Category Archives: Health

Himalaya PureHands Hand Sanitizers Review

Himalaya PureHands Hand Sanitizers Review

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Himalaya PureHands Hand Sanitizers Review

Hi guys,

How many of you are addicted to using hand sanitizers and always carry one in your handbag? :raises hand high: Hand sanitizers have made our life very convenient when there is no water or soap/liquid hand wash available. And especially when you are travelling or outside whole day and touching 100’s of things and eating/drinking, etc.,

Himalaya Herbals has it’s PureHands hand sanitizers range and they are available in 5 different variants:

  • Green Apple
  • Litchi
  • Lemon
  • Orange
  • Strawberry

And also come in 3 different sizes:

  • 50ml
  • 100ml
  • 250ml

MRP: Rs.175/- for 250ml, Rs.90/- for 100ml, Rs.55/- for 50ml

What it does: The first of its kind, Himalaya’s PureHands is an effective, herbal, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which kills 99.9% of germs, prevents infection, and ensures total hand hygiene.

PureHands contains extracts of herbs like Coriander, which have potent antimicrobial properties and Lime, which is a natural bactericidal. In addition, the active ingredients of Neem, which are antibacterial, fungicidal and antiviral, safely keep viruses, bacteria and fungi at bay.

Key ingredients:

Hrivera is a strongly aromatic herb, which has antibacterial, deodorizing and cooling properties. It also softens hands.

Coriander is derived from the oil of a herb called Oil Coriandrol. The fruits of the herb possess antimicrobial and astringent properties.

Lime is a rich source of vitamin C. It protects the skin from oxidative damage and helps prevent itching. The oil of lemon warms the skin when applied externally. The juice also has bactericidal and astringent properties.

Ushira is an astringent and antibacterial herb. When applied externally, it removes excess heat from the body and provides a cooling effect.

Neem extracts possess antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The tree stem, root and bark have astringent, tonic and antiperiodic properties. Neem is used to treat skin diseases.

Directions for use: Squeeze approximately 0.5 ml (coin-sized drop) of the gel on your palms. Rub well over the palms, back of hands, fingernails and grooves briskly, until dry. No water is required after use.

PureHands is absolutely safe for regular use. It contains moisturizers that prevent skin irritation and dryness. The product has been clinically tested, and its safety and efficacy is proven.

Why PureHands: A series of clinical studies conducted at leading hospitals in India shows that Himalaya’s PureHands significantly reduces microbial germs that can cause a variety of illnesses.

Frequently asked questions:

Washing hands is the age-old method to keep contagious diseases, from the common cold to swine flu, at bay. Health experts agree that a simple measure like frequent hand washing can be very effective in protecting against all types of infections.

While viruses spread through coughs and sneezes, recent evidence has shown that some germs linger on surfaces like door knobs, desks and phones, and are transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes.

Washing hands frequently can protect you from the germs that may have been transferred from direct contact with an infected person (through shaking hands, for example) or indirect contact by touching objects and surfaces.

Is there a ‘right way’ to wash hands?

Believe it or not, there is a right way to wash your hands! Just some water and a drop of soap is not enough!

To clean hands properly:

Use warm water (not cold or hot).
Use soap.
Rub your hands together and make sure you have scrubbed all surfaces including both sides of your hands, wrists, between the fingers and around the nails.
Rinse well under warm, running water and pat dry with a clean towel.

If you suspect that your hands have come into contact with someone with an infection, consider using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

What if I don’t have immediate access to water?

In the absence of water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective in destroying viruses and bacteria.

The World Health Organization states that one should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not accessible.

In fact, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends fast drying alcohol gels over soap and water to kill germs and thereby cut infection rates by half! The CDC has advised using a hand sanitizer to prevent against swine flu infection, for example.

When do I use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer?

Routine hand cleansing.
Before touching or eating food.
Before and after attending to a sick person.
Before touching a baby or infant.
During travel or after using public transport.
After contact with surfaces in public places.
After using the washroom or public toilet.
After handling pets or animals.
After visiting a hospital or nursing home.
After doing household work like cleaning, dusting, handling garbage, etc.

I would always recommend using water and soap if available, to clean the dirt properly. But if not available, then hand sanitizer is the best option as it at least kills the germs and not spread them.

Now we have different variants/flavours/sizes and all sorts of sanitizers available in the market. The small 50ml ones are perfect to carry in your handbag and use through the day.

I love the different fragrance options Himalaya has, Green Apple and Lemon are my favourites.

It also helps get rid of any smell e.g. cutting onions, etc., from the hands and leaves the particular variant’s fragrance behind.

Sanitizers can also be used to clean makeup brushes handles, makeup compacts and outside packaging,etc., to keep them clean and bacteria free, in general.

I also love the texture, it’s quite thick so you need very little product. But it’s not at all greasy or sticky, it evaporates instantly and leaves the hand moisturized. It does not dry out the skin or leave them parched.

Few sanitizers have a strong alcohol smell but this one doesn’t. As mentioned, each variant has a distinct and strong smell of it’s fragrance and is quite refreshing.

Hand sanitizers are the need of the hour and I absolutely love and recommend the Himalaya Pure Hands. The bigger bottle is perfect for in house use and the smaller 50ml one for your bags.

Have you tried Himalaya Pure Hands Sanitizers yet?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village Experiential, Vlog

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Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village Experiential, Vlog

Hi guys,

So last to last weekend I was in Palakkad in Kerala at The Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village. Those of you who follow me on social media already know that and have been seeing the live updates.

Since there was no network and WiFi there, I couldn’t update much, but of course I captured everything for the vlog.

About Kairali: Kairali Ayurvedic Group’s signature resort ‘The Ayurvedic Healing Village’ is situated int Palakkad, just a few kilometers from the world’s biggest mountain pass between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala’s Pala trees. Time spent at this unique jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of ancient India, while relaxing in the lap of modern holistic luxury.

They have different packages for different treatments, yoga therapy, yoga training, ayurveda training, etc. They get patients from all around the world for hypertension, anxiety, nervous breakdown, facial paralysis, weight loss, etc.

You can of course also go there to detox, relax and rejuvenate. A break like this is very refreshing.

We were welcomed with the sandalwood tikka, small white shawl like silk cloth and fresh coconut water. Once you check in, the first thing is consultation with the doctor as your stay, food and everything that will follow will be according to the doctor’s guidelines. The doctor checks your blood pressure, weight and asks for your entire medical history and specific concerns and issues.

Treatment/Massage room

She also prescribes ayurvedic medicines, if required. Apart from that, there are 1-2 massages/treatments everyday as per your package and medical requirement.

We had two massages and we tried Abhyangam on Day 1 and Shirodhara on Day 2. I absolutely loved the massages, they use warm oil very generously and each patient has two attendants and they both do it in perfect sync.

Abhyangam is massaging each and every body part with a lot of warm oil, from head to toe. Shirodhara as the name suggests is flow of oil on your head. They do start with the body massage at first, which is followed by Shirodhara. After the massage, we have to sit in the steam chamber for about 5-6 minutes, followed by the bath. They give a special ubtan (which has green gram powder) to bath with, it gets rid of all the oil without stripping any moisture from the skin. I did not require any moisturiser while I was staying there, because of the generous oil during the massage on both the days.

Outside my villa

There are 30 villas in the Kairali property right now, I loved how each villa was at a distance and each villa had a nice verandah outside to relax and admire the surroundings. The entire property is lush green with a lot of different trees and waterfalls around. You can also find a lot of rare birds and butterflies.

Breakfast (Wheat Upma)

Food is all organic made with very little oil and less salt and spices. There is no sugar used in anything, you can get palm sugar if needed. All desserts had jaggery in it. You get fixed portions if you are here for weight loss program. But you get everything from soup, salad, roti, 2 veggies and one dal and rice, followed by dessert. They grow all fruits and vegetables in their own organic farm behind the property. Morning breakfast starts with a plate full of fresh fruits and fresh fruit juice, followed by one main dish and toast/butter.

The water served here is special herbal water. There is red sandalwood based pink water which everyone can drink, it tastes just like regular water. And there is Niranjal (not sure if this is the correct spelling :/) which is light yellow in color and meant for weight loss and increasing metabolism, it has a slight jeera water taste.

They also have a herbal garden which has one herb plant each, it is only for training purpose. Their main property where they grown all the herbs is near their factory. We also visited the factory where they make all Kairali products and saw the entire process how each product is made. We were allowed to click only in two rooms, hence the part you see in the vlog is only half of the process.

We also met the founders Mrs. Gita Ramesh and Mr. K.V Ramesh, it was so good meeting them. They were very warm and down to earth. We chatted for about 45 minutes with them. There was also a cooking demo by the main chef and an astrology session later on.

While you are staying there, each day 6.30 to 7.30 is yoga practice and 6 to 7 in the evening is meditation. In between you can have your breakfast, lunch, relax and get your massage treatments done. They also have an entertainment room where you can play a few games and a gym.

You get WiFi access only at the reception area and not in the rooms, so you have to come to the reception to use WiFi. I had no network, so was almost without internet the 3 days. I actually liked this small little break/detox. I am online 24/7, so it was difficult at the start but I was liking it after a day.

The only thing I would have liked better are the rooms. The interiors could have been much better, and same goes for the bathroom. Bathroom didn’t have proper drainage system. Since we were occupied on both the days and were out the whole time, it didn’t bother me much but if someone comes for the 7 days/14 days package, they have to be comfortable. I wish they work on the interiors and bathrooms, because everything else is just perfect!

Overall, I loved the experience and highly recommend going there for a treatment if you are suffering from something specific or just for a detox. Also for elders who are suffering from arthritis, diabetes, blood pressure, etc, it’s an ideal place to visit.

See more/book the place here www.ayurvedichealingvillage.com

We also got a few products during the factory visit. I have been using them since quite some days and I really like them. This Grapeseed and Almond body lotion was a part of the toiletries in the bathroom and had used it during the stay too. I absolutely love the smell. It looks rich but is water based and gets absorbed instantly.

I have used the Kairoil hair oil and the Kairkare body massage oil just once, so will update on that later. I absolutely loved the sandal soap, it smells really good and doesn’t dry the skin at all because of the glycerin in it.

Also the herbal powder for body wash is really good. It exfoliates the skin gently and does not strip the natural oils from the skin. The lemon anti-dandruff shampoo is refreshing and works on keeping the scalp clean and dandruff free.

The products are slightly expensive I would say, but since they are all herbal and natural and if they work, all up for it. Since I saw the factory and how the products are made, I would really love trying more of Kairali products and definitely will. Highly recommend them. I am looking forward to try Kaircin which is a facial oil for glowing skin 🙂

Products/Medicines/Oils can be bought here: www.kairaliproducts.in

P.S: I went to Kairali Healing Village as a part of Ayurveda Sutra Wellness Bloggers meet Edition 2

Have you been to an ayurvedic/health resort before? How was your experience?

Best Herbal/Natural Face Masks for Acne & Acne Scars in India, Prices, Buy Online

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Best Herbal/Natural Face Masks for Acne & Acne Scars in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Nidhal

To say that we all are subjected to the vicissitudes of weather would be truism. To say that we all bear the brunt of those weather changes that shows on our skin is yet again sooth. While we may have a multitude of quick-fix solutions at our disposal yet for those who do not eye quick results but rather long-lasting and non-toxic results, it makes sense to zero in on face masks that are not only devoid of deleterious chemicals but also infused with the virtues of natural ingredients in their virgin form.

On that note, here is a list of those face masks available in India that would help you bid farewell to zits/spots/marks.

1. Tarika Ayurlabs – At Tarika, the endeavour is to be as faithful to the principles of Ayurveda as possible. Right from the procurement of herbs to the packaging stage, there is indubitable synergy in the combination of herbs. The manufacturing process described in detail in Ayurveda is followed conscientiously sans taking shortcuts. No chemicals, preservatives or additives are added to the products. Incepted in 1995, the glorious enterprise’s owners realised that even though Ayurveda is a vast ocean of goodness to be delved into, not much attention is given to it by the government, policy makers and people at large.

Coming to their eclectic range, it is Tarika’s Pimple/Acne Removers mask that has me smitten. Claiming to treat stubborn acne, its inimitable formula was developed in 1996. Proven to be efficacious for all types of skin throughout the year, it is a 100% natural product. Shipped all over India, everything about it is impressive. It certainly cleared out my skin within a short span of time. I don’t have acne hence, can’t comment on its efficacy to tackle it yet I am certain of its bountifulness. Wondrous, I say!

PRICE- 280/- INR for 50g (Buy HERE)

2. Kan’s Natural Beauty Care- Mrs. Kanchana S Babu’s all-natural, preservative and artificial- fragrance free venture, all the way from Chennai has all the reasons to be on our list. Keeping an eye on each and every facet of her products right from sourcing her ingredients to the composition of the products, she is an encyclopaedia of home remedies. Incredibly patient to lend an ear to your skin/hair woes, she recommends products on the basis of what would work for you rather than force a product down your throat.

From her bewitching range of chemical-free products that span hair masks, face masks, hair oils and body scrubs, what caught my eye was the Kasturi Anti Pimple Face Pack which is made of 100% natural ingredients. Its natural ingredients include sandalwood, Vetiver, Rose petals and Neem, all of which are great anti-bacterial agents that control even the most severe of pimples and reduce marks and blemishes. Apt for use by everyone, it helps one achieve a more even and luminous skin tone overtime. For the price you are paying, you surely are getting a value-for- money product!

PRICE- 195/- INR for 50g

AVAILABILITY- Facebook

3. Raw Rituals- Composed of sandalwood powder, lodhra bark extract, ginger lily powder, fuller’s earth powder, wild turmeric powder, nutmeg powder and Aloe vera powder, Raw Rituals’ Tarditional Healing Face Pack spells luxury from the word go! Owned and operated by the courteous Mrs. Lovina Agarwal from the Manchester of India aka Ahmadabad, Raw Rituals’s range of products is not only chemical-free but also handmade and vegetarian.

With the aroma of their products attained by the virtue of addition of pure therapeutic grade essential oils, your nose won’t have to crinkle into folds in utter repugnance when a tub/pot/bottle of their product is opened. Rather, brace yourselves for you will be swept off your feet.

Apt for use by all skin types, it not only fades blemishes overtime (realistically) but also imparts a winsome glow temporarily which is augmented, if used regularly. Packed scrupulously in an aesthetic and travel-friendly package, it can be carted conveniently while travelling.

PRICE- 190/- INR for 25g (Buy HERE)

4. Quinta Essentia Organics- A little biased towards my fellow Delhi-ites, Quinta Essentia Organics- an organic skin, body and hair care venture is helmed by the lovely duo- Ms. Arti and Atika Gaur. No points for guessing, it is based out of Delhi and churns out indulgences.

No, I won’t call them “products”. They are far above than mere products. At the helm of affairs, is Arti who holds years of experience and a degree in Ayurveda from Dhyan Foundation. With a degree in biotechnology, comes Atika into the picture. Conscious consumers as the two call themselves, we cannot help but gawk at their drool-worthy range of indulgences spanning- body butters, cold-pressed soaps, hair masks, body oils, lip butters, mineral makeup, chawanpraash (formulated as per ancient Ayurvedic texts and wildcrafted/certified organic ingredients), sun veil, organic lip sticks and so on.

From their enticing range, what caught my fancy was the Olive Clay Soap. Packed in a tub which may confound one and all, it comes in a semi-liquid form and takes just a few minutes to work its magic. For use on damp skin, the time limit is 20 minutes whereas for those using it like a face wash, restrict it to 5-7 minutes. Post washing, it not only clears your skin tone instantaneously but also imparts a tinge of luminosity that looks incredulously natural- something most makeup products also fail in eliciting!

PRICE- 1,200/- INR for 70g

AVAILABILITY- Facebook

5. Vedantika Herbals- With a range that encompasses not only beauty products but also health food, Vedantika Herbals is here on our list. Known to keep the ingredients’ list of their products minimal, their beauty care range of products spans a body polishing ubton/ubtan, anti-aging face mask, skin glow mask, anti-acne mask amongst others. Shipped all over India, their beauty care products are packed in aesthetic bottles that make them handy as well as durable. Adding no nasties like- parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrochemicals, SLS, SLES, alcohol and the ilk to their products, they believe in keeping pernicious chemicals at an arm’s length from their tempting products.

I find the Anti-Acne Mask from their range worth a mention. While I do not suffer from acne, I can’t comment on how efficacious it would be for a person suffering from the same yet, what I can comment about is, is its cooling and rejuvenating properties which make it an ideal pick for blistering summers. Good to enough to be used daily, it doesn’t suck up the moisture of your skin and is safe for use by all skin types. Pulverized finely, it won’t scratch your skin too. Creditable, isn’t it?

PRICE- 185/- INR for 70g (Buy HERE)

Editor’s Note: They all sounds really, would definitely love to try some of these.

Have you tried any of these anti-acne/acne scar removal natural masks?

Best Exercises To Get Rid of Love Handles/Muffin Tops

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Best Exercises To Get Rid of Love Handles/Muffin Tops

By Nidhal

Flaunting a flat and chiseled tummy not only looks winsome but also manifests one’s dedication, assiduousness and attention towards one’s health. And it is tacit that such a frame complements almost all types of apparel be it ethnic or Western. However, thanks to our fast-paced lives, we cross paths with insalubrious food items, commonly known as junk food, and ingestion of which leaves us with myriad health woes.

Love handles/muffin tops are excess abdominal fat that accumulate near the waist and without any iota of doubt look unprepossessing but wait, do not fret. There are easy ways which help you get rid of them. So, jot down these points and bid farewell to those pesky love handles that are holding you back from flaunting a figure-hugging outfit!


1. KNEE DROP EXERCISE- Lie flat on the ground, abs pulled in tight to your spine, back flat on the floor. Lift legs off the floor and into a table-top position. Squeeze a ball between your legs, engaging the inner thigh muscles and lower abs the entire time. Drop your knees over to the right. Continue for 15 minutes in a set.

2. BICYCLE CRUNCH EXERCISE- Bicycle crunches utilize all of your major abdominal muscles more than any other ab exercise. This all-inclusive exercise helps tone up one’s belly and love handle areas. To do a bicycle crunch, lie on the floor and clasp your hands behind your head. Slightly raise your legs a few inches off the floor. Bend your knees at a 45-degree angle. Direct your legs in a bicycle motion while bringing your left elbow to right knee, then right elbow to left knee.

3. RUSSIAN TWIST EXERCISE- Sit on your bottom with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. You should be leaning back at 45 degrees angle. You can hold a weight in your hands, or you can choose not to. That is your discretion. You have legroom to do so! Lift your feet off the ground and cross them at the ankles. Twist to the right and touch the ground next to your hip with the weight or your hand. Twist back to the left and do the same.

4. BURPEES- Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, squat down putting your weight in your butt and reach your hands towards the floor. Jump with your legs and extend your feet to one side, land with both feet while keeping your core tight and one leg stacked on top of the other, jump back to centre, and then jump straight up bringing your hands overhead. With this exercise, kiss goodbye to those pesky and abashing love handles in no time.

5. THE SUPERMAN EXERCISE- The most frolicsome of all exercise- the superman exercise helps you unleash the superman (or should I say superwomen?) in you. How? All you need to do is stretch yourself on the ground by keeping your hands and legs straight. You need to lift your chest and thighs of the ground at the same time by balancing yourself on your stomach. Maintain the posture for 30 seconds and relax. That’s one rep! And you have aced it.

6. SKIPPING- Not only does skipping improves one’s agility, but also it kicks excess fat off one’s body. All you need to do is invest in a skipping rope and get started. There’s no ‘tutorial’ per se on how to skip. The key is to keep an eye on the rope and jump as it approaches your feet. 20 jumps for a beginner is fine starting point. So, go and grab a skipping rope.

7. LUNGES- Lunges not only tone and strengthen legs, but also develop muscles of the abdomen. Stand straight with your right leg placed forward. Now, bend both the knees to lower your body to a lunge pose. It is as cushy as that! Incorporate it in your daily fitness regimen and you’ll have not only toned legs to flaunt but also zero love handles.

Editor’s Note: I think we all need this 😀 Thanks for this post Nidhal

Do you follow these exercises?

Best Face Tightening Exercises | Get Rid of Double Chin

Fitness, Health, Lifestyle, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best Face Tightening Exercises | Get Rid of Double Chin

By Nidhal

Look around yourself. How do people in your ambit look? Do not get deceived by the heady cocktail of chemicals on their face, camouflaging the dullness, tiredness and stress writ on them. No matter what your profession or field you are in, you do not get a license that enables you to turn a blind eye to the natural lustre of your face. Makeup is fun and creative, I agree but if the base (read: your face’s natural texture) is not well-maintained, no amount of makeup will elicit spectacular results.

With improper, insalubrious and untimely eating habits, we are aggravating the situation. How? You are what you eat! It’s time to take back a few steps and incorporate some easy-to- do exercises in your fitness regimen to allay premature aging and drive away dullness.

These exercises will help you tighten your facial muscles and also get rid of that nasty double chin..

1. THE BALLOON FACE- One of the popular selfie poses, the balloon face targets the muscles in your cheeks. All you need to do is inhale deeply through your mouth. Before exhaling, fill your cheeks with air. Your cheeks should resemble a balloon. Hold for a few seconds and release the breath.

2. THE FISH FACE- Another famed selfie pose is here! You do not need any tutorial on how to ace this, do you Ms. Selfie Queen? However, to those who aren’t fond of clicking selfies, here’s how you need to ace this- Suck in your cheeks and purse your lips. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax.

3. THE HULK- Unleash in the inherent Hulk in you by performing the “Hulk Exercise”. This exercise targets the loose skin drooping from one’s neck. To perform it, tilt your head backwards, purse your lips out and place your fingers at the bottom of your neck. Hold for 30 seconds and then revert to your former position. Continue for 5 minutes.

4. THE ‘SMOOTH THE FOREHEAD’ EXERCISE- To target the fine lines that develop on one’s forehead with time, the ‘smooth the forehead’ exercise proves to be fruitful. Place your fingers on the forehead, both facing each other. Spread the remaining fingers likewise and gently swipe the forehead while applying a light pressure to ‘smoothen’ the lines. Continue for 5 minutes.

5. THE ‘TONGUE OUT’ EXERCISE- This exercise may look as if you are teasing someone. So if you intend to and are confronted by them, tell them that it’s a face tightening exercise and walk away slyly! To perform this exercise, raise your eyebrows as high as you can and open your eyes as wide as possible. Hold them for five seconds. Stick your tongue out as far as you can and hold for a few seconds.

6. MASSAGING THE PHILTRUM- The grove between your nose and upper portion of the lip is called the philtrum. Massaging it will sort out smoker’s lines. Doing so is easy too. All you need to do is make inward circular movements using your index finger for 5 minutes. That’s all, you’re done. Incorporate it in your “daily” regimen. It doesn’t need any sophisticated equipment or state of body too.

7. KAPAALBHAATI PRANAYAAM- Kapaal stands for “skull” while bhaati means “shine”. Translated literally, Kapaalbhaati Pranayaam means the “skull shining” exercise. Regular practice will impart an enviable lustre to your face. Doing it is also cushy. Simply sit in a cross-legged position. Let your left hand rest on your left thigh and knee. Now, close the right opening of your nose using your right hand. Inhale deeply. Hold for 15 seconds. Close the left opening of your nose and exhale slowly. That’s Kapaalbhaati Pranayaam andyou have aced it! Do it at least 15 times a day and increase the frequency as you get accustomed to it.

Editor’s Note: These are some interesting exercises, much needed. Will definitely be trying.

Have you tried any of these exercises for tightening your face?

Things to Know About Travel & Health Insurance

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Things to Know About Travel & Health Insurance

Hi guys,

Today’s post is a little different, I wanted to share some things about health and travel insurance as it is still taken for granted and many people are not covered.

One of my dear friends recently got diagnosed with Malaria and had to be admitted to a hospital. Getting admitted in a hospital (without surgery) can set you back by around 20,000/ day. It is here that the importance of health insurance policies comes into the picture.

Health insurance in India, popularly known as Mediclaim, is nothing but an Insurance which covers expenses related to necessary hospitalization due to a sickness or an accident. Health insurance is generally an annual policy, renewable every year. The policy covers hospitalization due to sickness and accidental injury. You can claim health insurance in 2 ways – cashless or reimbursement.

Cashless – You don’t have to pay anything. You go to the insurance company’s website, check out their network of Hospitals & get admitted to the nearest network hospital which gives admittance just by showing the cashless card (which will be processed within 2-3 hours)

Reimbursement – In case you happen to be admitted in a hospital which is not in the network of your insurance company, you will have to make all payments on your own to the hospital, and then claim the same from the insurance company.

Tips for choosing a health insurance plan

Opt for family floater

If a family of three buys a family floater mediclaim of 3 lakhs, the full family covered can make claims of upto Rs. 3 lakh in a year, subject to other terms and conditions in the policy. In most policies self, spouse, and kids are covered in a family floater policy. On the other hand, individual mediclaim is a product where each member is covered under a separate Sum Insured. Taking individual policies turns out to be more expensive than family floater.

Cover pre-existing diseases

Pre-existing ailments or diseases are symptoms, diagnosed ailments, or any existing or past health condition which exist at the time of applying for mediclaim policy. When you apply for a mediclaim, please ensure that you provide a detailed medical background about your family. Ailments which already exist are generally covered by mediclaim after 4 years. In a recent trend, most insurance companies now have started putting permanent exclusions for pre-existing diseases in the policy.

Royal Sundaram Health Insurance has come out with their policies with extended features as listed below:

• No room rent capping (some policies cap hospital room rent at a measly number)

• No Disease specific sub limits.( most policies in the market will restrict the amount payable for defined illness / treatments )

Travelling is something that is enjoyed by everyone. But travelling overseas usually means that one is entering a new and unknown land where the language, culture, people, and conditions are different. If in such a new land, one may face the plight of loss of baggage, robbery, health problems etc. During such difficult times, financial aid is needed, and that’s when travel insurance comes to your rescue. While one is on a trip, it is good to hope that your trip proceeds as expected and planned, but it is not necessary that it will.

Out of India, expenses for hospitalization are higher than those within India. Thus, if one is traveling overseas, purchasing a travel insurance can protect the insured against such unexpected expenses due to ill health or accidents. If one is injured due to the accident or falls ill during the trip then the expenses of the medication as well as for hospitalization or emergency evacuation is paid partly or fully(this will depend on the policy coverage offered) by the travel insurance company and thus less burden on the insured.

Royal Sundaram’s Travel Insurance covers almost everything you can think of;

• Overseas medical covers of up to US$ 150,000.

• Security against unexpected emergency surgeries, diagnostic tests (such as X-Ray, blood tests, scans) and medical aid prescribed by the attending physician

• Covers emergencies and essential dental treatments

• Total coverage for loss of checked-in baggage

• Coverage for delays of checked-in baggage which includes reimbursement for emergency purchase of clothing and toiletries, up to a certain limit

• Coverage for loss of travel documents which includes reimbursements and reissuing duplicate documents

• You can also avail hijack distress allowance under this scheme

Image Sources: 1,2

7 Exercises To Get a Flat Tummy

Fitness, Health, How To, Lifestyle, Top 5, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

7 Exercises To Get a Flat Tummy

By Nidhal

Having a flat and taut tummy is one such accessory that grabs eyeballs instantly. Be it a figure-hugging one-piece or the graceful 9-yards (read: saree), a flat tummy is the ideal finishing touch to any attire. Not only does it manifest that one takes her body and its appearance seriously but also is a mark of proper upkeep. Keeping in mind that life these days is fraught with stress and unhealthy diet (envisage as many insalubrious food items you stoked in to your system right now… Yes, I know guilt would be knocking you down now), here is a brief rundown of 7 easy exercises that you can incorporate in your daily fitness regimen to kick that flab off your body!

1. CRUNCHES– Crunches help one tone and tighten the muscles in the stomach and you do not need any sophisticated equipment to get going too! Just flat on the ground and wake up- it is as simple as that. However, the key is to wake up while keeping your entire body (from your head to the waist) straight (as if in a line) and focus on an object (say the ceiling). DO NOT bend your head/neck. It will undermine your entire posture. 15 reps is a good enough number for a novice.

2. SIDE PLANKS- Planks are one of the best exercises for a flat, toned stomach because they work on all the muscles in your core. To do so, all you need to do is, lie on your left side with your knees straight. Raise your body up on your left elbow and forearm, feet stacked. Raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from your ankles to your shoulders. Hold this position for half a minute. That’s one rep. 10 reps are good for a beginner. Increase the frequency and duration as you get habituated with it.

3. MOGUL JUMP- Mogul jumps give one’s hips, abs and back muscles a strenuous workout which helps one kick fat promptly. To perform the Mogul jump, raise your knees a few inches off the floor while keeping your hands and feet in their position. Make a jumping movement, shifting your feet to the left. Then, similarly jump them to the right. During this ensure that your feet stay together.

4. BURPEES- Burpees set a lot of muscles to work in our body which helps one lose fat from the belly swiftly. To do this exercise, stand up straight with your legs apart about shoulder-width. Start lowering your body till your palms lie flat on the floor, the same width apart as your legs. Kick your legs out from under you in backward direction so you are in a position to perform push-ups. Do a single push up and pull your legs back. Then, stand back up with a jump, and repeat the whole exercise. That’s it, wasn’t it cushy?

5. ELBOW PLANK- The elbow plank is a slight variation of the simple plank. All you need to do is now balance on the part of your hand extending from the elbows to the fingers. Do not let your hips or abdomen droop. Hold the position for half a minute and there goes one rep!

6. THE V-HOLD- The simplest of all the exercises so far- the V-Hold requires you to lie down on your back while placing your hands under your butt for leverage. Lift back and legs off ground. Hold “V” position for 15 to 30 seconds.

7. THE WINDMILL EXERCISE- The windmill exercise targets the oblique(meaning side) abs. To perform it, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a kettle-bell (any bearable weight) in your left hand. bring the weight onto your left shoulder and press it overhead. While you rotate your chest to the left, you need to look at your kettle-bell (or any weight that you may have opted for) as you reach your right foot with your right hand. Pause for half a minute and revert to your former self. You have perfected the exercise, lady!

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Editor’s Note: Again a fabulous and useful compilation Nidhal

Do you do these exercises? Have any to add, do let us know in the comments below

Sofy Bodyfit Overnight Review

Health, Lifestyle, Reviews, Sofy, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sofy Bodyfit Overnight Review

Hi guys,

We all go through days or rather nights during our periods, where we wake up with stained clothes or bedsheets at times. I know it may get a little embarrassing and night pads like these help us through those nights.

Claims: SOFY Overnight is the longest napkin in India and has a wider hip guard which covers your panty from the back for extra coverage. So you can sleep peacefully all night long.

  • Wider hip guard
  • Shape maintenance system
  • Double absorbent core

MRP: Rs.155/- for a pack of 10 (Buy HERE)

Sofy is Japan’s no. 1 Sanitary Napkin brand and we have it in India since about 2 years now. I am very glad we do, coz there were just 1-2 sanitary napkin brands available widely in India and one being the most famous, had the largest share in the market. Also is very expensive, and leaves rashes and itchy feeling post periods coz of the plastic layer on top. It was not the most comfortable but then there were hardly any options in gel absorbing category.

Sofy has quite a few different variants available but this Overnight one is absolutely perfect for girls with heavy flow at night time because it is quite wide and long. Its wider hip guard covers the panty from the back and there are no chances of leakage or transfer because of the double absorbent core. The wings keep the pad in place and it doesn’t move.

It is the longest napkin in India. They have this super ad called #SleepingUgly which says Sleeping Beauties belong only in fairytales and in reality we sleep best when we sleep ugly 😀 That is so practical and true, that is the real us.

I love the fact that these are super soft and there is no absolutely no itchiness or rashes during or even after the periods. You can check out more about Sofy on www.sofyclub.com/in

Have you tried the Soft Bodyfit Overnight?

Touch Nature Lemongrass Essential Oil Review, Benefits, How to Use

Essential Oils, Health, How To, Oils, Reviews, Skin care, Tips, Tips and Tricks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Touch Nature Lemongrass Essential Oil Review, Benefits, How to Use

By Nidhal

They smell heavenly. They are perfect pick-me- up items to uplift your senses and lull you into a soothing slumber. Popularly used in aromatherapy sessions, essential oils, EO for short are highly concentrated, potent and therapeutic oils that need to be necessarily blended with a carrier/base oil for external use (and they are strictly not meant for internal uses). A base oil is simply any oil that mellows down the potency of the essential oil to the extent that its goodness isn’t reduced but it becomes conducive for use on skin.

The bottom line- Always, without fail, dilute essential oils in a base (or more than one) oil such as- virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO in short), virgin sesame oil and so on and so forth for use on skin/hair. Also, add only a few “DROPS’ and not teaspoons/tablespoons of the essential oil into the carrier/base oil. You stand the risk of scalding your skin if you add more than a few drops of essential oil to the base oil.

With these basic ideas in my, I zeroed in on TOUCH NATURE NEPAL LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL one fine afternoon as I was strolling the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal in 2014 🙂 The people are the epitome of courtesy , warmth and civility by the way. Coming back to the topic, let us begin with how the essential oil fared for me and how I used it for my skin and hair.

PRICE – 350 INR for 10ml (Buy similar from Soulflower HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Dilute in a base/carrier oil of your choice, depending on your skin’s condition and use topically.

INGREDIENTS- Pure lemongrass essential oil

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) is a perennial plant in the Poaceae grass family and is native to the tropical and subtropical area of India, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Guatemala, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It flourishes where the soil is slightly sandy and the climate moist and war. Lemongrass essential oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-oxidant, astringent and diuretic properties.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a minuscule glass jar with a plastic cap on top and a layer of plastic covering with already perforated holes inset, the packaging of the essential oil is simple, spillage-free and travel-friendly. Yes, the provision of the double layer packaging makes it easy to carry without the fear of leakage. However, I wish a dropper was furnished so that drawing out the oil would have been easier. So, that is my input.

The oil has a riveting aroma. It uplifts you truly! The oil does not have a greasy/oily/thick texture but is fairly runny (as I see). One is not supposed to put it on one’s skin without dilution hence, I never risked doing the same.

FOR MY SKIN – I blend 3-4 drops of this lemongrass essential oil into two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and then, massage it on my skin especially after a bath for that ensures better absorption 🙂 Result? My skin feels hydrated, smoothed out and softened throughout the day besides emanating a lovely aroma that keeps me fresh

FOR MY HAIR- I mix 2 drops of this lemongrass essential oil with 2 tablespoons of virgin sesame oil (which is slightly warm for I prefer hot oil massages). Never mix the oils and then heat the resulting mixture. Do not even heat virgin sesame oil too much else or it may emit flames of smoke, indicating that all its goodness is going in for a toss. Simply heat the virgin sesame oil for a minute or two on LOW FLAME and then after a minute or two, add 2 drops of lemongrass EO. Mix well and apply on your scalp.

Keep it overnight and then apply a mask (optional step) the next morning, shampoo and condition as usual. You will end with shiny, hydrated and softened hair which I did  Oh yes, as far as my experience goes, I find it suitable for use by all skin types except those with excessively dry skin. All hair types can go for it.

GOOD-

1. Riveting aroma. It sends one’s olfactory senses into a tizzy. In one word- Heavenly 

2. Well-packaged

3. Well-priced. Most essential oils are within this range so, one is not being overcharged.

4. Perfect for aromatherapy sessions.

5. Can be added to hair masks with a foul odour to camouflage the smell.

6. Can be added to face masks in order to elicit a soul-stirring aroma.

7. Imparts a glow. I have added a few drops of the same to extra virgin olive oil and used on my face and neck (which is dry)every night for two months. Hence, can vouch for it. Please note, I said “drops”.

BAD-

1. Very difficult to find. I have not been able to find it in India. It is obvious since it is made in Nepal but even if searched online, one is unable to find to find it.

RATING – 4/5

Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review

Ayurvedic, Essential Oils, Health, Reviews, Skin care, Soaps, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review

By Nidhal

Remember those days when we used to vacuously smear that colourful bar of soap that smelled heavenly and looked comely on our skin (and sadly, on our faces too) while unleashing the inherent model in us in our bathrooms? 😛 Days would roll by but all what it left was dry, parched skin that felt smothered after the ‘wash’. Quite naturally, it was bound to. Why? Did you care to read the labels? “Ummm… not really”, says a voice in your head right now. So, that is the reason my friend.

