Author: Vacha Brat

Your breakfast is waiting, where are you?

Let us see what the morning is like for the following three people who decide to give the breakfast a miss.
Scene 1

A lousy you is woken up by your shouting mother. You bury your face into one of the pillows and tell her that you did not want to have breakfast and were not hungry. She shouts back that it wasn’t your choice to decide and had to have it. You go off to sleep anyway and your mother continues to shout.

Scene 2

The alarm clock strikes 8. You wake up startled and realize that you are late again. You curse yourself for forgetting such an important meeting! You take a shower hurriedly and get dressed, pick up the important files and documents, grab the wallet and the keys. You storm out of the door in an eye’s blink.

Scene 3

The sun has not even risen fully yet and you are up and going. You take a bath, offer the morning prayers. It’s time to wake up the children and the dear husband. You prepare the breakfast. You prepare the lunch and fill in their lunch boxes. At the same time, you are running around and tying your 5 year old son’s shoe laces. And who will braid the daughter’s hair but you! And oh, you got to make sure that your husband doesn’t forget the wallet and the watch again. Everyone leaves for their destinations. You are so tired by now that you simply sip in a cup of tea and watch a re-run of the last night’s television show you missed.

This is the daily routine of most of the people. Time is less and the work to be done is a lot. Or maybe it’s just ignorance. Whatever might the reason be, missing out on breakfast is not an option but a terribly bad idea. Scientists and researchers say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You can skip any other meal but this one. In today’s world that is so fast and furious, everyone is missing out on the importance of the morning’s meal, breakfast.
The top most important reasons for starting your day with breakfast are:

1) Re-fueling the body
Breakfast when broken into two gives its clear meaning, breaking the night long fast. You last ate at night and there happens to be a lot of time difference between the two meals if you skip breakfast and rather have lunch directly. Your body cannot endure that. You need to feed in that little boy something time to time! Like you have a timely routine to follow, the body has too. It needs to be refueled in order for it to work properly.

2) Controlled and maintained body weight
All the weight issues the mother of those two doting kids always complains about can be put to a rest. That is, if she decides to take care of herself like she takes care of her children and husband. It would take her an extra 5 minutes to sit along with them and have her breakfast. If she can do it for them, why can’t she do it for herself?
Having a timely and healthy breakfast reduces the chances of obesity and controls and maintains the body weight.

Keeps your body weight on check.

3) Lessened concentration issues
The guy who missed the breakfast because he woke up late and had an important meeting to attend will anyway be not able to concentrate in the meeting. Reason you ask? An empty growling stomach! All those lousy students in class who do not understand a thing about what the teacher is saying in the classes before lunch, can increase their concentration levels if they have a healthy breakfast. It enhances the brain power and makes you feel more energetic. Wish to attain higher grades? Start your day with a breakfast.

Concentration issues at school? Have some breakfast, you!

4) Reduced stress
The body does not get the required energy in the morning when you don’t have your breakfast. It then tends to take up whatever is available in the energy reserves and takes the fuel from them. This leaves you all irritated and stressed out due to the release of the stress hormones. You are not able to concentrate and work effectively. You do not produce a good result. On the other hand, if you do have a healthy breakfast, your energy reserves remain untouched and you remain stress free.

So much to do and so less time. Helps if you have your breakfast properly.

5) Reduced intake of unhealthy snacks
When you set out for office or school with an empty stomach, hunger creeps in hours before lunch. And as lunch is a time where you sit and eat a proper meal, it is not convenient for you to have a full meal before it, even if you maybe very hungry. Hence you decide to have some sort of snack here and some sort of snack there in order to quieten the growling stomach. The intake of such unhealthy snacks disrupts the functioning of the body. It also increases fat and sugar levels. The metabolism of the body gets adversely effected. A healthy breakfast in the morning kills the cravings for junk foods all together.

Say no to munching on unhealthy snacks! time for breakfast.

6) Reduced risk of chronic diseases
There are certain vitamins and minerals that only the breakfast can provide. Having a balanced and healthy breakfast reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart attack by maintaining the cholesterol levels. A proper intake of breakfast maintains the blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of diabetes.

Keep your cholesterol in check by having a healthy breakfast.

All the points very well establish the fact that it is extremely necessary to have a balanced, nutritious and energy enhancing breakfast. If you had to opt for one meal out of the three, go for breakfast. It is the meal that lets you survive the day.

July 7, 2014
Travelogue: Lonavala and Khandala, the enchanting hilly retreats

The twin hill stations located just 5 kilo metres apart are an ideal getaway during monsoons. You’ll get to see all the refreshing shades of green, cool breezes and beautiful waterfalls. Get drenched in the rain and savour a roasted corn, there is no dearth of things to do!

Reaching Lonavala or Khandala from anywhere in Mumbai is fairly easy. A number of trains bound to Pune run every day. One tip, do not choose to take up a reservation in AC class. You will miss out on all the beautiful scenery sitting inside the compartments with tinted windows. Be a sport and hop on to the general class and adore the sights that you pass by. It is a fairly short journey. I travelled along with two of my friends and we did enjoy the long tunnels and the view of the beautiful hills on the sides. The feel of the little drops of rain on my palm is something I still remember. If you have your own conveyance, the Mumbai-Pune expressway is a total delight. The scenic beauty that you’ll witness around is totally admirable. Buses too ply to and fro.

On the way to Lonavala

Once you reach the station, finding a hotel is not a tough job. There ample number of hotels and resorts in all price ranges. But mind you, once monsoon arrives the rates get doubled and tripled. This is the season when maximum number of tourists flock the area. In a radius of approximately 5 kilometres various other hotels and resorts can be found.
We unpacked, freshened up and booked a cab. He made us shell out a thousand rupees for taking us around the various points and destinations, the first being the Lions Point. Approximately 10 kilometres from the railway station, the twisty and curvy roads up to the point make for an adventurous ride. What a beauty it was! Standing and witnessing those beautiful peaks while a cool breeze brushes your face, total bliss! There were small vendors selling roasted corn as well as sweet corn nearby. Vendors selling water bottles can also be seen. The bhutta (corn) with sprinkled lemon juice and rock salt is a must have!

Lions Point

Our next stop was the Bhushi dam. Sadly we could not see the waterfall because the monsoon had not yet arrived. There were a lot of small shops selling vada pav and nimbu pani. There were some local tattoo artists too! Next we went to the Ryewood Park which is situated in the neighbourhoods of Lonavala. This is an ideal picnic spot for families and children. It has spacious green surroundings allowing for a relaxing day in the realms of nature. The park also has swings which attract the attention of the children. There is a Shiva temple situated inside the park as well. The garden is surely stunning.

Bhushi Dam

The day was coming to an end. We headed towards the very famous Rajmachi point and the sunset point. The two are situated in close proximity to each other. The Rajmachi point boasts of the view of the famous fort of Shivaji. There was a monkey point as well and boy, were there a lot of monkeys! A lot, but none of them would really harm you. Outside, we feasted on the yummy bhelpoori and the refreshing burf-ka-gola.

totally worth savoring!

Mumbai-Pune Expressway as visible from the Rajmachi point

The sight-seeing for the day came to an end. We got down near our hotel and walked towards the famous Kumar Resort in the neighbourhood hoping to see a snow park but unfortunately it was under construction. We then moved towards a small mall which had a very few shops and eating outlets, but enough to satisfy our day long hunger. We hogged in Yoko Sizzlers and everyone’s favourite McDonalds. I spotted a small market and indulged myself into buying a few clothes at throwaway prices. Lonavala is not really a shopper’s delight, with really very few shopping outlets. We finally retreated back into the comfort of our hotel rooms and slept like babies. It had been a tiring day.
The next we booked an auto in four hundred rupees. We went to visit the famous Karla Caves and the Karla temple. One has to climb up 350 stairs in order to reach the point. Our auto driver however took some short cut and made us start climb only 150 stairs. There were numerous stalls and shops selling Prasad, mithaai, malas, flowers etc. for the offerings at the temple. We went around and explored the temple and hall which has a Buddhist stupa. The Buddhist monks built the cave shrines around 3rd to 2nd century BC. It indeed is an architectural marvel. The temple though has been built very recently. The entry in the main caves is restricted. The number of people who stood in line to enter the temple amazed me. It would require an hour and a half to stand in line and wait!

Karla Caves and Karla Devi Temple

The rock-cut architectural styled hall at Karla Caves

After getting stuck in a jam for around an hour, we headed towards the MTDC resort. This resort is an ideal stay. It has private, spacious cottages. It has a water park and boating facilities. We went there specially for boating in the lake. Paddle and motor boats, both are available.

MTDC Boating

We did not visit any of the lakes because they were all dried up. When you go in the monsoons, do visit the Tungarli Lake, Pawan Lake and the Valvan dam.
There is no scarcity of eating joints around Lonavala. There are a number of good hotels and restaurants near the station itself. From Chinese to South Indian, you can find it all. As better options, resorts like Kumar Resort, Fariyas Resort and Dukes Retreat etc are available and within them are various restaurants and coffee shops.
Our last stop after having our tummies full was the one out of many famous Maganlal’s Chikki shop. I swear I saw at least a hundred Maganlal’s outlets! Lonavala is known for chikki which is prepared with ground nuts in jaggery. Variations include adding crushed coconut, cashews, almonds, etc. in the jaggery. Other famous shops for chikki are A-1 chikki and Purohit Chikki.

Maganlal’s Chikki – Assorted pack

The trip came to an end but the scenic beauty of these hilly retreats remain imprinted in our memories for times to come.

July 3, 2014
The holy month of Ramadan – all you need to know!

With the advent of the pious month of Ramazan or Ramadan, hustle and bustle can be seen throughout all the Muslim households. The preparations begin a lot in advance. Excitement can be seen everywhere. From shopping for clothes and accessories to stocking up the eateries in order to avoid the last minute confusions, people do it all. This is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This is said to be the most sacred month. The word Ramadan is of Arabic origin. Its literal translation is ‘intense scorching heat or dryness’. It is a rigorous month of intense fasting wherein all the members of the family fast every day for the entire period. The fasting is mandatory for Muslims who reach puberty unless they are physically unable to do so. Certain exceptions are made in the case of children, ill people, pregnant women, diabetes patients, menstruating women etc. The fasting or the rozas commence from dawn and end at dusk. They do not consume any food or drink neither do they smoke. Swearing is something that is also avoided. As I have heard from some friends, they do not even gulp in their saliva. This might be a shocker, but it’s true.

Fasting is undoubtedly good for health. It has its perks. It gives the digestive system a rest along with allowing the cleansing and de-toxification of the body. It relaxes the body and revitalizes it. A tranquil spiritual feeling descends. In popular belief in Islamic culture, fasting washes away the sins and bestows upon the people many rewards. The fasting diverts the attention from materialistic activities and gives time for spiritual reflection, cleanses the soul and purifies the heart. The person becomes more considerate, empathetic and self-disciplined. He begins to see the less fortunate in new light and within him generosity creeps in.

The beginning of Ramadan is marked by a new moon. Fasting begins from the very next day when the moon is seen. The month lasts for approximately 30 days. It depends on when the crescent moon has been sighted.
The people who fast wake up early before the sun rises and consume the meal called ‘suhoor’ or the ‘seheri’ which keeps them going through the day. Thus the suhoor is a heavy meal which gives enough strength for the entire day to the people who are fasting. It is very necessary to consume ample amount of water or sharbat during suhoor in order to remain hydrated throughout the day. As soon as the sun rises, suhoor ends and the first prayer or the namaaz is offered. This first prayer is called the fajr or the morning prayer.

The entire day goes by without consuming anything. People put themselves through rigorous fasting. They offer five prayers or namaaz during the day. The devotion and dedication of these people is a thing to admire.
At sunset the last prayer is offered which is called the maghrib. The meal which breaks the fast at sunset is called ‘iftaar’. Most people eat dates for breaking the day long fast and later go on to have a proper feast.

At iftar, social gatherings are very common in which the meal is spread out in a buffet style. Friends and families gather for this small celebration together during the evening.

Traditional dishes and desserts are served which are specific to the month of Ramadan. Families also share the dishes they prepare for iftaar with their neighbours. Nothing quenches the day long thirst like a glass of water does! Juices and milk are also a popular choice, though caffeinated beverages are not usually consumed. Sewain is the most sought after dessert.

Common food items that are consumed during the two meals are fresh fruits and vegetables, dry fruits, kebabs, sharbat, salads, lamb stew, haleem, jalebi etc.
Some people also indulge in the practice of giving away food to the poor and homeless during iftaar. This can be done on an individual basis wherein the meal is offered to a few people. This can also be seen in large public areas where the less fortunate gather and break their fast with the food these people offer to them. This charity is one of the most important parts of Ramadan. It is believed that helping a fasting person break their fast garners great rewards.
Along with fasting and charity, reciting the Quran, the holy book, on a regular basis is also an integral part of the month of Ramadan. This recitation is voluntary rather than mandatory. Though it is pretty common to finish the entire Quran during the course of the 30 days.
Ramadan gets over on the next day after the sighting of the new moon. The day when it gets over is celebrated as Eid-ul-fitr. This festival is celebrated with huge pomp and show. The people flock the bazaars and shopping malls for new clothes and accessories. Henna or the mehendi, colourful bangles and beautiful suits are adorned by the women. This is a day of no fasting. People decorate their houses with pretty lights and set up a lavish feast. The gifts are given in the form of Eidi to children and relatives. ‘Eid Mubarak’ is the greeting that is said all around. Neighbours and family members visit each other to share sweets and dishes. Sewaiyaan is the most loved sweet dish which is prepared with vermicelli in milk along with dried fruits.

Ramadan is a month where people believe that all their sins get forgiven. And they do a lot to achieve that, fasting straight for 30 days is no easy task. It is admirable to see them put themselves through so many restrictions in order to stand by their culture.
Wishing all the people who are celebrating this holy month, Ramadan Mubaarak!!

July 1, 2014
Fun facts about honey – the wonders it can do!

The negative impacts of redefined sugar have been too many to count but this does not imply that anything that is ‘sweet’ is harmful. There are numerous natural alternatives of redefined sugar which can be obtained from fruits, vegetables and the cute little honeybee! These do not have any sort of poor effect on one’s health and rather provide nourishing nutrients to the body.

Honey has been in use since more than four thousand years. Produced from the nectar of the flowers by the bees, this golden elixir has served the mankind since ancient days. In the olden Egyptian times, it was used to heal the wounds. Honey boasts of a superpower, it can be kept for an indefinitely long period of time without it getting spoiled. The Romans and the Greeks used to honey to treat eye and skin related problems.

Following are some wonders that honey does for our health:

1. Gives the immune system a boost

Raw and organic honey is full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. These components of honey help your body fight away the harmful bacteria.
When you are suffering from cold, or have a cough or a sore throat, how often have you heard your mother say, “Take a tea spoon of honey, you’ll be good!” I have heard it a lot of times and trust me, it totally works. Honey is useful in clearing out your throat.
Regularly having honey mixed in warm water boosts up the immune system.

2. Decreases the risk of a heart-disease

Honey in combination with cinnamon revitalizes the veins and arteries of the heart. It also reduces the cholesterol level by 10%. This combo of honey and cinnamon is a boon for the heart patients as it reduces the risk of a heart attack, when taken on a regular basis.

3. Ups the energy levels

Honey provides the right amount of calories and energy to keep your body going. It gives an instant energy boost to the body. Athletes constantly have sports drinks for increasing their energy levels. They might provide instant energy but obviously have negative effects on the body in the long run. It has been proven that adding honey to the drinking water and consuming it during important events is as good as any energy drink you find in the market. How often do you find yourself suddenly craving for something sweet? Next time when you are in such a dilemma to choose between coffee and chocolate, instead go for the natural dose of sweetness, honey.

4. Treats indigestion

Are you the type of person to suffer from indigestion frequently? Well, honey is the best medicine for you. It is helpful in preventing acid reflux. It has certain antiseptic properties which help in relieving acidity in the stomach. It also neutralizes gases.
If you have had too much to eat, drink up a warm glass of water with added lemon juice and honey.

5. Helps you lose weight

The first thing to do when you wake up in the morning should surely be drinking a combo of warm water, lemon juice and honey in an empty stomach. It is a proven technique which helps in weight loss. It is the best possible detox solution. It cleanses the liver and removes fat and toxins from the body. The same combination can be consumed just before sleeping as well.

6. Clears up the skin

Looking for a new skincare product? Why don’t you try out some organic honey? It has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties which moisturize the skin. Apply a dab of honey on your pimples and blemishes and leave it overnight. Wake up with a glowing and radiating skin! It prevents wrinkles and dryness. It gives your skin the kind of natural glow that no skin care brand can provide.

7. Reduces dandruff and scalp related problems

Honey can be diluted in warm water and applied to the problem areas and left on for three hours. It can later be rinsed with warm water. This relieves the constant itching in the scalp reduces scaling as well. It also helps in reducing hair loss to a great extent. I don’t need a new shampoo saying, ‘100% guarantee of no dandruff’ because I have the remedy at home!

8. Metabolizes alcohol

Have you had a little too many to drink? Vodka and whiskey all around you? It has been medically proven that an oral intake of honey would reduce alcohol blood levels, increase the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol, and thus would limit intoxication. Raise your hands for honey shots now!

9. Helps treat wounds and burns

Since ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman times, honey has been effectively and extensively used in the treatment of wounds and burns. Thousands of years later, honey is still being used for the same. Many studies have been carried out that conform these abilities of honey. Application of honey makes the wound sterile. It can either be directly applied on to the wound or burn or can be applied in the form of a dressing which should be changed on a regular basis.

Honey helps in treating seasonal infections. It boosts up the memory. And to add to its endless uses, possesses an extremely enchanting taste! Its soft and lustrous texture plays inside your mouth. Remember its uses, apply them in your day-to-day life and notice the difference.

June 7, 2014
Unparalleled Taste of the Awadhi Cuisine

The sumptuous meal that the city of Awadh has to offer is nothing short of magical. The royalty and the grandeur of it will leave you mesmerized. It will leave an everlasting impression on your taste buds. You’ll always want some more of it. You will get the Nawabi feel in every bite you take. Such is the magnificence of the Awadhi cuisine. The city is notably famous for the dum style of cooking. It originated in Awadh, or the present day Lucknow. This style of cooking goes back to the 16^th century. The food is cooked over a slow fire in a closed container. With the increased time of cooking, the entire flavour of the spices and herbs used, is released into the dish. This gives a distinct taste to the Awadhi cuisine. Sometimes cooking dough is used to seal the mouth of the container in which the dish is being prepared. This leads to aroma of the spices to seep through the dough, thus providing it with a flavour.

Awadhi Dumpukht

Not just the style of cooking, but also the way in which the meal is spread out elaborately, will make your mouth water. The presentation of the food has a royal touch to it. When you sit down to eat, it will appear to you that you’re a king and everyone on the table is waiting for you to take the first bite! In the olden times, the spread was laid out in the centre and it was necessary for everyone to sit around and eat together. Such a spread is known as Dastarkhwan. It consists of a variety of dishes like kebabs, korma, biryani, roomali rotis, nihari kulchas, sheermal etc. Such practices can still be observed around the city. The menu of the Dastarkhwan changes with the seasons.

A typical example of the spread: Dastarkhwan

The menu of winters is very different from that of spring. In winters, heat giving, rich meat is preferred. During spring, various kinds of crispy snacks are prepared. Similarly during summers, a variety of dishes and desserts are prepared using raw mangoes. Sewaiyan is another sweet dish which can be often seen in the houses during the pious months of Ramzan. The dishes that form a major part of the Awadhi platter are Kebabs, Biryani, Korma and a variety of breads. Kebab is the identity and pride of Lucknow. Kebabs are made from meat, fish or vegetables that are grilled on a chulha. Lucknow boasts a wide variety of Kebabs, namely, Kakori Kebabs, Seekh Kebabs, Galawat ke Kebabs, Ghutwa Kebabs, Shami Kebabs, and Boti Kebabs etc. Vegetarian kebabs are made using yam, kidney beans, jackfruit (kathal), peas and taro (arbi). The most famous shop for kebabs in Lucknow is the Tunde Ke Kabab. It is a 100 year old shop which serves the best kebabs in the city. It boasts of using 160 different homemade spices which is their trade secret. The who’s who of Bollywood come all the way to try out these kebabs. The list of the fans is endless. So many of the Bollywood biggies fly out the khansamas (cooks) from here to cater their functions. This is surely a feat to be proud of.

Galouti Kebabs

Lakhnawi biryani is another dish that is famous worldwide. It is a special preparation of basmati rice with species, curd, meat and/or vegetables. It uses the method of layering. The meat and the rice are cooked separately. They are then layered on top of each other and baked. Vegetarian biryani is also very common.

Biryani

The various types of breads that are eaten are chapatis, pooris, parathas, naans, roomali roti, tandoori roti and sheermal (sweet naan). Korma is the curry used which is made by braising meat or vegetables in case of navratan korma. The Awadhi desserts have the perfect kind of sweetness and taste that is required after a meal. Kulfi is one such dessert which is famous among the masses. It is made from rich milk and cream. Prakash Ki Mashhoor Kulfi is the oldest known shop for kulfi. They offer the best falooda kulfi in the city. A type of halwa which is specially prepared in Lucknow is the sohan halwa. Different cereals like gram flour, sooji, wheat etc. are used to prepare halwa. It is heavily garnished with rich dry fruits. The barfi, jalebi and rabri are some other desserts to look up to. After the meal, consumption of Paan is quite common. An evening without Paan is thought to be incomplete. Paan is made from betel leaf which is garnished with saffron, spices, silver foils and other condiments.

Falooda Kulfi By Prakaksh ki Mashoor Kulfi

After boasting of the nawabi Awadhi cuisine, Lucknow still has a lot to show off in terms of street food. Be it Idris ki biryani or Shukla ki Chaat, be it Rahim ke Kulchey Nihari or Royal Café k paani-batashe, every single one of them is worth a try. And when you try them once, you’re surely going to be a fan. The originality of the taste will hold you spellbound. Paapdi chaat, tikki chaat, dahi bada, paani poori, sev poori etc., the names are enough to tickle your taste buds. Where else can you get eight different types of paani for the paani puri at one stall? That’s right, in this magical city which has a cuisine so quintessential!

Aaloo Tikki by Shukla ki Chaat

The mouth-watering delicacies that this culture offers are just too many to name. Piece of advice, go try out some Awadhi cuisine, you are missing out on a lot. Trust me, you’ll be thankful!

May 29, 2014