Shutterbug's Blog

Living with Multiple Myeloma in Hyderabad , India . Random musings .


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Vegetable Kichdi , my style !!

I go on a 24 hour fast once a week and end my fast by eating a bowl of hot Vegetable Kichdi.This is light on the tummy.A fast should never end with heavy food. This dish is made with Rice, Moong dal ,Veggies and is easily digested . I look forward to this treat at the end of the day. Here is the simple recipe.

Ingredients for one serving :

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Mustard seeds 1/4 tsp

Cumin 1/4 tsp

Urad dal 1/4 tsp

Black pepper as per the spiciness that you can bear 🙂

It is OK if one of the above is missing in your spice rack. But pepper is a must.

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Rice : 2 tbsp

Quinoa (optional): 2 tbsp

Moong Dal ( Split Green gram ): 2 tbsp

Wash and soak Rice and Quinoa in water and keep aside.

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Ginger :  1 inch piece chopped into small pieces

Curry leaves : one or two sprigs

Veggies : you can use capsicum,  carrot, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, corn or any other veggies. Any two veggies are good enough. I am using Capsicum and Carrot today.

One chilli

Ghee 1 tsp

Asafoetida : a small pinch

Salt : As per your taste

Water : 4 times the volume of rice , quinoa and moong Dal.

Place all of them in a bowl. You will need water 4 times this volume.

Preparation : Use a pressure cooker

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Roast the moong dal in the dry pan till you smell the flavour of nicely fried moong dal. It should change into a very light brown colour. Empty the moong dal into another bowl.

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Add oil in the same pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin, urad dal and black pepper to the oil. Let them splutter.

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Add ginger pieces , chilli and curry leaves. Fry for 30 secs . Add all the cut veggies and stir for a minute.

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Now , drain the soaked rice, quinoa and add  to the pan. Also add moong dal . Add water. Add salt . Close the pan with the lid and put the pressure weight. Let it cook on medium heat till you hear 5 to 6 whistles. Let the pressure reduce before you open the cooker.

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Add the ghee and mix it well so all the contents get mashed up and the flavors combine well. Hot and yummy Vegetable Kichdi is ready !! You can eat with a little pickle or chutney on the side, if you wish. Your tummy will thank you 🙂


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Vacation time !!

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It’s been 5 years since we three
, my son, hubby and i went for a vacation.
The last time we travelled was to Delhi and Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary in 2010. Our son was was growing up so we had decided to travel every year.
But destiny had some other plans for me.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in Oct 2011,  been going through all the ups and downs all the while. Finally I now have the courage to travel . I had promised my son that we will go once he joins college.
After checking out various locations we zeroed in on Dubai. We began planning for the trip. We started exploring various options. We didnt want to go through the regular travels agencies like Thomas cook or cox and kings etc. We then decided on the dates, the Airlines that we want to travel with , the various hotels that are available, the local tourist spots etc.
I expressed my desire to travel , to my Oncologist, my Ayurvedic doctor and my Physician.
All of them said I can go and wished me well. When I asked my Physician to suggest any medication for problems like stomach upset etc, she immediately pulled out a sheet and quickly wrote down medications for cold, cough, fever, stomach pain, gas in the stomach, pain killers, diarrhoea etc.
Said I need not worry as the trip is just for a few days.
We booked tickets and hotel accommodation and also applied for online Visa from the Emirates website as we booked tickets on Emirates.
We just received our visas by mail.
Our trip is from 16 Feb to 21 Feb.

I have been planning about the foods that I would be eating while I am travelling.  Having just recovered from severe stomach upset and asthma , I am lil worried about having food outside. 
I have made a list of snacks that I would carry from here.
I checked if there is a supermarket or grocery near the hotel that we booked and thankfully there is one in the adjacent lane.
I plan to raid this supermarket as soon as we land there and pickup a lot of fresh fruits and some veggies like carrots , cucumbers etc.

Hope to travel safe and get back home intact.

-‘Sarve janah sukhino bhavanthu’ (May all be happy)