Thursday, December 14, 2017

Shillong

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Healthy Weight Loss in Dallas - Getting Rid of Extra Pounds in a Healthy Way

Let’s assume you are reading this piece because your body has gone out of shape, you can’t buy your choicest apparels and in worst case being overweight has put you into a state of depression. Don’t worry you aren’t alone in Dallas, Texas as there are thousands others who share the same problem. As per statistics  32.4% of the adults in Texas are obese and the State is ranked 10th in the nation on obesity. What’s more alarming is the fact that this rate has grown exponentially from 10.7% in 1990 and 21.7% in 2000.

Now moving away from these frightening statistics what you must also realize is the fact that being overweight or obese has far greater implications than physical appearance. Numerous studies have shown that people who are above normal weight are prone to health complications. Cases of Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiac diseases are far higher among people with excess body weight. A report published few years back shows that the annual medical cost for people who are obese is nearly $1500 more than people with healthy body weight.

What is the root cause in exponential rise of such cases? Is it your food intake? Well, partially may be, but Americans have been eating well for decades and this can’t be the sole reason. So is it the lack of physical activities? It is definitely one of the major reasons why modern Americans are obese compared to our ancestors who built this nation from scratch. But again the rise in cases of rural obesity would defeat the argument given the fact that people in the countryside put in more labor compared to people in metropolitan areas such as Dallas. The root problem is therefore more to do with body’s metabolism and our approach to weight control.

Why Weight Loss Measures Fail?           
For most people these stats or the facts that we have stated above aren’t new. Since you are struggling with your body weight you may have ‘Googled’ enough to know all that we have shared. And you have most likely tried hitting the gym and putting a blanket ban on all the food items you love, but with little success. As a matter of fact all the weight loss tips that flood the Internet offer limited success. Either you lack the determination to follow all that is mentioned religiously or simply give up after a few weeks or months of rigorous efforts without seeing any great results.   
          
Why do these measures fail? Most of these weight control tips keep you away from your favorite food items and once the demand of your taste buds overpowers your determination to loose body weight, you give into your craving. Secondly with sudden rise in the level of physical exhaustion people start to feel weak and sooner rather than later majority quit the gym. So is there a way out where you can cut down on your extra pounds and at the same time not have to give up on your desires in life. Welcome to the world of ‘healthy weight loss in Dallas’.

What Is Healthy Weight Loss?  
Going by the definition it is a healthy way of losing body weight. In other words it is about losing what you intend to lose, i.e. ‘BODY FAT’. There are people who are happy to see the numbers on the weighing scale after rigorous physical activity not realizing that along with the body fat they also start losing water and muscles which is extremely harmful. We mentioned how people feel tired and stressed by suddenly upping their physical activity and this is exactly the reason for this tiredness. In some cases it is often muscles and water that you loose with body fat remaining almost intact.

Healthy weight loss in Dallas is all about shedding fat in your body and improving overall metabolism and not suppressing it by cutting down on essential nutrients as some of the weight loss guides calling for crash dieting often suggest. As any seasoned weight loss coach would tell you it is all about catalyzing the process of muscle growth alongside getting rid of unwanted body fat. It balances the hormones in your body and brings them to optimum levels. With improvement in your body’s metabolism you would feel more active and energetic. Loss of body fat also results in lowering stress levels on all your body’s vital organs, improving your overall health. The logic is simple – if you carry fewer loads on your vehicle you would put less stress on the engine and enjoy a smoother ride.

What Aids Healthy Weight Loss?            
This brings us to the most important issue with healthy weight loss. You don’t need to go on a crash diet or see fats and carbohydrates as evils on your platter. In fact you can indulge in food items that you love the most and not have to divorce them all together. All you need is something that would enhance your overall goals of building muscles and improving metabolism in your body. Ever heard the word ‘PROTEIN’? Well that’s your secret to success. While you may have already been eating a protein rich diet but that’s not enough if you are overweight and wanting to slim down with improved metabolism. 

