Living Local Mumbai (September 2015)

September 2015 Volume 1 Issue 5

MUMBAI RNI No . MAHENG/2015/6304

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CHRONICLES OF THE HOOD

THE HOODERS EXPRESS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR HOOD

DISCOUNT COUPPg O54NS

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai |

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content

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | wwww.livinglocalmag.com

20 10 10 Trica Hair Clinic

Trica Hair Clinic is a fast-growing chain of hair clinics in Mumbai, that was started based on a gap in the hair care market...

20 Taming the hours for Erratic Eaters

On the 30ish Slope

16 Itch to Swith at 30ish

Changing your profession at the peak of your career?

How do you deal with the ultimate debate of heart versus mind. The toughest hurdle for anyone...

For frequent travelers, the aviation industry, top management or sales force, call centers or even college students, it is often a luxury to begin and end...

24 World Alzheimer’s Month

India is a young country with the world’s second largest elderly population...

16 Advertise with Living Local Mumbai 6

| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

24 +91 9769302244 / +919930233137 advertise@livinglocalmag.com www.livinglocalmag.com

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34 Chef Around The Corner

34 Chef Vicky Ratnani

This month we caught up with Vicky Ratnani, celebrity chef and dog lover. Walking into Vicky’s house was like walking into foodie heaven.

40 WHAT’S HAPPENING

40 Ensemble Dance Studios - Urban Dance Master Workshop

This is a special master’s workshop in hip-hop. The workshop will focus on basic elements...

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50 Is the wellbeing of your child, Child’s Play?

Preparing our next generation and equipping them with better health, happiness & morality is as essential as meeting...

INSPIRE

38 The Man With The Golden Heart

We have often read stories and seen films about men leaving their mark through the annals of time. Men who by the...

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Disclaimer: The acceptance of advertising in this publication does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Publisher of any product or service. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for any claims made in any advertisement. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any advertisement. Publisher’s acceptance of an advertisement for publication in the Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service advertised.

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai |

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Contributors Let your voice be heard whether it is on the topic of health and wellness, local news, or an event you want to share in your Hood. Write to us at: articles@livinglocalmag.com

SIDHARTH SODHI Actor Writer

POOJA KOCHAR Founder of 30ishblogging. Blogger, Speaker and Photographer.

30ishblogging.blogspot.in

DR. SHARMILA NAYAK Cosmetic Celebrity Dermatologist Skin / Hair Like they say… “A stitch in time saves nine” likewise “Proper skin care in time will prevent wrinkles and lines”.

VISHAL DHAWAN Vishal Dhawan is a financial planner by profession and founder of Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors Pvt. Ltd. vishal.dhawan@planahead.in KARISHMA PINAK Dancer by Heart.

Entrepreneur by Profession.

Teacher by Choice.

DR LILY KISWANI, MD,DGO Integrative Medicine, A4MI Nutritional Therapeutics e-mail: drlk.integrative@gmail.com

SHERENE AFTAB Is a Marketing and HR lecturer by profession. Passionate about blogging, painting, people and travel.

TANVI MALLYA Founder | Dementia Management Consultant | ElderCare Consultant at Tanvi Mallya’s ElderCare Services TARANA KHETPAL Compulsive writer. Potterhead.

Cat lover. Content head at Living Local. In search of the perfect ending.

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| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

TRIPTI GUPTA Lifestyle Nutrition Consultant Health / Beauty / Wellness Founder- iPink The Color Of Health www.triptigupta.com

AHANA BANERJEE Dog lover and PG Wodehouse fan.

MOHINI Mohini is a Tarot Card reader, Hypnotherapist and a Life Coach. She also teaches reading Tarot Cards and various self-healing techniques.

DIVYA PANDAY Intro- lives in her own world! Wants to travel and explore little-big things in the world.

NYMA SINGH MERCHANT Aims at discovering the world through food. Can sing, dance and write.

DR. RITIKA ARORA Masters in Dental Surgery. (Gum specialist & oral implantologist.).

Founder & Director - Aesthetics Smiles Dental Clinic.

SUBHASHINI SHEOPURI An Andheri West resident.A freelance journalist for past 15 years.

DR. BHAVANA DIYORA Preventive Health and Wellbeing Consultant

SANJAY HINGORANI I am foodie who lives to eat. I may write a cook book someday but at the moment I am just enjoying my passion, cooking great food be it Indian, Italian, Thai, Arabic.

MUMBAI

September 2015 Volume 1 Issue 5

Another New Beginning

Management Neeraj Vasudeva Content Team Taranna Khetpal (Head) Ahana Banerjee Nyma Singh Merchant Graphic Designer Rishav Kumar Photographer Manali Jain Sales & Marketing Ali Ansari (Andheri West) (ali.ansari@livinglocalmag.com) Prajesh Podikalam (Bandra-Khar) (prajesh@livinglocalmag.com)

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very thing known to us has had a beginning at some point of time. The birth of us humans, the existence of planet earth, the invention of the wheel, you name it and it has had some beginning to get to where it is today.” – Excerpt from my desk in the very first Issue of this publication.

The title of my very first note as an Editor was “A New Beginning” and I couldn’t find a more appropriate title for this new milestone note from my desk – “Another New Beginning”.

Living Local magazine was designed with a purpose - to give the local people and the local business and service providers a quality platform to connect. We started with the Andheri West area. Simply put – It’s been a good ride. A ride, which may have started with just a single engine on the track but today it’s a running engine backed up with bogeys full of fellow Hooders (that’s all those who belong to the Hood).

Editor-in-chief Anubhav Anand Twitter- @anubhavanand

Isn’t it beautiful to see a seed that you sowed grow into a plant and eventually a fully blossomed tree? The extension of the pleasure is more when that tree serves a purpose. This month we are extending the branches of our Living Local tree to another HOOD – Bandra-Khar West. The excitement seems the same as it was in the very first issue of the Andheri West Hood. The thrill of becoming part of another Hood where all Hooders are connected by a common quality platform.

“By the people… for the people” is a philosophy we function with. A new ride where more hands join in an effort to keep the human connect within our neighbor-“hood”. Places around us that we visit the most, and most importantly, the people around us that matter the most. In a world where we all are connected with the furthest, we shouldn’t lose the ones that are the closest.

Our nest is where we live. Not just for what’s inside it, but more what and who is around it. That’s our Hood and that’s where we belong.

Here’s to a New Beginning in a new Hood-Bandra-Khar West. And something that we may forget at times but stays most relevant in today’s hyperlocal times – “You may be traveling global… but you are always Living Local.”

Owned, Published, Printed and Edited by Anubhav Anand.

Printed at SWASTIK PRINTS, Gabriel Joseph Compound, Kajuwadi, Cardinal Gracious Rd., Chakala, Andheri (East), Mumbai- 400099 and Published from G-701, Sky Anchorage Co-Op Hsg Society Ltd., Panch Marg, Off Yari Road, Scan QR Code Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400061.

Editor: editor@livinglocalmag.com

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors and advertisers in our publication and on our website do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or publishers.

The Publisher shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages or losses arising out of the use or inability to use the magazine, any errors on pages, misrepresentations or omissions in the content, advertisements or products and services offered and take no responsibility for any issues arising from the use of suppliers who have advertised.

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai |

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LL | lifestyle

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rica Hair Clinic is a fast-growing chain of hair clinics in Mumbai, that was started based on a gap in the hair care market. It was founded on the pillars of medical efficacy, trust and outstanding service, and we spoke to Dr Snehal Sriram, one of the founders & the Medical Director of the company to find out a little more.

Q

What prompted you to start Trica Hair Clinic?

Hair has always been my area of interest and wellness is a passion I share with our co-founders Mr. Rakesh Pandey and Mr. Dilip Meswani. When we got together around 2 years back, we realized that there were no players in the market who could offer effective, reliable and fast results for all kind of hair concerns. The market, on one hand, is made up of companies that are into surgical and/or cosmetic solutions and on the other hand, has companies that claim to give results through their home care products. Our research showed that consumers want an honest

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assessment of their hair issues and what all their possible options are from there.

Plus, they want effective solutions that are preferably non-invasive. There was clearly a gap in the market, so we opened Trica Hair Clinic with the single-minded focus of being a one-stop place for all kind of hair concerns and to provide the best possible solution by ‘getting to the root’ of what each client’s unique concern is.

Q

What makes you different from other brands that provide similar services?

As I mentioned earlier, there is no one in the market who has the same bouquet of services that Trica has. We are the only place in India that uses a special patented Korean technology.

Our unique protocols are designed specifically for Indian clients. It is for this reason that we are able to provide much faster, visible results as compared to our contemporaries.

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Q

There has been a lot of talk about Hair Transplant nowadays – can you tell us more about it?

A Hair Transplant is a surgical procedure where hair from one part of the scalp is transplanted to an area that is devoid of hair. While this solution is good for people who are in certain grades of hair-loss, it is not necessarily the best solution for those who have either minimal hair-loss or have lost a majority of their hair. We at Trica Hair Clinic believe that a hair transplant is a good solution; provided a client can get all the grafts in a single sitting, is comfortable with a surgical procedure in terms of effort as well as cost and most importantly, if the procedure is carried out by a skilled and experienced doctor.

Q

Does Trica have solutions for all hair problems?

Absolutely! Trica has solutions for all kind of hair concerns like chronic

dandruff, hair-fall, male and female hair-loss, post pregnancy hair-fall, hairfall for weight watchers etc.

For example, if a 27 year old man has some thinning of hair and his scalp is showing; what would be the course of treatment for him?

While the exact course of treatment can only be determined after an in-depth consultation, early intervention is likely to reverse or at the least halt the hair-loss in its tracks. At Trica, we handle such cases using a three-pronged approach of combining in-clinic services with home care kit and nutrients.

Q

Would the same treatment also work for a female who is suffering from hair-fall?

No. Firstly hair-fall and hair-loss are very different problems and need to be dealt differently. Also, in different people the cause may be because of specific physiological and medical reasons. In this domain there is no ‘one size fits all’ kind of treatment. This is why we at Trica understand the unique nature of concern through our in-depth consultation and then design a custom program that addresses the specific needs of our clients.

Q

What can be done about those people who’ve been losing hair for a long time and have lost a significant amount of hair on their head?

Like any medical treatment, there is a right time to see a doctor. Any delay has a direct impact on efficacy. People who have lost hair for a long time, can 1) opt to maintain their current hair, 2) if feasible, opt for a hair transplant, or 3) go for cosmetic solutions like hairsystems.

Q

What is it about dandruff that seems to be so common and why doesn’t it go away?

Dandruff can occur due to variety of reasons such as weather, water, cosmetic products being used etc. Like any other hair concern, before any treatment can be given we understand the root cause and then recommend a treatment program. Apart from in-clinic services, the treatment also includes medicinal shampoos and hair packs. Trica has a 100% success rate in dandruff solutions,

and most of our clients start seeing results within the first 3 sessions itself.

Q

Looking your best is an eternal need. Styling, coloring and straightening of hair are all modern options to look good. How serious is the damage due to these treatments and what can be done about them?

