Toxic cookware.......Beware!

Since its debut, Teflon coated cookware has increased in popularity in kitchens worldwide. With good reason - this handy non-stick coating is simply a dream. Easy to cook on and easy to clean!

Teflon has literally revolutionized the manufacture of cookware. Even the worst of kitchen disasters cleans up in a jiffy when cooking on Teflon. One would be hard pressed to find any kitchen that did not have at least one Teflon coated piece of cookware. Teflon has become the way of the world.

Like many scientific breakthroughs, Teflon was accidentally discovered over 70 years ago by a scientist employed by DuPont.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts that DuPont has purposely withheld health hazardous information regarding Teflon since the early 1980’s. Peflourooanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical used to produce Teflon, has been appearing in blood samples of people world wide. DuPont, slapped with approximately 300 million dollars in fines, has agreed to pay a 108 million dollar lawsuit brought about by residents near one of its company plants as elevated levels of PFOA’s have been found in surrounding drinking water supplies.

According to risk assessments by the EPA, PFOA’s present significant developmental and reproductive risks in humans with the use of Teflon:

An increased rate of birth defects has been found in mothers working at DuPont. The company’s response was to move female employees to other sections of the plant in an effort to reduce their exposure to PFOA’s.

The chemical coating that we have all come to benignly cook on is also used in fire fighting foam and phone cables.

Variants of FPOA’s are used to make the coating on stain resistant carpets and flame retardants for clothing and computers.

Teflon can also be found in nail polish removers, eyeglasses, and as lining in pizza boxes.

PFOA’s do not break down in the environment anytime soon, causing forever pollution. According to Tim Kropp, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group, if all future exposure is cut off, it would take the body at least 20 years to detoxify Teflon chemicals. Finally, the EPA has recommended that PFOA be classified as a human carcinogen.

Be advised that Teflon is the trade name for a line of cookware. Other lines of non stick cookware that use the Teflon coating includes T-Fal, Greblon, Silverstone, Supra, and Excaliber. This is not a comprehensive list. Check before you buy.
Careful as we try to be, it inevitable that our Teflon pots and pans will endure scratches at some point. In fact, many are certain to have an old, bruised, battered, and scratched Teflon pan that has been part of the kitchen arsenal for years and years. Hardly a utensil that should be used for cooking. A utensil that delivers a dangerous toxic load with each meal it helps prepare. Given the fact that Teflon is typically used to cover aluminum pots and pans, we are experiencing yet a double chemical assault as explained below.

The bottom line - Teflon and its associated by-products are dangerous and pose a significant health hazard to all.

Other Cookware:

Aluminum Cookware - Aluminum cookware is not desirable due to the Alzheimer’s and aluminum toxicity connection. If you will notice, your aluminum foil has a dull side and a shiny side. The dull side is a protective coating that separates the aluminum foil from contact with your food. The shiny side is unprotected. Thus, the dull side should always surround food items. Canned goods now have an interior dull wax coating in an effort to keep food and aluminum separated from one another. Chewing gum wrappers are protected with a paper coating preventing contact with gum.

Glass Cookware - Older glass cookware sets come with a lead toxicity problem. However, improvements in manufacturing the past 10 years have eliminated this issue. Newer glass cookware is perfectly acceptable.

Ceramic Coated Cast-Iron Cookware - Ceramic coated cast iron or stoneware has proven benign as well.

Slim down juice

Ingredients:
5 carrots
1 apple
1/2 cucumber
1/2 beet
1 rib celery /mint leaf

Method:

Run the vegetables through your juicer in any sequence you wish.
Add a touch of fresh ginger, if you prefer a juice with more bite.

Indian spices uses & benefits

Asafoetida (Hing)

It is used for seasoning food especially snacks and has medicinal uses.
A good remedy for whooping cough and stomach ache caused due to gas.



