The Healthy Nail Guide

  Experts also give you solutions to some common nail problems:

    * Yellow nails:
This probably means that you have been abusing your nails. "Frequent change of nail polish and no basecoat leads to yellow nails. We advise customers to change nail colour only after 15-20 days.
   
   * Take a break from polish for a couple of days. Your nails need a breather too!

   * Polish removers can dry your nails, so don’t use it too often. Also avoid the cheaper Acetone and opt for nail polish remover instead.
  
   * Chipping nails:
Including nuts in your diet will solve the problem of chipped nails. Apply an acrylic coat to protect the nails from chipping.
   
   * Ingrown nails:
This phenomenon is usually seen in toenails. The nail grows into the skin along the edge of the toe instead of over it. Go to a professional every 20 days to get the part penetrating the skin removed. The nail should to be filed in a round shape.

Finally, filing nails every week to make them look neat. Also don’t ignore the dirt stuck in your toe-nails, scrub it off daily for that well groomed pretty look! Follow these tips and let your hands do all the talking.

The Healthy Nail Guide

Pamper those nails

Nail specialists stress the importance of regular nail care. "Moisturise the cuticle regularly as it’s the most important part of your nail. If that is healthy, the nail will be healthy. Many people peel off dry cuticles. Instead they should oil them regularly.

The Healthy Nail Guide

You want to be perfectly groomed - your hair is never out of place, your face shines, make-up dare not smudge but one look at your nails, and they go "Eeeww"!! Those ugly, chipped nails can ruin it all.

If you thought getting dainty and pretty nails is difficult, you can’t be more wrong.
Follow this nail care guide for pretty nails ( also next 2 days):

Feed your way

Your nails and hair is an indicator of how healthy your body is. Nutritionists recommend including calcium in your diet along with other vitamins and minerals.

"Eat calcium-rich food like turnips, ragi, dry lotus stem and cow’s milk. You could take calcium supplements though it is better to get your calcium naturally."

Include plenty of nuts in your diet since they provide natural oils for the skin and nails. Soya protein will get you healthy nails. One can have it in the form of milk and tofu.

Ways to work out at home

Marching dishes 
 
Life is busy, so try to multitask if you don't have time to fit in a proper workout. When you are stuck in front of the sink doing dishes, march in place. You should try to incorporate exercise into your daily tasks whenever possible.

Follow these simple steps and you will feel fit.

Ways to work out at home

Commercial break exercise 
 
If you are a couch potato, then commercial break exercise bursts are right for you. When a commercial comes on, get up for a burst of intense exercise. Do some sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, or crunches. Get your heart rate up. When the show comes back, you can go back to it. Continue the cycle throughout your shows.

Ways to work out at home

Rolling chair presses 
 
If you have an office chair with wheels then you can do some arm workouts right at your desk. Just hold onto the edge of your desk while you are seated in the chair, and use your arm muscles to pull yourself close to the desk, and then push yourself back away. This will work your biceps.

Ways to work out at home

You don't need an expensive membership to a fitness club or a personal trainer to be healthy and fit. Some easy workouts can be done from the comfort of your own living room.

Not only does it give you privacy, but also a certain level of convenience and a relaxed ambience. You could exercise alone or call a friend over but always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Here are a few simple things you could do.

(Will also be discussed in next three days)

Stair climbing 
 
If you have a staircase at home, you can get a great workout by simply climbing the stairs. To start, step up onto the first stair, and then back down. Repeat this move on the first stair ten times. Then walk up the first two stairs, and then back down. Repeat this ten times. You will definitely feel the burn by the end of this step routine. If you feel winded or dizzy, start slow. Stick with the first three stairs, and gradually build up your endurance over the weeks and months to come.

Time to get a detox plan

 Tips to be followed under detox plan 
 
Gradually reduce drinks that contain caffeine to no more than four a day. Replace with water or herbal teas.

Eat porridge, muesli, apples, pears or pulses such as beans and lentils once a day.

 
Cut out as much processed food as possible, including most ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, all ready meals and all fast and junk food.

Avoid adding salt to your cooking and at the table, to shed up to 1.36 kg of excess stored water.

 Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Have orange and beetroot detox juice once a day.

Try fruit or a handful of unsalted nuts if you want a between-meals snack.

Time to get a detox plan

How and when...
 
Ideally one should be on a detox diet for a week, every three months, but you can also detox every weekend. 

"If you are obese and suffering from chronic diseases then you are vulnerable to bingeing. So you can detox every weekend. If you have high cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure, detox every two months. And if you are leading a stressful life, make sure you do it on quarterly basis."
 
And while on a detox diet, you must avoid caffeine, food stuff with preservatives, sugar and fatty junk food. So no alcohol and so smoking.

Time to get a detox plan

Warning 
 
Not everyone can hop on the detox wagon.

"Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and those diagnosed with thyroid, liver and kidney problems should not go on a detox diet." 

Meanwhile those on multi-vitamins can avoid their medication while on detox. 

"However, one should not detox for long term without medication. And medicines for diabetes, hypertension, thyroid and heart problems need to be continued while on detox. In such cases, it is best to consult an expert, so that a detox diet can be modified to meet the needs of the patient."

Time to get a detox plan

If you love your body, learn to listen to it. Because if you've been feeling stresses or lethargic, or have an irritated skin or bags under the eyes, it's probably time to go on a detox diet. In fact it is recommended once every three months, "After all, we breathe polluted air, and consume food derived from farms treated with pesticides."

Though our body is somewhat protected from toxins by barriers like our skin, lungs and gastrointestinal system, the foreign compounds that cross these barriers are shuttled to the body's detoxification system." Yes, our body has a mutlilayered mechanism to keep harmful elements at bay, and even flush those, that make their way in. And a detox diet helps put the latter mechanism to better effect by helping flush the chemicals that make their way into our system. 

"In fact the idea of fasting in many cultures helps to cleanse the system of the toxins. For those who aren't comfortable with fasting, an easy alternative is to eat right." 

Including today and the next four days i will be providing you with a detox plan...

Diet plan
A good detox plan should contain 60 per cent liquids and 40 per cent solids, according to experts. Rule number one is to hydrate your body. Drink lots of juices of fruits like watermelon, papaya, even cucumber. "However, avoid grapefruit juice, as it contains certain compounds that act as a blocking agent to body's detox mechanism."

And for the solid constituent,most advises to concentrate on a menu of veggies. 
 "Dark green leafy vegetables and the varieties from the cabbage family. Also include berries, onion and seeds like flax, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin. Some of the essential herbs like Angelica root, birch leaves, chamomile, parsley and red beet root help detox the liver." Among the fruits, pineapple and payaya are great for cleansing.

Indian foods that cut fat

 

Cinnamon and cloves:

 Used extensively in Indian cooking, the spices have been found to improve the function of insulin and to lower glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes.

Indian foods that cut fat

Millets : 

 Fibre-rich foods such as millets - jowar, bajra, ragi, etc - absorb cholesterol and help increase the secretion of the bile that emulsifies fats.

Indian foods that cut fat

Moong dal : 

The bean sprouts are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E and many minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. It is recommended as a food replacement in many slimming programes, as it has a very low fat content. It is a rich source of protein and fibre, which helps lower blood cholesterol level. The high fibre content yields complex carbohydrates, which aid digestion, are effective in stabilising blood sugar and prevent its rapid rise after meal consumption.

Indian foods that cut fat

Honey : 

It is a home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra fat deposits in the body allowing it to be utilised as energy for normal functions. One should start with about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning.

Indian foods that cut fat

Buttermilk : 

It is the somewhat sour, residual fluid that is left after butter is churned. The probiotic food contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss. 

Indian foods that cut fat

Mustard oil :

This has low saturated fat compared to other cooking oils. It has fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It contains antioxidants, essential vitamins and reduces cholesterol, which is good for the heart. 

Indian foods that cut fat

Curry leaves : 

Incorporating curry leaves into your daily diet can help you lose weight. These leaves flush out fat and toxins, reducing fat deposits that are stored in the body, as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, incorporate eight to 10 curry leaves into your diet daily. Chop them finely and mix them into a drink, or sprinkle them over a meal.

Indian foods that cut fat

Garlic :

 An effective fat-burning food, garlic contains the sulphur compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats. 

Indian foods that cut fat

Chillies : 

Foods containing chillies are said to be as foods that burn fat. Chillies contain capsaicin that helps in increasing the metabolism. Capsaicin is a thermogenic food, so it causes the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies.