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Tiramisu: the classic Italian dessert

By
Muskan Ahuja
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0
Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert, which is loved by each and everyone across the globe. The word ‘tiramisu’ translates to ‘pick me up’ or ‘cheer me up’ in the English language. This classic dessert comprises of savoiardi sponge, or ladyfingers, which are dipped in coffee. These are then layered with a rich mixture of mascarpone cheese with eggs and sugar. This filling often flavored with coffee or cocoa. Though the classic recipe and composition remains the same, chefs across the globe have adapted this gorgeous flavor into different varieties of cakes and desserts.

History of Tiramisu:

Tiramisu

As per most accounts, the history of the tiramisu goes back to the 1960s. the confectioner Roberto Linguanotto, who owned Le Beccherie, is credited with first having created this fine dessert. Other sources, however, report that the dessert was created at the end of the 17th century to honor the Grand Duke Cosimo III. Whatever be the original source, it is sure that the dessert did not exist before the 1960s.

Additionally, there is also evidence that the dessert is inspired by the semi-frozen dessert Tiremesù, which saw served by the Vetturino restaurant in Pieris. The dessert also bears some similarities to the traditional Charlotte Russe. Even Charlotte is made up of ladyfingers and Bavarian cream.

Components of a tiramisu:

Tiramisu

A traditional tiramisu must comprise of the following components: ladyfingers, egg yolks, mascarpone cheese, cocoa powder, liquor, and coffee. Though the original shape of tiramisu is round, it can also be set in a square or rectangular pan. Modern versions of the tiramisu are set in round glasses so that the various layers can be seen clearly. Whipped cream is also often added to the dessert, to make it lighter and fluffier.

Over time, different variations of the dessert have come into being. Unlike earlier times, when the egg yolks were added raw, they are now cooked to sterilize them. Coffee is now being replaced with a myriad of ingredients, such as chocolate, berry, strawberry, lemon, coconut, banana, raspberry, etc. to create newer variations of the tiramisu. In fact, some chefs have even used beer to create a dessert known as ‘birramisu’. These, of course, are all not considered to be a true Tiramisu. These are only variations of the traditional dessert, which have similarities to some of its characteristics.

Marsala wine is often added to the tiramisu recipe, though other liquors are also used. These include Madeira, dark rum, Irish cream, Malibu or brandy. However, coffee flavored liqueurs, such as Kahlua and Tia Maria are the most common.

Also read The curious history of the red velvet cake

How to make your own tiramisu at home?

While it may seem to be really daunting, you can actually easily make a tiramisu at home all by yourself. The most challenging part of a tiramisu is the savoiardi sponge. Luckily, these are readily available in the supermarket nowadays, by the name of ‘ladyfingers’. So grab a packet and you are ready to go.

Ingredients:

250 ml heavy whipping cream

250 gram mascarpone cheese

80 grams sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon brandy or any alcohol of your choice, optional

450 ml espresso

1 packet ladyfingers

Cocoa powder for dusting

Method:

  1. Beat the whipping cream along with the sugar and vanilla, till you get soft peaks.
  2. Soften the mascarpone cheese, and fold it in to the whipped cream. Also add your alcohol at this stage.
  3. Line an 8 inch square baking tin with some parchment paper. Dip the ladyfingers generously in the coffee, and then arrange them on the base. However, make sure that you don’t over soak them, since they will then fall apart!
  4. Spread half of the whipped cream mixture on top of this.
  5. Repeat the process with a second layer of ladyfingers and then the cream mixture.
  6. Using a sieve, dust some cocoa powder on the top. Refrigerate for a few hours before slicing and serving!

Also read Philly Cheese Steak Recipe

Playing around with the tiramisu

It is really easy to play around with the dessert, and create your own unique version of it. To begin with, you can use any liquor or liqueur that you want to, to add the flavor that you love the most. Grand Marnier or Amaretto works really well, but if you are feeling really experimental, go ahead and try anything from vodka to beer. Or if you want, you can even skip the coffee altogether, though your dessert won’t be a classic tiramisu any more in that case. Dip your ladyfingers in anything from orange juice to mixed berry juice, to create a different tiramisu inspired layered desserts. And if you cannot find ladyfingers, try swapping them with some other cake or cookie. Those the results will not be the same, the dessert will taste scrumptious nevertheless.

Not all classic desserts have to be tough. And you don’t always have to travel abroad or spend big bucks to enjoy a famous classic dessert. If you really are into desserts, and they are your one love, go ahead and give this gorgeous dessert a try! We bet that you will love it.

How did you dessert turn out? Let us know in the comment section below.

Top loans and schemes for women entrepreneurs

By
Muskan Ahuja
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0
Top loans and schemes for women entrepreneurs

The Indian government is trying its best to encourage the growth of startups in the country. From beauty to bakeries, and from IT to travel, a lot of entrepreneurs are coming up to explore the lesser explored sectors. In fact, they have been able to turn it into profitable ventures. It is a great misfortune that despite the rapid growth and development of the country, the number of women entrepreneurs is sadly still low. Barring a few women who have managed to stand out, a lot of women still continue to a minority in the otherwise expanding entrepreneurial space.

There are multiple reasons behind these sorry figures. The patriarchal set up of the society rarely lets women step up and take the lead. Moreover, a lot of women lack support from their own families. The list of troubles does not end here. Lack of financial capital makes the path even more difficult for women entrepreneurs.

Luckily, the government has not turned a blind eye to these issues. It has launched a number of schemes and loans to help all the women entrepreneurs out there. This will help them to set up their own business and follow their dreams.

Annapurna Scheme

Under this scheme, women entrepreneurs who want to start up their own food catering business can get a loan of up to INR 50,000 by the Indian government. This amount can be used to purchase working capital requirements. These include utensils and cutlery, refrigerator, working tables, gas connection, etc.

