The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

	Spice route The kitchen masala box is not just about appeasing your taste-buds. Each ingredient is full of health benefits and here are a few facts you should know about these spices in case your grandmother forgot to pass them on to you Mona Nothing feels better than a hot cup of ginger tea when cold gets you down and out. In fact, our kitchen is full of remedies for such problems. The herbs stacked in small jars not just add up on the flavour but are also disease fighting agents. Here's a head up if you have missed them on your daily journey and underestimated their goodness. Queen of spices Not for nothing this wonder element has a whole ceremony dedicated to it in Indian weddings. Turmeric is not only the very basic ingredient in our kitchen but a known antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent. For ages people have had haldi in milk to fight flu (also increase immunity); its use in face-packs helps cure a number of skin problems. Naturally good Only other kitchen ingredient that gives turmeric a fight on the goodness probably is ginger. Widely popular as natural remedy for cold and flu, ginger can cure an upset stomach. A cup of ginger tea is fast and sure relief for menstrual camps too. Power-packed combo Ginger and garlic make a good combination when it comes to our sabjis and dals. They offer plenty of health benefits. Garlic is good for heart. It lowers blood pressure, aids in reducing cholesterol and fights intestinal infections too. Green vs grey Well, kadi is not complete without kadi patta (curry leaves). Yes, we know it helps in digestion, but did you know it's also an answer to your hair woes? Eat it or apply its paste on the scalp, get dandruff free, healthy hair. They say it slows down the greying process too. Greek charm Worried about high cholesterol? Fenugreek seeds work magic. Soak the seeds in water overnight, drink the water first thing in morning and see your cholesterol drop. Black gold Any kind of aches? Turn to black pepper. Right from headache to toothache, pepper heals them all. And, it works on upset tummy too. In moderate quantity it takes care of constipation and diarrhoea too. Long shot Yes, cloves work best in toothaches. When heavy painkillers fail, cotton dabbed in clove oil can help you pass the night till you see your dentist in the morning. Cloves also help reducing inflammation and help digestion remarkably. Toxin killer Coriander flushes the toxins away from body and keeps the blood sugar in check. Use it fresh or dry, go by your taste buds; a few raw leaves work good for digestion. Love enhancer Oont ke muh main jeera might not mean much, but any Indian cook would be powerless without its powerful taste. It offers a variety of benefits, right from helping digestion to reduce stress. One more interesting fact, Greeks and Romans believed that this spice promotes love and fidelity! Mood swinger Cinnamon is not only a huge taste enhancer but a great food preserver as well. It fights tooth decay, works wonders on sore throat and is a mood enhancer. Rich feel Flaxseeds or alsi have suddenly won patronage of new-age health experts. Rich source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, flaxseeds make the bones dense, strengthen nails and said to prevent cancer. Ground and use it as seasoning in salads or eat raw. Wonder strands Kesar or saffron is no overrated stuff. It's supposed to be antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-oxidant, digestive and anti-convulsant. It works wonders on those suffering with seasonal bronchitis. mona@tribunemail.com For health's sake Prevention is cure. If herbs help us keep problems at bay, why not make the best of it. Herbs are perennial. You need to pack in their health benefits all year round. Monsoon is the time of infections due to seasonal change. The water borne diseases grip people with poor resistance. Mint leaves, parsley, basil, lemongrass, cilantro, chives, oregano, rosemary, peppermint are a few herbs available in fresh and dry forms. These herbs build resistance, offer stomach cleansing, strengthen the gut and deworm as well. They are also packed with vitamin C and A. Few greens are rich in calcium as well. Dry form of such herbs decrease volume enabling you to eat them in larger quantities. Try sun drying or oven drying fresh curry leaves, mint, basil, cilantro, parsley, methi and add to drinks, buttermilk, raita, salads, gravy. Pack in the goodness they offer. — Aditi Mehrotra, nutritionist
