How I may become a famous billionaire

This morning, I had my last cup of this incredible coffee, Cafe Pomarrosa, that Hetal had carried with her for me from Puerto Rico when she visited in July. The coffee tastes of vanilla, wet earth, and chocolate, all in the same sip, and it made me wonder what sort of passion would have gone in to it by mother nature and by its grower to create something so delicate, so pure, and so real. So, I, in my multi-tasking mode that results in to deadly distraction and destruction of focus, just wrote to the coffee grower in Puerto Rico after happily ordering two packets of Pomarrosa Gold from his website. I was actually thrilled to find that they ship their precious coffee to the US. I have to admit that this caused a complete loss of focus from the work I need to complete by the end of today - and, now I am blogging about it! Nevertheless, the destructive distraction felt so good - just like the sip of this amazing coffee makes me feel every morning. And then, I thought...

...if appreciation, admiration, inspiration, good karma, love, and passion made you money, I'd be a famous billionaire by now. Unfortunately, it doesn't and I am not a billionaire in my own right yet. What the heck, I'm still going to continue doing what I love to do. Who knows, someday it will make me a fortune on my terms and in the form I want it to be...no $ bills for sure. I don't quite know exactly what those terms and form are but I think I am getting there.

Enjoy today! Find happiness and passion at least once a day. 

****

My letter to Herr. Legner at Pomorrosa Plantation, Puerto Rico.

Dear Herr Legner, 

My name is Tarana and I am a good friend of Hetal and Apurva Patel who visited you from India in last July. From Puerto Rico, they came over to Los Angeles to visit me and my husband and brought me a bag of your lovely Pomarrosa Gold Coffee. 

I love a freshly ground cup of coffee in the mornings and I love well rounded flavors and aroma. I am not a big fan of dark or burnt roast and therefore, I loved your coffee very much. It reminds me of wet earth and chocolate and a bit of vanilla all in one sip. I drink it usually with almond or hazelnut milk and grind it fresh for every cup. 

I just wanted to tell you that one can taste the passion and love that goes in every bean in your coffee. That is hard to find these days; I know it because I am always looking out for special coffee varieties in LA done in small batches and sold by independent suppliers. 

Hetal and I are long time friends and she knows my taste and habits well. I am so glad she introduced me to your coffee and I just ordered two packets from your website because I am on my last batch this week. I have been savoring it slowly because I thought it would be hard to find. I am glad you are selling it online. Some day, I hope that my husband and I can visit your plantation in Puerto Rico. 

It is always inspiring to find passionate people like you who put their best in what they do.

Alles gute. Ihre Kaffee macht mich glücklich jeden Morgen! :)

Best, 

Tarana Patel


***
Herr Legner's response


Dear Tarana

Many thanks for your message. Messages like this make my life beautiful. I hope 1 day you will come and visit us in order to show you our coffee farm. Love to serve you our coffee in the pleasant surroundings of our farm and speak some german with you.

Nochmals, recht herzlichen Dank.

Hoffentlich bis bald

Kurt

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Colorful Jalapeño and Red Bell Pepper Paneer Rolls

Here's another colorful recipe (green, white, and red) in my summer food series to serve as an appetizer or to just enjoy as a spicy hot meal on a hot summer day. A light yogurt drink like cumin chaas or lassi or a fizzy lemonade are great accompaniments with this fun dish that reminds of me of high school days and street food in India.