One will need to have a guarantor to avail the loan. Business assets will have to be pledged as collateral for the same. The loan amount needs to be repaid in monthly installments over a period of 3 years. The interest rate applicable depends on the market rate and also the bank in consideration.

Stree Shakti Package for Women Entrepreneurs

This unique scheme was launched by the SBi to support women entrepreneurs in their endeavors. Under this package, women entrepreneurs are offered certain concessions, and the scheme applies to all those women who have majority ownership in any business. Additionally, the borrower needs to be necessarily enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDP) of her respective state agency.

Through this scheme, women can avail an interest concession of 0.05 percent on loans that are greater than INR 2 lakhs. Additionally, no security is needed for a loan up to the value of INR 5 lakhs in the case of small sector units.

Also read Top Benefits of Cyber Security to Your Business

Cent Kalyani Scheme

The scheme was launched by the Central Bank of India. Both existing as well as new entrepreneurs and self-employed women can avail this loan. It applies to all those women who want to start their own micro or small enterprise for activities like handicrafts, farming, food-processing, beauty, canteen, garment making, circulating libraries, mobile restaurants, day crèches, STD/Xerox booths, tailoring units, etc.

Loans up to INR 1 crore are sanctioned under the scheme, with a margin rate of 20 percent. The borrower does not need any collateral security or guarantors to apply for the loan. The interest payable will depend on the market rates, and the tenure can be a maximum of seven years.

 Mudra Yojana Scheme

This general scheme is designed for small units, and women entrepreneurs can take full advantage of the scheme. This is offer by nationalized banks under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. Women entrepreneurs can use the loan amount to set up their own business, such as a beauty parlour, boutique, tuition center, tailoring unit, etc.

Under the scheme, one can avail loans between INR 50,000 and INR 50 lakhs. Also, there is no need for collateral or a guarantor for loan amounts which are less than INR 10 lakhs.

The scheme is divided into three plans.

The Shishu scheme will grant you a loan of up to INR 50,000 for a new business. The rate of interest for the same is 12 percent per annum. The repayment period for the same is up to 5 years.

The Kishore scheme will grant you a loan amount between INR 50,000 and INR 5 lakhs for a well-established business. The interest rates depend on the bank, and also on the credit history of the applicant. The repayment period is also subject to the discretion of the bank.

The Tarun scheme can fetch you a loan between INR 5 lakhs and INR 10 lakhs. This can be used for the expansion of your business. The interest and repayment guidelines are again the same as the Kishore scheme.

Also read 15 Top MBA Specializations and their scope in India

Bhartiya Mahila Bank Business Loan

The scheme was initially launched by the Bhartiya Mahila Bank (BMB), and was then merged with State Bank of India in the year 2017. Under the scheme, women entrepreneurs can apply for a loan of up to INR 20 crores to meet their working capital needs or expand their business. The scheme also offers special business loans with exciting interest rates, and collateral free loans of up to INR 1 crore. Additionally, women entrepreneurs are offered with a 0.25 percent concession in the interest rate. The repayment tenure is also quite flexible, and the loan amount needs to be repaid within seven years.

Different plans under the scheme include the following.

The Shringaar loan can be availed by self-employed women or housewives who want to set up their own parlour, and need funds to either purchase equipment or meet their daily business expenses. No collateral is required under this loan scheme.

The Parvarish loan also applies to self-employed women or homemakers, but to those who want to set up their own day-care creches. A maximum of INR 1 crore can be availed under this scheme, with no collateral security.

The Annapurna loan is decided for all food entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 60 years. The loan amount can be used to either start or expand the food business.

Gone are the days when women were held captives of a patriarchal society. Or they were restricted by the limited opportunities available to them. With the help of these lucrative schemes and financial aid, women entrepreneurs are ready to take a step forward. They too can now set up successful ventures of their own.

A Travel Guide for Explorers to Santorini, Greece

By
Sherly
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0
Santorini
Santorini

Santorini has always been confused for the island “Thira”, but in reality it is the region and not the island. It is situated in the Southern Aegean Sea and consists of a group of islands. Adventurers, explorers or couples for that matter, always have Santorini on their bucket list particularly due to the aesthetic of this landscape. Owing to the beauty of the island flooded with cliff-side, white-washed town, it is indeed the most popular Greek island. 

Santorini’s population is about 12,000 and the influx of tourists round the year is about four and a half million. Due to the same, no one wants to plan a getaway only to come across a ton of people. Therefore, it is recommended to visit Santorini during the off-season in November.

There are a plethora of things to do or places to visit in Santorini. Here is a curation of everything from tip-to-toe that one can look forward to in the extraordinary Greek island. 

1. Breathtaking Sunsets

A Travel Guide for Explorers to Santorini, Greece
Sunset view from Oia, Santorini

Sunsets in Santorini are hyped at an enormous level. Believe me when I say it, every bit of that hype is absolutely justified. They are amazingly gorgeous and unite the entire tourist population right before dusk. A pink hue blankets the entire island. One of the best spots to witness the vibe is the town of Oia since it is located at the tip of the island. Along with this, Fira doesn’t lack behind and provides a picturesque view of the caldera. There are a number of restaurants and iconic spots doing the job, such as Franco’s in Fira, Akrotiri Lighthouse and Venetsanos Winery.

Also read Ten Best Places To Visit in Europe

2. Winery and More

Sommelier pouring rose wine into glass at wine tasting in winery
Sommelier pouring rose wine into glass at wine tasting in winery

There are exquisite wineries in Santorini and in order to make the most out of a tour here, it is highly recommended to check them out for not just delicious wine but also captivating views worth capturing. Venetsanos Winery is quite a renowned place along with Megalochori Winery. Apart from this, Santos Wines Winery is another go-to place for doing an 18-Wine Flight Tasting and getting to learn about Greek wines.  It is the perfect excuse for a getaway as winemaking in Santorini dates back more than 3000 years. Served with an assortment of local cheeses, snacks and alluring sunsets, it is every tourist’s calling.

