Booksfoodmylife

Traveling around the world is almost everyone's dream. The knowledge that we absorb during our travel journeys stick with us for a lifetime. Most of our yearning for travel is palpable and relatable. But not all of us can afford those expensive vacations. Some of us simply don't have the time to travel often. We can obtain similar soul satisfying experiences from a few other endeavours when travel isn't on our cards. Here I list 7 classy things to do when you can't afford travel.  1. Reading books📚, travel books, magazines and everything you love to devour : I fondly recollect hearing from one of my inspirations, "When we can't travel, we read". Books are a great way to escape into another world. The joy of swimming through a good book is something only book lovers can vouch for. Travel books proffer an experience that is very close to getting transported to another world. In fact, it's much better than watching travel shows, although you can combine ...

This is a book that I'd gift my children and grand-children. It's that good. The book is an inkling into the world of myths and folktales. It delves into myths from across the world from roman, greek myths to Egyptian, Japanese and South American tales. The fabric that binds all the myths is captivating. It begins with myths about the creation of the universe and moves into stories of heroes and monsters. Every story leaves the reader wonderstruck and wanting to know more. The stories of heroes like Chi Li is awe-inspiring and teeming with bravery, courage and sinew.  Comparing the stories with Indian myths was a joyful experience, especially at moments when I could find similarities between the other tales and the Indian ones. I read the book in three sittings. The story of the strict ancestors and their stringent rules and the uncommon thinkers like Socrates will surely stay with us. I'd highly recommend this book for those who love good stories and are curious about the ...

An inkling into the financial elites and their exorbitantly expensive wealth and the class warfare. The author highlights the financial elites' role in climate change and the rising inequality. The narration reveals the author’s anger against the self-centred rich. Tax-he argues-has bridged the gap between the rich and the rest to some extent. The rich elites can steer politics, he narrates. The book also sees the contributions of the financial elites for the development of research and upliftment of the needy. He rightly notes that while the rich enjoy private jets, the middle class is forced to buy expensive electric vehicles. The book ends with a great debate on capitalism v. socialism and the need to move towards democratic socialism.   My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC Goodreads Link  

  The Painswick Line:  It is one of the best books I have ever read. It was such a delight to read each chapter that presented something new, witty and funny. I’d highly recommend this one for anyone who likes legal fiction. I bought Henry Cecil’s books after seeing them on Justice Leila Seth’s bookshelf on a TV show Justbooks. The book begins with Justice Painswick’s discovery of a new way of making quick money. That forges him on a journey to meet new people, who later become family. The book revolves around stories about the Judge and his son, Martin. It’s a 5⭐️ read.  Goodreads Link Stephen King: His Life, Work and Influences his book is a brilliant read and a must-read for Stephen King fans. He is decidedly the king of horror. The book talks about his journey, childhood, struggles, influences, success and works. His story is so well narrated that it's unputdownable. The pictures are like cherries on the top. The book aptly describes what he went through while creatin...

  Cut 1/3rd red and green bell peppers into juliennes; Prepare red chilli flakes from 4-5 hot and dry red chillies ; In a wok, heat enough water to boils 200 grams Hakka noodles ; Add 1 tablespoon of salt into the boiling water and then add the Hakka noodles; Let it cook for 7 minutes (see instructions on the noodles packet);  Drain the water and spread the cooked noodles on a plate; In a bowl, take 8-10 garlic cloves minced, 1/2 star anise, 4 cloves and the red chilli flakes ; Add these ingredients to a wok with 3-4 tablespoons of hot olive oil and sunflower oil; Keep the flame in simmer and let the flavours in the ingredients be infused into the oil; After 3-4 minutes, add the cut bell peppers into the wok and stir fry it for 1 minutes in high flames;   Add half a teaspoon of soy sauce, vinegar and 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce ; Add the cooked noodles and mix it with the bell peppers, oils and sauces;  Cook in simmer for 1-2 minutes and transfer it...