Serving size: 8 medium sized rolls as shown in photo

Ingredients for the Paneer Stir Fry
1/4 cup basil leaves finely chopped (Thai Basil is even better)
1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves finely chopped
1/2 cup green spring onions chopped in to fine rings
150 grams or 11/2 cups paneer cut in to tiny delicate 1/2 inch cubes
1 large or 2 small jalapeños finely diced
1 small or 1/2 large red bell pepper finely chopped
2 green chillies finely chopped
1 tbsp. ginger finely chopped
1 tbsp. garlic finely chopped
1/2 cup Heinz or similar baked beans in tomato sauce
1 tbsp. oil

Spices for the Stir Fry
1 tbsp. cumin
11/2 tbsp. chat masala for marinating onions and for the paneer sauté
1 tbsp. cumin-coriander powder (dhania-jeera powder)
A pinch of garam masala (optional)

Other Ingredients
Green mint and coriander chutney
8 thin whole wheat rotis or tortillas (best if they are a day old and slightly dry for a crispy crust when pan fried)
Olive oil spray or 1 tbsp. olive oil for roasting the rolls
Maggi Hot and Sweet Sauce or similar to serve
Slice a red onion in to thin strips and mix with some chat masala; keep on the side

Paneer Stir Fry Steps

1. Start with oil and cumin seeds in a pan. 
2. Add spring onions and finely chopped garlic and ginger when cumin seeds begin crackling. Sprinkle some salt for cooking the onions. Watch the green onions until they become slightly transparent; don't let them burn or turn dark. 
3. Add the jalapeños and red bell peppers and cook for 3-5 minutes until they are soft.
4. Add the baked beans with tomato sauce and mix well. Make sure you mix with a light hand and not break the beans. 
5. Add paneer cubes and stir to mix everything well. 
6. Add green chillies chat masala, garam masala (optional), cumin-coriander powder, and salt to taste. 
7. Turn off the flame and add the coriander and basil and mix well. Your paneer stir-fry is ready.

Making the rolls

1. Take a roti on a board or a plate. Apply a long strip tsp. of chutney in the center.
2. Place a few chat masala red onions in line along the center.
3. Place a full table spoon on the paneer stir fry in a strip in the center and roll up the roti. 
4. Place the roti in a pan with some olive oil. Press gently on the top to flatten the roll slightly while the roti becomes crisp. Use your fingers and carefully turn it around after the first side is golden brown. 
5. Both ends of the roll will be open. So, make sure to handle the roll carefully so the filling doesn't fall out.  
6. Serve rolls with Maggi Hot and Sweet Sauce or a creamy yogurt raita with cucumbers to compliment the spice. 

Bon Appetite!

Traveling to travel somewhere cool? Come home with great memories.

Travel photography Tips For Great Photos

Phase 1: Before you Travel

Anytime of the year is a good time to travel. You'll always find a part of the world that has good weather and good deals. The key is to find the right time to visit a place when you can avoid crowds, take in a local festival, and get good deals on flights and hotels. But, of what use is a great experience if you don't bring back beautiful memories of your trip! The digital revolution in photography has put a camera and the ability to take great shots in every one's hands. Take advantage of it. With a little awareness and some planning you can have art for your walls, an entry to a competition, or your own personal illustrated coffee-table book.

There are three phases, in my view, to set up your equipment and yourself for making great memories.

1. The planning and research before you leave for your trip
2. The way you maximize light, your camera functions, and basic shooting techniques while you are traveling
3. The way you organize and compile your photos when you return to create meaningful memories to share and treasure

Here's a list of things to remember before you embark on your journey. 

Phase 1: Before you Travel

A few of my favorite things...

