Even before we had time to miss her (it hasn't been long since we met her last), our Miss India Universe Simran Mundi is once again in town. Well, we don't mind her coming here every second week, but then the city seems to have become her second home. From several launches to modeling assignments, the beauty queen seems to need just an excuse to drop in here. By her own admission, "This is probably my 10th visit to the city in the past one year and I am wondering if I should buy a flat here." This time she was here to launch the Know Your Diamond campaign, an initiative of Gitanjali group in association with International Gemological Institute at Gitanjali Jewels Store-22.

Donning an Anarkali suit and wearing apt jewelry, she dazzled amidst the diamonds as we asked her about this feminine streak, "I am not savvy when it comes to jewellery and so I go for minimalist designs." She elaborates on her choice of stones, "I love diamonds and kundan jewellry. As for my favourite, it is certainly rings. I might not wear any earrings or neckpieces but wearing rings is quite an obsession."

Other than paying visits to the city what's keeping her busy these days is acting classes. "I decided to join Kishore Namit Kapoor's acting school after few movie offers came my way," adds she. And her kind of cinema is? "I'll enter the industry with an open mind and will accept any offer. Only after I have established myself, I will be in a position to prioritise." She feels being a part of the glam world isn't going to be tough, as then her Miss India's contest experience will come handy, "If I can survive the Miss India contest, I guess I can surpass any challenge." Some confidence there!

And that's not all she wants to be popular for. In fact, something she now desperately wishes to do is work for the welfare of animals. "I have always admired Maneka Gandhi for what she has been doing. I have now started working with PETA and hope that will serve the cause," says the vegetarian lady. She doesn't forget to spell her another wish, "I someday want to be a part of organization supported by Maneka Gandhi."

Even while doing all these, she hasn't stopped doing ramp shows, something she thoroughly enjoys. As an insider of the glam world, she acknowledges the fact that it too is recession struck, "This year designers are doing less number of shows as compared to last year and as a result models are also getting lesser work." But that doesn't mean they are jobless, "Thankfully for models there ample opportunities now. They get to do a lot of print and electronic ads and attend launches."

It is of course not like a lengthy algebric formula that you have to mug up or history that has to be revised, it is a simple instruction that you have to abide by. Akakansha Khannna, senior gemologist and instructor with International Gemological Institute (IGI), puts it better, "Please don't forget to take certificate specifying grading of diamonds that you buy." In town to promote the campaign, she suggests customers should be aware of 4 C's while purchasing diamonds. "It is through the certificate issued by the IGI that one can know about the cut, clarity, colour and carat of the Diamond."

While talking about the fifth C, 'certificate', she makes it a point to add that no way one can judge the authentication of diamonds, "To naked eye, every glittering stone is a diamond."

One need not depend on the retailer to get the jewellry tested. Anybody can directly approach the IGI and ask for the details of the jewellry. Another wise piece of advice she gives is, "Even if you have a family jeweller, make sure that you demand certificate from him. Little variations in the weight or carat of diamond can cost a lot."

ashima@tribunemail.com

Have you ever spared a thought about Indian food? We always thought it to be what mom whips up in her kitchen, and people world over think it to be a spicy mix of veggies or meat, but Anila Bali defines it as a careful synthesis and blend of spices, seasoning and flavours (how true, if given a serious thought). Here in the city, sharing her culinary experience, she talks about her first cook book, Mom's Cooking & More, her passion for cooking and teaching people about Indian food and traditions.

Having shifted to Northern Ireland in 1972, she learnt to be innovative as the spices and veggies she grew up eating were not available there. "The first thing that hit me there was I couldn't get the ingredients I wanted. I still remember how we would buy a muthi of dhania for five pounds and use it miserly so that it could last us some time. This taught me to be innovative and mix and match various ingredients to get the right flavour."

Ask her why did she decide on writing a cook book when they are available dime a dozen and she replies, "My book is not only about how to cook a dish, it also talks about various aspect of Indian cooking—how to blend spices, serve Indian food and it also talks about traditional festivals like Diwali, trend of applying bindis, bangles and the traditional art of heena. On the whole, it is a complete Indian package that describes Indian food in the context of history and geography."

Ph.D in history, she adds, "People used to come to me for recipes and how to use the ingredients the right way. This led me to start cooking classes. And when even after 20 years I saw women in Ireland using my handwritten recipes, I thought of publishing my book. And the publisher too wanted something different than the usual and here I am with my book." The book is already released in Northern Ireland and it will be available in city next week."

Ask her what does Indian food mean abroad and she says, "For people abroad it means either spicy hot curry or just tandori or butter chicken." She adds, "It took me sometime to explain that Indian food is much more than chillies and every province of the country has different dishes."

Well, that's true and we should take pride in that. But are people really interested in Indian cuisine and she answers, "Yes, especially in England people are crazy about Indian food."

And what about the second-generation Indians? Are they well versed with the Indian ingredients and cooking styles? "Yes, they would know the terminology well, but definitely not the way to cook."

Ready to start writing her second book, she says, "My next book will also be something that starts from the basics but goes into minute details of cooking."

Last, we ask her how did she decide on the name of the book and she says, "My boys are fond of food and since they were young they would get home friends and they would ask-Mom what's cooking? So, when I decided to name the book, this was my first choice."

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Three cheers to the early man, who invented the barbeque form of cooking. Without the privilege of cookery shows or books, he still managed pretty well with his common sense. Also, we believe he didn't have any idea of how big his invention was, other wise probably Thomas Edison or Benjamin Franklin, would have mugged lessons on him too. So, let's give the credit of several eating joints in the city that offer grilled food to this nameless inventor.

Grilled food offers the combination of health and taste. Sudha Khurana, consultant dietician, PGI, agrees with the fact, "As you don't fry or boil the raw food in this case, its nutrients remain intact. Also, the food is not directly cooked and so the heat doesn't reach its inner layers, preserving its juices."

This form of cooking consumes less time and is therefore healthy. Vikas, owner of Fire n Grill-10 talks about the popularity of the skewered food, "Barbeque is a traditional form of cooking in the Western counties. People in America and Europe have fire pits in their houses, where they grill the food. In India, this cooking form has recently become popular and people are liking it." He also believes that people are opting for barbeques for it's nutritious. "Barbequing is the most apt form of cooking non-veg. The heat produced from burning wood makes the fat melt, whole of which is deposited on the outer layer of it. However, as proteins are present in the inner layers, they are retained."

Telling us about some barbequed veg dishes, Akash Dutta, manager, Barbeque Nation-26, says, “The most popular and likes barbequed vegetarian dishes available here are of cheese, mushrooms, broccoli, pineapple, and cherry tomatoes.”

ashima@tribunemail.com

Lets face it…and if you're reluctant just face the mirror and the truth will stare back in your face. We are all fatter, post festivities. Now lets start the blame game, first there was Diwali, then Christmas, with New Year following hot on its heels and then to make matters worse there were countless weddings that brought out the glutton in us! The end result? We are keeling over with excess blubber-baggage!

The following 7 day-diet is a quick fix plan, which allows you to loose up to five kg (though you will probably gain back some of it). This low carb diet is designed to flush your system of impurities, give you a feeling of well being, and leave you glowing. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter and full of energy. During these seven days you must abstain from all alcohol and must drink at least 10 glasses of water each day

Seven commandments

The soup (recipe follows) can be regularly prepared in a sufficient quantity and consumed often.

Day One

All fruits except bananas, chiku and grapes, in any quantity that makes you feel satiated. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons or watermelon.

Day Two

All vegetables of your choice, raw or cooked. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter. You may also have soup a couple of times.

Day Three

A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. But no bananas or potatoes. Have soup as often as you please.

Day Four

Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. Since you can't sweeten the milk, I found a clever way out. I whipped up a milk shake with the two ingredients. Along with this, have the special soup, which you can eat 2-3 times.

Day Five

Yippee! Today is feast day! You will eat mutton/chicken and tomatoes. Eat two 250 gm portions of lean meat combined with six tomatoes. For vegetarians you could replace the proteins with rajma, chana, soya nuggets or paneer (prepared from toned milk). Do not have a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Remember to limit yourself to only one form of protein on a given day.

Day Six

Vegetables with mutton/ chicken, or a veg substitute. Today you can eat to your hearts content.

Day Seven

Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.

Veggie surprise

Vegetables may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except salt, vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic or herbs. No more than one teaspoon of oil on any given day.

Food for thought

4 large onions, 2 capsicums, 4 tomatoes, 1 medium sized head of cabbage, 1 bunch celery to be chipped finely and cooked till tender. Do not discard the shredded veggies. Eat them like a chunky soup that you may flavour with garlic, chilli sauce or pepper.

Liquid diet

Water (flavoured with lemon juice if desired).

Black Coffee. No milk or cream and no sugar or sweetners. Black Tea, likewise

Fruit juices are only a part of day seven so no fruit juices before that.

Purple Rice an Oriental Wok Café in Sector 35, has introduced nutritious, steamed and stir-fry menu to its existing fare. To whet your appetite for a healthy living here you can try a bowl of Purple Rice noodle soup, wonton soup, a light clear soup that has wontons in it or peppery lemon soup.

For starters, there is raw papaya salad, beans sprout and golden corn salad, Thai steamed lettuce wrap, prawns stirred, pepper thin Lamb, steamed wonton and brocolli and mushroom skewers with peanut sauce. For the main course try Chinese greens, garlic or black pepper, tofu, brocolli with soy sauce, steamed chicken in oyster sauce/ hot bean sauce, shredded lamb cooked in hunan sauce, stir prawns with seasonal greens and rice and noodles. Well, there are desserts too: you can try low-fat ice-cream or a fresh fruit platter. — TNS

With Padma Lakshmi’s svelte figure, it would be difficult to imagine that she loves food. However, the pretty lady has confessed her love for burgers and maintains that she works really hard on her body. “I grew up a vegetarian. Then, because I grew up in the states, I started slowly eating meat. First it was bologna sandwiches, or pepperoni on pizza. As a teenager, my friends and I would always go have burgers. I would scarf them down!” People magazine quoted the Top Chef host, as saying.When asked how the food and fashion icon stays fit, Lakshmi says she works hard to maintain her figure.“I work out all the time! I don’t just sit around and eat burgers whenever I want. Oh, if I could I probably would, but I don’t,” she said.The stunner is currently putting her passion for meat into a new commercial for Hardee’s Bacon Western Thickburger. — ANI

Hollywood icon Meryl Streep used to pad her bra to catch the eye of casting directors and land film roles. The double Oscar-winner further explained that her ‘boosting’ actions didn’t go unnoticed as her fake curves persuaded late movie maker Sydney Pollack to cast her in critically acclaimed Out of Africa. She said: “I have cheated to get a part. The first time I was on Broadway years ago. Before the audition I filled my 32DD bra cups with paper towels. “I got the part! I did it again to Sydney Pollack for Out of Africa. I’d heard he didn’t think I was sexy enough so I filled them up again.” —ANI

Nearly four years after their much-publicised divorce was finalised Jennifer Aniston no longer has feelings for Brad Pitt and has been telling her pals that she is ‘so over him’. The 40-year-old is said to be enjoying her relationship with musician John Mayer, 31, who was by her side at the Academy Awards celebrations. Says a friend of the couple: “John is perfectly happy to spend some time with Jennifer, just playing his guitar for her and being together with her. It’s all very relaxed.” Aniston has just arrived in Britain for a 10-day stay to promote her latest film He’s Not That Into You. — ANI

Add-ing up

His films may not be doing well at the box office, but actor Shahid Kapur has a knack for making things perfect when it comes to endorsements. While shooting an ad for music equipment brand Pioneer, Shahid felt something was missing in the background score, due to which he could not deliver his best. So, he suggested some changes that helped in improving the advertisement.

“Shahid has an eye for detail just like his father. He took an active part in everything and that was quite impressive,” said Kiran Deohans, the director of the ad.

“The music was ready and when Shahid was listening to it, he felt something was missing in the music as there was no hook at the start. He wanted it to be added then he could practice the steps accordingly and go ahead and finish the shoot comfortably. Besides being a great actor and a superb dancer, he is a very friendly person too,” added Deohans. — IANS

On a song

Actor Sonal Chauhan, who starred alongside Emraan Hashmi in Jannat, is on a roll. She will shoot at the Seven Wonders of the World for a song worth Rs 6 million.

The song will be for a Kannada film Cheluvine Ninna Nodalu and she has teamed up with southern actor Shivrajkumar in it.

“I am more excited than nervous. I will have to do tonnes of rehearsals. The most exciting part of it all was shooting this song with the superstar himself - Shivrajkumar. He is absolutely amazing to work with,” Sonal said.

In the song, Sonal is believed to have worn a dress worth nearly Rs 400,000. The film’s team is expected to fly to all the monuments on the new list of Seven Wonders of the World in March. “I am very excited about this trip. This is a lifetime opportunity. Imagine going to every single monument across the world that has been listed as a wonder. It’s a dream come true! I am eagerly looking forward to doing the same now,” gushed the young actress. —IANS

Ranaut and Ramdev

After Shilpa Shetty, actor Kangana Ranaut is in line to follow the teachings of yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

“She is of the opinion that Baba Ramdev’s pravachans (discourses) are kind of inspiring and sort of revolutionary and help one in becoming healthier,” a source close to the actress said.

Kangana, whose recent film Raaz —The Mystery Continues proved to be a hit, also admires the fact that Baba Ramdev practises and preaches his skills in India itself unlike other such experts who have gone and settled in other parts of the world. — IANS