Sore throat remedy

Sore Throat treatment using Mango Bark

Mango bark is efficacious in the treatment of a sore throat and other throat disorders. Its fluid, which is extracted by grinding, can be applied locally with beneficial results. It can also be used as a throat gargle. This gargle is prepared by mixing 10 ml of the fluid extract with 125 ml of water.







Sore Throat remedy using Belleric Myroblan

The herb “belleric myroblan” is a valuable sore throat remedy. A mixture of two grams of the pulp of the fruit, a quarter teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of powdered long pepper and two teaspoons of honey should be administered in the treatment of this condition. The fried fruit can also be roasted after covering it with wheat flour, and used as a cure for a sore throat.







Sore Throat treatment using Cinnamon
Cinnamon is regarded as an effective remedy for a sore throat resulting from a cold. One teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon, boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder, and two teaspoons of honey can be taken as a medicine in the treatment of this condition. Two or three drops of cinnamon oil, mixed with a teaspoon of honey, also give immense relief.
Sore Throat remedy using Fenugreek Seeds
A gargle prepared from fenugreek seeds has been found to be a very effective remedy for treating a sore throat. To prepare this gargle, two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be put in a litre of cold water and allowed to simmer for half an hour over a low flame. This should then be allowed to cool to a bearable temperature, strained, and then used entirely as a gargle.
Sore Throat cure using Henna
The leaves of henna are useful as a sore throat cure. A decoction of the leaves can be used as a gargle for this purpose.
Sore Throat cure using Basil
The leaves of holy basil have also been found beneficial in the in curing sore throat. Water boiled with basil leaves should be taken as a drink, and also used as a gargle to relieve a sore throat.

Sore Throat remedy using Kantakari

The herb kantakari is a valuable in sore throat remedy. An extract of the plant should be used as a gargle for this purpose. This extract is prepared by continuously boiling the plant in about two litres of water after washing it thoroughly.














Sore Throat treatment using Liquorice

Liquorice is a recognized home remedy for sore throat in all parts of India. A small piece of raw liquorice should he chewed or sucked for treating this condition. The healing property of the herb soothes inflammation quickly.














Sore Throat cure using Sage

Sage is another effective cure for a sore throat. Half a litre of boiling water should be poured on a handful of sage leaves. When moderately cool, a little vinegar and honey should be added according to taste. This mixture should be used as a gargle. A teaspoon of this mixture call also be taken internally at the same time.












Sore Throat remedy using Tea Decoction
A decoction made from tea leaves is very beneficial in the treatment of a sore throat. This decoction, mixed with a pinch of salt, should be used as a gargle. It can be used two or three times daily for obtaining relief. It is not necessary to use fresh leaves for this purpose. Boiling water can be poured over used tea leaves in the tea jug and this decoction used as a gargle.

Sore Throat treatment using Tamarind
Tamarind is also beneficial in the treatment of sore throat. Tamarind water should be used as a gargle. A powder of the dry leaves and an infusion of the bark can also be used for preparation of a gargle for treating sore throat.
Sore Throat Diet
All-fruit diet
A person suffering from a sore throat should fast on orange juice and water for three to five days, depending on the severity of the condition. When the severe symptoms subside, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for three or four further days.
Well-balanced diet
Thereafter, he may adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, raw vegetables, and fresh fruit.

Warm-water enema and wet pack

During the initial juice and water fast, the bowels should be cleansed daily with a warm-water enema. This should be done twice daily in more serious cases. A wet pack should be applied to the throat at two-hourly intervals during the day, and one at night. The procedure is to wring out some linen cloth in cold water, wrap it two or three times around the affected part, and cover it with flannel. Gargles may be done several times.
Hot Epsom salts bath and exercises
A hot Epsom salts bath, taken daily during this period, will be highly beneficial. Dry friction, deep breathing, and other exercises should form part of the daily health regimen.

Roti jala

Servings : 2
Time Taken : 15-30 mins

Ingredients:
2 cups Plain Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
2 Eggs beaten
2-1/2 cups Coconut Milk (1/2 coconut)

Method

1. Sift flour into bowl and add salt.
2. Stir in beaten eggs and coconut milk and beat smooth. Use a whisk.
3. Strain batter.
4. Grease and heat a medium non-stick pan on low heat.
5. Put a ladleful of batter in roti jala mould and in a circular motion move over a pan so that the pancake will have a lacy pattern.
6. Cook until set turn over onto a dish.
7. There is no need to turn the pancake.
8. Use your finger tip to ensure the top layer is cooked.
9. Continue greasing the pan every now and then until batter finishes.

For those who do not have the roti jala mould, try making it yourself:

1. Use a empty condensed milk tin or any other small tins
2. Wash and dry it.
3. Make holes in the bottom of the tin using 1/2cm nail.
4. Make about 3 holes in a triangle shape.
5. To test,pour a ladleful of batter into the tin and see whether the batter is coming out nicely.
6. Hold the tin with batter over the pan and move in a circular motion to do the roti jala.

Homemade dark circle remedy

Try these remedies for treating dark circles under eyes.

1-Dark Circles can be removed by applying peeled and grated potato overnight at least three times a week.
2-Grate a cucumber, squeeze to take out its juice and refrigerate. Make a mixture of lemon juice, lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes.
3-Thin slices of cucumber applied to your eyes not only help to lighten the skin, but also soothes and cools the eyes. This can be especially comforting if you’ve been up late the night before or your eyes are red and tired from allergies or staring at a laptop screen.
4-Massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bed time daily for 2 weeks and see the improvement. Almond helps to remove dark circles, and is an excellent “skin food”.
5-The caffeine in tea bags acts as a remedy for dark circles by diminishing puffiness. Caffeine in tea helps to diminish water in the tissues around the eyes (you’ll notice that many early eye circle creams contain caffeine for this very reason). In addition, tea contains antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin.

