Lately, my husband and I have been making an effort to stay active together, and it’s been such a great experience. We do whatever we can — sometimes it’s a morning walk, other times an evening stroll after work, or even joining a local community fitness session at the park on weekends.
It’s not about sticking to a strict schedule; it’s about finding time to move, unwind, and enjoy each other’s company while doing something healthy. Even on busy days, just a short walk makes such a difference — it helps us clear our minds, catch up, and feel re-energised.
What I love most is that we keep it simple and fun. Some days we’re full of energy, other days we take it slow — but we always encourage each other and make it part of our routine. At the end of the day, it’s all about balance, laughter, and spending quality time together while keeping fit.
Here’s to more walks, more sunshine, and staying healthy together. 🌿💪
This weekend will be one to remember! A few of us friends came together to recreate a traditional Newari bhoj (feast) right here in Sydney, and it turned into an incredible celebration of food, friendship, and culture.
Since moving here, we’ve always talked about how much we miss home — the gatherings, the laughter, the aroma of spices filling the air during family feasts. So this time, we decided to make it happen. We planned a full traditional bhoj, cooked everything from scratch, and recreated the full Newari dining experience — sitting on the floor, eating with our hands on lapate patta (leaf plates), and sharing every dish with love and pride.
From early morning prep to the last round of washing up, everyone was involved — chopping, frying, marinating, and tasting. The kitchen was buzzing with excitement, the music was playing, and the smell of roasted spices and garlic was everywhere.
Our Newari Bhoj menu was truly a feast for the senses:
🍚 Chura (Beaten Rice) – Light and crisp, the perfect base to go with every dish. 🥢 Bhatmas (Roasted Soybeans) – Crunchy and salty, perfect to nibble on while serving. 🍳 Anda (Egg) – Fried sunny side up and also served on top of aalu-wo — a must-have in any bhoj! 🥩 Chhoyela / Chhwela – Spicy grilled meat with roasted garlic, ginger, and mustard oil — smoky, juicy, and full of flavour. 🥔 Aalu Tama – A tangy and hearty curry made with potatoes, bamboo shoots, and black-eyed peas. 🥞 Bara/Wo – Traditional black lentil patties fried to perfection, topped with egg and minced meat. 🥒 Bodi Sadeko – Marinated black-eyed beans mixed with onions, chillies, garlic, and coriander — spicy and refreshing. 🥬 Saag – Sautéed leafy greens, simply cooked but full of flavour. 🥦 Cauli Aloo Tarkari – Cauliflower and potato curry with turmeric, cumin, and a touch of tomato. 🥔 Aloo Achar – Spicy potato pickle with sesame paste and a tangy kick. 🍅 Tomato Achar – Fresh, zesty tomato pickle with garlic and coriander — a perfect balance for the rich dishes. 🐟 Fish Curry – Tender fish cooked with aromatic spices and herbs. 🍖 Sekuwa – Juicy grilled meat, smoky and perfectly charred. 🍶 Newari Raksi – The traditional homemade spirit — smooth, warm, and perfect for the occasion. 🥩 Takha – Savoury jelly made from buffalo meat broth, a true Newari delicacy. 🍲 Paau Qwaa – Warm, spicy soup that brings comfort to the end of the meal. 🍦 Dhau (Yoghurt) – Sweet and creamy — the perfect way to finish the bhoj.
Once everything was ready, we arranged the lapate patta, sat cross-legged on the floor, and served each dish in the traditional sequence. It felt like being back in Kathmandu during festival time — laughter, chatter, and the clinking of glasses filled the room. Everyone had their hands full of food, their hearts full of memories.
What made it even more special was how everyone contributed — someone brought fresh ingredients, someone took charge of the grill, and others helped decorate and serve. Cooking together made us feel connected — not just to each other, but to our roots, our family traditions, and the essence of being Newar.
This wasn’t just a meal — it was a celebration of heritage, togetherness, and belonging. In the heart of Sydney, for a few hours, it felt like we were back home — sharing love and laughter over a lapate patta full of food that carried generations of stories.
Here’s to keeping our Newari culture alive no matter where we are — through food, friendship, and shared memories.
This year’s Tihar has been truly special for me. It’s our second biggest festival, and it goes on for five beautiful days filled with light, laughter, music, and togetherness. Since moving to this new place, I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful Nepalese community — and celebrating Tihar here has been nothing short of amazing.
Each day of the festival brought its own charm and meaning: ✨ Day 1 – Kaag Tihar (Crow Day): We started by offering food to crows, messengers of Yama, the god of death, to ward off sadness and bad news for the coming year.
🐕 Day 2 – Kukur Tihar (Dog Day): We honoured our loyal friends — dogs — by placing garlands, tika, and delicious treats for them. Seeing everyone’s pets proudly wearing flowers and tikas was heartwarming.
🐄 Day 3 – Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja: Morning began with worshipping cows, a symbol of prosperity and motherhood. As the evening arrived, we lit up our homes with diyas and candles to welcome Goddess Laxmi. The streets shimmered with light, and the air was filled with laughter, music, and the scent of incense.
👭 Day 4 – Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja: This day felt especially meaningful as we performed Mha Puja — a beautiful ritual of self-purification and self-respect. We celebrated life and energy with our family and neighbours, creating a deep sense of connection and gratitude.
🎶 Day 5 – Bhai Tika: The final day was emotional and full of love — sisters placing tika on their brothers’ foreheads, wishing them long life, happiness, and prosperity.
Throughout these five days, the best part was coming together with our neighbours to play Deusi–Bhailo every evening. We went from house to house singing, dancing, and sharing laughter. Everyone contributed — some cooked, some sang, some played the madal or guitar — and every night ended with food, stories, and joy.
This Tihar reminded me of home — of warmth, light, and community. It wasn’t just a festival; it was a celebration of connection, tradition, and belonging.
This year, the month of Shrawan felt truly unforgettable for me. 🌿 In Nepal, Shrawan is such a meaningful month. It’s the time when many people devote themselves to Lord Shiva, wear green bangles and outfits, and take part in fasting and prayers. It’s also when friends and family come together, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate the joy of life.
To make it special, I invited my neighbours over for a little celebration at home. What started as a simple idea turned into one of the best evenings I’ve had in a long time. We had so much laughter, good food, music, and even a bit of dancing. The highlight for many of us was the mehendi session — sitting together, drawing henna designs, and showing them off afterwards added such a festive touch. The smell of fresh mehendi, the bright green bangles, and all the colours around us really brought out the Shrawan spirit.
It reminded me how beautiful it is to celebrate traditions not just for their religious value, but also for the way they bring people closer. Having my neighbours join in, share stories, and enjoy the evening made it feel like we weren’t just celebrating Shrawan, but celebrating friendship, community, and togetherness.
This Shrawan left me with a heart full of gratitude, and I’m already excited to carry on this little tradition in the years ahead. 💚✨
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