Chapter-1

                A short getaway to Solan (H.P.)

Date-20/06/2019

I have always been fond of travelling, I mean who doesn’t like to travel. Travel not only refreshes our mind but also helps us improving in so many ways, explore new places, try on new food, getting to know various cultures and much more. Recently, I got a chance to visit Solan (H.P.) and I am sharing my personal experience with you all. It was a week long trip and I would share my experience it in short articles. So this consists of getting ready for the trip. Enjoy-

A view from my bedroom window.

It was a very humid damp day here in Ludhiana. I am sitting beside my working table and looking outside the window. The view is not very much pleasant as there is an only an empty garden along a less occupied road with a couple of pedestrians heading towards their destination. It is a quite afternoon and apart from ceiling fan, you can hear the insects buzzing. I always have been a big fan of instant and unplanned getaways, and also I am dreadful in saying ‘NO’ to the travel plans. From the last few days my cousins has been hitting me up-

Cousins- Hey bro, We need to get outta here!

Me- What do you mean?

Cousins- Our exams are over, so it’s your responsibility to take us along anywhere you go. You are our big brother.

Me- What? There’s hardly a gap of 1 year or so between us. What do you want me to do?

Cousins- Just tell my parents you taking us somewhere along with you, We all going together Fam and that’s it. Just tell them we all going together on your responsibility.

Me- Sounds like a plan. I will see what I can do.

Cousins- I know you will find a way out and you better do. Hit me up when the deal is locked. Bye.

Me- hey….hey….Listen. Hello?

-Call aborted.

So here, it is just a little conversation glimpse on how it all went down. For Travel my wanderlust works as fire and just a spark in enough to ignite it, and this was enough to get bags ready and move out of the city. It’s the same day evening and I have just done some sketching and one of my friend calls me up to ask what I have been up to?

Without even asking him anything else or replying to his questions, I am direct into the topic-

Me-hey bro, my cousins has been making a plan for a short getaway, Do you want to join in?

(He is almost the same in nature like me, so I don’t have to insist him much to join us)

He- Yea sure, I would love too. Just text me the date and time of Departure.

Me- Tomorrow!!

He- Ahmm! Tomorrow? (A Pause) okay, fine. Let me get my stuff ready and I’ll see you tomorrow than.

Me- yea, I’ll text you all the details. Goodbye.

He- Bye.

So it’s just few more hours and in this mean time I need to get permission from my parents for my cousins, get my cloth and camera ready and a few more things. Better hurry up, I am the one organizing this all and I don’t to be late for the departure.

~11:00pm~

So it is that time when I have done all the major things, convinced parents, stuff loaded up in bags, took cash and other required documents (for hotel room bookings). Leaving tomorrow

Morning and our first stop would be Solan (H.P.),It is a small city but just don’t be misguided by its small radius area. The city provides some major up listings with various others things to do as well. Solan is the largest municipal corporation of Himachal Pradesh. I am too pleased just by thinking that I am finally going somewhere, unloosing my chains of work, studies etc. I haven’t been to a vacation for long now, probably 4 years back when I went to a trip with my friends. The night before your travel don’t let you sleep, there is a lot of stuff going through mind and you feel enthusiasm in every part of the body. I have to leave by 9:00 am tomorrow, so its better I get some sleep now.

I will continue this journey in next few articles.

Thank you.

Kitchen- A happy place

A one’s home is always special to them. Be it a large suburbs mansion, a penthouse or a single room apartment. We all do various efforts to outshine every single corner of the house. Talking about the house, everyone has a special corner in that particular space. For some it might be their bedrooms, Washrooms, terrace, a balcony with a view or their own little private working space. This always varies from people to people. One thing remain constant even after the different lifestyles adapted by the People- that is Love for the kitchen. No matter what you do, where you go. Kitchen will always hold a special place in your Heart and mainly for the women or the solo one’s who cook on their own. Even in a big close knit family when everyone is busy own their own, the kitchen helps them to come together at least one time in a day. Tomato sauce simmering, masala being mixed, tadka (tempering) is getting ready over the hob, the melodic sound of the chop board caused by the chopping of veggies are enough to attract one’s soul to the dining table. Your stomach catches the sound before your ears do. So it becomes our duty to take care of probably the best part of a house. In this article I am going to tell you or give you some ideas on what things you need to consider on designing your new kitchen or renovating the existing one. Below are the some tips to make your work ease in the kitchen.

The renovation or building a new kitchen completely depends on the space available. The kitchen may vary in design and forms due to varies space available, but the thing to keep in mind is to provide ease to the one who’s going to work there. Smart accessories has been introduced in the market to keep your work as simple as possible and at the same time organizing the things on it’s place. There are different kitchens like U-shape kitchen, galley kitchen, island kitchen, single shelf kitchen, L-shape and so on. The kitchen shapes totally depends on your requirements. Below are some images of different types of kitchen.

Things to keep in mind while the construction of your kitchen-

  • Work triangle- It simply means that the placement of the Sink, Hob and the Fridge must be in such a manner that it should form a triangle when dots joined.
Working triangle of a kitchen.
  • Washing area- The washing area is sometimes a mess, so it’s better that this area is hidden in the kitchen.  Even in the open kitchens washing area can be hide, so consider this before finalizing the plan.
  • Cooking area- This is the main station or attraction area of the kitchen. So try to keep it as untidy as you can. Don’t go for open storage options here, just make upper and lower cabinets, fit a chimney and hob and that’s it. No more drama here.
  • Lights- I mean lights play an important part in the kitchen. Most of us don’t pay close attentions to the kitchen lights and leave it to electricians to give points according to their suitability, but try to figure it out with the help of your interior designer to provide you the best options. With this you will also have ample light in kitchen for working and if you are building a big kitchen, you can go for mood lighting which will create a warmth feeling when you are having guests at home for a dinner.
  • Ease of access- Try going for the furniture or the cabinets that you feel are suitable and creates ease of work for you, don’t simply be tied to a trend or design that doesn’t benefits you.
  • Electrical appliances- Microwave, oven, juices, blenders, mixers are the common equipment that can be found in one’s kitchen, so try to devote a little area to these products so in the future you don’t have to worry about their storage. Once they are put to their places, it becomes easy to use them and the chances of their Wear and tear are reduced. Try putting oven and microwave cabinet next to the working slab, so when you are using them you will have a work space for the preparations of the meal.
  • Storage- While building the kitchen create storage space in such a manner that your day to day usable items are close to the working station while the infrequently used items can be store in a different place. Use most of the space in the kitchen but at the same time don’t create a mess in acquiring every inch of space. For a systematic planning, hire a professional. (You can also leave your comment below for any suggestions apart from this, and for those who don’t know I am also a interior designer)
  • Island cum Breakfast counter- This one is only for the big kitchens that have a island counter in them. Island counter are used variously across kitchens. Some use them as type of breakfast counter with a vegetable/fruit washing sink, while others place the hob on it. Below are some examples of it-
Kitchen island with a Hob and sink placed over it.
Kitchen island with a sink and space provided for eating or chopping.
A plain island counter that can be used as a extra work-space.

The bottom line of the topic is there are numerous designs of kitchen but it gets it’s worth when the design works best for you. Basically Kitchen designs can be best understand by dividing them into three categories below-

Modular kitchen- These are the most commonly used kitchen in the houses. These are made in the factories and are assembled at the site, moreover it also fits in everyone’s budget.

Classical kitchen- Classic kitchens are designed to be timeless, simple and fresh, not dark, complicated and traditional. White cabinetry, creamy stone countertops, and elegant marble flooring help to accentuate the white and bright colors that help a classic kitchen design pop.

Retro kitchen design-The use of “retro” style generally implies a vintage of at least fifteen or twenty years. For example, furniture from the 1980s or 1990s could be retro today. Retro kitchen designs are represented by simply cozy cabinets with elegant or vintage chairs, or modern kitchen cabinets with touches of the retro style.

Thank you for reading it all the way down here and I hope this might had helped you or at least provided you some basic idea on what things to look at before building or renovating your existing kitchen.

Food to Detoxify your Body.

Detox or Detoxification are the common words you hear around you these days. There are many ones who talk a lot about Detoxifying their Bodies, using various vitamins tablet, other supplements etc. But have you ever Wondered what Detoxifying really is? Or what does it really do to Your body, or does Detoxing really helps in weight loss or it’s just a myth.

Detoxing is basically the removing of the Toxic products from your body, which is mainly Conducted by the Liver. There are various supplements/ Drinks available in the market to detoxify your body, But the detoxification can be best done with just adding up the right food in your diet and regular exercise. In this Article I will present you with the foods that you can add up in your daily diet to rejuvenate your body.

  • Lemon Water

     Lemon Water is considered to be one of the best to remove the Toxic products from the body, Even Better It also  Helps to reduce the weight. Lemon water is also a rich source of Vitamin-C and During Summers it Prevents your body from Dehydrating. Lemon water also prevents Kidney Stones. To get the most of it, try starting your day with Lemon water on empty stomach. You can also add a little honey in it.

-To make lemon Water-

  Excrete all the Lemon Juice from the Lemon, Add Maple Syrup and Just a Pinch of Black Pepper. You can  also add some mint leaves to your taste.

  • Pomegranate

Pomegranate is Enrich with Vitamin-C and Fiber. It is Considered very Good for our Heart especially. Pomegranate is also helpful in controlling the cholesterol. The ones who are suffering from cholesterol or Heart disorders must add Pomegranate or it’s juice in their daily meals. 250grams of Pomegranate or 250ml of juice will do enough benefits to your body to live a Healthy life. Pomegranate juice has been also used in Vedas for making Medicines & It also improves  Sexual performance and Fertility. Apart from this It also works as a Anti-Biotic.

  • Broccoli

Broccoli is an important  food to the people who are Fond of eating Salads in their daily Routine. Broccoli is used in making of Sprouts and they play an essential role in keeping our Digestive system active and Healthy. For the ones, who are trying to develop a healthy lifestyle should keep Broccoli on top of their Grocery List. Broccoli is enrich in Vitamin-K, So the ones who suffer from the Problems of Uncontrolled bleeding must add atleast 92gm of Broccoli in their Day to day meals. Don’t start eating anything suddenly too much as it may result in more of its disadvantages than  its advantages.

  • Berries (Strawberry, Blackberry)

Berries of all kind including the strawberries, Raspberry, Blue-berry, Black berry are the rich sources of Vitamin-C. All types of berries are Loaded with Antioxidants, so without a Doubt these are a great food to detoxify your body. Berries are a good source of fiber, including soluble fiber. Studies show that consuming soluble fiber slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract, leading to reduced hunger and increased feelings of fullness. 100g of berries per day is very beneficial for your Body. Berries also have high anti-inflammation properties which help your body to fight against any type of injury or infection.

  • Garlic

Garlic is a plant of the allium(onion) family. Garlic is admitted as one of the best foods to rejuvenate one’s body and filters almost every toxic product from the body. Garlic is rich in qualities like antiviral, antiseptic and anti-biotic. In the earlier periods, Garlic was used as one of the prominent ingredients in making medicines. Garlic can be used in almost any meal and thus you don’t need to do any special efforts to include it in your meals. 4g of Garlic per day is enough for the body.

  • Pineapple

       Pineapple is one of my favorite fruit personally & I try to eat it almost every day  during it’s season. Pineapple is rich in an enzyme called Bromelain. This enzyme is used by our body to separate the protein  from our food and help it to digest. Pineapple is also beneficial in reducing the swelling and also helps in recovering from an injury. It is advised that a women shall intake at least 21-25 gm, while men should intake 30-38g of pineapple. The one’s who have undergone a surgery in recent times, must add Pineapple to their regular meals for a speedy recovery.

  • Sugar beets (Chukandar)

Sugar beets are considered as an important part in salads because it is rich in various oxidants and fibers required by the body. Sugar beet is packed with Vitamin-B6, B3, Beta carotene, magnesium, calcium & iron. Sugar beet plays an important role in breaking down of fibers and digesting them. Beets also contain nitrates and pigments that may help lower blood pressure and improve athletic performance. Lastly, beets are delicious and versatile, fitting well into a healthy and balanced diet. The consumption of 150g of Sugar beet fulfils the necessary Nitrate required by the body.

  • Apple

“An apple a day, keeps a Doctor away” I mean who hasn’t listen to this saying. So how could we keep apple away from the list, after all it comes with lots and lots of benefits for our body. Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavanoids, and dietary fiber. The phytonutrients and antioxidants in apples may help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. This all works together in removing the toxic products from the body. It’s also important to eat apple without removing its skin , because it’s outer layer is enrich with Vitamin-c and fiber. Apple also may help you in losing those extra kilos!

THE BOTTOM LINE

The above foods are essentially good for you and their intakes can really help  your internal body system in removing all the toxic products, and pushing towards you a healthy lifestyle. But anything done more than the required can lead to more of it’s disadvantages. So, the bottom line is  add this to your meal plans, but if you are suffering through any disease or disorders, Please concern your Doctor before in taking it  Directly. And of course, Yes  this might help you in losing your weight but at the same time exercise is also mandatory.

Thank you

Top Places to Visit in India in 2019

Low/Tight Budget Edition.

“Money Fills your Pockets , Travel fills your Soul”

Tired of working your 9-5 job? Tired of just submitting your assignments , making projects and your daily routine? Want to travel and spend some time away from this things. Imagine you on a beachside , water waves hitting the shores , sun all set to take a nap and moon starting to spread it’s light on the sand and you being relaxed on a hammock tied between two coconut trees. Isn’t this all feels good and doesn’t your Wanderlust ( that is a bit pushed down somewhere inside you) tends to rise and tempts to pack your bags right away and get out of your responsibilities for sometime. But just hold on a moment , your boss doesn’t pay you a six figure salary or it’s already the month end and you are passing days just by eating noodles or whatsoever you get cheap. And what about the students who  just passed out the class and want to get out of the daily schedule , but your pocket won’t allow or you are already in student loan debt, but at the same time you see your colleagues , friends, crush posting picture  of themselves on beaches , mountains and whatever. Say no more, I got you this time and In this blog I will present you with the top places that will satisfy your wanderlust and that too within your budget. So Fam , just pack-up your bags because at the end of this blog , the next thing you will probably do is to book tickets. On to the places now.   

McLeod Ganj , Himachal Pradesh

Nestled in the Kangra district of the alluring state of Himachal Pradesh, a small hill station called McLeod Ganj has jostled over the years to emerge as one of the prominent tourist destinations. With its vast Tibetan culture , you can get to see their numerous sculptures and their handicraft products. You can go check out their monasteries and spend some time in peace. Mcleod ganj also provides you inner peace away from regular life rush. In the main hub of the town , lies numerous shops and they are always packed with tourists from various places, there you can see their local attire designs and one can also find the latest fashion trends. But Mcleod ganj is not just for its local market hub , but is mainly known for its amazing climate and picture perfect locations. You can check out the water falls or one can go on a trek too. Apart from this the local food there is also very good. You can get the taste of your local food to their regional food at almost any restro and that too at an affordable price.

  • Best time to visit–  October & February i.e. Winter season
  • March and June i.e. Summer season

Transportation– The price may vary in different locations , but from Delhi Bus fare will be around Rs.500 ( one side for Non ac bus) A.C. bus will cost you around 850/-.

Lodge/Hotels–  Room can be rent to as low as Rs200/- to 1000/- per night. Prices tends to rise during the peak time of tourism.

Food- As already told above , Food is extremely tasty and you can get various varieties of food including Chinese , thai , north indian etc at a very effective price around Rs300-800 per day meals.

Attractions-

  • Bhagsu falls
  • Triund hills
  • Tibetan Museum
  • Kalachakra temple
McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh.

Alleppey Backwaters, Kerala

A houseboat going through the backwaters during Sunrise.

Alleppey is certainly a place to visit atleast once in your life. This is a perfect getaway for a romantic outing or for people who are willing to spend some time in the middle of mother nature.  Get to know the culture of local area , take a closer look at the the local traditions.  The most mind blowing fact about Alleppey is staying in a houseboat in the midst of backwaters , this is has to be your one of soothing and relaxing moments of the life. After your house boat experience you can go on a near-by beach and spent some time there or can go through the local markets. Don’t forget to try the local street food.

Best time to visit-  November to February

Transportation- The cheapest way to reach Alleppey is by train and it will charge you around Rs400-600 (sleeper class) one side from Bangalore. The only demerit is the train will take around 13hours to reach Alleppey.

Lodge– Homestays are available at a price of Rs400-600/- per night.

Hotel rooms price around Rs300-1000/- per night.

House boat price around rs2500-15000/- per night.

Food- The local street food is tasty , clean and hygienic and that can be grabbed at a price around of Rs80-250/- per meal.

Tourist attractions-

  • Take a close look at the village life.
  • Bird watching
  • Explore Beaches and behold the sunset from a lighthouse.
  • Ayurveda and spa
  • Local markets
  • Temples
  • Authentic Sea food
Alleppey Backwaters , Kerala.

Digha , West Bengal

Digha Beach

Beach town situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal, Digha is a popular tourist destination known for its untouched beaches and scenic views, especially among people in West Bengal.

Digha is a one-stop destination for families looking forward to spend a pleasurable weekend. One of the best features of this hamlet is its varied and diverse tourist attraction spots. Known for its magnificent beaches, religious temples and high-tech research centers and museums, this most popular sea resort of West Bengal has a lot to offer for people of all age groups.

Best time to visit-  October to February

Transportation-  You can Reach here by a train. The ticket price from Mumbai to Digha is around Rs700-750

Lodge- Hotels room starts at Price of Rs500/- per night , but if you are willing to spend some quality time at night alongside beaches the room prices go high upto Rs15000/- per night.

Food- Digha is famous for it’s local street food and a variety of cuisines which you can get at an price of Rs200-400 per meal.

Tourist attractions-

  • Marine Station
  • Digha Beach
  • Udaipur Beach
  • Amarabati park
  • Chandaneswar Temple

Pondicherry

Pondicherry is one of the top locations to visit and it has all the factors that why it should be your next vacation spot. No matter with whom you are going , Pondicherry  offers something for everyone. Talk About the Beaches, Ashrams, Local temples, Scuba diving, Local food and what else one can ask for. Pondicherry is also known for it’s French Architecture , so the ones who have never visited France must Visit Pondicherry.

Best time to visit- October to March

Transportation- You can reach Pondicherry through a Train from Chennai. Ticket fare will be around Rs350/- for chair car , Rs170-200 Sleeper (One Side).

Lodge- Hotel rooms are available at a price of Rs550-1500/- per night , You can also stay at the Shri Aurobindo Ashram ( You have to obey their rules) & if you are Lucky enough you might get a free stay at the ashram.

Food- The food rates are normal and you might spend around Rs100-350 per meal ( Depending on the place you eat). Try your hands on Local street Food too. Beer is available at an extremely low prices , so you might end up drinking too much that there is no room for food at the end.

Tourist Attractions- 

  • Beaches
  • Aurobindo Ashram
  • Adventure activities like Scuba diving
  • Churches
  • Old Lighthouse
  • French War memorial
  • Gandhi Museum
  • Pondicherry Museum
A view from a seaside restaurant Along the Pondicherry Beach.

Varanasi

Ghats along the River Ganga

Varanasi is noted worldwide for being one of the oldest living cities on earth. Today, Varanasi also called Benaras or Kashi is not just a tourist spot but is an important pilgrimage spot for Hindus. It is a land of temples, the city of Lord Shiva, and the sacred River Ganges runs through it like the nerves in a body. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and even more number of photo enthusiasts here.

Best time to go-  November to February

Transportation- One can Reach Varanasi by a train from Delhi. Ticket costs around Rs400 Sleeper coach for One side.

Lodging- Rooms are available at a average price of Rs600/- per night. Some tent houses are also available for the tourists  , So you can always ask for one at an effectively Low price.

Food-  Food price is average and you can starve your Hunger at an low price from Rs100-350/- per meal.

Tourist attractions-

  • Boat ride in Ganga River
  • Holy Bath in Ganga River
  • Temples of Varanasi
  • Sunset along Ghats
  • Evening Aarti at River Ganga
  • Sightseeing tour of Sarnath
  • Local Shopping streets and street Food
Evening Aarti at River Ganga.

So this Sums it up all and This were my top Budget and the best destinations picks to Visit In India. To get your Personal Trip schedule or to book a trip for you or your family , just leave a comment down below. Hope you guys liked it.

Thank you.

ESCAPE WINDOW

A heartiest Welcome to my new blog.

Hello,

My name is Aman Sharma. I am from India and I am an Interior designer or shall say I am into my last semester of studies and also work as a intern in a company. So, basically I consider writing as one of the good stress relievers and at the same time providing knowledge in one or the other way. I love writing , reading books , cooking and sketching.

In this blog I want to share different types of recipes including Indian, Chinese , Italian , Thai and their numerous varieties of drinks & mock tails to main-course and than all the way across to the desserts. I will share this recipes with a view that it is suitable for all age groups to the health conscious , sweet tooth and for your cheat days.

Next Destination never too far…

Next on we move to travel.

“With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.” – Sandra lake.

There is absolutely no doubt about the above mentioned saying.I mean who doesn’t love to travel.The thing is some are lucky enough to travel in the golden years of their lives , while others have to work hard all their life to earn a dream vacation. But sometimes their dream vacation remains a dream vacation throughout their lives. So here, I’ll provide you the best Domestic and International destinations to go whether you are going solo, group, Family or with someone special. Another important thing after destination is budget and best time to go there , so here I’ll try my best to provide you all the beneficial information and that too with in your budget.

Last but not the Least- LIFESTYLE

One of the growing trends in our generation is keeping up with the latest trends, whether it’s fashion, health and much more. So I’ll try to keep up with all the latest information about the upcoming trends. And that is not all guys , I’ll try to devote as much time as i can to this blog but along this I will need your support and it’s all your opinions that will matter. That was pretty much it from my and as well Blog’s Intro. New blog coming this week and I hope you all will enjoy reading it.

Thank you,

Aman Sharma