Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

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Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Having googled “the best books on writing”, this website came up in the first few web results. Of the list provided there, I chose to start with reading Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott.

The book is systematically divided into five parts. The first part primarily deals with the nuts and bolts of writing, zoomed in when one sits to write. Starting with the most difficult aspect of how to get started, it talks also about the ‘first drafts’, focusing on one aspect at a time, character and plot development, and designing the setting. Parts 2-5 are more on the philosophy of writing and the subtler aspects like  listening to the inner voice (and not listening to it when its being mean), doing the research, getting help, dealing with ‘writers block’ etc. Publishing is also included. The final part, the one I loved most, is where she takes it to the highest level, much like a crescendo, motivating you in such a way that you cant help but do the ‘sacred duty of writing’. I believe that bringing out the best in a person is a great thing, and this book does it leaving you feeling expanded and inspired.

All the steps and tools mentioned seem organic and intuitive, as against a ready-made formula of some sort. After all, its important to recognize writing done for the sake of joy of itself, rather than for just seeing ones name in print. It is peppered with interesting quotes and anecdotes throughout. The best part, however, is the humor weaved into the “lessons”, self-deprecating more often than not. As you laugh, you cant help but love her for it. I think, by exposing her flaws to the readers, she destroys any misconceptions of larger-than-life writers/writings, and about herself. That is very generous and magnanimous of her.

All in all, a very comprehensive book and has become a classic on writing for a very good reason. I would highly recommend it for aspiring writers and bloggers alike.

Yellow Room with a View

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The Daily Post- Weekly Photo Challenge: Yellow

Yellow Room with a View
Yellow Room with a View

My yellow room with a view….

‘Phenomenal Woman’ by Maya Angelou

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Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

The poem Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou doesn’t really need any foreword or introduction. It does the work for itself- to ruffle something within you and your heart takes a leap! I write this nevertheless, as I can’t contain it.

In her eulogy to Angelou, the First Lady Michelle Obama referred to this poem saying the former ‘…celebrated black woman’s beauty like no one else‘. But I  think it doesn’t just confine itself to women of color; its for any woman who thinks she’s too short, too tall, too pale, too dark, too underweight, too over weight… Beauty is all about that Spirit within that shines forth transcending everything without. The poem encompasses all women: our grace, our power, our love.

The admiring mans eyes can make a woman feel she is the most beautiful woman there is, regardless of the fact that she meets the established beauty standards or not. Interestingly, Angelou does something similar:  she describes herself through the poem, but she makes you feel she’s actually describing you to the world (replace the I/ me with ‘you‘, ‘my‘ with “your“, and ‘you‘ with “they“). It feels like she knows who you are deep down-that is the greatness in her love as a human being,

A lovely video that Maya Angelou talks of Love that liberates:

As regards the poem Phenomenal Woman, call me overemotional, but the first time as I read it, I choked halfway through as I heard in my mind Maya reciting the poem: that spark in her eyes, the music in the verses, the power in her charm.

Phenomenal Woman
 
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. 
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   
But when I start to tell them, 
They think I’m telling lies. 
I say, 
It’s in the reach of my arms, 
The span of my hips,   
The stride of my step,   
The curl of my lips.   
I’m a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman,   
That’s me. 
 
I walk into a room 
Just as cool as you please,   
And to a man, 
The fellows stand or 
Fall down on their knees.   
Then they swarm around me, 
A hive of honey bees.   
I say, 
It’s the fire in my eyes,   
And the flash of my teeth,   
The swing in my waist,   
And the joy in my feet.   
I’m a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That’s me. 
 
Men themselves have wondered   
What they see in me. 
They try so much 
But they can’t touch 
My inner mystery. 
When I try to show them,   
They say they still can’t see.   
I say, 
It’s in the arch of my back,   
The sun of my smile, 
The ride of my breasts, 
The grace of my style. 
I’m a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That’s me. 
 
Now you understand 
Just why my head’s not bowed.   
I don’t shout or jump about 
Or have to talk real loud.   
When you see me passing, 
It ought to make you proud. 
I say, 
It’s in the click of my heels,   
The bend of my hair,   
the palm of my hand,   
The need for my care.   
’Cause I’m a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That’s me.
(Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou. Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou Random House Inc., 1994)

Paratha: Spinach-Carrot-Tofu Flatbread for kids

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Paratha/ parantha, or Indian pan-fried flatbread make a very simplistic subject for a blogpost (certainly so if you are from India). Yet, the reason it made it here is because of its high nutritional value and reasonably good taste. A staple in our household, it works well with the kids, unless, of course when I overdo it! The best part about these flatbreads is they work out to be a great medium for a variety ingredients

Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha (pan-fried flatbread)
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha (pan-fried flatbread). Vegan.
The super nutrition information at the very bottom of this post will show you how wholesome and healthy these are that you’d want to surely try it out!

Ingredients

Basic: (see Note 1)
1.5 cup Whole wheat flour atta or multigrain flour
1 cup / 1 medium carrot , grated big (see Note 2)
1 cup packed spinach, chopped (make sure the stems re not used lest it break the paratha)
1/2 cup firm organic tofu after water squeezed out, crumbled (see Note 3)
Condiments:
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp carom seeds
1.5 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp salt OR to taste (tip 3)
1/2 -1 tsp red chilli powder
some water to knead the dough (depends)
some Oil for frying

Recipe:

1. Mix and mash all the ingredients well. Now add little water (if and as needed) in 2-3 intervals and knead into a smooth pliable dough, if doing by hand. (The dough should not be sticky).
2. Make slightly bigger than golf-sized balls and roll parathas this way. (Or use a tortilla maker.)
Notes:
  1. As for the proportions, feel free to add more or less of the ingredients/ condiments that go in the flour. Care must be taken for the resulting total water proportion in the dough, either from veggies or added.
  2. If the carrot is grated small / fine, it will release more water. You might then need very less or no water at all. (I grate it big).
  3. Similarly, any unsqueezed water from the tofu will add to the dough. In that case you might need very little water while kneading, or none at all.
  4. If the salt if just right can make the parathas edible by themselves.

Serving suggestion:

Goes with yogurt (with a pinch of salt and red pepper), achar (Indian pickles) , cottage cheese (great source of protein), egg bhurji (Indian spiced scrambled eggs) or with any other Indian curry / subzi. Though they are savory, I give it with sugar/jaggery + ghee as a last resort if nothing else works with kids; this always does!

Paratha Quesadillas

Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadilla
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadilla. Vegetarian.
Following the recipe for veggie tofu healthy parathas, here is the way I use it for quesadillas.
(Read quesadilla basics here, or alternatively ‘folding method’ here)
  1. Heat a non-stick pan, place one paratha.
    • Spread caramelized onions or any other suitable stuffing like egg bhurji of your choice (optional)
  2. Put some shredded melting cheese like cheddar, monterey jack, colby, fontina.
    • Place sliced picked jalapeños on the cheese for the spicy-cheesy goodness – this stuff aint for kids! (optional but yum!)
    • Sprinkle with Taco seasoning or one of your choice (optional)
  3. On the second paratha that goes on the top, spread one or more of the following and place the spread-side-down facing the cheese:
    • Honey mustard / hummus / sriracha hot sauce /a spread of your choice (Hummus adds a creamy texture to the quesadilla and prevents ‘drying’ even when the quesadilla cools down. It tastes great and adds whole lot of goodness and protein)
  4. Once the cheese melts and binds the two parathas together, flip the entire set of tortillas to crisp the top paratha now.
  5. Once crisp, cut in wedges and serve hot.
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadilla
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadillas. Vegetarian.

 Nutrition information

here

Urdu poetry verses on GOD!

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Those who know Urdu/Hindi, even if not very well conversant with Urdu/Hindi/Persian poetry, can appreciate the beauty of Shayari (meaning poetry in Urdu). These two-liners from the three great Urdu/Persian poets (who are from different time periods in history), when juxtaposed, create a beautiful flow and is truly a treat for the mind! They all talk of God’s presence, where one seems to aptly respond to the other.

A mere transliteration into English prose will kill the magic! I did however find a beautiful poetic translation here, along with many others, that a poetry lover must check out! (I did change a couple words form the original translation, as they sounded more apt to me).

Ghalib, Iqbal and Faraz, legendary poets from three different eras speak beautifully of Gods existence.
Ghalib, Iqbal and Faraz, legendary poets from three different eras speak beautifully of Gods existence. (Translation source: http://omershafee.wordpress.com)