Alok Chakraborty

Are you planning to ramp up the aesthetics of your home or workspace organically while cleansing the aura and the air, all at the same time? Then try planting Monstera deliciosa, also commonly known as, the Swiss Cheese Plant. The scientific name of this species defines its two main characteristics. The genus Monstera comes from the Latin word, meaning monstrous, hailing from its large leaves while the specific name deliciosa signifies the delicious fruit, this plant bears. Often described as a joint taste of mango, banana, and pineapple, the fruit of the Swiss Cheese plant, once ripens, is a treat to the palate of many. Swiss Cheese Plant is often the “go-to choice” for anthophiles because of its low maintenance, ease to grow, and high resistance to varying weather conditions. Mainly used for ornamental quality, Monstera deliciosa also helps in purifying the air, and dehumidifying abilities and is considered an exotic feng-shui collectible. The characteristic feature of this tropical plant is its fenestrated leaves for which it is prized. Swiss Cheese plant can grow to a huge size and features aerial roots that grow downwards from the stem. Once it touches the ground, it can spread out and binds to the soil. Native to tropical forests of North & South America, Monstera deliciosa has found its way to living rooms because of its capability to adapt to a wide range of conditions. Before we learn how to propagate the Swiss Cheese Plant, it is important, we know the basics of cutting. Cutting Swiss Cheese Plant: Select the main vine or branch. Get rid of the aerial roots and dried leaves. Identify the nodes. Cut the vine above or below the nodes. Do not cut at the nodes. Cut at the benign area. You can choose to propagate a single node. If the spacing between the nodes is less, you can propagate multiple nodes. 3 ways to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant: Once you are done cutting from the mother plant, you can propagate the Swiss Cheese Plants in three mediums: Soil Propagation Water Propagation Moss Propagation Each of the propagation method is fairly simple as the plant doesn’t require much effort to help it grow. If you want an easier way to propagate Swiss Cheese plants, the water propagation technique is the answer. Whereas, if you want to save time, you might wanna go for the soil propagation method. And if you are a pro at growing plants, and gardening, and you know what you are doing, Moss propagation is recommended as it yields the best result. Soil Propagation: This process requires around one to three months for the Swiss Cheese root cuttings to show any sign of development. But most importantly, this will save you from the need to repot the plant and hence saves time. Choose a pot proper for the size of the root cuttings. Make sure the pot has holes at the bottom because Monstera deliciosa thrives well if the soil can drain excess water. Excess clogged water will stunt the growth of the plant. Fill the pot with normal potting soil that drains well. Potting soil can be made up of 60% peat moss or coco coir, 20% Pumice or coarse sand or perlite (for better drainage), and 20% organic matter like compost or worm casting. Also, ensure that the potting soil is free of water-retentive gels. Place your root cuttings in a way that buries the nodes under the soil. Water Propagation: The second and easiest way to propagate the root-cuttings of the Swiss Cheese Plant is by water propagation. Transfer the root-cuttings to a water jug. Make sure the vessel you choose is sufficiently large because once the plant starts to propagate, it’ll be cumbersome to transfer it to a new pot. Submerge the root-cuttings or the vine in a way that the nodes are fully underwater. In about three to four weeks, you should see new roots and small leaves sprouting from your freshly cut vine. That way, you’ll know the propagation was successful. Moss Propagation: For this technique, you can use Sphagnum moss. Mix some water with Sphagnum moss and put it in a pot. Dip your root cutting into the mixture, till the mixture a little, and fill the pot with some more Sphagnum moss. Make sure the nodes are covered. Sphagnum moss will develop hefty roots. Once you are done with propagating, now it is time to re-pot the newly propagated Swiss Cheese Plant. Repotting: Once the Monstera deliciosa starts to grow, you need to re-pot it so that the roots can grow. The more the root system develops, the bigger the leaves will be, and the better the fenestrations. As the plant keeps getting progressively bigger, ensure to re-pot accordingly. Use soil that drains well and a pot that has holes at the bottom to prevent water clogging. Light: The fact that Swiss Cheese plant can be grown indoors rely on the aspect that they do not need direct sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight as it might burn or cause mechanical damage to the plant. Keep your plants beside curtained windows and keep rotating the plant so that all parts of it get even indirect light. You can also use grow lights to help support their development. The light requirement is low to medium. Water: As mentioned, Monstera is a typically low maintenance plant. You can water them once a week in summer and twice a week in winter. If the soil is wet, you can wait before watering it again. In presence of excess water, Monstera deliciosa experiences stunted growth. Humid: The Swiss Cheese plant loves humidity. You can use spray canisters to keep the air moist or even use a humidifier. During winters, when the weather is dry and radiators are on, make sure, your plant is placed in a well-ventilated position. Optimal Temperature: The best temperature for unimpeded growth of Monstera deliciosa is 65 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilizer: If you are using standard potting soil,

So you want to work towards your fitness but going to the gym seems an ordeal? Managing time can be quite grueling when you slog hour after hour in your workplace. So, why not bring the gym to your house? Here are ten simple workout programs you can try at home. The best thing about these workouts is that they are free-hand exercises and do not require lifting weights and using heavy machinery. Simple workouts at home that can help you get started anywhere and at any time. Before you get started on flexing those muscles, however, there are pre-workout steps that you need to follow to maximize your workouts at home. Dedicate 30-60 minutes every day to working out at home. Clear out a space for your workout, make room and keep it airy & well-ventilated. Choose a comfortable athleisure for your workout session. Keep towels handy to wipe off that sweat. Always choose a playlist consistent with your workout regime. And finally, maintain a daily tracker that includes your weight, height, and workouts completed to track progress. All right, so now you have the basics ready. It is time to shed those calories in style. 1. Bridge: The perfect exercise to warm up your body, bridges will help you activate your core and posteriors. How to do it? Lie down on your back. Bend your knees. Place your feet flat on the ground and extend your arms by your side. Then push your feet and brace your core. Slowly, lift your core until your hips are fully extended, and squeeze all the glutes to the top. Return to the starting position and repeat. Frequency: 3×15 (3 sets of 15 repetitions each) 2. Squat: Strengthen your legs and core with Squats to help with your mobility. You can master the form by placing a chair underneath. How to do it? Stand with your toes pointed slightly outwards and with your feet and shoulder wide apart. Bend your knees and hinge your hips. Sit until your bottom levels with your knee and rise back to the starting position by pushing through your heels. Frequency: 3×15 (3 sets of 15 repetitions each) 3. Pushup: There are several variations to a pushup. The standard pushup will help build muscles in your shoulders and chest. A pushup is a foundational exercise everyone must try. How to do it? Lie down on your chest. Place your hands wider than your shoulders. Straighten your arms and legs. Lift your body by pushing yourself back via the arms and the shoulders. Hold the position. Lower your body until the chest touches the floor. Repeat. Frequency: 3×10 (3 sets of 10 repetitions each) 4. Lunge: One exercise, three pressure points to flex. Lunges are the perfect way to flex your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. How to do it? Place your right leg flat in the front. Keep your left foot up on your toes. Bend your knees and take your lower body down in a single motion. Stop when your thighs are parallel to the ground. Push back up through your right foot to return to the starting position. Switch feet and repeat. Frequency: 30 secs on each leg. 5. Plank: A perfect exercise to work on your upper body and shoulders without using weights. How to do it?  Lay down on your elbows. Keep your elbows under your shoulders. Keep your hands flat and activate your core. Press your forearms and knees against the floor and raise your body in a straight line. Hold the position. The shaking in your legs & arms means you are working your abs. Frequency: 3 sets of 30 secs each. 6. Burpees: Taken from calisthenics, this exercise works on all major muscles. A 125-pound person can lose up to 200 calories by doing Burpees for 20 minutes. This is pushups, squats, and jumping all combined into one. How to do it? Start in a squat position. Knees bent, back straight, feet apart. Lower your body with hands in front of the body, inside your feet. Kick back with your feet so that you land on your hands in a pushup position. Keeping your body straight, complete one pushup. (Do not bend your body) Frog kick to jump on your feet to the starting position. Stand upright. Reach for your arms over your head. Jump in the air and get back to the squatting position in one swift motion. Repeat. Frequency: 20 Burpees Per Minute. 7. Jumping Jacks: A perfect exercise to work out at home, Jumping Jacks derives its form from plyometrics that combines aerobic exercise & resistance work. Get extra work for your glutes, quadriceps, and hip flexors with this simple and beginner exercise. How to do it? Start with a normal standing stance with your arms by your side and legs straight. Jump up by spreading your feet beyond your hip-width while extending your arms over your head. Jump again to go back to the starting position. Repeat. Frequency: 2×10 (2 sets of 10 repetitions.) 8. Skipping: One of the most well-known workouts at home. This simple yet effective exercise will help tone your muscles and work on your calves, upper body, thighs, and shins. How to do it? Grab the handles of your jump rope in each hand with the rope behind you, near your heels. Rotate your wrists and forearms and swing the rope over your head As the rope swings over your head and passes your shin, jump on your toes. Timing is crucial. Let the rope swing underneath your toes back to the starting position, behind you, near your heels. Repeat. Frequency: 30 minutes. 9. Deadlift with Resistance Band: Effective at building your legs, glutes, back, core, and posture, this workout requires a resistance band. And although traditionally, this workout is performed with barbells, resistance bands work simply fine for your workout at home. How to do it? Stand with your feet flat on the ground and placed at hip-width apart.  Place the

Leaves crunching under your feet, the perfect chilly winds which are neither too cold nor too warm, the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans, your favorite winter coats, woods lighting up the fire place, and that calming silence in the air. The fall season is here! And we are all geared up to set your mood for it. Be it reading a book in your comfy blanket with sound of the rain in the background, watching TV shows or movies on your cushy couch, or even cooking some comfort food for you and your loved ones. We’ve got recommendations for all of it. (PS. It’s all tried and tested to give you maximum autumn feels.) So come one, come all as we have curated a list for the fans of anime, K-drama, romance, horror and much more for the setting fall season. Books (Because we know that paper is more patient than people:’)) 1. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake Dark academia fans gather around, as this celebrated Tik-Tok book is here with the mystic magicians, a cult secret society, power and hunger for knowledge. Olivie Blake did a great job with the book and if you are looking to pick up dark academia, contemporary fantasy fiction, you know what to pick. It will lead you to the elite Alexandrian Society where only five of the extremely talented six magicians can go. The book is a part of duology and has several cliffhangers throughout the book. Pick this book up if you love mystery, dark academia and adult fantasy fiction. 2. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia If you are looking for some halloweeny feels, this is the book for you. Mexican Gothic is the creepy, unputdownable, feminist horror novel which sees the protagonist unveiling the claims of her cousin who indicates that her husband is trying to murder her. Basically, take Jane Eyre and but make it mysterious, intoxicating, gut-wrenching and eerie. This period drama and historical young adult fiction has abandoned mansions, challenges masculine authority, and is for anyone looking for creeps to be up late-night turning pages. 3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Autumn and classics never go wrong, right? If your answer is no then this is the book that you need to pick up this fall to change your mind. Oscar Wilde did a phenomenal job with this one. It’s just perfect for anyone looking to start a classic for the first time or even for veterans who have read classics before. It follows our protagonist, Dorian Gray, who is an extremely handsome man and whose picturesque beauty does not fade with time, the author beautifully explores beauty and morality and the connection between them. This moral fantasy dream of a book touches crime, sensuality, evil, horror, suspense and many other emotional aspects and is sure to take away your breath this fall. 4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Love a book that takes you away to a fantasy land with its vibes? You, my friend, need to read this book. The Night Circus is actually about a night circus (no points for that), which is magical and can travel all around the world. This is an adult fantasy novel demonstrates a loved-by-all night circus which appears without a warning, but that is just the top layer. Behind the scenes of this fantastic night circus with breath-taking views, is a competition. The fierce competition sees our two protagonists, who are also young magicians, competing against each other head-first. They have trained for this very purpose since their childhood. This is a good book for anyone looking for a quick trip to wonderland without having to put a lot of mind into it. Seriously, just pour yourself a cup of coffee and pick this book up – and in no time you will be there in the magical and mesmerizing night circus. 5. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides If you are someone who loves action and thrill, but also the autumn rains and your bed, The Silent Patient is just the book for you. It is an award-winning psychological thriller which is sure to leave you silent and amazed. The book shows our protagonist, a famous painter, living a perfect life with her husband until one day when her husband comes home, she shoots him multiple times. The story also sees a criminal psychotherapist who thinks he can make our protagonist, who did not utter a word since that incident, break her silence. If you are intrigued to know what happens next, you know what to do! 6. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Morally grey characters your thing? Well then, need I say anything else? Six Of Crows is the book for you. It is an action-packed criminal fantasy novel which has six main characters who go for heist to save a very important character. It is just the book you need to pick to give you the mystical vibes of the season. The hyped book is popular for all the right reasons – it has plot, it has characters who are morally grey, it has action, it has thrill and it has the heist adventure. Movies (To take your mind away from the chaos) 1. The Dead Poet’s Society This 1989 film is here to give you all fall vibes that you could ask for – rich boarding school, a secret club, an English teacher profoundly loved by his students but no much by other teachers, and it is even shot during the fall season. It hits you with a wave of nostalgia as it takes to your high school days when every teenager is ambitious and full of dreams but not always in the state to pursue them. Dead Poet’s Society has the legendary Robin Williams playing the best English teacher you could ever have as Mr. Keating. He, in a way, leads this bunch of students to a former club which was the dead poet’s society, and