Apart from a mild case of SAD each winter, I am also faced with dry skin, rough elbows and heels AND limp hair once the weather turns cold. Makes you imagine a vision of beauty, right? But thankfully there are a few beauty products - and one natural heal-all - that keep me well moisturized, pretty and sane once December rolls around. And they are so easily available that truly, it would be incredibly selfish of me not to share them with my Ajnabee dosts. I’ll start from the bottom up, the outside in… Here they are.

KIEHL’S INTENSE TREATMENT & MOISTURIZER FOR DRY OR CALLOUSED AREAS - Part intense moisturizer, part miracle, this is what I use on my feet all year round and increase areas of application to knees and elbows during the winter. It’s also amazing on hands at night, you’ll wake up with soft, baby skin there too after applying the night before. As a former shoe model, I have tried it all for soft feet and nothing until this product worked. For an intense application, apply liberally and wear socks to bed. Sleep on it and voilá, your feet will be soft and cute, like they were when you were a baby! Available in two sizes, 3.4 fl. oz at $22.50 or 8 fl oz at $47.00 on the Kiehl’s website.

KIEHL’S CREME DE CORPS - It’s by far the simplest product out there, no fragrance, no fuss but I’ve not been able to find anything that is remotely as great! A simple body moisturizer that goes on smooth, dries quickly and leaves you ready to dress in minutes. And though I was a constant sufferer of pulling skin during the winter - that uncomfortable condition where your skin is so dry that it pulls and itches - since using this cream I have been hassle and itch free. Available in three sizes 4.2 fl oz at $16.50, 16.9 fl oz at $44.50 or one liter at $70. I keep the liter bottle with pump in my bathroom year round. Oh, yeah during the summer it makes for the best sheen on sexy gams… 

PETER THOMAS ROTH’S MEGA RICH CREAM - The full name is “Intensive Anti-Aging Cellular Creme” and it’s one of the few face creams that is not immediately absorbed by my skin. I’m from a school of thinking that enjoys a bit of glisten on my face, even under make-up. I have always equated dry with aged, old skin, so when my skin is radiant and dewy I feel like the product I am using is successful. If you are not from that school then this cream is not for you. But if you like dewy and bright, then stock up on this at Sephora, a 1.7 oz jar goes for $85 but will last you for three good months, used once a day in the morning. A bit less if you also wish to use it as a night cream. I personally discourage that since you should leave your skin to breathe during the regenerative night hours.

OJON’S HYDRATING THICKENING CONDITIONER - As someone with fine hair, who’s also had to color it for a while now due to premature grey genes on my father’s side, I’ve always had to choose between products that provided hydration, to preserve the color and thickening ones, to give my hair some volume. Then along came Ojon and gave me both. This conditioner is what I love during the summer, or while I’m traveling. But during the winter months it becomes a way of life, when I resort to using it as a masque as well, leaving it in for twenty minutes on freshly shampooed, towel dried hair in the morning. Rinse well, style and you’ll see just what I mean. Comes in two sizes, a tiny travel size available at Sephora for $9.00 and the regular 250 ml for $24.00. Try it out in the small size just to get an idea of how well it works, then switch to the full size for convenience.

And finally…

CHOCOLATE! - Indeed, that is my secret ingredient during the winter. It’s been proven to contain antioxidants, it’s heart warming and lets not forget all that great cocoa butter which is the best moisturizer both inside and out. The smell and taste of chocolate just seem better in the winter and even a hot cup made with soy or rice milk is the perfect pick me up, with zero guilt and all of the taste. Please stay away from cookies, M & Ms and all around junk food containing chocolate. That will only wreak havoc on your complexion and your immune system since it’s pumped with unhealthy sugars. Opt instead for some high quality chocolate bars like Dagoba or Vere, or even something less pricey from Trader Joe’s. Just insist on high chocolate content, low sugar and unadulterated organic cocoa where possible. N-joy!

Images courtesy of Kiehl’s, Peter Thomas Roth, Ojon and Dagoba

With the holidays literally right around the corner, you don’t need to worry about blowing your journey to a healthy lifestyle away! I’d like to give you a few of my healthy Turkey Day tips so you can eat whatever you want and still not go overboard. Also, an added bonus: healthy, low cal butternut squash gratin recipe!
When getting your turkey fix, try to opt for white meat
Try not to eat the skin of the turkey, this can add over 10 grams of fat!
Watch out for portion distortion - don’t deprive yourself, but eat a LITTLE bit of everything
Do not starve yourself all day, thinking you are banking your calories for the big dinner; you will most probably be so hungry by dinner time, that you will overeat. Instead, snack on fruit and veggies throughout the day.
Eat a bowl or two or broth based soup before the big meal. This will fill you up without adding a lot of calories.
After eating such a heavy meal, try not to dent up your couch. Instead, get some fresh air and go for a family walk a few times around the block.
Going over to someone’s house for Turkey Day?…why not make a healthy side dish for all to try (a perfect segway to my butternut squash gratin recipe)

BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 pounds butternut squash, diced (you can find this in the freezer aisle

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place butternut squash cubes and olive oil in large bowl; sprinkle with salt pepper and toss to coat. 

