1) http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL610-S-Programmable-Cooker-6-Quart/dp/B004P2NG0K

totally using it. biggest hit was rajma. Soaked rajma overnight and gave it a quick boil. Dumped it in crockpot along with chopped onions, tomato, garlic, ginger, green chillies, and all the masalas. Used less than 1 tsp of ghee to season methidana, rai, jeera and heeng. Closed and forgot for 8 hours on low. XH later added more salt. I added milk (I don't like cream that much), and dhania, and awesome awesome rajma was had.

Other things i made in it... chicken curry, alu gobhi, and daal. Varied results, but nothing bad so far. 

2) http://www.amazon.com/Yogourmet-Bifidus-Acidophilus-Probiotic-Starter/dp/B0011DL6C6 and http://www.amazon.com/Wellbees-Glass-Fits-Yogourmet%C2%AE-Cuisine%C2%AE/dp/B00LG01E9E

I already had yogurt maker and the jar that comes with it, but had slipped off making it. Have made a third batch in like a week now. Two jars helps me with not having to wash one before making the next batch. Used the starter just once. using yogurt now for new batches. The yogurt tastes pretty fresh, with faintest of tartness, which tastes good actually, and it's mostly in the beginning. becomes sweeter over time in the fridge. My last batch was too sour, so i thought i will make kadhi with it. Postponed the idea for 3 days, and XH had finished it all. this is the biggest struggle i have had living with him. Can't think of any yogurt recipe, as just can't find enough. Have to plan in advance.

3) http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Almond-Cold-Pressed-Skin-Moisturizer/dp/B00PUMEREI
google search got me to it, and the reviews were great. it's so easily become a part of my daily routine. Mix it with the moisturizer to make it (the moisturizer) easily spreadable, and feel the softness all day long. Or use it on its own. I also use it on hair at times. I alternate it with coconut oil i had brought a while ago.http://www.amazon.com/Majestic-Pure-Fractionated-Coconut-Oil/dp/B00PMR3QF2

4) http://www.amazon.com/Osteobroth-Nourishing-Chicken-Convenient-Powdered/dp/B0186EOSP4

I bought the crock pot in hopes of making broth at home, the goal being reintroducing gelatin in my diet. 1-2 weeks ago, my knee got shot while i was scrubbing the shower walls. Did some research, but somehow could not bring myself to buy bovine gelatin or related products. They warn against porcine ones too. Will circle back to that later. For now, bought this. Haven't begun using it yet, but already dreaming on how i will change my diet to introduce more and more soup daily.

5) http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Short-Doomsday-Machine/dp/0393338827
Got inspired after watching the movie and bought this. I was afraid that it will go over my head as i am not good with anything wall street related. but i am liking it so far. Have only read the first few pages so far, but have a feeling it will go good.

what are your latest loves? Please try not to rub it in by mentioning people instead of objects.

I've been wanting to buy the slow cooker for quite sometime. I've been hearing all the good things about the health benefits of slow cooking and the easy and convenience of cooking in it. Will buy one right away. 

I use plain greek yogurt for my culture and i use a fresh one often. 

i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

Kinnera wrote:
i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

LOL.

to the OP: great you got a slow cooker. we practically cook all dishes in it now (i understand it consumes less energy too). ma ki dal was one dish in which i noticed the distinctive difference in taste and also in arahar dal with tomatoes. slow cooking dalia was a flop!  let me check out your other lubs.

my latest lub: (saw it in the hotel in delhi) - a jaguar shower jet with a pressure pump. the strong jet heals all the aching muscles and joints. we just lub it! if you don't already have a pressure pump with your shower get it!

brie wrote:

Kinnera wrote:
i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

LOL.

to the OP: great you got a slow cooker. we practically cook all dishes in it now (i understand it consumes less energy too). ma ki dal was one dish in which i noticed the distinctive difference in taste and also in arahar dal with tomatoes. slow cooking dalia was a flop!  let me check out your other lubs.

my latest lub: (saw it in the hotel in delhi) - a jaguar shower jet with a pressure pump. the strong jet heals all the aching muscles and joints. we just lub it! if you don't already have a pressure pump with your shower get it!

sorry, i meant dal makhni (difference is that dal makhni has rajma + whole urad). smart thinking of you to boil rajma, even for 10 minutes, before slow cooking. un-boiled rajma can turn toxic when cooked. same for raw or undercooked rajma.

Kinnera wrote:I've been wanting to buy the slow cooker for quite sometime. I've been hearing all the good things about the health benefits of slow cooking and the easy and convenience of cooking in it. Will buy one right away. 

I use plain greek yogurt for my culture and i use a fresh one often. 

i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

for plain greek yogurt, you mean you use a new starter (packet) often? Or yogurt itself?

lol at so many oils... not sure about other oils, but i guess almond oil is not greasy. Is pretty thick too. And no or very little smell that isn't bad.

did this a few weeks ago with a few variations of my own and it came out very well:

http://mobile.dudamobile.com/site/loveandlentil?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.loveandlentil.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fslow-cooker-bisibelabath.html%3Fm%3D1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F#2915

brie wrote:

brie wrote:

Kinnera wrote:
i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

LOL.

to the OP: great you got a slow cooker. we practically cook all dishes in it now (i understand it consumes less energy too). ma ki dal was one dish in which i noticed the distinctive difference in taste and also in arahar dal with tomatoes. slow cooking dalia was a flop!  let me check out your other lubs.

my latest lub: (saw it in the hotel in delhi) - a jaguar shower jet with a pressure pump. the strong jet heals all the aching muscles and joints. we just lub it! if you don't already have a pressure pump with your shower get it!

sorry, i meant dal makhni (difference is that dal makhni has rajma + whole urad). smart thinking of you to boil rajma, even for 10 minutes, before slow cooking. un-boiled rajma can turn toxic when cooked. same for raw or undercooked rajma.

am planning to make daal makhani in some time. yeah, toor daal was well made. you could actually taste the dal, and it had a much smoother texture. Plus anything you add in the food, like garlic, ginger, etc. dissolves well. i had also made alu gobhi the night before in the crock pot. All I needed was tandoori rotis to get the full dhaba feel. 

I boil dal too actually before cooking, and scoop out the starch from the top. I do that even when using pressure cooker and slow cooking on stove. I read somewhere that it's ok to leave the starch in, as it's not digested by the body, and hence may even work as a filler, i.e. not make you hungry, before getting passed out. But I still scoop it out. 

XH had concerns about electricity. So I read up. It's not exactly as energy efficient, but those results were comparing it to an oven. But it's not that high too. Kinda like leaving a lightbulb on all day (forgetting what wattage). But the plus point for me are, it helps you cut down on oil, now that you don't have to bhuno masala, and most importantly, coming home to hot cooked meal. That's the BIG plus. Even if i am at home, i can put it and forget it. Don't have to go back and check again and again. Plus, things do taste good, so why not. Only disadvantage is, you have to plan a little ahead, and i have to take out 10-15 minutes etc in the morning to prep for it. But I cook many mornings anyway, especially when i think i will be late from work, and kids can eat in that case (they almost always eat something else btw, but still i feel better). Additional advantage is, now that my evening time for cooking is cut. I come home, eat, and after waiting some time, go to the gym.

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:did this a few weeks ago with a few variations of my own and it came out very well:

http://mobile.dudamobile.com/site/loveandlentil?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.loveandlentil.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fslow-cooker-bisibelabath.html%3Fm%3D1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F#2915

cool! will look it up.

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:did this a few weeks ago with a few variations of my own and it came out very well:

http://mobile.dudamobile.com/site/loveandlentil?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.loveandlentil.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fslow-cooker-bisibelabath.html%3Fm%3D1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F#2915

lauly pictures man! skipping carrots (i no like) and putting bbb to slow cook in an hour. luckily we have everest zambar (note the sp. texas!) podder. didn't hit me till i saw the pics -- raita is a good combo with b^3!

Meghna Mathur wrote:
am planning to make daal makhani in some time. yeah, toor daal was well made. you could actually taste the dal, and it had a much smoother texture. Plus anything you add in the food, like garlic, ginger, etc. dissolves well. i had also made alu gobhi the night before in the crock pot. All I needed was tandoori rotis to get the full dhaba feel. 

I boil dal too actually before cooking, and scoop out the starch from the top. I do that even when using pressure cooker and slow cooking on stove. I read somewhere that it's ok to leave the starch in, as it's not digested by the body, and hence may even work as a filler, i.e. not make you hungry, before getting passed out. But I still scoop it out. 

XH had concerns about electricity. So I read up. It's not exactly as energy efficient, but those results were comparing it to an oven. But it's not that high too. Kinda like leaving a lightbulb on all day (forgetting what wattage). But the plus point for me are, it helps you cut down on oil, now that you don't have to bhuno masala, and most importantly, coming home to hot cooked meal. That's the BIG plus. Even if i am at home, i can put it and forget it. Don't have to go back and check again and again. Plus, things do taste good, so why not. Only disadvantage is, you have to plan a little ahead, and i have to take out 10-15 minutes etc in the morning to prep for it. But I cook many mornings anyway, especially when i think i will be late from work, and kids can eat in that case (they almost always eat something else btw, but still i feel better). Additional advantage is, now that my evening time for cooking is cut. I come home, eat, and after waiting some time, go to the gym.

you may be right. it probably consumes more energy. but the prospect of having hot dal round the clock is priceless. we make dal using a masher. we mash it after pressure cooking it. my mother never used to mash it (and she'd slow cook it -- on simmer for the whole day) and i wanted that taste (with tomatoes -- we don't use tomatoes in arahar dal now... it's the the bihar effect) where you could feel each soft morsel of the arahar dal melt in your mouth and those kashmiri chillies that you could squeeze to get it's juices flavouring your dal. and a dash of sirka! the slow cooker recreated it for us.

My recos:

I already mentioned this. If ppl didn't buy it yet, they are missing out on something good.

http://www.amazon.com/Nespresso-Aeroccino-Plus-Milk-Frother/dp/B001UHZAYS/ref=sr_1_8?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1459605065&sr=1-8&keywords=milk+frother

Bought these recently. Love them!

http://www.amazon.com/Messermeister-3-Piece-Pro-Touch-Peeler-Trio/dp/B002R7MM9G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1459605413&sr=8-3&keywords=messermeister

Reordered these and waiting to be shipped. They ship from abroad, so they take at least two weeks to get shipped. I can't think of using any other sunscreen. This one is so good. Doesn't feel like you are wearing a sunscreen. Skin also feels soft as it has other skin moisturizing things.

http://www.amazon.com/Biore-Sarasara-Watery-Essence-Sunscreen/dp/B00LA6QEOE/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1459605571&sr=8-2&keywords=biore+sarasara+uv+aqua+rich+watery+essence+sunscreen+spf50+pa+50g+pack+of+2

Again, a recent buy. My kitchen floor feels squeaky clean and moping doesn't seem like a chore. Lub it!

http://www.amazon.com/O-Cedar-Easy-Wring-Bucket-System/dp/B00WSWGVZQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1459605801&sr=8-2&keywords=o-cedar+mop

Read somewhere that we shouldn't apply the foundation and other make up stuff with fingers. So I bought these, and i am like, 'why the hell did i not know about this before'. Very good! 

http://www.amazon.com/BS-MALL-Synthetic-Cosmetics-Foundation-Blending/dp/B00I3VHKVK/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1459605947&sr=8-1&keywords=bs-mall+premium+synthetic+kabuki+makeup+brush+set

I saw a video of a similar thing on FB and was pretty impressed. I am the one who chops off finger tips and nails along with veggies, so i thought this thing was pretty cool. Told someone about it expecting a 'wow! this is great!' reaction, but all I got was a 'you women don't know how to cut vegetables'. Anyway, I got it. I need to get a li'l hang of it to feel more comfortable.

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Finger-futuristic-Protector/dp/B00P0PELW8/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1459606138&sr=8-1&keywords=hand+guards+finger+futuristic

Love this one. Can do both boiled eggs and poached eggs. Eggs(whole, with yellow and all) is a part of my weight loss diet and i use this one left and right.

http://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-F23070-Cooker-Indicator-capacity/dp/B00005KIRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459606428&sr=8-1&keywords=krups+egg+cooker

You mentioned this in chat sometime ago. i bought it and love it!

http://www.amazon.com/Hair-Therapy-Wrap-Cordless-Thermal/dp/B0091391DE/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1459606655&sr=8-3&keywords=hair+therapy+wrap

I am ordering my slow cooker today.

nice list... just yesterday older was asking me about sunscreens. ordering this one, as my current one is also about to finish.

edit: hmm, to me it said it will come by april 4th...

Meghna Mathur wrote:nice list... just yesterday older was asking me about sunscreens. ordering this one, as my current one is also about to finish.

edit: hmm, to me it said it will come by april 4th...

Good. That isn't bad. Maybe owing to the demand, they have stocked up in US, i guess. Previously, it used to take anywhere between 2-4 weeks.

I'm I Meghna Mathur wrote:

Kinnera wrote:I've been wanting to buy the slow cooker for quite sometime. I've been hearing all the good things about the health benefits of slow cooking and the easy and convenience of cooking in it. Will buy one right away. 

I use plain greek yogurt for my culture and i use a fresh one often. 

i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

for plain greek yogurt, you mean you use a new starter (packet) often? Or yogurt itself?

lol at so many oils... not sure about other oils, but i guess almond oil is not greasy. Is pretty thick too. And no or very little smell that isn't bad.

I buy this as a starter every once in a while. That way i am using a fresh starter periodically instead of reusing the homemade yogurt (for a starter). I am told it's better to use fresh culture periodically.

http://www.chobani.com/products/plain#non-fat-plain

Kinnera wrote:

I'm I Meghna Mathur wrote:

Kinnera wrote:I've been wanting to buy the slow cooker for quite sometime. I've been hearing all the good things about the health benefits of slow cooking and the easy and convenience of cooking in it. Will buy one right away. 

I use plain greek yogurt for my culture and i use a fresh one often. 

i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

for plain greek yogurt, you mean you use a new starter (packet) often? Or yogurt itself?

lol at so many oils... not sure about other oils, but i guess almond oil is not greasy. Is pretty thick too. And no or very little smell that isn't bad.

I buy this as a starter every once in a while. That way i am using a fresh starter periodically instead of reusing the homemade yogurt (for a starter). I am told it's better to use fresh culture periodically.

http://www.chobani.com/products/plain#non-fat-plain

what's this greek starter business? very close to dahi in texture and taste?

brie wrote:

Kinnera wrote:

I'm I Meghna Mathur wrote:

Kinnera wrote:I've been wanting to buy the slow cooker for quite sometime. I've been hearing all the good things about the health benefits of slow cooking and the easy and convenience of cooking in it. Will buy one right away. 

I use plain greek yogurt for my culture and i use a fresh one often. 

i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

for plain greek yogurt, you mean you use a new starter (packet) often? Or yogurt itself?

lol at so many oils... not sure about other oils, but i guess almond oil is not greasy. Is pretty thick too. And no or very little smell that isn't bad.

I buy this as a starter every once in a while. That way i am using a fresh starter periodically instead of reusing the homemade yogurt (for a starter). I am told it's better to use fresh culture periodically.

http://www.chobani.com/products/plain#non-fat-plain

what's this greek starter business? very close to dahi in texture and taste?

Greek Yogurt is yogurt that has been strained to remove its whey, resulting in a thicker consistency than unstrained yogurt, while preserving yogurt's distinctive, sour taste.....wiki. 


I like to use that as my starter. Makes good yogurt. 

Kinnera wrote:

brie wrote:

Kinnera wrote:

I'm I Meghna Mathur wrote:

Kinnera wrote:I've been wanting to buy the slow cooker for quite sometime. I've been hearing all the good things about the health benefits of slow cooking and the easy and convenience of cooking in it. Will buy one right away. 

I use plain greek yogurt for my culture and i use a fresh one often. 

i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

for plain greek yogurt, you mean you use a new starter (packet) often? Or yogurt itself?

lol at so many oils... not sure about other oils, but i guess almond oil is not greasy. Is pretty thick too. And no or very little smell that isn't bad.

I buy this as a starter every once in a while. That way i am using a fresh starter periodically instead of reusing the homemade yogurt (for a starter). I am told it's better to use fresh culture periodically.

http://www.chobani.com/products/plain#non-fat-plain

what's this greek starter business? very close to dahi in texture and taste?

Greek Yogurt is yogurt that has been strained to remove its whey, resulting in a thicker consistency than unstrained yogurt, while preserving yogurt's distinctive, sour taste.....wiki. 


I like to use that as my starter. Makes good yogurt. 

why? is it like indian yoghurt or you like the greek taste? if latter, i too want to have greek yogurt!

brie wrote:
why? is it like indian yoghurt or you like the greek taste? if latter, i too want to have greek yogurt!

It's almost like indian yogurt but a little thick.

I don't like the excessive thickness of Greek yogurt. My favorite these days is this:

http://whitemountainbulgarianyogurt.blogspot.com/2013/01/bulgarian-vs-greek-yogurt.html?m=1

Kinnera wrote:

brie wrote:

Kinnera wrote:

I'm I Meghna Mathur wrote:

Kinnera wrote:I've been wanting to buy the slow cooker for quite sometime. I've been hearing all the good things about the health benefits of slow cooking and the easy and convenience of cooking in it. Will buy one right away. 

I use plain greek yogurt for my culture and i use a fresh one often. 

i already have the almond oil for my skin care. Wait...i also use coconut oil, oilve oil, castor oil  and sesame oil for my skin care 

for plain greek yogurt, you mean you use a new starter (packet) often? Or yogurt itself?

lol at so many oils... not sure about other oils, but i guess almond oil is not greasy. Is pretty thick too. And no or very little smell that isn't bad.

I buy this as a starter every once in a while. That way i am using a fresh starter periodically instead of reusing the homemade yogurt (for a starter). I am told it's better to use fresh culture periodically.

http://www.chobani.com/products/plain#non-fat-plain

what's this greek starter business? very close to dahi in texture and taste?

Greek Yogurt is yogurt that has been strained to remove its whey, resulting in a thicker consistency than unstrained yogurt, while preserving yogurt's distinctive, sour taste.....wiki. 


I like to use that as my starter. Makes good yogurt. 

I used Kefir (russian, i forget the brand name) as the starter and used to make my own years ago, but got lazy afterward when Fage came along and stuck with it - that with a bit of milk and pickles is an absolute imperative in my dinner diet!

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:I don't like the excessive thickness of Greek yogurt. My favorite these days is this:

http://whitemountainbulgarianyogurt.blogspot.com/2013/01/bulgarian-vs-greek-yogurt.html?m=1

I agree... the excessive thickness resembles of a picture I once saw on the web

...Don't know how people can enjoy the Greek Yoghurt