Rumor has it, and experience knows it – there exists no woman on this planet who wouldn’t look twice at a man with a well-groomed beard. Dating 101 guides (the male edition, obviously!) probably have an entire section devoted to perfecting this art. I mean, as a woman, I can definitely tell you that had I been Xerxes, I’d have gifted Gerard Butler’s Leonidas a dozen more Spartas as long as he’d kept that smashing beard of his.

Image: Shutterstock

So, what is it about facial hair that makes women (and some men) go va-va-voom? For one, boys start to look like men. Jawlines get defined, the eyes acquire a sense of innate animal magnetism, and if you’re a guy with a weak chin, a beard is definitely a godsend! Simply put, if you have a beard, your sex appeal as a guy just skyrockets. Psychology experts too have proved that most women find men with a light to medium beard attractive, and that for women at the peak of their fertility phase, increased facial hair directly corresponded to perceptions of enhanced masculinity, dominance, and social maturity. Nature’s call to mate, in short.

But what do you do when you’re one of those unlucky few who just can’t grow one, no matter how hard you try? Or have a scrub jungle instead of a lush Amazonian rainforest? Does this mean that this is the end of all your No-Shave November dreams? Not if this one has its way.

(more…)

As a parent, relative, teacher, guardian or friend of an autistic child, you would agree with me when I say that autistic children are special in every sense of the term. In the words of Dr. Temple Grandin, an animal behavioralist and world-famous autism spokesperson, ‘What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing, and not getting anything done’.

Image: iStock

True enough. A lot of autistic children have gone on to become celebrated musicians, artists, actors, scientists, and authors while others have made a name for themselves in their chosen fields. Most have managed functional lives in a conventional society, which calls for a hurray too. But as someone raising an autistic child is aware, it requires one to be parent, teacher, friend, doctor, therapist, and guide – all in one. The times they hurt themselves, are ill, or in pain are possibly the worst due to their tendency to shut themselves off from the rest of the world. What does one do in such a situation?

(more…)

Is this the season of babies or what? Everywhere I look, business-like storks seem to be going around, making some very important deliveries to the homes of happy couples (and indeed some very happily single moms too).

From the moment a baby enters your home and your life, everything turns on its head. It’s astounding how much joy one extremely leaky creature can generate in even the most jaded of hearts. Suddenly, it seems like everything’s about the baby, and you couldn’t be more happy to let it stay that way. The first smile, the first coo, every time you play peek-a-boo – all priceless moments you wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

Image: iStock

But, raising a child has its dark moments too. As any parent would agree, there is nothing worse than when your baby gets sick or is in pain. And using chemicals and toxins on one so young seems nothing short of a crime. In such a scenario, home remedies are a parent’s best bet. And what better product to get you on this path than castor oil

(more…)

‘You look like a million bucks.’

Is there anyone who doesn’t light up at such lovely compliments? Because, let’s face it, we all want to look good. Not supermodel-pretty, no, but there is no denying the charm in being presentable and well turned out. Being that way takes work, though. And money. After all, not everyone can afford a closet the size of H&M, right?

Image: Shutterstock

But what if I told you that you needn’t shell out a fortune and yet make heads turn? The quest for flawless skin doesn’t need to be an El Dorado because you can gift yourself healthy, perfect skin right from the comfort of your home!

(more…)

It’s no secret that common household items are wonder drugs that come to our rescue in a lot of ways. Be it skin ailments, health issues, beauty fixes. Your kitchen cabinet holds a possible cure for them all. One such miracle lying around your house is Castor oil. Commonly known to people as a laxative, you’d be surprised to know of the many other benefits of castor oil.

Image: Shutterstock

Read on to find out more about its goodness! (more…)

In this article you will find Castor oil based remedies for (as listed below)

• Appendicitis
• Abdominal Pain
• Abdominal and Menstrual cramps
• Abdominal Adhesions
• Ileocecal Valve Syndrome
• Abdominal fat

Image: Shutterstock

Throwback to grade 2 (Or was it 1? Heavens, its been so long, I don’t even remember) and I’m sure you can recollect your teacher teaching you the various parts of the body. Looking back, I think it was adorable as a bunch of tiny hands pointed towards different parts of themselves, trying to memorize what they were called in all earnestness. There were the eyes, ears, tongue, heart, hands (always a favourite, we got to be pretend-windmills), stomach, legs…the works. But nowhere in that class or after, do I remember anyone teaching us what the abdomen was. A word that I loosely picked up over the years, never was I, or for that matter anyone, taught what an abdomen specifically is. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it..? (more…)

Remember that barbecue night over at your cousin’s place last week? The entire family was meeting up after ages. Pops was holding his audience captive with stories of the war, the young ones were off chasing fireflies, the women were exchanging recipes, and the food… oh the food! There lay the most succulent piece of meat you’d ever laid eyes on when, just as you were about to bite into it, you felt a dull burning sensation start behind your breastbone. And soon, that dull ache snowballed into what can only be described as the thing that happens when you feel like your insides are on fire.

Image: Shutterstock

Turns out, GERD had come a-calling.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), or acid reflux as it is known in common parlance, might have been a steady companion to many of us over the years. Work, home, dorm, gym – it haunts you whenever possible, and there is nothing you can do about it. Or, is there? (more…)

Belly fat giving you sleepless nights? Got a slinky new cocktail gown you’re dying to show off but those cumbersome inches around the waist not allowing you to look like the Cosmo-goddess you are?

Atlas might have had the weight of the world on his shoulders but a modern woman’s biggest worry lies right under her feet. Better known to us as the weighing machine, it snarkily reminds you of every unhealthy lifestyle choice you’ve ever made and takes you to task over it till the cows come home.

Image: Shutterstock

But a word to the wise. Not only is belly fat or ‘visceral fat’ as it is called, ungainly, it is a premonition to a slew of health conditions that you might be at risk for. Heart disease, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure..you name them and belly fat’s got them. Scary, right? But what does one do in a world that’s full of unhealthy lifestyle choices? Our air is noxious, food processed, millions aren’t sleeping enough (some aren’t sleeping at all) and even if we wanted to break the cycle, one wouldn’t know where to start.

(more…)

‘Abortion’ is a scary word, but so are words like ‘pregnancy’ and ‘motherhood’. Contrary to what a lot of people assume, no one considers an abortion for casual reasons. Abortion is a huge step, and if you’ve come this far, you definitely have your reasons for it. Age, finances, familial support, your gender identity – one, some, or all of these may have played a huge role in your decision. It could also be that you were unprepared for your pregnancy. After all, why would anyone call it an ‘unplanned pregnancy’ if it was expected?

Image: Shutterstock

I understand, it’s okay.

But here’s the deal. While the ideal situation for one considering an abortion would be to talk to a qualified healthcare provider, it is not always easy to choose this option. Whether it’s the fear of social stigma or the lack of financial resources, it isn’t uncommon to see a lot of women turn to the internet for advice. And more often than not, they’re looking for ways to induce an abortion at home.

One of the most popular such methods you might have come across on those pages is to consume large quantities of castor oil. But, can castor oil cause a miscarriage? Being a natural product and easily available, it isn’t hard to see the appeal it would hold for someone looking for how to induce an abortion at home. But if you’re considering the same, I need you to hold off on that thought right now. In the post below you will learn whether drinking castor oil for abortion is a safe option or not. (more…)

Who doesn’t love winters? The clean air, the smell of pine and eucalyptus, even the bonfires of winter seem to fill the world with incense. People stroll about the streets dressed in their overcoats and mitts and scarves like characters of a children’s book come to life. Gone is the brashness of summer, with its heat and irritation, to be replaced instead with soft mottled light that gives everything such a whimsical quality.

Photo by Pete Markham/CC BY-2.0

Ah, winter!

For such a lovely time of the year, it seems nothing short of sinful that some of us are forced to dread its very arrival. The pain, the stiffness, the sudden inability to get anything done is made a hundred times worse once winter sets in. And if you, or anyone you know, have had arthritis, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Attention, All Arthritis Sufferers!

(By ‘all’, I mean not just the regular lot, but those of you suffering from any kind of arthritis.)

Surprised much?

It may (or may not) astonish you to know that arthritis by itself isn’t really any disease. Common symptoms of joint pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased motion aside, it is an umbrella term for a host of diseases that are grouped under this cluster – nearly 100+ of them. It can affect people of any age, gender or race, and hence there is a wide diversity of conditions under this group. (more…)