THE POWER INSIDE YOU

'Power Inside of You' Equine art by Louisiana based artist Marcia Baldwin

There is a power inside of you that leads to right decision, even in areas as ordinary as food choices or getting to the gym!

 

IN DUSTY WEATHER TAKE EXTRA CARE TO WASH FRUITS AND VEGGIES

Due to the recent dust storm and ofcourse we can expect more of it, have you noticed the how a lot of fruits and vegetables have a film of dust on them in the co-ps and hypermarket?. Green leaves like spinach, mint, parsley so on, though sprayed with water to keep them looking fresh and green, have a lot of dust on them, which may not be visible at one look. Immerse them in a big bowl of water and run your hands through them to loosen the dust and you’d be AMAZED at the amount of dust that would loosen and the water would turn dark grey! The other day I was washing a bunch of mint leaves I picked up from a Hypermarket, that looked absolutely fresh and green and I was shocked at the amount of dust on them, while washing them. The water was dark grey!  I had to change the water and wash about 8 times to actually get them clean!

If you are leaving the task of washing the green leaves to your maid, do instruct her to wash them in several changes of water, until they are clean.  Wash your fruits and veggies and green leaves thoroughly before cooking or preparing salad or eating them raw.

THE BOSSY WIFE

BEETROOT SALAD WITH YOGHURT RECIPE

Everytime my mother would prepare a beetroot dish when I was a child,  instantaneously, I would pull a long face and throw tantrums, anything just to avoid eating it. LOL, that was so many years ago. If she were alive today, she would be surprised how my tastes have changed and beetroot has become a twice a week 'must eat' in my list of healthy eating! Bless her soul....she was a wonderful human being and a great mom.

I love beetroot and all the wonderful nourishment it provides! This is a popular recipe from Turkey to North Africa and the Mediterranean. Alright,  here is a Beetroot Salad recipe, easy to make, so good for your health! Anyone can make it. You don't have to know how to cook to make this!

Beetroot salad with yoghurt -  'Good Housekeeping' magazine

Beetroot salad with yoghurt  by Andrew Scrivani (New York Times)

INGREDIENTS:
250 grams unsalted cooked beetroot (or roasted) and cut into thin half moons (see picture)
6 tablespoon thick yoghurt (preferably not too sour)
powdered pepper to taste (less than 1/4 tsp should do)
salt (as desired)
lemon juice (2 tsp) OR vinegar (1 tsp) ,adjust to your desire
chopped mint or dil leaves or parsley (not too much)
1 tsp of sugar (don't be shocked, a tsp is alright - about 26 calories!, adds zest to salad), Optional
finely chopped or minced garlic - half clove (1/2)
Few chopped peanuts or walnuts (optional , doesnot contain in original recipe)

Mix the beetroot, salt, pepper, lemon juice (or vinegar), sugar, minced or chopped garlic and keep aside in a bowl (covered)  for an hour or two. Take yoghurt either cold or room temperature and spoon it on to the prepared beetroot. Remember if you mix the yoghurt into it, it will turn pink. I prefer to spoon it over the beetroot. Decorate with chopped dil, mint or parsley. You can add a few chopped walnuts or peanuts to it for a nutty flavour if you wish.

Health benefits of beetroot: Beetroots are a rich source of potent antioxidants and nutrients, including magnesium, sodium, potassium and vitamin C, and betaine, which is important for cardiovascular health. 

CHANGING OUR FOOD HABITS

 

Changing our diet is something we choose to do, not something we are forced to do. Instead of dreading it, try saying 'Here's another thing I get to do to help myself, Great!' - Greg Anderson

Substitute your diet with what is good for you,.what your body truly requires, for all your cells, tissues, internal organs to do their job effectively, so your body can give you maximum health. Isn't that what we all desire? 

SHE ZONE A NEW BEAUTY PARLOUR IN SALMIAH

Reception

Waiting area

Hair cut, blow dry, hairstyling area

Facial Room

Pedicure/Manicure Room

Pedicure  room

Manicure area

Steam Room

Massage room

Massage Room

Hair Wash area

Nail polish you can select to wear after manicure/pedicure. Available for purchase as well

The colour I chose for my toes after pedicure!

I visited a newly opened Parlour today 'She Zone' in Salmiah (close to the English Academy School).  The Parlour is owned by Sheelu, from India. With a sense of what is desired by clients, she has created a parlour  that has clean, safe, soothing and relaxing atmosphere and dedicated staff who treats the client with care, and professional service. In Sheelu, words 'She Zone' offers sophistication, service and serenity. They are a one stop for various beauty services including a variety of facials, manicure, pedicure, Moroccan bath, oil massages, Hair spa, haircut and much more. I had a Fresh fruit facial done that used several fresh fruits like orange, kiwi, strawberries and avacado. And  I must say I had an absolutely relaxing experience under the able hands of  Preethi. She also did the Pedicure spa for me, and now that was a wonderful experience too. I needed to treat my feet to something really special after all the walking I've been doing!!!! 

The charges at 'She Zone' are quite nominal and do avail of the Inaugural offers with 20 % discount. Visiting during weekdays (day time) will ensure personalised service and easier appointments, compared to weekends when there would be more clients. 

For appointment and services call Sheelu, She Zone : 99910273

Location Map

Services

SUN EXPOSURE

The temperature outside! It's sooooo  hot from 8 am to 4 pm. The skin on my hands was burning while I walked for 10 minutes in the sun today when the sun's power was at it's zenith - 1.30pm!.  I was on my way back home, from this nice place I visited ( the newly opened 'She Zone' beauty parlour).  I didn't take a cab thinking a 10 minute walk would do me some good (little did I realize what the Mr. Sun  had in store for me!) I am glad I had my cap and sunglasses on. I escaped the dreaded headache I might have got otherwise. 

