Hair masks don’t cost a fortune but they have wonderful (short as well as long term) effects on your hair and scalp It doesn’t matter how promising a store-bought hair mask is, it cannot beat the hair masks that our moms and our grand-moms told us about (but we have been too lazy to try!)! I have summed up my 5 all-time favorite DIY hair masks. Try one of these tonight, and I promise your hair will thank you for it!
If I am not out and If I am not procrastinating then there’s a pretty decent chance you’d find me at home, preparing DIY hair masks or face masks for my friends (Hello sustainable living and zero-waste lifestyle!). If it’s a food item, you can guarantee I’ve smeared it on my face/body/hair—which means I’m also totally aware of what ingredients work and what ingredients I dare not touch! Trust me when I say there are many, many horrible recipes out there on the internet (We have all seen influencers dancing and swearing by Baking Soda for skincare. *grunts*) that are crap and I wouldn’t even bother to test them out. So, to save you from a probable hair disaster, save this blog post and share it with someone to show that you care for them **cough it would be a great conversation starter cough**
Want to smoothen that dry and frizzy hair? Then prepare this hair mask that will make your hair soft and lustrous. This hair mask works better for every hair, mainly beneficial for dry and frizzy hair.
You need:
Very Ripe Banana
Yogurt – 4-5 teaspoon
Honey – 2 teaspoon
Olive or Almond Oil- 1 teaspoon
Instructions:
Ensure that the banana is very ripe (next time, don’t throw bananas when they turn black!) Mash it in a blender till it becomes thick paste-like.
Mix Yogurt, Honey, and your choice of Oil to this paste.
Apply this hair mask to moist hair from top to bottom.
Tie your hair up and you may cover it using a shower cap.
Leave it on for 30 minutes.
Then, wash as usual.
Hair Mask for Oily Hair
If you have oily hair that gets greasy after 1-2 days, this mask is for you.
You need:
Besan
Methi seeds
Coconut milk
Instructions:
Soak Methi seeds overnight, next day grind them.
Mix it with Besan and Coconut.
Apply it to the scalp and massage.
Let it sit for 30 minutes then wash as usual.
Multitasking Mask Hero!
As the name suggests, this hair mask is a multitasking mask then will make your hair shiny, smooth, remove dandruff and this also helps in controlling hair fall. Don’t be overwhelmed by the list of ingredients, this hair mask works like a wonder and you wouldn’t regret the efforts you’ll put into preparing it!
You need:
Onion Juice
Honey
Yogurt
Curry Leaves
Cinnamon
Castor Oil
Instructions:
Mix Onion juice, Honey, Castor Oil, and Yoghurt.
Grind and make a paste of curry leaves.
Mix everything, add a pinch of cinnamon
Apply to the scalp, then from roots to end.
Wash as usual
Hair mask to Boost Hair Growth
If you are experiencing unusual hair fall, then this is what you should go for. Remember, a good diet, proper sleep, and exercise play huge importance, and then comes what you do externally with your hair.
You need:
Aloe Vera Gel (natural is preferred else go for good quality if store-bought aloe gel)
Castor Oil
Indian Gooseberry (fresh or powder)
Brahmi powder
Black seed
Methi or Fenugreek seeds
Instructions:
Soak overnight black seeds and fenugreek seeds.
Grind and make a paste of it.
Mix the liquid ingredients.
Apply to the scalp and then from the roots to the ends.
Leave it for 40 minutes and then wash as usual
Hair Mask for hair fall
One more mask for hair fall, this one doesn’t need a lot of ingredients like the previous one.
A. Ideally, a hair mask should be applied once a week. However, if your hair is very dry and greasy, you can start using it more than once but pay attention to how your hair behaves after using a hair mask. Choosing the right ingredients for your hair type is everything.
Q. How long should I keep hair masks for?
A. Preferably, keep hair masks till they get absorbed (30+ minutes). However, if you feel your hair is very dry and unhealthy, you can use it for 40+ minutes. On the other hand, if your hair is in good condition, you can use it for 10-15 minutes as well.
Q. How do I select the hair masks?
A. Select a Hair mask according to your hair type. You should identify what your hair needs the most and choose a mask according to it.
If you are someone who enjoys home remedies and DIY masks then don’t miss these posts. Hope you enjoyed reading it and do let me know if you are looking for something specific.
Let’s talk about Investing in Cryptocurrency In the UAE but before that, let’s understand what Cryptocurrency means. You may be familiar with the most popular versions, Bitcoin and Ethereum, but there are more than 4,000 different cryptocurrencies in circulation. In simple terms, cryptocurrency is decentralized digital money, based on blockchain technology. Part of the appeal of this technology is its security. You can use crypto to buy goods and services, although many people invest in cryptocurrencies as they would in other assets. While cryptocurrency is an interesting asset class, buying it is risky and you must take on a fair amount of research to fully understand how each system wors
Investing in Cryptocurrency In the UAE
Many companies have announced their cryptocurrencies, often called tokens, and these can be exchanged specifically for the good or service that the company provides. Think of them as you would arcade tokens or casino chips. You’ll need to exchange real currency for the cryptocurrency to access the good or service.
Investing in Bitcoin In the UAE?
UAE was also unknown and unfamiliar with cryptocurrency until 2018 when the country made investing in Cryptocurrency in the UAE legal. The move was welcomed by all and sundry and soon investing in Cryptocurrency in the UAE saw a trend like never before. The Dubai Blockchain Strategy envisions making Dubai one of the first cities to entirely adopt blockchain technology and even integrate it in government effectiveness. Today, UAE cryptocurrency is actively becoming part of the global trend. To become a pioneer in blockchain technology, the UAE has launched the UAE Blockchain Strategy 2021, according to which 50% of government transactions will be conducted using blockchain technology by 2021. To safeguard the interest of the people who are investing in cryptocurrency in the UAE and to prevent any dubious activity, the government has already started taking the necessary precautionary steps.
How to invest in Cryptocurrency in the UAE?
While there are plenty of platforms available to buy and transact in cryptocurrency in the UAE, the one that I personally trust and I find extremely user friendly is BitOasis You can create an account for free by clicking here.
Final Words
Talking about the future of investing in cryptocurrency in the UAE, the UAE landscape is very favourable for blockchain and cryptocurrencies and hence the authorities are increasingly contemplating organizing such business activities and attending to the market demands and protecting the interests of consumers, businesses, and investors.
Hope you found this article useful and do not forget to check more tips/tricks and suggestions here.
Are you interested in contributing an article to this blog? I am so excited to welcome contributors to share their guest posts on World With Maria. This is a growing site about travel, food, tips, adventures, reviews, experiences, tips and this blog is becoming an informational resource for everyone. I am now inviting bloggers, writers, students, travel/food enthusiasts, to contribute.
Please remember, that I am looking for quality guest posts – articles that would help the audience. If you are a company wanting to promote your product/service on the page, then feel free to contact us separately (via WorldWithMaria@gmail.com.com)
Guidelines:
The article must be submitted as a Ms Word file and sent via email.
At the end of the article mention the keyword(s).
It should be your unique work. An article that wasn’t and won’t be published anywhere else. Please do not submit copy-pasted writeups.
The guest posts must have more than 1000 words.
Please attach a minimum of 3 (about 1024x800px) pictures that are either yours or stock photos.
You can add 1 link to your blog/page within the post, add links to useful resources (like Wikipedia, official websites of restaurants, museums, etc.) and other pages on my blog (worldwithmaria.com)
Please go to the website www.worldwithmaria.com and see the content to get an idea of the category your article will fit in and mention it at the beginning of the article ((above the heading).
Try to make the guest posts very interesting for the target audience. It should also be useful and engaging so that people would like to read it further (the better the quality, the more value of the link for your site).
The rights to edit your post are reserved if it doesn’t match the guidelines or blog.
Once the guest posts are published, they become the property of World with Maria.
Please Note: If your article has links that lead to business/commercial websites, then please get in touch for details.
Optional: A short bio feature of yourself at the bottom of the post, and link back to your Social Media accounts or other blogs you own.
Still, lost on the topic? Pitch me your idea and send an email so we can discuss it further.
More and more of us are enjoying the benefits of shopping online. It’s easy and convenient; there’s no need to leave your sofa! Deliveries are fast too, with some retailers now offering same-day delivery. Plus, it’s a socially distant and COVID-19-safe way of making your necessary purchases. With some great credit card offers out there, online shopping is booming.
But is it safe? The answer is yes, as long as you take some simple precautions and know the dos and don’ts of online shopping. Read on to find out all you need to know about keeping your funds safe and secure when making online purchases, as well as three crucial steps that credit card companies are taking to ensure your protection.
How could safety be compromised?
To use your credit card, fraudsters don’t necessarily need to have the card in their hands. They can still use your card if they know enough about it. Here are the different ways they can find your details:
By stealing your card
Some thieves still use the old-fashioned way of taking your card from your bag, pocket or car. Making purchases online does not require a PIN, so once they have your card, they have everything they need to use it. It is also possible to steal a credit card by intercepting it in the mail.
By intercepting your information
Some fraudsters find out all they need to know by taking your information when you use the card yourself. Opportunistic criminals may overhear you giving credit card details over the phone or possibly even watch over your shoulder when you pay for something online. Details can also be intercepted online. This can be done through spyware on shared or public computers or through a non-secure public Wi-Fi connection.
By finding your credit card information
It is sometimes also possible to take advantage of old receipts. Fraudsters may find enough information on these to make purchases online or over the phone. Some people have also been victims of credit card fraud when they’ve given their card details to a trusted person via email but then have had their account hacked. Alternatively, hackers can fraudulently use online accounts where you have auto-stored card details.
By skimming your details
The criminal act of skimming involves planting a device in a cash machine. This collects and stores details from cards used by their rightful owners. The criminals use these details to make online or telephone purchases later.
Credit card companies- How they are working to protect you
When you consider the ways thieves operate, owning a credit card might suddenly feel a little daunting. Do not fear, however, because credit card companies work very hard to stay one step ahead of criminals and to be able to offer secured online shopping.
Here are some of the sophisticated techniques they use to counteract fraudsters.
24/7 Monitoring:
Rest assured that credit card companies are continually monitoring your card use. State-of-the-art technology can immediately flag transactions that seem unusual. They’ll spot if your card is used in a strange location, if your card is being used to make an unusually large purchase, or if it is being used for a high volume of purchases. Your bank will then immediately be in contact with you to check that it is you making the purchases. Thieves can be halted very quickly this way.
2. Card Verification Codes (CVC):
CVC codes are frequently needed to make online and telephone purchases. The CVC code is the number printed on the back of your card within the signature strip. It can help prevent fraud because a person must have the card in their presence to be able to complete the transaction. Merchants are forbidden to store CVC codes by global banking standards, which increases their protective power.
3. 3D Secure Authentication
This is a system used by both Mastercard (Mastercard Securecode) and Visa (Verified by Visa). It offers another layer of protection to users of their cards. 3D Secure Authentication asks users to complete an extra step to prove their identity. When you make an online payment, you may be redirected to a secure web page belonging to your credit card provider. Here, you will need to fill in a one-time code sent to your previously registered phone number. If this is entered correctly, then you are returned to the retailer’s page to complete your transaction.
How you can help keep your account safe and secure
Banks and credit companies work hard to keep their customers safe and to prevent fraud. However, there are still some steps card users can and should take to make sure online shopping is as safe as possible.
Here are 12 quick and easy tips for taking action:
Review your account regularly to make sure all transactions have been initiated by you.
Always know where your card is so if it is stolen, you realise as soon as possible.
Never send emails, social media messages or texts that contain your card details.
Do your online or telephone shopping in a private place where you can’t be overheard or overlooked by strangers.
Alert your credit card company if a new card is slow to arrive.
Never write down PINs and passwords or store them on your phone.
Keep credit card receipts in a safe place and always shred them before discarding them.
Do not use public or shared computers or public Wi-Fi for online transactions.
Regularly update your firewall, as well as your antivirus and anti-spyware software.
Destroy old cards by cutting these into small pieces and always through the magnetic strip.
Resist the temptation to store your card details on merchant websites.
Always check if a website is secure before using it for online purchases.
Not sure how to check the security of a website? Here’s how.
How to check if a website is safe to buy from
Here are five tips for checking if a website is secure:
Look for the HTTPS at the beginning of the site’s URL. The “s” signifies it is certified as secure.
Check that the website has a privacy policy that details how it will use and store your information.
Look for a “trust seal” which shows that the website works with a security partner. You should be able to click on this image and be led to the security partner’s verification page.
Be aware of duplicated sites where a fraudster has imitated another site. These can sometimes be convincing, but more often are littered with mistakes and don’t look quite right.
Check that the website displays contact information.
When you use a reputable credit card company, you are in safe hands. Everything possible is being done to prevent fraud and protect your funds. Follow the advice above and you should be free to enjoy all the convenience and ease of online shopping without worries.
Hope you enjoyed reading the post, don’t forget to check some more interesting posts here.
AUTHOR BIO
Dr Bernd van Linder is the CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai. His comprehensive view of banking comes from a long career in treasury, risk management, and strategic operations — all essential aspects to leading an efficient and profitable bank. Over the decades, CBD has transformed into a progressive and modern banking institution, and today offers a full range of financial services to help customers build and manage their finances.
Free things to do in Dubai on your Birthday! Yea you heard that right! Celebrations don’t always mean that you have to spend money. Well as someone has rightly said, ‘If it’s Free, it’s even better!’ (Unleashing my inner Desi who loves Freebies!) *Wink-Wink* From free meals to free day pass, read on to know everything about Free things that you can do in Dubai on your birthday.
Free things to do in Dubai on your Birthday!
I believe birthdays are supposed to make you feel special and you need to spend the day doing whatever makes you happy (Well, shouldn’t you always be doing that?!) but often it is the price tag that comes along with ‘such things’ that stops us. So, I decided to prepare a ready-to-be-used post where you can find all the Free things to do in Dubai on your Birthday! I love to pamper myself every now and then, birthday or no birthday! But if it’s my birthday, then I double-check that I spend the entire week or so doing things that make me feel good. Now with this being said, we know the bill that comes along that “Feel Good” Factor! What if I told you there are so many free things that you can do on your birthday! Free meals, free desserts, free one day passes and lots more! Read on!
Wagamama
The Asian restaurant serves lip-smacking food and also has a chic and cosy ambience. Wagamama is treating anyone who is celebrating a birthday to a free main course at any of its Dubai restaurants. Birthday people can choose one main meal free of charge as a birthday treat. Guests can choose from some of Wagamama’s famous dishes. You must present a valid Emirates ID to claim the offer.
