23 Nov

Tips for Saving Water at Home

Posted by Surabhi in Home and Living. Tagged: , .

Hot and tired after a long, long work day, time to sprinkle those rejuvenating, aromatic bubbles in the bath and soak your tired limbs. Envisioning this scenario itself takes away quite a bit of stress. But woebegone what if there comes a day when let alone soaking yourself in that healing water you won’t even have enough for a bath. Yes, my friends if we don’t tidy up our act real fast, that day is not far off. Conserving water is the need of the hour, for water dear people is the very essence of life. With no water around we would all die, and the scary part is that water is a finite resource.

There is only a limited amount of drinkable water on earth and this amount will never increase. So our biggest challenge is to make optimum use of this limited quantity of water and conserve it for our future needs. Although it is a staggering situation there are a lot of small steps one can take to improve the situation.

The kitchen is a major consumer of water in the house, accounting for almost 10% of the household’s water consumption what with cooking, washing,cleaning and drinking. Next comes the laundry and the bathroom. However all one needs is to be alert and take a few judicious steps and you’ll soon be pleasantly surprised when that water bill of yours goes a dipping. So friends, get set for here we go -

  • Using running water to defrost frozen food items is sheer wastage, instead using the microwave for this purpose is a far better option.
  • Washing fruits and vegetables in a pan of water rather than under the running tap will definitely make for quite a bit of saving.
  • Collecting the water used for rinsing fruits and vegetables and reusing it to water your houseplants or even to flush off the toilets is a real effective way to cut down on water usage.
  • Use of water efficient means for cooking -steaming, microwaving or using a pressure cooker will make a winner of you all the way. For not only will you be saving on water and power, but also preserving precious vitamins in the food.
  • If your utensils are handwashed try not to wash them under running water, instead store the water in buckets or if you have 2 sinks fill one with wash water and the other with rinsing water.
  • Most households today use a washing machine, thus it is imperative that one make a detailed study purchasing a machine which is water efficient.  A lot of water can be saved if proper adjustments are made in the water level to suit the size of the washload.
  • Try doing your washing when you have a full load and you could end up saving upto 10 litres of water in every wash.
  • When brushing your teeth be careful to turn off the tap, you maybe able to conserve water to the tune of 25 gallons a month.
  • Try taking shorter showers instead of lazing around in the bath, also when soaping up do turn off the shower.
  • Toilets should be flushed only when required, do not use it as a trash can or ash tray. Check your toilet for noises when not in use, if so there could be a leak. Get it corrected at the earliest for even a small leak can greatly increase your water bill.
  • Watering ones plants in the early mornings or evenings is a better idea for it is cooler and hence minimizes on evaporation.

If we try heeding these pointers and make them a part of our lives it will surely make for a better world all around and smile for your money power will also last longer!

10 Nov

Chinese Food- Your favorite Cuisine

Posted by Surabhi in Food & Restaurants. Tagged: , , , .

A wintery, lazy holiday, you and your mate plan to catch the latest pot-boiler followed by some tongue tickling,spicy hot food to keep the cold at bay. Your obvious food choice unsurprisingly is ‘Chinese’. The slogan shouted more than five decades back ‘Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai’, seems to have found a common thread today, if only in food. The popularity of Chinese cuisine in our country is such that a large percentage of our population today heads for a Chinese restaurant when eating out.

The authentic Chinese food may leave many of us feeling cheated what with its bland flavour, but the Chinese that most of the restaurants offer with an Indian tadka to add chutzpah has sure caught onto the nation’s fancy. So big is the draw that we see several Chinese joints mushrooming in the country. We used to have big boutique names like China Garden, Mainland China and Legacy of China five years back and now the increasing popularity of the cuisine has got many chains starting in India to cater to big demand. With Chung Wah, Yo China, Beijing Bites, Saahibann etc coming in, we have something to suit all pockets. Even small, roadside carts serving ‘Chenise (!!)’ food have big crowds just waiting to dig into the quintessential ‘chowmeen’.

The more favoured Indian Chinese offerings are – Chilli Paneer, Chinese Chilli Chicken, Veg.Fried Rice, Gobhi Manchurian, American Chopsuey (crispy vegetarian noodle), Veg. Chowmein, Spring Rolls, Hot & Sour soup, Chicken Wings and a Chinese Thali too!!. All this talk making your tummy growl in anticipation? go on order some of your favourite finger licking Chinese food and that too at a discounted rate, just get aboard the open2save.com and the discount coupons there will tingle your Chinese taste buds like never before!

Happy gorging!!

5 Nov

Discounts are the new Genie for your Holiday in India

Posted by Surabhi in Travel. Tagged: , .

Feeling world weary and totally done in by the everyday monotony of living life, methinks time to sit back and take a break.Paradise-on-Earth-Listing And if its in an idyllic locale with beatific scenery, surrounded by lush flora and a picturesque sunset to complete the picture, hey what more can one ask for in a holiday.

There are ample choices where you can recharge your spirits and get that bounce back in your life. But these have traditionally come at a very high cost and you spend lots of time before and after the holiday on how to pay it back!!

Coupons are the new Genie in the travel world ( a la Amitabh Bachchan in Aladin) which are granting your holidays wish at wondrously low costs. These coupons create your packages which are perfect for your pocket. So always check out the latest coupons on holiday deals and make your wish come true.

Sun, surf and long spread out beaches your idea of heaven, then head out to the Kovalam beach in God’s own country, Kerela. Apart from the natural beauty that this tranquil haven gifts you with, the Leela Kempinski in lieu with travelguru.com has an ongoing scheme of flat 15% cash back coupon, making it a truly memorable experience.

If international travel is what you’ve your heart set on then how about an invigorating trip to that veritable tourists paradise, Barefoot-Resort-Havelock-ListingMauritius. So check out this awesome package of 7days/6nights at open2save.com and head out for a totally chilled out fun trip.

And boy there is lots and lots more fun just waiting to be accessed, so what are you waiting for ??

Here you go for some travel deals listed on open2save.

30 Oct

Changing Face of Pizza in India

Posted by Surabhi in Pizza. Tagged: , , , , , .

“Mamma don’t cook dinner for me, we’re having a pizza party at a friend’s place tonight”, that was your daughter on her way to college. Seeing the popularity of this humble Italian dish it seems surprising that not too long back we in india were not even aware of its existence. But as of now there’s a big pizza dhoom and boom amongst all age ranges.

In-fact one major reason for its success is the great adaptability of this yummy meal to local tastes. So now along with the international favorites you have the all Indian pizza running neck to neck in the race to capturing our taste buds. International chains have woken up to this fact hence new desi flavours are the buzzword in today’s scenario.

There are tandoori pizzas, chicken pizza, mushroom pizza, peppy paneer, keema pizza, Indian splendour, veg hindustani and lots more. And this Indo Italian fusion of the pizza is the very reason that it has caught the fancy of all ,even our dadajis and nanis are ready to bite into it with gusto. Every big chain like Dominos, Pizza Hut, Pizza Corner and US Pizza have their own variety.

Check the latest pav bhaji pizza from US Pizza to see real Indianization of pizza. Its reach can be gauged by the very fact that we have the Bollywood diva, the one and only Kareena Kapoor lending her name to the latest offering by an international pizza chain, ‘the size zero pizza’. Raring to go check it out, but before you do so do check open2save.com for that discount coupon too!

25 Sep

Use coupons. Do charity

Posted by Surabhi in Home and Living. Tagged: , , .

Peace at last,after that early morning chaos it sure feels good to sit back with a cuppa chai and newspaper. A piece on Child relief and You, ‘CRY’, catches your eye tugging at you, you too want to do something for these kids but ,and it is a big BUT your finances are stretched. So though you’d love to help where is the money? Not an issue friends for money maybe the least of your problems, no I’m not being funny!

A very simple and easy way to save is the use of the market savvy Discount Coupons. Be it something as basic as buying atta, dal, chawal for the house or eating out, you could get the same quality products at a much lesser price if only you give a few minutes of your time to check these coupons. Online coupons at open2save can help you get stuff at more reasonable rates or even get you hefty bill cuts on that lovely meal at that exclusive new restaurant. That salon which you favour may also be offering some package deals. So if you keep your eyes peeled and make a sensible use of those discounts you could easily save in the range of Rs. 8,000-10,000 a year.

With this same money which you save by being just a bit more sensible in your spending pattern you can easily help with any charity that you’d like. You could help with the education or food for a child at CRY, Rs.1200 for food for a year and Rs. 3,000 if you want to help cover both food and education for the child.You could also help provide the rations for an elderly person for the year or help in their medical aid through Helpage India foundation, or donate to any other charitable institution, do remember friends no amount is small or big when given for charity its the thought that counts. Not only does this selfless act of yours bring relief to the needy but adds to your positive karma bringing you a sense of satisfaction and peace which is un-describable.

So go ahead, indulge that charitable spirit of yours at no extra pains while enriching the lives of so many others and vis a vis yours!

25 Sep

Easy ways to save electricity at home

Posted by Surabhi in Home and Living. Tagged: , , .

The world today is facing a lot of environmental issues which are a great hazard to all inhabiting this planet. Hence it is of utmost importance that we awaken to these dangers and help curb the abuse of all those things which could make this planet a living hell. Electricity is one such major issue. Most methods of electricity production are counted as the greatest save powerenvironment pollutants.

So let’s heed the warning signs and start acting and saving electricity now. Some Tips-

  • Whenever you move out of a room do switch off lights and all the machines as well eg. TV, computer, video games etc. In case you’re going out of town unplug these very machines for they have stand-by functions which consume electricity even when turned off. Didn’t know that did you?

  • If using a dishwasher be sure to fill it efficiently and limit the number of times you run it.

  • Use the washing machine only when you have a full load of clothes and not just 2-3 clothes, that would be a sure waste of power.

  • Don’t put furniture and other stuff in front of your air conditioning vents.

  • Close the doors and windows when air conditioning is on and put off the AC half an hour before you leave the room.

  • If possible try shading your AC unit, if under bright sun it can use upto 5% more energy.

  • Always better to use fluoroscent light bulbs as they use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

  • Decide what you need from the fridge before opening it so that you don’t needlessly waste electricity standing with the door open while you look inside.

  • Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator every few months it will help lower your electricity bill and also keep the condenser working better.

So you see it is not difficult at all to get that electric power going that extra mile if only we put into practice a few simple rules in our everyday life.

22 Sep

There’s a lot you can eat in a Rs 100 lunch

Posted by Surabhi in Fast Food, Food & Restaurants. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Looking to eat Indian food for lunch and cost friendly at that and no, not the quintessential thali please, but something which perks up the taste buds and you go wah, wah !! Is there someplace which caters to all your demands ?? Hop in and let’s take you places!

Ethnic my friends is ‘in’ and yes, I’m alluding to those succulent bites of that yummilicious vada pav, to die for hot, hot paratha rolls or the crispy dosas jumping off the tava. Can you ever forget the aroma that wafts up when the vadapav wala places it before us, tingling our tongues in anticipation . This spicy and tangy treat savoured along with an accompaniment of chutney and fried chillies brings only one thing to mind, ‘phir bhi dil hai hindustani’. And this my friends is the new face of the fast emerging Indian Fast Food.

These delicacies arguably have always been around but only recently have woken up to a whole new demand scenario.The new generation always on the move, is constantly looking for new flavours to spice up its day while on the go, stuff that can be picked on the way. This need has brought about a whole new movement with new entrepreneurs entering the fray and the old timers spucing up their act to allure customers.

Hence you have the Bangalore based Kaatizone, which brings you rolls as varied as – Kadai Chicken roll, Paneer Tava kaati zonemasala, Chatpata Aloo, Egg& Cheese, Afghani chicken, Mutton Seekh and more. They also have food festivals from time to time bringing you delicacies of the said region. Currently running a Mediterranean Festival, they have on offer, rolls with – Greek cheesy Potatoes, Sicilian vegetables, Turkish Chicken kebab, French Spinach& Mushrooms etc. Interestingly they have low calorie options also to help you savour these delicacies while you don’t lose out on health.

Kaatizone Combo meals is another hit, very filling but light on the pocket. Here you can enjoy a Chicken tikka roll along with a dish of cutlets and a coke to top it, a whole range of parathas with dal makhani, curd, the works is also on offer. Want to bring some cheer to your little ones? check out the kid’s combo – a mini egg&cheese roll, smileys and a minute maid! hey you just won yourself the best dad/mom title! And the best part is that these combos which form a great fun meal, are sufficient by themselves and are priced at no more than Rs 100, is it true or what?

