Mehendi Designs from India!!

As you all know, I went to India on a break and had an awesome time there.. I attended two weddings, lots of shopping, lots of eating out, it was GREAT! Oh.. I miss it so much! Here are some pictures of Mehendi Designs that I and my cousins got done while I was in India...

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Masala Papad, Goodies from India and Mehendi Designs

One more great weekend with the family which left me relaxed, comforting, happy, satisfied and much more ..... well let's just say that it made me feel so good and so thankful to Allah for a wonderful family that I have!!!! I hope and pray that this kind of happiness stays with us and everyone else, as well... Amen...

At times, I always wonder what is the purpose of this life... and its weekends like this that makes me realize that we are not in this world just to live, work, have family, and then die... we are here to make others happy, help others out, love each other, make everyone laugh, share our happiness and sorrows with others and much more... as they say, "Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live"....

Ok... enough of philosophy now... let's get back to real life... :)

My Dad came back from India last week and brought a lot of goodies with him... My Dad is big on giving gifts to others and I think this is one of his best qualities... resulting in him buying 12 Kgs of Mithais (Indian Sweet) from India for everyone at work and his close friends... He also bought some mouth watering savory snacks for us... Here are some snaps of what he brought from India...

Mansuri Halwa House - Pineapple Halwa

Pineapple Halwa

BansiLal Pedawala - Burfi

Burfi

Chocolate Burfi

Snacks

More Snacks

Refrigerator filled with Mithai Boxes

Coming to the today's recipe... The very first time I went on a date with my fiance (now husband - AG)... I had this Masala Papad as a starter... I instantly fell in love with it and it always reminds me of our good old days :)

Ingredients:

• A quarter of Onion - finely chopped.
• A quarter of tomato - finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp chaat masala
• Two strings of fresh coriander - finely chopped.
• One Lijjat Papad

Process:

Microwave the papad for about one minute (varies depending on microwave); Sprinkle onions, tomatoes, coriander and chaat masala; serve immediately!

I also put on some mehendi (my other passion besides food) over the weekend... Here are some snaps for you...

ENJOY!!!

Photo Credit: Google Images for Lijjat Papad

Quote Source: Unknow.

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Bollywood & Indian Culture

 This post has nothing to do with food. This post is about one thing that I am really proud of "Indian Culture" or "Bhartiya Sabhyata". When I came to States I was/am very proud to say that I am ORIGINALLY from India. The minute I say that, people would pound me with questions about our food, culture and BOLLYWOOD. I would always get to hear things like "Oh.. I love samosas!!"; "I love bollywood movies with all those songs, dance and colors!!!"; "Oh.. I love the dress you are wearing... what is it called"; "Oh I love spicy food!!" and much more... .this would make me feel so GOOD!! 

However now, at times, I am ashamed of my own country. Last night I watched the newest release of Bollywood, Badmash Company, starring Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. Within the first half an hour of the movie, there is a scene where Anushka and Shahid have a coffee and Shahid tries to pay the bill... Anushka stops him saying this, "F off yaar, don't give this shit of I am girl and all that..." I was so shocked. At this point I could only imagine how this dialogue has impacted the minds of millions of the teenage girls in India who ended up thinking that "Oh saying the F word and S word is so 'cool' and a nice way to impress boys"... I am very heart broken on how Bollywood is representing Indian Culture - or let me rephrase it to say "how not" representing Indian Culture...

It's hard to sit and watch a film with the whole family where the actresses now a days are at their best in doing skin show and there are so many intimate scenes that are not even required but are in the movie just to attract public. There were times when the Director wants to show a kissing scene in the movie, they would show two flowers close to together or rain or birds flying freely... This was understood by audience as to what was going on... now there is literally a whole kissing scene in the movie making everyone of us (me, mom and SIL) so embarrassed if my Dad or brother or hubby is around...

It really hurts to say that majority of the Indian population is now getting westernized but not in a good way... they are picking everything that's bad about Western side of the world. If you do want to get westernized then increase awareness of people about environment, different cultures, be more open-minded, improve gov't systems; not by saying F & S word, or showing skin, or promoting sex through media...

NOTE:  These are just my views and you do not have to fully agree with them. This post is not target the particular movie mentioned above. This post is not referring to or targeted towards a group of media, people, or gov't in specific. These are just my views in general of what I have known or seen about Bollywood and My Culture.

Do let me know what you think about Bollywood and Indian Culture - how it's good or bad and your views in general. Please be generous in leaving your comments. Thanks!!!!

Photo credit: Badmash Company: Google Images; Indian Culture: Angelfire.com via google images.

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