Food & Loosing in family game night does bring me Joy!

I had predicted that what brings me joy will be food related!

And it was.

A regular Monday night, I came home, the kids were away with Sumit for some errands. I had the home to myself! (Insert Grin Cheek to Cheek)

After changing into my 'home uniform aka PJ's ', I started Rafi station on Alexa and got into the rhythm of the music and cooking dinner. Visualize this, music is on at a higher than normal volume and there is clanking and chopping and beautiful aroma's emanating from the kitchen. There was rhythm in the house, not just with the music even with the food. By the kids came home, dinner was served!

They all changed, laid out the dinner table and we sat down for a family dinner. The relaxing atmosphere whilst I was cooking made me ambitious and I was happy to make a favorite item for everyone: Bhindi for the little lady, Lauki for me, Green Daal-palak for hubby and paratha for Miss Chatterbox. And of course topped with Raw onions and chilli's!

We enjoyed our dinner together, chatted about the day, complained a little, high fived a little and played a game called "Don’t say No or any negative like not, don’t etc etc" My gosh, was it hard! I lost miserably, even simple statements like "Lets not waste food" has a negative, an alternative way would be "Lets clear up our plates" We giggled, we chuckled, they tricked me into saying 'no' way more times than I would have (I think).

Of course the evening ended with the mundane chores like clean up time, homework time and other regular evening to do's

But as I sit and type this, those 2.5 hours that Monday evening " Brought me complete and utter joy"!

Now think about what those moments were when you were just in the moment and really be 'Joyful'. Be thankful for them!

I failed and still won (I Think)

A long time ago I had decided I WILL NEVER DIET again. I have nightmares from my college days and been through that "body hating or shaming phase". I am definitely NOT proud of that. My grown up and more mature mantra for over the last decade has been: NO Diet. NO focus on weight loss but the focus should be on eating healthier, getting fit and overall upping the energy levels. It's made me happier!

As a mother of two young, highly impressionable kids this seems to be working well.  My husband and I "try not to" talk about weight but feeling healthy. We "try not to" talk about being fat/short/stubby etc. But more around feeling confident about yourself and taking care of yourself.

And mind you- WE ARE NOT THE FITTEST/ HEALTHIEST or even close in the vicinity of "Fit Person". But still, I very strongly believe in Being confident of your body the way it is, being aware of your food choices and above all enjoying food since it's a very important part of your gatherings, your family time. For me, it is the way to a happier self.

Having said all that, I have gone way off the path of getting fit or even being fit! All good, but just crazy busy with work, family visiting, kids and wonderful "work life balance" which was thrown out the window. Yes I know, the lamest excuse of them all: Life is busy and being fit was prioritized lower, way lower. But oh well, that's what happened.

Recently, over one of our fun filled dinner's, a girlfriend mentioned her diet plan which has worked for her the effects showed beautifully on her: In Short, No Carb, no Sugar, and just vegetables and fruits with protein's. I was so far away from 'my fit self' I said, I will try this diet breaking my decade old promise to myself.

After recovering from the flu, I went right in and Failed Miserably on Day 3!

It was too hard for me to be on that diet, my carb craving kicked in and my crankiness was insane. I kept thinking of food! And above all I just felt guilty on not practicing what I preach "Focus on healthy eating and not Weight Loss"

So after failing miserably at this, here is where I am: I am glad over that fun dinner, my friend told me about this no Sugar, No Carb  diet. Since two things happened.

One, I realized how far I had digressed from healthy eating and fitness overall.

Two, I am chatting with my friends , exchanging fun recipes and above all BITCHING ABOUT IT. Since Getting Fit' is hard!

My previous journey of "Getting Fit" had been the most successful ever, I was eating everything (Thanks to MyFitnessPal in keeping me honest), I was working out (Thanks to wonderful workout buddy) and most importantly I was giving the kids a run for their money in the family soccer days (Thanks to the kids vs adult games and our competitive selves)

Here is where I am:  My friends and hubby are continuing the original diet plan "no sugar, no carb, no white food etc etc". They continue to support me in my 'modified' version and I continue to support the three of them for their journey!

Isnt that what Getting Fit is all about: Getting the support, encouragement and making a move in the right direction.

A Dozen Years Old!

The days is etched in my memory, a dozen years ago driving in the snow for delivering my first born. I was amazed, dazed and elated!

And now here, 12 years later as Miss V turns 12, I am still amazed, dazed and elated.

She has truly been an easy breezy baby, toddler, kid, tween and now a wonderful 12 year old!

Miss V, Happy 12th Birthday!

Considering you have found my blog and continue to read my posts, I will still be honest but this year instead of my annual letter to you, I will highlight 12 things that make you super special!

1. You are wise and mature way above your years. I can talk to you like a friend sometimes, an adviser sometimes and sometimes like a mom and interestingly you know what role I am playing!
2. You can perceive others feelings with ease. It amazes me how sometimes in a gathering, you will just look at me and smile.

3. Your face is transparent at least to me, yes a mom just knows sometimes!

4. Your emotions run high and deep. But you are guarded for the world, and read point 3, yes to me you are transparent! Though as you get older, I wish there was a mind reader that I could use from time to time.

5. You are analytical, more practical than emotional. Which again goes back to point number, you are way wiser than a 12 year old!

6. You know which buttons to press to either get what you want or annoy when you want and above all you keep testing the boundaries. It keeps me on edge, but your sense of responsibility shines even when at times when I am exasperated!

7. You are a true foodie! You will try everything and are showing increased interest in whipping up elaborate meals! I am excited for the years to come to have a foodie buddy.

8. Your friendships run really deep. You will know a  lot of people, but you stick to your core of evolving young friendships. It is truly amazing.

9. Your ability to grasp complex scenarios or concepts is outstanding. It is really fun explaining you how things work and learn new things with you. You make me want to stay "current"

10. Your passion for anything sporty is awesome. This middle school year, with all your commitments, I know it has been lesser than you'd like, but I love that you are passionate about your passion (Yes, cheesy!)

11. You are not afraid to voice your opinions. Be it a dinner party, a BBQ gathering, a Dance party. You do however take time to listen to another's point of view and then slowly will adapt!

12. You are a beautiful kid, inside out! The kindness in your eyes reflect your heart. Your smile is naughty, thoughtful and always charming.

It is no surprise that a lot of the kids (young and same age) hang out with you. You become their pied piper! You love to engage with the adults and are cool to hang out with them, immerse them in your world and be adorable. 

I do understand you are at a tricky age- too old for young kids and too young for old kids. It will be a learning experience for all of us. You do love that big sister role and yes you annoy each other and me as a result! (Eye Roll Insert!).

Happiest 12th Birthday to you!

Life is good and beautiful and it will be filled with crazy ups and downs! But remember we are always there in your corner. Be yourself and continue to evolve in this beautiful person you are becoming!

My First born, you are a dozen years old and NO, I don’t feel old (yet!)

An Impromptu British Evening!

In case you haven't read, Chicago has been cold, unseasonably cold. Which I feel is the story of every year and we forget.

After a long dentist appointment and it being as cold as it was, I just didn’t want to cook. I wanted to go out and break the monotony of us complaining about how cold it is!

As I stood in the cold, waiting for my uber to get home, any "wanting to eat out" enthusiasm I had just fizzled out. So we did the next best thing: Cook and make an evening of it

Cooking is less science and more of the pure passion of eating delicious food.

Simple.

 Case in Point: A friend of mine keeps saying, she barely cooks. But her Paneer Makhanwalla is the best I have EVER eaten. Less Science, more of her passion of eating the delicious food she makes!

At Tagore Villa- Kolkatta

Back to this cold, dreary evening, Sumit and the Little Lady by value of association decided on the menu.

(Deepak means Diya, means rememeber when in Calcutta we went to see how Diay's are made, means remember Calcutta, means remember the Baked  Beans on Toast at Flurry's)

Yep, logic of association makes sense, complete sense ;-)

Flurry's Baked Beans!

The menu decided was "Baked Beans on toast" and headed to the store to get the Special Baked Beans needed for this!

As I got home and waited for them, mind became active and I was likeI need more than Beans on toast: 

How about a "British evening" .The menu expanded to

1. Baked Beans on Toast
2. Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
3. Which was to be followed by a Cup of Tea! (Never happened, since we have over-stuffed ourselves)

Recipe for "Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie:

Ingredients: 

For Filling

1. 1/2 cup chopped each
1. Carrots
2. Green Beans
3. Onions
4. Bell Pepper
5. Celery
2. 2 cloves Garlic finely chopped
3. 2 tsp Butter
4. Spices per taste: Salt, Black pepper, Dried Oregano, Cinnamon
5. 3 tomatoes pureed
6. 2 tsp Maida/ All Purpose Flour

For Topping

1. 3 medium potatoes boiled and mashed
2. 1 tsp yogurt or 1 tsp egg-less mayonnaise
3. 1 cup shredded Cheese
4. 1/2 cup Panko/ Breadcrumbs: Optional

Process for Filling

1. On a hot skillet, add butter. Once melted add onions, garlic and sauté till translucent

2. Add carrots, beans, bell pepper and celery, sauté for 2-3 minutes and cover and let it simmer on slow flame
3. Puree the tomatoes with the all purpose flour. Feel free to add 1/2 cup water for ease of blending

