I Can, I Will...

Some of you might have heard about this diet called GM Diet (General Motors Weight Loss Diet). It is a seven day diet program. It is planned in such a way, that it cleanses your internal body and flushes away the impurities within your system. This program is targeted to those who want to lose weight.

During the diet, you need to follow the plan given in their website. You will basically live on fruits, veggies, milk and water for these seven days (for vegetarians). Non-vegetarians however have other options. For more details you can refer to this link:
http://msync.org/health/GeneralMotorsDiet.html

I thought why not give it a try. I do not want to loose any weight. I am however keen on cleansing my body. I am sure it will give a feeling of well being at the end of seven days.
To keep the spirit high, I thought why not blog my experiences :)

Key Factor: Drink atleast 10 glasses of water during this diet program

Day 1: Only fruits:
Eat as much fruits as you want (anything except banana).
So we went to the market and got Apples, Pears, Lychee, Rock Melon, Watermelon & Oranges. I think this will be sufficient for today. Actually I am feeling a little tired already. May be my body is getting prepared for it. :) I will get back with more updates tomorrow.

Day 2: Only Veggies:
For breakfast, eat one large boiled potato. Rest of the day, eat any raw/cooked vegetables of your choice.
I had 1 potato for breakfast. I prepared soup for afternoon (a simple mixture of tomato gravy, onion, capsicum, cabbage, & carrot gratings - cooked with very little salt).
(Check out in the above link for recipe of GM Soup). Also had 1 hour of cardio workout at the gym.

Day 3: Fruits + Veggies (except banana & potato):
I woke up this morning and I knew something was wrong. Man! I felt so weak and dizzy. I drank a big glass of water with glucose and rested for a while. :)
Then I began my day with apple, pears & carrot. For lunch I had watermelon, peach, carrot, cabbage & tender coconut. Dinner was beans, cabbage, tomato, pears & lychee.
You know what, life becomes so boring with only raw fruits & veggies. I realised it just now. I want some junk food. But I cant quit now :P

Day 4: Eight Bananas + 3 glass milk:
Aww finally some change. I was bored of eating only fruits & vegetables. Today I can eat banana & get some calcium out of milk. Also, I will prepare the GM wonder soup for lunch. Hope this day goes on smoothly. Will be back with more updates.

Day 5: Rice + Tomato:
You should feel lucky today to enjoy a bowl full of rice. Drink extra water today to flush off the extra uric acid produced in your body.

Day 6: Rice + Vegetables:
Again today you get to eat 1 bowl of rice and any amount of cooked/uncooked veggies. It was really tough for me to eat plain rice. So I had to break the rule. I ate curd rice with pickles. Hehe. I know, during a diet, pickle sounds a little junk. Afterall, rules are made to be broken :P

Day 7: Rice + Vegetables + Fresh Fruit Juice:
This is your last day of diet, so refresh yourself with fruit juice - as many as you want. Eat one bowl rice and (un)cooked veggies.
In the morning I did not find enough time to prepare juice. So I simply ate apple and drink lots of water. hehe. Let the processing happen in my stomach :P For afternoon I will be drinking kiwi & grape juice, also a cup of brown rice. For dinner it will be some veggie salad and fruit juice again.

Anyone wants to join me, start it rightaway. Lets walk towards feeling better :)

Adi is trying to distract me with Indian sweets, snacks and other junk food. Its right in front of my eyes. But i will not give up. :P
I know I can & I will succeed. Hehe :)

My LG Contest

I have submitted few entries at the online LG Contest that is taking place currently in Singapore. Check out my entries.

Below are the links to my entries: I would be happy to receive comments/ feedback/ suggestions

http://sincere.lge.com/1001148
http://sincere.lge.com/1001171
http://sincere.lge.com/1001462
http://sincere.lge.com/1001475
http://sincere.lge.com/1002851
http://sincere.lge.com/1003943
http://sincere.lge.com/1003945
http://sincere.lge.com/1004536
http://sincere.lge.com/1004542
http://sincere.lge.com/1004590
http://sincere.lge.com/1005186
http://sincere.lge.com/1005196
http://sincere.lge.com/1008158
http://sincere.lge.com/1008183

Tioman

It was to mark our 1.5 yrs of anniversary :)

Well Adarsh had booked a pair of tickets to Tioman Island (Berjaya Resort). Coincidentally it happened to fall on May 14th, which turned out to be our anniversary - one-and-a-half-year of marriage :)

One could reach Tioman via air (Berjaya airways) or by land (bus + ferry). We opted for the latter one. On Friday early morning, we set off and the journey was good. We reached the island by 2pm and we were really hungry by then.