Also read Paris- The City of Dreams, Love and Romance

3. Spectacular Beaches

A Travel Guide for Explorers to Santorini, Greece
Red Sand Beach in Santorini

Santorini is famous for a lot of things and beaches are one of them. They are expected to be less crowded and many of them are named after the colour of the sand. For instance there is a Black Sand Beach, Perissa, accompanied by a chain of amazing bars and restaurants. The Red Sand Beach, located next to Akrotiri is a challenging place to reach, but worth it due to the shades of red that can be seen from the headlands. Apart from this, Santorini also has a White Beach, Vlychada which can only be reached by a boat, Kamari Beach, full of pebbles that is lively in its own way and last but not the least is Monolithos Beach which is a place far from crowds and a perfect spot for a swim.

4. Hike from Fira to Oia

A Travel Guide for Explorers to Santorini, Greece
Walk from Fira to Oia

The first most popular town in Santorini with a variety of souvenir shops and dome-shaped houses, is Fira. Oia falls next in line with a number of attractions of its own including the Yellow Church and the windmill. It is a 9 km walk from Fira to Oia which takes about two and a half hours depending upon the halts. One must wear comfortable shoes to work its way from the loose gravel areas. It is the most scenic adventure here and it takes the tourists along the caldera cliff for flawless views. One might want to stop to capture the remarkable beauty of the island on the way to Oia only to reward oneself with a hearty meal.

5. Open-Air Cinema

A Travel Guide for Explorers to Santorini, Greece
Outdoor Cinema in Santorini

It never hurts to double the fun that one is having in Santorini by watching an outdoor movie while enjoying the lovely breeze. One of the best Open-Air Cinemas is located in the Kamari village on this Greek Island. A perfect setting with director’s chairs, popcorn and cocktails set the mood for an exemplary movie night.  Fans of “Mamma Mia” or “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” are in sheer luck as Santorini brings them an exclusive movie night at Volkan on the Rocks restaurant in Fira. They switch movies every day, so the tourists can watch either of them at this outdoor cinema.

6. Exploring the Peak

Beautiful girl sitting on a high rock and looking out to sea, panorama
Beautiful girl sitting on a high rock and looking out to sea, panorama

The top of Mesa Vouno, the mountain delivers a splendid look of the entire island. It is the best to drive to the top and meanwhile enjoy the ravishing scenery from the windows. Climate change is clearly evident and it gives a perspective of a different kind. Mesa Vouno is the first settlement of the volcano right after the eruption. It is said to be accommodated by Spartans. Nea Kameni is located at the center of Santorini caldera and while hiking to the top of it, one can come across interesting lava formations and pleasing views. Indubitably, it is one hell of an adventure.

7. Akrotiri Tour

A Travel Guide for Explorers to Santorini, Greece
Akrotiri Archaeological Site

It is rich in Greek culture and has typical sites of prehistoric settlement which justifies the life of past settlers. There are museums along with various archaeological sites in this ancient city. A major attraction is the Akrotiri Archaeological Excavation Site, which features ruins from the city buried by volcanic eruptions in 1700 BC. It is recommended to hire a tour guide and dwell on its expertise to get all the historical information related to Akrotiri and Santorini in general. The tour covers the entire walkway around the perimeter of the site while exploring the ruins.

Also readTop 10 rarely visited historical places in the world

8. Best Restaurants

A Travel Guide for Explorers to Santorini, Greece
A Restaurant in Santorini

Santorini is equipped with magnificent food joints and bars and there is a perfect spot for every meal accompanied by an adorable view. A Greek tour stands incomplete without a classic taverna and Santorini has Taverna Aeolus doing the job in the best way possible. A halt at Salt and Pepper can fetch a Santorini Salad and fried tomato fritters for a foodie. Since the bakeries are open 24*7 mostly, heading to the best of them can be a treat for the tongue. Family Bakery is one little joint. Apart from this, make way to Sirocco for wood-fire pizza and Pitogyros or Mike’s for gyros in Greece.

Among the irresistible Greek islands, Santorini stands out with its impeccable reputation which is every bit true to its core.

Work From Home – The New Normal

By
Papri Chatterjee
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6

The concept of social distancing became consequential post the COVID-19 spread. This new effect of a virus has made several of us feel like being home during a snowstorm. 

We are grinding ourselves to outlive this challenge and become the fittest survivors. Planning on bargaining groceries, cleanliness and sanitary needs along with keeping up the power of working. From working, I gather, setting computers, channeling good connectivity, and festoon upon a comfortable space in your dwelling. 

Initially, it came across as fun waiting for the impact to fade. I could hear the excitement of people working from home, getting in their comfortable pajamas, taking breaks, and going for a watchful snowstorm. Having all your loved ones besides completing your assigned chore.

Work From Home - The New Normal
Credit – Pexels

What a great joy!

But as time passed by, we are now, no longer in the excitement. The snowstorm has left us feeling warmer than ever. The excitement of staying at home has worn off. We are all preparing to buckle down and establish a routine for this new normal lifestyle that was once a small bliss. 

In this new era of challenges, it is important to accept the new normal. It’s a strange world at the moment, the greens around us are getting the much-needed break from pollution, human traffic, watching the birds sing, and the endangered species reviving. 

This has not left the digital world to sleep. It’s busier than ever before. This unanticipated spurt has left the remote working digital platforms in a huge spike, with less productive tools, reducing bandwidth. Studies reveal the new normal will be standardized soon and may help to spur digital transformation out of the wheeling necessity. 

Also read Job Hunting Tips and Career Advice for Students

Cultural Quarantine

Work From Home - The New Normal
Credit – Pexels

Introverts have settled into a month of elysium, and extroverts are scraping sand from walls. The new reality is remote and before COVID-19 this was skeptical. 

Tyto PR, one of the leading PR agencies have reported countries having up to one-fifth of employees working remotely include the UK and US. Despite the benefit of allowances before, only 41% of the workers had the technology infrastructure in place to continue the remote work model. 

Liberty and liberalism did not breed the remote work model. Rather, it has been brought into place to cope with productivity, security, business and the regulation of money. Your security from home is the current circumstance, compromising which can jeopardize the security of an entire community. 

The challenge today is the lack of preparation for a drastic shift to the digital way of working. 

Also read 20+ Skills To Include In Your CV

The New Emplacement 

Digital transformation is a buzzword today. 

Waiting for an improvised quarantine lockdown to stabilize, how the transformation would take place, getting accustomed to the tectonic shift – erstwhile known nine to five routine and acclimatizing the superfluity of the remote model. 

From booking tables at the diners app and checking ratings on Zomato, to planning a meeting with zoom, and Google meet. A surprise element for some and construed as something unusual, the new normal calls for a comfortable exchange of hands without face to face interaction. 

Salaried and drawing a monthly output, sitting with the laptop working on technologies, it’s still easy to accept. The shift in paradigm is for artists as they live by the day to day performances. The world of content writing, modeling, filming, and scripting is in no position to struggle. The only outcome remains time and patience. 

Live entertainers performing on video conferences are taking away the grab. Improv community around the world has presently gravitated towards the digital platform of bringing things online. 

Do you think this will help? 

The live performance will no longer be entertained, and remote resource will be accessible. 

Quick Tips To Keep Your Performance Stable During This New Normal

Work From Home - The New Normal
Credit – Pexels

Schedule – If you haven’t done it yet it’s time to set your mind into it. The time parameter is primary if you are working from home. Take the liberty of both. If you are homeschooling your kids, both you and they need a routine.

A perfect time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Schedule proper sleeping time, studying time and your working time. Disciplinarian time-bound parameters will help each of you cope up with the lapse caused. 

Workspace – When it is working from home, you can work from anywhere. The initial idea was only for a few weeks, and now the extension is becoming a challenge. You do not have a workspace until now when you know it will be longer than expected. 

Figure out the best place to work. Make sure your internet connectivity is finest where you set your computer or your laptop. This adjustment within the family will make each one effective around each other. Your workspace should be confined to you. 

Teach your children not to intrude when you are within your office space. Even if you are sitting all day and you have to keep your computer busy to cover the nine hours, make sure the understanding of your work importance is preached to all. 

Availability – Companies are at liberty to reach out to anytime during the day while working remotely. Communicate with your clients and consultants of the hours you won’t be available. Make sure your working hours are completed effectively else they might be inviting you for meetings all day long. 

If you have children and you are homeschooling them, you have the time to cover up all the family time you lost previously, and the bonding that one seemed difficult. Negotiate whatever you can with your office and it’s important to stick to it. 

Probable Solution To The Enigma 

The idea of work from home is to facilitate safety during the lockdown. It was previously seen as an excuse for not working, but the pandemic has drastically changed the perception of companies. This crisis will make it a mandate for government bodies and authorities to work collectively.

The unavailability of a device ecosystem and the right level of security allowances mandates a multifactor authentication process. The need for a remote enterprise collaboration system will be increasingly effective, going forward. The sectors first collaborating will be public utility and healthcare. This sudden eventuality is not only embraced by private sectors, but by the government too. 

The new work from home model is putting forward a population scared of losing a job, which is automating productivity and keeping things in place. With the extension of the 21 days lockdown, companies have modified the terms of remote models except those providing essential services. The skeptic idea for the work from home model did not make it effective and amid today’s pandemic, the fear of losing what you draw at the end of the month is keeping all minds active. 

Unpredictable, But Future!

Keeping asymptomatic employees away, was the motive. But by the time you realize he was the one infected, the entire block may test positive. The remote model today is acting as a catalyst for employers to allow the flexible working culture to expand capabilities and look beyond the selfish means, which once wrapped employees beyond their working scope. 

The new normal is creating a borderless world, baffling lives of no dimension. The cloud of darkness is what future awaits, the only silver lining being the clarity prioritization. Risk management policies, security protocols are being reviewed to bring a mobile and flexible option of work. 

Note that, collaboration would work, not with technology alone. 

Best smoothie recipes to try out

By
Muskan Ahuja
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0
smoothies

Who said that healthy cannot be tasty? Smoothies help to reiterate the belief in the fact that even healthy and nutritious food can taste delicious. In fact, smoothies are a smarter way of enjoying your fruits and vegetables, since smoothies definitely taste so much better than the actual fruit or vegetable. From chocolate-based smoothies to rich and berry flavored, there are simply so many options out there to explore and try out. Additionally, smoothies are really easy to make. You can keep the ingredients ready in advance, and it will take you just a minute to get that perfect smoothie ready.

Here are some amazing and delicious smoothie recipes for you to try out. And if you cannot find a particular ingredient, worry not! The best part about smoothies is that they are so versatile. You can simply swap one ingredient with the other that is available easily. In fact, you can also work around with different ingredients to create a smoothie that you totally love. And then impress the guests with your signature healthy smoothie.

Berry smoothie

smoothie recipes

Ingredients:

2 small bananas

1 cup each of frozen strawberries, blueberries and raspberries

250 ml milk

½ cup yogurt

Method

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend till smooth. Serve with some ice cubes.

Also read Ten Recipes to Dine on this Quarantine Season

Chocolate and almond smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

¾ cup almond milk/ regular milk

3 tbsp almond butter

3 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp chia seeds

Method

Combine all the ingredients, and blend till smooth. If you want, also add some crushed ice.

Also Read Veg Cake Recipe to Enliven Summer

Banana smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

2 small bananas

1 cup milk/ almond milk

¼ cup yogurt

2 tsp honey

Method:

Combine everything together, and blend till incorporated.

