Unknown sides of Priyanka Chopra

Meet : Bollywood Superstar, Activist, and Junk Foodie Priyanka Chopra

Photo: Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra can’t easily be summed up in a sentence. The former Miss World (she won the title in 2000) is a Bollywood star, recording artist, model (in December 2013 she became the first Indian GUESS girl), humanitarian (she’s a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador), and activist (she promotes the education of girls in India through her namesake charity, The Priyanka Chopra Foundation). All that in one person? Sounds like Chopra, or PC as her friends call her, would have to be superhuman to pull it all off. Only she isn’t. Like us, she struggles to get enough sleep, worries too much, and can’t resist her junk food cravings.

How do we know? Because she told us. And every month on ELLE.com, in a new column, “Pret-a-Priyanka,” Chopra will open up about her life, struggles, and her guilty pleasures. But first, an introduction from PC herself.

It’s day 22/episode 10 of the ‘Priyanka Only Needs 3 Hours of Sleep a Day to Still Be Fabulous’ show. I think it’s going really well, but the people around me don’t agree. Strange, right?

It’s not a deliberate attempt to get no sleep, but more a spillover of my intense desire to do everything that excites and inspires me (which is currently many, many things). Life is sometimes about making compromises, and in this case sleep seems to be mine!

Just before I left LA last week, I got the call giving me the official thumbs up to contribute my thoughts to ELLE.com and it sent me into a momentary panic attack. I think the fear came from the fact that we don’t know each other yet. I worried that my ramblings might make me sound like an extra from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Those who know me understand my idiosyncrasies, but we are strangers!

So…I thought that before I dive in and share my thoughts, emotions, and theories of relativity, I’d break the ice with a quick introduction of myself and let you in on a few secrets about me. Hopefully you will write back and do the same, and if I’m lucky enough we’ll be on our way to a fabulous friendship.

Photo: Instagram

Here, seven things that will help you get to know me. There’s no better place to start than this moment right now:

1. If I had it my way, my home would be a Winnebago…or even an Aerobago (yes, I just made that up)! Since I spend my time between Mumbai and the US, and also given the needs of my chosen profession, I am literally airborne most of the time. I absolutely love it though, and the thought of a long long flight (like the almost 20 hour flight from Mumbai to LA) makes me happy. Jet lag and I are friends.

Photo: Instagram

2. I am a little bit of this and a little bit of that—I grew up in India… went to middle school and high school in Queens, NY and Boston. Went back to India to become an aeronautical engineer, and in 2000, I won Miss World instead. I fell in love with Tupac and tacos and everything in between. Now I am a strange mix of both cultures.

3. I can eat anyone under the table, literally! Buffalo wings, pepperoni pizza, a double double cheeseburger (“animal style”), steak steak steak and more steak! God gave me a good metabolism and I feel it is my duty to feed it!

Photo: Instagram

4. I am a confident, ambitious woman of today. Woman being the operative word. I am a sucker for romance and all things girly. Shoes are my kryptonite. I don’t like stereotypes… and hate being put in a box.

Photo: Instagram

5. I’m daddy’s little girl and mama’s baby—I love my family and always want them around me. I have a huge one, both in India and the U.S., so anywhere I go, they’re not far behind!

6. I absolutely love, adore, and crave the spa! My team has been known to take alternate routes to avoid spas at all costs. It's that bad. Show me one and…

7. I like to read…and write—my room and library are currently overflowing. It’s a childhood habit that was fueled by parents who loved to read, too. Somewhere in my teens I started to write…poems, essays, and stories. I still do, but it’s all locked up… I’m too scared to share it with the world.

This might be a good start.

Your turn!

Related : Bond Girl Material from India - Priyanka Chopra





CLICK HERE TO FIND MORE INTERESTING STORIES...

   Tweet     

PAINTING BY ADOLF HITLER EXPECTED TO FETCH OVER $60,000 AT AUCTION

PAINTING BY ADOLF HITLER EXPECTED TO FETCH OVER $60,000 AT AUCTION

It’s strange to think that when Adolf Hitler was struggling to eke out a living as an artist in Vienna during 1913 and 1914, he was residing in the city at the same time as Joseph Stalin, Leon Trotsky and Josip Broz Tito. With this in mind, it’s not too difficult to imagine that Hitler and Stalin could have easily passed each other on the streets during their early morning walks. While Hitler painted, Stalin was in hiding as a wanted revolutionary, Trotsky was writing political tracts as editor of Pravda and Tito, the future dictator of Yugoslavia, was working as a chauffeur and part-time gigolo.

One of those paintings done by Adolf Hitler in Vienna is expected to make over $60,000 when it is sold at auction this Saturday. The picture is a 100-year-old watercolor by the future Nazi leader of Munich’s old city hall. According to Kathrin Weidler, director of the auctioneers Weidler who are handling the piece, the painting has raised considerable global interest because it is a signed work by the Nazi leader.

The painting is being sold by two elderly sisters whose father originally purchased it in 1916. The picture is being sold with its original bill of sale and a signed letter from Hitler’s adjutant, Albert Bormann, who was the brother of Hitler’s private secretary Martin Bormann.

Bidding is expected to start at around $5,000, but Ms. Weilder believes the painting will reach over $60,000 and perhaps even double this figure. However, she says the painting is of minimal artistic merit and is uncertain if bidders for the Führer’s artwork will attend the auction in person. Which raises the question, who would want to spend over $60k on for something on the level of a doctor’s office painting by such an evil man?

More

Bad Girls of History




CLICK HERE TO FIND MORE INTERESTING STORIES...

   Tweet     

Anglers Delight!

Bait a Hook

Whether it’s battling black marlin, pinning down piranha or mooning for mahseer, an angling trip promises both holiday fun and local insight, along with scrumptious, fresh dinners if you are lucky. Here are some of the world's top fishing hotspots.

Cairns, Australia

Best for: Giant black marlin

Prime time: Early September to late December

Why go: On Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, anyone with a snorkelling mask can find Nemo. But it takes a tough cookie to land a legend. The giant black marlin is one of the most coveted catches on the planet. Weighing up to 750 kg and able to swim up to 130 km per hour, it has the ability to turn hardened game fishers (and, after several hours in battle, their wrists) to jelly. The stunning 250 km stretch between Cairns and Lizard Island is the best place on earth to hook one. 

Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego

Best for: Brown trout

Prime time: December to mid-April

Why go: The archipelago boasts the world’s best sea-run brown trout angling, boasting a population of some 70,000, and their minimum average weight is 4 kg. Being at the end of the earth, Tierra del Fuego can be hard to get to, but Rio Grande’s mammoth trout statue will let you know you’ve arrived. Remember, catch-and-release firmly applies despite the abundance of trout.

Pancheshwar, Uttaranchal

Best for: Mahseer

Prime time: March to May and October

Why go: In this remote location on the India-Nepal border, where the Kali and Saryu rivers converge, you’ll find crystal clear waters teeming with mahseer and promising an unforgettable fishing experience. The largest catch at this beat is 65 lbs. 

Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Best for: Salmon

Prime time: July and August

Why go: Silver salmon aren’t easy to catch because of their energetic high-speed runs and spectacular jumping ability, so they offer serious anglers quite a challenge. Motor mooching and trolling with conventional gear are the favoured techniques. Make sure you bring along clothing for any type of weather—it can be warm one hour and cool and rainy the next. 

Kona, Hawaii

Best for: Blue Marlin

Prime time: May to October

Why go: When the waters off the lee coast of the largest island in the Pacific begin to warm in late April or early May, pelagic Pacific blue marlin arrive, joining the fish that reside here year-round. These blue marlin range in size from about 100 pounds to well over 1,000, and as many as eight blue marlin have been tagged and released by one angler in a single day of sport fishing off Kona. In the same waters, yellowfin tuna, black marlin, striped marlin, shortbill spearfish and other species are also available. 

Eg-Uur River Basin, Mongolia

Best for: Taimen

Prime time: June to November

Why go: Think Mongolia, and the steppes are more likely to come to mind than streams. But this remote central Asian outpost is one of the last remaining havens for the world’s largest trout species—the taimen. A fierce, cannibalistic monster, taimen can grow up to 2 m and smash the scales at 90 kg, so they aren’t meant for the faint of heart or the feeble of arm. Catch-and-release policy is strictly enforced here. 

Brainerd, USA

Best for: Ice-fishing

Prime time: January

Why go: Do you like to dig holes in ice and stare into them for a long time? Then the central Minnesota town of Brainerd is your dream destination. The annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is the largest of its kind in the world, attracting more than 12,000 hopefuls keen on the cold and on hooking themselves a cool $150,000 worth of prizes. Organisers pre-drill 20,000 holes into the thankfully very well-frozen Gull Lake, from which (d)anglers pull up walleye, perch and bass.

Amazon Basin, Brazil

Best for: Piranha

Prime time: July to October

Why go: If you want bragging rights, this one is pretty unbeatable. Head to Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonia, and join one of the many tours that offer piranha fishing, and in some cases, eating. A hunk of meat lands them by the dozen but don’t forget to exercise caution in your excitement: Their razor teeth can cut through steel hooks as well as fingers.

More interesting Stories:


10 Facts about Intercourse during Periods

Hot sisters are Nature's gracious gifts



CLICK HERE TO FIND MORE INTERESTING STORIES...

   Tweet     

Jennifer Lawrence - Moods of Diva

#1 Strikingly Gorgeous

Jennifer Lawrence is the perfect woman and no one is going to tell us otherwise. Unless she is hiding something under her dress Lady Gaga-style then we are convinced she is flawless.

#2 Eyes Like Daggers

Jennifer Lawrence is practically flawless, and picking her best feature would be a challenge for Simon Cowell himself. If we had to pick one, we would say her eyes are like those of a goddess.

#3 She's Been to the Gym Once or Twice

This pose allows us to appreciate the full spectrum of Jennifer's rock-hard body, which is legendary. She has it all, and her grown woman appeal is like nothing we have seen from an actress her age.

#4 The New Definition of Wet Dream

This photo catches Jennifer at her most emotional. Just like her on screen personas she is a boiling pot of fiery emotion and passion, just as her red leotard suggests.

#5 Throwback

This photoshoot is reminiscent of one Britney Spears would have done with a snake around her neck in the early 2000's. The wet look is throwback, but it is a classic nonetheless.

#6 One Sexy Minx

Jennifer Lawrence's eyes tell the story of her appeal. They are dark, mysterious, and they can set the mood in a room with one quick glance.

#7 Hips Don't Lie

This may not be considered racy, but this depiction of J-Law's hips is something we had never seen before. Those are some child bearing hips, ladies and gentlemen.

#8 100% Woman

Jennifer Lawrence is too much woman for most men to handle. She is tall, thick where it counts, and has the confidence of a man. That can be intimidating or the absolute turn on depending on how you handle yourself.

#9 All We Can Say is: WOW

This picture leaves us speechless. We really do not know what to say other than "Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?"

#10 She's Got A Rack

It is being reported that Jennifer Lawrence's favorite rap song is Racks on Racks. Ok, we lied, it's just that she is the one with racks on racks, just check her rack out!

CLICK HERE TO FIND MORE INTERESTING STORIES...

   Tweet     

Yoga Poses to Tone Your Body NOW

 #1 How Yoga Works
Yoga is great for getting a lot of tone for what feels like very little effort. The secret of yoga's success is that it feels calming. But underneath all of that deep breathing is some pretty serious muscle building.
These yoga poses work to tone all of your muscles at the same time. That means more workout bang for you buck.Try the poses individually at first. Then link them together for a more fluid practice. Do them every day and you'll be yoga tight in no time at all

 #2 How Long to Hold
Yoga is all about holding poses. The longer you hold, the harder your muscles work. But it can take a while to build up stamina. The best way to count time in yoga is to breathe. While you hold your poses, inhale for three seconds, then exhale for three seconds. To start, try to hold your poses for just one measured breath.
When that's easy as pie, you can start working up to two breathing cycles and so on until you're holding for the designated amount of time. Remember not to push too hard to fast. Yoga is about building strength slowly.

 #3 Downward Facing Dog
Start by laying flat on your stomach. Next, move your hands to either side of your breast bones lie you're going to do a push up. Tuck your toes so that you're on the balls of your feet. Now push up with your arms to lift yourself off of the floor. Once you're up, lift your rear and straighten your legs until you're in an upside down "v" shape.

Now it's time to stretch. Take turns pushing each heel toward the floor as you exhale. It may take a while before you can get both feet flat. As you inhale, lengthen your back. Push your hips back and your chest toward the floor while keeping your palms flat. Hold this way for one minute.

#4 Plank Pose

Get down on your hands and the balls of your feet like you would at the top of a push up. Hold your back straight. Tuck your tail bone in and press your shoulders down. 

Hold this pose while you breathe. Periodically, check your body positioning. Make sure that your hands are underneath your shoulders. Are your heels close together? Keep your neck relaxed and level with your spine. Hold this pose for one minute.

 #5 Chaturanga
Move into Chaturanga from Plank Pose. As you exhale, bend your arms at the elbow to lower yourself.Hold in this position and continue breathing. As you inhale and exhale, check your position. Are your arms close to your body? Push your shoulder blades down and out to strengthen your support. Tighten your abs by pulling your stomach in toward your navel.
Keep your neck soft. Keep your head down and gaze softly at a spot on the floor directly in front of you. Work up to holding this pose for 30 seconds.

 #6 Upward Facing Dog
Start this pose in Chaturanga. Exhale and untuck your toes so that the tops of your feet are flat on the floor. Inhale and straighten your arms to lift you up. Arch your back and push your chest forward. Push on the ground with the tops of your feet to lift your legs off of the ground.
As you slowly breathe in and out, check your position. Keep your abs pulled in. Don't clinch your buttocks. Keep your neck soft. Look ahead of you and slightly upward. Hold this pose for up to 30 seconds.

 #7 Warrior One
Stand up straight with your right foot pointed straight in front of you. Move your left leg behind you. Point your left foot to the left at a 45 to 90 degree angle to your front foot. Bend your right knee until your thigh is parallel to the floor. Raise your arms and put your palms together. Stretch your arms up and back. Arch your back.
Hold the pose for up to 30 seconds. Then, switch sides and repeat the pose.

 #8 Warrior Two
Start this position from Warrior One's foot and leg positions. Point your front foot forward, slide your back foot out to an angle and bend your thigh parallel to the floor. Now, turn your torso to the side. Spread your arms out and hold them parallel to the floor. Turn your palms so that they face the floor. Turn your head forward.
Hold this position for up to 30 seconds. Then switch sides.

 #9 Triangle Pose
Now straighten your bent leg as you inhale. Exhale and bend at the waist until your fingertips touch the floor by the outside edge of your foot. Stretch your other arm up and reach toward the ceiling with your fingertips. As you hold, check to make sure that your two arms make a straight line that is perpendicular to the floor. Hold for up to 30 seconds.
Now straighten your upper body to stand up straight. Switch your feet's position and repeat the pose on the other side.

 #10 Tree Pose

Stand straight with your feet together. Bend your left knee to lift your leg. Now place the sole of your left foot on your right leg -- above or below the knee, wherever you're comfortable. Press your left foot into your right leg to keep it in place. Spread the toes on your right leg to give you better balance.
Once you can balance in this position, lift your arms above your head and press your palms together. Hold the position for up to 30 seconds. Then switch sides. Eventually you won't need to lift your leg to put it into position.

 #11 Shoulder Stand
Lie down on your back with your arms by your sides. Exhale and lift your legs and back toward the ceiling. Place your palms on your back for support. Work to stretch your legs toward the ceiling. Point your toes and straighten your legs. As you breathe in and out, roll your shoulder blades in toward each other. They will help support you.
Hold the pose for up to 30 seconds.

#12 Boat Pose
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your soles flat on the floor. Grab the backs of your thighs just under your knees. Lean your torso back and lift your knees off of the floor. Straighten your legs from the knee as best as you can. Keep your feet pressed together. Use your muscles to hold your position, not your grip on your thighs.
Once you can hold this position, release your hands. Stretch them out in front of you and hold them parallel to your legs. Hold the pose for up to 30 seconds.


#13 Reverse Boat Pose
Lie on your stomach with your chin on the floor and your arms stretched out in front of you. Exhale and lift your arms and legs while pressing your stomach into the floor. When you inhale, work to get your arms and legs higher. Repeat the cycle of holding and breathing for 30 seconds. Then release the pose by lowering your limbs.
Don't worry if you can't get your arms and legs very high on the first time -- in this or any other pose. Push gently against your limits each time you try the position. Eventually you'll get stronger.

#14 Bridge

Lie on your back. Bend your knees and place your feet close to your buttocks, hip-width apart. Lift our buttocks off of the floor. Clasp your arms underneath your buttocks with your arms straight. Move your shoulders in closer together. Press your shoulders into the floor. 

Now raise everything between your knees and shoulders. Continually push your hips, thighs and chest upward. Rest your weight on your shoulders and feet. 

Hold the position for 30 seconds while breathing slowly and evenly. Once you're done, slowly lower one vertebra at a time. Release your arms.

#15 Corpse Pose
Lie flat on your back and close your eyes. Exhale while you consciously relax each of your muscles. Continue to breathe in and out slowly. Do a tension check in your forehead, face, neck, shoulders and all the way down to your toes. Relax where you need to.
This relaxation poses allows your muscles to build on the memory of your practice. It helps to center your mind and keep you strong for your next session! Hold for at least 2 minutes or as long as you would like.


CLICK HERE TO FIND MORE INTERESTING STORIES...

   Tweet