DIY Cleaning Jewellery at Home

Hi All!

How many of you love silver jewellery? I sure do! but there is something about my body chemistry that turns any silver that I wear, black........... 

Some one told me to scrub my silver with toothpaste/toothpowder, but it was too much hard work, and did not really change the colour of tarnished silver for me. Others told me to boil my silver in detergent water, but that didn't work very well either. Recently a friend shared this recipe with me which had been give to her by her mom.

I tried it out with two sets I wear regularly, a pair of anklets which I have been wearing for nearly seven years and they had turned quite black. Another is a pair of silver bangles which belong to my mother and are about as old as I am........   So , they were quite tarnished! I was pleasantly surprised as to how simple and quick this method was. 

So I thought, why not share it with you as well.

What you need:

 1 tsp each if salt, backing powder/soda and dish wash liquid, aluminium foil, a glass bowl, 1 cup water.

Line the glass bowl with aluminium foil.
 

 Mix the dish wash liquid, salt and backing powder/soda

 Heat a cup of water to boiling point

 Pour it into the mixture.

 Place your jewellery in this mix and shake it around a bit. Leave for about 10 minutes

Brush lightly with a toothbrush to remove the dirt from the crevices.
Wash with fresh water and wipe with soft cloth.
 

Before

After

Do you see the difference? It was like magic!

I am told that it works equally well for gold jewellery, with stones set as well!

Try it out and let me know how it worked for you!

Take Care!!

Beauty tips for coffee lovers!

OK.......... How many coffee lovers out there? Many............ i can safely assume. Some of us want the early morning fix to start the day, some need cup after cup, or should I say mug after mug  to get through the day. And there are others,like me who drink coffee for fun. 

there has been a whole lot of research on the benefits or ill-effects of coffee and the jury is still out, but in the mean time, it seems coffee has some excellent beauty benefits (ok, ok the BB effect)! 

So lets first look at the properties that make it an excellent skin care agent.

Caffeine has potent anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for reducing inflammation and redness in your skin. In a 1981 study performed at the Seoul National University, researchers found that caffeine is able to reduce inflammation almost as well as aspirin; in a 1978 performed at the University of Tennessee, researchers found that adding caffeine to anti-inflammatory creams significantly increased their effectiveness. Overall, use of skin care products containing caffeine will reduce and prevent inflammation and redness, leaving you with a beautiful, even skin tone.

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Although caffeine cannot completely erase hereditary dark circles, applying caffeine under your eyes will reduce the puffiness and inflammation associated with dark circles. Additionally, caffeine reduces the build-up of blood under your eyes which contributes to dark shadows. Several eye creams contain caffeine, or you can apply moist tea bags to your eyes for five minutes to reduce puffiness and give you a more alert appearance.

 

 

Caffeine can also reduce the appearance of cellulite. In a 2008 study performed at the University of São Paulo, researchers found that an application of skin cream containing caffeine to cellulite reduced the size of cellulite fat cells by 17 percent. In addition, a 2007 study performed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro found that caffeine cream applied to cellulite decreased the hip's diameter in almost 70 percent of participants. A number of anti-cellulite creams have been developed to reduce the appearance of cellulite, or you can take advantage of the power of caffeine by adding ground or instant coffee to your regular body scrub at home.

(Credits: www.livestrong.com)

How can coffee be used for beauty care? The best way to use coffee for home beauty treatments is using filter coffee. Instant coffee usually leaves no residue. Filter coffee actually contains the skin of the coffee bean. This skin of the coffee bean is what gets left behind after it had been brewed in a coffee maker or the more traditional South Indian filter for getting the decoction of coffee. The residue left behind is what is best as a beauty aid. If you do not have access to filter coffee, instant coffee should suffice. But be warned that it will stain your skin (since it will be stronger than the brewed filter residue)

 

A Simple trick to start you out.

Give your skin a buzz with used coffee grounds (filter coffee residue after brewing). Simply scrub the crumbly goodness all over your body for a natural exfoliant. Rubbing grounds into your skin will slough off dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling refreshed. For a smoother scrub, add a bit of olive oil to the grounds.

Hands feeling rough and dry? Rub your hands together using the same recipe, and see the difference. 

