From My Diaries/ Quarantine Days

As the coronavirus continues to spread “stay home / wash hands” days made us largely more creative. Some of us, started to sew their own mask which I‘m also one of them and started to learn American Sign Language as an interest.
Many are taking notes with their experiences of living through a pandemic. Spending more time in kitchen to try new recipes is also possibly added to our daily routine. If you have been reading this blog for a while, you probably know that cooking has always been a part of my day.

Ta da!! As they’re packed with fiber and protein, here is my latest favorite!!! We all need eating healthy more than ever. White beans dip is turned into our family favorite lately. Dry beans are easy to store like pasta, rice, oats. Canned goods are also easy to obtain. Probably most of us have beans in our pantry.

I used cannellini beans. Guys you know what, any white beans can be used instead. Just try with any kind you already have at home.

Ingredients;

1 cup dry cannellini beans
(cooked or 15 once can cannellini/drained)
2 tbsp olive oil plus 1 tablespoons for drizzle.
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried basil
(or 1 tsp fresh, finely chopped)
1/4 tsp dry mint
(or 1 tsp fresh, finely chopped)
2 gloves chopped garlic (minced)
Salt,
Juice of half a lemon
A couple table spoon of water if needed.

If you use high quality olive oil, you don’t need to sauté garlic and herbs before mixing with the beans.
Transfer the beans and all the ingredients (except oil which is reserved for drizzle and water) to the food processor. Process a fairly smooth puree. Add reserved water or more if necessary. Place into a bowl. Drizzle with reserved olive oil and ready to taste! Easy and tasty!

We are living out the movie Contagion. The only name “Corona” I knew was a beer I liked to have with a slice of lime till a few months ago. Now, it turned into a scary name.

Yesterday I watched the movie “ World War Z”, you'll remember the last scene if you saw the movie; Brad Pitt walks across the zombies drinking a coke after hit the machine. It was a cool scene. The virus Solanum has had an antivirus. I hope, Corona does has it soon too.



Did Sylvia Browne predict the Coronavirus?

“In around 2020 a severe pneumonia-like illness will spread throughout the globe, attacking the lungs and the bronchial tubes … "(Chapter 7).
It is really astonishing. .

If you already read the book “End of Days” you know another one she predicted is “in 2020 for a sitting president to die of a heart attack.”

We see loss of lives all over the world. Sadness, fear and worry. . We all miss to connect each other the most. Walking without s mask, shopping, stopping by a coffee shop, watching a movie in theatre.
At the beginning of this crisis, we watched the movies about viruses. Listened to the news every minute, follow the numbers climbing (which I don’t trust if the declaration is honest, anyway) Right now, I don’t even want to hear the words ‘Virus”, “Covid-19”, “Quarantine” exc. I hope no more people get this virus anymore, no more people die, anyone who is fighting with it, beats it and gets better soon. I pray for all, sending positive thoughts on their way.

Last couple of days show that the number of new cases is lower than the number recovered in Turkey. That means, the good days, the freedom is at the door, hopefully!

Boost your energy with Pranayama/ Lion’s Breath
Lion’s breath might help you to let madness, sadness, worries let go.
It might look hilarious if you have never seen or tried this breathing technique before, but it works well.

If you feel like you're suffering from anxiety, try this pranayama. Better than complaining , to hurt someone around you, spreading negative energy or to keep madness or fear in you. Just sit down, breath in deeply through your nose then open your mouth and breath out like a lion, make that sound “haaaaaah!!” Don’t be shy. Open your eyes wide, look up. Stick your  tongue out. After repeating it a few times, you will feel calm.
Perfect for getting rid of negative thoughts in your mind.

-During Corona Days, April 2020/ TR- 

Today has been quiet so far. Here in Turkey, after the travel ban between cities, weekend lockdowns also started. Taking pictures when possible is giving me a chance to breath so far. Those photos are taken all the way through the closest grocery store to home and I want to share with you guys the nature of beauty in April here.




A view of Boyalik Beach Hotel, Cesme/TR










..from my birthday. I was lucky enough to be surprised with a cake by my husband and son.



Hello 53! What a year!

Celebration of national holidays have also changed. Last Thursday, Turkey celebrated the 100th anniversary of the nation's April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Families with kids at 9 p.m. stood at the front yards of their homes, windows and balconies of their apartments to sing the national anthem while waving Turkish flags.

Happy New Year!

You know, a day will come, and your awareness will increase as if you started a completely different life, things you can't name find titles, you're surprised at how sudden it is. That’s how I woke up this morning. It doesn’t happened in a second, but their time has come.

When you try a yoga pose for days and fail again and again, and randomly one day, when you go on the mat you realise that you are able to do it.  All you need for success is to not give up.
Or, you'll understand why a food recipe you have tried countless times hasn’t worked, from a movie scene.

You’ll ask yourself why discussions always come to the same point. You have not found words that will reflect your goodwill in solutions, yet.

I wish everyone a beautiful year in which increasing awareness removes the obstacles that appear on your way, and good innovations flow your way and stay green forever like the pine tree.
 🥳🎄🥂🎉💚

 

Wishing y'all a happy and a healthy year!

Homemade Pomegranate Syrup

Have you ever tried to make your own pomegranate syrup at home? No ? It is a very easy process and spending time in the kitchen with this fruit is fun. Only looking at its beautiful color, smell and taste changes your mood. So many of you know its benefits; cancer prevention, alzheimer's disease protection, digestion, anti-inflammatory, arthritis, heart disease. Pomegranate is good for your body, brain, skin and hair as well. 

 

Don’t throw the peels!!  

Even its peel is full of benefits. Let it dry. Soak in hot water and enjoy your pomegranate tea! If you have a hair loss problem, you don’t want to miss out on the benefits of pomegranate peels. Especially, if you are over 50 ladies! Another way to use peel is, grind the sun-dried pomegranate peels and mix with your yogurt and apply on your face. Wash with cold water after 10 minutes.

 

Fresh is better
Pomegranate juice is an important ayurvedic medicine. Research indicates that peels help bone health and stops osteoporosis after menopause. One pomegranate for a hundred diseases.

I’m lucky to have so many pomegranate trees around here. Eat pomegranate, drink its juice, make a tea using its sun dried peels and keep this syrup in fridge to get more benefits of this fruit.

It soothes sore throats, lowers stress and cholesterol levels, and alleviates symptoms in menopausal women. 

Here is the making of pomegranate syrup, a very easy process at home:

Step 1: 
Wash them. Don’t forget, you’ll use the peels for later use.

Step 2: 
Take the seeds out. If you have citrus juicer even it’s easier. Basically, cut them in half  like orange and lemon. If you don’t have a citrus juicer, cut them in quarters then have fun taking the seeds out. Trust me it is a stress reliever. Touch it!! 

Step 3:   
If you have a food processor, pour the seeds into a high-speed processor and pulls until they have been crushed. 
I made using 4 pomegranate only and used my hands for whole process. Crushed, squeezed!! Oh yes I did, and no regrets! 😎 
Pomegranate juice splatters everywhere. You might prefer to to these beneficial globes apart into different sections and remove the arils in a bowl of water.

Step 4:

Strain the juice.

I used a colander and then a cheesecloth. You have a tasty, natural, fresh pomegranate juice for daily take. Still insist on making syrup? I ask this question to myself every time😀

Ok, It is ready to cook. 

Step 5

Bring it a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

 

How long does it take to cook?
After bubbles start to look thicker, it's your preference. If you like a thicker syrup, reduce the heat and keep cooking more. If you over cook, you end up with a stiff molasses  and hard to use from a bottle.
 

How to use this tangy syrup?

Drizzle over roasted veggies, your drinks, desserts, any other dips or relish.  It adds deliciousness and appetizing look to any dish.

 Whisk together with a little olive oil for salads.

Homemade syrup from the scratch. It adds more complex acidity than vinegar and lemon juice. 

 

 From garden...

                                                                 ..to your tables!!!

Doesn't it make a unique holiday gift idea this year for your family members and close friends?