Kill those cramps

Stop resorting to painkillers to treat those dreaded menstrual cramps. Instead, give these tried and tested cures a go. Suggested by our experts, they work like miracles... minus the side effects. By Trupti

Drink up!
The benefits of herbal tea have never been questionable but did you know that it relieves menstrual cramps as well? “The warmth and goodness of herbal tea will relax your muscles, which is especially important for your cramped and congested pelvic area,” says nutritionist Naini Setalvad.

Even a glass of red wine is considered to be great to beat the pains as it alleviates the mood and relaxes your mind and body! Otherwise, opt for juices of parsley and beet root. They are effective home remedies with satisfying results.

Go for Omega
Avoid salty and oily food that can lead to body bloating and cause indigestion and gas, which can aggravate menstrual cramps. “Instead, have 1-2 tsp of flaxseeds or include fish in your diet regularly. Both these contain Omega 3 fatty acids which slow down the release of prostaglandins which aggravate menstrual pains,” says nutritionist and personal trainer Samreedhi Goel.

Get to the root of health
Ginger is a magical root when it comes to curing cramps. “As ginger is anti-spasmodic, it also has properties that relieve pain. A piece of fresh ginger should be pounded and boiled in a cupful of water and should be taken thrice a day after meals. This is the best menstruation cure,” says Naini Setalvad.

Create your own spa
What can be more relaxing than a spa-like bath to relax your muscles and relieve your cramps? In fact, a hip bath is a common cure for menstrual cure in naturopathy. Just add 1 cup of sea salt and 1 cup of baking soda to a warm bath and soak in it for 20 minutes. As the sea salt dissolves, your cramped muscles you will get immense relief…plus the warm water will seem euphoric!

Make love
After the spa treatment, making love is a great idea. Sex with orgasm is great for relieving cramps, say doctors. It is believed that the vigorous muscle action moves blood and other fluids away from congested organs, relieving the pain of the cramps!

Increase fibre frequency
“Include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for increased fibre intake and avoid eating large quantities of meat and dairy products. Foods rich in arachidonic acids elevate the levels of prostaglandins,” suggests Samreedhi Goel. Also, eat 4-5 small meals instead of fewer huge meals to prevent feeling lethargic all day.

Reap the benefits of seeds
Sesame seeds and coriander seeds are grandmothers’ recipes to treat menstrual cramps and related problems. Boil them in water and drink twice daily. “Sesame seeds are high in calcium, therefore their intake in the long run reduces cramps while coriander seeds prevent inflation,” says Naini Setalvad.

Release those feel good endorphins
That you cannot exercise during periods is a misconception. Indeed, you can go in for a regular light workout. Walking on the treadmill at a slightly slower speed than normal or doing slightly lighter weights than usual if you are tired is ideal. “Certain exercises can actually reduce cramps. Exercising releases endorphins in the blood stream and with exercise the pain tolerance of the body increases, as a result of which the intensity of the cramps also lessens over time, “suggests Samreedhi Goel.

That’s great news! Wave those cramps good bye and live your best life…even in those special 5 days!

Experience the world in miniature

Chhavi Moodgal takes you on an unforgettable, action packed quest of New Zealand's South Island

From paragliding and skydiving to abseiling, kayaking, and mountain biking, the South Island of New Zealand has some of the most exciting escapades on offer. Combine that with delicious food, tantalizing wine and panoramic views of glacial mountains, majestic fiords and lush green pastures, and there’s your recipe for a dream vacation.

Queenstown - South Island’s crown jewel
Begin your adventure in Queenstown. Named in honour of Queen Victoria, this picturesque town is nestled beside Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Lakes district. Take a ride in the Queenstown Gondola to see the sights of the city. For those who enjoy their food and drink, the nearby Otago region is famous for its Pinot Noir and a visit to the Fergburger café is a must, where you can try various delicious burgers.

Adventure activities like jet boating, skydiving, skiing and boarding, horse trekking, heli mountain biking, and bungee jumping are limitless here. For the ultimate adrenalin kick, try the canyon swing where you get strapped into a full body harness and then dropped in free fall for 60 metres! End the evening with Queenstown’s vibrant nightlife.

For those who are fans of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, a visit to Wanaka is a must, to experience the sights and sounds used in the movies. Stop en route at the “Prancing Pony” pub, also known as “Cardrona Hotel” for their delicious meals and brews.

Fiordland - untouched natural splendour
Drive south-west from Queesntown to Fiordland to see natural beauty in all its splendour, including sheer sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep blue lakes, and steep valleys teeming with flora and fauna. Fiordland has never had any significant permanent population and is the least inhabited area of New Zealand. Even the Maori only visited temporarily for hunting, fishing, and to collect precious stones.

The most famous fjord is Milford Sounds but Doubtful Sound is larger and untouched with several branches being accessible only by air or boat. Spending a day and night on an all-purpose boat here will treat you with sights of fur seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins, and dolphins. Fiordland also includes some of the tallest waterfalls in the world.

Head back to Queenstown and fly to Christchurch. Alternately, enjoy the scenic 8 hour drive to Christchurch. Stop at Arrowtown to enjoy old mining sites and at Mt. Cook (at 3,764 mts, this is the highest peak in New Zealand) for a glimpse of the Kiwi mountainside and glacier blue lakes like Pukaki and Tekapo.

Christchurch - picturesque Garden City
Arrive at the gorgeous city of Christchurch and rent bicycles to explore the beautiful tree-lined avenues, ambling inner-city rivers, and magnificent heritage buildings including the neo-Gothic Cathedral in the city centre.

You must visit the suburbs of Sumner and Taylor’s Mistake, Christchurch’s surfing capital. Gourmet lovers should walk along Oxford Terrace against the Avon River; here you will find a huge selection of restaurants and cafes catering to every palette.

Kaikoura and Punakaiki - coastal delights
From Christchurch, head north-east towards the Kaikoura Coast via Hammer Springs. Kaikoura literally means “to eat crayfish” and this town is abundant with marine life, its deep sea trench allowing whales, dolphins, and seals to come up close to you. Go dolphin swimming and whale watching while enjoying the delights of the seafood spread!

Alternately, from Christchurch head north-west to the beach town of Punakaiki, world famous for its “Pancake Rocks”, huge columns of limestone resembling stacks of pancakes. Hear the impressive roar of the water which is forced upwards through the blowholes at high tide. Enjoy the landscape through various adventure sports like surfing, horse trekking, kayaking, four wheel driving, and trekking.

Head onwards to Wellington in the North Island or journey back to Christchurch in the epic Trans Alpine train to catch your onward flight and conclude your thrilling journey around the delightful South Island feeling refreshed by all the natural beauty and exhilarated with all the adventure activities!

Stand out in Goth glam

Black is back. Burrow up that dark nail polish, studded belt, and skinny black jeans. Embrace Goth glamour and dress eclectic this holiday season. Ramya Iyer provides last-minute clandestine details on how to gussy-up and stand out in this look

The fashion world is now facing the dark side, a style to die for. “Latest Goth style trends combine finesse with the sombre aura of glam,” quips Puja Mehta of Rocky S designs. Inky black seems like the perfect colour for the grey, nippy winters. Don’t lose the opportunity to flaunt your dark side without any regrets…it’s in fashion!

Snug as a bug
This trend calls for taut clothes. Bring in the dark velvets, fishnets, lace, and leather outfits with tight sleeves, tight pants and deep necklines. Those slim leather pants and jumpers can be heaved out of wardrobes, including fishnets that can be worn on legs, arms or even shirts. Also in vogue are lace-trimmed long skirts, flowing light skirts, ragged skirts, and shiny leggings. Mix in some black lace and you are good to go. Puja observes, “Mini dresses, over sized coats and skinnies with leather are considered basic pillars of ‘Goth Glamour’. Fur and feathers add the details that dominate the overall look, presenting real style-fantasy masterpieces.”

Blockbuster boots
To abide by this fashion trend, definite must-haves are tall black boots with high heels and combat boots. Sturdy, heavy, handsome boots go with everything. Even when teamed with skirts, they look really chic.

Refurbish with accessories
“Pairing in perfect accessories, the look resembles that of ‘Queen of Darkness’ in person,” says Puja. To get this look right, bold, junky, big and loud neckpieces, especially chokers, in black diamonds are essential. Put on a pair of black goggles and embellish the look with bat earrings. You may complete your look with a black umbrella on apposite days. The other essentials of this fashion trend are good old studs on ears, belts, boots, and almost anywhere else. Even studded headbands in leather look hot, while the hair must be in frizzy spikes, clustered, and dyed jet black.

Black-out
Though black is the predominant colour of this trend, seen doing the rounds are dark reds, violet, blue, green, and white, all in deep shades. Even neon colours are commanding attention. Used in small quantities, these colours break the monotony of an all-black outfit and still let black rule the day.

When asked what would be the perfect description of this trend, Puja comments, “It’s shiny, it’s classy and bold, a mixture of the 60s sexual revolution and the Frankenstein Gothic vibe. Dark colours like silver, black, dark grey and blue have turned the ageless rules of formal and informal looks upside down.”

Garish make-up to spice it up
As for the makeup, the typical would definitely be dark, loud, and heavy. However, to balance out the dark clothing, fashionistas are playing up the make-up, highlighting the eyes and keeping the lips as subtle as possible. But for the fearless, what is definitely in is heavy black eyeliner and dark red lips. Colours such as black, red, and purple around and on the eyelids with cat-eyeliners will look fabulous with the right outfit. The idea is to get the big, hollowed-out eyes effect with huge lashes!

If you fancy a different and unique look this party season, Goth glam is perfect for you. It’s outlandish and makes a fashion statement like no other!

2010’s biggest shockers

Scams, controversies, corruption. With 'conning' and 'swindling' becoming buzzwords these days, we wonder where we're headed. Here's a round-up of some of the top stories that rocked and shocked the nation in 2010. By Priti Salian

The unabashed whistleblower
Website Wikileaks has had everyone on tenterhooks with its release of sensitive diplomatic cables. Considered notorious and risky by organisations whose secrets it has exposed, Wikileaks has been portrayed as the future of investigative journalism by some. Whether it is about India’s fear of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons or a Singapore diplomat calling India stupid, these secret cables have kept our nation in the news for months now!

The sporty scandal
It was the most coveted event of the year. But the mudslinging that preceded the Common Wealth Games put India in a spot. Whether it was sporting equipment or medical facilities, everything bought for the games by the Organising Committee under the guidance of Mr. Suresh Kalmadi was super duper expensive. Corruption charges followed and the furore led to a lot of bad mouthing and buck passing while the common Indian kept his fingers crossed for the games to take place flawlessly. And they did! As for Mr. Kalmadi, the matter is being taken care of now, by the CBI!

The colourful 2G spectrum
When former communications minister A. Raja granted licences for the 2G spectrum in January 2008, he never dreamt he would land up in this kind of a soup. The government lost 1.76 lac crores of revenue as a result of his actions. The telecom ministry allegedly undervalued the 2G spectrum, ignored instructions from the Prime Minister about the auction of the spectrum, and awarded licences to new players at just Rs. 9000 crores! A CBI probe is on to find out whether Mr. Raja did this to benefit select operators…

Not so ideal, the Adarsh Housing Society
This housing society, built on prime Defence land in Colaba in Mumbai, was meant for the kin of Kargil war heroes. A six- storied structure to begin with, it extended to 31 storeys without authorisation and mandatory permissions! But the controversy began when it was discovered that bureaucrats, politicians, and many defence personnel owned flats in the building. Ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan was asked to resign for allegedly being party to the violation of rules…

The Indian Premier League scam
It all started with a tweet from Mr. Lalit Modi, suspended IPL Commissioner, who wanted to know who the real owners of the Kochi team were. What followed was a series of allegations, benami ownerships, and muddy financial deals, leading to the revelation of one of the biggest scams of our times. This one really makes the perfect script for a thriller!

The murky Radia tapes
Telephonic conversations between Niira Radia, professional corporate lobbyist, with politicians, corporate leaders, and media personalities were recorded by the Indian Income Tax Department in 2008-09. Shocking facts were revealed, which led to all of the above being accused of misconduct in every which way possible. Journalists were blamed for fixing stories and conducting scripted interviews with politicians. To top that, Radia has also been allegedly held responsible for trying to help A. Raja keep his post as telecom minister! We wait and watch to see what more the authorities dig up on that one in the New Year…

Disclaimer: The information given in this article is based on widely circulated reports and does not reflect the views of the writer or the publication.

Scuffle off those gym germs

While you are trying to lose those extra calories in your gym, you may be actually exposing yourself to a range of dermatological risks. Shweta Dravid gets experts to reveal the truth behind the gym germs attack and effective ways to tackle them

Shoot the Athletes’ foot
The most common disease lurking in the gym is the Athlete’s foot, a fungal skin infection. “The main cause behind it is excessive sweat retention in the body pores which is common while working out in a gym. Athlete foot’s telltale signs include cracked, blistered skin along with burning or itching sensation,” says Dr. Tolat, a leading dermatologist in Pune. “To stay protected, wear clean and dry socks and shoes. Never go barefoot in your gym,” suggests cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sonia Jindal.

Bash off the sweat rash
Miliria commonly known as a sweat rash is another common sight in the gyms. Often visible in the skin folds, its obvious symptoms are intense ‘pins-and-needles’ prickling sensation and itching. “Have a cold shower after a workout to cool the body down. If you know you’re suffering from miliria, avoid taking a steam or sauna as it will cause more sweating,” recommends Dr. Tolat.

Scuffle off the jock itch
Jock itch is a fungal infection that usually occurs in women who sweat a lot, wear tight synthetic underwear, swimwear or other athletic clothes. It mainly occurs due to friction of the thighs and thrives in warm and moist areas, conducive to multiply the fungi. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep the affected area clean and dry. Use a separate, clean towel for that area and apply antifungal cream, spray or Candida powder. Dr. Tolat stresses, “You must change your innerwear everyday and consult a doctor if the situation persists.”

Act on the acne
Most of the trainers suggest protein shakes. But if you indulge in substandard protein shakes, they have steroid medication that causes acne like lesions on the chest and face. “It’s best to consult a dietician or a doctor before taking these protein powders and shakes, “says Dr. Tolat.

Acne Mechanica is another type of acne which appears in areas where there is a lot of friction. “Avoid wearing tight-fitting outfits made of non-breathable material,” adds Dr. Jindal.

Bandage those blisters
Weightlifting or running on the treadmill can often cause blisters on the palms and feet. Dr. Jindal says, “Instead of peeling it off, apply some petroleum jelly on the blister and keep it bandaged. Prevention is better than cure, so wear gloves or moisture-wicking socks to avoid blisters.”

Dos and don’ts
- Wipe the gym equipment before use. Some gyms provide disinfectant spray but if you’re really particular carry your own. Always cover the seat of your bench with a towel before using it. This reduces the chance of contracting any infection.
- Use a clean workout towel to wipe off the sweat. Never share your towel; it’s the easiest way to catch infection.
- Dr. Tolat recommends never going barefoot in the locker room or the showers as it is the breeding ground for fungal and viral infections like warts. Wear sandals, shower shoes, or shoes always.
- Breathe correctly while exercising. It is important to breathe through the nose when working out as it is more effective in trapping airborne germs than the mouth.

Most importantly, before joining the gym, quiz the management about their hygiene standards. And once your checklist is all ticked, get on with those drilling fitness routines immediately.

5 new-age hair myths busted!

Hair myths spread like a virus and have most of us believe and act on them. Dharini Turakhia, the owner of Fahrenheit, chain of Unisex L'Oreal Salons and Spas busts some of these strand stories that have emerged in the recent years

Cutting hair will make it grow faster
Bull Winkle. It’s hair not a lawn. Shorter hair might look or feel thicker but cutting it will not alter its normal genetically determined growth rate. Having said that, regular cuts and trims (every four to six weeks) are the corner stone to healthy hair and will prevent split ends and dry, dead looking hair. So even if you are planning to grow your hair - do remember to trim it on a timely basis.

Find a shampoo and conditioner that suits you and stick with it forever
Your scalp which is nothing but an extension of your skin, changes periodically dependent on many factors such as weather, hormonal changes, diet, chemical treatments undergone etc. Hence we need to review the condition of the scalp and the hair at a given point of time and use hair products accordingly. Confused? Don’t hesitate to ask your stylist for some advice.

Products containing 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner are great for my hair besides being cost effective
Shampoos and conditioners perform very different roles. Shampoo is a cleansing product that removes oils, dirt, skin particles, dandruff, environmental pollutants and other contaminant particles that gradually build up in hair. Conditioner on the other hand seals the hair cuticles that are opened by the shampoo and generally improves the quality and texture of the hair. Hence 2 in 1 hair products are totally taboo and neither shampoo nor the conditioner are allowed to optimally play their roles when they are mixed together.

Products available at the chemist or the supermarket are as good as salon products
While there is an exception to every rule, salon products are generally manufactured to contain higher quality, more expensive ingredients that are designed to consistently provide more intensive cleansing, moisturizing and conditioning results. The quality ingredients found in salon products are not usually found in supermarket brands. Also more variety and customization is available in salon products.

Colouring & straightening causes my hair to grey
Colouring or straightening does not make the hair grey nor does it aggravate an existing greying hair problem. The hair shaft is embedded deep in the scalp and penetrates all layers of the skin. What you see is just the outer surface. Any permanent hair treatment affects the hair length that is visible not the hair bulb that is buried deep within. It is this bulb that determines the colour of the hair and is often affected by conditions such as genes, diet, sleeping habits, stress etc. However any chemically treated hair does require some TLC for the length of the hair, especially the ends. So do follow up with regular conditioning treatments.

Sugar not so sweet

Ditching sugar in your diet has its own sweet long-term benefits like a beautiful, young skin and a toned body to match. Mumbai based nutritionist Naini Setalvad doles out hot tips and nutritious alternatives of the sweet devil in disguise. By Trupti

The ‘sweet’ skin sinner
Now what is the relation between sugar and skin you might ask, but some dermatologists believe that avoiding sugar can fend off ageing signs like wrinkles and sagging skin. Naini says, “Sugar robs our bodies of vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals and weakens the basic foundation of our health, right from our immunity to our bones and our skin.”

So, when you consume sugar-rich foods, the level of sugar in the blood rises and some of the sugar binds to the collagen, the protein that gives our skin its firmness and structure. This causes ‘glycation’, a process which leads to a loss of flexibility and elasticity in the collagen, making you look older. Plus, the risk of obesity and high sugar levels leading to diabetes is always there.

So, if you’re aiming for glowing skin, toned body and a healthier life, it’s worth getting your sugar facts straight to age-proof yourself with an anti- sugar action plan, right? Well, we make it easy and lay it all down for you…

Watch what you eat
Swap sugary cereals, croissants and muffins for sugar free muesli, oatcakes and granary toast. They are perfectly healthy options to start your day with. Instead of your daily dose of sugar laden tea and coffee opt for green tea. It is a great detoxifying drink and is available in wonderful fragrant flavours.

Needless to say, fizzy drinks, sweets and biscuits have to go, inspite of its deceiving feel good quality. Also, keep a check on the ingredients list when you’re buying packaged and processed food; they’re mostly filled with sugar.

Evaluate the sugar alternatives
If you’re ditching sugar, don’t go overboard with brown sugar as they contain the same 20 calories per teaspoon as white sugar, with no nutrient value in either of them. And before you head towards calorie free sweeteners, think twice. “Even though they are sold in the market, independent studies have found their consumption leads to an array of health problems and yes, even weight gain as they cause more cravings for instant sugar.” So steer away!

Honey or jaggery seems to be a healthier option instead of the above, say experts. But Naini recommends, “While, both honey and jaggery are slightly better and best if organic, don’t think you can have them in large quantities as they are both concentrated forms of calories and in fact have slightly more calories than sugar. True, they do come with small doses of iron, but it’s better to get your iron from other healthier, less calorific sources like leafy greens and beetroot!”

The best option is to blend and puree fresh fruit and substitute it for half of the white sugar in recipe. Applesauce and maple syrup are also great alternatives for their natural goodness.

Fruity treat
One of the best ways to satisfy your sweet tooth is naturally with fruits or dried fruit, Kiwis, custard apple or cherries that are packed with Vitamins and are a healthy way to retain your sugar levels. The good news is that fruit sugar or fructose present naturally in fruit is not only sweeter than sugar, it can be even digested very slowly and does not give the spike in blood sugar after eating.

So before you surrender to sweets, think again, you may be doing yourself more bad than good. It’s better to refrain instead!