7 Top Belly Fat–Fighting Foods

Source:  http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/7-top-belly-fatfighting-foods.html

When it comes to fighting belly fat and achieving the flat belly you’ve always desired, a calorie is not just a calorie. In fact, certain foods can actually trigger your body to store more belly fat!

The good news is that certain foods can also actually help your body to melt stubborn belly fat at lightning speed, helping you to achieve your goals in no time! When you know the best foods to burn belly fat, you can start incorporating them into your favorite breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to maximize your weight loss efforts.

Chia seeds

Have you heard of the Chia Pet? Well, chia seeds aren’t just for growing house plants. In fact, these tiny seeds are one of nature’s top belly-fat fighters! Chia seeds are among the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to metabolize belly fat, as well as reduce circulating levels of stress hormones that trigger fat storage.

So, how do you eat chia seeds? You can add them to everything from smoothies to salads to yogurt. You can add them to your favorite breakfast cereal or even use them to thicken soups and gravies! Aim to consume about 1 tablespoon of chia seeds per day. They’re available in most grocery stores and health food stores.

Blueberries

These tart little berries aren’t called “blue dynamos” for nothing! Blueberries contain one of the highest antioxidant levels of all produce, making them terrific at decreasing unhealthy inflammation that may be triggering belly fat storage.

In addition, one study found that a diet rich in blueberries was shown to help significantly reduce abdominal fat. The same study found that this powerful fruit may lower triglyceride levels and improve insulin sensitivity — in other words, blueberries may help to fight heart disease and type 2 diabetes!

Remember: So, don’t be stingy when adding blueberries to your meals. They’re great alone, but they can also be baked into pancakes and muffins, and even added to stuffing. In addition, blueberries make a great topping for pork and poultry dishes.

Yogurt

Yogurt probably seems like more of a standalone food, but don’t be fooled. Yogurt can easily be incorporated into everything from soups to salads and even marinades. It can add a tasty, rich flavor to a meal, as well as help to shrink your waistline! Diets rich in dairy have been shown to be effective in reducing body fat, especially in the midsection (in part, due to calcium’s crucial role in regulating how fat is stored and broken down by the body).

Technical Stuff: Dairy products are also rich in the amino acid arginine, which has been shown to help promote fat loss and increase muscle mass. So, start incorporating more yogurt in your diet today!

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are packed full of vitamin C. When the stress hormone cortisol is chronically elevated in the body, you can experience increased fat storage in the abdominal area. However, research has shown that vitamin C helps reduce stress levels and return the stress hormone cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. This reduction in cortisol may help to prevent increased belly fat storage. So, mash them, bake them, or even make baked sweet potato fries to gain the benefits!

Grapefruit

A recent study found that when obese adults consumed half a grapefruit or 4 ounces of 100 percent grapefruit juice before three main meals, they experienced a significant decrease in both body weight and waist circumference. This may be due to the high water content of the grapefruit helping them to feel satisfied and reduce their portions of other foods.

Tip: One extra belly fat–fighting benefit of grapefruit: It contains diuretic properties, helping you shed unwanted water weight, which can bloat your belly.
Hot peppers

Rich in capsaicin, this spicy vegetable can give your metabolism a boost, helping you to shed unwanted pounds, especially in the midsection. In addition, capsaicin has been found to help relax blood vessels, reducing blood pressure. Animal studies have also indicated that capsaicin may decrease insulin resistance, which means that this spicy seasoning may help improve blood sugar control, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Red wine

Alcohol is an integral part of many celebrations, but it’s also packed full of excess calories that can pack on the pounds. When you’re drinking alcohol, your best option is red wine because it’s rich in resveratrol. Resveratrol has been shown to suppress levels of the hormone estrogen.

Tip: High levels of estrogen in your body promote increased fat storage, so suppressing them may decrease body fat while helping to increase lean muscle mass. Keep alcohol in moderation, with no more than one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men. (A glass of wine is equal to 4 ounces.)

Why breakfast is important

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/Why-breakfast-is-important/articleshow/22209273.cms

How many times have you heard the adage, 'Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar'? Well, don't dismiss it. This age-old wisdom holds true even today, say nutritionists, dieticians and obesity consultants.

Break your fast

Consulting nutritionist and clinical dietitian Pooja Makhija says, "The most important meal of the day, undoubtedly, is breakfast. The first food intake after a minimum gap of seven-eight hours, it acts as a fuel to jump-start the body."

Pooja says a person's breakfast habit decides if his/her body goes into burning (high BMR) or storing (low BMR, high fat-storing) mode.

Nutritionist Deepshikha Agarwal says,"You break your night-long fast with this meal. It provides 25% of the total energy and nutrients required by the body. It will boost your energy levels and concentration."

Missing it is dangerous

No breakfast means a sluggish start to the day. It also makes a person eat larger meals in the course of the day, says Pooja.

"Since activity level, for most people, is maximum in the day, whatever you eat for breakfast is burnt well. So, it can be the biggest meal of the day. In fact, it is the best time for a cheat-meal," she says.

The best breakfast

Says Deepshikha, "The first meal of the day should be a perfect combination of carbohydrates, protein and fibre." An ideal breakfast must include all the "five pillars of nutrition", adds Pooja.

Carbohydrates: Poha/upma/bread/idli/dosa/paratha/wheatflakes.

Proteins: Sprouts/milk/curd/egg white/sausage.

Fat: All foods contain inherent or invisible fat.

Vitamins and minerals: Though required in very little quantities, these two are extremely important for a balanced breakfast. Fruits and vegetables are their best sources.

Try this

Her breakfast, says Pooja, includes a glass of vegetable juice, three-four egg whites and a slice of bread. "This ensures a complete, nourishing, balanced, supercharging and roaring start."

