Thursday, March 5, 2015

No change yet different!

When I visited the society where I used to live earlier near about four years back, my neighbors comments surprised me.
"You have changed so much." Mrs. 'S' said.
"Your face has changed but your laugh is same loud and pleasing to ears." Mrs. 'F' said.
"I will not be able to recognize you if I haven't seen your photo on Facebook." Mrs. 'X' said.
"You are looking very pretty." Mrs. 'K' said.
I thought, "My face haven't changed much though they are experiencing the difference just because of my hairstyle; earlier I used to make plait and now I left my hair loose."


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

A bunch of flowers

Dear readers these beautiful flowers of Amaltas are for you. I thankyou for reading my posts, liking them and commenting on them. While I was busy with the publishing of my book I missed and forget to tell you that I had written more than 600 posts on my blog. This is my 616th post. I write because dear readers, you are my inspiration, you are my motivation and you are my strength. You made me successful and popular. Thanks for being a part of my blog.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Review of 'Shattered Dreams'

 I have never read a book based on Lord Ram’s life so interesting! Ramayana – The Game of Life is written by Shubha Vilas. ‘Shattered Dreams’ is the second part of this series. The first part is ‘Rise of the Sun Prince’.
‘Shattered Dreams’ is based on Ayodhya Kand and Aranya Kand. It tells that the age old saga has immediate relevance to today’s modern day life. It has uncountable wisdom gems in it which the author discovers making it’s writings more interesting, simple and lucid. Some of the points which I like are as follows:-
  1. Unity without loyalty to a common goal is like cement without water to seal bricks.
  2. The simplest joys of nature cannot be replaced by the complex creations of man.
  3. Clouds receive salty water from ocean and return sweet water as rain. A cow eats grass and returns sweet milk. A coconut tree drinks water and returns nectar. What one receives is a debt that can be absolved by paying through selfless service.
  4. Desires are like waves in an ocean. If one hits the shores, rest assured, another is on its way. Spiritual practice transforms one from ceaseless ocean of desires to the still lake of self-satisfaction.
  5. When your actions boomerang as reactions, rather than wondering who threw it at you, you should wonder when you threw it.
  6. Just like a river does not differentiate between two banks, a pure mind does not differentiate between what is the self’s and what is not; like the river, it is so absorbed in others’ welfare that it finds no time for self-absorption.
  7. When the aim of life changes from pleasing the ego to pleasing God, it changes from egocentric to god-centric.
  8. A good leader prudently stops an overdose of anger from entering his system like a healthy man consciously avoids overeating.
  9. Forgiveness is the fragrance that the sandalwood tree leaves on an axe that cuts it, the stone that grinds it and in the smoke that burns it.
  10. One should focus on devotion to duty rather than hankering for appreciation of result.
  11. Prayer is not about approaching God for temporary solutions but approaching Him with a permanent commitment.
  12. Many have the fortune of knowing what is right, but few have the guts of doing what is right.
  13. Lifestyle is not so much about habits as much as it is about mindsets. Imitating habits is easy, but emulating mindsets is difficult.
  14. A hero is not one who tries to surpass others, but one who strives to solve the knots in others’ lives at the cost of personal sacrifices.
This book unravels practical facts that go with every age. It tells people to adopt Ramayana in their lives. The author himself is a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker. He teaches to apply teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana and other dharmic traditions in dealing with modern day life situations.




Friday, February 27, 2015

Name in print

"Thanks for reading the manuscript of 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind'. Thanks a lot for suggesting humorous anecdotes here and there which makes it very interesting. As a gesture of thanks I added your name in 'Acknowledgements' of my book." I said and handed a copy of the book to Mrs. 'K'.
Flipping through the pages of book, she checked her name and said, "I am seeing my name in print for the second time. First time it was on my wedding card. I do not know why you gave my name in your book. But any ways Thanks, yaar!"

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Japa Meditation is available online

Dear Readers,
You can buy my book 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind' at amazon.in. Grab ur copy now. 
http://www.amazon.in/Japa-Meditation-Easiest-Calm-Mind/dp/9385077163/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424652245&sr=8-1&keywords=japa+meditation+chandrika+shubham

Friday, February 20, 2015

Release of my third book

Today my third book 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind' was released by Mr. Sanjeev Kataria, owner of S. K. Kataria and Sons and Mr. Madan, National Sales Head, S. Chand Group in Delhi World Book Fair 2015. On this occasion Dr. Rajeev Jain, owner of Vayu Publications and Dr. Devashish Saini, owner of Ross Clinics were also present. 

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Invitation

Dear Readers,
You are cordially invited on the release of my book 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind' at Delhi World Book Fair on 20.2.15 (Friday) at 4:00 pm at Hall No. 14, Stall No. 7- 8, Near Gate No.7, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Come one come all!
Chandrika Shubham

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Mantra

Mantra is a sound, a word or a phrase which is repeated again and again. It is a powerful sound or magic vibration which creates a significant change in attitude and mind set. It helps in focusing one’s energy. Mantra japa is an indirect way to calm mind. After one thought leaves mind and another thought enters, a mantra is slipped between that gap and slowly that gap is increased by increasing the number of mantra. As one experience deeper meditation all worries and doubts evaporate, mind becomes still and feels the oneness with God and experiences supreme peace. Mantra japa is a very powerful tool to enter Samadhi.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Monday, February 16, 2015

Japa Meditation

Japa meditation involves focusing the mind on a certain mantra and shutting out the disturbing external stimuli. It involves the repetition of mantra which is either a single syllable or a magical group of mystic sounds. The repetition, concentration and devotion to a mantra can awaken its energy. A mantra contains the power to God realization. That power has to be grown by repetition, concentration and devotion. One day a middle aged lady told her husband that today I did only 250 grams of japa. She used to live in a village with her husband.  Her husband replied that he did half kilogram of japa. Actually, they used a rosary mala (string) to do japa. And on completion of one rosary (string) they put one grain of whole Bengal gram aside. At the end of the day they both weighed their total japa in terms of grams. They were innocent and innovated their own way of counting of rosary.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham. This book is available at amazon.in)

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Selection of place, time and posture for meditation

Meditation happens naturally. As sleep when comes naturally, one falls into it. Similarly meditation comes by itself. While meditating the newcomers should follow certain points in selection of place, time and posture for quick results. Mental attitude, food habits and environment counts a lot. The beginners should select the room in the North – East direction of house and should meditate while facing North. Brahmmuhrata is the best time for concentrating. The spine, neck and head should be aligned straight in a line. Sukhasana, Padmasana, Vrikshasana, Shirashasana are good postures to calm mind. While meditating, one can focus upon various centres within the body. There are seven chakras in the body on which one can concentrate. Most of the spiritual aspirants concentrate on sixth chakra – the space between the eyebrows. The object of focus is visualized in the space between the eyebrows. Some aspirants focus on Fourth chakra – the space in the central channel in the spine between the lungs at heart.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Relationship between mind and breathing

When mind is agitated because of anger or fear then breathing becomes shorter, shallower, fast and irregular. When mind is relaxed and calm then one breathes slowly. Mind and breathing are interrelated. If one of them is controlled then it will regulate the other automatically. For calming mind, a spiritual aspirant can practice bhastrika, kapalabhati, jalandhara bandha, uddiyana bandha, mula bandha, anuloma viloma, suryebedhe, chandrabedhe pranayamas. Pranayam has four steps poorak, antarkumbhak, rechak and bahir kumbhak which should be performed in 1:4:2:2 ratio.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Friday, February 13, 2015

Make mind a good friend

Mind is attracted towards the glittering of materialistic world. Mind wants to seek more and more. It is never satisfied with the sensual pleasures from the external objects. Mind trapped in the pleasure seeking from sensual objects becomes one’s biggest enemy. Mind should be trained to withdraw from sensual objects. Non attachment to sense objects leads to liberation. Thus, one’s own mind becomes one’s friend. 


The best way to make mind a good friend is to forget. Forget the body. Forget the surrounding environment. Forget the family and relatives. Forget the worries. Forget the happiness. Forget everything except absolute the Truth, God or Brahmn. Forgetting is not easy therefore mind should be engaged all the time in God’s name or mantra. Remembering God will help to forget about the pleasures and pains of this materialistic world. On forgetting this world, one attains Supreme Bliss.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Thursday, February 12, 2015

How to concentrate mind?

Concentration is fixing of mind on one object or idea either outside or inside the body. Beginners should start concentrating on an image of deity, Om symbol or flame of a lamp etc. The image should be pleasing and should bring peace and joy to mind. It should neither create boredom nor excitement. Concentration is the first step of meditation and can work wonders.

Everybody has concentration power but its range may vary. One should strengthen mind’s capacity by various ways. A newcomer in the field of meditation must practice concentration exercises to focus the scattered rays of mind on a single point which leads to Self Realisation. There are various exercises using different techniques like focusing mind on sound, breathing, on visual image of deity or symbol. They all have one aim to concentrate mind. Tratak, category concentration, concentration on sound are some of the ways to focus it on one single point. Concentrating on breathing, concentration on sensations, observation of thoughts, emptying the mind, Hatha yoga and pranayama are various methods to control mind.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Meditation - A step by step process

Meditation is as essential for us as breathing, eating and sleeping. It is attained step by step. It is a matter, not of miracle, but of evolution, of growth. To master a language, a person learns alphabets first, then words, sentence formation, tense, modals etc. Mind can be focused without any effort while doing interesting things. Most of the persons find it difficult to concentrate mind on the tedious work. One can improve its power of focusing by concentrating the mind on one chore which one is doing presently. One can further strengthen the power of concentration through practice and patience. The increased focus power helps in clarifying ideas, making complex things simpler, removing confusion and enhancing efficiency and working capacity. With the result, one can accomplish more work in less time. 

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Different ways to control mind

Every body has its own thought world. Daily near about 50,000 thoughts arise in mind. If they are negative then a person feels sad and if negativity continues for some days it leads to depression. Through the practice of japa of mantra, pranayama and yoga along with reading sacred books one can fill mind with pure and positive thoughts and eradicate impure thoughts.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Control Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Monday, February 9, 2015

Mind is monkey

Mind is restless, unsettled, confused, indecisive and uncontrollable. Mind jumps from one thought to another just like a monkey who jumps from one tree to another. The monkey like mind is not satisfied in the present moment. It is constantly distracted with replaying the happenings of past events or planning for the future. Focusing of mind to stay in present can be achieved by practicing meditation.


Meditation is a technique for having full control over mind by constant observation of thoughts entering the mind. It trains mind to work without getting tensed, stressed, tired and aged. It keeps the mind cheerful, peaceful, calm, serene and young as there is increase of grey matter. Most importantly it helps one to be peaceful in turbulent times.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Monday, February 2, 2015

Low cut dresses

Two women passed from the passage in the park wearing low cut dresses. On seeing them Mrs. 'V' commented, "I do not know what these women wants to show. The 50% population have all the same what they have."
I said, "Actually, they are worried about the rest of the 50% population." ;)

Friday, January 30, 2015

Bird house in my balcony!

Earlier in my balcony only pigeons and Indian robin came in my balcony for drinking water and eating grains and bits of food. At that time I used to place a bowl of water and some food for them. After I put bird houses in my balcony many new birds have started coming in my balcony. Some of them are bulbul, parrot, tree pie, Indian myna and crow.

To all bird lovers, my advice is to place nest boxes in the garden, balcony, courtyard and veranda to increase the movement of different species of birds in the environment.

Today my Facebook status is
Rufous treepie is having breakfast in my balcony! :)))

Tomorrow it might be your's! :)


(For buying bird house in Delhi and NCR write a mail to chandrikashubham@gmail.com)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Cover page

These days I am busy in deciding the cover page of my upcoming book on meditation. It has been written it in simple, crisp and witty manner that no one will ever find meditating a boring task. I have decided to go for a silhouette of a meditating human being on its cover page. I am finding it difficult to finalize the color of background.
Dear readers, I need your suggestions what should be the color of the background of a book on meditation? 

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Made by My Mother

"Don't wear that blue color sweater, my child." A mother said.
"But Mom, I want to wear this only." The kid said and took the blue colored sweater in hands and started wearing it.
"It's left armhole is shorter than right. It will create discomfort for you while playing."
"Mom, I will adjust. I like this sweater very much because you lovingly knitted it for me. I will tell my all friends that this is 'Made by My Mother'."

Sunday, January 11, 2015

My Book on Meditation

Part 1
"Will you read my book on meditation?" I asked my friend.
"Oh, that topic is so boring!" She said.
"Will you read only first chapter of my book?" I requested.
"Fine. I will." 

Part 2
"Did you read the first chapter?" I asked my friend.
"Yes, it is very gripping. I thought it will be very boring but surprisingly I found it very interesting."
"Did you laugh while reading it?"
"Yup, Four - five times."
"Will you like to read the next chapter?"
"Ya, sure."

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Speed Vs Slow

Mr. ‘X’ climbed the mountain with the speedy vehicle in which his body can’t cope with the decrease in oxygen level and change in weather. Mr. ‘Y’ climbed mountain on foot so that his body can adjust to the change in weather and oxygen level.
Similarly one should walk slowly on a spiritual path so that one can cope up with the changes easily.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy 2015! :)

I always wonder why some people drink on the arrival of New Year? And I always ponder why can't they donate money and help the underprivileged to improve their way of life? And it always pinches me deep that most of the people spend their time in pubs rather than teaching a skill to a poor? This is our society. So, we all together have to improve it.

Happy and prosperous New Year to all of my readers! :)

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Good Bye 2014

On the eve of New Year I always evaluate the year. In 2014, I became author of two books 'Simple Vastu' and 'Saral Vastu'. This is the biggest achievement of my life in this year. I am working hard to write some more books on different topics. Hope to release more books in 2015.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

pK or oK

"Poster of pK was controversial." Mr. 'V' said.
"Poster of oK is even more controversial." Mr. 'B' said.
"In pK, nude Aamir Khan was holding a tape recorder."
"In oK, nude Poonam Rai is holding a small camera."


Sunday, December 28, 2014

New recipe

I tried out a new recipe of sweet potato and fenugreek leaves veg. It turned out to be very delicious as sweet potato are sweet and fenugreek leaves are bitter. Both balances the taste of each other. I like this dish so much that I can't resist myself from sharing this recipe.
Ingredients :
Sweet potato (roasted) - 3 or 4
Fenugreek leaves finely chopped - 2 cups
Green chilly (chopped) - 1
Coriander powder - 1 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric, salt, red chilly - To taste
Recipe : Peel roasted sweet potatoes and cut them in pieces. Put some oil in pan. Heat it and add cumin seeds to it. Add sweet potatoes and feenugreek leaves. Add spices and salt. Cover it and cook it on low flame for sometime. Serve hot.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Diet plan for earth worms

"In my flower pot a earth worm came in manure or along with some nursery plant from nursery. Now it has multiplied itself and given so many babies." I said.
"Wow! That's nice! Feed them red worms." Mrs. 'P' said.
"From where I can get the red worms?"
"I do not know but red worms are the best food for them. You can give grind-ed egg shell to them."
"I do not eat eggs. I have to ask some friend of mine."
"You can give tea leaves to them after preparing tea. But don't forget to wash them."
"I don't drink tea. I will ask my neighbors may be they are generous to give tea leaves for the earthworms."
"Sweet, spicy food and milk products should not be given to them." She instructed me further.
"I was thinking of giving vegetable peels to them."
"Ya. That's good for them."
"But I am bit confused whether I should give them vegetable peels in breakfast, lunch or dinner. Won't it be better if I make a diet plan for them?" I asked wittily.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Green Tikkis with green chutney

I updated this photo on my Facebook. 
Mrs. 'N' commented - Looks yummy! Write the recipe also.
I said - The main ingredient is leftover hotchpotch. Do you still want to know its recipe?
Mrs. 'N' commented - Hahaha......Lovely. It is the magic of your hands. In our region, naulakkha kabab is made with the left over of nine days.
I said - Sounds interesting. I will try it some day. The recipe of green tikki is as follows:-
Ingredients : 3 cups of left over hotchpotch
3-4 slice (Bread crumbs)
One small piece grated ginger
1/3 katori boiled peas
1/2 katori chopped coriander leaves
Coriander powder, red chilli, black pepper and salt to taste
Method : Mix them well to make dough. Grated cheese and mashed boiled potatoes are optional which can be added in the dough. You can add extra breadcrumbs to get the desired consistency. Make round balls,swallow fry them. Flatten them on tava by gently pressing them. Garnish them with chopped tomatoes, boiled chickpeas, curd and green coriander chutney. Serve hot.

Monday, November 3, 2014

"3/4" Love

Chetan Bhagat:
"5" Point Someone
"3" Mistakes of my Life
"2" States
"1" Night at a Call Centre
"½" Girlfriend
......
......Next Book:"¼" Brain ????????

Somebody else status I shared on my facebook as I find it interesting.
Mrs. 'P' commented on this status - Arre missed 3/4!!!!
I commented - 3/4 Love will be Chetan Bhagat's next novel. Story in brief - Hero falls in love. Heroine died in bomb blast. She is not present in his life but in memories. He falls in love again. His 1/4 brain is still busy in remembering her so he is only 3/4 in love with his new girl friend. 
Mrs. 'P' - Goli maro chetan bhagat ko. ;)You r better than him.:) When is your novel coming out?
I commented - Coming Soon ..........:)

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Govardhan Puja 2014

"Next day to Diwali, Govardhan Deity is prepared with cow dung. I with my team shape it. Its face, hands and legs are created. We don't forget to make fingers of all the limbs. It is then decorated with khil and flowers. We worship it with milk, sweets, kadhi, bajara khichadi, puri and lots of vegetables." I explained.
"Must be an interesting experience!" Mr. 'Y' said.
"Ya. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. With this only one thing is left that I have to do now. Fly a plane!"
"hahaha"

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Things that I want to do!

"You know painting, embroidery, cooking, stitching, yoga, vasushastra, astrology and many more things. You have tried everything!" Mr. 'Y' said to me.
"Nah Nah!" I could only utter hearing my praise.
"Then prepare a list of things you have not done till now."
"I have not tried two things yet. One is have not prepared cow dung cakes and other is that I have not flied an aircraft."
"hahaha."

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Diwali 2014

"What is your email id?" I asked my Facebook and evening walker friend.
"Why do you need it? She inquired as well as told her email id.
"I want to send a joke to you."
"OK. My husband has heart attack on Monday morning. Two stents has been inserted in his body through surgery. He is better now and will be discharged today."
"Oho! Do you need any help?"
"The total bill is of Rs. 10 lacs. I have paid Rs. 8 lacs. I am in short of Rs. 2 lacs. I have asked some of my relatives and friends for help. Will you be able to pay me if I fall short of some money? I need the money today itself before the discharge from the hospital."

I was driving towards the mall for Diwali shopping - for buying new clothes, purses, shoes, candles and other decorative items for my house. My purse had handsome amount of cash drawn a few hours before from ATM. I could not withdraw more amount from ATM. I couldn't withdraw cash from the banks as they were closed by now. The next day was Diwali and a bank holiday. I either could do shopping or help her.
"Ya sure." I assured her and turned my car towards the house.

A few hours later, she called me up and told the amount she was short of. I helped her. With moist eyes she hugged me and said, "You made my Diwali!"

Monday, October 20, 2014

Say NO to crackers

Birds are easily frightened with the loud noise of crackers. Fireworks lasting for hours are torture for birds. Fireworks can cause health damage to birds. They can be shocked which can cause even their death.
Birds can lose their direction of flight for quite some time because of the unexpected glare of rockets. Birds that get near to exploding fireworks become victims of burns and eye damage.
Celebrate a cracker free Diwali and say NO to fire crackers and BUY a home for a pair of birds.
Bird houses/ nest boxes are available in different sizes for all charming birds living in or near your locality.
Contact – Chandrika Shubham

Email- chandrikashubham@gmail.com

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Vanilla Sundae

"I have sent the photos of all the bird houses designed by me to you. Which one you like the most?" I asked a teenager.
"All are beautiful. I liked the vanilla sundae the most." He replied.
"Vanilla Sundae is a ice cream."
"It is a color mixture. You can Google it."
"Such a strange name of color I heard for the first time!"

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Bird House available in Gurgaon

Hello Readers.
I have just started a new business of designing bird houses. Here are some of the bird houses designed by me. 

Bird house/ Nest box for various birds like wabbler, humming bird, Indian robin, jungle babbler, Indian myna, tree pie, hornbill etc. are available for sale. Decorate your garden and balcony with bird house and hear the chirping of happy and free birds. 

Interested in buying write a mail to me at chandrikashubham@gmail.com


 

Saturday, September 20, 2014

I hate rains!

"Oh my God! Rain will start. I hate rain! I hate them!!" A teenager girl said.
"We all love rains as we live in that area where it hardly rains. Then why do you hate them?" A middle aged lady asked her.
"She is afraid that clouds might pee on her." I said. ;)

Friday, September 5, 2014

Happy Teacher's Day!

I am thankful to Microsoft Word for patiently correcting my spellings and grammatical mistakes without screaming and shouting at me. Happy Teacher's Day! ;)

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

My Vastu books are available online!


Dear readers,
My books 'Saral Vastu' and 'Simple Vastu' are available online. You can buy at amazon.in and bookadda.com. Grab your copy now!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Moving Broom Shop

Actually I clicked a moving BROOM Shop. On examining the results I was amused to find out how a scooter could be used as a TRUCK! 

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Tunnel of fragrance

Right now, I am walking through the tunnel of fragrance.

Hope u all are spreading the fragrance of your words through posts on your blog. :)

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

My family

My family
Then: I, my husband n my two kids!
Now: I, my hubby, my kid n my maid!!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

My First Book - Dedicated to my mother! :)

My first book 'Simple Vastu' is dedicated to my mother who taught me to read and write! :) This is 575th post! :))

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Simple Vastu by Chandrika Shubham

This is the cover page of book authored by me. Simple Vastu is my first book on Vastushastra, ancient science of constructing buildings and houses. I hope my readers like it!:)

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Author me!

My books 'Simple Vastu' and 'Saral Vastu' were released by Mr. K. K. Saxena, President, Delhi Book Fair Publishers Association in Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan. Mr. Rajeev Jain, Publisher of my books and owner of Vayu Education of India was also present in this function. Simple Vastu is in English whereas Saral Vastu is in Hindi. They contain detailed information about highlights of ancient architecture techniques and complete information about all Vastu rules. They contain line drawings for better understanding. Attractive and helpful tips to increase business and Vastu rules for continuous flow of money are included. Low cost Vastushastra remedies for healthy and tension free life. Vastu rules for success in career are also included. And threw light on the importance of Vastu in modern life style.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Aloo Tikki

I love experimenting with different cooking ingredients. This time I prepared aloo tikki with moong dal filling. Soaked moong dal for some hours. Boiled it till tender. Strained water from it. In other pan, poured oil and heated it. Put grated ginger and chopped green chilies. Added spices and then dal in it. Heated it till dry. Filled it in aloo tikki before frying.

Try this recipe and serve it hot with chick pea veg, coriander chutney and curd. And enjoy!  

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Mouth and Foot Painting Artists!


Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, a Mumbai based organisation to financially help the artists who have lost their arms due to one or the other reasons and make paintings using their feet or mouth. Envelops and calenders made from the pics of such beautiful paintings.
Hats off to such artists!
Website- http://www.imfpa.co.in/

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Old vase! New style!

Doing flower arrangements is my passion. In my free time I love to play with them. This time pink gerberas and white chrysanthemums. I used one of an old vase to make this arrangement. Earlier this vase was not used as a container for water but some other liquid. This container was used during my granny's time!

Any guess what this vase was earlier?
                                                                                                                                                                

Friday, January 24, 2014

Concentration in meditation!

"What are you reading? I am feeling sleepy please switch off the light." A teenager said to me.
"Spiritual reading!" I replied.
"What's that?" He inquired.
I started reading loudly. "Sit silently in a quiet room for one or two hours. Close your eyes and concentrate on the point between the eyebrows. Withdraw the mind and the senses from the external objects. Be still."
"Oh! That!! Our teacher has also told us that if we concentrate our mind then we see different lights. If we see black light it means our concentration is poor. Seeing red colour means our mind is somewhat concentrated. It increases if we see orange colour. On concentrating more we see yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet lights consecutively. Seeing white colour means our mind is concentrated excellently.

Dear readers, which light do you see on concentrating your mind?

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Bonfire!

Bonfire to beat the cold! I am enjoying it. :)

Happy New Year to all readers! :) I bit late to say that! :p