4. Once vegetables are tender, add the tomato - flour paste and add spices.

5. Let it simmer till the sauce thickens, taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Turn the flame off

Process for Topping

1. Mix Potatoes, 1/4th cup shredded cheese and the yogurt/ egg less mayonnaise. The consistency should be of mashed potatos.
2. Feel free to add some salt/ black pepper per taste

Bake:

1. In a baking dish, layer the filling first.
2. Add the potatoes on top to cover all filling
3. Cover with the remainder 1/4 cup cheese, top with panko

4. Bake in the over for 20 minutes at 375 F.

5. If you like the top crispier, feel free to leave in the oven for additional 10 minutes

Enjoy with the hungry kids, missing your Brit friends and definitely make a "British Evening" just because!

Fireplace and a warm hot meal with the family!

This was a true hit with the kids and Sumit also approved of this Pie! Even going as far as, we need to make again and admiring: Is this all made from Scratch?

Yes it is, please refer to Recipe above Mr. Hubby so you can make it next time!

Made from Scratch for sure!

17 years ago....

2 big bags, short hair and overstuffed Hand carry bag

That's how I had landed in LAX, pretty much 17ish years ago. I had a distant uncle pick me up from LAX, take the local roads to my "room" a large-ish studio which I was sharing with a distant acquaintance.
And here I am, 17 years later, taking an oath of citizenship in this country.

It is a bittersweet emotion, India for me will always be home. My true home. But US will also be my home, my grown-up home. As weird as it sounds, it is as honest as it can be.

I have  forged new friendships, got married, had 2 wonderful strong girls, established my career, traveled extensively, lived in 4 US cities, moved over 10 times and not counting the move across the ocean to London for a bit. It has been a ride filled with speed bumps, crashes, speeding and lots of smooth riding as well.

Recently on my planned unplanned trip to LA and southern California, I was nostalgic. Sitting on the rug of my old "real college roommate" and laughing uncontrollably with her brother, their spouses amidst the cacophony of all our kids, I caught myself knocking on wood.

It's been wonderful journey. As I reel with being the Citizen of a new country, giving up citizenship of "home" I feel the path continues on.

Welcome to US, again I say.
I can vote now. The first time in my life. I left India before the legal voting age and since arriving here have not been able to vote.

The harder part of this natural progression is the emotional side. My brother always jokes: Not required in India. I am truly on paper now, an NRI and I will need a Visa to go back.

Jokes aside, I feel growing up in India has set me apart be it the family values, the work ethic, the jugaad attitude, the chalta hain attitude and above all the love for Bollywood. I feel the new passport will not take that away ever. I will be as Desi as Desi can be.

I see my kids who are born and brought up here and I see they are more desi and more global than I ever be.
That will be the true legacy in today's world. A global citizen, what your passport says has little to do with it.

Stress week or Food Frenzy week

When I am super exhausted or just very stressed, I do one of two things, I dress up fancily or I cook fancily.
Considering I have no where fancy to be at on a day to day basis. I have been cooking fancily.

The last few days in my house have been the following
Saturday: Daal Baati with all Maru accompaniments! Of course celebrating the birthday of the one of the strongest individual I know had something to do with this

Monday: Indian Chinese complete with hakka noodles, fried rice, paneer chili, Gobhi Manchurian. Having kids ask me to open a restaurant after this meal was the best compliment I could ask for.

Tuesday: An Ethiopian street food dish called 'Ful' gobbled up very quickly by all of us. Me missing my mum and sharing food pictures with them made it up

Wednesday: Chaat Corner: Paani Puri, Dahi Puri, Sev Puri! Sumit saying that the paani puri is close to his Jaipur days! Oh man, I am in bliss.

I feel food gets us all together on our dining table, makes us laugh, cherish the limited time we get even more. As working parents with busy lives and busy work, we dont get as much time as we would like with the kids. So this is me saying Quality over Quantity.
The weekday evening dinners makes my fondest memories with the kids (YEs even yelling at them to finish fast sometimes!).

I am sure my family wants me to stay stressed so I could make more elaborate meals(!).
I am sure my weighing scale begs to differ though!

So what's your stress buster?

Seoul Welcomes you...

Driving into the city, that's what I read: "Seoul Welcomes You", not "Welcome to Seoul" as most cities with. This slight play on words, made me happy, I had a feeling it was going to be a good trip... and gosh, South Korea blew my mind (well and my back)!

Our trip was a sans-kids trip. A quick stop over en route to India! 4 days: A perfect trip!
DAY 1: 

We arrived super early and kick started by a peaceful beginning at Jogyesa temple. What a serene environment and the laughing Buddha did me in!


We enjoyed the palaces of "Gyeongbokgung", took pictures with locals in their attires and then enjoyed a colorful change of guard ceremony.

Walking around aimlessly and enjoying the subtle sights of "Hanok Village" including having a massive ice cream for breakfast!!! This was a highlight for me, it is truly a village admist a bustling city.

It was a crazy hot day and we needed food and more cold water and a complete meal. The 16 course Temple Food at San Chon. It took us 2 hours to finish the meal and boy was I thrilled!! Sumit did really good researching this place and this was a definite MUST DO AGAIN!

Jet lag creeped up and we checked in to our hotel and slept through. In the evening we went to check out the "Night Market" : Myeong-dong. Shopping till wee hours on jet lag just didnt feel right! Of course we did find the Korean Yellow tent shopping area!

We headed over to a Korean Bath House at 1 am.... and that my friend needs a post on its own. A 6 storey building with a traditional and super clean "bath house" experience. We came back to the hotel around 5 am and yep, you guessed it: Slept Again!!!

DAY 2:
We kick started the day with the "Namdaemun Market" and boy I could spend hours more without complaining. The colors, the street sights, the amazing trinkets left me wanting more!

 As always, tummy grumbled and we headed to a Tibetan place called" Potala" a must do. Some Chinese fusion food in, we headed out again to a "forest" in the bustling city center:

Cheonggyecheon: The stream, the breeze and the ability to soak our feet in the middle of the city was bliss.

Some silly pictures later, we headed up in a cable car to " Namsan" tower to enjoy un-interrupted views to the city.


Only when you reach up there do you realize how massive the city it. Some crazy love padlocks and ice cream later, we called it a night.

DAY 3:
This was our pre-booked "DMZ" tour day. The ability to see North Korea a stone's throw away, understand the history, the pain of the locals and see the love and want for unification between these two countries was just a sight! Hiking in the 3rd infiltration tunnel was so much fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
 

We then headed out to the "Gangnam" area.... i mean come on- Gang-nam style is a must see!
After a jet lagged nap later, we wanted to experience the infamous Seoul life! Party in Hongdae

We waited for cabs at 11 pm ... and eventually got a cab at 2 am... yep, and mind you we were in the most bustling part of the city... all cabs were already full and heading to Hongdae-
This was an experience.. and boy I felt old. 99% of the clubs dont let "Over 30" enter... yep... which meant, they chuckled us and told us "You too old" and we laughed sheepishly. I mean we took 3 hours to get here.. Some pleading and some begging later, only 1 club let us in. And we enjoyed some K-pop, some fun music and lots of college kids around! Nope, i felt right at home!!









And then... I fell.. on the stairs (My excuse: They were wet and slippery). Sumit says, I am too old! Oh well. Our night or early morning got cut short. And then for the next 2 weeks, I was out with a bruise on my entire back.
I could barely walk, I could not stand after sitting and lying down, haha, not possible. So the supportive husband did what he does best- got me a wheel chair and took pictures of the "Old Garima" and I coult not even protest. even raising a hand to hit him, was painful!

So day 4: for me was sitting in the hotel and enjoying un-interrupted movies while Sumit went for some fun trinket shopping for a bit!

So I left Seoul onward to India. With a back blown out, but lots of laughter, smiles and wonderful memories of the friendly people and "feeling old".

All I did was Chill!!

In the uber ride at some ungoldly awesome hour,on our way back from Manhattan to my friends place in NJ, the driver said" In NY the you can eat the whole world and experience the whole world"

And to think of it... it's true: Name the cuisine, it's there, you walk around in Time Square and within 20 ft of you there will be at least five different countries being represented. I Guarantee you! It truly is the "melting Pot" where you become one with the city and city becomes one with you.

Before my much awaited trip to NY, a friend asked: What's your plan in NY.
And I thought and instantly replied... well, nothing, just chilling.

For the time that we were in NYC and around... that's what we did... Chill.

Met our closest and oldest friends, played with their mini-me's and bonded, as always got inspired by our older relatives in the city, hugged a friend on a recent heart break, hugged a cousin on new love in their lives, laughed with our kid cousin, started where we left off with some friends, reminisced a lot and truly chilled. 

As I wandered hand in hand with Sumit for a bit in the city, I realise, the glitz and the glamor enamour me- EVERY SINGLE TIME. I am back to being the 12 year old when I visited NYC for the first time in my life.. and the charm, the heart of the ciry still continues to enthrall me.
As Sumit says- NY never gets old.... I somehow feel that's true.

To a trip, filled with chilling, to a city that never really truly sleeps, to re-energising, to re-connecting, to re-becoming young again. NY for me will always be.. a Charming City