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The Weight Loss Hormone

Its called leptin, and it tells your brain to suppress hunger. Here's how to make the most of it

During a recent physical, my doc­tor suggested I lose about 8 pounds. No problem, I figured: I'd simply step up my workouts and skip my nightly dessert. But after several weeks, I'd lost almost no weight and was always hungry.

Sound familiar? If so, you'll be inter­ested in leptin, a chemical that could be the "master hormone" for your appetite. Produced in the body's fat cells, leptin travels to the brain after a meal to suppress hunger. As the meal is digested, leptin levels fall, and appe­tite rebuilds.

But this exquisite system can be easily disrupted. A major culprit? Elevated triglycerides in the blood, which prevent leptin from reaching the brain, allowing hun­ger feelings to persist. Fortunately, you can take steps to bathe your brain in leptin and quell appetite naturally:

· Eat foods low in triglycerides: Be wary of foods high in dairy fat (like whole milk and ice cream), which is 98% triglycerides.

· Get hooked on fish oil: It may lower triglycerides and also facilitate leptin's passage to the brain.

· Sleep about 8 hours: Anything less is associated with lower levels of leptin in the blood and brain.

· Exercise often: Regular activity lowers triglycerides and helps the brain absorb more leptin.

An additional bonus to maintaining robust levels of leptin in the brain: a flatter belly. When appetite (and, thus, food intake) is suppressed by leptin, the body first turns to its most readily available source of body fat, which is stored around the belly, for fuel.

Take Time to Shine

Share your inner divine light

The holiday season is here and, like me, you prob­ably find yourself rushing around trying to finish errands, shopping, decorat­ing, and all the other tasks on holiday to-do lists. Our hearts and minds are filled with thoughts of loved ones, wishing them the most pleas­ant holiday season. Through gifts we try to share these thoughts, but are we really letting our inner light shine? Which gifts truly matter?

The simple gifts in life are the most treasured. They don't come in a box with exquisite paper and ribbon, and they aren't delivered by the postman or the local florist. The gifts I remember most are the make-believe tea parties with my grand­daughters; the unexpected dinners with family and friends; the gentle smiles and hellos received from strang­ers; and shared laughs with coworkers over lunch. These are the magical moments I cherish.

I have a beautiful Christ­mas tree that shines brightly, with exquisite jeweled orna­ments crafted by me and my children and a collection of

finely crocheted snowflakes made with love by a dear friend. In the quiet of its eve­ning lights, I sit in awe of the tree's beauty. It's a reminder of the hours of tender care that went into each deco­ration, and I feel I'm safe, warm, and blessed. When I wake in the morning, I find my faithful friend Puss Cat lounging beneath the tree, also enjoying its beauty. Although she's not wrapped, she's presented herself as a special gift to me.

December is the time of year with the shortest days and longest nights, so let your light shine out to every­one you meet. Cherish the simple gifts in life; love our planet and everyone in it just as God loves us. Each of us is like a light on the tree, brightening the path for someone else. Open the door to your heart, and spread that inner glow to lift others who need a beacon to guide them in the darkness.

My love and best New Year wishes to each one of you.

PREVENT MED MIX-UPS

The names of more than 1,400 drugs are frighteningly similar to those of others, creating potentially troubling confusion, according to a study by the United States Pharmacopeia, a scientific organization. Here are four ways to avoid this simple mistake, plus several common drug soundalikes—all of which have been dispensed incorrectly and actually harmed patients, according to USP.

1. Copy down the drug name and dosage on a separate sheet of paper from your prescription and read it back to your doctor to confirm. Check this information against the pill bottle with your pharmacist present. (You're entitled by law to receive free pharmacy counseling every time you begin a new medication.)

2. Confirm a generic's brand-name equivalent and indica­tion with your pharmacist after receiving your meds; many prescriptions are filled with generics, meaning the drug name on a bottle label could be different from the one your physician wrote down.

3. Verify the medication's "indication for use" (the symp­toms it treats) on the information sheet most pharmacies include with medications.

A HEALTHY

BALANCE:

LIVING WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Live better, stay healthy, one easy step at a time

Now is the time to take charge of your condition and begin living a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. You can do it - empowered by today's best information on eating right, exercising and losing weight.

Here, for example, is how you can still enjoy fast food and stay healthy, too. Just follow these three simple steps.

STEP 1: Know Your Numbers

Nearly all fast-food establishments publish nutritional information on their Web sites. Most also supply it at the counter. Make sure your entire meal contains no more than...

· 750 calories

· 20 g total fat

· 800 mg sodium

· 60 g carbs

STEP 2: Know When to Walk

· Avoid jumbo burgers with the works— cheese, bacon, special sauce.

· Skip supersized or large soft drinks, fries, onion rings.

· Run from any sandwich that calls itself "crispy"—it's probably been dipped in a carbohydrate-rich batter, then deep-fried.

STEP 3: Stick to Smart Options

· Choose regular burgers with no extras... and add a little mustard.

· Round out your meal with a side salad (but go light on the dressing).

· Choose water, low-fat milk, or a diet soft drink instead of a regular soft drink.

· Order small-size fries instead of larger options.

· Try grilled chicken or fish sandwiches and fresh fruit with low-fat yogurt.

4 Keys to Great Health Care

· FIND A DOC YOU TRUST— AND WHO LISTENS If your physician treats you like a customer at a drive-thru or makes you feel foolish for asking questions, get another doctor. Experts say one of the best ways to protect yourself is to find a physician who will take time to talk over a procedure's risks and benefits and listen to your personal concerns.

· EXPLORE THE DO- NOTHING OPTION "If a doctor recommends an invasive treatment, such as hysterectomy or knee surgery, you should ask a series of ques­tions," advises Shannon Brown- lee, author of Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer. "Ask: Is there a less invasive treatment I can try first? What's the evidence this treatment will leave me better off than I am now? How good is the evidence? What's likely to happen if I don't do anything?" Query tests, too. Experts know tests can reveal an abnormality that may never cause a problem—but once a little abnormality is found, it's hard for a doctor (or a patient) to do nothing.

· FIND A SECOND OPINION OUTSIDE YOUR COMMUNITY If your condition is serious (or can be treated multiple ways), it's worth traveling across town to a doctor affiliated with a dif­ferent hospital—or perhaps even to another state to see a doctor there. Or get another point of view without hitting the road by trying a reputable online service that offers second opinions, such as MyConsult, run by the Cleveland Clinic. (The cost of online second opinions may not be covered by your insurance.)

· SEEK DECISION­MAKING TOOLS Many medical choices have no obvious right or wrong answer, only ones that work better or worse for you. In the case of breast cancer, for instance, one woman might prefer to preserve her breast—even though she'll have to be alert to the possibility of the tumor recurring—while another woman might choose to have a mastectomy.

Cook Like Your Life Depends on it.

Even minor tweaks to common preparation methods can triple the nutrition of your meal.

PILING YOUR SHOPPING cart high with healthful staples like veggies, fish, and lean meat? Great! Now, take it to the next level. It's what you do with those fantastic foods once you bring them home that transforms them into real nutritional superstars. Take the tomato: Eat it cooked instead of raw and you'll get as much as 171% more of the cancer-fighting com­pound lycopene. "Even one little change in the kitchen can result in a huge health payoff," says Robin Plotkin, RD, a Dallas-based nutri­tionist. Follow our simple rules for cooking smarter and amp up the disease-fighting power of every meal.

Bake tomatoes

FOR: Younger skin (and cancer protec­tion). Compared with fresh tomatoes, cooked tomatoes (and products like pasta sauce) contain more lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Research sug­gests lycopene may guard the skin against damage from the sun's UV rays. Baking tomatoes makes them healthier and more versatile, adding a flavorful twist to sandwiches, salads, and pastas. HOW: Wash and dry 30 cherry or grape tomatoes and place in a small baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes. MAKE IT A MEAL: Baked Tomato, Moz- zarella, and Roasted Turkey Sandwiches (2 servings) Halve a small whole wheat baguette lengthwise. Spread ^x/i tea­spoon of Dijon mustard on lower half. Layer on 2 ounces sliced roasted tur­key breast, 2 ounces reduced-fat sliced mozzarella cheese, and 15 of the hot, baked cherry tomatoes. Cover with top baguette portion and slice in half.

RoaSt 0MEGA-3-RICH FISH FOR: A slimmer waistline. Roasting a fatty fish, such as salmon, with a bit of olive oil doesn't increase its fat con­

tent, according to a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. When researchers fried the fish, it absorbed the olive oil, increasing fat content by about 10% (and adding unnecessary calories). HOW: Drizzle baking dish with olive oil. Select fresh fish fillets, approximately Vb pound per person. Roast fish skin- side down in dish in a 450°F oven until a meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 145°F degrees, or 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Properly prepared fish will flake easily with a fork (overcooking makes it dry). Remove from oven; serve immediately. MAKE IT A MEAL: Roasted Fish Fillets (2 servings) Preheat oven to 450°F. Lightly coat small baking dish with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Place two 5-ounce fillets (such as salmon or lake trout) in dish. Sprinkle with the juice of a small lemon, 1 clove garlic (crushed), and ^l/s teaspoon ground red pepper. Roast 10 minutes per inch of thickness.

Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and serve with a grain of your choice, like quinoa or wild rice, and steamed veggies.

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Thinspiration Review.

Many people, especially women, have at one time or another have to battle with the problem of excess weight. For these women, too much weight in the body means more than just health problems. There is the problem of having the clothes you love the most not fitting you well and most of these women believe that they look more beautiful when they are slim. In days gone by, overweight people had to battle with such things as diet programs and pills that not only did not deliver on their sales promises, but they also have harmful side effects, meaning that you were better off without them. However, thinspiration is significantly different from other products. I'll tell you why.

Unlike other similar diet plans, a thinspiration program does not take you for a fool. Other programs promise to deliver to you the moon and the stars, with such assurances as being able to lose 50 pounds in less than one week. All these, needless to say, are hoaxes. A thinspiration diet is one that depends on your hard work, patience and perseverance in order to give you just what you are looking for. Therefore, when you have opted for a thinspiration diet plan, make sure you have the heart to go with the program. The results that thinspiration guarantees you are very achievable should you work hard enough. With thinspiration, you can lose up to 12 pounds in two weeks.

The pro thinspiration guide book gives you what you need to do in every step of the way so as to achiee the expected results. For instance, the book contains tactics that have been proven t help you reduce your calories intake. This is because it is the intake of calories that causes excessive weight more than anything else. On top of reducing the calorie intake, the guide also shows you how to burn excess calories; steps to keeping track of your calories intake; reasons for anorexia; exercises that you can do without going to the gym among many other things.

The guide also contains a section on anorexia and bulimia. This is because these two problems usually go hand in hand with people who are fighting excess weight. Many of the people, you included, might have at one time or another, opted to significantly reduce your food consumption in order to cut that excess weight. In the course of this program, you find yourself becoming allergic to some foods to the extent that you throw up when eating these foods. These are the trademark symptoms of bulimia and anorexia. The thinspiration guide has a section that helps you know how well to avoid these complications and how to deal with them if you are affected.

In short, the thinspiration guide is everything that you need in order to lose weight and stay healthy. When you adhere to it, you will say goodbye to such things as too good to be true pills, expensive diet plans and the harmful side effects that come with these pills and programs. You can never go wrong with thinspiration.

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Pro Thinspiration.
Weight loss secret. Revealed.

In today’s world, weight loss tips and programs are a dime a dozen. Everyone has their own ‘specialized’ technique of shedding off all that unseemly excess fat to get a slimmer, more attractive look. And of course, these so-called ‘specialists’ do not hesitate in charging ridiculously large amounts of money while selling these tips. And the result? Either they do not work or they involve the use of expensive and harmful pharmaceutical products! But fear not, we believe we have finally discovered THE secret of losing weight quickly and safely.

The problem with most weight-loss programs is that once you do manage to shed off some pounds, they almost always come back. This is not so with Pro-Thinspiration. Containing the most effective and proven methods of losing weight, this is the ultimate product to get you to your dream weight. And it completely ensures that the dreaded fat stays off! Essentially, it is a 30-day program which challenges your understanding of how to lose weight. Most metabolic problems are caused due to poor dieting routines and the flawed concept that eating less means gaining less. With Pro-Thinspiration, you will explore and discover a new diet which focuses on the consumption of good, healthy foods. You will understand that there is absolutely no need of feeling guilty or shameful for craving food. With this book’s help, you can find new ways of having tasty, healthy food without it affecting your weight.

Because Pro-Thinspiration is the result of the experimentation of the author Charlotte Thomson, it is fully tried and tested. Gaining these tips from actual models, she incorporated them into her lifestyle and immediately noticed results. As these models understand what is essential for a healthy, toned, slim body, their tips and tricks really do work! What makes Pro-Thinspiration so radically different from the tons of other dieting programs is the fact that it is not just a diet. It is a whole new life! The methods mentioned are sufficiently supported by valid research about excess weight and how to get rid of it. And the results are incredible!

Pro-Thinspiration also includes valuable and correct information on the myths and realities of Anorexia and Bulimia, and also the symptoms and treatment relating to these two afflictions. Often, society does not respect or understand people with weight problems. This book also helps in this regard, and provides useful guidance in dealing with these issues and other questions that people would throw at you. Having more weight than you desire can also have a negative psychological impact on your confidence and capability to reach your full potential. Already, Pro-Thinspiration has helped a lot of girls overcome their low self-esteem and become confident young women. Achieving your dream weight will make you realize that you CAN fulfill all your expectations and achieve all your goals. All you need is a little determination, a desire to have a lithe and toned body, and a good dose of inspiration from Pro-Thinspiration!

fat

Top fat loss secret

The market is littered with lots of weight loss products and most of them are just the same ideas in a different package! But rarely do we get to see a product that provides information that makes sense and is supported by logic. One such product is introduced by Dr Suzanne Gudakunst.

Dr Suzanne Gudakunst has being doing research relative to the human colon and digestive system since 2002. She really emphasizes the importance of cleansing your body naturally and eating the right foods so that you do not get bloated, her fat loss program is a natural method of losing your unwanted fat by cleansing your body, along with eating a healthy diet.

She has brought to light how all the Healthy-food companies, dietary supplement companies and other weight loss programs and the doctors themselves in fact want you to remain fatter and become sicker because it increases their earnings.

The information provided by Doctor Suzanne about the parasites that live in our digestive track is shocking and hard to absorb, she goes in detail to explain these parasites and how they can cause us to become sicker and sicker and even shorten our life span.

She explains that how imperative it is that you get rid of parasites living in you and how you can start towards a healthy living and quick. This is a 48 pages long ebook.

On the first few pages Dr. Suzanne explains some tips on how to choose a good weight loss program She makes some valid an logical points. It's clear that the book is out to give the reader an education in weight loss as a whole (rather than just the secret site may lead you to believe) which is a good thing for beginners, who have limited scientific knowledge on weight loss.

The book goes on to give yet more tips about losing weight, more specifically - losing weight fast. The tips are all good, valid points that will produce good results but the most useful section is the 'Metabolic Type Plan' this explains the information that most people don’t know about, it tells you how to work out and what type of foods your body will digest easily, so you can put your metabolism in a higher gear.

She explains that the body builds up fat around the vital organs in to stop more toxins building up; it is a natural protection mechanism. If you have fat around the midsection, buttocks and/or thighs, this is a sign the liver is not working at its best and you have toxins. The theory is, when using the detox diet in the book, the toxins are flushed out along with the stubborn fat.

She also suggests natural remedies and supplements which help you cleanse your digestive track and loose weight fast. Overall this book is a good choice for all people who want to lose weight, whether they are beginners or the people who are fed up with trying every new weight loss program on the market.

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10 Ways to Take Charge

of Your Heart Health

1) EAT HEART-HEALTHY FOOD

“A mountain of scientific research has proven

that a delicious Mediterranean diet protects against

heart disease, diabetes, and cancer

and can even help with weight

loss, Add a splash of flavorful

olive oil and a glass of good red wine, and this

diet is a cinch to follow over a lifetime without any

deprivation.

2) SUPPLEMENT WITH PHYTOSTEROLS

“Phytosterols masquerade as cholesterol and

are absorbed into the intestinal cells in lieu of

cholesterol—hence cholesterol is excreted—a highly

effective dietary strategy for reducing circulating

LDL [‘bad’] cholesterol,” “Try phytosterolfortified

products such as tub margarine, orange

juice, and yogurt.”

3) WALK FOR HEART FITNESSWalking complements heart

health. Aim for 30 minutes, which

can be broken down into three

10-minute walks, before

breakfast, lunch, and

dinner.”

4) PUMP IT UP

“Try vigorous exercise

like jumping rope

or running stairs for 10

minutes. Your arteries are

like gutters on the house

filled with leaves; whether

I run the water at low pressure for 30 minutes—like

walking—or I blast out the leaves on high pressure

for 10 minutes—like jumping rope—the gutters still

get cleaned,

5) MEASURE YOUR MILES“These offer accountability,

and your activity gains points toward gift

cards from favorite retailers like Target, iTunes, Best

Buy, and Netflix.”

6) GET GOOD CHEMISTRY

“Exercise also increases feel-good hormones

like endorphins for stress relief and lowers the

stress-response hormone cortisol, which is linked

to heart disease,”

7) CULTIVATE HEART-HEALTHY EMOTIONS“Mental health is as big a predictor of heart health

as are lifestyle choices and family history. Work

stress, relationship stress, anxiety, depression, and

loneliness all increase cardiovascular risk factors like

elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, insulin resistance,

and inflammation.”

8) JUST BREATHE

“Stress is not just in your brain; it’s a full body

response that includes increased heart rate and

blood pressure, dumping fats and sugars into the

bloodstream,” “This makes chronic

stress as toxic to the body as eating a steady diet of

cheeseburgers, doughnuts, and potato chips.”

Slow your breathing to control stress. “Exhale

slowly and completely—through pursed lips works

well—and then inhale fully through the nose,” “Even if you can’t control the chaos in your

life, you can minimize the toll it takes on your health.”

Deep, slow breathing, even for a few minutes

a day, reduces stress, increases self-control, and

improves heart rate variability, a major marker of

cardiovascular health. “Combine it with yoga or

meditation for even more benefit,”

9) CONNECT

“Nourishing your emotional heart by

connecting with loved ones reduces stress and

cardiovascular risk,” “Pets work

as well—and sometimes better!—than humans.”

Heart-healthy social connection includes people

in religious communities, classes, sports clubs, and

support groups.

10) CONTRIBUTE

Making a positive contribution and feeling

in charge of work that matters to you is a major

protective factor for heart health. Volunteer work,

creative projects, and even gardening can do the

trick.

10 Ways to Take Charge

of Your Heart Health

1) EAT HEART-HEALTHY FOOD

“A mountain of scientific research has proven

that a delicious Mediterranean diet protects against

heart disease, diabetes, and cancer

and can even help with weight

loss, Add a splash of flavorful

olive oil and a glass of good red wine, and this

diet is a cinch to follow over a lifetime without any

deprivation.

2) SUPPLEMENT WITH PHYTOSTEROLS

“Phytosterols masquerade as cholesterol and

are absorbed into the intestinal cells in lieu of

cholesterol—hence cholesterol is excreted—a highly

effective dietary strategy for reducing circulating

LDL [‘bad’] cholesterol,” “Try phytosterolfortified

products such as tub margarine, orange

juice, and yogurt.”

3) WALK FOR HEART FITNESSWalking complements heart

health. Aim for 30 minutes, which

can be broken down into three

10-minute walks, before

breakfast, lunch, and

dinner.”

4) PUMP IT UP

“Try vigorous exercise

like jumping rope

or running stairs for 10

minutes. Your arteries are

like gutters on the house

filled with leaves; whether

I run the water at low pressure for 30 minutes—like

walking—or I blast out the leaves on high pressure

for 10 minutes—like jumping rope—the gutters still

get cleaned,

5) MEASURE YOUR MILES“These offer accountability,

and your activity gains points toward gift

cards from favorite retailers like Target, iTunes, Best

Buy, and Netflix.”

6) GET GOOD CHEMISTRY

“Exercise also increases feel-good hormones

like endorphins for stress relief and lowers the

stress-response hormone cortisol, which is linked

to heart disease,”

7) CULTIVATE HEART-HEALTHY EMOTIONS“Mental health is as big a predictor of heart health

as are lifestyle choices and family history. Work

stress, relationship stress, anxiety, depression, and

loneliness all increase cardiovascular risk factors like

elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, insulin resistance,

and inflammation.”

8) JUST BREATHE

“Stress is not just in your brain; it’s a full body

response that includes increased heart rate and

blood pressure, dumping fats and sugars into the

bloodstream,” “This makes chronic

stress as toxic to the body as eating a steady diet of

cheeseburgers, doughnuts, and potato chips.”

Slow your breathing to control stress. “Exhale

slowly and completely—through pursed lips works

well—and then inhale fully through the nose,” “Even if you can’t control the chaos in your

life, you can minimize the toll it takes on your health.”

Deep, slow breathing, even for a few minutes

a day, reduces stress, increases self-control, and

improves heart rate variability, a major marker of

cardiovascular health. “Combine it with yoga or

meditation for even more benefit,”

9) CONNECT

“Nourishing your emotional heart by

connecting with loved ones reduces stress and

cardiovascular risk,” “Pets work

as well—and sometimes better!—than humans.”

Heart-healthy social connection includes people

in religious communities, classes, sports clubs, and

support groups.

10) CONTRIBUTE

Making a positive contribution and feeling

in charge of work that matters to you is a major

protective factor for heart health. Volunteer work,

creative projects, and even gardening can do the

trick.

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As the new year rolls in, do ensure that your home remains en vogue, as 2011 has brought with it an eclectic set of fads and fashions. Some are dramatically new trends, while others are scented with the nostalgia of trends from the yesteryears. Yet others are derivatives of styles that picked up in 2010.

Indoors merge with the outdoors>>

Come 2011, the outdoors will merge with your living spaces. Patios and rooms that open into the outdoors typify this trend. "The trend is all about embracing the outdoors; having your living space reflect and interact with nature. Hence, we will see terraces, sky roofs, balconies and the like being incorporated into designs. Natural light and gentle winds pour into the home. Rough and natural tiling, natural and unpolished wood, indoor plants, bench-like seating arrangements further exemplify this trend," explains architect Rustom Mehta. Even homes that do not have the luxury of a large terrace area can welcome nature indoors. Don't underestimate the power of carefully gardened potted plants, a centrepiece arrangement with acorns and some earthen bric-a-brac.

Personal and personalised>>

Essentially, the overriding mood of the year is carefree, individualistic and eclectic. The stress is on home décor that reflects the identity of its residents. A home that is lovingly pieced together and tells a story and not mass produced in a furniture store or a magazine. Personalised furniture is making waves, as homemakers are opting for a décor that describes their identity. The living space is an active reflection of their lives, an extension of their personality and they will have it no other way.

Larger than life>>

Installation art is coming of age. Dramatic and engaging, it is not merely confined to the canvas. "Clients are very sophisticated and are looking for something different in their living and working spaces," says Nandini Singh, owner of a Gallery Studio. Adds Tushar Jiwrajka of another Art Gallery, "As people are building larger homes, installation art is increasingly finding takers. Essentially, installation art has a personality of its own. The power of three dimension makes it an engaging and evocative form of art." Installation artwork is finding favour among homemakers who want to make a statement. Suddenly, art is no longer just an aesthetic element to be hung on a wall. It can be a living, engaging element of the décor and a wonderful conversation starter as well!

Colour coded>>

2011 is a year of hope and optimism. Hence, bold and bright colours are in vogue. Your walls are asking for a surprise - citrus yellow is the colour of the season. Purple and its various hues are in fashion too. "Wine goes well with a vintage décor, lilac is funky. Also, don't underestimate the power of the humble gray. It can be matched with creamy whites and taupe to create a sophisticated, urban chic effect," shares Malhotra. If you're looking for a slightly wilder décor, orange is the right choice. High intensity warm colours like rust and vermillion can give your house a comforting, homely atmosphere, far from the troubles of the city.

Mix and match>>

A perfectly matching décor is old news, 2011 is all about the eclectic! Team a vintage sofa with starling pink cushions; a simple wooden dining table with lace trimmings and your heirloom crockery. "There is a certain joy in teaming things that are not supposed to be placed together. The result is unexpected and exciting. Put together elements of contrasting yet complementing styles and watch the magic unfold. Play with colours, textures and patterns," suggests interior decorator Apeksha Malhotra. 2011 is all about not sticking to the script and celebrating your individuality.

Touch and feel>>

Think tactility, as textures and patterns take precedence in 2011. The rough texture of exposed brick walls, softened by sheer curtains or an uneven wooden flooring set off by a soft rugtextures can be dramatic and interesting. 2011 is the year of carpets as well. Dig out those heirloom Persian masterpieces! Woven carpets could also work well. Heavy metallic textures are another option. Industrial design-inspired furniture caught on in 2010, and remains popular.

Return to the roots>>

Globalisation may be a buzzword of sorts, but home décor trends are moving in the opposite direction. The trend is towards the local and indigenous. "This is a trend that has come a full circle. From looking overseas for inspiration, homemakers have come back to their backyards. The economic meltdown rubbed some glamour off all things foreign. A local pride has developed," says decorator and space manager Megha Golatkar. Traditional Indian craft styles, for example, are finding favour. Madhubani paintings are scoring over modern art. Even local elements of popular culture are being incorporated into homes-such as the typical 'cutting chai' glasses or Bollywood film posters.

Gaga over green>>

Being environmentally friendly is not just a trend, it seems to have become a way of life. 2011 continues this 'Go Green' march. "Homes are being designed to leverage natural cooling and lighting, hence minimising energy usage. Homemakers are doing their part by adopting energy efficient gadgets like automatic dimmers, CFL bulbs or showcasing artwork made of recycled elements. The gesture needn't be exceptionally grand - simply opting for biodegradable pillows is enough. Furniture made of sustainable yet aesthetic materials like bamboo, cork and recycled metal parts are also catching on. "Bamboo furniture is creating waves on the home design scene for its eco-friendly constitution. However, although it looks classy, it is not for the financially faint. A coffee table, for example, could set you back by almost Rs 28,000." Cane and wicker are also good alternatives. "Wicker caught on towards the end of 2010, and continues to be popular in the new year. It is low on maintenance, low fuss, and creates a comfortable, warm ambience," shares Anurag Mansukhani, a dealer in furniture options.

Old is gold>>

The vintage décor has made a comeback in 2011. "This year's vintage trend emphasises functionality as well. Antiques can be difficult to maintain; the modern vintage décor accounts for this. Chandeliers can instantly add drama and elegance to a living room. Vintage wallpaper can be an interesting option. Framing old photographs, especially in black-and-white can work magic," suggests Mehta. Remember, that trends may come and go but style is eternal!