http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/ IndusLadies is a global online community of Indian Ladies. Discuss and share ideas about topics interesting to Indian Women. They discuss about Cooking,Recipes,Pregnancy,Parenting,Shopping,Articles,Snippets,jokes,work from home,marriage and family,etc. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:49:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.IndusLadies.com/forums/images/006/misc/rss.jpg http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/abhiyum-naanum-a-small-review-1252/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:11:09 GMT Director Radhamohan always delights his audience with simple plots and excellent message. "Abhiyum Naanum" is no second to any of his movies.

It's about a father and daughter, their life and father's love and his possessiveness .

I was constantly reminded of the English movie "Father of the Bride" and sometimes I was thinking about my own life.

Several girls would have seen themselves in the place of the character "Abi". It infuses a fresh perspective in our still conservative society. And one feels like saying "Why not ?".

I was touched by the dialogue "You have to lead your life in your terms, that's not only your right, but your duty too". While this message seems obvious, it is still missing in many Indian houses and families.

When it comes to young adults or children, there is a thin line between stupid decisions made out of illusions and well thought decisions that comes out of maturity. How beautifully can parents embrace the good ones is what "Abiyum Naanum" about.

I would strongly recommend this movie for all those who see a loving father and daughter in their day to day life.

If you have not seen the trailer yet, here is it in youtube.

YouTube - abhiyum naanum official trailer ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/abhiyum-naanum-a-small-review-1252/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/12-tips-beat-grocery-bills-871/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:50:35 GMT With 11 % inflation in India and Stagflation in US ( Recession plus Inflation) many of us are looking for ways to cut down. Frugality is no more a virtue. I realized I belong to an older generation when it comes to spending - A bit conservative :-) Besides, there is a huge difference between... With 11 % inflation in India and Stagflation in US ( Recession plus Inflation) many of us are looking for ways to cut down.

Frugality is no more a virtue. I realized I belong to an older generation when it comes to spending - A bit conservative :-)

Besides, there is a huge difference between frugal and cheap. If we can get the same quality of resources with some common sense ideas, why spend double on them.

Here are some tips I came across. Please feel free to add your tips.

1. Make the visit to store less often. Rather than going and getting it ad-hoc, compile a list and go just once a week. Plan menu for week and buy grocery accordingly. You will be much more prepared. Also food rots can be avoided.

2. A very popular advice is don't go to grocery stores HUNGRY. You end up spending more. You can test this yourself on one of your routine visits.

3. Buying brand items - Store brands are good enough for daily needs like milk, bread etc. This tip applies especially for people in US. If you don't like store brands you can always switch. As a start at-least give it a try.

4. Walk to grocery store. A car may make you buy more.

5. Shop alone. You know how it is when you take kids along right ? Even men tend to pick junk foods :-)

6. Check the bills as you walk out. Humans are prone to errors.

7. Buy more when there is sale. Identify if it is non-perishable and if you have enough storage without moths go ahead and stock up.

8. Take correct amount of cash along. We are easily tempted to buy things we don't need.

9. Do not spend too much time examining the item. The more you spend time looking at it or analyzing it, you the more you feel like buying. If it's along felt need, then it qualifies for a buy :-)

10. Superstores in India and all the stores in US make you take carts and shop. Other than convenience they obviously want you to buy more. Think before you take the cart inside the store. A basket is better.

11. Seasonal fruits or vegetables are anytime more nutritious for obvious reason that no chemicals or pesticides have been used to preserve them. Eat seasonal foods more.

12. I have been reading things about Asian /Chinese foods. They eat YIN ( Cooling) food like Cucumbers, Water Melon etc during summers and YANG ( Warm) foods like gralic, Ginger, Onion etc during winters. That creates balance in body. Indians also believe in this concept.


Additional Tips for people in US -

1. Live on edge of stores to get fresh produce and baked goods. The less the food is processed, the less harmful it is. This is more of a health tip.

2. Carry calculator to check unit pricing, when sale is there for an item.

3. A Grocery Price Book isn't a bad idea.

4. I was subscribed to Grocery Game at grocerygame.com. There have been mixed reviews about it. It's $1 trial for one month.

5. While checking out, you can ask the cashier if any specials are there on the item.

6. Sunday newspapers are good for coupons, but beware..You should not end up buying what you don't need.

7. Hunt for cheap yet healthy recipes. Comment here if you know any.

8.COSTCO or SAMSCLUB may work out well for families. I feel that more than one family can share the membership and benefits. I am not sure if it's legally possible, but it sure makes sense to share in case of 2 members families.

9. Even "Buy ! Get 1" can be shared with a friend.

10. Buying in Bulk during sales, especially the non-perishable items like Rice, Pastas, Nuts, Frozen Berries is something you can try.

Dear Friends,
Tell me what you feel about the tips.

If you are comfortable you can share your monthly grocery expenses here. For me it's around $200 for 2 of us without guests.
How frequently do you eat out and how many members are there in your family ?

Is there anything you would like to add here. Please go ahead and do it. Try making the text bold if it's a tip for easy visibility. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/12-tips-beat-grocery-bills-871/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-no-12-whos-this-814/ Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:46:05 GMT Bear with my irregularity dear iLites. I have been busy lately. Here is the quiz for this week. Find out who this personality is ? 1. Her mother is Irish and Father is Bengali. 2. She is an active Blue Cross member cum activist. 3. She was very popular as an actress in tamil, Telugu... Bear with my irregularity dear iLites. I have been busy lately.
Here is the quiz for this week. Find out who this personality is ?

1. Her mother is Irish and Father is Bengali.

2. She is an active Blue Cross member cum activist.

3. She was very popular as an actress in tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movies.

4. She was the heroine in the first Indian speechless/ dialogue-less movie.

5. She is also a Bharathnatyam Dancer by profession. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-no-12-whos-this-814/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/brand-mania-638/ Fri, 16 May 2008 16:22:11 GMT How many of you prefer branded goods to normal ones ?

I think for most of us, we are selective. For somethings, we are particular about brand, the rest anything is fine.

Here is what I read about Designer brand in Eckhart Tolle's book the "New Earth".

"Designer Brands are identity enhancers, enhancer of false identity. If everybody could buy branded stuff, they will lose their psychological value. What remains is the material value (monetary value), which is multiple times the actual price of the stuff"

Newyork is a fashion city as all of you would know. You get the highest possible brands in the stores, a shoe worth $350 is normal there. Similarly in India, if you visit branded stores like "Lifestyle" or "Sri Krishna's", a top may cost you 1000 bucks, just because of their high end customers and brand value. You definitely can get it for lower price outside, if you are willing to search. With IT money flowing in hands of youngsters, everybody wants a posh life. So they splurge money on material goods like never before.

And talk about peer pressure. If you work in a place, where everybody dresses so well, that you might be look cheap for your outfits ( Not because you didn't dress well enough, but because of everyone else), it becomes mandatory to buy good stuff. I am not sure if one would look into brands of accessories you carry, but if they do, they might even judge you.

PS - Eckhart's book is about birth of a new earth, new consciousness. It is transforming many lives. The webcasts are available on oprah.com for free. Anybody can watch it. He has put together spiritual teachings of east and his own realizations in a simple, understandable, practical and beautiful way. So if you have time and interest, i would recommend this book and webinars. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/brand-mania-638/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/taking-technology-for-granted-dream-633/ Thu, 15 May 2008 15:45:55 GMT For past 3 days I have been missing my family back in India. There have been weddings, thread ceremonies one after another. I am blessed with a wonderful BIG family. I was wishing that with advanced technologies, what if I could be a part of ceremony at-least virtually. With things like Wi-Fi... For past 3 days I have been missing my family back in India. There have been weddings, thread ceremonies one after another. I am blessed with a wonderful BIG family. I was wishing that with advanced technologies, what if I could be a part of ceremony at-least virtually.

