M A N A A L A Y A

                EVERY GROOMS BESTMAN

Page 01                   MANAALA Health                  Tuesday May 26 2015

The Art of Drinking Water for a Happily Hydrated Body

Just like the rules for eating there’s a way to drink that helps your physical body thrive. It’s more than just glass to lips and chug.

1. First off, sit down to drink (just as you should sit down to eat).

2. Take sips, not full-glass chugs. Small sip, swallow, breathe. Repeat.

3. Sip water throughout the day. If you chug too much water at once your body doesn’t actually absorb all of it. Most of it will run right through you.

4. Drink at least room temperature water. Warm is even better. Cold and iced water literally douse the digestive fire.

5. Only sip a small amount of water with your meals. If you drink too much while you eat, your belly won’t have enough room for digestive action. Remember this rule: fill your stomach 50% with food, 25% with water, and leave 25% empty for the digestive juices and process.

6. For the same reason, don’t drink loads of water before or after your meals. Fill 50% with food, 25% with water and leave 25% empty.

7. Drink when you’re thirsty. Thirst is a natural urge that should be heeded. It means your body needs water.

8. As far as how much, we’re all different sizes with varied diets and lifestyles. One set rule of eight glasses a day simply cannot apply to everyone. Naturally, the miraculous human body has its own built-in measuring system: thirst. If you’re thirsty, drink water. When you listen to thirst cues and sip water throughout the day you’ll be drinking the right amount.

9. Your urine is a secondary confirmation to know if you’re amply hydrated. It should be fairly clear and straw colored. If it’s dark yellow you need to drink more.

10. Your lips are yet another indicator. If they’re dry you might be dehydrated.

The rules are so straightforward, perhaps even obvious or intuitive. But they might make a serious difference in the way you feel daily.

Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 02                           MANAALA  Planning                    Tuesday May 26 2015

The GROOM’S role in Wedding Planning

There are, however, a few aspects of wedding planning that traditionally fall to the groom, so make sure your fiancé is aware of the groom’s role in wedding planning:

WEDDING CAR - It might be sexist to suggest that the groom will be more interested in the wedding transport than the bride, but arranging the wedding car is usually the groom’s responsibility. Whether he has his heart set on a sports car or a classic, he should just be sure it fits with the overall theme of the wedding, and that you will be able to get into it in your wedding gown.

WEDDING NIGHT ACCOMMODATION - Reserving and paying for a hotel for your first night as a married couple is also the groom’s responsibility. This should be fairly simple if you are having your reception at a hotel that has a honeymoon suite. If this isn’t the case, make sure you and your fiancé decide whether you want to leave your reception early to get to a swanky hotel, or whether you want to stay at the same place as your guests so you can carry on the party all night.

HONEYMOON - Your fiancé should book the honeymoon several months in advance. It is up to you to know how much of a surprise your honeymoon destination will be. You might need to know the type of holiday so you can decide whether to pack a bikini or your skis, but otherwise a surprise honeymoon destination can extend the excitement of the wedding day.

INITIAL PLANNING - There are three key items that the groom needs to have an input into and these are the wedding budget, the guest list and the gift list. The budget and the guest list need to be put together before the bride can begin to book anything. The gift list will probably be the most fun of the three and can be your fiancé’s reward for finalizing the first two!

WEDDING SUITS - As the bride you might want some input into the style of the suits your groom and his best man and ushers will be wearing. However, the final decision is down to him and he is responsible for arranging hire or for buying the suits. If he wants the men in the wedding party to wear matching suits he should be prepared to pay for them. If he is hiring suits the groom should arrange for someone to take them back after the wedding.

THANKING THE WEDDING PARTY - While the main speeches usually fall to the best man and bride’s father, the groom will have to make a speech and thank everybody involved in the wedding. He may want to distribute thank you gifts at the same time. Above all, the groom needs to thank the bride for allowing him the privilege of becoming her husband. A groom can never compliment his new wife too much in his wedding speech.

Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 03                                 MANAALA  Fashion                    Tuesday May 26 2015

Indian Groom Style: Outfit Inspirations

Everyone’s eyes are on the bride and all of her beautiful, bright and colorful outfits but that doesn’t mean that the groom is excused from dressing his best for pre-wedding events and the big day.

You’ll want to look your best for your beautiful bride, and remember; every memorable moment will be caught on camera, video and smart phone to be scrutinized for many years to come.

 You want your guests and your future bride to remember you for your fabulous style. Here are some ideas on how you can look electrifying and still be yourself at your wedding...

Shantanu-nikhil-indian-groom-outfit

You can never go wrong with a traditional Kurta Shalwar, Dhoti Kurta or Kurta Pyjama. But don’t just pick the first thing you see that matches your bride-to-be’s colors and requests. Take a little time and look for some unique styles that everyone won’t be wearing. You can still be yourself but just a little bolder. IMG_4266

 Slim fitted kurta pyjama with a blazer has a very Western look and Indian vibe

If you’re more comfortable in Western gear, you could pair a sherwani or kurta with a slim fitting pant, or even dark denim depending on the event. If you are a little more adventurous you could even pair a blazer with a dhoti. Either way; let your personal style shine through.

Once you’ve found the perfect outfits for all your wedding, you’ll still need to find equally amazing shoes to go with them. Nowadays, there are so many different styles and designs for men’s juttis that you can probably pick out a couple to go with each of your outfits. Who says it’s only your fiancé that needs multiple pairs of shoes?

Let your groom style shine through at your wedding and make your bride even prouder to be standing next to you on one of the most important days of your life

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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 04                           MANAALA  Grooming                              Tuesday May 26 2015

Healthy Nails

Men have come a long way to investing in their personal grooming when compared to the ladies. Go to any beauty salon in a town and you will find a fella or two also getting their manicure and pedicure on. And that’s a good thing because nail fungus is a real issue for some grooms.

Fingernail and toenail fungus are real threats to healthy hands and feet. But fungus does not go away on its own. Treatment is critical and should be used properly or else it will get worse. And your diet can also betray you - some foods actually strengthen your nails.

The look of a nail can also give away potential cases of anemia. A nail that is pale, whitish in color may indicate a low red blood cell count consistent with anemia. An iron deficiency can cause the nail bed to be thin and concave and have raised ridges.

Warning signs for many other conditions, from hepatitis to heart disease, may also appear when previously healthy fingernails undergo change. Left alone, toenail infections (as well as fingernail infection) can cause pain and disrupt the most mundane of daily activities, like turning pages in a book or scratching yourself.

Keep in mind that anything we neglect can worsen. Without treatment, the nail can become completely deformed or thick and painful. The result can be an ulcer, sore or ingrown toenail or finger nail. If this happens, it may need to be removed by a podiatrist who might prescribe an anti-fungal medication. This toenail infection treatment has a degree of pain associated with it.

The best way to avoid painful treatment is to become more proactive and take care of you. It would be wise to consider seeing a nail technician or using a nail grooming kit to manage nail length and cleanliness.

Additionally, eating healthy, balanced meals can also go a long way in getting nutrients to your nails, skin, and hair. Make a conscious effort to consume healthy fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish and eggs, among other nail-friendly foods. BECAUSE DIET MATTERS.

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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

 Page 05                        MANAALA  Bachelor Party             Tuesday May 26 2015

Bachelor Party Basics

Here's everything you need to know to make the big bash a success.   Here's a list of bachelor party to-dos.

THE GUEST LIST The bachelor party began as a gentlemen's party: a civilized evening of drawing-room drinking, smoking, and toasting to the bride's health. The list shouldn't include 100 of the groom's closest friends nor should it include people who don't get along.

PICK THE LOCATION

Bachelor parties can take place almost anywhere. The typical bachelor party usually involves some combination of the following: booze and fun like high-adrenaline adventures such as white-water rafting or rock climbing. Tamer bachelor parties might involve a nice steak dinner, or a fancy night at a star class hotel bar.

 Of course, weekend trips involve travel and related expenses. If time is of the essence or all parties involved are on a budget, then a local bar, a hotel room, or the best man's apartment is a fine bachelor party locale.

TIME IT RIGHT

If you think the night before the wedding is the perfect time for a bachelor bash, think again. The last thing the nervous groom needs on the big day is a hangover. Plus a big night on the town before the walk down the aisle will surely stress the bride out (which is to be avoided).

 You should schedule the main event up to a month before the wedding and at the very least, schedule it a week in advance, preferably on the weekend. Some people from out of town won't be able to attend, but if they do want to show up they can use the advance notice to make plans. Be sure to send out invitations or call invitees at least three weeks before the party. This way, you'll be able to avoid scheduling conflicts.

THINK ABOUT IT

As best man, you're responsible for the groom and the bachelor party is all about the groom. So, avoid any mishaps and use your head.

·         Make sure people don't drive home drunk: Hire a limo or car service for the night, have a designated driver, or make sure everyone takes a cab home. Bring along enough money to get everyone home safely.

·         Be sneaky if you want: Get together with the other groomsmen and come up with an ingenious plan to surprise the groom.

·         Pay attention to the groom. Some people love to humiliate and tease the groom at the bachelor party; for example, they get him drunk, take incriminating photos of him or shave off all his chest hair.

Whether or not you get involved in these antics is entirely up to you but when the groom says "Stop," it means stop.

·         Split costs equally between everyone attending the party (except the groom).

·         Be creative -- a night of carousing may seem like a good idea, but a weekend of white-water rafting may be more memorable in the long run.

·         Don't forget the camera

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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 06                           MANAALA  Honeymoon                       Tuesday May 26 2015

Choosing your Honeymoon Destination

Choosing your honeymoon location is a once in a lifetime opportunity to begin your life's journey together and thousands of destinations to choose…. Confused?

Planning your honeymoon is of prime importance, and most importantly, the perfect location. Instead of listing out the locations you can choose, focus on the factors to determine while you attempt to choose the ideal location for your honeymoon.

Before you begin, zero in on a choice that suits you both as a couple, rather than as individual preferences, while keeping in mind some important points.

WEATHER: You need to find a location where both of you be equally comfortable - be it hot and sunny or cold climate or rain. Though people often skip rainy season for honeymoon location, it is fun, as long as the location doesn't get flooded and interrupt with your holiday plans.

DESTINATION: Beaches, backwaters, desserts, hill stations, wildlife, cruise, skiing or a city known best for its night-life. Which do you and your partner prefer - a tranquil holiday or an adventurous holiday? Do you want to holiday near your hometown or far away, from the eyes of your well-wishers? Are you ready to travel abroad? These are some of the questions you need to discuss.

BUDGET: Apart from other preferences, budget plays a vital role in choosing the destination. If you have a low-budget, opt for a holiday in your hometown, something you haven't seen so far or that excites you the most.

The higher the budget, opt for a farther location, since honeymoon holidays come only once in your life. This is the best chance to be in a location you have always wished for, even if it is in another corner of the world.

PLANNING: Once the basics like the destinations are fixed, and the wedding date is finalized, as well as you know the leave you have at work is confirmed, plan the trip well in advance. This ensures in avoiding disappointments related to hotel booking and air/rail/bus travel booking.

 Also, once you know your preferences, 'Google,' and find out more the destination, packages on the offing, places to visit, activities to do, shopping options and more, so that you can plan the rest of your trip and book your tickets in advance. And pack your bags for that first fun-filled holiday together, soon after your wedding!

Honeymoon needn't be always fun, there could be disappointments if you have high expectations. Therefore, have realistic dreams. You need to discuss the approximate amount you plan to spend.

This way, you can avoid any unpleasantness if one is a spender and the other, a saver. Try to avoid most of the time together and indulge in same activities – together as a couple. After all, this is the best time to be together and learn about each other. Happy holidays for a wonderful start together.

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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 07                           MANAALA  Intimacy                                     Tuesday May 26 2015

THE SEDUCTIVE POWER

of the Oxytocin Response

Touching a woman causes her body to release a powerful sex hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin increases a woman's testosterone levels, the hormone responsible for her sex drive. Oxytocin also causes her to feel a bonding with you and to feel good around you.

Even for a woman who "never feels like sex" and acts cold, a few touches can make her horny for sex. It doesn't matter where or how much you touch her - even a small touch on the arm is enough to release oxytocin hormones into her body and warm her up to you.

What's more, oxytocin gives her the desire to be touched even more, producing yet even more oxytocin - a reinforcing cycle of sex hormone escalation. One other thing... this oxytocin touch response is MUCH more powerful for women than for men.

 Oxytocin requires estrogen to work. Without estrogen, it has no effect. And women have much more estrogen in their bodies than men. Ever notice how a woman you never noticed before touched you on the hand or shoulder and suddenly you started to think differently about her. Well, in women the effect is 10 times stronger! Don't underestimate how one or two well-placed touches can make her start thinking about you.

Okay, here is how to use this powerful scientific knowledge to your advantage.

First, be the kind of guy who is comfortable touching women from the moment you meet them. Be a physical kind of person. Act as if touching a woman is a normal thing you do all the time and women will accept that. (If you start touching a woman all of a sudden after a few weeks, it will seem weird to her, so start from the very first time you meet her.)

Begin with small touches on the hands and arms to make her oxytocin hormones kick in. As you progress, play footsies with her under table. Take her hand when you walk together (don't ask, just take it). Tell her to sit on your lap and stroke her thighs (again, don't ask just do).

The more you touch her in a playful take-charge way, the more she'll want more touches and then even more. By the time you're touching her nipples through her shirt the oxytocin hormones will be raging, shooting her testosterone-driven sex drive into the stratosphere.

Also, never ask a woman "Can I touch you?" It's creepy. Don't ask. Women like men of action, assuming you have some form of rapport with her. Now here's what you do with women who consider you to be "just a friend".

Let me tell you a quick story. A woman considered a guy to be "just a friend" and whatever he said to her didn't seem to work. Knowing the scientific certainty of her oxytocin response, he began to work his spell.

At first, he touched her innocently on her arms and hands. No resistance. Soon he got more playful with her and would grab her by the waist and playfully wrestle her to the floor as if  she was a brat. No resistance.

She kept telling him she only wanted to be friends, but her body was beginning to tell him another story. She invited him home to stay with her with some of her other friends.

He took the initiative and lay next to her in bed and neutralized any objection by telling her how much "I liked being friends" with her. He then proceeded to playfully tickle her. All the touching made her oxytocin and testosterone levels flood her body... and she was getting horny under the covers despite herself.

Pretty soon she was calling him frequently and her bonding feelings for this guy caused by the oxytocin are firmly entrenched. That's the flip side of the oxytocin response - once she's got her, your only problem will be keeping her at arm’s length!

Now get out there and put those hands to work.

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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter