The World Pie Day observed on the 14th of March every year, is an annual celebration of the mathematical number Pi (π). In many places, the entire month of March is observed as the ‘Pi Month’. Although nothing to do with food, the most common way to celebrate the occasion is by having lots and lots of pie.
The day is also the birthday of Albert Einstein, hence at places people apart from eating pies also remember the famous scientist in numerous ways. Some of the unique ways of celebrating Pie Day are throwing pies at each other, organizing pie-eating contests, eating and sharing slices of pie, and distributing pies made at home among people.
Chicken Pie Image credit- Oddbodz
Pies have been an important part of our civilization, since the ancient Egyptians. The first pies were baked by the Romans, who learned them from the Greeks. The early pies were basically meat pies and appeared in England as early as the 12th century. The story of fruit pies started in the 1500s. The first cherry pie was made for Queen Elizabeth I. Pie traveled to America with the early settlers, with modifications made with locally available ingredients and techniques.
Over the years pie has evolved into what it is today, and for Americans, it is ‘the most traditional American dessert’. Here are some interesting facts about the all-popular pie that will certainly make you fall in love with it:
The Historical Facts:
Sweet, savory, hot or cold, and pies are considered comfort food. In Britain around 1 billion pounds are spent on pies, with pork pies accounting for nearly 145 million pounds.
In England, the crust of the pie was referred to as ‘coffyn’ with more crust and less filling.
The Romans are believed to have brought pies to Europe, with not just meat as its filling, but oysters, mussels, and fish also.
In England, the pie crust was used to bake meat dishes, where people used to enjoy the meat, and the crust was given to servants and beggars.
Shakespeare in his tragic novel ‘Titus Andronicus’, used pie, where the protagonist Titus Andronicus, avenges Queen Tamara and her family for their evil deeds by baking her sons into a pie and serving it to her.
In his novel “A Winter’s Tale”, Shakespeare bakes warden pie, made of mace, ginger, prunes, nutmeg, raisins, and saffron. Wardens are a type of hard pear that lasts long but has to be cooked before eating.
Apple pie Image credit- Dan Parsons https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan90266/42759561/
Some healthy facts about Apple Pie – one of the most preferred and popular pies, mostly in America:
Regulates body temperature – Iron being a rich source in apples is responsible for the regulation of body temperatures. It also assists in metabolic and enzymatic functions in the body.
Improves digestion – Thiamine in apples assists the secretion of hydrochloric acid vital for digestion.
Enhances memory power – Thiamine also known as a moral vitamin is effective due to its positive impact on the nervous system and mental attitude.
Helps in the treatment of diabetes – Vitamin B3 in apple tarts is a treatment for diabetes and high level of blood sugar.
Happy Pi Day!! | by Koka_Sexton
The article is authored by famous Dietitian Sheela Seharawat. She is the founder and chief mentor of Diet Clinic Health Care Pvt. Ltd. Also, she is one of the youngest successful entrepreneurs of India.
Uttarakhand also was known as ‘Devbhumi’ or ‘Land of Gods’ is indeed one of the most sacred abodes of God on this earth. Of the many pilgrimage Yatras leading to Uttarakhand, the Panch Kedar Yatra informationis a quite prominent one.
The Panch Kedars are a group of the five most revered Lord Shiva temple namely Kedarnath, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar that dot the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. The history and legends associated with the temples of Panch Kedar date back to the epic eras of Mahabharata and thus are quite ancient temples.
Most of these temples lie on the most untouched and remote parts of the Himalayas that are inaccessible by the motorable roads. Thus, most routes to the temples require a good amount of seasoned trekking. Undertaking the trek to Panch Kedar lets you embark on a real magnificent tour across the most difficult terrains of the high Himalayas and it is indeed an experience worth cherishing all through your life. A proper pilgrimage tour of the Panch Kedar takes you nearly 15 to 16 days to be completed successfully.
Mythology
The existence of Panch Kedar can well be associated with the legendary tales dating back to the era of the Mahabharata. According to legendary tales, the Pandavas were struck by an immense sense of guilt for having killed their own kinsmen in the battle of Mahabharata. To get rid of their sinful act, they prayed to Lord Shiva who however was too very enraged with their actions on the battlefield. So, he evaded them by taking the guise of a bull and hiding at Guptakashi. Pandava brother Bhima, however, recognized Shiva hidden in the shell of a bull and tried to catch hold of the bull by the tail. But Lord Shiva in the guise of the bull slipped out of his hands and disappeared. Later, he appeared in five different parts in the five different regions of Garhwal. Hump appeared in Kedarnath, a face appeared in Rudranath, and arms appeared in Tungnath, navel appeared in Madhyamaheshwar, hair appeared in Kalpeshwar. In order to please the lord Pandavas erected temples at all these five locations that later came to be known as Panch Kedars collectively. The Panch Kedar Yatrashould be carried out in the following order first Kedarnath, second Tungnath, third Rudranath, fourth Madhyamaheshwar, and fifth Kalpeshwar.
Read on to learn more
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath temple perched at an elevation of 3584 meters above the sea level falls within Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district and is dedicated to Lord Kedarnath or Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple is one of the highest Jyotirlingams of Lord Shiva where the lingam is shaped like a cone quite resembling the hump of a bull. One can reach Kedarnath shrine only after trekking a distance of 14kms from Gaurikund base camp.
Tungnath Temple
Tungnath temple of Lord Shiva is perched at an elevation of 3680 meters above the sea level and can be reached by a 4 km long trek from Chopta base camp. Myths say that the arms of the lord had appeared at this place. Sights embellished with high Himalayan peaks, emerald meadows, and colorful rhododendrons will greet you on your way to Tungnath.
Rudranath Temple
As per legends lord Shiva’s face had appeared at this place. A rock shrine made naturally at an elevation of 2286 meters above the sea level has been dedicated to lord Tungnath. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Neelkanth Mahadev at Rudranath and the lingam most uniquely resembles a face. Trek to Rudranath can be undertaken from several locations at Gopeshwar.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple
The shrine of Madhyamaheshwar is perched at an elevation of 3289m above the sea level. As per myths the middle part or navel region of Lord Shiva often called the ‘Madhya’ part fell on this place. Bartoli and Uniana are the two places from where the trek to Madhyamaheshwar can be started.
Kalpeshwar Temple
This temple of the Panch Dwarka lies in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district and in the valley of Urgam. As per myths, the matted locks of Lord Shiva had appeared at this place. Thus, Lord Shiva is referred to as Jateshwar or Jatadhari at the shrine of Kalpeshwar. The temple of Kalpeshwar stands at an elevation of 2200 meters above the sea level.
March 8th is celebrated annually as Woman’s Day throughout the globe. This day is dedicated to honouring women for their contribution to their personal and professional lives. They dote on their children, run a household like a queen, and lead teams as bosses at work! There is no concept of a ‘time-out’ for them. Let’s treat them like the queens they truly are. Brothers, Fathers, Husbands, Kids and family alike can join hands and cook up a storm for the women in their lives.
Women’s Day Special recipes
Some of these quick and fun recipes include:
Macaroni with Creamy Corn and Nachos
Serving: 2
Ingredients:
1 tbsp Olive Oil
3 Garlic Cloves (Chopped)
1 Onion (small. Chopped)
50 g Corns
Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
100 ml Hot Pasta Stock
60 g Dr. Oetker FunFoods Mayonnaise Veg (4 Tbsp)
120 g Macaroni (Boiled)
20 – 25 g Nachos (8-10 pcs., Jalapeno flavour)
50 g Cheese (Processed, grated)
Directions:
Heat oil in a nonstick pan (low flame) add garlic, onion and cook for 30 seconds or until onion, gets caramelize. Add corn and sauté for 1 minute. Season it with salt and pepper.
Add pasta stock to above vegetables and stir. Take the pan away from flame, add mayonnaise and stir well. Bring it back to flame and let it simmer for 1 minute or until sauce thickens.
Add pasta to above sauce and toss well.
For Assembling- Place nachos around the plate, add above pasta in the middle and sprinkle cheese on top. Serve.
Level: Beginner
Preparation time: 15 Minutes
Spicy Mexican Style Wraps
Serving: 6
Ingredients:
6 Portion Chapattis
30g Butter (2 tbsp.)
150g Onions (2 small, finely chopped)
100g Green Bell Peppers (1 medium, finely chopped)
150g Tomatoes (2 small, finely chopped)
45g Dr. Oetker FunFoods Salsa (3 tbsp.)
Directions:
In a non-stick pan shallow fry the chapatis in butter from both sides until they are crispy.Make medium size balls from above mixture and keep them aside.
In a bowl add salsa, capsicum, onion and tomato. Mix well.
Spread the above mixture on the chapattis. Roll up. Serve hot.
Level: Intermediate
Preparation time: 5 Minutes
Cooking Time: 15 Minutes
Peanut Butter Cake
Serving: 4
Ingredients:
100g Dr. Oetker FunFoods Eggless Cake Mix Chocolate
150g Butter (melted)
100ml Water
100g Dr. Oetker FunFoods Peanut Butter Crunchy
Directions:
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Mix melted butter, bake mix and water.
Grease and flour a 7 inch (18cm) dia. baking pan and pour batter in.
Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes until a toothpick, inserted in the centre, comes out clean.
Leave to cool for 15 minutes and place cake on serving plate. Spread peanut butter and cut as per choice. Serve
Level: Beginner
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Recipes curated by Gaurav Chadha, in-house Chef Dr. Oetker India are sure to strike the right chord!
A female sailor who cross-dressed to discover the world from a different angle, an African-American aviator who looked past racial and gender discrimination to become a pilot, a fearless investigative journalist who circumnavigated the globe in 72 days, and a housewife who didn’t let age and gender stop her from traveling – these are the different faces of women who toured the globe more than a hundred years ago.
They traveled out of their comfort zones in a time with no booming technology, often alone. They explored the world by foot, on horses, mules, and camels, on trains, planes, and ships, and not to mention while wearing waist-hugging corsets and heavy skirts. Some even managed to disguise themselves in men’s clothing to be able to globetrot.
In an era where racial discrimination and sexist oppression were on the rise, these brave, badass women had to climb more than mountains to reach the peak of their careers and dreams.
This International Women’s Day we introduce you to a few of the remarkable female explorers we all should take inspiration from.
Nelly Bly (1864 – 1922)
Photo: Nellie Bly | Image via Cowgirl
Nelly Bly was an American investigative journalist who knew no boundaries. She was best known for her fearless expose for which she went undercover to reveal the brutality in women’s asylums and the abuse of women workers in factories. Bly was also renowned for her world-breaking trip around the world.
Inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel ‘Around the World In 80 Days’, Bly circled the globe in 72 days in 1890, beating the fictitious globetrotting record in the novel. She embarked on a 24,899-mile journey, raveling in steamships, existing railroad systems, rickshaws, and on mules and horses. She traveled her way from England to France, Singapore to Japan, and California back to the East Coast, carrying only the dress and sturdy plaid coat she wore from day one, and extremely light luggage.
Gertrude Bell (1868 – 1926)
Gertrude Bell in Iraq Photo of British author and archeologist Gertrude Bell, in Babylon, Iraq
Image credit-Wikimedia Commons
Gertrude Bell, dubbed the “queen of the desert”, was a British explorer, diplomat, writer, linguist, cartographer, archaeologist, and skilled mountaineer. She had a major role in establishing the modern state of Iraq after World War I.
She explored and mapped the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. She served in military intelligence and civil service, and she was the only woman working for the British government in the Middle East during that time. Her extensive knowledge and the writings brought by her travels became highly influential to British imperial policy-making. Her books gave the people of Great Britain a clear concept of the empire’s outer territories.
Jeanne Baret (1740 – 1807)
Imagined portrait of Jeanne Baré dressed as a sailor, dating from 1817, after her death. Image credit- Wikipedia
Jeanne Baret was a French sailor and botanist and was known as the first woman to have completed a voyage of circumnavigation of the globe. Since only men were allowed to sail, she had to dress like a man and join the expedition as “Jean Baret” to avoid blowing her cover.
The ploy kept her close to Philibert de Commerson, a naturalist and her partner, who scored a commission from the French government to sail and conduct research. Commerson was usually ill so he needed assistance from Jeanne. The cross-dressing ruse worked for a year until some islanders uncovered the truth. When Baret returned to France, the navy paid tribute to her and recognized her as an “extraordinary woman” for her work of gathering new species of plants.
Ida Pfeiffer (1797 – 1858)
Old age and gender shouldn’t be hindrances to traveling – this is what Austrian traveler and travel book author Ida Pfeiffer taught us. She was barred from the Royal Geographical Society of London (the UK’s learned society and professional body for geography) for being a woman. She went out of her way to travel alone and she’s now renowned as one of the first female explorers in the world.
Ida Pfeiffer is an Austrian traveler and travel book author. Image credit- Wikimedia
After her sons had families of their own, she was finally able to fulfill her childhood dream of traveling to foreign places. She had her first trip to the Holy Land, trekked to Istanbul and Jerusalem, and visited the pyramids of Giza on camelback. Her first trip around the world started in 1846 when she visited Brazil and other South American countries, Tahiti, China, India, Persia, Asia Minor, and Greece. She used to write and publish her writings along the way. Today, her books were translated into seven languages.
Isabella Lucy Bird (1831 – 1904)
English writer, photographer, and traveler Isabella Bird defied social convention and even her own sickly nature by exploring the world, and often alone.
Image of Isabella Bird. Born, Isabella Lucy Bird Image credit- Wikipedia
She traveled to Australia, Hawaii, Colorado, Japan, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Morocco, and the Middle East, challenging the concept of female propriety. She experienced trekking up active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea and exploring the Rocky Mountains in Colorado on a horse. She was also the first woman to be elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London.
Bessie Coleman (1892 – 1926)
Bessie Coleman was an American civil aviator and was the first woman of African-American and Native-American descent to hold a pilot license.
Bessie Coleman was the first woman of African-American descent and the first of Native American descent, to hold a pilot license. Image credit- Wikimedia
She developed an interest in flying but she was banned from flight schools in the US due to her race and gender. Racial prejudice and sexism didn’t stop Coleman from pursuing her dream and becoming a queen in the air. She took a French language class, saved up money, and traveled to France where she earned her pilot license. Bessie Coleman was among the pioneering aviatrixes who broke multiple barriers and paved the way for Amelia Earhart and other female pilots that came after them.
Annie Londonderry (1870 – 1947)
Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, also known as Annie Londonderry, was the first woman to bicycle around the world.
A bet challenged her to circumnavigate the world in 15 months or less while earning at least $5,000 along the way. Londonderry accepted the challenge not only for the money but to dispute the concept of women’s propriety and to prove how a woman can get on in the world on her own.
Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Four Points Immigration, a team of registered migration agents, assisting individuals and employers with their successful Australian visa application. Writing a wide variety of interesting and informative articles about immigration and travel is her cup of tea.
