6 Ways to have a Productive Weekend

When most people hear of the word ‘weekend’, images of people lazing around come into mind. Of course, there are people who paint the town red on weekends, but we’re talking more about regular folks like you and us! Then there are those of us who take a break from our work week, only to work more on weekends - doing chores and running errands! Of course neither of these serve the true purpose of having a couple of days off, which is to rejuvenate and refresh yourself for the coming week. You could spend your entire Saturday and Sunday binge watching your favourite show, but that’s hardly productive, is it? So today, we tread the middle path and bring you 6 ways to have a productive weekend – yes it’s possible!

6 Ways to Have a Productive Weekend

Play a Sport

Whether you workout during your weekdays or not (you should, really!), playing an hour or two of any sport on the weekends really makes a big difference to your overall wellbeing. Besides the cardio workout, you get to play in a team, which is good socializing – minus the alcohol and heavy snacks!

Join a Class

Everyone has got that deep seated desire to learn something they’ve always wanted to since childhood. It could be dance, pottery or photography. Whatever it may be, what are you waiting for? Life is happening now; take control! Most classes of these sort operate on the weekends, so you’re sure to find something suitable for you in your locality. Learning a new skill builds new neural pathways in your brain, which makes you more effective at processing new information.

Explore your City

You could always pack your bags and head away, but you don’t have to. There are likely to be many undiscovered treasures within your city itself. Plan a one day field trip with your family and explore all the little known places in your city; the journey itself will be an adventure, and who knows, you might even discover a brand new spot!

Set up a Kitchen Garden

There are people who think of gardening as a messy chore, but the truth is that you’ll be hard pressed to find something more relaxing! Spending time with nature, touching and feeling the soil and leaves is very therapeutic, especially after a stressful work week. It feels good to reconnect with the real world after spending all that time online. Not to mention, you end up with healthy, pesticide free herbs and vegetables!

Assess your Life Goals

A weekend is a great time to just sit back and think: are you where you want to be in your life right now? Is your current lifestyle in sync with your goals? Think about where you’ll be in 5 or 10 years if you continue the way you are doing now, in terms of all aspects of your life – health, family, finances, career etc. You need to be relaxed and free from everyday stresses for this exercise, hence the weekend.

Prep for the Week Ahead

Yes, we know we said that doing chores during the weekend wasn’t fun, but rushing like crazy through the week isn’t very enjoyable either! Designate some time during the weekend, about 1-3 hours, to do all your prep work for the coming week. It could include ironing work/school clothes, chopping or freezing vegetables or meat, confirming appointments, getting anything ready for any event etc. Allotting just a specific time slot for these activities will give you a much more relaxed week and won’t feel like you’re spending your entire Saturday doing chores!!

Sleeping in till noon on weekends may sound good in theory, but in practice, it just throws off your entire body rhythm. It messes up your sleep and you feel groggy and weird. Being productive on the weekend without actually ‘working’ relaxes you, improves relationships and refreshes you for the next week. So, which of these are you planning to do this weekend? Do tell us!!

6 Healthy Iftar Recipes for Ramadan

"Ramadan is, in its essence, a month of humanist spirituality." - Tariq Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is upon us and many of us are in full fasting mode! Besides abstaining from food, drink and other worldly pleasures, the holy month of Ramadan is also one of introspection, spirituality and prayer, along with helping people. Unfortunately, for many, this month translates into a 30-day fried food festival! Needless to say, this doesn’t do your arteries or your waistline any favours, with many people actually gaining weight by the time of Eid!

Bingeing on oily snacks at the end of a 15 hour day without food or drink is a bad idea for many reasons, such as:

• After many hours of no food, overloading your stomach directs most of your blood supply towards the digestive system leaving you feeling lethargic
• Your metabolism is operating in slow mode when fasting, and overloading it turns most of it into fat
• Oily snacks mean an intake of too many calories, contributing to weight gain
• With only a small window available for eating, stuffing it with oily snacks leaves no space for healthy foods, leading to malnutrition
• Overeating in the evenings can lead to an increase in visceral or belly fat

The solution to this is to opt for healthy, yet filling and balanced meals at Iftar, so that your body is not shocked and you still have energy to get on with the rest of the day. Here are some easy, healthy recipes that you can make for Iftar.

1. Stuffed Dates

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Across the world, dates are the preferred choice to break one’s fast, but you can take it a step further by stuffing them. You’ll need some larger, succulent dates for this.

1. Slit down the long side of a date, but not completely.
2. Replace the seed with a quartered walnut, and press the sides of the date together to hold it in.
3. Arrange beautifully on a platter along with some dried figs.

 2. Avocado Smoothie

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Avocados are rich in Vitamin E and are low in calories, making them a great option for Iftar. You can use any milk or yogurt of your choice.

1. Scoop out the flesh of a medium sized avocado.
2. Blend the avocado flesh with 1.5 glasses of cold milk, 2 tsp sugar and ¼ tsp vanilla essence.
3. If it appears too thick, add more milk. Pour into tall glasses and serve with straws.

 3. Broken Wheat Lentil Soup

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It is recommended to use whole grains rather than refined ones during Iftar, to ensure better metabolism.

1. Soak a cup of broken wheat and ½ a cup of lentils for 30 minutes.
2. Temper ½ tsp cumin seeds and fry a chopped onion till brown.
3. Add a tsp of ginger garlic paste, a chopped tomato, a tsp of chilli powder and ½ a tsp each of turmeric and garam masala.
4. Add the drained lentils, season to taste, cover and cook till completely done.
5. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot.

 4.   Almond Chicken

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Almonds are a great way to add an extra crunch to an ordinary chicken dish, and this one is much better than fried chicken.

1. Soak or blanch ¾ cup almonds so that they can be peeled easily. Keep aside.
2. Grind ¾ of the almonds and slice the rest. Keep them separate.
3. Marinate ½ kg chicken pieces in salt and ½ a tsp each of ginger garlic paste, turmeric, and chilli powder. Keep aside for 30 minutes.
4. In oil, fry a chopped onion till brown, then add 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and 2 chopped tomatoes.
5. Add the marinated chicken and the almond paste and cook till done.
6. Serve garnished with chopped coriander and the remaining almonds.

 5.  Easy Vegetable Korma

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Vegetable korma needn’t be a thick creamy, heavy dish, you can make a simpler version with cashew nuts.

1. Soak 10 cashews in hot water. Grind to a smooth paste.
2. Fry 1 sliced onion till brown, add 1 tsp of ginger paste, 1 chopped tomato, 1 tsp of pepper, and ½ a tsp each of turmeric and garam masala.
3. Add 1 cup of chopped mixed vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, beans, peas and potatoes. Coat with masala and cook with a little water till done.
4. Add the cashew paste and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve garnished with chopped coriander.

 6. Multigrain Methi Parathas

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Multigrain parathas are very easy to make right at home, and are much more nutritious than regular ones. Go easy on the oil to keep them healthy.

1. Grind ½ a cup of multigrain oats to a powder.
2. Mix the oats and 1.5 cups of whole wheat flour along with 1 cup methi leaves, ½ tsp ginger garlic paste and salt to taste and make a smooth dough. Keep aside for 30 minutes.
3. Roll out balls of dough into slightly thick parathas and roast on a flat pan or tava. Use a little vegetable oil to grease it on either side. Serve with homemade curd.

If you crave something sweet at the end of your meal, have a small piece of dark chocolate or a small bowl of a milk based sweet like sweet vermicelli or fruit custard without cream. Make life easier by planning ahead, prepping in advance, cooking in bulk & freezing. This way you can ensure you don’t spend the whole of Ramadan in the kitchen and can focus on the spiritual aspects of the holy month as well. Ramadan Mubarak!

6 Yoga Poses for the Monsoon

“Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.” - John Updike

The first rain after a hot summer isn’t just rain, it is a shower of blessings!! There is something very upbeat about the rains that makes the child in us want to run out and get wet!! But as enthusiastic as that thought may be, monsoons are also a time of illnesses and we need to take preventive steps to ensure good health throughout the monsoons.

It’s a happy coincidence that we welcome the onset of the monsoons with International Yoga Day which is this week. Ayurveda prescribes a different way of eating during the monsoons, and in the same way, there are also certain yoga poses that can boost your immunty and protect you from common monsoon maladies. Here are the most effective yoga poses for this monsoon.

6 Yoga Poses for the Monsoons

Bhujangasana

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Benefits: Improves blood circulation, reduces fatigue and improves asthma symptoms

1. Lie on your stomach with arms and legs extended down the body, toes on the floor.
2. Place palms under the shoulders, elbows close to the sides and lift chest and abdomen off the floor, inhaling.
3. Putting your weight on your hands, push your torso up and away from the floor. Turn head up and away from your shoulders.
4. Hold and stretch your spine, breathing deeply throughout. 

Setu Bandhasana

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Benefits: Improves digestion, improves immunity by stimulating the thymus gland

1. Lie on your back, knees bent, feet 10 inches from the hips and arms by your side, palms down.
2. Inhaling, raise your back and hips, anchoring your shoulders and pushing down on your palms.
3. Touch your chin to your chest and keep your back parallel to the floor, the muscles in your buttocks contracted. You may support your back with your hands. Hold, breathing and release.

Naukasana

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Benefits: Improves immunity and protects from common illnesses

1. Lie on your back, arms by your side palms down.
2. Inhale and exhaling, lift your upper back and feet off the floor, raisng your arms and pointing your fingers towards your feet.
3. Contract your abdominal muscles as you go into a V shape, not straining the shoulders too much. Hold, breathing, and release.

Adho Mukha Svananasana

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Benefits: Rejuvenates body, increases blood to the brain, calms the mind

1. From standing, come on all fours, resting your palms and feet on the floor.
2. Exhaling, straighten arms, pushing hips into the air to form an inverted V.
3. Keep heels and palms firmly planted, extending arms and legs.

Kapal Bhati Pranayama

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Benefits: Improves digestion and blood circulation, calms the mind, clears energy pathways

1. Sit cross legged in a comfortable position with your back straight, hands on the knees, palms facing up.
2. Inhale deeply.
3. As you exhale, pull in your stomach sharply. Pull the navel towards the spine, keeping your right hand on your stomach to feel the contraction.
4. Release as your lungs fill with air. Repeat for 20 rounds.

Supta Vajrasana

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Benefits: Improves digestion, respiration and boosts immunity

1. Sit on the floor kneeling, with big toes touching each other, hands on the knees.
2. Bend backwards a little and prop up the back with elbows, one at a time.
3. Pushing on both elbows, lower the head, arching the back.
4. Slowly lower the crown of the head towards the floor.

While these yoga poses are safe for people in general good health, it’s always a godo idea to consult an expert first, particularly if you are prone to frequent aches and pains. Pregnant women and seniors should take special care while performing these poses. With the right exercise and diet, you’ll be able to stay healthy and enjoy the magic of the monsoons completely!

7 Ways to an Eco Friendly Kitchen

The kitchen is generally considered the heart of the home. It is where the most activity takes place, where food is prepared and served with love. Just as an unhealthy heart can lead to a body riddled with disease, so is the health of the kitchen important to the overall well being of the family and the home.

With World Environment Day just around the corner, it is worth looking at the state of our kitchens and see how eco friendly they are. If you’re a little confused about where to start, don’t worry! Here we list out 7 simple ways towards a much more eco friendly kitchen.

7 Ways to an Eco Friendly Kitchen

1. Use Energy Efficient Appliances

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In this day and age, it is virtually impossible for us to imagine a life without kitchen appliances. While it’s okay to use them, buy ones that are energy efficient with the Energy Star rating. They not just cut down on your electricity bill, they use electricity much more efficiently than appliances without the Energy Star rating. Also, buying quality appliances will last longer, thus cutting down on consumption and waste.

2. Cook Smart

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There are numerous ways you can save valuable cooking fuel by cooking smart. Cooking with a lid is faster, as is using pressure cookers. Induction cookers are more fossil-fuel friendly than gas or electric cookers. Turning off the heat just before your dish is completely done also saves gas. Microwaves use almost 80% less energy than conventional cooking methods.

3. Reduce Wastage

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When cooking, it’s always better to cook extra, so that you can freeze the leftovers for another day. This saves fuel, time and effort. When entertaining, make a careful estimate of the number of guests and cook accordingly. Buy perishables only in small quantities to avoid spoilage and use the freezer as much as possible. Store food properly according to the type of food, and don’t leave food uncovered in the fridge or freezer.

4. Buy from the Source

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‘Food miles’ is a concept that experts are now talking about; it refers to how much your food has to travel before it reaches your table. The fewer food miles, the better it is for your health as well as for the environment. Buy local as much as you can, and buy foods that are in season. It is always better to buy food stuffs from their original source, to ensure authenticity and better quality. Check out uIndia for a range of authentic ingredients directly sourced from their places of origin.

5. Clean Green

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Kitchens use up a lot of cleaning products – dish washing liquids, disinfectants and other specialized cleaning products for the floor, stove and countertops. These aren’t exactly eco friendly, as they’re all made up of chemicals. A combination of vinegar, baking soda and warm water can clean nearly anything - your sink, countertops, fridge and microwave. And if you miss a nice, clean scent, just make a kitchen air freshener – just boil some water with cloves and let it sit for a while. The kitchen will smell naturally lovely, without any synthetic scent.

6. Ditch the Plastic

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It is unbelievable how much plastic enters our homes on a daily basis, even though a lot of it can actually be avoided. Carry strong cloth or jute bags to do your grocery shopping. Avoid instant and packaged foods as much as you can, and cook with natural ingredients. Another good way to cut down on plastic packaging is to buy in bulk. Ingredients like dry fruit and spices keep well if stored properly, so it’s good to buy these in bulk.

7. Recycle Waste

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However much you try, some amount of waste is inevitable in your kitchen, but you can do your bit to dispose of it in a more environment friendly manner. Keep plastic and glass separately – there are many individuals who’ll gladly take them, especially if they’re already sorted. As for food waste, invest in a compost bin – you’ll get natural fertilizer for your garden. You can also install a bio-gas stove, which will make use of the gas produced by your compost heap.

As you can see, there’s a lot you can do to work your way to an eco friendly kitchen, without spending too much time, money or effort. There’s no excuse now for greening up your kitchen to help the environment!! As Margaret Mead said, “We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment”.

The Ganga Dussehra Festival

“My bones are destined to make corals in the Ganga” – Swami Vivekananda

  

The river Ganga isn’t something that needs introduction, being the most sacred river to Hindus across the world. People from far and wide come here to expiate their sins in the holy water. The Ganga Aarti on the banks of the river is truly a sight to behold! The Ganga originates in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, and flows down across North India and Bangladesh, finally ending its journey in the Bay of Bengal.

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Ganga Dussehra is a festival that celebrates the descent of the Ganga onto earth, and is celebrated along the major cities on the banks of the river like Allahabad, Haridwar and Rishikesh, although the epicenter of the festival is at Varanasi, also called Benares. It is celebrated on the tenth day of Jyeshtha, a month on the Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls somewhere in May-June. This festival is not to be confused with Ganga Jayanti, which celebrates the birth of the Goddess Ganga. Read on to know more about how this festival came to be.

The Story

The story of the Ganga river begins with the king Kapila whose meditation was disturbed by the king Sagara’s sixty thousand sons. Irritated beyond words, Kapila focused his burning stare on Sagara’s sons, reducing them to ashes and banishing them to the netherworld. Their only chance of escape was water from the Holy Ganga, who then resided in Heaven.

The task of freeing Sagara’s trapped sons was undertaken by one of his descendants, the king Bhagiratha. He meditates for years and is finally granted his wish. The Goddess Ganga agrees to descend to earth, but she warns him that her immense strength might destroy everything on earth. Bhagiratha pleads with Lord Shiva to help, and he finally agrees to let Ganga flow down to earth through the coils of his hair. It is this descent of the Ganga or ‘Ganga Avataran’ that is celebrated as the Ganga Dussehra festival.

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The Religious Significance

Due to the main characters in the story of Ganga’s descent, they are also the most worshipped during this festival – King Bhagiratha, Lord Shiva and Goddess Ganga. Ganga Dussehra is also called Ganga Dashami, and several rituals are held across the river banks, dedicated to these three main deities.

 

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The descent of Ganga is said to coincide with ten Vedic astrologic landmarks or Yogas. The combination of these yogas is said to absorb man’s sins when he takes a dip in the holy water. Dussehra is a mix of ‘Dus’ meaning ten and ‘hara’ meaning defeat. Thus this festival is also an occasion for destroying one’s sins, the belief being that you can attain salvation from ten of your sins – 3 physical, 4 verbal and 5 mental.

The Celebration

On Ganga Dussehra, idols of the Goddess Ganga is dressed in white clothes and decorated with white flowers and a pooja is conducted to worship her. Ideally, one should bathe in the river itself for salvation, but if it isn’t possible, it is recommended to bathe in regular water to which a little Ganga jal or holy water has been added. Many devotees fast for the whole day, abstaining from food and water and breaking their fast only after the moon rises. A bath in the Ganges is followed by eating fruit to break the day-long fast.

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The Ganga is a beautiful sight during this festival. Women float flowers, leaf boats and oil lamps in the river, filling the air with a lovely fragrance and the soothing sounds of temple chants and hymns. There are also large fairs to be seen, as well as donation centres, since it is considered auspicious to donate anything in numbers of ten, especially edibles and things that offer protection in summer, like shoes, clothes and umbrellas.

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Today, the festival of Ganga Dussehra is also an occasion to think about preserving the river and fighting pollution. The religious nature of the Ganga river attracts devotees from across the world, and several awareness campaign have begun to ensure that devotees keep the river clean and safe for other people as well as for the rich flora and fauna for whom the river Ganga is home as well. To quote Swami Vivekananda again, “See what an atmosphere of holiness is here -- the pure air of the Ganga -- what an assemblage of Sadhus -- will you find anywhere a place like this!”

6 Ways to Make Mother’s Day special for your Mom

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” - Abraham Lincoln

  

The world has always sung praises of a mother’s love and it’s also obvious in the fact that the celebration of Mother’s Day is a much bigger event than say Father’s Day or Brother’s Day. But in a world where everyone is busy with their smart phones and such, one wonders if this day is turning out to be a clichéd commercial event, devoid of real feeling.

When we grow up and start our own lives and careers, we think of ourselves as grownups, but the fact is that for our Moms, we’ll always be their little babies!! If you’ve been feeling guilty about not appreciating your Mom or spending enough time with her, then this Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to remedy that! Here are 10 ways to make Mother’s Day truly special for your Mom. After all, that smile on her face is what you want to see!

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1. No-chores Day

There are few things mothers appreciate more than a day to just relax and not have to cook or clean! Ensure a day where she doesn’t have to do anything, not even make a cup of tea! Enlist the help of your Dad and siblings along with your maid and make sure the house is spick and span and all the chores are taken care of. Let her put her feet up and relax thoroughly!

2. Shopping Trip

Who doesn’t love shopping!! Take your Mom and sisters or sisters-in-law for a fun day at the mall or exclusive boutiques, if that’s your Mom’s style. Get her a new wardrobe complete with accessories and shoes. Don’t make it too tiring though, and include plenty of time for rest and refreshment.

3. Sightseeing Tour

Take your Mom along for a day trip near your city, or to a place you lived in as a child. Walk through town and look at how the buildings have changed. Depending upon your Mom’s interests, you can also visit a beach, museum or even a fair. Be sure to take along water, snacks and schedule frequent rest stops.

4. Favorite TV Show Reruns

This is perfect if your Mom is more of a homebody. Get DVDs of her favorite TV show and spend the day binge watching them. Get her favorite snacks and beverages ready in advance, and hire the maid to do all the housework, so she can focus on enjoying. To make it nostalgic, get your siblings and watch a show your family enjoyed when you were kids.

5. Spa Day

There is not going to be any Mom who’ll say no to day of pampering! Book a spa day for the two of you, and get the whole package – facial, manicure, pedicure, massage – the works. You’ll both emerge feeling fresh and happy – a great way to get rid of accumulated daily stress! You might have to book in advance, so call and find out.

6. Family Party

If your siblings are scattered around and don’t meet up often, why not do it now! Arrange for a surprise party at your Mom’s place and turn up with all her kids and grandkids. She’ll be sure to have a blast!! Alternately, one of you take her out for some time, while the others can quickly decorate the place and get it ready by the time you’re back. Be sure to take lots and lots of pictures!!

As you see, you don’t need to be a millionaire to make your Mom happy! Just a few well thought out gestures and some advance planning can go a long way in delighting her and creating beautiful new memories for the whole family. You know that she’s worth all it and more and her happiness means the world to you! As Honore de Balzac says,

“A mother's happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories”