All the hype about toothpaste

When you start living in developed countries, you automatically start getting influenced with many things which never crossed your mind before like a toothpaste. These days it is so much hype that whether to use a fluoride-based toothpaste or not. Thing is that fluoride is very good for protecting against the cavity but recently it has been found neurotoxic.

When we buy the toothpaste, it should not only clean the teeth but it should be compatible with the gums. It should not be harsh on our gum tissues. As it is found that some teeth whitening toothpaste may irritate the gum tissues.

Enamel protection: Don't use too much abrasive toothpaste.

Plaque, if not treated on time, can turn into Tartar. It damages the enamel and forms the cavities and if left untreated may lead to gum diseases.

It is very important to see the contents like recently I bought the Ratanhia-Zahncreme from the Waleda. Ratanhia is a natural medicinal plant, which is rich in tannins, and can help in reducing inflammation and pus.

Antiseptic mouthwashes

Health System in Foreign Countries

One thing that I have feared the most while living in Europe and North America is getting sick on weekends. As all the walk-in clinics and drug stores are closed on weekends and in the evenings. So, it is always better to keep some common medicines at home all the time:

1. Paracetamol(Acetaminophen) 500 mg: For pain and fever
2. Analgesic(drug to relieve pain): Ibuprofen(Advil);acetaminophen(brand name Tylenol);aspirin
3. Cough syrups
4. Ibrufen 200 MG : For pain, fever, and inflammation
5. Crocin: for cold and flu
6. Anti-acid: omee
7. Band-aid
8. Skin plaster: Micropore company

Though it does not mean that no health care is available on weekend, surely it is, but pretty expensive as you need to go to the emergency. Also, countries like Canada, in an emergency, you may need to wait for many hours before you get to see the doctor and it becomes a frustrating experience sometime. 

I also get to know about Spagyric tinctures in Europe.

Cosmetics: Skin Care

When it comes to skincare, I prefer natural cosmetics. This is because our skin is semi-permeable, therefore even things applied tropically can penetrate deeper into the skin.
Ingredients of the product are also important to notice.

1. Antioxidants like Cranberry with Vitamin C, Vitamin E helps to stop the oxidative damage of the skin, and hence the premature aging.
2. Argon oil keeps skin moisturized.
3. Honey: It is a natural Humectant i.e. retain or preserves moisture.
4. Phytocollagen: for smoothening of wrinkles
5. Hyaluronic Acid: To make our skin look plump and fresh because it retains moisture.
6. Saccharide Isomerate: Carbohydrates to make skin hydrating.
7. Vitamin D3: A superior moisturizer that uniquely helps balance the skin's moisture level.
8. Niacinamide: It improves skin elasticity, and increases ceramide levels in skin.
9. Glycolic acid: It gently exfoliates and lightens discoloration.
10. Retinol: It is also known as Vitamin A and is an antioxidant, it reduces inflammation.
11. Retinoids: Topical Vitamin A: reduces fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen and new blood vessels. 

Prefer to buy the skin products with the following specifications:

1. Free of Mineral oils
2. No Sulfates
3. Paraben-free(parabens are basically preservative that prevents bacteria)
4. Paraffins free
5. Silicon free
6. Aluminum Free: No Aluminum in antiperspirants that keeps you dry: As aluminum has been found to link with Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer.
7. without artificial flavors
8. without synthetic fragrances
9. No Dyes
10. No preservatives
11. No Nanotechnology use
12. No Animal testing
13. vegetarian, vegan and only natural ingredients. It would be best if it is certified by Vegan.
14. No propylene glycol in deodorant.   
15. No Phthalates: A plasticizing chemical for better pliability and flexibility, usually used in nail polish, fragnances and hair sprays.
16. No Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs): it is used as a thickener and solvent

Products for skincare:

1. Day creams
2. Night cream or sleeping cream
3. Massage oils for better blood circulation; to keep the muscles warm and flexible

Terminology:

1. Non-comedogenic: a skin-care product or cosmetic that is specially formulated so as not to cause blocked pores.

Brands

1. Lavera
2. Weleda
3. Arad
4. Neutrogena

Pregnancy: Old wives' tales

There are certain fruits that one should avoid during pregnancy like papaya and pineapple because they may induce labor pain or cause miscarriage.

Infancy: Zincovit Drops are very popular for the infants and ensures infection free infancy. I did not have any idea that infants do need to take the multivitamins and minerals until a friend of mine requested me to bring a bottle of Zincovit drops for her daughter.

One should not drink green tea while pregnant because green tea has too much of caffeine in it.

Montessori Mama

Why life is so challenging

We read and talk so much about positivity and empowerment, the grass is always greener on the other side, blah blah blah, does that really encourage us. Sometimes, we fear that we must not lose hope in the tough time, sometimes we fear for our closed ones that they should not give up in the challenging times. It reminds me of the Bollywood movie Sainik, which portrays this thing so eloquently.

We have made our world so structured, those who do not conform to this structure seem left out. When humanity started its journey, it was all about survival. Things developed, progress happened, science, business and economy boomed, but I wonder what was for this all progress.

I agree medical science is so advance, so have become our health conditions so complicated. Social media has grown exceptionally, so is the case for depression and loneliness. Our life has comfort, but no security, no peace of mind. Air, land, oceans, space, everything seems compromised. There is so much pollution everywhere, not only our physical world, rather our spiritual and religious world has also become corrupted and shallow.

Another thing is that we always keep thinking either about the past or future and it keeps our mind always occupied. As our body needs rest, our mind also needs rest. And, meditation is one such tool that keeps our mind relaxed and gives us control over our own thoughts so that we can keep the negative or unwanted thoughts at bay.

Ayurveda

The basis of Ayurveda is balancing of Vat, Pit and Kafa dosha.
Depression and syndromes are the most commonly heard term these days. In this series, I will consolidate all the information I have heard or read various sources, books, magazines, newspapers, and youtube or the internet.

Vat dosha symptoms:

1. When our body is too dry and cold.

Weather: I always heard that winter's gloomy weather affects our mood. But, knowing this much is not enough. Then, I pondered little further and came to know that it has a proper scientific grounding behind it. In winters, days are shorts, dry, cold, all these environmental conditions exaggerate the Vata dosha in the body. Due to this, we also start feeling gloomy i.e. difficult to fall asleep, feeling worried, irregular digestion, etc. It again confirms the point that our body and mind are connected.  

Depression:
When something bothers us or compels us to overthink over something, and we find ourselves kind of paralyze to take any action, nothing motivates or excites us, then this causes stress and may lead towards depression.

According to Ayurveda, when our body has vata dosha i.e. too much air, then it leads towards the brain. Too much thinking makes our brain dry and tensions the brain muscles, and finally causes depression. Depression can happen to anyone, it is a myth that only grown-ups are caught into the trap of depression. Teen depression is not uncommon these days. So, a good head massage is very helpful for rejuvenating our brain's nerve system as well as 3 drops of Almond oil into the nostrils.

Ek anar so bimar: Anar is tridosh nashak i.e it could be used for curing vat, pita or kaph dosha. However, it is cold in nature and also should be avoided by people who already are suffering from loose-motions.

My experiments with Swimming and Bicycling

I learned swimming a decade ago and now I am revising my skills on my own and with friends by practicing in the lake or pond. I will keep you updated step by step process which I followed and observed while these practice sessions.

1. Sculling: keep your palms open and all fingers held close to each other without any gap. Move your hands at 45 degrees under the water without disturbing the surface. The wrist should straight and stiff, without any bend.
2. Floating on your back: do the skulling, keep in mind do not disturb the water surface. and keep your toes together and pointed out.
3. flutter kick: toes pointed out and kicking one after another. The only foot can come out while kicking, but knees should always be underwater. Hands should be up backward and touch the ears, this is called the streamline position. 
4. Lungs filled with air always add to the buoyancy
5. For back float: bring your shoulder blades back, tighten your stomach, engage your rib-cage. ear in the water
6. finning:
7.  Eggbeater kick: circling the water with legs, one leg in clockwise direction and another in anticlockwise direction.

When you are beginner learning swimming, you might need the assistance of some personal floating devices (PFD) like a kick-board, floating dumbles etc.

When you go swimming in the pool or in open waters like a lake, sea, ocean, then there are a few things that we need to understand:

1. There might be a water snake
2. If there are green or blue fungi on the surface of the open water like a lake, so avoid better going into it.
3. If the pool is not clean and clear, not go swimming in it.
4. If the outside temperature is very high, so there is a high probability that the water in the open pool or lake would be equally warm, and it attracts some kind of flies, so better avoid going into the water.

Bicycling: When you are in Europe, you need to experience the riding the bicycle. And, if you are in Switzerland which is surrounded by the Alps and small hills here and there, then a bicycle with gears is a must.

Exercising and gym

Being healthy not only makes you look and feel good, it is the gateway to a happy life. There are various ways that can keep you healthy and happy.

1. Walking/Hiking/Trekking
2. Running/Jogging
3. Exercising in the gym
4. Cycling/biking
5. Sports
6. Swimming
7. Strength training
8. muscle training
9. weight training
10. resistance training
11. dumbles
12.  Pilates: muscle relaxation and strengthening
13. PIIT(Pilates intense interval training)
14. Yoga: muscle flexibility
15. BBP(belly, legs, buttocks)
16. CX WorX: An efficient workout that strengthens the entire trunk area and activates the deep muscles.
17. kickboxing/TosoX
18. BodyPump
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