Friday, March 13, 2009

Memory Boosters!

‘One cannot think well, love well or sleep well if one has not dined well,’--- this statement holds much truth in it. You often blame your act of forgetfulness on a “bad memory”. Otherwise you hold responsible your age and genetics for memory lapses, but the problem may be related to something as simple as what you eat. Eating healthy by incorporating antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables and fish into your diet helps protect your brain cells and fights off age-related memory loss. Read ahead to learn how some memory boosting foods help your brain to keep functioning at its peak capacity.Top ten memory boosters
1. Blueberries. Blueberries have been shown in numerous studies to do wonderful things for memory and the brain in general. Diets rich in berries, specifically blueberries enhance learning capacity. Kids really love eating them!
2. Fishing time. You're probably familiar with the heart healthy effects of omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oils. To get the positive brain boosting benefits of omega 3s, you'll need to consume fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids at least three times a week. Fish that are high in omega 3's are cold-water fish.
3. Soy magic. Foods made from whole, organic soybeans like soymilk and tofu are rich in choline, lecithin, etc. These substances help your brain to work more efficiently and sharpen your memory.
4. Colour your plate. More evidence is accumulating that brain aging and some chronic brain diseases are a result of free radical damage to brain cells. Antioxidants help to offset this free radical damage, which may help to slow down the aging process and prevent cognitive decline. Brightly colored yellow, orange, red, purple and green fruits and vegetables are antioxidant rich. Let’s go for ‘orange’ with carrots, apricots, mango, papaya and oranges. Add ‘ red’ to your diet with cherries and tomatoes. The best antioxidant source of green vegetables are found in the dark green vegetables - spinach, kale, sprouts.
5. Drink for life. For optimal brain functioning, it's important that you drink sufficient quantities of water. When you're dehydrated, your nerve cells can't operate efficiently and your brain function is diminished. Water is fundamental to all life processes and the brain is no exception. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your brain active and quick.
6. Nutty affair. Research shows that nuts and seeds just might boost your brainpower and balance your moods. Everything from the most common nuts -- such as walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds -- to the more exotic seeds and nuts can clear up that "brain fog" and enable you to think clearer and be happier than you ever imagined.
7. Whole grains. The best brain stimulators are grains like whole wheat, wheat germ that contains a high percentage of folate. Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, barley and popcorn boost your blood flow to the brain. They do a lot of good to your memory.
8. Coffee and tea. Caffeine boosts memory. Coffee and tea (black or green) are good for your memory. Caffeine proved to protect intellectual skills in older women. So drink more to score over life.
9. Eat an egg. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and are also rich in choline, an essential nutrient vital for the creation of memory stem cells. Enjoy this delicious food to boost your brainpower.
10. Grape juice. Recently, adults have been recognizing the benefits of grape juice for heart health. New research shows grape juice significantly helps to improve short-term memory. This summer sip a lot of grape juice with delight and pleasure.
In addition to eating well, be sure to get plenty of rest, limit stress and be physically active everyday. Take up a hobby, play crossword, learn a new language and do something off beat to stimulate your grey cells.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Recession: A New Gateway!

In this time of recession people are trying out various things. In my recent interactions with various people, I have found professionals exploring entirely different fields from their current domains. I met one IT professional who is doing a Fashion designing course along with her job. I was amazed to hear this. People have various reasons to go for such kind of options, one of them is to mitigate the risks where husband and wife both are working in the same industry, or few wants to be an entrepreneur. So they want to purse their hobby as an alternate career option.

In India every parent dreams their children to become a Doctor or an Engineer, very few lucky persons get the chance to purse their hobby as profession. Now a days its easier for them to pursue their dreams. It seems that harder times make people more innovative and courageous.

Here's the list of most popular creative courses among the people:

  • Fashion designing
  • Textile designing
  • Dancing
  • Vocal Music
  • Painting

In hyderabad there are various institutes which provide training.

For Fashion/Textile/Interior Desiging
1. NIFT(National Institute of Fashin Technology)

  • NIFT provides part time courses(1 year) in the evening. It runs 3 months part time courses also which starts from June and course fees are between 15000-60000.

2. Hamstech

  • This institue provides Textile/Fashion and Interior designing courses, duration from 1 year to 2 year and course fees is 45000 /year

Dance and Music Schools
1. **Bhadurka School of Dance and Music(2461-0381, 2352-0708, 2473-2832, 92463-79662, 2460-1264 )

  • It is in kachiguda and Banjara hills road no 7(Meridian School) classes run between 6:00PM to 10:00 PM and charges are between 500 to 700 per month. Here you can learn to play musical instruments/Hindustani vocal and Kathak.

2. ***Kavita Dance classes(040 23541381/9395367678)

  • She teaches Kathak and folk dance at her apartment which is on Banjara hills road no3.

3. **Nritya Aradhana(040 23414607/9848467937 )

  • Its in Panjagutta near hyderabad central and teaches only bharatnatyam. She charges 1000 for first month and 650/month afterwards.

Friday, March 6, 2009

'Eary' craze hits Tokyo

I was in Japan for a business trip. Japan is famous for its uniqueness and the new emerging trends. I was quite amused to hear about this latest fab there. Its “Mimi Kurin” means ear clean. These parlours are near the railway stations so are easily accessible for a quick "Mimi kurin" and massage.

This is At Yamamoto Mimikakiten (One of the ear cleaning parlour), you can choose the girl of your choice to clean the ear. You can check about the girl on their personal blog before choosing for the service.To cherish this service you need to shell out between $22-$50 per hour. These parlours only means business, no hanky panky is tolerated on the premises.

This “Mimi Kurin” used to be done by the mothers to their kids in traditional Japanese families so people used to get nostalgic about it. This is done in a very traditional way on Tatami Mats(Made of woven soft rush straw, and traditionally packed with rice straw but nowadays sometimes with styrofoam)and girls also wear traditional japanese costume called "Kimono".

Let me explain you the process which is quite straight forward and starts with a brief introduction and welcome drink(green tea). Put your head on the girls lap and let her go to work starting with a lobe massage, this may or may not be designed to loosen the ear wax. I’m sure it feels nice either way. After the massage she will then go to work and clean out your ears with a variety of cleaning tools. Lastly, to finish off, you’re treated with a shoulders and hand massage.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A. R. Rahman(OSCAR Winner 2009)

"I find we are living in such violent times that it becomes almost necessary to break the clutter, to get associated with products that can offer hope, that can offer a sense of melody…a harmony.

Every time I create a melody I wonder if there is a way this song will reach out and prevent a bloodbath.

Compare that to our leaders, who hope that a whole state burns for their cause. While using music to achieve this might seem idealistically simplistic, in Rahman’s words : It is, but you see, music is all that I know.

He sure makes a mark as a person, even if you are not influenced by his music."

This is AR Rahman,first indian composer to win two OSCARS in a row and still appear so calm and down to earth. Many people criticised the film"SLUMDOG MILLIONAIR" for portraying India in a negative light. But Rahman is without a doubt is a winner.

In a very humble way he expressed his opinion also"In my opinion if creative people want to comment on a film, and if I were a director and felt that way, I would make another film and prove my point and say this is what India is about," Rahman told The Associated Press in an interview from Los Angeles before returning home to work on film scores before participating in the Feb. 22 Oscars awards show."
He is the person whose work speaks for him.

Here is the link http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrbio.html

where you can read the entire journey of the legendry musician started from Such a humble place till OSCARS.

My top 15 K-dramas list

It has been more than a year since I got hooked on Korean dramas. I like the happy ending (mostly) and stories are finished in 16-20 episode...