TCM Valentine 5K 2014

(This is a back-dated blog-post. Life happens and I never get to write down on time.)

TCM Valentine was my second race of the year 2014. This was the first race I registered for months back after intense planning. And then Securian came along which I immediately registered for because of the date.

Parking is a nightmare in these event and we arrived just in time. So my hubby dropped me closest to the starting point and drove away, to keep the kids warm. No checking or warm house waiting for me this time. It was a freezing morning – literally it was -5F. Yet there was a usual big turnout, all enthusiastic in costumes and in red or pinks to celebrate Valentines. The starting point was the band shell at Lake Harriet and the race a full loop of the lake for 5K. The road is wide, but the middle & back packer crowd could just fit in; which is where I was. There was 1 small hill and you could hear the group groan. Even as I was halfway through, some runners with bib, were running in opposite direction on the lake trail path. They must be long distance runners and did not have their fill with 5K. I was wide-eyed when I realized it. These are my early days of running.

Clothing-wise I stuck to what is recommended for running in Sub-zero temps.

1. Top layers of 3 tech shirts and light wind-breaker jacket
2. Compression pant & track pant to keep the cold wind out
3. Woolen gloves with snow gloves on top
4. Cap with headband
5. Neck gaiter
6. Thick sole running shoe with compression socks.

There was no chips, so no results were published. Clock showed 44 minutes for me. I was glad to see the reduction by 4 minutes than the Securian 5K race the previous  month.

Water, chocolate-milk, sugar cookies and photo-booth were setup at Lake Harriet bandshell. I had picked up a lovely glass and tech shirt along with bib as a previous day packet pickup.

This was super fun run to celebrate my new found love of Running.

Securian Winter Run – 5K - 2014

Securian Winter Run 2014 was my very first race. I had only just started running last month and wanted to get some race exposure for excitement. The fact that it was an open outdoor race in January in Minnesota, in the middle of polar vortex, did not discourage me – maybe because I was naïve and also because I had trained outside (flying hifi). Nevertheless, I started small and went with 5K.

It was an instance decision because the date was of significance to me. Inspite of that, the fee was not so high. Securian had a great parking space; covered, spacious and accommodated nearly all runners cars. That was connected to their warm, indoor pre-race space; again huge with all facilities in there. Late packet pickups, bag check and stretching areas were running smoothly. Family warmed me with their hugs to calm my nerve and waited for me here while I ran.

Race started in the downtown outside the Securian center and winded out of the downtown to Shepard Road. 10K and Half Marathoners continued, while we 5Kers could turnaround back to the same place for finish. Towards the end I happened to see the clock and nearly stopped to curse; it was incredibly over my expectations. After a pause, realized it was for the other race and my race clock showed 48 minutes. Phew that was a relief. It’s not a great record but it was my first time racing in my  adult life.

Temperature for the duration of the race was closed to 10F. Remember we were still in the middle of Polar Vortex i.e. we were colder than Antarctica that January. So my running gear was:

1.       Bulky wind proof winter jacket layered over fleece shirt, full-sleeve tech shirt and half-sleeve shirt.

2.       Winter cap & neck gaiter for my face

3.       Now this was my first race in Minnesota winter, so in my anxiety I was trying out new gloves. They did not work. For the initial 15 minutues I was scared I might lose them to frostbite. I kept thinking I should have stuck to my gloves-&-mitten combo from my training run. But after some distance, my fingers warmed up.

4.       Lower limbs were protected by C9 Compression pants and wind-proof track pants.

5.       Reebok shoes with thick soles & compression socks.

Race goodies: There was no medal for the 5K category. But they gave a Headband which has been useful for me for my runs across the chilly part of the year. That and the ceramic mug. This run is part of Saint Paul Winter Carnival. and so there were other promotional goodies. Their waiting area had numerous food offerings.

Race results were published on Chronograph with details and photos. This being my first race results, I am so proud of it and also spoiled for all other races when make any mistake in their results.

My Securian Winter Races - 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2019 | 2020 |

Prithis Idli

Batter story:

1. Morning: Soak Sona masoori rice and urad in separate bowls. Ratio 3:1
2. That night, grind the batter in wet grinder or a sturdy blender. First grind urad to paste. Then rice separately.
3. Add soaked poha in each blend.
4. Transfer to a large spacious steel bowl. It should have enough room for the batter, as it will fluff up after fermenting.
5. Add 2 spoon salt on top. (I dont put salt in the blender, and only here separately. I found major difference in the fermentation, so.)
6. Now use a ladle and mix the batter thoroughly for 10-15 minutes. It important to fold air into the batter, as it helps in the fermentation.
7. Cover the vessel, but leave a small opening, and leave it overnight at a warm undisturbed spot in the kitchen.
8. In summer, I leave the batter in oven, without light on. Light usually made the batter bitter for me. Room temperature is uneven so oven is the safe place.
9. In winter, I leave it on kitchen counter. Central heating in the house takes care of maintaining the optimum temperature.

Steaming:

1. I use an Idli steamer with thate/katori/wati/small bowls for Idli. This is different from the stand used in pressure cooker.
2. Grease the mould with coconut oil - I don't use ghee/sunflower/canola/vegetable/or-anything-else oil. I stick to coconut oil as its more neutral in smell and taste. Doesn't interfere with the Idli taste.
3. Give the batter a final mix, to make it even.
4. Pour the batter in each mold to 3/4th level. It needs room when it fluff's up after steaming.
5. Line it up in the steamer and steam it covered for 20 minutes.
6. When done, remove cover immediately. Else the steam will condense as water droplets on idli and make it soggy on the top.
7. Keep a deep plate ready with a layer of water. Transfer each bowl into this plate, for each idli to cool.
8. After 5-10 minutes, scoop it out with a flat spoon (or flat end of spoon), without damaging any idli.
9. That's it, serve and enjoy !

Serve with one or all of these:

• Green chutney: Puree cilantro, coconut, groundnut, slice each of onion, ginger & 1 garlic clove, green chilies, small ball of soaked tamarind, salt & water.
• Channa daal chutney: Wash, soak & dry channa dal. Light toast on a hot pan with groundnut, and puree all with ginger, garlic, green chilies, salt and water.
• Sambar
• Kori da rasa - or the Udupi style chicken curry. Best dinner combo ever !

Useful Links:
This blog page has more detailed explanation and awesome pic of the Idli Steamer. http://tablespooning.com/2012/02/idli-sambar-with-jeera-chutney/

Tilapia Fish fry

   

Ingredients:
Tilapia fish fillets
Red chilli powder
Salt
Vinegar
Rava
Oil

Marinate:

1. Defrost the fillets in hot water in a bowl. The frozen fish will be impossible to remove from its individual packet. Just cut an opening and put each fillet packet in the bowl. After half hour, it will be easy to remove.
2. Clean and dry the fillets.
3. In another bowl, add the fish fillets, splash vinegar, toss chili powder and salt. Mix them well, so they are coated completely.
4. Vinegar is important ingredient in fish recipe. Its absence will make a big difference.
5. Leave it for 30 minutes (if more then in fridge)

Fry Method:

1. Heat pan on stove. Pour a layer of oil.
2. Ready rava on a plate.
3. Coat both sides of each fillet with rava and drop in the pan.
4. Cover the pan.
5. Tilapia cooks fast, so turn it around after 2-3 minutes and same time to finish.

Bake method:
Pre-heat oven at 375F.
Next on a sheet of foil, layout the fish fillets and heat for 10-15 mins. Turn around anytime.

Serve: 
Remove and serve with slices of lime. Lime juice on fish fry is extremely important for this dish to be a hit !

Chicken Biryani

I followed the method as in this video. Its a very good one. I use it when making large quantity for parties. 



My tailored version is here:

Ingredients for Rice: 

• Basmati Rice
• Jeera
• Khada Garam Masala: Pepper, Cloves, Elaichi,
• Red Onion - julienne cut
• Kaju, Kismis
• Ghee 
• Salt 
• Water 

Method for Rice: 

1. Wash basmati rice, drain all water and keep aside.
2. Heat frying pan and add a generous dose of Ghee
3. Drop Jeera, khada garam masala, kaju, kismis.
4. Add Red onion julienne, and allow to caramelize.
5. Fold in rice, mix well till all rice is coated with all ghee.
6. Allow it to heat on pan for 10-15 min. Keep stirring so bottom rice is not burnt.
7. Then transfer to cooker, for it to cook separately. Electric rice cooker, or pressure cooker are fine. 
8. Just enough water, so rice doesn't end up soggy. Definitely not soggy. We want the rice to be fluffy, non-sticky.

Method for Saffron-Rice: 

1. Add few drops of red/orange food color in a bowl of water.
2. Take a small portion of rice in separate bowl. 
3. Mix the food-colored water in this rice
4. This is a stand-in for the saffron water step in traditional recipes.

Ingredients for Chicken Biryani gravy mix: 

• Ghee &/ oil
• Jeera
• Khada Garam Masala: Pepper, Cloves, Elaichi,
• Red Onion - julienne cut
• Chicken - cleaned, washed, marinated for 2-3 hours in curd, red chili powder, turmeric, salt.
• Shan Bombay Biryani Mix
• Powders - turmeric, red chilli, garam masala (little)
• Curd/plain yogurt/greek yogurt
• Ginger & Garlic paste
• Salt 
• Water
• Cliantro - chopped

Method for Chicken Biryani gravy mix:

1. Meanwhile, use the hot pan to start cooking the chicken gravy mix.
2. Splash oil and/or ghee on the pan.
3. Add rest of the ingredients in sequence, one after the other.
4. Keep covered and cook till chicken is done.
5. Add chopped Cilantro, 5 minutes before switching off.
6. Watch out for the amount of powders and salt, because it was used in marination as well.
7. Gravy should be thick but not dry. It should not be watery like for any gravy dish.

Onion:

1. Pre-heat oven in 375F
2. Chop onions in long form.
3. Mix it up with oil & spread on a pan
4. Heat in oven for 20 minutes or until caramelized or charred as desired.

Assembly:

1. Next step is layering. Best to assemble in a foil pan.
2. Begin base layer white rice, onion, colored rice, next chicken & gravy. Repeat till all used. 
3. Garnish with browned crispy onion, hard boiled eggs, sliced lime and more cilantro.
4. Cover with foil again.
5. If this is made in advance, the whole package can be heated in oven ahead of mealtime.

Garnish:
Brown onion
Cilantro
Sliced lime
Hard boiled egg.

Dhoom 3

Dhoom machale ... doom machale ... dooom doom doom ...
Chennai se Chicago tak ... doom doom doom ...
Fast & furious ko chodke prestige lene chale, when Ali refers to the cookers ad playing on his phone. I mean what would Dhoom be without Ali's day dream's and one liners. But no song for him ? Atrocious. Or for Jai too. Seriously ? No wonder he kept saying in every interview, that He is the hero.
And they saved the best song for the end .... 1 2 ... come on you people .....

Biking in September

I just had to start biking. How long could I give those long sighs while young hipster kind kiddos zipped around in one. Envy can work wonders sometimes. And these have been my favorite haunts so far. For now its me alone. So this is my me time. Waiting for kids to grow up and start biking, so they can join me.

Chain of Lakes:
2 rounds each of Lake of Isles, Calhoun and Harriet. 2.5 hours whole. That is about 18 miles [2*(3+3.2+3)] Same time Baby A & R cycled around Calhoun i.e 3.2 miles = 5m not a joke !

Calhoun

2 loops of Lake Calhoun - 6.4 miles in 40 min

Hyland Park: Biking 40min

St Paul stretch: Back & forth on the Shepard Road. 5.2 miles in 40 minutes, each side.

Chennai Express

Chennai Express - good fun movie. Main bolti sooopaaaar hain.

Movie had signature SRK and signature Rohit Shetty stuff.
Car chases, destruction, SRK getting bloody face. Arre jab tak SRK pit-tha nahi, tab tak picture mein maza nahin and the romantic SRK was there too.

Made of all good moments: DDLJ train moment& the parody after, 1234 song, 4 state showcase in KashmirTu. Then antakshari, MS Suprabhatam....

Train shots were awesome beautiful. And pretty Deepika, witty dialogs, no SouthIndian mockery.

What did not work:
Tangaballi should have been little more than a showpiece.
And where was SP part of song ? I didnt hear it. Damn.
And that HoneySingh's song - aiyyo horrible.

My HGTV

I am at that age in life, where I can say I am a house-owner. It makes me feel all grown-up and not 20 anymore. I know the loan is still on. But I have enough experience, to feel like I have to share it. To be able to say all the previous sentences with confidence, I heavily relied on 3 members of my family. I actually hitch-hiked on their back, all these years.

Everything we learnt in the process, we share it with others. We pushed many to buy their own. And then there are some leftovers, which I feel I can pen down. It doesn't sound impressive while telling any of the acquaintances. But can be written without embarrassment. Some of it is wishlist, because no construction company or side industry supports it, even if it is common sense. The aim is only to increase productivity and efficiency by reducing the back-breaking effort that is maintaining a clean and neat home. Some of these are for built houses and some for apartment flats.

My pet peeve is a curtain rod, where the curtain gets stuck. Nope. I want things where one swipe and the curtain are shut. Swipe again and they are open. No strings or pulls to get entangled in. Steel rings are a blessing. This I learnt after living a few years with those nice showy curtain with stitched-in cloth ring. You just string it through curtain rod. And leave it as is. You got to stretch your body, every time for long time, to move the curtain in any direction. The one in this picture would torture me - and those living with me.

Crates for stuff storage - buy them in bulk, in same design. All clutter that escapes and cause eye-sores and break your back while putting them away, can be locked away neatly. Stuff like socks, exercise clothes, winter storage, swim supplies, drawing supplies, office supplies and more.

Always buy a towel holder with a large distance between the wall and the rod. And always fix them on a wall with tiles or other washable surface. With larger gap, its easier to hang or remove the towel.
And with a washable wall, you can rest easy no matter how wet or dirty the towel is. A painted wall will get stained and will stare at you, till the next repainting job. Which is practically ... I don't know when.

There should be a dedicated space for Folding & ironing table in Laundry room and  cupboard storage space for laundry bins. Some tips on Buzzfeed article "31 Ingenious Ways To Make Doing Laundry Easier".

First time we setup a home, we were very aspirational and went overboard with mirrors on every cupboard in the house, glass shelves and glass side tables and many other glass-works. Most of our elders advised against it; but without explaining the reason. Things were in motion, so we couldn't change design now, without cost. And this was before kids, so we had no way to guess why having so much Glass in the house was dangerous. Now we know - it's DANGERous. It breaks, causes a mess for cleanup and of course dangerous.

Rains are so romantic in movies. That's because there is a background song or music playing. When you have to endure the unceasing downpour all night, sleep is the first thing to run away. Folks living in monsoon places would know. Add to that, the water gushing down the pipes and just pouring away few stories below. Those on ground-floor wont get any sleep. Solution is simple. Make the pipes on terrace go all the way to the floor. House building budget won't stretch too much for these pipes. Plus the floor (whether clay or cement) would be saved of being dug-up by that continuous pour over a period of time.

 

Rain water harvesting is another important thing to incorporate while building a house. Its pretty simple and now-a-days many vendor do this at a nominal fee. No sweat, no inventing the solution. They will tailor it to your site. This way your garden, outdoor cleanups and other activities water source can be rainwater.

Same goes for solar lights. Today many vendors do this. It's a saviour, in places with many power cuts. the difference in quality of life is immediate.

Home Decor ideas:

• 27 Home Decor Hacks Every Twentysomething Should Know
• Home organizing Ideas - loved the Soft toy animal zoo
• 5 DIY Ideas for Storing & Displaying Toy Cars
• 41 Clever Organizational Ideas For Your Child’s Playroom

India in London Olympics 2012

 India's new Heroes !

http://zeenews.india.com/sports/london-olympics-2012/india-at-olympics/london-olympics-2012-look-back-at-indias-golden-moments_747413.html