Author: Aditi Malhotra
Marketing & Social Media Consultant | Content Writer & Columnist | Events & Wedding Planner | Award Winning Home Chef | Home Baker | Artist | Photography Enthusiast

‘Ear, ‘Ear, What’s All This Then? Ear Problems And How To Sort Them!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Our ears are an essential and valuable part of the Body, and hearing is a useful ability that can have a huge impact on our day to day lives. That means our ears need to be looked after, and any health issues surrounding them needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. To do this, you will need to know what common ear issues you are likely to come across. So keep reading to find out.

Hearing Loss

A big problem for many people is a loss of hearing. It can start slowly with folks missing what others are saying, or needing the subtitles on the TV more, or come on more suddenly. Perhaps in relation to a specific trauma or infection.

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The causes of hearing loss are varied as well. In younger people, it may be a genetic condition, or for those with previously healthy hearing, an accident can be at the root of the matter. In particular, using headphones with electric instruments can shock the inner ear, if the volume is not carefully controlled. In older folks, these causes remain relevant. Although hearing loss may also be due to degradation of the different parts of the ear, such as the drum, canal, or cochlea.

When dealing with hearing loss, it is always best to identify what is causing the problem before going ahead with treatment. Such treatments may include medications, surgery, or devices that enhance sounds making them easier to pick up. In fact, many folks that suffer from hearing loss go to companies like Sonic Hearing Aids to get informed about their choices for sound enhancing devices. As they can be an effective, and inconspicuous way of solving the problem.

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Ear Wax

Ear wax is a common problem and can affect people of all ages, genders, and lifestyles. Ear wax is actually the Body’s natural defence against bacteria getting into the ear canal. It also helps to keep things lubricated and not dry and itchy in there too. However, if you have too much, or a build-up of this waxy substance you can run into problems. Ones that cause a decline in hearing, earaches, infections, and even vertigo. Where you feel dizzy and struggle to get you balance even when you are not high up.

 

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To prevent this is important that you avoid having anything inside the ear. This includes cotton buds. Although most people see them as a good way to remove waxy build-up. However, what they are actually doing is just forcing most of the wax further down the canal, so it becomes impacted. In fact, it is much better to rid yourself of ear way by getting drops from the doctor, or in more serious cases getting your ears syringed. A process whereby they draw the way out.

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There are also some alternative and natural therapies that can help. Such as ear wax candles that cause pressure changes in the ear canal drawing the wax out. Although these should only ever be performed by qualified professionals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Ways To Avoid Health Issues As You Grow Older

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Everyone ages and everyone will encounter health decline at one stage or another in their lives. However, to prepare ourselves for the race against time, practicing good health care and a balanced lifestyle the only way to slow down the ticking clock. Keeping our body, mind, and soul healthy and happy is the true secret to living a long life.

Diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are aggressive beasts, taking many people unaware and stealing their health away. But these diseases are preventable to a certain extent. Even though the genes for these conditions may already lay dormant in your veins, conducting a better lifestyle can halt them from ever manifesting destructively. Today we are going to talk about how you can reduce your risk for health issues and stay healthy for longer.

Stay Active

It’s no surprise that an active lifestyle is good for your health. It can help you lose excess fat surrounding your organs, let you build muscles and even assist in the fight against common illnesses, as it boosts your immune system. Exercising for 30 minutes a day is good for your heart, helps you to digest food more easily and allows you to sleep better. It’s a no brainer.

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Feel Stress-Free

Stress is one of the primary causes of premature health issues. It is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, obesity and even asthma. Calming your mind and body at the end of the day is as essential as eating your greens. Not only does your body need to stay healthy, but your mind also does too. Consider meditation. Wake up five minutes earlier in the morning and meditate before you start your day, there are loads of meditation apps which allow you to do this easily.

Avoid Harmful Triggers

There are many dangerous triggers in the world which can cause or aggravate health issues. Smoking is one of them, and if you are struggling to quit altogether, consider moving to a nicotine only substitute such as Mount Baker Vapor. Because it doesn’t contain the harmful chemicals which a cigarette does, it is the safer option for those who want to make a healthy change. Alcohol is another trigger which is linked to liver failure and weight problems. However, you don’t have to stop drinking altogether, just practice moderation.

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Eat A Balanced Diet

Being overweight or obese can lead to a number of different health problems:

  • type 2 diabetes
  • high blood pressure
  • heart disease and strokes
  • certain types of cancer
  • sleep apnea

But you can easily prevent the risk of becoming overweight by following a balanced, healthy diet. That’s not to say you have to swear off Dominos Pizza for life; it’s all about moderation. You can cheat every now and again as long as you maintain a healthy diet in between.

Don’t Ignore The Doctor

Finally, if you have a recurring cough, you need to urinate more than normal, or your stomach hurts when you eat: visit the doctor. A trained medical professional will help you with whatever the issue may be and will be able to give you advice on how to prevent it in the future.

Secret Useful Features of Yoga Mats and Activity Trackers

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Here are two illustrative and beautiful infographics which explain us the useful features of yoga mats and also the activity trackers. Hope you like them, these have been exclusively designed for ikreate by Reviews Bee.

 

Reviews Bee was established after the founder and CEO, Roman Sahakov, started to do his own product research.  He became easily frustrated sorting and organizing the data he collected from visiting product websites and reading a multitude of reviews, both from experts and consumers.

He wanted to find a place where all the product information was complete and in just one place.  He knew that would help consumers to be able to make fully enlightened decisions on the products they would be purchasing, thus creating happier customers. This perspective is a perfect new way to research products and sift through the available knowledge. ”  Do follow them on social media and get regular updates

Facebook: @reviewsbee

Pinterest: @ReviewsBee
Twitter: @ReviewsBee

 

Namaste Jaishree Krishna- A hilarious play on old gen vs new gen conflicts!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Pelican Entertainment brought to the city the play, Namaste Jai Shree Krishna on 02.09.17 at the Pearey Lal Bhawan, New Delhi.

The play directed by veteran theatre and movie artist K K Raina who also enacts along with the irrepressible Ila Arun and ably supported by Aditi Sharma, Ashutosh Pandit and Abhishek Pandey is a hilarious take on the conflict between old traditions and the emerging values of the new generation.

It takes you skillfully and humorously through the continuous conflict of the old and the new. It takes you through the journey of the youth not ready to accept old ideologies readily and the old not accepting the progressive view point of the youth.

The play takes you through a gamut of emotions from philosophy to humor to laughter to sadness and nostalgic at times.
The cast deserves a special applaud for bringing on each and every emotion beautifully across. A really rivetting play which makes you laugh and think at the same time. And the best part is that you just can’t stop applauding.

A treat for the theater lover. Not to be missed at any cost.
Aditya Chauhan, CEO, Pelican Entertainment said, “Theatre is that moon in my past which will glitter throughout my life no matter what profession I pursue. It is something that will help you to explore your personality better and I guess this could also be the reason that people after doing theater even for once can never really get detached of it.”

Why Natural Medicine Demands More of Your Attention

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Most of us take some form of medication at some point in our lives. Be it some painkillers to stave off a headache or some stomach medicine to deal with last night’s heavy dinner, medication is a normal part of our lives and we try our best to only take medication when needed. However, synthetic medication can come with some unwanted side effects especially if they’re much stronger and designed to be used in large doses. In addition, you may be allergic to some of the ingredients which can cause adverse reactions if you aren’t careful. Many drug manufacturers are usually oblivious to the dangers of having an adverse reaction, so they don’t exactly make it clear on labels.

Modern medicine is a wonder that everyone makes use of, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t alternatives. Natural medicine has been practised for centuries before synthetic drugs were invented. Doctors had to rely on what mother nature provided in order to create effective drugs, and these techniques have mostly been lost to the surge of modern medicine. Fortunately, as more people are being made aware of the possible side effects of modern medication and the many benefits of going natural, more and more pharmaceutical companies are making use of natural ingredients in their medication. 

So to get you started, here are a couple of reasons why natural medicine demands more of your attention, and why you should slowly start making the switch over.

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Natural medicine comes with less harmful side effects

Natural medication isn’t free of side effects, but there are many herbs and naturally occurring ingredients that are far less likely to cause an adverse reaction in users. For instance, Shilajit is an incredibly powerful substance that is used to promote full body health. While it might seem strange to consume tar, the black, sticky material doesn’t come with negative side effects if used correctly. The one thing to note about natural medicine is that it often comes with lots of positive side effects, such as being high in iron. As a result, you may need to reduce your iron intake from other sources so you don’t go over your recommended daily limit.

Natural medicine strengthens your body

Natural medicine is a holistic approach to healing your body because it focuses on boosting your body’s natural functions. For instance, if you’re feeling pain, then painkillers will typically target the source of pain and try to reduce it so that you can continue your day. Natural medication, on the other hand, is much slower to act because it promotes healthy bodily functions, not just the pain itself. If you have a stomach ache, then most people reach straight for painkillers or stomach medication. Instead of targeting the pain, try to reduce the effects and promote healthy body functions by drinking peppermint tea, adding ginger to your tea or even chamomile. These are natural herbs and ingredients that can soothe stomach aches and reduce the inflammation instead of just targeting the pain.

Natural medicine is usually cheaper

Alternative medicines are typically far cheaper than synthetic medication that you would buy from a store. This is because the ingredients are mostly naturally occurring instead of being produced in a factory somewhere. This gives natural medication an edge over modern medicine and many natural remedies can be made from household ingredients and items. If you find that paying for medication is getting too pricey, then consider replacing your synthetic medication with affordable natural alternatives. It’s important to note that high-quality ingredients will always be more potent, so you may need to spend a little more money and stay clear from the cheaper imitations. It helps to do your research in this situation.

Synthetic medicine is made to copy natural medicine

When you consider the fact that most synthetic drugs are made to copy the effects of naturally occurring herbs and ingredients, it makes sense to invest the source of the medication instead of a copy. You wouldn’t buy copies or fake ingredients to make your meals, so why should you settle for anything but the best when it comes to your health? Natural medication is seen as a wonderful alternative to modern medicine, but the reality is that it should be the norm and synthetic medication should be seen as the ugly copy that is mass-produced to make pharmaceutical companies more money. Although convenient, it ultimately doesn’t come with the same benefits as natural medicine.

So the next time you’re feeling ill, think twice before swallowing pills and look at natural remedies instead.

Global Cuisine with a Difference @ Leela Ambience, Gurgaon

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Leela Ambience has always been a top notch when it comes to food, the chefs at Leela keep experimenting to deliver the best experiences to their customers and just recently they have started EPIC, Global Cuisine. Curated by the executive sous chef Abhishek Gupta, EPIC boasts of global cuisine but with a difference.

I have been lucky enough to try this specially curated menu and trust me its not just a meal, its like a poetry in food, or may be a food story that keeps flowing  to you, each item on the menu has its own story to tell, from ingredients to its preparation, this is a tale you don’t want to end. In fact the chef has even written the entire menu in a story form, which in itself was very appealing to me.

This is a proper sit down meal, where in each course is served in a unique manner, with excellent presentations and the chef himself comes to the table each time to explain the dish. The theme was monochrome and hence each dish represented different shades of one colour and I can’t tell you how good the food looked. It was so tempting to look at that at first you can’t take your eyes off it, and all you wanna do is stare, but at the same time, temptation makes it difficult to resist.

I am not going to spill too much on this one, because its an experience you need to indulge in yourself, but certainly I am telling you the names of the dishes and leaving you swoon over the pictures so that you drool over them and plan your visit to Leela soon.

Finger Millet Tart

Millet Tart filled with Edamame and Peas with some sour bread sauce, it was a delightful beginning with this dish. Look at the green colour, so refreshing to the eyes and the taste buds.

Deceptive Tuna

Compressed watermelon, beetroot textures, pork, caramelised grapes, inspired by textures of tuna, this was a delectable preparation in monochromatic red.

Tawa Chicken Brûlée

This was one of the highlight preparations for me, a tawa chicken served like mousse, and caramelised served with a galauti parantha.

Peruvian Style Bean Ensalada

One of the best things I had that evening, a crunchy and juicy salad made with three different beans, you have to try this one.

Fermented Bread

A fermented millet bread served with smoked butter and coriander and thyme paste.

Grilled Lamb-Diana Red Rice

Cumin rubbed grilled lamb served with special Karnataka red rice simmered with fennel seeds, shallots and mushrooms which gave it a very creamy texture just like a risotto and the lamb too was perfect.

Then we tried three different desserts and each one of them was a work of art, both in presentation and taste.

Beet the Rose with Raspberry
Jhangora Blueberry
White Chocolate Cardamom Stone

Each course is served with a wine to go along and I am sure you will love this dining experience to the core. So what your waiting for, make your weekend special, as this curated global menu is available only on Saturdays at the Elitaire Lounge.

Sports That Can Turn Into A Career (If You’re Any Good!)

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Pexels Image Source: Ballet dancer

If you’re a sporty one that loves to keep active – brilliant! Your body is going to reap all the benefits, and so will your mind. Remember that being active doesn’t just keep you fit and healthy by burning fat and preventing disease. Your mental health greatly improves too, by releasing endorphins into your brain making you feel oh so good, even when you don’t.

But what if that favorite hobby could be turned into a full-time career? – All that is down to you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, you will open more opportunities to reach the top.

Here are some examples of a sporty hobby that can be turned into a successful career.

Dancing

Who doesn’t love to dance? Whether you’re actually gifted is a whole other story, but dancing is a wonderful way to let your hair down and throw away all your worries and concerns. Making it into a career all depends on the style of dance you’d like to do. While most dancers will be taught a lot of different styles – as your progress, you’ll most likely focus on one more than the other. If you enjoy ballet, then you will want to go in the theatre direction, whereas if you practise more modern dance like modern jazz and contemporary, your best bet is being part of a dance team that has a manager to find you bookings and auditions.

Wrestling

As seen on tv, wrestlers like the men and women from WWE managed to transform their dream into a reality, and now they tour around the world selling out arenas full of their dedicated, lifelong fans. If wrestling is something you’d like to get into, the best place to start is to look for a local group that trains together and can teach you the basics. From there, the more experience you get, the further you can go. To begin, you’ll need your own wrestling uniforms to change into so you’re more comfortable when fighting, along with the suitable footwear to give you the right support.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics is one of them sports that takes up a lot of time in your life, making it very demanding and having to have a very disciplined lifestyle. Having said that, the rewards are amazing. Your body will be sculpted like a goddess, and your ability and power that you have will impress many. If you want to make a career out of it, it’s important to train every day getting as much practice and experience as you can. Then you will be entered into competitions that will increase in skill every time you win. If you’re lucky enough to get spotted at one of these competitions, you may be offered a position to represent a professional team of gymnasts.

So as you can see, as long as you don’t give up, you can really make any one of your passions into a successful career. All you have to do is try…

 

 

It’s Time to Start Feeling Comfortable in Your Own Skin!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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We live in a world that thrives on perfection. Everyone wants the perfect hair, the perfect skin, the perfect smile and the perfect wardrobe to top it all off. It’s easy to get drawn into this culture that idealises the flawless. Sometimes, it makes us overly self-critical. We begin to doubt our own beauty and start to feel blue. It’s about time that we free ourselves from these stresses and start feeling comfortable in our own skin. Remember, nobody is really perfect, and our imperfections are what make us unique and who we are. So, if you’re feeling a little down about your appearance, here are a few tips and tricks that can help you along on your journey to self-acceptance.

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Note Down Your Insecurities

Take a few moments to sit down and make a note of all of the things that make you feel insecure. Once you’ve gathered a list and have identified the root causes of your worries, you’ll realise that most of them are easy to change. All it takes is a little dedication and hard work. If your self-confidence issues are weight orientated, start to make a plan. A healthy balanced diet and the correct amount of exercise can help you to reach a healthier BMI, whether that involves losing a few pounds or putting a little weight on. If you are concerned about blemished skin, visit your doctor. They will be able to recommend creams and lotions that can help to reduce spots and they will also be able to give you an idea of the correct skin care routine for your type of skin. If you don’t like your hair, it can be easily cut, dyed or grown. Alternatively, there are endless types of weave, extensions and wigs out there too! If your hair is constantly getting in the way, you might like to shave it or have a shorter, cropped cut. If there are issues on the list that are a little more stubborn, don’t worry. There is always an expert plastic surgeon on hand who may be able to help. Remember, your body is your own! You can do what you want with its appearance.

Don’t Believe Everything You See

First things first, let’s tackle the media and social media. Every day we are exposed to seemingly endless images of models and celebrities looking the image of perfection. But prevent yourself from comparing your own looks to theirs. After all, these images are highly edited using airbrushing software. Many celebrities will admit themselves that the photographs of them plastered over posters and advertisements don’t actually look anything like them in real life. Now, your friends and colleagues’ social media feeds. Remember that people only post images of themselves when they’re looking good. It’s unlikely that you’ll find anyone who will post a picture of themselves as they wake up in the morning without a filter applied. It’s important that you recognise the power of angles, lighting and filters in other people’s projections of themselves and essential that you don’t compare yourself in real life to others’ altered pictures.

Self-confidence is massively important, as your confidence can greatly affect your lifestyle and composure. So, it’s time to start building it today. Don’t wait around. It’s time to start feeling comfortable in your own skin!

Take Action on These Tummy Troubles

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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The unfortunate thing about stomach pain is that it can often be difficult to work out exactly what is going on in there and whether it’s just an average stomach upset or something more serious. This can lead to many people ignoring their tummy troubles when they really shouldn’t

If you’ve been experiencing stomach pains recently, check out these stomach complaints and they’re symptoms, to ensure you get the help you need:

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when the stomach acid finds its way back up your digestive system to your throat. Symptoms of this very common stomach complaint include a burning just below the breastbone, which tends to rear its head after eating and is often worse when you’re in a reclined position.

Take Action: To solve the acid reflux situation, simply take some antacids, such as tums when the pain hits. Even better, try to determine the foods that cause your issues and avoid them. If your reflux is really bad, it might even be worth seeing a Gastroenterologist to rule out GERD. The good think about acid reflux is that it is usually pretty easy to treat!

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix becomes inflamed. If the area around your belly button starts to feel uncomfortable, and the pain spreads to the lower part of your right abdomen, and that pain is worse when you walk, there is a good chance you could be suffering from appendicitis.

Take Action: Should you experience these symptoms, you should get yourself to the emergency room right away. An inflamed appendix needs to be removed quickly, or you could risk it rupturing or introducing lots of life-threatening bacteria into your body.

Gallstones

Gallstones are one of the most painful tummy conditions of all, and all of the trouble is caused by small stones of hardened bile and cholesterol that form in the gallbladder and which are usually caused by a diet that is very high in fat. Symptoms of gallstones include a sharp, searing pain in the upper mid-abdomen area, which spreads to the right side. You may also suffer from diarrhea and sickness if you have gallstones.In serious cases, fever may also be present.
Take Action: When gallbladder pain hits, take an over the counter pain medication to relieve the symptoms. If it doesn’t work, or if the pain goes on for more than two hours, and definitely if you’re vomiting with a fever, you will should get yourself to a doctor. Chances are you will need to have your gallbladder removed.

Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that usually affects the colon and small intestine. Symptoms of crohn’s include persistent pain in the abdominal area, weight loss, and diarrhea.

Take Action: There is currently no treatment for this particular disease, but if you think you may have it, it is essential that you see a doctor who can prescribe things like steroids and anti-inflammatories to help manage the condition.

If you think you have any of the illnesses discussed here, it’s always a good idea to seek the further assistance of your doctor, who is the best person to help you.

What Are The Best Ways To Tone And Build Your Muscles For Sculpting?

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Most of us know that lots of aerobic exercises are good for heart health and weight loss. You might enjoy walking a lot, and perhaps you even go jogging occasionally. Did you know that combining these exercises with some weight work can help you to sculpt your body shape more easily? Of course, standing around with dumbbells doesn’t sound like fun, so here are some of the best ways to enjoy toning and building up your muscles:

Yoga

All you need for this one is a workout mat and enough space to put it down. You can find lots of really good Yoga poses online, or even join a class to get more from it. Yoga builds strength in most of your muscle groups. It particularly works the core muscle and can help to improve your posture. Did you know that Yoga can be used for relaxation as well as energizing? Best of all, it serves as the perfect warm-up to stretch all those muscles out well. Low impact stuff that’s fun and good for toning!

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Kettlebells

This is the exercise that’s taking America by storm right now. Kettlebells are relatively cheap to buy and you only really need one. Start with just a couple of kilos, especially if you’re coming back to exercise. If you’re asking what muscles do kettlebell swings work, then you’re not alone. After all, it’s just one weight with one handle. How effective can it be? The trick is to use kettlebell swings to work your shoulders, back, and hips. If you don’t want bulky legs, this is perfect because it tones rather than adding mass.

Dancing

There are so many different kinds of dancing, but all of them demand a strong core and good posture. This immediately lifts your entire frame. As you’re up on your ball joints a lot, your legs, ankles, and glutes will enjoy a lot of toning. Best of all, the music motivates you to keep going. There are lots of dance exercise classes, but a standard ballroom, jazz, street, or ballet class will work wonders. Plus it’s social and lots of fun!

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Swimming

Do you remember those pregnancy exercise in the water classes? Some people love them, others hate them. Now you’re back to basics, and it’s time to get in the water and start swimming! The movements you ‘enjoyed’ before are actually pretty good warm-ups. But it is the breaststroke and front crawl that is going to help you tone up your shoulders, arms, and back.

Laying on the sofa?

Yes, laying on the sofa can help you tone and even build up your leg muscles. This can be ideal for anyone with a weakened back. For squishier couch seat cushions, add a pillow or two under your lower back as you lay on the sofa. Now raise your legs in the air, one at a time. From here you can start to explore the range of movement in your hips that are comfortable. Leg pushes, splits and kicks can help push the excess fluid away from ankles and knees. And you’ll get some great toning if you perform these during your favorite soap opera each night!