Month: July 2017

Tips For Getting Whiter Teeth, Naturally

Everyone wants their teeth to be whiter. Endless pictures of celebrities with pearly white teeth and magazines filled with sparkling smiles is enough to give you teeth envy. There are some natural ways to get your teeth whiter, without resorting to artificial treatments which can be damaging. Find out more and look forward to a whiter, brighter smile with these top tips below.

Image credit: Pexels

Brush regularly

Now, this should be something you know already, but with almost 1 in 4 Americans failing to brush twice daily, remembering to brush your teeth is one of the most basic things you can do to get whiter teeth. Brush in the morning and at night, and again if you eat foods which are particularly known for staining your teeth such as curries or tomato-based sauces. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, and you might want to consider investing in an electric toothbrush as a way to get a more thorough clean.

Avoid certain foods and drinks

As mentioned above, there are some foods that can stain your teeth, and the same goes for drinks too. Red wine, tea, coffee, and sodas can all stain your teeth and give them that yellow-ish shade, and if you truly want a Hollywood smile, you’ll have to limit your intake of them or give them up completely. A regular visit to the hygienist will help remove stains caused by food and drink.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a handy product to have around the home, for more than just baking. Baking soda is often used as a home remedy to clean many products, and your teeth is one of them. Adding some baking soda to your regular toothpaste will help keep them extra clean and encourage whiteness, and you can buy toothpaste products with it already built in too.

Coconut oil pulling

Coconut oil is another wonder product that has many uses – makeup removal, hair conditioner, cooking agent, skin moisturizer; it’s all possible with coconut oil. Many people also use coconut oil for teeth pulling, as a way to get their teeth whiter. This can be done by taking a spoonful of coconut oil and swilling it around your mouth for 20 minutes. This trick can also be used to protect your gums thanks to the oil’s antimicrobial features. If you’ve recently had teeth implants (nehoustonimplants.com are highly recommended), then you can use coconut pulling to help keep them your gums stronger.

Eat strawberries

Strawberries are a tasty way to try and whiten your teeth naturally at home. Many celebrities are known for mashing up strawberries and applying them to their teeth to whiten them. It’s a trick worth trying, but you’ll want to rinse thoroughly afterwards, and brush as the natural sugars in strawberries, and other fruit can cause decay if left on the teeth.

The secret to whiter teeth is mainly in good hygiene, and if you suspect that your teeth are in a poor condition, you should have them checked out. Avoiding smoking, drinking too much as well as brushing, rinsing and flossing regularly can all help you to get those pearly whites you’ve been craving.

The Heartland: Seeing The Real America!

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If you really want to know what America is about, it can’t be done by going to Disney World and spending two weeks with Mickey Mouse and his friends! You need to see the heartland, and get the sights, sounds and smells of a vast and plentiful land. If you have the time to explore what America has to offer them it’s time to saddle up and take a journey through some wholesome all-American activities. Here we go!

Go to a ball game

This is probably the first thing you need to tick off on your list of activities. The best time to catch a game would be during a warm summer’s night, where the rustic snacks of hot dogs and beer scent the stadium with its intoxicating aromas. You can either choose to go to a Major League Baseball game or opt for one of the minor league teams where the local ambience is far more infectious.

View the mountains… from the sky!

There are many ways to get some fantastic views of the mountains and rolling rocks of America’s heartland. But one of the most relaxing ways to do it is by hot air balloon, and if you time it right, you can pick a journey where you get to see the sun coming up over the horizon, which is an awe-inspiring sight to behold. If you check out the hot air balloon price and options available you could do it in style and have a champagne breakfast, or just relax and take in that amazing view!

Cruise down the open road

It’s more than essential that you need to see small town America by hitting the open road via the Pacific Coast Highway or Route 66 while the wind is blowing in your hair and you’ve got some traditional country music on the stereo. If you have the time, or if you are just on a short journey, there are plenty of road trips to take via the heartland of this country. One simple, time-saving option is to go from Las Vegas to Los Angeles via the Mojave Desert, which is home to one of the greatest landmarks in American history, as well as one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon.

Pay a visit to The King’s home!

Even if you aren’t a fan of Elvis Presley, you need to see the home of the man who personified rock and roll and brought it to millions. Graceland, the museum/home of The King, boasts a collection of his most iconic jumpsuits, as well as his classic cars and even his two private planes, called Lisa Marie and, of course, Hounddog II.

Witness a rodeo

You couldn’t escape America’s heartlands without catching a glimpse of real cowboys at the traditional all-American rodeo. Get a cowboy hat on and get in the stands to look at, quite possibly, one of the most dangerous sports the world has ever seen, and have a great time while you’re at it!

Raising Self-Esteem To Combat Depression And Anxiety

Our self-esteem is forged in the days of youth. It’s when we simply don’t know any better, we’re sometimes obnoxious and speak our mind and don’t hold back. We’re not as self-conscious and therefore, so much freer. However, as you get older, society and the demands of and adult life can drive people into doubting themselves. Improving your self-esteem takes time, it’s more of a growing process than it is something that can be fixed overnight. A good view of the world and a positive feel for yourself, can increase your confidence and be the first step toward finding a happier lifestyle. But, first, a period of self-reflection is in order, because you may have become someone who self-harms in the form of substance or alcohol abuse, and you may have systematic psychological barriers to overcome.

Image by – Ana Paula Lima

The infection of negativity

Thinking negative, can lead you down the road to depression where you sink lower and lower into self-pity, affecting your sleeping patterns, eating habits and concern for your wellbeing. It’s a deep-rooted sense of impending doom that nothing will ever good happen to or for you. It’s as if you begin to hate yourself. Whether it’s because of your job, a problematic family life, a lack of friends or simply a feeling of being lost in the world, it’s negative downward spiral if you continue this way. Try and pick yourself up on it. Whenever you feel angry or a sense of rage toward someone or something, try to stop and pinpoint what it is, that’s annoyed you. Notify the reason in your mind and try to figure a solution for it, rather falling back on a purely emotional response. They say emotion is the cousin of irrationality, and that saying has some truth. When you’re led by your emotions, you don’t think clearly, and you don’t access the cognitive part of your brain, which thinks logically and seeks to solve problems.

Confront your demons

If you know, you’re addicted to drugs, or you’ve become accustomed to binge drinking, don’t fester any longer in a pit of self-harm. If the clang of beer and wine bottles have become a weekly occurrence when you take the trash out, something isn’t right. Alcohol and drug abuse are trips to the abyss that you can avoid. Take the first step by enrolling yourself into the Beachway rehab facility. It’s a therapy center, that’s along the glorious Daytona Beach, and offers a comprehensive healing program for substance abusers. It provides a holistic approach to its treatments and treats you like an individual. Almost all the time, it’s better to allow others to help you in taking the first step, that’s why you can explore their website, phone or email them to learn more about their facility.

Source – Warateens

Positivity and introverts

If you have low self-esteem, you’re likely to be in introvert; someone who avoids discourse or communication with other people for the fear of being rejected or coming off as weird and strange. You’re not the only one; with 7.5 billion people on the planet, you can bet on that. First thing’s first, you should immediately go the other way whenever you start to think you’re worthless or a bad person. Find something that you’re good at, and how you help people or even how your friends appreciate the times you’ve helped them. Positively reaffirm the good things you do in life, and areas which you’ve improved. See the good in you, rather than the imperfections by writing down, some of the things that you’re personally proud of about yourself. When you see this in physical form it has much more of an impact in showing yourself; you are worth something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ouch! How To Identify The Source Of Your Headache

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There are few things worse than having to deal with a persistent headache. It can leave you unable to concentrate on anything, it can make your irritable, and it can put a serious downer on any otherwise perfectly pleasant day. Sure, there are plenty of treatments for headaches out there, but the problem is if you want to deal with one that really persists, you’ve got to know what the cause is, which can often be kind of tricky. In order to help you avoid having to putting up a piercing pain in your skull for long periods of time, here are some of the most common causes of headaches and what you can do about them.

Tension

A tension headache is perhaps the most common kind there is with a surprisingly large percentage of the population suffering from them. While the exact causes of tension headaches are widely unknown, they are commonly caused by severe stress and muscle tension, especially in your neck. One of the best ways to alleviate these kinds of headaches is to reduce the causes of stress in your life (something that’s rather a good idea anyway) as well as trying out some exercises to loosen the muscles in your neck.

Eye strain

The vast majority of people spend almost all of our time staring at screens these days. We stare at computer screens at work, then we go home and stare and the TV screen, then we go to bed and stare at our phones. Spending so much time staring at screens is guaranteed to put a lot of strain on your eyes which can often lead to some pretty serious headaches. Of course, computer screens aren’t the only reason that you could end up with a headache caused by eye strain. A lot of people find that conditions like Lao Hua Yan which can cause your eyesight to suffer quite severely can cause you to try and strain harder to see which can cause headaches. The best way to deal with this is to seek medical help either through glasses or something like laser surgery. That way you’ll no longer be spending all of your time straining just to be able to see.

Dehydration

There’s a serious issue among the vast majority of the population that we’re simply not staying hydrated enough. There are hundreds of health reasons why dehydration is incredibly dangerous, but it’s certainly one of the more common reasons why people end up suffering from headaches that they can’t get rid off. When your body is dehydrated then your brain actually shrink from fluid loss. This causes it to pull away from the skull causing a lot of pain. Your body needs the right amount of fluids and electrolytes in order to function properly, and without them, you’re going to end up feeling seriously ill. If you’re dehydrated, then there’s a good chance that a headache could well be the least of your worries but it’s important to keep an eye out for it as a sign that you might need to hydrate yourself pretty urgently.

3 Unexpected Health Benefits Of Yoga

A lot of people don’t consider yoga as a sport. In fact, if they are hoping to shift the pounds or tone up they opt for a cardio workout instead. Therefore, yoga doesn’t spring to mind as the most ideal form of exercise. But when it comes to your health, there are actually a wide range of benefits yoga can bring you. In fact, you might be left surprised when you read about three unexpected health benefits of yoga.

It’s ideal to help you beat anxiety and depression

When someone is suffering from anxiety or depression, they wish they could free their mind. In fact, they struggle to release the stress which can make things like sleeping and relaxing difficult. But if you are suffering from one of these mental health conditions, you should give yoga a try. After all, yoga is all about releasing the stress in your mind and body. As well as doing poses which can help you to tone up and improve your posture, a lot of the session focuses on breathing and relaxing. And a lot of people leave the practice feeling a lot more relaxed. In fact, they come home and feel a lot better in their mind. A lot of doctors will recommend you try yoga if you are suffering from these conditions. After all, it helps people to control it in their life.

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It’s ideal for managing chronic pain

It’s a sad fact that a lot of individuals have to live with chronic pain. And for a lot of them, there is no easy solution to ease it from their life. In fact, aside from making some lifestyle changes, there might not be much you can do to treat the pain. However, yoga is often being recommended if you are living with chronic pain. In fact, as we said before, there has been some evidence which has revealed it can actually reduce the pain. Therefore, you should go along and do stretches which can ease f the pain. And it can also help to relax the brain so that you stop thinking about it as much. Of course, when you go to the yoga classes, make sure you tell them about the pain. That way, they can give you guidance on what you need to avoid, so you don’t make it worse!

It can protect you from injury

When you go to yoga, you will spend a lot of the time working on strengthening your muscles. In fact, the poses can help to ensure you grow stronger and more flexible over time. But you might not realize that as well as being ideal for strength, it’s also good for protecting you from injury. After all, it will ensure your muscles are in good nick so if you are doing any other form of exercise, you will keep strong and away from injury. And as it releases any tension in your limbs, it can stop you from walking away hurt. A lot of older people are encouraged to do yoga in their life. That way, they can avoid injuries like hip fractures which can affect their health.

Image from Pixabay

And it’s also good if you have any digestive problems like IBS. After all, it gets your body moving so everything will flow properly!

Cheap and Fun Workout Ideas

Working out at the gym isn’t for everybody. While some people love the atmosphere in there, it can get a bit boring doing the same workout day after day but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on exercising completely. There are all sorts of brilliant ways to keep in shape and improve your health without having to brave the gym every time you want to do a bit of exercise. If you find that the gym is getting dull, try out some these alternatives.

Swimming

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Going for a swim is one of the best workouts that you can do. It works every single part of your body at the same time and it’s also very relaxing. It should be easy to find a local pool where you can swim regularly and it’ll also be cheaper than the gym most likely. Swimming is the perfect exercise for anybody that is just getting into exercise or recovering from an injury because it is very low-impact while still giving your muscles an intense workout. If you hate the gym because it’s too busy then swimming at a public pool might not be the best place for you.

Gardening

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Gardening isn’t something that you would normally think of when it comes to exercise but it’s actually far more intensive than you realize. You’ll strengthen your legs and abs from all of the constant bending down and standing up and heavy digging is great cardio. By gardening regularly, you can workout without even realizing it. It won’t be difficult to get motivated anymore because you’ll be doing something fun while you burn those calories.

Dance Classes

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Dance classes are one of the most fun ways to get some exercise and they’re probably as intensive as most other cardio like spinning or running on a treadmill. In the last few years, Zumba exercise and workout classes have become very popular because they are heavy-duty workouts that have also been designed to be great fun. Going to these classes is a brilliant way to get a fun workout and meet lots of new people.

Hula Hooping

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The hula hoop isn’t just a popular kids toy of the nineties, it’s a great workout tool as well. It doesn’t matter if you’re no good at keeping the hoop going, you’ll get better with time. You can burn over two hundred calories in just half an hour of hula hooping. Start off with the basic spin and when you get better you can start learning some cool tricks that will impress.

Cleaning

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Cleaning is always a bit of a pain so why not make it a bit more exciting, and burn some calories at the same time by turning it into a workout. Set a timer and put some upbeat music on and then see how quickly you can clean the entire house. Running around and cleaning like mad will burn lots of calories and you can try to beat your record every time.

 

Hopefully, these suggestions will help you to keep up your workout routine without having to go to the gym.

What a comic show!

Bhupen and Pooja, a couple whose passion and love for comics and food, yes you read it right, their love for comics and food made them come up with this amazing idea of a comic themed restaurant called What A Comic Show. I recently went to their restaurant situated right at the beginning of GK2 M block market, this being their second outlet. The first outlet is nestled away in SDA market and has already won everyone over with its quirky theme and great food. Now with this newly launched second outlet, their all set to take the market by storm.

The decor is obviously inspired by the comic theme and hence you will find comic strips on couches, adorning the walls are posters of comic heroes and our superheroes also find space as their figurines are planted at strategic points within the restaurant and even the stair case if fully thematic. The vibrancy of the place is the first thing you notice and almost fall in love with it instantly. I mean we are a generation who has grown up reading comics and now the younger generation idolises these comic heroes on screen.

Coming to food, they serve continental and oriental cuisines, and this place having a bigger kitchen, has allowed them to add Pizzas and some more dishes to their menu in comparison to the SDA outlet.

We began by ordering Chicken Shabalay, a typical Tibetan delicacy, is like a hybrid of meat patty and fried momos, because the shape and filling is done just the way its done in a patty but the only difference being its thinner in consistency, isn’t layered and the coating is similar like that of a fried momo. Don’t read too much, don’t get confused, trust me, just go for it. Its totally worth indulging in. The chicken filling inside was so juicy and nice and the outer layering was perfectly done. I loved it. I had never eaten a Shabalay before and now I am a fan.

Next we tried some assorted dumplings which had chicken dumplings, mushroom dumplings and pork dumplings and each one of them was fantastic. Loved the preparation completely, the dumplings were so juicy, perfectly steamed and the filling was great to taste. The chicken and mushroom dumplings specially are a must try.

Up next was some assorted Sushi, though taste wise the Sushi was perfect, but I found the texture to be too sticky, but then Bhupen explained that there are different varieties of sticky sushi rice and the one they are using has this quality of being very sticky. One more thing that did not gel well with my taste buds was too much of sesame seeds, I wish the sushi wasn’t literally rolled in the seeds and just about a sprinkle would do. What I loved most was the filling.

Chicken Sausage Bacon Bites made for an interesting appetiser, served with a delicious barbecue sauce, it was done to perfection and was delicious.

Assorted Bruschetta were good too, I specially liked the one with Pesto topping. Smoked Pork Chilly was another flavoursome creating and I simply loved it. The pork ribs were tender and the sauce topped over it was awesome. Wasn’t too spicy and had a perfectly balanced taste.

For the mains, we tried Chicken Stroganoff, Penne Chicken and Mushrooms and Some BLT Sandwiches. Chicken Stroganoff was good, but I wish the rice were a little more flavoursome. Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Sandwiches were nicely grilled and can be enjoyed with a glass of Chocolate Shake or a Water Melon Cooler anytime. The pasta was little disappointing, as the flavours didn’t come through. I found it rather bland.

For desserts, please do try their Chocolate Ice Cream,, full of chocolate chips, its heavenly and definitely worth indulging in. I had super fun at this place and I look forward to a visit again. Its vibrant yet cosy, serves great food and is perfect to spend some comfortable and lazy time with friends and family. You must give it a try!

What A Comic Show Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Fat Burning Workouts for Women

Its a fact that women bodies are more prone to gaining fat and also it takes longer for them to lose fat. Given the current scenarios where we are always struggling for time, working out usually takes a back seat. Even when we try and work out on our own, most of the times we don’t know whats right for our body and whats not.

I came across a great and a detailed article on Fat Burning Workouts for Women, so enjoy reading and start implementing.

image source- Pexels

In this article, we have compiled a list of fat burning workouts for women which are known for the quick results and ease of practice. But these workouts, for sure, ask for consistency. Make a habit of following these workouts at least 5 times a week and you would start noticing the results yourself. We know how desperate you are to know how to lose belly fat for women, which is why we have compiled a list of fat burning workouts for women that help to burn belly fat and to get you in shape both at home and at a gym.

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Eat Delete Junior- Book Launch

Following the launch of her second book in Mumbai, Eat Delete Junior, Pooja Makhija, Celebrity Nutritionist and a mother of 2 herself, also unveiled her book in Delhi at Olive Bar & Kitchen recently. The book launch at Mumbai was attended by Mira Kapoor and Karan Johar, while Shweta Bachchan, Celebrity Mother and Jamal Sheikh, Editor of Brunch Magazine, Hindustan Times.

The book focuses on healthy eating habits for children ageing from 0 to 15 years and caters to almost all needs, whether as a parent or as a child, there is something for everyone. If a mother is breastfeeding, there are tips for her, if your child doesn’t eat veggies or is a fussy eater, the book tells you how to deal with it, what changes and amendments to bring in the diet and also interesting recipes to cater to specific needs.

Highlighting the issues of obesity in children, early puberty and unhealthy eating habits, Pooja said, that inculcating healthy eating habits in children is far easier than adults but also the fact that children tend to pick habits from their parents mostly, so one needs to be careful.

Adding to this Shweta also said that children do pick some peculiar habits from their parents and it depends whether those habits are good or bad. Like she said that her children are fond of potatoes just like her, which she though wasn’t too good, but then Pooja corrected her saying that even potatoes if taken in moderation and if not fried, are good for health. Shweta also highlighted a good habit that her children have adopted from her, which is having an early dinner. She said they usually dine by 6:30 in the evening.

Jamal also highlighted the benefits of a healthy diet, and how he himself became for fat to fab. Pooja also indulged in a fun quiz game with both Shweta and Jamal and it was fun to watch them unleashing their competitive spirits.

It was a great event and it was really insightful to listen to these amazing conversations between a nutritionist author and a mother and a fitness freak. Here is a sneak peek of the conversations.

Now I know how I have to tackle with my son’s eating tantrums and if you too are a parent who deals with the fussy eating habits of your children, or if you want to know some interesting tiffin recipes, this book is for you. Also Pooja has written a book earlier for adults, which was called Eat Delete, so grab copies of both if you still haven’t, and make yourself and your child, both healthy.

Eat Delete Junior, available on Amazon for Rs 239

Happy Reading and Healthy Eating!

 

Kofuku- Amazing Japanese Food Experience

Kofuku, a new entrant in the Ansal Plaza mall is a paradise for Japanese cuisine lovers. They offer authentic Japanese food and also serve the food in a very traditional way, whether its their ambience, or seating or the style of serving the dishes. They have kept it as authentic as possible. I had a great foodie experience at Kofuku and I strongly recommend paying a visit here. Kofuku actually means happiness or good fortune and these meanings really translate into your whole experience. You feel is a happy peaceful state and yes fortunate enough to experience good food. As they say food is the biggest blessing one can have. The overall ambience of this place is quite serene to say, it feels as if you really owe respect to the food you eating. They have Tatami for sitting, which means a long or a small low table, with lower seating. One has to take off the shoes, and enter your eating space, but a wonderful thing that they have done is that they have hollow spaces to relax your feet under the Tatami, so even in a low seating you don’t really feel any discomfort. At least I got a chance to sit on the small Tatami which had this facility. They have long Tatami which can accommodate upto 16 people and small Tatami for 6 people and of course they have regular tables as well.

We began our culinary experience by having some Spicy Edamamel, steamed soya beans tossed in some spicy mix and salt. It makes for a healthy snack which is good to taste too. Next we tried Zucchini Carrapacio, a nice salad type which has thinly sliced yellow and green zucchini drizzled with light soya and yuzu sauce. It was really good and I loved it.

Cheungfun Chicken and Veg both were outstanding and I enjoyed them thoroughly. A rice paper roll that had filling of chicken chunks and crispy veggies, it almost melts in the mouth. Its so good that you can’t not try it.

Next we tried assorted dumplings and that was a real treat. It had Broccoli and Water Chestnut Dumplings, Aromatic Spicy Chicken Dumplings and Asian Green Dumplings and all three of them were great to taste. They were perfectly done and juicy. I never prefer the veg dumplings but both the veg varieties were really good and I ended up relishing them more than the chicken one.

Sushi Boat was a true delight, with so many varieties of both veg and non-veg sushis, it was almost hard to decide on which one to eat and which one to leave. I tried most of them and yes by the end of it did have a few favourites. There was Oh My God Sushi, yes thats both the reaction after having it and the name of the Sushi. It actually has this interesting story behind its name, its actually kept on a reaction OMG shared by a famous bollywood celebrity upon having it. Its a chef’s special and is made with salmon, tuna, avocado and a chef’s special sauce. It truly deserves the name it got, and is a must try. Then it had Super Crunchy Roll, California Roll, Asparagus Tempura Roll, Shitake Nigiri, Avocado Nigiri, Mango Sushi, Salmon Nigiri, Tuna Nigiri, Hamachi Nigiri and Temaki, out of all of these I loved the Shitake Nigiri and Mango Sushi. The mango sushi though obviously sweet was really delectable.

Crispy Shrimp Tempura was another scrumptious dish I enjoyed relishing. Basically tiger prawns fried and coated a nice creamy and spicy sauce, they really made for a great starter. Chicken Teriyaki was my another favourite from the afternoon. I loved the chicken strips cooked in teriyaki sauce. They were perfectly done and I am going after them again soon.

Chicken Yakitori was a delightful preparation that had most people drooling for it. Chicken Chunks and Leeks , grilled to perfection on skewers drizzled with yakitori sauce. Its a very popular Japanese dish all over. Yakitori literally means grilled chicken and the sauce is prepared with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar and sake etc.

Grilled Chilean Sea Bass, a signature Kofuku dish which has grilled fish with some chilli- ginger dressing is totally worth indulging in and again is a must try.

For the main course there was Japanese Hot Pot Chicken, which was served in a huge pot which was simmering over a stove right on our table. It had chunks of chicken, loads of veggies, sprouts, noodles and was like a stew with thin gravy made with soya and a spicy sauce. Served with Chicken Teppanyaki Rice, it served as a wholesome meal.

For desserts we tried Mochi Ice Cream in assorted flavours, vanilla, butterscotch and strawberry and I personally loved butterscotch the most. Mochi is typically a sticky rice cake which covers the ice cream and becomes a soft shell over the ice cream, rubbery and jelly like.

Then there was Dorayaki, a Japanese Pan Cake made with sweet red bean paste filling. This surely made for a nice dessert and must be tried.

This place is one heavenly experience that you must indulge in, its totally worth your time and money.

Kofuku Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato