close
Women Times

Lifestyle

Health

EASY HOME REMEDY FOR A DELAYED MENSTRUAL PERIOD

by Women Times on

 Missed or late periods is not usually a sickness. It can happen for many reasons other than pregnancy. Common causes can range from hormonal imbalances to serious medical conditions. There are also two times in a woman’s life when it’s totally normal for her period to be irregular: when it first begins, and when menopause starts.

Below are some home remedies for delayed period

1. GINGER

Ginger tea is one of the most powerful ingredient  for extremely delayed periods, a combination of parsley and ginger tea is recommended. Ginger is thought to increase the heat around the uterus, thus promoting contraction.

HOW TO USE

Ginger can be consumed in the form of tea or fresh ginger juice with some honey or just as raw ginger along with honey. Drink a cup of fresh ginger juice with water 2times every morning on an empty stomach for a few days before the regular date.

2. CELERY

Completely safe, natural and recommended by doctors, drinking celery juice is one way you can induce early period.

HOW TO USE 

A fresh celery juice twice a day can stimulate the blood flow to your pelvis and uterus, thereby inducing your period.

3. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Apple cider vinegar works wonder when it comes to inducing periods, especially when they are late. Apple cider vinegar helps by alkalising the body and reducing inflammation caused by hormonal irregularities.

HOW TO USE

Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a warm glass of water and drink it twice a day before your meals. This might even get your delayed periods restarted in just one-two days. Iodine

4. VITAMIN C FOODS

High doses of vitamin C can induce menses by increasing the levels of estrogen in the body. Increased levels of this hormone stimulates uterine contractions, which in turn stimulates bleeding. Vitamin C can also reduce progesterone levels, which initiate the breakdown of the uterine walls, leading to an early period. Foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, kiwis, and vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli and bell peppers can be included in your daily diet.

read more
Health

HOTNESS OF THE WOMB: CAUSES AND ITS REMEDIES

by Women Times on

Why is my womb always hot?

This was the question a patient asked from my childhood friend who happens to be a Gynaecologist. She said she had three miscarriages to hotness of the womb in fact now she has stopped trying for a baby after trying so many remedies including taking a 6 months break and trying to conceive again none of which worked.

According to the Gynaecologist, she said some women feel very hot from the inside but they have normal temperature outside the body. There are some people who sweat profusely when this internal heat begins but others don’t sweat outside, they feel the heat internally without sweating.

 Internal heat occurs irrespective of whether the atmosphere is hot or not. The excessive heat is however not good for the foetus in the womb, for one thing it won’t nourish the baby and it also hinders conception. If it’s from birth, it usually make women barren, but if it happens accidentally it could be as a result of internal and external medicines, too much hot meat, drink, and exercise.

Causes of Internal Heat in the body

Internal heat is not a disease, it’s rather a symptom or sign from your body that something is wrong but when the cause is found and treated, the internal heat stops surfacing. Here are some of the other causes of internal heat;

Dehydration

Hot atmosphere which makes it impossible for the body to regulate it’s temperature through sweating.

Improper clothing. 

Exposing the body parts in the sun can also cause internal heat.

Too much exercises

Strenuous exercises too can also cause internal heat

Drugs

Some drugs and stimulants like cocaine, marijuana can also cause internal heat

Mental and emotional stress (anxiety)

Being anxious of something or putting something in mind which might cause you to be restless can also cause internal heat

Illness

such as infections, stomach ulcer, malaria, high blood pressure, insomnia, seizures, muscular agitations, neurological disorders, rare tumors and lots more.

Your homework then is to study your body and know what triggers the internal heat as the cause varies from person to person. When you find out the cause, then you can try as much as possible to avoid it.

Tips to fight internal heat

Avoid hot and spicy food, oily and fried foods, foods rich in calcium, caffeine, alcohol, cigarette smoke.

Never wait until you are dehydrated before drinking water, have a bottle of water with you always.

Wear the right type of clothing depending on the weather

Breathe slowly and deeply

Stay in a cool environment especially at night

Home remedies for internal heat

What you need:

An immature coconut

A jar of pure honey

How to prepare;

Stick a knife or a sharp object into the coconut eye

Pour the coconut water into a cup.

Break the coconut and scoop out the coconut meat with a knife.

Pour the coconut water, coconut meat and a few teaspoon of honey into a high speed blender. Blend at low speed, then switch to high speed.

Blend until you can no longer see the pieces of coconut meat.

Use a sieve to sieve out the unblended particles.

Leave it in the fridge to cool. It can last for at least four days in the fridge.

 Drink half a glass every night.

The ingredient coconut water, coconut meat and honey all have great benefits, the benefits of which can never be overemphasized.

read more
Beauty

Five Home Remedies for a Glowing Skin

by Women Times on

 

Getting a glowing skin has always being a woman’s top priority! Even these days, everyone yearns for a soft,smoother and of course, blemish-free glowing skin. And with each of us engulfed in hectic schedules, irregular eating habits, inadequate sleep and pollution, achieving flawless and picture-perfect, glowing skin has become difficult, if not an impossible task.

While there are scores of skin and beauty care products available in the market, nothing beats the goodness and wholesomeness of natural products. So, walk into your kitchen today and create some of these handy and easy to implement home remedies that promise to give you glowing skin!

Turmeric

Blessed with anti-bacterial properties, Turmeric is one divine spice that will never let you down. Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that helps in achieving that wonderful glow. It has curcum in whichsoever is an anti-inflammatory agent and helps to get rid of puffiness. Not only does it give your skin a glow, but turmeric also makes the skin rejuvenated and keeps dull skin at bay.

How To Use Turmeric for your Skin

Mix about half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a cup of gram flour (chickpea flour). Add enough milk/water and mix well to form a smooth paste. Now, add a few drops of rose water and mix it again. Apply this paste on your face and neck and leave it on till it dries. Then, rinse with cool water.

Honey

Honey is a great moisturizer and helps to keep the skin well-hydrated. Honey’s anti-bacterial properties help to ward off infections and also reduce blemishes and acne at home. Honey ensures spotless skin. It is rich in bleaching properties and helps in fading of the pigmentation and scars.

How To Use Honey for your Skin

You can directly apply honey on your face and neck area but ensure that your skin is clean and damp. Massage for a few minutes, allowing it to get absorbed by the skin. Now, wash off with lukewarm water.

Olive Oil

Olive oil acts as an antioxidant for the skin. It helps in preventing early ageing of the skin. Putting olive oil on the skin after exposure to the sun is known to fight cancer-causing cells. Olive oil is known to repair skin damage. It’s not only great for the skin but also gives it a nice shiny glow.

How To Use Olive Oil for your Skin

Every night before hitting the bed, take a few drops of olive oil and apply all over your face and neck. Massage in an upward direction for about two to three minutes. Now, dip a towel in warm water, squeeze off the excess water and place it on your face and neck for about a minute. Dip the towel again in warm water and use it to gently wipe off the excess oil on the face and neck. Now, with another clean towel dry off the face and neck area. You should also include this step in your monsoon skincare routine.

Orange Juice

Oranges are known to be brimming with Vitamin C and can help in detoxification. A glassful of orange juice daily helps to clean the complexion and rejuvenate the skin in no time. Thanks to its Vitamin C and citric acid content, orange also helps to control acne and gives firmness to the skin.

How To Use Orange Juice for your Skin

So make it a regular practice to squeeze a few oranges each morning. Add a pinch of salt and some black pepper to this freshly made juice and gulp it down along with other regular breakfast items. Alternatively, you can also take a few pieces of orange peel and grind it with a few drops of rose water to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste all over your face and rise after 15 minutes with cool water.

Milk

Tyrosine, the melanin controlling hormone leads to darkening of the skin. Milk controls the level of Tyrosine in the skin and promotes a skin full of glow. Raw milk is one of the easiest accessible ingredients for getting good looking skin.