Diet and nutrition tips

There was a time in this world when the need to lose weight was completely unheard of. People ate well, but they worked well too. They woke up early in the morning and then engaged in a whole day’s work. This work was mostly physical labour; people worked on fields digging, sowing, and harvesting. They tilled their soil, rode horses, worked on farms and ranches. The result was that they could afford to eat almost anything they wanted in whatever quantities they wanted.
But that was ages ago. The world has changed so much since those days. Life styles have changed so much and the comforts and facilities have increased so much.
But every rose has its thorn. As a result of all these comforts and amenities the state of physical well being has really changed. Most of us have sedentary jobs that demand little or no exercise at all. To put it simply, things have become so darn easy. And just as can be expected, weight gain has become a major concern for almost every city dweller.
During the period of thoughtless youth it is not such a major concern. The young practically eat nothing and so weight problems do not bother them so much. But as soon as you turn twenty, you start showing signs of weight gain and that too in all the wrong places.
It’s not about the hour glass figure or the perfectly sculpted and toned body. It is more about staying fit and remaining healthy to ensure a long, disease free life. Every body knows that those extra pounds spell illness. All over the world people are switching to a healthier life style and the catch line is indeed weight loss.
This site is dedicated solely to the cause of losing weight and that too in the most surprising ways you ever heard of. There is only one thing that you have to bear in mind. Weight loss does not happen by itself. There are only two ways to accomplish it…
The first is by watching what you eat and the second is by seeing to it that your body gets the exercise that it needs

20 days diet

Dr Smith 20 Days Jhatka Diet (1) 

Dr. Smith’s diet is for the people who’re stuck on their weight, and want to lose it quickly, but before dieting, make sure to ask your doctor for advise. This diet is for 20 days, the first four days are below. After the first four days, you have to change the diet.
Protox/Diet 1 = 4 days
2 cups of coffee (1 tsp of milk per cup) or green tea
2 Scrambled eggs or 1 small pot of fat free yogurt
3 serving of fruits (1 whole apple, banana, pear, ½ cup blueberries, raspberries or strawberries e)
3-6 cups green garden with 3tbsp of low fat dressing
1 cup of cooked brown rice, if  Brown rice not available then take white rice and  cook in enough water
2 cups of Leafy green veggie …. steamed or raw (ideally green) (spinach/broccoli/green beans/green peppers)
1 serving Freshly squeezed fruit juice or green veggie juice
(Salad should be green and leafy
Drink a lot water and green tea)


Dr Smith 20 Days Jhatka Diet (2) 

Diet 2
2 cups of coffee with 1 tsp milk per cup
1 palm sized serving of fish or chicken without skin (grilled or steamed)
1 cup of cooked beans (chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils)
2 cups of green garden salad with 3 tbsp of low fat dressing (you can increase the amount of salad)
1 cup of raw or cooked carrots
1 cup of sliced cucumber with low fat dressing
1 apple
1 pear
1 diet drink (cola)
Take 2 snacks from below
2 oatcakes topped with peanut butter
4 large marshmallows
½ bagel with light crème cheese
1 small baked sweet potato with 2 tbsp low-fat sour cream
2 cups of plain popcorn
½ chicken wedge on whole grain bread with 1 tsp low fat mayo
1 cup of watermelon

Tooth discoloration

Remedies to prevent tooth discoloratio

To prevent discoloration a coffee drinker and/or smoker must consider reducing intake or giving up on these addictions. One can also prevent the side effects of smoking by improving dental hygiene .This can be done by brushing and flossing regularly and getting teeth cleaned by a dentist every 6 months.
Treatment options or home remedies that can be tried at home may vary depending on the cause of the discoloration and include:  Using proper tooth brushing
and flossing techniques  Avoidance of foods and beverages that cause stains on teeth.

To Keep Teeth White, Don’t Light Up
Not only is it bad for your health, smoking is one of the worst offenders when it comes to teeth stains. Nicotine causes brown stains that penetrate the groves and pits of tooth enamel and can be hard to remove by brushing alone. The longer you smoke, the more entrenched the stains become. Smoking also causes bad breath and gingivitis (gum disease), and increases risk of oral cancers.
Home Remedies for Whiter Teeth
Some people still prefer the age-old home remedy of baking soda and a toothbrush to gently whiten teeth at home.
Mixing 3 teaspoons of baking soda mixed with a teaspoon of table salt makes a very effective whitening paste for your teeth. Brush it gently onto your teeth and gums twice a week, rinsing thoroughly afterwards.
Also, some foods such as celery, apples, pears and carrots trigger lots of saliva — which helps to scrub away stains on your teeth. Chewing sugarless gum also triggers saliva, which help eliminate teeth stains. A bonus from all that saliva: It neutralizes acid that causes tooth decay. With teeth, more saliva is better all around.
Think As You Drink
They may be packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, but a glass of red wine, cranberry juice, and grape juice also stain teeth easily. That doesn’t mean you should give them up, but remember to brush or rinse your mouth after you drink. These aren’t the only teeth-staining foods to be aware of…

More Foods That Stain Teeth
The deep colour of these fruits and veggies give them their nutritional punch. But blueberries, blackberries, and beets leave their colour on teeth as well. Eat up for your health, and prevent tooth stains by:
•    Brushing teeth after eating.
•    Rinsing your mouth with water.
Sports Drinks Can Be Tough on Teeth
While all sweetened drinks are bad for teeth, some energy and sports drinks may be worse, according to one study in General Dentistry. Researchers found that these drinks — as well as bottled lemonade — may erode tooth enamel after long-term use. The result is thin, translucent, discoloured teeth. To prevent tooth erosion:
•    Don’t sit and sip these drinks for a long time.

Infant feeding guide

The infant has its peculiarities, because 0 to 3 year olds must be provided to the baby all the energy they need to develop. Find out how!

Children from 0 to 3 years have a special nutritional needs, and it is very important to provide enough energy to maintain their vital functions and boost growth. We must also educate them with healthy eating habits that they can keep throughout their lives. Find out all you need to take into account to properly feed your baby.

Development


Good nutrition is the foundation needed for the baby to develop physically, psychologically and socially, and constitute the first line of defense against many childhood diseases that can make a mark for life.

Nutrition and Health


Nutrition and health are directly connected, and the effects of malnutrition in early childhood can be terrible and long lasting. Often prevent the baby’s cognitive development, affecting educational achievement and reproductive health.

Early Childhood


In infancy, we must pay attention to important details. To feed a baby properly be fed with distributed meals throughout the day, while respecting their sense of appetite and a good idea to set a timetable indicating the incorporation of new foods to your diet.

Hygiene


It is important to take very good hygiene in the whole process of food preparation. If your baby goes to kindergarten, controlling what they eat there, and follow the advice for breastfeeding in child care centers.

Breast milk


The only food recommended for babies from 0 to 6 months is breast milk, to be offered when the child’s demands. If breastfeeding is not possible or if the mother prefers not to breastfeed, you can choose to feed it with an adapted milk or formula.