Far from home and missing mommy dear’s simple ghar ka khana, you’d give anything for that homely dal and simple capsicum aloo subzi, mixed vegetable or bhindi just the way you like it, with phulkas, some rice/pulao and a generous serving of raita or chaas to complete the picture.Or you may just want to sample some kadhi-rice, or chole te chawal Mast Kalandarthe way the punjabis have it , not difficult at all, just drop in or call Mast Kalandar, Bangalore, it may just help cure that bout of homesickness.

On the move and want to grab a quick but filling bite, check out their amazing parathas. Starting from the simple aloo masala and gobhi to tantalising new variants like – chilli cheese paratha, zara hatke mirchi, paushtik paratha, methi paneer corn, cheesy spring onion all spar for your attention.

Are you a chat fan? do you fancy palak patta chat, aloo tikki or samosa and chole chat , Mast Kalandar’s, ‘Chatoree Galli’ maybe the galli just up your street. Go ahead enjoy these fingerlicking temptations.

Tastebuds craving a dollop of coconut chutney on a crispy mysore masala dosa, or maybe you’re looking for dosa with a twist, welcome to Dosa Plaza. Based out of Mumbai it now boasts a presence in Pune, Gurgaon, Baroda, Haridwar, Goa and now even New Zealand. This is one place which will assuredly satisfy all your dosa quirks, what with its wide variety of 104 types of delightful dosas, not to mention the varied idlis and utthapams. Go sample their American Chopsuey Dosa or do you favour the Tom-chi dosa today ? Apart from this the standard variety of Masala dosa, paper dosa, onion sada dosa, bisibele bhath, tomato rice, sambhar wada are yours for the asking. Chinese style idlis also grace the menu, it truly is a global village!

Lastly let’s have a go at that ‘Mumbai ki shaan’, the ubiquitious Indian burger, aaha! our very own vada pav. This spicy snack has captured the hearts of many , easily available at many a small outlets in Mumbai its now making its presence goli vada pavfelt in other regions too. Goli Vada Pav stands testimony to the fact that this small time snack of once has come out of the shadows and is now one of the most popular amongst all age groups. Very convenient, tasty and filling its so very easy on your pocket too.

The pride of place on Goli’s menu is undoubtedly accorded to the Vada pav, followed by other hot favourites like -Goli Cutlet pav, samosa, Goli aloo tikki.This ethnic food chain currently has 25 outlets across Mumbai and Pune and looks at a much more widespread following in coming days.

With so many options get set to tickle your tastebuds on an out and out hindustani fast food fiesta! and don’t forget to check the coupons at open2save, the offers may leave you licking your fingers some more.

10 Sep

Before you go on your next diet …

Posted by Surabhi in Health and Fitness. Tagged: , , .

I’m on a diet’, is the latest ‘in’ thing to say, if a Kareena Kapoor can do it, so can we. But what exactly is a diet ? While we all seem to be obsessed with it, hardly anyone understands the concept.

Dieting is not about renouncing food but eating sensibly by cutting down on foods which are high in fat content. One Garfield_Dietingmaybe dieting for medical reasons or else for that va va voom figure!, but a proper guide is of absolute importance if you want to cut the flab but not underscore your health at the same time. Now, don’t look so confused, for a few simple tips is all that’s needed to equip you to come out with flying colours.

Dieting Tip #1 – Firstly, never, ever skip breakfast especially when dieting: Ever wondered what the term ‘Breakfast’ , is all about ? This actually means breaking your fast, so after an extended period of fasting ie.while you were sleeping, this forms your first food intake of the day. This meal helps your body to wake up and start the process of digestion and calorie burning once more. Breakfast helps kickstart this process and also revs you up by giving you plenty of energy for the day ahead.

Dieting Tip #2 – Drink plenty of water: Drink atleast 6-8 glasses of water a day, for this helps aid digestion, keeps your skin hydrated and better looking and best of all makes one feel less hungry through the day.

Dieting Tip #3 – Eat sensibly: Avoid white and starchy food. White bread, cakes should be avoided for they have a lot of starchy content leaving you feeling bloated up, these foods also do not keep you full for a long time. So try replacing these with fibrous wholemeal products.

Dieting Tip #4 – Say no to television meals: Sitting and eating in front of the television is one of the biggest banes of our times. It takes away our attention from the food hence ending up in our consuming many more calories than we require.

Dieting Tip #5 – Don’t fry food: Frying any type of food adds unnecessary calories to it. Instead prepare food using grill, oven or steaming methods which will not only help retain the vitamin content but also keep those calories at bay.

Dieting Tip #6 – Minimise on eating out: Try carrying home cooked lunch and give a miss to restaurant food. Even much hyped low calorie options at restaurants make use of a lot of processed ingredients which are high in sugar and salt content, thus negating the effect a good deal.

Dieting Tip #7 – Not all fruits and veggies are diet friendly: Are you aware that though generally a generous helping of fruits and veggies is considered quite beneficial and healthy for any one on a diet, not all qualify under this category. Few of these should be had only in moderation as they are higher in sugar content than their counterparts, among these are – bananas, figs, prunes, raisins, grapes, potatoes, peas, carrots and corn.

Dieting Tip #8 – Exercise : Last but surely not the least, exercising is a must for it helps aid digestion and burning of calories. Just 30 minutes a day could make for a healthier you.gym_cartoon_2 Go for something which you enjoy so that you can sustain it over a period of time be it – swimming, dancing, walking, skipping, playing tennis or cycling. If the routine gets monotonous moving onto some other form of exercise may do the trick, so keep at it and you’ll be all set.

All these tips are surefire pointers for a healthier and may I add undoubtedly a trimmer and smarter you.

However there are times when one has no choice but to hobnob with those very foods which you’ve been trying to avoid. Don’t lose your cool, keep your eyes peeled and you’ll come out tops even in such situations.

Partying or Dining out: no hassles, try eating as much salad as possible and only then move onto the main course. Chances are that your stomach already being quite full will tend to go more slow and not binge on the more fatty butter chicken and paneer makhani. Also if dessert is something which you can’t do without try going for fresh fruits, these will not only bring your meal to a sweet end but also save you from excess calories.

If drinking alcohol try putting in some food in your stomach before you drink for the food will help slow down the absorption rate of the sugar in your blood and keep your insulin levels in check. Try also for a smaller amount of carb intake in your meal if you’re having alcohol .

As you can see a sensible approach is not necessarily a tasteless one but instead is one which makes it possible to enjoy the tastes of life in a medicine free and hasslefree manner for a much longer while.

There go some tips on dieting … before you embark on your next diet … and hopefully your last one that lasts. If that’s not a win, win situation what is!!

——

p.s. For more dieting cartoons visit www.glasbergen.com

6 Sep

Weight Loss – Options and Tips in India

Posted by Surabhi in Beauty, Health and Fitness. Tagged: , , , , , .

Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the most beautiful of them all? Is that a question which you no longer dare to ask ? Maybe those melt in the mouth sweets, scrumptious pizzas and the sinful paneer pasandas you gorged on over the Weight Lossmonths are accountable.

Countless times we hear people say, ‘ I just didn’t realise when and how I put on all this weight‘. Maybe while one was busy juggling that hectic worklife and home, when junk food became the norm and no time for exercise your escape route.

But some snide remarks later, you wake up to the alarming truth and don’t know what to do. Firstly don’t despair, as the saying goes ‘jab jaago tabhi savera’, if you have the will there are many a slimming solutions to help pave the way .In today’s day and age there is no dearth of options:

Dietary Supplements:

There are quick fix solutions like the famous Dr. Nigam’s weight loss programme, Slim On Phone, wherein they promise a new you in as less as 30 days. Then you have meal replacement supplements, like the delicious diet shake provided by Herbalife, this takes care of 2 of your meals a day and helps you reach your favoured figure in a reasonably short time.

Fad Diets:

Also at any given time certain fad diets become the rage the world over, the cabbage soup diet, the atkins diet have all enjoyed great popularity one time or the other . The current craze is the all new raw banana diet and the lemon detox diets. The Japaneses are said to be so taken with the banana diet that there is a shortage of bananas in the market and even with imports the demand has outstripped supplies. However fad diets while showing real quick results are more often than not risk diets.

Exercising and Yoga:

Then there are people who stay staunch followers of the adage ‘no pain no gain’ and strongly support the long road to the gym or power yoga where a certain amount of discipline, determination and a good trainer can help you work Yoga and Exercisewonders. Check open2save for some free gym trials.

Pick up a popular video of yoga by Swami Ramdev or the latest yoga guru our very own svelte and sexy, Shilpa Shetty and you can kickstart your weight loss programme in the privacy of your home.

Slimming Clinics:

These centres like VLCC, Vibes, The BodyCare comprise a combination of machine induced workouts, dietary guidance and some basic exercise to help attain that much desired look and a healthier you.These centres also enlist the cooperation of the client’ s family in order to get more sustained results, also holding counselling sessions to help reinforce and maintain positive long term life style changes.

Earlier the cost of many of these programmes was a major consideration for a lot of people but today with discount coupons on many of these schemes, where you may get a tummy tuck session free with your weight loss programme or a ‘ lose upto 10 kilos, on a 5 kilo loss ‘ , package it has become quite viable and no doubt tempting. The websites of these centres have some real value coupons, or you can look up the same at open2save and download your favourite center’s coupons. open2save also lists exclusive offers only for members.

How to select your weight loss program?

Quite possibly all this seems a bit too much and you are now in a quandry as to which route is the right one for you. That depends on your goal as also the time and effort you’re ready to put in.

If looking for very short term results, you have to get to a certain size at any cost then fad diets and supplments could be the answer. Of course these may not be the most sustainable for you even in medium term and you may end up looking for the next weight loss program soon!!

If you want to follow the middle path, slimming centres especially ones with a more holistic approach to weight management, maybe your calling. However these will need very sustained efforts over longer periods to maintain the new look.

But the best option remains exercising and watching your diet in a healthy way. This way, you manage your weight in the most sustainable way and also it comes with some serious positive side effects of better life-style, more positivity and overall a much healthier you. Research has proven that exercising even for short periods reduces stress and makes you more positive.

So take your pick and get ready to wow the mirror again.

28 Aug

Pizza tastes better with coupons …

Posted by Surabhi in Pizza. Tagged: , , , .

A rainy Sunday evening, kids shouting with glee as their paper boats run along the water, for a change you’re having a restful chat with your mate in a long time. But psssst its fast approaching dinner time and you’ll soon have to interrupt this idyllic retreat and return to the kitchen, hah that’s life! But you could enjoy this scenario some more, just call in for a pizza delivery. A hot and zingy pizza is a surefire hit on a rainy evening like this and the kids will thank you for a perfect end to their weekend.

Yes, today curry country India, has opened its arms wide in welcome for the Italian pizza. How this simple and humble peasants meal from Italy grabbed the Indian taste buds can be attributed to the fact that it is very akin our desi tastes, its main ingredients being : flour, cheese and tomatoes. Pizzas are also a very adaptable product for one can use varied toppings and sauces to give a more localised flavour to it. And think of all the new desi menus like tandoori pizza on the offer now!!

Pizza has become so popular in India, it is one of the rare dishes with an all India appeal. The genext is demanding pizza parties for their birthdays and adults are more than happy to oblige for its convenient, hasslefree, a great success with all and so quick, just a call away. Some pizza parlours also have special kiddie menus and themes to make the day more fun. And now with the coming in of Coupons in the pizza business, things just became so much more fun.

Today you have a Pizza Hut tempting you with the offer of a 50% off on a 2nd medium size all new Cheesy Bites Pizza, all you seem to need for the same is a pizza coupon. Some others are offering Free Pizza, while some coupons get you sides free like Garlic Bread. Not to be left behind are the other players in the game, trade in a coupon and get a free sandwich from Dominoes on the purchase of a large pizza, Papa Johns a US based pizza chain, the latest entrant in the Indian market, is offering a free serving of their delicious Garlic Parmesan breadsticks with a large speciality pizza. Coupons are the most convenient and effective ways to enjoy your pizza while you save big.

How to find these coupons? Pick up the latest copy of the take away menu from a pizza outlet near you, they always carry the latest coupons. If you want an easier way, check open2save.com for the latest pizza coupon codes before you order anytime. And use your coupons and droooooool while you wait for that hot and spicy pizza to arrive at your doorstep.

A wise Pizza lover once said “Tastiest pizzas are the one’s bought with coupons !”

« Older Entries