Is it too late to start exercising?

Is it too late to start exercising? (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Tired of moving from trainer to trainer only to find that your workout results pay the price?

With very little agreement between different trainers even within the same gym, it's difficult to decide which trainer has your best interests in mind, and which trainer just plain doesn't. Strength and conditioning coach Arnav Sarkar breaks it down for us and tells us how to find a good trainer. Listen up!

How can an average gym-goer ensure that the advice he/she gets from a trainer is authentic and accurate?
Word of mouth is a good way to estimate a trainer's competence. If his clients speak about the positive experiences that they have had training under him, then chances are that he is worth listening to. This however is not always possible, especially if the trainer is new. In this case taking a few sessions under him would be the best way to go. A good trainer will listen to you and not try to kill you during the workout, and neither will he ask you to follow extremes in your dietary habits. If he is asking you to make extreme changes like give up a particular food group, or asking you to train 2 hours from day 1, then he is likely to be incompetent at his work, and best if avoided.

My friend Sean Casey wrote a very definitive article on how to choose a trainer, and one that I recommend all should read to make a better choice when selecting a trainer.

Many trainers recommend protein and fiber/vitamin supplementation without checking their clients' current food intake or even body type. Is this correct? Are all trainers qualified to give dietary advice, or do only a few courses cover dietary theory as well? Why only protein and vitamin supplements, they also try to sell anything from Creatine, fat burners to dangerous drugs and steroids too. The reason is simple, to make extra cash by selling you costly and overpriced supplements. You see, most of these supplements offer a large percentage of profit to the trainer if he can sell them to you, and most of the times people who buy them, think or are brainwashed to believe that these supplements are the key to physique transformation and thus become regular users, and become a monthly source of income for the trainer.

On the other hand a good trainer is not a supplement salesman! He will first try to know about the client's food intake, physical demands, etc before advising a diet and/or supplements. Plus good trainers will often avoid suggesting a supplement for most unless they are not at an advance stage. As far as whether trainers should give dietary advice is concerned, I think that a well read trainer can give dietary suggestions to healthy and normal individuals, but if the client is facing any medical problem like high BP, high blood sugar, etc then he should suggest the client to meet a nutritionist or some medical authority who works with patients of the same medical problem.

Are all "certified" gym trainers at the same plane? There is very little knowledge about the hierarchy or credibility of trainer certifications. Could you briefly, explain this to us. As much as trainer's these days love to brag that they are "certified" to impress prospective clients, the fact remains that being certified does not guarantee much. For eg there are some very well known and respected courses out there which conduct open book examination, meaning that the trainer can sit at home, look for the answers in the book and give the exam. So when someone passes such an exam, there is no way to guess how good he or she is actually.

Plus even with the courses that take exams in a regular manner, often times the course itself involves things that are more theoretical and less practical. For eg most courses teach a ton about physiology, but very little about the specifics of program design, exercise progression, and very little to nothing is tested in a real practical gym to see if the trainer is really able to apply what he has learned in class. Having said that I would still suggest that between a non certified and certified trainer, your best chances of improvements are still probably by working with the certified trainer, but overall I would suggest that looking at the trainer's track record and how well you feel working out with him might be a better indicator when choosing a trainer.

How can we tell if a trainer is good?
Here are some indicators that can be used:
-If his or her clients look healthy, strong, and feel great working with him/her, then that trainer is likely to be good
-If he is known to be a thorough professional, who does not cancel sessions all the time without reason and shows up on time, then he is worth trying. Also beware of trainers who spend a lot of your training time talking on their cell
-Continuously keeps educating himself
-Pays attention to how you workout and points out to what you are doing wrong when you make any mistakes
-Enquires about what you ate, and at times shows displeasure if you make dietary slips

On the other hand here are some ways not to judge if a trainer is good:
-Has a great physique- often they can be genetically blessed or use steroids, so this by itself is not a complete criteria to choose
-Has results with clients that are too good to be true- if a trainer brags about how most of his clients lose 30 pounds in 2 months or gain 30 pounds of muscles in 2 months, then he is most likely using steroids and drugs to achieve such results. A good trainer will often focus on the process of training regularly, eating well rather than make out of the world guarantees
-Is young and has too many certifications- a master trainer who has been in the profession for 2 decades or more can collect a lot of certifications over such a long period of time, but if someone who has been in the profession for a few years and brags about 10 or more certifications that he has, then chances are that he is a fake.

Read more Personal Health, Diet & Fitness stories on www.healthmeup.com

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10 Ways to look slimmer in photos

Want to look slimmer in your snaps? (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Here's how you can look slimmer in your snaps...

1. Never stand straight on to the camera. Turn your hips to the side and twist your upper body back to the photographer to create a waist and narrow your widest parts.

2. Think about what you're wearing. If you've been sunbathing in a skimpy bikini pull a kaftan or a sarong over unsightly lumps and bumps before the camera comes out.

3. Stand or sit tall and don't hunch. Slouching will not only make you appear shorter but it will also create rolls on your stomach, so pull your tummy in, and throw your shoulders back.

4. Are you worried about your upper arms? Then don't stand with them pressed against your body. Rest your hands on your hips and ensure there is a gap between your arms and your torso.

5. To prevent the dreaded double chin, lift yours up and push it out before looking up to the camera. Always look up to the camera, never down, to slim your face.

6. A good posture can take inches off your frame so lengthen your spine and hold your head high — imagine there's a string pulling you up through the crown of your head.

7. Never cross your legs at the thighs, it will only highlight cellulite. Instead, have both feet flat on the ground or cross at the ankle.

8. Think happy thoughts and work on a natural smile —your face is the first thing anyone looks at.

9. Use props. Your oversized bag is the perfect thing to hide a big tummy and you can always disguise thighs beneath a bright beach towel.

10. When photographed with other people make sure you are slightly further back than the others. The bodies at the front will always appear bigger as they are closer to the lens.

-Daily Mirror

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Your shoes say much about you

Your shoes say much about you (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Your footwear can determine the personality you want to project.

Love your sparkly stilettos and those impossibly high pair of strappy sandals? Or are your sturdy, lace up shoes or your practical Mary Jane brogues, the shoes you swear by?

Trend watchers now say that a person's footwear can transform their personality. For instance, a stylish pair of sandals in ladylike heels reportedly shows that you have classic tastes. Wearing flat shoes or sandals all the time shows that you are grounded, down-to-earth and laidback too. A pair of serious shoes in jet black or deep brown with mid heels can show that you are the boss whereas high heeled boots can make the wearer look very powerful and smart.

The interesting aspect of this study lies in the fact that you can wear different shoes and change your entire personality. You can have fun with footwear and even improve your mood for the day. For instance, bright sandals, wild patterns, details like straps, bows, tassles, buckles can make a person look extroverted and sexy. Pretty stilletos immediately add length to the legs and changes a woman's silhouette. When you wear flat footwear, you immediately look relaxed and comfortable. A pair of gorgeous floral pumps can make you seem instantly sweet and feminine.

So, always pay attention to what your footwear because it conveys all kinds of messages to an onlooker. Try different looks right through the week, so that you can sport a new personality each time and feel amazing too.

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Doing up the windows is an art

Choose your own fabric instead of buying one

When decorating, draperies may be one of the last elements to be chosen. The tremendous choice of fabrics makes it easier to treat them as the final thing.

The window itself is the most important part of the treatment. Beautiful window treatments can make all the difference to any room. Window treatments come in a variety of styles, colours and materials to help you achieve the look you want and the coverage you need. But with so many options, narrowing them down can get a little tricky. Function should be your first consideration. That includes the desired amount of sunlight and privacy, as well framing or distracting attention from a view. Look at the room architecturally. If it's a beautiful window, sheers are the answer. If it's a problem window, drapery can hide a lot of flaws. If you want to make a window seem larger, you can run drapery along a track or on a rod past the window, along the wall. You can de-emphasise a window by choosing a fabric that won't stand out against the wall colour. Mounting draperies as close to the ceiling as possible will help make the ceiling seem higher.