Purees


Ideally 6 to 10 months is to maintain lactation, and supplement with other foods like mashed variety of vegetables, fruits, rice and potatoes. Then we can introduce the wheat and meat (no more than 20 or 30 grams a day) and once the baby is 9 months, you can alternate with white fish meat (30 or 40 grams a day).

Textures
when the baby is 10 months you can give them some new food, and texture of purees may be less delicate. In this age they can take vermicelli soup, rice and small pieces or minced meat.

Schedules
When the child reaches 12 months it is advisable to continue breastfeeding (you can stay up to two years or more), but the main meal times should be adjusted to the rest of the family. At this age children can now eat most foods.

Bluefish
when children reach 18 months you can introduce oily fish to their diet, such as sardines, tuna or mackerel, provided that they have no skin and bones. They can also take flatulent vegetables that are not recommended for younger children, such as cabbage, artichokes or asparagus.

Fruits and vegetables
Introduce fruit juices, vegetable simple or cream to infant feeding  to provide fewer calories than you fed exclusively on breast milk or formula milk. But introducing solids without decreasing the amount of milk can lead to overweight in infants, so it is better to decrease the amount of milk as it eats other food.

Porridges
For breastfed infants, pick fruit from the fifth or sixth month because they are rich in water, carbohydrates, vitamins and salts, but better if they are juicy as oranges, lemons, apples, grapes, pears or plums. You can give cooked or as
jam or porridge.

Solids
remember it is better to introduce solid foods one by one on infant feeding. So if the child reacts adversely. It can quickly be detected no matter what food he/she likes.

Cereals
Cereals (wheat, rice, oats, rye, corn) are a good source of energy, vitamins and minerals, so it is advisable to give them the baby from 4 to 6 months. Besides aid digestion and can be used as a basis for the gruel before age 7 months, provided they do not contain gluten.

Daily rations /servings
from the year the child should be taught to eat everything slowly, always in moderation. We recommend that you take two servings of fish, chicken, eggs and vegetables, three servings of milk, yogurt, cheese and olive oil, four servings of fruit and vegetables and five servings of bread, pasta, potatoes and cereals.

Sweets and jars /baby food
at this age, sweets should be taken sparingly, only occasionally. Sugar, chocolate, ice cream and candy should be taken only occasionally. It is always best to take food prepared at home and not industrially processed foods. You can use a potito occasionally but not regularly.

Homemade dark circle remedy

Try these remedies for treating dark circles under eyes.

1-Dark Circles can be removed by applying peeled and grated potato overnight at least three times a week.
2-Grate a cucumber, squeeze to take out its juice and refrigerate. Make a mixture of lemon juice, lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes.
3-Thin slices of cucumber applied to your eyes not only help to lighten the skin, but also soothes and cools the eyes. This can be especially comforting if you’ve been up late the night before or your eyes are red and tired from allergies or staring at a laptop screen.
4-Massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bed time daily for 2 weeks and see the improvement. Almond helps to remove dark circles, and is an excellent “skin food”.
5-The caffeine in tea bags acts as a remedy for dark circles by diminishing puffiness. Caffeine in tea helps to diminish water in the tissues around the eyes (you’ll notice that many early eye circle creams contain caffeine for this very reason). In addition, tea contains antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin.

Remedies for stomachache

How to Cure a Stomach Ache


A stomach ache is one of the more annoying things in life, especially when you have things to do. Here are some things you can do to get rid of them.

Home Remedies
1.    Eat if you think it might be related to hunger!
2.    Try to go to the bathroom. As usual.
3.    Your feet must be in a higher level than the rest of your body, put some pillows below your feet and the ache will go away.
4.    Eat an herb which aids digestion, such as ginger (ginger-ale with ACTUAL ginger in it, or ginger snaps), peppermint (gum and candy cane as long as it is real peppermint) or Aloe Vera Juice (an anti-parasitic that aids digestion),or Venous(very greater soda for helping cure stomach aches and is from MI). Similar herb teas that help digestion include mint, ginger or chamomile tea.
5.    Place a heating pad on your abdomen to give temporary relief.
6.    Lie down for a few minutes and relax.
o    Close your eyes.
o    Place a cool moist washcloth over your forehead.
o    Breath slowly and evenly, trying to keep your mind off of the pain.
7.    Sip a glass of iced water slowly.
8.    Eat bland foods; crackers, bread, rice, etc. Sometimes stomach aches are caused by too much acid floating around in your stomach with nothing to do. These foods will help absorb the acid to make things a little more comfortable. Also, you may just be hungry!
9.    Avoid spicy or fast foods, heavy foods, rich desserts until your stomach balances out.
10.    Drinking black coffee tends to aid the digestive process.
11.    Try a Tums. Especially the fruit kind.
12.    Drink some flat lemonade
13.    Try carbonated beverages such as ginger ale, carbonated mineral water (mix with juice to add flavour), or tonic water (with quinine, tastes horrible but works!)
14.    Try lying on your stomach to ease the pain.
15.    Avoid drinking dairy products
16.    Place an ice cube above, on, or below your belly button and lie down
17.    Lay on your left side comfortably; it helps move acid flow, while getting rid of gas bubbles that may be causing pain. This also may cause flatulence.

Tips
•    Try your best not to think about your stomach; sometimes just forgetting about it will make it go away.
•    If you experience pain after eating a meal – try drinking only before you start eating, drinking liquids makes it harder to digest food.
•    One old trick is to drink sugar salt water. To make this all you have to do is get a glass of water, and put about a teaspoon of salt and sugar in the water. It tastes nasty, but a lot of times it works wonders. If it doesn’t work, it isn’t your normal stomach ache.
•    A white soda pop may help you burp away some of the discomfort especially if it is trapped stomach gases.
•    Try holding a piece of ice – it will take all of the concentration off your stomach.
•    Try pushing on your stomach and if it makes a gurgling noise, it means you probably have gas.
•    Try drinking peppermint tea. It coats your stomach.
•    If you have a mint plant, take a leaf and chew on it… like gum. “Do not swallow it if you have heartburn”.
•    Only lie on you’re stomach with a minor pain not a serious pain.
And don’t squirm just lie down and take deep breaths. Lying on your stomach evens out the food so you can go on your way!
•    Try bringing your knees to your chest and just stay in one spot. Once the pain goes away stretch out a little bit.

menstruation homemade remedy

Menstruation Pain Definition

Menstruation pain, also called dysmenorrheal, is pain or cramps before or during menstruation. The pain is caused by endocrine imbalance and it affects many women. The 28 days changes in the female reproductive system associated with the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy by lining the uterus with blood occur. If fertilization and implantation do not take place, the lining of the uterus is discharged during menstruation.
The menstruation activity causes pain that involves sharp intermittent pain or dull, aching pain, also pelvis and abdomen pain, irritability, fatigue, backache, or nausea. Some women also suffer from very strong pain that makes it impossible for them to perform normal household tasks, work at a job, or school-related activities for a few days during each menstrual cycle.

