SIeep is essential to survive, but at times due to hectic work or life schedules, we tend to shortchange sleep until the ill effects begin affecting us. We need to be aware of the signs of inadequate sleep so we can know to tackle our sleep issues before they get out of hand.  Here are some signs you are not sleeping well.
Signs You Are Not Getting Enough Rest

You are always hungry
If your brain is not getting its needed energy from sleep, it will try to get it from food. Being low on rest can increase the production of the hunger-stimulating hormone; Ghrelin. Increased appetite will, of course, lead to weight gain, so you would probably notice an increase in your weight
You start experiencing micro sleep
Micro sleep is the body’s way of forcing you to get the rest you need. You have probably experienced it a few times; when you doze off without your knowledge.
Your emotions are going haywire
You are vulnerable to crankiness, irritability, mood swings and anger when you are behind in your sleep. You might notice you begin to lose your temper quickly on things that might not have affected you before. You might lash out at loved ones and friends.
You get sick often
Lack of sleep weakens the immune system causing sickness. You might notice having a cold or a headache that doesn’t seem to go.
Your skin is not glowing
As ladies, we need our ‘beauty sleep’. When you do not sleep well, your skin may appear old, and you may experience breakouts. This is because while you sleep your skin repairs damaged cells, so you are not sleeping could disrupt the process.
You become forgetful/absent-minded
You might notice you keep forgetting things like where your keys were kept or errands you need to run. This is probably because a weak person does not pay attention to what is going on around them.
Your libido takes a dive
Not in the mood? Research suggests a lack of sleep could lead to a decreased sex drive. Yes, the ‘I have a headache’ excuse may not be a total lie.
Your productivity is on the decline
Are you noticing a difference in your work productivity? Lack of adequate sleep could make it hard for you to manage projects, work and your time; poor sleep hinders your ability to react quickly. Getting a good night’s sleep is still the best way to improve productivity and overall performance.

Aside from her beautiful sights, Morocco is home to scores of fruits and exotic cuisines. A trip to Morocco is an assured treat to a variety of the freshest of Sharbat and shakes. Sharbats are natural juices of the various fresh fruits Morocco boasts of.
Avocados, bananas, dates, grapes, oranges, kiwis, pomegranates, plums, apricots, lemons, carrots, peaches, watermelon and peaches (the list sure goes on) are available at different times of the year in Morocco. Almonds and walnuts are not left out too; they come in handy as essential components for the fruit juices and shakes Morocco is known for.
These drinks and milkshakes which are served as a healthy snack, dessert or part of a meal are also freshly made and sold in the souks (open-air markets) and patisseries (cookie shops) all over Morocco. At weddings and special celebrations, in particular, it’s a Moroccan culture to serve guests sweet almond date milk as a wish for a sweet life.
Rich in iron and an excellent source of dietary potassium, Dates are real healthy fruits. They’re also considered sacred in Islamic cultures. And Almonds? Rich in carbohydrates, Vitamin E, protein, dietary fibre and monounsaturated fat, Almonds also improves complexion and possibly lower cancerous activities in the body. Consumption of almonds helps in elevating blood levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL, which is the good cholesterol) and lowering of low-density lipoproteins (LDL, the bad cholesterol).
Are you looking for a natural go-to drink to keep you refreshed this season? Or something out of the ordinary to thrill your guests as the holidays gets near? You should give this delicious, simple Moroccan milkshake a try – a healthy combo of dates and almond!
Aside from the refreshing taste, there is a broad range of essential nutrients this milkshake has to offer the body. Let’s make some!

