Celebs not willing to mingle!

Finding celebs in Bollywood who aren't rumoured to have any link-ups before or after marriage is like finding a needle in the haystack. But we've managed to scrape through and found a few celebs who have got the clean chit from us. Check out our 'clean' list of young actors. By Trupti

The King Khan has only one queen
Shah Rukh Khan is not called the King of Romance for nothing. In spite of being paired with gorgeous female actors who're all gaga over him, he's had a clean slate when it comes to affairs or link-ups. The only woman he seems to be besotted with is his wife Gauri which was quite obvious when he was hosting the popular TV show, 'Kaun Banega Crore Pati'. Fondly, he ended every episode with her mention. Aww...Any surprises why the viewership increased?

Imran loves his love story
As soon as he forayed into films, Imran Khan admitted his commitment to his long-time girlfriend Avantika Mallik, giving due respect to their relationship. He recently even tied the knot with her, proclaiming he is a one woman man and will always be. Now that's a man, every woman's lusts after.

No extra-marital sin for Konkana
Though Konkana's recent film Mirch talks about polygamy, in real life, she's far from it. The only man she's ever been linked to was her then boyfriend and now husband Ranvir Shorey. She dated him for five years, lived in for three years and just recently married him. They're now blessed with a baby boy. Now that's a picture perfect fairy-tale that we can't stop obsessing over.

Neil Nitin Mukesh: Not keeping the rumour mills running
He has bowled everybody over with his histrionics but he hasn't provided any fodder to keep the rumour mills rolling. In spite of breaking up with his childhood sweetheart Priyanka recently, he hasn't yet been linked with anybody. With chocolate boy looks and talent like that, it's truly hard to believe.

Mallika votes for monogamy
With an obsession for courting controversies coupled with a body like that, you would expect Mallika Sherawat to have a beeline of linkups. But since she has forayed into films, to our surprise there is not even a single one. A believer of monogamy, she's tweeted that she leads a virginal life. Surprises indeed never cease to exist!

Top 5 mistakes that can ruin new love

You've known him three weeks and yet you ask him to pick up tomatoes on his way over to your place...not a good idea! Why? Simply because your comfort level may not be the same as his! Clinical Psychologist Prachi S Vaish lists a few moves you should avoid just yet

Home chores
Sure he offered to help you move to your new apartment but having him stack your pots and pans and medicine cabinet is not his idea of housewarming! Same goes for asking him to do your grocery shopping because he's 'coming over anyway'. Domestic tasks make all men feel married and unless you're just a step short of walking down the aisle, don't assign household chores to a new flame.

Two too-much
An occasional double date to show off the new hottie to all your naysayer couple friends is alright but if you schedule one very weekend and sit sighing over how adorable they look together, you're actually ringing his warning bells. Too much couple interaction in a new hook-up says to him 'husband-hunter' instead of 'fun date' and we don't want that impression, do we?

The Cinderella transformation
You take hours to dazzle him with your look but a guy you've been dating for a few weeks doesn't need to see the steps leading up to the diva look; so no opening doors with green goo on your face, no shaving equipment lying around in the bathroom where he can see it, no requests to drop you at the salon and wait for you and no taking hours to get ready while he flips magazines in your living room...get it done before he arrives!

That never-ending crib session
There's a reason why they call it 'girl talk'. Venting after a particularly stressful day is okay, but if you indulge him in nasty gossip about your friends and co-workers everyday you're just telling him what a crummy person you are at heart.

Honesty that sucks!
Don't get us wrong, we are all for basing a relationship on completely honest terms but there's a time and place for everything. When he has only known you a short time and is still totally enamoured by every little breath you take, you can save the details of the time you got your first period. Sure go ahead and tell him about how you got to where you are in life but save the not-so-pleasant details for later...or never!

Doing things together and for each other is fascinating, but joined-at-the-hip act can wait for an older relationship; let him treat you like the princess he wants for now and enjoy it while it lasts!

Celebrate this summer with some neon!

As summer kicks off to an early start, give the shining sun some serious competition with shockingly vibrant makeup hues. Acid oranges, neon greens, and electric pinks are all set to rule the colour palette this season. Shuchi Kalra tells you how to sport a dramatic splash of colour on eyes, lips and cheeks, without going OTT

More than the makeup and styling tips, it is a confident attitude that will help you carry off such colours. Before making any additions to your makeup kit, be certain that the neon look is indeed for your personality. While this look is more becoming on young girls, older ladies can glam up their ensemble by using colour smartly and selectively.

Remember, less is more
Neon hues, when used in excess, can end up looking garish and even clownish at times. The trick is to use them sparingly to highlight a certain feature in a colour that complements the rest of your attire. Liesle Sooting, a makeup artist, warns against going overboard with these cosmetics. "These colours are bright and funky, yet exotic. Wear them with neutrals or solids, and keep your outfit simple. Neon green blends well with hues of light blue and electric pinks go well with black. For example, an all-black outfit can be spunked up a bit with a fuchsia lipstick or with a bag, belt or stilettos in the same colour. Team up these colours with the right clothes and accessories and you will be all set to turn heads."

Don't overdo the matching bit
Electric colours work best when they are used as a 'highlight' rather than a colour scheme. You would be committing an unforgivable fashion faux pas if you step out with orange lips, orange blush and orange eye shadow, all piled on at once. Use an acidic orange on your lips and let it do the talking while you keep your eyes subtle, yet well-defined, with a neutral eye shadow and a dash of mascara. If you choose to play up your eyes with an electric blue shadow, keep the lips subtle with a nude pink or peach shade of lipstick. Working the neon look is all about striking the right balance with colours.

Go untamed, sometimes!
If the occasion permits, bring out the rebel in you by teaming up neons. Using an eclectic mix of hot pink, orange and lime green is a fun way to spice up a theme party or a girlie night out.

Drop all your inhibitions and go bold and brazen with the most outlandish colours this coming summer. Your attitude is sure to send the mercury rising by a few notches!

Picks for your picnic basket

This is the perfect time for packing up your picnic basket and heading outdoors. Supriya Kutty suggests picnic goodies that are a breeze to put together and are perfect for a spread away from home

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken
A super easy, delicious and filling pasta salad that combines tangy tomatoes, creamy pine nuts and cheese with the lingering zest of basil

Ingredients
For Pesto:
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (store bought)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
3 garlic cloves
3/4 cup olive oil

For Salad:
200g penne cooked and drained
11/2 cup cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 cup pimento stuffed olives sliced

Method
1. Blitz sun-dried tomatoes, basil, cheese, pine nuts and garlic in a blender. Keep it running and slowly pour in olive oil and blend into a smooth paste.
2. In a large bowl toss together pasta, olives and chicken with the pesto and store in an airtight container till ready to serve.

Spicy Sweet Potato
Healthy, spicy yet sweet, this simple dish is great with parathas and makes an unusual desi sandwich with pav and mint chutney

Ingredients
500g sweet potatoes, washed and diced into big pieces
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp fennel seeds
3 dry red chillies
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp dry mango powder
Salt
2 tbsp fresh coriander finely chopped

Method
1. Heat oil in a pan; add the potatoes and fry on medium-high flame till lightly browned. Reduce flame, cover and cook till potatoes are cooked (7-10 minutes).
2. While potatoes are cooking, dry roast whole spices and powder in a blender.
3. Season potatoes with salt and spice powder and cook uncovered on medium heat for 2 minutes till well combined.
4. Mix in the dry mango powder and chopped coriander, turn off the heat and cool before storing in an airtight container. Serve with pav slathered with mint chutney.

Apple Chutney and Cheese Sandwich
It’s as easy as apple pie! This healthy and absolutely divine sandwich is a great blend of contrasting flavours - sweet apples, tart and rich balsamic vinegar, juicy plump raisins, crunchy walnuts and subtle velvety cheese.

Ingredients
For Apple Chutney:
2 apples peeled and diced
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup coarsely chopped roasted walnuts
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

For Sandwich:
10 slices multigrain bread
10 slices Cheddar or any other plain cheese

Method
1. Cook all chutney ingredients in a pan over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally till apples are mushy and most of the water has evaporated. Add walnuts, remove from heat and let cool.
2. Spread bread slices with chutney, place a slice of cheese between two slices and wrap in cling film to prevent sandwiches from drying out.

Make your own sports drink

It is important to restore electrolytes and carbohydrates that your body desires after a good workout. But the same branded drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde are bound to get boring and expensive when had on a daily basis. Registered Dietician Naomi Dsouza suggests some recipes of sports drinks you can make on your own

It is not very difficult to procreate your own sports drink. If made smartly, what you whip up can provide the same benefits as its commercial counterpart.

A balanced exercise drink should contain
• Electrolytes for balancing solutes lost while sweating.
• Basic carbohydrates for energy (Approximately 7 % concentration of carbohydrates is ideally required to increase water absorbed in the body).
• The ability to retain water in the body.
• Sodium from salt, 1 to 2 g per liter fluid
• A pleasant flavour so that you feel like consuming it (flavor added should not interrupt the carbohydrate level of 7 %)

Option 1
Scott Sykes, an advance personal trainer (Human University Eastern London) has his own mix he thinks is as close to a sports drink. He suggests, adding the juice of 2 limes to 1 liter of water and 4 sachets of splenda. Turn the bottle upside down and inside out to have your own readymade drink. A zero calorie sweetener like splenda is suitable for people with diabetes.

Option 2
Take 1 cup of orange juice (100ml) and add 900 ml water to it. Add 5 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tsp of salt to replace the lost electrolytes. Diluting the orange juice reduces the calorie count so that the calories are largely supplied only by sugar.

Option 3
Take 2 caffeine free (green) tea bags and dip them in 450ml of boiling water. Stir in 2 table spoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Chill this mix. The antioxidants present in this concoction stimulate the flushing of toxins in the body.

Option 4
Fuse 3 tablespoons of corn syrup in 750ml water to rehydrate your body. This works wonderfully well on a mild exercise day.

You can carry one of these in your sipper every day. Not only will you save money, you will also rid yourself of the boredom of having to sip on the same drink every day.

Exotic shooters for your elite dos

Omkar Watve, Director, Boozers n Shakers, a school of bar and beverage management, helps you light up your lavish bashes with fashionable recipes, deliberately set on fire! By Trupti S

FLAMING HAWK
Keep an eye on the flaming hawk. It’s sure to set you flying high with delectable, blazing ingredients!

INGREDIENTS
30ml Sambuca
15ml Blue Curacao
10ml Cream liqueur
10ml Coffee liqueur

METHOD
1. Pour the Sambuca and the Blue Curacao into a small martini glass and the cream liqueur and coffee liqueur into two test tubes.
2. Flame the Sambuca and pour it into the test tube. Suck it with the help of a straw, with the flame still on.

BLAZING TOWER
This is one tower you won’t mind burning. The delicious and extremely potent flavours of orange flavoured vodka with cranberry juice are sure to leave your taste buds tingling for more!

INGREDIENTS
60ml Orange flavoured vodka
100 ml Cranberry juice

METHOD
1. Place a tall glass upside down in the centre of a pasta bowl, and then place a shot glass upside down over the tall glass.
2. Pour the juice into the plate. Flame the vodka in a shot glass and pour it slowly over the inverted shot glass into the plate. Sip the mix from the plate with a straw.

BMW
No, we aren’t talking about the car. BMW is an acronym of the ingredients that we use to whip up this delicious cocktail. Like its namesake, it is stylish and sure to set your pulse racing once you get a taste of it. Aye Carumba!

INGREDIENTS
20ml Baileys
20ml Malibu
20ml Whisky

METHOD
1. Float the Baileys & the whisky over the Malibu in a shot glass.
2. Flame the mix and sip it with the help of a straw with the flame on.

Remember to be careful
You always have to be careful when you play with fire and that holds true for these flaming cocktails as well. Make sure you keep in mind:

1. Girls, while preparing and even drinking the flaming cocktails, ensure your hair is in place and not running all wild. You don’t want your crowning glory to catch fire now, do you?
2. As mentioned in the methodology, do not drink these drinks directly. Always use a straw. Or else, once you flame the cocktail, let it burn for some time and then blow it off. The effect may not be as dramatic but the taste will remain more or less the same.

Red wine facials: Luxury for your skin!

It's Diwali time and pampering yourself with an exotic treatment right now is only justified. Red wine facial is the all new rage right now so how about going for it? Salil Jayakar finds out all about the magical abilities of this all-natural skin care ingredient

Across the country and the world, red wine facials are finding favour with cosmetologists and women cutting age groups. A red wine facial is a treatment that uses red wine - a potent anti-oxidant - as its main ingredient. With an anti-oxidant activity 50 times more effective than vitamin E and 20 times more than vitamin C, red wine visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and improves skin elasticity and moisture content. It protects against free radicals and increases intracellular levels of vitamin C and, which has an anti-wrinkle effect.

According to Dr. Rohini Wadhwani, Cosmetologist and Medical Director - Skin Essentials,“Red wine does wonders for the skin not only because it neutralises free radicals but also because it forms complexes that inhibit metallic ions which induce the formation of free radicals.” Simply put, it inhibits the destruction of collagen fibres, stimulates the activity of certain detoxifying enzymes and inhibits others that are responsible for premature ageing of cutaneous tissues. Everything put together has very positive effects on the skin!

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF RED WINE ON SKIN

• The skin is more protected against oxidation and free radical damages.

