Hiren Hariani ~ October 2015

~ This is a post by Rima Desai. All copyrights reserved. You may also read this post on my fb page: ParentingBooth: https://www.facebook.com/parentingbooth ~

Today, Atharv wishing his Super Daddy a Super Birthday!

Mom asked me – “What are the 3 best things about daddy?”

I thought and thought like a Great Scientist, yet, I could not think of three great things about daddy.

O, I don’t mean that my daddy is not great. I mean that I cannot list ‘JUST’ three great qualities of daddy because everything about him is so

And I want to tell the world that if they try to mess with me, they should know that I am your son. I will just give them one look:

and I am his Super-son!!!

Hey Super Dad, I also want to tell you that – When it time to glide to the moon and stars, You are my

I feel safe, cuddly and protected in your loving arms.

Did you know that you are a natural

You just know how to make me laugh and giggle. The faces you make, things you say and silly acts you do are so funny. I know you will do anything to get a smile on my face.

I love your Tight, Cozy Hugs Dad

And Your

And it is so much fun to be riding on you “Tik tik tik”

You are ‘THE PERFECT PAPA’ and I am the ‘LUCKIEST’ of all to have the ‘PERFECT PARENTS’.

Love You to the Moon and Back Pappa and Mumma!

-Your Atharv

DADDY, FROM ALL OF US

Cooking

The Perfect Eggless CHOCOLATE CAKE Recipe

There are tons of eggless cake recipes online but there is one major problem with many of them – They are not uniform, different recipes can have so many different methods and ingredients that it can make us wonder which one to experiment. Trial and error is something I don’t enjoy while making cakes. Cakes don’t happen in a snip and a snap! My friends love my cakes. They are soft, eggless, not too sugary and are easy to make.

Many of those online recipes don’t give us the fluffly, airy, non-greasy texture we want our cakes to have. I am grateful to my sister’s recipe book with me which has helped me bake the cakes that my family and daughter adores. What can be a better expression than – “Mom I don’t want to eat any other cake. Your cakes are the best!”

I must admit, I am no pro with icing and I just do what I can manage best with. I am ready for a professional class for that but you can still use this recipe for a great sponge cake covered with grated chocolate, coconut flakes and basic icing. There is lot more to baking a cake perfectly and I don’t find myself having the space to list all of those small techniques here. But this basic recipe should get you started right away!

PREPARATION TIME: 20 to 30 mins.

COOKING TIME: 40 to 45 mins.

INGREDIENTS:

Prepare the baking molds by first layering a thin slice of butter, then sprinkle 2 to 3 Tbps of flour and spread it all around by turning the mold in all directions, ensuring the flour has spread to all sides. Alternatively, you can use parchment paper and thin layer of flour over it. Place the mold on a flat, room temperature surface and then, pour the smooth batter gently into the mold without touching it.

Maida (Bleached or unbleached wheat flour) or Self Raising Flour = 125
Condense Milk – 200gms or half tin
Butter, Ghee or Oil (Liquid form) – 60ml
Soda Water / Coke – 100 to 120ml
Vanilla essence or any essence of choice – 1tsp
Cocoa Powder – 1 Tbsp (Don’t add if making Vanilla Cake)
Drinking Choc – 11/2 Tbsp
Soad Bicarb (Edible Soda) – 3/4tsp
Baking Powder – 3/4 tsp
Chopped Nuts if you want – 1 to 2 Tbsps

METHOD:

Prep and Preheat the Oven to 325 degrees F. Mix all the Wet and all the Dry Ingredients in separate bowls. Sieve all the dry ingredients in a large (deep and wide) bowl. Sieving will help to smooth and remove any lumps. Slowly pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and continue to mix them, stir them slowly with a hand whisk or spatula in ONE DIRECTION. Keeping the same direction ensures bubbles are formed and they remain (break if you change the direction). Mix all the wet and dry ingredients in a swift motion with a hand spatula or at the slowest speed with the machine whisk for 5 to 7 minutes (feels smooth, silky). Wear safety oven mittens and place the cake in the center of the oven safely. Close oven door, turn on oven light if you have that feature. Place a 25 minutes timer.

Bake in oven at 325 degrees for 25 to 50 minutes depending on the oven size, type and the quantity of batter.

WHEN TO KNOW IF IT’S READY: Do not open the oven in the midst of baking. That will release air bubbles built to rise the cake. In stead look at the cake from outside and see if the cake looks like it is rising and turning more brown. Ideally, the fragrance will tell you when it is baked. A strong, cake fragrance should fill the room. To check if baked fully, open the over door at 25 to 30 mins. and while wearing safety mittens, prick a toothpick (not knife) in the center of the cake or at 2-3 different places of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean with no batter or sticky residue, then the cake is ready.

Place the cake in a cool, not heated area over a steel, metal wire frame to allow air to pass through the bottom and the top of the cake mold. Do not attempt to remove from the mold until it is completely cool.

This cake is a 3 layered cake with fondant on top of all the layer. I baked it for my daughter’s 4th Birthday along with purple icing cupcakes. The same recipe for cupcakes! You can see in the picture that the cherries were gone first!! L-O-L. The fondant layer should be thinner than the one in this picture.

I will be uploading later, a picture of the sponge cake with just chocolate dressing on top, with no icing. It was the 5 kg cake I baked on my daughter’s 1st birthday and it was just as delicious. I have so many of my cake pics, just have to find them from the plethora of images I have on record!

http://www.rimadesai.org

Cooking

Quick, Easy, Yummy and Healthy!

Freshly chopped vegetables of your choice + salt + rest of the three ingredients shown. I added 1 tsp. flax seeds and chia seeds, 3 Tbsps boondi, 1/2 tsp Tuscan Italian dressing.
I had carrots, purple cabbage, and green peppers left in my empty cold box (refrigerator) and so I didn’t have many of the veggies I would have added.

And – A salad can also bind countries, why bother about the peace talks ;)

Cooking

Indian Tortilla Dough – Simple and Nutritous

# Original recipe
‪#‎Chappati‬ ‪#‎Roti‬ ‪#‎Rotli‬ ‪#‎Tortilla‬ ‪#‎Pancakes‬ ‪#‎Indian‬ ‪#‎Asian‬

INGREDIENTS:

Boiled potato = 1
Whole Oatmeal flour = 1 cup
Millet or Bajri flour = 1 cup
Whole wheat flour = 1.5 cups
Oil = 1.5 Tbsp total
Salt to taste
Cinnamon powder = 2 tsp.
Cilantro finely chopped 3 Tbsp. (optional)
Water to make Dough (appx 1 cup and better if warm)

HOW TO:

Mix all the flours in a large mixing bowl
Mash the boiled potato with your fingers and mix well with the flour
Add 1Tbsp Oil
Add rest of the ingredients

Slowly add bit of water (1/6th cup) and work it all around the mixture. Once that water is absorbed, add more water and in 3-4 parts, work with the water and flour mixture to make a semi-soft dough.

Your dough is ready to be rolled into thin or thick tortillas / rotis / rotlis / chappatis

Young Dad Appreciation of the Month

Mayur Chheda ~ September 2015

Dearest Dad, on your birthday we wanted you to know that you are

We know that your age is

Well, whatever, we think you are 41 so you are!!

Dad, you are special in so many ways! We love it when you:

– Give us a bath

– Drop us daily to

and the Sundays we spend with you because

You take us

to the MALL

and

Fly in the garden

Today is the day to tell you that we LOVE all the fun things you do with us.

…And Dad… who can be a better

You gets books, chocolates and toys for our stomach!! Ha ha.

You are the greatest!!

(Even though you cannot cook or clean like Mom!!!)

Cooking

MATAR PANEER – Veg. High Protein Fresh Cheese and Peas!

A few days ago, I was lucky to have the chance to make this special dish for a very special person and my husband loves paneer dishes too! Paneer is a popular North Indian delicacy enjoyed in several meals especially during special occasions or treats. It is a dairy product and hence very high in protein. In India, we call it Cottage Cheese but in USA it is termed as Fresh Cheese (I am unsure of the other names for it).

Being the person that I am – I totally dislike being a ‘follower’. I have to add my own creativity or you can say a streak of ‘experiment’ or ‘rebel’ into my work. Hence, I am not the recipe book follower. This makes me want to make my own dishes, the way I want and add ingredients or procedures that others may refuse or normally not follow.

I can assure you that you will love this dish. It will leave you and your guests with a clean plate as long as you know how to ‘waist’ the salt and pepper ;)

1. Defrost Paneer

2. Put green peas to boil

3. Saute fresh chopped Onions in oil or butter

4. Prepare the spices – hand grind them fresh: black pepper, bay leaf, garlic (quantity as per taste), cinnamon stick, cloves.

5. Sift the ground spices

6. Chop cilantro and add it to the onions. Reduce heat to medium or low.

7. Ground dry almonds and cashews into a semi-coarse or fine powder. Salted nuts are preferred.

8. Add the ground powder to the onions. Add home-made or bought tomato paste. Add the ground spices. Add water to make a semi-thick paste. Add red chili powder if needed. Strain boiled green peas and add to this mixture. Simmer on medium for few minutes to allow for the flavors to mix well.

9. Prepare the Paneer: Open the defrosted pack; cut into cubes of desired size for eating. Add oil or butter to a wide skillet and add cubes to saute. Sprinkle salt and black pepper or cinnamon powder on the paneer for absorption of flavor. May take anywhere from 7 – 15 mins. (on medium to low flame) – depends on the type of stove and skillet. Lightly toss and move frequently with a soft spatula. The water or foam will eventually evaporate. Alternatively, you can make your paneer at home by boiling milk and tearing it with tartness from fresh lemon juice or vinegar. There are many online recipes for the same.

10. Remove the paneer when: it is light brown on either or both sides, slightly crispy and most water has evaporated. Then add paneer to the gravy. Sprinkle cilantro on top if you wish for more color and flavor.

11. Serve hot with Indian Tortillas (Roti) or plain rice. I use masoori or basmati rice.

I have re-published this article at: http://www.mycity4kids.com/parenting/parenting-booth/article/matar-paneer-veg-high-protein-fresh-cheese-and-peas

PARENTING

13 Reasons to Introduce your Toddler to Physical Fitness

The 1st time ever I SAW a fitness gym was when I was 24years. The 1st time my daughter SAW it when she was 2. At 5 years my daughter has been to a Live game of Basketball when I did so now at 34 years. Neither have I ‘seen’ a stadium ever before.

I haven’t tumbled till date and she does. She knows so many stretches, body exercises which I haven’t seen, heard, known, or done. Although I was lucky to have a great personal trainer from age 24 to 30, yet, coming to USA, I understood sports and physical fitness in a new way. In India, there is little awareness of how important physical arts is, esp. among the lower middle class + resources are limited and costly for parents who value it.

My daughter began Martial Arts at 4 years of age. I must admit that we have been lucky to have found great instructors for her. She is not very sports inclined but she has grown into it in the last one year. The amount of confidence and growth I have seen in her is beyond explanation.

Advantage of Introducing Toddlers/Children to Sports and Physical Fitness:

– Creates Body Awareness: By moving our body in different and challenging ways on a regular basis, we learn to ‘understand’ our body. This creates more physical awareness and strengthens one’s sense organs. I grew up in a culture and country where the focus on the mind was a lot more and even more than the mind – the brain which is different from the mind. I learnt little about my body, I loved it less, I knew it less, I understood it even lesser!
– Boosts Self-confidence: All mind and no body is an irrational focus in life. In India, there is a lot of importance to academics but is not balanced out with enough sports or physical education. Even when I played a lot of throwball and handball in school, I never learnt the warm ups they do here. I have never done push ups for a sports warm up. Never knew what is kick-boxing, pilates, or zumba. I’ve never jumped over or climbed over a wall or a fence. Being able to move our body in unique and challenging ways inculcates a lot of self-confidence!
– Facilitates Self-Love: There is no doubt that being physically fit and knowing the tricks of the game makes us feel good. Sports and Exercise has that ‘feel good factor’ which you want your kids to ‘stuff’ in their subconscious early on in life. Early learnings are the best learnings because they get submerged quickly into the subconscious mind as a ‘way of life’. Creating that feel good factor as a way of life in early childhood means GIFTING them with a Life-Long Skill of Loving Themselves

– Stress Buster: Exercising gets our brain to release endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals that make us feel more positive, feel good, and reduce our negative feelings. Let us admit it that children go through their own kind of stress. They have several physical changes to adapt to and on top of that, they have to keep up with our ‘crap!’ L-O-L. How many times in a day do we INSTRUCT kids what to do and not do; how many times do we throw our anger and tantrums at them? Besides us, they have school challenges to cope up with. I empathize with kids for sure!

– Easy to Train: Kids naturally move around a lot. They have supple bodies. This makes training their bodies a lot easier. The younger the age, the better the outcome. Professional training ensures that they get age appropriate exercises to build on.

– Self-Protection: Self-defense techniques imparts skills for self-protection useful at any point of time. Unlike the belief I had, at least by witnessing her Taekwondo class, I realize, it has several elements of sports embedded in it. On the other hand, I believe, even if children were to learn any other sport, they would have an advantage in self-protection over someone who doesn’t. Regular and long-term sports training, creates a sense of ‘flexibility and quickness’ of both the body and the mind – a skill that can come handy when one needs to self-protect.

– Builds on a Possible Future: We may introduce our children to sports just for the love of or benefit of sports however, children may develop a deep connection with it. It could create the stage for a future in The Sports Field or expose them to early skills to be used later in inter-collegiate sports. Several colleges and universities also have extra credits for students who play sports. There is really nothing to lose here!

– Sharper Mind: The body and the intellect are closely connected. The reason why regular exposure to sports improves on concentration, focus, and memory is because it requires us to have CONSTANT PRESENCE OF MIND to indulge in any physical exercise. Can we close our eyes for 2 split seconds when jumping, running, tumbling? We must be conscious of every action, every landing, every move and this strengthens the brain muscles which comes to great advantage in Academics!

– Healthier Body: I doubt I need to write more about this. We all know the health benefits of sports and physical fitness. There is no doubt, no two ways about it!

Remember, children differ in their liking for sports. One child may like basketball, another tennis even when both are equally sporty by nature. Sometimes it requires ‘trial and error’ to different kinds of sports. Honestly, I forced her into Martial Arts and now she loves it a lot! Part of the reason is also because she loves The Energy of the place she goes to – the instructors, the teachers, the method of teaching. Make your efforts to discover what your child will enjoy. Do not presume or jump to conclusions too quickly. It took my daughter a good 3 months to begin liking it and now she doesn’t want to be off it.

– Family Bonding: Sports can be a great way to have fun with family. My daughter thoroughly enjoys our baseball games in the backyard or simple catch and throw. Best part is that it requires little equipment and space, can be played indoors and outdoors and creates some unique memories of happiness.

– Special Needs Kids or Special Skill Set: Specific sports are excellent for Special Needs kids like those who have ADHD, ADD, Autism, etc. They help in increasing focus and concentration which is one of the most important skill these children must build for healthier functioning or to cope better. Children also learn to Solve Problem and work in groups while playing sports. As adults we know how important it is to have skills to Work well in Teams. Your career in IT, as Teacher, at home within the family – all of it requires problem resolution by working in harmony with other individuals. Learning to balance our needs with others, solve problems effectively, and create healthy win/win solutions is what Sports implicitly promotes.

– Provides Opportunity to Socialize: There are several sports that promote group involvement. When kids meet other kids they learn to interact, to greet, meet, adjust to other personalities. This is a skill we need at every stage of life. Going to school, going to work, staying home with family, love relationships later in life and making and keeping up with friendships is all about being ‘Social’. Socializing skills are intertwined with Self-Confidence.

– A Competitive Spirit: Sports builds that competitive spirit which we want to have in today’s world. The aim is not to create an attitude of ‘Rat Race’ but to develop a Love for Healthy Competition, a Love for Winning and also the Grace of Losing Humbly. Sports teaches it all. Who knew that playing sports for extended childhood hours would help You in your field of marketing, insurance, IT, selling, etc.?!

Images Source: Google Images

Astrology

Top 10 Questions to ask your astrologer regarding compatibility

Someone asked me a smart and relevant question related to Astrology: How does astrology help in marriage prospects because I have seen people match their horoscopes and be very unhappy and vice versa?

Let us get to the answer. We will talk on why horoscope matches don’t work and the correct method to match horoscopes. Yes, I can agree with it. Horoscopes may be matched with the best points or the astrologer may have said this is an excellent match and yet the couple may be unhappy and vice versa.

WHY HOROSCOPE MATCHING DOESN’T WORK or DOESN’T SHOW THE RESULTS IT PROMISED

Firstly, do not judge a marriage from what is seen in public. A couple could look like the best couple in social gatherings and on facebook but the complete opposite may be true.
Astrology is an accurate study but astrologers are not! Just like there are great doctors and also terrible ones, there are great astrologers and other terrible ones. Hence, the analysis could have missed the mark.
The point system – ‘gunak’ has a loop-hole. The Indian method of matching 32 points is a false system of matching horoscopes. At least, by itself it says nothing about the couple’s life. Yet, astrologers do it for one of the several reasons:- They don’t know any better. There are many ‘google’ astrologers. By that I mean, they became astrologers by wearing an astrologer’s dress, just googling information from here and there but in reality they know little astrology.- All they care for is the numbers! Many are there just to make money. So they care less of giving you a real analysis or doing their job. They know what sells with the general public and so they use it to play with the public’s psyche. In reality, there is NOTHING like DAILY FORECASTS in astrology. That is ‘fake’ astrology.

Same is with gemstones, mantras, havans, and the point system to match horoscopes.- There are other astrologers who may not reveal the truth. So many of us consult astrologers for the SOLE REASON of hearing something ‘good’. We just want Hope and somehow feel that a few magical words will turn our life around. Astrologers know that many times revealing the truth could mean LOSING CUSTOMERS and hence losing business.- There are more than a dozen times when people DO NOT FOLLOW the suggestions given by astrologers regarding a certain match. E.g. astrologer may have said that this is a great match but marry after 2 years. The family or couple selectively focuses on the ‘great match’ advice and leaves out the latter.
The couple marries early and then they feel doomed! Note that there is a reason why a good astrologer says what s/he does. If you are not ready to make the advised changes or follow the advice given, do not seek the guidance in the first place because it is a waste of your money and time. More so, it takes your faith away from astrology, which is worse!
Typically, a horoscope match will give an overall analysis – in general, will the couple survive well together, have a great marriage or fall apart. Asking for a more detailed analysis from the astrologer helps. Mr. and Mrs. A’s Horoscope may match very well but this doesn’t mean they will sheltered from day to day arguments. So when you mean couples are unhappy, do you mean they are unhappy because they expressed that or you thought they are unhappy because you interpreted it that way? Remember that there could be couples that quarrel day in and out and yet Love being with each other and there could be couples that be very cordial with each other but could be highly dissatisfied in themselves.
Matching a couple positively doesn’t mean that they will be happy for all of the life-time they spend together. It could mean basic things like – overall sense of comfort, ability to have children, ability to share a roof, a sense of satisfaction. The more questions you ask the astrologer for clarification on specific points, the more it will help.

THE CORRECT METHOD TO MATCH A HOROSCOPE

Only a handful astrologers have the real skills and knowledge of authentic astrology. This is understandable because to make an analysis one has to make such detailed and multiple calculations and compilations that it would require true genius and expertise to do so.
I have learnt this exact same technique from 3 expert astrologers and I have seen this work pretty well: The position of the moon in the both individual’s chart must be assessed. How far are the moon signs away from each other, what is the condition of the moon in each person’s chart and cross check moon positions as shadowed onto the other person’s chart.
The Sun’s position in both charts. Since women are now ambitious, career oriented, working in the outside world, both their sun positions must be checked for compatibility
The houses of marriage, D-9 chart, planets relevant to marriage in general astrology and in each individual’s chart must be assessed for compatibility by cross checking their influence in each other’s charts.

If you do not have deeper knowledge of astrology, these techniques may be tough to understand. However, at the least you will know to ask your astrologer – “How compatible are our moon signs and sun signs?”

Top 10 Questions to ask your astrologer for compatibility: ~ by Rima Desai

How compatible are our moon signs?
How compatible are our sun signs?
How compatible is our overall chart?
What will be the 3 best things between us if we get married?
What will be the 3 worst things between us or 3 biggest obstacles if we get married?
When is the best time to get married – legally bond into this relationship?
What does this person seek out of the relationship?
What do I look for most in a relationship?
Do you suggest this match or can I find a better match than this?
Any relevant questions that you may have like – related to in laws, travelling, joint assets with this person, etcMY PERSONAL OPINION:
I believe that marriage is more of a karmic bond. I feel that the marriage or that ‘soul’ chooses us to fulfill its give and take from past births and it is not truly our ‘conscious and objective’ decision when we decide to legally bond with someone. It is definitely helpful to match horoscopes beforehand if that seems like a good ‘safety’ check but personally I feel, it is not as much in our control as we assume it to be.
https://mystyrimz.wordpress.com/2015/08/15/astrology-want-to-show-your-chart-why/

Cooking

VEGETABLE KHICDI – West Indian High Protein Vegan Dish

Khicdi is a mix of rice and legumes. I add as many veggies I can to make it a wholesome dish. The spices and herbs you see in the dish have great health benefits. The dish by itself is Vegan. Tastes best with Yogurt on the side or mixed into it but I am a Vegan so I do not use Yogurt. I eat it with Soup, a curry, or just by itself.

This is a Gujurati Dish. I am a Gujurati, belonging to a West Indian state called Gujurat. Rice and Daal (Legumes, lentils, pulses) are our staple food and part of almost every or every other meal.

Add Salt as needed

4-5 whistles in the pressure cooker.

This High Protein Dish is ready to eat. Tastes best with Yogurt or Indian Kadhi.

Alternatively, we can shallow fry the khicdi for an added taste. This procedure lifts the taste to a totally new level.

Oil – 1 Tbsp

Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp.

while the seeds burst, take the rice and add asafoetida (hing) 2 pinches and turmeric powder 1/2 tsp.

Asafoetida helps digestion and prevents gas or bloating from the legume

Turmeric is an antibiotic and has several health benefits.

READY!!

Top with Cilantro to add color, flavor – I was out of Cilantro!

Cooking

PEDA / PENDA – Indian Sweet / Dessert

This recipe comes from Public Request. Many of you have requested this, so here it is. Email me or write to me here with any questions. For the base, I follow a certain recipe, I have posted the link below and then I re-form it my style. I have shared sweet with many friends from different cultures – Indian, American, Other Asians and luckily this sweet has everyone’s smiles and thumbs up!

Follow this link to make your peda and then follow my add-ons below to make it so much more delicious!!!

Peda

Once the base is ready, this is what you get and do:

Ball it, flat it, cut with cookie cutter. Repeat till you have used all the base.

—————————————————————————

MY ADD-ONS: All of them are optional. You can leave out whichever you wish to not add.

Cake Sprinkles – any
Cardamom – 1full tsp.
Nutmeg powder – 1/4th tsp
Pistachio powder – 1 to 4 tsp depending on your taste
Almond powder – 2 tsps
Vanilla essence – 1/4 tsp
Fennel seed powder – 1/4 tsp
Saffron few strands or Saffron syrup 1/4 to 1/2 tsp – check for sweetness prior to adding

Mix all the ingredients including the sprinkles. Decorate as You Wish

Rima Desai's: Scuba Diving into the Mind's Pool

Rima is a Kids' & Women Empowerment Coach and a Spiritual Guide

Author Archives: Rima Desai

Hiren Hariani ~ October 2015

The Perfect Eggless CHOCOLATE CAKE Recipe

Quick, Easy, Yummy and Healthy!

Indian Tortilla Dough – Simple and Nutritous

Mayur Chheda ~ September 2015

MATAR PANEER – Veg. High Protein Fresh Cheese and Peas!

13 Reasons to Introduce your Toddler to Physical Fitness

Top 10 Questions to ask your astrologer regarding compatibility

VEGETABLE KHICDI – West Indian High Protein Vegan Dish

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