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Come on, it’s free

What is it that lures us towards stuff labelled ‘FREE’? When will we ever learn the price of these freebies?
by Dr Pooja Birwatkar

One lazy day, my cell phone rang with a call from an unknown number. Two minutes into the call and I realised I was ‘Lucky’. The caller said my mobile number had been selected from amongst thousands and that I was entitled for a free gift. I guess all of us have got such random calls. Lured by the trap, you go to the place they call you to claim your free gift, and what awaits you is a grand welcome, nice refreshments and lot of attention.

Then the real purpose of your presence there is revealed. They begin by offering you something you never wanted. An insurance policy, a holiday package, some medical benefit…and while they talk, you’re either trying to make sense of it all, or you’re trying to stay awake, wondering when you can get your gift and go home.

freebiesSoon, you either find yourself falling in their trap and buying something you don’t want, or thinking up ways to just take your gift and scoot without having to pay anything.

I wonder: what prompts us to fall for this racket in the first place? The answer is: greed. We all want to own something we haven’t paid for or rightfully earned. Our automatic indulgence for anything FREE shuts down our mechanism for rationalisation.

So there we are, almost leaping and bouncing off the walls, grabbing anything that has a ‘free’ tag attached to it. But wait a moment and think. Why would anyone give us anything for free unless they are out of their minds, or unless they purposively want to ruin their business?

The ‘free’ tag haunts you at all places. Few days ago, as I was getting petrol filled, the man at the petrol pump gave me a magazine while returning my change. I shook my head. He said, “Le lo, ekdum free hai.” I promptly grabbed it and marvelled at the cover page and its thickness. Later, when I read it I realised it was full of advertisements and there were only two articles – and even those were not worth giving a second glance.

Malls entice us with free stuff the most. Visit any super store and it looks as if they love the customer. After all, who offers anything for free? But look carefully. Mostly the junk food items laden with trans fats and health damaging ingredients are given for free. These are in the form of biscuits, chocolates, savouries, aerated drinks etc. Also check the expiry date. Items given under ‘One on one free’ are usually on the brink of expiry.

So intense is the lure of the word FREE that my five-year-old son, who has just started to read and understands the meaning of the word, also has a take on it. He thinks whatever has ‘free’ written on it is actually for free and puts it in the shopping trolley. When I question him, he smartly tell me it’s free and he can take it as I won’t have to pay for it.

I recall an incident in the gaming zone of a mall where one machine said, ‘Swipe once and free gifts follow’. Mesmerised by the sight of the chocolates and other freebies, we swiped the card. Only one chocolate came out of the slot. We lamented our lack of experience and followed up our first attempt with many others. With each successive attempt, each fringed with frustration, greed and hope that this time we would hit the jackpot, we finally exhausted the card and were left with a handful of chocolates worth not more than Rs 5 – and we had spent around Rs 200 in our attempts. For Rs 200, we could have got a stock of chocolates for the entire month. But because of the promise of ‘free’ gifts, we had to do it. I learnt the price one has to pay to expect free stuff, that day.

Apart from goodies and things that money can buy, there are a lot of other things that come for free. Free advice is one such thing. And so high is our fascination for the word ‘free’ one plus one freethat we have even named the roads where we don’t pay toll as freeways. Nothing enchants us as much as taking the advantage of free services. Even if our cars are shining to the skies, we still wait in queue to get two minutes of car cleaning done for free at petrol pumps.

I remember when it was the last day for the Bandra Worli Sea Link to be toll free. Thousands went to use the free status and there were huge traffic jams for hours. Nobody realised how much more money they spent on wasted petrol – much more than the toll money. But our minds ignore the practical aspects of things when faced with making a choice over something that is free.

They say there are no free lunches in the world, and you pay the price for something free sooner or later. And yet, there are so many things that are still free but which we don’t know how to appreciate. The swaying of the trees on a dull afternoon, the slight breeze as you walk, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, the rainbow brightening the sky, the chirps of birds, the beauty of butterflies, the shade of trees, the fragrance of flowers, the warmth of the soil, the calming effect of the waves…all of these are free. There are no price tags attached, no hue and cry that nature makes and hence we lose the importance of what is actually free and not enjoy it. Wake up and look around. Acknowledge these real free gifts before they cease to be free any more.

