Blueberry As Both A Superfood And Skin Care Treatment

Often times, when we think of superfoods we think of spinach, grapes, green tea and other vegetables and extracts that are primarily listed for their levels of antioxidants. Did you know that the blueberry is one of the most nutritious and powerful superfoods.  Blueberry along with the acai berry have one of the highest known levels of antioxidants of any food. Higher levels of antioxidants than red wine and green tea combined. It is full of amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. Blueberries have many uses as blueberry extract has been used in ancient herbal and medicinal treatments for thousands of years. Many skin care treatments now use blends of blueberry extracts along with other herbs to help revitalize the skin and hasten healing. These treatments have been clinically proven to decrease healing time for skin peels, especially deeper skin peels like the TCA skin peel. They have also shown marked ability at reducing scarring in wound and burn treatment. For optimum skin care one should regularly eat high antioxidant foods like blueberry, acai, pomegranate, and spinach. These foods with their high concentrations of antioxidants and nutrients help combat and can even reverse the aging process. With the right diet full of antioxidant rich foods one can virtually stop wrinkles in their tracks. A good diet along with a good skin care regimen can produce amazing results. A good skin care regimen includes a mild cleanser, a moisturizer packed with antioxidant extracts, and skin peels to increase exfoliation and reduce oily build up.   Blueberries are rich in fiber as well as vitamins A and C, while low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are also a good source of antioxidants, and can be eaten raw, cooked with other foods, or dried for use in tea. No matter what form you take blueberriesin your diet, their many vitamins and nutrients can be good for your skin. Whether you suffer from acne, broken capillaries or splotchy skin, the nutrients in blueberries will help. Blueberries and Acne Although acne is typically attributable more to hormones than to the physical condition of your skin, certain nutrients can counteract the hormonal conditions which encourage pimples. Many of the vitamins in blueberries may neutralize or normalize oil levels in your skin, making it healthier and less likely to accumulate sebum. Vitamin A, in particular, is used in a variety of acne-related skin treatments. Antioxidants in Blueberries The antioxidants and phytochemicals found in blueberries help to neutralize free radicals, which might otherwise damage skin cells, leaving your skin with a younger and softer look and feel. A diet high in fat and carbohydrates can also encourage skin aging, so blueberries prevent aging by providing you with many needed nutrients while providing very low levels of fat and cholesterol. Why try Blueberry skin care? While it's no surprise that blueberries are one of our favorite fruits—they just happen to be one of the healthiest as well. Blueberries contain some of the highest antioxidant levels found in all fruits and vegetables, and they've been known to greatly improve the cardiovascular system, increase cognitive function, and regulate blood sugar. In addition to your handful-a-day, blueberries can also be an effective topical skin care ingredient . In peak season March to May it is the perfect time to experiment with  blueberry skin care. Try these blueberry skin care recipes after your next trip to the market. Nourishing Blueberry Facial Mask 1.    1/4 Cup Raw Blueberries (better if they're slightly ripe) 2.    1 Tablespoon Raw Organic Honey 3.    1 Tablespoon Olive or Grapeseed Oil Mash all the ingredients together or use a blender and to mix well. Apply a 1/4" thick layer all over the face (excluding eyes and mouth). Leave the mask on for five to ten minutes, then wash off with a damp cloth. Blueberry Aloe Eye Mask 1.    Handful of Blueberries 2.    2 Tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel Cold blueberries feel amazing on the skin and make a great under eye treatment during hot summer days. In a small bowl, mash a handful of cold blueberries (if yours are room temperature, chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes). Then, add aloe vera gel (fresh is best but you can also buy the gel at your local health food store) and dab your mixture delicately under the eyes. Take a 20 minute break from whatever you're doing and lie down with your cooling eye mask—smell the fresh summer air, or simply sleep! Remove with lukewarm water and your eyes should look brighter and feel refreshed.  Truly the blueberry has many current and promising functions and, as a superfood and it should be made a staple of every diet for additional health, great skin care and longevity. Do try it out and give me your feedback.

Skin Care tips for Glowing Skin in Summer

Hot weather, salt water, humidity, and chlorine take their toll on our skin during the summer months. Catalyst offers helpful summer skin care tips and solutions for keeping your skin safe and beautiful all summer long.

Summers are back with a bang...and so are countless summer skin woes! From skin ailments including sun tan, sun burn and dehydration to serious versions like blemishes, pimples and pigmentation – summers are notorious for ruining our skin. But you don't have to fret!

Take a heart and beat the heat this summer, maintaining your beauty and keeping your skin soft, supple and well nourished with these home-made summer skin care recipes...

Tired of the tan?

These natural bleaching agents can be used thrice a week to cleanse your face and body ...

1. Summer facial bleach

Ingredients: 4 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp lemon juice.

Mix all the ingredients and apply the mixture evenly on the tanned areas for 15 minutes. Once dried, wash with cold water. Works best for greasy and oily skin.

2. Yogurt and honey cleanser

Ingredients : 4 tbsp plain yogurt, 2 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp lime juice

Mix all the ingredients. Add a little cornstarch if you think the paste needs thickening. Apply on your face and massage for 2-3 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

For an all- natural exfoliation...

Excessive heat added with dry winds, overheat the body and it's the face that suffers the most. The delicate tissues get damaged and the outer layer of the skin bears dirt deposits in the clogged pores leading to an excessively rough, wrinkled and dry skin. A quick and easy session of exfoliation is all that you need in case of such beauty emergencies!

1. Oatmeal exfoliating scrub

Ingredients: 1 tsp fine oatmeal, 1 tsp baking soda

Mix the ingredients in enough water to make a thick paste. Rub over face for 2-3 minutes, rinse and pat dry. It's suitable for all skin types.

The mix will dry and harden like a clay mask.
It felt a little tingly on me at first…but it was good all in all.

After it hardens for about 15 minutes later, wash it off with a warm wash cloth and your skin will be GLOWING! I am not kidding you! Also guess what…those pimples that wouldn’t go away…but would dry up

Go get the glow back...

Do any of you feel your routine becoming a little boring during the holidays?

Hope everyone is easily settling back into their week! Go get creative and try these home remedies to keep your skin glowing....

Do you use any natural home remedy’s that you love? Do Share with us !!!

Have a great day.

Coffee dilemma : Tasting it all one cup at a time

Why coffee?
Coffee grounds are a natural exfoliator. Exfoliation is the removal of dead, dry skin cells that collect on the outer surface of the skin. The coffee buffs these unwanted cells off and speeds up our own skins natural renewal process, producing healthy glowing skin. Save your morning coffee grounds and mix them into a gorgeous smelling, pampering body scrub, heres how, and why...........

Coffee Mask For All Skin Types

Mix 1 tbsp of coffee with 1 tbsp of honey. This is an excellent mask cum scrub as the coffee grains exfoliate skin while the honey provides moisture. Coffee has the added advantage of being rich in antioxidants. You can make this in a greater quantity and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
　

Baking at home with the kids is a great way to get them involved in cooking, and it's fun. After all, they're never happier than when they're making a mess! This cake was baked by my dear daughter Rebecca ofcourse with my help.

Baking cup cakes is a great way to get into cooking and to teach your children some essential kitchen skills. Home baking is increasing in popularity. It's a cheap and easy way to create some delicious cakes and biscuits and it also means you know exactly what goes into them!

Expresso Coffee Cake with chocolate fudge icing

100 gms Butter, very well Softened

1 Cup Caster (superfine) sugar

3 Eggs

11/4 Cups Maida, Sifted

1/4cup Almond meal

11/2tablespoons instant coffee granules or powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon boiling water

Preheat the oven to 160c. Place the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, almond meal and coffee mixture in a bowl.Combine using electric beaterson low speed, then increase to high speed and mix until just smooth. Grease 10*1/2 cup capacity muffin tins. Spoon in the mixture and bake for 25 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Coolin the tins for 10 minutes then remove and cool on a rack. Pour over Chocolate fudge icing and serve with strong coffee.

Chocolate fudge icing

Place 250g dark cooking chocolate, 1/2 cup cream and 70gbutter in a bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove and set aside to cool completely then beat with electric beaters until thick and fluffy. spread over the chilled coffee cake.

