Ten things man wants in a woman

Are you a single woman who has kissed umpteen toads but not yet landed the Prince? Or are you just holding on to something that was never meant to be? If you want to know what makes a man fall for a woman and willing to walk her down the aisle, read on...

1. A woman with her own life: Ladies, please note that he doesn't want someone clingy. If you are one person who has her own set of friends and can hang out by yourself, you are closer to hitting the jackpot.

2. No first move: OK, so is it ladies first or do men get be gentlemen and ask the lady out? The guy likes a woman who never makes the first move. He wants to decide how he's going to woo you serenade you - so be a lady and let him!

3. Love's in the air: Does your heart beat faster when you see him? Does his voice make you want to see him? While some may experience these, others may feel a sense of comfort and security when with him. This makes for a good foundation to take the relation ship.

4. Show you care: Someone said don't sweat the small stuff. But in a new relationship you definitely need to! Doing little things to show to him that you care will make his heart grow fonder.

5. Sexy yes, slutty no: Don't indulge in PDA right off the bat - you are likely to scare him off! Men like to take it slow and prefer being nonsexual but flirty in the initial stages of the relationship.

6. Wait for sex: Don't jump into bed on your first date. Sex can effectively ruin what could otherwise be a beautiful relationship. Both of you may end up having very little in common other than sex. So wait a while before you seal the deal.

7. No-nonsense: A man wants a woman he can respect. If he knows he can't get away with anything, he's likely not to go down that path. Also, don't date a guy who is seeing other women, married or abusive - they are just not worth it.

8. Be his buddy: Make him feel good in front of his friends and important people. Don't laugh at him but with him.

9. Lay off: If you are the kind who will call, text and mail your man umpteen times a day, rest assured he will run out the door in a jiffy. Don't badger him, especially about the future. Take it as it comes and things will just fall in place!

10. Good attracts good: If he is well-mannered and gentlemanly, then you have scored a 100! As dating experts say, "Good manners are a sign of what kind of man he is." Ensure that you have similar values and he's dependable and truthful.

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6 new age marriage fundas

With changing times, advice on how to make things work in your marital life has also changed. Brush up on them

How long did it take you to realise that a happy marriage is not a walk in the park? Well, before you start experimenting with the traditional recipes for a happily ever-after, remember this: Old rules need not necessarily work for modern marriages. In fact, it's better to rewrite some of them. Here are some new-age fundas to make your marital life stress-free.

Sleep over your issues
You have always been told to sort out your issues before you call it a night. But now, relationship experts say it's better to re-think and take your time before you end an argument. This gives you and your spouse the time to reconsider the problem.

It's alright to holiday apart
Unless you're on your honeymoon, there's no reason to travel together all the time. There could be places that you are keen to visit, but doesn't interest your partner and vice-versa. In such situations, it would be better to holiday with your friends.

Keep an account
A recent report says many couples prefer to maintain separate bank accounts instead of the traditional joint ones. This does not mean that you don't trust your partner, it's just a way of ensuring control over your finances. And yes, it is a blessing for those with an independent streak.

Spouse needn't be shopping buddy
It's common for women to complain that their husbands refuse to shop with them. On the other hand, men hate the long hours their wives spend at malls while shopping. It's always better to shop with people who enjoy it. If not your spouse, tag along some gal pals the next time you are in a mood to splurge. While most couples have a set of common friends, it isn't necessary to abandon those you've known before marriage. On the contrary, having different sets of friends will give both of you some space in the relationship.

Don't expect her to cook/clean everyday
Men must understand that their wives work as hard as they do. It's impractical to expect your wife to do all household chores. Don't expect her to be happy about toiling away in the kitchen while you lounge on the sofa, watching a match. If you want home-cooked food, help her out in the kitchen.

It's healthy to have some 'me time'
Don't feel guilty if you feel the need to spend time by yourself. Doing things for yourself doesn't mean that you are ignoring your relationship. In fact, by doing this you will be happier in your relationship. Also, keep the same in mind when it comes to your spouse.

(Compiled by Harshada Rege)

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Newlyweds’ guide to doing up home

His was a clumsy bachelor pad and hers a girly den before the two got married and moved into their romantic nest.

Looking simply at the bare walls and empty spaces of a house can be quite intimidating for a newlywed who has before them the trying task of creating a home, and then sharing it with each other.

Even if nothing like a sprawling Beverly Hills condo, you would still want yours to be homey and aesthetic with a reflection of your personality. But most couples undermine the beauty of the experience of doing up the house together, and in the process discovering a lesser-known side of one another. Contrary to popular perception, home decor doesn't necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg, even for a honeymoon-return couple who wish to create for themselves a haven of romance. By giving flight to your imagination and a dint of creativity, you can do wonders with your small space despite the budget.

But remember patience with each other is paramount in this phase as you are bound to have one too many disagreements, and might end up discarding potential home decor pieces from the old attic. We try to make your time setting up the house less harrowing by getting interior design duo Sumessh Menon and Vivek Popli of Trikaya Interiors along with Shivika Bhasin of German kitchen and home furnishing brands Hacker, Hulsta and Rolf Benz, to share their impressions.

Living room:
It wouldn't be inappropriate to say that the living area is the heart and soul of the house. You host your guests in that space, you often sit down to breakfast there or simply lie around reading on a weekend. And so, the choice of furniture among other items of decor such as paintings, lamps, and vases, becomes vital in deciding the personality of the house. Go for contemporary straight line furniture as it makes the room look serene post wedding celebrations. Wicker furniture is another great idea and is quite popular in the West too for their chic designs and affordability. You can get them designed and coloured to your liking and toss bright cushions on them. Espresso brown, wine red and white are the classic shades in wicker. Shivika insists on sprucing it up with contrasting colour cushions in heart shape and keeping the contours of the couches soft to give a sensuous, romantic feel to the living area. For a sense of dimension, introduce a conversation piece chair, suggests Sumessh Menon, in a colour that stands out from the rest of the furniture.

Dining area:
The world is going minimalistic in a big way over home decor. In keeping with the trend, and not to mention the occupancy of the house, a couple should go for a dining table comprising two chairs and a bench. "This is a very creative way to break the monotony, and make optimal utilisation of space," feels Sumessh. To give your space a rustic look, you can even do up the wall facing the dining table with brick tiles, and hang a few lanterns or a beautiful coloured glass lamp. A creative wall notwithstanding, lighting gone wrong can mar the effect of a tastefully done up interior. Aside from pedestrian lamps, the dining area should also have the option of dimmers, mood lighting or indirect cove lighting. Spread a pretty cutwork tablecloth and table runner for an elegant look. To enhance it, you can place a glass bowl of rose petals and candles in the center of the dining table. "Keeping fresh fruits in a crystal bowl is another way out," Shivika adds.

Lobby:
You can lay out your coffee table in the lobby area which is otherwise used only as an access path to adjoining rooms. For a chic look, pick a low coffee table with low stools. It makes sense to stack some books, a scrabble, some stationary and a coffee mug on the table to make this part of the house look in-use. The coffee table, however, need not match with the other furniture bits in the house. More creative ones can get logs of wood converted into coffee table and stools with help from a carpenter. If you have more room, why not spread out a rug and throw in some blingy, over-the-top cushions. Pottery lovers can scatter terracotta vases that come in interesting shapes, or as Sumessh would prefer, different sizes of aquamarine pottery clustered together in a corner to lend your home a soothing Mediterranean feel.

Bedroom:
Our experts advice, "Let the woman have her choice of colours splashed on the wall." Post wedding women in particular are very possessive about their bedrooms and would rather do it up their way. So, she can have her pinks and fuchsias on the walls, and maybe you can convince her to leave a wall vacant for a nice wallpaper. Create a collage of wedding and honeymoon photographs and hang it on an empty wall in the bedroom or the anti-lobby leading to the bedroom. Television is a must in this room, and never the living room like many do. Make sure the bed is placed against the dead wall, and no where close to a window. But ensure you have a multi-purpose bed with pull-out breakfast consoles, mobile ancillary tables for morning tea. The dressing table can be lightweight with spacious drawers to stock cosmetics. Use wooden blinds, bamboo chicks for an aesthetic look; or go all out with sheer curtains along with the main one. The latest doing the rounds in home interiors is a walk-in wardrobe, and every newly married girl dreams of owning one. Shares Sumessh, "Walk-in wardrobes are not a far-fetched idea even in a small setup. You can always convert the lobby connecting the kitchen with the living room into a walk-in closet."

Kitchen:
Modular kitchens, says Shivika, come with an option to change the fronts anytime. Place the crockery in tall cabinets lit up with LED and illuminated shelves. Use wall hung cabinets for the light crockery pieces, add a corkboard to hang pots and pans, and make use of inbuilt appliances to organise your kitchen better.

Private den:
Creating a 'me time' space in the house is an absolute mandate. Your love for music, books, art should find manifestation in this little area which is your den. You can place a reclining chair here, put up frames of your favourite musicians on the wall, keep a book shelf, a small television if you please, and a rack for your collection of CDs. Men can store their gadgets, the old guitar, old music albums and what have you. If there is paucity of space, you can consider dividing the room with screens.

Essential accessorising tips:
- Put up paintings that have a lot of colours, and not dark, brooding ones
- Dedicate a shelf in the living room to antique picture frames. It makes for a wonderful reference point, however, hold back from overdoing it as repeatedly running into old pictures can make you claustrophobic over a period of time.
- The furniture should be placed in a way that you don't create an awkward space in the room
- Place aroma candles on the sideboards/dressers of your bedroom to create a romantic ambience. You can go for pleasant scents such as lavender, pumpkin pie, jasmine, vanilla and rose to name a few.
- Paint the living area walls in shades of cappuccino, mustard or olive green, while keeping one wall as a dark wall
- Create benches under the window that are actually storage, and avoid cluttering up floor space

Break conventions, accommodate, experiment with colours, patterns, designs, and you'll see what a beautiful home you have created for the both of you.

anwesha.mittra@indiatimes.co.in

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Interest in goals crucial to workplace success

Researchers have said that maintaining an interest in the goals you pursue can improve your work and reduce burnout.

Paul O'Keefe, who conducted the studies as a doctoral student in Duke University's Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, along with associate professor Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia, said their research shows that interest is important in the process of pursuing goals. It allows us to perform at high levels without wearing out.

The studies suggest that if people experience activities as both enjoyable and personally significant - two important components of interest - their chance of success increases.

In the first study, 153 Duke undergraduate students worked on a set of word puzzles. They were asked to report how enjoyable they thought the task would be before they began working on it. Then they worked on the puzzles, which were described as either being personally valuable (value condition) or of neutral value (control condition). Those who reported high anticipated enjoyment and who were in the condition framed as important performed the best.

Co-author Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia, who is now a faculty member at Michigan State University, said they didn't perform better simply because their interest drove them to work longer. Instead, their engagement was highly efficient. In other words, they were 'in the zone,' as athletes say.

The researchers then wanted to see if this increased performance would come at the cost of wearing out, or if interest would help maintain mental resources. Using a similar procedure to the first study, they assessed participants' anticipated enjoyment of the task as well as their value for it. After working on the word puzzles, an experimenter timed how long they were able to keep a spring-loaded hand grip squeezed -- the kind used for exercise.

The studies has been published online in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

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Match-making of foods important in summer

Do meat and carbs make a good pair? Experts tell you how to match-make your foods for health

Calories are not the only element that you should watch out for when putting your favourite food item in your mouth. The chemical breakdown of different foods in the body differs and your health (even weight gain and loss) depends on the precarious balance. Clinical nutritionist Dr Nupur Krishnan says certain food combinations, when consumed together, conflict with the digestive metabolism and alter absorption of nutrients. The resulting indigestion, adds macrobiotic nutritionist Shonali Sabherwal, could cause, "Allergies, migraine, skin disorders, irritable bowel disorder, urinary tract infections, mental fuzziness, chronic fatigue and eventually different cancers as well." Fortunately, the science of getting it right is simple.

The pH test
All foods can be categorised as either alkaline or acidic. Alkaline forming foods include most fruits, green vegetables, peas, beans, lentils, spices, herbs and seasonings, seeds and nuts, while acid forming foods include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, grains, and legumes. And your diet can be moulded according to your needs, says Dr Krishnan. For instance, if all you want is to maintain your health's status quo, your diet should consist of 60 per cent alkaline forming foods and 40 per cent acid forming foods. "If you have been unwell you need to alter the alkaline to acidic ratio to 80:20," she adds.

Protein pairs
Sabherwal says, "The stomach produces hydrocloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin while trying to digest animal protein from meats and eggs. Starchy foods such as potato, white rice or bread, lead to the production of the ptyalin enzyme and result in an alkaline condition." When proteins and starch are consumed together, the resultant acidic and alkaline conditions neutralize each other, effectively stopping all digestion.

So never combine a protein dish with a starchy dish. Meat, fish or eggs should not be eaten with rice, bread or potatoes. However, protein can be eaten with simple carbs such as brown rice or millets, or non-starchy vegetables.

Animal protein takes longer to digest than grains. So, you should keep a three-hour gap between a grain-based and protein meal of animal foods, advises Sabherwal.

Concentrated proteins (red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, cheese, yoghurt and beans) must be eaten in small amounts. Ghee must not be used to roast meat as it is fat on fat. To aid digestion, green veggies should be combined with protein as they have a higher fibre content and help the liver metabolise the protein — fish with stir-fried or sauteed greens works. Dal and meat should also not be combined as the body can process only one form of protein at a time.

All greens not equal
It's okay to mix whole grains and starchy vegetables with non-starchy vegetables (cabbage, tomatoes, spinach). Grains assimilate better when eaten with vegetables low in starch. Fruits, say experts, must be considered a meal unto their own and must be eaten on an empty stomach. Dr Krishnan says fruits contain fibre which takes longer to digest. "Eaten with or after a meal, they remain undigested for a longer time, preventing absorption of nutrients." Fruits and dairy aren't the best partners, says Sabherwal. "Dairy — milk, curd — creates an acidic reaction. Eating fruits, which get digested faster, along with dairy causes more gases to be released, increasing toxicity in the body." Ayurveda believes that when fruits are mixed with hot or warm milk, the milk turns into a curd-like substance which has characters neither of milk nor of curds and is tasteless and bad for health. "However, fruits can be mixed with cold or chilled milk as in fruit salad or milk shake, but must be consumed fresh. Kept for a while, this gets spoiled at room temperature. As the nature of our gastric secretions is acidic in nature; ultimately such combinations increase acidity," says Ayruveda practitioner Dr Anaya Pathrikar.

Check the Thali
Can the traditional Indian thali pass the muster? Sabherwal says yes. "The traditional Indian thali has vegetarian protein (dals) and rotis. This is fine if the rotis are made of whole wheat. Bringing rice into the equation will spoil it."

Ayurveda believes that foods with different tastes, if eaten in the right proportion, aid digestion and nutrient absorption. Dr Pathrikar adds, "The traditional Indian thali comprises five tastes — sweet, sour, salty, spicy and bitter. This is the ideal combination. The percentage of all these rasas (tastes) should not be the same. Sour foods stimulate secretion of ptylin and other digestive juices. So, it should be taken at the start of the meal and in a small quantity. Dal, rice, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and one teaspoon of pure ghee, is the ideal combination."

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How to maintain a library at home

For a bibliophile, parting away with books is one tough proposition. A well stocked and a well arranged library of books makes sense in this case.

Mark a room as reading room
The reading room will not only have a library which will house all those precious books in the shelves, but will give a very scholarly and erudite feeling to the entire house. So mark one room and work on the interiors of the room accordingly. Your library room should have a beautiful table lamp, a very nice study table and a pen stand, a socket to connect your desktop or tablet to wi fi connection.

Plan the shelves
Apart from arranging the books in alphabetical order think about things like in priority of which books you frequently read and what genre or authors interest you the most etc. This will make you recollect about where a particular book is placed. Also, this will let you arrange shelves in order.

Make it well ventilated
Ventilation is very important, both for the reader as well the books. Allow enough light to enter the library in the day time. Arrange lights so that there is enough light in the room since shelves might block more light than the usual empty walls.

Periodically clean the shelves
If not cleaned, books may gather dust. This is not healthy for books only. Avoid keeping too many dog eared books in your library. They would take away the charm from the well arranged library.

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4 books every vampire fan should read

Fang fiction has become quite popular in the last decade. Most of us have read, or heard about the Twilight series and The Vampire Diaries, or watched them after they were turned into super-successful movie and TV series. But if you want to get some real chills, go for these lesser-known, but brilliantly-written books.

Salem's Lot
The second book by the 'Master of Horror' Stephen King is old-school, yet unputdownable. This emotionally-terrifying novel is about a writer named Ben Mears, who returns to his hometown to write about the terrifying experiences he had in an old house as a child. But things only get darker with the owner of the house arriving at the same time as Mears.

Let the Right One In
Lat den ratte komma in or Let The Right One In by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, was also translated into celluloid. But nothing gives you the chills like the pages of the book about a bullied boy and a mysterious girl his age, whom he befriends. It's gory, shocking, a social essay in isolation and vampire horror, all at the same time.

The Vampire Tapestry
Suzy McKee Charnas' brilliant book is one of the most intriguing and provocative novels in fang fiction. The story is about Dr Edward Weyland, an anthropology professor, who believes bloodlust is more a biological need than a supernatural ability! This book is important because Charnas was among the first writers to present vampires as natural members of another humanoid species.

Queen of Kings
This is Maria Dahvana Headley's reimagining of the story of the most famous woman in history, Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. Through magic, she turns into a shape-changing, vampiric avatar of revenge, because of a botched spell summoning the destructive goddess, Sekhmet. This was the first attempt to look at Cleopatra as an immortal queen.

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How to sport a scarf this summer

The weather's been testing your boiling point, right? Not cool. You know what's cool? The scarf. The plain old scarf. Take a cue...

The temperature has risen to 40°C. That's five degrees above normal. But wait. It's not only the heat wave that's to be blamed. What with election fever and, not to forget, the exam fever, looming large on the city, it must be getting increasingly tough to keep your cool. Also, don't kill the messenger, but the met department has warned that the mercury is steadily on the rise and the nor'westers are nowhere in sight. Enter, the scarf — that boring piece of fabric your mum keeps insisting on, every time you step out in the sun. Then again, we also understand your need to look hawt, even when the weather is pretty much getting the job done. So here's presenting seven cool scarf-wrapping styles to help you chill and give a stiff competition to the sun. After all, a girl's got to keep clicking those selfies — you know, of the first vote, the aced exam, the iced candies and stuff...

The butterfly effect
1. Take a narrow scarf and wrap it around your neck.
2. Tie a shoelace bow. You can either tie it close to your neck, at the left, or wear the whole thing like a necklace, hanging loose from your neck with the bow on the left.
3. Fluff bow ends and adjust to your preference.
4. Let the tails hang, or you can even try using them to make the bow fluffier.

A p(l)easant sight
1. Take a medium length scarf and fold it diagonally, in a triangle.
2. Fold the triangle a couple of times over to make it long and of a desirable breadth.
3. Wrap it around your head.
4. Tie a butterfly knot at the side of your head.

This side of paradise
1. Gather your hair in a loose side pony or bring all your hair to one side and let it hang loose.
2. Take a long narrow scarf, fold it to suit your preference and wrap it to cover your entire head. Tie a single knot hidden beneath your hair or around the pony.
3. Make a simple braid with the two loose ends and the loose hair.
4. You can also crisscross the two ends along the length of you hair and tie at the end.

Biker chic
1. Take a large scarf and fold in half along the length.
2. Position the middle on your face, covering up to your nose and tie it at the back of your head.
3. Take one end of the scarf and wrap it around your head, encircling your hair, tied in a high pony or bun. Tuck it at the back.
4. Let the other end hang.

A twin trick
1. Wrap a dark-hued narrow scarf around your neck and tie a knot on the left. Leave the two ends hanging.
2. Take another big scarf of a lighter shade and cover your head with it.
3. Take the right end, wrap it around the neck once, going over the loose left end and tuck it or let it loose over your right shoulder.
4. Make a braid or a twister out of the left end and the two ends of the other scarf.

The tagorean twist
1. Wring your scarf along the length until it is taut and resembles a thick rope.
2. Take one end of the rope and wrap it around itself in a spiral motion to create a rosette.
3.Secure the rosette somewhere along your neckline.
4. Take the other end and pull it up in a loose half-loop, wrapping it around a bun.

La Bella Rosa
1. Wring a long scarf along the length until it is taut and resembles a thick rope.
2. Take one end of the rope and wrap it around itself in a spiral motion to create a rosette.
3. Secure the rosette along your neckline with a pin.
4. Take the other end around your neck and either wrap it around your hand or throw it casually over the other shoulder.

(Compiled by Sromona Mukherjee and Sreemati Mukherjee
Models: Merissa Cowell, Rituparna Chakraborty)

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5 home decorating styles

Here are some of the common home decorating styles and what they entail

Traditional
In this style, the user goes for a look that's classic, elegant and formal. One will find a lot of traditional styled decor and furniture — dark polished woods, curves, carvings and rich colours in use.

Rustic
This kind of decor entails a very simplistic and unsophisticated look. Here one would find roughly finished furniture randomly placed without great emphasis on aesthetic arrangement.

Contemporary
This is all about the keeping with the times — a modern day look. Clean lines, simple contours and the usage of bold colours are the USP of this style. The trendy decor materials used range from glass and leather to slate and metal.

Eclectic
This is an innovative style of decorating your space by yourself, just as you like it. Various pieces of furniture, accessories and colour, not necessarily matching, are combined as per individual choice. Inspiration can be drawn from any source, the sky is the limit.

Country
This style is all about being sunny, casual and warm. Reminiscent of a country cottage, here a lot of bright colours and floral prints are used for the decor. The look is kept simple yet inviting and the furniture, not too sophisticated.

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How often should you eat?

Three meals a day or eight? TOI speaks to experts who seem to have contrary opinions.

In our race to be the biggest loser, most of us go after different diets. The trusted and age-old three-meals-a-day concept works for some, while others swear by the new-age eight-meals-a-day. Most of us have been brought up on the notion that having untimely in-between meal snacks, is one of the major causes of weight gain. Of late, however, a number of trainers, nutritionists and dieticians have come up with the 'six-to-eight-meals-a-day' plan. And many Bollywood actors and actresses claim that following such diets have made them the biggest losers. They believe that in-between snacks help them stay slim and this regular intake also boosts metabolism. However, there are health gurus and trainers who believe that eating too many meals may just work against you and increase your weight. Read on to find out what the experts have to say...

Eat six to eight meals a day

Eat to burn! This can be one of the easiest and most reliable ways to ensure fat loss. Digestion itself is a calorie-burning activity. For every calorie you ingest, your body uses some to burn what you are eating. The question is, how do you make this wonderful feature of your body work for you? This is the essential principle behind the practice of frequent eating where eating at shorter intervals (six to eight meals a day or more!) enables your body to use more calories to aid digestion. When you constantly provide fuel to your body, it means you are also tickling your body to work. Keep working, keep burning. This is called the thermogenic effect of food and it is not only an incredibly smart way of losing weight, it also helps you increase your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate).

I like to call this the Internal Workout — because by continually making it work for digestion, you're giving your body a workout. And while you may not be able to see the furious digestive activity going on in your body at any point in time, trust me, your body is working way harder than if you eat at longer intervals (three-to-four meals a day).

- says Pooja Makhija, Consulting Nutritionist and Clinical Dietitian

More meals means less stored fat

Eating six to eight meals a day rather than three, is better because it boosts metabolism, controls blood sugar levels and helps in weight management.

Consuming three meals increases the likelihood that one will start an exercise regime with a low blood sugar level. For instance, if we eat lunch around noon, generally our second meal of the day, we would not have much energy for an optimal, calorie-burning workout in the evening.

On the other hand, if we follow a six-meal-a-day plan and have a small meal around noon and another meal around 3 pm, our blood sugar level would be more stable, providing us with more energy for our workout. Cortisol, a hormone, breaks down body fat. However, if we eat a large, high-calorie meal, cortisol is produced in large quantities, but transports the fat from under the skin to deep within the abdominal cavity. This increases the risk of chronic diseases including abdominal obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Incorporating a six-meal-a-day plan into one's routine decreases the magnitude of cortisol production.

Eating within 30 minutes of every exercise session enables our muscles to maximally replenish the glucose we used during the workout. Consuming another meal two hours after the post-workout meal further enhances post-exercise recovery and replenishment.

Eating every three-to-four hours can ward off hunger and prevent binges that lead to weight gain. It also maintains metabolism and can help regulate proper digestion to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.

When people consume the same number of calories in one single daily meal rather than three, they show significant increase in blood pressure, total cholesterol levels and levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol.

Eight meals increase our energy levels, accelerate muscle growth, and speed up our metabolism without storing fat. In fact, frequent eating will actually allow us to eat up to 50 per cent more calories without storing an ounce of it as fat.

- says Dr Shikha Sharma, MBBS Doctor and Wellness Expert

Follow your hunger, don't eat mechanically

It is very important to understand the circadian rhythm of the body. As per our ancient science, Ayurveda, it is all about appropriate time for appropriate food in appropriate quantity.

It is also important to understand that the body needs time to utilise the fuels released from our food. Our body has its own natural rhythm which is as follows:

- 12 pm to 8 pm is the ideal period for human digestive capability. So, most nutrients must be consumed at this time.

- 8 pm to 4 am is assimilation time, where the body begins to slow down.

- 4 am to 12 pm is elimination time/detox time, if you are following a proper and disciplined lifestyle.

The body's digestive process slows down after sunset as the energy on that side of the earth is ebbing. So, all the food eaten post sunset becomes difficult to digest. The later you eat, you must make sure to choose your food sensibly.

The thumb rule of eating small meals six to seven times a day, which occidental science suggests is rooted only in the shallow system of addressing the BMR / calorie counting.

Even the book Fit For Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond suggests the vedic principles of food discipline.

Always remember, to never eat by the rule of the thumb. Go by the bio-feedback and follow your hunger needs. Hunger is the need of the body, and appetite for more meals, is the greed of the body. Eating mechanically should never be the case. Eat with awareness as you are not only consuming cosmic energy but cosmic intelligence too.

- says Mickey Mehta, Holistic Health Guru

Our body was always accustomed to being fed at regular intervals

There is this common perception that I have come up with this radical idea of multiple meals a day. But most of us, apart from the three main meals, have always eaten in between, just that we never thought of those as "meals", a terminology of the new age nutrition. By default, the body was and is accustomed to being fed at regular intervals as evident in newborn babies who need to be fed constantly. At the basic physiological level, this ensures a steady level of blood sugar in our body and sends a signal that 'all is well' and it can continue with its regular processes. On the other hand, not eating for long hours sends the body into a state of panic and it reacts by converting food into fat for any eventuality (read — scarcity of food).

The act of eating often during the day can only happen when communication is established with the stomach, the biggest diet guru on earth. This process is facilitated by the four principles of eating right.

Eating as soon as we are awake kickstarts our metabolic rate and signals our bodies that our nightly fast is broken. Tea, coffee, or any other stimulant, does the exact opposite by suppressing the signals of hunger.

Eating at regular intervals post this reassures our bodies that nourishment is readily available and that it no longer has to convert every meal into future fuel i.e. fat.

Eating more when we are more active and less when less active will happen naturally once we are in tune with our appetite. Everybody is unique so we can't standardise the number of meals a day. For most of us there is the call of hunger every two-three hours. It is up to us whether we want to listen to it or ignore it.

Of course, as all good things come to an end, eating the last meal of the day a few hours prior to bedtime allows our body to digest and assimilate all the nutrients it needs before focusing on its essential function of recovery during our sleep. If the last meal is too heavy or eaten too close to bedtime, the body will be unable to carry out its recovery and thus will leave us feeling uncomfortable the next day.
- says Rujuta Diwekar Celebrity nutritionist and author

'Breakfast kickstarts your metabolism' is utter nonsense

London-based personal trainer Venice A Fulton negates the notion of six-to-eight meals a day and says that one should only eat three good meals a day and no in-between snacks. In his book Six weeks to OMG: Get Skinnier Than All Your Friends. Venice (real name Paul Khanna), claims he can help you lose upto around 10 kgs in six weeks. Venice states that the belief — "each time we eat we boost our metabolism and our chances of losing weight' — is wrong and just wishful thinking". He adds that our snacks have become meals and we eat more than we realise during the in-between-meal times. There is no point in eating six or more times a day because just sticking to three meals also controls our appetite as it releases leptin (a chemical that tells our brain we are full). Venice says in an interview on a video-sharing website, "The belief 'breakfast kickstarts you metabolism' is utter nonsense", and goes on to state that metabolism begins the moment you wake up. A cold bath or shower in the morning helps burn calories too.
- says Venice A Fulton, Personal Trainer and author

Why no more than three meals

- You will end up in the toilet more often.

- You will be fatter because your in-between snacks may be much bigger.

- All that food will make you visit your dentist more often!

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5 Teas that make you slim!

The brew that energises can also help you lose weight. Here's how...

It's widely known that just one cup of tea can prevent strokes, arthritis, tooth decay and even keep cancer at bay. While it's regarded as nature's tranquiliser for its soothing properties, the brew also has another great benefit - it helps shed weight. Scientists have shown that tea has high levels of compounds that battle the absorption of fat.

Here are 5 teas that can result in a slimmer you...

Star anise tea: promotes digestion
Star anise, the fruit of a small evergreen tree (Illicium verum) native to China, can be used in the treatment of digestive troubles such an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea etc. One may drink a tea made from it by steeping a whole pod in one cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain this and sweeten it if required. Sip on this slowly when an upset stomach occurs.

Peppermint tea: controls what you eat
If you like peppermint tea then try and rotate that with a green tea drink as both speed up digestion and thus help you burn more calories. The peppermint leaves can be used to make a light, refreshing tea, which can be drunk either hot or chilled. To prepare the tea, take a tablespoon of fresh or dried leaves and add them to boiling water and let it steep for four to five minutes. Strain and add honey, if needed.

Green tea: builds metabolism
Research says the chemical EGCG found in green tea that speeds up the body's metabolism, is responsible for helping people lose the kilos - it can burn a whopping 70 calories a day! Green tea also raises the level of antioxidants. It's believed the antioxidant catechins in green tea boost metabolism and helps burn fat (can burn a whopping 70 calories a day!) Steeping time for the tea: two to three minutes at 85 Degrees Celsius.

Rose tea: prevents constipation
One of the oldest flavouring teas available, rose tea - made by mixing fresh roses and the bud of the tea - has a major therapeutic effect on the human body. Apart from clearing toxins and beautifying the skin, rose tea contains vitamins A, B3, C, D and E and is known to act against infections. It also prevents constipation and helps one lose weight.

Oolong tea: guards against obesity
Research reveals that oolong, a semi-fermented tea may have a stronger effect than even green tea. It promotes fat burning is said to help reduce cholesterol and the concentration of fat in the body. About two cups per day is recommended. Steep oolong tea anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes, for a more full-bodied cup.

ismat.tahseen@timesgroup.com

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Erotically charge your bedroom with Feng Shui

Here are some of the basic ways to erotically charge your bedroom with sex positive energy by using the guidelines of feng shui.

First of all remove all clutter so positive energy can flow throughout the room. Clutter blocks the flow of ch'i. You should also remove anything reminding you of past lovers. Photos, love letters, presents and gifts, anything that reminds you of the past should be removed. You might want to go as far as getting new bedding and even a new mattress, especially if you shared you current one with a long term love who is no longer part of your life.

Get rid of items associated with loneliness. You should not have just one of an item, not one flower in a vase, or one single photograph or one painting and definitely not one night stand. Everything should be arranged in pairs to symbolize a union. Have two candles on a dresser, two paintings on a wall, two end tables, etc. You should also avoid paintings or photos depicting one thing.

Pointy items should be avoided; they produce too much yang (male) energy. Replace pointy items with softer items representing natural curves.

Plants, whether they are living, dried, or artificial should be avoided in the bedroom.

Water is prohibited in the bedroom according to feng shui. It clashes with the fire element, the element of passion. Avoid having any water features such as fountains or fish tanks in the bedroom, also avoid any photos, painting or sculptures depicting water scenes such as waterfalls, rivers, lakes, streams, etc. Water in the bedroom can lead to financial loss and loss in a relationship.

Try to keep computers and televisions out of the bedroom. If you can not keep them out of the bedroom try to hide them in a cabinet or armoire that has doors that can be shut at night or cover the television and computer monitors with screens or thick cloth at night to block the yang energy that they emit. The bedroom should be full of yin energy, not yang.

Feng shui says the bed should be placed diagonally opposite to the entrance door. You should be able to see the door but not be in front of it. Do not sleep with your head toward the door. Have your headboard against a sturdy wall and your bed up off the floor with nothing underneath it to impede the flow of energy. Do not sleep next to a window because feng shui concepts say it disturbs the energies around you. You should also avoid having a mirror directly facing the bed. The mirror should not reflect the bed.

You should not be able to view your bathroom from your bed. Bathrooms should be screened or the door should remain closed. Feng shui principles suggest bathroom plumbing drains energy.

Keep all exercise equipment out of the bedroom. According to feng shui the bedroom is not the place for the excitement and flow of yang energy used during exercise.

Feng shui places a lot of emphasis on colour selection and use. Stay away from cool colors in the bedroom such as blues, grays, whites, and blacks. Warm colors are best for the bedroom such as browns, beiges, reds, apricots and yellows. Red, the colour of love and passion, is best for sexual energy. Yellow is also another very good colour for the bedroom because it symbolizes communication.

Women should avoid filling the bed with lacy pillows, dolls, and stuffed animals. The bed should be comfortable but uncomplicated.

Feng shui suggests including materials derived from animals such as fur, leather, and wool. Do not use polyester or other synthetics. For your bedding you should use natural cotton or silk.

For an erotic bedroom incorporate the fire element of feng shui by using candles and oil lamps.

You can add passionate energy in your bedroom with objects and paintings in shades of red, pink, and garnet.

Feng shui principles suggest placing a red object on the female night stand to increase eroticism in the female partner. On the male's night stand place a tiny jar of copper scraps or something made of copper. Copper represents the male essence and enhances eroticism to its fullness.

To preserve sexual receptivity place a ruby or garnet on or hanging over the night stand. These stones are very energizing and powerful in attracting the opposite sex.

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Recipe: Badam Kulfi

A favourite dish during summers, this easy to make kulfi dish can make you go weak in your knees. A must try for ice cream lovers.

Ingredients:
220ml milk
100g condensed milk
A few saffron strands
30g sugar
10g corn flour
2 tbsp almonds, finely chopped

Method:

-In a small bowl mix the corn flour with 20ml milk and keep aside.
-In a deep pan combine the remaining milk and the condensed milk and bring to a boil. Once boiled let it simmer and add the saffron strands and the sugar, let it boil.
-Once boiled add the corn flour milk mixture and let it cook for five more minutes then remove from heat and add the almonds.
-Let it cool then pour into kulfi bowls or a deep dish and freeze overnight.

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How to make your arranged marriage work

Match, set, go... easier said than done. Here we list tips on ways to understand your partner better

They say marriages are made in heaven. But then, there are also those made here on earth. Though an arranged marriage may feel like a pre-historic concept, such matches are still prevalent in society. Whether you marry someone you've fallen in love with, or someone your parents have chosen, as a couple you are bound to go through some ups and downs. It's just that if it's an arranged marriage, it may take you a tad longer to understand the thought process of your partner. If you are about to enter into an arranged marriage, here are some pointers you need to keep in mind:

Pre-marital jitters
Pre-marital jitters are very common among couples who opt for an arranged marriage. And if you're experiencing them, ask yourself what is causing the anxiety. Among the most prominent reasons is the fear of sharing space and adjusting to a relatively unknown partner. Then, of course, is the fear of how to deal with a new family; how much you'd have to change your behaviour to adapt to their thoughts and habits.

The best way to overcome this problem is by interacting frequently with your partner. It will put you at ease with your partner and also improve the intimacy between the two of you.

Never complain
An arranged marriage means more responsibilities and expectations. Both partners are under pressure to make the marriage work. Your partner may not share all your likes and dislikes and his/her family may not follow the same values as yours. You may be constantly corrected about the way things are done in this house. Relax!

Adjustment is the name of the game. Have a frank talk with your partner, list out your anxieties and figure out a way to do things without antagonising your new family. In the initial days of your marriage, don't take rude remarks or the seemingly harsh moves of your partner too seriously. Also, don't adopt the tit for tat philosophy. Stay away from troublemakers and look for allies. Also, don't complain or sound whiny to your partner. Remember, he/she is just as confused and nervous as you are.

The magic of love
Love is that essential ingredient that can help both of you overcome hurdles. If love at first sight hasn't happened, don't worry. It may take time, but you will grow to love each other. Even if you're in love already, don't expect your partner to immediately reciprocate the feelings. Give him/her time and work on how you can earn his/her love. Be patient and don't get frustrated every time your partner says or does something wrong.

Remember, marriage is like a whirlpool which takes one from a carefree world to a world filled with commitment and sacrifice; a world with love as its backbone.

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In pics: 5 things your bachelor pad must have

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Having an enviable bachelor pad is a dream for most men. So once you have bought yourself a swanky home, you just need these few things to make your home the hang out zone. You need not spend big bucks, but just ensure these few things find their way into your home to make it perfect. (Thinkstock Photos/ Getty Images) 

5 Things your bachelor pad must have

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Coffee maker: If you love coffee, a coffee maker should be first on your list of must-haves. Investing in a high-quality espresso machine serves both your hosting and decorating needs, as no one can deny that it adds a kick to a bachelor's home. (Thinkstock Photos/ Getty Images) 

5 Things your bachelor pad must have

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Mini bar: You will score brownie points with all your guests if you have a well-stocked mini bar. If you don't have a bar, all is not lost. Get yourself a serving cart and keep it in the living room or den. On the cart, place a martini shaker, some martini glasses and shot glasses, a decanter, your favourite booze, and whatever else you would stock in your home bar. Even if you are not a drinker, stocking a few things for your guests will make you a great host. (Thinkstock Photos/ Getty Images) 

5 Things your bachelor pad must have

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Bean bags: This is one thing that has become synonymous with bachelor pads. They give the house a casual look. Plus they are comfortable and can be moved around the house as per your convenience. (Thinkstock Photos/ Getty Images) 

5 Things your bachelor pad must have

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A Flat screen television: Also a bachelor pad has to have some cool video games that your friends and you can bond over. A flat screen TV is for those nights when you and your buddies can enjoy a game of cricket or football together. (Thinkstock Photos/ Getty Images) 

5 Things your bachelor pad must have

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Minimalist furniture: Buy yourself furniture that has utility value, preferably furniture that can be modified. (Thinkstock Photos/ Getty Images) 

5 Things your bachelor pad must have

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Happy couples sleep only an inch apart

Do you cuddle your spouse or inch away from her to the other side of the bed in sleep? The position in which you sleep with your partner reveals a lot about the relationship strength.

Partners who sleep less than an inch apart are far more likely to be happy, research shows.

The happiest couples are those who sleep face to face while touching.

"Over 90 per cent of couples who spent the night in contact with one another were happy with their relationship, compared to just 68 per cent of those that did not touch," said Richard Wiseman, a psychology professor at University of Hertfordshire in Britain.

The study, involving 1,100 people, said that nearly 42 per cent of couples sleep back to back.

People who sleep very close to their partners are more likely to be extroverts.

The study also found that people who lie curled up are likely to be indecisive, anxious and sensitive to criticism.

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Recipe: Kuttu ki kadhi

A yoghurt and buckwheat flour curry with dumplings
Preparation time:20 mins
Cooking tome:30 mins
Serves:4

Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup Kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) - 2 cup Yoghurt - 1 large potato cut into small dices - 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera) - 2 green chilies finely chopped - Desi ghee (clarified butter) or groundnut oil to fry - 2 cup water - Rock salt (sendha namak ) to taste

Recipe Method:
Mix the potato dices with 1 cup kuttu ka atta and ½ tsp salt. Add 2 tbsp water and mix well to make pakoras (dumplings). Heat sufficient oil in a wok or kadhai to deep fry the dumplings. Put marble sized dumplings in the oil and deep fry till light golden.
Mix the yoghurt and ½ cup kuttu ka atta with 2 cup water and mix well.
Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Allow to splutter and add the chopped green chilies. Saute fot 1 minute and add the yoghurt mix. Bring to a boil stirring continuously. Reduce the flame and allow to simmer for 8-10 mins. Add the potato dumplings and simmer for 3-4 mins. Add salt to taste and serve garnished with coriander leaves.

Source: www.pankajbhadouria.com

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Say I love you without uttering a word

Try these gestures that show you care and why they're more meaningful to the guy in your life.

Complete attention
When the male brain sees you checking your iPhone during dinner, it interprets that as 'I'm not important. That's because men's brains evolved to do one thing at a time while filtering out all other stimuli. Even though women function differently (you know firsthand how well you multitask), your man will appreciate you focusing solely on him. It says, 'You are my priority, and I love you.

Cook something special
That old adage is true: The best way to a man's heart may be through his belly. Knowing what he likes to eat without having to ask him demonstrates how well you know him.

Dress up for him
Dolling up sends the message that you still want to look good for him, no matter how long you've been together. Men's brains are wired to respond to visual cues more than women's brains. Seeing you in that sexy dress shows him you desire him. And a scarlet number may work best because ladies in red are an aphrodisiac to men.

Take care of yourself
Shedding stress, eating right, exercising and even pampering yourself may sound like treats for you, but they're also ways to show you love him. This communicates, 'I want to have a long, wonderful life with you'. What better motivation is there to get healthy?

Compliment your man
Throughout time, men have had to fight and provide to attract and keepwomen — and they aren't afraid to pull out the masculinity measuring sticks when potential competitors come around. Let your husband know you think of him the way he'd love to be seen: As a provider, problem-solver, handyman, sex stud and knight in shining armor. When he pops the lid on the jam jar with ease, mention that you enjoy having such a strong man around. He'll beam—and chalk it up as a reason you chose him over all those other guys.

Take his advice
Your man wants to feel like an important part of your world. On top of that, he's a hard-wired problem-solver. Ask for his opinion on how to approach the boss for a raise, and you prove you trust and value his judgment.

Say thank you
Next time your husband drives the kids to school or takes out the trash, express your gratitude. Giving thanks will improve his attitude and infuse your relationship with a feel-good energy.

A warm hug
Instead of a quick peck before running out the door, choose a lingering embrace. Hug for at least seven seconds. It's a long time, but there's something about that number where the hold ends up really giving him something.

A quickie
Making love for an hour is nice, but once in a while, have sex for just a few minutes. Although women get that loving feeling with a rise in oxytocin (what you release during that post-coital cuddling session), men feel it with an increase in dopamine, the chemical they release during sex which stimulates the mental pleasure-and-reward center.

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Turn your house into home

Take special care to turn your house into home and see the difference

What's the difference between a house and a home? A house is a mere structure you live in. A home is a place that gives you strong sense of belongingness, physical and emotional well-being. Home is the place where you want to come back at the end of the day. Let's look at some things that will turn your house into a home.

Let your personality reflect in your home: There's no point in making your home look like straight coming out of some design magazine. Make sure that your home reflects your personality, likes and interests. That is the best way to turn a house into home. If you are an art lover then your home should reflect that. If you enjoy watching old films then it should reflect that. Your home is a place where your passion rules.

Share it: Do you share your home with others you love? Do you have friends over often for dinner or a movie or just like that? Or do you avoid inviting friends over? A home is the place for fun, laughter and moments of togetherness. Before this happens, you have to be in love with your home. You can't entertain people at home if you are looking for any opportunity to stay away.

Create happy memories: If you fill your home with loved ones and laughter, you will be making memories all along the way. Filling your house with memories will turn it into a cosy home. So, make sure you enjoy yourself and create happy memories for the journey ahead.

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Amdavadis say cheese(cakes)!

We all know, Amdavadis simply love their cheese. With cheese making its way into everything from dosa, poha to ganthiya et al, it's no surprise that cheesecakes are making an entry into the local dessert market.

The rich and mouthwatering offerings are slowly luring city foodies away from their carefully designed diets as Amdavadis are gradually losing themselves in the newly developed world of sinfully delicious, soft cheesecakes.
While sweet treats like cupcakes, macaroons, donuts and exotic pastries were a hit till last year, they are slowly taking a backseat with cheesecakes taking the lead this year. Jhalak Waghela, an engineering student, says, "Now that so many places have started serving them, it is a change for people with a sweet tooth."
From simple options like strawberry cheesecakes to other fruity flavours like blueberry, kiwi, lemon, orange and vanilla cheesecakes to exotic options like the New York cheesecake to sea salt caramel and orange ricotta, the list is growing by the day. Satej Saigaonkar, executive chef at a star hotel says, "Amdavadis love sweets and have a fondness for cheese as well. During our trials, we developed different varieties of cheese cakes flavored with local seasonal fruits like guava, sitafal, strawberry, fig, mud apple etc. We also decided to introduce the authentic New York cheesecake for the first time in the city. Our inclusion of cheesecakes in the menu has undoubtedly paid off very well as it is one of the hot selling items in the menu." Cheese cakes are priced at around 100- 150 per piece or 750 per kilo.
There are a lot of reasons why these cookie crusts topped with cream cheese are favoured by both the restaurateurs as well as foodies. While cheesecakes are not time-consuming to prepare, they also have a longer shelf life than most other desserts. Chanchal Chakraborty, an MNC employee, says, "I had a strawberry cheesecake at a cafe recently and I was transported to some other world. It was a perfect summer dessert." So Ahmedabad , grab a fork and dig into a piece of the delect a b l e dessert!
FUN FACTS Cheesecake is a tart with cream cheese and fruit layers. Cheesecakes were first served by the Greeks to their athletes at the Olympics Games. While most places use ricotta cheese to make these, some places also use Italian or Philadelphian cream cheese. Cheesecakes are mostly categorized as desserts. But there are savoury cheesecakes as well which are made with herbs and salt using ingredients like mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes and served as hors d'oeuvre.

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Healing with animal-assisted therapy

With a Canadian university using puppies as stress-busters for students, we see more animals helping people with different ailments

City-based nine-year-old kid, Anjali, a girl with special needs, was usually a calm child. She had suffered mentally because when she was young, she saw her father commit suicide in front of her eyes and was seeking therapy for the trauma. However, one day, in the middle of therapy, she just stopped talking. She turned aggressive, started hitting her classmates and her overall behaviour became abusive. Therapist Radhika Nair who was treating her, says, "Anjali would not talk to anyone. It was strange because we were already treating her for the trauma she suffered seeing her father pass away, but instead of recovering, she became quiet. In the course of her therapy, it was revealed that Anjali's maternal uncle was molesting her at the time." This she didn't reveal to a therapist, but to a therapy dog who was working with her, adds Nair. "The child wanted to express her emotions, but couldn't do it to another human being as she had lost trust in humans, but she confided to the dog." This revelation not only helped treat Anjali, but also put a stop to a serious form of abuse. It brought a new form of therapy to light.

Animals as therapists
This is a case where animal-assisted therapy (AAT) comes into play. AAT is a form of treatment where animals are used to motivate the patient and act as mediators when the patient doesn't respond to normal therapy. AAT has a surprising success rate since people, mostly kids, respond amazingly to pets. "When we walk in with dogs, the client looks at us in a positive way. Then we are not therapists or doctors, but fun people coming with a dog," adds Nair.

Treating autism
While pets are used to treat post traumatic stress disorder to heal people who have been through lifealtering incidents like terrorist attacks, bomb blasts and even soldiers back from war zones, they work best with kids who are autistic. "We found our most positive results with children who have autism. Since it hinders a kid's ability to interact with people and they live in a world of their own, a dog is someone who is non-judgemental and kids open up to them more easily. Another example Nair cites is of a kid with severe autism who avoided eye contact with people, including her parents, "This child didn't respond to her name, she avoided eye contact and remained very aloof. After a couple of tough sessions she opened up, and the very next day, after a fruitful session where she was playing with the therapy dog, she actually held the hand of a child in class," she says.

Dogs are common, but cats can be of help too
The most common therapy animals are dogs (they even use a Golden Retriever, a Beagle and pug), although cats too are used. Says animal therapist Rohini Fernandes, "We use cats with adults. They go and curl up in their laps, which helps them relieve stress as they pet the cat which is quite soothing and reveal things to us which they otherwise wouldn't." While with kids, it is dogs who work best, as kids often want to run around and play, mid-therapy. "The dogs that are used to treat kids are trained. We select extremely well-behaved dogs with a good temper," says Fernandez who trains dogs to not react even if the child hurts it.

Labradors are friendliest
While most dog breeds work well with animal-assisted therapy, the breed most preferred is a Labrador. "By nature labs are super- friendly and active. Also, their fur is short, so there is no way the kid could pull the animal's hair and hurt the dog."

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Summer shoes for men

This season, choose shoes that help your feet breathe.

Lightweight espadrilles and slip-on's are ideal, since they're crafted out of materials like jute and cotton and help you minimize any extra weight. Even boat shoes and moccasins, which are quite the rage now, can be worn in summer without socks over casuals and even shorts. Enough reasons to ditch your oxfords and brogues!

Types of summer shoes to buy

Espadrilles: With a cotton or a jute sole, the upper part is made of canvas. Lightweight and breezy, they make for ideal summer footwear.

Boat shoes: Made of canvas or leather with a rubber sole, they have a moccasin type toe and are ideally worn without socks.

Sneakers: A common athletic shoe, its light weight and makes for for comfy summer footwear.

Moccasins: Made of soft leather, these iconic shoes are available both with and without a lace and can be worn without socks.

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Mead makes a comeback

The drink made of fermented honey is back on shelves in a big way this year.

The drink of kings is witnessing a revival this year. Made of fermented honey, it is usually blended with berries, herbs and spices. It was once considered the 'nectar of the gods', and was a beverage of choice for Vikings around 1000 AD. However, it actually dates back to an even more distant past — China in 2000 BC. It's the quintessential global beverage, since you can find honey to make mead anywhere in the world. Mead also falls in line with the trend of fermented food and beverages that is firing up this year's food scene. You can brew mead at home. Its colour is dark or light depending on the original colour of the honey you use. The taste depends on which flower's nectar the bees made their honey from. Added ingredients change its flavour too.

Types of mead

Braggot: With ale and honey
Cyser: With apple cider or juice
Hippocras: With grape juice and spices
Metheglin: With cloves, cinnamon, or other spices
Melomel: With fruit juices and perhaps spices
Pyment: With grape juice added
Sack: Extra-honey mead

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10 ways to be a super daughter-in-law

Here are a few tips to improve your relationship with your mom-in-law

One of the biggest challenges of married life is to get along well with your in laws. Though this goes for both partners in a marriage, it is the woman who is affected the most.

According to research around 60 per cent of all marriages suffer from tension with mothers-in-law that is normally between the woman and her husband's mother. The nagging, meddling mother-in-law is often the cause of worry and the central idea that can help better the situation is to have a positive attitude and to show respect to the older woman.

Positive attitude
Just like being a daughter-in-law is new to you taking up the role of a mother-in-law is new to her too. Always try and convey a positive attitude towards her. The older woman is probably just trying her best to fit into her role as a mom-in-law.

Equality
Try to treat your mother-in-law and your mother equally. For example if you give your mother a birthday gift, then give your mother-in-law a gift for her birthday too. If you have children, then visit your mother and your mother-in-law with similar frequency.

Sensitivity
The fact that the lady has spent a significant part of her life raising her son may make her a little sensitive when another person becomes the centre of attraction of her son's life.

Though most mothers do not consider her daughter-in-law competition, there are some mothers who do. The ones whose life revolved around their child for a long time because they are a single parent or had only one child are the ones who are most likely to behave in this way. If, for example, your mother-in-law mentions how much her son always liked her home cooking, do not try to compete by asserting how much he likes your cooking now. This would invariably hurt her.

Respect
Treat your mother-in-law with respect. Consider her older and wiser. She may have been through a lot of hardships in her life. In fact, talk to her and ask her about her childhood, growing up, raising kids, and life experiences. When she shares her life with you she will develop a liking for you and that can lead to a strong bond between the two of you.

Expectations
Getting to know the family you have married into may take time. Though most daughters-in-law are welcomed into the family with open arms, do not get disheartened if it does not happen. Give them time to know you better.

Be attentive
When your mother-in-law is at home be attentive towards her. Sit and chat, show her around town, and if she wants to help you prepare meals, then let her. You two can get to know each other better and bond. If she prefers to sit around being waited on hand and foot, then enlist your husband to help prepare meals and clean up.

Information
Try to keep mother-in-law informed; call and let her know about important events. Keep her in the loop. If you have children, send pictures to your mother-in-law. Grandmothers love getting pictures of their grandchildren.

Advice
Your mother-in-law has years of experience. Don't hesitate to take her advice. You may disagree with her and decide to not follow any of her suggestions, but be open to different ideas, at least listen, show respect, and do not take any advice as a personal attack. She is only trying to be helpful.

Children
Allow your mother-in-law to take care of your children. For them their grandchildren are more important than their own kids sometimes. If she wants to, let her spoil them a little, i.e. she lets them stay slightly past their bedtime or gives them some more chocolate than you would want to.

Communication
Try and talk out things with the family. If something that someone said hurt you, do not keep it bottled up inside you. Discuss with your husband and your mother-in-law any slights or snubs and how it makes you feel.

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Five foods to avoid in summer

While it's hot outside, there is also more heat generated in the body, which can make a person feel irritable, tired, have trouble sleeping and make him/her lose concentration.

While drinking enough water is crucial, one must also have the right foods to stay fit and healthy in summer. And some foods can play havoc on the system at this time. Here are the foods that should be avoided...

Too much spice: Spice powders can certainly liven up a meal, but spices also can heat up the body eating as they boost the rate of metabolism.

Rich non-vegetarian fare: Summer is not the time to tuck into rich meat gravies or tandooris, fish and chicken, or even seafood. In fact, this makes a person sweat more and causes digestive problems. It can also lead to diarrhea.

Oily junk food: You must avoid burgers with meat patties, fries and other oily fare.

Tea and coffee: These are beverages that increase heat in the body so they are definitely avoidable. Did you know that caffeine and other beverages with sugar can actually dehydrate your body, making your face flushed?

Avoid sauces: A cheese sauce is very avoidable too. It has close to 350 calories and it leaves you feeling bloated and sluggish. Some sauces also have too much MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) and salt. Instead, keep the meal nutritious and natural.

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America’s first coffee shop for cats

Cat lovers in New York city will soon have the perfect place to grab their coffee, as pet food maker Purina is opening a pop-up cat cafe at 168 Bowery on Thursday, and billing it as America's first feline coffee shop.

Cat cafes are big in Japan where feline fanatics often have barriers to pet ownership because of building rules or just the small space where they live.

So instead of owning a feline of their own, animal lovers often go to cat cafes to sip their favorite beverage while rubbing paws with cats wandering freely around the store.

Purina's cat cafe is set to open on Thursday and run through Sunday, the New York Post reported.

The store will be stocked with cats, all available for adoption through the North Shore Animal League.

The company said it'll also staff the store with cat experts to answer questions about feline health needs.

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Yoga for your eyes

Kapalarandhradhauti(Skull-cleanser practice)

First step: Sit in a comfortable position. Extend index and middle fingers of both hands. You will be using the pads of these together to apply the pressure. Basically you will be applying pressure around each eye socket.

Starting at the spot where the eyebrows meet, start applying pressure. Move along either eyebrows The direction of the movement must be towards the tip of each brow. From there continue moving along either eye socket, so your hand is now moving towards each eye. Do this three times.

Benefits: The finger pressure activates important yogic marmic points that are anti-aging (in that they are healing and repairing) and also service the sense organs, including the eyes. The blood flow in this area is increased. The soothing massaging effect also relaxes the strain experienced when people have vision problems. Even emotional stress can hit sight: this soothing movement relaxes tension out of the face.

Palming: Rub palms together. Place them gently on closed eye-lids so the cups of the hand cover the eye-lids. There should be no pressure. This is called palming and may be practiced several times during the day for a quick rest, not just for the eyes but for the mind too. If you feel embarrassed about doing palming in a public place just shut eyes for a few seconds, till you see all black within. Then open eyes. For real effect however, it is ideal to keep increasing duration while the eyes remain shut behind the hands. Also, ideally, it must be done in a darkened space (curtains drawn or where lights are dim or switched off). Time may be increased from one minute up to ten minutes. You may have to support your elbow on a desk top if holding for long.

Benefits: It soothes eyes strained by an effort to see. Also, keeping the eyes in a dark, soothing mode creates a healing impact by tweaking the master glands, like pineal gland, which reacts to excessive exposure to light or artificial lighting by hitting sleep etc. In yogic eye exercises palming is seen as the most important of healing exercises.

Trataka (Yogic focusing exercise): Hold your right hand in front of you. Extend the thumb, folding back other fingers lightly. Ensure hand is at eye level. Look at thumbnail. Then switch focus to nose tip. Back at right thumbnail, then switching focus to nose tip. This is one round. Rest your eyes. Do palming (see above). Do up to five rounds. Then switch hands, to do for left hand. Do palming after each round.

Benefits: This helps with the eye's ability to switch focus from distant to close viewing. Most problems, according to yogic occur when the eye muscles slacken and do not accommodate this important skill. Unlike with reading a book, staring at a computer screen reduces our vision skills, creating eye problems. This exercise rectifies this. Plus, when done regularly can boost mental focus. It is also advised for insomniacs.

Avoid: If having glaucoma or cataract.

Inputs by yoga expert Shameem Akhtar

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5 tips to a flat tummy like Deepika's

Struggling to keep your wayward waist in check? Follow these five tips to get a flat tummy like Deepika Padukone

A recent study found the average woman's waist has increased by seven inches since the 1950s — from a toned 27 to a solid 34.

And according to the National Health Survey, UK, a waist over 34.5 inches puts you at greater risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes.

But it's not too late to lose the extra padding — try these waist-whittling tips to feel healthy.

Curl it
Canada's University of Waterloo found old-style crunches can damage the spine. The more effective version is the curl-up.

Lie on your back with your hands palm-down, tucked under the small of your back. Bend your knees and slightly lift your head and shoulders.

You don't need to crunch up much to get the desired response from your entire abdominal muscle complex. If that's still too much, buy a hula hoop. Just 15 minutes' hooping a day will result in a waspish waist.

De-fizz it
If you're a fan of fizzy diet drinks, you could unwittingly be widening your waistline. All fizzy drinks have gas in them, which causes gas in your intestinal system. One should also steer clear of sorbitol, an artificial drinks sweetener which the body can't break down properly. Instead, swap your diet drinks for water. Equally, if you enjoy an alcoholic treat, avoid beer, prosecco and fizzy mixers — a glass of red wine or plain vodka is less likely to cause bloating.

Finally, drink peppermint tea. Some studies suggest it can ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and reduce bloating.

Calm it
Tried everything but your waist won't shrink? Bloating with no obvious cause is known as 'dysbiosis' and refers to an imbalance of bacteria in your stomach, usually caused by excess yeast, Candida. Too much boozing, being on the Pill or HRT, or even taking antibiotics regularly can trigger the problem.

Think of yeast 'rising' in your gut
Avoid high sugar foods and go easy on beans, potatoes, sprouts, lentils, broccoli, bananas and raisins, which can all make bloating worse. Stick to berries, plums and other lowsugar fruits. Eat more eggs and pumpkin seeds to support your stress levels as they have calming properties and take a daily probiotic.

Squeeze it
If it's good enough for Jessica Alba, it's got to be worth a try. Reportedly, the Hollywood actress wore an elastic corset for two months to help shed her baby weight — the idea being that you're more likely to notice overeating than if you're wearing comfy trackies. Rather than Cousin Violet-style whalebone, you're better off slipping into a Waist Cincher. This smoothing 'control lingerie' has flexible bones, double-layer panels and flat hook-and-eye fastenings, and it really does hold in excess flab, whilst ensuring you can still breathe.

Tone it
Every celeb swears by Pilates and it is a brilliant way to flatten your waist. Most classes begin with 'the hundred' — so called because you hold the position for 100 beats.

It works muscles to create a strong and stable core, and tone your waistline. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat to the floor. Then lift your feet off the ground and bend your knees to a 90-degree angle. Your shins should be parallel to the floor. Reach your arms towards the sky. As you exhale, bring your arms back down towards the floor while lifting your head and the very top of your shoulders off the mat. Continue this movement, breathing in and out to a count of five. Aim to keep your head and torso still and flatten the abdominal area.

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Sexy, naughty, wild: Kolkata goes kinky

Handcuffs, whips and lubricants are selling like hotcakes. And Kolkata's kinky fetishists are licking 'em up!

Rewind a decade. Back then, Kolkata was plain ol' vanilla. In ice-creams, cakes, perfumes, bathing bars and yes, even in the bedroom. Life was squeaky clean. If you wanted to get dirty, you went to the Maidan and played football.

Cut to 2014, and our City of Joy is whipping up a climax. As the blindfolds come off, couples are buying sex toys, friends are throwing erotic bachelor parties, lingerie is getting kinkier and wedding cakes naughtier. Getting dirty is about ballgames in the bedroom — or the sofa, the bathroom, the kitchen... Get the drift? Come now.

Dress to thrill
Apparently, Kolkata is naughtier than metros like Delhi and Mumbai, claims Dharam Nathwani of La Lingerie. Crotchless panties and cupless/ see-through bras, apart from sex toys and vibrators, have kinky fetishists bending over backwards — or forward, if that suits your style — to get them. Nathwani says, "The sales of kinky items have gone up here, as compared to our stores in other parts of India. In the last two years, sales have shot up by 100%. People here have wild fantasies and want to turn those into reality!"

His wife, Suman Nathwani adds, "Handcuffs, whips and lubricants are our largest selling items. It's okay to gift naughty items at weddings now. Often, my clients discuss with me the kind of daring lingerie they'd like to wear or how they like to pleasure themselves. Buying wrist cuffs, cat o' nines, riding crops and inflatable dolls isn't taboo anymore."

Dare to gift
When it comes to gifts, a whole world of erotic items have opened up. So you have kinky board games, candles, glasses and clocks flying off the shelves, thanks to more and more people throwing adult-themed parties. From straws, whistles and glares to chocolates — almost everything is available in genital shapes.

Says Swati Siotia of Party Hunterz, "These items double up as party props and icebreakers. We started stocking some of the naughtiest items when their demand soared too high to be ignored. Overtly flirtatious badges, kinky games (such as roulettes with options like grab a guy's bun) leather whips and fur handcuffs fly off our shelves."

Not surprisingly, good ol' Kamasutra is also finding itself under the spotlight.
Fahad Ahmed of F-Bloc shares that the Kamasutra clock is their largest selling item, closely followed by dice games which instruct you on sexual poses! "Sales of such items have shot up by 35% in the last two years. Most of my clients are youngsters. They are well-informed and know enough to pre-order such gifts from abroad if need be. Even girls do not shy away from asking for kinky gift items now."

Whipping up a storm
There was a time when buying a cake was about choosing between stuff like black forest and butterscotch. It's time you woke up to naughty cakes. From bachelor parties to birthdays and anniversaries, you can order for any o c c a s i o n . Coming in all sorts of suggestive shapes and sizes, they are guaranteed to up the fun quotient. Says Keshav Sethia of Krazy For Chocolates, "Earlier only boys would drop in to order such cakes. But over the last few years, we've seen girls coming to our store and giving detailed descriptions (often, offering pictures too) of their naughty cakes. Recently, a girl ordered an adult cake at our store, but asked me to tone it down a bit since her saas-sasur would be present at the do! On another occasion, a girl gifted a cake showing a naked couple making love, to her bhaiya-bhabhi!"

Apparently, most of these cakes are ordered during the wedding season! "We sold 50 naughty cakes in the last wedding season that lasted two months," Keshav says, adding, "Earlier, when I had to make a naughty cake, I'd send everyone out for lunch and ask a trusted aide to stay back and help me. But now, everybody is in on the game."

Hard reading
Yes, we all saw how the sale of erotic books shot up when a certain Christian Grey came calling. Now, according to figures provided by city bookstores, readers in all age brackets — from teens to retired people — are snapping up these books. "EL James's series helped increase the visibility of books such as the Crossfire series and other erotic novels. Now we have a widely stocked segment on erotica and from 60-year-old bureaucrats to 20-year-old youngsters, everyone's asking for such titles without inhibitions," confides a spokesperson of a city bookstore. Bookstores are also stocking up on adult board games! "Two years ago, only guys would come looking for such items furtively. Now, women come in and locate these stuff themselves!" he adds. Not wondering what the wandering hands are up to, are you?

E-kink isn't cool
The city seems to love the touchyfeely bit. Which is why online sales of kinky items have dropped from the city. Maybe because it is more easily available here now? Karan Behal of prettysecrets.com, which sells sex toys and lingerie, confirms this, saying, "Though our countrywide sales figures haven't dwindled, Kolkata isn't high on our list of frequent buyers. We shipped over 3,00,000 products last year, but Kolkata wasn't among the top five cities." Well, bring out the whips, chains and handcuffs people, we haven't heard the safe word yet!

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Interest in a task reduces burnout

Maintaining an interest in the goals you pursue can improve your work and reduce burnout, research reveals.

"Our research shows that interest is important in the process of pursuing goals. It allows us to perform at high levels without wearing out," said Paul O'Keefe, a former doctoral student at Duke University's department of psychology & neuroscience.

"This suggests that interest matters more than we suspected."

The study examined the notion that your level of interest helps to simultaneously optimise your performance and the resources necessary to stay deeply engaged.

If people experience activities as both enjoyable and personally significant - two important components of interest - their chance of success increases.

"Engaging in personally interesting activities not only improves performance, but also creates an energised experience that allows people to persist when persisting would otherwise cause them to burn out," said O'Keefe, now a postdoctoral fellow in the department of psychology at Stanford University.

In the first study, 153 Duke undergraduate students worked on a set of word puzzles.

They were asked to report how enjoyable they thought the task would be before they began working on it.

Then they worked on the puzzles, which were described as either being personally valuable (value condition) or of neutral value (control condition).

Those who reported high anticipated enjoyment and who were in the condition framed as important performed the best.

But they did not perform better simply because their interest drove them to work longer.

Instead, their engagement was highly efficient.

"In other words, they were 'in the zone', as athletes say," said study co-author Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia, a faculty member at Michigan State University.

The researchers then assessed participants' anticipated enjoyment of the task as well as their value for it.

After working on the word puzzles, an experimenter timed how long they were able to keep a spring-loaded handgrip squeezed.

"Much like the self-control needed to stay on task when we'd rather do something more fun, resisting the urge to release one's grip when it becomes uncomfortable also takes self-control," O'Keefe said.

Using this task allowed the researchers to measure how mentally exhausted participants were after working on the word puzzles.

So, the longer they were able to squeeze the grip, the less exhausted they were by the prior task.

The findings also suggest that educators, managers and parents, among others, should cultivate interest toward relevant activities in their students, employees and children to facilitate their success.

The study appeared in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

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Use photographs to add life to your home decor

Photographs are wonderful ways to add warmth and a sense of vibrancy to your home decor.

A photograph says a lot. And photographs are wonderful ways to add warmth and a sense of vibrancy to your home decor. Photographs that recall fond memories also can give a personal touch to your home. It brings in loads of happy memories. And photographs always encourage conversations with guests too.

For instance, if you have old family photographs, then have these framed and hang them on the wall. Choose your frames carefully. A frame adds much life to photographs. You might even want to use photographs you have taken of places that you have been - in fact, you could even change these to reflect the most recent trip that you have made. If you are not an avid photographer, you can still buy photographs. There are many photograph exhibitions happening in cities these days. While buying photographs, make sure that you connect with the photographs. Say for example, if you are living in Ahmedabad, a beautiful photograph of the stepwell can add much context to your decor. Similarly, if you love historical monuments, then it makes sense to display those pictures.

Arrange them well so that it gives the maximum visual delight

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Political overdose amid election fervour

The timing just couldn't have been better. Writers, journalists and experts are using all their political wisdom to analyse and dissect events, politicians and governance to help people form an informed opinion during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Our bookshelf has political books of many hues. Take a look.

Book: The New Indian Middle Class
Author: Pavan K. Varma
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 101

The 2014 elections should be, ideally, the watershed for the middle class to make the transition from being a relatively marginalised political participant to being a factor of importance in deciding the future of India, says diplomat-author Pavan Varma in this work.

For this to happen, it must develop a definitive alternative vision of the story of India. This vision must include ideas for better and more inclusive governance, the return of ethics and idealism to politics, a sustained battle line against corruption, more equitable centre-state relations, and the strengthening of the essential multi-religious plurality of India.

To make this vision come true, the middle class must introspect and evaluate its own behaviour in the past; it should then go into the next elections in a far more vigilant state of mind and be prepared for much greater public activism through a much more intensive engagement with the issues of the day, the book contends.

Book: The Disrupter: Arvind Kejriwal and the Audacious Rise of the Aam Aadmi
Author: Gautam Chikermane with Soma Banerjee
Publisher: Rupa
Pages: 226

The meteoric rise of the Aam Aadmi Party - from inception to running the state of Delhi - in 13 months is a story with three principal strands. First, Arvind Kejriwal; iconoclast, leader and disruptor par excellence, who has dared to defy the fundamental templates of Indian politics and governance.

Second, the coalescing of a group of unprecedented diversity - a lawyer, an academic, a policy maker, a CEO, an architect and a poet, among many others - on the streets of Delhi, all bound together by a shared idea of an India that could be.

And third, the awakening of the aam aadmi, and of his realisation that he can be as active a participant and change-maker in national politics as any other.

In this book, the authors provide an in-depth, fly-on-the-wall account of how these three strands came together to create a brand new political tapestry. And how a single political party shattered the status quo; captivated the imagination of the citizenry and changed the contemporary political narrative in ways that are unthinkable, unprecedented and audacious.

Book: Crusader or Conspirator: Coalgate and Other Truths
Author: P.C. Parakh
Publisher: Manas Publications
Pages: 288

In 2012, a controversy over allocation of coal blocks to private companies rocked the country. The government's finance watchdog - the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) - found the government had picked favourites and avoided open and competitive bidding, which would have generated far more revenue for a cash-starved state. The CAG concluded that India had lost Rs.1.86 lakh crore (over $30 billion) in the process, the benefits going to the private companies. It was the biggest recorded scam in India's history.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India's premier investigation agency, then filed an FIR against the top officer in the coal ministry at the time - its secretary P.C Parakh - and industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla. Parakh had earned a fine reputation for ability and integrity in over three decades as a civil servant. His stint as the top bureaucrat in the coal ministry was his last posting in a sterling career. The FIR outraged the civil service and corporate India and was widely condemned by the country's intelligentsia.

The book isn't just about the coal scam. It is also about working with some of the biggest Indian politicians like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Shibu Soren and Mamata Banerjee. It is an account that startles with never-before revealed information.

Book: Anticipating India: The Best of National Interest
Author: Shekhar Gupta
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 516

How many in a Mumbai room full of Hermes ties and finance whizkids are Dalits? What if Mahesh Bhatt's son, David Headley's friend, had been a Muslim? Why is Delhi getting better as a city and Mumbai going downhill?

When did the Congress first start shrinking its prime minister? When did it become clear that Narendra Modi would take over the BJP? What does an angry Arvind Kejriwal have to say about us?

This book interprets everything from the successes and failings of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh to the ascent of Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal, from the forces that have deepened Indian federalism and constitutionalism to the public mood that keeps a check on excess use of political power.

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Dogs offer more than just companionship

Dogs offer more than just companionship. There are umpteen number of benefits if you own a dog. Here go some of the advantages:

You will exercise more Owning a dog can motivate you to exercise every day. If you are feeling lethargic to do your workout, one look at your dog standing by the door waiting to go for a walk can give you the push you need to get out there. Taking your dog for a 30 minute walk every day can greatly improve your health.

You will feel less stressed There have been lots of studies that have shown how dogs decrease stress levels. Petting your dog, playing with your dog, and simply watching your dog can reduce your stress each day. Research shows that dog ownership reduces stress hormones and the effects usually outweigh the stress caused by caring for a dog.

Your social life will improve You can make many friends when you take your dog out for a walk. Going to the dog park or taking your dogs to run errands can also lead to strangers striking up conversations with you about your dog.

Your heart will be healthier Studies have shown that petting a dog lowers a person's heart rate. In fact, some research has shown that dog owners are much more likely to survive a heart attack compared to non-dog owners. Male pet owners in particular tend to experience a reduced rate of heart disease.

You are less likely to feel depressed The benefits of dog ownership extend to your mental health as well. Caring for a dog helps relieve symptoms of depression and encourages people to be more positive.

You will feel safer Just knowing that you've got a dog who can use its keen sense of hearing to detect anyone prowling around can help increase your sense of security, which is good for both your mental and physical health.

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Recipe: Gujarati Kadhi

It is a hot favorite with non-Gujaratis too

Ingredients:
Four tbsp of beaten curd, two tbsp besan, two tsp sugar, ginger, one tsp each of methi seeds and cumin, half tsp mustard seeds, two dry red chillies, one green chilly cut into half, coriander leaves, salt to taste, two cups water, two tsp oil.

Method:
Mix curd, besan, sugar and salt in a bowl. Heat a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin, methi seeds, chillies and ginger. Add the curd and besan mix, and pour water. Stir till kadhi becomes slightly thick and garnish with coriander leaves.

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Cellulite facts worth knowing

Cellulite, the fat beneath the skin that looks more like an orange peel, can plague women no end -- but not many are aware of the facts associated with the unwanted fat deposits.

Skin care expert Jill Zander of the Jill Zander Skin Rejuvenation Clinic, in Surrey, provides a few facts on cellulite, reports femalefirst.co.uk:

The different types: Adipose cellulite (firm cellulite, orange peel effect on loose skin), oedematous cellulite (fluid retention, soft cellulite often on loose skin), fibrotic cellulite (hard, compact cellulite with orange peel effect).

Get moving and shaking: Cellulite forms in areas with the least circulation. Everyday energising movements and skin warming exercises will make you say goodbye to dimpled skin if you are consistent with it. Running, swimming and brisk walking are the best form of exercises for increasing blood circulation and loosening the fat tissues.

Do it yourself: Body brushing, massage and good scrubs support circulation.

Little things help too: Cellulite is a big fan of women with inactive careers. Take breaks, make tea and walk and talk. All of these simple steps remind your rear it needs to keep in shape.

Cellulite is often hereditary: It's likely your family members will be suffering from the same problem. Also, it is said that 95 per cent of women have some type of cellulite somewhere on their body and post-pregnancy it can bring on uneven skin too.

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