Sunday, February 26, 2012

Spicy Yellow Lentil Stew (Malaysian Dal) Recipes

Ingredients :
1 cup (7 oz / 220g) dried yellow lentils
2 cups (16 fl oz / 500 ml) water
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp plus 2 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
1 tsp black mustard seeds
2 dried red chiles, cut up
1 yellow onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 slices fresh ginger, peeled and minced
20 fresh or dried curry leaves
1 tsp garam masala
2 small tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
Method :
Pick over the lentils, discarding any misshapen lentils or stones. Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear, then drain.
In a saucepan over high heat, combine the lentils, water, turmeric, and the 1 tsp ghee or oil. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer until the lentils are soft and tender, about 30 minutes.
In a frying pan over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 2 tbsp ghee or oil. When hot, add the mustard seeds and fry until they turn gray, spatter, and pop, about 2 minutes. Add the chiles, onion, garlic, ginger, and curry leaves and saute until the onion is soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garam masala and tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
Pour the onion mixture into the pan of cooked lentils, add the salt, and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Transfer to a serving dish and serve.
Serves 4
Note - In traditional Indian cooking, dal refers to any dried peas or beans and to the many dishes made from them. In Malaysia and Singapore, dal refers to a spicy stew made of yellow lentils (toovar dal) that typically accompanies Indian breads. The cooking time will vary with the age of the lentil.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

'Paula Radcliffe inspired me to get in shape': Kirsty Gallacher reveals secret to toned abs

She's met hundreds of athletes over the years.
But no one has inspired Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher more than Paula Radcliffe.
And in a bid to emulate her sports hero the 36-year-old, mother-of two has been working hard to get in shape.
In a bid to emulate her sports hero Paula Radcliffe, Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher has been working hard to perfect a toned body
In a bid to emulate her sports hero Paula Radcliffe, Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher has been working hard to perfect a toned body
Now boasting toned abs and muscular arms, Kirsty - married to retired rugby star Paul Sampson - has been recruited to front a campaign for sportswear brand USA Pro, modelling a new range of fitness gear from bra tops to capri pants. 
She puts her slender eight stone 10lbs figure down to a combination of short exercise sessions and healthy eating.

She told Health & Fitness magazine: 'I don’t have time to train like an athlete. I’d love to set a couple of months aside to just train and train.
'I love men and women to have strong bodies, not skinny bodies.’
Recounting a memorable encounter with the record-breaking marathon runner, Radcliffe, Kirsty said: ‘When I interviewed her we were both about six months pregnant.
Inspiration: Record-breaking marathon runner Paula Radcliffe in action
Inspiration: Record-breaking marathon runner Paula Radcliffe in action
Now boasting toned abs and muscular arms Kirsty has been recruited to front a campaign for USA Pro
Now boasting toned abs and muscular arms Kirsty has been recruited to front a campaign for USA Pro

'She told me she intended to carry on running until she was seven months pregnant and I sat there thinking, ‘Oh my God, you’re incredible!’ I felt so huge next to her; she didn’t look six months pregnant!
'Her doctors had said it was fine because her body was used to it. That’s the key, I guess your body adapts to any level of activity.’
Health & Fitness
On an average day Kirsty has a breakfast of porridge made with water and a sprinkling of
salt, upholding her Scottish roots, topped with semi-skimmed milk.

For lunch at work she orders a vegetable soup with a wholemeal bagel and in the evening Kirsty joins her family for dinner, which is usually cooked by her nanny.
One of her favourite meals is spaghetti bolognese, made from scratch with quorn mince topped with lots of vegetables.
She then visits the gym for three short exercise sessions every week, each one lasting around half an hour.
For about 20 minutes she likes to power hard and fast on the rower for 20 seconds then return to a normal pace for 20 seconds before doing it again and again.

Then she hits a circuit of press-ups, weighted lunges and stomach exercises, doing 20 reps of each exercise before taking a rest for 20 seconds.
She adds: ‘I go to the gym to do interval training and circuit-based workouts. I’m in and out; I don’t slog it out for hours. I make every exercise I do count. It’s quality, not quantity.’
But despite her new physique helping her land a contract with USA Pro, Kirsty says she still isn't happy with her body and she hasn't written off the prospect of cosmetic surgery.
‘The ideal body for me is one where every muscle is accounted for – but not in a bodybuilder way... That’s my dream.
‘I’d never say never to going under the knife.'

KIRSTY'S FAVOURITE CIRCUIT-TRAINING MOVES

Workout
1. OFFSET PRESS-UP
Reps: 20
Start in the plank position (you can be on your knees if you need). Keep your hands within the mat. Lower yourself down into a regular press-up and then back to the start. Before doing the next press-up, move one of your hands wider, so it’s off the mat (a). Now perform your press-up (b). You can alternate between moving your left and right hand to work both sides, or move your hand in front, rather than to the side, for a change.

Workout
2. ROTATING LUNGE
Reps: 20 each side
Stand with your feet together and your hands on your hips. Lunge forward on your right leg into your standard lunge (a), making sure your knee and your ankle form a right angle with the floor. Return to the start, then take a wide step to the right and sink into the side lunge so your weight is on your right foot (b). Again your knee should not go further than your toes. Return to the start. Take your right foot back and sink your knee down to perform a backwards lunge. Return to the start then repeat on your left side.

Workout
3. SIDE CRUNCHES
Reps: 20 each side
Lie on your back in the sit-up position. Rest your fingertips against your ears. Curl up so that your shoulders are off the floor. Swivel at your waist so that your left elbow moves towards your left hip. Then return to the start and repeat on your right side. You could also place your arms by your sides and crunch so that you reach down to touch your left heel with your left hand, then alternate sides.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Aren't you meant to be promoting the bags? Jessica Michibata makes sure all eyes are on her at Japanese launch Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2109138/Jessica-Michibata-makes-sure-eyes-Samantha-Thavasa-handbag-launch.html#ixzz1nyEIQcUV

She may be a professional model, but it seems Jessica Michibata hasn't got the hang of promoting something properly.
The 27-year-old star posed for the cameras as she showed off the new Samantha Thavasa handbag collection, but it was highly unlikely that onlookers were interested in the accessories.
Anyone at the launch, which was held at Heneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, would no doubt have been caught off guard by Jessica's eye-catching outfit.
What about the handbags? Jessica Michibata ensures all eyes are on her a she promotes the latest collection from Samantha Thavasa at Haneda airport in Tokyo
What about the handbags? Jessica Michibata ensures all eyes are on her a she promotes the latest collection from Samantha Thavasa at Haneda airport in Tokyo
The Japanese model smiled for photographers wearing a short red dress and a polka dot bow headband that was clearly meant to represent the Disney theme of the collection, but Jessica looked more like a Playboy bunny as she pulled a variety of poses.
She completed her look with white cuffs and a collar and a pair of peep-toe heels as she balanced one of the bags on her arm.
Not a big Disney fan? The Japanese model opted against one of the new handbags when she attended London Fashion Week last month (R)
Not a big Disney fan? The Japanese model opted against one of the new handbags when she attended London Fashion Week last month (R)
Not a big Disney fan? The Japanese model opted against one of the new handbags when she attended London Fashion Week last month (R)
Jessica - who is currently dating the 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button - has been working with the leading Japanese brand for quite some time now so was an obvious choice to front the latest collection.
The colourful handbags consist of cream and pink styles that are adorned with gold studs and large Disney characters such as Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck.
Fashion lover: The 27-year-old also attended the Pringle Of Scotland Autumn/Winter 2012 runway show last month carrying the same bright handbag
Fashion lover: The 27-year-old also attended the Pringle Of Scotland Autumn/Winter 2012 runway show last month carrying the same bright handbag
But these characters were nowhere to be seen last month when Jessica attended London Fashion week carrying her belongings in a less childlike accessory.
Wearing a chic trench coat and skinny black trousers, the brunette beauty carried a bright orange handbag as she graced the Burberry Prorsum show at Kensington Gardens.
Number one fan: Jessica's partner, Formula One driver Jenson Button, no doubt approves of his girlfriend's modelling attire
Number one fan: Jessica's partner, Formula One driver Jenson Button, no doubt approves of his girlfriend's modelling attire
The bold choice was also present when Jessica attended another high-end show on the same day.
The former spokesmodel for lingerie brand Peach John, opted against wearing the same outfit and instead changed into a figure-hugging black dress and matching heels.