(Pictures courtesy  www.thesocialmediabloke.com, shopping.indiatimes.com, www.whiteindianhousewife.com. Images are used for representational purpose only)

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Beauty

Skin and hair care for Holi

We wait for Holi all year, don’t we? This year, celebrate Holi hassle-free with some skin and hair care tips.
by Deepa Mistry | @MissTipsytoes on Twitter

Holi, a festival of colours, brings everyone closer. We all start preparing way in advance for this festival, but along with other preparations, we should take care of our skin and hair as well.

In the riot of fun and colours, we end up ignoring our skin and hair. Hair exposed to chemical colours can become dull, dry and brittle. If your skin is acne or dandruff-prone, you need to take a lot of care as these colours can cause severe damage. Holi is the time when the skin loses it natural oils and softness, owing to the chemicals contained in colours, which can cause redness or rashes. Naturally, taking proper precautions cannot hurt. Start with using only organic or natural colours.

Care before Holi begins:

playing HoliIf you ordinarily wear lenses, don’t wear them while playing. Wear a pair of spectacles or sunglasses.

Remember what grandma always said: apply oil before you soak yourself in those colours. Apply generous amounts of coconut oil on your skin and hair, especially on your hands, elbows and legs. Castor oil is another alternative as well.

30 minutes before heading out to play, apply sunscreen on your face and hands. The colours and the heat can cause severe damage. If you suffer from acne, make sure you moisturise your skin well with a cream containing SPF. Make sure you apply lots of lip balm.

Wear dark clothes and preferably of a light material, and full sleeved to cover maximum skin to keep it protected. Avoid wearing jeans as they become heavy once soaked. Apply dark nail polish as light shades or no nail polish tend to let colour settle on your nails – this then becomes difficult to get rid of.

Don’t leave your hair open; tie it up in a ponytail. Wear a scarf or bandana or a cap to cover your hair and still look chic.

Avoid any salon treatments like waxing, threading, facials etc. 2 to 3 days prior to Holi.

Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated at all times.

Care after playing Holi:

It is very difficult to get rid of colour instantly, hence rinse your hair with cold water as hot water tends to make colour stick to your roots.

Condition your hair with coconut oil or olive oil mixed with 1 tsp vinegar and rinse. If you have dry hair, follow the hot oil and towel treatment for the next following days for softer hair and to prevent hair fall.

Use raw milk and besan pack on your skin to make it smooth to remove all dryness and harshness caused by colour.

Soak fenugreek seeds in four tsp curd and apply it on your scalp. Keep for 30 minutes and then wash away with shampoo.

Keep washing off the colour whenever possible to prevent skin irritation. It might be difficult to carry rose water or cucumber juice with you, but keep it handy. It will soothe your skin.

If you suffer from any acute skin or hair troubles consult a physician.

We wish you all a safe and happy Holi!

(Pictures courtesy venues.meraevents.com, mattersindia.com)

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Beauty

Simple tips for healthy and happy skin

It doesn’t take effort, just some common sense, to get the skin you always wanted. Here’s what you can do.

Today’s busy life leaves us with not much time to take intensive care of the skin. At the same time, an inevitable fact is that taking good care of your skin now will lead to a healthy and glowing skin for all the years to come. In addition, you could also delay your skin’s aging process by resorting to a healthy lifestyle and good skin care. Therefore, saving your precious time and cutting through your tight routine, here are the top five tips, if followed well will ensure your skin is at its healthy and radiant best.

Sun protection. Often ignored, though one of the most crucial ways to keep your skin protected from outbreaks and patchiness is protecting it against the harmful rays of the sun. Understand in the fact that over exposure to the sun’s rays causes wrinkles, age spots and many other skin-related problems. Some of the recommended precautions suggest by numerous skin specialists are:

Use a sunscreen – Use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. In case of a long outdoor or relaxing by the pool, make sure to reapply the same after every two hours.

Space with shade – A little too much to ask for when on a vacation; however, as far as possible, try to stay out of the sun between 10 am to 4 pm, which is considered the harshest time of the Sun’s rays.

Cover up – Vacationing or not, get yourself well-covered up before stepping your foot in the sun. Consider dressing in long sleeves, long trousers and hats; if you are concerned about a fashion failure.

Stub the habit. A known fact is that smoking causes your skin to appear older than it really is. This, in other words, means that with every cigarette you puff, you tend to increase the chances of getting wrinkled skin. This ill habit also contributes to the depletion of oxygen and essential nutrients to your skin, reducing its good health and elasticity.

Gentle care. You need to understand that frequently cleansing and shaving your skin could take a toll on it for the worse. Here’s how you could add a gentle touch of radiance to your skin:

Reduce your bathing time – Taking a long hot water shower tends to extract all the essential oils from your skin, making it appear dry and flaky. What’s the solution? Reduce your bath time and shower with warm water instead of hot water.

Don’t use strong soaps – We all love fragrant and refreshing soap. However, did you know that strong soaps can strip crucial oils from your skin? In addition, changing your soap is soapamong the first five steps in any acne treatment, as it is advised by many skin experts.

Shave lightly – It is vital for you to protect your skin, and shaving works the other way around. Therefore, it is recommended that you lubricate and protect your skin by making use of a lotion or shaving gel. Also, ensure that the razor you use is clean and sharp.

Along with the above-mentioned tips, you should also make it a habit to follow a healthy diet to help you look and feel your best. Lastly, ensure to manage your stress well, as that too triggers unwanted acne breakouts and discoloration of the skin.

(Pictures courtesy salonnordic.com, corinnabsworld.blogspot.com, www.care2.com)

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Wellness

Change your attitude with yoga

Yoga promotes positivity, good health and a relaxed frame of mind. The best part? Anybody can practice it, any time.

Yoga is often considered as the route to relaxation, positive thinking, healthy living and truthfulness. Not only this, regular practice of yoga will help you develop focus, concentration, drive, strength and flexibility; all of which are essential to lead a positive and happy life.

Besides, in today’s demanding and taxing life, each one of us could do with some form of amity and satisfaction. Therefore, take the first step to empower yourself and obtain both good health and serenity. Here’s introducing to you the importance of yoga and how it benefits your overall health, leading you on the path of rejuvenation and positivity.

Anyone can practice yoga. Yoga is great exercise that allows every individual to practice it at a pace that is suitable for them. Another incredible aspect of yoga is that it benefits you regardless of your individual level of strength. The only effort that you require to put in is the effort of will. It is only by your will and drive that you could imbibe yoga in your lifestyle. So, get on your yoga clothes and start practicing this beneficial routine at the earliest!

Yoga is inspiring. Many successful individuals, globally, have embraced yoga as it helps make them feel alive and energetic. The reason behind this inspirational feel while practicing yoga is that your body is bending, stretching, turning and twisting the way it is meant to be. This helps increase your muscle as well as inner strength, making you feel alive and in touch with your true self.

practice yogaImparts joy and contentment. Practicing yoga on a daily basis imparts the feeling of joy and satisfaction. It helps you develop peace and strike equilibrium with oneself. This source of contentment through yoga helps you pull through the difficult obstacles and challenges of life with complete ease. Also, you should know that peace and joy comes from the inside and that is precisely what yoga focuses on.

Strike a chord of peace. In today’s chaotic world, striking a peaceful chord with yourself is technically impossible. However, thanks to yoga, you can sit in utter silence and place yourself in a celestial aura that will help you stay calm throughout the hardships life puts you through. You can listen to CDs that impart peace while practicing yoga.

Good for emotional well-being. A reported fact is that anyone who practices yoga over a period of time observes a positive outlook and energy level. The breathing exercises help improve and boost your mood. Therefore, if you are tackling any sort of mental stress, make an attempt to embrace yoga and its techniques and watch the difference it could make in your life.

Besides the above-mentioned benefits, yoga has a plethora of more benefits to offer. Hence, if you are someone who does not practice yoga, this is the right time for you to start. In addition, you should make sure to have your yoga accessories in place, as that would help you embrace all the positives in life. You could also buy fitness equipment online to keep abreast with the latest yoga products out in the market.