How To Use Milk for your Skin

You can apply raw milk to your skin or mix it with any other ingredients and form a paste.

read more
Health

Causes of Miscarriage in Women

by Women Times on

WHAT IS MISCARRIAGE?

Miscarriage is the continuous loss of pregnancy. It is when an embryo or fetus dies before the 20 weeks of pregnancy.

 What are the causes of miscarriage?

1. When the fertilized egg has an abnormal number of chromosomes (genes). This happens at random, so one can’t prevent it or cause it to happen.

2. Certain illnesses, like severe diabetes, can increase the chances of having a miscarriage.

3. A very serious infection or a major injury may cause miscarriage.

4. Late miscarriages — after 3 months — may be caused by abnormalities in the uterus.

5.If there is re occurrence of more than 2 miscarriages in a row, that person is more likely to have a miscarriage.

6. Womb structure: problem and abnormalities with the womb can also lead to second trimester miscarriage.

 7. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where the ovaries are larger than normal, it is caused by hormonal changes in the ovaries.

 8.Mother’s emotional state during pregnancy, such as being stressed or depressed having a shock or fright during pregnancy also cause miscarriage.

9. Placenta problem: the placenta is the organ linking the mother’s blood supply to the baby, if there is a problem, the development of the placenta, it can also lead to miscarriage.

10. Age of the mother: Has an influence. In women under age 30,1 in 10 pregnancies will end up in miscarriage.

 11. Food poisoning: this is caused by contaminated food. It can also increase their risk of miscarriages

Type of miscarriages

1. Threatened miscarriage — when a woman has vaginal bleeding and may have mild cramps, but the cervix stays closed. Half of the time, the bleeding stops and the pregnancy goes on normally. The other half of threatened miscarriages become inevitable miscarriages, and end in pregnancy loss.

2. Inevitable miscarriage —when a woman has increased in  bleeding, and the woman cervix opens. If this happens, there’s no chance for the pregnancy to continue.

3. Incomplete miscarriage — Some of the pregnancy tissue comes out of the woman’s uterus, and some stays inside. Such woman may need follow-up treatment to remove the remaining tissues.

4. Complete miscarriage All the pregnancy tissue comes out of your uterus. It usually don’t need any extra treatments.

5. Missed miscarriage — when the woman has no cramps or bleeding. But ultrasound shows an embryo without a heartbeat or an empty pregnancy sac without an embryo. Usually the tissue passes on its own, but you may need treatment.

Miscarriages can be dangerous if they’re not treated. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs or symptoms of miscarriage.

read more
HealthUncategorized

Benefits of Good Sleep to Women’s health

by Women Times on

 

Women seems to be the most hardworking being God created. They work almost every tick of clock. They cater for the kids, do house chores, do the cooking and many more.

All these afore mentioned keeps them awake. They have little or no rest. Where as  sleeping should be part of their life in order to prolong their longevity.

Getting enough sleep is essential for helping a person maintain optimal health and well-being. When it comes to their health, sleep is as vital as regular exercise and eating a balanced diet.

Modern-day living in Nigeria and many other countries does not always embrace the necessity for adequate sleep. Yet, it is important that women make an effort to get enough sleep regularly.

The following are some of the many benefits health professionals associate with getting a good night’s rest.

1. Better Productivity and Concentration: Research has linked getting enough sleep to better concentration, productivity, and cognition.

There were several studies that scientists did in the early 2000s that looked at the effects of sleep deprivation.

What the researchers concluded is that sleep has links to several brain functions, including:

concentration

productivity

cognition

A more recent 2015 study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry showed that children’s sleep patterns can have a direct impact on their behavior and academic performances.

2. Lower weight gain risk

The link between weight gain and obesity and short sleep patterns is not completely clear.

There have been several studies throughout the years that have linked obesity and poor sleep patterns.

However, a more recent study in the journal Sleep Medicine concludes that there is no link between being overweight and sleep deprivation.

This research argues that many previous studies fail to account adequately for other factors, such as:

drinking alcohol

living with type 2 diabetes

level of physical activity

education levels

long working hours

long sedentary time

A lack of sleep may affect a person’s desire or ability to maintain a healthful lifestyle, but it may or may not be a direct contributor to weight gain.

3. Better Calorie regulation

Similarly to gaining weight, there is evidence to suggest that getting a good night’s sleep can help a person consume fewer calories during the day.

When a woman does not sleep long enough, it can interfere with her body’s ability to regulate food intake correctly.

4. Greater Athletics performance:

Getting a sufficient amount of sleep can boost a woman’s athletic performance.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adequate sleep for adults is between 7 and 9 hours a night, and athletes may benefit from as many as 10 hours. Accordingly, sleep is as important to athletes as consuming enough calories and nutrients.

One of the reasons for this requirement is that the body heals during sleep. Other benefits include:

better performance intensity

more energy

better coordination

faster speed

better mental functioning.

5. Lower risk of heart disease

One risk factor for heart disease is high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting adequate rest each night allows the body’s blood pressure to regulate itself.

Doing so can reduce the chances of sleep-related conditions such as apnea and promote better overall heart health.

6. More social and emotional intelligence

Sleep has links to people’s emotional and social intelligence. Someone who does not get adequate sleep is more likely to have issues with recognizing other people’s emotions and expressions.

For example, one study in the Journal of Sleep Research looked at people’s responses to emotional stimuli. The researchers concluded, similarly to many earlier studies, that a person’s emotional empathy is less when they do not get adequate sleep.

7. Preventing Depression

The association between sleep and mental health has been the subject of research for a long time. One conclusion is that there is a link between lack of sleep and depression.

A study appearing in JAMA Psychiatry examines patterns of death by suicide over 10 years. It concludes that lack of sleep is a contributing factor to many of these deaths.

8. Lower Inflammation

There is a link between getting adequate sleep and reducing inflammation in the body.

For example, a study in theWorld Journal of Gastroenterology suggests a link between sleep deprivation and inflammatory bowel diseases that affect people’s gastrointestinal tract.

The study showed that sleep deprivation can contribute to these diseases — and that these diseases, in turn, can contribute to sleep deprivation.

9. Stronger Immune system

Sleep helps the body repair, regenerate, and recover. The immune system is no exception to this relationship. Some research shows how better sleep quality can help the body fight off infection.

However, scientists still need to do further research into the exact mechanisms of sleep in regards to its impact on the body’s immune system.

It is recommended that spending more time outside can improve sleep quality.

Sleep needs vary from person to person, depending on their age. As a person ages, they typically require less sleep to function properly.

According to the CDC, the breakdown is as follows:

*Newborns (0–3 months): 14–17 hours

*Infants (4–12 months): 12–16 hours

*Toddler (1–2 years): 11–14 hours

*Preschool (3–5 years): 10–13 hours

*School age (6–12 years): 9–12 hours

*Teen (13–18 years): 8–10 hours

*Adult (18–60 years): 7-plus hours

*Adult (61–64 years): 7–9 hours

*Adult (65+ years): 7–8 hours

As well as the number of hours, the quality of sleep is also important. 

Signs of poor sleep quality include:

  1. Waking in the middle of the night.
  2. Still not feeling rested after an adequate number of hours sleep.

Some things a person can do to improve sleep quality are:

  1. Avoiding sleeping in when you have had enough sleep.
  2. Going to bed around the same time each night.
  3. Spending more time outside and being more active during the day.
  4. Reducing stress through exercise, therapy, or other means.

In summary ,Sleep is a vital, often neglected, component of every person’s overall health and well-being. Sleep is important because it enables the body to repair and be fit and ready for another day.

Getting adequate rest may also help prevent excess weight gain, heart disease, and increased illness duration.

read more
BeautyLifestyle

Tips on How to Tone the Waist to Getting an Hour Glass

by Women Times on

Defining the waist as being “the area between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the hip bones” Worthington says it’s also called the “lateral core” in fitness circles. The muscles in this area allow the spine to bend to the sides (flexing laterally) while also keeping the spine stable, otherwise known as resisting lateral flexion.

“The key to getting the most out of your waist workout is to choose exercises that train the core to resist movement and remain strong and stable,” explains Worthington. “When we train the core in this way, we are not only working the muscles that we want to work, we’re also training them to protect the spine and improve posture.” Much more than just improving the waistline visually, this kind of training also helps to prevent injury, reduce back, shoulder and neck pain, and even improves how we breathe.

Below are three exercises that are recommended that can tone the waist
Beginner: Bird Dog
  • Get into a hands and knees position, with your shoulders stacked above your hands and your knees slightly behind your hips. Ensure your weight is spread evenly between all four points of contact and that your spine is neutral – there should be a gentle “S” shape when viewed from the side.
  • Reach your right arm above your head while simultaneously extending your left leg behind you.
  • Push your heel away and pull your toes back towards you as you extend, and imagine you are standing on that leg.
  • Fully exhale as you reach the longest part of the movement.
  • Slowly return to the starting position, resisting any rotation through the torso and hips.
  • Repeat for eight reps on each side.
Intermediate: Short Side Plank
  • Lie on your side with knees bent at 90 degrees (so feet are behind you), and extend your hips to neutral – viewed from above, the body should follow a straight line from your head, through the torso, hips and thighs.
  • Maintaining the neutral position, lift your hips off the floor, supporting your weight on your elbow and knee. Try to create a straight line between the head, torso, hips and thighs, when viewed from either above or in front.
  • Exhale fully and forcefully five times in this position.
  • Repeat on the opposite side.
Advanced: Pallof Press
  • Attach a long loop resistance band at chest height to a fixed object. Stand at a right angle to the fixed object and grasp the band in both hands. Set your feet slightly wider than hip width, and allow knees to soften slightly.
  • Press your hands away from you, using your core muscles to resist the sideways pull of the band.
  • Once you reach full extension, raise your hands up to an overhead position in front of you. Use your abdominal muscles to keep your ribcage down as the hands reach up.
  • In the overhead position, exhale fully and forcefully.
  • Slowly lower your arms back to parallel and then bring them back to the start position.
  • Do 10 to 12 repetitions on each side.

We’ve all heard about the Kardashian-led trend for waist training, where a corset is worn around the waist to help accentuate an hourglass shape. But does it work? Kim Kardashian certainly thinks so, having created one as part of her Skim Underwear Line With flexible boning and a soft-to-touch feel, it was designed with three levels of compression, so you can adjust it as your waist tones. “Our Waist Trainers are a customer favourite because of how versatile they are; they can be worn at home and around the house to tone and support your core, or under clothes for a more cinched silhouette,” says a spokesperson for the brand.

While they might help some people feel more streamlined, Worthington points out that the ways in which many of these products work during exercise is via the wrapping technique, which essentially increases the temperature in the area to promote fluid loss through excessive sweating. “It is possible to see some short term visual changes to the shape of the area after using this technique,” he says, “but that isn’t changing the structure or composition of the area.”

Source: Vogue

read more
Health

15 Tips to Having a Healthy Pregnancy

by Women Times on

 

Here are few tips to having a healthy pregnancy most especially

1.From 7months which is (28 weeks) till your due date, it is advised to reduce the quantity of your food intake as it is gathered that eating too much at this stage makes the baby get bigger

2.Do at least 2-3 Ultrasound Scan in your pregnancy to show the well-being of your baby.

3.Be well prepared for the arrival of your new born.

4.Don’t forget breakfast, make sure you eat very early in the morning

5. Eat foods with fiber. This is to avoid constipation. Food that contains fiber easily digest.

6.Take prenatal vitamin with iron and folic acid every day. Do not for any reason forget to take your antenatal drugs.

7.  Eat up to 2 average meals a day that contains fish, meat, boiled egg, beans. In other words, eat balance diet.

8.Stay away from soft drinks e.g soda, coloured drinks, it all contains pure sugar.

9. Avoid alcohol. It is strictly advised that pregnant woman should avoid anything that has to do with alcohol.

10. Avoid caffeine. Avoid drinks that contains caffeine.

11. Don’t smoke

12. Drink enough water. This should be a priority for every pregnant woman to keep hydrated.

13. Make fruit a part of your daily intake most especially from 7months which is 28 weeks. It’s advised to take more of fruits than food.

14. Eat vegetables at least 4-5 times a week

15.Empty your bladder as often as the need arises.

read more
Food

How to Cook Nigerian Tomatoe Stew

by Women Times on

Nigerian tomatoe stew is generally eaten both at home and parties. It’s usually made with the mixture of tomatoes, pepper and onions for it’s flavour.

The main ingredients are
▪Chicken, meat or fish ( of choice )
▪Fresh tomatoes ( 20 plum or choice )
▪Tatashe ( 6 ground medium size )
▪Fresh peppers ( to taste )
▪Tinned tomatoes ( 210g )
▪Garlic ( 5 crushed cloves )
▪Ginger ( ground half finger )
▪Onion ( 2 chopped big sized )
▪Chicken, goat or fish flavour (of choice )
▪Curry powder (1 tbsp )
▪Thyme (1 tbsp )
▪Vegetable oil ( of choice )
▪Stock cubes ( of choice )
▪Salt ( to taste )

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS
▪Nutmeg (1 tsp of ground )
▪Crayfish ( 2 ground tbsp )
▪Red bell pepper (2 medium size)
▪Black pepper ( 1 ground tbsp )
▪Paprika powder (1 tsp )
▪Bay leaves ( 4 leaves )
▪Scent leaf ( a handful )
▪Curry leaf ( a handful )
▪Stew mix spices (1 tbsp )

ALTERNATIVE INGREDIENTS
▪Chicken, goat, beef or fish
▪Curry powder or curry leaves
▪Fresh or tinned tomatoes
▪Dry or fresh garlic/ginger
▪Thyme or rosemary
▪Stock cube or bouillon powder
▪Vegetable oil or palm oil
▪Seasoning flavours of choice

DESCRIPTIONS
•The Nigerian tomato stew is a unique blend of tomatoes, onion, fresh peppers, fried in vegetable oil and to which meat, chicken or fish is added, with various spices.
•By tomato stew, I mean stew used to prepare the Nigerian Jollof rice, coconut rice, rice and beans, and pasta.
•This recipe is a guide on how to cook tomato stew.

PREPARATION BEFORE COOKING

•Chop some onion into big chunks and slice some onion into small pieces.

•If you are going to use it, grind the crayfish.

•Wash the vegetables and de-seed the tatashe.

PROCEDURE FOR COOKING STEW

Cooking the Nigerian tomato stew involves 3 major steps:

1. Precooking the blended/grounded tomato mixture.

2. Parboiling the meat ( chicken, goat, lamb, beef or fish ).

3. Frying and cooking the stew.

Precooking the blended/grounded tomato mixture. ( 1st step )

•Wash, chop and blend/grind the fresh tomatoes, fresh peppers, tatashe or bell peppers, chopped onion, garlic and ginger until smooth. If you are using blender, try blending small quantities at a time so that the mixture blends properly and that you don’t overwork your blender.
•Pour the tomatoes mixture into a pot and boil on high heat until the water is dried and set aside. Do not allow it to burn. You can also boil the tomato mixture half way and sieve it, in order to get rid of the water in it very fast.

Parboiling and frying the meat ( chicken, goat, lamb, beef or fish ). 2nd step

•Wash and cut your chicken/meat into bite sized pieces. In a separate pot, season your chicken/meat with some sliced onions, thyme, curry powder, ground pepper, crushed garlic and ginger. Do not add any water. Let the chicken/meat cook in its juices until almost dry; then pour in some water and adjust the seasoning with salt, cover and let it cook until soft. Remove the chicken/meat from the stock and set it aside in order to drain/remove any excess liquid or particles.

•In a deep frying pan or pot, heat up some vegetable oil, put in few pieces of onion and fry until brown, but not burnt ( the onion helps to season the oil and add flavour to the chicken/meat); then remove the onion and discard. Fry the chicken/meat until golden and crisp, but not burnt.
•Drain the fried chicken/meat pieces unto a paper towel.
•Make sure you fry the chicken/meat in batches until done.

•Alternatively, steaming and grilling the chicken/meat is a healthier option.
•If you are grilling the chicken, place the chicken on a rack and cook in the oven at 330 degrees fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes or until it has become golden brown and set it aside.

•The steaming time of your chicken depends on the types of chicken you are cooking with. The rooster or cockerel cooks much faster than the hen, but the hen is definitely tastier than the rooster.
•Also the cooking time of your meat depends on the type of meat you choose to use, but it is important you allow your meat or chicken to boil until it is tender.

The third step is the frying and cooking the stew.

Place a clean pot on fire, pour oil into it but I prefer vegetable oil. Once it’s hot, add a pinch of salt, the diced onions and stir together. Add the parboiled tomatoes mixture and keep frying until you notice the water is dried. Add the stock and the meats, add salt and seasoning. Cover and leave to steam for ten minutes.

Tomatoes stew is ready. Serve with any desired food but I prefer taking my tomatoes stew with rice.

read more
LifestyleBeauty

Healthy Skin care tips every woman should know

by Women Times on

As a woman, taking care of our skin should be one of priority as having a healthy Skin gives us confidence.

We all dream of flawless, glowing skin, but with new products constantly hitting the shelves and the seemingly endless skincare advice out there on the Internet, it’s not always easy to figure out the skincare routine that’s going to work best for you. You know the basics — drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and wash your face, but what about everything in between? Luckily, there’s no need to shell out tons of cash on any magical procedures or expensive creams to achieve flawless skin.

Below are few tips to having a healthy Skin irrespective of our age and our complexion according to some dermatologists.

I spoke with dermatologists and top beauty experts to put together a list of some of the best skincare tips. From choosing the right cleanser for your skin type to the importance of cleaning your makeup brushes, these easy tricks

1. Use the correct cleanser for your skin type.

“For oily or acne-prone skin, a salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash works great,” says Dr. Ava Shamban, a dermatologist in Santa Monica. “For dry mature skin, use either a moisturizing glycolic or milky cleanser. For skin with brown spots or melasma, use a brightening wash, such as an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser.”

2. Don’t use too many products.

Layering on multiple skincare products all at once is a big no-no.

3.Moisturize both day and night.

“The best times to moisturize are right after you get out of the shower and right before you go to bed,” explained Dr. Janet Prystowsky M.D., an NYC-based dermatologist. Avoid lotions with heavy fragrances and make sure you find a moisturizer gentle enough for every day use with zero irritation.

4. Don’t touch your face.

Dr. Susan says figuring out how to avoid touching your face is very important. It doesn’t just spread bacteria and cause breakouts — it can lead to scarring, an increase in wrinkles, and even the flu or other viruses.

5. Hydrate inside and out.

Every skin expert I spoke to emphasized the importance of hydration. “A lack of water means less radiance and more sag,” says Dr. Gladys, a dermatologist in Myhousebeauty. She suggests choosing products (cleansing, moisturizing, and anti-aging) that have hydrating formulas. And, of course, drink around eight glasses of water a day.

6. Vitamins should go on your skin, too.

A balanced diet is important, but there’s more than one way to give your skin vitamins. There are also topical antioxidants, which are serums and creams that contain ingredients that nourish the skin (think vitamin C serum!).

The best time to apply them is right after cleansing so that your skin can soak them in, or they can be layered under your sunscreen for added protection.

7. Get your greens.

Though it’s tempting to grab a coffee the minute you wake up, but it is advised to drink a shot of chlorophyll every morning to brighten, oxygenate, and hydrate your skin. Drinking chlorophyll also helps drain puffiness by stimulating the lymphatic system, so it’s also good for cellulite.

