Three Things To Think About To Successfully Clear Your Acne

By : Jennifer King

Many acne sufferers experience the same problems when dealing with their skin eruptions. Just when they think the problem is under control up pops another outbreak that destroys their clear complexion. This effect on the skin is mostly caused by expensive wonder cures that only deal with the results of the problem rather than the cause of the problem.

Below you can read about three things that you can take into account in getting clearer skin. If you’re suffering from poor skin then maybe you will relate to at least one of these mistakes.

Advertisers prey on peoples feelings when they’re telling you how good a product is that you can buy of the shelf. They’ll show you an advert on the TV where someone has got a spot about 3 days before their prom, and how the acne treatment their friend recommends will give them clear skin in time for the prom.

In reality, teenagers that suffer from acne will have more than one spot so clearing one spot is hardly a reason to purchase anything. Also, teenagers that only get the odd spot every now and then won’t need to buy any expensive products to remove their spot that will go on its own naturally. These companies are making millions every year out of the two scenarios just mentioned.

Acne is caused by bacteria in the skin. If you’re suffering from pimples and spots, then any antibacterial soap will keep your skin clean and free from bacteria. If your poor skin continues after using an antibacterial face wash then there is another cause to your skin problem.

Dehydration is a cause for poor skin conditions. Skin that is too dry will cause spots and pimples that will make your complexion a lot worse than it should be. Skin needs to be supple, and your body needs to be hydrated for you to have supple skin. Hydration gives your skin enough moisture so it doesn’t become too dry. Dry skin causes your skin to produce more oil which causes more spots.

Your diet plays a massive part of your overall health, and in the way your skin looks. If you choose to eat a diet that lacks nutrition it will show in the way your skin looks and feels. Many experts will tell you that your diet will not affect the way your skin looks, but at the end of the day, you are what you eat. Most of these experts are employed by companies that sell expensive wonder cures.

If you want to eat greasy foods then your skin will look greasy. Eating foods like this puts a strain on your internal organs when they’re trying to expel the toxins that these foods produce from these foods from your body. These toxins and the extra work your liver and kidneys have to do will have an affect on your skin.

Changing your diet, drinking more water and avoiding expensive treatments filled with chemicals can make your skin look a lot clearer and healthier. In the long run your health will improve, your skin will look clearer and you’ll save money.

23 Ways to Reduce Wrinkles

By: Colette Bouchez

WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Matthew Hoffman, MD
Whether you’re 35 and just beginning to see the first signs of aging, or 55 with skin that isn’t exactly keeping your birthday a secret, seeking ways to reduce wrinkles is probably on your agenda.
 
At the same time, experts say, many of us are losing the wrinkle battle, watching helplessly as the glow of youth goes on the dimmer switch.
 
“Many women as well as men believe that aging skin is inevitable, but with the information and technologies we have today, you really can look as young as you feel,” says Robin Ashinoff, MD, a dermatologist at the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.
 
To help put you on the right path, WebMD asked Ashinoff and several other experts what really works to reduce wrinkles. What follows are 23 ways experts say you can make a difference.  While some require a visit to the dermatologist, many are things you can do on your own.
How to Reduce Wrinkles: What You Can Do 

1. Avoid the sun.  It’s the No. 1 cause of wrinkles, with dozens of studies documenting the impact. In one study that looked at identical twins, New York plastic surgeon Darrick Antell, MD, found sun exposure was even more important than heredity. Siblings who limited sun time had fewer wrinkles and looked younger overall than their sun-worshiping twins.
 
2. Wear sunscreen.  If you must go out in the sun, the American Academy of Dermatology says, wear sunscreen! It will protect you from skin cancer, and help prevent wrinkles at the same time.
 
3. Don’t smoke.  Some of the research is still controversial, but more and more studies are confirming that cigarette smoke ages skin — mostly by releasing an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin, important components of the skin.  Sibling studies done at the Twin Research Unit at St. Thomas Hospital in London found the brother or sister who smoked tended to have skin that was more wrinkled and up to 40% thinner than the non-smoker.
 
4. Get adequate sleep.  Yale dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, MD, says that when you don’t get enough sleep, the body produces excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. Get enough rest, Perricone says, and you’ll produce more HGH (human growth hormone), which helps skin remain thick, more “elastic,” and less likely to wrinkle.
 
