The Brunette Diaries

10 health benefits of different types of tea

Tea is an aromatic beverage that is well known for health benefits that it provides. Many people drink tea for pure health reasons while many others drink because of their addiction to it. Tea has less caffeine compared to coffee, and doctors from across the globe recommend the habit of drinking tea regularly.

Tea leaves can be a solution to various beauty problems also. Here are 10 beauty benefits that tea leaves offer.

Goodbye puffy eyes

Working overtime can give you puffy eyes. And, what if you have an important function to attend? How much concealer can you apply to make your eyes look normal? This is when tea leaves come to the rescue. Take two tea bags and soak them in warm water. Place the soaked tea bags on your closed eyes for 20 minutes. Tea leaves have natural astringent known as tannins which reduce the puffiness and removes dark circles under your eyes.

Sunburns can be handled as well

Many women worry about sunburns after their long summer holidays. Well, the good news is tea leaves help to provide relief to your sunburned skin. Put some tea leaves in your bath water and let your body soak in its goodness. This is will be the best solution for your itchy skin.

Lose excess weight in a jiffy

Studies prove that green tea drinkers lose weight faster than those who don’t. Also, green tea helps to balance the body weight after a period of weight loss. It also boosts your metabolism and helps in relieving digestion problems. So, why wait? Sip a cup of green tea whenever you get time and stay fit.

Quick solution to acne problems

Based on its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea is the best solution for acne problems. Rub moist tea leaves on your face before going to bed, and drink green tea every day morning. This will take care of your skin by getting rid of your troublesome acne and gives a natural glow to your face.

Protect your skin

Green tea helps in skin tightening and anti-ageing. Why waste time on botox when green tea can make you look younger day-by-day? Mix water, white sugar and green tea to prepare a scrub. This acts as a cleanser and helps to moisturize your skin by increasing the hydrating levels, thus exfoliating the skin.

Tea does magic to your hair as well

Tea is a good conditioner for dry and frizzy hair. Rub some freshly brewed tea (unsweetened) on your hair and allow it to dry before you rinse it off. Also, you can add some rosemary and sage (medicinal herb) to black tea and leave it over night. Strain the mixture and rub it on your hair for positive results.

Adios stinky feet

Many people do not approve of the idea of removing their socks only because of the foul smell that their feet emit. You don’t have to worry anymore as green tea leaves provide the best solution. Soak your feet in strongly brewed green tea for 20 minutes. It helps to close the pores that release sweat. Now you can walk indoors without any fear of being the one with smelly feet.

Tea leaves can control gum bleeding

By pressing moistened tea bags on your bleeding gums and applying pressure for 20 minutes, you can easily control the bleeding and pain. Tea leaves are known for their refreshing mouthwash properties as well. So, now you can make your own homemade mouthwash.

Calm yourself with tea leaves

Studies prove that tea leaves reduce stress in our mind and body. Stuff your pillow with sundried tea leaves and sew it. The fragrance gives a relaxed feeling and also helps to get rid of your body odour. These tea leaves can get soggy easily, therefore, sun drying them frequently is essential. They also help to reduce blood pressure and headache.

Charm each other with a cup of tea

Green tea contains caffeine, ginseng, L-thiamine which is known to have positive effect on sexual drive, especially on women. Pouring each other a cup of tea can initiate some romance between any couple. In this way, there is a chance of impressing each other, especially the newlyweds.

Now, who wouldn’t want a cup of tea when it provides heaps of benefits to stay young and fit?

Benefits of drinking green tea

Green tea has become a popular drink all around the world because of its immense health benefits. It has been proved that green tea drinkers have a healthier circulation system than most others. It isn’t that difficult to make yourself a cup of green tea, and its benefits will surely make the effort worthwhile.

Anti-aging

Green tea contains an antioxidant that fight against free radicals. This means that it fights against aging and promotes longevity.

Weight loss

Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism naturally. It is believed to burn around 70 calories per day which adds ups to four kilograms per year.

