The most refined and artistic form of growing trees as miniatures is the art of bonsai. It has been around for centuries and the oldest bonsai are known to be more than 1,000 years old. Obviously the older it gets, the more precious it becomes. A symbol of sustained balance, simplicity and harmony, bonsai signifies a deeper philosophy.

The most expensive ones are known to be priced upwards of two crore rupees. It is a sculptural art that grows every year and brings the grace and beauty to any place where it sits. Its signature of perfection is its similarity of form, shape and appearance to the tree growing in wild.

While perfection may be an aspiration, beginning the journey can happen right here. If you like tree forms, then bonsai may be a good choice where lack of space does not permit gardens. The basic thing is to know before getting bonsai is the kind of available light. Some trees will need a whole day of direct sunlight, while others will stay happy near bright windows. Tropical trees offer a wide range of possibilities both under light requirements and forms. Several woody vines can also be considered as viable possibilities. Choose the ones that match the available light. Bear in mind that successful flower or fruit-bearing requires several hours of sunlight.

Bold & beautiful

When you are growing something that is best appreciated up close, its useful to look for features that can hold the interest of the viewer. For example, choose the variety that has interesting bark patterns, bears flowers or fruits, or prop roots. Explore the various forms of bonsai that may appeal to you. The premise is to create as much similarity as possible to the natural growth of the tree. Its like distilling the grace of nature in mini form.

Notice trees growing in uncultured setups, in jungles, on mountains, on river banks, on cliffs or slopes. All these are inspirations to choose the form that attracts you the most. These can inspire you to add elements like rock, old wood, gravel, etc, to the arrangement to evoke the natural landscape. A whole scenery representing mountains and gorges, forests or groves can be created in a bonsai dish.

Keeping the overall picture in mind helps you decide the right look for the pot. The variety of pots is so huge that it ranges from a regular square pot to an organic slab of stone. Depth is an important factor technically. The range can be half to 2.5 times of the thickness of the trunk of the specimen at its base. The expanse of the pot depends on the scheme of arrangement and the size of the specimen so that a visual proportion is maintained. Of course, the pot needs to have a drainage hole, which also serves as anchorage. Also, its desirable to have feet under the pot for air circulation.

The potting mix for bonsai is not the regular soil, rather a stability providing mix. A suitable mix of soil-less media avoids unnecessary weight increase and provides coarser components that keep circulation spaces open. Regular fertiliser application plays an essential role in ensuring a balanced healthy growth as well as blooms and fruits.

The right one

Choose the right specimen carefully.
Either salvage naturally stunted trees from natural locations, or grow your own from seed or cuttings. It takes weeks to months for a new plant to establish itself. The growing medium is not a whole lot to provide the necessary anchorage to the plant, therefore tying with copper wire in a systematic manner through the holes at pot base is necessary. Copper wires should be sturdy enough to provide the support yet pliable to direct the growth. Daily attention to moisture situation and pests is advised.

Watering is a matter of judgement here rather than a clockwork. During every watering, it is advised to apply a weak solution of fertiliser, because that is all the plant gets to stay alive and thrive. Many new bonsai growers hit the wall during the newly potted or the repotted phase. This is a recovery phase from all the shock plant has borne. The root system is weak and not evenly functional. No excess moisture and evenly maintained humidity are advised. Overly wet soil leads to a wilted look as roots cant take up oxygen. Also, refrain from fertiliser application until established. The weak tree is likely to get negatively affected rather than saved by fertilising. Fine tune depending on the specific plant and its growth phase.

Options galore

Indoor hardy plant choices include ficus and schefflera, especially for compromised light situations. Pomegranate, peepal, banyan, euphorbia milii, murraya paniculate, bottle brush, citrus, cassia, jade plant, many junipers, boxwood, bougainvillaea, coffee, honeysuckle, crape myrtle, lantana, ixora are only some of the many possibilities.

Start either with seed or cutting. Let it establish its root system. Gradually keep pruning to create the desired shape and fullness. Every one or two or even three years, roots can be trimmed back. Fine new roots should be retained, and some main roots must also be preserved while removing the dead roots.

Growing bonsai is a lifelong practice towards excellence and a relationship with nature. There are a few inspiring bonsai gardens in the country including the Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden in Mysuru, where more than 100 bonsai plants are nurtured, and the National Bonsai Park in Lodhi Gardens, Delhi, displaying amazing specimens. The one in Mysuru is unique because of the overall Japanese theme working in harmony with the art itself. Several dedicated artistes have been creating awe-inspiring bonsai. National and international bonsai associations regularly hold exhibitions and provide guidance. If you are lucky, travel and take classes in Japan by the masters of the tradition.

According to the World Health Organization, one in four people in the world will be affected by a mental or neurological disorder at some point in their lives. Mental disorders are among the leading causes of ill health and disability worldwide, and the social stigma and discrimination are preventing nearly two-thirds of all affected people from seeking treatment. Whether or not one is suffering from these invisible afflictions, a passion for photography can act as a balm to deal with the anxieties and stresses of daily life.

Photography is an art form that enables self-expression, and thus empowers photographers to know themselves and their mental states better. For those struggling to say something or express an emotion, taking a picture that conveys that meaning is deeply satisfying.

The beauty of using photography as a means of therapy is that you dont need to go to art school. Anyone can take photos, and even short courses can improve your skills and add to your innate creative abilities. Here are some steps to take that will help make your photography more therapeutic:

World through the lens

Looking at the world as a photographer - constantly looking for the perfect shot to capture - allows you to view the world in a more objective and thoughtful manner. Start seeing art in the ordinary sights around you. Look at a scene and imagine describing it in detail, like the soft streams of orange light coming in through the window. Finding meaning and beauty in the world around you can be a vital first step in healing.

Search for specifics

Choose a colour or a shape that appeals to you, and then search for that colour or shape in your surroundings. Finding a splash of red or a circular window can lead to interesting and eclectic snaps, and it helps keep you occupied and offers a great distraction when your worries threaten to become overwhelming. Surrounding yourself with your own art can help you feel good and productive.

Get propped up

Carrying an object with you - especially one that you find comforting or calming - and photographing it in different locations can give you fascinating pictures. The unexpectedness of the object in a new environment - in a park, or on some steps in an office - can lead to beautiful images. Taking different pictures of the object at different times of the day, in different lighting, and from different angles and perspectives can make for an interesting collection.

Not the end, but the means

The focus of these sessions shouldnt be the pictures you end up taking, but how the process of taking those pictures makes you feel. Ensure that you dont feel disappointed or upset at the pictures you take, but that you recognise that they are part of a process of healing and building you up. Make it a point to mentally record how you feel once youve clicked the button and taken the picture, and identify the emotions you connect with that particular picture.

Just pause

In moments of distress, anxiety can overcome your mind and leave you in a panic-stricken state. Closing your eyes, breathing deeply, and then picking up a camera and taking the first picture that appeals to you can be an incredibly useful way to push back against negative emotions. Doing this gives your mind space and time to recover long enough to react in a more measured fashion to whatever stresses are afflicting you at that point.

(The author is co-founder and CEO, Toehold)

How to Win Friends and Influence People, the bestseller by author Dale Carnegie sold millions of copies in its time. It continues to sell and figures consistently on the list of must-read self-help books. What gave this book the runaway success it reaped? Did it contain a quick-fix to lifes formidable problems? Did it reveal a secret formula for becoming rich? Or was it centred on the success and fame that all men seek?

Interestingly, none of them! The crux of this fascinating book was simply on "how to be interesting". After all, friendships begin and grow when we are interesting to others. But sadly, this ability to be interesting to others, research confirms, is one that all of us seek but fail in a monotonous regularity. All the same, it is a skill, one that can be acquired and practised to perfection for our benefit. And though like any skill, there are many ways to skin a cat, culling out the wisdom from some of the experts on the subject, an easy and sure way to master this tricky art of being interesting to others emerge quite finely.

Key to communication

Good communication is the hallmark of an interesting conversationalist. Our lack of knowledge or education will not matter much if we can sharpen our ability to communicate with others easily and in a courteous and responsive manner. Also, a sense of humour and humility in speech are aids in being interesting.

Author Robin Sharma often writes about his conversations with cab drivers and describes them as being some of the most interesting and absorbing conversations he has ever had. This is a testament to the fact that to be interesting, the need is not so much of superior knowledge or intellectual capacity as of an engrossing style, which we can all agree, is found in good measure with cab drivers. Our body language, choice of words and empathy smooth the rough edges to conversations and make us interesting.

Listen carefully

It may sound ironical, but the less we talk, the more interesting we are to others. It has been estimated that those who talk less are the ones most liked and found to be interesting. "If you want to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is the recipe," writes Dale Carnegie, "never listen to anyone for long. Talk incessantly about yourself!" Monopolising a conversation may give one a sense of one-upmanship, but letting the other person talk will get one the reputation of an interesting person.

Listening to other people talk about themselves, their pursuits and opinions give them a sense of importance. Besides researchers report that letting people talk triggers the same sensation in the brain as that of food and money. Perhaps there is some truth in the old adage, "Speech is silver, silence is golden."

This principle, when coupled with the ability to talk in terms of the other persons interests, can guarantee anyone the reputation of being interesting and lend them an aura of mystery. Former American President Theodore Roosevelt was hardly 43 when he was elevated to the White House. A Nobel Laureate, he is credited to have brought new excitement and power to the Presidency. Any visitor to the White House was astonished at the range and diversity of his knowledge. Cowboys to diplomats alike were enamoured at his ability to keep them engaged and enthused. And his secret was nothing profound. Whenever Roosevelt expected a visitor, he sat up late the night before, reading on the subject in which he knew his guest was interested in.

The cardinal tenet of an interesting person is to talk in terms of what other people are interested in. Experts of etiquette and behaviour concur that talking about our own interests is akin to serving saltless food to our guests because food that is insipid is what we cook at home! It will be boring and worst of all keep the guests from accepting our dinner invitations.

Stay up-to-date

Newspapers, magazines and books are treasure troves of information about whats happening in the world around us. People engage in conversations that centre around other people and on current happenings, rather than on happenings that took place in the distant past. It is precisely for this reason that talking about the features on our new iPhones will seem interesting to others in comparison to a chivalrous encounter we might have experienced or read in the recent past.

