M A N A A L A Y A
EVERY GROOMS BESTMAN
Page 01
MANAALA Health Friday 10 July 2015
Healthy Perks of Coffee
Aside from tasting delicious and
waking you up in the morning, coffee may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease,
strengthen your heart and help you lose weight faster. But your heart isn’t the only thing
coffee can protect. MANAALAYA wishes to show you more healthy benefits of
firing up your coffee machine.
Reduced Risk of Type 2
Diabetes - In a recent study from the Harvard School of
Public Health, men and women who upped their daily coffee intake lowered their
risk of Type 2 diabetes by 11
percent in just four years. Meanwhile, those who decreased their coffee intake
by more than a cup per day increased their risk by 17 percent. While the exact
mechanism is not known.
Faster Weight Loss - If
you don’t load your coffee with cream and sugar, coffee can be a healthy part
of a calorie-controlled diet, after all, an 8-ounce cup of black coffee
contains a single calorie.
Caffeine intake fuels exercise performance and can
result in longer, harder workouts. And a recent study from the University of
Birmingham shows that, despite what you’ve probably heard, coffee doesn’t
dehydrate the body, meaning it’s a perfect
pre-workout drink.
Improved Cognitive Function - You probably drink it to wake up and get
focused but, over the long term, coffee may prevent the formation of
amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, buildups of protein in the brain,
both of which are trademarks of Alzheimer’s
disease, as coffee is rich in free
radical-scavenging antioxidants, which are believed to reduce inflammation and
decrease the deterioration of brain cells throughout the aging process.
Luckily, coffee can have a
protective effect, no matter your age
(or cognitive health). In fact, in adults 65 and older who are already showing
signs of memory problems, drinking three cups of coffee per day may delay the
onset of Alzheimer's disease by two to four years, according in the Journal of
Alzheimer's Disease.
Better Kidney and Liver Health - Frequent
post-coffee trips to the bathroom make one thing clear: Coffee has huge effects
on your gastrointestinal and urinary tract. But they aren’t all inconvenient. By
increasing urinary flow, caffeine decreases the potential for deposits to
linger and form kidney stones. Coffee
is also linked to a lower risk of gallbladder and liver disease.
A
Smaller Risk of Cancer - Men, drinking four or more cups of
coffee per day is linked with a 59 percent reduced risk of prostate cancer
recurrence and progression compared to those who drank one or fewer cups each
week, per a 2013 study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre.
Enhanced Sexual Health - Many sexual woes, including erectile
dysfunction and decreased vaginal
lubrication are a matter of blood not getting where it needs to be. So, by
improving arterial health and decreasing the risk of plaque formation, coffee
may not only improve heart health. It may improve sexual health. Meanwhile,
caffeine may also get women’s brains in the mood.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by
Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 02 MANAALA Finance Friday 10 July 2015
ARE WEDDING LOANS
a Smart Wedding Planning Money
Management option?
A wedding is expensive, but is taking out a loan to cover wedding
expenses a viable option for grooms?
Maybe yes, maybe no. The answer is not simple.
As with any loan, the ability to pay it back is a priority
consideration. For brides and grooms uniting two healthy incomes, a reasonable
expectation of paying back the loan without extraordinary sacrifice may exist.
Under such circumstances, a wedding loan can be a convenience that
makes sense. Taking out the loan would allow more immediate money to produce a
dream wedding without delaying the nuptials.
On the other hand, if a couple is uniting two average incomes, the
burden of paying back a large loan may bring unnecessary stress to a new
marriage. Even worse would be a scenario in which newlyweds share a single
income after marriage.
A marriage loan is enticing, and amidst the
excitement of wedding planning, it's easy to think only of the present. But for
some couples, a wedding loan can be a devastating blow, the kind of blow that a
new marriage may not survive.
Where the loan originates is also a deciding factor. It is no difficult feat to find a predatory lender who specializes in bad-credit loans for weddings or any other purpose. These lenders usually possess superior power-of-persuasion skills and no one is more vulnerable than a groom who simply wants the wedding of his dreams. But taking out a high-interest personal loan to finance a wedding makes little sense for any groom.
Where the loan originates is also a deciding factor. It is no difficult feat to find a predatory lender who specializes in bad-credit loans for weddings or any other purpose. These lenders usually possess superior power-of-persuasion skills and no one is more vulnerable than a groom who simply wants the wedding of his dreams. But taking out a high-interest personal loan to finance a wedding makes little sense for any groom.
An exception to this rule would be the existence of money in
reserve to repay the loan, such as an imminent inheritance, an insurance
settlement, or another guaranteed windfall sum. If there is money on the
horizon that can be earmarked for loan repayment and there is no other way to
obtain a loan, a bad-credit unsecured loan could work.
The interest will no doubt be very expensive, but if it means not
delaying a wedding and getting the wedding underway sooner rather than later it
is important to you, it can be a choice of last resort as long as the means for
quickly paying it back exists.
Budgeting for a wedding is crucial to keep the costs in check, and
a wedding budget is a great trial of how the household money will be handled
after the wedding day. Learning to budget, and sticking to it, is one of life's
most valuable lessons. For wedding couples it may mean choosing less of
"this" to have more of "that" at the ceremony, reception or
honeymoon. But in the end, adhering to the budget will be rewarding.
Every wedding couple is unique, and every wedding couple's
finances are just as individualized. The decision of whether or not to obtain a
wedding loan to cover wedding costs is personal. But it's a personal decision
that benefits from a thorough examination before any action is taken. Consider
these questions:
• Can the loan be repaid
without hardship?
• Is a more expensive wedding worth the burden of the debt?
• Is there a safeguard for repaying the loan in the event of a loss of income?
• Do both the bride and groom agree on how wedding and marriage finances should be handled?
• What desired, after-wedding item could be purchased with just the interest expense that will be forever lost to the payback of the loan?
• Is a more expensive wedding worth the burden of the debt?
• Is there a safeguard for repaying the loan in the event of a loss of income?
• Do both the bride and groom agree on how wedding and marriage finances should be handled?
• What desired, after-wedding item could be purchased with just the interest expense that will be forever lost to the payback of the loan?
If these questions are answered honestly, it will be easier to
come to a decision about utilizing a wedding loan. For some, a loan will work.
For others, taking out a wedding loan may be the first horrible decision a
couple makes.
It probably won't be the
last terrible decision made in the course of the marriage, because all of us
married folks make some doozies from time to time. But it is one that can set
the stage good or bad for the future.
For the happiest wedding, it's a saving grace to make no debt
decisions in haste. Easy financing is not always what it's cracked up to be,
even for a dream wedding.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 03 MANAALA Fashion Friday 10 July 2015
TIPS AND IDEAS FOR A STYLISH AND ELEGANT
DECORATION OF A WEDDING CAR
Decorating a wedding
car is one of the essential parts of the entire wedding planning and it has to
be something impressive, something more than just the plain decoration with
flowers but all the more beautiful and
romantic, a theme that perfectly suits the celebration of love and togetherness
MANAALAYA has some
trendy car decoration styles other than those usual flower decorations for your
wedding car:
License Plates - Hang
a “Just Married” license plate at the rear end, or a plate with the names of
the couple at the front.
Balloons - Pick
cheerful colors and shapes that suit the wedding theme and stick them on the
roof, front, and the back of the car.
Stickers - Those
heart, and wedding bells shaped or the alphabets self-adhesive stickers you get
on the market are a perfect choice if you desire a minimalistic yet impressive
wedding decoration for your car.
Satin Ribbons - If
you desire to give your wedding car a classic look then satin ribbons are what
you must go for. You can place them in plenty on your entire car, or choose
specific spots to place them. You could also add one red rose to each satin
ribbon bow, which makes them look even more impressive.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 04
MANAALA Grooming Friday 9 July 2015
6 Things Grooms MUST Do the Day of Their Wedding
It's no secret that the
day of the wedding can be a crazy whirlwind. With that being said, it's only
natural for certain things to fall by the wayside. From having a well-balanced
meal to leaving yourself plenty of time, allow us to remind you of some
important things that should be on every groom's to-do list.
Look the part - Leave yourself enough time to complete your
usual morning routine and to get fully suited up. It’s important to feel you’re
most comfortable on your wedding day and to give yourself enough time to do
that.
You and your groomsmen
will likely be getting ready together so be sure you all leave enough time to
groom without overcrowding the bathroom or rushing at the last second. And of
course, don’t forget to throw back a drink or two to calm your nerves!
Watch the clock - Keep an eye on the time throughout the day. If you and your groomsmen are doing a fun activity the morning of the wedding, schedule it early enough so you can get ready without feeling rushed.
Watch the clock - Keep an eye on the time throughout the day. If you and your groomsmen are doing a fun activity the morning of the wedding, schedule it early enough so you can get ready without feeling rushed.
Make sure your family
knows what time they need to be where and if any of your family members need
help or assistance, be there to help them or ask a groomsmen to cover for
you.
Send a note or gift - Give your fiancé a sentimental gift or handwritten note and have it delivered to her on the day of the wedding before you see each other for the first time.
Send a note or gift - Give your fiancé a sentimental gift or handwritten note and have it delivered to her on the day of the wedding before you see each other for the first time.
It can be anything from
engraved jewelry to a cute trinket that represents an inside joke between the
two of you. Include a note to let them know how excited to are to finally begin
the next chapter of your life together.
Eat something - While the morning of the wedding can be
a hectic time, it’s important you take time to eat! Arrange to have food
delivered to your room while you’re getting ready or go out to breakfast with
your groomsmen if time allows.
Between taking photos
and greeting guests it can be easy to miss a meal, but it’s important to keep
up your stamina!
Stay calm - Between balancing guests and keeping track of time it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. If you find yourself getting stressed out or anxious, step back and take a deep breath.
Stay calm - Between balancing guests and keeping track of time it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. If you find yourself getting stressed out or anxious, step back and take a deep breath.
Remember that your
wedding is meant to be a joyous occasion and all the little stuff doesn’t
matter as much as it seems. You finally get to marry the love of your life,
enjoy it!
Offer to help - Talk to your fiancé prior to the wedding and find out if you have any specific duties to take care of the day of the wedding.
Offer to help - Talk to your fiancé prior to the wedding and find out if you have any specific duties to take care of the day of the wedding.
You may need to let the
photographer into the hotel room or help your groomsmen put on their
boutonnieres. Make sure you discuss your jobs well before the wedding so
there’s no last-minute confusion and everything can run smoothly.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 05 MANAALA Bachelor Party Friday 10 July 2015
“HANG
GLIDING
a
fantastic bachelor party idea”
Imagine soaring like a
hawk thousands of feet above the ground. Although the air is somewhat chilly,
the view is tremendous and the solitude is relaxing.
You search for updrafts
of air to keep you aloft so that you can enjoy this feeling for hours. This is
the experience of hang gliding.
The hang glider is actually a
triangle-shaped airfoil, a modified parachute (known as a flexible
wing) made of nylon or Dacron fabric.
The triangular shape is maintained by rigid
aluminum tubes and cables and is designed to allow air to flow over the surface
to make the wing rise.
Newer, high-performance hang-glider designs use
a rigid wing with stiff aluminum struts inside the fabric to
give it shape, eliminating the need for supporting cables.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 06 MANAALA Travel Friday 10 July 2015
CRUISE LINES THAT MAKE YOU’RE WEDDING
A DREAM
Cruise
line weddings have become so popular that every other couple desires to
celebrate their special day on a cruise. Besides the exciting onboard journey,
the world class services that some of the cruise lines offer today is what
makes them a choice of so many couples for their wedding.
Planning
a cruise wedding is too easy, as easy as just making one call to them and they
take care of almost every small wedding planning you are supposed to do
otherwise. MANAALAYA has a few rundown on some cruise lines that have a
reputation for best onboard weddings:
Norwegian Cruise Line -
The reason that makes
Norwegian Cruise Line so popular amongst couples planning to get married is its
range of packages it offers, as in, you get packages that are pretty affordable
and you also get packages that are extravagant. Their ships have some of the
best restaurants onboard and perfect availability of a romantic dining as well.
Celebrity Cruises -
Celebrity cruises claim
to give you some best moments while celebrating the day of your eternal love
and togetherness at a destination of your choice. In some of the Celebrity
ships, captains perform ceremonies at sea. Celebrity cruises aim to offer not
just a wedding but also plenty of other fun and luxury happenings to keep you
and your guests busy and happy before and after your special day.
Disney Cruise Line -
Disney Cruise Line
offers a fun-filled wedding to the first timers but a lot more fun and frolic
to the second timers who have their kids along. It offers extremely romantic
setting for the couple and a fun-filled stay and celebration for the young kids
who can celebrate their parent’s wedding in their own fun way.
Carnival Cruise Line -
Carnival Cruise Line is
more popular with people owing to its affordable wedding packages and its
spirited ships. Imagine yourself marrying in the chapel in one of the Carnival
Cruise Line ships, either at a destination it sails to or at a destination of
your choice. Wherever you go on this cruise line, one thing that you will get
for sure is the remarkable service from the hands of its experienced staff.
MSC Cruises -
This one seems to be
the most hassle free cruise line for the couples who have the penchant to tie
the knot onboard, as you do not have to bring any sort of legal documents with
you onboard. All you have to do is to pack your bag and rush to the cruise line
for the celebration of your love and togetherness.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 07 MANAALA Romance Friday 10 July 2015
Be Romantic on Your Wedding Day
Organizing
your wedding should be the most romantic occasion of your lives. But - let's
face it - the wedding guests seem to get more attention paid to them than you
and your bride. Isn’t MANAALAYA right!
Hours are
spent on who will sit where, what the guests will eat, evening entertainment,
writing endless invitations and paying through the nose for the most exquisite
venues. This is without mention of the happy couple spending most of their
wedding day checking that everyone else is having a great time!
This is not
to say that good wedding etiquette should be forgotten, but it seems sad that
the bride and groom themselves aren’t in for that much attention.
So, how can
you be romantic on your wedding day? Well, the best place to start is before
the wedding itself. Despite all the stress of wedding planning, make time for
each other and do little romantic things each week.
Send her a
string of short emails. Tell her how much you are looking forward to your big day
and how you can't wait to be her husband. On the actual wedding day, you could
start being romantic by giving your sweetheart a special present and a card.
Let her
open it on the morning of your wedding day. As much as you will allow, buy
something a little bit special that she can keep and treasure always. If you
are not spending the wedding morning together [and tradition states that you
shouldn't be together] then make sure her favourite dish or fruit juice is well
stocked up in the cupboard.
You can
leave her a note to tell her it's there or ask your best man to tell him. This
is not only a romantic gesture but a great way of ensuring she has had
something to eat! If possible, arrive at your wedding destination in a certain
way so that your sweetheart sees you first. Allow her to have a few moments
taking in the vision of her handsome hubby - to - be. Exchange a knowing glance
with each other that only you two can see.
Look into
each other's eyes when you say your vows. It may sound like an obvious one, but
it so important to really focus on each other when saying your vows. Make it
really clear to your wife that you love her and are making your vows from the
bottom of your heart.
Have a
romantic kiss when you are pronounced husband and wife. You don't have to go
too mad, but a peck on the cheek does not really do the job at this highly
romantic part of the wedding. So, make the most of it and indulge in a
lingering kiss as a married couple.
Arrange to
have a special message delivered to your reception to say 'Thank You' to your
new wife. This could be in the form of her favourite perfume, a bottle of
champagne or even a bouquet of roses. Despite this sounding cringe worthy, it
will be really well received.
Remember,
that your wedding day is just the start of your marriage that you want to last
for a lifetime. Being romantic and making each other feel valued will need to
be part of your lives, so don't just save it for special occasions. Make every
day in your marriage a romantic one and you are guaranteed to have a happy,
long and a fulfilling marriage.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 08 MANAALA Honeymoon Friday 10 July 2015
World’s
Most Romantic Cities
Any
place with your partner is a heaven on earth but there are places that have
become synonymous with romance over the years and make us never want to leave.
If you are looking to spend some quality time with your beloved, MANAALAYA have
just the list of romantic getaways for you!
PARIS –
If you put these words Romance + City together, the first image that will come
to your mind will invariably be of Paris. The French Capital is one of the most
popular destinations of the world put together and for people in love a visit
to this world- class city is a must.
For art lovers around the world, a visit to
the Louvre is a must. A couple’s dinner across the river Seine, bike-rides,
walks around the Versailles Palace and Gardens
will want to snuggle to your partner and elevate you to another plane of
surrealism and romance.
You
can also taste various wines and also try out the various French pastries and
chocolates. There are actually special tours that cater to these.
VENICE -
There
are simply too many things to do in Venice! You can take a tour of the Grand
Canal by opting for a Gondola ride with your partner and float past beautiful
palaces and bridges and revel in their beauty and architecture.
Amongst sightseeing
spots, a visit to the Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and the Museum of
Natural History are a must. The gothic architecture of the monuments are each a
sight to behold and is a serving example of an ancient civilization.
You can also head out
for the various nightclubs if you and your partner feel like dancing. Also do
taste the wonderfully delicious Italian fare.
Monte Carlo (Monaco) –
Monte Carlo is an
experience which you would love to share with your partner. The things-to-do
list should certainly include exploring the 13th century Palais du Prince and
the Rock of Monaco where you see the lush green gardens meeting the sea from
atop.
A stroll, hand-in-hand
along the narrow winding streets is an aphrodisiac for romance. You can plan
your trip according to the grand festivals that take place in this city, like
the Monte Carlo Rally in January, the kick-off of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in
May or the annual Summer Festival.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
Page 09 MANAALA Intimacy Friday 10 July 2015
A Guide to Wedding Night Intimacy
Great intimacy can make a marriage sing. Intimacy, although only
one component of marriage, is an important way for most couples to express
their love. Great intimacy also happens to be a stress reliever and a way for
married people to feel connected to one another. But great sex doesn’t happen
overnight. Even though sex is usually fun for couples, it takes communication,
effort, and, yes, practice to achieve great results. MANAALAYA explains how to:
Get confident.
Developing
your own self-esteem, a certain level of contentment with your naked body, and
a feeling of satisfaction with who you are as a person will help you gain
confidence in life and the bedroom. The more confident you are, the better
you’ll perform and the better you’ll feel about sex. After all, if you don’t
love yourself, you can’t truly love anyone else.
Be romantic.
Great
sex isn’t only about what you do in the bedroom. Most people need their lover
to make them feel loved and appreciated. You have to show one another that
there is something more to your relationship than sex. Romantic gestures, even
corny candlelight dinners or unexpected red roses, can do the trick.
Spend time together.
If you
never see each other, you will never have sex. Just because you’re married does
not mean you can forego date nights. Schedule dates and continue to court each
other. A date night is a great build up to great sex. By
the time you get home from a fun night on the town, you won’t be able to resist
ripping off each other’s clothes.
Read her signals.
Your
wife might give you the green light for sex by asking you to watch TV with her
before bed. She might even let you know she’s in the mood for sex by asking if
you’re still awake. Knowing how to read your spouse’s signals is something you
learn over time, but it’s an important part of the communication the two of you
must have about sex.
Focus on foreplay.
Most women
need lots of foreplay to help them get excited for great sex. Yet, many couples
spend little time on foreplay because there is never enough time in the day.
Spending more time on foreplay – from kissing to oral
sex – will help you build
anticipation, which is sure to make it better.
Make intimacy exciting again.
Married sex is not
a death sentence; in fact, the more you get to know what she likes and doesn’t
like, the better intimacy will be. The more comfortable you grow to be, the
more you’ll be willing to experiment with intimate positions or role playing or
whatever it is that turns her on.
Never stop improving your intimate life.
The best
part about sex is that it can keep getting better and better. If you’re willing
to put in the effort to practice: practice and practice till you see and feel
great improvement.
CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai
Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
