Winds of Change and the second Mountain

Being forced to stay indoors for an extended period has been bittersweet , one of angst and liberation for all of us.
Angst over shared humanity and thus the shared pain, anxiety, worry and underlying grief of the insidiously slipping world order...quick sand like, liberation from obligatory societal confines of events, gathering , sartorial decisions and what not.

These winds of change ( unabashedly borrowed from the song by Scorpions ) has given us all gifts the import of which dawns on us several times a day. Simplicity of days , joys replete in little things like a meal intently cooked , a book mulled over , a closet de cluttered , a piece of cake thoroughly consumed, a house plant tended to, unequivocal presence in everything and such.

David Brooks inspired me to look  at this as my `second mountain ' - a phase , a paradigm shift in thought that occurs once the climb to the summit of the ego driven first mountain of material accomplishments is complete. The second mountain is all about finding your purpose beyond the perfect white picket fence life and fancy cars. It is about grounding, bathing in gratitude , celebrating solitude, finding and creating joy everyday that lights up our soul. Amidst the political milieu and bashing I learnt to set aside assumptions and conclusions forever. Rarely things are is as it meets the eye. Judgement can gladly fall to the way side - after all who is perfect ? There ends the qualification to judge or stand on a moral high ground.
I would rather discover our respective `second mountains' in a deeper sense , reveling in its new found joys and inviting more . This is any day more comforting , rewarding and gives me the impetus to wake up with a spring in my step.

Some moments captured as I continue the ascent to my second mountain..while I hum this

Ciao....

Of Lemonade, Funnel cakes and Kites

Hello Dear Readers, thank you for reading and coming back to my blog. So this rather long sabbatical was to really reflect and define an identity of/for my blog.... What seemed at the time an effort worth pursuing, I realized the themes of my life crystallized naturally into love of travel and food and therefore will pour itself into the identity of my blog. So no big effort there…

From the grandiose trips to the seemingly innocuous ones all of them pregnant with gems of experience, lessons in life, love and the palate, just revealing itself little by little.

And Dear reader , I am simply sharing tidbits as I traverse life in this overwhelming digital Serengeti of social media, Netflix, Facebook and the likes. I am exceedingly thankful for these experiences life throws my way.

The summer has been slipping away. Seismic changes in the lives of our family this year propelled us to take a hold of life and live it like never before. For who knows what tomorrow brings...

 And we sought out our therapy in the miles of immaculately clean beaches of ocean city, Maryland.

Amongst the many travels across beaches of the world, this little treasure holds a special place in my heart. It is relaxation at its finest …

 Amongst the many things that makes ocean city standout is its startling display and show of kites. It is sure to dazzle you. As you walk the 3 mile boardwalk, you are literally under the shadows of huge kites flying right on the beach. These kites are from the kite loft. The Kite Loft was founded by Bill "King of the Wind" Ochse, who by his sheer energy and natural charisma managed to elevate Ocean City to it.

Entry into the Kite Loft store transports you to a world of brilliant colors, spinning windsocks, flying toys, whizzing rubber bands, floating kinetics, tinkling wind chimes, sky chairs, wind wheels and, of course, lots of kites.

No trip to ocean city would be complete without a visit to the kite loft.

I can confess to having looked at the very creative pieces and thought of perhaps this being life's purpose for the kite builders. So much of thought and energy poured into each had to amount to something substantial....no? Don’t we all tread that road consciously or inadvertently? Find or meet our purpose across the spectrum of activities and events, be it through kids, our social lives, travels, culinary experiences and so on…

Here are but a few pictures of the kites strewn all over the beach and boardwalk...I must make a mention of the kite friendly winds that blow through the beach and make it conducive for all things kites. So do bring a kite with you on your trip to Ocean City.

Talking of culinary experiences ,in the few times I've been to Ocean City I realized I didn’t  need to "really" pack for for dinnertime dressing,  a casual atmosphere prevails. As one might expect, seafood is the top draw, and in this part of the country, blue crabs rule. I Order ed mine in meaty cakes as well as steamed in spices and tackled with mallet and knife. The local blues are ornery sorts in the water, but ever so sweet fried in batter and plated up with sides of slaw and fries. It is a must do in Ocean city!

Classic salt-water taffy is yet another seaside staple. And how can I forget the ever green, always in demand, and always eaten with a pang of guilt funnel cakes .Crisp, delicious warm funnel cakes with soft powdered sugar simply makes my heart sing..I always eat mine at the end of the day so I no longer need to account for the calorific deficit I’ve created when it’s just only afternoon and I still have dinner to account for. So much for life’s experiences and accounting for them!

Amongst the many jewelry shops strewn all over the boardwalk, I realized Ocean City is a ‘boutique’, a “showcase” if you will for jewelry makers. Besides  the beautiful silver jewelry I picked up, I found unique pieces created in mother of pearl and turquoise by jewelry artists from as far as California and New Mexico on display for “a limited time”. It is something to keep in mind if you are a jewelry aficionado and happen to visit Ocean City. You are sure to find and keep one of a kind piece. I certainly have...

As the curtain falls down on summer, and the taste of the last lemonade, the fried Oreos and pickles, the funnel cakes and crabs lingers just fleetingly, I send a silent prayer of thanks to heaven for nurturing my family, keeping them healthy and happy, capable of enjoying these little bursts of experiences.

For now, I think we can all move on to more pressing matters in the world …

So long.

Kimchi - The probiotic superstar !

I've been on the lookout for incorporating a little more diversity into my diet with the focus of course on good health and not to forget my insatiable , forever in need of something new taste buds . While eating out at Korean places, I did find little bowls of Kimchi make its way to our tables ahead of our food, mainly as a fork or chopstick worthy appetizer.

Needless to say my first taste of it and I was hooked. It was bursting with flavors that my mind couldn't describe in full - garlic, hot chilli peppers, tartness of pickle, the velvety texture of napa cabbage and so on . Pickling is an age old culinary tradition across cultures and countries. We as Indians know so well the breadth of vegetables , even meat and seafood that earn the privilege of pickling - from Mangoes, to onions, garlic, squid, fish and even goat meat ! So here is Kimchi in all its pickled glory - Napa cabbage, scallions or daikon radish. That's what it is.

Eating kimchi regularly may also help reduce your chances of developing certain cancers, such as stomach cancer. It is the cabbage used to make kimchi that gives it the powerful antioxidants and flavonoids known to help prevent cancer. Along with the antioxidants and flavonoids it possesses, cabbage is also a rich source of glucosinolates. Glucosinolates when digested convert into a compound known as isothiocyanate, which is an effective anti-cancer phytochemical found in many cruciferous vegetables..
So its healthful benefits provided me the added impetus of including it in my cooking and here's a few tips I wanted to share with you all. First off lets be clear that it is not an all vegetarian pickled food even though cabbage and at times other vegetables like daikon radish makes its way into a bottle of kimchi. There is a seafood based element called saeujeot, which is Korean salted shrimp , that is ground and included in the pickling process. so most likely the Kimchi you buy at Asian food markets or Asian aisles of stores will contain saeujot in varying quantities. if you don't have a problem with that I would say go for it and buy the kimchi.
However there are vegetarian versions available as well such as ones available:

http://www.milkimchi.com/shop/
 There are some vegetarian only versions available at store such as Whole foods as well.

So here's what I have tried with kimchi :

Fried Rice
Kimchi fried rice - essentially lot of veggies and Tofu if you would like to include that stir fried in atleast half a medium sized jar of kimchi . Throw in some Basil leaves and add your favorite rice, white or brown and you have a delicious hearty side or main dish .
Here's a picture of my kimchi fried rice :

Noodles
Kimchi with plain old maggie noodles or for that matter any kind of noodles. It is a lip smacking treat ! and don't forget to add a bunch of cilantro.. it is an experience of the good and the bold, the soft flavorful cilantro with the bold flavors of garlic, chilli peppers and cabbage. Add the kimchi only once your noodles are done.

Omelettes
Chopped up Kimchi and fold it into your morning omelette

Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes - kick them up a notch by folding few tablespooons of kimchi and lemon pepper. serve this as a side with roast or grilled chicken

As I write this my mind is brimming with ideas on how else could I possibly use this probiotics superstar more in my everyday cooking.Quesedillas ? wraps maybe. who knows...
Ideas ? comments always welcome...

until the next time - wish you all good health and happy cooking !

Zen in a Red and orange Wonderland

In a land of complexity, story is king.
So here 's my first ever blog post, my story per se.

Since I have titled by blog as living in a digital Serengeti, I thought it best to dedicate my first blog to highlight the dichotomy of life - one that lives and breathes in the digital realm and the other that still unabashedly consumes the beauty and splendor that nature offers. Thank God for small mercies !

For me it was a realization on my recent travel to Sedona amongst other places and how it truly helped me achieve my Zen. This was my second trip to this serene, breathtaking, red and orange wonderland.

From energy vortexes, to crystal healing, to the many hiking and walking trails to tarot, psychic readings and haunting melodies of the Indian flutes.
Truly the `Disney' of the spiritually inclined ! A perfect marriage of the new age and old world charm.
An interesting piece of trivia I picked up on my recent trip was why and how breathtaking Sedona got its name.
And here's how : Sedona was named after a real person - Sedona Schnebly who happened to be the wife of Theodore Carlton Schnebly, the city's first postmaster, who was celebrated for her hospitality and industriousness.

Sedona's main attraction is its array of red sandstone formations. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The red rocks form a popular backdrop for many activities, ranging from spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails.
A walk through the trails or simply the streets of Sedona within the embrace of the timeless, gigantic Red rock formations makes one aware of how much bigger and majestic one's environment is, than our self consumed, egoistic selves.
Sedona feeds beautifully into my love for all things hand make such as pottery and the most exquisite hand crafted silver and turquoise jewelry. Pottery in sedona can be found on the streets to the more upscale exquisite galleries, artists village virtually woven into the landscape. Notable amongst the styles of pottery is the raku and saggar firing techniques wherein the pottery acquires a surreal glow of blue tempered with what seems like gold dust and tiled images of Indian gods and symbols.
Here are a just a few pictures of what inspired me to haul all of this in my already crowded carry on luggage.

As for the jewelry, well I have nothing but superlatives to describe the sheer breadth and depth of jewelry perfectly complimented by precious and semi precious stones. Birth stones paired with silver jewelry are to be found in abundant styles and sizes. Gorgeous pendants, earrings, bracelets and anklets. Just a smorgasbord (can I even use that word with jewelery but the foodie in me will take the liberty) of precious beautiful jewelry .

An attempt to recreate the magic of Sedona through words wouldn't be complete without describing the thrilling, reflective, high energy, bone rattling Jeep tours. To really feel the pulse of the timeless, majestic red rocks, one must experience this journey into the depths of the forests and trails in Sedona. It is a deeply fulfilling experience as the as the drivers navigates and narrates while they coax your jeep up and down the super steep trails and bends. For breather's sake they stop at places that are truly wondrous especially in the background of the setting sun when the rocks turn a beautiful amber, with just the right chill in the air. It is an experience that kids and adults alike thoroughly enjoy. My kids wrapped up in blankets on the open jeep seemed to be amazed and wonder stuck at both the ride and the views of the mountains. A sight to behold - the sunset and the red rocks and the wondrous amazed look on kids faces.
One decidedly feels the subtle shift in energy throughout the experience.

And finally what would Sedona be without its culinary landscape. Mexican inspired food with its very own flavors seem to be the predominant  here. Of course, for the New Age foodies, a plethora of vegan and vegetarian cafes are peppered alongside the mainstream Mexican, Thai and quintessential American restaurants. We had the privilege of trying out a breadth of meal types and cuisines all which was memorable. I will especially remember the lovely Mexican `cantina' we ate at . Amongst dishes of steaming hot fajitas, Carnitas, Guacamole and veggies, I had to have the quintessential `dessert' experience. After all when is a good dinner complete without dessert. And so this meal was made memorable by fresh warm churros served with scoops of vanilla ice cream. My experience in Sedona had truly come full circle !