Hollywood

Kim Kardashian ‘files to divorce’ Kanye West

Reality TV star Kim has filed for divorce from her rapperhusband Kanye West, according to reports. Kim and Kanye have been married for about seven years and have four children together.

The news was broken by website TMZ after months of rumours of marital difficulties, reports bbc.com.

According to reports, Kim has requested joint legal and physical custody of their children.

Kim became a household name in 2007 starring in the reality series about her family, “Keeping Up With The Kardashians”, which has remained hugely popular. The final season of the series is scheduled to be telecast next year.

Kanye, who appeared on the show in 2010, was good friends with Kim before they chose to cement the relationship with marriage.

Their first daughter North was born in 2013 and the couple got married in Italy in May 2014.

Kanye had proposed to Kim in style, hiring the San Francisco Giants baseball stadium for and an orchestra the act. He had proposed to her before her family and on camera for the show.

Kim gave birth to son Saint West the following year. They have two other children, Chicago and Psalm, via surrogacy after the reality star

Kate Moss didn’t have a plan for career initially

Supermodel Kate Moss, who was discovered at 14, recalls saying yes to all the work coming her way initially. However, she soon realised she needed to be choosy because she just couldnt juggle her erratic schedule.

“I didn’t have a plan. I was always one of those young people who was just happy to be exposed to new things and experiences -- there wasn’t a plan or a route that I wanted to go down. But it soon got to the point where I just couldn’t fit all my engagements into the week,” Moss told Reader’s Digest, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“At that point I knew I had to get serious and be a bit fussier, but until then it was really just a case of taking the offers and seeing where they went,” she added.

Moss wanted to travel the globe but never imagined landing in a career that would let her do so.

She said: “My dad was in the travel industry and would always talk about how brilliant it was to see the world. Travel was a real ambition of mine when I was a kid. It quickly became my focus over school. Of course, I never dreamed that I’d be able to fulfil that through modelling, so when the opportunity came it was something I jumped at.” suffered complications during previous pregnancies.

Source: IANS

Mila Kunis

shares ‘yin-yang energy’ on screen with Oscar winner Allison Janney

Hollywood star Mila Kunis can ’t stop gushing about actress Allison Janney. Kunis says she loved working with Oscar-winner Janney in their new film because they share a yinyang energy.

Kunis and Janney star in Tate Taylor’s upcoming “Breaking News In Yuba County”. The crime comedy follows a fictional small town and its residents as they try to uncover what really happened to a missing man. The film is at the same time a satirical allegory on news media and the hunger for fame, and Kunis plays an aggressive journalist named Nancy.

“Nancy is a character I never really had the opportunity to play before, and you just have fun playing her,” says Kunis.

While shooting the film, Kunis was struck by how effortlessly co-star Janney would embody her wickedly neurotic character of Sue Buttons.

“All my scenes are with Allison, and she and I have a very yin-yang, back-and forth energy. Allison brings everything to all of her characters, and she’s able to switch gears seamlessly. You can see her go from victim to driving force, and she adds a kind of sinister feeling. She brings so many layers to Sue,” says Kunis.

“Allison is going to go down in history as one of my favourite actresses to work with and also as one of my favourite people. She, for whatever reason, can play a crazy person like nobody’s business,” she adds.

The film also features Wanda Sykes, Awkwafina, Ellen Barkin and Juliette Lewis. “Breaking News In Yuba County”, is being lined up to be released in India by PVR Pictures on February 19.

Source: IANS

In today’s generation, consumers have become more aware and conscious of harmful chemicals hidden in their skincare products. They have even become skeptical of using skincare that wear the claim of being “organic” and “all natural”, often questioning if these claims are just marketing gimmicks or more importantly, if the lack of chemicals may contribute to the skin care not being as efficacious.

Jagvir Singh, Founder and President,

Refresh Botanicals shares five common misconceptions about organic skincare that will make you rethink your regimen:

Myth 1: Homemade Organic Face Masks and Lotions Work the Same as Organic Products

You may believe that by whipping up a yogurt and honey smoothie in your blender and using it as a face mask will benefit your skin as would purchasing an organic face mask. However, often skincare brands extract organic molecules from organical, whole plant ingredients.

While we’re all up for a DIY face treatment once in a while, the ingredients you find in your kitchen can’t really compare to the active ingredients found in organic skincare products. These special ingredients are usually extracted at the molecular level leaving, behind the most active and potent part for your skin care.

Myth 2: Organic Products are Ineffective

5 common myths

about organic skincare products

Many people are afraid of change and stick to a product that they are familiar with and have used for years. Unfortunately, many drugstore products have been diluted, watered down, and filled with an abundance of chemical preservatives to extend the lifespan. This means that while the product may offer quick results, you shouldn’t hold your breath waiting to see any real long-term benefits for the health of your skin.

Organic products, on the other hand, are jam-packed with vital nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals at high concentrations that they truly feed your skin with the love that it needs. You’ll instantly get that “glow” that is often achieved with your latest smartphone filter except this time it’s real! Radiant, hydrated and clear skin. After just a few uses, your friends will be asking what you have been doing differently. Think of yourself as an ambassador of the earth share your secret: The use of organic skin care products has an everlasting effect on your skin health (and even the planet).