Bay leaf (Tez Patta)

It is used in cooking to add a specific flavour to food. It also has some medicinal properties.
Bay leaf oil possesses antifungal and anti bacterial







Cardamom (Elaichi)

It is used in most of the Indian and other sweet dishes to give a good flavour and smell. It is also used widely in pharmaceutical sector.
Helps to control bad breath and digestive disorder. A whole cardamom chewed is good for coping with diabetes.



Chilli (Lal Mirch)

 It is a main ingredient used for adding hot flavour to the food.
 The antioxidants present in chilli help to cope with cholesterol. It also helps burning calories








Cinnamon (Dalchini)

 It is used for mainly for seasoning food and preparing masalas It has medicinal uses too.
 It supports natural production of insulin and reduces blood cholesterol




Clove (Laung)

It is used as a cooking ingredient mainly for seasoning or preparing Masalas.
Clove oil is beneficial for coping with tooth ache and sore gums.
It is also beneficial remedy for chest pains, fever, digestive problems, cough and cold.




Coriander (Dhaniya)

Coriander leaves as well as coriander seeds are used in cooking. It also has some medicinal uses.
 It can be used externally on aching joints and rheumatism.
It is also good for coping with soar throat, allergies, digestion problems, hay fever etc.





Cumin (Zeera)

 It is used for cooking and it also possesses medicinal properties.
 It is a good source or iron and keeps immune system healthy.
 Water boiled with cumin seeds is good for coping with dysentery.





Curry leaves(Curry Patta)

 It is used as a main ingredient for seasoning in some countries. It has many medicinal uses.
These leaves are beneficial for reducing blood sugar.
 Each part of the plant provides some benefit or the other.
The dried leaves are extensively used in herbal medicines.









Fenugreek (Methi)

It is mainly used as a green leafy vegetable and seeds are used for seasoning and preparing Masalas. It also has medicinal uses.
 Fenugreek seed tea or sweet fudge is good for increasing breast milk.
 It also helpful for treating diabetes and lowering cholesterol





Garlic (Lassan)

 It is used for cooking as well as for the medicinal purpose.
 It is useful for coping with cough and cold.
It also has antibiotic properties.





Ginger (Adrak)

 It is used for giving a specific flavour to food and has many medicinal uses.
 Helps to avoid digestive problems.
 It is beneficial for coping with cough and cold.





Mustard (Rye)

It is used for seasoning as well as green leafy vegetable. The use of mustard oil is extensive in India but it is banned in some countries.
Mustard oil is good for body massage and even for getting good hair.
 It consists of omega-3 fatty acids.
It is an excellent source of iron, zinc, manganese, calcium, protein etc.





Nutmeg (Jaiphal)

 It is used in powdered form for garnishing and also for masala preparation. It is used in soaps, perfumes and shampoos. It can also be used for medicinal purpose.
It is beneficial for the treatments of asthma, heart disorder and bad breath.





Pepper (Kaali Mirch)

It is extensively used in cooking, especially for garnishing. It is has many medicinal uses too.
 It helps coping with cold, cough, infections etc.
It helps to deal with muscle pains and digestive problems




Saffron (Zaffran/Kesar)

 It is used for cooking as well as in beauty products. It is mainly used in sweet dishes. It has good medicinal properties.
 It helps to cope with skin diseases.
 It is a good remedy for cough, cold and asthma.



Star anise (Chakra Phool)

 It is used in cooking and for medicinal purpose Star anise oil is beneficial for rheumatism.
 It is helpful for digestion and avoiding bad breath





Turmeric (Haldi)

It is used in cooking and skin care products. It has wide range medicinal uses.
 It helps deal with skin problems.
 Turmeric powder can be used for healing cuts and wounds.
It also makes coping with diabetes easier.

Vaangi bhath

INGREDIENTS

1 medium sized eggplant
coriander seeds
asafoetida
2-4 dried red chillis
urad dal
turmeric
cinnamon sticks.
basmati rice
shredded coconut
1 large lemon

METHOD

• Cook the rice. The usual way - but to get it dry, fluffy and light 
• Skin the eggplant and chop it into cubes; sprinkle lemon juice on the the cubes (+ some salt) and let sit for 30 mins or so. 
• In a large saucepan, heat some oil and when hot, toss the spices in and fry for 2-3 mts..  
• When the color had changed dark, use a slotted spoon and toss the contents into a plate lined with a paper napkin (this will drain out the oil sticking to the spices). 
• Add some oil to the pan and when hot, toss the coconut in and keep 
• stirring until the coconut becomes brown/golden. 
• Remove in a manner similar to the spices. 
• To the pan, add some oil and when hot, add the soaked eggplant cubes and stir. 
• Remove the eggplant and keep in a warm container. 
• In a blender (or coffee grinder), blend the spices and coconut until you have a powder. 
• In a pot, boil 1/4th cup water, lotsa lemon juice, 1/2 tsp turmeric and some salt. 
• Into the cooked rice, toss the contents of the pot and stir.  
• The rice should take on the color of the turmeric. 
• Now, add the contents of the blender.  
• The rice should take the color of the spice-mix and here and there, you can see a glimpse of the yellow turmeric color. 
• Squeeze lemon onto the eggplant; let sit for 1-2 mts; toss the eggplant into the rice and stir.

 Vangi bath is ready. Serve with yogurt raita/pachadi.

Bisi bele bhath

INGREDIENTS

1½ teacups washed toor dal.
1½ teacups uncooked washed white rice
100 grams (4 oz) cut beans
100 grams (4 oz) cut carrots
2 potatoes cut into cubes
2 green peppers cut into thin strips
2 tsps oil
1 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsps mustard
6 to 8 tsps tamarind water
Roasted peanuts (optional)
BisiBele bhath powder (Available at Indian grocery stores)
1 curry leaves
Salt to taste

Bisi bele bahath powder:

INGREDIENTS:

Coriander Seeds - 1 cup
Red Chillies - 4 cups
Chana Dal - 1/4 cup
Methi Seeds - 1 tsp
Cloves - 2 pcs
Cinnamon - 2 medium pcs
Poppy Seeds - 2 tsps
Dry coconut - as per taste
Elaichi - 2 pcs
Marathi Moggu - 2 pcs
Hing(asafoetida) - 1 small marble size(if it is solid) or 1/4 tsp(if powder)

METHOD
1. Roast cinnamon, marati moggu, cloves and cardamom in ghee. Roast the rest of them separately with some oil
2. Grind them together to a soft powder and store it in a air tight jar.

Recipe preparation:


Method:

1. Heat about 8 teacups of water in a vessel. When it starts boiling, add the oil, turmeric, washed toor dal. Cover the lid and cook for 7 to 8 mins. 
2. Add the washed rice and cook for another 5 mins. 
3. When the rice is almost cooked, add all the cut vegetables along with the bisibele bath powder and cook till the vegetables are done. Add more water if required. 
4. Add tamarind water, roasted peanuts and salt.  
5. Season mustard and curry leaves in 2 tsps oil. 
6. Remove the bisibele bath from flame and top it with the seasoning. 
7. The preparation should be semi-solidish.

Simple Palak paneer

Ingredients:

1 bunch of spinach trimmed, washed, steamed and blended
1 red onion, boiled in 4 tbsp. water and pureed/blended
1 green chillies chopped
2 cup paneer cubes fried
2 tablespoon ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon garlic minced
1 teaspoon ginger minced
salt to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tsp. Garam Masala
2 tablespoon cream or 1 tbsp. butter

Method:

1.  Boil the spinach along with green chilli ,and grind it after it cools down.
2.  Heat the ghee in a heavy-based pan. Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle. Add the garlic and ginger   and green chili. Add the onion paste and cook till the onion starts browning.
3. Add the chopped spinach puree, salt and mix well. Add 4 tbsp. water to 1/2 cup water or more and bring to a boil. Add the deep fried cottage cheese cubes and stir to mix gently. Mix in the lemon juice and garam masala. Simmer on low for 20 minutes. Put off the heat and mix in the cream or 1 tbsp butter.

How to select good men's shoes

How to Recognize Well-Made Shoes

Shoes are a very important part of men's wardrobe and say a lot about your sense of style. Well made shoes signal your attention to detail and your appreciation of quality. You can recognize quality shoes by these 4 main elements:
 Leather,
Stitching,
Soles and
 Lining.

Leather:
The quality of the shoe's leather is the most important aspect of a great looking shoe. Good leather is smooth, pliable, and resilient, has a consistent grain and feels nice to touch. Look closely at the feel and the look of the leather before you buy.

Stitching: Stitching should be hidden, unless it is there for decoration purposes. The best quality shoes have stitching that is completely concealed. Exposed stitching signifies poor craftsmanship.

Soles: The soles of shoes should be made of leather and should be attached to the shoe with stitching and not glued. Leather sole thicknesses are different depending on the style of the shoe. The thickness and style shoe you choose depends on personal preference. Good soles are not totally black and if you find a pair that is, check for imperfections it could be painted black to hide flaws.
Lining: Good shoes are lined with high quality calfskin that folds smoothly into the shoe.

How to select jeans for mens

Men – What Jeans Best Suit Your Body Type?

If you’re like most men you haven’t given any thought to how jeans fit or how they make you look; you probably buy for comfort or you buy whatever is easiest. Jeans, like any other clothing item can make or break your look. Jeans can make you look ragged and unkempt or sexy and stylish. Which would you rather? Here’s a look at what jeans best suit your body type:


Tall and Lean:

The tall and lean man looks best in straight –cut jeans with a flat front. Straight- cut jeans sit at the natural waistline and are slim through the seat and thighs. This is a classic style and is easy to dress-up. For the tall, lean man with wider hips the boot cut is another option.
















Athletic

The athletic or muscular man looks best in wide-leg jeans. Wide leg jeans will show off a muscular physique because they balance the bulk of the upper body. Wide leg jeans sit at the natural waistline and the seat and thighs have a loose fit. They have a straight and slightly narrowed from the thigh to ankle and are loose through the leg.














Heavy Set

The heavy-set man looks best in wide-leg styles. Choose a wide leg that is not too baggy or else you will look larger. Stay away from straight or flare-leg cuts. The loose fit of the wide leg jean will conceal thick waists and large thighs.


Once you have found a pair of jeans that fit well and you are comfortable wearing, buy more than one pair.

Masala tea

Ingrediemts:

Servings:2 persons

Milk-1 1/2 cup

water-1/2cup

sugar/jaggery-as per your taste

Tea powder-2tsps

ginger-10g

cardamom-3-5nos

cinnamon-1 1/2 inch

cloves-3/4nos

Whole black pepper-5nos

Method:

1. Crush all the ingredients .
2. pour milk,water in a teapot and add sugar and the crushed ginger.
3. let it boil for 5 mins ,now sim the flame
4. then add tea powder in to it when it starts to boil, add all the other crushed ingredients .
5. now switch off the stove and close the pot with lid for 5 mins.
6. after 5 mins filter the tea.

Hair styles

Eye make up

Save on fuel

•Do not use the clutch too much.


•Switch the vehicle off at red light stops.

•Drive in gear corresponding to the speed.

•Get your vehicle serviced regularly.

•A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by up to 50%

•Driving at 90 kilometers an hour rather than 100 can reduce fuel consumption by 10%

•Under inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by 5%

•A loaded roof rack will increase fuel consumption by as much as 5% in highway driving.

•Even an empty roof rack can increase consumption by 1%. If the carrier is not attached to the vehicle, remove it when not in use.

•Avoid "Jack Rabbit" starts, not only do they increase fuel consumption, but are hard on your tires. Anticipating stops and avoiding abrupt stops will decrease fuel consumption and increase the life of your brakes and tires.

•Avoid unnecessary steering wheel movement since each sideward movement of the tire causes fuel-consuming drag.

•Maintain a steady speed.

•Accelerate slowly on gravel or slippery roads.

•Avoid unnecessary braking.

•Reviving the engine just before turning off the ignition costs extra fuel and may cause engine damage.

•Take advantage of rolling resistance rather than heavy braking to help slow you down. This deceleration technique is one of the best for fuel saving.

•Avoid using the air conditioner at lower speeds.

•Changing spark plugs regularly can save a lot.
 

General maintanance tips

 Maintenance Tips


A well maintained vehicle speaks volumes about you as an owner. More importantly, it will not desert you when you need it most. Read on for tips on specifics.

Engine Oil: To prevent engine deterioration, it is imperative that the engine maintains the amount of oil it is programmed to receive. Negligence in this aspect will lead to a deteriorating engine performance, resulting in falling mileage.

Fuses: Most Indian cars are made with an integrated circuitry system that use fuses. Knowledge of the system would help when you are stranded due to a blown fuse.

Lights: It is important for the lights to be properly focused, for your own and for the oncoming vehicle's safety. Travel on low beam so that it does not obstruct your view instead of helping you along.

Tyre Pressure: The required amount of air pressure needs to be strictly maintained if your car is to get the right mileage and pick-up.

Water: If your engine uses water for cooling, take care to ensure that it is regularly changed. Water can also be used for cleaning the windshield.

Some other tips...

•Get your vehicle serviced only at authorized service stations

•Check the engine oil level once every two weeks. Also check the levels of coolant and water in the radiator and battery.

•Always use genuine spare parts.

•Give your vehicle anti-rust coating before the monsoons.

•Avoid accelerating and braking abruptly.

•Shut up the engine whenever you expect to wait.

•Drive at a moderate speed of 45-55 km/h to maximize fuel efficiency.

•Use air-conditioning only when necessary.

•Avoid riding on the clutch pedal, and release the clutch pedal fully while driving.

•Maintain optimum air pressure in your tyre to improve mileage

Homemade kulfi recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon evaporated milk
 3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon sweetened condensed milk
1/8 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2/3 slice white bread, torn into pieces 1/8 teaspoon
 
Directions

• Combine evaporated milk, condensed milk and whipped topping in a blender and blend in pieces of bread until smooth.
• Pour mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish or two plastic ice cube trays, sprinkle with cardamom and freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving
 Calories: 122
Total Fat: 6.3g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 53mg
Total Carbs: 15.1g
Dietary Fiber: 0.1g
Protein: 1.8g

Tv harmful to toddler

Watching TV makes toddlers fatter and stupider Watching television makes kids less intelligent and more likely to put on weight, according to a new research.


In the study, scientists found that the more television children watched aged two-and-a-half the worse they were at mathematics, the more junk food they ate, and the more they were bullied by other pupils.
As part of the research, study`s lead author Dr Linda Pagani, of Montreal University, and her colleagues followed 1,314 children born in the Canadian state of Quebec in 1997 and 1998.
Parents were asked to report how much television their offspring watched aged 29 and 53 months, and teachers evaluated their academic, psycho-social and health habits when they reached the age of 10.
On average the two-year-olds watched 8.8 hours a week and the four-year-olds 14.8 hours.
Pagani and her research team found that for every extra hour of TV a week the two-year-olds watched there was a 6 per cent decrease in maths achievement, a 7 per cent decrease in classroom engagement, and a 10 per cent increase in ‘victimisation’ by peers, such as teasing, rejection and assault.
Each extra hour also corresponded with 9 per cent less exercise, consumption of 10 per cent more snacks, and a 5 per cent rise in body mass index.
Researchers said that pre-school is a critical time for brain development and that TV watching displaced time that could be spent engaging in `developmentally enriching tasks`.

Pagani said that even incremental exposure to TV delayed development.

`Although we expected the impact of early TV viewing to disappear after seven-and-a-half years of childhood, the fact that negative outcomes remained is quite daunting,` the Independent quoted her as saying.
The study has been published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine