In the real world, most men do not do housework. While studies from the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan confirm that this generation of couples do half the amount of housework their parents did, most of those chores are still shouldered by women. Is there a way to prevent everyday skirmishes over home-front responsibilities from escalating into full-scale wars, and still get him to put the dishes in the dishwasher? Let's look at both sides of the problem:
Her Side: “I'm tired of doing all of it all the time.” “It's the psychic energy that is so draining. I have to be responsible for things even if I'm not in charge of them!” “How come he can fix a car engine but can't figure out how to put the toilet paper on the roll?”
His Side: “When I do the grocery shopping, she says I buy the wrong tomato sauces, and then yells at me,” “She'll find one spot of food on the pot and yell, 'Is this what you call clean?'” “The fact is that I can't remember to put my socks in the hamper is not a personal attack against her. I just.... forget.”
Even the best counselors don't have a foolproof recipe for success on this one. But here are a few suggestions:
1. Figure out exactly what needs to be done and who's doing it. Keep a log of everything for a week down to the minute details: Who walked the dog, who did the laundry, who folded the clothes, who took the car in for repair, and so on. It could well be that a spouse is doing more than you gave him or her credit for. In that case, make a point of appreciating each other's efforts. By not taking chores, large or small, for granted, you create a spiral of appreciation that, in time, can erase resentment.
2. Train your kids. Instead of fostering helplessness in the next generation, make sure that your children, boys as well as girls, grow up believing that sharing the physical as well as the emotional chores at home is just what considerate people do.
3. Let go. Sometimes, when it comes to housework and children, women are their own worst enemies. You asked Daddy to dress the baby and the kid comes out with a top and a bottom that does not match? Who cares? You wanted him to do the shopping? Then let him do it his way. The principle here is simple: If you give up responsibility for a chore, you have to give up control over it, too. Besides, some things just aren't worth quibbling over.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Best GYM Machines
When you step into the gym for the first time, it can be overwhelming to see the variety of machines for you to choose from. How do you tell which machine is the best one to meet your needs? The smartest thing to do is to ask an employee or arrange for a one-time session with one of the gym’s personal trainers so that you can walk around and get a feel for the gym and understand the purpose of each machine. Using exercise machines as part of your regular workout schedule can be a fantastic way to mix things up and challenge your muscles so they don’t get accustomed to the same thing. You can also use machines like rowers and treadmills to get in your aerobic exercise and cut down on stress on the joints.
Despite the excess of workout machines at the gym, there are a few machines that stand out from the crowd. These machines allow you to burn more calories and fat while strengthening and shaping your muscles, and go above and beyond the performance of many others. If you’re unfamiliar with these machines, ask a trainer to demonstrate for you at the gym. Most of these aren’t complex so you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to use them. Use one or more of these machines in your workout program two to three times per week and be amazed at the change in your body.
Treadmill:
Perhaps the king of all gym machines, the treadmill is so much more than just a walking machine. Most of the latest models come with features like incline adjustment, arm tools and more to help maximize your workout time. A digital panel at the front will tell you important information like completed distance, calories burned and other facts. Many treadmills offer preplanned computerized workouts for you to choose from. The best of these is a workout that challenges you by changing the incline, speed and stride at different intervals throughout the workout. Using one of these treadmills can increase your calorie burn up to twice what a normal walking workout would burn. Vary the routine by adding your own arm movements when possible. Raise arms overhead up and down to the pace of your walk or reach forward with alternating arms. This can boost your heart rate higher and increase your total calorie burn.
Lateral Pulldown:
One of the best weight machines in the gym today, the lateral pulldown machine works your arms, core and back in one simple movement. Stand at the front of the machine with your feet about shoulder width apart and a handle in each hand. Slowly bring your arms backward as the weights pull on the bands. Do not let your arms go back further than your shoulders or else you risk injury. Slowly pull the bands forward and down as you feel the effort in your back muscles and core. Repeat for 3 sets of 20 repetitions. Be sure that the weight is manageable and ask for help if not. Lat pulldowns can seriously shape up your back and core with just three workouts throughout the week. Your calorie burn is modest but as you replace more fat with muscle, your daily metabolic rate will rise since muscle requires more fuel than fat.
Rowing Machine:
Don’t overlook this humble piece of equipment that looks a little bit like training apparatus for beginning skiers. The rowing machine can powerfully develop your back, arms, legs, and core with just four workouts during the week. As you position yourself in the seat, make sure you sit erect and keep your abdominal muscles tight. Grasp the handles and pull back at the same time you push off with your legs. Maintain good posture during your workout to burn more calories. Keep rowing for twenty to thirty minutes (depending on your fitness level) and make sure to stretch your entire body after the workout. Use the rower three to four times a week and you’ll begin to see major changes within your body in just a few weeks.
Despite the excess of workout machines at the gym, there are a few machines that stand out from the crowd. These machines allow you to burn more calories and fat while strengthening and shaping your muscles, and go above and beyond the performance of many others. If you’re unfamiliar with these machines, ask a trainer to demonstrate for you at the gym. Most of these aren’t complex so you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to use them. Use one or more of these machines in your workout program two to three times per week and be amazed at the change in your body.
Treadmill:
Perhaps the king of all gym machines, the treadmill is so much more than just a walking machine. Most of the latest models come with features like incline adjustment, arm tools and more to help maximize your workout time. A digital panel at the front will tell you important information like completed distance, calories burned and other facts. Many treadmills offer preplanned computerized workouts for you to choose from. The best of these is a workout that challenges you by changing the incline, speed and stride at different intervals throughout the workout. Using one of these treadmills can increase your calorie burn up to twice what a normal walking workout would burn. Vary the routine by adding your own arm movements when possible. Raise arms overhead up and down to the pace of your walk or reach forward with alternating arms. This can boost your heart rate higher and increase your total calorie burn.
Lateral Pulldown:
One of the best weight machines in the gym today, the lateral pulldown machine works your arms, core and back in one simple movement. Stand at the front of the machine with your feet about shoulder width apart and a handle in each hand. Slowly bring your arms backward as the weights pull on the bands. Do not let your arms go back further than your shoulders or else you risk injury. Slowly pull the bands forward and down as you feel the effort in your back muscles and core. Repeat for 3 sets of 20 repetitions. Be sure that the weight is manageable and ask for help if not. Lat pulldowns can seriously shape up your back and core with just three workouts throughout the week. Your calorie burn is modest but as you replace more fat with muscle, your daily metabolic rate will rise since muscle requires more fuel than fat.
Rowing Machine:
Don’t overlook this humble piece of equipment that looks a little bit like training apparatus for beginning skiers. The rowing machine can powerfully develop your back, arms, legs, and core with just four workouts during the week. As you position yourself in the seat, make sure you sit erect and keep your abdominal muscles tight. Grasp the handles and pull back at the same time you push off with your legs. Maintain good posture during your workout to burn more calories. Keep rowing for twenty to thirty minutes (depending on your fitness level) and make sure to stretch your entire body after the workout. Use the rower three to four times a week and you’ll begin to see major changes within your body in just a few weeks.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Great Indian Snacks
Greater Indian Snacks
Fun at Food
Fun at Food
Bread Bajee
Ingredients :
Bread - 8slices
Besan Flour - 2cups
Water - 2cups
Salt - 1tsp
Chilly powder - 2tsp
Asafoetida powder - a pinch
Soda powder or yeast - a pinch
Oil - 11/2cup
Method :
Make a thick batter by mixing all the ingredients, except bread and oil. Cut each slice of bread into 4 pieces. Heat oil in a pan. Dip the bread pieces in the batter and immediately fry it into the oil. Fry until light brown. Serve hot with tomato sauce.
