Tomato is a glossy red or yellow sharp-tasting fruit which is eaten cooked or raw. It is eaten as vegetable, in salads or as a savoury food. It's a special ingredient in preparing a delicious meal, especially jollof rice in Nigeria. Some Nigerians who hate too much pepper in soup also use it to reduce spicy hot taste of soup.

According to Nigeria's Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria produces about 1.5 million tons of tomatoes a year. Nigeria is the 14th largest producer of tomatoes in the world. It is also the largest producer of tomatoes in sub-Saharan Africa. Tomatoes are mostly produced in Northern part of Nigeria followed by Southwest part of Nigeria. Farmers from these zones take their tomatoes to markets where Nigerians can easily buy them. Though it's only 'tomato Hausa' (tomatoes from North) that always available throughout the year in the markets. Tomatoes from Southwest are only available for a while in the market.

However, some Nigerians prefer imported tomato pastes to raw tomatoes in Nigerian market. Nigeria is the eighth largest importer of tomato paste in the world after Iraq and Japan. This prompted Dangote to establish Dangote Farms Tomato Processing Factory with $20 million tomato paste facility which started operations two months ago. The tomato plant was established to help reduce wastage of the fruit in the country and to also minimise the amount of imported tomato pastes in the Nigerian market.

Although Nigeria is the 14th largest producer of tomatoes in the world, Nigerians always experience scarcity of tomatoes in dry season. It is because the production of tomatoes always reduce due to irregular rainfall in the season. This was the thought of many Nigerians when the scarcity of tomatoes surface, while some believed Dangote was the reason for tomatoes shortage in the market because of his tomato paste plant. Surprisingly, Dangote Farms Tomato Processing Factory also stopped operations due to scarcity of tomatoes.

Meanwhile, there have been different rumours on the cause of present scarcity of tomatoes in Nigeria. The quantity of tomatoes which was sold for 20 or 50 naira is now 200 or 500 and a basket of tomatoes that was 5,000 - 6,000 naira is now 40,000 - 42,000 naira in the market. The real reason for the scarcity is an attack by a moth called TUTA ABSOLUTA which is called TOMATO EBOLA disease by locals. The pest has destroyed crops in Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Plateau states. The attack has affected this year harvest of tomatoes in the major tomatoes-produced states.

Kaduna state which contributes strongly to Nigeria's overally production of tomatoes has already seen losses of millions of dollars. This is because many people depend on tomato farming for their livelihood in the state. Tomato crisis actually started because of the recent fuel shortage but TUTA ABSOLUTA worsen it. Another problem now is people are afraid to buy tomatoes because nobody knows which tomatoes are save to eat. Some people have started buying imported tinned/sachet tomatoes, while some are using onion to replace tomatoes. Federal government need to prevent the disease from spreading further as early as possible.

Written by Mayowa Emmanuel Oladele

Source: http://www.hub201.com/facts-about-tomato-production-and-scarcity-in-nigeria/

Anytime, any day, ladies are always fun to be with and to talk to. Campus ladies are quite a sight to behold in our universities though. You see all sorts-the packaged, unpackaged and the unpackageable.. To quote Umar (2016), in every classical university, there must be corresponding classical babes.’ Observing them has been a sort of comic relief to me in this eruditic environment; they are like inhalers during an asthmatic attack. So please, so enjoy your sojourn into the world of classical babes in classical universities. Don’t forget to crack your ribs (it’s not like you have a choice anyways).

1. BOYFRIEND ANALYSTS
In every nook and cranny of a classical university, you see these babes in groups, analyzing guys whose head dey there. They are the ones who know how expensive a guy’s outfits and accessories are. They even know the name of his haircut. These baes analyse guys based on material things whether original or fake. These baes never fall in love or lust with Garri and kulikuli guys. Na only Olorunsogo dey for them dicko.

2. LINGUAL MURDERERS
These baes kill English with the salivated ‘bullets’ in their oral cavity. The rather amusing thing is that these baes think they can speak ‘error-less’ English but I tell you, they murder English with many ‘kpa-kpas.’ When an observer hears these baes speak, he notices them very easily. You hear them say, ‘I am going to the hospiru,’ ‘Where can I get warer?’ ‘Do you wanted to date the guy?’ and so on. They are ‘forming baes.’

3. CAFETARIA BABES
These set of baes are always hungry. The only thing that can satiate their hunger is for a guy to take them out. Funnily enough, they will even choose the kind of cafeteria they want by themselves. Eating in a local canteen is not their hubby, you know. These are the baes who cafeteria attendants already know their orders even before they enter. These are the ones who spend more than what their benefactor spends in the cafeteria. If their benefactor is not hungry as the same time as they and gives them like 500 naira, these babes never return the balance. Babes sha!

4. SILENT BOOKWORMS
I have many friends in this category. They are potential scholars because they read anything readable and beneficial but they don’t flaunt their intelligence around. One only knows of their cerebral contents when one moves closer to them. They hardly talk in class except when they are pushed to the wall. They are good listeners and observers. These ones believe in the philosophy that says, ‘A little you say about yourself is too much.’

5. DAY DREAMERS
These are the baes that have dreams that cannot be achieved in the next 20 years but always want their dream achieved immediately. Life doesn’t work that way! You will see them hanging out with rich boys and men because they want to use the latest I-phones, Ipads, clothes, shoes, perfumes, make-up and other ‘I-must-belong-too’ accessories. Some of them are so desperate that they even dupe and trick guys that have big fishes and noiseless air-conditioned cars afterall, they gats belong nah.

6. SILENT SNIPERS
These baes are neither trained to kill enemies nor to devour birds of prey. They train themselves on how to bounce and shake their succulent frontal oranges and their two-leveled backyard ‘kola’ at night. During the day, these baes pretend to be decent but at night, they turn cockroaches waiting for nocturnal suckers. They call them ‘runs girls’ ‘olosho’ ‘sharp sharp’ ‘no waste time’ ‘open the door’ etc.

7. BBC CORRESPONDENTS
Hmmmm! The babes in this category can talk ehn! If you need any information, gist or rumour, just ask them and it shall be given unto you. They always have the latest information at hand. They are the ones who know the number of times bae A has slept with guy A, X, Y Z. They know the number of girlfriends that guys have had since 100level even when the guys themselves might have forgotten, They always have interest in the number of pregnancies that this bae and that bae have terminated. Anyways, these baes can be good sources of information to one at times.

8. ATTENTION SEEKERS
Aaaaaaa! These baes are many fa. They seek lecturers’ and students’ attention with body movements, physical presence and fake voice modulations. Most of these babes fancy front seats so they could display their different ‘packages,’ ‘noisy typefaces,’ ‘typesizes,’ and type-fonts. They are the ones who plaster makeup on their faces 24/7. Even in their dreams, they have to have foundation, lipstick, eye pencil, eye shadow, and blush only. They are the ones who carry hand mirrors everywhere so that they could adjust their makeup after every class.

9. SHEEPISH COPYISTS
It is not that these babes are gentle like a sheep; they just follow people as sheep do. In classical universities, they are the ones who never agree with what anyone but their lecturer says even if the latter are wrong. They never project their own views but only dance shoki with everything a lecturer says-hook, line and sinker.

10. S BABES
The babes in this category are not sickle cell carriers o! They are always in social media even when lecturers are in class. They are the I-must-snap-selfies babes. They are so into social media and selfies that they are almost sick without it in a day. The two S have been attached to them like twins confluenced in the head.

Written by Ajetunmobi Umar Olansile for Hub201.com
Reviewed by MOA

Source: http://www.hub201.com/classical-baes-you-see-in-classical-universities/

Tigernut (also called Cyperus esculentus) is a crop of the sedge family, widespread across the world. It can be found wildly as a seed or as a crop. However, in most countries, it is considered as a weed. Tigernut is known as 'İmúmú ' in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, and known as 'Aya in the northern part of the country.

Tigernut is used in making Kunnu (a non-alcoholic beverage), common to the people in northern part of Nigeria. Because of its high nutritional content, it is now used as a substitute for the normal millet and sorghum which are neither poor nor have low nutritional value.

Tigernut is a crop with a high energy content (starch, fats, sugars and proteins), rich in minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, vitamins C and E. Phosphorus, together with Calcium, constitutes the bulk of the mineral substance of the bones and teeth. It plays a great part in the formation of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), an energy compound indispensable for activating glucose, fatty acids, etc.

Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic acid, has diverse functions in the body. Its major functions include antioxidant, encourages the absorption of iron, helps maintain vitamin E level, indispensable for immunological system and for preserving the tissues. On the other hand, Vitamin E plays a role in the formation and function of the red blood cells, muscles and other tissues, also thought to have a preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Benefits of tigernuts you should know:
1. Because of their high fiber content, tigernuts help to prevent constipation and act as an appetite suppressant, which helps to control our body weight.
2. Tigernut has a lipid profile which is very similar to the olive oil and is considered as one of the healthiest of oils.
3. With only 100g of tigernuts, the body gets up to 17% of the daily recommended dose of magnesium. Magnesium stays active in the body and participates in more than 300 biochemical reactions.
4. The high content of Amino acid, Arginine present in tigernuts help the body to make nitric oxide that maintains the dilation of our blood vessels and thereby have a normal blood flow.
5. Because it is a source of vitamin E, tigernut protects against free radicals which are responsible for the death of body cells. And if this combines with a high content of Oleic acid, it can reduce the risk of heart disease.
6. Tigernuts help to control diabetes. Recently, studies have shown that the fiber content of tigernut doesn't elevate the sugar levels in the blood as the carbohydrates.
7. Tigernut is also a source of oil, and its oil can be used in the cosmetics industry. As it is antioxide (because of its high content of vitamin E), it helps to slow down ageing of the body cells. It favours the elasticity of the skin and reduces skin wrinkles.
8. Milk can also be extracted from tigernuts, and it is called tigernuts milk. Tigernuts milk is very healthy, without lactose and rich in calcium, vitamin C and E.
9. Tigernuts help to prevent heart attacks, thrombosis and activate blood circulation. Due to the high contents of soluble glucose, they prevent cancer. Lately, it has been discovered that they reduce the risk of suffering colon cancer.

Written by: Omoyeni Oluwasegunfunmi José for Hub201.com

Source: http://www.hub201.com/benefits-of-tigernuts/

Jide Ogunsanya is the owner of Ogbongeblog.com, a graduate of Microbiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ogun State, Nigeria, who created a very educating Nigerian tutorial online platform where people can find the most basic tutorials online. During his NYSC, he enrolled in a 6 months weekend course in Java Programming at NIIT, Onitsha and he was able to master some computer skills which have been so helpful to him till this very moment. Jide Ogunsanya is well respected among his fellow bloggers in Nigeria, and this creates a lot of speaking gigs for the brilliant entrepreneur.

[img]http://3.bp..com/-B0IC1IM56Q0/VfKqwnNgPKI/AAAAAAAAMwY/dCX8CEvq0Io/s1600/jide-portrait.jpg[/img]

Ogbongeblog is known for its helpful tutorials on how newbies can start their online businesses and make money. On his blog, Jide offers blogging tips, online business ideas, technology tips, and lots more. He makes money online from his blog in different ways. He makes upto $622 (N97,000) in 15 Days From Google Adsense just for you to know that making money from blogging is real.

The blog won the “Best Science and Tech Blog” in 2011 Nigerian Blog Awards. In 2012 Nigerian Blog Awards, the blog emerged as the “Best Tutorials Blog” (Judge's choice). In 2013, the blog emerged as the winner of the "Best Online Media On Technology" in 2013 OYAA Awards. The blog couldn't make the final nomination list of 2013 Nigerian Blog Awards because of what happened to the blog in October, 2013.

The blog has thousands of subscribers as seen in the Feedburner counter on the post pages. You can check out the traffic stats at Alexa to confirm that it is truly one of the best Nigerian blogs.

He started the blog in 2008 to share his knowledge online especially as regards to solving tech-related issues and also to make legal money online. The moment he started making money from the blog, he started sharing with the ideas with his blog readers, how they can also make money from the internet especially via blogging.

By the end of his service year in 2009, he was proud of the blog to the extent that he was reluctant in applying for jobs. Then, he even decided that if jobs come his way, he will not settle for crazy job offers.

He has inspired alot of people to get involved in blogging, even me, and the success stories he received from a lot of them kept encouraging him to do more with his blog.

Today was the wedding ceremony of this young Nigerian entrepreneur and I can't help but say a “Happy Married Life” to him.

My prayer for him is that; as he's getting married today, may things continue being soft and easy as it use to in his life and may he produce good and excellent Children just like him but bigger than him. Amen!

Written by pius princewill oghenerabome for Hub201.com

Source: http://www.hub201.com/happy-married-life-to-mr-jide-ogunsanya-of-ogbongeblog-16-04-2016/

Not only does it add extra flavour to your dish, but also serves as a source of many health promoting nutrients.
Onion, also known as ‘BULB ONION’ is a very important spice which usefulness cannot be under-estimated. It’s the most widely cultivated species of its genus ‘Allium’. This plant can either be a biennial or a perennial plant, but it’s usually treated as an annual and harvested in its first growing season.

Scientific Blassification
Kingdom: Plantea
Class: Angiosperm
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Allioideae
Genus: Allium
Species: A. cepa
Binomial name: Allium cepa

Nutrients readily available in a bulb of onion include:
1. Carbohydrates
Sugars
Dietary fibers
2. Vitamins
Thiamin (B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Pantothenic acid (B5)
Vitamin B6
Folate (B9)
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
3. Fat
4. Protein
5. Minerals: Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc.
6. Other constituents: Water, Fluoride.

Health Benefits
Onions are rich in Vitamin C, sulphuric compounds, flavonoids and other phytochemicals. But emphasis would be laid on its flavonoid constituents.
Onions contain a high ratio of polyphenols, a compound that plays an important role in both protection and reduction in the progression of diabetes, cancer, neurodegerative and cardiovascular diseases. They contain more polyphenols than even garlic or leeks, and are one of the best sources of a polyphenol called flavonoids, especially QUERCETIN.
Quercetin is a flavonoid with very powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Some of the major functions of quercetin include:
1. Reduces the risk of atherosclerosis
2. Helps to prevent death as a result of heart diseases
3. Reduces blood pressure
4. Inhabits the growth of cancer cells from breast, colon, prostate, ovarian and lung tumors.

Other health benefits include:

It prevents inflammatory process associated with asthma, reduces symptoms associated with diabetes, improves bone health and diminishes replication of HIV. It also lowers the risk of having cataract and antibacterial and antifungal.

When removing the outer skin of an onion, be careful to remove as little as possible. This is because the outer layers are thought to be the most nutritious, having the highest amounts of flavonoid content.
Onions release a gas called Lachrymatory factor (L.F), which causes eye irritation and subsequent tearing (shedding of tears). This might make it impossible to peel off the outer flesh as little as possible, but there is a trick that my help to accomplish this.
Eye irritation can be avoided by cutting onions under running water or submerged in a basin of water. Leaving the root end intact also reduces irritation as the onion base has a higher concentration of sulphur compounds than the rest of the bulb.

Refrigerating the onions before use reduces the enzyme reaction rate and using a fan can blow the gas away from the eyes. And the more often you chop onions, the less you experience eye irritation.

Storage
Onions are better stored at room temperature, optimally in a single layer, in mesh bags in a dry, cool, dark and well ventilated environment. With this storage method, onions have a shelf life of 2-4 weeks.

Onions will absorb moisture from vegetables when placed close to each other, and this may cause them to easily decay. If onions are refrigerated, they have a shelf life of around one month. Any cut pieces of onion are best tightly wrapped, stored away from other produce, and use within 2-3 days.

Never mind the tears they bring on, onions lavish you with health benefits while adding oodles of taste to your food.

Note: An Onion a day may help keep the doctor away!

Written by: Omoyeni Oluwasegunfunmi José for Hub201.com

Source: http://www.hub201.com/onion-a-spice-to-food-and-health/

No doubt marriage is a wonderful thing. It has been recoursed that the greatest source of human joy and pain is found in the drama of love, relationships and marriage. Many successful people have traced their unusual levels of acceleration to their spouses while many failed marriages also vestiged their failures to their estranged ‘witch’ partners. The epidemic and explosive rise of the divorce rate adds further fuel to the fear, hopelessness, disillusionment, and despair people feel with regard to marriage. But marriage is beautiful and what makes marriage such is the fact that it’s your decision. Marriage is meant to be in specifics. In other words, YOU choose to marry your partner.

Let me correct a notion before I proceed. Nobody has the right to choose who you’ll be married to; be it your parents, friends, pastor or anybody. Let me shock you. Not even God can choose who you’ll marry. Is that a blasphemy? Absolutely Not! In Hermeneutics, one of the ways to provide answers to questions is to identify where such questions first happened. It’s called the principle of First Mention. To clarify issues, let’s go back to the first incidence of marriage. The Adam and Eve story. After God had created every creature, scriptures retort that God brought all of them to Adam (Gen.2:19). Now there arises a question, why would God bring all these creatures to Adam when He could have done it alone? It’s because apart from the spiritual dimension of Adam, there’s also the intellectual phenomenon attached to his nature.

Man is supernaturally intelligent and that’s why you can look at the world we live in and marvel at the great discoveries of man. Following through, that same verse continues ‘….and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.’ This simply means that it was at the discretion of Adam to name every creature as he wished. Another reason why God brought the creatures to Adam was to also ‘test’ his feeling as to who to be with. Man is also soulish. That’s his second dimension. He has feelings which would be expressed in his daily life. It was man’s decision to choose who to marry. If he had found a partner among those creatures, that would have been the order of marriage.

You may ask why that? It’s very simple. Man was entrusted with responsibilities. He’s to account for every of his decisions that affected him. And for him to be accountable, he ought to be independent. If your Dad gave you some dollars and asked you to invest the money in a certain company, and based on your knowledge, the company is not viable. And you explained it to him but he refused. If he lost all the money, he cannot blame you. You know why? Because he forced you to make that decision. Contrarily, if he gave you the freewill to choose any company to invest in, then he could blame you if you invest the money in the wrong company. The same way, If God had chosen anybody for Adam and he married such creature by force, it would have violated the principle of accountability. In other words, Adam would have blamed God for his misfortunes! And God would have no option but to accept the blame, and Adam would deserve no punishment because God is a just God. He operates on the principle of righteousness.

Understanding this synopsis will help you have a basic understanding of what marriage entails. That’s why it’s always said that love is a decision not a feeling. In other words, love does not happen naturally. It is cultivated. This is particularly important to youths who get engrossed in youthful exuberances especially in the area of relationships. When you ask a guy why he loves you and he says ‘baby I don’t just know why!’ You’d better run away from such a person because it’s a dangerous statement. It implies such a person is irresponsible. ‘Love and Responsibilities are co-travellers’, says Leke Alder. He must have a reason why he chose you. If not, he might wake up on a bad day and equally say ‘baby, I don’t feel we can continue again!’ and you ask him the reason and he replies ‘I don’t really know why. I just feel I’m no longer interested.’ And that way, you feel jilted and cheated. You see why you must be careful on who to date?

Before I drop the pen for this part, don’t date a guy who has used God as an avenue to propose to you. This is usually the case of people who are so spiritually-minded! They fall into the trap when the guy says that God told him you would be his wife. Listen, you are FREE to reject any guy you think you’re not comfortable with no matter his level of anointing. Why? The principle of responsibility and accountability I just explained above. Rejecting his proposal can never land you in hell. It’s unscriptural! The principle of responsibility is applicable to both sexes. The Big Book says ‘So God created man …..male and female created He them.’ (Gen.1:27) In other words, when God was giving instruction to ‘man’ in the Bible, He was referring to both the male and the female. It’s the reason why dating and marriage is a joint decision.

Another major excuse most guys use on the ladies is if it’s God will, they would marry them. I’m currently undergoing a diploma degree in Hermeneutical Theology (That involves studying the methodological interpretation of scriptures and their Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic etymologies). So I have at least, a basic understanding on the issue of Semantics. What the sentence ‘If it’s God’s will, I will marry you’ means is that; ‘My decision to marry you is not based on me but on God’. Most, not all guys do that though. It means the guy is shifting his own responsibility to God which has violated the principle we’ve learnt earlier on. So Akin, does that mean God’s will is not needed in marriage? My answer is a capital NO but there’s a better way to present it. For example, you can put it in a more appropriate way by saying, ‘I trust God I WOULD MARRY YOU!’ You see that? Despite the presence of God in the equation, the man still cannot dodge his responsibility of making the decision of marriage. The reason being that the human life is sacred and sacredness ought not to be violated or it’s a criminal offence. In the kingdom, we don’t joke with the human heart because it’s sacred (prov.4:23).

I’ll be talking on the three things to consider before you say ‘I do’ in the final part of this topic.

Written by Akin Omotesho

Source: http://www.hub201.com/just-before-you-say-i-do/

Dark and dull skin can be caused by overexposure to the sun, environmental pollution, a medical condition, dry skin, stress, poor lifestyle choices, and prolonged use of chemical-based cosmetic products. Many people work hard to achieve fair and flawless skin. The market is flooded with skin-lightening creams and lotions. But such products have harmful chemicals that can ultimately damage your skin. Oftentimes the products are expensive, too. You can save yourself some time and money by using natural remedies that will effectively brighten and lighten your skin complexion.

WHY SKIN BLEACHING?

In some of the parts of the world, it is believed that light and pale skinned people portray beauty, richness and success as well. In some parts, dark complexioned people are considered below standard and so people opt for skin whitening or bleaching creams, pills and other products.

Studies reveal that most of the young boys and girls prefer using skin whitening products so that they get a good status in their group, family and society. In fact, the commercials shown on the television also portray the same thing. All these things have a great impact on the minds of young men and women and they opt for whatever cream or pill they can afford.

Natural Ways of Skin Bleaching

WATER: Increase your intake of water. This helps keep skin free of dehydration and so the look is healthy and unblemished.

CLEANSING: Take proper care of cleaning your skin. Choose the product that is natural and effective. Pay attention to exfoliating your skin from time to time so that you get rid of the dead skin.

LIMES AND LEMONS: Citric acid is natural bleach and will help you have a lighter skin time without any side effect. You can make a face mask with lime juice, few drops of glycerin and flour to make a paste. Apply on face and leave for 20 – 30 minutes. Wash with normal water.

DIET: Diet is the most important part that you should take care of if you want a flawless skin. Take away all refined food products and replace them with healthy and nutritious ones.

HONEY: Honey helps bleach skin while also Dry skin is a common factor that contributes to an uneven skin tone. Honey also has antibacterial properties that can help fade age spots and acne scars. acting as a moisturizing agent. Apply pure honey to your face, leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.

This simple remedy will help remove dead skin cells, making your skin appear brighter and fresher than before. Do this once daily. To make a skin-lightening mask, combine one teaspoon each of honey and lemon juice, one tablespoon of powdered milk, and one-half teaspoon of almond oil. Mix them well and apply it gently on the skin. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. Do this every other day.

ALOE VERA GEL: Aloe vera can alleviate hyperpigmentation and restore your skin’s original color. Hyperpigmentation is one of the main causes of uneven skin tone. Also, the cooling effect of aloe vera helps regenerate new cells and rebuild damaged tissue, which is important for healthy skin. This simple remedy using aloe vera gel can and improve your overall skin complexion.

LIGHTEN DARK SPOTS

Cut the outer layers of an aloe vera leaf. Squeeze out the thick, jelly-like substance.
Apply the gel thoroughly on your skin.
Leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then wash it off with water.
Do this at least twice daily for two weeks.
GRAM FLOUR: Gram flour is one of the best ingredients for people who wish to lighten their skin complexion. It contains various nutrients that help keep your skin very healthy. Using the remedy below every other day will help remove excess oil from your skin while retaining your skin’s natural moisture.

Mix some gram flour with a small amount of water or rose water to make a thick paste.
Apply it on your face, hands, and legs.
Leave it on until the paste dries. Then wash it off with water.
YOGURT: Yogurt, a by-product of milk, has many nutrients that are good for the skin. It also contains lactic acid that has bleaching properties. The following remedies are suitable for all skin types. Gently rub plain yogurt onto your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily for several weeks to notice a significant change in your complexion.

Alternatively, mix one tablespoon of fresh yogurt with one-half tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture on your face and neck. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off with water. Do this daily to improve your skin tone and complexion. You can also add a little lemon juice and some oatmeal to yogurt to make a thick paste, and apply it as a face mask. This remedy will also help keep your skin supple and moisturize.

Note : Once you know the side effects of using over-the-counter skin whitening products, you will definitely want to learn more about natural skin whitening methods. These methods are harmless and even cost you nothing extra.

Written by Mariano Jlove Fowowe

Source: http://www.hub201.com/how-to-bleach-naturally/

Depression has been countlessly defined by numerous scholar but that is not our topic of discussion today. I am more concerned on the cause of depression and how to overcome it. Up till this present moment, I still wonder how man arrived at being depressed but after hitting rock bottom myself, I realize depression isn’t as far as scholars and philosophers had painted it to be.

For one to see and properly understand depression one has to venture outside his comfort zone and peep into the mind of helpless men – which majority of humans are – to see the helplessness behind the façade they put up as happiness.

