Boost Your Health With Healing Teas..For the Cold and Flu

Anyone who knows me knows that I am very pro natural healing. I have taken classes on clinical herbalism and feel very strongly about the subject.

Healing teas have an ancient wisdom that predates recorded history. Throughout time, wise women and folk healers, have created medicines composed of plants. Herbal teas, initially wildcrafted by these observant wise women and healers, developed over time after having noticed the beneficial effects plants had on animals who ate them when they were sick or aging.

Many herbs can be made into healing teas and consumed to add valuable nutritive and natural healing substances that will help to overcome stress, illness, injury, and a less than optimal lifestyle. The ancient use of herbal teas as medicinals and therapies have withstood the test of time because they work.

You can purchase herbal teas in almost any market these days, but some you can make at home with items from your cupboard. My favorite cold/flu brand is Traditional Medicinals. They also have cold and flu teas for children. If you opt to make your own tea you will need a teaball. Place ingredients in the teaball and steep in water that has just been brought up to a boil. Sweeten your teas with the natural healing sweetener, honey.

Honey is an age-old remedy for so many different things. When it comes to colds, it can be used as a cough reliever and it has some antibiotic properties. A teaspoon of honey on its own can be beneficial, or a cough mixture can be made up. Chop up 4-6cloves of garlic and place them in a jar of honey. After a few weeks the garlic can be removed, leaving a great mix for coughs and sore throats. Garlic is a very effective tool against colds. It is a strong antimicrobial and antiviral agent. Include garlic in your soups and cooking when ever possible.

Sage and Marjoram have antiseptic qualities, while Thyme is antimicrobial. These herbs can be mixed together or taken separately. Take 1-2 teaspoons of the herbs in a cup of boiling water; allow steeping for 30 minutes. Drink warm. This tea is good for soothing coughs, sore throats and tonsils, while also killing germs. (Add these herbs to your soup as well.)

For Congestion you can use: Ginger, thyme, licorice teas

Soothing for your throat: Slippery elm, comfrey, basswood bossom, fennugreek teas, sage

To relieve nausea: Ground fennel, ginger or peppermint teas

Here is a make it yourself tea that will surely make you feel better in no time at all:

1) Ginger
2) Lemon juice
3) Honey
That’s it!

Why ginger, lemon and honey?

Well, you probably know that lemon is high in Vitamin C. It is also full of phytochemicals. These are plant constituents that help boost the immune system and much more. Ginger and honey are also well documented to help the immune system.

Here’s what you do: (you may need to experiment with amounts to get the taste that suits you)

Fill up your teakettle and get it boiling.

Meanwhile, grate a one-inch piece of fresh ginger root.

Get a thermos out or you can use a teapot. Put the ginger in the thermos/teapot.

Put 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in the thermos.

Add 3 tablespoons of honey to thermos as well.

When your water is boiled, pour it in the thermos.

Cover and let it sit for 20 minutes.
Strain into a tea cup and enjoy!

Another way to help you along with your cold is to gargle. Gargles are an age old method of bringing soothing substances to sore throats. Be sure the liquid is expectorated (spat out) so the toxins drawn out from the swollen tissue are not swallowed.

SALTY LEMON GARGLE
The astringent properties of lemon juice and common table salt (or, for a more pure version, sea salt, found in all health food stores), when combined with warm water and used as a gargle, shrink swollen tissue. As a result, this classic blend reduces the inflammation and pain of sore throats while providing excellent anti-microbial protection.

Combine the juice of half a lemon with one tablespoon salt in 1/2 cup warm water.
Gargle with this mixture at least four times a day.

To further enhance the astringency and anti-microbial action of this gargle, mix the lemon and salt into 1/2 cup sage tea instead of plain water.

GRAPEFRUIT SEED GARGLE
The extract of the grapefruit seed contains potent anti-microbial as well as astringent constituents that help relieve an inflamed, sore throat. Add 4-6 drops grapefruit seed extract (purchased in health food stores) to 1/2 glass water.

