Climbing Coorg’s Highest Peak: Tadiandamol

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January 21, 2019

My last tryst with Coorg was almost a decade and a half ago when I barely knew how to climb a tree, let alone trek a mountain. And thus, despite a week’s vacation in that locale, I could never scale its mountains, which is one of the most popular things to do in Coorg. From there to being a regular trekker, I have surely come a long way. So finally when my friends challenged each other to a trek to Tadiandamol, I accepted it with open arms. Although the competition was among us, we signed up with a trek group for the overall activity.

Before the journey

Last spring, around Holi, four of us headed to Coorg on an early Saturday morning. We availed a car rental from Bangalore to Coorg from a top-rated service provider, so we wouldn’t have to worry about the on-road paraphernalia. Plus, we needed to save our energy for the climb. Thankfully our cabbie was a local and was well-versed with the hilly terrain.

We started while it was still dark outside, so we could reach and start the climb before the sun was overhead. It took us nearly five hours via NH 275.

The hills of Coorg

One of the most luxuriant hill stations of Karnataka, Coorg was as fascinating as I had found it 15 years ago, albeit with more commercialization. But its pure natural beauty with the lush mountains and frothy waterfalls, all laced with a musty-spicy aroma of herbs and spice plantations, still succeeds in creating a mystical aura. As the car slowed down near our base camp, I could feel the blood pumping in my veins, possibly a little nostalgia, mixed with anticipation, and a whole lot of thrill.

Sitting at an elevation of 1750 meters, the Tadiandamol Peak is the highest point of Coorg and the third highest of Karnataka. The trek route starts from the base near Madikeri Fort and takes about five to six hours to reach the apex. There were quite a few groups of trekkers, both pro and amateur, all seeking refuge in the verdant mountain paradise.

Despite the bright sunshine, mountains and its surrounding areas were still covered in mist, which added to the thrill.

The trek

The first few miles were easier and smoother than most trails that I have trodden. So, I could focus less on the walk and more on the surrounding view. As we continued to climb the horizon widened, exposing us to mesmerizing views of the hills and valleys below. We walked through thick Shola forests, with muddy streams cutting through the trails here and there. We stopped intermittently to refuel us with a quick swig of Gatorade and catch our breath. More or less the entire route of the trek was easily walkable, except for the stretch after Rock Point, where the trail narrows and one need to be careful at every step.

After almost four or five hours, we reached the peak! It was the most jubilant feeling. Although I had done more difficult treks, reaching the top of Tadiandamol seemed long overdue and felt like a different kind of victory! We took our break at the top, stretched out on the velvety ground, under the open sky, and soaked in the breathtaking views of the clouds kissing the mountains.

It took us another two or three hours to climb back to our basecamp where we spent the night, exhausted physically, but rejuvenated in our minds and hearts.

Pro Tips:

Always rent a quality car in Coorg that can navigate the mountainous terrain.
Start your trek early in the day, so you can finish it by sundown.
Try to plan your trek between November and April, and avoid monsoon and summer for a better experience.

9 Popular Indian Actresses Who Disappeared From Bollywood After Marriage

By

Shubhi Srivastava

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January 20, 2019

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The entertainment industry is the most volatile industry in the world. Be it Bollywood or Hollywood, trends change faster than seasons in these industries. If you are an Indian, you will notice how fast the era of Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh gave way to that of Ayushmann Khurana and Vicky Kaushal. With every change in Bollywood “era”, certain prominent actors and actresses start taking a backseat. Some just lose popularity, while others opt out of the industry.

Over the years, many actresses have joined the latter category. These actresses, after marriage, chose to opt out of their successful Bollywood career and invest time in their families. People say that married women aren’t liked by the audience, but look at how well Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor Khan are doing! However, these women that I am about to talk of personally chose to give up acting. Even though they were at the top of their career graph, they chose to sacrifice it for their families. And here is a list of the top 10 actresses who took this courageous step-

Twinkle Khanna

9 Popular Indian Actresses Who Disappeared From Bollywood After Marriage — Source: Wikipedia

The eldest daughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, this beautiful actress was the talk of the town in the 1990s. She starred in some blockbuster movies like Mela and Jodi No.1. However, after her love marriage with Akshay Kumar in 2001, she gave up her career as an actress. She did not end her association with movies and worked as a co-producer in movies like Thank You, Tees Maar Khan and Khiladi 786. But she never starred in a movie after 2001. Today, Twinkle Khanna is a successful author, newspaper columnist and interior designer, and the proud mom of two children.

Asin Thottumkal

Fondly known as Asin, Asin Thottumkal started her career in the South Indian Film Industry. But Bollywood soon accepted her as one of its gems after she starred in the blockbuster movie “Ghajini”. After this, she was at the peak of her career with a string of successful movies like “Ready”, “Housefull 2” and “Bol Bachchan”. However, she too took a backseat after her marriage with Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma in 2016. Now she is a proud homemaker in Mumbai with a beautiful daughter Arin.

Genelia D Souza

Genelia D’ Souza was a favorite with both Bollywood and the South Indian film industry for over a decade. Ever since her debut in “Tujhe Meri Kasam” in 2003, her career graph has only gone up. In the course of her Bollywood career, she appeared in many hits like “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na” and “Force”. She met Ritesh Deshmukh on the sets of “Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya”, and love actually happened. They married in 2012, and ever since Genelia’s acting career took a backseat until she stopped appearing in movies completely. Apart from a few cameo appearances in movies, she has cut ties with the film industry. Genelia is now the brand ambassador of popular brands like LG, Fanta and Fastrack, and a proud homemaker with two children.

Sonali Bendre

She was another popular actress back in the 90s, with an endless string of successful movies with some of the most prominent actors in the industry. Sonali Bendre has appeared in more than 40 Bollywood movies, both as a lead and as a supporting actress. She has delivered amazing performances in timeless hits like “Sarfarosh” and “Hum Saath Saath Hain”. But after her marriage with film director Goldie Behl, she stopped appearing in movies. She didn’t completely cut ties with the entertainment industry and appeared in many reality shows like India’s Got Talent and India’s Best Dramebaaz. But after her 10-year leave from the film industry and a brief comeback with “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai: Dobara”, she chose to go lowkey. Now, Sonali is a devoted wife and a devoted mother to her 13-year-old son Ranveer.

Ayesha Takia

The beautiful actress made her debut with the movie “Taarzan: The Wonder Car” in 2004. Ever since she became one of Bollywood’s pet actresses and gave hits after hits. Ayesha established herself as a versatile actress in the 2000s. She has starred in many blockbuster movies like “Salaam-E-Ishq”, “Dor”, “Wanted”, and “Paathshala”. But she too, like many of her contemporaries, chose to give up her acting career in favor of homemaking. After her marriage with Farhan Azmi in 2009, she only appeared in two movies and faded away. Now apart from a few appearances in advertisements and her activity on social media, Ayesha Takia has gone completely lowkey.

Isha Koppikar

Isha Koppikar is well-known for doing movies with unconventional plots. She has starred in a number of blockbuster movies like “Kya Kool Hain Hum”, “36 China Town”, “Hum Tum” and “Krishna Cottage”. Along with this, she has also done movies like “Darling” and “Shabri” in which her performance was critically acclaimed. Isha married hotelier Timmy Narang in 2009, and apart from two more Hindi film releases, she cut ties with Bollywood. She does appear occasionally in Kannada and Telugu movies, but apart from that, Isha Koppikar has vanished into thin air.

Minissha Lamba

This Punjabi beauty was as renowned for her acting skills in Bollywood as she was for her beauty and bubbly nature. Minissha Lamba won many hearts in the course of her decade-old acting career. During this time, she delivered flawless performances in many hits like “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.”, “Bachna Ae Haseeno”, “Kidnap” and “Bheja Fry 2”. But right after her last movie “Double Trouble” in 2014, she married her longtime boyfriend Ryan Tham. Ever since, even though she got movie offers, she chose to devote time to her family instead. Minissha is a proud homemaker and has cut ties with the entertainment industry apart from cameo appearances in reality TV shows.

Kim Sharma

Kim Michelle Sharma is yet another actress of the 2000s who gave up acting in favor of homemaking. She is best known for her performance in blockbuster movies like “Mohabbatein”, “Fida”, and “Nehle Pe Dehla”. Although she wasn’t as successful or popular as her contemporaries, she still had a fairly successful Bollywood career. But after her marriage with Kenyan business tycoon Ali Punjani, she took a backseat. Kim never appeared in a movie again. And now although the couple has split, Kim chooses to stay away from Bollywood and is working as a brand strategist in Mumbai.

Udita Goswami

The former model gave some immemorable performances in Bollywood films like “Zeher”, “Aksar”, and “Aggar”. Udita’s was an interesting Bollywood career with many highs and lows and endless controversies. But as popular as she was in the 2000s, she became even more lowkey following her marriage with Mohit Suri in 2013. Udita Goswami’s last movie “The Diary Of A Butterfly” was in 2012, and that was the last time Bollywood ever heard of her. People were sad to see her go, but she is happier being a homemaker and a proud mother of two.

All these actresses were successful, but they chose to give up their career for their family. Kudos to these women for taking such a brave step. We admire your courage and we miss you!

How To Stay Healthy In College

By

Shubhi Srivastava

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January 19, 2019

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College life is busy and hectic, jam-packed with classes, extracurriculars, and parties. Between all of this, it can become hard to find time for fitness. College life can be so busy that it can take a toll on your health. Extreme weight gain or weight loss is very common among college students. So it is important to take care of yourself and find time to stay healthy and fit. And here is exactly how you can do so-

Make healthy food choices in the canteen

Always try to make healthy food choices in your hostel mess or college canteen. Meals are often provided in a planned manner in hostel messes. But if you look closely, there will always be a healthier alternative available. Avoid oily foods, and go for lighter foods. Pile up on salads and oil-free foods, and steer clear of greasy or sweet foods. And make sure you don’t skip meals just because you don’t like mess food. You still need food to survive, so make sure to eat and keep your energy going.

Stock up on healthy snacks

Late night cravings are a frequent occurrence in hostels. And more often than not, these hunger pangs are responsible for all the unhealthy weight gain students suffer from. But you don’t need to sleep hungry. Stock up on healthy snacks to satisfy your daily hunger pangs while keeping within your caloric limit. Instead of chocolate and chips, snack on almonds, popcorn, or veggies with a low-calorie dip. Have some greek yogurt with fruit instead of bread and Nutella. Substitute your Doritos with sprouts, soft drinks with herbal tea and instant noodles with oatmeal. These substitutes will keep your hunger at bay and make you feel satisfied without compromising on your health.

Stay active

Join a fitness club or a gym, or play a sport in your college. Most colleges offer free fitness classes for students, so avail the opportunity and use these facilities. Staying active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. If you don’t give your body exercise after those long hours of lectures and midnight snacking, you will pile on a lot of unwanted weight. You will also feel lethargic and not be able to keep up with your stressful day. Exercise doesn’t just burn calories, it also helps you de-stress. So make sure to engage in some kind of blood-pumping exercise every day.

Stay hydrated at all times

Water is the elixir of life, and of good health. And it is also very easy to forget to have an appropriate amount of water every day. Hunger signals and thirst signals are both similar to our brain, so we sometimes mistake thirst for hunger. We then don’t just end up being dehydrated, but also overeat. So make sure you are well-hydrated at all times. Carry a water bottle to class, and make sure you keep drinking from it. If you have trouble remembering, set reminders every hour to drink water. Set small goals, but make sure to drink at least 2 liters of water every day.

Learn how to cook

You may think of cooking as a waste of time, but it is actually not. In fact, if you know how to cook, it will make your life in college simpler. You can save money on ordering food from outside and also cook healthier meals. By cooking meals yourself, you know exactly what is going in your stomach, so you can control the number of calories in your food. Also, food from outside, especially street food, is often cooked very unhygienically. By cooking meals yourself, you also ensure that the meals are clean and wholesome. Cooking is a survival skill everyone should have. You don’t need to be a MasterChef, just learn enough so you can survive if stranded on an island with a modular kitchen.

Take care of personal hygiene

People often tend to neglect the hygiene aspect of good health. Ever heard of the quote, “Cleanliness is Godliness”? It is a universal truth, so stick to it. No one wants to be friends with a person who doesn’t shower regularly, or whose room stinks of unwashed laundry. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean, so that you don’t attract germs and negativity in your life. Personal hygiene is extremely important, even if you have way better things to do than taking a bath. Brush and floss your teeth every day and be sure to take a shower every day. Wear clean clothes, do your laundry on time, and keep your room clean. This will keep the doctor away more effectively than the healthiest apple in the world.

Say no to booze

There is no need to be ashamed of admitting to boozing in college. Most of us do it. And I am not asking you to give it up. It is your personal choice and I respect it. But alcohol is made of empty calories. Every gram of alcohol has 7 calories, and even a small 30 ml shot of booze amounts to 100 calories. Drinks like margaritas and daiquiris are even higher in calories because of added sugar and other things. Stick to light alcohols, and try drinking less, or less frequently. Booze is bad for you, and the hangovers are so not worth it. But since saying no in social situations is hard, just play safe with one drink. Substitute your cocktail with a small 30ml serving diluted with sparkling water or Diet Coke. It will save both your sanity and your waistline in the long run.

Get adequate sleep

Sleep is extremely important for the normal functioning of our body. And college students suffer the most from insomnia and unhealthy sleep habits. If you don’t give your body rest, your body will not be able to keep up with your stressful schedule. So make sure to get at least 7 hours of proper uninterrupted sleep every day. Set a sleep schedule for yourself that works. If you are a nocturnal person and has classes late in the afternoon, sleep till late in the morning. And if you have classes early in the morning, try getting your work done before its too late at night. Whatever you do, give priority to sleep. If you don’t, all your hard work will go to waste because your body won’t be able to cope.

College years are the best years of your life. They are also the years most crucial to your personal development. Introducing healthy habits in your lifestyle at this stage will lay the foundations of your personality later. Also, taking care of yourself when you are young will help you retain your strength in your old age. Keeping all these things in mind, don’t let bad health ruin your college life. Stay fir, stay healthy, and enjoy!

Highest Calorie Indian Foods And Their Healthier Substitutes

By

Shubhi Srivastava

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January 19, 2019

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Indian cuisine is considered to be one of the healthiest and most diverse cuisines in the world. Gourmet cooks from around the world flock to India to taste the rich and exotic foods. Indians boast of a huge variety of foods with flavors ranging from savory to decadent and sweet to extremely spicy. Indian foods are generally cooked and use a lot of antioxidant-rich spices. The balance of carbs, protein, and fats in most Indian dishes is perfect. However, there are some Indian foods which are not just high in calories, but also extremely unhealthy. Some Indian dishes use a great deal of oil, butter, ghee, sugar, and nuts to make them richer and tastier. Indian cuisine also has many popular deep-fried dishes that are relished by the population. So here is a list of the top highest calorie Indian foods, (and their lower calorie substitutes for the health-conscious)-

Kachori

Highest Calorie Indian Foods And Their Healthier Substitutes — Source: food.ndtv.com

One will see kachoris being deep-fried in big vessels at every other street corner. They are hot and spicy, and often filled with potatoes or lentils. Although kachoris are a favorite among Indians and is a staple breakfast for some, it is extremely high in calories. A single kachori has around 200-300 calories alone, and no one can ever eat just one kachori. They are high in trans fats and cholesterol due to being deep-fried. And more often than not, the spicy potato filling makes it even unhealthier.

Healthier substitute- Vegetable parantha

Paranthas are not the healthiest food on the planet but are way better than kachoris. They are not deep-fried, and just toasted lightly on a pan with little oil. You can make healthy paranthas by filling them with paneer or veggies and using very little oil. This way, you won’t just save calories, but also increase the nutritional value of your food. Pair these paranthas with curd, and you have a perfect meal that is healthy and filling.

Samosa

Ah, which Indian doesn’t love samosas with their chai. Samosas are deep-fried pastries filled with potatoes, chickpeas or meat. They are every Indian’s favorite snack, but again, extremely high in calories. One medium sized samosa has almost 300 calories, and the deep-fried delight is extremely high in fat and refined carbs. Definitely not good for you if you are a health-conscious person.

Healthier substitute- Dhokla

Where there are samosas, there are always dhoklas. Dhoklas are made from rice and chickpea batter and are extremely light on the stomach. Each dhokla has merely 50 calories and has very little or no oil at all. This means that you can eat 6 dhoklas for every one samosa! So whenever you go to a shop and see samosas and dhoklas, go for the dhoklas instead.

Jalebi

Jalebis or Imartis are the most popular sweet dish in India, often served with yogurt in North India. They are orange-colored coil-shaped sweets made of maida deep-fried and then soaked in sugar syrup. Once you eat one jalebi, you will always crave for more. But one medium sized jalebi has around 150 calories. Jalebis are made of refined flour, that is both deep-fried and soaked in sugar. So you can imagine what havoc more than one jalebi can wreak on your health.

Healthier substitute- Kaju Katli

Let’s make one thing clear here- Kaju katli is not healthy. But compared to a jalebi in the caloric value department, it is way better. One Kaju katli has around 50 calories, and they have lesser sugar than a jalebi. So if you are craving something sweet, you are better off enjoying a piece of Kaju katli than gorging on the rich jalebis.

Gulabjamun

Another favorite sweet among the Indians, gulabjamuns are extremely rich and decadent. They are balls of maida and ghee deep-fried and then soaked in sugar. The process is almost the same as making jalebis, with a slight difference in the ingredients used in the dough and their consistency. So you can yourself take a guess as to how unhealthy these sweet delights are. One gulabjamun has 200-250 calories depending on the size, and extremely high in fat and sugar.

Healthier substitute- Rasgulla

Again, not the healthiest food on the planet, but way less calorie-dense. Rasgullas are made by cooking balls of paneer in sugar syrup. One rasgulla has around 80-100 calories and is as decadent as a gulabjamun.

Vada Pav

Vada pav is a popular Maharashtrian dish that comprises of deep-fried flour-covered potatoes sandwiched between two pieces of pav bread. It is similar to a sandwich, with mint chutney and ketchup smeared on pav and a vada in between. Vada pavs are as delicious and addictive as burgers, but as high in calories. One vada pav has almost 300 calories and extremely high in fat, carbs, and oil.

Healthier substitute- Whole wheat sandwich

Trust me, you will not miss out on the taste at all with this substitute. Whole wheat bread is as delicious as pavs (made of refined flour). Substitute your deep-fried vada with lots of veggies, paneer, or even chicken, and you get a wholesome snack for half the calories.

Chhole Bhature

This is a Punjabi dish immensely enjoyed by North Indians. It comprises spicy chickpea curry (chhole) served with fluffy deep-fried bread (bhatura) made of refined flour and baking soda dough. Now, chickpeas in themselves are a healthy food, but extremely unhealthy when served in a spicy and oily curry. As for the bhaturas, they are the worst foods ever, high in refined carbs and oil. One bhatura with chhole equals almost 400-500 calories (one bhatura equals 250 calories). In fact, a restaurant serving of chhole bhature can amount to over 1000 calories.

Healthier substitute- Chhole chawal

Simply substitute your bhaturas with steamed rice and you save more than 300 calories. Restaurants often cook chhole with a lot of oil and spices. You can make healthier chhole at your own home with less oil. Enjoy your chhole with steamed rice or chapati, and you will kill two birds with one stone.

Papri Chaat

Papri chaat, also known as basket chaat in some places, is another favorite Indian delicacy. It comprises of a crisp wafer-basket made with deep-fried refined flour. This fried basket is now filled with boiled chickpeas, potatoes, tamarind chutney, curd, and sev namkeen. Papri chaat is absolutely delicious with a blend of different flavors (sweet, sour, tangy), but also extremely high in calories. One serving of papri chaat can set you back by approximately 300 calories and has little nutritional value, even with the curd and the chickpeas.

Healthier substitute- Bhelpuri

Bhelpuri has way lesser calories and is way lighter on the stomach. It is made of puffed rice mixed with lemon, tamarind sauce, and chopped veggies or sprouts. One serving of bhelpuri has only a 100 calories. And it has the same combination of flavors- tangy, sour and savory, so you won’t be missing out.

Medu Vada

Medu vada is a South Indian dish comprising of deep-fried balls of black-lentil dough served with sambhar and coconut chutney. It is an extremely popular South-Indian dish often eaten for breakfast. But the combination of deep-frying with black lentils is not at all good for your digestive system. One small piece of medu vada has around 140 calories, and people generally eat between 4-5 pieces along with sambhar and chutney. So you can only imagine the number of calories you can pile up with this breakfast.

Healthier Substitute- Idli Sambhar

Idlis are fluffy steamed cakes made of rice or semolina (sooji) batter. One idli is merely 40 calories and extremely light on the stomach. Just substitute your vadas with idlis and you will save more than 500 calories on food and your stomach from diarrhea.

Chicken Korma

Just like how Americans are fond of beef, Indians are fond of chicken. There is a mind-boggling variety of chicken curries in Indian cuisine. And one of the most popular is Chicken Korma, which comprises of chicken marinated with spices and cooked in a creamy buttery curry made with yogurt and spices. Chicken Korma is extremely rich, savory and delicious, but one of the highest calorie foods in India. One average restaurant serving of Chicken Korma has around 900 calories. And the amount of oil and butter involved takes away any nutritional benefit coming from the chicken and spices.

Healthier Substitute- Tandoori chicken

Tandoori Chicken is made by marinating chicken and smoking it over an open fire. It is as tasty as chicken korma and involves way lesser amount of oil in its preparation process. One serving of Tandoori chicken is 300-400 calories with the same amount of protein as in chicken korma.

Soya Chaap

If you are a Delhiite, you must be familiar with this popular dish. Soya chaap is prepared just like chicken tikka masala or paneer tikka masala. The only difference is in the main ingredient- paneer/chicken is replaced with soya chaap (made of soya and flour dough). But although soya is high in protein, one serving of soya chaap has around 400-500 calories, most of which come from oil. The marinade for soya chaap is often very rich and oily, made with spices, curd and vegetable oil.

Healthier substitute- Soya nuggets sabzi

The main ingredient is the same, the consistency is the same and the taste is also almost the same. Instead of gorging on soya chaap served by street-vendors, cook your own soya sabzi at home. You can also buy raw soya chaap and cook it at home with less oil.

Butter Naan

Indian cuisine has a wide variety of vegetable and meat curries, and a wider variety of breads to enjoy these curries with. One of these is Butter naan, a thick fluffy bread made of refined flour toasted on a pan and smeared generously with lots of butter. It is a staple served in parties to enjoy with chicken or vegetable curries. But just one butter naan has around 240 calories, all thanks to the butter and the refined flour. It is one of the unhealthiest breads in the world, and also extremely high in calories, considering that no one eats just one piece of naan.

Healthier substitute- Whole-wheat/Multigrain chapati

Chapatis are made with zero oil, and whole grains. One chapati has around 50-80 calories, lots of fiber and almost zero fat. Substitute your butter naan with multigrain or whole-wheat chapati, and enjoy your curry without added calories or guilt.

Indulging once in a while is fine. But eating rich foods high in calories on a regular basis is just not good for you. And it’s not just about weight gain, but also other problems like heart disease, cholesterol, and food poisoning. So don’t deny yourself the simple pleasures of life, but also try making healthier choices 90% of the time.

How To Live A Minimalist Life

By

Shubhi Srivastava

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January 19, 2019

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With increasing frustration among the masses with our busy materialistic lives, more people are turning towards a minimalist lifestyle. Minimalism is not just a passing fad, like a diet. It is a way of living. Most people associate minimalism with becoming a modern-day hermit. But the truth is far from that. Living a minimalistic life just means that you eliminate all those things from your life that do not add value to it. Minimalism, hence, has a very subjective definition. Everybody has different priorities and different preferences. A minimalistic lifestyle simply means that you are confining your life to only the highest priority things in your life. It simplifies your life, declutters it, and makes you happier. After all, who wants to have to worry about a thousand unnecessary things every day?

So if you too, want to adopt a minimalist lifestyle, here are a few tips on how to do so-

Know why you want to do it

If you are doing this because its the new talk of the town, you are going down the wrong road. Embracing a new lifestyle is not as easy as it sounds. Humans of today place a lot of value on materialistic things. We may not admit it, but we are way too attached to things that people a hundred years ago had never even heard of. You cannot live without internet even for an hour, and most of us have a hard time giving up donuts. So make up your mind, and ask yourself why are you looking to change your lifestyle.

A minimalistic lifestyle is for people who are more focused on finding their true purpose in life, or people who just want to simplify their life. Make sure that you are doing this for yourself, and not because it is “the cool thing to do”. Minimalistic living is tough, so you need to be mentally prepared for it.

Start with your smartphone

Okay, so many die-hard minimalists actually give up their smartphone and buy a small handset instead. If you can live without smartphones, kudos to you. But let’s face it, most of us here can’t. So instead of sacrificing your smartphone completely, just make a few changes to it. Get rid of the extra apps on your phone that you hardly ever use. You don’t need gaming apps on your phone, or ten newsletters and blog apps.

Declutter your phone, and delete all the extras that you don’t absolutely NEED. If there is an app on your phone that will be of no use when you are in a sinking boat, delete it. Apps just take up space on your phone. Get rid of them. And use app blocking apps to block your social media apps for times when they’re a distraction. I would suggest getting rid of social media altogether, but that’s advanced minimalism. Baby steps, folks!

Declutter your wardrobe

All of us have a ton of clothing items that we never wear. We buy these clothes because of their visual appeal, but never actually wear them. Get rid of clothes like these. Don’t think about all the times that you can wear clothes like these. If you haven’t worn them till now, chances are you won’t in the future either. Donate the clothes that don’t fit you, that you don’t wear, or that are worn out. Your wardrobe should only have clothes that you wear regularly.

Also, reduce your clothes collection. Have a few basic articles of clothing for every season. Buy clothes that can be worn at all occasions. Modify your wardrobe in such a way that anything can be paired with anything in it. If you reorganize this way, you will find that you will save a lot of time while getting ready to go out. Also, you will never be bored with wearing the same clothes again and again.

Clothes are meant to protect your body from the outside world. I know fashion is a thing, but who said that you need to have an entire clothes’ store in your wardrobe to be fashionable?

Get rid of everything excess

Excess clothing, excess utensils, excess apps, excess furniture, basically anything that is excess, get rid of it. You don’t need a 3BHK apartment if you are the only one living in the house. Shift into a smaller apartment that can accommodate you and your needs without any extras. This will save money too.

Get rid of excess furniture, keep only enough that is required for your existence in the house. The lesser number of things you have, the less you will have to worry about a robbery in your house. In fact, get rid of excess money too! By this, I mean that after you are done with your existential expenditures, put aside the rest of the money in a savings account. Don’t spend it on useless things, or let it lie around the house like a free commodity.

Also, get rid of too many subscriptions. You don’t need Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO all at the same time. One will suffice. Unsubscribe to newsletters, they only clutter your email. DECLUTTER AND DISCARD!

Change your food habits

You eat to live, you don’t live to eat. Food is just nutrition, so it’s important to treat it that way. Simplify your meals, and don’t eat out unless you are traveling. Learn how to cook, and cook simple, wholesome meals for yourself that don’t require many ingredients. Also, try eating similar things every day. Stop yourself from drooling over junk food. It is bad for both your body and your wallet. Junk foods are addictive, and only provide temporary gratification to you. They do not add any value to your life. In fact, these highly processed foods may just make you feel bad later on (bloating, nausea, skin break-outs, etc).

