Happy New Year

Christmas and New Year are knocking at the door... It's the time of the year to be joyful and merry. Enjoy the spirit of the season and wish your friends, family, acquaintances a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. - Charles Dickens

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. - Harlan Miller

Happy Thanksgiving Day

He who thanks but with the lips

Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving

Comes from the heart.

- J.A. Shedd

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! - William Shakespeare

Some hindi quotes -

on shri sainathaya namah,
sai nath aap mujhe is duniya mein leke aaye shukriya...
mujhe aise maa baap diye jo kisi bhagwan se kam nahi hai...shukriya
mujhe zindagi mein khushi di...shukriya
kisi cheez ki kami nahi hone di.... shukriya
mere har dukh ko durr kiya aur kar rahe hai..shukriya
mujhe pyar kiya..mujhe apnaya....shukriya
meri galtiyon ko maaf kiya..shukriya
mujhe dusra mauka diya...shukriya
mujhe himmat di,sahayata ki...shukriya
aapko jitna shukriya bolun kam hai....par shukriya sainath ki aapki kripa mujhpe hai sainath..
yahi kripa banaye rakhna sainath.....
shukriya baba

- Unknown

God bless the whole world, no exceptions!

Dry Fruits Barfi

When I got married, I didn't know cooking much. So obviously I didn't have any idea about cooking on the festivals and different occasions. I was very lucky to have my mother-in-law who used to cook a lot and have a great knowledge on everything. She makes different kinds of food and sweets on different occasions.  She is a great inspiration to me. We always did puja with her on every diwali.

This was the first time when we did puja separately in our house. So, I didn't have any plan or idea what to do. My mother-in-law guided me for what things I need and how to do puja. When I thought about sweets, I remember she made sweets at home only. So, I thought I should give a try this time.

I searched on the internet and I got the recipe for Dry Fruits Barfi. But, my plan was to make sweets with things available at home. I didn't have time to go out and buy something. So, I changed the ingredients and made the sweets.

Ingredients :

1 cup dry pitted dates

1/4 cup dry figs

1 cup almonds

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup raisins

Ghee as required

Method :

1. Chop the dates and figs in very small pieces. Also chop the almonds and walnuts finely.
2. Grease one tray and put it aside.
3. In kadai (wide pan), put 2 tbsp ghee and put all the dry fruits.
4. Mix them thoroughly. Put some more ghee if needed.
5. Dates and figs will melt and become sticky. Stir continuously and cook it till all the ingredients bind together.
6. Transfer the mixture to the greased tray and flatten with knife or spoon making it smooth.
7. Let it cool for 1/2 an hour and then cut into square shapes. Store them in tight container.

I liked this recipe as it is healthy and full of fibers & antioxidants and also is nutrients rich. It is naturally sweet so there is no need to add sugar. My husband liked it very much. He said I'll finish this before anyone eats. For me, it  was a good experience. I love it. :)

Happy Deepawali

May God shower his

choicest blessings on you.

Wishing you happiness, good

health & a great year ahead…

Happy Diwali…

Sending you smiles for every

moment of your special day,

Have a wonderful time & Happy Diwali.

Oh My God (2012)

Today, I watched a movie Oh My God (2012 film) and I liked the movie very much. Every one acted very well in the movie and I liked the role of Kanjibhai Lalji Mehta (Kanji Bhai) played by Paresh Rawal. Paresh Rawal is a great actor. Mithun Chakraborty has played a very different role and he was also good. Akshay Kumar was in the role of modern Krishna and he also performed very well. The story and subject of the story were also impressive.

I like theme based movies. This movie was message to all the people in this world, that how today most of the people make use of the religion and have made it their businesses. The people are very superstitious and easily misguided by godmen (priests, pandits and maulvis). These god-men have made business in name of religion. They themselves are not spiritual and having any knowledge of religion, they don't know the meaning and purpose of the rituals. They just have made use of religion to earn money.

It's true that the people like to give money and other things to the temples, churches and masjids, but not to needy people. They are god fearing people, not god loving people. The God is everywhere. We should have faith in him. Whatever religion we follow, first we are the human beings. And we should respect every person in this world. Every religion teaches us to spread love everywhere.

Hindus advocate the practice of ahimsa (non-violence) and respect for all life because divinity is believed to permeate all beings, including plants and non-human animals. Jainism teaches us "ahimsa parmo dharmah" (Non-violence is main religion) and "Jiyo aur jeene do" (Live and let live). Islam also is a great supporter of peace and non-violence. It is proven in the article Ahimsa. All other religions also follow the same. Our great leaders like Mahatama Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Malcom X and Cesar Chavez were also the supporters of non-violence.

The drama was shown in the movie to question the existence of God and to attack on Godmen's selfishness. And the movie was based on a Gujarati play called Kanji Virudh (vs) Kanji, and with a plot similar to that of the Australian film The Man Who Sued God.

The Secret

Few months back, I was so much frustrated and was in depression. It seems that everything was out of my control and I was not able to handle anything. I was very much upset. I kept complaining about my life whenever I talk to others. Then one of my friends suggested me a book - "The Secret" written by Rhonda Byrne. That book changed my life.

I got the book from the library and read it. As I was reading the book page by page, my thinking was also changing. I started to see same things with different perception. My all negative thoughts automatically converted into positive thoughts. My whole attitude towards life was changed. I could feel changes in myself and I found that others also felt same in me.

I am not changed, I am the same person. I am following the same routine and am doing same things whatever I was used to do earlier. Still, I feel frustration and stress, still I have complaints against life and people around me. Still, I get some negative thoughts in my mind.

But, my thinking process is changed. Now, I am able to convert my negative thoughts into positive thoughts easily. Now, I can easily control my frustration and think ahead. Still, I have complaints, but now I am more able to express my feelings without any negative comments.

Still, sometimes I face problems. Still, I get frustrated. Still, I get upset. When again this situation occurs - I know, I need to read the book again. I bought the book, read the book again. After seeing my changed attitude, my husband also read it. He also liked the book. I also suggested the book to my family, friends and relatives. Really, "The Secret" is a great book. It's a must read book.

Here are few snippets from the book -

Two important sentences in the book - "Like attracts like." and "Thoughts become things." It means that most of events in your life depend on your thoughts. And I also find that very true. Really, the author has explained it very nicely that your life depends on your thoughts. Whatever you think continuously, you will attract it.

But there is no filter for want or don't want. So, if you will say - "I don't want to do this". You will get more of that. So, think mostly what you want and avoid any negation in your thoughts. It is explained very nicely that if you want to receive something from the universe, you have to ask for it and believe it that you will get it definitely. Think, ask, have faith, be positive and act like you have received it.

Here are few lines what I like them very much - "Action is a word that can imply 'work' to some people, but inspired action will not feel like work at all. The difference between inspired action and action is this: Inspired action is when you are acting to receive. If you are in action to try and make it happen, you have slipped backward. Inspired action is effortless, and it feels wonderful because you are on the frequency of receiving."

"Imagine life as a fast moving river. When you are acting to make something happen it will feel as if you are going against the current of the river. It will feel hard and like a struggle. When you are acting to receive from the Universe, you will feel as if you are flowing with the current of the river. It will feel effortless. That is the feeling of inspired action, and of being in the flow of the Universe and life."

"Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life. Be grateful for what you already have, and you will attract more good things."

Mushroom Capsicum (Green Peppers)

In my earlier post Creamy Mushroom Soup, I have mentioned that mushrooms are one of my husband's favorites. I keep trying different kind of recipes with mushrooms. I tried different combinations - mushrooms with potatoes, mushrooms with tomatoes, mushrooms with sweet peas. But, still my husband wanted something different. So, I tried mushrooms with capsicum, and he liked it. This is very simple recipe.

Mushroom Capsicum

Ingredients:

2 cup finely cut White Button Mushrooms

1 Red finely cut Onion
1 big finely cut capsicum (green peppers)
Salt according to taste
few lemon juice drops
1 tsp Oil

Method:

1. Heat the oil in the pan and saute the onion in the oil till it is softened. 
2. Add mushrooms, capsicum & salt into it and saute it till both are cooked thoroughly. No need to cover the pan. 
3. Remove the pan from the heat and add few drops of lemon juice.
4. Serve it hot.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

My husband likes mushrooms. I am not so fond of it but can eat it in small quantity. I tried to cook mushrooms in several ways but not perfect. I also have made mushroom soup several times, but not so tasty like yesterday. My husband and father-in-law, both liked it very much and asked for more.

I wasn't sure about nutritional value of the mushrooms so I did research on the internet about white button mushrooms I used in the soup. I got following 2 links and was relaxed that this was healthy for the persons who are not allergic to mushrooms.

Mushroom benefits and Nutrition with mushroom

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Ingredients:

2 cup finely cut White Button Mushrooms

1 Red finely cut Onion
10-12 cut Cherry Tomatoes
1/4 cup Coconut Milk
Water as required
Salt & pepper according to taste
1 tsp Oil

Method:

1. Heat the oil in the pan and saute the onion in the oil till it is softened. 
2. Add tomatoes into it and saute it for 3 minutes. 
3. Add mushrooms and saute it for least 10 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked thoroughly. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. 
4. Put the mixture & some water in the blender and blend it till it gets smooth consistency and a thin paste. 
5. Pour the blended mixture into the cooking pot and add water. You can put water accordingly as you want soup thicker or thinner. Boil it for 10 minutes at least. 
6. Add coconut milk into it. Also add salt and black pepper according to taste. Boil it for another 5 minutes. 
7. Serve it hot.

I used tomatoes freshly grown by my father-in-law in his garden.

Roasted Okra / Lady Finger / Bhindi

Ingredients -

1 pound okra pods

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp chopped onion powder

Salt & black pepper according to taste

Method -

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet or roasting pan.
2. Trim the ends of okra and slit them into two pieces. Combine the okra, salt, black pepper, onion powder and oil in a large bowl and toss to coat well. Arrange in a single layer in the pan or sheet.
3. Roast for about 15 minutes, until the pods are well browned, shaking the pan occasionally for even cooking.
4. Transfer the okra to a serving bowl. Serve immediately.

Kale, Tofu & Sweet Peppers Stir Fry

My hubby daily takes his lunch from home. So, everyday it's a pack of 5-6 boxes in his lunch bag. He wants me to give him healthy food - green vegetables, sprouts, less oil food, salad, nuts and fruits. Most of the time, he chooses the vegetables he wants to eat. He is fond of green vegetables and he gets Kale & Collard Greens mostly.

Kale & Collard Greens. I have never seen these vegetables in India. I didn't know how to cook them and frankly speaking, I didn't like their strong taste. But he had eaten it elsewhere, and liked it. I tried different recipes, but I didn't get good results.

Recently, he got one big pack of Kale. I was thinking that what should I do now. First, I tried to make Kale chips in little quantity. Not good. Now, what to do? I did a little research on internet and saw different recipes. Then, I made my own recipe with available ingredients and it was the best ever.

Ingredients:

5-6 Small Sweet Peppers (Red, Orange, yellow)

1/4 lb. block Tofu

1/2 lb. Kale leaves

1 Small Onion

1 tbsp Canola Oil

1 tbsp Soy Sauce

1 tbsp Vinegar

1 tsp Sesame Seeds

Salt as per taste

Method:

1. Wash the Kale leaves. Chop them and blanch them. (Blanching method - boil the water and put chopped kale into it for 3 min., drain all the water and then wash kale again with cold icy water.)
2. Chop tofu in small cubes, chop the onion and pepper in small pieces. 
3. Heat oil in the pan and put the sesame seeds into it. Once seeds are sizzled, stir in the onion. Cook the  onion till it is golden in color. Stir in peppers and cook it for 2-3 min. Stir in tofu and let pepper and tofu cooked nicely.
4. Put the blanched kale and salt into it and cook it for 3-4 min more. Mix in the soy sauce and vinegar into it and cook for more 1-2 min.
5. Serve it immediately with rotis or paranthas.

Comments: - Earlier, I didn't like to eat kale because of its strong flavor. But with this recipe, its strong flavor is reduced and now it is edible. I liked that.

Mother's Day

13 May 2012, Mother's Day. Whole world was celebrating mother's day. But for me, this mother's day was very very special. This was the day, when my mother was born. And also this was the day, when I became mother first time. I had to celebrate this day.

My mother has three sons & two daughters, and I am 4th one. But I am very far away from her. I am in US and she is in India. I haven't met her since 4 years. I hope I will go to meet her sooner. I miss her very much. She is a very nice lady and I am happy that she has got nice daughters-in-law too. They all respect her very much and she also considers them as her daughters. She is an introvert person and talks very less, but she and I share a lot of talks on phone. 13 May is her birthday too. So, I wish my mother Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday.

I also wish my mother-in-law Happy Mother's Day. She is opposite to my mother. She is an extrovert person and also enjoys talking on different things. She is very knowledgeable person and she is there to help every person any time. I respect her very much and she is also nice to me. She loves her grandsons very much and always ready to take care of them.

13 May 2006 was the day when I gave birth to my first son and became a mother. Now, I have two sons and I feel very proud of them. I also celebrated my son's birthday. I wish my son Happy Birthday and myself Happy Mother's Day too. I am very proud and thank God for blessing me with two great mothers and two lovely & affectionate sons.

I wish all the mothers in this world a very Happy Mother's Day. :)

Introduction

Why am I starting this new blog when I have already 2 blogs? Actually those blogs are very specific. I have started this blog to share my personal thoughts, memories and experiences in my life. I am not a great writer and am not expecting any recognition from any one. This is just a way to express my feelings, views and ideas, sharing my joyful moments. And also I want to collect my all work here on this blog page.

I have other works - GFCF Rasoi specific for GFCF (Gluten Free Casein Free) diet and My Experiences With Autism specific on Autism and experiences with my eldest son.

This blog is for me only and I can write anything whatever I want, including above specific topics.