How to Properly Store Your Beauty Products

Before now, you probably thought storing your cosmetics effectively was a simple matter of ensuring they don’t go spilling out of your make-up bag to the floor and probably breaking. But where you keep your beauty products can impact on their effectiveness, says beauty experts at Baazar. And it turns out there are only three places you should keep them.

The Fridge

Products to be kept in the fridge include your eye cream or gel, your Aloe Vera gel, and your nail polish. Storing your eye cream or gel in the fridge could help tighten blood vessels beneath your eyes (due to the cold temperature) and thus reduce swelling. Aloe Vera in the fridge will cool the skin down on application; and putting your nail polish in the fridge can help the paint stay thin and even for application, while preserving the colour for longer.

A Cool Dark Place

Store your eyeliner, sun scream, mascara, lipsticks and fragrance in a cool dark place. Despite suggestions that storing your eye make-up will increase their shelf life, you generally shouldn’t, as bacteria in make-up can cause eye infections or irritation; store in a cool dark place instead. The same is true for your lipsticks and fragrance. Lipsticks need to be stored in a cool, dry place, as too much heat exposure can cause them to break down and decompose over time. As for your fragrance, it’s important to always store them in a cool dark place with the cap tightly shut onto the bottle because exposure to heat and humidity can alter the aroma and affect the essential oils.

Somewhere Dry

Powder products from your eye shadows to bronzers, can be stored anywhere that is dry as humidity can cause powders to turn saturated and cakey, so do not store them in the bathroom. Another beauty product you shouldn’t store in the bathroom or anywhere humid is your blending sponge. The steam from your shower or bath can condense on the surface of these cosmetics, and can produce mould. After cleaning your blending sponges, leave them to air-dry outside of the bathroom.

Finally, always be mindful of the expiry dates of your products, and look for the open jar symbol with a number beside it. This stands for the number of months you can keep it once it’s opened. After this time period, it’s time to replace it.

Source: Harper’s Bazaar

By Akaomachi B

Beetroot: The Vegetable That Fixes Everything Wrong in Your Body

There are one thousand and one fruits and vegetables in the world, some of which we have never seen.  You might have come across some strange looking fruits or vegetables and considered them weeds because you had never seen them before. You might also hear about some without actually seeing how they look like. Beetroot might just be one of such vegetables you have heard of without seeing, or seen without knowing.

What is beetroot?

Beets or beetroots, as they are often called, belong to the Chenopodiaceous family just like spinach. Their history stretches back to ancient times, and the earliest signs of their cultivation was approximately 4,000 years ago in the Mediterranean region. 

Beetroot is also known as red beet, golden beet, table beet or garden beet.  Apart from its use as food, it is also a medicinal plant, and also used for food colouring. Beets are extremely healthy as they have potent medicinal properties and offer relief in the case of various ailments and diseases.

Health benefits of beetroot.

Beets contain betaine: Betaine is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that supports heart health as well as important vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B1, B2, B12 and C, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, and iodine. Beets boost blood flow, regulate cholesterol levels, and support healthy functioning of the liver.

Beets fight anemia and detoxify the body. Consuming beets also decelerates aging and protects the blood vessels. They are high in antioxidants, cellulose, and pectin, a special type of fiber which boosts digestion. Beets can be eaten raw, juiced, cooked, and baked. You should not throw away the leaves; they are rich in potassium (644 mg. per ½ a cup).

Good for Heart Health: Studies have shown that the consumption of potassium-rich foods and the elimination of sodium can lower the risk of heart diseases, including stroke, by 21%. Beet fiber helps to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides by increasing the level of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).  The presence of the nutrient betaine lowers the levels of homocysteine in the body which can be harmful to the blood vessels. Thus, consumption of beetroot helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases in multiple ways.

Reduces Birth Defects: Beets are good for pregnant women since they are a source of B vitamin folate which helps in the development of infant’s spinal column. Deficiency of folate could lead to a variety of conditions called neural tube defects.

Prevent Certain Cancers: Studies have revealed that beets are good at preventing skin, lung, and colon cancers, since they contain the pigment betacyaninis, which counteracts cancerous cell growth. Nitrates used in meats as preservatives can stimulate the production of nitrosamine compounds in the body which can also result in cancer. Studies further shows that beet juice inhibits the cell mutations caused by these compounds. Researchers in Hungary have also discovered that beet juice and its powdered form slow down tumor development. Adding a healthy weekly number of beets to your diet can keep your body cancer-free for a very long time.

