NAMIS WORLD

Easy Homemade Hummus

2021-09-13T14:15:00.005+02:00

1/2 cup tahini (roasted, not raw)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus more for garnishing)
2 garlic cloves, mashed and roughly chopped
2 (15-ounce) cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Garnishes: A sprinkling of paprika, a swirl of olive oil, toasted pine nuts, and/or chopped parsley
Method
1. Process the tahini and olive oil:
  In a food processor, combine the tahini and olive oil and pulse until smooth.
2. Add the garlic, beans, lemon juice, water, and salt; process until smooth:
  Then add the garlic, garbanzo beans, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Process until smooth. The longer you process in the food processor, the smoother the hummus will be. Add more salt or lemon juice to taste.
3. Serve:
  Spoon into a serving dish, swirl a little olive oil over the top and sprinkle with garnishes—a little paprika, toasted pine nuts, or chopped fresh parsley.
  Serve with crackers, raw dip vegetables such as carrots or celery, or toasted pita bread.
  To toast pita bread, cut the pita bread into triangles, brush with olive oil, and toast for 10 minutes in a 375°F oven, turning them over halfway through the cooking.

Easy Tahini Recipe

2021-09-13T14:12:00.001+02:00

Makes approximately 1/2 Cup

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (5 ounces or 140 grams) sesame seeds, we prefer hulled
2 to 4 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil such as grape seed, vegetable, or a light olive oil
Pinch of salt, optional

METHOD

TOAST SESAME SEEDS

Add sesame seeds to a wide, dry saucepan over medium-low heat and toast, stirring constantly until the seeds become fragrant and very lightly colored (not brown), 3 to 5 minutes. Careful here, sesame seeds can burn quickly.

Transfer toasted seeds to a baking sheet or large plate and cool completely.

MAKE TAHINI

Add sesame seeds to the bowl of a food processor then process until a crumbly paste, about 1 minute.

Add 3 tablespoons of the oil then process for 2 to 3 minutes more, stopping to scrape the bottom and sides of the food processor a couple of times. Check the tahini’s consistency. It should be smooth, not gritty, and should be pourable. You may need to process for another minute or add the additional tablespoon of oil.

Taste the tahini for seasoning then add salt to taste. Process 5 to 10 seconds to mix it in.

TO STORE

Store tahini covered in the refrigerator for one month. You may notice it separates over time like natural peanut butter would. If this happens, give the tahini a good stir before using it.

Hummus without tahini

2021-09-13T14:00:00.000+02:00

Ingredients

1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
2 to 4 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 garlic clove minced
3/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions

Add the garbanzo beans, 2 tablespoons of water, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. If needed, add additional water to thin out the hummus and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to your taste preference.
Store covered in the refrigerator.

Easy sambar

2020-08-01T09:17:00.000+02:00

I have posted the traditional way of preparing sambar.

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7970288318597251191/1146600083561358986?hl=en

This is the one where you use sambar powder.

Ingredients

soaked sambar dal - 1/2 cup
tamarind lemon sized
carrot diced - 1/2 cup
potato - 1 diced
pumpkin - 1/4 cup
ash gourd - 1/4 cup
onion - 1 big sliced
fenugreek - 1 tsp
mustard - 1 tsp
curry leaves
oil - 1tbsp
coriander leaves
turmeric powder - 1tsp
salt as reqd.

Pressure cook the dal and vegetables. Keep aside.

Soak the tamarind in a glass of water.

Open the pressure cooker and in medium flame add turmeric powder, sambar powder, and salt. Let it boil add tamarind water give a nice stir. Add water for the required consistency.

Remove from the flame.

Now for thadka heat oil in a pan to it add mustard let it splutter, fenugreek it gives a nice aroma and flavor add few curry leaves. Pour it on top of the sambar.

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish it with chopped coriander leaves.

Varatharacha Sambar (Kerala Style)

2020-08-01T09:16:00.000+02:00

I know each and everyone loves sambar either with idly / dosa /rice and you are looking for a recipe that is tasty to serve your family/guests. So try this recipe it takes time but its worthy. I have uploaded another recipe too which is easy and can be done in one shot.

Ingredients

soaked sambar dal - 1/2 cup
tamarind lemon sized
carrot diced - 1/2 cup
potato - 1 diced
pumpkin - 1/4 cup
ash gourd - 1/4 cup
onion - 1 big sliced
fenugreek - 1 tsp
coriander - 1 tbsp
coconut scraped - 1 cup
red chilly - 4 (as per your taste)
mustard - 1 tsp
curry leaves
oil - 1tbsp
coriander leaves
turmeric powder - 1tsp
salt as reqd.

Pressure cook the dal. Keep aside.

Soak the tamarind in a glass of water.

Cook the vegetables in a thick bottomed vessel or you can use a pressure cooker up to 3 whistles.

Now dry roast fenugreek, coriander, red chilly, and coconut in a Kadai or any pan of your choice till it gives out a nice aroma and coconut turns to a golden brown color.

Let it cool down and grind it to a smooth paste by adding water. It shouldn't be watery. If u want you can add 1 spoon of dal and grind along, by doing so it will thicken the gravy.

Open the pressure cooker and in medium flame add the cooked dal, turmeric powder, salt. Let it boil add tamarind water give a nice stir.

Once it starts boiling add the coconut paste to it and boil till the raw smell goes.

Add water for the required consistency.

Remove from the flame.

Now for thadka heat oil in a pan to it add mustard let it splutter, add 2 to 3 fenugreek it gives a nice aroma and flavor add few curry leaves. Pour it on top of the sambar.

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish it with chopped coriander leaves.

chole masala powder

2020-07-19T16:16:00.001+02:00

Ingredients

¼ cup coriander seeds

¼ cup cumin / jeera

2 tsp pepper

1 tsp clove

2 pod black cardamom

2 inch cinnamon

1 mace / javitri

1 tsp fennel / saunf

1 tsp shah jeera / caraway seed

10 dried red chilli

2 tbsp aamchur

2 tbsp kasuri methi

1 tsp turmeric

PREPARATION:

firstly, in a pan take ¼ cup coriander seeds, ¼ cup cumin, 2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp clove, 2 pod black cardamom, 2 inch cinnamon, 1 mace, 1 tsp fennel, 1 tsp shah jeera.
roast on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
further add 10 dried red chilli and roast until the chilli puffs up and turns crunchy.
cool completely and transfer to a mixi.
add 2 tbsp aamchur, 2 tbsp kasuri methi and 1 tsp turmeric.
blend to fine powder without adding any water.
chole masala powder is ready. store in an airtight container for longer shelf life.

A very easy pizza dough

2020-04-30T12:24:00.003+02:00

Ingredients

Flour 2.5 cups
Instant yeast 1 tsp
Sugar 2 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
Warm Water 1 cup
Oil 2 tbspn

Method

Mix all the dry ingredients.
Make a well. Add in the oil and mix it into the flour.
Add water in small quantity and mix till the flour comes together.
Now kneed the dough for around 5mins to activate the yeast.
Rest the dough for around one hour.
Roll it out into pizza pan.
Bake at 180° till the bottom side is done.
Spread the pizza sauce and cheese and your favorite toppings.
Again keep it in oven till the cheese melts.
Cut and serve.

Bakery style honey cake

2020-04-28T08:39:00.000+02:00

Ingredients

Yogurt 1/2 cup
Oil 1/4 cup
Flour 1+1/4 cup
Powdered sugar 3/4 cup
Baking powder 1 tsp
Baking soda 1/2 tsp
Milk 1/4 cup

For soaking

Sugar 2 tbsp
Water 1/4 cup
Honey 1/4 cup

Spread

Strawberry jam/any flavour of your choice 1/4 cup
Honey 1 tsp
Desiccated coconut to spread on top.

Procedure

In a bowl mix yogurt and oil till it gets combined.

Sieve in the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda.

Mix in using cut and fold method.

Add in milk and mix.

Pour the batter into the greased pan.

Bake at preheated oven at 180° for 20 to 25 min.

Cool completely.

Syrup

Dissolve sugar in water and bring it to boil. Add honey and mix well. Remove from flame.

Poke the cake using a fork and brush the syrup on it.

Spread

Heat a pan mix the jam and honey well without lumps. Donot over heat.

Spread it over the cake and garnish it with desiccated coconut.

Cut into pieces and serve.

