Lifestyle Channel

Sculptures Masks Objects From Dogon

2011-04-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Musee du Quai Branly displays works of Dogon Country, an opportunity to explore this rich culture. A trip between art and ethnography!

The curator, art specialist Dogon, Helene Leloup, brought together masterpieces from different museums and private collections to showcase the art product on the Dogon plateau. Is the center of Mali, the tenth century to the present, the Dogon Country is a place of encounter and exchange. This exhibition is an opportunity to explore this rich and diverse culture from April 5 to July 24, 2011.

The themes of the Dogon statues
Peoples from this lush land of drought before the thirteenth century have added other people fleeing the Almoravids, the Berber conquerors, or Islamization. Dogon peoples have long been animists.

Dogon statues were exclusively made by blacksmiths, only able to carve religious statues. They create human figures in wood jumpers, maternity, hermaphrodites, and people with raised arms beseeching the God of rain. The statues may be the receptacle of the vital energy of a dead person; in this case it represents the deceased or his rank. They are also used against diseases and for fertility.

Every people in their area or the various waves of immigration have allowed this art to evolve.

The statues of Djennenke are realistic depictions of humans: body elongated, thin nose, bulging eyes, hair in a bun on the crown of braids or Berber, elongated beards, scars checkerboard temples, embroidered cloth around the hips and bracelets.

Style N'duleri is more refined and elegant, influenced by their predecessors Djennenke. Sometimes found in the same scars and checkered cloth embroidered. The sculptures can be large and flexible form, with eyes very close together.

The Tombo were warriors, very independent and thus more isolated. Their objects are different.The articles Niongom have often been found buried. The peculiarity of these statues is the use of the natural shape of the tree branch. The bodies are streamlined, arms glued to the body, round face with sharp features, undershot jaw, nose and eyes arrow button or diamond.

The Tellem pass for magicians. Their statues are stylized, carved on one side, showing schematically symmetrical body with raised arms.

The sculptures Dogon-Mande have asymmetric attitudes.
The Tintam, northern territory, decrying their society through their art: the man with arms raised imploring the ancestors, the warlord, maternity, water carrier. Of more massive, the characteristics are: a belt loincloth, hair shaved in three parts, without slipping, scarification in grid on the temples, eyes close, the collar with an amulet Korte traditional Dogon.

A sculptor Kambara has invented a new form of sculpture of small and medium size: the characters are sitting elbows on knees and hands on the round face without scarring.

The inhabitants of Komakan statues were sketched: arms raised, scarification angled cut on the face.
Masks the anthropologist Marcel Griaule

Marcel Griaule brought the Dogon mask since 1931, to enrich the Museum of Man at the Trocadero in Paris. During his career, Marcel Graule was 68 types of masks representing characters and myths, all elements of the universe. The Dogon use masks Dama (grief surveys) and Sigui (ceremony taking place every 60 years to celebrate the revelation of the Word to men and the first ancestor).

Dogon masks are basically geometric, eyes often rectangle. The mask-story house is perhaps the most surprising. Very high, it is worn by dancers.

Everyday objects
Objects like bowls, stools, doors, looms, spears, jewelry are commonly used, but their decoration is unique and evokes the myths of origin. These pieces are carved in wood and metal.

The Museum Quai Branly, "Dogon" from April 5 to July 24, 2011.

Internet commerce grew in Argentina

2011-04-01T22:30:00.001-07:00

The Internet commerce grew last year in Argentina at 48%, to about 1,938 million dollars, highlights a report released today by the Argentina Chamber of Electronic Commerce (CACE).

The report highlights that growth responds to the increase in the number of Internet users in 2010 reached 26.5 million, and increased choice of goods and services by businesses.

32% of internet users makes commercial transactions online, "said the study also shows that 92% of Web commerce was concentrated among businesses and consumers.

"If we consider that 49.3% of internet users regularly consulted on the web to make their purchase decisions, the amount of generated represent 3% of total retail sales in Argentina and 1.93% GDP (Gross Domestic Product), "said the chairman of the commerce chamber, Patricia Jebsen said in a statement.

He noted that studies business chamber, making it likely that Internet commerce in Argentina will grow "at least" 43% this year to some 2,750 million dollars.

Fashion shoes spring

2010-03-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

Open shoes, sandals and laces, bands, strips of leather, these are the trends for spring / summer of this year 2010. Heels, gray and neutral colors of the main protagonists.

One of the objects of desire for women are definitely the shoes. Like and say something to us, even when they are sports. And one can certainly define an accessory, even if they are relegated to this category. So do not wait, when you change the season of curiosity, to see and buy. We begin to poke about what awaits us at the foot for the next season.

Heels remain high plateau, open toe and laces, laces, laccini ankles or used to wrap the foot. Some trunks and boots summer, fabric or canvas transparent. Perhaps the novelty are the colors: blue, red and colored fantasies, but also gray, beige and old rose. Some black for the evening.

Blugirl emphasizes the ankle, heel and plateau and many shoes with ankle strap, even with a red "I love you" on a white background.
Footwear ValentinoD & G does not abandon the black, but praised him with canvas mesh that reveals the foot, stopped at the ankle straps or ribbons.
Shoes with black lace stiletto heels instead for Valentino.
Max Mara uses gray and beige in detail boots summer, very close to those of the Can Can, with wide heel and braid intertwined.

Gray in all its shades is best expressed by Emporio Armani, who with his classic days associate the color with elegant shoes that wrap around the foot held by buckles and laces. Armani also proposes the shoe that last season did rage, bringing back to the '80s: the dancer. Colored in green, blue, pink, shiny fabric and extremely flat.

Gucci uses flat sandals with wide belts and straps that wrap the foot, making boots that wrap around to the knee, with shoes Gucciaperture through the use of strips of leather with the same style here and the heel 10 is a must. For shoes with plateau heels and always complete opening at the tip, always taking advantage of the tangled web of straps and thin cross sections, possibly with black jewel detail for the evening and gray for the day. Leather and suede materials used.
Braccialini, the mark of Florence, dedicated to the sea and the cities of the sea (Camogli model, Lerici, Amalfi ...) its new collection: ballet, flat sandals with flower detail the central, high-heeled sandals, blue and brown colors predominate, details as in his colorful style and heels round. Your line is further creative and wedges in rope and fabric, with applications that take over of the awards, making melody to the sea and the rental or tomatoes.

And the big brands spend more fashionable for everyone, but retains the trends of high fashion designers who have also designed for H & M and Zara (see Jimmy Choo). Hazel boots, beige, gold laces, or discoveries that leave the toes and all strictly with high heels. Resists any dancer who has, however, special colors and designs. It now serves only the arrival of spring to be able to choose which of these creations we want to wear.

FOOT CARE

2010-03-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

The feet are the part that we see less of our body but not for that reason less important. We must proporzionarloro due attention to keep them in harmony. Care Hygiene washing them daily and use a pumice stone while bathing to flake off the sole of the foot and heels to prevent callus and harshness.

After they have washed, dry them carefully, especially between the toes, because the moisture makes the appearance of mushrooms. Idratali with special creams that do not lose their softness and elasticity. Use talc antitranspirante.

Do not use shoes or slippers without socks in summer or if you walk a lot, because the excessive moisture in the feet can cause injuries and infections. Here we come to give you some advice for the care and hygiene of the feet.
Chiropody
Do not use the same socks for more than a day if you are perspiring, and regularly wash their shoes. Being barefoot on a clean surface to aid circulation. Choose the appropriate footwear. Should not tighten any of the fingers or be uncomfortable in heels or soles. Do not abuse the shoes with high heels or those who have no arc defined as slippers.

If you notice the appearance of severe hardships or note changes in color or thickness of the skin, consult a podiatrist. He will help you improve the health of your feet.

Moon and Poet

2010-03-19T00:52:00.001-07:00

The moon began to tell me what the night sky,
What strange creature is man!
problem its own problems as,
And then Jagta restless, not sleeping.

You know how old I am?
I've been looking for Manu Jnmte - die
And you a million times - the crazy one
Moonlight on the right to sit in the dreams.

Man's dream? Of water that bubble
Today and tomorrow, then split is made
But, still holding blessed person then?
Bubble plays, poetry creates.

I did not bid but my tonality,
See the moon again! You know me?
Dreams are my bubbles? Is that water?
What is the fire you do not recognize?

I do not who dream only right,
Strangled him make fire fighting,
And on that foundation will keep the new house,
Such a wall will raise steel.

No Manu, Manu - son in front of it, which
Edge is imagined in the tongue,
Ideas are not the only arrow,
Dream is also a sword.

To inform the emperor of heaven and --
They are climbing the sky every day,
Stop, remain as to the Swpnwalon,
They only have been heading to heaven

Common nutrition myth

2010-03-10T01:17:00.000-08:00

Myth : Potato chips count as a vegetable.
Fac : While potatoes are found in the vegetable group, potato chips are not. Potato chips are extremely high in fat and should, therefore, only be eaten occasionally.

Myth : "Starve a fever, feed a cold," or is it "feed a fever, starve a cold"?
Fact : Neither! Fevers and colds both require adequate nutrition. While children may not have an appetite for many foods when they are sick, it is still important to frequently encourage food and fluid intake.

Myth : Chocolate and fried foods cause acne.
Fact : Research has not shown a connection between the consumption of chocolate and/or high fat food intake and the appearance of acne. Acne is primarily associated with hormonal changes in adolescence.

Common Myths & FactsMyth : Fish is brain food.
Fact : Fish provides many excellent nutrients and is an excellent food choice. However, it does not have any special effects on brain development or learning.

Myth : Sugar causes hyperactivity.
Fact: Sugar has not been shown to cause hyperactivity. A modest intake of sugar is acceptable in the context of a balanced, nutritious diet.

Do you want to go through life feeling tired, needing a nap after you've eaten, overweight, bloated and overfull, nauseous, with intestinal gas, cramps or pains in your stomach, belching after you've eaten, with heartburn, constipation, foul stools, dull and slow thinking, depressed, highly emotional and so forth? If not then it's time to take a good look at what you're eating and not eating, how you're combining what you're eating and what you are drinking. In so many ways we are deeply affected on many levels by what we eat.

What we eat can make the difference between really enjoying a day and dragging ourselves through a day without any sense of joy or fun. What we eat affects us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It's not easy to have a loving and caring attitude when feeling fatigued, bloated, buzzing around from a sugar high or just feeling rather down and ill and not knowing why.

Smokers have lower IQ

2010-03-02T02:27:00.000-08:00

Cigarette smokers have lower IQs than smoking Non smoking, and the more a person, the lower their IQ will be recruited according to a study of more than 20,000 Israeli military.

Noted Dr. Mark Weiser and colleagues at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, that young men smoked a pack of cigarettes per day or more had IQ scores 7.5 points lower than in nonsmokers. "Young people with lower IQ scores can be used for programs to prevent smoking to be targeted," they conclude in the journal Addiction.

Although there is evidence of an association between smoking and lower IQ, many studies on intelligence tests given in childhood, abandoned, and also have people with mental and behavioral disorders who smoke, and both tend to have rather low IQ, Weiser and his team found .

For a better understanding of the smoking-IQ relationship, the researchers looked at 2.0211 men who were 18-years-old and recruited into the Israeli military. The group does not contain all with large mental health problems, because these persons are excluded from military service.

According to the researchers, 28 percent of study participants smoked at least one cigarette a day, about three percent said they were ex-smokers, and 68 percent never smoked. The smokers had significantly lower scores of intelligence tests than non-smokers, and this remained true even after researchers concluded for socioeconomic status, how many years of formal education accounted for a recruit's father was measured. The average IQ was about 101 for the Non smoking, while smoking is 94 for men before they had begun the military.

The IQ steadily declined as the number of cigarettes smoked increased from 98 for men, The one to five cigarettes a day for up to 90 for those who smoked more than a pack per day smoked. IQ scores from 84 to 116 are shown as average intelligence.

Amla Powerful Rejuvenating Herb

2010-02-21T22:12:00.000-08:00

Amla is perhaps the single most of ten mentioned herbs in Charaka Samhita. The Amla plant is a middle sized tree commonly found in the mixed deciduous forests in India, Srilanka, China and Malaya ascending to 1,500m on the hills.It is often cultivated in gardens and home orchards.

It has reputation as a powerful rejuvenating herb. The fruit is reputed have a high content of vitamin C of any natural occurring substances in nature. Actually, the principal chemical constituent of Amla is vitamin C (650-900 mg/100g). The fruit juice contains about 20 times more vitamin C than orange juice. It also contains tannins (5%), glucose minerals like iron phosphorous and calcium.

A research team discovered that when Amla is taken regularly as a dietary supplement, it counteracts the toxic effects of prolonged exposure to environmental heavy metals such as lead, aluminium and nickel. These metals are prevalent in the environment of industrialized countries.In another research studies, the pro-oxidant or oxygen radical scavenger qualities of amla-suggest that it is also very effective in lowering the risk of may cancers.

Studies indicate that the naturally occurring vitamin C is easlier for the body to absorb than synthetic vitamins and the presence of the tannins presents the oxidation of vitamin. The naturally occurring vitamin C may be ten times beneficial to the body than synthetic vitamins.Other studies show that amla increases red blood count and hemoglobin percentages.
The dried fruit reduces cholesterol levels, indicating that amla is safe to consume on along term basis.

Amla also reduces unwanted fat because it increases total protein levels this is due to its ability to create a positive nitrogen balance and it also significantly reduces cholesterol level cholesterol induced atherosclerosis (obstruction of the arteries), making it a useful natural product to fight obesity.

The Amla fruit has acrid, cooling, refrigerant diuretic and laxative properties. Dried fruit is useful in haemorrhage, diarrhoea diabetes and dysentery. In combination with iron it is used to treat anameia, jaundice and dyspepsia. Fermented liquor prepared from the fruit is used in jaundice, dyspepsia and cough.

Other study shows that it prevented atheroma (degeneration of the artery walls due to fat and scare tissue) further more, amla has exhibited considerable effect in inhibiting the HIV virus which ultimately results in the disease AIDS.

Therefore, one can draw the conclusion that amla is good for almost everyone on a regular basis as it reduces or eliminates the risk of environmental pollutants, normalizes cholesterol, reduces unwanted fat, cures ulcers, reduces or prevents cancer, has the highest content of vitamin C of an natural source, detoxifies the body, regulates digestion, has inhibiting effects against the HIV virus, promotes metabolic function and can produce these results in a dried, natural unprocessed form. The only thing that could possibly be better than amla for a daily herbal supplement is the Triphala formula, of which amla constitutes one third.

3 Idiots Mistakes

2010-02-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

At the outset, I will honestly admit that like Raju and Farhan who were upset about Rancho being a topper while they were only mediocre; I , as a film director working in what we now call Bollywood, am extremely envious of Raju Hirani’s astounding success as a film maker. I use the word ‘Envy’ and not ‘Jealousy’, because envy makes you want to push yourself up to be like one who is more successful, where as jealousy makes you want to pull down one who is more successful. So when I point out the loopholes in plot, motivation or characterization in the otherwise brilliant screenplay of three idiots, my purpose should not be misunderstood.

Like everyone else, I was also blown away by the sweep of this thoroughly entertaining film when I went to see it for the first time. Within a week, I went to see it again to imbibe the craft of its writing as I have admired the collaboration of Abhijat Joshi and Raju Hirani in both Munna Bhai movies and now 3 idiots. I have tremendous respect for a film maker whose film appeals to both the classes and the masses because the tastes of the two demographics are so far apart especially in what each group finds funny. When a film maker and writer team is able to score a hat-trick with their humour, you have to tip your hat and salute their achievement. To somehow dissect that magical element embedded in their screenplay, I went to see 3 idiots again. This is when I found the three loopholes which I am surprised that the writers didn’t bother to plug, even though I am not surprised that the audience glossed over them. Here they are:

1. Loophole in Plot: For ten long years, neither the two idiots, nor the dean’s daughter, bothered to go through college registration papers of Rancho, which may have had a false identity for Aamir as Ranchoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad, but would certainly have had his address as Chanchad Estate in Simla. As a matter of fact there is a scene where Virus admonishes Raju by saying that Rancho’s father’s monthly income has so many zeroes that even if you take away a few nothing will change in his life whereas Raju will be in serious trouble if he didn’t graduate. So, the dean is fully aware of Rancho’s father’s wealth and status. It is safe to assume that all that information is in his college registration documents. Even if we buy the fact that a gardener’s son was presented as Shyamaldas’s son, as no one knows what he looks like, it is difficult to buy that his Simla address is not in the application, and it took ten years and a chance appearance in the background of a photo snapped of Chatur’s secretary on a visit to Simla, for everyone to realize that Rancho is in Simla and therefore the three classmates show up there to look for Chanchad Estate. If they had done so after Rancho left the campus and didn’t keep in touch with his mates and girlfriend (because of the promise he made to Mr.Shyamaldas), they would have found out in a few weeks what they learnt after ten years and plot wouldn’t have moved to the second half of the film.

Now that I have pointed to the problem, I have a suggestion for plugging this loophole, as already a setup was done by giving Rancho the duplicate key of Dean’s office to copy the exam paper. If at that time, Rancho had also removed his file from that office, we would accept that after he left college, he couldn’t be traced.

2. Loophole in motivation: Second loophole was that of the motivation of Dean’s daughter played by Kareena Kapoor. When Rancho had so cleverly demonstrated to her the shallow attitude of her fiance whose ring she returns after calling him an Ass, after ten long years, an accomplished doctor and a beautiful woman can’t find anyone else but the same jerk to marry whom she gullibly accepts by thinking he must have changed. Even if she didn’t go looking for Rancho by going through his college application papers, she would have gotten many other offers from possible suitors or better still, would have chosen to be a career woman.

As it is, story wise, this ten year gap was too long. In this day and age of information technology, fortunes can change in an year; so at the most five years would have served the purpose of the story.

3. Loophole in Characterization: Third loophole was in the characterization of Professor Viru Sahasrabuddhe. The name suggests that he is a Maharashtrian. I went to IIT, Bombay and had many Maharashtrian professors including one called Sahasrabuddhe . Unfortunately, Boman Irani as Viru Sahasrabuddhe had no trace of Maharashtrian in him. His clothes, styling, accent, as well as his home and his daughters were completely cosmopolitan. If anything, he looked like an eccentric Parsee. I understand that the joke was in calling him Virus but then he could be Cyrus Dastur and still be called Cyrus the virus.

The film’s unprecedented success doesn’t need a stamp of approval from any one, but as a lifelong student of Cinema, and because of the high esteem I hold the team which made this charming and meaningful film, what I have done is an academic exercise in dissecting what seemed like a flawless screenplay, otherwise consistent in its own logic, with every setup having a clever and satisfying payoff.

In spite of what I have pointed out in this blog, ALL IZZ WELL.

Seasonal Fruit Eating

2010-01-31T23:48:00.000-08:00

Seasonal eating is an admirable goal, but if you live in a climate that can't grow tomatoes and avocados all year long—and are still accustomed to seeing those warm-weather fruits and veggies at your supermarket even with 3 inches of slush on the ground—it can be hard to know what's available and when. Find your favorite foods on this list and see where they grow and when to buy them for peak freshness.

1. Apples: In North America, apples are in season from late summer through the fall; if you're buying them in the spring or summer, they're imported.

2. Oranges: The two major kinds of oranges—Valencia and Naval—are in season consecutively, so you can find them all year (Valencias in summer and Navals in winter); however, these juicy fruits grow in Florida, Arizona, and other warm climates, so they're not local if you live where it snows.

3. Bananas: Bunches grow best where it's humid and tropical—though the Rainforest Alliance points out that, in the U.S., they're only grown in Hawaii, so no matter when they're in season, they're not local for most of of the country.

4. Peaches: Most peaches turn up ripe in mid-summer—the middle of July through August—and they grow best in areas with mild winters and dry summer; they are produced by more than 29 states, so there's a good chance you can find them near you.

5. Cherries: Look for these in the summer—June through August. Like other stone fruits (peaches and plums), cherry trees thrive throughout most of the country (except the Northern Midwest).

6. Plums: In the US, plum season is from May through October; look for Japanese versions until August and the European varieties afterwards—from the same regions as peaches and cherries.

7. Grapes: Red and green grapes grow mostly in California, and are in season during the second half of the year—but due to the fruit's need for a mild climate, you're unlikely to find them grown commerically—and locally—in northern and eastern parts of the country.

8. Strawberries: This is an easy one: we all know strawberries are a summer treat. This means that if you're seeing them in the store in the fall, winter, and early spring, you're probably buying imported or greenhouse-grown versions.

9. Raspberries: While raspberries will grow in most parts of the country, the main production areas are in California, Washington, and Orgeon—though this doesn't mean the ones at your store aren't local (check the packaging). These sweet berries bloom from April to November.

10. Pears: Most of the country's pears are grown in the Northwest—California, Oregon, Washington—showing up on supermarket shelves in July and staying through January. However, the fruits will grow in most of the country, so you might find them at your farmer's market.

11. Lettuce: Love salads? Use the freshest local lettuce in spring and summer, when greens are plentiful. Since it grows well in containers, you can find lettuce as local as "from your own windowsill" throughout the year.

12. Arugula: The crisp bite of arugula is a welcome change from standard butter, leaf, and romaine lettuce; look for it in the spring (or, like lettuce, plant it in your own containers year-round).

13. Tomatoes: The reddest, juiciest tomatoes come off the vines from June through August; if you live in cooler climates, look for them locally during those months (buyers in warmer climates can keep an eye out all year).

14. Cucumber: Made of more than 95 percent water, cucumbers are the perfect summer cool-off vegetable—and, since they're in season from May through July, it's easy to find them during the hottest days.

15. Celery: You can find celery grown all year in warmer states like California, Texas, and Florida—but if you aren't lucky enough to live in one of these sunny locales, look for it locally in climates with mild days, cool nights, and plenty of rain.

16. Carrots: Peak carrot season is fall and winter—October through April—which is why the root vegetables are such a key ingredient in soups, stews, and sauces. Most of the country's carrots come from California, Colorado, Michigan, and Florida, but the farmers in the north and east can harvest smaller batches in the early fall.

17. Kale: This hardy green can grow almost anywhere, but if you like a stronger flavor, wait for the fall leaves; some sites even recommend waiting until after the first or second frost, so you should be able to find it through late autumn.

18. Beets: Yellow, red, white, and striped beets come into their prime in late summer and early fall, and are sturdy enough to grow across the country.

19. Sweet Potatoes: Most sweet potatoes come from the Southern states, since they thrive with 4-6 months of warm weather, but people living in the north can harvest smaller batches in the fall, when spring-planted vines are ripe.

20. Winter Squash: As opposed to summer staples like zucchini, patty pan, and yellow squash, the cold-weather versions—butternut, acorn, spaghetti—ripen toward the end of the growing season, in September or October.

21. Garlic: These bulbs grow best when they have some cold weather to fight off: Plant garlic cloves in the winter for harvesting in July or August. If you live ina warm climate, you can get specific varieties that wlicill survive the heat; these may be ready to harvest earlier than those in cold climates.

Vaastu in kitchen

2009-11-13T00:31:00.000-08:00

Kitchen is the hub of your house from where the health of family members comes and Vaastu in your kitchen is supposed to make positive impact on the health and wealth of your family members. May be that is the reason why more and more housewives across Gurgaon are opting for Vaastu principles in the arrangement of their kitchens.

Kitchen is the only place in a home where two contrasting elements--fire and water--dominate. For proper functioning of the kitchen it is very important to balance the two.

"Our scriptures give lots of importance to the north-east direction. Kitchen is the most auspicious place in the house and if the kitchen is towards that direction then the result will always be positive because of the flow of positive energy from that side," says a vaastu expert.
"After taking possession of my house I found certain problems in my kitchen and I approached a Vaastu expert. Following his advice I made certain changes and obtained beneficial results," says Dr Gita Baruah Nath, resident of Richmond Park.

How practical is the advice of experts? "See Vaastu Shastra is quite scientific. I have derived cent per cent practical benefits from vaastu tips. The kitchen needs sufficient positive energy of Sun. Its rays kill all the germs and bacteria. Similarly, wind also carries away all offensive smells. Right now sufficient Sun rays enter into my kitchen with ample air. Thus vaastu is very practical for me," says Kiran Sharma, a resident of Nirvana in South City.

"In fact most of the kitchens and royal palaces of ancient India were built according to vaastu principles. Sadly during British period we lost interest in the rich treasures of our culture. People are again taking interest in Vaastu because now even westerners are using Vaastu in their kitchens and architecture. This is a positive trend," says Dr Ranjeet Mehta, a vaastu expert.
Even hotel kitchens are designed according to Vaastu. "I have designed kitchens in my hotels according to Vaastu. I am getting lots of positive results from it. Perhaps that might the reason why these days our food is getting yummier," quips Ajay Aggarwal, a hotelier and Vaastu believer.

"I had been facing lots of problems but according to Vaastu I have given vibrant colours to my kitchen. The direction of a small temple there has also been changed and I am now getting positive results," says Nira Bharioke, a lecturer from Delhi University.

The important thing is that without demolishing present structure one can bring about positive changes. For example if you are cooking non- vegetarian food then Vaastu prohibits you from keeping a temple and photos of the divine in the kitchen. It is really inauspicious and turns everything towards negative direction.

Old Fashioned Values in a Modern World

2009-10-29T02:26:00.001-07:00

As you look around your current domain, it seems as if everything that you once knew as a truism is no longer exactly what you thought it was. Vinyl records moved into tapes and then CDs and now DVDs and MP3s are the “albums” you see.

Once the landline phone was the only way to talk to folks. Then came CB radios, Pagers, Cell phones, Satellite phones and now we have Video Phones Voice Over IP and other wireless communications about to be unleashed upon us.

Once, in order to become rich and famous in the music industry, you needed a major record label with a lot of money to push you on people. You needed talented musicians to actually play the music and today all you need is a computer and some software to record and produce that same music.

You know though, for as much as technology has changed, it is the old fashioned things in life that always seem to seep through and rise up to the top.

For as much as people like the instant gratification that is available in today’s Internet savvy world or virtual this and imitation that. There is still nothing like going and seeing a great rock band live at incredible volume where the bodies and sound waves bounce off each other as you soak up way too much alcohol and then sneak away to the local eggs and bacon joint to try and sober up before the sun comes up.

The whole experience of listening to some dude “spin” MP3 mixers of dance tracks just doesn’t cut it for me, or for many of the people out there clubbing today. It’s just that since it is cost effective for the club, it gets done and people eventually accept it.

It’s the old fashioned things that work like actually watching a bar tender pour a shot from a bottle with some personality rather than push a button on a gun to give you God knows what and coke in your glass.

One thing that really works well in today’s modern age and still maintains some old world integrity is the freelance market. It is a stage where the playing field is level and everyone has the equal chance of impressing a potential client. You can live in Middleville USA and get hired by someone on Madison Avenue as long as what you do is better than the competition.

Benefits of Healthy Breakfast

2009-10-26T03:21:00.000-07:00

With busy routine and hectic lifestyles, we hardly get time to pamper ourselves by eating healthy breakfast. And we end up with an easy solution, fast food. Rather than trying out some healthy recipes at home, most of us prefer having breakfast in the nearest available fast food joint and relax for the rest of the day without thinking about the effects of fast food in the long run. Here we bring in some tips for healthy breakfast for every morning.

We all love fast food and most people have fast food breakfast on a daily basis. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If we skip breakfast, we might have to make a greater compromise regarding health and overall well-being. Having breakfast which is low on calories and high on protein count, is the best choice as such food increases the metabolism rate as well as sudden food cravings that we have at any hour of the day. Fast food is not healthy, it contains highest amount of calories, salts and sugars. Despite the fact, is it possible to have healthy fast food breakfast? The answer is yes. There are some healthy fast food breakfast options that can help benefit you.

Healthy fast food breakfast choices
Making healthy fast food breakfast choices means finding fast food that is high on fibres and proteins and containing less saturated fats, sugar and salts. High fibre count is very important and can be consumed through some of the baked food items as well. One should avoid fast food that is high on fat, sugar and salt. There are many fast food joints that offer relatively healthy fast food breakfast that can be consumed without worrying much about the calorie count and budget as well. Healthy breakfast options are not too many but they are certainly available when consumed with a little bit of concern regarding the fast food nutrition facts. Here is some help regarding most healthy fast food breakfast choices that you can make. In addition to consuming the above things, you should make sure that you have smaller meals rather than the jumbo sized plates. Healthy fast food breakfast are perfect when you have food items like smallest sized burgers, salads and grilled sandwiches, sauces that are low in fat.

Guard against hypertension in winter

2009-10-21T01:40:00.000-07:00

Winter is not only about dry skin and hyperacidity. Winter can also bring or aggravate more serious problems like irritable bowel syndrome, piles and hypertension. Peripheral vasoconstriction due to cold is blamed for elevated blood pressure during winter. Ayurveda believes that during cold weather if Agni is under-utilized, over-utilised or abused, then it gives rise to hypertension and cardiac problems related to hypertension.
Symptoms of hypertension:
1) Headache
2) Restlessness
3) Palpitation
4) Insomnia
5) More sweating
6) Chest pain
7) Irritability
8) Fatigue.
If not diagnosed and treated early, hypertension can lead too many serious complications like heart failure, paralytic stroke, retinal damage, kidney damage etc. Care should therefore be taken to avoid hypertension during winter.

Care to be taken:
Avoid deep fried and spicy food. n Avoid more sun exposure, especially after mid-day.
Avoid mental stress, anger.
Sleep at least seven hours continuously.
Regular walking and yogasan are also useful.
Avoid extreme fasting.
Avoid smoking, alcohol and having more salt.
Drink plenty of water.
Persons having history of hypertension should regularly check their blood pressure.
Add one table spoon of pounded Dhania seeds in one cup of water, keep overnight and on an empty stomach take this water as a protection against blood pressure.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis

2009-10-03T23:17:00.000-07:00

Arthritis is caused by damage to the joints and has become quite widespread in the present day world. Many people above 35 years of age are suffering from arthritis today. There are different forms of arthritis, of which the most common one is osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative bone joint disease). Though the treatment of arthritis is available in allopathy, homoeopathy and other medicine systems, Ayurveda is gaining more and more nationwide popularity day by day.

Arthritis as per Ayurveda: As per Ayurveda, arthritis can be defined as joint pain, caused by the aggravation of vata (air) dosha and excessive collection of amla (toxic byproduct of improper digestion) in the body of an individual. When amla increases, it starts getting deposited in the weaker areas of the body. When it starts accumulating in the joints and if at the same time aggravation of vata takes place, the result is Amlavata, in other words arthritis.

Arthritis treatment in Ayurveda: In Ayurveda, the treatment of arthritis centres on the digestion of amla and reduction of vata, simultaneously. Along with that, efforts are undertaken to reduce the pain as well as the inflammation of joints. The major steps, recommended under Ayurveda, for arthritis treatment are:
1. First and foremost step recommended under Ayurvedic arthritis treatments consist of fasting. It helps in the digestion of amla.

2. Massage with Antivatatailas like Karpasasthyadi, Kethakeemooladi, Dhanwantharam oil, etc helps in the reduction of vata and reduces the pain. Concentrate more on the sore joints.
3. Take hot, bitter and astringent items.
4. Don't expose yourself to wind, cold, mist and drizzle.
5. Cover the body and heat with flannel.
6. Arthritic people must take special care of their diet. Under Ayurvedic treatments for arthritis, people are recommended to eat such food that does not lead to the creation of gas in the body. They should also avoid hot, spicy and fried foods as well as sweets. Things like tea, coffee, alcohol, white sugar, yogurt, chocolate and cocoa should be taken in moderation.

Medicated oils like kethakeemooladi, kottamchukkadi, sahacharadi, dhanwantharam etc. can be used for Vasti, Nasya, Abhyangam, Pizhichil etc. Kashayams like Dhanwantharam, Rasnadi, Indukantham, Gulikas like Yogaraja gulgulu, aisoragulgulu etc. can be given.Panchakarma treatment is also given according to the condition of the patient.

Beauty comes from within

2009-10-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

Looking good is a major confidence-booster. Many of us make regular rounds of beauty salons and parlours. There is no harm in doing this, as these salons not only enhance the way we look but also take care of the hygiene factor. Yet, it is equally important to even feel beautiful from within. For, if you do not feel wonderful from inside, all the outer treatments won't make you look good.

Our food and mood both play an important role in shaping our beauty. Small alterations or additions in our daily habits are all that is needed. To start with, the age-old saying 'early to bed, early to rise' will work wonders in many ways. Try to fit this in the everyday schedule and see the results. Needless to say, a sound sleep will help dump the stress with which we live throughout the day. A fresh mind will definitely ooze out freshness on your face.

Today we live life at a very fast pace. This forces us to skip essential food habits like a healthy breakfast. Many of us even get into the habit of skipping it, reason being getting late for work. You may not notice this within the first few instances of skipping the breakfast, but with time when it turns into a habit, you may wonder why your face has started looking pale. Besides, consuming seasonal fruits and vegetables is very essential. Drinking plenty of water (eight glasses or 2.5 litres daily) will also help achieve the most sought after glowing skin. One glass of water when you wake up and one before going to bed is important, as your body releases moisture when you are asleep.

These may sound very familiar that you have been hearing since childhood. But these very essentials are what many of us fail to absorb. Many of us must have even heard them from our beauticians when we complain about losing our beauty.

Simple yet essential and effective habits are what need to be followed if you are concerned about your beauty. As the saying goes, beauty remains in the eyes of the beholder, it also remains very much in the mind. A content mind will always fulfill one's beauty quotient.