Aphrodisiac: Beets have been considered an aphrodisiac or libido booster for millennia. Part of this stems from the fact that beets contain significant levels of the mineral boron, which has been shown to boost the production of sexual hormones. This can lead to a boost in libido, increased fertility, sperm mobility improvement, and a reduction in frigidity.

Boosts Energy Levels

Beets contain a significant amount of carbohydrates which provides fuel for energy and prolonged sports activities. These are the natural building blocks of energy metabolism, and beets provide them without the negative side effects of many other carbohydrate-heavy foods. When the body has a sufficient amount of carbohydrates, it is able to fuel all of the necessary bodily functions as well, including the important metabolic reactions that keep your organ systems functioning efficiently. Beetroots are also valuable as a source of sucrose, which makes them a viable replacement for tropical sugarcane. They are still frequently used to make refined sugar.

A Few Words of Warning: Beets contain oxalates, which when consumed in excess can cause bodily fluids to crystallize. People with kidney or gallbladder problems should avoid beetroots because they could exacerbate kidney and bladder stones.

Source: www.naturalhealingmagazine.com

By Pupwaya Timothy Dibal 

Positive Mind, Positive Vibes, Positive Life

We all want a happy life, and we all know that having a positive attitude feels better than a negative one. But for some reason, we are all attracted to and can be easily drawn to the negative side. How do we go about to establish a more positive attitude as a daily habit? It is important to look at positivity as understanding thoughts or feelings as optimistic, energetic and productive. This is important whilst we look in general at positivity and the idea of polarity, black and white! Hot and cold!

Our emotions literally change our bodies on a cellular level. Many of our experiences in life are a result of how we interpret and respond to our surroundings. Fortunately, rather than repressing or trying to “get rid” of negative feelings, we can choose to interpret and respond to them differently. You’ll find that with some practice, patience, and perseverance, you can become more positive.

First of all, you need to identify the problem. You can't change the way you think if you can't (or won’t) identify the problem. Accepting that you have negative thoughts and feelings, and that you don’t enjoy how you are currently responding to them, can help you begin the process of change. Try not to judge yourself for your thoughts or feelings. Remember: the thoughts that pop up or the feelings you experience are not inherently “good” or “bad,” they are just thoughts and feelings. What you can control is how you interpret and respond to them.

Accept the things about yourself that you can’t change, too. For example, if you are an introverted person who needs quiet time alone to “recharge,” trying to be an extrovert all the time will probably just make you feel drained and unhappy. Accept yourself for who you are right now, just as you are. You can then feel free to develop that self into the most positive self you can be!

 Keep things simple, get back to the basics that you already know work well for you but have for some reason fallen by the wayside. Stop trying to come up with the perfect plan before you get started. Instead, come up with a good plan and then take action on it. You can always readjust along the way towards your goal. And it’s a whole better with a good plan that you actually take action on than a perfect one that you just keep polishing for weeks, months or years. Focus on what matters the most – the tasks and steps forward,  Like the first plan in your day and if possible first thing in your week (when you are likely most rested and clearheaded). Do just one thing at a time to do the best and most focused job you can. No matter if it’s at work, in school or in your personal life. Trying to do several things at once usually just leads to mediocre results or half-finished jobs.

Be grateful, gratitude is more than a feeling, it’s a doing. It changes your perspective almost immediately, and the rewards keep growing the more you practice. Gratitude helps you feel more positive, enhances your relationships with others, encourages compassion, and increases feelings of happiness. Some people are naturally higher in “trait gratitude,” the natural state of feeling thankful. However, you can foster an “attitude of gratitude” no matter what level of “trait gratitude” you naturally have! In relationships and situations, avoid approaching them like you “deserve” something from them. This doesn’t mean that you believe you deserve nothing, and it doesn’t mean you put up with mistreatment or disrespect. It just means that you should try to approach things without feeling like you’re “entitled” to a certain result, action, or benefit. Sharing your feelings of gratitude with others helps you “set” those feelings in your memory. It can also inspire positive feelings in the people you share with.

Make an effort to recognize all the little positive things that happen throughout the day. Keep good memories, humans have a bad tendency to focus on the negative stuff and let the positive things slide right past us. When you note the positive things in your life, take a moment to mindfully acknowledge them. Try to “store them” in your memory. Be optimistic, Optimism is a way of interpreting the world. Thanks to the human brain’s flexibility, you can learn different ways of interpreting! Pessimistic outlooks view the world in unchangeable, internalized terms: “Everything is unfair,” “I’ll never be able to change this” while an optimistic outlook views the world in flexible, limited terms.

