Daily Healthy Habits That Help Blast Belly Fat

Americans, as research suggests, are getting more and more apple-shaped by the minute — adding inches to their bellies that pose an immediate threat to their health, happiness, and even financial futures.

Fifty-four percent of U.S. adults now have central obesity (colloquially referred to as “belly fat,” and clinically defined as a waistline of more than 35 inches in women and more than 40 inches in men), up from 46 percent in 1999-2000, according to a September 2014 study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average U.S. waist circumference has also grown to an average 38.8 inches, up more than 1 inch in about a dozen years. It's more than a fashion crisis.

Belly fat, or visceral fat, is the most dangerous type of fat there is. This deadly fat wraps around the organs deep in your abdomen, spiking your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. You can’t see or pinch visceral fat, and it’s often associated with a large waist. Ditch it and you'll not only save your health, you'll also lose weight and trim your waistline.

The good news is you can start blasting both types of fat today with these 10 healthy habits:

Ditch Diet Soda

How bad can your calorie-free Diet Coke habit be for your belly? Belt-bus tingly bad, researchers say. A study in the journal Diabetes Pro found that people who drank two or more diet sodas a day had waist-size increases that were six times greater than non-drinkers. Diet drinks are loaded with deceptively sweet artificial sweeteners, which, researchers say, trick the metabolism into thinking sugar is on its way, spike insulin levels, and shift the body from a fat-burning to a fat-storing state.

Eat Three Squares

For years, diet experts beat the “multiple small meals a day” drum—an eating rhythm purported to “stoke the metabolic fire!” Now, some researchers are singing a different tune. A study published in the journal Hepatology found that snacking between meals contributes to increased abdominal fat. Researchers say the findings suggest three balanced meals may be the way to go. Try weaning yourself off the snack wagon by nixing your morning nibble first. Research suggests mid-morning snackers tend to consume more throughout the day than afternoon snackers.

Eat More Walnuts

Dietary fats are kind of like lovers. Some of them make you a better person, and others—as you often discover too late—are catastrophically bad for your health. The good news is, unlike shoddy boyfriends, dietary fats come with red flags. The absolutely worst match for your apple-shaped figure? Saturated fats. A study published in the journal Diabetes found that while unsaturated fat can help reduce abdominal fat, saturated fat can increase waist size. Saturated fats, like the kind you’ll find in baked goods and red meat, “turn on” certain genes that increase the storage of fat in the belly, researchers say. Polyunsaturated fats on the other hand, activate genes that reduce fat storage and improve insulin metabolism. At about 13 grams per one ounce serving, walnuts are one of the best dietary sources. Sprinkle a handful on your morning oats or entree salad for belly-busting benefits.

Skip The Bootcamp

Open any fitness magazine, and it’s clear: high intensity interval training (HIIT) is having a bit of a moment. But when it comes to your shrinking your belly, the start-and-stop exercise strategy won’t get you anywhere … other than into a larger pair of pants, researchers say. A study published in the Journal of Obesity found people who performed interval training on an exercise bike for 24 minutes three days a week, actually gained 0.7 percent abdominal fat over a 12-week period. Meanwhile, those on the same dietician-regulated diet, who performed traditional aerobic exercise—45 minutes of continuous moderate cycling three days a week—lost nearly 3 percent of their abdominal fat over the same 3-month period. The study authors did notes that HIIT improved fitness, but suggest that the only evidence to support interval training as an efficient weight loss method was research using young people who were already lean and healthy. Remember: Workouts are only half of the equation; abs are made in the kitchen as  they say.

Swap Coffee for Green Tea

Green tea and weight loss are a natural pair. Sipping on green tea throughout the morning has proven to whittle your waist, but too much coffee has the opposite effect. What makes green tea so waist friendly are compounds called catechins, belly-fat crusaders that blast adipose tissue by revving the metabolism, increasing the release of fat from fat cells (particularly in the belly), and then speeding up the liver’s fat burning capacity. In a recent study, participants who combined a daily habit of 4-5 cups of green tea with a 25-minute sweat session (or 180 minutes a week), lost 2 more pounds than the non tea-drinking exercisers. Meanwhile, a research team in Washington found that the same amount of coffee (5+ cups/day) doubled visceral belly fat.

Be Unrefined

It’s not carbs, per se, that lead to belly fat; but the type, researchers say. In fact, whole grains are a dietary staple of people with the littlest middles. A Tufts University study found that participants who ate three or more servings of whole grains per day (oats, quinoa, brown rice, wheat) had 10% less belly fat than people who ate the same amount of calories from refined carbs (white stuff: bread, rice, pasta). Further research is required to figure out exactly why this is the case, but the hypothesis is it has to do with the high fiber and slow-burn properties of whole grains. When it comes to diet, being unrefined is a good thing!