Location: Across all Wagamama restaurants in the UAE.
Offer: Free Main course
All’onda
Located in Kempinski, overlooking the calm sea, this restaurant will charm you with everything that it has got to offer. While talking about Free things to do in Dubai on your Birthday, this Italian restaurant concept All’onda cannot be left out. It is a great place to celebrate a birthday in style. You can enjoy a free brunch on your birthday when your friends dine in! This includes a six-course Italian set menu, as well as a buffet of fresh sushi, salads, and a beverage package that features classic beverages. (wow!) The birthday person must present a valid Emirates ID to claim the offer. And it has to be your birthday within 7 days of the date of brunch.
Offer: Free brunch when your friends dine in. Update: Please note that the restaurant is temporarily closed.
AB’s Absolute Barbecues
If you are in Dubai, I am sure you must either have come across this restaurant or heard about it. This grill place will give you a free meal on your birthday as well as a cake! Whether it is lunch or dinner, you get it for free if it is your birthday. Just always make sure you call ahead as it has a waitlist most of the times.
Location: Dubai Media City, Deira and Sheikh Zayed Road.
Offer: Free meal.
Paul’s Bakery
A very successful international brand, part of France’s culinary and cultural heritage, catering to the French way of life in its selection of bread, viennoiseries, pâtisseries, sandwiches, soups and salads, plus a selection of signature French dishes, Paul’s bakery needs no introduction. If you pass by any Paul on your birthday, you’ll get a free cake from the French bakery. Make sure you show them your ID card.
Location: All across the UAE.
Offer: Free cake.
Aquaventure
Who doesn’t love some aqua-therapy! Spend the day at this majestic water park in Dubai for free if you register your date of birth on the Aquaventure website and you’ll get a free day pass to this epic waterpark. The pass has to be used within a week of your birthday. Carry your ID proof while visiting the park.
Location: Atlantis, The Palm
Offer: Free one day pass.
Flair No5
Located, Flair No 5 in the Ritz Carlton, Dubai serves sumptuous Mediterranean food and has a breathtaking outdoor set-up. You can celebrate your birthday brunch here, and you’ll dine absolutely free – just be sure to let the team know while making your booking. Don’t forget to bring along your ID.
Location: Ritz-Carlton DIFC.
Offer: Free brunch
Marina Social
Marina Social will give you a free cake and a birthday card if it is your birthday all you need to do is just let the team at Marina Social know it’s your birthday when making your reservation. Plus, they’ll also give you a 20 per cent off voucher to use on your next visit! How cool is that!
Location: InterContinental Dubai Marina
Offer: Free cake and a card
Hope you found this useful and enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed jotting it down, don’t forget to check the latest blog post on some awesome hidden camping spots in Dubai here.
Hibiscus Tea and its health benefits. If you are tired of regular Green and Black tea, then Switch to Hibiscus Tea. In this post, learn everything about it and how to prepare this exotic tea that is loaded with health benefits.
Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
There was a time when a was a coffee addict, I was so addicted to my caffeine shots that I couldn’t work, couldn’t concentrate, in fact, couldn’t sleep without having my cup! And when I say Cup I mean a Big Fat cup! I wanted to break free from this habit and to do so I needed a substitute. For almost a year I have been religiously drinking my Green tea with mint and lately, I have been tired of the same old taste. I have also been reading a lot about the harmful effects of Tea Bags (Yes, those innocent-looking tiny white bags are considered to be harmful to your health!) This was a perfect time to shop around and look for a substitute and this is when I switched to Hibiscus Tea.
What is Hibiscus Tea?
I jumped from one Tea to another but nothing seemed to catch hold of my interest. This is when I decided to make my own fun tea! I bought loose green tea leaves, bought dried hibiscus petals (both are sold in almost all departmental stores in spices or tea section) Mixed these two in the ratio of 1:1 I bought a tea infuser and viola my new tea was ready!! Now let’s talk about the benefits.
Why Hibiscus Tea?
Prevents Hypertension
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Brings Down Blood Sugar Levels
Keeps Your Liver Healthy
Treats Menstrual Cramps
Treats Depression
Aids Digestion
Great for skin
Body Coolant
Weight Management
Anti-Ageing
Rich In Vitamin C
A Drink For All Seasons
Chemo-Preventive Effect
Is Vermifuge/Antibacterial and much more!
So, How does Hibiscus Tea taste like?!
It has a taste that is very similar to cranberry juice. It can definitely be described as tart, so you can add sugar or honey to increase the sweetness. Also, you can try adding spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise star or ginger depending on your taste.
It is important to note that there are over 200 species of hibiscus, and not all of them are used for tea or healing. For instance, the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant should not be confused with other hibiscus species, such as the non-medicinal Hibiscus Acetosella. The traditional hibiscus plant has yellow flowers and a red centre. The Hibiscus Ascetosella has red flowers.