Raspberry and Mango smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen raspberries

3/4 cup mango, diced

½ cup pineapple

1 cup coconut or regular milk

Method:

  1. Dice all the fruits into small chunks. Add in the milk and blend till smooth.

Mix fruit smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

½  cup each of frozen cherries and kiwis, diced

1 small banana, mashed

½ cup mango

1 cup milk

Method:

Blend together the ingredients on high speed. Garnish with some kiwi slices and serve cold.

Pina Colada smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup pineapple, chopped

½ cup mango, chopped

Method:

Combine the ingredients together and blend till smooth.

Green Smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

Half a cup pineapple

2 small bananas

1 cup spinach

3/4 cup grapes

250 ml juice

Method:

Blanch the spinach, and dice the remaining fruits. Combine everything together in a mixer, and blitz on high speed.

Peach and mango smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

1 cup peaches, sliced and diced

3/4 cup mango, diced

2 small bananas

1 ½ cup orange juice

A small piece of ginger

Method:

  1. Grate the ginger finely. Combine with the other ingredients, and blend together.

Peanut butter smoothie

smoothie

Ingredients:

½ cup peanut butter

3 small bananas

500 ml milk

2 tbsp honey

Method:

Warm the milk slightly, and add in the peanut butter to dissolve it completely. Blend together with the other ingredients and some ice cubes. Chill before serving.

Healthy coffee smoothie

Best smoothie recipes to try out

Ingredients:

¾ cup milk

¼ cup brewed and chilled coffee

½ banana, diced and frozen

1 tbsp honey

½ tsp vanilla

1 tsp instant coffee

1 tbsp peanut or almond butter

Method:

Combine all the above together, and blend till nice and smooth.

Benefits of having smoothies

Smoothies have a host of health benefits attached to them. This makes them a really good choice. They are especially good to have, especially in the summer months, when the temperatures reach an all-time high.

Smoothies make for an excellent breakfast. They are sure to cheer you up, and give you a good start to your day. Additionally, smoothies are a great way to lose weight and keep yourself in shape. And all this without actually skipping any meal. Because of the various enzymes that are present in fruits, smoothies help to dissolve body fat and then clear up the internal system. Smoothies with breakfast also help to make up for all the lost water in your body, thereby preventing dehydration.

Not only do they make you feel full, but they also help to control your food cravings. Since you are consuming so many nutrients along with protein early in the morning, you are less likely to crave for junk food later on in the day. Other than that, they also help in curing sleep disorders, and boost your brain power. They are an excellent method of helping your body to get rid of toxins. All this is bound to have positive impacts on your skin. Smoothies bring a natural glow to your face, and keep your skin radiant and young. They are also known to improve bone health, prevent heart diseases and keep blood sugar in check.

Packed with so many benefits, all in a single glass; it is hard to say no to a delightful smoothie. Which smoothie are you making this season? Let us know in the comment section below.

Coronavirus and its Impact on the Tourism Industry.

By
Sreya
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0

Coronavirus. Probably a household name by now. Coronavirus has wrecked so many lives, and it’s hard to keep count anymore. For the first time, it feels like us, all of us, are in the same boat. It doesn’t matter which country you are from, what your nationality is. Coronavirus remains a threat that everybody shall remember even in the times to come.

coronavirus mask
Image Source

Today, however, we aren’t going to speak about all the sectors affected by the pandemic. We are going to talk about the one hit the hardest – the Tourism Industry. An industry banking on travel and chronicling the culture and heritage of various lands, several countries depend on tourism for their growth. The halt of travel and the possible scepticism to follow has put quite a damper on the industry itself.

What Has Happened?

The first indication of the disease spreading outside of Wuhan, China, started in Italy. Chinese transfer students and Chinese trading industries have majorly settled in the nation. Scientists suspect that before anybody realized the potential devastation coronavirus would leave in its wake, people were travelling in crowds to and from China to Italy. In the past ten years, the population of Chinese in Italy has multiplied. With more than 330,000 people living in Italy, the nation has the largest community of Chinese citizens in the world after New York City. The Chinese new year for the year 2020 was on the 25th of January. Can you see where I am going with this?

Chinese lanterns for new year
Image Source

With the majority of the Chinese populace going home for the New Year, we suspect that many of them caught the virus in China and brought it to Italy. The poorly enforced restrictions, coupled with the cavalier approach to the severity of the pandemic, leading to the death toll that the nation has today.

I’m sure some of you are saying, where is the question of tourism here? Well, this lesson in Corona history was to emphasise on one key factor of Tourism: Travel. Without travel, nobody is going anywhere. And without getting anywhere, there is no revenue going to the tourism industry anymore. We have also compiled a list of all the factors of the tourism industry which have been affected acutely by the pandemic.

1. Travel Industry – specifically airlines.

While trains are more of a necessary commodity, with most of them still working for essential transit and the transport of citizens of the same country, the airline industry specialises in long-distance travel. And it is these exact kind of trips that we must avoid.

Airport flight coronavirus
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With all flights, visas, international visas standing cancelled right now, the airline industry has to deal with a severe blow, going to a loss in millions. There is speculation that the global airline industry shall be losing almost 252 billion dollars to the pandemic. And what is the coup de grace, you ask? Well, as the epidemic goes away, there shall be recovery. But the amount of travel is going to come down multifold, and there is no doubt that this money lost will never be gained back.

2. Heritage Industry.

A lot of countries like the Philippines, Maldives, all of Indonesia depend on tourism for their gross domestic product. With an upwards of 7 million visitors visiting these tourism industries each year, there is no revenue for these countries this year. There had been reportedly a rising percentage of travel cancellations since November of last year.

Gautam Buddha on a lotus
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This number subsequently reached a record 81% cancellations in February, culminating in a complete ban on international travel for the months leading up to June. The money coming from tourism used to maintain world heritage sites, essential relics is now lost. With no money, there is a possibility that many heritage sites could go into ruin, forgotten to the coronavirus.

3. Small vendors/businesses.

If you have ever gone touring, you would always see small vendors around a monument or a tour site. In Europe, if you ever do take a chance to ever go there, you shall see marvelous performers showing off their talents on the streets.

Phuket thailand street shop
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With travel and tourism closed, and lockdowns imposed, these vendors, performers have no steady source of income anymore. Vendors, street artists, small businesses live purchase to purchase. With no purchase, they have no money anymore. No savings, no money, this quarantine is near to impossible for them to survive.

Also read How to finance your full-time travelling?

4. VISA and passport industry.

While this is a more temporary hit, it is a loss nonetheless. In countries like India, all travel, domestic and international, inbound or outbound has been completely shut down, with seemingly no respite till May 3rd. And the worst part is that even this date is more tentative than anything. Coronavirus has wrecked almost every part of this industry.

passport visa
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If things continue going the way they are right, travel might even remain restricted after May 3rd. Regardless, you won’t see anyone applying for a passport or a VISA right now. They follow a strict policy of having to come to an office with an appointment to apply for either. Suffice to say, with the lockdown imposed, there is no one going to these offices.

Also read Potential Impacts and Effects Terrorism Has on Tourism

Will the Industry Recover?

Well yes, but no. These trying times have forced the general population to stay inside their homes, cooped up in four walls. It is quite obvious, that after this ordeal, they shall look for their share of fresh air. People will get out, and get going. If there is one thing about human beings that seems to be most unique, it is their ability to bounce back.

people walking on the street after coronavirus
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People will go back to touring the world, learning new destinations and exploring new lands. It will take time, what with the rampage the virus has gone on and the economic drop that is soon to follow. But it will all get back to normal somehow. However, it is true, that things won’t be exactly the same as they have been. The tourism industry may get back its people and revenue, but there is speculation that it won’t be the same as it has been.

People will be more sceptical of travelling, with the high risk of either catching a disease or being trapped in a country that is not theirs, as many have now. The loss in these months coupled with the stark decline in annual revenue after that shall deliver what could be fatal blows to the industry. But as the saying goes, the show must go on. And so it shall.

You can watch more on the impact of coronavirus on the tourism industry at the link below.

What is Procrastination and How to overcome it

By
sunita sethi
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Business woman sleeping on computer at night
Mature business woman wearing eyeglasses and sleeping on computer keyboard in office. Closeup face of tired businesswoman doing overtime sleeping. Portrait of blonde sleepy woman in dark office. Overwork and procrastination concept.

Many of us discuss everything, but how many of us accept that we are a procrastinator?

If you know that you are also a procrastinator, then this post is for you. Let me tell you one thing all procrastinators have tons of excuses to delay their essential work, isn’t it!

You may have many things to do, struggling to move on to other stuff and feel stuck in one task. Now the question is why?

Let me brief you on what a procrastinator do when they have lots of projects or works to complete.

Doing unnecessary activities instead of completing the significant task it means you fall in the trap of procrastination.

What is procrastination? 

procrastination
Ecstatic and satisfied manager in casualwear sitting by workplace in front of window, relaxing and having fun

Procrastination is nothing but a term you can relate it with distraction. Even if many well organized and punctual people sometimes get disturbed and not able to complete their task in time. Procrastination is not a similar term that you can relate it with laziness. Both are different from each other.

Procrastination is an ongoing process where you choose unwillingness, unpleasant, and gratification over your essential task. Laziness is an unwillingness to spend energy to do a job that seems to be challenging to complete.

When you become a procrastinator, you lose so many opportunities that seem to be in your footsteps. You waste precious time that you could spend on something important to you. If you overcome this problem, you can quickly achieve your goals and able to complete all your tasks on time.

Here are some tips for you to overcome your procrastination

Make your goal very specific and clear.

It is not simple for you to achieve something until you have clear about your goal. Always remember being a procrastinator; you still might have the second most question to do something now or later. When you know about your goal, you will quickly achieve what you want in your life. Make your purpose very specific and clear so that you won’t be distracted easily and able to accomplish it.

Also Read: Top Qualities for being a Great and Powerful Leader

Create a to-do list

We people tend to forget things. To specify your goal, create a to-do list so that you remember your task and able to complete it within your specified time. Organize your assignment in such a manner that makes your workload easy and manageable.

Making a to-do list is not enough. You have to add deadlines to your bucket list to get your work done. It helps you to create a sense of urgency to move to the next task. As you develop deadlines for yourself, you will finish all your work one after another smoothly.

 Avoid distractions

Once you created your to-do list, try to avoid all your distractions before starting your work. For instance, keep your phone in silent mode so that you cannot get distracted easily. Maybe you are like to talk with your colleague, or you may be like to check your Facebook. All these things distract you and create an environment for you to procrastinate.

Also Read: Simple Ways for Everyday Motivation

Do important tasks first.

Have you heard “eat your frog first”?

It is the most valuable phrase, which means you have prioritized your essential work that needs to get done. When you are looking at your complicated task, it overwhelmed you by the mass or length and scared you to start.

Split your more significant task into a small part so that you can efficiently complete it without feeling defeated. While doing so, you can accomplish your steps and enhance your productivity as well.

Concentrate on one thing at first

Human tends to focus on one thing at a time. So, don’t overwhelm yourself by doing multiple works at a time. When you concentrate on one task, you develop your resistance to procrastination. In this way, you can overcome your problems and become a productive person as well.

Pat yourself on the back for your each accomplishment

Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments once you complete your task. This way, you concentrate on work and feel better while doing your job. Remember, procrastination is an active process that comes to you without your permission. You should always celebrate your accomplishments and pat on your back to overcome it.

The final thought

Every person tends to procrastinate while working, but it depends on you how to prioritize your work to complete it. You may have thousands of dreams, but you are not able to get it, just because you are procrastinating. When you are prioritizing your essential task, you must concentrate on it without being distracted. If you have the desire to get something and accomplish your goal, you must avoid the procrastination. I hope the above mentioned points help you to solve your problems.

Four More Shots Please Season 2. Does it Impress or Depress?

By
Sreya
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To answer the question, I posed to myself in the title, depress. The second season of Four More Shots Please depresses you. Before I go into the details I would like to warn all my readers, the rest of my article will have spoilers. From both season one to season two, I shall be breaking down what was different, what was not, and what could have been. Before the spoilers, here’s a brief introduction into the show, to the ones who want a feel of the waters first.

Four more shots please season 2
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Umang, Siddhi, Anjana and Damini are four friends. Having met each other at the Truck bar, a pub they frequent, the four women take a liking to each other and become the best of friends. What follows is an entire show tackling misogyny, misandry and misunderstanding.

Damini is the head of a web magazine that runs exposes on influential people of the times. Anjana is an insanely successful lawyer and a divorcee, and mom to adorable four-year-old Arya. Umang is a bisexual fitness trainer from Punjab with a proclivity for colourful language. Siddhi is tired and sick of her mother badgering on and grooming her to find a husband in her influential clique of society wives.

Season Two: No More Shots Please!

Before I begin, I’d like to warn you, spoilers ahead!

Season One ends with a big fight and all the four girls heading off in different directions in their life. All of them going through some form of heartbreak alone, without the support of each other. The next season picks up a few months from there. The premise starts with them getting back together, back to being the best of friends.

What you would think would drag on for a long time takes quite a refreshing turn; The reunion isn’t as slow to come as you would think it is. You love the camaraderie, the jokes, the fun, all of it. The show has this way of making you feel what the girls think, based on which one you identify with the most. The episodes then follow kind of the same tune, just with added baggage this time.

Also read 10 Facts you need to know about RIVERDALE

The Same Recipe, Twice.

A huge disappointing factor that came with Season Two was that while it does get on to fixing the catastrophes the first season had created, it doesn’t take too long to create its own. The same heartbreaks are back, just with different masks this time. Yes, a lot of the problems the girls face feel real, from Damini’s book not getting published, to Siddhi feeling like she hasn’t done anything with her life.

Four more shots please season one
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The show lingers on the same problems repeating in different ways instead of moving on and giving them some dimension. Men, all of them, even the best ones the show offered, were flawed. Badly. They have flaws to the point where it almost felt that the disappointment in not having the perfect guy was the glue pushing the four together.

Also read Underrated TV shows to Binge on this Quarantine Season

How Repetitive is Too Repetitive?

One thing I loathe to admit is the show fixating on the promiscuity of the women. We loved to see the women take control of their narrative, to feel what they feel, and choosing what to do with it. But soon, after maybe two or three episodes, the whole concept feels forced upon you, even as a woman.

Four More Shots has side stories from each of the women which tackle something non-romantic, and that is like a breath of fresh air at this point. The whole narrative of the women’ doing what they want regardless of what society expects’ reaches this line where it’s no longer salient. It becomes rhetoric. A woman is strong and brave and confident. And it has nothing to do with the romantic life she has, and Four more shots don’t do a good job separating these two sides.

Four more shots please
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While the show is a delight to watch, the truth is, there’s nothing different. The women are the same, albeit more confident in their shoes. They are the same, and the mistakes they make are the same, even if they are in different settings.

One last thing about the show that leaves much to be desired is how depressing it gets. We get it. Life is not always happy. Things don’t go your way all the time, and you sometimes need to roll with the punches. But at this point, the show seems to have had so many depressing moments that the next heartbreak is no longer a plot twist. Instead, a happy ending would feel like one, which doesn’t happen, if you were wondering.

Four More Shots Please gets so repetitive by its half-way mark that we had to fast forward through the penultimate and ultimate episodes. I didn’t even stop for the moments that signified the making or breaking of individual storylines because everything turned out to be too predictable by then.

What Did We Like?

For the same reasons that Four more shots displeases us, it impresses us too. The second season doesn’t focus on the girl’s bond anymore. The conflict and the reunion address it and that’s it. The women are a team now. And it’s nice to see that they don’t break at the drop of a hat.

Homosexuality. A subject that everyone hesitates to discuss but one that the show doesn’t shy away from. It is nice to see a lesbian couple working out or not working out and functioning the same way heterosexual ones do.

She is taking back control of her trauma. What Siddhi experiences in the first season, with her beau’s father blackmailing and sleazing on her, is nothing short of trauma and harassment. Her taking back control over this experience she has gone through, making it into a weapon she can use for her talents, is very interesting to watch. From the entire season, we deduce that she has had the best character development.

The story of the giver and the receiver. It is about when a receiver has completely broken down, but there’s someone there for them. This someone is the giver. They are there, taking care of them at every step, every turn. However, it sometimes reaches a point where the giver gives so much that they have nothing left. To heal the receiver, they destroy themselves. The show does a beautiful job showing you this, throughout the ten episodes. They do show you that no matter how difficult decision is, you are not wrong for wanting the best for yourself. To want to break out of that cycle.

Final Judgement? Give It A Go!

The second season of Four more shots please wasn’t exactly bad, but it wasn’t better than it’s predecessor. With the way things have ended, we are sure there are going to be more trials and tribulations next season. Oh, yes, there definitely will be a next season. And we can’t wait to see them again, hopefully, with a different set of problems this time.

20+ Skills To Include In Your CV

By
Papri Chatterjee
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1
Resume for corporation job
Woman holding her resume for job in corporation

Qualification is no longer the key to a good job. Recent reports have figured a survey of HR professionals. They have suggested, a shortage of skills in today’s candidates takes a job away. Therefore a large number of the youth is unemployed. 

The initial step to impress a recruiter is to show what you can do to complete the job. It’s important to highlight the right skills in your resume but,

· Do you know what to write? 

· Are you aware of the format you need to list them in? 

Make It or Break It

20+ Skills To Include In Your CV
Credit – Pexels

Your resume should portray the highest scores you have reached and the achievements that you have to unlock throughout your career. It is important to present yourself in an effective way possible without worrying about bragging. 

The trick is brag with confidence. It provides the hiring personal a positive image of the candidate being able to sell itself without much exaggeration

Highlighting is again a work of clarity. By showing what you have already achieved, you need to portray what you are capable of doing next. If your skills and performances of the future are not well forecasted in the paper, well other parts of the resume may not derive much attention. 

It would not only increase your chances but make your personality appreciable when the job itself is demanding. Your work experience and your professional summary should be enough for the recruiter to make you the first choice.

The right skill for cv needs a complete guide on how you will be able to counter these loopholes and grab your dream job. 

The skills you need to list on your resume are not something supernatural. It should be what is natural in you and your common expertise. Life skills help you deal with the daily task in all areas. It should also highlight the specific duties you have excelled so far. Skills that either make or break your resume include:

  • Domain-specific skills 
  • Soft skills 
  • Domain general skills and 
  • Hard skills 

For your resume winning the job, make sure to include two primary abilities. 

Soft Skills 

These are not associated with a particular job. They are universal and as we all know the first impression has a lasting impression. The impression you create depends on the efficiency of your soft skills.

  • Proper communication 
  • Active listening and 
  • The empathetic approach towards a task 

All of it makes you a polished soft skill holder. 

Hard Skills 

These are one of those abilities that you acquire while you perform a specific task. Hard skills are acquired during education, training and even some life experiences. 

They teach you your specifics and you become proficient in terms of measuring the intensity of your role. For example, a customer service executive is well aware of 

  • Data entry 
  • Quality analysis 
  • Product knowledge and 
  • Zendesk 

Your hard skills are what show your capabilities. These are taken into consideration to evaluate, what you are capable of doing next.

Question – Why are both the skills needed?

Well, your skills make you a nice person and not qualified for a job. Your hard skills show up your capabilities and the fact that you are not a robot is where soft skills play its part. 

Examples include:

  • Adaptability 
  • Creativity 
  • Public speaking 
  • Teamwork
  • Interpersonal communication 
  • Decision making 
  • Active listening 
  • Problem-solving and 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Understand 

We have explained a few of the common skills that you need to add and also make sure your qualification goes in line with what you speak. 

Also read How to plan your career after BBA

Analytical Skills 

20+ Skills To Include In Your CV
Credit – Pexels

To know its values and why employers look for it, here’s a clear explanation. Data is a part of every job. Your analytical skills describe how well you can:

  • Visualize 
  • Collect 
  • Organize 
  • Assemble data 

These skills enable you to see a pattern, find a solution, and lastly draw conclusions that are required to boost the companies productivity. Once a company has boosted productivity, the bottom line performance automatically increases. 

Therefore these skills are important for the company to visualize if you will be a good asset to it. Analytical skills are not the same as problem-solving. It would be an understatement as these are a set of abilities and not a single skill. 

It can be termed as an umbrella consisting of skills that include :

  • Theorizing 
  • Brainstorming 
  • Forecasting 
  • Data mining 
  • Organization 
  • Communication 
  • Diagnostic and research abilities

Conceptual Skills 

Well whoever invented the concept of money has been thanked for the appealing and handy that it turned to be. A social contract spanning the entire humanity today, it is possible that only a piece of paper can buy you a meal and some non-existing digit on the computer can buy you a house.

This is the power of conceptual skills, an abstract concept. These skills see a better relationship and draw a constructive conclusion. Conceptual skills can be undertaken for managerial and leadership positions. Conceptual skills play a material role.

They lead to creativity and therefore build up a strong leader. These skills comprehend the relation between different departments and link the functioning of the entire company. 

Conceptual skills include:

  • Critical thinking 
  • Decision making 
  • Creative thinking 
  • Interpersonal skills 

Although these are common, once put to work, they make you realize their importance.

Also read What does it take to be a news anchor?

Employability Skills 

Transferable and highly desirable as a set of skills, the employability skills make a candidate very attractive. Potential employees must reflect on their employability skills. The most common employability skills include:

  • Collaboration 
  • Technology use 
  • Information use 
  • Adaptability 
  • Oral communication, and 
  • Certain personality traits 

When it comes to problem-solving, companies go through a lot of obstacles. Those who are better and able to cope with the challenges get through it, and those that are less able ultimately fail. 

All it requires a bit of analysis. Accessing the processes that can define the challenges, device contingency plans, and creative solution. 

Management Skills 

20+ Skills To Include In Your CV
Credit – Pexels

Management skills are all about running an organization with the best:

  • Budgeting 
  • Hiring 
  • Formulating the best teamwork strategies 
  • Providing resolution to conflicts 
  • Operating on logistics 
  • Delegation 
  • Business development 
  • Negotiation, and 
  • Presentation 

All of these areas generic as it may sound. You need to show you’re different. For management skills to stand out correctly, it comes down to proving that you know how to be a good manager. 

Managerial skills fly under the radar of an unpracticed ability, involving the disclosure of past success. If you got it, you got to flaunt it. Your empathetic behavior, fast learning abilities, and a result-driven mind contribute skilfully towards your target. 

The Bottom Line

All the above skills are not applicable to every job you apply. You need to be relevant to the position you are after. Pay attention to the required skills, and edit your resume accordingly. Make sure you are eligible enough to create and separate the kill section.

The right skill for CV depends on the assessment you make.

Do not fake it. For a person recruiting you, it is easy to understand if you are true to your knowledge or not. 

Research about the company you want to get through is salient to your selection. You may also get to know what are the skills most in-demand in that industry and make sure you list them on a resume if you think you have them. 

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