Sharing my humble abode of happiness.

What I adore in South Indian culture are the temples .

I specifically acknowledge the Kerala temples .

We live in Palakkad district of Kerala. And it’s topography is defined with hills and mountainous features covering the major part of land with trees and sceanic beauty.

The above picture is one of the temple near my abode.

Kerala temples has this spiritual breathtaking ambience surrounded with scenic beauty that brings in a divine atmosphere comforting the soul of every devotee.

The structural designs of roof tiles and wooden walls and carvings will give those feels of an 18th century built.

This is the surrounding covering the temple area . One of the oldest temples situated in the midst of lush green environment.

In the above picture you can see a beautiful temple pond and that’s my little lady mesmerised with the surrounding.

Temple ponds or kulam ( in Malayalam ) is found in the vicinity of the temple . Mostly reserved for the priests to take a bath before entering the temple.

The priests in these temples are strict and disciplined . Pujas and offerings from devotees are accepted only during special hours.

One time I woke up at 8:00 am and got ready to visit a nearby temple. But it seems I was late and the inside door where the deity is resting was closed.

So if you want to visit a temple in Kerala , get up early by 5:00 am .

The prasadam and payasam / steaming unniappams are offered after a special Pooja is conducted . So patiently wait for the Pooja to end and savour those Prasads.

The Prasad is given on a banana leaf by the priests.

Do remember my above post while you visit one .

I would love to share my favourite and most requested curry preparation , Resam.

This curry is one of the simplest and much demanded in every South Indian meal.

Most of the Keralite meal has this as an addition and is served at the last.

Moreover having Resam is good for digestion.

Resam ingredients

• 2 Tomatoes
• 5-6 garlic’s.
• Pepper
• Fenugreek seeds.
• Turmeric ( 1 tablespoon)
• Hing ( 2 pinch)
• Cumin seeds
• Tamarind ( lemon size)
• Oil

Water as needed

Preparation

1) In a pan , add some oil and once mustard seeds begin to crack put some chopped tomatoes.

Stir well till the tomatoes are fully mashed up . You can add some curry leaves before adding the chopped tomatoes.

2) In another pan , dry fry the garlic , cumin seeds , pepper cons and fenugreek seed.

3) Grind the above said ( Point 2) ingredients .

4) Add some water to the tomato gravy and let it boil meanwhile you grind the mixture.

Slit green chillies and add it in the tomato mixture .

5) Add the Garlic , cumin seeds and pepper fenugreek mixture into the pan.

6) Further add some Tamarind pulp extract water into the pan . The tamarind extract has been kept for some 2 minutes in hot water that is eventually added in the curry.

And let the curry boil for some 4-5 minutes .

Resam is ready to serve.

Have it with steamed hot rice.

Being a Mom , a full time mom isn’t a piece of cake.

You forget your best sleep , your best hairstyle , your beauty routine and dietary plans if any .

You sacrifice your self care routine only and only for your little one.

But at the end of the day , when you realize your tired face and bad nails dosen’t look good at all.

First step , I prefer to find myself some time while my baby is taking a nap.

This time is for you mothers!

Some down below are my piece of advice to full time mom.

• Never have your nails unshaped as well your nail polish half painted . Try to clean and moisturize your feet and hand and make it look pretty with beautiful nail colours.
• You are definitely being judged when you go out . Hence never miss to take care of your face . Go! Get some glow . Find some natural beauty tips for a facial and hit to a nearby parlor.
• If you need some coffee or tea don’t miss that . Make some and enjoy watching your favourite TV series when you find time . Don’t get busy with other household stuff. C’mon just an hour .
• Sleep if you are tired with your little one.
• Take a walk in the park with your baby .

I have always skipped some of my self-care routine and instead ran to the kitchen or any other household stuff that was pending .

And eventually I realized that these duties are neverending and will finish anyhow but what you need is giving yourself peace , self-care .

So go ahead Moms and find your worth .

Now this blog is all about exploring a very interesting economy .

Lebanon!

This is only Arab country that has a topography having lush green mountains and hills that would break every stereotype image about a Middle East country .

No this place is no desert , nor camels grazing or Arab men with white robe roaming !

The Lebanese platter for breakfast

A Lebanese cuisine will often have more of fruits and veggies.

The food is a mixture of French and Arab cuisine .

Beirut being the capital of Lebanon and one of the most populated area has the best tourists spot that would impress a tourist with it’s Roman culture and style.

This statue is in the memory of of Lebanon and Arab nationalists who spoke against the ruler of Ottoman military ruler.

The statue was damaged during civil war.

You can see gunshots on the statue and half dismantled which are restored intentionally as a mark of civil war.

The above pictures are Roman baths.

This is a Roman bathhouse that was a meeting place for all citizens .

Got to know that Beirut, Lebanon is one of the most populated shopping destination.

The Parliament .

Despite a severe damage happened during the civil war (1975-1990) that left Lebanon in ruins , this country still attracts the best tourist spots of world history with traces of Roman , Greek , Arab culture and architecture.

I had a sudden urge from my taste buds within to make something extra with a steaming hot “Chai” or as we call Tea.

I usually prepare some interesting recipes that go well with Tea during evening.

And for my husband who comes home after a tiresome 12 hr shift , evening snack is a must.

So thought of sharing one of the recipes what meant to be a must try as I found all the ingredient available in my kitchen.

Meanwhile my little one was taking a nap , I grabbed this opportunity to get busy with the preparations in kitchen.

Medu Vada !

I soaked urad dal in water for 3 hrs.

• Black pepper
• Green chilly
• Onions
• Curry leaves.

And the crispy vadas ended up with some good conversation and messed up kitchen.

Note : Grind more if you need a smooth batter.

This happens to be my first successful try and will get into more of such “craved forever” Indian recipes that will be shared soon in my blog 😀

Kerala follow this beautiful tradition of naming ceremony of the new born according to a Hindu ritual.

When a child completes 28 days from birth , this day highlights some auspicious events followed by naming of the new born.

A proper traditional set up is organized by the family .

The day he/she completes 28 days , the child’s parents , grandparents adorn her with gold jewellery . A tiny pair of earrings and necklace purchased by her loved ones are first displayed on the banana leaf .

The first ritual that takes place is the naming ceremony .

I had never witnessed a single naming ceremony before and happened to be the most cherished moment as a mother taking part in my daughter’s naming ceremony.

The father of the baby goes first . With a betal leaf , he is required to close the left ear of the baby and whisper the pre decided name of the baby 3 times near the child’s right ear audible enough to the audience.

And then betal leaf is held to the child’s right ear and whisper again the name 3 times through the left ear.

Followed by the child’s uncle , mother and grandparents , the baby’s name is hence decided.

My daughter was donned with some gold jewellery and new clothes . A black thread is tied across her waist and a black dot is put on her face to ward off an evil eye.

And then came the most emotional and soul wrenching part of the day .

Ear boring ceremony!

As a mom it was difficult to see my child crying in pain during ear piercing.

I could’nt control my tears for long and I cried .

It took just minutes to finish though and was done beautifully and very neatly with expert care by the goldsmilth who pierced with his traditional tools and it was not a gunshot ( a modern technique nowadays)

Soon after this , I immediately calmed her down and she dozed off to sleep for some hours.

All this went very well and organized .

Meals known as Sandhya was organized by our family .

With many blessings and gift showered on our baby , many of our relatives left one by one. And that ended with good and positive vibes .

Coming to the name of my baby , we named her Kalyani.