How to Balance Family and Work to have a Successful Living

It is a very difficult endeavour to balance family and work life. But if we can, then it encourages the development of some valuable skills that we can apply to other areas of our life. Achieving a balance between home and work life leads to stronger family relationships, good health both physical and mental and also confident children. Employers can benefit a lot.  Here are some tips to make work - family life balance a successful one.

1. Love your family
   
   
   
   Love your family that is the most important one. Then work. It is pretty impossible to balance these two without the help of a supportive partner. One day we all retire, or sell our business or leave our job.our kids will grow up and move on ... but our partner will hopefully be always with us. It is much easier to achieve family - work balance if you have a true emotional intimacy with your partner. Make sure you eat at least one meal a day together with your family and also pray together. This will surely lead you to success. Always be happy and cherish your home time.
   
   
2. Love your job
   
   
   
   No matter how perfect you do your job, you may not always be rewarded or appreciated for the work you done. Always make a positive attitude towards your work, then you can make your life more pleasant and productive. Try to do some voluntary work to gain a broader outlook. Do not get distracted by worrying about all the other things to be done. Decide if there is anything that can be delegated. Always keep in mind - do it, dump it or delegate it. Learn to have more fun at work. Laugh more. Perform with a more fun oriented approach. If you truly enjoy your work, it gives you personal balance. If you hate what you do and can't find any pleasure in it, it will cause stress. Your mind will wander when you are at work, finding it difficult to complete your task and making it virtually impossible to find any balance there. Always try to make your job an enjoyable one.


3. Establish your priorities
   
   
   
   For an employer , both work and family are important. You should not have to neglect one to take care of the other, so determine which one is more important for the time being. For example, if your child is very sick and you have to go to the office, here better to choose to stay with your child because it is more important than a regular day at work. In contrast, a scheduled meeting in the office is more important than a day at the park. You should decide only what is needed to nurture your work and family. Don't get frustrated when a work obligation conflicts with a family commitment. Do which should take precedence by determining the importance of each and then learn from the experience.
   
   
4. Stay healthy
   
   
   
   A good health is essential to balance work and family life. Eat well, sleep well and exercise helps you to make healthy. Eat healthy foods. Avoid junk foods. Body and brain can't function properly, efficiently or effectively unless it doesn't get enough sleep. Utilize exercise for a much better mental and physical health. Exercising allows you the opportunity to break the monotony of sitting at a desk for a long time.It can also reduce stress, sharpen focus, improves mood and also increases energy. You just have to schedule it into your day. If you feel great, everyone around you will benefit.


5. Reward yourself
   
   
   Review your day before you leave for home. Look at what worked well and what could be improved the next day. If you really satisfied with the day's work , then reward yourself. You deserve it.
   
   
6. Practice good time management
   
   
   Manage your time very effectively. It means making clear boundaries of what is work time and what is family or home time or leisure time or friendship time. Maintaining these boundaries is a challenge but having no boundaries at all make you too scattered to be effective in any of your pursuits. Take total control of your day. 
   
   
7. Seek for help
   
   
   It is not easy to do all the things by yourself. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. We are all in the same boat - getting a little help with simple tasks from your partner or from your co - worker, will allow you the time to get more important items to be completed. Even the wisest men know what they can be able to do themselves and when to seek help from others. Co - operate with others to get things done and reinforce your own support system.This will help to generate more business income as well as to have a good atmosphere in the family also.
   
   
8. Proper scheduling
   
   
   
   It is an important aspect to maintain work - family life balance. It is very good to have a daily schedule of all the activities to be done in both office and home. It promotes the practice of being prepared and punctual. You not only prepare the schedule but also keep an eye on that schedule .Always check whether you are following that schedule.
   
   
9. Be a great communicator
   
   Make sure to explain clearly to your family and to your co - worker. If they get what you are trying to say, then they will easily be able to respond appropriately and get solved what you need to get solved. No one can interpret your mind and it takes too much time for others to understand what you are thinking instead of you just saying it.
   
   
10. Put the cell phone down when you get home
    
    
    
    Utilize the most of your time when you are at work also and utilize the most of your time with your family and your self also when you are at home. Concentrate and be a protector of your valuable family time. It is good to tell your customer or co - workers or employers that they can wait to talk to you till next morning.
    
    
11. Take holidays and weekends
    
    
    
    Enjoy your weekends and holidays to the maximum and make it a memorable one. During weekends , take your family for an outing or a cinema or whatever may be. Give importance to their choices.
    
    
12. Learn when to say yes and when to say no
    
    Learn ways to set priorities on the things that matter most and also to say no to the things that matter least.
    


13. Switch off once you leave work
    
    When you leave the office, leave the office tensions there.Don't bring that tensions to home.Your office tension should not become a punishment for your family. Sit and talk to your family as much as you can.
    

SUMMER SEASON : LIFE IS NOT EASY -- COOL TIPS TO OVERCOME

Summer season ! Its horrible.We should be more alert during summer season and also we should take some special care to prevent diseases like dehydration and many such diseases.

Here are some precautionary steps to take this summer season :-

1. Drink too much water - minimum 10 - 12 glasses of water a day.Also have health drinks or fresh juices.It is very good to include lemon in your daily diet.


2. Use proper sunscreen lotions when we are going out to avoid sunstroke.


3. Use sunglasses as it protects our eyes from sun rays.


4. Eat lots of fruits such as orange, water melon, papaya, banana, grapes, mango etc but to a certain limit otherwise it results acidity related problems.


5. Try to include green salads which contains more onions, cucumbers and other vegetables. Don't allow your stomach get empty and also avoid oily, non - veg and spicy foods.


6. It is good to eat curd in summer season.


7. Have 1 glass of buttermilk with your meal, it gives you cooling effect.


8. Take an umbrella and a bottle of water wherever you go during summer season.Try to always cover your head and face or wear a hat.


9. Use only free size and light colour cotton cotton clothes to help you stay cooler.


10. Keep always clean your feet, underarms and face. Change your dress and inner wears regularly in order to prevent infection. Also apply antiseptic talcum powder.


11. Don't take bath at late afternoon only take bath in the morning and evening. Wash your eyes and face many times as possible.


12. It harms you  a lot if you drink chilled water when you come back from the hot sun.Always keep a mud pot and drink water from that pot during summer.To keep the water in the pot always cool,cover it with a wet towel.
    
13. Plant some shady trees near your home and office.


14. Try to avoid working continuously under direct sunlight.


15. Get up early in the morning and sleep early.


16. Beware of diseases such as Dengue fever, Bronchiolitis, Pneumonia,Cold, Jaundice, Hepatitis A etc are very common in the summer.Make sure that we should drink only boiled water,eat only well cooked food ,eat raw fruits and vegetables as it washed and peeled properly especially during journey. Thus we can protect us from these diseases to a great extent.


17. Remember infants and toddlers become dehydrated much more easily than adults,so make sure that they get enough of liquids.


18. Drinking 4 coconuts  a week makes your skin glow and shine.


19. Keep a handful of rose or jasmine petals ,dipped it in a glass of water and keep it in the fridge.When you feels that your skin becomes dull or dry , dip a cotton in that water and rub your face and neck with it .This gives freshness and relaxation to your skin.

      By following these tips, you can make the summer a more enjoyable season.

SUPERB TIPS TO CONTROL PREMATURE GREYING OF HAIR

Having grey hair is a common fact at the adulthood age.But premature graying is a serious condition which needs some care otherwise it makes even the young look older. Here there are some helpful tips on how to prevent and treat graying hair.

1. Eat Healthily
   
   
   
   Try to include foods like Omega 3, folic acid and Vitamin B12 in your diet. Eggs, cheese, beef, banana,fish, lamb etc are all rich in vitamin B12. These are very effective in fighting against graying hair. You can take them as a supplement or select foods rich in these nutrients.These are very good for so many different hair related problems as well as it promotes hair growth.
   
   Omega 3 nourishes your hair growth. Vitamin B12 is essential to retain hairs' original colour. Take a multivitamin daily as most of them contain copper. Foods rich in copper are yam spinach, most meats, blackberries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate, pineapple etc. Iodine rich foods like carrot, spinach etc help you to keep your locks radiant.Have protein rich foods as it is vital for your body including skin and hair growth.
   
   
2. Say no to junk foods, soft drinks etc
   
   
   
   Foods made from white flour and refined sugar, soft drinks, pastries, jellies and jams should be avoided because these foods take away our energy and also cause wrinkles, grey hair, unattractive skin and premature of old age.
   
