Watermelon tips

I was wondering how to buy a perfect watermelon. I ventured in to the internet jungle.

http://www.almanac.com/food/watermelontips.php

Came across the above webpage.......

When shopping for the perfect whole specimen, look for a symmetrical round, oval, or oblong watermelon with a buttery yellow underbelly. Pick it up -- it should feel heavy for its size, which tells you it is juicy and fresh. Avoid melons with soft spots or bruises. And although the rind should have a healthy sheen, color isn't a good guide to ripeness. Depending on the variety, a fine, ripe melon can vary from deep emerald green to very light green to various shades of green with pronounced stripes.
If you prefer to buy a smaller, cut melon, choose one with a bright color and firm-looking flesh. Don't buy it if it looks mealy or water-soaked.
Put the whole watermelon into the sink, gently wash with cool water, and dry with paper towels before cutting.
Store uncut watermelon at room temperature for longest life. It will stay fresh-tasting and sweet for up to two weeks after you purchase it if you keep it around 60°F. In hot weather, use it within a week.
If you have leftover cut melon, refrigerate it in an airtight container, or wrap loosely with plastic. Use within two days.
Never cook watermelon flesh; it loses texture and flavor when it is heated.
Be careful not to chop watermelon too fine or be too aggressive when chopping; it will disintegrate.
A watermelon won't grow in your stomach if you swallow a seed or two, but remove what you can to make it easier to eat. Or leave a few in. The world record for watermelon seed-spitting is held by Lee Wheelis, who propelled the winning seed 68 feet, 9-1/8 inches during the Luling Watermelon Thump festival in Texas in 1989.
The average melon yields about 1/2 cup of seeds. Put them into a skillet with 1/4 cup water and a sprinkling of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, for about 10 minutes, until the water evaporates and the seeds are toasted and have lost all their moisture. Cool and use to garnish your next salad.
Watermelons are well named: They are 92 percent water. Fat free as well, a 2-cup serving contains 90 calories and is a good source of vitamins A and C.

Thanks for the tips. Great job ........

Puppy in Ajjarakkad Government Hospital, Udupi

Breakfast was too hot for her......

Posing to take her proper snap..........

Waiting for her friend kitten to come......

Sunrising in Manipal

Madagascar - Good movie

Bicycle - for green earth

 I recently bought a bicycle. I am staying in a campus and spends around 50 rupees (Indian) per day for travel in my car to office. After the office hours I uses this cycle to move around, for example going for marketing, swimming etc.

 I read an article in Times of India daily about employees and even CEO of some establishments in Bangalore traveling in bicycles. There are associations which promote usage of cycles. Some people even travel 30 km a day on there high end bikes daily.

 Cycling is a great stress reliever. You have to concentrate on the road as well as on pedaling, so that your mind will evade unwanted thoughts. It helps you to burn calories and exercise your muscles. Above all, in this world of growing inflation and skyrocketing fuel prices, this mode of transport is really promising. 

 Now a days the international community is worried about emission standards and green energy. My bicycle is an answer to this problem. Zero emission is the factor which attracts me.

 You will be able to purchase a fairly good one for 2400 Rs onwards in my place. You require a cycle pump also which will cost you Rs. 200. Then one oil applicator. which you will get free of cost. You are ready for the show. 

 You are saving your money as well as foreign exchange. You are saving environment and in turn mother earth.

Hail bicycle!! 

Ganeshotsav 2008

Rain water Harvesting...

Our country is blessed with seasonal rainfall which brings down to earth large quantity of water. Most of the share will drain off. Those which seep down the soil, like investment, is the only hope for the organisms to survive after the rainy season.
Recently I came across an orkut community that is named water conservation. Prominent dailies frequently raise the same issue of water conservation and rain water harvesting. I am working in an institution which is a part of university dedicated for green environment.
Rain water harvesting is becoming a relevant issue particularly cities and drought affected areas. In Tamilnadu, to the best of my knowledge, buildings will not get licence unless they have their own rain harvesting arrangement. This shows that government is well aware of the situation and is taking promising initiatives. Citizen will try to circumvent the rules, naturally. But they should realize that rain water harvesting is the only measure that help to replenish the fast receding water table.
Ponds, which are being filled to construct flats, are of prime importance. Farm land also help rain water to be pooled and seep in, a delight to our child friends. If a pond is properly protected it helps to recharge the ground water during rainy season.
Flats consume lot of water starting from the time of construction onwards. Every flat should have a rain water harvesting mechanism so that water collected is allowed to become a part of ground water.
From the roof if we can drain the rain water into a pit filled with sand and gravel, put in alternate layers, this help in the recharging. Maintain the existing ponds and other water bodies. Eminent environmentalists are of the view that until and unless we harvest the rain water, even for drinking the mankind will face scarcity.
So plan for tomorrow, start now itself to harvest the precious rain water and reduce wasting water.