Home> Decorating Tips for your Daughter's Room

Text by: Tanya Munshi
It is never too late to give your daughter a surprise. Almost everyone deserves to have a den of their own. So why not add a personal touch to make it livelier for her room!

Favorite Color
Start with her favorite color. Paint a wall with a bright canary yellow, a sky blue or a parrot green. To balance out this bright shade, mellow down the same color on the other walls. Remember to paint the door as well. Fix bright colored door hooks on the door for the inside of her room. This is where she can hang her school bag, tennis racket etc.

Poster
Frame or laminate one of her favorite cartoon characters and fix it firmly on the entrance of her door. Frame some of her drawings and add them on an empty wall if it does not crowd the room too much. Better still, get a nameplate done by a professional and fix it on her door.

Photographs
Bring out all her childhood photographs, especially the black and white ones. Make a collage of all her best photos in two or three large black frames. The base where these photographs will be stuck should be a white paper, as that will enhance the bright wall color. After framing, prop them up on the brightly colored wall. Keep enough distance between the frames.

Reorganize
Reorganize her furniture to give it a new look. Move her cupboard and study table to one of the lightly colored walls. Push the bed toward the bright colored wall; let the headstand stick to the wall. In all this, make sure there is enough room for your daughter to move around or have her friends over.

Additions
Add wooden or glass shelves on another wall to display her trophies, family photographs etc. you can also use these shelves to keep some of her soft toys. If there is enough space, then make an open wooden shelf to keep her story books. Add a soft board just next to her study table, as that comes handy for school. Change the bed covers to match the bright wall color and throw in some extra cushions that are a complete contrast to the wall color. Don’t forget to place a bright color contrast rug near her bed.

Lighting
A child’s room should always be well lit up. So don’t forget to add a table lamp and lampshade on the ceiling that will add to the brightness of her room. Use contrast color light cotton curtains that will allow enough sunlight from entering her room.

Home> Handy Tips with Wonder Vinegar

Text by: Tanya Munshi
You must be wondering why something that has a sour smell, taste and is colorless is being given so much of importance. The truth is vinegar is a wonder product. Produced during the oxidation of ethanol in beer, wine or cider, vinegar has acetic properties that make it popular choice in every household.

Kitchen Tips
~ Want to rid the microwave of the odor and stains? Add 1-2 capfuls of vinegar and 1 cup water in a microwave safe bowl. Set this for at 4-5 minutes. The steam from the water-vinegar mixture will remove the odor and help you in cleaning the insides of the microwave with ease.
~ During defrosting your refrigerator, clean the insides with a clean cloth dipped in vinegar water solution.
~ To flush the drainage of your kitchen sink, mix 1 bowl of hot water with 1/4th cup of vinegar added to it. Pour this hot mixture as and when required into the kitchen sink. This will clean the drainage and prevent dirt, muck and germs from settling in.

Health Tips
~ Sunburn can be effectively treated by applying vinegar on the skin. There is no need to dilute the vinegar. Just dab a bit of it on a cloth and gently apply on the affected areas.
~ Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are highly effective to remedy feet infections like fungal growth and athlete’s foot.
~ Suffering from a tooth ache? Dab a bit of vinegar in a cloth and rub it gently on the painful tooth. This will temporarily subside the pain while you rush to the dentist.

Home Tips
~ To rid tobacco odor from a room, keep open bowls of vinegar to absorb the smell.
~ Cleaning the windows? Make a solution of water and vinegar and watch the windows shine as new.
~ By regularly cleaning your kitchen floor with vinegar you can remove the greasiness and kill germs.
~ To keep ants away, regularly clean your table tops and kitchen slabs with vinegar.
~ Wash your garbage bins with vinegar solution. This is a perfect way to kill germs.
~ After chopping veggies or meat, wash the chopping board with vinegar.

Published in Tips4me.com, on September 24, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/homehints/preview_main.asp?tip=wonder_wonderingradients

Pep Talk!> Snip That Anger!

Text by: Tanya Munshi
In life, we are bound to meet annoying people or land up in frustrating situations. In such cases, keeping a tab on our emotions helps us to handle life more responsibly. Anger can be manifested in three ways, by expressing it, suppressing it and by calming down. But when none of these manifestations work, maybe it’s a good idea for you to chalk out an anger management regimen.

Acceptance Is Important: Remember, you cannot control every event, place, situation or person in the world. Things are bound to go wrong, but life still moves on. You have to realize that you cannot always express your anger and not always have things go your way.

Tire Out: When you feel the mercury rising, it’s best to indulge in something that is physically exerting. Go for a jog, a swim, gym work out or play a sport. This way, you vent your anger in a positive manner.

Deep Breathing: Deep breathing, especially through yoga, has amazing effects on anger. That’s why it is highly recommended that when angry, count till 10. Breathing slowly while counting 10 helps in clearing negative thoughts that cloud our mind, which in turn helps us think clearly.

Laugh it off: Use humor to handle situations/people who are beyond your control. There is a fine line between humor and sarcasm. There is no need to hurt someone else just because you’re angry. You’ll be surprised to see how much work can get done with a simple smile on your face instead of a bout of nasty anger.

