The furnishings within our homes and offices, and some of the materials used in the construction of buildings, can emit chemicals such as formaldehyde (found in foam insulation, carpet, paints, plywood, glues, grocery bags and more), benzene (found in inks, detergents, plastics/rubber, synthetic fibers and more), and trichloroethylene (used in dry cleaning/carpet cleaning, adhesives, paint removers, etc).  Not to mention the carbon dioxide we exhale with every breath we take!  

What can we do to clean the air we breathe without buying fancy air purifying machines within our homes?  Hit up your local flower district or nursery and buy some PLANTS, PLANTS, PLANTS!  Not only do plants turn carbon dioxide into oxygen (something we all learned in elementary science), but NASA researchers have found that there are specific plants that actually filter out other harmful toxins as well!

CitySaheli has put together a list of the top air purifying plants to help you create a green, clean and natural indoor living space for yourself.  As a rule of thumb, keep one 6 inch potted plant per 100 sq. feet of indoor living space.

Top 15 Air Purifying Plants

1. English Ivy

2. Golden Pothos

3.  Peace Lily

4.  Palms (Bamboo, Dwarf Date, Lady, Areca)

5.  Dracaena (red-edged, cornstalk, janet craig, warneck)

6.  Mother-in-law’s Tongue

7.  Gerbera Daisy

8.  Boston Fern

9.  Corn Plant

10.  Spider Plant

11.  Weeping Fig

12.  Philodendron (heartleaf, selloum, elephant ear)

13.  Chrysanthemum

14.  Chinese Evergreen

15.  Marginata

*** Before purchasing any plants be sure to thoroughly research them, as some may be poisonous if consumed and therefore should not be placed in homes with children and/or pets.

Some of you may have grown up with cats and dogs but many of you may be considering first time ownership and the prospect can seem daunting. City Saheli has compiled a checklist of items to consider and places to gain information as you embark on this life-changing journey.

Where to find furry friends?

There are literally thousands of dogs and cats for adoption through the ASPCA. Most of these pets are already housebroken and many are neutered or spayed which will save you money and time.

If you are committed to the idea of raising a puppy or kitten to adulthood, fret not, there are a plethora of rescue sites broken down by breed that will enable you to select the tiny paws that best match your tiny abode. There are also a number of breeders in the tri-state area that offer pricey pooches of show quality.

Avoiding using pet stores since they amass the bulk of their pet supply from mills. Mills are facilities that churn out puppies and kittens for the express purpose of profit. Aside from the moral issues of buying a mill-born animal, there can also be additional costs with a mill-born since mill-born animals suffer from a higher number of genetic and chronic health conditions.

Find a veterinarian!

Before you even bring your fluffy new friend home, make sure you find a vet you trust in your neighborhood. Here are a few of the animal hospitals in Manhattan that can refer you to vets best suited to your needs:

Tribeca-Soho Animal Hospital: http://www.dvmhospitals.com/

Greenwich Village Animal Hospital: http://www.gvah.com/

Animal General (UWS): http://www.animalgeneral.com/

University Animal Hospital (UES): http://universityanimalhospital.com/

Questions for Your Veterinarian:

Do you take pet insurance?

Most vets operate on a cash-only basis, so before you purchase insurance for your new love make sure it’s worth the monthly cost.

What type of off-hours emergency services does your office provide?

What animal specializations/certifications do you have?

What vaccinations does my new pet need? How often should these be administered?

What are my pet breed’s predisposed health conditions? How can I prevent these?

When do you recommend I spay/neuter my pet?

How often should I get my pet groomed?

What type of food do you recommend for my pet?

What medications/vitamins do you suggest I give my pet to build immunity?

Get Pet Supplies

We recommend micro-chipping your fuzzy pal to ensure that in the horrific event that they get lost, they can make their way back to you. All city animals should have a pet collar with a tag that lists your name and phone number at the very least.

Depending on the size of your pet, we also recommend a pet carrier. A sturdy, plastic one is preferable but we completely understand your desire to supplement this durable option with a stylish pet bag. There are dozens of boutiques in the city, but for the staples we suggest Petco or Petsmart.

Of course, you will want to pick up food and treats for your new companion as well as some chew toys and squeaky toys to keep them amused while you aren’t home.

If you have an animal that needs grooming, you will want to investigate grooming spas or purchase materials to groom your pet at home.

