New Things

It is good to shake things time to time and i just did that !!! Here is my list :

• Started listening to PODCASTS - i have always heard about them but never got around listening. But having a Smart Phone does make your life easier.So far i have listened few TED Talks / Desert Island Discs and one Motivational Podcast.
• After deciding at the beginning of this year that i will drive more and to newer places - that is exactly i have been trying to fit in. Drove to as far as Feltham / Brentwood and drive to work in the morning and evenings.
• In May this year i was given FITBIT and i am addicted to it. Love to step up and my best so far has been 27k.
• Watched a Pakistani Drama " Zindagi Gulzar Hai" on You Tube.
• Visited the local Hindu Temple at Noak Hill - Big change from the usual Ilford temple.
• Restarted browsing BBC I player and watched " Eat Well For Less ".
• For my daily office lunches - i have now switched to eating salads / Bowl full of veggies and supergrains from my plain sandwiches for 3 years. Also stopped eating packet of crisps too.
• Travelled to Birmingham for an official trip - my first ever trip!!!

Things in my Freezer

I came across this post where everybody was sharing what is there in their freezer. I have done a post long time ago about what's in my fridge. And since i have been out of blogging for a very long time,this post is a good starting point.I have 4 drawers in my freezer.I have a very few basic staples in my freezer which are constant and hardly change. In my first drawer i have 3 frozen Margherita Pizzas and 2 Tortilla wraps.We generally buy Margherita pizzas and then customise it by adding toppings of our choice.Second drawer consist of Frozen chips, Petit Peas and Mixed vegetables. Peas is something which we use quite a lot in Indian cooking.Third drawer consist of Haldiram's Cocktail Samosas, Meltz Rasgullas and Seriously Nutty Pistachio and Chocolate Icecream.Fourth drawer contains ice cube trays.

Birth Notes - second time

My due date was Xmas Day - 25th Dec 2011.From the very beginning of my second pregnancy i was not sure whether i wanted to have a natural birth due to my traumatic first pregnancy.However i knew that having a C-Sec does not mean that things are going to be straightforward as it is a major abdominal surgery and there can be various complications in having get that done. I was assigned a Consultant ( S Chakarvarti) and i saw her after every few weeks. When i met her for the first time she referred me to a Counsellor as she felt that i am carrying a lot of excess baggage from my first experience and i need to get that out from my system.
I saw my Counsellor ( June Mitchell) throughout my pregnancy and that did made things a bit calmer for me. I was getting prepared mentally for a natural birth as my Consultant also believed that having a C-Sec will be more unsafe as i will have high chances of blood loss.

However as time approched i realised that i do want to go for C-sec as i felt that i will be in more control of things as compared to last time.

So on 8th Dec 2011 i met my consultant and requested for a C-sec and she referred me to a Senior Consultant - Dr Richard Howard. I was not sure whether i will be granted one as NHS does not support elective C-sec. But Dr Howard was quite understanding and he mentioned that it is quite natural for me to feel scared because of my last experience and he is happy to perform the surgery himself. So the date was decided and i was told i will have my surgery done on 19th Dec 2011.

On 19th morning i reached the Postnatal ward in the Green Zone of Queens Hospital.I was seen around 8 and was asked to change to Hospital clothes and get ready for surgery at 9 am.But after some time we were told that there are few emergencies and there is no bed left at the Recovery Room therefore either my surgery will be delayed or postponed to another day.

We were sent to a Postnatal room and we stayed there till 12:30 pm.All this time i was quite sure that my surgery will be postponed and we might have to come next day.

Then one of the doctors came at 12:15 pm and told me that they are ready to perform the operation and i should be heading towards the Ops Theatre. My process started at 12:30. There were approximately 10 people in the room and each one of them were doing their assigned jobs. I was given spinal block and also Anti Infection Antibiotic.The atmosphere was quite overwhelming for me in the beginning and within seconds of injecting the spinal block i could not feel any sensation from the waist down below.

After few minutes Ashish was allowed into the theatre and that helped me to calm my nerves but i was feeling very dizzy and disoriented. I mentioned this to the doctor and he did something on the machine and suddenly i was not feeling dizzy anymore. Me and Ashish decided about the name right there on the operating table. At 12:59 pm our daughter was brought into this world. She was handed over to Ashish while my rest of the process was finished. At exactly 1:30 pm i was out of the Ops Theater and shifted to Recovery room.

Resolutions 2011

• Blog more frequently.
• Do some form of exercise atleast 3 times a week.
• Eat more sensibly.
• Watch good television.
• Be more in touch with friends and family.
• Be more patient.
• Stop buying the same outfit endlessly.
• Practise diarising day to day events.
• Be more groomed.

Things that kept me going....

• I finally finished my pile of newspapers (London Evening Standard,City AM and Metro) which was pending for a very long time.I like to keep myself updated about what's happening in London therefore Ashish brings me these newspapers everyday.
• After almost 3 years i have started visiting my local library and got myself some cookbooks such as "Jamie's Ministry of Food","Rice and Noodles by Emma Lee","50 Great Sandwiches",and Women's Weekly Great Vegetarian Food".
• I make it a point to go out everyday with baby either to shop locally for grocery or library or for long walks.This helps me to get some fresh air and helps me to loose that extra weight.
• Been doing loads of cooking -Idly Sambhar for Sunday afternoon lunch,Vegan Aloo Dum ( Recipe taken from Nupur 's One Hot Stove),Chocolate Cake with Ganache,Pizzas with unusual toppings like Artichokes,Black olives with pesto sauce.
• Subscribed to Love Film and so watching movies almost everyday.. Seen so far "Mamma Mia","There will be Blood","Six Days Seven Nights","Guess Who's coming to Dinner","Miss Pettigrew Lives for a day".

Things done so far

• Life has been busy and not so busy for the past one month.I don't think so i will be able to write down each and every thing which i have done so far but will try..


• Weather has not been very helpful in London this month.. lots of snow with sub-zero temperatures.It was nice to see everything covered in snow for few days but when it stretched to more than a week it was frustrating to be sitting at home all day and night.So it was decided that as Ashish would come back from work i will be going out for a walk to get some fresh air and also to have some much needed me time.However since weather has improved i have started to take Aayush along with me for a walk around noon everyday.That helps me to get out of the house and do some serious walking for an hour.


• Since i was stuck at home for long periods of time i have done some serious cooking - tried recipes which were bookmarked for so long now.Tried Parsnip and Ginger soup for a very wintry evening .. It is the first time i bought Parsnip.. never tried this vegetable before.Ashish didn't like the soup very much but i think it was not too bad.Made use of Delia Smith book " Delia's how to cheat at cooking"by making two recipes from it. The book was bought long time ago ( maybe 2 yrs ago ) but never tried anything from it. I made Cracked potatoes with melting cheese and spring onions and Very garlicky chili pasta.Both the dishes came out fine and i will definitely try them again.


• This Christmas i bought a very simple and complete vegetarian cookbook by Vidhu Mittal " Pure and Simple -Homemade Indian Vegetarian Cuisine"It is exactly the kind of cookbook i was looking for .. all vegetarian and recipes which you can actually try with ingredients available in my kitchen pantry.I made Mushroom Cheese Toast which Ashish loved,Sago Cutlets,Daal Tarka which was a combination of Chana Daal/ Moong Daal and Laal Masoor,Beans with Baby corn,Baby corn and Capsicum,Mixed vegetables with Cottage Cheese...Phew that is lot of cooking.


• Reading has also been on my agenda all this time however i am unable to do any serious reading. Ashish brings me "Metro", "City AM" and "London Evening Standard " which i aim to read almost everyday but i can still see a huge pile in one corner which i have to finish.I am also reading magazines like "Psychologies","Real Simple","Olive" and "Delicious".


• I have started weaning Aayush for which i bought all his Weaning Bowls/spoons/ Bibs and very special Chico High Chair.He has been given Cow and Gate Pure Baby Rice with his 11 am feed.I am following Gina Ford book of Weaning for him and so far it is working out for me.I am going to introduce him to a variety of fruits and vegetables in the coming days like peers,carrots, apples ,sweet potato,courgette and cauliflower.So far his response has been excellent with it and i am noticing that his reflux has improved.


• Television watched - Loads of Food Network/Good Food and Home channels. Catching up on Indian Winter Season with documentary on Mumbai Slum- Dharavi with Kevin Mc Cloud.Also seeing Gordon's Great Escape with some amazing authentic recipes.


• On fitness front i am doing Wii Fit 30 mts a day almost 5 days a week.I am also trying to keep a tab on what i am eating .. I have a bowl of cereal for breakfast, soup for lunch and a proper Dinner of Chapati/Daal and vegetable along with it. I am trying to snack on raw veggies and fruits when i get those hunger pangs.But sometimes i do loose the motivation to do anything and just gorge on biscuits or namkeens.


• Above all i also managed to see 2 hindi movies past month.. Rocket Singh and 3 Idiots along with the baby.I was not prepared to watch movie with a baby but Ashish convinced me into it.. Aayush was angel in both the movies. I actually didn't feel at all that he was with us.I enjoyed both the movies and wish Hindi Cinema could make more of these substantial movies.

New Year New Me

• I am really grateful for this year as i have lot of things to thank for .. i got a promotion in the starting of the year, became a mother to a gorgeous baby, work wise things were going fine until my Maternity Leave started..
• By end of this month - i have tried a whole lot of new recipes from baking bread to trying different pasta recipes by Jamie Oliver/Delia Smith.December has been an exciting month as i along with my mum tried new Indian recipes by Tarla Dalal.
• I am a very organised person and so i find it difficult if in a day i am unable to finish some of my To Do Things but sometimes i think it is a refreshing change as well.Now with a baby i tend to get cranky if i cant finish whatever i intended to finish in a day and that is why this is going to be one of my New Year Resolutions.. Not to get overwhelmed by the fact that i am unable to finish something.
• This year i have to regain my health and loose approximately 6 kg in at least 3 months.This is not a difficult task as i have in the past lost approximately 20 kg.
• Also, i have to strengthen my Pelvic Muscles which have become very weak due to Childbirth.. also because of which i am having back ache as well. By strengthening my pelvic muscles i am advised should get rid of my back ache.
• Above all, i want to become a positive person this year and dont want to have any negative thoughts bother me.I can achieve this by keeping myself busy as much as possible and not get bothered by my sorroundings.

Week Ramblings

• This year my birthday was special as now i have Little A in my life.Also Little A completed his first month in this world.A wanted to go out and treat me to a lavish Indian Dinner but i decided that it would be best for all of us to order food from outside and have it at home.As our baby completed his 1st month - we took him to temple.We performed a little puja for the baby.The most amazing thing was Baby A also folded hands while he was shown around the temple.I also got my haircut done that day.After a very long time i was quite happy with my haircut- exactly what i wanted.
  In the evening A got a Pineapple cake (photo above) and ordered from London Darbar. We had Dal Makhani/Tadka Daal/Baigan Bharta/Paneer Makhani/Malai Kofta and rotis.
• Baby A has become extremely fussy while he takes his milk. He hates to burp and wants to sleep as soon as he finishes his bottle.I never knew that feeding will be so difficult.Now i don't look forward to feed him as he cries a lot which breaks my heart at times.
• Celebrated Karwa Chauth with my mom for the first time - she made Malai Koftas/Chole/Aloo Bhindi / Boondi salad and Tandoori Rotis.Weather was extremely bad and we hardly could do any puja outside.It was raining all day which made things difficult as well.
• I am meeting one of my office colleagues this weekend.I think it will be a good change and will get to know office gossip as well.She has an 8 yr old daughter for which i am taking a 15 Book Box Set of Roald Dahl Stories.
• I thrive on routine and that i what i want to do with my baby as well.So far he sleeps all through night which is a boon as i have heard that babies tend to be awake all through night.He gets his massage and bath after me and my mom finish our work.I hate when things don't turn out the way i want and with a month old baby you can expect this to happen frequently.
• I have gained approx 9 kg after my pregnancy.Loosing weight is the most difficult thing.One has to be really focused and have immense self control. I have started doing simple Yoga and some light Aerobics but i have a long way to go.I am taking care of my diet as well and have decided on no more Dinners outside.

27 weeks

......Had an extremely relaxing Bank Holiday weekend. Saturday - I stayed at home and finished household chores of cleaning and washing.Sunday- A and i ventured out to Regents Park and just walked around.Made Aloo Parathas that evening which turned out fabulous.Sunday- A had to work whole day in office. Had Pakoras and Spring Rolls at my Brother-In Law's place.

......This week London had the best sunshine ever and temperatures went up to 27C.It did get very hot at home but i think walking outside was lovely.
......I feel extremely tired once i come back from office - need rest for an hour and then can start my cooking routine for the evening.
......I crave for some dessert after dinner - had Haldiram Rasgullas last evening and wishing to make Shrikhand this weekend.
......Almost decided on my starting date for Maternity Leave. Plan to take whole of August off and take some last minute much needed rest.
......This week i made my Hospital Bag Checklist and Hospital essentials for the baby. Now the only job to do is to start buying the things and take them off list.
......Tomorrow i am taking off and will complete my chores for the week as busy this coming Saturday in attending a Bday Party of a 4 year old.

17 weeks

• Feeling good this week as no throwing up.
• Indulged myself in pamper session- a deep cleansing facial,luxury manicure/padicure and a hair cut at my local beauty saloon.
• Saturday was bright and sunny- went for a stroll in St Paul's/had a lazy lunch and strolled towards Tate Modern.
• Marvelled at the amazing art pieces from various artists.
• Friends came over and had a Wii session for 2 hrs or so.
• Sunday was not that great and was tired all day -maybe because of the over exertion on saturday.
• Had a quite dinner of daal and aloo sabzi with rice.
• Plan to start my Yoga on Wii next week.
  

Christmas Lights

This year i decided that i will try and see as much as Xmas lights in and around London.Malls,streets and stores.. i just love seeing the lights and Xmas tress everywhere.A made a very brave attempt to accompany me on my mad trip and took some pictures for me.

We started with Westfield London which is a new mall opened only a few months ago. It is spacious and beautifully decorated.Just loved browsing around and doing nothing particular.

Next week i dragged A to come along with me to go to Oxford Street.We began with Carnaby Street which is dominated by giant snowman all over.They are quite huge and give a very snowy feeling everywhere.

Then came John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhams which are the most popular and decorated stores in Oxford Street.

Bond Street was almost shut when we could make it there.Stores were all packing up and we did some window shopping before we dragged our self back towards Oxford Street.

A wanted to buy Xmas gift for my niece and so we headed towards Hamleys.The pic below is of the Hamleys Store from inside.The place was jam packed and it was difficult to even stand on two feet and so we came out as quickly as possible.

Other places we saw where Xmas was at its peak..

• Somerset House


• Lakeside Mall


• Epping High Street


• St Paul's Cathedral


• Canary Wharf Mall

Me-me

I am: a very sensitive girl by heart.
I think: far too much!
I want: peace in my life.
I have: what i need.
I wish: i could be more confident in life.
I hate: when people talk behind your back.
I miss: taking long lunch breaks at my work.
I fear: loneliness.
I feel: sleepy.
I hear: keyboard typing.
I crave: for attention.
I search: for recipes all the time.
I regret: behaving badly with some of my family members.
I love:my family.
I care: for my near and dear ones.
I am not: ambitious.
I believe: very much in honesty.
I dance: terribly.
I sing: when no one is listening
I cry: at the drop of the hat.
I don’t always: like to do what I am told.
I fight: when i am not taken seriously
I write: not as well as I would like.
I win: by being a good listener.
I lose: my patience very easily.
I never: went to a discotheque.
I always: like to read when i am on the tube.
I listen: to my radio every morning.
I can usually be found: browsing book shops
I am scared: of losing everything precious to me.
I need: my husband 's support all the time
I am happy about: my life in general

Diwali

This year it was a special one .. We celebrated Diwali at our very own first home.We did our Diwali Shopping on Dhanteras Day and bought firecrackers,diyas,laddoos,assorted burfis.etc. It was really nice seeing all the chehal pehal in Wembley and just made me nostlagic of Diwali celebrations back home.I think one of the best points of living and working in London is that you do not miss these things and can enjoy festivals with as much gusto as you want.

A bought me a very gorgeous 18K White Gold ring on Dhanteras. Thanks A.Jewellery stores were busy like hell and the way people were flocking the jewellery stores and we had to skip atleast 3 stores before we could step in a store where we can stand on two feet.I think this must be the world's quickest jwellery buy ever. It took us less than 10 mts to buy this.

We performed Lakshmi puja on D-day with reciting of Ganesh Aarti and Lakshmi Aarti and lit 21 diyas as per the tradition.I wish many more Diwali's like this every year for both of us.

Open House Weekend

I was looking forward for this event since last year and boy what an amazing those two days were.. and amazingly A was really sweet in giving me company despite the fact that he was not really interested in seeing historic buildings.. Thanks a lot A.
Saturday we started with Royal Courts of Justice.The highlights were seeing Entrance to the cells/Unfinished Pillar/Memorial to George Edmund Street-the architect of the Royal Courts of Justice/Bear Garden/Lord Chancellor's Court.Organizers gave us a handout which guided us through the building.Very informative and gorgeous Gothic structure mesmerised me.

Main Hall -It is 238 feet long, 80 feet high and 48 feet wide.The mosaic floor was all individually hand laid out.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office - again very elegant working office with larger than life paintings and beautiful interiors.Major attaractions in the building was Durbar Court/Locarno Suite/The Locarno Dining Room/The Grand Staircase.

Durbar Court-The name dates from 1902 when some of the Coronation celebrations of King Edward VII were held here.In March 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth attended an evening reception for President Leburn of France,during which young Peggy Ashcroft and John Gielgud acted the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

Statues from left to right Sir Eyre Coote,The Marquess Cornwallis,Richard Marquess Wellesley, and the Duke of Wellington.

The Grand Staircase- designed by George Gilbert Scott.He saw the Foreign Office as 'a kind of national palace,or drawing room for the nation' and his use of lavish decoration to impress foreign visitors is exemplified by his Grand Staircase.

We lunched at a small pizzeria of Tomato Basil and Mozzarella Salad with Californian Pizza washed down with a large glass of coke.
As we had enough time on our hand we walked around the Charing Cross and browsed some paintings at National Portrait Gallery.

Our last stop for the day was Canada House.Contrary to my expectations Canada House did not impress me much.

Sunday i decided to take it easy as i was tired from last day's events ... i first stopped at Apsley House. We did a quick round of the house looking at the huge marble statues and gorgeous paintings.Highlights of the place was a huge Napoleon Statue and Waterloo Gallery.

It is one of London's finest mansions and is still the residence of Wellington's descendants.

My next and last stop was at Westminster Hall.It was amazing to see such a huge and palatial hall. It is the oldest extant building at the Palace of Westminster and is one of the largest medieval halls in Europe.The hall was the most frequent meeting place of the King's Great Council from the late 11th century and the principal home of the Courts of Justice since 1178.

Simple Pleasures

• Waking to a clean house


• Receiving a Compliment


• Dark Chocolate


• Yellow Dal with White Rice


• Black Grapes


• Watching the ocean


• Checking something off your to-do list


• An Empty email inbox


• The smell of laundry fresh out of dryer


• Flipping through magazines


• Reading Blogs


• All Kinds of flowers


• Updating my blog regularly


• Getting to leave work early...even five minutes


• Black forest cake


• Shopping for my home.


• Walking


• A clean and clear desk


• Playing Badminton


• Swimming