Cool as a cucumber...........

Cucumber is a great folk medicine used to reduce heat and inflammation. It can be eaten raw, pickled or used in cooking. This cool fruit is popular among women because it is normally used to help treat tired eyes.

Cucumbers have excellent diuretic, cooling and cleansing properties.

It helps to heal a range of illnesses — including lung, stomach and chest problem, gout, arthritis and tapeworm.

Fresh cucumber juice helps reduce heartburn and acidity. It can also be used by people who suffering from gastritis or ulcers.

To reduce swelling and soothe the eyes, place slices of cucumber over closed eyes.

Cucumber juice, when taken daily may help to control cases of eczema, arthritis and gout.

Keep away from pickled cucumbers. Pickled cucumbers are devoid of most of its vitamins. Also, they is high in sodium.

Cucumber is said to promote growth of hair, especially when the juice is added to juice of carrot, lettuce and spinach.

Colour them crimson

The red lipstick trend is nothing new with the unforgettable Marilyn Monroe with her full-painted pout, giving the red hot trend a seductive touch. Following in her footsteps, were other Hollywood glam girls including Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna and more recently Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie with their signature pouts. Closer home, the timeless appeal of the lip colour has been retained by Rekha, who proves you're never too old to carry it off. There's nothing like this bright hue to add some oomph and sex appeal to your overall look.

Clint Fernandes, make-up expert, says that while this trend has been around for a while, it has become more popular in the last six months. "I think the average woman has realised it's not a bad shade. Earlier, they were more apprehensive as they felt it looked tarty but have now seen that it can look very elegant and dressy," says Clint.

He feels that depending on one's skin tone, one should choose a colour accordingly and with various shades like burgundy and brownish red available, darker skinned women are spoilt for choice. "This is a red carpet look that has transcended down to the ordinary girl looking for a glam option. Women want to look chic without trying too hard and hence this look is apt." And what are his tips to get the perfect pout?

"Moisturise adequately before starting off. Use a lip pencil that perfectly matches your lip colour and ensure that you fill in the shade without touching the edge to prevent it from bleeding. Use a tissue to dab some translucent powder to set the shade and minimal gloss if required," he advises.

The retro look of bright lips and nude make-up is back, feels hair and make-up expert Ruhi Bindra. She says that while fair skinned women can carry off blood red really well, those with darker complexions can go in for variations. "Among Indian beauties, it's Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Dia Mirza who stand out in red.

When going bold with the lips, keep the rest of your face nude or subtle with a natural pink blush, a tinge of kohl and a coat of mascara to open up the eyes," suggests Ruhi.

She adds that it's important to create a look that isn't too glossy or matte and recommends using a lip lock to make your colour last longer.

This look is not for everyone warns Dorris Godambe hair and make-up expert. "You need to ooze confidence or else the look will fall flat. Keep the rest of your make-up soft, with light blush and a thick eyeliner to create the retro look and let your lips pop. Those in their twenties and thirties can adopt this look but it's not for the very young or old," says Dorris who strongly emphasises that women with thin lips should give it a miss.

Is your bedroom making you sick?

Tired of entering a messy bedroom that just adds to your daily stress levels? Craving for a lush, beautiful, retiring place at night that makes you forget all the mundane things you had to do all day? Find out how you can create a healthy living space within the four walls of your bedroom.

Keep your bedroom allergy free. Clean your bedroom tiles with a mild bleach solution every once in a while. This will help keep possible allergens at bay, which otherwise cause skin and eye irritation, stuffiness and wheezing. Keep humidity levels in the bedroom in check. Although, something tells us you won't need to do that in Mumbai, unless you blast the air conditioning 24-7.

Say goodbye to dust mites. In a humid country such as India, dust mites aren't unusual. In order to prevent them from taking over your bedroom, wash your bed sheets once in a week with hot water. If your bedroom floor is carpeted, then vacuum clean often. Of course, daily dusting is a great way to ward these mites off.

Make sure your bedroom has enough windows. If you are lucky to have plenty of windows in your bedroom, you're in the clear. If, however, you're stuck with a bedroom that has tiny windows, you will need to ensure that there is adequate lighting that mimics natural light. This has a positive effect on your body's processes.

Your pillow also needs changing. You must change your pillows every year, in order to ensure a good night's sleep that doesn't damage your back and neck contours. Go for latex pillows which are soft, contoured for maximum support and are excellent for your upper shoulder muscles. Avoid pillows made of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as they can cause nausea, throat irritation and headaches.

Leave the tech out of your bedroom. While most are addicted to televisions, music docks and laptops in their bedrooms, keeping so many distractions strewn around your sleeping space can be detrimental. Why? Because your mind won't be at ease. Constant whirring, flicking, ticking sounds will keep your mind alert and that's not a good recipe for a good snooze.

You don't need us to tell you this - but have more sex. Give a boost to the romance quotient in your room and get ready to have more sex. Not only is great sex healthy for your body, it's also immensely healthy for your mind.

Benefits of grape seed oil

It is a great beauty oil for the skin and if used regularly can add a glow to your face. Grape, as a fruit, has immense medicinal qualities. It was known to be used several years back by healers in Europe, for the cure of several skin diseases. Grape seed oil has the quality of astringent, thus helps tighten and tone the skin. It treats stubborn acne and also helps to moisturise the skin. And if you dread those stretch marks, just use a little grape seed oil everyday and be ready to be surprised to see the change.

This non-greasy oil not only helps in nourishing ones skin, but if dabbed slightly, it gives a shimmering touch to your derma. It is also a great under-eye repair product. It can be used as an alternative for shaving cream. Wondering if you will ever find a natural way to protect your skin while you're about to step out in the scorching heat? Just apply a little grape seed oil on your face, as this oil acts as a sunscreen. What better than turning to natural remedies for the skin
than using chemical based products? Grape seed oil is one the best oils for skin-related issues.

Redefine your style statement

LBD
A well-fitted black dress could be treated as a cliché, but an LBD is one of the most versatile garments in your wardrobe. You could wear it as a blouse, a slip, and as a dress itself.

Nude pumps
They are a great buy because they match well with almost all garments. Preferably, buy a shade that matches your skin tone, so that it looks like an extension of your feet.

Well-fitted jeans
You can wear them over and over again, with a t-shirt, shirt or a top. So, it's essential to own a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly. Spend wisely and if they are expensive, think of it as a long-term investment. A good pair of jeans can last you for years.

A waistcoat or a vest
They help you layer without adding weight and are suitable for the humid weather. They are easily available in all stores. A vest can revamp a plain tee or make a plain shirt look a little more formal.

Accessorise
Always accessorise your ensemble. You can be wearing a plain tee and jeans like many girls in college, but by adding a funky necklace, you will totally stand out.

How girls manage to walk in high heels

Safe stilettos seems fairly straightforward: Two parts sacrifice and a dash of solid steel, said Fred Allard, creative director for Nine West, one of the world's largest manufacturers of women's shoes, reports Fox News.

It turns out, there's a formula to avoid tripping in heels: In 2004, researchers at the University of Surrey devised an equation that uses shoe size, the Pythagorean theorem, and several sociological variables to calculate how high heels can safely go.

Variables in the equation include aesthetic appeal of the shoe, experience in wearing high heels, how many months the shoe has been in style, and even the amount of alcohol consumed.

The cost of the shoe plays a factor too, said Dr. Paul Stevenson of the University of Surrey, who developed the equation.

In most cases, five inches seems to be the max, though Allard said Nine West puts no limit on the height of a heel.

But wearing heels comes at a cost. They demand sacrifice: Sacrifice in comfort. Sacrifice in practicality. Sacrifice in stability. Sacrifice in mobility. And in some cases, sacrifice in health, including knee, hip, feet, and back injury, as documented by WebMD.

As for the health risks, the weight of a woman's body is almost entirely focused on a heel the size of a pencil eraser, which creates immense pressure for such a small area. Much more, in fact, than a 6,000-pound elephant -- which explains why elephants can walk on grass but women in spike heels can't without sinking into the ground.

That said, heels can also have a positive effect on well-being.

"They have a way of making me feel better about myself," said Dani Gooch, a high-heeled mother of two.

"In that sense, I feel more confident in them than I do in other shoes."

Master the look for your wedding

Pre-marriage skin care: To achieve clear skin, start a few days in advance. Avoid eating oily food and drink plenty of water for glowing and well hydrated skin. Also, a full test run of the wedding day makeup should be done four to six weeks before the day to make sure you get your
desired look right.

Time matters: The season and the time of day matter when choosing the kind of makeup. In summer, one needs to minimise the makeup, however, go for a heavier look for winter. As for the time of the day, light tones of makeup work for daytime weddings while for evening, do the opposite.

