MANAALAYA
Every Grooms Bestman
Page 01 Health Monday
09 January 2017
Very Real Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate, made
from the cocoa bean, is rich in a class of plant nutrients called flavonoids,
capable of lowering blood pressure, boost blood flow and reduce blood clots. A
research study indicates that those who eat one square of chocolate a day has
39 percent less chance of stroke and heart attack.
Beyond heart health,
dark chocolate also protect against diabetes as the antioxidants in dark
chocolate help the body use its insulin more efficiently to control blood
sugar. It has the potential to make you smarter because flavonols in dark chocolate boost blood flow
to brain, which could aid alertness and cognition. Plus, dark chocolate has a
modest amount of caffeine, along with the milder stimulant theobromine, making
it a great all-natural pick-me-up.
Along with antioxidants,
dark chocolate also contains healthy fats. Cocoa butter, the fatty part of
cocoa beans, is the unsaturated type that's beneficial for your heart and
cholesterol levels. But even the saturated fat in dark chocolate isn't so bad
for you.
But here's the catch
with dark chocolate: To get all of these health benefits, you have to choose
the right kind. It is a myth that all dark chocolate is good for you
because sugar is often the first ingredient listed on many dark chocolate bars.
Steer clear of these. Instead, you want a dark
chocolate that has "cocoa solids" listed first. "Cocoa solids
contain the desirable flavonols responsible for heart health protection, so
they should hold the number-one spot on the ingredients list.
A good rule of thumb is to look for at least
70 percent cocoa solids, which means the chocolate will have a slightly bitter
taste. But you can train your taste buds over time to enjoy this less-sweet
flavor. You should also avoid dark chocolates that have added milk fat or
hydrogenated vegetable oils – both of which are saturated fats.
Once you've found a dark
chocolate that fits this bill, go for it. If you can contain your consumption
of dark chocolate – aim for about 100 calories or less per day – you should
feel good about the enjoying this antioxidant-rich, potentially
heart-protective sweet.
___________________________________________________________------_____________
Concept+Creation - Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene / Business Writer
Page 02 Grooming Monday
09 January 2017
GROOMING TIPS FOR GROOM
With all the attention focused on the bride before the
big day, it is easy to forget that there is another participant in a
wedding.
OK, you may not be the main attraction but no woman can
get married alone. Unlike your significant other, you may not have dreamed of
this big day since you were old enough to know what the institution of marriage
represented, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve your 15 minutes of
fame too.
After all, equality of the sexes should work in both
directions, shouldn’t it!? And even if you won’t be investing the GDP of a
small African nation on a wedding ring or dress, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself to
a thorough going over for this most significant of days.
A quick peek in the dictionary reveals that the word “groom”
comes from the 13th century word “grome” meaning “male child, boy, or youth”
- how appropriate given our propensity to never grow up.
Another potential source of the word is from the Old
French “grommet” meaning “servant.” I’m not going near that
one... Wherever it comes from, it is pretty obvious that the words “groom”
and “grooming” are related.
Following are a few worthy grooming tips for the groom so
that you will be looking your best on the big day – even if you won’t be the
main attraction:
YOUR HAIRCUT – yes,
people will be looking at you and possibly the first thing they’ll be looking
at is your head. It’s a toss-up as to whether they will be looking at the look
of dread on your face or the shock of hair, or lack thereof, on your
noggin.
Find yourself a good barber and get
your hair cut about a week before the wedding. Don’t wait for the last minute
so as to avoid potential disaster and also, even the best cut looks better
after a week.
Tell your barber the reason for the cut and when the big
day is so that he can keep that in consideration when working on your mane.
Also, make sure you get a “normal” hairstyle. Trends may come and go but
your wedding photos are forever.
YOUR HAIR – make sure you use appropriate hair care
products – shampoo and conditioner for dry hair if you have dry hair. Also,
don’t skimp on your hair care products. Good quality hair care products leave
your hair feeling and looking lustrous.
YOUR FACE – you may not be a metrosexual but this is the
time to treat yourself to a facial to brace
your skin for any potential stress problems caused by the big day or more than
likely the buck’s night. Once again, do this about a week before the big
day. If you think that having a facial isn’t “manly,” just don’t tell
your friends. Who knows, you may enjoy the experience and make it part of your
regular grooming ritual.
MANICURE AND PEDICURE - Whilst you’re at it you may as
well go the whole hog and get a manicure and pedicure 2-3 days before the
wedding. Whereas a pedicure may not be as important as a manicure from a
visibility perspective, it is great fun.
FACIAL HAIR – if you sport a moustache, beard or other
form of facial hair, make sure you trim it on the morning of the wedding. If
not, preferably treat yourself to a professional shave from a barber on the
morning of the big day, or do it yourself – just make sure you do a good job.
______________________________________________________________________________
Concept+Creation - Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene / Business Writer
Page 03 Fashion Monday
09 January 2017
There is
so much room for creativity in Groomswear
While everyone is oohing
and ahhing over the bride's gown, the groom is often left in the background. Of
course, he looks perfectly lovely in his tux or suit, but that's as far as it
typically goes. Chances are, he looks exactly the same as his groomsmen and
every other groom who came before him. And that's a shame, because it's his big
day, too, and he has every right to wear something that reflects how important
and exciting this celebration is. Tradition is wonderful, but grooms, if you
knew how to elevate your suit or tux so it actually reflected your style and
personality, would you do it?
We suspect that
most grooms would actually love to wear something fashion-forward, that doesn't
make them feel like a "suit." It's not as challenging as you
might think. Simple updates, like a colorful tie or pocket square, can help you
stand out. For a more daring look, wear cool sneakers or loafers, instead of
the usual black oxford. If you're really looking to make a statement, mix and
match jackets and pants (they don't have to be the same color!) or choose a
suit in a shade other than black, like navy, tan, or taupe.
There is so much
room for creativity in menswear, and the grooms below can show you how it's
done!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Concept+Creation - Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene / Business Writer
Page 04 Finance Monday
09 January 2017
Financial Tips for Planning the Wedding of
Your Dreams
Make sure you stay
mindful of your spending, so you'll have something more than pictures when you
start to build your life together. You really can create a stylish, special,
and memorable occasion without breaking the bank---read on, and MANAALAYA will
show you how.
MANAALAYA’s here to
offer guidance so that you can make informed decisions and stay within (or even
under) your budget. We'll give you a breakdown of costs by category and then
offer some general tips on trimming costs across the board.
The biggest wedding
expense couples have is the wedding venue that includes charges for use of the
venue and venue decorations like flowers, ribbons, candles and spending on
receptions up with pricey catering costs. Spending on wedding rings has
increased with DJs and entertainment, photography with dresses rounding out the
list of the largest expenses.
As you can see from
these figures, there are many categories of wedding-day spending that could
benefit from cost-cutting. Now that we've crunched the numbers, let's start
trimming them with the following tried-and-tested tips! Use them for
inspiration, and try to incorporate as many as you can. Though we don't expect
you to use them all, using a few of them may just help you be one of the lucky
couples who come in under-budget.
First, a few practical tips for the things you'll
need on the day itself - STATIONERY
Often, stationery is one of the first
things on a couple's list, and all those invitations can quickly add up. To
help your budget, if you opt for paper invitations and other cards, shop around
for the best prices online first. Keep your design simple and minimalist for
the cheapest price and opt for plain white envelopes instead of colored ones.
To save even more, you can decide to print your own stationery at home. For
additional savings, consider going eco-friendly and digital with your
stationery. Many companies now offer wedding e-cards and online RSVPs, and
you'll save on both time and postage!
WEDDING TRANSPORT - While most
people traditionally opt for a limo at their wedding, this can get pricey. Does
a friend or family member have a nice vehicle you could use instead, or do you
know anybody who could lend you a classic car for the day?
DRESSES, DECORATIONS AND FLOWERS - Attending
designer trunk shows is one of the best ways today’s grooms and brides can save
money and find the style they’re looking for. Retailers often offer a discount
during trunk shows and showcase the featured designer’s entire collection that
are couture-inspired, on-trend and won’t break the bank.
For decorations, opting
to have a wedding in December will save you lots. With most churches and other
venues already decked out for the Christmas and winter holidays, you'll
basically be getting decorations for free!
To save on floral
arrangements, try to use flowers that are in-season and avoid using very pricey
flowers. Stick to one or two types of flowers and use lots of greenery to fill
in your arrangements. You could even incorporate non-floral elements like
lanterns to add interest without hiking up the price.
VENUE SCHEDULING OPTIONS - You
can often save money at your chosen venue by changing the time of day and
duration of stay that you book. The biggest way to make a dent in costs is to
simply book in the off-season. If that's not possible, opting for a Friday
afternoon or evening or a Saturday event around brunch will help you keep costs
down. For timings, consider booking a 3-hour event instead of a 5-hour one to
save even more.
MEMORIES AND MUSICAL MOMENTS - While
most people hire a professional photographer and sometimes a videographer, too,
you can keep costs down by choosing photography or videography students from
your local university. Some couples even opt to give every wedding guest a
disposable camera and have them all take pictures during and after the ceremony
and at the reception.
That way, since so many people are taking pictures,
you'll likely end up with a higher proportion of good shots and have a choice
of plenty of different angles, so that you can pick out "your best
side." You can higher a local photography or video processing service to
digitize your favorite snaps and create a wedding slideshow for you.
For music for your
ceremony, consider hiring students or recent graduates of a local university
music school. You'll be spoiled for choice with singers, string players, and
pianists all at your disposal and you can save money while getting a
high-quality service. If you ask, sometimes these students are also available
to play your reception, too. If you want non-classical music for your reception,
a DJ will be much cheaper than hiring a whole band.
______________________________________________________________________________
Concept+Creation - Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene / Business Writer
Page 05 Honeymoon Monday
09 January 2017
HONEYMOON ESSENTIALS FOR
GROOMS
When the wedding day
has drawn to a close the next thing to look forward to is the honeymoon, a time
for romance, passion and love. Now you have to remember what you should pack,
MANAALAYA will tell you the honeymoon essentials for grooms that should be in
your bag before you jet off to your honeymoon.
PASSPORT- This
may seem incredibly obvious and the one thing that you would definitely
remember to pack, yet the amount of people we see at airports without their
passport, looking through their bags and holding up the already unbearable
queues. Just remember to put it in your pocket so you can grab it nice and
quickly.
PLANE TICKETS AND
BOARDING PASSES- You don’t want to be stood at the gate
watching your plane leave while you and your newlywed partner are left
wondering where the tickets are and who’s to blame. Check and double check that
you have the tickets. Download a digital boarding pass if that is at all
possible, because the chance of you forgetting your phone is incredibly remote.
MONEY- Planning
on eating or drink on your honeymoon? Well you’d better pack some money and be
sure that it’s the correct currency for the country you’re travelling to. Some
currencies are not stocked at converting centers and will have to order them
in, order your money at least a month in advance to be sure you’re not left
with a light wallet.
MAPS- Planning
to explore the local area? Well remember that using your phone’s GPS will cost
you an arm and a leg whilst abroad. The good old fashion paper maps will keep
you moving in the right direction; even if you’re using physical print outs
from Google Maps.
LUGGAGE LOCKS-
A
bright and a colorful padlock is an easy way to identify you bags when you’re
looking for them on the carrousel, saving you time to start the honeymoon.
SUNGLASSES-.
Firstly they will protect your eyes from the harmful harsh light of the foreign
sun. Secondly they will make you look so unbelievably cool, just don’t wear
them inside or at night, that’s decidedly less cool.
SUN CREAM- Burnt
skin is not a sexy look, you want to impress your partner on this romantic
holiday of pleasure, not have them rubbing after sun into your burnt, red back
because you forgot to pack the sun cream.
AFTER SUN- Well
in case you don’t put on enough sun cream, you don’t want to be in too much
pain. So this is just to be safe, but seriously, pack your sun cream.
HAIR BRUSH- You
have to keep your hair under control while you’re off on your honeymoon, just
as you would were you at home, this may be a holiday, but it is not the time
for you to get lazy about your appearance, quite the opposite in fact.
SHAMPOO- Your
hair requires care and especially when you’re sweating a lot, due to incredible
heat and long sessions of “physical exertion”. You will need to maintain your
standard hair care regime to combat the grease and retain your hair’s beauty
and keep you looking handsome.
RAZOR- If
you’re off on a rather long honeymoon then you’ll want to keep your facial and
down there hair in order. Some men will get away without needing to shave for
nearly a week; however others will look like a wolf man after a day. In any
case it’s better to have it with you and not need it, than not have it and look
like a Wookie.
.
AFTERSHAVE- Your
signature scent, you love it, your partner loves, where would you be without
it? In that case bring it with you and woo your newlywed partner with your
irresistible scent. However you should always pack this in your bag that is
going into the hold. This is because you are not allowed to take containers
holding more than 100 ml of liquid onto a plane in hand luggage.