Of course, allow your beauticians to only enhance your inner beauty on the outside. Stay healthy and beautiful today, always!

Lakme Faces through the years Rekha Ash

2009-09-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

Rekha, Ash, Bips, Lisa: Faces of Lakme through the years
Dozens of women have endorsed Lakme over the years. But some have stayed with us for the longest time. We look at 13 such women who have defined what beauty stood for and reflected the evolving desires of India.

Rekha
Lakme was first established by the Tatas on the request of Jawaharlal Nehru, who was concerned with Indian women spending foreign exchange on beauty products. So it wasn't surprising that the classy and urbane Rekha became the face of a company that primarily catered to the elite class of the country. We are told that the ad, which was designed by daCunha Associates, catches Rekha at a moment when she was on the threshold of superstardom but not entirely there.

Sonu Walia
At 5'7" Sonu Walia was perhaps the obvious choice to become Lakme's fresh new face of the early '80s. The sexy Miss India was featured in many Lakme commercials even as the brand itself was slowly but surely exploring newer markets.Walia showed off her shapely legs in Lakme's cold wax print ad on the one hand and became the girl-next-door in their lip gloss campaign on the other. Clearly, India's rising middle class was growing to prominence and could not be ignored.

Shyamolie Verma
As the '80s progressed there was a clear need to dispel the myths that surrounded make-up and cosmetics so as to make the Indian middle class use the products. The idea was to tell them that there was no harm in using beauty products. The campaign featuring Shyamolie Verma did just that. Educating consumers and encouraging them to use makeup was the call of the day.Outside of being a Lakme girl Shyamolie created some ripples when she starred in Mira Nair's controversial film Kama Sutra. She also appeared in another film called Rog that starred Slumdog Millionaire actor Irrfan Khan. Ironically, that too ran into a good deal of controversy because of its posters.

Aishwarya Rai
And then came the '90s. The Liberalisation Programme opened up the markets. That's when the brand picked Aishwarya Rai as their new model. Indeed, times were changing and Ash, who went on to become Miss World became synonymous with modern India and its changing aspirations.It would be awhile before she would create some dent at the box office, but the young star was already creating waves in the ad world. Aishwarya also appealed to the new and discerning consumer who was getting exposed to a wide range of international products.

Bipasha Basu
Her dusky complexion notwithstanding, the Bong beauty was next in line. For a culture obsessed with fairness, Bipasha must've come across as an unlikely model. But a close look at the pictures will reveal that she isn't as dusky in these pictures.

Akanksha Mathur-Nanda
Our first thought on looking at these pictures was: "Hey this looks like Sonam Kapoor!" Akanksha Mathur may not be a face that many of us remember. Hell, she even disappeared soon after her successful Lakme ad commercial. Apparently the model got married and has settled for a quiet life, but makes her presence felt from time to time at social events.

Laila Rouass
Laila Rouass became the face of the Lakme in the late '90s. It was also the time when Indian diaspora had begun to find its voice in films and literature. Born in England to Moroccan-Indian parents, Laila Rouass was perhaps the ideal face that represented the crossover generation. Rouass, who is a known celebrity in the British television circuit these days has also acted in the television adaptation of Meera Syal's book Life Isn't all Ha Ha He He.

Lisa Ray and Yana Gupta
With international brands like Revlon, Maybelline and L'Oreal among others crowding the market, out went the Indian girls and in came the firangs. Yana Gupta and Lisa Ray became the faces of Lakme.Meanwhile, the perception of beauty was also changing. It was no longer about just looking good but looking healthy. Yana, for instance, endorsed a vitamin-enriched lipstick. Traditional parameters of beauty were changing too and Lisa Ray with her strong personality and chutzpah became the face of a generation that genuinely believed that beauty wasn't just skin deep.

Raima Sen and Katrina Kaif
With an increasing emphasis on celebrity endorsements in the first decade of the new millennium, Lakme decided to hop on the bandwagon. Raima Sen and Katrina Kaif became the new faces and stayed on for some time. But sooner rather than later, Lakme was to return to non-Bollywood entities.

Indrani Dasgupta
Indrani, we are told, had been a Lakme girl for quite some time. But it wasn't until a few years ago that we saw her being plastered all over the town and countryside. With her chiselled looks and oh-my-gosh vital stats, Indrani Dasgupta became the hot 'new face' to look forward to.

Amrit Maghera
Amrit came to the Indian shores only a couple of years ago. She featured alongside Indrani in some commercials but has also done a few on her own. Her father is English-Scot and her mother Indian. She has currently taken over hosting After Hrs, a prominent lifestyle TV show from model Nina Manuel.

Tips to Make Wedding Guest List

2009-09-21T02:53:00.000-07:00

Next to the seating chart, the guest list is a little detail most brides wish they could just snap their fingers and create out of thin air. Unfortunately, the guest list is something that you and your fiance will pour over, double check at least six times, and spend hours compiling addresses and head counts just to make sure that it's exactly right. You don't want to offend your great-aunt Sophie because she didn't get an invite, and with such limited space, you really don't feel obligated to invite your fiance's kindergarten teacher, but how do you accomplish creating the perfect guest list without offending anyone or leaving anyone out? Let these seven tips be your guide!

1.) Decide on the size of wedding you want to have. You will have to take into consideration the size of your venue for your ceremony and for your reception, as well as, how much you want to spend on food for your guests. If your unsure of how much of your budget will be going to food, perhaps you should book your caterer and select a cake to get an idea of the cost before you create your guest list. You should always have a number in mind before creating your guest list.

2.) After you get a number, feel free to start compiling a guest list. Don't be afraid to divvy up the responsibility either with your fiance or perhaps his mother if she is looking for a way to help.

3.) Remember family and close friends should come first, because these are the people who have shared in so much of you and your fiance's life and you want them to feel included on your special day! Choosing not to invite out of state family, because you really want the girls at the office to come, may end up being a decision you really regret. If out of state family declines your invite, then you should feel free to pass the invitation on to someone else.

4.) Be fair! You don't want to have three hundred people attend your wedding and only five percent of those people mean anything to your fiance. Even if your husband and his family don't know that many people, you should still give them the opportunity to invite at least half of the people on your guest list.

5.) Another great way to do your guest list is to write down all of your close relatives, your fiancé's close relatives, and your mutual friends. After you have that list, see how many spots you have available. You can either choose the remaining spots together or split them, however works best for you.

6.) Addresses are key! After you have a complete guest list, plan separate lunch dates with your mom and your future mother-in-law to pour through their address books. If they don't have an up to date address for a certain guest, you should have them call other guests that might know it. You shouldn't feel like you can't invite someone because you don't have an up-to-date address. If you do your homework, someone will have it.

7.) After you have your guest list and addresses you should store them in two forms on your computer: As an MS Excel spreadsheet and in label form on your MS Word program. A MS Excel worksheet will allow you to easily keep track of accepted and declined invitations when you start receiving your response cards back and having them in label form on your computer will allow you to easily print them to use them when sending out your invitations and your thank-you cards.

By using these easy tips, getting your guest list together will be a breeze! While compiling the guest list is often a tedious job, the sooner you get it done, the sooner you can move onto other things like actually picking your wedding invitations!

Human Life is Sacred

2009-09-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

One way of looking at life is that man enters the world from one door and leaves it from another. Man enters the world when he is born, he grows up, get educated, obtains a job for his living, gets married, brings up children, gets old and leaves the world by another door at the end of his life span. Is this a correct way to describe human life. Those who believe in this way of living live mechanically from birth to death. The fact is that life is much more than a sheer mechanical living. Life provides plenty of adventure and opportunities to those who live every moment of it mindfully. So what exactly is life. We have a few options to describe human life as perceived by our men of wisdom.

All life is Yoga: Our great spiritual philosopher Sri Aurobindo says that all life is Yoga. Yoga is defined as the method of connecting individual soul to the Supreme soul or over soul. This concept is based on the Hindu ideology that human life should be utilized for God realization.

The soul inside a man is potentially divine and while living in the world we should direct our entire effort to unite the individual soul with the supreme soul to free ourselves from the cycle of birth and death. All life is yoga implies that whatever we do in life is done in a spirit of dedications towards God. It never means that we should discard the world and go into a forest to realize God. It only means that we live in world do our best to contribute towards world solidarity with the mind settled in God consciousness. This is in confirmity with what Gita says "Remember Me at all times and fight". Conduct yourself in the world while firmly established in God.

Life is a School: Sri Aurobindo further says that all life is a school where learning process never ends.In this process of learning earth is considered as a big class room. When we accept that life is a school, we accept that life teaches us if we keep our mind open. Rig veda says that let noble thoughts enter your mind from all sides. You can learn from any one, even from those who are younger to you in age. In Shrimad Bhagawat sage Dattatreya says that if we keep our eyes ears open we will find that everything that exists in nature around us, even birds and animals, have a lesson to teach us. Dattatreya talks about twenty four gurus from whom he has learnt. For example earth teaches fore bearance, tree is an excellent example of selfless service since it provides shade to all without any expectation of return. But why should we learn throughout our life. It is because Learning makes us gain both worldly and spiritual wisdom. Learning enables us to unlearn or weed out what is unwanted or undesirable in our mind. Learning makes us grow inwardly to find newer interest in life learning gives us freedom, learning makes us observe the reality and at the same time we become open to change our perceptions. Therefore be not a scholar but be a brilliant student. Develop sun like affection, river like generosity and earth like hospitality.

Life is a battle field: Dr. Radha Krishan says that life is a battle between spirit and matter, between knowledge and ignorance, between self control and temptation, between discrimination and sensual life. When we commence to fight this battle then our journey starts from humanness to divinity. Life is a battle because no one will give room for yourself, we have to create it for ourself. Human life is not programmed. We have a free will to be what we want to be. When we look inwardly we find that we are fighting the inner battle continuously. Fighting the outer battle of life means tackling our day to day problems relating to ourself, our family, our profession and our society. Since man lives in two worlds, outer and inner, simultaneously he as to fight both these battles firstly to evolve himself and secondly to become a useful member of the society while contributing towards its efficiency. Hardest battle you have to fight is the battle to be just you.

Life is a train Journey: Life could also be compared to a train journey where all are traveling towards our destination. We meet new people who enter our compartment and then there are those who leave our compartment at different stations never to meet again. This happens in worldly life where we meet some for the first time and loose some of our dear ones for ever. Our relationship in life is not permanent as people come and go from our life. Some time the train passes through green fields and some time later through barren ground, sometime through a tunnel. This compares with the pleasant and unpleasant situations which we meet in Life. There are some in the train who are traveling in higher Class while majority is traveling in lower Class. Those who are traveling in higher class are those who are spiritually evolved. There number is very small as compared to the worldly people who are in majority and are traveling in lower class in the train.

Life is a celebration: Sri Sri Ravishankar a spiritual teacher and humanitarian par excellence and founder of Art of living foundation call life a celebration Sri Sri Ravishankar himself is cheerfulness personified, He says that man has become too serious in life and forgets to smile. He ask human beings to smile and serve, to meditate and celebrate. Sri Sri Ravishanker says that sun rises and celebrate, rivers flow and celebrate, tree flowers and celebrate then why not man evolve himself and celebrates life. Spirituality is not seriousness but cheerfulness.

So what is human life all about and what should we do in life. The answer is simple. We should become a yogi, we should learn from every moment of life, we should fight the battle of life to undertake the journey from humanness to divinity. We should celebrate life as we celebrate any festival because life is a beautiful experience. While doing so we should listen to the advise of Lord Krishna. He gave to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita that or we should live life in spirit of Yajna or Sacrifice doing our best to look after the welfare of others. Do not cook food only for yourself because if you do that then you are a thief.

New Generation of Cut And Paste

2009-09-15T02:25:00.000-07:00

A couple of decades ago, the phrase cut and paste was obsolete from our vocabulary. Now, we may use it in daily conversation or we may physically use that phrase in our daily lives, from writing essays to sending e-mails to making notes. This generation has truly become dependent on technology.

As a result of our technologically advanced ways, we have criticized the younger generation about its lack of ability to spell or write properly. It seems that, while we have advanced through our means of communication, our actual way of communication (the choice of words that we make or the way that we put them together) has been left behind. Unfortunately, it seems that this was an inevitable consequence.

Literary Criticism
Young students today seem to be pampered by all of this technology. They have graphing calculators, computers that can do almost anything except walk, and they continually have earbuds or headphones stuck to their ears. While of this technology should mean that education should be improving and our knowledge should be growing, the opposite effect is actually taking place.

It makes sense that advancements in technology should make people lazier and less intelligent. For example, if a computer can do the spell check for you, doesn't it make sense to let it do that all by itself? Would you have the need to check the spelling yourself? The real question, however, may be: "Should we allow all of this technology to do things for us which we are completely capable of doing ourselves?"

Moreover, it seems that the school systems today are failing our students more and more. While we can see thousands of teenagers graduating from high school every year, we know that some of those graduates don't know how to spell simple words or finish basic math problems. Even though we can't ascribe the fault to the students alone, we know that the overall and general laziness of the younger generation has helped to create this problem.

If we want to improve the quality of our lives, we have to start teaching the younger generation today in a way that makes the most use of technology. Some colleges and universities have taken that step by using web communication and internet teaching with some success. However, if we are to really change anything, we should also start with the youngest of students. The earlier that they learn how to make positive use of technology, the better.

Shrikhand Indian Sweet Dish

2009-09-10T02:29:00.001-07:00

Shrikhand is a very popular sweet made of hung yogurt and sugar. This originates from Northern India especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Shrikhand is served as part of vegetarian thali in Gujarat in restaurants. This sweet is also popular in other parts of India. There are many variation of this dish prepared adding different fruits. Shrikhand is classified as sweet / dessert or side dish with puris. The creamy taste increases if served chilled after hot and spicy main dish. Shrikhand is often served in wedding celebration and festivals like Janmashtami. Shrikhand recipe take 25 – 30 minutes for preparation. It is full of fat.

Ingredients to make Shrikhand

Sour curd- 4 cups
sour cream- 1/2 cup
sugar- 2 cups
powdered Almonds and Pista- 1/2 cup
cardamom powder- 1/4 tbsp
saffron soaked little Luke warm milk - 5 to 6 strands

Procedure to cook Shrikhand

Strain all the water off the yoghurt. You can add all the yoghurt into a muslin cloth and let it drain all water overnight. Take the dry yoghurt and mix with all the other ingredients. Add the saffron at the very end. Knead it well to get the co lour evenly in the Shirkand. You can also add any edible artificial flavours as per your taste.

Shrikhand recipe is easy and interesting to prepare. You can eat with other sweets and desserts.

Positive Thinking Makes Life Better

2009-09-06T02:20:00.000-07:00

My grandma was seriously ill and doctors had given up on her. But we constantly saw positive images of her returning home; we would always talk positive and this really helped. She was back with a bang! It was nothing less than a miracle,” reminisces Ria Khanna, a chartered accountant from Mumbai. She adds that ever since she realised the power of thinking positively, setbacks do not scare her any more. “As soon as I get a negative thought, I consciously try to replace it with a positive statement.” She reveals that she tries to try to construct statements without using words like ‘no’, ‘don't’, ‘won't’ etc.” Today, she swears by the power of positive thinking.

For ages, psychoanalysts, therapists and self -help writers have emphasised the power of positive thinking. “Hold an image of the life you want, and that image will become fact,” says Norman Vincent Peale, prolific writer and author of The Power of Positive Thinking.“You are the sum total of your own thoughts. If you think good, good will follow; if you think evil, evil will follow,” observes Joseph Murphy, author of The Power of Your Subconscious Mind.Truly, as a saying goes, “You are what you think all day long.” People who deal in this subject opine that while positive thinking does not guarantee success, negative thinking definitely guarantees failure.

So what is ‘positive thinking’?
For Ria, positive thinking is “looking for opportunity in every difficulty.” She feels that one has to constantly reinforce the mind with positive thoughts leaving no space for fear. “The positive image that you visualise helps you sail through life’s various tests,” she enthuses.Inharmonious thoughts or action definitely result in discord and limitations. Komal Dave, interior designer, Mumbai, believes. “Don’t let anyone rob you of your confidence. People who tell you ‘you can’t do this’ could never do things they dreamt of. Don’t get bogged down by such negative people,” she emphasises.

Dave feels that negative thinking exhausts the brain cells and brings extreme fatigue to the system whereas positive thinking charges your batteries to go on and tackle problems. “Eventually it’s all a mind game. You can decide to make your life richer and grander or dwell on the obstacles and attract negative energies,” she adds.

Positive thinking is an attitude, a state of mind, a way of life. It also contributes a great deal in stress management. Positive statements like ‘I can do it’, ‘I can manage it’, ‘I will succeed’ help to overcome initial doubt. Research suggests that reasonable optimism results in good health, longevity, job success and higher scores on achievement tests. On the contrary, pessimistic people are more vulnerable to depression, loneliness and other psychological, behavioral problems.

Aditi Chaudhary, clinical psychologist, Mumbai, endorses this view. “Positive thinking plays a key role in addressing depressed patients or motivating students or employees to achieve better results. It helps those battling mental illness as there is ambiguity and hopelessness involved,” she explains. She has observed that positive thinking heals patients directly and indirectly. In case of depression, instilling positive thinking helps individuals to regain self belief and composure.

Chaudhary gives an example from her own experience. “One of my patients was suffering from severe depression. Her marriage was on the rocks and she was completely shaken up. Her in-laws harassed her and everything seemed to be going against her. All she needed was a dose of positive thinking. Life is looking up for her today. Positive thinking controls stress levels and helps keep anxiety at bay.”

Another strong believer in positive thinking is Mumbai-based software architect Raj Chaudhari. “As humans, we are the only living creatures who have the ability to think, reason and improvise, so we need to respect this gift called ‘life’ and make the most of it.” He believes that not a nano second of one’s life should be spent on something which does not add value to one’s life. “This is my understanding of thinking constructively,” he says.

Chaudhari should know. He started his career with a meager 1,500 rupees a month. By his own admission, he battled numerous setbacks in his career. But today, the six figure paycheck makes him proud of himself. “I owe it all to the sheer power of positive thinking. I stuck to my guns when I was hardest hit,” he adds.

Megha Bajaj, writer, couldn’t agree more: “Positive thinking to me means 'better thinking'. It is the more pro-active, the better, the solution-finders’ thinking.” This attitude has helped her a lot. “From being someone whose predominant thoughts were negative, I have been able to change my life with positive thinking. When I think positive thoughts, I attract positive opportunities to my life,” she says. To her, it is the key to leading a life which is successful in the materialistic world and peaceful in the world within.

Three Common Mistakes Made on Dates by Women

2009-09-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

First dates are more about not make mistakes because if he asked you on a date you already made a good impression. Women are often making mistakes on first dates and wondering why men do not stick around for a second date. Well here are some of the common mistakes made on first dates that drive that man away.

1. Not letting the man take charge of the date- Every women dread being asked what do you want to do? Women please do not jump to the conclusion he did not plan an evening for you. Most man just want to know your prefer and want to get to know you better. Most asks the question because they are worried about planning something you do not like. They instead choose to avoid rejection, rather than making a mistake. Ladies do not use this as your opportunity to pump the man pockets or go place you would otherwise go or afford to go. When asked what you want to do, just simply reply “I don’t know what did you have in mind?” This would make him feel like He the man, he is doing his job of pleasing you.

2. Don’t pay for the Meal- The first date is all about the man pleasing the woman. Men consider this an insult when you offer to pay for the first date. Paying for the meal is viewed by the man as a sign you are not interested. I know us women are equal in the workplace, school and other place, but ladies we must sometimes play the role of the woman. Just because we have gain equal roles next to men in recent years, dating is still the one area equal rights do not exist. Equal rights don’t exist in dating for good reason men enjoy the chase of courtship. Remember the first date is all about pleasing you, he don’t mind spend the extra money.

3. Last, but not least don’t have sex on the first date- Having sex is the quickest way to ruin a potential great relationship. Men are driven to prove their power themselves, they measure their by what or whom they conquered. Once men have conquered something they get bored and move on to something new. Women keep in mind the more a man invests in something, the more he values it. This may sound redundant but the more you hold out from giving the man sex the more power you have in the courtship. So women hold out on sex.