It is said that food is something that connects people very easily. There are many who just don’t love eating food about are mad about anything to do with food. This passion for food has developed interesting business models for many foodaholics.

It can be observed that social media has led to the mushrooming of great avenues for foodaholics to earn some quick bucks. Wondering how?  Take a look…

Host your own cookery show

If you are someone who wants to be like one of those celebrity chefs, all you have to do is make a Google account. Offcourse there is much more that you have to work on. Start shooting interesting videos when you in your kitche and then start uploading them on YouTube.

In order to start earning money on your videos, you’ll need to enrol to YouTube’s partner program. According to YouTube’s official blog, the YouTube partner program allows creators to monetize content on YouTube through a variety of ways including advertisements, paid subscriptions, and merchandise.

In addition to joining the Partner Program, Creators can take advantage of the variety of resources, features, and programs that YouTube provides to help you build your channel(s) and your audience. Make sure you have a strong line of thought while enrolling to this for great return on investments.

Be a storyteller

There are many shutterbugs out there who click foodgasmic pictures. The demand for food photography has increased a lot over the last few years. Thanks to platforms like Intagram and Pinterest.

Apart from just clicking product pictures, food photography has a lot more to it. You could integrate your pictures with a blog. Today, storytelling is an art that connects with the virtual audience the most. You can focus on creating cross promotions on using these different platforms.

You can always host an online exhibition of these photo essays. There are many restaurants that are looking for buying art work which has a touch of reality. This can fetch you a lot of money in the long run.

Create an interest group

If you are someone who is willing to share your culinary skills with others then social media can help you in a lot of ways. You could organise online cooking workshops. Spread a word about this using all the social networks where you are active.

After which you could create a hangout and share some creative ideas. You could start this with nominal fees and later on go ahead to conduct offline food walks or tasting events to build a strong community of food enthusiast.

Be brand associates

While you are doing any activity from the above you could focus on marketing it too. Watch out for brands that you can approach. You can help these brands with contest, reviews, previews, offline activities and events.

This can happen only in much later stage of your business on social media. You should make sure your work speaks for itself. If that happens then brands will come down to hunt for you soon.

If you have thought for scaling up the foodie in you, just start using social media tools wisely and with much passion!

The post Want To Earn Money From Your Food Passion? Use Social Media appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

Life is an interesting journey wherein you end up meeting different kinds of people. Some of them are people who you just know, some other go ahead and get the tag of being your friend.

Who doesn’t like being around people? But off course there are many of us who are selective when it comes to choosing the right companion. I am someone who has fortunately met many interesting people over the last few years of life.

In fact someone the day suggested me that I should be writing a piece of the kind of friends I have made over the time. I gave it a thought and here I list down 10 types of people whom you should be friends with. I hope my lovely friends around don’t take this roll down seriously LOL.

Take a look and think about it…

Best Friends Forever: All of us should have that one person with whom you can be yourself. Promises, arguments, fights, talk it all, love, much love can happen only with this friend. He/She is considered to be part of family. There are no lines drawn for this kind of person. All the major decisions of your life are first discussed with this friend.

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He was already 35 minutes late. I was fuming but had to calm down after all it was my first date. I have to admit I was freaking nervous. It was getting worst with every passing minute. For few moments, I even thought Sneha must have played a prank on me. I was also sure that she wouldn’t for the very reason that she always wanted to see me date someone in my life. I had seen this guy, Sid at Sneha’s wedding. There was something about him.

Usually, I am not the one who would notice a guy with so much attention but he was charming. We exchanged smiles couple of time during the wedding night and nothing else really happened after that. Sneha caught me eyeing at him. She mentioned that Sid was her cousin from Bangalore. She spoke to him after couple of weeks and figured that he was going to settle down in Mumbai for the good. She told him about me and insisted we should meet.

In her words, it was just a causal date. I had already read the silly cafe chronicle over and again. I was annoyed to the core. I was also worried because I didn’t want anyone to spot me alone with a guy in a cafe. There were too many things going in my head. My phone buzzed. It was him. “Hey, honey I am so sorry. I badly got stuck in the traffic I should be there in exactly 15 minutes.” His husky voice made me fall flat at the very first go. Did he just call me honey? So cheesy! That was my reaction to that.

I still kept my hopes high and waited for him. I was too sleepy by then. I was about to close my eyes when someone grabbed the chair and sat in front of me, “Hello, Meera. I am so so so sorry about this delay.” What an idiot! He didn’t give me a call when he was around. My hair was in mess and my gloss had almost dried up. I tried to put up a fake smile and said, “Hey, it’s okay. Good to see you again.” Grr! I started being a little honest at the very beginning. “Really?” He had a naughty smile. I couldn’t look into his eyes.

It was too deep to dive in. I asked about how he liked the city, work, home and then I ran out of topics. He got a hint that I was nervous. He went on asking about things I like, about my writing projects, my taste for music. I was puzzled with the fact that he had already done his homework and I was stuck with nothing to talk about.

I was trying not to make much eye contact, I was too conscious about everything I spoke. He, too realised things were getting weird. I abruptly said, “Hey, listen I think I should make a move.” He was taken back, “Hey, you okay?” I smiled and he understood what I had to convey. We walked out of the cafe and suddenly it started drizzling. I felt as if I was blessed. The first shower of Bombay rains was here. My love for rains made me forget that I just ruined my first date. I suddenly noticed he was looking at me.

He then asked, “Can I walk you home?” It came as a surprise to me.

With no second thought I nodded my head and we started walking. The cool breeze blew my hair and I loved every bit of this walk. He was silently observing me. I went ahead to break that silence and started talking to him. We walked for 15 minutes giggling and talking aloud. I loved the water splash. The chill in the air and most importantly I was in love with his smile. I was impressed with fact he didn’t give up on me. I reached home and it was time for him to leave.