Moroccan Milkshake
You’ll need:

½ cup of Almonds
10 – 15 Dates
250 ml Three Crowns milk (preferably powder – dissolve about 4-5 tablespoons in a 250ml cup of water)
A handful ice cubes
One pinch ground cinnamon (optional)

Serving: 2 glasses
Preparation
Soak almonds and dates in warm water for about 30 minutes each in separate bowls. Remove and deseed dates.
Pour half a cup of water into a blender or food processor, add soaked almonds and dates then process on high speed until finely ground.
Add the milk and blend on high speed for a good mix. If desired, add ice cubes and process until the ice is crushed and the milkshake is well chilled and frothy.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Love to spice it up a bit? Sprinkle on a dash of cinnamon!
 

The rains are gradually fading away. The dry season is setting in, and of course, perspiration is increasing. One definite way to combat it? Stay hydrated!
Being well-hydrated is not only for countering the humidity and warm temperatures that accompany the incoming season, but also very essential for good health. Consuming water is necessary to keep the body’s systems functioning properly.
Staying hydrated is also significant to weight loss. Water retention is one of the leading causes of bloated tummies, but with plenty of water intake, this is curbed, and your body maintains proper fluid balance. Drinking lots of water also increases the feeling of fullness, so you eat less.
Rather than drink plain water (which can be very boring), smoothies and flavoured water are a guilt-free way to hydrate – as long as you don’t load them up with artificial ingredients. Having a smoothie for breakfast helps you start your day hydrated. With a glass of smoothie, you won’t need to sip on water. Plus, you’re delivering loads of nutrition to your body from the fresh fruits and other wholesome foods. If that’s not enough, many of these readily available foods have shown to help diminish belly fat. So combining these super ingredients together is more like killing many birds with just a stone, right?

Lemon and lime are common fat burners but let’s have a look at more fruits and other foods you can indulge in for a significant reduction in your tummy fats.
Exceptionally high in phytonutrients – lycopene (effective fat burning and cancer-fighting antioxidant) and arginine (an amino acid that works in decreasing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass), Watermelon ranks high on the list of fat burners. Made up of about 90% water, watermelon works efficiently in keeping you hydrated, checking fluid retention and bloating.
Another highly recommended belly fat blaster is Peppermint. Do you know that peppermint helps your stomach process fat, while also enhancing quick digestion of any fatty food you eat?
Loaded with bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down protein, ease digestion, and banish bloat, you should make the most of the Pineapple which is another superfruit.  
Polyphenols called catechins abound in Green Tea. This nutrient increases your body’s ability to burn fat (especially abdominal fats).
Tomatoes are not called nature’s secret weapon against fat just for fun. Why? They’re brimming with fatty acid substances that lower lipids in the blood and helps control belly fat. And of course, they contain lycopene too.
Nuts come highly recommended on the list of fat burning foods. Walnuts, almonds, cashew, peanuts and even coconuts contain fibre, healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats which keep you feeling satisfied and aid in melting belly fat.
Anthocyanins are super antioxidant flavonoids found in high quantity in berries, cherries, grapes and apples. These nutrients have a high potency in inhibiting fat cells while also speeding up your body’s metabolism, thus enhancing fat burning. Mangoes, pears and bananas also possess anthocyanins.
Is stomach fat burning fruits? Cucumber, oranges and kiwi. Oats, spinach, greek yoghurt, flax seeds, ginger, cinnamon are other foods that work effectively in burning abdominal fats. Include them also in your refreshing smoothies. There are so many fruit choices to combine; drink up and in no time you’ll have killer abs to flaunt!

When someone has sagging breasts, it can make them look older. Every woman wants her breasts to look firm, perky and beautiful.
It can be caused as a result of improper care, negligence, childbirth, breastfeeding, nutritional deficiencies, existing medical ailments like breast cancer and tuberculosis, etc., wrong sized bras, menopause and of course the earth’s gravitational pull.
However, there are things you can do to firm up your breasts or prevent it from sagging.

How to firm sagging breasts naturally.
Wear supportive sports bras while exercising.
The breasts bounce and stretch with each jump or step. If you have large breasts, you should look for underwire sports bras with thick straps.
Sport’s Bra should fit more snugly than lingerie. It should wrap around your rib cage.
Lie on your back when sleeping.
 If you prefer to sleep on one side while you sleep, you may find that the top breast sags and stretches more.
By sleeping on your back, you can keep both breasts firmer longer.
Avoid weight fluctuations.
Yo-yo dieting can cause stretch marks and inelastic skin.
Whenever you gain weight, your breasts may appear to sag more when you lose it, because the skin has to stretch around the extra fat tissue.
Replace your bras when the supportive bands stretch. If the last clasps on your bra no longer provide a tight, supportive fit, then you need to replace them.
Your breast size can change with hormones, weight fluctuations and pregnancy, so make sure you get sized for a new bra if your current bra is uncomfortable or too loose.
Apply anti-aging creams on your neck and upper breast area. Choose formulas that improve collagen in the skin. They can make your cleavage look more youthful.
Ice or cold water
Applying cold water on your chest can help firm your breast. Cold water or even ice can help your breasts avoid sagging.
After you have finished showering, rinse your breast with cold water (if using hot water). You can even rub some ice on them.
Breast firming mask recipe
These homemade masks would help you firm your sagging breasts and make it look youthful.
Apple Mask- firming recipe
This is a traditional recipe that needs only a few ingredients and just a little time.
You will need:
2 Apples – or apple juice
Milk – about 4 cups
Preparation:
Finely chop the apples and pour milk over them in a bowl. Boil until you get a thick paste, let it cool then massage it onto your breast tissue.
Leave this mask on for 15 minutes then wash it off with warm water then rinse with cold water to help tighten the skin.
The Citrus Tonic – Breast Mask Recipe
This mask correctly improves the blood flow in flaccid skin, makes it look healthy and firm.
Ingredients:
1 orange
1 grapefruit
1 lemon
Preparation:
Grind all the fruit to a pulp in a blender. Apply the paste to your breast skin. You may also squeeze some citrus juice out to dip cosmetics pads in.
Sesame Oil Breast Firming Masks
Sesame oil helps firm sagging breasts. Mix a glass of sesame oil with three spoon fulls of corn flakes.
Apply the produced mask on the skin, and after 15 minutes wash it off with lukewarm water.

I have had the chance to plan a few birthday parties, and in a matter of weeks, I will be planning my child’s first birthday party (I cannot believe it’s a year already!). While I was thinking of ideas, I realized it isn’t as easy as it seems planning a birthday especially if you are trying to work with a small budget. So I have compiled a few tips to help you plan an awesome birthday party.
1. Set a budget and stick to it
This is imperative and is the first thing to do. You need to decide how much you are willing to spend and ensure you stick to this amount. I advise planning a small first birthday party since your child will not even remember the party but be sure to take lots of pictures he can see when he is older
2. Have a guest list
Ok, it might be a bit difficult for some people to stick to a guest list, but remember, the party is not really about you but your child. So focus instead on your child’s friends from school or crèche; if your child is young (say the first birthday), and doesn’t have friends then invite only close friends and families and a few neighbours with their kids.
3. Decide on your venue
You would have to decide where to hold your party; it could be at a restaurant, at a recreational garden or even at home. Apart from the fact that your child will feel safer in the comfort of your house, it will also save you much money
4. Decide on your theme
What cartoon character or toy does your child like? This will help you in determining the right theme as there are lots of options to choose from. The theme will determine the party décor and possibly the cake design
5. Timing is critical
You have to pick the perfect time for the party; it is probably best to start the party right after your baby’s nap because a sleepy baby is a fussy baby. Try not to exceed an hour or two for the party, if possible. If the birthday falls on a weekday, consider having it the weekend before or the weekend after.
6. Games
Get an MC or friend who is an expert in kiddies games and parties; you will need to plan lots of activities for the children since they can be easily bored
7. Food
What is a party without food? I, for one, will hate a party without jollof rice. That aside, you could arrange for finger foods, candy, cake, biscuit and drinks without neglecting the jollof rice, of course.
8. Hire a photographer
Did you think your smartphone will suffice? No way. You need to get a professional photographer to take pictures and make sure every moment is captured.
9. Party bags and souvenirs

 
It is customary to give gifts to your guests at the end of the day. Order for party bags and fill them with toys, biscuits, colouring books, pens, candy, etc. It is also nice to give a little gift to the adults as well, so they do not feel left out

Body odour could be embarrassing and is most times as a result of improper hygiene. Here are a few tips to help you avoid body odour.

Tips To Avoid Body Odour
1. Drink lots of water
Drinking plenty of water will help wash out toxins in the body. The average adult woman needs 2.2 litres of water per day, so drink more water.
2. Eat a healthy diet
The foods you eat can affect how you smell. Foods that tend to make you sweat such as spicy foods may cause body odour. Also, garlic and onions you eat can be carried in sweats causing body odour. If you are experiencing body odour, try to steer clear of this foods as they can make your body odour worse. You should eat leafy vegetables, whole grains and healthy oils (e.g. olive oil).
3. Wash your clothes often
Endeavour to wash your clothes every time you sweat on them, it will keep your clothes and yourself smelling fresh. Also, wear breathable fabrics such as cotton.
4. Shave your regularly and keep it clean and dry
Getting rid of hair in your armpit can help reduce body odour because hair accumulates dirt from sweat which leads to body odour. After shaving ensure you wash your underarm regularly with water and soap and then keep it dry.
5. Keep yourself clean
Taking showers regularly can help rid you off body odour. Ensure you dry your body properly after taking a shower as bacteria like a moist environment. Consider applying powder to your armpit region to combat moisture.
6. Use an antiperspirant
Antiperspirants form a block against sweats and perspiration helping to eliminate body odour. You need to get one of these or at least use a deodorant.
7. Eliminate stress
Stress may cause body odour because it stimulates the apocrine glands which are glands that cause body odour. Try to eliminate stress from your life.
 
 
 

We all want responsible children, but responsible children are not born that way. They are responsible because someone (most likely the parents) instilled a sense of responsibility in them. So, as parents, we can also raise our children to be responsible. Here are some tips to doing that.

1. Start young
Ever heard of the phrase ‘Catch them young’, well it is at play when it comes to teaching responsibility to your kids. You cannot start teaching them responsibility in their teens and expect it to work out. The best time to start teaching it is when they become toddlers since they can communicate and understand you better at this stage. You can start by asking your child to pack up his toys into the toy box after playing with them or asking him to take his plates to the kitchen.
2. Be a Model of Responsibility
Guess what! Your children watch your every behavior and emulate it. So if they see you being responsible, they will do the same. For instance, if you teach them not to leave things lying around; you need to ensure you also put things in their proper place, this way they learn from your tidy behavior.
3. Allow your children to help you
When you are doing house chores, ask your children to help you with little things. It could be as simple as helping you throw dirt in the bin or helping you put things in their proper places.
4. when you are at fault
When we own up to our mistakes, we make our children understand that everybody makes mistakes and we need to accept responsibility for those mistakes.
5. Praise them
When your child does something good you have taught them e.g. taking their plates to the kitchen, praise them for a job well done. A simple ‘Thank you,’ ‘Great job’ or ‘I’m proud of you’ works wonders.
6. Don’t criticize when they make mistakes
Your children will no doubt make mistakes. If and when they do, avoid criticizing or yelling at them, instead appreciate them for making an effort and show them the proper way its done.

Sex is important, but a lot of times we shy away from discussing it. Today we are discussing tips on boosting your confidence in the bedroom or wherever.

Ways To Boost Your Sexual Confidence
1. Relax
You might not feel confident if you are stressed or exhausted, you need to take time out and rest you will realize your sex drive is renewed.
2. Don’t compare yourself
Comparing yourself to others will only make you unhappy with your body and it will reduce your confidence. Forget all your body issues and picture yourself as a sexy, confident woman your man can’t get enough off. Rather than feeling sad about not having enough boobs or butt, look in the mirror and appreciate the things that you have and take pride in them.
3. Break out of your comfort zone
It could be splurging on sexy lingerie or sending a sexy text to your partner or experimenting new styles.
4. Ambience
Turning down the light and playing soft music is a good way of boosting your sexual confidence. So next time you want to make love with your man dim the lights and play some slow sensual music, you can thank me later.
5. Involve your partner
Know what turns your partner on. Talk to your partner to know what turns him on so you can do it. You don’t always have to appear as a receiver you could also be a giver; you could take charge.
6. Don’t fake it
No matter what you do please don’t fake an orgasm. When you fake an orgasm (even to please your man), he assumes he has done the best and won’t make any extra effort. Talk to your partner and both of you could explore and make efforts together to improve your sexual life
 

Having issues caring for your hair? Not to worry, we are here to help. These tips are not only useful for ‘Naturalistas’, but they are also helpful tips for everyone who grows their hair.
Caring For Your Natural Hair

1.Go organicUse natural hair care products such as Shea butter, Jojoba oil and Coconut oil. Try to avoid products with ingredients like petroleum oil and mineral oil as they can dry your hair.
2.Eat healthyYou are what you eat. Eating healthy does amazing things to your life and body and even your hair is not left out when you eat healthily.
3.Washing regimeTry to stick to a weekly or bi – weekly washing system. Don’t wash your hair every day; it could strip your hair of its natural oils which are essential to your hair. After washing, towel-dry your hair and apply conditioner.
4.Protect your hair while you sleepYour hair can be damaged easily while you sleep, so sleep with a hair bonnet or sleep on a satin pillow.
5.Heat style?Try to reduce the number of times you heat style your hair to about 2-3 times a month or even less. If you need to heat style, use a heat protectant before styling and use a low heat setting while keeping the dryer at a distance from your hair.
6.CombingTo reduce the risk of damages to your hair, comb your hair from the ends and work your way to the roots. Brush your hair twice a day; once in the morning and once before going to bed. Ensure to keep your brushes clean; filthy hair brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Stretchmark? AARRGGHHH! I know the feeling of waking up one morning and noticing stretch marks on your once smooth skin during pregnancy. It is sometimes inevitable for most pregnant women, but some lucky ones seem to escape it. If you were not so lucky and have stretch marks or have the tendency to have stretch marks, then this is for you.
This stretch mark cream is amazingly useful; you should try it, after all, there’s no harm in trying since it does not contain harsh chemicals and you probably already use one or more of the ingredients in your home.
Make this cream and come back to testify (lmao). Seriously, you will!

Ingredients

Shea butter
Cocoa butter
Coconut oil
Vitamin E oil
Lavender essential oil

These all natural ingredients all have amazing benefits to the skin:

Shea butter has been proven to help tissue cell regeneration and softening of the skin
Cocoa butter is highly and nourishing
Coconut oil supports tissue healing, repairs and the skin
Vitamin E promotes healing while also prolonging the lifespan of the cream
Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties plus it smells great

Method

Mix 2 tablespoons each of Coconut oil, Cocoa butter and Shea butter in a bowl
Put the bowl into a pan containing water, place on low heat and stir until the mixture is melted.
When the mixture ; remove from heat and continue stirring until the mixture cools to room temperature
Add drops of vitamin E oil and drops of Lavender essential oil, stir until it is well mixed.
Tada! Your stretch mark cream is ready. Spoon it into an container for storage.

Massage the cream regularly into any area on your skin you have stretch marks and watch those stretch marks fade away in a few weeks.
Tip

Ensure to cool the mixture to room temperature before adding the oils as heat may denature the oils hence lessening their effectiveness.
You might need to massage the cream onto your stretch marks at least twice a day for better and faster results.