I was excited about the chalet. It was the first time we were in a chalet.  "Wow! this is how a chalet looks" I exclaimed as we entered in. It looked great, but as we soon discovered, some lights were not working. The air-con looked old and worn out. The water in the bathrooms weren't hot enough. We were left with frowns on our face. We kept the reality aside and got busy with our lunch. We had to carry our chapati rolls and some fruits as we expected not-so-good-Indian-food (vegetarian) around Tioman. So, as soon as we checked-into our room (so-called-chalet), we got busy with our pet-pooja.

After lunch, we walked towards the beach. The sand was good - but it did not impress me. I imagined the water to be blue-green color. That's how it was in the internet. But I think they were just in the pictures. The beach seemed much like the rest of the beaches - "nothing special about it" I said to Adi as we walked along the beach side. 

All our trips had been great so far. We had fun and we came back happy and satisfied. But we thought, Tioman wasn't all that great after all. Somehow, all our friends who had been to Tioman, misled us telling that this was one of the best holiday spots. We blamed our friends and colleagues for telling such imaginary stuffs - the water looked pale, the sand wasn't all that great, the receptionists were not so well trained, and not to mention the hapless chalet. So far, nothing impressed us.

We found out soon that there was a trekking organised by the resort to the waterfalls nearby. But as I did not have my running shoes, we dropped the plan of trekking in the jungle. We explored a bit more of the resort - the pool, games room, restaurants and the spa. We were happy to find an Indian restaurant and walked back to our room in the evening deciding to have dinner at the Coriander Leaves (the only Indian Restaurant nearby).

Next day, we planned to snorkel after lunch and both of us were thrilled. I was unsure if I could get into 10-feet-deep water without knowing how to swim. As advised by the divers there, we wore our gadgets and made sure that our life jacket was tightened. We were taken in a boat to a small island nearby and we were left there to snorkel. There were around 50 others who seemed to be enjoying the clear-blue-waters. I followed Adi & got into water. The first glimpse I had into the water was like a dream! It was amazing. The water was clear, we could see the fishes move around, the water plants were at the bottom, there were sea urchins and sea cucumbers, fishes - small & big, and all those fascinating things one could imagine. I looked at Adi, removed my mask, smiled  & screamed - "wow this is the best holiday I have ever had".

The best part was I was swimming. If I flapped my hands like a swimmer, I moved forward. The life jacket kept me floating. So there was nothing to worry about. The next 1 hour was simply a dream. We were the last ones to return back the gadgets. We wanted more of it :)

We then came to the beach and spent some jolly good time there. The sunset was spectacular. I wanted to pause my life and enjoy that moment for ever. Nature's colors were at its best. Back in the resort, looking at the mirror I realized that we were fully tanned.

If you are planning to have a holiday at the beaches, put Tioman on top of your list. And again, put snorkeling on top of your list for things to do at Tioman. Berjaya resort is just an average one, but its one of the so-called best resorts around. But it does not matter at the end of the day as the island itself is marvellous. We made a mistake wasting our first day by not snorkeling. Plan a vacation to Tioman - go out for snorkeling, and then trek to the nearby waterfall, if you have more time snorkel around some more. And if possible, try to capture the dream with a water-proof camera. Sadly we didn't have one. But dreams are meant to be felt and sensed - not captured!

Check out some shots we took at the island:

I won... I won... I won!!!

Well, I sometimes try my luck participating in online quizzes or other contests that happen all the time in Singapore local websites. I saw a similar Sony ad which said that I could win a pair of movie tickets if I wrote a creative, meaningful and touching "Thank You" note for my friend.

So, my friend (of course Adarsh) had to send me an e-card (which was an invitation for a movie) after which I had to reply back with a thank you note :) Well, I thought why not write a small poetry and this is what I submitted :)

Sweetheart,

I just want to write a note to thank you...

I always have a great time whenever I am with you...

The sweet person who cares for me is you and only you!!!

I am so grateful for the love you have lent...

I truly appreciate the time you have spent...

I am for sure accepting the invitation you just sent!!!

With lots of Hugs & Kisses.
Rashmi

Wow... and as you can guess... I did win a pair of movie tickets to watch the movie "Bounty Hunter".

Be it big or small, I think this is my first ever online prize and I am sooo happy for it.

ಖಾರ ದೋಸೆ: Khara Dose - My Fav

- ದೊಸೆ ಅಕ್ಕಿ - 1 ಲೊಟ
- ಕಡಲೆ ಬೇಳೆ - 1 ಚಮಚ
- ತೊಗರಿ ಬೇಳೆ - 1 ಚಮಚ
- ಮೆ೦ಥ್ಯ - 1/4 ಚಮಚ
- ಉದ್ದು - 1 ಚಮಚ
ಮೇಲಿರುವ ಪದಾರ್ಥಗಳನ್ನು 1-2 ಗ೦ಟೆ ನೀರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನೆನೆಸಿಡಬೇಕು.

- ಧನಿಯ - 1 ಚಮಚ
- ಜೀರಿಗೆ - 1 ಚಮಚ
- ಕೆ೦ಪು ಮೆಣಸು - 5-6
- ಕಾಯಿ ತುರಿ - 5-6 ಚಮಚ
- ಬೆಲ್ಲ - ಲಿ೦ಬೆ ಗಾತ್ರ
- ಹುನಸೆ - ಲಿ೦ಬೆ ಗಾತ್ರ
- ಉಪ್ಪು - ರುಚಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕ೦ತೆ
ಈ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಾಣುವ ಪದಾರ್ಥಗಳನ್ನು ಮೊದಲು 1-2 ನಿಮಿಷ ರುಬ್ಬಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ.
 ನ೦ತರ, grinder'ಗೆ ನೆನಸಿಟ್ಟ ಅಕ್ಕಿ + ಬೇಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿ. ತೀರ ನುಣ್ಣಗೆ ರುಬ್ಬುವ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ರುಬ್ಬಿದನ್ನು ರಾತ್ರಿ ಇಡೀ ಹುದುಗು ಬರಲು ಬಿಡಿ.
 Option: ಸಮಯದ ಕೊರತೆ ಇದಲ್ಲಿ, ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ರುಬ್ಬಿ, 15-20 ನಿಮಿಷದ ನ೦ತರ ಥಟ್ಟನೆ ದೊಸೆ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು. (fermentation is optional).

ದೋಸೆ ಹಿಟ್ಟಿಗೆ, ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾಗಿ ಕೊಚ್ಚಿದ ಹಸಿ ಕೋಸು ಹಾಕಿ ಬೆರೆಸಿ. ಅದನ್ನು ಕಾವಲಿಗೆ ಹಾಕಿ roast ಮಾಡಿ.
Option: ಕೋಸು ಹಾಕುವ ಬದಲು, ಸಿಪ್ಪೆ ತೆಗೆದ ಹಸಿ ಹೀರೆಕಾಯಿ/ಆಲುಗೆಡ್ಡೆಯನ್ನು slice ಮಾಡಿ, ಅದನ್ನು ಹಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿಸಿ, ಕಾವಲಿಯಮೇಲೆ ಒ೦ದೊ೦ದೆ ಜೋಡಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಹೋಗಿ (ಗೋಳ ಆಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ). ಎರಡು ಬದಿ roast ಆದ ನ೦ತರ, ಬಿಸಿ-ಬಿಸಿ ದೋಸೆಯನ್ನು ತುಪ್ಪದೊ೦ದಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿ೦ದ ಬಡಿಸಿ.

( ಹಸಿ ಹೀರೆಕಾಯಿ ಅಥವಾ ಕೊಸು)

ಆಲಸ್ಯವಿದ್ದರೆ, ಅಥವಾ ಅವಸರವಿದಲ್ಲಿ, ತರಕಾರಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ, ದೋಸೆಯನ್ನು ಹಾಗೆ ಕಾವಲಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಹಾಕಿ ಮಾಡ ಬಹುದು.(Plain Dose) :)

(P.S. ಕಾಯಿ ಚಟ್ನಿ, ಚಟ್ನಿಪುಡಿ, ಉಪ್ಪಿನಕಾಯಿ - ಇದರೊ೦ದಿಗೆ, ದೋಸೆಯ ರುಚಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚುವುದು.)

Nippat Masala

You have some crispy nippat at home, and want to add on some taste to it, then here's what you you need:
Nippat, veggies, yogurt

Toppings:
- Carrot gratings
- Onion chopped into small pieces
- Yogurt
- Coriander leaf (optional)

Take the nippat in your palm and smear a thin layer of yogurt over it. Then simply dust over it some carrot gratings and onion pieces. Decorate it with coriander leaf. If you love the taste of coconut, then you can even scatter some coconut gratings over it, and then you are done!

Nippat is definitely a junk food, but since you are eating it along with fresh veggies, it would probably lessen its negative effects :P At-least at the end of it, you are satisfied and happy to say that you consumed some vitamin A & E. :D

Kids will love this, and so will you!

                                                           

Picture above: Adi could not wait for too long to taste it :-)

Your RUN! Your WAY!

I wondered Aww! I was in such a cosy place then... decades before. Life was so beautiful. Where have I landed today. It feels so strange now. "This way is blocked, you cannot proceed ahead." said the man dressed in khaki, interrupting my thoughts. We all had to take the diversion and move ahead.

The space was very crowded. It was as if a race had begun and everyone were busy looking out for their treasure. I was not well acquainted with the place, and I was not sure if I headed right. I felt its best to follow the crowd and so kept walking along with the rest.

"Simply take a left turn here and you will directly hit the rear entrance to the palace. Its just 5 minutes walk from there." said a passerby.
"I do not advice young girls like you to take that path. You better catch a cab and he will drop you at the right place. It wont cost you much." said another lady. - Oh young girl! I'm flattered. I thought.
"We need to be the first ones to reach the palace. So better hurry up & stop talking to strangers" said another woman to her teenage daughter.

Looking at everyones' pace, I questioned myself Am I into a race or something? It does not really feel like a race when you don't know where you are headed towards. At least there should be some announcements of the race. When did it start and when will it end? Will I be able to reach the finish line ever? I think I better hurry up.

I walked faster, and picked up pace. Soon I realized I had begun to RUN. I zipped past many people and moved faster-and-faster. Sometimes, I would take right and left turns only to realize that I returned back to the original crossroad which I had already passed by few minutes before. This race wasn't like my previous marathons where there were directions and boards indicating the distance covered. In that, you at least know your final destination and how much more is remaining to cover. There is no one to guide you here. Its your race, your way!!!

Not to mention the ups and downs. The scorching heat was melting me. I was sweating like never before. I wondered if I had to spend the rest of my life running like this. Wasn't there a cheat code or something like that which would simply take me to the finish line on click of a button. Hmm... wish there was one.

Did I not mention...? my parents too were with me. Yeah! I was not alone. They kept me moving. I even came across many known faces. My friends, colleagues, teachers, their kids and whole lot of others were all a part of it.

After a long journey, we finally bumped into some refreshments. After hydrating ourselves, we resumed our RUN. There wasn't enough time to relax. Just a few minutes later, I spotted Adarsh amongst the crowd. I never knew he was running too. We continued together from there on. The race was fun. Down the way, we clicked several pictures, met new friends, ate chocolates and cookies... giggling and singing all the way. Probably, by now, I had begun to love running. I don't mind running all my life with such wonderful people around me.

Now, this is what each one of our life looks like. Its a race after all. Before you realize you are into it, you would have begun to RUN. All you do is RUN... Sometimes slower, sometimes faster... Sometimes shortcuts, other times longer ones... Sometimes alone, sometimes with loved ones, and at times... with enemies too...

Well, I began my run somewhere-like-a 2 decades back or could be more than that. Just recently, I realized that it was a hard core race I got into! I am having fun though. Learn to enjoy your journey. Click a few snaps, hold your memories tight. Take breaks, refresh yourself. Talk to your neighbors and make new friends. Nourish yourself and always be prepared for hurdles. You are not the only one. Everyone is into it. Make your journey worthwhile. 

Remember: Life is a journey, not a destination!

Happy Journey Folks!