True love reaches through different channels

I happen to watch classic Amar Prem where the Rajesh Khanna portrays a character of a man caught in loveless marriage who comes alive with a prostitute played beautifully by Sharmila Tagore. Her life too had been a book of unfateful incidents all pushing her into a marshy life again. She gets thrown out of her previous marriage due to infertility.

It so turns out that the two bereaved soul find solace in each other's company.  She develops a liking for a neighbourhood boy called Nandu on whom she showers her  motherly love. These two plots beautifully merge to convey the central theme-Love will find its own way to reach you, if it is yours.

Isn't it true that we sometimes get respect, love, a strange feeling of closeness from people other than the ones we are closely involved with? That nameless relation needs to be cherished and expressed! It was in our destiny that we got it.

My own mother-in-law never spoke a word of affection to me. It was in her nature to neither live nor let live. But I experienced this love from my friend's mother-in-law who happen to be fond of me and visits me often and showers me with her blessings. I feel grateful for what is in my part came to me, albiet, different medium.

This channel needs to be appreciated and one needs to have open heart to collect all the love that comes your way from various channels. I believe this is ordained by god. He wishes to deliver things differently. We all are looking for that one common thread called Love.  Therefore, our lives are bound to intersect.There is no dearth of love in this Universe. What belongs to you, will come to you. Stay positive, and show willingness to absorb the best from people. You will get nothing but the best. 

Whole Wheat Eggless Biscuits

Love for baking continues. I tried making atta (whole wheat) biscuits for my son who devoured them within an hour of its making.

Baking is a healthy option for all esp. kids. They start taking interest in home made food and relishing it. My son gets excited every time I try a new recipe that's where motivation stems from.

Last night we baked...



Atta+Butter+sugar+baking powder



Toys of my son used as cookie cutter


 Crumbling texture



Cookies cut out from the dough which was rolled out and flattened like a chapati



Jar full of cookies are ready !

Happy Baking!

Healthy Walnut and Dates whole wheat Cake (Eggless)

My son is born with sweet tooth. Yes, he loves sweets, cakes, ice-creams, choclates, sugar. Anything edible which is sweet is of his interest. Since infancy, he has had a strong penchant for sweets. The next thing I did as his mother is learn how to bake cakes. Be it Chrismas, New Year, or any random day, I bake this cake which vanishes within hour of its making.

This recipe is for 1/2 kg cake. (adjust given quantity as per you your baking container. Reduce quantity if the conatiner is small or else it will lead to overflow.)

Abbreviations used-
tsp-teaspoon
tbsp-tablespoon

Ingredients-
 (Wet)

Olive oil                 1/3 cup
Milk                        1 cup
Vanilla extract         tsp
Dates                        15 to 20 seedless dates chopped and soaked in warm milk for 1/2 an hour
Walnuts                    3 to 4, better crunch if pre-roasted in butter

(Dry)
Whole Wheat flour  1 cup (I prefer whole wheat than Maida for its nutrional content)
Sugar                        3/4 cup powdered
Baking powder       1 tsp
Baking soda              1/2 tsp

OTG( adjust the temp and time as per your baking equipment).

1. Sift the dry ingredients thrice to incorporate air into the dry mixture
2. Mix all the wet ingredients and stir gently (soaked dates+olive+vanilla)
3. Mix dry with wet ingredients. Then, blend with cut and fold method (as shown in the reference video from youtube) to incorporate air into the batter. (DO NOT OVERMIX.)
4. Sprinkle the walnuts on top. It can be added while mixing dry and wet ingredients step too.

BAKE at pre-heated oven at 180 degree celcius for about 35-40 mins or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Happy Baking ☺

Healthy body needs healthy food

Today I am going to share how healthy I make my meals.

This is a salad of broccoli, beetroot, tofu, spinach, cucumber. Dressing is done with olive oil, oregano, salt to taste.

Consciously devising your meals is a must do if you desire a healthy body.

Park anecdotes

Whenever I take my kid to park, that is the only time I socialize. I meet fellow mothers and listen to their predicament which comes while raising children. It's almost fascinating of the variety of information I get to hear.

One such incident happened yesterday when a friend of mine who is a Muslim by religion  out of nowhere asked me a question I never really faced before. "Do you know why people are reverting to Islam in US?" It must be mentioned at this point that she has lived in US for almost a decade and had to reluctantly return due to visa issues.

Well, neither have I lived in US nor do I practice Islam by birth. I firmly believe that all religion teach us core values focussing on love, brotherhood, acceptance. Humanity is way above a religion for me than man-made rituals. I was wondering why she choose to ask such a sensitive question.

I told her I am not the right person to answer this question which needs detailing, facts to substantiate any claim made whatsoever. However, she came across unconvinced about my response. Then, she dwelled on teachings from Islam, navigating me through the genesis of the holy scripture, how a word can't be changed in it, to how she finds all answers to her problem in Islam.

I had the inkling she was trying to plant thoughts of conversion in my head for she said "we believe that every human is born Muslim. It is only later they 'revert' to Islam'. I am still unclear as to why such a topic on a pleasant evening was even discussed at a time when park held interetsing sights of children endless mirth and games.

I didn't enjoy such conversation, that's all I say. People should know what to bring up, where, and why before they bombard the other person with information which is remotely sought.

I took my son back to apartment as it had become chilly. Back home we snuggled in our cosy nest and enjoyed noodles with vegetables. All in all, time with son made up for a bad mood.

Looking good is a priority

Today, I am going to share my top five looks of the year that slid by. Hope you like it.


South Indian Babyshower of a friend


Janamasthmi Celebration: Mom, my son, and I


Ganesha Utsav


Dandiya Nights


Another Ethnic flavour

Which language to use for toddlers?

This is a common dilemma in every parent's head whether to teach Mother Toungue or English. Many parents force English words on children presuming it would give them an early start. Given English is a Universal language accepted worldwide, it becomes a natural choice for many to opt for a fascinating world of words which may or may not make sense to your little one. I did Hons in English and then went on to post graduate from English Literature, have years of experience in the language domain. Yet, when it came to choosing language for my son; I preferred Hindi over English. Shouldn't he appreciate the beauty of Hindi language before he learns a foreign one? 

China, for instance, prefers Chinese over English as the preferred mode of communication. And that doesn't take away from there growth, fastest developing nation's tag, achievements, does it? 

A friend of mine who has lived in US for over a decade recently returned to India. She told how Spanish people rejoice when their children speak in Spanish than English. There is no iota of insecurity in there heads when they allow there children to be close to who they really are. Even pediatrician in US suggest that appreciate your language first, she said. He would often use Hindi words to connect with toddlers, she told. Indians, on the other hand, are mostly fixated with English. That anyway will be part of there space as they grow up. 

Is there a need to stress over language  for children? Mother Toungue or English? 

What do you think? Suggestions invited!

Ten Must Do for a happier life

The last three decades I have lived, these realisations have made my life a fulfilling life. You can try too, it really works.

1. Sleep early. Start Early. Meditate daily. 
2. Develop a relation with the Almighty. When no one listens, he does. No need of taking weak and wailing heart to people when one has the source of power within oneself i.e energy from God. After the dialogue, one comes out stronger. 
3. Give. Giving makes life purposeful. Spread joy on unknown faces. Money isn't needed, big and kind heart is. Small Gestures is what makes the difference. For instance, Helping a pregnant woman lift her luggage, assisting senior citizens, even as simple as smiling and greeting domestic staff. The list of what one can do is endless.  
4. Try to be in Present Moment as much as one can. Vacillating thoughts between past and future burns you out. It's self-deprecating pattern. Avoid. Observe children. There focus is only what they see. They are born happy. Retrace steps to the path of  happiness. 
5. Pause and remind. Every one in a while pause from the daily grind and remind yourself about Death. It's an invincible truth. In the end, death will take it all. Then, the thing you've been worrying about would cease to exist. Look up and smile. This moment is all you got. 
6. Aim to be the best version of yourself. There are so many dimensions which are yet not explored. Explore, immerse and rise like a phoenix from the ashes. 
7. Pain is an indispensible part of life. It makes you stronger, changes perspective, opens up ways one thought never existed. EMBRACE IT. IT'S YOURS. OWN IT. LEARN FROM IT. 
8. Travel and disconnect. Once in a while, go to a new place alone and just observe how a different surrounding can be healing, caring, reforming for you. 
9. Share tales of joy with family and friends. People have enough sorrows  of their own. Cry tales bog them down. Shine like the Sun. 
10. Importantly, Practice Humility. let this lesson not come to you hard way. A tree laden with fruits is always bent. More you bend your head in gratitude, more you rise and gain a special spot in society. 

                                         Have a wonderful day friends☺