IS YOUR CAREER ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

IS YOUR CAREER ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

·        Like a financial plan, you also need to review your career portfolio regularly.

·        This will enable you to navigate correctly to reach your professional goals.

1. Your career is galloping if

·        You are happy with your latest appraisal which is favourable.

·        You have received a good promotion in the past 3 years and doing better than your peers.

·        You have achieved your current position by beating the time frame that you had planned.

·        Your salary is well ahead of your level of peers according to industry standards.

·        You have pursued and attended training courses in the past 2 years.

·        You have allocated about 10% of your salary towards learning new skills.

·        Your boss trusts your work and only checks the end result, while you handle the projects alone.

·        You have helped out quite a few colleagues on their various projects.

·        You always propose some ideas in a meeting and a few of them even get implemented.

·        You’re really enjoying your work and have a well-thought out strategy in place.

·        You’re intent on building a strong network among colleagues, a keen learner and willing to put in effort to remain ahead in your field.

2. You’re currently comfortable but losing work passion if

·        You are worried about a few points in your latest appraisal.

·        Your last promotion was in name only but nothing much has changed on ground.

·        You have achieved your current promotion within the time frame you thought you would be.

·        You’re taking home a comfortable salary for your level according to industry standards.

·        You have been reading a lot of books on different subjects, but have not attended any course during the past 2 years.

·        You have allocated about 5% of your salary towards learning new skills.

·        You handle some projects alone, but usually approach a senior colleague to help you out.

·        You have contributed to other people’s work a few times when asked.

·        You usually have to rack your brains during a meeting to come up with an idea.

·        You would like to experiment in another area where you feel that your skills can be better utilized.

3. You’re complacent at work and becoming obsolete if

·        Your latest appraisal is unflattering and you are unhappy about it.

·        You have not got a promotion in the last 3 years and feel that it is too early to get one.

·        You do not feel the need to have a career plan for higher positions.

·        You do not know the industry standards for assessing whether your salary is appropriate.

·        You did not have the time to pursue any course during the last 2 years, nor intend to.

·        You feel that devoting a portion of your salary towards learning new skills is a waste of money.

·        You don’t handle projects alone and someone is always there looking over your shoulder.

·        You have lots of advice to give to colleagues but are not inclined to make the effort.

·        You are brimming with ideas in a meeting, but nobody is ready to listen to them.

EASY TIPS FOR HOSTING A BUFFET DINNER

EASY TIPS FOR HOSTING A BUFFET DINNER

·        A buffet is the easiest way to serve a meal to a crowd.

·        Make your buffet attractive by draping lovely linens over risers of various heights set on the table, so that the food is dramatically presented at different levels.

·        Also, make sure that the food is replenished often so that it remains fresh and attractive.

·        Set up the buffet on a freestanding, long table so that two lines of guests can be serving themselves at once.

·        Alternatively, a round table could be arranged with starters, and subsequent courses set out in a clockwise pattern, will work well for smaller groups.

·        Plates should be set at the beginning of the line but accessories like cutlery and napkins should be the last items on the table.

·        Glasses for wine and other beverages should be placed either on the serving tables, or passed around filled with drinks once people are seated and eating.

BAD FOODS FOR A GOOD SEX LIFE

BAD FOODS FOR A GOOD SEX LIFE

1. Carbohydrate-packed Processed Foods

·         Excessive intake of carbohydrate-rich foods like white breads can induce arteriosclerosis (thickening of arteries) reducing blood flow.

·         Genitals need more-than-average blood supply to translate the sexual desire into long-lasting and pleasurable intimate moments.

2. Fried Foods with High Trans Fat Levels

·         Fried Foods like burgers and fried chapattis contain high Trans-fats (or hydrogenated fats).

·         Even processed foods bearing the label of ‘Trans Fat-free’, like frozen meats, packed soups and cakes have high trans-fats.
·         These hinder with testosterone—the male hormone critical for a fulfilling sex life.

3. Soy

·         Soy is a rich source of many amino acids and essential vitamins.

·         It is a popular low-fat replacement to many dairy products.

·         However, it lowers the testosterone levels and sexual enthusiasm.

4. High Oxalic Acid Foods

·         These foods, like spinach, are essential for your overall health, but higher levels of oxalic acid by their continuous consumption can impact the kidney.

·         When the urine-filtration and urine-formation performance of kidneys suffer, it causes genito-urinary tract infections which lower the testosterone levels.

5. Foods Flavoured with Mint & Liquorice

·         Mint-flavoured food items like chutneys and yoghurt-mixes are very common.

·         However, mint is a herb that lowers libido.

·         Mint has anti-androgenic properties that tend to lower testosterone synthesis.

·         Liquorice is loaded with phyto-estrogens which have testosterone-lowering property.

ACTUAL BENEFITS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICES

BENEFITS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICES

1. Acne and pimples

·      Your skin shows up different types of bumps when sebum (oil) gets blocked and bacteria begin to grow.

·      These bumps can be blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or cysts.

·      Juice 1 lemon and add to 1 cup of hot water.

·      Drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

·      Fresh lemon juice purifies the blood by removing metabolic waste and by changing blood pH from acid to alkaline.

2. Constipation

·      Constipation is a common digestive problem of bowel movement.

·      Your stools become hard, causing strain when you pass.

·      Drink a juice made of 20tbsp of carrot, 6 tbsp of beetroot and 6 tbsp of cucumber.

·      Beetroot and carrot juice, when combined, are excellent in curing constipation, gout, kidney and gall bladder problems.

·      Cucumber is a laxative, and supplies bulk to aid bowel action.

3. Allergies

·      If your eyes are itching or you are sneezing, it indicates allergy.

·      An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people.

·      Drink a juice of 12 tbsp carrot, 4 tbsp celery, 4 tbsp pineapple, and 2 tbsp of beetroot.

·      Pineapple contains bromelain (an enzyme) which reduces inflammation and swelling of the nose, ear, and sinus.

·      The natural sodium (salt) in celery is essential for the body.

4. Menopause

·      Menopause is the transition period in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop producing eggs.

·      Menstruation reduces, eventually stopping altogether.

·      Hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal bleeding and itching are common symptoms.

·      Drink a juice made of 18 tbsp carrot, 6 tbsp beetroot, and 8 tbsp pomegranate.

·      Pomegranate helps in reducing depression and improving bone mineral density.

5. Blood pressure

·      High blood pressure means high pressure in the arteries.

·      Drink a juice made of 16tbsp carrot and 4 cloves of garlic.

·      Eating garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardio vascular disease.

·      Allicin compound and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in garlic relax blood vessels, thereby improving blood flow in the arteries.

6. Diabetes

·      Diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are high.

·      It doesn’t have a permanent solution but the right diet and exercise can help control the sugar level.

·      Drink a juice of 12 tbsp carrots, 10 tbsp of brussel sprouts and 10 tbsp of string beans.

·      The pods of string beans or French beans are a medium strength diuretic, stimulating urine flow and removing toxins from the body.

·      Also, brussel sprouts are rich in fibre and Vitamin C.

7. Cold, fever, flu

·      There is no immediate cure for common cold and needs to be treated internally.

·      For the flu, instead of pills or syrup to fight off the virus, you can cure yourself with vegetable juice.

·      Drink a juice of 8tbsp carrot, 8 tbsp orange, 2 tbsp lemon and 4 cloves of garlic.

·      Carrots, oranges and lemons are rich in natural vitamin C.

·      Garlic is nature’s antibiotic and can treat common cold.

8. Obesity

·      It is not the same as being overweight.

·      A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone or water, as well as from having too much fat.

·      Obesity means having too much body fat.

·      Drink a juice of 22 tbsp carrot, 10 tbsp cabbage and 32 tbsp spinach.

·      Spinach contains a range of active substances which are indispensable to the body.

·      Also, cabbage juice reduces conversion of carbohydrates into fats and is beneficial in controlling obesity.

SAFE SKIN THERAPIES

SAFE SKIN THERAPIES

1. STEAM BATH

Advantages

·         Water, in the form of steam, plays an important role in naturopathic treatment of diseases.

·         It opens the pores in the skin and increases blood flow to body parts, hair follicles, nerve endings and the dermis, the skin layer containing sweat glands.

·         When the pores are open, toxins are excreted easily, curing skin problems like acne, pimples, small abscesses and eczemas.

·         It relieves joint and body pains, increases glucose consumption in the muscles, and lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics.

·         It has a soothing, sedative effect on the nervous system, curing cases of anxiety and insomnia.

·         It improves the blood flow of the heart and circulatory system.

·         A steam bath also enables weight loss as it breaks down fat.

·         A short steam bath controls mild to moderate hypertension.

·         The kidneys also get a boost, through increased sweating and filtering of urine.

·         This is useful in pains caused by excessive uric acid.

Precautions

·         Drink plenty of water before a steam bath.

·         Ideally, take a cold shower after a steam bath, if weather permits.

·         This contracts the tissues, muscles and blood vessels, and helps to expel toxins.

·         Avoid taking a long steam bath can weaken muscles and loosen the skin.

·         Avoid steam baths if you are suffering from hypertension, TB, paralysis, bleeding problems, or deep vein thrombosis.

2. SPA BODY SCRUB (BODY POLISHING)

Advantages

·         Spa therapy is a process of dusting or washing out our dead skin, through 'exfoliation'.

·         Exfoliation is the process which helps the skin’s regenerating process, by removing dead skin cells of the top layer and making way for new ones from the lower layer.

·         A spa body scrub helps in proper exfoliation of one’s skin.

·         After this process, your skin becomes supple and soft as it removes the toxic blockages and allows the new cells to breathe.

·         It can also help in removing a tan, as well as the roughness caused due to constant exposure to dust and pollution.

Precautions

·         For this process, we should use natural or herbal products such as saffron granules, almond, oatmeal, lemon peel, honey, soya bean, fresh cream, rice, etc.

·         Their healing properties stimulate cell renewal and also moisturize the skin.

·         The vitamins and proteins present in the products nourish the skin to give it a fresh glow.

  

3. SALT SCRUB

·         This is applied to cleanse the skin of the entire body, except the face.

·         It helps remove dead skin, opens the pores, letting the skin breathe.

·         It takes around 45 minutes, and is advised before you undertake any treatments using essential oils.

·         Here, sea salt is infused into essential oils and applied on the body.

4. AROMA THERAPY

·         Here, a blend of essential oils is mixed with spices like ginger and cardamom, and then massage techniques are used.

·        

It takes around 90 minutes and is applied all over the body.

·         It is a holistic treatment based on the application of essential oils.

·         This combines physical, psychological and spiritual well being.

5. SWEDISH MASSAGE

·         It involves muscular manipulation and in this treatment the therapist works on the soft tissue.

·         It takes around 60 minutes and its focus area is back, legs, arms, hands, neck and abdomen.

·         This technique improves circulation to remove metabolic waste.

MATTRESS MATTERS

MATTRESS MATTERS

·         A good sound sleep also requires a ‘perfect’ mattress.

1. Are coir mattresses better than foam mattresses?

·         This is a misconception that most people have.

·         Foam mattresses with memory have an extraordinary capacity for adapting to the body’s pressure and to the body heat.

·         Foam responds mainly to the pressure of the body rather than to the heat, which makes you wake up ‘feeling fresh’.

·         As heat interacts much slower than the weight, it would take longer to adapt and recuperate the original shape.

·         Coir mattresses are basically hard and do not take the body shape, which creates pressure points, hindering a good night’s sleep.

·         Coir also tends to get compressed when the body rests on it.

·         Over a period of time, it does not regain back its original shape, leading to sagging.

2. How much does a mattress affect quality sleep and relaxation?

·         The mattress should be firm, yet gentle.

·         If too hard, it is uncomfortable and hinders the quality of sleep.

·         In order to be proportionate to our body, a mattress must be 20 cm longer than us and at least 160 cm wide if sleeping in two.

·         If sleeping on a single mattress, the width must be at least 90 cm in order to allow natural movement during the night.

·         As each body-type has a different weight distribution, the pressure created by two different bodies is not the same.

·         Foam mattresses with memory are extremely soft, giving comfort to the body and against bed sores, being highly breathable.

3. How does one take care of a mattress and clean it?

·         A mattress must be laid on a plain surface.

·         Mattresses should have exclusive fabrics with zipper, which can be easily removed, dry cleaned and put back for use.

ANTI-HYPERTENSION FOODS

·         High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition where the arterial blood pressure increases.

·         It may be caused due to obesity, too much stress, high intake of salt, diabetes etc.

·         It increases risk of diseases such as strokes, heart attack, kidney disorders, heart failure etc.

·         However, there are foods that can lower the blood pressure.

1. Spinach

·         It contains magnesium, folate, iron, and vitamin C.

·         Include this vegetable in your diet even if you don’t favour it.

2. Banana

·         It is rich in potassium which lowers the high blood pressure.

·         A banana a day keeps the high blood pressure away.

3. Kiwi

·         Rich in potassium and Vitamin C, it helps lower the BP.

·         Kiwis are also rich in an antioxidant called lutein.

4. Skimmed milk

·         It contains plenty of calcium and vitamin D.

·         The two nutrients team up to bring down blood pressure.

5. Garlic

·         A single clove of garlic can easily fight the damage caused due to high BP.

·         It has several properties which help prevent clotting and thickening of blood vessels.

6. Beans

·         Kidney, pinto, lima and black beans are some types of beans to include in your daily diet.

·         Beans are rich in magnesium and potassium, capable of decreasing the high blood pressure.

7. Broccoli

·         Rich with potassium, it also contains chromium to fight against cardiovascular diseases.

·         It also controls the blood sugar and insulin levels.

8. Celery

·         It contains phthalide which rests the muscles of the vessels to smoothen the flow of blood.

·         It also has a very calming effect and is highly recommended if you are prone to stress.

9. Tomatoes

·         It contains an antioxidant, lycopene, which significantly reduces the high blood pressure.

·         They are also rich in calcium, potassium, vitamins A, C and E, all of which curb high BP.

10. Others

·         Sunflower seeds, olive oil, avocadoes and papaya also help in bringing BP levels to normal.

·         It is advisable to eat vegetables and fruits rich in potassium and calcium.

·         Intake of salt (which contains sodium) should be minimized.

·         Avoid eating fried stuff.