There is something about the way Monali Thakur sings that catches the attention of her listeners. Its not just her voice but also the attitude that reflects when she is singing.

After giving hits like Badri Ki Dulhania, Zara Zara Touch Me and Sawaar Loon, to name a few, shes back again with MTV Unplugged Season 7 to give her version of the songs. Monali speaks about her musical odyssey.

What do you like about the show?

You can do whatever you want to with certain songs. Its like you have the freedom to do whatever you want and its just priceless.

Which are some of the songs that you will be singing?

Apart from the songs that I have sung in films, I also have certain melodies that people arent aware of. These are songs I have collaborated and clubbed with popular ghazals and folk songs. The rehearsals were a lot of fun.

Youve been quite busy lately. What are you working on?

Im doing MTV Music Project with the channels team again. Apart from that, theres been a lot but I just cant talk about them yet.

Youve made a mark in several genres of music. Which one has been your favourite?

I cant pick one because I am a diverse person. I have different moods and I like listening, dancing or moving to different genres of music according to how I feel. But the one genre that I have difficulty understanding is hardcore metallic rock. I just dont understand that.

How do you balance your music with other
obligations?

To be very honest with you, its very difficult. It feels like these days are just filled with various obligations that I dont know how to distract myself. But unfortunately, to live in this crazy world, you have to figure it out.

Whats the weirdest thing thats ever happened to you while working on a song?

I wanted to sleep when I was singing once! But there are many, many weird situations that happen regularly. We take our sweet time recording too. But it all depends on your mind and which state of
mind you are in. Then again, a lot depends on your voice.

Youve been writing music for a long time. Do you remember the first time you wrote one?

I wrote a song when I was really young. I even tuned it. I have composed many singles like that.

How do you feel about other artistes doing covers of your songs?

They are all beautiful to me. I dont have the heart to say one of them is better than the other, especially because they are not sending it to me for approval. Its great that they like my song and want to make a cover out of it.

Christmas is on the doorstep and its time to bring out the decorations and make your home look like a magical place. But of course, no celebration is complete without food and this time, its all about Christmas cakes.

The process of making these cakes takes weeks or months, starting with the soaking of fruits, raisins and nuts and finally mixing it with spices before it goes into the batter.

Many home bakers in the city have already begun their preparations. Dorothy Victor, a home baker says, "Its been a couple of weeks since I soaked my fruits and raisins. The baking will begin very soon."

Its become a family tradition for Dorothy to bake these cakes every year. She usually as family members coming over during this festive season. "Its not going to be too grand as I lost my father this year. But Christmas is the most joyous celebration of the year and we all look forward to it," she adds.

So what makes Dorothys Christmas cakes so special? She says with a smile, "My secret ingredient is lots of love."

For self-taught baker Jeyadra Vijayselvan, the preparation for this years plum cakes began last year. She says, "I usually soak the dried fruits in alcohol a few months before Christmas the previous year so that the flavour will soak in very well by the time I have to a bake it. Closer to Christmas, I take them out and add the spices to it and its ready to go in the oven."

Jeyadra isnt someone who follows the traditional recipe. "Ive felt that those cakes usually dry up and crumble as soon as you try to cut a piece. Ive improvised on that so when you cut through the cake, youll get a beautifully smooth slice," she explains. She also makes panetonnes which were the first Christmas cakes ever made.

"The true origin of the bread/cake can be found in the Middle Ages when people used to celebrate Christmas with a bread richer than the one they ate every day, so they would add raisins and oranges. Not many in the city know about this recipe, and I hope they will find this interesting," says Jeyadra.

Adding a little twist to tradition is home baker Rebecca and her daughter Tresa Francis. Tresa says, "I dont soak the dried fruits in advance like many bakers. I just pressure cook them when Im about to bake so that it becomes soft and easy to make. My mother, on the other hand, bakes almost 500 kg for a company; but she makes date and walnut cakes and carrot cakes."

Rebecca says, "A friend of ours asked me to make these cakes once and since then, I end up making a lot of it for his office. These cakes dont require any soaking but the fruits need to be cut and kept ready for baking. It takes about two weeks to finish the whole
cake."

Looks like every house is ready to cut into some delicious cakes now. When and where are you getting yours from?

Cupcakes have become mainstream, as they are served everywhere from birthday parties to corporate events. Baking is an art, a science and it also means finding comfort in the familys best kept secret recipes. All you need is a right technique. Here are some tricks to making some fantastic cupcakes:

* Pans: Standard baking tray cups measure 2-inch in diameter and are used for regular-sized cupcakes. Mini-baking cups are 1 inch in diameter, while the jumbo ones are 3 ½ inches. You can get some adorable cupcake wrappers, which can be placed in the baking pan before you pour the batter.

* Ingredients: Cupcakes are miniature versions of your favourite cakes. Choose the ingredients depending on the texture you want for your cupcakes. Keep the scaling of ingredients in mind to fit small batches of six or 12 pieces. Quality ingredients are the key to great cupcakes. For example, in case of chocolate cupcakes, make sure you choose a good quality Dutch cocoa and some Belgian chocolate chips.

* Mixing: Techniques like creaming, folding, foaming etc are crucial to baking. Mixing of the batter determines the texture of the cupcakes. If you are looking for soft and fluffy cupcakes, cream the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy.

* Portioning: If all the cupcake liners are filled with the same quantity of batter, the cupcakes will be baked evenly. Use an ice-cream scoop to portion the batter.

* Filling: You could add caramel squares to the middle of the batter, nuts or chocolate chips as filled centres before baking. You can even fill the centres with yummy sauces like lemon curd, caramel once the cupcakes are baked.

* Frosting: Icing is the best way to dress up your cupcakes. Ensure that the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting them. Try frostings like American buttercream, Swiss meringue buttercream, whipped cream and ganache.

* Decorating: You can garnish you cupcakes with sprinkles, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, candy or chopped nuts. You can even drizzle some chocolate sauce, top it with cherries or dip it in caramel or Nutella.

(The author owns Indulge Cupcakes)

Gado-Gado (vegetable salad with peanut dressing)
Ingredients: For the peanut dressing, around 150 gm of fried peanuts; 15 gm of fried shallots; a clove of garlic; 15 gm of palm sugar; 10 gm of galangal; 2 birds-eye chillies; 250 ml of water; 1 lime; 30 gm of sweet soy sauce and 5 gm of salt. For the salad, 100 gm of boiled bean sprouts; 100 gm of long beans, cut long and boiled; 100 gm of julienned carrots, boiled; 10 gm of boiled cabbages; 50 gm of tofu sliced, deep fried; 1 hard-boiled egg, wedged; 1 tomato, wedged and 100 gm of potato, boiled and cubed.

Method: For the dressing, grind peanuts, palm sugar, fried shallots, galangal, chillies and garlic in a mortar. Gradually add water in batches to form a paste. Add lime juice and sweet soy sauce. Toss in vegetables to prepare the salad.

Note: Serve as a light salad or as an accompaniment with grilled fish or chicken.

Sate Lilit (Minced seafood satay)
Ingredients: Around 150 gm of snapper fillet, minced; 150 gm of prawn, peeled and minced; 100 gm of base genep (spice mix made of candlenuts, garlic, galangal, coriander seeds, black pepper, fresh turmeric and shallots); 15 gm of fried shallots; 15 gm of fried garlic, finely chopped; 1 birds-eye chilli, finely chopped; 15 gm of coconut, grated, toasted; 15 gm of palm sugar, sliced; 15 gm of thick coconut milk; 2 kaffir lime leaves, julienned; 5 gm of shrimp paste mixed with 1 tsp water; 1 lime, squeezed; 5 gm of salt and lemongrass for satay skewers 6-inches in length.

Method: Combine all ingredients together and mix well. Mould a tablespoonful of the satay mixture around the lemongrass stick and cook over charcoal grill or a grill pan till they turn golden brown. Ensure that your use fresh prawn and fish as frozen ones may contain too much moisture.