A Do-it-yourself facial

No need for high-end (and high-priced) spa treatments to get your skin glowing. Indulge in a coffee grounds facial to soften the delicate skin on your face.
Simply mix together these ingredients:
2 tablespoons freshly ground coffee (or used grinds)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons milk (whole), heavy cream or yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
Massage this chocolatey delicious mask into your skin in the morning for a quick perk up. Allow the mask to dry for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse it off thoroughly.
This yummy mask will help tighten pores and remove dead cells. The coffee grinds will help reduce puffiness and swelling, while the cocoa, honey and milk will add moisture to your skin. Some people report brown staining on skin. In which case reduce the wait time. If you have very oily skin, prone to break outs, you might want to ignore the honey and use low fat milk

Now for something more luxurious....

Egyptian Revitalizing Coffee Scrub Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1. 3 Tablespoons of  moist, used coffee grounds
2. 1 Tablespoon of  Extra Virgin Olive Oil or coconut oil
3. 1/3 teaspoon of pure honey ( use more if your skin is extra dry)

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Wash your face with cool water to remove any dirt or makeup.
3. Apply the scrub to your face and massage gently in a circular motion.
4. Let scrub sit on your face for 1-2 minutes.
5. Rinse scrub off with cool water.
6. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.

You can even use it for a whole body exfoliation. But be warned of the mess in the bathroom. 

 

A lot of anti-ageing creams have caffeine in them. So, rubbing coffee grounds into your skin is a great way to beat the wrinkles without burning a hole in your pocket!

Using coffee as an exfoliator or face mask makes my skin feel fabulously soft and deliciously smelling of coffee.............. :)

These scrubs are supposed to fight cellulite too. Mix 1/4 cup warm, used coffee grounds with 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil, then, while standing over an old towel or newspaper, apply the mixture to your "problem areas". Next, wrap the areas with shrink wrap and leave on for several minutes. Unwind the wrap, brush loose grounds off your skin and then shower with warm water. For best results, it is recommended to repeat this procedure twice a week. A little weird to be sure, but as high priced cellulite creams actually have coffee in them, it just might work (This I have not tried)

 

 

It seems you can use coffee as a great hair care agent too. 

Rubbing in some coffee grounds into your scalp and hair helps condition and make your hair shiny. It works really well for those with dark brown or black hair.

 

Mixing instant coffee with henna powder gives a darker tint to your hair.

Compost Material – Coffee grounds fit the standards set by gardeners for compost materials. The grounds, when mixed with soil, release nutrients that make the ground richer. If you have a good supply of coffee grounds, just spread them evenly in your garden or pots. Your plants will reward you by producing robust blooms. 




There are so many more uses of coffee other than just drinking it. If you have a secret use for coffee let me know.............

Till then,take care..........

Fabulous Fenugreek

Ok, time for breaking the mysteries of another spice. Today I'll talk about fenugreek of methi. 

To begin with, methi is not just a spice. It has been used in three forms,  as a herb (dried or fresh leaves), as a spice (seeds), and as a vegetable (fresh leaves, sprouts, and microgreens). It is bitter to taste and has a strong fragrance.
 

Let us list the health benefits of fenugreek:

1. Methi seeds are very useful for lactating mothers. It helps increase a mother's milk supply.  
2. Eases women’s health problems : Fenugreek contains compounds like diosgenin and isoflavones with oestrogen-like properties which help reduce symptoms like discomfort and menstrual cramps associated with PMS. These compounds also ease menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood fluctuations. Women are more prone to iron deficiency during adolescence (initiation of menstrual periods), during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Including green leafy veggies like fenugreek (methi) in your diet can supply a good amount of iron. But make sure to add tomatoes or potatoes to the preparations to enhance the iron absorption. 
3. Helps ameliorate metabolism among diabetics. Galactomannan, a natural soluble fibre present in fenugreek slows down the rate of sugar absorption into blood. Fenugreek also contains amino acid responsible for inducing the production of insulin. 
4. Reduction in cholesterol: According to studies fenugreek helps to reduce cholesterol levels, especially that of the low density lipoprotein (LDL). 
5. Reduces cardiovascular risk: Fenugreek seed has cardiovascular benefits due to the presence of galactomannan. It lowers the risk of heart attack. It is also an excellent source of potassium which counters the action of sodium to help control heart rate and blood pressure. 
6. Aids digestion: Fenugreek helps flush out harmful toxins. It relieves indigestion and helps treat constipation. 
7. Prevents acid reflux or heartburn: One teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in your food can be an effective remedy for acid reflux or heartburn. Mucilage of fenugreek seeds coat the lining of the stomach and intestine and sooth irritated gastrointestinal tissues. Before consuming, you can soak the methi seeds in water to make their outer coat mucilaginous. 
8. It is a remedy for fever and sore throat: Fenugreek when taken with a teaspoon of lemon and honey can work wonders to reduce fever by nourishing the body. The soothing effect of mucilage in fenugreek also helps to relieve cough and pain from sore throat. 
9. Can Prevent colon cancer: The fibre content (saponins, mucilage, etc.) of fenugreek binds to toxins in the food and flush them out. This in turn helps to protect the mucus membrane of the colon from cancers. 
10. Helps Lose weight by suppressing appetite: Include fenugreek in your weight loss diet by chewing soaked methi seeds in the morning on an empty stomach. The natural soluble fibre in the fenugreek can swell and fill the stomach thereby suppressing your appetite. 
11. Cure for skin inflammation and scars: Apply methi seed paste for effective treatment of skin problems like burns, boils, eczema, etc. Fenugreek seeds also help in getting rid of scars. 
12. As a beauty product: Fenugreek can be an excellent ingredient for your home-made beauty product. Fenugreek can be used in face packs to help prevent blackheads, pimples, wrinkles, etc. Washing your face with water boiled with fenugreek seeds or applying a paste of fresh fenugreek leaves for twenty minutes on your face can work wonders for your skin. It may be a solution to many hair problems
    Using fenugreek as a part of your diet or as a paste to directly apply on your hair makes your hair shiny and black. Massaging your head everyday with fenugreek seeds boiled in coconut oil can be an excellent remedy for thinning of hair and hair fall.  Fenugreek is also great in controlling dandruff
    
    
    
     

Methi/Fenugreek has also been used as a beauty aid for centuries:

1.Start your day with Fenugreek:Drink half a glass of methi soaked water (recipe given below) on an empty stomach. It not only helps in reducing hair loss but also brings a whole range of health benefits listed above. Make a paste of the seeds and apply to scalp.Cover with a showercap for 30 minutes and wash off with a herbal shampoo. Don't let the paste dry on your scalp because it is difficult to wash off when dry.

2.Apply as a Hairmask :Paste of the fresh leaves or fenugreek seeds with  coconut milk applied over the scalp, helps prevent hair loss,promotes hair growth,reduces dandruff amd makes it silky smooth.

3.Nourishing Fenugreek hair oil: :Ayurveda recommends keeping the scalp moist and cool with oil massages of  herbal hair oils made by infusing coconut oil or sesame oil by boiling fenugreek seeds in it.

4. Anti Dandruff Hair-Pack:A paste of methi leaves or seeds mixed with apple cider vinegar, when applied to the scalp  is good for treating dandruff and dry itchy scalps.

5.Anti Acne Pack:Applying the paste of fenugreek leaves or seeds and turmeric on your face is very good for pimple and blackheads prone skin.

6. Anti Aging Face-Pack:Make a paste of fenugreek leaves or seeds with  boiled milk and add honey to it. Applying this to your face delays the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It not just improves the complexion but also makes one look years younger

7.Moisturising Hair Pack for Shiny and silky Hair:
Fenugreek works  wonders on dry hair,because if its high mucilage and protein content .It  softens your tresses and adds shine to dull hair. Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Once the seeds become soft, grind them to a paste. Mix the paste with half its quantity of curd. Apply the pack to your hair and leave on till it for half an hour.Wash it off with a mild herbal  shampoo . The result will be soft and silky hair you will love to touch.

8.Add volume and bounce to your hair: Apply a paste of fenugreek seeds to condition your hair while adding volume to it. This mask is a little messy but is quite worth the effort.Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse it as usual with a herbal shampoo.
  
Early Morning Elixir
Methi Seeds  :  1 Spoon

Water            :  Half Glass(Approx 300 ml)

METHOD:

1.First  boil the half glass of water. Cool it so that its still warm and not hot any longer. After that take a spoonful of methi seeds and soak these methi seeds in that boiled water overnight..

2. Early next morning filter the seeds from that water and drink the water with empty stomach.

3.This should be done daily .If you are unable to do this daily, you may do this 3-4 times a week.

Eat fenugreek in all its forms... the seeds, fresh leaves in sabzis puris and parathas, dried leaves to flavour your curries and raitas, sprout them with your regular moong and channa.

 

Take Care!!

Tantalizing Turmeric

Turmeric is natures miracle spice. It has been used in food preparation, as a medicine and as a beauty aid in many parts of the world from times immemorial. It is such an amazing product that there have been attempts to patent Turmeric!! Thankfully, any such attempt has been turned down so far.

Lets start with some trivia about Haldi/Turmeric. 

     
 The Botanical name of Turmeric is Curcuma longa L. It is part of the ginger family. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric which has been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic effects. Curcumin is known for its antitumor, antioxidant, anti-amyloid and anti-inflammatory properties. The rhizome or root of turmeric plant is used to make turmeric spice. The rhizome is boiled and then let to dry. The rough skins are removed and grounded to make a fine rich yellow turmeric powder. Turmeric is natural preservative. When added to Indian delicacies such as curry and rice, it gives a rich color and slight flavor to food. Turmeric combines well with spices such as chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin, and cinnamon.

Medicinal benefits: It may be used to heal many health disorders like liver problems, digestive disorders, treatment for skin diseases, wound healing, atherosclerosis, bacterial infection, and eye disorder turmeric has long been used in Medicinal as an anti-inflammatory agent. Drinking warm milk with turmeric is believed to check minor internal bleeding. 

Place of turmeric in ayurveda: The main organs that turmeric treats are the skin, heart, liver and lungs.  Turmeric is used for epilepsy and bleeding disorders, skin diseases; to purify the body-mind is the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda. Turmeric reduces fevers, diarrhea, urinary disorders, and insanity, poisoning, cough, and lactation problems.

As a cosmetic agent: The skin is the main portion of the body and provides a shielding barrier against harmful chemicals, microbes, and ultraviolet radiation. Natural plant products like turmeric have been formulated to heal and prevent dry skin, treat skin conditions such as eczema and acne, and retard the aging process.
Turmeric is used in many celebrations of Indians . Especially in weddings across India, brides are rubbed with turmeric on their bodies for that special bridal glow. New born babies also rubbed with turmeric on their forehead for good luck. Traditionally women rub turmeric on their cheeks to produce a natural golden glow, extract of turmeric has been added to creams for use as a colouring agent. A compound called curcumin is the yellow pigment in turmeric. Nowadays there are lots of herbal products in the market in which main herb used is turmeric as natural ingredient. 
 

Now for some Do-It-Yourself Turmeric skin care recipes.

• Face-Wash for all Skins 
  Make a paste of honey and yogurt, adding a little turmeric. Apply on the face and wash it off after 15 to 20 minutes. you may add besan/chickpea flour to make it thicker. Yogurt has AHAs found in expensive anti-ageing creams. Honey has antiseptic and moisturizing properties.
  
  
• Scrub for Dry Skin 
  Add dried bread crumbs and a pinch of turmeric in milk or cream. Apply it on the face. let it dry for 10 minutes, moisten with milk and rub gently on the skin, rinsing it off with water. Or alternatively, you may soak leftover chapati in the turmeric-cream mix and rub the chapati on your face.
  
  
• Oily Skin Treatment 
  Apply besan, few drops of lemon and curd curd mixed with a little turmeric on the entire face, and wash it off with plenty of water after twenty minutes. Use it once a day. it works as both, a face wash and pack.
  
   
• Acne Control 
  Make a paste of kasturi turmeric powder in mint juice, apply on the pimples for 30 minutes and then wash with lukewarm water. It helps to control acne. You may even use mint juice and turmeric as an astringent. Keep in the fridge and apply as often as you want with cotton.
  
  
• For Stretch Marks 
  Extracts of turmeric have proved useful in lightening stretch marks. But prevention is better than cure. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric in 50 ml of olive or coconut oil. apply everyday during bath time when pregnant. you wont have any stretch marks!
  
  
• For Fair Complexion 
  A traditional fairness secret: make a paste of sandalwood and turmeric and apply daily on the facial area for best results. Washed off with cold water once it dries.
  
• For Freckles 
  Freckles impact face beauty badly. To remove, apply lemon juice and turmeric mixture to lighten freckles.
  
• For Hair Removal 
  Mix turmeric, besan and wheat flour in equal quantities  with sesame oil, knead it into a dough. Use this mixture for hair removal purpose by making fingers of the dough and rolling them on your arms, legs and areas where you would like to remove hair. If done  2-3 times on babies till about one year of age, they will never have to wax!!
  
   Ingesting Turmeric for health benefits:
  In India we use turmeric extensively in our food. however, a mix of milk and turmeric is considered a potent health drink. The mixture of turmeric and milk is often touted as an all-natural cure for a variety of ailments and to promote good general health. While many of the medical benefits of turmeric are still unproven, it has been determined that turmeric contains a photochemical called curcumin, which has some benefits to the body, both inside and out, because of its high antioxidant content. Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 5,000 years.
   