With things like Wi-Fi (Something like mobile broadband) and high broadband speeds one should be able to transfer even videos. A live update of events. Video conference facility is given by many providers, but it s like Rs.25000 for an hour. Web-cams are good enough, but in my case, the festival is happening in one of Trichy's small towns, where internet is still not that ubiquitous.

One day what I am saying would be a reality. We ll all miss our home towns or our families less. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/taking-technology-for-granted-dream-633/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-week-9-vocabulary-building-609/ Fri, 09 May 2008 15:19:22 GMT My dearest iLites, Here is something for a change. I was bored posting quizzes every week, hence a new idea here. I am trying it, starting today. I will continue posting quizzes too, but alternatively. Here are a set of five statements. You just need to fill the statements with the... My dearest iLites,
Here is something for a change. I was bored posting quizzes every week, hence a new idea here.
I am trying it, starting today. I will continue posting quizzes too, but alternatively.

Here are a set of five statements. You just need to fill the statements with the options.
Give the answers like 1.(c), 2.(d) etc.

1. I have been _________ to finish this work at hand. I have not rested for 3 weeks now.

2. Who let the _________. I wanted it to be a secret among the 4 of us.

3. His _________ efforts led him to this victory.

4. The ________ virus killed thousands of people on that island.

5. Some economists are _________ of their colleagues in other social disciplines

(a) cat out of the bag
(b) Pernicious
(c) Disdainful
(d) Burning the candle at both ends
(e) Assiduous




Answers shall be posted soon :-)
Good luck friends !! ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-week-9-vocabulary-building-609/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/a-tip-to-read-blogs-580/ Sat, 03 May 2008 00:23:38 GMT Here is something I wanted to share with you all. It's about reading blogs of others.

When I find the title interesting, I try not to see who has written it. After reading I may or may not relate it to her previous posts.

This way I read without any bias. I don't know if the person who has posted is old or young, married or unmarried. I don't know her interests or her style of writing..

It's not that I have been trying this. It was a new idea that flashed in my mind today when I read Ramyavaradharajan's poem.....As I read the poem I did not know who the author was and the "The connection" was so very different and beautiful. I was in the poem feeling the evening at Chennai.

I obviously would have enjoyed it even if I knew it was Ramya, but this was a different experience. Dear iLites, try this and share with me, how you felt.


There is a beauty in "Anonymity".
When you go out in car or walk on streets, the usual ones, look at everything as if you are seeing them for the first time and trust me you will feel wonderful.. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/a-tip-to-read-blogs-580/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-8-568/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:36:57 GMT 1. The building had a style that combines elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. 2. Symmetry with respect to the center on either side is a matter of awe in this building. 3.The walls of this monument were covered with precious stones and gems which were... 1. The building had a style that combines elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.

2. Symmetry with respect to the center on either side is a matter of awe in this building.

3.The walls of this monument were covered with precious stones and gems which were plundered later.

4. It was built with 20000 artisans in 22years with 35 million rupees.'

5. There have been controversies that it was not a muslim tomb, but a hindu temple with the name "Tejo Mahalaya". I found it here


If you know the answer, do comment here. Try not disclosing directly.
1. Either add another fact that you know about the building.
or
2. Write the answer in cryptic form that is less obvious
or
3. Just state you got it right

I shall get back with the answer soon. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-8-568/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-7-who-548/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:18:42 GMT 1. She released her first recording at the age of 10. 2. She was awarded many prestigious awards by the government like Bharath Ratna, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. 3. You know her well through recitals of Vishnu Sahsranamam, Venkatesha Suprabhatam and Maithreem Bhajatha 4. Madurai is... 1. She released her first recording at the age of 10.

2. She was awarded many prestigious awards by the government like Bharath Ratna, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

3. You know her well through recitals of Vishnu Sahsranamam, Venkatesha Suprabhatam and Maithreem Bhajatha

4. Madurai is where she grew up and her mother taught her music. Music was all the wealth they had.

5. She acted in movie called "Sevasadanam", "Shankunthalai" and "Savithri" all of which were box office hit in the early 1990s.

Comment here if you get the answer. I am sure point 1 and 3 help you as major clues :-). ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-7-who-548/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/the-love-for-rice-534/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:10:37 GMT As a south Indian, I LOVE rice. I crave so much for even plain white rice. With spicy sambhars and tongue tickling rasams, it's delliiiicciiiooouuuussssssss. Who can forget the famous " Thacchi mammam" ( Curd Rice).



When dieting sees rice is one of the major factor for weight gain, it feels very bad. White rice has enriched carbohydrates, which is not good for health if one doesn't exercise. For someone who does work out, avoiding rice helps faster weight loss.

Have you all seen old south Indian movies, where farmers would heap the rice like a mountain on their plates and eat. For the amount of work they did, they needed lot of carbohydrates and all of this would have got digested by the time they eat again :-).

For any food, I feel, being able to relish it, is a blessing. Having someone to cook a good food for us or being able to make good food is a blessing again. I have no qualms in saying that I love good food and I don't miss any chance to satisfy my taste buds. After coming here, cooking has become another dimension to my personality and the love for rice persists. I take a cup everyday.

On a lighter note, actress Sameera Reddy ( She will be acting in Varanam Aayiram with surya and has acted in taxi no. 9211), loves rice.

What do you think about eating rice ? How much do you consume in a day ? Do you work out ?

Dear iLites do share your opinion. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/the-love-for-rice-534/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-6-who-525/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:43:44 GMT Use the following 5 questions to guess who the personality is. 1. She was the second woman of Indian Heritage and second person of Slovenian Heritage to be selected by NASA. 2. She holds the record of the longest spaceflight (195 days) for female space travelers. 3. She was awarded the... Use the following 5 questions to guess who the personality is.

1. She was the second woman of Indian Heritage and second person of Slovenian Heritage to be selected by NASA.

2. She holds the record of the longest spaceflight (195 days) for female space travelers.

3. She was awarded the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vishwa Pratibha Award by the World Gujarati Society, the first Non Resident Indian to be presented the award.

4. Her father Dr.Deepak Pandya is a famous neuroanatomist.

5. She visited India in 2007 to meet her cousins. This was her first visit.

Courtesy - Wiki ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-6-who-525/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-5-516/ Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:23:43 GMT 1. The 7 walls around this temple represent 7 worlds. 7 prakarams and 7 Veedhis ( streets) are also a part of the place where this temple is located.

2. 155 acres of land and 6 miles- that s the area of the temple

3. The gopuram is the biggest one in Asian Sub-Continent. It's called Raja Gopuram.

4. Except Mathirakavi Alwar, all the other eleven Alwars have done Mangalasasanam here.

5. The temple also has hall of 1000 pillars.

Comment if you know the answer. I will write it here in a day.

Good Luck :-) ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/quiz-this-week-5-516/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/sahana-514/ Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:38:41 GMT Tamil director Balachander's favourite raga is Sahana. He loves it, probably because it merges well with the serial stories and is full of emotions and feelings.

The first on the list is from Rayil Sneham
Balachander's rayil sneham
( Try this with evening chai...The experience is beaaaauuuutiful).
The title song of serial "Sahana" also is set in the same raga. It can be found here
Tamil serial songs

A Thyagarajar song set in sahana is here
Vandhanamu

Coming to tamil movies
Kizhakku cheemayile

Balachander's Paarthale parvasam has a song
Anbe Sugama

The lyrics of these songs are noteworthy.

One of the very famous old melodies would be
Paarthen Sirithen


Technical details of Sahana
28 harikAmbhOji janya
Aa: S R2 G3 M1 P M1 D2 N2 S
Av: S N2 S D2 N2 D2 P M1 G3 M1 R2 G3 R2 S

Enjoy the beauty of Sahana...one of my favourite raga..

Add your list to this.
Does anyone here know what is the Hindustani equivalent ?
]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/sahana-514/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/retired-and-happy-a-story-508/ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:35:01 GMT It was the summer of 2030. The couple were staying in a small apartment they had purchased back in their working days. Radha was 72 now and her husband Sri was 81. They had seen it all in their lifetime, births and deaths, marriage and festivals, new persons in their family and their lovely grand... It was the summer of 2030. The couple were staying in a small apartment they had purchased back in their working days. Radha was 72 now and her husband Sri was 81. They had seen it all in their lifetime, births and deaths, marriage and festivals, new persons in their family and their lovely grand kids.

They have a daughter and a younger son, both employed and well settled with their family and kids and way busy with their lives. The new members, their son-in-law and daughter-in-law in their family were lovely, caring and cooperative.

Every weekend the daughter called and enquired about their well being. What more can they expect from a woman who already has her own family and friends, her own set of problems and her career ? It's her turn to live.

They had accepted the new generation and the concepts of westernization well. Although they chose to live with their own old lifestyles, they embraced the new world well. They had stopped forcing their ideas and values long back. Sometimes they were heard and most of the times even their conventional or wise thoughts were ignored by their own loved ones. So they lived in peace with this truth.

Their son was very successful in his field. He had settled in US and made trips all over the world often.

Isn't this something they had always dreamed of - A settled life for both their kids ? Everything they struggled for all their life was accomplished and it was time to turn inwards. Their little banterings were still present as a testimony to their 40 year old marriage. They had also been to US a couple of times, but what can beat the morning filter coffee, the temples and the soil which they were born in ? They preferred to stay in India, even if it meant taking care of themselves on their own. They did have servants to clean, cook and do daily chores. So there was little effort involved. This scene, was opposite to their 30s and 40s when they did not have enough time to do it all. They were running and chasing and extremely busy all the times. Radha was married into a huge family. She was always occupied with daily chores, necessary shopping and she would even repair electronic stuffs around home. She had crossed two caesarian with her children's birth followed by her hernia operations. She was active and living it all anyways. She was looked upon by her own relatives.

As for Sri, he was always running behind time, to office, for his children's admissions, for his siblings and for everything. He had resolved that he would volunteer for social cause even before he retired and that kept him busy now for half the day. He also organized religious gatherings and during evenings he helped his wife, something he had never done before. As for Radha, she was still the lovely understanding mother her kids could come and talk to, but this time there was a difference. It was over phone, less frequent and obviously the issues they talked did not have any childlike innocence.

Radha and Sri have a past together with a family, children and perhaps a roller coaster ride so far. Time had run very fast, but years had bonded them so well that they cared for each other as they would care for themselves. The memories of the four as a family crossed both their minds often. They wished if they could move back the arms of the clock and re-live the entire experience, with the pillow fights the four had, the outings they had together, the fights both Radha ans Sri would have on buying them stuff and then making up, the limited income middle class but a happy family. Strangely the resources "time and money "were all there, but the niche they had carved for themselves wasn't. Now it was all behind them. The children had to leave the nest and build one for themselves, as the conventions in the world would have it.

They just had to confront the fact that it was just two of them in the end, till death parted them. Also this was something that they never thought their life would eventually be like - With little needs, with a matured thinking and with love for fellow beings and god. ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/retired-and-happy-a-story-508/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/choosing-religion-is-there-choice-504/ Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:19:49 GMT There was a nice thought I came across while watching Oprah's Live web event about what religion to follow. I wanted to share it here with my fellow iLites.

For ages temples, vedas, churches decide on what should an individual born in this religion should and should not do. What is right and wrong for him/her. What should he/she seek in life. What procedures they should follow in day to day life etc etc.

In modern day, with so much exposure and interaction, we come across people from various cultures and religion. It is time to open up.

You grow up with a religion as a child, but it s not the only way to reach god. It's just one of the ways. When you get exposed to multiple religions and cultures, you can weave your own "mala"/necklace with pearls from different religions. In this case you have created your own set of rules to follow with your own rationale behind them. You do not force anyone and you are being open to gems/ teachings from other religions. Often we find Hindu scholars reading about other dharmas too. The reason I feel is that, being authority in their respective communities, they want to give the community the best of what's there in the world.

Isn't this a nice thought to ponder upon ? ]]> MeenLoch http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/meenloch/choosing-religion-is-there-choice-504/