5. Sleep on your back. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) cautions that sleeping in certain positions night after night leads to “sleep lines — wrinkles that become etched into the surface of the skin and don’t disappear once you’re up. Sleeping on your side increases wrinkles on cheeks and chin, while sleeping face-down gives you a furrowed brow. To reduce wrinkle formation, the AAD says, sleep on your back.
 
6. Don’t squint — get reading glasses!  The AAD says any repetitive facial movement — like squinting — overworks facial muscles, forming a groove beneath the skin’s surface. This groove eventually becomes a wrinkle. Also important: Wear sunglasses. It will protect skin around the eyes from sun damage — and further keep you from squinting.
 
7. Eat more fish — particularly salmon.  Not only is salmon (along with other cold-water fish) a great source of protein — one of the building blocks of great skin — it’s also an awesome source of an essential fatty acid known as omega-3. Perricone tells WebMD that essential fatty acids help nourish skin and keep it plump and youthful, helping to reduce wrinkles.
 
8. Eat more soy — So far, most of the proof has come from animal studies, but research does show certain properties of soy may help protect or heal some of the sun’s photoaging damage. In one recent human study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers reported that a soy-based supplement (other ingredients included fish protein and extracts from white tea, grapeseed, and tomato, as well as several vitamins) improved skin’s structure and firmness after just six months of use.
 
9. Trade coffee for cocoa. In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2006, researchers found cocoa containing high levels of two dietary flavanols (epicatchin and catechin) protected skin from sun damage, improved circulation to skin cells, affected hydration, and made the skin look and feel smoother.
 
10. Eat more fruits and vegetables. The key, says Kraus, are their antioxidant compounds. These compounds fight damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells), which in turn helps skin look younger and more radiant, and protects against some effects of photoaging.
 
11.  Use moisturizer. “Women, especially, are so concerned with antiaging products they often overlook the power of a simple moisturizer. Skin that is moist simply looks better, so lines and creases are far less noticeable,” says Ashinoff.
 
12. Don’t over-wash your face. According to dermatologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center, tap water strips skin of its natural barrier oils and moisture that protect against wrinkles. Wash them off too often, and you wash away protection. Moreover, unless your soap contains moisturizers, you should use a cleanser instead.

Topical Treatments That Reduce Wrinkles
Studies show the following ingredients can reduce wrinkles. Most are found in a variety of skin-care treatments, both prescription and over-the-counter.
 
13. Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). These natural fruit acids lift away the top layer of dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. New evidence shows that in higher concentrations, AHAs may help stimulate collagen production.
 
14. Retinoids (including Retin A). The only FDA-approved topical treatment for wrinkles is tretinoin, known commercially as Retin A.  Ashinoff says this prescription cream reduces fine lines and large wrinkles, and repairs sun damage. Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A found in many over-the-counter products. Studies show that in a stabilized formula, in high concentrations, it may be as effective as Retin A, without the side effects, such as skin burning and sensitivity.
 
15. Topical vitamin C. Studies at Tulane University, among others, have found it can increase collagen production, protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays, correct pigmentation problems, and improve inflammatory skin conditions.  The key, however, may be the type of vitamin C used. To date, most of the research points to the L-ascorbic acid form as the most potent for wrinkle relief.
 
16. Idebenone. This chemical cousin to the nutrient coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)is a super-powerful antioxidant.  In one study published recently in the Journal of Dermatology, doctors found that with just 6 weeks of topical use, there was a 26% reduction in skin roughness and dryness, a 37% increase in hydration, a 29% decrease in lines and wrinkles, and a 33% overall improvement in sun-damaged skin.  Other studies have found similar results.
 
17. Growth factors.  Part of the body’s natural wound-healing response, these compounds, when applied topically, may reduce sun damage and decrease lines and wrinkles, while rejuvenating collagen production, studies have shown.
 
18. Pentapeptides. The results of a study supported by the National Institutes of Health suggested pentapeptides can increase collagen production in sun-damaged skin.  Several subsequent studies (including one presented at a recent national dermatology conference) showed that when topically applied, pentapeptides stimulated collagen production and diminished lines and wrinkles.
Medical/Spa Treatments That Reduce Wrinkles

19. Botox.  An injection of this purified version of the Botulinum toxin A relaxes the muscle just underneath the wrinkle, allowing the skin on top to lie smooth and crease-free.
 
