Carry on Tuesday: Forwarded message

Now this is a forwarded message. I found it in Facebook and thought of keeping it here in the blog for gentle reminder on small tips to keep oneself healthy.


1. Walk for 30 minutes daily.
2. Eat a piece of fruit daily.
3. Eat whole foods instead of processed foods whenever possible.
4. Reject foods and drinks made of artificial colors or sweetener.
5. Start each lunch/dinner with salad.
6. Give your partner a hug every day before work.
7. Take a deep belly breath for three to five minutes twice a day.
8. Smell the scent of lavender to relax and sleep well.
9. Eat a handful of walnuts before bed.
10. Drink plenty of water.
11. Get 10-15 minutes of sunlight and fresh air daily.
12. Jog.
13. Run in place.
14. Have a greater variety of food. Variety means no excess of anything and more nutrients. Eat three different foods at every meal.
15. Eat slowly.
16. Have snacks between meals.
17. Watch comedy and add humor to your life.
18. Never skip breakfast.
19. Try to have seven hours of sleep at night.
20. Have a fixed bed time, preferably at 10:00 pm.
21. Increase your fiber intake.
22. Eat foods with bright rich colors.
23. Join a Yoga class.
24. Surround yourself with loving and supportive people.
25. Know that healthy food tastes great later.
26. Drink green tea twice a day.
27. Exercise till you sweat once a week.
28. Save a one year’s worth of living expenses to eliminate the money stress.
29. Have as much sex as possible … At least twice a week.
30. Do pull-ups and push-ups for 30 minutes twice a week.
31. Eat a handful of nuts 30 minutes before a meal.
32. Step on a treadmill.
33. Learn to cook and gain control of what goes into your meals … and save money!
34. Take a Vitamin D rich supplement.
35. Chew food thoroughly.
36. Avoid cold drinks with meals.
37. Take ginger.
38. Cut down sugar.
39. Don’t over-eat!
40. Don’t eat 3 hours before going to bed.
41. Fast.
42. Sit in silence for 10 minutes each day.
43. Play games.
44. Read good books.
45. Pray.
46. Meditate.
47. Don’t compare yourself to others.
48. Do work that you are passionate about.
49. Quit a job you hate.
50. Keep in touch with your family.
51. Do something good to one person everyday.
52. Don’t drink coffee twice a day.
53. When you feel tired, REST.
54. If you’re stressed, don’t try to manage it. Instead, take time off and relax.
55. Laugh out loud.
56. Quit smoking by smoking one less cigarette every week.
57. Walk in nature barefoot.
58. Spend time with friends.
59. Start a gratitude journal. Record one thing you’re grateful for everyday.
60. Ride a bike for fun or cycle to work a few times a week.
61. Read 8 Weeks To Optimum Health by Dr. Weil.
62. Wash hands with soap.
63. Avoid passive smoking.
64. Ask for help when you need it.
65. Eat calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese and green leafy vegetables.
66. Don’t sit for a prolonged time. Stand up and stretch.
67. Wash your eyes and face regularly.
68. Sing.
69. Dance.
70. Swim regularly in open air.
71. Take the stairs. No elevators. No escalators.
72. Remain faithful to one sexual partner to avoid AIDS.
73. Travel more often.
74. Wear high quality comfortable shoes.
75. Eat until you’re 80% full.
76. Cook meals with curry powder.
77. Take a 15-30 minutes nap.
78. Eat dark chocolate.
79. Eat wild salmon at least once a week (Omega-3 rich).
80. Forgive someone.
81. Call an old friend.
82. Eat oranges.
83. Sometimes, you need to say no for the sake of your health.
84. Take care of your teeth. Floss and brush your teeth twice a day at least.
85. Take honey to build up your immunity system.
86. Don’t sleep right after having a meal.
87. Don’t sleep when you’re emotionally upset.
88. Begin a garden.
89. Build your self confidence.
90. Don’t over-spend your money.
91. Volunteer in a good cause.
92. Do some strength training twice a week.
93. Eat one or two fish meals per week.
94. Find your passion and purpose in life.
95. Consider massage.
96. Don’t solve your emotional problems by eating more.
97. A garlic a day!
98. Cut back on salt.
99. Avoid negative people.
100. Herbs, herbs, herbs.

Thought bubbles on Monday Morning

Yesterday night I slept with a resolution: to wake up early. At 06 o'clock. So after many, many weeks, I put alarm on my mobile. I am not a keeper of resolutions, am I? The half-done tags in this bblog are a good reminder of this. I woke up today at my regular sevenish. Dum spiro spera. So hopefully by the end of this week, I will be reporting in this blog of a Saturday morning that begins at 6 in the morning.

It has been two days that my maid has not come. So I was making umpteen journeys to my balcony to look for her in my street. Not that she would deliberately skip my house if I dont check on her, but then the kitchen sink full of dishes was enough for me to wait for her. "rasta niharna" as it is said in hindi.:)

While I was slouching over the railing of my balcony, I saw the shops in the street opening up their businesses, people brooming their verandahs, landlady watering her road-side plants and the 90s bollywood music rafting in the air. I knew that song. Infact tell me any hit song from the 90s, I am sure I would have heard it and can even hum a line or two (some full). After all, I am a child growing up in 90s on the solid diet of these songs. But just by hearing that song, I was sure that some construction worker/rickshaw wala bhaiya is playing this song. No they are not those dual meaning songs that were hit then(like ilu-ilu, gutur-gutar etc.), but these are the songs of love and heartache, resplendent with Kumar Sanu's voice which screams 90s.  With few experiences of my own and with due research of my fellow friends, I have come to an conclusion that these songs are a favorite among the construction workers/ rickshaw walahs. You know, like every decade, the songs of the 90s fall in two category: the good one (like Pehla nasha, ek ladki ko dekha, kuch na kaho etc-you get the drift) and then there are songs like these. Seems "Bewafa Sanam"movie has some of the Super-hit songs.

I am a very lazy person. And when I am alone, I am usually very careless of my meals and skip a one or two. Instead of cooking even maggi, I would rather look for buiscuits to quench my hunger. Thats how lazy I am. Not a good thing. So today I  made myself butter-jam toast and green tea (whoa what elaborate breakfast :p ) and decided to do something productive. And here I am writing a blog post. Woh, I am a girl who knows her priorities right. :)

Picture from google images

As I am not able to remember more 90s songs, feel free to add more in the list.

Image Source: https://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/98133221v6601421-slices-of-toast-bread-jam-cup-of

One day

It is afternoon. And there is nobody home. For past few days, the weather has been awesome. Cool breeze with intermittent rains.
I have always longed for spending aimless afternoons at home with myself in a good weather but  work has never given this luxury to me. But today is special.
After endless internet surfing, finishing the book that I had been reading, TV-watching I lie in my bed. With my headon the end of the bed. From there, I have a view of the sun from the open door. The sky was pleasant blue with light super-white fluffy clouds all over. A part of me wonders how can such bright blue skies happen in the pollution filled metro. Afterall, I have seen such bright blue skies only in the beautiful, untouched hills.  But then who am I questioning on the colour of the sky of this big city. It might be the first time I am actually looking at the sky above.It might me the first time I have relaxed in the afternoon with no chores to do and no thoughts in my mind.
 May be in September the sky always wears this beautiful colour or may be the salubrious weather is the reason or may be today is special.
And the heart said a quick thankyou to the universe for small pleasures like this.

Kids perspective

It was a dark July morning. Dark because of the grey clouds ready to pour any minute. It had rained last night as well. Drinking my morning tea in the verandah, I overheard my niece calling out her brother. Its around 7:00am in the morning and they were almost ready for their school. They lived next door to us.

T (yelling): Apppuuuuu, come outside.

Apu (came out from their home running to his sister's side)

T: Look Apu (pointing her finger to the ground.)

 (in a mesmerised tone she added): WOW Snail!!!!!

*************************************

I was so amused with their conversation. As kids, we have such a sense of wonder for the world but as we grow old, we become so busy in the nothingness of life that we fail to notice the beauty around all of us.

This also reminds me of a poem I read long time back in internet. I found it apt for our busy lives and saved it. The post where I read it did not have the name of the author. So I dont know the author name but thanks to him/ her for such a piece of wisdom.

Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!

Authour Unknown

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.

My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.

My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear Music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so i sit self-consciously and listen. 

My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. 

My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it,  until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray. I say thee and thou and grant me this and give me that. 

My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. 

My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with. 

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from. 

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!

And it rained today

I am not a rain person. I have waxed eloquent my dislike for rains in this post . But then life throws you into situations where you have to face your dislikes and displeasures and you have to chew your own words.

We all know how monsoon has not been favorable this year because of El-nino effect and yada-yada. June came and gone by, July is half passed but we had yet to see a good rain this year. The weather has been extremely hot and humid. Everyday temperature sour to above 40 degrees. Add to it the extreme stickiness of humidity and frequent power cuts. Every night I cried for this cruel weather and power-cuts and every morning I prayed for rains so that at least we get some respite from this situation.

And just as we finished our lunch today, ZZ yelled from kitchen ( No he didnt cook the lunch. He was just there to put his plate in sink. I know there is no need of explanation but I just want to make clear in case doubts arise in your minds :p) "It's raining. Take out clotes from the cloth line outside". I literally jumped from my seat and opened the door. It was raining!!!! I danced my way to ZZ (imagine the bhangara and jumping singing "yay!!yay!! yay!! baarish ho rahi hain".

And I did the unthinkable. I have never voluntarily danced in the rain. I never have this urge to dance in the first showers of the rain that few of my friends have. But today I just wanted to go out and enjoy in rain. And did I have fun getting wet in rain? You bet.

I have never waited for rains like this in my entire life (may be waited for rains to go away) and I have never rejoiced its showers like today. But then one gotta face this cruel hot and humid weather to appreciate rains.

Am I a convert from non-rain person to rain-person. Cant say. But yes I do understand how rains are a harbinger of hope and joy in life.

Pic Courtesy: Google images

Love at First Sight: My Beautiful Food

“Bring the same consideration to the preparation of your food as you devote to your appearance. Let your dinner be a poem, like your dress.”
Charles Pierre Monselet (French journalist and author)

And what if the poem begins with the fragrance. Have you ever smell the waft of roasted cumin and cinnamon. And cardamom. And of rice. Yes rice.  So subtle, yet so strong.  Heavenly right.  I am sure no matter where you are , you would take a second long breath to seduce your senses. Hypnotised,  I inadvertently moved in the direction led by my olfactory senses towards the origin of this enchanting smell. In that small wooden table beside the kitchen of that cottage, right in front of me was the world’s best biryani sitting regal on the exquisite flat-plated glass dish. A glass bowl  of spicy mirch ka salan was sitting pretty beside it.

Oh, I was never a believer of ‘love at first sight’. I thought only blind can see and believe in such illogical sense. But if the rush of desire and radiance of ecstasy on seeing something (one) first time is the proof, I may well have experienced my ‘Love at First Sight’.

It was the pile of wealth for the hungry: enticing and so tempting. The aromaThe tri-coloured rice some of the long thin grained basmati rice have taken the colour of turmeric, some with the hint of saffron and some pristine white, was  interspersed with the choicest of seasonal vegetables. Well garnished with roasted cashews and fresh green coriander leaves, thinly-sliced ginger and green chillies lie atop the mound of divinity. The orange of carrots and the green beans were hiding in-between the flavoured rice along with the supple paneer and mushrooms. The pretty yellow and red bellpeppers were  adding vibrancy to the visual delight. Thin round slices of onion and tomato spread around the biryani as if a fort is surrounded by moat. The mirch ka salan was garnished with mint and coriander leaves. The transparent glass plate on which the biryani was plated was adding to the whole glamour of the dish.  The whole plate looked like a page straight out of food-magazine cover.

But just as love fizzles out if there is no inner chemistry, only outer appeareance, in the same way there can be this case of love lost. But love makes you yearn for more, makes you hopeful, makes you exuberant of your next step.

I hesitated to disturb the equilibrium of the canopy of biryani but then how could I resist my temptation. I served myself a plateful of the deliciousness personified. I could see the roasted bay leaves and black peppers among the rice grains. I can imagine how the bay leaves must have danced with noise when thrown in the hot oil with onions. And how heavenly must the whole cottage have smelled when the choicest spices were added in the hot pan.

                As I took the first spoonful of the divinity, I sighed a pleased moan. This was perfection. I have never tasted a biryani so delicious in my whole life. As I was about to eat another spoonful, I heard the jolly voice of my dinner host Kavi, “When did you come? Of course I invited you for dinner but at least you could have waited to say ‘Hello’ to me..” And she laughed. I grinned sheepishly and before I replied, I ate another bite and with immense gratitude of a beggar who have ate his full,  I  could fumble only two words “Thank You.” Thank you for accepting this glutton of a friend for this dinner. Thank you for cooking this amazing legen-wait for it-dary Veg biryani that changed my whole world. Thank you for making me believe in “Love at First Sight”. Thank you for introducing me to the world of Borosil.

       This post is written for the Indiblogger Contest "My Beautiful Food".

Oh the joy

Oh the joy when you find a soul who loves the same book/ movie/ place/ moment as much as you do.

So on our way back home with a office friend, the topic moves to the kind of movies we watch.

And she remarked ‘I readlly loved that movie of Milind Somen’.

My eyes sparkled with joy. “Oh the one with the curly-haired girl’.

“Yes-yes. It is my favourite movie. The only Milind Somen movie worth watching. He is looking so delish.”

“Oh how much I loved that movie. That movie has such good songs. Oh God, we spent beautiful college days listening to those songs and dancing away in them”

“All its songs were nice. Even the slower version of few songs.”

“I am unable to recall the name of the movie..But it was so ahead of its time. The narration style, yada yada..”

“Even Tanuja as Dadi was a good cast. Name of the movie ?? hmmm.."

And talking about the movie and humming the songs we parted ways to our homes.

Back home, when I connected my phone to wi-fi, there was a deluge of messages in the Whatsapp group of my college friends. These are the same friends with whom I have spent the joyous years of college hostel. I asked them the name of the Milind Somen movie with the song “Aise Pyaar ke naam”. Why google when you can connect to the friends who have the answer and the nostalgic tit-bit information about things. Same happened and friend A replied “Pyaar ka Superhit Formula” and this is the same song in which you used to dance in our hostel room. Sheesh! Friend M quipped “Rules”. And I got the name of the movie. “Rules-Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula”.

So many happy afternoons and evenings may be nights or mornings have been spent listening to these songs and dancing to its tunes.

I searched the songs on the internet next day and listened to it. To my amazement, I still
remembered almost complete lyrics of two of my favourite songs.

Here is to old time's sake.


Pic courtesy: Google images