Beauty & Health> Yellow teeth can mar your persona at work

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Yellow teeth are injurious to a normal life. You must be wondering why something as puny as yellow teeth can be so dramatically life altering. Before we begin, let’s go through this check list to find out–

• Your boss thinks you’re a bore, when you don’t laugh at his jokes. Why? Because your yellow teeth will show.
• You’re scaring your male colleagues with heavy duty application of your lip colour. Why? Just so that you draw attention away from your teeth to your lips.
• You brush your teeth with a load full of toothpaste to get your teeth sparkling clean. Now you only smell of tooth paste at a board meeting and not of cologne. (You have a nickname ‘Toothpaste’ at work and it psyches you out.)

You’re headed for a real low down in life, thanks to your yellow teeth. Suggest, you fix a date with your dentist. As 34 year old Chitaranjan Jindal, a project manager/ managing consultant says, “Yellow teeth are quite distracting. I have gone as far as offering breath mints to people with bad breath or cutting conversations short.”

Why yellow?
While improper or inadequate brushing, heavy intake of black tea and coffee are the some of the culprits, hyperacidity is the main culprit behind yellowing of teeth especially among corporate individuals. “Hyperacidity reflects directly on your saliva that increases its pH balance to acidic causing it to erode the enamel. Now the enamel is the white coating on your teeth while the dentin which is the second layer after the enamel is yellowish in colour. Hence, highly acidic saliva can erode the white enamel, thereby revealing the yellow dentin,” says Dr. Sonal Arora, a practicing dentist in Mumbai.

Yellow habits
Erratic meal times and junk food are factors that disturb the digestive system in your body. This in turn directly leads to hyperacidity and acidity can also lead to bad breadth. Also, vigorous or improper brushing can lead to yellowing of teeth. Helping yourself to a fourth cup of black coffee? Think before you take a sip. Regular intake of black tea/ coffee causes a layer to form on your teeth making them look yellow. Not to forget, smoking definitely stains your teeth.

Cigarettes, colas and more
Dr. Arora suggests some remedial measures to prevent yellowing of teeth.

1. Get a dental check up minimum once in three months to a maximum of once in six months in a year.
2. Dental procedures such as basic cleaning of plaque, teeth whitening can definitely help.
3. Preferably avoid aerated beverages as they chemically erode the teeth enamel.
4. Quit or reduce smoking as it tends to erode the teeth enamel and stains the teeth.
5. Brushing regularly twice a day and at least one mouthwash rinse a day is essential for healthy teeth.
6. Don’t brush your teeth so vigorously that it’ll cause your gums to bleed. To learn the correct technique of brushing, consult your dentist.
7. Munch it right. Include fibrous foods such as salads in your diet. Carrots, cucumber etc. help to keep your teeth clean.
8. Drink plenty of water as that will keep your mouth clean and prevent the saliva’s pH balance from being acidic.
9. Have your meals on time. Empty stomach can lead to acidity, eventually leading to burping. It’s pretty annoying and embarrassing at work, don’t you think?
10. Chew sugar free gums to increase the salivation that will keep your mouth clean.

Last but not the least; laugh at your boss’s jokes, even if it’s not funny. Have a great time at work sporting the best smile in office.

Beauty & Health> Beat that Sweat

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Maria, a 26 year old customer service associate keeps spraying her deodorant every few hours. A few cubicles away, the deo’s molecules start tingling into her colleague’s nose. He sends her a message through the messenger, enquiring about the spurts of spraying. “To attract attention?” he asked. A frantic Maria replies, “No, to distract my attention. Stinker sitting next to me. Its either him or his socks, don’t want to know, but they smell real bad.” Many of us are faced with similar smelly situations at work. Either we are the smeller or the smellee, but both are horrible experiences.

You’re not alone
All of us have hair follicles on our body, with a certain amount of bacteria present in them. Humid conditions, work stress, unhygienic habits like improper bath can aggravate the bacteria to multiply; eventually leading to sweating and body odour. The fact is, every one of us sweat. One of the reasons for excessive body odour and smelly feet can be if a person is suffering from hyperhidrosis.

It’s a sign
“Hyperhidrosis is a symptom indicating of an abnormality in the hypothalamus region of the brain that leads to excessive sweating. In such cases, a person tends to suffer from excessive sweating in the palms, feet, face and armpits and it is therefore advisable to visit a dermatologist/ neurologist/ doctor at the earliest,” says Dr. Sailesh B Mehta (MBBS), a general practitioner in Mumbai. Hyperhidrosis can occur in childhood/ adulthood and both men and women can be affected.

You sweat, you smell
Hyperhidrosis is just one factor for excessive sweating and body odour. Others such as emotional stimuli, tension, and opium withdrawal i.e. the state of mind when a person has not got a chance to smoke for a long time, are causes that lead to a rise in sweating. People with field work, working in underground offices, warehouses or with no air conditioned and poor ventilated environment are more prone to body odour and smelly feet.

Belt the sweat
De-stress yourself: Haven’t you noticed a tensed person having beads of sweat dripping down his/her forehead? How do you do control it? Instead of taking a puff, go to the office balcony and take a stroll. Or just get out of the office and take a walk. Calm yourself down, listen to some music on your iPod, do whatever, but you can and must control your stress levels.

Take a shower: Don’t skip a shower, even if you hate it. Apart from beautifying yourself, a menthol or an antiseptic soap can kill germs producing body odour. Scrub the soap between the toes and make sure your feet are dry after a shower.

Use deos and powders: Apply talcum powder in your feet before wearing socks. The talcum powder will not only add fragrance, but will also help absorb the sweat. “Use alcohol based deodorants that will help kill the bacteria causing body odour,” says Dr. Mehta.” “More so, if you notice a yellow patch occurring in the armpit area of your shirt, its better you visit a doctor or a dermatologist.”

Wear clean socks: Don’t reuse soiled socks, especially the ones that you have worn the entire day. “Wearing closed shoes and socks the entire day can cause smelly feet,” adds Dr. Mehta. The ideal situation would be, keep you feet ventilated. How do you do that? First, wear clean socks, only then remove it from your shoes. Keep an extra pair of socks and shoes in office. During monsoons, it’s detrimental to wear soggy socks and wet shoes. You allow germs to make your feet a playground. Don’t let that happen.

Travel> Candolim Beach, Goa

Image1: Fort Aguada

Image2: View from top

Image3: Bon voyage
Images by: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi

My first trip to Goa, and the most frequented beach was Candolim. We stayed at a hotel in Candolim and I personally found it very convenient to hang around there. Most of the restaurants, cafes, bakeries, ATMs and shops are available there.

Candolim Beach is very crowded during the day and evening, so an early morning or early evening visit is ideal. An early morning/ evening dip was fantastic at Candolim. Snacks and chilled beer with a novel is a great way to spend lazy afternoons. What I best liked about the place; was of course our frequent trips to Britto’s and Lloyd’s.

You can visit the Fort Aguada, a 17th century Portugese port on the south of Candolim beach. I think we visited this place on a Sunday and it was thronging with tourists. The view of the sea from this fort is breathtaking, so don’t forget to carry your camera. I guess, a trip to Goa would be incomplete, if you miss Candolim.

How to get there:
Air: Most airlines operate in and out of Goa.

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Airport: The Dabolim Airport is about 45 kms.

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Rail: There are two options for railway stations – first, Tivim railway station in north Goa 29kms and the other is old Goa railway station in south Goa 26kms from Candolim Beach.

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Road: You can hire scooters/ bikes/ cars at Candolim. You can also hire private taxis from tour operators as well.

4

Hotels
There are plenty of hotels, both budget and luxury available in Goa. Prior booking through your travel agent is highly advisable.
List of hotels at Candolim: http://www.webtourist.net/india/candolim/

Travel> Rishikonda Beach (RK Beach), Visakhapatnam

Image1: Sip it up at RK Beach

Image: Sand sculptor at RK Beach
Image by: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Not so much for the beach, but the drive up to Rishikonda Beach is absolutely worth it. Weekends are usually packed here, so going to RK Beach during a weekday (if you’re vacationing in Vizag), is a good idea. Just 8kms from Vizag city, RK Beach is a favourite weekend hangout for the locals.

You will find lots of small shacks on the beach, selling basic eateries like cold drinks, wafers and coconut water. Personally, after an early lunch or dinner, a drive to Rishikonda Beach is amazing. From the top you can see the entire shore and certain inaccessible areas of the beach being absolutely clean.

There are frequent sailing competitions held here, which is a highlight of this beach. The drive to Rishikonda Beach has something more to offer. You can take the ropeway or drive up the hill to Kailasagiri, a popular tourist spot situated on a hilltop. You can stand at the tip of the hilltop to get the full view of the seafront. Don’t miss the famous Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, which is one of the best zoos and well maintained zoos in the country.

Best time to visit:
Though it is October to March, but you can make this a year round destination.

How to get there:
Air: Visakhapatnam is air linked with Calcutta, Hyderabad and madras, which in turn is connected by Indian Airlines with Mumbai.

Rail: Visakhapatnam is well connected with all the important cities of India, some of which are Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Cuttack.

Road: Vishakapatnam is connected by good motorable road with some cities, few kms distances Araku Valley 120 Kms, Arasavalli 110 kms, Bheemunipatnam 29 kms, Cuttack 444 kms Vizianagaram 60 kms.

Hotels:
Punnami Rishikonda
Bhimili Road,
Visakhapatnam
Ph: 0891-2790734.2790733

List of hotels: http://www.travelmasti.com/visakhapatnam.htm

Travel> Cherai Beach, Kerala

Image1: Footloose

Image2: Sunset at Cherai Beach

Image3: Gold rush
Images by: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
A cosy 15km long beach spot, Cherai Beach is around 26 to 36kms from Ernakulam. This beach is one of my favourite spots, for the homely Cherai Beach Resorts. A drive up to Cherai Beach is incomplete without chicken pakodas and tea at this beach resort. You can park your car inside the resort premises, grab a bite and as you go outside the main gate and walk right into the beach. Don’t miss the new 400m walkway and High Mask Lamps at Cherai Beach.

From Fort Kochi, my husband and I would take our car in the barge/ ferry and cross the channel to Vypeen Island. From there the beach is hardly half an hour.

How to get there:

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Best time to visit: All year round

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Distance: 26 to 36kms from Ernakulam and 20-30kms from Cochin Airport.

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By road: From Irinjalakkuda, Cherai Beach is about an hour’s drive. The road becomes narrow as you reach Cherai. From Cochin international airport, take a pre-paid taxi.

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By ferry: You can opt for a ferry from Fort Kochi, just next to the Chinese fishing nets and cross the channel to go to Vypeen Island.

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By bus: You can also hop on to a bus from Ernakulam to Paravur and then another bus or auto rickshaw from Paravur to Cherai Beach.

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Personally, I recommend, hiring a private taxi or driving down is the best way to enjoy your break.

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Hotels:
Cherai Beach Resorts
Cherai, Vypin Island,
Kochi - 683514.
Ph : +91 - 484 - 2416949, 2481818, 3297651, 3253101
Fax : +91 - 484 - 2417333
Mobile : 98472 31400
Email: enquiry@cheraibeachresorts.com and reservation@cheraibeachresorts.com

Health> Ayurvedic Medicine

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Ayurveda is one of the oldest forms of medical sciences with its roots in India. It is one of the most popular alternative medicines all over the world. It owes its inception to Dhanvantari, the physician attending to the mythological Hindu Gods. The earliest recordings of Ayurveda are around 2nd millennium BC.

The word - Ayurveda
Ayurveda, is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘the science of long life’, where ‘Ayur’ meaning long life and ‘veda’ is the knowledge. In Ayurveda, the body is related to the elements - earth, water, air, fire and space and the fluids – wind, bile and phlegm. Whenever an imbalance between these elements occurs in the body, it translates into illnesses. Hence Ayurveda mainly concentrates on – diet, yoga, hygiene and Ayurvedic medicines. In fact, it is one of the few alternative medical sciences known to involve surgery as well.

Ayurveda and the human body
Ayurvedic medicine essentially tries to work at restoring the constitution of a human body. By constitution we mean the person’s relation to the environment, within and without and his/her inherent ability to resist illnesses and recover from them. In Ayurveda, the constitution is called Prakriti – which denotes the way in which the body functions physically and psychologically. Prakriti is influenced by the body’s digestive and waste discarding abilities.

There is also something known as a dosha, in Ayurveda. Dosha constitutes of three essential elements that influence the functioning of Prakriti. This further controls the activities of the body. These three dosha elements are – vatta (wind), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm). Each dosha is known to possess one or two of the five elements - earth, water, air, fire and space. Each dosha has a relation to the bodily functions that can get imbalanced due to certain factors. Every individual has his/ her own balance of dosha on the basis of personality and body type, but there would be one prominent dosha in every human body. In fact, dosha is constantly being formed and reformed by the bodily activities. An imbalance in dosha is mainly caused due to unhealthy lifestyle such as – lack of sleep, lack of physical and mental exercises and poor diet.

Ayurvedic doctor
An Ayurvedic doctor will essentially try to ascertain the primary dosha in a person by asking questions about the person’s lifestyle, past illnesses, examining the eyes, teeth, skin and weight and finally checking for the pulse. Interestingly, each dosha is known to have its unique pulse in a human body.

Ayurvedic treatment
During an Ayurvedic treatment, the physician expects the patient to be fully involved during the treatment. This would include changing one’s lifestyle, eating habits, inculcating healthy habits etc. An Ayurvedic treatment would basically include –
~ Removing impurities from one’s body known as Panchakarma, known to cleanse one’s digestive and the respiratory tracts.
~ Decreasing symptoms through yoga, breathing exercises, mediation and special diet.
~ Replacing worry with harmony with the universe through yoga and exercise
~ Reducing psychological and physical problems through therapy and massages.

Ayurvedic medicines
Ayurvedic medicines are created out of plant/ vegetable and mineral origin. All plant/ mineral origins are grouped as per their healing properties. In fact, certain spices are also used in Ayurvedic medicines. Several Ayurvedic practitioners have recorded the cure for almost all types of illness. These ingredients – plant/vegetable and mineral origins are purified before used for medicinal purposes and are recorded in medical journals as well.

How do Ayurvedic medicines work?
Ayurvedic medicines mainly aim to restore the balance between all the elements within the human body, thereby encouraging sound health. Ayurvedic medicines are known to have cleansing properties that eventually help in healing a person. Hence, it is very important to research and find a good Ayurvedic practitioner for his/ her training and experience.

Ayurvedic massages
Today, Ayurvedic massages are very popular world over. Ayurvedic massages consists of special medicinal oils that are massaged at apt pressure points on the body and with just the right amount of pressure, several ailments such as – spondylitis, arthritis, eczema etc. can be cured. Ayurvedic massages are known to induce sound sleep, proper blood circulation and flexibility. This further promotes, overall good health and a sense of well being.

Ayurveda works on some basic tenets –

• All living and non-living beings are interconnected with the universe.
• All humans are born in a state of balance between themselves and the universe.
• All human beings are a part of the universe.
• For a healthy body and mind, being in touch with nature is imperative.
• When a person is not at ease with nature, this imbalance creates illnesses in the human body.
• During the course of life, this balance gets disrupted and affects a person emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Where can you find an Ayurvedic centre:

Kerala is the ideal destination to visit a Ayurvedic Health Spa or Resort. Turn your holiday into a relaxing and a rejuvenating one.

Here are some places that you can visit:

http://www.keraleeyam.com/
http://keralavaidyashala.com/
http://www.nilayoram.com/

Beauty> Look sharp with well-groomed eyebrows

Text by: Tanya Munshi
It is said that the eyes are the most expressive part of a person's face. They emote anger and sadness, happiness and cheer with ease. But for all the credit that the eyes get, the importance of the eyebrows is ignored.
Apart from the protective function of the eyebrow (it prevents dandruff, sweat and other minute particles from getting in the eyes), it plays a big role in appearance and expression.
A scruffy, thick brow if only just evened out, can lend your face a clean look, and can enhance your features.
Ideally, the shape of an eyebrow should be such that if we were to join the start and end of the eyebrow, the line should cross a little above the cornea of the eye.
For women, the inside portion of the eyebrow (right above the eye) should be thick, while narrowing from start to end.
For men, brows should be thicker towards the outer edge and slightly thinner just above the eye.

Face type and eyebrows
Not every face can carry off a fine, high-arched brow. While thin eyebrows can make one face look longer, on another face they might have the opposite effect.
Before you begin shaping your eyebrows, and end up with awkward looking brows, make sure you know what suits the shape of your face.

For a square face: To make your square face look less angular, give your brows a higher arch and a rounded curve at the outer ends.
For a round face: To make your face look oval, shape your eyebrows with a high arch, extending the brow to the end of the cheekbone.
For close-set eyes: To make your eyes look further apart, shape the brows a little closer to the inner corners of the eyes and extend the outer edge slightly outward.

Patience is everything
Shaping your eyebrows is a delicate procedure and impatience will only give you uneven, awkward-looking brows. If you're shaping your brows for the first time or after a long gap, give yourself a decent amount of time and don't rush.

Finding the correct arch
~ Hold the end of a pencil on the tip of your nose and let the tip reach out diagonally to the end of the eyebrow. The point where the pencil tip almost touches is where your eyebrow should end.
~ Next, hold the pencil end from your nose tip and allow the tip of the pencil to reach your forehead. Where your pencil almost touches is the point from where your eyebrow should begin.

Using tweezers
~ The best time to tweeze is right after a bath. The hair follicles are more open making it easier to pull. A cloth soaked in hot water will also work to loosen the brow hair.
~ Tweezers come in three tips: the square tip in used to remove several hair at one go; the slanted tip provides a good grip while tweezing; and the thin tip is good for gripping small/ fine and ingrown hair.
~ Once you've decided on a tweezer, apply some moisturiser on the brow and above and below it before you begin.~ To start, use the tweezers to remove any unwanted hair that are out of the normal shape of the eyebrow.
~ Next, from below the brow begin tweezing the hair in the direction of hair growth.
~ As you tweeze keep in mind where the brow should begin and end, and where you want the arch to be. Remember, the higher the arch, the thinner the brow.
~ Once you've finished shaping the brow, comb the brow hair using a brow brush and trim any long hair into shape with a pair of small scissors.
~ Place used refrigerated tea bags on your eyebrows to soothe the follicles and skin around your eyes.
Whatever you do, never shave your eyebrows. It gives the eyes and face an unnatural feel and can look very unattractive once the hair begins to grow.

Highlight those brows
While getting ready for a night on the town, make sure your make-up works to enhance your eyes, which means working with your eyebrows instead of ignoring them. Here's how to get your eyes looking their best:
~ Buy a compact that matches your skin tone and an eyebrow pencil.
~ Use a dry brush/ dry mascara and gently brush the brows downward.
~ Now use the pencil to draw the arch along the upper edge of the brow and brush the brows in an upward and outward motion.
~ To make your eyebrows look fuller, dab a firm, fine brush in a dark shade of eye shadow and with short, gentle strokes apply it to the brow.
~ If your eyebrows have been overly tweezed, use a dry brush/ dry mascara to brush the eyebrow in the direction of the growth. Fill the scanty areas with eye shadow, making sure to avoid the top and bottom of the brows. This will make the brow look fuller and better defined.

Published in Rediff.com, on July 17, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jul/17slide1.htm

Recipe> Bengali Mutton Curry

Image: A typical Bengali meal - rice, daal, shukto, papad and mangshor jhol
Image by: avlxyz

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Mangshor jhol, is mutton curry in Bengali. It is one of the most popular non-vegetarian dishes in Bengal. A meal without mangshor jhol is incomplete during festive times. Getting good quality mutton is a very high prerequisite if you want this dish to be ‘lip-smackingly’ delicious. Serve this mutton curry with steamed rice or freshly made rotis.

Traditionally in Bengal, during Kali Puja, which is held during Diwali, the combination of mangshor jhol and rice is served as a part of the ritual. If you have a Bengali friend, all you need to ask him/ her is to treat you to a traditional style mutton curry and you will know what I mean.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg mutton
• 2 medium size tomatoes
• 2-3 medium size potatoes
• Whole garam masalas
• ½ inch cinnamon stick
• 1 bayleaf1 cardamom
• ½ inch – star anise
• 3-4 black pepper corns (optional)
• 1-2 green chilies
• 10 clovesgarlic
• 1 and ½ inch ginger
• 1-2 tbs mustard oil/ clarified butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp garam masala powder

For the Marination:

• 3-4 tbsp curd
• 1 and ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 and ½ tsp chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 3-4 tbsp mustard oil
• 1 tsp coriander powder

Method for the Marination:

1. It is very important to clean the mutton of extra fat and unwanted portions.
2. In a large glass/ ceramic vessel, add the mutton and all the spices and ingredients for the Marination.
3. Mix it well with hand, as every piece should be well covered with the ingredients.
4. Cover and set aside for minimum 2-3 hours, longer the better.
5. The Marination process is meant to tenderize and add flavor to the meat.

Method:

1. Heat the oil/ clarified butter in the pressure cooker.
2. Add the whole garam masalas, till they start to splutter.
3. Prepare a paste out of the onion, ginger and garlic.
4. Add the sugar and stir for a few seconds. The sugar is added to enhance the color of the curry.
5. Now add the onion-ginger-garlic paste and fry till slightly brown.
6. Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook till it blends well with the earlier paste.
7. Fry till the sides begin to leave oil.
8. You can sauté potato cut in large cubes and set aside or drop them directly into the paste.
9. Once this is done, mix the paste and potatoes well.
10. Now add the marinated mutton and stir well.
11. Add about 1-2 cups of water, depending on how much of gravy you want.
12. Add the green chilies, but don’t slit them or break them. Otherwise the gravy will have a distinct aroma and flavor of the green chilies.
13. Once it starts to boil, add a dash of garam masala powder, give it a stir and shut the pressure cooker.
14. Give it at least 5-6 whistles. Once done, let the steam escape completely.
15. Check for doneness and if you think the mutton is still chewy, then add 3-4 whistles extra.
    Serve hot with steamed rice or rotis.
16. Note: You can also try out the same recipe with chicken, but in this case, you need to give fewer whistles as chicken is a more tender than mutton.

Published in CookingGoddess.com on October 17, 2007
Link: http://www.cookinggoddess.com/category/Recipes/Bengali-Mutton-Curry/

Accessories> Spice it up with a Scarf

Image: Scarf Styles
Image by: Rediff.com

Text by: Tanya Munshi

A hot fashion accessory in the 1960's and 1970's, the scarf is making a comeback.
"They are the ultimate accessory for a chic finish. Worn wide-spread over the ears, or folded down, the scarf lends an edge to any ensemble," says Shadaab Razak, a Dubai based fashion consultant.

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Fabrics and colours
New York based fashion designer Pooja Munshi says fabrics include hand woven and fine soft silks, chiffon, crochet, light cotton and woollen. These come in many shades like blue, green, pastel, lavender and red. Some scarves even have exotic shades of tobacco, butter, cilantro, wine and lemon grass.

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Designs and prints
Shadaab says fashion houses like Hermes and Christian Dior have immortalised the scarf trend with their own signature prints. "Film stars like Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren were known to favour scarves by these designer labels," adds Shadaab.
Geometric and floral prints are quite popular. However, these days you even get beaded, embroidered, painted and self embossed scarves.

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How to drape a scarf
Never overdo your look. Shadaab suggests some style ideas:
With jeans:
~ Substitute a belt with a scarf for a cool, retro look.
~ Choose printed scarves and loop them through your favourite pair of battered jeans.

~ For a more romantic look, choose ones made of crochet tassels.

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With dresses:
~ A loud (gaudy) printed, coloured or embroidered scarf could brighten up a simple dress.
~ A muted scarf in a solid colour would look great on a colourful dress.

5

As accessories:

~ Tie a scarf around the strap of your bag to add a touch of class.
~ You can also wear the scarf like a thick hairband on your head or wrap it up like a turban.

With formals:

~ Both men and womena can drape a scarf like a cravat, a neck tie that is mostly worn with its bottom half tucked inside the shirt.
~ Usually a cravat is made if silk and looks great on a crisp cotton shirt.

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A casual touch:
~ For a sporty look, drape your scarf around your head like a bandana.
~ Smaller scarves can be tied around the wrist for a sporty or casual look.

Quick tips:
~ Pick scarves in solid colours to match your floral or printed outfits.
~ Experiment with two scarves in two different solid colours. The person can use two thin fabrics (like silk) scarves and wrap it up like one single scarf. For example a green and a blue scarf intertwined or worn around the neck as a single scarf.

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Best buy
~ 100 per cent hand spun cotton is a good bet as it can be worn all year round.

~ Chiffon too is a popular choice.

~ Buy a miniature scarf (a small scarf not bigger than a hanky) and drape it round the neck or the wrist.

~ Larger ones can also be worn as a tube top. Just take a normal size scarf and fold it into a triangle. Knot the top around the neck. Then take the base and tie it around your back. This will look stunning worn over a strapless bra and tied round the back.

~ For a more elegant look, wear the scarf diagonally across the body and knot at the shoulder. ~ Scarves made of chenille (a soft tufted cord used in embroidery), pashmina, soft wool or heavy cotton are ideal for winter.

~Pure crepe and silk are ideal for any season.

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Care for your scarves
~ Most scarves should be handwashed in a light detergent and then soaked in a mild fabric softener to maintain its look and colour.
~ Never use harsh chemicals.
~ Silks are to be dry cleaned only.
~ Woollens are to be lightly hand-washed.
~ Cottons can be machine washed.

Published in Rediff.com, on March 16, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/mar/16slid1.htm

Travel> Kerala > Alleppey

Image: View from our boat
Image by: Tanya Munshi
Image Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Every year, the state of Kerala attracts hoards of Indian and foreign tourists to its beautiful locations all within a single state. Be it a backwater trip, to a sanctuary, to sightseeing or a honeymoon destination; Kerala is a one stop tourism destination of all kinds. Not that Kochi is not beautiful in its own accord, but with the coming long weekend why not plan something relaxing, adventurous or a mix of both?

Let's begin with...
Alleppey
A visit to the Venice of India is a treat to your eyes and soul. Known to treat tourists in beautiful houseboats while taking them along a gentle cruise on the backwaters, attracts tourists from all over the world. What’s more? The Kerala Snake Boat race, alone attracts hordes of localities and tourists to witness this pulsating event. Being in India, and more so in Kochi, visiting Alleppey is as good as a hop skip and jump!

About the place
Founded in the late 1700s, by the Dewan of Travencore, Alappuzha which is the Malayalam name for Alleppey, a lone canal divided the sand from the backwaters and the sea. This led to a gradual increase of commercial hubs, waterways, etc inviting merchants from other parts of the world and the country to sell goods and services.

Serving as one of the prime centre for coir, coconut oil, copra or dried coconut, as well as a centre for fishing makes Alleppey a prime tourist and commercial destination. While on a cruise don’t miss the beautiful cottages, lined with coconut trees all reflecting on the clear Alleppey backwaters. Some of the other must see’s are— Mullackal Bhagavathi Temple, a witness to the production of coir and probably a shopping spree at the coir stores selling a variety of carpets and mats.

I fondly remember visiting Alleppey with my parents and taking a backwater ride on a boat. Coming from a city like Mumbai, Alleppey was a unique experience for us, showcasing that there is a world more beautiful than we can imagine.

How to get there
Alleppey is well connected by road, where the NH47 forms the main artery connecting Alleppey and most towns by state transport buses. By houseboat or motorboat, Alleppey is linked through the backwaters to Quilon (8 hrs) and Changanassery, Kottayam (2.5 hrs), Cochin (5.5 hrs) , Kumarakom, Kavalam and Chengannur and Kuttanad places.

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Air: Cochin International Airport is the closest to Alleppey, which is about 64 kms. If you plan to visit Alleppey from Trivandrum Airport then the distance from there would be around 159kms.

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Rail: The nearest railway stations from Alleppey are at Cochin and Trivandrum.

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Boat: It will take about 5.5 hours from Cochin, 2.5 hours from Kottayam and 8 hours from Quilon.

Hotels

http://www.hotelskerala.com/alappuzha.htm

http://www.kerala-hub.com/kerala-hotels/hotels-in-alleppey-kerala.html

Website
http://www.beautifulkerala.com/coco/redcarpet/alleppey.php

http://www.keralagreenery.org/alappuzha.html

Health> Herbal Medicines

Image: Herbal Medicines
Image by: gilly.flower

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Herbal as the name suggests is the research and use of herbs and plants to cure and heal ailments of the human body. This is more of an alternative medical therapy, not like the conventional ones like anti-biotic and allopathic drugs. Though certain drugs do have herbal elements present in them in small amounts.

Herbal medicines have originated right from the time of the pre-historic man. A wound on the leg, a few leaves of a plant mashed and placed over the wound, would heal it completely. There are more than 80,000 species of plants that are used in herbal medication. Herbal medicines have roots in Asia – especially China and India and Europe that has gradually spread all across the world.

Herbal medicines have a holistic approach, where the aim is to heal the entire body, and not just a particular ailment. In this way, herbal medicines encourage the entire human body to heal on its own.

Herbal medicines are extracted from special plants and herbs. In fact, every part of a plant right from the roots, stem, leaves, flowers and buds can be used to treat different ailments. While a lot of argument prevails whether herbal medicines actually work or not, here are certain examples to prove that it does.

• Ginseng – known to increase appetite and boost stamina. The Chinese believe that the ginseng plant has the ability to absorb the vitality of the earth that gets transferred to those who consume it.


• St. John’s Wort – known to heal trauma and inflammation. It is known to quickly heal wounds, cuts, burns and ulcers. This herb has been widely used in Roman battles to heal wounded soldiers.


• Ginger – known to cure indigestion and loose motions.


• Garlic – known to reduce cholesterol and reduce heart disease.


• Holy Basil – known to cure diabetes, reduce blood sugar level and a very good source of anti-oxidant.


• Clove – known to relive tooth ache and swelling of gums.

Herbal medicines are more of a folk tradition of medical practice. Usually, grandmothers, mothers and aunts are known to be the source of all herbal medication and certain herbs can safely be consumed as they have been tried and tested for generations within a family.

As long as certain herbal medicines that are commercially available in medical stores are approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there shouldn’t be a problem in consuming such drugs. It’s always wise to get a second opinion before consuming such drugs.

Some companies that promote herbal medicines produce herbal plants in clean environmental conditions that are further used for medicinal purposes. Hence, herbs/ plants undergo a purification process before they are converted into medicines.

Usually, herbal medicines are a combination of several herbs and it is common for a herbalist to prescribe several medicines at a go. In fact, herbal medicines are also used along with other treatments like acupuncture, aromatherapy and massages.

Accessories> Shoe Dressing

Text by: Tanya Munshi

~ Choosing a pair of shoes
Choosing the right pair of shoes is as important as wearing the correct combination of clothes. Imagine yourself in swanky clothes, while your mismatched or dirty shoes spoil the show.
Shoes should be such that not only add that final touch to your clothes, but are also comfortable for your feet. Remember your feet are the ones that carry your weight at all times, so be kind to them and take care to choose the correct type of shoes. While the price is definitely a factor in buying a pair of shoes, your feet’s health and care should never be compromised upon.

~ Traditional wear
Women
While wearing a kurti and jeans combination, ladies can try out mojris or flat/ block heels strappy sandals. While wearing a t-shirt and jeans combination, closed shoes or medium height platform sandals look good on women. While for salwar khameez strappy sandals look good, for saris, flats are advisable.
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Men
As for the men, while wearing kurtas and jeans, leather sandals or Swede slip-ons look best, while for jeans and t-shirt combination, sneakers or closed casual shoes go well. Keep floaters aside for complete leisure time, as in with shorts and a t-shirt. Avoid ruining your entire appearance by wearing floaters along with a t-shirt and jeans combination, even if it is for casual wear.
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~ To work
Women
To work, women can wear brown sandals, whether they are chappals, sandals or slip-ons. Browns are more neutral than black and tend to blend well with almost all clothing colour. Choosing black sandals is one of the most basic fashion crimes one can commit. At times, black tends to stand out more if you wear light colour clothes. Hence on the safer side, browns do justice at all times. For business suits of shirts and trousers, women can wear black closed shoes or light weight boots.
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Men
In formal wear for men, black or dark tan leather shoes to work are best, as far as possible avoid light or pale brown shoes, as such colours tend to hit the eye.

Food & Health> Health Boosters

Image: For a healthy heart
Image by: f10n4

Text by: Tanya Munshi
In this fast paced world, competition and success is everything. Being successful is the only thing that matters. In the bargain, it’s usually our health that suffers. We keep postponing a meal, an exercise or a brisk walk, without realizing the effects that it can have on our health.

If you’re hitting 30 and in the corporate world, its time you check what you eat. Here is a list of food items that you should incorporate in your diet to stay healthy and enjoy life to the fullest.

Check your pulse: Incorporate pulses and beans in your diet. These are high fiber foods that help reduce cholesterol, blood clotting and improve blood circulation.

Something fishy: Fresh water fish should be ideally shallow fried, baked or grilled. Fish is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and we derive approx. 200-600 mg of Omega 3 fatty acids from fish and about 1-2gms from plants. Fresh water fish are rich in vitamin E that promotes healthy skin and hair.

Nuts about you: Incorporate dry fruits and nuts into your daily diet. For example - Almonds help reduce cholesterol, walnuts are rich in Omega 3, fatty acids and raisins are rich in calcium, phosphorous and iron.
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Be a teaholic: Substitute your usual caffeine to green tea, lemon tea or tea without milk. Tea is rich in anti-oxidants, reduces blood clotting and lowers cholesterol levels.
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On the darker side: Next time you want to bite on a chocolate, make sure its dark. Dark chocolate is very good for the heart, contains anti-oxidants and helps reduce cholesterol.
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Garlic wonder: Garlic is one of the best wonder drugs known to us. It keeps the heart healthy, reduces acidity, helps reduce cholesterol and can even tackle common cold.
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Healthy oats: Nothing like a bowl of oats for breakfast. Have it with milk and sugar or cooked in olive oil with lots of veggies added to it. Oats are rich in calcium, potassium and vitamin B.
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Onion magic: The sweet and pungent onion has a very high nutritive value. It helps in reducing heart diseases by controlling bad cholesterol. It also helps in reducing blood sugar levels and flavonoids present in onions help reduce colon cancer.
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Published in CookingGoddess.com, on August 6, 2007
Link: http://www.cookinggoddess.com/category/Food-and-Health/Health-Boosters/

Accessories> Buying a bag/ briefcase? (For Men)

Text by: Tanya Munshi
It's difficult to imagine a well-dressed man going to work without a bag/ briefcase in his hand. When you buy one, however, do remember it needs to match not just your personality but also your job profile.
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~ Media/ creative
"Your bag should portray your vibrance. Go for a good sling (which hangs on the shoulder) if you are in a creative environment," says fashion consultant Shadaab Razak. "Apart from slings, you could also try out messenger bags, a briefcase (in soft or hard leather) or whatever suits your profile."
A messenger bag is usually slung across your chest while the bag rests on your lower back or over your shoulder. Messenger bags, which are a smarter version of the plain old sling bag, are a popular accessory with young men in cities across the world. It is also known as a courier bag; you may have seen it on men riding bikes to work
It is a medium, square-shaped bag with two to three compartments that can hold a lot of stuff. It is usually crafted from thick material or soft leather, and has large straps.
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~ Senior management
A handsome leather briefcase is what you need. "Personalise your bag by embossing your initials in a bold script on one corner of the bag. Please do not use gold or silver for this. It should be self-print on leather. Any leather workshop can customise your designer briefcase. These days, designer brands do it too at a slightly extra cost," says Shadaab.
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~ Management
Are you a management grad? Do you work as a manager in the corporate world? A good messenger bag that can double as a handbag, in soft leather -- or suede if you are adventurous -- in matt/ shiny, black/ brown/ burgundy is a nice choice. Shadaab says, "These days, carrying a good messenger bag is a fashion statement for men. Be it a business suit or jeans, it definitely adds a dash of boyish charm."
"Always try and match your bag either with your belt or shoes. Do not carry a bag of a different colour when you wear a matching belt and shoes," she adds.
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~ Athlete/ sportsperson/ coach
A sports Nike bag, a Tommy Hilfiger sling, or a smart Boss tote is what you need for your entire tedious workout garb. The fact that you are making a fashion statement at the same time doesn't hurt. Some of the best slings are available at very reasonable prices.
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Quick tips
~ You should pick up a briefcase that suits your skin tone. A person with dark skin tones should not buy a dull handbag. Instead pick up a vibrant bag that has some gloss or bling to it.
~ If you have a fair complexion you probably have a wider choice. But don't overdo it; you do not want the bag to get more attention than your face.
~ Keep abreast with the fashions by browsing magazines and fashion programmes on television. "However, do not let fashion dictate you, create your own style, keeping your taste in mind," says Shadaab.
~ Most metros in India have malls and stores that have originals or replicas of the latest designs. ~ Hidesign, a popular Indian brand, has a great range of bags of all types. You can also try department stores like Shoppers' Stop or Lifestyle.

Published in Rediff.com, on January 19, 2007
Link: http://rediff.co.in/getahead/2007/jan/19bag.htm

Travel> Planning your vacation? A checklist

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Planning a trip with family and friends is exciting. You look forward to the break, no housework -- just pure relaxation and merriment. For a break it doesn't really matter whether it's visiting a new place or an old favourite. The idea is, a trip has to leave you rejuvenated. However, it can get quite frustrating when you reach the destination and find that you've forgotten your sweater or to inform your friend to collect a package on your behalf. To prevent such calamities here are some handy tips.
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Checklist
Begin with a checklist of all the things you need to carry. We always tend to think that the packing will be done in no time. But certain things can go amiss. Like a toothbrush or a comb.
Carrying an extra pair of clothes and under garments, apart from the normal set is a good idea. What if you get drenched in the rain while on a trek? Wearing sneakers or walking shoes are always best, whether you're traveling by bus, train or airplane. Keep the fancy shoes for a dinner in a restaurant, not for long travel hours.
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First-aid kit
Packing a first-aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic cream, cotton wool, painkillers is a must. Don't forget medicines for an upset tummy, headache, car sickness and indigestion. Carrying a diary with all emergency numbers is a wise thing to do. This will save time in hunting for the number when you need it. Keeping a stock of some dry food items such as wafers, chocolates, cookies is also recommended.
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Inform a neighbour, friend or relative
Give them all the details of where you're going as well as phone numbers. Should there by an emergency you will be contacted immediately. Carry a travel iron, a couple of clothes hangers, as well as a small packet of washing powder with you during your travel. Always carry some sunscreen, a pair sunglasses, cleansing lotion, foot cream, talcum powder and a good deodorant.
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Glass bottles or perfumes
Avoid glass bottles, perfumes and creams as far as possible. Seal all bottles of shampoos, lotions etc with cello tape or with play clay, which you can remove and reuse. This will prevent any potentially disastrous spills or leakages.
Avoid carrying too much jewellery, cash and other valuables, unless required. Passport and currency should always be kept in your coat jacket or waist pouch. Never let it out of your sight! Keep the number of your hotel, friend or relative handy. You may need to call up the place in case you're lost. The best thing to do would be to take directions to the place before hand, this would save a lot of time and effort.
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Before leaving home
Ensure no food items are left open. Everything should be secured well inside cabinets, air-tight containers or in the refrigerator. All the lights and fans should be switched off. Ensure no leaking taps. Doors and windows of your house are secured. The dustbins in your kitchen and other rooms have been cleared. All your jewellery and valuables are deposited in a bank locker.
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Final checklist
~ You need not switch off your refrigerator even if you're going for more than a week. In fact, it is better to keep it on and running and use it to store all the extra food grains and ration. This will prevent the food from getting infested with insects.
~ Your air/ bus/ train tickets, house and cupboard keys and immediate cash are in your hand bag. Keep all your travel tickets safe.
~ All the plug points of your television, stereo, geyser, microven etc are removed.
~ The oven and the gas stove are closed.
~ Inform the milkman and the newspaper boy to stop delivering milk and the morning paper.