For the "food" of my life...!!!

Someone has rightly said, “Food is your body’s fuel, without fuel your body wants to shut down”. And I personally believe, all great minds are set to work after a scrumptious meal. In fact I indulge myself completely when I am low because a zestful meal takes me higher and higher. Blame it on my ‘kitchen friendly’ upbringing; I am addictive to anything and everything about food. In fact I have this ‘Breakup friendly’ food theory that’s quite amusing.  It says Yummy and fatty food is the only way to heel a broken heart. Who wants to mourn over heartaches when you are served a divine platter!!!!  But you can never predict what life has in store for you or so was the case with me.

Hailing from North India, where an evening tea sans ‘samosa’ /’kachori’ is a sin, both me and my hubby are big time foodie. Without elaborating my hubby’s sweet tooth saga, will move on to the turning point of my flavorful life. In 2011, I moved to USA with my hubby, with dreamy eyes as that of a new bride. Spending initial days in a hotel, Indeed life was all flowery and I felt like some Yash Chopra heroin singing my heart out to the magnificence of life until the villain made its entry. And in this case the tormentor came well placed on a tray with all its accompaniments and we made eye contact for the first time. I kept staring at those sausages, bagels and oatmeal and not to forget, peanut butter and mourning over the loss of my regular ‘Aloo paratha’ and ‘poha’. ‘Golgappas’ and ‘jalebi’ kept haunting me for so many nights. Life is so tough sometimes…!!!!

After my first encounter with self-assumed tasteless meal, the next thing on to-do-list was to visit the first- seen Indian grocery store and stock my cupboards with all that I can manage to dump into it. I was equally happy to see Indian restaurants, which meant duty free weekends!!  Life was back on track with my taste buds taken full care of. Then during one of the summer evenings we happened to go out to dine in this Mexican joint with our friends and I kept my fingers crossed. And to my surprise I developed a taste for it. “Chipotle “is a Mexican version of Rajma rice with salad, if put in simple words. I was amazed at its presentation and soon it was on my favorites list. Basically the problem with foodies is we cannot stay away from food and love to explore different cuisines (as long it is better looking than better tasting, we can try anything).  Next on our list was “Maggiano’s Little Italy” known for their authentic flavors. And their Cheese ravioli will leave you craving for more. They use very subtle flavors to give it a typical Italian touch.  It’s interesting to see the variety of cuisines that every region has to offer. The high-point came when while waiting for my order to come in an Indian restaurant, I saw a group of Non-Indians relishing our very own Shahi Paneer and Naan, in a pita style though but being an Indian I felt so proud.

From ‘parathe wali gali’ to ‘Greek Kitchen’, the journey has been very fulfilling and enriching. What amazes me is the fact that Food is one   divine creation that binds us all globally. At the same time, someone back there in India is gorging on ‘Chicken gyros’ and ‘falafel’, and just a continent across someone is devouring  ‘Mysore Masala Dosa’. !!!  If you look at it closely, you will realize spices have no nationality. They may have different origins but they emit same aroma across the globe without any discrimination. Little things in life have a lot to teach, if only we could learn.

Raising a toast to all the food lovers….

Cheers

RIP Baby Afreen...!!!

Nowadays I am really scared surfing these news sites online or tuning into news channels online. You never know what may come up next and sends chill down your spine. You come to terms with harsh truth of life that no matter we boast of our "21st centurism" , we are still living in a society of morons and uncivilized creatures. How else would you describe the horrendous behavior of this man who battered his 3 month old little girl, Baby Afreen, to death. Trust me, the moment I saw this news byte I froze. The child was mercilessly beaten up by her father, stabbed on her face that led to brain hemorrhage and dislocation of her neck. Though she was rushed to hospital by her grieving mom, but she did not stand a chance and could not survive. I was taken aback because while we sit in our plush homes pampering ourselves, little do we realize that there is another world outside our cozy living rooms where life is not so flowery. The only confrontation that we have with its dark side is through news channels and newspapers. How can a man be so stone-hear ted and cruel to have "murdered" his own child  so brutally? Although he is in police custody, but what are his chances? Who guarantees he wont  be let out on bail and set free in future with little punishment? Such a psychopath has no right to live with normal people like us.
And yes, Baby Afreen is neither the first one to fall prey to sick and devilish mentality of man nor will she be last. This time being on television magnified the quantum of loss but are'nt there several Baby Afreen who might be treated similarly across the country? Is there some kind of Moral policing that we can adhere to stop such barbarous  practices . Life is sacred and what right does a man has to play with it. We should rather be ashamed of ourselves and our self proclaimed modernity and cosmo society where female infanticide, foeticide, gender discrimination and fairer-sex harassment, is still very much there.

May her soul rest in peace...................

Home is where Heart is....!!!!

Well, have just  come back from India trip so the topic itself  is understandable. Partings are always painful and i am a mess when it comes to handling such aweful-tearful moments. And this time I realized its not just my family and loved ones , but my country too, who I fear parting from. Somehow that homely connect that one has in his own country is not to be found anywhere else, no matter how global you go. That stability,sense of belongigness, and pride is unmatched. Your roots define the person that you are , what you give to others and what you make out of yourself. Though you might succumb to the demands of the time ,move out of your nation, but eventually you find solace in your land.
I remember those little pleasures I had during my homecoming trip and i often wonder  whats more to life? We slog our asses off for few shiny notes but tend to forget that Money cant buy everything and here you dont even have mastercard for those pleasures...:).  But man is a mysterious, puzzled,obnoxious creature who wants to have it all in his kitty. We forget the oppurtunity cost that we are bearing to live this moment. Strange as it may sound, but in quest of real happiness we seem to forget that it lies within. Happiness comes with contentment and contentment comes hand in hand with sense of belongingness , which ofcourse you have to decide where you belong to.
As for me, I know I belong to my homeland and its there that I come alive like nowhere else..!!!