One sees depression when he meets a man who has lost his role as the head of the family in a society that constantly remind him that he is helpless and incapable of changing his present situation.

Depression comes to such man when frustration becomes the only antidote of a soul-crushing reality.

Depression comes when episodic disappointments become the constant epistles from home. To remind students – who are children/ wards from one home – that they have to continue striving with a stomach that is now accustomed to being empty.

Depression comes when one suffers from overdosage of faith that is not yearning any changes. And the pastors and acclaimed men of God continue to fan a dying soul to constantly beam to a distant God that seems deaf to one plea.

Depression comes when disappointments marry disappointment into an unholy polygamy that already has a culture of hopelessness as the status quo.

Depression comes when everyone assume you are well while you sink everyday into the pit of loneliness and nothingness.

Depression comes when darkness engulf darkness. Breeding a kingdom where sun never visits in a globalized world that expect light out of the soul of a black man.

Depression comes when dreams metamorphose into nightmare. Or how do you tell a first class student to drop out of school because he can’t afford the school fees.

Depression comes when working even makes one poor. Not working makes one hungry. Overworking makes one hungry and poor.

Depression comes when every efforts seems to be yielding the same result. When investment yields only frustration. When employees look up to their boss with a fait acoompli that reward for labor is not fathomable.

Depression comes when even death is not a solution to the present woes than the hopeless acceptance of life… as an old motor with tired tyres driving along worn out roads; with a soul that refuse to die.

Okay. Nuff said.

What is the solution to Depression?

To be honest with you, I don’t know. Abi, how do you tell a man cloth in sadness to cheer up and be happy? But this also sound like hopelessness on the part of humanity and the writer; and that’s not the goal of this writer.

As a person who has battle depression, I believe the solution is complex but one thing is constant and that is faith.

You have to believe – not only in God but also in yourself. You have to believe you can achieve and overcome anything and the only obstacle to your happiness is you.

You therefore have to conquer yourself and find internal happiness. Materialism would not make you happy. Even in the face of not having, there are homes that have plenty but still not happy.

So next time you are faced with depression, grab yourself a bowl of soaked garri, sip a spoon – sip an inspiration – then tell yourself there are home with better food with no people to eat; and that there are homes with hungry people and nothing to eat. Like that, you spark some groove into your system.

Then you can round it up with that nursery rhyme:

Some have food but cannot eat

Some can eat but have no food

We have food and we can eat

Glory be to Jehovah.

Yeah.

That’s the spirit.

Gratitude and faith – even in the face of challenges – that attempt to crumble ones hope. One has to believe that depression is only a junction all successful men have to pass through. And after that junction is what you have always wanted

SUCCESS.

Written by Adegbenle Semiu 'Femi


Source: http://www.hub201.com/depression-cause-and-prevention/

Often times in relationships, lovers go into puzzling circumstances and difficulties that sometimes end them breaking-up or divorcing. These are problems that threatens our relationships and they are killing us, but the good news is that we can solve them. I presume that the reason why you’re in a relationship with him or her is because you love something about that person and if this love still exist, you’ll always learn tolerate.

In this article, I’ll not just tell you about these problems but I’ll also tell you about how you can solve them.
HERE ARE THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS LOVERS DO HAVE AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM

Problem #1: TRUST.
Trust is my number one problem on the list because it plays a vital role in every relationship. As a partner, if you see your lover going contrary to some certain promises made by him/her, from that moment the trust you had for them depreciates with little percent and this will become a problem if not resolved maturely.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
— Always try to be consistent.
— Try being on time.
— Do what you say you will do.
— Don’t lie — not even little white lies to your partner or to others.
— Be fair, even in an argument.
— Be sensitive to the other’s feelings. You can still disagree, but don’t discount how your partner is feeling.
— Call when you say you will.
— Call to say you’ll be home late.
— Don’t over-react when things go wrong.
— Never say things you can’t take back.
— Don’t dig up old wounds.
— Respect your partner’s boundaries.
— Don’t be jealous.
— Be a good listener.

Problem #2: COMMUNICATION
So many relationship problems are as a result of poor communication. “You can’t communicate while you’re checking your phone, browsing, chatting or watching TV.” It becomes a problem when your partner is serious and you’re doing something else OR you speak outrageously to your partner.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
— If you can’t “communicate” without raising your voices, go to a public spot like the library, park, or restaurant where you’d be embarrassed if anyone saw you screaming.
— Set up some rules. Try not to interrupt until your partner is through speaking, or ban phrases such as “You always …”, “You caused …” or “You never ….”
— Use body language to show you’re listening. Don’t doodle, look at your watch, or pick at your nails. Nod so the other person knows you’re getting the message, and rephrase if you need to.
— Stop doing things that will interrupt your communication. Learn to be polite with your words and also learn good communication skills.

Problem #3: SEX
Yes, Sex! There are some partners that face this problem often. The problem is that; while sex brings us closer together, releases hormones that help our bodies both physically and mentally, and keeps the chemistry of a healthy couple healthy, some partners take it as an addiction and others don’t like giving in their mind for it and this troubles your partner in one way or the other, and it’s affecting your relationship. Another point is that sometimes one partner won’t be interested that moment while the other is dying for it. It becomes a problem.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
— Understand yourselves
— Plan special moments, but not necessarily at night when everyone is tired.
— When sex is on the calendar, it increases your anticipation.
— Changing things up a bit can make sex more fun too, in the case of one partner not being interested at a particular moment. Why not lure him/her to have sex in the kitchen? Or other funny area? Fun!
— Learn what truly turns you and your partner on by each of you coming up with a personal “Sexy List,”. Swap the lists and use them to create more scenarios that turn you both on.
— If your sexual relationship problems can’t be resolved on your own, I recommend consulting a qualified sex therapist to help you both address and resolve your issues.

Problem #4: MONEY
Hmmm, relationship and money. Money is actually a problem in many relationships and homes. It’s either the both partners don’t have enough money to take care of their needs or one partner is denying the other partner money and this is not really cool.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
— Be honest about your current financial situation.
— Don’t approach the subject in the heat of battle. Instead, set aside a time that is convenient and non-threatening for both of you.
— Acknowledge that one partner may be a saver and one a spender, understand there are benefits to both, and agree to learn from each other’s tendencies.
— Don’t hide income or debt. Bring financial documents, including a recent credit report, pay stubs, bank statements, insurance policies, debts, and investments to the table.
— Don’t blame.
– Construct a joint budget that includes savings.
— Decide which person will be responsible for paying the monthly bills.
— Allow each person to have independence by setting aside money to be spent at his or her discretion.

Problem #5: CONFLICT
Quarrels and disagreement are normal things that happen in a relationship between both partners. It’s just a part of life. It’s true that if you don’t disagree you won’t agree, and that’s where the conflict comes. Come on, you’ve grown, it’s time you learn how to tolerate.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
— You and your partner should learn to argue in a more civil, helpful manner.
— Realize you are not a victim. It is your choice whether you react and how you react.
— Be honest with yourself. When you’re in the midst of an argument, are your comments geared toward resolving the conflict, or are you looking for payback? If your comments are blaming and hurtful, it’s best to take a deep breath and change your strategy.
— Change it up. If you continue to respond in the way that’s brought you pain and unhappiness in the past, you can’t expect a different result this time. Just one little shift can make a big difference. If you usually jump right in to defend yourself before your partner finished speaking, hold off for a few moments. You’ll be surprised at how such a small shift in tempo can change the whole tone of an argument.
— Give a little; get a lot. Apologize when you’re wrong. Sure it’s tough, but just try it and watch something wonderful happen.

Problem #6: NOT MAKING YOUR RELATIONSHIP A PRIORITY
It’s actually a problem because some partners failed to understand relationship ethics before going in. When lovers don’t take things about their relationship for granted, it shows they respect their affair. No matter the circumstance or condition you find yourself in a relationship, always make sure you respect your affair.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
— If you both are married, do the things you used to do when you were first dating: Show appreciation, compliment each other, contact each other through the day, and show interest in each other.
— Plan date nights. Schedule time together on the calendar just as you would any other important event in your life.
— Respect one another. Say “thank you,” and “I appreciate…” It lets your partner know that they matter.

Thank you for going through all that, I believe you learned something. Use tips to solve the problems you’ve been having.

Thanks to WebMD for the tips

Written by Pius Princewill Oghenerabome


Source: http://www.hub201.com/common-problems-encountered-in-relationships-and-how-to-solve-them/