Book: The Baby Elephant Diet Author: Ravi Mantha; Publisher: Rupa Pages: 188 Price: Rs.195 Does the thought of going healthy and shedding extra fat come with shunning your favourite dishes? Or does going healthy make you feel that you should restrict yourself, limit your choices or be austere? Not any more. Author and health guru Ravi Mantha unlocks many of the modern myths and misconceptions surrounding food and diet and introduces the new concept of healthy life in this book: Eat more. Mantha emphasises on "Eating Right" instead of starvation or bland food and on quality food rather than the quantity of food. For him, a healthy lifestyle involves actually eating a lot - with lots of fibre, non- processed and vegetarian food, like a baby elephant that has a lifespan similar to humans. "One-size-fits-all approach like 'eat a big breakfast' or 'eat six meals a day' are not meant for all as we are not all made the same way," says Mantha, emulating Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar who does not follow any dieting or exercise books and rather has his own set of rules for a healthy life. The conventional mantra of drinking eight glasses of water a day is another contradiction, he says. "Listen to your body and drink water when you are thirsty; so do not force yourself to drink water when you are showing no signs of thirst as over-hydration is not good either," he advises. He comes with new concepts and tips on healthy living which might surprise you or might seem unbelievable to you. The satiation for your sweet tooth is a poison to your healthy body, the simple truth being "sugar is poison." It can develop diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid problems and cancer. The two-word mantra "avoid sugar" is the topmost secret of achieving good health. If you can change your diet to avoid sugar in all its myriad forms, ranging from ice-cream to sodas, rice, pasta, wheat, bread, cereals, fruit juices and sweet fruits, you will live a long and healthy life. "The most important skill for success is self-control, an independent skill that once acquired, translates into every part of lives, not just food," he notes. This is the right book if you are looking for answers to your health problems like why some people are skinny and others are fat, why some people are able to eat copious amounts of food without any impact on their weight or health, or why exercise makes a significant difference in some people while it does not seem to work at all in others. Since the baby elephant eats lots and lots of fibre, start your day with a good dose of fibre. "Food is meant not just for the body, it also nourishes the soul," says the author. Get to eat when you want and as much you want. You have to be in control of your body and mind and retain the choice to eat even bad foods - although once in a while. Once you are through with the reading, I believe that you will acquire insights enough to not only enjoy your favourite food but also improve daily food habits.

Streaks of salty water flow down the mountains and canyons of Mars during summer seasons, raising the odds that life may one day be found on the Red Planet, Nasa scientists have announced. An analysis of the dark patches that ebb and flow on the slopes of Mars shows that they contain "hydrated" salt crystals containing molecules of water — the first time scientists have directly detected liquid water on Mars. Images taken from a spectroscopic instrument on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter flying around the planet have confirmed the presence of briny water in the dark formations running periodically down the Martian slopes, which Nasa first detected in 2000. Last April, Nasa's Curiosity rover detected the presence of salts that could absorb water vapour in the Martian atmosphere, but now the Mars orbiter has found unambiguous signs that liquid water does indeed form around the salt crystals present in the dark streaks of the Martian hillsides.

Herbs for Weight Loss # 1: Cinnamon Cinnamon is one of the best weight loss herbs because it helps to stabilise blood sugar level, keeps you full for a longer time, decreases hunger pangs and metabolises fats at a faster rate. Herbs for Weight Loss # 2: Ginger Ginger is a very good body cleanser. Ginger helps to remove the food logged in the digestive system and thus prevents fat storage and weight gain. Herbs for Weight Loss # 3: Cardamom This spice helps boost your metabolism and improve your body's ability to burn fat. Herbs for Weight Loss # 4: Turmeric This yellow-orange spice has several weight-loss properties. It helps to reduce the formation of fat tissues, thus lowering total body fat and prevents weight gain. Herbs for Weight Loss # 5: Acai Berry Studies show that the juice from the acai berry or the dried powder of acai berry, can improve the ability to lose weight effectively. They help to prevent the fat build-up in the body and have enormous energising antioxidant properties. Herbs for Weight Loss # 6: Nettle leaf This leaf is highly nutritive and is loaded with antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A. They aid in purifying blood and burns fat. Herbs for Weight Loss # 7: Guarana Guarana has diuretic properties. It helps in losing weight. It also aids in stimulating the nervous system and thus helps you to avoid emotional eating due to stress or tension. Herbs for Weight Loss # 8: Cayenne pepper This spice includes a compound called as capsaicin which helps to burn fat and suppresses your hunger cravings. According to a research done by Prudue University - cayenne is effective in weight loss, because it increases body's metabolism activity which causes the body to burn more calories. Herbs for Weight Loss # 9: Cumin Cumin helps to improve your digestive process and production of energy. Cumin seeds also helps to boost your immune system. Herbs for Weight Loss # 10: Ginseng Ginseng helps to boost energy levels and speeds up metabolism rate. Herbs for Weight Loss # 11: Black pepper This commonly-used spice is filled with a compound called - piperine. This compound helps in boosting your metabolism. Black pepper also helps in improving your digestive system and helps to burn fat at a faster rate. Herbs for Weight Loss # 11: Black pepper This commonly-used spice is filled with a compound called - piperine. This compound helps in boosting your metabolism. Black pepper also helps in improving your digestive system and helps to burn fat at a faster rate. Herbs for Weight Loss # 12: Dandelions This flower head helps to cleanse your body and helps to slow down your digestion. Dandelions help to make you feel full for a longer period and have very good nutritional content as well. So start eating this flower to fit into your old jeans. Herbs for Weight Loss # 13: Flax seeds Flaxseeds acts as a bulking agent and gives you a feeling of fullness. Thus, they prevent you from overeating and help you to lose weight. Herbs for Weight Loss # 14: Guar gum Guar gum helps in managing diabetes and aids weight loss. It helps to improve the digestion process and gives you a feeling of fullness. Herbs for Weight Loss # 15: Garcinia This fruit promotes appetite suppression and prevents production and storing of fat. Choose whole food rather than other variants. Herbs for Weight Loss # 16: Mustard Mustard is a very good weight loss herb, as it helps to fasten body's metabolic activity. Herbs for Weight Loss # 17: Coconut oil Coconut oil helps to increase your metabolic speed, which further aids in releasing energy and promoting weight loss. Herbs for Weight Loss # 18: Fennel seeds These tiny seeds aid in digestion and help to regulate your hunger. Besides, it also helps in cleansing your liver. Herbs for Weight Loss # 19: Psyllium This is a very safe weight loss agent. These seeds make you feel fuller for a longer time and slow down the absorption of simple carbs. Herbs for Weight Loss # 20: Hibiscus Hibiscus is loaded with various obesity fighting agents like chromium, ascorbic acid and hydroxycitric acid (HCA).

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone were allegedly in a relationship. While the two have drifted apart, Ranbir and Deepika continue to work together on the big screen. Speaking about their relationship, Ranbir was quoted, "Deepika and I have moved on as individuals and as actors. When you come across someone who is as motivated as you are, the experience of working together is terrific. I share a deep comfort level with her. I don't feel awkward with her. We are all professionals."

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who would be seen alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Johar's upcoming film, says working with the superstar would be a great learning opportunity for her. Johar has announced his next home production with Alia and SRK to be helmed by Gauri Shinde of "English Vinglish" fame. It is not clear yet if SRK and Alia would be romantically paired opposite each other in the film. The 22-year-old actress is very excited to share space with the "Om Shanti Om" star. "I am very excited to be working with him (Shah Rukh Khan). He is the biggest superstar. It is a dream come true moment," Alia said.

Social networking giant Facebook is rebranding its Internet.org programme, which was in the midst of a controversy over alleged violation of net neutrality, to 'Free Basics'. Armed with more services and stronger security measures, the rebranding will help Facebook distinguish the free basic internet offering from the large number of activities the US-based company is pursuing to help get new users online across the globe. The announcement comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Facebook's campus in California on September 27. "We're making this change to better distinguish the Internet.org initiative from the programmes and services that Facebook provides, including Free Basics. Anyone currently using the app will be able to continue using the Android app though it will now be called Free Basics by Facebook in Google Play. And the mobile Web version, which will redirect from the previous URL, can be accessed at Freebasics.com," Internet.org Vice-President Chris Daniels.

 President Barack Obama offered Xi Jinping a warm welcome at the White House on Thursday, greeting his Chinese counterpart with a "ni hao," or hello, at the start of a tricky state visit. The pair kicked off Xi's first state visit by shedding their ties and strolling out of the West Wing and across Pennsylvania Avenue to Blair House. Officials hope that by starting with a casual meeting the leaders of the world's two pre-eminent military and economic powers will find time for a less staid exchange of views. On Friday Xi will be offered a 21-gun salute and ceremonial state dinner, in a symbolic statement that will let him show the Chinese people that he and his country are being treated as a great power. But US officials admit the litany of problems now plaguing US-China relations and doubts over Xi's commitment to a "peaceful rise" are unlikely to be resolved over butter-poached Maine lobster or grilled cannon of Colorado lamb. "Far and away, the most constructive engagements they've had have been in their private dinners," said senior Obama national security aide Ben Rhodes.

The Indian team led by MS Dhoni to contest the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 went from being rank outsiders - the oldest player of that squad was Ajit Agarkar at 29 and there were nine under the age of 25 - but ended up winning the trophy to change the landscape of world cricket. From the XI that played the final at The Wanderers, where Pakistan were beaten exactly eight years ago. On the eighth anniversary of India's glorious five-run win, TOI Sports casts an eye on the XI that took the field on that memorable day and how their international careers panned out since.