Fat is good.

Yes, that's right. Fat is good when it's not trans fat and when it is not unnecessary or in excess.

We need fat to digest our food, maintain good metabolism, skin health and even to lubricate our nervous system. So, keep it in your daily diet. But in moderation and in sensible cooking.

Fat is must:

In soups and salads to digest their fibre and absorb their nutrients.

In preparation of greens or high fibre, high protein foods to break down their hardness and help digest.

In marination of poultry meat, and cooking grains like rice, ragi, jowar, bajra, etc.

Its raining woes

Situated near the border of Karnataka and Tamil nadu, my hometown is always affected when cyclone or heavy rainfall hits the coastal state.

And last fortnight was horrible even here. It was so damp and dull whole day everyday even when it wasn't raining that the walls, roads and clothes didn't even dry up.

The mist is so dense, you wonder if a few more temperature drop will bring on hail or even snowfall.

It is freezing cold even indoors that we can even feel the heavy fog surrounding us.

The market's slack, fruit and vegetables are rotting, and even mobile phone signals are dropping.

God! Bless our land and deliver us through this with safety and peace.

Care for your eyes

Eyes are precious, eyes are delicate, and eyes need to be cared for.

* Wear sunshades when outdoor.

* do not expose to dust, fire and smoke for long minutes. Always wear protection.

* do not watch TV or computer in a dark room. It needlessly stresses your retina.

* always try to maintain generous lighting, unless you are trying to sleep.

* stay in well lighted rooms and avoid prolonged darkness.

* when reading in artificial light. Try to keep the source of light behind your back or away from your direct vision. It will otherwise damage your eyes beyond repair.

Corn Pasta

This is one of the few recipes I mastered myself. It's easy, healthy and delicious.

* heat 1 tsp butter in a pan, saute 1 small finely chopped onion till translucent. Add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp red chilli powder and 1/4 tsp coriander powder, saute for a while.

* add 1 cup boiled corn kernels, saute again, add 1 tbsp milk and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil.

* add salt to taste, and 2 tbsp pasta twist. Cook on moderate till pasta is done and water evaporates, stirring occasionally.

* garnish finely chopped coriander leaves and a pinch of citric acid. Cook for a min. Serve warm immediately with any sauce of your choice

Tricking common cold

I'm a big lover of bananas. But having it during common cold can be counter productive. So, I experimented a bit and came up with this amazing recipe to eat my banana and trick cold too.

Here's what you must do.

* make chapatti as usual. But roll out a bit thick.

* slice banana in thin rounds and layer it about the middle of the chapatti.

* sprinkle a little crushed Kasoori Methi or chopped mint leaves, and grated jaggery.

* fold in the edges to wrap the filling completely. Press lightly and roll out again to spread the stuffing.

* cook as usual. Serve hot.

Benefits of Isabgol

It's another wonderful discoveries. Make it part of your diet.

* Isabgol is the Indian name of Psyllium husk and is derived from from the seeds of Platova Ova, a member of plantain family.

* It is consumed by mixing in watery liquids, and regulates body heat.

* It helps relieves constipation, help digestion, and fight cholesterol.

* It helps reduce fat when mixed in foods, and is a good binding agent in fry's batter.

Cure for cold

These work like miracle, and I trust them upon my life.

For running nose and headache:

Boil water to bubbling point, add a few drops of Eucalyptus oil and close for few seconds. Then cover your self with a thick cloth and breathe the steam deeply under  the covers. Three sessions will relieve you.

For dry cough:

Dry Roast black pepper powder till warm and aroma emanates. Cool and grind to a fine powder. Have 2 pinches of the powder mixed with a tsp of honey. Have twice a day. In three days your cough will disappear.

For congestion.

Mix half tsp of turmeric powder in warm milk and drink immediately before bed. In three days your phlegm will disappear.

For sore throat.

Gurgle with warm saline water. Twice daily. In three days your sore throat will relieve you.