Miracles of REIKI

I am a great believer in Alternate Therapies, Reiki being the major one--of course this does not mean that every one is an ardent follower. It boils down to a matter of Faith & Belief really. If you truly believe then the Universe conspires to make it TRUE.I came upon Reiki in 1995 when I was going thru a major low in my career & Reiki helped stabilise me & in the process also cured some chronic ailments for which I am eternally grateful. Then it happens during the course of life, one gets busy with inconsequential things , which do seem important at the relevant time, & Reiki took a back seat. Occasionally I did go back to it but very sporadically. Recently after a bout of severe flue I nursed a chronic cough & cold which by some weird means only bothered me at night as soon as I tried to sleep ---for days I swallowed tablets & syrups prescribed by my doc but nothing seemed to help. Then one day I chucked it all & practiced Reiki on myself as I laid my head on the pillow & lo & behold ! that night I slept soundly without a problem---so Reiki does perform miracles ,at least in my life & for which I am grateful.
 

Herbs make my world go around

 

Yesterday I went to an eco workshop--I must do my bit & leave a better world  behind me--and came upon rows & rows of fragrant herbs all in a pot---Italian & purple basils, sweet smelling mint, rosemary bonsai,thyme & oregano all lucious & aromatic, aswagandha & many more. I was breathing in gulps & wondering where in Mumbai am I going to get this lucky again--nature is truly wonderful, a small leaf crushed in your palm gives so much pleasure & we spend thousands on bottled perfumes. I bought a basil plant & am already dreaming of fresh pesto & flavoured soups. Bon Appetite

Random Thoughts

Sant Tukaram said," I could not lie anymore so I started calling my dog GOD
First, he looked confused,then he started smiling, then he danced
I kept at it, now he doesn't even bite"
I wonder if this might work on people!!!!
I seriously think one would be straight jacketed & locked up for life--
If one started calling every one GOD esp. the cop who gives you a ticket for rash driving---may be, may be, one's BOSS won't mind!!!!!!!!!

Feeling Mushy

On certain days I simply mull over a thought, a picture or a story. Today, I simply can not shake off Robert Browning & Elizabeth Barret Browning--one of the greatest love stories ---she, an invalid sickly lady elder to him by 6 yrs & he a dashing robust man---it was the beauty of the words that bound them together & how beautifully she wrote:
    "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
      I love thee to the depth & breath & height my Soul can reach
      When feeling out of sight,
      For the ends of being & ideal grace--------

and the last lines,
      I shall but love thee better after death"

Such depth of emotions, & such love is but rare to find & experience now a days. Methinks we have become so jaded that such experiences are beyond our ken now.

New Beginnings

My baking obsession started post retirement---I used to dabble occasionally but nothing serious--then I attended a bread making workshop--ooh la la, the aroma of freshly baked breads catches me in the gut & transports me to heaven. My first attempt at baking breads was a disaster--I added too much yeast & the mixture was so lumpen & gooey I simply had to trash it. Since that day I have not had the nerve to bake another bread --but I have baked muffins and cakes & cup cakes & meringues &puddings & souffles & what have you!!! and every time there is a success I jot down in my treasured recipe book & don't miss the purple pen in the pic--it has to be written in purple ink--that is the Rule-my Rule . Methinks this would be a very precious legacy to pass on to my dinky daughter who is so fond of good food but not so fond of cooking---at least she will not have to worry about a fiasco in the kitchen as the recipes are truly tried & tested.
        Here below are my pecious possessions which make baking for me such a pleasure

Light Summary Lemon Cake

This light summary lemon cake is truly yummy & just right for this oh so hot summer-it has a zing & a tang but nothing over powering & sits just right on your tongue with its zesty flavour. It is my best cake up to date not counting the cup cakes. Heres the recipe for a lazy noon try out.

Ingredients:-  100 gm butter ( I have used Amul & its just fine), 1 cup sugar,3eggs,rind of 1 large lemon, 1 cup flour,1 tsp baking powder, 120 gm sour cream

For the Glaze:-  juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tbsp hot water,1/4 cup sugar+2 tsp for dusting

Method:-  Cream butter & sugar. Then beat in lemon rind & eggs.Sift flour & baking pd . Fold into the butter mixture the sifted flour in 3 lots, alternating with sour cream. Mix until smooth. Pour in a lined baking tray& bake in a pre heated oven@ 160 degree C for 35-40 mts or until the cake is done.

 To make glaze,add 1tbsp hot water to juice of 1/2 lemon , add 1/4 cup sugar, a tsp at a time, stirring after each addition.

Leavecake in tray for 5 mtsbefore pouring glaze over it. Pierce cake all over to help seep in glaze. Dot with icing sugar. Remove from tray when cool & ENJOY.

Note:-  Its very easy to make sour cream at home. Take 2 tbsp butter milk & add to a jar full of cream(Amul cream is fine) Let it stand for 24 hrs @ room temperature --it will thicken--then refrigerate & use up within 15 days


 

Apple Crumble

Yesterday my home was filled with aromas of Granny Smith apples baking in cinnamon, ginger & butter I was heady with it and so were the neighbours. James Martin take a bow--your apple crumble is WOW and double WOW after a day when all the flavours have amalgamated properly. So heres how to drive your hubby & family crazy with the aromas----

 

Recipe:_ 150 gm butter, 1/2 tsp ground ginger,1 apple finely chopped,2 tsp caster sugar,100 gm plain flour,100 gm brown sugar

 

Pre heat oven to 200 degree C.To make the crumble,put 50 gm butter in a pan with ginger powder, apple& caster sugar & cookfor 5 mts until apple softens. Pour in a baking dish. Put remaining butter, flour, brown sugar in a food processor & blitz until it resembles breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture on apples & bake for 10 mts or until done.

 

I gave a twist to the crumble by adding raisins soaked in red wine to the apples while they were softening. It lends itself to a sharper & more tangy taste. You can have it warm with vanilla ice cream. Better still wait for a day & have it straight from the baking dish.