Monday, July 23, 2018

Restlessness is the mother of my words

My fingers have felt numb from wanting to pen it down
My head has been exploding from holding thoughts unto my own

I went through last few years neither living nor loving
For my eyes weren't seeing or looking

While the sky seemed bluer while i rose above
The bottom felt harder when I spiraled down

I created life but just about missed it within me
There may be words to explain what it all meant 

But to me I was alive and well
Always springing forward not knowing the nature of a spring was to snap back

Everything was a resting cane that made sure i never got my balance
Lucky for me I could see it before I reached the edge

Now, all i want is for things to be simple
And the joy to be from within

And the only way i know to get there is by this
My words found their way back in restlessness 
For that I thank what has been and move to what could be

Thursday, April 10, 2014

What goes around comes around

It is an interesting thought, most commonly though used with a negative connotation, to remind you of the repercussions from your "bad" deeds. Let’s look at it this way, from a lifestyle aspect. It just says things get recycled, at least whatever can be.

'Fine Fettle' have these awesome snacks that are pure veg/fruits/nuts dried and flattened like crackers, that can be had with hummus or cheese or some such nutritious dip. And a single snack portion, a rather measly 6-8 pieces of 3cmx3cm, thin squares would cost you 3AUD (~approx 2 USD and 300+ INR).

Rewind 20 years. I used to hate going out in the hot sun to lay out some homemade flat chip-like-things to dry in the heat (I grew up in the southern part of India where there was only one season – Summer – hot and mild). They used to be made from various things from rice flour to bitter gourd to lentils - anything that can be crushed, dried and stored and later used as deep fried sides. That, if done now, would hardly cost anywhere near what Fine Fettle does. 

We used to be able to make things, although largely because of time-on-hand and lack of accessibility to readymade items like now, it did help save money. But the most unnoticed-then & coveted-now side effect was unadulterated, low-fat/low-carb/low-calorie, and most times nutritious options for meals and snacks.

We now spend more to eat lesser and lesser, and shell out even more to burn the little we ate - for the little we eat amounts to much more fat in our body now than earlier. 

Have you seen the runways recently? It’s all about lace my love. My fashion sense during my youth said lace was grandma-ish. Probably true then. And here again now, its "In". Same Difference. Its way more unaffordable than back then!

I can list quite a few like the above - Leopard print, cinched-at-waist silhouette, gathered churidhar bottoms, 'puff' sleeves, shoulder pads, marriage (yea!) ......

Back to recycling. So last 50-70 years has seen repackaging, commercialisation and trend-setting what was otherwise normal, everyday, home-made 'things'. Since our everyday is filled with ‘other’ exciting, stressful, meaningful goals.

And since I believe in the karma of circle, I'd wish to think it would go back to just where it started, in the next 100 years (maybe this time it'd be the men in their boxers, dhotis and veshtis home-making ;)).

But until then though, my friends, while we are alive, we are doomed to the Spending-Rut.

Monday, February 03, 2014

Wedding woes - Being one's own

Marriage is most beautiful (and tolerable) when you can be your own thoughts despite a surrender of sorts.
And thats the hardest to get to, though its about you, its the other that can make it happen, if at all.
While love and lust can ignite, its after all both the heads and hearts that step on it.

Rhaea: 8 years, Getting there... taking the ride, starting to love even the fuel stops, What say mr.R? :)

And did I mean the world to know - yes.
Did I not mean you to hear - no! It was a gesture, thought of as classically romantic. Else why would someone pop "Will you marry me" on a flying marquee up in the sky?! As if asking itself isnt stupid enough ;)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

I am your mom, sunny!

So my almost-4-month old looks at me
thanks for the la-la tap-tap, hey silly woman
And I am like
I am no singer
I am no dancer
I am not a clown
I am your mom!
Of course I am all that and more
BECAUSE... I am your mom!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Non Entity is Unkown and Exists

He: Why are you comparing yourselves with another woman?
Rhaea: Well I am not, but I am guessing your expectations of a woman, and maybe another
He: I dont and cant think of another in your place
Rhaea: Had I not met you, then?
He: It is now a non-entity
Rhaea: But had you not met me, you would have met that non-entity?
He: Yes, so there is someone out there. That non-entity exists!
Rhaea: :)
Rhaea's Dad: Non-Entity is nothing but Unknown; When you know it, it is an Entity; 0 gets its meaning because of the existance of 1; 0 & 1 become relevant because of the presence of something beyond it - "2"!
Rhaea: Am I now "0", "1" or "2"!!!
He: (smiles)
Rhaea (thinks): Even Silence, Smile and Subtlety can be as good a statement, as a statement itself!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Wake Up to MTR's Upma

Food for thought (this time, Food with calories, taste, look and feel - not Bach's quotes or rand's ravings)

Upma is a simple South Indian dish made of semollina/rava/suji, sauted with mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, green chillies and onions. It is known to be a quick fix dish when sudden guests show up at your doorstep (which did happen a lot in 10-yrs-back-India and does still but lesser)

Upma became synonymous with anything quick-fix, at least in the southern indian slang. Again if you are living my age and have a tamil connection you may remember the Mamootty starrer "Azhagan" where he is a hotel business man risen from scratch and called to preside over a dance performance. He begins with "Naan upma maari" = "I am like Upma" - as he would have actually been invited as a quick replacement for the original chief guest who wasnt gonna make it!

That being a little bit of insight into the simple yet fun dish that is Upma, today, a saturday and my trusted and lovely cook absconding, i decided to make something to feed ourselves - chanced upon this MTR Ready to cook Upma! Ah what a relief from Bread omlette and i loved me more for stocking it.


I am not trying to review this little one. But I think this is one good snack / breakfast item that you may want to stock for those rush hours.Not that there are many more ;)
For Rs.7/- the 90g pack serves 2 light-eaters (good enough if served with ghee and sides, taken with some juice/fruit/coffee)You just need to boil twice the quantity (as the mix you are using) of water, with ghee/oil, mix it in and cook in low flame for 5-7 mins. Voila - breakfast ready!!!
Nutritional facts Per 100g:

  • Calories - 411
  • Protein - 9g
  • Carb - 69g
  • Sugars - 1g
  • Fat - 11g
  • Fibre - 0.4g
  • Sat Fat - 8.6g
  • Monounsat fat - 0.2g
  • Polyunsat fat - 0.08g
  • Trans fat - 0g
  • Calcium - 29mg
  • Iron - 2mg
  • Sodium - 1.3g
  • Vit A - 105micg
  • Vitc C - 2mg

One tablespoon of ghee (for 90g) added when boiling would help the dish not to stick on the vessel.1tbsp of ghee = approx 15-20g has about 130-180 cals and 15-20g of fat.
Sides that go best with it: Coconut chutney, Onion/Tomato chutney, Pickle, Yogurt, even just sugar!



This is one serving that is giving me about 300-350 cals (half of the full packet + half of 1.5 tbsp of ghee) I had it with sugar, my childhood habit, piling on some 30 unnecessary calories :p But it was a happy Saturday morning breakfast!
Enjoy if you happen to try it!

Andh-a-aadi

After a hiatus!
Am I happy :)