The best part about running as a recreational sport is that it is inclusive. That probably explains its popularity the world over. Anybody can run, it’s that simple. And the more runners I meet, I realise how therapeutic it is and how it forces you to take note of yourself. For me, it was as if I connected with myself for the first time when I started running. Even pregnancy had failed to do that for me. However, nowadays it also comes with a lot of noise and commotion. There is pressure of what races are you signing up for, your finish time, how much you are running in a week etc. It feels good initially as a new runner but slowly the pressure builds up. Of course, it’s great if you want to improve continuously and important to strength train to remain injury free but it’s not ok to constantly compare yourself with others. Continue Reading
I love Chocolate Ganache. The only problem being that I finish half of it licking. Ganache is also easy to spread on the cake or cupcakes. So when I’m in a mood to be a good mother, I let my son spread it and play with the toppings/sprinklers.
227 grams chocolate
180ml Amul fresh cream
- Chop the chocolate in small pieces.
- Heat the cream in the microwave in short bursts of 20 seconds each, 5-6 times
- Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate. Let the chocolate melt for about 2-3 mins.
- Mix well to avoid any lumps.
Note – I use Morde Dark Compound. I find Milk Compound too sweet. However, you can use any chocolate of your choice, Lindt may be 😉
For piping consistency ganache –
300 grams Chocolate
275ml Amul fresh cream.
Do tell me how it turned out.
Every now and again there are moments that define us. These may not be massive, life-altering events. They could be everyday occurrences that throw light on who we are or what we have become. The realisation is as immediate as it is striking. I had one of those days recently which I know will alter some aspects of parenting for me forever.
Kabir was out for a picnic with his friends yesterday. It was a nice sunny winter afternoon. He was practically on his ripstik for 3 hours out of 4. Instead of coming back home from the picnic, he decided to play for 3 more hours in the society park. I don’t think there is anything better than free play, that too outdoors, for a child, so I let him be. He came home tired and devoured a full plate of chicken fingers at such speed that I was surprised he left the bones. Then came the tough part of getting him to do his dreaded Hindi homework and practice for dictation. Kabir hates Hindi and I suck at it so I happily passed on the task to my dad. But you can’t ever escape being a mother, can you?
Mistake 1 – He kept asking for dinner and I thought he’s making an excuse to escape homework, he’s done that in the past. In any case, how can one still be hungry after having so much chicken! It’s protein, isn’t it supposed to fill you up? He was cranky, unmanageable and pretty much refused to write a single word. I scolded him at the top of my voice while feeding him dinner (feeding him is something I rarely ever do) and despite my bitter words, he cheered up. I was proud of myself for being a ‘good’ bad cop.
In retrospect I realised it wasn’t my scolding that did it, it was food going into his system which did the trick. Yes an 8 year old, after playing for 7-8 hours, can be that hungry. And I thought I knew it all!
Mistake 2 – Kabir asked for a break after finishing his first bit of homework. I refused to oblige. And then he started complaining about pain near his waist. Since I was fuming already, I didn’t believe him and thought he is complaining of a stitch probably because of all the food he gobbled up so quickly. But no he wasn’t. He lifted his tee and there was a big fresh wound from his fall at the park.
I thought I will never fall in to this trap of disregarding something just because it is a child who is saying it. But I did. A lesson I wouldn’t forget for a long time to come.
Now that the “running season” has started and most of us are out on long runs during weekends, it got me wondering how our kids really view us and our running. What exactly is their perspective on this little hobby of ours! So I asked ten runner moms and this is what their little ones had to say. I can’t deny I had fun making this post. Cute and candid responses 🙂
Vaishali Kasture Son (7) – Mom runs because it makes her very happy.
Seema Pillai Daughter (11) – “Office is boring – so you want to have some fun”. Son (13) — ” Because you want to be fit and happy”.
Priyanka Sehgal Mehta Son (8) – because she wants to be fit. Daughter (5) – because she wants to bring medals and certificates home.
Preeti Daughter (11) “My mom suffers from a disease known as mad person disease. She claims she runs to keep the craziness away. Which sort of proves my point about mad person disease. My message to all you kids out there who have moms who run – I feel you”
Sangeeta Son (11) Because she likes to run and so that no clothes are SMALL for her.
Sonia Son (11 ) She is always running against time to manage home and work. Now she runs on roads to help her remain fit, release her tension and encourage others.
Tanya Daughter (4.5) – She likes to run because she likes to eat well and sleep well and then become strong.
Nipa Daughter (10) – to escape from her kids, but we always catch up. Son (8) To stay healthy and be able to keep up with us.
Sayuri Son (10) because she not get angry on me. 2) because she likes to wear running clothes. 3) because she like to be fitness.