Rendezvous with the Sun

Time flies so fast with memories never leaving your side as they always linger close in the recesses of your mind. As I sit here on the beach enjoying the subtle sun browsing an albums of my younger days on my i-pad, I realize it's been exactly ten long years since the day I had a real tryst with the sun.

Back then too global warming was as good as it is today and one needed protection from both the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Smiling slightly my gaze lingers on my smooth untanned skin reminding me of my "Fourth Indiblogger meet sponsored by Neutrogena" that finally made me embrace a sunblock lotion. Seeing that I had really nothing much to do, I let the memories engulf me loosing myself in them.

The meet was held in JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai of which I was lucky to be a  part off owing my exams were miles apart. The moment I entered the venue all I could see was yellow; umbrellas, drapes, the hosts and even Neutrogena boards all over.

Once the registrations were done we were being given a Face mask and a cute little umbrella on which we had to write our name and drop in a box *me thinking why* but before I could run a theory in my mind one of my friend dragged me to our table as everyone had already settled on their tables and were mingling with fellow bloggers.

Some new faces, some old and some not present but that didn't dampen our spirits as we made new friends. Some of the bloggers even wore the Neutrogena Face mask that we were given during  registration.             

          

Our host and dost of the evening !

Me and my group :D

Once we were finally settled on our tables and sighed happily that finally this time "Our Group is not table-less" but sadly our happiness was short lived as Mr. Anoop thought that this time too there would be fun games but with a twist of scattering everyone, thereby breaking our sweet group and we went table hunting with an added rule that every table must have at least 2 guys and 2 girls each and also that they should not be a part of your previous table. And the first table to form that group gets an USB band. 

Well my table lost in this one but never mind as we won the next one. We had to know each other's name on the table and tada we knew and were the first ones to raise our hands!

Yay we all won vollyballs..yoo hoo :D

Once this was done and we thought that finally there would be no more shuffling. We were to pick the cute little yellow umbrellas we had submitted while registration that were randomly sorted.

                    

 Once the picking ceremony was done we were asked to find the person whose name was written on our umbrella and get to know them. Some lucky ones found their soon while some like me were searching for the person till the very end. Also the first five people who searched their partners got cool gifts and one of the girl was so lucky she got her own name and she too got a gift. :D

Finally we sat down feeling that now we put the umbrellas to rest. Anoop dropped another fun game on us, that was to count the number of holes in our umbrella. I for one had not even noticed that there were holes in the first place :O. Anyways, moving on I had *four* holes and so I was to find fellow bloggers who were in the same group. Post the new group forming we were told to give our group a name and a tag line. My group's name was "Sun-or and Sun-orita - Basking in the Sun" pronounced as (Senor and Senorita). Although we didn't win this round too we enjoyed a lot and I yet again made some new friends :) 

Post this we had a war, not literally but an umbrella with holes and balls war where duh we again lost but had lots of fun. At the end, the purpose of the game was to explain to us that there were two types of rays UVA and UVB and most of the sunscreens do not give 100% protection and thus there are holes that allow the harmful rays to penetrate and affect our skin. *Didn't know that but glad to know*

Fun but knowledgeable game! 

 Finally, we were tired and we got our much awaited break. And we went to satiate our tummy that was hungry and mind you there was so much that one had to think what to eat and what not. Jalebi with Rabri, Chocolate Mousse, Cheesecake, every variety of tea and coffee, Corn balls, sandwiches etc. both Veg and Non-Veg. 

Paneer Rolls

Cheesecake

Different varieties of Tea.

Once our stomach was satiated and we were seated on our tables. Walked in our guest for the evening the very own sweet "Tara Sharma Saluja" wearing a bright yellow dress.

She talked about her show "The Tara Sharma Show" that airs on Colors and  Nickelodeon and also talked about her 2 kids, and how she manages to keep her skin healthy, glowing and supple using Neutrogena Sunscreen on a regular basis. She also told us three easy steps for a healthy glowing skin; cleanse, moisturize and  protect. Finally she was done with giving us ample suggestions and shared her views with us. But alas! Everything comes to an end, and it was time for her to leave but not without a goodie from the IndiBlogger team who presented her with Neutrogena hamper and it was given by our very own youngest blogger (13 years old) Ashwin Pathak. 

Ashwin with Tara Sharma Saluja

Post this there was a dermatologist session who tested different sunscreens including the Neutrogena Sunscreen and finally the results proved. Neutrogena provided protection from both UVA and UVB rays thereby giving 100% protection. Also he answered many queries by the bloggers. 

Why are Sunscreens Important and when can be used ??

* Sunscreens can be applied since the age of 3

* Most sunscreens only provide protection against UVA rays.

* Higher SPF level does not necessarily mean a good sunscreen. 

* Sunscreens should be applied every 2-3 hours so that the effect stays for a long time.  

Finally, it was time for the meet to end but can a meet be done without some more fun and a group pic..Never but since this meet was all about twist we had a crazy "Harlem Shake" and a group pic thereby putting an end to the wonderful meet. 

Suddenly, I heard my friend calling me breaking me from my trace and I realized it has been almost an hour that I was lost in the memories of that day when I realized the importance of using Sunscreen and from then on till today I've been using Neutrogena Sunscreen- My personal protection from sun. And this is "How I met the sun" and have fallen in love with it since then. With that being said, I re-applied my Sunscreen and took off to play beach vollyball with my friends without the fear of being tanned or sunburned.

My protectors from the harsh sun.

Also do visit: https://www.facebook.com/NeutrogenaIndia

-Fatima

P.S: Picture courtesy IndiBlogger and Aditi Pathak

       UVA- UltraVoilet A and UVB- UltraVoilet B

Ragda Patties..

This is one of the very first recipe I made and that was when I was in 10th std, technically in my holidays that were what one can say super long. For this very reason this is my most cherished and maybe can even be said as my signature dish.

Ragda Patties is a favorite chaat recipe and whoa it's my first dish..:D Though at times I do eat it outside but nothing beats the taste of mine <well according to me> especially these days as my mum has got this new Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil. It not only is healthy but also enhances the taste or is it just my taste buds?? Never mind all in good :)

So, I guess enough of introduction to my dish and why I like it. I'll post the step by step process how I make it. Also sorry for the lack of pictures I do not have a good camera, so took the pics only at the end when the dish was ready.

Ingredients:


For Ragda:

1½ cup yellow peas (white vatana)
3 cups water
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chili powder/ 3-4 green chilles |Which you prefer.|
salt as per requirement

For the Potato Patties :

4 boiled potatoes
3 slices of bread (the soft portion)/ 3 tsp cornflower.  |Which ever you prefer, I use bread.|
salt as per requirement
1/4th tsp turmeric powder
Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil for frying.

For Garnishing the Patties:

2 cups of Ragda
Sweet sauce. |Alternatively one can even use sweet & spicy chutney's otherwise sauce too tastes good|
1/2 cup coriander leaves finely chopped.
Chaat Masala
Pinch of jeera powder for taste.
Lemon juice, if you want.
1 onion finely chopped, tomato and sev are complimentary if, you wish them.
<I like them as toppings but my sister doesn't>

How to make:

For Ragda:

1. Soak the peas overnight in water. The next day, the peas will be of slight yellowish color. Rinse them the next day nicely.

2. In a pressure cooker add the soaked yellow peas with the turmeric powder, green chilles and salt.

3. Add water and close the lid.

4. Cook for around 10-15 minutes.

5. When the pressure becomes low and the ragda is slightly cooled, check for the consistency. The ragda should be on the thicker side; neither watery nor too thick.

6. And your ragda is ready.

For Patties :

1. First boil the potatoes and peel the cover once they are off the stove.

2. Mash the potatoes finely and add the bread to bind.
    Note: To use the bread, cut the outer edge of the bread and soak the softer portion in little water and drain the water. This is done so that the bread is soft and mixes well with the matter. If, you find this time consuming you can use cornflower. I don't use it as somehow my patties doesn't turn out well some binding issue.

3. Mix the bread and potatoes well. Also add turmeric powder and salt. Check if, it tastes well and is binded properly else you might need a little more bread.

4. Once this is done, make small rounded balls and flatten them and keep them aside.

5. After making the patties ; now comes the time for frying.

Note: Do not deep fry but shallow fry on a pan.

5. Heat oil on a pan. Keep the potato patties on the hot oil in the pan for shallow frying. Let it cook for a min or two. Now, lift with the spatula and check to see if the base is light browned. If yes, then turn over the patties and fry the other side till the other is of the same color.

6. Once the patties are crisp and light golden brown remove them from the pan and place them on a tissue paper.

Assembling and serving:

1. Take ragda in a bowl.

2. Keep two or three patties on top of the ragda.

3. Top it with coriander leaves. And sprinkle some chat masala, jeera powder and lemon juice.

4.  Also you can use tomato, onion, sev and sauce to garnish.

Nutritional Value:

1. The proteins coming from the yellow peas in the ragda,
2. carbs and fats coming from the potatoes in the patties
3. The minerals-vitamins from onions, coriander and lemon juice used as topping.

'I am reviewing healthy oil as a part of the BlogAdda's Product Review Program for Indian Bloggers.'

This post is a part of Healthy & Tasty Recipe Contest with Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil &BlogAdda.com

-Fatima

Silky Like Silk..

Same year different day a continuation to my crazy wacky experimentation to get smooth and straight hair using innumerable ideas of ironing, making the hair sleep under the weight of heavy books and even some mom-made ideas et al. @Mischief Managed <you can check it out here>

Nevertheless after a while all had failed and I was back to my lustrous locks. But they say perseverance pays and it surely did; err not for me always you see as I'm the impatient one but this time it did. Well I didn't really wait did I?? As I had not only resorted to my crazy ideas but still waited for some miracle to happen and what a luck it did happen, with the launch of "Sunsilk Perfect Straight" moreover I was lucky to get a free sample by IndiBlogger but not so lucky enough to use without feeling a little sheepish as I had proudly claimed there can never be a shampoo to tame my curly hair *embarrassment you see.*

The lucky hamper :)

Anyways enough of me poking myself for my loss. Let me narrate or rather illustrate "The" experience after using the "Miracle Shampoo."  After all a picture speaks much more than even thousand words can convey.

This snap of the unruly, curly hair were taken before taking a head bath for the first time with the Sunsilk perfect straight. 

Before hair wash pic1 

and 

Before hair wash pic2

Once I was done doing the photo-shoot; I immediately went to have a bath. Basically, there were no different procedure to wash the hair but the same like using every other shampoo. First shampoo your hair and rinse them gently and then apply the conditioner to the ends for a minute or two before rinsing that off too.

Now of-course, I couldn't see the difference until I stepped out of the bathroom so I was again hoping that it doesn't work but then again contradicting myself please let it work. *Note to thyself: If, it works further embarrassment to myself.* And then, I finally stepped outside with my hair wrapped in a towel.

Counting...my subconscious drama queen pacing...moment of truth finally... 

I unwrapped my hair brushing them slightly, waiting for them to dry and the smell that wafted in the air was a sweet tooty-fruity smell..at least to me it felt so. And I couldn't believe my eyes; well I can't really write it down you better see the results.

After hair wash pic

And now as even you can see my hair were finally sleek, smooth and silky and all due to Sunsilk Perfect Straight and that too in the very first wash.

If, only I had waited and not experimented even I would have sleek hair with minimal effort earlier. But realizing my folly now I plan to use this very Miracle Shampoo whenever I want my lustrous locks to be straight thereby reducing the hassle. 

Indeed, really glad that Sunsilk came up with such an amazing product and that too at an economical and affordable price. 

And folks reading this, please do give it a try. You will surely see the results especially people like me who thought ironing was the only way to get straight hair.

At the end, I can proudly say

The Mischief was finally Managed with no, not a single help from Magic but from Sunsilk Perfect Straight..! Even muggles have solution to everything.. :)

-Fatima

P.S: The url used in the pics is of my other blog, I had planned on posting it there earlier as this blog was not approved by IndiBlogger when the pics were clicked and sorry for the lack of pics, I don't have a good camera just the cell phone one and also less memory space. Nevertheless, happy to have got straight hair. :)

Book Review: Men On My Mind

TITLE: Men On My Mind
AUTHOR: Radha Thomas
PUBLISHER: Rupa Publications
ISBN: 9788129120502
BINDING: Paperback
PAGES: 280
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2012

Men On My Mind is the debut novel of the jazz vocalist Radha Thomas. True to its name the book is funny, chick lit and light hearted.  

The book begins with a 7-year old girl, who overhears a conversation between her mother and aunt and thus begins her journey in the world of men or rather to put it more specifically ‘men on my mind.’ The first chapter though doesn’t entirely prepare for the rest of the book as it is more of a character and setting introduction.  

The novel is true to its name, tracing the adventures of an Indian girl who is into men since the age of seven. From an all girls convent boarding school, to dreams filled with tall, dark and handsome crush right out of a Mills and Boons novel and teenage crises; she makes her way from one place to another. To make this journey exciting she always has a BFF by her side discussing everything that girls share right from stories of first crush to the other fun gossips. 

She is a casual girl who juggles with more than one relationship at a time, after she realizes the short comings of her first big crush. Kissing on the first meet and one night stands also do not bother her. She is someone whom guys fall for but she just tries to fit them in her criteria waiting for ‘Mr. Right One’ to finally arrive and sweep her off her feet. 

Her journey traces from Mumbai to Panchgani, to Delhi, New York and parts of New Zealand, Fiji and China exploring herself and other species..err men. But sadly ‘Mr. Right One’ always eludes away and she is left with pathetic sloppy kissers, rich old men who are supposed to be family friends, DJ, pianist et al. the list is never ending and her quest continues with no particular direction. Spoilt could be the word for her, but then again one can’t fight the matters of mind and heart can they? 

The book can be termed has hilarious because there are moments when you are like really so many types of men exist? But basically it’s all about different men and relationships and while waiting for the true one to arrive she experiments with all the wrong ones. What’s the fun in just waiting all alone.

Though the book is fast paced and full of different scenarios at times it gets too monotonous with all the fickle men talk surrounding it and that is a major put off. But if, you see past it, it’s just about a woman who desires a little more than love and craves for adventure all in the midst of finding her ‘Mr. Right One’

At the end, if you don’t have anything else to read and just want to read something that is light, sexy, funny and audacious this is the book for you. 

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books. 

Shave or Crave----Spa Event

Posting here after long, but couldn't resist sharing this. Back from the Awesome Spa Experience and it was possible all due to Team BlogAdda.

Thanks a ton guys, for the once in a lifetime experience, why once in a lifetime?? you may ask...well it was absolutely free :D Rejuvenated to the core !

BlogAdda at Sukho Thai Spa

All in all had a wonderful evening! :)

-Fatima