(Pictures courtesy blog.janoindia.com, kyrinhall.com)

Categories
Beauty

Oats for beauty

Oats are healthy both for the heart and your skin. Here’s presenting some simple oatmeal therapies for beautiful, stunning skin.
by Deepa Mistry

Whenever you jumpstart your day with a warm bowl of oats on a winter morning (though some of you might not be fond of the bland porridge which your doctor asked you to eat daily), bear in mind that oatmeal is a healthy alternative not just for a healthy heart but for beautiful, younger looking skin as well.

oatsOatmeal has inflammatory properties. It helps relieve itching and soothes and softens the skin. Since oats are a little rough, they are great exfoliates and make skin super soft. The amino acid present in them has the best balance of all cereals and is a great water-binding agent. This might sound surprising, but oats are also used to soothe burns, itchiness, mosquito bites and even chicken pox (does not cure, only gives relief from pain).  Oats have been clinically proven to help dry, itchy skin. You will find a variety of brands and these days, oats are available in various flavours and some quick to cook ones as well. But don’t buy those.

If you want oats to give you beautiful skin, try these tips:

– Face wash: Mix a handful of oats with a little warm water and mix till it looks little soapy. Massage on your face and leave it for 2 to 5 minutes and wash off. Do this every morning or night.

– Moisturiser and mask for wrinkles reduction: Mix equal amounts (approx 1 tsp) of oats, honey, olive oil and yogurt and apply on a clean face. Leave it for 20 to 30 minutes and wash off with cool water.

– Face scrub: Mix 1 tsp oats, 1 tsp brown sugar and 1 tsp honey. Scrub your face with this mix for 2 to 3 minutes and wash off with warm water.

– Oat bath: Place ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup powdered milk and 2 tsp honey in a tiny bag (preferably of muslin cloth). Hang the bag under the tap as you fill your bath tub or if you’re having a bucket bath hang it on the inside of the bucket, so running water disperses the goodness throughout your bath. This is the best way to rejuvenate skin.

– Banana bread mask: Whip together ½ really ripe mashed banana, 2 tsp ground oats, milk or cream, a pinch of nutmeg and 2 tsp whole wheat flour to get a smooth, paste-like mixture. Spread on clean face and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

– Stress relieving mask: Oats are used for relieving stress and exhaustion. All you need to do is have an oat bath or just mix a spoonful of oats, warm water, 1 tsp honey and 1 egg oatmeal face maskwhite to relax yourself.

– General skin problems: Oats can also be used to treat general skin problems like acne, dryness etc. Blend 2 tbsp oats, 1 tsp baking powder and just enough water to make a thick paste. Apply on a regular basis to avoid skin troubles.

We recommend you do a skin test before using certain ingredients on your skin, like baking soda, as it can have chemical reactions. Rest of the ingredients are safe to use as these are natural. Simple kitchen ingredients are just another to step to beautiful, glowing skin.

(Pictures courtesy beautyhealthtips.in, babyboomeradvisorclub.com, health.howstuffworks.com)

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Deal with it

Mumbai kickstarts India’s first senior citizens helpline

Silver Innings starts a referral helpline portal to provide information on all things that matter to senior citizens in Maharashtra.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

It is fast becoming a cause of concern – a burgeoning elderly population in India and very little senior citizen-centric infrastructure. But there is hope yet, as senior citizens can now get access to a host of services through a unique helpline.

SI helplineLaunched in Mumbai on February 16, 2014, www.silverinningshelpline.com will provide comprehensive information to senior citizens and their family members. “It’s our way of creating a ‘super market website’ where elders can get information and get themselves connected to everything they need to lead a happy and contented life in their silver years,” says Sailesh Mishra, President of Silver Innings, which is working in the field of elder care since 2008.

Launched with information primarily aimed at Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Pune, the helpline will carry contact information for emergency numbers, medical and fitness help, legal and financial assistance, special needs (such as support group bureaus) and social needs (such as clubs, tour operators, etc.)

The helpline is a joint effort between Sailesh, Ramaa Subramaniam, co-founder of Silver Innings and Dhanalaxmi Rao, Project Manager and experienced gerontologist. “We call upon elder products manufacturers and distributors, as also service providers to register with us to reach a target audience of 50+ years,” says Sailesh.

Email info@silverinningshelpline.com/ silverinningshelpline@gmail.com for details.

(Picture courtesy Sailesh Mishra, reecetenderheart.com)

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