Archive for May, 2009
Pass (on) the Popcorn
There’s nothing like the smell of the buttery box of freshly-popped popcorn that you swear you won’t buy but then you do and proceed to eat half of it before the previews are over at the movie theatre. Every afternoon, someone in my office pops a bag of Orville Redenbacher’s and boy, it smells good. [...]
Sméagol’s Middle Eastern, Oven Baked Meatballs
Before 8pm on any given day, I generally have ZERO time for myself. That is, I can’t do certain basic things, like take a dump, eat a meal, check email or make a phone call without some little person pulling at my leg (and pulling down my pants) screaming “mommmmyyyyyy.” Sometimes, in the midst of [...]
All Scream for Ice Cream
When it’s an average of 106F and the sun is full every day…all day…and the only respite is around midnight when the temperature drops to a balmy 95F, what else can you do but eat ice cream? I have not done any form of exercise in four weeks nor do I pretend. I sweat by [...]
Mama, where are the tomatoes?
My siblings and I grew up with vegetable/fruit gardens – my amala (mother in Tibetan) had a green thumb and LOVED gardening. Any unused plot of land my mother found whether it belonged to us or the neighbour (well, most were happy to oblige) she would plant vegetables/herbs. I am grateful that she instilled in [...]
WTF?: Monkey Business
Although there is quite a bit of debate about the potentially harmful effects of bisphenol-a, or BPA, on humans, some animal studies have suggested an increased risk of cancer and/or accelerated puberty. As an intrinsically risk averse human being, I eliminated all plastic containers in our home and discontinued purchases of canned beans and, sadly, [...]
99 Bottles of No-Beer
Gujarat is a dry state. Which means: no alcohol. Now this doesn’t bother as I can’t drink anyways (I turn shades of eggplant purple, among other fun side effects that would deliver me to the emergency room), but one thing that I always don’t get to partake is cocktails. Unless I order them non-alcoholic, but [...]
Where the Streets Have No Name
The hustle and bustle of street markets hold a special charm of its own. Monik Chawla in Ahmedabad, India is no different. Stalls outside the gate sell everything, from plastic buckets to shiny party decorations to brown basmati rice. Inside the gate is even busier – people, autorickshaws, and scooters rushing to go somewhere. This [...]
“Mama-se, Mama-Sa, Mama-Coo-Sa”
I vowed never to be the parent who responds with a “Because I said!” I am happy to report that I am not that parent. Instead, I calmly, yet firmly (yea right) respond with “Because Mama Says!” Immediately, I have flashbacks of jerry curls, leggings, Tab and the “Mama-se (say), mama-sa, mama-coo-sa” line from Michael [...]
Tomato + Sugar = Not Ketchup
I hadn’t realized how ‘strange’ (even disturbing) some of our meals were to folks until I started taking them to school for lunch. My experience taking lunch to school might not have been so traumatic if 1) my food hadn’t regularly infused the lunchroom with its…’aroma’ (primarily garlic, ginger and hot pepper) and 2) if [...]
Maharaja Value Meal
Due to high demand, I actually went into the McDonald’s here. I haven’t eaten at one in almost a year (last time didn’t end up too well), even though I love their fries. This was one happy day. Happy Meal it was. The McDonald’s was super nice and clean with upbeat funky dance music playing. [...]