Myth 3: Organic Products Need Preservatives to last longer

Highly organic products often require premium packaging that are equipped with airless pumps. This prevents the highly organic plant material from oxidizing thus spoiling. When looking for organic skincare, look for airless pumps - meaning that the product is being pumped through literally being pushed out of the container.

Myth 4: Eating Healthy is Enough For Great Skin

There is no argument with the benefits of eating clean, antioxidant-rich foods and drinking tons of water. However, a healthy diet alone is not necessarily enough for great skin. While everything you eat does have an impact on your skin, food cannot cleanse away impurities and environmental toxins the way a good face wash can, or provide a protective barrier on the skin the way a moisturizer can. For truly beautiful skin, be sure to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and practice safe, organic skincare. Organic skincare products should accompany a healthy lifestyle for a more youthful and fresher complexion.

Myth 5: All “Natural Types” of Skincare are Created Equal

There is a thin line between “organic” versus “natural” products. Note that we use the word natural here, and not organic. While many products may claim to be “all-natural” on their labels, it doesn’t mean that their ingredients are in fact “organic”. Natural products often contain natural ingredients but may contain pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

For a skin care brand to be able to wear the claim of “organic”, ingredient suppliers have to undergo a rigorous process where they are monitored for many years to ensure that their farming methods are free of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals. Additionally, skin care brands must ensure that their manufacturers follow stringent practices to ensure there is no cross contamination of organic and inorganic materials.

In today’s time awareness about chemical-laden products is gaining momentum gradually, which is highlighting the importance of natural organic skincare products. This increased awareness is making more and more people to switch to organic products. While more people are making the transition, more become mindful about the use of chemicals in regular everyday products and are adapting to the natural organic skincare regime.

By: N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

With the change of season, a whole lot of spring cleaning is due. In addition to the cleaning one regularly does, the task of deep cleaning is humungous. Here are a few tips from the experts at the Urban Company to help you to overcome some of the most difficult cleaning challenges, and reach sports beyond the humble broom.

Deep cleaning

tips and tricks: Beyond the reach of humble broom

Break down the challenge: Depending on the size of the house or the fight in the cleaning army, you should break down the cleaning challenge. Identify the most difficult challenges like washrooms and kitchen, and take them on first. Both spaces have a whole lot of corners, fixtures, and equipment to be cleaned with really tough grease and stains. If you keep them for the end, you may get tired by the time you get around to cleaning them up.

stick to the basics: The first round of cleaning has to be a basic one-- dusting, wiping, vacuuming, washing, etc. Then comes the hard part, scrubbing, brushing, etc., and thereafter, closing the whole ritual with a final round of basics.

Arm yourself with the right gadgets: Cleaning everything with the floor mop, kitchen duster, or even the utensil scrubber will hardly get the stains out but surely wear you out. Similarly, it is important to get the right kind of cleaning agents, solutions, and equipment.

Use gloves and homemade cleaning

solutions: You may not be wearing gloves during regular cleaning, but during deep cleaning you may end-up using a variety of harsh cleaning reagents. Therefore, it is advisable to wear gloves and use homemade cleaning solutions. Domestic options like vinegar and baking soda are highly effective in removing toughest stains by themselves and even amplifying impact of detergents and cleaning solution. Baking soda in combination with vinegar, salt pastes, and other mixes can be used to unclog the drain, clean oven, ceramic stovetop, stainless steel, and even refrigerator. Similarly, lemon is an equally effective cleaning weapon in your pantry which can help to remove rust to stubborn stains.

Cut the Grease with a Hot Rag: Indian cooking leads to easy greasing of food which collects dust over time. You would find it easy to cut the tough grease on cabinets, slabs, etc, if you use a hot rag with a cleaning solution that has orange oil. Hot rag or sponge can be microwaved for 20-30 seconds or even in dipped in hot water. The heat helps to cut the oils in the grease and helps it come out easy. The orange oil is to leave a shiny coating.

Use microfiber cloth or scrubs for

cleaning: Microfibers have dual benefits. They are good collectors of dust, and are great cleaners. Plus, they help in giving finishing touch to fixtures, mirrors, tiles, etc. They are best used towards the final round of cleaning.

The Rust strains in washrooms:

Rusting of sinks, tubs, and toilets leaves some really hard stains. A good anti-rust strain remover would see you through this problem. However, it is important to caution against use of bleach for removing rusts as it will leave stains. Use stiff nylon brushes to clean toilets and make them look sparkling clean.Use Duct Tape on sofa and carpets: Yes, duct tape has yet another use cleaning, especially if you have pets like dogs and cats at home. Roll duct tape on a sponge or paint roller and use its stickiness to remove pet hair from sofas and carpets. However, we caution to use this first on a part of the mattress and sofa to see if the tip is actually working on the kind of upholstery you have at home.

Prepare your hair before styling it

Preparing hair a great look is challenging. In all the excitement of looking your best, one loses grasp of reality and tends to go over the top, which can be unappealing.

Agnes Chen, Technical Head, Streax Professional, lists down some tips to keep in mind while prepping your hair for a special occasion.

Remember the Basics

Oiling- Massage oil into hair and scalp and leave it on overnight. Oiling moisturises and nourishes hair, reducing frizz and irritation in the scalp. Your hair requires intensive care before you address concerns like coarseness, fineness, dandruff, dry scalp, excessive frizz should not ado you.

Shampoo and Conditioner- After oiling, cleansing is necessary to remove all oil, dirt and sweat from hair and scalp. Beyond all the obvious reasons, shampoo is mandatory because it adds more volume, gorgeous shine, and extra moisture. Keep a note in your mind of applying the shampoo only with the added benefit of the fragrance that is as good as your favourite perfume. Conditioner plays a vital role in smoothing and detangling the hair, reducing breakage and split ends. Don’t forget to nourish your hair with the help of serum. one of the enormous benefits of hair spa treatment. It gives an effective remedy, making hair quite soft, glossy, and shiny. If your hair is in terrible shape, go for a hair spa that will bring life back to your hair. It gets the best out of your colour and adds an incredible amount of shine and gloss to your hair. It is also a calming therapy session. For a great bounce, nothing will help you more than a hair spa. It makes your hair strands look far healthier. So, when you are really in the mood where you cannot understand what to do or need a little pampering, a hair spa can be the best thing for both your hair and your mood.

Hair Spa- Deep conditioning is

By: Puja Gupta

There is a common misconception that we all seem to have when it comes to toners. We feel that they are needed only during the warmer parts of the year. For this reason, most of us skip using toners in winter, out of fear of it drying out our skin. But the fact is that toning plays an important role to keep your skin healthy. But before we go deeper into the benefits, let’s take a look at the basics:

What is a skin toner and why does our skin need it?

In a nutshell, a toner looks like water and acts like it, but it’s not water. Good toners are packed with so much more than hydrogen and oxygen. Depending on the toner, it could also contain acids, glycerin, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories, points out Dolly Kumar, Cosmetic Engineer and Founder & Director at Cosmic Nutracos Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the parent company to skin care brand Skinella.

If you want to get technical, a toner is a fast-penetrating liquid that delivers skin a quick hit of hydration and helps remove dead cells off the surface of the skin. The result is plump and glowing skin, she says.

“It removes any remaining traces of dirt, grime, and impurities stuck in your pores after you wash your face. When added to your daily skincare routine and used regularly, it can have a major positive impact on the ap-

Everything

you need to know about skin toners

pearance and tightness of your pores. Toners also restore your skin’s pH level, smoothen your skin by refining rough patches, and improve skin tone. They also help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing. It reduces the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin.”

Benefits of toner during winters, Kumar lists down

4 improves skin texture: Toners prevent moisture loss, have the ability to naturally soothe the skin, and improve uneven skin tex-

ture. This keeps your skin soft and bouncy. 4balancing the pH of your skin:

Our skin’s pH balance can get out of whack after cleansing due to the alkaline nature of some soaps.

When this happens, the skin needs to work overtime to return to its normal levels. This is where a toner can help by restoring this balance quickly. 4deep hydration: If your skin is dehydrated, it can appear flaky, dull, and dry. Using a toner can give you smooth, radiant, and evenly toned skin. 4prevents pores from clogging:

Applying toner to a soft cotton ball or pad and gently blotting and wiping your skin can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing.

She suggests how to use skin toner during winter

4Start by cleaning your face with a face wash suited for your skin type. 4Choose one that’s free of harsh detergents and opt for products made with natural ingredients like superfoods. 4A 2-in-1 Pomegranate and Tomato toner would be a great choice instead of using toners with harsh chemicals. 4Then, dampen a cotton ball with the toner and apply it to your face. 4Allow it to dry. 4Always follow up with a moisturizer that suits your skin type.

By Puja Gupta

This is what happens when you eat an avocado every day

Yes, avocadoes taste amazing. They have mighty powers to even cure many ailments and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what they can do for your heart, mind, and skin.

New York Times best-selling author Frank Lipman, MD, says, “Avocados are truly one of nature’s little miracle foods and I encourage you to enjoy them several times a week.” From adding it to your favorite smoothies or whipping up some tasty guacamole, the options are endless. Here’s what avocados wish you knew.

Your cholesterol improves

While avocados may have gotten a bad reputation for being high in calories and fat—half contains 113 calories and 10 grams of fat—they mostly give you monounsaturated fat, which is healthy in moderation. The good fat boosts your levels of good HDL cholesterol while lowering the bad LDL cholesterol.

You have better digestion

Half of an avocado contains just under 5 grams of dietary fiber (depending on the size). Nutritionist Megan Ware, RDN, reports that adding avocado to your daily dietary regimen can help prevent constipation and maintain healthy digestion. Another benefit of this high fiber fruit is that you will feel full longer. By adding avocado slices to your toast, sandwich, or salad, you can stay satiated for up to three hours.

You get protection from disease and infection

Avocados are a great source of B vitamins, which help prevent disease and infection, reports WebMD. They are also loaded with vitamins C and E, plus natural plant chemicals that may help prevent cancer. Because they’re high in antioxidant phytochemicals (such as lutein and zeaxanthin), avocados may help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, reports Ware.

You’ll sleep better

Not only do avocadoes taste great, but they’re also loaded with magnesium (19.5 milligrams for half of an avocado), which experts consider an anti-stress nutrient, says nutrition expert Elise Museles. Just make sure to wash your avocado before eating it.

In this month’s article we will be discussing possible reasons for why your cat may be peeing on your bed and wetting your sheets. There are many medical and even behavioral reasons behind this problem. In this article, we will be going through the behavioural aspects of this condition to prevent it from happening again.

“My Cat Keeps Peeing on My Bed!”

Medical reasons include bladder stones, bladder infection, idiopathic cystitis, stress or anxiety. Please be advised that the following behavioral topics should be considered once your veterinarian has ruled out any medical causes via diagnostic tests. Behavioral issues can stem from major changes within the household, not enough litter boxes available, a wrong litter box location, unsuitable litter material or box, safety reasons, etc.

Major changes within the living environment for the cat can be a large contributing factor towards abnormal behaviors, such as peeing on the bed. Such changes, for example, could be a new family member like a baby entering the household; a new pet (dog, cat, bird, etc) entering the house as well; timetable changes like being absent from the household more often or being there too much. These changes can cause a disruption in your pet cat’s daily routine and schedule. Such changes can lead to stress and anxiety that then cause such behaviors. Cats prefer to be in environments that are under their control and are predictable. They do not like to be caught off guard and disturbed. These changes that may seem so miniscule to us, can play out to be very life changing for your feline companion. Since they cannot communicate their discomfort to us through speech, they then resort to communicating in other ways.

Another cause is the litter box. There are many issues that can arise around the topic of the litter box, as in the amount of them available in the house, the material of the litter used, the actual box itself and even the location of the box. Just like humans, there are different personalities for different cats. Some cats do not like to urinate or defecate in the same box every time. Some prefer to have a separate box for each floor of the house for easy access. Especially in the case of multiple cat households, majority cats do not like to use the same box together. They prefer to have their own separate areas to urinate and defecate in. A general rule to abide by for those who are in multiple cat households, it is important to have one litter box per cat. Some might even require more than one. It is also important to have at least one litter box on each floor of the residence. This is especially important for kittens and young cats, because just like human babies, they are not yet in full control of their urination and defecation holding times. Therefore, they may need accessibility to a litter box more quickly than adult cats that are better trained. A behavioral tip to remember is to never scold or punish your feline pet near its litter box. This is an example of positive punishment. Despite the word positive being used, it is in fact very negative for development. The cat will then associate the litter box to be something negative and will be prone to peeing on your bed more to avoid the box. It is also possible that your cat does not like the certain material of the litter being used. Therefore, it avoids the material and pees on a comfier area, such as your bed. Certain odors available for marketed litter and texture of the litter can be distracting and actually uncomfortable for your cat. It is always recommended by veterinarians that odorless and clumping litter is the best to use. The type of litter box may also be an issue. It is better to use an easily accessible litterbox that is open and not restricted. Also make sure that the size of the litterbox matches with the size of your cat. Some owners will unknowingly provide a smaller box than needed and the cat will not find it comfortable to use then. Accessibility of the litterbox is another important point. It is wise to choose a location where the cat has no trouble reaching and using quickly. An open area that is on ground level is the best way to go. A crowded area or near another pet, such as a dog’s rest place, will feel unsafe to your cat and it will not want to use the box then. Therefore, safety is another concern to keep in mind.

When your cat begins to pee on your bed, due to behavioral issues, it is important to keep in mind that this behavior can be easily prevented with cooperation of fulfilling your cat’s needs. We hope that this article has informed you to keep an eye out for the possible conditions of the litterbox or general concerns that may not be met within your household. These changes can easily be done; and your cat will then feel comfortable again to use the washroom where it needs to respectfully. Please consult your veterinarian first if such a problem is noted. Once he or she has determined it is not a medical cause, then behavioral causes can be focused on.

Ways to take care of your lips naturally

The skin on your lips is much thinner than the skin on the other parts of the body. This makes it easier for it to crack and chap and makes it much more important for you to take extra care of it.

Chapping

This can occur almost in any season. 4To prevent and treat, apply a good lip balm daily. 4Do it in such a way that it slightly overlaps the edges of the lips. 4Look for a balm which provides sun protection and has elements like

Vitamins A, C or E and AHAs.

Splitting

Cracks often occur after sleeping in dry air. 4To prevent this, be sure to apply a good lip balm or a thick moisturiser before going to bed. 4Also try to keep your lips as dry as possible, as bacteria in the air can cause them to crack.

Cold sores

does not bleed by keeping a thin layer of cotton around your lips to

prevent this faux pas to happen. Source: SWIRLSTER

This is caused by viral infections and often look like blisters and open scabs. 4To avoid re-infection, use cotton swabs to apply lipstick while sore is visible. 4Also make sure that you do not apply a lipstick or a lip gloss if you have blister on your lips. This can cause further infection and also make your lips drier.

Lipstick bleeding

This begins as the skin around the mouth loses collagen and elastic tissue with age. 4Use a waxy lip liner to outline your lips. This will contain the lipstick within the line. 4You can also ensure that your lipstick

lest we forget a legend

With a sense of utmost grief and sorrow, we announce Mr. Charan Pal gill

the sudden passing Mr. Gill was a great hu- Society” away of Mr. Charan man being imbued with

Pal Gill, Founder extraordinary qualities •Prominently display a plaque in the and Founding of head and heart and it was his vision and able leadership The staff, management and Board of PICS Society have decided to preserve reception area of the PICS Head Office recognising Mr. Gill as the “Founder

CEO of Progressive that became a driving force behind and honour Mr. Gill’s legacy in the fol- and Founding CEO of PICS Society”

Intercultural PICS Society. His tireless efforts made lowing manner:

Community Services PICS develop into a major community •Institute awards to commemorate Dr. (PICS) Society, on organization in the Lower Mainland offering multiple programs and services •Name one of the wings in the “Guru Nanak Diversity Village” facility (his Charan Pal Gill – in different categories (this Award Ceremony could be

February 2, 2021. to the community, including language dream project) after him, the a part of PICS Annual Fundraising and settlement services, employment citation could Galas) programs, housing for seniors, second tentatively stage transition home for immigrant read: •Create a virtual memorial for Mr. women, training, and programs for Gill on the PICS website – celwomen and youth. “This ebrating his life and saluting his wing is achievements. At a very young age, since the day he dedicat- PICS, in consultation with Mr. landed in Canada, Mr. Gill involved ed to the Gill’s family, will celebrate his himself in community work and social ever- life as part of the next PICS activism. He was a founding member of lasting Gala and we hope that by that the Canadian Farm Workers Union and loving time, we will leave the current also served as the President of the BC memory pandemic situation behind Organization to Fight Racism. Mr. Gill of Dr. Cha- to be able to hold this event followed his heart and loved to work ran Pal Gill, to memorialize this doyen of for seniors, immigrants, youth and the Founder and social service in a befitting working poor. He was honoured with Founding CEO manner. many prestigious awards including the of PICS Order of British Columbia, for the yeoman’s work he carried out in the field of human rights and social cause.

Mr. Gill, devoted his entire life to work for the betterment of the community and even time will never be able to blur the memories of this great man, whom we fondly used to call “The Living Legend”. His firm belief in people’s democratic rights to live a happy, healthy and prosperous life endeared him to all sections of the society.

How to start a zero waste lifestyle

Zero waste lifestyle is another trendy internet term that is gaining more and more popularity, but it is definitely for the better. You might have heard of it, or even known about it for a while, but the task of switching to a new lifestyle that requires several extra steps of mindfulness can be rather daunting.

With that in mind, here is your guide to starting a zero waste lifestyle that will make it much easier for you to transition, and even if you don’t make the complete move it will significantly help reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Invest in reusables for the kitchen

Start with a water bottle, and then get yourself a collection of mason jars, food grade boxes, steel containers, reusable towels and napkins, metals straws, and everything else. Do not make the mistake of throwing away everything in your kitchen to start with, that will create so much waste when you can simply avoid it. Instead prolong the life of items you would otherwise trash mindlessly, and make sure every purchase you make now onwards is oriented towards your zero waste goal. While you are at it, stock up on some reusable bags as well!

2. Grow your own when you can

Buying anything from the grocery store means you will have to deal with packaging which is definitely going to end up in the trash. By growing your own veggies and herbs in the backyard or garden you can bring down all carbon emissions related to the produce you use. If you cannot grow your own, consider going to a farmer’s market on a weekly basis to get the supplies you need. You can also find cheese, milk, homemade cleaners, and other useful items there which come in little to no packaging which can also be recycled.

3.Start to recycle and compost

As you start the journey, you will realise it is unrealistic not have any excess that you cannot use. The challenge is not to completely free your house of anything that cannot be used, but rather recycle or compost whatever you cannot use. Dedicate a can to compostable waste and another to recyclable waste. Invest some time segregating through your waste efficiently and you will end up with waste that doesn’t end up in landfills after one use! 4.Practice the principles of self control

Get into the habit of not buying anything that tickles your fancy. Everytime you are about to make a purchase take a small moment to consider the impact your purchase will have on the environment and whether or not you will produce waste upon this purchase. 5.Reduce what you use and get support from others too!

By reducing the amount of things you use and rationing your supplies you will only use what you need, which in turn will relatively produce less waste. Start reading and researching about the newfound interest and interact with others who are looking to do the same to get support, encouragement, and inspiration!

While it is impossible to entirely create no waste whatsoever, being careful of the amount you produce and then recycling, reusing, and composting to make up will definitely all add up to help achieve your goals of a sustainable existence.

Ritika Tiwari

Freelance Writer/ Blogger/ Content Strategist

a girl iN a WHirl

Continued from issue (Part 47)

Meenu woke up at around 11:30 A.M. Her head was aching badly. We fed Meenu with some light food and took her to Surrey hospital Emergency department again. A doctor checked Meenu and told that she had had concussions. Her head injury had impacted her brain too. I couldn’t help crying. Mom-inlaw consoled me and quieted me down. The doctor advised us to see our family doctor and get an appointment with a neurosurgeon soon. We came home. Meenu and Amrit went to their room, and I came into mine. We all got busy in our chores.