The Extras

1. Sign up for Puppy/Doggie Obedience School (www.petco.com)
2. If you want to dress your pet for Halloween (or the winter) the above mentioned megastores have plenty of options but we also like Target (www.target.com) and GapKids (www.gapkids.com).
3. Join a dog/cat group online to learn more about your pet’s breed. (www.meetup.com)
4. Locate dog runs (http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogruns) in the city where you can take your pooch to play and meet fellow dog owners. These people can serve as a great resource for dog walkers, vets,
5. Research pet boarding facilities near you for when you have to be away for days. City Saheli encourages making lots of doggie and kitty owner friends, so you can help each other out with pet-sitting instead of relying on a service or boarding your precious pet.

Above and beyond everything you can do for your new pets, take time to enjoy them. They will shower you with love and affection, be sure to return the favor.

Reduce Stress.

• Try the 6-3-6 formula for instant relaxation when you are tense or stressed out.  Slowly inhale to the count of 6 and hold your breath for a count of 3 and then exhale to the count of 6.  This type of rhythmic breathing can control stress.  So, inhale first and hold your breath for a couple of seconds and then exhale.  Deep breathing is often associated with yoga and is a great way to manage anxieties.
• Drink a cup of black tea (no milk) with the juice from 1 squeezed lemon in it.

Can’t Sleep?

• A cup of hot milk at bed time after a warm bath.
• Lie on your back and try deep breaths 15 times.  Then lie on your side.  You should more easily fall asleep.
• It is said eating a raw onion daily induces sound sleep.
• Take 1 teaspoon full of honey at bedtime.

End Acne.

• Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of rose water. Apply to the face with a piece of cotton wool or a face brush.  Wash after ½ hour with plain water.  Repeat for 10-15 days.

Stop Headaches.

• Mix 1 teaspoon dry ginger with 2 tbsp water to a paste.  Apply on the forehead to provide quick relief.  The aroma of ginger is pungent but extremely soothing.
• Make a paste with a 1” stick of cinnamon, ½ piece of ginger and four teaspoons of powdered dried ginger.  Apply this thinly on the forehead.  Rest, relax and allow it to dry.  Remove by washing off.

CitySaheli has asked Nanis, Dadi Maas, and Amamas for their home remedies and here’s what we found to help our Sahelis  beat a cold.

Home Remedies for a Runny Nose

Before going to bed chew 7 peppercorns (sabot kali mirch) and 1 teaspoon sugar candy (mishri).

Tulsi tea – When making tea, add 2 cloves (laung), 1 green cardamom (chhoti elaichi), 1.2 teaspoon dried ginger powder (saunth) and 6 tulsi leaves, when boiling the water.

To get relief from a blocked nose, dip one of a piece of dry turmeric (sabot haldi) in sesame (til) oil and ignite it.  When it begins to emit smoke, carefully inhale the smoke slowly, but deeply through the nose.  Repeat several times.

For a stuffed nose, eat raw onions (kacche pyaaz) twice a day.

Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

Gargle 3 times a day with a glass of hot water to which 1 tsp of salt has been added.

Boil 1 glass of milk with ½ teaspoon tumeric powder (haldi) and give 2-3 boils.  Strain.  Add sugar to taste.  Drink at night for 2-3 days before going to bed. May sound gross, but its CitySaheli tested and approved.

Boil 2 teaspoons carom seeds (ajwain) and 2 ½ cups of water for 15 minutes.  Strain and add ½ teaspoon salt.  Gargle twice a day – early morning and bed time.

A solution of 2 teaspoons of glycerin and 1 teaspoon of borax powder (suhaaga) will give you quick relief from a sore throat.  Swirl this mixture in your mouth for a little while with a cotton swab and let it slide slowly.

For an effective home remedy for the sore throat, cough and cold, boil 1 cup of water with a few mint (pudina) until it is reduced to half the quantity.  Strain the boiled water and add 1 teaspoon honey to it.

Boil 1 glass of milk with a small pinch of ground turmeric (haldi), pepper (kali mirch), power and sugar candy (mishri).  Strain it and have it as hot as possible.  Relieves throat pain and lung congestion.

Nix the White Rice
Making pulao or biryani?  Switch white basmati rice with brown basmati rice.  If you are trying to stay healthy, lose some pounds or stay in shape, brown rice is definitely the smarter choice.  Brown rice is less processed and contains more fibers, vitamins and minerals than white rice. Brown rice also contains nutrients like magnesium, manganese, and zinc. For people with high blood sugar, white rice should be avoided like the plague since it can cause an upsurge in blood sugar levels with its disproportionate ratio of carbohydrates to other nutrients .

Terrific Tofu
Substitute paneer with tofu and cut a significant amount of fat and calories from your meal while keeping the protein in your diet that your body needs.  Choose a tofu with a firm texture, like paneer, and you will barely notice the difference! City Saheli Tip: For ultimate flavor, drain as much water out of the tofu as possible before marinating.  That way the tofu can absorb the spices you are marinating it with.

Remember, even your meat dishes can be substituted with tofu for these great health benefits.

EVOO for a Healthy Heart
Most South Asian dishes require some butter or oil in their preparation.  Choose extra virgin olive oil (“EVOO”) which is significantly lower in saturated fat, and richer in monosaturated fats, than your other options.  A diet with low saturated fat is great for the hips, while a higher proportion of monosaturated fat has linked to a reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. 

Swap Potatoes for Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple in South Asian diets. Use a sweet potato instead of a regular potato and double the dietary fiber intake.  Sweet potatoes also won’t spike up your blood sugar levels as regular potatoes can.  Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
 
Alter Online Recipes
Many recipes for Indian food online have more oil or butter than you actually need.  The great thing about cooking at home is that you can control the amount of fatty ingredients you add.  Try halving the amount of oil your recipe asks for and if you need to add more, add in small increments. Or use a healthy butter substitute instead of butter itself.  Also, try pan frying with PAM Olive spray, it works!

Marinate, Marinate, Marinate
South Asian food is rich with different flavors.  Keep the flavor and cut the fat by marinating with spices (sans the oil).  Marinate tofu, chicken and fish with spices (and only spices) overnight to give a deep intense flavor.  Be sure to read the labels on the marinades you use to ensure there aren’t hidden oils and fats in them.  Next time you are near an ethnic foods market, pick up an MDH masala packet, which is especially good for kebabs and ground turkey. You will be surprised by the results! City Saheli Tip: Use lemon and lime to marinate. It gives it an extra tang without harming your waistline.

Go Greek
Many of the Indian foods we love are often made with heavy cream.  You can always reduce the amount of cream these recipes call for, but you can also use other healthier substitutes to knock down the fat content.  One choice is to use light cream, but the healthiest substitute is lowfat Greek yogurt. The consistency of Greek yogurt makes dishes creamy and still gives a flavor you will surely savor. 

Glow. (Skip the 60 min Facial.)

D.I.Y.:  Face Mask, Face Scrub, Moisturizer

Typically after a spa 60 minute facial your face feels brighter and you feel refreshed.  To obtain these same results at home, start by cleansing your face thoroughly.  Then use a light face scrub to exfoliate and remove the dead skin cells. Follow this scrub with a face mask suited to your skin type.  Please use the guide below for a reference.

Follow by massaging a face moisturizer (chosen per your skin’s needs) for approximately 5 minutes. Using facial masks regularly will lengthen the time you will need to go back and get a facial.  It’s an affordable way of keeping your skin fresh and new.

CitySaheli Picks

Splurge: SK II Facial Treatment Mask

Wont damage your pockets: Mario Badescu – Flower and Tonic Mask

Steal: Queen Helene – Mint Julep Face Mask (at your local drug store)

Smooth. (Bring the Spa Body Scrub to your Tub.)

D.I.Y.:  Sugar Scrub, Deep hydrating moisturizer

No need to spend big bucks in the spa to remove dead skin cells and achieve baby soft skin.  Use a sugar scrub during your shower to remove dead skin cells that have accumulated during the dry winter months.  Investing in a good brush or loofah can also help achieve results.  As soon as you exit the shower, towel dry and apply a deep moisturizer.

CitySaheli Picks

Splurge: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish

Wont damage your pockets:  Bath and Body Works – Aromatherapy Sugar Scrubs

The Body Shop – Body Butter

Steal:  St. Ives Apricot Scrub (at your local drugstore)

Shine. (Deep Condition without going into Deep Debt.)

D.I.Y.:  Purchase a deep conditioning mask or even try an oil you already have at home (i.e. coconut oil or almond oil) and make your hair the shiniest it’s ever been.

CitySaheli Picks

Splurge:  Kerastase Masque Oleo-Relax

Wont damage your pockets: H2O Plus Hair Repair Seaweed Masque

Bumble and Bumble Deep Dehydration Therapy Mask

Steal: Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask Conditioner (at your local drug store)