Home treatment for cracked feet (from heel to toe)

• Keep feet clean and dirt free.
• Rub pumice stone on the cracked part of the feet while taking a bath, to remove dead skin.
• Before going to bed wash and dry the feet. Apply olive oil or a mixture of Vaseline and lemon juice on the cracked portion of the feet.
• Do not walk barefooted at your home. Use slippers conveniently.
• Consume a diet rich in calcium, iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.
  
  Milk, cheese, yogurt, goat’s milk, fortified soy milk, cereals and broccoli are excellent sources of calcium.
  Cereals, millets, pulses and green leafy vegetables contain iron.
  Meat, chicken and fish are good sources of iron.
  Oysters, chicken, crab, kidney beans, yogurt, brown rice and spaghetti are Zinc rich foods.
  Tuna, salmon, flax and walnuts are good sources of Omega-3.
  Vegetable oils, green vegetables, cereals, wheat germ, whole-grain products and nuts are Vitamin Enriched foods.

Dark circles under eyes, dark spots, pimples, scars and blemishes on face

Home treatments:

• Slice cucumber. Chill the slices. Wash your face. Close your eyes. Place the chilled cucumber slices over and around eyes. Relax for a few minutes. Gently rub the slices on dark circles and dark spots. Wash your face again.
• You can also apply cucumber juice or potato juice on the dark circles or dark spots on face with the help of cotton for about 20 minutes.
• Multani mitti is a kind of mud. It is also called Fuller's earth. Apply a pack of it to treat pimples and dark circles. Suitable for oily skin only as it absorbs dead cells along with excess oil. Best to apply as mask by making a paste with rose water.
• Apply tomato juice mixed with 2-3 drops of lime juice on the face. Wait for 20 minutes and wash the face.
• Mix powdered orange peels and curd into a thick paste and apply on the face except eyes. Allow the paste to dry and wash thoroughly with cold water. This removes scars and blemishes.
• Make a paste from cucumber and lemon juice and apply on the face. Wait until the paste dries and wash your face. This also removes scars and blemishes.
• Mix rice powder and orange juice to form a paste. Apply on the face and neck. Let it dry and wash it off. This makes the skin to glow, improve complexion, removes pimples, black heads and white heads.
• Apply raw papaya juice on pimples or acne.
• Rub papaya pulp gently on the face twice in a week to make it clean and glow and to avoid pimples or acne, black heads, white heads and spots.
• Rub mixture of Bengal Gram flour and yogurt gently in upwards direction on the face. Wash after 10 minutes. This is to get the skin glow, reduce or remove pimples or acne, and black heads.

General care for face

• Drink at least three liters of water in a day.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid excessive exposure to sun light and cold weather.
• Avoid very oily creams. They clog pores.
• Wash your face with water before going to bed and in the morning.
• Steam bath deep-cleanses the pores and stimulates blood circulation.
• Get enough sleep.

Tips to grow taller / Tips to gain height

Height is determined by genetics and one’s growth is according to heredity.
However, some efforts will help us to grow taller.

• Jumping, cycling and swimming, running, pull-ups, skipping or jumping rope and participating in games like volley ball and foot ball are some good exercises to grow taller.
• Adequate sound sleep also helps to improve height.
• Eating healthy and nutritionally balanced food for the development of muscle and for strong bones is also important to grow tall.
• Drinking plenty of water helps in metabolism and flushes out toxins from the body more readily thereby helping to grow tall faster.

Tips for healthy, strong, long and shiny hair

• Handle your hair gently and carefully while combing and brushing.
• Try using wide teethed combs or own fingers to detangle hair.
• Don’t take a bath in very hot water. It will stress the hair and affect its growth.
• Gently massage the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and to enhance the growth of hair.
• Trim the hair periodically to eliminate split ends.
• Take adequate rest. It makes the growth of hair fast.
• Remove all the tangles before washing hair.
• Don’t rub hair vigorously using towel to dry.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat.
• Hair is made up of a kind of protein called keratin. Therefore intake of protein is necessary for the healthy and shiny growth of hair.
• Fish, beans, yoghurt, soybean (soyabean), eggs, red meat and chicken are examples of good source of protein.
• The diet for healthy hair should include beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, B-complex and biotin.
• Beta-carotene, Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that reduce hair loss.
• Vitamins C and E help to keep hair healthy, shiny and lengthy.
• All citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage, potato, strawberry are examples of good source of vitamin C.
• Biotin prevents scalp from itches.
• Nuts and most fresh vegetables are good source of Biotin.
• Iron, zinc and copper provide nutrients for hair follicles for strong hair growth.
• Enriched cereals, millets, pulses, green leafy vegetables contain iron
• Omega-3 fatty acid provides luster (lustre) to hair.
• Tuna, salmon, flax and walnuts are good sources of Omega-3.
• Fruits like berry, orange, lemon, grape and melon contain necessary nutrients required for hair.
• Vitamin A is very effective in preventing hair loss and hair thinning. Carrot, milk, butter, dark green vegetables are some good source of vitamin A.

