In memory of

Today's post is dedicated to the deceased cat of 10 Downing Street, Sybil

Flowers

There are days that go by when the fingers are busy scrolling, typing and browsing through one website or another trying to find something interesting enough to add to the blog. Finally one which was intresting and made me curious enough. The focus these days has been on flowers and their meanings so this article was an interesting read for me. Here it is information on your birth-flower!

Here is what my one looks like: Lily of the Valley

In fact, to know the meaning and symbolism of flowers it is best to check florist websites. They provide detailed meanings for each one and of course the occasion one must send those flowers.

Space ..

While browsing through the internet, there were so many articles on the total eclipse and other space events, it seemed to dedicate today's ramblings to space and its mysteries.

Collisions are not only confined to the freeways, highways of planet earth, other planets liek Jupiter are no exception.

Total eclipse visibility has generated awe and fear. It has revived age old beliefs of the significance of eclipses 's. It ranges from dragons eating the sun to unborn babies being most at risk. Some shunning such beliefs and some not willing to take any risks. Well fear or not it will be a spectacle worth watching through special glasses.

What's on the menu tonight

Food blogs, stories have always been fascinating. The mix of ingredients and the passion with which the chefs talk about a humble vegetable like lettuce makes one want to go to the nearest supermarket, buy the freshest gem lettuce, break it half and eat it.

Being a vegetarian, choice of food is can be very well defined. Here is one recipe which may be for dinner tonight. Lentils a nutritious choice!. Fingers crossed it comes out just as delicious as it looks.

Lentils with grilled aubergines

2 medium aubergines
Salt and black pepper
2 tbsp top-quality red-wine vinegar
200g small dark lentils, such as puy or castelluccio, washed and drained
3 small carrots, peeled
2 celery sticks
1 bay leaf
3 thyme sprigs
½ white onion
3½ tbsp olive oil
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp each roughly chopped parsley, coriander and dill
2 tbsp crème fraîche (or yogurt)

Put the aubergines on an oven tray lined with foil and place under a very hot grill for 45 minutes, turning them a few times, until the skin cracks and dries in places and the flesh is cooked through and tastes smoky - don't worry if they burst. Remove from the oven and, once cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh into a colander, avoiding the black skin. Leave to drain for at least 15 minutes, then season generously and mix in half a tablespoon of vinegar.

Meanwhile, put the lentils in a medium saucepan. Cut one carrot and half a celery stick into large chunks and throw them in. Add the bay, thyme and onion, cover with plenty of water, bring to a boil and simmer for up to 25 minutes until the lentils are tender - skim the froth off the surface from time to time. Drain into a colander, discard the carrot, celery, bay, thyme and onion, and transfer to a bowl. Add the rest of the vinegar and two tablespoons of oil; season generously. Stir and set aside.

Set the oven to 150C/300F/gas mark 2. Cut the remaining carrot and celery into 1cm dice and mix with the tomatoes, a tablespoon of oil, some salt and the sugar. Spread in an ovenproof dish and roast for 20 minutes, until the carrot is semi-cooked. Add the cooked vegetables to the lentils, followed by the fresh herbs, and stir gently. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then spoon on to serving plates. Pile some aubergine in the middle, top with a dollop of crème fraîche and finish with a trickle of oil.

[www.guardian.co.uk]

Failure and Success

It is quite ironical, after what one perceives as failure, one is motivated or destined to succeed and more often than not, one does succeed. Though of course, definition of success can be subjective. The title of this article was thought provoking 'Why you need to fail' - never once would it have occurred that failure is a 'need'.

The second article was quite refreshing with regards to separating innovation from entrepreneurship.

Green Running shoes! Recently show shopping and shoe conversation has been high on the topics of conversation. A couple of years ago, my husband decided to try on 'vegetarian shoes' we both agreed it was a good choice and worth trying. Unfortunately, the shoes did end up being a disaster. The first pair came apart in a week, and the same happened with the second pair! I am wondering if it would be worth experimenting with a 'green' shoe - will it survive? Only time will tell!

Diet Secrets

Vinegar or no vinegar - cider vinegar has harmed no one - may be it is worth experimenting for a month.

Having your own garden of remedies hmm not a bad idea if it means plucking and munching on a few flowers and leaves. Here is a sneak peak at the article's contents. Useful I would say!

Sage honey for sore throat

Pungent sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. The herb that it takes its name from the Latin verb “to save”. Combined with the antibacterial and healing properties of honey, this makes a great soother.

Ingredients

1 large bunch fresh sage leaves

Enough runny honey (buy sage honey if you can) to cover the leaves

Method

1. Wash and dry the sage leaves and place in a small pan with enough honey to cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour. Allow to cool to a temperature you can handle. (Be careful; sugar solutions and honey can become very hot and cause scalding.)

2. Strain the honey into a sterilised jar containing a sprig of sage, if desired.

Use

Take 1 tsp whenever needed to soothe a sore throat. You can also use to sweeten and medicate hot lemon drinks for colds and flu; take 3-4 times a day when needed.

Neem nit treatment for head lice

This recipe, free of organophosphates, uses plant extracts with known insecticidal properties to kill lice and nits.

Ingredients

20 tbsp (100g) fresh rosemary leaves

20 tbsp (25g) fresh lavender flowers

200ml neem oil

200ml almond oil

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp tea tree oil

Method

1. Strip the leaves and flowers from their sprigs.

2. Combine the neem and almond oil in a measuring jug.

3. Crush half the rosemary and lavender with a mortar and pestle with a little of the oil. Place the mashed-up herbs in a saucepan. Repeat with the second half of the herbs, again adding oil for crushing.

4. Place the crushed herbs, neem and almond oil in the pan, and add the chopped garlic. Heat gently for about 20 mins.

5. Strain through a sieve lined with muslin. Add the tea tree oil to the reserved oil, stir, then filter into a sterilised 500ml bottle.

Use

Apply to dry hair, making sure that the hair is covered and that the oil penetrates to the scalp. Cover with a towel and leave on for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible. Then wash off with two applications of shampoo. Apply conditioner and comb through with a nit comb. Use the next application 7 days later to deal with any new nits.

Goji Berry and Shitake Soup to boost your immune system

In China, soups rather than teas are the traditional way of administering health-giving herbs. This one is packed with nutrients that help to boost immunity and generally ease the symptoms of colds and flu. Eat this soup as soon as you feel a cold coming on.

Ingredients

2 tbsp dried Echinacea root

200 ml water, freshly boiled

5 tbsp goji berries, fresh or dried

2 litres chicken stock (homemade or from stock cubes)

3 chicken thighs or drumsticks (preferably organic)

2 large onions, peeled and sliced

12 shitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

10 cm root ginger, peeled and shredded

2 fresh medium-sliced chillies, finely sliced

8 garlic cloves, chopped

Extra sliced ginger and chillies, to serve

Method

Combine the dried echinacea root with the water in a bowl to make a simple infusion. In another bowl, pour just enough cold water over the goji berries to cover, and leave to rehydrate. Set the echinacea and goji berries aside and leave to stand.

Place the stock and chicken pieces in a large pan or slow cooker. Add the sliced onions, mushrooms, ginger and chillies and place around the chicken in the pan. On a very low heat, simmer gently for 1½ - 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falls apart. Take off the heat.

Five minutes before serving, add the goji berries and chopped garlic. Finally, strain the Echinacea infusion and add this to the soup, reheating if necessary.

Use

Serve by ladling into bowls and garnishing with sliced ginger and chilli for an extra kick.