What do you think? Have you done/will you try the Coffee facial scrub and the Expresso cup cake?  Has it worked for you?

WOW!! Aspirin mask is phenomenal!!! A mask to fight against Acne !

A typical professional chemical peel will cost you anywhere from Rs 1500 - 2500/ depending on which one you go with and how deep you want to go. Today I am going to show you how to make your own at home (very mild) inexpensive salicylic peel using aspirin. This treatment is pretty awesome!The "Aspirin Mask" has been around forever, but give it a try by adding lemon juice to it. The lemon juice will give your skin a natural boost of vitamin C, further assisting in making this home treatment top notch.
Not every cause of acne is the same.Try to mix and match mask ingredients until you find the combination that works for you. Facial masks might not be a cure for every case of acne, but they will definitely improve the conditions of your skin. If the facial mask makes you uncomfortable – it is not for you. Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. For better results use scrub before applying a mask (skip this step if you have inflamed or irritated skin or acute acne).
Aspirin Mask to Fight Acne, Redness and Swelling  Aspirin is over the counter drug that is used for different health conditions and to treat mild pain. Aspirin contains Salicylic Acid, also called Beta Hydroxyl Acid (BHA) that helps fight acne, redness and swelling. If I you use it in a form of a full-face mask you need 3-4 tablets of Aspirin (uncoated) but to apply to acne spots directly (with a Q-tip) you will need half a tablet only. Don’t forget to perform a test on a small hidden area of your skin. Apply to the face avoiding eye zone. Leave for 15 minutes then rinse.

The mask exfoliates skin and makes it more sensitive to sunlight. Make sure to apply SPF 30 or more when exposed to sunlight. Don’t use the mask more than once in 3-4 days for oily skin, and not more than once a week in all other cases. It doesn't give dramatic results quickly, but if you're patient and persistent, it does help, especially good to decrease redness and swelling associated with acne.

Ingredients:3-4 aspirin
1 lemon
Baking soda
Coffee cup, rolling pin or glass cup (to crush the aspirin)
Shallow dish

Preparation
Depending on the amount of coverage needed, use 3-6 aspirin.
Crush the aspirin into small pieces by rolling a coffee cup, rolling pin or glass cup over them. Place aspirin in a dish.
Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon per 3 aspirin) and allow the aspirin to dissolve into a paste. If the aspirin is coated, it may take longer.
If you have dry skin, add a tablespoon or so of warm honey, moisturizer or a bit of oil (almond, olive or coconut works). Stir well. If you have oily skin, you can skip this part and add a few more drops of lemon instead.

Apply as a mask or spot treat the pimple or itchy area. Allow to dry.
Remove the mask with a warm, wet soft cloth dipped in baking soda.

Precautions:

Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not use if you are allergic to aspirin.
Do not use if you have Reyes syndrome.
Please use common sense when using this treatment. If it is burning or irritating your skin remove it immediately.

Always apply sunscreen after using any type of salicylic acid, since this will make you more sensitive to sun exposure.

Please note: This does not replace a professional treatment, but it will help with minor breakouts and congestion of the skin. It will also help soften and brighten your skin. If you are experiencing severe acne please make an appointment with a licensed and qualified esthetician to have a skin consultation

Got Chocolate - Celebrating Life with Chocolate

You probably know by now that the antioxidants in dark chocolate are great for your health, but had you heard that chocolate is good for your skin? Products made with cocoa butter, cocoa beans, and cocoa powder can hydrate, rejuvenate, and protect skin.
Here is one of my favorite cocoa treats for your skin & your taste buds.

I picked up the Chocolate & honey yogurt mask and Chocolate Vanilla Marble Cake as my two beauty & food experiments. I had every single ingredient for both of these in my kitchen already, which was nice, & they whipped up pretty quickly & easily, so far so good.

Applying the chocolate masque is quiet relaxing in itself. It’s cool, creamy, smooth & smells like dessert. Use a basting brush to apply a thick layer all over, just that process will make you relax.

And the results?

Your skin would feel so much softer & tighter after the mask. In fact, it would feel very soft.

Chocolate, Honey & Yogurt Face Mask 
Ingredients:
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp yogurt
1 tsp honey

Directions:
1. Blend cocoa powder with honey and yogurt. Cocoa powder can be difficult to blend, so be patient with this step. Keep mixing until mixture looks like melted chocolate.
2. Clean your face with lukewarm water. Dab dry and then apply the mask evenly all over your face except the eye and lip areas. Relax for 15-20 minutes and let the mask do it’s magic.
3. Wash off with lukewarm water and dab dry.
Apply moisturizer.

The following masque can increase hydration, support skin's defense against UV damage, decrease roughness, and actually improves blood flow. Do give it a try.Do 

There have been a few times in the past when I thought I had found The Perfect Marble chocolate cake recipe, but every time I thought I had found my go-to, I started to get consistently bad results. Weird textures and sunken tops and what-not. And that it was easy to boot! Can one recipe really deliver all that? It turns out that the answer is a resounding Yes! This is really the best Marble chocolate cake recipe and it produces a cake that is moist and rich and perfectly springy. My husband and children gave it perhaps the best compliment a cake can receive when, with eyes as wide as saucers, he stared at me quite dumb-founded and said, "What?! You made this ?!" High praise indeed.


My Best Chocolate Vanilla Marble Cake Ever

250 gms butter
250gms Sugar
1tsp Vanilla Essence
4 eggs
2tsp rum
　

Sift
250 gms flour
3tsp baking powder

　
3/4 cup milk
3 tbsp Cocoa
1tbsp Sugar
3tbsp milk

Cream butter and Sugar. Add essence, eggs, rum and beat well. Mix in dry ingredients, alternately with milk,so that the mixture should be fairly thick. Put two - thirds of this batter in a well greased and crumbled baking pan. to the rest of the batter add cocoa, sugar and milk , mix them well. Pour on top of first batter and using a fork lightly mix both. Bake in a moderate oven at 180c for 1 hour.
　

Now it’s time for the fun part! I’m so excited!! In the comments below please share your tried & true at home beauty treatments and chocolate cake recipes!

This should be a gold mine people. I’m SO SO excited to hear all your favorites!

Be Bold, Feel Beautiful

Basic Make up techinques and Contouring the face

Before applying any makeup start by, cleaning, exfoliating, and moisturising your face. Then, using a makeup brush or sponge, evenly apply foundation after a prebase has been applied according to the skin type, pressing into the chin and cheeks and around the nose (the foundation should disappear completely into your skin). Then use your fingers to cover blemishes with concealer; for a fresh, healthy look, to set the makeup, dust your face with loose powder using a powder puff or brush, Use a bright-pink or a bronze blush onto the apples of your cheeks.

For your eyes, choose an eye shadow that matches your skin. Start with the lid, and work your way up to the brow bone. Cover the lid with a neutral eye shadow as base, then use a shadow above it which complements your skin tone and your dress, using your fingertips blend the shadow properly, use a darker shawdow on the crease as a highlighter and blend it well. Instead of lining your eyes from corner to corner, simply enhance them at the outside corners using a pencil. Then, lightly move the pencil along the outside corners of the top and bottom lashes. Blend with your fingers and apply mascara to get the desired effect.

Coat your lips with lip balm, then line with a lipliner a shade or two darker than your lips regardless of the lipstick color. Add a dot of lipstick, work it over lips, use a colorless gloss to add shimmer and finish with a dusting of shimmering powder along the cheeks for an instant, subtle glow.

Contouring the face  is one of the best ways to highlight the lovely cheek bones and make your face look slimmer and more beautiful. It adds depth and Character to the face. Contouring and highlighting the face is based on the principles of light and dark. So contouring the areas with dark bronzers will darken and accentuate the cheekbones while adding dimension to the face, thus making them look slimmer.

　

Tips : Not everyone needs to contour- if you feel that your cheekbones are prominent or that your face is thin, it is best not to contour as you may appear too "chiseled"

Always choose a cream or powder that is just 2 to 4 shades darker than your skin, blend it well to get the natural effect.

It takes practice getting the contour technique down as each face is different, so don’t give up !!!