Lights:Camera:Happy Living: June 2019

THE BODY SHOP SATSUMA BODY POLISH REVIEW

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Though Summer is in its full swing right now, Monsoon is almost about to check in. In fact, the region I live in is already prepping up big time for a rainy season.

Seasons play a prime role in taking care of skin and hair. People are going conscious every single day about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They are not far behind the fact that along with internal health, external care is also mandatory. And that differs a lot with age and season.

Skincare varies a lot in Summer, in the same way, Winter skincare also steps in in a different mode. But Monsoon is a season when Skin and Hair care get incredibly tricky.

Both Skin and Hair become confused about how to act in the Monsoon. Sometimes, it gets sweaty and greasy, and other times, they are parched. So, it is essential to take a good look at your skin and hair, and act accordingly.

I have been an admirer of The Body Shop Skin Care Products for a long time. They are Cruelty-free, Vegan, use Handpicked Ingredients in their products, and also use a lesser amount of Artificial Chemicals in their products.

Today, I am gonna talk about The Body Shop Satsuma Body Polish and why it works like a charm during the Monsoon.

As The Body Shop claims about the product,

Pick up our satsuma body polish to slough away dead skin cells, leaving your skin supremely softer and refined. The exfoliating foaming gel and energising scent add a touch of luxury to your shower routine.

Body exfoliator
Gentle exfoliation
Satsuma oil from Argentina
Zesty satsuma scent
Light, particle gel texture
Use 2-3 times per week

My experience:

The skin on my body is equally sensitive like my face. It is not combination type though, rather it can be pretty dry from time to time. To give you a sensitivity radar test, I can say that I can't even wear artificial jewelry that often because they give me allergic reactions.

Anyway, during the Summers and Monsoons, my skin becomes extra sensitive. I develop rashes sometimes. And that's the reason I prefer not to use any hard-core, grainy body scrub.

This Satsuma Body Polish is just perfect to use on sensitive skin. It does the job wonderfully, of taking the dead cells out without ripping off the skin. I use it twice every week, and it gives me a healthy, moisturized, soft, and supple skin. I love to use this body polish throughout the year, especially during the Monsoon. It balances the moisture barrier of the skin so well.

Apart this, I prefer to use it before I shave my body hair. It makes the job more comfortable, and I don't even get any razor-bumps as the razor glides into the skin so well after using this body polish.

The smell of Satsuma is just oh-so-awesome. If you are in a hurry to go out somewhere in the morning, but reluctant to take a bath, the scent will help you to get into the shower. Your whole bathroom will smell fresh, with a little hint of flowery and a strong sweet mandarin orange-y scent.

After taking a bath, the smell lingers on the body for quite some time if you don't apply anything else. If you want the scent to stay for the whole day, I would suggest you to use the Satsuma Body Butter, along with the Satsuma body perfume. You'll smell just fantastic for the entire day. When you smell good, you feel good, and the day just gets more beautiful.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Mel, Limonene, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Disodium EDTA, Citral, Denatonium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 15510, CI 15985.

Pros:

· Smells amazing

· Gentle on sensitive skin

· No harsh grits on the body polish

· Removes dead cells with gentle care

· Skin becomes soft and supple

· Quantity of the product is good

· Preps the skin well for shaving

Cons:

· Contains Chemicals, so not an au-natural product

Price: INR 625

P.S: The Body Shop products come on the expensive sides in India. And that sucks big time. I can't do anything about that. But what I can tell you is that their products are undoubtedly one of the best in this price range. And a little goes a long way.

Website Links:

The Body Shop India

Nykaa

Give it a try. If you are a digger for zesty, citrusy scents, then you’ll fall in love with it. I am pretty sure your skin will thank you a million times for this.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Health

THE BEST COOKWARE TO USE FOR YOUR HEALTH

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Maintaining our health in today’s world is becoming demanding every single day. Some factors are changing drastically, some myths are often breaking down. Eventually, what is the best option to maintain our precious health is like participating in a world war. There are way too many tactics, techniques, and technologies. And it can be quite confusing to decide. Don’t worry.

Today, we are gonna cover an influential episode which is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle- Cookware.

In India, the majority of the household use two basic cookware.

a) Aluminum

b) Non-stick

In India, Aluminum Cookware is very cheap, widely available, and it maintains the heat really well. That’s why it comes really handy. Apart from this, everybody uses Nonstick Cookware in their kitchen frequently. Nowadays, most people are becoming health conscious and prefer less oily and less spicy food. Hence, Non-stick Cookware comes as a savior because it does take really less amount of oil to cook any delicious food properly.

Now, let’s discuss the fun part. Do you know, both Aluminum and Non-stick Cookware can be health-hazardous?

Let’s talk about Nonstick cookware.

Many of you must have known the fact that Non-stick Cookware is made with a coating called Teflon. PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) are the chemicals used in the process of making Teflon. I think so many are still unknown to the fact that it can be harmful to you. Let’s see how and why?

Most of the Indian dishes are made using very high heat. All those curries, tempering require extreme heat to taste their best. When Teflon gets high temperature, it releases a toxic fume that can be really harmful to health. Even, some people develop the symptoms of Teflon Flue. For more info on that, click here.

It is not a one-day matter. Day after day, year after year, we use Teflon coated pans. And the waste materials get deposited in our bodies along with the food. The irony is, we often invest a good amount of money to buy the nonstick cookware and want to use it until we can. In this process, most of us ignore that the coating is long gone. And we are eating up all the worn-out coating of the remaining Teflon. We end up using the very same cookware for a long time. This is highly dangerous and can be life-threatening.

If we use moderate heat, Teflon is still okay. But with extreme heat, the coating starts to separate. And that’s high time to get rid of that completely. I would advise not to use any Teflon-coated or traditional Non-stick Cookware.

Let’s come to Aluminum Cookware.

Though many studies have shown that Anodized coating of Aluminum Cookware is safe for cooking, here to applies the same formula of Non-Stick Cookware. After a specific time, the surface gets wasted. And, it is time to throw that. Aluminum dissolves faster into acidic foods than into basic foods. It is always risky to cook acidic foods like tomatoes, tea & coffee in Aluminum vessels.

Recently, many studies have found Aluminum as Neurotoxic. It can also hamper with the hormonal balance in our bodies. In fact, human bodies don't absorb aluminum as we don't need it. So, too much exposure to non-treated aluminum coming along with the cooked food can be dangerous.

It is time to switch your regular deodorant if it contains Aluminum as it directly absorbs into your skin. Also, throw away the aluminum foil for wrapping food as it reacts badly with acidic ingredients.

So, what are the safe options? Let’s talk about that.

Safe Cookware:

1. Cast Iron

Cast Iron Skillet From Lodge (Pic Credit: Amazon India)

Cast Iron is one of the safest and most reliable alternatives as it is famous for its amazing durability and even heat distribution. If you buy a quality product and maintain it properly, it can be used for generations. Also, if seasoned properly, it acts as a nonstick vessel, and you can cook food with less amount of oil.

Cast Iron also reacts with acidic food and taste can differ highly. So, it is advised not to use anything like tomatoes, lime, lemons, etc. until it is well seasoned for a decent time.

2. Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel Kadai From Bergner (Pic Credit: Amazon India)

Stainless Steel cookware is made of Chromium, nickel and various other heavy metals. Though some people question their safety issues, studies have shown them to be non-reactive to foods. They are safe for cooking, holds heat evenly, and there is no artificial coating. Hence there is no chance of any flakes to come out and mix with food.

3. Clay

Craftsman India Earthen Clay Pot (Pic Credit: Amazon India)

Though clay pots are less durable and hard to maintain, they have been widely used in rural India since ancient times. They keep all the food nutrients balanced, spreads the heat evenly, and maintains the moisture needed in cooking. In fact, clay pot made foods are delicious in taste as they add an earthy flavor to some dishes.

4. Glass

Borosil Casserole (Pic Credit: Amazon India)

Glass cookware is already well known for their durability in high heat and widely used for baking and even for stove top cooking. They are great at non-transferring any chemicals to the food.

I don't think, in Indian cuisine, to cook basic food items, we can use glass cookware for stove top cooking. But we can use it in a varied way for oven cooking. As far as Indian cuisine goes, we can even make special curry recipes in the oven if we adjust the steps and temperature accordingly.

5. Ceramic and Porcelain Cookware

Lodge Enamel Cast Iron Casserole (Pic Credit: Amazon India)

Ceramic cookware and porcelain enamel coated cookware also produce even heat distribution. They don’t generally transfer any compound to the food. But recently, studies have found some adverse reaction related to ceramic coated stove top cookware. So, if you chose to buy any of those to use on stove top, check out all the manufacturing details properly.

Hitkari Potteries Porcelain Bowl (Pic Credit: Amazon India)

However, Ceramic and Porcelain are safe to use in the traditional oven or Microwave convection oven.

I, personally have thrown out all the Non-stick and Aluminum cookware from my kitchen. Moreover, I don't store any cooked or wet foods/ingredients in plastic containers. Though for storing dry ingredients, I still use a few of them, but I plan to get rid of plastics and switch to glass storage containers gradually in the near future. Nowadays, for cooking, I am mainly using Stainless Steel and Cast Iron.

I think, for everyday cooking, the safest and easiest alternatives are Cast Iron and Stainless-Steel cookware for stove top use. Glass and Ceramic pots are good to go for Microwave/ Oven cooking. In any way, always do your research diligently and invest in good and well-known brands. In the longer run, that helps a lot.

In the next posts, I will come up with my favorite brands of Stainless-Steel cookware, Cast Irons pots, and pans in India.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Natural Hair Oil

KAMA AYURVEDA BRINGADI INTENSIVE HAIR TREATMENT OIL REVIEW

Friday, June 07, 2019

Taking care of your skin and hair become more challenging with age. Human body goes through quite a few trials and errors in the whole life span. As far as I've witnessed so far, for women, it happens when they hit puberty, second when they enter in their late 20’s and start dealing with mature aging, and lastly when they leave the reproduction age and gradually enter into menopause. Along with the body, skin and hair also go through considerable amount of changes.

I am grateful to come across a few classy, amaze-balls products in my life. And right now, they have been working wonders for me. So, for the time being, my worries to deal with skin & hair care are pretty much sorted.

As I have been suffering from severe hair fall throughout my whole life, I face a hell lot of challenges every now and then managing my hair. If you have read my previous post, you must know that I have extremely fine hair with an extremely oily scalp. Maintaining it is one of my biggest struggles I face in my everyday life. I don't experiment with my hair that often. But if I come across any products that are naturally made, I like to give it a try.

‘Kama Ayurveda’ is one such brand whose few products have been helping me immensely for the past 3-4 years. They are pure, natural, preservative free, and absolute blessings of Ancient Ayurveda.

Let’s talk about ‘Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment Oil’ in details.

As per the company,

An intensive hair treatment to prevent hair loss, dandruff, and premature graying. The secret to Indians' lush, glossy hair – this traditional Ayurvedic recipe consists of potent herbs extracted into pure Sesame oil and Milk. A natural conditioner for lush hair growth that nourishes deeply while cooling the scalp. Also includes Indigo, Eclipta Alba, and Gooseberry to promote hair growth. Anti-fungal Licorice and antibacterial Balloon Vine prevent scalp infections. The earthy scent of the oil has a calming, meditative effect that soothes frayed nerves, uplifts mood, and aids in a good night's rest.

Benefits:

• 100% Natural

• Relieves hair loss

• Promotes hair growth

• Prevents dandruff

• Natural conditioner

• Prevents scalp infections

• Cools and uplifts

Price: INR 650 for 100 ml. and INR 1250 for 250 ml. Here are a few websites from where you can place an order. Just click on the names- Nykaa, Amazon, Myntra, Kama Ayurveda Website

My experience:

I used to mix castor oil and organic sweet almond oil to massage my hair. That too used to work well for me. Since I started using this Kama Ayurveda hair oil, I didn’t go back to that.

This oil is greenish black in color and has a strong ayurvedic fragrance. But for me, it’s a no-bother. As I use oil on my hair pretty extensively each time, it takes a strict wash to get out of the grease properly. I skip conditioner on most of the days because this oil naturally conditions the hair. And without conditioner too, my hair feels pretty soft and shiny. If you wash your scalp thoroughly, you won’t find any traces of the oil left.

Apart this, this oil also helps keeping the dandruff at bay. Irrespective of what oil you use, when you massage your scalp gently, it activates more blood circulation. If you can get someone to help you massaging the scalp, it would be great as you’ll feel so relaxed and get a hair-spa like feeling. Actually, you can carry your own oil to the salon and request the salon-person to use it specifically.

Does it really reduce hair fall?

I can give you a one-liner short & sweet answer. But it’s better that I share little extra. See, how much hair fall one deals with will depend on so many things.

a) Heredity and gene

b) Internal health (hormones etc.)

c) Daily lifestyle

d) External care (the quality and usage of shampoo, conditioner, oil, heating & styling accessories, hair products, etc.)

e) Quality of water in your washroom

f) Age

g) Stress

The points mentioned above play dominant roles on caressing of your precious locks. Even if any one of them is active somehow, it takes a toll, and we suffer from excess hair fall. So, it is vital to take care of our health as much as possible.

Apart from this, no oil has magic power to stop hair fall entirely. Fragile hair is prone to breakage. So, like me, those who have that issue by birth, suffer from hair fall automatically. The question is, how much can you do to minimize it?

For this kind of hair, whenever we use any oil on our hair, the root becomes loose, and we see severe hair fall even if we are using our best product. It is essential that we see the growth of new hair strands after losing the old hair. With this oil too, I see excess hair fall the day I use it on my hair. But I believe, people who have got luscious locks and strong roots, will not face that much of hair fall. Do let me know.

I still think this hair oil is extraordinarily amazing. Why?

Because after using this oil, gradually, I have noticed small baby hair all over my head, which gives me confidence that this oil is helping in new hair growth, which is a must do. On other days, when I don’t wash my hair, I don't see excessive hair fall. As my hair is very knotty, at least I lose 40-50 stands every single day.

Moreover, my husband too uses this oil once a week. And he is also getting amazing result after using it. So, both men and women can use it regularly.

Every person is different. And every product acts differently on everybody. So, before you try something new, it is necessary to take a patch test first, and then go for it on a regular basis. If any product is causing any effect that is not supposed to happen, stop immediately, and consult your doctor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should always consult their doctor before using any product.

Conclusion:

For me, this oil is a blessing because I don’t find hair products that often which help in growing new hair, don’t cause any side effects as well, and most importantly, is free from chemicals and preservatives.

Have you used this oil? What’s your take in it? Please share your thoughts here.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

THE BODY SHOP SATSUMA BODY POLISH REVIEW

THE BEST COOKWARE TO USE FOR YOUR HEALTH

KAMA AYURVEDA BRINGADI INTENSIVE HAIR TREATMENT OIL REVIEW

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