Gone with the wind-Margaret Mitchell

Gone with the Wind is a romantic drama and the only novel by Margaret Mitchell. The story follows Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of a plantation owner in Georgia during and after the Civil War. It is set in Jonesboro and Atlanta during the American Civil War and Reconstruction.The novel won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into an Academy Award-winning 1939 film of the same name. It was also adapted during the 1970s into a stage musical titled Scarlett; there is also a 2008 new musical stage adaptation in London's West End titled Gone With The Wind. It is the only novel by Mitchell published during her lifetime, and it took her ten years to write it. The novel is one of the most popular books of all time, selling more than 30 million copies (see list of best-selling books). Over the years, the novel has also been analyzed for its symbolism and treatment of mythological archetypes.

Time magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.


Here's the link to download the novel:
www.geocities.com/olivia_hav/gone_with_the_wind_margaret_mitchell.pdf

Funny clip about human brain..

This is a musical and creative fun way to learn the parts of the brain. You probably have to listen a few times and sing along to learn it all. Enjoy!

THE LOTUS SUTRA

THE LOTUS SUTRA:

The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren on April 28, 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truth of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify.
What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.

NAM:
The word nam derives from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.

MYOHO:
Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.

RENGE:
Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.

The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.

KYO:
Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.

CHANTING NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO:

"When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

I found this article on link given below:

http://www.squidoo.com/NamMyohoRengeKyo

I would only say one thing i.e. please listen to the video and I am sure you will feel spiritual about it.

10 Ways to Lose Weight Without Dieting

Simple changes to your lifestyle can help you lose weight and keep it off.

Sure, you can lose weight quickly. There are plenty of fad diets that work to shed pounds rapidly -- while leaving you feeling hungry and deprived. But what good is losing weight only to regain it? To keep pounds off permanently, it's best to lose weight slowly. And many experts say you can do that without going on a "diet." Instead, the key is making simple tweaks to your lifestyle.

One pound of fat -- is equal to 3,500 calories. By shaving 500 calories a day through dietary and exercise modifications, you can lose about a pound a week. If you only need to maintain your current weight, shaving 100 calories a day is enough to avoid the extra 1-2 pounds most adults gain each year.

Adopt one or more of these simple, painless strategies to help lose weight without going on a "diet":

1.Eat Breakfast Every Day.
One habit that's common to many people who have lost weight and kept it off is eating breakfast every day. Many people think skipping breakfast is a great way to cut calories, but they usually end up eating more throughout the day.Studies show people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs than breakfast-skippers and perform better, whether at school or in the boardroom." Try a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and low-fat dairy for a quick and nutritious start to your day.

2.Close the Kitchen at Night.
Establish a time when you will stop eating so you won't give in to the late-night munchies or mindless snacking while watching television. Have a cup of tea, suck on a piece of hard candy or enjoy a small bowl of light ice cream or frozen yogurt if you want something sweet after dinner, but then brush your teeth so you will be less likely to eat or drink anything else.

3.Choose Liquid Calories Wisely.
Sweetened drinks pile on the calories, but don't reduce hunger like solid foods do. Satisfy your thirst with water, sparkling water with citrus, skim or low-fat milk, or small portions of 100% fruit juice. Try a glass of nutritious and low-calorie vegetable juice to hold you over if you get hungry between meals. Be careful of alcohol calories, which add up quickly. If you tend to drink a glass or two of wine or a cocktail on most days, limiting alcohol to the weekends can be a huge calorie saver.

4.Eat More Produce.
Eating lots of low-calorie, high-volume fruits and vegetables crowds out other foods that are higher in fat and calories. Move the meat off the center of your plate and pile on the vegetables. Or try starting lunch or dinner with a vegetable salad or bowl of broth-based soup. The U.S. government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines suggest that adults get 7-13 cups of produce daily. Stock your kitchen with plenty of fruits and vegetables and at every meal and snack, include a few servings. "Your diet will be enriched with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, and if you fill up on super-nutritious produce, you won't be reaching for the cookie jar."

5.Go for the Grain. By substituting whole grains for refined grains like white bread, cakes, cookies, and pretzels, you add much-needed fiber and will fill up faster so you're more likely to eat a reasonable portion. Choose whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, bran flakes, popcorn, and whole-rye crackers.

6.Control Your Environments.
Another simple strategy to help cut calories is to control your environment -- everything from stocking your kitchen with lots of healthy options to choosing the right restaurants. That means avoiding the temptation by staying away from all-you-can-eat restaurants. And when it comes to parties, "eat a healthy snack before so you won't be starving, and be selective when you fill your plate at the buffet". Before going back for more food, wait at least 15 minutes and have a big glass of water.

7.Trim Portions.
If you did nothing else but reduce your portions by 10%-20%, you would lose weight. Most of the portions served both in restaurants and at home are bigger than you need. Pull out the measuring cups to get a handle on your usual portion sizes, and work on paring them down. Get instant portion control by using small bowls, plates, and cups. You won't feel deprived because the food will look plentiful on dainty dishware.

8.Add More Steps.
Get yourself a pedometer and gradually add more steps until you reach 10,000 per day. Throughout the day, do whatever you can to be more active -- pace while you talk on the phone, take the dog out for an extra walk, and march in place during television commercials. Having a pedometer serves as a constant motivator and reminder.

9.Have Protein at Every Meal and Snack.
Adding a source of lean or low-fat protein to each meal and snack will help keep you feeling full longer so you're less likely to overeat. Try low-fat yogurt, small portion of nuts, peanut butter, eggs, beans, or lean meats. Experts also recommend eating small, frequent meals and snacks (every 3-4 hours), to keep your blood sugar levels steady and to avoid overindulging.

10.Switch to Lighter Alternatives.
Whenever you can, use the low-fat versions of salad dressings, mayonnaise, dairy products, and other products. You can trim calories effortlessly if you use low-fat and lighter products, and if the product is mixed in with other ingredients, no one will ever notice. More smart substitutions: Use salsa or hummus as a dip; spread sandwiches with mustard instead of mayo; eat plain roasted sweet potatoes instead of loaded white potatoes; use skim milk instead of cream in your coffee; hold the cheese on sandwiches; and use a little vinaigrette on your salad instead of piling on the creamy dressing.

Dal Makhani

Ingredients:

150g whole urad dal (black lentils)
50g rajma (red kidney beans)
50g channa dal (gram lentils, chickpeas, garbanzo beans)
10g ginger, peeled
2 - 3 garlic cloves
2 green chillies
salt to taste

for tadka:
50g ghee
1 tspn cumin
2 - 3 garlic cloves
pinch asafoetida powder
0.5 tspn fenugreek seed
100g tomato paste or puree

to finish:
100g butter
30 ml cream
0.5 tspn or more chilli powder
0.5 tspn garam masala

Procedure:

1.Soak all of the lentils (urad, rajma and channa dal) in water for 6 hours, or preferably overnight.

2.Wash four times, changing the water each time.

3.Boil all of the lentils with the ginger, garlic, green chillies and salt, and simmer until lentils are well cooked.

4.Drain off excess water and mash the lentils lightly with the back of a ladle.

5.Heat the ghee or oil in a heavy pan until hot, and add the cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds, and stir until they crackle.

6.Add the garlic and fry until beginning to colour.

7.Add the asafoetida powder and tomato puree and stir for a minute.

8.Add to the cooked dal, mixing well.

9.Bring the dal to the boil again, adding the chilli powder, butter and cream.

10.Simmer gently for 30 minutes.

11.Add the garam masala and adjust seasonings.

Naan

Ingredients:

4 cups White Flour (Maida)
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Milk
1 tbsp Sugar
1 Egg
4 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Nigella seeds (Kalunji)

Procedure:

1.Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl and make a well in the middle.

2.Mix the sugar, milk, eggs 2tbsp of oil in a bowl.

3.Pour this into the center of the flour and knead adding water if necessary to form soft dough.

4.Add the remaining oil, knead again, then cover with damp cloth and allow the dough to stand for 15 minutes. Knead the dough again and cover and leave for 2-3 hours.

5.About half an before the naan are required, turn on the oven to maximum heat.

6.Divide the dough into 8 balls and allow rest for 3-4 minutes.

7.Sprinkle a baking sheet with nigella seeds and put it in the oven to heat while the dough is resting.

8.Shape each ball of dough with the palms to make an oval shape.

9.Bake the indian bread naan until puffed up and golden brown. Serve hot.

Baingan Bhartha

Ingredients:

1 large brinjal
2 tablespoons oil
1 pinch asafoetida
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 large onion
1 tablespoon chopped ginger
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon green chillies
1 large chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala salt

Procedure:

1.Wash and wipe the brinjal. Roast it over direct flame for a few minutes, turning it often so that it cooks evenly. Roast till the brinjal shrinks, blackens and starts peeling off.

2.Cool,peel and mash the brinjal. Heat the oil in a pan.

3.Add the asafoetida and cummin seeds and saute till the seeds are light brown in colour.

4.Add 1/2 the chopped onion, ginger, garlic and green chillies.

5.Saute on a low flame for about 5 minutes, stirring continuously.

6.Add the chopped tomato, mashed brinjal, chilli powder,turmeric powder and salt.

7.Cook covered on a low flame for about 5 minutes.Mash the brinjal thoroughly with the back of a ladle and add the remaining onion. Cook uncovered on a high flame for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.

8.Add the garam masala and mix well.

9.Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and green chillies.