I agree that the whole point of having good hair is to flaunt it and look your best. However, excessive chemicals and heat damage the hair. This is why coloring and straightening are not good for hair, especially if these treatments are done frequently. To compensate for the damage caused by these processes, we have designed a service called Trica Protect & Nourish. Along with this program, we suggest dietary supplements to take care of the nutrition of the hair.

Q

Thank you doctor, any parting message for our readers?

It’s important to start taking care of your hair early. You don’t see it, but like everything hair also ages and has a finite life. Seek expert advice at the first sign of a problem. An early start will significantly enhance the life and quality of your hair, so you can enjoy looking your best for the longest time possible.

For appontments, Call: Vile Parle - 92222 28000 | Powai - 92222 25353 Vile Parle: 102, Man House, S.V Road, Opp Pawan Hans Airport, Vile Parle West, Mumbai - 4000 056

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 11

LL | lifestyle

Krishz DIY Home Decor

by Karishma Pinak

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e have sadly not seen enough of the rains this year, but very soon it shall start raining festivals. The onset of Shravan marks the beginning of the festive season.

Raksha Bandhan parties are still fresh in our minds while Ganpati Bappa is arriving soon. With all these festivals lined up we need to have our homes ready for them all.

Krish is here with some really easy DIY Home Decor ideas.

1. Using CDs: Once the very important data saving device that is no longer popular a. Twister Tray: • Using scissors, cut the CD into pieces.

• Using Fevicol, stick these pieces on the old tray or the plate.

• Let it dry for about 2-3 hours.

• Your new Twister Tray is ready. b. Shiny Stand: • Using scissors, cut the CD into pieces.

• Cut the box to your desired size.

• Using Fevicol, cover the box with some coloured paper.

• Using Fevicol, stick these pieces on the box.

• Let it dry for about 2-3 hours.

• Your Shiny Stand is ready.

• You can also use old glass or old plastic bottles.

C. Holographic Images: • Select size and shape of a mirror.

• Place it in the center of a Mount

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Board leaving an approximately 2 inch margin on all sides.

• Using Fevicol stick these cut CD pieces on the extra margin.

• Let it dry for about 2-3 hours.

• Your Holographic Mirror is ready to adorn your walls.

2. Using Bottles: We have them in many sizes and shapes; ketchup bottles, water bottles, liquor bottles too. a. Rope them up: • Use a glass or plastic bottle.

• Get jute thread or colorful woollen thread.

• Starting from the neck of the bottle, apply Fevicol on the bottle and start winding the thread around the bottle.

• Use different coloured threads or one single colour throughout the bottle.

• Let it dry for about 2-3 hours.

• Keep one or a cluster of such bottles and flowers in them

some pattern of your choice and sprinkle glitter powder on the Fevicol.

• Cover the bottle completely or part of the bottle.

• You can use one or more than one colours.

• Let it dry for a couple of hours.

• Use a paint brush and dust off the excess glitter and the bottle is ready for use.

• You can put fresh or fake flowers.

• You can also serve your guests water or drinks from these bottles.

• If you intend to store something inside it; make sure you don’t cover the neck with glitter else the cap will not fit on the bottle.

• Give the bottle cap the same glitter treatment to make it look like one unit.

b. Bottle Lights: • Collect coloured glass bottles which will be easily available with a scrap dealer.

• Buy strings of coloured China Lights which are very cheap and easily available.

• Simply put the string of lights in the bottle and plug the other end in the socket.

• Switch it on and ‘Ta da’! c. Bling Bottles: • Collect bottles of various or same sizes as per availability.

• Make sure they are clean and dry.

• Apply Fevicol on the bottle as per

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Wishing that this festive seasons bring shine and glitz into your homes as well as your lives.

For more on DIY on Home Decor wait for the next sparkling issue.

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 13

www.shutterstock.com/g-stockstudio

LL | lifestyle

Spas

Around the Corner

Their Best Treatment

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e are all constantly in a race against time; chasing that dream that seems not so distant or trying to complete three days of work in one so we can take that long weekend we’ve been waiting for. Or maybe some of us have a family that requires constant attention. Whether you’re a man or woman; whether you run a house or a company; you know you need that break but it doesn’t look likely to happen. Your muscles are cramping up, your back aches and your feet feel like they’re going to fall off your legs. So what do you do?

Gone are the times when spa presence was limited to 4 and 5 star hotels.

Visiting a spa is no longer something you can do only on vacation. And neither is it exorbitantly expensive to pamper yourself. Like salons, a spa, is now just around the corner. Spas have stopped trying to be a one stop shop that offer you varied treatments like ayurvedic, naturopathy, reflexology, acupuncture or kinesiology. Trying to be a one size fits all never works for anyone and the people of this industry have finally realised that. Most spas now boast of specialists who treat specific conditions. From foot spas to medical spas, we’ve got them all. If you live in Andheri, you’ve probably seen them crop up at every corner; but we’re sure you’re not complaining. Here’s a list of spas around the corner and their best treatment.

Four Fountains De-Stress Spa Four Fountain De-Stress Spa specializes in ‘scientifically designed programs’ and has not just therapists but doctors who recommend spa treatments for body and skin ailments.

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What to try: Car Commuter’s Package Price range: INR 1500 to INR 4500 Contact: +91-9987004004

by Taranna Khetpal www.shutterstock.com/www.BillionPhotos.com

Aura Thai Spa With over 14 locations in Mumbai, Aura Thai Spa prides itself in its ambience, calming therapies and loyal clientele.

Treatments are available for face and body.

What to try: Refiner Facial Combination Skin Price range: INR 2000 to INR 5500 Contact: +91-75062 54366

for

www.shutterstock.com/Syda Productions

Blue Terra Spa and Wellness Centre Following the trusted principles of Ayurveda, Blue Terra Spa and Wellness Centre provides treatments by determining the ‘Dosha’ of your body’s constituency.

What to try: Red Wine Scrub Price Range: INR 900 to INR 7000 Contact: +91-22-40052299 Rasi - The Zodiac Spa and Salon A spa, literally, like no other. Rasi offers cusotmized treatments based on your zodiac sign and uses corresponding products and methods.

Myo Thai Spa Nestled in the heart of Andheri, this spa was brought into being by Montu Singh, who wanted to create a place where people could come to enjoy the delicious balance of divine wellness and opulence.

What to try: Thai Aromatherapy Massage Price range: INR 540 to INR 3600 Contact: +91-22-26347272

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What to try: Signature Journeys Price range: On request Contact: +91-9022992211 Charisma Spa Pvt. Ltd. The pioneers of Thai and Ballini concepts of luxury and holistic treatments in Mumbai, the Charisma Spa offers a variety of slimming services. While most spas cater to both genders, this spa specializes in massage treatments for men.

What to try: Takra Dhara Price range: INR 250 to INR 20000 Contact: +91 98204 32494

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 15

LL | lifestyle On the 30ish Slope

Itch to Switch at 30ish

Pooja Kochar is the Founder of 30ishblogging.blogspot.in.

She is a Speaker, Blogger and Photographer.

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hanging your profession at the peak of your career? How do you deal with the ultimate debate of heart versus mind. The toughest hurdle for anyone chasing their passion, is the fact that they have to get over themselves! Get over the notion of a perfect life, perfect job, and the perfect time to get started.

with their energy. 30ish is my positive attempt to inspire my readers to ‘Bet On Themselves’. As the name suggests, the blog deals with the fundamental problem of mid life crisis. Prioritize personal growth, the rest will fall into place. I used to wake up in the morning to compete with something I did not believe in. Does this sound familiar?

The first step before you give in to your ‘Itch to Switch’ would be to recognize what is your orientation to work. It will roughly be within the boundary of one of the following: • Job - Your main focus is financial rewards.

• Career - You are driven by prestige, power and growth.

•Calling - Work is your ‘purpose for life’.

No one can give you the right advice, because they will never be you.

Your aspirations and dreams will be questioned by everyone, including yourself. I can best explain this through my own story.

Your gut will challenge every thing you planned for your future. Some of us stick to our jobs , because according

individuals to explore inspiring stories within our hood.

Be an entrepreneur if you are willing to feel uncomfortable and evolve continuously. Your life will always be LOADING. Everyone has an inner guidance system.

#Life Hack: It’s not going to be easy, but it’s

30ish is a personal journey of quitting a fancy corporate job after almost a decade and starting my own blog. When you see someone else going through the same turmoil, you tend to flow

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definitely going to be worth it. to them 30ish is too late to take a risk.

A few of us, jump the bridge and scream 30ish still gives me 20-30 years to experiment and live happier. Its all about your perspective.

Entrepreneurship is like playing in a jungle gym, there are no rules, no life hacks just the desire to live for what matters to you. Living Local is making a sincere effort to showcase start-ups and budding talent, it’s a great avenue for

| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

Trust more, fear less.

www.shutterstock.com/ Monkey Business Images

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 17

LL | lifestyle

S

, T R A M S D N E P AVE SMINATHRISTFESTIVE SEASON

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ITH THE festive season upon us and optimism about a recovery in India over the next one year continuing to gain ground, it is easy to get carried away by high decibel advertising that seems to be hitting us from everywhere.

Be it consumer durables, real estate or automobiles, every advertising vehicle seems to be shouting “Ours is the best deal� from the rooftop. While it is easy to get carried away, we think that it is prudent to prioritize your goals before you go ahead and splurge. Please also remember the principals of good debt

consumption assets that lose substantial value on purchase. For example, a loan taken for the purchase of a residential home that you are going to live in, or for educating /reskilling yourself is normally good debt as it is likely to give you positive benefits in the long term, but a top-up loan to splurge on renovation of the home is bad debt as the value of the property does not increase to the same extent as the cost of the renovation.

So what are the top five precautions that you should take this festive season?

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and bad debt, before you decide to buy using your future income rather than current savings.

Good debt is used to purchase longer term assets that appreciate in value, while bad debt is used to fund

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Buy what you definitely need, not the item with a deal. While every brand seems to be offering zero interest loans and interest free EMIs, ask yourself if you truly need that new LED television or new smart phone. Of course, there is always new technology but the question is, is it essential to own every new piece of technology that comes? Do you realize that the Rs 1,00,000 spent on a new LED television can be better used

| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

in supporting your child’s education and could grow to four times more, if invested prudently over the long term?

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With gold prices falling continuously over the last few years, it may appear like this is a great time to buy. In addition, import duties on gold have artificially inflated prices of gold in India. As and when the import duties are removed, local prices of gold could move to the same level as those internationally. Therefore, if you have to buy, buy in small quantities and only if you do not have gold exposure already.

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With salaries and bonuses starting to look up and real estate developers launching new projects, no one wants to be left out from the next realty upsurge. However, you

need to remember that there are no free lunches and hence the prices for apartments under these schemes may be more expensive. Please read the fine print carefully before signing the dotted line. Also, keep in mind that an oversupplied real estate market could cause prices to remain stagnant for a considerable period, as demand catches up with supply.

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While nothing is as refreshing as a nice holiday spent with dear ones, the destination for the holiday should be chosen keeping your finances in mind. Avoid taking a loan for your holidays. It is definitely bad debt even if your heart tells you otherwise.

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While you want to hear this from your doctor and not your financial planner, health is wealth. Have a great festive season ahead.

Vishal Dhawan is a financial planner by profession and founder of Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors Pvt. Ltd. He can be reached at vishal. dhawan@planahead.in He frequently writes columns in various business and general media, both domestically and internationally, and appears on television.

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harisma by Anu Mehra, established around 12 years back in a quaint corner of Lokhandwala has grown to its vibrant, colourful present with remarkable success.

Excellence is something we at Charisma thrive for every day. We like to believe that our team has given each of our customers the pleasure of feeling truly beautiful in the clothes that are meticulously designed keeping in mind both their comfort and what’s in vogue. I launched Charisma with a dream to let each woman believe that she is unique in every single way and I inch closer to realizing that dream with every person that walks through our door. Traditional Indian wear has the power of grace and sensuality all in one,

and in fact more than in any couture or culture. While the Indian wear is special, so are you, if you look through our eyes. Let us explore together the world of Charisma- It essentially revolves around Fashion, Tradition and most importantly You. We know that you have the choice. One visit to Charisma would most certainly give you the feeling that it is the right choice for you.

Let us explore together the world of Charisma

Charisma Adv

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 19

www.shutterstock.com/ ChameleonsEye

LL | health & beauty

TAMING THE HOURS FOR

ERRATIC EATERS Lifestyle Nutrition Consultant - Tripti Gupta

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or frequent travelers, the aviation industry, top management or sales force, call centers or even college students, it is often a luxury to begin and end a day with a family meal together. Due to erratic hours and high stress jobs, often meals are rushed, you eat what the cafeteria provides and health takes a back seat. Working in shifts, traveling and late night deadlines can be extremely demanding and play havoc on your health.

With such high pressure jobs, keeping your fitness in check becomes essential. High cholesterol ,uric acid levels, acidity, constipation, indigestion are the most common problem issues our erratic eaters face. Hence, it’s essential to have a plan. Follow the guidelines given below and make an eating schedule for yourself to save your body from deteriorating and ageing much before time. Let’s go through a few dos and don’ts to make life much simpler, practical, convenient and most importantly, very healthy.

Dos for Erratic Eaters  Follow your own eating time table from the time you wake up and not by the family clock. If you begin your day at 4 pm then that’s your breakfast time not snack.  If you are in a different country, please follow your schedule as per local time and not your home town.  Plan your meals as per your breaks or peak hours of hunger not as per what you used to do at home. Nobody knows your body better than you; when you know you are very hungry at 2 am, please go ahead and eat. Starvation is the first step to health destruction.  Always keep smart foods with you. Black raisins work miraculously to fight acidity, bridge your gaps and satisfy your sweet cravings. Other easy options include kurmura, roasted chana, bran flakes/muesli, diet khakra etc., which keep you conveniently satiated if you are unable to grab something healthy on the go.  Drink plenty of water, a 750ml bottle/sipper which can be refilled at least twice in an 8 hr shift, at your desk. Keep sipping or make it a point to drink before you eat anything.

This makes it easier for you to not only control your portions but also satisfies your hydration needs. Remember! For those mostly in air conditioned environment are at higher risk for dehydration.  The smart ones will make time for some workout, even if it’s a brisk walk or climbing up the stairs, your cardio is the best way to keep your heart healthy and body fit.  Keep your vitamin box in your travel bag. Why should we miss our supplements unnecessarily?  Our sleep cycle suffers the highest setback with these varying schedules. Make sure you get at least 8 hrs sleep.  Avoid sugar at bedtime; it will keep you on high alert.

A chamomile or calming green tea or plain skim milk are good sleep inducers; a warm cup can offer the much needed sound sleep we deserve.

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Don’ts for the Erratic Eaters  Never fall prey to what others are indulging in. Eat what you need to and not because your colleagues are bingeing.

Remember! This is not one odd day of socializing, this is to be a part of your routine lifestyle.  Avoid too much caffeine when at work. A common tendency is to reach out for the extra cup of coffee/tea because we feel we have this humongous burden to work against time. Accept your lifestyle as a routine for your body; you are used to this and you are not doing anything drastically different today, so go easy. Choose plain hot water if you are used to sipping something hot; a cup of green tea has ¾ of the caffeine your coffee has, so choose wisely. It is this extra caffeine during your work hours which interferes with your sleep cycle later at bedtime.  High energy drinks and granola bars are a strict no no. These are high on sugar, preservatives and artificial sweeteners, which will creep into your waistline and you may need to work harder to burn it off. Also the extra load you may put on your liver to filter out the excess is unimaginable.  We are all aware of the damages alcohol and smoking bring with them; stay off as much as you can. Choose lime juice, sparkling water and soda instead to sip on, as a comparatively better alternative.  Last but not the least, our body craves mostly 2 things i.e sugar or salt. Keep a balance in your electrolytes by eating frequently; starvation and long gaps are strictly prohibited.

It’s not a punishment to follow a different schedule from what most of world follows. Remember! Our body has a unique gift of adapting with whatever we choose to, hence, accept your lifestyle, review your routine and plan your day sensibly. It’s not that difficult to live healthy if we genuinely choose the right route. Save your body…Stay iPink !

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 21

LL | health & beauty

FITNESS AFTER

50

by Subhashini Sheopuri

C

ontrary to the beliefs of some people at the age of fifty (and above), a gym is not a scary place where hard-core exercise is compulsory.

There are several modes of training, and unless you take the first step of actually making your way to a gym, you will never really know what it entails, and neither will you know what a wonderful lifestyle experience you are missing.

Life after fifty becomes a bit laid back; women especially tend to put on weight and men feel they want to get back their youth somehow! This is a common thought process all over the globe, not just in India. Somehow, Indians are still not attuned to the fact that one can always make lifestyle changes and feel good about themselves, and getting out of their comfort zone (the couch in front of the TV) would be the first step.

Second would be to go for a consultation at a gym. So let’s presume Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor are now 50+, and have decided to check out the neighborhood gym.

At the outset, you will be greeted by the gym manager and after a brief introduction and details of membership explained, you will be joined by an expert trainer who will explain the details as well as answer all your queries. You will be introduced to the gym culture, and also counselled on the benefits of

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physical activity at all ages. Let us now assume that the Kapoors have liked the introduction and are comfortable with cost of membership, and agree to join the gym immediately. At this stage you will be set up for a consultation with the nutritionist/dietician. The nutritionist consults with each member before the workout regimen is determined.

The health quotient of each member is created based on health history and any issues in the past. Any health issue can be

These two important elements are part and parcel of the new membership, and the cost for the same is woven into the membership cost. Extra payment is required only if a member wishes for a personal nutritionist or personal trainer.

After the formalities of acquiring the membership have been completed, and the details of your medical history and lifestyle determined, your friendly trainer will take over and a basic health screening will be performed. The trainer

repaired by the rehabilitation program, in which an individual analysis is made, and a diet plan as well as a workout plan is decided upon.

will explain the various components of fitness in the gym along with the importance of nutrition in our daily life.

Based on the health screening and needs analysis, a customized workout training program will be devised. As you make

| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

your way around the gym to familiarize yourself with the various machines and mechanisms of exercise, you will smile and wonder aloud why you did not decide to join earlier.

As your customized training sessions are decided, you will get a trainer who will guide you through a 3 day induction ceremony. You will be explained in detail how your new and improved physical activity will help you achieve good posture, increased stamina, better heart health, more flexibility and above all, an overall sense of wellbeing. You will be

There are innumerable forms of exercise in a gym, but keeping in mind we are talking about the elite 50+ Kapoors and many more like them, there can be at least 10 different programs that will be beneficial as well as enjoyable for members here. Let us frame these point wise:

. Cycling on stationary bikes . Elliptical Trainer/Cross trainer . Recumbent (stationary) Bikes with back rest . Circuit Training with basic machines . Dumbbells & Barbells . Stretching Areas for simple exercises . Treadmill for walking . Mind & Body Group Classes – Yoga . Mind & Body Group Classes – Body Balance . Cardio – Dance Studio Classes In order to truly experience this highly addictive and rewarding lifestyle, it is essential that you visit a gym soon and only then will you really understand its value and power.

Taking walks and eating restricted meals is a normal way to live your life; live with more freedom and adventure, race to the nearest gym and open your world to a totally different YOU. Feel young and energetic as you work along with the 20 somethings. Enjoy the thrill of seeing your favourite TV stars working out in their cool avatars sans make up and larger than life characterizations. Once you get into this groove, you will also feel like a star. So dear readers, have all the age groups landed at the nearest gym, or do I have to state more points of positivity. Did you know that when you increase your physical activity, happy hormones known as endorphins are released, and give you a feel good high for almost 6 hours after exercizing. Need I say more?

(With technical Inputs by Training Manager Karan Hebbar & Trainer Tejas Patil – Fitness First Gym)

introduced to the 4 basic pillars of good lifestyle: Nutrition, Exercise, Rest and Hydration. After all the explanations, you get to decide your own goal to join the gym. It could be weight loss, or better health and conditioning, or even just to look good. Most important element would be to feel good about yourself, and once you join the vibrant atmosphere you will be thrilled to be a part of this movement, and will want to jump and dance at the beat of the pulsating vibrant music playing there at all times.

Any health issue can be repaired by the rehabilitation program September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 23

LL | health & beauty

World Alzheimer’s Month

by Tanvi Mallya

India is a young country with the world’s second largest elderly population: There are 100 million Indians above the age of 65 and that number is expected to double by 2040. Alzheimer’s is a disorder that afflicts a large majority. September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and it is only fair that we acquaint ourselves better with it.

Q.

What is the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Dementia is a group of symptoms that apply to 5 disorders – Alzheimer’s is one such type of Dementia. The others are Fronto-Temporal Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Parkinson’s-related Dementia and Lewy-Body Dementia.

Q. What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a type of neurodegenerative disorder – which means that an individual gets progressively worse. In Alzheimer’s, protein in the form of plaques and tangles grows in the brain, affecting various aspects of an individual’s functioning – memory, language, reasoning, orientation, etc.

Q.

What are some of the key behavioural signs of Alzheimer’s?

A medical review is recommended if any elderly you know displays the following symptoms: Repetitiveness: Asking the same question over and

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over again or expressing the same statement over and over again.

Confusion: The person may often be confused about where they are/who they are with.

Their confusion maybe heightened when a change in their surrounding is made.

List-Making/Forgetting: To compensate for their flailing memory, the individuals may often rely on crutches such as making lists, writing everything down. They may also often forget about the meal they have just had, or what just happened. Ironically, in the initial stages, their long term memory is perfectly intact, which means they remember very well what happened 20 years ago but may have difficulty remembering that they just ate.

Orientation: The person may forget what date/day/ year they are in. They may also display a lack of understanding about what time of the day it is – sometimes, this causes them to be dressed oddly.

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Q. What can be done?

A definitive cause is not known and hence current medical treatments focus on slowing the disease down, rather than halting or reversing it. In addition to medications, a 360-degree care system goes a long way in stabilizing the decline. Attention must be paid to the individual’s diet, physical exercise, cognitive (mental exercises).

The individual’s environment is also extremely important – staff or family members who lower the individual’s confidence by ‘testing’ the individual by asking questions or who speak to them in a tone colored with irritation can be extremely dangerous for the individual’s psyche. A loving and nurturing environment is imperative and the same can be achieved by psycho-educating the staff and the family members. Family members and caregiving staff will be stressed and this directly affects the quality of care being provided to the individual

Care Home v/s At-Home Care: For anyone diagnosed with any type of Dementia, keeping them at their own home is one of the best things that can be done. As the long-term memory is intact through most of the life-span, the individuals are better acquainted with the own homes and have often been observed to feel less confused.

Moving elderly to a care home/old age home has often been followed a steep decline as they find it extremely difficult to adjust to the completely new surroundings. Today, a lot of services are available to make At-Home care easier covering crucial areas like attendant training, sessions to cognitively stimulate the elderly, physiotherapy.

The key thing to remember when dealing with a person with Dementia is that every day is new. Due to the dynamic nature of the disorder, their needs keep changing often. The care being provided needs to be ‘updated’ accordingly – most families, therefore, can manage the symptoms better with some professional support.

“

“

Attention must be paid to the individual’s diet, physical exercise, cognitive

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 25

LL | health & beauty

www.shutterstock.com/ Irina Bg

5 TIPS FOR HEALTHY

GLOWING SKIN

by Dr. Sharmila Nayak Sakhiya Clinic (Cosmetic Dermatologist)

HOW TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY RADIANT SKIN IN TODAY’S BUSY SCHEDULE We are living in an era where looking good and having radiant skin has become the need of the hour. Be it a working professional, model, student or a housewife - everyone now wants flawless skin. But today’s lifestyles, with more stress and very little time and so many deadlines to meet, it has become a challenge to maintain and take basic care of our skin.

Some of the challenges faced on a day to day basis are because of unhealthy eating habits (skipping your breakfast or meals, drinking too much tea or coffee), exposure to pollution and sun, lack of sleep, no exercise and too much stress. Some of these factors may not be in our control but we can definitely protect skin with adequate measures.

You could spare a few minutes for these simple tips for healthy glowing skin we all aspire to.

DIET: Eat more fruits and vegetables as these are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants contain vitamin A, C and E which help in the detoxification of the system. They not only help boost immune system but also help in preventing wear and tear of skin cells and have an anti-aging effect for the long run. Make it a point to eat at least 2 to 3 different types of fruits every day, especially citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables. Green tea is also known to have an antioxidizing benefit.

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EXERCISE: Daily 45 minutes of exercise is a must. It reduces stress levels and increases blood flow and oxygen to the skin thereby giving the skin a healthy glow from within.

5

CLEANSING: Use a mild pH balanced soap free face wash twice a day. Use a foaming cleanser in case you have oily skin, and cleansing milk if you have dry skin, to remove makeup. If you have sensitive skin, look for products which are labelled hypoallergenic.

Using a mild scrub once or twice a week for exfoliation also works wonders. This prepares the skin for hydration because products like moisturisers are better absorbed after removal of the dead skin.

www.shutterstock.com/ HTeam

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HYDRATION: Inadequate consumption of water, long hours in an air conditioned environment or too much exposure to sun and pollution leads to dehydration of skin. For healthy skin you should hydrate it internally as well as externally. Drink at least 2-3 litres of water per day and apply moisturiser at least twice a day. Use an oil free moisturiser if you have oily or acne prone skin.

Don’t forget to moisturise your hands and feet as these are the most exposed areas but also often the most neglected parts of the body.

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PROTECTION: Exposure to sun is responsible for tanning, pigmentation and premature aging of skin. Sunscreen application is a must 365 days of the year. Use a sunscreen with 15 or 30 SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Repetition is very important. Apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours.

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Investing a few minutes on a daily basis can reward you with radiant skin which saves a lot of effor and time in the long run.

health & beauty

Sakhiya Adv

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 27

LL | health & beauty

IS YOUR

??

BRAIN HAPPY

by Dr. Sonal Anand

“T

he brain is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of hell or a hell of heaven” Dr. Sonal Anand Psychiatrist, Medical Director (Omni health services) Every day, we are bombarded by positive and motivational themes. But what if the brain cannot process the optimism as required, if the brain misinterprets emotions? It may feel like using your left hand to write when you are right handed.

Depression is labelled as feeling sad or just something circumstantial, instead of a medical condition. Scientifically speaking, research proves that depression has biological causes - which means that depression is due to some small chemical changes in your brain.

Altered mood is a normal reaction to negative or stressful situations. However, when these feelings occupy your thoughts, and affect your productivity - it is time to seek professional help How does depression affect women?

It is known that women are prone to depression after delivery due to hormonal changes, or because of premenstrual syndrome and menopause. Many women also face the additional stresses of work and home responsibilities, abuse or relationship strains.

How do men experience depression?

Men often experience depression differently than women, and are more likely to be tired, irritable, lose interest in once-pleasurable activities, and have difficulty sleeping. They may turn to alcohol or drugs or become irritable, angry, and sometimes abusive. Some throw themselves into their work to avoid talking about their depression, or behave recklessly. Although more women attempt suicide, many more men die by suicide.

How do children and teens experience depression?

Children with depression may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or

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| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

worry that a parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative and irritable, and feel misunderstood.

Because these signs are viewed as typical mood swings as they move through developmental stages, it may be difficult to accurately diagnose depression. During the teen years, depression comes at a time of great personal change—when children are forming an identity apart from their parents, grappling with gender issues and emerging sexuality, making independent decisions for the first time.

Depression in adolescence frequently cooccurs with other disorders such as anxiety, eating disorders, or substance abuse, leading to increased risk for suicide.

How can I help a loved one who is depressed?

If you know someone who is depressed, it affects you too. The most important thing you can do is help them get treatment. You may need to make an appointment and go with them.

Never dismiss feelings, never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to the doctor.

How can I help myself if I am depressed? ● To help yourself, do not wait too long to get evaluated. ● Try to be active and exercise. ● Break up large tasks into small ones. ● Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. ● Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced or changing jobs, until you feel better. ● Continue to educate yourself about depression.

Treatment of depression Medication and psychotherapy play a major role in the treatment. Individual Counselling methods include the usage of CBT and REBT. The therapists are thoroughly trained in these methods.

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LL | health & beauty

RISK FACTORS FOR TENNIS INJURIES

Dr Mustafa Rangwala (MSc. Sports Injury U.K.) Consultant Sports Physiotherapist Karman Paincare

Tennis Players Beware Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. More than a million Indians play each year.

Tennis requires a variety of physical attributes including speed, power, endurance, strength, balance and specific playing skills. Both competitive and social players should carry out a conditioning and training program to cope with the demands of play and reduce the risk of injury.

While the risk of injury from playing tennis is relatively low compared to other sports like football, common tennis injuries do occur.

Some of the factors that can increase the risk of injury include: Incorrect technique – Using the correct serving and swinging action is important to prevent injury, particularly to the elbow and wrist. An incorrect swinging action is caused by the player relying only on the arm to hit the ball, rather than the body’s full strength.

The correct biomechanics and the co-ordination of the body should be properly executed to avoid any stress to a particular joint.

Failure to warm up and cool down – Warming up and cooling down is extremely important to reduce the risk of muscle and joint injuries. Warming up will not only help avoid injury but will also improve performance. Cooling down will reduce the load on the muscles that has been imposed during

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your training or match and will keep the muscle conditioned for the next day. Failure in doing a proper cool down might lead to an injury due to overloading of muscles.

Time spent playing – Overexertion is one of the most common causes of injury in tennis. Your body needs rest and recovery between training and matches. If you don’t allow your body sufficient time to rest and recover, you may not receive the total benefits of your game. You’ll also have an increased risk of overuse injury.

Inadequate Hydration – Tennis players should replace minimum 80% of sweat loss which is approx. 4 to 8 swallows of sports drink every changeover. Failure to do this might lead to cramping and stiffening of muscles.

Lack of Strength and Power – Strength is the most important component for the fitness of a tennis player, due to low strength the muscle can be overloaded and easily get fatigued which might lead to a tear or strain.

Incorrect Equipment – The tennis racket should be carefully monitored by the players; improper string tension, mainly excessive tension, might lead to a greater impact on the wrist leading to a wrist sprain or even a ligament tear. Grip of the racket should also be comfortable and well maintained to avoid injuries in the hand and wrist. The grip size can be determined by measuring the distance between the middle crease of the palm and the tip of the ring finger.

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Improper Nutrition – The correct form of balanced nutrition for an individual supply of the body needs is to be maintained very appropriately; loading carbohydrates before the game for optimum energy and protein for recovery is very necessary. A tennis player should also keep a regular check on Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 level for bone and muscle health.

Previous injury – A previous injury can lead to similar injuries in future, particularly if you haven’t taken enough time to properly recover. Injuries which have occurred previously should always be evaluated for any weakness during training sessions.

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www.shutterstock.com/ TAGSTOCK1

LL | health & beauty

RID of BELLY FAT Getting

Dr. Lily Kiswani MD,DGO, INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

I

t’s time to welcome back Lord Ganesh with His symbolism, including the endearing pot belly!

There are various meanings attached to His delightful, endearing form: • Denotes the limitless space. Ganesha’s large stomach is a treasure of Vedic knowledge.

• Acceptability (accept both good and bad in life).

When it comes to us mortals however, it’s a different story.

This belly fat in your middle is not inert. “It doesn’t just sit there looking unpleasant, it actually makes toxins that affect the way your body works”, says Samuel Dagogo-Jack, MD, president of the American Diabetes Association. Among them are chemicals called cytokines that boost the risks of heart disease and make your body less sensitive to insulin, which can bring on diabetes and can lead to cancers of the colon, esophagus, and pancreas.

This risk is equally great for the thin people with a little pot belly. So carrying a spare tyre is not just unappealing to look at, it carries very significant health risks.

Why do we develop Belly fat?

Ageing plays a role. As you age, you lose muscle — especially if you’re not physically active. Loss of muscle mass decreases the rate at which your body uses calories, which can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.

Drinking excess alcohol can cause you to gain belly fat — the ‘beer belly’. However, beer alone isn’t to blame. Drinking too much alcohol of any kind can increase belly fat, although some research suggests wine might be an exception.

Stress and Hormone Imbalance are connected. Chronic stress causes chronically raised cortisol levels, raised blood sugar levels and raised insulin levels.

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How can you tell if you have too much belly fat?

Simply measure your waist: • Stand and place a tape measure around your bare stomach, just above your hipbone. If your belly droops, lie down to take the measurement.

• Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly around you, but doesn’t push into your skin.

• Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around.

• Relax, exhale and measure your waist, resisting the urge to suck in your stomach.

For men, a waist measurement of more than 40 inches indicates high risk. For women, it is 35 inches. Ideally it should be no more than 35”/31” respectively.

How do you get rid of belly fat?

You can tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other targeted abdominal exercises, but just doing these exercises won’t get rid of belly fat. However, visceral fat does respond to the same diet and exercise strategies that can help you shed excess pounds and lower your total body fat. To battle the bulge: • Eat a healthy, hormone balancing diet. Emphasize plantbased foods, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and choose more protein and organic dairy products. Choose healthy fats — found in fish, nuts, ghee and coconut oil.