  This book is a brilliant read, a must-read for Stephen King fans. He is decidedly the king of horror. The book narrates his journey: childhood, struggles, influences, success and works. His story is so well narrated that it's unputdownable. The pictures are like cherries on the top. The book aptly describes what he went through while creating the magic that he presented to us, over the years. I hope to revisit this book a decade later; I am certain I will enjoy it as much as I did this time--or perhaps even more. Ben narrates, "Some people believe it is possible to learn about a writer through a careful reading of his or her work, others think a writer’s work is best understood by knowing the details and circumstances of that person's life. Which way does the mirror point or does it work in both directions." I think it works in both directions. Having a background of his life and journey has inspired me to read his books and I am sure I will relate to his works with...

This book taught me what good writing is. I fell in love with it, at the very beginning, going by the positive reviews and the author's prologue that spoke about the main character, Jeannie and her one and only passion: apple farming.  Jeannie's life is palpably blissful thanks to her apple farming. The author begins introducing her apple farm and how her lovely family and friends pitch in to make the experience exhilarating. Her narration--simple, descriptive and transporting--captures our attention and we begin to feel pangs of admiration as we read. The everyday life of Jeannie, her feisty old mother, Violet and her family--especially Jeannie's twin grand-children connects with us and we begin to feel at home. The stories of the people around Jeannie are interesting and the book club sessions reveal a slice of the minds of misogynistic men. The storyline is everything about Jeannie and the people around her. It's very well written. But, the storyline could have been ...

 My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!  The book is about a tech company that successfully attempts to control the consciousness of the consented members by implanting thoughts aiding them to experience self-awareness, virtual reality and much more. It begins with an introduction into the world's of the two founders of the company--their yearnings, behaviour and contrasting personalities elegantly depicted. It is after this that the story begins and the narration is good; although, it could have been more engrossing considering the theme. It's the rarefied theme and the storyline that's absolutely compelling. If you like neuroscience and the magic that science and technology can trigger on the human brain, then this book is for you. The book keeps us hooked and can be completed in one or two sittings.   Brief insight into the storyline: As the founders interact in the second founder's garage in London, the idea to float a company spawns and they forge to create something ...

To do justice to the story of the majestic and magnanimous Lord Ram is no easy task. He was god in human form. Amish's writing recreates Lord Ram's life through fairly good narration and vivid descriptions. I picked the book up with the thought that it would be a true retelling of the Ramayana by Guru Valmiki. I'm afraid that's not the case. Amish has taken liberty with the story with his own ideas (the book includes a disclaimer). Despite the disclaimer, the fact that someone has taken liberty with history (or mythology for some) has left me disappointed. I have an objection to books where any character (mythological or real) are distorted in the name of creativity. I vociferously urge people to write only the truth. Write is similar to the Sanskrit word Rith which means the truth. I believe that it indicates that writers be encouraged to write the truth and nothing but the truth. Although, I must confess that I loved reading Amish's work. The simple yet sumptuous ...

I had always wanted to read Wodehouse ever since I was in school. Somehow, it never happened. Now a little more than a decade later I am absolutely delighted to have picked Wodehouse. What a joy it has been!  The book begins with Bertram Wooster's conversations with his aunt, Dahlia. It takes a few minutes to familiarise ourselves with the characters. But, in just three pages we begin to feel at home and as intrepid as Bertie. It's a time when Jeeves the butler is about to begin his holidays and Bertie gets invited to Brinkley by his aunt.  His fellow guests include his former fiancee, a famous crime writer, Bertie's favourite brain specialist and an ex-headmaster (whom he had hoped to never see). I love the writing. It's witty, full of life and engrossing. Also, immensely creative and comforting. Some of the sayings like "a penny saved is a penny earned" and "lightening never strikes twice in the same place" are interesting. Jeeves (present in some ...

  The blend of garlic and red chilli is piquant and truly delicious. This has become my favourite pasta. I chose dil leaves as opposed to the authentic recipe with parsley. Here’s the recipe:  Take 3-5 cups of water and set it to boil; Add 250 grams of spaghetti into the boiling water and add 1 tablespoon of salt; Cook till al Dante and strain the water into a bowl; To a pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 10 chopped garlic cloves and some red chilli flakes to taste; Stir fry till the garlic turns golden brown and add 1 cup of pasta water; Add the pasta and give it a stir; Simmer and cook till the water thickens; Garnish it with some dil leaves and Italian seasoning and serve; This recipe serves 1 person.

I recollect that the first self-help book that I read was in school, years back. It was Stephen Covey's "7 habits of highly effective people". It was only recently that I read my second self-help book "Atomic habits". I realised that the techniques taught in these books have to be read, re-read and practiced. I decided to share four techniques that have helped improve my efficiency. I hope this helps.  1. 5 minute rule Ali Abdal in his video  talks about the 5 minute rule. He says it has two components. First, if you are procrastinating, do what you want to do (emailing, progressing in work or anything in your to do) for 5 minutes and you end up continuing the task. The second aspect is that 5 minutes is way better than nothing. If you exercise for 5 minutes a day, it's better than living a completely sedentary life.  2. Pomodoro technique This is a Japanese technique that says that one has to work for 25 minutes and rest for 5 minutes. Instead of scrolling ...

At the very beginning, the book transports us to Hertfordshire. The rapture in the Bennet household in Hertfordshire ensnares the readers. This is what makes the novel one of the best classics. The novel is about the Bennet family and Mrs Bennet’s sole aim to get her daughters settled in marriage with wealthy families.  Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have five daughters, all good-looking and endearing. Not having a male heir means the property will fall into the hands of a distant male heir. Unfortunately, this leaves the future of the five daughters to fate. The arrival of the wealthy and charming Mr. Bingley into the neighbourhood pulls up the hopes of Mrs. Bennet as she perceives him to be the perfect match for one of her daughters. Their acquaintance blossoms over time and Mr. Bingley develops fondness for one of the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Their conversations are interesting and piquant.    As Mr. Bingley exits Hertfordshire briefly, the joyful environment transmutes ...

  This is Besan chilla. It's my favourite breakfast Cut 1 tomato and a handful of fenugreek leaves as in the below picture ; Take a bowl full of gram flour and add a little more than 1/2 cup of water ; Mix well and add the tomato and greens to the batter; Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, red-chilli powder and cumin seeds powder ; Set the batter aside for 30 minutes; Later, heat an cast-iron tawa; Refrain from non-stick (check my  blogpost on it); After 3-4 minutes, spread the batter using a laddle; Flip it after 3 minutes in medium flame;  Cook it on the other side for another 3 minutes on medium flame; Transfer it to a plate and serve with chutney powder;  This serves 2-3 people.

  Spice tea is extremely healthy for the body for weight loss and immunity. It can be had when we suffer from cold, cough or fever. Here's the recipe for the spice tea for weight loss.  Take 1/2 cup of pepper, Carom seeds (ajwain), cumin, and coriander seeds; Roast for 1-2 minutes on low flame; When the aroma releases, grind it to a powder; Take a 1/2 table-spoon of this powder, 1/2 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds (during summer) and 1/2 inch ginger in 500 ml water; Boil till the tea reduces to half; Strain the tea and add a few drops of lemon juice; This can serve 1 person; You may opt to not add lemon juice;   Men may take this not more twice a week and women can consume it everyday. 

  TomRiley, RileyTom--"Two parts built to make one whole" writes Emma. Tom and Riley are best friends. To describe them, they are what best friends are--inseparable and deeply entangled.  Riley's first person narration renders the feel of a personal diary. It's fun, honest and unputdownable. The book begins with her trip to New York to kickstart a journey ticking off 'The Getaway List".  The list is their bucket list and it's exciting and inspiring. I wouldn't want to talk more about the list because I hate spoilers. But, I can assure you that you will love Tom and Riley's time together in New York. The narration is easy on the reader. There are a few moments where the book gets monotonous. But, the excitement of "The Getaway List" keeps us hooked. Furthermore, the good news is that there’s more to the book than just TomRiley. A pang of curiosity strikes as we near the mid as to what may ensue. This is particularly because the first half...

What a brilliant way to begin early 2024 with a good self-help books. Atomic habits has everything that can motivate us to follow a discipline (routine), save more and live better. The anecdotes that the author discusses are inspiring. The first lesson the author shares is that he started small. Key takeaways are as follows: The backbone of this book is his 4 step model of habits: Cue, craving, response and reward; If we improve 1% everyday, we would have improved by 37% in a year; If you are a millionaire, but you spend more than you earn each month, then you are on a bad trajectory. Conversely if you’re broke, but you save a little bit every month, then you are on the path towards financial freedom; Habits often appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold and unlock a new level of performance; The powerful outcomes are delayed. This is the core reason why it’s hard to build habits that last. People make a few small changes fail to see tangible results and decide...

The importance of balanced diet is known to all--but, not many of us follow it. I have decided to combine all the necessary elements of a balanced diet in my regular diet: Carbs, protein, vegetable portion and salad portion. Here are a few vegetarian options that you can try. They are simple, tasty and healthy.  Brown rice, dal, cucumber (salad), carrot-bell peppers-cabbage stir fry Chapati, okra curry, brown chickpeas salad, cucumber Hummus wrap with bell peppers and cabbage along with some cucumber  Rice, dal, okra fry and cucumber Combine these with some buttermilk in the end

All of us who read Matilda will instantaneously fall in love with her. Her brilliant mind leaves us intrigued. I am certain that the list of books Matilda manages to read in the first six months when she visits the public library will inspire every reader to read and re-read Charles Dickens, Jane Eyre, Ernest Hemingway and many other classics. The book and the movie are very popular. I don't even think there is a need for me to review it. But, this ones for those who haven't read or watched Matilda.  Matilda is a five year old who almost self-teaches herself everything: reading, cooking and taking care of herself. She is honest, intelligent and deserves all the love in the world; unfortunately, she has parents who are selfish and cunning. A sense of despondence lingers in Matilda's heart each time she thinks of her parents who look at her like she is stupid; on the contrary, she is a little bundle of brilliance.  The jocular portions of the book where she tries to teach her...

I don't love bread. So, I prefer having sandwiches occasionally. Protein rich sandwich can be made tasty as well. It's filling and a good combination of vegetables, carbs and proteins. I prefer cheese--you may substitute it with cottage cheese . Here's the simple recipe: For the Sandwich: Opt for brown bread; Spread a layer of red-kidney-beans hummus over a piece of bread; Place 4 thin slices of cucumber and tomato;  Place a cheese slice and cover it with another piece of bread;  Toast the sandwich on a pure-iron pan or a toaster.  It's ready to eat :) For the kidney-beans hummus Roast 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds till it turns golden brown; In a blender, blend 1 cup cooked kidney-beans, 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, 4 cloves of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4th cup olive oil and squeezed lemon juice from 1/2 a lemon; Serve in a bowl along with garnished chilli flakes; This serves 8 people; You may use it for the delicious red-kidney-be...

  The key takeaways are: 1. Smile as soon as you wake up and smile often: It has health benefits as it stimulates the brain to release neuropeptides and serotonin for relieving stress and improve mental health. Be thankful for the small things and smile.  2. Be grateful as it will improve your life by helping you focus on important things. It will also positively boost the person who helped you.  3. Meditate as it helps to calm the mind. It decreases beta waves that direct attention towards cognitive tasks. It improved present moment awareness. Focus on your breath as you inhale and exhale.  4. Nature gazing nature improves health.  5. Exercise makes us happy, improves mental clarity and makes you healthy. Workout the whole body. 6. Eat healthy and include fresh fruits, whole grains, nuts-seeds, fresh vegetables, legumes and lean protein. 7. Emulate a role model who has a strong character, someone who loves what they do and have qualities that inspire you. A rol...