March 17, 2016

Break

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Hello Folks!

Just to let you know that there was a family emergency…

 

I have not been able to update the blog for a while and I am sorry. There will be short break going forward too, as my focus is elsewhere right now.

There are times in this life when you are left shocked and wondering, trying to realize what just happened and why, even after a few weeks have gone by. But we are trying and making adjustments and holding on to one another even closer than ever before.

The support of my life, A, had a heart attack, followed by insertion of a stent for a 100% blockage in LAD. It was not mild. It was not severe. It was moderate – given to us only as much as we could handle? Now to get a chance to be able to introspect every moment as even more precious and cautiously moving forward. A second chance in life is always appreciated.

One day, a day started like everyday ended in landing us in emergency as the attack came without calling or even slight warning. A perfect example of how it helps being prepared and we were not. There were no risks other than “being a male and being just over 45”, and some genetics. But who really thinks of a heart attack when one never had any issues before? When someone is actively doing things around the house and working and leading a perfectly normal life. We did not.

We thank God that he survived and is recovering. He has more calm than me… We are hoping the worst is over. The world seemed turned over for a while. We dealt with one moment at a time. We are all now trying to get back to the “normal”, a definitely different normal than before. A lot of  learning going on here, finding ways to decide what not to change and what to change. I have learned and earned more medical knowledge in the past few weeks than I did in my entire life. There is always something good that comes of disadvantages, right?

However it is time we have decided that we will have to make major lifestyle changes. We have to keep going… the children are still little.

The recipes in the blog will see changes too and I do understand if that is going to be inconvenient for some. I have never cooked for the blog. It was what I cooked made it to the blog. But now the everyday food is being cooked with more care, from healthy with slight indulgence to “heart healthy to occasional indulgence”…  We are slowly realizing that while some emotional adjustments are required to following a strict discipline at every meal, there can be ways changes can be made to cook the same food is more healthy way. It is possible to keep within boundaries and still enjoy a hearty delicious meal. That is what we are doing now. Recreating our  everyday meals with our “heart” in focus.

A has been asking me to “renew” the blog with a new vision. After all it reflects who we are and what we eat. I have been requested by friends and family to blog our everyday meals: an enormous raw salad, followed by regular meal with controlled portions. I am not sure if I will be able to do it on a regular basis. But I will try to make quick posts sometimes. I do promise that I will try my best to post as much as I can. The traditional recipes and our trials are still going to be a part of the blog: it will probably have more options for changes and adjustments. I have not had a chance to really plan it out.

Until then, do keep us in your thoughts. Thanks for your patience.

 

– Love

 

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Filed Under: More than just Food...

39 thoughts on “Break”

  • Oh my Soma! That is so scary! Glad that he’s recovering. Take care Soma. Holler if I can help in any way.

  • Dearest Soma,
    Thank you for the update. Thought of you often.
    Take your time. Wishing you and your family best of health and happiness! ❤️

  • So sorry to hear such sad news ~ family comes first – we will still be here when time allows you to return. All the best going forward!

  • So sorry your family has been through such a difficult time, Soma, but so glad that A is doing fine now and it is wonderful that your family is so united and loving. These crises in life certainly do ring a few bells and make us appreciate what we have. It will be wonderful to see you back whenever you have the time. Meanwhile, warmest wishes..

  • Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Sending well wishes to you & yours. I look forward to your new recipes once things resume.

  • Wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. As someone who has a “heart attack” survivor at home, I cannot stress enough the role of positivity along with a clean diet and exercise. Take care.

  • Hi Soma ,
    I know you only through e curry ,
    Have been following your blog for past 6 years & today after a break of 4 months I checked e curry . I was shocked to see this post .
    Prayers to keep your family strong & speedy recovery to your husband.
    Deepa

  • Hi Soma,
    I have been reading your blog for a few years now and at this time, keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
    Take care and best wishes

  • I hope you gradually get back to the beautiful, happy life you have with your family. All will be fine.
    I look forward to seeing the new recipes you are making with a focus on health. All of us need to do more of that.
    – A regular reader and fan.

    Thank you Naina!

  • Hi Soma,
    Sorry not able to keep in touch for a long time. I am sorry to hear this. Wish your family good luck and prayers to keep u all well.

    So glad to see yo back Shibani!! Thank you so much for your wishes.

  • It is really scary and glad to know things are getting back to normal. Speedy recovery to A. Take care and best wishes

    Thank you Usha

  • Sorry to hear this. I hope your husband and family are doing better now, it can be a scare….this is the second incident I heard of in Asian Indian circles – seemingly out of the blue. It’s genetics in all probability, but of course lifestyle changes are warranted and needed as well after such a scare. Take care.


    Thanks Sreeparna. We did hear a couple of incidents recently too. We are adjusting to a lot of changes now and hoping it will keep for good.

  • Sorry to hear about what happened Soma. Good to hear that A is recovering and things are slowly getting back to ‘normal’. Take care and hope to see you back in action some time soon.

    Thanks Pavani!

  • Dear Soma,
    Wishing A speedy recovery. While going heart healthy way, remember to ditch the refined oils and use more traditional oils like mustard and coconut and ghee in cooking. They have short chain fatty acids and medium chain triglycerides which are very good for the heart. Even if your American dr hasn’t dispensed this advice, trust in our age old traditions to have something that boosts overall health.

    Thanks Manjari! Agree with you. I usually use Olive oil and then mustard oil for Bengali food.

  • wonder how i missed this article ! Prayers.
    BTW – even as you take a small break from blogging, I still return to your blog for the already posted recipes – be it having friends at home for dinner or deciding on what to cook for family lunch. Take your time and return with a bang ! Till then, the recipes that you posted over the years and a good guide for my limited culinary ideas

    Thanks! 🙂

  • Wishing your husband speedy recovery and hope all is better now. Life does give us jolts, wanting us to weight our priorities. Your blog has always been amazing, so it will definitely do the job when you are away… hope to see you back soon…

    Thanks much Rafeeda!

  • I’m thinking of you often, dear Soma, and wishing your husband, your family and you are recovering nicely, and that you are adjusting to your new normal. Lots of love to all of you!

    Love to you Lakshmi. Thank you so much!

  • Hi Soma,

    I am very sorry to hear this. My family and I pray that A gets well soon. You stay strong for yourself and the girls. As for your blog, no matter what recipes you post it will continue to inspire us all.

    Thank you Nandini.

  • Hi Soma
    I have read your blog on and off over the past so many years. I couldn’t stop myself from writing a heartfelt note to you. Partly because I am dealing with my own health crisis in the family. And it has changed all of us in ways we could never ever fathom before. But and its a big but, it also taught us how strong we are. So hang in there. The worst is over. Take care of your husband and also yourself. Stay strong. My prayers are with you.

    Dear Ashwini,
    Thank you so much. Praying that there is nothing too big at your end and hoping it gets better. Hugs

  • I really appreciate all your words, thoughts and concern. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts. We have sort of stabilized now and moving on with life.

  • Soma,

    I have been your admirer for the last two years. My family turned upside down. I have seen the horror of an attack. I send you a lot of strength and say a silent prayer. Being alert and cautious is the best way forward.

    Best Regards!

  • Came to look for a recipe thatI have been cooking for many years now…Seing this post gave me a shock…We never expect that something will happen to any of our loved ones and we are always unprepared for as well. Hope everything is back to normal now. Stay Blessed.

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