Monthly Archives: March 2013

Mar31

To grow in love…

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To grow in love…

Together at the Table

If you don’t share mealtime with your family, make sure you do. Envisage the scene. It is the family dining room and delightful aromas of a delicious dinner are wafting around. There is laughter, gaiety and a family looking forward to a shared meal. Isn’t it a pretty picture? Sadly this scene, quite a common fixture about a decade back, is getting rare today. TV dinners, eating out, hectic lifestyles have elbowed this feature out of the family life. The disappearance of the family meal has also rapidly lessened family conversations.

Family Time!

Family Time!

However, there are many reasons why this practice should be revived in earnest. A shared meal would enable all the members to sit together and share their day with each other. Many issues between different members could be amicably resolved over a plate of dessert. This is the time when, though small anecdotes, the kin connect and a tenacious bond is developed.

When each of us relates our day every day, one gets a hang of the pattern. You are curious about Continue reading “To grow in love…” »

Mar30

Stay TEA-Hydrated !

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Stay TEA-Hydrated !

The countless benefits and untold facts about green tea

Everybody is well aware that green tea is tremendously beneficial. But do you know why and what is the difference between green tea and black tea, or any other color tea for that matter? Surely tea jus grows on a tea bush and the leaves are picked. So what is it all about and why the hype around green tea?

Green tea with jasmine

Green tea with jasmine

Well let’s start at the beginning. Essentially, there is no difference between black tea and green tea, they are the same. They both come from the same tea bush, it is only what happens after the leaves are picked that makes the difference. In fact, all tea leaves are till date picked by hand as the leaves are too delicate for Continue reading “Stay TEA-Hydrated !” »

Mar29

Vintage Designs

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Vintage Designs

How does one revive a vintage style in a way that caters to present-day sensibilities? The trick is to find the balance in an eclectic mix of the modern and the golden all-timers, for a look that is as lovely as it is comfortable. An older, more traditional look doesn’t have to mean too over the top. Just combine a few vintage or vintage-inspired pieces with newer and modern accessories or furniture. You’ll be left with an eclectic vintage look, a step towards having everything you want from different times and eras, leaving a lasting impact on the present. Elegant long-drawn curtains sweeping the floor or old sofas upholstered in an intricately patterned fabric can also be used. The idea is to keep the romance alive with pretty molded tables and chairs. Textures have precedence with time-treasured favorites such as velvet and satin.

classic vintage designs

classic vintage designs

MATTRESSES

A good night’s sleep is crucial. And so, your choice of mattress Continue reading “Vintage Designs” »

Mar28

Meet Quinoa – The latest health food on the block

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Meet Quinoa – The latest health food on the block

Native grain to South America, quinoa (pronounced as keen-wah) with its high protein content, is rapidly gaining popularity all over the world. Quinoa being light, fluffy, slightly crunchy and flavorsome, cooks and tastes just like any grain. It is an excellent substitute for grains that are difficult to digest. Being a whole grain, it is highly nutritious and wholesome.

 

Quinoa - Mother Grain

Quinoa – Mother Grain

 

Top six reasons to eat quinoa

1) It is a complete protein: Most plants provide incomplete protein, thus they need to be consumed in combination with other foods to make it a complete and a higher quality protein. Unlike other grains, quinoa provides us with nine      essential amino acids. Our body needs these amino acids to build up tissues and perform vital functions. An alternative to milk, meat and eggs, quinoa is a delightful choice for vegetarians and vegans. Dull hair, brittle nails, loose skin, sluggishness are things of the past when you have your very own savior quinoa.

Tasty Quinoa bites with parmesan cheese

Tasty Quinoa bites with parmesan cheese

2) It is gluten-free: Those who are gluten intolerant could make quinoa their companion as it is an alternative to wheat, barley and oats. It can be a part of your meal if you are on a coeliac diet.

3) Pumps up your iron: quinoa is the richest source of Continue reading “Meet Quinoa – The latest health food on the block” »

Mar28

The Way to God……

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The Way to God……

 

mystery path

mystery path

Want to find the way to god? How is it possible to reach god – still remains a big mystery to many. When one holds a question long enough in his/her mind, at some point or the other, the answer arrives. It has to. God is love. Love is god.  A feeling of deep connectedness to everything that is – isn’t that love? Isn’t that god?