Sprinkle Pepper Everywhere

Meet Piperine, the fat blasting ninja! A powerful compound found in black pepper, piperine has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine to treat multiple health conditions including inflammation and tummy troubles. But recent animal studies have found that piperine may also have the profound ability to decrease inflammation and interfere with the formation of new fat cells—a reaction known as adipogenesis, resulting in a decrease in waist size, body fat, and cholesterol levels. More pepper, please!

Use Coconut Oil for Cooking

What smells like an exotic vacation and can shrink your waist faster than your favorite Zumba class? You got it: coconut oil. A study of 30 men in the journal Pharmacology found that just 2 tablespoons per day reduced waist circumference by an average of 1.1 inches over the course of a month. What makes coconut oil superior to other fats is its medium chain triglycerides. Unlike the long-chain fatty acids found in animal sources of saturated fat, coconut oil doesn’t seem to raise your cholesterol and is more likely to be burned as energy than stored as blubber. At roughly 117 calories per tablespoon, it’s a near identical caloric swap for olive oil. Plus, its high smoke point makes coconut oil great for just about every dish, from eggs to stir-frys.

Indulge in Dark Chocolate

It's every chocoholic’s dream: Research now shows that eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can reduce overall body fat and shrink the waist. A study among women with normal weight obesity (skinny fat syndrome) who ate a Mediterranean diet that included two servings of dark chocolate each day showed a significant reduction in waist size than when on a cocoa-free meal plan. Researchers say it has to do with the flavonoids, heart-healthy compounds in chocolate that have important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Just be sure you’re reaching for a bar with at least 70 percent cacao, and stay away from the “alkalized” stuff, which has a significantly reduced flavonoid content.

- by Lindsey. Source: http://lindseyreviews.com/10-daily-habits-that-blast-belly-fat/

Read More

The Ultimate Cheat’s Guide To Losing Weight, Fast!

We know. Following a strict body weight loss plan is difficult. But what if we said you could strip the blubber with minimal exercise, cost and sacrifices to your diet? And that all these methods are backed up by peer-reviewed studies? That’s right, cancel your grueling spin class and ditch that lump of kale: these are the shortcuts to slim you’re going to enjoy.

How to cheat your: diet

They say that you need to eat less to lose weight. They’re wrong. Simply add the foods below to your shopping basket to see the pounds fall off.

1. Chillies

This hot food staple is one of the fastest foods to burn off your blubber. Why? A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that when compared to a placebo, capsaicin—the active ingredient in cayenne pepper—increases fat burning. It’s your guilt-free excuse for a curry night.

2. Green tea

Swap your regular cuppa for a green brew won’t just change your tea break, but your body fat score too. How? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found the catechins in green tea boost metabolism and increase your calorie burn by up to 4%. Say hello to your most sophisticated weight loss supp yet.

3. Milk

Looks like the white stuff is also the right stuff. According to research published in Cell Metabolism, milk contains a compound called nicotinamide riboside, which increases the rate at which your body burns flab.

And that’s not all: because of its high protein content, chugging down a glass of semi-skimmed after your workout will grow your muscles up to 40% (yes, 40!) more than if you didn’t, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

4. Apples

One a day keeps the fat away, according to scientists at Pennsylvania State University. How? Due to its high fibre content, snacking on an apple 15 minutes before a meal consume 200 fewer calories. And no, downing a Bulmer’s before dinner won’t work as well.

5. Gum

Don’t worry, taking up this habit won’t leave you with Alex Ferguson’s physique – if you opt for sugar-free gum. University of Rhode Island researchers have found that chewing by itself reduces the amount you eat and speeds up your metabolism.

Need another reason? A study published in the journal Appetite found that working gum around your mouth will make you consume 36 fewer calories each time you snack because your appetite had been sated. Now that’s something to chew over.

6.Water (before a meal)

That’s right, downing two glasses of plain old H20 before your dinner is enough to burn 15 pounds over 12 weeks. How? According to scientists at Virginia Tech University, zero-calorie water can make you partially full, meaning you’ll eat less grub during your meal.

Plus, downing a cold pint of the clear stuff (water, not vodka) after every meal is enough to raise your metabolism by 30% for 40 mins, according to the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. That’s a lot of burning for little effort.

7. Protein

If you want to lose weight then you’ve got to move out the whey, right? Wrong. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that meal replacement and high protein shakes are a vital part of a weight loss plan. Don’t hold back.

Eat more, burn more. At least when it comes to breakfast, anyway. According to research from the University of Bath, eat 700 calories before 11 am and you’ll have better blood sugar levels than those who skipped the most important meal of the day. It’s the best excuse you’ll have of sticking with a morning fry-up and avoiding a costly Starbucks lunch.