• Collagen produced in optimal conditions has a firming effect and unifies skin tone.

• Increased microcirculation activates all the vital functions of skin.

• Collagen, elastin, andhyaluronic acid - all placed in the dermis - are in optimal condition. As a result the skin is resilient.

Ideally, depending on the existing condition of your skin, the effects of a red wine facial are visible from the very first treatment itself. The treatment is a set procedure using products according to individual skin type and skin condition along with an anti-ageing machine to achieve results. Naturally, the procedure varies from person to person depending on their skin condition. A single treatment can cost upwards of Rs. 2,000/- in India.

BENEFITS OF RED WINE

• Skin becomes smoother, silkier to touch

• Makeup glides on faster, looks better and lasts longer

• Firming, smoothing action fills in lines instantly

• Anti-fatigue factor energises tired looking skin

• Deeply moisturises and smoothes skin

• Leaves skin luminous, rested and radiant

Red wine can also be combined with caviar for facial treatments that are also beneficial to the skin. Contrary to popular perception, in such treatments, caviar creams with caviar as their main ingredient are used. “Caviar is a source of marine DNA, a key element to skin cell regeneration. Products with a marine DNA base are basically hydrators that reduce superficial lines and wrinkles thereby improving the skin’s appearance,” informs Dr. Wadhwani. Known for its rich, nutritive components for years, caviar hydrates and nourishes the skin, intensifying the processes within the skin cells to slow down the skin ageing process.

Well, there you have it then. Red wine facials for fabulous skin! Don’t head to the nearest wine shop to buy some bottles, head to the nearest spa instead.

WHERE CAN YOU INDULGE
Available at most leading hi-end spas and 5 star hotel spas across the country.

Also at:
Bamboo Tree, 752, Merchant House, New Kantwadi Road, Opposite Dharam Jyot, Bandra West, Mumbai; t: 0 99301 42067

My Asian Roots, B-5/15, Main Road, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi; t: 011 4165 1010

Pulse, The Kenilworth, 1 & 2, Little Russell Street, Kolkata; t: 033 2282 3939

La Change, 10/21, Gashwara Road, Behind Taj Coromandel, Chennai; t: 044 4549 0001

3 exotic detox therapies for you

You sip on that delicately brewed cup of green tea and indulge in Yoga, Meditation, Reiki and Acupuncture, but that's not all there is to healing naturally. Juhi Dua gets you the latest on 3 new and unique ways to detox. Hit the 'retune' button now!

1. Charcoal Purifying Routine
Activated Charcoal has been used for centuries as a vital ingredient of healing arts. Doctors still use it today as an antidote for poisons, indigestion and for even soaking up bad breath, because of its amazing ability to absorb. Now you can utilise the benefits of charcoal through easy to use products, thanks to the Danish line, ‘Sort of Coal’ that presents healthy and environment friendly ways to cleanse your life, incorporating the natural purifying properties of porous white coal.

You must: Check out www.sortofcoal.com to choose from their unique products such as White Charcoal Sticks made from Japanese bamboo, that when used to stir your beverages, absorbs impurities in alcohol or tea for a pure taste (3 sticks for €16.00); Edible White Charcoal (a box including 15 packets of natural white charcoal of 4 grams for €14.00); Water Purifiers (€16.00 onwards); Air Purifiers (€52.00) and a variety of soaps that have antiseptic and balancing properties beneficial for your skin (€16.00 onwards). Activated Charcoal Tablets can be ordered online from companies in our country as well.

2. Colon Hydrotherapy
Colon Hydrotherapy or Colonic Irrigation cleans the system by running water through the colon (the organ that holds maximum toxic waste), removing stubborn and toxic faecal build up.
Celebrity health guru and detox expert Dr. Nish Joshi who runs The Joshi Clinic in London and has the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow as his loyal patrons, explains how colon hydrotherapy works. He says, “Very often the foods we eat everyday contain inadequate nutrients and toxic substances, especially refined pre-processed foods with preservatives, artificial colours and artificial flavours. In addition, we intentionally ingest other toxic substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and stimulants, such as caffeine and other drugs. After these foods are digested, our liver must work overtime to detoxify all these foreign toxic substances so that they can be excreted through our kidneys and skin. Our intestinal tract is like a plumbing system in a house, with the small intestines comparable to sewage pipes and the colon comparable to a septic tank. When fat and debris are poured down the drain every day, the pipes will become clogged. Septic tanks need to be pumped out occasionally. Otherwise, too much waste will accumulate and back up into the house.”

This may come as a shock to you that the average colon may contain between 1-7kgs of debris, obviously collected over the years. With colonic irrigation, a large percentage of this waste can be flushed out. “The benefits of colon hydrotherapy can often be quickly observed in the form of healthy colon function, improved bowel function together with clearer skin, more mental clarity and fewer headaches,” elaborates Dr. Joshi.

“It can also assist in recovery from food poisoning and diarrhoea and improve the absorption of minerals and vitamins,” adds Neesha Maria Bukht, Dietician and Branch Manager with Talwalkars Bandra, Mumabi.

Both Dr. Joshi and Neesha recommend diet and lifestyle changes along with colon hydrotherapy for additional weight loss benefit and for help in tackling circulatory, immune and inflammatory problems.

You must: Not go for too many sessions in quick succession. “One session of about 45 minutes in 3-6 months is ideal for removing the toxic build-up,” warns Neesha. She also suggests adding probiotics to your diet post colonic irrigation for regenerating intestinal flora.

3. Liquid Vegetable Fast
With all that sugar that makes way into your body with a fruit juice diet, they are becoming passé and are fast being replaced by the more nutritious organic-vegetable juice diet. A secret hot-routine amongst many celebs, the liquid veggie diet is aimed at re-alkalinizing the body, facilitating healing by allowing increased elimination of toxins while the body is relieved of its task of metabolizing solid food.

“Another benefit of this diet comes in the form of antioxidants that offer a natural combatant to the toxins released by cell metabolism. These can help you build immunity and fight diseases, eradicating the need for taking supplements for the influx of antioxidants,” says Dr. Dheeraj Mulchandani, Consultant General Surgeon and Director of Dr. Mulchandani’s Medical Services.

You must: Limit your fast to 3 days in a go and keep your schedule relaxed as cutting out all indulgences and supplements may make you tired or restless.

It is strongly recommended that you indulge in these therapies under the guidance of experts. After all, you don’t want any doubts lingering in your head to play spoil sport while you enjoy the detox process, isn’t it?

10 things men want from us, besides sex

It's not just physical intimacy and action in bed that men desire from women. There is tonnes more they wish from us that may not be on top of a woman's mind. Smita Singh helps you peek into a man's mind and heart...

1) The Incredible lightness of being
With men, hands down this is going to top the list - a woman who lessens their chances of a heart attack, panic attack, nerve attack- you get the picture. Basically someone who is easy to be with, can take a joke and unwind with them, funny, light on the senses and bright.

2) Honest to Goodness
If you thought fidelity and loyalty are not concerns that bother men too much, be informed that Mars isn’t that mysterious a place. Integrity and honesty are as valuable to men as to us. Anyway, your basic honesty in dealing with men will more often than not get you through the toughest of times. And if you are contending to be with him for a lifetime, your ability to stay true to yourself as well as to him counts big time.

3) Emotional Independence
Well you may have heard about the victim who cried buckets and got her gentle lover to not only rescue but commit to her forever, but there’s a good chance it happened in a bad movie adaptation of an equally bad book because wet blankets tend to weigh down most men. Not that temperaments, mood swings and real issues can’t be adjusted to, but over emotional, clingy and needy need not apply just yet.

4) Lack of too much Mystery
Over mystifying the feminine mystique is a little out dated ladies. Women who are straight-forward and easy to get through are the most desired ones- notice the operative word ‘easy’ please. Don’t unnecessarily complicate the ‘simple stuff’ as men probably do realise when we play too hard to get.

5) The Anti-Nag
So he got the message - you left it in the voice mail, the e- mail, the social site inbox, on the fridge and that post- it on his forehead. You are not the one. Perhaps to quantify this one there’s just one phrase- The Anti - Nag. Those species of women who don’t drive the point home so hard so as to bury the message. So watch it all you naggers out there!

6) The Butterfly Effect
It’s not just women who want fireworks, men too seem to care about how the women they are with make them feel, out of bed especially. Sustaining the passion that got you together is equally important to men and springing good surprises once in a while is never out of fashion with most of them.

7) Strength of Confidence
We do want our partners to be able to take care when we fall apart, to take charge when we falter, just as we do for them. But to make it a habit of faltering, falling and leaving the mess for him to clear can prove very expensive. Your strength and confidence in your abilities are merits for you and him both, so cherish them and carry them with you always.

8) Love Express
So this one may be down in the list but don’t believe for a second your love doesn’t need to know you care. Take time to express your love every once in a while- it’s never wasted!

9) Your ability to take a Chance on him
Yes its true- your support counts and whether you like his ideas or not, he’s going ahead with it and if not he’ll probably resent you for a long time- so support for hare-brained ideas is a must for many. Congratulations if you are with a genius and good luck if you are with… well the other guy.

10) Generosity
Perhaps not too much with his money, but surely generosity of being, to forgive and forget, to have an open heart, and generosity with love matters. You can’t ever go wrong with this one and if you do, it will still help you become more magnificent than you already are.

3 exotic detox therapies for you

You sip on that delicately brewed cup of green tea and indulge in Yoga, Meditation, Reiki and Acupuncture, but that's not all there is to healing naturally. Juhi Dua gets you the latest on 3 new and unique ways to detox. Hit the 'retune' button now!

1. Charcoal Purifying Routine
Activated Charcoal has been used for centuries as a vital ingredient of healing arts. Doctors still use it today as an antidote for poisons, indigestion and for even soaking up bad breath, because of its amazing ability to absorb. Now you can utilise the benefits of charcoal through easy to use products, thanks to the Danish line, ‘Sort of Coal’ that presents healthy and environment friendly ways to cleanse your life, incorporating the natural purifying properties of porous white coal.

You must: Check out www.sortofcoal.com to choose from their unique products such as White Charcoal Sticks made from Japanese bamboo, that when used to stir your beverages, absorbs impurities in alcohol or tea for a pure taste (3 sticks for €16.00); Edible White Charcoal (a box including 15 packets of natural white charcoal of 4 grams for €14.00); Water Purifiers (€16.00 onwards); Air Purifiers (€52.00) and a variety of soaps that have antiseptic and balancing properties beneficial for your skin (€16.00 onwards). Activated Charcoal Tablets can be ordered online from companies in our country as well.

2. Colon Hydrotherapy
Colon Hydrotherapy or Colonic Irrigation cleans the system by running water through the colon (the organ that holds maximum toxic waste), removing stubborn and toxic faecal build up.
Celebrity health guru and detox expert Dr. Nish Joshi who runs The Joshi Clinic in London and has the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow as his loyal patrons, explains how colon hydrotherapy works. He says, “Very often the foods we eat everyday contain inadequate nutrients and toxic substances, especially refined pre-processed foods with preservatives, artificial colours and artificial flavours. In addition, we intentionally ingest other toxic substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and stimulants, such as caffeine and other drugs. After these foods are digested, our liver must work overtime to detoxify all these foreign toxic substances so that they can be excreted through our kidneys and skin. Our intestinal tract is like a plumbing system in a house, with the small intestines comparable to sewage pipes and the colon comparable to a septic tank. When fat and debris are poured down the drain every day, the pipes will become clogged. Septic tanks need to be pumped out occasionally. Otherwise, too much waste will accumulate and back up into the house.”

This may come as a shock to you that the average colon may contain between 1-7kgs of debris, obviously collected over the years. With colonic irrigation, a large percentage of this waste can be flushed out. “The benefits of colon hydrotherapy can often be quickly observed in the form of healthy colon function, improved bowel function together with clearer skin, more mental clarity and fewer headaches,” elaborates Dr. Joshi.

“It can also assist in recovery from food poisoning and diarrhoea and improve the absorption of minerals and vitamins,” adds Neesha Maria Bukht, Dietician and Branch Manager with Talwalkars Bandra, Mumabi.

Both Dr. Joshi and Neesha recommend diet and lifestyle changes along with colon hydrotherapy for additional weight loss benefit and for help in tackling circulatory, immune and inflammatory problems.

You must: Not go for too many sessions in quick succession. “One session of about 45 minutes in 3-6 months is ideal for removing the toxic build-up,” warns Neesha. She also suggests adding probiotics to your diet post colonic irrigation for regenerating intestinal flora.

3. Liquid Vegetable Fast
With all that sugar that makes way into your body with a fruit juice diet, they are becoming passé and are fast being replaced by the more nutritious organic-vegetable juice diet. A secret hot-routine amongst many celebs, the liquid veggie diet is aimed at re-alkalinizing the body, facilitating healing by allowing increased elimination of toxins while the body is relieved of its task of metabolizing solid food.

“Another benefit of this diet comes in the form of antioxidants that offer a natural combatant to the toxins released by cell metabolism. These can help you build immunity and fight diseases, eradicating the need for taking supplements for the influx of antioxidants,” says Dr. Dheeraj Mulchandani, Consultant General Surgeon and Director of Dr. Mulchandani’s Medical Services.

You must: Limit your fast to 3 days in a go and keep your schedule relaxed as cutting out all indulgences and supplements may make you tired or restless.

It is strongly recommended that you indulge in these therapies under the guidance of experts. After all, you don’t want any doubts lingering in your head to play spoil sport while you enjoy the detox process, isn’t it?

Style your Holi

Wanna go beyond the predictable Ice Maiden look or 'care-two-hoots-and-wear-something-worn-out' dictum this Holi? P S Bhavana suggests five OMG-inducing fashion theories that could change your mad, colour-filled festival's party dynamics

Theory 1: Make black your new white.
Reasons: An all-black ensemble can counter any unsightly see-through concerns. And besides looking sexy, slimming and modish, it can also work as a mysterious palette to flaunt the mish-mash of colours.
Tips: Wear something sleeveless and snug (say a mid-length kurta, short tunic or a shirt-dress). If it’s loose, cinch it at the wait if you must.
Offset with: A cool pair of colourful flip-flops and a bunch of solid-coloured beads or bangles. Or a silver belt with charms or trinkets.

Theory 2: Get going with light denims
Reasons: This timeless fabric is ‘brawny’ and worth being abused. Well, after the festival is over, you can always re-use this coloured silhouette-jeans, capris or knee-lengths-as a great style statement. Wear it with a white shirt. Alternatively, get denims dyed professionally (a tie-dye effect rocks!)
Tip: Use light-coloured denims. If your legs permit, nothing can look saucier than a pair of über-trendy, ripped shorts.
Offset with: A white or black ganji (vest) or a tent-like top; and a pair of flip-flops/colourful Osho slippers.

Theory 3: Go shapeless and layer up
Reasons: Nothing conceals better than this look. But it can look ultra-mod especially when both the trends-layered and amorphous-are blended in well. After all, the fads have stayed on longer than expected, haven’t they?
Tips: Try either the Indian layer-up-formless kurta with a vest (fold the sleeves up); or the shapeless halter-neck dress or sack-shirt-with-vest style. Psst: A wee bit of prudent skin show helps!
Offset with: Strappy slip-ons, Osho slippers or thongs. A pair of hip shoulder-dusters (longish ear pieces), or a stole or a scarf (if outdoors) can add interest.

Theory 4: Slip into a kimono or kaftan
Reasons: It’s very comfy-cool, very lounge and very street at the same time. If you can, let its neckline plunge or go off-kilter (modestly) to work your charm up.
Tips: How about donning a knee-length style? Remember here you can safely either go short or long depending on your body type.
Offset with: A wrist cuff (dark leather wouldn’t get couloured easily) and simple slip-ons. Or a string of black pearls or cluster of chains. An obi-style belt (it can work wonders).

Theory 5: Tee off in a sweeping white tee
Reasons: It’s a great number that’s safe, versatile and can look smashing hot. Wear it over a pair of black capris, plain denims, or snug or billowy track pants.
Tips: A solid white tee looks better than a printed one. Apart from a usual shape or a high-cut vest, you can go for a radical knitted form-with bat-wing or kimono sleeves, tunic-style, with cowls or even surface decoration like appliqué or crochet. Don’t forget to wear an inner or sports bra under this one!
Offset with: An embroidered belt. A random mix of hued beads or an armful of wooden bangles. Coloured or metallic Kolhapuri slip-ons.

The real ‘Rags to Riches’ stories!

On International Women's' Day, Asawari chats with three women who tell us their 'rags to riches' story and how their single-mindedness to chase their dreams and determination to achieve them, helped them arrive in life

“Keep faith and let your work promote itself”
Maushmi Dhawan did just this. No wonder the 35-year old, who successfully runs a salon and spa, ‘Beautiful Secrets’, has now carved a niche for herself in bridal makeup.

“I came from an affluent family until fate decided to turn tables and I lost everything. But instead of looking out for help I decided to bring some blush back in my life by doing something on my own. It just took a 175 sq. feet room, some basic infrastructure and most importantly sheer zest to start my small parlour. There was fear but parallel to it was belief.”

“I never compromised on hard work and never ever failed any commitments, thanks to my family’s undying support. I then moved to a 500 sq feet salon and now own a sprawling 5000 sq feet space extending our services to a spa as well. I ventured into personality grooming and my forte became bridal makeup. In fact, I’ve travelled all over the world to dress up high-profile Indian brides. My name is now synonymous to bridal makeup and I know I have completely earned it.”

“I just wanted to live my life with complete freedom”
Admits the pretty Lorraine More, the founder and owner of the world-famous ‘Japalouppe Equestrian Centre Private Limited’ at Talegaon.

“I always wanted economical independence and start my own business. To earn some capital for my venture I started modelling. But this did not go down too well with my conservative husband and his family, so we started living separately. But after 8 months he called me back to join him in his family business of stud farms and I agreed.”

“At first I contemplated whether to start a green house or an equestrian school, but then I chose the latter. Not only because I had experience working at my friend’s equestrian centre in Canada but also because I met a Dutch couple who had the expertise and the equipment for the initial start-up. We were doing really well but with the success, the couple started mishandling the funds. None of my horse-shoes were favouring me as with this started a series of unpleasant events like police cases, mental stress, monetary loss, wrong allegations and other litigations. I was completely shattered as I was left with nothing. But I didn’t give up! With the same passion and commitment, I rose like a phoenix from the ashes and today I am proud that I am riding high with success.”

“My riding school is touted to teach novices in the most friendly but yet professional way. It is also renowned for kids’ camps, corporate training programs, hosting of equestrian competitions, wedding and bachelor parties. Maddox, Brangelina’s son had his first horse riding lesson here. Media is covering us, people are recommending us and we are only galloping ahead!”

“If you want to get to something desperately, you will”
Says the 30 year old, Puja Madan, a social Media Consultant who independently manages the new and famous Sulmoz.

“After doing my MBA from a reputed organisation, I started working at different places but always felt that my creative potential was never tapped to the fullest. I felt that I should do something on my own where I can unleash my creativity.”

“So when social networking was at a nascent stage I had some ideas in my head that I wanted to explore. I knew my family would always support me but I also knew that this was something I needed to do from the ground up myself. So after downloading all my savings and uploading loads of perseverance and devotion I started what is now ‘Sulmoz’, a sought-after consulting agency that offers organisations innovative ways to create the necessary online presence. My efforts have been paid off as I now handle the best clients in the business.”

“A word of advice to all women out there, whatever you face, optimism will pull you out of it for sure! I know it helped me.”

Get art smart!

Looking at owning art that will lend your home that classic touch and work as smart investment as well? We tell you how to go about knowing and then buying your art - from scouring through various talents to budgets. Check out our recommendations! By Smita Singh

Art and You
If you have been keeping yourself away from indulging in art because you don’t fancy yourself as a connoisseur, it’s time to bring home your first treasure. No expert can tell you which piece of beauty will be a joy forever, it’s what you feel when you look at a painting that will help you make the right choice. Here, we take you through the amazing process of seeking and finding what you respond to the most.

Where to go?
There are several prestigious galleries in most major cities and also exhibitions in smaller ones - keep your sight on announcements for these, subscribe to art magazines, make contact with private curators and visit the many websites that list new artists, fresh styles and reviews. Some of the most prestigious galleries in the country are in Mumbai - the topmost being the Pandol Art Gallery where even an unknown artist is catapulted to a great future if featured. Chemould Art Gallery in Mumbai is worth a mention too. In Delhi you have the Delhi Art Gallery with a great website - http://www.delhiartgallery.com. Other impressive art galleries in Delhi are -Vadehra Art Gallery and Dhoomimal Gallery. Also in Delhi the Bose Pacia Art Gallery from New York partners with Nature Morte Art Gallery focusing on contemporary art in India. In fact Art Alive Gallery that has curated shows and catalogues has a great website that aids your choice - www.artalivegallery.com. You can also visit the online gallery http://www.indianartcollectors.com/ as well as http://www.affordindianart.com for a great display of a variety of work.

How to make the decision
Owning a fabulous painting is a joy in itself, but plenty of galleries and curators today suggest that it’s also an investment- a collection that will give you delight for many years and great returns on your investment when you are ready to pass it on. We are aware that a celebrated M F Hussain painting will cost you millions, but there are plenty of artists within reach whose imagination, craft and journey you can follow even though they may not be as recognised now. So start with exploring art at a gallery near you, follow exhibitions and auctions, meet artists and spend time learning what you like- the colours, the themes, the brush strokes before narrowing down on the artist. Once you know what you respond to, take time to seek information about the popularity, scope and potential of that artist’s work, as well as hot sales and styles to help you decide if this is a valuable investment for you.

Picture Perfect - Affordable Art
If you are just starting out, and want to collect pieces without spending too much in the beginning, you could start with buying bigger works of lesser known artists or on the other hand, you could go for the established artists but buy limited editions rather than unlimited since the price gets more competitive for the former. A good thing for beginners would be to go for artists who are backed by galleries and always demand for a document of authenticity while making the purchase. Here are the various brackets and artists whose work you can take a look at -

Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 - Mohan Malviya, Apurva Desai, Manish Modi, Mithu Sen, TM Aziz
Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 100,000 - Partha Shaw, Ravikumar Kashi, Viraj Naik, Nupur Kundu
Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 200,000 - Akhitam Narayanan, Harshvardhana, Shuvaprasanna, Vaikuntam, Sujata Bajaj, Veer Munshi
Rs. 200,000 onwards - Anjolie Ela Menon, Laxman Goud, Paritosh Sen, K G Subramanyam, Yusuf Arakkal, Lalu Prasad Shaw, Sakti Burman

If you are not looking for investment but would like to light up your space within a budget, you could go for signed prints of established artists like Anjolie Ela Menon, Laxma Goud, Vaikuntam, and Yusuf Arakkal that cost anywhere between 2,500 to 5000 Rupees.

Eat, sleep, get sexy

Experts believe that a lack of sleep can make you fat. We get nutritionists and fitness specialists to decode the connection and suggest foods that are believed to help you sleep better and hence keep your weight in control. By Supriya Kutty

“Sleep is a process during which the body performs routine maintenance and repairs the wear and tear borne during the day. It serves as a recharging mechanism for the body, “says Consulting Dietician Ashlesha Gupte. Lack of sleep can lead to mood swings, dark circles, sullen eyes and bad skin infused with open pores. So sleep is absolutely vital, this is understood, what’s next? Inevitably, it’s the right food - good sleep connection.

Slumber fare
The magic ingredient is tryptophan - an amino acid that helps the body produce more serotonin and melatonin, both essential sleep promoting hormones. Furthermore, calcium contributes to the benefit of eating tryptophan foods by producing melatonin, which helps regulate other hormones and maintains the body’s circadian rhythm - an internal 24-hour ‘clock’ that plays a critical role in when we fall asleep and when we wake up.

So stock up on the following tryptophan-rich foods and get a full night’s snooze to feel fit and fresh.

Go for grain
Whole grains increase the release of tryptophan to the brain. According to Vishal Dogra, Trainer and Mentor, Simplified Fitness Solutions, “Complex carbohydrates such as oats, whole wheat rotis, daliya and brown rice are perfect for dinner since they are absorbed slowly and provide nutrition throughout the night.” These are best eaten in the early evening, 2-3 hours before sleeping. Bajra, barley, and finger millet are also excellent sources of tryptophan.

Sanat Pundalik, a renowned fitness expert suggests, “All cereals except semolina and refined flour must be consumed throughout the day, until 6 p.m.”

Be lean with protein
“Protein intake is important but avoid high protein diet at night as they cause bloating and flatulence, resulting in disturbed sleep,” warns Ashlesha. So skip hard-to-digest legumes or heavy, spice-infused gravies, instead opt for something lighter. “Good protein options for vegetarians include pulses like Turkish gram (matki), masoor lentils, yellow moong and low fat cottage cheese while grilled chicken or fish are ideal for non-vegetarians,” recommends Sanat. Fish like tuna, salmon, trout and other oily fish contain a type of Omega-3 that aids slumber.

Fill of fruit
Fruits facilitate slumber therapy superbly. Sour cherries (fresh or dried) push up melatonin levels while apricots, bananas and dates boost serotonin release with healthy doses of magnesium. “Bananas also contain potassium, which conducts electricity in the body along with other minerals, to control smooth muscle contractions associated with the sleep disorders like restless leg syndrome (RLS)”, explains Ashlesha. Mangoes and papaya are also dense in tryptophan.

Reap benefits of nuts and seeds
Sesame seeds are perhaps the best natural source of tryptophan. While flax seeds, bursting with Omega 3 are great mood lifters that’ll help you relax. Almonds have both tryptophan and magnesium to steady heart rhythms and calm muscle movements.

Dairy dose
“Low fat milk is a good combination of carbohydrates and proteins and can be had at bed time with one or two dates”, recommends Vishal. Since, calcium helps the creation of melatonin.” But if you are lactose intolerable, soy milk works just as well”, elaborates Ashlesha. Yoghurt is also an excellent stress-reducing food.

Veggiewise
If you like potatoes, you’re lucky. Boiled or baked potato is not only delicious but clears the gastro-intestinal tract of acids that can interfere with yawn-inducing tryptophan. Colocasia and sweet potato as well as leafy greens like spinach, basil, lettuce and dill are also believed to encourage sleep. Red peppers and pumpkin too can be a part of your slumber diet.

Remember, light meals are better sleep inducers than heavy meals at nights. So draw out your dinner carefully and get set to wake up feeling fresh and rejuvenated each morning!

Start your caffeine affair!

A pick-me-up, an excuse to get together, an elixir of intellectuals, a beloved daily ritual...coffee is many things to many people. The brew has inspired imaginative concoctions and a happy union with alcohol. Supriya Kutty explores some exciting ways to celebrate this diabolical duo

Point to note before you get brewing
Coffee’s flavour comes from unstable oils that deteriorate very quickly. So, brew it fresh each time and store grounds or powder in airtight containers. For optimum taste, steep the grounds in recently boiled water for two minutes. The flavour will be absolutely stimulating, just like a good cup of coffee should be.

Spice Cafe
An aromatic cup of rich spice-induced coffee and warm brandy, perfect for soothing a cold or a sore throat

Ingredients
½ cup brandy
3 tbsp sugar
5-6 cloves
½ inch cinnamon stick
Rind of 1 lemon
Rind of 1 orange
1/3 vanilla bean
4 cups fresh black coffee

Method
1. Keep the coffee hot in a saucepan.
2. Heat all other ingredients gently in a separate saucepan till the sugar is dissolved and the brandy is warm enough to light.
3. Ignite, pour the coffee over and strain into coffee mugs.

Irish indulgence
A perfect after-dinner drink where you sip the smoky whisky through a mellow cloud of cream!

Ingredients
1 heavy bottomed goblet or glass
2 tbsp whisky (ideally Irish)
1-2 tsp brown sugar
Fresh, strong, dark coffee
2 tbsp heavy cream

Method
1. Pour whisky into the glass, add sugar and place a metal spoon in it.
2. Pour coffee over the spoon and stir to dissolve the sugar.
3. Hold the spoon just above the coffee level and gently pour the cream till it floats on the surface of the coffee. Do not stir. Serve.

Hot Brown
A sweet, silky, dark delicacy dusted with a sprinkling of fragrant cinnamon.

Ingredients
30 ml dark rum
11/2 tsp instant coffee
2-3 tsp condensed milk
Hot water to top
1 tsp cream
Pinch cinnamon powder

Method
1. Put rum and coffee in a mug and add boiling water.
2. Add condensed milk and stir well.
3. Swirl in the cream, sprinkle cinnamon powder and serve.

Magnanimous or mean, what’s your style?

Do you believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth policy or are you the aficionado of Gandhigiri? Ramya Iyer asks five young women what's their approach - 'Forgive and forget' or 'Tit for Tat'. Here's what she unravelled

“Leave no space for regrets”

22-year-old Sandya Ragoowanshi from Mumbai firmly believes that a little bit of both is essential to survive in today’s world.

“Of course, there needs to be a balance. Also, what’s mean or magnanimous depends on the situation. Both paths can be equally hard and both could leave you with nothing. So whatever the choice may be, just be damn sure that you want to do it; leave no space for regrets.”

“One can catch more flies with a teaspoon of honey than a barrel full of vinegar”
Ruchika Beri, 25, from Mumbai leaves it to God for rebuke.

“I am a free spirit who believes in live and let live but at the same time I don’t like if someone trespasses my space. What goes around comes around. But I don’t just let-go. I verify intensity of the harm and then plot my plan on how to tackle it and teach a lesson.”

“Tit for tat works for small things. But for the bigger things in life, I just let it be”
24-year-old, Latika Payak also from Mumbai vouches for forgive and forget with a degree of difference.

“Forgive and forget is more like me for the long term. Who wants to carry a baggage for a lifetime? But if it’s an action that demands instant reaction, then I frequently visit the Tit for Tat bracket. I am not into making elaborate plans and waiting for the right time to even out the dues. I believe that Tit for Tat works for small things in life. For the bigger things in life, I just let it be. It’s not worth the effort. What’s done is done.”

“My style is to forgive but never forget.”
Neha Malude, 26, from Delhi believes that wrong doers should never be let off the hook.

“Sure, you can forgive him or her and move on because honestly I can’t hold a grudge for too long but never forget what they did to you. I am not a revengeful person so I would never plot something deliberately to get back at anyone, but if that person ever thinks about coming back to me for help (you know, what goes around comes around!) they should know what to expect.”

“If you let-go of someone who has been unjust to you, they will walk all over you.”
Pune’s 27-year-old Deepa Iyer vows never to let-it-be, after a certain turn of events.

“I have always been the ‘forgive and forget’ kinds, forgiving, understanding and tolerant. Recently, I have realised it doesn’t work at all. People just don’t appreciate your righteousness and walk all over you. After a recent breakup, I realised my ex took no time in hooking up with someone else. I had been very forgiving about his moral-slip ups and other gaffes for the three years of our relationship. Now that I was in control of my emotions, it was time to teach him a lesson. He is a model and all his contacts call him on his mobile. I just cut off his mobile number which was in my name. He was wedged in Mumbai with no address proof and hence no mobile number. So that was definitely his lesson for a life-time, never to mess with me.”

Join the braid brigade

Braiding is back and is wooing us now with its glam avatars. From the undone braid to the crowned one, side braids to the milkmaid braids, these looks are what you must wear this season. Hair expert Maushmi Dhawan helps you figure what works best for you

Side-tracking braids
The Alexander Wang side braid is a prima donna amongst all braids this fashion season. Ultra sensual and ultra easy to attain!

To begin with, blow-dry your hair upside down for about 30 seconds. This routine must be followed by a small amount of volumizing mousse at the roots of your hair followed by brushing, to create extra volume at the roots. Then, make a side parting.

Comb and tease your hair all over at the roots. When it has a rough texture, pull it aside and loosely braid it. Use bobby pins to create dramatic, flowy waves on the side along with the plait, wherever necessary. If your hair length is small or texture is thin, use hair extensions. Spray all over with a texturising hairspray, if required. Voila! You’re ready with the Wang look!

Raid the milkmaid braid look
A look popularised by Nicole Richie, milkmaid braids exude a mix of innocence and glam to the hilt.

To attain this look, brush hair and divide into two equal parts. Tie them into two pigtails with transparent rubber bands. Start braiding each pigtail just before the ear and fasten them with a rubber band. Pull the left braid over the right ear and the right braid over the left ear and pin it up with bob pins. If you have a fringe, leave it on the side and let the rest be braided.

As a variation, you can braid the hair from ear to ear and criss-cross it while the hair at the back can be made into a messy French roll with a bouffant. This will create height and style, making you absolutely red carpet worthy.

The crown goes to Heidi
When it comes to the crown braid look, Heidi Klum absolutely owns the look. To achieve her classic look, you have to basically form braids by crossing two braids at the nape of the neck bringing them up around the head and pinning them to a crown style. Really simple to do but looks absolutely ethereal!

Not undone on the glam factor
The stylish undone braid is an overtly hot look. The key to attain this look is by striking the right balance between the messy and glamorous look.

Firstly, pull your hair back in a ponytail and then start braiding from the nape of the neck. Secure it with an elastic band, one inch from the end. This is not a pin-me-down look. In fact, it’s just the opposite as you need to allow stray hair-strands to fall in their own will from the braid but without making it look too untidy. If you have shorter layers or bangs, let them hang loose to the side, just over your eye.

Set the look with a hairspray. For a more feminine look, you can even add small pretty flowers for a soft and feminine touch.

Ignorance is not bliss

Knowledge of which diseases run in your family, especially those developed before age 50, can often help determine which tests you may need and when. Priti Salian gets experts to help interpret medical family history in the case of 5 most common ailments in women, helping you understand what should ring the warning bells for you

Breast Cancer
Breast cancer happens to be the second most commonly occurring cancer in India after cervical cancer. “It is one of those cancers which a woman can get from her mother or grandmother, especially if the relative in question has suffered before 50 years of age,” says Dr. Ameet Dhurandhar, Mumbai-based gynaecologist and obstetrician.

Plan of action: A monthly breast self-examination (preferably a week after your period has ended) is a must for every woman right from the time she is 18-20 years old. Learn the steps from a gynaecologist and in case of any signs of a lump, visit your doctor. Get a mammography every year after you turn 30. Fifteen percent of breast cancer patients are between 30-40 years of age so it is best to be careful than sorry.

Ovarian Cancer
Dr. Dhurandhar confirms that ovarian cancer can be hereditary and though its prevalence is not as high as breast cancer, it does affect plenty of women in India. Just like breast cancer, it could be your first degree relative like mother, sister and daughter and even your grandmother who suffered from the disease that could put you at risk.

Plan of action: “If you fall in this category the best way is to get the CA-125 blood test (a diagnostic test for ovarian cancer) by the age of 18 years, every three years,” says Dr. Dhurandhar. After 30, you can continue to test yourself every year. Visit a gynaecologist for an annual clinical examination and if an abnormality is detected, a sonogram would be advised for further confirmation.

Heart Diseases
“Families which have suffered from heart disease have a good chance of passing it on to their offspring,” says Dr. Balbir Singh, Chairman, Department of Cardiology, Medanta, The Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon. A woman whose first degree relative has had a heart disease before the age of 50 and who herself has a sedentary lifestyle with unhealthy eating habits could be at risk as early as 20 years.

Plan of action: Of course, there are a lot of other factors which add to a person’s risk of heart disease, but for complete peace of mind, if you see a family connection, get yourself tested for lipid profile and cholesterol and get kidney tests done, at 18. Dr. Singh also suggests an ECG besides these tests. Repeat the tests every five years if there is no abnormality detected and every year if there is. Hypertension can hit earlier, so blood pressure should be monitored even as a kid.

Diabetes
Recent research indicates that India could soon become the diabetes capital of the world. “A mother who suffers from diabetes is likely to pass on the disease to her daughter, though there’s less chance of a woman getting it from her father,” says an Army doctor from Ranchi. But, again, it is not necessary that a woman whose mother or grandmother has been diabetic also turns into one if she has a fairly healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of reasons which can lead to diabetes. Metabolic problems, hormonal disturbances and pregnancy are just some of them.

Plan of action: Add the blood sugar test to your list every 5 years beginning 18 years if you see yourself at risk.

Depression
“If depression runs in a person’s family it does make one slightly more vulnerable to it,” says Dr. Samir Parikh, Consultant Psychiatrist, Max Healthcare, and Head, Department of Mental health and Behavioural Sciences. “The most important thing here is to be aware that depression is a medical condition which happens due to chemical imbalance and needs to be treated by an expert,” he adds.

Plan of action: The prevalence of depression is high in our country and so if you experience any of its symptoms like loss of interest and pleasure, continued irritability, low mood for extended periods, you must seek medical support immediately.

Go OTT with statement pieces

There's a new movement in fashion. One, that's emphasisingand redefining fashion trends, with a twist. Be it tassels, lace stockings or power shoulders, they are in your face and stand out on their own. Trupti S tells you how to say hello to OTT fashion dramas and say goodbye to understated performances

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Sass it up with tassels
Swinging back in full action are exotic tassels and not just a small peek here and there on handbags and purses.We’re now seeing them prominently on everything from shoes to dresses, belts and hats. “Tassels in different forms and sizes are a strong trend, whether perceived in traditional clothing as ‘latkans’ or otherwise as fringing. They work as exaggerated details trailing down backs and hems adding an interesting element of movement,” says fashion and textile designer KarishmaShahani whose collection Atulya has loads of it.So take your pick from oversized, extra long or brightly coloured.They’re outstanding anyways.

Empower your shoulders
Is something up your sleeve? If it isn’t, it should be as it’s time to empower yourself with some weight and ferocity of power shoulders. From Milan to New York, this look sported by actor Joan Collins is back in fashion with a vengeance. “A returning look from the eighties, it has been prominent in fashion weeks throughout the AW 10-11 collections of new and old designers alike, silhouetting and accentuating the shoulders in any garment style,” says Karishma.

Be it the Balmain fall-off-the cliff shoulders shrugs or the exaggerated sleeves on jackets and dresses with shoulder pads, your sleeves will do a whole lot of talking. Just remember to balance the look by keeping the focus on the upper half of the body and let the lower half be simpler.

Ventwith vintage tent dresses
Adding a dreamy and floaty appeal is the very cool 60’s trend-the tent dresses. Coming a long way from where it has originated, it sure multi-tasks well even to this day and age. “The tent dresses work well in a range of fabrics from softer and lighter fabrics like chiffon and silk jersey to stiffer canvas-like fabrics. The best thing is it compliments most body types, adding a fresh take on the silhouette,” says Karishma.

Stock up lace stockings
One of the hottest trends of Spring/ Summer 2011 fashion season, lace stockings ooze femininity and oomph with a lot of fashion relevance. Karishma says, “Lace stockings and tent shaped dresses and jackets, two contrary styles have a lot of appeal. With silhouettes moving away from the body and creating a structured look on the wearer, the lace stockings contouring are bringing back a feminine appeal.”

You can either choose classy, vintage lace with large prints or opt for tiny patterns for a more sensual look. Though our favourite are the sexy cut out lace stockings paired with a cut out lace dress. It’s daring and super hot too!

Come hitherto leather
Leather has gone through a luscious makeover post winters by reinventing itself. “A far cry from the dreary colours, it has been stained to achieve a variety of pop shades and tones, mergingits way through accessories like thin belts, side bags and even brooches,” says Karishma. From cowboy ruggedness to a dash of flirty chic, you can attain it all with leather.