Twinkling effect: It’s your wedding, so you’ll be photographed a lot. Foundations with yellow tones work best with flash photography, while the ones with pink tones will make you look too pale.

Balance the eye makeup with lip makeup: In case you want to go for dramatic eyes, go for a light-colour lip shade. But, if you are using a dark lipstick, it is better to have natural, light eyes.

Use tear-proof mascara: Go for waterproof, smudge proof, and tear proof mascara. Avoid applying mascara to bottom lashes as tears may smudge it.

Home remedies for chapped lips

You must take care of your lips in this harsh season.

1 Exfoliate well: Use a toothbrush to exfoliate your lips. It will remove the dead cells and promote growth of new ones. Apply petroleum jelly to soften the abrasion caused by brushing on the lips.

2 Keep them hydrated: Always use a lip balm to get rid of chapped and dehydrated lips. Use them at least 2-3 times a day. A lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher is essential to protect them from sun tanning and harmful UV rays. If you sleep in an AC room at night, don’t forget to apply either a lip balm or petroleum jelly on your lips to prevent chapping.

3 Balanced diet: Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your lips hydrated. This also helps to plump up the lips. Avoid caffeine and smoking and try to eating a healthy diet as it affects the colour of your lips. Also include salads and fruits like watermelon which are rich in water content.

4 Moisture magic: When applying lipstick, don’t forget to moisturise your lips. Follow it with an application of a good quality concealer. These days lipsticks, with a moisturising effect, are available in the market so use them to keep your lips hydrated and prevent chapping.

5 Safe makeup: Be careful when choosing a brand of lip colour, lip liners and lip glosses. In case you notice changes with your natural lip colour, stop its usage immediately and consult a doctor.

How much exercise is enough?

How much exercise your body needs, depends on your fitness goals. Are you trying to lose weight, increase endurance, reduce stress, achieve physical fitness within certain parameters, or reach any other milestones.

Therefore, before you ponder over how much exercise is enough for you, you must evaluate your exercise goals.

How Much Exercise Do You Need. For attaining general health benefits of a healthy lifestyle, a routine of walking on a daily basis might be sufficient. If your goals are more specific, for example, if you want to exercise to rev up your cardiovascular fitness, lower your blood pressure and lose weight – then you must go in for a moderate to vigorous intensity.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everybody needs two types of basic exercise – muscle strength activities and aerobics.

Aerobic activities use large muscles to momentarily boost heart rate. When performed on a regular basis, aerobic activity augments one's cardio-respiratory fitness. Some of the examples of aerobic fitness are brisk walking, running, cycling and swimming.

Muscle-strengthening activities have several advantages. They help us work on all major groups of muscles such as legs, abdomen, chest, arms, and shoulders. You will need to maintain a muscle-strengthing workout for at least two days in a week. Some examples of muscle-strengthening exercises are pushups, lifting weights and working with resistance bands.

Adults require at least 150 minutes of moderate level physical activity each week, other than muscle-strengthening activities. But as mentioned earlier, this is only instrumental in preventing lifestyle diseases. For added health benefits of power and endurance, you will need to workout to a higher intensity.

Want to Lose Weight Faster? Eat at the Table!

Do you make it a point to eat at the dinner table or would you much rather grab a to-go burger or munch in front of the TV or computer? Well, if it isn't the former, we have news for you. Formal meals at the dinner table could actually help you lose weight.

Yes, recent research shows eating at the dinner table helps you stick to your weight loss diet and consequently, lose weight faster. It's simple really. Focusing on the flavour and texture of the food while eating is the best way to decrease snacking. How in the world can you do that while watching your favourite TV soap?

"We think it is linked to memory and the way it influences our food intake. When we are making decisions about what we are going to eat, we are unconsciously factoring in information from our memories about what our last meal was," said the study. The reason why people ate more later after watching television was because it impaired the encoding of that meal into their memory. Eating at the dinner table came across as a better suited measure for dieters to stick to their diet.

Well, here's why we think you should make it a practice to eat at the dinner table:

1) Most often breakfast is rushed and lunch happens at work so the only time you get to enjoy your meal is dinner time. We think eating dinner at the table helps you relax and savour your meal!

2) It's a great opportunity for family time. Catch up with the kids, ask your husband how his day was or simply share some laughs.

3) It's so much healthier than grabbing some food on-the-go. After all, most fast food isn't good for you and comes loaded with fats and unhealthy carbs.

4) You are less likely to hurry your meal when you take time out for it. Chewing your food rather than swallowing it is good for digestion too.

Do you make it a point to eat at the dinner table? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Here's how to catch a liar

• When questioned, deceptive people generally want to say as little as possible. Geiselman initially thought they would tell an elaborate story, but the vast majority give only the bare-bones. Studies with college students, as well as prisoners, show this.

• Although deceptive people do not say much, they tend to spontaneously give a justification for what little they are saying, without being prompted.

• They tend to repeat questions before answering them, perhaps to give themselves time to concoct an answer.

• They often monitor the listener's reaction to what they are saying. "They try to read you to see if you are buying their story," said Geiselman.

• They often initially slow down their speech because they have to create their story and monitor your reaction, and when they have it straight "will spew it out faster," said Geiselman. Truthful people are not bothered if they speak slowly, but deceptive people often think slowing their speech down may look suspicious.
"Truthful people will not dramatically alter their speech rate within a single sentence," he added.

• They tend to use sentence fragments more frequently than truthful people; often, they will start an answer, back up and not complete the sentence.

• They are more likely to press their lips when asked a sensitive question and are more likely to play with their hair or engage in other "grooming" behaviours. Gesturing toward one's self with the hands tends to be a sign of deception; gesturing outwardly is not.

• Truthful people, if challenged about details, will often deny that they are lying and explain even more, while deceptive people generally will not provide more specifics.

• When asked a difficult question, truthful people will often look away because the question requires concentration, while dishonest people will look away only briefly, if at all, unless it is a question that should require intense concentration.

If dishonest people try to mask these normal reactions to lying, they would be even more obvious, added Geiselman.

The study is detailed in the American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry.

Go bold and beautiful this summer

It's summer and the heat is rising. So it's time to flaunt those legs and bring out the shades! The hottest hues this season are as bright as the shining sun and have set the ramps on fire. From poppy citrus hues to burnished orange, the fashion shows had them all. So what are the trendy colours this season? It's oranges and yellows that are not just upping the glam quotient but energy as well. From Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera to Prada and Peter Sim, orange was in vogue.

Colour me orange
This shade is perfect for the daytime casual look or for an haute evening look.

For a casual day look, team up a pair of vivid orange trousers with a subdued pastel-shaded shirt or even tee. To show off those legs, opt for an orange shirt or blouse and team it up with olive green khaki shorts. If shorts are not for you, then pick up a vibrant solar skirt and top if off with an olive tee.

As far as accessories go, since the hue is quite bright, opt for bags and shoes of a neutral colour like beige, tan and brown. But if you want to go bold and stand oput in the crowd a purple or indigo bag would do the trick.

Yellows are in
From Oscar de la Renta to Missoni, the summer collections showcased the best of yellows and lemons. As with all colours, yellow ranges from soft tones to bright ones. From poppy to marigold, you can go yellow from head to toe or choose just an element.

Bold shades are in fashion this season and if you flaunt your attitude then this is it! A yellow dress is wonderful for an evening out accessorized with a pink bag and gold heels. On the other hand, a summery yellow shirt or top with jeans or shorts is ideal for a day at the beach.

Tips:
- Neutral colours offset a bright outfit and make it more versatile.

- Bold colours are in this season so add colour to your wardrobe.

- Bags and shoes are perfect accessories; so accessorise right.

- Avoid bling for a day look; the colour is already bright!

- Don't go overboard with a bright shade. Add neutrals to your outift.

How to Secure your Personal Data in iPad 2

You can store so much personal and professional information on your iPad 2, so you can access them anywhere. But what happens when it get in the wrong hands.

Therefore today we will explain you how to Secure your Personal Data in iPad 2. You can Secure you personal data with one Password and its really easy to setup. Once the password is activated, anytime you or anyone else turn on your device and move the “Slide to Unlock” button, it will ask you to enter the password. If you don,t know the password, you can,t access any app in Apple iPad 2.
How to Turn On the Password Protection in iPad 2

1. Tap on the Settings icon.

2. Select the General option.

3. Now tap on the Passcode Lock.

The default passcode in iOS is four digits — if you would like to set an alphanumeric passcode, slide the Simple Passcode toggle to Off

4. Now Click on the Turn Passcode on and Enter a four-digit passcode, or an alphanumeric passcode of any length.

5. Re-type your passcode to confirm.

Thats it!

How to Turn Off the Password Protection in iPad 2

1. Go to Settings > General > Password Lock

2. Enter Your Password.

3. Now tap the Turn Passcode Off

4. Enter you password again to turn it off

How Secure Is your iPad?

In researching a forthcoming InformationWeek Analytics IT Impact Report on the iPad 2, I became much more familiar with features enterprise users and IT staffers fret about in a tablet--things like support for automated provisioning, centralized configuration management, network security, and local data protection. Just the things often lost in the noise of a consumer-oriented rollout blitz.

While the iPad (and sister iOS devices the iPhone and iPod Touch) doesn't yet equal the BlackBerry--every mobile IT administrator's best friend--and leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to enterprise-grade management tools, it does sport a set of surprisingly robust security features.
Of course, the iPad incorporates the latest Wi-Fi security standards such as WPA2 personal (preshared key) and enterprise (Radius). It also offers a host of VPN protocols, including Cisco IPSec, Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol, and Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, with third-party apps from the likes of Cisco, F5 Networks, and Juniper adding support for SSL VPNs.

So data in motion is well protected, while data at rest, the flash drive partition for user and application data, is encrypted with AES-256 using an embedded hardware key, which is strengthened by salting (much like Unix passwords) with the device's screen-lock passcode. Local data can be wiped either remotely--using a third-party mobile device management app, Exchange ActiveSync, or Apple's Find My iPad service--or locally after a set number of invalid passcode entries.

A woman's guide to age-proofing health

University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers have said that to age-proof her health, a woman must set health goals for every stage of life.

"So take note of all of these tips — even the ones directed toward women older or younger than you," said Therese Bevers.

Your 20s: Avoid tanning and HPV
Say goodbye to tanning salons because they significantly ups a woman's odds of getting melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer), according to research.

Reduce exposure to HPV
The human papilloma virus – the most common among young women in their late teens and early 20s. Limit the number of sexual partners, consistently practice protected sex and get the HPV vaccine if you are younger than age 26.

Your 30s: Add weights and relaxation time
Most women begin to lose muscle mass after age 30 and exercising prevents muscle loss, build bone density and also increases the rate at which the body burns calories.

Relax more. Curb stress by doing breathing exercises and other relaxation-type activities.

Your 40s: Stick to a healthy diet and exercise
With age, a woman's metabolism goes down, so she becomes more prone to putting on weight.

Making healthy food choices and staying active every day can help jumpstart the body's metabolism and keep off unwanted pounds.

Your 50s: Seek healthy hormone options
Taking hormones can increase a woman's chances of developing uterine cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots and stroke.

So consult your doctor to know about healthier options to manage menopausal symptoms.

Your 60s and older: Stay socially active
For many, living alone can lead to loneliness and depression, which can harm a person's overall health so get involved in communities.

Bevers encourages women who are retired and lack social interaction to find volunteer opportunities in their communities and get involved. It'll keep them active, engaged and sociable.

Get annual check ups done too.

"Whether you're in your 20s, 40s or 60s, yearly check-ups are a must. With the help of your doctor, you can create a personalized health plan to help you stay healthy for many years to come," Bevers said.

Are you helicopter Mom?

All mothers want to give their children the best opportunities for learning and to develop their overall persona. But are you the kind of mom who, in the quest for preparing your children to survive in this competitive world, pushes them to their limits? Have you enrolled your child for tuitions, karate, sports, dance, art classes after they are done with school hours? Even during vacations your child is constantly running from one class to another? This is a sign that you’re obsessed with your child’s extra-curricular activities and you’re literally breathing down their necks. Also, there’s a high chance you are a ‘helicopter’ mom.

The ugly repercussions
Clinical psychologist, Seema Hingorrany says that the term ‘Helicopter moms’ is rightly coined because this a trend amongst many mothers today, who need to “reduce anxiety in their children and give them space.” She says that nowadays children themselves, ask their mothers to give them space. Children who are pressurised by their ‘helicopter’ moms tend to suffer from anxiety, anger, tantrums, defiance, etc. Also, they tend to suffer from psychosomatic problems like headaches, back aches, stomach aches, etc.

Parents expect their children to participate in dancing, acting, drawing and painting, learning a musical instrument or perhaps learn a sport. They try to live their dreams through their children, for eg. some parents wish to give their kids all what they didn’t receive in their childhood. But many a times, they don’t realise that their children do not have the aptitude for the activity.

Maternal perspective
On the other hand, mothers today have their reasons for being so concerned about the overall development of their children. Sulekha Sharma (34), mother of a 10-year-old takes her daughter swimming, sends her for dance and piano lessons, twice a week. Sharma doesn’t believe in making comparisons between her child and her relatives, neighbours or friends children. So what is her reason for making her daughter indulge in multiple extra-curricular activities? She says, “Extra-curricular activities is the best substitute for the computer and TV. Also, in today’s world, competition is fierce. Learning to dance, play a musical instrument, etc. is a confidence booster for children and gives them an extra edge over other children who are not exposed to any extracurricular activities.”

How to Keep Your Child Safe on the Internet

Being a ‘helicopter’ mom has its shares of pros as well as cons, opines clinical psychologist, Dr Kanan Khatau Chikhal. Mothers today, want their children to have a taste of everything, the best opportunities of learning that they as parents can provide, “which is why mothers encourage their children to go for karate, cricket, tennis, dance etc. However, there is a thin line between being a vigilant parent and breathing down their children’s neck. In the latter, there is pressure to succeed.”

A word of advice
Mothers should learn to take a step back and relax. They must realise that there is no set pattern for the upbringing of a child. Refrain from comparing your child with other children. Also, there is no such thing as healthy comparison. Every child is it’s own individual mind map. If mothers themselves are facing selfesteem issues, they need to visit a counsellor and work on their selfconfidence. Not doing so, will result in the children suffering from selfesteem issues too, advises Dr Kanan.

Be the cool mommy by indulging in 7 Fun Activities for Kids This Summer Vacation

* Hingorrany suggests the following for helicopter moms:
* Remember, your children cannot always reflect your persona.
* Listen to your children. Ask them what would they like to learn, what activities would they like to participate in, etc.
* Check to see if your child has an aptitude for a particular extra-curricular activity. Enroll for a trial period for any class.
* Do not hover over them constantly. Children need their own space.
* Do not pressurise your children to excel at everything they do or made to do by you.
* Watch out for signs like crankiness, anger, defiance, etc. in your children. This might a sign that you’re pressurising them with more than they can handle.

Add saffron in your mango shake

Saffron, the most expensive spice is highly prized for its rich colour and aroma it imparts to cooking.

Yet, not many know that it can effectively reduce the heat-inducing quality in the mango shakes that are such a hot favourite this season with children and adults.

Cooling effect
Saffron can effectively cool any drink or dish that it is mixed with. Just a pinch of this spice can not only add flavour but also make it tastier. It can also be added in mango shakes, lime juice or even a regular glass of milk.

Anti-depressant action
Historically, saffron tea has been used to treat depression. Ingesting large amounts of the tea and spice is known to cause feelings of happiness and joy.

Benefits for the heart
In traditional Chinese system, saffron has been used to improve blood circulation and cure bruises. This spice can also lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. This helps in the treatment of atherosclerosis and arthritis.

Soothing eye care
Summer also brings along eye infections due to heat and dust. Safranal, a constituent of saffron, exhibits high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. Studies show that saffron soothes eyes and is an effectual weapon to prevent age-related macular degeneration.

India set to become top spamming nation

India is behind only US in spamming. Even though its share in total spamming traffic at 7 per cent is nearly half of that of the United States, it is on the rise whereas US has managed to reduce its share to 13.7 per cent down from 18.83 per cent in the past one quarter.

These are the findings of a report released by IT security firm Sophos, which indicates spamming is on the rise in countries like India, Russia and Brazil.

In fact, while the share of spamming activity from European nations is declining along with US due to measures taken by them, it is growing among Asian countries like India and South Korea.

Facebook to warn users about risky links

Facebook adopted a warning service to help users avoid clicking on dubious internet links, with a website ratings system developed by a Finnish startup.

The new warning service by Helsinki-based Web of Trust (WOT) helps Facebook boost security for its more than 500 million users, amid growing concerns of online scams, spam and malware.

WOT's software calculates the reputation of 31 million web pages and updates the ratings twice an hour, based on feedback from some 20 million users.

With the new feature, an improvement to its existing safety-scanning system, a click on a link to a low-reputation website prompts a warning message. The ratings are based on the input of some 20 million people and data from information security companies that blacklist harmful websites.

Facebook declined comment on the volume of security attacks and the value of the deal with WOT was not disclosed.

WOT's investors include Michael Widenius, founder of open-source database MySQL. The startup sees itself breaking even in the summer on turnover set to reach between 2 million euros ($2.8 million) and 3 million this year, said Vesa Perala, WOT's managing director.

"Our target is to reach 50 million users by the end of this year and 100 million active users is the aim in the long term," Perala said.

Little-known wonders in Chrome, IE & Firefox

It takes around 100 milliseconds to bat your eyelid. And the race now among the popularly used browsers is to optimize javascript performance to be within the time you bat your eyelid twice. There is very little difference between the speeds clocked by the latest versions of the browsers of Google, Microsoft and Mozilla. What this means is that applications and graphics pop up at enviable speeds.

Google's Chrome, Microsoft's latest Internet Explorer 9 Beta version and Mozilla Firebox's 4 Beta 10 update offer just that – ultra-fast speeds, a clean browser and a high level of security. Perhaps the key differentiator here is the user interface experience and extra features/extensions that each browser offers. It is in this niche services that one browser scores over the other, says Harish Vaidyanathan, Director, Evangelism, Microsoft India.

But for ordinary users, these advanced features help them save time and increase efficiency. For instance, you don't have to key in the entire URL address in any of these browsers. All the three latest versions are smart enough to throw up the exact link you are looking for. In some cases, they even offer different options or they may even track your browsing history and display sites you visit very often. You may not need to open separate applications to view Excel sheets or your photo albums, these have now become integrated into the browser itself. Here's a look at some of the fascinating developments introduced by the major browsers.

Google Chrome browser

Tabs are getting very adventurous across browsers. Instead of having multiple windows piled up at the bottom, it saves so much space to have tabs neatly arranged on the top. The fascinating thing here is that you can have split tabs into different windows. This means that you can write that research project you have been working on and at the same time keep a tab on the cricket scores. And this is how you do it: Drag a tab to the middle of either side of your computer screen. When the docking icon appears, release the mouse over the icon and the tab will snap into place, filling exactly half your screen. Four other docking positions will help you work simultaneously in multiple tabs with ease.

Trouble remembering? Get these tech tools

Everyone is constantly multitasking and it's understandable if you forget a few things now and then. But to help you remember, there are various little tools you can use. Off the top of my head, there are so many excellent reminder services available. www.rememberthemilk.com is one of the most-used services - available on the Web, on Android and iPhone, as an Outlook add-on, on Twitter, as a Gmail gadget and as a Google Calendar add-in. www.todo.ly is also free and a fairly extensive tool for all sorts of reminders.

All your reminders stay online so that you can access them from any computer. But if you don't need something so complicated, you can just use extensions for your browser - Internote for Firefox and Stickies for Chrome - which let you add little electronic Post-It notes as reminders. And as far as email reminders go, the easiest free services which require no registration or time to setup are www.alertful.com and www.hassleme.co.uk.

Both these services just require you to visit the website, enter your email address, type in a reminder, select the date or select the frequency. Set the services to remind you every day, week, month or once a year (useful for birthdays, anniversaries) - and on said date, you'll get a simple email from yourself - reminding you of what you're supposed to do. Set one of these as your homepage and you'll automatically remember to remind yourself too!

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand information and experiences about cooking, golfing, gardening, developing friendships or professional alliances, finding employment, business-to-business marketing and even groups sharing information about the end of the Mayan calendar and the Great Shift to arrive December 21, 2012. The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our world.

When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.

The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to social networking sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Denmark or India. Not only will you make new friends, but you just might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always a good thing.

As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as "traditional" social networking websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.

As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking including data theft and viruses, which are on the rise. The most prevalent danger though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to proceed with caution online.

By being aware of your cyber-surroundings and who you are talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social networking online. It will take many phone conversations to get to know someone, but you really won't be able to make a clear judgment until you can meet each other in person. Just use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell you when something doesn't feel right about the online conversations taking place.

Once you are well informed and comfortable with your findings, you can begin your search from hundreds of networking communities to join. This can easily be done by performing a standard internet search. Your search will likely return a number of results, including MySpace, FriendWise, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360, Facebook, Orkut, and Classmates.