Back-up chargers for smartphone-toting nomads

The Waka Waka solar charger. Photo: AFP

In this season full of long drives, walks in the woods and all-day sunbathing, it's a shame to let your phone to run out of juice, cutting you off from the rest of the world. Luckily for summer travelers and adventurers, there are a number of alternatives to the traditional wall plug-in

chargers.

Car chargersA convenient option for vacationers spending a lot of time at the wheel, car chargers fit into a car's cigarette lighter and users can take advantage of the drive to charge their device. With prices starting at around US$5, car chargers are efficient and easy to use. When purchasing one not made by the phone manufacturer (Samsung, HTC, Blackberry, etc.), pay close attention to compatibility. Not all car chargers work with the iPhone, for example. Recharging on the road is even simpler when your vehicle is equipped with a USB port: no need to buy a charger, just plug in the USB cable that comes with most smartphones.
Solar chargersFor the environmentally conscious, there are solutions for recharging your phone with little to no carbon footprint. The solar option frees smartphone users from the necessity of finding a power outlet as long as there is access to the sun's rays. The Waka Waka Power charger, for example, recently hit the market thanks to Kickstarter funding and is now available for US$79.
Wind-up chargersFor those looking for an environmentally-friendly charger that doesn't depend on the weather -- sunny or not -- wind-up chargers are a good bet. You may have to put in a little physical effort, but you'll have peace of mind in knowing you can recharge in any situation. In this vein, the Eton dynamo charger is available at around US$80.
External batteries

jewellary trends

The Monsoon season calls

The Monsoon season calls for protective foods – that is mainly foods that protect your skin and guts. As you know the condition of your gut and general health immediately shows on your skin. The rain brings with it health irritants, allergies, indigestion and infections.

Go Green:

Leafy Greens (photo courtesy | medimanage.com)

In this season, you should try to concentrate on eating light foods. This requirement can be fulfilled by increasing your intake of green leafy vegetables which helps build immunity besides being very light on the stomach.
Fruits are the perfect food for this season, as they restore energy. But before consuming fruits and veggies, remember to wash them thoroughly (preferably soaked in salt water for 30mins before use) as they carry the risk of infection. Avoid fresh fruits, which have been pre-cut or peeled and kept in the open. Go for apples, pomegranates and pears. These will give you your beauty dose of vitamins and essential elements!

Whole Grain:

Whole Grains

Oats, Brown Rice and Jowar are your best choices for Carbohydrates. The fiber in the grain ensures you feel full on small quantities of any dish. Following this tip, ensure you drink an adequate amount of water for proper digestion of the fiber. Cleansing your gut daily keeps you light, fit and glowing.

 Stock up on Garlic:

Garlic (photo courtesy | gardening ktsa.com)

Soups, vegetable and chicken broths are very good choices for supper. Adding a dash of garlic to these dishes can help build up your immunity for the season.

 Stay away from Fries & Spices:

Samosas (photo courtesy | foodnetwork.com)

Excessive bingeing on fried foods (like bajjias and samosas) during the monsoon can make your skin susceptible to irritation and there is always chance of bloating, which tells on your face as well.

Cut down on Dairy:

Dairy Products

While this food group can add to your protein intake, excessive intake of dairy products can cause indigestion. During the rains stick to warm diluted milk (well boiled) or 2 cups of probiotic yogurt through the day.

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5 best hair accessories

They are the bane of our lives—the bad hair days. While there is no escaping it, here are some hair accessories to mask your hair and help you save face. It is time to pull out your best accessorising tricks from your sleeve and nail down an attention-grabbing style.

Head scarfs and wraps: Head scarfs are a stylish addition to any wardrobe, from casual to sophisticated. This hair accessory fits securely and is an easy alternative to wigs, hats and traditional scarves. It can be worn with an open scarf like look or tucked in back to cover your head completely. Ensure that you pick the right material so that the head wrap keeps your head comfortably cool and are soft to touch.

A bejewelled hairband: This hair accessory will definitely help you shine out in the crowd. Embrace your individual style identity and sport a gorgeous hair clip or an ultra-sophisticated headband. It is the answer to your prayer if you are in a need of a quick glam fix for your boring look. Regardless of your hair length and personality, these hairbands are armed with rhinestones and sequins to divert attention away from your messy locks.


A headband: The beginning of headbands can be attributed to the ancient Greeks who wore hair wreaths or early 20th century women who believed that tight pressure around the forehead could relieve or prevent headaches. But with time, these headbands have only gotten more sophisticated—from lace, crochet, ribbons and cute bows to exotic fabrics and decorated with feathers. Play up your allure with these head accessories.

Ponytail holder: One of the all-time greatest summer, lazy day, athletic hairstyles or best way to mask a bad  hair day is to tie it up. Yes ladies, the ponytail holder could be your best friend. Ponytails look great on everyone, they keep the hair out of your face, accentuate your features and a high ponytail is a big fashion trend. So get a ponytail holder that is colourful—this will work great for a casual do. Or a more sophisticated one for a more formal outing.


A hat or cap: With summer kicking in, stylish hats or caps for women are all the rage—they are a great, inexpensive and effective form of UV protection for your skin and your hair. They only take a second to throw on, and they not only mask a bad hair day, but can also accessorise a casual look. Bright, flattering summer colours next to your face can act just like makeup, making you look great with very little effort, though they won’t work at a formal event.

some more to come