Why My Girlfriend Does Not Want to Get Married

It is a very natural thing that a relationship will lead to a marriage. As marriage is a lifelong commitment, many are not in a hurry to settle down until they are really sure that the person that they want to marry is their love of their life.

For certain reasons, your girlfriend may not be ready to commit into a marriage as well but that does not mean that she will think like this in the future as well because her thinking may change with the time too.

Getting married too early
How long have you been together with her? The rush of getting into marriage maybe too soon for a relationship that is not too long together. She may need more time to understand you better before making this decision.

Not ready for commitments
Are both of you financially stable to set your own family? There are many commitments in a marriage such as house, children, household expenses, etc. If she is not ready for that, she may not want to get married.

Fear for marriage

Divorce is getting common nowadays and if she used to have failed relationships, she may be scare to get married because of her worries in ending up in a divorce.

Character Issues
She is still thinking of whether you are the right man for her. Maybe both of you have always been quarrelling or she finds that the relationship is plain and boring.
Assurance is always needed in a relationship and if you are sure that she is the only woman that you want to marry, you should make her feel confident about this relationship. Give yourself this chance to discover the proven ways on how to better a relationship and change her opinion in marriage.

Breaking Up 101: Winning Ways To Leave Your Lover

She squeaks when she blows her nose. He eats like a rabid pig. It's just not working out.

We've all spent some time stuck in a relationship we didn't want to be in because we didn't have the heart (or some other equipment) to end it. Maybe we don't want to hurt someone we've been close to, or worse, maybe it's clear right away we're dealing with a nut and we don't want to be the trigger for an economy-sized bottle of Prozac and a six-week stint at the Bendy Willow Psychiatric Center.

So what do you do when it's completely obvious you're just not meant to be together? You break up. Or, you try to break up, don't quite hit the mark, and end up sucked back into the awful relationship for round two, because you just couldn't make it stick.

Is there a way to make it permanent without causing permanent damage?

The key is to have a plan, a good plan.

Location, Location, Location.

It's really important to pick a good strategic breakup setting. The best places to have "the talk" are both public but fairly private, with a convenient escape route. The best location? Outside, walking at a park. It's crowded enough to ensure you won't have a big scene, but private enough your dumpee won't feel like he or she is naked at a funeral. Other agreeable breakup locales include restaurants (but not a favorite restaurant) or a walk around the block. The worst place to break up? At a party or work. The only thing worse than being dumped is being dumped in front of people you're going to have to see on a regular basis.

Timing Is Everything.

Another key to effective breakups is precise timing. Breaking up at a park gives both your dumpee and you the chance to leave once the deed is done. If you're ending the relationship at a restaurant, do it only after the check has come and you've paid for dinner. (And by the way, if you're about to dump someone, you should DEFINITELY be buying dinner.) There's nothing more horrifying than being dumped and then having to sit around making small talk for another 20 minutes while you're waiting for the check to come. (As in, "Hey Lula, what are you doing now that you don't have plans for tonight? Laundry?")

Happy Freaking Birthday.

Never break up with someone within two weeks of a major holiday or his/her birthday. Make that a month for Valentine's Day and Christmas. There's no faster entry to the Bitch/Bastard Hall of Fame than permanently destroying the holidays for your soon-to-be-ex. It's just not nice, and you don't want that what-goes-around-comes-around thing biting you in the ass when your turn as the dumpee rolls back around.

It's Not You, It's Me.

The first thing to remember is not to drag it out. The longer it takes, the worse it is for everybody involved. Whenever you end the relationship, be sure to make your reasons relevant only to you. Say, "This is not working for me." Stick with your basis and keep repeating yourself over and over if necessary. It's impossible for someone to argue with you about reasons that pertain only to you. If you end up getting sucked into a situation where you have to list grounds for wanting it over, you may find yourself in for an encore. If you say, "we fight too much" or "you don't seem happy" your partner may offer to change, taking all the air out of your break-up and landing you right back in the relationship.

Hire A Hit Man.

Worst-case scenario, you're too much of a weenie to breakup with your girl or guy yourself, you can always resort to the newest companion service to online dating. For a fee, letsbreakup.com will inform your wish-you-were-my-ex of the relationship's demise by phone, email or snail mail. Certainly not the most sensitive approach, but it gets the job done.

by Lisa Daily

Women who suffer from morning sickness are 'more likely to have babies with a high IQ'

Expectant mothers suffering from morning sickness should take heart.

For feeling nauseous in early pregnancy could be a sign that their baby is developing a high IQ, according to a study. Researchers found that women who reported feeling ill in the first few weeks after conceiving went on to have brighter, more vocal children. About four in five expectant mothers experience morning sickness. While the condition is not clearly understood, some scientists believe it is triggered by the flood of hormones released to protect the placenta and foetus.

Past studies have shown that nausea is a sign of a healthy pregnancy and is linked to a lower risk of heart problems in the baby and a lower level of miscarriage. Researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto now believe it could also be linked to the developing baby's brain. They conducted the first study to look at the long-term effects of nausea on the brains of babies and contacted 121 women who called a hotline for newly pregnant mothers between 1998 and 2003.

Thirty of the women had no symptoms of morning sickness, while the rest reported symptoms such as tiredness, vomiting and nausea. The team carried out IQ and behaviour tests on the mothers' children when they were three and seven years old. The children whose mothers suffered from morning sickness were more likely to have high IQ scores than those whose mothers had no symptoms, the researchers report in the Journal of Pediatrics.
They also did better in tests for verbal fluency and simple maths, even when other factors - such as the mother's IQ, smoking and alcohol history and social background - were taken into account.

One flaw in the study was that in many cases the mothers were asked to recall how sick they had been feeling several years previously. It also needs to be repeated in a much larger group of women.

Dr Gideon Koren, who led the study, admitted that the conclusions sounded 'a little bit unusual' but said the hormone swings that led to morning sickness could be a good thing.
'It's the hormones secreted by the placenta that cause you to feel yucky, but on the other hand, they probably confer better conditions for the baby,' he said.

'Women suffer for it, but at least it's for a good cause.' However, the researchers believe it sheds light on one of the least understood parts of pregnancy.

Morning sickness is a misnomer because it can happen at any time of the day. Some women feel ill without prompting - others when they are hungry or after eating.
It is thought to be a reaction to two hormones - thyroxine and human chorionic gonadotropin - which are secreted during pregnancy to ensure a healthy placenta.
According to the Department of Health, around half of all pregnant women experience both nausea and vomiting, and a further 28 per cent will experience nausea without vomiting.

There is some evidence that ginger and acupuncture can ease symptoms.
In 2006, a study found that morning sickness was often triggered by too much alcohol, meat, sugar and oil and might have evolved as a way of preventing expectant mothers eating unhealthy food.

According to one old wives' tale, it is a sign that the baby is a girl - and that it is the body's response to the female sex hormone oestrogen.

Should I Divorce?

Have you ever wondered "Should I stay married or should I divorce"? You are not alone. Troubles in a marriage easily prompt these kind of questions. The article below will help you sort out your feelings.

Reality Check
Before moving on with what you need to know about divorce, the next few paragraphs will ask you to look before you leap if you find yourself wanting out of your marriage. Choosing to divorce might ultimately be your decision, but it should be one made in a state of calm with little doubt and few regrets.

When someone approaches me and says he or she wants a divorce, my first reaction is to say, "Are you sure?" Decisions made in haste can take on lives of their own, and before you know it, there may be no turning back to save your marriage. Deep down we all know when we are at peace with the decisions we've made- big and small. Sometimes we listen to our gut and sometimes we don't.

When we make decisions and take action while our doubt mechanism is in full gear, we know we will eventually pay for it. To avoid this scenario, respect the little voice inside you, if it says "wait." Your gut instinct is asking you to reevaluate the situation before making your decision. Before making this significant change in your life take a good look at yourself and your concept of marriage.

When you're looking at the choice to divorce, forget all about the idea of the romantic fairy tale. It's time to take a good look at marriage and understand what it really takes to make this type of partnership work. Depending on how realistic and honest you are when evaluating your situation, when it comes to a divorce, you may find that the grass may not always be greener on the other side. For a good dose of reality, sit down and write out a pro and con list of staying married vs. the realities of divorce and being single.

Consider the following: children, your career status and ability to make money, finances, life style changes, cost of divorce, being single again and the threat of sexually transmitted diseases once you're back on the dating circuit. (You may be thinking, "I never want to date again, but trust me, you will.)

Consider the following:

1. Have you gone to marriage counseling?
2. Have you and your spouse taken the time to talk and isolate the real problems of the marriage?
3. Do you really listen to each other or just nag, complain and tune out?
4. How well do you compromise and try to find time for enjoying quality time together?
5. How productive or destructive are your methods of fighting?
6. Do you kiss and make up without holding grudges?
7. Are you teammates working toward the same goals?
8. Are you both willing to work on your issues together?

Writing out the answers to these questions will help guide you in making an educated, rational decision. Divorce is difficult, but it might be your best option and worth the temporary discomfort of transitioning into a new life. The process of honest evaluation will help you experience more peace and have fewer doubts regardless of your decision.

(source)

Can coffee prevent a headache?

Stopping daily caffeine consumption produces changes in cerebral blood flow velocity that are most likely related to caffeine withdrawal symptoms including headache, drowsiness and decreased alertness, according to a recent study.

People say caffeine withdrawal is characterised by headaches, fatigue, feeling less alert and experiencing difficulties in concentrating.

Stacey Sigmon, research professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont and colleagues at Johns Hopkins, sought to investigate the biological mechanisms of caffeine withdrawal.

They looked at brain electrical activity and blood flow during caffeine withdrawal to examine what was taking place physiologically during acute caffeine abstinence, including the likely mechanism underlying the common "caffeine withdrawal headache".

The group examined caffeine's effects in a double-blind study, which involved the administration of caffeine and placebo capsules.

Each participant's response to the caffeine or placebo was measured using brain electrical activity via electroencephalogram (EEG); blood flow velocity in the brain via ultrasound; and participants' self-reports of subjective effects via questionnaires.

The team demonstrated that stopping daily caffeine consumption produces changes in cerebral blood flow velocity and quantitative EEG that are likely related to the classic caffeine withdrawal symptoms.

More specifically, acute caffeine abstinence increased brain blood flow, an effect that may account for commonly reported withdrawal headaches.

Consistent with this, volunteers reported increases in measures of "tired", "fatigue", "sluggish" and "weary". Overall, these findings provide the most rigorous demonstration to date of physiological effects of caffeine withdrawal, said a Vermont College release.

The researchers also discovered a provocative and somewhat unexpected finding - that there were no net benefits associated with chronic caffeine administration.
The paper was published online in Psychopharmacology.

Define your style with earrings

Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore and Penelope Cruz are few celebrities who have a round face.

Round face: The main feature of a round face is the circular shape that is as wide as it is long and is usually characterised with a round chin. Earrings with lean, long and angular curved lines can be the perfect choice because it helps in elongating a round face. You can wear drop earrings in dangles, ovals and oblongs. Even an angular stud earring will look good on a round face. Make sure that you steer clear of small studs and hoops. Always avoid wearing chunky large earrings.
Oval face: The main feature of an oval face is the forehead which is usually wider as compared to the chin. The hairline is gently rounded and the approximate length is equal to one and a half times width. Celebrities like Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson and Beyonce Knowles have an oval face. If you also have an oval face then earrings with soft shapes like studs, ovals and teardrops will look good on you. People with a face shape like this can wear almost any design. You can always do some experiment with different styles and decide what looks good on your face.

Heart shaped face: Heart shaped faces are usually narrow at the jawline and wide at the forehead or cheekbone. It is very much similar to an oval face but below the cheekbones it is narrower due to which the chin looks more pointed. Stars like Sophie Dahl, Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johansson have a heart shaped face. If you feel that you also have a face shape like them, wear earrings with a wide bottom. You can try out earrings that have a soft curve like ovals or teardrops. Pyramid style earring can work best on your face shape because it is wide at the bottom. Always avoid wearing earrings that are heart shaped.

Diamond face: The main features of a diamond shaped face are broad and strong forehead with square hairline and angular jaw. Such faces are wide at the cheeks but narrow at the forehead and chin. Katherine Hepburn and Sophia Loren are celebrities with a diamond face. If you also have a face shape like this, wear earrings that are less in length and more in width. A straight line and curves combination will work best. You can also try studs and small drop earrings.

Oblong face: An oblong face is very much similar to a square face but it is longer and not very wide. Simple studs and chandelier style earrings look very good on an oblong face. However, angular and long earrings must be avoided. Few celebrity examples are Terri Hatcher, Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelina Jolie.
Looks can be enhanced to a great extent with the right type of earrings. This article talks about the different face shapes and earrings that will and won’t suit each face type.

Square face: The main features of a square face are broad and strong forehead, square hairline and angular jaw. Earrings with a round and angular edge will work best because it will help in softening a square face. If you have a square face, avoid wearing angular style, large earrings so that your face doesn’t look wider. Instead wear hoops and medium to long styles. Celebrities like Demi Moore, Katie Holmes, Geena Davis and Salma Hayek have a somewhat square face.
- TOI

Online Dating Safety Tips

When you are looking to give online dating a try, you must know from the beginning that online dating, just as a traditional dating, does carry with it a few risks. However you like to do it, dating is a dangerous game.

While Internet dating can open many doors for daters, you need to be smart and safe when meeting people online. Most of people online are honest and sincere people who are looking for a partner, but there are also people with ill intentions. When getting to know people online you should follow some basic safety rules.

To make the online dating experience a great one, you should keep in mind some safety tips such as:

You have to be patient; online dating requires a lot of patience; even if you are anxious to meet new people, don't rush into meeting with strangers; you should take time to know the person before you meet in real life

One of the most important rules is that you should keep your personal information private; if you don't know who you are dealing with, do not provide personal information about yourself; don't share your real name, phone number, place of work, address, or any other identify information while chatting or emailing until you are comfortable doing so; this information may fall into wrong hands

Also never give out personal financial details of wages, salaries, savings, investments, bank credits or card details

Even if you decide to make a date, you should not give personal information about yourself until you know the person better

If you decided to meet the person face to face, you better choose a meeting during the day and in a public place

But you shouldn't jump from online chats to a face to face meeting; first you have to collect some information about that person; it is better to talk on the phone, and use it as an additional checkpoint; a phone can reveal much about a person's communication and social skills; in this way you can protect your security

Ask for a photo, this will give you a good idea of the person's appearance; it she comes with excuses, it means that she has something to hide

Also it is important that you use a recent picture and be truthful in your description about yourself; think about the fact that maybe someday you will have to meet her face to face and then she will get angry to see that you have lied from the beginning; so you can end a possible relationship before it begins

Don't be afraid to flirt a little if that's how you feel, but don't be too flirtations as it could be taken the wrong way

Wait until you find your soul mate, don't fall in love with the first girl who is chatting with you; make carefully choices about the information you provide to a date and also be conservative regarding choices of physical and emotional intimacy

Take all the time you need to test a person to see if she is lying and pay carefully attention along the way; if you think she is lying, act accordingly; move on to someone you can eventually trust

If you feel something is not right, listen to your gut and get out the situation; use common sense to make good decisions; trust your instincts and immediately quit corresponding when you feel unsure; if she is not your type let her know politely by proposing her to be just friends

So if anything makes you feel uncomfortable and if you have some doubts about that person, walk away for your own safety and protection

Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true because may not be who she says

Stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for giving your private information

You can ask a lot of questions and make sure you are satisfied with the answers you get

Only meet when you are ready, and when you consider that you have all the information you need about that person

Never meet someone who argues against your instincts or pressures you in any way

It is better to stick reputable and honest online dating services for your safety

I wish you good luck in finding your soul mate and it is up to you now to keep your own safety and protection

Foot Refreshing Massage

It's designed to have the complete relaxation of the legs and feet. It covers the legs below the knee. It's a combination of Reflexology points, Reiki and Massage in a shorter version.

It feels really great after jet lag and especially after a long tracking/walking, when your legs & feet are sore and tired. It helps to reduce the tiredness, cramps or strains of the leg muscles and makes you sleep well.

Clinical Foot Reflexology

Many discoveries has been made in various fields by man in Twentieth century and one such discovery of the century is the relationship of the feet with the body. According to this discovery, the whole body is mirrored in the feet, each organ or gland of the body has a reflex point in the feet. Internal disorder of any part of the body expresses itself in the form of pain or discomfort feeling at the reflex point in the feet when pressure is applied. Working on the reflex points in the feet is of great therapeutic value. This therapy is called Foot Reflexology.

Reflexology is a Holistic treatment. In the day to day life of cut throat competition, stresses are many. We have to face all sorts of pollutions, of air, water, food and sound etc. We also have to face viruses and bacterial infections. It seems difficult at various stages of life to maintain the balance between mind and body, which is defined as health. The whole body including mind is to be taken care of Reflexology does exactly that. The goal is to restore homeostasis.

"Reflexology is a method for stimulating the reflexes in the feet to cause reactions in corresponding parts of the body. The reaction could best be described as relaxation or a return to equilibrium or homeostasis." With specific hand and finger techniques , reflexology causes responses (relaxation) in corresponding parts of the body. Relaxation is the first step to normalization, the body's return to a state of equilibrium or homeostasis, where circulation can flow unimpeded and supply nutrients and oxygen to the body cells. With the restoration of homeostasis, the body's organs , which are actually aggregations of cells, may then return to a normal state or function as well. One's state of health depends upon this ability to rebound to homeostasis after a trauma or challenge i.e. injury, disease, stress etc. So we can say that it is the very purpose of reflexology to trigger this return. Since stress and disease are ongoing facts of life for most of us, reflexology, in addition to its therapeutic uses, can serve as a preventive program. It enables each individual, on a daily basis, to help his or her body restore and maintain its natural state of homeostasis.

If the body is subject to regular doses of stress over an extended period of time (as most are ), the effects are cumulative and it becomes more an more difficult to return to homeostasis.

Seven Ways to Lose Body Fat, Lose Weight, Stay Fit with no Exercises

Here are the simple 7 steps to lose weight quickly and steadily and to keep the weight off:

1. Eat lesser than usual: maybe a scoop less of that ice cream, 1 less cup of tea or coffee, 1 bit less off that burger, a half a piece less of that chicken, 1 less slice of bread - just reduce a bot of everything you eat.


2. Walk more than usual: Walk up the stairs, walk to the parking lot after parking further away, walk to the grocery store, walk to library, walk your dog a bit more - just walk for the heck of it!


3. Sit less than usual: if you have a desk job, make sure you take regular bathroom breaks, get up and go drink a glass of water, walk over to a colleague to talk instead of talking on the phone, just get up and walk to that window for a few minutes.


4. Drink water more than usual: Easiest way is to keep 2 liters of bottle as your quota each day. Carry it to work, make sure you finish it. At home, drink from your “quota” bottle. Ensure you take a few more sips than you usually do.


5. Eat your dinner earlier than usual: you need at least 2 hours between your dinner and bed time. If you eat at 7PM and sleep at 10PM you are ok. If you eat at 9M and sleep at 10PM, then you must try to eat at 8PM to start with. The earlier the better. Do not sleep on a full stomach.


6. Consume 1 glass less of beer or 1 drink less of that alcohol: Alcohol really is a big reason for people to to gain weight. Kick this habit slowly - but surely by cutting down bit by bit.


7. Wake up earlier than usual: wake up 30 minutes to an hour earlier thank usual. Use this time to plan your day. This will relax you more, ease your stress and help you remember that you have to do these 7 things each day to lose that fat and stay fit and trim. you may even meditate for 10 minutes each day. Close your eyes, relax and count your breath!

Try these 7 things for 7 days - you must see some weight loss. Once you see the results you will be motivated to do more. that should drive you to lose more and more. Do this till you feel you have lost enough and maintain that weight. You not only have NOT sacrificed a LOT to lose your body fat, but you have this your lifestyle - losing weight and staying fit is, after all, a matter of a healthy lifestyle. When you are fit and slim and healthy - you are happy!

Home Remedies for Hypertension

Many people are suffering from hypertension in today’s fast paced world where competition is rising and so is stress and anxiety level. Hypertension is not only a problem in itself but also a leading cause of various other medical problems like cardiovascular disorders, strokes and even diabetes. Given below are some natural ways by which you can prevent and treat the problem of hypertension.

To prevent hypertension, you need a healthy lifestyle which includes healthy diet, exercise and a stress-free life. Have plenty of fruits and vegetables as along with helping in keeping your blood pressure under control, they also provide numerous other health benefits. You need to keep your weight under check as being overweight increases your chances of suffering from hypertension. Doing meditation and yoga is also beneficial as it helps in de-stressing your mind and body.

Papaya is beneficial for people suffering from hypertension. It has been found that eating a papaya on an empty stomach in the morning helps in controlling hypertension. Also, in a glass of water add about two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and drink that mixture. This helps in naturally lowering your blood pressure.

Certain kinds of teas can help you in naturally treating hypertension. Green tea is one such tea and you can also have celery leaves tea for the same effect. You can also have tea which has grinded olive leaves in it.

Garlic is helpful for people suffering from hypertension. This is because garlic naturally reduces blood pressure and also lowers down the levels of bad cholesterol in the body, aiding in attaining perfect health. Thus, you should consume fresh garlic cloves every day to remain healthy.

The above given home remedies can help you to effectively deal with the problem of hypertension so that you remain healthy, hale and hearty.

I want to win Miss World for India: Pooja

She’s a beauty with brains. Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2009, Pooja Chopra is also a woman brimming with confidence.

A self-confessed foodie who is ‘genetically blessed’, Pooja does not believe in jumping the bandwagon when it comes to taking decisions in life. Exclusive excerpts from an interview.

You must be working really hard for the upcoming Miss World pageant?

On my end, the preparations have begun. But the focus now is totally on Ekta, as she has just two months left for the Miss Universe pageant. As for me, I’m working on my shoots and completing all commitments. After I won the Miss India crown, I binged so much, that now I’m back to the gym with a vengeance. Since the pageant will be held in South Africa, I’m reading up on the country and trying to keep myself abreast with all the happenings in the world.

A number of Indian beauties have worn the Miss World crown. Do you feel pressurised in anyway?

As they say, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. I’m inspired by the success stories of our past winners. When I entered Miss India, I wanted to win for my mother, who has been through a lot in life. I wanted to win for myself. Now that I have to compete at Miss World, I want to win it for India. And I’m sure people will pray for me.

The Miss USA pageant was rocked by controversy, when Miss California spoke against gay marriages...

I feel sorry for Carrie Prejean (Miss California). She spoke her heart without keeping in mind the larger picture. You cannot hurt the sentiments of a certain section of society when you are expected to represent them on the world stage. Everyone has the right to make a choice and we should respect that. If she really had to speak her mind, she should have put it in a more subtle way, without hurting anyone.

Is it important to be politically correct?

When you are given the responsibility of representing an entire nation, you should be careful not to hurt people. I have totally understood the seriousness of representing a country like India. Whatever I do or say will not just affect me, but the entire nation. So, I have to be extra careful.

Miss Australia too is creating a controversy after being criticised for being too skinny. People say models encourage young girls to go on diets and be unhealthy.

Everybody has a mind of his/her own. I think it’s up to an individual to decide what’s good or bad and not be influenced by others. Thankfully, I’m genetically blessed and don’t put on weight.

Any Bollywood dreams?

The pageant will decide my fate. I’m like a horse with blinkers. I set small -term goals for myself and take things one at a time. Right now, my focus is on the pageant. After that, I’ll decide what to do.

- TOI

KITCHEN TIPS

1. For soft Dosas, add some boiled rice to white gram and rice, while grinding.
2. Put some neem and turmeric pieces or garlic flakes in the container where you store rice or grains, in order to keep away insects.
3. To adjust salt in curries add roasted rice powder.
4. If the curd is too sour, add 4 cups of water to it. After half an hour, remove the water collected on top.
5. When you cook dal add some refined oil or garlic. It will reduce gas trouble.
6. Keep rice flour and basin in a polythene cover in refrigerator when you want tem stored for a long time.
7. Add some vinegar in the boiling water before steaming potato.
8. For crispy dosas, add a teaspoon of tur dal gram) and some fenugreek seeds while soaking rice
9. Add a pinch of corn flour to the jar of salt to prevent it from getting damp.
10. While chopping raw bananas and potatoes, put the pieces in a bowl of water to avoid it from turning black.
11. A bay leaf added to the flour container will keep the flour free from moisture.
12. To peel garlic flakes easily, wash and soak them in cold water for about an hour.
13. Green peas will retain their original colour, if you add a pinch of sugar while boiling.
14. Leafy vegetables will remain fresh longer, if wrapped in news papers when you are storing.
15. If you don't have any cream to add in the soup or gravy, add a mixture of butter and milk.
16. Apply some oil on the sides of the vessel in which you boil milk, in order to avoid it from overflowing.
17. After extracting butter from milk cream, add a little milk or curd to the residue and boil. You will get soft 'Paneer'.
18. For thick cream, cover the milk vessel with a thin muslin cloth and refrigerate over night.
    Barley powder will increase the taste of meat and vegetable curries.
19. You can make tasty chappathi by mixing equal proportion of wheat flour and barley.
20. While boiling eggs, put a hole with a pin on the rounded portion of the egg so that the shell won't break when boiling.
21. Keep boiled eggs in cold water for 5 minutes, this will make removal of the shell easier.
    Cut boiled eggs with a knife dipped in hot water to avoid breaking.
22. Boiled eggs will last longer, if you store the shelled eggs in a bowl of cold water in a refrigerator.
23. If the bread is too soft to cut into pieces, hold the knife close to a flame and then slice the bread with it.
24. If you need only the egg white, for storing the remaining yolk, cover the yolk with water or milk and keep in a cool dark place. Just drain off the liquid before using the yolk.
25. Add a little powdered lemon rind to puddings or deserts to avoid the smell of egg.
26. If you want to make crispy potatoes or banana chips, sprinkle salt water over them while frying.
27. Soak almonds in warm water for a minute, if you need to peel them quickly.
28. If a curry turns out too salty, garnish it with some grated coconut mix with cumin powder.
29. Add a pinch of sugar while cooking spinach, it will retain its green colour.
30. Dal will cook well, if you add a little sesame oil while cooking.
31. To make the 'poori' more tastier, add one tablespoon semoline for each 100g wheat flour.
32. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda while mixing the dough for 'chappathi' to make it soft.
33. For making soft sauce, add some paneer. Adding turmeric will help pickles from getting spoilt.

सैफ का पहला प्यार मैं नहीं : करीना कपूर

सैफ अली खान की गर्लफ्रेंड करीना कपूर यह महसूस करने लगी हैं कि इन दिनों वे सैफ का पहला प्यार नहीं बल्कि कोई और है। ये ‘कोई और’ है सैफ के प्रोडक्शन की पहली फिल्म ‘लव आज कल’। ‘सैफ का पहला प्यार ‘लव आज कल’ है। वे ‘लव आज कल’ के साथ सोते है, जागते हैं, खाते हैं, पीते हैं। इस फिल्म के अलावा किसी के लिए भी उनके पास समय नहीं है।‘ करीना कहती हैं, जो खुद दो बार सैफ की यह फिल्म देख चुकी हैं। सैफ की तारीफ करते हुए वे कहती हैं ‘ओंकारा के बाद सैफ का एक और शानदार परफॉरमेंस देखने के‍ लिए तैयार रहिए। मैं इस फिल्म के प्रचार और मार्केटिंग में बढ़-चढ़कर हिस्सा ले रही हूँ। आखिर यह हमारे प्रोडक्शन की पहली फिल्म जो है।‘ हाल ही में इस फिल्म का ट्रायल शो रखा गया था। सरदार के रूप में सैफ को करीना पहचान नहीं पाईं। वे कहती हैं ‘सैफ का गेटअप कुछ इस तरह का है कि कोई भी धोखा खा सकता है। फिल्म देखते समय लोग सैफ को भूल जाएँगे और उन्हें सरदारजी याद रहेगा।‘करीना नहीं चाहती कि सैफ की प्रतिभा को हल्के तौर पर लिया जाए। खुद सैफ भी ऐसा नहीं कर सकते। पिछले दिनों आमिर खान ने फिल्म निर्माताओं और मल्टीप्लेक्स मालिकों के बीच चल रहे विवाद के बारे में बात करने के लिए अपने कुछ साथियों को बुलाया, उसमें सैफ का नाम भी शामिल था। जब सैफ को इस बारे में पता चला तो उनकी पहली प्रतिक्रिया थी, ‘मुझे क्यों?’ इस बारे में करीना बताती हैं ‘सैफ खुद अपने आपको गंभीरता से नहीं लेते। जब आमिर ने उन्हें बुलाया तो सैफ को आश्चर्य हो रहा था कि उन्हें इतने महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दे पर बात करने के लिए क्यों बुलाया जा रहा है?’करीना चाहती हैं कि सैफ अपने आपको गंभीरता से ले। ‘लव आज कल और रेंसिल डिसिल्वा की फिल्म प्रदर्शित होने के बाद सैफ का श्रेष्ठ समय शुरू होगा।‘ करीना दावा करती हैं। वे सैफ से इस बात को लेकर नाराज हैं कि वे अपनी मार्केटिंग ठीक से नहीं करते।

Lightly Pleated Salwar with Long Length Kurta

This is a very classy, neat and elegant suit. One thing to remember if you're going to opt for a long kurta top with Patiala style Salwars is to have really long slits cut into the kurta top to show off the pleats of the Salwar.

Kareen on Elle Cover Page

Phulkari & Bagh

The lively villages of Punjab offer the colorful darn stitches with traditional patterns reflecting their life-style. Embroidery in Punjab, has been the part of the basic education of the girls. The Phulkari, meaning "flower working," has become an integral part of the life and tradition of the people. By the 19th century, the accomplishment of a bride and her mother and the affluence of the family were judged by the number and elaboration of the phulkaris and the baghs that she received as a part of her trousseau.

The phulkari stitch derives its richness from the use of the darning stitch placed in different directions---vertical, horizontal and diagonal.The embroidery is done from the wrong side. The pattern is controlled by the counting of the thread, but quite often the outline of the pattern is embroidered on the cloth in green thread. The needle picks up only one thread at a time, so that the back of the pattern is delineated with single lines of color in extremely fine stitches. In the front the stitch ranges from 1/2 to1/4 cms in size.

In the bagh, a single thread of the base material separates one pattern from the other. Thus an area is divided into twelve squares by this fine line, the squares themselves being covered with stitches going in different directions. As it is done on a thick material the embroider can work without a frame. The stitches used are darning, stem, herringbone, satin, straight, back, running, blanket, split, cross, and chain stich. The Bagh, literally meaning garden, has a variety of patterns inspired by nature. The panchranga and the satranga, five and seven colors respectively are some of the richer variations of this style. The bawan (fifty-two) bagh beats them all, as it has 52 different geometric patterns embroidered in one piece.

Phulkari differs from bagh, as in the former larger portions of the base material are visible, the design being scattered. In the latter, the embroidery covers the surface so as to become the material itself. In another form, the chope, which is presented to the bride by her grandmother-in-law, the embroidery is done in yellow with occasional touches of blue or green only on the borders, the field, always red is left plain. Here there is no right or wrong side, the stitches being even on both sides.

रॉकेट सिंह: रणबीर का न्यू लुक

पहचाना ये सरदार जी कौन हैं? जल्द ही ये कुछ न कुछ सामान बेचने आपके पास आने वाले हैं। ये इस साल के सेल्समैन ऑफ द यिअर से नवाजे गए हैं। पढ़ गए न हैरत में, अरे भई, यह और कोई नहीं बल्कि रणबीर कपूर हैं। यश राज की जल्द रिलीज होने वाली फिल्म 'राकेट सिंह -सेल्समैन ऑफ द यिअर' में रणबीर का यही नया लुक देखने को मिलने वाला है। इस फिल्म में रणबीर एक सिख युवक रॉकेट सिंह की भूमिका निभा रहे हैं।

सुना है रणबीर ने दाढ़ी मूंछ बढ़ाने के लिए काफी मेहनत की है। कई दिनों तक वह घर से भी नहीं निकला। घर में भी सभी ने उसका साथ दिया मसलन उसका मजाक नहीं उड़ाया। रणबीर का कहना है कि शुरू में तो बढ़ती दाढ़ी मूंछ से कुछ परेशानी हुई लेकिन कुछ दिन बाद सभी नॉर्मल हो गया। रणबीर का कहना है कि अब तो मन करता है कि इसी भेस में शहर भर का चक्कर लगा कर आऊं और जाचूं कि लोग मुझे पहचान भी पाते हैं या नहीं?

बहरहाल, इस कॉमेडी फिल्म को शिमित अमिन और जयदीप साहनी ने लिखा और डाइरेक्ट किया है।

- NT

चालीस के बाद होता है असली दोस्ताना!

उदास रहने वाले चालीस की उम्र पार कर चुके पुरुषों के लिए एक अच्छी खबर है। वैज्ञानिकों का दावा है कि उम्र के इस पड़ाव पर अधिकतर पुरुष ऐसी दोस्ती इन्जॉय करते हैं, जो जिंदगी भर चलती है।

अमेरिका की मैरीलैंड यूनिवर्सिटी के जेफ्री ग्रीफ का कहना है कि इस उम्र में बनने वाले दोस्त कहीं अधिक वफादार, सीधे-सच्चे और खुशमिजाज होते हैं। दूसरी तरफ महिलाएं अपने पुराने संबंधों को निभाने में माहिर होती हैं, इसलिए वे 20 या 30 की उम्र की दोस्ती को ही बनाए रखती हैं। ये नतीजे निकालने के लिए ग्रीफ ने 400 पुरुषों और 120 महिलाओं का इंटरव्यू लिया।

इस सर्वे ने पहले की स्टडी से निकले नतीजों को चुनौती दी है जिनमें कहा गया था कि पारंपरिक मिलने की जगहों की कमी की वजह से 40 के बाद पुरुषों में उदासी छा जाती है। लेकिन आज के समय के रोल मॉडल हैं बॉलिवुड स्टार जॉर्ज क्लूनी। क्लूनी अगले महीने अपना 48वां जन्मदिन मनाने वाले हैं। इस मौके पर उनका प्लैन है कि वह अपने दोस्तों के साथ बियर पीएंगे और बॉस्केटबॉल खेलेंगे। इनके दोस्तों में बैड पिट जैसे लोग शामिल हैं जिन पर क्लूनी कम से कम अगले 20 सालों तक निर्भर रहने वाले हैं। क्लूनी की बर्थडे पार्टी 20 या 30 साल के उन लोगों से एकदम अलग है जो घर और करियर के बीच तालमेल बैठाने में परेशान हैं। उनके दोस्त भी वही कॉलिज के समय के हैं या फिर उनके साथ काम करने वाले हैं। ये दोस्त अक्सर या तो बोर करते हैं या फिर उनकी मुसीबत की वजह बनते हैं। लेकिन ज्यादा उम्र में बने दोस्त काफी शांत और भरोसेमंद होते हैं। दरअसल, उनमें आपके साथ प्रतिस्पर्द्धा करने की भावना नहीं होती, वे उस दौर से उबर चुके होते हैं।
- NT

Kangana auditioning for Hollywood flick

Kangana Ranaut's 'Kite' might reach Hollywood, as the actress has been called for a screen test for a movie.
According to sources, while shooting for Kites in Finland, Kangs met some casting agents from a company based in Los Angeles and they were impressed by the actress' screen presence.
She immediately called for the movies' DVDs and gave it to them. The film will also feature Friends star Mathew Perry.

Kangana is excited about the audition and is expected to fly to LA next month for it. - HT

मेकअप इन समर

गर्मियों का मेकअप आसान नहीं होता। जरा-सा पसीना आने पर ही यह बह जाता है। जानते हैं कि इस मौसम में मेकअप के बारे में किन बातों का ध्यान रखना जरूरी है :- ब्राइट और रेडिएंट स्किन पर हल्के कलर से चीक बोन्स को हाइलाइट करें। आंखों पर मेकअप के लिए आई लैशेज और आईब्रो पर ध्यान दें। टरकॉइज और लाइम ग्रीन कलर्स नेचरल लुक देने की वजह से आंखों पर इस्तेमाल किए जा सकते हैं। होठों पर पीच या ऑरेंज कलर इस्तेमाल करें।

क्या करें, क्या न करें

रात को सोने से पहले मेकअप उतारना न भूलें। आंखों के लिए खासतौर पर अल्कॉहल फ्री मेकअप रिमूवर का इस्तेमाल करें।

फाउंडेशन पर कॉम्पैक्ट का टच अप दें। अपनी त्वचा की क्लिंजिंग, टोनिंग और मॉइश्चराइजिंग के साथ सन प्रोटेक्शन का ध्यान भी रखें।

हैवी फाउंडेशन का इस्तेमाल न करें, यह पसीने में आसानी से बह जाता है।

मॉइश्चराइजर को अवॉइड करें। इसके बदले लाइट टेक्सचर या वॉटर बेस्ड फाउंडेशन इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं। इसके अलावा, कॉम्पैक्ट पाउडर, लूज पाउडर या ब्रॉन्जर इस्तेमाल करें।

कलर्स हों कुछ खास

इस सीजन में ब्राइट स्प्रिंग कलर्स काफी चलन में है। ऐसे में आप लाइमग्रीन, ब्लू या प्लम्स कलर चुन सकती हैं। ग्रे कलर का बिल्कुल इस्तेमाल न करें। पेस्टल कलर्स और लाइट कलर्स इस बार फैशन में हैं। पिंक, ग्रीन और यलो कलर्स काफी खूबसूरत लगेंगे। डार्क और भड़कीले रंगों का इस्तेमाल न करें। डार्क ब्लू और ब्लैक शेड से बचें।

ओवर ऑल लुक

अपना ओवरऑल लुक नेचरल, चिक और सिंपल रखें। नेचरल आइशैडो और आइलाइनर आपके लुक में चार चांद लगाएंगे।

ऑफिस मेकअप आफिस में फ्रेश लुक पाने के लिए फाउंडेशन इस्तेमाल करें। ब्लैक आई पेंसिल और मस्कारा लगाएं।

गालों पर हल्के रंग का टच अप दें और होंठों पर गहरे रंगों की बजाय पीच और ऑरेंज कलर का इस्तेमाल करें।

पार्टी मेकअप

पार्टी मेकअप के लिए आंखों को वॉयलेट या इलेक्ट्रिक ब्लू के साथ स्मोकी लुक दें। लिप्स को ज्यादा हाइलाइट न करें। इन्हें ऑरेंज, कोरल या पीच कलर का टच दें।