tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35068994412072153882024-03-12T20:09:28.815-07:00Ghar SansaarRandom Thoughts...TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-76880307702945980302011-10-24T08:00:00.001-07:002011-10-24T08:00:06.234-07:00When the soul mends<br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I was fortunate to receive this book from WaterBrook
Multnomah.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I loved the story. I am not from the community mentioned in book but
I come from very conservative community. I loved the fact that author took time
to share/explain choices made by some of the characters. As a parent, you have
certain belief and if your child does not subscribe to same, you react and respond
as human, not as super human. This is the part of growing up which is hard; where
you learn and grow. You learn to be with who you love, even if there is no
agreement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The story has some light parts to it…it is funny at times and
some characters are very wise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">If you like what is good about humanity, you would love this book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-64963332178937706282011-09-09T11:57:00.000-07:002011-09-09T11:59:12.291-07:00How to help your kids with raw veggies?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Since I have started oil free, reduced processed stuff, I moved
on to more raw food. However, with kids, it is challenge.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Here are few things that I learned and works for me....</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">Do not expect miracles. It took me a while
to get used to raw taste so it will take some time (and a lot of love and patience
form your part) for kids to get used to eat raw.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">Talk to them why you are serving raw
food.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">Start little and at home and when
they are hungry.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">Serve food in course (first serving
is always raw salad).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">I add their favorite fruits in there
green salad to make up for no dressing (dressing is usually only lemon juice)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">For zucchini and broccoli etc, I chop
them really fine to add to beans. This way, it helps them with their small
mouth.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">Respect their request about food. I
pack raw fruits, no veggies for their school and after care. I usually pack
food that they like (bean salad with 5 chips, ). I do not pack veggies as my
son mention that he does not want to eat veggies in school (My potato sabji is
not veggie in his mind).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">I always serve raw along with
something they like ( I am lucky that they love a lot of healthy stuff which is
very low in fat/sugar)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">Have few varieties of homemade dip
and sauce for them to try. Some days they love hummus but some days they do not
like it.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">And sometimes you have to let it go…</span></li>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, I had a guest with 8 yr old
boy. My kids are in same age group and while they were having ‘green shake’,
the other boy asked ‘How can you drink this? It looks so yuck’. My son
responded ‘Don’t say that. It looks ok and it makes me strong form inside.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What works for your kids?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-15512890615496011542011-09-08T11:23:00.000-07:002011-09-08T11:24:09.563-07:00raw food<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was reading, <a href="http://healthygirlskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/super-immunity-sneak-preview-2-swiss.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyGirlsKitchen+%28Healthy+Girl%27s+Kitchen%29">healthygirlskitchen </a>I am learning to enjoy raw food, I am beginning to like raw veggies.<br />Easiest way is definitely smoothie, but now I am in second grade :) I eat raw broccoli with hummus (or eggplant dip)<br /><br />I am obsessed with cooked veggies and I need my spice kick, I make Potato-tomato sabji (similar to your potato-eggplant preparation) and I add raw broc to it on the side. This way, I get my raw stuff along with spicy stuff.<br />I make dips and sauces at home without oil, so I do not feel bad for eating one cup of eggplant dip with 7 florets.<br /><br />Another things works with my kids is that when I make brown rice (or pasta), I mix raw veggies with hot spicy rice (or pasta). This way, veggies do get a bit warm but then everyone in family eats it. On my plate, you have to search for grain with microscope though<br /><br />I have seen significant improvement in my kids ability to handle season issues (fever, flu) etc since we increased raw food consumption, 3 years ago. We started with fruits and later we added more and more veggies.<br /><br />Also, I think early training for kids helps a lot as well. Recently, a friend made mac-chees for my kids and my son was extremely surprised to know that you can make mac-cheese without green tree (broccoli). He never had mac-cheese without raw broc.<br /><br />I do have issue with social pressure. In general I am considered ‘stone hearted mom’ who deprives simple pleasure of everyday food to my kids (yes, no muffin, cakes etc for them due to egg). But you have to take these out to develop </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">taste for bitter greens. But I hope my kids will be wise enough to understand that skipping golden arch is no big deal.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px;">Look forward to read comments on </span> <a href="http://healthygirlskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/super-immunity-sneak-preview-2-swiss.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyGirlsKitchen+%28Healthy+Girl%27s+Kitchen%29">healthygirlskitchen </a>blog</span>TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-56764916461576802392011-09-06T12:27:00.000-07:002011-09-06T12:28:11.983-07:006 week challenge<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In past 10 years, I gained 25 lbs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never liked SAD food and I used to eat lacto vegetarian diet (except
that cooking oil was so cheap in US that I think I started to overuse it). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worst part of this weight gain was that I thought it is natural.
I am already eating very healthy food and it is part of aging process (to get
fat) and motherhood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had really high triglyceride (wheat and rice and large portion
size)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In back of my mind, I was bothered by my extra weight but had no
strong resolve. I tried for a week or so few times but would give up very soon.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In beginning of this year, I got smart phone. I started to read
many blogs related to food, well being etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First four months I was blown away by information shared by various
doctors and bloggers. Intellectually I knew that I need to do something but blogs
finally motivated me enough to move on from my previous experience of fear of
failure. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started to incorporate more and more raw food in diet. I would loose
weight very fast but I can easily gain 5 lbs on Saturday party food. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I started to learn more about my body, I started to work with
my family as well. I am fortunate that I do not have any health issues in my family
and I would like to keep it that way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In past 3 to 4 months, I lost only 15 lbs, but my lipid panel report
shows much better numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My kids drink green smoothie at least 3 to 4 times per week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our salad consumption is gone up 4 times and oil consumption is
gone way down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am happy with progress we made as whole family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My typical day has no grain or oil till 6 pm. During dinner, I do
eat very little wheat or rice (2 or 3 spoons) .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My only problem is that I want to eat after 9 pm (some fried
snack).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have these snacks for kids (school, day care)./ these are
healthy crackers or bars, but they are still something that I should not eat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am participating in this <a href="http://veganbarbie.blogspot.com/2011/08/challenge-starts-in-27-hours.html">6 week challenge</a> to get rid of 10 lbs
and that will put me in my ideal weight range. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In addition to all the blogs I follow and read, I also stumbled upon
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Inflammation-Now-Richard-Fleming/dp/1583332006/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315335634&sr=1-1">this
book</a>. Does anyone else know about “Dr.
</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Richard Fleming</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">”?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please do share your experience and story. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-18798815651225589262011-06-20T11:30:00.000-07:002011-06-20T11:30:24.680-07:00Vegan Thumbprint Cookies<a href="http://www.shutterbean.com/vegan-thumbrpint-cookies/comment-page-1/#comment-36128">These</a> are awesome cookies. I made them yesterday and they were hit. Best part is that it is so simple. I had to read list and steps twice to ensure I am not missing anything. when I was making them, I thought something is not right...but boy. It is good. so good.<br />
<br />
I am always looking for healthier option for snacking and these are definitely something I will keep making.TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-38476030392513662192011-04-01T12:11:00.000-07:002011-04-01T12:52:41.135-07:00Review: The Pirate Queen<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
I finally finished reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Queen-Patricia-Hickman/dp/140007200X">The Pirate Queen</a>. I love reading but it took me more than three months to finish this book. It is pretty average book that I had to force myself to finish.<br />
I am surprised by editorial review of the book as expected some critique from editors.<br />
<br />
What I did not like?<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Not much other character development. Main character was inside her head pretty much all the time.<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Some of feeling from Saphora was hard to believe. You expect certain gravity from a character based on its age and stage.<br />
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I experienced repetition from writer (She will tell what she already told you 10 pages ago).<br />
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Write could have left readers to figure out on their own rather than stating obvious.<br />
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I play this game of ‘Predicted ending’ and ‘surprise ending’. This book had predicted ending. (No, I will not add more details because it would ruin your “surprise”.)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
What someone else may like (I don’t care about these aspect)<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In the beginning, author has described in detail some aspect of setup but this is not<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If you like reading ‘High life’ kind of books, you may like some aspect of this story.<br />
<br />
What I liked<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Setting (where most of the story happens)<br />
<a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/6315/bmc:1/">Here is my review....</a><br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div>TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-79593884277943562822011-03-31T13:56:00.000-07:002011-03-31T13:56:03.261-07:00Vegan Options<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I like to eat in restaurant but I do not see more than two options on menu and sometimes even that requires 30 minute conversation with chef.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The cost of this is not just inconvenience but social also. I usually skip workplace related meetings that are at restaurant (and farewell and welcome lunches as well).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">As Seattle is port city, you cannot escape from seafood (and other side effects</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I usually chat with restaurant manager about adding more vegan options but I usually get response as ‘Send mail to corporate’.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I understand my other options as PCC and Wholefood, but what do I do when my co worker who is leaving, likes to eat at specific place and they specialize in sea food? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">In order for people to ‘consider’ vegan life, they need to see more options so I have started emailing some chains.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">So first one on my list are <a href="http://www.panerabread.com/">Panera</a></span> <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">and <a href="http://www.pallino.com/">Pallino</a></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">What do you do in such situations.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Please share your ideas and resources….<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Thanks<o:p></o:p></div>TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-40900380319476108532011-03-30T11:28:00.000-07:002011-03-30T11:28:01.463-07:00Mean Girl?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27px;">It is funny that I was just thinking about nasty comments form my daughter's classmates....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27px;">and saw <a href="http://notjustcute.com/2011/03/29/the-need-for-social-problem-solving-skills/#comments">this</a> this post on my reader.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;">My 7 year old girl has to face many situations at school where other girls will say mean things to her. and as mother sometimes I feel I am not to guiding her right. Like yesterday, some girl was teasing her (you are looser and will always be looser because my daughter’s favorite food was favored by only two other kids in class). My response to my daughter was ‘ignore the other girl’.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27px;">When I think back, I was that kind girl who did not know how to respond in language so I took shelter with books. I am always looking for advise/input in terms of how to manage this….</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;">Books are fine and I am so grateful to this to a extent when I see my paycheck....</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;">But I wish I could enjoy more of my time at school (and hope my daughter does)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;"><br />
</span></span>TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-6163052308262250252011-03-25T09:33:00.000-07:002011-03-25T09:34:17.465-07:00Party Food<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I am experimenting more with raw Vegan food now a days so I look for more and more information on web. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://veganplanet.blogspot.com/2011/03/party-vegan-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Fgmob+%28Vegan+Planet%29">vegan planet</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> is not technically raw but it does provide much healthier options than I am used to ...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span>TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-2633112338361680462010-12-09T11:56:00.000-08:002010-12-09T11:57:21.761-08:00Got vegan drink?<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>For years, I have been trying to get rid of my habit of black tea with sugar + milk. I live in place where everyone walks around with one nose and one Starbucks cup (Seattle). I can blame my habit on rainy and cloudy days in Seattle but ultimately, I wanted to remove sugar and milk with tea.<br />
<br />
Other than trying various types of tea with water only, now I am this spicy drink which takes a little bit preparation but allows me a lot of variation.<br />
Also, you can create this in bulk and it has shelf life of a week<br />
<br />
Here is recipe along with variations….<br />
<br />
<br />
Spices<br />
<br />
1 tsp Cumin seeds<br />
1 tsp black mustard seeds<br />
2 tsp coriander powder<br />
1 tsp black pepper powder<br />
1 pinch of Asafoetida powder<br />
Few leaves of cilantro<br />
-------<br />
1 tsp oil<br />
3 Roma tomato (make puree in blender)<br />
3 cup water<br />
<br />
1 tsp tamarind paste (If you have tamarind block and sock and take out the juice, you would need about 1/3 cup as it will be diluted)<br />
<br />
Steps.<br />
1. Boil tomato puree with water.(Add tomato and water in pot and when it starts boiling, let it simmer for 15 minutes)<br />
2. Now in smaller pan, heat oil and add all spices (this will roast spices and bring out the flavor)<br />
3. Add tamarind past/water.<br />
4. This is ready to consume.<br />
<br />
Variations<br />
1. You can skip all or some of the spices if you find the list overwhelming or you do not like some of the spices.<br />
2. You can replace tamarind with ½ tsp lemon or lime juice.<br />
3. You can chop and sauté tomato and then boil it. This will taste better.TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-62676156637124331292010-12-06T11:03:00.000-08:002010-12-06T11:03:28.237-08:00I can bake...After multiple failure, I kept going and going....<br />
I tried yesterday <a href="http://www.divinetaste.com/archives/eggless-almond-cake-with-almond-buttercream-icing/comment-page-1/#comment-9523">this </a>recipe yesterday. We loved the outcome. I did do some modification though....<br />
I used 1/2 tsp soda instead of 1 tsp. And I used total 1 and 1/2 cup of flour (no almond pieces).TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-45095302821297480722010-10-12T09:06:00.000-07:002010-10-12T09:11:54.464-07:00Evening plan for 10.11.10Dictate simple sentences such as ‘I love my new puppy’ <br />
Math – Money problem (you had $10 and bought hat for $5, how much left)<br />
Hindi – Letter recognition for Swar and simple words like अंक, अंग, खाओ, आओ, गयी etc<br />
Revise table for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,<br />
<br />
After taking bath plan was to go to temple as we are observing Navratri. Prasad was supposed to be our dinner. <br />
<br />
However, when I went to school for pickup, Kids told me their afterschool activity at school(I totally forgot about it otherwise I would have gone to Gym).<br />
Anyway, after we arrived home at 5, we finished <br />
--school homework and bath <br />
-- son worked on his friendship book<br />
-- Simple sentences for daughter and simple words for Son (part of his homework)<br />
<br />
We did go to temple but I had to leave early and without Prasad (don’t ask why). So we came home, kids did some reading and I worked on stir fry veggies with tofu along with yogurt plus boondi raita with lemon rice.<br />
<br />
After kids brushed their teeth and went to bed, and I soaked red kidney bean for next day dinner, I went to bed…Happy, feeling blessed.TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-73476948853255858112010-09-30T13:18:00.000-07:002010-09-30T13:18:49.199-07:00forgotten food in my familyI was looking for one thing after another and arrived at <a href="http://www.bongcookbook.com/">Bong Mom's Cookbook</a><br />
On her site, it says for Giveaway<br />
<b>Tell me in your comment "What is a forgotten food in your family that you would like to bring back"</b><br />
<br />
Here is what I have to say about this….<br />
I want to bring Kadi back to our table…<br />
<br />
Kadi. Actually it is not forgotten food but ‘not liked food’. It is so hated food in my house that kids and hubby will not even taste it. For some reason, they just do not like it. I fail to understand it why?<br />
Why I want to bring it back? Simply because it is one dish you can make in 10 minutes or in 4 hours, depending on time availability. <br />
It’s quick version is extremely healthy, see for yourself<br />
1 spoon oil, <br />
2 spoon besan<br />
1 cup yogurt (if it is less sour, you can increase the qty)<br />
Turmeric and hing (Asafoetida)<br />
Water (2 cup)<br />
salt<br />
Few fenugreek seeds for tampering. <br />
<br />
Mix besan, and yogurt. Heat oil in pan once it is hot; add fenugreek seeds and Hing and turmeric. Few seconds later, add water. Once you see it boiling, add yogurt mix along with salt. Let it boil for at least 10 minutes (more if you have time).<br />
Variation: you can add sautéed veggies, pakodas, onion to this gravy…Possibilities are endless (off course, it needs preparation for whatever you want to add)<br />
You can even add many flavoring as well like kasoori Methi, spinach, curry patta, ginger<br />
You can add Boondi<br />
<br />
So far I have not been successful in incorporating this to our regular food. <br />
Here is recipe from Tarla Dalal http://www.tarladalal.com/Punjabi-Kadhi-8679rTejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-73652927382416110982010-09-15T08:12:00.000-07:002010-09-15T08:12:04.135-07:00Packing LunchIn my house, I make food everyday so packing lunch is not issue. However, we have two issues, Most Indian food tastes best when it is either hot or warm, never cold…so in school, kids do not like Indian food (not to mention that it smells and looks different).<br />
Second issue is that we are vegetarian, so we really do not have better option than cheese pizza. I hate that pizza but kids beg me that I let them buy their own lunch.<br />
My money sense also looks at $ amount that I end up spending for that pizza which school would have to pay me, if they want me to eat it.<br />
On hunt for ideas on dealing with thsi issueTejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-15055364595862210052010-09-10T09:04:00.001-07:002010-09-10T09:16:42.593-07:00sleep deprive...I am trying new schedule which is to be in office before 7 and leave at 2 for kids pick up for last two weeks.<br />
My kids are used to aftercare so they will miss the snack <br />
<br />
The struggle is getting in bed early. I am so used to be up till 12, getting in bed by 9 seems unnatural to me. After two week of this schedule, lack of sleep and fatigue made me go to bed yesterday at 9 and then I woke up at 6.<br />
I have not had so much sleep since…I do not know..I am so used to being sleep deprive that 9 hours sleep is making me wanting to go back to bed again…<br />
My next post will be on lunch box for my kids. I just read <a href="http://seattlemomblogs.com/2010/08/packing-school-lunches-is-harder-than-it-looks/">Carrie’s blog</a> and was impressed by comment from <a href="http://www.unitedstatesofmotherhood.com/">Scout's Honor</a>. Imagine kids packing their own lunch….<br />
I guess I need to train myself first on How-To-Train-Your-Kids-to-Pack-their-Own-Lunch first.TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-80250960480552282542010-09-09T09:13:00.000-07:002010-09-09T09:13:26.194-07:00Writing at schoolSo in our school, kids are not supposed to have notebook (blinded or spiral) till third grade. I think at least first graders are ready to use a notebook so that they can go back and check their work. I hate loose sheets that they use at school, which goes to recycle mostly. Do you go back to your notebook or loose sheets to see what you did last month?<br />
<br />
Worst, I got the response from teacher saying that “No thanks you for notebook suggestion, loose sheets are better for younger kids”. Come on, these are order kids! They can handle a notebook. <br />
Looking for ideas on dealing with teachers, specially the experienced teachers because their resposn is mostly, “I know better as I have been doing this for Xx years.” <br />
Grumble in frustration…TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506899441207215388.post-70441913563058981672010-09-08T12:33:00.000-07:002010-09-08T12:33:23.667-07:00Homework<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cshukmx1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cshukmx1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cshukmx1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">I recently read <a href="http://www.alfiekohn.org/books/hm.htm">The Homework Myth: by Alfie Kohn</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">I do agree that it would be wonderful if school did use 6 hours of school time to do actually do academic work. This will ensure that no homework is needed. This also means more time for kids to be kids (family time, other activities etc). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> However, as school days are mostly filled non academic stuff, Kids have no time for academic work. Also, I realize that many academic lessons are easier to teach at home than at school. I do not like role of teacher AND parent for same kids, however, I see no other options to improve kids academic skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">I am not so worried about American-kids-falling-behind-rest-of-the-world but <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">I do believe that mere love of learning, intelligence and can-do-attitude is enough for good and successful life. One does need discipline, basic training to do something which he/she may not love to abut do it anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">I see Disney movies always happy ending where kids/hero challenging the norm and conventional wisdom only to become very successful. However, I have NOT seen such thing in real life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">So unless we fix school where kids can work on academic skills, I see no other option but to live with homework (or Kumon or Brain Child or other such worksheets)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Also, I see PTA arranging events such as “Math Bunny” or “Eager Reader” where kids are encouraged to study at home for some rewards. This is not essentially homework but it does eat family time. So in this case, it is not mandatory homework but it is kind of homework that more teachers and parents encourage kids to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">I do feel little discouraged by size of this issue. Look forward to hear opinion from other parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>TejasJJainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633565379273653809noreply@blogger.com0