If you are like my mum who just hates the taste of regular hibiscus tea then this recipe is for you:
How to Prepare the perfect Hibiscus Tea?
You’ll need:
4 cups of pure filtered water
1/4 cup of dried organic hibiscus flowers
1 to 2 tablespoons of raw honey
Lime wedges (optional)
Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Cinnamon Stick (optional)
Directions:
Boil half of the filtered water in a small saucepan.
Add the dried hibiscus flowers and then turn off the heat. Next, steep the liquid until it appears dark red.
Add the remaining two cups of filtered water to the hot tea, and add the raw honey to achieve sweetness when the tea is still warm. You can drink the hibiscus tea hot as it stands. Hot hibiscus tea is also sometimes called Jamaica tea.
As an option, pour the tea into a pitcher for serving. Pour the tea into iced-filled glasses. If you like you can also garnish with mint, lime and cinnamon sticks.
Go ahead and enjoy, don’t forget to tell me when you try it! Don’t forget to check out more tips and tricks here.
As cases of coronavirus continue to rise on a daily basis, taking daily precautions such as washing your hands, social distancing, exercising and getting enough sleep is key to lowering the risk of infection.
But maintaining a healthy diet to help boost your immune system is also very essential. It’s important to note that no research has been done on foods that help fight against COVID-19 specifically.
However, previous studies have found that eating certain foods can improve your health and strengthen your body’s overall ability to fight other invasive viruses.
Cheers to good health! Here’s the Best Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity, this herbal Tea that has so many benefits that I want to call it Miracle Tea! I’ve recommended it to so many people and most of them got back to me saying that they found it effective.
Some of the benefits of this Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity:
Boasts immunity.
Soothes the sore throat.
Reduces cough and congestion.
Reduces muscle pain.
Relieves headache and body ache.
Reduces menstrual and abdominal pain.
Improves digestion.
Improves the body’s fat-burning capability.
So on! Out of all the important lessons, this pandemic has taught I think the most important one is to take care of our immune system and our health.
Ingredients
What do you need?
500ML water
1 teaspoon Honey (optional but recommended)
1 teaspoon Jaggery
2 teaspoons Carrom Seed (Ajwain)
2 teaspoons Fennel Seed (Saunf)
2 leaves of Holy/Indian Basil
1 piece of Cinnamon stick
5 cloves (Laung)
5 Black Pepper (Kaali Mirch)
1 inch Ginger
1 Teaspoon Coffee or 1 Teabag (Optional, To improve the taste)
How to Prepare?
To prepare this Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity, you need to Boil water on low flame with all the ingredients except honey and the teabag. Let the concoction simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the flame and add the teabag (or coffee) and honey. Drink while it is still warm.
When to drink?
You can drink this any time of the day but there should be a gap of at least 2 hrs. between this drink and a meal. (Your stomach should be empty)
Best time to drink this is in the morning before breakfast or in the evening.
How many times to drink?
You can drink this Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity once a day or even 2-3 times a day. Remember, moderation and consistency is the key.
Disclaimer: Please ask your doctor before trying anything new, I’m NOT a health expert, I just share whatever suits me and has been beneficial for me.
Save money on pets while still spoiling them! We all consider our pets our children and let us agree that we all want to spoil our fur-babies! But that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to save money on pet care. For example, you can buy lavish pet-food, but on sale. You can build elaborate (or simple) pet furniture, instead of paying a heap of money for it. Here are some tips and tricks that I learnt while taking care of my 7 (yes!) fur-babies.
How to save money on pets
1. Adopt Instead of Buying
This has to be the thumb rule, “buying” animals is unethical as Most breeders and “Pet Markets” keep animals in terrible conditions and also the pets carry a lot of diseases due to cross-breeding and over-breeding. The breeder price for a dog is multiples higher than the cost of adopting one from a shelter. You’ll probably save money on pets by getting your dog or cat from a shelter, and you could also save a life. Also, most shelters or rescue groups have the option for a “Trial adoption period” or you can request for “fostering a pet” that helps you in understanding your future fur-baby in a better way. If, due to any reason you can’t commit for the long term, you should always go for Fostering, read more about it here.
2. Always Buy In Bulk
If you want to save money on pets then when shopping for dogs and cats, then always buy in bulk. Dry kibble tends to be more cost-effective than canned food. If you buy large bags of kibble in bulk be sure to preserve small portions in plastic bags or purchase an airtight storage container. Additionally, don’t be afraid to think outside the box, you may have some friends with pets who might be willing to split a jumbo bag of food. Look for deals online.
3. Store Pet Food Properly
Alright, so you bought pet food in bulk but now if you don’t store it properly you will not exactly be able to save money on pets but instead spending more. I discovered early on that our cats refuse their food if it’s too old — and then we have to throw it away. Even if we just overfill their dishes and the remainder sits there overnight, they won’t touch it. ALWAYS check the expiration date for your pet food, take out a little at a time and store it properly to keep it fresh.
4. Make Your Own Toys
Yes, you read that right! This one has a number of benefits, you will be saving money, the planet (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse!). Your pet has no clue how much you spent on a toy, only whether or not it’s fun to play with! Honestly, it is a lot of fun, especially now that we are all stuck in our houses in this pandemic (I am writing this in the year 2020 when the Covid-19 turned our lives upside down!)
5. Avoid Expensive Fashion Items
This one is hard to resist, I mean have you seen those cute pet-vests or those fancy little hats (!!) but believe me, I have taken that road and it is Expensive! Most pets, however, don’t need these expensive accessories, so save your money and stick with purchasing only necessary apparel, like a well-made collar, an ID tag and a comfortable leash. If you really want to get something fancy then there are plenty of DIY tutorials that will help you in making these items at home.
6. Learn to Groom at Home
Pet grooming is important and should not be skipped but there are a number of procedures you can perform yourself instead of visiting an expensive groomer. Take the time to learn how to groom your pets at home, buy your products, create a grooming kit, schedule weekly/monthly grooming sessions at home. Not only will this help you in saving heaps of money but also you will get a better understanding of your pet’s overall health and grooming is another opportunity to bond with your pet. Save money on pets and bond with your furry friends, Win-Win!
7. Use generic items
Pet blankets, Pet towels, Pet food bowls and what not! All these items are marketed at almost more than double the price just cause the item has “Pet” word attached to it, though it does exactly the same work! Read about the item you are looking for, buy a generic product and use it for your pets. For instance, instead of a Pet Bowl, you can buy steel or ceramic bowl from a store.
8. Have Your Pets Spayed or Neutered
If you adopt a pet then they will most likely be spayed or neutered when you pick them up, if not, get them spayed or neutered before it is too late. Those little ones are cute but if you are trying to save money on pets, spending the money to have them fixed will be a lot less than having to care for a pregnant mama and little ones.
9. Go for used items
There are many pet owners that sell their almost new pet items due to various reasons, get in touch with them, buying used items will save you a lot of money. Join Facebook groups of your community or pet rescue groups, there are also lots of apps/websites that sell used items. However, always clean and sanitize items before letting your pets play/use it, you don’t want any infections to be passed on to them.
10. Save on Treats
Pets love treats and it would be unfair not to give them some yummy treats from time to time but keeping in mind that these treats are expensive you can cut down on the expenses by making your own treats at home or buying in bulk. Making treats at home is simple and also a good way to ensure that you make it nutritious.
11. Exercise Your Pet
Pets that don’t get enough exercise can turn into troublemakers, or even become utterly destructive! Replacing chewed up furniture is a massive expense, and you can avoid it by making sure your pet has a healthy outlet for all their energy!
Make sure to take your dog on regular walks, and be sure to give cats proper exercise too. Some cats love dangly toys, others love chasing laser pointers, and others prefer climbing. Try out a few things to find the best way to keep your dog or cat active!
12. Buy Cheaper Bags
When it comes to picking up dog or cat poop, literally any bag will do! Since many pet owners have to buy poop bags frequently, make sure you’re getting a good deal on them or best is to utilize all those grocery bags or shopping bags for this.
Are you currently writing guest posts and are completely confused as to where to begin from and what to do! I see this problem all too often when I’m consulting bloggers. Not many people realize the importance and significance of using guest posts as a lead generation strategy because some don’t see the benefits and those who do, don’t know where to begin, what to do. In this post, we will talk about everything related to writing Guest Posts. Also, I will share a list of guest post sites in Dubai.
Guest Post sites in Dubai
Often bloggers prefer to put more efforts into publishing blogs on their own sites rather than working for a blog for another website. If this sounds like you, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity here!
If you’re not convinced that guest blogging will benefit your business, this is the perfect guide for you. Those of you who want to begin guest blogging but don’t know how to start or turn these posts into site traffic, you’re in luck as well.
As a guest blogger myself, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the topic so you can increase traffic to your website and also understand how this works. I have also made a list of all the popular websites that accept guest posts in Dubai. So, let’s dive in.
Why write Guests Posts?
Guest posting is one of the most popular link building technique used by many SEO professionals around the world. Unlike other SEO techniques such as directory submission, forum link submission, profile link creation, classified link submission, blog commenting and web 2.0 sites creation. Guest Posting is only a highly powerful link building technique that will quickly increase your SERP Rankings and Domain Authority.
How to find guest posts opportunity?
Now you’ve considered why and where you’d like to submit your guest blog post- you need to find where there are opportunities to do so:
Here are a couple of ways to get the ball rolling:
Google searches – Google is the best place to start with this. This simple keyword exercise will help you get the ball rolling. All you need to do is replace the keyword below with a keyword within your industry and let the search begin!
keyword +
“submit a guest post”
“guest post”
“guest post by”
“accepting guest posts”
“guest post guidelines
How to write and submit a guest post?
Here are some things to keep in mind when writing and submitting a guest blog or post:
Don’t make it too self-promotional!
Editors will disregard pitches they consider to be self-promotional. And they can see it coming a mile off. Guest articles should stand up as valuable sources of information for a website’s readership, not an advertisement for your business. Occasional mentions, stories and examples are OK but do not go overboard. Don’t blow your own trumpet and try to keep any info regarding yourself in the writer’s bio.
Include internal and source links.
It’s also worth including some internal links to other articles in the publication. This shows you’ve done your research and have written content that their audience will be interested in.
Format in a similar way.
Does the site use…
-Headers
-Bolded text
-A lot of images
-Quotes
-Any other special formatting
Make sure you stick to the style guide and get a feel for their writing style. The guest posting guidelines should provide all the information you need to know about this.
Including subsections to organize your article.
Formatting in a style similar to the website you’re writing for is important. However, so is including subsections and subheadings throughout your content. It’s fair to take it as read that the publication you’re pitching to will prefer it this way too. This will not only benefit you when organizing and collaborating all your themes and ideas, but it will also make your articles easier for readers to use, increasing the likelihood of them staying on the page.
Looking for best guest post sites in Dubai? Check out my handpicked list.
I tried (drank and rinsed my hair!) Apple Cider Vinegar for 30 days and documented my overall experience. One product for skin, hair and health, read on to know how to use it and why to use it and which ACV to use. Bringing you “How, Why, What and Which” of Apple Cider Vinegar in a single post.
Apple Cider Vinegar for 30 days
Disclaimer- Please read it carefully.
“Dear Readers,
Every person is different, what suits one might not suit another. Please consult a doctor before trying any new health/fitness regime. Owner of this blog shall not be responsible for any injuries/side effects whatsoever. This is a personal experiment and the results are based on my own experience. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.” Happy Reading! xoxo
When they say “Your selfie is 90% your hair” I never use to agree until I noticed that I had the most horrible hair related issues (and split ends, and dandruff and so on! Thanks to Dubai weather!). I was always conscious of my hair (Remember that cringe-worthy ad of Head and Shoulders!) I was frantically searching for a solution to stop this before it was too late. Tried changing my shampoo and conditioner (we will talk about these two in upcoming posts!) I took Hair Supplements (read the blogpost here)
And then lightning strikes and I decided to try Apple Vinegar Cider! I spent hours and days and maybe months reading and researching about it and in the end felt I wish there was Just One Single Post that would give me the basic “What, Why, Which and How” of using ACV. This is when I decided to write this post.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar? (ACV)
You must have heard about Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) lately unless you live on Mars! Just kidding, well these days almost everyone seems to be talking about it. For centuries, vinegar has been used for various household and cooking purposes. It is also an ancient folk remedy, claimed to help with all sorts of health problems. It seems to be the In-Thing these days, from adding it to salads to rinsing hair, from making a facial mask to drinking it (Did I mention that I drink it once or twice a month for detox!)! The list of uses is endless, the possibility of what you can do with it is just unbelievable. So what Is this Apple Cider Vinegar aka ACV? Basically it’s just rotten apples, just kidding (ignore my lame jokes!)
What is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
WebMD describes Apple cider vinegar as, “Mostly apple juice, but adding yeast turns the fruit sugar into alcohol — this is fermentation. Bacteria turn the alcohol into acetic acid. That’s what gives vinegar its sour taste and strong smell.”
Why use Apple cider vinegar?
Well, I can probably write a book on this and still have reasons left! Let me try to list out the categories where you can probably use ACV:
Weight loss
Detox
Flushes out the toxins
Skin (A boon for people with Acne and Oily skin)
Hair
Gums
Cleaning (Yes!)
Bath soak
Foot Soak
Salads
Phew, I promise I can go on and on for this!
Which Apple Cider Vinegar to use?
With so many brands and so many types of ACV present in the market, it is almost impossible to decide which one to go for. Obviously you don’t want to go for something that will give you unsatisfactory results. Look for ACV that is Raw, Organic and Unfiltered, if possible with “Mother” in it. (I found this mother part really funny but it just means that it has those tiny-winy particles still in it.
and finally ‘How’ to use Apple Cider Vinegar?
My personal Experiment with Apple cider Vinegar (for Hair)-
So, here is my experience with it! As you must have figured out by now, I am up for anything that is Natural and Organic, when I started doing my own Research on ACV I was swept off my feet to see the number of uses (and benefits!) it has. It was almost like a Genie in a bottle waiting to be freed and cast his spell on me (Over-dramatic. Blaming it on Bollywood movies.) I realized the maximum time I spent was in deciding which brand to use! Took almost a month to find ACV that was Organic, Natural, Un-distilled, and also had Mother in it. I didn’t want to go blindly with Braggs, even though it has been regarded as the undisputed king of ACV world.
To begin with, I diluted 1 cup of ACV in about 1-litre water. After I had shampooed my hair I lowered my head in the basin and poured it from root to tip. Let the water pass through your hair and wait for the water to drip down. Give it around 5 minutes. Then towel dry as usual. Side by side, I also drank Apple Cider Vinegar every morning for detox and so see if it actually does anything!
Steps to prepare the Hair Rinse:
Mix 1 cup of ACV in 1000ml of water.
Rinse your hair with this after shampooing.
Leave it on for 5 min.
Towel dry your hair.
Hello Beautiful and Healthy Hair!
The first that I noticed was, it smells horrible. For a person who loves to smell good always and makes sure that everything around is smelling good as well, this was a Big Big turn off, although the smell went away after an hour or so. I continued this for 10 days, I noticed there was a noticeable reduction in the split ends, my hair was more manageable. I continued using it for another couple of days.
Steps to prepare Apple Cider Vinegar Drink:
Take a glass of lukewarm water.
Add a teaspoon of honey (preferably organic).
Add a teaspoon of ACV (refer to what’s mentioned in the post on which ACV to buy)
Drink this first thing in the morning at least 30 minutes before eating anything.
Don’t forget to brush your teeth after drinking it as ACV is acidic and can harm the teeth enamel.
Honestly, It does taste horrible and I kept reminding myself that it’s all about developing a taste! I started with half a teaspoon and I also took a gap of 2 days to see if my body reacted normally (Very important, don’t just start a new regime without testing it first and giving your body time to adjust). Somehow I actually got used to that bitter-sour taste and if you ask me now I don’t loathe drinking it as much as I did it initially! (Hurray!)
After 10 days–
Observation:
My hair is manageable (coming from a person who struggles with frizzy hair, you got to give it a point!)
Split-ends have reduced a bit.
A slight reduction in dandruff has reduced, not too sure at this point.
Drinking ACV hasn’t helped me with anything so far. I do, however, feel that I am pooing more than usual! Lol (So tempted to insert a Poo-Joke here!)
I kept the bottle in my washroom to make sure I don’t skip this routine and it was easier to remember when I had this Dark bottle staring right in my face! Observation after completing 20 days-
After 20 Days–
Observation:
My hair has a subtle shine, which is very unusual for me, I have the frizziest-hair you can imagine!
Hair feels smooth, again Very unusual for my hair!
I feel I am getting used to this pungent smell. Aaarrgggghh. Not sure if this is a plus point!
I am all smiles while writing this but I feel I am breaking out way lesser now! I usually have a pimple or two always on my face (Well! Let’s say most of the times).
Haven’t reduced any weight but my stomach is a little less flabby! (Tell me I am not imagining this!)
I feel really light after drinking it.
I am excited like a kid in a science project, I couldn’t wait for these 30 days to pass. Here’s a confession- I missed my routine twice in the last 30 days! Once, I had to attend a party and washed my hair in a frenzy and once because… well… I just didn’t want to do it! Call it a mood swing. LoL
After 30 Days! (drum rolls please)-
Observation:
By this time I was (almost) immune to this horrible smell! Plus point!
My hair IS NOW Smooth and Shiny.. not a lot much though!
Split ends are reduced and I cannot be happier!
I noticed a significant reduction in hair fall as well as dandruff, not sure if it was because of ACV or just seasonal, I took it as an effect of ACV!
Hair looks more voluminous.
My hair didn’t get greasy easily.
My skin has cleared out a bit.
Somehow, I did actually lose a little weight, like 1 kilo (Though it wasn’t my plan) it might be as this ACV made me poo so much?!
It is not a very drastic change yet my tummy does feel less flabby.
One of the best after-effects of drinking ACV was, it made me feel really energetic and fresh (even without drinking coffee I felt really wide awake!)
I continued my hair rinse routine (Though, I am not drinking the detox drink in the morning as I am focussing on putting on some weight), unbelievably! As I never thought I would rinse my hair with something that smelled so gross, although I must admit I made it a point not to go out immediately after washing my hair! It isn’t easy to smell gross and go out, which means now I wash my hair a day before going somewhere. The results have been better than I thought they would be and that is what got me hooked to Apple Cider Vinegar.
Overall Observation:
My hair feels fresh and the roots don’t get greasy that quickly.
Noticeable reduction in split ends.
Hair looks healthy and voluminous.
Reduction in hair fall (Insert dancing emoji here!)
Not sure if that’s because of ACV but my hair growth is better than before.
After doing this experiment for 30 days, the bottle of ACV has found a permanent place in my washroom. I try to stick to this regime, if not every single time then at least 80% of the times I wash my hair and then rinse it with ACV.
Let me know if you tried this, or if you know any skin/hair care regime that involves Apple Cider Vinegar. Also, I would love to answer if you have any concerns/queries, just shoot it.
Also, in case you are a dog-parent, don’t forget to read How yo Use Apple Cider Vinegar for you do here.