If you’re not keen on downing a sGreen juices with lots of veggies in them: it will transform your skin in a matter of days — and it helps oxygenate the skin and stimulates lymphatic drainage, so it’s de-puffing, too.

8. Maintain a healthy diet.

Your skin has a natural barrier to retain moisture, and essential to that is omega-3 fatty acid, Flax seeds on your salad or even walnuts will be an instant boost to your omega-3, thus increasing your skin’s ability to hold onto moisture. And be sure to eat a diet low in foods with a high glycemic index (simple and complex carbohydrates).

9. Clean your makeup brushes regularly.

To fight infection and clogged pores, it is recommended to wash concealer and foundation brushes once a week. For brushes you use around your eyes, she recommends twice per month, and for any other brushes, once a month is fine.

Here’s how: Put a drop of a mild shampoo into the palm of your hand. Wet the bristles with lukewarm water. Then, massage the bristles into your palm to distribute the shampoo into the brush. Avoid getting the metal part of the brush wet/or the base of the brush hairs because the glue could soften and the bristles could fall out. Rinse the shampoo out and squeeze out the water with a towel. Lay the brushes on their side with the bristles hanging off the edge of the counter to dry.

10. Wear sun screen 365 days a year — rain or shine, indoors or out.

Many people feel they only need to protect themselves on sunny days or when visiting the beach, But the truth is that we need to protect our skin even when we’re driving a car, flying in an airplane, or running errands. It’s the daily UV exposure that contributes to the visible signs of aging.What kind of sunscreen is best? Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or greater — and remember that it needs to be reapplied every 2 hours.

11. Sun protection doesn’t stop at sunscreen.

We’re talking SPF makeup, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats. Preventing sun damage is a million times better for your skin than treating it after the fact.

12. Simplify your skincare routine.

 Find a cleanser and moisturizer that you know work for you, and keep them at the core of your routine.

13. Sleep smarter.

It’s not just about getting eight hours a nights, but enough rest.

read more
Food

Peppered puff puff Recipe

by Women Times on

Puff puff is a common snacks in every part of Nigeria that is being eaten both at homes and parties. Some prefers it plain while some prefers it spiced. But on this recipe, it  will be spiced to have a special taste. Below are the recipe

Ingredients

For about 20 balls of Puff Puff

200g (1½ cups) plain flour (all purpose flour)

2 teaspoons yeast (instant or quick action)

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ cup granulated sugar (or to your taste)

1 habanero pepper (atarodo, ose oyibo, atarugu)

3 pinches of salt

1 cup warm water

Vegetable Oil (for frying)

 

 *Directions* 

Sift the flour into a clean dry bowl, add the nutmeg, yeast, sugar and salt. Mix well.

Add warm water and mix till everything is well combined.

Cover the bowl with aluminum foil or plastic film and place in a warm place to rise for 45 minutes or till double in size.

Cut the habanero pepper into tiny pieces and add the batter. Stir very well.

Pour some oil in a deep pot and allow to heat up. The oil should be at least 3 inches deep. This is to give room for the puff puffs to swim in the oil. It’s not advisable to use a deep fryer for Puff Puff because of the netting but if you want to use it, set the temperature to 170°C.

Test that the oil is hot enough by putting a drop of batter into the oil. If it sizzles and comes up to the surface of the oil, then the oil is hot enough. If the oil is not hot enough, the batter will go down to the bottom of the oil and stay there.

When the oil is hot enough, scoop some batter into the oil with an ice cream scoop.

Put in more scoops of the batter, as much as the space in the frying pot will allow without overcrowding.

Reduce the heat to medium.

Once the underside of the puff puff has turned golden brown, flip the ball so that the topside will be fried as well.

When the puff puff balls are golden all over, take them out and place in a sieve lined with paper towels.

Serve with a chilled drink of your choice.

read more
1 … 22 23 24 25 26 27
Page 24 of 27