Tips

by

Black Bean Enchiladas

If you like Mexican food , then cook black beans or pinto beans. And then you can make different things for 2-3 days.

I make quesadillas, burrito , taco salad , enchiladas etc . So many options if I have cooked beans handy.

If you are a planner , then very good . Get all ingredients including avocado and you can make at least 2 meals out if it .

I have avocado but it’s not ripe yet. Bummer .

Enjoy!

by

Grocery Shopping

How do you do grocery shopping? What’s the strategy? If you don’t have strategy, now is the time. Reduce your trip to grocery stores. Sharing some of my tips which I always do and I am still able to do same.

  • Buy fresh produce, fruits 1st . There are some vegetables, fruits which will stay good for longer on counter , fridge and some fruits need some ripening time.
  • Mix and match. Buy some vegetables like potatoes,sweet potatoes, pepper , carrots , winter squashes that will stay good after a week. Produce that goes bad quickly eat them first. Like spinach and other greens.
  • Oranges , apples etc will last for a while. Berries eat first.
  • Then buy some frozen vegetables. When no fresh produce , you can use them . You still have those root vegetables to eat.
  • Buy beans in a bag not the containers of cooked bins. Cans are for emergency. Raw Beans soaked and cooked makes a lot. Good protein. You don’t need to be vegetarian to eat beans.
  • If you have rice , quinoa, few different flour stored, then you will reduce grocery trips.
  • Try to make bread at home.
  • Shop your pantry . You might find good things that you can eat.
  • Start garden and see what you can grow.
  • These are just some of the ideas. Before heading to the store ,make a list and see you can last longer without going to store. Buy only when you ate up most of the things. We should try zero waste at least for now .
  • Navratri started from today and so I am fasting . It’s modified eating. Lunch was mango and some roasted salt less peanuts.
  • So, what’s your strategy? Think smart if you think you are smart.
  • Follow the guidelines.
    • by

    Activity Ideas

    Lot of us are home bound now and so thought of sharing some of ideas. Generally am good with coming up with unique ideas so let’s see what we find today. Also do what gets your attention,speak to you. Be comfortable. There’s nothing right or wrong.

    • Think of alternatives. Make a game out of it and you can get all family including kids involved. Like if we don’t have toilet papers , what can we use? Water anyone? Think of grandparents who lived on little around nature. At my grandma’s place, ash was used to disinfect. Well most of us won’t have ash around but hope you got the idea. I like tea but if I don’t have tea, I can just boil some water and have mint growing in pot so make mint tea. Like that…
      Clean the house. You don’t want to sit in front of tv all day. It will give you some exercise too. Vacuum whole house which I did.
      Clean closet and make a pile of clothes that needs to be donated. You can use some of old tee etc to clean the house instead of paper towel. Involve kids to clean their room when possible.
      Clean fridge. You will be surprised how much food you have.
      Clean pantry. Same you will have plenty to eat for a year probably.
      Clean office and all papers.
      Finish your tax return .
      If you have seeds and potting soil , start garden or pots.
      You can go out for a walk, ride bike just in your community.
      Read a book, knitting , painting , musical instruments etc hobbies. that ppl complain no time generally.
      Play cards or some other games.
      Watch cooking , comedy shows which will help you relax.
      Relaxation cds, yoga videos that you always wanted to try. Now is the time.
      You can do japa of your favorite mantra. Keep the same time and place as much as possible.
  • There’s plenty of things you can do if you want to. So use the time.
  • Enjoy!
    • by

    Waiting For Perfect Time???

    Do you wait for perfect time for every thing ? We all do but if that’s all the time and you are not growing in life and “you want to grow in life ” , start questioning yourself . If you don’t want to do anything, then that’s fine . Skip reading further.

    I bought this nice new pot and have been wanting to make poha in it but I kept saying not now few times . Today I got pissed off at myself only and just made it . Come on , it’s just poha and I don’t need good “Muhurat ” for it. Whenever the opportunity comes, it’s perfect time. You may , may not get opportunity again. Stop overthinking and just do it. That yoga class , hike , art class , gym , music whatever you have been eyeing just try it out for a day , 1 class , 1 hr , 1 day or just 1 breath at a time.

    “Now” is the perfect time to start living .

    Enjoy!

    by

    Insta Pot Pav Bhaji

    Tada… made bhaji in Insta pot. Like any other tool, i had to figure out how to use this ultra insta pot. It has knob to set which is new to me and first I forgot to push start button. Duh. Well, If you like to cook, entertain ppl then this is handy. I don’t know abt other countries but in USA this is a rage and seems everyone has it and everyone loves it. You will have only 1 pot to clean .

    If you don’t have one , I would recommend getting one. Electric pressure cooks are good just to cook beans since there won’t be any mess . Indian pressure cook with whistle works but then you will have to stuck around house and sometimes things boil over and make a mess around stove . Electric pressure cooker will go to warm when done so you can start and go for a walk and finish your 5 miles , 10k steps whatever you are doing .

    Pav Bhaji With side of some spring greens, pineapple.

    Tip: Do you know 20-20-20 rule for eyes ? Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 ft away for 20 seconds.

    Enjoy!