Food anatomization : Global Punjab , Magarpatta - Pune

After years of being in Magarpatta - this place somehow never caught my attention until recently, and now I am hooked. :P

Occupying a central position in the destination center - it has a thatched style of roofing and encloses itself in a circular kind of structure.
The interiors have slight of a ethnic-royal touch.
The doors were a major fascination for me - the art work was really eye-catchy.
They have two seating options - outdoor housing more than 20 tables, which is non ac - but they do have coolers placed outside. During lunch, this section is closed due to the intense heat.
The interior seating has about 8-9 tables but is way cooler with air conditioning during the sweltering summer. :)
It is dimly lighted inside and has a comfortable ambiance.

Ordered for the KALIMIRI TANGDI for takeaway  - I was highly disappointed with the packaging. I mean the least a proper restaurant would do is not package juicy chicken in plain foil paper. By the time I got it home, it was dripping of the delicious juices. Alas!! :|
Seeing the packaging I had a certain amount of dislike from my end for the dish. Not really expected of one of the good restaurants here.
How so ever the taste was satiating - juicy, tender chicken - cooked to perfection. Highly satisfied! :)

Albeit a disappointing packaging, I made my way to dine here.

Ordered for the PRAWNS MALWANI TIKKA - prawns were spicy to the right amount and balanced with stunning flavors. Lip-smacking! The prawns were just exemplary - tikka-ed to the right amount.
On the chef's suggestion we went for the CHICKEN TIRANGA - it was a combination of three dishes - ANGARA KABAB ,AFGHANI KABAB ,BANJARA KABAB . The combo served was highly delectable - wow! Succulent pieces of chicken tandoor-ed away. Each piece of chicken imparted excellent taste and this dish was truly flawless. The green chutney served along was the taste enhancer.
Next on the main course was the MURG TIKKA BIRYANI, which we requested to be cooked in Hyderabadi style - and yet another utterly satisfying dish. :) But only not so bad part was, that it does not come along with raita - this totally took me by surprise.
We ordered for the RAITA and I would say the bowl of raita was rather expensive for the taste it bestowed. Of all the dishes, only the raita was the disappointing factor - else every other dish was at par without any doubt. Utterly worthwhile experience!! Kudos....

The staff is courteous and helpful with options.

A 3.5 solely for the bad packing for my take away - else this one would have definitely stolen a 4.0. :)

Few pictures from the visit:

KALIMIRI TANGDI

PRAWNS MALWANI TIKKA

CHICKEN TIRANGA

MURG TIKKA BIRYANI

RAITA

Won my heart - this DOOR!!

Won my heart - this DOOR too!!

 

~Bon Appétit!!

 

 

P.S. All the above photos have been clicked by me. :D
 

Lifestyle : My tryst with Yoga - Part I

With the second World international yoga day being celebrated today, I would like to contribute my bit in helping create awareness about Yoga. :)

Yoga is a term which is well acquainted with a larger audience today including the varied cultures across the globe.

Yoga has been derived from Sanskrit word YUJ, which means union of self consciousness with the universal consciousness.
The knowledge of Yoga finds its origin to more than a thousands years ago.

Stated rightfully by the Art of Living - Yoga opens infinite potentials of the human mind and soul.

Yoga provides the vital wellness of the mind, body and soul - in short it yields in a holistic approach towards wellness. Yoga is a combinations of various asana, breathing techniques and meditation techniques. It aids in building strength, flexibility and focus.

I was recently watching a short video by Sadhguru, where he explained Asana in just one word i.e. posture.
Any posture that your body can take is an asana, and the body as we know can take up innumerable postures.
Out of the many Asanas, 84 asanas have been identified as Yogasanas - which are the many possibilities where the body will not sit as a hurdle but act like a channel for your ultimate possibility.
Yogasanas - helps you take charge of life and transform your mind and body into a passage of possibility and not a barrier or block .
For different states of consciousness that you experience your body tends to takes certain postures - observe your postures when you are happy, agitated or upset. By getting your body in certain postures consciously, you can elevate your state of consciousness.
What he mentioned is really true, the mind is very difficult to control. It plays various tricks to push your mind to believe many things and dump you the other day.
On the other hand, the physical body is the easiest thing to work with - you can always know whether it is cooperating with you or not. It acts as a reliable factor if you work with it sensibly - and eventually Yogasanas can lead to the ultimate union of both.

After trying various weight loss methods - recently I gave in to my resistance to Yoga and joined a class in my nearby locality.
To say, in these 21 odd days  I can vouch that Yoga has helped me imbibe with happy changes in my lifestyle - in a way that is helping me evolve in the nuances of life.

Yoga bars no age and can be practiced by one and all.

Push yourself to this joyful, happy and healthy way of life. :) Namaste YOGA!

Following asana when practiced could bring about good changes in your body - these are the asanas I have learnt till date in my Yoga class.

We always start with the warm up asana which is the SURYA NAMASKAR - the first five minutes should be slow and the next 1-2 minutes must be tried in a fast pace. Surya Namaskar is a set of 12 poses which helps you stretch out. You could find the poses in the figure below:

1. SARVANGASANA- Also known as the shoulder stand pose. To get to this pose can be difficult in the beginning - but to start with you need to roll and bring your lower body up. Lying down and bringing your lower body up could be a task. So the key is to roll!!

 

2. CHATURANGA DANDASANA -  in lay man's language : planks :) Support your body on your hands and legs - serves as a great balancing asana.

 

3. BALASANA - Sit in upright position by bringing your knees together and resting your buttocks on your feet. Exhale and slowly rest your stomach on your things such that the forehead touches the mat and your hands stretch out. Make sure buttocks are touching your feet simultaneously as your forehead is touching the mat. Also known as child's pose.

 

4. VRIKSASANA - commonly known as tree pose. Stand erect, raise your arms above your head to form a pose similar to prayer style. Bring your one leg up, as shown below. The leg should either rest above or below your knee - not on your knee, this would avoid unnecessary weight on your knees and cause further damage. Look straight, head up and back straight!

 

5. TRIKONASANA- Triangle pose, stand straight and then place your feet as apart as possible. One feet should be aligned at 90 degrees and the other at 30 degrees inwards. Now bend your body to the right and bend towards the floor. Keep your shoulder aligned with your feet and look up towards your palm.Back must be kept straight and aligned. You can also try it with opposite hands but same leg posture.

 

6. DHANURASANA - also known as the bow pose. Lie on your stomach with your feet apart. Now fold your knees, hold it upwards, stretch your arms and hold onto your ankles.Breathe in and take your chest off the ground.

 

7. ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA - Difficult to explain the steps. Follow the steps as given in the figure.

 

8.NATARAJASANA - Stand straight, arms on your side. Slowly inhale and bring your right leg upwards by slowly bending your body. Simultaneously bring your left arm in the front, and try hold your uplifted leg with your right hand.

 

9.USHTRASANA- Kneel and bend backwards. Then try to hold your right heel with your right hand and the left heel with the left hand and then stretch backwards.

 

10.VIRABHADRASANA - This is the warrior position. Place your feet as apart as possible, one feet should be aligned at 90 degrees and the other at 30 degrees inwards.  Bend your feet which is aligned at 90 degrees - try to get the thighs in parallel to the ground and take your arms up in prayer position over the head. Make sure that the feet aligned at 30 degrees inwards must have the knee straight.

 

11.VASISTHASANA - More often known as the side plank. Follow the pose as in the figure. Your weight should be on your ankle. You have to balance on your arms - again a good balancing asana.

 

 

  12.KAPALBHARTI PRANAYAMA - Take any meditative posture(back straight,  head up)which you can retain for about five minutes or so. Close your eyes and relax your  body. Take a deep breath and now forcefully exhale through your nostrils by contracting your abdominal muscles. You have to focus on your exhalation, inhalation would happen automatically. Your upper body should remain intact without much movement - and only your abdominal muscles and nostrils should be the ones doing the workout. Try to repeat the asana for about a minute or so in a single go.

 

 

        13. ANULOMA VILOMA PRANAYAM - This is alternate breathing through your left  and right nostril without retention of breath. You need to sit in a meditative posture(back straight, head up) and start with inhaling with your left nostril - keeping your right nostril closed. Next exhale from your right nostril, keeping your left nostril closed. Now again breathe in from your right nostril, keeping your left nostril closed and repeat the process. Repeat this process.

    

 

 

  14. BRAHMARI PRANAYAM -  Sit in a meditative posture(back straight, head up)inhale deeply from your nose. Close your eyes with index fingers, mouth with ring and small fingers and ears from respective thumbs as shown above. Exhale slowly, while making a deep steady humming sound like that of a bee.  Repeat this for 3 times.


 15. DHAYANA - Sit in a meditative posture(back straight, head up). Retain the posture for about a minute - concentrate on the point between your eyebrows, be aware of your surroundings, your thoughts. Be relaxed.
Next slowly rub your palms against each other and place it on your face - this helps to awaken and increase your level of awareness and concentration.
Now inhale deeply from your nose and while exhaling say aloud OM to create a resonance - repeat this for 3 times.

After the asanas from point 12-15 are practiced - we end our Yoga session for the day.

Try to hold all the above position for a count of 40 minimum. You can take breaks in between - need not do it at a stretch.

You could do a set of five different asanas on each day of the week followed by BALASANA. You could also use a brief time to practice the asanas which are difficult for you to perform.

Don't forget to breathe - breathe naturally.

Take a Yoga break!!

I shall update with more asanas as and when I learn in my class. Till then good luck!! :)

Cheers to life!!

~Believe in yourself always!!

P.S All the images have been taken from the worldwide source : Google :)

Corporate Social Responsibility activity : School Kit Assembly

Amdocs conducts various CSR activities through the year - and as every year, this year too it hosted the school kit assembly event at one of its tower in Magarpatta City(over the weekend on 04th June 2016).

The school kit assembly is an initiative by Seva Sahahyog - this year they aim to assemble and deliver about 60,000 school kits to the underprivileged. Intriguing right!! 
Seva Sahahyog have been conducting the assembling event at various schools and other premises for over more than a week now. A lot of patience and courage goes in to showcase such kind of dedication for the millions of the kids out there who would be enormously benefitted.
School kits delivered to these kids would change their lives in a way,we can't even imagine. In a true sense it would be a real life changer for them - a step ahead in life. :)
It is splendid how Seva Sahahyog through their contribution is touching and changing the lives of many of the youngsters. Kudos, way to go Seva Sahahyog!!:)

Coming back to the event, you will be astounded by the age groups participating - varying from kids aged three onwards to grandparents. Look at the age variance!!
The kids brought about a lot of enthusiasm which added to the vigor. :)
Applaud - for the parents, who have consciously involved their young kids to participate in this noble act. This in a way is ensuring a happy, generous and a well educated next generation - the future.

As we settled, we were made to sit in rows and were formed into groups. Then the lot of the school bags were given - which we had to inspect closely for any defects.
Next we started with wrapping up the dictionaries with plastic covers - to avoid any future damage to it. This was a true reminiscence of the school days, where before start of every academic year - all the books and notebooks were to be wrapped and name stickers must be put on. School days....bring about a lot of good memories afresh!! :) :)
We even rolled the calendars for the new academic year.
One of the crucial things explained by the Seva Sahahyog volunteers was how inspection and keeping an eye on what we were doing were integral - young kids are very delicate and have a tendency compare with the rest of the kids - if we happen to provide them with defective or blemished stuff, they would feel really downhearted.
It would be like "Mere friend ko toh achha mile, toh mujhe kyun nahin?! Mila bhi, toh bhi tuta hai ya kharab hai :("
To avoid the discontent and melancholy - it was important to do our task diligently and aptly - this would ensure a big smile on their face. We had to make our efforts count!! :)

There is a special feel good factor when you do even such small acts, which can contribute to the society in the any tiny-miny way. It is utterly gratifying.
With everyone running with time in a fast pace - from being busy at work to being busy with personal chores - these few hours that you spend here will turn out to be highly joyous.
 In addition you would also meet people from different companies, backgrounds - interact with them, make friends and perform group activities. It is exuberating!!

As in Amdocs they say:
Do good, feel great!!

Let's all join to contribute towards the society in our own way - with whatever suits us best. :)

Few pictures from the event:

Dictionary

Wrapping up the dictionaries

Kids being involved in such activities from such tender age!!

Look at the school bags we assembled in all!

Cheers to life!!

~Believe in yourself always!

P.S.All the above photos have been clicked by me.

Food anatomization : Starbucks, Seasons Mall - Pune

Having two Starbucks in nearby malls in Magarpatta, is a boon. Always a place to fall by for some coffee or having some quick bites.

The ambiance of the one in Season's mall is great, I like the décor and the lighting of the place. 
Feels totally smooth, chilled and relaxed!!
The seating arrangements are nice - sofa seating plus table-chair combo. The walls have posters of coffee, variety of coffee beans and a map of the world denoting the COFFEE BELT - interesting, adds a  coffee touch to the place in totality.
And not to forget the lovely greet that you receive as you enter the place, really adds to the feel good factor.

My favorite here as always is the JAVA MOCHA CHIP COLD COFFEE - a blend of cold coffee with milk, ice, whipped cream loaded with  choco chips and mocha drizzle - my absolute favorite. Awesome :)
One thing I always admire about Starbucks is their consistency in their drinks is always intact.

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Tried the hot chocolate recently with loads of crème. It was lip smacking-ly good! Sipping on it on a winter
evening - what more can you ask for!! Bliss :)

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Came here to try their summer special mango menu - they flaunted of the ALPHONSO MANGO FRAPPICCINO and the S'MORES FRAPPUCCINO.
ALPHONSO MANGO FRAPPICCINO crafted for the mango lovers - blend of Alphonso Mango, milk, ice and whipped cream topping. The drink was not something extraordinary - more than the Alphonso mango - seemed to contain more flavored syrup. Really the drink did not elevate my experience here. :|
The S'MORES FRAPPUCCINO was a layered drink - started with the marshmallows infused whipped crème, milk, chocolate sauce, coffee , a blend of vanilla and ended again with marshmallows infused whipped crème again. You will have pieces of graham crackle crumble in your mouth through your journey of sipping on to the drink - a tad bit sweet salty taste - actually kind of an enhancer for the drink. Wouldn't say, I loved it as much as JAVA MOCHA CHIP COLD COFFEE - but it definitely added to something different that I tried here.

The staff as always is courteous and ready to help you with options.

Few pictures from the visit:



Java Mocha Chip Cold Coffee



S'mores Frappuccino



Hot chocolate with whipped creme



Mango Alphonso Frappuccino

~Bon Appétit!! 




P.S. All the above photos have been clicked by me. :D
 

Food anatomization : Cream Stone, Seasons Malls - Pune

Cream Stone - I had been eyeing at this place from almost two weeks now. So, this Saturday I granted my wish and after a hearty lunch at the food court at Seasons - came here.

First it is always a sight to see the ice-creams in preparation. The scoops of ice-creams along with the accompaniments are placed on a chilled platform and stoned with sort of sharp spatulas. They are mashed to mix all the ingredients together.

I ordered for the WILLY WONKA - two scoops of chocolate ice-cream mixed with chocolate fudge, pasty, chocolate chips and served with a chocolate stick - and served in a waffle cone placed beautifully on a paper cup. Looked stunning!

Well I thought this process of stoning the scoops, would add additional flavors - but it did not work so well for me. When the ice-cream was served to me - because of the smooth-ening - the chillness of the ice-cream was lost.
Alas - I truly enjoy my ice-cream when I scoop in with my spoon sternly, and place it in my mouth - it lingers and then it melts away beautifully.
I did not imagine the stoning of the ice-cream would make it loose its chillness, by the time I had two spoons and it was already kind of melting away. Sad!!

Expensive - Yes!

The staff is little confused yet warm and welcoming.

Few pictures from the visit:

Willy Wonka

~Bon Appétit!!

P.S. All the above photos have been clicked by me. :D