   
3. Relieve your stress
   
   
   
   Stress can turn your hair grey ,as it kills off stem cells. There is no solution to control stress - related grey hair. The only solution is try to relax. Always be positive
   
   
4. Stop smoking at the earliest
   
   
   
   There is a significant relation between premature grey hair and cigarette smoking.So you are a smoker ,quit it as early as possible. Stopping smoking will improve blood circulation which can help reduce greys.
   
   
5. Exercise regularly
   
   
   
   Nowadays studies showed that through exercise we can prevent our hair from turning grey to a great extent. Blood circulation has a vital role in the prevention of grey hair.To improve blood circulation ,exercise regularly is the only solution. Also massage your scalp with your fingertips daily for 5-10 minutes to improve circulation.
   
   
6. Keep hydrated
   
   
   
   Control the use of caffeine and alcohol and drink too much water. Also check how much fried, spicy and acidic foods you eat as it dehydrate your body and also reduce moisture.Dehydration and lack of moisture prevents nutrients from reaching hair follicles which results grey hair.
   
   
7. Adequate sleep
   
   
   
   Keep good sleeping habits as it will help you to relax,fully rejuvenate and also reduce stress levels.Make free for sometime during daytime and you will simply unwind and get your mind off your problems.Engage in the activities you can enjoy.
   

Home Remedies

There are a few home remedies from Ayurveda which can help to control premature graying.

1. Indian gooseberry paste
   
   
   
   Apply on scalp and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Then wash your hair with normal water.It can not only reduces graying of hair but also improves the quality of your hair.
   
   
2. Coconut oil and curry leaves
   
   
   
   3 tbsp of coconut oil and crushed curry leaves - heat it for 5-7 minutes. Then strain the mixture.Cool till lukewarm. Then massage it on your scalp.
   
   
3. Lemon juice and almond oil
   
   
   
   Take 1 tsp lemon juice and 2 tsp almond oil and mix it well.Massage gently on your scalp.Massage with warm mustard or coconut oil.It also helps to prevent premature graying.
   
   

EXCELLENT ANTI - AGEING FOODS

Everybody seems to become younger. Exercise and healthy diet help us to keep you looking younger. But there are some foods which have the qualities that will help us to improve your skin ,boost your energy and even fight against diseases. We call it as anti ageing foods. It is good to choose these foods to control ageing to a great extent. These foods are safe and healthy. Here there are some anti - ageing foods which help to slow down the effects of ageing on our body.

1. Nuts
   
   
   
   
   We all know that nuts nuts are rich in vitamins,minerals and other antioxidants.It has the power to lower your cholesterol level, enhance your digestive system and also it helps to prevent cancer.
   
   
2. Leafy Vegetables
   
   
   
   Leafy vegetables such as broccoli,cauliflower, spinach, cabbage help the body in fighting against toxins and cancer.Raw vegetables and slightly cooked vegetables are the best way to consume them.The good enzymes in the vegetables will be destroyed if we overcooked it.
   
   
3. Blueberries
   
   
   
   It provides more antioxidant activity than any other fruits or vegetables provide.These antioxidants fight the free radicals that can damage to living cells.Vitamin C in the berries helps to boost the immune system.It is a very good healthy snack for everyone at anytime.
   
   
4. Carrot
   
   
   
   It is a very good source of vitamin A. It is essential for a healthy scalp and youthful, shiny hair.
   
   
5. Cucumber
   
   
   
   It is very good for the skin.The silica in the peel helps to reduce wrinkles and boost collagen.Use them unpeeled if possible.
   
   
6. Eggs
   
   
   
   It is a good source of anti- ageing food which includes Omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, selenium and zinc. The egg yolk contains another wrinkle weapon called biotin.
7. Pumpkin seeds
   
   
   
   It contains a lot of health enhancing nutrients. It offers powerful health punch which gives protection against common health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, bladder dysfunction,anxiety and arthritis. It is the store -  house of iron, vitamin A, proteins, vitamin B, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, copper etc which acts as a powerful anti-ageing agent. So take a handful of pumpkin seeds everyday and looks younger.
   
   
8. Pomegranate
   
   
   
   If you want to look brighter and more youthful, pomegranate is probably the best choice.It contains an abundant amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin B,potassium and antioxidants. It can actively protect against cartilage deterioration and promote heart health.
   
   
9. Avocado
   
   
   
   It is a healthy source of mono-saturated fat. Mono saturated fat helps to control the bad cholesterol in the body that can block arteries.It is a good source of Vitamin E, which promotes healthy skin by improving the skin's moisture level and softness.
   