Experts in the art of conversation also recommend that we have three good stories on common themes handy to narrate in the course of conversations. It is here that engaging in a hobby helps. When a skill is pursued as a hobby and shared with others, it becomes fascinating in a conversation.

Shed your ego

"Egos get in the way of ideas. If your arrogance is more obvious than your expertise, you are someone other people avoid," writes Jessica Hagy, in her bestseller How to Be Interesting. When a person sings praises of his or her own importance, it permeates through their speech, and such a conversation is conceited and resented by others.

All interesting people have this common thread of humility sewed into their personalities irrespective of their backgrounds. Dr Nicholas Murray Butler, longtime president of Columbia University, puts it eloquently, "Those people who think only of themselves are hopelessly uneducated. They are not educated, no matter how instructed they may be."

From our bosses to our next-door neighbour, those who stop at our desk and drop into our homes to inquire about our migraine and toothaches are the ones who, besides appearing thoughtful will invoke our interest in them and in turn make them interesting. Going beyond I, me, myself will show us in an interesting light to others. After all, people dont care how much we know until they know how much we care. They naturally gravitate towards those who can uplift and inspire with their emotional and social intelligence. When a genuine interest towards others is shown, interactions and inter-personal relationships blossom and by default, such people become interesting to all.

Preserve your uniqueness

We laugh with those colleagues who can mimic the cynic at the office and we look forward to meeting the friend who has a quirky side to keep us entertained. Weird impulses and peculiar penchants used creatively and directed towards productive channels bestow uniqueness on a
person. Author Roald Dahl, in his delightful autobiography Tales of childhood, writes about his idiosyncrasies through which his interesting and creative side is apparent to the reader.

Finally focusing on leading an interesting life is a reliable way to become interesting in life. "Remember the theme of Don Quixote: If you want to be a knight, act like a knight," writes Eric Barker, author of Barking Up The Wrong Tree.

In short, the idea conveyed in all strategies that aim in making us interesting to others is that after every interaction, the people around you should walk away feeling much better for having met you. Brightening up someones life and lending your ears to listen, positions you among the special people who have mastered the difficult skill of being interesting to others.

Iodine is a micronutrient that is essential for the production of thyroid hormone and for the in-utero neurodevelopment. Iodine deficiency increases the chances of infertility and recurrent miscarriage by under producing the required levels of thyroid hormone.

Recent studies have shown that mild iodine deficiency is becoming an emerging problem in many developing countries. This concern is being highlighted, as iodine is found in very few food sources that include iodised salt, dairy and bread items.

Iodine deficiency & infertility

Iodine-deficient women have a low thyroid functioning, which has a negative impact on their reproductive health. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common causes of infertility and miscarriage in women than most of them realise.

Low functioning thyroid gland will not produce enough hormones thereby interfering with the release of egg from ovaries during ovulation that causes impairing fertility. Lets take a look at some ways to counter hypothyroidism:

Stop smoking: Smoking can damage thyroid hormone directly, as nicotine absorbs iodine from the body preventing the hormone secretion.

Moderate iodine intake: When it comes to iodine, think moderation.
Too little or too much iodine can increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism or goiter.

Reduce stress: Reducing stress using effective mind-body techniques can play a part in preventing thyroid disorder.

Monitor soy intake: Excessive soy isoflavones may trigger or worsen hypothyroidism, goiter or nodules.

If infertility remains a persistent problem even after hypothyroidism has been corrected, other interventions may be necessary.

Dr Vinod Kumar
(The author is IVF expert, Indira IVF Hospital)

All of us experience mild to the moderately dry skin at some point, but for some, its a chronic problem. Especially during winter, the cold winds, low humidity, wet weather and lack of sunlight drain the moisture out of our skin making it dry and itchy. Psoriasis causes skin cells to build up, and form shiny scales and itchy, dry red patches. The skin patches can be painful and can vary in size and intensity over time.

Winter can trigger psoriasis outbreaks, but there are many ways to tackle the drying effects of cold temperature.

Keep your skin moist to ease redness and itching, and heal psoriasis patches. The thicker the cream or ointment, the better it is at locking moisture into your skin.

Long showers in hot water sucks moisture from your skin. Shower in warm water just long enough to soap up and rinse off.

Cold weather can irritate your skin. Cover yourself with a soft scarf, hat, and gloves when you go outside to protect exposed areas of skin.

Drink plenty of water. You will know if you are getting enough because your urine will be a pale yellow.

Stress can worsen the condition. Try a massage or spa treatment to beat the winter chill.

Vitamin D deficiency is often related to psoriasis. One must consume vitamin D supplements.

Dr Sanjiv Kandhari
(The author is a dermatologist)

Are you tired of hitting the gym and doing the same set of exercises? What if you could lose oodles of weight, get a toned physique while listening to some foot-thumping music and using a pair of drum sticks? Pound, also known as pound fitness, is a new form of workout, which became hugely popular in the US last year. It has, since then, gained many followers across the world, including India.

What is pound workout?

Described as a cardio jam session, inspired by the infectious, energising and sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums (as mentioned in its official website), it combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and pilates-inspired movements. The drum sticks, known as lightly weighed ripstix (each of them weighs almost a pound), are used to drum on the floor with high-tempo music playing in the background.

Priti Panchmatia, a pound fit instructor, says, "Its a superb form of cardio exercise that tones the entire body. Each session lasts for 45 minutes including warm up and cool down, and can be done by people above 16 years of age. When you are sitting on the floor and drumming, it works out your upper body; while squatting and lunging, you are working out your lower body. It is ideal for your upper body, quadriceps, shoulder, back, triceps, biceps, abs, calves and hamstrings. There are different variations of different intensities."

A fun exercise regime

Priti describes it as a fun routine where the atmosphere is electric, as the lights are turned off and disco lights are on. The songs, each of them spanning two to four minutes, are a combination of rock, rap, dubstep, pop and old-school hits and have been selected by Pound founders Kirsten Potenza and Cristina Peerenboom. Their passion for music and drumming, coupled with a lack of inspiration for gym workouts,
prompted the duo to discover pound fit.

Benefits galore

The benefits of pound are manifold. One can burn over 900 calories per hour. As it engages the entire body, it strengthens and sculpts infrequently used muscles. It also helps improve hand-eye coordination and concentration, as one has to match steps with the beats of the music. As its a fast-paced workout where the drums have to be played to high-tempo songs, it enhances your speed, agility and endurance. As mentioned in its website, numerous studies have proven the powerful brain boosting, stress-relieving effects of drumming. The rhythm of drumming permeates the entire brain to improve focus, decrease chronic pain, anxiety, and fatigue.

Shraddha Khade, who has been attending pound fit classes regularly, says its rejuvenating. "Earlier, I would workout at the gym regularly. But after a point, I was bored with the same old routine exercises. When I tried pound fit, I fell in love with it. Its such a fast-paced workout that you are constantly on your toes. The upbeat music and the fast pace rev up your spirits instantly. Its a perfect way for me to
start off my day on an energetic note."

Good for posture

Pound fit instructor Jignya Johri believes that it is an apt exercise for us Indians, as most of us suffer from bad posture. "Apart from improving your fitness levels and helping you to build muscles, it also improves your posture. Most Indian women have a lot of postural issues. This workout helps you maintain a right posture, as you are sitting on the floor and drumming for long intervals. When your posture improves, you start feeling fitter. Your blood circulation improves, cardiovascular diseases are at bay and your mood is enhanced."

However, Priti has a word of caution. "People who suffer from back pain should be careful while doing this workout. They should follow it under proper guidance, otherwise they may injure their back. When you are drumming on the floor, you are bending and coming up, so you need to follow a proper form. If you dont do that, then you can hurt your back."

Anytime, anywhere

Since the ripstix arent too heavy and are handy, you can carry them even when you are on a holiday with your friends or family. All you need is a yoga mat to sit on, ripstix, comfortable, light-weight clothing (t-shirt and yoga pants), sneakers so that you dont hurt your feet and some pound fit tracks, and you are ready for your own personal pound fit session.

So, if you are on the lookout for an exercise regime that helps you beat the blues and achieve a svelte figure, then pound fitness is just the workout for you.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) impacts eight in every 1,000 children born in India. According to statistics, approximately 1.5 to 1.8 lakh babies are born with CHD. The common cause for the disorder lies in the defects in a childs heart development. It is not always

possible to determine the cause of congenital heart diseases, but most tend to be genetic.

CHD is also not entirely preventable, as most cases are detected in mothers with no risk factors. However, certain environmental and genetic risk factors like diabetes, medications, alcohol consumption and smoking also contribute to this condition in kids.

A congenital defect in a baby is normally detected within 22 days after conception during ultrasound scanning. Any abnormal heartbeat can be detected by the doctor at this stage. The anomalies could be confirmed with advanced tests like an MRI scan.

In some cases, the symptoms of a congenital heart defects may not appear until birth. Here are few of the symptoms detected in babies who suffer from congenital defects:

Low birth weight

Bluish lips, fingers and toes

Breathlessness

Feeding difficulty

These symptoms can vary with age since it is a condition that develops as the child grows. In some cases, the symptoms dont appear until many years after birth, and these signs include abnormal heart rhythm, dizziness, fainting, swelling of limbs, etc.

CHD is a result of an early developmental problem in the hearts structure, which restricts the flow of blood through the heart and affects the breathing. The medical world is still researching on the right cause for this.

The treatment for CHD is decided after studying the severity and type of disorder. Some babies have mild heart defects that heal on their own with time, while severe defects could require extensive treatment including surgery. In such cases, the treatment may include the following:

Medication: Medicines can increase the efficiency of the heart and some can also be used to prevent formation of blood clots or simply to control an irregular heartbeat.

Catheter procedures: Catheterisation techniques could repair certain congenital heart defects without surgically opening the chest and heart. This is performed by inserting a thin tube into a vein in the leg and guiding it up to the heart. Once the catheter is in the correct position, doctors use small tools threaded through the catheter to correct the defect.

Implantable heart devices: Certain complications associated with CHD can be prevented with the use of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. A pacemaker can regulate an abnormal heart rate and ICD may correct irregular heartbeats.

Open heart surgery: A surgeon may perform open heart surgery to close holes in the heart, repair heart valves or widen blood vessels.

Heart transplant: In the most complex cases, the babys heart will be replaced by a healthy heart from a donor. Heart transplantation is chosen as the last option, only if all the other line of treatments dont work.

Early diagnosis is extremely important, as children with high-risk CHD can die if they are not diagnosed early enough and given the right care. Even if they survive, chances are they will have uncorrected heart defects in adulthood which will require medical attention later. An early diagnosis, followed by initiation of appropriate treatment intervention should be the most effective solution to keep congenital disorders at bay.

Newborn screening is therefore, the best way to ensure our future generation grows up with healthy hearts. Regular clinical examination at birth and each subsequent visits for congenital heart diseases are done by paediatricians. Some of the tests at birth, such as saturation monitor, blood pressure and CXR are done if there is any heart murmur. If there is significant heart murmur with breathlessness or cyanosis, then baby should be evaluated by a paediatric cardiologist for significant congenital heart defects.

(The author is a senior consultant
Neonatologist and Paediatric Intensivist at Apollo Cradle)

We live in an era of fast cars, colas, burgers, computers and remote controls. Lifestyle-related

diseases are the price one pays for modern living. No doubt the genetic make-up of a person increases the risk of heart disease, but it is ones lifestyle that becomes the deciding factor. Some lifestyle choices considered wrong may not be bad for your heart.

Indulgent food like dark chocolates and wine may not be as bad for our health as we assume them to be. Lets take a look at factors that make them permissible:

Dark chocolates

A lot has been said and written about dark chocolate being good for the heart. But is it just any dark chocolate? The body cells are prone to damage courtesy the normal bodily processes and contaminants in the environment, like cigarette smoke, which form free radicals. To combat the damage that these free radicals cause, the body requires antioxidants.

Cocoa and chocolate contain flavonols, which in addition to having antioxidant properties, also have a positive effect vascular health. They can help lower the blood pressure, make the platelets less sticky and improve the blood flow.

Not all forms of chocolate contain high levels of flavanols. Cocoa is processed to produce chocolate. The more it is processed, the more these flavanols are lost. Most of the commercially available chocolates are highly processed. Chocolate manufacturers are now looking for ways to retain the flavanols.

It is better to choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Keep in mind that chocolates do not contain fats and calories. While the calories need to be counted, the fat levels in chocolates are not so high.

Dark chocolates also need to be eaten in moderation. Enjoying a piece of dark chocolate once in a while need not make one feel guilty.

Red wine

Consuming red wine is said to be good for heart. The alcohol and antioxidants in red wine may be cardio protective. They
are said to prevent heart disease by protecting the arteries against damage
and increasing the levels of good cholesterol.

The antioxidants like flavonoids or a polyphenol called resveratrol in red wine have been credited with heart healthy effects. It is suggested that they prevent damage to the blood vessels, prevent clot formation and decrease the levels of bad cholesterol.

Not just red wine, but possibly moderate amounts of other forms of alcohol may also have heart healthy benefits. However, if you do not drink, there is no need to start. Alcohol as a way of preventing heart disease is not advocated.

If you are already drinking red wine, exercise moderation. For men, an average of two drinks a day and for women, one drink a day is defined as moderate drinking. One drink is around 355 ml of beer or 148 ml of wine of 80-proof distilled.

While apples and cranberries are
flavonol rich too, if you are looking for a healthy indulgence, dark chocolates and red wine in moderation are good for the heart.

Dr Vasundhra Atre
(The author is medical director, Fortis Hospital)

A healthy heart means a healthy life, and ever since the term "cholesterol" earned itself a poor reputation among health fanatics, eggs too came under the scanner. However, much to the relief of those fluffy omelet and egg parantha lovers, nutritionists have continued to hail eggs as the perfect definition of "complete food".

In fact, research shows that even the cholesterol content should not be an issue unless you already have a cholesterol problem. Lets give you low down on eggs, debunking the myths about this top-quality protein:

Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. However, a single medium egg contains approximately 186 mg of cholesterol, which is 62% of the recommended daily intake. But this doesnt mean that if you eat eggs, your blood cholesterol levels will also rise. In fact, it is the other way around. If you eat cholesterol along with other nutrients, your liver will then release less cholesterol in the body, thereby, neutralising the overall effects and keeping your heart healthy.

Egg yolks contain all the cholesterol. Therefore, limiting the intake of egg yolks (two to five per week) can prevent the increase of blood cholesterol levels.

Healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week with no side effects. In fact, this level of egg consumption may prevent strokes.

The risk of developing a heart disease due to high levels of cholesterol can be more closely tied to the foods which accompany eggs in our daily meals. Eating copious amounts of saturated fat and oil or cooking eggs in trans fats may lead to an increase in cholesterol levels.

For most people, eggs raise HDL or good cholesterol levels, and show no increase in LDL or bad cholesterol.

Overall, eating eggs on a regular basis is a healthy practice.

(The author is nutritionist and dietitian, FITPASS)

Knowing your skin type is crucial for your daily skin routine, and facials are indispensable part of any skin regimen. Skin types fall into four major categories - normal, dry, oily and combination. There are also exaggerated versions of these major skin types, like dehydrated skin, sensitive skin, problem skin with pimples, rash or acne, ageing skin or hydrated skin.

A facial, at least once in three months, is mandatory to replenish and rejuvenate your skin. Lets take a look at some skin regimens for different skin types:

Normal skin

People with normal skin are lucky, because their skin is balanced, neither oily nor dry. It has a soft velvety texture and colour glows under its translucent surface. But, a normal skin also needs daily care if it has to last.

A classic facial includes cleansing, exfoliation (removing dead cells with scrubs), extraction of blackheads, massage, mask, toning and protection (use of protective coverage). A Galvanic gadget may also be used. If it is a combination skin, a high frequency gadget may also be used to create a germicidal environment.

Dry skin

If you have a dry skin, you fall in the majority category. Your skin lacks both oil and moisture. It looks fine textured, transparent, patchy and fragile. Tiny expression lines develop early. Dry skins flake and chap easily.

For dry skin, the facial should involve the aspects of cleansing, deep cleansing and protection. After thorough cleansing, a facial massage is given, which improves the functions of the skin and also strengthens its supportive tissues. This increases the skins resilience and elasticity, keeping it firm, soft and smooth. Special massage techniques are used for special areas, like the delicate region around the eyes. The massage stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, thus helping the elimination of toxins.

Oily skin

In an oily skin, the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands are overactive. They produce more oil than the skin needs, which oozes out, giving the skin a greasy look. The excess oil enlarges the pores, giving the skin a coarse texture. Oily skins are prone to blackheads, pimples and acne.

For oily skin, facial massage with cream is not given. Deep pore cleansing methods are provided along with exfoliation. Blackheads are extracted. The masks and other procedures help to remove oiliness, shrink the pores and make the skin smooth and translucent.

Combination skin

For combination skins and related conditions, therapies to purify the skin are provided. The skin is cleansed with a cleansing milk. The dry areas are treated with a light massage, while blackheads may be extracted from oily areas. Toning and skin compress are essential parts and so are mask and protection.

All areas of the face and neck are treated, according to specific needs. For example, the skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, requiring a light touch, following specific direction and movement of the fingers. Different strokes, movements, directions and pressure are applied to different areas.

The rose has enamoured mankind for centuries, earning it the pedestal of love, compassion and purity.

Forward to 2017, the rose, in a graphic motif, has won hearts all over again, paving way for H&M, Topshop and Zara to capitalise on this trend, which means it is here to stay a long time, but we also may get bored of it soon. Everything moves quicker now - a tidal wave of fashion that is today, but the rose motif will keep peeking its head up every few years or decade.

We live in times of turmoil, and it is refreshing and soothing to see beauty and florals as an antidote. With that view, Nachiket Barve says the rose remains an eternal symbol of love and this could be reason perhaps for its popularity.

Air of romance

"I have been working extensively with the rose motif for the last few years and you can see it being used prominently in my Chiaroscuro collection in cutwork. Recently, I have been developing an extension in beadwork for festive wear. Youll find this motif on tops, pants, sleeves as prints and embroidery. I have been doing roses in cutwork, thread embroidery, appliqué and beading. We also did a version in Shibori technique," he adds, confirming that this wedding season too, modern brides are asking for rose motif for lehengas and jackets as well as saris.

Nagpur-based designer Shruti Sancheti explains that the rose has always been a popular motif in fashion from time immemorial. "A rose is a symbol of love, romance, beauty and femininity. This floral motif was greatly seen during Edwardian era in clothes, linen and upholstery. Today, it is also interpreted in a grunge style. The British introduced it to India and they would take Indian yarns, process it in Manchester and sell the fabric to Indians. The European memsahibs wore a lot of this motif and the Indians would emulate them and wore these prints in their traditional regalia," says the designer, who has used this motif liberally in two of collections East India Co and Le Pondi, which have European and Indian detailing.

Feminine touch

Delna Poonawala, milliner and fashion designer, "From street-wear brands to art, we see that the retro rose has become a persistent anti-logo, suddenly popping up everywhere. The trend didnt start on runways, but on Instagram. NewYork SS2017 Fashion Week exploded with the rose motifs being everywhere from the first day and used by many designers. Designer Adam Selman pushed the rose motif into full bloom, filling the centre of his runway with vases of roses as well as having it embroidered all over his collection. Ulla Johnsons first runway show included some dresses in black and white rose print," she explains.

The line between high fashion and street wear in blurring and the popularity of rose demonstrates how high fashion and slow fashion in general are becoming one and the same. As with all art a new generation, new circumstances add a different meaning to the motif of the day.

Where gorgeous rose loafers from Gucci are all over the place this season, denim jackets with roses embroidered across the back, rose prints over stripes and patch work on white shirts, rose embellished denims are big this season. You can also never go wrong with a bralette with rose embellishment.

According to designer Swatee Singh, the fact that nobody owns the rose adds to the appeal. The design is as universal as a logo, but its also anonymous and open to endless customisation. Fashions infatuation with the rose is an old affair. The Royal Ontario Museums collection includes a rose embroidered dress believed to have belonged to the trendsetting Marie Antoinette, designed by the aptly named dressmaker Rose Bertin.

Once a trick used by pros, sous vide (pronounced sue-veed) is a cooking technique that utilises precise temperature control to deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results. High-end restaurants have been using sous vide for years to cook food to the exact level of doneness desired, every time.

Sous vide, which means "under vacuum" in French, refers to the process of vacuum-sealing food in a bag, then cooking it to a precise temperature in a water bath. This technique produces results that are impossible to achieve through any other cooking method.

In traditional methods of cooking, you dont have control over heat and temperature. With precise temperature control in the kitchen, sous vide provides the following benefits:

Consistency: As you cook your food to a precise temperature for a precise amount of time, you can expect very consistent results.

Taste: As meat cooks in its juices, it is moist, juicy and tender and more appealing. As food is vacuum sealed in a sous vide bag, it doesnt dehydrate or lose its form while cooking. The original weight, flavour and natural colour and aroma is not lost. It also means you can use cheaper or forgotten cuts of meat to greater effect!

Healthy: Due to the enhanced flavours of sous vide food, little or no additional salt or fat is needed during cooking. Plus, vacuum sealing the food means that vitamins and minerals are not lost during the cooking process.

Waste reduction: Traditionally prepared food dries out and results in waste. Traditionally cooked steak loses up to 40% of its volume as it dries out.

Flexibility: Precision cooking brings food to an exact temperature and holds it. There is no worry about overcooking.

Mahesh Padala
(The author is executive chef, Bengaluru Marriott Hotel)

Sweet Chilli Almonds

(yields: 1 cup)

Ingredients: A cup of whole almonds; egg white from ' an egg; two springs of curry leaves; half a tsp of salt; 2 tsps of sugar and half a tsp of red chilli powder

Method: Place the curry leaves in a microwave and dry them completely on low heat. Crush them in a bowl and add salt, sugar and red chilli powder. Mix well. Add the egg white to the almonds and mix well. The egg white should be just enough to coat the almonds lightly. Now sprinkle the masala and mix well. Spread the almonds on a roasting tray. In a pre-heated oven, cook the almonds for 10 minutes at 120 °C. Remove and allow to cool. Store in an air-tight jar.

Almond and Amaranth Ladoos
(yields: 14 to 15)

Ingredients: Around 50 gm of popped amaranth seeds or rajgira; 50 gm of jaggery and 30 gm of almond slivers (unpeeled).

Method: Melt jaggery in a pan to make a syrup for the laddoos. Keep the jaggery syrup in a bowl and add popped amaranth seeds and almond slivers to it. Mix all the ingredients well. Make small firm balls from the mixture.

Almond and Soya Milk Smoothie (yields: 4 glasses)

Ingredients: Around 100 gm of almond flakes; 750 ml of soya milk; 150 gm of honey; 350 gm of whole almonds and 200 gm of banana.

Method: In a mixer jar, take whole almonds without skin, add soya milk, honey and banana in it. Blend it and garnish with roasted almonds flakes.

Grilled Almond Barfi
(Sugar Free)

Ingredients: Around 500 gm of khoya; 40 gm of artificial sweetner and a cup of almonds roasted and crushed.

Method: Grate the khoya and keep it aside. Heat a pan and add khoya, followed by the artificial sweetner and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Take it off the heat and mix in roasted and crushed almonds. Transfer this to a serving dish. Sprinkle the remaining sweetner on top. Place the dish in a hot oven 200 °C, and allow the sugar to caramelise. Serve immediately.

Courtesy: California Almonds

It is not often that I prefer mashing tomatoes over learning how to pronounce a knotty word. Sometimes, I do. Because sometimes it is mighty easier to mash tomatoes, whisk the butter, pound the nuts and finely chop the parsley than taking lessons in how-to-speak-Italian, where you have to put the tongue to the teeth to make the d more explosive, i sharper and p a little less forced.

In Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spas De Luigi, the Italian restaurant, I was sitting with chef Franco Canzano to learn all about Italian sauces, but I could not concoct a perfect-pronunciation recipe. You think I am daft. Try saying funghi e piselli (sauce of mushrooms, bacon and fresh green peas) without faltering and tartufata (truffle sauce flavoured with Marsala or white wine and garlic) without sounding silly.

Balance of flavours

Names of sauces were getting addled. So, I returned to the basics. How to make the perfect Italian sauce, the sauce that keeps us from consuming naked, tasteless noodles just lying there in a limp tangle. "Perfect sauce? There are so many sauces in the Italian cuisine that there is no one perfect sauce. Italian sauces can be categorised according to region, dish, even weather."

Chef Canzano would know all things Italian - he is an Italian, who grew up in Argentina. Bolognese sauce originated in Bologna (hence, the name); carbonara in Rome (the name comes from the traditional charcoal workers); arrabbiata from south Italy; marinara and neapolitan in Naples; ragu reached Emilia-Romagna in the late 18th century. In Italy, the same sauce will taste different in different regions. For example, the pesto from Sicily will have loads of almonds because they grow some of the best almonds around.

Remember, the sauce rules. Think of the number five. Think of a sauce with five ingredients or less (including olive oil and garlic, but not salt and pepper). Remember, the one sauce does not slather all pasta rule.

To each its own special sauce. Frutti di mare, the seafood sauce, is best paired with long pastas like linguini and spaghetti; carbonara with spaghetti; tagliatelle and pappardelle are the two fresh pastas that goes very well with bolognese sauce; large, ridged rigatoni goes well both with large chunks of meat in ragú Napoletano and fried pieces of eggplant in Sicilys pasta alla Norma.

Angel hair might be served with olive oil and parsley and linguine with tiny clams. Short tubular pastas match well with heavier meat-based or vegetable sauces, such as penne ai carciofi. Long, skinny pastas are best paired with olive oil-based sauces while shaped pasta such as wheels, farfalle and fusilli are perfect at catching heavy sauces.

Easy to make

The names of Italian sauces were still getting muddled in my head. I looked at the restaurant menu and guessed how much time it would take to make chicken tortellini on truffle-scented mushroom sauce, and spaghetti with aglio olio pepperoncino. Perhaps 30 minutes. "30 minutes? The best sauce is made fresh.

If all the ingredients are handy, 10 minutes is all you need to make the Italian sauce." True to the word, five sauces were on my table in 15 minutes flat. Chef Canzano makes one exception, though. He says the only sauce that withstands refrigeration well is the bolognese sauce. "Make 10 kgs of it and store it," Canzano says with a smile.

But if you are in a hurry, just pick a jar, open the lid and dunk your pasta in the readymade sauce. Not all store-bought pasta will pack an unforgettable aroma but theres a few brands that make it to the good-pasta list. Theres the velvety, consistent, not majorly spiced Raos marinara sauce, which makes it to rank 7 in Thrillists nine best store-bought pasta sauce list.

Guy Fieri Traditional Old Skool pasta sauce tops that list for being "so tasty, so smoky, so alive with crushed red pepper and slow-cooked herbs, that it quite literally has soul". The others on the podium are Prego Traditional, Barilla, Ragu, FunFoods pasta sauce, Mealfastrr Italian Neopolitana Sauce and Reggia Italian Pesto.

Singer, songwriter Steve Albini said: "In heaven, after antipasti, the first course will be pasta." Which sauce will the angels serve the pasta with? Ragu Bolognese? Roasted tomato and almond pesto? Or a salsa alla capricciosa?

Know the sauce

Vongole: Clam sauce with onions, tomatoes, olive oil and garlic.

Acciughe: Sauce of anchovies flavoured with garlic, oil and parsley.

Cacciatore: Meat and vegetable sauce flavoured with juniper berries.

Marinara: Sauce of fresh tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and basil.

Noci: Pounded walnuts and pine nuts with oil, garlic and chopped parsley.

Pesto: Oil, grated cheese, pine nuts, basil and garlic pounded into a paste.

Romana: Meat and chicken sauce with chopped mushrooms.

Aglio e olio: Garlic, olive oil and parsley.

Amatricana: Sauce of fresh tomatoes, chopped bacon, onion and garlic, served with grated pecorino romano cheese.

Umbria: A sauce of pounded anchovies, oil and garlic, flavoured with tomatoes and truffles.

Pasta alla Norma takes its name from Norma, a famous opera written in the early 19th century by composer Vincenzo Bellini. Because Bellini was a native of Cantania, Sicily, a chef in Cantania named his eggplant and pasta dish after the opera.

Carbonara Sauce

Ingredients:
Fresh bacon cubes: 80 gm
Egg yolks: 3
Parmesan cheese: 50 gm
Chopped parsley: 10 gm
Crushed black pepper: 5 gm
Cream: 40 ml
White wine: 10 ml
Extra virgin olive oil: 10 ml
Salt to taste

Method

* Saute the bacon in little oil till crisp and golden brown.

* Make a mixture of egg yolks parmesan cheese, crushed pepper, parsley salt and cream in a bowl. Whisk it nicely and keep it aside.

* When the bacon is crispy and golden brown glaze it with white wine and add the cheese and egg mixture to the pan. Stir for 5 second and remove from the flame to avoid coagulation.

* This sauce is very sensitive and delicate as it tends to curdle very fast if overheated. Drizzle olive oil on top. Serve hot.

Bolognese sauce

Ingredients:
Beef mince: 1 kg
Chopped onion: 100 gm
Diced carrot: 50 gm
Diced celery: 660 gm
Red wine: 100 ml
Tomato paste: 50 gm
Peeled tomato (pilati): 100 gm
Beef/chicken stock: 4 litre
Parmesan rind (trimmings): 200 gm
Garlic: 20 gm
Bay leaf: 3
Thyme, rosemary: 2 sprig each
Refined oil: 60 ml

Method

* In a broad cooking vessel, pour oil and cook onion, carrot and celery until translucent.

* Add the mince beef and sear till the water evaporates completely. Add tomato paste, stir continuously till the mince get dry and starts sticking on the pot.

* Then add red wine and let it cook till it becomes dry again. Add tomato pelati slightly crushed by your hand. Cook for 10 minutes.

* Add half a litre of beef stock and cook on a slow flame. Make a bouquet of rosemary thyme, garlic, and bay leaf and add to the pot.

* Keep adding beef stock little at a time and stir occasionally. Cook for 5 hours.

* In the end, season with salt and pepper.

Recipe courtesy: Chef Franco Canzano, Executive Chef, Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa