Category: More

Easy Ragi Recipes

HISTORY

Ragi, also known as Elusine corcana, has been cultivated in India as far back as 4000 years ago. Today many Indian states produce Ragi and Karnataka is the top producer with 58% of India’s export share. It is also known as Finger Millet in the southern part of India and Nachni in the northern side.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Ragi along with oats is one of the most nutritious food and also an easy one to digest. It is rich in calcium, protein and also iron and other minerals. It is rich in unsaturated fat which is good for the body and helps in weight loss. The presence of Tryptophan in Ragi reduces appetite. As compared to white rice, it contains high fiber which helps in digestion and also helps in reducing the cholesterol levels in the body. Patients suffering from anemia and low hemoglobin should include more ragi in their diet because it is a rich source of natural iron. Also, it is a natural relaxant and helps patients suffering from insomnia. It is used as an excellent baby food in the southern parts of India. Ragi porridge is given to the baby for bone growth and overall development.

But after seeing all these health benefits, ragi should not be consumed in large quantities. High consumption of ragi leads to increase in the quantity of oxalic acid. Hence, it is not advisable for patients suffering from kidney stones.

So here are some of the easy ragi recipes that can be tried at home.

A)     RAGI BISCUITS

INGREDIENTS

Ragi flour-1 cup

Powdered sugar- ½ cup

Butter- ½ cup

Cardamom powder- ¼ cup

Baking powder- ¼ tsp

METHOD

1)      Roast ragi flour in a pan for 5 min.

2)      After roasting it add sugar, butter, cardamom powder and baking powder to it and mix it well.

3)      Make it as a ball and place it in a greased tray. Leave enough spaces between the biscuits.

4)      Bake it in an oven at 300f for 20 min.

5)      Cool it and store it in a tight container.

B)      RAGI COCONUT MILK HALWA

INGREDIENTS

Ragi- 1 cup

Coconut milk-1 cup

Sugar -1 cup

Cashew (fried) – 5

Cardamom powder- a pinch

Ghee- needed

METHOD

1)      Soak ragi overnight.

2)      Grind ragi and extract milk.

3)      Mix ragi milk, coconut milk and sugar in a pan and cook.

4)      Add ghee and stir continuously.

5)      When content thickens and ghee starts leaving the contents, remove the pan from the stove.

6)      Add cashew and cardamom powder to it.

7)      Transfer the contents to a greased tray.

8)      Cut into desired shape when it is cool.

C)      RAGI WHEAT DOSA

INGREDIENTS

Ragi flour-1 cup

Wheat flour- 1 cup

Butter milk- for mixing

Salt- to taste

METHOD

1)      Mix the ingredients well.

2)      The mixture should be of the thickness of regular dosa batter.

3)      Keep it overnight and make dosa the next day.

4)      Serve it hot with any kind of chutney.

D)     RAGI COCONUT LADOO

INGREDIENTS

Ragi- 1 cup

Powdered jaggery- ¼ cup

Roasted peanuts- ¼ cup

Grated coconut – ¼ cup

Salt- a pinch

METHOD

1)      Take flour and salt in a bowl and water to it little by little while mixing it.

2)      Add grated coconut to it and steam the mixture for about 10-15 min.

3)      Lay the mixture into a tray and let it cool.

4)      Add jiggery and peanuts to it and blend it well.

5)      Roll them into lemon sized balls.

6)      Store it in a tight container to use it longer.

E)      RAGI COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

Ragi flour- 1 cup

Brown cane sugar- ½ cup

Green cardamom powder- ½ tbsp

Ginger powder- 2 pinches

Baking powder- ½ tbsp

Oil (rice bran) – ½ cup

Egg (whisked) – 1

Salt- ½ tbsp

METHOD

1)      Mix ragi flour and cardamom powder in a bowl.

2)      Roast this mixture for a minute or two in a pan till the color changes a bit.

3)      In a bowl break an egg and whisk it.

4)      Now add roasted ragi and sugar into it and mix it well.

5)      Add dry ginger and salt to it.

6)      Now add oil and mix it well. Now the mixture looks like a dark dough.

7)      Make round balls and then flatten them in your palms.

8)      Pre-heat the oven for about 5-7 minutes.

9)      Keep the cookies in a pan with butter paper on it.

10)   Place the biscuits with about an inch away from each other.

11)   Bake it for 8 minutes at 180 degree Celsius.

F)      RAGI OATS LADOO

INGREDIENTS

Ragi flour- 1 ½ cup

Oats flour- 1 cup

Dates (ripe) – 20

Milk- ¼ cup

Honey- ½ cup

Ghee- 3 tbsp

Green cardamom powder- 1 tsp

White sesame seeds- ¼ cup

Coconut powder- ¼ cup

Cashew nuts- 12

METHOD

PREPARATION

1)      Roast the oats lightly and grind them in a mixture.

2)      Take about 15 dates in a bowl and remove the seeds from it.

3)      Add milk to it and make it into a paste with the help of a blender.

4)      Cut the remaining oats into small pieces.

5)      Dry roast white sesame seeds.

6)      Dry roast cashew nuts.

COOKING

1)      Take 1 tbsp of ghee in a pan and roast the oats flour on low flame for few minutes.

2)      Now take another pan and add the remaining ghee to it. Add roast ragi flour to it and heat it in low flame till the rawness is removed.

3)      Add oats flour to the ragi flour and mix it well in low flame.

4)      Add dates paste to it and mix it well.

5)      Now add half of honey and mix it.

6)      Add cardamom powder to it and keep the pan in a low flame.

7)      Take the pan out of the stove and let it cool.

8)      Now add the pieces of dates.

9)      Now add the remaining honey and mix well into a dough.

10)   Now take some dough and add a cashew to it and make it in the form of a ladoo.

11)   Mix sesame seeds into coconut powder.

12)   Roll the ladoo in this mixture.

13)   Do the same with the remaining dough and serve it.

December 8, 2014
10 Scenic Driver’s drives…

Do you love long road trips? Yes, The long drives with awesome scenic views and spectacular roads. In this busy, impatient world, in this technology driven era, Reaching from Point A to Point B is often can be covered in few hours by airtravels, fly from jets and the metros. But that relaxing, meditating kind of long trip is something worthtaking.