Copy CATS!!!!!

Hi Beauties!

Before I begin I would like to apologize if somebody finds the content of this post offensive but I cannot help it I am hurt and angry. It has happened many times before and I have read posts of many bloggers complaining that their posts were copied by other bloggers and their pictures stolen. I used to sympathize with them but since this has happened to me lately now I truly understand how it feels.

People do you realize how much effort, creativity and time we put into writing a blog post? It requires brains and energy. It does not come on its own if that had been the case people would not be copying other people's post. Before today I never used to add a watermark to my pictures but now I have decided to do so since I have also become a victim of plagiarism.

You must be aware of the on going contest of Luscious cosmetics where you tag Luscious in the status and win goodies. Well it has come to my notice that Sara Gulzaib from the blog Makeup craves has used my picture of Luscious perfect brows kit from a haul post of mine. You can check out Luscious Cosmetics page if you want to.

This has happened several times before as well with other bloggers. Therefore I would request Pakistani Blogger community to ban Makeup Craves from the community as it is a disrespect to a blogger. An example should be set so that it does not happen again in the future.

This is all I have to say I hope you will support me in my cause. I did not intend to name and shame but this is too much, it is time to take serious steps against such malpractices.

Suave daily clarifying shampoo

Hi Beauties!

So has it ever happened to you that your hair feel a little weighed down, extra greasy and give you tough time in combing? If that is the case then probably your hair need a good clarification and a clarifying shampoo is the best thing to do so.

What is a Clarifying Shampoo?

Many of us must be familiar with the name, clarifying shampoo but let me tell you what exactly it is. A clarifying shampoo is basically a deep cleanser for hair that removes product buildup. Styling products routinely used like hair sprays, gels, mousses, serums, styling creams, oils build up over time and cause the roots to block up and not be able to breathe. Also the hair strands get rough, greasy and lose their shine making them appear dead and tough to comb and manage. For people living in Pakistan the hot weather is another cause, as due to perspiration oil build ups in the hair and causes damage to the roots. Using a clarifying shampoo can remove all dirt,grime and build up making the hair lively, bouncy and easy to manage.

Main Ingredient

The main ingredient usually found in most of the clarifying shampoos is acetic acid which is usually synthetic vinegar. Vinegar or lemon juice is often used as a cleanser for hair. It cleanses the hair and brings out their natural shine and makes them smooth and bouncy. The acetic acid compound in the shampoo is relatively mild hence does not cause damage to the hair.

So I wanted to get myself a shampoo but could not find the one I use. I was searching the shelves in Roop SInghar Liberty Markets and my gaze fell upon this shampoo.

Its a daily clarifiying shampoo from Suave which means that it can be used on daily purposes but I dont recommend it using on daily basis.

How often to use a Clarifying Shampoo

Though every clarifying shampoo comes with its own set of recommendations like this one which says that it can be used daily but generally clarfiying shampoos are not recomended to be used on regualt basis. Clarifying shampoos are known to dry out the scalp so it is not advisable. However they can be used once a week or once in two or three weeks, bi monthly or monthly depending upon your use of styling products and grime in the hair.

How to use a Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoo can be used as any other regular shampoo. The most effective method to begin with is wet your hair, take a small coin sized amount and massage it well into the hair. The first time the shampoo may not lather well due to oil and grime in hair but its ok. massage into the scalp well and rinse with water. Now again take coin sized amount and massage into the hair, this time it may lather as some of the grime and product build up has been washed and the hair are cleaner than before. Massage into the hair and let it stay for a minute or two at max. Rinse your hair well and condition your hair. You may need to use more conditioner as clarifying shampoos tend to dry out the hair and scalp.  

For Colored Hair

If your hair are dyed still you can use clarifying shampoo but excess or regular usage can fade out the hair color. So my recommendation is to use it once a month if necessary.

My Experience

I have been using this product for a little while now and I use it bi monthly. So far I am liking the results of this shampoo. After using it my scalp feels clean and my head feels lighter as if a weight has been put off from my head. It does tend to dry my scalp and hair as I already have a dry skin so I make sure to use a conditioner or hair cream after rinsing off the shampoo. I havent noticed any side effects for my hair so far so I am going to rate it 4.7/5 and would recommend you people to try it out as well. I got this from Roop Singhar Liberty markets for just Rs. 210 and the content is 444ml enough to last for quite sometime. For the amount and quality the price is extremely reasonable.

This post has gotten way long than I intended it to be so I am gonna stop now and you girls let me know whether it was informative for you or not? Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care!

Palladio Eye Shadow Quads

Hi Beauties!

Since by now you all would have judged how loose I am when it comes to shopping. Taking a trip to a single shop means that no matter what, I would end up buying something for myself so here is what happened with me again. I went to Shoppe Liberty markets to get myself a chocolate and this is what I ended up buying. 

Its Palladio herbal eyeshadow quad in somkey eyes.

These are non builded swatches of each shade. I swiped them once with my finger and swatched them on my hand and below is the result I got. The shades seem pretty much pigmented and when builded they look wonderful. I tried them out on my eyes and they looked superb.

I got this palette for Rs. 750 and I am loving this palette. Infact I think I am going to place this in my beauty bag and carry it at all times with me in my purse. I would give it a 5/5 and would recommend you girls to give it a try. They are available in several other wonderful shades. Comment on this post and let me know what you think about me my new love. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care!

Pink is my color

Hi Beauties!

So I got myself a pair of shoes from Beech Tree on sale and now I wanted to get myself a matching handbag too. I went to Haroon's Defence branch before eid and they had superb collection of handbags at that time but unfortunately I was out of money by then. So all I could do was look at the bags with wishful eyes. So last week I went to Haroon's Qadaffi Stadium where I found this last piece of pink bag. I instantly grabbed it. 

 

It is a nice pink colored leather bag with white leather front and pretty little lock hanging out. The handles are small so that you may hang it on your arms only. Its not a shoulder bag. It can also be used professionally since it gives a very casual but classy look. 

The interior of the bag is black in color made of thick cloth. It has a small zipper pocket a mobile pocket and another small pocket inside. The bag is quite spacy from inside and you can place quite alot of stuff. This bag cost me Rs. 2695. 

I am totally satisfied with this bag and would rate it a 5/5. You should also visit Haroon's and check out their bags collection. Here is a link to their Facebook group. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care!

How I manage my LipGlosses

Hey Beauties!

Managing your makeup products can be tedious and a difficult task. I was fed up of my lipglosses roaming around here and there in my cupboards and drawers. So here is what I did to manage them. I went to Haroon's located at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore and got myself this beautiful bucket to place my lipglosses.

It is a very nice pinkish purple metal bucket and cost me only Rs. 245 to manage my lipglosses. Now they are stuck in one place and I get easily access the one of my choice.

These buckets are available in different sizes and different colors. Some have flowers etched in the metal while some are beaded, some with handles and some without them like mine. The small ones were really cute. You can place your jewellery and other small things in them. I would strongly suggest you to visit Haroon's at your earliest before they all are sold out.

Hope you liked my idea of managing lipglosses. You can also place your eye and lip pencils or makeup brushes, whatever you want. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care!

Nail Art

Hi Beauties!

Do you see those beautiful pictures of nail art on websites and facebook and sigh that if only you had been artistic enough to do them yourself? If your answer is Yes, then I have the perfect solution for you. Today I am going to show you a very simple and basic nail art that I did myself in just 2 minutes. Here is a picture of it.

This is the first time I did a nail art so this might not look neat to you but it surely proves my point that with a little practice one can definitely do at home. These are the nail colors I used for this.

So here is what I did. Firstly I applied Essence nail color in LET'S GET LOST in # 55. I let it dry completely. Then I took Golden Rose nail art color white and made small lines which ever way I could manage easily and let it dry. You can also apply a top coat over it but since i change my nail colors on almost daily basis so I avoid taking extra time for the base coat and top coat. Easy isn't it? Now you must all be wondering how is it possible to draw such thin fine lines with those thick applicator brushes. Well here is a secret to it....

Golden Rose nail art color brushes are especially designed for nail art so you can easily draw fine lines, dots or any design of your choice. The thin long brush helps you easily position the brush and draw whatever design you want. With a little practice anyone can do nail art at home.

I got Essence and Golden Rose nail colors from Al Fateh store Liberty markets for Rs. 200 and Rs. 295. Overall I am liking the results and I think I would be buying more of Golden Rose nail art colors. They have many color varieites. I would suggest you to check them out and give your artistic skills a chance to pop out. Let me know your views about my nail art and if anyone of you has tried these nail colors share your experiences with me and others. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care!

How I store my makeup palettes

Hi Beauties!

Today I am going to show you how I store my makeup palettes. Last week I went to Tesoro Accessories and saw this wonderful thing and decided to buy it instantly since I had been having problems with keeping my palettes in an organized manner.

Its a thick plastic box which looks just like a shoe box bus has some wonderful uses. The below picture is the top of the box. On lid pretty pictures of some makeup products are etched which means the box is definitely for storing makeup items but then again you can put it to any use of your choice. 

When unlided, This is  the internal view of the box. You can see that its quite spacious and you can store quite alot of stuff in it.

It has a silver metallic handle as well but its only on one side.

 

As you can see I have stored quite alot of my palettes and still there is space to keep some more. My makeup products have become pretty much organized now. All palettes are in one place now and I can easily browse through all these palettes and choose what I want. You can use the box for any other storage purposes you like. I got this box from Tesoro accessories, Qaddaffi Stadium Branch for Rs. 575. They have another branch in Defence as well. You must check them out as they have a huge variety of lingerie, jewellery, hand bags, wallets, clutches and western dresses too. You can check out their group on Facebook by clicking on the following link.

Hope you liked my idea of storing makeup. Post in your comments and let me know. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care!

The Birdy dropped something for me again.....

Hi Beauties!

So one day I was browsing through my Facebook and I came across a wonderful page that had the cutest handmade jewellery I had ever seen. It was so colorful and cute that I felt like buying everything. So anyways I leashed my always  running wild desires for accessories and decided to get myself a few things only. 

So when the courier arrived the package was wrapped in white envelope and when I tore it, I saw this plastic box with Argile hand made jewellery contact cards visible from it.

When I opened the plastic box and took out the foam sheet, underneath were the beautiful earings I had ordered. 

These earings are all hand made and made out of clay and adorned beautifully. Following are individual pictures of the pairs I ordered. Just look how beautiful and cute they are and how much hard work and effort has been put into designing these small earings. 

I am totally in love with these. Even my mum liked them alot. I am sure I'll also be ordering more from Argile and recommending it to my friends and family as well. Argile products are really affordable. Most of them were priced at Rs. 200 but since most of them were out of stock so Argile especially made them for me and that cost me Rs. 50 extra per out of stock pair. But then again Rs. 250 for such cute earings is not over priced at all. 

I would rate Argile a 5/5 and would suggest you girls to give it a try as well. You can check out their Facebook page here. Comment and let me know what you think of my latest jewellery haul.

Play Boy

Hi Beauties!

I saw something similar to this on Sara Glossicious blog and when I saw it I instantly fell in love with it and decided to get my hands on it as soon as I can. So just before Eid ul Fitr I went to Victoria Departmental store and got myself Play boy in PLAY IT SPICY.

Playboy launched its first women collection in 2010 which consists of three perfumes namely:

1. Play it Lovely

2. Play it Sexy

3. Play it Spicy

Play it spicy is the most unusual of the three perfumes, oriental, floral and hot. The scent of the winner and of the women who knows how to play the "game".

Top notes: pomegranate, Bellini cocktail and pink berries
Heart: tiger lily, passion flower and heliotrope
Base: amber, sandalwood and vanilla.

I got this perfume for Rs. 890 and I am totally in love with this perfume. Once it is finished I am sure I'll be buying it again. So all you girls out there I would recommend you to surely give it a try. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take Care!

In Need Of A Break...

I will be taking a bit of time away from my blog over the next couple weeks to regroup and decide if I have anything more to offer it (and you), so don't be alarmed if I'm away more often than not. I've also had a trying past 2 weeks with my family loss and am feeling a bit out of sorts over it all. I will be back soon, hopefully feeling more revitalized and positive. In the meantime, do feel free to enjoy my archived posts, where you'll find some wonderful fall recipes.

In love and light,
Laura

OH my what did the Birdy drop for me.....!!!!

Hi Beauties!

I am super excited about this post. So you must be wondering what the post name suggests and what is it exactly about.... Well a few days back just before Eid ul Fitr I ordered a handbag from Inventive. Click on the link to check out their facebook page. Inventive sells beautiful and creative clutches, wallets, pouches, bangles, imported handbags, shoes and lots more. So I ordered an imported handbag by the brand XOXO and it arrived yesterday in the mail.

So the bag is red colored and has a very smooth zipper opening. Inside is a small pocket with red silky interior. The handles are of brown leather and so are the bag boundaries. The specifications of the bag are 11" x 6" approximately. I got this bag on a discounted price of Rs. 2800 along with Rs. 100 as courier charges. I am really thankful to the Inventive people for this lovely bag Im lovin it!

Comment and tell me if you liked my new handbag. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care........ XOXO!

Medora Nail Color in 213

Hi Beauties!

Welcome back after Eid ul Fitr. Hope you all  had a lovely and blessed eid. My today's post is about nail color. I am sure all Pakistani girls are familiar with the brand name Medora of London. It is a local brand that has been exisiting before I can even remember. They are most commonly known by their nail polishes and lipsticks and can easily be found in any departmental and cosmetic store. I purchased this nail color probably a year back and really like the choclate brown color.

Medora of London nail colors come in three different bottles in three different sizes. This bottle contains 9 ml of the content and was of Rs. 30 when I purchased it. I am not sure it the prices have been raised now or not.

The above picture has been taken in natural light and depicts the true color of the nail lacquer. Its a lovely chocolate brown shade and I like it alot. The number of this nail color is 213.  1f you enlarge the image by clicking on it you will notice the application is a little rough with gooey smudges. That is because the nail polish has gone thick with the passage of time as it is a year old. So what I did was I poured 10 drops of nail polish remover and shaked it really well which brought the nail color very much to its original condition.

Hope you like th nail color as much as I do. Comment and let me know whether you like it or not. Stay healthy and beautiful. Take care!

Mourning The Loss Of My Step-Father

What is Death?

Death is nothing at all.

I have only slipped away into the next room.

I am I and you are you.

Whatever we were to each other,

that we still are.



Call me by my old familiar name.

Speak to me in the easy way

which you always used.

Put no difference in your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.



Laugh as we always laughed

at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word

that it always was.

Let it be spoken without affect,

without the trace of a shadow on it.



Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same that it ever was.

There is absolutely unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind

because I am out of sight?



I am waiting for you,

for an interval,

somewhere very near,

just around the corner.



All is well.

~ Henry Scott Holland

What's On Sale In September?

Are you looking for a new home in which to hang your hat? September is a great time to get a good price, especially in the recent market, as sellers who had hoped to make a sale in spring or summer may now be extremely eager to deal before the worst winter weather arrives.



September can mean some good deals and deep discounts if you shop smart and know where the deals are. Here are just some of the items you'll find bargains on as we journey in to the month.



Shrubs and trees

Canning supplies

Patio furniture

Scooters and bikes

Deeper school-supply sales

Canned goods

Golf gear

Winter vacations

Techie gadgets

Camping equipment

Ceiling fans