• Get Power: Charge batteries; keep extra ones. Carry them along, don't leave them in your hotel room.
• Get Set-up: A good sturdy camera strap, a camera case for point-and-shoot cameras with space for extra batteries, a lightweight tripod for ambitious photographers, and a lint cloth to clean your lens - there are some basic things you need to be carrying in your backpack. In my view, Lowepro makes the best camera backpacks while Caselogic has the cases for most gadgets.
• Get Memory: The same goes for memory cards. You should have at least one extra card with you that you don't carry along. I often switch between cards every other day and don't carry all my cards with me when I am sightseeing. If you lose a card, you lose all your lovely memories. So guard them well, don't fill them up all the way and format them completely BEFORE you start using them. This will give you a clean slate and no data clutter. If you travel with a laptop or an iPad, it's always a good idea to download all your photos at the end of the day to you computer as a back up.
• Get Research: Find out what the weather is like, sunrise and sunset times, if there are any festivals or special things going on and be ready to take advantage of the colorful backdrop these things can provide for your photos.
• Get Inspired: Look at photographs of the places you will visit on Flikr.com or galleries of popular photographers. The National Geographic Traveler website is always a topper on my list of inspiring sites to see.
• Get A Story: Is there something that has pulled you to the place you are visiting? It may be the food, the architecture, or simply the beaches and good weather. Whatever it is, find your story and make a theme for your photos. Shoot pictures of your co-travelers, kids, and friends who are with you in the theme you choose. Having a story makes the experience a worthwhile memory.
• Get to know your camera well: Spend time with your camera and understand all the buttons and menu items. You don't have to be a pro photographer to take awesome photos. A lot of it is understanding what you camera can do for you and putting it to use at the right time. Take note of the automatic functions your camera offers you - landscapes, macro for flowers and bugs, portraits, etc. Learn to turn the flash on and off manually. The manual is a good place to start. Canon and Nikon have great online learning centers and you can find tips online for most camera models. Read up and experiment around the house. Have a complete command over your gadget. You rule your camera - not the other way around.
• Get around and shoot: If you are enthusiastic about bringing back good photos, it’s not a bad idea to take a morning off and go out and experiment. Go to a local historic area, an outdoor space, shoot pictures of your family members, shoot inside and outside your home to get comfortable with your camera, it’s settings and exposure quality.

You are set to go. Now it’s time to familiarize yourself with composition, exposures, and a few techniques for your winner shots. Stay tuned for phases 2 and 3 and more on making your own photo books.

Summer Recipes: Lavender Lemonade Pound Cake

It's summer! The sun, the heat, bright blue skies, and lots of outdoor fun. Summer's colors have inspired me to eat colorfully too. Here's a series of quick and easy recipes that have made my summer bright and cheerful so far. Life doesn't have to follow any order and so, I'll begin with something sweet.

Lavender Lemonade Pound Cake

This is my version of a reduced sugar basic Lemon Pound cake. Pound cakes make a great accompaniment for breakfast, a coffee break or a summer night picnic.

For 8-10 servings, you'll need -
2 sticks (1 cup) butter at room temperature
3/4 cup evaporated cane sugar
5 eggs
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest (zest the lemon before you cut it to squeeze the juice)
2 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
11/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon dried lavender buds


Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a loaf pan; I like to use a bundt cake pan for this because it looks prettier. 
2. Beat the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until light ad fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time while beating after each addition. 
4. Add lemon juice and zest. 
5. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl and add them to the mixture. Add the lavender. Beat until smooth.
6. Pour in to the pan and bake for 1 to 11/2 hours, or until it tests done with a toothpick or knife. 
7. Cook the cake pan for a few minutes; turn it out on to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. It tastes best when served warm with vanilla ice cream and blue berries. Or, try it with a fruit sauce or whipped cream.
9. Most importantly, ENJOY!

I swear it tastes like lavender lemonade that you get at fancy cafe in the summer.

Look out for more colorful recipes and a easy to fix Mexican meal.

I have a fridge magnet that says - "Love people. Cook them good food."

I do!

Future By Design - The Power of Doing, continued...

I was keenly looking for a bit of inspiration yesterday and it came to me. I wish everything in life would come to you that easy...if you keenly looked for it. More and more, I have begun to believe deeply in the power of doing, the power of moving your cheese. If I think of something and do one little thing towards accomplishing it, a lot of paths open up, ideas flow, connections get fired, and things start happening - like magic, if you believe in it. 


One such little action led to a great discovery yesterday. I came across a fascinating man's story; his name is Jacque Fresco. You may heard have of him, but I marveled at this self-taught multi-disciplinarian and design visionary on knowing that he is compared to the likes of Einstein and Da Vinci for his super-mind.


Last night, I chose to watch something interesting instead of reading before going to bed. I was inspired after a conversation with a friend about documentaries earlier that day, and started looking through my Netflix Instant Play choices when I stumbled upon a film called Future by Design. The name caught my attention and I was introduced to Jacque Fresco's incredible work and ideas. This 95 year old thinker and scientist is a controversy and his dreams seem unreal; nevertheless, he believes in them and lives them. Once again, if you focus on what the human mind can accomplish, he's a marvel. Check out his film and this New York Times article about Jacque Fresco.

The Power of Doing

Since I stopped my early morning commute, I have also gotten away from listening to Amy Goodman's Democracy Now and Sonali Kohatkar's Uprising - two shows that got the wheels turning for me every morning and reminded me that a whole world exists beyond my daily 150 mile commute.

This morning, as I was returning home after dropping off a friend at the airport for an early morning flight,  I took my opportunity to listen to my favorite public radio station. 6:30 am - Amy Goodman was on and it was like old times right away save the long road to reach work; I was going home. 

Goodman's stories are solid and controversial and what she was talking about this morning made me come home and go to her website right away not thinking even once about the cup of Earl Gray that usually starts my day. It was an interview with Assange and Zizek. Two people who have definitely changed how history will be read. Politics and opinions aside, I was reminded how people like Zizek, Assange, and Goodman, in spite of all the challenges they may face symbolize the power of doing...without wasting a second of their lives. 

One link led to another and I came across this incredibly powerful short film called "We Miss You" made by student film-makers from Germany, who have in their own powerful way, like Zizek, Assange, and Goodman, taken talent, wisdom, and courage to make a very important point. 

Watch "We Miss You"

Do. Doing is powerful.

"...Don't let others sway your heart..."

Discovering Fluevog shoes was like finding a new piece that fits in the puzzle called "Ideas and things that define me." It was a memorable moment of discovery of an idea, a value, something tangible that makes life a bit more interesting. My friends recently asked me to share my Fluevog story with them. Just a photo comment on Facebook is not a respectable way of talking about these things of beauty. Here's my story.


Few years ago, I was in Seattle for a teaching conference when my friend and I noticed a store window displaying interesting looking shoes. We took a break from the rain and I followed her inside the store to find shoes that looked like a Dr. Suess poem - dreamy, feel-good, and beautifully created. And, they came with a price tag to match the quality. Priorities were different then and I put this discovery down in my book of memories to keep.

Later that year, without being aware of what I was buying, I picked up my first Fluevog shoes, a pair of tan boots, for an unbelievable bargain at a liquidation sale. These boots are great for travel and for staying warm on a cool day. More importantly they come with comic relief - my man never misses to notice them when I have them on and address me as Lady Robinson Crusoe or something like that. I noticed the Fluevog signature imprint on the boots only after I had consciously bought my second pair and realized that the boots had the same signature mark of Mr. Fluevog on their soles. Hallelujah! I had joined the cult.


Imagine, and wear your imagination; two boots and two pumps later I have understood that life's too short to not wear Fluevogs and to not to be absolutely comfortable with who you are. I plan my Fluevog purchase when a design catches my attention. Thanks to hubby's sharp deal catching skills online, something tells me that it's not the end.

Your Fluevog pair comes to you in a simple white box with the Fluevog logo on the side, but what's inside is what matters. I love the felt shoe bags that come with each pair with a simple and personal message from Mr. John Fluevog.

There's no way I'd do it differently.

If you believe that your God is better than another man...

I am devoted to Pandora radio while I work or work on my photos on the computer. The music in the radio station you create builds up with your preferences. And, the best thing about it is that you can bookmark your songs, learn more about the artist, and even get lyrics of songs.

I came across Lizz Wright recently and have been "liking" her songs consistently; so, they play more of her music for me.

This beautiful title song from her latest album, Felloship, just played and it sums up basically how I feel about all the wars and the people on both sides who fight them.

  Fellowship Lyrics

  Lizz Wright's  Homepage

Enjoy and let the music make your day because -

"You are the music while the music lasts."

-T. S. Eliot

Earth Day: Show some love to mother Earth!

Some of you must have noticed the enthusiastic discussion Kevin, Kris, and I have been enjoying on Facebook that the almond muffins post triggered. I agree with Kris, it is a great discussion, timely because Earth Day is tomorrow.

I am proud and inspired to have close friends who go the extra step quietly in their daily lives and with great awareness beyond themselves to work towards a healthier planet for us and our future generations. 

It's a responsibility we should all be aware of and that needs some thought. You may be recycling diligently, but that doesn't permit you to waste packaging and plastic. You may be using natural cosmetics, but what about the tons of plastic grocery bags you get for every trip to the store? You may be buying bulk already, but wasting lots of water when you wash and clean. The task of being conscious consumers is not an easy one. Whatever you do, think of the chain of activities associated with it and how you can do your bit in your lifestyle to create sustainable practices.


On Earth Day tomorrow, let's make a pledge to incorporate one little thing in to our routines to thank mother Earth. We may not be able to clear traces of all the waste we've created dring our lifetime, but we can try to not leave a greater mess behind when we leave. You may call it carbon footprint or have other names for it. The point is to think beyond your needs and keep in mind how your actions affect the environment and the future. 

This beautiful image was taken from the Earth Day, Sacremento, CA website

Here are a few things you can incorporate in your lifestyle. I would love it if you shared some of your practices of how small steps can lead to big change for our planet.

1. Buying unpackaged, loose foods in bulk are a good way to start. - farmers' markets are a great way to buy local food that is not packaged or shipped from the other sie of the world. In India, I would buy from street vendors or organic farmers and take my own cloth carry bags. We also still have the luxury of buying grain in gunny sacks in India or easily getting loose grains by weight. Out here in the US, Whole Foods and similar conscious grocery stores have bulk sections where you can buy lose grains in a bag or your own container and pay by weight. 
2. No plastic water bottles, please! - More and more I see people carrying their empty water bottles through security check at airports and then refilling them. Plastic bottles are a menace and I noticed the overuse in India and cringed a the thought that we are making the same mistakes the West made ten years ago. It's about forming the habit - get a light weight water bottle and take it with you when you leave the house or keep it in your car. 
3. Soak. Sprout. Pressure cook. - Here's another practice I find very common in India, but something we need to hold on to. Sprouting is healthy and uses less energy to cool. Pressure cookers are irreplaceable and you can cook anything from greens and lentils to chicken in them in minutes. So, you save time, energy, and calories. What a great solution!
4. You can use nature's cleaning agents to clean. - Do whatever it takes to use less gas and less water when you are in the kitchen. Salt, vinegar, and lemon and orange peels are the best cleaning agents. I rub used peels on my counter tops, cooking range, and my face. Their fruit acid works great on all surfaces.

There are so many such solutions. You just have to look around with an open and aware mind. 

Your life, your relationships, your actions can all have a sustainable approach that includes the environment, economics, and society. 

Here are some interesting links for more lifestyle ideas - 

Earth Day

Recycling is Cool

Tree Hugger

Have a beautiful Earth Day! 

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers this week and thank our lovely planet for it's endless beauty.

Why waste time on toast? Try these muffins for breakfast.

Give your breakfast a gluten-free and high protein filled face-lift and start the day with lots of energy and no guilt. These delicious flour-less Almond Energy Muffins will make your day.  No, they do not taste like marzipan and they go well with your favorite morning beverage. They are great after a work out or a long night of partying. ;) They are easy and fun to bake with kids - plus, the smell of fresh muffins will put every one at home in a good mood.

Ingredients: (6-7 large or 12 mini muffins)

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup Omega oil or any light vegetable oil from your kitchen
• 1/4 cup agave syrup (used instead of sugar, safe for diabetics, low glycemic index)
• 2 cups almond meal (ground almonds)
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1/4 cup organic milk (can be substituted with soy, almond or any other nut/grain milk)
• 1 tsp. almond extract (can be substituted with vanilla extract)
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 376 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
2. Combine the beaten egg, oil, agave syrup and mix well. 
3. Add the almond meal, baking powder, milk, almond extract, an sea salt and blend just until smooth.
4. Fill a regular sized or mini muffin tray with two-thirds full using a large spoon or a 1/3 cup measure.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in to the center of a muffin comes out clean. 

Variations:
You can substitute half of the almond meal with any whole grain flour if you think this is too healthy for you. :) I have also used ground oats or a porridge mix and it works really well. There might be a slight change in texture.

You can also add 1/2 cup of carob or bitter-sweet, high cacao-content dark chocolate chips. In addition to absolute bliss, they give you anti-oxidants for the day.

If you like this recipe, ask me for more!

The Perfect Match

Certain wines go well with certain foods, but have you ever tried wine with chocolate? 

It's very simple.

Bite the Chocolate, let it melt slightly in your mouth,   take a sip of the wine, feel the burst of flavors!  But remember, it's all about portion-control and it needs to be the right combination to get the right harmony of taste.

Wine and chocolate pairing has been experimented for a while, but with more awareness in consumers, there are more choices of both chocolate and wine available in the market now. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find milk and dark chocolate and most probably dark chocolate with different percentage of darkness. 

The rule is simple for starters - 

Milk chocolates go better with light and fruity white wines while dark chocolates go best with red wines. The darker the chocolate the more full-bodied your red wine should be. For me, generally, light white wines like Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc go well with milk chocolates or semi-milk chocolates, while I prefer to have a 60-75% dark chocolate piece with Merlot or my all time favorite, Malbec. If I am going more full-bodied, I like to up the chocolate percentage. So, you try an 70-85% Cacao content chocolate with a Cabernet or Pinot Noir. 

So what are you waiting for? Crack open that chocolate bar from your secret stash behind the organic brown rice container in your pantry. Get the wine at the right temperature to match and create pure bliss in your mouth. 

For those who have access to these, here are two of my favorite combinations.

 with 

Valrohna Manjari 65% Cacao with Gascon Malbec 2008

with

Vosges Habana 45% Cacao with Kendall Jackson Chardonnay

Enjoy!!!

Culture, imagination, memory, travel, personal identity=MOLESKINE

I finished filling up my first Moleskine notebook recently; it was mostly out of curiosity about the "experience" that everyone from Picasso to top travel photographers have claimed it gives you. So what's the big deal about Moleskine note books? 


Well, I realized a few things - 

1. They know their s*** well when it comes to design (every good company should know why they exist) - Moleskines are compact, tough, and robust
2. They know their paper - no matter how cheap the pen is that you are using on a Moleskine page, your writing will look good! And, if you use an fancy pen (I tried an ink Mont Blanc), you will be further amazed.
3. They know the cool-factor - Moleskines are to low-tech what iPhones are to hi-tech. 
4. They speak directly to travelers and everything that goes with what travelers love - "Culture, imagination, memory, travel, personal identity" is their philosophy.

I just found out that they recently introduced a travelers' collection of bags, cases, etc. in the minimalist Moleskine style. If you are a curious soul like me, get yourself a Moleskine note book; you will not regret it.  

And, before you do that, check out MOLESKINE 


I'd like to acknowledge NOW by Phenomenon for inspiring this entry.

It's the journey that matters.