Bread Vada
Ingredients :
Bread slices - 4nos
Yogurt - 1/2cup
Finely chopped carrot - 1no
Chopped green chillies - 3nos
Finely chopped onion - 1no
Rice powder - 1cup
Soda powder - 1/4tsp
Chopped coriander leaves - a handful
Method :
Remove the edges of the bread and grind it to a powder. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Shape into flat round balls with a small
hole in the middle and deep fry in hot oil.
Bread Bonda
Ingredients :
Bread - 8slices
Besan Flour - 2cups
Water - 2cups
Salt - 1tsp
Chilly powder - 2tsp
Asafoetida powder - a pinch
Soda powder or yeast - a pinch
Oil - 11/2cup
Method :
Make a thick batter by mixing all the ingredients, except bread and oil. Cut each slice of bread into 4 pieces. Heat oil in a pan. Dip the bread pieces in the batter and immediately fry it into the oil. Fry until light brown. Serve hot with tomato sauce.
Bread Vada
Ingredients :
Bread slices - 4nos
Yogurt - 1/2cup
Finely chopped carrot - 1no
Chopped green chillies - 3nos
Finely chopped onion - 1no
Rice powder - 1cup
Soda powder - 1/4tsp
Chopped coriander leaves - a handful
Method :
Remove the edges of the bread and grind it to a powder. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Shape into flat round balls with a small
hole in the middle and deep fry in hot oil.
Bread Bonda
Ingredients :
Bread - 8slices
Potatoes - 4nos
Mustard - 1tsp
White gram dal (urud dal) - 1tsp
Thinly sliced onion - 3nos
Finely chopped ginger - 1tsp
Finely chopped green chilly - 6nos
Curry leaves - 1sprig
Salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Bread - 8slices
Potatoes - 4nos
Mustard - 1tsp
White gram dal (urud dal) - 1tsp
Thinly sliced onion - 3nos
Finely chopped ginger - 1tsp
Finely chopped green chilly - 6nos
Curry leaves - 1sprig
Salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Method :
Steam the potatoes. Peel the skin and smash it. Heat 2dsp of oil in a pan and season the 3rd ingredients. Add the 4th ingredients in
it and sauté well. When the onion becomes reddish brown, add the potatoes, salt and turmeric powder. Mix well and remove from
fire. Make small balls with it.
Remove the roasted portions (edges) of the bread. Soak the bread piece in water and squeeze. Cover the potato balls with the bread pieces and fry in the oil until reddish brown. Serve with chutney.
Breadfruit Bajee
Ingredients :
Breadfruit (small) - 1
Refined flour (maida) - 1cup
Coconut oil - 200gm
Chopped small onion - 50gm
Chopped green Chilly - 6nos
Chopped ginger - a small piece
Chopped curry leaves - 4sprigs
Salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Asafetida powder - 1/4tsp
Method :
Remove the skin of the breadfruit and cut it lengthwise into thin slices. Make a batter with the flour, salt, turmeric, asafoetida powder and enough water. Add chopped onion, chilly, ginger and curry leaves in it. Mix it well.
Heat oil in a pan. Fry the breadfruit pieces in the oil, after dipping it in the batter. Serve hot.
Soda Bread
Steam the potatoes. Peel the skin and smash it. Heat 2dsp of oil in a pan and season the 3rd ingredients. Add the 4th ingredients in
it and sauté well. When the onion becomes reddish brown, add the potatoes, salt and turmeric powder. Mix well and remove from
fire. Make small balls with it.
Remove the roasted portions (edges) of the bread. Soak the bread piece in water and squeeze. Cover the potato balls with the bread pieces and fry in the oil until reddish brown. Serve with chutney.
Breadfruit Bajee
Ingredients :
Breadfruit (small) - 1
Refined flour (maida) - 1cup
Coconut oil - 200gm
Chopped small onion - 50gm
Chopped green Chilly - 6nos
Chopped ginger - a small piece
Chopped curry leaves - 4sprigs
Salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Asafetida powder - 1/4tsp
Method :
Remove the skin of the breadfruit and cut it lengthwise into thin slices. Make a batter with the flour, salt, turmeric, asafoetida powder and enough water. Add chopped onion, chilly, ginger and curry leaves in it. Mix it well.
Heat oil in a pan. Fry the breadfruit pieces in the oil, after dipping it in the batter. Serve hot.
Soda Bread
Ingredients:
· Flour - 2 cups
· Salt - 1/2 tsp
· Curds - 1/2 cup
· Butter -2 tsp
· Sugar-1 tbs
· Baking soda-1/4 tsp
· Flour - 2 cups
· Salt - 1/2 tsp
· Curds - 1/2 cup
· Butter -2 tsp
· Sugar-1 tbs
· Baking soda-1/4 tsp
Method:
Rub the butter into the flour with the salt and sugar. Put the baking soda in the curds and pour it into the flour, knead to
a soft dough adding more curds or water if necessary. Divide it into 2 balls, flatten them to 2 inch thickness, place them
on a in-greased tin and bake (350 degrees) till a golden crust is formed on top. Split them while hot and spread
butter and jam.
Rub the butter into the flour with the salt and sugar. Put the baking soda in the curds and pour it into the flour, knead to
a soft dough adding more curds or water if necessary. Divide it into 2 balls, flatten them to 2 inch thickness, place them
on a in-greased tin and bake (350 degrees) till a golden crust is formed on top. Split them while hot and spread
butter and jam.
Double Ka Meetha
Double Ka Meetha was one of the Hyderabadi Desserts without which a traditional Hyderabadi Wedding Dinner was deemed to be incomplete. Lately'Khoobani(apricot) Ka Meetha' has taken over this dish. (sometime later i will post the recipe for 'Koobani Ka Meetha' too)
Ingredients:
· 1 loaf bread (small)
· 1 litre milk
· 500 gms sugar
· 250 gms double cream
· 250 gms clarified butter
· 100 gms chopped and roasted cashewnuts
· 100 gms almonds (soaked and chopped fine)
· 100 gms raisins
· 10 gm saffron
· 5 cardamoms, powdered
Method:
1. Cut each bread slice into four pieces. Fry them in clarified butter till golden brown.
2. Make a sugar syrup by adding half a litre of water to the sugar and boil it for 15 minutes. Add the powdered cardamom and the saffron dissolved in milk to the sugar syrup. Boil milk until it is thickened.
3. Arrange the fried bread pieces on a flat tray and sprinkle the chopped nuts on them. Pour the sugar syrup, double cream and milk alternately over the bread pieces while they are still hot.
4. Refrigerate and serve as dessert.
Double Ka Meetha was one of the Hyderabadi Desserts without which a traditional Hyderabadi Wedding Dinner was deemed to be incomplete. Lately'Khoobani(apricot) Ka Meetha' has taken over this dish. (sometime later i will post the recipe for 'Koobani Ka Meetha' too)
Ingredients:
· 1 loaf bread (small)
· 1 litre milk
· 500 gms sugar
· 250 gms double cream
· 250 gms clarified butter
· 100 gms chopped and roasted cashewnuts
· 100 gms almonds (soaked and chopped fine)
· 100 gms raisins
· 10 gm saffron
· 5 cardamoms, powdered
Method:
1. Cut each bread slice into four pieces. Fry them in clarified butter till golden brown.
2. Make a sugar syrup by adding half a litre of water to the sugar and boil it for 15 minutes. Add the powdered cardamom and the saffron dissolved in milk to the sugar syrup. Boil milk until it is thickened.
3. Arrange the fried bread pieces on a flat tray and sprinkle the chopped nuts on them. Pour the sugar syrup, double cream and milk alternately over the bread pieces while they are still hot.
4. Refrigerate and serve as dessert.
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