Other options for a good breakfast:

Cornflakes/wheatflakes/muesli + milk + fruit

Upma/poha with vegetables and sprouts

Idli/dosa + sambhar with vegetables

Dal paratha + vegetable raita

Dal chilla with vegetables + bread/roti

Vegetable sandwich + milkshake

Egg/sausage + bread + vegetables

Beware

Never start your day with caffeine. Eat something (fruit/biscuit/plain milk) first and about 20 minutes later, have tea or coffee.

Reasons kissing is great for you

Source:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Reasons-kissing-is-great-for-you/articleshow/18446994.cms


After reading these benefits, you'll no more feel the need to look for excuses to kiss your loved one.

Helps bonding: All of us know that locking lips boosts bonding in a couple. When one kisses, one produces the hormone oxytocin which causes to bond.

Enhances sexual pleasure: Yes, sex does good benefit to your heart as well as your self-esteem and kissing is one of the major component of sex and foreplay. Kissing gives a more pleasurable experience.

Spit treats illnesses: Swapping spit is a great way to ward off viruses especially when kissing is followed by sex. Moreover, kissing also helps build immunity - people who have sex often have greater immunity to fight health issues.

Makes one happy: Kissing releases endophins and endorphins make you happy.If you are depressed, kissing seems to be a better medication than going to a psychologist or popping pills.

Reduces pain: During a heated kissing session, your body releases adrenaline which is said to reduce the feeling of pain. Try pairing locking lips with physical intimacy when you have a headache and see whether it works wonders on your ache.

Lowers stress: If you feel drained and exhausted at the end of the day, blame it on cortisol which is the stress hormone. Kissing lowers cortisol levels and boosts our immune system, endocrine system and brain health. So to de-stress, just steal a kiss your partner and you'll definitely feel better.

Burns calories: Kissing may not burn as many calories as running on a treadmill does but it does pump up your metabolism to about twice its usual rate. So if you're planning to skip gym for a make-out session with your partner, you can do it without feeling guilty. Just make up for the gym session through some energy-boosting kisses. Moreover, kissing also workout out your face and enhances your youthful appearance by tightening your muscles.

How crowd funding can help you fulfill your dreams

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/How-crowdfunding-can-help-you-fulfil-your-dreams/articleshow/45322713.cms


Once upon a time, dads were large hearted. They would merrily invest in their children's dream projects, without any fear of losing out on the money. It didn't really matter if the venture bombed or flourished.

Sadly, times have changed. Dads have become smarter (cautious would be a better word) these days; they will not invest a penny without scrutinizing the idea left, right and centre. Blame it on the recession! Why just dads, everyone is judicious about investments nowadays. To fund a project is tougher than belling a cat, though not completely impossible. Here's an alternative that will fuel all your dreams... sane ones only.

Crowdfunding

That's where all the money lies. In short, it entails the art of raising small funds (mostly a few lakhs) over a small period of time (30 days or so) from multiple investors. If you want to cut an album, launch a neighbourhood radio station or make a film, instead of begging, borrowing or stealing, visit a crowdfunding website (Catapooolt, Wishberry, Milaap and Igniteanintent etc), showcase your project and let the money flow in.

The best part is, the commercial viability isn't very crucial, the idea is. People have got their racing viability isn't very crucial, the idea is. People have got their racing cars, political campaigns, Instagram photo printing platforms, books and disaster relief initiatives financed through crowdfunding.

Anshulika Dubey, co-founder of Wishberry.in, says, "It's very important that the project is pitched well. If not, people won't pay. With a success rate of 60%, we have raised Rs 3 crore for 600 projects from 8,000 funders globally!"

The investors

Broadly, there are three categories of crowdfunding. The biggest chunk is of rewards-based funding, where contributors get tangible or experiential rewards from the projects. No other financial returns are involved.

Then there is peer-to-peer lending, wherein contributors loan to a cause and get their money back with some interest. Lastly, there is equity-based funding, where investors actually come in and get equity in the startups/projects they put their money on.

In the beginning, there may be very little or nothing for the investor. At the most, a thank you note, a mention on the crowdsourcing platform, a free pass to the premiere of the movie or a few prints at discounted rates from the photo printing platform. The contributors don't really expect anything in return because people invest in ideas they believe in, or it's friends or relatives who raise funds.

Satish Kataria, founder of Catapooolt, says, "Thirty per cent of people crowdfund projects of someone they already know or "trust (person cause) and another 20-25% lend money because the completion of the project is a sort of fulfillment of their own dreams."

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has recently proposed a crowdfunding framework for India in a consultation paper recently. "Right now, 50% of the market share belongs to rewards-based crowdfunding but if Sebi's guidelines come into force, it will majorly based funds," adds Dubey.

Facebook friends can pay too

You can ask for crowdfunding even if you do not know how much money you need for an ongoing project.

Delhi-based filmmaker Pawan KY Shrivastava crowdfunded his film Naya Pata through his Facebook page. "I sent emails to my 500 contacts, with a synopsis of the film and asked them to contribute anywhere between Rs 5,000 and Rs 35,000. I raised close to Rs 8 lakh from 350 people!"

A bigger success story is that of 29-year-old IAS officer Armstrong Pame, who built a 100-km motorable road in 2013 to connect a remotely located n village, Tousem, with the rest of Manipur and with neighbouring states Assam and Nagaland. The entire money (Rs 40 lakh) for this road, popularly known as People's Road, was raised online.

The catch

Time consuming. Needs intense planning in limited amount of time. Before you approach a platform on which your a project will be published, you must have something substantial to prove your commitment. The websites first run a background check and scrutinize the idea. As an investor, you need to evaluate the progress a client has already done towards the goal. So, if it's a charger he has built, a prototype has to be shown.

Crowdfunding time machine

The Statue of a Liberty was crowdfunded by the French and Americans. Those who contributed got a model of the statue.

Shyam Benegal's Manthan (1978) was one of the world's first crowdfunded movies, for which more than 5,00,000 members of the Gujarat Milk Cooperatives gave Rs 2 per head.

The modern crowdfunding phenomenon started in 1997, when a British rock band Marillion crowdfunded their reunion tour to the US online.

Writer-director Mark Tapio Kines's feature film Foreign Correspondents released in 1999 was crowdfunded for $1,25,000 by 25 online donors.

ArtistShare became the first dedicated crowdfunding platform in 2003.

Daily habits of happy people

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Daily-habits-of-happy-people/articleshow/45055723.cms

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit, according to Greek philosopher Aristotle. The world is changing faster than you can wrap your head around new ideas, but the keys to happiness and success are timeless.

Practise visualisation: Keeping your eye on the prize will keep you motivated, no matter what hurdles come your way .Set clear, action-oriented goals down on paper and visualise yourself achieving them. It's a key habit emphasised on in several classic self-help books.

Face challenges: Replace the word problem with challenge and you'll witness the wealth of opportunities that a perceived setback offers. This simple paradigm shift will have you applying your skills and talents, learn ing new things and becoming part of the solution rather than a hindrance to the people around. Truly happy people don't bury their heads in the ground like an ostrich in times of crisis; rather, they go where the action is and face the war zone with the chin up.

Know your strengths: Successful people know what they are good at and also where their weaknesses lie. Do a SWOT (strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats) on yourself so you have faith in your own abilities. Self-belief and confidence will give you the inner guidance to establish the routines and habits that will put you on the road to success.

Get quality sleep: Sitcoms, movies, books and partying keeping you up till the wee hours? Staying up late may sound fashion able, but consider the health hazards of sleep deprivation -a grumpy and foggy you the next morning. So, get an average of eight hours of sleep a night so you wake up re-energised.

Make exercise a habit: Truly successful people understand that not only is exercise good for your body and heart, it also pumps more oxygen to the brain, releases happy hormones and improves your state of mind. Irrespective of whether it's a brisk jog in the park or a serious weight-bearing exercises at the gym in the evening, daily exercise boosts overall well-being.

Read widely: Reading nourishes the mind. Pick up the newspaper in the morning, unwind with a novel before bedtime or read self-help books during your break to sharpen your mind and gain perspective.

Dress right: What you wear affects how you feel about yourself and your general conduct. Wear neat, clean, work-appropriate clothes to get in the right mindset, depending on your plans for the day .A neat and clean appearance will also create a good first impression for associates in work-related interactions.

Don't hold grudges: Instead of lifting you up and having you experience the lightness of being, grudges will weigh you down and rob you of energy and precious time. Make it a habit to forgive someone new every day. You'll be able to move forward in life and focus on the things that really matter. Don't forget to forgive yourself every day for mistakes you could've avoided, and also the things you wanted to, but didn't do.

Be kind: Simple acts of kindness will brighten your day. Be kind to people wherever possible, for instance, opening the door for someone or greeting the person in the building lift with a warm smile.

8 Waxing Tips For Beginners At Home

Source: http://www.latestlifestyles.com/8-waxing-tips-beginners-home/

No one wants to live in the hustle and bustle of the daily life routine unless he gets some comfort away from these regularities. Some want their bodies to be relaxed as well as their minds. So one of the main thing for the relaxation of body is Waxing. Yes it is!!
For this, we met a pro aesthetician and she told the best waxing tips so that we could share that with you. She further told about the different wax types available for different skin types.

Further she gave us the following tips:

1.Make sure that your aesthetician knows that if you are using over-the-counter topical exfoliating product or dermatologist prescribed products like Retin-A to ensure that your skin is ready for waxing.

2.Know about your wax type. Different type of wax are available on market, so choose the one that suits your skin best. Soft wax is used for sensitive and larger areas and it’s the most familiar. On the other hand French wax is used on the smaller areas. It is applied hot and then left to be cooled to remove.

3.Check if your aesthetician is using the old or used applicator and make sure that he/she is throwing it away after it touches to your skin with wax.

4.If you don’t want your hair grow earlier, then have wax more often so hair will no grow back.

5.Avoid waxing at sunburn area. If you do so then your skin will likely come off leaving your body.

6.If your skin is more sensitive for wax then lay off the alcohol and caffeine for a few hours before wax. Stay hydrated.

7.For making the wax easier for your aesthetician as well as for you, you should have shower in a little hot water, which open pores of your skin that makes the removal of hair much easier.

8.If your skin turns red while wax then rub on some Aloe Vera gel or tea tree oil to reduce inflammation

5 money mistakes to avoid

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/5-money-mistakes-to-avoid/articleshow/45080200.cms

If you want to be wealthy, there's no shortcut route. You have to focus on your goals and be realistic and prepared to take risks. While building your wealth, make sure you avoid these money mistakes...

1. Spending more than you earn: Remember grandmother's words of wisdom -- cut your coat according to your cloth. So, financial prudence comes with wise spending. You might think it's very easy to follow but spending patterns of people show that it's not easy (considering the usage of credit cards and different enticing schemes available at lifestyle stores and supermarkets), many of us go beyond our means even without realising it. To curb the urge to spend more than what you earn, maintain a budget and then track it closely.

2 Buying things you do not need: "If you buy things you don't need, soon you will have to sell things you need." ~ Warren Buffet. The second point directly flows from the first one. Don't be a maximalist and keep on buying everything that you catches your fancy. Spend on what adds value to your life but don't buy just to impress others.

3. Not having a financial plan: Planning is very essential for achieving your financial goals. So, if you want to have a financially sunny life, then stick to a financial plan. Make sure that your finances grow in times of high inflation.The trick lies in making investment even if your income is not high by common standards.

4. Don't put all the eggs in a basket: Diversify your investment. Come out of your comfort zone. Be financially aware and understand the nuances of investment. Don't follow suggestions blindly. And the most important ways to increase your wealth is to have a diverse portfolio.

5. Don't be in a hurry: Look before you leap: Understand before you put in your money. The same goes for spending too. Don't follow trends blindly and become a victim of consumerism.

3 simple exercises for a flat tummy

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/fitness/3-simple-exercises-for-a-flat-tummy/articleshow/14389240.cms

Want that enviable washboard ab? Practicing these moves regularly will help you.

Don't want to end up injured or exhausted? Don't overdo things on the workout front. Instead, aim for a brisk 20-minute walk every day to burn fat, plus do the following exercises to help tone your abdominal muscles.

Bicycle crunch: Lie down with your back pressed onto the floor. Bring your hands behind your head. Starting with your legs bent at a 45-degree angle, bring the right knee into the chest while straightening out your left leg. At the same time, rotate your top half so your left elbow goes to your right knee, then switch to the other side. Repeat for one minute,three times a day.

The boat: Sit on the floor, with your knees bent and feet flat and tilt back, extending your legs so your body forms a right angle. Pull your abs in to balance. Extend your arms at shoulder height past your knees. Hold for five slow breaths and return to your starting position. Repeat five times a day.

The plank: Lie face down then lift yourself up on to your toes and forearms, with your elbows bent at 90 degrees. Keeping your core muscles -— your stomach and bottom — tight and your legs straight, hold for 10 seconds. Repeat three times a day, gradually building to 40 seconds each.

Five ridiculous sex myths

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Five-ridiculous-sex-myths/articleshow/19237904.cms

You'll be surprised in this day an age, the kind of sex fables that are still somewhat believed by some people. Here are a few that straddle the point between ridiculous and hilarious.

If a guy can easily cross his legs while seated, it means he has a small penis
There are some ladies who think that if men are able to easily cross their legs while sitting, it means that they are not substantially endowed in the trouser department. The sense behind this myth seems a bit comical. The rationale being that if a man had a huge pair and a big member, he would not be able to cross his legs without 'discomfort'. So, according to this myth, sitting cross-legged is a woman's sole prerogative and the men needn't bother. Meanwhile, all you guys, the next time you are at a pub or looking to hook up with someone, just don't cross your legs! You'll never know which potential damsel might be, er, 'evaluating' you.

The more sex a woman has, the bigger her butt becomes
Here's another one that borders between the kind of myth that surreptitiously circulates among some women and is a hilarious joke. That a man can tell a woman is promiscuous because the size of her ass. Apparently, due to the mechanics of sex, the more sex she has, the bigger her behind becomes. So, ladies, the key to losing weight is not apparently abstinence from food, but staying away from some good old fashion fun in the sack. Yeah, right!

The 'friction' function
Here's another hilarious myth that is surprisingly present even during these modern, enlightened times. If a woman has a lot of sex, her partner will not be able to enjoy the act of lovemaking due to inadequate friction. Sounds pretty hilarious, but there are some girls who are even advised to abstain from sex for a period of time so that these parts of their anatomy can 'recover' for a while. One supposes that the progenitors of this silly myth had skipped biology class during school.

Guys who have bigger hands/nose/feet have large 'members'
Ladies, when was the last time a gent shook hands with you? Did you find yourself checking out the length of his digits? Did the length of his phalanges make you wonder about the thickness and length of his phallus, so to speak? Well, that's a load of nonsense. Let a handshake be just a handshake, please!

Men with ample chest hair are ferocious sex-beasts in bed
The amount of chest hair you gorilla, er, man sports has no impact on how much he will make you moan and scream in ecstasy. If he has a chest-mat to rival Austin Powers, it might look attractive, and appeal to the primeval parts of some women, dating back to the cave man days. But honestly, the amount your furry beast can ignite your passions has no bearing on how blessed he is in the follicle department.

Hugging for 20 seconds releases Oxytocin which can make someone trust you more

Source:http://www.thecrazyfacts.com/hugging-20-seconds-releases-oxytocin-can-make-someone-trust/

A lot of people are there who try to make someone happy and cheerful by means of hugging. When a person hugs someone for about twenty seconds or more than that then some amount of oxytocin are released from the body which makes that person to have some more faith in you. Now for brief information, oxytocin as a lot of people may think is a hormone but it is not. Oxytocin is actually a neurotransmitter which behaves as a hormone and helps a person to gain some fine trust from the other one. Several surveys have been made to understand the main role of this neurotransmitter in the life where faith and morality plays important role.

This oxytocin gets released from the body when a person considers himself to be secure and connected to his or her loved ones. Through this release the brain gets to know that now everything is fine and there is nothing to be worried of which makes a person feel safer. Coming to the production of oxytocin, one can ponder over the facts that the oxytocin is generally produced at the time of feeding your child from the breast, when a person is having an orgasm, at the time of getting hugs from your opposite sex, snuggling also contributes in the production of this neurotransmitter, having a fine dance with your partner can also help you produce oxytocin, getting a massage and praying to the god also contribute to this production.

Human beings are always considered to be social creatures. A person cannot live alone for his or her lifetime without making some fine relationships. In this social life, oxytocin improves our relationship and help us to make some fine bonds with one another by forwarding our positive part to the people with whom we are in contact so that one will be able to achieve some nice contentment along with the pleasure of feeling relaxed. Along with trust and faith, one can also be able to generate compassion, the ability to forgive someone and many more. If one puts this in simple words, then we can tell that the increase in the level of oxytocin in our head will help us to create good bonds with people we do not know.

Trust is something that cannot be gained by providing them with beautiful items or attractive things. Trust can only be gained if a person is satisfied enough as to the things that you are telling to your partner or the things that you supply them have come from your heart. In order to gain trust, hugging has been one of the oldest and finest methods. If one person hugs the other person for mere twenty to thirty seconds then the level of trust he or she can gain is much more than the attractive materials provided. Scientists as well as the research persons have made their analysis and have proved this theory to be right without any doubt or hesitation.

10 Reasons beer is not bad for you

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/10-Reasons-beer-is-not-bad-for-you/articleshow/18515996.cms

1. Beer drinkers live longer

Moderate drinking is good for you, and beer is good for moderate drinking. Everyone knows that if you drink too much, it's not good for you. Let's not pull punches: If you're a drunk, you run into things, you drive into things, you get esophageal cancer, you get cirrhosis and other nasty conditions. But more and more medical research indicates that if you don't drink at all, that's not good for you either. According to numerous independent studies, moderate drinkers live longer and better than drunks or teetotalers. Beer is perfect for moderate drinking because of its lower alcohol content and larger volume compared with wine or spirits. And as that old radical Thomas Jefferson said, "Beer, if drank with moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, and promotes health." And he didn't need a scientific study to tell him that.

2. Beer is all-natural

Some know-it-alls will tell you that beer is loaded with additives and preservatives. The truth is that beer is as all-natural as orange juice or milk (maybe even more so - some of those milk & OJ labels will surprise you). Beer doesn't need preservatives because it has alcohol and hops, both of which are natural preservatives. Beer is only "processed" in the sense that bread is: It is cooked and fermented, then filtered and packaged. The same can be said for Heineken.

3. Beer is low in calories, low in carbohydrates and has no fat or cholesterol

For a completely natural beverage, beer offers serious low-calorie options. Twelve ounces of Guinness has the same number of calories as 12 ounces of skim milk: about 125. That's less than orange juice (150 calories), which is about the same as your standard, "full-calorie" beer. If beer were your only source of nutrition, you'd have to drink one every waking hour just to reach your recommended daily allowance of calories (2,000 to 2,500). And nobody's recommending you drink that many. The only natural drinks with fewer calories than beer are plain tea, black coffee and water. Surely, beer is loaded with those fattening carbohydrates, right? Wrong again. The average beer has about 12 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance is 300 grams of carbohydrates in a standard 2,000-calorie diet. In other words, you would need to drink an entire 24-pack case of beer - and then reach into a second case - simply to reach the government's recommended daily allotment of carbohydrates. You're better off munching an apple or drinking some soda pop if you want to carbo-load. Each has about 35 to 40 grams of carbs - three times the number found in a beer. Also, beer has no fat or cholesterol.

4. Beer improves your cholesterol

Beer not only has no cholesterol, it can actually improve the cholesterol in your body. In fact, drinking beer regularly and moderately will tilt your HDL/LDL cholesterol ratios the right way. You've got two kinds of cholesterol in your system: HDL, the "good" cholesterol that armor-plates your veins and keeps things flowing, and LDL, the "bad" cholesterol that builds up in your veins like sludge in your bathtub drain. Beer power-flushes the system and keeps the HDL levels up. According to some studies, as little as one beer a day can boost your HDL by up to 4 per cent.

5. Beer helps you chill

The social aspects of moderate drinking are solidly beneficial to your health. In other words, to get out every now and then and relax with your buddies over a couple of beers.

6. Beer has plenty o' B vitamins

Beer, especially unfiltered or lightly filtered beer, turns out to be quite nutritious, despite the years of suppression of those facts by various anti-alcohol groups. Beer has high levels of B vitamins, particularly folic acid, which is believed to help prevent heart attacks. Beer also has soluble fiber, good for keeping you regular, which in turn reduces the likelihood that your system will absorb unhealthy junk like fat. Beer also boasts significant levels of magnesium and potassium, in case you were planning on metal-plating your gut.

7. Beer is safer than water

If you're someplace where you are advised not to drink the water, the local beer is always a safer bet. It's even safer than the local bottled water. Beer is boiled in the brewing process and is kept clean afterwards right through the bottle being capped and sealed, because if it isn't, it goes bad in obvious ways that make it impossible to sell. Even if it does go bad, though, there are no life-threatening bacteria bacteria (pathogens) that can live in beer. So drink up - even bad beer is safer than water.

8. Beer prevents heart attacks

If you want to get a bit more cutting-edge than vitamins, beer has other goodies for you. You've heard of the French Paradox, how the French eat their beautiful high-fat diet and drink their beautiful high-booze diet and smoke their nasty goat-hair cigarettes, but have rates of heart disease that are about one-third that of the rest of the world? It's been credited to red wine and the antioxidants it contains. Hey, guess what else has lots of antioxidants, as many as red wine? Dark beer! According to the American Heart Association, "there is no clear evidence that wine is more beneficial than other forms of alcoholic drink." One study profiled in the British Medical Journal in 1999 said that the moderate consumption of three drinks a day could reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 24.7 per cent.

9. Beer fights cancer

The most amazing beer and health connection is something called xanthohumol, a flavonoid found only in hops. Xanthohumol is a potent antioxidant that inhibits cancer-causing enzymes, "much more potent than the major component in soy," according Dr. Cristobal Miranda of the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at Oregon State University. This xanthohumol stuff is so good for you that the Germans have actually brewed a beer with extra levels of it.

10. Beer does not give you a beer belly

A study done by researchers at the University College of London and the Institut Klinicke a Experimentalni Mediciny in Prague in 2003 showed no connection between the amount of beer people drank and the size of their overhang. "There is a common notion that beer drinkers are, on average, more 'obese' than either non-drinkers or drinkers of wine or spirits," the researchers said. But they found that "the association between beer and obesity, if it exists, is probably weak." Most studies have found that people who drink beer regularly (and moderately) not only don't develop beer bellies - they weigh less than non-drinkers. Beer can boost your metabolism, keep your body from absorbing fat and otherwise make you a healthier, less disgusting slob. Just drink it in moderation, as part of an otherwise healthy diet.

So that's it. Drink beer. You'll live longer and be happier. You won't get fat. In fact, you may weigh less. You'll boost your metabolism, improve your health and reduce your risk of clogged arteries, heart attack and cancer. What more could you want?

How you can flirt with your eyes

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/How-you-can-flirt-with-your-eyes/articleshow/33012662.cms?intenttarget=no

Eye contact flirting is all about casting your line out in to the sea of people and waiting to see who responds back with some bait.

This of course can be a lot easier in a room that is not very full, but once you have mastered your eye contact flirting you should be able to zone in on who you would like to invite further interaction with.

The method is really very simple. Scan a room and look to see who is scanning back. If you like the look of someone who is also scanning then lock eyes with them. If you can hold that gaze for three seconds of more, then the good news is that other party is definitely interested. If you you're female now is the time to test this person by looking down but not away. If they are still looking at when you return your gaze to there's then bingo! It's as easy as that.



If you're the guy, then you're eye contact flirting role is to keep looking even when she looks down. Now it's time for one of you to make your move.

If the person you are flirting with is a little shy, then you may have to persist with flirting a bit from across the room. This means that it's time to smile, flutter those eyelids and let them know you are definitely interested.

When it comes time for one of you to make your way over for an introduction, now eye flirting is still even just as important as before. If you look someone directly in the eye when you are making their way over, it makes the person you're approaching feel confident that it's them that they are definitely looking at. It also shows a level of cool confidence. And that's exactly what you need when you're getting ready for an up close and personal flirt.

Even if you have passed the initial first five minutes of meeting, eye contact flirting still plays a very important role when you are getting to know someone.

If you express discomfort, or an awkwardness when you are talking, you're not likely going to be looking in to your new friends eyes. But if you are genuinely interested, keep that eye flirting steady throughout your conversation. This shows genuine interest, it helps to engage your conversation and with any luck with clever eye contact and conversation skills, you will be seeing your new friend again.

1 min reading: Killing our dreams

Source: http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2014/01/13/3-min-reading-killing-your-dreams/


The first symptom of the process of our killing our dreams is the lack of time. The busiest people I have known in my life always have time enough to do everything. Those who do nothing are always tired and pay no attention to the little amount of work they are required to do. They complain constantly that the day is too short. The truth is, they are afraid to fight the Good Fight.

The second symptom of the death of our dreams lies in our certainties. Because we don’t want to see life as a grand adventure, we begin to think of ourselves as wise and fair and correct in asking so little of life. We look beyond the walls of our day-to-day existence, and we hear the sound of lances breaking, we smell the dust and the sweat, and we see the great defeats and the fire in the eyes of the warriors. But we never see the delight, the immense delight in the hearts of those who are engaged in the battle. For them, neither victory nor defeat is important; what’s important is only that they are fighting the Good Fight.

And, finally, the third symptom of the passing of our dreams is peace. Life becomes a Sunday afternoon; we ask for nothing grand, and we cease to demand anything more than we are willing to give. In that state, we think of ourselves as being mature; we put aside the fantasies of our youth, and we seek personal and professional achievement. We are surprised when people our age say that they still want this or that out of life. But really, deep in our hearts, we know that what has happened is that we have renounced the battle for our dreams – we have refused to fight the Good Fight.
When we renounce our dreams and find peace, we go through a short period of tranquility. But the dead dreams begin to rot within us and to infect our entire being.

We become cruel to those around us, and then we begin to direct this cruelty against ourselves. That’s when illnesses and psychoses arise. What we sought to avoid in combat – disappointment and defeat – come upon us because of our cowardice.

And one day, the dead, spoiled dreams make it difficult to breathe, and we actually seek death. It’s death that frees us from our certainties, from our work, and from that terrible peace of our Sunday afternoons
Words from Petrus to me during The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

Why Sponsorship Matters

Source: http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140120043401-3154163-why-sponsorship-matters

From Lean In to inspirational messages, the answer to much of inequality seems to be the responsibility of the person on the losing end of the equation. Fair enough, you might say, that person stands to gain the most. Let me offer up another angle.

I was born a confident person. I'm not sure how or why, but from a young age, I didn't have much humility. My parents, concerned about the reaction to the amount of space I enjoyed taking up, urged me to balance my confidence with some humble pie. Admittedly, I needed that lesson. I saw gatherings of people – no matter what the occasion – as my opportunity to direct attention to my latest talent or idea. What I thought was cute at the time most likely came across as obnoxious after a while. And though some may still accuse me of being an attention hog, I am aware of my boundaries and try my best to leave room for others.

As obnoxious as it can be, confidence has gotten me far in life. My privilege, above everything else (I have other privileges, of course), is confidence.
I should also note that confidence is NOT the same as arrogance. Confidence doesn't compete or dismiss others. Confidence is open to push-back and other ideas (in fact, confident people love it). Confidence has room for empathy. Confidence doesn't know everything. True confidence IS humble.
Confidence gives you an edge over others in most situations. You get the job. You win the contract. People are drawn to you. They want to join your cause, invite you out, promote you, help you and trust you. But the tricky thing about confidence is that, when you need it the most, it fails.

I was born confident, yes, but that doesn't mean I'm unflappable. After my startup ran out of money, I lost my confidence. I know it was obvious. I must have oozed insecurity because people treated me different. I was passed up for contracts and jobs, people stopped reaching out to me, they gave me pep talks instead of wanting to really help me, introductions stopped... nobody had faith in me. It was like a spiral. As I lost faith in myself, others lost faith in me, which led to me losing even more faith in myself.

Until one person who I barely knew said, "I have confidence in you." And that was the beginning of my restoration.

I know that the self-help movement means well. The gurus that are trying to teach motivation and confidence to their readers understand that motivation and confidence are key drivers to success. But what is missing is that success is ALSO a key driver to motivation and confidence. There have actually been studies that show that the more successful a person is, the more confident they become. It's a bit of a vicious circle.

And yes, there are people who can 'fake it till they make it' but I think they have help along the way (and, like me, are born with a certain level of confidence).
So, if messages of affirmation and kicking yourself in the butt aren't the whole answer, what is?

Sponsorship.

Having someone take a leap of faith when your confidence is shaken goes a long way. Some people are going to need more time and patience than others - especially if they haven't tested their skills before. When you see a spark hidden behind a heap of self-doubt or bad experiences, encourage it to ignite.
Don't say, "Believe in yourself," say "I believe in you."
Don't say, "Lean in," say, "I will help you with that presentation" (after putting her in charge of the pitch).

Don't say, "Your success is up to you," say "I think you have what it takes to be successful" and then offer your guidance.
The whole sink or swim mentality isn't just giving naturally confident and privileged types an unfair advantage, it's also passing over some incredible talent. I'm convinced that the more people with privilege that put confidence in those who lack their own, the better our world will be. Arrogance is a zero-sum game, but confidence is not.

4 ways to save money when single

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/4-ways-to-save-money-when-single/articleshow/44088628.cms

Are you among those who desperately wait for their salaries to get credited, so that they don't have to struggle to manage their daily expenses?

Many people have a tough time during the month end, not because they don't earn enough. It happens mostly because people don't manage their finances well. Here are a few simple steps to put into practice, especially if you are single.

1. Start a recurring deposit account: The right time to start a recurring account is when you open a salary account. The agreed amount automatically gets transferred from your salary. Also, you won't be able to withdraw money from this account midway. So, once the amount matures, you will have a bulk sum at your disposal.

2. Write down your expenses: When you don't have any idea about the expenses, you tend to splurge. Therefore, you end up spending more than what you earn. Once you make a note of the expenses for the month, you can prioritize and later, adjust the budget depending on how much you earn.

3. Have small parties at home: Instead of heading out to a hotel or a pub to celebrate your birthday or any other special occasion, invite friends home. Apart from cutting down on food expenses, it also assures great fun as one can indulge in activities like cooking together, setting the table or a game of cards after the meal. These may not be possible if you go out.

4. Follow the 30 day rule: Haven't heard about that? It's simple. If you feel that you are in need of something, wait for 30 days and reconsider your decision to buy it. If you manage without that for the first 30 days, you may even decide not to buy it at all as your urge to possess it would have passed.

Alcohol's Effects on the Body and Guidelines for alcohol consumption

When people drink alcohol, it travels through the body in their bloodstream. Alcohol reaches every organ and distributes throughout the water in our bodies. Organs such as the brain, which contain a lot of water and need an ample blood supply to work, are particularly affected by alcohol. Other organs, including the liver, the heart, the pancreas, and the kidneys, are also affected by alcohol within minutes after it enters the bloodstream.

However sexist it may sound, it's a fact that alcohol affects women more quickly than men:

Women are generally smaller and weigh less than men, and have less tissue to absorb alcohol.
Women's bodies are made up of more fat and less water than men's. So if a man and a woman are the same size and drink the same amount, the alcohol is stronger in the woman's blood than in the man’s and she will get drunk more quickly and feel the effects for longer.
Women have lower levels of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, so alcohol will stay in their system longer and have a greater effect.
Women also feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than normal just before a period and during ovulation. The contraceptive pill can have the opposite effect – it takes longer for the alcohol to leave the body and a woman may drink more than she realises before she feels the effects.
Women who drink heavily on a regular basis are more likely than men to damage their health. That's why the recommended drinking guidelines are different for men and women.


For men:

Reduce your long-term health risks by drinking no more than:

Three standard drinks a day and no more than fifteen standard drinks in any one week. Sticking to this level or below will reduce the risk of harm from alcohol related injury or disease over your lifetime.
avoid drinking more than five standard drinks in any one session.  This reduces the risk of alcohol related harm or injury on a single occasion.

a minimum of two alcohol-free days in any one week

For women:

Reduce your long-term health risks by drinking no more than:

Two standard drinks a day and no more than ten standard drinks in any one week.  Sticking to this level or below will reduce the risk of harm from alcohol related injury or disease over your lifetime.
avoid drinking more than four standard drinks in any one session.  This reduces the risk of alcohol related harm or injury on a single occasion.

a minimum of two alcohol-free days in any one week

Ways to beat boredom in your relationship

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Ways-to-beat-boredom-in-your-relationship/articleshow/35844789.cms

If you've been in a relationship too long, boredom is bound to creep in at some point. Here's how to keep boredom away from your love

Let's be practical, just because you love each other does not mean that it doesn't get boring between the two of you, in fact, many smooth sailing relationships can fall prey to boredom and go kaput.

Here are some fun ideas you can use to bring the spark back in.

1. Learn something new, that neither of you have ever done. It could be dance classes or even paragliding, snorkeling, rifle shooting or anything! Just has to be something the two of you learn from scratch together. It will make you feel like a team and strengthen your bond.

2. Take to the road and go someplace new. Traveling and holidaying together can reinvent your relationship like nothing else. And what better way to rediscover love than taking a road trip and creating new memories! Instead of flying out to some exotic place, the two of you could just drive down to the nearest holiday spot. The journey should be just as much fun as the actual vacation would be.

3. You might be bored of hanging out with the same circle of friends, its either your friends or his/hers that you make plans with on every weekend. Well, this time try making new friends, getting to know a newer set of people. You will together have a chance to share the lives of strangers.

4. Try staying away from each other for a bit - for real! Just take a weekend off from each other - no texts no calls no mails either - and when you find yourself missing your favourite person, you might want to just run back to them. You will appreciate why you love them.

5. Read the same book and have a discussion over it - a lot of couples with a long healthy relationship do this to keep things interesting. When you find it hard to strike up a conversation, steer clear of the mundane everyday life details of each others' lives and get into a hot discussion about something you both really feel strongly about

Top 10 foods to reduce belly fat

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/Top-10-foods-to-reduce-belly-fat/articleshow/20941670.cms

A bloated stomach not only hampers your personality but also makes you uncomfortable.

The best way to get rid of such a disgruntled belly is by following a low-calorie diet and practising regular exercise. Nutritionist and Freelance Writer at Travellers Dietition - Kara Landau shares a list of food that aids in getting a flat stomach

 1: Almonds

This tiny food is not only rich in skin-boosting vitamin E and protein, but their richness in fibre content helps you to stay full for a longer duration. Even though they are slightly high in calories but that will not contribute to belly fat, so keep swapping a handful of almonds as snacks to curb your hunger.

 2: Watermelon

The name says it all - this giant fruit contains 82 percent water, which helps to keep you full for a longer duration and also removes excess sodium present in the body. This super sweet fruit, is also rich in vitamin C and contains barely 100 calories in one cup. So start eating this delicious fruit as a snack, if you wish to have a body like your favourite celeb.

 3: Beans

Consuming means on a regular basis helps to get rid of the body fat, develop body muscles and improves digestion. Beans also help to feel full for a longer duration, thus avoiding over indulgence. Add beans to your diet, if you want your middle to be sexy and firm.

 4: Green leafy vegetable

Want to get a flat tummy instantly? Then fill for plate with green leafy vegetables. All types of green leafy vegetables are extremely low in calories, full of fibre and offer several vital vitamins and minerals that help to ease water retention without causing the bloating and tummy discomfort.

 5: Cucumber

Cucumber is an extremely refreshing and low-calorie food. They contain approximately 96 percent water content, which makes it a cooling food. One full cucumber contains just 45 calories, making it sexy stomach food.

 6: Avocado

This is a truly magic fruit, due to their richness in various vital nutrients. Avocado is rich in fibre, which helps to keep hunger at bay and the presence of monounsaturated fatty acids helps to burn belly fat easily.

 7: Oats

The best way to start your journey to sexy stomach is by having oats for your breakfast. Oats are filling and thus help you to lose weight. Besides, it is also low in calorie and provides energy to your body slowly. It is a very good source to provide energy to your body all throughout the day, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer and can even lower your cholesterol.

 8: Water

The best way to avoid stomach bloat is by keeping yourself very well hydrated. Drinking ample amounts of water helps to flush excess fluid and toxins out of your system.

 9: Apples

Apples are packed with fibre, which makes your belly feel full. Thus, avoiding over eating; besides it also fills your body with maximum nutrients.

 10: Peppermint

Peppermint has great healing and calming digestive properties. It is also good for removing belly fat. The easiest way to do this is to drink it in tea form. Besides, it also helps in cleansing your skin.

10 Leadership Nuggets from Maya Angelou

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.*
Maya Angelou has passed and I'm left with a feeling of deep sadness but also with gratitude. Reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as a young person had a profound impact on me, as she wrote about things I'd never experienced and yet I was the same age as those in the book. Like all of her work, it challenged me, expanded my mind and was relatable and yet unknowable.
To see her speak was to see a woman with such presence, such depth - the embodiment of dignity and inner strength. She commanded attention - when she spoke you simply couldn't look away.
Her legacy is strong and shall provide inspiration for years to come, as she was both a woman of her time and also timeless.
She has spoken and written so many important words, but here are 10 of my favorite short quotes:
1. The only thing is, people have to develop courage. It is most important of all the virtues. Because without courage, you can't practice any other virtues consistently.
2. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
3. Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.
4. Those of us who submitted or surrendered our ideas and dreams and identities to the 'leaders' must take back our rights, our identities, our responsibilities.
5. If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.
6. All of us knows, not what is expedient, not what is going to make us popular, not what the policy is, or the company policy - but in truth each of us knows what is the right thing to do. And that's how I am guided.
7. I'm convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they're stones that don't matter. As long as you're breathing, it's never too late to do some good.
8. All men are prepared to accomplish the incredible if their ideals are threatened.
9. If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be
10. Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.
As usual, I've found that 10 was not enough. Here are 8 more:
11. The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.
12. One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.
13. Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.
14. Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.
15. I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.
16. I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.
17. At 50, I began to know who I was. It was like waking up to myself.
18. How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
Maya Angeou embraced life and gave a lesson in how to do that well:

What is a fear of living? It's being preeminently afraid of dying. It is not doing what you came here to do, out of timidity and spinelessness. The antidote is to take full responsibility for yourself - for the time you take up and the space you occupy. If you don't know what you're here to do, then just do some good.

When Nelson Mandela passed, Maya Angelou tweeted: "We thank him for coming, we thank him for teaching, we thank him for loving us." Now we can say the same thing about Maya Angelou herself.



Which are your favorites? Are there others that you like? I'd love to hear how reading Maya Angelou's work has touched you. Share your thoughts below or let me know via Twitter - I'm @lucymarcus
*This verse is from Still I Rise. Take a moment to read the whole thing - you won't regret it.
Photo by Michael Brennan/Getty Images
Article Source:http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140528163854-60894986-10-leadership-nuggets-from-maya-angelou?trk=mp-details-r