Valentine’s Day: It’s the month of love.

       What is Valentine’s Day All About?

Holding a yearly celebration to commemorate love has its roots in 270 AD when Roman Emperor Claudius II banned men from marrying during wartime as he believed that single men performed better on the battlefield. Bishop Valentine continued to hold wedding ceremonies despite the emperor’s orders and the Bishop was consequently executed on 14th February.

“According to legend it was St Valentine himself who sent the first valentine. This was in the form of a letter to his jailer’s blind daughter. He had fallen in love with her.”

Another theory is that the festival has its origins in a pagan celebration. The Lupercalia festival celebrated fertility and honoured the Roman god of agriculture. After sacred ceremonies all the single women in the area would be matched with a bachelor and they would form a couple for a year. This pairing frequently resulted in marriages. In the middle ages countries in Europe believed that February 14 was the yearly marker for the mating season of birds. Since the 19th century Valentines day has become an international occasion. In modern times people try to find Valentines Day ideas to show their significant other that they care.

Valentines Gifts and Ideas

From chocolates to red roses there are plenty of classic Valentines day gifts. While rushing to the shops and buying flowers is a good option you can also plan to give your partner a unique gift this year. Show your partner how much you care with one of these DIY gift ideas.

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so if you are looking for Valentines gifts for him why not bake chocolate cupcakes? Give your cupcakes a romantic theme by using heart shaped baking trays. You can even use red icing to complete the Valentines day theme.

When it comes to Valentines gifts for her there are plenty of thoughtful ways for you to express your love. If you want to impress your partner, you can buy her jewellery to mark this special occasion.

Showcase your best memory by displaying a photo of you and your partner in an upcycled frame. First you will need to find a second hand frame for sale online and then you can decorate it according to your personal style. If you can’t find the right photo, why not book a photo shoot at T&M photography? With their great Valentines Day specials you can get your dream photos at an affordable cost.

                                                                                                                                                                            

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Jaitley goes local, gives 'Make in India' a dose of protection

Keen to spur local manufacturing, the Budget raised basic customs duty on a host of items including mobile phones and TV components, furniture and certain automobile parts, and unveiled a slew of measures to make it easier to do business in the country. The Budget also introduced a 10% social welfare surcharge on the duty. 

In the first Budget after the roll out of goods and services tax, the government turned to the import duty framework to foster domestic investment and boost the 'Make in India' programme. Customs tariffs have been raised by 5-20 percentage points on several items that have witnessed large imports. 

There have also been steps to make compliance easier for businesses. A select category of exporters and importers can avail of a special regime with simple procedures. Customs officials must call taxpayers for consultations prior to issuing demand notices, providing them an opportunity to settle. If the adjudication process didn't start within a time limit, the case will have to be dropped. 

Importers and exporters can also ascertain tax liability by seeking an advance ruling from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs — the renamed Central Board of Excise and Customs. 

Tax experts and industry executives said the message was loud and clear: "Make in India". 

"There is a clear policy shift in increasing customs duty to incentivise domestic manufacturing on many items including cell phones, smart watches, perfumes, juices and so on," said Pratik Jain, the indirect taxes leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Nine out of every 10 handsets sold in the country will be produced locally in 2018, after the government increased the customs duty on mobile devices to 20% from 15%, industry experts said. 

"We have doubled up our production capacity this financial year and will continue to scale up," said Motorola Mobility India managing director Sudhin Mathur. 

The duty hike on TV parts like cabinet and printed circuit board to 15% from 10% will force companies to start manufacturing or locally sourcing these components, said industry executives. 

"The writing on the wall is clear — we have to manufacture everything locally," said CM Singh, an adviser to consumer electronics manufacturer Videocon. 

Increased customs duty on specified automobile components to 15% from 7.5-10% will impact automakers who import parts, said Abhishek Jain, partner at EY. 

The government decision will encourage not only investments, but also technology development in the sector, said Nirmal Minda, chairman of auto parts maker Minda Industries. 

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EPF Contributions of Women Employees Cut to 8% for First 3 Years.

The government claimed that such measures in the past have been paying dividends and would result in the creation of 70 lakh jobs this year as per an independent study.

The government today announced a reduction in women employees' contribution to EPF to 8 percent for first three years and extended the fixed-term employment facility to all sectors to create more job.

Besides, it also proposed to extend the facility of payment of 12 percent employers' contribution by the government towards social security schemes run by Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for new employees for first three years of their employment to all sectors.

To incentives employment of more women in the formal sector and to enable higher take-home wages, I propose to make amendments in the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act 1952, to reduce women employees' contribution to 8 percent for first three years of their employment against existing rate of 12 percent or 10 percent with no change in employers' contribution," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in his Budget Speech today.

"The government will contribute 12 percent of the wages of the new employees in the EPF for all the sectors for next three years. Also, the facility for fixed-term employment will be extended to all sectors," he said. 

At present, the fixed term employment facility is available to sectors employing a large number of workers like textiles, leather, and footwear under the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY).

The government pays 8.33 percent of basic wages as employers' contribution toward Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) for other sectors and the firms are paying 3.67 percent as their share of contribution towards Employees Provident Fund under the PMRPY.

he government claimed that such measures in the past have been paying dividends and would result in the creation of 70 lakh jobs this year as per an independent study. 

"Proposed changes to PF scheme by way of Government PF contributions for new employees and reduced PF contributions by employers for women for first three years will help in promoting employment growth, and more so for employment of women," said Alok Agrawal, Senior Director, Deloitte Hawkins & Sells. 

The Budget 2018-19 also proposed to bring in the liberalised scope of employment generation incentives available under 80-JJAA of the Income Tax Act.

Currently, a deduction of 30 percent is allowed in addition to normal deduction of 100 percent in respect of emoluments paid to eligible new employees who have been employed for a minimum period of 240 days during the year under section 80-JJAA of the Income-tax Act. However, the minimum period of employment is relaxed to 150 days in the case of the apparel industry.

The minister said, "In order to encourage the creation of new employment, I propose to extend this relaxation to footwear and leather industry. Further, I also propose to rationalise this deduction of 30 percent by allowing the benefit for a new employee who is employed for less than the minimum period during the first year but continues to remain employed for the minimum period in the subsequent year."

Commenting on these budget proposals, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh Zonal Secretary Pawan Kumar said, "This budget is a total disappointment. The proposal to reduce women's EPF contribution to 8 percent from existing 12 percent of wages would be possible only after the amendment in the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act."

He further said that the government had earlier decided to make provident fund contributions optional for employees in apparel and made-ups sector under a policy but it could not be implemented because the Act was not amended for the purpose.

Similarly, he said that the proposal to reduce women's EPF contribution would require an amendment in the Act and seems more like a populist announcement in view Lok sabha polls due next year.

Under the social security scheme run by the EPFO, the employees contribute 12 percent of their basic wages which goes into their Employees Provident Fund account. Employers also make a matching contribution of 12.5 percent out of which 8.33 percent goes into Employees Pension Scheme and 3.67 percent is deposited into employees' EPF account. The employer also pays 0.5 percent of basic wages towards Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme.

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Cutting out Unhealthy Ingredients and Junk Food

 1 Replace refined sugar with fresh fruit once a week. Try to cut out cake,candy and sweets that contain refined sugar and substitute them for fresh pears, peace and mangoes at least once a week. Slice the fruit for an easy snack or make a fresh fruit salad with just fruit and no added sugar.

• Start by replacing sugary treats with fresh fruit once a week and then amp it up to twice or three times a week. Over time, you should try to replace almost all sugary treats in your diet for fresh fruit, for many days in a row as you can manage.

  2  Have whole-wheat grains instead of refined grains in at least 1-2 of your meals.

Buy foods made with whole-wheat, such as whole-wheat pasta, bread, and crackers when you go grocery shopping. Start by replacing white bread, pasta, and rice in 1-2 of your meals with whole-wheat wraps, quinoa, and brown rice.

  3  Cut down on packaged food and junk food to 1-2 times a week.

 Packaged foods like microwave dinners, pre-made sandwiches, and prepared soups are all high in sodium, fat, and unhealthy ingredients. Fast food is also high in fat and low in nutrients. Aim to reduce your consumption of these foods to only a couple of times a week. Over time, try to limit yourself to having fast food 1-2 times a month.

• Try to have packaged or junk food only as an occasional treat!

  4  Have food with less sodium and saturated fat.

Opt for low-sodium soy sauce and other prepared sauces. Soak dry beans overnight or in a slow cooker, as canned beans have a high sodium content. Have fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals, as they have less sodium and fat.

 5 Try replacing sugary drinks with water. 

Rather than reach for a soda, a packaged juice, or another cup of coffee, sip water instead. Carry a water bottle with you so you always have water on hand. Try to have more water throughout the day and limit or cut out any other drinks.

• Add fresh sliced lemon or cucumber to your water to make it more flavorful.

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How to Co‐Sleep Safely With Your Baby.

Co-Sleeping in Separate Beds.

Co-sleeping is a great way to feel close to your baby. Co-sleeping is when you sleep in close proximity to your baby. There are two types of co-sleeping: room-sharing and bed-sharing. Room-sharing is when your baby sleeps nearby in the same room, and bed-sharing is when you sleep in the same bed with your baby. Many experts discourage bed-sharing because it carries increased risk of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome.Whether you choose to room-share or bed-share, the most important thing about co-sleeping is following the safety guidelines.

  1   Place a crib next to the bed. If you want to room-share, place a bed for your baby  right next to yours. You can put a bassinet, crib, or play yard in the room.You can be close to your baby, but reduce the dangers of bed-sharing.

• Doctors recommend room-sharing as a way to reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%.

 2  Choose a bedside sleeper. If you want to be closer than a crib, you can place
 a  bedside sleeper on your bed. This bed attaches directly to the bed.so you can be next to your baby, but keeps you separated on different surfaces.

  3  Move the baby to another room between six and twelve months. If you co-sleep with your baby, you should do this until around 12 months of ag However, if you want to move them to their own room before that, wait until they aleast six month old.

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Habits Of Really Healthy Women.

There are certain determinants of health that are largely, if not entirely, out of your control. Your genetic makeup and biology have major bearing on your overall well being, as do any number of socioeconomic factors, and your access to high-quality care.f you have an inherited health condition, and you are struggling to earn a living wage, your path to health is going to be rockier than that of someone who doesn't and isn't.
There are individual behaviors that have been shown in many cases definitively to help improve and maintain women's health. Habits that have a direct and measurable impact on women's bodies and minds, and that healthy women therefore embrace.

Healthy women cultivate friendships:
Women with breast cancer who felt socially isolated were more likely to die from the disease than those with closer ties. Women with advanced ovarian cancer who had lots of social support had significantly lower levels of a key protein linked to more aggressive types of the disease.

They have a screening plan..:
Who should get screened for what, and when, is an inexact science, and leading medical organizations disagree on the standards. When it comes to mammography for women with typical breast cancer risk profiles, for example, the American Cancer Society recommends screens starting at age 40.
Healthy women read up on their options and make informed decisions about what's right for them with (and this is key) a team of qualified providers they've carefully assembled, and in whom they trust.

.. And they become experts on their own bodies:
No nurse or doctor can ever know your body as well as you do, which is why healthy women tune in to theirs and speak up when something seems off. They do monthly self-breast exams, track their menstrual cycles, note where their moles are (and if they've changed) and pay attention to any unusual symptoms.Not only is this intimate knowledge of their body a way for women to revel in its strength and awesomeness, it ensures they're active participants in their own health.

They take medication seriously:
Research suggests that when it comes to medication adherence, women are worse than men.Healthy women understand that not being vigilant with medication has the potential to compound serious problems, and they also understand that taking medication carries with it risks and benefits.

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Natural Skin Care.

Natural skin care uses topical creams and lotions made of ingredients available in nature. Much of the recent literature reviews plant-derived ingredients, which may include herbs, roots, flowers and essential oils, but natural substances in skin care products include animal-derived products such as beeswax, and minerals. These substances may be combined with various carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers.

There are no legal definitions in the U.S. for advertising terms "natural" or "organic" when applied to personal care products. Consumers often express a preference for skin products with organic and natural ingredients. The personal skin care market based on natural products has shown strong growth. Clinical and laboratory studies have identified activities in many natural ingredients that have potential beneficial activities for personal skin care,but there is a shortage of convincing evidence for natural product efficacy in medical problems.

Some natural products and therapies may be harmful, either to the skin or systemically. People prone to allergies should pay careful attention to what they use on their skin. Dermatologists may feel that there is enough scientific evidence to assist in the selection or avoidance of particular natural ingredients.

Many countries require that the ingredient composition of skin care products is listed on the product, using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) conventions. Ingredients are listed in the order of their percentage within the product; natural ingredients are listed in Latin and synthetic ingredients are listed by technical name. "The U.S. government has documented more than 10,500 ingredients in cosmetic products, but only a small percentage of those chemicals have been tested for safety. Of those that have been tested, some have been identified as carcinogens (causes cancer), teratogens (causes birth defects), and reproductive toxicants (damages the ability to reproduce)."

The FDA surveyed 1,687 consumers ages 14 and older in 1994 about their use of cosmetics. Nearly half of these consumers felt that a product claiming to be "natural" should contain all natural ingredients. However, although the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated within its certain requirements within its specific area of regulation for organic products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize a definition for natural products. Accordingly, there are no legal definitions in the U.S. for the advertising terms "natural" or "organic" in personal care products. The FDA prohibits certain ingredients in cosmetics.

Some organic products which are designated organic may be intensely modified, sometimes considerably more so than conventional products.

Plant extracts and herbs have been used by many cultures as cosmetics and perfumes since ancient times.

Research is scientifically assessing natural products, selected based on experience in the ancient era. Validated use of these materials and products awaits further assessment.

There are significant reservations about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including a "shortage of evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of CAM" for skin problems. However, patients express a desire to utilize natural ingredients as treatment. A literature search found a growing prevalence of CAM use for skin conditions. A number of textbooks address CAM perspectives of skin care. The purpose of this section is to review botanical compounds in skin care; a broader review the history and theory behind other CAM modalities such as psychocutaneous therapies, acupuncture and homeopathy can be found in recent reviews.

Ayurveda

Ayurvedic skin care is derived from medicinal practices that began over 5,000 years ago in India. Ayurvedic medicine and healing practices are based on Indian philosophical, psychological, conventional, and medicinal understandings. Most of the ayurvedic skin care products contain the following herbs—aloe vera, almond, avocado, carrot, castor, clay, cocoa, coconut oil, cornmeal, cucumber, cutch tree, emu oil, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, grape seed oil, ground almond and walnut shell, horse chestnut, witch hazel and honey.

Ayurvedic approaches have been used in molluscum contagiosum, lymphatic filariasis, vitiligo and lichen planus.

Phyllanthus emblica (amla, Indian gooseberry) has been used in ayurvedic medicine. Standardized extracts of Phyllanthus emblica have a long-lasting and broad-spectrum antioxidant activity. This may be suitable for use in anti-aging, sunscreen and general purpose skin care products.

Cosmeceuticals are topically-applied, combination products that bring together cosmetics and "biologically active ingredients". Products which are similar in perceived benefits but ingested orally are known as nutricosmetics. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act "does not recognize any such category as "cosmeceuticals". A product can be a drug, a cosmetic, or a combination of both, but the term "cosmeceutical" has no meaning under the law". Drugs are subject to an intensive review and approval process by FDA. Cosmetics, and these related products, although regulated, are not approved by FDA prior to sale.

Cautions

Some alternative and natural products and therapies may be harmful, either to the skin or systemically.

The FDA recommends understanding the ingredient label and says "There is no list of ingredients that can be guaranteed not to cause allergic reactions, so consumers who are prone to allergies should pay careful attention to what they use on their skin", further warning that "[t]here is no basis in fact or scientific legitimacy to the notion that products containing natural ingredients are good for the skin". Food preservatives are commonly used to preserve the safety and efficacy in these products. Alternative remedies may increase the prevalence of eczema. Bhuchar recommends that "ingestible substances including most homeopathic, Ayurvedic, and traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulations that are not US FDA regulated should be viewed with caution as they may cause severe adverse effects" such as arsenic poisoning and liver failure."

Given the shortage of evidence for natural skin care efficacy, if applied it may often need to be used in combination with conventional treatment, rather than independently.

According to Bhuchar, there is a consensus in the literature that dermatologists need more information about CAM. Wu advises that "dermatologists should be aware of what patients may be using and be able to advise them about the efficacy of these ingredients or the potential for adverse effects". Many patients fail to inform their physicians about their use of herbal ingredients. 

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