Ridge Gourd - recipe of the week

Ridge Gourd - This week's 'recipe of the week'.

Children in day care

Looking out the window at the drifting snow I was for some reason reminded of the days when my children were little and still in grade school. Tomorrow being Monday and school day, it is quite likely that kids here will have a delayed opening or maybe even a day off. Maybe some will even stay home sick given the changing weather conditions, stomach flus and so on.

Neither of my children spent much time in day care. If they attended day care for a day or two a week, they would fall sick for another week or two. As a result, they never really got used to that environment and their system did not build the immunity other children had. So, when they were in elementary school if a child fell sick in their class it immediately affected them. So, I guess all those ear infections and stomach flus at the day care centers actually have a beneficial side to them. Children build a stronger immunity and fall less sick later on.

Elizabeth Edwards' death made me extremely sad

It also increased my admiration for such a courageous lady. She was successful in all ways except one, her marriage. She tried hard to fight her personal issues but it appears she couldn't reconcile. Her books are promoted as being extremely successful with a lot of lessons to be learned from every aspect of her life experiences. I should check these out.

Back on yesterday's dinner

Here's what I ended up doing last evening.

Went back to the basics. Just some Indian bread with a couple of sides. One was Okra and potato mixed vegetable, and the other was vegetables mixed in dhal with some mild spices. Finished it off with a cup of yogurt. Look for this vegetables in dhal recipe at the next recipe of the week at vidyaswamyskitchen.com.

What's for dinner?

That is the most useless question I have and get everyday. I make it a mandatory thing to cook during week days although it is time consuming especially on busy work days and when it cuts into my time with other things.

Regardless of how good or bad the question is, I need to cook. I think I'll have to travel far just to pick the right veges for this purpose. I may do it or change my mind on that. Will let you know tomorrow what was for today's dinner!

10 things for health and beauty

Hey, if you are anywhere around 50 years of age, check this out.

Two things I love

Sleeping and Eating. In that order. My favorite time of the 24-hours is the 8-hours of sleep time. I have also always liked lunch time. Since childhood I have considered it to be the next best time of day when I usually got to taste the different foods my friends had in their lunch packs.

My system doesn't allow me to overdo either. Thank God for all the restrictions my mom enforced on me. I can't take naps even if I'd like to in the afternoons. The theory my mom had when I was growing up was women can easily put on weight and become lazy. She would ask me to play with my friends if I felt sleepy, or just read or do something else other than sleeping. She had no explanation as to how sleeping might add weight.

The next was eating. I like to eat but my biological clock shuts even if I want to. I should again thank my mom for this. We usually had healthy foods in the house but in spite of that my mom never let me overeat or indulge.

Upto a certain stage I was able to repeat this with my children. Not anymore! But I am glad that they do have healthy eating habits and probably eat less junk food than I do.

Eating while travelling. What should vegetarians do?

For this one reason I wish I lived somewhere around India. Good food is available everywhere with plenty of choices.

This month during my travels I will be in a place, where I just read, are no vegetarian choices at all. As much as I love to travel and meet people from different cultures and experience the world, I am wondering if not having even one proper meal a day is worth all this adventure!!

Some herbs to keep you healthy

Here are the ones I use and like. Ginger, garlic, green tea. I use these regularly. Others that are as good are mushrooms, cinnamon and mint.

I only use mint in the form of leaves. Cinnamon in the form of powder or root. If you like fresh mushrooms you can use them as they are. I do not like mushrooms unless they are shitaake or one of those rare ones that come in funny shapes. So, I buy them once in a while and make cheese stuffed mushrooms or create this simple vegetable dish.

Check out this week's recipe

An easy, tasty recipe. Takes hardly any effort and is always a big hit at parties where you need to cook for a crowd.