DEODORANT- One
of the worse things that could occur during your honeymoon is that your partner
is repulsed by you; sweat is inherently disgusting and should be combated,
especially if you’re honeymooning in a hot country. Again, keep this in your
main luggage that goes in the hold.
TEETH CARE-
On your honeymoon, both you and your partner would greatly prefer you had shiny
teeth that sparkle and shine, rather than teeth covered in plaque and breath
that stinks. You should definitely be bringing your tooth brush, tooth paste,
floss and a small travel sized bottle of mouth wash, to ensure your mouth is
clean and kissably fresh.
SOAP- When
people wash their hands after using the toilet, they just run water over their
hands, that’s not cleaning your hands. It’s gross and you’ll want nice clean
and sparkly hands for the days and nights to come.
CONTRACEPTION-
We’re
all adults here, so let’s be honest here. You’re going to want and need these.
Whatever your preference of contraception is, you definitely want to prevent
unplanned pregnancies and ensure that your honeymoon stays, fun, sexy and safe.
SWIMWEAR- It
is very important that you dress to accommodate your body, and just be sure
that you look good in it, you want your time pool side to be relaxing, not
feeling self conscious and ashamed of your body.
CASUAL- Your
day to day wear, this is really anything that you want to wear, but ensure that
you pack enough tops for an extra three days, so that you will have something
to get changed into if you do start to get sweaty throughout the day.
SMART- Are
you planning on going out at some point for a lovely meal at a local
restaurant? Then you’ll want to pack a nice dress shirt, a nice pair trousers
and maybe a tie if you’re feeling fancy. A suit may seem like a good idea, but
remember that it will be hot and it will develop creases during the flight.
UNDERWEAR: Remember
that this is a honeymoon and you should wear appropriate underwear, no holes,
comfy and sexy. The same goes for socks, you should definitely check your socks
for holes as they can develop holes incredibly quickly.
______________________________________________________________________________
Concept+Creation - Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene / Business Writer
Page 06 Sex Monday 09 January 2017
SEX
FOR THE CLUELESS GROOM
Men's bodies seem to know what to do even when our minds
don't, but women don't find the same to be true. So the woman has to learn not
only facts, but she also has to learn emotionally, culturally, and physically.
The truth is it's going to take more time for her to fully enjoy sex than it
will for you.
The most important thing for you to do is to make it clear
to her that you know God intends sex to be physically, mentally and emotionally
enjoyable for both of you.
Tell her you are committed to whatever time, learning and practice is needed to
experience what God wants both of you to have. Also let her know that it is
because you love her that you want to give her sexual pleasure; do not let her think she has to enjoy sex
just to make you happy.
There is also a need for the two of you to be able to talk
freely about sex, about what you feel, what you want and what feels good. This
is usually more difficult for women than men, particularly if her upbringing
has given her negative ideas about sex. In particular she needs to be able to
tell you how to modify the way you are touching her to increase her pleasure.
She must feel free to say "touch a bit higher" or "not so
hard" or "a little faster." It will take time for both of you to
feel comfortable doing this; encourage her gently, give her some time, and help
by asking yes or no questions.
BIRTH
CONTROL
We feel that life begins at the point that the egg and the
sperm join. We feel that preventing such joining is not wrong, but destroying
the fertilized egg is taking a human life. We have also learned that some
hormonal methods of birth control can allow joining, but then keep the
fertilized egg from developing normally.
For this reason we feel not all hormonal methods of birth
control are not acceptable for Christians. This leaves condoms, diaphragms or
cervical cap, and spermicide. None is perfect, and all have their drawbacks. If
you will be using condoms, practice putting them on several times before the
wedding - you want to be able to do it easily when the time comes.
BEING
PREPARED
There are a couple of things you will want to have for
first-time sex. Sex is messy, so have a small towel or washcloth near the bed.
You should also have a lubricant available. Any of the brands of "personal
lubricants" available in the store will do the job.
Too much lubricant is better than too little, especially
for your bride, so if in doubt use the lubricant. You can put a small amount on
your hand and apply it to her vulva during
foreplay, and apply a more generous amount to the head of your penis just
before intercourse.
THE
FIRST TIME
No matter how much you know, it won't be perfect, but you
most likely will remember it fondly. Sex is like anything else, it takes
practice to get good at it and lots of practice to get great at it. The more
you do it, the better it will get for both of you, in many ways. What MANAALAYA
says is don't put too much on the first time; just enjoy it for what it is, a
wonderful beginning to a life of sexual pleasure.
Please also understand that for women physical sexual
pleasure is a learned response. She may enjoy the emotional closeness from the
very first, depending on what she is expecting, but she will need time to
develop the ability to fully enjoy sex physically.
Orgasm during intercourse will not happen the first time,
in fact, for many women it can take several months. Orgasm from manual or oral
stimulation will happen sooner, maybe on the first night, but don't push her
for that. Mixed emotions or fear of pain the first time may make orgasm
impossible and pushing her to do something she can't do will only make it
worse.
NUDITY
& LIGHTING
As a man you are eager to see her naked and want to see and
explore her body fully. That's natural, but it's also natural for the woman to
be a bit shyer. However at first very dim lighting on the first few times or a
couple of candles would work well or leave the bathroom light on and the bathroom
door slightly open.
Let her get into bed wearing lingerie so she does not feel
too exposed. Begin touching her through the lingerie and then slip your hand
under it. Finally gently remove it.
FOREPLAY
Kiss her first and often during foreplay and intercourse -
kissing, on the lips, is more important and more arousing to women then to men.
Move slowly to her breasts and explore them with your hands. Try to tell by her
face, her movements and any sounds she makes, what she likes and what she does
not.
When you move to her sex organs don't just grab! Move your
hand down her body and brush her pubic hair as you move down one leg. Then
slowly move your hand back up to her vulva. Her sex organs are much more
sensitive than yours, so be gentle.
The clitoris is the key to her pleasure, but many women
find direct stimulation of the clitoris too intense. Rubbing above the clitoris
or putting a finger on either side are better approaches. You can also use the
palm of your hand to cover her sex organs and gently push and rub the entire
area.
During foreplay gently probe her vagina with a single
finger so you will know just where it is and the angle of the vagina. While
oral stimulation is fine, and a good way to bring a woman to orgasm, many women
feel self-conscious about being kissed there.
They are afraid their sex organs are ugly or smell bad or
they may think that oral stimulation is wrong. Get to know her a bit before you
move in that direction and make sure she's just out of the shower the first
time ... more for her peace of mind than for you.
INTERCOURSE
First intercourse brings some degree of apprehension for
most women. A very few women have a great deal of pain and a very few have no
discomfort at all; most experience only short mild pain.
One important thing is to be sure there is plenty of
lubrication. Her apprehension can cause her to not lubricate well; apply an
artificial lubricant to your penis just before penetration if she is not very wet.
The best position for first intercourse is probably the man
on top, also called the missionary position. It will help if she can take your
penis in her hand and guide it in, but this doesn't always happen.
When you enter with your penis, don't just slide all the
way in at once. Gently move in an inch or two and then slide back out a bit
without leaving completely. Then slide in a bit farther than the first time and
back out a bit. Use a series of in-and-out motions to gradually enter her
fully.
If you feel resistance before you are halfway in, you are
probably hitting the hymen. A quick firm thrust will break the hymen as
painlessly as possible. You may not feel the hymen and she may or may not
bleed, but she can be uncomfortable even if there is no resistance or bleeding.
Don't expect intercourse to last very long the first time!
Being inside your wife is an incredible experience in more ways than you can
imagine and a man's first few times are inevitably very short. Actually this
works out well; the woman tends to be tender the first few times and if you
went very long she could experience pain.
As you learn to last longer, her body will be able to go
longer. Don't worry that the first time is short, just enjoy it, and let her
know how much you enjoyed it. You will gradually learn what she finds most
enjoyable.
Some women go wild for having their ears nibbled, others
don't care, and some dislike it. This is true of a wide variety of things, so
just experiment and learn. Most women enjoy breast and nipple stimulation (and
this is the place to first use your mouth as you move towards oral sex), but
how firm or how she likes it will be a personal thing you will have to learn.
Kissing, hugging, and other above-the-waist touching are an
important part of getting a woman aroused; don't just go straight for her
genitals. You will gradually learn what she likes and how to proceed to arouse
her and bring her to orgasm.
______________________________________________________________________________
Concept+Creation - Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene / Business
Writer
