The love of giving.

Volunteering is an activity intended to promote good or improve the quality of life on Earth. People also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be considered self-serving. Volunteerism is the act of selflessly giving your life to something you believe free of pay.
The world today is a big cluttered jigsaw of money, power, greed and some more, greed. We as human being have forgotten our duties towards our self and most importantly our soul. The soul is not impressed by things: superficial or materialistic. It only grows with love and giving. This is not being a dreamer or an idealist. There can be a beautiful sync and balance between the two.

My personal experiences have taught me one very crucial lesson: Life is a journey. Love the journey.
Sure, its important to know where or what you are moving towards, but simultaneously have a open heart, mind and spirit. Open to Change. There is no good and bad. One is void without the other. There is no right and wrong similarly. It’s all relative. Even a criminal in the eyes of 'society' has someone back home, praying for his long life. Everything is situational and really, it all comes down to perspective.

There are often times in life when things do not go as planned. We ponder and question and bitter and batter!
But truth be told, it's really not such a big deal. However grave the matter. It’s all a cosmic balance. There are lesson to be learnt and journeys to be taken and unknown paths to be walked upon. This keeps us alive and distinctively separates the merely existing.

For me, one of the most endearing times spent within this world and with myself is whenever I have volunteered. In whatever form. Whether it is giving my seat to a weary traveller in the crowded Local trains of Mumbai, or working with sex-workers and their children to move towards a richer and more fulfilled life.
There are uncountable people around who do the same and more or less in their very own special ways. This helps keep the world alive.

Today, at work I watched the very first Volunteer Awards in India, an initiation by Apeejay Surrendra Group. The categories in this award were many. Starting from Individual to youth to corporate to Ngos. The thought behind this event deeply moved me.

People who love giving selflessly very rarely expect anything in return. They do it just for the love and passion and warm feeling it generates in their hearts, when they know they have made a difference. It's almost like soul food. Having said that, it's unexpectedly overwhelming when suddenly you are acknowledged and encouraged further for the wonderful work being doing.

It’s such a boostful re-affirmation. Watching the event on tape today was extremely heartfelt and pure. The basic essence remained humble and focused on growth towards this world we live in as a whole. It is our primary duty to respect Mother Earth and everything that lives and grows on her.
Watching the video made me feel very proudly connected to the Apeejay Surrendera Group. It was focused and encouraging to know, that there are some people around who understand this synced balance!

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth." - Muhammad Ali

Welcome to the world of Macarons

In the 1970s, it was Jell-O molds.

In the 1980s, it was frozen yogurt.

And for the past decade? 

Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes. 

Trendy desserts have come and gone, and some foodies predict another treat is poised to be this decade's defining sweet:

Bonjour, Macaron! ♥

The Macaron cookie was born in Italy, introduced by the chef of Catherine de Medicis in 1533 at the time of her marriage to the Duc d'Orleans who became king of France in 1547 as Henry II. 

The first Macarons were simple cookies, made of almond powder, sugar and egg whites. Many towns throughout France have their own prized tale surrounding this delicacy.

Since then, French Macaron cookies have been nationally acclaimed in France and remain the best-selling cookie in pastry retail stores.

A macaron is a sweet confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring. The macaron is commonly filled with buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies. Its name is derived from an Italian word "maccarone" or "maccherone". It is meringue-based: made from a mixture of egg whites, almond flour.

They are fun and technical to make. Lots of colours and flavours and a variety of spices.

My personal favourite macarons are from  Pierre Hermé, but Laduree closely follows.

Pierre Hermé, Paris

In Switzerland the Luxemburgerli is similar to a French macaron but is said to be lighter and more airy in consistency.

A MUST-GO Pâtisserie  in Switzerland

The most fascinating thing about these little parcels of joy are the way you can play with the colours and flavours. You can combine offbeat and compatible flavours and make wondrous discoveries with textures and flavour profiles for one. Making macarons is highly therapeutic and a very spiritual journey at that for me. Everytime I make a batch, I discover a new destination in my culinary journey. Even though there are highly specialised and skill-fully trained experienced Macaron Chefs, the world has to offer, do not let the stories of hardships deter you from visiting this beautiful world of macaron making. You may not get it right the first time, but a couple of earnest tries, and you would get closer. I promise!

"Life is uncertain, eat dessert first."

Bon Appetite!
xoxo