Tutti Fruity cookies -- eggless

2020-04-28T07:21:00.000+02:00

Ingredients

240gm all purpose flour
140gm butter
100gm powdered sugar
1tablespoon tutti fruity
1 tspn vanilla essence and 1 tspn pineapple essence(optional)

How to make

beat butter and sugar together till fluffy and smooth
mix in the essence
sift in the flour to the butter and sugar mix
mix the dough if its thick add milk and kneed
donot give pressure while kneeding
we should be able to make balls out from the dough without breaking. Then our cookie dough is ready.
Now divide the dough into 2 parts. Shape it into long rectangular cylinder. wrap in a cling film and refrigerate to set.
grease the tray using for baking. Cut the cookies in half inch thickness and arrange.
sprinkle some tutti fruity on it and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree c for 45 min or till done.
cool it and transfer to a wire rack and let it cool in room temperature.
store in an air tight container

P.S cookies can be cut using a cookie cutter too. You can either mix tutti fruity with the flour and fold too.

Vegetable cutlet

2018-03-05T06:00:00.000+01:00

Ingredients-

Green peas
Carrot
Beetroot
Potato
Rava/semolina
Onion
Ginger
Green chilly
Curry leaves
Corriander leaves
Turmeric powder
Red chilly powder
Garam masala
oil for sauting and for frying

Cook the vegetables and keep and aside.
finely chop onion, ginger, green chilly curry leaves and coriander leaves.
heat oil in a pan saute the above for 3 to 4 min, add turmeric powder, red chilly powder and garam masala.
mash all the cooked vegetables and mix with the above add little semolina if its sticky.
form small balls of it and flatten it to desired shape.
coat it with semolina and keep ready for frying.
heat oil in a pan for shallow frying.
once the oil is ready put the patties and fry on both sides.

>> P.S. i did shallow fry deep fry can also be done>>

Green Brinjal side dish

2016-12-10T08:30:00.001+01:00

Using green Brinjal a simple dish can be prepared. It's easy and can be had with rice or chapati.

Ingredients

Brinjal 2 to 3 nos
Onion 1big
Green chilly 3
Salt to taste
Oil 2tablespoon

Method

Cut the Brinjal into thin long pieces (1"inch).

Slice the onion

Slit the green chillies

Heat a kadai add oil saute onion until it's transparent.

Add the green chilly. Saute well.

Now add the Brinjal. Saute well add salt.

Add 1 spoon little water and cover it with a lid and cook.

This can be had with rice or chapati.

Eggless Bread Pudding

2016-10-01T15:47:00.000+02:00

Ingredients

Bread slices
Milk
Sugar
Corn flour
Vanilla essence

Method

Boil half litre of milk in a saucepan.

Meanwhile mix 1 and half tablespoon of corn flour to some milk.

Add required amount of sugar and mix well.

When the milk starts to boil add the corn flour mix

Cut the bread slices into small pieces and add to the boiling milk.

Add 1 tea spoon of vanilla essence.

Smash the bread well till it is soaked well.

Now to caramelize add 4 table spoon of sugar to it add 1 and half tablespoon of water in a tin which is used to mould the pudding.

Stir it till it turns to caramel color that is golden brown color.

Turn off the flame and transfer the bread and milk mix to it.

Now in a steamer pour water and cook the pudding for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Serve it cool.

Chana masala

2016-09-20T16:50:00.000+02:00

Ingredients

Chana 2 cups (250 GM)
Onion 1 large chopped
Ginger a small piece
Garlic 6
Shallots 4-5
Ripe Tomato 2
Green chilly 2 chopped

Dry masala

Jeera 1tsp
Clove 4
Cardamom 2
Cinnamon a small stick
Pepper cones 5
Coriander 1 tsp
Dry red chilly 2
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Red chilly powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder 1tbsp
Salt

Preparation

Dry roast jeera clove cardamom pepper cones coriander and red chilly.

Grind it to power. Keep aside.

Grind tomato shallots ginger and garlic to puree form.

Cook the soaked chana with salt.

Mash 2 table spoon of cooked chana.

Heat 3 table spoon of oil add onion and green chilly saute till onion turns golden brown.

Add the tomato puree cook till oil gets separated.

Add turmeric powder red chilly powder coriander powder and grounded masala saute till the raw smell goes.

Add the required salt for onion and tomato.
Add the mashed chana and mix well

Now add the cooked chana to this and mix well.

Add required amount of water and let it boil till the required consistency.

Garnish it with coriander leaves and chopped onion.

PS:- You can put a tea bag while cooking chana and remove it.

Green moong dal curry

2015-09-23T19:18:00.002+02:00

Ingredients

Green moong dal -1 cup
Jeera 1tsp
Onion 1 medium chopped
Tomato 1 medium chopped
Garlic chopped 1tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Red chilly powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder 1/2 tsp
Garam masala 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Green chilly 2 chopped
Oil
Coriander leaves

Preparation

Wash and soak the dal for 2 hrs
Heat oil in the cooker add jeera/ cumin seed let it splutter.
Add chopped onion let it turn golden then add garlic, green chilly saute for few mins.
Add tomato , turmeric powder, red chilly powder, coriander powder and garam masala. Saute till the oil separates out.
Add the moong dal give it a good stir.
Close the cooker it with the lid and give upto 3 whistle.
Allow the pressure to get released and open.
If required more water add and taste the salt too. If required you can add at this point of time. And allow it boil to required consistency.
Transfer to the serving bowl and garnish it with coriander leaves.

It can be served with white rice or roti or chapathi.

Marble cake

2015-06-08T08:13:00.000+02:00

Ingredients

Flour 225gm
Butter 250gm
Sugar 250gm
Egg 5
Baking powder 1tsp
Milk 50ml
Oil 3tblsp
Vanilla essence 1tsp
Cocoa powder 3tblsp

Preparation

Preheat oven 180°c

Sieve together flour and baking powder in a bowl.

In another bowl cream butter and sugar to smooth.

Break the eggs beat it add vanilla essence and mix well.

Add this to butter and sugar mix little by little.

Mix it to smooth.

Add milk and mix.

Combine cocoa powder and oil to make a thick paste.

Add 1/4th batter to this and mix well.

Grease the would with butter and spread some flour everywhere. Remove the excess flour from the mould.

Pour 1/4th of the vanilla batter to the mould and spread evenly.

Pour the chocolate batter on top of it.

Pour the remaining batter. Spread evenly.

With a fork fold the mixture in circular form.

Bake for 30-40min in oven.

Remove cool and demould.

Slice and serve.

P.S. if using microwave keep for 5mins check if it's done by pricking at the center with a tooth pick or knife.

Mambazha Pulishery

2014-07-21T12:49:00.002+02:00

Ingredients

Mango ripe - 4
Coconut grated - 1 cup
Green chilly - 4
Jeera - 1 tsp
Turmeric- 1 tsp
Red chilly powder - 1 tsp
Curd or butter milk - 1 cup
Mustard
Dry red chilly
Curry leaves
Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek powder
Salt to taste
Oil

Cooking procedure

Wash the mangoes peel off the skin cut into pieces.
Add the mangoes to a hard bottom vessel and keep it for boiling.
To it add turmeric powder, red chilly powder and salt.
Let the mangoes get cooked.
Meanwhile grind coconut,jeera and green chillies to smooth paste.
Once the mangoes are cooked add the grinded mix to it and mix well. Let it get boil till its raw taste changes.
Pour in butter milk or curd. Mix well. Check for salt if required add as per taste.
Add fenugreek powder mix well and remove from flame.
For seasoning keep a pan add some oil to it add mustard fenugreek seeds let it crack then add dry red chilly and curry leaves.
Pour this seasoning to the curry and mix.

Serve with rice.

Tip of the day

2012-10-15T08:29:00.004+02:00

Drink 8 glasses of ice water every day.
Cold water speeds up your metabolism while keeping you hydrated.

Soya chunks curry

2012-10-11T15:17:00.000+02:00

Ingredients

Soya chunks - 1 cup soaked for 8 hrs
onion
tomato
ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
red chilly powder - 1 tsp
jeera - 1 tsp
salt

Preparation

pressure cook the soya chunks for 2 whistle in salt water and let it stand till the pressure goes off.
drain the water and run cold water through it.
in a wok heat oil and sputter jeera.
saute onion till it is transparent.
add ginger and garlic paste and saute well.
add tomato, turmeric powder and red chilly powder and saute well.
now add the soya chunks to it and mix well so that the masala make a coating.
add salt as required and mix.

Soya chunks curry is ready to serve.

IT tastes better with chapathi or naan.

Aloo Mutter

2012-10-11T13:07:00.001+02:00

Ingredients

Aloo - 2
peas - 1/2 cup
onion - 1
ginger - shredded 1 tsp
garlic - crushed 2 cloves
tomato - 1
green chilly - 2
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
corriander powder - 1 tsp
garam masala - 1/2 tsp
vegetable masala - 1 tsp
cumin seeds
ghee 1 tsp
water as required

Method

Boil potatoes in a pressure cooker for 1 or 2 whistles.
peal off the skin and cut them into cubes.
cut onion and tomato.
I have used frozen peas. If you don have that, you have to soak the peas for atleast 8 hrs and cook it.
heat ghee in a wok, add cumin seeds when it sputter add green chilly, ginger and garlic. saute them.
add onion and saute till it is transparent.
add tomato, and all dry masala powders.
saute them for few minutes.
now add potato and peas mix them well so that the masalas are coated well.
add water and boil it till the gravy turns thicker.

curry is ready to serve.

Besan Ladoo

2012-10-11T11:49:00.004+02:00

Besan Ladoo

Ingredients

besan - 1 cup
rava/sooji - 1/4 cup
powdered sugar - 1 cup
ghee/clarified butter - 150 - 200 gm
cardamom powder - 1 tsp
dry fruits (optional)

Method

Heat a heavy bottom pan add the ghee or butter. heat it till the ghee is in its boiling state.
Reduce the heat and add besan and rava and mix well till it turns golden brown or leaves the bottom of the pan.
Now add sugar and cardamom powder and mix well.
Remove it from heat and allow it to cool.
you can garnish it with dry fruits like cashewnut, almond or pista. (I haven't used them).

Chilly Chicken

2012-10-08T09:53:00.001+02:00

Ingredients

Boneless chicken - 500 gm
egg - 1
maida - 1.5 tbsp
cornflour - 1.5 tbsp
salt - to taste
chilly chicken masala - 1 tbsp
onion - 2 medium
green capsicum - half
red chilly paste - 1 tbsp
ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp
tomato sauce - 1 tbsp
soya sauce - 1 tsp
oil to fry

Method

Clean and cut the chicken into 1" pieces.

Mix egg in a bowl lightly.

To it add maida, cornflour, salt and chilly chicken masala and mix well.

Marinate the chicken in this mix.

Cut the capsicums and onions into cubes.

Heat oil for frying in a nonstick pan.

Add the chicken pieces one by one and fry till it is cooked.

Remove it to a tissue paper to drain of the excess oil.

Same oil can be used to saute onion and capsicum. Saute till it turns transparent.

Add ginger garlic paste , red chilly paste , soya sauce and tomato sauce mix well.

Add salt and water. Bring it to boil.To thicken it add cornflour.

Now add the chicken pieces and cook well.

Serve it with boiled rice or chapathi.

Easy Tips For Glowing Skin

2012-07-26T22:25:00.002+02:00

You are beautiful and you are a wesome! So you need to protect your lovely skin, and
you need to follow these steps
carefully!
I bet you’ll love your
glow in your new skin.

1- You need to cleanse your
skin regularly! How many times?
Different skin types need different care. Most doctors
suggest 1-2 times a day, but it
really depends on your skin and the time you want to allocate! What I suggest is doing a little
experiment: Try cleansing your
skin with different frequencies
for 2-3 weeks and compare the
results. After this period, you’d
find your personal perfect frequency for your OWN skin.
But remember after finding your
own formula, be consistent and
stick to your routin! While there’re some popular
brands for use on acne, you can
find many other natural and
cheaper ways for cleansing your
skin. For those who prefer an
organic method, lemon juice, dandelion sap, honey and
cucumber are some of the most
recommended choices. Remember for cleansing your
skin use mild cleansers and
never use hot water. After
finish gently rubbing the
cleanser onto your skin, wash
your face with cool water. You don’t need to dry your skin
afterward.

2- Moisture: Dried skin is one of
the main causes of wrinkles. If
you have dry skin, you need to
make sure that your face is
getting the moisture it needs.
Use a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin feeling soft and
glowing. For more organic choices
use coconut oil and almond oil.

3- Never sleep with make up on:
Make up covers the pores of
skin and causes the sweat buds
to be closed. So it can cause Acne.

4- Wash your face with cold
water, not hot (or warm) water
and do it at least twice daily.

5- Make sure to drink lots of
water. Your body and your skin
needs plenty of water during
the day to keep removing waste
through the sweat from your
skin. Although it’s a myth that “You should drink eight glasses
of water a day.”, but drink as
much as possible!

6- Exercise face expressions and
smile often: Facial expressions
including smile are very good
tools to exercise your facial
muscles. The reason behind
formation of wrinkles is the loosening of facial muscles when
we age. By these exercises we
postpone aging of the muscles
and make them stronger.

7- Use Facial Masks: There’re
manny different natural masks
that you can use on your skin.

Facial masks help your skin
rehydrate and help to exfoliate
the waste that is accumulated on your skin. Famous examples
of facial masks are egg,
cucumber and papaya: A face mask made of fresh
tomato and papaya pulp is
loaded with anti-aging nutrients.
Apply once a fortnight to keep
your skin radiant! You can simply
mash the fruit or mix it with milk or yogurt and apply it like
a mask. Leave it on between 15
to 25 minutes No need to buy
expensive chemical peels with
designer labels to peel your
facial skin! Don’t touch your face
obsessively. Many people have
bad habits of messing with acne
or leaning their face on their
hands. Do not pop zits or mess
with pimples. Just stay away from these habits and do not
interfere with your skin. Also
you should wash your pillow
regularly to remove athe oil-
based wastes that are secreted
from your skin during the sleep. Protect your face from the sun
by using sunblock every day.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays gradually
damage the skin over time and
sunscreens help us to protect
against UV damage.

Ways To Get Rid Of Garlic & Onion Smell

2012-07-26T22:11:00.002+02:00

Garlic and onion are two ingredients that make the dishes tasty. The smell of these ingredients can add a flavour to the dish but, the same smell from the clothes, mouth and utensils can make you feel yuck! The smell of onion and garlic is very strong. It lasts for a long time. You cannot avoid cooking dishes without these ingredients so, here are few tips to get rid of the onion and garlic smell.

Ways to get rid of onion and garlic smell:

Hands

Rub salt on your palms for 2 minutes. Wash with warm water. You can also make a paste of salt and water. Apply on the palms and let it dry. Rinse with cold water. Salt not only helps to get rid with onion and garlic odour but also exfoliates the skin.
Soak your hands in tomato juice. Mash a tomato and soak your palms especially fingertips in it for 4-5 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
Apply lemon juice. Just rub a slice of lemon to remove the smell of onion or garlic from your hands.
One of the easiest ways to remove the smell of onion or garlic from the hands is to rub a metal or steel item. Use a stainless steel spoon and rub under the running water for a minute.

Utensils

Wash your utensil with a detergent soap and then rub a lemon slice on it. You can also use lemon juice to get rid of onion and garlic smell from the utensils.
The odour of onion and garlic doesn't easily go from the glasses too! You can either wash with a slice of lemon followed by detergent soap, or apply peanut butter or baking soda.
Grease peanut butter on the utensils and leave for 10 minutes. Wash the utensils with hot water to make them smell fresh.

Mouth

After hogging garlic and raw onion, you will definitely get the odour of these ingredients from the mouth. Just wash your mouth with tooth paste after the meal.
Have a spoon of mustard paste. Apart from applying it to make sandwiches, you can also use it as a remedy to get rid of onion or garlic odour form the mouth.
Drink lemon or orange juice, strawberry shake or green tea. These beverages refresh your mood and prevents mouth odour.

Clothes

One of the most common ways to remove the smell of onion or garlic from the clothes is to wash it with lemon. Soak the clothes in water and lemon juice solution for 20-25 minutes. Lemon makes the clothes smell fresh and also removes stains from the fabric.
Soak the clothes in baking soda. Add 2tsp baking soda in half a bucket of water and then soak your clothes.

Yoga ~ breathing

2012-06-15T07:10:00.000+02:00

Introduction

The body can go for many weeks without food and for days without water or sleep, but life will cease in a matter of minutes without air. Thus, the primary element of life is derived from the air we breathe. In yoga, this subtle element is known as prana or life-force. Prana is not the air itself but the subtle life-giving element extracted from the air. The more life-force you have in your body, the more "alive" you are; the less life-force, the less "life". Life-force is present in all forms of nourishment but it is accessible and most constant in the air.

Even though no one can live for more than a few minutes without breathing, most people are unaware of the importance of breathing properly. Most people use only a fraction of their full breathing capacity. A combination of stress, poor posture, long hours behind desks, and flat-stomach phobia turns many people into "chest breathers" - people who expand only the upper chest when they inhale. Chest breathing creates an imbalance in the oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio, which results in hyperventilation and dizziness.

For optimal health, breathing should be full and rhythmic using the diaphragm and ribs to fill and empty the lungs. Proper breathing is governed primarily by the movement of the diaphragm. As it descends, the abdomen expands drawing fresh air in through the nose and into the lungs. Deep abdominal breathing promotes a full exchange of air, keeping the oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio balanced. Proper breathing can tone up your entire system and enhance health and vitality.

Your inhalation and exhalation establish a constant flow of energy and release within you. The inhalation brings continuous energy into your body. The exhalation heals and relaxes you. Emphasis placed on inhalation will generally create a stimulating or energizing effect on the system; while emphasis on exhalation will bring about a more passive or relaxed state.

Breathing is a vital element of hatha yoga. Practicing yoga breathing, or breath control in yogic terms is called pranayama. The word "Pranayama" can be broken into two parts: Prana means life force and Yama meanscontrol. By conscious control of the breath, you can create a proper rhythm of slow, deep breathing.

Pranayama breathing exercises are the link between the physical and mental disciplines of yoga. Because the breath, body and mind are so closely linked, a change in one immediately affects the other two. By developing control of your breathing, you can bring about beneficial changes in your body and mind. Yogic breathing energizes and cleanses the body, calms and relaxes the mind, and serves as a perfect warm-up for practicing yoga poses. In coordination with yoga poses, the breath unifies mind and body, balances opposing energies, and helps the body relax deeply and safely into each pose.

Benefits

Like asana practice, pranayama practice has far-reaching positive effects on physical, mental and emotional well-being. It also encourages spiritual development.

Physical Benefits:

Proper breathing provides sufficient oxygen for the correct and efficient functioning of every body cell. Without sufficient oxygen, the cells cannot metabolize food properly. Nutrients, including precious vitamins and minerals, are wasted. Proper breathing allows the body to metabolize food efficiently and to rid itself of all the noxious gaseous by-products of metabolism, especially carbon dioxide. It nourishes the muscles and organs with oxygen. It dispels fatigue and anxiety.

Brain cells have a high rate of metabolism, so the brain requires much more oxygen, relatively, than any other organ of the body. A lack of oxygen results in sluggishness, fatigue, confusion, disorientation and a loss of mental balance, concentration, memory and control of the emotions.

A mastery of yoga breathing techniques is the best - and most readily available - tool for stress reduction. The common remedy for stress is to take a deep breath. Supplying the brain with sufficient oxygen is the greatest tool in stress management.

Yogic breathing exercises help to keep the two sides of the brain in balance. As well as controlling opposite sides of the body, the two halves of the brain deal with different functions and different aspects of our lives. The right side of the brain is calming, intuitive, inner-directed, emotional, subjective and deals with simultaneous reasoning and spacial and nonverbal activities. While the left side of the brain is aggressive, logical, outer-directed, rational, objective and deals with sequential reasoning and mathematical and verbal activities. Proper breathing helps the two sides of the brain to work together.

Pranayama deepens breathing which stretches the intercostal muscles, strengthens the respiratory system and aids conditions such as asthma

Mental and Emotional Benefits:

By exercising control over breathing, you can learn to control the energy within the body, and ultimately gain full control over the mind. In yogic breathing exercises, the breath is seen as the important link between our physical and mental aspects. Pranayama cleanses and strengthens the physical body, but its most important benefit is for the mind.

Proper breathing soothes the nervous system; calms, steadies, and clears the mind; improves concentration, focuses attention, and increases the ability to deal with complex situations without suffering from stress.

In addition, proper breathing calms the emotions, increases emotional stability, helps with emotional control and equilibrium, reduces craving and desire, combats depression, helps in the relief of grief and sadness, puts you in touch with your inner self and gives you poise and serenity.

Breathing Exercises

Abdominal Breathing

Benefit: Breathing slowly and deeply brings air to the lowest part of your lungs and exercises your diaphragm which can greatly enhance breathing capacity. It relaxes mind and body, massages internal organs, calms emotions and induces restful sleep.

Rib Cage Breathing

Benefit: Relaxes the mind and body and strengthens the lungs.

Complete Breathing

Sit comfortably in a cross-legged position on the floor or lie flat on your back in the Corpse pose. Place a cushion under the buttocks if you need more support when sitting on the floor. Hands may be relaxed by the sides or you may place one hand on the abdomen and the other on the rib cage to check that you are breathing correctly. Inhaling slowly through the nose, feel the abdomen expand first, then the rib cage, and finally feel the air filling the upper chest. Your abdomen will automatically be drawn in as the ribs move out and chest expands. Slowly exhale, emptying the lungs from top to bottom. Your shoulders and head should stay essentially in the same position throughout; don't raise your shoulders on the inhale or slouch forward on the exhalation. Your inhalation and exhalation should be about the same length of time. Do not hold your breath either at the top or the bottom of the breath but make the transition smooth. Inhalation is done from the bottom up and exhalation from the top down. Repeat five times.

Benefit: This is the technique you will probably use most often to combat the tensions and stress in your life. You can use it anywhere, anytime to calm your mind and help quiet physical responses to stress - rapid heartbeat and breathing, and tense muscles. Use this technique to center yourself before your meditation and before asana practice to make them even more effective.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Sit comfortably in a cross-legged position on the floor or on your knees in Thunderbolt position. Keep your spine and neck straight, but not tense. Do not lean forward. Place a cushion under the buttocks or the knees if you need more support. Rest the left hand on your left knee. Extend the thumb, ring finger and little finger of your right hand and fold down your other two fingers into your palm. Start by closing your right nostril with your thumb and inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril for a count of 8. Then press the ring and pinky fingers against the left side of the nose, sealing the left nostril closed while keeping the thumb against the right nostril, and hold for a count of 8. Lift the thumb from the right side of the nose, opening the right nostril. Exhale slowly and fully through the right nostril for a count of 8. Inhale slowly and deeply through the right nostril, still holding the left nostril shut for a count of 8. Cover the right nostril with the thumb and hold for a count of 8. Release the left nostril and exhale through the left nostril for a count of 8. Repeat sequence five times.

Benefit: Calms and balances the mind and body, aids relaxation, improves concentration, strengthens respiration.

Ujjayi Breath

Sit cross-legged on the floor or on your knees in Thunderbolt position. Keep your torso straight and do not lean forward. Place a cushion under the buttocks or the knees if you need more support. Inhale slowly, keeping the mouth closed and partially closing, or contracting, the back of your throat to slow down the breath. Hold for a few seconds. Exhale, again partially closing or contracting at the back of the throat to slow down the breath. This breath will make a hoarse hiss-like sound like steam being released from a radiator. Repeat five times. As you get better at this, try to exhale for longer than you inhale.

Benefit: Increases lung capacity, opens the chest, relaxes the nervous system, increases oxygen in the blood, reduces phlegm and strengthens the immune system.

How to reduce weight ~ some tips

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Make sure that you don’t skip your breakfast. By starting your day with breakfast you will have managed hunger throughout the day. It helps to evenly spread your hunger and manages your appetite. It has been found that people who have healthy and regular breakfast stand brighter chances to lose weight.
Experts are of the view that starving does not help to reduce weight. If you want to lose weight then make sure that you don’t skip your meals. You should not be empty stomach for more than five hours.
Maintain an active lifestyle. Take the stairs instead of elevators, walk to your bus stop or do your household chores yourself. If your schedule doesn’t permit you to be active then a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise is necessary.
According to the journal Appetite, eating foods that are likely to make you feel fuller must be eaten first. For instance, if you take soup, meat or other heavy food items in the very beginning then you will end up eating less.
Restaurant food is high in fat and calories so try to have homemade food. Vegetables, chicken, soy crumbles and tuna must be included in your diet.
If you are trying to reduce weight at home then keep track of your calorie intake. By following this method you need not starve yourself; rather just keep a check on calorie intake.
If you are an adult with a sedentary lifestyle then you will need about 2,000 to 2,500 calories on a daily basis. To lose weight you need to cut-off 250 to 500 calories. This can be easily done by eating food that is low on calorie and high on proteins, vitamins and minerals. Vegetables, fruits and meat can be taken in balanced quantities.
If you want to reduce weight at home quickly then soda, pasta, commercial cereals, cookies, cakes, pies, crackers and desserts must be completely eliminated from one's diet. Instead add raw vegetables, nuts, berries, fibre and proteins to your diet.