• Keep portion sizes in check. Even when you’re making healthy choices, calories add up. At home, slim down your portion sizes. In restaurants, share meals — or eat half your meal and take the rest home for another day.

• Include physical activity in your daily routine. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic activity, such

as jogging, for at least 75 minutes a week. In addition, strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week.

Remember, you can lose belly fat — it just takes effort and patience. In fact, shedding even a few extra pounds can help you feel better and lower your risk of health problems.

A bulge in the belly is a wake-up call. If you can trim down your midsection, you’ll go a long way toward preventing the health problems associated with belly fat. When you lose weight, your body will make getting rid of belly fat a top priority. If you manage to lose just 5 to 10 percent of your overall body weight, you can reduce the hazardous layer of belly fat by as much as 30 percent. If stress is a factor in your buildup of fat, incorporating some relaxation techniques may be useful as well.

Unfortunately, if you’re concerned about the amount of fat you have around the middle, you won’t find peace of mind in a cosmetic surgeon’s office. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Klein and colleagues dashed any hopes of a quick fix. The study found that women who had about 30 percent of their body fat suctioned off didn’t move any closer to avoiding diabetes or heart disease. Specifically, the procedure didn’t lower blood pressure or improve their response to insulin. “We removed billions of fat cells, but we didn’t change the size of the fat cells that remained,” he says.

It’s possible, he adds, that it’s the size of fat cells -- not their sheer number -- that really has an impact on health.

If you’re ready to banish your excess belly fat, schedule an appointment with your Integrative Medicine doctor. The two of you can come up with the best, healthiest overall strategy for weight loss. For more information, read http:// drlilykiswani.com/waist-circumference-better-than-bmi-indetermining-health-risk/ A perfectly flat stomach may not be entirely within your reach, but a healthier body certainly is!

2.

Brushing too soon after eating Consuming acidic foods and beverages, such as sports and energy drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and tomatoes, can erode tooth enamel—the glossy outer layer of the tooth. Brushing your teeth too soon after eating and drinking these items can cause more damage because you are essentially brushing the acid into the teeth, not getting rid of it. Instead, you should rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods and beverages and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your pearly whites!

5

HABITS

DESTROY YOUR SMILE

1.

THAT

by Dr.Ritika Arora

Not flossing Brushing your teeth twice a day is important, but many patients don’t realize that flossing at least once a day is just as critical to achieving—and maintaining—a healthy smile. Flossing removes the cavity-causing bacteria left behind from food particles that get stuck between teeth. “Although bleeding and irritation sometimes can occur when you first start flossing, it’s important to keep at it,” says Dr. Ritika “Your gums will toughen up and your oral health will be better.”

5.

Using a hard-bristled toothbrush A hard-bristled toothbrush coupled with an aggressive brushing technique can cause irreversible damage to your gums. Use a soft toothbrush and gently brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle, in a circular motion.

Using a back-and-forth, sawing motion causes the gums to recede, and can expose the root of the tooth, making teeth extremely sensitive.

3.

Not replacing your toothbrush often enough Not only are old toothbrushes ineffective, but they also harbor harmful bacteria that can cause infections.

Toothbrushes should be changed every three to four months. “It’s also important to change your toothbrush after you’ve had a cold,” says Dr. Ritika

4.

Excessively bleaching your teeth Overzealous bleaching can cause your teeth to look unnaturally white and increase tooth sensitivity.

Before using an at-home bleaching product, talk to your dentist. “He or she can advise you on proper use of these products as well as which type of bleaching system will provide you with the best results,” says Dr. Ritika.

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LL | food Chef Around The Corner When Vicky went Veg - Chef Around The Corner

by Taranna Khetpal

This month we caught up with Vicky Ratnani, celebrity chef and dog lover.

Walking into Vicky’s house was like walking into foodie heaven. You just know the man loves his craft. From his lusciously decorated open kitchen to his floor to ceiling bookshelf full of good food guides, Vicky’s home exudes his true love and passion for all things culinary. After some distraction by his new puppy, Bella (whom he incidentally got for his daughter), we tore our eyes away from the furry bundle of joy and got talking.

Vicky is all set to come out with a new show on TV where he’ll tell all of us how to substitute global ingredients with Indian ones. You can follow Vicky on twitter - @chef_vicky or on instagram - @vickythechef.

Q. How did you decide you wanted to be a chef?

I have always loved to eat and maybe it was destiny because everyone in my family is a great cook; my aunts, my mother, my grandmother. As a child, going to restaurants would really fascinate me. I loved trying new dishes and I think, thats where I cultivated my affinity for good food. I would love to eat the food from my friends’ tiffins in school; so many different tastes. I was completing my bachelors in commerce from college and I wasn’t sure about myself. It was my teachers who made me realize that I make a decent meal, so I should try and get better. Of course, I then went to hotel school and studied the art more precisely.

Q. Is there something you did that made your teachers

Q. What’s you favorite ingredient to work with?

It has to be fresh fish and seafood.

Q. What cuisines do you usually prefer to cook?

You see over the years, I’ve developed a style of my own. I have a very strong base in European food; French, Mediterranean. A little bit of Oriental too. So with all my travels and experiences, my dishes do have a lot of European influence but I like to integrate a lot of Indian ingredients and spices into my cooking.

Q. If you were not a chef, what would you be doing?

I would’ve been a musician or a photographer.

say this to you?

Yes. We used to have practicals, in cooking. I really started liking Italian food, and a lot of it was not taught in college and in those days, there was no Google to help us. It was just books, you know. I would read from these books and practise.

I had a successful first French pasta, classic tomato pasta sauce and Bolognese sauce. It was fabulous. My confidence shot up and I wanted more. So I went abroad to study this further. Of course, it was my teachers you first made me realize, I had a knack for it.

My advice is only if you love this industry with every every breath, you should get into it; you have to work when everyone else is relaxing. You’re always entertaining people more than getting entertained.

Q. How do you keep yourself updated on current trends?

Q. Where do you like to eat o n your days off?

Q. Tell us a little about ‘Vicky Goes Veg’, your show on

When I am abroad, I like to try various types of food. With my family, we usually eat whatever my daughter and my wife pick. We go to a lot of places in the neighborhood. We love Pan Asian food, Mediterranean food so we usually go to Indigo Deli, Gajalee, Mahesh Lunch Home and I love going out for the occasional dosa. When you cook fancy, you like to eat simple.

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As you can tell by this huge bookshelf, I read a lot. I obviously, browse the internet. I like visiting the websites of other chefs; instagram.

Q. Are there any particular chefs you admire?

Well, there are quite a few. I like Daniel Boulud in New York, Jean-Georges and David Chang also in New York. I like Chef Shannon Bennett in Melbourne, Chef Todd English in Boston. From Spain, I really admire Chef Ferran Adrià and Sergi Arola. I am quite well traveled and I follow many chefs’ work. My cuisine is based on technique. My goal is to integrate the flavors of the season in my food.

NDTV Food.

Vegetarian food in India, is either oriental or regional.The idea with ‘Vicky Goes Veg’ was to spice up vegetarian food with my flair, with flavors from all over the world. Because my cuisine was more international, the channel felt, with my knowledge of the world culinary palate and travel, it would be a great platform to give vegetarian food a new avatar.

Q. There is even a ‘Vicky Goes Veg’ book.

After 2 seasons of the show, we wanted to document the episodes. I was very excited because it was chosen from 200 entries and the top 12 were to go to China to contend for the prestigious ‘Gourmand Award’. My book was at second place. It was a great achievement, and I am looking forward to writing another book on vegetarian food.

Q. Have you tried anything out of the ordinary on your

travels?

Very recently, I had some food from Arunachal Pradesh. I had some red ant eggs, silkworm, fermented bamboo shoots.

Q. How was the experience?

It was very good. The fact is when you eat something your palate has never experienced, it sends a different kind of trigger to your brain. So there are some very unexpected sensations; the tastes, the crunch, the smell and the aftertaste.

Ive eaten emu, moose, alligator tail, ostrich, reindeer. It was pretty good.

Shakshuka

Q. You’ve been in Andheri for 13 years now, do you have

any significant memories of the place?

I used to come here 15-20 years ago. We had a Maruti then.

After Juhu, on our drives, there used to be nothing here. We would go to Madh Island and Marve from here. 7-8 years ago, Andheri underwent a huge change. The Link Road was terrible, there weren’t enough lights anywhere. I’ve seen the place grow. Andheri grows on you because the city is growing in length. Andheri has become quite a cool hub because it’s very well connected, what with the metro and the highway. It is the hub of the future.

Q. You may be traveling global, but you’re always living local. What does that phrase mean to you?

I’m always traveling global because I’m always integrating, picking up new recipes, flavors, ingredients. To adapt it to India, you have think local and be local because it is for the local, by the local.

RECIPES

Ingredients: 2 tbsp canola oil 1 medium sized yellow onion, chopped 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped 1large jalapeño chili, chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tsp tomato paste 2 cups fresh tomato puree 1 bay leaf 1 tbsp sugar 1 tsp sweet Hungarian paprika 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp ground caraway 1 cup blanched, chopped spinach leaves 6 large eggs salt to taste Methods: Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and sauté over medium heat until translucent for 5 to 10 minutes Add the bell peppers and jalapeño and cook just until softened for 3 to 5 minutes Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and sauté for another 2 minutes.

Slowly add the tomatoes. Stir in the bay leaf, sugar, salt, paprika, cumin, pepper, and caraway Layer the Spinach leaves on top.

Crack the eggs into the tomato mixture. Cover and simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until the whites of the eggs are no longer translucent.

Oat & Raisin Muffin

Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2 cup raisins 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 large egg 1/3 cup skimmed milk 4 medium carrots, shredded 1 medium ripe banana, mashed Methods: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt until there are no lumps Stir in oats and raisins. Add oil, egg, milk, carrots, and banana and stir until blended.

Fill each muffin cup with 1/4 cup batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean It should take about 23 to 25 minutes. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature.

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LL | food

R E C I P ES

by Sanjay Hingorani

Mangalorean Sukka Chicken Recipe: Sanjay Hingorani

Ingredients: 500 gms chicken (boneless) 1 cup full coconut shredded (for texture), you can add coconut cream instead 1 large onion chopped 1 tsp ginger garlic paste 5-6 curry leaves 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp red chilli powder 1 tsp coriander powder 2 tsp Special Kundapur Masala from Mangalore or Tandoori Chicken Masala 1 tbsp Ghee Garnish - fresh chopped coriander

Method:

Instant Bread Gulab Jamuns Recipe: Sanjay Hingorani

Ingredients:

Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and marinate it in turmeric, red chilli, salt and coriander powder. Refrigerate for 30 mins.

Fry the ginger and garlic paste, curry leaves and cumin and mustard seeds till the seeds crackle; add onions and coconut and fry for 10 mins. Add the chicken now along with Kundapur Masala and fry till the oil separates. This should take about 20 mins. You may need to add a little water to stop the masalas from burning. Add ghee and mix well. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve. Best eaten with plain paranthas.

The Special Kundapur Masala adds that special flavor.

10 slices of white/brown bread with sides trimmed, makes 10-12 jamun balls.

6-8 tbsp of milk 100 gms or one cup sugar Oil to fry 1/2 tsp cardamom powder A few raisins

Method: Crumble the bread in a mixing bowl and add milk two spoons at a time, start kneading it simultaneously. Make sure you don’t add too much milk too fast. Make a soft dough.

Put the sugar in a deep pan add water to make the syrup.

Water just over one cup. Boil over low heat for 10-12 mins.

Keep checking.

To make the balls, take a little dough, roll it in your palms, flatten it and add 1-2 raisins in the middle. Then lift the sides, pack it in well and roll the dough in your palms again to make perfect round balls.

Let the dough ball rest for a few minutes, then fry them in hot oil on low heat until they turn golden brownish. Do not over do it as it will make the balls hard from inside. Take them out on paper towels so the excess oil gets soaked.

Check the syrup. If it’s done, add the cardamom powder and

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then the fried balls. Cook on low heat for a few minutes. Let the balls absorb the syrup. I poked them with a fork just to be sure. Done.

Garnish with pistachio slivers and serve.

Note: You may add a little ghee in the oil, just for the flavor.

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 37

LL | community INSPIRE

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN HEART Mr. Harish Mirchandani

by Sidharth Sodhi

W

e have often read stories and seen films about men leaving their mark through the annals of time. Men who by the strength of their character, will power, dedication and perseverance have achieved astounding success on a personal level and have also strived for the amelioration of the underprivileged and needy sections of society. Lokhandwala resident, Mr. Harish Mirchandani, popularly addressed as Bhau (elder brother) is a true ‘karam yogi’. He believes in the words of the Bhagwad Gita, which states that ‘Karam’ (sincere hard work) is the real value of life and ‘Manav Seva’ (serving mankind) is true worship of the almighty god.

Mr. Mirchandani was born on 13th march, 1930 in Sindh. After the partition, Sindh went to Pakistan and he and his family were forced to leave their home. Initially the family stayed at a transit camp for refugees in Karachi. On 26th January, 1948 the family landed on a port in Gujarat on a boat. Mr. Mirchandani was around eighteen years old then. From Gujarat the family went to Delhi and then to Vrindavan, Mathura. They stayed in Vrindavan for a while before moving to Lucknow.

There, Mr. Mirchandani opened a shop which sold cycles and cycle parts. Not satisfied with working on a small scale, he set up a beedi factory, in Kota, Rajasthan. After all this, he opened up a canteen in Nimach (Madhya Pradesh) and then in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh). Then in the year 1953, in Bhopal, Mr. Harish Mirchandani ventured in to the construction business. From that point on there has been no looking back.

He established the ‘Mirchandani Group’ and through it, has earned fame and respect in the world of Indian real estate and construction. Today, the company enjoys a strong presence in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. However, it is his passion for social and charitable work, that has given him the epithet ‘Bhau’. He formed the ‘Mirchandani Charitable Trust’ in 1994 and later in the memory of his late wife Mrs. Pushpa Mirchandani, formed ‘Pushp Hari Foundation’ in 2006.

I entered Mr. Mirchandani’s cabin to find him sitting behind his desk. He got up and gave me a smile and a warm handshake. Even at the age of 85, he is very alert. He asked me if I’d like to have some tea or coffee? I said, not until after the interview. We were joined by Mr. Sudhir Mangar, who has made a biographical film on Mr. Harish Mirchandani.

The three of us got talking. I was surprised to know that Mr. Mirchandani has never worn a watch in his life.

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Q.

You wake up at 4:30 – 5 AM everyday. You have lived a very disciplined life. You are a hugely successful businessman. And you say you have never worn a watch ?

Yes. I have never worn a watch. I find it a stress inducing object.

all standing in a line. If you look in front you are standing at the back of the line.

If you look behind, you are standing in front. So stop comparing! “Apney karm karo, apney karmas ko sudharo”.

sewing, beautification courses to make them self reliant. They have also constructed community places such as yoga and satsang halls, hospitals, schools, temples. Mr. Mirchandani who

Over the years, the ‘Mirchandani Charitable Trust’ and the ‘Pushp Hari Foundation’ have undertaken several significant projects and have also extended valuable support to numerous institutions that work to serve mankind. Be it providing ration to poor widows, running vridhashrams for senior citizens, distribution of books and payment of school fees for poor students, organizing free eye camps, free medical camps, running free homeopathic clinics, adoption of impoverished villages, adoption of a vishram ghat, imparting training to underprivileged people in computers,

lost his wife to cancer in 2002, has done a lot for cancer patients in association with the Shraddha foundation. He has also done a lot for the Sindhi community.

Mr. Mirchandani reads the Bhagwad Gita every morning. It says “Whatever you have, you got it from here.

Whatever was given, was given here.

Whatever you took, you took from this universe. Whatever you gave, you gave to this universe. You have come empty handed and shall go empty handed”.

Life is not in our hands, only living is.

Q.

Your father has been a guiding force in your life. Tell us a little about him.

Today, if someone calls me a good man, the credit goes to my father, Mr. Chabaldas Mirchandani (he points to a picture of his father hanging on the wall).

My father was a well respected and good man. He used to visit the ‘vishram ghat’ (funeral place) occasionally to do ‘seva’.

I used to go with him. I would ask him, why do you come here? He used to say, when one sees the flames turning the mortal bodies into ash, he understands that eventually, everyone has to come here. This understanding will not allow a person to indulge in wrongdoings.

Q. What is the secret of your success?

“Log mujhse poochte hain aapki kaamyaabi ka raaz kya hai, main kehta hoon yeh toh mujhe bhi nahin pata” (laughs).

I have done all kinds of work. This much I can tell you. “Main padha likha bhi nahin hoon”. Success does not require any qualification. You should do your work sincerely, truthfully. “Sirf karma humaare haath mein hai, baaki jab Ishwar laayak samjhega toh phal humein de dega”. Also I see, people are constantly comparing one another. “If I look at Ambani, am I not poor”? We are

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 39

LL | community WHAT’S HAPPENING

IDP's New Zealand Education Fair - Mumbai September 4th, Friday 11:00 AM 101, DLH Plaza, near Shoppers Stop, opp KFC, Andheri (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400058

What’s New Wok Express is now a part of the Andheri Hood, armed with a new sushi menu!

You can find their new shop at Shop 16, Plot 98-A/116, Grenville CHS Limited, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri Lokhandwala, Andheri West, Mumbai or call for delivery at +91 9833380808

Creative Cocktail Edition 9

September 6th, Sunday. 07:30 pm He Said She Said - Mumbai, Veera Desai Road, Andheri (W) , Mumbai, India Creative Cocktail team with a big smile invites you to be a part of an evening filled with talent, creativity, enthusiasm, positive energy and happiness. Creative Cocktail is an initiative by Cinerang Studio to encourage and appreciate any and every kind of performing arts whether it’s music, theater, poetry, dance and even something as rare as beatboxing.

STUPIDITTIES: 9 Lives. 1 Death. Big F*ck. Launch Concert @ Brewbot Mumbai

September 6th, Sunday. 08:30 pm Brewbot Mumbai, G-01 & 101, Morya Landmark 1, Off New Link Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai, India Featuring Laxmi B*mb, Tejas, Punk On Toast, MC Manmeet Kaur, Awkward Bong, Oak Island.

The ninth in an annual series of compilations of awesome Indian indie music, this is a free concert for those looking for an evening of great music.

THE GOOD ACTOR’S GYM FIRST WORKSHOP 7th September to 5th October 2015, 9 AM to 1 PM (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) Sunburst Creative Wellness, Bungalow 27, SV Patel Nagar, MHADA, Andheri W, Mumbai, India The Good Actor’s Gym is here to help you train. To ensure that an actor always has a space to work and train; to ensure that every actor is seen and treated as an individual. To enable and empower a young actor to give his or her best at an audition and on set. To explain the nuances of performing in front of a camera. To create a welcoming, nurturing and emboldening space where any young actor can train hard and well on their path to proficiency!

To Enroll or for any queries call +917506996437, +917506996438 Or mail: thegoodactorsgym@gmail.com

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Looking to study in New Zealand? Your search stops here. Attend the IDP New Zealand Education Fair and interact directly with university representatives. Avail scholarships and get on spot application submission and assessment.

HR Summit 2015 September 4th, Friday.

Hyatt Regency Mumbai Sahar Airport Road, Andheri East Mumbai India 400099 SIOM, in its mission of empowering operational excellence, recognizes the contribution that human capital will bolster in the operations arena. Thus, every year SIOM organizes the ‘HR Summit’, an annual conclave where the platform is set for the visionaries of human capital to invigorate the audience with a new dynamism about human capital.

This year’s theme “Panoramic vision of Human capital through the lens of Technology” is of paramount importance as the human capital is undergoing a paradigm shift owing to the advancing technology.

RAISE THE BAR September 6th, Sunday. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm The Club Mumbai, 197, D. N Nagar, Andheri West, Mumbai, India Signature Seminar Series by Brigadier Sushil Bhasil. This workshop uses an activity based experiential learning platform with lots of fun and effective lessons through reflections.

Ensemble Dance Studios Urban Dance Master Workshop

WHAT’S HAPPENING UNQUOTE THE QUOTES

September 5th, Saturday. 4:00 PM Ensemble Dance Studios: Mumbai, 5th Floor, Bhaktivedanta School, KL Walawalkar Marg, Shastri Nagar, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400102, India Cost: 400 per person.

This is a special master’s workshop in hip-hop. The workshop will focus on basic elements of the hip-hop style to make dancers understand the flow and rhythm along with the beats and styling.

JUNIOR FORENSIC FEST! September 12th, Saturday. 10 AM

Fingerprints make your own codes, hidden clues, make your own cast of footwear print and solve a mock crime scene! Combining fun with an educational experience, this makes a great weekend activity for children.

Time: 2 hours, Cost: 850/-child

“The Divine is constantly waiting at your doorstep to move in if only you allow the necessary space.” – Jaggi Vasudev We often say God is not helping us.

But the truth is, we do not allow Him to help us. We often infuse so much negativity into our thoughts that we subconsciously ask the universe for problems. The Almighty is always looking out for us; the divine energy or light is constantly trying to help us only if we allow Him to do so. Clear your mind which is constantly troubled by fearful thoughts and open your eyes to the signs of God so He can help you out. Instead of raising your hands in the end because you are not able to solve a bad situation, welcome Him with open arms so that HE is with you from the beginning.

“Everything is transient – power and wealth will come and go. Only the Divine within you will be forever.”- Sakti Narayani Amma Everything in this world is short-lived; whether it’s love, anger, happiness, sadness, money or all the materialistic things in the world. Only the divine power will remain within us, so why not increase self introspection within ourselves. Instead of finding fault in others, why not focus on ourselves and ask the divine power what is lacking within us. Make the divine power so strong within you that nothing can affect or bother you. Imagine yourself as always being happy, calm and at peace.

Wouldn’t you like to be that personality?

“I looked in temples, churches and mosques, but I found the Divine within my heart.”– Rumi When we are tensed, we look for peace.

We run here and there, we talk to our friends about our worries. We try to find the best possible solution, but we are still unable to find that peace we are looking for. To find what we want, we often go to temples, churches and mosques. What are we actually doing when we visit God’s home? We are searching for that Divine power or energy that can take all our problems, so we can feel light.