Heart disease

It prevents heart disease by lowering the level of cholesterol. It prevents cell death and speeds up the recovery of damaged heart cells.

Cancer

It helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is hundred times more effective than vitamin C and 24 times more effective than vitamin E. This helps in protecting your cells from damage linked to cancerous formations.

Skin

As in the case of anti-aging, the antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the action of free radicals, which cause damage to the skin. Green tea also helps to fight against skin cancer.

Diabetes

It improves lipid and glucose metabolism. It also prevents sharp increases in blood sugar levels and balances your metabolism rate.

Cholesterol

Green tea helps to lower cholesterol levels. It also helps in improving the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol by reducing the latter.

There are countless benefits of green tea which make it a must-have in today’s health risk world. Make sure you do what you can to maintain good health and drinking a cup of tea is the least effort you can put in to facilitate proper health.

How To Deal With Stalkers

Stalking is creepy. From bullying to terrorizing to eve-teasing, stalking can have adverse effects on the victim.

If you are being stalked, or know someone who is being stalked, do not take it lightly. It may grow up to become a heinous crime. In such cases, follow these imperative measures to deal with stalkers in the crux of time.

Inform Someone

Keep a trustworthy person involved and informed

Keep someone informed about it, either a friend or family. If you know the stalker, immediately stop all communication. If the stalker is a stranger or an acquaintance, try getting in touch with a mutual acquaintance to seek help. In any case, keep a trustworthy person involved and informed of every activity. Always remember, one person alone can never intelligently deal with stalkers.

Gather Information

Keep all records of communication with the stalker ready and safe. Messages, emails, letters, should be kept as is, and untampered. Keep phone-call records safe. It is mandatory to have a call-recording software or application installed on your phone so that all your calls are captured. This will help a lot, in case, it progresses into a police case.

Stay Away From Strangers

Staying away from strangers is one of the best ways to deal with stalkers

It is only obvious that when you end all communication, the stalker might try to reach out to you through a third party. Strangers trying to get friendly by asking for information should be considered distrustful. Keep your guards up and make note of anything fishy happening around you. Staying away from new acquaintances is one of the best ways to deal with stalkers.

Do Not Venture Out Till Late

Keeping yourself safe should top your list. Partying or working till late in the nights should be avoided. If these can’t be avoided, make sure you have company with you. Also, in such cases, see if you can have your own vehicle to travel or a friend dropping you and avoid public transport. Late night excursions should be made with a group of friends or family.

Report To The Police

Stalking is a crime. Immediately report the matter to the police.

There are cases when the stalker starts to threaten you or your family. This should be the end of all patience and suffering. Stalking is a crime. Immediately report the matter to the police. Bring in all the related correspondences and materials that support the case. Present the absolute truth leaving no loose ends. Eventually, it may proceed to become a court case and you do not want to be the person who caused unnecessary trouble by concealing details.

Most of us, especially women, try and suppress the matter thinking a quit-communication strategy would bring an end to the ordeal. But that is only a fool’s doing. Be smart and vigilant and use these steps to deal with stalkers.

Here’s What Breakfast Looks Like Around The Globe

Breakfast Feast – Photographed on Hasselblad H3D2-39mb Camera

What’s the most important meal of the day? BREAKFAST! Keeping us healthy and sharp. But breakfast foods vary wildly from place to place. Americans are kinda obsessed with breakfast, to the point where we sometimes eat it for every meal of the day. Except for breakfast actually, as we overslept. All around the world, people eat comforting, filling meals to start their day. For some countries, breakfast means runny poached eggs with thick Greek yogurt and pita, and for others, chocolate-filled pastries. So, let’s take a look at what country is eating what:

1) America

The country obsessed with breakfast. Here people are either have cereals or eggs and toasts. Nothing more, nothing less! And let’s not forget their coffee.

2) Portuguese

Salted cod, egg, and potato baked casserole

3) China

A typical breakfast in eastern China can include items like dumplings, rice in vegetable soup, fried sponge cake, steamed creamy custard bun, and porridge.

