::S::A::N::U::

Is Your Sex Drive in Park?

2012-09-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Is Your Sex Drive in Park?

Are you or your partner losing interest in sex? A variety of physiological and psychological factors can impact your libido. Check out these common sex-drive killers.

Stress

You may be the kind of person who does many things well when under stress. But feeling sexy isn't likely to be one of them. Job stress, money troubles, caring for a sick family member, and other stressors can decrease libido. To keep your stress levels in check, learn helpful stress management techniques or seek the advice of a counselor or doctor.

Unresolved Issues

Unresolved relationship problems are one of the most common killers of sex drive. For women in particular, emotional closeness is a major ingredient in sexual desire. Simmering arguments, poor communication, betrayal of trust, and other barriers to intimacy can steer your sex drive off the road.

Alcohol

A drink or two doesn't always put you in the mood. Alcohol famously makes you feel less inhibited about sex. But it can also numb your sex drive. And even if it doesn't numb your sex drive, inebriation can be a turn-off for your partner. All of this goes for recreational drugs, too.

Too Little Sleep

If your sexual get-up-and-go is gone, maybe you're getting up too early or getting to bed too late. Or maybe you have insomnia or sleep apnea. Whatever it is that's interfering with your sleep, it's also interfering with your sex drive. Too little sleep creates fatigue. Fatigue saps sex drive.

Parenting

Parenting itself doesn't kill sex drive. But it can be hard to find time to be intimate when the kids are under foot. Hire a baby sitter for some time to nurture your relationship. New baby in the home? Try scheduling sex during the baby's nap time.

Medication

Drugs commonly linked to libido loss include:

Antidepressants
Blood pressure medications
Antihistamines
Oral contraceptives (some studies show a link; others don't)
Chemotherapy
Anti-HIV drugs
Finasteride
Synthetic progesterone-medroxyprogesterone

Changing to a different medication or different dosage may solve the problem. Other drugs may affect sex drive, too. If your sex drive shifted into park soon after beginning a new medication, talk with your doctor. Never stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor.

Poor Body Image

It's hard to feel sexy if your self-esteem suffers from poor body image. For example, feeling ashamed of being too heavy (even if you're not) will douse your love light. If your partner has these feelings, it can really help to reassure him or her that you still find him/her sexy. And there's a flip side to the equation: Working out not only enhances your self-esteem, but also ups your sex drive.

Obesity

Being overweight or obese is linked to a lack of sexual enjoyment, desire, and difficulties with sexual performance. The reason isn't clear, but may be linked to self-esteem, unsatisfactory relationships, social stigma, and other psychological issues.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a different kind of sexual disorder than loss of libido (a medical term for loss of sex drive). But men with ED worry about how they will be able to perform sexually. And that worry can drain their sex drive.

Low T

Testosterone increases sex drive. As men age, their testosterone levels may decline slightly. Not all men lose the desire for sex when their testosterone levels drop -- but many do. Testosterone is linked to sex drive in women, too. But a woman's hormonal balance is more complex than a man's. It's not clear whether testosterone therapy is as safe and effective in boosting sex drive for women as it is for men.

Depression

It doesn't seem fair. Many antidepressants can lower your sex drive -- and so does depression. But if your sex drive has drooped, it might be a sign that you're depressed. Clinical depression is a serious, but treatable condition.

Menopause

About half of women report reduced sex drive around the time of menopause, even though they believe it important to maintain an active sex life. Menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and pain during sex, may make sex less comfortable. But the hormonal changes of menopause are only part of the picture. An aging women concerned about her sex drive should also consider the quality of her relationship, her body image and self esteem, medications she is taking, and her physical health.

Too Little Intimacy

Sex without intimacy is a sex-drive killer. Intimacy isn't just a code word for sex. If your sex life is in neutral, try spending more non-sexual intimate time together – alone. Talk, snuggle, trade massages. Learn to express affection without having to have sex. As intimacy builds, so does sex drive.

Benefits and Methods of drinking more water

2012-08-15T23:25:00.002-07:00

-Shanta Dhenga

Do you know the advantages and benefits of drinking more water? Have u ever imagined that you can get fit and healthy body by just following this very simple technique of hydro therapy? If no, then you must go through this article to know the magic healing of water.

We shall now know the benefits of drinking more water and later we can see methods and tips how to drink more water daily.

Instructions:

Note 1

Temperature regulator:

when we do exercises we loose water in the form of sweat that is how it regulates temperature in our body. Even there wont be extreme temperature fluctuations in our body.
Note 2

Heart attack risk reduced:

this is revealed by studies performed on a group of people by researches and scientists and proved this fact.
Note 3

It raises body’s metabolism:

this helps our body to utilize the nutrients to the utmost possible manner and also helps in reducing weight.
Note 4

Toxins and wastes removed:

Water removes unwanted toxins and wastes from our body in the form of sweat, urine and bodily secretions. So you take more water so get rid of these unnecessary things from your body.
Note 5

Sharpens your brain:

it helps in increasing more blood supply to brain and thus helps in keeping brain healthy and you must remember this one of the best memory increasing tips.
Note 6

Get healthy and fresh skin:

it helps in regulating the skin health by improving the blood circulation to it. this also helps in bringing glow to your skin too.
Note 7

Helps in weight control:

it raises body metabolism and helps in burning calories and by taking more water you can prevent over eating or suppresses appetite thus helping you to control your weight.
Note 8

Also there are lot more advantages like :

a) It helps in digestion.
b) Constipation is reduced.
c) Asthma can be controlled.
d) Stress can be managed.
e) Preventing formation of kidney stones (renal calculi)

I think you may get a doubt now on how much the minimum quantity of water that can be taken daily, so for this I tell you that it depends on the persons activity levels , weight and environmental conditions. But most people follow a rule called “8 by 8” where you have to take 8-ounces glasses of water per day (2 quarts, 1.8 liters)

Tips and tricks to drink more water

1. Keep water along with you or near by your working place, this helps you to drink water frequently and even act a reminder too.
2. Instead of drinking plain water, just add lemon or sugar to it which adds taste and makes you drink more.

3.Avoid beverages like alcohol and soft drinks and try to cultivate the best habit of drinking more water.

Twenty never-tried-before tips for sizzling sex

2012-06-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

Nothing arouses you more than the warm breath of your partner on your nape - it's the only sound in the room and is very erotic. In no time will you be a ready and willing partner.

3. Do it movie-styleEvery Hollywood movie has one scene where the couple is doing it standing up - against a wall, stairs, behind a door, etc. So what is stopping you from doing it too? Not only will such a quickie have your adrenaline rush up, it will make you agile on your feet! Pick a moment, but don't tell him about it and pounce. A hot, wet kiss and the urgency will have him reacting in a way he's never done before.

4. Fast and furious
Jump into the shower with him for a quick, hot make-out session. Change out of your cotton panties into a lacy thong. You could also cuddle up behind him while he is preparing breakfast. Whisper in his ear a play-by-play of exactly what it is you plan to do to him tonight. Tell him about your hot dream.

5. Prop shop
Anything can set the mood, so why not go right ahead and try one of these out - board games, delicious food in the bedroom and toys for the tub!

6. Shy gal
Some women may be shy during sex and when you ask them what is it that they would like, they may get nervous and feel it is too demanding to state. What you can do is to try broaching the subject with your partner in a different setting, where you can express your desires in a more relaxed way. How about cuddling up to him while watching a sexy scene on TV and whispering if you could try that out! Your partner will love you for it, so don't worry please.

7. Be a wild child
There's something deliciously dangerous about doing it in a non-private area, which could be on the beach or a park, a lift or even a restaurant restroom. You may need to be careful with insects and itchy grass if you are in a park area, and sand is very abrasive so you may want to have a blanket handy. Be prepared for embarrassment if you do have an unwanted visitor. Also please note, there are laws against indecent exposure in public places, so if you care caught, have an explanation ready!

8. Light of your life
Turn off the lights and take a little torch. Guide the glow to areas of your body that you want him to lick or rub. Start with your neck, ears, nipples - go wherever you want him to explore. Even if it's a nonsexual area like your back, he has to pay attention to that area until you stop shining the flashlight on it.

9. Women love their bodies
Women who enjoy sex are comfortable with touching themselves, as that's how they learn about their own bodies, what they like or don't and how they can reach orgasm quickly or slowly depending on their mood. For women, there are other ways of having an orgasm and not just by having sex, and they control their erotic destiny: they know they can come whenever they want, and that makes them more confident and relaxed lovers.

10. Say 'no' to routine
Stash that remote away before you leave for work so that when you return, your partner is unlikely to find it. Have some we-time - talk about your day, walk your pets together and have a leisurely drink. After dinner, serve him a special dessert after the kids go to bed - but tell him that you two must feed each other with one spoon. Add a flirty 'you lose if...' to the game and watch how your evening pattern takes a stimulating change.

11. Old school of thought: Both partners should be equally active in bed
New school of thought: It's absolutely fine to handover all control or take charge, eitherway.

As it is all about sexual satisfaction and pleasure, why don't you decide which way the wind will blow? Your man will love it if you take control! However, it doesn't mean that every time you make love it has to be exactly 50/50 score. Sometimes one of you is just too beat or burned-out to have the energy for a night of vigorous sex, but you can still lie back and have some fun.

12. Work on yourself
Excite yourself before the romp with candles, music and wine as you have a better chance of peaking repeatedly, if you are already aroused. The stronger your sexual energy before someone touches you, the easier it is to have one orgasm and even multiples.

13. Ditch the time slot
Who ever said that you have to have sex only at night? It's a restricting notion, one that will have you feeling tired and dying to hit the pillow. Say Richa, 34, "Our best sex is around seven-thirty, when my husband and I both get home from work. We are so charged that just seeing him still look handsome makes my pulses race. We strip off our clothes and have a steamy session. In fact, we both spend the afternoon looking forward to this time!" Happy hour isn't the only prime time to pounce. The timings could vary, for some it may be only weekend afternoons or but for the others, it's the first thing pre-work. "Seven in the morning is the only time we have to ourselves, so that's when we get it on," says Anjali, 37. "From a sedate once a week to almost every morning, we are the new sexaholics on the block!"

14. Play games
What if your wife asked you if she could rub her face against your bare chest, if she could kiss your nipples and if she could undo your pants? But why would she ask for permission? Be truthful, wouldn't you feel more aroused with each permission you were granting? Madhav agreed and said, "Part of it is hearing what she would do next, and part of it was the idea that I was actually granting her favours, like she wanted it so badly and needed to make me happy too."

15. Eyes open wide
Try not to switch off the light tonight, as you will be turned on by what you see. Don't be self-conscious as both men and women are stimulated by erotic visuals, according to an Archives of Sexual Behavior study. Try keeping the lights on and your eyes open (this also aids communication, as you can see what pleases your partner). Making love in front of mirrors or using video cameras is a variation on the same theme. The effort pays off. Once you begin to appreciate foreplay as an integral part of sexual satisfaction and the stronger marriage that comes with it, will always be just one short step away.

16. Crackle in the kitchen
The bedroom may get boring after a while, so change in location is sure to help. The kitchen slabs may be cold, but who has the time to think about it. Take care to keep sharp objects stashed away.

17. When you have 60 seconds
Try one of these super hot moves, made to fit any schedule!

Plan a sex Saturday: Slip into his shirt pocket a note that says, "Saturday, sex all day. Mobile phones, friends and relatives not invited. Be there in our bedroom."

Try the direct route: Take his hand, place it on your thigh - and then slide it higher, and higher...

18. Light, feathery kisses
A kiss on the hand is not the prerogative of only women, men too love being kissed on their hands. Place the tip of your tongue on the webbed area at the base of his fingers, then slowly slide your way up the side. This move will give him goose bumps because this area is as sensitive as his inner ear. This will drive him completely crazy.

19. Novel love
Be intense, be dramatic, be what you read in romance novels. Take as much time as possible. Be loving about it with a hint of nostalgia and emotion. Chances are both of your will be rejuvenated not only sexually, but emotionally as well.

20. Sleep in the buff
Skin on silk or even fine cotton is a heady combination. Try dropping your inhibitions and step by step to sleeping with no clothes on. You may find sleep difficult as you are not used to it, but trust me, it will lead to sexy dreams, a tantalizing cuddle... and plentiful more.

Why couples' fight in the bedroom ??

2012-06-12T19:56:00.003-07:00

-Shanta Dhenga
Hogging the covers is the number one cause of arguments in Britain’s bedrooms, a new study has revealed. The researchers found that one in ten adults would consider leaving their partner because disturbed nights had become such an issue in their relationship. The study found that
snoring was the second most common cause of nighttime squabble, with one in ten couples falling out over it at least twice a week.

Half of the 2,000 adults in a relationship questioned in the survey suffered with a snoring spouse, with 20 percent claiming that they lose two hours of sleep because of it.

More than half said that their husband or boyfriend were to be blamed for snoring.

Bizarrely, one-fifth admitted waking up once a week because of their own heavy breathing.

Other annoying bedroom habits included allowing children to sleep in the marital bed, rolling onto the wrong side of the bed, being touched by freezing cold feet and leaving the lights on to read.

In all, these night-time niggles spark 167 tiffs a year for the average couple.

The survey was commissioned by Premier Inn to tie in with last month’s National Stop Snoring week.

“Our research shows that most of the arguments couples have in the bedroom are down to habits that are easy to resolve as a relationship develops,” the Daily Mail quoted Claire Haigh, Premier Inn spokeswoman, said.

“People suffer from snoring to varying degrees and the research shows it can impact on our day to day lives especially if one person in the relationship is missing out on much needed sleep.

“At Premier Inn we believe everyone deserves a good night’s sleep so we ensure we do all we can to give our guests the best possible night’s sleep,” she added.

6 Things women must learn from men

2012-05-14T08:21:00.003-07:00

6 Things women must learn from men

-Shanta Dhenga

Undoubtedly, man and women make two sides of the same coin as they are perfect complements to each other. Yet both sexes are uniquely different. However, there must be a thing or two that one can learn from the other.

So, taking the battle of sexes forward, we allowed men to share things the ladies could learn from them to make life a little more worth living...And what more? Brought in some ladies too, for sharing their piece of mind...

1. Man teaches: Logic Lessons"Don't hate me for pointing this out, but life will be far easier if women understand that everything in life has logic behind it. Men follow their innate logic as they take decisions, while women are absolutely unaware about the mere existence of logic. And this makes it really hard for men to deal with women," says TV actor Mihir Mishra.

Gal talk: "Women possess an innate sense of judgment, which they learn while living life. We do get influenced many a time, but at the same time we have a very 'pace-y logic' that we learn on the way. This usually makes us 'street-smart,' but unfortunately men don't relate to this and end up calling us 'logic-illiterate," says tele star Manini De.

2. Man teaches: Emotions can take a backseat at timesUsually blamed for lacking emotions, TV actor Varun Badola says, "Women must learn that every situation doesn't call for a huge emotional turmoil. Holding back one's sentiments when they are not required won't make the female sex hard-hearted and indifferent, but of course a little rational and practical."

Gal talk: Waving the emotional flag higher, TV actress Rajeshwari Sachdev maintains, "When women use emotions, they put their brains behind each one of their emotions to ensure that they don't hurt people while putting their thoughts forward. I think emotions add meaning to one's life."

3. Man teaches: Everything doesn't call for intensityWomen call it showing that they care, while men tag it as being overtly intense. "Missing breakfast is not such a big deal as women make it to be by reminding us a hundred times that we missed it. Women usually get intense about the smallest of things and situations. If they learn to chill out from men, they'll be able to enjoy life like never before," says tele star Rohit Roy.

Gal talk: Nach Baliye star Tina Kuwajerwala says, "One of the partners has to be over -the-top to make the other one feel wanted in the relationship. It's the intensity in a woman that helps her enrich every relationship in her life with depth and compassion. Else, a woman's home would have been as cold as the road, where no one cares for the other."

4. Man teaches: Gossip, only when neededDespite being official that even men gossip, actor Rahul Dev wants women to learn the art of keeping a tab on gossip sessions from men. "I'm not asking women to stop gossiping. I don't mean that men don't gossip, but what I want women to learn from men is doing a controlled crime. Not every situation calls for a gossip and bitching session," says Dev.

Gal talk: In a mood for some male bashing, says Pratibha Gupta, a Delhi-based-marketing professional, "To gossip or not to gossip is an absolute individual choice. Still, since time immemorial women have been blamed for being gossip mongers. But off late the tables have turned and one can't miss those all-male, coffee counter hush-hush sessions. We are still better than men because we don't feel ashamed of an act that we love to indulge in!"

5. Man teaches: Sense of humourWe thought only women craved for men who possess a great sense of humour! But Mahesh Srikanta, a Mumbai-based-sports producer says, "Women are in desperate need to learn the art of laughing at life from men. Compared to men, women lack a good sense of humour and as a result they fail to enjoy life."

Gal talk: "Have you ever heard a man laughing his guts out at his own self, but women do that with ease. Gatecrash an all women pajama party and you'll know. However if they blame us for being 'bad at humour' because we can't take jokes aimed at our spouses and kids, then I guess, men need to learn a lesson or two from women," points out Madhurima Goswami, a Delhi-based-teacher.

6. Man teaches: To taste realityBlaming women for living in their own dream world most of the times. Kunal Soni, a techie from Delhi, wants women to be more practical about life. "I feel that women tend to have a rather fantasised thinking about almost everything that happens in life, be it a relationship or a marriage. They should learn from men to think practically about life and accept that things can't be eternally hunky dory as per their dreams."

Joins in Krishanu Bhattacharjee, a Mumbai-based, corporate communication manager, "I seriously want women to accept situations realistically. We are tired of manipulating the truth only to make it sound sweeter for their ears. For instance, a question like 'Am I looking fat in this dress?' is a Herculean task for a man to answer as he wants to retain peace in a relationship. If women can learn to accept the truth the way men can, life will become more chilled out."

Gal talk: "I'll blame it on the genes that women possess. They love to get flattered, is it too hard for men to understand that? There's a way to put things across. The art of deception is a trait men ought to learn from women," argues Manini.

8 Top reasons why MEN the cheat

2012-05-14T08:13:00.001-07:00

There are reasons galore why men pull wool over the eyes of their wives. Oftentimes, it's out of spite and neglect, while the other times, it's because they feel they will never be caught.

What makes men cheat? Dr Kamal Khurana, relationship counselor, dug through past research on male infidelity, and has even counseled couples and has arrived at the conclusion that most answers are from the wife's point of view. Here, some of his findings:
1. Disturbance in the marriage as the primary reasonWhen there are regular fights at home with his wife, which are left unresolved, a pattern sets in wherein he continues to be unhappy and 'disturbed'. In this kind of a scenario, either he can fight or he can flee. When he looks for an affair, he is looking to flee from dealing with the issues in the marriage, and be comfortable with that 'other person'. It is telling oneself that the problems do not affect anyone and life can continue in a better way with a parallel support.

2. Cheating men report boredom led to the affairSome men may find the routine of a married life to be tedious and dull. These men find it easier to shift dominance or primacy to another relationship and feel the spark outside to be a thrilling option; instead of finding ways of charging their marriage. It becomes present moment for gratification versus the hard job that they will have to do in their marriage to resolve an issue. The extra-marital relationship provides them with a readymade and fresh experience, which is appealing enough to take the risk.

3. Cheating men love to experiment sexuallySex has always been and will always be an integral part of a marriage. While some men are quite content spending the rest of their lives having sex with the same wife for many years, others prefer to experiment more as a need, rather than as an option. They want to sleep with many women, many times, and therefore do not think twice before an extra-marital alliance. It perhaps makes them feel sexually powerful and more adept than others.

4. Cheating men are emotionally dissatisfiedWhen their wives are too busy with their own lives, working or bringing up children or even looking after in-laws and parents, emotionally, men are left high and dry. But men are emotionally driven beings too. They want their wives to show them that they're appreciated, and they want women to understand how hard they're trying to get things right. Most men consider it unmanly to ask for a pat on the back, which is why their emotional needs are often overlooked. Sometimes the couple may not be compatible so however much the wife may do, the man will always find something to complain about.

It may also happen that the woman he cheats with is his co-worker or boss, someone who praises him, looks up to him, and compliments his efforts. That's another reason why it's so critical that he feel valued at home.

5. Cheating men have a history of EMRSome men, in their childhood, may have witnessed cheating in their parent's marriage. This somewhere gives them a message that it is okay to cheat, even though deep inside they know this is wrong. All of us learn from our parents, so taking the risk is good enough. This acquired learning also happens through cheating resorts taken by elder siblings, neighbours, peer group and everybody who has been impacted. Sometimes as teenagers and young adults, some men have had multiple relationships, these men either intentionally or accidentally end up going back to their ex-girlfriends. The other lot goes back to their past style of having multiple relationships. It is well said, what a mind thinks, achieves. So there are females also who are either consciously or unconsciously looking for such men.

6. Cheating men have wives who cheatMen also take revenge with their cheating wives, by having multiple relationships themselves. Even if their wives are guilty and come accept their extra-marital relationships, some men continue with their tricks. This is mostly done by men who don't want to forgive their spouses.

7. Cheating men think it to be 'divorce'Some men are willfully adulterous and use it as a means for acquiring divorce. The law also considers adultery as a fair ground for the wife to seek a divorce. The man is cheating openly and is in a non-receptive mood, taking the wife's feelings of frustration to an all-time high. Although this percentage is less but it is there.

8. Cheating men need to be neededWhen men feel that they are not needed by their wife anymore, they look out for some other woman, who can understand them and make them feel special. As an obvious outcome of a new relationship, they get that feeling from the other woman. And suddenly when they are showered with attention, which they haven't received in a very long time in their marriage, they toss their hands in the air and get deep into the new hot and happening relationship.

श्री मुक्तिनाथ दर्शन यात्रा

2012-03-30T04:45:00.002-07:00

संसारका ५ धामहरुमध्येको मुक्तिनाथ एक धाम हो। मुक्तिनाथको मन्दिर थोरङ्गला हिमालको फेदीमा ३७१० मिटर को उचाईमा अवस्थित छ। मुक्तिनाथ धवलागिरी अञ्चल तथा मुस्ताङ्ग जिल्लामा पर्दछ। खुल्ला र सफा दिनमा मुक्तिनाथबाट दक्षिणपट्टीको आकाशमा धवलागिरी हिमालको मनमोहक दृष्य देखिन्छ।

मुक्तिनाथ पवित्र भूमि हिन्दू र बौद्ध धर्मालम्वीहरु दुवैको लागि प्रख्यात छ। हिन्दु धर्मानुसार मुक्तिनाथको दर्शन गरेमा सबै पापहरुबाट मुक्ति मिल्दछ भन्ने विश्वास गरिन्छ। त्यसैले गर्दा प्रत्येक बर्ष असोज महिनादेखि ज्येष्ठ महिनासम्म मुक्तिनाथ दर्शनको लागि नेपाली तथा भारतीय धर्मालम्वीहरुको मन्दिरमा घुईंचो लाग्दछ।

मुक्तिनाथलाई ५१ शक्ति पीठ मध्येमा एक पीठको रुपमा पूजा गरिन्छ। बौद्ध धर्म अनुसार यसलाई च्यूमीग ग्यातुसा (Chumig Gyatsa) भनिन्छ। जसको अर्थ टिवेटन भाषा अनुसार एकसय आठ पानी हो। मुक्तिनाथको मन्दिरमा भगवान विष्णु लगायत देवी लमी र गरुड भगवानको मूर्ति अवस्थित छ, जुन सबै सुनले बनेको छ। मुक्तिनाथको मन्दिरमा १०८ धाराहरु छन् जसमा सबै तीर्थालुहरु नुहाउनको लागि आउने गर्दछन्। १०८ धाराहरुमा साँढेको मुखको आकृति छ जसको मुखबाट पानी बग्दछ। यहाँको पानीको तापक्रम ज्यादै चिसो, ० डिग्री सेन्टिग्रेडमा हुन्छ। मन्दिरमा बौद्ध आनीहरु हुन्छन् जसले मन्दिरको ढोका खोल्ने र पूजा गराउने काम गर्दछन्।

टिबेटन धर्म अनुसार गुरु रिन्पोचे (Rinpoche) टिबेटन बुद्ध धर्मका जन्मदाता यही मुक्तिनाथको बाटो गरी तपस्या गरेर टिबेट (Tibet) गएका भन्ने विश्वास गरिन्छ। मुक्तिनाथमा बग्ने खोला कालीगडकी हो। यहाँ नेपालको अन्य ठाउँमा नपाईने ढुङ्गा शीला वा शालीग्राम पाईन्छ, जसलाई हिन्दु धर्ममा भगवान नारायणको साक्षत रुप मानिन्छ। मुक्तिनाथ हिन्दु, बौद्ध, जैन र वैष्णव सबै धर्मालम्वीहरुको लागि एक प्रख्यात तीर्थस्थल हो, यहाँको १०८ धाराको आफ्नै बिशेषता छ। हिन्दु खगोलशास्त्र अनुसार संसारमा जम्मा १२ राशी र नौ ग्रह छन्, जसले १०८ समिश्रण दिन्छ। १०८ धारालाई यसैको प्रतिनिधिको रुपमा लिईन्छ।

पृथ्वीमा मुक्तिनाथ मात्र एक यस्तो ठाउँ हो, जहाँ पञ्चतत्व पाईन्छ। आगो, पानी, पृथ्वी, हावा र जल मुक्तिनाथको मन्दिर सँगै ज्वालादेवीको मन्दिर छ। यहाँ अवस्थित ज्वाला परापूर्वकालदेखि अहिलेसम्म निरन्तर रुपमा पानी माथि बलिरहेको विश्वास गरिन्छ। मुक्तिनाथको मन्दिरमा कुनै महत्वपूर्ण प्रसाद चढाईदै, ईच्छा अनुसारको मिठाई, फूलमाला, अक्षता चढाईन्छ।

अनुकुल समय :
मुक्तिनाथ दर्शनको लागि उपयुक्त समय फागुनदेखि शुरु भएर ज्येष्ठसम्म हो। आषाढ, श्रावण र भाद्र महिना बर्षायाम भएकोले तीर्थालुहरुको संख्या ज्यादै कम हुन्छ।

यातायात सुविधा :
मुक्तिनाथमा मौसममा धेरै फेरवदल भैरहन्छ। तीर्थालुहरु यहाँ सिधै हेलिकोप्टरबाट आएर पनि दर्शन गर्छन्। प्राय तीर्थालुहरु पोखराबाट हवाई विमान चढेर जोमसोम एयरपोर्ट भएर आउने गर्छन्। साथै पोखराबाट गाडीमा बेनी, घाँसा हुँदै जोमसोम मुक्तिनाथ आउने तीर्थालुहरुको पनि यहाँ कमी छैन। जोमसोमबाट मुक्तिनाथको मन्दिरसम्म पुग्न जीपको व्यवस्था छ, जसको लागि ०१ः३० मिनेट समय लाग्दछ।

श्री मुक्तिनाथ दर्शन यात्रा कार्यक्रम

पहिलो दिन
०६:०० बजे – महाँकाल स्थान न्यूरोड पुग्ने ०६:३० बजे – पोखराको लागि रिर्जभ गाडिद्वारा प्रस्थान ०९:०० बजे – बिहानको नास्ता ११:०० बजे – मुग्लिनमा बिहानको खाना १३:३० बजे – पोखरा होटलमा पुग्ने १६:०० बजे – पोखरामा दृष्यावलोकनको लागि फेवपातालमा बोटिङ्ग गरी बाराही मन्दिरको दर्शन २०:०० बजे – बेलुकाको खाना

दोस्रो दिन
०६ः०० बजे – बिहानको नास्ता ०६ः३० बजे – पोखरा एयरपोर्टतिर प्रस्थान ०७ः०० बजे – हवाई विमानद्वारा जोमसोमको लागि प्रस्थान ०७ः२० बजे – जोमसोम होटलमा पुग्ने ११ः०० बजे – बिहानको खाना होटलमा ११ः३० बजे – मार्फा दृष्यावलोकनको लागि जीपद्वारा प्रस्थान १४ः०० बजे – मार्फाबाट १ घटा ३० मिनेट पैदल यात्रा गरी जोमसोम फर्कने २०ः०० बजे – बेलुकोको खाना

तेस्रो दिन
०६ः०० बजे – चियापान ०६ः३० बजे – जोमसोमबाट मुक्तिनाथ मन्दिरको लागि रिजर्भ जीपद्वारा प्रस्थान ०८ः०० बजे – रानीपौवा पुगेर मन्दिरमा पुग्न २० मिनेट पैदल यात्रा ०८ः२० बजे – मुक्तिनाथ मन्दिर पुगेर स्नान र पुजा गर्ने १०ः०० बजे – मुक्तिनाथबाट जोमसोमको लागि प्रस्थान १०ः३० बजे – रानीपौवा होेटेल पुगी बिहानको प्याकिङ्ग नास्ता खाने ११ः३० बजे – जीपद्वारा जोमसोमलागि प्रस्थान १३ः०० बजे – जोमसोम होटल पुग्ने र बिहानको खाना खाने २०ः०० बजे – बेलुकाको खाना

चौथो दिन
०६ः०० बजे – चियापान गरी जोमसोम एयरपोर्टको लागि प्रस्थान ०६ः३० बजे – हवाई विमानद्वारा पोखराको लागि उडान ०६ः२० बजे – पोखरा पुग्ने ०८ः०० बजे – दर्शनको लागि विन्ध्यवासिनी मन्दिर पुग्ने ०९ः०० बजे – बिहानको नास्ता चिप्लेढुङ्गा ०९ः३० बजे – डेभिजफल र गुप्तेश्वर गुफाको दृष्यावलोकन ११ः०० बजे – बिहानको खाना २०ः०० बजे – बेलुकाको खाना

पाँचौं दिन
०७ः०० बजे – बिहानको नास्ता होटलमा ०८ः०० बजे – काठमाडौको लागि प्रस्थान १२ः०० बजे – मलेखुमा बिहानको खाना १६ः०० बजे – काठमाडौको महाँकाल स्थान पुगी हाम्रो यात्रा समाप्त हुन्छ।

world's expensive Fountain Pen !!

2012-03-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

1. Aurora Diamante fountain pen

Price: $1,470,600
The Aurora Diamante is the most expensive writing instrument till date. Only one is for sale per year. The Aurora Diamante contains over 30 carats of De Beers diamonds on a solid platinum barrel. It has a two-tone, rhodium-treated, 18KT solid gold nib and is personalized with a coat of arms, signature or portrait. Aurora Pens says it is the only over 30 carat pen in the world.

