Hey, it's Turkey Day!

So, it's Thanksgiving Day today. It's the fourth Thursday of November every year in the US where the fate of millions of turkeys end up on elaborately decorated dining tables. Actually, it's not that bad coming to think of it because on this day, a turkey happens to be the single most celebrated ingredient. It's almost like these birds die a meaningful death. For instance, a turkey doesn't just get slaughtered, cooked and eaten up ordinarily on Thanksgiving Day. It's cleaned, pat-dried, seasoned, stuffed, glazed and then roasted to perfection (with in-between basting).

Then, it's prettily decorated, complete with cute paper booties for the drumsticks! Wait, there's more. At the dining table, the succulent-looking, all stuffed-up turkey is carved with special utensils. On top of that, the side dishes are planned accordingly to match-up to the majestic centerpiece - our dear, roasted, feathered friend. (Visual aid: see before-after pics below)

Still feeling bad for 'em turkeys? Fine, go ahead and knock yourself out with 'tofurkey', the tofu-based vegetarian faux turkey! Meat-free, guilt-free :)

BEFORE:



AFTER:
Anyhoo, turkeys and tofu aside, let's delve into the actual meaning of thanksgiving now. Actually, the history behind this special day is very interesting. Basically, it started as a day where people get together to say thanks to God for the bountiful harvest. Being a Hindu, I can relate to this because even we have a special day called the festival of harvest (Ponggal in Tamil) to be thankful to God for an abundant harvest. Special prayers and family get-togethers are held on that day. I went on to read more on the most celebrated autumn festival in North America and got myself some interesting facts (www.ehow.com):

• In ancient times, people of many cultures (including the ancient Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, Egyptians and Chinese) gave thanks to their god or gods for a successful harvest, and some of the traditions associated with modern Thanksgiving celebrations have their roots in these ancient festivals. In 1621, near the end of the Plymouth colony's first year in America, the settlers gave thanks for a plentiful first harvest. The pilgrims and the natives celebrated together (they had arranged a peace treaty), and everyone feasted on geese, ducks, deer, corn, oysters, fish and berries.
• In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving should be a national observance. To some degree, this was a way to brighten the spirits of the American people, who were dealing with a great deal of difficulty and deprivation.
• Despite the harmonious relations that may have existed between natives and pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving feast, many subsequent American Thanksgivings involved settlers giving thanks for victories over the natives. Recently, efforts have been made by the American government and people to apologize for past discrimination and violence.
• The wild turkey is native to the eastern states and northern Mexico, and while it probably wasn't served at the first Thanksgiving feast, it has become a symbol of the holiday.

However Thanksgiving may have been celebrated in the past, nowadays it's all about celebrating family togetherness, being thankful for having enough to eat and remembering to do something for those with less. Now that's something very noble anyone can relate to.
My hubby and my little hero are my source of life. And if I were a cupcake, my family back home is like the colorful rainbow sprinkles that adorn a cupcake. Therefore, I am extremely thankful to God for keeping me alive to enjoy them all. I am truly blessed!

P/S: We are having some turkey kheema for dinner today. Nope, I am not going to garnish my turkey dish. I want to enjoy my dinner guilt-free ;)

Why sunny side up?

This blog is long overdue! Yes, my coming of age---into the world of blogging! The thought of managing one did cross my mind and dance in my head several times till now but ...okay no buts! It's now here and I hope to be diligent enough (or perhaps have enough free time!) to maintain this blog and keep it zesty at its best!

Sunny side up eggs...yummy! To me, it's the simplest comfort food...the white slightly crusty on the edges, a tiny pinch of salt and a generous dash of ground black pepper. Accompanied by a slice or two of lightly-buttered multigrain bread and a pleasantly warm cuppa coffee...mmm...perfeggtion! I remember having this for snack very often during my pregnancy (minus the shot of caffeine though, sigh). Yes, what a non-preggo person would normally have for lunch or dinner can be just a snack during pregnancy, especially in mid-2nd trimester! I am glad though that my son Havish, in utero then, got all the nutritional benefits of the sunny side ups I savored ;)

It’s hard not to remember that taste of comfort and how such simplicity used to gratify me, especially on a cloudy and cool fall’s day like today. Since unnecessary snacking for me these days are off limits (am in the quest of burning off all those unwanted calories piled up during my pregnancy), I shall keep myself full by blogging instead!

Hence, the title of this blog—it's like there’s a certain sunshiny feel and somewhat energy contained in the title sunny side up. Not to mention the visually pleasing image – a speck of golden yellow on a white backdrop! Not an 'egg-y' person? Here, let me help you...think sun-loving daisies with prettily arranged white petals and a slightly popped-out golden yellow underside...they sure do scream "cheers!", don't you think?