  

  For Strengthening Bones and Reducing Free Radicals

  One of the numerous health benefits of turmeric and milk is the bone-strengthening properties of the two. Mix a 1/2-inch piece of fresh (green root) turmeric or 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and cup of milk in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until almost boiling and the turmeric has turned yellow. Let the milk cool a bit, discard the piece of turmeric root and transfer the drink to a glass stir in 2 teaspoons of honey. Drink regularly.
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  Because of turmeric's high antioxidant content, the combination of milk and turmeric is commonly recommended to fight free radicals that cause damage to skin cells and make your skin lose elasticity. It also boosts your immune system.

  
  

  
  

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Bolo Besan Ki Jai!!

So.. Lets talk about besan. Besan is the powder form of unroasted chick- peas. Besan has been part of a woman's beauty kit for ever. It even finds mention in Charaka and Sushruta samhita. It is known for its exfoliating and bleaching qualities. Since it is grainy in texture,it can be used as an effective scrub, at the same time, it is so gentle that it can be used everyday. Only be careful that you don't scrub too hard on your face.

It is safe enough to be used on a infant's skin as well. I fact It is a very effective hair-removing agent! I did not know this when I had my first daughter. But when I had my second, the massage lady told me that if we rub besan on a baby's body, all excess body hair will be gone forever! It actually worked. My younger has very little visible body hair whereas my older one has quite a bit on her upper back! 

The recipe is quite simple! Mix equal quantities, about 3 tablespoons of besan and regular whole-wheat flour. Knead it with some smoked(and cooled) mustard oil to the consistency of puri/quiche making dough. Roll it into a couple of fingers. Rub these 'fingers' on the infant's arms, legs and back. Doing this about three or four times is enough. do this once a week for a month. Guaranteed, almost no waxing/shaving hassles when they grow up! But make sure you don't do this on kids more than a year old. The hair roots become stronger and it will hurt the kid.

Besan has been used for times immemorial as ubtan for would-be brides, and with good reason. It exfoliates the skin, removing dead cells, encouraging cell renewal, bleaching body and facial hair and skin, removing tan. So in a couple of weeks she is glowing from head to toe!!

Shahnaz Hussain Treatments:
 

1. Besan can be added to your regular face packs to remove a tan and to cleanse and tighten the skin.
2. Mix it with yogurt, lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric. Apply on the skin and wash it off after half an hour.
3. Mix ground almonds with gram flour, milk and lemon juice. Apply it on the face and wash off after 20 to 30 minutes. It helps to remove tan and lighten skin colour.
4. A besan pack helps to reduce oiliness. It can be mixed with milk or yogurt and applied, washing it off after 20 minutes.
5. For pimple prone skin, mix besan with sandalwood paste, turmeric and milk into a paste. Apply on the face and wash it off after 20 minutes.
6. To discourage facial hair, mix gram flour with water into a paste and apply on the area. Wash it off when it dries.
7. For dark arms and neck: Apply til oil daily and massage it on the skin. Mix besan, curd, lemon juice and a little turmeric and apply at least three times a week. Wash it off after half an hour. Then apply til oil and massage it into the skin, as recommended.
8.  For smooth and fairer skin, mix gram flour with dried and ground orange peels and cream of milk. Apply on the face and neck. After 15 minutes, rub gently on the skin with circular motions. Wash off with water.

Health Benefits of Besan

Nutritional Facts:

One cup--92g--of chickpea flour provides 356 calories, including 52 calories from fat. A 1-cup serving of chickpea flour also contains 6g of total fat, 1g of saturated fat and no trans fat. With 53.2g of total carbohydrate, a cup of chickpea flour provides 18 percent of your recommended daily value--DV--of carbohydrate and 40 percent of the recommended DV of dietary fiber, as well as 41 percent of the recommended DV of protein. When you eat a 1-cup serving of chickpea flour, you'll also be getting vitamin A, vitamin K and several B-complex vitamins, including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and a full day's supply of folate. Chickpea flour provides 25 percent of the DV for iron, 74 percent of the recommended DV for manganese, and various amounts of other trace elements and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and selenium.

Control Diabetes: Due to the low glycemic index of Besan, it is a great food for diabetics. Use it in your rotis, parathas as a replacement for flour.

Improve Heart Health: Besan has a high soluble fiber content and is beneficial for heart health. It is also endorsed by the Heart Care Foundation.
Weight Loss: Due to lower glycemic index, and calorie count, besan is often used as a low calorie food for those trying to lose weight. 

Reduced Allergies: Since besan does not contain gluten, it is a great substitute to wheat and gluten containing grains, for those people that are allergic to gluten.
Besan has high nutritive value, and has plenty more health benefits. Beyond dhokla, khandvi, there are many healthy recipes using besan- even besan brownies and chutney!
Search the net for healthy cooking with besan.