Question...

Ask yourself this question. Write down your dreams. Share your dreams with people who will drop what they are doing to support you. Make it happen. Ok...so again...what would you do if you knew you could not fail?

South Asian Breast Cancer Survivors Needed

Are you a South Asian woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer? Do you know someone who fits that description? A research study is being done and strictly confidential interviews are being scheduled. Drs. Beth Glenn and Roshan Bastani of the UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research are conducting the study to assess the unique needs of South Asian women diagnosed with breast cancer. They would like to hear about your relationships, your satisfaction with healthcare providers, and your sources of social support during your cancer experience.

Interested South Asian women (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Maldivian and Bhutanese) who have been diagnosed with breast cancer should contact Neetu Chawla, who will conduct the interviews in English. Please contact her at nchawla@ucla.edu or 310-825-7430. You can also contact Dr. Beth Glenn at 310-206-9715. Women will be offered $30 after completing the one-on-one interview.

Indian Fantasies Are Very Real!

I love Bollywood! I’ve loved it ever since I was a kid. Yes, I’ve scoffed at it and even rolled my eyes. But, I’ve also laughed, cried and learned more about our culture than I ever would watching anything on PBS. I remember as a small child joyously singing along to Silsa songs (Rang a Barse, if you will) as the movie’s picture appeared fuzzy and out of focus on our television screen. In college, we had a very fun night out at the “Indian Theater” with friends to watch Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. I remember sitting there wishing I could be like Kajol gallivanting through Europe with my friends & cousins (minus the uni-brow). Fast forward to today and I love nothing more than joining my mom in law at Naz Cinemas and snacking on stale popcorn and Sprite. We talk about her upbringing and mine and relish the big screen and all of the tunes that come with it!

This morning Shah Rukh Khan was on National Public Radio promoting My Name is Khan. All of the good feelings I have associated with Indian Cinema boiled up into my heart & warmed my soul. I was so proud to hear the segment…but even prouder of this statistic: More people around the world watch Shah Rukh Khan than Maryl Streep or Brad Pitt. Yeah, wow! I will definitely head to Naz to see My Name is Khan and especially because parts of the movie were filmed in my beloved hometown of Sacramento!

Click here to hear Shah Rukh Khan on NPR:http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123589668

Nothing But Confidence

Having confidence in everything we do is important. But, how do you gain confidence?

Having confidence begins with having a mind full of confident thoughts. A mind that is controlled by you, therefore believing only the things that will bring to you all the things you desire—and deserve.

Here are some tips for building self confidence…even in the most nerve racking situations.

Stand like you have confidence. Sit like you have confidence. Walk like you have confidence. Ignore your mind and simply concentrate on the physical attributes of confidence. If you maintain a confident stance long enough, your mind will certainly become convinced.

Forget everything you see on television and in magazines with regard to the perfect body image. You are a unique creation of God and perfect just as you are. Know your best attributes and play them off well in every situation.

Put your family and friends expectations of you out of your mind and follow your heart. People are all too quick to tell you how you should live your life when really it’s just an expression of their own shortcomings. Don't allow the shortcomings of others to affect your life negatively.

Be your own hero. Perform the short exercise of writing down all the attributes that you admire about yourself.

Get into the flow. Keep track of what motivates you and stay near those things.

Get started. Don't expect changes right away and have patience in knowing that it takes time be the person you wish to be. In the meantime, continue to keep a positive outlook and display your confidence for everyone to see.

How to Make a Perfect Cosmo!

We all need a fruity and refreshing drink from time to time. A cosmopolitan is all of these things and every fabulous woman should know how to make one. You might remember this cocktail made popular by Carrie Bradshaw & friends from "Sex and the City." Follow a few easy steps and you'll be sipping on a cranberry cocktail in no time. The following recipe serves one (so double up if you making it with friends).

Things You’ll Need:

• Sugar
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 oz. lime juice dash of Cointreau (this is just a brand for triple sec and triple sec will do)
• Lemon twist
• Ice
• Sugar
• Cocktail Shaker
• Cocktail Strainer
• Martini Glass

1. Wet the rim of a chilled glass with cranberry juice and dip it in granulated sugar.
2. Put ice in a cocktail shaker
3. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice and Cointreau to the ice.
4. Shake what your mama gave ya! (meaning: shake the cocktail shaker until you are sure the drink is thoroughly mixed)
5. Strain the cocktail into your glass and garnish with lemon.
6. Put on some good music, grab a comfortable chair, put your feet up, sip and relax!

Welcome to our Blog!

I created this forum for women who are fun, fabulous and just happen to be Indian! (South Asian/Asian Indian...if you're reading this, you know what I mean.)

We Indian women are unique! We are daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, and some of us even super cool “AUNTIES”. Regardless of what our assigned roles in life are, we are one of a kind and deserve a space to call our own! The goal of this blog is to celebrate you, inspire you and provide realistic solutions to the everyday balance of our lives.

Here are a few things you can expect to read: Food/Recipes
Home/Organizing
Beauty/Fashion
Holidays/Entertaining
Health/Work/Life

I look forward to blogging with you!

Peace & Love, Sonia

Coming Soon!

Coming soon ladies. Stay tuned.