Royal Jelly : Skin Care Miracle Worker

Royal jelly works miracles on the skin and had wonderful anti-aging and anti-wrinkle properties.

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Don’t be fooled by the name. This is not something you’d scoop out and eat. What we are discussing here is the natural secretion of honey bees. This secretion is rich in nutrients and in nature it is used by the queen larvae and adult queens as a source of food. This nutritive product is highly rich in a wide range of vitamins like the b complex vitamins including several other nutritive components like amino acids, trace minerals , fatty acids etc.

This wonder jelly is said to have some remarkable properties which could be the answers to some path breaking scientific research. It has a wide range use. Some research has shown that it can be helpful in managing cases of grave’s disease. However certain allergic skin reactions like asthma etc. have also known to be caused by it so before you can indulge in its usage do carry out a sensitivity patch test just to ensure you are not allergic to it.

However what we will see further is how the use of royal jelly can work miracles when used in skin care. This completely organic product is a really rich source of all the essentials nutrients for great looking and feeling skin. This product has yet to penetrate the global markets and reach the shelves of a store near you. At the moment there are a couple of distributors which deal in this wonder jelly. So if you can manage to lay your hands on this wonder product I suggest grab it by all means. Just insure that it genuine.

Dermatological research has shown that royal jelly has amazing properties in reversing or managing the skin aging problems. It has anti wrinkle and skin tightening properties which will leave your skin looking and feeling revitalized in all respect.

Considering the higher proportion of fatty acids in its composition, it makes for a good add on for moisturizing routines. It seems to be a cheaper alternative than the expensive branded moisturizing agents that are available in the market these days, which promise more and deliver less.

Experts have now realized the importance of the youth fountain and have started training bee keepers to tap this industry. So soon a lot more people can have access to this wonderful nutritive and therapeutic product at affordable rates

Eco Fashion: The Way to Go Green

Not many of us are aware of the range of eco fabrics that are available. That is because these fabrics are not manufactured to the extent the conventional fabrics are. It's only owing to a few environment friendly enterprises, that this fad of eco friendly fabrics and organic clothing is soon gaining recognition.

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One such fabric in this rookie league is the Soya Bean Fabric. The concept is not a new one but one that was developed in the early nineteen thirties. However owing to high costs of production and lack of popularity, it wasn't successful at entering the major league of conventional fabrics.

One of the earliest users of the organic fabric was the legendary auto maker Henry Ford, who got his first suit tailored from soya fabric. Ford was a hardcore connoisseur of everything soy and was among the first ones to experiment with this fabric. However not until recently it's once again gaining momentum due the go green agenda and the global warming issue. This fabric is now also being produced on a large scale in China which is also producing other eco fabrics like bamboo fabric etc and exporting it across the globe.

Fabric from soy falls into the Green Category owing to its process of manufacture. This fabric is made by processing the material that's left behind after soya products are obtained. These remnants then undergo a rigorous treatment with different chemicals mainly to get rid of any soya protein that may be present in it. After the purification process id done it is converted into yarns and then into fabric. The chemicals that are used in the processing stage are recycled and hence this closed loop process has little or no impact on the environment.
The fabric obtained is similar in texture to silk. It is soft and has amazing wicking properties. Owing to this it also has good antibacterial properties. The fabric owing to its soft and silky texture is also referred to as vegetable cashmere. It is best suited for casual apparels and for shawls, socks, undergarments and baby clothes.

Another incredible fact about this fabric is that is completely biodegradable unlike most of the synthetic fabrics and other fabrics that are available currently. Thus you can actually dump it in your compost pit once you've over worn it and viola you'll get some amazing compost.

Tensed About Something You Need a Solution For? Take a Walk Through the Labyrinth

How one can embark on a labyrinth journey to sort out personal problems and dilemmas.

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Ever found yourself in a situation where you haven’t been able to arrive at a satisfactory decision or a dilemma which has been bothering you endlessly. Whenever we are faced with such situations we often tend to turn to friends or look for solutions for such problems. With the busy lifestyles that people lead in current times, you may find it increasingly difficult to get the required help to sort things out.

In such situations the spiritual tool of the Labyrinth can be of great help. It serves as an apt tool for one to spend some quality time in introspection and helps you take things into control and make your own decisions.

The labyrinth looks a lot like the maze but is very different from it in terms of purpose and structure. The labyrinth is an architectural blend of circular and spiraling designs. Unlike a maze, which is made to be confusing and has a lot of dead ends, the design of the labyrinth is simple and uncomplicated. It has just one way to the center and the same way back. The very structure of the labyrinth seems to activate various levels of concentration and consciousness in the individual taking a walk through it. This is because the journey is full of alternating left and right turns which activate both sides of your brain and thus help you to think about any situation and analyze it with greater effectiveness.

The labyrinth puts forth one fact very strongly, that we alone can solve the issues and concerns that gloom over us. The solutions to all our problems lie within us. All we need to do is give it considerable time of thought and contemplation. The labyrinth activity promotes a creative line of though and strengthens the intuitive thinking capacity of an individual.

While walking through the labyrinth there a couple of things you need to keep in your mind for this trip to be a fulfilling exercise. Before you enter the labyrinth think of the issues you would like to find a solution for. Once you’re ready you can embark on the journey to the center. While on your way, look for solutions that are practical and non-emotional. Like I said the answer lies within you it all just depends on how well you can look for it. If this exercise is carefully and honestly performed you would have reached a suitable decision by the time to reach the center of the labyrinth. On reaching the center of the labyrinth you can then start towards the exit. While doing so you need to now evaluate the solution you have thought of. Do so by looking at them in a non-judgmental way and continue to proceed towards the exit.

This is how the Labyrinth can actually be of great help to you. Now the question most of you might have is, where we find theses labyrinths. Well there not many of these in this part of the globe, so actually locating one close to you could be a futile task. But there is something you could do to access one whenever you think you need some help. If you have a certain amount of available space like a back yard which you could devote, you could actually build a labyrinth of your own. Its rather simple to build one. You don’t need to do it elaborately. It can be done on a small scale and with easily accessible materials like stones. To construct one you can refer to any of the stone Labyrinth pictures that are easily available on the net. If you aren’t that fortunate on the space aspect you could make a board game version of the labyrinth where you can move your finger through its path to the center and back and do it in the same way as described above.

This tool is great and can be of great help. This used to be an ancient practice followed over the globe for different purposes like praying to their devotees or taking on a pilgrimage. This ancient practice is soon gaining popularity in the mystical offerings. More and more meditation centers across the world are now offering their clientele the services of labyrinths as part of their unique and unusual ways of reliving stress and relaxing methods.

Time Travel

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Time Travel, is it Really possible? 

Well the Movies/Tv Series definetley are earning alot of money on this concept.The latest TV series Tera Nova got the viewers hooked and wanting more.

There are many theories that suggest that travelling through time is possible however we currently don't have the technology to invent a time machine.This Blog will not include any such information as there is alot of data already avialble on the World Wide Web.Writing this blog so that I can share some of my views on Time Travel and take you on a journey to achieving it in your own home,right this minute.

For me Time Traveling is as simple as displacing/stimulating your thoughts to the time where you want to be.To achieve this you can use music to bring back those memories like it was just happening.Have you had this feeling when you listen to a song which was playing during your first kiss,a new car etc.It transports you back in time bringing back those memories.

Its not just music but really any thing which can stimulate your brain say even smell also would give you the same effect.All I can say for now is that till some physicist gets the math correct and some engineer works on that math and invents a Time Machine,we can only live on the simple stuff of stimulating our minds to the place where we want to be.

Go on make new memories,have fun.

Movie Review - Step Up 4 Revolution

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Step Up 4 - Revolution is a movie produced by director Jon M.Chu and directed by Scott Speer.

PLOT:

Emily Anderson plays the lead role,she is the daughter of a wealthy business man.Unlike her father who wants her to take over his busnisess she has a passion to become a professional dancer.She falls in love with Sean, a young man who leads a dance crew who specailises in flash mobs. The crew is named/called the " MOB ", whose goal is to win 10 Million views on You Tube.Like any film which needs a bad guy,here Emily's father takes on this role and threatens to destroy the MOB's neighborhood and build a hotel in its place.Watch the movie to find out how Emily and Sean team up to save the MOB's neighborhood.

REVIEW:

If you have not watched the previous Step up movies,this movie would rock your world.But if you have watched at-least Step up 3 then you would agree with me that Step up 4 was a step down.All in all a good movie to be watched at-least once.I would rate it 3 out of 5.

How to Apply for an INDIAN Passport.

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I am writing this blog as I was pleased with the changes in the process of Applying for an Indian passport.

Government of India has really worked alot on removing the Agent/Middle man from the picture.

Was impressed with the vision and what it says is what we get.

Vision


"To deliver passport services to citizens in a timely, transparent, more accessible, reliable manner and in a comfortable environment through streamlined processes and committed, trained and motivated workforce"


Shri SM Krishna
Minister of External Affairs


Process

• Go to http://passport.gov.in/
• Create a login id.Please note that password expires after 60 days.
• Once you are logged in,click on Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport.

You can apply for a fresh passport or Reissue of a passport by 2 methods:

Method 1

• You can download the soft copy of the form. 
• Fill it offline.
• Upload the filled form on the site again.

Method 2( I prefer this method).

• You can fill the application form online.

Once the form is submitted,you can go to View Saved/Submitted Applications tab,select Manage Appointment at around 7:00 pm IST,because the booking of an appointment day/time can only be done once in a DAY and will open at 7:30 pm IST sharp (*** very Important).
It took me 3 days to place an appointment as you need to be very fast and the appointments get booked like hot cakes.You will have only 45 - 60 secs to place your appointment so be on time or you will have to sit and wait for the next day ;).

Once an Appointment is booked,take the print out and go to your PSK.Please note to take all your documents and photo copies (Even if you forget the photocopies its ok there is a facility to do this in the PSK itself) as you might get the appointment cancelled due to lack of an original document.

Self Motivation-You and Only You Can Do It

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The article enforces the importance of Self Motivation to get rid of your vises and improve as a person and a professional.


It has been rightly said that ‘self motivation is the best motivation'. This is true for you alone hold the key and the solution to most of your troubles. It is you alone who are the cause and thus you alone can be the solution.


An individual is the best judge of one's self. He rightly knows where he excels and where his drawbacks lie. Thus when it comes to ditching all those bad habits that have plagued you for so long, it's you alone that can push yourself to do it. All you have to do is get a deeper insight into your personality and clearly identify the things you would like to change about yourself.


Be it vices like alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking or other habits like overspending lying or cheating you can overcome them all with a strong resolve. Once identified chalk out a plan of how exactly are you going to get around your bad habits. Make beating you vise a new passion and pursue this goal with the same fervor and resolve like that of an ardent lover. Its only your resolve that will help you ditch the habits you so dearly want to get rid of.


In a similar way you can realize you full potential by evaluating your self identifying your hidden strengths. By having knowledge of what you are truly good at and by focusing on them you can ensure that you take your career to greater heights and achieve all that you've always wanted.
Thus by mere knowledge and understanding that you alone can straighten up your life by getting rid of all your undesired traits and strengthening your things that you are good at, is a way of taking the step in the right direction. 


So what are you waiting get in the driver's seat and rid yourself of things you don't need and improve yourself by enriching what you have.

Muscular Dystrophy – Symptoms, Causes Types and treatment

An article about muscular dystrophy and its types.

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic muscle disease that is characterized by weakness of the voluntary muscles of the human body. It belongs to the group of inherited diseases that cause muscular weakness and loss.  In this disorder the muscle fibers are abnormally prone to injury. As a result of this phenomenon these muscles gradually become weak.

Some of these dystrophies manifest themselves in the infancy stage of and individual, whereas there are some which appear in the middle or later stage of an individual’s life.  A person with this disorder loses the ability to do things like walking, sitting upright, breathing easily, and moving his or her arms and hands. This muscular weakness can lead to other health concerns. Certain forms of MD have myocardial effects and also affect other involuntary muscles and other organs. The ones effecting the heart can cause cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias.

Genetic studies have proved that this disorder is a result of incorrect or missing genetic information that prevents the body from making the proteins needed to build and maintain healthy muscles. In this case it is the muscle protein dystrophin which is deficient.

There is currently no available cure for MD but Geneticists are on the lookout for both, ways in which genes specific to these disorders can either be prevented from being transferred to the next generation and methods which could probably cure this condition.

Symptoms

The Signs and symptoms of MD may vary according to their type. The general symptoms which may occur are as follows

Ø  Muscle weakness that slowly gets worse

•        Frequent falls, stumbling
•        Delayed development of muscle motor skills
•        Problems walking (delayed walking)
•        Difficulty using one or more muscle groups
•        struggle to get up from a sitting
•        Drooling

Ø  Hypotonia


These types of muscular dystrophies are due to a genetic defect of the protein dystrophin.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

This is the most common and the most severe form of MD. The deficiency of this protein leads to muscle break down and makes the individuals weaker. It occurs mostly in young boys and is the most common form of MD that affects children. Girls can carry the gene that causes the disease, but they usually have no symptoms. The symptoms usually begin to surface around age 5. Most kids with this form need to use a wheelchair by age 12. Over time, their muscles weaken in the shoulders, back, arms, and legs.

Signs and symptoms of Duchenne's MD may include:

•        Frequent falls
•        Large calf muscles
•        Difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position
•        Weakness in lower leg muscles, resulting in difficulty running and jumping
•        Waddling gait
•        Mild mental retardation, in some cases

Becker's muscular dystrophy is similar to Duchenne, but it is less common and progresses more slowly usually over decades. This form of MD affects older boys and young men. It too is caused by insufficient production of dystrophin. Those affected by Becker's MD usually are able to walk through their teens, and often well into adulthood.

Myotonic dystrophy

•        muscle weakness and wasting (where the muscles shrink over time).
•        cataracts.
•         heart problems.
•        Fainting or dizziness.
•        Weakening of muscles of hollow internal organs.
•        Mild diabetes.
•        Weakening of muscles involved in breathing and swallowing.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

This type of dystrophy can affect individuals of both sexes and the symptoms are visible during their teens. Also known as Landouzy-Dejerine dystrophy, this disorder is slow and has the following symptoms in the listed order.

•         First the Muscle weakness first develops in the face.
•         Then the shoulder and back muscles gradually become weak.
•         Gradually the legs and pelvic muscles also may lose strength.

Other major types of muscular dystrophy :

§  Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy

§  Congenital muscular dystrophy

§  Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy

§  Distal muscular dystrophy

§  Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy

Treatment

There are no known cures for the various muscular dystrophies. The main aim of the various available treatments is to control the symptoms of MDs.

Physical therapy may help patients maintain muscle strength and function with the help of  regular range-of-motion exercises to keep your joints as flexible as possible. Orthopedic appliances such as braces and wheelchairs can improve mobility and self-care abilities by assisting movement. In some cases, surgery on the spine like the spinal fusion surgery may also be required to correct spinal curvature problems. Other surgeries are performed on the legs to help improve function.

Hibiscus: A Treasure Trove of Beauty and Health Benefits

Hibiscus and its versatile uses in beauty and health.

Hibiscus as a flower adorns most of the botanical gardens. This pretty looking flower also has some amazing properties that can be very useful. Along with the several beauty benefits that this flower has to offer, it has been successfully studied and had been found to be very useful in addressing several health concerns.

The beauty benefits that lie within this flower are not a surprise to us. Most of us are well aware of several ways in which these flowers can be used to achieve healthy and beautiful hair. It also finds a very special place in the practice of ancient Indian medicine of Ayurveda. It is often prescribed to promote hair growth, give your hair that luscious bounce and push back graying. Hibiscus in combination with other ingredients like honey, aloe vera, coconut milk and yogurt make for rich and organic conditioner that one can apply on their hair to achieve its benefits.

Apart from the beauty benefits this flower has several other health related benefits. A study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension has shown that drinking hibiscus tea can reduce  Hypertension. 

This also proves the ability the flower has a diuretic. Hibiscus originated in Africa and is used in several drinks in this region. Of which hibiscus tea is really popular. Hibiscus tea is also widely consumed in countries like Mexico, Sudan, Egypt, Thailand etc. studies have also revealed that the hibiscus is capable of lowering blood cholesterol levels another health feather in its cap.

A Spa Experience at Home: Tips for Healthy Skin and Hair

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Ever thought that you could enjoy the exotic spa experience at home? Well, if not then here's an easy guide that let's you do just that. Discover how easy it is to have a rejuvenating experience at home.

Increasing levels of stress and pollution are the cause of various problems pertaining to the health of our skin and hair. Being pressed for time we aren’t able to devote the required amount of time to provide our body with the care and nourishment it requires. For this reason many of us prefer visiting the nearby body clinics or spas. However these relaxing and rejuvenating experiences at these places don’t come cheap.

So the next question in your minds must be what else can be done? Well my answer would be that a lot can be done. There are a few things which we need to take care of on a daily basis that will go a long way in addressing most of our health issues.

Apart from simple daily care routines I have listed out a couple of simple weekly regimes that can be of great help in acquiring healthy hair and flawless skin.

So let’s get to the point in a step wise manner. The first thing that you will require to do is to procure the things that will replicate the spa experience. I will be enlisting a model routine that you need to follow to maintain an excellent health even amidst a tiring routine.

Daily Water Intake

Every system in our body depends on water. It forms a vital aspect of our body. If our body is not nourished with the required amount of water, our skin and hair appear dull and unhealthy. Thus one needs to ensure that they drink at least 10 – 12 glasses of water every day.  This intake will ensure that all the toxins that get accumulated in our body are washed away and we get that healthy glow.

Go Vegetarian

Including a considerable amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet will ensure that your body gets all the required nutrients and vitamins it requires.  Foods such as legumes, fruits, vegetables and fruits are loaded with the required antioxidants that play an important role in wading off many diseases and also work as anti aging factors. So make sure to include sufficient quantities of these in your diet in the form of salads which preserve the nutrients to great extent.

Now we will see a couple of weekly routines that can be followed on the weekends that can help you take care your skin and hair. Plan and execute this routine in a manner in which they are done at spas. Once you have planned which routine suits your skin type and acquired the things you will need all you need to do is to follow a step by step routine and make the most of it at home.

1.       The first step is exfoliation - To get rid of the layer of dead cells and cleanse your pores you need to exfoliate your skin with a nice body scrub.  Honey has the properties to lighten and moisturize the skin. Making this ingredient a part of your exfoliation mixture will help nourish your skin during the act of cleansing it.

Following is the recipe of a simple scrub that can be made with easily available ingredients.

Oatmeal and honey body scrub

Ingredients 

1/2 a cup of yoghurt
¾ cup of roughly blended oat meal
4 tablespoons of honey
Buttermilk needed to wash off the scrub

Method

Take a small bowl and mix in the honey and the yoghurt. To this add the blended oat meal. Make a homogenized mixture and apply to your entire body.  Before you apply this mixture to your body, wet you body with luke warm water.  Leave this mixture on your body for 15 to 20 minutes.  While washing the scrub off, fill the same bowl with butter milk and use it to loosen the scrub. While washing off the scrub with the buttermilk rub each area in circular strokes. This will help exfoliate your skin

2.  Here is mix that will help you improve the shine and appearance of your hair. The citrus components of this pack will help you cleanse your hair and get rid of the dirt and grime that gets built up in the scalp.

Citrus hair pack

Ingredients

1/4th cup Club soda
1/4th cup fresh orange juice
1/4th cup fresh sweet lime juice
A drop of sage oil

Method

Mix the above ingredients in a hair spray bottle.

Rinse you hair with luke warm water and make it wet.

Now spray the mixture from the bottle onto your hair and cover the hair completely.

Just to ensure that the hair is well covered comb your hair like it is done while coloring your hair.

Leave this on for about 5 to 10 minutes

While washing it off you can follow your usual routine of washing and conditioning.

This routine can be followed once in two weeks. However for those who have severely damaged hair a word of caution as this routine being suitable for oily hair tends to have a drying effect. So for dry and damaged hair you can follow this routine once every three weeks. It will be appropriate for you to

3.  Now that you have taken care of your hair and done the exfoliation bit you need to prepare yourself for a nourishing body mask.

Papaya is a rich source of vitamin A and E and works wonders for skin. All exotic spas and resorts offer a range of body masks and many of them has this tropical fruit as its integral component. Here is the recipe for a Balinese mask which will leave your skin looking fresh and glowing.

Papaya and pumpkin mask

Ingredients

1 bowl of mashed papaya
1/4 th cup of mashed pumpkin
Milk

Method

Add the mashed papaya, pumpkin and make a consistent mixture. Beat the egg well and add it to the mixture. You can either, do this or else add all the ingredients in the blender and blend them to a nice paste.

Now once you have gone through the exfoliation routine you can now apply this mask on your body. However if you have sensitive skin make sure to test this mixture on a small patch of skin before you can apply it to your entire body

Leave it on for around 15 – 20 minutes and wash it off

The routine mentioned above will definitely do wonders for your skin and leave you refreshed. To give this routine an exotic spa touch, you could take it to higher level by ending it with an aromatic bath and the massing your body with special cream of your choice. For the spa experience, light aromatic candles in your bathroom, prepare you bath tub with the water just as hot as you like. Add lots of rose petal to you bath and get into your bath and just relax. You could also play some soothing music in the background.

So there you have it, a complete spa experience right at your home without having to shell out extra bucks.

It's a Carnival Time in the Tropical Paradise of Goa

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Come explore the lively and vibrant festival of the Goa Carnival.

It’s that time of the year when the most colorful festival in Goa, the Carnival is celebrated. The Goa carnival like the ones celebrated in South America is an aesthetics blend of color, song and music. The mood of the entire tropical getaway during this time of the year is that of fun, frolic and enthusiasm. Everyone, from tourists to the localities is in the highest of festive spirits during the carnival and celebrates it with complete furore.

The word Carnival comes from the two latin words Carni and Vale which mean Meat and Goodbye respectively. Thus this festival is aptly celebrated prior to the onset of lent which is the forty days of fasting and abstinence for Christians. Originally a Christian festival t has now transformed into an event which everyone irrespective of their faith and religion come to be a part of.

The origin of this festival in Goa was a result of the rule of its former Portuguese rulers. The origins and nature of the carnival can be traced to the rowdy feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. These carnivals started in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, and gradually became known for their singing, dancing and drinking. When the Portuguese established their colony in Goa they introduced this festival here. Since then the Goans have blended it into their vibrant culture and made it an integral part of it and celebrate it with zest and zeal year after year. The celebration goes on for three days and a king of chaos, King Momo is elected to preside over the festivities and inaugurates the festival by ordering all his subjects to party.

During the Carnival people from all over India and the world flock the shores of Goa to be a part of this extravagant happening. It is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. The three day extravaganza includes performances of several street plays, songs and dances which make the streets of Goa come alive with loads of Fun and Frolic. Huge parades comprising of colorful floats, bands and dances are organized throughout the state of Goa. At night there are several hotels which host various balls and dance events to keep up the spirit of complete enjoyment and merrymaking which is the soul of this event.

The carnival ends with the traditional Red and black dance where the couples have to come dressed in red and black attires for the ball.

To sum it up the Goa carnival is a very lively and funky festival where people from all walks of life come together on one platform and spread cheer and happiness.

This Valentines Day Gift Your Partner Something Really Special

Give your loved one some really special and meaningful gifts this valentines.

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It’s that time of year again when you’re wondering what to pick up for your partners. It’s got to be something special as well as something different. At the same you might have already tried the common options of chocolates, flowers, stuffed toys, shirts, wallets, belts etc. So what is it that you can do this time round, to really celebrate this valentine in more special and meaningful way?

Well that’s what we are going to be discussing here. We’ll think of options that are unconventional, yet have a strong impact. You’ve done all the clichéd things now try something new.  Believe me girls like flowers and chocolates but you really don’t have to overdo it. On the same lines guys too like it when you surprise them with gifts now and then but when their gurl does something for them which is totally unexpected, it really drives them crazy. So this Valentine’s Day give your partner something unique and special they’ll really cherish for a long time.

Here are some of the special things you could do with your pictures and turn them into sweet surprises for your partner this valentines.

Make a Love Calendar

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You don’t have to depend on the commercial things available to gift this valentine. These options are limited and there’s nothing unique about them. Besides there a lot of professional printers round the corner these days that can actually custom make anything you want. All you need to have is a little imagination. And that will do the trick.  So go ahead and collect all those special pictures of you and your partner. Make sure you have 12 pictures with you. You can approach any printer with these pictures. Have them make any changes if you like. Maybe you can have them in a common background of your choice, give them different effects. I mean personalise them to your choice and viola you’ll have your own special love calendar that’ll be special and one of its kind.

Make Your own Love Puzzle

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This one is really cool. There are a lot of soft wares available online that can convert and picture you like into a jigsaw puzzle. There are also companies online that offer you these services. All you have to do is choose that one picture of yours you really like and convert is into a puzzle. On Valentines Day the both of you can sit together piece the puzzle together and later frame it. Every time you look at the puzzle you’ll remember the beautiful moments you had on that day and it’ll definitely be something that’ll be really special to you.

Customize a Wall Clock

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This again is a really simple thing to do. Take a picture of the both of you that you really like. Give it all the special valentines’ graphic effects with the ribbons hearts and everything red and very valentiny. And approach a local watchmaker in your vicinity to convert into a beautiful wall clock. So every time your partner needs the time he’ll be reminded about you and the special things you’ve done for him.

In this way you can think about almost anything and make your valentines gifts more meaningful, personalised and special. It just needs a little bit of though and imagination and you can work wonders yourself, without having to make do with the commercially available options. Everyone likes something special. It just goes to shoe that you have put in that extra effort in thinking about these new and unique ways. And when the person you love knows that you have gone that extra mile, it sure will bring back a lot of love and appreciation which will make that special day even more special and memorable. So go ahead and let your imagination do the rest.

 

Beautiful Vibrant Tanjore Paintings

The beautiful art of Tanjore paintings native to the southeren part of India.

The vibrant and unique art of Tanjore paintings which are characterized by the embedment of jewels and gold on a canvas, originated in the village of Thanjavur, in the southern part of India. The Tanjore paintings unlike the conventional paintings which are made by brushing paints on a canvas are instead done by gluing precious gems and gold leaves to decorate the figures mostly that of deities. This art has a very rich history. The Tanjore paintings belong to a totally different school of art. They originated way back around the 16th century during the reign of the Chola Empire. The Cholas were very liberal and promoted art and culture to a great extent. It was under their rule that this revolutionary art form evolved and flourished.

                 Image Courtsey of Internet.

Today this art is soon on the verge of extinction. With just a few people practicing it and it solely taking the form of family inherited art form, it is soon losing exposure due to the lack of knowledge transfer.

On account of the style involved in making these paintings and the use of materials like pieces of glass, pearls, stones and gold, these paintings are attributed with a beautiful 3 dimensional effect that is truly next to Royalty. The vibrant colors that are used to portray the patent large and round figures of Hindu gods and goddesses with their almond-shaped eyes, give a beautiful touch of royalty and culture to any décor they are part of. The main themes of these paintings revolve around the Hindu religion and consist of the various Hindu deities.

How are these paintings actually made?

These paintings are made using the base of a canvas on which the figure of a deity is sketched. Generally these paintings consist of only one main figure. The canvas prior to the sketching is pasted onto a wooden base like a plywood sheet. In the ancient times, however the wood of the Jackfruit tree was used as the base. Once the canvas is pasted the mixture of either limestone or zinc oxide in an adhesive is applied on the canvas. After this dries the artist then sketches the figure onto the canvas using a piece of charcoal or pencil. The artist then starts embellishing the painting by sticking the material using a brush.

                        Image Courtsey of Internet.

These days however the modern artists have moved slightly away from the traditional aspect of deities being depicted in their paintings. They are extending this art form to their respective signature styles

Discover the Timeless Natural Beauty of Goa, the Rustic Way

Discover why Goa is such a favourite tourist destination and how you can enjoy the beautiful experiences it has to offer by bypassing its commercial hubs and instead exploring its interiors.

Goa has always been a tourist’s paradise on earth. A place with such a rich and vibrant culture, that just lets you easily blend into it. For a lot of people, Goa translates into a great escape from their routine lives. A place where they can be what they want & the way they want. This level of comfort is due to the great synthesis of culture that exists in this magnetic place. Owing to the Portuguese influence, the Goan culture is rich blend of eastern and western cultures.

  Image Courtsey of Internet.

For decades now Goa has been drastically changing in terms of the hospitality options it has to offer. What started out in the seventies as a Hippy haven, is now a tourist destination with attractive and A class hospitality options. The hospitality industry in Goa is highly commercialised. If you want to enjoy the serene and beautiful landscape of Goa sans the high budget packages, here is an easy way you can.

Goa has a lot to offer in terms of beautiful beaches and miles of golden sand. There are a lot of famous beaches in Goa. However owing to their popularity among the locals and the foreign tourists alike these beaches are often too crowded and offer little in terms of privacy. Thus if you really want to unwind by the sea shore and relax by the sound of the waves head for beaches that are less popular and less frequented. The palolem beach is one such beach that lets you enjoy all the peace and tranquillity you need. There are a lot of such beaches with some good and reasonable lodging options available. So before you head out on that planned vacation, scout for some reasonable packages where you can enjoy everything that Goa has to offer without having to spend a fortune.

Another option to enjoy the picturesque beauty of Goa is to explore the beautiful landscapes of the interior villages. Goan houses are traditionally big in size built on the lines of villas. Off late villagers also offer some of their rooms to tourists who would like to come and experience the rustic life in Goa. These rooms are available at throw away prices but with all that they have to offer in terms of peace and scenic beauty they offer priceless experiences. The villages in Goa offer beautiful landscapes for the traveller who appreciates beauty. A typical view from a village cottage will be that of swaying palms, lush green paddy fields, a little stream in your backyard and green hills. The life in the villages is peaceful contradictory to the chaotic setting of the cities.

Apart from this you can hire a vehicle and move about sightseeing the famous churches, temples and magnificent monuments. Thus this way of enjoying Goa will give you the total experience without having to shell out a lot of money.

So come enjoy and uncover the treasures that this mystical little place has to offer.

Health and Benefits- Ginger

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Ginger or ginger root as it is widely known is used as an herb and has several culinary and medicinal properties.  It can be used fresh, dried, powdered or even as juice or oil. The Asian uses for this herb is more for meat tenderizing, adding strong flavors to spicy curries, in pickles which are also considered to good digestives and jams. In western cuisine though, we see a totally different use of this pungent spice. It is diversely used in a wide variety of sweets such as ginger ale, Ginger beer, biscuits, ginger bread, crackers, cookies etc.

People who swear by the green tea phenomenon that swept over many who are health conscious in the recent years have surely tried out the ginger variant of this beverage. Made by boiling peeled and chopped up ginger root with sugar and a twist of lemon juice this tea makes for a refreshing and rejuvenating hot beverage.

From the health perspective this herb has a lot to do with curing an array of gastrointestinal disorders such as Stomach upset, Nausea, Diarrhea and to a certain extent can even give a boost to your appetites. Ginger has also proved to be beneficial to treat Nausea and Vomiting which are part of Motion sickness.

As part of the Indian home remedies the ginger juice has always played an important role in curing coughs and common colds. This is simplest remedy that can be easily concocted at home rather than battering your immune system with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
The important antiemetic property that ginger has can also prove to be useful to counter the nausea experienced post Chemotherapy. From research perspective there’s a lot more that needs to be discovered about this Dr Herb. Ginger is known to have several medicinal properties that are just waiting to be established.

Health & Benefits - Garlic

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Garlic is one of the most ancient spices used by civilizations way back in time. Garlic is mentioned in the Bible and the Talmud. Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Elder, and Dioscorides all mention the use of garlic for many conditions, including parasites, respiratory problems, poor digestion, and low energy. Its use in China dates back to 2000 BC.

Its culinary use is mostly for the rich pungent flavor it imparts when used as seasoning. The cloves are the part of the garlic that has the most intense flavor. However there are other parts of the garlic that are also used for subtle flavors for instance its leaves and the flowers on the head. This herb is the main component for cooking around the world. The flavors it imparts to the classical breads such as garlic bread, garlic toast, bruschetta, crostini and canapé it’s simply amazing.

Apart from chopping up the cloves to add flavor to cooking the latest trend is to use small amounts of strongly flavored Infused oils. These do the same trick only save you the time of cleaning and chopping up. As pickles form a key accompaniment in the Indian cuisine there hardly any vegetables that are spared from being picked. Pickled Garlic is another way to enjoy the tasty pungency that this herb has to offer.

Medicinally Garlic has a lot of properties and known to cure disease related to the heart and blood system. Problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary heart disease are some where this herb is being used from time memorial as a natural cure.

Garlic is rich in antioxidants. Now research has proved that antioxidants harbor properties that help destroy free radicals, particles that can damage cell membranes and DNA, and may contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Thus the inclusion of garlic in the diet can definitely help prevent these health conditions.

It also enjoys being part of useful home remedies like its counterpart ginger in treating fever cough, sinus congestion and the common cold. Just remember not to overdo it or you suffer from the dreadful Garlic Breath…..                  

Health and Benefits – Flax seeds

                                                                                      Image Courtesy of Internet.

Flax seeds are extremely nutritious and a rich source of fiber and omega 3 fatty acids. They are relatively small and come in variants of yellow and brown colors. In India we know by the name of Alsi. They have crunchy texture and a subtle nutty flavor.


As they say good things come in small packages, these small seeds harbor the most powerful nutritional components of proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. They are like the one stop shop for all your health needs. Flaxseeds are also a good source of fiber which also vital to the healthy functioning of the alimentary tract.


Flax seeds are known to be beneficial in fighting cancer. Their anti cancer properties are attributed to the high amounts of lignin and omega 3 fatty acids present in them. Certain studies have indicated that the essential fatty acids have the capability to retard the growth of tumors or cancerous growths.


There have been several clinical trials to study the benefit of Flax seeds on lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. These studies have gone on to prove that flax seeds do have cholesterol lowering properties there by reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis and acting as a prophylaxis for coronary artery diseases.


For women struggling with infertility issues inclusion of flax seeds to their diet could prove to be beneficial in producing a good sized ovarian follicle there by adding to their chances of successfully conceiving.  Just like in the case of Soya, flax seeds are a good source of phytoestrogens. As the name suggests these naturally occurring estrogens can be used to supplement and address the issues of declining estrogen levels experience by women going through menopause. They help alleviate the symptoms of menopause and also reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis during the post menopausal phase.


Finding ways to include these wonderful nutritive seeds of gold and bronze in your diet can be a bit of a challenge. Here are just a few ways by which you can uniquely incorporate and enjoy the benefits they have to offer. One popular technique is to incorporate ground flaxseeds into your muffin, cookie, or bread recipes. It could also be added to cooked cereals. If baking is not your thing the simplest way would be to eat a handful of this rich omega fatty acid source a day. This way you could also ensure you don’t lose out on any of the nutrients that might get destroyed by processing it.

Health & Benefits – Know Your Tomato

                                           

No matter how you pronounce it the good old tomato is far from just another boring fruit. Yes you hard me say that right. The Tomato is indeed a fruit and not a vegetable which I guess all are pretty much aware of now.

This is one of the most diversely used fruits right up from eating it raw as part of a basically tossed up salad, to being part of various delicious gravies, to accompaniments, dips, pickles and how can we forget the sinful Bloody Mary. In its many forms this magically tangy ingredients never fails to pack a punch.

While we’ve relished the tomato in every form it’s discover the treasure trove of health benefits wrapped up in that bright red dollop. The main nutritive derivate found in the Tomato is the carotenoid, Lycopene which is a potent natural antioxidant. It also happens to be the one that imparts the luscious red colour to the tomato. Animal studies also indicate that lycopene possesses certain anti-proliferative properties which could well go on to prove the benefits this could have in the field of oncology. Certain studies also indicate that people who include a lot of tomatoes in their regular diet have lesser known occurrence of cancers of the prostate, stomach and lung.

Apart from lycopene, tomatoes also contain a fair amount of Vitamin A, C, folate and potassium. Vitamin A plays an important role to protect and maintains the vibrancy of the skin. It also helps maintain a healthy metabolic function of the body. Vitamin C is the all essential Vitamin to help build a strong Immune system so that your body can effectively fight against various predatory infections. Potassium is known for its prophylactic uses against heart diseases and strokes.

We’ve just seen the many benefits that the good old tomato has to offer. There are some things however that one needs to be cautious about while enjoying them. Tomatoes tend to be highly acidic so people with history or pre-existing conditions of acid sensitivity should stay clear of them. They could aggravate c pre-existing conditions of gastric ulcers due to their acidic nature.

They have been associated with salmonelosis. However this is very rare and usually occurs due to improper packaging. This can be averted by thorough disinfection and a good amount of washing before they can be processed.

Tomatoes are definitely a healthy addition to any diet and far too many benefits than drawbacks. So go ahead enjoy them in whichever way you like and think of the healthy boost you’re giving your body with every bite of this humble fruit.

Creative Accounting: One of the Malpractices That Resulted in Satyam's Downfall

I explore the aspect of creative accounting; one of the practices which if consistently abused results in frauds like the latest Stayam saga.

Creative accounting has long been used as a means of manipulating the true incomes and loses of companies. These inappropriate practices if continually used often tend to throw things out of control from the management perspective and eventually result in frauds of unaccountable magnitude.

So what exactly is creative accounting and why do company managers resort to these accounting techniques in spite of being aware of the risks that are involved? Nothing can really justify these unlawful practices and outright manipulation of financial records year after year. For even though they play around with money that doesn't exist they put a lot of the market capital at risk.

Companies are bound by the law to be transparent about their accounting statements. The more hidden these imperative facts are or the more complicated manner they are represented in is a sure shot indication of flouting of basic accounting principles. The accounting system however is a rather complicated and thus framing vacuum tight rules to govern poses a problem.

Annual reports mean a lot and provide meaningful perspective about where a company stands and where it is headed. Thus managers try their level best to portray these figures in way to send out a positive message to their investors. The directors too, have their hefty bonuses at stake which are proportional to the kind of profits they report. An excellent annual report often influences the decision of the investors and the capital markets. Thus the managements mostly try to convey the kind of message they wish to convey via these will tailored reports using tricks of creative accounting.

These accounting techniques are resorted to in order to inflate the values of assets to avoid any sort of hostile take-overs which is also one of the reasons why Satyam CEO Ramalinga Raju had been manipulating the financial records since the year 2000; tailored results to send out a message of stability and consistent progress; incorrectly portraying a commendable annual performance and raising the performance bar thus upping the pressure to always excel; to make up for a poor performance phase.

Manipulation of accounts done in one year often requires the same kind of tailoring to be made the next year too and thus the process is constant. More like a vicious circle you find difficult to get out of. That's exactly what happened with the Enron Fiasco and now again with Satyam Computers. The corporate world has had its fare share of experiences with such kind of incidents where creative accounting and manipulation have lead to downfalls of huge companies. In spite of this they have found it difficult to refrain from these practices.

Likewise Ramalinga Raju too didn't take the available cues from these incidents. In his resignation letter he admitted that what started off as a small manipulation soon grew into a gap that he was unable to bridge. This disaster is one of the biggest frauds that Indian Inc. has ever witnessed. It's really a pity to see how respectable executives like Ramalinga get so involved to a perfect picture about their companies that they lose sight of where the limits of the law lie.

Using the Abacus Can Make Math a Lot Easier and Contribute to the Overall Development of Individuals

Explore the amazing benefits Abacus can impart to the overall development of an individual.

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Ever had to get after your kids to memorize tables as parents? Or ever as kids have you found it difficult to learn table and carry out multiplication? If your answer is in the affirmative then abacus is what you should turn to. This manual calculator dates back to ancient times and is still widely used in many Asian countries. This ingenious tool to carry out simple calculations was developed by the Chinese , used and had been mentioned in various Asian manuscripts.

It sure is a very useful tool to educate children about the basic numbering systems. Doing math on an abacus sure is interesting and adds the fun element to it. The abacus is a really helpful tool to help develop the part of the brain that controls creativity, thinking and integration of information. This part of the brain, unfortunately is the least used part by kids. The part of the brain that controls these functions is the right hemisphere. Most of the kids in their developing years mainly use the left hemisphere of their brains. This hemisphere mainly helps them deal with analysing information, determining sounds and picking up languages.

Thus on a whole both these areas of the brain contribute a lot towards the development of children in their formative years. The trick here is to help both these spheres develop together in order to strengthen and develop the skills that they control.

The abacus can help achieve the above goal and add a lot more depth to the intellect of children while they are growing up. The formative years of kids are the best time to tap and cultivate several desirable skills. At this tender age they have tremendous grasping power which can be exploited to the maximum.

So what are the added benefits that your kids can enjoy and enrich them by using the abacus? Can you make them so pit pat with mathematics that they can do away with modern day calculators and turn into wiz kids who can perform manual calculations at the tip of their hats? Well the answer to this and many more similar questions that you might have is yet again a big yes.

So whats so intriguing about the use of the abacus and why all this fuss surrounding it? The trick lies in its use. To use the abacus one has to use both their hands to move the beads to perform various calculations. This quick ordination between performing the calculations and thinking about it in your brain simulated the brain cells and promotes effective thinking balanced analytical skills and thereby helps in the equal development of the two sides of the brain .

Benefits from Using The Abacus

• Helps with better understanding of the calculation process as you perform it manually
• A better understanding of the decimal places and how units are followed by tens and so on
• Improves the understanding of compound numbers
• Boosts the art of mental calculation
• Helps in the development of the right hemisphere of the brain
• Cultivates better mental capacity
• It also helps in the development of other abilities that contribute to the overall growth of individuals
• Increases the ability to concentrate
• A better ability to visualise
• Improves the memorising ability
• Develops the ability of observation
• A greater ability to process the available information

Honeymoon Destination : Bali

Make the most of the Bali experience, by planning and arranging a honeymoon trip to this beautiful Indonesian island yourselves.

Planning to tie the knot in the near future and wondering which special place to pick for your honeymoon? Well if you are willing to spend some extra bucks and are looking for foreign locales then opt for the beautiful island of Bali for your romantic getaway.

A trip to this red hot honeymoon destination would roughly require a budget of $ 500 on the higher side. Avoid going in for any of the honeymoon packages available, for they are mostly highly priced. For that matter if you are looking at spending some quality time with your partner and want to enjoy your trip in a leisurely manner then avoid opting for any sort of packages.

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The general opinion of couples who have opted for package tours for their honeymoon has been negative. The early starts and strict scheduled only tend to make the trip tiring and leaves little room for fun and dedicated time for each other. On the other hand if is the places that you are interested in seeing and want to use this opportunity to explore the destinations you are visiting then one can consider a couple of offerings by various tour operators and comparing their packages.

Package tours do give you the freedom from the process of to planning and making all the required arrangement for the trip yourselves but for those who actually enjoy getting involved in planning things themselves to suit their needs, it’s always fun to plan you honeymoon your selves.

Planning your honeymoon from scratch can be quite an exciting experience and sets the mood for the things to come. Besides this kind of brings the couple closer and makes the trip something really special to look forward to. Coming back to Bali, this destination is simply laid back and has some beautiful scenery and aqua experiences to offer. The island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and some of the best beaches in the world.

It has some really good hotels to offer and by keeping a limit of say around Five thousand Indian rupees a night; couples can enjoy their stay at premium five star hotels. Since you are not bound by any strict agenda you could probably choose to stay in a couple of good hotels. A budget of $ 1000 seems fair for a luxurious experience at the top Five Star hotels in Bali for duration of 6 nights and 7 days. The above estimate is sans the amount you would spend on food and drinks. You could add another $200 for the same.

Travel arrangements again can be made by comparing what different airlines have to offer. Look for something economic and travel costs for round-trip to Bali would be anywhere from $ 800 - 1000. Keeping a buffer of around $700 for maybe any surprise expenses or for indulging in some shopping, your trip seems to be set at $ 2600.

So if you are planning to make a trip to Bali visit helpful site like hotels.com to choose from some of the best hotels you can stay at. And don’t forget to get yourselves the best possible deals in air travel.