How to Maintain Hair During the Monsoon Season

TRESS TALK



The monsoon season is not too kind on your hair and can lead to hair loss and other problems.



How does it feel to have a bad hair day every day? It feels terrible! But that is what monsoon is about — if you do not take regular care, you end up with bad hair problems. Experts say that hair fall increases during the monsoons but you don’t need to panic because it is a temporary phase and stressing about it may just aggravate the problem.



WASH REGULARLY



If you want to get lustrous hair, wash your hair regularly with a mild shampoo, advises asthetician Ritu Tanwar. “Your hair and scalp should be kept clean. So, washing frequently with a gentle shampoo can get rid of oily and limp hair,” says Tanwar.



DRY THOROUGHLY



Dr Sadhana Deshmukh cautions, “Avoid getting your hair wet in the rains and never tie wet hair. Dry it immediately, especially if you have long hair, otherwise the roots of your hair may rot and produce a bad smell. Suspended particles in the air can settle on your scalp and make it itchy and lead to hair problems.”



PROTECT IT



She advises people to cover their hair when going out in the rains. A trendy umbrella or a stylish raincoat can not only protect your hair, but also make a style statement.



Aesthetic dermatologist Dr Nishita Sheth adds, “Rainwater weakens the shaft bonds, which in turn makes your hair dull and limp.” She says it is important to avoid using too many hair products.



Dr Sheth suggests, “If you want to, invest in good quality products and use an anti-humidity hair gel to groom stubborn hair. Oil your hair every week and go easy on hair dryers and chemical treatments.”



KEEP IT SHORT



Hair expert Jawed Habib says that since monsoon is a bad time for hair and leads to all kinds of hair problems, the right length of hair can help ease some of it. Habib suggests, “You need to keep your hair short because that makes it easier to dry and take care of. Short hairstyles look good and are easily manageable.”



AVOID TOO MANY PRODUCTS



Perry Patel cautions against using hair styling products too often. “Using minimal hair products is ideal,” he says. Dr Sheth agrees. “Use a mild shampoo and a gentle conditioner. Apply conditioner on the hair shaft instead of the hair root. Keep your scalp clean and go for a hair style that is easy to manage,” she says.

Yoga For Weight Loss - by Bharat Thakur

Yoga For Weight Loss - by Bharat Thakur

Price: Rs.116





Gaining weight and obesity is essentially a state of metabolic disturbance. We gain weight when there is an imbalance between the intake and expenditure of energy in the body. This imbalance in your system that can be cured with the help of simple and effective yogic techniques.



Yoga works in a unique way. It works on the endocrinal system and changes the hormonal balance in the body. Unwanted fat from the body is removed by burning calories as well as by altering the hormonal balance of the whole body. Yogic asanas tone up the body by penetrating deep into each tissue and muscle which general exercises cannot achieve. Yoga will help you change the functioning of your entire system, lose weight and build a healthy muscle tone.



This book provides a comprehensive and straightforward account of the process of losing weight and then maintaining it the Yoga way - BUY NOW (Rs 116/-)



Details of Book: Yoga For Weight Loss



Book: Yoga For Weight Loss

Author: Bharat Thakur

Binding: Paperback

Edition: 01

Number of Pages: 120

Language: English



About the Author



Bharat Thakur is an internationally renowned spiritual master who travels throughout the world conducting yoga and meditation workshops. The following Yoga Asana's for weight loss are his hand picked selections...



Yoga For Weight Loss - by Bharat Thakur

Price: Rs.116

Health Tips On How To Control Cholesterol Levels in the Body

Eating right

HIGH cholesterol levels are a matter of concern amongst most of us today. Irregular, callous food habits and lack of exercise are the two main reasons for this sort of an imbalance. Here is what you could do to monitor your cholesterol levels:

Eat lots of garlic. Add it to your dals, soups, pastas, vegetables and curries. The thing to remember is that you must crush the garlic right before you're going to use it. Garlic is said to help with high cholesterol by lowering the amount of lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the 'bad cholesterol) as well as increasing the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the 'good' cholesterol).

It's a good idea to increase your intake of soy foods. Enjoy more tofu, green soybeans, dried soybeans, and soya nuggets. Soy is extremely low on cholesterol and rich in protein. Tofu contains Omega 3 fatty acids that lower LDL (bad) cholesterol without lowering HDL (good) cholesterol. This shortens the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Add beans to your diet three to five times a week. Try lentil soup, black beans and rice, kabuli chole, hummus and rajma beans. You can boil a handful of rajma beans and toss them into a salad.

Include a serving of fiber-rich fruit or vegetables at every meal and snack. Remember sprouts. They are low cholesterol and high in protein value.

Substitute olive oil or canola oil for butter, margarine and other refined oils in your cooking. Coconut oil is very rich in cholesterol, so it would be best to avoid it.

The Four-Week Countdown Diet: Now You Choose How You Lose By Namita Jain

You may have tried dieting before, but have you ever managed to change your shape in just four weeks? Namita Jain, a renowned wellness expert, draws on her experience of twenty years as a weight management and fitness specialist to design a diet regime that you can easily work into your everyday schedule. And if you follow it properly, you could drop a trouser size a month, or maybe even two!

What’s more, there is no need to run to the grocery store for unheard- of ingredients, no elaborate preparations, no tasteless, colourless dishes that force you to give up in despair. This diet uses vegetables and masalas found in every Indian kitchen to create meals that are oil-free, calorie- free, yet delicious to eat. The recipes involve minimum fuss, yet add that irresistible aroma to your food without the oil.

The Four-week Countdown Diet includes:

Diet and workout plans suited to your individual needs

Tips on how to stock your kitchen and bar

Easy-to-make recipes

Simple exercises you can do at home

Everything you need to know about spas, saunas and weight-loss Gadgets

Real life examples from clients

So don’t wait. Make a difference to your life BUY NOW! (Rs 139/-)

About the Author

Namita Jain is a highly respected lifestyle and weight-management specialist and authority in the wellness industry. She holds prestigious international certifications in several fitness-related disciplines and has been actively involved in the wellness space for over twenty years, offering holistic guidance and teaching hundreds of students to get fitter, faster. She is a clinical fitness specialist at Bombay Hospital in Mumbai, structuring training programmes for patients with special needs, training the trainers and conducting specialized classes. Namita writes a variety of columns for leading newspapers and magazines in India, covering health issues such as nutrition, exercise and related topics.

Tooth Care Tips - How to Prevent Dental Cavities/Teeth Decay

Dental Care: Below are some tips on how to prevent tooth decay or painful cavities in Teeth

A dental cavity typically occurs when the bacteria present in the mouth cause tooth decay. In medical terms, this is called ‘dental caries’.

In many cases, it appears as a small chalky deposit, which may eventually develop into a large cavitation. Sometimes, a lesion may be directly visible. However, other methods of detection such as radiographs are required for less visible areas to judge the true extent of tooth destruction.

Caries or tooth decay is caused by teria in the mouth that convert all foods, specially starchy and sugary ones, into acids. These acids, in combination with saliva and food particles present in the mouth, form a sticky substance called plaque. It sticks to the outer-most layer of the teeth, and with time and poor oral hygiene; slowly makes its way in. Gradually, the acids move toward the inner layers of the teeth and if not treated by dentist, they may soon reach the softer, core part of the teeth which comprises the nerve chamber.

Caries lead to enormous pain, tooth destruction, infection of surrounding tissues and eventual loss of tooth.

Signs of Cavity in the Teeth

A cavity is usually painless at the initial stage. The earliest sign for a patient is toothache along with sensitivity to hot/cold foods and drinks.

Dental cavities can also cause bad breath and foul taste.

Risk factors

Individuals have varying degree of susceptibility to pain, depending on the shape of their teeth, oral hygiene habits, eating habits and the buffering capacity of their saliva.

Treatment

Treatment for cavity involves the use of fluoride sealants to seal caries within the initial stages, dental restorations, root canal therapy, and medication, or eventually tooth extraction as a last resort.

Adopting good oral care habits as well as making a few changes to one’s diet can stave off a cavity.

Preventive care is the best approach to treat cavities.

Let’s take a look at four easy steps to prevent the occurrence of a tooth cavity:

• Brush your teeth twice a day: It is important to use a fluoride-based toothpaste and brush using proper technique. It is advised that you use a soft-bristled brush and apply only medium pressure on the gums and enamel.



• Rinse with an essential-oil basedmouth wash twice a day, more so before going to sleep. Brushing alone cannot clean the complete mouth, whereas a liquid mouth wash can get to those hard-to-reach areas that brushing sometimes can’t.



• Rinsing the mouth with a gentle, anti-microbial mouthwash along with brushing offers better oral protection.



• Restrict the usage of starchy and sugary food items like cookies, pastries, junk food, aerated drinks, and drink plenty of water.



• Visit the doctor once in a year for a complete screening and proper cleaning of teeth to ensure your mouth is plaque and cavity-free. dh

Tattoo Care - Tips to Protect the Beauty of Your Tattoo

For the freshly inked, Before you start to flaunt it, here are a few essential tips to protect the beauty of your tattoo

It will break your heart if your tattoo doesn’t look as good as it used to be when you got it. You may even end up spending an extravagant sum of money on getting it touched up. It’s essential for a tattoo to look nice once it heals, and if you don’t want to be left with an inky eyesore, Mumbai tattoo artiste Al Alva offers a few important pointers:

CLEANING

A freshly etched tattoo is as good as a wound. The epidermis of the skin reacts to the wound and secretes a transparent fluid to protect germs from entering the body. The surface of the tattooed skin must be cleaned regularly and kept dry. Wet a piece of cloth and dab it on the tattoo to clean any germs, and then moisturise the tattoo with a body lotion.

APPLY OINTMENT

Calendula is a herbal remedy which heals wounds and soothes the skin. Apply a very thin layer of the cream on the tattoo thrice a day. Continue the treatment for the first 15 days.

DON’T GO FOR A SWIM

Take short showers when you bathe. But going for a swim or taking a steam bath will cause your skin to form scabs as a reaction to chlorine and heat respectively. The thicker the scabs, the lighter will the colour of your tattoo be when it heals.

AVOID SWEATING

If you are a health freak, don’t exercise for the first 15 days after you get a tattoo. The salt in your sweat causes the same damage to the tattoo as chlorine or sea water and it forms scabs.

KEEP AWAY FROM THE SUN

Long exposure to the sun could cause the tattoo to get discoloured. Avoid applying sunscreen and wear long sleeves to protect the area.

AVOID SHAVING

Avoid shaving till the tattoo is completely healed as it may cause your skin to peel, and erode the ink within.

NO SCRATCHING

Your tattoo will itch for the first few days, which is a sign of healing. Refrain from scratching. It is possible that by doing so, you may be scratching the ink out even before it settles

Medicinal Values of Tamarind

Tamarind juice is a mild laxative and can be used to treat bile disorders.

Studies have shown that it can effectively cut on cholesterol levels.

The pulp, leaves and flowers, in various combinations, are applied on painful and swollen joints.

Tamarind juice can be used to cure sore throats, and as a drink for relief from sunstroke.

Tamarind juice is used to cure conjunctivitis, under medical supervision. Eye drops made from tamarind seeds can be used as a treatment for dry eye syndrome. Tamarind seed polysaccharide is an adhesive, which enables it to stick to the surface of the eye.

Mix jaggery with tamarind pulp, cinnamon, cardamom, to make a tasty chutney to tackle loss of appetite.

Sonakshi Sinha Shares Some of Her Beauty Secrets

‘I buff my lips when they are dry’

SKIN-TILLATING!

I drink loads of water. Water is like a life saviour and does wonders to my skin. I also stay away from makeup when it’s not required. My mother has advised me to remove my make-up completely before I go to bed. I believe in letting my skin breathe.


MANE POINT:

My mom made it a point to oil my hair regularly when I was a child. And the tradition continues.

WOEFUL TEENS:

Like all other teenagers, I too, suffered from bad acne.

NATURALLY SPEAKING:

I do not indulge in any natural therapy. My mother has wonderful skin and I think I have just been lucky to have equally good skin.

QUICK FIX:

I have a problem of dry lips, so I gently buff my lips with a gentle brush and this helps remove the dead skin from my lips.

MUST-HAVE IN THE MAKE-UP KIT:

My lip balm, sunscreen and kohl.

See Health and Fitness as a Necessity, Not as a Chore Says Model Sahil Shroff

Models don’t have a choice but to look good. So it’s no wonder then that Sahil Shroff takes his fitness very seriously. He shares his workout plan

Working it out

My fitness regime these days is a balance off all kinds of energy systems being tilised in a week along with flexibility and strength training. With regards to cardio, I run once or twice a week and cover 12 kms in each run. I have at least one session of Taekwondo in a week, along with basketball or tennis to fill in the third and fourth day of cardio. I have an alternate day regime for cardio. I don't do body building or weight training anymore, I work a lot on core strength and use my body weight for my exercises. I hit every muscle in different angles using my body weight through push ups, pull ups, lower body exercise and intense band work. I also spend my mornings doing basic yoga breathing exercises and meditation. I keep changing my regime so I don't get bored.

Food for thought

My diet is very balanced. I don't take protein powders as I have a high protein diet. Oats and dry fruits in the morning, fruits in between main meals, lunch has fish and two vegetables with seven grain two rotis along with raw salad. At night, I have two rotis with one vegetable and a high protein dal n a piece of fish maybe. A lot of spinach, eggs, almonds, moong and fish complete my diet plan. I stopped chicken and meat a year ago. Oh yes, I can’t miss my daily cup of coffee and tea.

Tips

For starters, you shouldn’t see health and fitness as a chore, but as a necessity. It will make a difference in your overall health. You should do something that you enjoy doing that will also help you stay fit. Maybe, you could go back to a sport you played in school. Keep your workouts simple and goal oriented. Don't believe what you hear unless you’ve tried it out. The motivation statement is ‘go hard or go home’ (laughs).

Remedies To Remove Sun Tan

HOW TO REMOVE TAN

While a tan may be attractive for some, for others it's just one of the dreaded hazards of summer. Though most of us douse ourselves with sunscreen before stepping out, a sun tan invariably sets in. Besides, darkening our complexion, it can also cause skin cancer by destroying the skin cells.

For those who are stuck with a stubborn tan, here are some quick fix Methods to Remove Sun Tan and Burns:

- “Apply pure sandalwood paste on your face 10- 15 minutes before you go for a shower. It's very soothing and works wonders for your complexion,” says Asha Hariharan of Beyond the Fringe Salons and Spas.

- Prepare a mixture of besan ( gram flour) and rose water and apply it on the affected area. Leave it till it dries and wash it off with lukewarm water.

- Apply a paste of papaya, cream and sugar on the tanned area before bathing to get rid of the tan.

- Mix the juices of tomato and cucumber and apply it on your face on a daily basis to remove tans.

- “Grate cucumber and strain the juice in a bowl. Add some grated potatoes to it and spread it evenly over your face. This will brighten the skin and erase the tan”

- Mix sugar with the juice of a lemon. Add a little glycerin to it. Scrub the affected area with this mixture in a gentle circular motion. This will help get rid of the tan and soften the skin.

- Take a few teaspoons of hot coconuts oil, add 1 to 2 pieces of camphor and apply to the affected area every night before going to bed. You can also make a paste of sandalwood powder mixed with coconut oil and almond oil. Apply the paste on the exposed area and leave it for some time before washing off with cold water.

- Include items like lettuce, cucumber, radish, broccoli, tomatoes and other leafy vegetables in your diet. They will protect your skin from tanning.

- But the best way to avoid tans, is to use a good sunblock ranging from SPF 15 to 35, depending on the number of hours you spend outdoors.

Say no to tans

􀀗 Use a mixture of lime juice and glycerin. This also helps remove freckles and pigmentation spots
􀀗 Use Aloe Vera gel over a sunburn or a tan
􀀗 Use caladryl if you get skin rash due to sunburn
􀀗 To lighten a tan, use a mixture of curd and lime 10 minutes before bathing. This acts as a natural skin bleaching agent
􀀗 Take 1tsp of milk powder,½ tsp of sandalwood powder, ½ tsp of limejuice and add a few drops of honey. Make a paste and use this pack twice a week for 10 minutes
􀀗 Use of foundation and compact also helps to protect against a tan

I am Into Yoga & I Play Squash Says Kulraj Randhawa

Kulraj Randhawa made her presence felt when she starred opposite the Deol family in the comedy ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’. she made the audience noticed her dimpled smile and now, she seems to be enjoying every bit of her new found stardom. Here she talks about her Diet and fitness along with few of her favorite things.

Diet mantra

I am blessed with a lean body so I don’t do much. If I put on weight, then I usually lose it easily.

Favourite food

I love food. I am a Punjabi so I love good Punjabi food. I also like Thai cuisine.

Fitness regime

I am into yoga and I’m a very active person otherwise. I play squash. But since I am part of the industry, I have started weight training recently.

Free time and weekends

Weekends are mostly party time. I hang out with friends and also attend events.

Style statement

Fashion is what looks good on your body. Depending on the occasion and time, I wear dresses, gowns, denims, shorts and jumpers.

Favourite vacation spots

Leh and Ladhak. And I want to go to Kerela.

Favourite books

I read a lot of fictional war books.

Favourite movies

I am in the industry so I have to watch films. I love different kind of movies like ‘ThreeMuske teers’, ‘Life Is Beautiful’, Sholay , ‘Black’ and the Munnabhai series.

Favourite music

I mostly listen to classics. Favourite automobile - If I have to name one, it would be Jaguar. As told to Sonal Sher

Shibani Kashyap's Daily Skin and Hair Care Regime

‘I PREFER A NO MAKE-UP LOOK’ ...says singer Shibani Kashyap


My Daily Skin Care Regime

I like to keep my skin hydrated.Protection from the sun, cleansing of the skin and sleep are very important for a good, glowing skin. My daily skin care regime starts with washing my face with cool water, first thing in the morning. I leave it for at least half an hour and then rinse it off. Trust me, it works like magic on the skin! I always apply a sun block before stepping out of my house. I prefer going in for a no make-up look most of the time. I use make-up only during shoots. To beat the heat, I keep spraying rose water on my face to keep my skin fresh. Before going to bed, I use a light scrub to get rid of the grime, a soap-free facewash, followed by a toner and a light overnight cream to keep my face hydrated through the night. The skin of the entire body needs pampering, so I take a weekly body massage, body scrub and body polish. I believe in loving my skin and taking good care of it.

My Hair Care Regime

Hair they say, is the crowning glory of a woman. A good healthy high-protein diet is a must for healthy bouncy, shiny hair. In summer, I make it a point to wash my hair every alternate day with a good shampoo and conditioner. I avoid getting my hair coloured, highlighted or straightened. I do not like my hair to get subjected to chemicals. I oil my hair regularly with mustard oil and also use an egg pack with curd and honey. They are natural conditioners and leave the hair deeply conditioned.

TEENAGE PROBLEM

As a teenager, I did have pimples but not many. Elders in the family will always ask me to keep my tummy clean. I stayed away from oily food. I still follow that and eat curd. It is rich in protein and keeps you hydrated.

NATURALLY SPEAKING

The best home-made remedy I’ve come across to remove a tan is to apply curd and lime juice on your face and viola, the tan goes instantly. Multani mitti with a pinch of turmeric, honey and water/cold milk is an excellent face pack. For my hair, I massage hot oil on my scalp and keep it overnight. If time permits, I apply curd with a few drops of lime which removes oil and gives great shine to your hair.

QUICK FIX

If you have long hair and if if it is unmanageable for some reason, then just tie them into a ponytail. Keep a bodyspray or perfume handy and a lip gloss for that last minute.

MUST-HAVE IN THE MAKE-UP KIT

Always keep face wash, moisturiser, compact powder, kaajal and light lipstick or lipgloss in your bag.

‘I do 100 Surya Namaskaras’ Says Soha Ali Khan, Who Keeps Fit By Yoga & Badminton When Bored of the Gym

‘I do 100 Surya Namaskaras’ …says actress Soha Ali Khan, who keeps fit by doing yoga, playing badminton and climbing stairs when she’s bored of the gym


MY EXERCISE REGIME

It’s not fixed as whenever I get bored, I change my form of workout. But then, I keep an active lifestyle, so I can afford to not hit the gym everyday. Usually, I head to the gym for about two weeks, daily for an hour. Since I have always been fit, I don’t stress much on cardio. Moreover, I get bored running on the treadmill. Instead, I prefer doing light weights and sometimes, use the elliptical machine. On the other two weeks of the month, I keep fit by playing badminton, climbing stairs for 20 minutes and doing yoga. I do 100 Suryanamaskaras.

MY WEAKNESS

I think I have this Bengali cheeks. Since I have a petite frame, my cheeks tend to stand out. No matter how much body weight I lose, I can’t lose weight on my cheeks! I have tried doing facial exercises and make funny faces in front of the mirror, but it hasn’t really helped.

MY STRENGTHS

Many people say that I have a flat stomach. I don’t do any crunches or go on diet for it. My upper body is fine, so,I pay more attention to my lower body. I believe I have good arms. Also, I do not have weight issues as my weight has been almost constant, fluctuating from 49 to 50 kgs for the past 15 years.

MY DIET

I’m a non-vegetarian who doesn’t eat red meat. I eat lot of fish and chicken, besides soups, vegetables and fruits like papayas, strawberries, etc. I don’t believe in dieting and have a balanced meal. Also, I’m not one of those people who totally avoid carbs. I have carbs in the form of wholegrains products. But I have two vices: I’m addicted to diet cola and chocolates. I’m not into protein shakes but I do take vitamin supplements for three months, and after a gap of another three months. I do because taking too many vitamins can strain the kidneys.

My fitness role model

I don’t have a fitness role model because everybody has a different body and metabolism. I believe in competing with myself.

Ideal celeb body (male)

If I were a man, I’d like to have a body like Brad Pitt in the movie Fightclub.

Ideal celeb body (female)

Shilpa Shetty and Bipasha Basu have good, well maintained bodies

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The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, By Siddhartha Mukherjee

Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘The Emperor of All Maladies’ is a biography of cancer and of those who have fought it throughout history.







The Emperor of All Maladies іѕ a magnificent, profoundly humane “biography” οf cancer—frοm іtѕ first documented appearances thousands οf being ago through thе epic battles іn thе twentieth century tο cure, control, аnd conquer іt tο a radical nеw understanding οf іtѕ essence. Physician, researcher, аnd award-winning science writer, Siddhartha Mukherjee examines cancer wіth a cellular biologist’s precision, a historian’s perspective, аnd a biographer’s passion. Thе result іѕ аn astonishingly lucid аnd moving chronicle οf a disease humans hаνе lived wіth—аnd perished frοm—fοr more thаn five thousand being.



Thе tаlе οf cancer іѕ a tаlе οf human ingenuity, resilience, аnd perseverance, bυt аlѕο οf hubris, paternalism, аnd misperception. Mukherjee recounts centuries οf discoveries, setbacks, victories, аnd deaths, tοld through thе eyes οf hіѕ predecessors аnd peers, training thеіr wits against аn infinitely resourceful adversary thаt, јυѕt three decades ago, wаѕ рlοttіng tο bе easily beaten іn аn аll-out “war against cancer.”



Thе book reads lіkе a literary thriller wіth cancer аѕ thе protagonist. Frοm thе Persian Queen Atossa, whose Greek slave сυt οff hеr malignant breast, tο thе nineteenth-century recipients οf primitive radiation аnd chemotherapy tο Mukherjee’s οwn leukemia patient, Carla, Thе Royal leader οf All Maladies іѕ аbουt thе people whο hаνе soldiered through fiercely demanding regimens іn order tο survive—аnd tο increase ουr understanding οf thіѕ iconic disease. Riveting, urgent, аnd startling, Thе Royal leader οf All Maladies provides a fаѕсіnаtіng glimpse іntο thе prospect οf cancer treatments. It іѕ аn illuminating book thаt provides hope аnd clarity tο those seeking tο demystify cancer.



“In 2010, аbουt six hundred thousand Americans, аnd more thаn 7 million humans around thе world, wіll die οf cancer.” Wіth thіѕ sobering statistic, physician аnd researcher Siddhartha Mukherjee ѕtаrtѕ hіѕ comprehensive аnd moving “biography” οf one οf thе mοѕt virulent diseases οf ουr time. An exhaustive account οf cancer’s origins, Thе Royal leader οf All Maladies illustrates hοw modern treatments–multi-pronged chemotherapy, radiation, аnd surgery, аѕ well аѕ preventative care–came іntο existence thanks tο a century’s value οf research, trials, аnd small, essential breakthroughs around thе globe. Whіlе Thе Emperor οf All Maladies іѕ rich wіth thе science аnd history іn thе rear thе fight against cancer, іt іѕ аlѕο a meditation οn illness, medical ethics, аnd thе complex, intertwining lives οf doctors аnd patients. Mukherjee’s profound compassion–fοr cancer patients, thеіr families, аѕ well аѕ thе oncologists whο, аll tοο οftеn, саn offer small hope–mаkеѕ thіѕ book a very human history οf аn elusive аnd complicated disease.



Mukherjee gives a detailed history of the various attempts at cure, especially during the 20th century when the favoured methods shifted from removal of the entire breast and much surrounding tissue, with doses of radiation which changed over time, to chemotherapy and, more recently, a new understanding of the genetics of cancer.



Mukherjee conveys the emotional burden carried by a cancer specialist whose daily routine brings him close to people who may be about to die.



He once drove an hour and a half through heavy traffic to bring in person the good news that a patient’s bone marrow biopsy had proved free of malignancy. After five years of desperate disease, he could tell Carla Reed she was all clear.



This blood-and-guts volume is brightened by a handsome photograph of the oncologist looking like a Bollywood film star. This book is named by The New York Times as one of the 10 best books of 2010.



In its historical sweep, the book succeeds. It traces the first medical description of cancer to an Egyptian text of 2500BC, which told of “a bulging tumour in breast” and wrote there “is no treatment”. It highlights the ancient Persian queen Atossa who had a slave cut off her cancerous breast with a knife – a self-prescribed mastectomy.



In fact, not until 1890 was radical mastectomy introduced as a standard procedure – and “radical” was the right word: not only the tumour was excised but some deep chest muscles and lymph nodes under the armpit and the collarbone as well.



By the Fifties, the main breast cancer treatment had become simple mastectomy or a more minor lump removal called “lumpectomy”, followed by radiation. Since the Seventies, chemotherapy has become used more than surgery as a way to control tumour growth.



Today the emphasis is on genetics. Some young women who have been found to have one of the two genes now identified as cancer-carriers – BRCA1 and BRCA2 – choose to have bilateral mastectomy to free them from the fear of breast cancer. In future, women may arrive at the oncologist’s clinic with a thumb-sized flash drive containing the entire sequence of their cancer’s genome.



Mukherjee offers no false hope: “No single, universal cure is in sight – and is never likely to be.” Cancer will not disappear but rather in an ageing population will occur later and later in life, with new treatments enabling victims to live longer. “This war on cancer,” he concludes, “may best be ‘won’ by redefining victory.”



"Rarely have the science and poetry of illness been so elegantly braided together as they are in this erudite, engrossing, kind book."



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Simple Tips to Control Body Odour and Keep it at Bay

BODY odour can be the most embarrassing malady of the season. Below are a couple of simple tips to keep it at bay:

• Drinking plenty of water and fresh vegetable juices can reduce sweating and hydrate the body.


• If you are prone to body odour, a shower twice a day should help.
  What is important is that you bathe after working out, exercising or coming home from a sweaty day. Also, make sure you wash your sweaty clothes regularly.


• The underarms tend to accumulate more sweat so make sure you shave or wax regularly. The same goes for the genital region that tends to produce more sweat.


• Smelly feet can drive anyone up the wall. So change socks daily. Fabrics like cotton and linen are better at soaking in sweat than other fabrics.


• Deodorants do help to mask body odour, but because they cause the skin pores to clog, you can’t be using a deo every three hours. Wash yourself at regular intervals. You can even keep wet wipes handy.


• Adding lots of fibre to your body helps clear the trash away. So include as many raw veggies, unpeeled fruits and vegetables, unpolished rice, whole grains and salads in your diet. The more toxins get flushed out of your body, the lesser smells there'll be left for others to have to put up with!

Health Benefits of Mint

The magic of mint: We love the mint leaves in our kababs and our mocktails, and its not without a reason. Mint leaves along with their lovely fragrance also have a number of health benefits that are stated below


Aids in digestion

Mint is a good appetizer. The smell of mint activates the salivary glands that produce digestive enzymes. This helps us in digestion.

Nausea and headache

When you feel nauseous try some mint to drive away that feeling. Smell the aroma of mint oil or fresh mint leaves in order to decrease nausea. If you are having a headache try applying some mint oil.

Reduces congestion

The smell of fresh mint is very effective for respiratory congestion as it opens up nose, throat, and lungs. Mint flavour can also help to overcome cough.

Helps breathe easy

If asthma patients use mint regularly it can provide relaxation, and help relieve breathing.

Gives you skin sheen

Mint juice is great when used as face masks. In addition to the skin, infections, rashes, and acne can also be cured by it. Mint can also heal mosquito bites.

For your smile

Mint leaves helps overcome bacteria and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, no wonder your mouth breathes fresh when you use it regularly.

Fights cancer

According to recent studies, some enzymes contained in the mint leaves can help fight cancer cells.

Simple Remedies For You

.. Dried mint leaves, boiled in water, form a strong concoction that helps in soothing the digestive tract and easing the severity of stomach aches.

.. Drinking herbal mint tea reduces irritated bowel syndromes and cleanses the stomach.

.. Crushed mint leaves helps in whitening teeth.

.. Inhaling mint gives relief from congestion problems, like sinus infections and common cold.

.. Due to the presence of essential oil called menthol, mint finds its usage in preparing a variety of cosmetics and perfumes.

Amit Tandon Does More Cardio to To Combat Tendency to Bulk Up

‘I have a natural tendency to bulk up’

MY EXERCISE REGIME

I work out religiously through the week. I do a lot of weight training. I work out for a maximum of two hours in the gym, out of which I spend one hour on the treadmill. I focus on a different body part each day, like legs, shoulders, chest and so on. Twice a week, I practise martial arts and American boxing.

MY PROBLEM AREAS

I have a tendency to bulk up a lot. My trainer has advised me to do more cardio to solve this issue. I also do spinning. Honestly, I do not like to look too bulky and want my body to look proportionately balanced. I tend to put on weight easily and so I want to lower my weight, which often fluctuates.

MY STRENGTHS

I have good will power, stamina, strength and I’m very competitive. If I see someone doing heavy weights in the gym, I try to out do that person by doing heavier weights and more repetitions.

MY DIET

I’m a Punjabi and that automatically makes me a big foodie. I’m a non-vegetarian and eat a lot of chicken and egg whites. I have protein shakes twice a day. I have a major sweet tooth. As a kid, I used to eat a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Even now, I need to have at least one sandwich a day. That’s the only thing that makes me cheat on my diet.

Fitness role model:

Salman Khan because he has a well-balanced physique and has maintained it for years.

Ideal celeb body (male):
Hugh Jackman’s body in Wolverine and Gerard Butler’s body in 300.

Ideal celeb body (female):
Kim Kardashian

Tips For Stress Relief/De-Stress

STRESS is synonymous with modern life. Too much of it wrecks our health and robs us of our personal happiness.

Here are some tips to combat stress: ..

Exercise and Meditate

Run, do some yoga, punch a bag at the gym, that's important. Your hormones need a bit of loosening up. The muscles need to begin working again. Exercise is a way to manage stress that doesn’t have to add to your financial woes. A 20-minute walk or jog around your block can yield up to 12 hours of improved mood. The main thing is to find a physical activity that you enjoy, whether it’s dancing or fly fishing. Practice deep breathing and meditation exercises daily, and when you feel tension rising.

If you like massages, go for them.

Stress often manifests in the form of physical ailments, aches, pains, etc.

Massages are a good for the physical body and also, mentally, it relaxes your frayed nerves.

Consciously incorporate some laughter into your daily regime.

Whether it is in the form of jokes, films, comic strips, comedy shows, a funny friend, treat this as part of an imaginary doctor's prescription. Laughter really is the best medicine. It is proven to lower tension, and at the same time, improves blood flow and the health of your heart. Rent a funny movie or hang out with that wannabe-comedian pal, and forget about your worries for a while

Socialize and Mingle with people.

When you are with people, troubles start feeling less burdensome. You begin to get a sense of what everyone else is living with and automatically lighten up.
Spending time with friends and family who give you a sense of belonging, purpose, and fun may provide all the stress relief you need.

Join a fun class.

It should be something that you enjoy - dancing, yoga, pottery, a book reading club… something that takes you away from the bigger events of the day that are a continuous source of stress, something you can actually label as ' me' time.

Prioritizing healthy eating, physical activity, relationships, and sleep is necessary if you want to avoid making your stress worse.

Neha Desai's Diet and Exercise Regime

TV ACTOR NEHA DESAI who has been seen in a number of TV serials is very particular about her fitness. She loves to workout in the gym whenever she has free time at hand.


She shares her fitness regime:

Gym gyaan

I have been working out rigorously for the past five years or so. I hit the gym at least five days a week. I train specific body parts like chest, shoulders, triceps, back and biceps, legs, abs on different days. As I am already slim, I don’t need any cardio workout.

Also it’s easier to tone my muscles, which is what I concentrate on.

Weighty issue

Genetically, I am quite thin.But since I have a high metabolic rate, I have to balance my workout with my daily food intake. Also, my weight has been stable throughout. I don’t have a tendency to put on kilos. If I don’t work out regularly, I tend to lose weight.

So, I need to exercise to stay healthy.

My diet Regime

I start my morning with a huge glass of warm water, followed by tea with ginger ( I do not compromise on my first tea for the day).

It is followed with a heavy breakfast, which could be a brown bread sandwich ( with lettuce, cucumber, cheese) or Poha / Upma, oats or fruits on somedays with protein shake.

Lunch is normally roti, sabzi, dal and achaar.

In the evenings, I have a protein bar or fruits or Maggie.

My dinner is similar to my lunch.

I drink around three litres of water every day. I try to drink as much water as I can. It's good for my skin and keeps my body hydrated.

Chilling out

I love listening to music. I always have my music on me.

It helps me cut off from people whenever I want to and be in my own zone. Reading novels, watching films and chilling out with my friends also helps me unwind.

Sometimes, just a drive is enough to end the day on a good note.

Causes For Memory Loss and 5 Tips to 'Remember'

Just two weeks ago, you forgot your cell phone in a taxi, only to repeat the same thing again last week. The only difference is that this time it was with your wallet. You are not alone! A recent study by the Hokkaido University of Japan, conducted on 150 volunteers between the ages of 20 and 35, found that one in 10 young people are suffering from severe memory loss.

Another study on women under 30, estimates that a third of women cannot remember their own phone number, leave alone the birthdays of as few as three close relatives. Are we running out of memory space? Neurology specialist Dr Vinay Chauhan says that the tendency for forgetfulness at a younger age is a growing cause for alarm. "It is important to focus on the cause for memory loss in young people, because more often than not it is not an actual brain dysfunction like Alzheimer's, but an environmental or chemical imbalance in the patient's life. Once identified, these causes can usually be treated," he says.

Causes for the early onset of memory loss range from stress to depression, a condition more common in women, to thyroid imbalances and even deficiencies in Vitamins B-12 and B-6. B-12 and B-6 are essential in getting neurotransmitters in our brains to remember things. Neurologist and specialist in memory loss Dr Anu Aggarwal says, "Memory loss is especially high in Mumbai, where gadgets are replacing our memories and young people are multi-tasking at extraordinarily high levels. Our brains are simply not equipped for such an overload."

She stresses the importance of diagnosis and treatment to overrule the possibility of serious long-term condition, including Alzheimer's disease and Dementia, whose likelihood increases with age. Talking to next of kin or a close friend is vital to understanding the gravity of the problem since people tend to either over or underestimate their own forgetfulness. One surefire indication that you (or someone you know), is suffering from a real problem is when your forgetfulness starts to impact your life or aspects of it.

The silver lining is that is that provided the 'memory loss' is an offshoot of the stress of living and working in the city, it is treatable. Dr Chauhan cites the case study of a 45-year old woman, who was suffering from severe memory loss and behavioural changes. While all signs seemed to point towards the early onset of Alzheimer's, tests revealed the cause to be Hashimoto's Encephalopathy disorder, a very rare hypo-thyroid condition.

Post treatment, she returned to a complete state of normalcy. Adequate quality sleep is one of the best ways to combat potential memory loss. Sleep helps the body to consolidate memory, playing an extremely important role in brain function. So, the next time you find yourself struggling to remember things, the best advice might just be to, sleep on it!

5 Tips to 'remember'

1 Exercise. Regular (and preferably daily) exercise results in increased blood flow to the brain. It also puts you in a state of relaxation, which is important for the memory to function.

2 'Me' time counts. Setting aside recreational time for oneself every day is important, as it helps slow down the pace of an otherwise frenzied day.

3 Eat healthy. A healthy balanced diet, which includes a good dose of vitamin B-12 (found in animal products like meat, poultry, eggs and milk products) is good. Vegetarians, who are more prone to this deficiency, can opt for B-12 supplements.

4 Stick to a routine. A regular daily schedule combined with a good night's sleep (at a regulated time), helps regularise a body clock.

5 Avoid addictions in any form, as they increase the chances of memory dysfunction.

Diet is the Key Says Mahaakshay Chakraborty as He Reveals His Fitness Secrets

Mahaakshay Chakraborty talks about his fitness regime and Diet

Mahakshay Chakraborty

MY EXERCISE REGIMEN

My exercise regimen is very intense. I do Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) thrice a week for 90 minutes. I don’t do weights anymore, but concentrate on cardio — whether it’s running 5 km a day, dancing, swimming or squash. I
also do the ‘Insanity’ workout which is cardio to the extreme! And I play a lot of cardio games too.

MY DIET

Of course, diet is key! In fact, I believe that diet is everything! I count even the air that I breathe. Because of my intense training, I make sure I eat the right amount of nutrients. Everything is balanced. But I don’t take supplements. I only take a multi-vitamin. I eat everything under the roof but in moderation. Just enough for the body to absorb and to use.

MY PROBLEM AREAS

Since I’ve been doing MMA I have moved my shoulder tendons on more than one occasion so my shoulders are loose. My lower back pains from time to time and so do my muscles tendons below my right thigh. But I take the pain because I love MMA!

MY STRENGTHS

My strength is my mind because pain is weakness leaving the body. The mind has the ultimate power and in MMA, the mind has to be stronger than the body because you get punched and kicked a lot.

How Anushka Sharma Stays Fit

FIRST THING on my mind when I wake up…
My schedule for the day...

I’m always in TWO MINDS about…
Whether to comment or not to.

THIRD-TIME lucky (something I tried thrice)
Touch wood! I have been very lucky with the kind of films I’m doing…

FOURplay (my all-time favourite songs to work out to)
I don’t have any, as the tempo of my workout drives the music I play.

Gimme 5! (My 5 workout essentials)
I do weight training four times a week to tone my body. Eating right and healthy is a very important part of my wellness routine (Check out Anushka's Wholesome Diet). Yoga is a recent addition to my workout, as it rejuvenates my mind, and gives my skin that inner glow. Sufficient rest is also important for the body to recuperate.

6 am (what I’m most likely to be doing at the time)
Sleeping, unless I have work.

7 days a week (I can’t live without!)
Yoga!

8 and 8 (my favourite guilty indulgence)
My mom’s momos and butter chicken. For Anushka's Recipe of Momo Click here >>

On cloud 9 (my favourite ways to de-stress)
I always have such a stressful schedule that I really appreciate the simple, relaxed things in life, like gossiping with my mom while she gives me a nice head massage, or lunching with my girlfriends.

LAST THING I do before tucking in…
Wash my face and a champi with coconut oil.

Diet: Have a Rainbow On Your Plate

Staying younger longer is a wholistic process that has its roots in sound nutrition. Even if you are keeping your weight in check, you still need to ensure that you are eating the right foods to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrients from your diet. A good way to ensure this is to incorporate lots of bright colours on to your plate: greens, yellows, reds and even purple ( brinjal is a great “ super” food, bursting with antioxidants).


Eating foods rich in antioxidants ( almonds, sweet potatoes) and “ fat- burning foods” or complex carbohydrates, including fresh fruits and veggies go a long way in making you look younger and feeling fabulous, since metabolism slows down with ageing, and as a result the body burns fewer calories.

Experts advise steering clear of processed foods, which are foods that have been altered from their natural state, either for convenience or safety reasons. Examples include foods that have been canned, frozen, dehydrated and even refrigerated. These include chips, cookie, breakfast cereals, pastas made with refined white flour and processed meats.

A good way to avoid bingeing is to opt for ‘ natural appetite suppressants’ before a meal.

Tips include drinking two glasses of water at least half an hour before a meal, eating fibre- rich foods ( lentils, wholewheat pasta, lentils), eating fresh salads and soups.

Eating slowly also goes a long way, as does portion control: Understanding portion size and approximate calories per recommended serving.

Ranbir Kapoor’s Workouts and Diet Plans

Ranbir Kapoor has personal trainer Pradeep Bhatia to thank for his physique. Bhatia has been training RK for three years now and was introduced to the star by his mom, Neetu Singh whom he trained for a while.

Ranbir Kapoor With His Trainer Pradeep Bhatia

Special needs

“Ranbir has no time to visit a gym regularly due to his erratic shooting hours. He was looking for a personal trainer who can be with him on a full time basis.” Pradeep travels to all the actor’s shoots and makes sure he doesn’t miss his workouts and eats right.

Details

Ranbir Kapoor works out at Sanjay Dutt’s gym six days a week for about 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes. Pradeep offers details about the actor’s workouts. “ Ranbir does hardcore gymming and isn’t too fond of swimming or yoga. He likes working on his chest and back but cringes when he has to work on his legs as he finds it painful. He likes to listen to music while working out.

DAILY WORKOUT

Includes a cardio for five to 10 minutes to warm up. Ranbir concentrates on different body parts — chest and back, shoulder and legs, biceps — on different days. He also does kickboxing once in a while.

DIET PLAN

Pradeep calls Ranbir “a foodie” but with “less appetite”. He keeps a close watch on Ranbir’s diet and has given him the following diet chart.

BREAKFAST: Milk with cornflakes and a banana/Egg white omelette and brown bread toast with a glass of fresh juice. Black/espresso coffee.

LUNCH: Tandoori chicken with daal and two chapaatis.

DINNER: Grilled salmon, fish, and chicken.

ON THE SETS: Fruits and juices, green tea and Darjeeling tea.

SUPPLEMENTS: Multi- vitamins and whey protein shakes twice a day — after workouts and after dinner.

WEAKNESSES: A weakness for a soft drink he endorses. A slice of cake, every now and then.

OTHER STAR CLIENTS

Pradeep who recently opened a gym at Vikhroli has also trained host of stars like Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Lara Dutta, Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh.

The Smart Way to Manage Diabetes

Arecent theory on thrifty genes (genes that help store fat) suggests that a large section of individuals have an evolutionary adaptation that may not adjust to modern lifestyle. Which means that their genes may be contributing to the excessive storage of calories and may actually be responsible for lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.


Of course, with less or no physical activity thanks to a sedentary lifestyle and a proclivity for high-fat-and-cholesterol food, the risk of developing diabetes becomes even higher. Which is why a healthy diet plays an important role in keeping diabetes under check.

Good nutrition

Complex carbohydrates:
People with diabetes need to know which type of carbohydrate they can consume. Complex carbohydrates take longer to be broken down into glucose. Complex carbohydrates are considered to be good energy sources. For instance, whole-wheat chapatis or whole grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, ragi, brown rice, beans, oats and greens.

Dietary fibre:
Dietary fibre, particularly soluble fibre like beta glucan, helps to slow the absorption of sugar and keeps blood sugar from rising rapidly. Doctors recommend that 20-30 per cent of one’s daily fibre intake should come from soluble fibre. Rich sources of dietary fibre include whole grains, oat bran, ragi , brown rice and legumes.

Protein:
This is the quintessential nutrient for people with diabetes. Doctors suggest that protein should make up 12-20 percent of a diabetic’s daily diet.

Trans fats:
They are produced as a result of hydrogenation of vegetable oils. The unchecked use of saturated and trans-fatty acids increases bad cholesterol and causes arteriosclerosis. A person with diabetes must keep the amount of saturated fat and trans fats in his/her diet to a minimum.

For Information on Diabetes Testing Equipment and Pills Click Here >>

Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha‎ By Rujuta Divekar (Kareena's Dietician)

Women & The Weight Loss Tamasha is penned by Rujuta Diwekar. The author is Kareena Kapoor's dietician.

Kareena Kapoor Says “For a long time, I used to think that diets were all about starving and punishing yourself. And I wasn’t alone… Then I met Rujuta. She totally changed my perception about diets and dieting. First, she told me it wasn’t about starving but about eating well, eating right and eating regularly. I said, ‘I’m a Kapoor, I love my parathas, paneer, cheese.’ Rujuta replied, ‘You can go right ahead and eat all of that and more.’ I was like, cool, when can we start?”
Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha‎ is available on flipkart.com for only Rs 130/- BUY NOW >>


Kareena Kapoor talks about 'Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha'‎ at the book launch.


The book will deal with on issues like food and everything, related to a woman’s health starting from puberty to marriage to pregnancy and then menopause. Bebo has been part of the entire process of bringing the book in front of the readers

Bebo has earlier launched Rujuta’s book titled ‘Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight’ (Details Here >>). For the latest 'Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha‎', Kareena has also given her voice for the narration of the complementary audio-book, which will be offered with the main book.

Buy it From flipkart.com for only Rs 130/- CLICK HERE >>

(OR)

Buy From Amazon.com for $10

The Full Plate Diet: Slim Down, Look Great, Be Healthy!

Slim Down, Look Great, Be Healthy - The Full Plate Diet is based on eating foods our Moms said we should eat - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans & peas, and nuts & seeds. You can eat meat - just follow Mom's advice.

Big health payoffs include heart health, cancer fighting, diabetes friendly, more energy, and long life. Lots of medical research backing The Full Plate Diet. You can begin the diet without making a lot of changes


You can stay on this diet because you won't feel deprived - won't have to eat tiny portions. You get started by making small changes, not big ones. No hassle - you don't have to count calories, you can shop at your regular grocery store, and spend less on food.

The book includes:

- Favorite Recipes of the authors, Dr. Seale, Dr. Sherard and Dr. Fleming tell us their faves – dishes that are fascinating, tasty, easy and fun.
- Fiber Wheels – a new invention to help you create your own fiber dishes quickly
- Recommended Products you can buy off the shelf.
- Shopping Guide – a handy pullout of the top 55 fiber foods
- More checklists & reminder tips to inspire you
- More fun quotes to make you smile
- More Fun Facts about Food – charming and informative
- A Durable Hard Cover that lays flat like a cookbook. It folds 360 degrees and takes up less space.

The Full Plate Diet: Slim Down, Look Great, Be Healthy! is available for $13.57 at amazon.com - Click Here to Buy Now >>

Here's How Sonakshi Sinha Dropped Her Weight From 90 to 60 kilos

There was a time when the Dabangg actress Sonakshi Sinha weighed 90 kilos and perhaps the people closest to her never imagined that she would become a star, although destiny dictated otherwise. Here's how Sonakshi dropped all the extra weight to be catapulted to fame with her grand entry to B-Town in Dabangg, opposite Salman Khan.


What few know is the effort it took for her to light up the big screen. A few years ago, at 90 kgs Sonakshi was more than just overweight. While studying fashion designing, however, she realised that she needed to lose at least one-third of her weight, not just to look good but also to feel healthy.

Here's the routine Sonakshi started on in her bid to drop the excess baggage:

- She began visiting the gym twice a day.
- She started on a high protein diet.
- She cut back on her carbohydrate consumption.
- She experienced immense benefits from spinning.
- She included weight training in her regular fitness regime, working at it four to five times a week.

Here's the lowdown on the actress' present routine:

- She takes small meals every three hours to keep her energy levels high.
- She has been performing hot yoga to tone her body -- working on various postures in a steamed room where the temperature is 40 degrees C.
- She loves the company of other individuals during a workout session.
- She shows preference for yoga over aerobics.
- She often takes pleasure in playing tennis.

Sonakshi suggests that one stop eating carbs after six in the evening. She also supports the idea of drinking several cups of green tea daily.

The actress revealed that she did not have to look back after she lost 30 kgs. She got enough guidance and health tips from one of the fittest heroes of the industry, Salman Khan. With her great looks and a perfect body, she is the new darling of Bollywood and India.

Kareena Kapoor's Diet Plan By Dietician Rujuta Divekar For Her Look in Ra.One

Kareena's 3 diets for her new look in Ra.One: Kareena Kapoor followed 3 different diet plans (drawn up by dietician Rujuta Divekar) for her look in Chammak Challo, a Ra.One song she recently shot for.

Reveals Rujuta, "It was a jam-packed schedule. Kareena had left for Las Vegas on a 21-day shoot for Short Term Shaadi. On her return, she had to shoot for Ra.One's Chammak Challo, where she had to fit in to this sexy white dress.

To attain that perfect figure, we had a Mumbai diet charted out on her return to the city, one for her stay in LV another for her 24-hour flight from Mumbai to Las Vegas via London and then back again to Mumbai after the shoot ended. She lost five kilos for the Ra.One song but still ended up loking fit and fabulous."

The dietician, who is used to planning controlled diets for Kareena admits that the different diets were difficult to plan out especially the one in Vegas. "We had two diets in place one for 10 days and one for the nights. It was very tough to find the right food in Vegas as they were shooting outside.

At 4 am she would have milk shakes or milk - food that was light but enough to sustain the cold and feel enthusiastic about working."

Buy Books Written By Rujuta Divekar
A scene where Bebo had to eat several pancakes topped with maple syrup for a particular scene in STS during the Vegas shoot, had Rujuta worried.

"We managed to see that she ate on time. I wasn't travelling with her but was constantly in touch on the BlackBerry Messenger.

We had made diet plans when she boarded the flight. She told me the breaks she would be taking along the Mumbai-London-Las Vegas route.

There's a chef at the UK lounge, who is a huge fan of Kareena's and when she travels, she asks him to pack dabbas for her. It was quite a tough thing to plan but Kareena managed everything perfectly."

Rujuta adds, "On the Ra.One song shoot, I gave Kareena makhaana (lotus seeds) to eat as they are very nutritious and rich in minerals. She'd eat them roasted in ghee flavoured with pepper and salt. Even Shah Rukh liked it and would eat with her."

Kareena's Las Vegas diet (all vegetarian)
Morning bananas, cereals and milk
Afternoon a slice of cheese
Dinner
Pizzas
Pasta
Risotto and rice
Soups like tomato

Flight diet
Parathas
Daal and rice daal
Banana
Lots of water
Walnuts and other dry fruits for Vitamin E as the pressure in plane makes skin look pale and dry

Mumbai diet on the sets of Ra.One
Parathas
Puris
Pulao with raita at night
Makhaana (lotus seed)
Grilled vegetable sandwich
Early dinner of rice and dahi

12 Steps to Superstar Fitness

That's right! The Surya Namaskara can take you from flab to fab. Here's all you need to know about the 12-set sequence of yoga asanas that can tone your body and free your mind

For those of us who complain about not having enough time to squeeze in a daily exercise regime, the surya namaskara or sun salutation could prove the solution. The sequence comprises twelve Hatha yoga asanas designed to stretch the entire body.

The result is an increase in flexibility, strength, and a boost to immunity. The best part is that it takes just 12 minutes to do twelve rounds of the exercise.

If each asana in the 12-set sequence is done with complete breath awareness, then it works every part of the body. Yogacharya, Shameem Akhtar, trained with the international Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, says, "The arms get toned in the inverted V pose, the legs in all the standing poses. The waist gets slimmer by arching well and deeply in the crescent pose." It exercise also works the thighs, shoulders and back.

Internal massage

The benefits of doing the surya namaskara are deeper, compared to other forms of exercises. It aids overall well-being. "It massages the important glands -- the liver (in the ashtanga namaskara pose), stress glands and kidneys.

In the forward bend, it encourages blood flow to the brain, and therefore makes hair lush and keeps the face looking fresh and young, while tweaking master glands in the brain so that the body's thermostat is set at its healthy best," adds Shameem.

Practice makes perfect

"It is important to learn the technique well before you start pushing yourself to do more rounds. If wrongly done, it can cause cramps or pain in the back or spine. The number of namaskaras that should be done depends on an individual's current fitness level and flexibility," says yoga instructor Harushith Kumble.

Surya namaskara is a great energy booster, and is therefore best done in the morning. Though, if one is pressed for time, it can be done any time of day. It is advisable not to do the surya namaskara close to bedtime, as it could interfere with one's sleep.

The Ideal workout

According to Shameem, the ideal routine (even when you're pressed for time) should include a six surya namaskaras set (five minutes), six asanas (including inversions, twists and arm balancers, which would take another five to ten minutes), pranayama practice (like anulom vilom, a few rounds of which would take ten minutes) and the final relaxation/meditation (five minutes with breath awareness) is best. An ideal set would be 12, covering the right and left legs in one set, adding up to a total of 24 rounds.

"Cardiovascular exercise and weight training complement each other. While running on the treadmill, you exercise your legs, increase heart rate and there are a pattern of similar muscle contractions. In surya namaskara, muscle contractions are on a deeper level and it also improves flexibility, stability and strength, as it includes a variety of movements in different directions," says fitness expert Madhuri Ruia.

As it works on most muscles and organs and improves immunity, surya namaskara helps combat several diseases, including stomach ailments and spinal problems. But in certain health complications, including high blood pressure, it must be taught in a phased manner.

According to some yoga institutes surya namaskaras can delay puberty in children, enabling the child's body and mind to mature together.

This is how they did it

Discipline is key

Kareena Kapoor got her size zero look after doing 50 surya namaskaras in one session accompanied by 1,000 kapalbhartis to get in shape for Tashan.

Her diet included snacks every three hours accompanied with nuts and milk for energy, green vegetables and one slice of cheese. No rice or chapattis for this girl! Kareena Kapoor's Diet Chart - Click Here

Slow and steady does it

Rani Mukherji started with 5 to 10 surya namaskaras as she had weak nerves and would suffer from cramps. Slowly, she got to over 50 surya namaskaras and 1,000 repetitions of kapalbharti (accompanied by simple cardio exercise). She lost eight kilos in 10 months to achieve her svelte avtaar in Dil Bole Hadippa.

Persistence pays

Neha Dhupia has been doing the surya namaskara for four years. She combines yoga with cardio either in the gym or 50 minutes of running. She has switched to a macrobiotic diet, eating organic foods and whole grains, and has cut out dairy.

Below is an explaination of how surya namaskara is performed in 12 easy steps
For videos and images of how to perform the Surya Namaskar Click here >>

>>Stand erect feet together and palms joined in the centre of the chest in a namaskaras and inhale. Next, exhale and push hands down straightening and lowering the arms until the elbows touch the sides.

>>Breathe in deeply and raise the arms above the head and extend the spine backwards arching the back from the waist. Let the eyes follow the hands while relaxing your neck and keeping hands straight.

>>Exhale, bend forward from the waist and place the hands on the floor besides each foot. Knees should remain straight. Relax with your head and neck in a bending pose. Breathe out completely. If you cannot touch the ground, then let your hands go only as far as they can.

>>Inhale and put your weight on the hands, stretch the right leg behind and rest it on toes. Bend the knee and place it on the floor with your weight on the left foot and arch the spine backward. Lift the head and neck first up and then back. Roll the eyes up. The left foot does not move.

>>Exhale and bring the left foot back in line with the right. Lift the hips up high like a mountain. Push the heels and head down and look at the toes with the head down between the arms.

>>Put the knees down first and then bring the chest down. See that eight parts of the body are touching the floor including two feet, two knees, two hands, the chest and the chin or forehead. Make sure the hips are slightly raised above the ground. Inhale and exhale in this position. Keep the feet together.

>>Lower the abdomen and pelvis to the floor. Inhale and stretch the toes on the floor. Raise your head slowly up, arch the spine and neck and look up. Keep your legs together and the elbows alongside the body slightly bent and keep the shoulders down.

>>Exhale and wiggle your toes forward allowing your feet to rest on the soles while you raise the hips as you did in number 5.

>>Inhale and bring the right foot forward and come into pose number 4 as earlier, but with the leg positions reversed.

>>Exhale and bring the right foot forward (same as pose 3).

>>Inhale and stretch up in a standing pose with your arms up and bend backwards (same as pose 2).

>>Exhale and stand erect bringing the hands back to the centre of the chest with palms together.

Videos: Sonam Kapoor Makeup Tips, Sonam's Lessons On How to Apply Make-Up

Sonam Kapoor for L'Oreal Makeup: L’Oreal Paris has released 3 videos where style icon Sonam Kapoor dishes on her essential makeup items for the day, how to get her AM to PM look as well as working in brighter colours to get a more festive look.




What are the absolute essentials in your make up box? Sonam Kapoor shows you what to carry with you at all times so you stay gorgeous all day long.


Transform your makeup from day to night in a matter of minutes. Watch Sonam Kapoor share her makeup tricks and easy tips to stay gorgeous every single day.


It's celebration time in India and the festivities are round the corner. Let Sonam Kapoor tell you how to work bright colours into your makeup routine for festive months.


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Malaika Arora Khan's Diet Chart and Health Tips

Malaika Arora Khan Gives Diet and Health Tips

MALAIKA'S DIET CHART

MORNING: One glass of warm water with honey and lime and then One litre of warm water

BREAKFAST: One small bowl of seasonal fruit Idli or poha or upma or porridge

12 NOON: A glass of vegetable juice with amla, One egg white with two brown toasts

LUNCH: Brown or red Goa rice, 2- 3 vegetables, Chicken or fish and One bowl of sprouts as salad

4 PM: Idli or poha or upma or one peanut butter sandwich

DINNER: (have latest by 8 pm) Soups or salad. A light meal but no lentils (daals).

NIGHT: If hungry have an orange or carrots or any seasonal fruits or dry fruits like figs, almonds and apricots.

MALAIKA'S HEALTH TIPS

>> Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper
>> NO carbohydrates at night
>> Don’t starve — eat healthy and everything but in moderation.
>> Avoid fried foods. Have a diet for the week and binge on Sundays
>> Cook everything in extra virgin olive oil
>> Have plenty of carbs through the day like sweet potatoes, potatoes and brown bread. Have potatoes in their jackets — roasted.
>> If you eat healthy, you will go a long way

Malaika Arora Khan Takes to Yoga Asanas

Malaika Arora Khan Does yoga 3 times a week, Plans on Writing a Book on Health and Fitness.

Kareena Kapoor has led many of her friends to follow yoga. Malaika Arora Khan is the latest to be added to the list that includes the likes of Saif Ali Khan, Tusshar Kapoor and Amrita Arora Ladhak.

Says Malaika, “ I have been learning yoga for some time. Kareena and Amu (Amrita Arora) introduced me to it. Payal Gidwani has been training me. I do yoga thrice a week at home with Payal’s girl, alternating it between gym and pilates. Now I really look forward to my sessions with Kareena and Amu. We are yoga junkies.”

Malaika Arora Khan Meditates and Does Yoga Thrice a Week

While Malaika has been introduced to asanas by Kareena, Malaika’s husband Arbaaz has been a ‘ yoga junkie’ for many years.“ Arbaaz is into rituals and holistic healing like yoga and vipassana but stopped completely for more than a year.Once he became a producer with Dabangg, he got caught up in pre and post-production work and stopped doing it completely. I have been asking him to start doing it again.” Besides doing yoga thrice a week for an hour Malaika also works out thrice a week. “ I am mostly into weight- training with my trainer when at the gym.” The yummy mummy is planning to bring out a book on healthy food habits and workouts.

“ I love talking about healthy food, home- made remedies and giving health tips. So yes, I have been thinking about writing a book on how to have a sexy body without starving yourself.”

To Buy Yoga DVDs on Amazon.com, Click Here >>

Malaika Arora Khan Performs Her Routine Yoga Asanas

Buy Shilpa Shetty's Yoga DVD on Amazon.com >>