There are million of miles of roads paved by milions of people across the earth, but driving through some of them is actually breathtaking with all the scenic beauty and beautiful views it has. There is a famous saying that,” the journey is more important than the destination.” But the picturesque road travels I have mentioned here are sure to be paved by any wanderlust. Instead of simply being a part of the journey, these roads are so awe-inspiring, stupendous that they have become a destination in itself. If you wanna have such experience, just fasten your seat belts, take your beloved ones and hit the road.

Great Alpine Road, France: The Great Alpine road a.k.a Route des Grandes Alps, is a 425 mile road through French Alps, connecting Lake Geneva and the French Riviera. The scenery outside is Stunning. Consider driving through the South, you will be enchanted by snow capped mountains, valleys and glimmering lakes. You will find number of cols or mountain passes, which have dangerous curves and steep offs. Just drive slowly from the curves , Yes, the most exciting and highest paved pass in the alps such as Col de I’Iseran. You will just love your journey and all the views as you fasten through the alps.

Pacific Coast Highway, California: This route runs along the Pacific coastline of U.S. state of California. It is one of the crown jewels of America’s national scenic beauty. This is 656 miles long route which runs along the State coast from Orange County to Mendocino County and you will encounter some very fine scenery from start to finish. The best spots along the drive include Monterey, the Bixby bridge In Big Sur, being one of the most photographed places of all California. The whole route is super awesme in itself.

The Amalfi Coast, Italy: Possessing some of the most beautiful views of Italy, this drive is along the southern coastline of Sorrentine Peninsula. In UNESCO’s words , The Amalfi Coast drive is “ An outstanding example of Mediterranean landscape.’ This legendary drive is having exotic views of teal Mediterranean Sea. The road passes through terraced coastal villages , cliffs an towns. But drivers should go little slow as much of it is narrow, so driving through it can be tricky.

Manali-Leh Highway: Situated in North India, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, he spectacular route is completely beautiful, covered with snow-clad Himalayas, glaciers, streams and high-altitiude plains. This 40 km highway is a epitome of adventure at every step with magnificent views. The route is opened only during summer months, between June to October and it connects Manali valley to Lahaul and Spiti valleys and Zankar valleys in ladakh. The two-day drive of Manali-Leh highway will take you through five mountain passes, including Rohtang la, Taglang La, being the highest point in the whole journey. Just keep your Camera ready for the awesome moments.

Yamuna Expressway: Newly built Yamuna Expressway is perfect for those who love speed as the whole route is straight stretch with very less twists and turns. The 6-lane, 165 km long, controlled-access Yamuna expressway, connects Greater Noida with Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in just over 2 hours. You will be encountered with green fields, sundry villages, open spaces. You will just go on and on on the runway, the only interruption you may face is the five-toll plazas. So, gear up your car or bike and enjoy the ride.

Mumbai-Goa Highway: This exciting road connects the one city being Bollywood-oriented and other being Beach-oriented and the hghway is busiest of all. It is scenic because it is both smooth and picturesque. The NH-17 , 600 km stretch runs from Mumbai to Thiruvanathpuram, winding its way through Western Ghats and covering up Konkan Coastline. There are many attractions on the way like Trekking at the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, birdwatching and many panaromic views, ready to be captured. The surrounding clouds kissing the greenest hills having steep turns just makes it a thrill and must go.

Guoliang Tunnel Road, China: This is carved along the side of and through a mountain in China. Simply, photos of road are scary to imagine drive off this whole way out. But its is very exciting and adventurous, Just be little cautious and you will have the most heroic experience of your life. Its been called the road which doesn’t tolerate any mistakes, high up in the Taihang mountains of eastern China and is just 12 feet wide by 15 feet high. The road was actually built by local villagers to connect the Guoliang with the outside world, since then it has become a major tourist spot. Throughout the road, there are stunning views from the cliffs into the valleys. Just dare to go and enjoy it.

Atlantic Road, Norway: The ride of Atlantic Road, part of Norway country gives you breathtaking views of Westfjords and surprising glimpses of whales, seals and exotic birds along the way as an added attraction. The road is famed for its 8km long Zigzagging along the Norwegian coastline. The road is built in such a way that there are many thrilling rises and falls with the contours of the land in many places giving an optical illusion of the road ending in mid-air. But don’t worry as bridges continues smoothly. It perfectly a roller coaster ride with spectacular views from your four wheelers.

The Overseas Highway, Florida Keys: It is a 127.5 mile highway through the Florida Keys, carrying U.S. route no.1. This was built in 1938 on top of what was once Overseas Railroad and that was destroyed by the Labor Day hurricane that swept through Florida Keys in 1935. The overseas Highway stretches mostly over water across 42 bridges between Key Largo and Key West. You can encounter some of the most awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets here on The overseas highway. It’s a wonderful sensory experience. The road is something, not worth to be missed.

Interoceanic Highway, Peru-Brazil: The interoceanic a.k.a transcontinental highway in Peru and Brazil, connecting the two South-american countries. The newly constructed highway, completed in 2011 and is stretched across 2600 kms. The route passes through very dramatic contrasting landscapes. Running along Peruvian coast, through remote stretches of the Andes and dense Amazonian rainforests. Inbetween, you can take a diversion to the famous ruins of Machu-Picchu.

Well, these were some of the most loveliest, adventurous, with spectacular views and dangerous twists and turns and these roads are really worth to be paved. The bucket-list of scenic drives is all yours. Just be ready with all the food, snacks, Kodak and go on to have the most memorable experience of your lives, either alone or with your loved ones. Pack your bags and plan the trip to the nearest of your places and eventually you wont resist experiencing the other roads too, which are farther but not irresistible for any driving lover. Just keep driving on and on don’t forget to take a break at some of the most prominent pointsin between the journey through these roads. If you are daring, you will simple love your ways out and destinations are also exciting where you will reach ultimately, but there is no replacement for journeys through these road. So, What are you waiting for? Break this monotony and enjoy the roads, and the mountains and the scenery and the water and much more.

Happy Driving. Happy Life.

December 8, 2014
Old is Gold!

Antiquities or antiques are ancient collectable items that are valued for their historical importance. The age, beauty, utility, cultural importance, sentimental connection or any other unique feature attached to an item makes it desirable. Any antique is a reflection of the socio-cultural standing of a previous era or a time period in the human civilization. Most collectables of this class possess a certain degree of design or craftsmanship. Some of these antiques were in use till a little time ago and then with the decrease in their popularity and usage over the years, they were deemed to be called the tokens from the past.

This article focuses on a few such articles that our generation has seen but never realized how important they once had been.

The Postcard

Not so long ago, when my Dad had gone to Germany, he called me up to ask what I want from there. Not so sure of what I really did want, I asked him to get anything he feels like. He returned with a bunch of these colourful paper rectangles with a blank other side to be written on. The world knows them better as the postcards.

These small souvenirs brimming with culture, colour and a characteristic story behind them are a staple form of communication from the past and a visual treat to both the sender and the receiver. Besides the message written inside it, the gesture of choosing an appropriate postcard and having it sent to that particular person is enough to bring about a smile to his/her face. A tourists’ souvenir-collection would not be complete without some gorgeous postcards from the place he has struck off his bucket-list. This memento might be a little lacking as per modern aesthetic standards, but these single image cards were once every hobbyists’ treasures.

The first postcard ever was a printed image which was sent via mail and was received in Hungary in 1869. United States’ first postcard appeared in the year 1873. It depicted the main building of the Inter-State Industrial Exposition in Chicago. Paris also saw the postcard-culture when cards with images of the Eiffel Tower were printed in the year 1889. In the Great Britain the very first advertising cards were printed in 1872.

There were a variety of postcards that were once widely used. From a variety of ‘view’ cards with images of famous architectural sites and landmarks, to other ‘art’, ‘fashion’ and ‘historical’ cards; one can find them all.

Societies all over the world had taken to this mode of communication where there is no need of an envelope or stamps. From army personnel to young pen-pals, everyone has used these beautiful cards for communicating with their loved ones.

The Hourglass

Call it the hourglass, sand timer, sand clock or the sand glass; this tool is the oldest device known to mankind for measuring time. These days, hourglasses are used mostly for ornamental purposes or for domestic and kitchen applications like board games or boiling an egg.

An hourglass can measure time varying from a few minutes to even a number of hours depending on a number of factors. The mechanism behind its operation is the flow of sand or any similar granulated substance through an orifice connection two bulbs. The two vertical glass bulbs are connected to allow a regulated trickle of the granulated material from the top to bottom. Once the top bulb is completely empty, the hourglass can be inverted for the next cycle. The factors that determine the time that can be measured are the amount of sand or the granulated substance, the size of the bulbs, the width of the neck/passage or the orifice and the quality of the material that has been put inside the bulbs.

The place of origin of the sand-glass is not very clear; though it is said it might have been invented by the ancient Egyptian civilization. The American Institute of New York claims that it was invited in about 150BC, at Alexandria. There was a phase when the hourglass disappeared till it became a popular culture again in the medieval European civilization. It was in the 14^th century when the sand-glass became a common house-hold item. It was used on land as well as in the sea. Churches and other institutions used them widely to keep track of the time. It was also used by sailors to record time as mechanical clocks were not easily available back then.

Soon after 1500AD the hourglass lost its utility and charm due to the development of cheap mechanical clock technology. The oldest sand-glass that is known to survive is at the British Museum in London.

The Gramophone

Invented in the year 1887 by Emile Berliner, a German by nativity who was then working in Washington D.C., the gramophone is one of the choicest possessions for many, be it curators or music enthusiasts. Earlier attempts like the one by Thomas Alva Edison, which was called the ‘phonograph’ could record sounds from cylinders but could not reproduce human voice and each recording played only once. There were certain other attempts that were made after Edison, for instance the ‘graphophone’ by Graham Bell. Here wax cylinders were used and although these could be played repeatedly, they had to be recorded separately, making mass production of records difficult.

Berliner was successful in inventing a convenient system for sound recording. Another advantage was that she employed flat disks instead of cylinders thus bringing in the portability factor.

The concept of recording sound by fixing a needle to a membrane resonating in symphony dates back to early 19^th century. Gramophones formed an important part of human culture. They were a part of huge operas and were even housed in many institutions like offices. The avant-garde reigned the industry till more efficient digital storage technologies came up. It is sad that now the only place we can easily spot one of these is either the antiques-shop or the museums.

Though the article ends here, there is a huge list of such forgotten objects of beauty that were once a common commodity. We sure have better and more efficient alternatives for all of them; but there is a charm about these that shall never be lost. And as they say: “Old is Gold”, these vintage tokens are definitely more precious than we think they are.

December 6, 2014
Christmas Celebrations in Different Parts of India

Christmas is a festival that falls in the month of December.The whole world will be eagerly waiting for this festival till the end of the year.In India, people from different parts celebrate this festival in different manners.Christmas celebrations in India is similar to western countries, but it has its own flavor.Here are the few places in India and the way the Christmas festival is celebrated.

Christmas celebrations in Goa:

Christmas celebrations in Goa

Goa,situated on the western coast of India is also called as Beach Paradise of India.It is one of the best place in India for Christmas celebrations.During Christmas time the whole city,homes,cathedrals and churches are fully decorated with lights and flowers.On these special days,beach shacks and restaurants serve special western dishes and also play live festive music which is an additional attraction for many tourists.Beaches like Anjuna,Mapusa and Candolim are known for long night parties.Goa also hosts internationally acclaimed sunburn festival during this festive season and New Year.For this sunburn festival,many music lovers around the country come here to watch DJ’s live performances.By providing all these exciting features,Goa is an excellent place to visit during Christmas.

Christmas celebrations in Mumbai:

Christmas celebrations in Mumbai

Mumbai, also known as Financial Capital of India is one of the biggest party hubs during Christmas.During Christmas season,the hill road is fully decorated with lights and Christmas trees are spotted on the sidewalks.In Mumbai,there are many popular churches which host midnight masses.Bakeries in the city are filled with goodies and all the city malls are decorated well to give a festive feel to the customers.After Christmas,there are firework celebrations at Marine lines on the night of New year.It is one of the best place to visit during Christmas.

Christmas celebrations in Pondicherry:

Christmas-in-Pondicherry

Pondicherry ,also known as India’s Little France.The spectacular beaches,beautiful buildings and pleasing French Cuisine makes it one of the best tourist destinations.There are many old churches in Pondicherry which include the magnificent churches like ‘The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception’ and ‘The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church’.These are the most interesting places to visit during festive time.The city is filled with French style monuments and buildings.During the festive season, the city looks bright and excitement and joy are found everywhere in the city.

Christmas celebrations in Kerala:

Churches in Kerala during Christmas

Kerala is a perfect place to visit during Christmas season.In Kerala, there are vast number of churches that celebrate this festival with lot of dedication and interest.Streets are fully decorated and Churches remain open almost all night.On these festive days,restaurants provide discounts on food and drink for customers.The beautiful beaches,beach resorts,boat houses are fully decorated on these festive days.It is a beautiful place to enjoy Christmas along with the family.

Christmas celebrations in Manali:

christmas-places-in-manali

Manali is one of the beautiful hill stations in India.During Christmas season,the snow fall takes place and when the snowfall is moderate people enjoy playing snow fights and build castles with their friends and family.During this season,there are many tourist packages available offered by various travel companies.Places like Rothang pass and Solang valley are additional attractions too.

Christmas celebrations in Shillong:

shillong-church

This state has a large number of Christian population and they celebrate this festival with more joy and glory.On this festive season all the streets,houses and churches are fully decorated with colorful lights.There are many local troops that perform dances to the traditional music.Most of the churches have their own local music band.Food offered at this place is a bit unique and is not liked by many of the people.There are not many travelers that frequently visit this places.So, one can enjoy this festival without worrying about the crowds.

Christmas celebration in Daman and Diu:

Oldest Churches of Daman and Diu

These Islands are located at the coast of Gujarat.These Islands have many old and beautiful churches like St.Paul’s church,Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and many more.The beautiful sand beaches,palm grooves makes this place a best holiday spot.Here Christmas is celebrated with great joy and people perform many cultural programs like Portuguese dance and many more fascinating events.The festival is celebrated by playing wonderful melody tunes and accompany with music.Houses are fully decorated with bright and colorful lamps all over the Island.Many night parties and events are performed in Daman during this festive season.

Christmas celebration in Dadra and Nagar Haveli:

dadra_nagar_haveli_festival

This place has beautiful hills,waterfalls and lush of green forests to walk through.This place has beautiful old churches with magnificent architecture and people celebrate Christmas with full of spirit.The festivals celebrated will have their local impact.This place is great for shoppers with a lot of hand made products available.This is a peaceful place to visit and enjoy the Christmas celebrations.

Christmas celebrations in Bangalore:

Christmas in Bangalore

Bangalore is one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities in India celebrating Christmas with great joy and spirit.On this festive season, various events are celebrated throughout the city.Many of the restaurants,malls,houses,streets are fully decorated with colorful lights and flowers that brings a festive look to the entire city.In Bangalore, there are around 40 churches and in few areas there is a domination of Christians.During nights of Christmas season,masses are held at churches that draw huge crowd to attend the ceremony.During this festive season many restaurants and malls offer discounts to the customers.

Christmas celebrations in Kolkata:

Christmas celebrations in Kolkata

In Kolkata ,Christmas is celebrated in a different manner.For the people of Kolkata, Christmas is a festival with full of yummy cakes and pastries.Not only Christians, but also people from many other communities attend midnight masses at various churches,sing hymns and offer prayers thanking god.On these festive days, malls and restaurants offer large amount of discounts.Many attractions can be seen like street lights full of colors,rock music,sound exhibition,shimmering lights,delicious food and many more.

December 3, 2014
Fish Mania !!!

Two years ago I got married to my lovable Bong boyfriend and the very next day, I was introduced to this favourite cuisine of every bong family – “Mach Bhaat “.Its a tradition in the families to love Fish . I was a little scared as I just couldn’t tolerate the smell of it, few might relate to my situation .Bengali’s are just crazy about fish and I was just the opposite. They can write their own food bible about their favourite food “Mach “.If you ever had interacted with a Bengali, within a few minutes of your conversation you will know the love they have for Fish.I have seen crazy Bong friends of mine in alien cities travelling to every nick and corner of the city… Guess what? Just to have mach bhaat. Gosh! I can write loads of stories about their fish mania, For instance, its a tradition in Bengali families to judge a would be son-in laws character by letting him buy a fish and the quality of the

fish he buys determines his character (Its true. I am dead serious). The only thing which can deviate a Bengali’s mind from fish is football (May be politics sometimes).Its not easy for a bengali to live without mach a single day and for some even one single meal. When I started cooking after marriage I had this huge challenge in front of me of not having fish and still cooking it.But I took up this challenge and
have made so many recipes thanks to my mother-in-law and sometimes you tube too. You wont believe I started liking fish and now, eat it for every single meal. This is how crazy you can be when you marry a Fish Maniac. Its lovely to pen down my initial cooking days – horror stories which eventually turned out to be fairy tales and bring a smile on my face every time I recollect those memories. Today I am
going to share a two of my favourite fish recipes which I cooked for my first anniversary party and they turned out to be a big hit. I hope it rocks your parties as well.

Fish Biryani !!!

Yes! I am discussing biryani with a twist . This dish is delight to have and very simple recipe to try at home. For a fish maniac its heaven on a platter.

Ingredients : 400 g Basmati Rice washed and soaked for 30 minutes., 400g Bhetki fillet or Talapia Fillet (Both easily available in markets), 2 cups finely sliced Onions (Preferably red Onions),1 cup finely chopped onions ,1 cup chopped tomatoes, 1 tablesopon Ginger and garlic paste ,1 1/2 cup Whipped Yoghurt, 1/2 cup Coriander and mint finely chopped, 8 to 10 Small green chillies slit from one side, 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice ,2 to 3 black cardamom, 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks, cloves, black peppercorns, 1 /12 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon kashmiri red chilly powder , 1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, Salt to taste, 1 teaspoon of rose water, Oil as required.

Servings : 4

Method :

Marination of fish :
Mix Lemon juice , ginger and garlic paste with all the powdered dry spices ( cumin , coriander , kashmiri red chilly , turmeric, Salt) . Apply apply the mixture to the fish fillets and keep it aside for 30 minutes so that spices get properly soaked into the fish for a even taste.

For Biryani Preparation:
Cook the basmati rice previously soaked in water until its half cooked. Once the Rice is done spread the rice in a flat tray so that it doesn’t get overcooked in its own heat.
Take a small deep pan add oil for deep frying and fry sliced onions till they are golden brown and keep it aside plating on paper napkins to strain extra oil.

For biryani handi preparation take a deep pan with a lid. Heat it on medium flame . Add oil in a generous amount, heat it for for 30 secs and then add whole spice ( black cardamom , cloves , cinnamon, black peppercorns). Stir it for 30 sec so that oil gets the spicy flavour and add chopped onions . Sauté it for 3 to 4 minutes, add – salt, turmeric powder, chopped tomatoes and sauté it for another 3 to 4 minutes until tomatoes separate oil. Now add whipped yoghurt and marinated fish. Stir it gently so that it doesn’t breaks fish fillets. Close the lid for 8 to 10 minutes and turn the gas on slow flame. Now to have layered biryani take out half of the cooked fish in a bowl . Spread the remaining
fish in the pan and add half of the rice quantity, layering it with half of the deep fried onion slices and half of the chopped coriander and mint leaves ,flavouring it with few drops of rose water. Repeat the same layering with the remaining ingredients and keep the deep pan on top of a flat tava ( Flat )pan on a medium flame for 5 more minutes. This process creates dum in the biryani giving a nice aroma to the dish.
Once done Plate the dish in desirable bowl or platter and serve it with love.I am sure you will please a fish maniac.

Doi Mach :

Another dish which is a delight to have, a traditional bengali recipe and currently my favorite “Doi Mach”. Fish cooked in yoghurt marination .

Ingredients : 8 pieces of Rui Fish , 2 medium sized onions , 2 to 3 chillies made into fine paste, 1 tablespoon garlic paste, 1 & 1/2 cup of whipped yoghurt, 1 cup Tomato purée,1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 bay leaf, few green cardamom, little cinnamon stick ,cloves, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of red chilly powder, 3 to 4 green chillies slit from one side, oil to cook, salt and sugar to taste , coriander leaves chopped for garnishing.

Servings : 4

Method : Marinate fish with salt , sugar, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and half of ginger and garlic paste and keep it aside for 30 minutes. Heat a pan , add oil and heat it for 30 seconds . Add bay leaf , whole spices and cumin seeds along with onion and chilly paste. sauté it for a minute and then add rest of the ginger garlic paste. Sauté the entire mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until onions turn transparent. Add tomatoes , salt, and dry powdered spices and stir it for another 3 to 4 minutes until it separates oil. Add the marinated fish and stir it gently mixing every ingredients well. Cover the pan with a lid and slow the flame and cook it like this for another 10 minutes. Open the lid if the fish is tender enough to eat , Switch of the flame plate the dish into a platter and garnish it with coriander leaves . Serve Hot with loads of love.

Happy Eating !!!

December 3, 2014
Going around Magnificent Libraries

High ceilings, minimalist yet statement furniture and rows of bounded paper from various eras screaming wisdom! Doesn’t a library stimulate your mind so much that you could stay there for days altogether reading as many books as you might? What Wikipedia defines as ‘an organized collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing’ is actually a gateway to knowledge and culture.

Libraries have witnessed human civilizations grow culturally, technologically and intellectually. Right through the Renaissance, Industrialization and ages of intellectual evolution, libraries have witnessed it all and hold scores of written and visual records of the series of events that have occurred in these processes. Libraries not only boast of utmost cultural significance but also have answers to most questions of human existence. They also have the best accounts on most technological, economic, political and cultural subjects. From some great autobiographies to some great technical research papers, libraries house it all under one roof.

Libraries are synonymous with learning opportunities and they can fuel the holistic development of an individual or societies alike to a great extent. Aphra Behn once said, “That perfect tranquility of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a faithful friend and a good library.” A good library is like the oasis with refreshing greenery and sparkling water amidst a vast stretch of the desert of ignorance and mundane civilization.

Some of the worlds’ greatest libraries are listed below. The description of the grandeur of these magnificent structures is beyond the capability of words; yet this is a brave attempt to succinctly chronicle these splendid structures.

1.)    Wiblingen Monastery Library, Germany

The library modeled in the Baroque style has a charm of its own. It was completed in 1744. Just outside the library it is inscribed “In quo omnes thesauri sapientiae et scientiae,” which directly translates to “In which are stored all treasures of knowledge and science.” The interesting thing about this library is that most of the elements that appear to be marble such as the pillars are actually painted wood.

2.)    Clementinum National Library, Czech republic

This National Library comprises of a series of buildings that owe their design and conception to an 11th century chapel dedicated to Saint Clement thus lending it its’ name. The Clementinum National Library was founded in 1781. Constructed in a Baroque style, the library has served as a copyright library since the year 1782. The collection housed in the magnificent walls now includes historical examples of the mesmerizing Czech literature, special materials relating to Tycho Brahe, along with a unique collection of Mozart’s personal effects.

3.)    Virgilio Barco Library, Colombia

This one boasts of a modern architecture along with a labyrinth of books on a multitude of subjects. Designed by the famed architect Rogelio Salmona, it was completed in 2001. It features red brick walls, blue water pools and green lawns that adds to its architectural splendor. This creative design looks like a maze of colors.

4.)    Library of Parliament, Canada

The Library of Parliament in Canada has been called the ‘most beautiful room in Canada’. It was once a part of the city’s original Parliamentary headquarters that was constructed in the late 19^th century. The building had been under construction for around a decade before it was finally revealed that the builders engaged could not create a domed roof as shown in the plans. The Tomas Fairbairn Engineering Company of England was then commissioned to create a pre-fabricated dome to solve the issue. Hence, the building had the vivid distinction of being the first building in North America to possess a wrought iron roof. The unique Gothic building is so fabled that it even features on the Canadian ten-dollar bill.

5.)    Jay Walker’s Private Library, USA

This gorgeous wooden library is filled with an array of historical and pop culture artifacts and has been called ‘the most amazing library in the world.’ The gorgeous etched glass, the labyrinthine design and the many stories of book shelves lend it an impressive characteristic. As if this was not enough, the collection of rarities housed in this gorgeous library is completely magical. With books bound in rubies, a Sputnik, a chandelier from ‘Die Another Day’, and a list of plague mortalities from 1665, this place attracts scores of tourists on a regular basis.

6.)    Palafoxiana Library , Mexico

This Puebla library was established in 1646. It was the first public library in Mexico. Some even claim that it was the first library established in the Americas. Its’ name is now mentioned in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register and is definitely one of the biggest collection of texts with its 41,000 books and manuscripts including an array of rare and antique titles.

7.)    Raza Library, India

The Rampur Raza Library is located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The library was established in the year 1904. It is a repository of Indo-Islamic cultural heritage and a treasure-house of knowledge established in the late 18th century. It was built by successive Nawabs of Rampur and is now managed by the Government of India. Rampur’s Raza Library also boasts of printed works in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Pashto (having the original manuscript of the first translation of the Qur’an in addition to other important books/documents), Tamil and Turkish, and approximately 30,000 printed books in a plethora of indigenous and international languages.

8.)    The Tianyi Pavilion Library, China

Boasting of the majestic traditional Chinese architecture, you need to visit the Tianyi Pavilion Library located in the Ningbo City. It is the oldest private library in Asia. Built in 1560, it is the third oldest private library in the world. It is a proud abode to a collection of 300,000 ancient books, including a number of woodcut and handwritten titles.

9.)    The state library of New South Wales, Australia

It is the oldest library in all of Australia, and was started as the Australian Subscription Library in 1826. The current building was built in 1845. The most popular and beautiful part of the library is the Mitchell Wing, construction of which was completed in 1910. This wing was named after David Scott Mitchell who had a collection of old books like the original journals of James Cook. The library now contains over 5 million items, including 2 million books and 1.1 million photographs.

10.) Trinity college Library, Ireland

This library is absolutely gorgeous with two story dark wooden arches. It is also the largest library in Ireland. It serves as the nations’ copyright library, where a copy of all new books and periodicals should be sent when being applied for copyright protection. The library is also home to the famous Book of Kells.

11.) Abbey Library of St. Gallen, Switzerland

The Abbey Library of St. Gallen is not only the oldest in Switzerland, but also one of the oldest and most important monastery libraries in the world. It boasts of a holding of over 160,000 volumes many of which date back as far as the 8th century. The Rococo-styled library is considered to be one of the most perfect libraries in the world and has earned the Abbey recognition as a World Heritage Site.

12.) The Library of the San Francisco Monastery, Peru

This library built in Lima’s San Francisco Monastery is one of most ancient and most gorgeous in the continent. The majestic convent was built in 1672, with renovations and improvements continuing up until 1729. The 25,000 volumes housed here are extremely rare, registering a massive variety of knowledge ranging from the 15^th to the 18^th centuries.

November 21, 2014
A tryst with Sicilia’s soul -PASTA!!

Did you know that over 600 pasta shapes are produced around the world?

Or that 2.75 million tons of pasta is made in Italy every year?

Or that to cook one billion pounds of pasta, you would need 2,021,452,000 gallons of water – enough to fill nearly 75,000 Olympic-size swimming pools (one billion pounds of pasta is about 212,595 miles of 16-ounce packages of spaghetti stacked end-to-end – enough to circle the earth’s equator nearly nine times).

Fascinated?

Pasta is a simple dish and it is available in such diverse varieties merely because it is a versatile food item.

“Not only are pasta dishes delicious, but they are also great, easy options for a quick dinner during a busy weekday”

-Marcus Samuelsson

So why not cook some?

Here are 5 Speedy Pasta dishes for the home-cook:

Numero Uno –

Pasta Carbonara

Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 packet spaghetti, 100 g bacon (cut in strips), 3 eggs, 1 egg yolk, 100 g Pecorino Romano or Parmesan (grated), 1 Tbsp olive oil, black pepper (coarsely crushed), Salt

Directions: In a big pan, heat the oil and fry the bacon till crisp. Set the fried bacon aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the whole eggs and the yolk. Stir in the grated cheese. Set aside the mixture. Boil the spaghetti in salty water. Drain the pasta. Reserve the cooking water. In another saucepan, toss the pasta with the egg mixture, bacon and any fat rendered from cooking the bacon, over very low heat. Add salt and the pasta water. Remove from the heat. Serve right away with lots of pepper, freshly crushed in a pepper mill, and more Parmesan (optional).

Numero Dos-

Pasta with Mushroom Sauce

Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients: 50 gm shitake mushroom, 100 gm fresh mushroom (sliced), 1 tbsp chopped onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 tbsp fresh thyme or fresh parsley (chopped), 30 ml white wine, 100 gm whole wheat pasta-penne or linguine, salt, pepper

Directions: Put the pasta in boiling salted water. While the pasta is boiling, you should prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add mushroom and wine into it. Once the wine has evaporated, add some of the water in which shitake mushroom was soaked. Add salt, herbs and cook for 5-6 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, add to the sauce with a little bit of pasta water. Serve hot.

Numero Tres-

Pasta Con Pomodoro E Basilico

Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 packet Penne, Parmesan cheese, 1 kg large red ripe tomatoes, 40 ml extra virgin olive oil, 3 cloves garlic (peeled and minced), A handful of fresh basil, a pinch of red chilly flakes, salt

Directions: Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise and remove most of the seeds. Then quarter the tomatoes. Heat the oil in a large skillet, and add garlic and chilly flakes. As soon as the garlic gives off its aroma, add the tomatoes. Cook over high heat until the tomato begins to thicken. Use a wooden spoon to stir and help break the tomato pulp. Add the basil and some salt. When the sauce is cooked, remove it from the heat and run it through a food processor for a minute. Cook the pasta in abundant boiling water and drain. Place in a serving bowl with the sauce. Drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta and mix well with the sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Numero Cuatro-

Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli

Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

For the Dough – 2 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 tsp olive oil, salt
For the Filling – 1 cup spinach (blanched), 1 cup ricotta cheese, 3 tbsp parmesan cheese.

Directions: Grind all the ingredients for the filling and keep aside. To prepare the dough, take a bowl and add the flour, eggs, salt and olive oil. Add some water and knead it to make the dough. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough into thin sheets. Take the spinach mixture and make small portions of it. Place this mixture on the dough sheet, cover and press the sheet around the filling. Cut it in desired shapes and boil them till done. Serve hot.

Numero Sinco-

Four Cheese Pasta

Time: 40 min

Serves: 2

Ingredients: 1 cup macaroni (pasta), 15 gm parmesan cheese, 20 gm cheddar cheese,15 gm brie cheese, 20 gm swiss emmental cheese, 12 cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup milk, 1 sprig rosemary, 1 sprig thyme, 1 spring onion, 2 cloves garlic, 10 gm chopped onions, 10 gm chopped leeks, 10 gm chopped celery, 1 bay leaf, 60 gm butter, 30 gm flour, 1 pinch white pepper, 1/2 tsp nutmeg grated, pinch of chilli flakes

Directions: Boil the macaroni in salted water. Strain and put in a bowl with olive oil. Melt the butter with flour in a saucepan along with olive oil. Boil milk with rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and spring onions. Strain the milk in with the flour and butter, whisking slowly. Season with salt and pepper. Grate parmesan, add cheddar, some chunks of brie and emmental. Put in the sauce and mix it in. In a hot pan add some slice garlic, cherry tomatoes, chilli flakes and a pinch of salt. Saute well and deglaze with a touch of white wine. Mix the macaroni with the sauce. Serve hot.

November 21, 2014
Let’s have some RAINBOW!!

Who doesn’t love a rainbow? That magical moment when Tlaloc is being generous and yet the sun is peeking from behind the clouds, hop scotching and letting fall its warmth here and there – that exact moment, a jolly young rainbow is born.

Rainbows had always fascinated me as a kid. It had that fairytale aura that I looked for in anything and everything then.

That fascination – well, I incorporated it in my culinary creations and the outcome was more than satisfactory. The food looked fun, my little cousins loved them and to top it all, they were delicious!!

My first recipe is a rainbow cake –

Rainbow Cake

Time: 1 hour

Serves: 18 slices

Ingredients:

[ 125g butter (softened, plus a little extra for greasing), 225g plain flour, 150g golden caster sugar, 3 fresh eggs, 1 tsp baking powder, pinch of salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, edible food colouring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple)

For the icing- 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 x 250g tubs cream cheese, 350g icing sugar ]* 3 for 6 sponges

Directions: Heat the oven to 180C. Grease the pan and line the base with baking paper. Tip all the sponge ingredients (apart from the food colouring) into a mixing bowl, and then beat until smooth.

Weigh the mixture into another bowl, and then weigh exactly half the mixture back into the mixing bowl. Pick 2 colours and stir a little into each mix. Scrape the different batters into the tins, trying to spread and smooth as much as possible. Bake on the same oven shelf for 12 minutes until a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean.

Repeat the same process to make all the coloured layers. Leave them all to cool.

To make the icing, beat the vanilla and cream cheese until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar and gently fold in with a spatula.

Smear a little icing on your plate to stick the first sponge. Start with the red, and then spread with some icing right to the very edge. Repeat, sandwiching on top the orange, yellow, green, blue and finally purple sponges. Spread the remaining icing thickly all over the sides and top of the cake. And voila! Your RAINBOW CAKE is ready!!

The Rainbow Cake is a massive hit in my family and I bake it every time my little sister comes to Kolkata for a quick visit. To quote her, “It is yummilicious!”. Kids are going to love it so bake away! Moreover, who said, us, adults can’t have a bit of our colourful fun? Gorge on folks!

The second rainbow-y recipe which I absolutely love to bake is –

Rainbow Cookies

Time: 1 hour

Serves: 48 pieces

Ingredients: 8 ounces almond paste, 1 cup butter (softened), 1 cup white sugar, 4 eggs (egg white and yolk separated), 2 cups all-purpose flour, 6 drops red food coloring, 6 drops green food coloring, 1/4 cup seedless red raspberry jam, 1/4 cup apricot jam, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (melted)

Directions: Preheat oven to 175 degrees C.In a large bowl, break apart almond paste with a fork, and cream together with butter, sugar, and egg yolks. Stir in flour to form dough. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into the dough. Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Mix one portion with red food coloring, and one with green food coloring. Spread each portion into one of the prepared baking pans.Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Carefully remove from pan and cool completely.Place green layer onto a piece of plastic wrap large enough to wrap all three layers. Spread green layer with raspberry jam, and top with uncolored layer. Spread with apricot jam, and top with pink layer. Transfer layers to a baking sheet, and enclose with plastic wrap. Place a cutting board on top of wrapped layers to compress. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.In the morning remove plastic wrap. Top with melted chocolate chips, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Slice into small squares.

These Rainbow Cookies are great to snack on are one of the tastiest cookies ever. Try ‘em!

Rainbow Jello

Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 7 cups

Ingredients: 6 packages of Jello (rainbow colours), 3 cups of yogurt or light sour cream, whipped cream ( this is optional but if added, it takes the rainbow jello to a whole different dimension)

Directions: To make each layer of jello, add 1 cup of boiling water to each package of Jello one at a time. Stir briefly and dissolve the Jello. Set half of the Jello aside. Use a whisk and stir ½ cup yogurt or sour cream into the other half of the Jello. Pour the creamy Jello layer into clear clean plastic cups or any other form of utensil you prefer. To the other half of Jello, add 3 tbsp water. Set aside. After the first layer is set, pour in the second layer. Repeat process for all the other layers of Jello. Add a dollop of whipped cream over the Jello (once it is set) at the end. And this is how the awesome Rainbow Jello is created.

The bobbly wobbly Rainbow Jello is a personal favourite. Since it needs mainly two ingredients, it is convenient and is the easiest of the lot to make. And again, it is simply delightful!

November 21, 2014
Ganesha Chaturthi : festive season that lasts for 10 days

Ganesha is known to be the most popular God in Hindu religion and Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the rebirth of Ganesha across the country. Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. On this auspicious occasion lord Ganesha is welcomed all over the country and confer his presence on this land. Ganesha is popularly known as the god of prosperity, wisdom and good fortune. It’s a tradition in India to worship Ganesha at the start of any new project, wedding ceremonies or during the tours.

Ganesha Chaturthi is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi in some places. It is celebrated on the Shukla Cahturthi which falls during the season of Bhaadrapada. The festival is celebrated across the country for the period of 10 days and it ends on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. It generally falls in the month of August or September. During these 10 days there are several customs and traditions that devotees follow. During the start of the month people start their preparation and start decorating their houses and shops in a very creative manner. They also go to the market and select perfect idols for worship. When they finally bring those idols in their home, they follow several rituals which are called as Ganesha Staphna.

Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated with full enthusiasm all over the country. A month before this day preparation starts. In the market, you will find various creative clay models of Lord Ganesha for sale. These are prepared by expert artists. They are beautifully created and adored with ornaments. These idols vary in their sizes and creation. These idols are purchased and installed in the houses on the very first day of this festive season. People collect money from various funds and construct pandals where these statues are installed. These are decorated with flower, lights and various other decorative items keeping in mind their religious themes.

The priests are called for the chanting of mantras and they dressed themselves in red dhoti and shawl. Through these mantras they try to invoke the lord Ganesha in their souls and this is known as Pranapratishtha. After this jaggery, coconut and modaks are offered to them. After this, these idols are smeared with the paste made of kumkum and sandalwood. While the priest is doing these Shhodashopachara people sitting behind them are chanting Ganesha Stotra. During this festive season various cultural activities can be seen in Pandals like street performances, singing and dancing, orchestra etc. Along with these various camps for medical check-up, blood donation, etc. are also organized in the respective cities.

There are several different methods and rituals to perform this worship and this varies from one state to another. Like in Maharashtra individual families bring these idols to their homes and perform the rituals according to their tradition. After the end of this season they take these idols in a procession to rivers or the sea. This procession involves bands and people walk all over the procession shouting Ganpati Bappa Maurya, Purcha Varshi Laukariya. This means they are requesting Lord Ganesha to come early next year. They are worshipped their near the coast and finally immersed into the water. But due to environmental factors these immersion is now carried out in an eco-friendly manner. In Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated in a very ostentatious and grand manner. Here they decorate the idols of Ganesha with Bermuda grass and garlands. People go to the temples every day and offer ladoo and modaks to Ganesha. Here idols are made of clay and sometimes with coconuts too, as plaster of Paris is banned in this state. On the last day they are immersed in the Bay of Bengal.

Not only in India, this festival is celebrated out of India with the same devotion and enthusiasm. To have a feel of Hindu culture several Indians reside in the UK celebrated this festival first time in London at the Hindu Temple. Finally, after the 10 days the idol was immersed in the Thames River. This celebration attracted 18000 devotees across the city. In the USA, a Hindu organization tends to organize several events on these occasions to mark their culture. In Philadelphia, this occasion is celebrated in at the Bharatiya temple where different devotional events and cultural programs are organized.

Puja is always incomplete without sweet dish. During this festive season Modak is the main dish that is admired across the country. It is generally prepared with wheat/rice flour involving grated coconut stuffing in it. Some people also mix jaggery and other dry fruits in it according to their taste. Then it is fried and ready to be offered to Lord Ganesha. Another dish is karanji which is almost similar to modak but it has semi-circular shape. Along with modaks ladoo, panakam , vadapappu, chalividi, Vundrallu are also offered during the worship. In Andhra Pradesh there is a tradition where a plate containing modak and other twenty one pieces of sweet dish are offered to Ganesha.

So celebrate this festive season with full enthusiasm and joy this year. ..!!

November 21, 2014
Yoga for Everyone!!

Yoga, a thought itself creates a grotesque, twisted pose in our mind, but do you people know what actually yoga is apart from these senseless thoughts. Yoga is much more than these weird poses. Yoga has derived its name from the word yoking together, which means yoking of body and mind. It is a physical and mental exercise which aims to present our body and mind to the new world. It has originated since from the time of pre-Vedic traditions and now it has become a part of this Western world in the form of spiritual practices. This is often referred to as Hatha Yoga. Yoga described human as a combination of three bodies along with the five sheets which controls the energy flowing through the channels.

People usually considered yoga as the regimented method for accomplishing a goal. It is one of the well-organized techniques to control the mental and physical status of our body. It helps in the expansion of awareness and consciousness in our mind. It is controlled course to omniscience. It is a practice which helps us to enter into other bodies and simultaneously generate numerous souls along with the attainment of supernatural powers.

A yoga practice varies their meaning with the different types of religions. Every religion has its own beliefs like in Jainism it is known as the most spiritual practice which helps in self-realisation, attainment of salvation and provides complete freedom to our soul. It is a practice which keeps us apart from attachments and provides purity to our soul. It is broadly classified into Shukla Dhyana, Dharmya Dhyana and Raudra Dhyana. When we move on to Buddhism it is considered as the form of meditation which increases our concentrating powers and provide supernatural spirits in us. They regarded Yoga as a path leading to Nirvana and enlightenment.

Yoga carries a various different meaning like combination, connection, contact, application, method etc. For example chakra-yoga means locating the position of the thigh, guna-yoga has a sense of contacting with the cord, pum-yoga is for showing relations with a person, Bhakti-yoga is a path of devotion, Raja-yoga is a sense of controlling our minds etc. It is a complete way of living life which balances our body and rejuvenates each and every nerve of our mind.

Yoga is like a package which offers stress relief, weight loss, all-round fitness of our body, glowing skin like benefits to us. We misunderstood yoga and keep it limited to its poses, but in reality it is immensely involved in bringing our mind, body and breath together. Here are some benefits that yoga involves:

Fitness: As it is a known fact that health is wealth. You are truly fit and healthy when you are emotionally and mentally balanced. Health is a combination of expressing how enthusiastic and loving you are and here comes the major role of yoga in providing all-round fitness to our body with the help of meditation, several different postures and pranayama. It provides a hidden healing power to our mind and soul. It keeps our body away from any heart diseases.

Boost Immunity: Certain researchers found that there are various yoga practices that helps in boosting our immunity towards any disease. Yoga practices tend to change some gene expression when you are on the mat itself. When you breathe well, move well then the entire organ functions well. A small irregularity in our mind affects the overall functioning of our body and makes our body restless, so in such cases, yoga poses helps in strengthening our muscles and releasing stress from the mind. It provides immunity to asthma and relieve all mental stress.

Provide flexibility: Include yoga in your daily routine and make your body more flexible and strong. It stretches each and every part of your muscles and tone them. It helps in improving our postures while we stand, sleep, walk or sit. In turn, it helps in removing our body pain due to incorrect postures. It helps in twisting our body into various shapes and find inner peace.

Some of the best yoga poses are

Malasana: It is also known as Yoga Squat which helps in relieving backache and stretches our thigh and calves. This is just a squatting position with heels in, toes out and hands are in a prayer position in front of our chest.

Camel Pose: this pose helps in improving our lungs capacity and stimulates thyroid and pineal glands. In this you have to stand up on your knees, keeping your hips apart. Your hands must rest on the lower back or on heels.

Nostril Breathing: this pose helps in maintaining the proper functioning of our respiratory system. In this you must be seated in a comfortable position to provide balance in both the branches of the nervous system. It helps in relieving stress and worries and refreshes our lymphatic system.

So Yoga is a way of life and it aims to support you on that journey in an open environment…!!

November 21, 2014