Squirrel Love

I made this “Squirrel Love” paper craft as a Thanks giving gift for my Husband.

Decorating your home with Paper crafts are really very simple, cheap, and creative alternative ways with handmade or machine cut flowers , butterflies, fruits , animals, or anything you like.
Handmade wall decorations add style and personality to interior decorating and staging home interiors at no cost.

I download this SVG file from  http://paperpulse.blogspot.com  and I cut this file using Silhouette CAMEO®.

I framed this picture using old vinyl blind.

Paper-cuts are chiefly used as decorations. Decorating your home and greeting cards with Paper crafts are really very simple, cheap, and creative alternative ways with handmade or machine cut flowers , butterflies, fruits , animals, or anything you like.

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Kale Banana Juice

Kale is being called “the new beef”, “the queen of greens” and “a nutritional powerhouse.” Kale, also known as borecole, is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet.

INGREDINTS:

Curly  kale leaves, chopped and stem removed – 3 cups

Ripe banana – 2 nos

Honey – 2 Tbsp

One cup of chopped kale contains 33 calories and 9% of the daily value of calcium, 206% of vitamin A, 134% of vitamin C, and a whopping 684% of vitamin K.

 

METHOD:

How to wash and clean Kale leaves:

1. Place a colander in your sink and place whole kale leaves in it . Rinse the kale leaves under cold water to remove any grime.
2. Now spread the leaves out on a large kitchen towel and roll them up into a cylinder. This dries the leaves.
3. Fold each leaf in half, then cut away the stems. Otherwise, Lay the kale leaves flat on your cutting board. Run your knife vertically down the side next to the stem to remove one side of the leaf, then repeat the process on the other side of the stem to remove the other portion of the leaf. Repeat the process on the other leaves, and then discard the stems.
4. Chop the kale leaves into 1” pieces.
5. Now add chopped kale to the blender, along with 2 cups of water.
6. Blend kale leaves until they are completely broken down and smooth.
   Add one cup of water if needed.
7. Gradually pour the kale mixture through a fine mesh sieve or strainer or JUICE STRAINER  to separate the pulp from the juice. Press to extract as much juice from the mixture as possible. Add additional water, pressing through the solids, as needed.  The pulp can be used in composting or to make veggie burgers and baked goods.

• Now pour the extracted juice back to the blender, with chopped banana and honey.
• Blend on high for 2 minutes till creamy and smooth.
• Pour into glasses and enjoy.

Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and “O”grams of fat.

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Vermicelli Payasam (Semiya Payasam)

INGREDIENTS:

• Vermicelli  - 1/2 cup
• Chauwari or Tapioca pearls – 1 tbsp
• Milk – 2 and 1/2 cup (preferably full fat +extra if needed)
• Sugar – 1/2 cup (reduce as per taste if adding condensed milk)
• Cashew halves  - 3 Tbsp
• Raisins – 2 Tbsp (optional)
• Green cardamom powder – 1/8 tsp
• Few strands saffron
• Nutmeg powder  - 1/8 tsp (optional
• Ghee – 1 Tbsp

METHOD:

• Cook the Sabudhana/chauwari (Tapioca pearls) in a heavy bottomed vessel by adding 3 glasses of water.
• When it done, it will appear to be transparent and soft.
• Drain it and keep aside.
• Sago or Chauwari is optional.You can make Vermicelli/semiya   Payasam (Kheer) without Sago/Sabudhana/Chauwari.
• Heat 1 Tbsp of ghee in a bottom heavy bottomed pan.
• Fry cashews halves in the pan till they become  golden brown. Transfer roasted Cashew nut halves to a bowl. Keep aside.
• Now add raisins to the pan and toast till raisins puff up.  Transfer puffed raisins to a bowl. Keep it aside.
• In the same pan, add the vermicelli stir slowly and toast till every strand is coated with ghee and browns evenly for 5 –10 minutes in low flame. A nice aroma emanates in  kitchen when it turns a light brown shade.
• Now add  1 cup milk to the pan and stir as the vermicelli cooks while absorbing the milk. Keep stirring to prevent it from getting burnt. As and when the milk is absorbed replenish with another  1 cup.
• Add sugar, cardamom powder , nutmeg powder and saffron threads..
• Continue stirring. Bring it to a boil.
• The vermicelli is done when it is cooked through but still firm. You do not want it cooked to a mush.
• Now add cooked Sago/Sabudhana/Chauwari to the Semiya Payasam. mix everything well.
• Add remaining milk, stir well and when it comes to a boil, turn off the stove.
• Vermicelli Payasam (Semiya Payasam) is ready. Pour into a serving bowl and garnish with ghee roasted raisins and cashew halves .
• Vermicelli Payasam can be served hot.If you want it cold,let it cool and refrigerate it.Whenever required,add milk and sugar as desired,stir and serve.

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Kerala Lunch

A normal Kerala Lunch consists of Plain cooked  Rice served with Vegetarian gravy , fish curry and side dishes.

Kappa or Tapioca with Meen curry (fish curry )is a tasty combination that can be served  with cooked rice for lunch or dinner .

RECIPE ::  Rice with Tomato Rasam,   Swordfish Curry,   Swordfish Fry,  and  Kappa Puzhukku/Mashed Tapioca/Kolli Ishtu

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Oats container light stand

This is a wonderful recycled craft using ordinary oatmeal containers. Turn empty oatmeal containers,  (or similar sized containers) into a pretty light stand is very innovative craft idea.

 

Materials:

• Empty 42 oz size oatmeal containers – 5 or 6 nos
• 48mm x 50m Sellotape or Duct tape /duck tape
• 18mm x 15m clear Sellotape
• Wrapping Paper Rolls (Fancy Decoration Colored Wrapping Paper Roll-any color)
• Razor/craft knife
• Assorted smooth  stones – 3 oats container
• Clamp Light With Aluminum Reflector

METHOD:

Place all the assorted smooth  stones in the  4 containers (from the bottom) evenly.

Close all the containers with its lid except the top most one. (Don’t cover the top most container with it’s lid). 

Using 48mm x 50m Sellotape or Duct tape /duck tape, attach the containers together.

Carefully cut out the Fancy Decoration Colored Wrapping Paper from paper roll to cover the oat container stand.

Using 18mm x 15m clear Sellotape, attach the Fancy Decoration Colored Wrapping Paper to the oats stand.

Your oatmeal Container Light Stand is ready.

Now place your Clamp Light to the oats container stand.

This clamp light is the perfect way to light your work area.

Clamp lamps are an innovation in lighting fixture design which offer optimum lighting conditions with alternatives for adjustment.

You can place the Clamp light in this Containers light stand in different style. (You can see some model in this post)

Everyone knows to recycle their used bottles, containers, tins etc. But instead of leaving them out on the curb, why not turn those empties into fun and creative bottle crafts.

I really enjoyed this work. It is very easy to make and very useful one.

Use household junk to create unique crafts.…..Let Your Imagination Go Wild !!!!

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Cucumber Juice

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the very low calorie vegetables. Cucumber juice serves as a vegan-friendly source of calcium, an essential mineral. Hydroxyapatite, the mineral tissue that adds strength to your teeth and bones, contains calcium, and getting enough calcium helps retain your bone density.

INGREDIENTS:

1. Cucumber (peeled and cubed) – 1 large
2. Honey – 2 or 3 Tbsp
3. Lemon juice – 2 Tbsp
4. Water – 4 cups

METHOD:

• Wash the cucumber in order to remove any dirt and germs that it carries.
• Peel  cucumber using either a potato peeler or a sharp knife with a smooth blade.The skin of a cucumber is coated in a protective wax. While you can eat this coating without much problem, the wax will distort the texture of cucumber juice.
• The bottom and top stem of a cucumber is  hard, inedible parts that you should not attempt to turn into juice. So  slice off the ends of your cucumbers using a sharp knife.
• Lay the cucumber on your cutting board and slice the cucumber in half lengthwise using a knife.
• Scoop out the seeds using the tip of a spoon.
• Discard the seeds.

• Chop the cucumbers into large chunks.
• Place all the 1 to 4 ingredients in a  blender /juicer and blend on high for 2 minutes.
• Pour into glasses and drink plain or pour over ice and enjoy your cool refreshing cucumber juice. You can also store fresh cucumber juice in a sealed container inside the refrigerator for one week.

Cucumber - Health Benefits:

• Cucumber keeps you hydrated.
• Eat cucumber, and your body gets relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin, and you get relief from sunburn.
• Vitamin A B and C, which boost immunity, give you energy, and keep you radiant.
• Helps in kidney and urinary bladder disease.
• The potassium that contains in the cucumber is highly useful for both  high and low Blood pressure problems.
• Helps prevent splitting of nails of the fingers and toes.
• Promote hair growth.
• Aids in weight loss.
• Cut down your risk of several cancers by including cucumber in your diet.
• Cucumber juice refreshes and heals diseased gums, leaving your mouth smelling good.
• Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patients.
• Promotes joint health, relieves gout and arthritis pain.
  
  

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Green Peas Rice

INGREDIENTS:

• Raw Rice – 1/2  cup (or cooked rice –2 cups)
• Cardamom pods – 1 no
• Cinnamon powder – 1/4 tsp
• Cloves – 1 no
• Fennal Seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Biriyani masala – 1/2 tsp
• Ginger – 1” piece, crushed
• Frozen Green peas – 1/2 cup
• Chopped onion – 1/4 cup
• Green Chillies, chopped – 2 nos
• Chopped Coriander leaves – 2 Tbsp
• Oil – 1 tsp
• Salt- to taste

METHOD:

• Wash the raw rice well and place it in a pressure cooker. Add cardamom pods, cinnamon powder, Fennel seeds, Biriyani masala, salt  and cloves to the cooker and mix everything well.
• Now pressure cook for 2 whistles by adding 1 cup of water. .When the pressure subsides, open it and fluff it with a fork. 

• Heat 1 tsp of oil in a medium sized non-stick pan.
• Add sliced onion, green chillies, ginger and sauté well,  cover and cook for 5 minutes on  medium heat till the onion become translucent.
• Now add frozen peas, salt  and 1 cup water, cover and cook for 15-20  minutes in medium heat.
• When a little water remains, remove the lid, stir it well and cook at low heat.
• Now add 2 cups of cooked rice to the pan and mix everything well. Check for the salt.

• Add chopped coriander leaves and mix everything well.
• Transfer your spicy Green Peas Rice to a serving bowl.
• Serve hot with Vegetable Raita or chicken curry.

 

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How to open and seed a Pomegranate

Pomegranate, the ‘Jewel of Autumn’, is a  beautiful fall-to-winter fruit, delicious and full of antioxidants too. Pomegranates contain high levels of flavonoids and polyphenols, potent antioxidants offering protection against heart disease and cancer. A glass of pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and cranberries.

Place the pomegranate on top of a cutting board. Cut 1” off the top and bottom. Use caution, the ruby red juice of the pomegranate will stain your clothing. You can protect your hands with rubber gloves.

The fruit should be in a cone shape after your cutting.

Score the skin at each section.

While holding the pomegranate underwater, pull the fruit apart. The pomegranate should divide where you made the cuts in the skin. Holding the fruit underwater will minimize the amount of juice that may squirt onto you. Gently push out the seeds with your fingers.

Loosen the seeds (arils ) in the water :: The pomegranate seeds will sink to the bottom and any membrane or pith will float to the top of the water. Skim off the pith with a spoon or your fingers.

After skimming off the pith, drain the water from the bowl or pour into a sieve. Rinse the pomegranate seeds briefly under cold water. The seeds are now ready for use.

For eating or juicing, select pomegranate by weight, no color. 

The outside of a ripe pomegranate can vary from light pink to a deep ruby red. The color depends on the potash availability in the soil. A darker or deep red will have a sweeter flavor than the lighter colors which are more tart. Should avoid fruit with cracks and splits in the skin.

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