20. Wrinkle fillers. Doctors fill wrinkles with a variety of substances, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other synthetic compounds. Popular treatments include Restylane, Juvederm, and ArteFill, among others.
 
21. Laser/light resurfacing. Here, energy from a light source — either a laser or a pulsed diode light — removes the top layer of skin, causing a slight but unnoticeable skin “wounding.” This kicks the skin’s natural collagen-production system into high gear, resulting in smoother, more wrinkle-free skin.
 
22. Chemical peels. In this treatment, one of a variety of different chemicals is used to “burn” away the top layer of skin, creating damage that causes the body to respond by making more collagen. You end up with younger-looking, smoother skin.
 
23.  Dermabrasion. A vacuum suction device used in tandem with a mild chemical crystal, dermabrasion helps remove the top layer of skin cells and bring new, more evenly textured skin to the surface. In the process, fine lines and wrinkles seem to disappear.
 
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
The service is provided as general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.

Teaching Yoga for Teen Stress Management – It’s a Matter of Perspective

Yoga is a viable solution to teen stress. However, some adults cannot understand the nature of teen anxiety and stress. Some will state that “Kids nowadays have it better than any previous generation.” This reminds me of the self-absorbed statement, “I have problems of my own.”

Adults are often familiar with terms like: Commuter traffic, job burnout, chronic fatigue syndrome, and work overload. These are the conditions adults recognize as stressors, but let’s take a close look at just one of them.

Work overload is what happens when your co-workers were terminated, in order to streamline the company. Afterward, management decides that you must do your job and the work of your former co-workers. They also demand that you accomplish all of this within 40 hours per week.

After you are “pulling your hair out” to do the impossible for a few weeks, your company lets you know that you can work unlimited overtime. By now, you have come to the realization that you will never be able to keep up with all the work, even if you work 84 hours per week.

So, what’s the problem? You will make a lot of money, sacrifice family time, and give up your personal life. After all, we have it better than any previous generation, right? I hope you see my point.

Stress is different for all of us. A teenager may feel like the world is “caving in,” when Mom and Dad get a divorce, peer pressure gets out of hand, or final exams are coming up. Adults have felt high stress levels before.

Most teens are becoming self-aware for the first time. This is why Yoga is such a good form of therapy. In fact, it would be wise to expose children to Yoga classes at an early age. As a result, each child would learn how to handle stress and anxiety at an early age.

Teens will respond to a Yoga class, with their peers, above all other age groups. Unless they have a nurturing personality, teens are not usually a good fit in a kids Yoga class. Sometimes, after-school activities, in high schools or junior high schools, will have Yoga as a choice. If there is no demand for teen Yoga classes in your area, adult classes will be the next best thing.

Over the years, it has been observed that concerned parents are puzzled by the sudden lack of communication with teens at home. This is usually a critical point in human life, as teens look over the horizon, toward adulthood. Suddenly, the “happy go lucky” attitude changes to a serious drone.

Many parents feel as if their teen has become a stranger. What can parents do to help their teens? One solution is to find joint activities, for parents and children, long before they become teens. This reinforces bonds during critical points in the lives of both parent and child.

Yoga is one such activity, but there are many more. Some families go hiking, skiing, biking, or participate in a variety of sports, together. There is no limit to the number of activities, but parents should make a concerted effort to resist the role of a demanding coach. Turning a fun activity, into a pressure situation, is one sure way to force someone to drop out of it.

This is why Yoga is such a nice fit for the parent / child relationship. If you throw competition out the window, Yoga is an individual learning process. The rewards of a family practice are good health and re-establishing family ties.

Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications 
Author Resource:- Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Women Diet Should Include 4-6 Meals A Day

If you have ever read a fitness magazine chances are you have read that it is better to eat 6 meals a day then 3. The experts behind this idea are really on to something and I highly suggest eating more meals, that is right more meals, over the traditional 3 meals.

If you are beginning to incorporate this idea into your lifestyle then it may be helpful to understand why it is a great idea. Since birth most people are groomed to eat three meals a day but this is your time to break away.

This will truly help to boost your efforts to get the body you want. It may be a challenge at first but it will become second nature quickly after feeling the results! And you will say good-bye to stomach gargles and that obnoxious 11:30 pre-lunch stomach growling.

So without further ado here are the perks and benefits of the more food time diet!

1. INCREASES METABOLISM: By giving smaller meals more frequently the body is food pyramidconstantly working to digest and voila! The metabolism is increasing. Remember that the faster your metabolism is, the more calories your body needs to function at 100% and therefore the easier it is to lose weight.

2. HELLO to ENERGY: will feel like the energizer bunny. Without having the up and down sugar levels your body will have extra energy and that annoying starvation feeling will be a memory!

3. BALANCE AND STABILITY: Sugar and insulin. Everyone has experienced dizziness lightheadedness, and fatigue when you have not eaten in a while, but why? That feeling comes when your body does not have enough sugar. Insulin is a hormone to keep sugar in balance, so when one if off so is the other. Eating every 2-3 hours helps to stabilize the hormone and the blood sugar that is REQUIRED by the body.

4. WEIGHT LOSS WITHOUT STARVATION: By allowing yourself the freedom to 6 small meals you are able to push the idea away that you need to starve yourself to lose weight

5. NUTRITIONAL EXPERT: By planning out your meals you are learning to be more conscious of what is being eaten. If you do no plan ahead then eating the extra snacks and meals becomes almost impossible. Snack machines and fast food are no longer options!

6. FEEDING THE MUSCLE: Learn to incorporate all food groups- protein, carbs, and fats (there are good for you fats) into every meal. Getting a balanced diet will through your muscle gains into full gear. 
Author Resource:- Taylor Ryan is a personal trainer dedicated to educating women to get the best body they can get. Her company TotalTonedWomensClub stresses the importance of weight training as a method to get the toned and strong body they want. Check out http://www.totaltonedwomensclub.com for more.

12 Tips to Drink 8 Cups a Day

Eight glasses of water every day? No matter how you pour them, that’s a lot of liquid. We’re talking cups and cups…and cups. Even knowing about the many benefits of meeting your daily quota—increased fat burning, healthier skin, more energy, better digestion, fewer cravings—doesn’t make drinking it (or dealing with increased bathroom visits) any less of a struggle for many of us.

If you feel like you’re barely treading water when it comes to drinking your water, don’t despair. There are lots of little secrets—time-honored tricks that those elusive “water drinkers” use—that even you can try to transform yourself into an H2O-guzzling machine.

For best results, try the two that Spark your interest immediately, then add one each week until you’re getting all the water you need. And remember, there is no magic number. The recommended eight cups a day is not a one-size fits all. You’ll need more if you’re sweating through workouts; less if you eat a lot of water-rich fruits and vegetables.

1. Try comfort water
This is a great tactic for coffee and tea drinkers. While you’re waiting for the coffee to brew, nuke a glass of water (or herbal tea), squeeze in a bit of lemon and sip while you wait. Try another cup of warm water after you’ve had a mug or two of coffee. Hot water is also a great treat on a cold afternoon or evening. Invest in a new kind of herbal tea every time you grocery shop until you’ve found a couple that are just right.

2. Tag your water bottle
Splurge on the perfect reusable water bottle. Whether it’s your favorite color or a unique design, the more you bond with your bottle, the less likely you’ll be to lose it. Slap an inspirational sticker or image onto it, or even write on it with a permanent marker. Now you’re ready to drink from it throughout the day—don’t forget to refill it as soon as it’s empty.

3. Sip up
Gulping all that water can seem daunting. So get a package of straws to slowly sip it instead. You can even pick up a water bottle with built-in straw.

4. Become a connoisseur
Think of water drinking like wine tasting. Taste the various brands and types of bottled waters available (sparkling, spring, mineral, vitamin-enhanced, reverse osmosis, filtered, fruit-flavored, etc). Be sure to read the labels as some “waters” have significantly added calories. Many bottles of water contain two to three cups of water.

5. Drink water and drive
Keep your water bottle next to you every time you hop into the car, or buy a package of bottled water to keep in the car. Whenever you’re driving about, your water will be within easy reach from your car’s cup holder. Think about other places you can stash some water bottles (under your desk, next to the couch, in your purse, and more).

6. Drink your vitamins
Create your own vitamin drink. Consider combining your water with your vitamin supplements, if you take any. There are several powdered vitamin supplements that are designed to be mixed with water. Some contain little to no calories too. If you prefer to take vitamins in tablet form, then promise yourself to drink at least one whole cup of water every time you take them.

