About the Book How can our home support our physical health? How can it help to manage and reduce the spiraling stress levels in our life? The book "Become a Healthy Homemaker" refocuses our attention on the physiological and psychological interactions that occur between the homemaker or essentially housewife/wife and the living place we call home. In keeping society healthy, happy, well-nourished and balanced, the home manager plays a pivotal role, since she is called upon to be a chef, a financial wizard, an interior decorator, a doctor, a nurse, a psychologist, a wife, mother, daughter-in-law, friend and social worker-all rolled into one! The author Rupa Chatterjee hopes this book will be of practical use with regard to health & nutrition, first aid, interior decoration, time management, organizing household chores, cleaning house and keeping it secured, besides maintenance of gadgets. The book has important tips on energy conservation and interpersonal relationships which completes the happiness expected inside a home.

About the Author The author, Mrs Rupa Chatterjee has had her early education in Germany and Japan. After her graduation from the Sophia College, Mumbai, she secured B.Ed. degree from Sambhalpur University, Orissa. At Goa, she had the opportunity of restoring and redecorating the historic Cabo Raj Bhavan. Subsequently, in her capacity as the Honorary Interior Designer, she renovated the Raj Bhavan at both Bhubaneswar and Puri. She has authored several books including a Bengali cook book and a four-city quiz book on Orissa.

Preface Melement of modecome a key Lelement of modern life. Whether in office or factories, commercial businesses or the hotel industry, systems have been developed to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of any organization. Since this is so, why should the home which is the first and primary unit of organization be left behind? There is a need to organize the home front so that we are able to function efficiently when we step outside its doors.

For centuries, the role played by the homemaker-wife, mother and housewife has not been adequately appreciated. This job receives no monetary remuneration, there are not prescribed working hours and often the housewife downplays her role by saying "I am just a housewife". This is a sad spillover from the success-driven, money chasing Western norms that are invading our society. In keeping society healthy, happy, well-nourished and balanced, the home manager and home management plays a pivotal role, since she is called upon to be a chef, a financial wizard, an interior decorator, a doctor, a nurse, a psychologist, a wife, mother, daughter-in- law, friend and social worker-all rolled into one!

Istrongly believe that the homemaker/ housewife plays an invaluable role. For example, the child or teenager who is given nutritious and lovingly prepared food at home, will not be forced to live on a diet of fast food which leads to obesity and also malnutrition on account of the empty calories present in the food. In fact, Dr. Jyoti Sharma in an article entitled "Straight To His Stomach" published in the September 2000 issue of "Woman's Era" magazine goes so far as to say, "What ails Western society is lack of cooking skills as she noticed that in Frankfurt, Germany,..."women do not cook there. They survive on canned food, or they buy fast food."

I hope this book will be of practical use to both young girls who are expecting to set up house which is helthy looking for the first aid knowledge, trying to make their home 'happy'as well as to experienced homemakers who may also find some of the information innovative. I also hope that this volume will bring a greater understanding and respect for the many hours of continuous hard work that goes into the running of a well-managed household.

**Contents and Sample Pages**