sushmita sen zarine khan sonakshi sinha...

NEW 2015 GMC SIERRAHD: SMART, CAPABLEAND COMFORTABLE

BULLION AND JEWELLERY AWARDS 2013

HEELS THAT EVERY WOMAN MUST OWN

4 HABITS TO AVOIDFOR BETTER SLEEP

TOP FASHION MISTAKES THAT MEN MAKE

Despi te the adverse conse-quences high heeled shoes arepopular as they are elegant andfashionable. They have alwaysbeen a woman's obsession sincehistory as they not only add heightbut make the calves flex, givingthe legs a fit and leaner look. Onemust invest in heels that are com-

Too much shine: This one just doesn't cut it by any stan-dards. We mean, why would you want to look like you'veescaped from the disco? Shiny suits and iridescent trouserslook crass and loud. If you wear it on an evening out it's onething, but men who wear shiny material pants or shir ts mustrevamp in favour of kinder fabrics like linen and cotton.Wearing socks and sandals: OK, school-going lad you arenot, so get rid of this look immediately. It's a major casualstyle offender as most guys have been doing this for years.Rule is: socks go with closed shoes and under trousers orchinos. Shor ts worn with socks and sandals will only edgeyou into nerdville and drive away the ladies, so watch out!Wrinkled clothes: If you haven't had the time to iron out thatfavourite shir t, wear something else. Resembling thismorning's laundry basket is a huge blooper and just shoutsout that you're a disorganised, careless soul. Remember, aslob can never look cool.Going overboard with neon: Sure, bright orange and greenmay be in vogue and men spor t the hues too. But if you haveto showcase neon don't be an eyesore. Integrate the shaderight in your wardrobe. Simply use a neon ties over a subtle

Nighttime snackingIt might be tempting to reachout for that slice of uneatenpizza or a box of doughnuts,but this is actually one of themost common habits that cankeep folks from gettingshuteye. Late night eating issaid to cause a gastroesophageal reflux disorder, inwhich where the stomach acidgoes back into the esophaguscausing acid reflux, say experts.This gives acidity and makes aperson feel uncomfortable.Exercising very lateExercise is certainly a goodhabit but doing so in the latehours of the day is unwise.Experts outline the connectionbetween a lower bodytemperature and achievingquality sleep. When youexercise it raises the bodytemperature and increases themetabolism. So, while thisworks well during the day, it'snot ideal of you want get intosleep mode.

Watching too much TVUnfortunately the TV set isbelieved to be a part of thebedroom, but actually watchingyour fav crime or drama showsfrom your bed can set the pulseracing and make the rain tooactive.Also an exposure to violentprogramming is said to causenightmares. Doctors advisemediation or prayer that helpsto relax the system. One mayalso curl up and read a book.Working after hoursMost people tend to eitherspend late hours at the officeor bring work home for latenight. But this habit can causestress and tension that leads toinsomnia and loss of appetite.Pouring over a workpresentation, numbercrunching or talking tocolleagues can make the mindvery alert, and push upadrenalin and stress levels —quite the opposite scenario fora restful night.

for table to wear, easy to balancein and still look chic.Wedge heelsThe most comfor table and easyto walk in. They touch a majoramount sur face area comparedto other heel types. It is thick andone with the sole. Wedges offermore arch suppor t, reducing foot

and ankle problems caused fromthe other type of heels.Kitten heelsThey are comfor table and easyto carry off as they have a smallheel and go with any outf i t .They're not age bias as they canbe worn by elderly people alsoas they don't have a very highheel. They can be labeled as'young girl sti lettos' and theynever run out of fashion.High heeled bootAnkle boot, a knee high boot,risky thigh high version or cow-boy boots. Boots work great for a nightout on the town or a casual meetingwith family and friends. They are com-for table and stylish.Evening sandals

These are great to have for for-mal affairs like weddings or celebra-tions and they also work great to dressup with jeans or a casual dress. Theyaren't very high like the stilettos andmostly have moderate or mediumheels.PumpWhether it is a peep toe or plat-form these heels can go withyou to work, to play and any-time in between. They are the"Little Black Dress" kind of foot-wear. Lightweight, straplessshoes with closed backs theyare the handiest for anytime ofthe day. They can have heelsas high as 4 inches or more asthey are compared next to sti-lettos.

shaded shir t, or if you are wearing a bright shir t, wear it withsimple blue denim. A blazer and a shir t worn together inbright shades should be ruled out.

‘ JUST HAVING A FACE THAT FITS PRINCE CHARMINGISN'T ENOUGH. IF YOU LOOK LIKE YOU JUST MADETHE BIGGEST WARDROBE BLUNDER OF THE YEAR

‘

SUSHMITA SEN ZARINE KHAN SONAKSHI SINHA SHILPA SHETTY

IF YOU'RE SLEEP-DEPRIVED GET RID OFTHESE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOUR, TODAY...

‘ BOLD STYLE, ENHANCED INTERIOR ANDHELPFUL TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT CLASS-LEADING CAPABILITIES

Designed to deliver class-leading capability withenhanced comfort and

smarter technologies, the new2015 GMC Sierra HD lineupadvances a 111-year legacy ofprofessional heavy-duty trucks.

The new Sierra HDs arrivein the first quarter of 2014,including 2500HD and 3500HDmodels, and the Sierra DenaliHD, which matches do-it-allcapability with an exclusivepackage of design and upscaleinterior amenities.

S e g m e n t - l e a d i n gcapabilities across the rangeinclude the highest payload –3,508 kg (7,374 pounds) – andthe highest conventionaltrailering rating – 8,890 kg (19,600pounds). The maximum fifth-wheel trailering rating is 10,523kg (23,200 pounds). Gas andDuramax diesel powertrains areoffered, including a bi-fueloption that pairs the gas enginewith a compressed natural gassystem.

DETAILS ON PAGE 28

FOR BEST DEALS AND INFORMATION SEE PAGE 36

‘ HEELS HAVE NOW BECOME A RAGED ACCESSORYIN A WOMAN'S WARDROBE. HERE ARE THE KINDSOF HEELS A WOMAN MUST OWN.

26 MidWeek MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013auto

MidWeek 27MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2012

MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013 auto


TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

Contd. from Page 25“We have been building trucks for more than a century, and

nobody knows trucks like GMC," said Rob Assimakopoulos, generaldirector of marketing and communications, General Motors ofCanada. "All GMC's are built with professional grade in mind, andthe HD Sierra trucks are engineered without compromise to deliverthe quality, refinement and performance that today's heavy-dutytruck customers demand."

Bold styling and an all-new, more comfortable and technology-infused interior are carried forward from the 2014 Sierra 1500,including new double cab and revised crew cab body styles. Largerrear doors on each, along with new seat designs, enable easier entryand exit from the rear seat and 5 cm (two inches) of additional legroomon crew cabs.

The new interior is also designed to help drivers and passengerswhether they’re on the job or on a weekend getaway, with easier-to-reach, more intuitively located controls, more storage compartments,more plug-ins for electronic devices and the latest-generation GMCIntelliLink infotainment system – with an eight-inch-diagonal colortouch screen.

Additional new and enhanced features for the 2015 Sierra HDlineup:

CornerStep rear bumper, EZ Lift and Lower tailgate, standardupper tie-downs and other features that make cargo handling easier

Standard StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control on all models,including 3500HD dually

Integrated cruise control, auto grade braking and dieselexhaust braking (diesel models), for greater driving control andreduced brake wear on grades

Enhanced cooling airflow, which enables the Duramax turbodiesel and 6.0L gas engine to better maintain full power, even underheavy loads and high ambient temperatures

Latest-generation IntelliLink infotainment system, whichoffers a variety of connectivity options for devices of all types andavailable navigation

Sierra Denali HD detailsThe distinctive Sierra Denali HD features a signature Denali

chrome grille, unique interior decorative trim, a polished stainlesssteel exhaust outlet (gas models) and body-colour front and rearbumpers. Complementing the soft-touch instrument panel trim andaluminum trim are Denali-specific interior details, including script onthe bright door sills and embossed into the front seats.

