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Just another Manic Monday?
Nah!
C’mon, it’s all in the mind. Try to ignore and don’t think about it. But does this help to deal with Monday blues? Let us know if it works, but if it doesn’t for some reason, we have suggestions that might help you to deal with the Moday blues. (However, the workability depends from person to person). Of course, the suggestions can be tweaked as per convinence. One by one, here we go…
One often hears writers like Richard Bach or Herman Hesse saying that ‘one can get things in life just by thinking about them.’ Hope you got the point! Try not thinking about the ‘Monday’ factor. Think of it as just another day. Of course, you can deal with it. The situation might get worst with more thought. Take it easy people, this too shall pass. Sunday special After a heady mix of cocktails, mocktails or the regular whisky and rum, it is next to impossible to wake up fresh. Don’t tell us you don’t know what to do. Simple, plan a relaxed Sunday evening. Read, cook and hit the bed early. Remember, you have to deal with a Monday. Early to rise Starting your day is important while dealing with Monday blues. An early morning walk or jog will prepare you for the day ahead. This will also give you the time to organise yourself, files in place, important papers clipped together, a quick run through the presentation. hey, you are already look set for the day. Break into breakfast The first day of the meal can have a lasting affect. Hey, no paranthas or puri-chana. Monday breakfast is reserved as pancake breakfast. A butter (fat-free maybe) toast, boiled egg, fresh fruit juice…this should be nice. Carry a chocolate bar, never know when you need the extra energy. Dress up Sustaining this as a weekly solution to breaking Monday blues might not found a nod from all and sundry. Okay, slip into new dress on a Monday. It would make you feel good, and if you are looking good, you will feel good too! This is called the vicious circle. Wanna get trapped? New route This one is possible only if you have followed the previous suggestions. Today, take a new route to your workplace. New road, new things around, some challenge, some fun—it helps to subside those blues. Listen to some nice music, while you are at it. Avoid nagging navigators. Plan for the eveining Very human, if you have something to look forward to, like a DVD you are dying to watch, date with some old college friend, some new eating joint you are planning to visit, it is easier to go through the day. How about thinking of dropping an Email to a long lost friend you’ve been wanting to write to. Excitement is exiciting. Take short breaks You don’t have to burn yourself out on a Monday. Work but take short breaks too. Once a while get up to call a friend. Remember to keep it short anrd sweet. Get down to work Do you want us to create a never-ending list on how to deal with Monday Blues. C’mon pull your act together and get down to work. The thing about work is, it’s usually not the work that makes us tired, it’s the thought of starting it that makes us procrastinate and go into a cycle of un-productivity. Quit thinking about starting work and just work instead! PS: If these work, good. If they don’t try something new, and if you can’t do anything, take an off on a Monday! jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Jazz it up
Like it or not, we spend at least half of our wakeful hours in office, if not more. And how often people redo their workstation? If you are still thinking, we assume it’s time to jazz up your cubicle. We get you some ideas. Change boosts creativity “We redo our office ever so often,” says Keerti H Singh who shares her office with her husband Hartek Singh, director, Amtek Energy & Power Private Limited. “Change in office environment boosts creativity,” she adds. Singhs’ office is done in maroon and grey, colours of their company logo. A very organised workstation (they sort papers on daily basis), the office is decorated in trophies that the company has achieved and crystals collected from the travels. They have Eiffel Tower from Paris, Laughing Budha from China and Pyramids from Egypt. Get it right While redoing the office, here are points to be kept in mind: Lighting levels - plenty of natural light (or artificial light in the absence of it). Ergonomic considerations: Keep in mind the optimum anthropomorphic space requirements for basic bodily movements. IT integration: Incorporate equipments such as networking, wiring, router placement, server locations while designing. Go green: Sustainable technologies such as recyclable, reconstituted wood, certified lumber and eco-friendly paints and finishes