Thursday, June 27, 2013

Over a period of time we have made a lot of healthy changes to our diet, switching to many organic dairy foods and including more vegetables , fruits and whole grains on our platter . I had been feeling happy about cooking fresh meals for my family and making better choices of foods in general. However, when it comes to exercising, other than occasional walks , I haven't really done anything concrete in a long time (In fact I really started to talk myself into feeling comfortable with whatever weight I am on ). My husband on the other hand has been very disciplined these past few months about his workout regimen . He has never had a weight problem and is usually very good about his diet - choices and control both. And yet he is striving to do better with his overall health.  After long 9 years today was a small start of something that hopefully will turn into a regular regimen of workouts for me. Inspiration from my husband and motivation from a friend got me out walking on the sidewalks of my block (more like periodically jogging to catch up with my friend's brisk walking). Boy oh boy was I in for surprises ! For such a long time I told myself that I could start an exercise program anytime I wanted to, without any drama of "America's biggest loser' . As I lay in the bed tonight and feel the burn ...... big time, its dawning on me that if I want this to work for me, I need to have more respect for that show ! They say no pain, no gain so I am deciding to live with the pain until the gain shows up......somewhere.
The feeling after the workout though is exactly the same as I remember it. Its nothing less than meditation  if you could just be silent for a few minutes after pumping your heart a bit and try to focus on its rhythm. Invigorating and calming at the same time ! No wonder exercise is an alternative for Xanax.
The dinner I fixed us tonight was Parathas and potato curry. After realizing how hard I had to work to burn so little, I did not feel like getting myself a dinner plate. Instead I rummaged through the fridge, lucky to find some lettuce, carrots and oranges but I was out of my favorite mango poppy seeds dressing.  So here is what I did - cut oranges into little pieces, sliced the carrots and broke some lettuce leaves. Added a teaspoon of lime juice, raw turbinado sugar and a pinch of sea salt (it was delicious I tell you, without any extra calories of the dressing) . Gobbled a big bowl of it and not feeling guilty. I don't know how tomorrow will turn out to be but today deserves to be bragged about :)

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Despicable me 2

Tuesdays are not the movie days in our family but who does not want to take advantage of special screenings? Watched 'Despicable me 2' today in AMC at South Point, Durham. Too cute !! It releases on July 3rd - definitely a good family watch ! Streets at South Point were a bit lonely today but we enjoyed our stroll after the movie. Quite a good day for a Tuesday ! Now if only we did not have to wake up early for science in summer camp tomorrow morning, it would have been a perfect one :)

Monday, June 24, 2013

Dharma Bee Nationals, June15-16 , 2013, Chicago

More than 130 children competed to win the final round of the National Dharma Bee Competition that was held this year on June 15th at Best Western Expo and Conference Center , Hillside, IL.


Even though its just Avi who qualified to represent NC and SC in group 2 , the journey to learn about Swami Vivekananda's life and teachings turned out to be a great learning experience for our entire family. The event opened with lighting of the lamp by Sri Ved Nanda Ji, president of HSS USA and chantings by Yash Ji . The prayers go like this -

"Subham Karoti Kalyanam
Arogyam Dhana Sampadah
Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya
Dipa Jyotir Namostute

"I fold my hands before the light that brings prosperity, auspiciousness, good health, abundance of wealth and destruction of the enemy's intellect". Here, Darkness symbolizes enemy's intellect and with the arrival of light, darkness disappears. Likewise, light (God's Grace) destroys darkness (enemy's intellect).

"Deepajyothi Parabrahma
Deepajyothi Janardhana
Deepo Me Hara Tu Paapam
Deepaa Jyothir Namostute"

 "I fold my hands before the lord, the maintainer of this creation, in the form of this light. I adore this light, which destroys all the pains resulting from my omissions and commissions".

Nanda Ji is a great leader and an eloquent speaker and his inspiring speech was just what the children needed to start their day. 

The day of the competition was an intense but exhilarating experience for children of all ages where they got the opportunity to reflect their learning through cleverly designed test format by Dharma Bee team. The four sections of competition namely speech, written exam requiring  descriptive answers, poster board presentation and a team activity of 3 hours gave them a chance of  practicing all 4 aspects of Yoga – Gnana, Raja, Karma and Bhakti .

The next day children and their families were escorted on a field trip to Art Institute of Chicago where Swami Vivekananda gave his historical speech in 1893. It was surreal for the children to stand on the same stage which was graced by Swami Ji’s presence 120 years ago. 

After the visit to the Art Institute, we went to the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago where Swami Vivekanand’a large statue aggrandizes temple's beautiful lawns. The award ceremony featured the world premiere of the play “Swami Vivekananda’ by 45 children from Shakhas of Chicago area. In about 90 minutes ,children beautifully portrayed main events of Swami Ji’s life. The sequence of scenes was so seamless that nobody could tell they were rehearsed and prepared at different Shakhas. The ceremony concluded with award distribution by chief guests Tulsi Gabbard, congresswoman and Swami Ishatmananda Ji of Vivekananda Vedanta Society

We not only applaud the efforts of HSS in coordinating an event of this stature but also draw inspiration from it. The spirit of the organizers , coordinators, volunteers and parents was a reflection of the values inherent in Sanatan Dharma.  It brought us closer in that circle and reminded us that as parents we all have the great responsibility to preserve these values and pass them on to the next generation . In his concluding address,Ved Nanda Ji said , “ I am looking at this hall, packed with parents and children from all over the United States and I have a report to give and that is, the future of Hinduism is secure”.
We agree !!