Two more to go...

                       No sooner we see Friday in our calendars, a big grin shines on our face from one end to another. We toil all over the week and wait for those two magical days of rest (which we assume) that crosses even before we greet for Saturday. Even after we know this dirty truth we still wait like dogs with their tongue hanging out for bones. We always to to extend the Friday as much as we can by going for a movie, taking to a friend after a long time, sitting idle in front of a television and stare at the clock to make sure it doesn't move further to Saturday (which it does devotedly). If I had two hours extra, I would be like this kid. :)

If only I had two hours extra, I would,.....

1. Talk to my friends with whom I have not been in touch with lately: We all dream to get back our college days, be amongst friends with our 11th hour exam preparation, surprizing friends on birthdays with cakes even though we never earned money. We were happily enjoying the bliss of life in between maturity and responsibility. We get busy with our lives as days pass  by, we earn and become responsible but never find time to spend those precious time with friends.

2. Be a company: Being with our parents is itself a bliss, they don't expect us to be a rich person, all they need is our presence. Even though I was near them for sometime I dint realize its significance, now I know how much I want to be with them just to chat our minds, helping mom in her kitchen, working on Sudoku with dad as soon as we get newspaper, read some books for my grandma.

3. Regroup: We are not always the ones we want to be. As situation comes we change our color like a chameleon. I would like to sit and think about my previous mistakes and make an attempt to set them right. We are all good, all it takes to be a really good is a little bit of courage to stamp our ego and move further.

4. Walk silently on a busy road to watch people get on with their work will bring varied thoughts in my mind. I would also go for a stroll at the beach just to stand and stare.

5. Would definitely spend more time with my hubby. Hope he gets the extra two hours too :)

6. I would like to contribute to our community by spreading the awareness about recycling and proper disposal, I found a video in which a team of youth were renovating a very smelly wall on roadside in Bangalore. I would love to do a similar job in the place I live.

When Surf Excel Matic - Get smart, gives us extra hours to relax is like a double bonus, never worry about our laundry stains and have peace for those two hours.

Healthy Hair Recipe

Health for us is not just the intake of right food at the right level, it also includes regular workout, care for our body, protection against danger and love for ourselves. As the topic for contest goes, " Love is a two way street: Love your hair and it loves you back! " it is our duty to care and nourish our hair.

First Step: Right Nutrients:


- Eat at least three fruits per day with vitamins, fiber and minerals.
- Reduce the intake of caffeine as it increases the excretion of water.
- Include nuts in your diet like that of almonds and walnuts.
- Drink 8 glasses of water per day.
- Adding cheese and yogurt to your diet will keep your hair shiny.

Second Step: Workout


- Regular exercise will improve the blood flow and pass the nutrients to keep hair healthy.
- Oil massage at least once a week will rejuvenate the root tips. 

Third Step: Protection:


- Protection against toxic chemicals and dirt is essential for a healthy hair.
- Wash your hair at least thrice a week.
- Use conditioner after every wash.
- Use thermal protectant while using blow drier and irons.

Healthy nutrition, proper care and our love will keep our hair so soft and shimmering that breeze will want to feel it.

Curry leaves powder (Karuveppillai Podi)

This is a link to my previous post of Curry Leaves (Karuveppilai) Kozhambu. This is a way to use Curry leaves for regular day-to-day use. This is spicy, yummy and can be mixed with rice or can be a side dish to Idli, Dosa or anything you like.

Ingredients:

Curry Leaves - a bunch

Urad dhal -1/2 cup

Chenna dhal - 2 tsp

Red chilli - 2 to 3

Garlic - 1 clove

Salt - per taste

Procedure:

- Roast the curry leaves in a tava, till the raw smell goes. Be careful not to burn them.

- Remove and grind it to fine powder.

- Roast the Dhals and chilli in the tava till color changes a little to brown and remove it to cool.

- Grind this along with curry leaf powder adding salt to it. Make it into to coarse or a smooth mixture as per your choice. A coarse mixture will be easy to intake as it wont create cough.

- Cut the garlic into pieces and grind it to the mixture. 

- Curry leaves powder is ready. 

Note: As per previous request I have added garlic to this. Thank you Ramy.

The leaves of the curry plant is used in indigenous medicine as a tonic, stimulant and antiflatulent.

Hope you Like it!!

Mixed Fruit Halwa:

Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 Mango(medium size)
1 Banana(medium size)
1 Apple(medium size)
4 tsp Ghee
3 tsps Milk
6 tsps of sugar
½ tsps cardamom powder
Food colour (optional)

Method:
- Wash the fruits and grind them coarsely in the mixer.
- Micro high it in a vessel for 2 minutes with intermediate stirring.
- In another vessel boil milk and sugar for 4 minutes with intermediate stirring.
- Add the fruit pulp with the sugar mixture and micro it for 6 minutes with intermediate stirring. Add colour if needed.
- Add ghee to it and micro for 3 minutes with intermediate stirring.
- Fry Kaju and badam in ½ tsp ghee in a separate vessel for 1 minute.
- Garnish it on the halwa and serve.

Sending it to,                           
                                                   
                                          Nivedita's Microwave Easy Cooking- Friuts
                                                                         and 
                                                           Srivalli MEC Event

Apple Sheera:

                       Apple is an amazing nutritive fruit to us from nature. It is a not so favourite one for kids, even some grownups. It has the following Health benefits- prevents dementia, decreases cholesterol level, decreases cancer risk, prevents overweight. Here is a sweet to include apple which will be delicious, nutritious and easy to prepare.


Serves: 4 people
Ingredients:
1 cup sooji
1 cup Sugar
½ cup Ghee
1 ½ cup Water+milk
1 Apple
1tbsp Raisins & Kaju

Method:
- In a vessel, put sugar, water/milk mixture, micro high 6 minutes, stirring in between.
- In another vessel, put 2 tsp ghee, micro high for 1 minute, add sooji, micro high for 2 minutes, stirring in between.
- Add the above sooji to milk mixture, add apple(ground), mix well, micro high for 2 minutes, stirring in between.
- Add the remaining ghee, micro high for 1 mintue, remove and keep closed for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with raisins and kaju.

Sending it to,                           
                                                   
                                              Nivedita's Microwave Easy Cooking- Friuts
                                                                         and 
                                                             Srivalli MEC Event