are not only good for you and environment but also future generations. Flooring fundas: Low maintenance and high durability is the key. Go for vitrified tiles or natural slate tiles. Furniture design: Go for utility that involves free, independent movement of layout and that can be done in different arrangements Arshdeep Singh, Tarwinz Group Of Companies Basic five De clutter: Organise, label and neatly place all your files. The rule applies to your computer too. Empty your trash can, organise folders theme or date wise. Choose a theme: Season, festival or flower, choose a theme and keep changing it. If yellow is the colour now (to welcome the spring), have your file covers, mouse pad, stationary, coffee mug in sunshine yellow. Make it Hawaii for summer. A bright desktop background or a poster can transport you to a new world. Personalise A picture from college days, certificate of professional accomplishments or of your loved ones makes the place more habitable. Just make sure to check office policy on how much can you personalise. Ward off stress If you thought toys were only for kids, give stress ball or quick puzzle a try. It’s not humanly possible to work for eight hours at a stretch. Have something that ensures that a break is possible right in your office. Soothing effect Nothing beats stress the way greenery does. A potted plant by your side or a small one on your table adds the much-needed colour and freshness to other dull environs. mona@tribunemail.com |
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Film star Shahid Kapoor, who is playing the role of a fighter pilot in his forthcoming film Mausam, will fly the American F-16 Super Viper combat aircraft at the Aero India show in Bangalore next week. "Shahid Kapoor will fly the aircraft on February 12 during the five-day air show," Lockheed Martin officials said here. "It's a huge honour and privilege and, at the same time, probably the coolest thing I have done yet in life. I am super excited about it," Shahid, who will be the first Bollywood actor to fly F-16, said. A confident Shahid said he has successfully undergone several tests and hoped to sail through the remaining ones.Shahid has undergone rigorous training for the last one month. Most of these tests are related to flying at a very high velocity and making sure the person doesn't suffer from motion sickness.Shahid will have to pass a flight simulation test before he gets into the cockpit which will be like flying the actual flight in the same conditions. He will fly the plane from the Indian Air Force Station Yelahanka as co-pilot, as a part of the show from February 9 to 13. Lockheed Martin is the manufacturer of F-16 and is in the race for supplying 126 Multirole Combat Aircraft to the Indian Air Force.Kapoor, 29, joins the likes of celebrities such as Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma — the first Indian to have gone in space and MP Navin Jindal who have flown as pillions in two-seater versions of fighters. The movie is being directed by Shahid's father Pankaj Kapoor in which he would play a fighter pilot opposite Sonam Kapoor. — PTI
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Sam Riley inspired by Johnny Depp Actor Sam Riley says that he is smitten by Johnny Depp as the versatile superstar is able to take on any kind of role he wants. The 31-year-old actor wants to emulate the Hollywood heartthrob's method of mixing quirky indie films with big blockbusters.
The Brighton Rock star insisted that he has been doing repetitive roles in his career but doesn't care as he enjoys playing dark characters. "I suppose I've only played the same sort of suicidal artist types. That's my thing, bit of black-and-white cinematography and a cigarette hanging out of my mouth. I shouldn't really give myself too tiny a niche. But it's just so much fun to play somebody who's horrible," he said.Riley will next be seen essaying the role of Sal Paradise based on Jack Kerouac's semi-autobiographical novel, On the Road, but feels fans of the book may criticise the film. "There are going to be a lot of haters out there because the book means a lot to people. But you can't make your decisions based on what a blogger is going to say. I've got to earn my keep and I'd have been an idiot to say, 'I'd better not do this because some people might not like it,'" he added. — PTI
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Keira Knightley is a strip club regular Hollywood beauty Keira Knightley has put heartbreak behind her and has embraced the single life. The Pirates of the Caribbean star who split from long-term boyfriend Rupert Friend last month, has become a regular at the Soho strip club, 'The Box'.
"Keira and Jo had a whale of a time. Actress Rebecca Hall was also there dancing on tables and Keira got up, too, and she had a lap dance from a naked tattooed man," said a source. "It was a crazy night and Keira left in a fit of giggles. It was just the tonic she needed," the source added. — PTI
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Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf was reportedly handcuffed by the police after he got involved in a brawl with another patron at a Los Angeles bar. The scene erupted at the sports bar Mad Bulls Tavern, in Sherman Oaks, where the 24-year-old actor is a regular.
It is not known what sparked the fight, but an onlooker said that LaBeouf wasn't the instigator, but was reportedly attacked by an unknown man on leaving the bar. However, it's not the first bar brawl for LaBeouf, who has a history of run-ins with the law. The actor was earlier arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in 2008 and for alleged criminal trespassing in 2007, though the charges were eventually dropped. — PTI
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Emily Blunt hates acceptance speeches Hollywood actor Emily Blunt, who shot to fame playing the stick-thin fashion assistant Emily Charlton, in 'The Devil Wears Prada', says that she does not like winning awards as she hates public speaking.
"I don't have that, 'I really want to win sort of thing.' Am I disappointed if I lose? No. Absolutely not. I am almost relieved that I don't have to go up there and make a speech," said the actor. The 'Gnomeo and Juliet' star also admits that awards do not honour the best production or performances because people's opinions are so subjective. "The awards thing is tricky to understand because it's about momentum and a general opinion on what's been great. "I don't know if you can necessarily pin down what is a better performance. It's subjective, not everyone likes some of the Oscar-winning performances that have been out there."Even if you were to win there would be people who'd hate the fact you'd won it," added Blunt. — PTI
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Luxury cars in high demand
They are powerful, swanky and very comfortable, but they are expensive and that is the reason why they are wanted! We are talking of the high-end luxury cars that have given Chandigarh a new definition.
With a booming economy, there is certainly a growing market for luxury cars in Chandigarh and many showrooms have sprung up to cater to the needs of the high income group. Car manufacturers have spent considerable in research and come up with some really terrific features to make the driving experience worthwhile. "BMW or the Beamer, as it is commonly called, is a youngsters car. It is designed for beauty, speed, comfort and performance," says the marketing manager. The models of BMW cars from 2002 onwards are in high demand because they are economical in the luxury section and reliable as well. Starting from Rs 22 lakh onwards, the Beamer assures you a fusion of technology, elegance and performance. If you are looking for a sportier feel, then Audi is the one you should go for. The quality craftsmanship that goes into every part is unmatched. "The agility and effortless superiority of the car is unmatched," says Amar Benipal, owner of an Audi. Says the sales manager of the showroom, "It is engineered to be smooth, quiet and safe. The new Audi will afford you a top-of-the-world feel." Thoughtful features provide exceptional driving comfort. Another popular luxury vehicle is the Mercedes Benz. The car comes with keyless locking system, CD changers, i-pod connectivity, hands-free communication, navigation with voice recognition capability to rear cameras and parking sensors on all sides. Says Aman, who owns a white Mercedes, "You are paying for the peace of mind that comes with the price tag. You know you are getting a good product, the best parts, service and manufacturing."
