musings and more

Inspiration comes our way in many forms- people, books, poems, websites, nature, places... the possibilities are endless. Here, however, I am going to list the blogs I admire and those that inspired me to start this blog. Cupcakes and cashmere This blog by Emily Schuman is all the things that inspire her or those that she thinks adds a special touch to life- fashion, decor, food or just life in general. Purple foodie This blog is by Shaheen Peerbhai, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. Her fortes include desserts and baked dishes. Kitchen konfidence This SanDiego blog, is by Brandon Matzek, who loves experimenting with regional seasonal cuisine. Veg recipes of India This is one of the few sites that doesn't make vegetarian food boring. Managed by Dassana and Amit, they have recipes of all kinds-vegan, no onion-garlic, street food, regional Indian treats and more. Global veg cooking Like the name suggests, this blog by Anuradha Harish, a home maker, is all about...

Hi Everyone Sorry for not writing for a really long time now. The whole of last month went in re-locating and getting used to a new city (Chennai). Found a new job there and so decided to move. I've not found time for anything except fixing a quick meal and doing laundry outside work. But I promise to work out a schedule and post a few new recipes soon Sumi :)

Sometimes, we get too caught up in life's mundane routine so much that we let many opportunities to change it for the better slip by. And by the time we realise that, we are already caught up in a web of spouse, kids, job, gym, chores. Make sure you do have your share of fun along the way and that you don't miss out on other important/interesting things/ people life has to offer on the side. Try these big/small changes at least once and see how that goes. Try a new vocation

- switch jobs, apprentice/ intern for a different role. Take a long vacation- within the country, outside the country- the choices are endless 

Start saving small

- for travel, for a music class, or for that car you've always dreamt of owning. Spend more time with your loved ones

- because you can never have enough of it Talk positively to yourself- I am rich, I have great hair, I am a successful musician, dancer... say positive reinforcing things to yourself. It will give your confidence a bo...

What do you see when you look at the mirror? Fat arms, wide hips, stubby legs? Protruding teeth, uneven jaw, slanted eyes? Do you like many other women, including yours truly fail to see yourself in a better light in the mirror? Do you keep wondering if only my lips were fuller, eyes were bigger, cheek bones higher...etc. etc? But when it comes to describing other women you think of them as prettier, more beautiful, one with nice features? Why do we traumatize ourselves like this? Just the other day I met a friend who said she thinks she has fat Punjabi arms. I think of myself as fat whereas my mom likes to describe me as curvy and when I talk about my cousin I tell her that she is lean while she thinks she has wide hips. Do you notice the pattern here? Why are women so critical of their selves? And why instead of embracing our natural beauty do we try and correct what is not perfect?                  ...

Recently at a fund raising lunch while introducing the US Attorney general, President Obama called her by far the best looking law-maker of the country. The remark resulted in a huge outcry in the social blogging site, Twitter. And following that Obama called up Kamala Harris to apologise for his sexist remark. Sexist remark? really? Yes, commenting on a woman's personal appearance in a professional environment is a big no-no. But then, it is not like he made a derogatory remark. Apparently, the same day, in an interview, Mrs O made a slip-up and called herself a single mother. Apart from the can of worms that might open about their personal life, I feel that there is nothing wrong in noticing that your female colleague is well-dressed or good looking. It is not cocky when a Shah Rukh Khan or Saif Ali Khan does it while introducing their co-stars on stage at the many award shows they host! Nor is it considered to be sexist when TV show hosts use similar adjectives to introduce ...

In a recent report , it was stated that widows in Vrindavan will play holi with colours. Really, now? I mean, more than 100 years after the practice of sati was banned? Surely this change could've come about at least 50 years ago. Why is our attitude towards widows still regressive? Why is that the life of a widow is still pitiful in modern India? Why even today in urban societies, some families do not include widowed women in celebrations. There are communities living metros who still don't allow a widow to be a part of her own son/daughter's wedding. How unfair is that? And they aren't invited for certain functions though they might be educated, employed and financially independent just because her husband passed on before she did. Isn't that attitude just pathetic? Doesn't the society who inflicts such humiliation on them realise that anyone could be fated to lose a spouse and they shouldn't be punishing the woman for it? That their own daughter or da...