Home Tips for Menstruation Pain
How to Cure Menstruation Pain with Natural Treatments
1. Blanch ginger or lemon balm tea and drink.
2. Warm a small amount of olive oil, cool and rub on stomach. Lie down for 15-20 minutes.
3. Swallow 1 tablespoon of cumin and 1 glass of arrack to reduce the Menstruation Pain.
4. Once you feel the cramps, eat 1 banana.
5. Drain some pickle juice and drink 1 cup.
6. Swallow two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar 3 times a day with meals.
7. Eat yogurt daily and you won’t get cramps on your period.
8. Cook 150mg of fresh dill with 2 cups of water until it’s decreased to half, stir, and add two spoons of wine (just before you drink). Can drink 3-4 times a day.
9. Suck on a lollypop or peppermint candy to help with stomach cramps.
10. Boil some brown sugar and ginger in water with low heat, cool and drink.
11. Eat rice before menstruation to reduce the pain and bloating.
12. Take a very hot bath, can also add a cup of camomile tea into the water. Put your feet up and a heating pad on your abdomen and under your lower back.
13. Eat 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds a few days before you get the period.
Herbal remedy for menstruation pain:
Put some oregano leaves in boiled water and leave for 5 minutes, then drink. Lie down and rest for a few minutes.
Home remedy for menstruation pain:
Take a cotton wool pad that covers most of the belly, soak with arrack and put on the painful spot (lower abdomen). Wait for half an hour.

First aid basics

Basic first aid supplies to keep on hand

•    Band-aids
•    Gauze Pads
•    Elastic Bandages
•    Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
•    Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
•    Hydrogen Peroxide
•    Antihistamine Cream (Benadryl)
•    Antibiotic Ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin)
•    Hydrocortisone Cream
•    Benadryl Capsules or Liquid
•    Antibacterial Soap (Dial)
•    Antiseptic Spray containing Benzocaine
•    Decongestant Tablets (Sudafed)
•    Throat Lozenges
•    Cotton Balls, Cotton Swabs
•    Antacid (Tums, Maalox, Mylanta)
•    Antidiarrheal (Imodium, Kaopectate)
•    Salt
•    Anti-nausea (Emetrol, Pepto-Bismol)
•    Cough Syrup (Robitussin, Vicks)
•    Thermometer
•    Calamine Lotion, Caladryl Lotion
Basic First Aid Tips

Bleeding -
Apply direct pressure with towel or gauze until bleeding is stopped. Clean minor cuts with Hydrogen Peroxide. Apply antibiotic ointment and band-aid.
Sprains -
Apply ice immediately to swelling, and off and on for next 48 hours. Seek referral for evaluation of injury. Ibuprofen may relieve pain and inflammation. Elevate extremities where swelling is present. Compression with elastic bandage may be helpful.

Burns -
Treat minor burns with cool water or cool compress. If there is blistering, seek referral for evaluation of injury. Antiseptic sprays containing Benzocaine may provide temporary relief. For large burns, go to emergency facility.
Bug Bites/Stings -Apply ice immediately. Remove stinger if visible. Apply antihistamine cream to site. Take 25 mg Benedryl by mouth. Elevate if sting is on leg or arm. Go to emergency facility for breathing difficulty or extreme swelling.
Rash/Poison Ivy -
Wash area with antibacterial soap. Try not to scratch. Apply antihistamine cream or hydrocortisone cream to rash. Wash hands after applying. Take Benedryl by mouth to relieve itching. If not improved in 24 hours, seek referral for medical treatment.
Colds/Congestion/Sore Throat –
Increase cold fluid consumption. Take decongestant product for congestion according to label. Use throat lozenges if needed according to directions on label. Take Tylenol for headache, fever, or pain. Seek medical referral if symptoms do not improve in 48-72 hours or if fever over 102 degrees F, stiff neck or repeated vomiting occur.

Vomiting –
Take small sips of ginger ale, weak tea, Sprite, or ice chips every 5-10 minutes. Emetrol liquid may ease nausea—take as directed on label. Once liquids are tolerated without vomiting, try crackers, toast, bananas, applesauce, rice or clear soups for the next 24 hours. If tolerated, work up to a bland diet (no fried foods, fatty foods or roughage) and then back to a normal diet. If vomiting is persistent or accompanied by a fever over 102 degrees F or stiff neck, go to emergency room.

Diarrhea –Try Kaopectate or Immodium—follow directions on label. Stay on liquid diet until condition improves. If tolerated, work up to a bland diet (avoid fried foods, fats and roughage) over the next 24 hours, and then go back to normal diet.First

Homemade face masks

Homemade Natural Face Lift Recipe

Combine a handful of strawberries, a handful of grapes, 1/2 pear, 1/2 apple and 1 oz. orange juice in a blender. Apply a thin layer of honey to face, and then apply fruit mixture to face. Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Finish with a rinse of the vinegar pH balancer.
Mask 1.
Milk Mask
this is one if the simplest and cheapest mask. Damp some cotton wool with milk and rub it on the face.
Mask 2.
Egg Mask
Separate the egg white from the yolk. Put the egg white on your face and relax for about 15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water. This facial mask leaves your skin smooth, refreshed and tightens your skin.
Mask 3.
Cleansing Face Mask
Mix the following ingredients into a paste, apply and leave it for 15 minutes.
1 tablespoon powdered brewer’s yeast
1/2 tablespoon yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 teaspoon carrot juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
This mask is suitable for all types of skin, particularly if they feel tired and look sluggish or spotty. If the skin is very dry add more oil, and if very oily leave it out. The yogurt cleanses the skin thoroughly and fruits juices provide vitamins and minerals.