Sierra Denali’s high-tech interior also features an exclusive eight-inch customizable driver display that can show relevant settings,audio and navigation information in the instrument panel. SierraDenali’s standard eight-inch Colour Touch navigation radio withIntellilink, located above the centre console, serves as the main hubfor Bluetooth-connected phones and portable devices connectedthrough five standard USB ports.

Other features standard on Sierra Denali include projector-styleheadlamps with light-emitting diode signature daytime runninglights, a Bose audio system, heated and cooled leather front bucketseats, a heated steering wheel and a power sliding rear window withdefogger.

Sierra HD design and exterior featuresSierra HD trucks have a new face that conveys GMC’s

professional grade aesthetic with greater technical precision,including an all-new headlamp and grille design, power-dome hood– with specific badging on Duramax-equipped models – and a one-piece chrome bumper (body-colour bumper on Denali). SLT andDenali models feature GMC’s signature C-shaped LED daytimerunning lamps within the headlamp housings.

The new exterior design backs up its bold, advanced stylingwith efficiency-enhancing functionality. Improved aerodynamics

allow the trucks to slip through the air with less drag and reducedwind noise, while the new grille design supports enhanced engine-cooling performance. It enhances efficiency and ensures Sierra HDdelivers optimal performance under the toughest conditions, suchas towing on a mountain grade.

New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the bodyside, helpreduce wind noise for a quieter cab, while details including the roofand tailgate spoiler were tuned in the wind tunnel to smooth airflowover the truck for reduced noise and improved aerodynamicefficiency.

Like the 2014 Sierra 1500, a new double cab body replaces theprevious extended cab. It features longer, front-hinged rear doorswith outside pull handles at the rear, providing improved access intight parking spaces. New structural B-pillars were added to add toa solid feel.

Unlike trucks with rear-hinged doors, Sierra’s double cab designallows rear passengers to enter and exit the vehicle with the frontdoors remaining closed. Crew cabs feature resized doors, too,including longer rear doors, which also make it easier to climb in andout of the rear seat.

Approximately 67 percent of each cab is constructed with high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels, used in the A-pillars, B-pillars, rockers and roof rails, as well as strategic sections on theinterior structure. Ultra-high-strength steel is used in areas of therocker panels and underbody to help improve performance in crashes.

Cargo box innovationsSierra HD models are available with 6’6” and 8’ box lengths that

are stronger and more durable, easier to use and offer greater cargoflexibility. The new CornerStep rear bumper – introduced on Sierra1500 – is standard. It features integrated steps at each cornerdesigned to accommodate large boots, with textured pads for sure-footed grip.

New 2015 GMC Sierra HD: Smart, Capable and Comfortable

1. ROSE-COLOURED GLASSES-Most of us dream of improving our lifestyle and moving

to a larger home. The problem is that there's sometimes adiscrepancy between our hearts and our bank accounts. Youdrive by a home that you fall in love with only to find that it'salready sold or that it's more than what you are willing to pay.Most homeowners get caught in this hit or miss strategy ofhouse hunting when there's a much easier way of going aboutthe process. For example find out if your agent offers a buyerprofile system of "house hunting service," which takes theguesswork away and helps to put you in the home of yourdreams. This type of program will cross match your criteriawith all available homes on the market and supply you withprinted information on an on-going basis. A program like thishelps homeowners take off their rose-coloured glasses andaffordably, move into the home of their dreams.

2. FAILING TO MAKE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS-If you want to get the price for the home you're selling,

there will certainly be things you can do to enhance It in aprospective buyer's eyes. These fix-ups don't necessarily haveto be expensive. But even if you do have to make a minorinvestment, it will often come back to you ten-fold in the priceyou are able to get when you sell. It's very important thatthese improvements be made before you put your home on themarket. If cash is tight, investigate an equity loan that youcan repay on closing.

3. NOT SELLING FIRST-You should plan to sell before you buy. This way you will

not find yourself at a disadvantage at the negotiating table,feeling pressured to accept an offer that is below-market value

because you have to meet a purchase deadline. If you'vealready sold your home, you can buy your next one with nostrings attached. If you do get a tempting offer on your homebut haven't made significant headway on finding your nexthome, you might want to put in a contingency clause in thesale contract which gives you a reasonable time to find a hometo buy. If the market is slow and you find your home is notselling as quickly as you anticipated, another option could berenting your home and putting it up on the market later-particularly if you are selling a smaller, starter home. You'll toinvestigate the tax rules if you choose this latter option. Betterstill, find a way to eliminate this situation altogether by gettingyour agent to guarantee the sale of your present home.

4. FAILING TO GET A PREAPPROVED MORTGAGE-Preapproval i s a very s imple process tha t many

homeowners fail to take advantage of. While it doesn't cost ofobligate you to anything, preapproval gives you a significantadvantage when you put an offer on the home you want topurchase because you know exactly how much house you canafford, and you already have the green light from your lendinginstitution. With a preapproval mortgage, your offer will beviewed far more favorably by a seller sometimes even if it's alittle lower than another offer that's contingent on financing.Don't fail to take this important step.

5. GETTING CAUGHT IN THE "REAL ESTATE CATCH 22"Your biggest dilemma when buying and selling is deciding

which to do first. Point number 3 above advises you to sellf irst . However there are ways to el iminate this dilemmaaltogether. Some agents offer a guaranteed sale "trade-up"program that actually takes the problem away from you entirelyby guaranteeing the sale of your present home before youtake possession of your next one. If you find a home you wishto purchase and have not sold your current home yet, theywill buy your home from you themselves so you can makeyour move free of stress an worry.

For more information call:

DISCLAIMER: "Not intended to solicit proper ty currently listed for sale"

6 TRADE UP MISTAKES TO AVOID6. FAILING TO COORDINATE CLOSINGWith two major transactions to coordinate together with

all the people involved such as mortgage experts, appraisers,lawyers, loan officers, title company representatives, homeinspectors or pest inspectors the chances of mix-ups andmiscommunication go up dramatically. To avoid a logisticalnightmare ensure you work closely with your agent.

' YOU HAVE TO SELL YOUR PRESENT HOME AT EXACTLY THE RIGHTTIME IN ORDER TO AVOID EITHER THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OFOWNING TWO HOMES OR, JUST AS BAD, THE DILEMMA OF HAVINGNO PLACE TO LIVE DURING THE GAP BETWEEN CLOSINGS".



MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY




HEALTHY SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS

Summer is the mostfavorite time for children toenjoy and to make lots of fun.It’s the most memorable time for

kids because no boring schoolroutine. Simultaneously toughtime for mums to dohouseholds as well as todeal kids special food.

Healthy summer foodtips are given below formothers full of nutritiousvalue.1.Magical fruit watermelon:

One of the healthiestsummer foods having nofats .Full of energy givesfreshness and strength tokids after playing out doorgames to fight againstfrying sun. Mothers shouldgive first priority to thismagical gift of nature.2. Yummy yogurts:

Healthy summer foodfor kids and anotherresource of energy, full ofcalcium .yogurt is very goodand essential element forteethes and bones. It notonly helps kids for growthbut also help to increasetheir heights. Mums shouldgive fruity yogurts, plainyogurt to kids on daily

basis.3. Lemonade and otherenergy drinks:

Citric fruit lemon is fullof vitamin C, B complex, andother minerals like calcium,copper and potassium. Allthese essential minerals arenecessary for growth of kidsand enhance physical andmental strength of kids.Children should be givenlemonade on daily basis.Lemon is free of fats andcholesterol and makesdigestion easy. Intake ofRoh Afza, jam-e –shire,sandal and other energydrinks should also beincrease for freshness andenergy.4. Fruity snacks andfruity pizzas:

Healthy summer foodalso consists of fruitysnacks and fruity pizzas.Kids always love to eat junk

food such as pizzas andsnacks .so try to give themfresh stuffed fruits in snacksand especial topping of fruits onpizzas such as mangoes,strawberries and other favoritefruits of kid. It will be excitingand full of fun for kids to enjoydifferent fruity flavors’. All thisalso boost up their energy leveland develops the habit ofeating fruits for kids.5. Fruity shakes andflavored milk:

Healthiest summer foodgives strength, energy andessential developmentalnutrients to kids. Fruityshakes and flavored milkshould be main course ofkids’ food daily. Withoutmilk their growth anddevelopment would beadversely affected and theirefficiencies would bedecreased. It is verydifficult for mums to erg

them to drink milk regularly.So don’t worry, try to givethem milk in the form ofshakes, it would be morehealthy.6. Corn comb:

Corn comb is very goodand healthy food forgrowing kids. It consist nocholesterol and no fats andfull of energy. It hascalcium, iron protein,carbohydrates, folic acid 12,zinc, magnesium,phosphorous and manymore. Corn comb is easilyavailable through the wholeyear. On the basis of itsnutritious value nobody candeny from its importance.

Mothers should alwaysgive kids the Corn Comb indifferent forms in theirmeals. It can be added astopping on several foods. Itis also available in the formof canes ready to use.

There are for aboutthousands of brainboosting baby toys

available in the market that areespecially designed to developyour baby’s fine motor skillsand cognitive capabilitiesthrough fun.If affordable, parenting can bemade very effective and easythrough correct selection ofsuch brain boosting baby toys.There are many advantages ofusing such aids for parenting asthe children remain busy doinghealthy activities, targeting theirauto learning and parents find iteasier to engage their kids insimple fun based learningactivities.The hassle and noise made bythe bored and angry kids can becut short to a large extent ifparents effectively start usingbrain boosting baby toys.If you are among the curiousparents who are always seekingfor the parenting advices andways to pump up their kidslearning, you need to look at thefollowing expert suggestionsregarding the use of brainboosting baby toys.Why Brain Boosting BabyToys?There are many advantages ofusing brain boosting baby toys,as they help developing finemotor skills and refine yourchild’s senses, such as:

Babies learn to use their

Brain Boosting Baby Toysbody parts and control theirmovements when they engagein playing activities

Babies observe how thingswork.

Babies learn to control andmake things work in their ownway.

Brain boosting baby toysinduce new ideas amongbabies.

Their muscle control, handand eye coordination andstrength increases throughsuch fun activities.

Babies become moreimaginative by playing withbrain boosting baby toys.

They improve your child’sbrain storming capabilitiesand help him think aboutthings.Which Home Grown ObjectsCan Serve You As BrainBoosting Baby Toys?It’s not essential to spendhuge amounts buyingexpensive brain boostingbaby toys, rather you cansearch and collect manyhome grown objects andsurround your baby withthem. While parentalsupervision is a must.

Things of differentweight, sizes, colours, textures,smells and temperatures helpbabies develop their senses.

Babies usually generalisethings out. Sometimes whenyou let them play with certain

objects such as old books orempty bottles, they apply thesame techniques with themedicine bottles and yourimportant diaries, when you arenot around. So be very carefulwhen you decide whileparenting, what to allow andwhat not to allow.

Empty boxes and eggcartons, when cleaned, canserve your babies as toys andmake them play for hours withlots of fun learning.

Empty boxes of varioussizes and shapes if wrapped upwith colourful paper can serveyour child as colourful buildingblocks. Babies would learn a lotabout sizes and shapesthrough playing with them andarranging them according totheir sizes.

Kids love to play withwater. You can allow them topour water from one empty panto another. This helpsdeveloping hand and eyecoordination.Effective parenting asks forcertain tools and brainboosting baby toys can servethis purpose for you. Hope yousurround your child with funlearning toys and help himlearn!

There are diet fads, and then there are diet fads. Whilemany diets try their best to give you wholesomenutrition while restricting the calories, here are some crazy

and ridiculous diet fads that have come and gone and haveattracted their share of criticism, and of course - followers. Sure,these diets may have resulted in weight loss. But are any of themremotely healthy? Ah, that’s another story altogether. Here'slooking at the 5 most ridiculous diet fads in recent times, and yeswe are pointing fingers...

1) Vodka anyone?‘The drinking man’s diet’ - a weight loss book published by

Robert Cameron in 1964 got a lot of flack from experts of that era.The diet was quite simple. Low carbs, high proteins, and as muchWhiskey, Gin, Vodka or any other distilled liquor as you like. Theextremely low carbohydrates and the high alcohol content willlead to a thinner waistline and also liver disease in all probability.

2) Cabbage, cabbage, even more cabbageThe cabbage soup diet is exactly that: Cabbage soup and

nothing else for 7 days. Apart from the fact that it is a totallyunbalanced diet, once you lose water weight in the 7 days (whichyou will of course), it will come right back once you go off it. It isa popular one with the celebrities, who want to shed the poundsquickly. Is it healthy? We think not.

3) A great fruit that grape fruitThe grape fruit diet is again pretty simple to follow. Grape

fruit has fat burning properties “apparently”.So all you have to do is eat a grapefruit before every meal

and you are good to go. Sounds too good to be true? Maybebecause you haven’t read the fine print, which says meals haveto be tiny – like 800 calories a day. Thanks Grape fruit, a big helpyou’ve been!

4) Pass me the lemonade pleaseThis one is popularized by Beyonce Knowles. This diet

requires users to drink six to 12 glasses of lemonade laced with

5 Ridiculous Diet Fads

cayenne pepper (Lal mirch) and maple syrup. If you’re still hungry,no problem, you can have another glass, and then? Yet anotherone. Beyonce admitted that she lost 18 pounds in 10 days withthe diet (WOW!) But she put all of it right back on when she gotback to eating normally. Celebrities are human too you know.They have weighty issues just like us.

5) Hey babyThis one’s truly my favourite. Reese Witherspoon, cute as

she may be, swears by it. For a quick weight loss fix, just eatbaby food. Yummy. You can maintain a very healthy lifestyle byconsuming just 600 calories a day.

You really can. Assuming you are a baby, of course. Whydid we highlight these 5 ridiculous diet fads? To stop the insanity!Focus on changing your lifestyle to a healthy and active one forlong-term weight management instead of experimenting with sillydiet fads.

5 Ridiculous Diet Fads

l i festyle



MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY




body & soulMEDITATIONTROUBLESHOOTING

Bushra Khan/TNN

Not only do tomatoestaste great but theyalso keep the skin

healthy. I t is necessary toconsume tomatoes as theyhave lycopene, which is anantioxidant and hence works asa sunscreen from within. Theseantioxidants make tomato ananti-aging product as they helpin fighting cellular damage andreddening of skin. I t isrecommended to have at least16 milligrams of lycopene perday as they reduce the numberof free radicals in the body andalso help to retain the moisturein people who are used tosit t ing in air-conditionedenvirons. You don't need tospend your hard-earned moneyon expensive cosmetictreatments if you follow thesesimple steps to get healthy-

RED TOMATOESlooking skin:

Big pores? Shrink ThemBig pores provide easy

access to dirt and grime thusincreasing the chances ofinfecting the pore. Take atablespoon of fresh tomatojuice. Add two to four drops offresh lime juice to this. Use acotton ball to apply this mixtureon your face. Massage it incircular motions. Leave it on forabout 15 minutes and thenwash off with cool water.Regular application will shrinkpores greatly.

Acne healingThe acidity in tomatoes

helps in reducing and clearingup your acne. Vitamin A andvitamin C are commonly foundin a lot of acne medicines andtomatoes are rich in vitamin A,vitamin C and vitamin K. If youhave mild acne, cut a tomato in

half and apply the inside onyour face. For severe acne masha fresh tomato and use the pulpas a pack on the face. Leave iton for an hour. Rinse it off andmoisturise. Do this on a regularbasis or as many times as youcan. Your acne is bound to dryoff soon.

AstringentIf you have oily skin and

struggle to keep your face fromshining l ike a fried papad,tomato is the solution to youragony. Crush a fresh tomatoand strain i t . Make a l i t t lecucumber juice and add it to thetomato juice. Apply this juicewith a cotton ball daily tocontrol excessive oiliness andacne.

Good to eat, great to cleanA tomato and avocado

mask works wonders oncombination skin. This is

because tomato works as anastringent as well as ablackhead and oil-reducingagent while avocados have anantiseptic and moisturisingeffect.

A pack of mashed tomatoesand avocados help in soothingand cleansing combination skin(oily and dry), as they are rich invitamin A, C and E. Apply thispack and wash off after 20 to 30

minutes with lukewarm water.Burns no moreSummer is fast

approaching and with harshsummer comes burnt, inflamedskin. A lot of people's skin getssunburnt, raw and itchy due toexposure to the sun. Crush halfa tomato and mix it with twotablespoons of plain yogurt.Apply this concoction on face,neck, hands and feet. Wash it

off after 20 minutes. Tomatocools the skin and neutralisesthe surface while yogurt givesit a much needed protein boostwhile leaving i t soft andsupple.

Glowing skinMix honey with tomato

juice until you get a thick paste.Apply this mixture and wash offafter 15 minutes for smooth andglowing skin.

Meditation troubleshootingHaving a bit of trouble getting

your Zen on? We answer allof your meditation frequentlyasked questions here.I can't tune out. I feel stressed. Andhow do I know if I'm actuallymeditating? We askedmeditation guru Dr Ian Gawlerto guide us through some of themost common meditationquestions. Here's how tounwind and switch off."I can't shut off from my day"Many people find it difficult tomeditate, cit ing a busy,chattering mind as the mostdifficult part of this ancientpractise. "If you're a beginner,it may be helpful to concentrateon one particular 'thing'," saysDr Ian Gawler, meditationteacher, and founder of TheGawler Foundation. "Focus onbreathing slowly and regularly,or count your breaths." Youcould also try using words withthe in and out breaths. "Suchas 'peace' on the in, and 'loveon the out, or 'let' on the in and'go' on the out"."I can still hear what's going

on outside"Your mind will st i l l be"conscious" while you're in ameditative state. According toGawler, about 25 per cent ofyour brain needs to tune outduring meditation. While theother 25 per cent will monitorwhether or not you'reactually doing so. And theother 50 per cent? "It's freeto be relaxed, yet focused,in a light way," he says.So that passingscreeching ambulancewill register in yourmind, butyou won'ts t a r tthinkinga b o u tw h e r eit's going or why. "You noticethe present moment, but youtake your reaction out," he says."The important thing to realisethat the mind is meant to think,and it's normal to have thoughtscoming and going.""How will I know when I'vecracked it?"

Once you've passed the initialstage of quietening your mind,you're on your way to'mindfulness', Gawler notes."This is the capacity to be awareof your present moment, andexperience it without judging orgetting caught up in a commentary,"he says.

Instead, lurking behindthese conditions, one may comeacross scarier illnesses. Mostoften than not, skin problems canbe a biological tap on yourshoulder for other grave healthconditions.

Acanthosis nigricans is acondition presenting as darkbrown to black, velvety patchesof skin in body folds such asunder eyes, neck, underarms,groin, elbows, knees and fingers.It may be familiar, and thecondition worsens with weightgain. It is commonly associatedwith diabetes (type 2) andpolycystic ovarian syndrome. Inrare cases it can be a sign of lung,esophageal or breast cancer.

Molluscum contagiosum isa viral infection of the skin,appearing as pearly bumps onthe skin. It may resemble pimplesor milia (tiny cysts in the skin). Itspreads by skin-to-skin contact.It is commonly seen in children,but it can also be seen in adultswhere it can be sexuallytransmitted. Although it is abenign infection it needs to betreated due to its contagiousnature.

Warts are small, rough,cauliflower-shaped growthsseen on the arms and legs(although they can occuranywhere on the skin), in bothchildren and adults. They arecaused by a viral infection by thehuman papilloma virus (HPV).Warts on genitals and anal areascan be sexually transmitted.They are contagious and needto be treated even though theyare benign. Certain types of HPVhave been associated withcancer of the cervix, mouth andanus.

Varicella or chickenpox is ahighly contagious diseasecaused by the varicella zostervirus (VZV). Typically, it causesa blistering skin rash which healswith scabs and marks; along withfever and weakness. Lessfrequently it can infect the lungsand the brain; which could befatal. In adults, it can run a severecourse and leave behinddisfiguring blemishes and scars.It is a common (and highly risky)perception to allow chickenpoxto run its course and treat it withhome remedies, in view of itspotentially serious

consequences. With theavailability of safe and highlyeffective antivirals every case ofchickenpox should be treated atthe onset of the first blister.

Tanned skin - Easy tanningwithout much sun exposurecould be a sign of vitamin B-12deficiency, an underactivethyroid (hypothyroidism), orunderactive adrenal gland(Addison's disease).

Phrynoderma or 'toad skin'is commonly seen in children andpresents with tiny skin-colouredbumps on the arms, elbows andknees. The skin may be dry andflaky. Phrynoderma indicates adeficiency of vitamin A oressential fatty acids resultingfrom poor nutrition. In adults, itmay be seen in those on a strictweight-loss regimen or in thosewho have bariatric surgery.

Acne or pimples is a verycommon skin problem that isignored (by parents usually) asit is considered a part of growingup. However, untreated acne canlead to permanent scarring anddisfigurement of the face,resulting in embarrassment,social withdrawal anddepression. Severe acne,treatment-resistant acne can bea sign of hormonal imbalance ingirls. With the availability of safeand effective oral and topicalmedications, acne can beeffectively treated.

Xanthelasma are sharplydemarcated yellowish-whitedeposits of fat on or around theeyelids. They are benign, andmay be hereditary. They mayindicate high blood cholesterol;hence a lipid profile test shouldbe done to rule it out.

Rosacea is a skin diseasethat manifests as an easytendency to blush or flush easilywith or without acne-likebreakouts, large pores and acoarse skin texture. Skin may bevery sensitive and sting andburn. Stress, sunlight, spicyfoods, alcohol and many skincare products can aggravate ortrigger rosacea. Rosacea can lastfor long in the form of recurringflare-ups. Left untreated it cancause darkening of face; coarse,rubbery texture of the skin and alarge bulbous nose(rhinophyma).

Topical steroid-induced

dermatoses - These are skinproblems that arise due tounchecked use of strong steroidcreams without thedermatologist's supervision.Severe acne, facial hair growthin women, skin thinning, visibleblood vessels, stretch marks andfungal infections are some of theconditions that arise due toprolonged steroid cream use.

Exogenous ochronosis -This is a skin condition in whichthere is paradoxical darkening ofthe skin due to uncheckedprolonged use of the skinlightening medication called'hydroquinone'. Hydroquinoneis commonly present in skinlightening creams and is safe forshort durations. This medicationdeposits as tiny brown crystalsin the skin on prolonged use. Itis a very difficult condition totreat and may require advancedtreatments such as lasers.Therefore, do not use creamsprescribed by doctors beyondthe recommended duration oftime.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)is the most common cancer of theskin. Although Indians have amuch lesser risk of the deadlyskin cancer, melanoma; BCC isseen frequently. The face is themost common site. Sunexposure is the most importantrisk factor for BCC. It beginsas skin-colored to yellowishdome shaped growth, whichmay form a wound (rodentulcer) which bleeds easily anddoes not heal. So a new moledeveloping after your 40sshould be checked out by adermatologist.

Yellow nails are commonlycaused due to fungal infectionof the nail or uncommonly bypsoriasis or eczema of the nail.It is important to identify andtreat fungal nail infectionsbecause longer courses ofantifungal medications areneeded to eradicate thefungus. Left untreated orinadequately treated it cancause repeated fungal infectionsof the skin. Green-colored nailsare sign of infection with thePseudomonas bacteria, whichoccurs due to prolongedexposure to water. Flat, spoon-shaped, pale-colored nails are asign of iron deficiency.

SERIOUS SKIN CONDITIONS YOU IGNORE



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