Tum Bebek (minced duck in banana leaf)
Ingredients: Around 150 gm of boneless duck, minced; 50 gm of base genep; 1 egg; 15 gm of fried shallots; 15 gm of red chillies, diced; 1 birds-eye chilli diced; 1 kaffir lime leaf sliced fine; 15 gm of grated coconut, toasted; 5 gm of salt and white pepper powder and 5 banana leaves for wrapping.

Method: Combine all the ingredients. Mix them well and check the seasoning. Place a tbsp of mixture into the banana leaf and wrap gently and close each side with bamboo/tooth pick. Steam these parcels for about 15 minutes until well cooked. Serve hot.

Courtesy: Chef Ravinder, Ayana Resort and Spa, Bali.

When I land at Dehraduns Jolly Grant Airport, the air is crisp and the landscape is a dull green carpet that continues onto the mountains, amid open fields and colourful houses. I drive into Antara, a senior living concept that invites residents above 55 years of age to live on its 14-acre property situated on the plateau surrounding by Mussorie hills in Purukal village.

Chef Arun Karara, head of menu creations, has prepared a traditional lunch for us, using locally sourced produce and recipes. "I am in charge of a healthy and balanced diet for the residents and when I looked around at the region, I realised that the high-quality local produce here can make my task simpler. Any meal in the hills is ghar ka khana," he smiles, adding that they work with a food partner network that deals directly with farmers to source produce. Vegetables in Dehradun have travelled only a short distance from the farms, which ensures their freshness and taste.

Dehradun is a pot belly, which combines Garhwali and Kumaoni food. The server had brought in a plate of tikkis made from barley and pumpkin with a side dip made of wild sesame. "Compared to the black and white sesame available in city markets, the hills produce four to five different varieties, which are consumed to keep the body warm in winters. We toast the sesame and add lemon juice to it," Karara explains.

The warm tikkis melt in my mouth and the lightly spiced bites are wholesome. For the non-vegetarians, there is bhatti chicken made with simple masalas of turmeric, chillies and garam masala. The meat is succulent and the charred edges add a rustic touch to the dish.

Go to grains

Dehradun is big on millets like jangora (barnyard millet) and madwa (ragi), which are available here in plenty. "All the produce in hills is seasonal, so even the locals follow seasonal meals. They usually avoid meats and heavy foods in summers, saving that rich diet for winters," the chef explains. With the nip in the air, winter greens like batua, palak and sarso abound. For mains, I am served batua saag with jhangora roti.

"People here have large backyards, where they grow their own produce including greens, broccoli, tomatoes, etc," says Karara.

I dip my roti in the local Uttarakhandi dal called kulhatt or horsegram. The dal has been roasted, ground and boiled to a thick consistency.

Spice trail

Since Dehradun doesnt grow a lot of spices, the locals incorporate fresh spices like turmeric in their meals. "The fresh spices that locals grow are not similar to the ones used commercially. Desi turmeric has a different sort of flavour profile than the regular one," Karara points out. A popular spice in the hills is jakhiya (cleome viscose), which belongs to the mustard family. When I taste it in a yogurt dip, the tiny, dark brown grains have a crunchy texture that leaves a subtle zing of mustard. "Even a simple aloo sabzi is treated with a tadka of jakhiya," says chef.

Apart from the use of few local spices, Dehraduni cuisine is also known for the use of dairy. Small vendors make local cheese for their own consumption, which is similar to cheddar. They also make an excellent mozzarella using cow milk.

Sweet tooth

In winters, locals consume heavy desserts, so you will see lot of ghee lot of millets and starch paste. During summers, they prefer fruits.

Bal mithai is an absolute must have. The brown chocolate-like fudge is made with roasted khoya, coated with white sugar balls. I relish a bowl of janghore ki kheer, one of the most popular desserts cooked with millet and cows milk. It is not heavy on your palate compared to the rice kheer, and is easy to digest. I decide to take a spoonful just for a taste after the scrumptious meal, but end up licking the bowl clean!

On any given day, a full meal like this would slip me into a drowsy mood, but this one leaves me feeling energised to walk around and breathe in the fresh air. "The ingredients have been nurtured by the good soil and air. It is bound to uplift your spirits," Karara signs off.

My time in the beautiful hills of Dehradun comes to an end the next day. The chef sends me off with a loaf of banana and walnut cake, which is dense, buttery and nutty. On my way to the airport, I take a small detour at the famous Ellora Bakery on Rajpur Road. At one of the oldest bakeries in Dehradun, kids are buying toffee, locals are buying freshly baked bread while tourists are picking up plum cakes.

Bakes and cakes are an integral tradition of Dehradun and I pick up a box of toffees that are chewy, caramel treat to end my trip on a sweet note.

Recipe

Chainsoo (serves 4)

Ingredients:

Whole Black gram dal (gehat dal): 200 gm
Garlic: 4-5 cloves
Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
Black pepper: 4 corns
Red chillies: 4-5
Coriander powder: 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder: 1/2 tsp
Garam masala: 1/2 tsp
Oil (preferably mustard oil): 1/2 cup
Water: 3 cups
A pinch of asafoetida
Salt: 3 tsp
Ghee and coriander leaves for garnishing

Method

* Place a kadai on a medium flame and dry roast the dal for about 3-5 minutes until it emanates an aroma (do not over roast). Take it off the flame. Grind the roasted dal into a coarse powder.
* Heat oil in a kadai and add the garlic cloves. When the cloves turn light brown, add cumin seeds, red chillies, black pepper and asafoetida. Immediately, add the powdered dal and fry for 1-2 minutes.
* Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder, salt and water. Cover and cook until the dal becomes soft. Let the mixture simmer for 20-30 minutes.
* Before turning off the heat, sprinkle garam masala over the chainsoo.
* Garnish with ghee and chopped coriander leaves.

That welcome nip in the air makes it official: winter is here! Usually featuring a slew of unprepared, unplanned outfits, dressing for multiple seasons in a day isnt exactly easy. Fashion is all about reinvention, especially during winters. Hence, we give you an exclusive insight on the seasons new must-have trends, ranging from party-approved numbers and winter-ready knits to head-turning festive ensembles.

* Asymmetry: Move over straight hemlines! Asymmetry is the simplest shortcut to chic this season. A fishtail, a bias cut flounce, a draped detail or a simple wrap skirt are all small details that can define a new aesthetic - sartorial balance. A handkerchief hem dress is a multitasker, dazzling from brunch to vacations.

* Red alert: This vivid shade is topping charts everywhere. Whether your winter wish list includes a festive anarkali set or street-style inspired active wear, theres a red outfit to suit everyone! If the bright red is not your thing, you can avoid it by wearing burgundy clothes.

* Great jeans: The high waist, light-wash denim and mom jeans are making a comeback now. The style now is to keep it simple. Pair your favourite pair of booty-shaping jeans with a T-shirt, button-down, or sweater, and sleek shoes like flats, booties, or unembellished sneakers. Or theres more to denim than pants. Upgrade with off-shoulder tops, dresses and co-ord sets. A head-to-toe denim look makes a great Instagram-worthy outfit.

* All that glitters: Shine on baby! For a sun downer wear something shimmery that works well when the night falls. Go for a metallic top, statement-pleated skirt, cropped pants, midi skirt or mini skirt. Or indulge in dance-floor-ready metallic and sequinned slips, T-shirt dresses, skirts and accessories. For a subdued effect, give velvet a shot.

* Tartan & plaid: Tartan is once again gracing the runways this season, with everyone sporting checked shirts, plaid coats and tartan trousers. The Scottish-inspired pattern, suits all ages. Sported by the Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Watson and more, a tartan shirt or dress is a rad choice for Christmas.

* Modern Indian: Channelling desi chic gets easier. The Indo-Western fusion or the Western ethnic fusion has been one of the biggest and most versatile fashion trends, ever since it started ages ago. India-inspired dresses make for a unique style statement while well-tailored Nehru jackets add a dapper edge to menswear.

* Suit up: For all the street wear and athleisure dominating fashion, tailored suits are also making a strong statement now. Often limited to workspaces, pantsuits made a splash on runways this season. Nail the trend with an off-the-moment grey blazer that goes boardroom-to-bar in an instant! For starters, you can add some playful flair underneath, whether in electric colours or with shiny, punky zips.