Forgive And Forget: Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can gift yourself, especially during trying times. Easier said than done, forgiveness releases pent up anger and frustration, which in turn can help you in dealing with difficult situations.

Published in Tips4me.com, on October 16, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/inspiration/others_main.asp?file=/tips/focus/focus.htm

Home> Jazz Up Your Wall

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Does the hole in your pocket curb your urge to redesign your room? Here are some simple ideas and tips to give your room a new look by just re-decorating a wall.For a classy look, paint one wall with your favourite colour. Now use this wall as a palate and add whatever you think will spice up that room. For that, begin with a theme. Here are some examples:

Memories: Collate all your black and white childhood photographs. Select the most memorable ones and make a collage out of them on a large white paper and get it framed with a black border.

Props: To make a wall look lively, add masks, a musical instrument like a guitar, hats or antique items.

Posters: Get hold of old classic movie posters. Frame them in basic wooden frames and hoist them up on the wall.

Rustic: Been to a rural location lately? Make sure you collect absolutely rudimentary tools or craftwork prepared by the village locals. Hoist them up on your wall to give a rustic effect.

Elegant: Got some of your mother’s old bone china plates and you don’t want to use them for fear of chipping them? Get hooks and adorn your wall with these beautiful plates for an elegant touch.

Published in Tips4me.com, on November 19, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/homehints/preview_main.asp?tip=home_furnishing

Home> Organize your Kitchen

Text by: Tanya Munshi
There's one place in the entire house that is by far a personal favourite for anyone. The kitchen of course! And why not, after all, that's the place from where we get all the home made goodies, a hot cuppa or an evening snack.

Today, everyone seems to be in a hurry and most of the times they tend to miss out on important things just because they fail to organise themselves. That is why, it is always best to be organized even in a kitchen. Surprised? Well, to save time and work efficiently we organize our study table, our work station and even our wardrobe. So why not organize the kitchen? After all, we do spend a considerable amount of time preparing a good meal/ snack for ourselves, right?

• First and foremost, take out everything from the kitchen cabinets and shelves.
• Once you're done, clean it with a cloth dipped and squeezed of the soap water and allow it to dry. In the meantime, sort out the items. Discard the food items that have well overshot their expiry dates.
• Set aside the ones you can use immediately and the ones a little later. Keep them in different shelves, labelled so that you know when you can use what item.
• Keep the shelves that are an arm's distance with the utensils and ingredients you need daily.
• Set aside an entire shelf or two for crockery that you will need only when guests arrive.
• Label all the jars possible. While you're away, your hubby or kids know where what is kept and won't be lost.
• Keep a notepad and pen in the kitchen, whenever you think of an ingredient that you may need, jot it down. This will help you for grocery shopping and not miss out on anything.
• Keep a calendar in your kitchen. This will help you to keep tab on the water purifier servicing, gas cylinder refill, electric oven repair etc.
• Keep a kitchen clock. That will help you to keep a check on your cooking time and not run late for other things in life.

Published in CookingGoddess.com, on April 9, 2007
Link: http://www.cookinggoddess.com/category/All-News/Organize-your-Kitchen/

Hobbies> Painting on Glass? Here's how

Glass paint by: Mahua Khanna
Photograph by: Tanya Munshi
Artwork Copyright: Mahua Khanna
Image copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Ever tried your hand at glass painting? It is a little more intricate than painting on other surfaces like paper, canvas or fabric, but with the right instructions you can churn out a decent glass painting of your very own.
Mahua Khanna, an interior designer specialising in glass painting, offers some basic and handy tips to master this art form.

Things you will need:
~ Glass / mirror / tiles
~ Glass liner
~ Photocopy of drawings/ designs and carbon paper
~ Glass colours
~ Paint brushes
(You can get the paints and brushes from any stationery or art shop, and the glass, mirror and tiles from a hardware store or glass dealer).

Selecting the glass
Choosing a glass piece is very important. But how do we know which is the correct size and width for our painting? Mahua offers the following tips:

~ Ideally, you should use glasses measuring 8 inches by 6 inches, to a maximum of 1 foot by 1 foot, and a thickness of 3 millimetres to 4 millimetres.
~ Avoid very thin or very thick glass. The pressure of your hand may break thin glass, while very thick glass may break due to its own weight.
~ Before using the glass make sure it is free from dust and watermarks, if any. Clean it well with soap and water. Dry with a piece of cloth and place under a fan to remove any water residue.

Using a glass liner
To outline your design on the glass, first take a photocopy of the picture, drawing or design you want to paint. Next, lay a piece of carbon paper over the glass. Place the photocopy over this and tape the sides with cello tape (to prevent the papers from shifting). With a pen or pencil carefully outline the entire image. Once you complete tracing the design, carefully detach the papers from the glass.

The next step is lining the design with glass liner. You could use either a water-based or solvent-based liner in any colour, though black, gold and opaque ones are the most commonly used.
"Beginners can use water-based liners which tend to be cheaper," say Mahua. The drawback of using water-based liners, however, is that they tend to peel off the glass if water is applied.
"Once you get the hang of glass painting, you can move on to solvent-based glass liners, which are more permanent," she adds.

There are two ways to line an image, you could either directly using the nozzle of the liner or use a plastic cone (like a mehendi cone). Using the nozzle method for large glass surfaces is recommended.

Points to note
~ Be very careful while drawing the outline. Maintain the same pressure throughout the outline. ~ While making the outline try not to lift your hand. Stopping midway will show the break in outline very clearly. ~ After completing the outline, allow at least five to six hours for the liner to dry before you begin colouring it.

Selecting the brushes
You can use regular watercolour brushes for glass painting. Small size brushes are ideal for filling in the colours, and sizes 000, 00, 0, 1 and 2 are recommended.
Unlike painting with watercolours, however, the technique for glass painting is different. For small paintings, thin brushes should be used and thicker brushes should be used for larger ones.

Tips on usage
~ Use thinner to get the paint off before you clean your brushes with soapy water. Cleaning is essential as any small residue of paint can ruin a painting.
~ You can also keep dipping the brush in the thinner while painting. Keep a cloth handy to wipe off any excess thinner.

Using glass colours
Now that you have the outline in place, it is time to fill in the colour. Here again there are two types -- water and solvent based. Camlin and Fevicryl are the most popular brands.
A word of caution: Too much exposure to sunlight can cause this type of paint to fade.
Solvent-based glass colours are permanent colours and should be used for larger paintings.
You can highlight the paintings by strategically placing lamps and light bulbs around them.

Ready to paint?
Now, we come to the fun part -- painting!
To fill the image with paint, first start by using the nozzle tip of the colour bottles while making sure there are no air bubbles on the glass. Shaking the bottle too much can also create bubbles which will hamper the process.
To get rid of bubbles, pour the paint out on a separate piece of glass, using it as a palette. Bear in mind that the paint must be used fast once it is opened as it tends to dry up very quickly.
You can also drop a small amount of colour on the spaces that need to be painted and quickly brush over the area.
Avoid sitting under the fan as far as possible to prevent the paint from drying up before you've completed the painting.

Touching up
Dissatified with the results? Here are two ways to correct it:
~ Peel off the paint after 10-20 minutes of application. You can also use a blade to scrape off the unwanted part.
~ Take a ear bud, dip it in glass paint thinner to clean up the more intricate areas of your painting.

Before re-filling the portion, ensure that the area is dry and completely clean. Always use the same brand of colour for a single painting. Mixing diffrent brands of paint for the same painting may not give you the desired result.

Begin with the smaller areas, moving on to larger ones. Wait for 10-15 minutes for the paint to dry before painting another portion. Also, while filling in the colour ensure that you reach the corners or edges.

Painting on mirrors
Avoid painting on large mirrors as far as possible. Besides being too heavy for framing, larger mirrors are more likely to break.
The technique of drawing an outline is the same as for glass painting though you might get distracted by your own reflection! To avoid this, sit at an angle so that your reflection doesn't fall directly on the mirror.
Also, using a solvent-based colour on a mirror painting usually produces a better effect. Allow five to six hours for the painting to completely dry up.
Always avoid wrapping your paintings in cloth or paper as the paint tends to stick.

Painting on tiles
The procedure used for outlining and filling in colours in a glass painting may be used for tile painting as well.
Since tiles are heavier, you can skip framing them. Instead, getting the edges of the tile beaded will have a much more artistic effect.
Besides paint, you can use mediums such as sand, coloured sand (where you mix some colours to it), sequins and glitter for tile painting as well.
Remember, tiles have a heavier base than glass and so will need a larger amount of paint for the colour's denseness to come through.

Points to note
Use a paint thinner for shading on the glass, mirror or tile.
Tape the edges of the glass to avoid nasty cuts.
While buying glass, ask the storekeeper to polish the sides and blunt the edges.
Pick plain tiles for better effect.
Don't eat off the painted glass. It should be used for decorative and gifting purposes only.

Published in Rediff.com, on June 06, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jun/06slid1.htm

Pep Talk!> Boost Your Popularity at Work

Image: Fly Away!
Artwork By: Tanya Munshi
Artwork Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Being unpopular at work is very easy. All you have to do is interrupt your boss or colleagues while a meeting is in progress, continuously talk about your personal experiences in a group or simply prevent your colleagues from voicing their opinions by airing your own.
Employers can detect this trait in a person during an interview. Says senior executive director, Dr M K Munshi, "There are several ways to detect a potential unpopular person -- from the person's body language during an interview, to his/ her response to questions.

Jyotsna Maskay, who works with a women's NGO in Thailand, says, "Micro-managers are unpopular. A micro-manager is someone who tries to manage minor issues of the organisation when other people can solve it. It's like poking your nose in everything."
And then there are some who become unpopular because we play politics. Lacking leadership skills and poor communication skills can make you unpopular.

How to spot them
~ General appearance
The way you dress, the way you walk, your facial expressions and your body language, give out signals. Some people really don't care what they wear to work. Crushed salwar kameez or shirt and trousers, uncombed hair, torn sandals, unpolished shoes -- all constitute a negative image.

~ Attitude
It's hazardous to be have a team member who sports an 'I don't care' attitude. Not caring what the other team members feel, not sticking to deadlines can be detrimental to the long term goals of a team/ company.

~ Superiority complex
This mostly happens in a senior to a junior setup. The dislike towards a senior increases if he/ she constantly picks on a junior. If a senior had a bad day, he/ she may take it out on the junior. A fresher or an employee with a few months of work experience can find it difficult to stand up to such an individual. This kind of courage comes with time and experience.

~ Behaviour
How one behaves with colleagues, especially with the opposite sex speaks a lot. Flirtatious behaviour, sitting on the table to catch up on gossip, talking loudly, clapping and laughing loudly, making sure one is heard are some ways of seeking attention.

~Gossip
He who gossips to you, gossips of you. Beware of a person who comes to offer you a juicy bit of gossip. In turn, the very person will go and talk about you to the other person as to what you had to say about him/ her.

~ Selfish
A self-centred person is only concerned about his/ her own welfare, uncaring of other's feelings and welfare. He/she is prepared to get his/ her colleagues in trouble.

~ Passing the buck
If at a managerial level, this person always takes credit for success but never for failures.

~ Indifference
A person who possesses a chalta hai attitude refuses to take any initiative for tasks, such as planning an office party or taking part in any event.

How to cope
"Given a choice, one tries to isolate the person and keep him/ her out of activities involving teamwork. Secondly one is very guarded in their presence and discussions are often limited to the bare essentials," says Dr Munshi.
Seconding this is Pune-based Sahana Rao, an assistant manager in instructional design who adds, "I would limit my interaction with that person as far as possible. If we are in the same team, I would try to ignore that person's comment." Rao feels that such people tend to take things too personally and that, a change in the person's attitude is required to improve upon that unpopular image.

Tips to being popular
~ Punctuality
Being punctual is of prime importance. A person who shows up late is not only sending out a message that he/ she not only does not takes his/ her tasks seriously, but also does not respect other people's time.

~ Respect the little people
Respect those employees who do not form the hierarchy but are of immense help. Don't alienate the peons, the office boy, the watchman, the man who serves tea or the cleaner. Be polite to them.

~Feedback
Remember the military adage -- Praise in public, rebuke in private. Don't scold a junior for poor performance in public. Even if he/ she hasn't performed well, it doesn't mean that he/ she has to be ridiculed in front of everyone. Don't hurt anyone's ego or self-respect. Call the person aside, in a conference room and then talk to him/ her. Offer to help him/ her to work better, instead of dousing his/ her enthusiasm.

~ Interaction
Don't order people and expect them to follow. Interact with them. Instead of shooting down ideas for an office party, go ahead with someone's plan and offer your ideas and suggestions in the next round.

~ Making fun
Don't poke fun at others. Not everyone enjoys being the subject of a joke, especially in public or at work. Know when to stop and when a person is not enjoying the joke. Apologise immediately for insensitivity.

Published in Rediff.com, on February 12, 2007
Link: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/feb/12work.htm

Pets> Home Made Cat Toys!

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Cats are known to be more reserved than dogs. But that doesn’t mean they are not as fun. If you take time to innovate interesting games for your feline pets, they will reciprocate by being naughty and playful. For cats, you can create games and toys with just about anything at home.

The best way to choose or create a toy for your cat is to see what attracts him. Notice your cat’s behavior at home. There must be something in the house that will catch his fancy. If you can create a game on that basis, nothing like it. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Rubber Ball: Fix a pet-safe rubber chewy or a ball with an elastic cord and hang it from a curtain rod. Now watch your pet cat jump up and down, grabbing at and playing with his new toy.

Old Sock And Catnip: Can you spare an old sock? Perfect! Fill your sock with catnip and roll it up into a ball. Catnip is a herb known to have tiny white and purple spotted flowers. This herb has a peculiar smell that attracts cats. You can check for catnip at a pet store.

Cardboard Box: Cats love playing in boxes for some reason! Get a big cardboard box and fill it up with shredded paper. Throw in a couple of squeaky rubber balls and watch the cat hunt for the ‘mouse’. You might end up with a royal mess, but also one very happy cat!

Published in Tips4me.com, on October 25, 2007
Link:http://www.tips4me.com/tips/petcare/others_main.asp?file=/tips/pettrivia/pt.htm

Pep Talk!> Diary Writing as Therapy

Image: An Artist's Paradise
Artwork By: Tanya Munshi
Artwork Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Diary writing is an under-rated cathartic experience that truly helps explore one’s emotions and make sense of one’s life. Most people use a diary merely as a daily planner, jotting down their life’s daily mundane events. But a diary can be used for a lot more.

Book Of Positives

Use your diary as a book of positives, in which you write only the good things that you have come across in life. For instance, the birth of a baby, praise from your teacher, a funny conversation that you overheard while travelling in the bus. This will train you to focus on the positive side of your life and put you in a happier mood even as you write. Use bright colours, paste your favourite comic strips on it, inspirational poems etc. Once done, this book will make you smile every time you flip through it.

Book Of Worries

A book of worries is only meant for worries; for instance, a fight with a friend or anything emotionally disturbing that you cannot share with anyone else. Simply writing about a disturbing event will help you vent it out. With every worry that you write, keep a space to write down a solution later on. Always write the date, day and month as it will help you go back in time to recall what had happened and how you solved the situation.

Book Of Ideas

A book of ideas is for all those bright Einstein moments in life. You thought of a new art and craft idea or a new shade for your bedroom wall – all that goes into your book of ideas. Sketch your ideas, stick pictures, whatever you like. Later, flip through it and see how many can be executed and how many were just plain creative genius!

Published in Tips4me.com, on November 13, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/inspiration/others_main.asp?file=/tips/inspire/ins.htm

Festivals> It's that colourful time again - Holi in Kochi

Image: Reach for the stars!

Artwork by: Tanya Munshi
Artwork Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text By: Tanya Munshi
Ring in the spring with Holi, the festival of colours . Celebrated for two days in the month of March Holi begins with a bonfire, Holika on the first day. It's followed by Rang Panchami on the second day, where people smear coloured powder or gulal and water on one another. And this year Holi is tomorrow.

Colour fest
The North Indian communities in the city are gearing up to celebrate this festival. "Songs related to Holi will be sung for four days at the Shri Ram Mandir at Mattancherry," says G. P. Goyal former president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cochin. The famous Holika, which is a symbol of triumph of good over evil, will be burnt this evening. "Usually, ladies do a puja (worship) just before the Holika is set on fire and another one after it has been burnt," he adds.

"On Holi the entire north Indian community here consisting of Jains, Gujaratis, Punjabis, Marwaris, Maheshwaris and others gear up for a combined Holi Milap," says Prabha Chandak, a resident of Gujarati Lane.

Certain communities fast as part of the religious aspect of Holi, and break the fast in the evening after offering puja. Special food items such as halwa, puri and dahi wada are prepared by the womenfolk and with these food items the fast is broken.

"After offering kachoris, laddoos and other fried items as bhog to Lord Krishna, we break our fast. During Holi, we play games like fish pond and have a good time with close family friends and relatives," adds Prabha Chandak. Thandaai, a cool refreshing almond and milk drink prepared especially to beat the North Indian summers plays a dominant role in this colourful fest.

This celebration would never be complete without the presence of thandaai that adds to the joy and merriment while playing Holi. "Most importantly, ample space and water are required to play Holi. Earlier every year we would gather at a friend's house that was large enough to play Holi. ," says Prabha.

Changes
Has there been any change noticed in the celebration in the past few years in the celebration of Holi. G. P. Goyal says, "No not really, but this year due to the CBSE Board exams approaching, it may be a little difficult to get all the families to come for a Holi gathering." But on an optimistic note, Prabha adds "Visit the Krishna Mandir at Palace Road and you will actually see the true colours of Holi there."

Colours are obtained from their favourite Anil Store at the Gujarati Market, which is a regular supplier of Holi colours and items. Every year as Holi keeps its date with us, it also serves as a reminder as to how colourful and alive our country is.

Published in The Hindu, Kochi edition, on March 3, 2007
Link: http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/03/03/stories/2007030302290400.htm

Hobbies> Make your own candles

Text by: Tanya Munshi
When do you go out and buy candles? Do you only think of candles on birthdays, Diwali and Christmas? Or maybe you are candle crazy and love picking up a great/funky/unusual candle to adorn your house! Plus you are smart enough to recognise the wonderful ambience a lighted candle can give your home and the fact that they make great gifts. Then you must meet this candle devotee: Lovina Ferrao, 31, of Channel 4 Radio Network, Dubai.

Lovina loves making candles. She is passionate about this art and spends much of her free time reading books on candle making. She says you can use almost anything to make candles look pretty or exotic. Candle making is a cost effective business idea. Making candles is simple and allows you to tap your creativity. Above all, they are very easy to make.

Lovina offers tips to make great-looking candles at home:
Basic equipment needed
~Paraffin wax: 100gm
~50 gm oil for greasing (coconut oil, preferably)
~Wick or thick cord, 0.25 metres
~A steel/glass container or pot as a mould to shape the candle
~Aluminium pot/vessel to melt wax
~Wooden spoon to stir the wax
~Gloves (optional)

Candle fun
How to make a candle:
~Cut the wick to the size of the mould and keep aside.
~Place the paraffin wax in the aluminium pot/vessel. Heat on a slow flame.
~Stir with a wooden spoon. Once the wax has melted completely, turn off heat.
~Dip the wicks in the hot wax two to three times, and keep them on a plate to cool.
~Grease the steel/glass container (for the mould) with coconut oil. Pour the hot wax into the mould until it reaches the brim. Leave it to cool.
~Wait for at least 10 minutes, and then dip the by-now-hardened wick in the centre.
~Hold the wick till the wax has gripped it. Leave your candle to cool for at least two to three hours.
~Once the wax has cooled, turn the container upside down. Your candle will come out smoothly.
~You can then decorate the candle with flowers, dried leaves, lace and satin ribbons.

A ball of wax
Are regular candles not appealing enough? Do you feel like creating something more groovy or jazzy? Wanna try making a hot pink ball candle. Lovina tells you how:
~Cut a rubber ball into two equal halves. Make a hole in one of the halves, then stick the two halves together with strong cello tape.
~Pour the wax into the ball through the hole you have made. When the ball is full, prop up in a steady position to cool.
~After a few minutes, insert a wick that has already been coated with wax. When inserting the wick, make sure you have centred it. Hold it in place for sometime until the wick is firmly set.
~You can add your hot pink colour by boiling the wax with a hot pink crayon. Alternately use several colours too: heat smaller amounts of wax, separately, each time using a different colour crayon. Once you have boiled one colour and poured it into your ball, boil the next, and so on. ~Once the wax has cooled, pull off the cello tape, then carefully separate the ball and the wax. Your candle is ready.

The scent of a candle
Perfumed/scented candles are not tough to make either. Says Lovina, "They can be made by adding four to five drops of scented/ aromatic oils to the wax when it is in a liquid form."
~Do not add the scented/ aromatic oils when the wax is very hot. Let it cool a little and add when wax is still liquid
~Scented/aromatic oils can be purchased from any general store.

Decorative wicks
Try your hand at fancier candles. Add anything from coffee beans to sea shells, green leaves to a banyan leaf.
But you need to add them in when the wax is poured in the mould and only partially set.

Safety tips
~Keep children away while making candles at home.
~Always keep the gas flame low when you heat the wax.
~Wear gloves to avoid burning your fingers with hot wax.
~Always grease the mould before you pour wax to set the candle.
~To clean the pot/vessel or container after you are done, add cold water and heat it. The wax will float in the water and you can clean your container with ease.
~Keep a separate pot/vessel for making candles.
~Always use a blunt knife to clear up wax spilled on the table or floor.

Moulds for candles
~You can use any steel or glass container as your mould.
~You also get special types of candle-making moulds in the market.
~You could even use moulds for kulfis and cup cakes to make your candles.
~Don't throw away the tiny candles that come in round aluminium bases during Diwali. Recycle them as your new candle moulds.

Published in Rediff.com, on December 12, 2006
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2006/dec/12slide1.htm

Pets> The Dog Toy Guide

Text by: Tanya Munshi
It is essential for dogs to have their own toys to play with to keep their teeth strong and tartar-free as well as for them to get exercise and not taking their pent up energy out on your shoes and furniture instead.

Picking A Toy
Pick a toy that not only keeps your furry friend busy, but something that you can join in while playing with him. If he’s the only dog you have, then a toy that you both can play with is ideal. This strengthens the bond between you and your pet. With two dogs, you need not worry; the furry playmates will make a sport out of any given toy. For a pup, pick a teething toy. This will keep him busy and save your belongings from being destroyed.

Your Dog’s Personality
A pet dog’s mood and personality plays a vital role while choosing a toy. For a shy and timid dog, select a soft toy by which he won’t feel threatened. A soft toy acts as a comforter for your shy pet, especially while you’re traveling and he’s brought to a new place. It serves as a security blanket for your dog. For a bold and playful dog, create games which will help him to be a more disciplined and focused.

Dogs and Toys
Ideally, pick toys that will give loads of exercise to your dog. Something that will make him run, romp, jump and look forward to playing a game with you. Innovate new ways to play the same toy with your dog. Pick dog-safe rubber toys that can withstand bites. Many dogs like to burry their toys, so a rubber toy can bear all this. When dogs play with a toy or chew on a toy, it keeps them physically and mentally active and healthy. Chewing on a rubber toy promotes salivation, which will keep their mouths clean. Chewies in particular help to clean the gums and the teeth.

Types Of Dog Toys

• Chewies
• Rubber balls
• Teethers
• Squeaky balls
• Crazy balls

Published in Tips4me.com on September 27, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/petcare/others_main.asp?file=/tips/caninehealth/ch.htm

Pep Talk!> Prayer and You

Image: Visit by a Butterfly!

Art Work by: Tanya Munshi

Artwork Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
The definition of prayer between two people will always be different. For one it maybe spending hours in a holy place, while for another a fifteen minute quick prayer is just enough. It does not necessarily mean that you have to spend long hours in prayer to get through to God. He can hear us anyway, long or short prayer. To put it simply, it’s like making a call to God and having a long conversation or a short one, depending on your need or state of being.

Prayer As A Tool
It is not to say that you use prayer to gain something. Prayer like we mentioned is to get through to God and speak our minds and hearts out. Seeking forgiveness, need help, feeling lost, need answers? That’s when you sit down in a quite corner, close your eyes and talk to Him in your mind - this is prayer. Prayer is also a tool to convey your thanks to God. Prayer is a part of your connection with God, where you cannot lie. You need to be absolutely true to yourself and to Him. Come on, why do you have to keep things away from Him? He is all knowing and ever forgiving.

Why Should We Pray?
Somehow or the other, prayer definitely helps us. It’s like a tonic that keeps us going. Prayer keeps us grounded in life; it gives us strength. Even if we cannot see God, we know He’s watching over us. Prayer reinforces His presence in our lives. Remember the saying, ‘the family that prayers together, stay together’; it’s a great way of bonding with our family. Even in the worst phases of our lives, when we feel like blaming God or don’t want to believe in Him anymore, we can pray to Him telling Him how we feel. He listens and with time, He’ll give the answers.

Benefits Of Prayer

• It helps in time of depression and illnesses by giving the person strength to move on and heal.


• It makes a person more positive in life, knowing that God is going to take care of him/ her.
  By confessing one tends to lighten the burden of guilt from his/her heart.


• One can seek forgiveness that helps in forgiving oneself and others.


• It improves the quality of a person’s well being.

Published in Tips4me.com, on August 13, 2007

Home> First Aid for Wooden Furniture - II

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Continuing our series of tips to care for wooden furniture, here are some more tips to keep your home looking brand new!

Scratches And Alcohol Marks
Use shoe polish to match the color of your furniture to hide tiny scratch marks. Using a thick marker or crayon also helps in concealing scratches.
Rub a paste of linseed oil with rottenstone in the stained area. Rottenstone is a worn out and decayed limestone that has the properties of silica. This stone is available in powdered form and is used in polishing.

Daily Care For Wooden Furniture
Never drag any material on the table top. This will scratch your table. Always lift the materials while cleaning.
Immediately clean up any kind of spills. Don’t delay the cleaning; else the spills will get a more difficult to remove.

Published in Tips4me.com, on August 6, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/homehints/others_main.asp?file=/tips/home/cleaning.htm

Home> First Aid for Wooden Furniture - I

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Wooden furniture adds class and style to your home. Elegant designs and classy finish on dark wooden furniture is all that it takes to make your house look regal. Your heart breaks if there’s a wine spill or coffee stain on your table top that ruins the look. This series arms you with some handy tips to keep your wooden furniture looking as classy as ever.

Removing Water And Caffeine Stains
~ Usually, furniture stains when the moisture trickling down from a cold drink or coffee/tea cup breaks into the wood by seeping through the wood wax.
~ Apply gel-free toothpaste, mayonnaise, or salad oil on a polishing cloth and rub thoroughly on the stained area.
~ Then, with a clean damp cloth, remove the film. Now use a wood polish to make the area look sparkling new.
~ Place a thick blotting paper over the stained area and place a warm iron over it. Repeat the procedure a few times till you find the stain fading away.

Published in Tips4me.com, on August 27, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/homehints/others_main.asp?file=/tips/home/cleaning.htm

Pep Talk!> Sharpen your Meditation Skills

Image: Stow Away!
Artwork By: Tanya Munshi
Artwork Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text By: Tanya Munshi

You need not trek up to the Himalayas and sit in complete isolation to attain nirvana. If you want to relax and control your mind, you can do it in your room, at work, where ever you wish. Just a little bit of patience and practice is all it takes. Here are some tips to help you sharpen your meditation skills that will in the longer run you in taming your mind.

Preparation And Timing

• To meditate, you need to be alert, energetic, and awake to be able to concentrate.

• Mediation should be performed on an empty stomach. Or have something light like a cup of tea and a biscuit just before. At least this will prevent your stomach from growling and won’t distract you during meditation. Avoid eating anything heavy to prevent sluggishness during meditation.

• Always sit in the early morning hours, right after waking up and brushing your teeth. The ideal time for meditation is before breakfast in the morning or before dinner in the evening.

• Fix a time for meditation daily. Disciplines such as fixed timings also prove beneficial for meditation. Choosing a time when no one is going to disturb you also helps. Make it a point to meditate at the same time and place everyday.

Posture
• It is very important to sit straight. Sluggishness and slouching won’t help even if you religiously sit down for meditation every day.

• If the traditional padmasana pose is not possible then sit in the usual crossed legged position, with your hands resting on your knees and your back straight.

Practice And Patience

• Be regular with your meditation. If you did not get the time to mediate in the morning, then try and compensate it in the evening.

• You can even meditate during stressful times at work or class. All you need to do is close your eyes and concentrate on slow, deep breathing.

• Remember, your mind WILL wander during meditation. But it is a part of the meditation process. Whenever you find your mind wavering, slowly bring it back to concentrate on your breathing. This will sharpen your concentration and meditation abilities.

• Be patient with yourself, even if you cannot concentrate immediately. But don’t stop your mediation; practice it daily.

Published in Tips4me.com, on July 23, 2007 Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/spirituality/others_main.asp?file=/tips/spirituality/spi.htm

Pep Talk!> Tips To Express Your Anger

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Anger is a form of venting out our frustrations and pent up feelings. Anger can get the worst of us if we don’t know how to control it. Just like happy and not so happy thoughts, it is very important to figure out our anger. Remember, anger can make us react impulsively which we may tend to regret later. So knowing our anger definitely helps.

Healthy Anger
~ Anger is a perfectly normal human emotion, just like happiness, sadness, fear etc.
~ Anger is more of a response to people, situations and events beyond our control.
~ Anger can be caused by external stimuli, such as being hurt by a friend or external stimuli such as missing a bus to work.
~ It’s best to vent out anger by standing up for oneself if ill-treated or by defending oneself on being attacked etc.
~ Anger is essential for our survival as it catalyses us to do something about a situation/ event.

Expressing Anger
We manifest anger in three ways, –

Expressing –
o We need to be assertive; it’s the best way to vent our anger.
o For this, we need to be very clear in our head and heart as to how we can resolve a situation. This is the first step before confrontation.

Suppressing –
o Helps to block out negative emotions and concentrate on something positive.
o It gives us time to think about the stimuli clearly, before taking a call.
o Suppression does not mean that we don’t tackle a situation.
o Talking to a friend, confronting a person who caused that anger is important, but with dignity. We need not berate ourselves.
o Firmly, yet politely we should put our point across to the person.
o Using humor helps.

Calming –
o It allows the negative emotions to subside.
o This works especially when we are in a no-win situation.
o Sometimes it’s best to keep quite in anger triggering situations.

Unhealthy Anger
~ Anger becomes unhealthy when we brood over an unhappy event/ memory for too long and it sours our overall thinking.
~ When anger manifests into destructive behavior, i.e. when we hurt ourselves or others.
~ When anger makes us aggressive in behavior, we become pushy and disrespectful of others and hurt their feelings.
~ When we throw tantrums and refuse to understand and accept situations.
~ Especially when we start suppressing anger for too long and too often.

Pets> Care for Older Pets

Text by: Tanya Munshi

The love for your pets should never reduce even when they are old. When they’re young, pets romp and play all day long, giving you much-needed companionship. Hence, it’s our turn to give them our love and support during their old age.

What Happens During Old Age
Gradually, with age, our pets’ metabolism rate slows down. In simpler terms, an older pet is not as active as compared to a younger pet. Thus, during old age, their desire to fetch, run and romp reduces due to aches and pains. Poor eyesight (cataract and glaucoma), hearing troubles, and arthritis are some of the major health problems afflicting old pets.

Care For An Older Pet
~ Controlling your pet’s weight is of primary importance. By controlling its body weight, you can prevent its chances of getting arthritis and other health disorders.
~ Preferably feed it home-cooked food. Home-cooked food should be light as it will help your pet digest food better.
~ Regularly check your pet for ticks and fleas. At old age, their resistance to fight this menace reduces and they fall prey to skin infections.
~ Ensure you get your pet vaccinated regularly to keep his immune system robust.
~ Ask your vet for any diet supplements like calcium, in the form of toffees or chewies.

Daily Routine For An Older Pet
~ Ensure your pet gets its daily dose of exercise, but don’t overdo it. Exercises such as playing in the park or walking up the stairs boost blood circulation in the body, thereby keeping it fit.
~ For instance, for a dog, ensure he gets his daily walk. If he gets tired, don’t force him to walk more.
~ Cats on the other hand play with toys and get their exercise.
~ Brush your dog’s teeth daily. This will prevent it from getting any dental problems.
~ Keep a tab on your pet’s behavior, eating habits, temperaments etc. Any change noticed should be informed to the vet immediately.

Published in Tips4me.com, on August 27, 2007
Link: http://www.tips4me.com/tips/petcare/others_main.asp?file=/tips/caninehealth/ch.htm

Pep Talk!> Valentine's Day

Image: Say it with flowers!

Image copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
February 14, a very special day indeed. Lovers swoon with mushy cards, cuddly teddies, and candle-lit dinners. Lovebirds giggle away in cozy corners, sharing a strawberry sundae, oblivious of onlookers! With an ongoing debate on the validity of this day that it's against our cultural values and ethos, it cannot be denied that love knows no culture or religion.

How it began
It all began with a third Century tale of heroism, bravery and love. A St. Valentine took the courage to defy the Emperor Claudius. Why? The power thirsty emperor wanted to possess the biggest army possible. Since men refused to join the army for the fear of losing their families, Emperor Claudius banned marriages.

But braving all odds, for what he believed, St. Valentine continued to get lovers married secretly, till he was thrown into prison by the cruel emperor. While being in prison he befriended the jailor's daughter and just before being hanged, he left a note to her, signed `From your Valentine'.

Valentines for all
What the emperor tried to erase back in history still thrives in our present century. This day is celebrated all across the world. Openly or secretly, it only proves that love thrives in all possible conditions.

But is this day only meant for lovers? Not necessarily. Valentine's Day can be celebrated by one and all who enjoy life to the fullest. Wearing the colour red to work, buying fresh flowers and placing them in a vase in your house, baking a cake, cooking something special for yourself or your folks, going out with friends for a movie or lunch, watching your favourite movie at home over popcorn and coffee are just as special in celebrating this day.

Keeping aside the red hearts for lovers for a while, this day can be used to express one's affection for a friend, a sibling, parents or even your pet. We need not limit love to only our spouse or a lover, your favourite plant in your balcony can also be a part of this celebration.

Be in love with yourself first, if you wish to love another. So celebrate this day even if you are single. If you're in a relationship, don't let commercialism bog you down. No diamonds and pearls, or expensive dinners can earn you the affection of another. Don't expect riches; be true to one another, stand up for one another and be committed to one another: This what matters at the end.

Published in The Hindu, Metroplus, Kochi edition
Link: http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/02/12/stories/2007021201630100.htm