Author: sreeyal

Happy Dussehra

Posted on by sreeyal

Over Dussehra, when we celebrate women’s power, let’s remind ourselves that the true strength from within shines. May we all be blessed by the Goddesses of Wealth, Knowledge & Power. The women power/ Shakthi one prays inside his/her four walls be extended to each and every woman one encounters in real life too. May we choose the apt deeds, and may we all be victorious!


Say no to plastics and silicone in the body
Say no to applying chemicals to the body
Say no to pleasing people with the looks

Let’s focus more on the inner power. I’m grateful I’m surrounded by many like-minded girls. But, we need to spread the thought more and stick firmly to our beliefs.

Sharing my BIL Kameswara Rao Bhiravabhatla’s Telugu poetic touch to this powerful message found on WA- “This Navaratri, let’s pray that no Durga is aborted, no Saraswati is stopped from going to school, no Lakshmi has to beg for money from husband, no Parvati is sacrificed for dowry, no Sita has to suffer in silence, and no Kali is given a tube of fairness cream”!’

ఏనాడు ప్రతి లక్ష్మి ఎవరినీ చెయిసాచ

కార్థిక స్వాతంత్య్ర మనుభవించు

ఏనాడు ప్రతి వాణి ఏ ఆంక్షలును లేక

కోరిన విద్యల కూర్మి నేర్చు

ఏనాడు ఏ సతీ ఇంటి వేధింపుల

కాహుతి కాక స్థైర్యమున నిలుచు

ఏనాడు ఏ దుర్గ భ్రూణహత్యకు గురి

కాకుండ జగతిపై కాలుమోపు

ఎపుడు ఏ కాళి చేతికి ఇవ్వరెవరు

పూసుకొమ్మని ఫేర్నెస్సు ఫేసుక్రీము

మంచి చెడుపైన అపుడు సాధించు జయము

నిజముగా అప్పుడే వచ్చు విజయదశమి!

అందరికీ విజయదశమి శుభాకాంక్షలు!!

Let the light from within glow with confidence

#navratri #dasara #vijayadasami

Save the Groundwater

Posted on by sreeyal

As Austin goes into Stage 1 watering restrictions as part of their Drought Contingency Plan, here’s how we can help save water for the future.

The value of a water drop is appreciated more by the third-world’s middle and poor classes. So much to learn from the bucket baths vs. unlimited minutes, if not hours, of shower baths and from storing water in containers with the once-an-hour-a-day water supply vs. 24×7 uninterrupted availability. 

Diminishing western and eastern ghats and fertile agricultural lands turning into concrete jungles in the name of real estate in India is the cause of abnormal weather conditions. I can sense Austin (Texas) going down the same road:

https://www.austintexas.gov/news/austin-enters-stage-1-drought-contingency-plan-0

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/find-your-watering-day

Remember, “A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.” One has no right to abuse natural resources in the name of freedom. Being responsible is the name of the game.

Be Good to Yourself

Posted on by sreeyal

Are you taking care of your mental and physical health? Do your deeds and thoughts tend towards some self-love than just self-abuse? Recently, I have realized the need for self-care. This thought process should start from within you. This is to all who are more prone to pleasing others and only know to care for others.

There will be ups and downs. But, the indifference meted out to you should not pull you down but help you expand as an ocean–keep the pleasures and pains as treasures hidden underneath, be strong, create the same crests and troughs producing beautiful rhyme and rhythm come what may.

In this process, stay away from negativity– participate in discussions that inculcate a positive thought process, a room for open discussions where you are celebrated and encouraged towards positive stimulation to the brain. As a result, Bala and I become small donors to two or more nonprofits every year. You are responsible for the community’s health and, in turn, the world you live in. So I decided to stop talking about politics on social media. This doesn’t mean I don’t care, but I act to make the change.

The takeaways:

Eat healthily,

Exercise,

Don’t overthink,

Think positively,

Stay away from abusers and abusive thoughts

Last but not least, don’t fix when things aren’t broken.

If you are happy, continue being happy. Not all are in the same boat; not all pieces of advice is to everyone 😉

Embrace Life

Posted on by sreeyal

This plant amazes me.

It survived the winter storm and the scorching summer.

  It’s neither a big tree nor a twiner. It’s what it constitutes and comprises. 

 It’s all from what’s within.
It’s still a tiny plant- a herb.
Does this not show us how to make the best use of what we have?

Size doesn’t matter. 
Nature and time test us all equally; how one emerges and survives is the key. 

Ordinary people become extraordinary by showing their true mettle in the face of adversity. 

Be persistent, resilient, and shine.
Embrace life! 

Easy, Quick, and healthy Steam-fried Cabbage

Posted on by sreeyal

Add mustard seeds, sesames, chia seeds, and finger millets (Ragi flour) to 2 teaspoons of warm oil in a pan/w. Once the mustards start spluttering, add two medium spicy green chillies, and grated ginger. Mix it well, and add carrots sliced thin and cabbage cut into long thin strands. Add salt, turmeric, and put the lid on for 2-3 minutes. At this point, add kale and put the lid on without stirring. In 2 minutes, when the kale turns soft and starts sweating, mix it all well. On a medium flame, leave it on the hob for another two to three minutes. Now,  switch off the flame, add a dash of lemon juice and a handful of freshly grated coconut. Put the lid on, and in 5 minutes, your power-packed, healthy quick cabbage curry is ready.

This recipe is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. 

You can also deep fry cabbage, as shown here, by sprinkling chickpea and rice flours on the shredded cabbage by moistening with water, salt and chilli powder.  Or, try this healthy recipe which I made by accident, running out of time and ideas on a hot summer day.