What is deep freezing...?

Deep Freezing is a method of preserving food by lowering its temperature to 18 degree centigrade or below.  It stops almost all spoilage processes, although there may be some residual enzyme activity in uncooked vegetables, which is why these are blanched (dipped in hot water to destroy the enzymes) before freezing.  Micro-organisms cannot grow or divide while frozen, but most remain alive and can resume activity once defrosted.  Commercial techniques freeze foods rapidly in order to prevent the growth of large ice crystals which would damage the food tissue on thawing.

When were the Present Continents Formed...?

At the very time when oil was beginning to form, an enormous shift took place in the Earth's crust, which slowly resulted in the formation of the present continents.

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Numerous studies, even in recent years, confirm the theory that the great continental mass pushed out of the sea in the earlier periods and then split apart into several pieces which drifted about the Earth for hundreds of millions of years.  Finally, between the middle of Cretaceous and early Tertiary Periods (100 million to 50 million years ago) these pieces split up again to form land masses recognisable in form to the continents of today.  These sections are still drifting apart.
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This interesting suggestion, first put forward by the German meteorologist, Alfred Wegener (1880-1930), is known as the theory of 'continental drift'.  Wegener, who was also a daring explorer and experience geologist, published his ideas in a book printed in 1912.  It naturally created a great stir in scientific circles, which soon split into two groups, one of his supporters and one of his opponents.  They are both eager to prove or disprove his theory.
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In a few words, wegener's idea was as follows: in dim, distant times the continental masses were joined together in a single block (or shield), which Wegener called Pangaea.  The rest of the Earth was covered by a primeval mass of water, the Pantalaxia.
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During the Eocene Period, about 50 million years ago, a slow but steady movement then began.  The Pangaea cracked and, pulled apart by the rotating movement of the Earth, the bits began to drift away from each other as if they were floating on a heavier, more elastic base.
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According to Wegener, it was because of this shifting that the folds occurred in the Earth's crust which lifted up the loftiest mountain chains still existing in the world today.
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HIV - 'RESERVOIR' FOUND IN BRAIN...ANI

Aussie scientists have discovered that the brain also acts as a key "reservoir" for HIV, a finding that may be a serious threat to the search for a way to eradicate the virus from the body.  While scientists are using antiretroviral drugs to get rid of HIV altogether, they are finding it difficult to perfect techniques to kill off infected cells in the known reservoirs for HIV in the body.

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Melbourne-based Dr. Melissa Churchill said that HIV was known to hide out in the thymus and lymph tissues, the gut, spleen, testes, bone marrow, but they have recently found that it also resides in astrocyte cells in the brain.

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"The astrocytes are basically the support cells - they mop up toxins released from other cells and maintain a really nice environment for the neurons to function," quoted Churchill as saying of the vital role played by these cells for congnition.

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"Previously, People weren't sure if we have to actually consider it as a genuine viral reservoir, but it is," she added.

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Churchill and an international team of researchers used latest in high-powered microscopes to examine brain tissue from HIV-Positive people to gauge the presence of the virus in these astrocyte cells.

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She said that it was believed that the virus had about a "One per cent" presence, but the research showed it was up to 19 percent and "very significant".

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In her opinion, the discovery poses several new challenges for scientists now progressing the work of finding ways to eradicate HIV from the body.

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"One of the issues of the brain as a reservoir is that it's quite inaccessible to the immune system and to anti-retrovirals," Churchill said.....Deccan Chronicle Article by ANI

Marry For Happiness, Not Misery... ......

Girls continue to suffer in a bad marriage because parents don't support them.  In such cases they must fall back on their qualifications and be truly independent.....

Most Indian parents, even the urban ones, appear to be suffering from an acute case of divorce phobia.  It's terrifying to see them brainwash their unhappily married daughters to adjust and compromise to a life of hell, boredom or indifference.  This disturbing trend of not wanting to support their child when she wants to walk out of an unhappy marriage, is everywhere.  No matter how modern and liberated everyone claims to be, divorce is viewed as the ultimate failure in life which makes every other achievement seem insignificant.

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Why is it that parents who bring their child up with no gender bias, instill the need to study well, be outgoing and independent suddenly act all 18th century when she wants to end a bad marriage?  Sociologist GK Karanth says modern parents are at cross-roads.  "They bring up their daughters to be smart and well-educated because deep down they want her to grow up and marry well, as these qualifications will be a prerequisite for certain matrimonial alliances."  But when she is growing up it is never instilled in her that marriage and not career or financial independence is the true goal.  Karanth also feels the modern man wants an intelligent wife who is smart, modern and progressive, but still wants her to be mild, submissive and "yes, yes sir, three bags full" variety.  His mind is ambiguous about what he truly wants.  This is where problems crop up as roles, expectations and fulfillment clash.

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Parents refuse to accept that problems can't be fixed and coerce the wife to endure a bit more torture, saying all marriages face rough weather.

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When a well educated, pregnant girl in her late 20s complained to her father that her husband was being both physically and verbally abusive, he told her every would be fine once the baby came along!

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Another mother thought her child was being ridiculous when she wanted to leave her cheating husband. "Men are like that, as long as he comes home to you and is being nice, how does it matter?"

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Yes, today's independent girl doesn't really need parental support as she can get herself a job and be financially independent, but at such a vulnerable and difficult time she does need someone to hold her hand and tell her that she's not alone.  This is where parents are failing.

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Even if the couple is simply incompatible and the girl is miserable parents don't want the D word mentioned.

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India is still considered to be a patriarchal society and a divorced girl is looked upon secretly as a failure by most.  Vineeta Shah, an emotional consultant says, "Divorce is stigma, even if parents are supportive they are viewed as a "fast" family with no values."  Shah says it is imbibed in a girl that she has to adjust, you don't always get everything, you need to give in more....

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The poor girl is so confused that it takes a lot of strength and soul searching to say, "I will manage without anyone's help."  If things get really bad, parents are there but they are reluctant to stand by their daughter.

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If minor changes and adjustments make the relationship work, go for it.  But if dialogue, communication and small compromises don't work then the relationship is not going to work, says Shah.  That's when women need to realise that now is the time to show how independent they can be without a husband or parents to hold their hands..........

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Sun Dried Wonders... Taste It...MEALANIE ANDRADE....

Sun-dried tomatoes are an acquired taste but once you get used to the intense flavour you will be hooked.  Just a handful of sun dried tomatoes goes adds a more complex taste and they can be used in a variety of wonderful ways. 

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Sun-dried tomatoes can be bought in jars, packed in olive oil.  These just have to be drained (use oil for salad dressing or stir-fries) before using.  If you buy them in a packet, they need to be reconstituted before use.  Soak them in hot water for half an hour.  Drain the water (use this for stocks and pasta sauces), and use.  Once reconstituted, they need to be consumed within a few days.  If they are in oil, they can be refrigerated for two weeks after opening.

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Here are two easy recipes to get you started.

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Sun-dried Tomato Hummus
INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas

1/2 tsp chopped garlic

3 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp readymade tahini

1/4 tsp salt

Olive Oil

A handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes

Chilli flakes, a pinch Parsley, chopped finely

METHOD

 Place boiled chickpeas in a mixer and blend till smooth.  Add crushed garlic, tahini, salt and lemon juice.  Remove and keep aside.

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Take chopped, sun-dried tomatoes and place in mixer with one tbsp of olive oil.

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Blend till a smooth pesto forms.  Place hummus in a bowl with the sun dried tomato pesto carefully landled on top of it.  Swirl it around but do not mix it completely.  Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with chopped parsley for colour.

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Chicken with Sun-dried Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

4 boneless chicken breasts, halved

Freshly ground black pepper 

10 sun-dried tomatoes, drained

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 zucchini, finely sliced

1 cup of broccoli florets

1 1/2 cups of chicken stock

1 tsp oregano

1 1/2 tsp cornflour

1/4 tsp chilli flakes 

1/4 cup cream

Pasta to serve

Grated Parmesan

METHOD

Cut Chicken into cubes, sprinkle with pepper.  Saute chicken in olive oil for five minutes.  Keep aside.  Heat more oil and fry onions till soft.  Add the garlic, zucchini, and broccoli.  Add half the chicken stock and let it simmer for fiver minutes.  Mix the remaining stock with the oregano and cornflour.  Add chicken and chilli flakes and cook till sauce is thick.  Lower the flame and slowly add the cream.  Blend well.  Season to taste and top with grated Parmesan.  Serve with pasta of your choice....