Living Large Tiny Lot

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsUnless you have been under a rock, you must have seen the Apple Roses Video. Its been making rounds on the interwebs. At first I ignored it. Then it popped up in my Facebook Newsfeed again. And again. Till, we had an email from Varun’s school for a bake sale. That day the video which I had ignored for days popped up again. Cut apples, roll them in puff…

Can Water Walk? Intriguing isn’t it?

Varun and I are continuing with our science explorations. First we did our volcanoes and then we watched what happens to the dishwater tablets. Next up, it was our turn to watch water walk.

Yup, when I read the title of Walking Water Science Experiment on Pinterest, I wanted to see it action right away. We set to it right away.

First up, we got out 4 glasses of water and added food color to it.…

Where Do The Dishwasher Tablets Go?

Varun has been in love with science. He doesn’t know it as science but as experiments. Say Experiments and his eyes light up!

I couldn’t believe it how simple baking soda + vinegar volcanoes have evolved into a love for experiments.

We also did the “free” toys trapped in ice to learn about how water freezes into ice and then it slowly melts back into water. Instead of waiting for the ice to…

Whole Wheat Chocolate Mug Cake & Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I know its 11 days late ( or 12 depending on which side of the world you are on!) but it’s still January. Its first post of the year. And more than date its the intention that counts isn’t it? I sure hope so.

I debated what should the first post of the year be? Quick and Easy chocolate mug cake? Endive and Citrus Salad boats? Or our Christmas trip to Palm Springs? There were…

Its been a long time since I posted here.

It was an intentional sabbatical. Too many things happening in real life. A new job, becoming parents to 2 kiddos with no life lines (aka parental support as grandparents went back home), vacations, Varun’s K school tours. We were being stretched in too many different directions.

But now that things are bit under control and we have a semblance of a…

Fridge Pickled Bell Peppers

I think I am on a pickling and preserving roll.

First up were the padron peppers, then we made basil walnut pesto and oven roasted tomatoes (which in a turkey provolone are heaven!) and now pickled bell peppers. Cool and crunchy, these colorful peppers are soaked in a vinegar bath for 2 – 3 days. Surprisingly tangy, they don’t turn into a mush.

I made one batch with 2 bell peppers and it got…

Kid Approved Sweet Potato Chips #Recipe #Glutenfree # DairyFree #Paleo #Vegan

Sweet potatoes. Its one vegetable that has featured in our house only during fasts and in “introduction to solids” phase. Mom used to grate sweet potatoes and pan fry it with peanuts and cumin and salt. Along with Sabudana Khichadiit is on approved food during fasts and eagerly relished by me and my brother. When Varun started solids, sweet potato puree was one thing he used to love. I don’t…

The Palace Of Fine Arts

One of my latest finds in SF is The Palace of Fine Arts. Its a beautiful structure – central rotunda, flanked by pillared walkway on either side, overlooking a beautiful lake. It is on the most popular itineraries for SF visit and is definitely on any photographers visit to the city. Bing/Google Image search has some really pretty pictures of the Palace. On our way to Varun’s swim class or going…

Padron Peppers Pickle #Recipe to add to your #Condiments Collection

Summer is winding down and this year I am going to make some vegetable condiments to last us through fall or possibly even winter. In India, my mom and aunt used to make vegetable pickles, fruit relishes and chutneys and even dry vegetables in summer to make interesting fritters ( tomato- carrots sandge or dried yogurt filled mirchi??). I have some other ideas based on recent mind-blowing dining…

Unusual Zucchini & Zucchini blossom #Soup #Recipe to use the #Summer produce! #Vegan #Dairy Free #Gluten Free

Summertime, fresh Californian produce, farmers market and fresh air. What do they all have in common?

Nothing much, per se, but they all provide a lot of inspiration of fresh and healthy meals.

Last week while we were at the Fort Mason Farmers Market, the vegetable stall was a riot of color. I saw orange-yellow squash blossoms stacked next to green and yellow zucchinis and red tomatoes. The…

Pan fried Pumpkin and Halloumi #Quinoa #Salad #Filling #Quickand Easy

Salads can be sexy too. Interesting. Appealing. But most importantly filling and easy to make.

To continue with our weight loss journey, I made pan fried Pumpkin and Halloumi Quinoa Salad. Pumpkin made it filling and interesting. Halloumi added a salty touch and a unique rubbery texture. Quinoa gave it an excellent protein base. Pan frying it made it easy to make. I am usually a fan of using the…

PINTEREST Worthy Custom Cake Without Spending $$$

The biggest first world problem mom’s face these days is PINTEREST.

Spending hours to see something pretty and curate it for posterity. Most of the pins are just that – a reflection of pretty things you want in your life but can’t really have as they are either too fragile (aka will break easily), expensive ( trip to BORA BORA with 2 tots in tow), too time consuming ( flat abs and sexy butt…

Wholesome Food #Diet: Lose 18 Lbs and 2 inches without lifting a finger! #CleanEating #Weightloss

Its been almost 6 months since we started eating better.

And drumroll please…we have lost weight, are more energetic than ever! The afternoon 3 ‘ o clock slump is better. We are not ravenously hungry all the time so our sugar level seems to be more stable throughout the day.

Sure, I lost a bunch of pregnancy weight so I don’t count; but Vipul has lost 18 lbs and at least 2 inches off his waist.…

Wholewheat Bow Tie Pasta for #dinner with #kids! #Healthy and Wholesome!

I really can’t start yet another post with ” Sorry for being absent and not posting frequently”.The “Sorry” itself will start a “Sorry, Not Sorry” debate in your mind ;)

Really, things have been chaotic in real life. Vipul’s travels for work, my job search, me exploring other things I want to do alongside (E-book, art portfolio and lot other ideas in works), debating whether to buy a house or…

Savoring Summer Break At Lake Tahoe

Varun’s preschool had a 3 day summer holiday last week. He graduated from previous “Rabbits” class into pre-K “Giraffes” class.

Vipul could take a couple of days off as well.

We took off to Lake Tahoe to enjoy its crystal clear waters. A 4 hr drive from SF, Lake Tahoe is a large alpine lake boasting crystal clear water and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Numerous beaches, hikes, ski…

Change your #Salad routine with this Lemony North African Lemon #Dressing #Recipe

Tucked in the corner of the top kitchen shelf  was an old blue hardcover. The spine binding was falling off, the cover was faded. I had seen it when we moved in January and shoved it further as I crammed some plastic water bottles in front of it. All in the name of unpacking and getting settled.

Last week, I was looking for some serving bowls when I peered into this top shelf. The plastic…

Mind-blowing Super Easy Tiramisu #Recipe

Father’s Day weekend and a weeklong Vipul’s trip to London (read as absence at home) made my heart go fonder. My heart debated should it be JEALOUS ( it absolutely was when I saw his pictures drinking beer outside pub’s in London); HAPPY that I get to hog the entire bed, plain UPSET that he gets to be off parent’s duty for an entire week or GLAD that when we go to London, I get to sightsee…