Pimple care

•    Apply a mixture of turmeric and neem on the face.
•    A mixture of crushed mint leaves and oats will reduce pimples. Leave this for 20 minutes and wash it with warm water.
•    Mix thick curd, turmeric and two drops of oil. Apply on the face.
Crush garlic and take the juice and apply it on the face daily to reduce pimples
Make a paste with sandal wood and turmeric and apply it on the face.

TIPS FOR REDUCING PIMPLES, WHITEHEADS & BLACKHEADS

PIMPLES & SKIN CARE:
Blackhead, pimples and acne are very common skin problems. People get concerned if they have blackhead or pimples on their face, especially women and girls. Acne is a condition of the skin that shows up as various types of bumps including whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and cysts.
What causes Blackhead Pimples?
Blackhead and pimples may be caused by hormonal changes, wrong food habits and improper skin care.
Black head, pimples, acne: The Spots:
Blackhead pimples can cause a number of different types of spots. Do not pick or squeeze your pimples, as it can leave scars. It is important to keep the spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with a un perfumed cleanser. Use Antibacterial face washes and soaps specifically for greasy skins.
Are there ways to control and reduce Blackhead – Pimples?
There are many ways to control blackhead and pimples and improve the appearance of the skin. This is done externally with good acne skin products and internally by balancing the body, ridding it of toxins and purifying the blood.
* Drinking 8 glasses of clean water each day is EXTREMLY important as well as clean diet Free of excess salts, fats, chemicals, steroids, sugars and rich in vitamins, vegetables and fruits.

Blackhead:
Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are follicles that have a wider than normal opening. They are filled with plugs of sebum and sloughed off cells and have undergone a chemical reaction resulting in the oxidation of melanin. This gives the material in the follicle the typical black color.
Blackheads are caused by the over activity of the oil producing glands of the skin. The excess oil collects in the pores of the skin and hardens into a plug. Since the pores are open, the tip of the clogged oil is exposed to the air. It oxidizes and turns black. Hence, the name blackhead.
It is essential to keep the skin free of blackheads. Not only does it look unsightly, but, can also lead to acne. The control of blackhead is one way of preventing acne.
What skin care products/ingredients will help to control acne, blackhead pimples?
Use Lightweight oil free moisturizers or gels with ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic, lactic, retinal, and vitamins.
Benzyl Peroxide works very quickly on blackhead and pimples and it is best to use BP only as a drying agent applied to individual pimples / areas of break out , not the entire face.
Try to avoid antibiotics, accutane and other harsh, health harming drugs if you really want to get rid of blackhead pimples.

Some Useful Tips for reducing acne, blackhead pimples:
* Wash your skin each day 2 x a day with an anti-bacterial cleanser and pat it dry with a clean towel every time.
* If cosmetics are used, they should be oil-free (the kind that separates into two layers). Cosmetics labeled water-based may still contain oil.
* If a moisturizer is used, it should be labeled non-comedogenic which means does not cause pimples.
* Drink 8 x 8 glasses of water each day.
* Wash your make-up brushes and sponges, puffs every few days. These tools spread acne bacteria like wild fire.

Don’ts of Blackhead Pimples:
* Don’t drink coffee, eat a high fat diet, or a high dairy, red meat, or iodine diet (shell fish, kelp, seaweed, asparagus, beef, salty foods).
* Never go to bed with your make-up on EVER.
* Donot use bar soap, creamy soaps, creamy cleansers, oily moisturizers, fragranced products (look for the word fragrance or perfume) as these can make your blackhead and pimples worse.

Headaches

Do you suffer from headaches?
Using a washcloth, soak in vinegar; place it on your forehead for quick and effective relief.

Another historical remedy for relieving a headache is to soak a brown paper bag in apple vinegar and apply to your forehead. Same results, just different delivery for relieving headaches, but still an inexpensive solution for the migraine sufferer.

Homemade cough remedy

Cough treatment using Grapes
Grapes are one of the most effective home remedies for the treatment of a cough. Grapes tone up the lungs and act as an expectorant, relieving a simple cold and cough in a couple of days. A cup of grape juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey is advised for cough relief.
Cough treatment using Almonds
Almonds are useful for dry coughs. Seven kernels should be soaked in water overnight and the brown skin removed. They should then be ground well to form a fine paste. A quantity of twenty grams each of butter and sugar should then be added to the paste. This paste should be taken in the morning and evening.

Cough treatment using Onion
The use of raw onion is valuable in a cough. This vegetable should be chopped fine and the juice extracted from it. One teaspoon of the juice should then be mixed with one teaspoon of honey and kept for four or five hours-it will make an excellent cough syrup and should be taken twice daily. Onions are also useful in removing phelgm. A medium-sized onion should be crushed, the juice of one lemon added to it, and then one cup of boiling water poured on it. A teaspoon of honey can be added for taste. This remedy should be taken two or three times a day.
Cough treatment using Turmeric
The root of the turmeric plant is useful in a dry cough. The root should he roasted and powdered. This powder should be taken in three gram doses twice daily, in the morning and evening.
Cough treatment using Belleric Myroblan
The herb belleric myroblan is a household remedy for a cough. A mixture comprising two grams of the pulp of the fruit, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of long pepper, and 2 teaspoons of honey should be administered for the treatment of this condition twice daily. The dried fruit covered with wheat flour and roasted , is another popular remedy for cough condition.
Cough treatment using Raisins
A sauce prepared from raisins is also useful in a cough. This sauce is prepared by grinding 100 gm of raisins with water. About 100 gm of sugar should be mixed with it and the mixture heated. When the mixture acquires a sauce-like consistency, it should be preserved. Twenty grams should be taken at bedtime daily.
Cough treatment using Aniseed
Aniseed is another effective remedy for a hard dry cough with difficult expectoration. It breaks up the mucus. A tea made from this spice should be taken regularly for treating this condition.
Dietaries for Cough
Orange juice and water
In the case of a severe cough, the patient should fast on orange juice and water till the severity is reduced. The procedure is to take the juice of an orange diluted in a cup of warm water, every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All-fruit diet
After the juice fast, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days. In case of a mild cough, the patient can begin with an all-fruit diet for five to seven days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grape-fruit, oranges, pineapples, peaches, and melons. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water, or cold or hot plain water may be given.
Well-balanced diet with emphasis on wholegrain cereals, lightly cooked vegetables
After the all-fruit diet, the patient should follow a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on wholegrain cereals, raw or lightly cooked vegetables, and fresh fruits.
Avoid tea, coffee, refined and processed foods
The patient should avoid meats, sugar, tea, coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods. He should also avoid soft drinks, candies, ice-cream, and all products made from sugar and while flour.