On a final note, positive affirmations and visualizations is key. Practice seeing yourself in a positive and confident light. Do this whenever you have a few minutes to yourself; Self-affirmations, list of positive statements about yourself and your self-image. This is a simple and powerful tool to train your subconscious to see yourself in a positive light. This is important, as many of us can be so hard on ourselves through social conditioning. I am guilty of being extra tough on myself, but have learned over time to recognize my gifts rather than finding false and self-imposed inadequacies.

By Umaru Maryam Hadejia  

Cucumber recipes for healthy skin

According to Wikipedia, Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits that are used as vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and seedless. Within these varieties, several cultivars have been created. In North America, the term "wild cucumber" refers to plants in the genera Echinocystis and Marah, but these are not closely related. The cucumber is originally from South Asia, but now grows on most continents. Most of us use slices of cool cucumbers usually in our salads and appetisers. The beneficial nutrients cucumbers come with like Vitamin K, C and manganese and beta-carotene are useful for ensuring healthy hair and skin as well. It acts as a key ingredient for a long-lasting beauty regime.

The flesh of the cucumber  is mostly water, but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. These acids prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis. Cucumbers are a great treat for the skin. They have the same pH as the skin so they help restore the protective acid mantle; they also possess hydrating, nourishing and astringent properties.

The skin of a cucumber is rich in fibre and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium and magnesium. The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber’s high water content makes it naturally hydrating—a must for glowing skin.

Cucumber and Yogurt

Cucumber as a single ingredient resolves many skin problems and ensures healthy, younger-looking skin. Cucumber can be used as a natural toner and astringent too, due to its cooling properties. It is an easy way to get rid of oiliness or sebum on skin and leaves you with a glow. Its juice is ideal to be used as a cleanser to relive blemishes and acne. Due to its 95% water content, the cucumber and yogurt method will leave the skin glowing and well-moisturised.

Process:

•Cut a small cucumber into pieces and blend to make a paste.

•Stir in 3 teaspoons of yogurt then apply to the affected skin.

•Allow to dry and absorb for 30 – 45 minutes.

•Rinse off with clean lukewarm water and pat the skin dry.

•For additional rejuvenation, spray cool water or an ice cube on your face.

Cucumber Face Mask for anti-aging

Cucumber is extremely beneficial for firming up the skin and tightening it. Early use of cucumber reduces and rather reverses signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles and dull skin. This is due to the presence of manganese and potassium.

Process:

•Blend cucumber pulp in a blender with some fresh mint leaves.

•Separate egg white from an egg and beat thoroughly before adding to the juice.

•Apply this on the face and neck and leave for 15 minutes.

•Wash with water and pat the skin dry.

•Repeat the same process regularly.

•Note: You can use milk, honey or rosewater instead of egg white.

Cucumber skin hydration and diet recipe

Cucumber is the perfect way to help hydrate dull skin due to its water content and can easily substitute any moisturiser cream. Cucumber acts well also when mixed with a complementing ingredient. Curd could be used for a soothing and hydrating face pack.

•Peel, chop and blend a cucumber.

•Drink the juice everyday on an empty stomach as first thing in the morning.

•Or Soak cucumber in water for an hour and then drink the infused water.

•Adding salt to juice as it acts as an astringent.

•Note: You can add a little neem juice or turmeric powder.

•Or Use fresh cucumbers to make salads.

•Add cucumber slices to sandwiches, burgers and rolls.

•Or just consume slices throughout the day.

•Regular intake of cucumber can give multiple benefits.

By Umaru Maryam Hadejia 

Love travelling? These countries’ foods are worth flying for!

Nasi Lemak in Malaysia

It is a hearty meal that is adored by the Malays as well as non-Malays who have their own version of Nasi Lemak. The rice is the same, although some have a greenish hue owing to the Pandan leaves, it is the side dishes that set each other apart.

Malaysia’s national dish, Nasi Lemak is a fragrant coconut-milk rice mixture, served with Sambal sauce, fried crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts and cucumber, and cooked with screw pine (Pandan) leaves. Available on almost every street corner, this much-loved classic hit all the notes.