  

It's unsafe for you and for your skin, to walk in the extreme heat and high day time temperatures (around 37 deg C) currently. Ofcourse temperatures will soar to 47 deg C  and beyond as summer progresses. The best time to be doing your walking workouts outside, is before 7 am and after 4.30pm.  By protecting your head with a cap, hat or scarf, you can help control your body temperature when you walk and prevent headaches.  During day time, drive to wherever you want to go or take a cab.

Many people love the warm sun and it’s fun to be outdoors, especially in the beaches and parks. We all need some sun exposure, it’s our primary source of Vitamin D, which helps to absorb calcium for healthier bones. One can be out during the coolest part of the day when the sun's rays are least powerful,  to get the Vitamin D (which does not take much time). Unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause headaches, sun burn, skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, skin cancer, skin discolouration or pigmentation, dilation of small blood vessles under skin, destruction of elastic tissue causing lines and wrinkles.

Apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before you go out in the sun and reapply after 2 hours if you are still in the sun like on the beach or park.  Use waterproof sunscreen before swimming in the sea or outdoor pools with open roof. Don't forget to apply on lips, hands, ears, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck. Wear a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater. Drink plenty of water (not coke or artificial juices). Wear sunglasses to keep  your eyes protected and for the 'cool' look! 


Enjoy the summer sun! 
  

WORLD'S FIRST MOTORCYCLE

My husband has always been a motorbike enthusiast and being married to him, I was always fascinated by bikes as well. Certain passions can be contagious! We had enjoyed the beautiful Bike show held in February (Concours d' Elegance) at Marina Crescent as a part of the 50-20-5 celebrations. The other day,  I wondered what would the world's first bike have looked like....and this is the result!

1885 'Reitwagon' wold's first motorcyle by Gottleib Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach 

 Here is another motorcyle that was produced some years later by H&W

1894/1895 Hildebrand and Wolfmuller Motorrad (motorcyle)  

Same as above

Same as above - perhaps an artist's impression of the original

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottlieb_Daimler

Source : www.gizmag.com/the-worlds-first-motorcycle-comes-up-for-auction/13889/ 

THE ABCs OF GENUINE HAPPINESS

Nice huh?.. .You can substitute your own positive ideas for any of these....Be creative, spread the positivity!...To appreciate life to the fullest, I realized it's important to be aware what is fed to the mind besides the stomach! LOL...

A GIFT FOR A SPECIAL PERSON ON A SPECIAL DAY

Birthday card for my daughter and the present I sent through Salmiah Post Office

Hallmark in Marina Mall (for cards, toys and gifts)

A huge variety of cards for all occasions at Hallmark, Marina Mall

Ministry of Communications (telecommunications and postal) Salmiah

I was so happy to talk to my daughter today and wish her as its her birthday today. Ten days ago, I had picked up a nice birthday card from Hallmark in Marina Mall. I had also bought a few tiny presents for her and wrapped it up and sent it by post through the Salmiyah post office (Ministry of Communications building, near the Salmiah Co-op). My daughter rang me last night excitedly telling me she received her gift, which was quite a surprise for her, as I never told her I was sending her a gift. Thanks to the Salmiah post office and their wonderful service, my daughter was able to receive her gift (parcel) on time just before her birthday.  Now that's nine days (including holidays), the parcel took to reach UK, from Kuwait. Wonderful isn't it? 

The Salmiah post office accepts registered parcels/packages upto 1.5 kg weight, if you want to send presents to your your loved ones or friends living abroad. Just make sure, you don't send any liquids or eatables.  It's preferred that you write outside the package, the list of contents. Do not send real jewellery or precious stones (like gold, silver...) or electronic stuff. Artificial jewellery is fine. The package I sent,  would have weighed around 400 grams. Due to ongoing renovation work, the post office is shifted to the basement of the building temporarily.

(HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GOD BLESS !)

THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE

There are three kinds of people in this world:  those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened - Mary Kay Ash

ESTEE LAUDER

Estee Lauder has a some nice services from their 'Signature' brand cosmetics. The wonderful sales attendant of Estee Lauder of Debenhams at Avenues Mall, will give various advices according to your skin and and give you personalised specific makeup touch ups, using Signature products ,  if you visit her. It's a special free service from their Signature brand. 

I really liked Estee Lauder Signature lipsticks,  SIG 13, SIG 25 and SIG 56. Check these out if you happen to visit them. They  are absolutely beautiful soft natural shades, just perfect for the summer. I couldn't make up my mind which of those three colours look the best as all three shades are just too good. The colours are much more attractive than what appears in the photos I posted. Anyway, they have lots more colours in Signature lipsticks if you want to explore their colours.

Look out for Estee Lauder's new perfumes from their 'private collection', which I shall be posting on soon.

SALE AT 'GAP'

Sale at GAP was initially posted by LWDLIK, http://www.ladieswhodolunchinkuwait.com which is such a beautiful blog about all the interesting things you can do in Kuwait, be it shopping, exhibition, art, cultural activities, things to do, or entertaintment, music, movies, there is so much that is covered in the blog, that  I visit the blog everyday, sometimes even twice a day! Thanks to LWDLIK's posts, there is so much one can learn from the blog and plenty of things to do in Kuwait during the weekends (and weekdays too!)

I visited GAP yesterday at the Avenues Mall and the sale is still on, till 22nd April. Do vist GAP, as they have nice clothes for the summer if you are interested.  Besides Women's wear, they have Men's wear and a beautiful children's wear section. They have a huge collection of jeans, if you want buy yourself some new jeans. Glad I shopped at GAP!