All about Keto!

That's the buzzword in diet nowadays - "Keto". And I've been part of this journey for the last 14 weeks. You must be wondering I drop in here out of nowhere and then begin with the rambling on Keto! Well, it is an important journey for us (S & I) and I wanted to pen my thoughts here so that I can come back to it in future and comprehend when need arrives!

It all began on 9th October for me and maybe a few months ago for S, he has been pestering for a while to embark on this blissfulness that is keto (read - sarcasm!). He has been interested in it and has been reading up on it as well after seeing his friend’s journey on this platform. To be honest, I was quite apprehensive because, you know, who lives without carbs? I love my rotis & idlis and don’t even get me started on the daals. I could never imagine a life without them. So I waited & waited and finally gave in. Thus began this journey.

In order to understand the Keto or the LCHF (Low Carbs High Fat) diet, one has to understand what ketosis is all about. Ketosis is a metabolic state of the body wherein it derives energy using the fats that you intake (there is little/no carbs to convert into energy). Basically your body turns into a fat-burning machine! Usually keto enthusiasts will tell you not to bother about weight loss and concentrate more on inch loss, now that’s a whole other chapter to discuss and I don’t want this post to go technical about it. 

And does it work? Oh yes it does. I have lost about 11 kgs in 14 weeks and can see surprising changes in just 3 months!

In the beginning when I actually started this diet it was more about experimenting with limited food that we, as vegetarians, could consume and believe me, it was challenging. I was surprised to know the amount of carbs a simple onion or a carrot contained! I knew potatoes were bad but other vegetables were increasingly shocking for me to understand. I have to limit my carbs to about 20 or below 20gms! Took me a while to comprehend but once I got the hang of it, there was no stopping. I put on my chef’s hat and got busy in the kitchen, some experiments are pictured below!

Growing up we are advised that fat is bad for you but after being in keto I am just appalled how much damage carbs do to you! It’s shocking. However believe me when I say it’s amazing to see your body react so beautifully without carbs! I won’t deny that I miss my regular food since it’s natural - you are brought up eating that food, it will pinch you somewhere. After all I am human and it doesn’t help that no place in Bangalore provides keto food on demand, it’s frustrating especially when you don’t want to enter your kitchen. However big a chef you can be, there will be a time when you want to chuck your hat and gobble up some food made by someone else! 

If I have to consolidate this whole journey in one word then it has to be - "satisfaction". Yes I think that’s what I would call it! Because health-wise, nothing has been satisfactory in the past the way being in ketosis has been! Not only has keto helped me physically, but I believe I have become a lot more calmer mentally. The only tough part of ketosis is that if you exceed your limit of carbs, the body will throw you out of ketosis and it usually takes about a week to be back into it. Keto can be very unforgiving if you cheat!

Unfortunately due to the holiday season as well as a travel that was planned, I had to give it up for about 10 days which surprisingly wasn’t all that bad. I expected a good amount of weight gain but then, thankfully, it was negligible. Keto stayed good which helped me end 2017 on a high! 

Now that we are in 2018 and settling in, I am back into Ketosis and I have to say that I missed it. I don’t crave for carbs anymore!

Not so long ago!

Wow... Its been so long since I paid a visit to my own blog! How neglected it looks!!!

I just sort of peeped in here in what looks like years and I am simply sad to see it like this... un-attended! True, the blame is on me but I guess I was kind-of forced to forget this page with a toddler around.

I'm sure you know the drill when it comes to children and mine is quite a handful. While I have been thoroughly enjoying seeing him grow, at the same time I have allowed myself an absence from this space here.

But now I am yearning to be back here and kick start this space, my space, rather, more than ever. Let's just hope I maintain the enthusiasm that I have just displayed here with & that's the challenge I am taking up now!

I have so many comeback stories that I start with but I'm afraid that will just have to wait. I only came here to say hello to my neglected blog :-)

With a promise to myself and to my blog to be regular, I leave now. See you soon!

Online shopping!

If you still haven't tried online shopping yet, I suggest you must do so! It is definitely a boon... Well, at least to me. It helps me save time and trust me, with an infant around, time is something that is hard to come by these days!

Shopping as such has become more of an ordeal these days, our little man is definitely not a shopping person... He becomes awfully cranky every time we go out shopping though he loves being outdoors! He is surprisingly happy in an autorikshaw or when we are out on a drive but a few minutes in any shop turns the little fella red with fury!

Hence I have had to give in and order almost everything online. Though it is convenient, I must say I hate the bell ring almost everyday... Sometimes good things do come at a price :-(

I have listed down a few online stores, more specific to India though, which I frequent regularly.

Here goes the list (please add a ".com" to all these).

Baby needs (not surprising my first pick is a baby store! All moms out there will agree with me):

Babyoye

Firstcry

Hoopos

Shoppers-stop

Mothercare

Groceries

Towness

Big basket

Lifestyle products

Urbandazzle

Zansaar

Fabfurnish

Clothes & accessories

Myntra

Jabong

Medical requirement - Apollo pharmacy

Of course there are many others but the above ones are those which I frequent the most.

I do miss shopping the traditional way; the window-shopping and the coffees in between but I do ensure that I occasionally squeeze in those as well while the sweet husband babysits...

Disclaimer: The above is hazardous to the husband’s wallet :-)

L.O.V.E

Just when I thought my life couldn't get better than it is at the moment, he goes and does this!

Muahhhh... I love you!

Happy Valentines day!

On poop duty!

And loving every stinky bit of it. Motherhood, I have realized, is something that's got to be experienced to understand what it exactly means!

Right now my life totally revolves only around my baby boy... Mushki! He is, as the cliche goes, the apple of my eye! There is not one moment that goes by without him in my thoughts, it's like he is sitting in my brain all the time... Not that I am complaining. For me any moment without him around is a moment in my life being wasted.

Like any other normal mother, I do have pouts of anger and frustration running in my blood every time he cries or the constant attention he craves for... But that's the part and package of the deal :).

A lot of mothers/people as such advice on how to bring up my child or how to hold him or blah blah blah.... To all those... Thanks so much, I do appreciate it but I am the person who held him inside me for 9 months and so, I am very well aware of so many things myself.. Maternal instinct is just not a word, it means something too...

Parenthood is a learning process involving lots of trials and errors but its definitely fun, we enjoy his company and he has brought us all together in every true sense. And the patience levels that I have developed, thanks to him, is to be seen to be believed... Phew!

Oh well, I can just go on and on about how things are going along but oops.. poop duty calls... :)

Hold the press! I AM BACK

It's been so so long that I am finding it difficult as to where to begin... So many things have happened in these past few years...

Do I start with my most amazing US holiday in the summer of 2010 or do I rant about my day to day life or do I talk about my new found passion -"baking" which I have taken an interest to lately or to finally burst out what I am trying to hold back - the best news of my life!

Well, the most exciting of all is the last bit; not that my holiday wasn't, it was definitely the best holiday till date and the memories of it still linger on inspite of the two year gap!

Baking is probably the most exciting endeavor that I have picked up lately and yes, I have been doing loads of it. Though I don't want my blog to turn into a food blog and I am definitely not interested in starting another one, I do plan to regularly update some little post nips here on cooking/baking stuff that I do...

I am sure no one is interested in my constant day to day rantings, so we can just leave that out for now...

Let's see... what else is there to share? Any guesses???

Ok ok enough of the suspense.... Here is what I am dying to say...... I am a mommy to a dear little fellow :) yes! I delivered a baby boy on 23rd May 2012 and he is an absolute joy. I have no words to express the magical mysteries of motherhood... Definitely the best phase of my life, rather our lives... Dare not leave the dear hubby out of this, he is more excited that I am! We are ecstatic, he is too much fun and I thank God for this. I always wanted a boy and I got mine :)

It's been three whole months and I am totally looking forward to all the fun things in store for the three of us!

Summer already?

Well whaddya know... It’s here and with a vengeance... It is already scorching hot and getting hotter with each passing day!

The most interesting thing is that the weather almost changed overnight, or so it seems, without even a warning or a hint, tch tch... Not that we could do have done anything about it but still!! At least, I could have prepared myself not just for the heat but also for the wonderful method with which the Govt chooses to make our lives even more miserable, the power cuts :-(

Yes dear Bangaloreans, brace yourselves up for hotter days and many more hours of agonising power cuts; they are here to stay. The day the weather changed, almost the very same say the power cuts also began – so far it’s only 4 hrs a day but I am 100% certain it is only going to increase along with the heat waves... Kudos to our Govt; they are punctual and prompt in this matter at least!

I never liked summer season which is quite contrary to my upbringing - born in the hot month of June in a desert (Rajasthan) and later spent 15 long years in Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu); summer and heat isn’t new to me but I have always hated it! Weather was the one thing that I liked about Bangalore but guess that’s changing as well, all thanks to the global warming... And guess what, the husband, brought up in Delhi and Bangalore, doesn’t mind the heat... A match made in heaven I swear!

And while I am crying here, the husband is facing one of the craziest blizzard ever in the US! I believe this year has been the worst ever in terms of snowfall... Phew... Talk about irony!!!

Now the only solution I have here is first to install a UPS. So far I never thought of that as something important but since the time I changed my work status from a working wife to a homemaker, I can tell you that this has become a necessity now. Well the second task is to get air-conditioning fixed, I know it might sound absurd for people living in Bangalore but times are changing and so is the weather... The only relief is rains and only God knows when and Oh I forgot the husband's consent for all these – after all it will come out of his pocket!!!!!!

Another feather in my cap

Rads has so kindly awarded me the best blog and tagged me as well to answer a few questions. That’s so sweet of you Rads thank you so much, I am so touched!

Allow me to carry on with my answers while you get yourselves a cuppa coffee!

1. What is your current obsession?
Stay at home and sleeeeeeeep!!!!
2. What are you wearing today?
Pyjamas and t-shirt
3. What’s for dinner?
Long way off – haven’t thought bout it (its morning here)
4. What’s the last thing you bought?
Chanel Chance
5. What are you listening to right now?
Nothing
6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?
A wonderful long distance friend who interestingly I haven’t met :)
7. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
Bangalore
8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?
Anything cotton
9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Some place cold with snow
10. Which language do you want to learn?
Cantonese
11. What’s your favorite quote?
What goes around comes around
12. Who do you want to meet right now?
My Nephews
13. What is your favorite color?
Mauve/sea green-blue
14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?
Nothing yet :)
15. What is your dream job?
Restaurateur
16. What’s your favorite magazine?
Vogue, auto car and of course food lovers guide (very specific to Bangalore city)
17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Probably something for my house
18. What do you consider a fashion faux pas?
People trying too hard to be what they are not…
19. Who are your style icons?
Nobody
20. What kind of haircut do you prefer?
Rachael in friends
21. What are you going to do after this?
Cook lunch
22. What are your favorite movies?
Too many to pen
24. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can't live without?
Deo, Chap Stick and moisturiser
23. What inspires you?
Nothing in particular – I am a very self obsessed woman
24. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:
Be confident, casual and comfortable – It does me good!

25. What do you do when you “have nothing to wear” (even though your closet’s packed)?
More shopping
26. Coffee or tea?
Coffee – anyday :)
27. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Cry!
28. What is the meaning of your name?
Dream
29. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?
Brownie with lots of chocolate sauce
30. Favorite Season ?
Winter
31. If I come to your house now, what would u cook for me?
Probably a yummy salad with pasta
32. What's your favorite cartoon character?
Tom and Jerry
33. My question: What’s your ideal holiday?

Unfortunately I dont have that many blog friends to tag so I'll just tag my husband here... but for the others - here are the rules...

Respond and rework – answer these questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own, and add one more question to the list. Then tag eight or ten other new set of people.

Have fun and be good.

To the Indian in me

Call me an emotional fool but I cry each time our national anthem is played anywhere in the world, my chest just swells up with pride; I just leave everything that am doing and stand still while the Indian in me salutes the anthem and then the tears roll down… I did that yesterday during the start of India vs England match… I can so relate to the aggression shown by Bhajji when the anthem finished. Felt like I wanted to do something for my country!!!

