10 Easy Ways to Prevent Colon Cancer

It is important for you to understand that you can prevent colorectal or colon cancer if you are able to do the things that you would do to prevent a heat attack. Colon cancer is he third largest disease to hit mankind and it is seen to be more common in men than women. But, there is nothing to worry about as it has been found out that this dreaded disease can be prevented by keeping a tag on what you eat, how of physical activity that you  do and the amount that you weigh. Researchers have found out that more than 45 percent of the colon cancers can be prevented by staying healthy, being active physically and of course eating a healthy diet. So, all that you need to do to prevent heart attack is more than enough to prevent colon cancer. It is not that easy for a person to shift to healthier habits just like that. But, it is highly important for you to understand that maintaining a healthy body by eating good and healthy food along with a good exercise regime is the perfect success formula that will help to prevent you from colon cancer attacks.

It is highly important for you to make the necessary lifestyle changes in order to reduce the risk of capturing colon cancer. The following are the steps that you need to follow to stay healthy and free from colon cancer.

1.  Stop Smoking

You are aware that smoking cigarettes causes lung cancer and heart attacks. But, little did you know that it also causes colon cancer.
What Studies Reveal?

• 17% of the smokers are likely to get affected by colon cancer. It is high time that you thought of quitting smoking especially if you have attained 40 years of age.
• The percentage of smokers above the age of 40 years to catch the dreaded colon cancer increases by about 30% to 50%.

2.    Never Consume Red Meat

It has been researched that eating large amounts of red meat has a direct effect on your intestines. Red meat consumption in large quantities has been linked to higher risk of colon cancer in men as well as women.
What To Avoid?

• It is ideal for you to totally avoid processed, smoked, cured or salted red meat completely to prevent colon cancer.
• If you cannot live without eating red meat, then limit your red meat consumption to just a couple of 4 ounce portions every week.
• It is important for you to make sure that you do not char the meat on a grill and try to go for lean and trim red meat.

3.  Reduce Belly Fat

Obesity is one of the main reasons for men to suffer from colon cancer and abdominal obesity or belly fat is the major contributor to the risk of a person catching colon cancer.
Initial Steps To Take

 

• It is important for you to consume everything in portion size. Also, you must know the amount of calories that each food has.
• It is ideal for you to limit high calorie foods like juice, nuts, meats and cheese to very small servings.
• Reduce the intake of desserts and sweets to just two ties a week and that too in very small portions.

4.  Regular Exercising

If you are really interested in reducing the risk of colon cancer, then it is time to get moving. If you have led a sedentary lifestyle all these years, it is time for you to do regular exercises to cut the cancer polyps and colon cancer risk considerably.
What To Do?

• It is important for you to do moderate to vigorous activity for a minimum of 30 minutes at least five days a week to stay healthy.
• It is recommended that you increase the exercise activity to 45 minutes every day after a month or so in order to reduce the risk of catching colon cancer to a greater extent.
• It is ideal for you to maintain a healthy body weight through exercise and healthy diet.
• Increase the amount of exercise and reduce the amount of calories that you take in every day to safely reduce your weight and to stay healthy.

5.  Eat Plenty Of Fruits And Vegetables

It is highly important for you to increase the intake of raw vegetables and fruits in your daily diet and to reduce the amount of cooked food to help maintain body weight. This will also help in preventing the risk of colon cancer.
Vegetables And Fruits To Eat

• Whole grains and fiber rich raw vegetables like beans, spinach, mushrooms carrots, artichokes, ginger must be part of your daily diet and you need to consume at least two to three servings every day to reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• You can also substitute one serving of vegetables with a serving of fibrous fruits like guava, orange, black raspberries and so on to prevent colon cancer.
• Four to five serving of a variety of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and few nuts will surely play a big part in preventing colon cancer.

6.  Curb On Drinking Alcohol

Heavy drinking is one of the main reasons for people to increase the risk of colon cancer. It is not a good sign to drink two to three drinks every day as research has shown that such people have a 21 % chance of getting affected by colon cancer than people who drink occasionally. Drinking heavily will tend to lower the levels of folic acid in your body that is a vitamin that will protect against cancer.

• It is ideal that you stick to one or two drinks a day to reduce the risk of catching colon cancer if you cannot do away with the habit of drinking alcohol.
• Limiting to just one drink a day would be the most ideal option.

7.  Use More Garlic

It is ideal for you to increase the amount of garlic in your food as it is an effective anti- oxidant that will help in reducing the risk of colon cancer.
What To Do?

• Add a lot of chopped garlic to every food that you cook.
• You need to chop the garlic into small pieces and then keep it aside for 10 to 15 minutes for activating the health promoting ingredients in the garlic. You can add the chopped garlic to your food after 10 minutes.
• Eating three to four cloves of raw garlic everyday will also keep the colon cancer at bay.

8.  Take Aspirin

Sometimes you might need certain medications to reduce the risk of colon cancer and polyps. Taking anti inflammatory drugs like aspirin will help to cut the risk of colon cancer. But, regular use can also cause certain side effects. If you are advised by doctors to use aspirin every day for preventing coronary artery disease, then it would also serve you in colon cancer prevention.

9.  Green Tea

Green tea is found to be really effective in preventing colon cancer. Studies have shown that people who regularly consumed green tea had lower incidence of colon cancer.
Drinking Tips

• If you have the habit of drinking three to four cups of coffee every day, then it would be ideal for you to replace three cups of coffee with organic green tea.
• Sipping two cups of hot green tea every day will help in preventing colon cancer effectively.

10.  Increase Calcium And Vitamin D

It is important for you to maintain an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D needed by your body to prevent colon cancer.

• It is recommended to consume 1000 mg of calcium everyday by women between the age group 19 and 50 years and by men between the age group 19 and 70 years.
• For women over 50 years of age, it is ideal that they consume 1200 mg of calcium every day.
• Apart from this, you need to take 600 international units of Vitamin D every day for both men and women until the age of 70 years.

Sticking on to a diet that is rich in raw vegetables, fruits, nuts and fibrous food along with 30 to 45 minutes of moderate to intense exercise routine will help you to not just take good care of your heart health but will also help in preventing colon cancer.

Ways to Burn Calories Without Exercise

We love our workouts, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only way to burn calories. Find out some of the sneakiest ways to burn calories without even realizing you’re doing it.

One of the secrets to staying lean easily is to sneak in exercise during your day. These little bursts of activity (non-exercise activity thermogenesis or NEAT; to be technical) function as micro workouts – burning a handful of calories here and there. By the time you go to sleep all those handfuls will have added up to a decent calorie burn.

That’s not to say that they can replace your workouts or a good, clean diet – you still need both of those, but these micro workouts will certainly supplement what you’re already doing, so why not add them in? It will all add up to help you reach the fitness, physique and health goals you’ve set for yourself.

The key to getting this done is to think about your entire day as an opportunity to work out, get active and improve your health, rather than sticking it into a little compartment for a certain time of day. Sure it requires a bit of creativity, you may break a sweat through the day and people could give you a couple of strange looks (depending on what you’re doing), but who cares?

After sneaking in exercise to your day becomes a habit, you won’t even notice that you’re doing it anymore, but you’ll still benefit from the results. Awesome. And not only is it a great way to help you get fitter, but it also makes your day much more fun. Try it, you’ll see.

Depending on your circumstances, some of these ideas probably aren’t going to fit in to your lifestyle – at least not all of the time – so find what works for you and if all else fails: get creative.

12 Sneaky Ways to Burn Calories

1. Take fitness over convenience.

We put this tip first because it’s the overarching theme you’ll see in the rest of the tips. If you use this as an attitude and a guiding principle, when you can, then you’ll be well on your way to kicking some calorie bootay.

2. Take the stairs.

Admit it, you knew this one was going to be in here – that’s because it’s a great way to burn some calories – especially in an office environment.

For example, someone who weighs 150 – 160 lbs, taking a flight of stairs will burn about 10 calories a minute. Might not sound like that much, but say you take the stairs (e.g. 1 minute) three times a day (30 calories), five days a week (150 calories) that results in about 2 lb fat-loss per year.

Burn more calories: a study by the University of Roehampton seems to indicate that you can actually burn more calories by taking the steps one at a time.

3. Escalate your gait…

on the escalator. Why wait? By climbing the escalator you’ll get a burn some extra calories and you’ll get to your destination quicker.

4. Get up, stand up, walk around.

These days most people spend a lot of time on their butt: all day at the office, or in front of the computer, then at home on the sofa in front of the television. Even if you split it up with an awesome workout that’s just a drop in the ocean of your 24 hour day.

You’ve probably already seen this scary info graphic about sitting down all day, so we’re not going to go in to all those reasons again.

But just in terms of calories burnt, within minutes of sitting down your calorie burn plunges to about one calorie per minute. Not very impressive. Standing will burn just shy of double the calories, but walking around the office will burn 3 – 5 times as many calories (as well as getting the electrical signals to your lower body firing again).

And if you’re able, get yourself a standing desk, or petition your boss to! At the very least, take a walk around the room ever hour.

5. Fidget.

Probably not going to make you a favorite with friends and colleagues, but fidgeting can burn a decent amount of calories. Just how many will depend on the activities you do, but in one study by the Mayo Clinic fidgeters burnt about 350 more calories than non-fidgeters (bear in mind, their definition of fidgeting includes walking around the office; fidgeters spent 150 minutes less sitting down compared to non-fidgeters).

6. Walk or cycle to work…

Heck, even rollerblade if it tickles your fancy. You’ll be saving money, doing some planetary good and getting fitter, healthier and sexier at the same time. Understandably, not everyone can do this, but if you can try it out – and there’s always the weekend: if you’ve got places to go, use those calories as fuel.

If your take public transport, you can always get off early so that you force yourself to walk the rest of the way.

7. Sneak in exercises at your desk.

Be prepared for some strange looks, but depending on your work environment, you could sneak in some squats, stomach vacuums, chair hovers, glute squeezes, dips…

8. Spend more time playing with your kids.

Or pets if you’ve got those instead. Got both, then that’s double the calorie-burning opportunity. The more active, the better. Naturally, if you’ve got a pet sloth for instance, play-time probably isn’t going to cut it (they’d probably love yoga though).

9. Get active during lunch.

Most nine-to-fivers can fit in a good 30 – 45 minute workout (even if it’s just low-intensity cardio like walking) during their lunch. It’ll burn calories and boost your mood – work out that stress, and come back feeling great.

10. Energize household chores.

Become very enthusiastic with your chorse. Just do it all with gusto. Have a little dance! When you think of them as not just chores, but also little calorie burners… voila, suddenly chores become a lot more fun. Side effect: where you live becomes spotless.

11. Don’t just brush…

Squat while you brush your teeth. Why not? Most of us just stand there anyway. This is a great time to work those glutes. Where else could you fit in an exercise while you wait: running a bath, making a cup of coffee…

12. Use those commercials.

First, if you’re watching television, there’s no rule that you have to do it snuggled up in the sofa, though that is nice. Instead try watching standing up, in horse stance or with wall sits.

Next, don’t waste those commercials by dozing off, get in a mini-workout: squats, lunges, push-ups, plank – see how many or how long you can go for before your show is back.

Those are just a few of the many ways you can sneak in some calorie-burning goodness. Once you start actively looking for opportunities to make yourself suffer get fitter, healthier and sexier, you’ll start seeing them everywhere you look – go out and find them!

How do you sneak in some exercise to your day? Let us know in the comment section below!

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Blemishes

If you have problem skin, chances are you’ve tried hundreds of products that promise to provide you with a glowing complexion. While some of these cosmetics may be effective, everything doesn’t work for everyone. Also, acne-prone skin tends to be very sensitive, so you may have also experienced redness and the development of more blemishes if you’ve used cleansers and toners that were too harsh on your skin.

To keep your complexion healthy and get rid of blemishes, here are a few home remedies you can try today.

14 Ways to Get Rid Of Blemishes

1. Lemongrass Oil

If you want to lighten dark spots on your skin and even your complexion, lemongrass can definitely help. This essential oil has a bright and invigorating scent that helps to wake up your senses and the antiseptic properties of the oil help to get rid of skin impurities fast. Since lemongrass oil is especially potent, it’s best to put a few drops in a bottle of witch hazel and use the solution as an anti-blemish toner.

2. Lavender Oil

Lavender is a relaxing essential oil that also has the ability to naturally remove skin infections. Lavender also lightens blemishes and helps to get rid of cyst-like acne. You can also mix the lavender with witch hazel to create a toner, and you can even spray the solution on your pillow to fight blemishes while you sleep.

3. Black Soap

Black soap is a natural cleanser made from the peel of plantain. The soap exfoliates the skin and helps to lighten the skin and even the tone of your complexion. Simply use the black soap as you would any facial cleanser to get rid of blemishes. You can find the soap in most health food stores, and many varieties contain essential oils like tea tree or lemongrass to help erase breakouts and blemishes.

4. Shea Butter

Shea butter has the natural ability to shield the skin from free radicals that can cause blemishes. The natural skin moisturizer can also protect your complexion from the harsh rays of the sun to keep new blemishes from forming. Simply apply pure Shea butter to your skin after cleansing and toning your face for glowing skin. There are also shea butter varieties that have lavender or lemongrass oil in them so that bacteria can be effectively removed from the face while you’re adding moisture to your complexion.

5. Egg Whites

The sulfur in egg whites helps to dry up blackheads and whiteheads to create a clear complexion. The egg also has the ability to tighten the skin and prevent new blemishes from forming. Whip egg whites with a little water and apply to the face as a mask. Leave the solution on your face before rinsing with cool water. If you have oily skin, you can use this treatment every two days or so to keep your skin blemish-free.

6. Fresh Lemon Juice

Applying lemon juice to your face works much like a chemical peel, since the citric acid helps to get rid of dead skin layers to lighten the skin and make the complexion brighter and more youthful. You can squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a bowl and brush the solution onto your face, or mix lemon juice with an egg white and a little honey for an anti-blemish facial mask that can clear up acne and make your complexion more attractive.

7. Mashed Strawberries

Strawberries contain citric acid as well, and are best for especially sensitive skin, since the berries are less harsh on the complexion than lemon. Just mash a few of the small fruits to create a paste and leave on blemishes for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with room-temperature water and clean the skin with a milk, cream-based face wash. The mashed strawberries can also be mixed with honey for even more blemish-fighting power. Adding a little rubbed sage to the strawberries makes the natural solution even more potent and helps to lift acne-causing bacteria from the face.

8. Honey

Honey naturally lightens the skin to get rid of blemishes and breakouts. This sweet ingredient is antibacterial and immediately removes infection from the face to help dry up whiteheads and blackheads. To use this natural remedy, simply put a little honey on a spoon and use a Q-tip to dab the ingredient directly on blemishes. Let the honey stay on your face for about 10 minutes before washing it off with a mild cleanser. You can use this natural blemish-fighting remedy about three times a week.

9. Oatmeal and Milk

Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant that removes dead skin cells from your face and keeps your pores from being blocked with oil and debris, which can lead to blemishes. This ingredient is especially effective for exfoliating skin that is sensitive and tends to dry out easily. Mix a little oatmeal with whole or 2% milk and apply the mixture directly to your face to rid the skin of breakouts and blemishes. The milk contains lactic acid, which lightens the skin and helps to prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

10. Yogurt

Yogurt is rich in lactic acid to help get rid of fine lines and make the skin look younger. This nutritious food brightens the skin naturally and reveals a new, fresh layer of skin. Plain, sugar-free yogurt is best for creating a natural facial mask. The yogurt can also be mixed with oatmeal for more exfoliating power or with lemon juice to activate the natural cultures in the yogurt, which makes the natural remedy more effective for getting rid of acne blemishes.

11. Castor Oil

Aside from being a natural laxative, castor oil can also make the skin blemish-free. You can use the oil as a facial wash by rubbing a quarter-size amount onto the skin and rinsing with warm water. Mixing a little of the oil in your favorite juice and drinking it a few times a week promotes regularity, which removes impurities from the body and keep new blemishes and breakouts from forming.

12. Lemon or Banana Peel

The peel of bananas and lemons has bacteria-fighting properties that remove existing acne and protects the skin from blemishes. Simply apply the peel of lemons or bananas directly onto the skin and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse the skin with tepid water before cleansing and toning the skin with gentle products. This treatment is gentle enough to use every other day.

13. Rosewater

Rosewater is antibacterial and serves as a great skin toner. The ingredient is especially effective for soothing the skin, particularly after spending time in the sun. You can spray the rose water directly on your face to treat and prevent blemishes, or add a few drops of lavender oil to the rosewater to give the skin a radiant glow. Rosewater is gentle enough to apply to the skin every day.

14. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a powerful ingredient that will help you get rid of blemishes in a short amount of time. The Caprylic acid in the oil lifts impurities from the skin and has the ability to lighten the skin in just a few week’s time. You can use coconut oil to shield the skin from the sun before spending time at the beach, or use it as a night cream so that you’ll wake up to an even complexion. Coconut oil is also a healthy cooking oil, so preparing your food with the ingredient can also provide health benefits for your skin.

Why is Eating Garlic on an Empty Stomach Good?

There are currently many differing opinions on the subject of eating garlic on an empty stomach. You can often hear people say that it is a grandmother’s home recipe that has very little effect. However, it is really very effective for preventing and curing different diseases.

Why Is it Good to Eat Garlic on an Empty Stomach?

Many studies conducted on the properties of garlic show that eating it on an empty stomach makes it a powerful natural antibiotic. It is more effective when you eat it before breakfast because bacteria is exposed and cannot defend itself from succumbing to its power.

Many people who suffer from hypertension have found garlic to be a relief to this disease’s symptoms. Besides being effective for circulation, it also prevents heart problems and aids in proper functioning of the liver and bladder. It is effective for stomach problems, like diarrhea. Some people claim that by consuming garlic on an empty stomach, it was a very good remedy for nerve problems.

At the same time, garlic is an effective method for many stomach problems: it stimulates digestion and appetite. It also helps control stress, which prevents stomach acid that is usually produced when you get nervous.

Garlic is recognized in many places around the world for its various benefits. This is why it got its name as a healing food many years ago.

Garlic for Alternative Medicine

Garlic is considered to be one of the most powerful foods to help detoxify the body in alternative medicine. Experts in this branch of medicine insist that garlic is so powerful that it can get rid of parasites and worms, and prevent diseases like typhus, diabetes, depression, and some types of cancer.

People who are allergic to garlic should take two very important things into account: you shouldn’t eat it raw, and if you get an outbreak on your skin, an increase in temperature, or a headache, you should immediately stop consuming it. Some studies have also shown that that garlic can cause side effects in people that take medicines for HIV/AIDS. Therefore, you need to be very careful of this and check before you continue consuming it.

If the strong smell of garlic becomes unbearable and you cannot continue eating it, we recommend that you don’t stop getting its benefits just because of that. You can take advantage of the benefits by taking natural supplements that are found in pill form.

Other Benefits of Garlic

Garlic for respiratory diseases: it is truly amazing for preventing and curing tuberculosis, pneumonia, catarrhs, bronchitis, chronic bronchial catarrhs, lung congestion, asthma, and whooping cough.

For tuberculosis, garlic should be consumed in the following way: eat an entire bulb of garlic a day. Divide it in various portions that can be consumed in any way. It is better for garlic to be raw or lightly browned in the oven. You can also make a sauce with egg yolk and oil. In this case, you have to avoid boiling the liquid because you will lose a lot of the medicinal properties of garlic.

If you have any type of bronchial disease, you can make a special infusion. You will only need 200 grams of garlic, 700 grams of refined sugar, and 1000 grams of water. Boil the water with garlic and then add the sugar. Drink three tablespoons of this infusion a day.

For chronic bronchitis you can prepare a garlic extract: put 40 grams of well washed garlic cut into small pieces and 100 grams of 90 proof alcohol into a bottle (that has a good cap!). Let it soak for five or six days and then strain. They recommend drinking a cup of this infusion every day. It also keeps for a long time.

You can use the same preparation for catarrhs and asthma. In this case, drink 15-30 drops in a little bit of hot water. If you find the smell and taste of garlic very strong, you can add a little bit of mint extract. This will change the curative power of garlic.

You can also use garlic for external applications, like a poultice over your abdomen to relieve some colds. It is also possible to apply it to stings from poisonous animals. A small amount of garlic can help fight warts: they will fall off painlessly. Some people use it to fight tooth pain by placing a little bit on the tooth that hurts.

It is also important to know that garlic cures  hemorrhoids constipation, and earaches. in the case of constipation and hemorrhoids, boil water with a good amount of garlic and put the infusion in a container that will allow you to breath in its vapors. You can breath in the vapors until the water gets cold. For earaches, take out a little bit of juice from the garlic clove and put one or two drops in the ear in pain.

Remember…

There are countless properties of garlic and benefits that it provides to the health of those who eat it frequently and regularly. You can get all of the medicinal properties of this healing food everyday, making your life healthier naturally.

A FEMININE autumn

There are very few things as beautiful as a season in transition. Long, languid days of summer slowly fade into early evenings; the sun is mellow and moody. Unexpected yet welcome showers mildly touch the windowsills, its gentle raindrops bidding adieu to the last wistful memories of summer. As the mercury levels adjust to gradually lowering temperatures there is a distinct shift in one's spirits. The yellowing leaves that were a bright, crisp green just a few days ago usher in autumn, the season of transition.

Between scorching summer and frosty winter, autumn brings in welcome respite. The sun is forgiving and kind and mildly chilly evenings set the tone for colder nights ahead. There is an unmistakable air of romance and languor about autumn, much like those sudden infatuations one has on vacations that inevitably end with summer. The beginning of summer is always so hopeful, so vivid with promises of unknown and exciting nature. And as summers days die away into autumn nights those very exhilarating thoughts are relegated to the back of our minds, making way for the new and unknown.
In Dhaka, autumn often is rare and fleeting. There is a growing anticipation for everyone's favourite, the upcoming festive season! Fall is quite liberating in Dhaka, as it means one can finally embrace the nice weather and does not have to be weighed down by fears of heatproofing makeup and clothes! Hence in spirit of ideas about liberating beauty choices, read on!

The softer days of fall means one can get away with a lot less makeup. Dewy, radiant skin is coveted the year around, and it is no different for autumn. Clear skin is paramount, which means maximum impact with minimum effort. A sheer coverage of foundation and BB cream of pressed powder will take care of the base. A soft, smoky eye done in shades of slate, charcoal and grey with a hint of lilac is sexy and romantic, and can be easily achieved by mixing colours you already own. Alternately, bare, nude shadows will also look beautiful. There is a definite play of contrast in makeup this fall.  Shades like fawn, champagne and smoky pinks are very hot. The Urban Decay Naked 3 palette is ideal for fall, as it has different shades of nudes with pink/brown undertones.

Brows are full and arched, which is not to be confused with pencil thin lines that look harsh and artificial. Use brow powders to fill any gaps; penciling gives an effect that ends up looking tacky. For lips, berry and plum shades are quintessentially fall. This year the dark, gothic berry shades have been softened with a touch of pink and blush. Softer plums and lips when paired with nude eyes are the ultimate epitome of autumnal glamour. Nude shades are also hot and provide an interesting contrast when paired with the aforementioned smoky eyes. For cheeks, a slightly dusky shade of blush and pink will bring out the contours for delicate, feminine cheekbones. A soft, iridescent shimmer in light silver will add highlight; however if gone overboard, it will make you resemble a disco ball! For nails berry, as well as nude shades are very in. The look to covet is soft and feminine, with a touch of romance and nostalgia. Go easy on the kohl and focus on the lips and cheeks instead.

A beautiful face is nice and fun but every fashionista worth her stiletto is well aware that it's the clothes that maketh a woman! Fall is romantic and languorous and immediately conjures images of diaphanous chiffons, muslins and tissues draped sensuously with oodles of élan. This year rich, earthy tones are ruling the runways all over the globe for fall.  Colours such as olive, cypress and emerald are very in this year. Deep browns and chocolates look elegant and sophisticated while rich, juicy hues such as deep plum, burgundy and sangria are classy yet pretty. The radiant, bright shade of orchid, which reigned supreme as the colour of the year will continue to be in vogue, and a muted yet deep shade of yellow is also very hot. In terms of metallics, the pink gold hue is very modern, very now. A definite cross between a metallic and nude shade, it looks regal and vibrant. It looks especially good in chiffon and muslin sarees, and works really well in the evenings when one wants something subtle yet impact-ful. Ombre chiffons and muslins are all the rage this year. When paired with a solid coloured blouse in a contrasting colour it looks gorgeous. Alternately a sequined blouse can be worn with Ombre chiffon. Georgette and crepe de chine looks fabulous too. Simple embroidery looks great, especially when done with zari. One rule of thumb is, if your makeup is the focus, keep the outfit simple and vice versa.  Fall is all about restrained yet sophisticated glamour, and one must bear in mind that less is always more during this time of the year. With these ideas you are likely to enjoy the fleeting halcyon days of autumn to the fullest so go on and have fun!

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Riba, Nodi
Wardrobe: Anokhi
Makeup: Farzana Shakil
Styling: Tabassum Anila Hridi

Jolie calls for return of abducted Nigerian girls

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, in London to promote her new film Maleficent, used the red carpet event on Thursday to renew her plea for the safe return of more than 200 Nigerian school girls kidnapped by Islamist rebels, reports India Today.
 

The 38-year-old actress, who serves as a United Nations special envoy for refugees, said it was ‘heart-warming’ to hear reporters’ questions and people’s concern for the abducted girls at a film event.
‘The important thing though is to understand that this happens because these men think they can get away with this and they can do this,’ Jolie told reporters.
 

‘We have to start arresting people for this, we have to start bringing them to justice and we have to start making it an absolute crime that puts fear in these men so that they think twice about this kind of action.’
People around the world have been showing their support by taking part in protests and joining online campaigns calling for the rescue of the girls taken from a secondary school by extremist group Boko Haram on April 14.
 

Jolie also said she was increasingly concerned for people in Ukraine, where pro-Moscow separatists have ignored a public call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone a referendum on self-rule in eastern Ukraine, declaring they would go ahead on Sunday  with a vote that could lead to war.
 

‘I can’t imagine anybody from that region isn’t just terrified that the worst is yet to come,’ she said.
Jolie, dressed in a long black gown and joined by her fiance Brad Pitt, led the stars of Walt Disney Co’s Maleficent at the premiere at London’s Kensington Palace. Disney’s modern reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale is due out in theatres around the world at the end of the  month.

5 Ways to Brighten Your Underarm

Do you carve for toned and fair underarms just like the rest of your body? Feel embarrassed to wear your sleeveless tops just because you have dark underarms? Dark armpits have been a major battle for women since ages. All we can do is wax, shave or use a hair removal cream… but the continuous usage of these methods will result in darkening the underarms.  Well, don’t ruin your dreams of wearing a sleeveless tee in summers anymore… because I have got some home remedies for you that will lighten and brighten up your underarms.

1. Wash Away

Make it a point to wash your armpits daily with water and soap. The dirt gets accumulated which cause the armpit to darken and look ugly. Make it a point to wash and clean them every day.

2. Say No to Deos

I am sure you are going to hate me for this!! Well, if you frequently use deo’s and perfumes you will defiantly going to have dark underarms. However, you can still use some good quality deos which are branded and trusted.

3. Say No to Tight Clothes

 

Wearing tight clothes results in excessive sweat absorption and irritation. Friction from tight clothes causes skin to hurt and eventually darken. Wear loose cotton fabrics so that your armpits aren’t wrapped up in sweat and moisture.

4. Try Using Lemon

Lemons are so useful and versatile… it will surely help you lighten up your underarms. Try using cucumbers too along with lemon juice as they work wonders on uneven skin tone.

5. Skip Shaving

Shaving is the major cause which makes your underarm look darker. Please, don’t make shaving as a part of your daily under arm care routine. Opt for laser treatment or waxing for hair removal treatments. So Next time when you are going for a date with your man, put off all your hesitation and… go sleeveless!

Skincare essentials while travelling

 Are you going on a beach holiday or will it be the cold mountains? Here are some must-haves to protect your skin

With the holiday season on us already, most of us have made travel plans. Remember, travel always exposes our skin to harmful elements — heat, sun, salt water and humidity in beach destinations; and, dry cool winds and dehydration in hill stations. Dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel says, "All these have an impact on your skin and hair, even if exposed for a short period of time. Just a few steps will be effective in keeping your skin protected and clean during your vacation." For example, avoid using hotel soaps and washes as they contain fragrances and other cosmetic chemicals that irritate and dry out the skin. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind...

Sun protection is a must
The best sun protection is to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day and wear loose cotton clothes that cover sensitive areas. Whether you are at high altitude, or a sunny beach, wear at least 35 SPF (or higher) and apply it 20 minutes prior to stepping out. Cosmetologist Dr Rashmi Shetty says, "Apply sunscreen at least three times a day if you want to protect your skin."

Use a face mist to combat heat and for hydration
Summer air is dehydrating. To refresh and hydrate the skin, a face mist can be used during air travel and throughout your vacation. "Select a mist that does not contain alcohol because this dries the skin even more. A face mist that contains floral waters, vegetable glycerin, menthol, witch hazel and pure essential oils is the best choice," states Dr Goel. Carry it with you during the day when at the beach or sightseeing. It will refresh and control excess oil formation on the skin. "Using a face mist is important when you are out," emphasises aesthetician Ritu Tanwar.

Daily clean-up essential for good skin
Pollution can create a layer of dirt and oil on the surface of the skin. "Daily cleaning is important to avoid breakouts, blocked pores and the formation of blackheads. Follow these simple steps," advises Dr Goel.

Cleanser
For most skin types, a light lotion-based non-foaming cleanser is best. Foam and lather are usually chemical agents that can dry out the skin. For oily skin, can use a light gel-based cleanser with a few exfoliant beads.

Toner
Toner helps restore balance, control oil formation and keep the pores free from excess dirt and bacteria. Use it daily. Select a toner that does not contain alcohol, artificial colours or fragrances. Avoid it if you have a very dry skin.

Moisturiser
Re-hydrate three to four times a day if possible. A light, non-greasy moisturiser keeps the skin nourished. The ones that contain natural oils such as sweet almond, apricot kernel and jojoba, moisturise without clogging pores. Avoid those that are too heavy and contain petrolatum, mineral oil, artificial colours and fragrances. These ingredients can irritate the skin and block the pores, especially when used in warmer climates.

Central Shaheed Minar

The Shaheed Minar (Bengali: শহীদ মিনার Shohid Minar lit. "Martyr Monument") is a national monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh, established to commemorate those killed during the Bengali Language Movement demonstrations of 1952.

On February 21, 1952, dozens of students and political activists were killed when the Pakistani police force opened fire on Bengali protesters who were demanding equal status for their native tongue, Bengali. The massacre occurred near Dhaka Medical College and Ramna Park in Dhaka. A makeshift monument was erected on February 23 by students of University of Dhaka and other educational institutions, but soon demolished on February 26 by the Pakistani police force.

The Language Movement gained momentum, and after a long struggle, Bengali was given equal status with Urdu. To commemorate the dead, the Shaheed Minar was designed and built by Hamidur Rahman, a Bangladeshi sculptor. The monument stood until the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, when it was demolished completely during Operation Searchlight. After Bangladesh gained independence, it was rebuilt.

At present, all national, mourning, cultural and other activities held each year, regarding 21 February, have been centered around the Shaheed Minar.

Architecture

The enormous design includes half-circular columns to symbolize the mother, with her fallen sons, standing on the monument's central dais, and the red sun shining behind. The Central Shaheed Minar of Dhaka goes up to a height of 14 metres (46 ft) and was made with marble stones. The stairs and barrier are highlighted in white, to create a divine look. The fence on both sides is painted with lines from poems of legendary poets in iron letters. As the visitors enter the monument they will find two statues of the patriots who sacrificed their lives in that heinous police firing of 1952. The marble floor was designed to reveal the moving shadows of the columns. The basement of the Shaheed Minar also included a 1,500-square-foot (140 m²) mural representing the history of the Language Movement.

Hurried repair of the Shaheed Minar resulted in the Minar to be reconstructed incorrectly. The height of the column was shorter and the head bent more than originally planned, and the proportions of different parts of the monument were not properly maintained.

Significance

The Language Movement was one of the formidable movements which has come up in the country of Bangladesh, thus the Central Shaheed Minar epitomizes efforts to represent the spirit of Bangladeshi nationalism and also highlight the importance of the Bengali language in the social and cultural progress of the country. As a result, the Shaheed Minar has a very significant place in the social and cultural mechanism of Bangladesh.

At present, all national, mourning, cultural and other activities held each year, regarding 21 February, have been centered around the Shaheed Minar.

Location

The Shaheed Minar is situated near Dhaka Medical College Hospital and in the Dhaka University area. It is adjacent to the Mathematics Department of Dhaka University.

Central Shaheed Minar
কেন্দ্রীয় শহীদ মিনার
Shaheed Minar of Dhaka, as rebuilt in 1972
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Monument
Architectural style	Modern
Location	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Address	Dhaka Medical College campus, Dhaka
Height	14 m (46 ft)
Design and construction
Architect	Hamidur Rahman

Jatiyo Smriti Soudho

Jatiyo Sriti Shoudho (Bengali: জাতীয় স্মৃতি সৌধ Jatio Sriti Shoudho) or National Martyrs' Memorial is the national monument of Bangladesh is the symbol in the memory of the valour and the sacrifice of all those who gave their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, which brought independence and separated Bangladesh from Pakistan. The monument is located in Savar, about 35 km north-west of the capital, Dhaka. It was designed by Syed Mainul Hossain.

Structure

The monument is composed of 7 isosceles triangular pyramid shaped structures, with the middle one being the tallest. The highest point of the monument is 150 feet. There is an artificial lake, and several mass graves in front of the main monument.There is a Green house, PWD site office, VVIP and VIP waiting room inside the area. Some other structures like Toilets, Visitors Shed, Electrical Sub Station, Flower and Souvenir Shop, Police Barrack, Museum and Lesser show project is under construction.

Jatiyo Sriti Shoudho Bengali: জাতীয় স্মৃতি সৌধ
General information
Status	National Martyrs' Memorial
Type	Public monument
Location	Savar, Bangladesh
Construction started	1978
Completed	1982
Height
Roof	150 feet (46 m)
Design and construction
Architect	Syed Mainul Hossain

MOHESHKHALI ISLAND AT COX'S BAZAR

Moheshkhali is a beautiful island in the Bay of Bengal in the north-western side of Cox’s Bazar. The island is Surrounded with forested hills and some mangrove trees alongside the coastal beach. It's total area is 262 squre kilometers. Through the center of the island and along the eastern coastline rises, a range of low hills, but the coast to the north and west is a low-lying treat, Surrounded by mangrove jungle. There are a Buddhist temple and a shrine of Adinath on the hill. You will find here hilly areas,mangrove forests, salt field etcetera.

Buddist Temple 

Adinath Temple

You can go easily to Moheshkhali from Cox's Bazar. You need to take a Rickshaw from cox's Bazar go to Ghat no 6,  From 6no. Ghat you can go to this Island by local motorboat or by speedboat. It takes 1 hour by trawler and 1/2 hour by speedboat.

Moheshkhali island is famous for Buddhist Temple and the ancient Adinath Temple. You can enjoy a full day here if you Settle up to visit Sonadia and some other Islands. In the morning you can your journey for Moheskhali, spend time to visit the places, take lunch there and on return you can visit Sonadia and other nearby Islands. where you can sea the fishing & lifestyle of fishermen. By the afternoon you can come back to Cox's Bazaar. 
Moheshkhali is a wonderful  place for visit. Many tourist come visit Moheshkhali every year.

 Jetty Ghat, Moheshkhali

 Moheshkhali Channel

Lightened Up Cheesy Quinoa Lasagna Bake

Lasagna is an all-time classic comfort food, but not exactly lite. A pound each of mozzarella, ricotta, ground beef, sausage, and noodles doesn’t work for me.

This lasagna bake is meatless, noodle-less, gluten-free, and uses just 8 ounces cheese for the whole pan. Use vegan cheese to keep it vegan rather than vegetarian.

I won’t say it tastes ‘just like lasagna’ but for me, that’s okay. Lasagna is way too heavy and I’ve never like ricotta anyway.

 If you’re looking for an easy family vegetarian dinner that’s lighter, ready in 1 hour, makes planned leftovers, and is also budget-friendly, this one is for you.

The leftovers are even better because the flavors marry and have more time to develop.

To make it, cook the quinoa on the stove, which takes about 15 minutes. I used white quinoa. Use your favorite.

Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl and toss with your favorite jarred or homemade marinara sauce, shredded cheese, a tiny drizzle of olive oil, basil, salt and pepper. I used fresh basil, but dried is fine.

Transfer to a baking dish, bake for about 45 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is golden, and the edges are set.

Dinner is ready in one hour from start to finish. Love that.

Lightened Up Cheesy Quinoa Lasagna Bake

Lasagna is an all-time classic comfort food, but not exactly lite. A pound each of mozzarella, ricotta, ground beef, sausage, and noodles doesn't work for me. This lasagna bake is meatless, noodle-less, gluten-free, and uses just 8 ounces cheese for the whole pan. Use vegan cheese to keep it vegan rather than vegetarian. It's hearty and comforting in a lighter way so you feel full and satisfied, but not stuffed or in a gluten and grease coma. This vegetarian, family-friendly dinner is ready in one hour, makes planned leftovers for lunches the next day, and is budget-friendly, too.

Ingredients: 

1. 1/2 cups dry, uncooked quinoa
2. 3 cups water
3. 2 cups marina sauce (store bought or homemade)
4. 8 ounces shredded cheese (use your favorite cheese blend; lite/reduced fat/vegan cheese okay), divided
5. 2 tablespoons fresh or dried basil, divided
6. 2 tablespoons olive oil
7. salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with water, and heat uncovered over high heat until mixture comes to a boil.
2. Turn stove to low or simmer, cover, and cook until all the water has evaporated and quinoa has cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and test a bite.
3. While quinoa is cooking, preheat oven to 375F and spray a medium/large baking pan with cooking spray; set aside. I used this pan and recommend a 9x9-inch pan for thicker lasagna, or 9x13-inch pan for thinner.
4. Transfer cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl.
5. Add the marinara sauce, about two-thirds of the cheese (reserve remainder to be sprinkled on before baking), 1 tablespoon basil (reserve remainder), olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
6. Turn mixture out into prepared baking dish, smoothing it lightly with a spatula and pressing it down gently.
7. Evenly sprinkle with reserved cheese and reserved basil.
8. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until cheese on top is golden and edges are slightly set. Baking times will vary based on the exact dimensions of your baking pan and personal preference. Serve immediately. Extra portion will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How to Make Your Side the Main Attraction

Veggie side dishes can be a little “blah.” Now we’re not saying that you should dress up your Brussels sprouts and parade them around with a baby carrot. But we are saying that your veggie side dish could use a makeover.

Turn your average side into a center-of-the-plate dish by adding delicious veggies to Barilla PLUS® Pasta. Brimming with enough protein to fill you up and give you an energy boost, this punched-up pasta can make your meal the talk of the table.

In fact, with 17 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce portion of pasta, Barilla PLUS Farfalle with zucchini, carrots, fennel, marjoram, and Parmigiano-Reggiano is a vegetarian meal that won’t have you missing the meat. Colorful and full of flavor, this hearty combo is a nutritious way to make your veggie side the main attraction.

Now whip up this uh-mazing recipe and get ready to fight off the pasta-razzi!

Farfalle with Zucchini, Carrots, Fennel, Marjoram, and Parmigiano-Reggiano

Serves 7

Ingredients:
1 Box Barilla PLUS Farfalle
4 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 Clove garlic, chopped
1 Large carrot, thinly sliced into rounds
1 Head fennel, diced
2 Medium zucchini, sliced into half moons
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 Teaspoon marjoram, chopped
1/2 Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Directions:
10 minutes preparation + 20 minutes cooking
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil
2. In a large skillet, cook garlic in olive oil for 1-2 minutes or until slightly yellow in color
3. Add carrots and sauté for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned
4. Add the fennel and zucchini, season with salt and pepper and sauté for about 3 minutes
5. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and toss with the sauce
6. Remove from heat and add fresh marjoram and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
7. Stir to combine and serve

Nutritional Info:
Calories: 320
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Total Fat: 12g
Protein: 13g

Can’t Decide Whether to Get Japanese or Italian Food?

If you’re like us, you can be a bit indecisive at times. Do you want to work out, or do you want to go to the spa? Do you want to go out for Japanese food with Bradley Cooper, or do you want to have Italian takeout with Theo James?

While we can’t help you pick between Brad and Theo, we have a solution to at least one of your problems! CHAYA Brasserie of Beverly Hills has a unique Euro-Asian concept that fuses traditional Japanese fare with techniques and flavors of Europe. Executive Corporate Chef Shigefumi Tachibe has mastered the art of fusion cuisine, and has shared with us one of his delectable creations! His Japanese Eggplant Pasta dish combines spaghettini, which is thinner than normal spaghetti but slightly thicker than angel hair pasta, with a host of vegetables and sautéed Japanese eggplant as the star of the plate.

Now all you need is Brad and Theo on each arm and you’re set!

Japanese Eggplant Pasta

Ingredients:
90 grams spaghettini
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 leaf fresh basil
1 cup tomato source
1/2 Japanese eggplant
1/6 zucchini
1/8 onion
1/8 fennel
1/8 yellow bell pepper
1/8 red bell pepper
1 hot red pepper

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté finely chopped garlic and chopped hot red pepper
2. Cook for a couple of minutes until garlic is golden brown and add fresh basil
3. Sauté sliced Japanese eggplant, zucchini, onion, fennel, and bell pepper in a pan with tomato sauce
4. Meanwhile, boil pasta in salted water according to package directions
5. Drain and toss pasta with the sauce
6. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese

How to Find the Happy Magic in the Bubbles of Life

" Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." ~ Ferris Bueller

Life is full of amazing moments. Babies laughing. Morning coffee. The sound of cicadas. The unconditional love of a dog. A cool breeze through an open window. A favorite song on the radio. These and countless other small joys were shared in a Facebook survey that received more comments than any Facebook post I've ever shared.

And while we are surrounded by these mini moments of joy, we are often so busy thinking about what we need to do next -- after the meeting, after work, this weekend, next month -- that we forget to stop and appreciate what's right in front of us. We go about our daily lives in a routine that makes us feel in control but this repetition doesn't inspire us to be more, see more and do more with this one life we've been given.

Imagine a glass of champagne, all fizzy and bubbly on the tongue. Just one sip and life feels special. But when we let that champagne sit, the bubbles settle and it tastes like just what it is -- flat. Shake it up again and the bubbles return bringing back the sparkly experience that lit us up for a brief magical moment.

Life is like that too. Let it sit and it gets flat, boring, uninspiring. We get stuck. Shake it up and the tiny bubbles of joy spin and whiz creating an inspired experience. Notice I said TINY bubbles. These tiny bubbles are the tiny, almost imperceptible moments that surround us every day -- moments we often miss because we're too busy being busy. These bubbly moments go unnoticed causing life to feel flat until we make a conscious effort to shake things up again.

Stop, Look and Listen to the Bubbles

Parents teach children to cross the street by teaching them to stop, look and listen. The main goal of this three-step process is to make kids fully aware of the surroundings and the street to ensure no cars are coming and it's safe to cross. The same concept applies when we are learning to see and appreciate the bubbles of happiness that float around us all the time. When we stop, look and listen we bring our surroundings and our life into focus which helps us become fully aware of our place in this world. This new awareness brings with it a new appreciation for the simple, amazing and powerful bubbles of joy that rise and fall around us all the time.

How can we embrace this way of thinking so these moments of bubbly happiness don't pass us by?

1. STOP -- Life is go, go, go. It's hectic, crazy, stressful and wild. This constant movement is important for forward progress but it must be balanced out with rest and reflection. The quickest way to build in that balance is to simply stop doing what you're doing and just be. That's hard for must of us because we're so used to non-stop activity and plowing through our to-do lists all day, every day. However, if we can take one-to-five minutes every hour to stop what we are doing and focus on the moment, it helps us once again notice the joy bubbles fizzing and flowing around us.

2. LOOK -- In today's technology-focused world, we are constantly slumped over computer screens, tablets, phones and video games looking at a screen. Take three minutes twice a day to look up and out at your surroundings. Notice the people, environment, animals and nature around you. Look out at the horizon line as far as the eye can reach and really look at where you're at in this big and bubbly world.

3. LISTEN -- The din of everyday life often clouds the messages that our heart and soul are trying to tell us. Build in a few minutes every day to reflect on your current life situation, your goals, your big, crazy dreams and your challenges in reaching them. As you begin to tune in to what your body, mind and spirit are telling you, the world around you will become much clearer making way for the celebratory bubbles of self-awareness, fulfillment and joy that come from living in the moment.

When was the last time you noticed and appreciated a bird building a nest, the color yellow, palm trees swaying in the wind, an extra 15 minutes when a meeting gets done early, sleeping in, stories from a senior citizen or hitting every green light? When you stop, look and listen to the world around you, these small joys can add up to an amazing life experience that feels a lot like a non-stop, fizzy, joyful celebration.

Understanding Attachment and Children with Insecure Attachments

Attachment is a deep and long lasting relationship that develops between an infant and primary caregiver, usually a mother, in the early years. Infants are born with the instinct to survive and from birth onward signal their needs to a caregiver. Caregivers often instinctively respond to these signals with nurturing and comfort. Not responding to the signals leaves infants very vulnerable. Without their physical needs being met infants will die. Without their needs for nurturing and comfort met infants will not thrive.

When caregivers respond to the infant’s signals with the appropriate response, empathy and caring, infants learn to trust that the caregiver will be available and understand their needs and desires. Such infants develop secure attachments. When caregivers are inconsistently available or unavailable and rejecting infants develop insecure attachments. When caregivers are neglectful or abusive, infants develop severe disorganized attachments.

As infants interact with their caregivers over time these attachment patterns become internalized and stabilized in the brain and act as templates for relationships for life, operating at an unconscious level. Such templates hold expectations of relationships, beliefs about oneself and perceptions of others. As children move out into the world and continue to interact with others they operate from these internalized beliefs, unconsciously encouraging others to treat them similarly to their caregivers. As other people treat such children in uncaring, angry, rejecting or inconsistent ways the belief that they are unworthy of care and that relationships are untrustworthy is confirmed.

For example, children who experience physical and emotional maltreatment from their parents or caregivers will perceive caregivers as dangerous and believe that they have to protect themselves. They may do this by avoiding closeness and controlling others or responding to innocent or accidental slights by other with threats and aggression. Their perception that others will hurt them is distorted by their early harmful relationships but very real to them. As they become more aggressive and controlling, others avoid these children, reject them or punish them which feels similar to the treatment they received from their caregivers.

If insecure attachment templates are entrenched neurologically how can they be changed? Therapists who work with children with severe attachment problems have been struggling with this issue for the past few decades, particularly after so many East European orphans were adopted in the 1970ties. Therapy focusing on attachment became the model to understand such disturbed adopted children and to treat them. Attachment Focused Therapy has evolved over the decades and with today’s understanding of Attachment Theory and Brain Development certain core elements now underpin Attachment Focused Therapy:

1. Therapy includes the child and primary caregiver(s), whether adopted, foster or birth
   parents.
2. The elements that constitute a secure attachment relationship are incorporated into the
   therapy. These include:
   • creating safety and predictability, by providing limits, routines and expectations only
     as benign elements to create a safe environment
   • empathy and atonement by connecting with the underlying emotional state of the child
   • demonstrating pleasure and affection in the interaction with the child, despite the
     anger and rejection presented by the child’s behaviour
   • nurturing
   • Encouraging rational processing by reflection, curiosity and thoughtfulness.

The challenge for parents who have adopted or are fostering children with severe attachment issues is to retain a calm detachment from the harmful and self-harming behaviour while remaining engaged and caring. Parents may need professional help to better understand the effects of the hurtful early history and learn effective interventions to live with and help their children. If adoptive and foster parents are able to provide a secure loving environment for their children, not be provoked regularly by the challenging behaviour and help their children reflect on their feelings and behaviour, children with insecure attachments can redevelop attachments that allow for greater self-worth, trust in others and an ability to manage their feelings and behaviour.

Why Parents Should ‘Baby’ a Crying Infant

In a study of 14,000 US children, researchers found that 40 percent lack strong emotional bonds with their parents—bonds that are crucial to success later in life.

According to the report, published by Sutton Trust, children under the age of three who do not form strong bonds with their mothers or fathers are more likely to be aggressive, defiant, and hyperactive as adults.

These bonds, or “secure attachments,” are formed through early parental care, such as picking up a child when he or she cries or holding and reassuring a child.

“When parents tune in to and respond to their children’s needs and are a dependable source of comfort, those children learn how to manage their own feeling and behaviors,” says Sophie Moullin, a joint doctoral candidate studying at Princeton University’s Department of Sociology and the Office of Population Research. “These secure attachments to their mothers and fathers provide these children with a base from which they can thrive.”

The report uses data collected by the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative US study of 14,000 children born in 2001. The researchers also reviewed more than 100 academic studies.

STRONG ATTACHMENTS

Their analysis shows that about 60 percent of children develop strong attachments to their parents, which are formed through simple actions, such as holding a baby lovingly and responding to the baby’s needs. Such actions support children’s social and emotional development, which, in turn, strengthens their cognitive development, the researchers write.

These children are more likely to be resilient to poverty, family instability, parental stress, and depression. Additionally, if boys growing up in poverty have strong parental attachments, they are two and a half times less likely to display behavior problems at school.

WEAK BONDS

The approximately 40 percent who lack secure attachments, on the other hand, are more likely to have poorer language and behavior before entering school. This effect continues throughout the children’s lives, and such children are more likely to leave school without further education, employment, or training, the researchers write.

Among children growing up in poverty, poor parental care, and insecure attachment before age four strongly predicted a failure to complete school. Of the 40 percent who lack secure attachments, 25 percent avoid their parents when they are upset (because their parents are ignoring their needs), and 15 percent resist their parents because their parents cause them distress.

WIDENING OF THE “READINESS GAP”

“This report clearly identifies the fundamental role secure attachment could have in narrowing that school readiness gap and improving children’s life chances. More support from health visitors, children’s centers and local authorities in helping parents improve how they bond with young children could play a role in narrowing the education gap,” says Conor Ryan, director of research at the Sutton Trust.

Susan Campbell, a professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh who studies social and emotional development in young children and infants, says insecure attachments emerge when primary caregivers are not “tuned in” to their infant’s social signals, especially their cries of distress during infancy.

“When helpless infants learn early that their cries will be responded to, they also learn that their needs will be met, and they are likely to form a secure attachment to their parents,” Campbell says. “However, when caregivers are overwhelmed because of their own difficulties, infants are more likely to learn that the world is not a safe place—leading them to become needy, frustrated, withdrawn, or disorganized.”

The researchers argue that many parents—including middle-class parents—need more support to provide proper parenting, including family leave, home visits, and income supports.

“Targeted interventions can also be highly effective in helping parents develop the behaviors that foster secure attachment. Supporting families who are at risk for poor parenting ideally starts early—at birth or even before,” says Waldfogel, a co-author of the report and a professor of social work and public affairs at Columbia University.

Source: Princeton University