Sunday workout plans

Happy Dussehra to you too! May your fitness journey involve fewer wrestling experiences with massage therapists and significantly more festive workout and healthy balanced diet.

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​The Sunday Chronicles: From Wresting Chambers to Dhunuchi Naach

​Sleep Status: Secured a glorious two hours of sleep. I am officially calling this my revolutionary "advanced recovery technique" and completely call it blissful. 

​Yesterday's Spa Experience: Decided to treat myself to a relaxing Balanese massage. Instead, I accidentally signed up for an elite wrestling training camp. The therapist tried to fold me into a human origami swan, bent my legs into dimensions physicists haven't discovered yet, and evicted some ancient stress knots from my neck. I spent half the session screaming and the other half wondering if I should close my eyes tight and say Hanuman chalisa!

​Today's Workout Plan: Durga Puja pandal hopping! My official cardio will consist of aggressive dancing to drum beats (Dhunuchi Naach).

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I’ll try to capture the performance practice on video, provided my newly cracked-open neck doesn't snap off first.

​Wishing you a fantastic, healthy, and knot-free Dussehra!

Banana bread from overripe bananas.

Simple and Delicious Banana Bread

Transform your overripe bananas into a cozy, comforting loaf that pairs perfectly with a hot cup of filter coffee or ginger tea.

Ingredients

• 3 overripe Robustas or Nendrans (or about 5 smaller bananas)
• 2 cups Maida or whole wheat atta
• 1 cup Brown sugar or jaggery powder
• 2 Eggs
• 1 cup Butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• Optional toppings: A handful of nuts or pumpkin seeds

Step-by-Step Method

Preheat the Oven

• Turn on your oven and preheat it to 180°C for 20 minutes while you prep the batter.

 Dry Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the maida, salt, and baking powder. Mix well with a fork and set aside.

 Wet Ingredients & Bananas

• In a separate bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together (a hand blender works great here).
• In another bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly using a fork.
• Beat the eggs and gently fold them into the dry maida mixture.
• Add the butter-sugar mixture and the mashed bananas to the bowl. Gently fold everything together just until combined—avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.

Prepare the baking Tin 

• Line a bread loaf container with parchment paper, making sure to fold and press the sides neatly.

 Bake

• Pour the batter into the loaf pan layer by layer until done. Sprinkle your choice of nuts or pumpkin seeds on top.
• Bake at 180°C for 1 hour.
• Important: Do not open the oven door midway through, as sudden temperature drops will cause the loaf to deflate. Because the batter is rich and moist, it needs this uninterrupted slow bake.

Serve

• Once fully baked, remove the loaf from the oven. Let it cool slightly, slice into desired pieces, and enjoy!

The Great Closet Excavation- Decluttering saga!

​The Great Closet Excavation: A Tale of Loss, Reunion, and Betrayal

​Decluttering is advertised as a peaceful journey toward "inner bliss and discipline." In reality, it’s an emotional roller coaster disguised as spring cleaning.

​The Unexpected Archaeological Discoveries.

​Opening a closet for a "quick tidy" immediately turns into a full-scale excavation site where you unearth:

The Lone Sock: Missing since 2021, looking slightly confused to see daylight again.

The Stealth Dupatta: Mysteriously lurking in the dark void behind four heavy winter jackets.

The Forgotten Shirt: Still wearing its original price tag, glaring at you with silent judgment for ignoring its existence.

​The Short-Lived Illusion

​For about twenty glorious minutes, the decluttered corner looks like a frame straight out of a luxury interior design magazine. You stand back, admire your life choices, and pretend you have transformed into a disciplined minimalist... right up until the next laundry day strikes.

​The "Donation Bag" Hostage Rescue

​The ultimate rule of wardrobe decluttering is simple: The donation bag must leave the house immediately.

​If that bag stays in the room past sunset, your brain initiates a stealth rescue operation:​"Wait... what if I get invited to a neon-themed party in 2032 and need this exact shirt?"​"This jacket isn't old, it just has 'character'!"​"I drank a extra glass of water today, so these jeans will definitely fit by next Friday."

​By bedtime, 80% of the rejected clothes have been lovingly unpacked and sneaked back onto their hangers, officially bringing the decluttering saga full circle

Jayanthi 

11/10/2026

Nut enriched besan ladoo

A quick ladoo for evening.  We require a bunch of things for this ladoo. 

Nut enriched ladoo 

Ingredients 

4 tablespoon ghee

1 cup besan 

1/4 cup roasted almonds

1/4 cup Pecan

1/4 cup Cashews 

1 cup sugar 

3 elachi 

2 cloves

Method 

In a thick bottomed kadai dry roast almonds, pecan and Cashews. In very slow fire, it should become just roasted. Off the stove, cool down.  

Nut Consistency: Pulse the roasted nuts briefly instead of grinding continuously to prevent them from releasing their oils and becoming nut butter

Powder the sugar, elachi and cloves in mixer jar. Keep aside

​Patience with Besan: Pour ghee in the same heated kadai, Roast the besan on low heat continuously stirring so it cooks evenly without burning. It should turn a golden color and release a nutty aroma

 Off the stove allow the besan completely reach room temperature. 

Slowly add sugar, powdered nuts and mix well.  Until the mixture has turned into soft lump. Take small portions and make small even sized ladoos.  Enjoy as a snack

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Notes

Cooling is Crucial: Ensure the besan-ghee mixture is completely at room temperature before adding the powdered sugar. Adding sugar while it is warm will cause the sugar to melt, turning the mixture runny and making it impossible to shape into balls.

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The family tree- Marriage, bonds and relationship

​Roots, Bonds, and the Beautiful Chaos of Belonging

​Entering a large family as a new bride is an exercise in loving adaptation. Suddenly, you are surrounded by half a dozen uncles and aunts, a sea of brothers and sisters, and a crowd of cousin brothers who somehow share remarkably similar names—adding a humorous layer of confusion to an already overwhelmed bride! The initial introductions feel like a grand memory test, learning to match every warm smile to the right name and relationship.

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Then comes the fascinating discovery of interconnected histories: learning that your great-grandfather and your husband’s family share a lineage, or that your mother is your husband’s Chithi’s sister. So many in the family knew your grandfather, having shared roots in the very same ancestral village. It truly feels like a wonderfully small, intertwined world.

​Every family event, whether a poonal or an engagement, feels less like a gathering and more like an entire village assembling in joy. The air fills with laughter, rich conversations, and the unforgettable aroma of traditional delicacies cooked collectively by the family. Every meal becomes a celebration of presence and togetherness. 

Through these gatherings, culinary traditions are passed down organically; we learn distinct cooking styles from one another, turning everyday home cooking into an art of shared heritage.

​At the heart of these memories rests the enduring presence of Tathappa. His intense warmth and affection left a lasting imprint on all of us. It was truly incredible how he remembered every single grandchild's name and nurtured an individual, fond relationship with each one. 

As a newcomer entering the family, being welcomed with that same genuine fondness immediately transformed unfamiliarity into a sense of home.

​Though our family tree has grown many branches and we have lost several cherished elders over the years, their gentle presence remains deeply felt. 

We continue to honor them in every story re-told and every gathering held.

​Today, even as our children live far away, the bond remains unbreakable—a testament to the core values our elders quietly instilled in us.

 Each of us represents a distinct branch on this family tree, but it is their love, warmth, and wisdom that keep our roots firmly grounded

A tribute to Marco

We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from each of you. Standing by us during this difficult time, sharing in our grief, and offering comfort has meant the world to our family. May God bless you all.

​MARCO LIVED LIKE A KING AND DIED LIKE AN EMPEROR

​When he first came to us as a two-month-old puppy, Marco was shy, reticent, and uncertain away from his mother and siblings. But within days, his gentle spirit captured our hearts. He instantly became the apple of our eye, and we knew a prince had arrived. We named him Marco—his kennel certificate proudly reading Marco Van Dyke, reflecting the quiet majesty of his Dutch bloodline.

​From that moment on, his life was a whirlwind of energy, playfulness, and devotion, filled with the boisterous joy that only a Boxer can bring. As he grew, Marco became an irreplaceable part of our souls. He taught us forbearance, fortitude, compassion, and the true meaning of unconditional love, treating our family as his very own pack. He shaped our lives and instilled in our children a profound respect for nature and all living beings—lessons no textbook could ever teach.

​Marco ruled our home with affection and authority. As the self-declared boss, he set our daily routines and hilariously arbitrated family differences. He transformed our lives with classic Boxer charm—defiant, precocious, and arrogantly truant, yet utterly endearing. He had an uncanny ability to walk into anyone's heart and completely take over. We were all his willing subjects, and an Emperor had truly established his reign.

​Though we are devastated by his loss, we take comfort in the rich legacy of memories he left behind: a subtle mark on the wall, strands of fur on our clothes, nail imprints on the furniture, his favorite spot on the leather sofa, and his well-loved toys scattered around.

​As we learn to navigate life without his physical presence, our hearts remain filled with gratitude for the time we shared. Marco lived as a winner and passed with that same heroic dignity, giving us the strength to move forward together. He chose our home, gave us his entire heart, and will forever remain the noble ruler of our lives. 

Marco, our precious boy, you brought unimaginable light into our lives. You were a divine blessing who showed us the true meaning of unconditional love, devotion, and patience.

​Our journey together was nothing short of incredible. From the moment your Dad showed us your picture as a tiny two-month-old puppy, you had our hearts. Meeting you for the first time—a shy, adorable puppy tumbling around with your brother—is a memory we will treasure forever. The second we held you, we knew just how deeply you belonged with us.

​Watching you grow into a calm, gentle, and disciplined companion was a pure joy. You were such a huge part of our daily rhythm. As our resident foodie, no meal was complete without you, and your incredible nose could spot a treat from all the way across the house! Coming home to your eager, protective greeting was always the best part of our day.

​Even in your final days, your brave spirit shone through. You fought with so much courage and dignity, showing us strength until the very end.

​We are endlessly grateful to the Almighty for giving us the honor of loving and caring for you, and for the abundance of joy you gave us in return. You will live in our hearts forever, sweet boy. Rest in peace🙏

KAPPA CHAKKA KANDHARI - CHEF REGI MATHEW

​We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Chef Regi Mathew and his wife once again yesterday at Kappa Chakka Kandhari, Bangalore. Meeting Chef Regi for the third time made an already special meal even more memorable.

​Kappa Chakka Kandhari remains one of the finest dining spots in Bangalore. Every single dish reflects Chef Regi's meticulous touch—delivering deeply authentic, beautifully curated Kerala cuisine. From the soft Appams paired with fragrant stew to their legendary Cloud Pudding and signature combos, every bite is pure joy.

​With its exceptionally caring staff, welcoming ambiance, and delicious food, it is the ultimate place to bring family and friends for a memorable lunch or dinner.

Jayanthi and Narayan