And we often momentarily attain peace.

But it is short-lived. Why? Because we seek peace everywhere but forget that the center of all divine powers lies with us, within us. We, alone can solve the difficult problems of life if we believe in ourselves.

by Divya Panday

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 41

LL | community Entrepreneur Of The Hood Ryna Sequiera

ANDHERI’S NEWEST BUSINESS WOMAN

by Taranna Khetpal

In a world of men, there a few women who are striving to make their mark and they’re succeeding. There aren’t too many marketing companies run by women; the world over. But here in Andheri, we have our own entrepreneur, Ryna Sequiera, who is slowly but surely climbing the ladder to marketing heights. Here’s her story.

R

yan began her journey at Sophia College for women and graduated with a Bachelors in Science in 2001. She always knew she wasn’t wired to work in a lab and during her years at Sophia’s, she proactively challenged herself to discover her capabilities beyond academics. She and her college mates shot two documentaries during their degree course, which was the first of its kind project for that department.

They were thankfully, always encouraged by their voracious Head of Department to learn beyond what the books taught them.

Ryna helped out for an event by Focus India and Build Foundation under Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, marking the 60th year of the Hiroshima & Nagasaki blasts in August 2005. She also headed the Public Relations team for her college festival in 2006 and eventually decided to get into the field professionally. Within a year, she knew she needed a job that kept her social and satiated her hunger to learn more. Not restricting herself to a particular industry helped her grow.

The travel industry was an option she had never considered; all she knew was, when the oppor-tunity did come she would have been foolish to say no to it.

Ryna learned all her marketing skills on the job from the very best at the time, “It was intimidating in the beginning but once I honed my skills and learned the ropes and built the right relationships, I knew I was home. It was and still remains the most warm and welcoming

42

industry I could have ever worked in,”she says smiling as she sips her latte.

After heading Tourism Queensland in India on her own for 5 years, she got the opportunity to rep-resent the esteemed tourism body, a statutory arm of the Government of Queensland, a little over a year ago. She was at a crossroad; to either choose to work in the same capacity, or take the mammoth leap of starting her own marketing company.“I always wanted to be an inde-pendent worker and was lucky I was in job roles that let me make my own mistakes and learn and grow to give me the confidence needed to venture out on my own.”

She says, it is definitely the most nerve wracking decision she has had to make; to risk the most coveted job in the industry and instead, to start her own company; to bid for business with no expe-rience in business, but her near and dear ones and the people who knew her professionally saw potential and believed she could do it and entrusted her with an account, selecting her company from the top agencies that chased the same business.

It’s been a year and a half since her company, Quay Marketing Consulting Pvt. Ltd was estab-lished and she has garnered heaps of knowledge and experience on what goes into a startup - “for starters, it is not a cakewalk. It is key to first and foremost, find a reliable business partner who equally adds value to the business, get a good backend support system, find resources who

| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

can multitask, keep your relationships intact always. Also remember when you get into business, think like an owner!

You are no longer an employee; you are responsible for the livelihood of your employees and how you conduct your business is crucial. Help as many people as you can while you can, because your relationships are what will take you to the next level if you really want that pot of gold,”is her advice to anyone who is trying to start up their own business.

Innovation is key in a business as well, and she specializes in marketing a destination, media buy-ing and events, however she is not averse to exploring new avenues.”You will come across oppor-tunities at various levels and you need to have the drive to evolve as a company and capitalize on ideas beyond your forte. We are at the stage of developing our client portfolio further and given that we are part of multiple ventures we look at how to leverage off each business to provide turn-key solutions.

With the outbound travel numbers spiking each year we are confident we are in the right industry with potential to grow and we will continue to focus on providing turnkey marketing strategies to companies looking at growing their India market share.”

Like Ryna, we all have opportunities presented to us, do we have what it takes to take a risk and follow our dreams of building a legacy?

THE HOODER’S EXPRESS

by Sherene Aftab

Everyone has a story, Living Local brings to you a page from the many chapters of their lives.

I am a Delhiite moved to Mumbai four months ago and I love this place.

I moved here because it’s the city of dreams; I too, came here to pursue my dreams, I am an aspiring actor.

I had come here focusing only on direction because I thought acting was not for me. I had braces and felt that I was overweight so I thought I won’t get a chance to be in front of the camera because people here get plastic surgeries done for the right look; glorifying themselves for the cameras. I didn’t feel confident enough.

a few days thinking I didn’t get a call, even from them. I would debate within if it was a mistake coming to Mumbai, whether I should stay on and try harder or pack my bags and leave.

One day much to my surprise I got a call from the agency telling me “You are short listed for the MacDonald’s advertisement”. I felt ecstatic, I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. This break kept me going and made me stay on.

That one call made me feel that it was worth staying here. From then on I did three TV commercials; for MacDonald’s, Nissan and Indian Express. And I finally got the chance to assist in production at a theater company.

I kept applying to production companies to get a job as an intern with them, but I couldn’t crack those. I got to know of an audition for a MacDonald’s advertisement and randomly went there to try my luck. I felt desolate after

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 43

LL | community WOMEN - Making a Difference

SECOND CHANCES

by Nyma Singh Merchant

O

n meeting Sabrina Singh, a production designer and costume stylist for film & television, one wouldn’t be able to tell she was previously a Microbiologist who has worked in a number of prominent hospitals in the city. She moved to Mumbai after completing her MSC in Mangalore, as her father, who was in the Air Force was posted here. Once here, she worked in the Pathology Department of Breach Candy Hospital, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and finally, Holy Family Hospital which was where she met the man who would be her husband. Soon after marriage, they had a baby girl and she decided to be a stay-at-home mother as she did not want to miss her daughter’s formative years. All of this happened in quick succession and by the time her daughter was 4 years old, Sabrina figured it was a good idea to get back to work. Having been out of the microbiology lab for years now, the advances in technology made it difficult for her to get back to her old job. On a whim, she joined a friend’s production company doing odd jobs on television commercials. It was then that she realized her flair for clothes and set decoration and the rest, as they say, is history.

She continued working on commercials and music videos (which were big back then), making up for her lack of technical training by learning on the job. Somewhere down the line, her marriage didn’t work out and so she moved out with her daughter by her side. Since then, it’s been a long road of shifting houses and jobs, of which she says “It hasn’t been easy, but it hasn’t been the worst either. Luckily, my family supported me every step of the way.” She has worked freelance with a number of production houses like Yash Raj Films, SOL Productions, Dharma Productions, Balaji Telefilms, etc. on films, reality and fiction TV shows and continues to do so. Of her journey, she says “I still wake up feeling excited and looking forward to the day, the gruelling hours and the deadlines, and that’s something I would love to impart to my daughter - to take up something she loves as a profession. I loved my time working at the hospital, but I really enjoy being creatively challenged.”

Despite everything she has been through and had to deal with, she “has no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing!”

The only constant worry she has always had is finding the right balance between taking care of her daughter as well as working full-time, but she seems to have made her peace with it, especially now since her daughter has started working too.

She knows that they will find time for each other though, like they always have. Also, having lived in Andheri almost all her time in Mumbai, she says “Andheri is an eclectic mix of

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people, places and things; a potpourri of sorts, and that’s why I love it.” Sabrina is a one-of-a-kind example of a woman and mother, and we wish her all the best with everything. As her daughter all I would like to say is,

“Thank you for being the best, mom.”

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LL | community

Taekwon – DO Local Boy Packs a Punch

I

arrived at Sankeel Chavan’s house in Lokhandwala at ten minutes to seven in the evening. His mother, Dr. Shilpa Chavan asked him to wake up. She told me, he had got back home late from taekwondo classes. When Sankeel got to know of my arrival he got out of bed immediately and sat down with us in the drawing room.

His mother sweetly told him, “at least wash your face before the interview begins”.

Sankeel started learning taekwondo in school at the age of seven. He turns sixteen this month. He holds a first dan black belt in taekwondo. At ‘The 9th World Taekwondo Culture Expo 2015’ held at Taekwondowon, South Korea in July, where over 28 countries participated with 1500 competitors, Sankeel won a gold medal in U/16 poomsae competition and a silver medal in U/16 kyorugi (fight) competition. In 2014 he also won three medals at ‘The U.S. World Open Taekwondo Championship’ held at Portland, U.S.A. He comes across as a simple, focused and honest young man. I said to him, “so, we’ll just chit chat”. no coverage in the press either. The government must do more to promote martial arts in our country.

Q. In India, taekwondo is perhaps not a highly-paid career option. Is that disheartening?

I have never thought of taekwondo as a career option. I have always thought of it as my passion, my hobby.

I want to pursue taekwondo along with my profession. I have enrolled in mechanical engineering. What if I can combine the two, combine engineering with taekwondo.

Q. As in?

To revolutionize the way in which taekwondo is played and presented.

Make new types of protective gear, instruments, kick pads, guards. Like a pad which can tell the intensity of the kick, when you kick on it. Currently, yes, some of the guards do have sensors but they do not tell you the intensity of the kick.

We can create a robot which represents taekwondo. For instance if we program a robot to the level of a first dan black

46

by Sidharth Sodhi

Q.

If you had to assess someone’s taekwondo ability in ten seconds what would you ask them to do?

I would ask a person to hit a yop chagi. It is a side kick.

Q.

Who do you look up to in taekwondo and why ?

One of my role models is Aaron Cook.

He is a world champion in taekwondo.

His main strength is kyorugi (fighting).

When you are playing at the international level, and you enter the ring, you play for your team and your country. This pressure can hinder your performance. If you can control that tension, that anxiety, you can channelize it in the right manner to give one hundred percent to your performance. For me, that is a taekwondo player. Taekwondo is life.

Q.

How does the sports culture in India differ from countries like U.S.A, South Korea?

Korea is the birth place of taekwondo.

Even in The U.S, there is a lot of encouragement for martial arts.

Taekwondo is an olympic sport! In our country there is a general apathy towards martial art sports. There is

belt holder. It will know blocks, kicks, poomsae’s, stances, kyorugi. There is so much to explore in the field.

Q.

You know martial arts. You are physically strong and possess mental balance. Since you know how to defend and fight, do you understand ‘peace’ better?

Yes. Martial arts was actually created for peace. So people can use their aggression in practice and focus better in life.

Q. What are your favorite hangout

spots in Andheri west ?

Natural’s ice cream. Cycling on the Lokhandwala back road.

Q.

Any changes you would like to see in Andheri west that will help the youngsters, the people?

We need outdoor gyms. A simple thing like stretching exercises. It will increase your flexibility, both physically and mentally.

Also they have ‘Equal Streets’ in Bandra which is fantastic. We can do

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something similar here in Andheri, at the Lokhandwala back road.

Q.

Who are the important people in your life who have made it possible for you to chase your dreams?

Yes. This is something I specially want to mention. My coaches, Master Jayesh Velhal, Vineet Sir, Rajan Sir, Nishant Sir. And the most important person in my life, my mother. In South Korea I won the gold medal in poomsae because I kept her in mind. I said to myself, “this medal is for her.”

Well, be it India or Korea, one thing is for certain. ‘Ma Tujhe Salam’.