Place squash on a baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes.  

Melt the yogurt butter in heavy medium skillet over low heat. Add sliced leeks, salt and rosemary. Sauté until leeks are tender, about 15 minutes. 

In a baking dish, spread half of leek mixture over bottom of prepared baking dish. Add half of the roasted squash, and then top with half of the goat cheese. Repeat layering with leeks, squash, and cheese. 

Pour milk evenly over gratin. Top with toasted walnuts.

Bake the gratin for 35-40 minutes, or until the milk is bubbling.

Allow to cool, and enjoy a wonderful serving!

For more on Kanwal, check out her blog by clicking HERE.

This one doesn’t need too much of an intro. Just watch the video below and donate your jeans at a participating store to benefit the homeless, through The National Coalition for the Homeless. Simple. Oh, and by doing so you get automatically entered in the contest to win a year’s supply of Volcom jeans. So, you see how you simply can’t lose with this one? I mean, a year’s supply of jeans, to match all your moods and occasions, while helping to dress those less fortunate… Come on, we all have a couple of pairs of old jeans hidden in the crevices of our closets that simply need to be set free. And while it’s more difficult to give in today’s rough economy, there is a certain Feng Shui fabulousness in uncluttering our dwellings. It may even help us to unclutter our lives…

Give Jeans a Chance is a lovely new initiative to allow your old jeans to go to good use… And BTW, not only is the video hilarious - see minute 1.02 for instant giggles - but Volcom is a really cool, rock ‘n roll brand for boys and girls, women and men, even dudes and chicks. Hey, you don’t take my word for it, just check out the video below! 

All we are saying is give YOUR jeans a chance!

Images and video courtesy of Factory PR

It’s no secret that anyone with a clear understanding of more than one culture is bound to become a favorite of mine. I find the phrase ‘World Citizen’ to be probably the best compliment one can pay another human being, in today’s economy and age. AND everyone reading this blog has come to realize my adoration for all things Indian - of course never limited to just that, but definitely biased in that direction. Dip your toes in global couture and I’ll wear your fashions faster than you can say “Boarding pass, please”.

When I recently came across the clothing and jewelry of global goddess Christine Philip through a dear friend, I fell in love. Instantly. What it there not to love about precious gowns adorned with sparkling gems and made of the finest silks from the East? What is there not to love in mixing Indo-chic with a European sensibility and Western lines? Just check out some of the images on this page to answer all the above…

Philip (below left) is a gorgeous modern woman, born in the US, of Indian, Portuguese and German heritage. She has lived all over the world and those places where she has not lived, she has traveled to for work. Hence her totally global and international approach to fashion. A bit Indian couture, a bit Dries Van Noten intermix, a whole lot sexy goddess chic, Philip designs for a woman who is never a wallflower, never shy but always a star.

Currently, the collection is available on two continents, in a few shops. Through Philip’s own store CP Fusão in Atlanta, Georgia, at a couple of stores in Florida - in Destin and Pensacola - and in Bangalore, India at ISIS. But even those of us who don’t live close to the above mentioned locations can partake in her glamour and style by shopping online at CPFusão.com.

She presents three separate collections on the site. One is the Fusion line, which is caftans, brocades and those wonderful gowns that would be simply perfect for any special occasion, or an extra-hot date. The Fusion line is priced between $200 and $2000. Then there’s the Prêt-à-Porter line which is lower in price but still quite perfect for a glamorous night out or a holiday cocktail party. We all have some of those to attend, right?! And finally, the Jewels which are worthy of any Indian princess. With such gems and settings, my mind goes right to Arabian Nights and visions of a blushing bride wearing a red Indian lengha wedding outfit. Seriously, the beauty and details are exquisite and the price… Incredibly affordable at $100 to $300, custom made!

What I’m wondering is what are you still doing here reading my piece when you could be shopping for beauty and elegance right now? Go ahead, treat yourself for the holidays and give yourself the gift of exotic glamour, courtesy of Christine Philip. I know personally I’ll be getting a full hand of crystal rings and some Indo-chic brocade skirt (see below) for my New Year’s party plans!

All images courtesy of Christine Philip and Carol Leggett PR

After a long day at work who says you cannot cook a healthy and nutritious meal in seconds! We all know it’s much healthier on our waists as well as our wallets to eat at home. Also, sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than a home cooked meal. My Channa Chicken recipe can be prepared in minutes with minimal effort. AND this is a fiber and protein packed meal full of flavor!

For more of Kanwal’s delicious recipes, do check out her blog.

INGREDIENTS

• 1lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs sliced up
• 1 14oz. can of chickpeas, drained
• 1 small can of diced tomatos
• 1 medium red onion, sliced
• 1TB. garam masala
• 1TB. chili powder
• 2TB. mustard seeds
• 2TB. cumin seeds
• 1TB. canola oil
• Salt/pepper to season and taste

PREPARATION

In a bowl, coat the chicken with the garam masala, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cook this chicken in a pot with 2 tsp. of oil. Once fully cooked, take out of pot, set aside and add the remainder of oil.

Add the onions, salt, cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Fry this until the onions are golden brown. Add the can of diced tomatos and cook for five minutes.  

Add the chickpeas and chicken. Stir the pot to evenly incorporate all ingredients.  

Turn the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes.  

Enjoy this wonderful dish with whole wheat pita and plain yogurt on the side! Serves 4

ABOUT KANWAL

My name is Kanwal Ullah. I am a 27 year old IT Professional living in good old Jersey City, NJ. As some of you may know, I have a deep passion for healthy living. Most importantly, healthy living starts with what you put in your body. Therefore, my passion also exists in healthy cooking. When I’m not in the kitchen working on healthy recipes, you can find me at the gym or roaming the streets of NYC for great food finds. Born as the daughter of two wonderful Pakistani parents, I particularly crave the culture and food from my ancestors. However, I do not like the fat and calories that have crossed continents to get to me! My passion has developed into revamping our South Asian Cuisine to make it more heart healthy and figure friendly! Bon Appetit! 

I think it’s time to take a break from all the savory dishes that Kanwal’s Healthy Corner has to offer, and shift towards light, sweet dishes. Especially since the holidays are right around the corner, this is the perfect time to introduce light and healthy desserts! One of my favorites…apple pie! Yes, the smell of freshly baked apple pie, with the perfect amount of sweetness, can be the perfect comfort food! Also, not all apple pie can be bad for you. Follow my recipe below for a low fat and low sugar apple pie. An added bonus, leave the skin on the apples and cut them really thin, you will get added fiber and a great texture to your pie!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 apples of your choice (I used Red Delicious for added sweetness), thinly sliced with peel on
• ¼ c. dark brown sugar
• 2TB. of lemon juice
• 1 tsp. of corn starch
• 6 sheets of phyllo dough

PREPARATION

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the apples, brown sugar and corn starch.

Lightly spray a 6 inch pie bowl, add three sheets of phyllo dough on the bottom. Carefully align the apple slices in the pie bowl. Top with the remaining three sheets of phyllo dough, and spray with a canola spray.

Bake in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the crust has turned a light brown. Allow to cool and enjoy with a dollop of whip cream or vanilla ice cream.

A few facts about an Apple: One medium apple only has 95 calories, .4g of fat, 25g of carbs, and 4 grams of fiber

Nature’s perfect portable snack!

If you would like to have a recipe revamped or have any questions, please email Kanwal at kanwal.ullah@gmail.com. Or you can post comments here and I’ll check in from time to time… You never know, your next question could be featured on next week’s column for The Ajnabee!

ABOUT KANWAL

My name is Kanwal Ullah. I am a 27 year old IT Professional living in good old Jersey City, NJ. As some of you may know, I have a deep passion for healthy living. Most importantly, healthy living starts with what you put in your body. Therefore, my passion also exists in healthy cooking. When I’m not in the kitchen working on healthy recipes, you can find me at the gym or roaming the streets of NYC for great food finds. Born as the daughter of two wonderful Pakistani parents, I particularly crave the culture and food from my ancestors. However, I do not like the fat and calories that have crossed continents to get to me! My passion has developed into revamping our South Asian Cuisine to make it more heart healthy and figure friendly! Bon Appetit!

This past Thursday, in the midst of a hectic and very surprising week for me, the Indo-American Arts Council and its inspiring founder and director Aroon Shivdasani held their press conference at Aicon Gallery in NYC, announcing their upcoming MIAAC Film Festival. I point to my state of mind and busy schedule — which would appear to have absolutely nothing to do with the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival — simply because had it been any other upcoming event or promotional get-together of the press, I would have skipped it… But when it has to do with Ms. Shivdasani, the IAAC and films, how could it possibly be anything less than inspiringly perfect! Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

Surrounded by friends and supporters of the IAAC, which included MIAAC film curator and festival director L. Somi Roy, actress and renowned chef Madhur Jaffrey, comedian Aasif Mandvi and all the press that have so loved to cover the event since its beginnings in 2001, Aroon Shivdasani gave an impassioned and touching speech about the difficulties faced by the organization in this troubling financial year of 2009. “I can’t wait for the year to end” she confessed, echoing the thoughts that run through most of our minds these days. The year has been deeply arduous but it promises to fade out quite beautifully, thanks to this beloved festival.

The line-up this year includes some of the best and brightest of the past, present and future in Indian cinema. Among my personal favorites are groundbreaking filmmaker Anurag Kashyap — currently working on a top-secret project which bears the enigmatic working title ‘That Girl in Yellow Boots’ — the eccentric Sudhir Mishra who comes as both producer and director at this festival, the generous Sanjay Suri — I will never get tired of saying he is my favorite interview to date — ‘My Brother Nikhil’ director Onir, Indian cinema power couple Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi, the talented Rahul Bose, the ever mentioned and always ahead of the times Mira Nair and opening night feature writer and actor — known to most as our favorite ‘Daily Show’ correspondent — Aasif Mandvi. I can’t, of course, leave out beloved actress and first-time director Deepti Naval, ‘Barah Aana’ filmmaker Raja Menon, legendary director Shyam Benegal, actress of the moment Tannishtha Chatterjee, the ever-striking Sarita Choudhury of ‘Mississippi Masala’ fame and the list goes on and on…

Stay tuned for insightful interviews with the filmmakers responsible for some of the masterpieces in the festival. Among them, a long talk with ‘The Fakir of Venice’ director Anand Surapur which will be featured this coming week in EGO Magazine -- am totally impressed with it myself, the editing on EGO is divine and Surapur was a good interview — and a wonderful twist on the typical journo/filmmaker talk with the director of ‘Barah Aana’ — also referred to as ‘Shortchanged’ — Raja Menon. Of course, check out Sanjay Suri’s piece from earlier this year — in occasion of the opening of Piyush Jha’s ‘Sikandar’ which will also be shown at MIAAC as part of their informative Festival Sidebar ‘In Frame: Kashmir’ — as well as a talk with actor and friend Samrat Chakrabarti, who stars in Joseph Mathew-Varghese’s film ‘Bombay Summer’ about the delicate balance required in a trio of friends, when one of them is a woman.

OK, so what are the must-see films at the festival this year, according to The Ajnabee?? Well, I play favorites always, and typically chose films that have a personal connection for me. ‘The Fakir of Venice’ was a favorite of mine at IFFLA back in April and I agree with all who have called it the next crossover hit. Never mind that I found its director Surapur fascinating and stars Farhan Akhtar and Annu Kapoor simply heart-melting. Oh, and did I mention the Venice-Bombay connection?? Moving on, any film that Sanjay Suri is in becomes a favorite in my book, so I’ll be watching Onir’s ‘Sorry Bhai’ since I have seen ‘Sikandar’ twice already. But I recommend both and if you do see ‘Sikandar’ make sure to read this review on AVS’s blog to understand the ending. For a woman who is the proud granddaughter of a renowned and respected Shakespeare translator, I simply cannot say enough how much I liked Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gulaal’ which feels like his own version of a Shakespearean tragedy. And the fact that Kashyap is one of my favorite people on the face of this earth, well that’s just icing on the cake! Try to catch ‘Tera Kya Hoga Johnny’ by Sudhir Mishra for some amazing cameos, the Sturla Gunnarsson documentary ‘Air India 182′ for a sobering dose of the reality of terrorism — unacceptable in every incarnation — and opening night selection ‘Today’s Special’.

For those attending opening night, a wonderful chance to mingle with the filmmakers, click here for tickets. For the dinner gala to follow, click here. Either way, it will be an evening you will never forget. For all other tickets, info and a schedule of all films in the festival, click here. See you there!!

Images courtesy of MIAAC, except Anand Surapur image courtesy of IFFLA

If you have been keeping up with the ‘Woman About Town’ column on The Ajnabee, then this past summer you read up on the fabulous party that the ladies behind FilmKaravan threw for the DVD release of Nina Paley’s animated epic ‘Sita Sings the Blues’. Well, the wonderful duo responsible for that unforgettable soiree - as well as the official launch of the Karavan Kollective - are back and certainly poised to surpass the fun, food and wonderful star mingling of the previous events.

This coming Tuesday, November 10th, FilmKaravan will be releasing the Mira Nair produced ‘AIDS Jaago’, on DVD. ‘AIDS Jaago’ is a quartet of short films which quite simply explain the illness as well as highlight the stigma often associated with HIV, especially in countries where education of the masses is still a faraway, hard to achieve goal. By placing these individual films before the screenings of blockbusters in multiplexes throughout India and broadcasting them on Indian TV channels such as National Geographic, Ms. Nair began to create an awareness that she continues now in the US. We often look to India, the Middle East and Africa as places where AIDS education is lacking, but actually I am often surprised at the kind of ignorance about the disease that I personally encounter right here, in our good ol’ US of A! We may seem smart when we talk about condoms and safe sex but how true to our words are we really being when those lights go down?

‘AIDS Jaago’ consists of four short, yet momentous films by four well respected Indian filmmakers: Nair herself, Farhan Akhtar, Santosh Sivan and Vishal Bhardwaj. With such wonderful actors as Boman Irani, Siddharth, Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi and Prabhudeva, the films personally touched my heart. At different times, throughout the last couple of years, I have been able to watch one or two segments while traveling, or in festivals, or even snuck a view online somewhere. Each time, I notice a new nuance, discover a new gem and feel a different sensation. That to me is what a great film is all about, allowing the viewer to develop and grow along with its story.

But the party this coming Tuesday, at Madison Avenue eatery Pranna Restaurant and starting at 8 p.m., promises to be great fun right along with its somber and important message. Celebrities in attendance will include Mira Nair along with actor and activist Rahul Bose, Sanjay Suri - a wonderful actor, AIDS activist and my personal favorite interview to date! - as well as Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar and the actress of the moment Tannishtha Chatterjee. And of course, there are plenty of other names that are bound to drop by, if FilmKaravan’s past launches are any indication. I mean, just check out the guest list from their KaravanKollective party… Enough to make you book some tickets right this minute, ain’t it?!

SOOOO, what are you waiting for?? Click on this link and purchase your very inexpensive tickets - $25 in advance, $30 at the door - your passes to the chance to mingle with some great talents and celebrities… All the while supporting a wonderfully worthy cause.

Check out the ‘AIDS Jaago’ trailer below, for a teaser…

Chicken is such a great protein to cook with. When bought skinless, it is a pretty lean piece of protein. Even a serving of skinless chicken thighs ranks in at about 120 calories and less than 7 grams of fat. I’ve decided to put an unusual, yet tasty twist to my usual masala chicken. Usually, I will marinate my chicken in lemon juice or white vinegar. The acids aid in tenderizing the meat. Sure, this time I did marinate my chicken with an acid; however I used balsamic vinegar in place of white vinegar or lemon juice. The result….a phenomenal, rich tasting chicken. The balsamic vinegar added a slight sweetness and not only tenderized the chicken as needed, but also brought out the deep flavors of cumin and garam masala. This is definitely a different way of seasoning chicken that leads to such great flavor. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• One pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1tsp. of salt
• 2tsp. of freshly ground black pepper
• 2TB. of cumin powder
• 2tsp. of turmeric powder
• 1tsp. of chili powder
• 1TB. of garam masala
• 1/2c of balsamic vinegar

PREPARATION

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Combine all ingredients except for the chicken in a bowl. Once thoroughly combined, add the chicken and coat with vinegar mixture. Place chicken in an oven baked dish and bake for 40 minutes.

Allow to cool before serving.

This recipe serves 4.

BONUS: Use the juices in the baked dish as a dressing for shredded cabbage salad!

ABOUT KANWAL

My name is Kanwal Ullah. I am a 27 year old IT Professional living in good old Jersey City, NJ. As some of you may know, I have a deep passion for healthy living. Most importantly, healthy living starts with what you put in your body. Therefore, my passion also exists in healthy cooking. When I’m not in the kitchen working on healthy recipes, you can find me at the gym or roaming the streets of NYC for great food finds. Born as the daughter of two wonderful Pakistani parents, I particularly crave the culture and food from my ancestors. However, I do not like the fat and calories that have crossed continents to get to me! My passion has developed into revamping our South Asian Cuisine to make it more heart healthy and figure friendly! Bon Appetit!