6 Tea Recipes for Common Ailments

So many of us associate a hot steaming cup of tea with comfort and relaxation, but did you know that your beloved cuppa can also cure common ailments? Yes, you don't need to pop a pill for all those niggling health worries - just put a pot of tea on the boil! Here are 6 tea recipes for common ailments that are quick and easy - and 100% natural!

6 Tea Recipes for Common Ailments

1. Bloating & Indigestion

Tummy troubles are quite common, and are easily soothed with some lovely ginger tea. Boil 2 cups water and add 1/2 tsp green tea, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1/2 tsp squeezed lime. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes depending upon the strength you want, and slowly sip through the day.

2. Sore Throat

Lemon tea is a simple but effective remedy for many cold and flu-related symptoms like sore throat. Boil a cup of water with a 1/4 tsp of black tea. Squeeze in a quarter wedge of lime and strain. Add honey or sugar to sweeten and drink while still hot.

3. Insomnia

Chamomile has many benefits, including the ability to promote relaxation and sleep. Just boil a cup of water, add a teaspoon of chamomile and let it steep for five minutes. You can also add a teaspoon of lavender if you like. Drink it 30-45 minutes before your bedtime for good sleep.

4. Headache

For that annoying headache, forget medicine and try this tea. Place a teaspoon of your regular black tea and a teaspoon of rosemary in a cup. Pour boiling water over it and let steep for five minutes. Sweeten as desired and drink.

5. Dry Cough

Turmeric is known for its medicinal benefits, but few people think of it in tea! For persistent dry cough, boil a cup of water and add 1/2 tsp of black tea, 1 tsp turmeric and 1 tsp black pepper. Let it boil for a couple of minutes. Strain, add a sweetener of your choice and drink it right away.

6. Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes can occur because of many reasons, but the end result is a tired looking, aged face! Perk up your eyes with tea bags. Chill used tea bags (black or green) and place the cold bags on your eyes for 15 minutes. If the puffiness does not subside, repeat a few times through the day.

For these remedies to be truly effective, it is important to get the best quality teas, preferably authentic versions from their place of origin. So the next time you have a bugging health problem, you know what to do!

10 Irresistible Popcorn Recipes that are Easy to Make

For most of us a visit to a movie theater is incomplete without a nice big bag of popcorn to munch our way through. All of us agree that they're exorbitantly priced, but they still sell like hot cakes! Such is the allure of this crunchy snack! You'll also find popcorn vendors at most streets in India and at nearly every mall or food court. Let's face it: popcorn is one of those foods that have global appeal!

But while you crunch away to glory, did you know that you can turn your regular popcorn into tiny balls of flavor bombs! Yes, you can!! There are many, many sweet and savory ways to take your popcorn to another level, besides the usual buttered or salted. So here are 10 awesome and irresistible popcorn recipes that don't take up too much time!

10 Irresistible Popcorn Recipes that are Easy to Make

1. Chocolate Popcorn

Here is an easy chocolate popcorn recipe from Living on a Dime that requires just a few ingredients and doubles the crunch with nuts!

2. Chili Cheese Popcorn

Want something hot? Try out this Chili Cheese popcorn recipe from Suburban Soapbox that is perfect if you like things fiery!

3. Pink Popcorn

Valentine's Day is coming up and if you're seeing everything in pink, you'll love this pinkalicious, candy coated popcorn recipe from Domestic Dreamboat!

4. Pizza Popcorn

Now this is truly mixing together the best of both worlds! This pizza flavored popcorn from Chocolate with Grace uses basil, oregano and Parmesan, making it perfect for pizza fanatics!

5. Elaichi Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn is also popular in India during Lohri, and is eaten around the bonfire. Artsy Craftsy Mom puts a twist on regular popcorn combining sweet with spice in this elaichi caramel popcorn recipe.

6. Barbeque Popcorn

You're probably looking forward to your next barbeque picnic, but in the meantime, you can feast on this yummy barbeque flavored popcorn from Plain Chicken!

7. M&M Popcorn

This is one recipe you're in danger of bingeing on! Tastes Better from Scratch brings together the already addictive M&Ms and white chocolate into an irresistible treat that also looks great!

8. Lemon Popcorn

If you're the kind who likes all things citrus, you'll become a fan of this lemon popcorn recipe from Our Thrifty Ideas, which as just the perfect mix of salty, sweet and acidic tastes.

9. Butterscotch Popcorn

Okay, we're warning you, this is a rich treat! This Toffee flavored popcorn from Leelalicious features a butterscotch drizzle on top and makes you want to dig right in!

10. Chaat Masala Popcorn

How can we complete a list of flavors without mentioning chaat? Bombay Blonde gives us a lip smacking chaat flavored popcorn, that's sure to leave you asking for more!

Now you have so many recipes, what are you waiting for? Enjoy these cold winter afternoons with a large bowl of warm popcorn and a good book!

5 Tips to Keep your New Year Resolutions

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." - Oprah Winfrey

Happy New Year! We're almost a week into 2016 and we hope it's been going well so far! If you're like most of us, then you've either already made your New Year resolutions or are in the process of doing so. Cynics may say that a new year is no big deal, but like Oprah says, we believe it is a chance to start over! 

Setting goals and making resolutions is great; it gives your life direction and a sense of purpose, while helping you achieve everything you really want. However, statistics show that making resolutions is actually the easy part; sticking to them is not! Only about 8% of people stick to their resolutions for the whole year, with the majority abandoning them by July. But if you're determined not to be another statistic this year, then this post is for you! Here are 5 tips to help you stick to your resolutions, not just for January, but the whole year! 

5 Tips to Keep your New Year Resolutions

1. Break it Up

If you plan to lose 10 kg by the end of the year, just thinking of that massive number can be enough to discourage you! It also doesn't give you a clear plan to follow, and you can feel defeated when the scale moves very slowly. So break up your grand plans into smaller, doable steps. Plan to lose 1 or 2 kg a month, resolve to write 2 pages a day or set a goal to save Rs. 5000.00 every month for that foreign vacation. Smaller numbers will seem much more realistic and you are more likely to accomplish them.

2. Write down the Why

You've made your resolutions, but why are you doing it in the first place? Make sure that all your resolutions are aligned with your long term goals, so that you aren't wasting your time and effort fulfilling someone else's dream. Write down all the good things that will happen when you stick to your resolution and make another list of all the consequences if you don't. Keep this paper carefully; there will be many moments when you feel discouraged, but one look at this paper will remind you of why you started in the first place.

3. Have a Reliable Tracking System

Meeting your goals feels great, but the journey can be a little lonely. Have a buddy or a partner with whom you can share your resolutions and keep tabs on, so that both of you have someone you are accountable to. Even if you can't find anyone suitable, ensure that you have some way of tracking your progress, like an excel sheet or a calendar where you mark each day with an 'X' or something. There are many apps you can use as well, with one example being the MyFitnessPal app to track your food intake and exercise. 

4. Expect Disruptions

Life doesn't always go the way we expect it to, and you can expect many obstacles on your journey to achieving your goals. It's very easy to get derailed during such circumstances, and it can be very difficult to get back on track; in fact, many don't. Be aware that such situations can pop up, but promise yourself that you'll find a way through it without hurting your goals. When you adjust your mindset in this manner, you won't feel overwhelmed during stressful situations and are more likely to make your resolutions work somehow. After all, where there is a will, there is a way!

5. Include Rewards

The reward here refers to the proverbial carrot on a stick; something to look forward to as you complete each milestone towards your goal. Set small rewards at frequent intervals, so that you are constantly inspired and motivated to work towards your resolution. This way, the end goal will not seem so far off, and you'll actually be happy to do the work! Just make sure that the reward isn't counterproductive; no point rewarding yourself with an entire chocolate cake when you've worked all that weight off! 

Like we said, resolutions give you direction; but don't forget to enjoy life in the process. Waiting to be happy only when you achieve your goals is going to make you miserable, so seek out happiness in the small things of everyday life. Like Omar Khayyam said, 'Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.' All the best for your resolutions!