Usually Christmas decorations are stored in the basement or attic, and often the conditions might be damp and cold. To avoid allergic rhinitis due to this, make sure that you dust and clean the surface of your artificial Christmas tree and other decorations both before you put them up and before you store them away. Ensure they are stored in clean and dry plastic bags. Throw in a few naphthalene balls or use mite repellants to keep them safe.

Even while handling real Christmas trees make sure that sap, dust, mold and pollen is reduced to the minimum. Have a fantastic and allergy-free Christmas!

Gather the ingredients –

• Half cup chopped walnuts
• 2 cups cracker crumbs
• I ½ tsp of Sweet-N-Low or other sugar substitute that you use
• 1 cup skimmed milk
• ¼ tsp salt

Place all these ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend well till you get the desired consistency. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and then pour the mixture in a greased pan. Bake this for 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean your brownies are ready. You can cut them into 2 inch squares while they are still warm. Serve it with sugar-free ice cream for that extra mmm…

Wear the right clothes to keep yourself warm while you are outdoors. Catching a cold might make you end up all sneezy and coughy. The flu can be a total killjoy for all your holiday plans.

Plan a hiking trip on a weekend to a hilly place or into the woods. Be sure that you would return rejuvenated, and all that climbing and walking would definitely burn some calories.

Eat right and eat light. The festive season is filled with yummy food, pies, cakes, casseroles, and other delicacies often dripping with calories. So right now is the time to indulge in fresh fruits, lots of greens, and hydrate yourself with fluids.

Enjoy happy and healthy holidays!

1. Turn them into compost – Dry autumn leaves, grass clippings from your lawn mower bag and organic waste from your kitchen can be piled up in a corner of your yard. Keep this heap moist and occasionally turn it over. Your compost will soon be ready for you to put it to good use.
2. Use them as mulch – Collect autumn leaves and place them in your garden beds. For winter mulch it is best to wait till most of the leaves are fallen and then put them in. Once these leaves break down, they will naturally enrich your garden bed, and protect the soil and plants.

So there you go – Isn’t this ‘eco’nomical?

A smart way to begin green driving is to ensure that your car is fitted with proper tires. High resistance tires can waste up to 20% fuel making the car work harder. It pays to spend investing in good tires than wasting fuel money in the long run.

Turn off your engine at traffic lights if your wait is longer than a minute. The same energy can be used to restart the car in idle mode. By turning off the engine you would be reducing green house gas emission.

Consider traveling to work by carpooling. If three of your neighborhood pals and you take turns driving the others to work you can save at least 25% of your individual fuel cost.

The easiest way to save fuel and the planet is to walk shorter distances instead of driving. This will keep you healthy, wealthy, and yes, if you do this you ARE wise.

The science behind this is explained by David Alan Kopec, an environmental psychologist. He says that when light waves gain entrance to the eye, the brain converts them into electrical impulses. Red, in particular, is a long light wave. It directly affects the hypothalamus which regulates energy levels, appetite, and the body temperature.

So Get…Red…Go in order to make your workout sessions longer, more energetic, and intense.

Keep these points in mind and cope with autumnal allergies -

• Eat plenty of horse radish, mustard and chili peppers to rid your body of pollutants. Spicy foods also help to eliminate irritants.
• Use an air purifier in your rooms so that you breathe air that is free from pollen, spores, dust mites, and other allergens.
• Hypoallergenic flooring, bed linen, and paints can be used in order to reduce chances of allergy.
• If you have a pet you need to take extra care and vacuum the house daily to keep it free from any mites and fur.

Keep a track on the pollen-elevation levels outdoors and consult your doctor in advance so that you are equipped with proper allergy medications before the seasonal change begins.

This is what you can do for starters -

• Apply hair moisturizer to mid-lengths and the ends of your hair and leave on for some time before you rinse.
• Use a rich hair conditioner and wrap a hot towel around the hair for about ten minutes. The moist, humid environment created will allow deep penetration of the conditioner.
• While styling your hair use two drops of hair serum that is silicone-based. This will tame the frizz and hydrate your hair.
• Cover your hair with a scarf or hat while you are outdoors.

It is important that you follow an appropriate hair care routine during winter and these tips can be a good starting point.

Rice Powder – Make a paste of rice powder and milk or water and apply it on your face. Rub it in gentle circular motions and then wash off.

Melon Seeds – Grind melon seeds in a mixer. You can mix the powder with some water and use it as a face and body scrub. It gently sloughs off dry skin cells, impurities, and excess sebum blocking pores.

Groundnuts – Mix coarsely ground nuts with honey or mink and use it as a face pack. While washing off use a slow circular motion. This face pack cum scrub will moisturize as well as cleanse your skin.

According to research, 90% people follow shallow breathing. Proper breathing happens when the lungs are filled with air and they expand to full capacity. The diaphragm should also move and we can see this happening when the stomach moves in and out while we breathe. When we do not breathe to our full capacity, lesser amount of oxygen is absorbed by the lungs and sent to the heart.

Well it’s not possible to practice deep breathing consciously 24 hours a day, but we should set apart a few minutes for some yoga or meditation during which deep breathing can be done. One of the methods that can be followed is to inhale deeply, count to ten in your mind and then exhale slowly. This will help adequate absorption of oxygen and boost the metabolism of your body. The way to stay fit and healthy is in your hands. Or should I say – nose.