Best of luck for exams, Get out of sleep debt

We had a quiet Holi this year. It seems like yesterday when Rachita was born. Today she is ready to appear for her tenth standard exams! I wish Best of Luck to all the students taking their tenth standard exams and their parents.

I have been getting some queries about how to use whey (the water that separates when you make paneer at home - it is very nutritious albeit a bit sour) at home. I can suggest you knead dough for rotis, paranthas, theplas and puris, or add to dals to improve their flavour and consistency. You can also use it to adjust the consistency of dosa batter. In the case of buttermilk that is leftover when you make butter from cream ? it can be used as a base for kadhi, or to make khandvi or upma.

Another alarming phenomenon which I am becoming aware of is how people enter a state of sleep deprivation. If there is anything I would want, sleep would be on top of the list! The basic necessities for a person to survive would include air, water and food and also a time out for the body to repair and rest. Sleep is a passive retreat and a good night?s sleep leaves you feeling refreshed, alert and ready to tackle the day?s ordeals.

When you don?t get enough sleep, you may feel less alert and less energetic and, perhaps, more confused, irritable and tired. Lack of sleep affects your mental and social functioning. You may find it more difficult to concentrate. You may find that you lose patience quickly, that you become less interactive in your relationships and that you become less productive at work. Sleep debt is cumulative and even small nightly sleep losses can add up to affect your daytime functions. Another thing, do not be embarrassed about your need for sleep. In today?s busy world you may find that others tease you or make light of your need for sleep. But in reality, sleep is just as important as the activities you perform during your waking hours. If you routinely have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, talk to your doctor about what you can do about it.

It is suggested that food before going to sleep should be such that does not give you heartburn. It is best to sleep at least two to three hours after your night meal. Some light meals for you ? Healthy Protein Pulao with a salad, or Kaddu ka Saag with roti, or then Cream of Vegetable Soup with Spinach accompanied with some toasted brown bread (with no butter!).



Have a good rest!

Till I write again.
Sanjeev Kapoor