Drink Recipe: Fruity Zobo

Made by boiling or infusing dried Roselle (hibiscus) leaves in hot water, Zobo is a favourite in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and some Northern parts of Africa and the Caribbean (named Sorrel there).
Carrying an enormous amount of vitamin C and a high concentration of antioxidants, Zobo sure has its numerous health benefits. Little wonder this super drink is often enjoyed warm as a soothing tea or chilled as refreshing juice. For ages, Roselle leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a natural diuretic, mild laxative and fever/cold combatant.
A drink of Zobo has shown to relax the uterus significantly, reduce cholesterol content in the body, suppress blood lipid levels, improve loss of appetite and combat indigestion. Roselle leaves are also known to possess anti-hypertensive properties which make them impactful in the control of blood pressure. Their diuretic properties equally make them useful in protecting your liver.
Another attribute of these petals is their anti-bacterial effects on worms and bacteria in the body. Drinking zobo also helps your body in reducing its absorption of carbs, thus subservient to weight management. Alkaline in nature, zobo leaves have got cleansing properties which also work in maintaining a balanced pH in your body. The anti-oxidants in them also make this unique drink a great detox go-to. Calcium, carotene, niacin, riboflavin and iron are some other nutrients zobo drink has to offer your body.
Got sweet tooth? To enjoy the best of this nutritious herbal drink, ditch the sugar. Date fruits or honey are healthier alternatives for sweeteners. And rather than use artificial preservatives for flavours, go for fresh fruits. Fresh fruits give your drink that sweet fruity taste plus loads of nutrients too!

Zobo
Ingredients:
•    2 large cups of zobo leaves
•    1 Pineapple, peeled and cubed
•    1 large cucumber (cubed)
•    One piece fresh Ginger, grated
•    1 Tbsp. cloves (ground or whole)
•    2 Oranges, peeled and cubed
•    12 -20 Dabino (Date fruits, pitted and soaked)
•    Water
Directions:
Wash zobo leaves thoroughly and place in a large pot. Also, wash the pineapple and orange peels thoroughly to ensure no dirt and add into the pan. Cover generously with water and bring to boil on low heat for about 30 minutes.
While the leaves and peels are boiling, combine all other ingredients in a blender and puree till smooth.
Turn off the heat and add your blended fruits and spice mix. Stir well and leave to cool. If not drinking immediately, leave to cool further with the leaves still infused. You can allow infusion for a whole day, and then carefully strain at night into containers or bottles for chilling in the refrigerator.
***You may choose to add your cloves right from the beginning to boil with the leaves.

Healthy Snacking: Baked Apple Fries

Love fries so badly you just can’t help longing for them?
Well, you’re certainly not alone. I used to feel guilty each time I indulge in fries. But not anymore! I discovered something delicious and refreshingly healthy. Plus the fact that it’s a winner with my daughter! So I don’t have to worry about being tempted to have a taste when making some for her.
It’s none other than yummy Apple fries. They make a healthy alternative to regular chips and are a lot tastier. Apples are not only low-calorie, low-fat and sodium free, but they’re also wholesomely packed with nourishing goodness and health benefits that make them a great treat anytime.
Apples come loaded with fibre which helps in providing satiety, that feeling of fullness that prevents binge eating and controls appetite. Lowering of blood sugar and cholesterol (by reducing insulin secretion), prevention of cancer, heart diseases, blood pressure and better lung functions are some incredible gains of eating apples. Apples are also an excellent source of antioxidant phytonutrients – flavonoids and pectin, immune-boosting Vitamin C, and traces of iron, potassium and phosphorous. 
One apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? Adding a hint of cinnamon to baked apples in today’s recipe makes it perfectly healthy!
Let’s make some tasty, healthy treat.

Ingredients:

4 Apples
1 Tbsp ground Ginger
1/2 Tsp ground Cinnamon
1 cup plain yoghurt (optional for dip)

Directions:
Slicing from side to side cut thoroughly washed apples into half. Then further cut each half into strips of four (like thin fries). Ensure to remove seeds. Next, pour cinnamon and ginger in a bowl and begin to toss around the apple chips in the ginger and cinnamon mixture. Ensure they are evenly coated. Then bake in pre-heated oven (180 degrees centigrade) for about 10 -15 minutes each on both sides until crispy. 
That’s it! Real quick and easy, right?
Kids love yoghurt, so if trying it out for your children the first time, allow the fries to cool a bit and serve with some plain yoghurt as dip.
Give it a try, won’t you? It’s going to be an instant hit!
 
 

Chicken or Beef?

Have you ever been at a crossroads deciding which meat is best for you?
Meats are a great source of animal protein. But first, let’s get the word meat clarified. Often misunderstood by many, meat isn’t only cow meat. Meat can be the edible flesh and food source of any animal (mammal or bird) – cow, goat, sheep, pig, chicken, etc. Meats from all these animals have specific names. The most common edible ones in Nigeria are cow/ bull – beef, goat – chevon, sheep (ram) – mutton, pig – pork, chicken – chicken, and turkey – turkey.
Meat names sorted; do you know they’ve got their various health benefits too? The question then is – which is healthier? Beef and chicken are both excellent sources of protein and different vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a quick glance at their benefits.

Beef
Beef is a typical red meat and considered unhealthy due to the high concentration of iron it carries. Saturated fats in beef can elevate your risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, and other cardiovascular issues. Numerous studies have also indicated that high consumption of red and processed meats may lead to increased risk of certain cancers. But do you know that individual portions of lean beef have a high percentage of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats?
Healthy fatty acids like stearic acid are found in beef from grass-fed cows. This saturated fat works in lowering cholesterol by reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption. It also helps in warding off heart diseases by preventing the formation of fatty deposits within arteries and arterial clotting.
 
There’s more! Grass-fed cows are amongst the best possible source of Conjugate Linoleic Acid (CLA), a unique type of fatty acid that can’t be produced by our bodies but gotten only from food. The saturated fatty acid is potent in combating certain cancers, inflammation, asthma, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and a host of many other health conditions.  It’s also known to burn body fats correctly, increase metabolic rate and preserve muscle tissues. Amazing, right?

Chicken
Chicken, also classified as white meat, comes loaded with nutrients and is a top source of low-fat animal protein. Usually the go-to meat for weight watchers, chicken has been labelled to be healthier and lower in cholesterol than beef. But on the contrary, chicken isn’t 100% healthier. Chicken does have fat too.
Though stored differently and in various parts of their bodies than cows, their fats are stored under the skin and in their wings and thighs. A portion of chicken meat in these areas may be as detrimental as consuming fatty beef. The leanest and healthiest part of a chicken is the breast area which has no fat deposit.
If watching your cholesterol and aiming to improve your chances at optimal health, lean proteins like skinless chicken/turkey, fish, or beans are great options. As for beef, you’ve seen the benefits so choose fresh lean cuts and of course, avoid processed meat. Whatever your choice of meat, cooking methods extremely matter when considering healthy eating.
So what would it be – beef or chicken?

Fun Sports That Can Help You Lose Weight

You’ve been trying to lose weight for so long that I am sure you’ve been told to exercise. Well, you would if it were fun. Fear no more, we are here to help with that. Here’s a list of a few exercises that are fun to do which would most importantly help you stay fit, healthy and lose weight. Make a fitfam date and call your friends and family to join you.
1.Hula Hoops
By hula hooping you can burn up to 600 calories an hour. One can say it’s hard hula hooping for an hour but remember the goal here. It can be privately done in your room. Use a weighted hoop or a lighter hoop depending on how good you are at it. The elderly can try it too. Put on some music and you are ready to go. This could make for some cool Snapchat videos.
2.Frisbee
Buy a Frisbee, get some friends or if you have a dog, even better. All the throwing, catching and running will help your body. In fact, a 30-minute game can burn nearly 125 calories for a person that weighs 75 kilos. And it needn’t be a Frisbee, you could use a volleyball. Please don’t break your neighbour’s belongings. Use a field or open space.
3.Trekking
I know you’ve heard this before, and it sounds like too much work to be fun, but it can be. Plan with a group of friends and take off through proposed route every weekend for a few hours. You can trek to a spot and have a picnic and play a few games. It is not only an opportunity to exercise but also a way to bond with your friends. Nowadays, many adventure groups organize trekking trips.
4.Swimming
Swimming is one of the best cardiovascular exercises. And who doesn’t like to splash some water around? Make it even more fun by playing some water volleyball or a game of catch.
5.Dancing
Who doesn’t like to bust a move when music comes on? You can attend classes to learn different styles or just connect speakers to your phone or iPod shikenah! From pole dance workout (rekindle the romance in the bedroom).
Zumba the Latin-inspired dance (quickly check to follow videos on the internet), Belly dancing – a quick way to burn belly fat and develop abs, to Twerking- get in touch with you inner Miley Cyrus drop down and get your eagle on! This seductive workout is meant to tone your core, glutes, hips and thigh muscles.

Powerful Quotes to Kickstart Your Week

If you find yourself struggling with it all, you may be in need of some refreshing. Sometimes, we get so caught up with the routine of work, crushing deadlines, balancing home and family, dreams and reality, expectations and promises. Honestly, life can get a bit hectic and exhausting sometimes.
Take a moment to peruse the quotes below from powerful people. Not only are their words relatable and inspiring, they’ll totally incite some pre-work week enthusiasm.
Powerful Quotes
Let me know which ones resonate with you in the most.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing.  That’s why we recommend it daily.’’ Zig Ziglar
 

 
“There’s only one very good life, and that’s the life you know you want and you make it for yourself.” Diana Vreeland
 

“The best revenge is massive success.” Frank Sinatra
 
“I prefer imperfections—they’re more interesting. Perfect is boring.” Grace Coddington

 
“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” Jim Rohn

 
“In today’s world, you have to interact. You can’t be some difficult, shy person who is not able to look somebody in the face; you have to present yourself. You have to know how to talk about your vision, your focus, and what you believe in.” Anna Wintour

 
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 
“First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end.” Aristotle
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
 

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see.” Confucius
 
“Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.”-W. Clement Stone

“Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.” Kevin Kruse
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbour, and catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore, Dream, Discover.” Mark Twain
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”-Alice Walker
 
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” Buddha
 

Side Hustle: Selling Hair Extensions

Looking good is good business. If you are confused as to what sort of business to invest in this may just be for you.
Of course it is better if you are interested in hair that is if you are a user of hair extensions yourself. You should be your own brand ambassador that is the fastest way to sell.
Hair Extensions

Step 1: Learn the basics/ Upgrade your knowledge
Study the differences between natural human hair and synthetic hair weaves. This way, you can understand which hair is best for different types of extensions braids, and weaves. Also it will save you from been cheated by your suppliers because we have very close synthetics these days.
Step 2: Conduct feasibility study and write a business plan
This is very important as you wouldn’t want to import the human hairs only to find out that there’s no demand for it in your region. Before investing a dime into this business, you must conduct feasibility study to ascertain there people are willing to buy human hair.
You must also figure out how big that demand is, the exact type of human hair your potential customers prefer and how much they are willing to pay for it. You must also try to figure out how much it will cost you to buy and deliver the human hair, the challenges you are likely to face and how to surmount them.
Step 3: Find Suppliers
Set up wholesale accounts with brands and manufacturers of human hair. To get the lowest prices, connect directly with manufacturers in India or China because most human hair for weaving is gathered and produced in Asia. An example of a good place to connect with manufacturers and suppliers is Alibaba.com and Aliexpress.com.
Step 4: Choose a sales medium
You have to plan how you would sell. It is advisable that you sell online or on the social media platforms. It would save you rent money. You also may not need to tie down your money in stock. You can simply get an order, receive payment, place an order with your supplier, make delivery and keep your profit.
Step 5: Attract customers
Always look good as a walking billboard for your business.
Nobody gets to know about a business that is not promoted. So, adopt various marketing strategies in order to spread word about your hair selling business.
Offer incentives for customers to shop with you. Give discounts, do bundle sales, partner with salons to offer free installation for those who buy from you. Be creative.

How To Baby Proof Your Home

As joyous as seeing your little one begin to crawl is, one thing certainly must come to mind – baby-proofing! Crawling is a worthy developmental milestone for babies and now that your child is crawling, ensuring her safety within the house is vital.
Sometimes, we tend to overlook the importance of baby-proofing. Over the years, the act of baby-proofing has often been contested as some mothers see it as small frets. One can never be too careful when it comes to child safety. There’s surely more to only watchful eyes.
Home safety measures may seem overwhelming but guided by a checklist, and knowing what to do makes it a lot easy. From crawling to toddling, you’re covered with these useful hints in keeping your home safe.
There’s never a time too early to start with safety measures. Where to start? Try to take a child’s view around the house. What looks inviting but dangerous?
Tiny objects pose potential choking hazards. Don’t leave coins, marbles, beads, paper clips, etc. lying around. Don’t leave them on low tables, in drawers or cupboards where your child can reach them.
Carefully lock away cleaning agents or any poisonous liquid. Keep them well out of reach especially away from flat cabinets.
Do you know that children are excellent imitators? They love imitating adults. Bearing this in mind, try not to take medicine while your child is present. Store all medicines in a childproof container, well locked in a high cabinet. Never take medicine out of its original childproof container. And when trashing, ensure they are adequately disposed of.
Window blinds and drapes? Keep them well tied up, high and away from reach to avoid strangulation.
Never leave your kid unattended to in the bathroom. And for toilet safety, install a toilet lock so your child’s little fingers don’t get wandering into it. Doing this will prevent accidental drowning and unsanitary exposure. To forestall slipping on bathroom tiles, use non-slip mats.
Sockets can be real fascinating and irresistible to kids. To avoid electrical hazards, use child-proof outlet covers for outlets within your home. Got long cords around the house? Use cable holders to keep them fastened against walls. Trunking is also advised to keep your little one’s eyes away from electrical wires.

Baby gates and pens come in handy when thinking of how to secure your child in a safe arena especially when cooking, working or if you don’t want her/him tumbling down the stairs.
Always keep sharp objects locked up after use. And while cooking in the kitchen, use the back burners so your child can’t reach the hot pot. Always keep trashcans covered.
As babies learn to climb and walk, they try to pull themselves up by grabbing on furniture. Ensure to keep shelves, drawers, appliances well fastened. Screw shelves to the wall where possible so they don’t tumble on your little crawler.
Guards and child-locks should be installed on doors and windows to keep your child from opening them. Keep furniture away from windows to prevent easy climbing.
Got lots of breakable decors in your living-room area? Now is the best time to move them out of reach!
 

How to Create the Perfect Cocktail Party Look

Cocktail parties are a chance for you to experiment with colourful evening makeup looks that brings out the best side in you and they are the best excuse to try something new.
Perfect Look for Cocktail Parties
Come sunset, and you can never go wrong with liquid shimmer.  Mix a dab of your foundation for radiant, party-perfect skin. Create a base for the eyes by applying concealer with a slim concealer brush, which is a must for getting into the corners of the eye to cover up the dark circles. Dab the colour where your skin is most discoloured, then use a finger to pat it in lightly.
For an eyeshadow base, you can use the same concealer brush to pat powder onto the eyelids to make your shadow stay.
To create a dramatic cocktail party eye makeup, create smokiness by smudging pewter or gunmetal eyeshadow all the in your crease. This Smokey look is less harsh than black but equally dramatic.

For a different eye look, apply light gold eye shade only to the inner corner of your eyes. Once, you are done, line your upper lashline with a black eyeliner.
Trace your waterline with a nude coloured eyeliner/pencil.
For a lush party fringe, apply your mascara with a fan brush, which works especially well on hard-to- catch lower lashes, then wipe your mascara wand with the fan brush to transfer the colour and use it to paint your lashes for an extra fluttery effect. You can wear false lashes for a more enhanced look.
Apply a little foundation on your face to create a dewy effect, then finish it off with a blush on your cheekbones. Highlight your cheekbones and the T area of your face with a concealer and blend.
Create a simply defined brow with your favourite pencil. 
Complete the look with a nude lip colour, preferably with a hint of pink in it. You can apply gloss for a glossy and shiny lip.

Maternity Fashion: Looking Trendy During Pregnancy

Looking good during pregnancy sometimes seems like a difficult task. Finding the right clothes to wear to fit your new size/shape might not be easy, coupled with the fact that you may have outgrown most of your clothing. For some people, it seems like overnight nothing in their wardrobe fits any longer, and they can’t find anything suitable to wear.
Trendy Look During Pregnancy
For a working mum to be, it could be most challenging, especially if you are working in a corporate organisation. The good news is, it’s not difficult to look good, and it’s even possible to keep up with fashion trends while pregnant. Here are some pregnancy essentials and tips to guide you, to keep you looking trendy even till your last trimester.
Leggings
One of the pregnancy must-haves is leggings. Leggings are every pregnant woman’s best friend, not only are they comfortable and easy to wear, they go with almost everything.  You might not even need to buy more when you get pregnant because you can still rock the ones you had pre-pregnancy. They can be paired with tunics, fitted tops and dresses for a casual chic look.
Comfy Shoes
Now is the time to ditch those strappy high heels and stilettos for comfy low-heeled shoes like flats, ballerinas, slips, sandals, loafers, etc.  You can buy neutral colours that can be worn with most clothes, and can still be useful even after pregnancy.

Tanks, Camisoles and Tees
You should invest in these as they are comfy and stretchy and can be paired with almost anything. They can be worn casually at home or paired with blazers and cardigans for outings or even to work.

Cardigans, Blazers, Jackets
These will come in handy especially for working mums, and you could pair them effortlessly with camis, form- fitting dresses, loose-fitting dresses and wrap dresses.
Maternity Jeans
The casual jean lovers are not left out even during pregnancy as there are different styles available such as maternity skinny jeans, boot-cut maternity jeans, etc. The maternity jeans are quite comfortable since they have a stretchy part at the top to fit your bump.
Tunics/Lose Fitting and Wrap dresses
 A lot of women prefer to wear loose fitting clothes because they are comfortable and easy to wear. They come in different lengths and styles such as halter necks, long sleeved, short sleeved, etc. They can be paired with blazers for the working woman or for an outing.
Tunics are free flowing and very comfortable which makes it a maternity must-have.  They pair well with leggings and maternity skinny jeans.
Wrap dresses/ tops are flattering on pregnant women as they make you look sexy without being uncomfortable. They can be paired with beautiful low heeled sandals and platforms to events.

Form-Fitting dresses
Form-fitting dresses such as the body-con can be worn almost anywhere depending on the way it is styled. When paired with blazers or cardigans they can be worn to work or corporate events, and they can be worn alone with a nice pair of sandals for a cute casual look. 

Fashion for the Gym

The gym isn’t a fashion show or a club but the world is your runway. The appropriate kind of clothes to work out in can help you feel more comfortable and motivated when you’re putting in work. Women’s workout wear no longer consists of your husband’s old shirts and shorts. Today, a variety of designers offer gym wear that is comfortable and functional, yet still feminine and fashionable. The gym is now also one of the top rated places to find a beau, so bring your game on!
The Clothing For Gym
A supportive sports bra:

Get a well-fitting sports bra. It can make or break your workout. Go to a store where you can be well measured for a sports bra and try on a variety of bra styles before you choose the one that’s right for you and your particular fitness needs. Try out the bra by moving around in it, jumping up and down and bend over to ensure that it stays in place.
Fitted top:
 Modern gyms call for better-fitting tops. In certain types of gyms, such as a yoga studio, tighter clothes are required, since it gives instructors a better idea of your posture and form. Choose clothes made from performance materials that wick away sweat to help keep you fresh and dry.
Bottoms:
Choose your bottoms based on the type of exercise you’ll be doing once you’re at the gym. There are a variety of gym bottoms to choose from, including shorts for cycling classes, cropped leggings for yoga and stretched pants for Pilates and general exercise. The adjustable waistline is important for a personalised fit.
Footwear:

Choose the right shoe for your activities. Running shoes aren’t suited for aerobics classes and cross trainers usually aren’t suitable for running. Consider the shape of your foot also. For extra support you may require padding in the arches, depending on how high or low your foot arch is. Go to a sports shop and get help from the attendants.
Gym Hair
Your hair needs to be out of your face when you exercise. Try these styles;
Ponytail: this is when you pack your hair up in a bunch and tie it behind your head.

 
Box braids: this is like regular cornrows, but these are bigger than regular ones hence the name.
The Bun: This tight and sleek look will keep your hair out of your face while you’re working out, and is sweat-friendly.
Gym Make-Up
You can put on makeup to the gym to look attractive and presentable. If you must wear makeup, choose sheer, light foundation so you don’t clog your pores. If you’re exercising outdoors, use a tinted sunscreen instead of foundation. Use waterproof mascara and then a nice lip balm or lip gloss. Less is more.