I wanted him to call me Meera one more time…

“MEERA! MEERA! Come here, right now…” I almost dropped my pen down. I went to the balcony and I could see Sid enjoying the first shower of Bombay rains like the very first time.

He pulled me towards him and gave me peck on my lips. I could now look confidently look into his deep eyes and get drenched in love by all means. After all he is mine. And, I no longer get worried about what the neighbours have to say about our open romance ;).

Love Diaries is a weekly column on Youngisthan that features short fictional stories.

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The American folk music originated around 300 years back. This genre later over the time got to be called as Country music. Mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, fiddles, and harmonicas define this style of music. According to various media reports, in 2009 country music was the most listened to rush hour radio genre during the evening commute, and second most popular in the morning commute in the United States.

It can be noted that this kind of music has attracted a large set music lovers across the world too. In fact it can be observed that country music has inspired many musicians across the global. The lyrics are usually profound and revolve around real life situations. If you are someone who loves listening to music that consists of ballads and dance tunes then you should tune to compositions of the following country artists…

John Denver

John Denver is considered to be an all time favourite country music artist in the world. Denvar performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials. Denver was an avid pilot, and died in a single fatality crash of his personal aircraft at the age of 53. Sigh!

Blake Shelton

If you have followed the popular American music reality show The Voice you would surely know how charming Blake Shelton is when holds the mike. Married to the popular country singer Miranda Lambert Shelton is considered to the sexiest musician from this side of music world. Shelton’s compositions are high on energy and groovy.

George Strait

George Strait is called the ‘King of Country’ and is considered to be one of the most influential recording artists of all time. He is one of those who musicians who still put on that cowboy look before getting on the stage. He is also known for being one of the first and main country artists to bring country music back to its roots and away from the pop country era in the 1980s.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is popular for his style on blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds. Jackson’s song, ‘remember when’ is one of those songs that turned country music to hit the charts. He is known to have concentrated to stick around to the traditional side of this music genre. 

Carrie Underwood

This 2005 American Idol winner is probably the most popular female country singer in the world. Carrie Underwood is known for giving the world some of most heart touching songs from this genre. Along with music she is trying her luck in acting too.

Sit back and enjoy the weekend by adding some of these popular country songs on your playlist!

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With the number of fancy restaurants mushrooming India it is clear that there is a special interest that is being created among a lot people around. From food preparations made by using molecular gastronomy to French desserts to even Indian versions of other foreign cuisines everything today is creating a popular demand.

While there is obviously a set of people who are looking for these stuff there are many foodies in the country who are apprehensive of trying this kind of fancy food for many reasons. Many outlets which offer these fancy food items are working towards attracting these hesitant foodies with interesting strategies. Here is a list of reasons that we think why these people should step ahead, keep their second thoughts at bay and try fancy food because….

It can be customised for Indian Taste buds

There is nothing that cannot be Indianised and food is offcourse one of them. Cuisines that are bland are also given an Indian touch these days so that foodies out there who worry about taste can try it out well.  

It can be packaged for affordable rates

One of the major reasons for not trying fancy food is because of cost factor. Though there are high end restaurants that serve this kind of food there are many restaurant chains who are coming up with cost effective packages.

It can be made the healthy way

There is also a set of people who love to eat but are extremely health conscious. Many of these specialised food joints have separate menu for these people. This kind of healthy menu is attracting a lot of eyeballs.

It can be easily cooked at home too

Okay, if you are one those you think that you have time and patience in abundance then experimenting on making fancy food will be fun. All it needs is a lot of research which is easily available on the internet these days.  

It is always good to try something new

Hmm! All said and end the fact that variety is the spice of life remains loud and clear. Having said everything it is always good to pick something interesting to put on your plate and sit back to enjoy the slice of life better.

Happy hogging!  

The post Don’t Think Twice Before Trying Fancy Food Because… appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

There is a lot that goes behind while you decide on your travel plan. One of the most important things that need a lot of discussion is how you are going to travel. It can be noted that when in India taking a train for long distances is extremely convenient and affordable too. After all Indian Railways is considered to be world’s largest travel networks.

If you go to see Bollywood has taught us a lot on how to enjoy our train journeys in many ways. Here is a roll down on things you can do during while on you are on the move through those narrow valleys, tunnels, old bridges and much more in totally filmy style…

You can always bargain with the Coolie

Remember Iqbal from the Manmohan Desai’s blockbuster movie Coolie? This iconic character was played by Big B and showcased various tough situations that a coolie goes through. I always remember him while I am travelling and spot a coolie on the platform. These chaps know it all and at times can even act oversmart too. There are times you end up arguing with these red shirt guys but many other times you feel petty and give them few bucks more.

You can meet interesting co-passengers

If you have read Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller Two States or watched the epic Hindi film, ‘The Burning Train’ you will know what it means to share a word with the people around during your journey. There are chances that you might get to eat good food if your co-passengers are Gujaratis or Punjabis. If they are from the South then you will end up hearing everything from world politics, economy to all those high fundo techy stuff. If they are from the east or the west they are will seen engrossed in reading or music. Mere observations can be fun too.

You can fall in love or end it all

Okay, if you are one of those who are looking to find your Mr/Miss love, a train journey can help you get one. Well, that is what movies like Sathiya, DDLJ, Jab We Meet and even few others taught us. Let me get a little philosophical here to get this right. Life is a journey. Love comes to you accidental. Imagine both these thoughts meeting you at an interesting junction, literally. Hmm! Sounds like good fun, isn’t? Keep that hope up right there.

You can play antakshari or even get up to dance  

Shahrukh Khan has actually proved this through his film Chennai Express and Dil Se. In Chennai Express, he clearly made us understand that music has no language barriers. You can sing aloud and make your own tunes. In Dil Se, he actually went on the train roof to dance with a hot chic. You don’t have to that adventurous but you can something else.

I am sure after reading these few fun stuff you might giggle and want to take a train too. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets not on the IRCTC website though but may be via an agent and have a super train journey soon!

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If you are someone in your 20s something you will very well understand what I am about to discuss. Though the world has moved on Indian Parents often love to go back to their times and remind us about how an ideal life according to them looks like.

Well, we love and respect their thoughts. After all they have more experience in life than us. What comes as surprise is the fact the moment you enter this phase of life, every Indian parent comes up with few funny questions and ideas.

They begin with all this questioning with subtleness in the early days of your 20’s life. This is just to understand if you are on the right track. If you fumble or sound disinterested while answer these questions, the panic mode switches on instantly.

Some big questions are asked to you…

 “When do you want to get married? Have you thought about it?”

“Are you in love?”

“Is he/she from our religion?”

“You want to get married right?”

“Please fall in love with someone from our caste!”

“Okay, then we will start looking for you soon”

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Typically in every Indian family there is someone who pays a visit from a foreign country once in a while. Though most of us love them for the goodies that they get but there are many of us who find these Non-resident Indian (NRI) relatives or friends a bit annoying.

I think we shouldn’t be judgemental. I understand they can irritate us to the core but let’s give a thought on why do these NRIs project blow up their problems to a completely different level.

They are don’t do certain things to grab attention but end up being a centre of attraction. Take a look at the genuine problems that I think NRIs usually face when they are in their homeland…

All they need is bottled water

The moment NRIs land home they will be seen with mineral water bottles in their hand. A lot of people misunderstand this as an attitude problem but in reality that is not the case. These poor chaps are accustomed to have much more filtered water in the foreign land.

I could recall a scene from a popular Hindi movie Swades in which Shahrukh Khan pays a role of a NRI who has a problem with the drinking water available in rural eras. Later on he is seen getting emotional while taking a sip of the water from the well. It is not that they cannot have tap water but the problem is they might end up spending their holidays visiting the doctors.  

A strict no to street food

Indians have a thing for street food. In news last week even Vijay Mallya was spotted having a plate of pani puri on streets. The problem that NRIs face is they cut on spices the moment they are away from home. The reasons behind this are many but mostly because of the non availability of spices there NRIs are forced to cut down spices. They again hesitate to eat out on streets because the foreign land taught them to be hygienic all the time.  

So, the moment NRIs start visiting you home or even go out to restaurants here they expect Indian food to taste bland. Many who host lunch or dinner for this community are left offended because NRIs end up having bad tummy because they cannot take in any extra spice on their plate. 

The obsession for sanitizer

NRIs start every activity of their by sanitizing their hands. There is a kind of OCD that these people develop. You feel like hitting them hard on their head but you being a true Indian you prefer to keep your calm and just watch them acting funny. You might want to get them a life time supply of sanitizer but then you realise they might ridicule you for your local brand choice too.

Suddenly they have a problem in understanding the local dialect

Watch this scene from the popular American show The Big Bang Theory…

Hmm! I think that says it all. LOL.

Pollution hits their nostrils all the time

Aww! I feel really bad for the NRIs who end up sneezing as soon as they start walking in open air. They then blame pollution for everything that happens to skin. They then bore you for hours on end explaining how perfect their resident land is.

The funniest thing is when these people come complain about noise pollution who end up enjoy loud Indian city night more that you. Sigh!

So, the next time if you have a NRI guest home LOL in your mind and sympathize with ther problems. 

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You like her. She really likes you too but you both are stuck somewhere. If you are in such a situation break the ice by getting into some healthy flirting. Health flirting is the easiest way to impress the one you really like and earn some brownie points too. The question is what one really should keep in mind while being flirty with caution?

Hmm! It is actually simple. All you have to do is be cool and extremely subtle. Everyone likes to have someone around who is a bit flirty with them in all good spirits. Here are five ways in which you try flirting healthy…

Take a note!

Always make eye contact

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Well, after seeing the meme above I am sure most of us would agree what it means to be a backpacker to different people. Okay, jokes apart are you planning to pack your backpack and hit the country roads sometime soon? If that is on your mind then take a look at few things you should take care of during your long adventurous journey…

Pack less but smartly!

The first and most important thing that every backpacker should remember is to pack light. The main purpose of such a trip is to wander around. This doesn’t mean you need to be stinky. All you need to do is some really good smart packing that will not make you look like a hippy.

Dress appropriately

This is a point that every lady backpacker should keep a note of. Dress appropriately as per the place you are visiting. It is better not to call for any unnecessary attention when you are out on long trip. Also, always carry a pepper spray and swiss army knives for safety reasons.

Research, research and more research!

Though a backpacking trip is tagged as an adventurous one, it always better to do your homework before you hit the roads. Travel guides and useful mobile apps should always be kept handy. Make sure the places you choose have a friendly weather and doesn’t turn you off with unexpected climatic changes.

Make sure you know to bargain it right!

A lot of travellers prefer backpacking because it is budget friendly. All this can happen only if you are extremely good at bargaining. Right for accommodation to travel to obviously you should be at your peak of bargaining skill during backpacking. 

A good amount of money in the bank

You never know what expense might hit you are hard when. It is very important that you save up good about of money if you are out such a trip too. There shouldn’t be a situation that will get stuck somewhere without money. I am sure you wouldn’t want to be that adventurous.  

Tagging along with the right companion

It is very important that you take along the right set of people when you are out during a backpacking trip. Your companion should be as enthusiastic as you are or else you might end up breaking your head on the walls. In no ways you should feel like packing up and coming back home because of your company. Be wise!

Get a medical check up done before trip is a must

It is advisable that you take a quick medical check up before your trip. Carry important medical papers along. Make you are have a medical kit with all the necessary medicines and first aid. There shouldn’t be a point when you will have hunt for medicines in the mid of the night or during uncertain situations.

Three must have things in your backpack: Portable charger, music player and off course some good reads

Always make sure you carry a portable charger which is fully chargers along with the charger that charges it. You shouldn’t be left with a dead phone when you have to make an important call or two. A journey is incomplete without music giving some good company. A good book also does the same magic.

Collect postcards of the places you visit

A lot of people would will want you to get souvenirs. I would suggest collect postcard or stamps of the places you visit. It would be unique and something that you could paste in your travel dairy too.

Last but not the least click perfect pictures for your memoirs

No tip is complete without clicking pictures. Be it landscapes, portraits, art, culture or even a selfie click as many as pictures you can to bring back all the lovely moments of your backpacking trip!

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your backpack right away!

The post 10 Things That Every Backpacker Should Keep In Mind appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

Early last week Kerala was in news for some really good reason. Kerala Tourism was conferred the top United Nations Award for its global leadership in creating innovative initiatives for sustainable tourism. According to various media reports, in its biggest international recognition to date, Kerala Tourism won the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, the highest honour given to government bodies for shaping global tourism policies through innovative initiatives.

These facts itself draws a lot of attention of tourist toward this state which is fondly called as, ‘God’s Own Country”. With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty-four rivers, Kerala enjoys diverse geographical features. From tall mountains and deep valleys to endless backwaters and an extensive coastline, Kerala has it all.

Interestingly, Kerala was placed among the `50 destinations of a lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveler in a special collectors’ issue released just before the turn of the millennium. As I come from the mallu land, I would like to take the pride and opportunity to make a quick guide that will for sure convince you to travel down to this beautiful land of divinity. After all, Kerala is not just a land of worships. 

World’s best Ayurveda resorts are in Kerala

Ayurveda today is considered more than a life science. People across the globe have a lot of trust on this ancient science. There many who come down to Kerala for rejuvenation and rehabilitation. This is the very reason why Ayurvedic doctors are today not just into consultation, they are scale up their business that are of high commercial value. Visiting an ayurveda resort is extremely worth your time and money invested.   

Kerala is the spice garden of the country

Kerala’s history is closely linked with its commerce, which until recent times revolved around its spice trade. Celebrated as the Spice Coast of India, ancient Kerala played host to travellers and traders from across the world including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. It can be noted that the tea gardens in Munnar is considered to the finest in the world. Every corner of the state is close to mother nature.

Original toddy can be found only in Kerala

The land of coconut is known for its nook and corner toddy shops. People who like to try interesting drinks shouldn’t miss having Palm wine, also called kallu. Toddy as it called commonly is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the palmyra, date palms and coconut palms. Kerala is one of the leading states in toddy production too.

Kerala has many virgin beaches

Marari, Bekal, Varkala are few beaches that are not very popular in tourist guides. If you want to soak up some serenity, then these beaches will not disappoint you. These and few other virgin sand and water areas should be a part of your Kerala tour. Free tanning therapy, a long walk and soaking in your feet around will be a unique experience if you are here. 

A day spent at the backwaters is worth it!

When in Kerala taking a long ride on houseboat in backwaters is a must. Breathtaking view, a peaceful rest back as if the world is all yours, such feelings can come to you only when you go along the backwaters in Kerala. One of the most spectacular backwater spot which is now attracting a lot of attention is Kumarakom. Apart from this Alappuzha, Kollam, Astamudi, Kuttanad are few other other popular backwater destinations. Plenty of traditional rice boats and canoes can be spotted her leaving a scene that is immensely pleasing to the eye.

Gold shopping and hogging on Malabar parathas shouldn’t be given a miss!

World’s best gold jewellery brands can be found in Kerala. From pure gold jewellery to traditional temple collection one can find all in Kerala.

If you have to try different meat curries and fish fry dipped in coconut milk with some hot Malabar parathas then Kerala is the place you should go to.

Take a look at a film developed by Kerala Tourism Board on how to reach Kerala…

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags to visit this spectacular mallu land super soon!

The post Why You Should Visit ‘God’s Own Country’ Once in Your Lifetime? appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

No Smartphone is complete without chat applications (apps) these days. These apps are not only easy on pockets but also quite interactive. This is the reason why you end up asking phone numbers or app pins of the person you like on the first go.  While girls find this creepy, boys find it absolutely cool.

To be honest, texting has made lives easy. One can be more expressive (with emoticons for all the moods) and stress free. Life these days highly depends on chat applications and it is extremely important to keep few things in mind while starting a conversation. Especially if it is someone you are eyeing on. Here are must follow rules while texting someone you like…

The first ping has to come from the boy
It is a fact that girls have more expectations from a boy who shows interest in her. If you have feelings for her, be the first one to drop her a message.

“Wassup?” – Doesn’t sound cool anymore
Girls and boys in high school too don’t use the word wassup anymore. You need to be really smart to come up with an interesting talk at the first go.

“K” kills a conversation
It might take couple of more seconds to try the work, “Okay”. Take that time out and never send a single letter that will end a chat then and there.

Intelligence is sexy
You don’t have to know world history to be intelligent but you have to be impressive with your words. Intelligence is sexy. If your text can brighten up someone’s face you have done it well.

One word reply is a major turn off
If you are someone who cannot be very expressive with words then start refereeing to thesaurus everyday. Learn a new word but make sure you use in the right context.

Use the right emoticon at the right time
Expressions speak a lot. Emoticons are supposed to extremely sweet feature of chat applications but be very careful while using it. If you end up entering wrong emoticons at the wrong time you might surely end up getting blocked.

Don’t ask for minute to minute updates
Remember you cannot be so possessive about the person you just like. Okay, even if you are do, don’t show it while texting the person. Don’t ask for constant updates and annoy the person at the other end.

Always address the other person by his/her name
Don’t be very comfy at the initial days and keep names for the person. Make sure if he/she is okay with you to address him/ her while texting.  

Asking for pictures will definitely push the conversation a little too much
Remember you are just getting to know the person. Don’t freak the person and control your emotions.

Never ever strike a conversation at odd hours
If you think that odd hour conversations could be sizzling then you are wrong. Texting someone you are interesting in at odd hours can be highly irritating.

If you are looking at connecting with someone over texts keep , my ‘anmol vachan’ in mind and happy texting!  

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Last week, Amul was in news for setting up India’s first ‘Any Time Milk’ vending machines. These automatic teller machines not only dispense money, ATM-like machines also vend other products such as chocolates and soft drinks. In India, even chips and magazines are seen in vending machines.

Amul’s interesting move clearly shows how India is adopting western shopping trends. While it will take time for such models to reach widely across the country, there is no doubt that they look very promising. Urbanisation is rapidly changing lifestyle partners too. Today, all of us want everything quick; especially when it comes to grocery shopping.

If a household brand like Amul can come up with such quick service we were wondering why our local stores can’t do something similar. There are few basic things which every kitchen needs while cooking a daily meal. Here are five food ingredients we want in a vending machine super soon!

Take a look…

Salt

We Indians have nothing on our menu which states bland. We had salt to everything in perfection. Salt is most important ingredient which every household needs. There are days when a kitchen might run out of salt and running all the way to a super market can be a task. A vending machine with salt packets will be a hit.

So we wish there salt brands think about this…

Sugar

If salt gets an appearance in vending machines we would like sugar to go next up there. In India, there are over 50 million diabetics, according to the statistics of the International Diabetes Federation. Hmm! Well this clearly shows how much we love sweetness. Having said this, sugar accounts for a major part in Indian kitchen even when many of us have to consume in less portions.

We hope we get to see sugar vendors scaling up through vending machines…

Onions

No Indian curry is complete without onions. In fact in many parts of the country, Onion is a part of a stable diet. Onions were in news a few months back. The demand of onions shot up and supply came down for various reasons. This resulted in increase in prices too. There was a lot of fluctuation in rates of Onions that caused worry for most of us.

To curb such disruption we think local onions suppliers can channelize sales through vending machines…

Chai patti

We are one of the largest producers of Tea in the world. Chai is the pulse of many people. A day without chai is unimaginable for a major part of the Indian population. Chai patti is therefore is a necessity.

Vending machines with tea brands will for sure be popular and convenient for tea drinkers.

Wheat Flour

It is a known fact that India is the second largest wheat producing country. Wheat as a grain is consumed the most in an Indian palette. With a lot of people aiming to get fit the demand for wheat and related products have increased over the years.

Not many people like the concept of stocking up flours. Hence, if such brands start selling such products through vending machines it will definitely be a success.

Well, these were few basic food items we think should get a place in vending machines. If you think if there can be any more to this so drop a comment to us!

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“Ek cup chai la na”, is something that you would hear every morning in an Indian household. Most of us cannot imagine beginning our day without ek cup chai. Though a Chinese herbalist discovered chai we Indians make some world class tea. From plain back chai to an exotic masala chai we have it all as per over mood.

If you have ever thought about why we Indians are so obsessed with chai we probably will have some great tales to share. Here are few reasons that came to my mind while pondering over why we Indians love chai so much…

Chai is always our best travel buddy

Image sourced from rediff.com

Indian mothers take extra care about what they pack to eat and drink while going on a trip. Our mothers will always make sure that she packs a flask filled with garam chai.

Once that is exhausted she would ask the chaiwala to refill chai in the flask. Chaiwala is the one who wakes you up early in the morning during a train journey by shouting, “Chai chai” in his nasal noise. If we travel by bus we would make sure that the driver stops at good tea stalls. Many of us actually plan a long drive just to have that one cup of strong chai that gives us a good kick.

We love gup-shup over chai

Ek cutting chai as we call it in Mumbai is just a reason to meet our friends. The idea of meeting people at the naka or calling them home too is to enjoy a cup of tea over a lot of gossip. Chai pumps up energy into every college goer. Midnight studies are planned so that we can have chai at regular intervals. People at work wait for tea breaks so that they can catch up with people around to talk. If it is raining then tea is a must! Sipping that chai while it is drizzling makes many of us philosophers, poets and photographers.

Our bad boys ask chai along with a good bribe

“Kuch chai pani pila do yaar…” you will be familiar with these words if you are an Indian. Our cops as well as bureaucrats throw this line on us if they are in a mood to be bribed. Sigh! Such is the power of chai.

We can finalise a rishta while sipping down ek cup chai

Rishta, a marriage proposal is always discussed over chai in India. If you have to introduce your lover to your family it has to be over chai and an elaborate lunch. A popular Bollywood song was also composed around this concept. Take a look to understand how chai ends up fixing up relationships positively!

Chai made us say, “Jaago re!”

A renowned tea brand rolled an advertising campaign few years back that hit the Indian political system very hard. After this campaign, “Jagoo re” has become those two words that often pop up over an intense conversation over chai. Take a look at the campaign…

Hmm! enough said, I think we should grab ek cup chai and rest back to enjoy the weekend!

The post A Lot Happens Over A Cup Of Chai! appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

He keeps talking about her all the time. I always hear him out but I never look into his eyes. To make him feel that I am into the conversation I often end up asking stupid questions; those questions that take him further into this past. I feel awful when I do that to him. In such situations I look into my phone and pretend that I have many people to converse.

He hates it and then picks his phone. I feel terrible when he does that. I make an attempt and try to break the silence, by then he gets lost in his world. He gets puzzled with my prolonged silence. He tries to make me feel OKAY but by then I am hurt. Both of us after few such moments understand that it important to give time to each other and then get into this cheering up act. Interestingly, these moments then turn out to be the highlights of our meet ups.

A walk in the rain, a visit to a book shop or dropping by to the neighbourhood old church we end up doing these little things that we really love. We often have very little to talk about but our silence has its own beauty. We get to know what exactly is running in each other’s mind. After all we are best friends. A guy best friend is always difficult to deal with.

Okay, I am making that up. The truth is I feel more at ease when I am with him. He always makes things easy for me. He doesn’t have time for long conversations but makes sure that he sits beside me when I need him. He is definitely not just my best friend. There is more to this relationship. I am not being silly but the truth is I am love with my best friend.

I was making efforts to hook him with his ex so that he never felt that his life was incomplete. I was doing all this so that I could get away with these feelings but nothing seemed working. They are not meant to be together is what I thought until I received his message with morning. Apparently, he was going to ask her to come back in his life. His words reflected that he was confident about his decision. I wished him luck and didn’t bother to call him later.

I was upset with him not because he fell for the one who left him but for the fact he never told me he loved her all this while. Having said this, I will neither cut off nor confess anything to him. I am never going to put him into any awkward position. He has been more like my reflection. I look up to him for many things in life. He has curdled me when I needed that warmth in life.

Many a times he has kissed off my worries too. He made sure I was an extraordinary one in the crowd. I owe him a lot. But looks like my love might be overshadowed at many levels; but I will still love him for the rest of my life. It will be difficult for me to look into those eyes that make me fall in love every single time.

Thud! All of a suddenly, I was shaken up from my day dream by his monstrous ringtone. I was numb struck. He played his trick to wake me up from my long silence. He kept laughing at me and I was grinning but my eyes never met his…

Love Diaries is a weekly column on Youngisthan that features short fictional stories.

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One exotic flavour that I usually end up picking from a cake shop is red velvet! According to me, red velvet cake is one of the most delectable foods because of the delicious and eye-catching layers of red cake covered in creamy white icing.

If you are a Nigella Lawson fan, you must have definitely seen the perfect red velvet cake with a thick, sweet swirl of cream cheese icing. The sponge that she makes is moist and squishy, yet robust enough to hold its own under an extravagant load of full-fat frosting. And as glamorous as they appear, they are simple to make too.

Hold on, red velvet is just not only about cakes and pastries. Do you know that this rich flavour can blend with many other food items? Around the world many food experts are experimenting and infusing red velvet flavour in different preparations. Take a look at 5 food dishes that would taste super yum in red velvet flavour.. 

Red Velvet Ice cream

Rich, red velvet cake flavored ice cream is elegantly paired with cream cheese frosting flavoured ice cream and red velvet cake pieces. Blue Bunny and Ben & Jerry’s offer luscious red velvet cake ice cream with pieces of red velvet cake and a cream cheese icing swirl.

Red Velvet Iced Tea

At Dunkin they served an interesting iced tea which as a kick of red velvet flavour. This is way different from the regular lemon and peach iced tea served at fast food joints or cafes. It is again a drink that will mesmerise your eyes.

Red Velvet Cookie

Many pastry chefs are popularising red velvet cookie on social media. It can be noted that this kind of cookie is heavy but can make you experience foodgasm. This red cookie can be stored for a long time and is not very difficult to bake.

Red Velvet Chicken Fingers

Image a red coating filled with melted and herbed chicken! I am sure you must be drooling if you love chicken. Red Velvet Chicken Fingers can be impressive if it is plated well. This high calorie starter if made perfectly will be absolutely finger licking good!  

Red Velvet Chocolate Bar

Chocolate actually goes well with a lot of interesting essence. If you are someone who prefers pastries or cakes over chocolate then Red Velvet Chocolate Bar is something you should grab soon. Unfortunately not many popular confectionery brands have introduced this but I am sure if they do it will sure it will be a huge hit.

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Bollywood is worldwide popular for the kind of music it offers to the audience. From melodious tunes to peppy ones, Bollywood actually has variety of music that you can add to your playlist.

If you look at Bollywood music at large you will realise that you will never get disappointed. There are days when you want to actually go a little crazy and listen to songs that are a bit offbeat. During such days Bollywood will lift your spirits high and might even making you LOL too. 

One peculiar feature of Bollywood music is that at times the lyrics overpower the composition. Okay, what I mean is that we have talent out here who write lyrics which are at times pun intended. Sometimes wacky song compositions fit perfectly well in a scene and many other times it ends up looking cheesy.  

It can be noted that Bollywood has a very good appetite. There many songs which got popularised because its lyrics include food related items. Some of these songs are witty, some sound hilarious and many others look like it was coincidental.

Take a look at which Bollywood artist’s song might end up make you order some food to hog on when…   

When Nargis sings Ichak Dana Bichak Dana Dane Upar 

When Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar hum Imli Ka Boota Beri Ka Ber

When Salman Khan has Ek Garam Chai Ki Pyali Ho

When Govinda dances on Tujhko Mirchi Lagi Toh

When Abhishek Bachchan & Bipasha Basu confess, Tere Sang Ek Simple Si Coffee Kick Deti Hai

When Akshay Kumar relates Samose Mein Aloo with affection

When Madhuri swirls on Chane Ke Keht Mein

When Chef SRK says Daal Gal Gayi

When Aishwarya Rai randomly shouts Nimbooda Nimbooda

When Tabu’s Cheeni Kum Hai Cheeni Kum Hai makes you smile

When Ranbir Kapoor’s Barfi title track makes you giggle

 Oh this playlist has surely woken the monsters inside my stomach and I am rushing to grab a quick bit right away!