2. Mystery Masterpiece – Mont Blanc and Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Edition

Price: $730,000
To commemorate the centenary of these two renowned brands, Montblanc and Van Cleef & Arpels have collaborated on this fine, limited editions Mystery Masterpiece. Three individual editions, each set with either rubies, sapphires, or emeralds, will be crafted. Using the “Mystery Setting” technique for the gemstones, these intricate writing instruments are set to stun with their extravagant design, and equally-extravagant price: at US$730,000 each, they are truly a fitting homage to a century of each brands’ respective history.

3. La Modernista Diamonds – Caran d’Ache

Price: $265,000
La Modernista Diamonds was made by the Swiss company Caran d’Ache in 1999 in homage to Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926), the most famous of Modernist architects. This amazing fountain pen was sold in Harrods, London, for $265,000, becoming the most expensive pen in GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS in 2001. La Modernista Diamonds is made of rhodium-coated solid silver components. It boasts of an 18-carat rhodium-coated gold nib and is set with a total of 5,072 Wesselton diamonds weighing in at 20-carats, as well as and 96 rubies totalling 32-carats. The pen was hand-made by master jeweler Robert Perron and it took him six months to complete this true masterpiece of writing instruments.

4. Omas Phoenix Platinum – Fountain Pen Luxury Limited Edition with Diamonds

Price: $60,000
With overwhelming price tag of $60,000, this truncated cone shaped pen is a true embodiment of fact and fancy. Made with 950 platinum and yellow Enamel, with considerable length and diameter, 18K gold rhodiated engraving nib.
5. Visconti – Ripple H.R.H. Fountain Pen

Price: $ 57,000
One of the most remarkable Visconti pens is Ripple H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain pen. Made of 18K white gold and diamonds and with two-tone 18K gold nib, it costs $57,000.00. It has double reservoir filling system and is sold in two variations – white gold and black

6. Visconti – Alchemy H.R.H. Fountain Pens

Price: $ 57,000
The beautifully handcrafted Alchemy HRH by Visconti is part of the HRH collection of handmade fountain pens and rollerball pens from this fine pen maker. This luxury pen, unlike other fountain pens, has two nibs, two ink reservoirs and is trimmed with two different metals ï¿½ exquisite gold and silver vermeil. Both nibs are of the best 18K gold and come in different sizes to suit every writing style. Even those used to writing with rollerball pens will love using the Alchemy.
The body is made from a classic, rich, red resin and the gold and silver trim is decorated with expensive 4K diamonds and rubies. One cap has gold trim, the other silver, and these trims interlace to create a cosmic map with alchemic symbols – stunning!

7. Visconti – The Forbidden City H.R.H. Fountain Pen

Price: $50,500.00
The Visconti brand is known for best quality, style and creativity. This distinguished Visconti pen is the Forbidden City H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain Pen. Made of black resin, 18K gold and diamonds and boasting of Power Filler innovative filling system invented by Visconti, it is sold for $50,500.00.

8. MARTE – Omas Fountain Pen

Price: $43,000
Omas Fountain Pen MARTE is part of the Viaggi dell’Uomo, Travel of Man, Masterpieces collection of custom design fountain pens, rollerball pens and pen sets. The Marte (Italian for Mars) is actually a map of Mars made from classic rose gold to represent the pink-red hue of the planet. Deserts, mountains and craters all feature on the barrel of this pen and four rubies mark the landing points of the Russian and American probes. The cap is encrusted with 2K of small diamonds reminiscent of the polar ice caps and the clip details astronomer Tycho Brahe’s Mural Quadrant. Even the rose gold nib is engraved with a representation of the Greek God Mars! There are just 30 of these fountain pens in circulation, so they are perfect for the pen collector to add to his expensive pen collections, or for the executive who enjoys writing with designer pens

9. Gaia High Luxury – Omas Fountain Pens

Price: $43,000
Gaia high Luxury fountain pens and rollerball pens by Omas are a glimpse into the dark and deep recesses of the earth. The impenetrable inner core of the earth has inspired wonder, curiosity and interest in man since creation. A miscellany of precious materials such as the white and yellow 18K gold, the Onyx, the Crystal rock, the hematite and the vegetal resin has been utilized into the making of this mystic model by Omas.
Gaia High Luxury fountain pens and rollerball pens are a presentation in the celebration of Jules Verne’s futuristic vision of the world. It also commemorates the one hundredth death anniversary. Depicting geographical wonders of the world, the pen absolutely differs from pens that reflect the classic essence of history. The dark grey color of the metal that it is made of, symbolizes the trip to the dark interior of the earth. The body of the pen from top to toe features the engraved images of gigantic spiders, carnivorous plants, and water beasts. The blend of fear and wonder in the engraving of these horrors makes this particular model different from a range of pen collections

10. CREW 60TH White Gold – Tibaldi fountain pens

Price: $43,000
TIBALDI Pens CREW 60TH are a landmark in pen making history with Bentley, the automobile giant creating its own handcrafted pen sets in association with the world’s best Italian luxury designer pen maker, Tibaldi.
These expensive Tibaldi for Bentley pens have a two-tone 18-carat yellow gold nib covered in rhodium and ruthenium. The pen’s barrel has the fine finish identical to Bentley’s dashboard. This finish was first used in Bentley’s earliest car with a technique called engine tuming. The pen’s cap and upper and lower barrel parts are knurled for a good grip while writing for the executive. You can see the level of ink through the transparent window of the Tibaldi for Bentley pens. A handmade tie shaped clip on the pen marks Tibaldi’s signature.
The Tibaldi for Bentley Crewe 60th white gold fountain pen collection is a limited edition of 40 solid white gold fountain pens

10 secrets of super-happy couples

2012-03-06T04:30:00.002-08:00

Pretend you’ve just met

Whether you’ve been together for six months or six years, spend some time each day acting as if you just started dating. Ask him what he thought of that TV episode or share what you’d do if you won the lottery. “Over time, couples stop asking those exploratory, get-to-know-you questions because they think they already understand each other,” says Terri Orbuch, author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great. But because we all continue to change and develop, little daily check-ins like this are what keep the connection growing, according to Orbuch’s research of 373 pairs. Chat about something beside the daily grind – at least for a bit.

Control the boozing

Any relationship will be shaken and stirred by too much alcohol, but research suggests that young adults who drink heavily (meaning four or more drinks on one occasion for women; five or more for men) are less likely to wed in the first place and may be a greater risk for early separation if they do. Partners may be more likely to have commitment issues to begin with, and once they couple up their bonds may be unstable. “If you’re going to be in a solid intimate partnership, you’re going to need all the good judgement and compassion you can muster,” says Dr Hatt. Which means keeping the drinking in check.

Don’t win an Oscar

That is, unless you’d like to thank the academy for ruining your relationship. A Best Actress winner is 63 per cent more likely to have her marriage end before her category mates do, say researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in the US and the University of Toronto, Canada. (And it’s definitely not an honour to be nominated either: 60 per cent of all nominees, male or female, experience at least one divorce after getting a nod.)
While the break-up rate might seem like it’s just celebrity hogwash, the findings may speak to an underlying social norm: sudden one-sided success can put a strain on a romantic partnership. “The increased rate of divorce may be due to a husband’s discomfort with his wife’s success,” says study author Colleen Stuart. “On the other hand, the wife may grow dissatisfied with her current marital arrangement because she now has the confidence and opportunity to move away from a bad relationship.” Try to remain a power couple: encourage and celebrate each other’s successes, big and small.

HAVE YOUR SAY: WHAT'S YOUR SECRET TO A LASTING RELATIONSHIP?

Tweet responsibly

Avid tweeters have shorter relationships – 10 per cent shorter, on average – than those who don’t microblog, according to a survey of more than 800,000 people from dating website OkCupid.com. “Having your eyes glued to your smartphone screen isn’t exactly conducive to romance,” says Dr Hatt. Be sure your tendency toward technology (tweets, texts, etc) doesn’t take up time better spent engaging in heart-to-heart communication with your husband.

Hold a grudge (as long as he doesn’t)

Provided that your partner is able to bounce back from spats, you’ll experience greater satisfaction, even if you tend to stay irritated, according to recent research published in Psychological Science. The mark of a good recovery: you don’t allow conflicts about one issue – say, money – to spill over into other areas of your relationship, such as how you help each other after a tough day, says study author Dr Jessica Salvatore, from the University of Minnesota, US. A yang to your yin yields harmony, so they say...

Burn bras (together)

Forget flowers – feminism is the new romance, while men with feminist partners experience more sexual satisfaction and relationship stability. “A male feminist partner may increase a woman’s ability to realise her own goals and career ambitions,” says study author Dr Laurie Rudman. “And male feminists are probably not threatened by their partner’s strivings.” Plus, these women may be more likely to initiate sex, and no bloke is going to complain about that.

Be the beauty to his beast

Coupling up with an average Joe (with a beer belly) may be the key to long-term love. According to a study in the Journal of Family Psychology, when men were married to more attractive women, they seemed more likely to step up to the plate, says study author Dr Benjamin Karney. “But when husbands were better-looking, they didn’t seem as engaged in helping their wives achieve their goals.” (Size matters too: When women had a lower BMI than their bloke, both partners tended to be more satisfied, according to other research.) The real secret to success? Support. Whether you’re motivated by a gorgeous face or some other quality, couples are more likely to enjoy long-run happiness when they’re invested in each other’s welfare.

Twist the sheets at least once a week

Australia’s Biggest Health Check Survey* found that the average woman has sex around once a week, but increasing the frequency of your romps generates as much bliss as scoring an extra $50,000 in income, according to researchers from Dartmouth College, US and the University of Warwick, UK. It’s not so much the sex itself that leads to happiness; the frequency is a better marker for a successful relationship. “Couples who like each other end up in bed more often,” says study author Dr Andrew Oswald. “And it’s the liking-each-other part that increases joy.” But seriously, who needs a reason? Bank on more booty.

Limit the chick flicks

If Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds regularly appear in your living room, your union could be in the danger zone. “Romantic comedies can set up unreasonable expectations, which may lead to unnecessary suffering,” says psychologist Dr Sean Patrick Hatt. “Comparing yourselves with idealised others is a recipe for misery.” Sure, rom-coms can be feel-good escapes, but they may also promote magical thinking about relationships. For example, as partnerships mature and the initial intensity tends to fade, many couples try to recapture the euphoria they had in the beginning, says Hatt. “And that sort of thinking is only reinforced by Hollywood endings,” he adds. Hitting the DVD shop? Treat the rom-coms as just that – a treat.

Nurture your friends’ relationships

You might divorce-proof your own. According to Brown University, US, researchers, the break-up of a close friend’s marriage increases your own odds of splitting by as much as 75 per cent. “Some people may see another’s divorce as permission to change their own life,” suggests study co-author Dr Rose McDermott. Alternatively, when you encourage your friends to stay together (happily), you may generate reasons that also apply to your bond.

*A SURVEY OF 25,919 WOMEN BY WOMEN’S HEALTH IN CONJUNCTION WITH PREVENTION, PRICELINE AND SUNRISE.

15 easy ways to burn more fat

2012-03-06T04:17:00.002-08:00

15 easy ways to burn more fat

Shanta dhenga

1. DON'T DIETThe Women's Health Diet isn't about eating less; it's about eating more—more nutrient-dense food, to crowd out the empty kilojoules and keep you full all day. That's important, because restricting food will kill your metabolism. It sends a signal to your body that says, "I'm starving!” Your body responds by slowing your metabolic rate to hold on to existing energy stores. If the food shortage continues, you'll begin burning muscle tissue, which just gives your enemy, visceral fat, a greater advantage. Your metabolism slows further and fat goes on to claim even more territory.

2. GO TO BED EARLIER A study in Finland looked at sets of identical twins and discovered that in each set of siblings, the twin who slept less and was under more stress had more visceral fat.

3. EAT MORE PROTEIN Your body needs protein to maintain lean muscle. researchers argued that the recommended daily intake of 0.36 grams of protein per half kilo of body weight, is inadequate for anyone doing resistance training and recommend that women get between 0.5 and 1 gram per half kilo of body weight. (If you want to lose weight, use your goal body weight as your guide). Add either 85 g of lean meat, 2 tablespoons of nuts, or 225 g of low-fat yoghurt, to every meal and snack. Plus, research shows that protein can up post-meal kilojoule burn by as much as 35 per cent.

4. GO ORGANIC WHEN YOU CAN Canadian researchers report that dieters with the most organochlorines (pollutants from pesticides, which are stored in fat cells) experience a greater-than-normal dip in metabolism as they lose weight, perhaps because the toxins interfere with the energy-burning process. Of course, it's not always easy to find—or afford—organic produce. In general, items that you peel—avocado, grapefruit, bananas—are fine. But choose organic when buying celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries and nectarines; they have some of the highest levels of pesticides.

5. GET UP, STAND UP Whether you sit or stand at work may play as big a role in your waistline as your fitness routine. Researchers discovered that inactivity (4 hours or more) causes a near shutdown of an enzyme that controls fat and cholesterol metabolism. To keep this enzyme active and increase fat-burning, break up periods of downtime by standing up—for example, while talking on the phone.

6. DRINK COLD WATER German researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day (that's almost 1.5 litres) can raise resting metabolism by about 209 kilojoules daily—enough to shed 2.2 kg in a year, with essentially zero additional effort. The increase may come from the work it takes to heat the water to body temperature.

7. EAT THE HEAT It turns out that capsaicin, the compound that gives chillies their heat, can also fire up your metabolism. Eating about 1 tablespoon of chilli boosts your sympathetic nervous system (responsible for your fight-or-flight response), according to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. The result: a temporary metabolism spike of about 23 per cent. Stock up on fresh or dried chilli to add to salsa or for tossing into stir-fries.

8. REV UP IN THE MORNING Eating breakfast jump starts your metabolism so it's no accident that those who skip brekky are 41⁄2 times more likely to be obese. The heartier your first meal is, the better. In one study, volunteers who got 22 to 55 per cent of their total kilojoules at breakfast gained 700 g on average over 4 years. While those who ate zero to 11 per cent gained nearly double.

9. DRINK COFFEE OR TEA Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, so your daily java can rev your metabolism by 5 to 8 per cent—burning about 410 to 728 kJ a day. A cup of brewed tea can raise your metabolism by 12 per cent, according to one Japanese study.

10. FIGHT FAT WITH FIBRE Research shows that some fibre can fire up your fat burn by as much as 30 per cent. Studies find that those who eat the most fibre gain the least weight over time. Aim for about 25 grams a day—the amount in about three servings each of fruits and vegetables.

11. EAT IRON-RICH FOODS Iron is essential for carrying the oxygen your muscles need to burn fat. Unless you restock your stores, you run the risk of low energy and a sagging metabolism. Shellfish, lean meats, beans, fortified cereals and spinach are excellent sources.

12. GET MORE VITAMIN D Vitamin D is essential for preserving muscle tissue. Get 90 per cent of your recommended daily intake (400 IU) in 100 g of salmon. Other good sources: tuna, fortified milk and cereal and eggs.

13. DRINK MILK There's some evidence that calcium deficiency, which is common in many women, may slow metabolism. Research shows that consuming calcium through dairy foods such as fat-free milk and low-fat yoghurt may also reduce fat absorption from other foods.

