The Brunette Diaries

10 health benefits of different types of tea

Tea is an aromatic beverage that is well known for health benefits that it provides. Many people drink tea for pure health reasons while many others drink because of their addiction to it. Tea has less caffeine compared to coffee, and doctors from across the globe recommend the habit of drinking tea regularly.

Tea leaves can be a solution to various beauty problems also. Here are 10 beauty benefits that tea leaves offer.

Goodbye puffy eyes

Working overtime can give you puffy eyes. And, what if you have an important function to attend? How much concealer can you apply to make your eyes look normal? This is when tea leaves come to the rescue. Take two tea bags and soak them in warm water. Place the soaked tea bags on your closed eyes for 20 minutes. Tea leaves have natural astringent known as tannins which reduce the puffiness and removes dark circles under your eyes.

Sunburns can be handled as well

Many women worry about sunburns after their long summer holidays. Well, the good news is tea leaves help to provide relief to your sunburned skin. Put some tea leaves in your bath water and let your body soak in its goodness. This is will be the best solution for your itchy skin.

Lose excess weight in a jiffy

Studies prove that green tea drinkers lose weight faster than those who don’t. Also, green tea helps to balance the body weight after a period of weight loss. It also boosts your metabolism and helps in relieving digestion problems. So, why wait? Sip a cup of green tea whenever you get time and stay fit.

Quick solution to acne problems

Based on its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea is the best solution for acne problems. Rub moist tea leaves on your face before going to bed, and drink green tea every day morning. This will take care of your skin by getting rid of your troublesome acne and gives a natural glow to your face.

Protect your skin

Green tea helps in skin tightening and anti-ageing. Why waste time on botox when green tea can make you look younger day-by-day? Mix water, white sugar and green tea to prepare a scrub. This acts as a cleanser and helps to moisturize your skin by increasing the hydrating levels, thus exfoliating the skin.

Tea does magic to your hair as well

Tea is a good conditioner for dry and frizzy hair. Rub some freshly brewed tea (unsweetened) on your hair and allow it to dry before you rinse it off. Also, you can add some rosemary and sage (medicinal herb) to black tea and leave it over night. Strain the mixture and rub it on your hair for positive results.

Adios stinky feet

Many people do not approve of the idea of removing their socks only because of the foul smell that their feet emit. You don’t have to worry anymore as green tea leaves provide the best solution. Soak your feet in strongly brewed green tea for 20 minutes. It helps to close the pores that release sweat. Now you can walk indoors without any fear of being the one with smelly feet.

Tea leaves can control gum bleeding

By pressing moistened tea bags on your bleeding gums and applying pressure for 20 minutes, you can easily control the bleeding and pain. Tea leaves are known for their refreshing mouthwash properties as well. So, now you can make your own homemade mouthwash.

Calm yourself with tea leaves

Studies prove that tea leaves reduce stress in our mind and body. Stuff your pillow with sundried tea leaves and sew it. The fragrance gives a relaxed feeling and also helps to get rid of your body odour. These tea leaves can get soggy easily, therefore, sun drying them frequently is essential. They also help to reduce blood pressure and headache.

Charm each other with a cup of tea

Green tea contains caffeine, ginseng, L-thiamine which is known to have positive effect on sexual drive, especially on women. Pouring each other a cup of tea can initiate some romance between any couple. In this way, there is a chance of impressing each other, especially the newlyweds.

Now, who wouldn’t want a cup of tea when it provides heaps of benefits to stay young and fit?

Benefits of drinking green tea

Green tea has become a popular drink all around the world because of its immense health benefits. It has been proved that green tea drinkers have a healthier circulation system than most others. It isn’t that difficult to make yourself a cup of green tea, and its benefits will surely make the effort worthwhile.

Anti-aging

Green tea contains an antioxidant that fight against free radicals. This means that it fights against aging and promotes longevity.

Weight loss

Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism naturally. It is believed to burn around 70 calories per day which adds ups to four kilograms per year.

Heart disease

It prevents heart disease by lowering the level of cholesterol. It prevents cell death and speeds up the recovery of damaged heart cells.

Cancer

It helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is hundred times more effective than vitamin C and 24 times more effective than vitamin E. This helps in protecting your cells from damage linked to cancerous formations.

Skin

As in the case of anti-aging, the antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the action of free radicals, which cause damage to the skin. Green tea also helps to fight against skin cancer.

Diabetes

It improves lipid and glucose metabolism. It also prevents sharp increases in blood sugar levels and balances your metabolism rate.

Cholesterol

Green tea helps to lower cholesterol levels. It also helps in improving the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol by reducing the latter.

There are countless benefits of green tea which make it a must-have in today’s health risk world. Make sure you do what you can to maintain good health and drinking a cup of tea is the least effort you can put in to facilitate proper health.

For The Tea Lovers: Our Favourite Chai Recipes With A Twist

We Indians love our tea, actually, we Indians love our chai. Just like the west where the day does not begin without a cup coffee, in India no day can begin effectively without a cup of chai. We make plain tea, pudina tea, cinnamon tea, cardamom tea, ginger tea and so on. But, have you ever tried chocolate tea or vanilla tea perhaps? Now you can! Try out these amazing chai recipes and give your regular chai a lovely twist.

Also read: 10 Health Benefits Of Different Types Of Tea

Chocolate Chai

Chocolate and chai, two of our favourite things, together, in one drink. How can we not love this concoction?

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

½ stick cinnamon (dalchini)

1 clove (laung)

1 heapful teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)

2 teaspoons brown sugar or white sugar

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Chocolate shavings/cocoa powder (optional)

Method:

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the cinnamon, clove, tea powder and sugar.

Bring this to a boil. Add the cocoa powder and stir with a spoon ensuring no lumps are formed.

Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer stirring occasionally. Once completely heated, strain into a glass or cup. Top it with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder. Serve hot.

Vanilla Chai

The vanilla extract gives this chai recipe an irresistible aroma and silky smooth taste.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

2 cloves cardamom (elaichi)

2 teaspoons white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Whipped cream (optional)

All spice powder (garam masala) (optional)

Method:

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Crush the cardamom pods in a mortar-pestle.

Add the crushed cardamom, tea powder and sugar.

Bring to a boil. Add the milk and vanilla extract. Stir occasionally.

Once heated, strain into a glass or cup. Top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a light sprinkle of all spice powder. Serve hot.

Also read: Benefits Of Drinking Green Tea

Orange Chai

We never thought chai could be made more refreshing than it already is, but with the addition of orange, it’s even more awakening and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

½ stick cinnamon (dalchini)

1 small orange zest

2 teaspoons honey or white sugar

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Sliced orange (optional)

1 stick cinnamon (optional)

All spice powder (garam masala) (optional)

Method

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the cinnamon, tea powder, orange zest and sugar.

Bring to a boil. Add the milk and stir occasionally.

Once, the milk has boiled, turn off the heat and strain into a glass or cup.

Garnish with sliced orange and cinnamon stick if desired. You can also sprinkle a little all spice powder around the rim. Serve hot.

What are you waiting for! A true chai lover would definitely give these delectable chai recipes a try. Are you one of them?

Here’s What Breakfast Looks Like Around The Globe

Breakfast Feast – Photographed on Hasselblad H3D2-39mb Camera

What’s the most important meal of the day? BREAKFAST! Keeping us healthy and sharp. But breakfast foods vary wildly from place to place. Americans are kinda obsessed with breakfast, to the point where we sometimes eat it for every meal of the day. Except for breakfast actually, as we overslept. All around the world, people eat comforting, filling meals to start their day. For some countries, breakfast means runny poached eggs with thick Greek yogurt and pita, and for others, chocolate-filled pastries. So, let’s take a look at what country is eating what:

1) America

The country obsessed with breakfast. Here people are either have cereals or eggs and toasts. Nothing more, nothing less! And let’s not forget their coffee.

2) Portuguese

Salted cod, egg, and potato baked casserole

3) China

A typical breakfast in eastern China can include items like dumplings, rice in vegetable soup, fried sponge cake, steamed creamy custard bun, and porridge.

4) Iran

In Iran a typical breakfast consists of sweet black tea, bread, butter, feta cheese, and sometimes fresh fruit and nuts.

5) France

French breakfast includes tea, coffee, juice, or hot chocolate, with bread and butter or pastries.

6) Australia

Australians love Vegemite enough to eat it every day. They also eat a lot of fruit and sometimes indulge in a full English breakfast.

7) Brazil

They love strong coffee and plate of ham, cheese, and bread to begin the day.

8) England

The fortifying English breakfast includes eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, mushrooms, and cooked tomato and tea of course!

9) India

India varies by region, but often you’ll find a tray like this one, crowded with chutneys, dips, and bread like dosa, roti, or idli.

10) Italy

No, they don’t eat pizza and pasta for breakfast! Many Italians begin their day with a cappuccino and brioche slathered with jam or stuffed with chocolate.

Which country’s breakfast would you like to try? 😛

Foods that can cool you down this summer

The summer can be unforgiving these days. We wonder if the sun is pissed off. While we can’t do anything to change the sun’s mood, we can at least do something to cool ourselves down after a hot day. Let us look at some foods that can help you cool down this summer.

Watermelon

With a high percentage of water, this fruit is healthy, cooling and refreshing as well. It contains a mere 50 calories per cup, so it clearly isn’t stacking on your calorie count if you are one who takes special care of that. Watermelon has immense health benefits, and having it as an excuse to cool off is a wonderful idea. Not to mention it is tasty too.

Yogurt

Yogurt is healthy, filling and will help cool you down on a hot and humid day. Be it frozen yogurt or just the usual one, yogurt can be a healthy and cooling breakfast, lunch dessert or evening snack.

Cucumber

Besides being used to cool off your skin on application, cucumbers can cool off your body as well. Cucumbers keep the body hydrated, and help in digestion as well, all of which is of utmost importance to brace yourself against a hot summer day.

Ice tea

The thought of tea on a hot summer day is frightening at times. But what if it is ice tea? Try this over the normal tea you are accustomed to, to ensure that you aren’t dehydrated. Switch out your hot morning tea for a glass of chilled iced tea, instead.

Salads

Green leafy vegetables with a sprinkle of olive oil can be a great way to indulge in a meal without the fear of it being heaty. Salads can leave you feeling cool and energized before or after a meal, as a meal, or even as an evening snack.

So if you are looking to cool down those struggling and sweaty pores that have been working all day while you were outside, this is a cool way. Yeah, it’s a cool way!

These 6 Food Are Directly Linked To Cancer And Everyone Should Be Aware Of It!

You already know that certain foods are bad for your waistline and heart, but recent research confirms that junk food and other culprits may up your risk for cancer, too. There are plenty of reasons to improve the quality of your diet, but researchers have recently confirmed that lowering your risk of developing certain types of cancer may be the best reason of all. Here’s what you need to know.

1) Pickles

Fermented foods have grown popular lately because they’re said to have digestive benefits thanks to their supply of healthy bacteria. But some preliminary research suggests that their high salt content may be linked to stomach cancer.

2) Barbeque

High intake of meat, particularly well-cooked meat, has been associated with increased risk of cancers! The problem seems to be that cooking meat on a grill leads to the production of carcinogenic compounds known as PAHs. Essentially, the mouthwatering char marks on a flame-broiled burger or steak are the sign of chemicals that may not be as good for you as they taste.

3) Alcohol

When it comes to alcohol, it’s more about quantity than quality. There are strong links to increased risk of cancer with moderate to high alcohol intake. That’s why experts recommend no more than one serving of alcohol—the equivalent of a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce serving of wine, or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor per day for women; men can double those servings on account of their higher body weight.

4) Microwave Popcorn

Often, microwavable popcorn bags are lined with a nonstick coating that contains PFOA, a chemical that has been shown in animal studies to increase the risk of liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancers, among others. Popping your own may take longer but is worth the trouble. Some brands offer alternative liners, too.

5) Canned Tomatoes And Sauce

Manufacturers use bisphenol A (BPA) in certain kinds of plastics and—until recently—the linings of cans used for canned goods. The problem? BPA can interfere with the body’s natural production of sex hormones, upping the risk for breast and prostate cancer. Because of their high acidity, tomatoes tend to leach the chemical from the can lining, making them a much more concentrated source of BPA.

6) Hot Beverages

There’s been a lot of debate over this because coffee and tea have other health advantages. Recently, the World Health Organization removed coffee from its list of potential carcinogens. But there is still evidence suggesting that serving beverages at 149° F or higher could elevate the risk of esophageal cancer, which is deadly.