Cut to present and markets like always are inundated with soaps of myriad shapes, sizes, colors, flavours (err…chemicals) and packets. One thing is constant and that is our incorrigible habit of ignoring the labels. Having emerged delusional with soaps years ago, I switched over to ubtans (homemade powders for cleansing), however, one fine day, I came across a brand that used 2 words in its name which caught my eyes- Ancient Ayurveda. Intrigued, I began scrolling down their range of products when I came across their soaps. The realisation dwelled upon me that it would be just one of “those brands” that pull wool over consumers’ eyes by printing catchy words like “invigorated with XYZ essential oil”, “handmade” and so on but I was in for a pleasant surprise. The brand is the textbook definition of being ‘ethical’.

While most brand publish what their products contain, Ancient Ayurveda upped its game and went on publish what all their products do not contain IN DETAIL (see the picture for better understanding). Impressed, I zeroed in on ANCIENT AYURVEDA INVIGORATING TAILPATRA WOODASH SOAP to see how far it performs (or flounders). So here goes my review of the same 🙂

PRICE- 238 INR for 116 gm (Buy HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Smear on your drenched face and body with a natural luffa. Wash off after scrubbing gently.

INGREDIENTS- Homogenous coconut shell charcoal, coconut tree inflorescece charcoal flaxseed wheat germ oil, Ashwagandha tailam, Ark tailam, black cumin seed oil, bala taimbu, somaraji tailam, chandan bala, lakshadi tailam, jatyadi tailam, karanj tailam, virgin coconut oil, kasisadi tailam, zest of soapnut, kumkumadi tailam, rice bran oil, rice bran wax, nilibringhadi tailam, castor bean meat, whole pscralea corylifolia oil, zest of ‘Koshtum’, castor oil, coconut water, coconut meat, cow’s milk, zest of copra, grapeseed oil and neem oil.

A detailed list of fillers/items not added into the soap is provided as a leaflet once you place an order. And… You will be left speechless on seeing that most of them have been added in even the so-called handmade soaps that you use. Handmade does not mean ‘natural’.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- This soap does not contain Steric Acid (animal derived hardening agent, primarily from butchered pigs and cows) which makes the mainstream handmade and commercial soap melt-less.

MY EXPERIENCE-

GOOD-

Packed in a simple paper packing with the soap enclosed in a plastic cover, the packaging of the soap is quite simplistic. I disliked the plastic cover but realised that in India’s tropical weather, if the soap were packed in a plastic/cloth pack, it would have melted and rumpled the entire product rendering it useless.

As a result, given the product’s composition (which is primarily a blend of oils), the packaging is legit. Though it cannot be carried while travelling yet, I won’t pinpoint to it as a drawback because carrying soaps anyway is inconvenient while travelling. In a nutshell, the packaging is fine 🙂

The soap has a hard texture when stored in the fridge but take it for 5 minutes and witness the magic as it melts (all thanks to Sun God who unleash their fury on us from May to June all the more) 😛

I prolong its use by cutting it into 10 pieces 5 minutes after taking it out from the fridge (so that it softens enough for my knife to work). Each time I step into the shower, I take a piece (1/10 th part of the soap) with me along with a natural loofah/luffa. I smear it on my drenched skin and gently rub a luffa. 1/10 th part is sufficient for a use. I do not overdo or use beyond requirement. I know we Indians have a tendency to slap products in excess if it works but that is what we need to control. Use enough not in excess 🙂

After scrubbing my skin with the luffa for 7-8 minutes, there is a little froth which I rinse off and step out of the shower. My skin feels soft and deeply hydrated. This spells cheer for my skin is dry and this is the first time that my skin’s moisture level has not witnessed a nosedive 🙂 With use overtime, I noted a subtle glow too that looked natural. Besides feeling clean, my skin looked clear and refreshed. My mother who has normal skin used it and has been singing paeans since then. I recommended it to a friend of mine who has oily skin and so far, even she is impressed with its performance. While I can’t vouch for its efficacy for oily skin, I can safely say that it will become the HG soap of those with dry and normal skin 🙂

In one word, it is phenomenal!

1. The most natural soap one can land.

2. Mentions what it contains and what it does not (which is quite informative) clearly. Hence, the epitome of ethics.

3. Works wonders in softening skin.

4. Made in India

5. Associated with the NGO- Prajwala which works to rescue sex-trafficked women. There is a sense of complacency one experiences in contributing to such a noble initiative.

6. Highly impressive ingredients’ list

7. Imparts a subtle glow. No, you won’t glow like an incandescent LED that is shown (read: exaggerated beyond description) in TV adverts. The glow is subtle but noticeable.

8. Works well for all skin types but best for dry skin. It won’t weigh down oily skin but works exceedingly well for dry skin. I wonder how it does so.

9. Easily available. You can place an order on Amazon India.

10. Heals chapped skin overtime.

11. Price is reasonable given its effectiveness.

BAD-

1. Since it a blend of oils, it melts (yes, you read it right M-E- L-T- S) when the temperature rises to 33 degrees or above. In fact, since India is predominantly warm for most part of year, a major bugbear is the storage of this soap. It actually liquefies. To allay this, I let it out at room temperature for a few minutes. It softens somewhat when I cut it into 10-12 pieces with a knife. I use one piece each time I step into the shower and stash all the remnant pieces into the refrigerator 🙂 So, that is the only limitation which too, is taken care of.

RATING- 5/5

Editor’s Note: That sounds fantastic Nidhal and what a detailed review! I am surely trying this. Also I saw a few other soaps they have, all look great!

Have you tried any Ancient Ayurveda Soaps?