon of olive oil. Warm the mixture, and dip a cotton ball in it to wipe your face thoroughly. Wash off with lukewarm water.

Step 2: Exfoliating

Scrubbing is needed to slough off dead skin cells from your face. You can make a scrub using two teaspoons of curd, one teaspoon of gram flour and a pinch of turmeric.

Alternately, you can finely crush two to three almonds and mix with milk cream.

For oily skin, you can make a scrub using oatmeal and honey. Follow the massage instructions listed above.

Step 3: Massaging

There are several face massage creams available, but nothing beats a homemade alternative. For a face massage, you can use the pulp of papaya added to some milk cream. Thicken the mixture to form a paste that you can spread easily.

For oily skin, you can use a paste of hung curd and the pulp of apricot with a few drop of olive oil.

Step 4: Hydrating

A masque is the most effective way to hydrate your skin after a facial massage. Once you’ve finished massaging your face, put a hot towel on your face to open clogged pores. Finish off with a homemade face pack.

You can try a clay masque made of Fuller’s Earth and rose water.

For a more nourishing pack, try mixing the yolk of one egg with one tablespoon honey and a few drops of olive oil.

If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, try a chocolate pack. Melt a few pieces of dark chocolate over a double boiler. Add to this a mix of one cup of milk and two tablespoons of salt. Stir together and let it cool. Apply and keep for 10 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Besan or gram’s flour is an age old super hit granny’s recipe to fight out a number of skin problems like dull lifeless skin, acne, pimples, dark skin, blemish buster and for removal of unwanted hair. Besan has been documented since traditional times as an ingredient to many beauty and spa treatments. It is inexpensive and is easily available in everyone’s kitchen!! 

Take 5-6 tbsp of besan, 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp turmeric and mix it with 1 cup of raw milk. You can use this ubtan for your face or on entire body. You can store the mixture for one week and use this daily to get desired results.

Or try  a pumpkin face mask :)

Vitamin-Deficiency Signals

I had muscle and joint paint red acne in my face  for three months now, and I felt tired all the time. The doctor diagnosed me with mild Vitamin D deficiency with just my facial appearance and proved it with blood test.

Yes that was the whole motivation of drafting this article.. Hope it helps you too.. If you are sick body tells you signal and you need to understand it.

A diet rich in processed food is one of the main culprits, it is all the chips and biscuits that you so love strips you off all the essential nutrients you have in your body.

Junk  is mostly `dead food' and seldom has any nutrients to contribute to your health and wellbeing.

If your body is  trying to tell you something listen to it. While fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, irregular heartbeats and weight lass are apparent, there are unusual vitamin-deficiency warning signs.

Vitamin symptoms may be subtle at first, but they increase as the deficiency worsens.

1. SIGNAL: Red or white acne like bumps, on the cheeks, arms, thighs and butt .  

DEFICIENT IN: Essential fatty acids and vitamins A and D.

FIX IT: Tank up on the sunshine. Long hours in air-conditioned spaces and pollution make it hard. Even sunscreen lotion prevents absorption. But when it is winter in UK and temperature is -3 degree , you won’t be getting enough sun to boost your deficiency. So look for other options like  consuming fish, sardine, tuna, egg, and green leafy vegetables, more dairy products in your meal.Add salmon and walnuts and almonds, and seeds like ground flax, and chia in your diet. For vitamin A, eat plenty of leafy greens, papaya and colorful veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and capsicum. This provides beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which your body will use to make the vital nutrient.

2. SIGNAL: Tingling, prickling, and numbness in hands, feet or elsewhere.

DEFICIENT IN:B vitamins like folate (B9), B6, and B12. It's a problem directly related to the peripheral nerves and where they end in the skin. These symptoms can be combined with anxiety, depression, anaemia, fatigue, and hormone imbalances.

FIX IT: You can fix the vitamin B group largely with your diet. Opt for brown rice, millet, wheat germ, nuts, wheat bran sprouted grains. Egg, chicken, mutton, salmon, banana, broccoli, red kidney beans, asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage and all green leafy vegetables.

3. SIGNAL:  Cracks at the corners of your mouth

DEFICIENT IN: Iron, zinc, and B vitamins like niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), and B12. It's common if you're a vegetarian to not get enough iron, zinc, and B12. Likewise, if you're skimping on essential immunity-building protein because of excess dieting.

FIX IT: Eat more poultry, salmon, tuna, eggs, chicken, tomatoes, peanuts, and lentils. Iron absorption is enhanced by vitamin C, which helps fight infection. Combine these foods with broccoli, and cauliflower. Ensure that you also eat dairy products like yoghurt, paneer and ghee.

4. SIGNAL: Muscle cramps in the form of throbbing pain in toes, calves, arches of feet, and backs of legs

DEFICIENT IN: Magnesium, calcium, and potassium. If it's happening frequently, it's a sign that you're lacking in these. And if you're training hard, you can lose more minerals (and water-soluble B vitamins) through heavy sweating.

FIX IT: To fix potassium, have oranges, bananas, peanuts, beans, coconut water. For magnesium, go for dark green leafy vegetable, nuts and soybean. Almonds, figs, carrots, raisins, brown rice, cashew are rich sources of calcium.

5. SIGNAL: Red, scaly rash on your face and excessive loss of hair

DEFICIENT IN: Biotin (B7), known as the hair vitamin. While your body stores fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), it doesn't store most B vitamins, which are water soluble. Also, eating raw eggs makes you vulnerable, because a protein in raw eggs called avidin inhibits the body's ability to absorb biotin.

FIX IT: Cooked eggs (cooking deactivates avidin), salmon, avocados, mushrooms, cauliflower, soybeans, nuts, and bananas.

 

Choosing vitamin instead of good food is not advisable but as a supplement in I think we can have it before deficiency worsens.

1. Vitabiotics Well woman is my choice 
2. Seven Seas Codliver Oil is also my choice in my daily life 
3. I think if you are someone around my mum’s age then Well woman 50+ will be good  

Bu if you are not sure of your symptoms or having any other medical condition please consult your doctor/physician /GP before having supplements.

And here is the quick summary :-

Dark Circles/Puffy Eyes

Dark circles can affect both men and women. Now there are many reasons for dark circles to appear under your eyes; from stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, a disturbed lifestyle, hereditary and many more. Though chemical based products helps in getting rid of them, but then there are many who have an extremely sensitive skin and only pure home remedies can help them.

 Here are some natural home remedies to help to get rid of those ghastly-looking dark circles:

- Grated potatoes:Grate some raw potato and soak a cotton ball in the potato juice. Close your eyes and place these cotton balls on your eyes. Make sure they cover the dark circles under your eyes as well as the eyelids. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water.

- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are an excellent solution for getting rid of dark circle, as it naturally helps to decrease the dark circles and also makes the skin soft and supple.Applying a mixture of a teaspoon of tomato and lime juice, twice a day will help in reducing the dark circles.

- Drink a glass of tomato juice with some mint leaves, lemon juice and salt. Drinking this twice a day is another remedy.

- Prepare a paste of four to five almonds with some milk. Apply this paste over the affected area and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. This will lighten the skin around the eyes.

- A mixture of a few teaspoons of fresh pineapple juice along with a pinch of turmeric powder, when applied on the dark circles regularly will help clear them.

- Every night before sleeping, apply creams containing vitamin E and C around the eyes. I use OZ naturals it is a plant based get have a look here 

- Crush some mint leaves and apply them around the eyes. Doing this will also provide a cooling effect on tired eyes.

-Cold tea bags: Another simple technique to get rid of the dark circles is using cold tea bags. Soak a tea bag preferably a chamomile or green tea bags in water. Chill it by placing it in the refrigerator for a while. Now, place them over your eyes. Use this remedy on a regular basis to see considerable difference.

-Cold milk: Regular use of cold milk will also decrease the dark circles and also soothes your eyes and skin. Take a cotton ball and place it in a bowl of cold milk or iced water for a while. Now apply the cotton ball making sure that it covers the entire eye with the affected area. Keep it for a while. Wash it regular water.

-Orange juice: Another effective home remedy to remove dark circles is orange juice. Mix some orange juice with a few drops of glycerin and apply this mixture over the dark circles. Not only will it diminish the dark circles it will also give a natural glow to your eyes.

-Yoga/meditation: One of the main reasons that's seen for the recurrence of dark circles under eyes is because of stress, depression and a hectic lifestyle. No amount of home remedies will work if your mind isn't cool and calm. Yoga and meditation if practiced regularly will not only decrease your dark circles will also balance the body clock whilst calming your mind, body and soul.

Keep sharing as everybody has eyes and it needs to be protected.