The Art of Living experience

Recently attended the first course of the Art of living – Happiness program which is conducted under the divine blessings of Shri Shri Ravi Shankar Gurudevji. This is indeed a gem of a program which should be attended by each and everyone who wants to gain a better understanding of self or just be happy! You could have n number of reasons to attend it or no reason at all.. But I feel at the end it will be worth while.

It has brought such a peace and tranquillity in mind, which is very difficult to even imagine in this busy and stressful lives of ours.

I heard about the course long time back and thought will do it one day. After marriage my sister in law, who is a ardent follower of Shri Shri, recommended that me and my husband do this course. Finally got an opportunity when we heard that the beginner course is being conducted  very near to where we stay. Really didn’t want to miss this chance! And I am so glad we didn’t :)

The course stared on the day of my birthday and I thought this is the best birthday gift I could ever get. Waking up at 5 in the morning, feeling the fresh morning breeze, meeting  Jayaram Bhat Guruji, other participants and facilitators , there was something pious and positive about everything. During the course, we were guided on how to do the stretches for  all the body parts, pranayam (3 stage and basrika).We were guided on performing the sudarshan kriya, meditation. Have never felt anything like this before.  While doing the sudarshan kriya and meditation, there are moments when you just loose all sense of the world, you feel one with the source, it’s simply amazing!

There were also some games where we were taught how to live in the present. We observed that we were so happy when we live in the present instead of drooling in the past or worrying about the future. Just like children, they are happy because they live in the moment. Also creativity thrives only in the present moment. We cannot be creative thinking about past or future. Its the now that makes our mind think creatively.


The sessions started with asking some of the most basic questions in our life, like what is it that we want from life, what will give us happiness.

The questions are very basic but we hardly think about them. We all want to be happy, but we never sit down and think what will make us happy. How can we contribute towards happiness of others. We worry all the time, but we rarely sit down and write what is it that we are worried about. Discussing these in the course and hearing other perspective, adds so much to ourselves, our thinking, which remains unexplored most of the time. Adding to it the vast knowledge that Jayaram guruji shared with us, made for an unforgettable experience.

Some takeaways from the course that I would like to mention:

1.       We all have ego. Should it be there?
a.       It should be there, but in the right proportion. It should be like salt in food. Too less won’t make the food taste good and too much will make it inedible! How nice a comparison! And it makes perfect sense!

2.       We all greet each other with “Jai Gurudev”. Jai means victory. Guru is the enlightened one. Why do we need to pray victory for him. He does not need it.
a.       There are two mann in each one of us, bada mann and chota mann. Chota mann always seeks comfort and will try to do things which are easier or comfortable. Bada mann knows what is good for you. So even if that thing may cause temporary pain, bada mann will ask you to do it. Often we ignore the bada mann and listen to our chota mann. Bada mann is also called guru. Hence by saying jai gurudev, we wish each other that let the bada mann within you win. Love the explanation!

3.       You can attain happiness when you do selfless service and sadhana. You feel a sense of fulfilment when you do anything for someone without expecting anything in return.

4.       You are not alone anytime. Just as you trust your mom/dad with anything, you share your problem with them and feel lighter, similarly guruji and the art of living family is always there with you. You can leave your worries with him and be happy :)

I feel really fortunate to be associated now with such a wonderful community. Also feel proud that it is made in India :)

Not limiting the entire experience of 6 days in one post, will come back again with some more learnings from the program.

Have you also experienced art of living? Do share your thoughts, views.

Endless card - anniversary card

Hi friends

Sharing a card today..its called endless card. I found the technique very fascinating as it will keep curious souls wondering at least for some time :)

You just turn the flaps of the card and it will form interesting designs something like a kaleidoscope! and you can go on turning the flaps endlessly :)

I used some yummy pattern paper and some cute stickers and cut outs to make the card. Hubby dear could not believe that I made it, he thought it is store bought. Receiving such a nice compliment from him and since he was insisting so much, i did not give it to the people i made it for, and it is still with me ;)

Sending this to
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/challenge-14.html?m=1

http://aeiheartuchallenge.blogspot.in/2015/10/challenge-29think-pink.html?m=1

http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.ca/2015/09/iic-274-dots-stripes.html?m=1

http://inkychicks.blogspot.it/2015/09/challenge-57-think-pink.html?m=1

http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.ca/2015/09/challenge-116-recipe.html?m=1

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

http://avenue613.blogspot.in/2015/10/challenge-144-anything-goes-or-use-pink.html?m=16

http://beyondgrey.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/bgc72-anything-goes.html?m=1

http://cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.in/2015/10/challenge-92-pretty-in-pink.html?m=1

Play dough ganesha - kids craft

Hope you had a nice ganesh festivals friends. .for those who celebrate it. Today was the last day of this ten day festival called anant chaturdashi.

Sharing this cute little ganesha made with play dough by little miss and her big didi :)
It also has a accordian fold fan behind ganpati.
Do let me know how you liked this simple and kid friendly craft.

Ukadiche modak for Ganesh chaturthi | Maharashtrian modak

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the favorite festivals in maharashtra. Usually it is celebrated for 10 days. But now it also has flavors like 1 and half day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days. This I came to know only after coming to Mumbai, coz earlier it always was 10 days at my native. There would be a Ganesha idol brought to home and the house decorated beautifully. My father loved making handmade lantern and decorating the place where Ganapati would be worshiped for those ten days. We kids enjoyed helping him J

The Ganesha idol is worshiped every morning and evening. The worship involves various offerings to the idol including flowers and durva. Ganesha is offered an offerings of 21 modaks, modak being his favorite! Aarti song is sung by all praising the lord and asking for his blessings. On the last day, the idol is taken in a procession to a large body of water such as a lake, river or the sea for immersion.

There is usually a common big celebration in most societies. A big pandal or shamiana  is erected and a huge Ganesha idol is brought. Various activities, like fun fare (aanand mela), competition for kids and adults, common feasts etc are organized in the society to celebrate Ganesh fest. This gives the society a common purpose and fosters unity.

Usually we make the fried Modaks for Ganesh chaturthi. You can check it here. http://lav-art-craft-food.blogspot.in/2012/10/modak-for-anant-chaturdashi.html?m=1 However MIL made different modaks this time. They are called ukadiche modak, meaning steamed modak.  We loved the variation! And it’s healthy too..since it has the goodness of jaggery (rich in iron), coconut and there is zero oil in it ! Forgot to mention..no maida or plain flour. These are made using rice flour.

Sharing the recipe for the same. Hope you too like it.

Ingredients:
For Stuffing:
1 cup Grated Coconut
1/2 cup Powdered Jaggery
1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder
For Outer Layer:
1 cup Rice Flour
1 cup Water or as needed
1 tsp Ghee
A pinch of salt

Method:
Combine the coconut and jaggery in a pan.Mix well and let the jaggery dissolves completely. Cook on a medium flame.
Stir continuously until you get a thick mixture. When it thickens add the cardamom powder and mix well. Remove from the flame and let it cool. Shape the mixture into round shape balls and set aside.

Add water, salt and a teaspoon of ghee in a saucepan . Bring the water to a rolling boil and turn off the flame.
Take the rice flour in a mixing bowl. Add the boiling water little by little to the flour and mix it well with a spatula.
Let it cool for 2 - 3 minutes. When it is still warm knead it well to make a soft dough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Grease your hands with some oil / ghee and divide the dough into round shape balls. Shape the dough ball into cup.
Place the coconut stuffing in the center and carefully pleat the edges.
Then gather all the pleats together in the center very carefully.
Pinch the together to seal it properly. Repeat the same procedure until all the dough finishes.
Arrange them on a steaming plates or idli plates and steam cook for 10 - 12 minutes. Your modaks are ready!

Kids Healthy breakfast Event roundup

Thank you dear friends for your lovely entries for the Srivalli's Kid's Delight event - guest hosted by me for the theme healthy breakfast for kids. Here is a round up of the same. Enjoy and happy cooking for your kids!

An InLinkz Link-up

Ganesha rangoli

Hi friends Sharing a lovely ganpati rangoli made by my neighbor smita for ganesh chaturthi..isn't it gorgeous! 

Origami ice cream | Easy kids craft

A quick craft to brighten up your little one! Now who would not get excited with the name of ice cream!!

These origami ice creams are really quick and simple to make. This can be used for a pretend play with kids or maybe as a prop for a ice cream theme party! What say ?

Hope you liked them J

Oats idli - recipe from a friend

1 cup of uncooked oats
1/2 cup of rava or semolina
1 cup of thick, plain yogurt
1/2 cup of water (adjusat as needed)
1 tsp of oil
1/4 tsp of black mustard seeds
1/2 tsp of chana dal
2 tbsp of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
3/4 tsp of plain eno salt (or baking soda)
2 tbsp of roasted cashew nuts (optional)
Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Roast the oats in a dry skillet until the colour begins to change and the ends of the oat flakes begin to curl. Make sure not to burn them, do this on a low flame. grind the oats.now mix oats ,rava ,curd ,salt ,(u can add veggies in that like chilly, fine cut carrot ) .maintain the constistancy of batter by adding water in it.let the batter for few minute .now apply  the oil to idli pot.now add eno in the batter,mix it well and add batter it pot.cook it for 20 to 30 min. serve with the chutney.its healthy and delicious recipe .all kid will love it.

Applesauce cinnamon oats muffins | Healthy breakfast recipe

Hi Friends

 Sharing yet another yummy breakfast recipe which is loved by kids and adults! Since it is healthy combination of Apple, cinnamon, oats, eggs and wholegrain, it can be had without guilt any time of the day J

Don't forget to share your yummy breakfast recipes for kids with us. For details check here : http://lav-art-craft-food.blogspot.in/2015/08/kids-healthy-breakfast-announcing-kids.html?m=0

Ingredients:

Half cup unsalted butter

1.5 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1tsp vanilla essence

1 cup plain flour

1.5 cup wheat flour

Half cup dry roasted oats

Pinch of salt

1 tsp cinnamon powder

2 cups applesauce (I cooked the apple with little water and mashed it after it got cooked for the puree)

Nuts and raisins optional (u can use walnut, cashew, almond)

Method:

Cream the butter in a mixer. Add brown sugar and continue mixing. Add the eggs one at a time. Then add the vanilla. Mix till well blended and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, sift the dry ingredients. Add to the creamed mixture. Add the applesauce. Fold in the nuts and raisins. Pour batter in the muffin tin lined with liners. Bake until firm. Insert a tooth pick or knife (around half an hour. The time will increase if the batter is poured in a cake tin instead of muffin). It should come out clean. Serve the individual muffins warm or cold. Love them J

Sending this to Srivalli's Kids delight event hosted by me this month.

Also sending this to vallis event
http://cooking4allseasons.blogspot.in/2015/08/come-join-us-for-breakfast-august-event.html?m=1

Microwave Rawa Idli | Steamed semolina and curd dumplings | Breakfast recipe

Hi friends

Sharing a traditional, yummy, all time favorite breakfast recipe! We love this cooked on gas steamer or microwave. Sharing the microwave preparation steps with you. This is my entry for Valli's Kids delight event, which I am guest hosting this month for the theme healthy breakfast recipes for kids.

Ingredients

For The Batter

1 cup semolina (rava)

1/4 cup curds (dahi)

1 cup water

salt to taste

3/4 tsp unflavoured fruit salt

oil for greasing

Method 

For the batter

Combine all ingredients together, other than the fruit salt and leave aside for 10 minutes.

Pour 1 cup of water in the base of a microwave safe idli steamer and microwave on high for 1 minute. Grease the idli moulds using little oil.

Add the fruit salt to the batter and mix well.

Pour 2 tablespoons of batter into each greased cavity of the idli moulds and microwave, covered, on high for 7 minutes.

Repeat with the remaining batter to make more idlis.

Serve hot with coconut chutney and sambhar.

Sending this to Srivalli's Kids delight event hosted by me this month.