Avoid Monsoon Infection and Disease

The monsoon is here and shouts of joy can be heard through the streets! As the rain washes away the waves of heat, the crowds are simply loving the clear, clean, cold, windy weather.

This season is a risky one as far as infection and disease is concerned. Until now, I'd known that it was easy to get throat infections, colds, coughs, bronchitis, viral fevers and the like, in this rainy weather.

Yesterday however, I called up my tattoo-artist friend from Dragonfly Tattoo Studio (he's got a tattoo studio in G.K. Market, Delhi) to ask him about navel piercings. He advised me that this wasn't the right time to get that sort of stuff done, as the moisture in the air is perfect for infections to breed. He added that the best time during this season, would be in the end of August as the air is drier then and a piercing would heal quicker.

By the same token, my dentist advised me to allow extra recovery time for my scheduled surgery this weekend, as the rainy weather is perfecting for breeding infection.

So, be advised, and take care of your bodies this season. Now you know!

Swine flu on the decline?

Has the human race has proven to be resilient yet again? Rumors are surfacing that while scientists are struggling to find a cure for swine flu, many are recovering on their own.

It is whispered that thousands around the world are being found to recover on their own with just bed rest and isolation. Although they still say that there are those at risk of it being fatal, such as the pregnant and those who have other resistance-weakening diseases.

Treat your dandruff, treat your acne

It sounds simple, but it's really easier said than done. If you find that you're constantly breaking out with blackheads, pimples, boils, etc, try washing your hair every second day to keep oil and dander off of your face.

Earlier I'd written on how it's important to change your pillowcases and sheets often to cure dandruff. The same remedy can be applied to treating acne.

Does drinking more milk prevent osteoporosis?

No, drinking more milk, scientific research has found that taking a more calcium-rich diet does NOT help to prevent the much dreaded old-age symptom of osteoporosis, which is more common among the women species. It is just an old myth.

To prepare against the eventualities of this deterioration disease, one must instead build up muscle mass which instead helps strengthen the bone.

Calcium rich diets will only help you to build bone mass up until you are fully grown. After this, your body no longer needs to have excess milk (especially cow's milk) pumped into it. It is good as a protein yes, but not as a way of building bone mass. Only resistance training can do that for you.

If you are trying to combat osteoporosis now, try seeking consultation from your doctor, or for going for some light aerobics and gradually working your way up to exercising with weights.

Take dancing classes if you have to, but do something rigorous that will get your heart pumping and those muscles building.

The benefits of Aloe Vera

Did you know that Aloe Vera is one of THE best purifiers for your skin? Among other benefits, this wonder plant has provided skin relief since time immemorial. It is also one of the only known natural vegetable sources of the crucial vitamin B12.

Other benefits of Aloe Vera include:
- Natural support to the immune system
- Helps energy levels to rise
- Maintains healthy skin and combats effects of aging
- Natural way to replenish the body with vital mineral and vitamins
- Has natural detoxifying abilities
- Improves digestion
- Increases protein absorption
- Anti-inflammatory agents
- Anti-bacterial/ viral
- Weight loss
- Curing digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome
- Natural body cleanser
- Curing cancer, constipation, diverticular disorders, haemorrhoids, heartburn, heart disease, HIV, immune stimulation, indigestion, insomnia, kidney disease, leg cramps, vaginitis, vaginal douche
- Aids in white blood cell production
- And is a general health tonic.

Wikipedia.com describes Aloe Vera as: "A stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by offsets. The stems are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces."

It goes on to say that "The margin of the stem is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long. Like other Aloe species, A. vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, a symbiosis that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients in soil."

Asides from all of that though, it tastes foul. Frankly, the first time I bought myself a big jar of it, I was surprised that the Guardian cashier threw in an extra bottle along with it. I soon found out though, for it really tasted bad!

After mixing various concoctions together trying to find something that would drown out the flavor of the putrid smelling plant, and yet retain the vitamin qualities that were luring me to do a bottom's up with it in the first place.

I found that mixing two-three tablespoons of Tang orange juice (I'm sure any juice powder will work) in a glass of cold water, mixing in the Aloe Vera juice, and topping it with a couple of ice cubes was THE best way to drink it. The taste blends together so well that you hardly notice you are drinking strange smelling liquid. Of course, the orange color of the juice drowns out the opaque look of the A. Vera juice.

In order to fully see the benefits of this, drink it on an empty stomach and twice a day. I chose drinking it at least half an hour before I had my breakfast in the morning, and at least an hour or two after my dinner/ half an hour before I slept at night

Drink up and appreciate that nature is keeping you healthy and beautiful.

Women use public bathrooms? Ew!

Are you one of those women who find using public toilets against the grain of your being? Do you walk into a public restroom and go ‘Ew!’? Is your first reaction to stop drinking liquids on a long trip so that your visits to the less-than-hygienic restroom stops along the way are infrequent? If you are, shake my hand on it. I’m another one of those germ-conscious, I-hate-using-public-restroom people. 

Unfortunately though, no matter what precautions we take, there will always be that inevitable ‘I gotta go now!’ situation where your mind simply does not yield to taking control over the matter. In those odd and sometimes freaky situations (local public restrooms and the like) there are ways in which you can keep yourself clean and still do your thing. 

Here are some methods I’ve found to be especially clean and helpful. I hope it’s a help to those of you out there who are conscious and find it awkward to deal with such situations. 

Take ‘The Stance’
The Stance is something every mother teaches to her daughter. If not, some kind friend while growing up will show you the way. It’s just one of those ‘must have’ skills. 

Using The Stance skill, is not difficult at all. Anyone with legs that can reach the floor can do it. You just do your thing without actually sitting on that seat. 

Always carry tissue paper 
In my experience in India, it’s a 50/50 chance as to whether or not you will actually find this ‘luxury’ in many public restrooms. 

Make it a point to ALWAYS carry some with you. If not for this, then it’ll come in handy in some other way – as a first-aid help, as a way to dry your hands, etc. Keep it handy.

Another way you can use your tissue stash, is by laying it out over the toilet seat so you can actually sit down on that seat without having to wonder if the woman before you had anything you may catch.

Wet/ Antibacterial wipes
I used to carry a box of wet wipes with me everywhere I went, although my handbag would often get heavy and I have to admit that I ended up chucking it out of my daily carry-on luggage. Instead I found a nice alternative to that: antibacterial wipes. 

Antibacterial wipes are perfect for wiping your hands after using a public restroom, especially if there is no running water or clean soaps available (which I have often found to be the case). 

See if you can get the individually wrapped antibacterial wipes, as it’s more practical and hygienic this way.

Hand disinfectant
Now I carry this along with me just incase I run out of wipes, but I should think that if you have the antibacterial wipes with you always, you wouldn’t need this as well. 

I picked up a Pure Hands Herbal Hand Sanitizer by Himalaya at a local Guardian pharmacy the other day and though I’ve yet to use it, just the thought of it being there 'just incase' is reassuring. 

So… there’s my little piece of advice to you fellow women when faced with such dire everyday situations. But it’s not unique for us women, you men can find some good tips in here too!