4) Iran

In Iran a typical breakfast consists of sweet black tea, bread, butter, feta cheese, and sometimes fresh fruit and nuts.

5) France

French breakfast includes tea, coffee, juice, or hot chocolate, with bread and butter or pastries.

6) Australia

Australians love Vegemite enough to eat it every day. They also eat a lot of fruit and sometimes indulge in a full English breakfast.

7) Brazil

They love strong coffee and plate of ham, cheese, and bread to begin the day.

8) England

The fortifying English breakfast includes eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, mushrooms, and cooked tomato and tea of course!

9) India

India varies by region, but often you’ll find a tray like this one, crowded with chutneys, dips, and bread like dosa, roti, or idli.

10) Italy

No, they don’t eat pizza and pasta for breakfast! Many Italians begin their day with a cappuccino and brioche slathered with jam or stuffed with chocolate.

Which country’s breakfast would you like to try? 😛

Let’s Celebrate World Food Day!

Telling you guys about the different types of food across nation or around globe would be exciting. But, will that add any value to this day? Do most of you know the real reason why 16th October is celebrated as World Food Day?

It’s an annual celebration in the honor of the founding date of the Food and Agriculture Organization launched by the United Nations in the year 1945. World Food Day is celebrated widely with great enthusiasm by several other organizations which are concerned with food security such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Food Program, and others.

This year’s theme:

World Food Day: Building A Zero Hunger Generation

More than just a casual series of festivities, World Food Day is organized to bring awareness to how our changing planet affects food production and distribution. Related events explore several topics such as examining how agriculture needs to adapt due to climate change to how migration affects food security. The goal of these sessions is to set goals that will eventually lead to building a Zero Hunger Generation.

Let’s talk about its HISTORY:

World Food Day (WFD) was established by the member countries of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in November 1979, at the organization’s 20th General Conference. Dr. Pal Romany, the Hungarian Delegation led by the then Minister of Hungary for Agriculture and Food, played a significant role at the 20th General Conference of the FAO and proposed the idea of launching the WFD worldwide. Since then, the WFD is been observed in more than 150 countries every year; raising consciousness and knowledge of the problems and reasons behind hunger and poverty.

How India celebrates this day:

In India, the day marks the significance of agriculture and emphasizes on the fact that the food produced in and consumed by Indians is safe and healthy. The world food day is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India; several sincere lovers of food in Delhi joined hands and vowed to keep their food hygienic and safe. They opposed the introduction of GM (genetically modified) crops in India. People in Delhi celebrate the occasion at Craft museum of Dastakar Mela; they make rangoli and perform street plays and acts on the matter of genetic modification.

How other countries celebrate:

Europe

On World Food Day, Spanish television gets active with broadcasting events. Spanish soccer star and the Goodwill Ambassador of FAO, Raul has taken part in many events and has helped in highlighting food-security issues throughout his country. In Germany, Food and Agriculture Ministry, Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, etc get involved through press conferences.

In Italy, various NGOs, international agencies, research institutes, universities, and ministries have organized several conferences, exhibitions and symposia. In 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies in Italy organized a meeting that focused on the rights of the women in rural areas.

The United States of America

World Food Day has been a custom in the United States ever since it was established for the first time in the year 1981. In the United States, this great work is sponsored by approximately 450 private, national and voluntary organizations. Various events are organized at these organizations; one such notable examples for the celebration is the World Food Day Sunday Dinners sponsored by Oxfam America in association with several other non-profit organizations.

Africa

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana organized a food security conference and Namibia has run an awareness program through national media.

Angola celebrated World Food Day through the 4th Forum on Rural Women in 2005; in Burundi, the second Vice-President marked the event by planting potatoes to give a symbolic example about the production of food. The President of the Central African Republic inaugurated a bridge at Boda in the honor of the World Food Day; this facilitated the agricultural production area easily reachable.

Tell us, how do you celebrate this day in the comment section below 😀

Save Your Nuts!

The official day to go NUTS!

A day created by the Liberation Foods Company, the U.K.’s only Fair Trade framer owned nut company, National Nut Day is celebrated in hopes to raise awareness of Fair Trade nuts and encourage a healthy diet. The day’s celebrated today, i.e., 22nd Oct.

Whether you crack ’em, peel ’em, bust ’em, or buy ’em already opened for you, we can all agree that nuts are a handful of fun (unless you’re allergic to them). So, in honour of National Nut Day, we’ll be telling you why nuts are healthy, how they are healthy and which nut specifically will benefit you the most, but before that, do you have enough reasons to love this day? Maybe not, here you go then…

1) Nuts come in different shapes and sizes

No matter what your preference is, there is a vast variety of these delicious snacks that can suit your taste buds. Nuts come in all shapes and sizes, from teardrop shaped almonds to the wrinkly walnuts . In this case, size does not matter.

2) Nuts are delicious and nutritious

They are creamy and dreamy when consumed, and also deliver a punch of nutrition. Almonds are rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin E, while all nuts provide large amounts of healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

3) Nuts make the perfect snack

We all get hungry, but not always are able to eat a full meal. What do we do in situations like these? NUTS TO THE RESCUE! We can grab a handful of nuts for a guiltless snack that helps keep the hunger at bay.

Now, the health benefits of these NUTS!

1) Almonds

A 30-gram serving of almonds contains more fibre and vitamin E than any other nut, and is an excellent source of magnesium and manganese. The antioxidant function of vitamin E in almonds along with their magnesium and potassium can reduce LDL (“bad”) and total cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Ayurvedic medicine rates almonds highly for increasing brain capacity, intellect and longevity.

2) Cashew Nuts

Lower in fat than most nuts, they contain anacardic acid, which improves insulin sensitivity (which is beneficial to diabetic people) and help prevent chronic inflammation. Cashew nuts are rich in heart-friendly monounsaturated-fatty acids such as oleic, and palmitoleic acids that help lower harmful LDL-cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol in the blood.

3) Peanuts

Peanuts contain one of the highest amounts of protein per serving among nuts. They also contain vitamin E, folate, niacin, magnesium and potassium. In Chinese medicine food therapy, peanut skin is often recommended for those with low platelet counts.

4) Brazil Nuts

It is referred to as an anti-cancer super food due to its rich source of selenium, an antioxidant that can protect against cancer and heart attack. Its high fibre and healthy fats content are also essential in detoxification, thyroid functions and controlling inflammation.

5) Pistachios

Pistachios have the second highest polyphenol and flavonoid content of the tree nuts. They are also an excellent source of potassium, vitamin B6, copper, and manganese. Studies have shown that eating in-shell pistachios enhances feelings of fullness and satisfaction while reducing caloric intake. Snacking on them has beneficial effects on glycaemic control, blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation markers in diabetic patients.

6) Hazelnuts

High levels of vitamin E, manganese, thiamine, folate, and fatty acids in hazelnuts improve brain and cognitive function and help prevent degenerative diseases later in life. They are also a good source of folate, which contributes to spine and brain development during pregnancy.

7) Walnuts

While lower in fibre and monounsaturated fats than many other nuts, walnuts are significantly higher in omega-3 fats than other tree nuts and peanuts, and also have higher levels of antioxidants. According to a study by the University of Texas Health Science Centre, 1g of walnut contains between 2.5 and 4.5 nanograms of melatonin, which is beneficial in treating insomnia.

Go Nuts, Go Healthy!

Try These Amazing Games At Your Own Halloween Party This Year!

Are you looking for some exciting ideas that can add more sparkles to your Halloween party for kids? You’re in the right place folks! Halloween may be all about costumes, candies, trick-or-treat but if you want your children and their friends to enjoy to the fullest and have a party of the year, you may wanna try some of these brilliant games that can liven any Halloween party, WE BET!

1) DIY Scarecrows

Divide the guests into teams. Give each team a pile of old clothes (including hats), pillowcases for heads, newspapers or hay for stuffing, ropes for tying and markers for making faces. Give each team 15 minutes or 20 minutes to make a scarecrow. Give prizes for the silliest and the scariest and hang them outside.

2) Mummy Wrap

Divide guests up in pairs; give each pair a roll of toilet paper. One team member will be the wrapper, the other will be the wrapped mummy. The first team to use up its roll wins. Or you can give each team two rolls of toilet paper and after the mummy is wrapped, he or she must wrap his partner. The first team to empty both rolls of toilet paper wins.

3) Story Telling

Include the beginning of a ghost story in your party invitations and ask each child to come to the party with an ending to tell. Hear all the endings and let the guests vote for the funniest, the weirdest, and the spookiest.

4) Can You Guess What You Feel?

This is one of those Halloween games many people remember from childhood. Line up five opaque plastic dishes and cover them all with a black cloth. Let each guest stick a hand in each dish, under the cloth so that the contents can’t be seen, and try to guess what it really is. You can tell the guest that the first dish holds guts (the insides of a pumpkin) and see what he or she guesses. The second dish is said to hold brains (damp coarse sponge). The third is said to hold veins (cold, cooked spaghetti). The fourth is said to hold cut-off fingers (cocktail sausages) and the fifth to hold skin (pieces of a soft flour tortilla). The person who guesses the most actual contents wins.

5) Donut Play If You’re Diabetic

Divide guests into teams. Hang as many doughnuts as guests from a tree limb or a clothesline by a string. Without using hands, each guest must catch and eat a doughnut. The first team to finish its doughnuts win.

6) Who Am I?

Have the kids draw Halloween-themed pictures on a piece of paper and tape them to each guest’s back (without the guest seeing what it is). While others can only give yes or no answers, each guest must guess what he or she thinks is drawn on the paper on their back.

Have better ideas for Halloween party games? Write to us [email protected] 🙂

Top 7 Best Audiobooks Of This Year So Far

“Audiobooks speak for themselves.”
– Paul Acampora, I Kill the Mockingbird

Some books are better to consume over audio than over text. I find that conceptual books and biographies are better off consumed over audio than text. Reading inspirational quotes and passages are great, but it doesn’t beat listening to a person that motivates you to do great things while you’re learning at the same time. Some people prefer audio over text for learning and maybe you’re one of them. If you don’t like reading, experiment with audiobooks and see if this helps you with learning. To get you started, here are top 7 audiobooks of 2018, so far:

1) Dare to lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

In Brené Brown’s latest inspirational self-help blockbuster, she studies the characteristics that allow great leaders to lead. This guide packages her research into practical and anecdotal tips for readers. Narrated by the author.

2) The Outsider

In Stephen King’s latest thriller, a small town is turned upside down when a local coach is arrested for the brutal murder of an 11-year-old boy. Detective Ralph Anderson has some very personal reasons for getting to the bottom of it. Narrated by Will Patton, recipient of the Best Male Narrator Audie Award.

3) The President Is Missing

This high-profile collaboration between former President Bill Clinton and James Patterson got marks for (naturally) being a very “insider” White House thriller. A grave threat looms on American soil when the president himself disappears. Narrated by a full cast that includes actor Dennis Quaid.

4) Fire And Fury: Inside The Trump White House

President Donald Trump’s legacy will surely be studied for its temperament and tone. One of the earliest and most notorious accounts of “45” is Michael Wolff’s bestseller, narrated by Holter Graham. AudioFile Magazine lauded his narration, saying, “[Holter Graham] uses his deep, elastic voice to punctuate key ideas, and he speeds up and slows down to create tension … The result is a wonderful performance of a most important audiobook.”

5) Educated: A Memoir

Born to survivalist parents in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover lacked a formal education. In one of the most breathtaking trajectories to hit the written word since The Glass Castle, Westover breaks orbit to find a new life, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Narrated by award-winning actor and narrator Julia Whelan.

