Convincing kids to eat healthy food

A file photo of “NUTRI FEST” organised by Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children on the topic ‘Breakfast for Children’.

Parents should pay attention to colour, appearance and texture when trying to make healthy food appealing to their children’s tastes.

“Colourful, crunchy pieces of fruit go quicker into a child’s mouth than colourless fruit,” said Monika Niehaus, a paediatrician in Germany.

Brown spots on fruit and vegetables, or a slimy texture, such as that of some types of mushrooms, cause most children to reject the piece of food, said Niehaus, spokeswoman for Germany’s professional association of paediatricians, citing the results of studies conducted by the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands.

Parents should take advantage of the fact that children are creatures of habit.

“If they always eat fruit or vegetables at a certain time, as dessert, for example, they reach for it more frequently,” Niehaus said.

Vegetables typically are not popular with most children. But when parents give their children a choice of several types of vegetables, they tend to start helping themselves, said Niehaus. Every child likes at least one type of vegetable. Tomatoes or cucumbers are often their choice. Strawberries and apples are typically favourite fruits among children

Will Insulate People From High Food Prices: PM

Noting that the government has been concerned over high food prices over the last one year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said all practical measures would be taken to provide relief to people.

Replying to the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha, he said the government was working to overcome the twin-impact of failure of monsoons and global economic crisis with an objective of reaching the double-digit growth.

He said India will end the current financial year with GDP growth of 7.2 to 7.5 per cent while exuding confidence of achieving eight per cent in the next fiscal (2010-11) and return to nine per cent in subsequent year.

“I am confident that economic fundamentals are strong. If we manage our economy well, if we manage creation of social infrastructure well, there is no barrier to India’s entry in the age of double digit growth,” Singh said in his 55-minute speech.

Responding to concerns expressed by members over rising food prices, he said the government has been equally concerned over the “behaviour of food prices” over the last one year.

He said certain steps have been taken to address the situation and the government was ready to take “any practical” measure that would give relief to people.

The food inflation had touched a decade high of 19.7 per cent in December last year before moderating marginally to about 17 per cent in the recent weeks.

The global economic crisis, that affected virtually every nation, and failure of monsoon here last year were among major reasons for the shortage of essential commodities that contributed to high food prices.

Singh, however, said the way India dealt with the impact of the global economic crisis and failure of the South-West monsoon was praise worthy.

On the prices of sugar which had touched almost Rs 50 a kg, the Prime Minister said prices have been rising due to three-year crop cycle. “We will explore ways and means to check sugar prices,” he added.

Even as the agriculture sector is estimated to register negative growth of two per cent this fiscal mainly because of drought in most parts of the nation, Singh said during the UPA government regime the declining trend has been reversed due to pro-farmer policies.

Agriculture has grown at rate of 4 per cent from 2005 as against 2 per cent from 1997 to 2002.

Events Today in Hyderabad

Art	Top
Artists’ Collection Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  4 p.m. Mystic Inspirations, Plot No.33, Banjara Hills. An exhibition of paintings by various artists like Suman Roy, Arif, Jaya Baheti, Deeraj Choudhary and Kishan will be on display.
Fragrance Of Life Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  6 p.m. Diara Art Gallery, 100A, Banjara Petals, Road No.5, Banjara Hills. An exhibition of figurative paintings on human life, by renowned artist Sukanta Das will be on display.
Bronze Sculptures Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  5 p.m. Kalakriti, 468, Road No.12, Banjara Hills. An exhibition of bronze sculptures by renowned artist Sonjay Kumar will be on display.
Unfolding The Raga Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  7 p.m. ICONART Gallery, 1672, SBI Building, Road No.12, Banjara Hills. An exhibition of paintings by Sanju jain will be on display.
Special Events	Top
Diwali Dhamaka Friday, October 16th, 2009. The Square, La Cantina, The Bar, The Deli, Sunset Lounge and Boulder Hills, Novotel Hyderabad, Hitech City, Madhapur. This Diwali, patrons who dine for Rs 1000, get a chance to win a Hyundai i20.
Eating Out	Top
Lunch Buffet Friday, October 16th, 2009. noon to  3 p.m. Sweet Nirvana, Plot No.105, Phase II, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur Sweet Nirvana is offering a variety of delicious continental cuisine which includes soups, salads along with the main course and desserts.
Evening Snacks Friday, October 16th, 2009. 4 p.m. to  6 p.m. Promenade, Aditya Park, Ameerpet. An array of South and North Indian snacks and light meals at the Promenade.
Happy Hours Friday, October 16th, 2009. 4 p.m. to  8 p.m. The Bar, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, Shamshabad. The Bar at Novotel is having happy hours, during when, they offer a complimentary drink on purchase of every drink.
Midnight Biryani Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11:30 p.m. to  3 a.m. Tulips, Hotel Greenpark, Greenlands, Begumpet. Tulips is serving an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian biryanis. Other delicacies like Haleem, Sheermal, Paneer Burjee and desserts are also available.
Southern Delicacies Friday, October 16th, 2009. noon to  3 p.m. Deccan Pavilion, Hotel ITC The Kakatiya, Begumpet. The coffee shop is offering authentic Hyderabadi biryanis and delicious kebabs along with other Chinese and continental cuisines. Also on the menu are soups, salads, cold cuts, pastas and desserts.
Snacks and Desserts Buffet Friday, October 16th, 2009. 4 p.m. to  7 p.m. Sweet Nirvana, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur. A variety of savory snacks such as chicken barbeque and desserts will be served along with lemonade.
Dim-Sum Festival Friday, October 16th, 2009. 7:30 p.m. to  11:30 p.m. Strings, Taj Banjara, Road No.1, Banjara Hills. The menu consists of a wide-range of Dim Sums in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options like Baby Spinach and spring vegetables dim sum, Five spiced mushroom dim sum, Garlic and cabbage dim sum, Burnt garlic fish dim sum, Chicken dim sum, Crispy shrimps dim sum and delicious desserts from Executive Chef Hrudananda Behera.
Vegetarian Buffet Friday, October 16th, 2009. 7 p.m. to  11 p.m. Venue, Quality Inn Residency, Nampally. The restaurant offers delicious south Indian vegetarian buffet, along with snacks and desserts for lunch and dinner.
Lunch Buffet Friday, October 16th, 2009. 12:30 p.m. to  3 p.m. Tandoor, White House Building, Begumpet. An authentic North Indian buffet featuring peas pulao, paneer tikka, biryanis, desserts and more for lunch.
The Curry Bar Friday, October 16th, 2009. 7:30 p.m. to  11:30 p.m. Spice Junxion, Taj Deccan, Road No.1, Banjara Hills. Executive Chef Sachin Joshi has prepared a menu for this unique food festival, which contains an array of most popular, authentic, spicy south Indian curries. They include a variety of chicken, fish, lamb and vegetable curries that are made using home-made spices and served with portions of Appams, Malabar Parathas, Dosas, and steamed rice. To name a few – the non-veg curries on offer will be Kozhi Chettinad, Kori Gassi, Meen da Kajippu, Kundapur Chicken, and Meen Moily, and among the veg curries Cauliflower, Alambo Arepu, Kaikari Chettinad and Gutthi Vankaya Kura will be served.
Oktoberfest Friday, October 16th, 2009. 7 p.m. to  11 p.m. Fusion 9, 6-3-249/A, I Avenue, Road No.1, Banjara Hills. The traditional cuisine from Munich for the festival.
Diwali Menu Friday, October 16th, 2009. 7 p.m. to  11 p.m. Zara, Ashoka Metropolitan Mall, Road No.1, Banjara Hills Zara celebrates the festival with pulsating Bollywood remixes, Desi tracks and Indi pop music tonight. Also featuring special Diwali menu with exotic cocktails, spanish tapas, main course and desserts.
Anniversary Week Friday, October 16th, 2009. 10 a.m. to  9 p.m. Sweet Nirvana, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur. Sweet Nirvana is celebrating its anniversary. Get a complimentary dessert on purchase of every dessert.
Gourmet Lunch Friday, October 16th, 2009. noon to  3 p.m. Taj Deccan, Road.No1, Banjara Hills Arena launches gourmet lunch which features unlimited kebabs, grills, smoothies and much more.
Soul Food Friday, October 16th, 2009. noon to  3 p.m. Thank God Its Friday, I Floor, RK Cineplex, Road No.2,Banjara Hills T.G.I Friday has a revamped menu in a new format. Some of the new dishes on the menu are Creole Slow roasted chicken, Southwest burger, Texas BBQ Chicken flat bread and many more.
Guiltfree Indulgence Friday, October 16th, 2009. noon to  3 p.m. Little Italy, 275, Film Nagar Housing Society, Jubilee Hills Authentic Italian cuisine and a specially crafted menu for lunch, during the weekdays. Indulge into unlimited coups, salads, desserts, choice of starters, main course along with home made wheat pastas and pizzas.
Nightlife	Top
House Music Night Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  1 a.m. Dublin, Hotel ITC The Kakatiya, Opp. to Walden, Begumpet Rocking party tracks by in-house DJ Daman.
Lounge Nights Friday, October 16th, 2009. noon to  4 p.m. Leo Splash, Leonia Holistic Resorts, Shameerpet. DJs Gopi and Harsh will be here tonight playing the best of lounge and hip-hop at the mini water park.
From Goa With Love Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Seasons Bar, Taj Krishna, Road No.1, Banjara Hills. Singer Wahida belts out hit songs from 70s, 80s to latest chart busters.
Russian Melodies Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Atrium Bar, Taj Deccan, Road No.1, Banjara Hills. Russian singer Polina will perform at the bar. She is versatile and covers a wide variety of world styles, from contemporary popular repertoire to retro and hip-hop.
Rock and Retro Night Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Rattle and Hum, IV Floor, Jaya Chambers, Plot No.102, Road No.36, Jubilee Hills. DJ Swadeep is all set to play house, rock, retro, commercial and trance music tonight.
Club Nights Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Escape, Hotel Greenpark, Greenlands, Begumpet. DJs Sunny and Moiz will entertain the crowd with rock, house and Bollywood music tonight.
Corporate Nights Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Venom, Lumbini Jewel Mall, Road No.2, Banjara Hills. Venom is offering attractive packages for the corporates. The packages vary depending on the people and includes unlimited drinks and snacks. Hip-hop by DJ Shekar will entertain the crowd tonight.
Retro Night Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. 10 Downing Street, Lifestyle Building, Kundanbagh. DJ Ananth will be spinning some famous rock, retro and underground music tonight.
Rock and Retro Night Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Firangi Paani, City Centre Mall, Road No.1, Banjara Hills. In-house DJs Christy and Amar are all set to play rock, retro, house and desi tonight. Drinks will be on the house for the ladies.
Karaoke Nights Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Xtreme Sports Bar, Plot No.76, III and IV Floor, Bear Image Gardens, Madhapur. Karaoke music on the house with DJ Kranthi spinning some famous songs for the ladies. Watch CLT20 league match between Diamond Eagles and Somerset Sabres live on large screen.
Ladies Night Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Soul, Saphire Square, Somajiguda. DJ Rafiq and Joe are all set to play house, progressive, underground, techno and rock music tonight.
Club Nights Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11:45 p.m. Liquids Again, Bhaskar Plaza, Road No.1, Banjara Hills. DJ Ajay will play house, hip-hip and Bollywood music tonight.
Music	Top
Steve : Solo Show Friday, October 16th, 2009. 7:30 p.m. to  11 p.m. Sun and Moon, Leonia Holistic Destination, Shameerpet Mandal, RR District A solo vocal performance by renowned singer Steve. He will sing to the requests of the guests.
Jugalbandi Friday, October 16th, 2009. 8 p.m. to  11 p.m. Leo Bistro, Leonia Holistic Destination, Shameerpet. Two guest artists will perform a jugalbandi with sitar and santoor.
Exhibitions	Top
Diwali Celebrations Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  8 p.m. Daram, Naik Estates, ICICI Bank Lane, Near Old Airport, Begumpet. Daram presents an exclusive exhibition of silk saris from south India (Kanjeevaram, Uppada, Paithani and hand blocked prints in natural dyes).
Chocolate Exhibition Friday, October 16th, 2009. 10 a.m. to  7 p.m. Chocokraft, Jayabheri Silicon County, Kondapur. Chocokraft is having an exhibition cum sale of home made chocolates in exquisite gift packs.
Designer Collection Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  8 p.m. Oorja 6-3-456/A/1,Model House, Beside Viswakarma Art Gallery , Punjagutta Oorja presents its festive collection of kurtas and tunics by an array of acclaimed designers.
Shopping	Top
Season Sale Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  9 p.m. Planet Sports, Shop No.1-2, Afzia Towers, Opp. Lifestyle, Begumpet. The showroom is offering a 20% discount on apparel, footwear and other sports accessories for women and men.
Diwali Delight Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  9 p.m. Westside, Khan Lateef Khan Estates, fateh Maidan Road Westside is displaying gift vouchers on purchase of Apparel and accessories. Get a Cygnus diamond pendant free on shopping of worth Rs.10,000/-.
I Anniversary Celebrations Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  8 p.m. Sri Krishna Silks, 3-2-102, General Bazar Avail up to 100% cash back, gold and silver coins and assured gifts on every purchase, on the eve of the anniversary celebrations.
Kurta Festival – Eid Special Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  9 p.m. New Meena Bazar, Abids. The store is has an exclusive range of reviting kurtas, pyjamas and sherwanis, featuring Lucknowi, Chikandari, Kashmiri works, Brocades and thread embroidery in exotic range of colors and designs. The fabrics used to create these masterpieces include plain cotton, crushed cotton, cotton silk, linen tissue silk and ploy silk.
Shopping Carnival Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  9 p.m. Novotel Hyderabad Airport, Shamshabad. With the advent of the festive season, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd., will be organizing the ‘Airport Festive Shopping Carnival’ at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. A host of special offers from the retailers and food and beverage outlets in the airport will be made available. Guests flying Jet Airways will be entitled to additional discounts at all these outlets, except the Landmark, on showing their boarding passes during the shopping festival.
Feel Gifted! Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  9 p.m. Lifestyle, Near White House, Kundanbagh. Lifestyle celebrates its tenth anniversary. Get offers on apparel, children’s wear, cosmetics, footwear and home furnishings during this festive season.
Diwali Utsav Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  8 p.m. Home Centre, Begumpet. Get up to 25% off on purchase of furniture, furnishings and decorative items during this festive season.
Diwali Dhamaka Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  9 p.m. Furniture World, Plot No.1, Journalist Colony, Banjara Hills Get a complimentary gift on purchase of furniture here.
Festive Collection Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  8 p.m. Musaddilal Jewellers. Musaddilal Jewelers and Exporters launched designer jewelry collection for Diwali and Wedding season. The collection specializes in diamonds, Ruby, antique jewellery and many more.
End of Season Sale Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  8 p.m. Khazana, 1263, Jubilee hills Khazana presents end of season sale as a part of its 10th anniversary. Get up to 50% off on the entire range.
Dhanteras Offer Friday, October 16th, 2009. 11 a.m. to  8 p.m. Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Regency House, 70, Greenland Road, Panjagutta Get 50% off on making charges of Gold and Diamond jewelery.
Workshops	Top
Music Notation Reading Friday, October 16th, 2009. 6:45 p.m. to  9 p.m. Alliance Francaise, Desk Edufrance, West Marredpally. Hyderabad Western Music Forum presents the second Music Notation Reading training course. The workshop is conducted by Joe Koster and Laure Menegoz. It is the second in the series by the Hyderabad Western Music Forum. The participants will learn the art of reading Western music notation.

Deepavali is all about celebration

The Muffin Tree Restaurant at Hotel Courtyard Marriot. Photo:R. Shivaji Rao

Deepavali is all about celebration. And, what’s a celebration without good food? A few of the city’s popular restaurants promise to floor you with a wide range of cuisines to make your festivities better. So, happy feasting!

Courtyard by Marriot

At Muffin Tree, try the ‘Diwali Hamper’ that comes with a host of sweets such as the coconut-jaggery coated kharanji, nankhatai biscuits, almond brownies, home-made chocolates, dry fruits, and olive oil for Rs. 650. For more information, call 66764000.

Taj

Taj Coromandel presents chocolates, pastries, gateaux, mousses, cookies, sweet tarts, marzipan, pie and Taj mithai. There are also five gift hampers priced between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 22,000.

At Taj Connemara, taste the special Diwali lunch buffet at The Verandah on October 17. Priced at Rs. 900 nett.

At Seagull in Fisherman’s Cove, enjoy ‘crackers brunch’ with unlimited beer and mojitos from 12.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Priced at Rs. 1,099 plus taxes a person.

At Taj Mount Road, get a Diwali hamper priced at Rs. 2,500, The hamper with a bottle of wine is priced at Rs. 3,000.

For details, call Taj Coromandel at 66002827; Taj Connemara at 66000000; Fisherman’s Cove at 67413333; and Taj Mount Road at 66313131.

Cholayil Sanjeevanam

How about some health food? Cholayil Sanjeevanam presents the Deepavali Buffet Dinner from October 16 to 18, at their restaurants in Adyar (Ph: 42116192), Nungambakkam (45490303) and Mogappair (45586176). The specialities include vepampu cutlet, kambu dosai, badam gel drink, rice rawa laddu, tawa adirasam, drumstick biriyani, pal kozhukattai etc.

Residency Towers

At Main Street, choose from Indian delicacies and sweets. Get into the festive mood at the mehndi and gajra counters, and the sparklers for the little ones. On October 16, the buffet is for dinner, and the next day, for both lunch and dinner. Priced at Rs. 600 (plus taxes) for adults and Rs. 450 (plus taxes) for children.

At The Crown, reserve your seats for dinner at the Deck or the Terrace for October 15, 16 and 17. The special menu includes bhatti ka gosht, dolli kebab, khaas kalmi kebab, cheese kurkure, macher kalia, kofta salim, murgh boti musallam, baingan ka lunje, warm chicken roulade, grilled pepper au gratin, honey glazed mustard chicken, pan roasted zucchini. And, pastas of your choice with a variety of veg and non-veg sauces.

At Southern Aromas, it’s traditional fare for dinner, to the accompaniment of music from tablas and sitars, on October 15, 16 and 17. The menu includes gonkura thakkali pappu, guthi vankaya koora, Kerala kadalai curry, malli kozhi varuval, kola urundai milagu perattal, and Nellore chappa pulusu. For details, call 28156363.

Women entrepreneurs at their best

Trade carnival by COWE begins at Necklace Road

 

 

Check it out: Enthusiastic buyers at the Trade Carnival 2009 being organised by Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs at Necklace Road on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: Are you on the look out for those decorative ‘diyas’, creative knick-knacks and designer chocolates for the ensuing Deepavali ? Do you fancy designer silk and cotton sarees with a variety of handmade embellishments or scouting for that ideal nutrition snack foods ? Then Trade Carnival-2009 at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road is the place to head for.

The three-day carnival organised by the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) to help women turn entrepreneurs in fields of their choice and help them market their products was inaugurated by State Bank of Hyderabad Chief General Manager Sunil Pant on Saturday.

The five- year- old COWE, which was started with six members, today has about 600 members engaged in diverse fields, engineering, Information Technology, bio-technology, pharmacy, food, textiles, service sector, industry, legal and financial services.

Cowe president Uma said the trade carnival was provided with an aim to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their products, widen market opportunities, test market preference and networking opportunities.

“Our objective is to ensure empowerment through entrepreneurship,” says Uma. This is not difficult for women as they are good at multi-tasking, far more committed to their work, regular in loan repayments.

The trade fair has numerous stalls exhibiting fashion ware, handicrafts, interiors, jewellery, household goods, consumer durables. Some women entrepreneurs like Anuradha running paper cup units successfully also put on display imported automatic paper cup machine that can make 50 cups a minute.

Puja, an ex-Bank of America employee, started her own trousseau and attractive gift packing enterprise for a variety of products during weddings, baby showers, festivals etc. Her homemade chocolates in attractive packing apparently enjoy demand as corporate gifts.

Cowe on its part helps its members by organising six-week programmes, giving them motivation, awareness, entrepreneurship skills, exposure through field visits , networking through tie-ups with business organisations, MoUs with international women’s organisations for marketing purposes.