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CSNA to celebrate basant
Of all seasons and festivals, basant holds a special significance for writers, poets and artists. Celebrating the splendour of Basant Panchmi, the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi (CSNA) is presenting their sixth annual edition of Aai Basant Bahar— a bonanza of classical music and dance at the Bal Bhawan auditorium. You can watch out for: Gopika Varma, Mohiniattam danseuse Married to Tranvancore Prince Poorurttathi Thirunal Marthanda Varma, a descendent of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, Gopika Varma started learning Mohiniyattam at the age of 10 from Girija and Chandrika Kurup and later Kalyani Kuttyamma and Sreedevi Rajan. She has gleaned a wealth of knowledge and professional training in the Sopana style of performance. Her forte is the nritta-nrithya elements of Mohiniyattam, and very eloquent in communicating the messages of abhinaya. Gopika is running a Mohiniyattam Dance School named Dasyam at Adyar, Chennai. On February 7 at 6.30 pm Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, vocalist The vivacious and versatile vocalist from Mumbai, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, holds allegiance to the famed Jaipur-Atrauli Khayal Gayaki tradition. Armed with a doctorate in microbiology from Bhaba Atomic Research Centre Mumbai, Ashwini also completed Sangeet Visharad when she was 16. Though a classical singer by temperament and training, Ashwini is equally at ease with lighter varieties like thumri, dadra, bhajans and abangs. On February 8 at 6.30 pm
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"Indian classical music has always had select audience. Even several generations before, this form of music has never been for the masses," adds the sixth generation proponent of music himself. He adds, "There's nothing wrong with rock or pop. They are a very light form of music. Whereas classical genre is where the roots of music lie. It's the base." It is said that of all Indian instruments, Sarangi resembles the human voice, the most. Where does he see the future of sarangi himself? "I have reasons to hope that it has a good future. I have 10 to 12 pupils who want to learn this instrument and even if one or two of them do well and make a name for themselves and this instrument, I'll consider myself lucky." — TNS
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Spice up
If you are short on time and your hair not proper. Worry not, here are quick fixes for some common troubles.
n
Mix some water with creamy hair conditioner and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the hair. Then comb the hair, so that it spreads through the hair. n
Mix one egg to one-tablespoon mayonnaise and one teaspoon olive oil. Apply the paste on the hair. Leave on for half an hour and wash the hair. n
Avoid hot water to wash the hair. After shampoo, wrap a towel around the head and let it soak up water. Avoid rubbing. n
If you use a hair dryer, use a big round brush. Divide the hair into sections. Pin them up and dry one section at a time. Blow in a downward direction. Using the dryer over the hair can cause it to become more rough and thick. For rebellious, unmanageable hair n
Take two drops of a light vegetable oil, like sunflower oil. Put it on your palms and rub the palms lightly together, so that the oil spreads over both palms. Smooth the palms over the hair. Or, take the ends of the hair in your palms and scrunch them. Leave the oil on. n
Give it a quick conditioning treatment before your shampoo. Mix one teaspoon each of vinegar and pure glycerine with one egg. Beat them together well. Massage the mixture into the scalp. Then wrap the hair in a hot towel for twenty minutes, before washing the hair. Your hair will have more body and look shiny and manageable. n
If you suddenly find your hair has too much static or a 'fly away' hair problem. All you need to do is to wet your hands with water and smooth your palms over the hair. And, avoid too much brushing. Oily hair that limps along n
Boil used tealeaves again in enough water. After boiling, you should have about 4 cups of the tea-water. Cool and strain the liquid. Add the juice of a lemon to it and use it as a last rinse. n
A quick emergency treatment is to put a little eau de cologne on your brush and brush your hair. It absorbs oil and leaves your hair cleaner and fragrant. Frustrated with dandruff flakes n
Mix a little rose water with vinegar. Apply on the scalp at night using cotton wool. Leave on overnight. n Once a week, heat olive oil and apply on the hair at night. Leave on overnight. Next day, apply the juice of a lemon and wash the hair after 15 minutes. Quick camouflage of grey hair Go for herbal hair mascaras for the problem. Hair mascaras are somewhat like crayons. They can conceal strands of grey hair quite effectively. They also help to add glamour to the hair, by colouring strands a different colour from the normal hair colour. Hair mascaras are temporary methods of colouring the hair. They take no time at all. Easy to apply and remove and the effect lasts till the next shampoo. The main advantage is that they assure safety from damage to hair structure and texture. |
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You still wanna have chips?
