Best of Weekender: From the beauty of IPL folk art to the hearty flavours of Burmese Khow Suey
This weekend, we suggest you try a loungy, laid-back lifestyle. Learn something new by reading up on IPL folk art, focus on emotional health and mental wellbeing, and de-stress by making home food that offers gourmet flavours, courtesy food blogger and cookbook author Natasha Celmi.
The Indian Premier League is a feast for cricket aficionados and this year, despite the pandemic and the subsequent restrictions, the excitement has not waned.
Virat Kohli in Togalu Gombe Aata
They began by imagining cricketers as mythical characters and later matched traditional arts from different states of India with respective cricket players and teams to create IPL folk art.
Don’t miss our interview with Sriram Sabhapathy, Co-Founder, LastBench, on the scope of their digital folk art and their passion for cricket and creativity.
Mental health issues have been on a rise amid the pandemic
Amidst the proliferation of digital technology and hectic pace of work, life has become increasingly mechanical and monotonous. Numerous lifestyle diseases and mental health problems affect millions of people globally – and mental health issues are a major one among them.
Estimates by the World Health Organisation indicate that over 90 million Indians, or 7.5 per cent of the country’s population of 1.3 billion, suffer from some form of mental disorder. This has further increased in the wake of the recent pandemic.
As we focus on World Mental Health issues this week, there is a need to raise awareness about paying attention to one’s mental health and wellness as much as focusing on physical health.
Find out how to look after your own mental health by monitoring your thoughts, diet, sleep, and fitness routines.
Positivity and optimism can reduce mental health problems
Some years ago, cardiologists started noticing that people with a personality type that they called “D” or distressed tended to get angry more often, were more negative than others, and did not particularly enjoy good interpersonal social relationships. This put them at greater risk for coronary heart disease.
Amid the pandemic, it is important to aim for “hopeful optimism”. This is an attitude where you view life as a challenge and a chance for opportunity and growth rather than a nerve-wracking, traumatic journey.
Learn how to strengthen your mind, understand the importance of deep breathing and take time to de-stress to stay positive during these difficult and trying times.
Zucchini Rolls are one of Natasha's favourite recipes
Whether it is Kung Pao Cauliflower, Street-Style Pad Thai, or a hearty Burmese Khow Suey you want to try out this weekend, you need to get hold of ex-restaurateur and food blogger Natasha Celmi’s new cookbook.
Titled Fast Fresh Flavourful, her cookbook specialises in using local ingredients and simplifying basic techniques to create global dishes. From satays, Singaporean laksa, mezze platters, Italian zucchini rolls, fiery Mexican burrito bowls to delectable desserts, this cookbook could be your ‘go-to’ reference for easy cooking, smart techniques, and interesting meal plans.
Don’t miss our interview with Natasha as she speaks about her favourite recipes and her culinary journey. Also, check out her tips for home chefs.
Plan early dinners in order to stay healthy and fit
The body doesn’t fiendishly stockpile food as fat when the clock strikes 6 pm, but eating late at night is linked to weight gain. This is because no one gets out of bed in the middle of the night to raid the refrigerator for salads. A lot of late-night eating is mindless and this habit is linked to overeating and weight gain.
Learn why we should eat an early dinner from the founder of health food startup.
Bhanu Chopra
Are your favourite writers Carol Dweck and Ben Horowitz? Among famous men, do you admire Tim-Berners Lee (inventor, World Wide Web) the most? If so, meet Bhanu Chopra, the Founder and Chairman at RateGain, a SaaS company.
A second-generation entrepreneur, Bhanu identified an opportunity in the increasing popularity of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) in the early 2000s, and the resultant shift in dynamics in the hospitality space, and founded RateGain in 2004. He is also a well-known speaker and writer.
He believes his motto, ‘Your vibe attracts your tribe. Stay insanely awesome’, and he think it is the best way to develop a positive attitude and build a happier place, at work and at home.