CategoriesLifestyle by

DIY Beauty How to Make Carrot Oil at Home

Carrot oil is easy to make and is helpful in building supple skin and aiding hair growth and strengthening.
Ingredients for making carrot oil

Carrots (10 – 15 pieces)
Grater
Sieve or fine mesh strainer
Oil (olive oil, oil or vegetable oil)

Procedure

Wash your carrots thoroughly and peel off the skin
Grate the carrots with your hand grater

Place the grated carrots into a pot and pour in enough oil to cover the carrots
Cook the carrots and oil at low heat until they are tender and the oil has changed colour to orange
Allow to cool
Pour the mixture through a sieve (do this several times) till you have no particles left
Store the oil in a glass jar and place in the refrigerator

Tada!!! Your oil is ready for use.
Tips

You can use any oil of your choice (please do not use palm oil, LOL)
The oil will last for 6 – 8 months if stored properly.

For more carrot benefits, look up (Benefits of carrot)

CategoriesHealth by

Benefits of Carrots

Carrots are one of the most widely enjoyed vegetables in the World. Carrots are a good source of antioxidants and they are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B8, Potassium, Iron, Copper and Manganese. Carrots have several Health and Skin benefits and most of these benefits are attributed to the Beta-carotene and fibre content of Carrots.
Here are some of the benefits of Carrot.
Health benefits of carrots

Carrot helps to improve vision
Regular consumption of Carrots reduces Cholesterol levels which can help prevent Heart disease
It helps improve blood circulation
It is an immunity booster
Carrot reduces the severity of constipation and aids digestion
Carrot is important in dental health as the minerals present in Carrot kill harmful germs in the mouth and prevent tooth decay.
Carrot contains phytoestrogen which relieve menstrual pain and bleeding. It also helps menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes
Carrot aids in proper development of the foetus and reduces the risk of miscarriage
Regular consumption of Carrot helps in the production of Breast milk

Skin benefits

Carrot reduces signs of premature and also helps prevent wrinkles
Carrot has anti-inflammatory properties which help to and tone the skin
Carrot provides protection against sun rays and helps in repairing skin tissues
Carrot juice is effective in getting rid of blemishes and scars
Carrot makes dry skin softer, smoother and firmer.

Hair benefits of carrot

Carrot prevents hair breakage and strengthens hair
Carrot helps stimulate hair growth

CategoriesHealth by

Exercises to lose weight fast

A few people want to lose weight. Whether it is for health reasons or to fit into your wedding dress; here are a few exercises to lose weight in a reasonable amount of time.

Running

Running is one of the most efficient ways to burn calories and is a good way to get in shape.

Cycling

You can burn 500 to 1000 calories per hour by cycling. Pedal as hard as you can, and you will burn a good deal of fat.

Dancing

For those looking for a fun way to lose weight, this is one. In an hour of serious training, you could lose up to 800 calories! So what are you waiting for, get your dancing shoes on!

Jumping rope

Jumping rope or Skipping is a great calorie burner. You could lose up to 200 calories if you jump rope for 20 minutes.

Jumping jacks

Jumping jacks is an exercise wherein a person has to jump up and down while moving the arms and feet. A person doing jumping jacks burns an average of 5 or 6 calories per minute

Tennis

If you prefer exercising with a partner, then tennis might be for you! This is a great way to burn off fat as you keep running after the ball, and every time you hit the ball; your arm, abdominal and leg muscles are engaged.
A good game of tennis can burn up to 600 calories in an hour
 
While incorporating any of these exercises into your daily routine; also reduce your calorie intake (Exercises To Burn Off Calories In Common Foods) for maximum weight loss.

CategoriesHealth by

Fruits Pregnant Women Should Not Eat

You’ve probably heard that pregnant women should eat fruits because incorporating fruit into your pregnancy diet is a healthy, delicious way to boost your nutrient intake while aiding in the growth and development of your baby. It is even believed that women who eat fruit during their pregnancy are more likely to give birth to smarter children than those who do not.
But there are some fruits pregnant women should stay away from as they are very dangerous to their health.
Fruits Pregnant Women Should Avoid
Peach
Peach contains a lot of Fibre. Moreover, it is also rich in protein, sugar, zinc, pectin. Peach is a kind of fruit that has hot features. If pregnant women eat it, they will have the risk of bleeding.
Also, the hair on a peach can affect the throat, and as a result, pregnant women easily have allergies in the form of raspy throats. So, pregnant women should not eat a lot of peaches and should peel before eating to avoid the hair on a peach.
If pregnant women eat this fruit, they will have the risk of bleeding.
Plum
Plum is high in carotene, and when it goes into the body, it will convert into vitamin A which is very good for the eyes.
Plums also contain a lot of necessary nutrients for the body such as protein, fat, phosphor, fibre, potassium, etc. that have detoxifying effects.
However, pregnant women shouldn’t eat them because of their hot features. If pregnant women eat a lot, it will cause body heat, and as a result, they can easily break into rashes and spots -which isn’t good for the health of mothers and babies.
Guava
Many women like to eat guava because of its delicious taste. However, the hot – cool features of guava depend on the variety.
Some kinds of guava have a lot of water, less sweet, sour and cool; however, if pregnant women eat them without eliminating the peel, they can have “side effects”: constipation.
Some other guavas taste sweet, but they will make your body hot inside if you eat a lot of them.
So when pregnant women choose to buy guava, they should go for guavas that produce less body heat and the best way is not to eat a guava without eliminating the peel.
Custard-apple
Custard-apple is scented and has a very sweet taste.
It is reasonably sweet and not too greasy, so women especially like to eat it. However, this sweet taste and rounded figure are what causes body heat.
Therefore, pregnant women need to pay attention not to eat a lot of custard-apple.

CategoriesHealth by

How to curb unhealthy cravings

Food cravings are a dieter’s worst enemy. Cravings are common, and they play a major role in weight gain and food addiction. Here are simple ways to stop unhealthy food and sugar cravings.

Eat Healthy

If you consistently eat a healthy diet, you will start craving healthy foods. Eating protein, for instance, may help reduce your appetite helping you feel full and satisfied for longer periods.
Don’t skip breakfast as it could make your blood sugar drop, causing your body to crave sugar.
You should also practice mindful eating which involves being alert while eating; slowing down, chewing properly and getting rid of distractions like the Television and smartphones; this will help you with portion control.

Avoid getting starved

Hunger is probably the biggest reason we experience cravings. You should eat proper meals at meal times and ensure you keep healthy snacks close at hand.

Drink Water

If you feel the urge for a specific food, try drinking a glass of water and wait a few minutes as thirst is sometimes confused with hunger or food cravings.

Distance yourself from the unhealthy craving

When you feel a craving, try to take a brisk walk or take a shower to shift your mind to something else. You could also try chewing sugar-free gum.

Avoid stress

Studies have shown that women under stress eat more calories and experience more cravings than non-stressed women. Also, try to get enough sleep; good sleep is a powerful way to prevent cravings from showing up as sleep deprivation could also lead to poor appetite control and strong cravings.

CategoriesFood by

Nigerian Snack recipe: Chin Chin

Chin chin is a crunchy deep-fried snack which is easy to make. What I love best about chin chin is the fact that it can be stored for extended periods of time if stored in airtight containers. So, here is a recipe for this great snack, enjoy!
Ingredients for chin chin
1kg Plain flour
150ml evaporated milk/150g powdered milk
275g granulated sugar
250g margarine
Two tablespoons ground nutmeg
Vegetable oil for frying
Method

Mix the milk and sugar in a bowl. For powdered milk, mix the milk and sugar, add 150ml of water and mix well
In another bowl, the nutmeg and flour, rub the margarine into the powder and mix until it looks like fine

Add the Sugar-Milk mixture into the Margarine-Flour mixture and mix till you achieve a smooth but stiff dough

Sprinkle flour on a clean surface and transfer the dough onto the surface
Knead the dough and roll the dough flat with a rolling pin

Cut the dough into any shape of your choice

Heat up some oil until hot and deep fry the cut-up dough
Stir continuously till you get a golden-brown
Scoop the fried chin chin onto a flat plate lined with a paper towel and allow to cool
Store in a dry container after cooling or serve with a chilled drink

Tips

If you don’t have a dough roller, you could use a clean bottle
Don’t cut the dough too big in step 6, as the dough doubles in size when placed in hot oil
Fry the chin chin in batches and try not to too much in the oil at a time; this will prevent from being oil-soaked.

CategoriesLifestyle by

Tips for choosing the ideal Vacation destination

Do you have a little time on your hands and are thinking of going on and adventure? There are so many amazing places around the World, and it can be hard deciding which to choose. We have compiled a list to help you choose the best destination for your trip.

Budget

You will need to put your budget (Eight Budget destinations in Nigeria) into consideration. Consider how much you have to spend and choose an appropriate destination. Say, you have set aside a particular amount; it has to cover all your travel expenses including flight tickets, accommodation and any other expenses. You might also think about taking a trip within the country since this will greatly reduce financial costs.
If you have a friend or relative living in an exotic location, you could consider visiting them as this will save you some costs like accommodation.

Consider the Climate and Duration in the destination

How much time do you have to spend on your trip? If you only have a few days, you might want to consider taking a trip close to home. However, if you have about a month free you could plan to travel to a distant country or another continent.
You also need to be aware of the climatic conditions at the time of your trip; harsh weather conditions may make your trip unpleasant.

Consider your interests

What do you like to do? Are you a social animal? Or are you more comfortable relaxing with a drink and a good book? You should plan a trip based on your hobbies and interests.

Language barrier

Before you choose a location, you need to be aware of the local language. If you are considering going to a location with a different spoken language from yours, then it will be wise to learn basic communication in the foreign language before you make the trip.

CategoriesFood by

Jerk Chicken

Hi Guys, I have an idea for you to use your oven. I know some of you cook, but I know many do not use the oven often here in Nigeria. I had the privilege of been a guest at a fantastic dinner at my friend’s house. I sat in a corner and chewed on the chicken bone after. It was that good. I enjoyed it and later made the dish in my way.
I am going to tell you how to make jerk chicken. The reason why this is such a great idea is that it would have less cholesterol than if you had to fry the chicken.
Ingredients

1 Whole Chicken (Cut into good chunks)
2 Scotch Peppers
One large Onion
2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil (or any cooking oil you like)
1 Lime
One small clove of Ginger
Three buds of Garlic
Black pepper
1 Tablespoon of Thyme

What I like best about this dish is that you can make it your own and use a variety of spices that appeal to you
Method

Prepare the marinade: These are all your ingredients.  What I like to do is to blend the ginger and the garlic to form a paste, add this to 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil, and add a dash of black pepper and salt. Then I massage the chicken with this sauce. Allow to stay for a while to get the flavours down to the bone. You can leave overnight.

Preheat the Oven: You should heat to about 220-degree centigrade or the six mark on the gas cook. In Naija English- the highest. Although you should use medium heat when you put the chicken in.

Put the chicken in an oven pan: Slice onions in it, the scotch pepper and half of lime. Then put the pan in the oven, the chicken naturally has its juices, so this will come out as it cooks in the oven. Cover with foil.

Allow to cook for about 20 minutes: You may need to flip it in 10 minutes, so it has the same colouring all round and to prevent one side from getting burnt. Remove the foil for the last 3 minutes.

Voila! Bye bye to Rice and Stew. Serve Jerk Chicken with Rice.
 

CategoriesLifestyle by

Review: The Crown

Last weekend I decided to Netflix and chill- alone, watching The Crown. Reviews said it was something to be digested slowly. I thoroughly enjoyed it and ended up binge watching the ten episodes available.
The Crown Review
This is a series from Netflix, same guys that brought us House of Cards, Narcos, Orange is the new black. I can say if you enjoyed Downton Abbey, you would like this.
The story is about the British Monarchy, It takes off at Queen Elizabeth’s wedding. Don’t worry, I can’t spoil it for you the storyline is on Wikipedia, and it is based on true life events, so we all know what happens.
I learnt this series cost a £100 million to make. It is one of the most expensive TV programs. It is beautiful to watch. Queen Elizabeth is played by Claire Foy. It gives what may just be the closest glimpse into what may be the lives of the royals. It endears you to the House of Windsor and the responsibilities they have to bear. No matter how you view modern day monarchy, you can see from this adaptation that it has a place in society.
“Monarchy is God’s sacred mission to grace and dignify the earth, to give ordinary people an ideal to strive towards, an example of nobility and duty to raise them in their wretched lives.” Queen Mary, the queen’s grandmother delivers the best lines.
There were a lot of hidden gems for me throughout the series but one I will pass on is that everyone has a role to play in the scheme of things and no matter how trivial you think your role is, it has an impact on the life of someone out there.
I admit this series is not for everyone, but it is a good history lesson and can help with the odd bits of information for conversation sake.
I say it is a 6/10.

CategoriesLifestyle by

How To Choose The Right Handbag For Your Body Type

When next you are shopping for a new handbag (The Most Important Bags in Fashion History), consider your body type. Not every handbag is ideal for every woman because women have different body types and sizes. Generally speaking, when it comes to handbags, the opposite shape of your body type flatters it the most.
The Right Handbag for Your Body Type
When shopping, go to your dressing room, carry the bag as you normally would and check it out from all angles in the mirror.
Tall and thin
If you are tall and have a thin body, choose handbags with a short, slouchy shape like the hobo. Avoid shoulder bags with a short strap because they will cause you to look even taller. Select handbags that are wider than they are tall. A clutch is a good choice.
Petite Body
Forget what you see in Hollywood, oversized bags aren’t for small women. Large bags tend to overwhelm your frame. Don’t carry shoulder bags with a long strap as they will weigh you down, making you look even shorter.
Plus-size Body
Choose a large structured or boxy bag to balance out your curves. Avoid bags that are too small as they will make you look larger. If you love prints, steer clear of tiny patterns.
For everyone
If you are buying an expensive bag, choose one that you will be able to wear often. There’s no need to spend a fortune or more on a bag that will rarely make it out of your closet.
If you are buying several cheap bags instead, pick one classic everyday bag that is in black or brown. Then, experiment with fun, funky styles and metallics for the other bags.