   
10. Oats
    
    
    
    Most people don't include enough fiber in their diet. Oats are one of the easiest way to load up this essential nutrient. Fiber helps you to fill up, at the same time it may reduce the risk of middle-age weight gain when compared with any other nutritious food.
    
    
11. Green Tea
    
    
    
    Green tea might help you look younger if you drink it hot or cold.It is said that people who drank 3 cups of green tea may slow down the ageing process because it might improve your DNA structure and slow the shorten of cells that results during ageing.
    
    

EASY AND TASTY CHUTNEY FOR DOSA AND IDLI

Ingredients

1. oil                               1 tbsp
2. Black gram                 1\2 tsp 
3. Big onion sliced          1 
4. tomato sliced                1
5. green chilly                   4
6. curry leaves
7. scraped coconut           3 tbsp
8. salt                                to taste

Procedure

• Heat oil in a pan,then add black gram, wait for a few seconds.
• Add sliced big onion, sliced tomato, green chilly and curry leaves and fry till golden brown.
• Add scraped coconut and enough salt and mix it well and wait for a minute.
• Allow it to cool and transfer it to a mixie bowl and grind it into a smooth paste.
• Make it loose by adding water or thick as per your preference.
• Serve it with dosa or idli.

Top tips to make airplane journey more comfortable with children.

1. Make sure that your airlines possesses things like booking bassinets for long haul flights and book it in advance. Like wise you can take a car seat on board, it will be more comfortable for the children.
2. Prefer non-stop flights if it is available. It is good to book non-stop flights while travelling with children especially toddlers. If we have to wait for the connection flight, your children must not have the patience to wait for such a long time. Then you should find a deserted spot and allow your baby to run in circles, make noises and relish his freedom for as long as he can.
3. Check the varieties of food available and also check the time schedule to be served. It is good to keep some snacks ( If it is allowed ) then you can feed your children whenever they wanted.
4. For entertainment, toys like car, small dollies etc can be taken. Remember to choose silent toys. Stickers are a great enjoyment for young toddlers. For young children, you can keep some story books or a DVD played on a laptop with headphones but it should be charged fully before you enter the flight. Take coloring books and crayons for them.
5. Pack one small bag having all the essential things that your child needs. Make sure it has enough formula for one bottle, one diaper, wipes and a toy that your child likes the most.
6. Always keep an extra pair of dress as there is the possibility to vomit while you travel.
7. Keep some extra plastic bag for soiled clothing and throwing away unwanted food and trash during the flight.
8. Seats to be selected. Try to get the seats closest to the front. The first row of seats are the widest , it will give them a little more space.

MEMORY IMPROVEMENT TIPS

Do you find any difficulty to restore what you learned on important tests or exams ?. Here there are some tips that you can do to improve your memory. Before your next tests or exams, be sure that you followed all these tips for improving your memory. This will surely lead you to success.

1. Give more focus on the materials you are studying.
   Attention is an important fact regarding memory . To keep things in your memory for a long time, you need to actively attend about the information regarding the content. Remember to study in a place without any disturbance such as television , music or other diversions.


2. Establish regular study sessions.
   If you are not prepared well for the exams we have an attempt to absorb too much information in a short period prior to an exam. That is not a good thing. We call it as cramming. Cramming is a memorization technique which only last for a short period of time. For long term memory we should practice active learning and critical thinking through group studies, individual thinking and discussion.


3. Planning and organizing the information that you are studying.
   We should keep things in memory in related clusters.This can be done by structuring and organizing the materials we are dealing with. We should develop the habit of grouping similar concept and terms together or make a brief note on what you read or study and it will help to study group related concepts.


4. Use mneumonic devices to remember information.
   It is a learning  technique used by the students that aids information retention.This technique can be used by students of all ages and all levels of study. For example to remember the planets : the planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.  "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles and Pasta".


5. Expand and rehearse the information you are studying.
   To keep things in the memory for a long time, we need to encode the facts into long term memory. It can be done through elaborate  rehearsal. For example if you want to study the definition of a particular term, first read the definition , then study the definition and then again read a more detailed description of what that term means. If you do this technique several times then you will be more likely to remember the term.


6. Relate the study materials to the information that we already know.
   When we heard a new study material, we should think and try to relate that to the topic that we already know. By making a relationship between previously existing memories and new ideas, we can easily recall the recently learned information.

NEERA : ITS MEDICINAL VALUE - COCONUT WATER

COCONUT WATER : A LIFE SAVER
   Coconut water , no doubt, is a thirst quencher as well as it is a life-saving medicine as it could replace intravenous (IV) hydration fluid in emergency conditions.

    Neera, a product from coconut tree , is now considered as a good medicine. It is a sweet  white- coloured sap tapped from coconut tree. Neera ,the unfermented juice tapped from the inflorescence of coconut palm , is a safe drink with medicinal qualities. This is a safe drink even for diabetic patients. It is more nutritious than any of the commercially marketed fruit juices available in the country.It is that the juice supplements iron and vitamin deficiency, and medical studies indicate that Neera has applications for asthma, T.B, and bronchial suffocation. It also has high amount of glutamic acid, which is the amino acid used by the body to build proteins.

Though Neera is a juice, which has no alcohol content prior to fermentation,the excise department has been holding control over the extraction owing to the fact that it comes under the definition of liquor as per the definition given in the act.

TIPS TO MOISTURIZE DRY SKIN

What food should we eat to moisturize dry skin?

Keeping the skin smooth,shining and healthy requires food rich in antioxidants,essential fats and proteins. Give your lots of protein- rich food such as chicken, fish, egg, pulses, milk, paneer, curd. seeds and nuts. Protein- powder drinks in the morning jump-start skin repair. If you are a non-vegetarian, fish is especially good since it packs a double punch of protein and skin -enriching natural oils. Nuts are nature's most concentrated source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Have 8-10 nuts every day.

Eat lots of vitamin A- rich green or yellow vegetables like broccoli, beans, capsicum, peas, carrots, pumpkin and sweet potato as well as green leafy vegetables. Papaya, apricots and all berries are loaded with antioxidants as are vitamin C - rich fruits like oranges, lemons, limes and melons. The recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables in a day helps the skin greatly. Use olive oil to stir-fry vegetables, flavour pasta dishes and dress salads. Even 2-3 tablespoons a week is enough to keep the skin healthy.

Morning skin cleanser/rejuvenator

Every morning 15 minutes before taking your bath

1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
few drops of rose water
few drops of lime juice

Mix the above ingredients together and apply on your skin.

Beauty Mask for Dry Skin

1 egg
1 teaspoon of honey,
1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and
few drops of rose water

Mix the ingredients thoroughly and use as a mask.

Night Moisturizing

After you clean and tone your skin, apply a splash of water or a water-misting. Pat almost dry with a soft towel, then smooth moisturizer from bosom to hairline. Allow five minutes for immediate absorption (cover your face and throat with warm washcloths to hasten penetration), then blot off any excess moisturizer with a tissue. 

Men can skip the toner but should moisturize the delicate skin around the eye area.

Day Moisturizing

Apply a touch of your natural moisturizer over the freshly cleansed, toned, and dampened skin on your throat, cheeks, and around your eyes. Men should follow a two-step process. Apply moisturizer immediately after shaving. Wait ten minutes. Then moisturize again.

Milk Bath

Once a week take a milk bath. It will nourish and smoothen your skin. Warm your bath water and put in 250 gram of powdered milk, half tablespoon of almond oil and a few drops of your favorite perfume. Then just lie in it and let your mind wander while the wholesome foam works wonders on your dry skin. 

Honey Mask

Honey is also an ancient beauty product used alongside yogourt to soften, deep clean and soothe your skin. Honey is a natural antibiotic and will help to kill any bacteria in your pores, which in turn helps to eliminate redness. It's also gently moisturizing and full of vitamins. Simply smooth it onto your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth and let it sit for ten minutes. Rinse off with warm water and follow with your regular toning and moisturizing routine.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is an all-purpose, rich, but non-irritating moisturizer. Try rubbing it onto dry bits like your elbows, knees and heels. Try it as a nighttime moisturizer for your face during the cold months. Smooth it on your body for an extra-nourishing treat and rinse off the excess in the shower – your skin will feel amazing. Or warm it carefully and very, very slightly and use it as a heated deep-moisturizing mask.

Olive oil can also be used as a deep moisturizing hair mask. Smooth it onto warm, damp hair from your ears down (the oldest, most damaged/dry part of your hair). Wrap some plastic wrap around it and then a towel to keep it warm. This is best done at bedtime so the oil has time to penetrate the hair shaft while you sleep, but you can let it sit for a minimum of half-an-hour if you prefer. Then wash your hair as usual and you'll be amazed at the difference.