Month: July 2018

Everything You Want to Know About Meditation

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Meditation has different meaning for different people. For me, its a soothing effect on my mind, body and soul. I don’t practice it regularly but whenever I do, it surely helps me declutter. I will admit that it takes a lot to meditate. It doesn’t come easy and even now I am not a pro. It really takes months and years of practice, because merely closing your eyes and deep breathing is not meditation. Meditation is like a connect with your own soul, to hear your innermost voice and to feel each and every breath that you take. Its difficult, but once you are able to do so, the peace is unmatchable.

Here is everything you wanna know about Meditation

Do You Know Enough About Psychotherapy?

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY AND HOW EXACTLY DOES IT HELP?

Most people have heard the term “psychotherapy”, but don’t have an accurate concept of what it really is. Their ideas about it are formed by television shows instead of facts.

So what exactly is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy aims to enable patients, or clients, to recognize both positive and negative feelings, and what triggers or situations can make them feel good, nervous, or depressed. This allows them to cope with difficulties in a more constructive way.

Most courses of therapy last less than a year, and clients who are excited to change and willing to work often report great outcomes.

Psychotherapy helps with a diverse set of problems, including depression and low self-esteem, addiction and family quarrels. Anyone overwhelmed by daily problems and an inability to cope can benefit from psychotherapy. Learn more about psychotherapy careers.

Types of Psychotherapy

At least 500 different types of psychotherapy exist, according to one estimate by University of Scranton psychologist John Norcross. Given the vast number, researchers can’t dedicate the time to investigate whether they are beneficial, so they focus on the most frequently used types.

As Scientific American noted:

These include behavior therapy (altering unhealthy behaviors), cognitive-behavior therapy (altering maladaptive ways of thinking), psychodynamic therapy (resolving unconscious conflicts and adverse childhood experiences), interpersonal therapy (remedying unhealthy ways of interacting with others), and person-centered therapy (helping clients to find their own solutions to life problems).

Let’s look at each of these in a bit more detail:

Printers and privacy have a complicated relationship- Here’s why

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

When you print, scan, or copy a document at home or in the office, it might look like any other document to your eyes. But, unbelievably, data on the page make it possible to track almost every document you’ve ever scanned, printed, or photocopied back to you.

Your printer logs everything

All modern printers keep some form of log. Depending on the make and model, the logs can be highly intrusive and even go as far as indefinitely retaining full copies of all material.

Printer logs can be a substantial and unexpected privacy risk, especially if they contain sensitive and personal information. This is a significant risk when disposing of or selling old printers, as people are rarely aware of how to wipe or destroy the hard drive safely.

Prepare Your Car For A Holiday

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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If you are looking out take a road trip this summer with the family, there are a few things you will want to think about before you leave. Unless you are choosing to hire a vehicle for the trip, you will need to do a few things to get your car ready for the trip.

Extra storage

Sometimes you won’t have enough room in your car to take everything you want. To make sure that you don’t have to leave anything behind when you go on holiday you can install a roof rack from 4WD Supacentre and then get yourself a car box. This box will be able to store your clothes and other bits which will save you some room in the car.

Check your car

There are a few different checks you can do on your car before you go on holiday, and this will involve taking a trip to your local garage. Here you can have the tyre pressure, tread, oil levels and brakes checked to make sure that they are all in working order for a long trip. If you want to use electronics, you might consider a secondary deep-cycle battery to prevent damaging your main starter battery. This will give you some peace of mind and it will allow you to enjoy your holiday without worrying about your car.

Clean it

There’s nothing better than giving your car a good old clean before you head off on holiday. You don’t want to have to sit in a dusty and muddy car on the long trip to your destination, so make sure that you take the time to give it a good scrub before you head off on the trip.

Spare plastic bag

If you are going to be in the car for a long while, you will want to keep a plastic bag in your car. Not only can you use this for your rubbish when stopping for snacks on the way, but you can also use it just in case any of the kids become car sick on the journey. It is always better to be safe than sorry so make sure you keep this on you!

Air con

Make sure that your air con is working before you go off on a long journey! The last thing you want when you go for a long trip in the car is to be stuffy and hot for the whole trip. Take your car to the garage and make sure that everything is in working order before you go on your holidays.

Snacks

Always, always, always keep your car full of snacks when you go on holiday. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no food or drink, so stick up with crisps and biscuits before you set off to make sure that you all have enough to keep you going during the trip.

Now that your car is ready to go, you can have a fun family holiday on the road and enjoy yourself! Make sure to bring lots of food, drink, music and have an umbrella on standby in case it rains!


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Instant Tomato Egg Drop Soup

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Well now that the holidays are over and my son has gone to Delhi, I am back to eating my healthy stuff. But today I was not in a mood to cook too many things so opted for this wholesome soup which has a perfect balance of proteins and carbohydrates and is super easy to make. Needless to say, it tastes awesome 😋

Here are the ingredients you would need:

Tomato Purée- 1 packet

Garlic Cloves-3-4

Olive Oil- 1 table spoon

Egg-1

Water- 1/2 glass

Oregano- 1/4th teaspoon

Dried Basil Leaves- 1/4th teaspoon

Paprika- 1/4th teaspoon

Brown Bread Slice- 1

Salt to taste

Tabasco- Optional

Fresh Cream- 1 spoon for garnishing

Method

Heat olive oil in a pan and add chopped garlic.

Sauté the garlic and pour the entire packet of tomato purée and then add water.

Let it cook for about 5 minutes on low heat.

Add the spices and simmer for another couple of minutes

Increase the flame and bring the soup to a boil.

While the soup is getting boiled, toast a slice of brown bread and cut it like croutons.

Beat the egg lightly in a bowl and once the soup starts to boil, hold the bowl over the top of the pan and slowly release the beaten egg, stirring the soup simulated.

You will get the egg drop threads in the soup and it’s texture will change a bit.

Bring it to another boil and remove from flame.

If you want you can add a bit of Tabasco to give your soup a spicy and tangy flavour.

Pour it in a bowl, and top it with croutons and add a dash of fresh cream to garnish.

Serve hot.

Note: This recipe is for one bowl of soup and you can multiply the ingredients as per the servings. Enjoy a complete meal.

Exploring the Fontainhas, Goa

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Fontainhas is an old Latin quarter at the Altinho foothills in Panjim. It’s one place in Goa where the Portuguese influence is still very evident, so much so that this is the only place in Goa which has Portuguese as the main spoken language.

The name ‘Fontainhas’ was derived from a natural spring, Fountain of Phoenix that sprouted in 1770 and is present to date. Fontainhas was founded in the late 18th century by a wealthy Portuguese named Antonio Joao de Sequeira. He used this land for coconut plantations. But, in the early 1800s, due to the spread of epidemic in the Old Goa, the Portuguese government headquarters was shifted to Panjim. As a result, this area was transformed into the residential area for Portuguese administrative officers and rulers. In 1984, UNESCO recognized Fontainhas as a Heritage Zone.

Narrow lanes, bright and vibrant houses, small cafes, old bakeries, art galleries and every nook and corner that tells an interesting Goan story are some of the characteristics of this amazing place. Even within the hustle bustle of Panjim city, Fontainhas has maintained its serenity and quaintness. All thanks to The Local Beat Goa, I recently enjoyed a heritage walk of mixed with lots of fun and facts about the place. After grabbing a refreshing glass of watermelon juice from the Mamaramma Cafe, just next to the St. Sebastian Chapel, we started off by driving through the uphill lanes of Altinho and the Maruti Temple became our first halt.

 

Coloured in bright hues of orange, a colour that represents the monkey god ‘Hanuman’, the structure of the temple is a perfect mix of modernity and ancient heritage. As I moved in, I came to know that the temple has two idols of lord Hanuman, and even without climbing up to the main temple, one can see the bigger idol through an opening in the lower floor wall. Well I bowed down my head in front of both, the main idol which is housed in a big hall looks majestic.

The prayer hall is huge and a big chandelier in the centre makes it look magnificent. There is a lot of open space around the main temple and the view from the top is breathtakingly beautiful. You can practically see the entire Fontainhas area from there and especially the spring.

We climbed down the stairs that lead to the Fontainhas spring. It is believed that there was a tunnel from the temple till that spring, which now stands closed, and the door was sealed with a cross. The two structures that line around the spring used to provide light in that tunnel, are mosque like structures and hence this place becomes a wonderful amalgamation of 3 religions.

From there on we strolled through the lanes of Fontainhas, visiting a few art galleries, which house some of the best art that leave you awestruck. Its so interesting to see these old world charm buildings, you know the windows in some of the old houses use shells in place of glasses, as glass wasn’t available back then. And trust me they look so amazing that given a chance I would want my windows to be made of sea shells.

We also visited one of the oldest bakery, named Confeitaria 31 De Janeiro, it still uses the old stone clay oven and bakes some amazing stuff. I tried the french rolls and it really took me back in time, normally don’t get that kind of taste anymore. They were so fresh and delicious. The name 31 De Janeiro holds a significance in history, Rua 31 de Janeira (31st January Road) is named after the day when Portugal got independence from Spain on January 31, 1640

From a light drizzle to thunder shower, monsoons made the walk even more interesting and beautiful. I also learnt that the houses in Fontainhas still need to get painted after every monsoon, it was a rule laid out in the Portuguese time but is followed till date. This keeps the beauty and vibrancy of this place in tact year after year. One of the historic houses that I came across had big well in front of it, though the well is not in function now, but the serenity and peace of the place is inexplainable. You can really spend some quiet time there breathing the natural and man made beauties together.

Another place where you can sit back, relax and enjoy some great coffee and snacks is the Bombay Coffee Roasters. The front wall of this cafe is quite a popular one with photographers. The mosaic is really worth a look and the place offers calm and comfortable interiors, has wi-fi and is ideal to spend some quality time alone and get some creative work done, or simply chill out with friends.

Talking about mosaic, its not just about the wall of Bombay Coffee Roasters, but this tile art is one of the most significant characteristics of Goa and especially the Fontainhas. Azulejo is the Portuguese name for these beautifully hand painted ceramic tiles. This art originated in the 15th century and travelled to India when the Portuguese settled in Goa. Though back then these Azulejos were imported from Portugal, and there were no Goan artists to do it, the art from literally died. It was brought back by a man named Orlando De Norohna, who had a 5 year degree in commercial art from Goa college of arts. He went to Lisbon to get himself skilled with guitar and came back with Azulejos. Since then the art has been fully revived and many students took interest in learning the same. Today Goa is the only state in India where these tiles are made. Take a walk around Goa and you will see these Azulejos as a part of its landscape. From name tiles to murals, each Azulejo tells a Goan story. Azulejos De Goa in Panjim, is one of the best shops to hunt for these stunning hand crafted tiles.

Moving on, we came to one of the major landmarks of this old quarter of Goa, the St Sebastian Chapel. It was also the point from where we started and the point where we concluded our lovely heritage walk. The Chapel of St Sebastian is a popular tourist attraction in Goa, built in 1818. This chapel is dedicated to St. Sebastian.In earlier days, when people were troubled with the disease of pests and plagues, they turned for help to St Sebastian who treated them through his mediation and miraculous interventions.

This whitewashed church has a striking crucifix which originally stood in the Palace of Inquisition in Old Goa. In the crucifix Christ’s eyes are opened. It’s a rather unusual sight to witness a crucifix with Christ’s head up and eyes open, it’s believed to be so in order to instil fear of god. The god is watching those who are troublemakers and they shall be punished for their sins. The Chapel also houses a statue of the Virgin Mary, two marquetry chests and three elaborately carved screens from a church in Diu, which once formed part of the colony of Goa.

This heritage walk of Fontainhas filled me with so much information and beauty, that the memories will last a lifetime. All I could do is capture it in my camera in order to cherish and relive these moments again and again. This is one thing that you should definitely not miss when in Goa

 

All In The Candy

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Instead of spending hours trying to come up with the perfect gift for a special occasion or to brighten someone’s day, consider a gift basket. Most people enjoy getting candy, and you can use almost any kind of candy in a basket for any holiday, birthday, or even a retirement celebration. You can find candy gift baskets for all ages and genders, but make sure the person you’re getting the basket for isn’t allergic to things like nuts or other items that might be in the candies that are used.

A benefit of a candy basket is that you can make it as customized as you want depending on the occasion and who the gift is for, such as a child or someone who is older who might enjoy some of the elegant candies instead of the fun ones available. If you know someone who is in college or someone who is away from home for any reason, you can make or order a care basket with all types of candy that they enjoy. A box would be better for this gift instead of a basket so that it’s easier to ship to the recipient. You can put colored paper on top of the items as well as around the items to keep them secure. Make a basket of candies from a specific decade. Another option is to make baskets using candies that are all one color. If you want some of the items to stand up, then attach them to craft sticks using hot glue. For someone who is older, you could make a basket of decadent chocolates or smaller chocolates and candies that are easier to eat than some of the harder ones. Combine a few flowers with the basket for a woman or a few cigars for a man when you make a candy basket or once you get one that you order online.

Mushroom and Onion Soup

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

This one is a really simple yet amazing recipe, full of healthy nutrients and taste.

Here are the ingredients-

Mushrooms- 1 packet/250gms

Onion- 1 medium sized

Garlic- 4-5 cloves

Olive Oil- 2 tablespoons

Paprika- 1/4 teaspoon

Basil leaves- 1/4 teaspoon

Oregano- 1/4 teaspoon

Mixed herbs- 1/4 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Cheese- 1 cube grated (optional)

Method:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté chopped garlic cloves
  2. Cut onion into rings and add to the garlic and sauté for another 5 minutes
  3. Now add roughly chopped mushrooms and cover the lid of the pan and cook for 5 minutes
  4. Add all the spices and stirring occasionally continue cooking for 4-5 minutes
  5. The mushrooms should be soft by now and completely cooked. Remove from pan and let it cool for sometime
  6. Once the mixture cools down, blend it in a mixer
  7. Pour the mixture back in the pan and add water to adjust it to a thick soup consistency
  8. Bring the soup to a boil and then simmer it for 2-3 minutes
  9. Serve hot, top it with some grated cheese for that added flavour.

Wellness Matters 101: Simple Solutions And Suggestions That Promote Health

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

People who have decided that they’re no longer comfortable with signs of poor health like mood instability and weight gain should know that they don’t have to tolerate a substandard physical or mental state of being any longer. If you’re ready to begin cultivating a lifestyle that is conducive to health, now is the perfect time to get started. Below you’ll find just three of many simple solutions and suggestions that you can implement to begin promoting health right now:

1. Eat Mindfully.

One of the most effective and important mindfulness strategies under the sun is mindful eating. This technique is powerful because it enables the individual to take conscious control over their eating habits so that they are continually consuming foods that promote clear thinking and physical vitality. Although defined broadly, eating mindfully basically involves thinking critically about the food you consume rather than simply consuming a product because it is available or to quell the rise of a negative emotion like anger or sadness. There are many ways that you can make mindful eating your new normal, and one is by recording what you eat in a food journal.

2. Meditate.

In addition to eating mindfully, make sure that you tap into the efficacy of other mindfulness strategies such as regular meditation. Meditating regularly is a wonderful way to promote health because it helps individuals think clearly, decrease their stress levels, and sleep more soundly. Because there are literally hundreds of meditation modalities under the sun, it shouldn’t be difficult for individuals to locate at least one that they will enjoy and attain excellent results from. Whether you recite words of affirmation within silently or concentrate on inhaling and exhaling rhythmically, you’ll likely start to feel that your mind and body begin operating at a higher level of efficacy so that you can maintain your mental and physical equilibrium!

3. Start Engaging In More Physical Activity.

One final technique that can take your level of wellness to an all-time high is working physical activity into your life. Doing so will empower you to gain strength, build muscle, enhance your metabolism, lose weight or maintain your ideal weight, and attain more mental clarity. There are many ways that you can get started with the process of exercising regularly, and one is by purchasing home gym equipment from a company such as Smart Squat.

Conclusion

Once a person realizes that they’re no longer willing to settle for less than the best in terms of health, it’s time to put the strategic planning process in full swing. You can use some or all of the wellness strategies outlined above to keep yourself on track to attaining the high level of health you deserve to have!