Pria Acharya

Pria Acharya is a mindful vegan mama, storyteller, and soul-rooted creator. Born in India, rising in the U.S., she blends ancient wisdom with modern clarity. Through film, books, and quiet rebellion, she helps others root deep, rise strong, and live aligned with compassion.

May 262010
 

Just ordered a box of organic produce from Door to Door Organics.  I’m looking forward to see what is delivered.  On their site, they have a handy storage guideline for produce:

Storage Tips

Here are some storage tips for you to help you get the most out of your produce:

APPLES – Refrigerate or store in cool area. (4-6 weeks)

APRICOTS – Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate. (1-2 days)

ARTICHOKES – Refrigerate. (2-3 days)

ASPARAGUS – Refrigerate, unwashed, covered. (1-3 days)

AVOCADOS – Ripen in warm, humid place. Refrigerate only if necessary.

BANANAS – Ripen at room temperature. (2-3 days)

BEETS – Cut off tops 2 inches above crown. Refrigerate, covered. (3-4 days)

BERRIES – Refrigerate, uncovered. Wash just before serving. (2-3 days)

BROCCOLI – Refrigerate, in closed bag. (4-5 days)

BRUSSELS SPROUTS – Remove wilted leaves store covered. (3-5days)

CABBAGE – Refrigerate in closed bag. (1-2 weeks)

CARROTS – Remove tops, wash. Refrigerate in closed bag. (1-2 weeks)

CAULIFLOWER – Refrigerate in closed bag. (2-5days)

CELERY – Wash, refrigerate in closed bag. (1-2 weeks)

EGGPLANT – Refrigerate in closed bag. (3-4 days)

GARLIC – Store at room temperature. (1-2 months)

GRAPES – Refrigerate in perforated bag. (1-2 weeks)

KALE – Wash, refrigerate in closed bag lined with paper towel. (3-4 days)

KIWIFRUIT – Ripen in warm humid place. Refrigerate. (1-2 weeks)

LEEKS – Refrigerate covered. (5-7 days)

LEMONS – if washed and dried and sealed in a ziplock bag will last for weeks with no change in taste or look.

LETTUCE – Wash, drain, refrigerate in closed bag lined with paper towel. (3-4 days)

LIMES – if washed and dried and sealed in a ziplock bag will last for weeks with no change in taste or look.

ONIONS – Keep dry. Refrigerate or store in pantry. (1-2 months)

ORANGES – Room temperature (3-4 days) or refrigerate. (2-3 weeks)

PEARS – Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate, unwashed. (1-2 weeks)

PEAS – Refrigerate unshelled. (1-2 days)

PEPPER – Refrigerate or store in cool, moist area. (1-2 weeks)

POTATO – Keep cool, dry and dark.

RADISH – Refrigerate. (5-7 days)

SPINACH – Refrigerate covered. (3-4 days)

SQUASH – cool and dry in pantry. If cut, refrigerate covered.

SWEET POTATO – Keep cool, dry and dark.

TANGELO – Room temperature (3-4 days) or refrigerate. (2-3 weeks)

TANGERINES – Room temperature (3-4 days) or refrigerate. (2-3 weeks)

TOMATOES – Store at room temperature (stem end down) until ripe. Then refrigerate”

Source:  Door to Door Organics

May 212010
 

Observing birds and their nests on a bridge during a nature walk on Mother's Day.

Boredom is a subject many moms are looking at these days as summer break approaches for our kids. It’s a dreaded, scary word that prompts mom to feel inadequate. That’s not a difficult feat for moms on any given day. Seems to be a part of motherhood – our constantly trying to reach the perfect image in our minds. This is continually challenged by a toddler as she continually goes into and touches things she should not – and worse yet, when these items need to be explored with her mouth.

As I’m trying to keep my toddler from eating and touching things she shouldn’t, I am trying to make certain my preteen is “entertained.” Since when did the role of entertainer become a part of motherhood? Kids are getting increasingly entertained by the media and my specialization of marketing. Parents have to be the follow-up act, and it’s tough to accomplish.

My son brought up yesterday that he was bored, after a full few minutes of being in-between activities. I told him that was good! We’ve been engaging in chats here and there about the idea of boredom as we approach summer break. Some of the agenda behind this is selfish, so I don’t get inundated with continuous preteen shows that I already know more about than I care to.

Moms, the next time your child mentions the dreaded “I’m bored” sentence, accept it as a healthy part of life rather than feeling guilty and like you have to be a clown for your child. It is healthy for children to have “down time” when they can reflect and imagine.

Remind your child that if they feel bored, it means they’ve lost touch with the fascinating world around them and that now they can be more conscious of it. When they were younger, boredom was not a concept they knew about. I point out to my preteen how my toddler never gets bored because everything is new and interesting. This is a concept we should retain forever!

In fact, I don’t know of a single adult that ever complains of boredom. At least not a parent. Adults work hard to go on vacation and maybe, hopefully, “get bored.”

Birds building nests under a bridge

Adding more work from home

 Telecommuting, writing  Comments Off on Adding more work from home
May 082010
 

My hand with butterfly strips once stitches were removed

My hand has almost healed after surgery end of March after a fall. My hand’s flexibility has come a long way after some concern I would have a “claw” hand forever. It’s meant a lot of patience and physical therapy.

As a matter of fact, my physical therapist told me yesterday that it might be the last time I would see them depending on what my surgeon says next week. This was a big deal. I was potentially graduating from physical therapy and go back to normal life, although the bones will take about two more weeks to fully heal.

The healing has meant most significantly that I can change my daughter’s diapers with both hands and can more adequately carry her. It’s also meant that I can type with both hands. I’ve never appreciated this as much as I do now! Right after the fall, I accepted new writing work and this past week, some more.

This means I now have deadlines to meet. It’s somewhat of an adjustment and maybe a little stressful, but a good stress. I think I thrive on deadlines and goals that need to be met. I’ve always had a strong drive to excel and have probably taken on too much at times in my life. I may need to watch for this, but for now, I feel revved up by taking on as much as I can.

Probably my biggest incentive to work as hard as I can working from home is to not have to see cube walls again. Maybe for me, wanting freedom, flexibility, and balance, the image of being in a cube is starting to feel like failure for what I want. I remain amazed at how telecommuting has still not taken become more of a norm in civilized society. There seem to be so many benefits for all parties, including the planet in less driving. Technology exists to do much from home.

I imagine that when my children are adults, there will be more “hubs” for telecommuters – places where people have occasional face-to-face meetings while the majority of work is done from home or wherever the individual desires. What should matter is the end result of work getting done, and not the geographic location of an individual.

My hand without strips

The science of happiness

 Gratitude, Happiness, Outlook, Philosophy  Comments Off on The science of happiness
Apr 302010
 
Maya at Easter

Maya being the epitomy of happiness at Easter

According to a feature on The Today Show, 50% of how happy we feel is based on genetics. We can control the other half.  There is a level of hard-wiring in terms of how happy we feel, but we can work around it.

Perspective, attitude, and optimism matters.  There are ways to be more optimistic and studies have shown that optimists are much happier.  They appreciate what they have and don’t think about what they don’t have.

Tips on being happy

  • 5 random acts of kindness per week
  • keep a gratitude journal – focusing on what you are thankful for keeps you in that positive space
  • forgive – it releases you from a psychological imprisonment
  • write someone a thank-you letter – pen to paper, not email.  The process of thanking someone makes a difference.
  • getting enough sleep
  • having fun
  • think about what’s true for you, e.g. don’t force yourself to find all your happiness from motherhood if that is not true for you.
  • make your bed!  There is something about the tangible act that helps people feel there is order in their lives and that they are starting their day right.  I have been trying to tell my husband and son this!  I am a stickler about a bed being made first thing.
  • strong relationships – joining a group, throwing a party, and just showing up.

Source: The Today Show, 4/30/10

Apr 222010
 

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and it’s a great day to reflect on ways we can be more environmentally-conscious.  Being conscious of my actions on the environment is a daily part of my life.   Ways that I maintain this consciousness on a regular basis include recycling and being a vegetarian.

I have been a vegetarian my entire life.  My diet and lifestyle began as a result of being from a vegetarian Indian family.  I’m glad I was raised that way as it seems much easier to just remain in the lifestyle rather than switching.  I chose to give my kids that gift by raising them vegetarian.

As a teenager, I researched vegetarianism and decided the lifestyle made sense to me at numerous levels, including environmental.  I was interviewed by the Vegetarian Times regarding my thoughts and beliefs.  I chose vegetarianism as my topic for Original Oratory in debate class competitions in high school.  I memorized the speech overnight and competed the next day with veterans.  I ended up being a quarter-finalist in the state of NC.  Judges told me that the speech opened their eyes and they would consider the diet.  I think the part of my speech that stood out the most for them was regarding the composition of hot dogs.

As an adult, I’m devoted to recycling.  My husband might call me somewhat of a hoarder at times because I don’t like to waste anything.  I was the first in my neighborhood to request an extra green bin from my town to hold my recycling and had my second regular black bin picked up (never need it).  In my family, we are trained to evaluate every piece of trash and determine if it goes into our recycling bin or regular trash bin.  This includes my preteen son.

I rarely use paper towels, preferring dish cloths for wiping up spills.  We regularly use cloth napkins at meals.  We use energy-efficient bulbs throughout the house along with any appliance purchases.  Left-over food is stored for future meals or given to our dogs.  Dogs can help a lot with recycling and preventing waste.  We make sure our dishwasher and washing machine is completely full before running it.  I remind my husband at least a few times a week to stop idling when I’m in the car with him.

We also compost.  We have a compost bin in our yard and are trying to perfect the art and science of composting.  Next to our trash and recycling containers in my kitchen pantry, we also have a compost container.  In there we put our vegetable scraps and anything else that can be composted, like dryer lint.  My husband and I debate somewhat the ingredients that will result in perfect compost.  It is a shared interest and goes perfectly with my gardening interest.  I like that not only am I not wasting and creating more junk for landfills, but helping my yard and garden out at the same time.

At my boutique, I offer environmentally-conscious fabric gift bags.  They are reusable, affordable, and save trees by replacing paper.

Fabric gift bags

Fabric gift bags at Komal Style Boutique

What are ways that you honor the Earth in your life?

Talking deeply, being happier

 Attitude, Communication, Finding Meaning, Happiness  Comments Off on Talking deeply, being happier
Apr 212010
 



It has been reported recently in the New York Times that those who talk deeply are happier.  I’ve assumed this at some level and have always had a desire to engage deeply in conversations.  Blogging about finding balance and meaning is my way of talking deeply (and not) to anyone willing to read my muses.

Finding others with such an interest is not very common, particularly in the dating scene I experienced.  Small talk can get boring fast if it doesn’t lead to more depth.   To engage in deep conversations, people have to be willing to expose themselves at some level.

The article states that “substantive conversation seemed to hold the key to happiness for two main reasons:

  • human beings are driven to find and create meaning in their lives
  • we are social animals who want and need to connect with other people.

By engaging in meaningful conversations, we manage to impose meaning on an otherwise pretty chaotic world.  And interpersonally, as you find this meaning, you bond with your interactive partner, and we know that interpersonal connection and integration is a core fundamental foundation of happiness.”

If talking deeply has not been your thing, you can experiment by trying to do some more every day and see how you feel, perhaps with your significant other.  You may find that you two become more intimate.  If you are male, I can almost assure you of it as a female.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard a female friend complain that her mate spoke too deeply with her.

Source:  New York Times

First signs of Spring

 Finding balance, Gardening  Comments Off on First signs of Spring
Apr 142010
 

Mint in March

It’s been exciting seeing signs of Spring and being able to get started on the gardening season.  I was hopeful when I saw a few new mint leaves and my bulbs start to peek out.   My crocuses have been showing off their lovely purple colors in the sun.  How uplifting!  Only in Colorado can you have snow on the ground in the morning and be able to garden in the afternoon as I have been able to do last month.

Crocus in March

Here in Denver, we’ve been blessed to have a few days since March from the 50s to even 70.  We were even able to bathe our dogs.  One day, the temperature would be in the high 60s and then we would have a storm coming in the following day dumping about 7 inches of snow.  That means Denverites have been desperately trying to make use of any pleasant weather to get out and perhaps tend to their yards as I have tried to do.

I have also been fortunate that my 1 year-old has been cooperating with me by peacefully playing on a blanket near me outside while I squeezed in some gardening.   I was able to plant spinach and Asian radish.  We’ll see how it goes!  Last year, I was some-what successful with the spinach.  I was able to use some before the insects got to it.

My suburban garden

 Finding balance, Gardening  Comments Off on My suburban garden
Apr 132010
 

My beloved irisis that beckon Spring

Gardening has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been fascinated by things growing and nurturing them. It must have to do with having a nurturing quality that maybe all gardening enthusiasts share.

Gardening Joys

It’s exciting and rewarding to nurture something to its full potential and enjoy the results, whether in appearance and aroma as with flowers or by enjoying its taste with vegetables. There is the added sense of productivity one gets with successfully growing something edible that they can enjoy and share with family and friends. It may even be a cost-saving measure, particularly in today’s economic climate. We are reminded of victory gardens and feel a sense of empowerment in being able to grow our own food. We not only save money (not always!); we can also appreciate knowing that our family is eating something fresh and possibly pesticide-free.

My Gardening Experience

I am not quite an expert gardener. I just enjoy getting my hands dirty and am very interested in learning all I can and continuously improving my gardening experience and harvest. My family can attest to my many successes and failures. Last year, I wanted to get in sunflowers before my daughter was born. They are symbolic to the meaning of her middle name and I just thought they would be colorful.