Cleaning solution for kitchen and bathroom sinks

Cleaning Solutions for Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks

Cleaning sinks is a job nobody really likes. People use their kitchen and bathroom sinks continuously, which means that they need to clean them frequently.
We use our kitchen sink for washing up after meals and food preparation. When cleaning kitchen sink areas and the sink itself it requires special attention.
Bathroom sinks also receive a lot of use, such as washing your face or hands, shaving and even for soaking delicates.
Cleaning sinks often and keeping them clean and shining is healthier for you and improves the rooms overall appearance. Here are some cleaning tips and recipes for cleaning solutions that you make from ingredients in your cupboards that are inexpensive and effective.
Tips and Solutions for Stainless Steel Sinks
Stainless steel sinks are tough, durable and easy to keep clean, look great and compliment any décor.
With the proper maintenance, care and cleaning of kitchen sink areas, as well as your sink; you get a lifetime of not only service but also beauty.
Most stains and dirt disappears from your sink simply using soapy water or a cleaner that is ammonia-based.
For a stubborn stain when cleaning sinks, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with three parts cream of tartar.
Using a damp cloth, dip it into the mixture and apply to the stubborn stain.
Allow this to dry and then wipe with a clean, damp cloth.
To remove a rust stain, mix a little lemon juice and cream of tartar and apply to the stain using a damp cloth.
Scrub the rust stain gently but, if the stain remains, leave the mixture on for several hours.
Rinse this off with a damp cloth.
Use warm water with a disinfectant soap, when cleaning kitchen sink areas.
To disinfect your stainless steel sink, wipe with a solution of half water and half bleach.
Pour white vinegar on a cloth and wipe your sink, to remove water spots.
Porcelain Enamel
Wash your sink with a solution of warm soapy water and baking soda to remove soil and soap scum and then rinse with plain warm water.
To remove heavy deposits of soap scum or grease, use warm water and soapy ammonia, then rinse thoroughly.

Never use steel wool, scouring pads or scrapers on your sinks. Always use non-abrasive cleaners, so you do not damage the sinks surface.
When cleaning sinks, use a non-abrasive applicator made of polyethylene, nylon or polyester or a sponge.

Remadies for constipation

Causes of constipation?

Often constipation can be caused by the kind of diet you have and the type of lifestyle you lead. People suffering from constipation will not be drinking enough water but plenty of tea or coffee. They will be eating lots of refined and rich foods along with irregular eating habits can lead to constipation. Tea can be dehydrating and it is not the same as drinking water.
Below we provide you with a number of different home remedy treatments you may wish to try in order to help alleviate your constipation if you should be suffering from it.
1. Try drinking a glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon or lime in the morning before you eat or drink anything else.
2. Integrate raisins, figs, dates or prunes into your diet. Children love raisins and dates.
3. Why not trying chewing a few sticks of liquorice (mulathi) each day as this is a natural laxative.
4. Before you go to bed, put 3 teaspoons of psyllium husk (Sat Isabgol) into a cup of warm milk or water and drink.
5. Substitute white rice with brown rice and have a fiber cereal in the morning. Many taste very good.
6. Try and eat at least 350 grams of grapes each day. The combination of the properties contained in the grapes, namely cellulose, sugar and organic make it a natural laxative food. By eating grapes you are toning up your stomach and intestines plus can relieve the most chronic types of constipation.
7. Try eating some bael fruit. This is regarded as the best of all natural laxatives and it can also clean and tone up a person’s intestines. Using it regular for 2 to 3 months will even help to get rid of old accumulated faecal matter.
If you find yourself suffering with constipation then why not try a few of the home remedy for constipation treatments that have been suggested to see if you can cure it through natural foods readily available.

Measurement and convertions

Measures & Conversions

The American Cup measurement is used for some of the recipes  1 American Cup is 8floz. (American Cup = half an American Pint; American Pint = 16floz)
If you do not use American Cups when cooking then the list below should enable you to change from cups to lbs and ozs.

GUIDE TO AMERICAN CUP MEASUREMENTS:
DRY INGREDIENTS:
1lb flour = 4 American Cups
0.5oz flour = 1 level tablespoon
1oz flour = 1 heaped tablespoon
1lb granulated sugar = 2 American Cups
1oz granulated sugar = 1 heaped tablespoon
1lb caster/superfine sugar = 2 American Cups
1oz caster/superfine sugar = 1 heaped tablespoon
1lb icing/confectioner’s sugar = 3 American cups
1oz icing/confectioner’s sugar = 1.5 heaped tablespoons
1lb brown (moist) sugar = 2.5 American Cups
1lb dried fruit = 2 American Cups
1lb fine, dry bread crumbs = 4 American Cups
2oz fresh bread crumbs = 1 American Cup
6oz slivered almonds = 1.5 American Cups
4oz ground almonds – 1 American Cup
3.5oz rolled oats = 1 American Cup
2.5oz dessicated coconut = 0.75 American Cup
1oz hazelnuts (whole, shelled) = 0.25 American Cup
FATS AND OILS:
1lb butter or other fat = 2 American cups
0.5oz butter = 1 level tablespoon

PULSES AND PASTA:
1lb rice = 2 American Cups
1lb lentils/split peas = 2 American Cups
MEAT AND CHEESE:
1lb chopped meat = 2 American Cups
2oz Gorgonzola Cheese = 0.5 American Cup
VEGETABLES:
6oz button mushrooms = 1.5 American Cups
11oz shredded red cabbage = 4 American Cups
2oz shredded leek or spring onions = 0.5 American Cup

MISCELLANEOUS:
1lb golden syrup/treacle = 1 Amercian Cup
1oz golden syrup/treacle = 1 level tablespoon
1oz jam = 1 level tablespoon
1oz fresh yeast = 0.5oz dried yeast = 4 level teaspoons
1lb coffee beans = 2.5 American Cups
2oz sliced dill pickles = 0.5 American Cup
6oz canned chestnut puree = 0.75 American Cup
8 fluid oz strawberry puree = 2 American Cups
LIQUIDS:
1 tsp (teaspoon) = 5 ml (millilitres)
1 dsp (dessertspoon) = 10 ml
1 tbs (tablespoon) = 15 ml
1 floz (fluid ounce) = approx 30 ml
1 pint = approx 570 ml
British Imperial Pint = 20 fluid oz
American Pint = 16 fluid oz
1 gill = 1/4 pint
Jigger = 3tbs
Dash = 4-5 drops
1 Quart = 2 Pints

WEIGHTS:
16 ounces = 1 lb (pound)
1 ounce = approx. 30 grams
4 ounces = approx. 115 grams
8 ounces = approx. 230 grams
1 lb = 454 grams
COOKING TEMPERATURES:
FAHRENHEIT    GAS MARK    CELSIUS/CENTIGRADE300    2    140
325    3    158
350    4    177
375    5    190
400    6    204
425    7    214
450    8    232
500    9    260



FAHRENHEIT     OLD FASHIONED TERMINOLOGY
240-280     VERY COOL
280-320     COOL
320-340     WARM
340-370     MODERATE
370-400     FAIRLY HOT
400-440     HOT
440-480     VERY HOT

Cooking tips

Cooking Related Some Usefull Tips

1-If you stick you tongue out while chopping onions it will stop you crying. Alternatively, chop the onion close to a running tap.   Apparently the chemicals in the onions go for the nearest source of liquid.
2-When peeling garlic, thump the clove with the side of a knife or cleaver and the skin will lift away easily.
3- To remove fat from soups or gravies, take the outside leaves from a Romaine lettuce which you would normally throw away and wipe them over the soup or gravy.   The fat adheres to the leaf beautifully.
4- To open stubborn caps and lids on kitchen items, take a church key (bottle opener) and place end under the cap and slowly pry upward until you hear the air release and then open.
5- Piercing the cap with a skewer or other suitable metal object to release the air also works.
6- If you have to cook a hen (i.e. older bird) which usually take much longer than the young chicken place a heavy metal knife and fork (MUST BE ALL METAL NO WOOD OR PLASTIC) inside the boiling water along with the bird and you will cut the cooking time by more than a half.  This also works well with most hard to cook meats (turkey, pork) it even works with potatoes.
7- After being advised to put skewers in baking potato’s to reduce cooking time, which worked, I took this method one stage further and applied it to beef, pork, lamb and chicken, which also worked and thus reduced my energy bill by at least half an hour each time.
8- Rub your hands with vinegar before and after slicing onions – this will eliminate the smell.
9- If you forget to do the above – When peeling onions and the scent is on your hands, just run the cold water and rub hands on the chrome fixture. Works like magic.
•    10- To remove the smell of onion and/or garlic from your fingers: Wet your hands and rub your fingers on something stainless steel – the sink, a splashback, the kettle, a large implement like a ladle. I didn’t believe it would work, but it does!
•    11- To kill bacteria in kitchen sponges (the cleaning variety that is – not cake), put them into the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds, then wash in the usual way.   BE CAREFUL – they are very hot in the centre so make sure you run them under cold water before squeezing.
•    12- Other than salt in water to make it boil faster, use a little bit of vinegar, especially for potatoes, it will keep them whiter.
•    13- To make potatoes fluffier while your mashing them add a pinch of baking soda, they will turn out really fluffy and taste better too.
•    14- To keep packed lunches at a safe temperature, freeze a part of the lunch, e.g. a small tub of yoghurt or a juicebox.  Pop it into an insulated lunchbag and it will keep the rest of the lunch chilled until lunchtime.
•    15- We have found the best way to prepare garlic is to feel the garlic, then chop it up in the food processor, until fine.  We then form ropes on wax paper, roll it up and freeze.  Then when required we take out the rope and cut off what we need and replace the rest in the freezer until the next time

Skin care

Tips for Glowing Skin & Smooth Skin
Home Remedies for Glowing Skin & Smooth Skin
You can transform your dry skin into a super smooth, soft, supple, and glowing skin by using these home remedies.

1.    Mash a banana with milk and apply on face and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water to get a skin that will glow.
2.    Apply honey on your face and neck for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water. Your skin will glow and become soft and smooth.
3.    Mix egg white with honey and apply on the face for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.
4.    Make a paste of one teaspoon of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Scrub your face with this paste and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.
5.    Rub a piece of papaya on your face and neck for 15 minutes.
6.    Make a paste by mixing 2 tablespoon turmeric (haldi) powder in orange juice. Scrub it on your face and neck and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.
7.    Make a paste by mixing mashed banana, honey, lemon juice and margarine. Apply on face for overnight. Smear on hands and feet, and wash off in the morning (wear gloves in hands and socks in feet).
8.    Boil cabbage in water. Wash your face with this water.
9.    Powder mango peels and mix 1 teaspoon milk powder and rub on face, neck, and hands. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
10.    Mix one cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon / lime juice. While taking bath, lather your body and face heavily with a soft soap like Dove. Scrub the whole body and face with the sugar mixture on the lather.
11.    After a shower apply vaseline over your entire body. Shower again after one hour. Repeat twice a month.
12.    Mix corn (polenta) flour with egg white and apply on your face. When your face is dried completely in about 1/2 an hour, put your fingers in warm water and massage your face. Repeat daily for 10-15 days.
13.    Soft and smooth hands for life
Mix 3 teaspoons of baby oil and 2 teaspoons of sugar together. Rub your hands, feet or any part and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rince it off with warm water.

Tips for buying food items

Food related tips
APPLES
To see if a Cox’s Pippin apple is ripe, shake and if the pips rattle, it is ripe.

FISH
To ensure fish is fresh, look for shiny eyes and body and slippery outer skin
When filleting plaice, start on the white side, remove fillet, turn over and then the dark side will be easier to remove. When skinning fish, dip fingers in salt as this will help you grip the skin.

Cut horizontally across the fish tail to reveal skin, pull back skin firmly with one hand and pushing down using a sawing motion, work knife down fish between flesh and skin. After gutting a salmon there is a line of blood running down the back bone.  This can be removed by using a teaspoon to scrape out from one end to the other, in one movement.
BEEF
Beef with bright, white fat will be good to eat.

CRABS
If you like the white meat, choose the male crab as this has bigger claws.  If you prefer brown meat pick the female, as this has the bigger body (don’t we all!!!)

To remove meat from claw, tap joing with knife and separate the two halves.  Use handle of teaspoon to scoop out the meat from inside the claw.  Hit the nipper end sharply a couple of times and the outer shell will slide off easily.
craft knife.
PARSLEY
Freeze parsley in a polythene bag.  When frozen rub bag between hands and the parsley will not need chopping.