The post 12 Bollywood Songs That Might End Up Making You Feel Hungry appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

If you are someone who loves food then social media will definitely be like a treasure house for you. Food is something that connects with everyone. Interestingly, it can be noted that on social media there are many people who love striking food conversations. Considering this as an opportunity many celebrity chefs in India have started popularising their food related content on their social media profiles.

Though there is a lot of clutter in the food industry today but there are few who stand out obviously for the great influence they have made on people at large. On social media, there are many who claim to be food experts so there are times you end up follow everyone. If you really want to get understand what the actual food industry looks like you should look at what celebrity chefs are up to.

There are many famous Indian chefs who have become a household name but only few have actually utilised the social media space further to connect with their audience. We have listed down five popular chefs who are captivated the attention of people. Follow them if you someone who wants to know all about food on social media.

Take a look…

Sanjeev Kapoor

It will not be wrong to label Sanjeev Kapoor as the most renowned Indian celebrity chef in the world. He became a household name from the time he started hosting ‘Khana Khazana’, a cookery show that went live in the 1993. Kapoor came on the TV show Khana Khazana, which became the longest running show of its kind in Asia. Kapoor is an inspiration to many housewives and food enthusiasts.

Kapoor has a very strong presence on social especially on Facebook. He has one of the most interactive pages in the food category in India. He not only showcases interesting recipes but also keeps hosting interesting contest. He fetches a lot of interaction and is someone who you must follow if you are looking to come across some fun food conversations.

Vikas Khanna

Vikas Khanna sizzled on Indian television when hosted ‘Master Chef India Season 2’ in 2011. Since then, this celebrity chef started getting a strong fan base in India. The 43-year-old chef is currently hosting the latest FOX Traveller’s culinary-cum-travel show called ‘Twist Of Taste 3’.

He has worked for the Taj, Oberoi, Welcomgroup, and Leela Group of Hotels and with some of the most influential chefs of the world. In 2011, People magazine named Khanna in the list of ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ and also referred to as ‘The Hottest Chef of America’. Post this Khanna became a popular celebrity chef on Twitter. It can be noted that Khanna’s tweet posts are mainly tales from his show. He looks humble and makes sure he replies to most of the tweet mentions he gets.

Harpal Singh Sokhi

Harpal Singh Sokhi is known as the most entertaining and energetic chef who takes you on a gastronomic journey in his funny and lively manner. He got recognised widely through his cookery show Turban Tadka.  

He not only reveals the cooking secrets of authentic Indian food but also the use of ingenious ingredients. He is known to have organized various Indian food festivals at the international level. If you are someone who likes to check out onile cooking tutorial then you follow this chef on YouTube. Subscribe or bookmark his channel to learn some quick Indian style cooking.

Saransh Goila

Saransh Goila is the new kid on the block in the food business. He is one of the lucky fresh talents who got recognised for his passion and won a popular cooking game show called Food Food Maha Challenge. Goila in the span of one year got the opportunity to host two TV Shows Roti Rasta aur India and Healthy Fridge on Food Food channel.

Goila has set a record in Limca Book of Records of being the first Indian chef to travel 20,000 kms by road in 100 days to discover India’s rich food heritage and tracing its history. His dynamic personality has made him quite famous on social media. Goila is again extremely active on twitter and interacts promptly for any food related query.

Kunal Kapur

Kunal Kapur is best known as the host and judge of the TV series MasterChef India Season 1, 2 and 3 on Star Plus. After which he is seen in a lot of popular food events and has very good popularity. Having Indian cuisine as his cooking style, he is presently the executive sous chef at Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon.

Kapur’s name was quoted by Limca Book Of Records for creating India’s Largest chocolate tower. He is all set to launch his cook book next month. He is heavily talking about this on social media. His social media page doesn’t come across as a food gyaan guide but he is often seen talking about a lot of other food related topics.

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The advantage of being on Twitter is that you end up getting introduced to some really interesting people around. Few months back I had a very interesting tweet conversation with Perzen Patel who blogs under the name Bawi Bride.

I have been following Bawi Bride on Twitter since then. Off late she is very actively conducting weekend tasting events and some cool social media initiatives. This made me very curious to explore more about Parsi cuisine through her niche blog. I dropped a direct message to her on Twitter and she was kind enough to respond to my questions.

Perzen today, along with blogging, runs a successful catering business in Mumbai popular for the dips, desserts and Parsi delicacies she makes. In an exclusive interview with Youngisthan, Perzen shared some very intriguing facts about Parsi food, her journey as a niche blogger and much more…

Take a look…

How would you describe Parsi cuisine in three words?

The first three words that come to my mind while describing Parsi cuisine would be wholesome, non-vegetarian and healthy.

Could you share the story behind how ‘Bawi Bride’ blog began?

Since the time I was a teen I have always had a passion for cooking. However, I used to be called the ‘continental chef’ as mom would make all the Parsi food and I loved making different dips and desserts.  This became a problem when I got married and moved to India – I realized I had no idea how to make all the Parsi food I loved and had to call mom every time I had to make something.

I also realized that there aren’t that many Parsi cook books and hardly any resources online for those wanting to learn the cuisine so I started the Bawi Bride blog to document my journey of learning, eating and feeding Parsi food. Since I started, my husband aka Bawa Groom as I call him encouraged me to start selling my food as he felt that there are a lot of people who would like to try Parsi food but don’t get the opportunity to. So here I am and it’s now been about 8 months since we started.

If you have to introduce Parsi cuisine to someone what dishes would you recommend?

