Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients that support overall health and are a good source of energy, especially in the winter season. I tried this simple microwaveable recipe and loved it! Take one  medium-sized sweet potato Wash it thoroughly Make a few small cuts in the potato Wrap the potato in a wet paper towel Place the potato in the microwave and cook for 4 minutes, turn it over once every minute (use kitchen tongs to turn over) Leave in the microwave for 1 more minute Rem

After a long break from writing I made several unsuccessful attempts at starting a new post, only to realize it wasn’t going to be easy. Rather than give up, I decided to write about a book I came across recently, ‘For All The Tea in China: How England Stole the World's Favorite Drink and Changed History’ by Sarah Rose, published in 2010. The title of the book was intriguing, and so were the first few paragraphs. ‘There was a time when maps of the world were redrawn in the na

After many weeks of updating and editing my blog posts, I was ready to get my manuscript printed. My project manager has just informed me...

I have finally modified my blog posts and am almost ready for printing. Since my book is for family and friends, I added photos and...

Almost three years ago today, I wrote the first blog post for "Chai on the Veranda." After weeks of researching, watching videos on...

My Nana, (maternal grandfather) was a Hakim, a doctor of Unani Medicine, and my Dada (paternal grandfather) a lawyer. I never saw any of...

The Hyderabad I knew growing up had changed. Supermarkets, dry cleaners, grocery stores, and bakeries had cropped up everywhere. I saw...

The term vermicelli is generally used to describe the many variations of thin noodles. In the Indian subcontinent, vermicelli is known as...

It is freezing outside, but in the house, fireplaces are lit and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. My children and grandchildren are on...

After weeks of online searches and seeking recommendations from my friends and especially my grandchildren (who are smoothie advocates) I...

“There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but...

Located on the route of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA, the distinctive brown tile exterior of the Norton Simon Museum was conspicuous...

My friends assured me I would know when I was “ready” to retire. I had worked for 22 years at a private school in California and prior to...

I was reminded of days gone by A thought floated by There was a time when I was a princess of my house The caring presence of my father...

"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere"- Chinese Proverb Leaving home with its familiar sounds and smells and the...

He was a slim man of medium height, with grayish hair and a thin mustache. When he went out of the house, which was not very often, he...

Guests began arriving after dinner. The ladies dressed in light, pastel color sarees, the men in formal black sherwanis or white kurta...

We left Dubai in December 1990 after having lived there for twenty years. Some of our most memorable days were spent in Dubai. My...

“Silvery oil tanks gleaming in the morning sun appeared below my window, and long stretches of white sand.” I wrote these lines just over...

Recent pictures of Dubai from my 2016 trip were added to the slide show. (Click the arrow on top right hand to see the full picture,...