Monday, December 10th, 2007
What is the first thing that you tend to pronounce when you get up in the morning and look into the mirror? “Hmm…I do look good!”, or “Oh my God, I am soooo fat?”……”Don’t you know you put on more weight if you eat rice, potatoes, dal, meat at night???” or better still “Dinner??? Umm… you see I can’t sleep with a heavy stomach so…”! Now wait I am not trying to sound smart or cynical. If u tend to choose the last answers two options (even if u r reluctant to admit it) then hold it, u might be suffering from acute eating disorder.
With the advent of the west in our living rooms, thanks to the respected fashion channels and international fashion magazines! And what with the fashion fraternity representing victims of starvation, the norm of looking good with today’s generation is “slim is in”. And hey it is not only a girl-syndrome. A Lot of guys today are going on hazardous protein diets and all of those to get that perfect torso.
If you ask me, being conscious about health, diet and grooming at a young age (not all that young either; lets say from 17+) is a sign of sanity, so that we can avoid dying of food deprivation later in life (read old age), thanks to all the restrictions posed due to weak heart, weak digestion and god knows what else. Eating healthy while still at it helps in the long run but getting on a quest for achieving that perfect body, has started to take shape of a neurotic-obsession to the extent of being life threatening.
Terms like Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge-eating and compulsive-eating have started to be the order of the day, what with everybody pinning for that hour glass waistline or Schwarzenegger type muscles. Having an Eating Disorder is much more than just being on a diet. An Eating Disorder is an illness that permeates all aspects of each sufferer’s life, is caused by a variety of emotional factors and influences, and has profound effects on the people suffering. So let us understand in layman’s language what they are and how they affect you.
Anorexia nervosa:
It is the case where youngsters are more than convinced that they are grossly over weight and therefore adopt the shortest route to loosing weight-Stop eating! It shows how dumb one can get when they do not understand the basic fact that if it was ok for human beings to be alive and healthy without eating, then the world would have been so much a better place! But since it is not, let me tell you the reason why you are gaining weight- it is because you are one lazy bum who excels in cribbing and whining and takes short cuts in life that lead you no where. As a result a profound calorie deficit in combination with poor nutrition sets the stage for chemical imbalances, especially potassium that can cause fatal heart rhythms as well as protein deficiencies that can also be dangerous to the heart. Get it!!!
Bulimia:
Men and women who live with Bulimia seek out binge and purge episodes — they will eat a large quantity of food in a relatively short period of time and then use behaviors such as taking laxatives or self-induced vomiting. Bulimics are at risk for tooth decay due to the acidity of stomach contents, as they pass repeatedly through the mouth as well as rips in the esophagus that may result in potentially life threatening bleeding. They are also at risk for some of the same chemical disturbances described with AN.
Compulsive Overeating:
People suffering with Compulsive Overeating tend to get addicted to food in order to face emotional tension, stress etc. It is like using food and eating as a way to hide from emotions, to fill a void inside, and to cope with daily stresses and problems in life. The concept of comfort food arises from here, where we tend to seek comfort or diversion in eating to distract the mind from the emotional crisis or tension. And during these times they eat food like chocolates, sweets, chips, soft drinks, dry fruits etc. type guilt food and later tend to regret it and get into depression. A person suffering as a Compulsive Overeater is at health risk for a heart attack, high blood-pressure and cholesterol, kidney disease and/or failure, arthritis and bone deterioration, and stroke.
Binge Eating Disorder:
Binge Eating Disorder is a combination of symptoms similar to Compulsive Overeaters and Bulimia. A binge eater goes on consumption of an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of time (less than 2 hours), uncontrollably eating until they are uncomfortably full, but unlike Bulimia, they do not purge following a Binge episode. Watch out!
Look for the following symptoms to understand your eating order (or disorder)
- I am so fat is the standard statement repeated over n over in a day especially at the vicinity of food.
- You religiously boycott all favourites (hamburger, pizza, French fries, the list is endless.) But hey, only for a day or two. Suddenly you feel that you have controlled yourself for so long (say 2 days), so you can afford to binge. And there you go….
- You have ten thousand and one reasons why you don’t want to eat: “I’m late for school/college! I’ll grab breakfast there.” “I am too busy to sit at the table for dinner. Save mine for later.”
- Spend more and more time exercising, than normal.
- “I don’t feel like eating anything ya….honestly or I am too full already!
- Wanting to be a vegetarian (This is the ultimate). Hang on you haven’t turned animal lover overnight, have you? No, it’s just that last night you happened (!) to read how “caloritious” non-veg food is.
So if this article kind of gives you an idea that by following this bizarre diet of yours all you would end up doing is fall flat on your face in front of umpteen spectators or would damage some part of your anatomy, or better turn into a “lunatic”!! So move it, cut this crap of starving yourself… Eat healthy and be active. Consult a dietician and fitness instructor for specific instructions, especially to suit your body type and hey, there you go….trust me you would have felt and looked never better!!
DRY-MIXED VEG SALAD…. IN MINS!!!!- Here’s a salad recipe that is both, nutritious and perfect for the weight-conscious types.
INGREDIENTS:
- Carrot juliennes ¾ cup
- Baby con slice lengthwise 6-8
- Sweet corn-1/2 cup
- Broccoli florets a cup
- Steam cook on the stove or microwave until crisp and tender.
1 each of green, red and yellow bell peppers diced into cubes
- 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- Dressing- Mix the following to get your dressing.
- 1/2 cup lemon juice and olive oil mixture(1:1)
- Fresh oregano and basil- ½ teaspoon each
DIRECTIONS:
Place the drained veges in a large bowl in a large bowl. Add kidney beans, celery, onion and peppers Pour over the dressing and toss. Refrigerate.
U can actually choose your own favourites but make sure to atleast 5 colourful options.
If u like, spread a bed of fresh lettuce in the bowl before putting the vegetables.
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Monday, December 10th, 2007
Just graduated out of school/ college? Don’t know what to do? Does the 9-5, behind the desk pattern not appeal to you? Are you adventurous enough to take risks? Well, then read on, here are a few high-paying career options that are thriving and does not essentially require any formal qualification….just a vocational training, and earn a fat pay check by doing what you enjoy most. So which one of these is your colour from the palette??
Bartending
Weird it may sound and your parents might do a double take on this idea but bartending is one of the most popular and booming career in the West that hands you a real fat pay check….so if alcohol, adventure and partying excites you then go ahead, what’s better than going home with a fat pay after a month of partying? So let’s skim through the essentialities of taking up bartending as a career option. Bartending does not necessarily mean serving drinks only. Today bartending is a profession of creativity. Do you know that a bartender is required to know as many as 1000 drink recipes at any given time? And besides he should be able to fulfill his customers’ whims and create drinks according to their preference, but at the same time give it your own touch for that edge. After a certain year of service you become a walking encyclopedia of alcohol.
What do you do?
- Obviously, serve standard drinks as well as create your own or to suit customer preference.
- Check identification of customers to make sure they meet age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Create drink recipes.
- Be creative in mixing ingredients to prepare drinks and prepare garnishes.
- Determine when a customer has had too much alcohol and try to stop them from drinking more.
- Order and maintain liquor and bar supplies.
- Manage bar operations and supervise staff.
- Plan displays and bar menus to make the bar counter attractive.
- Prepare appetizers, such as nuts, pickles, or cheese.
- Serve food to customers seated at the bar.
Requirements:
- A high school diploma or GED
- To be at least 21 years old
- On-the-job training
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Little or no previous work experience.
Hairstyling
Tell your father you wanna chop hair for a living and all you get is an angry look and a remark, “kya nai banna hai?” But today it’s a hot profession for those who tend to like the quirky, are willing to have fun while at work and be passionate about it. Today you don’t only chop hair in standard cuts….but style your clients’ hair as his/her preference by being creative and suggesting treatments to suit them. At some point or the other we do come across situations where we are just bored with what we see in the mirror and crave a complete change. That’s where a hairstylist steps in. He understands your requirements and suggests styles to suit your face and give some advice on how to maintain it and all of that. Today people have particular hairstylists, like they have family doctors, and they are more than glad to leave it on them to decide their new look. Greet your regular customers on first name basis; if they are regulars at the salon then learn as much as you can about them. Understand your clients’ needs well; be open to suggestions and ideas. Use models or photographs or computer graphics to help clients decide their look. You are required to check the condition of the customer’s hair and scalp. If you find a problem, advise your clients on how to improve the health of their scalp/hair; incase of contagious conditions, infections, etc. immediately advise them to see a doctor. As a stylist you need to know how to use various types of combs, brushes, scissors and razors, as well as clips, curling irons, hairspray, and flat irons etc.
What do you do?
- Question customers about services, length, and style of haircut desired.
Shampoo, rinse, and dry hair or hair pieces.
- Advise customers to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions.
- Cut, trim, and shape hair or hair pieces, using scissors and razors.
Bleach, dye, or tint hair.
- Apply setting or wave solution to hair and wind hair on rollers.
Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style.
- Analyze customers’ hair and other physical features and recommend makeup.
Order supplies, schedule work and appointments, and keep business records.
- Create new makeup styles or haircutting techniques.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as hair colour or permanent wave solution.
- May train or supervise other hairstylists, cosmetologists, or assistants.
Want To Become a Tattoo Artist?
Here’s How:
- The first thing you need is raw talent. Someone who can’t draw or color inside the lines isn’t going to be a good candidate for being a tattoo artist.
- Then you need to hone your raw talent to develop talent into skill. Skill can come from fine art classes, working with a fellow artist, learning technique from books, or all of the above. On top of that, you need to practice, practice, and practice.
- Once you’re a competent artist on paper, you’ll need to build a portfolio. A portfolio is a case or binder containing examples of your art, to show your different skills.
Then you need to find an apprenticeship - but not just any apprenticeship - you need to find the right one for you. One with a teacher you feel you can truly learn from - not someone just offering apprenticeships to make money. In addition to needing money for your apprenticeship, you will also need to be able to sustain yourself during training. Unless you are independently wealthy, you’ll need to hold down a regular job at the same time you are serving your apprenticeship. You will not be earning money in the shop during your training.
- Once you are an apprentice, you will learn many skills from your teacher, most of them having nothing to do with actual drawing. You will learn how to safely clean your equipment, how to operate a tattoo machine, how to adjust your power supply, how to protect yourself and your clients from disease, and last but not least - how to correctly apply a tattoo. This can take many months to learn completely.
- During your time as an apprentice, you will continue to practice and hone your drawing skills. You are not limited to only gaining knowledge from your teacher - you may also have the opportunity to spend time learning from other artists as well. Getting tattooed is a good way to watch and learn the techniques of other master tattoo artists.
- There’s no formal graduation from an apprenticeship. Generally, the teacher decides when the student is ready to venture off on their own. Sometimes a contract is signed at the beginning of the apprenticeship, but the terms may vary. But as long as you are not under a contract to continue for a certain length of time or prevented from working for a competing shop, you can decide to stretch your wings when you feel you have learned all you can from your teacher.
What You Need:
- Talent and Skill
- A Portfolio
- Money & a Regular Job
- Drive & Determination
Synopsis
Finding a good apprenticeship is not an easy task. You may have to visit several studios before you find someone willing to take you in. You may not find anyone in your area, and relocation might even be a consideration. But the fact remains that if this is what you really want, it is more than worth it to do it right! Learning how to tattoo on yourself is not only unwise, it is also dangerous. You must be properly trained in sterilization techniques and how to avoid harming the customers.
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