For beginners, its best to try the dishes we are known best for – after all we want to make a great first impression! I’d suggest trying out some Chutney Eeda Pattice followed by Dhansak with brown rice and Kheema Kebab and Kachubar (Onion Salad) and finished with some Lagan nu Custard.

For vegetarians what are dishes that can be tried in Parsi cuisine?  

To be honest, Parsi cuisine is not a cuisine that caters well to vegetarians. We are known as a community for our love of meat. In fact, most Parsis probably only eat 2 -3 vegetables which are onions, potatoes, tomatoes. What we do cater for is eggetarian.

For example, my mom doesn’t eat meat so she substitutes meat with boiled egg. In saying that, most of our food can be cooked without meat – it’s just that there is no suitable protein replacement. As an example, you can make a Parsi red curry without meat and it would still taste the same but then we don’t put paneer in it – just add some potatoes for the vegetarian person. However, I do make things like Veg Dhansak, Veg Curry (with potatoes and peas), Kaju Paneer, Masoor (non-veg Parsis would have this with mutton) for my vegetarian customers.

Which are the few authentic Parsi dishes that not very popular?

Some of the few authentic dishes is my opinion is the humble Dhandar, Lagan no Patio and Red Curry the way my Mamaiji used to make it – you won’t see these much at a wedding but they are a staple at Parsi houses. Also, we follow the motto, when in doubt; break an egg or ‘eedu’ on it so we have things like Kothmir per Eedu, Sali per Eedu, and Tomato per Eedu.

What goes in making a perfect Parsi meal?

There are a few common ingredients that go into making about 90% of Parsi dishes such as onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste. Beyond this, Dhansak and Garam masala as well as eggs are also used quite frequently. Aside from this, I’ll be a bit philosophical and say what goes into making any perfect dish – be it Parsi or otherwise – would be love!

You could throw some light on your latest Twitter initiative #BestKeptSecrets

My new Twitter initiative #BestKeptSecrets is mainly an attempt to curate a range of food stories and compile a book of food secrets that may otherwise get lost in history or that other communities don’t know about. Notice my use of the word food stories and not recipes because its often the story behind a dish or why its cooked that makes it special. 

(Picture Courtesy: Bawi Bride/Blog)

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Let’s admit the fact that we cannot imagine a day without our mobile phones. To make life easy smartphones today have a number of applications that we can install as per our needs.

According to me the most important applications that we must have on our smartphones are the ones which will be useful to us while we are on a move. Here is a mix of applications that are available on different operating systems and is specific to people who are travelling to or within India.

Take a look…

Google Maps

Life without Google seems to be extremely difficult. That is very reason why Android phones are selling like hot cakes these days. If you are an Android user you should consider Google Maps as your bible that will always guide you to the right directions.

Google maps is a comprehensive app that has accurate maps of 200 countries. Along with it also has a voice-guided GPS navigation feature which is best suited for driving, cycling and walking. Along with this it also has public transport directions and maps for over 800 cities. It also gives updates on live traffic, incident reports and dynamic re-routing. Few of these features are not available in all countries.

The best feature of Google maps is that you can make a map area available offline by tapping the search box and selecting “make this map area available offline”.

Zomato

If you a foodie and you purpose of travelling around to explore new eating place you should download Zomato right away.

Zomato restaurant finder app gives you restaurant recommendations around you and lets you look at menus, pictures and maps for restaurants in India, United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham), UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah), Philippines (Manila), South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban), Qatar (Doha), Sri Lanka (Colombo), New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington), Brazil (São Paulo), Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul) and Indonesia (Jakarta).

The app features search for restaurants by location/cuisine/name. You can also get personalised recommendations through notifications by following foodies with similar taste and opinion on Zomato – Use ‘open now’ filter to find restaurants open at a specific time the app. Also with this you can also add restaurants to favourites, wishlist or been-there and create a ‘to-do’ list of restaurants. Android, Windows and ios users can get this app installed.  

Justdial

Gone are the days of yellow pages directories, today there are a number of local search engine apps you could refer and Justdial is the most popular one among of all in India.

This app works as a one stop solution for all your daily needs whether its info about movies in your area, restaurant next door, hotels, airlines, resorts, real estate or as simple as the nearest ATM, it has it all.

Above all, you get access of ratings and reviews by Justdial users which helps you to make an informed decision. Along with this app gives you auto Detection of your current location with the help of GPS, helps you to get close proximity search through ‘near me’ option. You can also opt for a request to get your information through an email or sms. The app can be used by Android, Windows and ios users.

Expedia Hotels & Flights

It can be observed that today many travellers in India are comfortable in booking flights and hotels online if you one those then Expedia’s app is something you should have on your phone.

Expedia internationally is very popular and is soon catching up the attention of Indian travellers too. It can be noted that Expedia was founded by Microsoft 16 years ago and happens to one of the pioneers in this business.

The app is an option to have particularly for international packages in particular, deals abound. And despite its longevity, Expedia boasts a friendly and modern website, a user friendly mobile app for Android, iPhone and windows phone users too. The app has a bright and interactive interface. The app provides easy previews of eat maps, flight information, and airfare without leaving search results.

Viber

While you on a move you often tend to get a long mobile bill statement. Thanks to the roaming charges that service providers keep adding to your bill.  

Though Skype is one of the most popular instant messaging apps but it comes with a prepaid monthly fee when you are on roaming. An alternative to Skype is Viber which will allow you to make free calls and texts if you both have accounts in the app.

Without the additional cost of a phone plan, the app uses your data package so you can communicate freely. You can also send multimedia texts for those quick moments abroad you simply have to share visually. If you are in WiFi zone then it will be even more economically for you to connect with people whene you are away from home.

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