Monday, December 10, 2012

New Year Recipes


 New Year Celebration

New Year is a time for joy and fun! There are many traditions and observations being done during this celebration. There you have welcoming the year with a blast for firecrackers, throwing a party, making new year’s resolutions, observing superstitions and encouraging New year wishes messages and greetings to one another. It’s indeed enjoyable to celebrate this global holiday together with friends and loves.

New Year Party Recipes

For people who see this event as the start of new beginning, a celebration is indeed called for. And what’s with a celebration without a feast? Of course, with a special event as New Year, a special dinner menu must be prepared. Although there are many available New Year’s Eve recipes out there that you can try out, you still need to consider your family and guests when planning. Here are some of the yummy dinner recipes that you may want to try.

Source: Andrea_Nguyen
Spring Roll

  • 1/4 pound barbecued pork,
  • 3 dried black mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup mung bean sprouts
  • 1/2 medium carrot
  • 2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • A few drops sesame oil, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons oil for stir-frying, or as needed
  • 12 spring roll wrappers
  • 1 lightly beaten egg, or 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
  • 3 cups oil for deep-frying, or as needed


Preparation:

1. Cut into thin strips the barbecued pork. Get the carrots, peel and shred. Clean and drain the mung beans sprouts and set aside.

2. Soak the mushroom in hot water for 20 minutes and when soft enough, cut into thin pieces.

3. Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken broth, granulated sugar and sesame oil and set aside.

4. Heat the pan and pour an adequate amount of cooking oil for stir frying.

5. Add the barbecued pork, stir fry, and then add vegetables. Combine the soy mixture previously prepared.

6. Lay the spring roll wrapper and scoop the filling and place the same in front forming a diamond shape. Seal the edges using egg whites.

7. Deep fry the rolls until golden brown. Drain excess oil using paper towels and serve.

Source: Erik Anestad
Vegetarian Pot Stickers

If you're having guest with diet restrictions, you can try this pleasing menu that would be as equally tasty but would not compromise on his or her health. Prepare:

  • 1/2 pound firm tofu
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped bok choy
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped water chestnuts
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped bamboo shoots
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped garlic chives
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 package pot sticker or gyoza wrappers
  • 2 tablespoons oil for frying the dumplings

Preparation:

1. Get the tofu and drain excess water, cut in to cubes and mash it thereafter.

2. Wash the vegetables, cut accordingly and set aside. In a bowl, mix in the seasoning and pour on the mashed tofu, mix well.

3. Lay one gyoza wrapper and put on an adequate amount of the tofu mixture as filling.

4. Moisten the edges of the wrapper and pinch the edges to seal.

5. Deep fry the dumplings and serve.

6. You can mince ginger in soy sauce for dipping.

Source: stu_spivack
Baked Hoisin Sauce Chicken Wings

  • Another dish fit for the main course, prepare:
  • 15 chicken wings
  • 1 tablespoon honey or syrup
  • 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 3 tablespoons warm water
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 scallion (green onion, spring onion), finely minced
  • 1 slice fresh ginger, minced


Preparation:

1. First, prepare the marinade by mixing honey, hoisin sauce, water, salt, pepper, garlic, scallion, and ginger.

2. Then marinate for at least 2 and 1/2 hours or longer, to allow the marinade to penetrate on the meat. Place chicken wings on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 30 minutes.

3. Remember to turn the wings to the other side every 5 minutes and brush occasionally with marinade. Serve.



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

New Year Celebration


New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is considered as one of the most anticipated celebrations all over the world. It gives one a hope for a fresh start and on a sentimental note, a goodbye to the year before it. Millions of people all over the world celebrate it with so much pleasure and joy. They also observe different rituals, beliefs, traditions and customs. Everyone seems to be in merry mood when the New Year is coming. There are parties and festivities, countdown to 12:00 midnight, bursting firecrackers, firework displays, parades and more. New Year is indeed a fun event.People Send New year messages and Cards on new year to relatives and friends.

History of New Year

Do you wonder what paved the way for this occasion? Most countries celebrate New Year on January 1; that is to most countries following a Gregorian calendar. If you would try to look for its origin, you would have to agree that this global public holiday came from pagan traditions.

New Year Facts

·         January 1 was said to be a Feast of Janus (the God of gate, beginnings and endings) by the Romans.

·         To some Romans, they chose this day to honor Julius Cesar (1 January 42 B.C.) after he was murdered.

·         There is also a claim that it started around 153 BC, decided by Roman consuls.

·         January 1 considered as a “Feast of Circumcision” and was reestablished by Pope Gregory as the eighth day of Christ’s life. It was then considered the New Year of the Liturgical Calendar.

·         Most countries in Europe followed the Gregorian calendar after they adopted it in 1752.

How to Celebrate New Year

Truly all over the globe, we have a variety of ways to celebrate it. It all begins in the eve of New Year. We all take part in a countdown, may it be on a park or a TV special. There’s a party here and there and that probably includes the giving of presents. Some show spectacular fireworks , some make noises, some travel to exotic locations, some stay with their family and close friends --- whichever way we do it, it all sounds special.

Before the New Year’s Eve

Certain preparations are done before the clock strikes 12:00 midnight. The one who is in charge in the household usually prepare a feast for the whole family. There are also some decorating preparations done. That depends on the theme of the celebration you choose for the current festivity. There are many New Year decorating ideas that can be suitable for any party theme.

New Year’s Eve Party

Throwing a party for New Year’s Eve has been considered as an old tradition for this annual event. This is a time where relatives and friends can reconnect and celebrate the date with each other and catch up things. Dancing, feasting with yummy dishes, playing party games and drinking – that are the usual scenarios during New Year’s Eve party.

Just like Christmas….

More than just exchanging greetings, there’s always a buzz when New Year approaches. People flock to stores to buy New Year gifts, cards, and pastries for their loved ones. Christmas seems to be extended and felt in the air. Despite the commercial approach to it, we all feel that material is incomparable to being greeted personally.

New Year’s Resolutions

Who would ever forget that new year resolutions are always made for a new year? People always want a new beginning so that the past would be forgotten and old habits broken. We want to change in a good way with the passage of time. Making a list of something you would change for the better is the usual trend during the first few days of January. However, not all are able to fulfill all of them. So, if you are to make your own New Year’s Resolutions, make sure that they are something attainable and realistic. That way, you will be able to fulfill and keep your goals and objectives.

New Year Cards

Send New year greetings with New Year Wishes and messages to your relatives and friends. This will keep in their memory for long and warm the relations. There are lot of electronic New year cards are available on the net now


Extras…

Nevertheless, we all look forward to the future. That’s why we always bid adieu to the previous year and say hello to a new one. There are random highlights taken from the old one and predictions are made for the year to come. No matter what it is, the New Year reminds us that nothing is ever the same. 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

New Year Wishes Messages

When the New Year is ushered in, everyone is always on their phones wishing their friends and loved ones a prosperous new year. New years greeting messages are very important. This is because you will be wishing your loved one a year full of love and success and they will need to hear that. That is why if you send them a messages it will make a very big impact than any other messages that you have ever sent them. That is why you should not miss sending your loved one new year greeting messages. There are so many types of these messages that you can send them and some of them include funny, love, romantic, inspirational and Christian New Year’s messages. You can choose the message to send depending with the person that you are sending it to and the type of message. Below are some of the popular New Year wishes:-
  • Wishing you the best for the New Year hope you achieve everything that you have ever wanted. Happy New Year.
  • I Wish you love, peace and joy for the New Year.
  • I wish you the best and hope that you achieve all that you have been praying for. Happy New Year.
  • May the New Year bring with it all the happiness and joy that you deserve. Happy New Year.
  • I hope that the New Year treats you kind and I hope that you have all you have ever dreamt of. Happy New Year.
You can get these types of messages online. There are countless and you will even be spoilt of choice. You can look up at different websites that have them. You should use the search engine to find them it will be easy to get them. You can look at the different ones that they have. Here are some of the messages you can send:

New Year greeting messages

It is always so nice to see a new year, despite what you have gone though in the passed year it is always joyous occasion to usher in a new year. Many people look a for nice places where they will be when the new year clocks in. people throw fireworks when it is 12 o’clock and they hug and wish each other the best for the new year. It is always a happy time and most of the people enjoy celebrating this time with friend and family. It is always 5 days after Christmas so the celebrations mood is always there. There are people who like celebrating New Year away from home. In whichever way you celebrate the New Year it is always nice when you wish your loved ones the best for the New Year. You can do this by sending them new years greeting wishes. Here are some of the New Year greetings you can send your friends and loved ones:-
  • I wish you a year that is full of happiness, prosperity and longevity. Happy New Year.
  • May all your wishes come true, as you usher in the New Year. Happy New Year.
  • May you be happy and prosperous in the New Year. Wishing you the very best.
  • Wish you luck in the year and I hope that all your dreams will come true.
  • Happy New Year my dear one, wishing you the very best for the New Year.
You can send these messages, though social media, email, phones and cards. It is always very nice to send friends and family members these messages so that you can wish the best for the New Year. The year is long and when you wish them all the best for the New Year then it will make an impact.

New Year Messages

New years are always happy time and most of people prefer to celebrate them with the people that they love. People celebrate the New Year in different ways some choose to stay at home, other go out to dance and other go out of town. Whichever way you choose to celebrate the New Year, it is always nice getting a message from people you love wishing you a good year ahead. It has always been a traditional that people send new years messages. Today it has changed because of the use of technology; people choose to wish other though face book or twitter. There are those who still use the phones to wish the people they love. Here are some of the famous New Year messages
  • May the New Year bring with it all the happiness and joy that you deserve. Happy New Year.
  • I hope that the New Year treats you kind and I hope that you have all you have ever dreamt of. Happy New Year.
  • Wishing you the best for the New Year hope you achieve everything that you have ever wanted. Happy New Year.
  • I Wish you love, peace and joy for the New Year.
  • I wish you the best and hope that you achieve all that you have been praying for. Happy New Year.
Whichever method you use, it is always nice to which people the very best in the New Year. If you are not good at writing messages, you can choose to look at the ones that are online. There are s many of them and even if you take an eternity, you cannot finish looking at each message. You have a variety to choose from so you have no reason not to send a New Year message to your loved one

Happy New Year wishes quotes

When choosing the right messages to send to people, it is important to look at the words. This is because they signify a lot and the people you are sending the message to will appreciate if the message is good. There are messages that are too long and most of the time people do not read them. If you want people to read your message, you have to keep it short and to the point and if it must be long let it be interesting. This is the same case if you are sending happy New Year wishes quotes. You have to make sure that they are interesting and to the point. When New Year is around the corner people look for messages to send to their loved ones. The messages can be in form of quotes; you do not have to keep sending them the usual messages every new year. You can make it interesting by sending the lovely quotes. Here are some of the popular quotes:-
  • Let the new year bring with it new dreams and aspirations to everyone.
  • It is important to make new resolutions in the New Year.
  • Take a look at the year that has passed and know the things that you are going to change.
  • Many people look forward to the New Year to start on their old habits.
  • New years are everybody’s happy birthday.
You can choose to create happy New Year wishes quotes if you are creative and if you are not, you can get them online. There are so many website that have them and you can choose the one that you want. They come in different categories which include love; funny, romantic, inspirational and humorous, happy New Year wishes quotes. You can choose one of them depending with the person that you are sending the message to.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Diwali Message for Diwali Festival

Be it for diwali cards or a simple greeting for social media profiles, writing the best diwali messages for diwali festival can be difficult for some, especially for those who are not good with words. I consider myself one of them. I’m not too good with words so I find it hard to write the perfect Diwali greetings or wishes for any occasion. So what I usually do is search online and type “diwali message ideas” on google.

Google, being so giving and helpful to someone like me, then sends back result of websites that offer ideas for diwali messages. Thanks to those website that I don’t have to think and try hard just to come up with a flowery words for Diwali. Of course, together with those messages, I also include my own personal Diwali message.
Note: Image Courtsey: Dgreetings.com

Best Diwali Message


Happy Diwali to you and Your family

You are my true friend and I am happy
to wish you happy Diwali

Diwali is the Victory of God
May you become Victor
On all the things you do
For next year
Happy Diwali

Diwali is the Victory of light
May the light of luck be
on you and you family
Happy New year and Happy Diwali.


Diwali is the festival of light
Which brings hopes and peace
Which brings the blessings
So let us celebrate and share sweets
Happy Diwali

Diwali is the victory
Diwali is the message
Diwali is the Festival
Diwali is the confidence
Message from God
Victory of God
Festival For God
Confidence on god
Happy diwali

Diwali is Divine
Diwali is Inspiration
Diwali is Wealth
Diwali is Affection
Diwali is Light
Diwali is Indian
Happy Diwali in Indian Way

Festival of light is here
to remind us God is there
To protect us from all Dark Forces
So Awake arise and Forward
Happy Diwali

Diwali is For us
Created for us
We will always
remember the God

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Meaning of Ramadan Mubarak

It’s Ramadan 2012! Soon, people will come up with Ramadan greetings and wishes to send to their loved ones and family during this auspicious occasion. And another topic, rather question, that will also come up is this: what is the meaning of Ramadan Mubarak?”

Well, it’s quite natural especially to those non-Muslims. Knowing the meaning behind those words is a natural response, especially if you have someone special you don’t want to get offended or whatever.

Now, you’re asking about the Ramadan Mubarak meaning?

Ramadan Mubarak in English

Ramadan refers to the holy occasions being observed by Muslims during the ninth month of Islam calendar. The Ramadan doesn’t have any exact or particular date coz it depends on when the new moon will be sighted.

On the other hand, Mubarak means blessed or be blessed. Sometimes, it is also referred to as “happy” so as “Ramadan Mubarak” greetings during this holy occasion.

Ramadan Mubarak Wishes

  • This season of holy Ramadan, may Allah sprinkle is wonderful blessings over you and your family. May you all have a peaceful Ramadan!


  • With the beginning of Ramadan, may your home be filled with the atmosphere of love and mirth. May your life be as wonderful as you are throughout the year. Ramadan Mubarak!


  • I’m wishing to Allah to bless you and answer all your prayers this Ramadan. May you and your family have a blessed Ramadan!

More Resources

  1. Ramadan wishes from easyday
  2. Ramadan cards from 123greetings

Friday, January 20, 2012

Chinese New Year Dishes

The Chinese New Year is an event that involves abundant foods. There are a lot of dishes served during the Chinese New Year. They nourish the body and at the same time they invite good fortune to enter one’s home.
ecard

Traditional Chinese New Year Dishes

Eight Precious Pudding - This dessert is made up of eight different dried sweet fruits. These fruits represent eight precious stones. It is also a lucky food because eight is a lucky numeral for the Chinese.

Flowering Chives Stir Fry - This is a Chinese delicacy and is best paired with noodles, fish, and the like. Flowering Garlic Chives represents eternity.

Jai - It is a dish made up of fibrous and root vegetables. It is believed that no animal should be killed during the first day of the Chinese New Year, which is why Chinese had come up with this vegetarian dish.

Jiaozi - Jiaozi are Chinese dumplings. Ingredients are ground meat that is enveloped by a thin wrapper that is sealed on its edges. Jiaozi represents wealth because it has been derived from the name of China’s earliest paper money. One jiaozi has a golden coin inside and the person who coincidentally has it, would have a lucky year in terms of wealth and properity.

Lettuce Wraps - Lettuce wraps is a delicious Chinese appetizer. It symbolizes more good fortune to come.

Lion’s Head Meatballs - This dish features oversized meatballs with “bok choy”. This dish symbolizes courage, strength, and unity among family members.

Longevity Noodles - It is otherwise called “Long life noodles”, so you should not cut it when you eat it.

Nian gao - This is a round-shaped sticky rice dessert. It symbolizes a sweet year and the union of the family members.

Peking Duck - This is a well-known dish of the Chinese. Duck symbolizes loyalty and commitment in Chinese.

Spring Rolls, Egg Rolls, and Clam Sycee - These are Chinese appetizers and they symbolize wealth and fertility.

Steamed Whole Fish - Fish represent abundance. As you eat this meal, you are welcoming abundance to your New Year.

Sweet and Sour Pork - The “sour” word found in the name of the recipe sounds like “grandchild” in Chinese. This dish symbolizes a soom-to-come grandchild.

Tea Eggs - Tea eggs are delicious snack or appetizer for the Chinese. These are eggs boiled in tea. Eggs represent fertility.

White Cut Chicken - This meal is made by poaching whole chicken with wine and seasoned by different spices. It represents prosperity and wholeness.

Yu Sheng - Yu Sheng is also called “The Chinese New Year Salad”. It is commonly cooked and served during the 7th day of the New Year. It is believed that when you toss the salad high, you get lucky for the whole year.