* In the pink: From millennial pink to dusty rose, pink is winning winter. Besides from being just another feminine colour, its also considered a statement. This lush colour to your closet with separates accessories or a fusion ensemble for the festive season.

* Extra cover: Winter without jackets? No way! Choose from bombers, long-line cover-ups, varsity jackets or classic leather. Or pick a printed hoodie and wear your opinion. The street style stars have been styling this seasons must-have blazer in a variety of ways, be it with a tee and straight leg jeans or mini dress and knee-high boots.

* As you like knit: With temperatures dipping, this is the best time to show off your knitwear. Knitwear is the must-have this winter; never has it been so popular amongst designers. Not just sweaters, make room in your wardrobe for form-fitting knitted dresses and top
wear.

(The author is vice president, design, Max Fashion)

Beauty and health are becoming the most debatable topics today, as there is always a new trend that comes up and we follow it blindly without understanding its true meaning. With labels like vegan, cruelty-free, organic and natural doing rounds, it is hard to choose from a wide range of beauty products that will suit your skin and hair. However, vegan beauty products are the most obvious choice today, as they are made from hand-picked natural ingredients without any chemical components.
Currently, veganism is the most trending health fad. From health to beauty benefits, going vegan can help detox your body. Vegan beauty picks are proven to be more effective and sustainable. Moreover, vegan products are animal friendly, as they dont contain animal by-products and are not tested on animals before being manufactured.

Ethical choices

Made from choicest of natural ingredients sourced from around the world, vegan products have zero side effects on your skin. They are safe for sensitive skin and damaged hair. These products are designed to maintain the natural tone of every skin and hair type. Natural ingredients such as coconut milk contain antibacterial properties and ginger, aloe vera, seaweed, tea tree oil, green tea, chamomile and seaweed gels work well on any skin type, as they are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. These products rarely cause any type of skin irritation or rashes.

Whats more, vegan beauty products has been living up to their claims of being 100% vegetarian without compromising on morals and beliefs. Being 100% vegetarian implies that all the products that have been produced without the use of animal by-products. Vegan beauty ranges do not contain animal ingredients like honey, beeswax or milk.

Staying true to their philosophy, vegan beauty brands have been actively participating in Forever Against Animal Testing Campaign for a global ban on cosmetics animal testing for products and ingredients, revolutionising the beauty industry and protecting millions of innocent animals around the world. Lets take a look at the benefits of a vegan beauty regimen:

* Soft & supple skin: Following a vegan beauty regime can bestow you with healthy skin. Vitamin B found in kale and vitamin C in oranges regenerate the skin cells making your skin soft and radiant. Vitamin C is known to enhance the natural radiance of the dull skin. Even melons and cucumber that are rich in water content can keep you skin hydrated.

* Thick & long locks: Natural extracts such as green tea in shampoos, hair scrubs and conditioners help get rid of impurities and clear the scalp, leaving you with longer and stronger hair. Products that are 100% vegetarian, without colourants and silicone, refresh the hair and scalp and act as natural conditioners to your hair. The use of banana and ginger in vegan products also fortify the hair, giving it a healthy shine.

* Acne control: Common ingredients in vegan products such as seaweed, tea tree oil, vitamin E, aloe vera, chamomile have energising properties. Chamomile purifies the skin and gives a silky soft feel and is suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Aloe vera has soothing and calming properties that can fight skin irritation and inflammation. Seaweed is known to absorb excess oil and skin impurities, thus helps in treating acne. Tea tree oil targets the imperfections of the body and it is best suitable for blemished skin.

* Chemical free: Devoid of harmful chemicals, vegan products do not need any ingredient check. Fancy, scientific sounding names can be confusing and we often buy products containing chemicals without a second thought. We end up using these "fancy" products on a daily basis, gradually harming our skin and hair. Most cosmetics contain chemicals like lanolin (derived from sheep), butylated hydroxytoluene and formaldehyde that can have damaging effects on your skin, causing irritation and inflammation.

* Prevent skin problems: The chances of developing rashes, allergies, eczemas, acne, skin inflammation and skin diseases are low when one uses vegan cosmetics. Your skin becomes naturally beautiful and healthy with fruit and oil extracts.

* 100% cruelty free: Vegan products do not contain beeswax, collagen, gelatin, honey, carmine, cholesterol and other ingredients derived from animals. These products are 100% cruelty free and never tested on animals. Although not all of us are animal rights activists, knowing our beauty essentials are not made after harming innocent animals, is a relief.

* Animal-tested products are a threat to our ecosystem and also cause pollution during their manufacturing process. Rabbits, dogs, hamsters and mice are harmed because of inhumane testing techniques. Making another living being suffer for the sake of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, creams and foundations is a risk not worth taking, especially when you have a range vegan beauty products to choose from instead.

* Natural skincare products such as essential oils like tea tree and chamomile; herbal extracts such as aloe vera, green tea; vitamins such as E,C and A; fruits like ginger, melons and cucumbers and other antioxidants, are especially crafted for skincare. Vegan products take us back to the ancient times when man turned to nature for all his beauty and health needs.

(The author is head, training, The Body Shop India)

Are you looking for a super food that can serve you the goodness of omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, zinc, magnesium, antioxidants, protein, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins B1, B2, B3 and E in every serving? Look no further than chia seeds, a nutritional super food that can be sprinkled on your rice dishes or mixed into beverages and baked foods, without worrying about any side effects.
Lets take a look at how these tiny seeds are beneficial to the body:
* Aids digestion: Chia seeds are easy to digest and help in regularising bowel movement. Rich in healthy fats and fibre content, chia can cure constipation. Eating chia seeds can also make a person feel full, as they absorb a considerable amount of water and expand in the stomach when consumed.
* Fights ageing: According to a study, chia seeds curb up to 70% of free radical activity, as they contain natural phenolic concentration. Chia seeds can prevent skin cell damage, UV damage and promote repair.
* Boosts immunity: Chia seeds are one of the healthiest foods that supply a lot of energy and endurance to the body. They can be eaten unprocessed as well to build immunity.
* Cuts down belly fat: Consuming chia seeds everyday increases the bodys metabolic rate and burns belly fat effectively. Chia seeds reduce visceral adipose tissue, a belly fat tissue that affects metabolism and leads to obesity.
* Improves bone strength: High in calcium content, consuming 1-2 teaspoons of chia seeds everyday can make your bones stronger. Chia contains boron, which helps digest the calcium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus for bone growth.
* Lowers cancer risk: Chia seeds can cut down the risk of breast and cervical cancers. Chia contains alpha lipoic acid that limits the growth of cancer cells in the breasts and cervix.

(The author is nutrition and wellness expert, Oriflame India)

If sunglasses keep the eyes safe from harmful rays in summers, then they are all the more effective in winters. Research shows that winter brings with it double the threat of eye damage. Experts say that winter sun sits lower in the sky and at a different angle than summer months. It actually leads to more exposure to harmful sun rays if one is out for a longer periods of time. It can be damaging to various layers of the eye. Here are reasons why one must wear sunglasses in winters:
* Protection from glare: Wintry precipitation coats every surface, and it leads to bright reflections of sunlight, which cause glare that can impair vision. This reflective glare is dangerous while driving. Sunglasses prevent the glare and provide safer and more comfortable vision.
* Filter UV rays: Exposure to UV radiation is linked with cataracts and macular degeneration. UV rays damage the corneas, which in the long run lead to cataract. Quality sunglasses filter harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays.
* Act as wind barriers: Winters can be windy. Dust and debris in the wind can cause corneal abrasions. Sunglasses act as wind barriers and prevent the windblown particles from entering the eyes.
* Prevent headaches: The pupil in the eye controls the inflow of light reaching the retina. Pupil dilates to allow more inflow of light in dim light conditions, while it constricts to prevent too much inflow of light in bright light conditions. Constant constriction of pupil leads to headache and eye strain. Sunglasses balance the amount of light entering the eyes, which increases comfort.
* Improve vision: Eyes require just the right amount of light for undisturbed vision. Too much light causes "bleaching" of the retinas, which reduces visual acuity. Hence, wearing high-quality sunglasses becomes absolutely crucial even in winter months.

I Rahumathullah
(The author is MD, Maui Jim)

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs that is caused by various bacteria, viruses, or even fungi. Pneumonia generally causes heavy inflammation in the air sacs of your lungs, which are known as alveoli. The alveoli are then filled with fluid or pus, making it difficult for the person to breathe. It is one of the most serious and life threatening disease of all. According to Indian Academy of Paediatrics, at least one child under the age five dies from pneumonia every two minutes in India.
Pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. It turns fatal in case of infants, children, people older than 65, and those with weakened immune systems. With winter at its peak, it is important to know the early symptoms to watch out for:
* Severe cough that may produce phlegm (mucus)
* High fever
* Shortness of breath and chest pain
* Vomiting, nausea and fatigue
Treatment for pneumonia varies according to the intensity of the illness.
* Mild pneumonia can be treated at home with rest, antibiotics and by drinking plenty of fluids. If the case is severe, a person might require hospitalisation.
* Doctors prescribe childhood vaccination to curb pneumonia.
* Breast feeding an infant for up to six months, nutritious diet, a good hygiene and healthy lifestyle can prevent the disease.

Dr Hirenappa Udnur
(The author is consultant Pulmonology, Columbia Asia Hospital)

Winter weight gain often feels inevitable as the colder, shorter days force us to stay indoors. Most of us want to stay glued to the TV or cuddle up with a book. Moreover, the seasonal hunger pangs dont make it any easier for us.
However, the lesser known fact is that the cold snap can actually help one shed extra kilos. According to a study conducted by Sydney Garvan Institute of Medical Research, from shivering workouts to sleeping in a cold room, keeping cool has been found to help burn body fat. It is all related to white fat and brown fat. Everyone is born with brown fat because it is natures way of keeping body warm, but this reduces with age. White fat, on the other hand, stores extra energy, and having too much of it contributes to obesity.
Increasing brown fat not only helps in weight loss, it also reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Those who live in cold climes have 42% increase in brown fat volume and a 10% increase in fat metabolic activity. Hence, we should avoid cosy environments, as with the lack of exposure to a varied ambient temperature, we may become prone to obesity. Here are the key rules for winter weight loss:
* Quick workout: Spend at least 10-15 minutes outdoors. Research shows that shivering for that amount of time can be effective for weight loss. Shivering is equivalent to an hour of moderate exercise, as it increases the level of the irisin hormone, which is produced by muscles, and stimulates the conversion of energy-storing white fat into energy-burning brown fat.
* Move more: If you are not big on gymming, head out for treks or walks. Hard workout techniques like hikes and treks speed up the calorie-burning process.
* Pack up on proteins: A protein-rich diet can keep you full for a longer time and help stabilise your blood sugar levels. Ensure that even your snacks contain at least 10 gm of protein.
* Drink hot: Diligent consumption of hot water and green tea can curb binge eating and boost energy. It also hastens the process of burning white fat and aids weight loss.
* Eat seasonal produce: Seasonal vegetables can help you maintain your weight. Cauliflower, sweet potatoes, winter squash, beans, peas, lentils and brown rice limit the white processed carbohydrates. As most vegetables and salads are calorie free, with the exception of corn, sweet potato and potato, using them as a meal base slashes your daily calorie intake. Soups and stews are also an healthy option.
* Nothing can beat a bowl of hot oatmeal in the winter. Not only is it tasty and convenient, its also full of nutrients and phytochemicals, that fill you up and energise you.
* Surgical option: If you are obese, with a BMI more than 35, then a weight-loss surgery is the best option for you, as there is no risk of infection and the surgery is also more effective during winters.
Lastly, being aware of your poor eating habits and lack of physical activity is the first step towards effective long-term weight loss.

Dr Kapil Agrawal
(The author is sr Bariatric & Laparoscopic surgeon, Habilite Bariatrics & Apollo Spectra)