Category: Lifestyle

Poker on the rise with yet another season of the grand DPT 2019 powered by Adda 52

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

India’s online poker giant Adda52.com is organizing the country’s biggest live poker tournament series, Deltin Poker Tournament (DPT) in Goa from 7thto 11th February 2019. This 5-day mega tournament is an effort by Adda52.com, India’s largest poker site and Deltin Royale, the biggest floating casino in India to provide a platform for the best poker minds to participate and win from a prize pool of more than 1 Crore. Adda52 does not limit the players to have a poker experience online; in fact, it extends it to a live environment with tables, dealer, fellow players, and the sheer environment.

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Invest In These Things Now, To Reap A Secured Future Later

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

We all know how predictable life is and although the future is always unknown, we can always work towards making it more secure towards any unseen misfortunes. Investing in your future in all major aspects of life is very important, it’s a sign of growth and progress and the more you invest, the better you reap.

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How To Ensure A Smooth Relocation

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Moving to a new area often gives some sleepless nights as the entire process involves meticulous planning. A successful and hassle-free relocation depends a great deal on the safe transportation of your goods, which in turn depends on a reliable movers and packers company.

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Here’s How To Prepare When You Work For Yourself

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

When you become your own boss, you’ve definitely got a lot to think about. Whether this is a recent step that you’ve taken, or you’re considering doing t in the future, it definitely helps to be organized. Because where you once were an employee and you had guidance and structure, as a self-employed person, you technically have none of that.

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How To Give Your Home A Coastal Decor

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Living in Goa has given me enough and more insight on how can one give home a coastal look. I totally love the cool vibes that coastal homes exude, the pastel shades, the use of jute and cane, the wooden floors, rustic lights, I love everything about this kind of decor. I thought of sharing the same with my readers and whether you live near a sea or not, but you can always give your home a coastal feel. The coastal look has a sense of calmness to it that is unmatched and with my décor tips, I am sure you will definitely be able to achieve a perfect coastal look home, which would imbibe warmth and peace.

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These 6 New Places To Eat & Drink In Goa, Need All Your Attention

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Living in Goa is like being on a holiday 365 days, and while on holiday, exploring new and happening spots in terms of food and drinks is something that one cannot ignore. Being a blogger gives the added advantage and hence here I present to you a list of 6 new places in Goa that you should not miss.

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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 : reservations@soldegoa.com

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.

Image source

 

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.