Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Chakli / Murruku - Crispy and Crunchy

In Andhra and Karnataka...Chaklies/murrukulu are often made and served as snacks/ savories... Just like we have pop corn while watching tv or as time pass snack when friends arrive at our place....the same way these snacks were taken in olden days.....Having busy lifestyle, many cannot prepare these snacks at home and so people prefer instant mixes or ready made Indian snacks that are available in the supermarkets now a days.


Last week when I made these chaklies, it reminded me of my grandmother and tears rolled down my eyes...
I remember my grandmother making chakli (in kannada)  whenever we visited her place...she used to store these  in an air tight box and used to give us 4 chaklies..very crispy and crunchy and one rava laddu for snacks :).

So, I decided to make chaklies and got the presser from one of my friends in our apartments.
When I was preparing to make these chaklies, it was a challenging task, as one needs bit patience to prepare the Urad flour, press the murruku maker and also to clean up the kitchen after the mess..but the result I got was of course worth it...crispy chaklies..though not perfect round shape :)

Step by Step procedure : Chakli / Murruku

Ingredients :

Urad flour - 1 cup (Urad flour preperation shown below )
Rice flour - 2 cups
Melted Butter - 2 Tbspn
jeera - 2 tsp
asofoetida - 1 pinch
Salt - as per taste


Method :

1.Combine  all the above ingredients in a mixing bowl.


 2. Add water little by little and prepare the dough.  Make sure that the dough is soft enough just like the chapathi dough.

3. Heat sufficient oil in a pan / tava for deep frying. Take a lemon sized portion of the dough and put it in the Murruku/chakli maker and press it directly above the tava for the batter to drop in the oil using the single star designed plate inside the presser.


4 Fry till golden brown color and place it on a paper napkin.
Store it in a airtight box for instant snacks anytime anywhere :)




Urad Flour :

1. Roast 1 cup urad dal /urad gota in a pan. When the color changes to light brown turn off the gas...(its fine if some urad seeds are white..its just that they should be roasted once) .Set aside for cooling.

2. Powder it finely, giving breaks in between so that the grinder doesn't get heated up.. :P.
Urad flour is ready :)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Lake Tahoe - North America's beautiful alpine lake

Last weekend we were in Lake Tahoe...We spent most of our time around the southern part of the lake. I always wanted to see the snow and  play snow games ..So we decided to hit Lake Tahoe - one of the world's most beautiful lakes. While we were there, we enjoyed the snow tubing and Gondola ride at the Heavenly resort:).

Lake Tahoe is North America's largest alpine lake that contains enough water to cover the entire state of California. The water is considered to be 99 percent pure that objects can be seen clearly 67 feet below the surface at some parts of the lake.

Don't forget to visit Emerald bay, D L bliss park and Vikingsholm for the spectacular views...and splyy the drive along the Lake Tahoe basin to see the man made and natural wonders ..!!!!

I took some snaps related to the history of lake Tahoe..like how the lake was formed and also about the spectacular locations in Tahoe.

The history of Lake Tahoe was displayed  near the Emerald bay : One of the most photographed places in the world with its scenic views. Here are the pics : Click on the image for clear view.




Monday, April 26, 2010

Sand And Stone

 Sorry ...got stuck with virus on my system today..so couldn't post anything :(

Anyways here is a beautiful article that describes how things should be taken in life and what to write on sand and stone based on the situations that we face in our lives.

Listen to the story about Sand and Stone...!!!

This is a story about 2 friends who were walking through a forest.

At one particular point the two got into an argument and one friend hit the other in the face.The one who was hit was hurt, but without any word he wrote in the sand: 

‘Today my best friend hit me in my face.’
They walked on until they found an oasis where they decided to have a bath.

The one who had been hit got stuck in the mud and was drowning but the friend saved him
When he came to, he carved in a stone:

‘Today my best friend saved my life’

The friend who had hit his best friend then saved him asked:

‘After I hit you you wrote this in the sand and now you carved in the stone that I saved you, why did you do this?’
The other friend answered:

‘When someone hurts us we must write it in the sand where the wind of forgiveness can blow it away’

Learn to write the hurt in the sand and carve your good experiences on stone.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Health In Your Hands - 9 Mudras

  Your Health Is Quite Literally In Your Hands...!!!


My Dad fwd me an email  yesterday and I thought of posting it so that it might be helpful.
 lt reads "health in your hands " and it explains certain health benifits with a few Mudras that can be done daily anytime and anywhere. 
My Dad generally encourages me to opt for natural methods of healing or exercising. He often mentions me to do yoga instead of gym , play outdoor games like Tennis instead of aerobics ....... but me being a bit lazy gal , I often end up in gym now a days. I do consider his other advices a lot as it has been very true and useful to me in all  ways. 

Now that these Mudras are very easy and can be done anywhere, I am sure it will be an easy task for people who are either a bit lazy like me or busy at work.  
So keep this Handy..!!!

            

Gyan Mudra - Mudra Of Knowledge

Method:
Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:
As it is a mudra of knowledge, it enhances the knowledge. The tip of thumb has centers of pituitary and endocrine glands. When we press these centers by index finger the two glands work actively.

Time duration:
There is no particular time duration for this mudra. You can practice by sitting, standing or lying on bed whenever and wherever you have time.

Benefits:
Increases memory power and sharpens the brain
Enhances concentration and prevents Insomnia
If we practice it regularly, it will cure all psychological disorders like Mental, Hysteria, Anger and Depression


Prithvi Mudra - Mudra of Earth


Method:
Tip of the ring finger touches the tip of the thumb, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:
It reduces all physical weaknesses.

Time Duration:
It has no particular time duration. You can practice it any time you want.

Benefits:
It helps to increase the weight for weak people
It improves the complexion of skin and makes the skin to glow
It makes the body active by keeping it healthy


Varuna Mudra - Mudra of water

Method:
Tip of the ring finger touches the tip of the thumb, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:
It reduces all physical weaknesses.

Time Duration:
It has no particular time duration. You can practice it any time you want.

Benefits:
It helps to increase the weight for weak people
It improves the complexion of skin and makes the skin to glow
It makes the body active by keeping it healthy

Vayu Mudra (Mudra of Air):

Method:
Keep the index finger on the base of the thumb and press with thumb keeping the other three fingers straight.

Specialty:
It prevents all the diseases that occur due to the imbalance of the air.

Time Duration:
The practice of this mudra for 45 minutes reduces the severity of the disease in 12 to 24 hours. For better results practice it for two months.

Benefits:
It cures Rheumatism, Arthritis, Gout, Parkinson's disease and paralysis without any medicine
It is useful for Cervical Spondilytis, paralysis to face and catching of nerve in neck
It corrects the disorder of gas in the stomach.

Shunya Mudra (Mudra of Emptiness):







Method:
Keep the middle finger at the mount of Venus and press it with thumb.

Specialty:
It reduces the dullness in our body.

Time Duration:
One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily until to be cured from the disease.

Benefits:
It relieves an earache within 4 or 5 minutes
It is useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for inborn ones.

  
Linga Mudra (Mudra of Heat):







Method:
Interlock the fingers of both the hands and keep the thumb of the left hand vertically straight and encircle it with the thumb and the index finger of the right hand..

Specialty:
It generates heat in our body. Take milk, ghee, more water and fruit juices in addition to practice of this mudra for much benefits.

Time Duration:
Practice it any time you want. But don't practice it a lot as it produces heat in the body.. It can cause sweating even in winter if you practice it longer.

Benefits:
It stops production of phlegm and gives power to lungs
It cures severe cold and bronchial infection
It invigorates the body


Shunya Mudra (Mudra of Emptiness):


Method:
Keep the middle finger at the mount of Venus and press it with thumb.

Specialty:
It reduces the dullness in our body.

Time Duration:
One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily until to be cured from the disease.

Benefits:
It relieves an earache within 4 or 5 minutes
It is useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for inborn ones.

Prana Mudra (Mudra of Life):

Method:
Bend ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of thumb with their tips keeping the remaining two fingers stretched.

Specialty:
As it is the mudra of life, it improves the power of life. Weak people become strong. It reduces the clamps in blood vessels. If we practice it regularly, we will become active.

Time Duration:
No specific time duration. One can practice it any time.

Benefits:
It improves immunity
Improves the power of eyes and reduces eye related diseases
It removes the vitamin deficiency and fatigue

Apana Mudra (Mudra of Digestion):

Method:
The tips of middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb while the other two fingers are stretched out.

Specialty:
It plays an important role in our health as it regulates the excretory system.

Time Duration:
Practice it daily for 45 minutes, but practice for longer time yields more benefits.

Benefits:
It regulates diabetes
It cures constipation and piles
It helps excreting the normal waste regularly




Thursday, April 22, 2010

Truly mesmerizing ..!!! Violinist KV

Recently my husband started listening to Kannakudi vaidyanathan 's songs. A very Famous violin maestro and a renowned violinist who made a mark in classical music as well as in film music.
It was a very peaceful and pleasant feeling when I started listening to his music. Admire his music a lot now.
If you have not listened to his violin , have a look at it now..I am sure you will be mesmerized ..!!! 


He generally plays music for all Tamil songs.
Below song is from a movie Devar magan, in Hindi the movie is Virasat - Payale chunmun chunmun...I don't remember the Telugu version of it.





One of my favorite songs from the movie Gentleman.
Gr8 violin Genius.




Who doesnt get tears when they listen to this beautiful song either in tamil/telugu...
Mate raani song in telugu




This one is the latest song from the movie Ghazini

Monday, April 19, 2010

CAUSES OF CANCER

                  Miracle cure for anything that ails -Health -Part 3

CAUSES OF CANCER

 The number ONE killer in Singapore is cancer (followed by Heart Disease & Stroke). Not all cancers are the same. 1/3 is curable. 1/3 is preventable. 2 factors of cancer that cannot be controlled are AGE & FAMILY HISTORY.

Causes of cancer:-
1. Smoking is very often the main cause of cancer. It kills us silently and drains money from us quietly. There're 4,000 harmful chemicals (though in diluted form) in one stick of cigarette. Taking one puff is 600 times worst than inhaling the exhaust fumes from vehicles. 
2. Some food that cause cancer are:
2.1 Barbecued Food

2.2 Deep Fried Food

2.3 Overheating Meat

2.4 Food that is high in fat causes our bile to secrete acid that contains a chemical which is a promoter of cancer cells.

2.5 Food that contains preservatives, too much salt or nitrates (e.g. Canned food, Salted egg & veggies, sausages, etc.)

2.6 Overnight Rice (where Aflatoxin is accumulated)

2.7 Food that is low in fibre: Our body needs 25 gm of both soluble & insoluble fibre daily. We must drink at least 1.5 litres of plain water a day.

2.8 Contaminated Food (e.g. moulded bread causes our body to secrete toxins that may eventually lead to liver cancer in the long run. Never eat bread that is kept in room temperature for more than 2 days especially in a humid weather like Singapore's. 

One-Of-These-Days

Profound thoughts ...!!!! Today I was searching for some articles and found this one very interesting and realistic. This was sent by my Mom defining paradoxes of our times. This article tells us that "one must enjoy every moment of your life because every day you live is a special occasion" :)
Enjoy reading ..!!!




Today we have bigger houses
and smaller families.
More conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees,
but less common sense.
More knowledge, but less judgment.
We spend too recklessly;
Laugh too little,
Drive too fast,
Get too angry too quickly,
Stay up too late,
Read too little,
Watch TV too much,
And pray too seldom!

We’ve multiplied our possessions,
but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too little,
and lie too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living,
but not a life.
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We have taller buildings,
but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less.
We buy more, but enjoy it less.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet our neighbors.

We’ve conquered outer space,
But not inner space.

We’ve split the atom,
But not our prejudice.

We write more, learn less; plan more, but accomplish less.
We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals.

We build more computers
to hold more information,
to produce more copies,
But have less communications.

We are long on quantity,
But short on quality.

These are the times of
fast foods and slow digestion;
Tall men and short characters.

More leisure and less fun;
More kinds of foods, but less nutrition.
Two incomes, but more divorces.
Fancier houses, but broken homes.


That’s why I propose, that as of today,
you don’t keep anything for special occasions,
because every day you live is a special occasion.

Search for knowledge. Read more. Sit on your front porch and admire the view without paying attention to your needs.
Spend more time with your family and friends.
Eat your favorite foods and visit the places you love.

Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment,
not only about survival.
Use your crystal goblets. Don’t save your best perfume, use it every time you feel you want it.

Remove from your vocabulary phrases like
“one of these days“ and “someday”.
Write that letter you’ve thought about writing.

Tell your family and friends how much you love them.
Don’t delay anything that adds laughter and joy to your life.

Every day, every hour, and every minute is special.
You don’t know if it will be your last.

So never say one of these days or someday you will do it ....enjoy ur present and feel it :)