Thankfully, there are protein energy drinks easily available in the market that helps your cause. Modern weight loss drinks are rich in all the essential proteins and up your body’s metabolism almost immediately. These protein shakes also help in controlling your appetite levels which is vital in any weight management initiative and lift your mood. With regular intake you would build strong muscles faster and at the same time cut down on your body weight. The only thing that you must bear in mind is the choice of these energy drinks. While there are hundreds available in the market choose ones that come from a reputable brand made from natural ingredients that have passed USDA’s scrutiny.


To sum up these protein shakes will not only aid in your weight loss endeavor but also improve your stamina. Thus you will not only get into the right shape but also approach your life with more exuberance. 

Monday, August 22, 2016

The Sims Freeplay – Making Best of the Possibilities

There is no dearth of life simulation games but when something comes from the EA stable, you expect it to be different. And no prizes for guessing that The Sims Freeplay tops the popularity charts. Sims franchise has enthralled millions of users and the Freeplay version is taking this popularity to newer heights. It comes with mark improvements over the Sims 3 (Mobile). “THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS” say the makers and it truly lives up to the expectations.

The game is currently available on Android, iOS, Amazon Kindle and Windows platforms allowing millions of users to enjoy it on the go. The Sims Freeplay iOS version takes the experience to a whole new level with astounding graphics, controls and features that give you a real-life experience. Compatible with iOS 5.1.1 and above you can enjoy this game on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.  
If you haven’t experienced anything from the Sims franchise before, the goal here is to create a career and continually build on it. During the course of the game you build relationships or/and create a few enemies and even start and manage a family. It replicates the simple and complex challenges in life. First two stages in any career are relatively easy and it gets tougher as you get acclimatized to the tricks of the trade. The best part about Sims Freeplay is the fact that you need not spend hours in front of a monitor like in case of The Sims.

Are there any downsides? It isn’t as intricate and detail oriented as the original Sims game, but hang on the mobile version was never meant to be so. It has been tailored to offer you awesome experience on your hand-held devices. Nonetheless The Sims Freeplay offers you enough incentives to be glued to your mobile device. It’s time to get started with the ‘POSSIBILITIES’ 



What is Fintech and why it's Hot

If you are one who keeps track of the global financial market, you may have heard the term ‘Fintech’ for quite some time. And if you have statistical bent of mind you would have observed that everyone from top banking executives to people in their early 20s mention this term more frequently than a couple of years back. Some call it the anti-thesis of the traditional banking system one of the last standing monoliths in the 21st century, for others it is something that is bringing out a major evolutionary change in the global financial market. 

What Is Fintech?             
By definition Fintech is ‘Financial Technology’. If you merely take these two words on face value you probably envisage it to be adoption of technology into the financial industry. But there is much more to Fintech than its definition and it is something that is challenging the entire idea of traditional banking system. While Fintech companies attracted close to $2 billion worth of investments in 2011 there has been a tenfold increase by the end of 2015. This growth has been partly led by investors’ lack of faith in the banking industry as this sector is yet to come out of the stigma of 2007/08 meltdown.     

Why It Is Hot?  
The popularity of Fintech can be attributed to the fact that technology and imagination has resulted in customer-friendly financial services. In a smartphone and Internet driven world it has been resolving some of the bottlenecks that banking sector hasn’t been able to get rid of due to their legacy and old school work process. Let take a look at a few examples - 

·         Fintech has done away with the challenges in money transfers across international borders something which had proved to a bane especially for small entrepreneurs. Not only has the process been expedited but sending money across the globe has also become cheaper compared to the old days of voluminous paperwork and calculating foreign exchange rates.   

·         You can manage your entire wealth tapping on the screen of your smartphone using smart technology. This covers all kinds of investments from Bonds to Equities and Mutual Funds and you don’t need to retain the services of an expensive wealth manager.

