Weight Shifters

Eggs Eggs are loaded with choline a compound known to help block fat absorption Kiwi fruit A large Kiwi has more than a day’s quota of Vitramin C Lentils Legumes are rich in resistant starch a carb that encourages fat burning and shrinks fat cells Wild Salmon Omega -3 fatty acids in a fish help you fight flab more effectively Yoghurt Low and non-fat yoghurt contain 20 per cent of your daily calcium needs and also helps lose belly fat Apple I hate apples but then it isn’t without reason that man lost paradise over this forbidden fruit. Apples help ferry out some of the fat that you gain from other foods Quinoa Quinoa has all the essential amino acid needed to build metabolism muscle Sweet Potatoes They contain the same carbs as those found in lentils and also increase production of peptide hormone compounds that signal the brain to stop eating Olive oil Monosaturated fats in olive oil help switch on genes related to fat burning Edamame Green soybeens supply 17g of protein per cup and the body torches more calories digesting protein than it does with carbs and fat

Here Comes the Mom

Ash in an Abu Jani- Sandeep Khosla sari By walking the red carpet at the ‘Cosmopolis’ premiere during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival Ash proved that she's still got that sensual presence. However, the lady has been looking plain chubby these days which is ‘cute’ for a regular mommy but totally unacceptable for a beauty contest winner, ex-model and Bollywood actor. Her weight gain which has become an issue of national concern can be forgiven but we do wish the actor paid more attention to her make up and choice of outfits.

The svelte Sanjana (from the Pepsi commercial) and the dream like Nandini from ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ is what we best remember you for. You are the ideal of Indian beauty for most of us and we would never want you to be a ‘real’ woman. We would love to be seeing a lot more of this

What Makes You Beautiful?

There are days when you look in the mirror and love what you see and then there are times when you wish God had spent just a little more time on you. What makes you beautiful? What makes your eyes sparkle and that smile radiate? There hasn’t been a time when people were more aware and conscious of their looks than now. Fact is that there is no face or body that cannot be transformed with some effort or a lot of money. Faces can be lifted and tummies toned or tucked but what about that glow? The experts say eight glasses of water or eight hours a day and yes we have heard about sleep in a bottle but there are people who follow none of these and still manage to radiate like a megawatt bulb. I guess beauty comes from somewhere within. Beauty comes from loving and being loved and then again like most mysteries of the world there are reasons unexplained. No wonder Anatole France thought beauty "more profound than truth itself."

Odd Stuff

20 adorable stuffed pugs(there’s a sequined rock chic Balmain pug and a crystal covered one by Manish Arora) produced by German company Steiff and customised by international luxury labels are to be auctioned on the Luisa Via Rome website in March and all proceeds will go to UNICEF for its project to help educate children in Bangladesh. Check www.vogue.in for more details.

An illustrated iPad case with the quirky designs of Albert Elbaz in durable polycarbonate material that is high impact resistant. Check Net-a-Porter.com for more details.

Irreverant and indefinitely stylish like all of Maison Martin Margiela’s creations this luggage tag inspired iPhone case is perfect for everyday office looks. Check www.net-a-Porter.com for more details.

Ferrari in association with British company Logic3 has introduced a high end range of audio equipment that includes headphones, earphones and dock speakers. Now, if a pair of oversized headphones with the brand’s signature ‘Prancing horse’ isn’t ‘hot’ what else is? Check www.ferrari-by-logic3.com.

Beauty and braids

Braids are so 2012. With the trend ruling both on the runway and the red carpet you know this classic style is not just for bad haired days. The Herringbone Braid The fishtail braid is intricate and works both dressed up and dressed down. The French Braid Try a side swept messy version of this classic style for effortless chic. The Wind-Swept Braid Works best if your hair is cut in layers. Scrunch your hair with mousse before braiding. The Swiss Braid Flaunt your girly side with this simple style and floral accessories. The Braided Updo Nothing spells sophistication and elegance like an updo. The Ribbon Braid We love what the stylists backstage did to the model’s hair at the Hermes Spring 2011 show. Experiment with scarves of different colours and textures Micro Braids Wear your hair loose with a few randomly sneaked in, or add interest to an otherwise boring pony tail

Makeover

Hair isn’t the most conventional of artistic mediums but when the likes of Guido Paulo and Odile Gilbert take charge you just expect the extraordinary. There were sleek ponytails and chic ballerina buns too but 2011 was more about pushing boundaries in terms of creativity and hair remained a focus through the seasons. Get inspired by the hottest runway looks of this year.

Some Like it hot

Staying indoors during the rains can be just as much fun as a bright sunny afternoon spent at the pool all you need is a steaming hot cup of coffee, a delicious snack and these vibrant city cafes that take very seriously the task of making the experience worthwhile, tell you what else. While a decade ago ‘coffee’ in the city meant an uncomplicated brew at ‘India Coffee House’ or ‘Koshy’s’, today with beverage chains world over redefining coffee culture, television shows and films romanticizing the experience, elements like slower paced gourmet service and stylish decor have all found their way into the lifestyle of the city’s ‘cafe au laiters’. “Monsoons have this way of making me nostalgic and always bring back memories of college. Chitchatting and gossiping with a group of friends over cappuccinos with whipped cream is my idea of a perfect rainy evening”, says Reshma Rai, a Customer Support Executive with Standard Chartered. “Sipping on a flavoured cappuccino with lots of chocolate reminds me of two of my best buddies and all the great times spent with them at various coffee shops. Services like Wi-Fi and free internet being offered at these places means always being connected and never being alone”, says Sonali Pimpare a Software Engineer, with VSimplify who has just moved to the city. “A cup of Caramel Sin is my way of unwinding”, says Sonali.M a Hardware Engineer with HP. The monsoons have their own sweet, time tested connection with the much loved beverage and it’s that time of the year when a city is defined by its coffee shops and this city is definitely defined by these coffee shops. Café Thulp No 998, 1st main, 1st block, Koramangala, Bangalore. Details: 08040933344 If their cheerfully coloured walls, a game of Monopoly or cozying up in a corner with a best seller (they have a decent collection of classics and contemporary novels) doesn’t up your spirits on a murky afternoon, their succulent burgers or delightful coffees definitely will. “The mother of all moos, our beef burgers (Rs 450) are particularly popular”, says Padma Kumar Pillai, the café manager. Foam on the range, (Rs 50) is his coffee pick. Café mocha No 577, Kalyana Mandapa Road, 80 feet road, 8th block, opp Bethany high school, Koramangala, Bangalore. Details: 08030224711 Raindrops, roses and red wine sheeshah is the equation for a perfectly romantic date at this Arabian themed café that needs no introduction. To split with your buddies there’s always Keema Ghotala and Maggi with white sauce. When the weather is a little too delightful to get work done some Irish coffee should see you through at this Wi-Fi enabled zone. Bistro Claytopia No 318, 6th Main, 2nd stage, Indra Nagar, Bangalore. Details: 08041323394 Your skills could range anywhere between artistic excellence and amateur finger painting, but with a juicy lamb burger (Rs 149) and cup of bistro caramello (Rs 85) to go with clay painting means a burst of colour even on the gloomiest of days. Their colours are non toxic which makes it possible for you to eat while you paint. “Ceramic pieces are priced from Rs 220 to 600. We return the painted pieces to our customers after a day or two once they’ve been glazed and fired”, says Zalmon, the manager of this charming studio cafe. Café de Verve No 3140, 7th main, 2nd stage, Indra Nagar, Bangalore. Details: 080 41161316 As the clouds cast their spell, you could fine tune a Power Point Presentation over cups of café latte or face book with a scrumptious panneer sandwich in hand at this internet café that plays great music. Gustoes No 10, College Teachers HBCS, Banashankari, 3rd stage, Bangalore. Details: 080 26796098 This gallery café definitely has a lot more than just coffee to offer on a rain soaked evening. “We display works of young artists and photographers and as for alcohol we have limited ourselves to serving wine”, says Ashwin, the proprietor. Discuss art over a round of pool or lounge on a bean bag as you catch the action on their big screen. “I have also seen people bring along games like chess and UNO to play here” he adds. 2/3 Café spa No 1/74,36th cross, 26th Main, 9th block, opp HDFC bank, Jayanagar, Bangalore. Details: 08022441353 Indulge in a foot massage (charges range from Rs 30 for 15 minutes) post puddle splashing as you choose between traditional filter kaapi and flavoured cappuccino at this cosy little place. While their menu is limited, their cheese and pepper sandwiches supposedly are popular with regulars. Comics café 3rd floor, Gopalan Arcade (Next to Raja Rajeshwari gate), Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, Mysore road, Bangalore. Details: 08028607427 With the hottest Wii games and an extensive collection of Japanese and American comics (over 1500 comics including ones that have just been released in the United States) to choose from this is one place where being geek is chic. Unlike novels that are time consuming comics make for light reading when the skies are over cast and all else is gloomy .They maintain a database of visitors who are intimated the moment latest titles are added to the collection. Matteo coffea No 2, Church Street (Beside NASA), Bangalore . Details: 08043336000 Now this is a place that you head to for some serious coffee education. “Décor, ambience, comfortable couches and good music itself provide a great experience for our guests, so we don’t concentrate on providing other forms of entertainment”, says Partha Sarathy, Manager Operation’s. Their roomy Red Chester couches and coffee (some of the best varieties in the country and others imported from all over the world) are enough reasons to visit this joint that has gained ‘it’ status among the city’s coffee connoisseurs.