November 16, 2017 Round the world, Travel

Northern Lights from Reykjavik

Northern lights

The Northern Lights are widely considered among the most captivating beautiful sights in the world, and Iceland is one of the best places to go to see the light show.

 

 

Best Time to visit–

Visit between September and March, when winter descends and the open plains outside the cities are plunged into darkness by night. Even by day, you can expect only about five hours of daylight. And do keep in mind that the nights are particularly cold during the cloudless days of winter, so bring plenty of warm layers.

Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights
aurora northern lights borealis night phenomenon
Image credit- pixabay
 
Aurora Borealis

The phenomenon known as Aurora Borealis is best experienced during winter time as they are generated in the upper atmosphere when bombarded by electronically charged particles from the sun. They form what is known as ‘auroral belts’ around the geomagnetic poles and occur high above the Earth’s surface, at altitudes between 100-250km, where the atmosphere is extremely thin.

If you plan to experience this phenomenon yourself then

Experience Reykjavik! Book tickets to the Blue Lagoon Spa, Northern Lights and more

You may like to read Most surreal places to visit

November 14, 2017 Promotional, Recipes

Children’s Day 4 special recipes

Image courtesy- pixabay Children's day

It is widely believed that children will be the ones shaping the country’s future. This Children’s Day, do a little special something for the young ones. Whip up lip-smacking recipes specially curated by Chef Gaurav Chadha, In-house Chef, Dr. Oetker India in the comfort of your home. Treat your kids and yourself to some delicious food and let your inner child run free!

Following are some fun and yummy recipes for Children’s Day

  • Marshmallows and Mayonnaise Salad
  • Burger Pizza
  • Carrot and Apple Sandwich
  • Fruity Fun Skewers

Carrot and Apple Sandwich

Carrot and Apple Sandwich, Children's Day

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

1 medium Carrot, grated

1 tbsp Raisin

¼ Green Capsicum, deseeded and chopped

90 g (6 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Veg Mayonnaise Original

1 medium Apple, grated

30 g (2 tbsp) Seedless Dates, chopped

½ tsp Cinnamon Powder

3 slices Brown Bread

Directions:

  1. For Carrot Spread: In a bowl, add carrot, raisin, capsicum and 3 tbsp mayonnaise. Mix well.
  2. For Apple Spread: In a bowl, add apple, dates, cinnamon powder and remaining mayonnaise. Mix well.
  3. Apply carrot spread on a slice of bread and club it up with another slice of bread.
  4. Apply apple spread on top of the second layer of the bread slice and club it up with another bread slice.
  5. Cut sandwich diagonally into two triangles and serve.

Level: Beginner

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

 Burger Pizza      

Burger Pizza, Children's Day

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

 

½ small Onion, diced

½ Tomato, de-seeded and diced

50 g Paneer, diced

¼ Green Capsicum, de-seeded and diced

¼ tsp Oregano, dry

¼ tsp Red Chilli Flakes

Salt

Black Pepper Powder

60 g (4 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Pasta & Pizza Sauce

1 Focaccia Burger Bun cut horizontally in two halves

100 g Mozzarella, grated

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, add onion, tomato, paneer, capsicum, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well and keep it aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 180°C. Spread 2 tbsp each pasta & pizza sauce on each half of burger bun. Place vegetables on both the buns equally and top it up with cheese.
  3. Bake burger for 3-4 minutes or until cheese melts. Put the top half of baked burger bun on top of lower half. Serve Hot

Level: Beginner

Preparation time: 15 Minutes

Cooking Time: 5 Minutes

 Fruity Fun Skewers
Fruity Fun Skewers, Children's Day

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 medium Green Apple, cubed

1 Banana, cubed

6 Grapes, seedless

¼ Pineapple, cubed

8-10 Wooden Skewers

90 g (6 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Veg Mayonnaise Original

90 g (6 tbsp) Coconut Powder

2 tbsp Colorful Sprinklers

Directions:

  1. Place fruits alternatively on skewers and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Dip fruit skewers firstly in mayonnaise and once coated roll them up in coconut.
  3. Garnish fruit skewers with sprinklers and serve cold.

Level: Beginner

Preparation time: 15 Minutes

Marshmallow & Mayonnaise Salad
Marshmallows and Mayonnaise Salad, Children's Day

Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

30 g (2 tbsp) Whipped Cream

60 g (4 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Veg Mayonnaise

3 tsp Coconut Powder

2 tbsp Tooty Fruity

2 slices canned Pineapple, cubed

5-6 Marshmallows, cubed

5-6 Cherries

1 tbsp each Almond and Cashewnuts, chopped

Directions:

  1. For Salad Dressing: In a bowl, add cream, mayonnaise and coconut powder. Gently mix it together.
  2. Add tooty fruity, pineapple, marshmallow, cherries and nuts in the above dressing. Mix well and serve cold.

Level: Beginner

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

Image courtesy- pixabay Children's day
Image courtesy pixabay

Happy Children’s Day

November 13, 2017 Travel

Airline Carry On Restrictions: Check the Rules Before You Fly

Backpack -airline restrictions

Airline Carry On Restrictions:
Check the Rules Before You Fly

Everyone has at least one great journey to a stunning landscape, a favorite nature sanctuary or a trip to a foreign country.

We want to hear about exotic places or local getaways, the beautiful scenery of the outdoors or the kind of adventures and fun moments of a backpacking trip.

Here’s the hitch. Try to include something about your backpack into the story. Tell us about your first backpacking trip or your worst trekking experience.

Are you backpacking for the first time…here is what you need to know

Both frequent air travelers and first time flyers need to know about airline carry on restrictions.

With so many regulations and different airlines, everyone has to wonder about which items you must pack away and those that you can bring with you in the cabin.

First, keep in mind that carry on luggage rules are strictly enforced and you must abide by them to make sure that you avoid any unnecessary inconveniences when boarding your flight.

Due to the many safety precautions that airlines take to ensure a safe and enjoyable flight, airline carry on restrictions are imposed on all airline travelers.

Despite the hassles and annoyances, carry on restrictions are in place for safety reasons, yours and your fellow passengers as well. These rules were thought off well and they are designed to make your trip a lot safer and stress free.

Backpack -airline restrictions

These days, new airline carry on regulations also take into account the space that your things will occupy, the weight of your luggage, and more importantly, the items which are contained in your bags.

The total size including height, width, and length of your luggage should not exceed 45 inches (22″x14″x9″) in most airlines. However, there are other airlines that allow up to 51 inches.

And remember that your carry on items should be small enough to fit into the overhead bin and the one located under the seat in front.

Additionally, the weight of the luggage you bring with you is also an important consideration. Most airlines limit the total weight of carry on luggage at 40 pounds while there are a few that may allow a passenger to bring up to 50 pounds of luggage.

Besides the weight and size of your luggage, you need to consider the actual items that you bring into the plane.

Airlines impose many limitations as to what items you can bring because of the possibility that these items may pose a danger.

Liquid soaps and hand sanitizers are not restricted because of their actual contents but because of the containers.

It’s possible to bring these products aboard the plane if you transfer them to an allowable container okayed by the airline.

Other airline carry on restrictions may include the following items:

  • Gargle products and shaving creams
  • Deodorants, colognes, and perfumes
  • Cigarette lighters and other fire producing equipment
  • Lotions, moisturizers, and many different kinds of creams
  • Gel candles and all other items with gel like properties
November 8, 2017 Food

Stress and Food, foods that combat stress

Foods that combat stress

Yes, the stress you carry on your mind is totally connected to your daily food intake and eating habits.

 

You can fight your stress levels by changing eating habits.

Our eating habits actually help to calm down the stress in our mind. Indeed there are certain foods which can help to stabilize blood sugar and emotional well-being. Therefore, food plays a vital role in our day-to-day life, especially when it comes to stress and tension.

Following are varieties of food boosters that actually help to combat stress.

go green
Image credit- Uday Kumar

Go-Green: Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli are rich in folate which releases dopamine (a feel-good hormone), helping you to stay calm. In a recent study, conducted in 2012 of middle-aged and elderly aged person shows that people consuming green leafy vegetables had a lower risk of depression.

Items rich in Tryptophan: Yes nuts are indeed a very rich source of tryptophan and amino acids. The amino acid found in nuts helps in the production of serotonin (the hormone that regulates hunger and happy hormone).Other than that it has a calming effect on our nervous system. Other sources include seeds, fish, oats, beans etc.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal Image source -wikimedia

Oatmeal: When stress hits, nothing can come between you and doughnut especially when you’re a carbohydrate lover. Carbohydrate helps the brain in the formation of serotonin, the same substance regulated by anti-depressant.

Yoghurt
yoghurt-3 | by jules:stonesoup

Yogurt: Sounds weird, but the bacteria present in your gut might be contributing to fight against stress. A study conducted in 2013 by UCLA shows that women who consumed probiotics in yogurt reduce stress levels and areas that handle emotions.

Blueberries

Blueberries: The phytonutrients and antioxidants found in berries, help to improve your body response towards stress and fight against free radicals and stress-related disorders. In addition to this, blueberries help in aiding immunity.

Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate
Image credit-pixabay

Dark chocolate: Good news for all chocoholics: A limited intake of your favorite chocolate will help you to lower down your stress level. Chocolate works on your stress hormone called cortisol which helps in reducing its level. Chocolate helps in lowering the blood pressure and maintains blood circulation.

Avocado
Avocado
Image credit- pixabay

Avocado: This super fruit help to fight against stress and stuffs your belly making you feel more satisfied. This will warn you from eating unhealthy snacks. So, grab a slice of avocado to feel more refreshing.

Milk
Milk
Image credit- pixabay

Milk: Milk is a rich source of vitamin D, a nutrient which boosts happiness. Apart from this, it helps to prevent osteoporosis which is an age-related disorder mainly in females.

Cashewnut
Cashewnut
Image credit-pixabay

Cashews nuts: Excellent source of zinc and other essential minerals that helps to cope up with anxiety and stress. It influences your mood by acting on nerve chemical. So have a handful of nuts to maintain your anxiety level.

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.