DRYING HERBS
When drying herbs use the clean bags provided with the tablets for washing machines.  Put in the fresh herbs, hang them to dry, when ready just rub between your hands onto a piece of paper and then store them in empty herb jars.  All the stems will be left in the bags so it is very quick and easy.

Measuring curtains

Measuring Up for Curtains
Measuring up for your window treatments should be one of the first steps, and probably one of the most important, you make. Get this wrong and no matter how well you sew your curtains the desired effect will not be achieved.
For curtains outside the recess the track or pole needs to be wider than the window frame [4" - 6" (10 cms -15 cms)] to allow for stacking the opened curtains. It should be fixed about 4″ (10 cms) above the top of the window frame and should be horizontal.
It is advisable to make a plan of each window and transfer all the measurements onto it for future reference. Never presume that 2 windows are exactly the same size even if they look identical.
Take all the measurements in either inches or centimetres. DO NOT MIX THE TWO.


Measuring Curtain Width. Outside the Window Recess
•    Measure the width of the track or pole (F) adding any extra for centre overlapping, normally about 6ins (15 cms).
•    Multiply the track width by 1.5, 2 or 2.5 depending on the heading to be used.
•    Divide that by the width of the fabric, normally 48″ or 54″ (122 cms or 137 cms), and round up to the next whole number to give the number of widths required. If an odd number results then one width can be cut in half and added to the outside edge of each curtain.
Measuring Curtain Width. Inside the Window Recess
•    Measure the width of the window recess (E) and multiply by 1.5, 2 or 2.5 depending on the heading to be used.
•    Divide that by the width of the fabric, normally 48″ or 54″ (122 cms or 137 cms), and round up to the next whole number to give the number of widths required. If an odd number results then one width can be cut in half and added to the outside edge of each curtain.
Measuring Curtain Length. Outside the Window Recess
•    For a pole, measure from the bottom of the ring to wherever you wish the curtains to fall (A, B or D).
•    For a track, measure from the top of the track to wherever you wish the curtain to fall (A, B or D).
•    For tab top curtains, measure from the top of the pole to the required finished length (A, B or D). Deduct the length of the tabs (approx. 3″ [7.5 cms]) as the top of the curtain must come above the top of window frame. (This may mean moving the pole.)
•    To this measurement add 8″ (20 cms) to the finished length (2″ (5 cms) for the top seam allowance and 6″ (15 cms) for the bottom hem) for lined and unlined curtains with attached heading tape or tab tops.
•    For lined and unlined curtains with cased headings add 10″ (25 cms) to the finished length (4″ (10 cms) for the top seam allowance and 6″ (15 cms) for the bottom hem).
•    Short curtains should finish 0.5″ (12 mm) above the sill or radiator and full length curtains should fall within 1″ (2.5 cms) of the floor.
•    If patterned material is to be used then each length has to be a full pattern repeat, for example:- With a pattern repeat of 25″ and a curtain finished length of 54″ you will need 75″ for each drop. i.e. 54″ + 8″ for hems = 62″ rounded up to the next multiple of 25″ (your pattern repeat). Multiply this amount by the number of widths required and hey presto you have the length of fabric required.
•    To calculate the amount of lining required (if used) multiply (the finished length plus hem allowance) by the number of widths required. Hem allowance is usually 6” (15 cms), 2” (5 cms) for the top seam and 4” (15 cms) for the bottom hem. Ignore any adjustments for pattern matching.
Measuring Curtain Length. Inside the Window Recess
•    Measure the length of the window recess (C). Curtains should finish 0.5″ (12 mm) above the window sill so they fall correctly.
•    To this measurement add 8″ (20 cms) to the finished length [2" (5 cms) for the top seam allowance and 6" (15 cms) for the bottom hem] for lined and unlined curtains with attached heading tape or tab tops.
•    For lined and unlined curtains with cased headings, add 10″ (25 cms) to the finished length [4" (10 cms) for the top seam allowance and 6" (15 cms) for the bottom hem].
•    If patterned material is to be used then each length has to be a full pattern repeat, for example:- With a pattern repeat of 25″ and a curtain finished length of 54″ you will need 75″ for each drop. i.e. 54″ + 8″ for hems = 62″ rounded up to the next multiple of 25″ (your pattern repeat). Multiply this amount by the number of widths required and hey presto you have the length of fabric required.
•    For curtains with heading tape or tab tops, calculate the amount of lining required (if used) by multiplying (finished length + hem allowance) by the number of widths required. Hem allowance is usually 6″ (15 cms) [2" (5 cms) for the top seam allowance and 4" (10 cms) for the bottom hem]. Ignore any adjustments for pattern matching.
•    For curtains with cased headings, calculate the amount of lining required (if used) by multiplying (finished length + hem allowance) by the number of widths required. Hem allowance is usually 8″ (20 cms) [4” (10 cms) for the top seam allowance and 4" (10 cms) for the bottom hem]. Ignore any adjustments for pattern matching.

Bedroom decorating ideas

Checkmate
A bumped-out wall serves as a framework for the gracefully shaped headboard of this bed. With this bed, the mood of the room could have been clearly formal but the blue and white checked upholstery takes it into the realm of casually elegant.


Right Stripes
This contemporary room shows how shades of one color used together can create a successful scheme. Color is confined to the walls and teamed with plain white furniture for a bold, clean-cut look.

Tribal Touches
Taking its inspiration straight from the African savannah, this scheme is based on the natural tones, textures and designs of traditional tribal art.


Color Block
If you want to save money on paint but love color, decorate just one wall to form an attention-grabbing focal point. The center of this wall was painted with vivid yellow, then a border of eye-popping pink was roughly applied around it. Hanging a picture in the center emphasizes the frame effect.

Luxe Lounging
Decorator Jean Pierre Martel designed this bedroom for the Hotel Ritz, Madrid. He used Contarini woven damask for the curtains, Miracoli multistripe for the bed canopy and armchairs, and Pisani figured woven on the headrest and bedspread.


Flair for the Dramatic
A canopy bed is a good choice for a room with a dramatic, vaulted ceiling. One with a shorter, standard headboard would have been too similar in height to the rest of the room’s furnishings, visually cutting the room in half horizontally.


Fur Fabulous
Just made for the city slicker, this room combines a contemporary color scheme in smart neutrals with seductive leather and suede to create a cozy love nest.


Frugal Flair
Look for exotic silky fabric in markets and use it to trim a plain white duvet cover or bedspread and to make cushion covers that add an aura of luxury to your bed.