The Aura of April by Shampa Chowdhury

It's April and you were probably planning to gear up for the festivities ahead, a visit to the malls, the markets, dresses, gifts, confectioneries, mishtis, parlours and much more. So here's what we can all do to still gear up , enjoy the coming days, do up the house, be safe and happy.

1. Take care of yourself ️

It might be difficult because you have so much on your to do list. But it all starts with you. So go ahead and it's a good idea to start with your skin first. 

A. Don't worry if you don't have your regular brands. Start with a scrub. Take some besan, rice flour, wheat husk, oats powder, (whatever available and all four if possible) , a little lemon juice, malai, honey, sandalwood powder or paste, almond powder and some rose water which can be made by boiling rose petals too. Make a paste of the following ingredients and apply on your face and neck. Scrub off gently with some milk or plain water when dry. Massage your skin with a massage oil or cream. If you don't have any branded ones, use any oil or cream. Dip your finger tips in some ice water and massage your skin gently in upward circular motion without pulling it. Be extra careful about your eye area. Wash off after 15 minutes. Follow up with a face mask if not on the same day then the following day. Make a mask with some multani mitti or besan, raw turmeric, neem, tulsi, sandalwood, yasthimadhu powder, cucumber juice, honey, malai and rose water. Apply on face and neck. When dry,  wet a face towel and wipe your skin gently. You can apply a light moisturizer after this. Your skin will be glowing with all the pure ingredients used. Leave out the malai if you have oily skin and use a toner instead after washing your face. You can make a home toner with apple cider vinegar, aloe vera gel and pure rose water or simply rose water.

B. Take care of your hair and if you have run out of hair products, simply go back to your grandma's days. Oil your hair well, coconut, olive, mustard, sesame whatever is available. Leave on for at least an hour. If you have run out of hair colour, you can add amla powder to your hair oil. Wash off with a mild home made shampoo with amla, reetha and shikakai. 

C. Pamper your feet. Soak them in a tub of hot soapy water and massage with a pumice stone and old toothbrush for the nail area. Apply a foot cream or a mix of glycerine, olive oil and rose water.

And there you are glowing like a queen!

2. Take care of your health and that of your family. Have enough fluids, especially citrus juices, lemon, watermelon, grapes, cucumber, tomatoes. Have adequate amount of Vitamin A, C and D. Have simple but healthy meals. It's getting hotter so cooling and lightly cooked meals keep you feeling better, like salads, raitas, kadhis, raw mango daal, shukto, lightly cooked fish and chicken. Do not get into rigorous exercises now but do some light stretching exercises, yoga, meditation and strolls on your terrace. Get adequate sleep and rest. Try not to be online for too long hours as it affects our eyes and posture. 

3. Do up your house now just the way you want it with whatever resources you have. Make cushion covers and sofa backs with saris that you will never wear again, batuas or pouches. Grow a plant, adopt a pet . Just go about the house and do whatever you have missed out on for so long.

4. Invite your friends and family over Zoom and Skype parties and enjoy festive greetings.

All is not lost you know. We are all healing 

ourselves as the earth heals too. Let's be patient and pray for everyone's safety. 

Let's pray for those who lost their lives in this sudden pandemic and their bereaved families. May the good Lord bless and keep us to  remember these times so that we can make a difference each day at a time.