We don’t know if there is an ultimate destination to god. However, the way itself is so beautiful. Though our final destination is god, every human being comes to this world to fulfill different purposes before reaching the destination. The saints, masters, gurus, yogis come to earth purely to give. Apart from giving and receiving, all of us come here to learn our lessons – to love, to give, to accept and to serve. The way to god, is the way of love. We have to realize that at every moment that there is love, there is god. Silently he comes and sits in every Continue reading “The Way to God……” »

Mar27

Add joie de vivre to daily living

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Add joie de vivre to daily living

DRESSERS

You don’t have to be Marilyn Monroe to possess a dressing table. It is every woman’s prerogative. And if you haven’t got yourself one already, you can successfully put together one. Who wouldn’t like a walk-in wardrobe, or a dedicated dressing room? No stress, if you are pressed for space. Work with what you have and create a lovely niche for yourself.

Dress it Up!

Dress it Up!

Transform a centre table into a vanity zone. Prop a mirror by the wall as a mirror will complement the setting and the purpose. Add fresh flowers and your daily cosmetic supplies for the look to work. An interesting textured wall looks very stylish and adds a hint of glamour.

DINING TABLES

The dining area is perhaps one of the most important zones in your home, given that it’s the one place that brings the family together. And so, creating a warm and welcoming ambience to make meal-times more enjoyable for your family and guests is imperative. Today the market is flush Continue reading “Add joie de vivre to daily living” »

Mar26

Friends with Benefits

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Friends with Benefits

Have you been contemplating getting home a pet but are not sure? Perhaps you can’t make up your mind about which pet would be appropriate. Well, here are a few pointers that could help you decide.

A great companion

A great companion

Lessons for children

If you have children at home, it might be a great idea to bring home a pet. From pets, children learn to be responsible by caring for them. And when pets fall sick, they tend to them with great care, in the process learning to love not just people but also members of the animal world. And when these pets die, they learn the idea of death and loss.

With a pet at home, you can never feel lonely. Moreover, these animals love unconditionally, unlike any human companions. Because they are not judgmental or critical, you can be yourself. They are great listeners and are very compassionate towards their masters.

New friends

As a pet owner, you may find many opportunities to meet like-minded people who also love animals. You can meet new friends and discuss your pets at dog training classes, while Continue reading “Friends with Benefits” »

Mar25

Jeweled Coffers

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Jeweled Coffers
textures all the way!

textures all the way!

You can be happy, when your personal style is reflected in your space. With the new year here, there’s a lot to look forward to. Lush greens, dancing palms, buds plump with life, colors waiting to explode…get the drift? Translate this burst of life into your indoors and give it a look that’s yours and yours alone.

Texture is only second to the immediate impact of color. In our books, it is just as important in terms of what it contributes to the feel of your room. Sensual and tactile, textural fabrics add a sense of comfort. The term ‘texture’ usually describes the way light plays on the surface of a fabric. Shiny or silky cloths reflect light, making the surface look brighter, so they are often used to make a space seem larger. In contrast rough-hewn weaves absorb light, and can create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. When combined with color, texture can be used to add a sense of luxury.

If you like the whole textured look, opt for fabrics like Continue reading “Jeweled Coffers” »

Mar24

Faith Dissected

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Faith Dissected

Faith… Every time the word is uttered, it is a purifying experience. And the more it is listened to, something within flowers, there is a shift in the feelings, there is a shift in the breath, there is a shift in the thoughts, there is a shift in the appearance of the physical body, there is a shift in perception, there is a shift in the energy within and without.

you've got to Faith it until you make it!

you’ve got to Faith it until you make it!

Is it a mere word then? ‘Faith’, they call it; but how do you explain what faith is? We search in various scriptures and books. Yet the explanations seem to be just the tip of the iceberg. It is a feeling then; it is an experience that has to be felt, that has to be experienced. In this journey, each time ‘Faith’ shall reveal a deeper meaning, it shall bestow a deeper experience.

There are times when faith doesn’t even find a part of our vocabulary. So busy are we with the toys of the world that we rarely even want to look in this direction. It is an unknown domain for Continue reading “Faith Dissected” »

Mar23

Ray of light!

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Ray of light!

Well designed lighting is essential for a comfortable and attractive home. We love redecorating our homes, in big ways and small. However, before venturing into fancy lights, it is important to take all the practical aspects into consideration. Whether you are creating a lighting scheme from scratch or rethinking your arrangements, assess your space and decide before calling in an electrician. Use a trained electrician for rewiring and to discuss plans thoroughly before work commences. Your options range from ambient lights, ceiling mounted down lights, lamps, concealed lighting, task lighting, pendants, chandeliers, wall and recessed lighting. It is also important to devote time to finding products that complement furnishings and other style elements in your room.

Capture the momemt with right lights

Capture the momemt with right lights

Light motif: Choose lighting options that add to your décor and enhance its aesthetic appeal.

Ambient lighting is usually provided by a central pendant light.

Accent lighting gives texture, focus and shape to general lighting, adding depth and Continue reading “Ray of light!” »