Next, think about the look you want. Any style of treatment can be used in any type of room — it's the decor that dictates the style. An elaborately pleated drapery and valance look perfectly fine in a formal, traditional room, but absolutely out of place in a modern interior. Budget is always an important factor. It's amazing how much drapery fabric costs. Coordinating draperies with throw cushions may be less "matchy" than trying to repeat the fabric on other pieces of furniture. In design, nothing should be an afterthought.

Most designers advocate having draperies custom-made, but if you can sew, there are many instruction books available, although the results might not be as impressive. With ready-made drapery, you're limited in the sizing. Many new homes have nine-foot-high ceilings — ready-mades tend not to be long enough. They're usually not as full or rich-looking and may not be lined.

Choosing your own fabric, rather than buying a ready-made drapery, also enables you to make coordinating cushions or cover a chair with the same material. With custom-made draperies, you can also ensure that the lining coordinates from one room to the next so that there's a continuous look from the outside of your home. Custom draperies do, however, tend to be more expensive than ready-mades. And finally there are the trends. Trim is all the rage for fall, with traditional flat braids, cords, gimp and ribbons taking on a new life in tone-on-tone modern window coverings. It's like adding a beautiful necklace to a simple dress - it makes all the difference. Interior designers are using fewer patterns and much more texture today. They are also working with a lot of earthy colours — olive, terra cotta, aubergine, sage, kiwi, and asparagus.

The trend leans toward more 'important' window treatments now with lots of fabric, and lots of tassels and trim, lots of banding. Although designers are using more fabric, the look they're achieving is both tailored and casual. Everything's very natural, very organic. Nothing's fussy. Going natural is also turning heads.

Anything that has a natural texture just takes the edge off of modern interiors. It's a way to balance everything else that's so sleek and streamlined.

punetimes@timesgroup.com

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I considered suicide: Ian Thorpe

'I considered suicide'

In a new book, Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe talks about battling "crippling depression" with alcohol and denies rumours that he is gay

The swimming legend, the man who won five Olympic medals, Ian Thorpe has rarely experienced the ecstasy of winning. Thorpe was suicidal, clinically depressive, and even thought about specific ways to kill himself. In a shocking new book titled 'This Is Me: The Autobiography', Thorpe, who turned 30 yesterday, talks about battling crippling depression, how he took to drinking to kill his blues, denies rumours that he is gay and mentions how he hid his dark secrets even from his parents.

"My illness was so severe that, at times, I considered suicide, he wrote in the book. "My blackest periods would often last a month, and it was during those times that I thought about "it" happening. I even considered specific places or a specific way to kill myself, but then always baulked, realising how ridiculous it was. Could I have killed myself? Looking back, I don't think so, but there were days in my life that, even now, make me shudder."

He has revealed that he still takes medication all the time. Has he ever tried stopping them? "I'd love to, but it works for me. It's not fun. I don't like it. It removes the lows for sure, but also the highs. I never feel ecstasy ... but I'm glad I've won some races without medication so I know how high it can be - my first world record, for example, and my first Olympic gold.

"The goal is to stop, but you have to do it very gradually," he says. "I know from changing meds - it's terrible, you get these pops in your brain, it's the synapse not firing properly and you're like, 'What was that?' "

The rumours about his sexual orientation shot up during his commentary stint for BBC during London Olympics when he appeared each day in colourful sweaters with plunging necklines. A google search of "Is Ian Thorpe gay" throws up 744,000 results. He addresses that issue in his book, saying he has just found a girl friend and he is not gay.

"For the record," he writes in his book, "I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I'm attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day." But he adds: "I know what it's like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that's it's not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was."

He reveals how he hit the bottle to keep his depression in check. "I found that the more I drank, the better I felt - or rather, the less bad I felt, although that only lasted until I woke up the next morning to go to training. My poison was always red wine, at times drunk in quantities that now seem unbelievable. I used alcohol as a means to rid my head of terrible thoughts, a way of managing my moods - but I did it behind closed doors, where many depressed people choose to fight their demons before they realise they can't do it without help. Now I am getting that help and managing my depression properly.

The battle continues to the day. "Even today, at a time when I'm pretty happy with my life, I have to manage what is quite a severe illness. It's a day-by-day proposition. When I wake up, every day is potentially a dark one and I realise that it's something I'll have to live with all my life."

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Birth control pill can worsen sex life

Birth control pill can worsen sex life (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Many women, who are about to get married, should try some time off the Pill so as to find out if their feelings towards their partner remain the same, a new study has suggested.

Researchers have said that the hormones in the oral contraceptive affect the type of guy a woman is attracted to.

So if she was on the Pill when they met, she might get a shock when she comes off it - and ought to have a trial run before she settles down, the Daily Mail reported.

But other experts have urged women not to throw away their packets of the Pill, insisting that taking the risk of becoming pregnant is an extreme way to work out whether a man and woman are suited.

To assess the effect of the Pill on women's taste in men, Dr Craig Roberts of Stirling University questioned over 2,500 mothers from around the world on how happy they were in their relationships.

Some had met their partners while on the Pill. Most, but not all of those surveyed were still with the fathers of their children.

Those who had been on the Pill reported less sexual contentment than the other women.

They found their husband or boyfriend less attractive and less exciting in the bedroom, according to the study.

But the Pill users rated their partners more highly as far as other aspects were concerned, like seeing them as more faithful, more supportive and better providers.

Overall, these positives apparently outweighed the less exciting sex lives, with relationships lasting two years longer on average if the woman had been on the Pill at the start.

It is believed that the hormones in the Pill tend to sway women away from 'macho' men who provide the thrill of a fling towards more sensitive types who will be a better bet in the long-run.

"The implications of our study seem to be that by changing your hormone profile through using the Pill, you might shift your preference away from "cads" in favour of "dads"," Dr Roberts said.

He insisted that his results are based on the average responses of thousands of women, and not every woman on the Pill will experience the same effects.

"Choosing a non-hormonal barrier method of contraception for a few months before getting married might be one way for a woman to reassure herself that she's still attracted to her partner," he added.

The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

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Let your kid think out of the box

Letting the kids to think out of the box (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Parents and schools need to encourage kids to be non-conformists

Mark Twain said, "The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds." That is why, most children are not encouraged to speak their mind or share their ideas. And thereby putting a full stop to creativity. When children come up with an innovative idea, most often they are dismissed as 'crazy', 'silly' and the like. But the real education lies in letting them imagine, fantasize and the like.

According to Raksha Bharadia, author of a best-seller book on parenting titled Roots and Wings and who conducts parenting workshops across the country says, "When we insist that children reproduce similar work every time, be it in answering questions, making pictures, writing essays or doing projects, we discourage their creative exploration. Conformity is not the enemy. Our approach towards it can be. When we are learning something we need a place to start, a standard to refer to, hence the potato and the onion. The problem begins not in beginning as a conformist but in remaining one! Children are drilled to conform, accept and not question."

Overemphasis on conformism and to 'fit in' has become the number one killer of imagination too. Exposure to popular media like television and social media has also played a pivotal role in killing imagination. Einstein said, "Imagination is greater than knowledge. Knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create."

It's essential to allow the children to explore, create and think. In the process, they might not succeed or face failure but it's essential for them to explore life. As says Anita Mathew, a young mother of two, "In India, the education system puts too much of emphasis on sticking to the curriculum. And in many ways too much of emphasis on performance which affects a child's creativity. We need to encourage a child to think, imagine rather than just learning by rote."

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E-books making us fans of erotic literature

E-books making erotic literature more publicly acceptable (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

With the advent of the electronic book, an increasingly number of women are becoming ardent fans of erotic literature, say publishers.

This is evident as The Perfect Submissive, Body Temperature And Rising and Dark Desires, the titles published by British specialist publisher Xcite, were unashamedly on display in the bustling corridors of the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's biggest publishing event that closed on Sunday.

The erotic book is "an ideal genre for e-books", said Peter Ferris, non-executive director at Accent Press, whose imprint Xcite is the biggest British erotica publisher.

"Print book sales were starting to decline. Getting into the major book stores was difficult. Some stores are not happy to take them and the buyers are very hard to reach," News24 quoted him as saying.

And then Fifty Shades of Grey came along.

The 2011 erotic novel by British author EL James was the first part of a trilogy about a relationship between a college graduate and a young business magnate and has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide.

Since Fifty Shades of Grey started to top the bestseller lists, ebook sales have undergone "a very large increase" and made erotic literature more publicly acceptable, Ferris said.

"It raised the attention level or people's awareness of erotica. It made it more mainstream, more acceptable. It's no longer something you don't talk about, it's in the bestsellers' charts," he said.

Xcite now expects its ebook sales to be three times higher than the printed book sales this year.

Germany's Jolanta Gatzanis, editor in charge of erotic literature at the publishing house that bears her name, said e-books had been flying off the digital shelves, and without having to be promoted.

"We sold a lot of electronic books this year without doing much publicity. That really surprised us," she said.

In Germany, no fewer than 4 000 erotic reference books for adults are currently available on the internet, albeit of varying quality, said Roman Jansen-Winkeln, of Satzweiss, a services' provider for publishers and authors.

Women predominantly read this genre of books, the publishers agreed.

Jansen-Winkeln said he believed more than 80 per cent of readers of erotic literature were female.

"We don't actually see the gender of the customer but... the writing itself is aimed at women, and it's written mostly by female authors who are writing for women," said Ferris, of Accent Press which also publishes thrillers and cook books.

Discretion could be the key.

With no cover on display, an ereading device such as a Kindle makes the literature anonymous to the outside world, Giada Armani, who heads up erotic literature publishing house Giadas.

"I think that women have always wanted to read erotic literature. But what woman brandishes an erotic book in the underground or at work whose cover displays the silhouette of a naked man?" she said.

And, as Ferris pointed out, the reader can also retain their own anonymity by downloading e-books without having to go into a shop.

"You can even erase it once you're finished so nobody knows what you've been reading," he said.

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What's in your coffee cup?

If understood and brewed right, coffee can be your best friend; it will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling that far surpasses any comfort food.

Says Rhicha Sinha, head of beverages of a leading coffee chain, "At home, we are used to brewing coffees in the traditional South Indian filters. People want to taste coffee in different ways, but not all are aware of the various brewing techniques of preparing this mysterious beverage. It is just a matter of educating people to realise that culinarywise, coffee is up there in terms of food." As our fascination and understanding of coffee ascends, experts are looking for new ways to excite and enhance the consumer experience with this intense brown fluid.

Know your coffees
It can be daunting to walk into a cafe and pick from the long list of coffees on the menu.

We tell you the difference between a latte and an au lait, and how a cappuccino differs from an Americano.

Americano: A single shot of espresso with about 30 ml of hot water added to the mix. The name for this coffee drink stemmed from an insult to 'uncouth' Americans, who weren't up to drinking full espressos.

Espresso: Strong black coffee made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans.

Black coffee: A drip brew, percolated or French press style coffee served straight, with no milk.

Cafe latte: Essentially, a single shot of espresso in steamed (not frothed) milk. The ratio of milk to coffee should be about 3:1

Cafe au lait: Similar to Caffe Latte, except that an au lait is made with brewed coffee instead of espresso. Additionally, the ratio of milk to coffee is 1:1, making for a much less intense taste.

Cappuccino : Usually equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk, often with cinnamon or flaked chocolate sprinkled on top.

Dry cappuccino: A regular cappuccino, only with a smaller amount of foam, and no steamed milk at all.

Cafe macchiato: A shot of espresso with steamed milk added. The ratio of coffee to milk is approximately 4:1.

Hammerhead: A real caffeine fix, this drink consists of a shot of espresso in a regular-sized coffee cup, which is then filled with drip coffee. Also known as a 'shot in the dark'.

Double or double shot: Just as it sounds, this is two shots of espresso mixed in with the regular amount of additional ingredients. So, for example, if you were going to make a double hammerhead, you would put two shots of espresso into a coffee cup, and fill it with the drip blend, rather than the usual single espresso shot.

Espresso con panna: Your basic standard espresso with a shot of whipped cream on top.

Frappe: Originally a cold espresso, it has more recently been prepared putting 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee with sugar, water and ice. The brew is placed in a long glass with ice, and milk if you like, turning it into a big coffee milkshake.

Indian (Madras) filter coffee: Indian filter coffee is made from rough ground, dark-roasted coffee Arabica or Peaberry beans. It's drip-brewed for several hours in a traditional metal coffee filter before being served. The ratio of coffee to milk is usually 3:1.

Instant coffee: These grounds have usually been freeze-dried and turned into soluble powder or coffee granules. Irish coffee: A coffee spiked with Irish whiskey, with cream on top. Cafe mocha: This popular drink is basically a cappuccino or latte with chocolate syrup added to the mix.

Recipe: Mixed mocha
Have your classic mocha and white chocolate too. This recipe mixes white and regular chocolate to create a creamy, chocolaty treat.

Ingredients:
1/4 cups milk
1/2 tbsp white chocolate syrup
1/2 tbsp chocolate syrup
45 ml brewed espresso
1 tbsp whipped cream (optional)

Directions:
- Pour milk into a steaming pitcher and heat to 65 to 70 degrees Celsius using the steaming wand.
- Measure the white chocolate and chocolate syrup into a large coffee mug.
- Brew espresso then add to mug.
- Pour the steamed milk into the mug, using a spoon to hold back the foam.
- Top with whipped cream.

Brew the perfect cup
- Buy coffee in whole bean form when you can and keep it in an airtight container. Buying a one-week supply is ideal. Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans and grounds should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their best flavour.

- To brew coffee, use fresh water free of any odd tastes or odours. It's 98 per cent of every cup of coffee, you know.

- Ideally, grind your coffee beans just before brewing. If you're using pre-ground, that's okay, too. The faster your brew cycle, the finer you should grind the beans. A good rule of thumb is to use a fine grind (20-25 seconds in a blade grinder) for vacuum pots and one-cup cones, a drip grind (15 seconds) for most drip brewers and a coarse grind (10 seconds) for plunger pots and cold water extractors.

- Use about 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for each ¾ cup of water that will be poured through them, no matter how much you're brewing.

- For the best flavour, drink coffee within about 30 minutes of brewing.

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Make your own e-pickle

A tech-savyy ad man and his mom-inlaw are behind a website that lets you make home-made pickle without entering the kitchen.

Ihita Shah's fondest childhood memory is helping her mother, Mita Mehta, lug thalis of succulent raw mango slices marinated in salt to the terrace of their home in Santacruz in suburban Mumbai, where they would soak lazily in the sun. "I'd steal a piece of kairi from every plate. The best bit about helping out mum was that I got to taste the pickles at every stage of preparation," says the 28-year-old Mumbai-based cell biologist.
It took a couple of second helpings for Shah's husband, Pinank to realise that his mother-in-law's culinary skills could feed home-sick college students and professionals in search of ghar ka khana. The ad professional along with copywriter friend Rishit Neogi set up GoosebumpsPickles.com as an ode to the pleasurable shivers they associate with the taste of kachi kairi.
"My mother-in-law has been making pickles for friends and relatives for over 11 years. All we did was package the idea for online retail," says Shah. Mehta works all through summer, helped by her three daughters, often making more than 500 kg every season. Mangoes are cleaned, sliced, dried and stocked at home, allowing a year-long supply of mango pickle.
"Pickle is to Indians what chocolates are to the Swiss," says Neogi, adding, "What we are trying to do next is explore a variety of avatars for the pickles; consider them as dips and snack accompaniments, for instance."
Shah started off with familiar sweet varieties like chunda andgol keri, and sourspicy concoctions of chana methi and gunda keri, but later added an option that allowed website visitors to customise recipes, choosing between ingredients and taste (sweet, tangy and spicy). The Make Your Own Pickle option on the site is popular with customers, allowing them to drag and drop ingredients on to a plate. Choose from lemon, ginger, carrots, kerda, and even a dash of a secret ingredient listed as 'mother's love'.
The two-month-old site has received 15,000 hits already, translating into 39 orders from across India, and some eager queries from Australia and Dubai.
How it works
A minimum order (500 grams) of the hand-made, strictly vegetarian pickles costs 325. Couriered anywhere in India in air-tight containers. Cash on delivery.

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Wacky ways to overcome hangover

Wacky ways to overcome hangover (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

That's Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow's tip. We get you some more quirky cures to beat your last night's hangover

Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow swears by Bloody Marys to cure hangovers, and also enjoys a Mexican version of the beverage. So what do our celebs here do to beat the post-party blues?

TV actor Sushant Singh Rajput says one should have the same drink that you had the night before. "Of course not the same quantity! You can have one drink of the same spirit and that should help," he laughs. Funnyman Cyrus Sahukar cuts out sun and light from his life for a few hours. "Lying around on the bed doing nothing also helps and if you have a sadist streak, you can torture yourself clicking pictures of happy people walking on the street, while you are confined to the four walls of your apartment, shying away from the sun feeling like a vampire. But apart from that, have some carrot and beetroot juice."

Actor Arjan Bajwa suggests pouring chocolate syrup on your face. "Some of it should flow on your body and some should go inside your mouth and clothes and the alertness will come automatically. You will rush to have a shower and hangover will go in a moment. For Shveta Salve, pav bhaji comes to the rescue! "Have it while you are lazing around. This is the best time to watch your favourite sitcoms and catch up on movies," says Shveta. Shonali Nagrani's hangover fix is amla or white gourd juice. "Pop in a painkiller if need be. Have a shower and hit the bed!"

VJ Juhi Pande has a magic pill - "It's a brand of vitamins that work like magic. If nothing else helps turn to good old lime water." Singer Anushka Manchanda says, "Eat a big fat meal and make a fake vow to yourself that you'll never drink so much again." TV show judge Archana Puransingh believes in preparing in advance. "It's always better to hydrate yourself well before your drinking session. If you still wake up with a hangover, have a glass of lime water or orange juice with sugar and salt and a heavy breakfast."

For model Candice Pinto, black coffee does the trick. Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, frontman of a rockband, suggests, "Tender coconut water anyday. Also, watch cartoons that are bound to put you in a good mood and bring a smile on your face," he adds.

Actor Sanjay Mishra believes that one has to throw up to get well. "Amidst all that confusion and chaos in your head, drink a little coffee and then tea so that eventually you throw up!" And comic guy Raju Srivastav has the funniest cure: "I think you should drink some more until you pass out. The other idea is that you start getting fresh with your neighbour's wife who in turn will hit you so hard on the head that you will be confused if the pain is because of the beating or the hangover!"

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Book review: How I Braved Anu Aunty...

Book review: How I Braved Anu Aunty...

Book title: How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded a Million Dollar Company
Author: Varun Agarwal
Publisher: Rupa Publishers
Price: Rs 140

Here's a young writer who hopes to encourage budding entrepreneurs with his story.

For those who love Bangalore city, this book can prove to be a trip down nostalgia lane. Whether it is the courtyards of Bishop Cotton's school that flits back into your memory, the vagrant weather with its sudden spurts of rain, the memory of which stays with you or the dim confines of Noon Wines which you may or may not have visited... there is much in the book that comes back in a sudden flash of clarity to those who love the city.

And then, there is the boyish writing with its lavish use of swear words and the SMS lingo that young boys seem to consider a natural part of their vocabulary, which runs through the book like his signature touch.

The storyline, however, is simple. The book is about the 20-something protagonist (Varun, himself) who has entrepreneurial dreams. So he starts off a venture with his friends, only to be thwarted at any every stage by Anu Aunty, who in his own words is "one of those women who always poked her nose into everyone else's problems and sniffed for one when there was none." Varun and his friends, however are a determined lot and they put their pub hopping, Facebook stalking, generally loafing ways on the back burner and start a merchandise company that creates customized hoodies and T-shirts for the alumni of schools and colleges. Is it easy? Of course, it isn't. Not with Anu Aunty in the foreground and all the other glitches a budding entrepreneur faces in India.

The book is as light hearted as they come, written in a boyish (almost bordering on childish) style that could appeal to some or prove to be a turn off for others. But the writer, young though he is, manages to hold the interest of his reader right through.

Pick up this book if you are looking for something fresh, fun and maybe even informative for the weekend.

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17 must-have kitchen spices

17 must-have spices for your kitchen

Chef Gautam Mehrishi lists the spices that are crucial to cooking.

Asafoetida: Asafoetida gets its name from the Persian aza.
Culinary uses: It is is used in dishes where onions and garlic are prohibited like lentil dishes, soups and pickles.

Cardamom: Cardamom is native to the East originating in the forests of the western ghats in southern India, where it grows wild.
Culinary uses: It's used in curries, pulaos and gives character to dishes made with pulses. Cardamom is often included in Indian sweets and drinks. It is also a flavouring for Arab and Turkish coffee.

Ajowan: Ajowan (pronounced aj'o-wen) is also known as bishop's weed or carom.
Culinary uses: The spice has a particular affinity to starchy foods like savoury pastries and breads. It is also good with green beans, root vegetables. lentil dishes and recipes using besan (chick pea flour).

Caraway: Caraway is native to Northern Africa, the Mediter- ranean and much of Europe. It's used as a herb and spice. Caraway has been found in food dating back to 3,000 BC making it one of the oldest spices.
Culinary uses: There are medieval recipes for caraway flavoured cheese that are still in use today. (Dutch cheese). There are many liqueurs are flavoured with caraway (Kummel, Akuavit gins and Schnapps). It can also be used in cakes cookies, soups, rice and pastas.

Anise: Anise bears a strong resemblance to the members of the carrot family, that includes dill and fennel.
Culinary uses: Anise is use in cakes, biscuits, confectionery and rye breads.

Bay leaf: The bay tree is indigenous to Asia Minor, from where it spread to the Mediterranean.
Culinary uses: Bay leaves are used in soups, sauces and stews, and is a seasoning for fish, meat and poultry.

Cumin: It is native to the Levant and Upper Egypt. It now grows in most hot countries, especially India, North Africa, China and America.
Culinary uses: Cumin is used mainly where highly spiced foods are preferred. It features in Indian, Eastern, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cookery. It is an ingredient of most curry powders and many savoury spice mixtures, and is used in stews, grills — especially lamb and chicken dishes. It gives bite to plain rice, and to beans and cakes. Cumin is essential in spicy Mexican foods.

Cinnamon: The two main varieties are Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum.
Culinary uses: Cassia and cinnamon have similar uses, but since it is more delicate, cinnamon is used more in desserts. It is used in curries and pulaos and in garam masala. The largest importer of Sri Lankan cinnamon is Mexico, where it is drunk with coffee and chocolate and brewed as a tea.

Clove: Clove is native to the North Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia.
Culinary uses: Cloves are often used to enhance the flavour of game.

Coriander: Coriander is probably native to the Middle East and southern Europe.
Culinary uses: It's mostly used in curry powders, stews and soups.

Mustard: It was the condiment, not the plant that was originally called mustard. The condiment got its name because it was made by grinding the seeds into a paste and mixing it with must (an unfermented wine).
Culinary uses: Whole white mustard seed is used in pickling spice.

Mace Mace: It is the aril (the bright red, lacy covering) of the nutmeg seed shell.
Culinary uses: It works well with custards and cream sauces.

Nigella: The name Nigella is derived from the Latin nigellus meaning black.
Culinary uses: It is widely used in Indian cuisines, particularly in mildly braised lamb dishes such as korma.

Nutmeg: The nutmeg tree is a large evergreen native to the Moluccas (the Spice Islands) and is now cultivated in the West Indies.
Culinary uses: Nutmeg is usually associated with sweet, spicy dishes — pies, puddings, custards, cookies and spice cakes.

Pepper: It's called the 'King of Spices'.
Culinary uses: Pepper is best ground directly on to food. It's goes best with hot food.

Star anise: Star anise is the unusual fruit of a small Oriental tree.
Culinary uses: Star anise is used in sweetmeats and confectionery. It contributes to meat and poultry dishes, combining especially well with pork and duck.

Turmeric: The name derives from the Latin terra merita (meritorious earth), referring to the colour of ground turmeric.
Culinary uses: It's used to flavour curries.

(As told to Melissa D'costa)

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'My style always depends on my mood'

'My style always depends on my mood'

Actor/model Aamir Dalvi on fashion, style and more...

What's your style quotient?

I love to wear clothes that I'm comfortable in. My style always depends on my mood.

Tight fitted or loose t-shirts, you prefer?

Loose! Because they let you breathe. I am more comfy in them as I don't have six-pack abs to show off!

Your all-time favourite ensemble?

Blue denims and a white shirt.

Must-have accessories:

A watch and an ear-stud or baali.

Worst fashion trend?

T-shirts worn on trousers! That's a fashion disaster.

A trend that will never go out of style:

Denims.

A look you love sporting at:

A party: Denims, t-shirt, sports jacket.

On a date: White shirt and blue jeans.

At a movie: T-shirt and cargos.

A family function: Semi-formal shirts and blue jeans.

Do you believe style lives on, fashion fades?

One can be stylish all his life, but need not always be fashionable. Style is constant but fashion keeps changing.

(As told to Gayatri Deshmukh)

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Tips to look stylish while on flight

Tips to look stylish while on flight

Airports are the latest red carpets for celebs. There's no reason why you too can't raise your style quotient while on the go.

The onslaught of the paparazzi has ensured that no celebrity worth her Jimmy Choo is ever clicked in an unflattering jumpsuit or oversized tee while on the move. Of late, the fashionistas all over the world have taken their runway fashion quotient to an all-time high, leaving no scope for us to have any excuse to dress shabbily at airports. In all fairness, why would you not look your best at any time?

It's not that difficult. Go for a few must-have fashion accessories (see box) and wear a great attitude. Airport fashion's only requirement is to be pragmatic and stylish at the same time. All of us ultimately want to arrive at our destination looking calm and collected.

Layering is one of the easiest ways to look effortlessly chic, whilst remaining comfortable — a tee over a white tank, covered by a lovely cardigan or blazer will do the trick. You can always strip down to the last layer, if it should ever get too hot to bear. If you have a meeting to attend right after arrival, take no risk and wear solid, dark colors.

Eating and drinking without spills may be hard to avoid mid-air. Your favorite outfit might not always be the most comfortable. Take a cue from these globetrotting celebs who are setting new trends every day.

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Now, perfume that can help you lose weight!

Now, perfume that can help you lose weight! (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

The latest slimming aid comes in the form of a perfume bottle, and it already has a waiting list of 6000 people.

Prends-moi is the world's first slimming fragrance from Velds that has been developed at the French perfume house Robertet, the Daily Mail reported.

Makers have claimed that the fragrance is designed to "slim with pleasure" and is based on "aromatherapeutic" and "neurocosmetic" research.

The perfume contained ingredients that release B-endorphins that are present in the skin and a "pleasure message" is transmitted through the brain triggering a sensation of well being and an increase in contentment reducing the need to overeat.

A "Slimming Complex" that has been formulated with caffeine, carnitine and spirulina extract activated the two key enzymes directly involved in lipolysis (fat degradation).

A trial study by BIO-EC of women aged form 18 to 70 years of age, who were not on a diet, found that 75 percent felt that the perfume limited the need to snack and 73 percent felt a feeling of pleasure.

People can generously spritz in the morning, as they would do with any perfume, and throughout the day whenever the need for snacking arises.

Further results can be achieved by very lightly massaging the perfume into targeted areas, morning and night to help sculpt and slim the contours of the body.

As for the smell of the perfume, there are top notes, with lively accents of bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit.

With a low alcohol content, the perfume is perfect for those who love summer all year long.

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Add colour to your boring kitchen space

Add colour to your boring kitchen space (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Move over the regular utensils in the kitchen and add colour to your cooking space by replacing the pots and pans with colored ones and a tinge of innovation.

Want to add more colors to you kitchen and pondering over how to do that. Well, with the market full of innovative kitchen products, the homemaker can do a lot of permutations and combinations to render a refreshing and colorful look to the kitchen.

All you need is some moolah in hand and of course you got to have your money management funda right.

So, if your regular pots, kadhais and frying pans need a replacement then you can very well indulge in some fabulous shop hopping moments. Just be prepared to spend more time than what to do while going for shopping.

There are a lot of colorful pots and pans options in the market. While you can go to the regular utensils vendor next door and ask for information, you can also go to a large retailer with an array of colorful non stick tawas and kadhais. Some pans come with nice patterns inside too, which take away the boredom quotient if creativity interests you.

So here is how you can make your kitchen a spectacle:

If you have old brass utensils that you think you can maintain and spend time to clean those regularly, then by all means use those. They render a unique appeal. If you have small brass containers, you can store rice or pulses that you use on a regular basis in those.

If the steel containers put you off as they have been used umpteen times, you can think of getting those exchanged. If you get those exchanged at retailers like Big Bazaar, then you can look for brands that offer non stick pans and kadhais with the outer layer in different colors.

If steel is what still captures our imagination, then go for brands that offer new designs in steel utensils. Do not buy steel pots if they are light. Go for heavy duty stuff. They have their atypical appeal with those see through lids.

If budget is not a restraint, you can go either for the colourful plastic wear which are microwave friendly. The market has lot of options for you - all you need is time, money and of course - inclination.

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South Africa, the ultimate honeymoon destination

South Africa, the ultimate honeymoon destination

South Africa is a gorgeous, multi-cultural country and a perfect place to go after your wedding...

South Africa is a beautiful, multi-cultural country that has an abundance of unique destinations and experiences. In this magnificent country, you can go on a safari, indulge in adventure activities, enjoy a city break, relax by the beach or sample delicious food and wine. Honeymooners have innumerable possibilities for romance and bring back unforgettable memories. With so many things to do, here's how newly weds can explore the wonderful rainbow nation.

Self-drive
South Africa has excellent road infrastructure, a variety of authorised vehicle hire fleets run by international and local rental companies, great weather, scenic beauty, stunning wild life and adventure activities, which makes self-driving a viable and enjoyable option during your honeymoon.

On the wild side
Apart from spectacular scenery, there are many places where wildlife and nature can be enjoyed in leisure and luxury. The splendid game lodges in will pamper you with a list of experiences like game drives, bush walks, romantic candle-lit dinners and rejuvenating spa treatments in the wild.

Adrenaline rush
SA offers various soft and hard adventure activities across provinces. From world-class surfing, bungee-jumping, diving (shark cage, scuba, crocodile cage), hiking to horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting and more, all are supported by operators.

Shop till you drop
There is some shopping reserved for everyone — from the eclectic to the conservative to the trendsetter or trend follower. South Africa is home to many a shopping Meccas from designer brands to local handicraft.

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I am more of a storyteller than a writer: Ashwin Sanghi

I view myself as a storyteller more than a writer: Ashwin Sanghi

Author Ashwin Sanghi tells us why he took to writing...

A businessman by profession, why did you take to writing novels?
In the slightly modified words of Descaretes: I write, therefore I am. I work in a business environment forty hours a week and writing is what I do to unwind. It allows me to transport myself to a happy place where I can indulge my hopes, beliefs, aspirations and fantasies. It also allows me to live and breathe a topic for eighteen months while I'm researching and writing. A visit to Srinagar brought me to a tomb called Rozabal in 2004. I was fascinated with the idea that the person buried there could be Jesus Christ himself. I spent the next year researching everything that I could lay hands on. At the end of that year I had multiple threads and theories in my head. My wife suggested stringing them together and a further twelve months later The Rozabal Line, my very first novel, was born.

Please describe yourself as a writer
I am not really a writer. Writing is incidental to my primary objective, which is spinning a good yarn. I view myself as a storyteller more than a writer. The story—and hence the extensive research that goes into each one of my books—is much more important than the words that I use to narrate it.

Why do you choose to write a suspense/thriller?
I was brought up on a diet of commercial fiction and thrillers for most of my growing years: Jeffrey Archer, Sidney Sheldon, Robert Ludlum, Frederick Forsyth, Irving Wallace, Jack Higgins, Tom Clancy, Ken Follett, and Arthur Hailey. In the past couple of decades, Dan Brown, John Grisham, Stieg Larsson, Ian Rankin and countless others were added to my list. What I love about most of these authors is that their books have an intrinsic page-turning capability—the reader is gripped by the narrative and is almost compelled to turn the page. That's the sort of fiction that I want to write.

Why does history play an integral part in your brand of fiction?
It is not history, theology or mythology that interest me. It is the fact that history, theology or mythology could have alternative interpretations or explanations. I try to connect the dots between the past and the present.

Tell us in a nutshell, what led you to write the Krishna Key?
After writing Chanakya's Chant, I was looking for a story that I could sink my teeth into. At a friend's house, someone mentioned to me the fact that the prophesized appearance of the tenth avatar of Vishnu—Kalki—was very similar to the apocalyptic prophecies of the Book of Revelation in the Bible. That got my brain into overdrive. I spent a week reading the Kalki Purana and there was no looking back. I have always been fascinated by the Mahabharata period. What excites me is not the mythology but the possibility that the epic may be based on historical truths. The Krishna Key is my quest to provide an entertaining read while attempting to nudge the Mahabharata and the character of Krishna from the mythology section of the library into the history section.

Among Indian writers, who inspires you the most?
My favourite Indian author is Vikram Chandra. Like me, he likes narrating stories rather than simply writing. My favourite Indian writers in the historical and mythological space are Amitav Ghosh, Devdutt Pattanaik, Amish Tripathi, Ramachandra Guha, Ashok Banker and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

What will you describe your writing style to be like?
I would imagine that anyone picking up a book written by me would expect a fast-paced story that requires minimal effort to turn the pages. The reader would also be looking for some out-of-the-ordinary revelations along the way. At the end of the day, I'm a writer who simply loves revealing stuff that is out-of-the-ordinary.

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Mediterranean diet helps protect bones

Mediterranean diet helps protect bones (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Consumption of a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil for two years is a simple way to prevent bone destruction, researchers say.

Age-related bone mass loss and decreased bone strength affects women and men alike and are an important determinant of osteoporosis and fracture risk.

"The intake of olive oil has been related to the prevention of osteoporosis in experimental and in vitro models," said Jose Manuel Fernandez-Real, MD, PhD, of Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta in Girona, Spain and lead author of the study. "This is the first randomized study which demonstrates that olive oil preserves bone, at least as inferred by circulating bone markers, in humans."

The participants in this study were 127 community-dwelling men aged 55 to 80 years.

For this study, subjects were elderly without prior cardiovascular disease but having a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or harboring at least three cardiovascular risk factors, namely hypertension, dyslipidemia, or a family history of premature cardiovascular disease.

Participants were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: Mediterranean diet with mixed nuts, Mediterranean diet with virgin olive oil, and a low-fat diet.

Biochemical measurements of osteocalcin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were performed at baseline and after two year follow-up on fasting blood samples.

Researchers found that only consumption of the Mediterranean diet with olive oil was associated with a significant increase in the concentrations of total osteocalcin and other bone formation markers.

There were also no significant changes in serum calcium in subjects taking olive oil whereas serum calcium decreased significantly in the other two groups.

"It''s important to note that circulating osteocalcin was associated with preserved insulin secretion in subjects taking olive oil," added Fernandez-Real.

"Osteocalcin has also been described to increase insulin secretion in experimental models."

The study will be published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM).

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4 Must-visit forts in Tamil Nadu

4 Must-visit forts in Tamil Nadu

What's the point of a day off if you can't spend time in the great outdoors and breathe in some fresh air. Sure, with all the noise, chaos and erratic power situation, it's best to find a nice spot away from the bustling metropolis and drive out.

While Chennai has absolutely no dearth of charming and interesting spots to drive to, many are not aware of these. Fancy a little bit of history and other tales of yore? Then try and plan out a weekend fort drive. All situated well within a drivable radius from Chennai, these historic places and forts will give you a break from the ubiquitous off-city destinations.
Alamparai Fort: The ruins of Alamparai Fort are situated at Kadapakkam, about 50 km from Mahabalipuram. Cruising through ECR, you will have to cross Muttukadu before you hit the spot. Built in the late 17th century during the Mughal era, the Alamparai Fort also served as a bustling trading zone then. When the French were defeated by the British, the fort was captured and destroyed in 1760 AD. More recently, the structure was damaged in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. It's a picturesque spot, very placid and relaxing.
Ranjankudi Fort: This is a 17th century fortress located about 17 km north of Perambalur. The fort was constructed by a feudatory of the Nawab of the Carnatic, and is the site of the great Battle of Valikonda between the British East India Company and Chanda Sahib in 1751. The fort contains a palace, residential buildings, underground chambers, mosque and a flag mast.
Gingee Fort: The Gingee fort is one of Tamil Nadu's most respected historic spots, situated in Villupuram, as close as a drive to Puducherry. Usually dubbed the 'Troy of the East', the impregnable citadel began with the construction of a small fort by the Chola dynasty in the ninth century. Since then, it has passed from the hands of the Vijayanagara Empire to the French as well as the British. Gingee fort has an interesting array of sights within its boundaries, staring from the wide moats to the Kalyana mahal and the military gymnasium. A must for photography enthusiasts, Gingee fort holds a lot more than just a shadow of the past.
Vellore Fort: The Vellore fort owes its origins to the Nayaks of Vijayanagara. Built somewhere around the 16th century, the fort is famous for having been the stronghold where Tipu Sultan's family was held hostage. Yet another interesting fact to note is that, what we refer to as Chennai and Tirupati today were dominions that came under the Nayaks of Vellore fort. One of the most impressive examples of a ground fort in the south, this one houses a temple, a church as well as a mosque. The temple within the fort is famous for its detailed and magnificent carvings.

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Earn your little vacation between work

A lazy day spent well (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

If you are overworked with many things, then spending a small lazy day for yourself can be a good break

"Today I don't feel like doing anything, I just wanna lay in my bed." Oops, Bruno Mars seems to have read out our minds aloud! On any day these lazy morning blues can make you feel bored and tired. Especially if you have tiring schedules that have made your lives almost zombie like, then you are bound to wake up feeling that way one of these days.

Overworked and fatigued, you will not realise how tired you are till your body stubbornly refuses to budge even an inch on a fine day. If you had slogged way beyond yourself then it is time that you take that well deserved break. Just call up your work place and give the genuine reason for your request for a leave. Once the benevolent boss decides to okay your off, you've officially crossed the major hurdle.

Planning your day would be a folly. Just doing whatever comes to your mind can be way more fun. Catching a chick flick with an old friend or pampering yourself to an elaborate spa session can be so relaxing. Reading a small book, that can be completed in a day, can be rejuvenating. If you had lost your reading habit then this can be a revival of sorts. Sleep deprivation seems to be an ugly monster lurking in every workaholic's life. Bid adieu to the monster and catch on with those lost hours of sleep. Believe me, it can be very rewarding when you return to your work.

Most importantly though you may be living with your family members in your house you may have forgotten what your house or the members in them looked like. Spend some quality time with them. Joining in the kitchen to help your mum cook food or playing with your kids will be nice. Taking them out to a park or your neighbourhood pool will fetch you extra points! Eat well and more than thrice a day. At the end of the day it may look like a long vacation that you had enjoyed. Do not worry. Work hard and earn yourself the sweet little vacation once again.

ranjitha.g@timesgroup.com

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Your home is a reflection of your personality

Luxury living (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

It is a well-known fact and an accepted society norm today, that the way you dress, your lifestyle choices and the home and environment you live in, reflects your social standing. It is therefore not unusual that the concept of 'luxury living', an ever evolving concept is definitely here to stay. At the end of the day, everyone strives to achieve the perfect home and lifestyle that not only becomes your comfort zone and an extension of your personality, but also a special space that can be flaunted to friends and family.

In the current times home design and styling has become intrinsic to this expression of the self, almost becoming a story told through design. The home space is being passionately converted into an 'object' or possession reflecting the social status of the owner and his personality.

To cater to this new-age demand, developers, architects and interior designers are continuously raising the bar, by adhering to international standards in terms of architectural and landscape design, amenities, facilities and services offered to the consumer.

There is no doubt that an increase in the trend of luxury living has lead to an influx of high end projects, luxury brands and cutting edge designs. In fact, this is one sector which was least affected during the economic slump, in the past couple of years. One of the most encouraging outcomes of this 'hip and new' mindset, has been the development of innovative concepts in interior design.

Homes have graduated from being just comfortable living spaces into the luxury segment that was earlier associated only with the hospitality industry. Newer and innovative materials are being explored in ways never done before. Furniture has been transformed into pieces of art, while art is increasingly used and adapted to define and help modify the space to add elegance, chutzpah and style to the end-product.

When it comes to luxury homes, it has become essential to design and finish one's space as per the latest, trendiest and most exclusive finishes, fixtures and fittings, furniture, furnishings etc. Easy availability and access to hi-end, custom- made designer furniture, furnishings, modular kitchens, a wide range of bath fittings and concepts and latest technology ensure that one's home can be modified into an ultra luxurious space, created to reflect one's social standing.

Also, with increasing double income, nuclear families, it has become much easier to afford designer homes. Additionally, the present generation has the ability to recognise, acquire and put together an ideal collection of unique, hand-picked objects (furniture, artifacts, art, knick-knacks, furnishings etc) that reflect ones personal style, taste and hence social status. Subtle yet classy personal touches not only enhance the home interior, but speak volumes about your actual personality, profession and position in society.

For example, little knick-knacks collected from all over the world immediately portrays the fact that the owner of the house is a well travelled, informed individual who would not hesitate to loosen his purse strings if the object of desire were to enhance his social standing amongst his peers. The younger generation are not afraid to live comfortably, flaunt their eclectic style and explore new aspects of design. They are well-informed and would not hesitate to go the extra mile to express their lifestyle choices.

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Poor Poodle dragged into politics

Poor Poodle dragged into politics

Dear Independent, what's with dragging the adorable little Poodle into political commentary, eh?

Ah well, our dear prime minister is in a rather mutty state of affairs. So what if The Independent's headline later changed "Sonia's Poodle" to "underachiever" - under what kind of pressure, we're powerless to imagine, as we can only wish to see that kind of pressure exerted where it's needed - bloodhounds had already had their kill. Supporters were frothing at the insult, demanding that "criticism should be in limits". But while being likened to man's best friend might be the ultimate insult here (Dharam paaji, our salutations), the British daily that finally ate humble pie and altered its choice of words, and the poor Poodle, might have failed to foresee the furore. Being someone's Poodle is a commonly used phrase there to point out inefficacy, especially in the government. Just last month, the chief police watchdog had taken a shot at UK home secretary Theresa May that he was "no government poodle". But did the good offices of whoever called up The Independent take it in equally good humour? Probably not.

So what made a furry little object of affection (we mean the Poodle, mind you), being elevated to prime ministerial status? The unfortunate Poodle must be wondering what it has done to invite scorn from the largest democracy's ruling party. After all, it has done everything right. It accompanies celebrities, divas and royalty. Its world centers around its master. The one belonging to Novak Djokovic even tweets about ruling the world. It peeps out of designer handbags in that toe-clinchingly cute way that makes everyone go 'awww!' Then why has it landed from those handbags straight in the middle of a political controversy?

Since we're none the wiser on what led first to the dogged assessment and then the hasty retreat, we did a bit of bio on the pooch that got the goat of 7, Racecourse Road, to find out what the characteristics are that set it apart from other canines. We only found a shining resume.

The Toy Poodle is known for superior intelligence and exceptional learning ability. Said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Sweet, perky, likes to be with people. Keen. Can be good with children, however recommended for older children, who know how to display leadership skills.

The Miniature Poodle is an intelligent, joyful, companion dog. They can be trained to a high degree, and are very willing and happy to please their handler.

The Standard Poodle is proud, graceful, noble and good-natured. One of the most trainable breeds. Often calmer than the smaller varieties of Poodles. Owners need to be calm, yet possess an air of natural authority.

Synonyms

Lapdog: A dog that is both small enough to be held in the arms or lie comfortably on a person's lap and temperamentally predisposed to do so.

Handbag/accessory/purse dog: Canines that are small enough to fit in purse-sized carrying cases. Popularised by the likes of Paris Hilton. Include breeds such as Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese dogs, Bichon Frise dogs, and Chihuahuas.

Lame duck: An ineffectual or unsuccessful person or thing

Poodle
Pronunciation: /'pu:d( )l/ noun
- A dog of a breed with a curly coat that is usually clipped.
- British a person or organization who is overly willing to obey another.

According to the American Kennel Club, the Poodle, though often equated to the beauty with no brains, is exceptionally smart and excels in obedience training.

Appearance: Very active, intelligent and elegant-appearing. Carries himself proudly. Has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. Eyes are positioned to create an alert intelligent expression.

Types: Standard, Miniature and Toy Poodle.

Unofficial types: Teacup, Klein

(Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com, http://www.akc.org)

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Nice to have a differently-abled sibling

Nice to have a differently-abled sibling

A differently-abled brother or sister need not be a disadvantage. Here's how to enhance the special bond

Society usually focuses on the challenges of being parents to differently-abled children. But rarely does the focus veer towards the relationship that differently-abled children have with their normal siblings. These relationships are also unique and have their share of upheavals.

One of the concerns that plague siblings is what will happen to their differently-abled brother or sister once the parents pass away. Special educator Ishita Painter, who counsels children about their special brothers or sisters, says "Many worry about the responsibilities they may have to shoulder in the future. They are concerned about how their spouses and in-laws will accept their brothers and sisters. In some cases sisters have decided to remain single to take care of their siblings."

According to psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty, "Parents should educate kids about the condition of their sibling. But they should be careful not to burden them with expectations."

Krishna Mandal, mother to the differently-abled nine-year-old Shreeja and a typical four-year-old Shreya, says it's not difficult to treat both equally. "My daughters are different from each other but I feel that these differences cannot get in the way of us being together."

The parenting strategy is a success when the sibling does not feel burdened. Pramod Pillai's nine-year-old brother is hearing impaired. "My parents have never pressurised me," says the 23-year-old. "I never had to compromise on life choices. I care for my brother but have never felt like he was a liability."

The advantage
Children with differently-abled siblings have been found to be more sensitive and caring than other children their age. "Most siblings of special children are more accepting of other peoples' differences than their peers," says Dr Shetty. "They are tolerant and display more maturity in difficult situations." Pramod says his brother helps him appreciate people's unique strengths. "When I bought a new cellphone, Prasad learned the new features much before I did!" he says. "He has always been very good in academics and is a better student than me."

Gender wonder
Research shows there's a gender imbalance in case of special siblings. "Married brothers feel that a differently-abled sibling should be kept in a separate care facility. They worry about how their wives would take care of their siblings. Sisters are more considerate," says Painter.

Even at 13, Shilpa Pujari is one such concerned sister. The teenager takes care of her five-year-old brother Ashish who has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and a learning disability. "Ashish hardly sits in one place. He is a moody and gets violent at times," she explains. Her forehead creases when asked whether she sees her brother as a burden. "I would have taken care of him even if he did not have ADHD," she retorts. "Of course, it's just that people are not aware of ADHD and misunderstand his behaviour," she adds softly. Age has very little to do with the nurturing instinct. Painter talks about how a younger sibling became caretaker to her elder special sister. Nine-year-old Shreeja suffers from intellectual disability as well as ADHD. Her four-year-old sister Shreya manages to keep Shreeja from getting into trouble. "It's touching to see how the kindergartener tries to explain to her elder sister how to behave in her own sweet way." says Painter.

Parental preference
When parents are more lenient towards their differently-abled child than the normal one, it leads to a unique kind of sibling rivalry. Often the normal child's needs are ignored which leads to guilt and resentment. But some children are just more mature and understand why this happens. "Of course my parents tolerate Ashish's tantrums a lot more than they do mine," says Shilpa. "But that's because of his problem. Ashish is just five. It would be ridiculous to think of competing with him," she adds sheepishly.

Dr Shetty is of the opinion that instances of rivalry should not be taken lightly. "If a child perceives that his parents are unfair to him and love his sibling more, it can cause a lot of problems. (S)he may feel a sense of rejection, anger and even helplessness. Often the child may indulge in attention-seeking behaviour. Parents must realise that things are not going well if they see signs of depression and aggression."

Sometimes, even the special child might feel threatened and sidelined. This can translate into aggressive behaviour towards the normal sibling. Painter remembers how Shreeja had problems accepting her little sister. "Initially she would hit and even bite Shreya as she felt that her parents were paying more attention to her," she says.

Whatever the dynamic, it is up to the parents to even out the differences and make both children feel they are loved and treasured equally. It is easier than many imagine.

Nahid.Butt@timesgroup.com

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Multiplex food gets better

Multiplex food gets better

From pizzas, pastas, triple sundaes to chaat and mocktails,the multiplex platter just got more diverse.

Multiplex food usually throws up images of popcorn tub and cola. But all that's changing. Multiplexes now offer a wide variety of food and give a complete entertainment experience to the customers. Amdavadis have a selection of samosas, nachos, pizza, sandwiches, pasta, chaats, frankies, doughnuts, burgers, desserts, potato wedges and French fries, even pani puri!

Vijendra Sharma, cinema manager of one such multiplex says, "Entertainment biz means big bucks here. Plus, Gujaratis love food and movies. As popcorn and samosas became a normal bite, multiplexes have started mini restaurants that offer other food items like sandwiches, pasta, pizzas for more alternatives and to satisfy a customer overall. Especially during evening shows and around dinner, when people come to watch movies, they sit with this food rather than go to a restaurant after the movie is over. And food gives maximum
revenue."

So how has the concept of such food outlets come about in multiplexes? More importantly how has it benefited vendors? Pranjal Patel, director of the company which owns a food franchise in multiplexes, says, "The concept of such food started with the upsurge of malls in town. But food wise, these did not do well. Then new multiplex companies started coming in and people liked having such food places in the multiplexes. The concept clicked. When people come to watch a movie they are going to eat something filling. So the variety of food is an added advantage as they have more choice and is a win-win situation for both multiplexes and vendors."

Customers are enjoying the options available and are ready to dish out money for a diverse platter. Gaurav Chachan, a young entrepreneur, says, "Movie watching in Ahmedabad can't be complete without good food! How does one pay more for a combo than a three-hour movie ticket? Still overall, whatever has taken place has won the hearts of cinema lovers." Agrees engineering graduate Avni Bildhaiya, "The variety of things that we now get to eat is interesting. It makes going to a movie with friends a fun experience. I'm happy that we have progressed beyond the cola-popcorn combo and watching movies becomes a more palatable experience altogether."

So, all you foodies and movie buffs, scrumptious food is now just a multiplex away!

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Ayushmann Khurrana's wife Tahira releases second book

Tahira Kashyap's book 'Souled' Out, was launched yesterday and had John Abraham reading out the excerpts

Tahira Kashyap's book, 'Souled' Out, is a collection of short stories that are bound by the common thread of emotions along with twists and turns. The book was launched by Ramesh Sippy yesterday at Title Waves, the Bookstore. Actor John Abraham read the excerpts.

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana's wife, Tahira is a young mass communication professor, settled in Mumbai. She used to run her own public relations agency in Chandigarh, after which she joined Big 92.7 FM as a programming head, in Punjab.

'Souled Out' is her second book after a promising response to her first book 'I Promise..." Each story, unfolds in an unexpected way, that would take the readers by surprise and yet be able to strike a chord somewhere with them. All the stories have an emotional connect yet the element of surprise is revealed towards the end. For some readers, it could be a catharsis, few might anticipate going through the emotional encounters that are exhibited in the narratives, while many, perhaps, might be able to recall having witnessed someone else go through the turmoil that the characters seem to experience. The essence of the stories lies in its simplicity and the ability to connect to a wide spectrum of audience.

Synopsis of the book:
The first story, 'Chhoti Phoolwaali', is about a young girl who sells flowers at Mumbai's popular traffic signal and has one persistent admirer, whose presence in her life changes the entire equation between her and her mother and how her innocence, in the process, either gets lost or possibly is stolen away. The story has various twists making the readers think in several directions but the consequences, perhaps, will astound them.

The second story, 'True love', exhibits love that exists between two living beings, not necessarily humans. How the love between them is an epitome of commitment and trust, and to what extent does this love take them and what deeds does it make them commit, that their destinies are changed forever.

The third story, 'The Royal Link', is a unique story, not only plot per se but also in terms of the relationship established here between a king and his barber. Their association unspoken in words says a lot about their lives and the destinies they choose for themselves. One of those plots where the readers' expectations meet unexpected consequences.

The fourth story, 'Best Friend', is a story about an eight-year-old Sameer and his best friend. Everyone, including Sameer's parents, has a problem with this association. No one seems to like or acknowledge his closest pal. This could be like any other regular story about two best friends except here Sameer's best friend is God!

The fifth story, 'Priceless Letter', is a distinctive narrative of a letter written by a young woman to her 'about to be born' or perhaps 'about to be killed baby'. What comes across, as a surprise is that this young woman is like any other ordinary woman but what makes her extraordinary is her profession. She is a prostitute. The story elucidates the emotional turmoil that she goes through along with a shocking revelation of what the future holds for both her and her baby.

The sixth story, 'Soulmates', establishes a distinct relationship between a 73-year-old Inderjeet and a 14-year-old Kavya. How their relationship transcends beyond a blood relation and eventually becomes one. The story illustrates how a relationship, that man chooses himself, becomes so strong, that he then empowers himself with the ability to write his own destiny.

The seventh story, 'A Victorious Loss', is about a rich brat Sabina. A girl, who has a mind of her own, and a lineage of wealth to support all her whims and fancies, the latest one of participating and winning a marathon. The story acquaints us with the ways and methods adopted by this pampered girl to win the race. Slowly as the story unfolds readers will find themselves witnessing something that they possibly could have never predicted.

The eighth story, 'Mysterious Killings', is set up with Mudhumalai forest as a backdrop. It tells us about some mysterious killings that are being reported in that forest. A team from National Geographic comes to this forest to make a documentary on the same, along with providing assistance to the investigation team. What comes across shocking is not just the identity of the slayer but also the motive behind which the assassinations were being executed.

The ninth story, 'Fortunate', has the backdrop of a regular day boarding school with its set of customary bullies and the ones being tormented. Here we have two boys, their relationship, which, throughout their growing years remains the same, of one being the bully, and of other being the chosen sufferer. But then something happens, something so unexpected, something so tragic that it changes their destinies for them forever but yet their roles remain the same.

The tenth story, 'Love Story', is based on the hypocrite, educated and secular society that claims to be liberated and much open about the Hindu-Muslim issue but their actions somehow speak some other truth. This story tells us how a love story survives after being killed or perhaps slaughtered even before it flourishes. This, again readers get to find this out towards the end.

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Shaken cocktails less potent

Shaken cocktails less potent (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

The shaken not stirred debate about martinis has been made famous by James Bond, but now you can find out whether a shaken cocktail will make get you more drunk than a stirred one.

The site Gizmodo conducted an experiment to find out the answer to the perennial shaken vs stirred question.

They created cocktails with precise measurements of ingredients, for eg, 14 identical ice cubes from the same tray, each made using exactly 25 grams of water, and 70 grams of vodka with 40 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV). The temperature was also kept at an exact 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

To calculate the contents of the shaken and stirred samples, a digital scale was used to measure how much water weight the solution gained, and a distilling hydrometer called a Proof and Tralle Hydrometer was used to measure proof.

The results for the two drinks were measured on the basis of temperature, weight and measurement of water content by the hydrometer.

The temperature of the shaken drink was found to be 29 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the stirred cocktail measured only 38.1 degrees. The two drinks were then weighed.

Both the solutions had started with 70 grams of vodka, but the stirred solution was found to weigh 86 grams, due to the water gained by melting ice.

However, the shaken solution weighed 116 grams, gaining 46 grams from the amount of water knocked off from the ice cubes while shaking.

Once both solutions had reached a temperature of exactly 72.4 degrees Fahrenheit, they were tested with a hydrometer.

The stirred drink had dropped down from 80 proof to 60, meaning it had a final 30 percent ABV.

The shaken drink measured between 45 and 46 proof on the hydrometer, which means it had an ABV of around 23 per cent.

Shaking just ice and alcohol had cut the spirit's potency nearly in half, diluting the drink 1.75 times more than stirring did.

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