A tale of haleem

I get it. You want to lose weight. Hell. Been there done that, even have a defunct blog about it. I was a teeny tiny 54 kg when I got hitched. My honeymoon photos are simultaneously the joy and bane of my existence. People don't recognise me from my photos, I was THAT thin. Of course I am embarrassed beyond belief and somewhat (make that completely) humiliated, but I rejoice in the fact that I was and therefore theoretically can be that thin. Now whether I am going to get off my lazyass and do something about it remains to be seen. 

So I get it when one wants to lose weight and become all fit and fine. Hell, I wish hubs would get on that band wagon. But for the love of God, don't shove it in everyone's face yaar. Not to mention, don't make it everyone's concern either. You're the one on a diet, not us! 

Yesterday we all troop down for iftari. You know, the opening of a Muslim's fast. On an unrelated note, before 9/11 no one had a clue about Islam and now everyone is an expert. Anyhoos, we all drag our asses to the dining table when lo! What is that we see? A TUREEN full of Haleem. What is Haleem, you might wonder? Fear not, I shall enlighten thee. Haleem is a stew made from chicken (or beef) with lots of lentils. Please note that stew implies something to be devoured in winter when one is cold and in need of comfort food and not in 40-50 degree Celsius weather when everyone is trying to make love to an air conditioner. 

Now no one is a fan of haleem in the house saving myself and the FIL. Hubs can't stand it, and BIL will eat it only if its the sole item on the table. Need I mention that hubs is sick with the cold and is highly irritated (and irritating)? Plus, see note above re the weather. 

Why was said haleem made? Beloved darling SIL is on her umpteenth diet of her life. That girl takes losing weight seriously. First she almost fainted losing weight before her wedding. Total starvation plus rigorous exercise. After said wedding she went from gym to dance studio, from no carbs to only fruits. It's exhausting, and somewhat irritating. I'm jealous of her will power. In fasts she is going for gym visits and power walks. My activities involve watching BBC lifestyle and re-reading nigella lawson recipe books. 

So, getting back to the story. SIL is on a fruit and protein diet so she told the cook to make haleem for her for the next four days. Either she didn't make herself clear or the cook wasn't paying attention but what was supposed to be four meals of haleem for her turned into four meals of haleem for all of us. Now, I like my haleem but please! There's a limit. Hubs is pissed off as he could only eat pakoras and chaat. I didn't have the haleem because its flipping hot. BIL didn't touch it coz he ate chaat instead. SIL had a bowl. 

A SINGLE BOWL. 

So, yea. You want to diet, be my guest. Just don't inflict it on the rest of us. 

Is it odd that I want a bowl of haleem after writing this blogpost?