Is that the true patriot in me or just a feeling I don’t know but I do know that I am proud and very proud that I belong to India – there can never be another place like this (if you minus all the bloody corrupt things going on in the country though). Unlike others I do not have this urge to settle down outside of the country – I know a lot of people would give anything to come to India. Sundru seconds me on this – he is a true Indian boy and will never find solace anywhere else. Though I have come across a few opportunities to go abroad, deep down I know I can never be as comfortable anywhere else as here. I still remember; on my honeymoon I missed Bangalore so much that on day two I was ready to come back and chuck all that traveling thing… I am not denying the temptation to take the opportunity to work outside but somehow I am not really bent on it.

When I hear about all the racism stuff all over the world, it makes me wonder whether it is really worth leaving the country for whatever crap the outside world is trying to offer? Don’t we have it here in India? Why should we always have this NRI tag and proudly display it around when you know the kind of treatment you get abroad. What you can do there we should try to do it here… I hear my friends who are settled abroad and keep complaining when they visit India saying that it is something else outside and corrupt here... I am disgusted!!! I feel you have no right whatsoever to say things when you don’t make an attempt to try and change your surroundings – but no, all they want in life is a NRI tag…

Its time to think about it – show these NRIs that India is no less than "their" beautiful outside world…

It is my home and nothing else can be sweeter than home, sweet home!!!

Eating out

I know can be risky to health if done on a regular basis but I guess it’s ok to indulge in that sometimes esp. in my case where I have to do all the cooking no matter what time of the day it is!!!

Not that I cannot hire a cook but the main problem is because of the irregular timing that both of us get home making it almost impossible for any human being to adjust to it!!!

Therefore the question of an easier option (eating out, what else??) springs up automatically leading us to the various small food joints all over Bangalore… One such joint that I happened to visit last week is Ganesh Darshan, enroute from Sundru’s workplace to home... This is in Jayanagar 3rd block (very close to Jayanagar shopping complex)...

That's me with the so called Famous coffee!!!

Why it's getting featured on my blog is because of its yummy akki rotis and the amazing masala dosas (which is supposedly one of the best in town) attracting crowds no matter what time of the day it is. Also famous is its coffee though am afraid it didn't really score very high on my list of best coffees in Blore... The ultimate coffee choice for me is Brahmins (Basavangudi) and no other place is very close to it right now!!!

As far as eating out is concerned, I guess that’s inevitable sometimes; unless I find a cook who can cater to our diverse taste buds (both Marwadi and Iyer Cuisine).

Coincidence?

What would you call if you find the library stamp of your school (which is more than 300 kms from where you live) on one of the second hand books you buy in a book store???

Recently I bought some old books from a second hand store on Church Street in Bangalore – actually I purchased a lot of them and when I opened one of them, I was shocked to see it carrying the stamp of my school “Holy Innocents High School” (Wellington, Conoor). Obviously this was least expected and left me pleasantly zapped… I carry a lot of fond memories of my school days since it was a boarding school and we as boarders, were left to act independently at the age of 10!!! :)

I quickly called my elder sis (just a year senior to me) who was one of the head girls in school at her time and gave her this news… and guess what??? My sis happened to know the girl who's name was mentioned in the book (and this girl stays 300 kms away on the other side of B’lore.... that's from my hometown of Tiruppur!!!)

Bizarre or what???

Of sweet somethings and busy nothings

So this long holiday has been a refreshing one for sure, but I don’t think I can take much of it… as I am most of the time all alone at home and the only thing I seem to get addicted to is the TV which btw is not a good habit. Therefore I don’t think I’ll make a good housewife at all.

I actually took this long absence from work just to see if I’ll make it through – I was just testing on how I’d take it just being a housewife in future and I think I am not yet ready for it. I’d want myself to be occupied with something and feel am not cut out to be only at home. It’s definitely very nice to be at home on a “holiday” and during weekends but nothing more than that, at least not yet :-)

The long weekend is here which means that I won’t be alone and when the husband is at home, it is a double joy (sometimes, not always) considering the past 10 lonely days I spent at home… When he’s around at least I have company to eat and chat with… So after the refreshing holiday, I was just dying to do something apart from lying on the couch and watch TV… And what’s the best and easier way to do it? To cook of course… so there you go, put my best cooking cap and voila, daal ka sheera, corn kebabs, corn soup (very corny affair I must say!!!) kabuli (Jaipuri biriyani), chocolate milkshake… the poor husband… I was kinda feeding him all this at one go!!!! Not sure how he took it but from the looks of it I think it just went down ok ;-)

Looking forward for Monday – I have to make a most important decision; I can’t be sure how that’s going to go down! It’s not the right time to share about that now… will blog about that later – for now let that be a secret!!!

