Saturday, December 12, 2015

Anti Aging Face Mask -Caffeinated

Now that I have gone ahead and admitted my age to the whole wide world, I am also going to admit a few more things. 
a) I am mildly claustrophobic and can't stand wet hands for a period longer than a few seconds. I can also not stand someone's hands on my face. I know ,weird, right?
b) I have undergone a facial only twice in my life. Once as a pre bridal before my wedding and the second time before my sisters wedding. And I enjoyed neither experience.
c) I love coffee.

So you see ,it's even more imperative for me to maintain a skin care routine regularly,as I do not indulge in professional facials.
My dresser drawers are full of a myriad of face masks and face packs.
But my favourite ones are all DIY.
And this one takes the cake.


My Anti Aging Face Mask -Caffeinated is something that I do atleast twice a week.

Honey, which is a humectant-or something that attracts water ,is very good for skin. It maintains a moisture level.
Yogurt or homemade curd is an age old anti tan, anti aging tonic. The lactic acid within cut the tan and bleaches the skin. And the same also acts as an anti aging plumper for your skin.
Wrinkles and crows feet don't stay if you apply cold yogurt on your face regularly.
And coffee.
The caffeine is almost like Botox.
It ensues that your skin gets revitalised ,ensuring that wrinkles are few and far between.
All you need is  

1/2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp curd without the whey- cold -straight out of the fridge 
1/2 tsp instant coffee

Mix in a small , clean glass bowl to get an even mix.
Wash your face with a mild face wash.
Tie your hair and cover your hair line with a band.
You don't want honey in your hair.
Use a face pack brush to apply evenly on your face, neck, shoulders and upper chest. 
Remember to take your face pack or mask down to below your necklines .
This ensures that tan lines and fine wrinkles are not visible.
Apply the remaining on your arms, hands ,feet and ankles too.
Lie down for about 15 minutes .
Make sure you don't chat on the phone or text.


Allow the skin around your eyes some relaxation.
The coffee mask will be just the right boost for you.
In mildly cold weather , yogurt is beneficial. If your skin is dry, go right ahead and use cream from milk. Malai. Or even soy cream.
And even for warmer weather , yogurt is good.
So wash off your mask with normal tap water. Never warm, and hot is a taboo.
Pat your skin dry and spray a bit of rose water.
After 10 minutes, continue as usual.

Remember, glowing,line and blemish free skin cannot be achieved overnight. You need a good diet and a good skin care routine.

And be happy.
Only then will your inner beauty be reflected on your skin.


'Till the next, stay young, stay beautiful.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Antioxidant Smoothie

Smoothies.
Healthy.
Antioxidants.
Anti Aging.
Detoxing.
Fresh Fruit.
Vegetables.
Easy.
All synonymous.
Well, I was on a detox diet, all week and a day for the Navratri ,October 2015. And smoothies were a major part of my daily calorie intake.
Since I was on a holiday,visiting with the parents and the in -laws, food couldn't be too complicated. But I was not ready to allow the pimples and acne and rash like breakouts on my face because of eating unhealthy food.
The easiest way out was smoothies.
Two varieties on day eight.
No fixed amounts. Just a cup of each ingredient,or whatever suits your taste buds at the moment.

Green Magic Kiwi Spinach Coconut Smoothie

Ozonised kiwis-I don't bother peeling the kiwis when I make smoothies, and fresh spinach leaves.
Blended with fresh coconut water and a spoon full of honey to taste.
Two kiwis, a cup of fresh spinach leaves and some coconut water.

Vit C over load, fibre to keep you full for almost the whole day, antioxidants and all the goodness of healthy coconut water in two glasses.

Awesome.
My mum was not willing to try raw spinach, so she went traditional.

Pineapple Kiwi Yogurt Smoothie 

A few slices of Tinned pineapple, one unpeeled kiwi(which you should peel if you intend sipping the smoothie over a period of about half an hour as kiwi peel causes the smoothie to become a little bitter) and a cup of yogurt.
Blend well till all the pineapple is puréed.
As the pineapple was tinned and had sugar we never added any honey.
Super yum and super healthy.

PS a note on nutrition 

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. It is a very good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, protein, and choline.

KIWI 
  • It is good source of soluble dietary fiber (3.8 g per 100 g of fruit OR 10% of RDA), which brand it as a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucousa by decreasing exposure time to toxins as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.

  • The fruit is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C; providing about 154% of the DRI (daily-recommended intake). Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals.

  • Kiwi fruit contains very good levels of vitamin-A, vitamin-E, vitamin-K and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and xanthin. Vitamin K has a potential role in the bone mass buiding by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bone. It also has established role in Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the brain.

  • Research studies suggest that certain chemical substances in kiwi-fruit functions as blood thinner function similar to aspirin; thus, it helps prevent clot formation inside the blood vessels and protect them from stroke and heart-attack risk.

  • Kiwi-fruit seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Research studies show that consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and help prevent the development of ADHD, autism, and other developmental disorders in children.( source Wikipedia)


Something to keep you Smiling At Forty and Counting.


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Happy Birthday -A New Day

Happy birthday to me.

It's a new day, and it's another year gone by.
I'm on the other side of forty. Not just thirty something any more, I am forty something...and counting.
But this is not an acceptance of "Aunty ji" ... This is a war cry!

After that yearly ritual of ruing and regretting and realising that it's another year gone by...
What really used to hurt was the  sheer wastage of another year.
I know, I haven't scaled Mt. Everest this year too, I haven't auditioned for the American Idol either.
I haven't done the half marathon or a pilgrimage to Mt Kailash or even sky dived.
Such a long bucket list and such a long way to go.
There was so much I wanted to learn, to see and to do...
But another birthday comes ..and goes and my goal seem to be just that.
Goals.
But I accept.
I accept I am forty and counting.
And I am not counting my regrets.

This one year has been good in a way.
I have relocated-again to Mumbai.
I have finally taken that sabbatical.
I have finally travelled alone. To a strange place and enjoyed myself like crazy. Without getting on a guilt trip.
I have a new iPad.
I am now forty something and NOT counting.
I am planning to grow old. 
I am planning to ignore the stray greys... Not Christian Gray - but those that grace my crowning glory.
I am now on a journey of no return from #FatToFit . 
I am going to try all the make up and face masks and nail art my friends and family give me... And what I buy.
I am going to buy a pair of denims a size smaller next year and I am not going for the chemical hair colour.
I am going to discover the joys of watching a movie alone and am going to explore Mumbai city .
I am going to to do all this and much, MUCH more.

Join me At forty and counting.
Let's count our blessings and maybe some curses. After all it ain't all black and white....
And send me some love today and always!