Monday, May 26, 2008

Home Lighting

Light is life. Lighting level, light colour, modelling and changes from light to darkness impact on the rhythm of our daily lives, on our sense of wellbeing and on our mood.

Ceiling Light




Divina Ceiling Light





A ceiling light fixture can provide the finishing touch to any room and can be used in virtually any location from the living room and bathroom to the stairway and hall.

Floor Light



Marylyn Floor Light




Floor Lamps provide stylish light as they bounce light off the ceiling. Some have reading lights (task lighting) as extra and are available in a variety of finishes and styles to suit.

Table Lamp

Ferrare Table Light











Table lamps provide good levels of task lighting where reading and writing are important, these lamps can also help reduce glare from a computer screen and help keep you focused on the job at hand.

Ceramic Home Deco

Ceramic items is a very good idea to decorate our home.


Summertime Rose Bone China Tea Set


Made in England by Royal PatricianA Classic English Pattern That Is Forever Popular...


The set includes:
4 Mugs
4 Cups and Saucer
4 Desert Plates
1 Small Teapot
1 Large Teapot
1 Sugar and Creamer set
1 Tray
4 Brass Cup/Saucer Stands
1 Silver Teapot Warmer

Cranberry Bathroom Set


Bring New England charm to your best bathroom with our complete cranberry ceramic vanity set.
Perfect for bathrooms with old world charm and a style of simple beauty.









Dogwood Candlesticks

PairLet the soft, springtime pinks and greens of our ceramic Dogwood candlesticks bring a warm and comforting light into your home. The pink blossoms and green leaves that adorn these ceramic candlesticks make for a beautiful botanic feel that will add charm to any home.


Monday, October 1, 2007

Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide

Maintain that garden-fresh taste and nutrition of your fruits and vegetables with proper storage. Spend a few moments when you first get them home and you will be amply rewarded with extended shelf life and flavor.


Vegetables

Stem

  • Avocados can be left out at room temperature to ripen and then refrigerated for several days.
  • Store summer squash, eggplant, and peppers in the crisper section of the refrigerator for
  • Refrigerate okra in a paper bag for two to three days.

  • Store tomatoes at room temperature to ripen. Do not refrigerate, as it will turn the tomatoes mealy and flavorless.
  • Winter squash can be stored in a cool, dry place.


  • Leafy


  • For herbs, remove band or tie and wash and dry. Snip off the ends and submerge them in a glass of water. Cover with a plastic bag and leave in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap unwashed lettuce in paper towels and store in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
  • Store cooking greens (e.g. spinach, kale, chard) in plastic bags and refrigerate for up to one week

    Tubers, roots

  • Refrigerated potatoes will have a waxy consistency when cooked so store them in a dark, well-ventilated, cool place away from onions.

  • Sweet potatoes will have shorter shelf life, but should be stored like potatoes. Store jicama in a cool, dry place for up to three weeks.

  • Carrots, turnips, radishes and rutabagas should be refrigerated in a plastic bag to keep the moisture in.

  • Beets can be stored refrigerated without a plastic bag.

  • Bulbs

    Other Types

  • Cut inch off the bottom of asparagus spearswith ends submerged in water.
  • Store mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator
  • Refrigerate corn and peas in plastic bags
  • Store unwashed artichokes, broccoli or cauliflower in a plastic bag in the crisper section of refrigerator for four to seven days.
  • Refrigerate rhubarb in a plastic bag.
  • Wednesday, September 19, 2007

    Whole Grain Guide


    This is a healthy and delicious whole grains into your diet.

    A whole grain is simply the most minimally- processed version of any grain. Grain kernels are made up of bran germ, and the endosperm. As the bran and the germ are stripped away in the refining process, much of the fiber, vitamins , minerals , and antioxdiants are removed along with them. Most grains are processed in some way before we cn eat them and there's a wide specturm from whole to fully refined.

    Healthy Eating For Diabetes

    Tips for staying healthy

    It's about making educated choices, practicing portion control and moderation and choosing nutritious foods, include a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and high-fiber whole grains and beans.

    Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for your body and brain. It contribute most to your blood sugar and glucose levels. It found in breads, grains, beans, fruits, vegetables and dairy products, as well as in table sugar, cakes, cookies, ice cream, and other sweets.

    Sugar and sweets can be part of a diabetic diet, but should be combined with other foods to lessen their impact on blood sugar. If you choose to have dessert, plan ahead, substituting it for other carbohydrates in the meal (like pasta, rice, or bread).


