Good hair day

Your hair is a surefire indicator of just how healthy you are. And chances are, if you're facing a hair problem, you also have a health problem. Here are simple rules to get that gorgeous crown and to make all your days as good hair day !

1. Clean Hair

First hair care starts with clean hair. Too much cleansing, however, can be damaging.The scalp produces an oily substance called sebum which coats each hair and keeps it looking shiny and soft. Shampoos are designed to remove excess oil, grease and dirt and to exfoliate the skin cells which clog and suffocate the hair follicles. It is important to choose a shampoo according to your hair type.

2. Combing the hair

Never comb or brush wet hair, as it is more susceptible to stretching and breaking when wet. Finger comb it in gentle massage-like movements.Wait until it is damp before styling. A two minute brushing, stroking and combing routine is sufficient massage exercise for the scalp.This will help distribute natural hair oils and improve blood circulation. Never use force while brushing, always brush with gentle outward strokes.

3. Hair and general health

It is very important to get a regular hair check up done as it is the body’s barometer indicating good health or the lack of it. It can be an early indicator of many diseases such as: Thyroid , Parathyroid, Addisons diseases , Cushing's syndrome , Anemia , Dietary and mineral deficiency , Hormonal imbalance , Ovarian cyst disease, Tooth problems .

It is For your eyes only

Eye Care: Some Dos & Don’ts

1.Never work in dim light

2.Wear sunglasses out in the sun

3.Do not read continuously in moving vehicles, take break .

4.Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, papaya and mangoes because these are enriched with beta carotene and are excellent for healthy eyes and proper vision

5.Apply cucumber water or thin slices of cucumber to the skin around the eyes, especially if this skin is looking dry . It improves your vision and also reduces puffs and bags under the eyes. This the best and easiest eye care tips .

6.Apply all-natural eye drops .

7.Splash eyes with cold water. Apply cotton wool pads, soaked in warm milk, light tea solution or rose water on the eyes. Press gently and leave for 10 minutes

8.Do regular eye exercise and make it a practice.

Exercise For The Eyes

1.Lift the eyes to the ceiling and then to the floor. Repeat. Look straight ahead, then to the left and then to the right. Repeat. Make a circle, first clockwise and then anticlockwise, with the eyes. Repeat

2.Rub your hands together until they feel warm, close your eyes and cover them lightly with cupped palms. Without applying too much pressure on the closed eyelids, place your palms on your eyes so that your nose remains uncovered, and no light rays are able to enter the eyes. Take deep breaths slowly and evenly, and relax yourself, and after your eyes see nothing but blackness, remove your palms from your eyes. Repeat

Sit back , A robot will fill fuel to your car

Motorists nostalgic for the time they could sit tight while attendants braved windswept garage forecourts to fill their tanks may yet see those heady days return — compliments of a Dutch robot.
Dutch inventors unveiled a 75,000 euro ($111,100) car-fuelling robot they say is the first of its kind, working by registering the car on arrival at the filling station and matching it to a database of fuel cap designs and fuel types.
A robotic arm fitted with multiple sensors extends from a regular petrol pump, carefully opens the car’s flap, unscrews the cap, picks up the fuel nozzle and directs it toward the tank opening, much as a human arm would, and as efficiently.
“I was on a farm and I saw a robotic arm milking a cow. If a robot can do that then why can’t it fill a car tank, I thought,” said developer and petrol station operator Nico van Staveren. “Drivers needn’t get dirty hands or smell of petrol again.”
He hopes to introduce the “Tankpitstop” robot in a handful of Dutch stations by the end of the year. It works for any car whose tank can be opened without a key, and whose contours and dimensions have been recorded to avoid scratching.
Asked whether he would trust his car to a robotic garage attendant, Jelger De Kroon, filling his black Alfa Romeo at a nearby petrol station, said: “Why not? I guess I could keep my hands free and clean, but I’d hope they have good insurance.”
Robots have taken over many jobs traditionally performed by humans. Car production is the primary example. Over the last three decades automobile factories have become dominated by robots. Other fields include the packaging industry and the electronics industry.
Courtsy : TOI

Your wrinkles Vanished !