CHRONICLES OF THE HOOD A Stitch in Time with Sanjivini Outfits

by Nyma Singh Merchant

C

ompleting 30 years this month, Sanjivini Outfits is the oldest tailoring shop in the veritable maze of tailors and jewellers that is Four Bungalows’ Manish market.

Owner and designer Geeta Talpade was a student from Sophia Polytechnic who started designing for Bollywood actresses, only to realize that she needed a space of her own

if she wished to build a successful business. Originally, Geeta began with one sewing machine and a masterji at a small counter. “At that time, this area had nothing - nobody even entered this shopping centre,” she says. She continued to cater to clients like Mandakini and Madhuri Dixit, but the real push came from the locals frequenting her premises.

The shop has now expanded: twelve sewing machines, multiple masterjis and tailors, and even her own personal hand and machine embroidery workshop!

Geeta promptly says she would not have been able to get where she is if it weren’t for her parents-in-law. Even her team has withstood the test of time,

having worked with her for at least 25 years. In fact, one of her tailors started at the age of fifteen, and now his son works there as well.

One of the reasons for the shop’s success has been that Geeta stays updated. To keep up with designing technology, she learned to use CorelDRAW for her designs. Now, all clients’ measurements are recorded in a computer program; she utilises Pinterest for references and a Facebook group for orders. She attends every Lakme Fashion Week to keep up with the trends in the constantly evolving world of fashion.

She specializes in wedding trousseaus as well as clothes for the entire family,

and has a long list of regular customers including multiple NRIs. Despite the drastic evolution, the driving force of Sanjivini Outfits remains the same over the years. Geeta’s love and dedication for her job is apparent in the work put in for her success, for her “dream come true!” reality and we hope to see it grow!

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LL | kids & parenting

www.shutterstock.com/ Rohit Seth

ARE YOU READY TO HAVE KIDS?

by Sherene Aftab

The desire to procreate is the most natural instinct that every living being pos-sesses, but the decision to have a child, whether it’s your first or fourth is a life changing, irrevocable and unchangeable decision. It is important for you and your spouse to discuss the pros and cons of expanding your family as well as weighing the outcome of your decision to bring a baby into your lives; as individ-uals and as a couple.

Parenting is serious business; sometimes this decision may bring immense joy to you and your better half and deepen your bond as a couple, but sometimes bringing a child into your family may just be a very reckless, mis-calculated and ill-advised decision. So how do you decide when it’s the right time?

In this two part series, consider the following aspects as your checklist to decid-ing if parenthood is the next step for you.

1.

You are expanding your family because your spouse and you want to, not because you have succumbed to the pressures of your par-ents and the society.

In our society, the moment a couple is married, the elderly in the house-hold begin to pester the newlyweds for a grandchild. Although their advise may be well intended, it’s important to not allow anyone to coerce you into having a child. The decision to bring a child into the world should be a mu-tual one between your partner and you. If either of you is not ready to commit to full time parenting, then it is a reason enough to delay parenthood.

2.

You are advised or you think that bringing a child would repair your relationship/would strengthen the marriage.

Yes, bringing a child would surely strengthen your marriage because it re-quires collective efforts at parenting by providing care, attention, love, and patience as well as great levels of understanding and cooperation; a mutu-al feeling of wanting to work together to become responsible parents of a child.

But it won’t work if you are facing issues regarding lack of trust and respect in the marriage. If you are committing to a new relationship despite your already existent issues and are trying to use a child as a catalyst to repair it, you could end making a lifelong mistake; not to mention creating an unhealthy atmosphere for a child. If the foundation of your relationship is flawed, bringing another being in the world is just going to be another recipe for disaster.

3.

Everyone else is embracing parenthood; you are the only one left out.

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| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

This doesn’t seem reason enough for you to want to parent a child because you find other couples in your family and friend circle on a baby breeding spree. This is another kind of conformity that you don’t have to succumb to. Perhaps these couples are already equipped with the right components that are required in being sound parents to a child; you have to make sure that you are too.

4. Can you afford a child?

Running a check on your finances is an extremely crucial step. Yes, you want to shower your baby with unconditional love, and you will, but there are so many more responsibilities that come along with parenting. There are many factors to consider - medical bills that will mount during pre and post pregnancy, are just the beginning. Are you and your spouse geared up with enough finances to sponsor a pregnancy? Do you have a concrete financial plan that will address all the needs of your growing family?

In the next part of this series, we will bring to you some more questions that you should ask yourself before you take the decision to start a family.

September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 49

www.shutterstock.com/ India Picture

LL | kids & parenting

Is the wellbeing of your child,

P

reparing our next generation and equipping them with better health, happiness & morality is as essential as meeting our own financial, physical & spiritual goals.

Can we say that an active child with normal growth charts is a healthy child?

In a way yes, physically the child can be called fit, but what about other aspects of the life? Do they get sufficient training & knowledge to make themselves a happy human beings? Isn’t that the ultimate goal of every person.

Wellbeing is more than just happiness.

It goes to the heart of the quality of life, encompassing how we relate to others and whether our lives have a sense of direction or purpose.

But how many resources do parents owe their children? For example, we might devote more or fewer monetary resources to the education of children and some other to sports and recreational activities. As a parent, we try to give them quality time too, but here I offer some programmatic thoughts about the comprehensive concept of the development of children.

A series of coordinated efforts between mind, body and soul, that should be inculcated in the routine life of children to have a healthier next generation.

1) Children who have a healthy body are more confident and strong, sport

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CHILD’S PLAY?

better posture, breathe better and have a wholesome of mind. A healthy diet, strengthening exercises and adequate sleep are essential factors for the physical development of the body.

Helping children build a healthy body and mind is very important. Giving them the right quality and quantity of food, at the right time is as crucial as administering the right proportion of complex carbohydrates before and protein after physical activities. Certain foods, that are called brain foods should be included in a child’s diet.

2) Psychological factors play an important role in cognitive and intellectual development.

This incorporates a broad spectrum of mental & social ability. Mental wellbeing is happy thoughts, feelings, goals and confidence in one’s own self; our behavior toward others. It also includes willingness to accept the atmosphere around the child. There can be conflict between the interests of children and availability of resources from parents and opportunities to pursue their non-parental goals. Parents have to respect the temperament and natural inclinations of each child individually.

As parents we should instil mental traits like self confidence and positive thinking. Mental strength requires a commitment towards healthy habits

| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

by Dr. Bhavana Diyora Preventive Health and Wellbeing Consultant

and devoting time to self improvement.

Being aware of the surroundings & making oneself a globalized person.

3) Spiritual learning evokes meditative feelings and promotes stillness and tranquility of the mind. Spiritual power and upliftment come from within.

This can be strengthened through meditation, creating awareness of one’s self and calm sessions with the kids.

4) An emotional and ethical boost is the key factor for social development.

Encourage your child to socialize with friends and family members. Let them share their feelings and thoughts. Try to understand and replace their negative thoughts with positive ones. Make them feel optimistic and inculcate feelings of gratitude; make them self sufficient. Let them prioritize health and well being.

Mental strength can be a road map to the ultimate goal of the life.

As parents, working together on all these aspects can ensure, all children develop to their full potential.

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September 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 5 | Living Local Mumbai | 51

TAROTSCOPE

YOUR FORECAST FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2015

THE YEAR AHEAD FOR VIRGO Happy Birth Anniversary!

That for which you have been investing money, time and efforts for some time, will now show up closer.

Some goals will be attained this year, but most of the fruit will roll in over a period of time, which is better.

Finances will be looking up. Health will benefit from wise and experienced care.

(Please note: The guide uses Zodiac Signs according to date of birth, and not according to your Sun Sign, Moon Sign or Ascendant. There is no cusp.)

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th) Your dynamism will be very well-placed in September.

You have to make an effort to adjust to the pace of things, which will be slower than yours. Overall, it will be a productive month. It would be helpful to involve yourself in group activities, whether at home or at work. Health will be good.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 20th): Your indomitable will to maintain the ideal in your life will serve you very well in August. Even if people around you are changing their minds too often for comfort, know that you are stable and your guardian angels are looking out for you. Health will benefit from rigorous workouts.

GEMINI (May 21st-June 20th): Your keen curiosity will help you deal with September, as well as help you ignore the slow and convoluted pace of events. You might have interesting conversations. Beware that you don’t expect much from others. Health will feel better from careful attention. Do get yourself moving.

CANCER (June 21st-July 21st): September will be a good month for you if you stay aware of all of your emotional motivation behind doing the things you do. You don’t have to change anything about yourself or others. Just go with the flow, slow or fast. There is support when you need it, and freedom, when you don’t. Health will benefit from tried and tested forms of care.

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LEO (July 22nd-August 22nd): Sometimes, you have to stalk your prey for a longer time than you had planned, and September will actually try your patience in this matter. However, know that you stand to benefit from this period of observation, as it will empower you with more information. Eventually, you will benefit. Health needs meticulous care.

VIRGO (August 23rd-September 22nd): Your relationships may notch up to more warmth in September. In general, you will have a good time, your way, with not much activity but enough excitement.

Events will also encourage your best side to show up, so all is well. Health will be excellent, as you already know your kinks.

LIBRA

(September 23rd-October 22nd):

If you will allow yourself to observe more than you engage, you will receive some very revealing and surprising information in September, through which you stand to gain longterm. Actually, do hold yourself back from actively taking part in events, and you will see how much you mean to people around you. Health will benefit from relaxing and putting your feet up.

MOHINI BASU is a Tarot Card reader, Hypnotherapist and Life Coach.

She can be contacted on mohini.tarot@ yahoo.com.

Her website is theredfoxanddeerlady. wordpress.com.

| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai

SCORPIO

(October 23rd November 22nd):

September will be a gentle and good month for you, if you make the effort to keep yourself in the company of people who impart stability, kindness and care in your life. Actively seek these people out.

Lessen your hard work, increase your fun work and be more open with yourself.

Health will generally be good.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st):

September will be a month of researching about unusual phenomena in your usual, everyday, routine circumstances. Your knowledge about people and their motivations will grow, and unless that is part of your work, be prepared to not get much work done.

Don’t fret, however, as this is a necessary phase for you. Health will benefit from considering your own delight.

CAPRICORN

(December 22nd–January 19th):

Perhaps you have a birthday all over again in September, as this month will play right into your capable hands. Everything you know will prove to be useful. Your core of soft tenderness will receive love from resonating people. And you will also be able to plan ahead believably for your goals, which is exciting for you. Health would appreciate some hearty activity from you.

AQUARIUS (January 20th–February 18th): September will ask you to put everything that happens down to the multifaceted nature of life. Though you are very understanding of people’s natures, some situations will likely puzzle you now.

Don’t try to solve them right away, but wait for the answers to be revealed, as they will indeed be. Health will require close monitoring and attention, and all will then be well.

PISCES (February 19th-March 20th): September asks you to reach out to all those people you know who make you feel stable and reassured. Some of them will be folks not really close to you, but you will receive amazing support from them. This is a good time for you to turn to ancient wisdom for advice, instead of trying to make your own way.

This, too, is part of your own way. Health will need a lot of good, effective care.

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| September 2015 | Volume1 Issue 5 Living Local Mumbai