    High-fiber foods help stabilize blood sugar and lower cholesterol. High-fiber foods include oats and barley, whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

    Protein, select lean meats, seafood, low-fat dairy, 1 egg per day, or legumes (which includes beans, soy products, and peanut butter).

    Fats are a necessary part of any diet. With diabetes, excess weight and risk of heart disease are concerns, so managing fat intake is especially important. Avoid saturated fats, like those found in full-fat dairy, red meat, and chicken skin and also trans fats, found in commercially fried and processed foods. All fats, even the healthy ones, are high in calories, so use them sparingly.

    Water and other low-calorie beverages are the best ways to quench your thirst without adding excess calories and carbohydrates.

    If you drink alcohol, limit drinks to 1 per day for women and 2 per day for men, and always consume it with food.

    Weight loss and daily exercise lower blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol which in turn may lower amount of medication you need.

    Monday, September 17, 2007

    Apple Coffee Cake Recipe


    1)1 cup flour1 teaspoon baking powder
    2)1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup sugar
    3)1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    4)5 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
    5)1 egg, beaten
    6)1/2 cup whole milk1 medium Cortland or other baking apple, peeled and sliced


    1)Set the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with or pie pan a 4-cup capacity. 2) Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt.
    3) In a bowl, combine 1/2 a cup of the sugar with the cinnamon, set aside.
    4) In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Beat in the egg until blended. Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, beating until just combined.
    5) Spread half the batter in the baking dish. Lay the apple slices on the batter so they just cover the batter (you may have to overlap some slices). Sprinkle the apples with half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Spread the rest of the batter over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar on top.
    6) Bake the cake for 25 minutes or until it is golden brown and apples start to bubble at the edges.

    Preparation for Milkshake


    Orange milkshake ingredients:

    1. Orange juice – 1 cup
    2. Milk – 1 cup
    3. Sugar – 4 tsp or to taste
    4. Crushed ice – ½ cup
    5. Almond - 2 (optional)
    6. Pistachhio - 2 (optional)


    Orange milkshake preparation:

    1.Extract the juice from orange.

    2.Blend the juice with milk, sugar and crushed ice in a blender.

    3.Pour into tall glass and garnish with chopped pista and

    4.Serve immediately.

    Preparation of Apple Juice

    Apple juice ingredients:
    1. Apple – 3
    2. Water – required quantity
    3. Sugar – 4 tsp
    4. Crushed ice – ½ cup


    Apple juice preparation:
    1.Peel and cut apple into small pieces.
    2.Remove the seeds.
    3.Blend the apple pieces with little amount of water and sugar and extract the juice.
    4.Transfer into glass and add some crushed ice.
    5.Serve chilled.

    Friday, September 14, 2007

    Shahrukh Khan's Residence



    Beautiful Hall ...



















    Gorgeous Dining Hall







































    Master Bedroom












    Jacuzzi
















    Thursday, August 16, 2007

    Vaastu (Feng Shui) for kitchen


    Here are some Vaastu tips for kitchen:

    • The ideal place for the location of kitchen is the southeast corner. An alternative choice can be the northwest corner of the house.
    • As per the Vaasthu remedies for kitchen, certain directions, which are a total no for the construction of the kitchen, are: Northeast, mid-north, mid-west, southwest mid-south or the center.
    • Make sure that the cooking platform does not touch eastern or northern side wall.
    • The best direction for cooking is facing east, as this direction is considered to be auspicious.
    • No shelf should be placed above the cooking platform.
    • Refrigerator can be placed on the northwest corner in the kitchen.
    • While constructing the kitchen, make adequate provision for cross ventilation

    Tuesday, August 14, 2007

    Kitchen Tips

    Tips on preparing some indian food ...
    • For soft Dosas, add some boiled rice to white gram and rice, while grinding.
    • Put some neem and turmeric pieces or garlic flakes in the container where you store rice or grains, in order to keep away insects.
    • To adjust salt in curries add roasted rice powder.
    • If the curd is too sour, add 4 cups of water to it. After half an hour, remove the water collected on top.
    • When you cook dal add some refined oil or garlic. It will reduce gas trouble.
      Keep rice flour and basin in a polythene cover in refrigerator when you want tem stored for a long time.

    My Angel..


    My Angel... relaxing on a tiger ...

