Maintain your personal spa at home

(Image:black prom dresses) There's nothing more romantic than an aroma bath or a relaxing massage with (or ahem, by) your partner.
But who says that you need to dole out huge amounts of money or visit an expensive spa to relax your soul? Get together a hot tub, aromatherapy scent, wine, candles, flower petals and some romantic music and you are set to treat your body to a home spa. To add that zing, don't forget a nice towel and a sexy bath robe.
If you have a partner, then a hot tub can be the most inviting place to add on to your romance as there's nothing cozier than giving him/her an ultimate home spa experience. To add to the feel, play some romantic and soulful music and revive the flame of romance.
But if you are alone, then worry not. Make your home sparkle with the brilliance of cozy dim lights of candles. Once your bath is ready, play some jazz, or Sufi or any soft music and create the ultimate altar for relaxation.
For a home spa, essential oils play a very important role in soothing you. This season, oils like jasmine, rose, neroli, ylang ylang, sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver are the 'hot' favourites. Mukesh Gupta, owner of a spa, says, "This is the spring summer time and the time for vetivar. While you soak in a milk and honey bath, burn chandan and rose, and get a cooling effect that will act as a fuel for your tired body. There's nothing better than beating the heat with something cool." Anurag Kedia, director of another spa, votes for alo vera gel, lime, melon and mint.
So this summer, just place a basket of towels near you, prepare a hot tub, soak your tired body into it and get ready to pamper yourself, within the snugness of your home.For more information:prom dresses 2013 uk

Chic fashion on the cheap

(Image:formal dresses belfast) The fact that La Vallee Village in Paris is just a hop and a skip away from Disneyland is not lost on anyone.
“We’re like Disneyland for adults,” quips Amelie Fourcadier, marketing manager of La Vallee Village. She’s not exaggerating. As I found out on a whirlwind trip to La Vallee in Paris, Las Rozas in Madrid and Fidenza in Milan, whether you’re a certified shopaholic or just a passionate bargain-hunter, the Chic Outlet Shopping villages do feel like the happiest places on earth.
THE PERFECT MIX
First of all, the brands in the villages encompass both fabled fashion houses such as Celine, Givenchy and Burberry, as well as edgy, niche contemporary labels unique to each country — Maje and Sandro from France, Hoss Intropia from Spain and Pollini from Italy. And there’s nothing more the modern consumer loves than the chance to name-check unique items they got straight from the source (“Oh, this old thing? Only Parisians would recognise the label”).
The products in-store aren’t rejects; instead, brands are encouraged to offer pieces from just a season ago. And if you think you’d never be able to find classic pieces from each brand there, you’d be misled once again.
Imagine my shock when I stepped into the Celine store to see timeless Cabas totes in a rainbow of colours and variety of sizes, as well as off-the-runway clothing pieces such as the now-iconic scarf-print fabric in the form of pants with a sheer overlay, and a pleated skirt. If you think these items sound like they came right out of a Spring/Summer 2014 trend report, you’re right.
All the architecture and interiors are designed and laid out by the brands, to ensure your shopping experience is similar to, say, if you were strolling along Champs-Elysees or down Rue Saint Honore; and as I meandered through the shops, I espied countless pieces that are bang on-trend, so you don’t have to bust the bank keeping up with whatever the fashion deities are feeling — and feeding the masses — this season.
We saw fringe in the form of a lurex coat at Marni, a leopard-print skirt at Kenzo and a dress at Adolfo Dominguez; as well as pleats on dresses at Bimba & Lola. Metallics were interpreted as an iridescent clutch and silver cone heels at Emporio Armani. And there’s another genre of wardrobe-fillers you can get your hands on in the villages: The future classics. That entails booties — in every form, from slouchy to structured to exotic skin — at Zadig & Voltaire; leather in the form of playsuits at Maje and shirtdresses at Carolina Herrera; and bomber jackets at Sandro and Comptoir des Cotonniers.Read more here:bridesmaid dresses uk

13 tips to reduce, reuse and recycle your food

(Image:graduation dresses uk) The basics of green living – reduce, reuse, recycle – can help you spend less on groceries while still eating healthfully and well. Here's how to apply these principles to real life.
1. Buy less, waste less. The simplest way to stretch your grocery dollar is by buying less. This means limiting your purchases to items you will actually use. (That bargain 10-pound box of peaches is not such a deal if half of them end up going bad.) Track your waste: What products do you and your family gobble eagerly and what ends up in semi-permanent residency on the back shelf of your fridge?
2. Use more. Often Americans are too quick to dispose of usable food. We’re not advocating the use of questionable meat or fish – here, the rule “when in doubt, throw it out” is the safest course of action. However, produce that’s slightly past its prime can often be revived with a quick soak in ice water. If it’s seriously wilted, it can be used in a long-simmered dish like a soup or stew. On another note, food parts you normally discard – chicken necks or celery leaves, perhaps – can become the basis forhomemade stock.
3. Take inventory to record what you have bought, frozen, dried or canned. This will allow you to regularly rotate your stock to avoid stale or freezer-burned items.
4. Reduce the number of shopping trips necessary. Before planning meals, shop your pantry and use the ingredient search feature on popular recipe sites for inspiration. Keep a file of recipes specifically designed for fridge cleaning days (frittata, anyone?).
5. Use Mom’s tried and true advice about making up menus in advance and not going to the grocery store when you are hungry.
6. Write a list of what you need – just be flexible enough to accommodate some particularly tempting fresh halibut, for instance. Better yet, store shopping lists on your computer or iPad, for both every day and special occasions like holidays and birthdays. This will help remind you of what you need and how much.
7. Try shopping at just one supermarket. Often you'll save money in the long run, regardless of small differences in prices offered by the competition. Not only will you use less of your precious time – and gasoline – on shopping trips, you can breeze through the familiar layout, picking up only what you need (and avoiding the temptation of the candy aisle).
8. Store leftovers safely to keep them appetizing and safe to eat. Use quick cooling methods to bring down the temperature of cooked foods before refrigeration.
9. Use the trick of purposeful repurposing (aka: planned leftovers) to prepare for several meals at once. For example, you might serve rotisserie chicken "as is" one night and cut up for a hearty chicken salad the next. In general, when you have the basics for simple, quick-to-prepare meals already on hand, you are likely to spend less on take-out.
10. Experiment when you have a small amount of leftovers which won’t suffice for another meal. You might want to try mixing a tiny portion of leftover fried rice into tomorrow night’s meatloaf. Or you can even add a few spoonfuls of leftover yogurt to your homemade cheesecake.
11. Freeze leftover single ingredients. Egg whites are the classic example: they keep well frozen for up to 12 months. You can collect odds and ends of good quality bread in the freezer to eventually thaw and buzz in your blender or food processor for the tastiest breadcrumbs imaginable.
12. Repurpose tasty foods for their flavor. For instance, Parmesan rinds are known to impart a special richness to soups. Citrus skins will give extra zest to iced tea or other beverages.
13. Turn vegetable matter, eggshells and moreinto compost. Then use the result to enrich yourgarden soil and grow a crop of delicious organic fruits and veggies – almost free!Read more here:prom dresses 2013

Australians are including fewer healthy food options in their diets

(Photo:black prom dresses) Australians are eating less fruit and vegetables than ever before, with teenagers leading the charge in unhealthy eating dominated by fast food, new data from the Bureau of Statistics shows.
Health experts say governments have failed to tackle Australia's ''tsunami'' of chronic disease and soaring rates of obesity, fearing the problem will only get worse unless the the healthy food star rating system is reinstated and junk food promotion is restricted.
In the first profile of Australia's eating habits available in 15 years, the Australian Health Survey of 12,000 people found we are eating 30 per cent less fruit and vegetables than 15 years ago, with one in four adults eating no vegetables on an average day and only 7 per cent eating the daily recommended five servings.
Professor of health policy at Curtin University Mike Daube said ''incredibly low'' vegetable consumption reveals that fast food has eclipsed vegetables as a dietary staple.
''It is a major concern,'' he said. ''Unless governments take the way we eat seriously then there will be dire implications for health budgets and the cost of diabetes will blow out. The results are a triumph for the mass marketing of junk food."
Australians eat about three kilograms of food and drink each day, with just over one-third of daily energy from foods high in saturated fat and sugar such as cake, biscuits, alcohol, soft drink and chips.
Professor Daube said most people would be ''horrified'' to realise much of their energy intake is from food that is essentially useless.
But the survey results also show that despite Australians weighing about four kilograms more than 20 years ago, overall we are eating less.
Men are consuming about 9600 kilojules each day – 1400 kJ less than 15 years ago – and women's average energy intake has dropped 1 per cent to 7400 kJ each day. The survey also shows people are eating about 226 grams of carbohydrates daily, the equivalent of about four pieces of bread, which is about 12 per cent less than 15 years ago.
National spokeswoman for the Heart Foundation Kellie-Ann Jolly said the ''dismal'' daily intake of vegetables combined with fatty food diets means many people are ''unaware'' of what they are eating.
''We are seeing a drop in physical activity combined with eating far too much saturated fat,'' she said. ''Food like pastries and cake, which were once occasional, have become daily.''
Jane Martin, executive manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition, said the survey results highlight how pervasive unhealthy eating has become.
''It's really important we have a healthy food star rating system,'' she said. ''Foods that look largely the same can have very different nutritional profiles. It would encourage companies to reformulate and let consumers know which food is the healthiest.''
Ms Martin said the ''huge amounts'' of highly processed foods eaten each day show the ''marketing success of McDonalds, Hungry Jacks and KFC, which are targeted to teenagers''.
The results also reveal that more than 2.3 million adults reported being on a diet, almost one in three people aged over 19 drank alcohol on an average day and almost 30 per cent take at least one dietary supplement such as vitamins, minerals and herbs daily.
Almost 4 million people reported avoiding a food type due to allergy, with cow's milk and gluten the most common intolerances.
But Professor Daube said many Australians ''still don't have a good understanding'' of what amounts to healthy nutrition.
''There is an increasing responsibility of supermarket chains to promote healthy food. The onus isn't on teenagers – it's with governments, parents and retail food outlets.''Also read more:princess prom dresses

Make your own heating pad

(Image:evening dresses uk online) The trusty hot water bag comes to the rescue when muscle relief sprays and ointments let you down. But for those of you who cringe at the thought of getting up to boil water, here are easier heating devices that'll ease your pain.
The sock method
Fill a woollen sock with rice, or any other hard pulse or grain, and seal the opening by tying a knot at the end. Insert this sock, knot first, into the other sock and tie another final knot. Place it in the microwave for a minute or so and your heating pad is ready.
The towel method
Fold a small hand towel or rectangular piece of cotton fabric in half and sew a hem on to the two open sides, creating a small pouch. Fill the pouch with grains or pulses of your choice and hem the third side. Place this in the microwave to be heated up.
Tip
Make sure that the grains or pulses you use are completely dry. Also, keep your heating pad away from any kind of moisture.Read more here:princess prom dresses uk

Caring for your feet this season

(Image:red carpet dresses) The heat not only tans your face and hands but your feet as well. Here's how to protect them from the scorching rays of the sun
Tanning of the feet is very common during summers. To take care of them, all you need to do is try out these simple home remedies that will remove the tan in just a few days and will also keep your feet glowing and fair.
How to do it
Take a large tub of lukewarm water and dip your feet in it. Add two tablespoons of Epsom salt and a few drops of essential oils (preferably lavender, rose or lemon for this season). Take a pumice stone and put some drops of shampoo on it and scrub it on your feet. After you're done with this, dip your feet in fresh cold water and keep it soaked for a while. Take your feet out and dry it completely before you apply the following masks.
Yoghurt pack
Take fresh yoghurt in a bowl and add rose water or mogra water to it. Apply it evenly throughout your feet and keep this pack for at least an hour. Wash it off and apply a soothing moisturiser.
Lemon pack
A natural tan remover, squeeze half a lemon in a bowl and add a few drops of rose water in it. You can also add besan to make a thick paste. Keep the paste on for approximately half an hour and then wash it off.
Tomato paste
If you do not want to apply a thick tomato paste, don't worry. Cut half a tomato and apply it on your feet. Keep it on for a while and wash it off. Tomato is a natural tan remover and also acts as bleach.Read more here:evening dresses

Kathy Smart provides tips on eating gluten-free food at expo in Toronto

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TORONTO - Kathy Smart was always ill as a little girl until she was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 12 and began relearning what she could eat to alleviate her symptoms.
As an adult she has become a nutritionist and chef and uses the experience gleaned from living with the disease and her education to teach others about gluten intolerance with a cookbook, television appearances and a website.
"At the time — I'm going to be 36 — it really wasn't heard of a lot. Celiac disease was not a common term. Gluten-free, glue-what? People didn't know what that was," she said in an interview ahead of the Gluten Free Expo taking place Sunday in Toronto.
"At the age of 12 when I changed what I ate, by eating healthy whole foods I made this connection that if you change what you eat, you can change your life. At that young age I started reading everything I could. I started recipe developing with my mom in the kitchen."
Gluten is a kind of protein found in wheat and its relatives, such as spelt, farro, emmer, Kamut, barley, rye and triticale. Those with celiac disease have a genetic autoimmune condition that damages the gastrointestinal tract and hinders the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Sufferers react badly to gluten, the protein component that gives elasticity to dough. Others have an intolerance and find it difficult to digest.
"You become malnourished so you'll have low iron which will give you fatigue, you'll have low (vitamin) B-12 which will give you fatigue and inability to concentrate," said Smart, an Ottawa resident.
Some people manifest it through really itchy skin rashes while others develop depression or anxiety "because they're not absorbing their nutrients so they're not able to thrive. For gluten intolerance, there's a huge list of symptoms, but the top five symptoms, I would say, are fatigue, a lot of bloating, a lot of stomach pain, joint pain and a lot of autoimmune issues."
Her passion is to help people who follow gluten-free eating "do it right and healthy because food is really your medicine so you need to give your body the healthiest ingredients possible. Just eat real food, so fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, seeds, nuts, legumes. Those are all naturally gluten-free foods and good for you."
She points out the trend toward people cutting carbohydrates from their diet in an effort to lose weight isn't healthy.
"Carbs are very healthy and very good for you and your brain needs them to function properly. So someone cutting out carbs and saying, 'I'm going to go gluten-free,' that is not a healthy balanced diet. If you're going to go gluten-free you want to always make sure you always have a healthy protein, healthy fat and healthy complex carbohydrates from gluten-free foods. It's all about balance."
Smart is a proponent of gluten-free grains or cereal grasses. Here are her top five nutrient-dense picks. They can be found in health-food stores or the health-food section of grocery stores.
— Teff. This tiny grain is often used in Ethiopian cooking to make the flatbread known as injera. "It's extremely high in minerals and it's extremely high in iron too and a lot of gluten-intolerant individuals or celiacs are particularly low in iron and they really need to make sure they're having high-quality minerals. So teff is an excellent way to really use food as medicine."
Teff can be ground into flour. "It's delicious with chocolate. Teff flour and chocolate go together like peanut butter and honey. It's just delicious. The teff flour really brings out the chocolate undertones and you can use teff flour to thicken soups or stews, to make gravy."
Smart cooks it in her rice cooker with almond milk, adds nuts, cinnamon and cardamom for a nutritious breakfast porridge.
— Black rice has a nutty robust flavour. Smart likes to add a handful when she's cooking brown rice. She also puts it in salads, noting it's extremely high in antioxidants.
— Quinoa is very high in protein and has an amino acid in it that helps fight cold sores, Smart said. Use it in side dishes and salads.
— Sorghum is high in minerals. Made into flour, it's her No. 1 choice for any type of gluten-free baking.
— Cavena Nuda is a recent addition to the gluten-free repertoire and is nicknamed "the rice of the Prairies."
"It almost tastes buttery. It's very high in fibre and iron, two elements that you want to look for in any type of gluten-free eating."Read more here:prom dresses 2013 uk