Eliminate such cravings from your life, cook for yourself, and eat simple, healthy meals. Eat just enough to keep yourself energized. If you lead an active lifestyle, have one big meal post workout, and light ones before. But if you spend your entire day sitting on a desk, you don’t need heavy meals. Eat and spend (on food) only as much as absolutely necessary.

Have at most two bank accounts

Most of us are guilty of having not less than five credit cards in our wallets. We keep fumbling around in our wallet for a different credit card everytime we go out shopping. Discard this habit, and stick to having only one or two bank accounts- one for expenditure and one for your emergency fund. Having only one credit card for expenditure will not just simplify transaction handling, but also help you save money. If you don’t have a horde of credit cards to save you from useless shopping sprees, you will naturally stay away from them. Simplify your life and your finances by limiting yourself to two bank accounts.

Travel light

Actually, this advice is also for those who AREN’T minimalists. There is no reason for you to lug around a year’s worth of luggage when you are only going somewhere for a week. Most of the things that we often pack in our travel-bags are completely useless. Make a list of things you want to take, and prioritize them by need. Then only pack the top 15 things in that list. I mean, you should realize that traveling with a ton of luggage is never fun anyway. And minimalism is all about giving importance only to the highest priority things in your life. When traveling, keep the essentials, and discard the rest.

Here is a tip for you- buy one backpack and one moderate-sized trolley bag. Have only these two in your house for traveling purposes. Use the backpack for short trips, the trolley bag for longer trips, and both for even longer trips. If you don’t have a lot of travel bags, you won’t pack too much for any trip. This is a trick I personally use when I am traveling, so I know it works.

Get rid of emotional and social clutter too

Minimalism is not just restricted to the physical things in your life, but also the emotional and social things. Limit yourself to a small circle of friends who really matter to you. You don’t need an entire crowd of people you call “friends”. A small circle of people that you can truly and completely depend upon will suffice.

Let go of friends you only meet for drinks over the weekend. This will save you time, energy and money. Don’t be rude to people, but don’t give too much priority to people who don’t matter to you much. Saying no to hanging out in a pub with people you only know by name will not make you a jerk. Save yourself the unnecessary headache of excess socializing.

Getting rid of emotional clutter means to let go of the negative aspects of your past. Move on. Let go of past regrets and painful memories. Sort things out with the involved parties, and bury the past. Unburden your heart and free your mind of all negative thoughts that are holding you back from living a happy and content life.

Focus on quality over quantity

Minimalism is all about focusing more on quality than quantity. Apply this principle everywhere in your life. For example, buy just one article of clothing that is good quality and will last you years from now. Do not invest in ten articles of clothing that you will either only wear once or that are cheap quality. Eat foods that will nourish your body and make you look and feel good. You don’t need as much food as you think you do, but make sure what you eat is healthy and good for your body. As for junk food, it’s just not good for you. I’m not asking you to completely give up junk food, but don’t make your life revolve around it.

In short, everywhere you can, apply the principle of “quality over quantity”. Have a less number of possessions, but have good, sturdy and reliable ones that will last you more than a decade.

I myself am a minimalist by nature, which is why I am more financially stable and mentally happier than many of my peers. Minimalism doesn’t just save you time and money, it also makes you a happier person. When you have fewer things to worry about, you automatically become a happier person.

We are so focused on running after the useless materialistic things in life that we often cannot enjoy simple pleasures in life. Our ancestors were way happier than we are because they didn’t feel the need to have a ton of materialistic possessions. They only owned what was needed for their survival, and focused more on their purpose in life. So take things in your own hands, and do away with all the unnecessary headaches in your life.

Cellulite: Myths and Facts

By

Shubhi Srivastava

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January 18, 2019

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Almost 90% of the women, no matter how fit they are, suffer from one ailment- cellulite. Cellulite is the bane of every woman’s existence. It is unsightly and ruins the appearance of your otherwise toned body. And the worst part is that there is no definitive cure for it. Yes, none at all.

Which brings me to the actual point of this article- the facts and the fiction. Cellulite is a rampant thing, and something no one wants. So obviously over the years, many weird rumors about its treatment have cropped up in the society. And because cellulite is undesirable, people believe it. But before you go to the end of the world to cure your cellulite, you need to know that your research is genuine. There are many myths and misconceptions people have about cellulite, which are actually utter nonsense. So here are some facts and some myths (busted) about our universal enemy, cellulite-

THE MYTHS

Cellulite is excess fat

That’s the impression almost everyone in this world has, but it isn’t true. Shocker, right? But think about it, even fit women with less body fat suffer from cellulite. The real culprit behind cellulite is the collagen fibers that attach the skin to muscle. When these collagen fibers are perpendicular to the skin, they create pockets of skin between them. If these pockets have excess fat cells or bulging fat cells, it causes cellulite dimpling. So, excess fat is PART of cellulite, but not the actual cause of cellulite.

Weight loss equals reduced cellulite

I don’t think I need to explain this point much since you have already read the above point. Excess fat is a part of cellulite, so obviously, fat people may be more prone to cellulite. But everyone, especially women, has some percentage of body fat. And this body fat too, may accumulate in the skin pockets and cause cellulite. If you are meant to have it, there is no escaping it. Being thin is not a cure. So if you are doing hours of cardio just to get rid of your cellulite, you are only wasting your time. Another precaution- liposuction isn’t the answer either. It will actually make it worse.

Very few people get cellulite

Nope. In fact, it is the complete opposite. There are few people in this world who actually DON’T suffer from cellulite. Everybody in this world has body fat, and everybody in this world has collagen fibers. So it is hard to come across someone who has extremely smooth legs and thighs with zero dimpling. The models whose bodies you admire so much also use Photoshop and makeup to cover their imperfections up. Cellulite is not a disease, so don’t treat it like one. It is extremely natural to have cellulite, and you absolutely don’t need to be ashamed of it.

Cellulite creams are the best remedy

This problem is internal and cannot be fixed by merely applying a cream externally. Most cellulite creams are just a hoax. There are a lot of recipes for cellulite fighting masks and scrubs. But applying them on your skin won’t make your cellulite vanish. Exfoliating and massaging helps even out the bulging skin pockets to some extent, but not completely. Creams like these only work (if at all) if you massage them on your skin very firmly and frequently. But even then, it WON’T make your cellulite go away. It is an internal problem of our body that can only be fixed internally. So don’t waste your money on those cellulite creams and scrubs, you will only regret it later.

THE FACTS

Men have less cellulite than women

Yes my ladies, unfortunately, this is true. Men do have a lot less cellulite than women. There are two reasons for this, both of which are in the difference of our body composition. The first reason is the pattern of collagen fibers beneath the skin. For men, most of the collagen fibers run parallel to their skin. Because of this layout, the fibers do not form skin pockets. Hence, little or no cellulite. Women, however, have more fibers that are perpendicular to the skin, hence more skin pockets. The second reason is body fat percentage. Women by nature tend to have more body fat percentage than men. They carry extra fat around their hips and thighs (fertility reasons). Men have more muscle and less body fat. So men don’t really suffer from the problem of bulging fat cells in their body. Women, unfortunately, do.

Strength training can reduce cellulite

I just said above that weight loss is not the key. It isn’t, believe me, especially not cardio. But if you strength train and work on toning your muscles and stretching them, you can reduce cellulite to some extent. If your body has less body fat percentage, you will have less cellulite. And if your muscles are firmer and smoother, it will even out the skin from below. Remember, you may still not entirely get rid of your cellulite. But to give an idea, if 90% of your thighs are covered with cellulite, you can reduce it to about 30% by strength training. Again, here muscle is more important than fat. If you have firm tight muscle beneath the skin, there is little room for fat. Hence cellulite will be reduced. Just being thin and doing cardio won’t do anything.

Cellulite is 80% genetic

This is 100% the truth. If your family members have cellulite, you will too. Even if you are sporty, active, and fit, you will have cellulite if your mom does. If you are lucky, the cellulite gene will be suppressed in your genetic composition. But if you aren’t, just like almost 90% of the world, you will have cellulite. You cannot do anything about it, just like how you cannot change your eye color. The best you can do is learn to accept it as a part of your body. If you don’t want to, then try toning your muscles more. For people who are even more desperate, you can try skin-fillers. And FACT- they do work!

Some dermatology methods do work

Methods like laser, radio-frequency, and massages help reduce cellulite. The results are not permanent, because the effect of radiation is shortlived on skin cells. But they do help reduce the appearance of cellulite way better than any cellulite-removing creams and scrubs. In fact, they can even show some permanent results if you get frequent treatments done. Remember, these methods are effective, but by no means permanent. These methods are analogous to hair removal methods like waxing and shaving. The results are always temporary, and more often than not, they’re flawed. So don’t depend on them as permanent solutions to your cellulite.

Society’s image of a flawless body is so flawless that we are ready to tamper with nature itself. Cellulite is a perfectly natural thing. It is not a sign that you are unhealthy. Even the healthiest, the fittest, and the most toned people have cellulite. So stop thinking too much about it, and accept your body with its flaws. Make cellulite a part of society’s definition of a flawless human body. And know that it is your flaws that make you unique, and not perfection.

Top 10 Travel Destination all over the world

By

Sahiti P

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January 18, 2019

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Why travel makes you feel awesome? There are two reasons one is travel and the other is leisure helps us to write the best articles about the travel experience. Travel is like a treasure hunt game which reveals the interesting travel and the mystery hidden with the most beautiful and top 10 travel destinations in the world. Places roll out like bundles of wood logs below:-

San Marino
Georgia
Israel
Turkey
Iceland
Macedonia
Azerbaijan
The Republic of Moldova
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Armenia

The names are very interesting and the detailing will be even more interesting as we take a journey on the bridge by walking on the wood logs where each one will represent a travel destination and gifts the remembrance forever.

Those countries can be categorized among Asia and Europe Continent.

San Marino

San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe. This wood log speaks of nature with mountain and the beautiful sunrise. This capital is surrounded by the wall and three towers. As I have mentioned Mountain, there is one most popular mountain named mount Titano and it is the historic center.

This country has no airport but still, it is one of the top travel destinations and it is ranked no 1.

“A travel in the train is always a remembrance because nature becomes the director”

It’s true in the case of San Marino, there is a beautiful railway station at a place named Rimini.

Any place or country you consider in the world there are border controls but this country has no border controls, does not have driving problems. San Marino has the best bus service, buses are available at regular intervals with some benefits, those are:-

San Marino cuts down services on Sundays and holidays.
Tickets for the buses can be booked in advance or bought from the bus driver.

Car Parking is abundant or plentiful. San Marino has an underground multi-story car parking facility. There won’t be any problem in San Marino if you get your passport stamped with Tourist Information center.

Georgia

Georgia is the country which intersects Europe and Asia. Even though there is a lot of political influence within the country, we can say that it is one of the best travel destinations in terms of its culture and people.

There are many people who dreamt of Georgia and it was always there in their wish list. It is one of the safest places in the world which gifts happy memories with a beautiful sunrise and sunset.

In that country, the meaning of guest is a gift from God and the hospitality is expressed through cooking. It cannot be valued with money but with humanity.

Georgia can be concluded as a country of humanity and hospitality. Salads are extraordinary and they make it with fresh vegetables

Israel

Israel, the country on the Mediterranean sea and located at the middle east. It is called the country of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Israel is a country of settlements and wars.

Israel is most popular for beaches. There are varieties of beaches, some of them are listed below:-

Alma Beach
Tel Aviv and many more

There is a most popular beach house named Brown Beach House. It has a dark atmosphere with a bar of retro theme. And the Interior is decorated with bird cages, vintage candle holders, drink trolleys and vibrant food varieties. It has a fascinating architecture which is listed in the World Heritage Site.

Turkey

Turkey can be imagined in two different ways food and place. The place is also known as the land of contrasts. This country carries Greek history and is awarded as one of the best destinations by millions of travel lovers.

The actual split of Turkey is “Turn the Key” you will get the treasure, that’s the beauty of Turkey. This place boosts all energy in you with natural beauty which includes mountains, seas, beaches and many more with a mixture of historical monuments and places.

Turkish tea and coffee are most popular and one of the treasures which spread aroma all around.

Iceland

Can you imagine Iceland as a person? Iceland says “I Create Excitements on Land” Chill guys!!

Iceland is a country which creates excitement by its name in the crowd. Its an adventurous place which makes people express their feelings by being a part of every adventure. Those can be stored in the form of memories.

Some of the adventures are Ice climbing, cycling, Motorized adventure and many more. Iceland is a peaceful nation and a beautiful island which is filled with ice and surrounded by mountains. It is home of largest glaciers. It is a place where we can spend time during Christmas and new year.

Macedonia

Introduction

Macedonia is one of the countries in Southeast Europe. It is one of the countries which declared independence in the year 1991.

There are beautiful scenery and hidden treasure in the city which has to be unlocked with the right keys. So that all the spots can be visited on time and make a remembrance. There are amazing national parks and mountain ranges which can be explored.

The places which are recognized by UNESCO are listed below:-

Mavrovo National Park

This place is best suitable for nature lovers. The mountain peak is most adventurous in that place and creates excitement for the people who are mountain climbers. There is a beautiful lake around named as lake Mavrovo, it’s the best place for swimming, sailing, walking, and fishing. There are small hotels and restaurants.

Lake Ohrid

This is one of the most beautiful and impressive spots in Macedonia. It is well known for its culture and historical background. It is a very old town which consists of orange-roofed homes which have become very popular as a photographic area.

Bitola

This place presents the retro effect with the presence of beautiful mosques, churches, and many more notable architectural building.

Skopje

This place looks very attractive with all events and celebrations which keeps up the energy of the people. Events and celebrations contain all kinds of musical performances and other programs. But it is well known as Trading Center exporting chemicals and machinery.

Kratovo

This is one of the places which creates the friendliest atmosphere, hence it is well known as a charming village which is popular for bridges and towers.

Pelister National Park

If you want to spend your day walking then this is the best place to visit. It is best suited for nature lovers. There are some attractive spots like resorts, hotels and many more.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is surrounded by Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. This country is well known for its art and culture, history, shopping etc. It is the best place for nature lovers.

This place keeps people warm by naming itself as the land of fire. It has an amazing heritage and architecture which consists of natural and historical monuments.

It is also a best place for the people who are excited about nightlife. But along with a lot of enjoyment the people in the nation stand by their custom and traditions. They also have a fine cuisine with the most friendliest environment which can make a remembrance.

The Republic of Maldova

We have gone through the countries that are popular for nature, beautiful monuments and many architectures but this country is a member of WTO or world trade center, commonwealth and European Union. This country is well known for its the Black Sea.

Armenia

This is the world’s first Christian country. Some areas in Armenia are very risky so people must take precautions. There are a lot of safety and security regulations. Its a center of academic excellence, innovation and many more.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The wonders of Bosnia and Herzegovina are listed below :-

The old bridge
Sutjeska National Park
The Una River
Bosnian Pyramid
Dinaric Alps
Lukomir
Stecci Medival Tombstones

We can discover the hidden treasure in this beautiful country too by exploring beautiful bridges, Landscapes and many more. Bosnian breakfast is the best breakfast with delicious dishes. Landscapes includes beautiful monuments, buildings and more historical buildings.

Like how there are seven wonders for the world. Similarly, there are seven wonders for a country which is a beautiful travel destination and ranked as one of the top 10 travel destination and the most visited places.

Bosnia means “Be Only Someone Near to Interaction but not Attraction” which can become a remembrance.

Conclusion

The world is big and opportunities to explore is unlimited. To find out or hunt for the best travel destinations the detailed has been provided and made a very beautiful journey in imagination. In common all these countries are categorized under European nations even though they hold a background of Greek, roman and many more.

World is a buffet of religion, varieties of food , economy, politics etc. “If we see the globe it is very small but if we see the world it is very big” this thought is best suited for Travel Lovers. Now let us know the hidden meaning of Travel Lovers.

Travel Lovers means “Tale of Roaming Around Very Excitedly with Love along with Lovers.”

It’s very beautiful right , that’s the beauty of travelling and relationship with nature.

When we talk about nature lovers, as we travel there are places with a lot of scenaries, mountains, lakes , rivers and many more adventures come under nature lovers. Let us know the Hidden meaning of Nature Lovers , it will be more interesting than travel lovers.

Nature Lovers means Now And Then Understanding and Rejoicing with the most Extreme Lovers. Nature Lovers not only relates to environment but also the relationship between two people during a travel.

5 Essentials You Need to Ensure a Successful Career in Medicine

By

Anjum Baba

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January 18, 2019

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If you dream of starting a career in medicine, you’re setting yourself up for a rewarding life of service. Medicine is one of those areas that always needs more good people. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to find employment, and you’ll be able to make a direct, powerful impact on countless lives.

You want to make sure that you set the conditions for success early, though. The medical industry is fast-paced, high-stress, and requires total focus. You can’t afford to be distracted by worries outside of the exam room, and if you have these five essentials, your career will be much easier.

1. A High-Quality Education

Before you can become a doctor, nurse, or caregiver, you need training. The quality of the training you receive will shape your performance for the rest of your career, so it has to be good. Not only that but getting a medical degree is expensive, no matter where you go. You want your education to be worth the investment.

When you’re selecting which medical school to attend, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommends you focus on the following points:

The admission requirements
The type of medicine you want to practice
The cost
Average class size
Your preferred learning style

2. An Efficient System of Organization

Life as a medical professional is hectic. Ask anyone who’s done a stint in an ER and you’ll get an idea of just how quickly you can become overwhelmed. As your caseload and responsibilities increase, you’ll need an effective system to organize your workload so that you can manage it easily. According to a Renowned Doctor in UAE, to develop a great system, focus on these key factors:

A Central Location for Important Information

Keep all of your important information in one place. Whether that’s your notebook, your cell phone, or your computer doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have a single place where your important notes are stored. This will save you time and help keep you from misplacing important information

Prioritization

As your list of things to do grows, you’ll have to decide what to address first. Prioritize your tasks so that they don’t become overwhelming, and address the most important things at the top of your to-do list.

A System of Deadlines

If you take as much time as you like to complete tasks, you’ll never get anything done, and your workload will become unmanageable. Always set a time standard with your tasks, and abide by your deadlines. If you need more time, return to your list and either set new deadlines for your other tasks or return to your current one later.

3. Protection From Harm

Medical professionals are people too. That means they get stressed, they get sick, and they get hurt. In particular, surgeons have to be very careful with their bodies. Their work is so delicate that even the slightest twitch can lead to irreparable harm for a patient. Any injury to a surgeon’s hands, eyes, or brain can signal the end of a career.

Think About Your Own Health Too

As you continue throughout your career, you need to follow the same advice you give your patients: take care of yourself. Maintain a healthy diet, get at least three days of exercise a week, and always be cautious. Your risks are even greater than most people’s because you’ll be working in an environment filled with diseases. Taking care of your body will give you a healthier immune system and help prevent illnesses.

Protect Your Future

Additionally, take steps to ensure that you’ll be able to support yourself if anything ever does happen. The best treatment is prevention, but you can’t account for everything. Have protections in place so that if you ever do become injured or disabled, you’ll still be able to support yourself and your family. It may be depressing to think about not being able to do your job anymore but it’s something you have to prepare for.

4. A Willingness to Learn

There’s nothing more dangerous than a doctor or nurse who thinks they know everything. A whitepaper by BMC Medical cited that in nearly two-thirds of all cases of misdiagnoses, overconfidence was the cause. If you ever get to a point where you think you’re never wrong, hang up your white coat, turn in your stethoscope, and go home.

As you progress in your career, always look for new opportunities to learn. Medical professionals have to get so many continuing education credits each year to keep there license anyway, so enjoy the opportunities you have to expand your knowledge.

5. The Determination to Keep Going

So let me tell you something that’s going to happen to you, numerous times, once you start practicing medicine – you will want to quit. I don’t blame you a bit. The long hours, the extreme stress, and the overwhelming sadness that comes from not saving a patient will start to wear down on everyone.

If you’re someone who is easily discouraged, then I promise you, healthcare is not for you. We’ve talked about just how much goes into establishing a career, and how much more it takes to keep it going. As you progress, you’re going to have moments where you question your decision to join the profession. In those moments, remember all the things you’ve sacrificed so far, all the hard work you’ve given, and most importantly, all of the people you’ve helped.

Personal Vs. Commercial Vans: What to Know Before Buying or Renting

By

Amandeep

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January 18, 2019

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If the time ever comes that you need a van, you’re going to have a big decision to make: buy or rent. There are many factors you’ll need to consider before you can make a well-informed decision. It’s also not a decision you can rush since the costs of motor vehicles have gotten so high.

The following paragraphs, we’ll discuss some key aspects about personal versus commercial vans that you need to consider. We’ll compare and contrasts the characteristics of each, how pricing will impact your decision, and help you make an informed decision about whether to buy or rent a van.

Personal Vs. Commercial: Understanding the Difference

The first thing to understand is what classifies as a personal van versus a commercial van. Any van can be considered a personal or commercial vehicle. It depends on who it’s registered to and what it’s used for.

Personal Vans

A personal van is any vehicle which you use for own pursuits. Personal vans are registered to private citizens instead of businesses and organizations. Some example models of vans typically geared towards personal use include:

Chevrolet Venture
Toyota Sienna
Honda Odyssey
KIA Sedona
Chrysler Pacifica

Commercial Vans

Commercial vans are registered to businesses or organizations, rather than individuals. They are used either for transporting goods, carrying eight or more passengers for compensation, or carrying 15 passengers, including the driver, without compensation. Typical models of commercial vans you might encounter include:

Ford Transit
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Chevrolet Express
Nissan NV
Volkswagen Transporter

Characteristics

Before you decide to rent or buy, you need to know some of the different characteristics of a typical personal versus a typical commercial van.

Size

Normally a personal van is designed to carry between six and eight passengers. While not as big as commercial vans, they do tend to be larger than standards cars. Common models range anywhere from 15 to 18 ft. long, and 7 to 9 ft. tall

Commercial vans, by contrast, are designed for eight or more passengers. They are often the biggest model vans on the market. They range anywhere from 18 to 21 ft. long, and 7 to 10 ft. tall.

Gas

Vans are not known for enjoying a great MPG rating, especially compared to newer hybrid and electric model cars. You can expect that a personal van will range anywhere from 15 to 25 MPG. Commercial van averages drop to anywhere from 11 to 16 MPG.

Cargo Space

There’s a lot of disparity between both vehicle types for cargo room. It’s mostly determined by whether the van is meant more for hauling equipment or passengers. As a point of reference, Autobytel reports that the average personal van carries about 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Commercially designed vans usually had about 415 cubic feet of cargo space.

Bear in mind – the more seating you add in either type, the less cargo space you’ll have.

Cost Considerations

This will be a major factor in your decision about whether to buy or rent. More than just the asking price for the vehicle, you need to look at several other factors that could increase your total cost. More often than not, you’ll find that owning a commercial van costs way more than owning a personal van.

Asking Price

There’s a huge disparity in prices between not only commercial and personal vans but also between used and new. The U.S. News & World Reported calculated that the price of a brand new 2018 personal van was around $36,583, while a used averaged about $22,000. A new commercial van averaged about $38,116, while a used ran for $25,000.

Gas Costs

Since personal vans tend to be driven less and get better MPG ratings than commercial vans, they tend to cost less on gas prices. Time reported that the average annual gas cost of a standard personal van was $2,330. For commercial vans, it was over $5,000 a year.

Insurance

Insurance cost was another area where personal vehicles cost far less than commercial. The average cost to ensure a personal van was around $1,000 per year. Commercial van rates averaged $1,200 per year, according to fitsmallbusiness.com.

Maintenance

Maintenance will be an area of vehicle ownership you’ll have to deal with sooner or later. AAA reported the average personal van added 13,000 miles every year and cost around $1,186 in maintenance fees. Commercial vans, with their heavier road use, averaged around 15,000 miles per year and around $1,706 in maintenance costs.

True Cost

To roll those numbers into a grand total, the true cost of buying and maintaining each type of van over a year averaged:

Personal Van = $41,099
Commercial Van = $46,022

The Verdict

As the data suggests, it is much more expensive to own and maintain a commercial van than it is a personal van. You can feel confident that buying a personal van will probably be your preferred option if you have a large family but won’t be driving excessively.

By contrast, anytime you need to make use of a commercial van, you should consider renting. More often than not, opting to rent will be far more economical for your business. Not only will the total price be lower than the annual average, but you can save a lot of money from not paying as much on insurance and maintenance.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to buy or rent lies totally with you. I hope this guide was helpful and gave you some things to think about as you make your decision.

How to Train Like a Professional Athlete: Diet and Exercise Routines of Pro Footballers

By

AKANKSHA AGARWAL

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January 17, 2019

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spot-862274_640 — (Image https://pixabay.com)

When it comes to diet and exercise, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What helps in formulating a personalised plan is narrowing it down to a specific sport in which you’d like to excel. Today, we’re going to share a few tips and tricks on how to eat and train like a pro footballer.

Nutrition

The diet of a footballer is actually pretty standard for most athletes. First, you have to monitor your intake of carbohydrates, protein, and fat or macronutrients. Around 60% of athletes’ nutrients come from carbs and it’s important that you get them from healthy sources. Take Lionel Messi, for example. The Barcelona forward used to eat a lot of unhealthy food, such as sweets and soft drinks. Although still carbs, they lack nutritional value, slow down digestion and may even cause vomiting, as Messi experienced. Instead, consume more whole grains, bread, cereal, starchy vegetables, and legumes on a daily basis.

To fuel your muscles, ensure that 30% of your daily nutrition is composed of protein such as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and legumes. The last 10% should be dedicated to healthy fats like vegetable oils, avocados, fatty fish, nuts and seeds. Don’t skimp on fruit and vegetables to fulfil your fibre and vitamin needs and drink lots of fluids! Ensure you provide your body with enough nutrition roughly three hours prior to strenuous training and post-training help your body recover with a protein and nutrient rich smoothie.

Training

There are several basic skills that you need to train in football. First off, you need endurance in order to sustain long periods of cardiovascular exercise. It is no secret that footballers do a lot of running on the pitch. Try doing a bunch of different cardio exercises like Neymar who alternates between several sports disciplines, according to Foods for Better Health, like cycling, tennis, running, and swimming. These activities focus on building stamina and will make you comfortable without huffing and puffing your way through training or a match.

(image: Pexels)

As an athlete, you also need strength in order to generate power and speed. Focus on exercises that cut down excess body fat such as bodyweight training. Football players mainly focus on movements that activate several muscle groups at a time. In our ‘Beginners Guide to Working Out’ we provided some examples including pushups, tricep dips, squats, and crunches. Try repeating each circuit 3-5 times in one session, 2-3 times per week.

(image: Pexels)

Elite footballers are known for their speed and explosiveness. In order to refine these areas, you’ll need to perform high intensity interval training or HIIT. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo stated that sprint drills are an essential part of training. Not only do the drills make athletes faster and more powerful, they also mimic what happens in a match. Sprints can be challenging but they are highly effective and the Juventus star should know what he is talking about. After all, Ladbrokes outlines that the 33-year old Ronaldo is still dominating the sport and is currently one of the highest paid athletes on the planet. He has garnered a huge following and many fans and professionals admire him and want to know what his secrets are when it comes to playing and physical conditioning.

Ronaldo definitely has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, but nothing beats good, old-fashioned interval training. Aside from sprints, plyometrics is your next best bet as HIIT training, to be performed 2-3 times a week. Plyometric exercises such as jump squats, burpees, high knees, and mountain climbers work on explosiveness and will significantly improve your game.

Lastly, don’t end your training session without performing stretches. A dynamic warm-up goes before a workout while static stretches are best performed after. They help improve mobility, which footballers often neglect. They also help minimise stiff joints and muscle pain that are guaranteed to come after all your hard work.