Brain Body Infinite Loop

I just finished reading an extremely brilliant book "Phantoms in the brain" written by Dr VS Ramachandran. As the title suggests its all about the human brain, but some strikingly astonishing experiments and cases described in this book make it outstanding. I learnt tremendously from this read. Apart from the staggering symptoms that manifest from different kinds of brain pathologies, i found the thought of the holistic view of the brain and the body extremely exciting. I am sure all of us would be able to relate to it in some way.

On a broader perspective, how many times do we suffer the dilemma between the brain controlling the body (you as such) or vice versa. Its hard, almost impossible to separate the two. When i say i feel like eating a mango today, is it my brain which is generating the craving towards the mango or is it me trying to tell my brain to find a mango today. Doesnt make much sense right? Let me attempt to explain it better. Sometimes, we have some particular doctor whom we deeply trust. Lets say i have an acute headache with some other symptoms and i visit a replacement of my regular doctor whom i deeply trust since he is not in town. The replacement doctor does nothing but gives me an over the counter analgesic. I dont feel better and wonder if the replacement doctor did a thorough diagnosis. Figments of my imagination, i see myself having some serious issue since my symptoms do not improve, infact continue to worsen. 2 weeks later my regular doctor comes back. I go visit him in a hope that he would find the real issue and fix me. He does a thorough exam ( now since i look up to this doctor, whatever he does is extremely thorough according to my standards). He concludes that its just a stress triggered headache and should get alleviated with some pain-killers and easy going on my part. I trust him, i go back home relaxed, take a repose. I start feeling better in a day, and before I know my symptoms disappear. You see how the social impact ( of me trusting my regular physician completely), affects my mind which in turn affects my body relieving the symtoms, which inturn again affects my mind relieving the stress. This forms a continuous feedback between my relaxed mind and improving body symptoms.

In a nutshell, its an ambiguous boundary , its in vain to try and explain where the brain starts controlling the body and where it ceases the control. Our body can get influenced by a lot that goes inside our brain, our doubts, fears, confidence, trust. There are many interesting investigations that can be done in medical science to explain this phenomenon better and use it in some way for healing.

Mastering the art of making Kadhi

Kadhi-Chawal, does that word elicit your appetite or summon your mind to go to an Indian restaurant? This very popular food combination in North India is one of my favorites. Ofcourse, i also love the lip-smacking Rajma Chawal & Chole Chawal combinations. I have been trying for a couple of years now (well, i cook Kadhi once in 2-3 months on an average, thats why my progress has been sluggish in nailing the right flavors :-) ) , to get the right flavor in my Kadhi, that special flavor that puts it in the extraordinary category. Yesterday, i got really close, still not perfect though. Here is my recipe:
Ingredients:
1.Besan
2.Yogurt
3.Cumin seeds
4.Fenugreek (methi seeds)
5.Onion
6.Turmeric powder
7.Dried red chillies
8.Cumin powder
9.Coriander Powder
10.Curry leaves

1. Mix besan & Yogurt in 1:1 ratio, blend them smoothly with some turmeric powder.
2. In a Kadhai (preferably iron Kadhai), add some oil. Once its hot enough, add cumin seeds and fenugreek (methi seeds) and let them crackle.
3. If you have the time to make Pakoras to add to the Kadhi, you are lucky! I usually dont make Pakodas, instead fry onions in the oil & seed mixture.
4. Once the onions are fried, add some broken red chillies (2-3) to the onions and fry them for a couple of minutes.
5. Now add the besan yogurt mix to the Kadhai and add lots of water, since initially while the besan is cooking it will absorb water very quickly. You will have to continuously add water and keep stirring till the besan cooks completely (you will know when its no longer absorbing water). Mix some salt, cumin powder and coriander powder to this. If its not spicy enough from the dried red chillies add some red chili powder, also add curry leaves when the besan is still absorbing water and not cooked yet. That way you will get a nice curry leaf flavor.
6. Getting the right consistency is very important, make sure its thick enough and not dilute.