Bike Care Tips

- Keep optimum pressure in tyres. You would get better mileage as well as pressure on engine would be minimized.
- Don't overspeed your bike, and even if you do so don't do it for a continuous long run.
- Replace tyres if they look worn out. Typically a tyre's life is said to be around 40,000 kms; so if you've already travelled 40,000 kms then it is time to change the tyres.
- Regular servicing might seem like overhead, but it significantly increases your bike's life.
- Shut down the engine if you've to stop for more than 30 seconds.
- If battery of your bike is being used for something (like display); then turn that off as well.
- While waiting at a stop sign, if you've less than 30 seconds then bring your bike in neutral gear & release the clutch.
- Go for wheel balancing if you feel even slight swerving.
- Don't ask your mechanic to tune your bike for maximum mileage, because that decreases your engine's life.
- While riding down on a flyover, keep the clutch pressed. This might sound like wasting fuel but actually it would provide good lubrication to the engine; & hence increase engine's life.
- While getting fuel filled in your bike; turn the petrol knob OFF

Self Care - Water Therapy (Usha Paan)

This technique that I'm going to mention is one of very basic yet very powerful techniques that can not only give you healthy life but also can treat various diseases.

I learned about this technique from a yoga class; it requires no investment & can be done at home.
Things you would need:
- 1.5 litres of lukewarm water

Here is what you need to do:
- The first step is the toughest one: get up early; & by early I mean before sunrise.
- Sit in squatting position (if you can't squat, then just sit on a chair comfortably)
- Without even brushing your teeth; just drink the water. No need to push yourself to drink whole 1.5 litres, you can start with whatever is comfortable (may be 2 glasses of water on 1st day).
- Do not eat anything for at least next 1 hour.
- That's it.

Some of the problems that this technique can address is given below (alongwith approx no. of days):

High Blood Pressure - 30 days
Diabetes - 30 days
Constipation - 10 days
Gastric - 10 days

I was told many other names as well, but don't remember them as of now.

This technique is not meant to be included as a routine task in your daily life; just try it for desired no. of days & then stop.

Cooking Tips - Removing excess salt

- If you've accidently added more salt to a gravy, then any of the following things could help:
== Add a small piece of kneeded dough and cook, the dough would absorb excess salt.
== Instead of kneeded dough, you can also use a peeled potato cut into 2 pieces.
== Adding finely chopped onion can also help in removing excess salt.
== Small pieces of bread can also be added.
== Desi Ghee can also be used for this purpose.

Pest Control - Getting rid of cockroaches

- Don't leave dirty utensils in the sink overnight. It offers a perfect place for cockroaches flourish.
- Mix equal parts of sugar and baking soda and put at places where cockroaches reside (or visit frequently).
- You can also put boric acid at places. Roaches would be dead within few days.

Tips to stay awake

Sometimes, you need to stay awake for some reason for long time. Following items help you for this; however, ensure that you don't outstretch the limits:

- Most common technique: having Tea / Coffee keeps you awake for long times
- Chewing gum also keeps you alert. It has been quite helpful for me while studying.
- Apple is known to keep your body alert for longer period than coffee (isn't it surprising).
- Have plenty of sleep beforehand :)

Food Preservation Tips

- Don't keep fruits and vegetable together. It would accelerate the decaying process.
- If green vegetable is getting stale; then keep it in cold water and squeeze a lemon in water. Vegetables would last little longer.
- If kneeded dough is to kept in refrigerator for 2-3 days then don't add salt to it. Further, apply some oil on it & wrap in butter paper. Dough would remain fresh.
- To keep salt flowing freely from salt shaker, put some uncooked rice in it. Rice would absorb excess moisture.
- If you are not going to use iron based utensils for a while, then put a coating of lemon drops or mustard oil to avoid them from rusting.
- Remove the stems from chilies before storing them. This will keep them fresher for a long time

Infant Care - Interesting Facts about infants!

Here are several interesting facts that I came to know due to my recently acquired fatherhood :)

PS: I'm not sure about sanctity of many of following; please consult your doctor before taking any action due to any information provided here (and please do let me know if anything mentioned here is NOT correct).

- Babies are born without knee-caps. Knee-caps are created by the time they reach 6 months of age.
- Many babies are born with blue eyes, which are converted to shades of brown/black etc. within few minutes.
- A Baby's brain keeps developing till she is two years old.
- Babies start making their own haemoglobin after they are 3 months old; till then every nutrition is solely dependent upon mother's milk.
- It is ok if your infant does not pass motion till 7 days if she is urinating timely (provided breast-feeding is her only source of nutrition).
- Infants have poor hearing & poor eye-sight at the time of birth. These take a few months to develop.
- Infant's head is very soft. If a baby sleeps only on one side of her head then her head might get flattened at that particular side.