This week M+K sits across the table with Snehal Khanna, Mother, Coder + Artist. She talks with us about cooking, creativity and her current project, raising funds for UNICEF through donations and sales of her children’s book: When the Dinosaurs Stayed at Home. The book helps young children reflect on and cope with the challenges presented by the pandemic.
1. My cooking inspiration…
I love cooking simple wholesome meals from scratch using fresh ingredients. Growing up, I have seen the women in my family cook nourishing meals every single day – traditional recipes incorporating regional flavours. Living away from India, it’s a challenge to source many of the ingredients, so I try to create fusion meals that sometimes turn out great and sometimes just don’t cut it!
2. A meal that reminds me of home…
Every year on Diwali Day I cook a big traditional meal. It probably has about ten to fifteen dishes in it, all vegetarian, full of colour and flavour. We light lamps, burn incense, decorate the house with flowers and enjoy the time together as a family. This ritual is a gateway back into my childhood and reminds me of home in more ways than one.
3. A life lesson cooking has taught me…
Not to rush things. And to pay attention to every detail.
4. When I want to be creative I…
I alternate focusing on what I am trying to achieve and letting go of the ideas for a couple of days and letting them simmer on the back burner as I go about my daily life. Bit by bit the larger picture comes into focus. I also love discussing my ideas with other people and getting a fresh perspective.
5. The most transformational book I’ve read is…
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. I’ve read and re-read the book many times. I’m always moved by immigrant stories, the struggles of thriving in a new land having left loved ones and familiar places and rituals behind. This book especially resonated with me, given its Indian cultural references. I felt like I was reading my story and seeing it acknowledged was touching, to say the least.
6. The routines that keep me grounded are…
I am a stickler for routine. I even try to have a routine on holiday, there’s just no winging it for me! A cup of tea on rising early, meditating, tidying up the home (even a hotel room or holiday villa) and cooking for my family structure my day and keep me grounded.
7. I recently learnt…
How to cut hair, self-publish a book and do a bit of fundraising. Also to take each day as it comes.
8. Favourite random act of kindness…
I love it when people take a few minutes to stop and say hello despite having super busy lives. Connecting with another person even briefly to ask about their life can be incredibly fulfilling.
9. To make a difference in my community I…
Try to live green and volunteer my time and skills at my son’s school. Recently I spent some months teaching Maths to secondary school children who had fallen behind because of their socioeconomic background.
10. Right now, I’m grateful for…
Many things. Not having to worry about basic necessities, health, a lovely home, family and lifelong friendships.
Snehal Khanna lives in London with her husband and two boys. She trained in computer science and worked in the field for many years developing business-critical software. She now spends her time taking care of her children, pursuing her interests in art and music and writing short stories and poems when inspiration strikes.
Snehal is currently raising funds for UNICEF through donations and sales of her book: When the Dinosaurs stayed at Home. It is a tale of resilience, community and hope, written to help young children understand the pandemic. It reflects on the challenges posed to each individual and society as a whole, applauds our key workers and celebrates our unity and resilience in overcoming the odds with grit and determination. The book aims to comfort young children by helping them to acknowledge their feelings and reassure them that days with friends, family and teachers will return.
To connect:
Visit: www.dinosaurchildren.com
Donate: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/dinosaur-story-fundraiser
Buy: https://www.dinosaurchildren.com/buy
Twitter: @snehal_khanna
