The only necessary introduction to these two recipes is that they will collectively take about 10 minutes in preparation time.

For the Mimosas:

Traditionally made with Champagne, I make mine with Prosecco, a bubbly wine from Northern Italy. I find it more dry and less bubbly and in my opinion it is a waste of money to use a better quality Champagne to achieve the same end. Trader Joe’s, sells an excellent Prosecco for $6.99. Need I say more?

1 bottle of Prosecco
1 carton of Tropicana Orange Juice with the Most Pulp
1 bottle of Triple Sec, or Cointreau

Fill glasses with Prosecco, to 3/4 full. Add a generous splash of orange juice, but not so much that it begins to look - and taste - like fruit punch, and a very stingy splash of the orange liquor. The idea is to taste the wine above all other ingredients. Serve immediately.

For the Hummus:

1 15 oz can of organic Garbanzo beans (chick peas)
2 tbls. of Tahini paste
2 fresh garlic cloves, roughly chopped
the juice of 1/2 a large lemon
2 tbls. of extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste
a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of paprika for presentation
your favorite flat bread - corn tortillas, pita, or flour tortillas all work!

Drain and rinse the chick peas and throw all the ingredients - except the paprika - into my dear, favorite kitchen gadget, the Magic Bullet (order it at www.buythebullet.com). Pulse and puree, adding a couple of tablespoons of water if the mixture is too thick. It should be just light enough to turn without straining the blender. But not too liquid, as it must retain a dip consistency.
Pour into a bowl and sprinkle with the olive oil and the paprika, to add a bit of color. Serve with bread. It can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Ahhhh, a true summer treat!

This is an original piece my friend Karishma wrote. Although she is ten years younger than I, is of Indian heritage and born in Trinidad, we seem to share such a common view on the subject she writes about. After all, it is loads more fun to be uninvolved than to be forced to live with someone who just does not do it for us! Read on and enjoy:

“You are too picky!”, “What are you waiting for Mr. Perfect?” are just some of the common comments I’ve had to respond to in the recent years. Apparently, there must be some deadline of sorts that I must be married off or something by now, I just did not get that memo yet.

I am getting older, as we all are, unsurprisingly, and I am not in a rush to settle down just for the sake of it. I have not found ‘the one’ yet nor do I have a particular type so I am not sure who ‘the one’ is! When I find him that will be the day. There was a time once when I had found someone who was not perfect, but in my eyes he was near perfection. But that wasn’t meant to be a happily ever after story.

There is the thought of having to live with the same person for your entire remaining life. Doesn’t taste change? What are you going to do for so long with one person? I mean, can it really take a lifetime to get to know someone? For me to do that I must find someone whose presence will be stimulating, because as we all know in today’s society we get bored too quickly. How does one manage to maintain a marriage for some fifty odd years? Today, people don’t seem to have the patience nor the dedication to give things time to work themselves out. The slightest sign of a problem and the easiest answer becomes getting a divorce.

Who says that an unmarried woman is incomplete until she finds a husband? Well for starters, my father. That was a statement he made to me during one of our many discussions on marriage. It is obviously his perception of things and everyone is entitled to an opinion. I have noticed that now there are so many older, successful women who are living independently and totally satisfied with their lives. Women are not making marriage a priority but making a success of their life their objectives. Should marriage come along the way then so be it but being married is not their main objective. I see myself as being one of those women.

I don’t plan to use my age as an excuse to rush into marriage. I love my life as it is. I like my freedom and the closeness I am allowed with my family. In a traditional Indian society, it is believed that a woman leaves her parents’ home after marriage to form a family and then she somehow is no longer a part of the home she is leaving. That to me is ludicrous because we women have minds of our own - we are not objects to be given to someone else.

As a single woman, I have had the ability to examine others’ relationships and often I wonder if it is really worth all the tears and heartache. Sad to say, women are often driven by emotions and their hearts but men are driven by something I’ll leave up to your imagination to figure out. It makes us look like the weaker sex when it takes us months or maybe years to really get over a relationship whereas for the guys it make take a few minutes (I know this and am speaking from experience). How do they do it?

I don’t mind meeting new people, and broadening my interests with others but I love being independent. I appreciate the friendships I have had along the way. Having fun with my other single friends is great. We get to do so much together like having dinner, traveling, taking new classes. There is no guilt in enjoying ourselves and meeting more interesting people. At this moment, I feel that there is so much I want to achieve, so much that I must still accomplish and being married is just not my main concern. Before I am even married I want my own home, I want to be settled. I don’t like the thought of me moving from my parents’ house straight into my husband’s home. I want that freedom to discover myself and to appreciate all the people around me. I want to know me and love me; for it is only when we love ourselves that we really can allow someone else to love us.

My ex boyfriend, the man I named Amal in my book, sent me this once. I always yelled at him for including me in his mass emails, since I did not enjoy getting his “buddies” pornographic - and absolutely NOT funny - jokes, nor did I want to feel like part of a group with him. But this one was a keeper and something worth sharing.

To realize
the value of ten years:
Ask a newly divorced couple.

To realize
the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize
the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
the value of one month
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize
the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize
the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
the value of one second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize
the value of one millisecond
Ask a person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

To realize
the value of a friend:
Lose one.

It may not be anything new to some of you, but if, like me, you had not come across is before, it strikes a chord.

Now that summer is here, it’s time to explore the neighborhoods around us, in our own cities. There is nothing more rewarding than discovering that the most exotic, wonderful things aren’t worlds away, but right in our own backyard.

Getting There:

The quickest and most optimal way is to take the 6 train to Astor Place or the R train to 8th Street, then walk across Astor Place, maybe stop at one of the two Starbucks in the square and then proceed down to Third Ave, making a left and a quick right to Stuyvesant Place, a little tiny corner of a road, to 9th Street going east. For more info go to the MTA’s website.

Where to Shop and Where to Eat:

You can follow this particular walk I have put together, where I have tried to avoid zig-zagging around as much as possible, or you can simply search for your favorite spots and divide this up into several trips. Once you discover the East Village, you will want to come back again and again. It’s probably the reason they have built on nearly every square inch of the place, since people visit it and end up wanting to live there.

On 9th Street, to the right walking towards Second Ave, there is a wonderful Japanese supermarket, the Sunrise Mart, just a short elevator ride to the second floor, and the delightful Panya sweets shop next door sells delicious sweet buns filled with fragrant cream. They even make a type of “Mont Blanc” - made with chestnut puree and whipped cream - that is to die for.

Continuing on 9th Street, at the corner of Second Ave, one can stop for something chocolatey at Max Brenner. If you are like me, you are always in the mood for something containing cocoa! It is a bit pricey, but worth a visit inside and, at least, a taste. Across the street is PharmaCare, where I buy most of my face oils and supplements. Then, continue on 9th Street and hit all the stores between Second and First Aves, an eclectic mix of second-hand clothing, Tibetan and Thai artifacts and even a witchcraft shop near First, on the north side of the street, which has been a staple in the neighborhood for nearly 20 years. Still on 9th, between First and Ave A, is my favorite used furniture shop, “The Upper Rust”. The owner, Kevin, is personable, very helpful and blessed with exquisite taste.

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Well, almost all. And I could not really stop at five, I had to include a sixth… A true Must-See.

Run out and buy tickets for the A. R. Rahman concert “The 3rd Dimensional Tour” which will be hitting big stadiums across the US this summer. Mr. Rahman is the world renowned composer of the Broadway and London’s West End hit musical “Bombay Dreams” and has written many of the most beautiful Hindi film songs. It is worth buying the “Bombay Dreams” CD on Amazon.com and getting acquainted with some of his other music like the soundtracks of Bollywood hits like “Yuva”, “Rang de Basanti” and “Dil Se…” before going to the concert, so as to experience the added bonus of being able to sing along. I have already purchased my ticket for the Nassau Coliseum show on the 16th of June. See you all there! For more info in the NY area, go to www.poojanka.com, or in other cities, google the name of the tour.

In the summer months, I am always more aware of my skin and the shape it is in. There is just so much more of it showing, right?! Anyway, if you want to confidently wear some of this season’s hip short shorts, as well as bermuda length ones, take care of any creeping (and creepy!) cellulite with the Green Canyon Spa Cellulite Kit from Drugstore.com. It comes with two jars - one each of Anti-Cellulite Slimming Gel and Anti-Cellulite Slimming Cream, which I use on alternating days - a wooden massager, with cool little knobs that help to smooth the skin and induce better surface circulation, and all delivered to your front door in a neat little white cloth beauty case. I am not exaggerating when I say that it has been a miracle for my legs!