1 Add grated carrots to spaghetti sauce. You won’t notice their presence and their carotene will feed your skin.

2 Add fresh spinach leaves to salad greens. Spinach contains more carotene than other types of lettuce.

3 Enjoy a daily fruit smoothie made of vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit.

4 For a special dessert that’s good for your skin, place chilled melon balls in a wine glass; splash with champagne and add mint for garnish.

5 Keep fresh broccoli florets handy in the fridge for a predinner snack. Serve with your favourite low-fat dip for a treat everyone will love.

6 Make fruit a part of every dinner meal.

7 Add broccoli and fresh spinach to pasta or tomato salads. They fit into just about every recipe.

8 Substitute papaya for tomato in salsa recipes. Not only will your taste buds tango, you’ll also get plenty of carotene!

How much time do you spend with your children ?

Thousands of dads have spent the much-needed quality time with their kids this Christmas. But how can they make sure this closeness lasts through 2008? A recent survey found that one in four kids don’t count their father as being part of their family.
BE A GREAT DAD :-
1.Balance work and family time:
Young children will demand your time as soon as you get home — regardless of how difficult your day has been. Try to leave work behind you by avoiding starting stressful jobs in the last half hour of the day and winding down on your way home by listening to music.
2.Have a ‘getting home’ routine:
A big hug when you walk through the front door and taking time to listen to what your child has been up to is crucial. Try to set aside time each night to help them with everyday tasks.
3.Find out what’s going on in their life:
Asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer will open up the possibility of real conversation between you.
4.Remember one-on-one time:
If you have more than one child, try to spend time with them individually. Doing things you both enjoy helps develop skills and interests.
5.Help with schoolwork:
Reading stories instills good habits and creates a great bedtime routine. At weekends, surf the Internet with your kids. Volunteer to pick up your child from school, taking the opportunity to visit their classroom and meet their teacher.
6.Carve out some Dad-only time:
Keep Saturday or Sunday mornings as “Dadonly” time. And plan something fun to do.
7.If you only see your kids on weekends...:
Make concrete arrangements and stick to them. Forget expensive trips or gifts — your children will benefit most from time spent doing everyday activities.

Your tiny pet : Fish !

* TANK SIZE:
Make sure your tank is large enough—about 30 square inches of surface area per inch of fish. Increase the size of the tank by 50 to 100 per cent before adding more fish.

* FISH SELECTION:
Mixing faster and stronger fish with slower, weaker ones should be avoided as the slower fish will not get enough to eat, and the faster ones will be overfed. SELF CLEANSERS: Add a few algae eating fish to your tank. They will help keep algae in check and you will have a cleaner looking tank.

* FILTERS:
The best time to replace or clean filters is while changing water.

* WATER:
No matter how effective and advanced your filter system is, it cannot extract all waste materials that accumulate.

10 First aid essentials for your Pet !

Emergencies can occur anytime and the best thing to do is be prepared. Having a first aid kit ready will help to reduce anxiety if an emergency happens. Keep the kit in a readily available place and periodically check to make sure all the items are up to date and present. A small plastic box works well to hold all the necessary equipment.
If someone is taking care of your pets while you’re away, be sure to discuss about your
pets with them. Make sure they understand what you consider an emergency, how to contact you, the name and phone number of a secondary contact person you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you were unavailable, and where to take your pet in case of an emergency.

STEP 1
Get a durable, waterproof (or at least water-resistant) container that opens and closes easily yet securely. It should be large enough to hold the items mentioned below.

STEP 2
Include bandage material, such as gauze pads, cotton gauze, adhesive tape and masking tape.

STEP 3
Keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and anti-bacterial ointment or cream in the kit.

STEP 4
Include diarrhoea medication, but seek your veterinarian’s approval before use.

STEP 5
Be sure to pack a pair of scissors, plus tweezers or forceps.

STEP 6
Add a few eye droppers for dispensing liquid medication or for cleaning superficial wounds.

STEP 7
Include a syrup to induce vomiting in case your pet is poisoned.

STEP 8
Find activated charcoal at any health food store. This remedy is good for poisoning or diarrhoea and controls flatulence resulting from any stomach or intestinal upset.

STEP 9
Store blankets in the kit to keep your pet warm in extreme conditions.

STEP 10
Include the phone numbers of your pet’s regular veterinarian and of a nearby emergency veterinary hospital.

Care for Tyre !

*Check air pressure in all tyres regularly. Simply stop at any petrol pump once a week and ask the attendant to find out if your tyres have adequate air filled.

* Always get the ideal tyres for your car. While bigger and broader tyres may be in, they may not go down well with your car and may wear out faster. Refer to the car manual to find out which tyre best suits your car. Some cars have a tyre placard below the driver’s seat.

* As much as possible, avoid sudden brakes or acceleration. These hasten tyre wear and tear.

* While parking, take care that your tyres aren’t brushing against a pavement or a wall.

* Always try and get you tyre’s fitting checked by a mechanic. Wrong/loose fitting can be dangerous for you.

* In case of cuts in the tyres, don’t settle for adhesives to fix the problem. Try and get them changed.

Know your Nails !

Nails reflect your health. If you are not healthy internally, it shows on your nails. Brittle nails are caused by the lack of water in the body. Ironically, prolonged exposure of nails to water also causes this, as do certain health conditions. Symptoms include easy peeling at the nail edge, breakage and layering. Discolouration (psoriasis) of nails can be due to anaemia, a common problem among women.
Blue nails indicate certain heart and liver diseases. White spots are formed when there is low blood supply to the nails. They could also be caused by injury and certain diseases.
Pain and swelling in and around the nails can be an indication of fungal infection. Frayed cuticles also indicate lack of water in the body.

WHAT TO EAT
Biotin is essential for nails. Have foods like soybean and whole grains that are rich in biotin. Your diet must include ample fruits and vegetables to supply necessary vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Consume adequate fluids. A glass of fresh carrot juice everyday provides necessary calcium and phosphorus for nails.

SOME DOS, SOME DON’TS
Do not use your nails as tools. No picking. No scratching. No digging. Try to keep your hands dry, though not unmoisturised. Do not bite your nails. It damages the nails and cuticles, causing deformation, uneven growth and infections too. Wear rubber gloves when you wash clothes or clean dishes. Keep your nails enamel-free and aerated once a week.

SIMPLE TIPS FOR NAIL CARE
A good time to manicure is just after a shower or washing dishes. The dirt under your nails has already been removed. Soak your hands in warm water for 10 minutes everyday, preferably before sleeping. Pat dry and moisturise well. Apply a cream or lotion whenever you wash your hands. Nails tend to dry out due to soaps and detergents. Trim your nails regularly. Change your socks daily. Try to wear cotton socks as much as possible. Do not wear tight shoes. They damage toenails. If you must wear closed shoes, clip your toenails short.

HOME REMEDIES FOR SPOTLESS NAILS
To whiten nails, use whitening toothpaste. Scrub your nails to de-stain and add sparkle. Soak your nails in water with lemon juice. The lemon acts as an astringent and lifts off the stains.

Soha Ali Khan does a take on yesteryear actors !

VYJAYANTHIMALA: Here Soha replicates the Sangam star’s perfect grace and beauty. Note the magenta match
WAHEEDA REHMAN: Waheedaji was happy to play ‘Guide’ for this look. She helped me to get Soha look like her by bringing out all her old saris for reference
NADIRA: This is about being truly bold and beautiful. Nadira was bold enough to carry off some very creative costumes with style and grace. Nadira for me was the ultimate style guru of her time
NARGIS: I chose Nargis as a strong reference point because Soha’s face has her softness
SHARMILA TAGORE: Emulating her mother’s look was easy. All I did was keep the hairdo and make-up strictly Sharmila style
SAIRA BANU: Saira Banu was representative of the ’60s. Soha’s sex appeal as Saira is a reflection of that time. Also her hair and saris were designed keeping the hair accessories of that era in mind
MEENA KUMARI: Meena Kumari’s drop dead beauty and naivete were the key elements when Soha was given her look. I only wanted her to sport a ‘wiped off’ red bindi for her Meena Kumari look as she was seen in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. I also wanted her to look heartbreakingly sad
HELEN: Soha performs a cabaret in Khoya Khoya Chand. And who is better than the sultry Helen when we think of a sexy cabaret number?

A to Z of haircare !

Welcome to your guide to gorgeous hair! Remember that the more you know about your hair, the better equipped you are to deal with it. Let’s run through the A to Z of hair in detail.
Armor, the hair on our body acts as a protective shield, defending the delicate parts of our anatomy.
Brushing and combing distributes our natural hair oils and increases blood circulation. However, remember to be gentle always while brushing.
Cuticle is the protective layer of our hair. When damaged, the scales of the cuticle stand up, giving a brittle and dry look.
Dandruff is a dry scaly condition, which can be easily avoided by shampooing with an anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week.
Excessive exposure to sun, will bleach and weaken the hair. Shield your hair with a cap or a scarf.
Fashion is often hard on the hair. Before surrendering your hair to the latest trend, check how your hair will be affected.
Growth cycle of the hair goes through a natural cycle of growth and fall. Do not panic if you notice some hair falling everyday.
Hirsutism or excessive growth of body hair in women. Oleum Jacoris cream is the best remedy to treat Hirsutism.
Injury to the hair caused by braiding, using tight rollers and tight ponytails.
Junk food is often mirrored in your lack-lustre hair.
Keratin is a hair protein.
Loss of hair is only normal, though if it seems excessive, contact a trichologist.
Magic Three Months — The cause of hairloss can be traced to three months, before hairloss actually manifests itself.

Nutrients and essential minerals like zinc, iron, boron, and molybdenum nourish the hair while proteins and vitamins too add to its sheen.

Over-processing hair with chemicals — by dying, it may cause damage to the cuticle and cortex.

Perming hair is not advisable because it causes the breakdown of the sulphur bonds of the hair. Quality of your hair can be improved by careful grooming and conditioning by oiling.
Rich Feel Trichology Centre is the most advanced hair centre in India and has India’s first certified trichologists at the helm to solve your hair problems.
Shampooing hair at least two to three times a week is a must to keep it clean.
Tricholgy is the science of hair and scalp diseases, with a scientific solution to most hair problems. To maintain healthy hair get your tricho-check done.
Understand your hair by reading up on hair tips, watching your hair for problems and checking your problems with a trichologist.
Vitamins are necessary for the overall strength and growth of the hair follicles.
Washing hair at alarming regularity must be avoided. If your hair type is dry, wash hair twice or thrice a week, while oily hair maybe washed daily.
X’ercise elevates blood circulation, relieves tension and fosters good health, which will surely be reflected in your hair
You are responsible for the well-being of your hair and body. A good haircare regime will ensure healthy hair.
Zinc deficiency is associated with dry hair, hairloss and oily skin. Include spinach, sunflower seeds and mushrooms in your diet.

Wide Open Ear !

From mushy songs to parental advice to soporific college lectures, your ears help you hear all these. Can you imagine life with ears that didn’t hear properly? You don’t want to, right? So, take good care of your ears!
COMMON EAR PROBLEMS
Infections: Fungal, bacterial or viral; may lead to watery or pus-filled discharge. Hearing impairment: Occurs when sound is not conducted properly into the eardrum; could be due to fluid, pus or blood in the middle ear.
DOS AND DON’TS
• Be careful when you bathe. Don’t let
water, shampoo or soap get inside your
ear as it can lead to painful infections.
• Never, ever clean your ear with
matchsticks, pens or any other sharp objects. Always use a soft-tipped cotton bud.
• In fact, you don't need to use ear buds all the time. Ears have a self-cleaning mechanism. Gently wipe them with a towel if water has gone in.
• Try to avoid loud and noisy places such as discotheques.