Mysooroo

YAYYY!!!!!!!!!!

Our gang of 3 monkeys ( Kumar appa, Thalavi amma and Sahana pappu ) hopped into the car to head to Mysore. We were thrilled as it was our first trip together as US 3 and a getaway from the routine city chaos. More importantly appa woulld get more time with his lil pappa.

Starting time: 9 AM on Saturday 21st 2010

We had an Insta monsoon package for 2nights booked prior to the trip @ Ginger Hotel -A TATA enterprise. It cost us Rs. 3K.

DAY 1:

We drove through outer ring road and stopped at MacD to have a snack. We reached Mysore at 1:15 pm , our target time and lunched at Hotel Siddharth. Pappu feasted on gobi manchurian and as usual engaged herself in doing mr.bean ritual. We stepped in the hotel at mid noon and checked into our retiring unit - Room #303. After unpacking the bags and resting awhile we headed to do some shopping at Cauvery Emprorium an KSIC silk emporium. The silk sarees were available in a variety of colours and the collection ranged between 5k-20k. The Cauvery emporium housed lots of artifacts. We ended up buying 3 bags full of different goodies. The pouring rain was a dampener but we managed to take few shots infront of the beautifully lit Mysore Maharaja Palace. We had our dinner and returned to ginger hotel to rest for the night.



DAY 2:

The iternary for second day was Lalith Mahal Palace, Chamundi Hills & Brindavan. After a scrumptious breakfast @ the hotel, we went to the palace where the gaurd asked us to pay up 50 bucks for clicking photos and seeing the palace from outside. We took turns and posed for the photos. Sree tried to pull the guard's leg by asking for reciept which made that guy fumble. We had a light cackle and headed towards the chamundi hills, our next destination.

The ride through the hills brought our munnar trip reminiscence in front of our eyes. We parked our car and stayed in the car for half an hour cuz Pappu was taking her power nap. The pavement to the temple was housed by shops on either sides. Lots of colourful items for people of all ages were heaped in the shops. After seeking the Goddess blessings we stopped at the shops to buy titbits and climbed down the hill to reach Nandi staue midway. We prayed to Bull god for peace and happiness and drove to the city to tame our roaring tummies.

We had our lunch at Guru Residency and went to the hotel as it was pouring cats and dogs. In the evening we made a good decision to drive to Brindavan gardens ans we found that this outing had made our day and started cheering us up after the monotonous gloomy weather. We crossed the the lake at Brindavan gardens through boat and witnessed the colourful dancing fountains. It was only a portion of the garden and most of the garden was closed. Whatever, we enjoyed the secninc garden view in the late evening. We had our dinner at Crystal park inn where pappu literally pulled the roof down wailing for her missing 'kambaadi kambaadi'- her favourite comforter. The day ended with pappu falling asleep first and us watching vinnai thandi varruvaya on laptop @ our #303.

DAY 3:

The day kicked off with us all set to go to meet our replicas @ Mysore zoo. We bought the tickets for the special van ride which will take us around the zoo for 1 hour. We spotted wide range of animals like the magestic tigers ( 6 of them), leopards, bengal white tiger, elephants, deep in thought gorilla, chimpanzee, bison, giraffe, zebra, cobra, parakeets, spotted deer, crocodile, lion and lioness and so on.... the zoo was very well maintained in par with the international zoos...cheers to the zoo keepers...

Next, we headed to the Karanji kere where we took a boat ride. After lunch @ RAmanashree, we decided to go for a long drive to Shivanasamudram.On the way, after T. Narasipura instead of taking a turn to Kollegal we wrongly took the way through Talkad and landed up driving a stretch of about 20 odd kms in a kachha road. We reached Barri Chukki falls at 5ish in the evening and ate some churmuri and took a family snap at the lovely waterfalls. Since there were no streetlights, we took an U turn and tried to reach Mysore ASAP. We had a south indian tiffin @ green leaves and dropped flat on our beds @ #303 sooner.

DAY 4:
We made up our minds in the morning to extend the trip for a day. Being the last day, we had a yummy tiffin at the hotel and checked out at 10. We travelled to Ranganthittu where we captured some nice snaps,Sangama river, Tipu Sultan tomb
before heading to namma Bengaluru. On the way we had lunch at Adigas and bought plenty of wooden toys for 3 of us and reached home amidst a bustling traffic at 5 in the evening.

Interesting Finds:
People and specially autowallas were very couteous in Mysore.
Mysore roads have small circle, big circles, only circles and circles....
No signals at all with people haphazardly zooming off..
Food was unexpectedly so cheap.
Mysore city had lot of grenery and was neat.

Lessons:
Not to tax oneself and take precautions as we travel
Splurge on everything as the weather brightens up
Heed your head and heart and most importantly your tummmy.


OVERALL : PERFECT GETAWAY - SOooooo ReFreSHINggg!!!!!!!!
Ideal time to spend would be 4 days( To cover Mysore tourist spots and all surroundings spots.)

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Old collections of/for Sahana

3-6 months

1) Fly, Baby, Fly!
*Sit on the floor with your baby facing you. Place your hands firmly under his arms and around his chest to support his body.
*Ask your baby, "Are you ready to fly in the sky?" Then say, "Here we go. One, two, threeee!"
*Roll back until you are lying down and holding your baby above you. Say "fly, baby, fly!"
*Not only will your baby love the sensation of flying, you may love the workout it gives your arms and back muscles!

2) The Name Game
*Hold your baby in your lap facing you. Touch different features on her face as you name them.
*Try two features to start. Each time say, "This is ______ (your child's name) nose," "This is baby's ear." Repeat several times.
*Take your baby's hand and guide her to touch your nose and ear alternately. As you guide her hand, say, "This is Mommy's nose," "This is Mommy's ear."
* As your baby gets older, you can begin to ask her, "Where's your nose?" Place her hand on her nose and say, "Here it is!" Repeat this with all features.


3) What's Cooking?
* Whenever you are in the kitchen, sit your baby safely in an infant seat or swing.
* As you prepare food, talk about each thing that you do, such as:
"I'm stirring."
"I'm pouring."
"I'm washing."
* Let your baby play with measuring spoons, bowls, and wooden spoons.
* When your baby is old enough, let him help pour, beat, and stir.
* Always name each ingredient as you use it.


4) Can You Remember?
* Sit on a chair with your baby in your lap and a table in front of you.
* Place your baby’s favorite toy on the table where she can see it.
* Talk to your baby about the toy, then pick her up and turn her to face you.
* If she turns her head back to look for the toy, praise her and give her the toy.
* If your baby is crawling, you can play this game on the floor. Simply lay her on her tummy and put the toy in front of her.
* Move the toy to one side of her and see if she will crawl around to find it.
* Once your baby begins looking for the toy, it’s important to help her
find it quickly. This will help her develop confidence.
Black n Decker
You get Pigeon brand feeding bottles which are made of glass and they don require sterilizing as well. (Cost: 300 Rs. Available in Naidu Hall, Anna Nagar(Chinthamani), chennai). Better to have a couple of such bottles as its always useful during travel.
LANGUAGE MILESTONES:
1 months=Turns head to sound
3 months=Cooing
6 months=Monosyllables(ma,ba)
9 months=Bisyllables(mama,baba)
12 months=Two words with meaning
18 months=Ten words with meaning
24 months=Simple sentence
36 months=Telling a stry

Sahana
http://aparnasblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/15/sahana-%E2%80%93-the-raaga-i-love/
Tamil director Balachander's favourite raga is Sahana. He loves it, probably because it merges well with the serial stories and is full of emotions and feelings.

The first on the list is from Rayil Sneham
Balachander's rayil sneham
( Try this with evening chai...The experience is beaaaauuuutiful).
The title song of serial "Sahana" also is set in the same raga. It can be found here
Tamil serial songs

A Thyagarajar song set in sahana is here
Vandhanamu

Coming to tamil movies
Kizhakku cheemayile

Balachander's Paarthale parvasam has a song
Anbe Sugama
The lyrics of these songs are noteworthy.
One of the very famous old melodies would be
Paarthen Sirithen
Technical details of Sahana
28 harikAmbhOji janya
Aa: S R2 G3 M1 P M1 D2 N2 S
Av: S N2 S D2 N2 D2 P M1 G3 M1 R2 G3 R2 S
Enjoy the beauty of Sahana...one of my favourite raga..

The meaning of Sahana
Sahana has multiple meanings and origins. The Indian version of Sahana means Other name for Goddess Lakshmi; Patience. The version of Sahana means Name of a Rag in the Carnatic music system.
Numerological Meaning:People with this name tend to be decisive and good with money. They try to have a balance between the physical and the spiritual worlds. They can often be a successful entrepeneur, and are often striving to reach ever higher goals and positions

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4 THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW ABOUT MOBILE PHONE

4 THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW ABOU MOBILE PHONE
This is a forwarded interesting mail..

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

One: Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is
112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area
of your mobile; network and there is an
emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search
any existing network to establish the emergency
number for you, and interestingly this number
112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.
Try it out.

Two: Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This
may come in handy someday. Good reason to
own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car
and the spare keys are at home, call someone at
home on their mobile phone from your cell
phone.
Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car
door and have the person at your home press the
unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone
on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves
someone from having to
drive your keys to you. Distance is no object.
You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you
can reach someone who has the other 'remote'
for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the
trunk).
Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it
unlocked our car over a mobile phone!'
DOC ID

Three:
Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To
activate, press the keys *3370# Your mobile will
restart with this reserve and the instrument will
show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will
get charged when you charge your mobile next
time.

Four:
How to disable a STOLEN mobile
To check your mobile phone's serial number, key
in the following digits on your phone!: * # 0 6 #,
a 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This
number is unique to your handset. Write it down
and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone
get stolen, you can phone your service provider
and give them this code. They will then be able
to block your handset so even if the thief
changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally
useless.

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Useful Contact Address

There's an agency called WEDRIVE. these people send really nice drivers (they are careful with your car, and they aren't rash).
Their number is: 9880757836 /4/9916591651
One of my friends has used their service & find them good.

4HRS—RS.150
ADDITIONAL 1 HR.—RS.25

Ucma
526, 41st Cross,
1st 'a' Main, 8th Block
Jayanagar,
Bangalore - 560082
Phone: 080 - 26642667

pest control Bangalore 9845550348


Dr Naveen Chandra Kini ***
Phone: 080 23603875 | 9845057227
Address: PP Complex, New BEL Road, Bangalore- 560054
Landmark: Near - Corporation Bank

Inter Foto India Pvt Ltd (Bangalore)

Location Map Address:
310,Kedia Arcade,
92,Infantry Road
Bangalore -560001

Phone: (91-080) 080 41132935
(91-080) 080 41132936
Fax: (91-080) 080 41132921
Email: service@interfotoindia.com


http://www.mytinybaby.com/
website www.appleofmyi.in

- Kid down with fever
Continue giving him medication and along with that do the following, this will help to reduce the dosage

1 - keep him in a well ventilated room [don't cover him]
2 - apply cold water sponges on his head, also rub his foot with cold water sponge [you don't have to use ice cold water for this (it is not recommended), normal tap water is good enough]
3 - Give him enough water to drink, it prevents from dehydration
4 - Don't put tight cloths on baby. Dress him in comfortable wear

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Teaching pappu

Basically, children should be brought up with good self-esteem...which in turn will lead to assertiveness....But there is a thin line between self-esteem and ego...Dont boost them up in comparison to other...let them be their own competitor. Always tell them that they are neither superior nor inferior to any...so they must be brave to voice their views and desires and at the same time be willing to listen to others...

For example, when a child is hit by his peer, dont teach him to hit back or come away meekly or brush off as child's play...Tell the child that next time the child does it...he must stand up, look firmly at the child and say, "No! Dont do it...I dont like that"...This will shake the other child...And will teach the child to use words to defend instead of fists.

Similarly, its good to teach our children to share but if we ask them to sahre all the time (one mom had even posted this problem in IP I think) and give away the toys to other child to play, the child will end up feeling he doesnt deserve those good things and may become a 'loser' giving away everything in the name of sharing...There has to be a balance.

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live


Lifez beautiful
My grandma and parents are my role model
My grand mother taught me
* To be happy-go-lucky in all circumstances
* To have flexible views on religious customs and not be a "lakeer ka fakeer"
* To enjoy life as if there is no tomorrow.
* To be independent (She was financially independent. She didnt work, but had a small ancestral house in her name which she had rented and the rent was her income. Inshort she wasnt dependent on her sons for money)
* To respect DIL's and love them

My dad taught me
* To take independent decisions ever since I was in school
* To stand up for myself
* Value of money
* Honesty and firmness of character
* To fight for a cause
* Not to be afraid of anything as we all have right to live equally in this society
* To face the storms of life without fearing and bending
* To never do wrong unto others, but have enough courage to give it back if somebody does anything wrong to you.
* Financial independence (I am more finance savy than my hubby)

My mom taught me
* To love unconditionally
* To be gentle and polite
* Honesty and firmness of character
* Value of money
* Respect for elders and younger
* To be generous and open hearted even in adverse situations
* Guided us initially in our studies and making us successful in life
* To be organized and meticulous
* To cook, sew, paint, embroidery, all household jobs
* There is no age for learning (She is learning how to play synthesizer and classical music these days)

I want to thank them for making me what I am today....Love u always....

When laksh was not even 1.5yrs from that time I have started telling him that he is not suppose to touch mobiles, tv / dvd remotes or any naughty behaviour in car and trust me till date he understands the above whereas including my husband everyone use to say "abhe uskou kya samjh aayega woh bohat chota hai "

Whenever we have our plans to go at some relatives place or anywhere , Since afternoon I keep telling him that he is the best child and never makes his mom feel bad in front of everyone and I AM SO PROUD OF HIM .. the day u will show ur confidence on kids they will never let u down . Trust ur kids and be confident about them

The day a child comes closer to the bed's end and gets back thinking he will fall from that day he understand's what is good for him and what is bad for him .Kids are smart but we keep thinking they do not understand anything

No kid is VERY naughty its just that parents are unable to understand them and make them understand and at the end of age kids age is resposible for the behaviour, Very sad ..

If u have to choose between good friends and good health...what would u choose and why?
- Good friends. If you are surrounded by good friends, good health will follow automatically because you will be a happier person.

What r the three most important advice u would give to Masoom when she becomes a woman?

- 1. Don't ever give up your dreams.
2. It's ok to go wrong sometimes. You will learn from it.
3. Don't ever judge a book by it's cover.


Though I may not claim the word 'sacrifice', yet I feel some changes, compromises and decisions we make in our life is worthy...

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Home remedies for Sahana

fever:

try giving hot tomato soup with lil pepper powder,
rice kanji
dhal pani ..
let him be on fluids
fresh curds is also okie.. (dont give sour cold ones)
fresh juice apple,mussambi and all..


Try rubbing vicks on the feet, especially on the first toe and put on the socks in the night. I really worked with my daughter who was always having cold n cough.

Ginger +honey for cold.

cetaphil lotion is the best for dry and itchy skin in this weather.

Home Remedy for Cold/Cough
Mix one piece of camphor with little coconut oil and apply this on the chest, neck, back and nose just like vicks or any other balm. It gives instant relief.
And this tip is not jsut for kids, it works very well on adults too

... It works very well, if the coconut oil is a little warm...

the best remedy for Burn marks is coconut Oil ( u can use the Parachute one )
Apply it on the Burned Part 3-4 times a day and it will go within a month.







For cold n cough:

keep his cheast,feet,forehead covered spply when u go out.
u can include safrron it gives good warmth to the body.
rich vit-c food is good ... boosts up the immune system
try giving badam (almond) 2-3 badams daily
for gaining wt.. banana +bed time milk

castor oil as far as I know is never used in cooking. Coz its a laxative.

1. My mom used to give us one tsp of castor oil once in 15 days when we were older than 1 year. But pls check with a ped before using on ur children.

2. It is also applied on the big toe of the feet (overnight) to cool the body

3. It is applied around the navel and massaged when there is pain in stomach due to gas.

4. A drop of it is applied on the center head of babies to reduce body heat.

I personally used onely 2, 3, 4. Never used 1

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To Dos for Sahana

Libraries

http://easylib.com/ *
Justbooks library *
for librarywala.com **

For kids
www.cyberkids.com
www.kidlink.org
www.kidsworld.com
www.vsa.cape.com/powens
www.headbone.com
www.kids-corner.com
www.kidsdomain.com
www.kids-space.org
www.kidscom.com
www.safekids.com
www.child.net
www.4kids.com
www.kotb.com
www.timeforkids.com
www.foxkids.com
www.cyberkids.com
www.bonus.com


Fancy Dress

Lord Buddha..
You can dress your kid as Lord buddha.. it is quite easy.. Get an orange robe and wrap it around your kid and tie it at the back of the neck.. Pull his hair on to top of the head and tie a knot..

Ask him to recite "Buddham Saranam Gachami".. It is quite easy..

You can make him "NIGHT"
means take a big black cloth
ane make him wear
on that stck stars and moon and other things ... made up of silver paper
or u can use our kitchen foil paper for that and u can stich that cloth at home ....

International Informatics Olympiad 2008 organised by Silver Zone (Computer Literacy foundation) This is for students from class 1st to 12th . you can check www.silverzone.org for details.
International Olympiad (2009)

Stage I

Eligibility:

• Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry and Biology: Science student of Class XI or XII and born after December 31, 1989.

• Astronomy Olympiad:

(i) Junior Category: Students of Class VIII or IX as of January 1, 2009 (should be born between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1995).

(ii) Senior Category: Students of Class X & XI as of January 1, 2008 (should be born between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1993)

Stage I exams - need to be cleared

National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP)

National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC)

National Standard Examination in Biology (NSEB)

National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA) (Organized by IAPT and IACT)


NSEP/ NSEC/ NSEB/ NSEA

Date of Examination: November 25, 2008 (tentative)

Last Date of Enrolment: September 15, 2008 (tentative)

250 toppers in each subject qualify for Stage I

STAGE II

Indian National Olympiads in Physics,Chemistry,Bilogy and Astronomy
(Organised by HBCSE in collaboration with IAPT,IACT & NCSM)

STAGE III

Selection and training of teams for International Science Olympiads at HBCSE and for International Astronomy Olympiad at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai.

NTSE (National Telent Search examination)..
Class 10th sutdent is eligible for this..

This is national level exam..it has several stages..
It is one of the reputed and old telent search exam..

For more info
http://www.sofworld.org/

13-24 months
Advertisement


Chatter Telephone
Fisher Price, £7.99 (1-4 years)
Press the number pads and the numbers light up while the phone rings. Pull it along and the funny face eyes wobble and the mouth moves up and down, accompanied by lights and sounds.
Susannah, mum to Marianne, 18 months, from Southampton: 'Young children have a fascination with telephones and I think this one probably satisfies the need to babble as well as play. Even though I think it's a bit 'old-fashioned' looking, Marianne loves it and won't let anyone else play with it!'

Fun Bath Bar
Bruin, £4.99 (12-36m)
The Fun Bath Bar includes a water wheel, scoop, tap and sprinkler and will help your baby begin to learn concepts such as empty and full, light and heavy, fluid and solid.
Louise, mum to Ruby, 13 months, from Uckfield: 'Bath time has become a whole new experience for Ruby since we bought the Fun Bar. Bath time was getting a bit of a chore for her, but now she happily sits playing while I can wash her!'

Megabloks 120 piece bag set
Megabloks, £15 (12m+)
These 'maxi' megabloks make it easy for small hands to create castles, garages, secret dens -- whatever lies in your child's imagination -- through building and stacking. The blocks are kept in a sturdy plastic bag for easy storage.
John, dad to Danny, 20 months, from north London: 'These are great value for money and we spend ages building tower blocks with them -- just so we can knock them down again!'

Electronic Activity Cube
Early Learning Centre, £15 (12m+)
Each side of this brightly coloured cube has different themed holes, such as animal shapes and numbers, to push one of the 18 chunky soft plastic shapes through. It also has a phone and four tuneful buttons.
Sam, mum to Clare, 20 months, from Richmond: 'This toy has lasted through three children and is still a favourite with Clare, my youngest. It has helped all three of them to learn to manipulate small objects as well as working out which shape fits where.'

Light N Sound Driver
Bruin, £9.99 (1-4 years)
Turn the key in the steering wheel and the engine shakes and the horn beeps. Vibrantly coloured, easy for small hands to drive and has 12 songs to drive along to.
Linda, mum to Zita, 22 months, from Amersham: 'Children love to pretend to drive and this toy gives Zita a chance to be at the wheel. We take this in the car with us and she drives along with me -- it keeps her occupied, which is great.'
25-36 months

Art Centre
Early Learning Centre, £30 (2yrs+)
One of Early Learning Centre's top 10 best sellers, the art centre is perfect for hours of messy play, with a blackboard on one side and a white magnetic board and clips to hold paper on the other, plus a tray underneath to keep chalks and painting pots handy.
Daniella, mum to Ella, two, from Buckingham: 'Although not cheap, this has been worth every penny as Ella and her mates love using it -- I just have to clear up afterwards!'

Thomas the Tank Engine
Brio, from £10 (2 yrs+)
Thomas and friends can help your child to create a whole new world, thinking up adventures to go on and scrapes to get into and building up an ever-increasing network of railway tracks to take them on their way. Classic engines and tracks which will last a lifetime.
Pippa, mum to James, two, from south west London: 'Our engines and tracks have been passed on from child to child in our family, and I'm sure we'll eventually pass them on to another family, too. Thomas will never stop being fun for children.'

Play Family House
Fisher Price £19.99 (2yrs+)
Five rooms full of surprises and sounds to discover -- for instance in the nursery, press the monitor and your child will hear the cry of 'mama', giggling and a lullaby. Furnished with lots of accessories and a family of three.
Dezzy, mum to Caitlin, two, from Canterbury: 'I think the colour scheme could be more up-to-date, but Caitlin is absolutely obsessed with this doll's house -- she plays with nothing else. And at under twenty quid, I think it's good value for money.'

Rescue Heroes: Billy Blazes Fire Fighter
Voice Tech, £9.99 (from 3 years)
Billy Blazes is one of the hugely popular Rescue Heroes range of characters and Billy takes command, shouting through his bullhorn, to lead fire fighters to the rescue. Removable helmet, fire mask and fire hose.
Jan, mum to Billy, three, from Bolton: 'Billy has a few Rescue Heroes, but he really believes he's Billy Blazes and often demands to rescue me from a burning kitchen, even though I've never set anything on fire yet!'

Soft Stuff Bumper Bucket
Early Learning Centre, £5 (2yrs+)
15 pieces of Soft Stuff modelling dough in six funky colours for your child to get creative with. Great value as the dough can be kept in the bucket and re-used. Separate play tools such as cutters and rollers available.
Denise, mum to Rachel, two, from Stockwell: 'I wish we'd had colours like this when I was a child. Rachel's speciality is making three legged cats -- because we have one - which she thinks are perfect!'

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Tips for Kitchen

I store in these ways

Coriander and Mint - wash, dry a bit and leaves are cut and stored in a plastic box which has enough ventilation .
When in a country where availability was a problem. i would just roll them into a butter paper and put it in the freezer. when you need just slice a bit you need and remove the butter paper.

Curry leaves - pluck , wash, dry on a paper and store in a ziploc pouch or freeze them (when in aroad)

Palak - wash, grind to a paste and pour them in ice tray. after a day remove the cubes and store them in ziploc

Green chillies - I store chillies in a paper bag... they stay longer if your topple off the stem from them... ( i dont rememebr the exact word now.. pls make do with stem)

Lemons - I buy 10 at a time. I store them in a airtight glass bottle with a pinch of rock salt at the bottom to absorb any moisture if it enters. this way they stay fresh for about 10 days

Beans/cauliflower/french and cluster beans - when in a country where it wasnt avaible all around the year... I would chop them fine... boil in hot water once and store in small (one serve ) zip loc pouches.

Brinjal - Cant be stored really long they dont rot but get soggy or dheela ....No clue how to store other than the bharta from. The big brinajal is roasted on fire. remove the skin and the pulp can be stored in pouches for almost 2 months.. please do add a pinch of salt in it.

An apple in a group of potatoes.. keeps potatoes fresh and vice versa...

storing onions and potatoes is a bad idea.

Bananas should always be hung on to a hook to store them longer....i have a banana hanger which is like a boon.

When you have loads of tomatoes.. Puree them and pour in a ice tray and then store them in pouches.

Coconut Ladoos: Take desicated coconut, just stir it in a pan for 2 to 3 minutes and add milkmade into it to made a soft dough. just take a bit and make round ladoos out of it and just roll over them on desicated coconut placed in a plate. And enjoy....

Ghee preparation at home
collect( Malai) milk cream ( which comes as a layer when we boil & cool the milk)
put that cream along with some cold water in a mixer & blend it till the butter separates with the liquid............
take out that butter
put that butter in a wok( Kadahi) on a med flame
stir it So that the mix dont catch the bottom
after some time the ghee will be separated

Ghee preparation at home
collect( Malai) milk cream ( which comes as a layer when we boil & cool the milk)
put that cream along with some cold water in a mixer & blend it till the butter separates with the liquid............
take out that butter
put that butter in a wok( Kadahi) on a med flame
stir it So that the mix dont catch the bottom
after some time the ghee will be separated

Paneer ...
I really liked the "heritage ( @Fresh )" one, but the one outlet near my house closed down. There is one "Milky mist" which is less rubbery.
i always make at home..soft and fresh..
milky mist is good. nilgiris paneer is like rubber i guess.
when u use these milky mist or nandini paneer etc.... try using it this way-
soak paneer slab in water till it comes to room temperature. cut into desired size. boil some water and put these cubes in it. switch off gas after 1 or 2 boils and let the paneer be soaked for some time. strain and use.

paneer wll become very soft.
i also do the same as mitu said.. saok in hot water for few mts.. it keeps the paneer fresh and soft for a longer time...
Even I'm happy with milky mist.

But i tried putting in hotwater like hema said....but after that while cutting the paneer it's too soft & it breaks down.am unable 2 get proper pieces...

any tips on this?
@revathy,
as i said cut paneer into desired shape before boiling.

Tips while buying veggies:

Bhindhi.. check the tips,.. if you can break them easily like poppingoff then they are tender good ones to cook

Beans - cut the tip and pull it out... if there is a string pulling out of the sides which means they are not tender... looks for a healthy snap .... and sweetness.

Cucumber - they shud be firm.

Carrot - lesser the hair sweeter they are (squirms at the way but didnf find words!!)

Beetroots , holds the same ... avoid elongated beets, usually buy ones with the shoots on....

Cabbage = round and firm, the leaves should be crisp.. do not buy if there are marks.

Caufliflowers should be creamywhite... the buds should be in near clusters not separated...spotted shud be avoided...

Radish goes exactly like carrots, lesser cracks, few roots .. no growth cracks.

Brinjal - tiny tender ones are good.. The skin shud have luster and no spots... pinch , if the skin comes back immeidately it is fine... if the dent remains then it is old and will be bitter inside (usually with loads of seeds too)

Onions = always buy the ones which are dry and have papery skin.They shud have no smell.. if they give out smell then they are cut an dmoist inside.... dont buy them.

Garlic... always look for plump, with shiny skin.. closlely held cloves.

Capsicum : Look for firm ones, skin shiny and smooth without any blots or marks or wrinkles....

Potatoes :
Choose old potatoes for our indian kind of sabjis and new potatoes for salads and boiling .

do not buy the ones which have a green discolouration they will be bitter.
Green peas is one which we get carried away when we see fresh ones Look for the ones which are smooth, velvety and very frim. If they are whitish peel or empty room in the pods do not buy.


Tomatoes = try the local ones as much as possible , coz the taste which the hybrid ones have is suitable for salads not for the traditional Indian cooking. store with the stem on , it stays long...

Check for the fresh aroma of the stems if you want the best ones.

Lauki or related vegetables - again like cucumbers, it shud be smooth, firm and with bruisless skin.

Coconut : shake it to find a watery sound .. do not buy if the tip (three dots called eyes) are watery, mouldy or smelling. If there is a solidish (stone) like sound when you move it is almsot copra rather than coconut.
Fruits
Apple : Colour ( in India I wud go for kashmir washington apples), firm to touch... do not buy soft ones.... ooty apples are very juicy but kind of deliciously sour...

Bananas : Yellow , firm, without spots and bruises (some varieites shud have spots to findout if they are ripe ..) do not store in refrigerator or in a bowl. Bananas stay longer when hung to a hook.

For cantaloupes - best guide is the aroma , second is the colour... yellow skin or creamy white ones are the best.

Watermelon - look for small ones with symmetrical shape.

papaya - shud be orangish yellow and the skin gets slightly dented when pressed, this is ripe to eat

oranges - skin shud not be rough.. or empty. firm ones usually juicy ones give an aroma.

MANGOES: yum the ones i am enjoying now... shud be solid... but not very soft skin. the scale of colouring varies with variety.. usally one with brown or black specks are ripe.

Lemon : should be firm , glossy and heavy for its size... if they are light then probably are ready to be dehydrated.

when u use these milky mist or nandini paneer etc.... try using it this way-
soak paneer slab in water till it comes to room temperature. cut into desired size. boil some water and put these cubes in it. switch off gas after 1 or 2 boils and let the paneer be soaked for some time. strain and use.

paneer wll become very soft.

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