So long people – have a great weekend (whatever is left of it!!!)

Oh glorious day!

I am at bliss… I cannot express just how happy I feel today… It is difficult to choose the source of this feeling… either because of the brief-break from work (till Apr 29) or the weather or may be a combination of both…

I am loving every bit of it – just sitting at home doing nothing… Watching some chick flicks (as the hubby terms it!!!), spending some “quality time” (don’t get to do this often) in my neglected house and missing the husband (read that!!!).

Off late life has been a bit stressful for me and so decided to take this break… to refresh the mind and the soul and what better way to do it but to spend some lovely time at home… let me tell you, for a working person there is no place heaven other than home.

And what a way to start my holidays – its raining cats and dogs here and the sight is just awesome… the pitter-patter of the raindrops bringing me relief from the heat and soothing my nerves… The birds near my place chirping away to glory while I call the husband and tell him what exactly he is missing ;) (Devilish grin)

And so to ensure that I don’t miss the moment - I am gonna pick up a book, sit in my balcony with a hot cup of nice filter coffee while I leave you with a nice view of my balcony… The nice trees and greenery surrounding my house… my way of sharing my thoughts through the picture – am sure none of us want to miss even a bit of it.

Chikungunya

Is back and with the summer at its peak, it is infecting each door it passes.

My parents are infected with the disease for the last two days and what I do hear from our doc is that there has been an outburst reported recently, therefore my parent’s case does not come as a surprise to him.

What I do like to know from him is that, how did it manage to make an entry into my place with my mother ever so painstakingly particular about cleanliness not only at home but the surroundings as well. Now that’s a mystery to all.

And we try to find that one infected mosquito, I’ll leave you’ll with certain practical facts of the disease.

1. How do you catch Chikungunya – through a mosquito
2. Symptom – Usually begins with some pain in any part of the body, slowly moving to the whole body in totality and after which you’ll probably catch a shiver and finally fever (up to 103 degrees)
3. Duration – for an average adult, fever will probably last not more than 2 days or so but might take a while for the body to recuperate.
4. Action – Take a crocin immediately and rush to your nearest doc asap.
5. Diet – avoid all items of urad daal.

Precautions – since it is better than cure, my suggestion is sanitize your respective homes by whatever means you prefer be it Hit or burning a coil or by using any other disinfectant. My preference is Kachua chap coil. Just to inform you guys, normal All-out or Good Night mats WILL not help you in warding these mosquitoes.

Disclamer - The above mentioned action plans are from my own experience. Please use the best means you know.

Best of health always and keep clean.

Heatbeat

Seriously! Summer is something that I wholeheartedly hate… I wish it was winter all through, contrary to Sundru’s opinion (if it were for him I would have already melted away, the boy likes no fan/ air-condition even on a very hot summer day). Phew, we have two more months of such misery before rains strike again very typical of a Bangalore climate, we aren’t sure when the rains come or go or when it is sunny or not, the weather here has a mind of its own - if you’ve been here you’ll agree with me.

Usually the problem with Bangalore is, it gets highly affected with climatic/weather changes surrounding the place. For example if it rains in Chennai it will rain here and so on and so forth. It gets annoying after a while...

So, what do I do to beat the summer heat?
1. Drink lots and lots of water – preferably cold (earthen pot) not ice water (well that too sometimes, since I don’t have a clay pot at home)
2. Nice fresh homemade juice – nimboopani
3. Fan always at the maximum
4. No makeup – I do that either ways!
5. Wear loose cloths so that it doesn’t stick to your body - I like Kota -Doria sarees...very nice & cold... :)
6. Keep windows open all the time (there's a nice big tree right next to our apartment which keeps our drawing room cool)
7. Preferably if time permits have bath twice (again cold)
8. Drink lots of Tender coconut water - nothing like it
9. Dont venture out in the sun too much - not good for your tan as well as your head (gives me a headache)
10. Carry coolers all the time
11. Wash your face atleast 5 times - it's good for your skin too...
and last but not the least dont forget your sunblock.

Weekend Khana

Or should I say saappadu… with work and everything I simply don’t get enough time to cook an elaborate meal on weekdays… therefore when a weekend comes along, it’s time to put my culinary skills to test!!!

And last weekend was no different... Since it was long weekend (Friday was also off since it was a local festival celebrated here in Bangalore), I started my arrangements to cook my best stuff a little ahead itself. Usually during weekends I prefer to start with some South Indian stuff – for obvious reasons (Iyer connection) and I did the same last weekend as well...

The Menu included– Arachutta vengaya sambhar, Beans poriyal, kosumbari, Parrupu saadam, rice, curds and some vadaams to munch... I took about 3 hours to do this all… I know this is an elaborate one but when you have a hardcore tambram in your family, you’ve got to sweat it out. :-)

Hope the Iyer boy liked it as much as I enjoyed cooking for him – after all “the way to a man’s heart is though his stomach” which I am totally getting the hang of it by now…

Some pics following the cooking…

Chai ya Coffee?

A typical north Indian Marwari community girl will go with the former any day while I choose the latter. This is quite contrary to my husband (an Iyer) who is an out and out Chai person while I am a total coffee gal!!!

I am obsessed with coffee and that’s probably why I am writing a post dedicated to one of the most important components in my day-to-day life… I cannot start my day without a fresh cup of coffee, preferably filtered (south Indian style) and since I don’t know how to make it, it is often prepared by Sundru every morning. And days when he is not around then I am forced to make my own using Nescafe instant coffee (that’s the only instant powder I use – can’t stand the others).

My obsession to try the best coffees has made me wander to the ends of Bangalore just to find that perfect blend of coffee and chicory… now mind you if you are resident of Bangalore then you’ll definitely vouch for the pain of travel… well not that I drive so I have nothing to complain ;-) it’s the poor husband’s headache – not mine :-)

Coffee or filter coffee (which is most predominant in the southern part of India) uses coffee beans of Arabica, Robusta, Malabar and pea berry. There could be many more but these are the ones I know. They are sold in abundance in this part of the world under many brands like Bru, Cothas, to name a few which comes to my mind. I usually prefer locally sold bags which I frequently buy in bulk each time I visit places like Coorg, where they are abundantly produced.

My quest for good coffee has made me a frequenter to the following coffee bars in Bangalore:-
I am writing in the order of importance or favorites ranging from the most to the least…
1. Sundru’s :-) (obvious choice otherwise I will be deprived of the morning nirvana)
2. Brahmins (along with hot Idlis and the famous chutney)
3. CTR (again incomplete without benne masala dosa)
4. Adigas
5. Airlines (along with yummy Channa Bhatura)
6. Java city – Mysore coffee
7. Kalmane coffee
8. Brio
9. Barista (now owned by Lavazza)
10. Café coffee day

Missing in my list are perhaps international brands like Star Bucks or Costa ones – just to experience what the flavor is all about, that makes it crazy worldwide. It is yet to step into India.

I shall leave you’ll with a nice picture of my coffee along with some tatted creations of mine.

Can you clone yourself?

Coz, I could do with one right now. I am completely lost in life, mental and frustrated to the d.

The reason for the sudden emotional outburst is that, I have been really busy these days with absolutely no time to spare… my mornings is lost in cooking both bfast/ lunch, rest of the day finishes juggling btw some stupid forced work training alongside my official work, finally I drag myself out of the beastly place and reach home by 8.30 – 9pm and it literally takes me an effort to cook dinner and by the end of all this I am pooped out!

I wish I had a way in to another Sapna… otherwise I might just break myself into two very soon (figuratively though).

I am done for the day – I am finally going to hit the sack now and wishing tomorrow never comes.