Increase your weight in a healthy manner

• Being lean is good, but being very lean and thin and underweight is bad.
• A lot of medical tests are there to find out why a person is underweight.
• To gain weight and be healthy you need to consume more calories than you burn them every day from healthy, protein enriched, and nutritious foods and choose the right types of exercise.
• Exercise a little like mild weightlifting so as to feel hungry, to eat more balanced food and to develop muscle.
• Take tuna, salmon, flax and walnuts. They contain healthy fats like omega-3.
• Take meat, fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes. They contain protein.
• Take fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They contain carbohydrates.
• Take healthy beverages like milk and fruit juices to add calories instead of sweetened aerated sodas.
• Take food supplements after consulting a physician to get all required vitamins and minerals.

Tips to reduce weight / Tips to avoid obesity

• Drink two tumblers of water on rising from the bed, and in a day drink at least three litres/liters of it.
• One third of your food should be low calorie salad. It fills the stomach and gives less calories of energy.
• Take fruits and sprouts raw.
• Avoid refined food item like polished rice, refined sugar, white flour (maida).
• Avoid potatoes, nuts, cream, ghee, sweets, fried food, and dairy products.
• Take regular exercise sufficiently, so as to burn more calories of energy, than its intake.
• Participate in games without taking glucose in between.
• Go for brisk walk, jogging or running.
• Avoid eating outs with friends; say you are dieting.
• Fast once a week by only drinking adequate water or fruit juice.
• Don’t overeat. Eat slightly less than your requirement. When you feel to have some more food, control the desire.
• Use skimmed milk instead of full cream milk.
• Use yoghurt instead of cream or curd.
• The order of preference of food is (1) steamed, (2) boiled, (3) baked, (4) roasted, (5) grilled, and (6) fried.
• If frying is unavoidable, use oils like sunflower oil, safflower oil, etc having less bad cholesterols to stay slim.

Eat to live and don't live to eat. This is a popular saying.

Save gas (gasoline, petrol, the fuel)

• Small cars designed with fuel saving technology consume less fuel.
• The lesser the luggage the lesser will be the fuel consumption.
• Pool your car wherever practicable.
• Travel by bus if feasible.
• Avoid using automobiles for short distances.
• Effectively plan and combine purchases and activities.
• Go to the farthest place of business first followed by others while returning to avoid repeated starting of engine in cold condition.
• Maintain required tyre pressure.
• Maintain uniform and economic speed as far as possible using appropriate gear.
• Accelerate and retardate slow in general.
• Avoid abrupt braking.
• Anticipate traffic conditions. Don’t drive very close to the leading vehicle. Maintain safe distance so as to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration according to manner of driving of the vehicle in front of you under heavy traffic conditions.
• Don’t idle too much.
• Whenever possible, turn off A/C and open the air vents.
• Select good road.
• Let the periodic servicing be done without fail.

Save Electricity. Save Energy. (Power Saving Tips)

• Turn off lights, fans, A/Cs, TVs, computers, battery chargers, etc. when not in use.
• Turn off air conditioners or room heaters well before leaving the house.
• Turn off electrical appliances instead of using standby mode.
• Use dim light at bathrooms.
• Use dimmer control or rheostat / variable resistance to control brightness of table lamps.
• Use energy saving lamps like CFL (compact fluorescent lamp).
• Paint walls of rooms white or bright.
• Allow maximum sunlight during the day and turn off power supply to some lightings accordingly.
• Clean air conditioner filters periodically.
• Hot water at the kitchen sink, shower, or for washing need not to be too hot.
• Cut short the route and insulate hot water pipes.
• Run the dish washer and washing machine only when fully loaded.
• Defrost refrigerators regularly.
• Let there be air circulation around the refrigerator.
• Let the refrigerator be placed away from heat radiating sources.
• Reduce the frequency of opening the fridge and close it as quick as possible.
• Ensure the door seals well.
• The more the capacity of refrigerator the more will be the power consumption.
• Try to cook more than one item simultaneously in oven if feasible.
• Thaw frozen foods before cooking.
• Use wide bottomed vessel while cooking using the top of the electric range.
• Microwave ovens consume less energy.
• Use cold washes in your washing machine and dry clothes outside of washing machine as far as possible and if practicable.
• Keep light fixtures clean to get optimum light. By this, switching on extra lights is avoided.
• When using computers, make use of power saving modes, turn off peripherals when they are not in use.
• Let your TV have small screen and if possible watch it together with family members, for less time.
• Power saved is power produced.

Safe Travel Tips

• Travel light. Fewer luggage is more comfort.
• Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in case change is inevitable.
• Keep an eye on your luggage. Fasten the luggage with immovable item/hook provided in train/bus with the help of a chain and lock it.
• Keep a photocopy of important documents, a small flashlight, a first aid kit, an address book, etc.
• Carry medicines if any with prescription.
• Don’t expose yourself with rich appearance.
• Never show money in public.
• Beware of pickpockets.
• Don’t travel alone in areas where crime is high.
• Don’t encourage beggars.
• Don’t accept any food or drink from a stranger or from a co-passenger.
• Protect your packed food, drinking water etc. Some one may mix tranquilizer, lift your valuables and may run away when you sleep.
• Frequently alter your schedule; don’t travel from one place to another at a fixed time everyday.
• Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.
• Have enough changes in small denominations /coins so as to ease transactions while clearing taxi bills etc.

Art of safe driving in India

Road users on wheels

1. Wear safety helmet of approved design while driving two wheelers. Ensure that it is fastened securely. Do not drive in case you are tired and unwell. Fatigue can cause serious accidents.

2. Never drive if you are under the influence of drug or medicines as this can seriously affect your driving ability.

Alcohol and road user
3. Alcohol intake seriously affects the driving ability. It reduces co-ordination, increases reaction time and impairs judgement of speed, distance and risk, while inspiring a false sense of confidence.

Seat belts
4. Wearing of seat belt considerably reduces the risk of death or serious injuries in case of an accident. Drivers and occupants of front seat must wear safety belts.

Moving off
5. Before moving off always use your mirrors. Signal if necessary before moving off. Move off only you can do so safely without making other road user change speed or direction.

Driving along
6. Keep to the left except when road signs or markings indicate otherwise or when you intend to overtake or turn right or when you have to pass stationary vehicles or pedestrians on the road.

7. Well before you overtake, or turn left or right or slow down or stop, use mirrors followed by an appropriate signal, if necessary.

8. Must follow the laid down speed limits for different vehicles. Never drive so fast that you cannot stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. Drive much more slowly if road is wet or at night.

9. Remember to leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it slows down or stops suddenly.

10. Do not use mobile phone while on the move. Park the vehicle at a safe place if use of mobile phone is unavoidable.

Animals

11. Go slowly when driving past animals. Give them plenty of rooms and be ready to stop, if necessary. Do not frighten the animal by sounding your horn.

Road lane discipline

12. Try to remain in the left hand lane unless you are going to overtake, turn right or past parked vehicles. Do not move unnecessarily from lane to lane. If you need to move to another lane, first use your mirrors. If it is safe to move over, signal before doing so. Make sure that you will not force another vehicle to swerve or slow down. In traffic hold ups, do not try to “jump the queue” by cutting another lane or by overtaking the vehicles waiting in front of you.

Overtaking

13. Do not overtake unless you are sure you can do so without danger to others or to yourself. Before you start to overtake make sure that the road is clear far enough ahead and behind. Use your mirrors and if you are on a motorcycle or pedal cycle look behind and to your offside. Signal before you start to move out. Be particularly careful at dusk, in the dark and fog or mist, when it is more to difficult to judge speed and distance.

14. On fast roads, vehicles may coming up behind you much more quickly than what you think. Make sure that the lane you will be moving into his clear for a long way behind.

15. Once you have started to overtake, move quickly past the vehicle you are in overtaking and leave it plenty of room. Then move back to your left side of the road as soon as you can, but without cutting in.

16. When overtaking motorcycles or pedal cycles, give them plenty of room. Remember that cyclist may be unable to keep a straight course, particularly in windy conditions, or where the road surface is poor. Do not overtake motorcycles or pedal cycles immediately before turning to the left.

17. Overtake only to the right, except:

(a) When the driver in front has signaled that he intends to turn right and you can over take him on the left without getting in the way of others.

(b) When you want to overtake at a junction.

Road junctions

18. While coming to a crossing or t-junction, slow down and check for traffic crossing in other direction. Cross only when there is a break in traffic.

19. Never drive on wrong side of the road. If you wish to turn right, move close to the center line till your vehicle is almost abreast of the run; look for traffic in the opposite lane and turn where there is a gap in the traffic.

20. If you wish to turn right coming out of a side road, a vehicle parking area or from any gate, do not turn immediately after getting out pf the gate as this will place you facing opposite traffic. The correct way is to stop and wait for a gap in the traffic and cross the road at 90 degree before turning right.

21. While on a main road, drive within a lane; do not swerve or change lane. If you wish to change lane, check in the rear view mirror and change lane only if there is a gap in the tragic in that lane.

22. Drive in a manner that your actions do not force another vehicle driver to apply brakes or swerve due to your action.

Reversing

23. Before you reverse, make sure that there are no pedestrians particularly children or obstructions in the road behind you. Be especially careful about the “blind area” behind you-that is, the part of the road, which you cannot see from the driving seat.


24. If you cannot see clearly behind, get someone to guide you when you reverse.

25. Never reverse from a side road into a main road. You must not reverse your vehicle for a longer than is absolutely necessary.

Break-downs

26. If your vehicle breaks-down, get it off the carriage way and on to the hard shoulder as quickly as possible, and as far to the left as you can. Never forget the danger from the passing traffic. Switch ‘ON’ your hazard warnings lights, and at night leave your side light ‘ON’ as well. Do not open the doors nearest to the carriageway and do not stand at the rear of the vehicle or between it and passing the traffic.


Accident begins where caution ends.

INTRODUCTION TO SEVERAL TIPS

Knowledge is power. Learning helps to gain knowledge,which is a continuous process. Several tips gives some useful information on various matters that we come across in our day to day life.