Drought-proof your garden

When you are drought-proofing your garden, you are conserving the maximum possible moisture in the soil .make sure that you water the plants at least twice a day so that the soil remains moist enough all the time. While watering plants, always remember to spray water on the leaves –this will help keep the plants fresh for longer. You can also consider putting up your potted plants in the shade to protect them from the harsh sunlight.

Dos & don’ts

1. Don’t force relationships on your child. He’ll form his own.
2. Give them time to adjust. Sometimes, they may take years to as much as get along.
3. Never use abusive language about your old partner.
4. Show your new partner in good light and create friendly situations where your children will appreciate this new person in their lives.
5. Even after all attempts, if the child is still reluctant, seek professional help.

A light cucumber and dhania soup

Makes: 4 servings
1 ½ cups vegetable stock or water
1 tsp soy sauce
1 small cucumber (about 6” long), peeled and cut into thin slices
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp dhania patta, chopped
½ tsp sesame oil
Salt to taste
1. Put soya sauce, sesame oil and salt in the stock and bring it to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and pour the beaten egg in a circular motion,stirnig constantly. The egg will start cooking as it falls in the hot stock.
3. Add sliced cucumber and dhania patta. Remove from fire . cover and keep aside for 3-4 minutes ;serve.

5 ideas to dress up your starters.

1. Kebabs or chhole in papad cones: roast a papad on a tawa or microwave (about 1 minute on high) until just done. Quickly fold into a cone and perch in a cup to cool. Fill with kebabs or chhole salad (with minced onion, chilies, lime or hari chutney).
2. Wonton soup in a glass: ladle clear chicken soup into a cocktail glass. Float a fried wonton (or momo); dot with tomato-garlic sauce.
3. Potatoes on rosemary skewers: use rosemary skewers .leave a few leaves on top, remove the rest and pierce roasted baby potatoes (with rosemary herb, salt and butter).
4. Fruity-floral picks: cut fruits with a metal bottle cap; toss with chat masala and lime juice. Stick mini flowers (paper or synthetic) on tooth pick heads. Prick fruits.
5. Golgappa dippers: serve your dips with dahi, ground chhole, salsa, chutneys, roasted brinjal or red capsicum-in aate ke golgappe.

Don’t feel guilty or start regretting your decision…

Talk to him about what led to the remarriage and why it’s important for you. Assure him that mitt wills easy a lot of situations. Tell him you’ve never given him reason to mistrust you and you wouldn’t do it now. It may be a nice idea to show him a movie that shows a new parent in a good light. ’And if you’re uncomfortable talking about the scenario, use impersonal means such as emails or online chatting. A descriptive email not only serves as a good conversation but the child can also get back to it when he’s confused. It’s like a ready reckoned!’ says clinical psychologist Shaheen Mehdi, who runs a counseling center in Hyderabad.

Coat trouble

Your pet needs a balanced diet to maintain a healthy coat. If your vet has already ruled out any medical reasons for your pet’s fussy eating, it’s probably just a case of too much pampering. So gradually reduce the amount of biscuits and liver, and feed him the commercial food that enjoys. Also, dogs shed twice a year –before winters and after winters – so this may be part of the problem.

Day 5 food plan

Breakfast
• Creamy toast: 1 slice whole wheat bread toasted and spread with 2tbsp low –fat cheese. Sprinkle with 1tbsp chopped walnuts. Drizzle with 1tsp honey
• 1 small banana
• Coffee or tea
Lunch
• 1 whole wheat bread sandwich with roasted chicken and veggies
• 1 cup milk
• 8 baby carrots, steamed and seasoned
Snack
• ½ cup peas steamed and tossed with salt, pepper and lime juice
Dinner
• 1 serving stuffed tomatoes with keema
• 3/4 cup salad with 1tsp raisins.
• 1 slice whole wheat bread ,toasted
Extra
• 150ml red wine or 1 serving buttermilk panna cotta with strawberry sauce.