Fruit Smoothie:

• 1 sliced apple


• 1 banana


• 5 strawberries


• handful of raspberries


• handful of blueberries


• 1 sliced apricot (Fresh)


• 1 sliced peach


• 1 sliced orange


• 2 teaspoons of honey


• You can use any fruits that are available in the season and at hand.
  Calories: Around 250 depending on the fruits used.
  Banana and pineapple are the fruits with maximum sugar content.
  Preparation:
  Mix in blender. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
  Source:
  Benefits:All the vitamins, minerals and goodness of fruits without excess calories.Fruit smoothie retains fiber which is lost in Fruit juices. So a better and healthier option

Top 20 Tips for Glowing Skin

Here are some of the best home recommended tips to lighten the complexion and skin tone.
A mixture of ground almonds and Oats with honey and yogurt should be applied on the face for around 5-10 minutes and then washed with lukewarm water, to get a smooth skin.

• Mash a banana and mix it with milk. Apply this mixture on your face and keep it for 20 minutes. After that, wash it with cold water to get a glowing skin.



• Honey is wholesome and all-natural. Hence, apply honey on face and neck for 20 minutes and wash it with cold water.



• For oily skin, a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white should be applied on the face for around 15 minutes. This may cause a tingling sensation due to active ingredients. Wash with warm water. The mixture acts as a natural cleanser, softens the skin and tightens it.



• Make a home made scrub by using 1 tablespoon walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Scrub your face with this and leave it to dry. Wash your face with cold water.



• For oily skin, buttermilk is dabbed on the skin for around 15 minutes. This will soak up the oil from the face without drying it.



• A paste of 2 tablespoon turmeric powder mixed in orange juice should be applied on the face. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash it with cold water.



• Mix 2 tablespoon of tomato juice with 4 tablespoon of curd and apply it on face. Leave for drying and wash away.



• Dry orange peels and powder them. Mix this with milk, apply on face and leave it for 25 minutes and wash off. This is natural bleach which will make the skin fairer.



• Boil cabbage or cauliflower in water. Wash the face with this water. This is a great remedy for warts.



• Mix egg white and polenta flour and apply the paste on your face. Keep it for half an hour and then massage your face with warm water using your fingers. Repeat the remedy every fortnight for a glowing skin.



• Wash your face with a mixture of carrot juice and pineapple juice. Keep for 15 minutes and wash away.



• Make a paste with ½ teaspoon of milk powder, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon egg white. Apply it on your face and wash off after drying.



• Wash your face with basin or green gram flour mixed with milk, instead of soap. This will impart a glow to your skin.



• For soft skin, apply a paste of red sandalwood powder and coconut milk on your face and wash after drying.



• Make a paste of egg yolk, olive oil and lemon juice. Apply the paste on the face for 15 minutes and wash off. This works wonders on dry skin.



• Rub a piece of papaya or banana on your face for 15 minutes daily. This will make your skin supple.



• Apply a mixture of milk and honey on your face. This will make your skin glow.
  


• Prepare a face mask by mashing a piece of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Allow the mask to set on your face for 30 minutes and wash off. This will give a glowing skin.



• Water therapy- drink lots of water daily for a healthy glowing skin.

5 Skin Care Tips - How to Keep Oily Skin Healthy Looking

Women in ancient times were as mindful of their looks as they are today. Methods of taking care of skin may have changed, but the general state of affairs remains as it was then. Women take great pains to make sure they look beautiful, and also to stay that way as long as possible notwithstanding the march of time.
Technology and nature will unite one day to fashion a cure that will halt and even turn back the aging clock for oily skin. Until that day men and women will make do with the skin care tips and remedies available now which developed from research and hands-on age-old practice.
Common Sense Skin Care Tips, Sensational Results
1. Use nothing but water based products on your face - oily skin makes surpluses of oil, so using creams, this will aggravate the condition, as well as cause the formation of blackheads and acne. A good skin care tip is to keep the skin free of any make-up throughout the summer months. Use only moisturizer and a blush, as needed, on your face. The natural look will be improved by a dash of natural color lipstick and kohl to outline the eyes.
2. Moisturize your facial skin as frequently as you can - do not use soap or soap based products to wash your face. Do wash your face with plain water as often as you can, to remove dust and dirt build-up clogging the pores. Hydrating your skin keeps it healthier and happier. Remember the skin care tip, "a happy skin makes for a glowing skin; a glowing skin will stay a young skin for long".
3. Always remove make-up at night. This skincare tip is critical. Never go to bed without removing cosmetics right, with cleansing milk. Those who do not wear make-up should still clean their face thoroughly before going to bed- this will prevent acne formation.
4. Use an astringent immediately after cleansing and exfoliating your face so that the pores of the face close to stop dust and pollution particles from clogged precious pores.
5. Maintain a strict facial beauty and care regime - it is important for oily skin that you follow a regular skin care routine. As a result of a more disciplined lifestyle and continuous care of the skin, you'll look better than ever before.

Chocolate Making At Home For Fun and Satisfaction

Everyone loves chocolates. Who can say no to them? They're different from other candies because they're brown, black or white! They're sweet, they're bitter or they're both! They're smooth or textured, and they can even can say your name, or show someone a special message! You can even personalize them, so why not try chocolate making at home!

Homemade chocolates are excellent for parties and they can help make your ordinary days quite special. It's easy and really fun to do! With just a few ingredients and five simple and exciting steps, you can make homemade chocolates to be proud of.

We need bulk chocolate that you can buy in any grocery store. You don't need a particular brand. Just choose any chocolate bars you or your kids love. We also need small cake cases, some candy and nuts, fruits, chocolate wafers or anything you want to mix or add to your chocolates, inside or out.

So now, let's get on our aprons and begin this enjoyable experience.

Prepare the ingredients. You can buy them or you can use your kids' chocolate bars left in the fridge. Grab some sprinkles from your kitchen and have everything set on a clean table.

Melt the chocolate. Hmm. Smells good. Sounds tempting. But please, do not be tempted! Resist putting your fingers in the mixture and licking them off! Remember, we are making homemade chocolates. Once melted, you can add some candy and nuts, chopped strawberries or blueberries or anything else to add more texture, flavor and individuality.

Pour the chocolate into a candy mold or small cases like an ice case or a small Tupperware. You can shape the chocolate by using chocolate molds, just remember to be quick to pour the chocolate mixture into the mold before it starts to set. You can now add sprinkles on top of the chocolate, like marshmallows, small stars or anything your imagination can come up with.

Place the chocolate in the fridge. Cool it there for about an hour.

Take the chocolates out of the cases or molds, and wrap them in chocolate wrappers or you can put them altogether in a bowl. Wow! Now it's chocolate-eating time!
Chocolates made at home make amazing treats for your friends and kids. It's a special feeling to eat anything that has been especially made for you, and chocolates are perhaps one of the most delicious of all tastes!

How To Make Chocolate Truffles Out Of Leftover Cake..

Fancy having home made truffles that are freshly made? You can make them yourself. Easily.
There are many ways to make your own chocolate truffles.
For example, if you have left over cake, you can turn that old cake into chocolate truffles.
This is a fun activity for the kids, to keep them out of mischief. Make sure they wash their hands thoroughly before they start.
You will need.
Leftover cake.
A large bar of your favourite chocolate.
Chopped nuts.
Kids Kitchen Activities - Making Chocolate Truffles
Crush up the cake into crumbs in a bowl. (The kids can do this)
Line a tray with baking paper.
Spread chopped nuts on the baking paper.
Melt chocolate. (You do this. Melt the chocolate on the high setting for 1 second in a microwave oven)
Pour the melted chocolate into the cake crumbs
Stir until thoroughly mixed. (Kids can do the mixing)
Wash and dry hands thoroughly. (Everyone, please do this if you don't want to get stomach upset.)
Shape the cake crumb chocolate mix into balls. (I'd bet this would be the kids' favourite activity)
Roll these balls in chopped nuts. (Let the kids do this too.)
Let the truffle balls set on the lined tray.
Serve to anyone who loves chocolate truffles.
You can make variations to this recipe with flavourings and chocolate syrup. Here's another version of cake chocolate truffles.
How to make flavoured chocolate truffles
Here's another version, using a melon scoop instead of your hands to form the truffle balls.
Leftover cake
A large bar of your favourite chocolate.
Peppermint flavouring or vanilla essence.
Rainbow sprinkles.
Crush up the cake into crumbs in a bowl.
Line a tray with baking paper.
Melt chocolate. Melt the chocolate on the high setting for 1 second in a microwave oven. Stir to make sure it is fully melted. If it is still solid, microwave it for another 1 second on high setting.
Pour the melted chocolate into the cake crumbs
Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint essence or vanilla essence, whichever flavour you prefer.
Stir until thoroughly mixed. (Kids can do the mixing)
Scoop up a ball of truffle mix.
Use a teaspoon to ease that ball out of the melon scoop and onto the tray.
Sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the truffle balls.
Let the truffle balls set on the lined tray.
Serve to anyone who loves chocolate truffles.

Top 5 Trends in Chocolate in 2012

1. Dark chocolate combined with super fruits: Dark chocolate in itself has been proven to be "healthy". With its antioxidants it is said to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and help keep the cardiovascular system running properly. To make it even more desirable to health conscious consumers it is being combined with super fruits that also contain these antioxidants.

2. Artisan Chocolates: These chocolates are true works of art. Homemade treasures. They are not the chocolate that is poured into a heart mold and popped out. The cocoa is selected for aroma and texture. It is quality versus quantity. The chocolates are hand decorated or filled with high quality ingredients. Some look too good to bite into.

3. Salt in Chocolate: Sea Salt from around the world has become a specialty food. Gourmet chocolate bars, truffles, wafers are all being sprinkled with finishing salts. Salts from all around the world are being used. Pink salt looks beautiful on white chocolate. The flavor is unique that satisfies both the sweet and salty craving.

4. Chocolate covered tropical fruit: Strawberries are not the only fruit for dipping anymore. These gourmet chocolates bring you to the islands. They are sweet and tangy. Varieties include coconut, orange, passion fruit, and guava. You can hear the ocean when you bite into them. You can hear the breezes of a tropical rainforest.

5. Spicy: Hot! Hot! Hot! Chocolates are combing spicy jalapenos, chili powder, and smoky chipotles to name a few. As you smell the aroma and chew into the creamy chocolate the spice is the last to come. It is an eye opening surprise. You may want to have a big glass of milk on the side.