The Enlightened Plate

I have been in a “Funk” – there I said it…I moped around a lot – thinking why us, worried, questioning life’s purpose (no answers yet), a constant dark cloud over my head (think Eyeore in Winnie the Pooh, if you don't have kids don’t even bother visualizing), I have gone about things on auto pilot since November…telling myself that I will get out of it and things will get better. I don’t think I am the kind of person given to depressions, terrible mood swings or tantrums – I keep my mind and self pre-occupied and busy and really sweep negative emotions literally under the carpet (not a very healthy thing to do).
This week I was mentally categorizing my personal and professional life and realized – on things that I “could” control or change – I wouldn’t do one thing different – I absolutely love my new job and the new connections that I have made, I love the level of diplomacy and tact it has taught me and I love the fact that I am truly stretching myself and learning something new. On my personal life – I have been able to achieve a work/life balance…spending time with my son who is fast growing up, K1 seems busier and more stressed than normal but I am assuming that will smoothen out in the next couple months, we have been focused on living simple and eating healthy. I traded down my car (a spiffy Lexus IS 300) for a wonderful Prius 2 years back …I shop more at the Farmer’s Market…if I didn’t have a brown thumb and a small backyard, I would try to grow some fruits in my backyard. Yet, it is the things that I can’t control that put me into the “funk”…however that is not my story to share. However, when I see a loved one’s positive approach to life and adversity…I realize that is real living. If you think you are a victim, you shall feel like a victim. I especially loved a recent article I had read by David Servan…very inspirational. If you want to read it is available here.
I very loftily did not set any New Year resolutions for myself this year. Yet as the year progresses I have set a mental checklist for myself that I need to well what else…check off!

1. Get Organized - Declutter, Declutter, Declutter ( sell off K2’s old stuff that I am clinging on to, give away things at the Salvation Army or just trash)


2. Go to Yoga at least 4 times a week – this one is critical


3. Eat Healthy - I think I am there with this one. But think I am too hard on K1 and K2 in terms of diet and need to loosen the belt a little bit and let a little bit of meat (chicken, fish) into the mix. Not always worry about nutritional value or antioxidant value – just go with the beat…If I want to have a Nestle Triple Chocolate Drumstick – then I will go ahead and have one….of course I won’t have it every day…but that one drumstick will settle the noisy cravings for a while.


4. Live Simple – no fancy cars or expensive gym memberships or branded accessories…I came into this country with two suitcases and guess what! I was super happy ( I am quoting my friend P here)…I would much rather focus on the non-material things in life for now (in the background of course we will pay up our mortgage debt, squirrel away some savings for retirement, put some money away for a college fund for K2)


5. Focus on the now vs. worry about the future – I want to take a long hike, a trip to the zoo, I want to learn how to swim like a fish, I want to watch whales, I want to go on a wild life safari, I want to write a book, I want to learn how to bake scrumptious vegan cup cakes, I want to take a trip to India and go down to Goa with the family (K1,K2, my parents, K1’s Parents and our siblings)…and I am going to figure out how to get all these done this year without letting work deadlines and my own virtuous other self talk me into not doing the “fun stuff”.

Do I think I am out of the funk…don’t know yet…but I do have a go forward game plan. I did go to the Farmer’s market this Sunday and my loot was – A bright bunch of Yu Choy Sum (lots of yellow flowers), Garlic Greens, Broccoli, Carrots, a head of fresh Cabbage, One large Daikon Radish, a bunch of small red radishes, a head of cauliflower, Somerfield Apples, Pumelo, Quail Eggs (my son wanted the baby eggs and he has been faithfully having four scrambled up every night) and Jalapeno Foccacia (from Black & White Bakery). I cooked home quite a bit this week; here is a rundown of what I made – Banana Bread, Curried Pinto Beans, Broccoli and Cabbage Stir-fry, a simple salad of Persian cucumbers and red radish (dressed with lemon, salt and pepper, Besi Bela Bhaat (see what that is here), Potato Raita, Stir Fry of Yu Choy with the garlic greens…truly an enticing & enlightened plate…what’s on your plate this week?