	STAR TRACK My father-in-law was proud of us: Kareena Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who terms her father-in-law Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi as a 'man of few words', said he was proud of her and her husband and actor Saif Ali Khan. Saif, son of the late cricketer and actress Sharmila Tagore, is planning to make a film on Pataudi's life. "It's really nice that Saif is thinking of it (making the film). I had spent three years with him (Pataudi) and he was a man of few words. He was a very quite person," Kareena said interview. "He was very warm and would not express his affection towards me. But I remember, once we all were in Pataudi (town) and he put his hand on my shoulder. It was a gesture of warmth and strength. It is something which will always remain with me," she said. The 33-year old actress said her father-in-law was proud of the work of his children and her as well. "He was always proud of Saif and me. I don't think he had seen too many of my films but he had seen 'Omkara' and liked me in it," she said. The former Indian cricket captain, who was the titular Nawab of Pataudi from 1952 until 1971, died in 2011 of a lung ailment in Delhi. The actress says he was a great sporting icon and legend. "I remember reading lovely articles written by the Indian and international media about him after he passed away. I am happy people paid respect towards him," she said. Meanwhile, on the rumours of Saif's daughter Sara, from his former wife Amrita Singh, joining films, Kareena said that there are no Bollywood plans for Sara now as she is still studying in New York. The'Jab We Met actress, will be next seen in Rohit Shetty's Singham Returns with co-star Ajay Devgn. — PTI
	Recreating Mary Kom’s wedding Vivacious Priyanka Chopra will be seen wearing the same wedding gown which Mary Kom had worn on her wedding. Ace designer Rajat requested Mary to give her wedding dress to replicate the same dress for Priyanka in her upcoming flick, Mary Kom. Mary Kom's director, Omung, said, "In our film we had made it a point to be as authentic as possible and we knew that we had to shoot the wedding scene exactly the way Mary and Onler had married. So duplicating Onler's suit was not a problem but Mary outfit was difficult to duplicate, I briefed my designer Rajat to get the exact material as Mary's dress. I wanted the same motifs that were on her gown, we got all the details to the T. But finally when we were shooting in Dharamshala, we found out that the veil was not looking the same, so immediately I sent my guys to the market to get the exact transparent veil, which actually delayed my shoot, because they weren't getting the same one... But finally got it, and now if you compare the two gowns you won't find any difference between the original and the one we've designed for Priyanka. Even the bouquet she's holding is the same"
	Entertainment is Akshay’s buddy for life Akshay Kumar is not known to fraternize with his co-stars beyond the sets and locations, but the Bollywood star has made an exception for his furry friend from the movie Entertainment. As one of Akshay's most favourite co-stars Katrina Kaif once said: "He is a lot like me. We are both very friendly on the sets. But after pack-up, we like to head straight home." That's no longer true. On the sets of Entertainment, Akshay found a new buddy. Speaking fondly of the doggie, Akshay said: "His name in the film is Entertainment and he and I will be buddies for life." The two bonded while shooting for their film together. "I made sure he didn't just feel like a dog being made to do tricks for treats. I would spend a lot of time off-camera playing with him. As soon as he accepted it, we were pals and not just co-stars. "He'd let me sleep on his belly at break times, which was the most blissful feeling in the world," Akshay said. The two buddies also got sporty on the sets. "He loved it when I played ball with him, as his attention toy was a tennis ball, which I carried everywhere with me. He's a beautiful dog," said Akshay, who recommends a canine's presence in every household. "From the bottom of my heart, I feel every gentle kid should have a dog. There is no companionship quite like it," he added. Even before befriending his canine co-star Akshay was a dogs person. "My homes are full of dogs, and that's been the case for years! I have two German Shepherds named Oaky and Clio in my Mumbai home, and a Golden Labrador who looks after my little Portuguese Villa in Goa. "Even at my mom's house, who lives just above me, we have a little funny crossed-eyed Beagle that is my niece's pet. She adores him to bits," said the actor. To Akshay, canines are the most dependable creatures. "For me, dogs are where the heart is, at home, looking after your family while you can't." — IANS
	Are you hiding Fanny? Arjun, Deepika might be in your house looking for this character. In a unique promotion route, the cast of Homi Adajania's film Finding Fanny will be paying surprise visits at the homes of people in various cities to find Fanny Fernandes. Makers of Finding Fanny are gearing up to make this meet and greet more interesting and exciting. The stellar star cast of the movie starring Arjun Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia have been an instant hit among audiences as the trailer of the quirky comedy was appreciated by one and all. The makers want the promotions to be true to the film-and keep it quirky. Finding Fanny is an off the wall, comical story about a bunch of oddballs who venture out to find Stefanie Fernandes (Fanny); in the process, they discover a strange sense of solace and love in one another, and end up seeing a point to their previously pointless lives. Finding Fanny is presented by Fox Star Studios and is a Maddock production. The film releases on September 12.
