Tentative Parenting : The little things in life...

"Enjoy the little things in life, for someday you will realize they were the big things."

Today feels like any other day...not that special or a one-off...I got up in the morning, feeling no different, made lunch for K2, got on a couple calls, went to a Yoga class...walked to lunch...attended meetings, picked K2 and spent time with the 3 boys (the 2K's and my brother "A")...yet it was so much more. It was a Birthday...and it was an incredibly memorable one...

# 1 My Ma face timed me to wish me 

# 2 Aura's wonderful message on FB

#3 K1 wishing me  in the AM

#4 Me talking to my grandma in Orissa

#5 The kids in the bus wishing me Happy Birthday

#6 Birthday wishes galore from my family and friends - whatsapp, fb, txt messages, voice messages (feeling so special and loved!)

#7 My Yoga teacher  Keith threw in 2 of my favorite poses - Kapothasana (Pigeon) and Gomukha Asana 

#8 I got myself vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and Mango Sorbet (that's what I wanted to eat today not the whole wheat carrot cupcakes :-) )

#9 Rashmi took me for an impromptu lunch at the Oracle Cafe

#10 On my way back to my office I saw this elegant bird fearlessly watching and waiting

#11 Dinner with the 3 Boys was wonderful...it was at my favorite Malaysian place....shaved mango ice (yum!)

#12 Wrapping up with a stroll around the lake... 

Someone once asked me - why do you love these birds so much...and K2 told them - it reminds her of Bapa (my father). I think these birds symbolized the life he wanted to lead - free unencumbered by worries, doubts, criticisms, dislikes and judgement.For my 21st Birthday he had brought me back this beautiful "Kiwi" pendant from New Zealand...and every time I wear it, I remember - it's the little things in  the life that count...

Simple Living : Keen on Quinoa

“When you think yours is the only true path you forever chain yourself to judging others and narrow your perspective. The road to righteousness and arrogance is a parallel road that can intersect each other several times throughout a person's life. It’s often hard to recognize one road from another. What makes them different is the road to righteousness is paved with the love of humanity. The road to arrogance is paved with the love of self.” 
                                                     ----A Wise Woman


I was in the Oracle Building 200 Cafe waiting patiently all of 15 minutes for my small bowl of beans and cheese -- sounds unexciting -- well let me correct your misconception -- my lunch is something I look forward to in my mostly uneventful (read: unexciting!) day. I go downstairs and get this bowl of perfection - black beans, quinoa, lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa and cheese and it's a wonderful half hour at my desk with my plate/bowl of goodness.

OK...so I digress -- today was not like most other days -- I usually time my trip to the cafe between 11.00-11.15 AM when I am the only one in line and it's a quick in and out and off to my desk to eat. But today -- I stood in the line virtually counting sheep and people watching...I saw this really interesting Indian Woman standing in front of me - soft voice, soft demeanor (and big gold hoops) and I paid particular attention to what she was ordering...she ordered the brown rice instead of the quinoa...and after I ordered my bowl  -- we started talking and me in my usual steam rollering fashion extolled the virtues of quinoa over rice...in her soft voice - she told me - she is off quinoa. She told me it was because of environmental reasons...I was like is it harmful to the land (clueless! that's me!) -- she goes no - we are stealing the food literally from the mouths of the indigenous people in Peru/Bolivia. It made me feel guilty enough to go and google the issue. Am I going to give up eating Quinoa? Don't know yet -- love me my quinoa way too much to make that decision right this minute (and there's 5 lbs of Quinoa in my pantry that I am not tossing away!)...*head*hurts*

So putting the ethical aspects of  eating quinoa aside I made us for dinner a quick 15 minute Tofu Scramble.

Serves: 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped Tomato
• 1 Pack of Shelled Edamame (Trader Joes)
• 1 Pack of any brand of Organic Extra Firm Tofu (scramble it)
• 2 teaspoons masala powder - I used Roopak's  Aloo Kadhai Masala
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

PREPARATION

 Heat oil in large wok over medium heat. Add  onions and sauté until golden brown. Now add the tomatoes and sauté till it's all mushy .  Add the Masala Powder and then add the Edamame and the tofu.  stir  for 5 minutes.  Season with Salt, Cinnamon and Paprika (to your taste, the last 2 are purely optional, I use them). Stir in cilantro. Enjoy with a helping of cooked Quinoa (or brown rice!)
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A simple belief  that has been further strengthened by this interaction with woman unknown is : everything that we do and everyone that we meet are put in our path for a purpose. There are no accidents; we're all teachers and we are being taught - if we're willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts and keep ourselves open to suggestions and new ideas - we evolve and grow