Maya enjoying her first Spring May 2009

Gardening Maintenance

Well, having a child doesn’t allow a whole lot of time to get out there and maintain one’s garden. So there were times I probably needed to pull and transfer some rogue sunflower seedlings before they got overgrown. I wasn’t able to do it and at times it seemed we were being invaded by sunflowers. Birds ate some sunflower seeds which they excreted and planted sunflowers in areas I had not intended.

By August, many were too big (over six feet) to try to move. By Fall, some had to be hacked down. I wanted my husband to at least try to cut some so they could be used as cut flowers. So I made a note to self for this year; to not allow an invasion of sunflowers.

Maya and Me August 8, 2009 - when she turned 6 months

Successes and Failures

The sunflowers from last year were a success and failure. My attempt to grow tomatoes were a failure. I bought a few plants that grew but didn’t yield much or ***gasp***I didn’t get to in time and they got over-ripe and fell. The spinach was kind of successful – got some to use, but a lot was enjoyed by insects.

I got ambitious with some vegetables. A broccoli plant turned into a big flowering weed. Cauliflower plants got out of control, where I didn’t even see some heads, which got over-ripe and had to be composted. An artichoke plant grew and promptly died at the first sign of drought in July. The pepper plants produced a little but didn’t quite make it. All of these experiments were on a side plot (behind me in the picture below) that I newly created by removing lawn and rock. I used a little amendment, but could probably use a lot more.

This year, I am excited about the beginning of gardening season and am starting to dream about what I want to plant. Probably the big lesson from last year I should keep in mind is to not get too ambitious, so I don’t end up with a jungle that overwhelms me! Still, I will allow for some sense of gardening adventure.

I look forward to sharing my gardening adventures, large and small. Maybe there will be lessons for all of us. Hopefully, you will learn from my mistakes so you can enjoy more gardening successes in your gardening adventure.  Good luck, and happy gardening!

In the back of our suburban home 8.09

Top foods for Spring

 Fitness  Comments Off on Top foods for Spring
Apr 122010
 

These food choices can improve your body in and out.

Great foods for your:

  • liver:  dandelions – in salad or as tea – increases bile production
  • kidney:  ginger – helps remove toxins, also an anti-inflammatory
  • brain:  blueberries – lots of antioxidants
  • heart – flax seed: omega 3 fatty acids and protein
  • skin:  avocado – for a youthful glow
  • eyes:  spinach
  • hair:  broccoli – helps production of sebum, making our hair glossy
  • teeth:  celery – cleans teeth fights bad breath
  • sinus issues:  jalapeno
  • mood booster:  sunshine (and for vitamin D)

Stay away from processed food and keep it colorful!

Source:  The Doctors

Learning to live balanced – literally

 Finding balance, Fitness  Comments Off on Learning to live balanced – literally
Apr 072010
 

Goodbye slip-on heeled shoes!

We all have to learn to keep living our lives as balanced as we can.  Women and Moms in particular can get caught up in multi-tasking and a juggling act that takes over our lives at our expense.  While we may be aware of needing to learn to slow down to maintain balance in our lives in general, we may not think of being balanced in a literal sense.  I was not thinking about it when I lost balance on a step, fell, and fractured a hand, requiring surgery.

Now I am recovering and going through challenging physical therapy.  The experience has made me more aware of safety.  I would not be in this situation if I had taken off my slip-on heels before going down the steep steps to the basement or chosen different shoes.  Since my accident, I’ve been drawn to observing the shoes women are wearing.  I imagine that as the weather gets warmer, more heels will be worn.

I’ve debated what to do with the shoes I fell in.  I thought I might keep them and just be more careful – they were my favorite pair, a treat from Nordstrom.  I looked them over and noticed they were somewhat worn and realized I’d never really looked at how worn my dress shoes are getting.  I bet this is common for women – we normally have many pairs that we occasionally wear and don’t think we are wearing them out.  We certainly wouldn’t think of a potential safety concern from a worn heel.  Mine ended up with some ridges that got caught on Berber carpeted stairs.

I decided to donate my shoes and am now giving more thought to the shoes I plan to wear in the future.  I’ve heard of vague concerns regarding heels being damaging and decided to do some research.  I came across a Washington Post Article with diagrams showing the effect of heels on the body.  Not surprisingly, there is nothing positive.  For myself, I am planning on steering away from heels.  Perhaps what I will gain from literally losing my balance and getting injured is healthier feet and legs for the long-term.