Father's Day & a very creative guest post

Original Source Here

Father's Day is a day honoring Fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in 55 of the world's countries and on other days elsewhere. It complements Mother’s Day , the day honoring mothers. (courtesy: wikipedia)

In countries of Hindu tradition, the western-inspired Father's Day is celebrated on the new moon day (Amavasya) during late August or early September, to fit the existing Hindu worship of fathers. This is common among countries with Hindu majorities like in Nepal.

When I think of Father’s day, this beautiful poem which I came across a while ago comes to my mind (author: unknown)

What Makes A Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

If you are looking for giving a creative gift this year, here is one idea from a very creative guest who has willingly shared his ideas and creativity with Brindavanrecipes.

About the guest Author;
Matt is obsessed with neckties and runs http://www.tiepedia.com/. His longest streak of consecutively wearing a tie is 2 years and 5 days! (Don't worry they were different ties) He loves life, his family, his heaven, and his sports (golf, basketball and college football)."

Not Your Ordinary Father's Day Ties

It may surprise some of you to hear what I am about to say, but it must be said. Not all guys want a tie on Father's Day. GASP! I know, I know, it sounds crazy... and I certainly am not one of those guys, but apparently it's true.

Listen to what Joseph Hurtado has to say, "there are only two types of men: those who hate ties, and those who grudgingly accept them as part of the job."

Blasphemy as far as I am concerned, but if you're Mrs. Hurtado you may want to think twice about getting Joseph a tie for Father's Day. How about baking him a delicious necktie cake instead? I don't think many men could resist that. Here are some sweet examples for you to consider! (Congrats to the cake artists who created these!)

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A guest post on Diabetes & Healthy eating- by Patricia Harris

Most of us are aware of "Diabetes" which is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood & its effects. A healthy balanced diet is such an important factor in controlling and managing this ailment. I want to thank Patricia Harris for sharing some insight on diabetes & healthy eating with Brindavanrecipes.

We would appreciate your thoughts/comments/any stories you would like to share in managing this disease and tips that will help others.- Thanks.

Background on the author

Patricia Harris writes for the www.diabeticmenus.org. Her personal hobby web log aimed at ways to eat healthy in order to avoid and manage diabetes.

If You Really don't Keep away from Type ii diabetes Now, Probably will Hate Yourself Later.

Type 2 diabetes is easily the most common kind of diabetes. Many Americans appears to have been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 symptoms, and much more are unaware they're at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians along with Pacific Islanders, in addition to aged people.

In diabetes type 2, either one's body won't produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for your body to use glucose for energy.

Once you eat food, the body reduces all the sugars and starches into glucose, that is the essential fuel for the cells in your body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into your cells. When glucose accumulates in the blood rather then going into cells, it can result in diabetes complications. You've the capability to boost and protect your overall health. With proper nutrition and physical exercise and making good life style choices (like not smoking), you can feel better, stronger, and healthier, and can decrease your risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart problems and heart stroke.

What is actually Healthy Weight?

There's a good way to discover in case your current weight puts you in danger of developing serious diseases. Go to www.diabetes.org/bmi and consider the Body Mass Index (BMI) test.

The outcomes will help you decide if you need to give consideration to your weight. Better You consume, The Better You experience

Below are a few basic guidelines to help you and your family make healthier food decisions.

• * Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit.
• * Choose wholegrain foods over processed grain products.
• *Try brown rice rather than white. Substitute whole wheat grains bread for white.
• * Eat fish “ three times a week.
• * Select leaner cuts of meat like those that end in "loin."
• * Remove the skin from poultry and turkey.
• * Eat non-fat dairy
• * Drink water and calorie-free non-carbonated beverages.
• * Use liquid oils for cooking rather than solid fats.
• * Reduce high calorie snacks like chips, cookies, cakes, and regular frozen goodies. Find baked chips and reduced calorie snacks. Or have a bit of fruit instead.
• * Watch your serving sizes. Even a lot of "healthy" food could potentially cause fat gain.

Tips:

• * Compare labels of similar foods, then opt for the one with smaller amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.
• * Adults should consume lower than 2400 mg. of sodium everyday. If you have high blood pressure, it is best to prefer even less.
• * Try adding spices and herbs within your cooking to substitute for salt for enhancing flavor.
• * A bit of Workout Goes further Anything that gets you up and moving is wonderful for you.

Here's what it could do:

• * Reduce your risk of developing diabetes type 2
• * Reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke Lower hypertension and cholesterol
• * Reduce blood glucose (sugar) levels if you have diabetes, that may lower your risk of developing diabetes-related complications
• * Alleviate stress *
• *Allow you to slim down
• * Provide you with more energy
• * Help you sleep better *
• * Build stronger bones and muscle mass

You don't need to visit a gym, play sports or use fancy equipment. Of course, you must discuss with your medical professional prior to starting any exercise regimen.

For those who have Diabetes. Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active are more important if you have diabetes. Well-balanced meals may help keep your glucose (sugar) level as near to normal as possible. Being active also helps you reduce blood glucose.

In case you increase your physical activity levels, you may be able to take less insulin or diabetes pills. For anyone who is very inactive, have heart disease or perhaps history of foot ulcers, talk to your doctor about safe exercise for you. Check your blood glucose before exercising. If it's under 100 mg/dl, eat some fruit, crackers or have a glass of milk or juice.

Check it again after exercising to learn how your blood glucose reacts to workout. Bring a snack if you'll be active for some hour.

MEC: Sweets 'n' Savouries ROUND UP & an Upcoming event...

Dear Friends!!! :) Hope all is well at your end and the spirit of the holiday season has kicked in. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanks giving..... !! The round-up for the "MEC :Sweets ‘n’ Savouries”" is ready .... Thank you a ton for participating and sending in your lovely delicious entries. Here are all the yummy entries.

A New Event: I will be starting an event called "Herb ‘a’ Month" where I will be posting the name of a Herb on my blog on the first of every month and looking forward for any entries which uses this herb by the end of the month. Please let me know if any of you would be interested in hosting this for any months for 2010 with your favourite herbs. You can send an email to Brindavans@gmail.com

MEC: Sweets 'n' Savouries Round-Up

Microwave Poha Chivda by Cham from http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2009/11/microwave-poha-chivda.html

Pasta Payasam by Priya Srinivasan from http://enveetukitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/microwave-pasta-payasam.html

Microwave Pumpkin & Coconut Halwa by PriyaSuresh from http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/11/microwave-pumpkin-n-coconut-halwa.html

Badamhalwa by Anu Venkat from http://anuradhavenkatesh.blogspot.com/2009/11/badam-alwa-in-15-minutesmicrowave-dish.html

Gummadikaya Halwa/Wintermelon Halwa by Suma Gandlur from http://veggieplatter.blogspot.com/2009/11/winter-melon-halwa-gummadikaya-halwa.html

Micrwave Butternut Squash and Barley Kesari by PriyaSuresh from http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/11/mw-butternut-squash-barley-kesari.html

Micrwave Beetroot Halwa by Priya Srinivasan from http://enveetukitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/microwave-beetroot-halwa.html

Gajarpaak by Priya Srinivasan from http://enveetukitchen.blogspot.com/2009/11/gajarpaak-microwave-version.html

Microwave Besan Ladoo by Srivalli from http://spicingyourlife.blogspot.com/2009/11/microwave-besan-ladoo.html

Chaaler Payesh (Rice Kheer) by Malini Basu from http://malini-recipe.blogspot.com/2009/11/chaaler-payesh-rice-kheer.html

Carrot Halwa by Lissie from http://saltandspice.org/2009/11/23/microwave-carrot-halwa/

Green Peas Chayote Adai –Pancake by Kamala Bhoopathy from http://www.cookatease.com/green-peas-chayote-adai-pancake

Baked Mutsu Apples by Susan from http://thewellseasonedcook.blogspot.com/2009/11/all-about-eve-baked-mutsu-apples.html

Vermicilli Kesari by Radhika from http://ticklingpalates.blogspot.com/2009/11/semiya-vermicelli-kesari.html

Announcing Microwave Easy Cooking: Nov Event (Theme: Sweets 'n' Savories)

Microwave Easy Cooking November Event

Dear Friends,

It is my turn to host this months Microwave Easy Cooking event started by Srivalli from Cooking4AllSeasons..Due to many impending festivals and holidays, I thought the theme of Microwave Sweets 'n Savories would be perfect...

This is an invitation for all the food lovers, wanting to use Microwave for cooking to participate in this Event.

Here are some details & rules around this event:

1. Cook any item based on the Microwave Sweets 'n' Savories theme in a Microwave and post it on your blog from now till the last date of the month.

Note: Posts on Safety, Tips and other things related to Microwave cooking are also most welcome.Multiple recipes are permitted and Recipes submitted to other events are also permitted. Recipes from archives can be accepted ONLY if updated as current posts. Again since this is a microwave special , assistance with other kitchen gadgets can be used but absolutely 'NO' cooking should be done on a stove top.2. Add a link back to this event announcement, and feel free to use this logo:

2. Please send me an e-mail to Brindavans@gmail.com with the following info.

* Subject Line: MEC : Sweets 'n' Savories

* Your name

* Your post link

* A picture of the dish.

4. Non bloggers can e-mail me the recipe and the picture and I will include it in the round up.

5. Deadline is November 30 of the Month and the round up will be posted during the first week of following month.

6. Kindly link your entry to the Announcement page as well.

Looking forward to all the delicious entries for making this event a success. Thank you all in advance...

--Paru..
(www.brindavanrecipes.blogspot.com)

Halbai/Nampalaka/Sweet Rice-Coconut Fudge

Halbai- A sweet Rice Fudge

Halbai is a very simple and delicious sweet generally made in different parts of Karnataka. It is also known by the name 'Nampalaka'. This needs only 3 basic ingrediants and the results are amazing. It has a texture like a fudge and quite tooth friendly due to its soft texture. This sweet always reminds me of my beloved late grandfather who luved this sweet and often requested my grandmother to make it. I made this sweet in fond memory of him.

Here is what you need:

1 cup white rice( soaked for 3hrs)

1/2 cup fresh grated coconut

3/4 cup grated jaggery

1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Method: Grind all the 4 ingrediants with little water to a fine paste. Take a heavy bottom kadai and add the paste and keep stirring on a medium flame for 6-7minutes till the mixture caves in together and starts to harden. Pour this on a greased flat pan. When warm, cut into pieces and serve.. Since it has coconut, it can be refrigerated and stored up to 3days.

A peek at my garden...

My little Garden

Friends..here is a small peek at my garden. Roses graced my garden this year. This was the first year I planted roses. Have some everyday veggies including zuchini, cucumbers, serano peppers, jalapeno peppers, okra, mint, lavender and varieties of tomatoes.. I had pints of blueberries and apples growing this time..

Would love to hear from you about any gardening experiences or tips...

Bise Bele Bath / Spicy vegetable Rice

Bise Bele Bath is a authentic Karnataka speciality. It is a spicy flavourful rice dish with an array of vegetables and blend of aromatic spices cooked to perfection with rice.. Here is how you make:

Here is the recipe..Enjoy..
You need:
cups mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, 1 potato, 1/2capsicum, cauliflower)
1 medium sized tomato chopped
1.5 cup toor dal washed
1tsp turmeric
1 tsp tamarind juice/lime juice
For seasoning:2tbsps ghee/oil-ghee mixture, a few cashews (optional), 2 dried red chillies,, 1tsp mustard seeds, ½ tsp hing (asafetida), 1tsp jeera, 1 sprig curry leaves
2-3tbsps Bise bele bath powder (MTR bise bele bath powder/paste is quite good if you can get access to that.)
Boiled white rice 1.5 -2cups

In case you do not have this powder, here is a trick that might help you. Grind Sāmbhar powder with some cinnamon (1/2” piece) and 2 cloves.

Method: Pressure cook vegetables and dal together with plenty water and turmeric till dal is well cooked. In a big pan, add the boiled dal-veggie mixture, to this add the boiled rice. Make sure the content of rice is less than the dal mixture and adjust the water accordingly. Let it be watery as the more it boils the more it thickens. Now add the chopped tomato and mix. The trick to knowing when this is complete is that the tomato should be boiled well. Add tamarind paste/lime juice; add salt per your taste. Now add the Bise bele bath powder and mix well. You can adjust the spice level based on your individual need. Close the lid and let it boil well in a medium flame for about 5-8 minutes till everything comes together. Finally in a separate pan, add ghee, when it is hot add mustard till it splutters. Now add the rest of the ingredients and switch off the heat. Add this to the bise bele bath and mix well and serve with raita…

Barley-Hesarabele Payasa/ Barley-Moongdal Kheer

Barley Moongdal Payasam
Barley is not a very common cereal grain used on a daily basis. However, it is a very healthy grain containing lots of essential amino acids used to control blood sugar and cholesterol. In fact Barley is prescribed for many stomach related ailments. Here is a very delicious Payasa/Kheer made with barley . This is absolutely delicious and very simple to make.
You need;
1 cup barley soaked for 2-3 hours in clean water
Boil the soaked barley for 5mins in boiling water and let it stand for 30minutes. Each grain absorbs all the water and plumps up and ready to use.
Boiled Moongdal -1/4 cup
Jaggery1/2cup
a pinch of saffron
cardamon powder- 1/2tsp
1/2 cup milk
Sugar cane pieces (optional)
Coconut pieces(optional)
To make
In a thick kadai, heat jaggery with 1/2 cup of water till it melts. To this add the boiled Barley and moong dal till its all mixed well. Boil for another 5minutes. Add saffron, cardamom powder and milk and boil for a minute or two. Finally add the coconut pieces and sugar cane pieces and mix well. Serve this warm or chilled.

Usli/Sprout Salad/Sprout kosambari

Kaalu Usli/Sprout Salad
Sprouts are known for their nutrition. Almost any variety of whole lentils, beans can be sprouted with moisture and little heat. Here is a very colorful Sprout Usli which is healthy, tasty and extremely simple..

You need:
1 cup of mixed sprouts( I have used moong sprouts and channa dal sprouts)
1 serano pepper slit ( or use a regular green chilly)
1tbsp lime juice
1tbsp grated fresh coconut
a pinch of jeera powder
To season:
1tsp oil, 1tsp mustard seeds, 1/2tsp urad dal, 1/2 tsp channa dal, a pinch of turmeric
In a pan, prepare the seasoning and when this cools, add the fresh sprouts, coconut, lime juice and jeera powder and toss well till it is well coated. Serve this with other veggies or eat as is..

To sprout: Soak moong dal, whole channa dal overnight with clean water. In the morning, drain and place this in a dark vessel. Cover this with a wet tissue paper or wet muslin cloth. Keep it in a dark warm place for atleast 10hrs. Refrigerate the sprouts and use as needed.

Kempu Menasinakai Tokku/Red chilly pickle/ koravi karam

Red Chilly Pickle

Menasinakai Tokku/ Red Chilly Pickle/Tokku/Koravi Karam
This is another classic recipe from my grandma's kitchen. Whether it is in Karnataka or Andhra, this Tokku is very famous and a great relish for spicy food lovers.

You need;
1 cup ripe red chillies ( wash and pat dry)
1tbps oil (preferably seasame if you have or peanut oil)
Dry roast 1tbsp fenugreek seeds and powder
1tbsp dry coconut(optional)
1tsp tamarind concentrate
salt to taste
For seasoning: 1tsp oil, 1tsp mustard seeds, 1/2tsp hing, a pinch of turmeric

Method:
In a kadai, heat oil till smoking and roast the chillies till they wilt and begin to charr (Take extra care not to keep your face close to the kadai as sometimes the chillies tend to burst.)
Allow this to cool,
In a mixer grind the chillies , fenugrrek powder, coconut, tamarind and salt without adding any water. Season this well with the mustard, hing and turmeric mixture and store it in airtight clean bottles.

Serve this with hot rice and ghee or chapati, rotti anything you like...