8. Bacon

And they say you can’t eat like a pig and slim down. Scientists at Kyoto University found bacon is a great source of the hormone co enzyme Q1, which spikes up your metabolism when combined with a brisk walk. And here’s the best bit: the study showed eating six rashers of bacon an hour before your stroll to the office will double the fat burn. There’s no need to ration your rashers.

9. Spinach

It might not build you like Popeye overnight, but add a bit of the green stuff on the side of your plate if you want to slim down - fast. It’s thanks to spinach’s ecdysteroids, natural compounds found in the veg that increase the levels of protein adiponectin, which makes fat cells more sensitive to insulin, and breaks down fat. It’s really that easy.

How to cheat your: training

Sure, exercising will speed up your weight loss, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take shortcuts there too. Here’s the ones you need to know about.

10. Try HIIT instead of cardio

Want to blow away you belly without logging months of mind-numbing hours on the treadmill? There is another way. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) will kickstart your metabolism like no other workout, burning over twice the calories as a lighter and longer session, according to a study from Southern Illinois University. And the total amount of time you need to dedicate to HIIT: 20 minutes. It really is the least time exercising for the biggest results.

Source: http://www.menshealth.co.uk/lose-weight/the-ultimate-cheats-guide-to-quickly-losing-weight

Read More

11 Places in India That Are Perfect For Summer Vacations

So the summers are approaching and as we know it, the temperatures soar to unprecedented highs in India. The scorching heat makes everyone run for cover. However, the country is known to please everyone in one way or another. It has some of the best places where you can beat the heat. From the lofty peaks in the north to the serenity of the south

Read More

Simple Tips To Stay Slim, Hot and Healthy

Staying slim and fit is not only important for good looks but also for your overall health. To achieve this goal, you first need to determine your ideal body weight based on your gender, age, height, body frame and body type. There are a number of formulas to calculate it.

You can also calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) using your body weight and height to determine whether you are underweight, overweight or have an ideal weight. It is widely used and also recommended by the World Health Organization.

You can follow some tips and tricks to stay healthy and avoid unwanted pounds from creeping up on you. Most of these suggestions involve improving your lifestyle, keeping a regular routine, exercising and following some basic diet rules. Also, your determination to stay fit and healthy will go a long way in making your efforts successful.

Here are the top 10 tips to stay slim, hot and healthy.

1. Stop Eating When Your Belly is 80% Full

Instead of binge eating until your buttons pop, go slow and only eat until your belly is 80% full. It will help you avoid overeating. Also, your stomach will perform better with more space to produce digestive juices and break down food.

Slow, mindful eating will help you sense your level of fullness. It takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register that the stomach is full. Research indicates that eating slowly also enhances satiety. Plus, it allows you to better enjoy the flavor of the food.

Along with this, delve deeper into your eating habits to explore some basic diet rules like:

• Eat only when you are hungry—not out of boredom, stress or loneliness. Remember the old saying, “a moment on the lips, forever on the hips!”
• Do not eat food or drink a beverage on the go, such as drinking your coffee while driving to work. You end up consuming more calories this way.
• Do not eat late at night. Enjoy your last meal of the day 2 to 3 hours before going to bed.
• After eating a snack, wait 3 hours before your next meal or snack. Likewise, wait 5 hours after eating a heavy meal.
• If you skip a meal, load up on fruits and vegetables first so that you do not overeat when you finally sit down to eat. Research shows that after fasting for about 18 hours, the body craves more fattening foods to load up more calories per volume.
• If possible, go on a detox diet once a week.

2. Keep an Eye on Portion Sizes

Most people do not realize how portion control can help support weight loss efforts. In a 2004 study involving 329 overweight participants, 38% of them lost 5% of their body weight after practicing portion control for 2 years. The study was conducted by researchers at the Summa Health System in Ohio.

To reduce your portion sizes and avoid mindless eating, follow these tips:

• Downsize your dishes by using smaller plates, bowls and even serving spoons. In a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, participants were asked to serve ice cream for themselves in 17- and 34-inch bowls. Researchers found that people, even nutrition experts, who used larger bowls served themselves 31% more ice cream than those who used smaller bowls.
• Serve beverages in tall, narrow glasses instead of small and wide ones as they appear to have more liquid, thus making you think that you are drinking more.
• Do not eat chips and other packaged snacks straight from the bag.
• When at a restaurant, request a half order or smaller portion of your chosen entree.

3. Detox Drinks

Start your day by drinking warm water mixed with the juice of 1/2 lemon. It improves digestion, flushes out toxins, balances the pH levels and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

Another option is to mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a tall glass of water and drink it once or twice daily. You can also add raw honey or a natural sweetener like stevia to these drinks.

Although lemons and apple cider vinegar are acidic in nature, they have an alkalizing effect on the body. However, they may trigger heartburn if you drink them in excess or are prone to acidity.

You can also drink delicious detox smoothies to support your body’s natural detoxifying abilities. Plus, it will count toward your servings of fruits and vegetables. Needless to say, kick unhealthy habits like drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes.

4. Get off the Couch

Lack of physical activity is the most obvious yet neglected cause of unhealthy weight gain. People fall into the illusion of losing weight and staying slim with different weight loss diets, while disregarding the most basic rule—you must exercise to burn calories.

You do not need an intense workout. In fact, you can enjoy a physical activity of your choice like brisk walking, running, jogging, swimming, dancing, aerobics or cycling. Even gardening can be great exercise as it helps you burn more than 300 calories per hour.

Regular, moderate exercise will also improve your mood and reduce stress. Once you figure out the activity of your choice and fit it in your daily routine, you will enjoy your exercise and do it regularly with enthusiasm.

Also, try some simple yet effective ways to increase your physical activity, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator and parking your car a mile or so away from your destination so you can walk that distance.

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Studies have found that those who skip breakfast and eat fewer times a day tend to be heavier than people who have a healthy breakfast and eat 4 or 5 times a day.

Scientists also believe that a high-protein breakfast could be the key to slimming as it keeps you feeling full, and thus improves appetite control. Plus, it has been found to reduce evening snacking on high-sugar and high-fat foods.

Try some protein-rich breakfast recipes, such as:

• A high-protein smoothie
• Boiled eggs
• Cottage cheese and fruits
• Greek yogurt
• Fortified cereal with milk

You can also eat fiber-rich foods like oatmeal and sandwiches on whole-grain bread. Plus, replace your morning cup of coffee with green tea as it contains powerful antioxidants and promotes fat burning.

Another very important aspect is to prepare your food at home using organic and whole food ingredients. If you are not used to eating a proper breakfast, it may take you a few days to adjust to this habit.

6. Steer Clear of Fatty Fast Food

Junk food and sodas are much to blame for the growing obesity problem. However, by making healthier food choices, you can significantly cut down fats and calories in your diet.

Here are some tips to help you make better food choices:

• Substitute fries with a fruit, yogurt or salad.
• Opt for baked or grilled versions of fried foods.
• Choose plain, air-popped popcorn over high-calorie, oil-popped popcorn.
• Instead of products made from refined grains, choose products like whole-grain pasta, whole-grain bread, whole-grain cereals and brown rice. Check food labels for whole-grain ingredients like whole oats, whole rye, whole wheat, buckwheat, whole-grain barley, millet and quinoa.
• Avoid high-calorie sauces and mayonnaise by opting for plain sandwiches. Or, you could replace these sauces with salsa, mustard or a low-calorie dressing.
• Skip the sodas and go for light lemonade, green tea or herbal teas.

7. Get Proper Sleep

A growing body of research suggests that lack of sleep increases the risk of weight gain and obesity. Sleep deprivation slows your metabolism and affects your hormones, thus increasing your hunger and decreasing your satiety or sense of being full after a meal.

Also, you are likely to be tempted to indulge in late-night snacking to make up for the calories that you expend as you burn the midnight oil.

To promote proper sleep, establish a bedtime ritual like taking a warm bath, a few minutes of reading or meditation. Also, turn out the lights, create a relaxing environment, and remove all TVs and computers from your bedroom. It is usually suggested to stick to a schedule of going to bed and getting up in the morning at the same time every day.

Resources:

http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jc.2009-1018

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101004211637.htm

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2004.187/full

http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797%2806%2900179-6/abstract

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2299835/Eating-protein-breakfast-slim-Scientists-say-going-work-egg-stop-snacking-night.html

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/news-facts/10-simple-tips-stay-slim-hot-healthy.html

Read More

Best Places You Need to Visit in India With Your Best Friend

‘A friend in need is a friend in deed.’ How often do you realize this saying? The answer would be almost each and every moment of your life!

When you are with your friends; especially the best ones, everything seems to be more vibrant, livelier and cheerful. When you are in their company, even the boring lectures or gatherings get exciting and equally engrossing for you.

Travelling with your best buddies; no matter what time of year it is or whichever location it is, unlimited amount of fun and excitement are always guaranteed with the best friends. Here is a list of magnificent places in India, the beauty of which gets doubled if visited along with your best friends:

1. Chadar – The Frozen River Trek

How often does one boast about walking on a frozen river in a dreamlike destination? Stamped as one of the most thrilling experiences for an adventure aficionado, the Chadar trek route connects villages in the Zanskar valley deep in the mountains with Chilling and the frozen Zanskar River.

Bringing back the vigour of younger days, the once-in-a-lifetime experience will make you come across breathtaking sights. It also gives you the much needed nudge to be physically fit before you even get there.

2. Pangong Lake, Ladakh

Transporting you to an ethereal place, the Pangong Lake is located in Ladakh. This is a place where unblemished azure water is fringed by rugged mountains while cotton candy clouds float above. Feel the serenity and magic envelope you!

3. Rafting and Camping in Rishikesh

With bursting of vitality and eagerness, twenties is the best time to indulge in adventure sports. Ride the mystical waters of Ganges with rafting in Rishikesh, which is the most famous place for this adrenaline pumping sport. For, you get to raft upon fierce frothing water pouring through rocky terrains and green stretches. To experience the landscape of this mysterious place you can also go camping and undertake other adventure sports.

4. Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya

What seems to appear straight out of a fantasy movie, the Living Root Bridges have to be seen to be believed! Some of these roots are more than hundred feet long and are strong enough to carry the weight of fifty people at one time. Located in Meghalaya, they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Andaman Islands, Scuba Diving Exploring the Coral Reefs

If the white sandy beaches and pristine blue beaches have excited you, be prepared to be awe stricken as you witness what the waters of Andaman hold for you! The rich reefs will surprise you with their varied offerings. Colorful fish, sunken ships, prismatic sea life and some steeply undulating hills of raven volcanic lava, makes for an unusual diving experience. Think of this experience as that of getting a view of heaven underwater while experiencing one of the most remote places in India.

6. Manali-Leh Road Trip

The ‘Mecca’ of all road trips in India, the Manali-Leh Highway has always been a favourite. Be it for the groups or solo travellers, this route outshines any other backpacking trips in India. All -you need to do: get geared up for some adventure, hit the road and reach nowhere! Passing mountains and villages, passing people who are going about their business in a more simple way what will get you appreciate both nature and simplicity.

7.  Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Let your imagination take flight as you look at nature in its entire splendor. Be treated to a spectacular view of the Solang Valley as you soar in the sky. In seconds you’ll have your adrenaline rush and you’ll be spellbound by the spectacular sight you’ll behold. Go for paragliding in Manali and you will find one of the best ways to disconnect from the world.

8. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Imagine nothingness and then imagine it some more! Being one of the remote places in India and the largest salt desert in the world, the Rann of Kutch comes to life somewhere in October as the otherwise watered locale begins to dry up. Try making it to Kala Dungar (Black Hill) and experience a panoramic view from 458 meters above sea level.

9. Sandakphu, Darjeeling

Among the 5 highest peaks in the world, Sandakphu makes for a dreamy location. Surreal natural beauty and spectacular views define this place. It is here one can spot around 600 myriad orchid-varieties and a remarkable diversity in nature which is not found anywhere else in the world.

10. Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim

Lakes at high altitudes always make for fantastic viewing. That’s what Tsomgo Lake is too. The lake is situated at an altitude of more than 12,000 feet above sea level. The lake gets its water from the melting ice of the surrounding glaciers. About 40km from the capital city of Gangtok and 5km from the Chinese border, you need to take an arduous trek to the lake. Despite the hardships involved, the trek to the lake is truly worth it!

Article Source - www.thrillophilia.com

Read More

5 Must Have Natural & Best Ayurvedic Hair Oils That Should Be Used

Why are we stressing on the importance of using the best ayurvedic hair oil? You may have heard of the tag ‘Make in India’ and without politicizing the same too much, the reason why we insist and promote the best ayurvedic hair oils, products and services across our site is because it is safe and natural, making it suitable for all skin types. So, let’s learn more about the best ayurvedic hair oils to use. Read on and pick the brand you love the most.

Read More

Dandruff Treatment At Home Was Never This Easy

Having tried a number of strong dandruff shampoos, I have seen my friends damage their hair. But if you ask me “How do you get rid of dandruff” I leave it to my grandma. She has these super easy and cheap solutions of dandruff treatment at home. They will not only make your dandruff disappear, but condition and soften your hair at the same time.

Read More

Five Reasons to Learn to Cook Bengali Food

When Benjamin, who happens to be a content curator representing cookingschools.net mailed us that he wanted to write a guest post for us, we were much overjoyed. And, guess what he wrote about, its not another Bengali recipe but rather the basic reason for thousands of readers to visit us – the reasons to learn to cook Bengali food.

Read More

8 Reasons Why Bongs Love Poila Boishak (Bengali New Year)

1. The first call of the  day is from mom wishing you a happy new year and the guilt she lays on you for not calling her in a month 

2. You wish your other Bong colleagues at work and go down memory lane about  how  life was  in Kolkata and only they know what ” ADDA”  means. 

3. You dig deep in your closet and pull out a halka (light) benarasi saree to wear to work – to please your mom and ofcourse look super nice.

4. You get the chance to gorge on yummy food  that you grew up eating and no matter how much french cuisine you may appreciate  – this is your comfort food – so bring on the – kosha mangsho, chingdi maacher malai, pulao bhaath, kheer, narkol nadu, shandesh etc.

5. You go on a shopping spree and buy sarees and clothes for your family – a totally justified guilt free  spending spree at the mall.

6. You are reminded that you are Bong, you are special and so proud of your heritage and culture. 

7. You wish “shubho ‘noboborsho” to all – even non Bengali friends in that sweet killer Bengali accent.

8. You spontaneously break into song and dance to celebrate the occasion because you wouldn’t be one if you did not   “Esho Hai Boishak … Esho ..Esho”.

Resource - http://indiaopines.com/bongs-love-poila-boishak-bengali-year/

Read More

7 Bengali Sarees – You Must Wear at Upcoming Weddings

In most cases, when we sit to talk about sarees, one would imagine the luxe benarasi types or the chic south Indian kanjeevarams. Bengal cotton and silk sarees are very rarely spoken off. However, when one does bring up the topic on Bengali sarees, most would talk only about the baluchari saree- but there are more than what meets the eyes.

Read More

Why One Wedding Planner Advises Against Having Bridesmaids

It’s well known that couples are spending more money than ever before to get married. While at first it might seem completely unreasonable that the average wedding costs upward of $30,000 today, venues, catering, photographers, and the perfect dress add up fast.

So it makes sense that those looking to get hitched are constantly on the lookout to cut corners where they can. When StyleCaster asked wedding planner Leah Weinberg of Color Pop Events for easy and effective ways to save, she suggested cutting out the traditional entourage.

“By not having bridesmaids and groomsmen, you save on bouquets and ancillary things like their hair and makeup and gifts. You can always have friends do readings, or have them identified without being a formal wedding party.” Weinberg also noted, “They’ll probably thank you for it, since it gets really expensive for them, too.”

A hack that eliminates the need for awkward bridesmaid dresses? We’ll take it! But just in case you don’t nix your party, shop for some budget-friendly bridesmaid dresses.

Resource: Who What Wear

Read More

Simple Beauty Hacks That Will Get Your Skin Glowing

Battling dodgy, dry and lacklustre skin? Change of season and weather can often result in a change of how your skin behaves. If you have sensitive skin, it can become more unbalanced leaving it blotchy and prone to blemishes. This is a great time to listen to the changing needs of your skin and update your skincare regime.

1. Combat dry skin — exfoliate There's no better way to rid your face of dead skin than to exfoliate it well. Carrying out an extra deep treatment to spring clean your face will instantly improve texture and reveal a brighter, fresher complexion. Here's how: Apply a creamy exfoliant generously to dry skin after cleansing and leave to dry for five minutes. Support the side of your face with one hand to stop skin from pulling and with long sweeping movements across your face, use your other hand to 'flake away' the cream. (It's a good idea to put your face over the bathroom sink as the product will flake away, removing the build-up of old, dull cells with it). Remove excess by rinsing with warm water. Follow up with a serum or certified organic facial oil and moisturiser.

2. Make your skin glow Use a concentrated treatment product in your beauty regime to revitalize skin and boost radiance. Think of it as a shot of vitamins, antioxidants and nourishment all in one. It will help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and give your complexion a massive boost. Use it twice daily for four weeks and you'll notice the transformation of your skin.

3. Re-hydrate all over with a multi-purpose balm Multi-tasking beauty products have to be the best spring beauty hack of them all. A multi-purpose balm is great for keeping lips moisturized and healthy. You can use a liberal amount on nails and cuticles for a subtle shine and buffed look and it does a brilliant job of grooming eyebrows — it helps them grow better and healthier too! A great balm will also act as a brilliant emergency hair product as well, helping to tame frizz and create definition and texture in the ends.

4. Use a serum to add a protective barrier If your skin gets a bit unpredictable between seasons, prone to sensitivity or spring-time allergies, a serum which helps strengthen the skin's natural barrier function is the way to go. Use a serum that calms inflammation, soothes sensitivity and delivers gentle hydration.

5. Load up on antioxidants Antioxidants are important to help combat environmental damage caused by the harsh summer season. Experts believe as much as 80 per cent of skin ageing is caused by free radical damage, sources of which include pollution, sun exposure, diet and stress. It's easier to prevent the signs of ageing than to cure them. Use products that protect the skin by binding with free radicals, preventing them from attaching to healthy skin cells in a process termed quenching. 

— Daily Mirror, Source: beauty from indiatimes.com

Read More

Middle East’s Highest 5-Star Resort to Open in July 2016

Perched 2,000 metres above sea level on the curving rim of a great canyon, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort will welcome discerning luxury travellers from July 2016. Upon its launch, the resort will be the highest luxury hotel in the Middle East and amongst the highest in the world. Al Jabal Al Akhdar is a towering massif on the Sultanate of Oman’s vast Saiq Plateau. The arrival journey two hours from Muscat International Airport or four-and-a-half hours from Dubai – past date plantations, valleys known locally as wadis, and historical forts.

A total of 115 guest rooms and villas overlook the canyon or tranquil gardens. Each room features its own indigenous luxuries from custom-made Omani furniture to Amouage bath products. The resort’s 82 Premier and Deluxe Rooms boast a spacious bedroom, amongst the largest in the country, and a spa-like bathroom carved out of sustainable material from the local area, complete with a rain shower and separate bath alongside a terrace or balcony. Meanwhile, 33 villas feature personal butler services and private swimming pools with infinity-edges stretching over the cliffs or hidden in a garden. Villa guests have the choice of either one or two bedrooms, including the exclusive Royal Mountain Villa. Each villa will include interactive LED TV and spacious walk-in dressing area.

The resort offers a collection of six restaurants and lounges. Its fine dining restaurant Arabian grill is placed in a central fort tower with sheesha water pipes and tapas, as well as a Roman inspired kitchen with canyon views. Anantara’s ‘Dining by Design’ will allow guests to dine at the cliff’s edge platform, Diana’s Point. Another Anantara signature, the ‘Spice Spoons’ cooking class will allow guests to accompany a chef to the local souq and to the resort’s own Chef’s Garden before being guided in the secrets of cooking Omani or Thai cuisine.

The resort will put travellers in touch with the local culture, history and landscape in personalised arrangements including mountaintop sunrise yoga and stargazing beneath the blanket of remote night sky. Other diversions include archery, quad biking and excursions to nearby heritage attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Birkat al Mouz, and the ancient city of Nizwa, known as the ‘Pearl of Islam’. Accompanied by a local guide, Anantara guests can also embark on nature hikes.

Harnessing the essence of Arabia, the Anantara spa will offer ancient hammam rituals, five soothing treatment suites, private outdoor relaxation areas and an indoor swimming pool. Catering to the youngest travellers, a dedicated kids and teens club will be present. The resort’s ballroom and meeting facilities will host various events and weddings. Additionally, a courtyard fire pit will light the Anantara’s own Friday night market, illuminating artworks by local village artisans and craftsmen.

Resource - Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Read More

The Bengali New Year's Resolution: Let's Eat!

In mid-April, the people of Bengal, a region straddling Bangladesh and parts of India, including my hometown in West Bengal, celebrate the Bengali New Year.

Bengalis of all religious persuasions celebrate this secular holiday with music, song and, of course, plenty of good food. It's only appropriate to go all out, food-wise, on naba barsha, as Bengalis call the holiday. Food in Bengali is synonymous with all events and happenings. But for festivals like the one for the new year, Bengalis go the whole nine yards on the dinner table.

People also buy new clothes and other new items with the belief that something done at the beginning of the year repeats itself year-round. Bengali traders crack open fresh new account books called the haal khata on this day.

Ironically, the Bengali New Year, which falls this year on April 13th, originated in the Mughal Empire, when it marked a fresh beginning after the collection of taxes. So, celebrate the end of tax season with me by delving into this regional cuisine.

Bengal, with its west monsoon climate and proximity to rivers, offers a diet rich in fish, greens, rice and vegetables. Its seasonings are distinct and prominent with the use of mustard, poppy seeds, ginger and a Bengali Five Spice Blend consisting of mustard, cumin, nigella, fenugreek and fennel. This seasoning is called panch phoron: panch means five and phoron means tempering.

The Bengali meal ranges from light to heavy courses, with a sweet and sour chutney to cleanse the palate before dessert.

Starting the new year with a family recipe that travels well

The fact that the holiday lands midweek this year puts a wrinkle on food celebrations. This year, however I've resurrected a well-seasoned egg dish that my grandmother used to call her "picnic dimer dalna" or picnic egg curry.

Our "picnics" consisted usually of multilayered lunch boxes, filled with puffy fried breads known as luchi and drier curries like alur dom. In our family's case, it included these eggs, since my grandmother felt that we should get our protein as growing children.

This dish travels very well, and actually improves as leftovers. My children now love this as a special breakfast treat and it can be enjoyed with toasted bread almost as much as the luchi, which can be difficult to pull off on a school-day morning. The eggs, however, can be made the night before.

This particular recipe is also known as Kosha Dimer Dalna. The word kosha in Bengali refers to slow-cooked and refers to the slow-cooked onions in the dish. This year, if you feel that you just might need an excuse for a new beginning and an opportunity to revisit your New Year’s resolutions, join the Bengalis in celebrating our Bengali New Year.

Kosha Dimer Dalna (Egg Curry with Clingy Caramelized Onion Sauce)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 45 to 50 minutes

Total time: 65 to 70 minutes

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons oil

3 medium-sized onions, sliced

1 tablespoon grated ginger

2 to 3 cardamoms

2 medium-sized tomatoes

1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper, or to taste

8 eggs, hard-boiled and shelled

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Chopped cilantro to garnish

Directions:

1. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil and add in the sliced onions. Cook the onions on low heat, until they gradually wilt, soften and turn golden brown. This process will take about 30 to 35 minutes, but should not be rushed.

2. Add in the ginger and stir well.

3. Add in the cardamoms, tomatoes and red cayenne pepper. Cook for about five minutes until the mixture thickens and the tomatoes begin to soften.

4. In the meantime, make slits on the sides of the eggs and rub them with the salt and the turmeric.

5. Mix the eggs into the tomato mixture and cook for about 5 minutes, until the eggs are well-coated with the onion base.

6. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve.

Copyright 2016 Rinku Bhattacharya via Zester Daily and Reuters Media Express

(The story source: NDTV)

Read More

Top 10 Best Bengali Recipes

West Bengal is famously known as the land of maach (fish) and bhaat (rice). Bengalis share an irrevocable relationship with these two foods that are a staple in almost every household. Since countless rivers surround the state, fresh sweet water fish are a major attraction with rohu, pabda and koi being the popular ones. Interestingly, there are more than forty types of fresh water fish that are popularly served in Bengal.

A much-loved local delicacy in Bengal is an oily fish known as 'Hilsa' or 'Ilish'. The tenderness of the flesh, unique taste and silvery appeal make it the 'queen of fish'. In fact, hilsa holds great cultural importance in Bengal and a pair of hilsa fish (Joda Ilish) is usually bought on auspicious occasions. On the vegetarian platter, one would mostly find tubers, gourds and roots. Vegetables like plantains, potatoes, water lily roots, brinjal and beans dominate the menu. (More on hilsa)

Bengali cuisine is a blend of sweet and spicy flavours. The delicate balance between the main ingredients and the seasoning plays a starring role. The simplest of meals gain an exquisite identity on adding 'phoron' or a traditional mix of pungent spices. The 'panch phoron' is used generously and it includes a combination of five spices - cumin, nigella, fenugreek, aniseed and mustard seed. (More on mustard oil)

What sets Bengali curries apart are the distinctive flavours of mustard oil, poppy seeds and turmeric with sweet undertones that warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and mace impart. Luchi is a deep-fried bread that is preferred here and is prepared using both refined and whole-wheat flour. Mishti Doi, a kind of sweetened yogurt with rich notes of jaggery is a usual accompaniment. All said and done, the robust fish curries and the sinful Bengali sweets easily steal the spotlight. (More on poppy seeds)

We bring to you the best of Bengal. Here are the top 10 traditional recipes that you'll absolutely love.

Dimer Dhokkar Dalna and Luchi

Recipe by Chef Madhumita Mohante

A common Bengali dish of steamed cakes made with eggs, potatoes and spices and simmered in an aromatic curry.

Bhapaa Aloo

Recipe by Chef Joy Banerjee

The humble potato tossed in local flavours of panch phoron, coconut paste and mustard oil. Simple yet satisfying!

Chingri Malai Curry

Recipe by Chef Avijit Ghosh

Palatable prawns are cooked in hot spices and then bathed in the creamy flavor of coconut milk. Chingri refers to the river prawns. (Recipe video)

Sorsebata Ilish Mach

Recipe by Chef Avijit Ghosh

'Hilsa' fish is the highlight of the local cuisine. The fish is marinated with turmeric and delicately simmered in a mustard-poppy seed paste along with the five-spice mix (panch phoron). (Recipe video)

Bengali Lamb Curry

Recipe by Chef Marut Sikka

Lamb marinated in the comforting flavour of yogurt and cooked in mustard oil along with mustard seeds, almonds and castor sugar that adds a sweet undertone.

Doi Maach

Recipe by Chef Aditya Bal

Doi machch is a comforting fish curry. Tender chunks of fish are cooked in the soothing flavor of yogurt along with mild spices. It tastes best when served with plain rice.

Baigun Bhajja

Recipe by Chef Girish Krishnan

Pan fried eggplants, sizzling with aromatic spices. Served with a freshly made, tangy tomato chutney.

Patishapta

Recipe by Chef Lalita Chakraborty

A Bengali dessert prepared in the form of thin crepes stuffed with a delicious coconut and jaggery filling.

Sandesh

Recipe by Chef Niru Gupta

Bengali desserts are great charmers with chenna or fresh cottage cheese as one of the primary ingredients in most of them. Here's how to make the ultimate melt-in-the-mouth sweet. (More Bengali Recipes)

Aloo Kosha

Recipe by Chef Aditya Bal

A vegetarian delight, chor chori is a fresh mix of vegetables like potatoes, brinjal, cauliflower and pumpkin flavored with the famous 'panch phoron'.

Read More