FirstEvent-BSIOnion

Thanks for Michelle to give me an option to present this week's BSI ingredient. BSI stands for Blogger Secret Ingredient. This was started by Beth. 

Week #89 (2nd Aug to 8th Aug) BSI event is hosted by Debbi

This is a kind of Iron-Chef-style recipe challenge, where
a. Each week a new host picks an ingredient
b. Readers can submit a recipe.
c. The contest starts on a Monday, and recipes need to be submitted by Sunday night of that week.
d. Then the next day the host chooses a winner and picks someone to host new week's contest.

Jac keeps update of all events in her blog, and I guess I am late to host this event.

BSI Ingredient for Week #88 & Week #89 is Onion.

Onions are available thro' out the world in different colours. In India it is available in Red and White, but when I visited Paris in this April I was surprised to see green onion.

Send your recipes to me latest by July 31st 10pm at hemasrini dot 2007 at gmail dot com. You can either link to a blog post or send the entire recipe by an email - please send photos if you have got them.

NOTE: once you've sent your recipe, please post a comment on my blog, just to double-check that I received it. At this time, odds are pretty good for an entry to win!



The winner will receive "Aachi Chilli Powder" from India.

If you are considering hosting, please let me know in your email. Prizes are entirely the discretion of each week's host. Be forewarned - if you participate, I may send an email to hit you up to host next week's round (it's easy, and you'll meet and be viewed by all kinds of foodbloggers)


To recap -


Hosts:


Pick an ingredient, preferably one that is in season and readily available and not too expensive;


Link back to all the other previous weekly hosts;


Review the recipe submissions by Sunday night of each week;


Pick a recipe that is your favorite; and


Post the winner Monday morning and send the winner a token prize of your choosing.


Participants:



Do not have to have a food blog to participate


Do not have to submit a photograph


Can submit a recipe via email to that week's host if they don't have a blog - the host will post your recipe for you! 

Contribution follows:

Sweet Savoury Semolina - Akheela

 





Mulagu Varthu Puli - Abraham

Ulli Theeyal - Abraham

Saffron Marinated Paneer Cheese - Janet

BSI - Onion - Beth

Winner is Janet
 

Past blog hosts and their ingredients have been:

Week 88: Hema's Blog - Onion

Week 87: Quips, Travails, and Braised Oxtails - Black eye Peas


Week 86: Making Good Choices – Applesauce


Week 85: Non-Dairy Queen - Raspberries


Week 84: Healthy Exposures - Bulgar Wheat


Week 83: Clarity in Creation – Peaches


Week 82: Mo’s Kitchen - Rice


Week 81: Waisting Duxie - Swiss Chard


Week 80: Fuss Free Flavours - Capers


Week 79: Jenn Cuisine - Honey


Week 78: Living Free - Cashews


Week 77: Affairs of Living – Artichokes


Week 76: One Frugal Foodie - Sunflower Seeds


Week 75: Part of the Whole - Beets


Week 74: Dinner at Christina’s - Sour Cream


Week 73: The Chef in My Head - Goat Cheese


Week 72: 5 Star Foodie - Asparagus


Week 71: Eats Well With Others – Carrots


Week 70: Burp and Slurp - Brussel Sprouts


Week 69: Fun Fearless Foodie – Parmesan Cheese


Week: 68: Natalie’s Killer Cuisine - Cocoa Powder


Week 67: Eat, Live, Travel, Write - Lemon Zest


Week 66: Travel Eat Love - Coconut Milk


Week 65: Run Beans Run - Tofu


Week 64: Chicago Marathon Val - Mushrooms


Week 63: Biggest Diabetic Loser – Cheddar Cheese


Week 62: A Fit and Spicy Life – Balsamic Vinegar


Week 61: Peanut Butter Fingers - Nutmeg


Week 60: Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now - Garlic


Week 59: Home Cooked Em – Cinnamon


Week 58: The Balanced Broad – Flax


Week 57: Cookin Fanatic - Blue Cheese


Week 56: Foodie in the City - Ricotta Cheese


Week 55: Savvy Eats - Maple Syrup


Week 54: Sound Eats - Dried Fruit


Week 53: Mega Nerd Runs - Acorn Squash


Week 52: Healthy Tipping Point - Pancake Mix


Week 51: Live, Laugh Eat - Almond Butter


Week 50: Balance, Joy and Delicias! – Cauliflower


Week 49: Healthy San Diego Living - Chickpeas


Week 48: Thought 4 Food - Yogurt


Week 47: London Foodie in New York - Chocolate


Week 46: Johnstone’s Vin Blanc - Oats


Week 45: Guilty Kitchen - Figs


Week 44: Ordinary Recipes Made Gourmet - Peanut Butter


Week 43: The Sophisticated Gourmet - Brown Sugar


Week 42: My Kitchen Addiction – Lime


Week 41: Nutmeg Nanny – Coffee


Week 40: Chaya’s Comfy Cook – Broccoli


Week 39: Healthy Delicious – Plums


Week 38: Zoe - Feta


Week 37: ChezWhat- Potatoes


Week 36: Cinnamon, Spice & Everything Nice – Blueberries


Week 35: Girlichef -Greens


Week 34: The Ungourmet – Watermelon


Week 33: Bread + Butter – Bell Pepper


Week 32: Burp and Slurp -Corn


Week 31: Say Yes to Salad – Kabocha


Week 31 1/2: Simply Fabulous Now – Cherries


Week 30: Thinspired – Bananas


Week 29: To Be The Whole Package – Almonds


Week 28: Kristas Kravings – Lemon


Week 27: From French Fries To Flax Seeds – Coconut


Week 26: Plentiful Plants – Avocado


Week 25: Training Fuel – Eggs


Week 24: Dinner at Christina’s – Cabbage


Week 23: Hey What’s for Dinner, Mom? – Strawberries


Week 22: One Bite at a Time – Basil


Week 21: Just Sweet Enough – Black Beans


Week 20: What I Ate Yesterday – Kale


Week 19: What’s for Dinner – Orange


Week 18: BranAppetit! –Spinach


Week 17: Tales of Expansion Dates


Week 16: Biggest Diabetic Loser – Zucchini


Week 15: Sweet & Natural –Peppermint


Week 14: bella eats [and runs] – Ginger


Week 13: Coffee Talk – Walnuts


Week 12: For the Love of Oats – Pumpkin


Week 11: Trying to Heal – Sweet Potatoes


Week 10: The Inner Workings of a College Graduate – Eggplant


Week 9: Itzy’s Kitchen – Pears


Week 8: The Fitnessista – Cranberries


Week 7: Tri to Cook – Lentils


Week 6: Rhodey Girl Tests – Polenta


Week 5: Eating Bender – Butternut Squash


Week 4: Care to Eat – Apples


Week 3: On a Lobster Placemat – Mushrooms


Week 2: Hangry Pants – Tomatoes


Week 1: sportsnutritionliving – Quinoa 

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Banana Smoothie

Sunday, June 20th was my father-in-law's birthday. I don't know to make sweets and was not interested in making same Kheer, so thought of making this dish. Today, I searched names to name this dish. 

Ingredients:
a. Banana - 5
b. Sugar - 6 tsp
c. Milk - 4 tbsp
d. Cashewnut - 4
e. Kismis - 4
f. Badam - 4
g. Ghee - 4 tsp

Method:
a. Chop banana, add sugar, milk and blend the mixture
b. Slice cashewnut and badam
c. Heat the ghee and add sliced cashewnut, badam, kismis

Serve to eat.

Serves: 2 to 3 people.

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Aloo Pudina Bhat

Its been since a long time from the time I last posted. Hence thought of writing this post.

I had some pudina leaves left over in my refrigerator. I thought of making normal pudina chutney and to mix it with cooked rice today morning for breakfast. My husband gave a good suggestion to mix with aloo and to make it as aloo pudina bhat. Taste was yummy.

Ingredients:
Pudina (mint leaves) - 1 bunch
Green Chillies - 6 (add more if it should be more spicy)
Salt to taste
Coriander Leaves - few
Ginger - 1 small piece
Aloo - 3
Oil - 1 tbsp for frying
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Curry Leaves - few
Cooked Rice - 1/2 kg

Method:
a. Blend pudina, green chillies, coriander leaves, ginger and salt and make it as chutney
b. Cut aloo into small pieces and wash them
c. Heat oil and add mustard seeds wait for it to crack
d. Add curry leaves and salt
e. Put aloo and fry them till it becomes soft
f. Add pudina chutney to the mixture and mix them well
g. Add coriander leaves on top
h. Mix cooked rice with aloo-pudina gravy

Serve: 4 to 5 people

This post is going to BSI Contest hosted by Moi.

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Gojju Powder

Gojju is a kind of dish prepared to add either with indian breads like chappattis, rotis or with rice.

Gojju can be made up of any vegetable viz., Lady's finger, Brinjal, Onion, Tomato, Onion with tomato.

Gojju Powder is a powder which needs to be added for spicing the gojju. It can be stored like sambar powder, or rasam powder.
Ingredients:
Urad Dhal - 1 cup
Gram Dhal - 1 cup
Fenugreek Seeds - 1 tsp
Jeera - 1 tsp
Red Chillies - 1 1/4 cup (more or less based on the hot/khara u want)

Method:
Fry each of the ingredient separately till it changes its color (but not to black :) which is over fried).
Blend the ingredients

Onion Gojju:
Heat 4 tsps of oil
Add 1 tsp of mustard and wait till it splutters
Add 1 tsp of urad dhal, 1 tsp of gram dhal and wait till it turns its color
Add few curry leaves
Add Salt
Add onion and fry it till it changes its color to light brown
Add little tamarind water and a glass of normal water and allow the mixture to boil
Finally add gojju powder

Thus, the onion gojju is ready.

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Pongal - New Year

Every year Pongal is celebrated on 13th, 14th and 15th of January. It is also considered as a New Year for Tamilians (especially for harvesting group).

The people would take out the paddy crops and make it as rice.

13-Jan is celebrated as Bhoogi Pongal.

• In Andhra, people collect almost all waste materials from their entire area and burn all of them. They call that as "Bhoogimantalu".

14-Jan is celebrated as Surya Pongal.

• People get up early in the morning prepare different dishes. Draw Surya(sun) and Chandra(Moon) and keep all the dishes for naivediya for god including sugarcane in banana leaves.
• Andhrites and Kannadigas mix groundnut seeds, til, hurigadale(roasted gram), small pieces of chopra, small pieces of jaggery and share with their relatives and friends saying "Yelu Bella tindu ole matadu" means "eat til and jaggery and speak good things".

15-Jan is celebrated as Mathu Pongal.

• Non-vegetarian people will avoid eating non-veg on 13th and 14th will prepare different non-vegetarian dishes on this day.
• In the evening, farmers decorate their cows, buffaloes, oxen, bulls and make them to jump across the fire by thanking God to give them good crop. And praying for the same till the next year.

Andhrites and Kannadigas call this festival as Makara Sankranthi, while Tamilians call this festival as Pongal.

I thank Saras to post on Pongal.

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2 Important things for Interview

Today is Swami Vivekananda's 147th Birthday, as I am inspired by this person here is a post.

Two qualities which I find interesting in Swami Vivekananda was: 

a. Inspired speech

     While attending interviews follow a saying "Communication is the weapon" to win them. Might be the interviewee just know the concept what a interviewer questioned but he/she should get into that scenario and then speak about it. Definitely the interview would be a hit.

b. High level thinking

    Swami Vivekananda used to go through the preface and index of the book and tell what contents might be there in the book, which would match accordingly. This shows that person was very intellectual, and had high level thinking quality.

Both of the above qualities are must to face an interview.

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Beans Pappu

Beans Pappu:

Ingredients:

• Beans - 1/4 kg
• Onion - 2
• Tomato - 2
• Toor Dhal - one hand full or 50g
• Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil - to fry
• Curry Leaves - for seasoning (few leaves)
• Coriander Leaves - for seasoning
• Sambar Powder - 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Cook toor dhal and tomato
• Cook beans separately 
• Smash the beans and remove all the water from it (it shouldn't look like beans)
• Heat oil, add mustard seeds when it splutters add curry leaves
• Add salt
• Fry onion till light brown
• Squeeze tomato completely add it to the mixture
• Add toor dhal and smashed beans
• Add sambar powder and little more water
• Serve for 3 to 4 people.

NOTE: Water should be less in pappu.

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Travel Idea - Coorg

Coorg is a best place to be seen, which is also called as Scotland of India.

There are many homestays and resorts within anyone's budget right from Rs.1000 to Rs.6000 per day with/without food.

Coorg Misty is a resort to be seen. It is about 4kms from Kakabbe Junction. The rooms has thatched roofs and gives a feeling of a village with all modern amenities.

The dimension of a room includes a big hall with double cot and a small room with two cots one above the other with a western toilet cum bathroom, which is very spacious.

Its really known for its hospitality provided by Mr.Daniel (9448448629) and the Restaurant Chef Mr.Deepak (9980196079) and their friendly staff. They provided the best menu of both veg and non-veg food with a relaxed time of 2 hours.

Bharat Online is an event organizer who serves its customers' with different options and suitable for the budget given. Risto (9900001019) will definitely provide you the best service required as he did for us (a team of 30 enjoyed his service). 

From NDS, Bangalore we had been to this place on 10th December and returned back on 12th December in a bus provided by SRS Travels.

Near to this resort there is a natural waterfall and nalakanda palace. Away from city with a cool climate and without any pollution, a silent place indeed to be seen.

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Urgent Chutney

Urgent Chutney:

Ingredients:
Green Chillies - 3 Nos
Groundnut Powder - 2 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Coriander Leaves - 1 tbsp (optional)
Curry Leaves - 2 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Tamarind Paste - 2 tsp
Oil - 2 tsp

Method:
1. Smash the chillies, groundnut powder, coriander leaves and add salt to taste
2. Add tamarind paste to the mixture
3. Heat the Oil and add curry leaves and mustard seeds. Add this to the mixture.

Serves: 2 Persons

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Home made Ghee

Home Made Ghee:
a. In the morning we buy milk and boil it, during this time the cream is formed.
b. In the night we put this milk into the refrigerator for next day usage.
c. In the next day morning before boiling this milk take out the cream and store in a container.
d. Add one tsp. curds every 3 days once.
e. Repeat the same till you found the cream is half/full container depending on the quantity of ghee you require.
f. Once the container is half/full with cream put it into mixer grinder and grind it for sometime, the cream and butter milk will get separated. (Do this in the morning)
g. Leave the cream also in butter milk till evening.
h. Remove the cream alone and boil it to get ghee.

NOTE: Full Fat milk to be used to prepare ghee.

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Shraddanjali - Sahasa Simha - Dr.Vishnuvardhan

Dr.Vishnuvardhan, the great actor of Kannada film industry expired today around 3am in the morning due to heart attack.

Tenure on earth: 1950 - 30th Dec 2009

Great actor who lived and will live in most of the kannadigas heart.

Fans are left behind and fabulous man reached heaven.

Let his soul rest in peace.

I started liking kannada movies because of Vishnu and Shankar Nag. Today, i am really very sad because both of them are no more in this world.

Jai Sahasimha!!

Jai Vishnuvardhan.

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Trick in Notepad

Copy this onto notepad, press cntrl + H, press 6 in find box and underscore(_) in replace box and click replace all button. U will get thrilled.



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Half a Century

Thanks to Google and Blogspot. It was a great pleasure for me being here since February 26th 2009. Today, I have successfully posted half a century i.e., 50 posts.

Thanks to all my blog readers and my fans.

Wish you all "PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2010"

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Zucchini

Zucchini or courgette is a vegetable.

It is yellow or green in colour and has a shape similar to a cucumber.

Peel and cut zucchini into stripes like french fries

Deep fry until crisp.

Sprinkle salt and pepper

Serve with tomato or chilli ketchup.

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Z for "Zoo Cookies"

Z for "Zoo Cookies"

Ingredients:

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla essence
• 2 cups flour (maida)
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahreheit (F).
2. Cream together butter and sugar.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in dry ingredients, add slowly to butter mixture.
5. Roll out half of dough to 1/8" thickness.
6. Cut animals shapes with cutter.
7. Do the same for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 15 minutes.
9. Cool and enjoy your zoo cookies.

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Yoghurt Recipes

Yummy Yogosicles:
1/4 cup yoghurt (vanilla, banana or plain)
1 tsp. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tsp. honey

Mix well and pour the mixture in a small plastic cup and freeze.
When the mixture is solid enough to hold up a popsicle stick, put one in and refreeze until firm.
(Have each child measure the following ingredients into a small bowl.)

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Snacks Time (esp Xciting)

X'Citing Snacks:

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup plain flour
• 1/3 tsp. soda bi-carbonate
• 1/3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 cup condensed milk
• 1/3 cup crushed cornflakes
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup chocolate gems
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla essence and a pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Method of Preparation:

• Sieve the flour with the soda bi-carbonate and baking powder and keep aside.
• Cream the butter and brown sugar till light and fluffy.
• Add all the other ingredients and mix well.
• Press this mixture into a greased 150mm X 150 mm (6"X6") baking tray.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree Celsius (or 360 degree Fahrenheit) for 30 to 40 minutes till the crust is golden brown.
• Cut into rectangles while hot and store when cool.

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Wheat as Main Ingredient

"Wheaty Wonders:"

Ingredients:

1 cup maida/all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

3/4 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

4 tsp. baking powder

1 cup whole wheat flour

Preparation:

Have the children help measure and mix the ingredients.

Divide the mixture into 20 parts and have the children knead the dough for about a minute.

Have them press the dough flat to about 1/4 inch thick.

Place butter on a griddle. Place the dough patties on it and fry on each side for about 4 minutes, until brown.

Serve with butter, peanut butter or honey.

 ~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~

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Vegetable Cutlet

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked instant noodles
• 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels, cooked and crushed
• 2 spring onions
• 3 tbsp. tomato ketchup
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
• some dried bread crumbs for coating and oil to fry
• salt and pepper

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix the noodles, sweet corn, spring onions, ketchup, cheese, bread crumbs, salt and pepper and mix well.
2. Divide the mixture into 12 equal parts and shape into cutlets.
3. Coat the cutlets with dried bread crumbs and fry in oil on both sides.
4. Serve hot.
   

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V for Vanilla Custard

Vanilla Custard:

Ingredients:

300 ml milk
1 tbsp custard powder
1/2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla essence


Method:
Mix custard powder with 1/4 cup of milk and form into a smooth paste
Boil remaining milk
Add paste to heated milk and stir until thick
Remove from heat
Add vanilla essence
Serve custard alone or pour over cake, fruit etc.

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Do you know this?

a. Ugli Fruit: Ugli fruit is a citrus fruit grown in Jamaica only. It can be eaten like tangerines (orange). Also called Unique fruit, it is a cross between an orange and grape fruit and it's delicious! It can also be added to fruit salad or yoghurt. Try it as a snack.

b. Plants grown above trees doesn't contain or contains less percentage of cholestrol, plants grown below tree has high percentage of cholestrol.

c. Put lime in hot water before squeezing the juice.

d. Drink atleast 2 litres of water early in the morning it reduces many diseases.


e. Put tamarind into hot water to squeeze, tamarind will become soft just in few minutes. But in cold water it takes atleast 15 minutes to become soft.

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"T" Tiffins

Trial Mix:

• 3/4 cup cashews
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup peanuts
• 3/4 cup shredded coconut
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerator
Treat yourself to the trail mix whenever you want to munch something!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tropical Ball of Cheese:

• 8 oz light cream cheese, softened
• 4 oz light tropical fruit cocktail (drained)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Cut the fruit into smaller pieces.
Mix softened cream cheese, fruit and 1/2 cup walnuts.
Chill well in refrigerator.
Mould into a ball and roll cheese ball in remaining 1/2 cup of nuts.
Serve with carrots or crackers.

************************************************************************

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Spinach and Carrot Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2 sliced onions
• 2 large cloves chopped garlic
• 2/3 cup grated carrots
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 seasoning cube (vegetarian)
• 2 tbsp. buter
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Heat the butter and add the cumin seeds.
• When they crackle, add the onions and gralic and saute for 2 minutes.
• Add the carrots and spinach and saute for another minute.
• Add the rice, seasoning cube, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup of water and mix well.
• Cook on a low flame for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Serve hot.

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Cold Water causes Heart Attacks

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can u believe this??

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!)

Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack . Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive...

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

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Fruit keeps doctor away

EATING FRUIT...

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter.  If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher.. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

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Gollbhai

For the first time I am paired with Sara's corner and created a recipe from my partner's blog.

Saraswathi is my cousin and is a housewife. She comes up with one or the other recipe every two days once, i selected one of her dish hallbhai and tweaked a little and prepared it on this saturday, Oct 24th 2009.

Ingredients:

• Rice - 1 cup
• Jaggery - 2 cups
• Cinnamon Powder (Elaichi) - 1/2 tspn
• Clove - 1
• Poppy Seeds - 2 tspn
• Fresh Grated Coconut - 1 1/2 cups
• Ghee - 1 tsp for greasing & 3 tsps for mixing
• Milk - 2 tbsp
• Cashew and Badam - 5 to 6 - (cut into small pieces)

Method:

• Soak the rice for 4 hours.
• Add cinnamon powder, clove, poppy seeds with rice and grind for 3 rounds.
• Add grated coconut to the grinded mixture and finely grind them.
• Add jaggery to the grinded mixture and grind again.
• Heat 1 tsp of ghee
• Fry the cashews and badam till golden brown separately in hot ghee. (Kindly note badam will take more time to get fried than cashews). Keep it aside.
• Pour the grinded mixture and keep stirring it continuously by adding the milk and ghee without allowing them to form loops in low flamed heat
• Put the fried cashews and badam
• Grease a plate with ghee
• Pour the mixture onto the plate and leave it for half an hour or till it gets cooled
• Cut the mixture into the desired shape.

I have cut into square and then rolled them into small balls so that it will be more in quantity and I can distribute to many.

Just for a change, I named this as gollbhai (sister of hallbhai). It is also called as "Amruth Palam" in Telugu.

Greatest thing of this dish is it could make my husband remember his childhood days and his grandmother. Infact, my mother-in-law could remember this sweet after 15 to 20 years.

Thanks to Saraswathi and her hallbhai which brought back the sweet memories.

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Raisin Muffins

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 tsp. soda bi-carbonate
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 tbsp. orange squash
• 1/3 cup cream
• 1/3 cup castor sugar
• 1/2 cup condensed milk
• 1 tsp. orange rind, grated (optional)

Method:

1. Sieve the flour, with the soda and keep aside
2. Mix the butter, orange squash, orange rind and sugar till smooth
3. Add the condensed milk, raisins, cream and flour and mix well
4. Put the mixture into 10 greased and dusted muffin moulds.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree Celsius (or 360 degree Fahrenheit) for 15 to 20 minutes or till muffin comes out clean.

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Rice Pancakes

Mix two cups cooked rice, some grated carrot, chopped spring onions, cabbage with half cup wheat flour and half cup bengal gram flour.
Add a pinch of asafoetida to this mixture.
Add two tablespoons curds and some coriander.
Add salt and press one portion onto a damp cloth to form a circle.
Turn onto a griddle and cook with some oil till golden brown.
Serve pancakes hot and crisp!

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Quick Quesidillas

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 2 tsp oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup baked beans (canned)
• 1/4 cup cooking cheese or mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp. chilli sauce
• 1 tbsp. chopped coriander
• butter or oil for cooking

Method:

1. To make the tortillas, mix all the ingredients to make a soft dough by adding enough water.
2. Knead and divide into 6 portions.
3. Roll out into thin rounds.
4. Cook lightly on a griddle and keep aside.
5. Now, divide the filling into 3 equal portions.
6. Spread one portion of the filling on a tortilla.
7. Cover with another tortilla.
8. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling to make 2 more quesidillas.
9. Heat griddle and using a little butter, cook the prepared quesidillas on both sides until golden brown in colour.
10. Serve hot with salsa or tomato ketchup.

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Pretzels

Pretzels:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tbsp. salt

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 325degree Fahrenheit (or 165 degree Celsius)
2. Put the yeast in a small bowl with water and honey.
3. Stir a little and leave for 5 minutes.
4. Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl.
5. After the 5 minutes is up, check on the yeast mixture. It should be bigger than before and a little bubbly.
6. Add this mixture to the flour.
7. Stir everything together. Use a spoon to start.
8. Finish with your hands. The dough is ready when it is still a little crumbly and flaky.
9. Put the dough on the cutting board and knead it into one big bal.
10. Break off a piece of dough about the size of a big gumball.
11. Use your hands to roll it into a skinny snake.
12. Twist the snake into a medium-size-pretzel shape and put it on a baking sheet.
13. Do this with all the dough, making 12 pretzels.
14. Bake your pretzels for 10 minutes.
15. Let them cool and become ready to serve.

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Orange Chill

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cold orange drink
• 1/2 cup orange sherbet
• 3/4 cup cold ginger ale

Method:

1. Pour 1/4 cup of orange drink into each glass.
2. Add 1/4 cup of the sherbet into each glass.
3. Add half of the giner ale to each glass.

A drink is ready to enjoy over and over again.

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Nut Cake

Ingredients:

• 350 gms. flour
• 200 gms. sugar
• 200 gms. butter
• 350 gms. chopped dates ad nuts (walnuts)
• 300 mL apple puree
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. soda bi-carbonate
• 200 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp. chopped dates, nuts
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder to top

Method:

1. Put flour into a bowl and rub in butter till it reaches the consistency of breadcrumbs.
2. Add sugar, dates, nuts and cinnamon
3. Make a well in the centre and add apple puree
4. Dissolve soda in milk and add to the mixture mix well.
5. Pour into a prepared cake tin.
6. Mix the topping ingredients and sprinkle.
7. Bake at 375 degree Fahrenheit till done (takes more than 1 hour)

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Nachos - Snacks

Nachos:

Ingredients:

• corn tortilla chips
• 1 can refried beans
• small jar mild salsa or taco sauce
• few olives 6 oz., cheese

Method:

1. Arange the chips in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2. Top each chip with 1/2 tsp. of refried beans and then 1/2 tsp. of salsa
3. Add a small amount of cheese (grated or cut into small chunks) to top of each.
4. Put the baking sheet in an oven watching carefully, until cheese melts and bubbles.
5. Serve hot.

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Papa's Porridge

This post is written for Cooking for Kids Event.

Ingredients:

2 cups oats

4 cups warm milk

2 tbsp sugar

2 bananas, sliced

8 small pieces of papaya

8 small pieces of watermelon

few pomegrante seeds

Method:

a. Put the oats, 2 cups of milk and sugar in a bowl and mix it well

b. Keep it in oven for 2 mins (alternatively u can also boil for 2 mins on a medium flame)

c. Add remaining milk

d. Put all the fruits and mix it well

e. Serve it to the children

Benefits:

i. Oats reduces cholestrol

ii. Fruits are rich in vitamins (as we all are aware of)

iii. Will be ready in maximum of 10 minutes

Top-Ups:

a. Instead of sugar use jaggery, as jaggery is highly nutritions

b. Add butter (which has a little salt) before serving.

c. Use raisins, almond flakes for more taste.

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56 Reasons Why Most Corporate Innovation Initiatives Fail

Innovation is in these days. The word is on the lips of just about every CEO, CFO, CIO, and anyone else with a three-letter acronym after their name. As a result, many companies are launching all kinds of "innovation initiatives" -- hoping to stir the soup. This is understandable. But it is also, far too often, very disappointing...
Innovation initiatives sound good, but usually don't live up to the expectations. The reasons are many.
What follows are 56 of the most common ones -- organizational obstacles we've observed in the past 22 years that get in the way of a company really raising the bar for innovation.
See which ones are familiar to YOU. Then, sit down with your Senior Team... CEO... innovation committee, or best friend and jump start the process of going beyond these obstacles. Let the games begin...

1. "Innovation" framed as an initiative, not the normal way of doing business
2. Absence of a clear definition of what "innovation" really means
3. Innovation not linked to company's existing vision or strategy
4. No sense of urgency
5. Workforce is suffering from "initiative fatigue"
6. CEO does not fully embrace the effort
7. No compelling vision or reason to innovate
8. Senior Team not aligned
9. Key players don't have the time to focus on innovation
10.Innovation champions are not empowered
11. Decision making processes are non-existent or fuzzy
12. Lack of trust
13. Risk averse culture
14. Overemphasis on cost cutting or incremental improvement
15. Workforce ruled by past assumptions and old mental models
16. No process in place for funding new projects
17. Not enough pilot programs in motion
18. Senior Team not walking the talk
19. No company-wide process for managing ideas
20. Too many turf wars. Too many silos.

21. Analysis paralysis
22. Reluctance to cannibalize existing products and services
23. NIH (not invented here) syndrome
24. Funky channels of communication
25. No intrinsic motivation to innovate
26. Unclear gates for evaluating progress
27. Mind numbing bureaucracy
28. Unclear idea pitching processes
29. Lack of clearly defined innovation metrics
30. No accountability for results
31. No way to celebrate quick wins
32. Poorly facilitated meetings
33. No training to unleash individual or team creativity
34. Voo doo evaluation of ideas
35. Inadequate sharing of best practices
36. Lack of teamwork and collaboration
37. Unclear strategy for sustaining the effort
38. Innovation Teams meet too infrequently
39. Middle managers not on board
40. Ineffective rollout of the effort to the workforce
41. Lack of tools and techniques to help people generate new ideas
42. Innovation initiative perceived as another "flavor of the month"
43. Individuals don't understand how to be a part of the effort
44. Diverse inputs or conflicting opinions not honored
45. Imbalance of left-brain and right brain thinking
46. Low morale
47. Over-reliance on technology
48. Failure to secure sustained funding
49. Unrealistic timeframes
50. Failure to consider issues associated with scaling up
51. Inability to attract talent to risky new ventures
52. Failure to consider commercialization issues
53. No rewards or recognition program in place
54. No processes in place to get fast feedback
55. No real sense of what your customers really want or need
56. Company hiring process screens out potential innovators
Others we may have missed?

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Remedies of a Banana

Dear Viewers,

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!
This is interesting.

After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected
area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nervous: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at wor k leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !

Have a banana to keep doctor(s) away!!

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Happy Ganesha Chaturthi

Dear Viewers,

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada on Chauthi or Chaturthi. Its a belief that Goddess Gowri (Swarna Gowri)would come to their parents house for Gowri festival and Lord Ganesh would come to take back his mother on Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesh loves to dance on that day, along with the dancing group(s).

This year (2009) we are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi on August 23rd on a Sunday. And Gowri Puja is also celebrated on the same day.

But the sculpturers would start making sculptures of Gowri and Ganesh from June only. You can see different kinds of sculptures and here is just one image of Ganesh in which there are 6 ganeshas along with the main one. There will be traditional Ganeshas and also fancy Ganesh.

This puja will extend from 1 day to 1 month. In houses it would be kept for maximum of 1 to 3 days. While on streets, near shopping malls, it might go from 5 days to 1 month.

I remember, when i was at Chintamani a big Ganesh would be kept for 3 days and 4th day they would leave it back in water. It means that Ganesh is taking his mother Gowri and then returning back to his home. There used to be competitions viz., painting, essay, dancing, skits, thol-mol-ke-bhol (means one gift article or something like that would be shown and we have to guess the price of it) and all the people who used to stay on this road will become so close to each other and it looks as if they are all in one family. Prasadams would be done atleast by one house per day and distributed to the people who come to visit Lord Ganesha. There would be neatly decorated mantap with shamiyana on the road with serial lights and music. Few shops would sponsor per day for prizes. There will be excited crowd to address all these things all the 3 days. And on the fourth day they will book a tempot to carry the Ganesha all the people will go and drop the Ganesha into the lake by telling "ganesha banda kayi kadabu tinda hote mele banda chikka kerele bida dodda kerele yeda" [kannada line] which means - Lord Ganesha has come and ate the sweet (kadabu) he was carried on our stomachs he fall into small lake and got up from big lake. These moments is really eternal in my entire life.

Remember, on this day better not to see the moon. If you couldn't avoid then read the story of Lord Ganesha or see the moon on bedege, second day after the amavasya.

Once again, wish you all Happy Gowri festival and Ganesha Chaturthi.

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