ATHLETE'S FOOT

When I dropped into Athlete's Foot at Marina Mall the other day, I noticed their new collection of women sports shoes and sandals is quite nice. Here are some pictures of their new arrivals.

DRAGON FRUIT - WONDERFUL HEALTH BENEFITS

Dragon fruit tree is a flowering cactus. The flower of the tree is huge, bell shapped and extremely fragrant. The flower is  yellowish-white in color and approximately 12 inches in length and 9 inches in width, more than twice the size of a woman's hand. The flowers open in the evening and  wilt by daybreak. Dragon fruit looks unique compared to any other fruit, with it's vibrant pink to red rind with green scales. The edible part is either white or red, with numerous tiny black seeds. The fruit is sweet and juicy. Dragon fruit is grown commercially in Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. It's a native fruit to Mexico, Central and South America.

If you haven't eaten dragon fruit, try it out, and include it in your diet whenever you can. Let's take a look at the wonderful health benefit of dragon fruit :

* I'ts high in antioxidants.

* Extremely high in vitamin C which aids in healing wounds and bruises fast.

* Improves your immune system.
*The dragon fruit has amazing moisturizing capability making the skin smooth and improves  it's  appearance .
* Helps lower cholesterol levels and normalizes hypertension.
* Frequenty having dragon fruit can help combat asthma and cough.
* It's a source of great energy

* Helps in metabolizing carbohydrates.
* Rich in phosphorus and calcium, dragon fruit keep our bones and teeth healthy.

* Helps in cell development.

* Regular consumption of dragon fruit helps to lose weight signficantly.

* helpful in bringing down blood sugar levels in type II diabetes.

TALENT AND CURIOSITY

This is dedicated to my husband, who is always on an unquenchable desire to learn new things and can spend hours, days and months doing self study on things that interest him, purely out of curiosity of how things work or how to make them work. I don't know where he finds the motivation, but I admire his passion and how constructively he spends his time.

WHAT DO DOGS THINK ABOUT

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - THE FISH AND THE RELIC

These photos were taken at the Acquarium, West Midlands Safari, near Birmingham

HAPPY ONAM - A GRAND CELEBRATION

"Onam" is the biggest harvest festival of Kerala, the beautiful picturesque state located in south west of India. Onam Festival falls between August and September and celebrates the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali whose kingdom and reign was based on virtues, honesty and equality of mankind. Onam festival lasts for ten days, with "Tiru-onam" being the main day for celebration, which is today. The festival brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Floral carpet decorations called "Pookalam" using real petals are done in the porch or right outside in the main entrance of house. A traditional feast called Ona-sadya with 11essential to 26 traditional dishes are served on large banana leaf. On the cultural front, breath taking Snake Boat Race, elaborate floats and processions, exotic dances called Kai-kotti-kali, katha-kali, ottam-thullal, traditional musical events like chenda mela (drums), stage plays, sport events, Tiger Dance with men painted to look like tigers, are some of the beautiful features of Onam. People wear new clothes during Onam. It's a celebration of joy, love, togetherness and a time to offer gratitude for the bounties and blessings bestowed by Providence and a reminder to tread the path of good.

Wishing everyone out there who is observing this wonderful festival, a  happy and beautiful Onam !

Legendary King Mahabali

Atha-pookalam (Floral designs created using colorful petals of different flowers)

Ona Sadya (the traditional Onam lunch - a delightful  feast, served on banana leaf)

Katha-Kali (dance drama with elaborate costume that depicts mythological stories)

Ottam Thullal - a folk dance of Kerala

Kai Kotti Kali (a traditional Onam dance)

Puli Kalli (Tiger Dance - men painted to look like Tigers)

Snake Boat race during Onam

Chena Melam (drums festival)

Uri Adi (trying to break a pot filled with water dangling, usually done blind folded)

Decorative Lights in Trivandrum city during Onam

LESSONS I GREW UP WITH - MICHELLE OBAMA

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - SOMEONE'S ENJOYING A MASSAGE

I took this photo of Ankole Cattle, while we were at the West Midlands Safari Park. It certainly liked being gently massaged.

Ankole cattle with long horns are from Africa and it's believed that the ancient breed was domesticated around 6000 years ago! They are bred for milk, rather than meat and the milk contains more butter fat that makes it perfect for butter production. They are considered a status symbol and  highly prized for ceremonial purposes in East Africa during weddings and other celebrations.  Ankoles are supposedly a dying breed, said to disappear in 50 years.

HUMOR - HOT SUMMER DAY AT THE ZOO

LIFE IS LIKE A MAZE

photo taken at Stratford Upon Avon

I was going through some photos I had taken during my trip to UK. The photo of a garden shaped like a maze came to my attention. And I thought, isn't our life like as if we are put in a maze. The journey through the maze to the finish line is not the same for all. It's longer for some, shorter for the rest and the experiences hugely vary making it quite unique for each person. You would have guides, family, companions, friends and strangers whom you travel with or meet as you travel through the maze. There are times, when you will be totally on your own. People choose different direction and pathways in the maze based on their instincts, values, beliefs and the choices they make, all in good faith that the journey through the maze would be a happy one. However, on your journey, you will come across many challenges and obstacles. And from somewhere within you, from an unseen reservoir within, you find the strength and courage to face them or cross them and move on. You might reach closed doors where you have to knock and wait for it to open, or even push slightly to make your way. You would meet guides or signs to show you the right way at certain utterly confusing parts of the maze. They were sent because you asked for help.

When you feel you are getting good at finding your way through the maze, you are shocked to reach a dead end. When you feel lost,  in the midst of your agony or frustration, comes wisdom that lightens your path and you try out fearlessly another direction you never thought of before. Time and again, there is happiness and celebration when the paths seem easy. As you move along, and you have treaded and made your way through both darkness and light, you realize there is nothing to fear. When you look back, you know that you have covered a great distance and the journey continues. The exit door of the maze does not matter anymore. What matters is the journey through the maze itself. Fear and doubt are defeated by the great power of resilience, patience, inner strength,  faith and wisdom that you have discovered within you. And you know you can count on the miracles and blessings of the universe. Life is truly a-maze-ing!

PERFUME CHANEL COCO NOIR

Coco Noir is the latest perfume from Chanel. The fragrance is oriental and preferably suited for evening/night wear. The top notes comprise of grapefruit and  Calabrian bergamot. The middle notes contain rose, narcissus, rose geranium leaf and jasmine. The base notes are tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli and white musk frankincense.

If you like oriental fragrances, try it out and see what you think. I tried it on twice last week and realized the effect of Coco Noir stays on the skin for 8 hours or more.

WHEN LIFE TAKES YOU FOR A RIDE

When life takes you for a ride, hang on tight !

(Available at Hallmark, Marina Mall)

INCLUDE MORE HERBS IN YOUR DIET

Green herbs will nourish your body with wonderful vitamins and minerals and they are one of the most important ingredients you should include in your diet for glowing health.



photo taken at Sultan Center, Shuwaikh



HUMOR MIDDLE AGE

SWEET SUMMER

What is it that you enjoy most about summer?  I enjoy the summer months - well the beginning and end of summer to be precise. During the peak of summer, it can get really hot, when temperatures are soaring.  Early morning, late afternoons and evenings are the best part of a summer day.

It's so comfortable to dress light during summer. No sweaters, no jackets!  Do you tend to wear colorful clothes or light colored clothes during summer? The bright yet cheerful colors like orange, yellow, pink and reds are in vogue right now and women tend to look so beautiful in them. How about white, light pista green, shades of beige or mauve or light blue, don't they look fabulous too?

We tend to drink a lot of liquid during summer. It's best if aerated drinks, soda, and artificial juices or juices from supermarket shelves are avoided. They contain too much sugar. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, that's the best you can do for your body when you're thirsty. Make your own juices and keep in the fridge for 2 days like water melon, pineapple, mango without adding any sugar. Have freshly made pomegranate or orange juice or fruit based natural home made smoothies. They give you amazing nourishment. Oh..and eat light..don't consume too much of fat, salt and sugar.

Summer offers the opportunity to be outdoors and there are so many things you could do on your own, or with your friends and family. Be sure to apply sunscreen if you are out in the sun and wear your cap/hat and sunglasses. Harsh sun is bad for your skin. It might give you a tan, but can do a whole lot of damage.

Things you can do before summer ends....

* Enjoy your time at the beach or swimming pool

* Experiment and create home made juices from the seasonal fruits available. Serve them to your family and friends and watch them ask for more.

* Try out new shades of clothes - bright colors, light colors, which you don't already have.

* Go for long walks or jogging early morning or late afternoons.
* Watch sunrise and or sunset
* Enjoy the sunlight that comes into your house and brightens up your rooms, let it brighten your mood and your day.

* Try losing weight, eat less, eat light you tend to lose faster and easier during summer than in any other seasons of the year. Exercising in the summer makes you sweat more releasing all the toxins and water retention, that will make you appear healthier and slimmer.

* Sit outside in your porch or balcony and paint, knit or do some creative art

* Go camping

* Try your hand at creating low calorie healthy salads. There are numerous recipes on the internet.

* Take more outdoor photographs. Choose beautiful natural locations and surroundings and bring out the artist in you.

* Trekking is fun...want to try that before summer ends?

* Choose  beautiful outdoor locations and go for picnics

* Treat yourself at a Spa. Go for relaxing or rejuvenating massages

* Go on a one week detox diet to flush out all the toxins
* Read a good book
* Get a new hair cut / hair style and look different this summer

* Try Gardening, it's fun. Plant seeds and watch them grow into beautiful plants

Enjoy your summer.....