Easy-to-make Snacks For Your New Year Eve Party

As we say goodbye to 2016, all of us have plans to say "Hello" to 2017 in our own way. While some of us will be hitting the best of Pubs in town, some might plan to spend time with your near and dear ones at a house party ! I have always belonged to the "House Party Club". Never being a fan of crowded places, New Year eve parties are not something that appealed to me. House parties look like the best idea to me. Its all about indulging in food, friends, family and conversations as we brace the new year :)

Trust me, House parties are a lot of fun ! From cooking together to sharing stupid stories to not caring a bit whether or not you act crazy if drunk, it truly is the best way to herald the New Year. 

Why depend on only the store bought boring packets of chips, chanachur and bhujias when you can make something for your guests in no time! I have listed down some chakna options that are easy to make at home in no time. Whether or not your party involves booze, you can enjoy them nonetheless. 😊

1. Tandoori Chicken : One of my favorites. A little bit of planning in advance and they are easy to put together in no time. And to add to it, they are delicious and healthy ! This is the best thing to go with any of your cocktails or mocktails.

Image source: http://www.dawn.com/news/1200040

2. Boiled Chana Chaat: Super healthy and extremely easy to cook. In about 10mins time, you will have a whole lot of chana ready. Just remember to soak the chana overnight, boil them the next day and dry roast them with spices and chillies; Your Chakna is ready to be served.

Photo Courtesy: Pinterest.com

3. Masala Papad : Don't we all love papad and for parties, it's an extremely affordable snack option. Top it with some salad as a dressing and your masala papad is done! This item will be a hit with your guests.

Picture Courtesy: http://www.tarladalal.com/

4. Fish Fry :  This is an instant favourite at all house parties. Get boneless fillets of fish or the whole fish, marinate them and simply fry them. I am not talking about the fancy fish fries that you get at restaurants, therefore no need to batter fry it, but you can also choose to go for that.

Picture Courtesy: http://www.plugdaily.com/

5. Corn Salad : We all have loved the sweet corn at malls and at movie theatres. Why not try for your NYE party. Boil the sweet corn, add some onions, tomatoes, cucumber, chaat masala and some lemon! Your healthy and tasty chakna is ready :)

Picture Courtesy: http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Hope you all have a great New Year eve ! Enjoy yourselves, drink responsibly and stay safe. See you all in 2017. 🍻🍻🍻😍

Happy New Year From Love Health n Beauty ! 💖


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Christmas and New Year Treats for you in Kolkata

A Merry Christmas to all of you :)

When it's Christmas, you can't really rule out good food, drinks and quality time with your family. So, here I have listed below few outlets in the city which guarantee all of this and much more ! Have a Great Christmas weekend. 

Bodega Cantina Y Bar Christmas buffet will be on till New Year. From Bacon Wrapped Prawns to Pan speared Duck Break, you will be in for a treat this week at Bodega. Vegetarians need not be disappointed as there are ample options for you as well.  Its quirky interiors, well-curated menu is sure to win your heart. Pocket pinch -  INR 1,599/- without alcohol and INR 1,899/-with alcohol.





Edesia's festive menu has limited options for you but you will get the traditional Christmas dishes on offer. Pre order your turkey and enjoy a hearty meal till the 1st of Jan. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. Pocket Pinch - Rs. 1200 approx for two







Yauatcha Kolkata is celebrating Christmas and New Year with signature dishes and drinks, accompanied with music.

The celebrations begin with a specially curated menu including soup, salad, dim sum, wok dishes and desserts alongside the a la carte menu. The drinks menu includes a wide range of spirits, wine, signature cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails.

The special menu is available for Rs 1800* per person and the drinks menu is available separately for Rs 1800* per person.

Afraa Deli has a special Christmas Buffer on offer which will have a variety of continental dishes on offer and a variety of cakes and goodies. Pocket Pinch - Rs. 999+ taxes per person

Mrs Magpie's Salt Lake outlet is doing a Christmas special meal this year till 1st of January 2017.The menu includes French Onion Soup, Curries Sweet Potato, Tangarine Roast Turkey with Vegatable Glace, Christmas Veg Pie. For desserts, you have traditional Christmas cake slice with brandy cream, Cointreau Chocolate Mincemeat cake slice to name a few. Pocket Pinch - Rs.1000 for vegetarian; Rs. 1250 for non vegetarian(all inclusive of taxes)

SpiceKraft Kolkata has a contemporary Anglo Indian Menu on offer till the 3rd of January to satiate your taste buds.They have on offer suckling pig confit, Poached betki cardinale, classic Christmas pudding to name a few. Prices are pretty reasonable as well . Pocket Pinch - Rs. 1200 approx for two

The Yays and the Nays of Winters !

Sunday is one such day of the week which has been special ever since childhood. It meant dance classes, silly games we played with friends in the afternoons, good food and quality family time. It was one such day when dad was home and we enjoyed a lazy meal. Yes, the afternoon siesta was bliss !

Thankfully, I can say nothing much has changed over the years. Though Dance classes and silly games have been replaced with the adda over the morning tea, the laundries, the cleaning up and the cooking; yet it remains special. 

Winters add a special touch to the lazy Sundays. The love affair with your blanket seems endless with no alarm clock playing a spoilsport. The morning cup of tea looks more inviting as you can spend as much time with it. Morning breakfasts are all about comfort food and nothing beats a steaming bowl of Maggi with loads of onions and chillis :) Not to forget the Sunday Lunches.

Along with all the pros, there comes a list of thumbs down as well. I have always disliked winters for the havoc it created with my skin and hair. My already dry skin decides to not listen to me at all. My chapped lips never seem to heal for all these months and my hair looks so very dry and damaged :(

Though I am extremely lazy when it comes to skincare, I have to take out some time for my skin in the winters especially on Sundays.

A few days ago, I received a hamper from Himalaya Herbals to meet all my winter needs. It came with body lotions, nourishing creams and lip balms. Everything that is sure to find space in your winter care regime.

Winter Hamper from Himalaya Herbals

I especially adore their cocoa butter body lotion and have been using it for quite some time. Since I have extremely dry skin, I have to reapply the lotion after 6-7 hours in the winters. The white complexion day cream is also a very good product from the family and works well for my skin. 

Lip balms are something I constantly keep applying and reapplying, not just in the winters but all round the year. The situation just worsens in the winters. I don't remember a single day in the winters when I had smooth lips. They are forever chapped and flaky :( Himalaya's Lip balms come in a variety of flavours and give my lips a good coverage and the necessary nourishment. No lip balm stays on my lips for a long time but in terms of moisture it provides, Himalaya Lip balms are good.

For my hair, I rely on my almond oil and Loreal hair mask to satisfy the cravings of my smoothened hair. Hair serums are something that becomes my solution in the winters.

Cracked heels are something which I have not faced as of now, Touchwood ! But I know a lot of women for whom this is a nuisance and for most of the season, their feet are covered by a pair of socks to save them the embarrassment. Then, comes the nuisance of smelly feet, thanks to the necessity of wearing socks all day long !

Be it winters or summers, smelling good is a must for me. I ensure that all the products I use give me a fresh feeling. 

I have always liked products from the Himalaya stable and trust them with my skin and hair. They have hardly disappointed and provide a good value for money. 

I will be happy to hear about your winter skin woes. Share the same in the comment box below or connect with me on social media.

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How Am I Dealing with the Cash Crisis in India ?

If you live in India, you cannot be unaffected by the demonetization drive by our honorable Prime Minister. Right from doing the groceries, everyday commute to shopping goals, you cannot ignore the cash crunch that the country is currently facing. Though most of the honest tax payers like me have welcomed the decision with open arms despite the initial hiccups, people from all fields of life have been affected in some manner.

So, how am I dealing with this cash crunch ? By going online and resorting to alternate payment methods. Yes, It helped me a lot this time. It is time that our elders are also introduced to these paymenr gateways. It just makes life simpler for all of us in normal conditions as well.

1. Buying Groceries Online - I have to admit,this is a first for me as well. Browsing through 5 different brands in a super market have always been my preferred choice of buying groceries. This time, forced by the limited cash in hand, I browsed through Grofers and Bigbasket.com and ended up ordering from Bigbasket. I am quite impressed by the sheer variety they have. Thankfully they have metat and fish in cut sizes just like you get in normal markets. You need not buy in bulk everytime you order. It was a seamless process and things got delivered on time. The packaging was great and the products were fresh :)

2. Paying for my daily commute By Paytm and debit cards - I was the happiest when Uber launched the Cash option in India. :P Thanks to all the news of online fraud cases, I always thought cash was the best option. Though I am not someone to carry too much of cash in my wallet, I depended on ATM transactions every week. Now with no option left, I fianlly recahrged Paytm to manage my Uber bills. It is extreme;y convenient but be careful with passwords and other security measures

3. Recharging and Paying Utility bills online - I have always depended on online payment methods especially net banking for all my recharge and utility bill payment requirement. It again came to rescue this time :)

4. Funds transfer by Paytm - Our office colleagues have been planning a weekend trip. Like all group trips, these plannings include a lot of pitching in of cash. Since all of us are short of cash, we are transferring funds to each other's Paytm accounts. Simple, fast and extremely helpful, this is something I tried for the first time. Well, one of my dearest friends has also offered to buy me something because I was short of cash at that point in time and I could repay through Paytm transfer :P

5. Thinking of easier ways to exchange your Rs. 500 and Rs.1000 notes - Standing in long queues outside banks is not very appealing to me. People have been standing outside banks since early morning to exchange the notes that they have and they get to do the job late in the afternoon. This looks extremely difficult to me on a workday or even on a weekend. Therefore, I have been looking for ways to easily exchange the cash. I have used one such denomination to recharge my metro card and buy some medicines which we will anyway need. Some organizations are still accepting old currency notes, which they will eventually deposit in banks. Use these offers before they expire.

God bless these alternate payment methods :)

Share your experiences of the week that was, when we all faced the brunt of no cash in hand ! I am sure we will get to hear lovely stories of the Great Indian Jugaad ;)

Five things that caught my attention at The India Story 2016

When I received the invite of The India Story 2016, I was excited to visit this as it is a celebration of the best of Indian handicraft. Art, Music, clothes, upcycled décor, handmade jewellery and regional cuisine, it was all about celebrating the rich heritage, the cultural variety and beauty of India.

What is The India Story ?

The India Story (TIS), launched last year, is a design exposition for products that are exclusively Indian in make and aesthetics, a showcase bringing together the very best of contemporary Indian Design - from the definitive names of our country to newer voices and artists from all aesthetic fields. In keeping with this spirit, the tagline for this year’s TIS is “Revive. Reinvent. Relove.”

Here are a few things that caught my attention at TIS 2016:

Upcycled Decor by Sarthak and Sahil

 

1. Upcycled decor by Sahil & Sarthak: This one was my favourite at The India Story 2016. The vibrant colours and the innovative ideas caught my attention instantly. They surely have amazing things to flaunt especially their lovely lights made with glass bangles - an amazing DIY idea that can add glamour to any boring corner of the room. They also have recliners, wall mirrors, armchairs and swings made with unused fabric leftovers procured from mills. And guess what they don't look boring at all. These are amazing things you would want to indulge in when setting up your comfort zones. One such statement piece and your room will have a character of its own.

Lights made of Glass Bangles

Lovely cushions in bright colours

Beautiful Mirrors

2. Upcycled, handmade jewellery from Junk : You must check them out if you are a lover of accessories. Earrings, neckpieces, statement rings - you name it and you get it in bright colours adorned with mirrors and simple embroidery that can jazz up any outfit. I am too tempted to pick up some of their stuff especially their earrings and their glass cocktail rings. All Instagram stalking done and to-buy lists done ! Its inspiring to see how they have used simple weaves and designs and carved them into lovely pieces that will complement both Indian and western wear. It gave me such boho-chic goals.Loved all the designs and the mirrorwork :)

Beautiful earrings made with simple embroidery and glass work

I loved this ring :)

3. Swings from The Retryrement plan : Colours and more colours for your room is what I found at this kiosk. One swing from them and you have a happy reading corner in your balcony. I could never imagine that so many colours could be added to one’s room. Next time I am redoing my home or setting up a new one, I will definitely look at both The Retryement plan and Sahil & Sarthak to give my home some happy colours J

Aren't these the best options for your living room or your balcony

4.Desktop Items from Varnam : They had some lovely desktop items. Minimalistic designs, modular and creative defined their work. From earring hangers to Diwali décor, they had some extremely cute things on display.

5. Quirky stuff at The Kulture Shop: Coffee mugs, letter pads, envelopes, book marks – they have some amazing stuff with some great artwork on them. Again bright, quirky and creative, they have lovely stuff for your work desk.

Quirky stuff in happy colours

 

I also heard great things about Baori and their specially curated Rajasthani cuisine, however I didn't get time to try it out myself. If you are talking food, Zomato definitely cannot be far behind. They had a special booth at India Story for all the food enthusiasts.

Visiting India Story was an enriching experience. It was lovely to see a bunch of creative people and start-ups working hard to revive Indian art and culture in a manner that appeals to the contemporary Indian. Kudos to The Neotia Arts Initiative for painstakingly curating the best and giving them a platform J

Himalaya Herbals' Tan Removal Orange Peel off Mask Review

It was a regular hectic working day and we were stretching ourselves to meet all the deliverables before the Durga Puja holidays. It was then that I received this lovely surprise hamper from Himalaya Herbals.

The Surprise Hamper from Himalaya Herbals for the Launch for their Tan Removal Orange Peel off Mask :)

 The hamper was the perfect kit to tackle all your summer woes. Since we are all dealing with the October heat, it looked like the perfect solution. It had Himalaya Herbals' new product - Tan removal orange peel off mask, a pair of sunglasses, a floral scarf and a lovely straw hat. All this made me crave for a holiday. But unfortunately, we had to cancel our vacation plans because my mom had fractured her wrist.


Coming back to the product, The Tan removal peel off mask is one of the new launches from the brand. If you have been following my blog, you would know that I swear by Himalaya Herbals range especially its hair care and skin care products. Therefore, when I received this product, I was very excited to try it out. Thanks to the heat almost all the year round these days, I am terribly tanned ! And honestly, I am lazy when it comes to hair care and skin care. This seemed to be the easy solution for me :)

What the Brand says about the product:

Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Peel-off Mask is an effective blend of the natural skin lightening extracts of Orange Peel and Honey which helps reduce skin tan from the very first use. Orange Peel helps control melanin synthesis with the peeling action helping to remove tan and lightening skin tone. Honey soothes and moisturizes skin. 

Key Ingredients:

•          Orange Peel effectively lightens the skin tone and can be very beneficial as it eliminates excess facial oil without damaging the skin. The Vitamin C and antioxidants present in Orange Peel work collectively on providing even-textured skin while acting as natural cleansers.
•          Honey contains superior antibacterial, probiotic, and healing properties and is extremely nourishing and hydrating.

Review of Himalaya Herbals Tan Removal Orange Peel off Mask

My experience of the product:

The tan removal mask comes in an easy to use inverted tube packaging, making sure that there is no wastage of the product. The consistency of the mask being slightly runny, yet it seems to be of the perfect consistency when you apply it on your skin. Make sure to apply a thick layer of any peel off mask to ensure that the removal process in easy and less time consuming. On applying the mask, there was a slight cooling sensation and it dried up within 15-20 mins. The removal process, which seems to be the most dreaded part of peel off masks to me, was easy and hassle free. The mask gave a tightening feel to the skin. On removal, the skin felt fresh and smoother. There is also a slight lightening effect post using it for a month. But like I always say, no herbal product works like magic and one month is not a very long duration to judge it's efficiency. You need to regularly use the product for best results.

Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Peel-off Mask is available in 50gm and 100gm is priced at Rs 70 and Rs. 130 respectively.  Available at retail outlets in any city and online on their website: http://himalayawellness.com/

Pros:

• Good consistency
• Easy to remove
• The packaging ensures there is no wastage
• Affordable
• Gives a smooth and fresh feeling to the skin almost instantly

Cons: 

• Don't expect magic ! This product will take time to work.

Disclaimer: PR sample, Honest review :)

Oktoberfest at Bodega Cantina Y Bar

While we Bengalis are busy planning for the Durga Pujas, there is another festival which is making the city which loves its food extremely happy - Its the Oktoberfest, the fest celebrating liquid gold. 

Oktoberfest menu at Bodega

Bodega Cantina Y Bar made sure you don't miss this ! Therefore, they have copious amounts of beers and authentic German recipes for you at their 7-day Oktober festival on till 3rd October 2016.

The food menu focuses on Beer infused favourites made with unique flavour combinations that get a delicious sprinkling of innovative gastronomy techniques. Expect beer batter fried Onion Os, Fish and chips,  Wild Mushroom Pie  made with slow roasted Pumpkin, Sage, Feta and Spicy Lentil; Caramelised Beer Bangers made with German sausages, Potato mash, Buttered Cabbage & Balsamic Glaze; Roasted Chicken Pie made with Béchamel Sauce, Mushrooms,Truffle oil, Chicken Poutine is a delectable blend of Crispy Skin, Cheese, Signature gravy and comes with an option of Bacon. 

For desserts, you will find the traditional decadent and sinful dessert, Chocolate Stout Cake which  is made with Beer caramel, boozy brittle and Chantilly Cream served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. 

I visited Bodega on a Friday evening after a hectic day at work (yes, all my Fridays have a packed schedule ! ) with my colleague. Thankfully, there was no rush on the roads and we reached by 7pm. We opted to try out the traditional picks first, the onion Os, and Fish n chips, while we were happily chatting away and gossiping about the week gone by.

We also asked for the Beer cocktails as beer is not reallt our favourite.  Then came the Chicken Poutine and the Roasted Chicken Pie.

On the drinks menu, There was Coronarita which is a delectable mix of Classic Margarita with Corona on Top and Michelada made with Sea Salt, Corona, Lime, Chilli and Secret Sauce. Both of us being hoarders of spicy food, Michelada was something that appealed to both of us. And yes, it won the game hands down all because of the chilli and the sea salt. Though beer lovers might swear by Coronarita, which comes with a bottle of Corona on top, It was not our favourite. (Yes, that how it looks, don't even try to pick up the glass. I didn't ,given the clumsy person I am)

Coronarita

Michelada

Honestly, the Onion Os were not that great but the fish n chips were good. Chicken poutine was something we both liked. With bacon, cheese and chicken, it was perfect. What won our hearts was the Roasted Chicken Pie. It was gooey, cheesy and oh-so-good. The dish comes in a small pot filled with chicken and cheese. It was a pot of happiness, one sppon of it and we couldn't stop raving about it. Though we were quite full by that, we just kept on having spoonfuls of it because of the sheer pleasure that the dish was ! ( many many more calories added :/) It was a pity we still couldn't finish the dish.

Roasted Chicken Pie

The menu of Oktoberfest is affordable and comes in good potions which is suffient for 2 people. There are some super offers on Beers with Bodega offering 1+1 offer on Budweiser and 3+1 deal on Corona. The One -on-one offers are reason enough for beer lovers, I guess ! Please do try the Chicken Roasted Pie as you wouldn't want to miss it !