Twenty- five Seven

Chowpatty at night #WordlessWednesday

September 25, 2019

Eating out on Chowpatty is a quintessential Mumbai experience.

When we were little we loved going there and having a patta of sookhi bhel . While we kids munched on the crunch puffed rice, bits of poori, chopped onions and pieces of sour mango , our parents slurped down dozens of paani poori and tons of spicy bhel.

Ever since the haphazard bhelpuri stalls have been neatly relocated to one part of the beach, I haven’t visited the beach and was tempted to do so as I looked down from a building across.

Sharing this photo and memories of Chowpatty past with Esha and Natasha on #WordlessWednesday.

Have you been to Chowpatty?
Ciao
Alzheimers is no laughing matter

September 21, 2019
What is Alzheimers ?

As friends in their early 60s we often have difficulty in remembering names. We know exactly what we are referring to when we are reminiscing but can’t seem to remember the person’s name. We grapple for a bit, then laugh it off, slightly embarrassed, saying ” Oh! it must be early Alzheimers!”

[bctt tweet=”Little do we realise that Alzheimer’s is no laughing matter.” username=”viaunishta”]

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with the disease—those with the late-onset type—symptoms first appear in their mid-60s – Source

Many old people suffer from Alzheimers, a form of dementia.

The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist, and neuropathologist who noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness, in 1906.

Today , both the word and the condition has become pretty commonplace and we often see people suffering from it.

But do they really have Alzheimers? Or do they just have dementia?

Early signs of Alzheimer’s

Since this is an incurable disease that only progresses, it is best that one recognises the signs early on. Remember not to use the word Alzheimers loosely. Early signs are typical.
1. Short term memory loss : Remembering things that happened in the recent past.
2. Struggling with planning or problem solving: Getting hassled with simple tasks like paying a bill or answering the phone.
3. Losing track of time: Often asking the day of the week again and again
4. Misplacing things: As we get older, it is hard to remember exactly where we have kept things but constantly losing them is worrisome. Unable to retrace steps and find objects
5. Withdrawing from the world: Being careless about their grooming and dressing. Talking less with others.
6. Mood /personality changes: When someone acts totally out of character.
7. Trouble in following conversations: Losing track of sequential thoughts. Forgetting words, names, and spellings.
8. Trouble completing common tasks: Cooking or doing once familiar tasks become daunting.
Alzheimers & Me

No! Don’t get alarmed . I’m not suffering from Alzheimer’s. Nor do I intend to. I make sure I do the Sudoku and word puzzles in every newspaper we get .

But dealing with older persons every day, I am always watchful for early signs of the disease.

It is natural for older people to experience age related problems like poor vision, partial deafness, illogical logic, heightened emotionality, confused memories. But thankfully, the seniors in my life are not suffering from Alzheimers.

Not like Ava who used to sneak out of the house for a walk. Sadly, she couldn’t make her way back! Luckily for her, she couldn’t walk very far and used to be found wandering in the neighbourhood. Equally fortunate was the fact that she was duly returned to her family. A family that really cared for her.

But Mrs. D whose only daughter lived overseas had no option but to be cared for professionally. Mrs. D suffered from Alzheimers . These healthcare workers were dedicated but nothing they did could prevent the disease from progressing rapidly.

Can you prevent Alzheimers?

I am not a medical person so am completely unfit to answer this question. But common sense tells me that a healthy lifestyle which encompasses meaningful social interaction, nutritious food and regular exercise definitely helps people age well.

Remember, Alzheimer’s is not a joke.

Keep your brain active by playing Bridge or solving puzzles and quizzes.

Above all, remember that the next time you find yourself forgetting things or unable to recall a name, don’t laugh it off as early Alzheimers because Alzheimers is no laughing matter.

Saturday 21st September is World Alzheimer’s Day

Ciao,
3 Foodie-friendly places in the US #ThursdayPotLuck -3

September 19, 2019
With my third edition of #ThursdayPotLuck, I bring you a special guest post by Luke Clifton.

[bctt tweet=”Food is a very important part of one’s travels. And for foodies, it is almost always the ONLY reason to travel.” username=”viaunishta”]

The importance of knowing foodie-friendly places

Now dining out in another country can be daunting. People who are unaware of the customs can court trouble. For instance, a friend of mine who was on a work trip in the US was denied a table at a restaurant he had frequented two consecutive days earlier. He was rather disappointed because the diner was close to his hotel, the service, and the food good. Besides, he was generous with his compliments to the chef and polite with the wait staff. So he was quite shocked when the waiter actually told him to dine at another place because he didn’t leave a decent enough tip!

It is, therefore, useful to know such things in advance before you travel. In some places tipping is not permitted while in others it is encouraged.

So this post is all about three foodie-friendly places in the US of A, a very popular travel destination.

The three cities mentioned below are not typically on the tourist trail but definitely get a lot of visitors. So if you are travelling to these places, you can take these tips from Luke.

Over to Luke .

IMAGE: https://unsplash.com/photos/ZB_Ns0hVZNk

One of the many great attractions of the United States of America is the sheer scale and variety on offer. Whether it is the landscapes, the weather, the people or the culture – there is something for almost anyone in this incredible country. And that applies as much to the food and cuisine on offer as anything else. Whether you want to sample the world-famous pizza bars of New York City, the hot dogs of Chicago or the incredible creole flavours you will find in New Orleans, the list of delights is endless. But where are the three most foodie-friendly places in the US? Here is a definitive list.

Bon Appetit!

IMAGE: https://unsplash.com/photos/ZB_Ns0hVZNk
1. Portland, Oregon
Perhaps not the obvious choice for the top position with the likes of Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in the mix, but this hipster city in charming Oregon has made its name with some incredibly inventive and clever cuisine. The coffee culture is a particular highlight with the likes of Stumptown Coffee Roasters making a real name for itself, while there is also an impressive craft beer scene. There are some fantastic noodle places, try Andy Richter’s Pok Pok Thai for instance, while the urban wine culture has to be seen to be believed. And if you want fine dining, Portland can help on that front too. The acclaimed Le Pigeon and Coquine are extremely highly rated, while Noble Rot is also worth a look, not only because of the inventive menu but also because of the rooftop garden which boasts some stunning views across the city. Interestingly, Ben Groundwater recommends not talking politics when you are visiting restaurants in the US, as detailed in his The One Thing blog series at 1Cover.
1. San Francisco, California
Many of you may already have left your hearts in San Francisco, and not only because the cable cars climb halfway to the stars. Because when it comes to food, San Francisco more than holds its own with the best cities in the US, with cutting-edge cuisine and plenty of historic favourites. Alice Waters, founder and owner of the incredible Chez Panisse Restaurant, constantly pushes the industry forward with her creativity, while the Tadich Grill is just a fantastic place to eat every day of the week, with fresh produce, fantastic steaks and some delightful seafood dishes to boot. San Francisco’s world-famous Chinatown is also worth considering. Martin Yan’s Chinese restaurant is one of the very best in the country – you simply won’t have a bad meal in this dynamic, fun place to eat.

IMAGE: https://unsplash.com/photos/3Zsb0T9Y9_c
1. Austin, Texas
One of the most laid back, relaxed and progressive cities in the US, Austin has so much to offer. Great music, historic buildings and incredible weather aside, the food scene is truly remarkable. There are lots and lots of farmers’ markets around the city with incredible, fresh produce that is used by residents and restaurateurs alike, while the food truck scene is also something special. Tacos are a particular specialty in Austin, with Capital Taco and El Primo being two of the very best.

Thank you Luke for these tips. I’m sure my readers will appreciate them!

I myself found it hard to decide where to eat when I was visiting San Fransisco. There are so many restaurants offering every kind of food. I was literally spoilt for choice.

So with that, I come to the end of another edition of #ThursdayPotLuck.

“Food is one of my passions and I had started #FlavoursomeTuesdays , a blog hop that flopped.But I still miss writing about food and sharing recipes, so I thought of starting a new initiative called #ThursdayPotLuck.

If you have a recipe or foodie anecdote to share, do ping me so that I can visit your post!

Ciao