Tag: beverley lewis

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Wellness

5 ways to beat stress in every day life

On World Heart Day, we present to you five easy ways to slow down and remove stress from your life.
by Beverley Lewis

Most of us experience some form of stress in our jobs and personal lives. So, the first step to boosting one’s mood is to identify the cause and then treat it. If stress is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems like insomnia, muscle pain, anxiety, a weakened immune system and high blood pressure. However, if you adopt positive, healthy ways to beat stress, you can prevent a host of illnesses from occurring.

Here are five healthy, easy to adopt methods to fight stress and increase your happiness and well-being.

1. Exercise daily: If you indulge in physical activity on a daily basis, you can reduce and prevent the effects of stress. Studies show that just 30 minutes of exercise a day can help prevent stress. Cardio exercises like aerobics and dance are also great for releasing pent-up stress and tension.

2. Follow a healthy diet: If you want to fight stress, it is important to eat healthy, because a well-nourished body finds it easier to cope with stress. So, eat small meals throughout the day and include plenty of fruits, veggies, nuts, grains and lean protein in your diet. Also, remember to start your day with a healthy breakfast to keep your energy levels up. It is also important to reduce sugar and caffeine from your diet, to help you feel more relaxed and sleep better.

3. Get social: If you are stressed out, call a close friend and talk about the problem. This will enable you to share your thoughts and feelings on the subject and relieve your stress levels. But remember that it is important talk to someone you trust.

4. Take up yoga or meditation: Meditation and yoga can help the mind and body to relax and can also increase one’s concentration. Meditation can also help people get a new perspective on things and develop self-compassion and forgiveness.

5. Learn to say ‘no’: If you are one of those people who find it hard to turn down any requests made on your time, it is time you learnt to say ‘no’. Saying ‘yes’ to everything comes at a price, increased stress and no peace of mind. So, learn to take some time out for yourself without feeling guilty. This will help prevent stress and boost your mood.

 (Picture courtesy www.marksdailyapple.com)

Categories
Beauty

10 reasons to rock those curves

In an age where fat shaming and body image issues prevail, we list 10 reasons why you should celebrate your curves.
by Beverley Lewis

Skinny models have always been featured on catwalks, pages of fashion magazines and coffee table books. The status quo, in fashion, has always been the skinny girl. But, things are now changing for curvy women, thanks to some bloggers, plus-size models, fashionistas and even advertising campaigns, which have been gushing about curvy women. Even popular artists like Meghan Trainor have been pushing the body positive manifesto with songs about embracing one’s curves. So, without further ado, here’s are our top 10 reasons for embracing and flaunting your inner Vidya Balan.

1. You don’t need to spend your hard-earned money on padded bras or implants.

2. If Danish researchers are to be believed, curvy women are more likely to live longer than their skinny counterparts because our hip fat contains anti-inflammatory properties, which may prevent the arteries from getting clogged. So, good news for most Indian women.

3. Curvy women’s bodies are perfect for cuddling and hugging.

4. Some of the sexiest women like Beyonce, Sonakshi Sinha and Salma Hayek have stunning curves, which they are not afraid to flaunt.

5. Most curvy girls enjoy a hearty curry now and again and are not afraid to reach for seconds and then finish off with dessert.

6. Since most curvy girls like eating good food, we do know our way around the kitchen.

7. We still haven’t jumped on the whole gluten-free bandwagon and enjoy a dish full of pasta or a nice big bowl of rajma chawal, guilt-free.

8. According to a study conducted by Oxford University, curvy women with big butts are more likely to have healthy children because their bodies contain high amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. Another reason to celebrate that booty.

9. Just walk into the Louvre or simply visit the temples of Khajuraho and you’ll see that in the past, curvy women have always been associated with beauty and sex appeal.

10. Men can’t resist women with curves. Scientific research proves that men are genetically wired to be sexually attracted to a woman with curves.  So, go ahead ladies, shake what your mama gave you.

(Picture courtesy wallpapers.brothersoft.com)

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Guest writer

Why ‘Straight Outta Compton’ fails women

This successful film does not address hip hop musician Dr Dre’s dark past and his history of violence towards women.
by Beverley Lewis

Straight Outta Compton fails women at a time when 1 in 3 women across the globe face violence in their lifetime.

You don’t have to be a hip-hop aficionado to have watched or at least heard about Straight outta Compton, the film taking the world by storm. This box office winner tells the story about the struggle, rise and disbanding of the Los Angeles-based rap group N.W.A and its significance on popular culture, while paying homage to the spoils of ghetto life, coercion of women into prostitution, and gang rape.

But, one thing this film failed to do was tell the story of Dr. Dre’s history of violence against women. In almost all his tracks, he refers to women as “bitches”. Incidentally, Dre and Ice Cube are producers of the film. This omission sparked some outrage as to why Dre deliberately chose to leave out this big a chunk of his history.

Even since he made it big as a solo artist, Dre has been associated with the glamour and bling surrounding hip-hop, especially when statistics show that violent crimes against women are on the rise. After all, he did discover Eminem and went on to create Beats Electronics, which he then sold to Apple for a cool $3 billion. But, despite becoming a well-known producer and entrepreneur, he has been haunted by his shady past, particularly the brutal beating of rapper and TV host Dee Barnes at a record release party in 1991. “It ain’t no big thing – I just threw her through a door,” Dre said at the time of the incident. Yes, and he still continued to get rave reviews for his work and we went out and bought his records.

He was also violent towards his girlfriend, rapper Michel’le, who alleged that she needed plastic surgery after she was badly beaten by him.

Every year in India and around the world, thousands of women are raped, stabbed, shot, stalked, murdered and are victims of domestic violence, in crimes that are sometimes never even reported. And yet, we chose to ignore the violence and misogynist views associated with this particular genre of music and instead choose to only focus on the glitz and glamour surrounding hip-hop.

 

Music is a crucial factor of any culture and personally I could never live without it. We are constantly surrounded by music in our homes, cars and on our headphones. But can music really influence our behaviour and actions? Or does it simply provide background beats as we go about our daily lives? What about music with violent lyrics? Hip-hop is one genre, which often portrays women as lesser, submissive beings and if research conducted by the Journal of Applied Social Psychology is to be believed, male listeners are more likely to partake in violence against women after listening to degrading lyrics in rap music.

After the wide success of the movie, it reached the 100 million mark, Dre decided it time he issued an apology to the women he abused, via the New York Times. “I apologise to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”

If, like me, you’re wondering whether the success of the film prompted the apology or if he feels genuine remorse, well the jury is still out on that one.

(Picture courtesy www.forbes.com)

Categories
Places

Amalfi Coast: A little piece of heaven

Mumbai girl Beverley Lewis visits the Italian site for the rich and famous on a budget. This is her story.

If you’re tired of dragging your feet around museums and ancient ruins in Italy, it’s time to take and breather and head down to the Amalfi Coast for a bit of R&R. The Amalfi Coast, with its cobalt blue waters and green foliage, is perhaps one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Amalfi coast, along with the surrounding coastal towns of Sorrento, Ravello, Positano and Capri, comes alive in the summer with the buzz of vacationers, from all over the world, most of who look like they’ve stepped off the runways of Milan.

So how do you get to the Amalfi Coast at an affordable price? Well, the key is to book hotels and flights in advance. If you are a budget traveller, then the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast and its surrounding towns is in the month of May. Chances are air fares and hotels will be cheaper, and it will also be less crowded.

Amalfi CoastMy base was Sorrento, which is much cheaper compared to other towns along with coast. Also, due to its convenient location, I was able to take day trips to nearby Capri, and Ana Capri, using a local guided tour operator. Lined with designer stores on both sides, the stunning island of Capri is best left to the super-rich. The rest of us will just have to be satisfied with the breath taking views and delicious local Caprese cuisine along with a glass (depending on how many sorrows you wish to drown) or bottle of wine made from the delicious Falanghina grape.

The next costal town I visited was the quaint Positano, which has pastel-coloured buildings and long-winding, steep narrow lanes. Positano is an affordable town, where a budget traveller can afford to stay in a fairly decent hotel and take full-advantage of the local fare. There are numerous cafés, which offer freshly made pastries and piping hot cappuccinos to the weary traveller. Positano is also known for its strappy leather handmade sandals, which are reasonably priced and make great souvenirs.

Another day trip that I took was to the town of Ravello, which is literally situated on a mountain and overlooks the Bay of Salerno. This sleepy little town is well-known for its stunning gardens and sea views. It also has a number of family run restaurants, which offer a variety of homemade pastas. There is an array of family-run stores that offer everything from olives and local wines to home-made jams.

And you cannot leave without enjoying the coast’s busiest town, Amalfi. This glorious town is located between the sea and the mountains and has a beautifulPositano Arab-Norman cathedral. Also, if you enjoy seafood, then this is the town for you. Most restaurants in this former maritime Republic offer fishy antipasti and mixed seafood and tomato pasta dishes.

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy this 43-mile stretch of beautiful coastal towns, you simply need to do some research and keep your eyes and ears open for good deals. Also, you may need to dust out your gladrags and plaster on a pair of over-sized shades, in case you need to hobnob with a millionaire or rub shoulders with a celebrity.  After all, it is the playground of the rich and famous.

(Pictures courtesy Beverley Lewis)

Categories
Beauty

5 essential beauty foods

Add these super foods to your diet to slow down ageing, prevent wrinkles and give your complexion a youthful glow.
by Beverley Lewis

Wondering what to eat for beautiful skin, better heart health and improved immunity? Read on.

Pomegranates contain the antioxidants polyphenol and ellagic acid, which protect the skin from sun damage and protect the cells from free radical damage. Studies show that regular consumption of pomegranates also boosts heart health and prevents premature ageing.

CarrotsCarrots and sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are associated with decreased risk of cardio-vascular disease and some cancers. They are also good for keeping wrinkles away and giving one a clear, glowing complexion.

Oily fish have essential fatty acids, which can help calm inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Omega-3s also keep the skin supple and prevent wrinkles. Studies show that EFA’s increase the moisture content of the skin and improve the body’s muscle tone. If you don’t like oily fish, you can add fish capsules to your diet.

Brown rice and whole grains are packed with selenium, a powerful antioxidant, which is important for Brown ricemaintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity. Research shows that selenium also prevents acne and skin cancer. It also promotes the absorption of vitamin E and enhances the antioxidant function of vitamin E, which is stored in the skin. This results in glowing skin and prevents deterioration of the skin’s collagen.

Poultry, legumes and mushrooms are full of zinc, which is an important trace mineral that helps the body to repair damaged tissue and heals wounds. Foods rich in zinc can also protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and prevent acne and regulate the production of oil in the skin.

So, if you want healthy, younger looking skin, make sure you add these foods to your diet.

(Pictures courtesy megagriculture.gov.in, www.chow.com, www.mushrooms.ca)

Categories
Wellness

5 super foods for health and vitality

These 5 super foods pack a potent punch to protect you from a host of diseases and strengthen your immunity.
by Beverley Lewis

You don’t have to be a vegan or vegetarian to reap the benefits of these particular foods. These vegetarian/vegan foods are not only packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre, but promise to fight free radicals in the body, thereby preventing disease and slowing down the ageing process. Listed below are our top 5 favourite vegetarian/vegan super foods.

Sweet potatoesSweet potatoes: These humble tubers are loaded with vitamin C, D and B6 and potassium and also contain iron. They are also high in magnesium, which is important to maintain a healthy heart, blood, bone, muscle and nerve function. And since sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, they may help improve one’s eyesight and boost one’s immunity.

Amaranth or Rajgira: This gluten-free grain is not only high in protein, but is also gluten-free. It is also high in folate, B6, fibre and vitamin C. Rajgira also contains more than three times the average amount of calcium and is also high in iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. This tiny grain contains the amino acid lysine, which is needed to metabolise fatty acids, absorb calcium and is essential for thick, strong hair. Rajgira also has twice the amount of calcium as milk, thereby reducing one’s risk of getting osteoporosis.

Pomegranates: Are high in phytochemicals, vitamins C and B5 and are full of antioxidants. They also contain large amounts of vitamin K, which helps to support bone health. They are also packed with manganese, which is required to form bone structures and potassium and helps maintain cellular functions and balance fluid levels. If you regularly consume pomegranates, you will be able to protect the skin against free radicals caused by sun damage and sunburn. The oil of a pomegranate contains the antioxidant ellagic acid, which may help to inhibit skin tumours and protect the body against skin cancer.

Turmeric: This golden-yellow spice is both an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory and may help fight cancer and Alzheimer’s. Studies show that Curcumin, a Turmericcompound found in turmeric, may reduce swelling and help ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Kiwi: This fuzzy looking fruit contains large amounts of vitamin C and is a good source of potassium, fibre and vitamins A and E. They also contain the antioxidant lutein, which is needed by the body to maintain good vision and a strong heart. Kiwis also increase collagen production and brighten the skin.

(Pictures courtesy www.morningagclips.com, turmericworld.com, www.drfuhrman.com)

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