Hello World! Its me again. Yes, the same old. I have nothing new for you. I know that happens time and again. I do have a few good recipes to share but they are such a pain to write, especially when you cook with approximation but need to write with exaction. Anyways I will tell you whats up with my life. I know thats a first, but I guess todays your lucky day!
Well to start with I have Conjunctivitis (I shall be surprised if you don't know that already). I am quite the sulker when it comes to being sick and I have sulked my way through phone calls and Facebook. Yeah, so I don't have pink eyes or any discharge. There was slight swelling in the first few days but that is gone too. So actually I am perfectly fine! But according to my doctor I am still infectious. And no not just my enthusiasm, charm and good cheer, she meant the disease. So basically I am all well but just under house arrest (not that I am really staying at home).
Yesterday I went for this modern Meena Bazaar, a crazy shopping hub for women (or as they would prefer to be called- ladies). Sellers from all around the region had come and displayed their wares (mostly clothes) and women were shopping like crazy. The whole place drove me crazy! Do we actually like clothes that much? Yes, we women! We, who speak of womens liberation and equal rights and personalities and all those fancy shmancy things. At the end of the day, we need clothes and shoes and bags and makeup to make us feel worth ourselves. Is that all? Look great and pull men? It depresses me beyond measure. But to think a bit more, obviously nothing else works for men. They need their women to be looking the part if they are to love them. Most men and women will protest I am going mental and none of this is true. I am sure there are a lot of us who aren't like that (me! me ! me!) but aren't there more who are. By the way the name of the shopping bazaar was 'Vanity Fair'. Apt, huh?
Today, I met a friend of mine for coffee. We do that often. Sometimes we don't even drink coffee. We just sit and chat about absolutely nothing. Like talk talk talk and never run out of things to laugh about. Other peoples children, common friends, common enemies, love, life, food, fat, coffee, work.... People have said we could be twins. Maybe we were!
Thats all of my roller coaster brain ride today. I completely know how terribly interested you were to know about my uber cool life. You are totally welcome!
At sunset, on the river ban, Krishna
Loved her for the last time and left...
That night in her husband's arms, Radha felt
So dead that he asked, What is wrong,
Do you mind my kisses, love? And she said,
No, not at all, but thought, What is
It to the corpse if the maggots nip?
- Preheat the oven at 180 degrees.
- Boil and peel the potatoes.
- Simultaneously boil the veggies. Make sure they're not too soft. Crunchy is good.
- Mash the potatoes. Add softened butter, milk and salt.
- Mix, mix and mix. Mash is done
- Add the seasoning to boiled veggies.
- Take a baking tin. Put the mash in and level it.
- Layer veggies on top of the mash.
- And finally put the cheese on top.
- Bake till cheese melts.
- Mix the veggies in the mash instead of creating separate layers.
- Omit the veggies. It tastes great but may not be the last word on health.
- Use paneer with or instead of the veggies.
- Add a bit of chili, either in the mash or the cheese.
- Make the seasonings indian- try cumin powder or a pinch of garam masala.
- Cook the veggies in red sauce before you add them
- Add a layer of bread crumbs somewhere.
- The possibilities are endless. Experiment!
Since late I have become quite picky about the books I read, and I am really glad I picked this one. (Actually it was handpicked by a close friend whose recommendation I can completely rely on.)
The book is a memoir written by Helen Nearing about the life she shared with her late husband Scott Nearing. Scott is well known in radical cycles for propounding and practicing the good life of simplicity, self-sufficiency, social justice and growth of the being. LLGF is a biography of man who lived and died on his own terms with grace and dignity. Helens words show how Scott was not only an influence on her but so many others and still continues to be. The book touches politics, religion, money, fashion besides more prominent issues like loving, living, learning and leaving. Helen’s narrative is lucid though I felt it became a bit too serious and referenced at times. Nevertheless, she is wonderful when she is talking about her love with Scott and extremely inspiring when she talks about her love for land (through homesteading, gardening, farming and cooking). All in all, the book is a beautiful manual which inspires one to come back to land and love with gratitude, happiness and contentment.
Rating- 4/5
PS- I wish to read Simple Food for the Good Life soon. Again by Helen, a recipe book full of vegetarian goodness.
PPS- The book is not published in India. You will have to order a copy online or you can always borrow mine :)
I close my eyes and you are there
I open my eyes and you are there
Oh Beloved! You are such a tease
Tell me where are you closer?
When I was much younger, my father often encouraged me take up debating in school competitions. Though his attempt remained mostly unsuccessful at that, I do remember an anecdote of his till today, which is very important for my definition of being an Indian.
I mean get a pedicure, or another such relaxing beauty treatment. A head massage, back/ body massage for a couple can be good substitutes, depending on your level of intimacy. But a pedicure tops my list for it not only allows you to get relaxed and clean but also talk simultaneously which is an important ingredient of a good date.Breathe!
The logic behind this is if you are happy with yourselves, you will be happy with each other. So light up a few nice candles, put up a nice meditation CD and both of relax into divine bliss. If you are particularly experimental you can try chanting or dancing meditations as well. But remember, all of this happens with eyes closed.
Go Back to School!
Take a class together. Find a short course which is either a couple of hours or if you think you can bear it, a couple of days. In the honeymoon period, a good idea is to take a class which interests both partners. Later on, to spice up things learn something about which none of you have a clue . Few fun ideas are pottery,chocolate making,wine tasting, salsa, photography, vegan cooking, yoga.
See the Unseen!
Buy a Traveler’s Guide about your own city. Then, mark out the things both of you haven’t seen. Make it adate by visiting all those places in your city you have never visited. Trust me, you will be surprised at the hidden treasures in your city.
Blind your double!
This one is for the daring adventure seekers. Fix you partner with a blind date and let him/her do the same for you. Then all of go out together for a double date. Don’t let the blind dates know that you guys are already together. Enjoy the comedy (or the tragedy) that ensues. Caution : Doing this too often can lead to pre-mature breakup.