Flattered By Awards Shower:)

I am overwhelmed and flattered with these bunch of awards. All my beloved friends shared lots and lots of awards with me:) So, it will be only polite to display few here. And these are passed to me by...Vimitha Anand, Soumya Vineeth, Only Fish Recipes, Love2Cook and VK (and not necessarily in the same order). Love you girls, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you all for this well-deserved awards, and wish everyone happy blogging. Heaps and heaps of thanks for sharing it with me, means are lot...gosh, am not crying?!:)

Well, someone really wants to know '7 Facts About Me'. Are you serious? ...coz' if I start talking, it would be hard to stop me, hehe:) Well, I have done so much of bragging about myself in the past, maybe its time to listen, I guess! Anyway...if it is what you want, here you go....

1. Though I am good at Counter-Argument, over the years...I realized sometimes, Silence speaks a lot. Or at least it works for me! Maybe that's the language(weapon) women used for generations?!

2. I feel bad for the improvements and discoveries made in progress! As more and more technology is introduced to our culture, the basic genetic drive for living beings is getting doomed. I pity people who crave for materialistic life rather than for an emotional-well being state.

3. One kool thing I like about myself is....I don't get carried away with marketing strategies. Its quite hard to make me convince buying things that won't be required (useless items). Yes, I am a big 'No' man(girl).

4. I haven't felt true freedom yet!!! As I see, definition of 'Freedom' is not only about 'The Right To Do What We Like', but also 'Not Obligated To Do The Things that We Don't Like' as well! Hope, I made my point! So, the later is not very practical many a times.

5. I can never tolerate Biased nature and Hypocrisy. As soon as I realize certain degree of mistrust, I put them immediately out of my circle of trust! I think, I should warm-up a little, to give people a second chance.

6. I get enough dopamine high when I go through Science Journals. I spend most of my income on books! In fact, 'Books' are the only friends, that never let me down. A good read is very important to me, am always glued and immersed in it.

7. I consider myself as An Universal Citizen, than clinging towards racial, ethnic, religious, gender (and much more) based boundaries!

Oh man, enough of me today...I feel like an Egoistic person:( I am gonna tag others and make them talk, talk and talk, hahaha:):) Here you go, these awards are being passed to the ladies, below. And I expect everyone to post 'Honest 7 Facts'.

Jaleela Kamal
Chitra
Preethi Srinivasan
Priya Mitharwal
Hamaree Rasoi
Hari Chandana
Biny Anoop
Ananda Rajasekar
Usha
Latha
?
Suja Sugathan
Divya
Aipi
Sathya Sankar
Vidhya
Kalpana Sareesh
Jaisy James
Jisha
Swathi
Swarnavalli Suresh
Menaga
Sheena Babu
Sangee Vijay
Plateful
Now Serving
Raji
Jay
Savitha Ramesh
Jeyashri Suresh
Geetha Achal
Madhu
Harika

Award & 7 Honest Things About Me

Guess what? I received an Award and being tagged - Again. This time by Gayathri. Thank you so much, dude:) Its fun to talk about myself and am sort of doing it on daily basis, with little hindrance, for years(blogging, I mean).

Here you go, Honest Me Me:

1. I am accident prone:( I always hit or dash at any nearby objects, like coffee table, counter top, closet door etc. I have developed lots of cuts and bruises...while juggling the glass articles. I am pretty much attracted to any car bumper while driving in the downtown, especially. I am like a magnet to these hot oil, thick soup and any flammable substances...its easy to associate me with some sort of fire-accident, now and then. People say...I am completely blind:(

2. I have severe sleeping disorder problem. I wake up for even teeny noise that is made in Antarctica! I drink warm milk, listen to soft music, zero the lights, use lavender and I even tried reading chemistry text books...still can't sleep or stay asleep in peace.

3. There is a freaky thing about me, which really scares my friends: 'I am a horror movie lover', not just like-like kind, I schedule it with care. When, the weather is dark and perfect (like snowy winter/ rainy-dark Sunday noon or simply midnight)...and you know, I already live in the woods with no people around for next 20 miles. I'd pick up the best freaky movie ever and watch it, all alone:):) Guess, I am completely addicted to those brain chemicals, that coddles me with 'fear and thrill':)

4.Grr, Each time I visit India...I keep a track of my Dad's Grocery list. So, whatever he buys, goes and stays at wrong places in my body!! So, it is only my benefit...I'd hand out the list. Well, it took me 5 pounds of power lifting, 40 minutes of brisk walking, 500 geo-jumping, and one hour of yoga (and that is for two straight months) to undo all the damage I have caused to myself in India (eating those sweets and fried food)!!!

5. Well, I would officially call this month, as 'Best Bragging Month of the Year'. Yeah...I attended couple of interviews, where they asked me all awful questions(psychology it seems)and I have been invited to talk about myself on a Career Day, at Oxford Middle school and Lafayette High school. Guess, I could go there...whenever I need a ego-boost, these kids already think I am some sort of genius:)

6. Now a days, its easy to pick up a note-pad and write, than to have a real conversation with anyone! I am keeping my conversations very short or I will be busy forming sentences in my mind - thinking whether this is appropriate or what!! And I easily fall asleep when people go on and on with boring details...esp family crap / something about cars n machines:(

7. I have seen people say...if they have 'Life Rewind Button' they would love to go back to their pasts!!! Oh man, I cringe going back to those horrid school days...bundles of books n boring classes:( Wish, if I had that rewind button...I wouldn't have wasted so much time in Carnatic music:(

Most Importantly, I would like to forward this award and expect Honest MeMe from everyone:)

1. Do you own a blog, not necessarily a food blog?

2. Thanks for patient reading my scribblings, here today:)

3. Please grab the award and feel free to talk about yourself...we are ready to hear:)

8 Questions for 8 Bloggers - Award, Questionnaire and MeMe

As I told you before'...This couple of months of traveling episode, is pretty challenging. I am constantly on the move...with pile of work pending at Oxford! Even though' I can't really cook in a hotel room...but my days are fresh and keeps my brain functioning:) Anyhow, When Kavita tagged me with this 8 Questionnaire...I was really thrilled. I kept all my work aside and started answering her.

Besides I am also overwhelmed when she shared an award with me. Oh yeah, it feels very good to receive an award from your buddy:) Thank you so much Kavita:) Sometimes, awards and rewards...really brings back all the enthusiasm in us:)I would like to share this award with following buddies:)

Kurinji
K.Saritha
Santosh Bangar
Biny Anoop
Anandha Rajasekar
Dr. Sameena

1. What is your take on organic food , is it a big deal for you ?

I am not so gaga about it...for one thing' its not my league, I can't afford it. All I think is...Oh yeah its good for the mother earth' but not to my purse:( When one side of the globe is very hungry' I can't spend extra 13-15 % of income to go green, however...like the idea tho' :) I am managing myself as a locovore' (procuring produce' only from the local farmer's market) or from Amish place:)

2. Do you time your breakfast,lunch & dinner or eat when you are hungry ?

Time doesn't really a matter, but I can't stay focused when I am hungry(I go all nuts)...so I make sure, that there is something fresh and filling, ready for me to bite:)

3. What inspired you to write a food blog ?

I don't know...it just happened one fine day...when I landed here...stuck in an apartment complex...with zero friends...and no car!!!

...when I managed a decent meal with exotic stuff...it was huge...so there you go, I blogged

4. You try a new recipe and it does not turn out good,what will you do ?

Dispose it before anyone knows, he he:):)

5. Name three ingredients you consciously avoid or eliminate even when the recipe calls for it ?

Oh yeah, there are number of items like that...ready made broth-soup, artificial flavors n colors, bicarbonates, sodas etc

6. Name three things you have to use in most recipes ?

You know, you would have figured it out from my blog,by now...Cumin seeds, Garlic and Chili Powder:)

7. How important is eating meals together as a family to you?

Yep, very important. But what to do, we hardly meet...as myself, my brother and my parents...we all live in an entirely different continent(America, Australia and Asia, respectively). Why did you ask me...I am home sick:(

8. You do not like a particular dish at your favorite restaurant,what will you do ?

No big a deal, will never order it....he he:) If I don't like the taste of the food I ordered/served by a friend...I graciously push that aside of my plate...never complain:)

8 Questions to 8 Food Bloggers

Well...girls, please keep the ball rolling...I have passed this Questionnaire to 8 food bloggers and tagged them with 8 new questions...so here you go:

SS Blogs
Sushma Mallya
Babli
Ushnish
Suhaina
Priya Mitharwal
Prathiba
Satrupa

1. Why food is central to many Immigrant Indians?

2. Do you think 'Feminism' has robbed authentic home cooking at many houses?

3. Does enjoying a rich dessert' interfere with your happiness...thinking about the calories, diabetes...cholesterol etc?

4. How many stores do you visit to fill up your pantry and how often do you shop? (Groceries, Fresh produce, Kitchen utensils...everything counts)

5. When the entire world switches to ready made food or energy pills...will you still like to cook?

6. When your partner or significant others' hate your particular recipe...will you still continue to make them in a same fashion or tweak them to suit their needs?

7. Do you think 'cooking is in your gene' or 'you mastered it' out of hard work(I mean, experience)?

8. Do you think some of the Indian food' would be globalized in near future? (Like French Fries, Pizza, Burger, Popcorn, chocolate, coffee etc.)

Award & MeMe

Chaitrali Pathak, Chetana, Roshu and Veena have shared this wonderful award with me, thank you so much buddies.

To accept the award thank the person who awarded it to you, share 7 things about yourself and list 15 friends you like to pass this lovely award.

7 Things About Me:

1. I am an avid book reader, and I hate TV. I am the only one' among my friends circle who doesn't own a decent TV! No flat screen??? is the first question I face from everyone. I am a digital Neanderthal.

2. I am cleanliness freak, I spend most of free time toiling around the house buffing the counter and windows.

3. I wind up driving long distances...on boring Saturdays and Sundays. No goal, just drive to any place, like a wandering mind - non stop:)

4. I am neophobic. Its very hard for me to convince any new food, especially at restaurants. I stick to the same old well-known dish most of the time. I don't venture out, simply...things rarely appease me.

5. I am bad gardener, Daddy created a beautiful flower bed around the house...when he visited here, some 3 months ago. Keep this as a secret, I rarely water them, oops:(

6. I hold a big stigma to start a conversation with strangers. On the whole, I don't open up quite easily, I need someone to break the ice. People often misjudge me as an introvert. Maybe they are right, Sometimes...it takes years for me to warm up, I know I am such a jerk.

7. I chicken out to confess my mistakes to my parents, and am also a terrible liar...my eyes speaks before' I intend to say anything goofy.

Choosing only 15 Friends to share the award is bit tough for me, so please feel free to grab the award with you, when you read this post.

Honest Scrap Award - MeMe

Daisy Blue and Beena Shylesh has shared the 'Honest Scrap Award' with me. I am truly honored, my friends. Thank you so much:)

Its been a while, I blogged about the awards with MeMe. I feel awful to brag about myself, because that's what I do in each and every post, he he.

1. I am a very passionate (crazy) researcher. I am madly, deeply, in love with Science. From Astonishing Hypothesis to latest Quantum Physics, I keep a track of everything.

2. I see, every aspect of human life as a Naturalist. I am a practical-radical person.

3. I am all gaga about light weight jewelry collection.

4. I am a solo tigress, like to be left alone.:)

5. I am daddy's girl:) I am not a 5 year old(definitely not) but, when it comes to the word 'Dad'. I am very possessive about him. I love him so much, he is my real hero.:)

6. Burgundy, Deep Red, Blood red, Ruby red, Salsa Red, Reddish Maroon - are my favorite colors.:) All the furniture at my home (since the day I started decorating), the bed-spreads, pull-overs, curtains and all the cars I owned so far(changed nearly 3 times)and one which I have now - are all of this color!!!

7. I feel the word 'Atheist' doesn't define me very well. It looks like, as tho' I am denying some super-natural power's existence!

8. I hate shopping with others. Many make me real sick! I make quick decisions, I shop only when I want something. Hate window shopping and strolling through the malls(that's why I have very few friends here).

9. I can never be around with someone, who acts like a teenager(but quite older than that), hyper-energetic & hormone driven persons, fantasists, attention seekers, curious George, clueless-boastful-boring-nosy-jealous-gossipers. And I really get annoyed, if someone asks me multi-multiple stupid questions(well, the list goes on).

10. Currently working on a thesis, which has an exciting supplementary work, based on Food Anthropology. Guess, many of you would like it:)

Award & MeMe

Ramya Vijaykumar

N33ma

Gita

passed this award to me! Thank you so much guys. And should I be really talking about me???? Don't leave me alone....I insist to post 7 MeMe to all the award winners!!!

7 Things I Say More Often:

Oh Really!

Amazing! I am Wondering....

I don't really care!

Dad, Daddy, Daddy would....

Back home, in India....

Whatever, Anyways....

Love it, Awesome dude....

7 Things I Did Before:

Writing Tamil Poems, esp' Haiku Kavithaigal....tons and tons of them. Won several Inter-college prizes...but never cared to publish them or share with anyone?!

Was a great Athlete in school days. Gave up after UG! But later hooked up with gym equipments! Had a gym trimmed body, back then...they used to call me 'Junior Maleshwari' in the Lab! Was capable of lifting heavy weights and stuff, hehe!

Walking with dad, talking with Dad, dinning with Dad, riding with Dad, arguing, telling tall stories...discussing real world politics! Miss it greatly!

Experimenting in the kitchen with Mommy and Brother. They were my lab rats actually. Both Mommy and Pari used to help me around, never discouraged! I have spoiled so much of food, back then! My Regrets!

Studied extensively Anthropology (but I am Biotech major). Fell in love with cultural & biological Anthropology. At one point, completely metamorphosed Biologist to Anthropologist, still I wonder how?!

Worked hard to get through Indian Civil Services exams. Couldn't succeed in UPSC. Got through Andhra services(but got migrated here)so have to forget about it, thats the only thing I still regret:(

Traveled a lot in India. Did research in my favourite field! DNA separation, sequencing, PCR,Cloning...etc!

7 Things I Do Now:

Solo jog, walk, exercise, cook, clean, gardenning, lawn mowing....shopping, what not?!

I do cook and that's obvious, right!

I do blog, don't have to mention it! Hmmm, browse a lot!

In business, importing, cutting and installing kitchen counter tops(Granite)! Hosting cookery shows and classes (hobby). Also doing a supplementary work in Nutrition Anthropology. Other thans that branding my gourmet products, doing bit of marketing too. Working as a Columnist for living.

Looking out for a change in my Profession! In much more challenging area, my field of expertise (Molecular Biology, Biotechnology).

Always worry about Mommy's health and whats happening back home! Call Dad every single day!

Do chat with Pari daily. Talk and walk with AK.

7 Things I Want to Do:

Go back to India. Settle down close to my parents...

Expand my business.

Wanna publish in journal Nature...at least one article.

Do serious research in exactly my choice of area. Come up with more novel ideas...kind of corelating anthro' concepts and biotech concepts and study the area with wide spectrum(a birds eye view) then arrive at new theory! Do I sound like BULB!

Own a beetle car! And drive it like Daddy in Chennai sandhu pondhu(narrow streets)...

Never wanna switch from teaching or lecturing...whether genetics or culinary...I love it!

Build my dream home at a hill station!

7 Things That Attract me About Opposite Sex:

I get attracted to Movie characters(not even the stars)!! Sounds weird, right! Maybe I am involved in the story! I like the part....that I didn't really got attracted to a real person!

I appreciate honesty.

Trustworthy.

Patient, polite, calm & composed, who talks less and crisp...to the point.

Clever and good sense of humour.

Generosity, help the needy, doing some sort of social work.

Who is humble, down to earth, never boasting.....

7 Favourite Foods:

Meen Kuzhambu - both by Dad and Mom.

Ramzaan Nombu Kanjji - by Yasmin's Mom

Arcot Nawabi Biriyani - by Anjum's Mom

Chicken 65 - street food, bought by Pari, which is previously tasted and tested by him!

Quail Chettinad - by me

Grandma's Birinji Rice with Pudhina Thuvaiyal.

Kothamalli Saadham & Aviyal - by AK.

7 Sweet Fellow Blogger Friends:

Viki Xavier

Divya Vikram

Priya

Suma

Rajeswari Vijayanand

Aartee

Yasmeen

Inspiration Award

I am glad to receive this splendid 'Inspiration Award' from

Priya

Viki Xavier

Thank you so much sweet hearts.

Jamie started this award and now in her own words:

"This is given to bloggers whose stories and recipes inspire us. Whether it’s to eat healthier, dive back into our past to conjure up something we ate as children, or just make the light bulbs in our brains go on with a new idea for a recipe.

As recipients of this award, please share with us what inspires you and then pass on the Inspiration Award to 4 other deserving bloggers. Please let them know what the award means and what to do with it. Feel free to post the Inspiration Award Logo on your site for the whole blogsphere to see. (logo photo taken by my inspiring friend and co-author of Dueling Foodies, Beth.)"

The Things that inspire me :

1. My Dad, is my first inspiration for what I am today! Whatever you do, do with atmost care. So this food blog (hobby)is being shaped up with utmost care! Being passionate is like adrenaline to me!

2. My cooking classes and my students inspire me a lot! The interative cooking class at Oxford keeps this blog alive. I enjoy teaching plus being a host.

3. My brother Pari Gandhi is my first critic!

4. Innovative dishes, creative works, fusion cooking, re discovering old and lost recipes from my fellow bloggers do really have a great impact on me.

I am happy to pass this award to my blogger friends:

Purva Desai

Ramya Vijaykumar

Jaishree

Gita

Congrats Y'll.