Proteins are the building blocks of life and have a vast number of functions that include DNA replication, being a catalyst for metabolic reactions and transportation of molecules from cell to cell. The Week caught up with Sachit Pradhan of Platinum Fitness to talk about why protein consumption is important and how you can get enough protein in your diet after a good workout.

There are a lot of things you should consider before you head out to get your first tattoo. Early spring is the perfect time to get a tattoo according to Tulove Thapa of Gagan’s Tattoo Inn, Thamel. This is the season where the sun isn’t strong enough to burn your sensitive, freshly tattooed skin, and you don’t have to wear layers thus protecting the skin from chafing and bleeding. Here are some things you should consider before making a tattoo as well as different kinds of tattoos you can choose from.

There may be music, conversation, lights and a whole host of other things to jazz up a gathering. But there’s something sweetly old-fashioned about a drinking game. You don’t need any fancy props or expensive gadgets—just booze, partners and a will to compete. Drinking games are the best ways to kill time and build an atmosphere at your party or any gathering-big or small. But just in case you haven’t given them a shot yet, here The Week brings to you a few of the best that will help you get things started.

Chef Bhola Yadav of Gulab says that there are more than a hundred items in South Indian cuisine. Some of the most common and the easiest to make items are dosa, idli with vada, and uttapam. “Although for restaurants we grind the flour in commercial stone mixers, regular mixers too can do the job. The only difference is that the end result may not be as fluffy as the ones in restaurants,” he says adding that there are many idli or dosa mixes that you can buy in the market to make it easier for you to make the cuisine in your own kitchen.

Let’s admit it, there are some of us out there who are guilty of keeping our cosmetics in a grungy old zipper pouch that we may or may not have had since high school. And it’s not even a question of habit, it seems there are still many women who haven’t quite discovered the benefits of organizing their makeup and accessories. Getting ready in the morning can be so much easier when you can actually find what you need. The Week talked to salon owners for their expertise on the best practices of maintaining our cosmetics. Indeed more cosmetics don’t have to spell storage problems.

Good Reads

Movies, Movie mania, Celebrities

Former advisor to President Yadav, Hari Sharma reveals that, of late, he isn’t only picking books for its content matter or writer but also aesthetic value. Fonts, bindings, cover, size, he talks about them all and also reflects that it might sound slightly unusual. Nevertheless, he is thoroughly enjoying the process of locating and the prospect of owning such literary finds.

Staying fit and achieving that six pack abs or a ‘bootylicious’ body has become an increasing lifestyle trend among Nepalis. Seeing celebrities and known personalities maintaining a great body shape through constant and rigorous workout routine have inspired many to hit the gym. Now, people are much aware of the benefits of staying fit and healthy. Here are seven renowned gyms around

A lot of people in the valley suffer from anxiety but still don’t know what anxiety really is. When the physical symptoms manifest, they go from doctor to doctor, never being satisfied with any of their diagnosis because the symptoms persist. When they finally visit a psychiatrist, they have a big file of medical reports with them but not a single solution. The Week talked to Dr Arun Kunwar to know more about this disorder.

No matter how advanced your device is, it doesn’t have the capability to clean itself physically. Still, for some reason, it seems a lot of people are not too particular about cleaning their gadgets. In this case, besides the general gross factor and the obvious hygiene reasons, the chances of dirt, dust and other contaminants clogging up your electronic equipment and affecting its performance are very high.  Here is The Week to the rescue. Cleaning gadgets isn’t as simple as mopping the floor, there are certain factors you will have to keep in your mind.

Spices have been a part of our cuisine for centuries and come with an impressive list of health benefits. Many of us cook using these spices but aren’t completely aware of everything else they bring to the plate apart from just taste. The Week talked to Ganesh Kumal, chef at Bawarchi, to find out more about the spices we use every day and their benefits.

The dust and pollution of Kathmandu have taken their toll on just about everything – our homes, our health, and our skin. While we are doing everything in our control to protect each of these elements from pollution, it seems like there isn’t much we can do in terms of saving our tresses. Frizzy, dry, and unmanageable hair is what we must battle with at the end of a long day only to do it all over again the next day. Here’s how you can keep your hair looking its best despite many factors working against it.

Why wait for a gift? As a woman of the world, we know what we want, and also we have what it takes to go after it. Whether it’s a great job, a fantastic vacation or an amazing apartment, we don’t wait for things to come to us.

Good Reads

“Encouraging creativity in your child doesn’t necessarily mean you will be the parent of a potential billionaire or a future class topper,” says Pranjali Singh, program coordinator at Nepal Children’s Art Museum (NCAM). But still she considers the incentives for parents to take on the task to be more than worth it.

As it is it’s difficult to take care of newborns and babies and, of late, with the growing pollution in the valley as well as the seasonal change the task is getting harder. With every other person having his/her own ideas about the best way to take care of babies, it has become all the more difficult for mothers to figure out what’s actually good for their kids. Dr Vivek Todi, consultant pediatrician and pediatrician nephrologist at Norvic International Hospital and Vayodha Hospital, sheds some light on how to take care of children aged from six months to six years.

Most of us would like to plant some greens and have a garden at home but often lack the space to do so. The Week talked to Sagar Mulmi of Bangalamukhi Nursery to find out how our gardening dreams can be made possible in small spaces and how we can grow vegetables and even some fruits right on your terrace.

Eating the right food will not only help you in your fitness journey but also lower your chances of suffering from various ailments like blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Remember, eating for good health is all about making smart choices consistently.

There is no dearth of places to eat in the capital with new restaurants and bars opening in every nook and cranny. But then, these western culture influenced places might not be what you are looking for when you want to indulge in some local cuisine. But fear not as there are equally many local joints that can delight your Nepali taste buds. The Week talked to a few people in the valley and found out which is the spot they head to when they want a bowl of steaming momos or some yummy Newari food.