Flavours in Marrakech, Morocco

Morocco's lush cuisine is full of textures and colours rooted in Berber, Moorish, and Arab influences. There’s always a rainbow of raw salads and plenty of sweet and sour ingredients like saffron, preserved lemons, and dried fruits in Moroccan cuisine. These are paired with ingredients like olives, olive oils, and herbs. Lively Marrakech is an ideal place to learn about Morocco’s flavours. The “Red City” has a long tradition of tourism, as visitors wade through the kebab stands and other food vendors on the chaotic Djemma el Fna main square. Today Marrakech is home to young chefs who are reinterpreting old standard dishes, as well as multicourse tasting menus that are appearing at stylish restaurants inside boutique Moroccan Riad hotels.  Moroccan cuisines include beetroot-cured gravlax with preserved lemon puree and ravioli of lentils and cauliflower. Make up for the pricey meal at the food stalls in Djemma el Fna with inexpensive egg and potato sandwiches, lamb tagine, and bowls of Morocco’s famous Harira soup.

New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

With its distinct cuisine, New Orleans has always been an American food destination. The rich and soulful cuisine was shaped largely by the American-born descendants of French settlers, as well as by Spanish and African-American cultures. Another influx of immigrants left their mark in the form of German sausages, Caribbean peppers, and seafood harvested by Croatian fishermen. Classic New Orleans restaurants like Arnaud’s and Galatoire’s are still in operation today. Ten years ago, this gastronomically inclined city was heavily damaged after Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters inundated the city. Today there are actually 75 percent more restaurants in the city than there were before the disaster. Enjoy ikra (paddlefish caviar spread with shallots) and hummus with lamb Ragù, a hot roast beef and gravy Po’boy, among other amazing cuisines.

Seafood in Tokyo, Japan

Food is everywhere in Tokyo—you’ll find huge selections of Onigiri (stuffed rice balls) in train stations and colourful pieces of sushi passing by on conveyor belts. There are more than 100,000 restaurants in this sprawling city, including casual spots specializing in modestly priced meals like hot pots, soba, Tonkatsu, and tempura. Yet Tokyo’s cuisine can seem nearly impenetrable to the foreign visitor.

Tokyo’s food often incorporates many unfamiliar fish ingredients. In fact, 2000 tons of seafood passes through the famous Tsukiji market daily. The world’s largest fish market has operated in the heart of Tokyo since 1935, but it has moved several miles away to Toyosu, Tokyo’s tourist district. Casual Japanese restaurants typically specialize in one dish, perfecting it over years and years. Try Mentsu-Dan in Shinjuku for fresh Udon, made right behind the counter, or Tempura Tsunahachi, where you can sit at the counter and watch your food get fried. Rice is a vital staple in the Japanese diet and is essential to the cuisine.

Hummus, Antalya, Turkey

Thanks to periods of both Christian and Muslim rule until the 15th century, the cuisine of beachside Antalya blends influences from both cultures. Surrounded by the snow-capped Taurus Mountains, the city also boasts nearby olive groves, citrus orchards, and fresh seafood pulled from the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Tourists dine seaside on fish kebabs, octopus, and plates of colourful Mezze, with a large variety of both casual and upscale restaurants. Experience Turkish flavours in European dishes such as white bean and Tahini soup and lamb, mint, and pea Risotto in a sophisticated setting. For more traditional fare, seek out grouper Kebabs or fried red Mullet from the Mediterranean—usually available between July and October.  Complete the meal with a round of Mezze plates like Hummus, red pepper spread, or Purslane salad. Try catching some seafood of your own with Green Canyon boat tours. The tour company provides all of the equipment for the fishing expeditions around the emerald waters, located about ten miles from Antalya.

By Umaru Maryam Hadejia 

Throwback: Bashar Shettima Mustapha Weds Fatima Abdullahi Babani

Every girl dreams to have a fairytale wedding someday. The wedding ceremony of Fatima, the elegant and beautiful daughter of Alh. Abdullahi Babani turned out to be the fairytale wedding of her dreams because she got married to the love of her life, Bashar Shettima Mustapha. Different ceremonies were lined up with series of memorable events that thrilled the guests. Bigwigs from within and outside the country, friends, family members and well-wishers all gathered to celebrate with the newlyweds. The event kick-started with Kamu at Azare as mammoth crowd turned out to witness the occasion; it was followed by a world class dinner at Azare, then Budan Kai down in Bauchi City, Kauyawa, Daurin Aure and was finally crowned with a classic reception in Bauchi State. Throughout the whole event, the bride kept her glow, looking elegant and classy in her different attires. The groom was not left out as he too was looking dashingly handsome all through the event. There were lots of delicacies to entertain the guests.

As usual, Tozali crew was there to capture the beautiful highlights of the events. 

KAMU 

DINNER 

BUDAN KAI

KAUYAWA

DAURIN AURE