Did you check out the recipe of the week?

Bhajji (Vegetables dipped in a lentil batter)Bhajji is one of the most tasty appetizers of southern India. A medium-spiced lentil batter is created. Then any vegetable of our choice is dipped in the batter, then dropped in hot oil and fried until it turns golden brown. Best when had with chutneys and saambar (a thick lentil soup like sauce) as shown in the picture.

Obesity and Socio-economic Class Relationship

I don't know if it is just me looking in the wrong places or it is reality staring at my face. Obesity seems to be growing in this country despite all the diets and slim bodies we see on screen that promote them, constantly. There are more obese than fit people in places like shopping centers, airports or restaurants. And when I share my feeling of hopelessness or dismay, and the sorry state of some of these helpless people, I sometimes forget that the weight/health issue is most often than not related to socio-economic status.

People in poorer neighborhoods are possibly the largest in size. There definitely is a corelation between where they live, education, income levels and also access to healthy foods. The low income groups just go for the fast, cheap, and unhealthy all the way. Is there a way to break out of this state? I think this is where education should step in. But more importantly, this is where parents should play a part and make a difference. If parents are not educated, then what? Children should have the sense to follow good role models. If that fails, there are many other things they can do. Get involved in sports for instance. Move, be more active. It may stimulate their brains to do well in school too. It could get them to reason that it is better to cook and not buy food all the time. This in turn could result in the next right step.

Kalidasa's Ushavandanam

When I was a Sanskrit student in college, Kalidasa was one of the many poets I admired. Here is a line I often think about.

"Each today, well-lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope. Look, therefore, to this day, for it and it alone is life."

Kalidasa's "Ushavandanam"

A classic dessert for today's heat

It's been a long, hard week and being a Friday, I think I am done for the day. Just a couple things at work should wrap up the week for me. After that, I am heading straight to my favorite ice cream place in Media for that tantalizing mango gelato I saw somebody holding on their hand the other day while driving by. I couldn't stop the car so just said to myself another day. It's been a few weeks since then but today is the day. There's nothing to beat a mango gelato in summer. I especially love the one I get at Rita's water ice. I think they are the best in town. I make mango pie that's heavenly but haven't tried gelato.

Here's a recipe that will work.

Mix sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and chill. Then pick ripe mangoes and puree to a pulp. Test to see if the mangoes are sweet and not tart. Add a 1/2 cup of lime juice and then heavy cream. Mix well together. Transfer to a container and stir in the cream. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 3 hours. You may freeze it in the ice cream maker for 2 hours.

"Choice not chance, determines your destiny"

I often think of this quote by Aristotle. I see this as being applicable to every aspect of our lives. However, I'm not sure one or the other completely determines our destiny. Our situations are a mix of choices and chances. Choices are made consciously and chances are not in our control.

If I apply this to my own situations, many of the things I do today including my venture 'Vidyaswamyskitchen.com' is a combination of something I had wanted to do for a while and an opportunity, meaning a chance that opened itself up to me. The opportunity more or less sought me ought.I wouldn't call it my destiny since this is not a 'be all, end all' situation. It is just a hobby at this point. I can take it to the next level and get more serious with this venture or maintain it as a hobby.

A follow-up on the same subject except, it's for men

Oily, shiny faces are not something just women have to deal with and address. Men are bothered by it too. I am guessing they are turning to different avenues for help. They don't use powders or foundations, at least not the ones I have come across, so what do they do? Probably go to salons and other beauty care stores? Of course!

I read there is a new moisturizer for men with a matte finish that removes the oil and shine from skin. Which means there is a demand for such a product! Come on, you men are as vain as women when it comes to looks, skin, hair, you name it.

Being real. Finally Hollywood is changing its mind

Women have the toughest when it comes to looks. I do not like applying anything on my face except for some moisturizer. I do use eyeliner or lipstick. As a result my skin always looks oily and shiny. My friends get upset with me for not being trendy and modern, for not using any makeup and encourage me to apply foundations, powders and the many other things available out there. I just refuse to mask my skin and look like a plastic manequin.

What I read today was encouraging though. Even Hollywood is asking women to have the natural look instead of botox and cosmetic surgery, fillers and what not. 'Real' is really In!

Hollywood is actually turning away actresses who are 'unnaturally perfect'. Finally the pressure is off us. Maybe this is an encouraging piece of news to adolescent girls who are so much under pressure to look like the made-up Hollywood so called 'beauties'. Aging gracefully, the natural way is what nature made us to be.

Diabetes and sugar-free products

I have too many family members and friends who are Type II diabetics. Most of them take foods that have sugar susbtitutes.

I just read an article which says that just because a product claims it is sugar-free, doesn't really mean it is safe for diabetics. Sugar alcohols in these products are compared to aritificial sweetners but the sugar-alcohol are like regular sugar. They are not sugar-free products. The molecular structure may be different, they may have slightly lower calories than sugar but are still capable of raising blood sugar levels.

I think people should not be fooled by the misleading labels. I'm not sure there is a lot of information available out there though.

Nature's gift

There was a long period of time when I stayed away from coconut in my diet. Which essentially meant I just stopped buying it. So, for about 25 years coconut was out of our kitchen. The saturated fat in coconut is higher than any other ingredient we use in our cooking. But it is bad only when cooked. In its raw form it is the best for our health.

It was after one of my recent travels abroad that everything changed. I learned raw food is very healthy and coconuts took the lead in health benefits. So, whenever I get a chance I throw in some shredded fresh coconut in my vegetables to top 'em off. I make sure they don't cook along with the other ingredients though.

What do I do with my green beans?

As appetizing as they may look, it is quite difficult to make green beans truly tasty unless they are made with spices as in the Indian preparation called beans usili.

But here is one recipe I have found to be truly fantastic.

Spicy Sautéed Green Beans with Ginger, garlic and Sesame seeds
For a pound of fresh green beans, use the following measurements for spices and ingredients:

Blanche for about 6 minutes. Sauté green beans in about 2 Tbsps. of olive oil for about 10 minutes until slightly shriveled but still crispy and brightly colored. Set aside. In another Tbsp. of olive oil, add 1 Tbsp of grated ginger, and 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes. Add 1 tsp. or 2 tsps. of chili-garlic paste. Mix well and then add the beans. As a final touch, sprinkle a tsp. or so of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. Remove from heat and serve immediately.