My Yoga teacher in LA is this cool guy named Mas Vidal. His studio - Dancing Shiva - offers Yoga classes as well as an Ayurvedic Spa. Because I took classes there, I still receive his newsletter ever month and in it, I find wonderful tips on many varied topics, including food, body care and keeping the mind balanced. One thing that really stuck with me have been his views on ONLY using natural products on the skin, since it is our largest organ and therefore, the biggest carrier of toxins into the bloodstream. I know, I know, here I am advising you all to run out and buy a cellulite cream, and then, in the next paragraph I turn all organic on you… But as much as I can, I try to follow this particular “credo” of Mr. Vidal. One of the best body oils I have found, and the cheapest, is Trader Joe’s Lavender Oil for the Body. It is $6.99 in NYC, probably cheaper in other spots of the country, and lists only natural ingredients, like almond and safflower oils and lavender essential oil. Use it after your morning shower and your skin will feel soft all day. For info on the Trader Joe’s store nearest you go to www.traderjoes.com. For Dancing Shiva and Mr. Vidal’s newsletter, go to www.dancingshiva.com.

While I am being so granola, I will also give away my facial skin care secret. Squalane oil. It is amazing for the skin, because of its antioxidant, emollient qualities. I personally use it every single morning and would be lost without it. To add a softening, extra wrinkle-fighting ingredient to it, I drop into a 2 oz bottle of Mayumi Squalane about 30 drops of Rose Otto essential oil, which can be found pure - quite expensive - or even better, mixed with Jojoba oil which has its own protective/antiseptic qualities. It is really the best face product out there, for any skin type. If your skin is dry, use it generously, if oily use only a little and massage it well into the skin. Both Mayumi Squalane and Rose Otto oil (with/without a Jojoba base) can be found at your local health food/supply store. If you have trouble finding it, email me using the Contact page.

If you have not seen the movie “The Namesake”, directed by Mira Nair or have not read the novel, by Jhumpa Lahiri, DO see it and by all means, DO read it! The book will not spoil your movie viewing experience and vice versa, as both women are able to tell a very personal story, through their respective works of art. It is a story for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, regardless of background, upbringing and location. And when you have read the book, and seen the movie, there is a wonderful soundtrack CD to remind you of these masterpieces.

And finally, I am planning to go see “Nina’s Heavenly Delights” at NewFest on June 5th, NYC. Apart from me being quite partial to the name, the director - Ms. Pratibha Parmar - is an acquaintance of mine and a very interesting woman. It is about love, food and Indian culture, so… what’s there not to like?!

FROM MY FRIEND KARISHMA IN NYC - GREAT WORDS FROM A GREAT GIRL!

FRIENDSHIP

It is better to be alone, than in the wrong company.

Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are.
If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you
associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.

A mirror reflects a person’s face, but what they are really like is
shown by the kind of friends he or she chooses. The simple but true fact of
life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate,
for the good and the bad.

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will
improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases
your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is
their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting
people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your
friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where
they are.

Friends that don’t help you climb will want you to crawl. Your
friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that
don’t increase you will eventually decrease you.

Never receive counsel from unproductive people.

Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to
the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always
first to tell you how.

Not everyone has a right to speak into your life.
You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange
ideas with the wrong person.

Don’t follow anyone who’s not going anywhere.

With some people you spend an evening; with others you invest it.
Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of
life.

Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships.
Choose to rise…Don’t settle…and go for your dreams!!! And most of
all let God lead you in everything you do….

I will pick up a pair of those Enzo Angiolini peep toe pumps, the “Maylie”, in red patent, to enhance any little black dress this summer. At around $89, they are a bargain for something that sexy!

Must get a small, travel size bottle of “Eau des Merveilles” by Hermes, because it smells like an exotic beach at sunset and makes me feel fabulously luxurious. $75, on the Hermes site.

Have to run over to Sephora for a tube of Fiberwig by Imju, a mascara that makes my eyes look amazing. Make a note - guys on the subway and on the street have been looking lovingly into my eyes lately and although the product ain’t cheap, at $22, there is no price tag for that!

Must run over to my local Indian neighborhood (Curry Hill in Manhattan) for some Kashmiri loose tea. Mix water and tea leaves with a bit of half & half, bring to a boil and add plenty of sugar. Steep for 5 minutes, strain and drink. Tea will have a pleasant cardamon color. A real treat at around $6.99/lb. If there are no Indian food merchants where you live, go to Kalustyans.com.

While in the neighborhood, must not forget to pick up the latest Bollywood must-haves, such as music to the next-to-be released movie “Metro” and the DVD of the film “Salaam-e-Ishq” - a collection of different love stories for the romantic in all.

Go to the local beauty supply store to pick up a Babyliss Thermal Ionic hair dryer. For great, shiny hair and no static. Around $60 retail.

Hold Your Head High
Standing for what you believe in regardless of the odds against you, and
the pressure that tears at your resistance
…is Courage.
Keeping a smile on your face when inside you feel like dying, for the sake
of supporting others
…is Strength.
Stopping at nothing and doing what’s in your heart that you know is right
…is Determination.
Doing more than is expected, to make another’s life a little more bearable,
without uttering a single complaint
…is Compassion.
Helping a friend in need, no matter the time or effort, to the best of your
ability
…is Loyalty.
Facing each difficulty with the confidence that time will bring you better
tomorrows, And never giving up…
…is Confidence.

Hold your head high and make your life better every day!

Follow this advice and you can improve your life:

Always remember that you are loved, even when it doesn’t seem like it.
Believe in yourself and your values. Don’t sell out when things go wrong.
Don’t let anything get you down; always bounce back up.
Set goals for your future and never settle for anything less.
Realize that there are others in the world with much bigger problems than
you.
Appreciate the good things in your life, and be thankful for the time you
have with your loved ones.
Spend more time with your family and friends.
Appreciate the simple things in life, and don’t get caught up in material
things.
You can make the world a better place by simply making yourself a happier
person.
If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.
TAHIR HASSAN

Following is a great recipe for the coming hot, summer months. In Northern Italy it is traditionally made with veal slices, but I find it much easier and guilt-free (no baby cows killed!) done with smoked turkey breast slices. The kind you can get at any deli counter of any supermarket, of any city, is great. This also makes it one of the quickest dishes to prepare, since we single girls need time for the many other activities in our lives. The flavors of the tuna/mayo cream with the texture of the turkey slices makes it one of the most delicious dishes, and quite gourmet looking if you have guests over. AND, if you are like me - the utilities company recently sent over a technician to make sure my gas meter wasn’t broken, since it has not registered any activity in months - then this recipe is for you! P.S. I prefer Trader Joe’s solid fillet tuna in the can… And none of that water stuff, go for tuna in olive oil!

TURKEY TONNÈ

25 slices of smoked turkey breast - thinly sliced
1 can of tuna in olive oil, drained of the oil
1 teaspoons of capers, drained of the vinegar
1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
a tiny piece of lemon zest
1/4 cup of mayonnaise - ready made
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt, pepper to taste
parsley for garnish

Lay all the turkey slices on a serving platter, leaving a small space in the center, for the tuna sauce. Place the remaining ingredients in a food processor. I have recently discovered the joys of the Magic Bullet, an incredible blender/food processor/girl’s best friend all rolled into one appliance. It blends smoothies, makes whipped cream, guacamole, and I even grind my coffee beans in it every morning. It is available in department stores such as Macys or online at buythebullet.com.

Once the mixture has the consistency of a soft mousse, add it to the center of the platter. Add the parsley with your own special flair. This dish is best served once it has been in fridge for a couple of hours and will go well with a nice loaf of Italian bread. Serves two, or one for a couple of meals!

To go with it, may I recommend a nice drink?

BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITAS

2 blood oranges
2 key limes, or 1 regular lime
3 oz Sauza Hornitos tequila
1 oz triple-sec
a touch of sugar, to taste and depending on the oranges
ice

Mix all ingredients well and, if making a frozen margarita, place into Magic Bullet, pulsing until smooth. I simply make it on the rocks and although it goes down like fruit juice, it packs quite a punch. Feel free to improvise and adjust the recipe to your personal taste.

Tuna image courtesy of CulinaryZoo.com

One of my favorite shopping cities on earth and the home of Indian fashion. As much as Bombay is touted by many as a fabulous spot to shop, I have not found there the incredible quality and luxury I am able to find - at affordable prices - in Delhi. It is a great destination for a single girl and a friend, to experience someplace really exotic, without straying too far off the map. Hotels and their services in India are always first quality, as long as one stays away from the backpackers’ quarters. And if you can’t find a friend to go with you, by all means, go by yourself. I did, and had the time of my life!

HOW TO GET THERE: Since Continental Airlines began their nonstop service from Newark International to Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi just about two years ago, it has never been so easy to fly to India for a long weekend. I checked rates for a slightly off season, to get better availability and prices, and in November 2007 a round trip ticket will run about $1,150 total, which is an amazing deal. The nonstop flight is fantastic and does not seem as long as the actual time it employs (14 to Delhi, almost 16 coming back). The fact that is leaves both ways in the late evening also helps to sleep most of the flight. November is a great time to visit. Not the dead of winter - and the thick fog that brings with it - in Delhi, but the city is still not overtaken by the endless tourists off to see the Taj Mahal in Agra and all of Rajastan in a hurry, which tends to make life there chaotic in January/February.

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