"We, however, consume a lot of trans fat through potato chips, burgers, samosas or anything fried that's bought from the market." Also, this is the reason why junk food is not considered healthy. It's not that we should avoid anything that has fat content. In fact a little bit of saturated and unsaturated fat is beneficial to the body. "But the moment you increase consumption, you also increase the chances of cardiovascular diseases," says Madhu. As per American Heart Association guidelines, saturated fats should constitute less than seven per cent of the total calories we consume in a day. Sunita Malhotra, dietician, PGI, says the total fat required by the body should be 25 per cent of the total calories. "And, when it comes to trans fat it should be less than one per cent of the total calorie intake." So, those who avoid fat consumption completely are also harming their health. "The solution is to strike the right balance. Our body requires fat to dissolve vitamins like A D and E. Fat also helps the body absorb these essential vitamins. Thus, it's vital that we consume at least 10 to 15 grams of visible fat." As for potatoes, she says that they have zero fat. In fact, they contain refined carbohydrates. "Potatoes have no adverse affect on the body if we consume them in the vegetable or curry form. Only when taken fried that fat is added to them." Nuts are also rich in fat but good for health. Almond oil matter is healthy for heart. "It's important to understand that not all fat are harmful. Seven pieces of almonds three times a week are good for the body. The trick is to know the facts and strike a balance," says Madhu. So, next time you pick a packet of your favourite chips, don't believe the zero trans fat claim. ashima@tribunemail.com A guide to fats Saturated fats: Fats that solidify at normal temperatures. Example: pure ghee and butter. They are usually harmful for the body. Unsaturated fats: Fats that remain in liquid form at normal temperature. Example: Soyabean oil, sunflower seeds oil. They are less harmful when taken in limited amount. |
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New studies have suggested that drinking V8 100 per cent vegetable juice may be a simple way for people to increase their vegetable intake and may help them manage their weight. A study, conducted by researchers at the University of California-Davis, found that adults who drank one, 8-ounce glass of vegetable juice each day, as part of a calorie-appropriate Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, got nearly twice as many vegetable servings a day than those who did not drink any vegetable juice. Additionally, nine out of 10 participants who drank V8 100 per cent vegetable juice said they felt they were doing something good for themselves. Researchers attribute the results to the ease, convenience and enjoyment of vegetable juice as a way to get more vegetables."This study suggests that it's not enough to just educate people on the importance of vegetables, you need to show them ways to easily incorporate them into their routine," said study co-author Carl Keen, professor of Nutrition and Internal Medicine at the University of California-Davis. "What we found was that something as simple as drinking your vegetables can be an effective tool in achieving behaviour change," she said.Eating more vegetables can be a helpful strategy to manage weight because they are 'low-energy-dense', meaning they have more nutrition for fewer calories. Again, vegetable juice can play a key role.A study showed that overweight individuals with metabolic syndrome who drank one to two servings of V8 100 per cent vegetable juice as part of DASH diet lost more weight compared to non-juice drinkers. — ANI
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It’s all in the mind
"There's something about being able to do Disney movies without anyone accusing you of sucking Satan that is extremely appealing," said Riley.
The 25-year-old star let her hair down at the club and was joined by Jo Wood, 55, former wife of 'Rolling Stone' guitarist Ronnie Wood.
According to the website, the Transformers star was punched in the face during the scuffle and was detained for 20 minutes with no arrests being made.
Blunt, who had a stammer problem when she was younger, hates to speak in public and so is never upset when she misses out on accolades.
With a population of nearly a million, Chandigarh already has eight lakh such cars on the roads. Says Priya Bhateja, owner of a white BMW, "It is my most precious possession. I love the immaculate features in my car and it certainly gives me a feeling that I have arrived!"
This is his first solo performance in the city and post one show he's already pleased with the audience. "The city does have audience for music." In city for SPIC-MACAY, Sarwar Hussain, Srangi player shares notes on the future of Sarangi.
For dry, rough, bushy hair 
Here's an attempt to test the claim what every potato chips company makes-zero trans fat. A click on Google explains the term trans fat as unhealthy fats that are added to the food item after it's fried in the reused oil. Madhu Arora, chief dietician, GMCH puts forth a simple logic, "How can you expect the MNCs whose sole motive is to make profit to change oil for every packet? It's practically not possible and is a misleading piece of information. In this case, chips that enjoy a huge clientele are very harmful to health." She adds that our body does need trans fat but in a very limited quantity.