Manu's Medley

I am sure we all would have heard this statement more than once in our lives from our parents, teachers, siblings, friends, spouse or even a boss: “Try and try till you achieve your dream or target.” It could be finding the job of your liking, marrying the person you desire, or earning that long-awaited promotion. For many of us, these words become the script of our lives - pushing us to always chase the next milestone, to measure our worth by achievements. But what happens when the constant “trying” becomes exhausting? That's the side of the story untold. What is this book about? This is what Kate Williams’ "How to Stop Trying: An Overachiever's Guide to Self-Acceptance, Letting Go, and Other Impossible Things" talks about. The book isn’t about throwing away ambitions or giving up on our dreams. Instead, it’s about recognizing the hidden cost of endless striving - the burn out, the inability to rest without guilt, the constant sense of “not enough” and learning how t...

Ganesh Chaturthi has always been one of my favorite festivals. Though I may not be able to recreate the same pomp and fervor as in India, I try to keep the spirit alive in every way I can. For me, the festival is never complete without offering The Divine modaks (steamed sweet dumplings), Lord Ganesha’s most beloved treat. Across India, modaks take many forms - some are steamed with sweet fillings, some are fried, and a few even made savory. In my home, we make kudumulu , a simple sweet version without stuffing that tastes heavenly on its own. Growing up in Chennai, our neighbors often shared their kolukattai - they are  soft, smooth, and just melt in our mouths. Over the years, I’ve tried making these festive modaks myself, and trust me, it wasn’t always easy - cracked shells, tough dough, and the constant worry of shaping them without a mould. But with time and a few simple tricks, I’ve learned how to make soft, smooth, no-crack modaks completely by hand. The best part? You don’t...

If you love quick breakfasts or evening snacks, but don’t want multiple appliances cluttering your kitchen counter top, a 2-in-1 waffle and sandwich maker can feel like a lifesaver. Recently I tried one, and while it impressed me in many ways, it also came with a few trade-offs you should know before buying. Here’s my detailed review based on my experience using it for over a month.  Product Overview What it is:  Mainstays 2-in-1 waffle and sandwich maker from Walmart. It's priced at 29.98 CAD (plus taxes) and comes with interchangeable plates for waffles and sandwiches. Who it’s for:  Small families, students, busy parents, or anyone who enjoys versatile cooking without without crowding their counters with multiple gadgets. First impression:  Lightweight, easy to set up, and it heats up faster than I expected. Pros   ✅ Quick cooking:  It makes two waffles or two sandwiches at a time, so breakfast or snacks are r...

It's summer break and like many parents, I find myself navigating the ups and downs of having my child at home - full time. Recently, one morning stood out in particular - a moment that turned into an unexpected adventure. My son woke up feeling sad. When asked him he said he is unhappy as his friends don't call him a certain way. That feeling carried so much weight in his little heart and it was tough seeing him like that. I reminded him that we cannot control how others treat us or what they say about us. Instead we can focus on what brings us joy like "May be take a walk in the nature, or read a book, or ride your bike" I offered. To my surprise he immediately responded "Let's go for a walk in the nature" and so we did. We stepped out just with a bottle of water and my mobile phone. Initially I thought we would get some fresh air for few minutes to lighten his mood and head back home. But what we started on as an impromptu walk ended up with a wonderf...

I usually don't choose the books I read - more often it feels like they choose me. Though it sounds philosophical, its no exaggeration when it comes to the two books that I am about to share in this article. Both found their way into my hands at just the right moment, offering reflections on motherhood that were as timely as they were touching. The School For Good Mothers and Sandwich are both poignant narratives told through the voice of mothers; sharing deeply their personal journey through motherhood interwoven with love, guilt, resilience and strength to hold it together. The School For Good Mothers I often jokingly say that "How lovely it would be if motherhood comes with a guide book!" - better if there is a school that teaches us how to be good mothers! By looks of the title "The School For Good Mothers" seems to align with my thoughts, but it isn't really. Though this is a fictional story authored by Jessamine Chan, every mother could relate, especia...

Stepping beyond our usual choices in kitchen can open up a world of exciting flavors and nutrients. All it takes is to try a new vegetable or a cooking style to add novelty to our daily meals. Rutabaga, a vegetable I haven't explored before turned out to be a delightful discovery. If you haven't read my previous article on rutabaga, be sure to check it out here . It gives you a wholistic look at this underrated super vegetable along with a lip smacking Indian-style Rutabaga fry recipe you won't want to miss.  Apart from the fry, I prepared a flavorful Andhra-style karam pulusu and a comforting Tamil-style kootu using rutabaga. Surprisingly, both dishes turned out even more delicious than the fry! If I had to rank all the three recipes, the rutabaga pulusu would easily take the top spot—it was simply irresistible! How to store rutabaga for weeks? Rutabagas come in all sizes, but the smaller ones can be more bitter and the bigger ones could be woody and tough to cut. So go fo...

Trying something new can feel uncertain, whether it is a new routine or new job or new city or even a new vegetable, as we often find comfort in the familiar. I had reservations about this particular vegetable until I cooked and tasted it. Let me introduce you Rutabaga, a lesser known vegetable (at least for a person from tropical region like me). It is nutrient-rich, flavourful and incredibly easy to prepare.                                              When I first saw Rutabaga in the grocery stores here, I thought it would be from the yam family and ignored it, primarily because of its starch content. In addition, Rutabaga's sheer size always made me think twice to try it. In India, grocery stores sell small portions of vegetables like yam, cabbage or pumpkin, allowing customers purchase only what they need, which is...