·         Fintech would replace the traditional process-driven manual jobs with automation. It has been one of the biggest hurdles in making the banking system efficient. A customer may be granted a loan in a few days instead or weeks and months it now takes in document verification and underwriting process.


It is interesting to note that some bankers rejected Fintech as a fancy idea at its nascent stage while these days they are busy courting these companies!  A case in point is JPMorgan’s partnership with OnDeck Capital and we may see many such partnerships and acquisitions in the near future. On the other end of the spectrum people who have predicted the death of the banking system as we know may also have to swallow their words. Banks are too big for these technology driven start-ups to replace. But Fintech would definitely drive the banking into a new era of ease and excellence.  

Saturday, August 20, 2016

2018 Jeep Cherokee – Changes, Redesign, Release Date

There are SUV brands and there is the Jeep. Since the days of World War II the name has been synonymous to SUVs and this explains the enthusiasm around every new model that comes out of the stable. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is no different and given the amount of changes in its design there is great deal of enthusiasm surrounding this vehicle. The styling in this crossover is more appealing compared to its predecessors as Jeep wants to make inroads into new segments of the market with its new baby.
# Exterior           
The 2018 Jeep Cherokee would sport many redesign elements on its exterior fascia. While it gets rid of some of its ruggedness (as some are terming it more car like) it clearly retains its signature muscular and aggressive styling. One of the marked changes is on the front where the classic seven-slot grille is well complemented by aggressive lines around the hood to create a unique appeal. The alloy coated metallic rims along with marvelous wheel caps add to the sense of flawlessness that written all over the exterior.  The sides and the back retain pretty much the same design as the previous version.  
# Interior            
Step inside and you would immediately experience more space from the previous models given the longer wheelbase. There would be more head room, hip room, leg room with the signature comfort and extravagance. This is perfectly in line with the company’s plans to market it as a family SUV and would comfortably seat four adults and you can squeeze in five people. The new line of upholstery with possibly Laguna leather fits perfectly with the premium price that buyers would need to pay.  The new 3D GPS navigation system with a new screen panel comes with lots of improvements. Similarly the entertainment system has also been enhanced and would sport amazing features.   
# Engine Performance  
The 2018 Jeep Cherokee would come with an all new 3.6 L V6 Pentastar under its hood for the base assortment. Compare this to the 2.4 litre engine that powers the present vehicle and we are talking about some serious performance leap.  This monster motor would dish out 29 horse power and 260 lb-ft of torque. However we expect most people to opt for the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that would give the person behind the wheels control over 360 horse power and 390 lb-ft of torque. A newly developed 8-speed paddle shift programmed transmission would ensure a smoother ride and lots of fun behind the wheels. The new refinement to the engine means that owners would be able to cut down their fuel bill by as much as 10% with these upcoming models.

# Release Date and Price            
While there is little clarity on the exact release dates we expect to see 2018 Jeep Cherokee hit the roads around April 2018. As far as the prices are concerned it would start at around the $32,000 for the base trim although Jeep can go in for aggressive pricing to take competition head-on in this segment. 

Mexican Cruise Deals - Your Guide to Luxurious Cruising


Fiery sunsets, festive beaches and new flavors of culture; you can’t ask for more during your well-deserved vacation. If you are planning for an idyllic holiday a cruise to Mexico would definitely rejuvenate your body and the mind. Mexican cruise deals add spark to your vacation offering you everything from the best Mexican cuisines to letting you swim with the dolphins, dive deep into ship wrecks and catch glimpse of spectacular marine life. If that’s not enough, onboard entertainment on these cruises would enrich your experience!
Get The Best of Mexican Rivera               
The Mexican Rivera that comprises of 20 odd cities around the western coast of Mexico and welcomes you to new cultures and breathtaking images. It is an all-inclusive world where you will find everything from coastal fishing villages to biosphere reserves and umpteen options for adventure sports. Each port of call treats you with new flavors of Mexican culture. Luxurious resorts, nightclubs and shopping destinations have come up along the entire coast offering you plenty to do and treasure memories for a lifetime.
Whether you want to relax and enjoy your siesta or be a show stealer at the cruise’ fiesta, you are in for the most memorable moment in your life. From two day short cruises to the extravagant fortnight long journey along the Mexican Rivera, you will never be short of options. There are countless Mexican cruise deals from pocket friendly ones to the best that money can buy. Book yourself a luxurious suite and you won’t stop gazing out of your windows. If it is your first time on a cruise you would want to freeze these moments for ever.
As they say you are never too far from a beautiful beach and new culture on a Mexican cruise. Search for the best Mexican Cruise deals and a magical experience awaits you.


Beyond Guns & War – Transforming Sri Lanka through Youth Empowerment

The guns have fallen silent, the three decade old conflict has officially come to an end but peace and reconciliation still remains aloof in Sri Lanka. While there are allegations and counter allegations of war crimes and mass murders, most people often tend to ignore the biggest victims of this conflict – the children. As in most war-torn societies they remained silent spectators to the crime and carry deep scars that are yet to heal. These scars need to be healed and their minds transformed to create better society and welcome a promising future.
The youth in Batticaloa, one of the hotbeds of the conflict suffered the most during this period. And with the divide still intact in most minds and physical infrastructure challenged they are growing up and walking towards an unknown future. A proposed Scout and Girl Guides program in this region holds the promise to empower young girls and boys to script the story of a better nation. It is being aimed at generating constructive social capital that would inculcate positivity in young minds and reduce the animosity between different groups, increase justice in direct interactions and social structures, and respond to the common challenges in the society.
The dream of a better future    
For young eyes that have witnessed bloodshed of the war or gown up hearing stories of the conflict, injustice and violence this project aims to empower them and guide towards a better tomorrow. It will bring youth from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to let them walk into the future of peace, reconciliation and overall development of Batticaloa in particular and the country as a whole. They would be encouraged to share their ideas, engage in constructive dialogue, adopt non-violent methods to address grievances and work for overall development of the society. The value of human relationship that has long eluded many would be inculcated into their minds.
Overcoming the odds   
The road ahead isn’t going to be smooth and there are too many odds stacked up against the transformation of the society. Batticaloa was the center of the conflict and one of the strongholds of the rebel group. Many youths at a tender age were indoctrinated by the extremists and forced to pick up guns and unleash violence. Others were at the receiving side of the State’s crackdown and have stories of pain and atrocities to share. The society was deeply divided along ethnic line during the conflict and most youth sadly inherited hate, prejudice and violence.
Many dreams were cut short during the conflict that saw the killing of youth from both the communities. The travesty of justice and historic blunders rule the minds of many and these have flown down generations. It was a murder of humanity to see child soldiers being deployed as human shield by the rebels. It was shame to see children separated from their families, blown up by landmines, shot by security forces and being denied basic elementary education. These wounds have become permanent and it is a tough ask get young boys and girls from all the communities under a single roof.
An innovative approach to empowerment         
There are no shortcuts to peace and reconciliation and the project hasn’t been conceived as a magic wand to cure three decades of pain, suffering and divide instantly. Such situations call for an innovative approach that would help the country’s youth overcome prejudice and tampered world view. In a society where young minds have been poisoned, where they have been taught to demonize others and where some adults are yet to overcome the notion of violence as a means to secure their rights this project aims to bridge the divide.
The innovative approach would bring youths from different communities who would be shown the commonality instead of the discord. Steps would be taken to develop a strong world view among them that is far away from the animosity that the previous generations experienced during their youth. It would help them conquer newer territories of friendship, togetherness and believe in the ability to get rid of the stigma that came along with bloody conflict. Youth from all communities would come on a platform to discuss the problems being faced and to share ideas to quash artificial barriers that have been created.
A future of Justice, Equality & Prosperity            
The biggest objective of this youth empowerment program is to guide the youth towards a future of Justice, Equality and Prosperity. They would be encouraged to resist extremist and conflict prone notions and make alternative choice of peace and focus all their energy and abilities towards a non-violent ideas of equality and delivery of justice to the victims of the conflict. This project would be a great investment towards shaping opinions and thought process of a generation that would lead the country in the future. It would help in breaking deadlocks between the communities by involving people who would  interact the most and come together in the future for Sri Lankan society’s growth and prosperity.   
Promoting gender equality and social inclusion               
According to a UNICEF sponsored research the district of Batticaloa and many others in the eastern part of the country fared poor compared to the national average in terms of education. The school dropout rate was high especially among the girls given the distances they had to cover to receive education. Also the school going among different ethnic groups in this region was disproportionate to their population. One of the key objectives of this project is to promote gender equality and ensure that girls are empowered and their families are shown the brighter side of education through interaction.
Along with gender equality this project would also work for social inclusion both on ethnic lines as well as try to bridge the socio-economic divide. Child labor is rampant in this part of the world and Batticaloa has figures worse than other districts of the country which would be addressed during the course of the program.

The Scouts and Girl Guides program is small step, but is one that is in the right direction.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Hill Stations in India


Hills mesmerize and leave an everlasting picture. If you want to beat the summer heat there is nothing better than visiting one of the many hill stations in India. The green landscapes, cascading waterfalls and the misty hills captivate you. If the hill stations in North India amaze you with their peaks and snowfall, hill stations in South India fascinate you with extensive tea and coffee plantations. The Himalayan and Vindhya ranges have blessed India with some of the most beautiful hill stations of the planet. A lifetime isn’t enough to explore all the hill stations in India.

Must Visit Hill Stations in North India

Shimla – One of the most visited hill stations in North India, Shimla offers you picturesque hills, Shirigui Temple, Churdhar Sanctuary, Chadwick Falls and lot more. The erstwhile Summer Capital of India is dotted with tourist places many of which are reminiscent of the British Raj.    

Gulmarg – Emperor Jehangir once said about Kashmir “Agar firdaus bar rue zamin ast hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast! ("If there be paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here!"). Gulmarg is the most beautiful place in the Kashmir valley and means 'meadow of flowers' and the meaning aptly describes the place. 

Darjeeling – One of the most beautiful hill stations in India, Darjeeling is often called the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Ride on the heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, smell the fragrance of the famous Darjeeling tea and life doesn’t get any better.


Must Visit Hill Stations in South India

Munnar – Located in the Western Ghats, Munnar derives its names from two Malayalam word Munu (three) andaaru (streams) as three streams Mudrapuzha, Kundala and Nallathanni meet in this hill station. Places to visit include Anamudi Peak, Mattupetty, Chinnakanal and Rajamala.

Ooty - Nestled among the picturesque Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, Ootacamund or Ooty is one of the highest hill stations in South India. Tourists spots in and around Ooty include Doddabetta Peak, Ketti Valley, Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park and Pykara Falls. Don’t miss a ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway.           

Coorg – Coorg, the origin of the river Cauvery, is one of the most popular hill stations in South India. Famous for its scenic beauty and coffee plantations Coorg or Kodagu as it is called is located on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Make sure you carry some coffee with you back home when you visit Coorg! 

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

What's New In Life

Adkratsubsr Meaning
The competition is intensifying with more and more people joining the Adkratsubsr fight. Its a mini world cup that is being played between a few would be search engine optimizers trying every trick in the book to list their blogs high on the search engine. Will I win? I don't know but what's the harm in trying with some blogs which might mean stupid to a visitor.

Adkratsubsr is finally a meaning among 20 odd people trying to find out new tips and tricks in on-page optimization to rank their blogs. Some are taking help from the expert optimizers while others are relying on Google. Some are probably even planning to bribe Larry Page and Sergy Brin to get that prized position. Who will it be and what will be the success trick?

If you want to know what happens with the Adkratsubsr, watch out for this space for the next week or so. The winner shall be announced here.