Bedroom fengshui

direction = favorable direction to bedroom is southwest.
colors = warm rich earth & skin tones such as terracotta, copper, coral, cream, peach, tan & cocoa for a cozy welcoming sleep.
soft natural colors like light blue, greens, lavendar lend quiet, tranquil vibe & invite healing energy.
bright reds & orange are too much stimulating. don't use bedding materials in geometric shapes & use solid colors.
use soothing colors from white to chocolate brown for best results. For a pure romance use pink & reds. if they are not your colors then choose variations like burgundy, pomogranate, eggplant & magenta.

choose the images wisely as they carry powerful energy. no water features, fountain, fish tanks or wall art & mirror in bedroom.

no electronics & minimise amount of books & furniture. use 2 bedside tables not 1.

don't occupy a room that will be above garage or machinery room & will get street lights.

don't place the head of your bed against the wall shared with a bathroom. avoid having the bed in a direct line with the door. eg: as if you will fall on the bed when you open the door. keep all the doors closed at night like closet, bathroom & bedroom.

open the windows often to get fresh air & natural light. use a good quality airpurifier & humidifier full of oxygen. candlea sre the best fengshui bedroom lighting but buy candles with no toxins.

have the bed easily approachable from both sides. have a bed on command position.

how to cure the energy through fengshui

there are lot of articles & things which can cure a bad energy in a given space.

mirrors
crystals & gemstones
symbols
acquariam & fountains
photos & wall art
laughing buddhas
wealth vase
treasure chest or wealth box
lucky bamboo
live plants
bagua mirrors & map
wind chimes
mystic knot
chinese fengshui coins
animals
fruits
vegetables
flowers
birds
butterfly
colors
shapes

Dining room fengshui

Ideal positions for dining room is east = lively atmosphere; southeast = best for conversation; west = great for newly weds & singles to catch up for wedding / romance; northwest = formal serious entertainers

altogether avoid northeast at any cost for there is no relaxing meal.

don't locate dining area within site of the entry way ie while opening a main door of the house looking in to the dining space. it can cause a loss of wealth, if visible upon entering the door then add a decorative screen.

floor = natural wood floor is the best.
flexible lighting ; candles mean warm vibrant energy.

furniture = easy to clean surface, preerably wood.
soft wood like elm, pine = everyday family meals.
hard wood like oak, mahogany & teak = formal dinner party
glass / marble material = stimulating & edgy atmosphere.

shapes = round & square table yang energy.
oval & rectangle table gentle energy relaxing dinner

an oval shape is recommended for best to add more chair & people very welcoming.
square & rectangle limit persons & more directional.

a dining room is a exception of rule in fengshui which always tells to leave the center of room vacant where here the dinig will occupy center of the room.

Choose the table that fits the room area & gives a walking space arround. Too much heavy, dark & old furniture in to a too small space creates a heavy, dark feeling while blocking the free flow of chi - energy. If the dining room has a door then that should not open too close to the chairs.

Avoid any sharp corners facing the guests.

Limit the accessories. A miror on the wall or sideboard reflecting the table enhances energy produced by the food.

A crystal chandeliar over the center of the table is ideal. no clocks, calendars in this area which stops pressure on the meal.

using a table cloth rather than a single placemat is great bring closeness among the diners.

No TV in dining hall, dining should be calm & peaceful.

colors= warm soothing colors like soft yellow, peach, beige
more colors that can be used as decor are red & yellow are perfect for stimulating & digestion. light blue, ever green & lavendar are choices. if appetite has no sink with stimulation use pink, coral, pale lemon & mustard. Never use orange in dining except to drive away your guest.

The host is always seated at the head of the table, never sit with their back to the door.

always have even number of chairs in the dining.

carpet adds soothing texture & absorbs sound.

don't eat with the dead... that means don't add any photos or sad pictures or urn of ashes of loved ones / deceased members fo the family in the dining area.

don't eat with animals / birds/ reptiles / fishes either live or pictures or decor.

Display the good china ware or silverware in the table because it is the wealth room. add a mirror to reflect double the silver articles eventually it will double the wealth.

vegetarian quesadilla

"Queso" means Cheese, is there a kid who will not like cheese? likewise when you get to know what exactly is a Quesadilla, anybody will love it as a snack or a mini meal. How about when you make the ordinary quesadilla in to a nutritious food without sacrificing your loved one's health. Wonderful isn't it..

Here's the recipe for a yummy toddler accepted super food, yet simpler to make by bachelors & spinsters.

Ingredients:

9" chapati / tortillas

mix of spring or garden vegetables

salt

sour cream / tomato sauce / guacamole 

pepper / Indian spice powder / curry powder

cilantro chopped

2 cups shredded cheese any variety.

method:

On a hot iron skillet or any griddle grease thoroughly before you toss the chapati / tortilla cook for 2 min on each side. clean, chop & fry your favorite variety vegetables with salt & spice to a dry mix. Fill this mix in to the chapati / tortilla cooked on the skillet, top it with cheese & cilantro on one half of the side to fold it to a crescent. Sprinkle some oil on the hot skillet just for a min toss back the quesadilla front and back. Place on a plate & cut wedges & serve hot. 

* Toddlers who are able to eat adult food can try this.

Simple dosa batter

With a thanks to Sreeja who had gladly shared her mom's recipe with me to tackle a challenging little terror's taste buds. It started when my grinder's locking nut got broke in the sink erator. my son said oh ho no more dosas ever ever anymore.. his favorite words for narating.. We happened to taste these instant dosas at Sreejas house in a special dinner for my mom. One quick recipe sure to hit anyones tastebuds. It sure did my little ones's

Ingredients:

Urud dhall flour - 1 cup

Rice flour - 3 cups

Poha - 1 cup

Methi seed powdered - 1 tsp

Salt as needed

Water as needed

Method: Pour all ingredients in a blender and mix well to make the batter thick or thin to make a dosa.
Keep the batter aside for 1 full night & day to ferment. This batter holds good only for making dosas & not ideal for idlis. Serve the hot dosas with any variety of chutney or enjoy simply with a chilli powder or fondly called idli/dosa podi.

But there are some do not's when u follow the recipe:

* out of my over confidence i used idli rava instead of rice flour and the batter when poured on the hot griddle stuck to it.
* It came out a nice rava dosa though when added fried rava to this mix so able to use alternatively.

otherwise just stick to the recipe for best results. Keep an eye on the measure of water you are using to mix, better less than more water.

Thank you very much Meenakshi amma (called as Meena) for your recipe it helps us on tricky situation like mine. Will write about the little terror's taste buds in a different page soon.

Vegetable puree

My babies both had a different opinion when choosing the solid food. My son liked to eat from the bottles without any fuss any time and tried all different varieties from every brand. So I thought it would be much easier when I planned to start solid food for my sweetie just buy the bottles, stock her favorite varieties and voila good to go; But? this little terror never liked the bottle food even bananas she wanted it fresh and peeled right in front of her eyes & smashed in my fingers just to her mouth!

I didn't had any idea regarding home-made baby food, thought to give it a shot this time with the help of library, internet, parenting magazines etc. they all should have some ideas or other can try them. But i had already made some toddler foods which i had saved here & told some friends. It wasn't that big a deal to prepare easy as it sounds.

Here's the recipe for some vegetable puree's

2 carrots washed, peeled, top & bottom cut and steam cooked or boiled.
cauliflower florets cleaned, steam cooked or boiled - 1 cup
green beans washed and snapped the ends boiled
peas washed & cooked - 1 cup
sweet potatoes washed peeled & boiled
potatoes washed boiled & peeled
squash all varieties washed peeled, cored and cooked

Each vegetable can be pureed in a blender or a food mill or even a processor can be used.
Its advisable to feed the purees as it is to baby under 6 months. For babies over 6 months would enjoy with a little salt or some mild spices like cumin powder, garlic powder or asofotida not more than 1/8th of a teaspoon.
Older infants like to try different tastes & textures.

Fruit smashes and Soups and Juices recipes on the way here... soon.

Best part was my little sweetie liked my "hand-made" (home-made) food very much more than anything else the bottles. It gives lot of satisfaction feeding your baby with the homemade baby food & guess what? its lot cheaper than the bottles free of preservatives, not bland.