Category: Lifestyle

Sunday Brunch @ Life Beach Lounge, Morjim, Goa

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Well, Sundays are actually meant to be spent in a leisurely manner and whoever came up with the idea of brunch was a really wise man.

History

Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch eaten usually during the late morning to early afternoon, generally served from 10 am up to 2 pm, and regularly has some form of alcoholic drink which mostly includes champagne or a cocktail. The word is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch. Brunch originated in the late 19th century in England and became popular in the United States in the 1930s. From there on the trend started catching up with the rest of the world and each country twisted and turned around with their ideas of brunch. Sunday brunches started becoming extremely popular because of the leisurely feeling attached with a Sunday. Usually, people party late nights on a Saturday and a Sunday Brunch seemed just like a perfect meal. Slowly restaurants started picking up the idea and the brunches became even more popular. One the timings made a lot of sense to late risers, plus Sunday could be a no-cook day and it also gave an opportunity for the entire family or even friends to head out together and enjoy a relaxed meal.

My Sunday Brunch

Ok now after the brief history and increasing popularity details about the Sunday Brunch lets bring the focus back to the fact that why am I writing about a Sunday Brunch. Of course, because I recently enjoyed a great Sunday Brunch that I would want to share with all of you. Life Beach Lounge recently got launched in Goa and this happened to be their first Sunday Brunch and so I had to attend it anyhow. All thanks to my PR friend Sinead, I got the opportunity to review the Sunday Brunch and we a handful of foodies headed straight to Life Beach Resort in Morjim.

The Ambiance

Even though you head out for a food review, you cannot ignore the effect that the ambiance of the place creates on you. Right from the entrance, the place is a picturesque beauty. The pathway that leads to the main seating area in itself is an Instagram friendly point and yes we did stop there to click some pictures first.

As you walk in, the first look of the place mesmerizes you completely. The classy seating, the lounge area, the lavish bar and then the blue sky above, the beach and the sea view that you can’t take your eyes off. I mean I could just sit there and do nothing for hours. Lucky are those who can call such a place their workplace. I could actually urge the management to hire me and allow me to work from such a quaint and beautiful place and ahhh life would then be more a bliss!

Anyway, I won’t say much, just see the pictures and you will know exactly what I mean.

The Food and Drinks

The Sunday Brunch comprises of a specially curated menu that offers the best of Asian food possible. From Japanese Sushi to Thai Salads, Oriental Soups To Pizzas, there is more and enough for everyone to choose items as per their taste buds. Since we were a group of 6 people, we went on to try everything on the menu and there were following dishes that we tried

Salads

Som Tam, Fresh Ice Berg Salad, Japanese Beef Salad and Chicken Glass Noodles Salad

Soups

Gazpacho Soup and Hot & Sour Soup

Pizzas

Margarita, Peri-Peri and Pepperoni

Sushi

Fusion Uramaki Roll, Veg Tempura Uramaki Roll, Prawn Tempura Uramaki Roll, Salmon Uramaki Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll

Mains

Thai Red Curry-Chicken with Steamed Jasmine Rice

Desserts

Panna Cotta, Fruit Salad & Brownie

Drinks

Champagne Cocktail and Rose Wine

Overall the food was very well done, my recommendations and favorites from all segments would include, The Japanese Beef Salad, The Som Tam Salad, The Chicken Glass Noodles Salad, The Gazpacho Soup, The Spicy Tuna Uramaki Roll, The Prawn Tempura Uramaki Roll, Margarita Pizza, Red Thai Curry with Rice and The Panna Cotta. And trust me on this, order minimum of two portions of the Panna Cotta, It was so so delicious that one would not be able to satiate the craving.

Final Word

So be it the ambiance, the music, the drinks or the food, this place is a perfect hangout place to chill and relax with your family and friends. Go with leisure in mind and don’t look at the watch, I am sure you will enjoy more that way. Sit back, relax, enjoy the food, drinks, music, get some sun and sand, dip in the sea and come back home fully charged up to tackle the new week and to kick off the Monday blues. For me spending this Sunday afternoon with my friends, enjoying amazing food and drinks by the beach was just the kind of relaxation I dig. Kudos to the entire team at LIFE especially the chefs to pull out such a lovely menu and the ever smiling and hospitable staff.

Sunday Brunch Details

The Silver Brunch that includes all of the above mentioned items(except the spicy tuna roll) come priced at Rs 1800 ++

Other sushi variety can be ordered at an additional price of Rs 1000 and drinks also come in two packages priced at Rs 1200 and Rs 1800 respectively.

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to get regular updates about their events @life.beach.goa

Life By The Living Room Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

24 Hours @Sol De Goa- A truly blissful experience!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Many a time we get engrossed in the daily hustle of life so much that we almost forget that we need to stop, breathe and live. Although I try my best to maintain the work-life balance, sometimes the drudgery of life takes a toll on me too. But trust me whenever I get an opportunity to spend some me time, travel, explore a new place, I simply leave everything aside and grab the opportunity with both hands.

Well, this is my first post of the year and it has been so delayed simply because I have been either too busy sometimes or too tired and lethargic the other times to even think about writing a blog post. In fact a past few days I had not even been keeping well, and didn’t feel like doing much anyway, but then came this wonderful opportunity that I wanted to make the best of. I was invited to cover a beautiful event comprising of some soulful jazz music and a 3-course fine dining meal and was also offered a stay at the property. Now imagine, a person who has been feeling so tired and overworked since so many days, don’t you think I would have literally given anything to get a relaxing day at a beautiful hotel followed by a luxurious meal and music and of course that is exactly what I did. I did not think twice before confirming my spot both for the stay and the event.

The property was Sol De Goa, a very quaint hotel situated amidst open green fields and a serene river. I live in Porvorim area of Goa, and the property located at Nerul was about 20 minutes away from my house. I caught hold of a pilot taxi and started my way towards the hotel. One step into the hotel and I knew I was going to have a great time. The warm hospitality of the girl at the reception gave me enough insight to gauge the quality standards that the hotel maintains. I was given a quick tour of the property and the more I saw it, the more I loved. The hotel has two beautiful swimming pools to indulge in. One of the pool is like a sun deck and the hotel’s restaurant also surrounds that area. It seemed like a perfect place to spend some time relaxing. This was also the venue for our evening event.

After touring around the property, I was escorted to my suite which spelled class right at the entrance. The moment the door to my room was unlocked, I was spellbound. The expansive living room area, with a huge TV screen and the couch that you want to jump right on to and all modern amenities seemed very inviting. As I moved further and took my first glance at the bed, I shifted my mind and wanted to jump in right there. It was just the kind of bed I adore. But then there was more, the highlight of my room was the attached balcony which oversaw the green fields and also the pool deck area. The view seemed mesmerizing enough to spend my entire day there, maybe with some music on the iPod, or a nice book and a cup of coffee. Bliss! Check out the full room tour in the link below


https://www.facebook.com/aditinona/videos/pcb.10156999280189855/10156999278684855/?type=3&theater

So all of this led me confused on what did I want to do, dip in the pool, be a couch potato, take a nap on the bed or sit in the balcony and enjoy the view. Phew!! But then I felt that given my tired state of mind and body, the bed seemed just the right thing to do. So after fooling around a bit with myself, clicking some funny pictures and posting stories on Instagram, I cuddled myself up in that cozy bed and took a short and sweet nap.

After the nap, I woke up feeling quite refreshed and ready to do more in my room and began exploring all the windows and the scenes behind them. One of the windows offered me a spectacular view of the inner pool, the other opened to the pool deck and yet another gave me a glimpse of the fields and the river. For some time, I just kept sitting by each window, admiring the beauty of these scenes.

Then I made myself a cup of green tea and headed to the balcony to witness a beautiful sunset. The feelings can’t really be put in words and sometimes you literally have to experience to believe. Well, all I can say is, it was wonderful. The setting sun, the chirping birds, the orange sky and a silhouette kind of a tree, everything was just perfect.

After enjoying the sunset, I headed for a quick bath and got ready for the lovely evening that was waiting.

As I went down at the deck, the entire setting seemed magical, beautiful table layouts, candle lights, the reflection of lights in the pool and soulful Jazz music by a band named Orleans.

It was all fantastic. As my other friends joined in at the table, we started with what I can say was a mind-blowing culinary journey and riot of flavors.

Our menu comprised of:

Cocktail

Chilli Coco Pine- a drink made with white rum, pineapple juice, coconut syrup, and green chilies and it was amazing.

Starters

Pepper Rasam- Red snapper ceviche served in a puri with chilled rasam shots.

Camembert En Croute With Tomato Thoku And Coriander Chutney

Beef Seekh Kebab

Calamari Pepper Fry

Main Course

Murg Afgani With Lachha Parantha

Meen Chettinad With Coconut Curry And Kosambri Salad

Tandoori Spiced Pork Belly With Mango Chutney

Cranberry Kofta With Lachha Parantha

Dessert

Guava Cheese And Ricotta With Profiteroles

Gulab Jamun With Gelato

Well, now what words do I use to describe the food, I basically have just one word that it was amazing. We all had a tough time deciding what was the best, there was barely a difference, each and every item was delicious. But still to give you some grading, I would say that the Camembert was the best dish of the evening unanimously for all present, and the meen chettinad came a close second. Put everything else on the number 3 and I am sure you will get an idea about the kind of food experience I am talking about.

After this hearty meal and loads of fun and conversations with my friends, I happily retired to my cozy room for a good night’s sleep. I literally slept so calmly and peacefully that I had to force myself out of the bed for breakfast. But I surely didn’t want to miss it, and hence I headed to the pool deck once again for a lovely buffet spread of the breakfast. And now it was almost time to return home, so I went back to my room and got ready once again, but this time I wasn’t too excited to get ready because it felt that my holiday got over too soon. But nevertheless, I was taking back some great memories and feeling fully charged up and already looking forward to my next visit at Sol De Goa soon.

Sol De Goa

Address:
Road Opp Bank of India, Bhatiwado, Nerul, Goa, 403114,
Nerul India , Goa – 403114.

Phone : 0832 671 4141

Reservation Phone : 9552134385

Email : [email protected]

A Guide To Breaking Bad Health Habits

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

(Image: Pixabay / CC0 Licence)

 

There are certain things that we all do that we know we really shouldn’t. Whether it’s eating a little too much sugar, smoking cigarettes, or rarely exercising, we all have something that – in the harsh light of day – we know isn’t the wisest choice for our health.

 

Of course, a new year always heralds an opportunity to break these bad health habits – but, unfortunately, actually defeating these habits once and for all can be a tough ask. However, if you’re hoping that 2019 will be the year where you can kick one of your bad health habits for good, then the guide below may be able to help you achieve exactly that.

 

Focus on the ultimate goal

When seeking to conquer bad health habits, people often focus solely on the end itself; they will, for example, say that want to “quit smoking” or “eat less sugar”. However, it’s usually preferable to reshape your thinking a little, transforming your goal into something that sounds a lot more enticing. For example, rather than “quit smoking”, you could tell yourself you’re “reducing your risk of cancer” or “improving your lung function”. This simple shift in thinking helps to emphasize the benefits of quitting your bad health habit, rather than focusing on the self-denial aspect.

 

Decide if you want to take a gradual or abrupt approach

  • A gradual approach would be cutting from 10 cigarettes to five in the first week, then moving to zero in the second; or exercising once a week for the first month, then twice a week for the second month.
  • An abrupt approach is the opposite; it means throwing yourself wholeheartedly into the change, quitting smoking entirely, or starting a three-sessions-per-week exercise regime right from the get-go.

 

There’s no right or wrong decision here, by the way – everyone responds differently, so it’s best to make the decision on what you think will work best for you. When you have established which approach you prefer, choose a date at which your approach will begin; if you’ve adopted a gradual approach, you’ll also need to plan the next few weeks or months to incorporate the next stages, too.

 

Research options to help make the transition easier

Even when focusing primarily on the benefits of changing your bad health habit, it’s still important to acknowledge the process is going to be tough. You may need a little help to make such a significant change easier to deal with. If you’re looking to quit smoking, you could look to purchase a few vape liquid sample packs and a vape pen; if you’re hoping to exercise more, a personal trainer might be a wise choice; or if you’re looking to cut sugar, you could explore sugar alternatives. Again, breaking a bad health habit shouldn’t feel like self-denial or even a challenge, so utilize whatever you can to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

 

Make it possible to monitor your progress

It’s always helpful to have hard data to affirm that breaking your bad health habit has benefited you. Returning to the examples discussed so far, this could mean taking an exhaled carbon monoxide test if you’re a smoker, take a blood sugar reading if you’re cutting sugar, or time yourself running 1k if you’re looking to exercise more. Whichever habit you’re trying to break, there should be a similar metric that you can establish as a starting point. You can then refer back to this baseline metric once you’ve broken your habit, allowing you to see how much good breaking your habit is doing.

 

Hopefully, the guide above should assist you in breaking your bad health habits once and for all in 2019 – good luck!

Perfectly Productive: Achieving Better Focus and Mental Clarity at Work

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Work is a big part of our lives, and being able to get down to business and work hard is essential if you want to do well in life, earn money and live the way that you want. It’s important to set goals and to look to the future, but it’s the way you perform every day that will make a difference. Here are some of the ways you can boost productivity by improving mental clarity at work.

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Live a healthy lifestyle

Living a healthy lifestyle has so many benefits- but one that you might not have considered is a better focus at work. The wrong foods can make you feel sluggish, and others will cause cravings that can distract you from what you’re doing. Stay hydrated which can improve focus, eat foods that are good for your body and your mood will be elevated and you’ll be able to concentrate better. Some healthy eating plans have been shown to improve mental clarity, for example, one of the reasons why you should take Beta Hydroxybutyrate with a keto style diet is because it’s been shown to improve mental performance. If you don’t want to stick to a specific dietary plan, eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy in the right quantities will benefit just about everyone.

Improve your office

Improving your workspace can make you more productive as well as feel less stressed. If you work as an employee, just clearing your desk and coming up with new storage solutions could be helpful. If you run your own business or work from home then you have it within your power to change your entire office space. Move the desk closer to the window as the natural daylight improves mood. Paint the walls a light, neutral shade to help space feel bigger and brighter. Add some decorative touches to make the office feel homely but without being cluttered or distracting.

Take regular breaks

There’s nothing worse than being faced with a problem that you just can’t solve. After a while, you can get tunnel vision towards it and it becomes impossible to overcome. Taking even a short break and returning can allow you to spot the solution right away. Regular breaks help to prevent eye strain and also decrease restless energy. If you can get active and do some exercise, even a brisk walk around your office building it will give your brain a boost of happy hormones and can wake up too! Of course, you won’t want to be taking breaks so often that you’re disrupting your workflow and breaking concentration when you’re on a roll. But if you’re struggling, don’t feel like you need to sit and give yourself a headache over what you’re doing. Have a couple of minutes away, drink a cup of tea or some water and move around a little. When you return back to your desk, chances are you’ll be ready to get right back into it.

The 5 E’s To Consider When Upgrading Your New Business

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

When you’re running a new business on the block, trying to be heard over the competition can be a frustrating battle. You just don’t have the same brand recognition as some of the bigger players in the game, but that’s okay. Good things come in time. Still, in the business world, simply waiting for good things to come isn’t enough. If you’re not happy about the snail-like progress of your company then it’s time to do something about it. You have to be unique to stand out. These are the 5 E’s to consider when upgrading your new business.

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Efficiency.

The first ‘E’ is efficiency. An efficient business is a successful business. If you can improve your use of both time and money then you’ll reduce overhead costs and boost profit margins. In turn, you’ll have more money to invest in your business, but we’ll discuss that more in the next point. You’ll also be able to reach a wider customer base if you improve productivity because you’ll have an increased daily output. Again, we’ll talk about expansion more in the next point. For now, let’s discuss ways in which to make your business more efficient. This will help to give your business stronger foundations as it starts to grow.

For starters, you might want to start automating certain operations in your business. No, this doesn’t mean you have to make workers redundant. In fact, we’re talking about making your workers more productive. If repetitive and time-consuming tasks are automated (e.g. admin work) then your employees will be able to focus their energy on the more technical aspects of their job roles. Additionally, you might want to look into time clocks to help keep track of work hours and ensure everybody is paid fairly. It’ll make your business more efficient because you’ll know that you’re never underpaying or overpaying employees. This will keep the team happy and protect your finances.

Expansion.

The expansion is essential to the evolution of your company and the growth of your reputation. If you want to upgrade your new business then you should keep thinking of ways to expand it. Now, you might not be able to achieve your biggest goals within the early days of opening your company. Growth has to be gradual if it’s going to be steady and long-lasting. But it’s about making investments that will bring in increased profits. For example, you might want to increase your product or service output so that you can meet the needs of a larger customer base. Instead of investing in several new employees, however, you might want to outsource certain services to meet the increased workload. It’ll help you to achieve the same level of expansion but cost you far less money than hiring some new full-time workers. If your business is going to really upgrade itself to the next level then you need to expand in time-effective and cost-effective ways. That’s the smart way to create a bigger presence in your respective marketplace.

Environment.

The environment in which your employees’ work has such a big impact on their productivity. We’ve already talked about automating operations for efficiency, but another way to optimize business operations is to focus directly on the mindset of your workers. And this all starts by creating a nice workspace for your team. How do you feel when your home or your office is messy? Distracted? Uncomfortable? Well, think about how your entire workforce will feel if their work environment is cluttered or aesthetically unappealing. Improving the office is a worthwhile investment. Even simply repainting the walls with a white coat of paint to reflect light and brighten the work environment could make a big difference. You might want to put a ping pong table and some couches in the break room too. Give your employees a way to unwind.

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Expectations.

This is one of the biggest E’s to consider if you want to ensure that your business is successful in the long-term. Start thinking about customer expectations and the ways in which you can exceed them. That’s how you’ll upgrade your business. Your goal should be to solve problems before they even become problems. To clarify, you need to show your customers that no issue is too small or too insignificant. Most people will understand that mistakes are made in life – we’re all human, after all. But they won’t understand a business that fails to remedy the problem quickly and professionally. Invite customers to send in questions and complaints on social media. Have a team ready to respond to customers as soon as they contact you; that’ll show you care.

Exceeding expectations can go a long way to boost your business’ brand. In turn, you’ll gain a reputation as a caring and reliable company. You’re trying to build loyal relationships with your customers. That’s how you’ll start to build up a lasting client base. Obviously, you want to chase new leads, but you also want your existing customers to stick around. This is how your new business will grow into something impressive from small and humble beginnings. It’s all about the customers, at the end of the day.

End-goals.

Always reinvent the business plan. That should be the main piece of advice you’ve taken away from the points raised in this article. You might not have to change your end-goals but simply restate them. Repackaging a brand can sometimes be the best way to start turning heads in an industry once more. If you’ve been struggling to make an impact on the target market then it makes sense to try a new approach. Simply saying something in a different way can make a big difference. After all, if your competitors are successful then the problem might not be your products or services but the way in which you’re selling them. Hold onto your end-goals but keep finding new ways to reach them if you want to upgrade your business and take the next step up the entrepreneurial ladder.

Barbie initiates Project Udaan to enable girls live their dreams

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

In a bid to fulfill the dreams of young girls, Mattel India has joined hands with the NGO, Masoom, to launch ‘Project Udaan’. The project has come into the existence with an understanding that there are numerous girls who are locked by boundaries of social and economic status. While these girls have grown up admiring Barbie, Mattel believes every girl, like Barbie, has the right to be themselves i.e. smart, successful, ambitious, poised and confident. Project Udaan aims to give these girls the wings to fly with their dreams.

Project Udaan

Project Udaan is a comprehensive three-fold programme that focuses on leadership skills, feminine hygiene program, and vocational training basis participants’ interest mapping. It is a year-long program which will be actively volunteered by the ‘Barbie’ team, designed to equip over 100 girls aged between 14-18 years. The project is aimed to build confidence, self-expression and enable effective learning and development that can present the girls with a chance for a better life.

Activities

As a part of this initiative, Barbie created an exposure for young and enthusiastic kids of the city. The girls from Masoom were taken to KidZania where they could not only explore but live and experience 90+ role-playing activities. These little girls were shown that their dreams could fly free at KidZania through 90+ career opportunities. The trip enabled a roadmap, guiding these tiny feet towards a realistic and achievable goal to fulfill their dreams. It was also an eye-opener for many, as most of the activities showcased were unique and attractive for many of them, thus further enlightening their vision.

Brand Speak

Commenting on the initiative, Ishmeet Singh, Country Manager, Mattel India, said, “Every girl is talented and has the potential to reach for the stars. But where society tries to pull them down, Barbie supports them to help them to live their dreams.”

“Project Udaan has enabled us see the spark on so many faces and we are highly motivated by their overwhelming response.Through our initial activity at KidZania, children got a chance to experience the world of multiple career options. They cherished the life of becoming a Chef, an RJ, a Pilot, a Teacher, an Actor, and so on”, he added.

About Mattel

Mattel is a creations company that inspires the wonder of childhood. Our mission is to be the recognized leader in play, learning, and development worldwide. Mattel’s portfolio of global consumer brands includes American Girl®, Barbie®, Fisher-Price®, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, and Thomas & Friends®, among many others. Mattel also creates a wealth of lines and products made in collaboration with leading entertainment and technology companies. With a global workforce of approximately 31,000 people, Mattel operates in 40 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.

 

Reducing Your Monthly Outgoings in Time for Christmas

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Picture Source

We are fast approaching Christmas and many of us are looking for ways to cut back on our spending in order to be able to afford gifts, decorations, and celebrations over the festive period. The good news is that there are plenty of places that you can save and the sums of money that you can store away can mount up pretty quickly! Here are a few different areas to consider reducing your spending, alongside a few tips to help you achieve this!

Change Your Phone Provider

Many of us stick with the same phone provider for years out of sheer habit and through laziness in regards to having to request a PAC code and set up a new contract or pay as you go SIM. But the market of phone providers is extremely competitive and chances are that an alternative company will offer you a lower monthly bill than your current provider if you’re willing to switch networks. Take a look at Freedompop plans. While you might not have heard of the brand before, they could provide equally good service as your current provider at a much cheaper price!

Opt for Different Phone Insurance

Another monthly bill that goes out of most of our bank accounts is phone insurance. Now, phone insurance is relatively essential. It will ensure that you receive a replacement phone or a repair if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged. However, the majority of us have our phones insured through companies that are recommended to us while we take our contracts out. Bear in mind that most companies selling phones benefit from recommending particular insurance packages. They are likely owned by the same company or are receiving some sort of commission. Instead, take the time to browse the market before insuring your phone. You may be able to find a cheaper plan.

Switch Up Your Broadband

A reliable broadband connection in your home can keep your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop computers connected to the web at a lower cost than using mobile data. Again, it’s important to browse around and compare different options that are available to you through different providers. If you find that you are happy with the current broadband that you use, but have found a cheaper deal elsewhere, ask your current company to price match. They will generally agree to this in order to maintain your custom.

These are just a few different steps that you might want to consider taking if you want to reduce your monthly outgoings in the near future. Incorporate them into your lifestyle as soon as possible in order to benefit from them before Christmas!

Top 7 Videography Tips For Beginners

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Videography is a work of art. In today’s scenario, with many budding YouTubers coming up with their unique ideas, videography is seeing its breakthrough.

 

Whether it is shooting a short movie, an ad film or simply shooting a wedding, people always prefer hiring a professional videographer.

 

Videography is similar to photography except for the fact that the former is ten folds difficult. The similarity lies in the fact that both require you to have a creative mind.

Unlike photography, in videography, you have to take care of everything from the frame to the sound and to the sequence of the scenes. So, videography is not a cake walk just as many people perceive it to be.

 

Many people will not be having a clear idea about videography. One reason is that they are not well equipped with everything it takes to shoot a video.

 

But, not to worry because we have compiled the best videography tips for people who are just about to kick-start their career in videography. As a beginner, these tips would be your lifesaver!

 

Let’s have a look:

 

  1. Get yourself a good quality professional camera!

Needless to say that the quality of entire video you’re shooting depends greatly on the camera that you’re shooting it with. Invest in a good quality professional camera, a DSLR or Mirrorless camera for instance.

 

You may go for Canon EOS 80D DSLR that allows superb autofocus with high-resolution video.

If you’re on a budget, go for Nikon DSLRs. Consider Nikon D3400 which is best suited for beginners because it is easy to work with.

This DSLR translates superior quality even in low light. It will prove to be your ideal companion if you’re just starting with videography.

 

  1. Be well equipped with the best audio tech

Hear it very loud and clear, because this tip is extremely important!.

Don’t just rely on the built-in mic of your camera but choose a good quality separate mic instead.

 

For shooting with DSLR cameras, Lavalier microphones are good to go.

Imagine how unpleasant it would be for the viewer if the quality of the video is great but the sound is not clear enough.

 

Don’t worry if you’re on a budget and cannot buy these, we’ll tell you just how you can improve the sound quality of your videos.

 

  • Keep the mic as close as possible to the sound you’re trying to record.
  • If you’re capturing someone who’s talking, make sure to have the camera very close to that person.
  • Do not overlook the sound quality of your video. If you feel that people will have to strain their ears in order to understand what the person in the video is trying to convey, re-shoot it. You cannot compromise with the quality of the sound!
  • Get rid of the background noises! Background noises are a hindrance to what you’re actually trying to capture. Make sure that there is no background noise so that what you’re trying to capture is loud and clear.

 

  1. Avoid zooming in

Zooming in just because you’re too lazy to walk up to a subject that is far away from you is a bad idea.

 

No matter how superior your camera quality may be, it will never be able to match the quality of video that you get, when you actually shoot the subject by keeping the camera close to it.

 

So, remember that zooming in is not the way out for shooting close up shots.

 

  1. Take care of the background

A videographer has already picturized what he wants to capture in his mind. Make sure that the background matches what you have imagined. Keep it subtle and don’t go too overboard with it.

 

  1. Make sure that the lighting is proper

Just as lighting plays an important role in clicking the perfect picture, it plays an important role in capturing videos too. The right amount of light will give your videos an edge over the others.

 

Don’t confuse ‘right amount of light’ with ‘excessive amount of light’. Too much light can ruin your video as badly as dim light does.

 

  1. Keep a steady hand

Shaking the camera too much while shooting will give you unpleasant output. Make sure to have a steady hand.

If you don’t have a control over that, use a tripod. For best results, a tripod is a must.

 

  1. Keep hard wires away from the frame

Rewatch your video, again and again, to make sure that there isn’t any sign of hard wires or any unwanted thing in that video. Critics would easily be able to catch hold of your videography flaws.!

Conclusion

So these are great handful tips that every beginner should swear by. Having acquainted you with these tips, we would like to introduce you to the final and the most important step i.e. editing your video.

 

While you do that, try to stay as innovative as possible. We hope that these tips are of great help to you. Go ahead and let your creativity tell a story.

 

South Asian Association for Gastronomy Concluded Food for Thought Fest 2018 With A Lot Of Pomp & Show

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

The Fourth Edition of the Food for Thought Fest concluded in the capital city with celebrating the diverse culinary heritage of the South Asian region. The festival was organized at The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, with countries participating from different parts of South Asia. A one of its kind initiative that focused on the common heritage and history of the region, as well as the unique influences that make up a part of it, it has set a benchmark as a forum for conversations, cuisines and the exchange of ideas and philosophies. The participating countries were India, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The guest of honor for the event was HE Mr. Sidharto R Suryodipuro, Ambassador for the Republic of Indonesia.

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I had a chance to interact with his excellency and he shared some behind the scene facts about the event and how it was conceptualized.

This year’s edition of the Food for Thought Fest brought in the exciting components that made this a truly unique event. There were talks and discussions around culture, health, and cuisine in the “Thought Fest” by the expert, while the “Food Fest” offered cookery workshops with celebrity chefs from the participating countries and television celebrities Puja Talwar, Advaita Kala and Imam Siddique, had food stalls from some of the most superlative restaurants from the South Asia region like Soda Bottle Openerwala, Atara Catering, Chaat Chowk and Orza. This year the Bazaar Section was beautifully curated.

Many celebrity chefs graced the occasion and showcased their culinary skills in preparing wonderful dishes. I happened to meet and interact with a few of them. Here is chef Ruchira Hoon speaking about her experience at the event

The dishes that she prepared were simply wonderful especially the aubergines.

Well, next I interacted with our very own Khurafati Nitin who never fails to amaze me with his abundance of energy and the ability to make laugh. He shared the stage with singer turned chef Anaida and they both literally rocked the stage together.

From bringing out the benefits and correct way to use saffron, Anaida’s preparation and insights both were valuable. Her traditional Irani dish of rice was simply delicious.

The MC of the day was none other than Fashion Stylist, TV Actor & Bigg Boss fame Celebrity Imam Siddique. He held the audience’s interest all through the event and kept them entertained. His association with the event has been a long one and here is he sharing his thoughts on the event and more

During the festival, I thoroughly enjoyed learning from the greatest chefs in the region, explored some fascinating topics related to food and, of course, and tasted some splendid flavors of the subcontinents.

About the founders of S.A.A.G

Mr. Maneesh Baheti, alumni of The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, is a seasoned hotelier with over 16 years in senior positions at leading brands such as The Oberoi Group and Hyatt International, before branching out as a hospitality industry consultant with a diverse projects portfolio. His love for cuisines has taken him on extensive travels, including the SAARC region of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Ms. Sonali Anand, a Masters in Tourism Management from Bournemouth University, U.K, she has spent over a decade in senior positions with multinational companies including, The Oberoi Group. She went for a second Masters Degree in Social Development from Euromed, Marseille, France, which equips her with an insight into international cultural relations and dynamics.

SAAG also has an eminent Advisory Board with PADMA BHUSHAN Mr. Shashi Kant Misra as the Chairman and comprises of experts such as Michelin Star Chef AtulKocchar from The, Master Chef Abhijit Saha, Chef Michael Swamy and renowned hotelier Mr.Gautam Anand to name a few.

5 tips to recovering from stress after a recent breakup

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Relationships require commitment and effort. Imagine putting a lot of both into a relationship only to have it come to an end. In that case, it doesn’t matter if the relationship lasted for four weeks or four years. We come out of a breakup with residual emotions and feelings. At times, breakups leave us so stressed out that we can even become physically ill. In fact, this study showed that our sense of self could get muddled after a breakup. The deeper your connection with your now-ex may have been, the more complicated things can get.

Moreover, each relationship is different, which is why there is no well-defined protocol that we can follow to heal. However, as more time passes and with the use of healthy coping mechanisms, it is possible to speed up the healing process. If you are recovering from a recent breakup, then you may need help alleviating the stress associated with it. The following tips might be useful in such a situation:

Sharing your feelings

Studies show that by sharing our negative feelings with someone, we can calm down the pain centers of the brain. It doesn’t matter who you talk to as long as it is someone whom you trust. Don’t try to go through it alone. Instead, share your feelings, and you will find it can soothe you. Not only will this make you feel good, but it will also stimulate your brain to release opiates. With nature’s painkillers on your side, you will do a better job of managing the emotions and dampening the pain associated with your breakup.

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Mourn the loss

What may surprise you is that you can’t judge how much pain you will endure based on the longevity or duration of a relationship. You have experienced a loss, and you are likely to go through most of the five stages of grief. If you allow yourself enough time to mourn this loss, you will be on your way to a better mental and physical state. Some breakups we can see coming, so we may be better prepared for them. In the event of a breakup that takes you by surprise, you may find yourself denying that it happened! Denial is one-step away from isolation, and we use it as a defense mechanism to overcome the shock. Don’t let your thoughts go into a circuitous mode by revisiting the breakup! Instead, try to relax and try this next step.

Get a massage

If you didn’t already know, massages are linked with many mental benefits, including boosting our concentration levels and reducing tension. The physical advantages of massage therapy include relieving muscle soreness, boosting the immune system and helping you rest. Studies like this one show massage therapy could bring down the levels of cortisol – the stress hormone – by 53%! If you are feeling anxious or depressed after your breakup, it is your brain’s way of telling you to relax and take care of yourself. Getting a massage can be a good way to start the process of healing.

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Do things you love

Take a break after a bad breakup and revisit the things that you used to love doing. Often, being in a relationship can mean that we give up on things that we individually enjoy and look for pastimes that we enjoy as a couple. But since you are on a break, it might be time to start getting excited over things that you enjoyed before. Go out for coffee with your friends or invite them over if you don’t feel like going out just yet. Reading, exercising, and gardening are all good viable options too. We’d recommend the first one because being in the company of people who make you laugh is therapy in itself. In fact, you can feel yourself get a mood boost when you smile and laugh with people who care about you. It will also help lessen the anxiety and feelings of isolation that arises after a breakup.

Avoid any kind of contact with your ex

This might not always be possible. You may be sharing a place with your ex or the custody of kids with them. That would mean you’d see them often if not every day. But if you can break all ties with them, it can help you heal faster. You might think it is a good idea to meet up and talk about all the happy times you two had. Or the thought of being lonely can be scary or painful, which has you reaching for your phone to call them. That is never a good idea! Take what measures you can, such as deleting your ex from your social media accounts, avoiding places you know they might frequent, distance yourselffrom them. If your work or education brings you together often, then avoid physical contact and making small talk with them.

Why is it so important for you to distance yourself? Because it can lead to stress. A breakup is considered one of the many stressful life experiences a person can face. Such experiences may make your brain age 1.5 years! An aging brain is at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Know someone who is showing early signs of Alzheimer’s? Have them take a dementia test immediately!

You might have to put some work into it, but it can be useful to reprogram your brain about breakups. Instead of thinking of them as rejections, think of them as a new beginning. Sure, it will be difficult to think optimistically in the beginning. You might feel heartbroken and getting back on your feet could take some time. Give yourself that time to heal. Just keep in mind that it isn’t just your heart that needs healing, your mind, and your body will need care and consideration to recover as well. Focus on the positive things that you have going for you. Look at the qualities that make you the beautiful, vibrant, and strong person. You’re still that person!