7. Fill your dinner glass
Set a glass of water at each place setting at the dinner table just like restaurants do. Don’t fret about drinking it all—just place it there. By sipping water between every few bites, you’ll slow you down and enjoy your meal more, while also meeting your water needs.

8. Filter out
Sometimes tap water just isn’t very good. If your well or city water leaves a bad taste in your mouth, change it. Get a faucet or pitcher filter to keep out the bad and leave in the good.

9. Pace yourself
Holding (and drinking from) a cup of water will help you pace yourself at social events, parties and dinners that offer tempting food and drink. Try drinking a cup of water between bites of the calorie abomination you’re faced with. It is hard to eat an entire piece of cake if you have to drink a glass of water between every single bite! To keep the wine, beer, or liquor from ruining your calorie count, drink a cup of water for every glass of alcohol you consume. (I’m a wine drinker, so I fill up my wine glass with water every time I empty it of wine.) Not only does this help to limit your consumption, but it helps counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects. And when you have a glass in hand—no matter what’s in it—you won’t be bombarded with more drink offers in the meantime.

10. Find watering holes
When out and about, make it a point to stop by drinking fountains, drink your water when out to lunch while reading the menu, and by all means if someone offers you a cup of herbal tea, say yes.

11. Combine habits
Get in the habit of drinking a cup of water when you do other things in your daily routine. Love long baths? Fill your water bottle when filling the tub. Working out? Keep your bottle beside you. Heading for bed? Set a glass on the nightstand. Reading by the fire? Always bring a cup of tea along. Develop water habits that go with your routines.

12. Reward your hard work
Make a habit of having special water after each workout, for example. This can be water you gussy up yourself with a slice of lemon or lime, a fruit-flavored water, or (what I enjoy) a tall sparking mineral water.

Just a couple of these tricks can push you across the eight-cup finish line fairly painlessly. So raise a glass and tell your metabolism who’s the boss. Sometimes, simply conquering your water goal is enough to set you on the right path in even more areas. Cheers!

Cindy Dyson is a novelist, who discovered SparkPeople through her sister. Although she doesn’t struggle with getting enough water anymore, several members of her SparkTeam do. She created this list to help them, but found herself enjoying water more than ever as a result.

Better running training tips stretching muscles technique

A GUIDE TO IDENTIFY YOUR SKIN TYPE! – Basic Skin Care

There are 5 basic skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive. Before buying your cosmetics, toiletries and other products, do make sure that it is suitable for your skin type. Here’s how to classify your skin correctly…

NORMAL SKIN: It is smooth textured and evenly toned with tiny pores.

This skin type has a balanced oil and water content. Feels smooth and velvety. The colour of the skin glows below the translucent surface. This skin type definitely needs care if it is to last.

What you need to follow as a rule is regular cleansing, toning and moisturizing.

OILY SKIN: This type of skin has over reactive sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, which makes the face shiny especially down the central panel-of your nose, forehead and chin.

The pores of this skin type are enlarged making it prone to black-head, pimple and Acne.

Oily skin needs special cleansing to keep the pores unclogged. Women with oily skin need to adopt a daily proper method of cleansing to prevent accumulation of dirt on the skin surface.

DRY SKIN : This type of skin lacks both sebum and moisture. It looks fine textured, transparent, patchy and fragile. This type of skin flakes and chaps easily compared to other skin types. Tiny expression lines may be obvious.

Signs of a dry skin are:
(i) Flaky patches that disappear with regular moisturizing.
(ii) Finely textured with the pores not being visible.
(iii) Tiny expression lines that do not disappear.
(iv) The skin of neck and cheeks looks creepy.

To prevent further drying up of the skin what is needed is a good, healthy balanced diet, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, 7-8 glasses of water, eight hours of sleep, exercise in fresh air and daily beauty regime.

Avoid harsh soaps to prevent loss of natural oils and exposure to sun and air-conditioners which rob the water content of the skin.

Contributed by: Women Ftness (http://www.womenfitness.net), a complete online guide for women to achieve optimum health and fitness. Headed by Ms Namita Nayyar, Women Fitness offers latest information on diet, exercise, beauty, motivation and other women-related issues.”

“COMBINATION SKIN: It is very common and requires separate treatment for each area. It is oily down the central panel and dry on the cheeks.

The forehead, nose and chin need extra attention as they may be prone to clusters of blackheads and enlarged pores.

Remember that oil is not moisture, and regular cleansing, toning and moisturizing has to be done with the area being dealt in mind. Clean and tone up the oily patch and moisturize the dry patch with extra care.

Guidelines for caring a Combination Skin

SENSITIVE SKIN: This type of skin reacts externally and internally to changes in life. Can be both oily and dry, it can be easily disturbed by skin-care products and cosmetics. It tends to go blotchy and have broken veins at the same time, it might show a flushed or reddened look or might even itch.

You might need to consult a Dermatologist in serious cases, in other instances proper care and attention can help you to survive with this kind of skin type.

Apart from these major skin types, there might be other exaggerated versions of major skin types, like dehydrated skin, acne-blemished skin, ageing and hydrated skin.

Facial Skin Care Tips : How to Apply Eye Moisturizer

Honey – a magic remedy

Does your work require sitting for hours before the computer -something that causes eye irritation? Are you suffering from acidity? Or, have you caught a bad cold or a bout of asthma? Well, there is a  single remedy to all the ailments – honey

You have been keeping a hawk’s eye on your body weight and are a regular at the gym. You also drink lots of water and fiber-rich diet. You even follow experts’ advice on taking care of your hair and skin. But what about those eyes? How do you protect them from the stress that is caused by working long hours before the computer? Well, here’s an easy answer to that: Take the traditional route add a little honey to your daily diet.
 
Yes, whether its your grandmother, or the neighbourhood doctor, everybody will agree to this fact that honey not only helps protect the eyes, but also help improve your eyesight. While there are plenty of home remedies from honey, we bring you a few here:
 
Perry Kharpuri is a researcher based in Shillong, a place well-known for it’s large-scale honey production. Perry’s advice is , “mix two teaspoons of honey with carrot juice and consume regularly”, to improve your eye sight and cure problems such as watering of eyes.
 
In cold, cough and congested chest, two teaspoons of honey with equal quantity of ginger juice should be consumed frequently. This is one of the oldest and most popular remedies that millions of Indians already follow. The other such popular remedy is to take one spoon of fresh honey mixed with the juice of half a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water in order to get cured of constipation, hyperacidity and obesity.
 
Now, Swapan Debnath, a homeopath says that honey can help control your BP as well. According to him, two teaspoons of honey should be mixed with one teaspoon of garlic juice and taken on a regular basis.
 
Maheep Kohli owns a bee farm in Moga, Punjab and she has a few honey-based remedies up her sleep as well. One of them is a mixture of honey, ginger juice and black pepper powder, mixed in equal quantities. When consumed thrice daily helps to relieve symptoms of asthma.
 
However, here are also a few words of caution from Maheep: Always make sure that the honey you are taking is not heated, avoid taking honey when you are  exposed to high temperature.
 
And last but least, never ever mix honey with hot and spicy foods and fermented beverages like whisky, rum, brandy, etc. Honey includes nectar of various flowers some of which may be poisonous and when it is mixed with hot and spicy foods, the poisonous properties get enhanced, sometimes to the extent of being fatal.
 
 - By Stella Paul, India Syndicate

Shami Kababs

Ingredients:

• 500 gms minced Mutton
• 2 Eggs
• 1meduim sized chopped Onion (Pyaj)
• 5 Green Chilly (Hari Mirch) chopped
• 100 gms Bengal Gram (Chana) soaked overnight
• 10 pods Garlic (Lasan / Lahsun)
• 1 tsp Cumin Seed (Jeera)
• 4 Cardamoms
• 1 ” long piece Cinnamon (Tuj/Dalchini)
• 1 ” long piece Ginger (Adrak)
• 6 Pepper corns (Kalimirchi)
• 4 Red Chillies
• Clarified Butter (Ghee)

How to make shami kabab:

• Boil minced meat in 3 cups of water and a teaspoonful of salt till water is absorbed and meat is tender.
• Grind meat into a fine paste.
• Take garlic, cumin seeds, cardamoms, cinnamon, ginger, peppercorns, red chillies and soaked gram dal and grind into a fine paste.
• Mix both the pastes well.
• Now mix well beaten eggs and prepare a uniform dough.
• Add finely chopped green chillies and onion to dough and mix well.
• Shape the dough into small round flattened balls or kababs.
• Heat ghee and deep fry kababs till golden brown and serve hot with sauce or chutney.