I love photography and this week, I am celebrating my hobby by dedicatedly working on moments and memories captured during my recent travels through four incredible cities - Hyderabad, Bombay, New Orleans, and Savannah. I am in the middle of a work in progress and realize that learning never stops when it comes to photography. That's why I probably like it so much. It's just like with speaking a second language, you have to keep on using it to be good at it. And, it's also like yoga, it constantly makes you discover new things about yourself and pushes you to do better.

Another big reason to celebrate this week as my photography week is because I am getting a chance to meet Annie Griffiths, an incredible National Geography photographer. This is a first opportunity for me to meet a National Geo photographer - a profession I have incredible respect for and which I like to consider as my second-life aspiration. Annie for me is an ode to passion with a cause. She is someone who has used the power of her photography to help women and nature all around the world. Check out her work here.

While revisiting Annie's photos on the National Geo site today I felt the exhilaration, the same blood gushing I feel when I see a scene that I want to freeze in my camera in the best possible way, as I witnessed a perfect and delicate coming together of light, perception, and art. Photography is not about pointing and shooting. Photography is a life long practice, just like yoga or mastering a language, a practice that has it's perfect moments when light, perception and art meet in the right proportion and then, again, a new challenge begins. 

Life is exciting when the journey is more meaningful than the destination and all the things you do along that journey. I am inspired by Annie Griffiths' command over photography, but way more moved by what she has accomplished with it. 

There is no one destination. It's all about the journey.

School kids on a tour in Hyderabad 

 I met these adorable high-energy kids while visiting a palace in Hyderabad; they saw me with my camera and wanted me to take their pictures. My shutter competed with their zest and we ended up with some beautiful expressions. I was feeling sad that they would never really see these photos besides on my camera display. But, thankfully, dad managed to get an email address and I have emailed the shots over to their school somewhere in Maharashtra. I am hoping these kids will finally get to see their photos.

The Big Easy: My First Impression

On the road again!

I'm in New Orleans this week attending my annual Teachers' Conference. It's something to visit a city for the first time that has rebuilt itself so amazingly after being hit by such a destructive hurricane as Katrina. I got unlucky at the airport upon landing & lost my luggage, but our really informative and cheerful shuttle driver, Charles, made up for it all by giving us an awesome tour of the city while driving everyone to their respective hotels.

Charles has taken it upon himself to share with tourists his city's struggles with natural disasters as it's people fought and recovered from Katrina over the years. He takes pride in being a fighter but admits that there is a lot of fear for what may still come. The Big Easy's struggle goes hand in hand with it's music, food, and culture and it's important to understand how it all comes together like complex Cajun flavors.

I got reminded of what's going on in Japan right now as Charles pointed out places in and around New Orleans that were flooded, destroyed and rebuilt. Mother Nature takes her own course and we are to just follow. Charles lightened up, however, as we approached downtown and it was difficult to keep up with him as he named all his favorite restaurants and the various fried, cheese covered, grilled, and sauce smothered authentic southern dishes they serve. I couldn't get Shash out of my mind then and how much he loves Jambalaya and everything Cajun. What can a vegetarian know besides the heaven that uncovers in a real southern pecan pie?

All you've heard about Southern hospitality seems all true so far. After listening to Charles, I have a new appreciation for this city & it's people besides what I'm really here for - meeting lots of committed teachers and taking in some good jazz.

presenting... LearnEd

On the day of Lady Shakti (woman power), I'd like to present to you all my new education company "LearnEd," India & USA. LearnEd represents all my education related activities in India and beyond. 

Areas of Work

With what I have learned from my research, observations, and teaching experience during my time in India, I will be slowly commencing work in the following areas as a start in the Indian market while looking for collaborative activities between educators in the US and India.

• teaching English to college students and young professionals
• teaching professional development and motivation programs for college students and young professionals
• teacher training and development for college level instructors at colleges, institutes and unis
• in-service professional teacher development services for colleges, institutes and unis

Guiding Principles/Philosophy 

(a quick list for more context, esp. for those not in my field)

• teach by introducing new international trends and information in the area taught
• teach with examples and creative exercises to create a unique learning experience for students
• train to motivate and equip teachers with different/creative ways to present information to students
• foster creative and critical thinking in youth through well thought out, well sequenced, and reflective learning activities
• train to raise a new consciousness in higher-ed instructors about how learning happens and how it can be nurtured to see maximum results in students' progress

LearnEd was chosen with input from Shash, my dear husband, and some close friends. It seems to encompass all my education related activities now and in the future -

• learn·ed Adjective   /ˈlərnid/
  Synonyms:

  • adjective: erudite, scholarly, lettered, educated, wise, literate
  • (of a person) Having much knowledge acquired by study
  • Showing, requiring, or characterized by learning; scholarly
    • an article in a learned journal

Learn+Ed=the education of learning or learning consciously about learning 

A "learned" person is one who has acquired wisdom from conscious and experiential learning

Thanks for all your good wishes, blessings, and support. I'm now working on the company logo, website, and other related projects. More updates soon. The real work begins now!

Banganga - a forgotten Mumbai story!

 

In a hidden corner of Malbar Hill near Walkeshwar in rtizy south Bombay lies the ancient and full-of-life village of Banganga. It is quite contrasting in it's feel and life from the rest of "the hill" and takes you back in time a few centuries as you walk through the hilly and windy lanes and staircases of the little town that surrounds an old step well. I had a lovely late morning stroll through the area with my camera and a dear friend. It's a photographers delight and a traveler's source of many stories. 


To avoid being redundant, I'll quote the lovely description of this unique haven from a really interesting website that I didn't know existed until I searched the web for the history of Banganga. 

Sacred Destinations of the World

The Banganga Tank was built over a freshwater spring under the Silhara dynasty in the 14th century. The spring is believed to be an underground offshoot of the Ganges, so the waters are considered just as sacred and effective for healing as those of the great river itself. Legend has it that the spring was created by an arrow shot by Rama (the hero of the epic Ramayana), who rested here while on a mission to rescue his beloved Sita from the demon king's abode in Lanka. The tank's name derives from this story - Baan ("arrow") + Ganga (Ganges River).

I hope we can all appreciate and preserve these precious proofs of our glorious past. If you look hard, they are all over. 

Welcome the New Year with Fizzy Orange Cream Punch

This year my two close girl-friends and I decided we would celebrate our New Year's Eve with our parents at home. It was a warm, cozy, and fun-filled evening and of course, I enjoyed planning the menu for the night. The orange welcome drink was a spontaneous creation and hit among the ladies while the men stuck to less sweet beverages :). This is a simple, refreshing and cheerfully welcoming concoction and the sweetness level can be easily controlled. More importantly, it's super easy. Here's the recipe.

For eight 8 oz.  glasses as shown in photo -

You'll need:

• 5 glasses of pulpy orange juice (freshly squeezed is best, but Minute Maid works quite well too)
• 2 small scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 1 glass or 8 oz. Sprite (Sprite tastes better than 7 Up for this recipe)

Procedure:
Add the orange juice and vanilla ice cream to a jug. Blend for about 30 seconds with a hand blender until it gets foamy. Don't over blend; it might get too frothy. Top off with Sprite and stir lightly with a spoon.

Decorating and Presenting:
Put a small cut in the center of an orange wedge and hang it on the rim of the glass. I prefer stemware for it's elegance. Pass a paper umbrella or another tooth-pick decoration carefully through the middle of the orange wedge. You may decorate with a fancy stirrer or a cherry. Try not to add anything to the drink but decorate only on the glass rim with fruit.; keep the beverage plain and original in it's taste.
Serve within 10 minutes of preparing to keep the fizz.

Alternatives:
You can try this with most fresh or good quality packaged juices. Lychee juice is another of my favorites. You can also try this with mango, peach, or berry juices.

Enjoy!