	Mistaken identity Ali Fazal and Ali Zafar are the namesakes in Bollywood and their common first name is becoming the source of much confusion. Now the latest is Ali Fazal is receiving a lot of calls on a daily basis to be a part of a special corporate event to be held in Lucknow. The organizers want him to sing a song for the occasion. No, Ali Fazal is not turning singer, In fact, the organizers have mistaken him for Ali Zafar the singer. "I've been getting calls for ali zafar, (laughs ), is funny.... They wanted me to sing at an event.. I said, my events take place in my bathroom.. I am not ali zafar tho. Its ali fazal. The guy was quite the fighter. He thought i was dodging him.. I said we actors do that. Hehe, but not this time.." says Ali fazal But the organiser is adamant. So much so that Ali's management too has been trying their very best to make this person believe that Ali Fazal and Ali Zafar aren't the same people. We are sure that these two are not the only ones facing this problem. Celebs such as Akshay Kumar and Akshaye Khanna and Emraan Hashmi and Imran Khan must have faced the same issues.
	Rising to the occasion When Sylvester Stallone set out to cast action heroes for his multi-million dollar franchise The Expendables, everyone assumed it was a lost cause. They put down the success of his first two movies as a stroke of sheer luck but had to eat their words when the final cast of yet another installment of The Expendables was announced. To get major league players like Harrison Ford, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger and even Mel Gibson together in a single frame was a feat that only someone like Stallone could have pulled off given the immense respect and credibility that he commands in Hollywood. When quizzed about the scale of the movie, Terry Crew, an Expendable himself, quipped, "It's Stallone's version of The Avengers. It's the biggest roster of action screen icons ever assembled.”
	When Saldana met Spears Guardians of Galaxy star Zoe Saldana says she has huge respect for pop star Britney Spears and her positivity. The 36-year-old actress, who starred with Spears, 32, in the 2002 film Crossroads, said she is extremely humble despite her celebrity status. "She was the one big, big celebrity that I met when I was starting to work in Hollywood who literally was humble. I do believe that people and children gravitate to good energy, and she's definitely an abundance of that," she said. — PTI
	A natural canvas Artist Subhash Shorey, who has been deeply inspired by nature, will now paint objects at an upcoming exhibition in Taiwan Amarjot Kaur Nature has been Chandigarh-based artist Subhash Shorey's constant source of inspiration for over three decades now. A man of few words and many thoughts, he is happy to be invited for an exhibition titled International Tsi-Mo Shoes Art Exhibition, which will take place in Taiwan this September. Subhash looks forward to travelling overseas and experimenting with a different subject as he shifts to painting objects. "I was delighted to receive an invite from the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Taiwan, which was posted to me along with an unprepared canvas," says Subhash, adding that this exhibition will also signify a shift from his usual creative tendencies. "All my works have been inspired by nature and I have always delved into the spiritual essence of its elements. However, this time I will be painting objects, mainly shoes," shares Subhash. After exhibiting his series titled Elemental Forces, which are several works of figurative abstracts correlating nature with humans, at AIFACS Gallery, Delhi, in the Fortune Fair and at Chitra Mela International Art Exhibition at Chennai, Subhash's decision to paint objects stems from his creative perceptions. "Even as I paint shoes, a series that I call Charanpaduka, I draw inspiration from nature and spirituality," he says. While he paints Khadau slippers in primary colours, Subhash traces their significance in Indian Mythology. "When Ramchandra went for vanvas and his younger brother, Bharat, proceeded to get him back, he gave him a pair of Khadau, which Bharat placed on the throne and waited for him," says Subhash while indicating the significance of Khadaus. He has also painted a pair of shoes, the patterns of which are influenced by his intrinsic style of symbolising the elements of nature. While one show bears the design of a dove carrying a leaf, which is the symbol of peace, the other shoe is painted in warm red with a rose on it, which signifies love. "I wanted to show a pair of shoes where one of the pair was that of love while the other of peace, so that there is peace and love in every step," he says. amarjot@tribunemail.com
	Master Chef Awesome aloo! Ranjan Dibya The humble potato is like the common man who fits in everywhere, but has its own special place and importance. We can almost combine every vegetable and even non-vegetarian dish with aloo. We can make it all by itself too. Here is a combination of dry fruits with our dear aloo. Bharwan Phaldari Aloo (Dry fruit stuffed barbeque potato) 4 medium-sized potatoes 50 gm chopped pineapple 50 gm chopped green apple 50 gm grated cottage cheese 2 tbsp chopped ginger and garlic 1 tbsp green chilli, chopped 1 tbsp cardamom powder ½ tsp amchur powder (dry raw mango powder) ½ tsp chat masala ½ tsp black salt 1 tsp chilli powder ½ tsp roasted jeera powder 2 tbsp dried raisins 2 tbsp chopped dates 2 tbsp broken cashew-nut 1 tbsp ghee Salt to taste For the coating 1cup hung curd 1 tbsp green chilli paste 100 gm mint and coriander paste ¼ tbsp dry mango powder ¼ tbsp black salt ¼ tbsp coriander powder ¼ tbsp roasted cumin seed powder ¼ tbsp garam masala powder 50 gm cashewnut paste 1tbsp mustard oil Salt to taste Method Peel the potato, scoop the inside and boil it. Deep fry the potatoes. In a pan, sauté the stuffing ingredients together for a few minutes, season the mixture and keep it aside. Let it cool for five minutes Then stuff the potatoes with the mixture and cover the potato with the paste of coating ingredient. Skewer the potatoes and bake it in a clay oven or preheated oven at 250 degree centigrade for 8 to 10 minutes Remove from the oven and brush it with ghee or butter. Cut it into two halves and sprinkle chaat masala. Serve hot with mint. (Ranjan Dibya is a Ludhiana-based culinary expert) — As told to Poonam Bindra
	Brush with success Make-up artist Ritu Kolentine focuses on eyes, which she believes are the first line of communication Gurvinder Singh "When my father, then DIG, used to come home, he was so strict that my siblings and I used to hide away in bathrooms. Yet, he was an intelligent and understanding person; and after initial frowns of my grandmother, he allowed me to follow what I always dreamt of since I was a little kid — a wish to beautify people," says Ritu Kolentine, Chandigarh-based make-up artist, who was in Ludhiana for an event. She finally realised her dreams through her art and a brush on the face! Ritu has spruced up the appearances of many of the sought-after celebrities, including Veena Malik, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and the like. After she started working out of Punjab, her reputation grew and Bollywood celebrities coming to the region for events, promotions and shooting of movies always chose her above the others. After the success of her salons, she went on to open a beauty academy in Ludhiana. "The first batch I trained for my beauty business had left; they got jobs, and the same thing happened with the second batch. As the staff I trained was so in-demand, I decided to start an academy to train students in this business," she says. Ritu runs a chain of wellness and beauty centres by the name of Cleopatra. When it comes to make-up, she feels that eyes are her priority. "We first communicate with the eyes," she says. "Make-up these days is about looking natural. It is about accentuating good features and camouflaging the not-so-good looking features of the face," she signs off. gurvinder@tribunemail.com
	Flavours of China The Radisson Blu, Ludhiana, is commemorating the Chinese Valentine Day with a week-long festival where mouth-watering delicacies are waiting to get on to your platter… Poonam Bindra The Radisson Blu, Ludhiana, is commemorating the Chinese Valentine Day during the first week of August. This week-long affair is also called the Double Seventh Festival, as it falls on the seventh day of the seventh month according to the Chinese calendar and popularly known as the Qixi festival. The legend associated with this festival dates back to the story of love between Zhinu (weaver maid) and Niulang (cow herd). The Rare Eastern Dining (RED), Radisson Blu, is hosting an extravaganza of Chinese food by coming up with delicacies that have a touch of all the Chinese provinces. So, one can savour Wasabi Sole Sui Mai with Seawood soup or Tofu clear chicken soup. "The taste-buds are undergoing a change and foodies like to taste the dish in its own goodness and not after having been immersed in pungent spices. So we have picked up the dishes from different provinces to give an altogether different look to usual Chinese food," informs Chef Dinesh. Young ladies, both vegetarian, Natasha and Tanvi, sound quite thrilled, "The vegetables with bean curd sui mui and the string beans with preserved vegetables are so different from the routine Manchurian and Chowmein stuff." For the non-vegetarians, a specialty is the pan-fried lemon grass chicken, dragon prawn spring rolls and to top it all, Sichuan Chicken Dimsum. Two corporate executives from Mumbai, Ganesh and Tripat, are more fascinated by the main course dishes, including Tai Chi Chicken and steamed fillet sole Mandarin style, "We cannot imagine such exotic food in Ludhiana," they echo. During the festival, another novelty if offered by RED and that is clients have an option to reserve a private Cabana adjoining the pool-side where their own private butler will serve the five course menu in a romantic setting! "We have found that the gourmands of this town are very adventurous, so we launched this 'first-time-ever festival', the Double Seven Valentine Special, to connect them to genuine Chinese culture," shares the general manger Rakesh Rawat. The exotic meal is well-rounded for those with a sweet tooth - the ice-cream spring rolls and a lime crème Brulle made from Caffir lime leaf and coconut milk are sure to delight you. A meal for two costs ~2,500 plus taxes. (On till August 10)
	it’s rocking A real dawat Sung by Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Keerthi Sagathia, the song Mannat from the film Dawat-e-Ishq is a dawat for all those of you who are die-hard romantics. While Sajid & Wajid have given the music of the song, its lyrics have been penned by Kausar Munir. While the song is already doing the rounds on several music channels, it has also become the new romantic anthem. Here's what Chandigarh folks have to say about the song. Good vibe I am in love with the song. It has a soul and more than that, I am really fond of the vocalists, Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal. I keep listening to this song everyday. It has a very good vibe to it. Harjeet Kaur, home-maker Soft number I really love this song as it makes me fall in love with love all over again. It is soft, mellow and has subtle glimpses of Sufi music too, which when twined with the concept of love, makes the song even more beautiful. Namita Dogra, freelance web-designer Nice melody It's a beautiful song and what's even more interesting about the song is the melody. Also, I really love the lyrics of the song. It is sheer poetry and dissolved in love; it's the perfect love anthem of the season. Vijay, Chandigarh-based musician (As told to Amarjot Kaur)
	Fresh look Fem, facial bleach brand from the House of Dabur, hosted the first semi-final audition of its mega model hunt — Fem Miss North India Princess 2014 — in Chandigarh. As many as 150 stunning girls from the city were shortlisted for participation in the audition and the finalists chosen from among them will join their counterparts from rest of North India to vie for the coveted crown of Miss North India Princess 2014 in the grand finale to be held on August 29, 2014, in Agra. The pageant is being organised to discover the most beautiful and fresh new face of North India, a face that embodies the values of Fem — soft, fresh skin with a natural glow. The winner of the contest will get a chance to feature in a music video, besides winning a brand new 'Fiat Punto' car. The audition, which saw over 150 semi-finalists from Chandigarh participating, was organised to identify the finalists to represent the city in the grand finale. The candidates were shortlisted from over 6,500 entries received for the contest. — TNS
	CHATTER BOX Bulk loss Do you think losing weight like a celebrity is tough? Here are secret tips by actors who have shed the kilos in a healthy manner... Diet matters: Gunjan Utreja Previous weight: 83 kg Current weight: 68 kg Heavy duty: "During the shoot for Amana Samna, I had a hairline fracture in my left foot that kept me away from major physical activity for a very long time. It took six months for my ligaments to heal, during which I gained 10 kilos." The process: "I trained twice a day, with a combination of functional training for 60 minutes followed by 30 minutes of cardio in the morning and 60 minutes in the evening. I quit sugar, salt and oily food. I lost 15kg in three months. Exercise is just 30 per cent of the challenge; the rest depends on a good diet. Go green: Ankit Gera Previous weight: 90 kg Current weight: 72 kg Heavy duty: "I used to weigh 90kg! The industry is filled with people who criticise you, but it motivated me to lose weight." The process: "When I joined an acting course in Mumbai, I started doing yoga, practiced martial arts and also joined a dance class as well as a gym. It took me five months to lose weight, once I started following a healthy diet. Being slim and healthy gave me more confidence, which motivated me to maintain the weight. I drink green tea three to four times a day and when I work-out I make sure to focus on my lower body, as it helps lose weight as fast as possible." Work load: Jay Soni Previous weight: 93 kg Current weight: 63 kg Heavy duty: "My work inspired me to lose weight in just six months. When I lost the extra weight, I started getting a lot of positive feedback." The process: "I?did cardio twice a day — in the morning and evening, followed a proper diet, avoided eating junk food and started drinking lots of water. I also skipped a lot and did heavy workouts at the gym. Luckily for me, I have a good metabolism, so controlling how much I ate helped me get back to my normal weight. I also recommend skipping and a strenuous workout in the gym." Steady focus: Yash Gera Previous weight: 90 kg Current weight: 80 kg Heavy duty: "I have been losing weight steadily and still want to lose more. After undergoing a surgery last month, I couldn't focus on weight loss and so ended up putting on a lot of weight in a month." The process: It took one-and-a-half months to lose the weight. I drink green tea three times a day and coconut water in the morning on an empty stomach. I also avoid junk food, sweets and work-out regularly. Following a proper diet and working out every day has helped me maintain my weight. Tough job: Piyush Sahdev Previous weight: 110 kg Current weight: 75 kg Heavy duty: "I lost 35 kg, which was quite a task. I think that when you lose weight, you feel more confident and look younger on the screen. I almost gave up, but then I saw Karate Kid, I got the motivation to continue." The process: "I used to work-out three times a day. I went to the gym in the morning for weight training, attended a dance class in the evening and an hour-long brisk walk in the night. I also went running on the beach, three times a week. It was so difficult that there were nights when I was almost in tears because of the pain in my feet. But, even after losing the weight - it's very difficult to maintain it. Now, I can't live without working out."
	The year ahead Madan Gupta Spatu If your birthday is August 5... Beyond November 16, you would be in touch with a number of people. Grassroot-level of growth would be felt now. There would be chances of purchasing a vehicle or house or plot. If you are single, devote time to a new acquaintance. On the other hand, if you are in a relationship, use to improve it. Co-workers and subordinates will bring moments of worry and stress. Perform Saturn poojas daily to learn all of the valuable lessons that Saturn offers and to prevent the full hard knocks that his particular brand of teaching may give. There could be poorer health or lower energy. Positive colours: Green, turquoise Select days: Wednesday and Friday Favourable numbers: 5, 6 Gems recommended: Emerald, Onyx and Ruby Charity on birthday: Donate sindoor or saffron or oranges to a religious place You share your birthday with Kajol Devgan [August 5, 1975, Mumbai], who made her acting debut with Bekhudi (1992) and had her first hit with Baazigar with Shah Rukh Khan. She will be in slow mode of career after 2015.
	Astro Turf P Khurrana ARIES: The day would be quite busy, since you would be taking care of issues such as bills, appointments and miscellaneous errands. Yet, once you are through, you would be able to lie back and take it easy. Tarot message: Don't make financial decisions. impulsively. Lucky colour: Navy. blue. Magic number: 32. TAURUS: Interactions, travelling, intellectual pursuits would all be the best part of today. Many of you would travel for pleasure and explore interesting places. A certain close relative may help you to make an important choice. Tarot message: Be true to yourself. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 44 . GEMINI: Many of you would have been experiencing a profound, philosophical inclination for the past few days, and today, this feeling would become stronger, motivating you to introspect. Tarot message: Advice will put you on the right track. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 67. CANCER: Things may move at a relatively slower pace today, and you could use the time to relax, catch up with financial planning and also meeting friends and family. You would receive good returns from real estate. Tarot message: Do not cover up your mistakes. Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 50. LEO: This would be an active and positive day for professionals, especially women who would have the stamina and enthusiasm. The admiration and praise you receive from everyone would motivate you further. Tarot message: Be diplomatic with colleagues if you don't agree with their views. Lucky colour: Red. Magic number: 62. VIRGO: Businesspeople would need to work out the finer aspects of a partnership or contract, while professionals would need to display intelligence and tact. Tarot message: Don't get embroiled in ventures where returns are spread over a large period of time. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 55. LIBRA: You would need to adopt an unconventional yet productive approach. Professionally, you should be careful of who you trust and who you depend on. Some people may just be jealous of your popularity, so be careful. Tarot message: Start a saving plan and curb expenses. Lucky colour: White. Magic number: 27. SCORPIO: You would have to be strong and make the decision to save and invest. In relationships, do not get entangled in temporary, meaningless affairs. Being part of a team at work would help you to advance in your career. Tarot message: Pay attention to your inner feelings. Lucky colour: Silver grey. Magic number: 35. SAGITTARIUS: At this time, you may be quite generous, optimistic, expressive, tactful, compassionate and creative. Help from a spiritual guide would be valuable. Gifts from friends and family could bring a smile to your face. Tarot message: Keeping a close eye on savings. Lucky colour: Golden brown. Magic number: 65. CAPRICORN: Taking care of an elder would give you great happiness. The day would be filled with romance, excitement, travel and forming new friendships. At home, things would be clearer and there would be warmth. Tarot message: Finance and health would need looking after. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 40. AQUARIUS: In relationships, don't become too controlling. Intelligent and perceptive, you will be able to understand the real intentions behind others' actions. As a result, you would be able to protect yourself. Tarot message: Keep others' secret well-guarded. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 51. PISCES: When faced with someone who is absolutely rigid, don't waste your time in arguing with him/her since it would not yield any results. If holding a social get-together, take a close look at the guest list. Tarot message: Do not spend beyond your capacity. Lucky colour: Crimson. Magic number: 29.