In the evening, I called my mom in India. Dad told me that mom had diabetic problem and she was also having high blood pressure. I asked dad to take care of mom properly and not to worry about Meenu. I invoked god to help my mom, Meenu and her unborn child.

A few weeks later, Baljit called me to tell that Canada embassy in India had called both of us for an interview. Meenu’s delivery was also due almost at the same time. My IELTS exam date and embassy interview date were also almost very close. There were always some sorts of obstacles whenever I wanted to move forward in my life. I was unable to understand why it happened so. The next day, I canceled my IELTS exam date.

I saw many advertisements of many Babas and Matas in some papers, claiming to solve all types of domestic, financial or career problems magically with guarantee. The other day, I called several numbers and told them my problems. Every one claimed he or she could solve all my problems in a jiffy. Someone told me that our neighbor had cast a magic spell on me. Another said one of my relatives had caused magic obstacles in our progress. Almost all of them wanted me to pay five hundred dollars by my credit card. I asked one guy to give me some proof before I pay him money. He asked me my date, month, year and place of birth, and told me some correct and some irrelevant stories related to me. Nobody could convince me fully. Therefore I trusted none. In India, my mom had also wasted lots of money on such things. “How could they afford to put so expensive newspaper ads every week? They must be looting ignorant people a lot. Hey Waheguru! Only you are my saviour.”, I thought and prayed in my mind. I read Sukhmani Sahib once again that day. I tried to calm myself down, and started reading it a second time.

44. Spiritual knowledge

I began pondering over Sukhmani sahib. Aad guray nameh, Jugad guray nameh

“Aad means ‘the beginning’ and that line means ‘salute to the Lord who was there at the beginning’.

When did this world start? When did the time start? I thought harder. I had read in my childhood that once the earth was a ball of fire. How long did it take to cool down?

Continued in next edition

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Continued issue (Part 47)

“koeI vI suwK ijMnF mrjI sLfndfr hovy, asIN AusnUM lgfqfr mfxdy hoey Aukqf jFdy hF. sfzy mn nUM iek smy bfad bdlfa dI jrUrq mihsUs huMdI hY. Xfd rwKo ik ijMLdgI iek rolr kostr vFg hY. sfzy mn dI koeI vI hflq ijafdf dyr leI ieko ijhI nhI rihMdI. sfzf mn bykfr dIaF aqy BYVIaF gwlF socxIaF bhuq psMd krdf hY. jdoN iesnUM AusfrU aqy nvIaF gwlF socx nUM mjbUr krIey iesnUM bhuq aOKf lwgdf hY. afpxy mn nUM hmysLF cMgf socx leI aqy AusfrU kMmF ivc lwgx leI pwkf krnf sfzI ijMdgI df bhuq vwzf kfrj hY. iksy iek AusfrU kMm ‘qy pUrf iDafn lgfAuxf myry iKafl ivc aslI BgqI hY. ieh sfnUM hmysLf

KusL rihx ivc mwdd krdI hY”, aiDafpk ny smJfieaf.

“sr, asIN dunIaF ivc aYnf mfVf huMdf jfx ky bVy prysLfn ho jFdy hF. iPLr asIN aYnf kuJ ikAuN jfxIey?”, mYN puwiCaf.

“ivhlf idmfg sLYqfn df Gr. ijMnf asI iesnUM KflI rwKdy hF Enf hI ijafdf ieh sfnUM qxfa idMdf hY. sonIaF TIk kihMdI hY ik dunIaF ivc aYnf kuJ mfVf huMdf jfx ky asIN bhuq burI qrHF prysLfn ho jFdy hF. pr Xfd rwKo ik aYhI ijhIaF musIbqF df hwl vI asIN qF hI lwB skdy hF. jykr asIN AusfrU qrIky nfl ienHF nUM jfxIey, smJIey aqy ivcfrIey.”, aiDafpk ny afpxI gwl df nqIjf kwZ idwqf. afKrI vfk myry pRsLn df AWuqr sI.

“sr sfzy ipMz iek kmlLf rihMdf sI. ipMz dy lok dwsdy sn ik Auh bhuq pVHdf huMdf sI. afKIr pVHpVH ky Auh pfgl ho igaf.”, iek ividafrQI ny ikhf aqy sfry hws pey.

‘hF, jYg TIk kih irhf hY. jdoN asIN dunIaF ivc bhuq kuJ burf huMdf jfx lYNdy hF qF bhuq icMqf ivc zuwb jFdy hF. kuJ lok qF aYnI icMqf krn lwg pYNdy hn ik afpxf idmfgI sMquln hI guaf bYTdy ny ikAuNik Auh socx lwg pYNdy ny ik aYnf kuJ burf hox qoN AunHF ny hI rokxf hY. pr Auh ieh nhI jfxdy ik bhuq sfry lok aqy sMsQfvF smfj ivc suDfr ilafAux leI jI qoV koisLsL kr rhIaF ny.”, aiDafpk ny afpxI gwl jfrI rwKI.

“keI cMgy pVHy-ilKy afpxI hr sMBv koisLsL nfl smfj ivc suDfr ilafAux dI koisLsL kr rhy hn. keI inhcfvfn lok aiDafpk bx ky kMm kr rhy hn. keI lyKk bx ky cyqnf PLYlf rhy hn. keI aKbfrF aqy rsfilaF leI ilK rhy hn. keI ryzIE aqy tYlIvIjn ‘qy tfk sLo kr rhy hn. keI lok aijhf ivlwKx kMm kr jFdy hn ik ijs nfl iek Kfs Kyqr ivc dunIaF df ichrf hI bdl jFdf hY. aYsy anyk lokF dI imhnq dy kfrn keI cMgy bdlfa afey hn aqy keI kRFqIaF afAux nUM iqafr hn.”,aiDafpk ny smJfieaf.

“sr, ijvyN qusIN aMgryjLI isKfAux dy Kyqr ivc kRFqI ilaFdI hY!”, iek ividafrQI ny ikhf.

“quhfnUM sLfied ieMj lwgdf hovy. pr mNY swcy idloN ieh mihsUs krdf hF ik mYnUM hfly hor bhuq imhnq krnI pYxI hY. mNY cfhuMdf hF ik vwD qoN vwD lokF nUM pVHn dI afdq pY jfvy. mYN ajy pUrI qrF kfmXfb aiDafpk aqy lyKk nhI bx sikaf hF”, aiDafpk ny smJfieaf.

“sr, quhfnUM aYny lok jfxdy hn. jdoN qusIN ies bfry socdy ho qF quhfnUM ikvyN mihsUs huMdf hY?”, iek ividafrQI ny puwiCaf.

“bhuq cMgf lwgdf hY. iek vfr mNY iek kivqf pVHI sI ‘EjLImyNzIafs’. kvI ies ivc ijkr krdf hY ik Auh iek vfr iek ryigsqfn rfhIN pYdl jf irhf sI jdoN Ausny vyiKaf ik iek bhuq vwzI tuwtI hoeI aqy afpxy QVHy qoN izwgI mUrqI lgBg awDI ku ryq ivc dwbI peI sI.

Continued in next edition

PROF AVTAR SINGH VIRDI

Rice Dhokla

GReek chicken Pasta

The all-time favorite Gujarati snack made with rice flour, suji and mild spices. Light and lovely!

INGREDIENTS:

4200 gm (1 3/4 cups) rice flour 430 gm (1/4 cup) suji (semolina) 4100 ml (1/2 cup) yogurt 4Sugar to taste 44 tsp oil 41/2 tsp mustard seeds 41-2 whole red peppers 4A pinch of asafoetida powder 4Water as required 4Salt to taste 41 tsp lemon juice 42, 6” greased metal plates for

cooking the dhokla

METHOD:

4-Mix together the rice flour, suji, yogurt,

sugar and 1 tsp oil into a smooth paste.

4-Add enough water so as to make a bat-

ter of dropping consistency.

4-Add the lemon juice and asafoetida and

leave to ferment overnight.

4-Keep the steamer over the stove for the

water to boil.

4-Pour batter into prepared plates, cover

and steam for 20 minutes. Remove, cool and cut into cubes.

4- Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard

seeds, when crackling add the red pepper, when the colour darkens add 2 Tbsp water, bring to a boil and pour over the dhokla cubes.

4-Garnish by sprinkling grated coconut

and coriander leaves

easy jeRk chicken with Rice & Peas

A Caribbean classic, this recipe makes a delicious and satisfying weekday meal

INGREDIENTS:

42 tbsp sunflower oil 41kg chicken thighs and drumsticks 41 bottle jerk barbecue sauce (Levi

Roots or Walkerswood from Waitrose) 41 bunch spring onions, sliced

For the rice and peas

4200g basmati rice 42 x 410g cans kidney beans 4400g can coconut milk 41 bunch spring onions, chopped 41 thyme Sprig 41 garlic clove, chopped 41 tsp allspice

METHOD:

41. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

Heat the oil in a roasting tin, then carefully add the chicken pieces. Brown them lightly on all sides – it will take about 6-8 mins. Pour over the jerk sauce, scatter over the sliced spring onions, then toss to coat each piece of chicken.

42. Roast the chicken for 30 mins, turning occasionally to ensure it gets nice and sticky.

43. While the chicken is cooking, make the rice & peas. Rinse the rice in a sieve until the water runs clear. Bring a pan of water to the boil with the liquid only from the kidney beans, the coconut milk, spring onions, thyme, garlic, allspice and some salt, then simmer for 10 mins. Add the beans, then simmer for 5 mins more until the rice is tender. Drain and serve straight away with the chicken.

“This pasta dish incorporates DIRECTIONS:

some of the flavors of Greece. It 41. Bring a large pot of lightly

makes a wonderfully complete salted water to a boil. Cook and satisfying meal. For extra pasta in boiling water until flavor, toss in a few kalamata tender yet firm to the bit, 8 to olives. Use whatever pasta you 10 minutes; drain.

have or prefer.” 42. Heat olive oil in a large skil-

let over medium-high heat. INGREDIENTS: Add onion and garlic; saute

41 (16 ounce) package linguine until fragrant, about 2 min-

pasta utes. Stir in the chicken and

41/2 cup chopped red onion cook, stirring occasionally, 41 tablespoon olive oil until chicken is no longer pink 42 cloves garlic, crushed in the center and the juices 41 pound skinless, boneless run clear, about 5 to 6 min-

chicken breast meat - cut into utes.

bite-size pieces 43. Reduce heat to medium41 (14 ounce) can marinated low; add artichoke hearts,

artichoke hearts, drained and tomato, feta cheese, parschopped ley, lemon juice, oregano,

41 large tomato, chopped and cooked pasta. Cook and 41/2 cup crumbled feta cheese stir until heated through, 43 tablespoons chopped fresh about 2 to 3 minutes.

parsley Remove from heat,

42 tablespoons lemon juice season with salt 42 teaspoons dried oregano and pepper, and 4salt and pepper to taste garnish with lem42 lemons, wedged, for gar- on wedges.

nish

Coconut Oil: The new hair care favourite across the world

Coconut oil may have been the home ground of hair care for us, but it is now the superpower for hair across the west too. We have known this all along, but it is now being endorsed by big celebrities in Hollywood too ‘ Coconut oil is the ultimate champion towards restoring hair health. The nourishing and moisturizing properties for hair, have made this oils popularity spread across the globe. A study on the Medicinal Benefits of Coconut Oil displays the rich content of Vitamin C and E and the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of coconut oil makes it the ace game toward rejuvenating hair and scalp health.

Would you have imagined a day when Hollywood celebrities would indulge in the good old ‘Champi’ that we received as kids. Well, that day is here. The benefits of this oil have made coconut oil head massages a rage across the West. Many celebrities in the western world even call it the ‘miracle liquid’ for hair. This is because it is the only oil that seeps 10 layers deep into the hair follicles to offer maximum benefit. The most popular way of applying coconut oil for best results is by taking a few drops and applying it across the lengths of your hair and the remnants on your scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes or even overnight and shampoo your hair as normal after.

Gone are the days where people succumbed to using products with a scary list of chemicals as the ingredients. In a world that’s leaning toward all things natural, coconut oil has emerged as a sure shot winner in the hair care mantra. With a boastful list of antioxidants, there is no other sure shot way to ensure that your hair gets the tender love and care that it truly deserves. It is no wonder then, that celebrities across the world, seem to be lapping it up. From Miranda Kerr, to Mindy Kaling, Mary-Kate, Ashley Olsen, Kelly Osbourne, Kourtney Kardashian, Lucy Hale, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and so many more are dependent on coconut oil’s naturally endowed, powerhouse ability for hair nourishment.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas heats up the coconut oil and massages her scalp then wraps her hair in a hot towel. Afterwards, she shampoos and conditions as usual. She proclaims, “I guess thanks to that, I have extremely luscious hair that can stand up against the brutality of my profession!”

Source: IANS

5 common myths about diabetes

Online platforms for consulting doctors witnessed an increase of 1200 percent in the number of diabetes queries since last year. This was followed by people seeking medical help for diabetes, especially after the disease came under the spotlight since the COVID-19 outbreak.

5. A special diet is required for diabetics

This may be true in certain special cases as decided by your doctor. However, most diabetics need to follow a healthy dietary and lifestyle pattern which should be followed even by nondiabetics.

What is more important is to have small frequent meals rather than 3 heavy meals, increasing fibre intake in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed food (tinned/ready to eat meals/ bakery foods), increasing water intake, ensuring adequate sleep and having a brisk walk for 30-40 minutes daily with appropriate footwear.Crash diets should not be attempted as they will do more harm than good.

Source: IANs

While diabetes is becoming a global health issue, it is vital to know the details as it comes with lot of myths. On ‘World Diabetes Day’, Diabetologist at Practo, an online platform to consult doctors bursts six common myths about diabetes.

1. Only older people get diabetes

Earlier, diabetes occurring in children and youngsters was considered to be type 1 (juvenile/ insulin dependent) diabetes.

Nowadays, an unhealthy lifestyles is causing many youngsters to develop the more common variety of type 2 diabetes. Today, it is not uncommon for teenagers or people in their 20s and 30s to be detected as being type 2 diabetic.

2. Diabetes medicines should not be taken for long as they damage kidneys

Many people stop their diabetes medicines once their blood reports are normal, fearing damage by long term usage of medicines.

The truth is that stopping medicines will again cause the blood sugar level to rise and an uncontrolled blood sugar may damage not only the kidneys, but also eyes, nerves, heart, liver in the long run. 3. Fasting and two-hour post lunch reports are within limits, I needn’t worry

Your sugar level at other times of the day or on other days may not be within limits. Hence, you need to do a blood test called as HbA1c every 3 months which will tell you if you are well controlled in general over the past 3 months.

Apart from that, lipid profile, kidney function tests, liver function tests, eye examination, feet examination should be done at least once a year or in some cases, more frequently, to detect any complications of diabetes at an early stage

4. Diabetes affects only those who eat more sugar

Unfortunately, all Indians have a risk of developing type 2 diabetes (we are genetically more prone). However, it is not only the sugar intake but also, an unhealthy lifestyle that decides whether you will develop diabetes or not. This includes irregular meal and sleep timings, over intake of fast food/ oily food leading to weight gain, lack of adequate exercise.

Healthy habits needs to be inculcated right from childhood. For all the mothers out there, a chubby child is not a healthy child!