Easy Fried Rice!!!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons oil

2 large eggs, lightly beaten 

½ cup diced onion

½ cup diced carrots

½ cup diced french beans

½ cup diced bell pepper

1 cup chopped cooked meat, poultry, or shrimp

½ cup frozen sweet green peas

3 cups cooked rice

¼ cup soy sauce

1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce  

Sliced spring onions (optional)

Chopped almonds (optional)

Any other vegetables that you may like (Specially for vegetarians)

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add eggs, and gently stir 1 minute or until softly scrambled. Rremove eggs from skillet; chop and set aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in skillet; add all vegetables, and stir-fry 3 minutes. Add chopped cooked meat, poultry, or shrimp and peas; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add rice, soy sauce, and chili-garlic sauce; stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir in scrambled eggs; sprinkle with green onions and almonds, if desired.

~~SRK~~

12 Food Rules from Michael Pollan!!!

Know What’s in Your Food
Tired of complicated diets and looking for a few, easy rules for food? Author Michael Pollan’s new book, Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual, breaks down the science into bite-size, easy-to-remember guidance. Diets low in vegetables and high in processed foods, meats, refined grains and added sugar and fats are associated with “Western diseases” of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, Pollan writes. Getting off that diet, he argues, can reverse those effects. In addition to adding extra sugar, fat and salt, Pollan says that processing food can reduce its nutritional content, expose you to potential toxins in its packaging and make food easier to absorb, leading you to eat more than you need. “Most of these items don’t deserve to be called food—I call them edible food-like substances,” he writes. His conclusion: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” We’ve selected a dozen of our favorite Pollan rules—he suggests thinking of them as your “personal policies”—about what and how to eat.


Would Grandma Recognize It?
Are you eating food, or what Pollan would call a “foodish product”? Just a few generations ago, our ancestors didn’t eat food that was engineered in a lab to have an eternal shelf life. Nor were their diets based on highly processed foods containing extra helpings of sweet, salty and fattening ingredients—ones that humans naturally crave and often consume to excess, leading to obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. As much as you can, buy food that exists in nature. It’ll contain the nutrients you need, and you’ll be unlikely to overeat it.


Look for Sugar by Every Other Name
Avoid packaged foods that have sugar listed among the top three ingredients, because it’s a sign that the food is highly processed. Pollan suggests looking for these sugary iterations (there are 40 forms used in processed foods): He lists barley malt, beet sugar, brown rice syrup, cane juice, corn sweetener, dextrin, dextrose, fructo-oligosaccharides, fruit juice concentrate, glucose, sucrose, invert sugar, polydextrose and turbinado sugar among the offenders. Even though some names look friendlier than others, any of them in high amounts—that is, among the first three ingredients—aren’t going to be healthy. Pollan simply says, “Sugar is sugar.”


Avoid Products That Make Health Claims
When was the last time you saw broccoli bragging about itself? (Dana Carvey singing “Choppin’ Broccoli” on Saturday Night Live reruns doesn’t count.) Think of plant-based foods as quietly confident. The only foods that boast are ones that come in packages, Pollan argues, and those are the processed foods you should avoid. “Don’t take the silence of the yams,” Pollan writes, “as a sign they have nothing valuable to say about your health.”


Stick to the Sides of the Supermarket
You’ve probably picked up on the fact that most supermarkets stock produce, meat, fish and dairy in the outer aisles. Stay there and you won’t be tempted to pick up the “immortal food-like substances” (again, processed foods) that Pollan notes are typically found in the middle aisles. Still, engineered foods such as high-fructose corn syrup—a common sweetener and preservative that some argue is responsible for the obesity epidemic by making sweet, calorie-packed foods cheaper to produce and buy—sometimes make an appearance along the supermarket periphery if they’re added to flavored yogurt or other dairy products, so read the labels.


Eat the Leaves
Maybe you’ve heard about the benefits of leafy greens? These veggies are chock-full of good-for-you vitamins B, C and K, as well as calcium, iron and fiber. What’s more, Pollan notes, vegetables are less “energy dense” than other foods. (Translation: They have fewer calories.) Vegetarians tend to live longer than meat eaters, and folks who eat fewer calories have fewer chronic diseases, he writes. A complementary rule, Pollan notes, is to eat “your colors” to ensure that you get the nutrition you need: the reds, yellows and greens of produce reflect the antioxidants (disease-fighting chemicals) they contain. Look for greens such as spinach, chard, bok choy, kale and lettuce, and other colorful veggies like carrots, tomatoes and red sweet peppers.


Save Meat for Special Occasions
We all love meat: Most of us eat it in two or three meals every day, Pollan writes. But red meat has been linked to heart disease and cancer, possibly because of its saturated fat content and tendency to form carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) when it’s cooked at high temperatures. (Another explanation: People who eat meat may eat fewer veggies that protect against disease.) You don’t have to eliminate meat altogether: so-called “flexitarians”—folks who eat meat once or twice a week—are as healthy as vegetarians.


Don’t Overlook the Oily Little Fish
Sold on boosting the amount of plants in your diet? Be sure to add some variety—and protein—with heart-healthy fish. Mackerel, sardines and anchovies all are bursting with omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a healthy heart and haven’t been overfished, Pollan writes. Omega-3s are associated with lower blood pressure and heart rate, and they promote brain development in fetuses. Pollan recommends staying away from tuna, swordfish and shark, all of which are threatened with extinction because they’ve been so commercialized. Swordfish, shark and canned white and albacore tuna also tend to have higher amounts of mercury, which can cause nervous system damage in developing fetuses and young children.


Have a Glass of Wine with Dinner
Here’s a rule you can toast to: Regular imbibers live longer and have less heart disease than those who never touch alcohol, Pollan writes. Any type of alcohol in moderation reduces the risk of heart disease, but the ingredients in red wine, like tannins and the compound resveratrol, may be especially protective by preventing blood-vessel damage, blood clots and production of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. But drinking regularly in moderation is healthier than bingeing on the weekend, Pollan notes. Limit yourself to one a day if you’re a woman and no more than two if you’re a man.


Stop Eating Before You’re Full
Pollan draws some of his rules from recommendations he solicited from more than 2,500 New York Times readers that have been passed down through cultural traditions. Many cultures, he found, recommend putting down your fork before you need to unbutton your pants. Whether it’s eating until you’re two-thirds sated, as recommended by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, or stopping when you feel 80 percent full, as they do in Japan, you’ll moderate your consumption by allowing your brain—which is about 20 minutes behind your stomach—to realize you’re sated.


Eat Only When You’re Hungry
Some people refer to this as “mindful eating.” Instead of being prompted to eat by visual temptations, emotional cues such as depression or boredom or as a reward, listen to what your stomach’s telling you (a companion Pollan rule is “consult your gut”). Ask yourself if you’re truly hungry, or if the urge to eat is being driven by something else, Pollan says.


Eat Slowly
By giving yourself time to savor your food, you’ll be aware of how full you are before you overeat (it’s about that 20-minute concept again). Two more Pollan rules provide strategies for slowing down: Spend as much time enjoying the meal as it took to prepare it, and try not to eat alone. Company makes eating a communal experience, and you’re apt to eat less when you’re with others because more is going on at the table than food consumption.


Eat Small Portions and Skip Seconds
Our idea of a healthy portion has evolved along with supersizes that promise us more for our money at supermarkets and restaurants. Research shows we’ll eat more than we intend to if the food is in front of us. Pollan offers a few simple tricks to figure out a healthy portion, including: Choose a piece of meat that’s no bigger than the size of your fist, and be sure a full meal is no larger than the size of your hands cupped together.


---- Plagiarized by SRK------

30 Ways to Clean Naturally!!!!!

Ketchup: Shine Your Copper
How to do it: Apply the ketchup to a rag and rub onto tarnished copper or brass cookware. Let sit for a minute, and then buff clean and rinse. The acidity of the ketchup will help lift and remove tarnish and return pots to their shiny state


Vodka: Keep Aphids Away
How to do it: Don’t let little aphids torture your houseplants. Wipe down plans with a water-soaked cloth. Next, soak a cotton ball in vodka (not the good stuff—save that for your martini). Gently dab leaves with the vodka for an aphid-free plant.


Apple Peels: Clean Discolored Aluminum Saucepans
How to do it: Start by peeling two apples. Place the peels in the saucepan and add enough water to cover the peels. Bring the water and peels to boil for several minutes until the stain begins to lift. Turn off the pot and let the water cool. Discard the water and peels, dry the pan and voila!


Leftover Wine: Keep Fruit Flies Away
How to do it: Fill a wine bottle or other narrow-necked bottle with two inches of wine. Add three drops of liquid dish soap. Create a funnels out of paper, leaving a small hole at the tip. Secure funnel seam with tape, and tape it to the top of the bottle. Leave it where you notice the fruit flies and it will quickly decrease their numbers!


Mayonnaise: Remove Crayon from Wood Furniture
How to do it: Sure, the thought of slathering your household wares with mayonnaise may be less than appealing, but some people swear by it. Did your tot get a little carried away while coloring? Remove crayon marks from wood furniture by rubbing a dab of mayo on the mark. Let it sit for five minutes and wipe it away with a damp cloth.


Oil and Lemon Juice: Shine Your Wood Furniture
How to do it: Mix oil and lemon juice two parts to one and use the solution to give furniture an extra polish.


Vinegar: Clean the Microwave
How to do it: Combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup distilled vinegar in a microwave-safe mug or bowl. Microwave for two minutes and wipe clean. The vinegar helps to lift baked-on food and stains.


Salt: Clean a Glass Coffeepot
How to do it: Fill the coffeepot with 1/4 cup table salt and a dozen ice cubes. Swish the mixture around, let it sit for half an hour, fill it with cold water and rinse.


Salt and Vinegar: Clean Tarnished Copper
How to do it: Fill a 16-ounce spray bottle with hot white vinegar and three tablespoons of salt. Spray it onto the copper, let it sit briefly, and then rub clean. (Don’t do this to lacquered copper.)


Salt: Pick Up a Dropped Egg
How to do it: If an egg breaks on the kitchen floor, sprinkle salt on the mess and leave it there for 20 minutes. You’ll be able to wipe it right up.


Salt and Lemon Juice: Clean Brass and Pewter
How to do it: Sprinkle salt on to the cut side of half a lemon. Rub down the metal, rinse and buff dry. The same process can also be used to remove rust stains.


Salt and Rubbing Alcohol: Clean Up a Grease Stain
How to do it: Got a grease stain on your favorite carpet? Try this! Mix salt and rubbing alcohol one part to four. Rub into the stain, going the same direction as the nap of the carpet. Let dry and vacuum up excess salt.


Salt: Treat Red Wine Stains
How to do it: Blot fabric or carpet to remove excess wine. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.


Baking Soda: Clean Children’s Toys Safely
How to do it: Combine four tablespoons baking soda with one quart of water. Use the solution to wipe off toys.


Baking Soda: Clean Bathroom Grout
How to do it: Make a paste of water and baking soda. Using a small brush or toothbrush, rub the paste onto stained or dirty grout. Let sit for three minutes and rinse.


Baking Soda: Clean the Dishwasher
How to do it: If your dishwasher has a funky scent, try this: Empty all dishes. Clean out the food filter. Next, fill the detergent well with baking soda and run on empty.


Salt: Drip-Proof Your Candles
How to do it: Everyone loves the soft glow of candlelight—but not the icky stains they can leave behind when they drip on your favorite tablecloth. To prevent this, soak candles in a saltwater solution for several hours and dry thoroughly before lighting.


Baking Soda: Clean and Deodorize the Refrigerator
How to do it: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub down the inside of your refrigerator. Rinse the sponge and wipe down with fresh water.


Vinegar: Remove Gunk from Base of Faucets
How to do it: Soak a towel or paper towel with white vinegar. Wrap around the base of the faucet and let sit for 25 minutes. Remove towels and wipe clean.


Vinegar: Remove Stickers, Labels and Price Tags
How to do it: Soak a cloth in vinegar and press to sticker for several minutes. Lift and the sticker should peel easily away.


Vinegar: Remove Mineral Deposits from Shower Heads
How to do it: Heat white vinegar in large pot, but do not boil. Place showerhead in pot and allow it to soak for one hour. Remove and rinse.


Cornmeal: Remove Dust from Silk Flowers
How to do it: Place one large paper grocery bag inside another. Place flowers inside and add two handfuls of coarsely ground cornmeal. Close bags tightly and shake vigorously.


Vinegar: Wash the Windows
How to do it: Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and go to town!


Baking Soda: Clean Baked-On Oven Spills
How to do it: Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Apply to the spill and let sit overnight. Wipe clean with a wet sponge.


Baking Soda and Vinegar: Unclog the Drain
How to do it: Sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Chase with 1/2 cup vinegar and close drain (or try covering with this universal drain stop). Let the fizzing baking soda break up the clog for 15 minutes and flush with hot water.


Toothpaste: Nix Stubborn Water Rings from Wood Furniture
How to do it: With a slightly damp, soft cloth, rub a pea-sized amount of toothpaste into the stain. Wipe off excess paste with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.


Mayonnaise: Clean Yellowed, Dull Piano Keys
How to do it: Apply a small amount of mayonnaise to the keys. Wait two to three minutes. Wipe off and buff with a soft, clean cloth.


Tea Tree Oil: Disinfect Your Counters
How to do it: Combine 15 drops of the essential oil with one quart of water in a spray bottle. Use as you would any disinfectant.


Toothpaste: Remove Scratches from Acrylic Home Decor
How to do it: Buff a pea-sized amount of toothpaste into the scratches until they begin to fade. Wipe clean.


Vegetable Oil: Prevent Rattan and Wicker Furniture from Cracking
How to do it: Use a soft, clean cloth to apply a coating of vegetable oil to furniture. Wipe off any excess for shiny, beautiful furniture.


Lemon Juice: Disinfect and Clean a Cutting Board
How to do it: Scrub the cut side of a lemon along the board. Let sit for 20 minutes and rinse with hot water.


-Sajitha

Banana Walnut Muffins (Eggless)

 Makes 12 small sized muffins







Ingredients:
Wheat Flour (Maida): 1 cup
Meetha Soda (Baking Soda): 1/2 tsp
Baking Powder: 1/2 tsp
Ripe Bananas: 2
Butter: 1 cup
Powdered Sugar: 1 cup
Chopped Walnuts: 1/2 cup (100 gm)

Method:
1. Make a dry mix of maida,soda and baking powder and keep aside.
2. Beat 1 cup butter and powdered sugar and keep aside.
3. Mash the banana's well.
4. Add Chopped walnuts and butter mix to the mashed bananas.
5. Slowly add the wet mix to the dry. Beat well.
6. Grease a muffin tray and sprinkle with dry maida.
7. Evenly distribute the batter in the muffin tray.
8. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 C for 20 minutes.
9. Muffins are ready!!

Caution: Take out the muffin tray and allow to cool before tasting ;P

Tips:
If batter seems to thick, add 1/4 cup milk.

(P.S. This is Mummy's Recipe which I have tried about 4-5 times - All in the US :))

HASH Friendship Recipe:)

Best prepared with love!


Ingredients:
7 hearts full of love n feeling...
Neha like sturdy shoulders...
Sam like listening ears...
Sangha like responding soul...
Yo like Never-ending supply of kind words...
Ranjful Ebullience....
Sajlike never say die attitude...
Khusbuish charisma n commitment...
Loadsa fun n giggles...
A large supply of beary hugs n kisses...


Preparation:
Get out the biggest bowl you can find. Add together the 7 whole cups of love.
Sometimes in preparation of a friendship, tears may fall.This is where sturdy shoulders and the listening ear comes in handy. Sit back, shoulders ready for your friend to lay his/her head upon, and listen.


The warm gregarious hearts with time creates a friendship pull so strong that you feel as if there is no comparison to any other feeling you may have for someone else. Then the responding soul comes in.... In a true friendship, the soul will respond as if you and your friend are one. Add laughter, giggles, and tears to the above ingredients, and you are in for a special treat that so few people know how to make.


Finally add kind words and commitment. Mix all of these ingredients together with ebullience, and HASH promises you a wonderful, eternal friendship. And with this will come all the hugs and kisses that you will ever need. You simply have to ask. Or, if the friendship is really mixed well, you may never have to ask. It will be a given.


This recipes sure gonna last 4 a lifetime!!!!