6) The Woman In The Window

A. J. Finn’s page-turner of a thriller, inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, garnered accolades from the genre’s finest, including Stephen King, Louise Penny, and Gillian Flynn. The story of Anna Fox, a recluse who likes to spy on her neighbors, is set to become a film starring Amy Adams and Julianne Moore. The audiobook is narrated by actress and seasoned thriller-narrator Ann Marie Lee.

7) Everything Here Is Beautiful

In Mira T. Lee’s gorgeous debut novel, two sisters, Miranda and Lucia, face hard truths when a cloud of mental illness settles over their lives following the death of their mother. Lee’s book was selected by the American Book Association as a top ten debut for Winter/Spring 2018. It’s narrated by a full cast that includes Cassandra Campbell, a beloved and seasoned narrator.

What NOT To Forget When You Are Pregnant!

Once your pregnancy is confirmed, there are several precautions you are bound to consider. There are umpteen books that guide and provide a step-by-step process and there is your family to shower loads of love till the tiny one finally enters the world.

Here are five things you should do without fail when you are pregnant.

1: Visit the doctor regularly

Your pre-natal appointments are important as they help to run a check on your vitals. It is essential to know the health condition of your baby from time to time; this determines how well you are doing. The doctor will assist you through your medications and prescribe necessary vitamins that may be lacking in your body. Therefore, prioritise appointments with your doctor.

2: Get your recommended dose of folic acid every day

What you eat will help in your baby’s growth. Therefore, having quality amount of folic acid in the food you consume is important. Folic acid reduces heart and spinal problems for the baby. Studies have shown that women who eat food rich in folic acid before and during their pregnancy have the least chance of having a baby with neural tube defect. Spinach, sprouts and green beans are rich in folic acid, but this is not enough for the baby. Women suffering from medical issues like diabetes and sickle cell disease have to consume food highly rich in folic acid. It is better you consult your doctor to get the prescription for the daily dose of folic acid in your food.

3: It is important to stay relaxed

It is a common fact that women attend to household chores while men work. There might be situations when the washing machine, phone and food need attention at the same time. It is important for pregnant women to stay calm and take things at ease. If it is necessary for you to do the cleaning and washing, do them one at a time. Make sure you take frequent breaks to rest. Stress increases the chances of premature birth and, in some cases, abnormal baby. If you need help, join a local support group for pregnant women. Interacting with them can make you feel light. Who knows, they might have the same problems that you have. Sharing is caring; share your problems with them. In that way, you can make friends as well as be stress-free.

If you are a working woman, do not sit in front of your desk the whole day. Take frequent breaks and walk along the corridor of your office for some time. Excessive use of mobile phones, computers and other electronic gadgets does no good to your baby. Take snacks to office. Being pregnant can cause morning sickness; small snacks help you through such situations. Most important of all, do not forget to drink a lot of water.

4: Don’t be idle in your free time

Make the most out of your free time. Be it reading books or watching movies. Make sure it is the most entertaining hobby in your list. Watch a comedy film and laugh out loud. When the mother is happy, the baby automatically tends to be happy; this is the beauty of bearing a child. If you find joy in shopping, then retail therapy it is. Do anything, but do not sit idle in your free time. It will eventually end up as stress which is no good to you and your baby.

5: Have your own pregnancy photo shoot

Memories last a life time. Have a photo shoot every month to know the gradual growth of your baby’s temporary residence – your tummy. Else, take pictures with your family, friends and other relatives and don’t forget to focus the camera on your bump. Baby shower is the best time to click pictures. Proudly flaunt your bump in front of the camera and record your memories. Looking back at these pictures will give you a proud feeling. A miracle is inside your tummy. You are bearing a tiny baby in your womb. Who knows, tomorrow when your child grows up, he/she may want to see your gleaming face when you were pregnant with them.

Being pregnant is a gift, enjoy it.