South Indian Recipes: Egg Korma

South Indian Recipes: Egg Korma

South Indian Recipes: Broccoli & Cauliflower Fry

South Indian Recipes: Broccoli & Cauliflower Fry

The Importance of Good Ear Care

A lot of us take our ears for granted. We got out partying, listen to loud music and generally do not maintain them well. Once you lose your hearing, it can almost never be restored. Well, at least not completely. Let me explain a little more in detail.

The inner ear is a very delicate system, and though it can take a lot of abuse, you have to know where to draw the line. I’ve been to several parties and concerts in my teen years and early 20s, stood right next to the speakers and felt absolutely fine. But I realised that this doesn’t last forever when I turned 27, as my ears wouldn’t stop ringing after this particular concert I went for. After I visited the ENT specialist, he told me that me ear drum was quite badly swollen. Ever since that day, I’ve always tried to use some form of ear protection or the other when I’m on stage, at the practice pad or simply when watching a band in action.

The inner ear has these fibre-like hair cells called stereocelia and each of them responds to a particular frequency. They are very sensitive, and if exposed to extremely loud sounds over a period of time, will cease to work. The threshold for pain for the human ear is 120 dBSPL and most concerts and clubs play music way louder than this. Most people don’t know these simple facts and repeatedly ignore them. Little do they know that they will be prone to some pretty serious ear damage in the long run, which can be permanent.

There are plenty of professionals I know that have no choice but to be surrounded by sound all day. They are sound engineers, musicians, DJs, etc. A lot of them couldn’t care less about ear protection, but some of them pay a lot of attention to it. Lets hear what they have to say about it:

I’ll start with myself. I’m a musician and have been performing for over ten years now. Initially I never even knew that my ears needed to be protected, but over time realised how important it was to take good care of my ears. I used regular earplugs for the longest time, but now use professional grade ones made by this company called Etymotic Research. These are really cool, as they evenly cut frequencies unlike the cheap ones that cut more high and mid frequencies. Unfortunately these aren’t freely available in India, but I was lucky to get mine from the US. I make sure I take these with whenever I go for a practice session (everyone likes it loud!) or at a concert. Another alternative is to get earplugs made specially by a doctor. These may cost a bit, but they’ll definitely be worth it in the long run.

Allwin Rego: Sound Designer
“I don’t monitor loud unless the producers are around, as they like it that way. I monitor at around 60 % of optimal volume. It is very important to take breaks when you are tired, otherwise you lose judgment and your work ends up being rubbish. I also never use headphones.”

Dr. Rajaram Phadnis – ENT Specialist:
“It is extremely important to keep your ears clean. Most people use cotton buds to do this, but excessive use of these is also not good. Earwax may be annoying, but it actually helps the ear stay clean, so try not to get it out yourself. Keep your ears dry as far as possible. Moist or wet ears are very susceptible to infection. I know this may sound preachy, but try not to expose yourself to loud sounds for stretched periods of time. Try and wear ear protection when you go to discos or concerts. It will definitely help in the long run. Lastly, it is also very important to make a trip to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist at least once every 3-6 months.”

Jeremy Rana - Live Sound Engineer and DJ:
“I always use ear plugs when setting up. Sometimes you may get a lot of feedback from the speakers, which can do a lot of damage to your ears especially if you are right next to the speakers. Local ones are really cheap, but you can get decent imported ones too. As a DJ, I make sure I take breaks in between sets and use the right headphones.”

Entertainment

Usure Poguthey- Raavanan Lyrics:

Intha Bhoomiyila Eppa Vanthu Nee Porantha
En Buthikula Theeporiya Nee Vethacha
Adi Thaeku Mara kaadu Perusuthaan
Chinna Theekuchi Osaram Sirusuthaan
Adi Thaeku Mara Kaadu Perusuthaan
Chinna Theekuchi Osaram Sirusuthaan
Oru Theekuchi Vizhuntha Pudikuthadi
Karunthaekumara Kaadu Vedikuthadi
Oosurae Poguthey Oosurae Poguthey
Odatha Nee Kondam Suzhikayila
Oooo Maaman Thavikiraen, Madipicha Kaekaraen
Manasathaadi En Manikuyilae
Akkarai Cheemaiyil Nee Irunthum
Aiviral Theenditha Nenaikuthadi
Agini Pazhamunu Therinjirunthum
Adikadi Naaku Thudikuthadi
Odambum Manasum Thooram Thooram
Otta Ninaika Aagala
Manasu Sollum Nalla Solla
Maaya Odambu Kaekala
Thaviya.. Thavichu..
Osur Thadam Kettu Thiriyudadi
Thayilanguruvi Enna Thalli Ninnu Sirukudadi..
Intha Mammutha Kiruku Theeruma
Adi Manthirichu Vitta Kozhi Maaruma
En Mayakatha Theethuvechu Manichudumaa..
Santhiranum Sooriyanum Suthi Orae Koatil Varuguthey
Sathiyamum Paththiyamum Ippa Thalaisuthi Kidakuthey
Oosurae Poguthey Oosurae Poguthey
Odatha Nee Kondam Suzhikayila
Oooo Maaman Thavikiraen, Madipicha Kaekaraen
Manasathaadi En Manikuyilae
Akkarai Cheemaiyil Nee Irunthum
Aiviral Theenditha Nenaikuthadi
Agini Pazhamunu Therinjirunthum
Adikadi Naaku Thudikuthadi
Intha Olagathil Ithu Onnum Puthusulla
Onnu Rendu Thappi Pogum Ozhukathula

Food And Recipes

Healthy Menu:

Your Basics to Good Food Fibers

You’ve heard of fibers, and you’ve probably heard about how important it is to have daily intake of foods rich in fiber in order for your body to reach maximum level of fitness and health. There has been a certain level of consciousness with regard to regular intake of fiber-rich foods. This consciousness is the product of the overwhelming and alarming rise in the number of overweight and obese individuals. Sadly, obesity has plagued not only a certain class or age, but almost everyone from all classes and ages. You’d see obese teenagers that are suffering from diseases like hypertension or diabetes.

Benefits of Fibers

Foods rich in fiber are essential to the body. These fibers prevent diseases and illnesses as well as ensure the proper function of the body. It makes sure that the digestive system runs efficiently. Constipation would usually result if you lack fiber in your diet. Other disorders that are prevented with high-fiber intake include diarrhea, gas, bloating, as well as life-threatening diseases like diverticulosis, cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Other benefits of high fiber diet include:

1. Weight loss. You eat less, and you feel satiated for a longer period of time so you don’t normally overeat.

2. Anti-aging. Foods rich in fiber contain a lot of antioxidants that prevent diseases and disorders related to aging, thus, making you healthier for a much longer period of time.

Fibers and Your Options

High-fiber foods are everywhere. You cannot possibly have any problems about finding or buying them. It is important that you include high-fiber foods in your diet and make sure that you’re body is getting as much fibers as your body needs.

You could also consider concentrated health drinks that you find in your local grocery as a way to supplement fiber deficiencies in your diet.

These health drinks are basically fruit juices that are packed with carbohydrates and antioxidants. However, the best way to get as much fiber as you need is to eat raw fruits and vegetables.

Below is a list of fruits and vegetables that are rich in dietary fibers:

1. Bananas and berries.

2. Beans, lentils, peas, potatoes, sweet corn, and carrots.

3. Whole wheat breads and cereals.

4. Broccoli and sprouts.

5. Pear and dried figs.

The bottom line is high-fiber foods are crucial to your health. A regular intake of foods rich in fiber would ensure that your body will remain healthy and active.

Facebook, Mobile Careers Offer Free Access to Site

Facebook has teamed up with 50 wireless operators to offer cellphone users a stripped-down version of the social networking site that can be accessed without incurring data charges. The new site, dubbed 0.facebook.com, is a text-only version of Facebook's flagship Internet site and is specially designed for mobile phones with limited bandwidth Internet connections. The new site will be available beginning on Tuesday in 40 different countries, including Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey from a variety of carriers.

The new site comes as the world's largest Internet social network continues to grow its base and looks for ways to increase the amount of time Web surfers spend using its service. Roughly one quarter of Facebook's 400 million users access the site on mobile devices, according to the company. But Facebook wants to make the service more accessible to cell phone users who do not own high-end smartphones such as Apple Inc's iPhone, or phones based on Google Inc's Android software.

Among the carriers partnering with Facebook are Reliance and Videocon in India (with Tata Docomo coming soon), T-Mobile in Hungary and Vodafone in Greece. Customers of the participating wireless operators will be able to access the new Facebook site without paying any wireless data charges.

The 0.facebook site offers the same capabilities as Facebook's standard website, allowing members to view their news feed, comment on posts and send messages. But 0.facebook will not feature any photos or videos -- Web surfers can link to view photos and videos, although they will be charged standard wireless data fees by their carriers at that point. Facebook is not paying the wireless operators any money to reimburse them for the free usage they provide and there are no financial terms to the partnerships.

In addition to many so-called emerging economies in which 0.facebook will be offered, the site will be available in the United Kingdom, Finland and Hong Kong, among other places. While the United States is not among the countries in which Facebook has operator deals, Moissinac said he hoped the site would eventually be available there as well.

High-End GPS Enabled Handsets

Everyone’s always in a rush to get some place or the other. Even though a very large sum of us already know our way around our fair cities and a few others, having a great sense of direction doesn’t always work for others. In this day and age of technology integration, instead of buying those expensive GPS devices that you have to either leave in your car or cart along with you everywhere, if you're one of the paranoid types it’s better to go with a mobile handset that offers everything and Maps. With that sentiment in mind here are a few or the high-end handsets that feature built-in GPS modules with A-GPS support and come preloaded with map applications.

Motorola MILESTONE: The MILESTONE is a formidable handset that offers the Android OS fans quite a bit of functionality. Aside from looking like it's one hull of a hardcore handset, the MILESTONE’s feature set includes options like Motorola’s Crystal Talk, multi-touch for the display and of course MotoNav maps with voice guided turn by turn navigation. The mapping software is easy to use and is it’s free. There’s no three month trial period but all the data included with software is yours for keeping with no expiration data. However, in case you wish to update the system of add more cities (401 included) that would additional. The 5MP camera also supports geo-tagging.



The handset feature: * 3.7-inch touchscreen – 480 x 840 pixel resolution * 3G, EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi, GPS * Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP, USB 2.0 (micro) * 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash * microSD card support up to 32GB (8GB included) * 3.5mm handsfree socket Nokia N97 Mini
The N97 Mini with its Live desktop feature allows you to stay connected with your social networking buddies very easily as well as get quick looks at new emails that show up. Nokia’s Ovi Maps going free for life also made quite a significant difference to the overall sales of Nokia handsets. Ovi Maps are quite intense when it comes to providing details and of course a large display is always a better option to go with for any GPS enabled handset making the N97 Mini a good option.

Other features include:

* 3.2-inch touchscreen – 360 x 640 pixel resolution
* 3G, EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi, GPS
* Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP, USB 2.0 (micro)
* 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash
* FM radio with RDS and Visual Radio
* microSD card support up to 16GB (8GB in-built)
* 3.5mm handsfree socket doubles up for TV out function.

Garmin-ASUS M10 Garmin has been a longtime player in the GPS game and fares quite well on its own. They took GPS mapping to the next level by hooking up with ASUS who also ventured into the mobile industry and bundled their software with their handsets. The M10 is their latest touchscreen device. It runs on a Windows Mobile 6.5.3 professional OS with a slightly customized desktop allowing for multiple pages of shortcuts. The central feature of Garmin handsets is of course the maps and the M10 is loaded with quiet a few features and options for easy to access points of interest and nearby emergency locations like hospitals, police stations etc.

The M10 also comes with:

* 3.5-inch touchscreen – 480 x 800 pixel resolution
* 3G, EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi, GPS
* Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP, USB 2.0 (micro)
* 5 megapixel autofocus camera
* microSD card support up to 32GB
* 3.5mm handsfree socket.

Google Maps is the very best alternative to pre-loaded map applications. However as handy as that may be, you’ll need to be within service area coverage for them to work. In this case, stand alone GPS mapping software like Nokia’s Ovi Maps or Motorola’s MotoNav will work just fine even in zero coverage areas as long as you’re outdoors. Thus the overall versatility and detail of a specifically designed GPS app is always better and having it bundled into a single device you also make calls from ensures you don’t have to have too many gadgets on you all the time.