14. EAT WATERMELON The amino acid arginine, abundant in watermelon, might promote weight loss, according to the Journal of Nutrition. In a laboratory study, adding this amino acid to the diet of obese mice enhanced the oxidation of fat and glucose. Snack on watermelon and other arginine sources, such as seafood, nuts and seeds, year-round.

15. STAY HYDRATED All of your body's chemical reactions, including your metabolism, depend on water. If you are dehydrated, you may be burning up to 2 per cent fewer kilojoules, Drink at least eight to twelve glasses a day.

Pregnancy Guide

2012-02-25T03:05:00.000-08:00

Week 8

Your baby is about 2.5cm (1in) long and is just about recognisable as a tiny human being. He or she can open its mouth and the tongue, upper palate and ears are starting to develop. The umbilical cord which links the baby to you via the placenta is formed.

Your baby is turning from an embryo into a foetus. The brain is developing at a breathtaking rate. The essential fatty acid, DHA, is a vital supplement for brain development and can be found in oily fish such as mackerel and tuna.

Tip: Mild stomach pains are common as your uterus starts to stretch, but if you suffer from severe abdominal pain you should consult your doctor.

Week 9

Your baby is about 3.5cm long and his or her head is more developed. He or she can move their arms and legs and make tiny wriggling movements. The brain is four times larger than it was a month ago. The sweat glands have started to form, the digestive system is developing rapidly and the nervous system is advancing.

Male or female characteristics will evolve over the next three weeks. Pregnancy hormones have flooded your system and your blood volume has increased. Increased progesterone causes blood vessels to relax. This can occasionally result in slight dizziness as oxygen takes longer to reach your brain.

You should be starting to think about the type of antenatal tests you may wish to have. There are a number of diagnostic and screening tests which can check for abnormalities in the foetus, some of which carry a slight risk to your baby. You have the right to refuse tests if you don't want them.

Tip: Don't forget to drink plenty of water - at least eight glasses a day.

Week 10

Your baby's nervous system has matured enough for him or her to actively move about. The intestines are absorbing glucose, which is fuel for the brain.

The first nail fields are beginning on fingers and toes. The liver starts to make red blood cells. By now, all the organs plus the amniotic sack of fluid around your baby have been formed and the umbilical cord is attached to the placenta.

Tip: Breast size can change considerably during pregnancy. Get properly fitted bras as soon as you notice the current one is getting tight.

Week 11

The liver is properly formed and takes over the manufacture of red blood cells. The kidneys are starting to function and urine is being formed.

The baby is growing rapidly, and is about 6.5cm (2in) long. His or her face is formed, complete with chin and forehead. The head is getting bigger to accommodate the rapidly forming brain.

Week 12

You are almost at the end of your first trimester. Hopefully, any morning sickness you may have had is disappearing (though for some unlucky women this can last longer) and you are starting to recover your appetite and feel more energised. Your uterus is starting to move out of your pelvis and your heart is pumping extra blood.

Your baby, no longer an embryo but a foetus, is fully formed. But, at just over 8cm long, there is a lot of growing still to do. His or her nails are starting to grow, the jaw has 32 little teeth buds and he or she is starting to suck. Ovaries and testes have formed inside the body, though the external sexual organs have yet to develop.

Tips: Don't listen to other women telling you that you don't look very big or that you look too big for the amount of weeks you are pregnant. Everybody is different.

Week 13

Your exhaustion should be starting to lift, your energy returning and your appetite improving. You may notice the first signs of a 'bump' as your uterus starts to grow rapidly. Your digestive system is becoming more sluggish, allowing time for vital nutrients to be absorbed by your baby. But your heart works faster than normal, pumping ten pints of blood a minute.

The hormones oestrogen, progesterone, human placental lactogen, oxytocin and prolactin prepare your body for feeding your baby and cause your breasts to enlarge. The glands on the areola, the area around your nipples, become more obvious and the areaola may darken and get slightly bigger. Bluish veins on your breasts may become more visible.

You may sweat more because of your increased metabolism. You may experience occasional nose bleeds. Hormones also relax the muscles in your internal organs, with side effects such as constipation and heartburn.

You will be more aware of your baby as an individual and may start to experience strong feelings of nurturing. Talk to your baby often and think positively about your future together. While many women may feel bursts of energy during the second trimester, the increased demands of pregnancy may leave others depleted, because their diet is not providing enough nutrients.

Iron is in great demand by the growing foetus. The expanding blood volume in the mother dilutes the concentration of iron in the bloodstream. You need an extra 4mg on top of the usual 14mg a day. Lack of iron can lead to poor memory and to feeling sluggish, breathless, tired and emotional.

Magnesium and calcium work together. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 processes in the development of the baby. During pregnancy it helps the muscles of the uterus to relax, and deficiency can cause unnecessary contractions. Calcium and magnesium are essential for development of the baby's muscle and nervous system and for strong bones and teeth.

Your baby is accumulating calcium at the rate of 110mg a day. The guideline level per day for magnesium is 270mg a day, and for calcium 800mg. B vitamins are required for energy, for metabolising carbohydrates and for the foetal nervous system. B3 helps form ceratonin, an important nerve transmitter, and helps with sleep and mood. Many women worry about how much weight they should or should not be gaining during pregnancy.

There are no hard and fast rules: much depends on your body type and your weight before pregnancy. Typical weight gain is between 11kg and 16kg (24lb and 34lb). Your baby is very human looking, and its body is rapidly growing. Your placenta has kicked into action and is maintaining your pregnancy, passing nourishment and oxygen through from your bloodstream to your baby's. Your baby's brain cells start to multiply at the incredible rate of 250,000 per minute.

Week 14

The placenta is taking over the function of nourishment and hormone production. There are now very few infections that can cross over to the foetus. Your baby will be aware of stimuli such as noise and light, and will be responsive to your touch. The limbs are fully formed and the legs are longer than the arms.

Up to 14 weeks, the amniotic fluid in which the foetus floats is absorbed though the baby's delicate skin. By 14 weeks the kidneys are beginning to function and the baby swallows and excretes the fluid back into the amniotic cavity. It cannot breathe yet and obtains its oxygen from you via the blood in the placenta.

Constipation is a common side effect of the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which relaxes the gut so that food passes through your system more slowly. Make sure you are eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrains and drinking plenty of water.

Week 15

Your baby's body is growing faster than his or her head and movements are becoming more vigorous. The bones still consist of soft cartilage but they are beginning to ossify or harden (starting with the collarbone).
Try to include more calcium and magnesium in your diet to help with the formation of your baby's bones. For calcium, eat sesame seeds, almonds, salmon and dairy products, and for magnesium, eat oats, wheatgerm, rice, cabbage and aubergines.
Try to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine every day. Vitamin D, made in the skin from exposure to sunlight, helps the body to retain calcium.

Week 16

Your skin is becoming more pigmented and a dark line, known as the linea nigra, may appear down the centre of your abdomen, from the navel to the pubic bone (this should fade after the birth). Any pressure you may have been feeling on your bladder should be relieved as the growing uterus rises out of the pelvic cavity.
Your baby's face is beginning to develop features that look human, with large, wide-apart eyes and transparent eyelids that are still closed. Fine hair called lanugo is starting to form all over its body and face. The limbs are properly formed. You may be aware of your baby's 'quickening', its first tangible movements, which you experience as a slight fluttering or bubbling sensation in your tummy.
A layer of fat is beginning to coat the nerves that link the baby's muscles to its brain. This is vitally important because once these connections are complete, messages can be passed to and from the brain, allowing co-ordinated movements. Blood flows through the placenta at the rate of 27.5 litres (eight gallons) a day. Your baby will measure about 16cm (6.75in) and weigh 150g (5oz).
It is about this time that you will undergo an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test, which measures the risk of your baby having neural tube defects (defects in the developing spinal cord). A high level of AFP might suggest spins bifida, a low level might suggest Down's syndrome. Even if you have a 'positive' result, you baby is still likely to be normal because the tests only show the level of risk.
If there is a problem, you'll be offered another test called amniocentesis. Amniocentesis involves taking a small sample of amniotic fluid from the womb using a needle. The results take up to five weeks to come back and the procedure carries a one-in-200 risk of miscarriage, so ask as many questions as you need.

Week 17

Your baby is starting to weigh more than the placenta and will be lying mid-way between your pubic bone and your placenta. Your body will be starting to lay down fat.
Your baby can frown and squint, and his or her eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to grow. He or she will measure about 18cm (7in) and weigh 170g (6oz).

Week 18

Your baby is about 20cm (8in) long and is practising breathing: taking amniotic fluid into the lungs and 'breathing' it out again. He or she may have started to suck their thumb.
Your increased blood supply may make you feel 'stuffed up' in your nose and you may suffer from occasional nosebleeds. You may also sweat more because of your increased metabolism.

Week 19

Your baby's brain cells are continuing to multiply at an astonishing rate, roughly 50,000 to 100,000 per second.
The spinal cord is starting to thicken. You will probably be offered an ultrasound scan to check that the baby is all right.

Week 20

You are halfway through your pregnancy and the top of your uterus will be about a finger's width below your navel. You will be able to feel obvious movements.
Your baby is roughly half as long as he or she will be at birth. Hair is starting to grow and he or she is rapidly gaining weight. Up to now, the growth rate has been very fast but it is slowing down to allow the lungs and immune system more time to mature.
The sexual organs are developed and will be detectable on a scan to an experienced operator. A girl's ovaries will hold all the eggs she will ever produce: roughly several million. From now on, the fully formed placenta will provide all your baby's needs.

Week 21

For the next few weeks your body becomes super-efficient at absorbing calcium.
Your baby has not yet opened his or her eyes but tastebuds have developed and he or she is starting to drink large amounts of amniotic fluid.

Week 22

Your baby's ears are fully formed and he will be increasingly aware of noise. Research suggests that he may start to learn and respond to sounds and voices as early as 22 weeks, and that playing music will stimulate brain cell activity.
You may start to recognise a cycle of waking, when he or she is far more active, and sleeping, when movements cease for a while. You may also notice when your baby has hiccups.

Week 23

Your uterus has reached your belly button. Your baby will weigh about 450g (1lb) and resemble a small doll.
You will be able to distinguish different parts of his or her body through your abdominal wall. Arms and legs are well developed and the baby will be able to grip.

Week 24

You will be gaining weight at the rate of half a pound to a pound a week. Your baby's eyes are open. He or she will respond more to sound and touch and will be able to identify voices - so talk to him or her. You may find he starts moving when you speak.
The air sacks in the lungs are fully formed though they are not yet mature enough for independent existence. If born prematurely now, the baby would experience severe breathing problems. All the other major organs are formed. His heart rate has dropped and it is possible to record it on a machine. The skin is translucent and arteries and veins are clearly visible through it.

Week 25

Your baby has waking periods and sleeping periods, and may be most active when you are resting. The influence of the hormones progesterone and relaxin will soften your joints and ligaments and the increasing weight and size of your baby will alter your centre of gravity.
Take particular care when bending and lifting so that you do not damage your back. Stick to gentle forms of exercise such as walking, stretching and swimming.

Week 26

Your baby is covered in vernix, a white greasy substance which protects and nourishes the skin and gives it an outer waterproof layer. Your 'bump' will be growing noticeably bigger.
Stretchmarks may be appearing across your abdomen. There is little you can do to prevent these, but you can buy creams to help keep your skin soft and supple. Stretchmarks will gradually fade after you have had your baby. Plenty of zinc and vitamin C in your diet will also help to keep your skin healthy.

Week 27

Leg cramps are common during the second trimester and are thought to be due to a deficiency of calcium and magnesium, because the baby's demands for these minerals are so high.
Make sure your intake of calcium and magnesium is adequate by eating plenty of leafy green vegetables and cheese. Your baby will be starting to put on weight and you may experience a sudden weight gain as your baby gets bigger and the amount of amniotic fluid increases.
Your baby's brain is growing rapidly and requires a good supply of essential fatty acids for optimum development. If fish such as mackerel and tuna are not a regular part of your diet, take a supplement of DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid found in oily fish which plays a crucial structural and biochemical role in the brain.
If you develop constant and extreme itching, you should inform your midwife and have a blood test. This could be a symptom of an underlying condition called obstetric cholestasis, which sometimes occurs in the third trimester as a result of an overflow of bile passing through the placenta. This is a serious condition and you will need to be carefully monitored. It is often accompanied by dark urine, pale stools and jaundice.

Week 28

If your baby is a boy, his testes will now descend into his groin. His or her eyes are sometimes open and he or she is learning how to focus. Life is now 'viable', which means that if he or she were born now, with special care, there would be a good chance of survival. By now you are probably feeling that you have been pregnant for ever.
Great changes are going on in your body in preparation for the birth and it is quite common to suffer from all sorts of aches, pains and discomforts in the latter stages of pregnancy. If you have any cystitis or urine problems, these should be treated at once. A urine infection can cause you to go into premature labour. Anaemia should also be corrected as it too can lead to premature labour.
If you're suffering from chronic backache, immersion in water may bring you some relief. Aqua-natal classes are available in many centres throughout the country. Your blood volume has increased by 40 per cent to meet the demands of the baby and placenta, and blood flow to your womb has increased tenfold. You may get breathless because pressure from your uterus is preventing your lungs from expanding fully.
Your breast tissue is developing in readiness for breast feeding and you may have started to produce colostrum, the fluid which precedes milk. Your pelvic joints and ligaments are expanding and softening ready for the birth. You may be experiencing the first irregular, painless 'Braxton Hicks' contractions - a sort of rehearsal for the real thing.
The extra weight you are carrying and the increased effort of moving around may be making you very tired. You may also be suffering from insomnia or disturbed sleep because you find it difficult to get into a comfortable position in bed. If heartburn is causing you problems when you lie down, try sleeping propped up by pillows. The pressure of the uterus on your bladder may mean you have to get up several times in the night.
Although the baby is growing faster than at any other time during pregnancy, you need only 200 extra calories a day. Your requirement for protein is at an all time high: protein provides the building blocks to repair cells in the body and antibodies to fight infection.
Ensure your diet is rich in the following: Vitamins A, B, C, E and zinc are needed for lactation. Vitamin C is anti-viral and helps the body absorb iron. It also helps in the healing of tissue after delivery and boosts the immune system. Zinc is essential for hormones and affects growth at many different levels. It is important for protein synthesis, muscle growth and cell membranes. Deficiency is associated with low birth weights and premature births, and with undescended testicles in boys.
Essential fatty acids are vital to the baby's developing brain. Vitamin K is very important in the last few weeks of pregnancy. It is involved in the manufacture of prothrombin, essential to make your blood clot. In adults it is made by bacteria in the gut, but a baby's gut is sterile and so it has to rely on its mother's supply.
If you are vegetarian, take extra care to ensure you are getting sufficient protein. The answer is to combine plant sources of protein, by eating nuts with pulses, nuts with seeds or pulses with seeds. This gives the added advantage of providing a lot of fibre and complex carbohydrates without any saturated fat. Also be aware of possible deficiencies of B vitamins, iron, zinc and calcium (especially in vegans) that may need correcting.
Tip: Anxiety about the approaching birth may make you feel isolated, withdrawn and anxious. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or midwife about anything that is worrying you. And cultivate friendships among the women you meet at ante-natal classes: they can be a good source of support and companionship.
Bach flower remedies can be useful for calming your nerves: Impatiens helps you to relax and be patient, red chestnut helps over anxiety and negative thoughts, olive relieves exhaustion and the feeling that everything is too much effort, mimulus eases fear about the birth, gentian relieves negative and despondent feelings and elm helps ease feeling overwhelmed by responsibility.
Several remedies can be taken together by mixing them in a sterile bottle and adding a few drops to a drink, or placing a few drop directly on to your tongue.

Week 29

You should be seeing your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Your baby is about 36cm (14in) long and is covered with vernix, the greasy substance which protects his skin. The lungs have developed most of their small airways and tiny sacs.
'Surfactant' is produced by the lungs to assist breathing. If you have early contractions, you may be given a steroid injection to stimulate the baby's lungs to produce surfactant, so that he will be able to breathe more easily if he is born prematurely. Take note of your baby's movements: he should be reasonably active. If you are concerned that his activity is decreasing, contact your midwife.
Make sure you rest whenever you can, particularly during the afternoons, and try to get plenty of early nights. Ideally, cut back your hours at work. Working hard right through the third trimester may have an effect on your baby's growth. Your heart is working 25 per cent harder and your blood volume has increased by four pints. The increased size of your abdomen will have moved your centre of gravity and may be affecting your balance, so be very careful to avoid falls. You may experience backache or sciatica.
Tips: A Fembrace back support, available from a physiotherapist, may make you more comfortable. Acupuncture, osteopathy or chiropractic may all be able to help.

Week 30

Most babies have turned upside-down, so that their head is in the right position for birth. You maybe suffering from troublesome haemorrhoids (piles), due to the pressure of the expanding uterus on the blood vessels.
Make sure you are eating plenty of fibre. The homeopathic remedy Hamamelis will ease discomfort. Take in tablet form and apply the cream locally. Sit on a bidet filled with warm water to which has been added one drop of cypress and one drop of juniper oil, mixed with 5ml of base oil.

Week 31

Your uterus has how risen above the level of your belly button. You may be experiencing leg cramps, which can keep you awake at night. This could be due to a deficiency of calcium and magnesium, because the baby's demand for these minerals increases at this stage.
Your circulatory system is working twice as hard as pre-pregnancy. Your baby's brain contains more cells than at any other time in its life, at least twice the amount it will ever need. The excess cells are loosely wired and need to make certain connections to function properly.
By 31 weeks, excess brain cells that have not received stimulation will start to die off. Essential fatty acids, important for rapid transmission signals from one neurone to another, will help to prevent this gradual process. Eat oily fish or take a fish oil supplement.

Week 32

You will be feeling pretty heavy, having gained between 21lb and 27lb. The flow of blood through the placenta, nourishing your baby and helping him grow, has reached 100 gallons a day.
Overwork or lack of rest will impede this vital blood flow and affect your baby's growth. So, again, rest when you can and make sure you get an adequate night's sleep.
Women who work right up until they are 36 weeks leave themselves with no reserves of energy and little time for physical or mental preparation, especially if they go into labour early. This can affect not only their baby but their experience of childbirth and their state of mind afterwards. You should begin your antenatal classes or active birth classes.

Week 33

You are gaining weight faster than at any other stage of your pregnancy. You will need a blood test to check that your iron level is normal. A low blood count as you approach the end of your pregnancy can reduce your energy levels and affect the outcome of your labour.
Increase the amount of green leafy vegetables and lean red meat you eat. Increase your vitamin C intake to help your body absorb iron. Try an iron rich tonic such as Floradix. Take the homeopathic remedy Ferrum phosphoricum 30, twice a day for ten days.
Insomnia is a common problem as the baby gets bigger and it becomes harder to get into a comfortable sleeping position. Avoid stimulants before going to bed, and try the following ideas:

Drink camomile herbal tea during the evening - it aids relaxation and helps induce sleep.
Eat a light and easily digestible meal rather than a rich and heavy one in the evening, and don't eat too late.
Light some candles, dim the lights and ask your partner to give you a gentle massage.
Listen to relaxation tapes to help you to unwind.
Soak in a warm bath with a few drops of lavender or camomile oil.

Week 34

Your baby's brain and nervous system are fully developed. He or she will be about 45cm (19in) long and weigh about 1.8kg (4lb). You may notice that your abdomen is changing in shape.
Start preparing the perineum (the area between the anus and the vagina) for the stretching it will have to do when you deliver your baby. Gently massaging this area every day with oil will improve the elasticity and flexibility of the skin tissues and may help to prevent a tear.

Week 35

Your baby should by now be lying with its head down towards the pelvis. A breech - in which the baby is lying with his or her legs towards the pelvis - occurs in 3 to 4 per cent of pregnancies. In 57 per cent of pregnancies a baby will turn by itself after 32 weeks and a further 25 per cent will turn after 36 weeks.
If your baby seems to prefer the breech position, you may have to have a Caesarean section, usually at about 38 weeks. However, an acupuncture treatment using moxabustion could help to turn him. Moxabustion has been used for centuries in China to turn breech babies and recent research using a small sample of mothers has shown that three out of four babies turn successfully after this treatment.
You must always be guided by your midwife and consultant, and inform them if you are using moxabustion. The treatment involves heat rather than needles and is completely painless. Moxa is a Chinese herb known to us as mugwort. It is formed into a long cigar-shaped stick. When lit, it smoulders, giving a low steady heat close to the acupuncture point by the nail of the little toe. You will need to be shown how to do this by a qualified acupuncturist, and you will need the help of a partner.
The treatment should last for 15 minutes, applied to both feet, once or twice a day for ten days. It is more successful between 32 and 36 weeks but can be tried later. It is thought that the stimulation of the moxa increases foetal activity and certainly the baby will move a lot during treatment. If you feel the baby make a turn, you must be checked to see if he is in the correct position - it is possible to carry on and make the baby turn right round again!
It is also important that only women with normal healthy pregnancies use this technique. It should not be carried out if you are having twins, if you have high blood pressure or any bleeding, or if you have had a previous Caesarean section (sometimes there may be a reason for your baby being breech).

Week 36

The placenta has reached its peak of maturity and efficiency, allowing the maximum transfer of oxygen and vital nutrients to your baby. About 70 per cent of these are destined for the baby's brain.
The placenta stops growing and starts to age. More fat is accumulating under the baby's skin to regulate body temperature. The intestines produce a dark green substance called meconium made up of dead cells and secretions from the bowel and liver. You should be seeing a midwife or doctor every weeks until your baby is born.
Your baby's movements may start to slow down because there is less space to manoeuvre. At any time from 36 weeks on, the head will start to move down from high in the abdomen and engage in the pelvis. You will experience this as a 'lightening' as the feeling of pressure lessens. Engagement of the head is a preparation for labour but does not mean that the birth is imminent: some babies engage early, others don't engage until labour has started.
The amount of the baby's head that can be felt above the brim of the pelvis is calculated by midwives in 'fifths'. In other words, five fifths would indicate that all of the head could be felt and it had not started to engage; one fifth would mean that the head was fully engaged and deep within in the pelvis.
If your baby were born now, he or she would be mature enough to survive without too many problems. If you are still working, try to take rest periods during the day, when you can put your feet up and relax. According to Chinese medicine, resting between three and five in the afternoon is especially beneficial, as this is the peak time for the kidney meridian, which in Chinese terms is responsible for reproduction.
It is also vitally important to give yourself time to relax and prepare mentally. The fact that a pregnancy usually lasts 40 weeks doesn't necessarily mean that you will go the full 40 weeks. A surprising number of women give up work at 36 weeks, planning to have a full month off to put their feet up and get themselves ready for what lies ahead. Then nature steps in and they go straight in to labour with no chance to prepare on either a practical or a mental level.
Backache and sciatica are common problems for women at this stage of pregnancy. Progesterone relaxes the ligaments and muscles in preparation for birth, but the side effect of this, exacerbated by your increased weight and the weight of the baby, can cause pain and discomfort. Remedies that you can apply yourself include: Camomile or lavender oil added to the bath.
Aromatherapy massage, particularly using oil of lavender and camomile, may be able to relieve low back pain, caused by tiny lesions in the sacroiliac joint. Reflexology massage on the spinal zones along the inner edges of the foot and stimulation of the lymphatic zone will ease discomfort and reduce swelling. A Fembrace, an elastic support which is fitted by a physiotherapist, can be helpful.
Symphysis pubic pain, a tenderness over the pubic bone, is becoming increasingly common. It is caused by pregnancy hormones making the pelvic area more elastic and can be so debilitating that woman are unable to sleep, walk or carry out normal everyday tasks. An osteopath may be able to relieve the pain by taking some of the strain off the ligaments, manipulating the sacroiliac joints and encouraging the pelvis to rotate slightly. Twice weekly treatment with acupuncture can also be highly beneficial.
Many women feel by this stage that they have 'had enough' of being pregnant, and they just want to get on and have the baby. Make the most of your independence - go out for dinner or to the cinema while you don't have to worry about babysitters!

Week 37

Your baby will be practising breathing, sucking and swallowing and his or her consciousness and co-ordination will be well established.
Your weight gain will have started to slow down but some women may suffer from oedema or water retention, causing numbness, puffiness or swelling in the fingers, hands, ankles and feet. The best remedy is rest. Sitting or lying with your feet elevated above your head is particularly good for swollen ankles. Take off rings and avoid tight shoes.
Oedema can also put pressure on the nerve passage between the bones of the wrist, causing an extremely painful condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. This can make it difficult to use the hands and can cause clumsiness: you should be especially careful with hot drinks first thing in the morning. Splints to support the wrists at night are available from hospital physiotherapists, and a daily treatment with acupuncture may give relief. Treatment from an osteopath to the forearm and wrist may help by aiding drainage and improving the mobility of the joints.
Caution: If the swelling of your hands and feet becomes severe and you are also suffering from a headache, dizziness, nausea or a severe pain below the ribs, you should contact your doctor or midwife. This could be a sign of pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension. If pre-eclampsia is not treated, it could progress to full-blown eclampsia, which is rare but potentially life-threatening.
Try to increase your intake of B vitamins because these are good for nerves. Include lots of wholegrains and wheatgerm in your diet. Parsley, onion and garlic are all good circulation tonics, so eat meals rich in these. Choose foods or juices that act as natural diuretics, such as carrots, cucumber, grapes, lentils, legumes, peas, pineapple, seaweed, spinach, watercress and watermelon. Vitamin C also has a mild diuretic action, so increase your intake of C-rich fruits. Avoid ordinary table salt.
Tips: Don't listen to other mothers' horror stories about giving birth. Remember that our bodies are designed to have babies. The body produces endorphins, natural pain killers, which build up as labour progresses. Fear and stress release adrenaline which can counteract the beneficial effects of the endorphins.

Week 38

Your baby is ready to be born. Like an athlete preparing for a marathon, you need to stock up on complex carbohydrate foods during the next couple of weeks, so include plenty of wholegrains, pulses and vegetables in your diet.
When labour begins, the last thing on your mind will be eating. But you need to ensure that the glycogen energy reserves stored in the muscles and liver tissues are filled to capacity. These fuel reserves will give you the necessary energy to get you through labour. The last thing you want is to run out of energy, and end up with a prolonged and difficult labour that may require medical intervention and deprive you of a natural birth.
If you had problems throughout pregnancy with thrush, you may find that it reappears now. Tea tree oil, which is both antibacterial and antiviral, can be applied either as a cream or in pessary form, available from a herbal apothecary.

Week 39

You will be feeling large and uncomfortable and may be experiencing strong Braxton Hicks contractions.
You will probably have a bag packed ready to take with you to the hospital when things start to happen. Include in it a bottle of Bach Rescue Remedy, a calming flower essence, and the homeopathic remedy Arnica.
A few drops of Rescue Remedy, either directly on to your tongue or in a glass of water from which you can sip regularly, will help you through any panic you may feel as labour progresses. One tablet of Arnica taken every few hours will help your body recover from the inevitable bruising and swelling you will incur during delivery.

Week 40

Your baby's head will have descended into the lower segment of your uterus and be pressing through the softened, partially opened cervix.
If you have gone past your due date and do not want to be induced, there are a number of alternatives that you could try to bring on labour. But please DO NOT attempt these until after your due date has passed.
Acupuncture can work well: an acupuncturist will insert needles into the back or apply acupressure to specific points. Two treatments a day may be necessary to get things moving. You can take the homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla in fluid extract or Caulophyllum 30, every half hour until contractions start (Caulophyllum should not be used if you have a history of easy labour or if this is not a first baby).
Cranial osteopathy can help to stimulate the pituitary gland, the source of certain hormones important in labour. Failing that, try the traditional remedies of sex and a hot curry (a lot more palatable than castor oil).

Pregnancy Guide

2012-02-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy Guide ( Helping you through pregnancy)

Shanta Dhenga

Week 1-3

The egg has been fertilised by the sperm and is a cluster of dividing cells, known as the blastocyst. It is only the size of a pinhead but multiplying fast.

Three layers of cells are starting to develop, which will divide into the different parts and organs of the body, including the skeleton, nervous system, brain, lungs and kidneys.

Also beginning to form are the first cells of the placenta, the mass of tissue that provides oxygen and nutrients for your baby, as well as transferring waste products out of the body via the mother's body.

This, however, does not kick into action until the blastocyst has become a fully formed foetus - aboutweeks 13-14. And all these changes will be starting to happen before you even realise you've missed your period.

Week 4

You may be feeling unusually tired, but otherwise it's really too early to notice any of the changes happening in your body.

A plug of mucus has formed in the cervix to seal off your womb and prevent any infection from entering. The baby is about 2mm long and weighs less than 1g. The heart has started to beat.

Week 5

Your period is late and you're probably feeling severely pre-menstrual. In fact, you're starting to become aware of the great changes going on inside your body as it adjusts to being pregnant. Your metabolic rate, breathing rate and heart rate have all increased. The muscle and fibre of your womb have started to thicken and lengthen.

Your breasts are probably becoming tender and more sensitive. Your hormone production has increased greatly: progesterone helps to maintain your pregnancy and lower blood pressure; relaxin relaxes certain muscles of your body; oestrogen causes your nipples to enlarge, stimulates the development of milk glands and strengthens the womb; human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), unique to pregnancy, is produced by the placenta. The tissues of your baby's body develop from three different layers.

One layer will form the hair, nails, mammary glands, teeth enamel, inner ear and lens of the eye. The next will form the nervous system, retina of the eye, pituitary glands, muscle, cartilage, bones, blood and lymph cells. The third will form the lungs, trachea, liver, pancreas and bladder.

Your baby's heart now has four chambers and the roof palate of its mouth is starting to form. Emotionally, you may well feel that you are on a roller-coaster. First of all, you have to start getting used to the idea of being pregnant. You may be worrying about when to tell people your news. And you have to start coming to terms with all the ways in which your life is going to alter.

Hormonal changes can cause you great highs and lows and you will probably be experiencing an enormous range of emotions: happy, irritable, weepy, elated, anxious, excited and depressed - possibly all at the same time. If you would like some help regulating your emotions, you could try Bach flower remedies, made solely from plants dissolved in a grape juice solution. They are available from health food stores and chemists.

Walnut can help you adapt to changes. Mimulus is for worry about something going wrong. Mustard helps relieve unexplained depression. Aspen is for feelings of apprehension and foreboding. Red chestnut is for irrational or out-of-proportion fears for your baby's well being. Take Star of Bethlehem for shock.

Tips: A common anxiety at this early stage is that you may have harmed your baby by drinking, smoking or not eating properly in the weeks before you realised you were pregnant. Don't worry, your baby will almost certainly be fine. The body is designed so that essential nutrients are diverted to the baby during pregnancy.

The important thing is that you stop drinking alcohol and smoking and boost yourself nutritionally by eating a balanced diet and taking a good multivitamin supplement. It is important to take folic acid, which helps prevent your baby developing abnormalities such as spina bifida. The healthier you are, the less likely you are to suffer from the common side effects of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, high blood pressure, bloating and exhaustion, many of which can be linked to nutritional deficiencies.

Week 6

The cluster of cells known as a blastocyst is becoming an embryo, roughly the size of your finger tip. Your baby's heart is beating at 180 beats per minute, more than twice as fast as your own. Its eyelids, ears and the beginning of its hands and feet are forming.

You can just make out the shape of the head and the curve of the spine. Your pregnancy will have been confirmed. This is a good time to make contact with your midwife or doctor and to arrange your first 'booking visit' for when you reach eight to 12 weeks. You will be starting to notice the changes in your body and the speeding up of your metabolism.

You may be feeling unusually tired, which can be difficult if you are working and don't want anyone to know about your pregnancy yet. Listen to your body, rest and go to bed early. Try to make time for yourself to relax and find at least 30 minutes a day to sit quietly and reflect.

If you have been on an exercise programme or are a regular visitor to the gym, don't force yourself to continue, especially if you don't feel up to it. Generally, in the first trimester your heart rate should not rise above 140 beats per minute. Research has shown that this can cause the body to heat up and over long periods this may be damaging to the foetus. So, take it easy.

Gentle exercise such as walking, swimming, stretching and yoga are preferable to strenuous aerobic work outs and will help to give you energy rather than depleting it. A good multivitamin supplement along with a balanced diet will ensure that you get all the nourishment and nutrients you need, even if you don't much feel like eating. Try supplements especially formulated for pregnancy.

.............to be countinue

2012-02-14T23:24:00.000-08:00

:::S:::A:::N:::U::::: माघे सक्रान्ति अर्थात् मकर सक्रान्ति के हो र किन ?

2012-01-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

:::S:::A:::N:::U::::: माघे सक्रान्ति अर्थात् मकर सक्रान्ति के हो र किन ?

माघे सक्रान्ति अर्थात् मकर सक्रान्ति के हो र किन ?

2012-01-14T21:20:00.000-08:00

माघे सक्रान्ति अर्थात् मकर सक्रान्ति के हो र किन ?

- शान्ता ढेंगा

'तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय'
हे सूर्य ! हामीलाई पनि अन्धकार देखि उज्यालो तिर लैजाउ ....

हिंदू धर्ममा महिनालाइ २ भागमा बाडेको छ, कृष्णपक्ष र शुक्लपक्ष, यसैगरि वर्षलाइ पनि २ भागमा बाडिएको छ पहिलो उत्तरायण र दोस्रो दक्षिणायन । त्यो दुबैलाइ मिलाएर एक वर्ष हुन्छ, माघे सक्रान्ति अर्थात् मकर सक्रान्तिको दिनमा सुर्ये पृथिवीको परिक्रमा गर्दा दिशा बदल्दै थोरै उत्तरको तर्फ ढल्किन्छ येसैले यो कालखण्ड लाइ उत्तरायण भानिन्छ।
सूर्यमा आधारित हिंदू धर्ममा मकर संक्रांतिको निकै महत्व मानिन्छ । वेद र पुराणमा पनि यो दिनको उल्लेख गरिएको पाइन्छ । होली, दीपावली, दुर्गोत्सव, शिवरात्रि र अन्य कतिपय चाडपर्ब हुन् जो बिशेश कथामा आधारित हुन्छन त्येही संक्रांति पनि खगोलीय घटनामा र हिन्दु धर्म ग्रन्थमा आधारित छ ।

यो बेला सुर्य धनु राशीदेखि मकर राशीमा प्रवेश गर्नुलाइ नै उत्तराण मानिन्छ । यो राशि परिवर्तनको समयलाइ नै मकर सक्रान्ति अर्थात् माघी सक्रान्ति भनिन्छ यो यस्तो चाड हो जो हिदुहरुले धुमधामले मान्छन, चाहे यसको नाम र मान्ने प्रक्रिया फरक फरक किन नहोस? भारत तथा नेपालमा सम्पूर्ण हिन्दुहरुले धुम धामले मनाउछन भारतको दक्षिणको केरलामा पनि येसको मान्ने तरिका फरक भए पनि धुमधामले मनाउछन कतिले नदिमा र खोलामा गएर एक छाक नखाई पुजा आजा गर्छन, कोइ तिल गुडको परिकार बनाइ आफन्तमा दिने खाने गर्छन भने भारतको गुजरातमा निकै रमाइलो गरेर यो दिन सारा परिवार छतमा सामुहिक भोजन गर्छन पतंग (चंगा) उडाएर तिल गुडको लड्डु खाने चलन छ भने सिंधि समाजमा छोरी चेलीको तिहार मनिन्छ, कन्या हरुलाई दान दिने चलन छ र तिलको लड्डु खुवाउने चलन छ भने कायस्थमा बिहानै पानिमा तिल राखेर स्नान र तिलको आगोमा जिउ हात सेक्ने चलन छन् भने पन्जाबीहरुले पनि धुम धामले बिहानै छोरी चेलीलाइ टिका लगाएर दक्षिणा दिई उनिहरुबाट आशिश लिने चलन छ यिनीहरु तिलको तेल अनि दाउरा बालेर ठुलो धुनि बाल्ने र त्यलाई परिक्रमा गर्ने चलन छ ।

नेपालमा पनि फरक फरक समुदाए मा फरक किसिमको चलन छ, खास त नेपाल तराइका बसोबास गर्ने थारुहरुले एस्लाई मुख्य चाडको रुप मा ३ दिन सम्म धुम धामले मनाउने गरेको भए पनि, माछा मासु खाने चलन भने पछि आएर सोख र खान पान मा जोडिएको पाइन्छ अन्त्येथा यो चाडमा माछा मासुको बन्देज छ, तरुल, गिठ्ठा, फर्सी पकाएर छर छिमेकीलाइ दिने छोरी चेली लाइ बोलाउने खुवाउने खाने गरिन्छ, नेपालमा कतिपय समुदाएले यो चाड लाइ गलत तरिकाले माछा मासु र रक्सि आदिको प्रयोग गर्ने गरेको पाइन्छ जो यो दिनमा खाइदैन ।

हाम्रो नेपालमा विभिन्न समुदाएमा आफ्नो तरिकाले मनाउने गरेता पनि यो चाडले सम्पूर्ण हिन्दुहरुलाई सद्भाव, अनुशासित र भगवानप्रति नतमस्तक बन्ने र एक आपसमा सद्भाव आजसम्म कायम राखेको छ ।

मकर संक्रांति अर्थात् माघेसक्रान्तिको दिनमा पबित्र गङ्गा नदिको यो धर्ति मा अवतरण भएको थियो महाभारतमा पितामह भीष्मले सुर्येको दिसा उत्तरायण हुदानै स्वेच्छासंग शरीरको परित्याग गरेकोकथा उल्लेख छ कारण यो हो कि उत्तरायणमा देह छोड्ने आत्माले या त देब लोकमा जन्म पाउछ या त पुनर्जन्मको चक्र देखि छुटकारा मिल्छ भन्ने भनाइ छ । दक्षिणायनमा देह छोडेकाले धेरै वर्षसम्म आत्मालाइ अन्धेरोको सामना गर्नु पर्छ भन्ने भनाइ शास्त्रमा उल्लेख छ ।

सबै कुरा प्रकितिसंग प्रकितिको नियमसंग आबद्द छ एस्लाई कोइले तोड्न सक्दैन प्रकतिकोको नियेमलाइ तोड्न खोज्दा भएंकर दूर्घटन भएको तत्थ्य हामी संग छन् यसैले त बोट बिरुवाहरु पनि प्रकाशको किरणसंगै प्रफुल्ल हुन्छन बढ्छन र हुकिन्छन भने अध्यारोमा ओइलाउछन मर्छन त्यस्तै हाम्रो जीवनपनि यो प्रकृतिसंग सम्बन्ध छ
स्वयं भगवान श्रीकृष्णले पनि उत्तरायणको महत्व बारे पबित्र गितामा भनेका छन् ।

2011-12-08T16:05:00.001-08:00

just try it and going to countinue............

Show Your Parents You Love Them

2011-08-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is difficult to understand your parents for they are from a different generation. Yes, we know how it feels but remember friends, your folks are the ones who picked you up every time you fell down when you were young. Here are top 5 ways to convey your love to them.

1. Don’t send them gifts only on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

Do you regularly give gifts to your partner? Does your partner give you gifts from time to time? Well, we see no reason to exclude your parents from your gifting list. Give them small gifts from time to time to convey your love.

2. Spend more time with them

If the CEO of the world’s biggest company can take time out to meet his parents, so can you. Remember ladies, work and other little troubles of life will come and go, but your parents are here to stay. Go meet them often and spend more time in their lovely company.

3. Go through your childhood pictures with them

We will never understand how it feels to spend great times with children until we have our own. Why don’t you prepare an album of your childhood and go through it with your parents? They will love remembering the ‘good old times’.

4. Make your partner pay them ‘surprise visits’

We think that all parents will love it if the partners of their children go and visit them. It gives them a sense of an ‘extended family’. And deep down inside, they will know that you’re in safe hands.

5. Call them regularly

“Hello mom. I was running an errand this afternoon and just thought of giving you a quick call and saying hi. How are you?” How difficult is it to say this line over the phone? Your call will bring a smile to their faces.

It doesn’t take a lot to make your parents feel loved. Make our tips a part of your routine and we assure you that your parents will feel the warmth and love that they deserve.

TREKKING LANGANG VALLEY

2011-08-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

TREKKING LANGANG VALLEY

Starting from:	Dhunche (Drive from Kathmandu 6 hour)
Ending at:	Dhunche (Drive to Kathmandu)
Grade:	Easy
Highest access of the trek:	Kangjing Gompa 3,800m.
Culture:	Different Community with majority of Tamang, Chhetri, Brahamn & Tibetan.
Mode of trekking tour:	Lodge Trek & Fully camping trek.
Himalayan sights:	Langtang Himal 6581m, Langtang Ri 7246, Lakpha Dorje Kimsung 6745m, Ganesh Himal 1 -7406m, Ganesh II 7150m, Ganesh III - 7130m, Yala Peak 5560m, Ganjal Chuli 5844m, Langshisa - Ri 6310m., Morimoto peak 6750m, Pongen Dopku 5930m, Tembthang 5702m, Salbachum 6707m, Kyungka Ri 6979m, Langtang Ri 7205m, Chusmodo 6508m,
Most Attraction of the trek:	Different Community with majority of Tamang, Chhetri, Brahamn, Tibetan and Great Himalayan Landscape etc.

Trekking in the spectacular Langtang Valley is the closest you could get to the massive snow capped mountains from Kathmandu valley.

The Langtang Valley is located only 19 miles north of Kathmandu, close to the border of Tibet. The valley is dominated by Langtang Lirung [7246m], the highest peak in the area. This is a superb introduction to trekking in Nepal among some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole country.

This Langtang trek towards the base of Langtang Himal, north of Kathmandu valley, offers the shortest approach to snowy mountains from Kathmandu. The Langtang trek starts from Syabru Besi after a 9 hrs drive from Kathmandu. Following a trail upstream Bhote Kosi river through ethnic Tamang villages, lush green forests and the wide spread Kyangin valley surrounded by snowy peaks from all fours sides, takes you up to Kyangin at 3800 meter, where you get an opportunity to ascend Kyangjin Ri [4350m.], from where the 360 degree mountain views are truly panoramic. After an ascent of Kyangjin Ri, we retrace our route back down the valley to Syabru Besi and then drive back to Kathmandu.

Due to gradual ascent along the river valley this Langtang trek is not considered strenuous, but yet, it remains challenging as it reaches an altitude of 3800 meter at Kyangjin. The Langtang trek can be done any time of the year except during monsoons [July & August].

Langtang is a region in Nepal to the north of Kathmandu and bordering Tibet. Just to the north of Kathmandu are two lovely regions where one may experience Tamang and Sherpa life, temperate forest and alpine pastures, glaciers, lakes and snowy peaks. Helambu valley noted for its scenic grandeur and pleasant climate, lie in the north of the Kathmandu Valley. One can stay in highland monastery villages and small settlements in pristine forests. Above Helambu is a mountain pass through the lakes of Gosainkunda reaching the valley of Langtang

Helambu Langtang and Gosaikuanda trek is one of the most beautiful trekking in Nepal Langtang is a narrow valley lies south Tibetan border. This is very popular for similar, with Tibetan and Taming ethnic group whose culture which, religious, language and dress can see beautiful mountain view of Langtang Gang Chhenpo Naya Khagri Ganesh Himal , Tibetan renges andother ranges. We drive to Dhunche[6400 feet ] and trek north from the road and head in to the proctead pine and rhododendron forest of Langtang National Park . It is high valley open way to streams, yak pastures, glacier morine and Buddhist monasteries. Gosaikunda is lies 4300mt..It is holly lake for hindu If any body they like to explore this area can found 108 lakes. Thousand of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit lakes during the full moon festival in August and from Laurebinak can see beautiful view of Annapurna, Manasalus,Ganesh Himals, Tibetan ranges and Lamtang .Helambu area can found Sherpa but different then Everest Trek. they are know as Helumbu Sherpa which have a different culture and languages .Also from this area you can see nice views of many mountains .Different type of flora.

Gosaikunda lake itself is situated at 4,380 meters. It is sacred to Lord Shiva and every summer there throng thousands of Hindu devotees to take a holy dip into the waters of the holy lake. Nearby are other lakes including Nagkunda, Bhairavkunda, Saraswatikunda and Suryakunda. The trek passes through a varied landscape ranging from evergreen forests, cascading waterfalls and turbulent streams to sub-alpine grasslands and stark, beautiful mountainsides. Langtang valley stretches north of Gosainkunda . One travels through pristine forests to the village of Ghoda Tabela, then the valley opens out into a high, Himalayan river plain full of beautiful camping sites, spectacular peaks and wide glaciers. One can hike to the back of the valley or take numerous optional trips to explore glacier-filled side canyons.

In the upper part of valley there are snow bridges spanning angry torrents, high passes enveloped in mist, tiny lakes with icebergs floating on them and water of crystalline brightness. There are also high mountains of solid ice.

Some of the peaks in Langtang are:

Mountain/Peak	elevation
Langtang Lirung	7246m
Dorje Lakpa	6966m
Morimoto	6750m
Dragmarpo Ri	6578m
Kimshung	ca 6500m
Langshisha Ri	6427m
Ganchempo	6387m
Naya Kanga	5846m
Yala Peak	5520m
Surya Peak	5144m
Tsergo Ri	ca 5000m

Altitude Sickness:

Many people are concerned about altitude sickness. Altitude sickness often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) in general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally in altitudes of over 3000 m. The symptoms of altitude sickness are due to lower air pressure at high altitudes, which results in lower oxygen levels as you breathe the air in. The air is under less pressure and this makes it harder for your body to get the oxygen out of the air and into the circulation. It's this extra strain on the body that causes altitude sickness

The major symptoms of altitude sickness

Initial symptoms

1. Periods of sleeplessness
2. Runny nose
3. Extra tiredness
4. Occasional loss of appetite
5. feeling laziness
6. Wish to vomiting
7. Periodic breathing

Above are normal symptoms which may occur into your body that you should not be worried. Every trekker will experience some or all of these, no matter how slowly they ascend.

Advance symptoms

1. Headache and vomiting
2. Dizziness.
3. Racing heartbeat
4. Exhaustion
5. Nausea
6. Diarrhea
7. Loss of apatite
8. Weakness
9. Hard to breath
10. Tired
11. Dry Raspy cough
12. Sleeplessness

When above symptoms occur into your body, these symptoms usually resolve by spending one or two extra nights at the same altitude or using medicine. Even you are resting at the same altitude or using medicine, if symptoms are becoming worse, then it is necessary to descend.

Serious Symptoms

1. Worsening headache and vomiting
2. Swelling of hands and face
3. Reduced urine output
4. Walking with a staggering gait
5. Confusion
6. Increased tiredness
7. Breathing irregularity
8. Visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not real)
9. Changes in the ability to think
10. Changes in normal behavior

If above serious symptoms occur into your body, these extremely dangerous symptoms are called High Altitude Cerebral Edema (or HACE). They can lead to unconsciousness and death within 12 hours.

Increasing shortness of breath, cough and tiredness may also be signs of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema or HAPE. HAPE can also be rapidly fatal if ignored.

Some more method for Preventing of Altitude Illness:

1. Avoid Alcohol
2. Do not use Sleeping pills.
3. Drink plenty of liquids (at least three liters a day)
4. Avoid getting cold.
5. Bring adequate medicine
6. Not ignoring symptoms of altitude sickness if they occur.
7. Walk slowly

Note :

We have guides trained at the High Altitude Medical Training Center. Our staff is very experienced in dealing with the effects of higher altitudes. As they are natives of Nepal, they easily acclimatize and therefore can care for their clients. They are equipped with necessary medical supplies and will assist you with basic first aid treatment. We design our tours to ensure clients are ready for high altitude, and arrange alternative itineraries for those at risk

DO YOU KNOWN FACTS ?

2011-08-21T23:38:00.000-07:00

A donkey will sink in quicksand but a mule won’t.

The growth rate of some bamboo plants can reach three feet (91.44 cm) per day.

Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks otherwise it will digest itself.

Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart.

The phrase “rule of thumb” is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn’t beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.

One of the longest English words that can be typed using the top row of a typewriter (allowing multiple uses of letters) is ‘typewriter.

AM and PM stand for “Ante-Meridian” and “Post-Meridian,” respectively, and A.D. actually stands for “Anno Domini” rather than “After Death.

When a giraffe’s baby is born it falls from a height of six feet, normally without being hurt.

To “testify” was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles.

A group of unicorns is called a blessing.

Twelve or more cows are known as a “flink.”

A group of frogs is called an army

A group of rhinos is called a crash

A group of kangaroos is called a mob.

A group of whales is called a pod

A group of geese is called a gaggle.

A group of ravens is called a murder.

A group of officers is called a mess.

A group of larks is called an exaltation.

A group of owls is called a parliament.

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Barbie’s measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33. (Are those measurements worth diamond rings?)

111,111,111 multiplied by 111,111,111 equals 12,345,678,987,654,321

When a female horse and male donkey mate, the offspring is called a mule, but when a male horse and female donkey mate, the offspring is called a hinny.

100 Years Ago

2011-08-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

100 Years Ago

A lot of this is applicable to our grandparents, and even some of our parents.

It May Be Hard to Believe That A Scant 100 Years Ago...

The average life expectancy in the United States was forty-seven.

Only 14 percent of the homes in the United States had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. A three minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.

There were only 8,000 cars in the US and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was ten mph.

Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California. With a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the twenty-first most populous state in the Union.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

The average wage in the U.S. was twenty-two cents an hour. The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2500 per year, a veterinarian between $1500 and $4000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births in the United States took place at home.

Ninety percent of all U.S. physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee cost fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason, either as travelers or immigrants.

The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.

Drive-by-shootings, in which teenage boys galloped down the street on horses and started randomly shooting at houses, carriages, or anything else that caught their fancy, were an ongoing problem in Denver and other cities in the West.

The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was thirty. The remote desert community was inhabited by only a handful of ranchers and their families.

Plutonium, insulin, and antibiotics hadn't been discovered yet. Scotch tape, crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

One in ten U.S. adults couldn't read or write. Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Some medical authorities warned that professional seamstresses were apt to become sexually aroused by the steady rhythm, hour after hour, of the sewing machine's foot pedals. They recommended slipping bromide, which was thought to diminish sexual desire, into the woman's drinking water.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and the bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.

Coca-Cola contained cocaine instead of caffeine.

Punch card data processing had recently been developed, and early predecessors of the modern computer were used for the first time by the government to help compile the 1900 census.

Eighteen percent of households in the United States had at least one full-time servant or domestic.

Tips on Safe Facebook Use

2011-08-04T01:24:00.000-07:00

Tips on Safe Facebook Use

Is Facebook safe? In today’s world of social media, safety of the user depends as much on the user as on the site.

Facebook use is based on real names and identities and very much related to real life. Therefore, children need their parents’ help here just as they need their help in the real world. Parents should help their kids to understand that:

They need to be careful of what they say, share, and upload.

They should present themselves in a positive light online.

They should stay on good terms with others in their online as well as offline communities.

Some of the risks associated with social networking include:

Posting information that could help strangers determine their location; or could be used to manipulate or could jeopardize reputations and future prospects.

Harassment or online bullying.
Losing a sense of balance by spending too much time online,
Probable exposure to inappropriate content.
Probability of inappropriate contact with adults.
Probable damage to reputation because of own behavior or that of others (angry posts, compromising photos or videos, etc).
Protection tips
1. One of the simplest ways to monitor your kid’s Facebook activities is to “friend” them and get them to friend you. If you and your kids do become Facebook friends, don’t make public comments on their pages. You can always send each other messages, which are private.

2. You should make your kids understand that whatever they post can affect their relationships with people.

3. Even if your kid’s settings are set to ‘Friends Only’, a friend may try to play a prank by forwarding information meant only for friends. So, users must be careful about what they post online.

4. Aggressive online behavior increases the aggressor’s risk. For instance, bullying behavior can provoke retaliation. Therefore, being kind online can be a protective measure.

5. Always think about the impact and audience when you post on someone’s wall, “Like” or comment on someone’s update or support a cause. How will it reflect on you? Send a private message or use Facebook chat when communicating with a single friend.

6. Limit who sees your kid’s profile by using the Privacy Settings page. It is recommended that it be made available to Friends Only.

7. Remember that if your kid turns on maximum privacy settings, it could also block you from accessing information. Therefore, try to have regular discussions with your kid about what they are posting.

8. For maximum privacy, safety and security, it is recommended that teens start by setting their privacy to Friends Only.

9. It is not recommended that anyone enter their home address. Teens should not enter their phone numbers, even though – by default – the information is available to Friends Only.

10. Do not enter your home address. Teens should not enter phone numbers, even though, by default, it is available to Friends Only.

World's first pregnant man

2011-07-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

गर्व पछी को

Like any new mother, he was keen to lose the babyweight - but few would be quite so worried about getting a six-pack.

Thomas Beatie, the world's first pregnant man - or male mother - has unveiled his new toned figure, just 12 months after giving birth to his third child in three years.

Mr Beatie, who now lives in Arizona with his wife Nancy and their three children, garnered international attention around the world when he became the first legally transgender man to become pregnant.

Now he and his wife have completed the family they always dreamed of, and the 37-year-old appears to have started taking testosterone again, helping him develop his muscular physique.

केटा मान्छे को गर्व देखी जन्मिएको पहिलो बच्चा जेन्सी

He was pictured playing in the water with the couple's youngest child, Jensen, who was born naturally on July 25 last year.

The couple also have a three-year-old daughter called Susan and a son called Austin, who will be two in September.

Despite his three pregnancies, he showed off a flat stomach with the beginnings of a six-pack - although he couldn't quite hide the stretchmarks.

The couple moved to Arizona from their home in Bend, Oregon, after their house was repossessed last year.

He said his successful T-shirt printing business, Define Normal, folded because of his fame. He said: 'We tried to keep up with regular orders, but we lost a lot of customers because of prejudice, and then the economy took a huge downturn.'

In March Mr Beatie revealed he had filed for bankruptcy and was desperately seeking a job to get his family off welfare handouts and pay his $5,000-a-month mortgage.

Mr Beatie was born as a woman, Tracy Lagondino, in Hawaii in 1974, but says he always felt like he wanted to be a man.

When he was in his twenties began having testosterone injections, giving him facial hair, a lower voice and altering his sexual organs.

In 2002 he had a mastectomy and legally became a man - but he chose to keep his vagina, uterus and other female sexual organs so the couple could have children, as his wife had had a hysterectomy.

He told Oprah: 'I wanted to have a child one day. I didn't know how. It was just a dream.'

After more than eight years, he stopped taking testosterone so he could become pregnant, although some of its effects, including facial hair, are permanent.

The couple bought sperm from an anonymous donor and Mr Beatie underwent artificial insemination. After an ectopic pregnancy which led to emergency surgery, he eventually fell pregnant with Susan in late 2007.

Astonishing photos of Mr Beatie with a baby bump and a beard made headlines all over the world, and he appeared on chat shows explaining how he and Nancy considered themselves like any normal heterosexual family.

He also revealed that the couple can have sexual intercourse, because the male hormones enlarged his clitoris so much. He told Oprah: 'It looks like a penis. I can have intercourse with my wife.'

He had his next two children in quick succession, as he only had a short window of not taking testosterone.

Mr Beatie has just eight menstrual cycles a year instead of 12, and only half of these cycles are useful for conception as he has previously had a fallopian tube removed due to an ectopic pregnancy.

He got 3rd child in 2008

He said: 'I am only able to get pregnant four days out of the year... We had our babies in a short space of time because we don't have the luxury of waiting years between each child.'

The couple still have some of their donated sperm in a cryobank, and in March said they hoped to have another child, but in the photograph released today it appears Mr Beatie has started taking testosterone again and their family is complete.

They hope to solve their money worries by setting up a new business, this time in personal training.

He said: 'We've already registered the business and are starting to make plans for it. I have a bachelors degree in Health Science and I can take a different certification programme. It will be a great family business.'

The couple say they are starting to make friends in Phoenix but still attract surprised stares when they are spotted pushing a trolley around the supermarket.

He said: 'It was hard moving here as we had to deal with a whole new set of people staring at us. When I'm alone I look like any other man. But I can't go anywhere with Nancy and the kids without people recognising me.'

He added: 'But we like it and the neighbours are nice. Some people recognise us and come up to talk, but we haven't had any negative responses yet.'

The Beaties are determined to turn their money problems around and make a success of their new business, to provide for their family, and help people in the community.

He said: 'It's been the worst year of our lives. We have no idea what the future holds for us but we are trying to focus on each day, making sure the kids are well cared for. As long as we have each other, we're going to be fine.'

Olympic 2012

2011-07-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

London 2012 one year to go: Sportsmail's spectacular eye-in-the-sky guide to the Olympic Park site

With apologies to 4,000 newts, 300 common lizards, 100 toads, this is what you gave up your home to create.

This area of east London was an eyesore when the city won the right to host the Games six years ago.

Now, after £9.3billion of government money — gulp! — the major construction work is complete. The stadium is up, awaiting the running track to be laid. The velodrome, perhaps the shining architectural highlight, is resplendent. The Aquatics Centre is ready for Tom Daley to christen it with its first dive.

Not so green, though? The trees and shrubs will be added at the 11th hour, turning the grey landscape lush in time for the arrival of the world’s eyes. A waste of money? This was brownfield land before the Olympics called. There will be 45 hectares created for wildlife, thousands of plants and trees planted.

One in 10 of the workers here was previously jobless. Our thanks go out to them — and the newts (all, we are told, happily relocated).

The scene is set: The Olympic Park is coming together with just one year left until the start of the London Olympics

1 - OLYMPIC STADIUM

Sports: Athletics, Paralympic athletics.
Cost: £537m.
Architect: Populous.
Capacity: 80,000.
25,000 seats sit on the permanent lower tier, while 55,000 seats are on the temporary upper tier.
A permanent venue that will also host the opening and closing ceremonies on July 27 and August 12.
The most sustainable Olympic stadium ever, it is
75 per cent lighter than others in terms of steel usage.
Features a low-carbon concrete that contains 40 per cent less embodied carbon than standard concrete.
The stadium’s top ring was built using recycled gas pipes.
The stadium sits in a bowl in the ground, which further reduces its use of steel and concrete.
Spectators reach the site via five bridges.
Post Games, West Ham United will move into the stadium.
2 - HANDBALL ARENA

Sports: Handball, modern pentathlon fencing.

First event: Opening handball matches (July 28).

Cost: £44m.

Architects: MAKE.

Capacity: 6,500.

Permanent venue features more than 3,000sq m of mostly recycled external copper cladding.

Spectators enter directly on to aconcourse level that encircles the building.

Post-Games, it will be adapted to a multi-use sports centre.
3 - VELODROME AND BMX TRACK
Sports: Track cycling, Paralympic track cycling.

First event: Men’s Team Pursuit qualifying (Aug 2).

Cost: £93m.

Architect: Hopkins Architects, Grant Associates.

Capacity: 6,000.

Nicknamed ‘The Pringle’ because of its crisp-like shape, it is the most sustainable venue in the Park.

Ventilation is 100 per cent natural, providing a perfect track-level temperature.

Sir Chris Hoy and Team GB cyclists were consulted during the design process.

The lower tier will have 3,500 seats around the track, with a further 2,500 seats suspended in two tiers within the curves of the roof.

A mountain bike course and road circuit will be added post-Games to create a permanent VeloPark.
4 - BASKETBALL ARENA

Sports: Basketball, handball, Paralympic wheelchair basketball, Paralympic wheelchair rugby.

First event: Opening matches (July 28).

Cost: £40m.

Architects: Sinclair Knight Merz, together with Wilkinson Eyre and KSS.

Capacity: 12,000.

Steel frame weighs 1,000 tonnes and is one of the largest temporary venues ever built for an Olympic Games.

The structure will be relocated elsewhere in the UK after the Games.

5 - OLYMPIC VILLAGE

The Village will cater for 17,000 athletes and officials.

Homes are built around communal squares and courtyards.

The Village includes shops, restaurants and medical, media and leisure facilities.

The ‘Village Plaza’ is an area where athletes can meet with friends and families.

Post-Games, the Village will be transformed into 2,800 new homes, 1,379 of which will be affordable homes.

Chobham Academy will be opened as an educational campus with 1,800 student places.

The Olympic Delivery Authority are responsible for overseeing the Village.

6 - AQUATICS CENTRE

Sports: Swimming, synchronised swimming, Paralympic swimming, diving, modern pentathlon.

First event: Men’s 100m breaststroke heats (July 28).

Cost: £269m.

Architect: Zaha Hadid.

Capacity: 17,500.

A permanent venue that will be extended temporarily during the Games.

Incorporates a 160m long wave-like roof — a longer single span than the one at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Contains 50m competition pool, 25m diving pool, 50m warm-up pool.

Spectators seated in two temporary wings.

Water polo will be held in a temporary arena next door.

To be transformed into a a community and elite facility after the Games.

Public Speaking

2011-07-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Even the most experienced speaker can use a primer on public speaking tips from time to time. Please read through the following as you prepare for Affiliate Summit

PREPARATION

Become your own best teacher. This list gives you 20 tips to do that, but you must acquire your own. Learn how to analyze a presentation and you will be able to learn and improve every time you speak at a conference.

If you hear someone speak and didn't even learn one thing, then you have wasted an opportunity. Everyone has something to teach and something to learn.

Space and room set up are important to speaking. For example, in the Affiliate Summit Ask the Experts session, it's a casual, roundtable atmosphere, and this environment is ideal sitting when speaking. If you are giving a solo presentation in a classroom, it is better to stand, so that your voice can project better and because you command more presence, which you want to do.

There is no substitute for preparation and practice. The best speakers practice each sentence in their head many, many times before they speak it. They try it over and over until the timing is just right, and it begins to feel natural. Often, it looks like they are sitting there thinking, but really they are practice speaking in their head.

The cure for stage fright is to get emotional or tough. Allow yourself to feel very happy or very angry and your stage fright will go away. Allow yourself to laugh and it will also go away. Stage fright is like fog. A good breath of emotion or laughter will blow it away.

Observe other speakers. Other speakers can be excellent teachers. Pay attention to what you admire and respect about other public speakers. At the same time, notice what distracts or bores you about other speakers.

Use an introduction, body, and conclusion in your presentation. All three of these should tie directly to your main theme. The goal of any speech is to help the audience understand something, and having an introduction, body, and conclusion helps your audience understand your theme, and tie it back into everything you say.

The introduction has two purposes: first to secure attention, and second to orient the audience toward your theme. Most audiences will pay attention to any speaker for the first 20 seconds. In that time, you must grab their attention and orient them.

Develop the main theme or message you want to communicate. Often, when we try to get through too many themes, it gets confusing and the audience doesn't remember any of them. It doesn't matter if you are making a point in a class or delivering a full scale speech. Develop your main theme and keep developing it to get that message across.

Use stories rather than statistics. Statistics appeal to the head, but stories touch the heart. Most people can't relate to statistics. The human brain processes images and emotions, not words. Words and symbols are used to create images and convey feelings. People can understand statistics, but are not moved by them. Everyone, however, can relate to stories. Start with a story if you can.

The conclusion has two purposes: To summarize the speech and to motivate the audience, the summary should restate the theme clearly. The motivator should focus on what they want the audience to do. End by asking them to do a specific thing.

Improving you public speaking means developing your own style. It does not mean learning to speak like a newscaster or someone else. It means strengthening your ability to say what you want to say.

Know your audience. Know what they want to know. Know where they came from. Find out what interests them and makes them laugh. If possible, know them by name and use their names in the speech. One study indicated that the sweetest sound in any language is the sound of your own name. Know your audience as well as you can.

Body language is good if it agrees with your message. It is bad if it distracts from your message. Slamming your fist in your hand when you say how angry you were emphasizes the point you are making, so it is good.

Swaying while you talk distracts the listener from what you are saying, so it is bad.

Make eye contact with the audience. Allow yourself to smile. Definitely use emotion when it is real and sincere. Real emotion and feeling allows your audience to relate to you. If you let your guard down and speak from the heart, then the audience will let its guard down and listen from the heart.
There is no one right way to speak, but there are some wrong ways. Don't read from a script unless you absolutely have to. Also, don't repeat things. If you want to reinforce a point, say it again, but in a different and creative way.

LANGUAGE

Build in strong language to your presentation. Strong language is language that paints pictures in the mind of the listener. "Red" is regular language, but "fire engine red" is strong language. Strong language is more descriptive and helps your listener understand.

Cursing is bad, because it stunts the speaker's mental growth. The definition of cursing is when "A feeble mind tries to express itself forcefully." Human beings do not have feeble minds. Every time somebody curses, they are stunting their own mental development. Instead of developing higher reasoning powers and the ability to communicate more complex thoughts, a curse poisons the brain in a tiny way, keeping a person from developing intellectually as fast as they could.

Identify and eliminate weak language from your speaking. Weak language is any word or phrase that does not add anything to what you are saying. Any word that does not make your message stronger makes it weaker.

When you analyze a sentence, cut it down to as little as you need without cutting out the message. The most common example of weak language is the word "um." Other examples of weak language are "basically", "well", "that is to say", "I mean", or "in other words." We use weak language like a crutch. We say words like "basically", not because they mean anything, but because they help us stall until we can think of something to say. It is far better to be silent that to use weak language. Be comfortable with silence.

Vary your tone. A person who speaks in one tone is monotone. That's what monotone means. One tone. Get a little loud sometimes and then get soft. Vary the tone. Don't be boring.

Vary your speed. Mono-speed is as bad as monotone. It does not matter whether you talk more quickly or more slowly. What is critical is that you vary your speed and practice your timing. You don't actually speak in sentences. Phonetically, we speak in groups of words. Speed up some groups of words. Pause after important points. Practice improves timing.

Anything to add, those of you that have either sat through a great (or boring) presentation? Or how about those of you who have given a presentation at a conference, for better or worse?

शेर्पाको विवाह संस्कार

2011-07-14T03:49:00.000-07:00

बिबाह

सबभन्दा पहिले केटा र केटीको उमेर हेर्ने, उनिहरुको जन्म बर्ष (लोर्ता) को आधारमा जोखना हेराई उनिहरुको दाम्पत्य जिवन राम्रो हुन्छ वा हुन्न भन्ने हेरीन्छ। सबैकुरा ठीक भयेमा केही कोसेलि, खता र एक ठेकी छ्याङ वा रक्सी लिएर केटी मागन आउँछौ भनी केटीको माईतमा खबर पठाईन्छ। यस प्रकृया लाई ठिज्यङ भनीन्छ। केटीको माईतबाट सकरात्मक जवाफ आएमा। राम्रो साईत हेरी फेमार, छ्याङ र खता लिएर केटीको माईतमा गएर केटी मागने चलन छ। यसलाई लोङज्यङ अथवा देम्ज्यङ भनीन्छ। केटा र केटीको बिबाह कहिले गर्ने, जन्ति कती आउने भनि केटा को तर्फ बाट सोधन जानेलाई पेज्यङ भनीन्छ। यसमा पनि छ्याङ र खता कोसेली लिएर जानु पर्छ। दुवैपक्षको सहमतीबाट बिबाहको मिती तोकिएपछी बिबाहको तयारी सुरु गरीन्छ। बिबाहको समयमा खुवाउने छ्याङ को लागी केही अन्न वा नगद रुपैया केटीको माइतमा जिम्मा लगाउने चलन छ। यसलाई छ्यावी भनीन्छ।

बिबाहको मिती तोकिएपछी सबभन्दा पहिले बिबाहको कार्यक्रमको जानकारी सहीत आफ्नो नातादार हरु, हितैषीहरु र साथीहरु लाई बिबाहको कार्यक्रममा सरीक हुन निमन्त्रणा ( देन्ज्यङ)पठाउने काम हुन्छ।

जन्तीजाने दिन बिहानै लामा पुरोहीत द्वारा गृहशान्ती र परिवारको सुखद भविष्य कुलदेवता र जन्तीमा लाने धर्म चक्र (सिपखोलु) को पुजा गरीन्छ । सिपाखोलु लाई केटीको माइतिको दिशातिर मुख फर्काई राखीन्छ र जन्ती जाने समयमा सब भन्दा अगाडी लगाईन्छ। जन्ती दुलहीको माइतमा पुगेपछी सिपाखोलु लाई दुलहाको घरतर्फ मुख फर्काई राखीन्छ। जन्ती जाने समयमा दुलहालाई परम्परागत मंगोलियन पोशाक पहेलो खोचेन को बखु रातो झलरदार टोपी लगाई काँधमा पाँच रङ्गे कपडाको दत्तर र हातमा फुम्बा (पवित्र कलश) बोकि प्रस्थान गर्नु पर्दछ। घर बाट जन्ती प्रस्थान गर्ने समयमा आँगनमा दुध् वा दही, छ्याङ र खप्सेहरु सगुन स्वरुप राखीन्छ। यसलाई सुर्ज्यङ भनीन्छ। यसता सगुनहरु प्रायश दुलहाको बिबाहीत दिदीबहिनीहरुले राखने चलन पनि छ। यसरी सगुन थापे बापतमा दिदी बहिनीहरुलाई दुलहाले उपहार दिने चलन छ। जन्ती प्रस्थान देखी दुलही भित्र्याउने समय सम्मको लागी दुलहाको साथी साथमा रहने चलन छ। यसतै दुलही को पनि केर्मी राखने चलन छ।

जन्ती आउने दिन बिहानै दुलहीको माईतमापनि लामा पुरोहित बोलाइ सुख शान्ती को पुजा गरीनछ र दुलहीका माइत तर्फका नातादारहरु, छरछिमेकीहरु भेलाभै जन्तीको स्वागतको तयारी गरीन्छ। जन्ती आईपुगने समयमा दुध वा दही, छ्याङ र खप्से सगुन राखी जन्तीको स्वागत सतकार गरीन्छ। जन्ती हरु लाई तयारगरिएको स्थानमा राखीन्छ। दुलहाको लागी छुट्टै बस्ने स्थान राखेको हुन्छ। जन्तीहरु बसीसकेपछी दुलहीको आमा र बाबु आई सबै जन्तीलाई छ्याङ र अन्य पेयपदार्थ खुवाउदै परिचय आदान प्रदान गर्ने कार्य हुन्छ । यो कार्यक्रम सकिएपछी दुलहाको पोशाक फेर्ने कार्य हुन्छ यसलाई सील्ज्याङ भनीन्छ। यस पछी दुलहीको माईतीहरुलाई दुलहाको तर्फबाट कोसेली राखने कार्य हुन्छ। कोसेलिमा फेमार, छ्याङ र खता राखीन्छ। यस पछी दुलहीलाई सिंगारेर ल्याई दुलाहको छेउमा बायाँ पट्टी बसालिन्छ। दुलही बसेपछी दुलहाले ल्याएको कलश दुलहीलाई दिइन्छ। यस पछी दुलहा र दुलहीको घर र माइतीको तर्फबाट आफ्नो छोरा र छोरी एक अर्कालाई सुम्पिएको घोषणा गर्दछन यस कृयालाई मोला भनीन्छ। मोला मा दुलाह र दुलही दुवैको बंसावली, तीनपुस्ते नाम र थर समेत खुलाई आजको दिन देखी बिबाहसुत्रमा बाँधिएको घोषणा गरीन्छ । यसपछी लामा पुरोहित बाट दुलहा र दुलही दुवै जनालाई शीरमा नौनिको टिकालगाउदै आशीरबाद दिइन्छ। यसपछि दुलहाले पहिले आफुले ३ पटक निधारमा सिन्धुर लगाई ३ पल्ट दुलहीको निधारमा टिका लगाइन्छ।यस पछी दुलहा र दुलही ले अआफ्नो ससुराली नातादारहरु लाई ढोगदै आशीरबाद लिन्छन। दुलाहा र दुलहीको टिकाटालो हुनासाथ जन्तीहरु गीत गाएर श्यब्रु नाच्नथालिन्छ भने कोहि चौँरीको पुछर हातमा लिई झ्याम्टाको तालमा नाच्न थाल्छन यसलाई सिलु क्षोम्बु भनीन्छ। दुलहीको बिदाईको समयमा दुलहीको माईतीको तर्फबाट सबैलाई खता लगाई बिदा गरीन्छ।

यसरी बिबाह सम्पन्न भएपछी जन्तीहरु दुलहीलाई लिएर दुलहाको घरमा फरकीन्छ र दुलहीको स्वागतको लागी नाच गान गरीन्छ यसलाई टशिसोलुप भनीन्छ। बिबाहभएको केही दिन पछी दुलहा दुलही लाई लिएर ससुरालिमा जाईन्छ यसलाई कर्म लोउ भनीन्छ।

बिबाहभएको केही समय वा बर्ष पछी दुलहीलाई माइतीहरुको तर्फबाट दाइजो दिने प्रचलन छ। यसलाई लारु तोङ्गु भनीन्छ। यसमा पनि बिबाह गरे जस्तै सम्पुर्ण प्रकृया अपनाइन्छ। सो अवसरमा भनिने मोलामा माइतीबाट यती धनमाल, अरु नाताहरुबाट यती धन दिएकोभनि सुनाईन्छ।

उपरोक्त चलन सोलुतिर गरिने बिबाहको परम्पारीक चलनहो भने खुम्बुतिर भने केटा र केटीको मङ्नी (लोङ्ज्यङ) हुनासाथ दम्पतीको रुपमा संगै बस्छन र यसरी बसेको केही बर्ष पछीमात्र बिबाह गरीन्छ यस बिबाहमा केटीलाई दाइजो पनि संगै दिएर पठाउछन।

माथी उल्लेखीत बिबाहको थितीरितीहरु गाँउघर तिर अपनाईन्छ तर आजकल शहरीक्षेत्रमा रहेका शेर्पा समाजमा भने ठाउँ र समय अनुसार बिबाहको रितीथितीमा केही फरक देखीन्छ। शहरीक्षेत्रमा बिबाह गर्दा नजीकका केही नाताहरु मात्र जन्ति गै दुलही ल्याउने र पछी दुलहा र दुलहीको तर्फ बाट संंयुक्त रुपमा बिबाहको भोज खुवाउने चलन छ। अझ छोटकरीमा बिबाह गर्नलाई केटा र केटी दुवै तर्फका मानीसहरु बोलाई टिकाटालो गरि सोही दिन भोज खुवाई बिबाह सम्पन्न गर्ने चलन पनि चलेको छ।

::S::A::N::U::

Is Your Sex Drive in Park?

Is Your Sex Drive in Park?

Stress

Unresolved Issues

Alcohol

Too Little Sleep

Parenting

Medication

Poor Body Image

Obesity

Erectile Dysfunction

Low T

Depression

Menopause

Too Little Intimacy

Benefits and Methods of drinking more water

Instructions:

Temperature regulator:

Heart attack risk reduced:

It raises body’s metabolism:

Toxins and wastes removed:

Sharpens your brain:

Get healthy and fresh skin:

Helps in weight control:

Also there are lot more advantages like :

Twenty never-tried-before tips for sizzling sex

Why couples' fight in the bedroom ??

6 Things women must learn from men

6 Things women must learn from men

8 Top reasons why MEN the cheat

श्री मुक्तिनाथ दर्शन यात्रा

world's expensive Fountain Pen !!

10 secrets of super-happy couples

Pretend you’ve just met

Control the boozing

Don’t win an Oscar

HAVE YOUR SAY: WHAT'S YOUR SECRET TO A LASTING RELATIONSHIP?

Tweet responsibly

Hold a grudge (as long as he doesn’t)

Burn bras (together)

Be the beauty to his beast

Twist the sheets at least once a week

Limit the chick flicks

Nurture your friends’ relationships

15 easy ways to burn more fat

Pregnancy Guide

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Week 16

Week 17

Week 18

Week 19

Week 20

Week 21

Week 22

Week 23

Week 24

Week 25

Week 26

Week 27

Week 28

Week 29

Week 30

Week 31

Week 32

Week 33

Week 34

Week 35

Week 36

Week 37

Week 38

Week 39

Week 40