mayurisjikoni

Papa Francis in Kenya    The Pope's visit to Kenya had all Kenyans excited. Slum area Kangemi was cleaned up as the Pope was going to visit it. The Pope's message to Kenya couldn't have come at a better time. In the past few years, the gap between the rich and poor has widened, corruption has reached a critical level and the non existence of basic services and infrastructure. It seems we live in a society where the people in charge of the Government have their heads buried in the sand, oblivious of what problems the rest of Kenya is facing. He spoke out against corruption, criticized the lack of roads, sewers, drinking water, electricity,refuse collection, schools, hospitals, proper housing and security for children. He talked of new colonialism taking place in Kenya, where the rich are depriving the poor of their basic rights to basic amenities.He urged the people of Kenya to value family traditions and more respect for women. More than 300,000 people turned up for the Hol

A delayed Diwali post     Life usually runs at a normal pace but sometimes in a short period we actually have to move through life at a much faster pace. Things just keep on happening one after the after without a break. And then the storm settles and we are back to a quiet period for a while. Feeling unwell,admitted into hospital for a short period, nephew got admitted into hospital with dengue fever, Diwali preparations, computer conked out, etc etc. However, everything is back to normal. I have so many recipes to blog but not finding the time to do so. However, will tackle them one by one and hopefully get through the list before I travel to India on 8th Dec. Life keeps on teaching us so much. Though at that moment we may get the feeling that its going to be impossible to cope, somehow we do as God gives us the strength and shows us the correct path.   This Diwali, I wanted to make healthier snacks. My search let to many sites and I narrowed down a few and shared it with my fellow

Baklava Bread Rolls #Bread Bakers Happy Diwali   Diwali or Deepawali literally means a row of lights. For Hindus, it is one of the most important festival of the year. It is a time filled with light, love and joy. Rows of diya were lit after Lord Ram returned from his 14 year exile. Diwali has many significant meanings for the Hindus.In the true sense Diwali celebration lasts for 5 days beginning from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj day.  Diwali means triumph over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.Lighting diyas signifies light, a gift from God. Homes are cleaned, decorated, new clothes are bought, delicious food is prepared all to celebrate Diwali. Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali when when families and friends get together to worship the Goddess of Wealth Laxmi. They not only ask for material but spiritual wealth, love, harmony and humility. Second day is Naraka Chaturdashi or Kali Chaudas. It is believed that the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna on this day.

A hard nut to crack!   When one thinks of coconut, the first thing that comes to the mind is the cool healthy coconut water. However, there is more to a coconut than just the water or the succulent flesh. Coconut milk, coconut cream, coconut oil, grated coconut, coconut flour, are all used in cooking in many countries. Right from sweet to savoury dishes, coconut is used to add flavour, creaminess and a bite to any dish. Curries, desserts, cookies, cakes, salads, drinks etc, name it and coconut is used. Coconut milk is used in place of dairy produced milk by vegans. Coconut water is rich in potassium and is considered a natural hydrator. Coconut flour is made from the flesh of the coconut. It can be replaced partially in baked goods to reduce the glycemic index. Coconut oil is used for cooking, for treating certain skin disorders, for preparing beauty products and for luscious hair. The shell is used to make decorative pieces, used as dishes and bowls and to burn as wood for cooking.Som