    My Home...



    Various type of decoration from Labuan , Malacca & Vietnam.At the bottom is the happy family of ducks..


    This is Brass Ware from India.... its has very fine craving on it ...






    Colorful Chicken...from Bangkok..




    Family of Tigers.... from India..





    Thursday, July 12, 2007

    Tips and more tips


    Tomato: To remove the skin of tomatoes, place them in warm water for 5-10 minutes. The skin can then be easily peeled off.
    When tomatoes are not available or too costly, substitute with tomato puree or tomato ketchup/sauce.
    Place overripe tomatoes in cold water and add some salt. Overnight they will become firm and fresh.


    Vegetables:
    Don't discard the water in which the vegetables are soaked or cooked.
    Use it in making soup or gravy.
    To keep the vegetables fresh for a longer time, wrap them in newspaper before putting them in freeze.
    Chop the vegetables only when you are ready to use them. Don't cut them in too advance. It would spoil their food value.

    Tuesday, June 5, 2007

    Kitchen Tips


    • Almonds: To remove the skin of almonds easily, soak them in hot water for 15-20 minutes.
    • Ants: Putting 3-4 cloves in the sugar container will keep the ants at bay.
    • Apples: Apply some lemon juice on the cut surface of the apple to avoid browning. They will look fresh for a longer time.
    • Banana: Apply mashed banana over a burn on your body to have a cooling effect.

    Monday, May 7, 2007

    Feng Shui tips for your home

    There should be no television sets in your bedrooms.If you cannot get rid of that habit then after watching the television cover it with a plastic table cloth. Remember it has to be plastic and not simply cloth.


    If you already have a fish tank in your house, be careful. A fish tank placed correctly can bring about greater fortune, as you will tap on the "Divine Water Dragon's Den". But if you tap wrongly, it can cause you to have lawsuits, bankruptcy, work pressure, troubles and problems. If you noticed any of these after placing the fish tank for approximately four months, shift your fish tank to another location.


    In your kitchen, ensure that opposite your stove there is no refrigerator, washing machine, washbasin and toilet. The fire and water crash causing family members to have disagreements.

    Friday, May 4, 2007

    7 Rules of Kitchen Cleaning


    Cooking can be a messy process, all areas of the kitchen need frequent cleaning to keep them fresh, grease-free, and sanitary. Scrubbing and cleaning kitchen surfaces is as much a function of health and hygiene as it is good housekeeping.


    • Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling pets. Also wash your hands in hot, soapy water, scrubbing a full minute, after handling raw meat, poultry, or seafood.
    • Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counters with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next food.
    • Wash dishrags, dishtowels, and sponges in the washing machine with hot water. Sponges can also be cleaned in the upper rack of the dishwasher while plastic cutting boards can go on the lower racks.
    • Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from each other and from other foods in the shopping cart at the grocery and in the refrigerator at home.
    • Never put cooked food on an unwashed platter that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood.
    • Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within two hours of a meal.
    • Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or under cold running water, not on the counter

    Friday, April 27, 2007

    Fire Safety Measures

    Fires are the leading causes of home injury and death:
    • Approximately one-half of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms.
    • Most residential fires occur during the winter months.
    • Alcohol use contributes to an estimated 40% of residential fires.
    • Most victims of fires die from smoke or toxic gases and not from burns.
    • Cooking is the primary cause of home fires.
    • Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.

    This checklist can help you spot fire hazards in your home. It will also help you prepare your family to quickly escape a fire.

    • Smoke Detectors
    • Fire Prevention Strategy
    • Family Fire Drills
    • Cooking Equipment
    • Cigarettes, Lighters and Matches
    • Furnaces, Fireplaces, and Space Heaters
    • Wood-Burning Stoves
    • Kerosene Heaters
    • Gas-Fired Space Heaters






    Handle Food Safely At Home...



    Food poisoning usually can be prevented by handling food safety.Four simple steps for safely preparing food at home.


    • Clean and wash hands, countertops, and other surfaces often
    • Separate and don't cross-contaminate
    • Cook food to proper temperatures to kill the harmful bacteria
    • Refrigerate food promptly

    Wednesday, April 18, 2007

    Signs of Poisoning

    Signs of potential poisoning, which can include:

    • Difficulty breathing
    • Difficulty speaking
    • Dizziness
    • Unconsciousness
    • Foaming or burning of the mouth
    • Cramps
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting