It is often said that happiness is a state of mind.How you think in your head is how u feel in your heart.I feel that more than that understanding what makes me uncommon is an incredibly valuable thing to know which will help me in being actually happy.If someone tells me “you are different” it will make me smile..within moments.To understand more about what makes me happy, through this post,I want to take a virtual odyssey to know myself.It is sort of my self-introspection session which needs to be raised and appreciated to know more about where I m going in life.I wish to experience an accentuated sense of promise in my life along with a greater acknowledgement of the incredibly happy person that I can be. I know that such a post is unusual for a food blog but sometimes its good to be serious and write what you feel!what say? In fact, I would love to hear from everyone reading this post …what make you happy?Do you have a barometer to gauge the happiness quotient of your life?? Share it !! 
I sometimes wonder can big happiness comes with small things?Like buying a small pumpkin spice candle for 2 bucks that changes the aura of my house enough to make me feel really happy and goody goody?Is it possible?Or manybe getting two fleece blankets for the price of one at Costco is worthy enough to bring smile to my lips! Maybe …I think!
For me there are quite a few small,miniature, maybe unimportant-for-some; things which make me happy.I am happy when I get a thought in my head which dosent make me restless…a thought which doesn’t carry a contingency,fear or discontent with itself ..it so heart warming.I know that I m doing good in life and my karma is on the right path.I love the smell of freshly shampooed hair.Its difficult to beat the smell of freshly washed locks,fragrant with citrus woody!I m happy when I find cash I didn’t know I had – I reach into my pocket and find a $5 bill slipped into it from the last time I wore that jacket.I know I m not rich,but richer than I was some moments ago.Looking at the fat pink tummy of my piggy bank and thinking that its full of money gives me a sense of content deep down.Love it.I overflow with joy when I complete those 2 miles on the jogging track within the time limit I had set for myself.Each lessened second on the watch brings with itself an ultimate high!!yipee…..
Free food samples at grocery stores bring a smile to my face…even if its something which is completely useless for me! It’s just the feeling of getting something “extra” without spending a buck or putting an effort.It feels good to finish reading a fairly well written, mind-kindling novel which doesn’t have a sucking climax! It can be disheartening to suddenly realize that the time could have been spent better if it weren’t so! That’s what the thrust even while choosing the books I read.I feel elated when the scales show a drop after completing a yoga session..even if it is in decimals :)It is so joyful to drop flakes to my three pet fishes in the my aquarium….Leo, Lily & Luna..the way they hurriedly swim to the top for food,brings with itself a satisfaction of feeding a hungry being…its so relaxing!
It is so exciting to get unexpected good ideas from no where….like adding cinnamon to a cup of hot tea, sticking pearls from an old bracelet to the buttons on a blouse or crafting a bird house out of a pizza box!I m so happy when one morning I suddenly see a sapling grown out of the seed I planted a month back….it marks end of a long wait!I love it when I catch old soaps on television. I like watching t.v. soaps or even movies with suspense endings that I’ve seen before. I find the predictability really puffy and amusing.It feels so peaceful to enter the house after a long day and still smell the incense that I lighted before GOD today morning…its so uplifting.I long to jump on the bed the day I change the sheets.Infact I sometimes compel myself to sleep..when they feel fresh,cool and clean to touch– I generally pull myself to the corner of the spread to create just enough space to lay my body over the fresh crisp sheets…everything smells great like nobody has ever slept in this bed before. It feels so exciting to see when the stores I just shopped the other day discontinues the discounts after my big purchase!! I know that I spent & saved just in time!!I am always ready to buy new cosmetics..it make me happy.Decking up my space on the dresser is one of my hidden pleasures.My hands actually itch if I pass the cosmetics aisle without picking up something and moving it to my trolley
Sleeping in on a rainy day is another of my favorite thing – as the rain beats lightly against the window, I snuggle my head deeper into the quilt.Then in between I take out my head , see the grey skies against the green plants and then again cover it up.The sound of raindrops is so very appeasing and the bed feels like an inviolable spot.Its a cozy,euphoric feeling which shoots through veins and I like to sway back to my dreamworld.The bed seems just the place where I wanna be.I m happy when I hear the right music or tunes at the right moment – it doesn’t matter what the setting or mood is, tapping the feet on the right song at that moment is one of those simple pleasures in life that instantly enlightens the spirits.Like fast, disco music in background when driving on saturday night on the highway or old romantic bollywood songs in the morning…perfect setting!When the right song jiggles against the ears the moment seems so bright regardless of what you are up to.Very often,me and P burst into laughter when we say the same thing simultaneously white chatting – there is a moment of silence. Then,all of a sudden we blurt out the same exact set of words simultaneously again. This rare occurrence always gives us a light moment and we laugh our heart out..ha ha ha
Finishing up my happy list,I realize that life is filled with simple pleasures, the little satisfying reasons we never really value.Its all in my head, within me, waiting to be created into a memory.It is the unopened ,unmeasured treasure that I do celebrate unconsciously in my own way but fail to recognize it and value it very often.My own rarity remains to be unleashed within the time frame I want it to be.When I think and do things that make me happy, I contribute more, and I can be happier doing what I like .
I am sure that I can add so many things to the above list if I realize that a happy life consists in tranquility of mind.I don’t need to go out and search…..Its very much within me..waiting to be surfaced!
The thought of banana biscotti was a result of turning some leftover sad bananas into a happy something. I googled and found this great recipe at Annie’s Eats. I did a few changes though! I reduced the amount of sugar to 1/4 cup and did not use cinnamon chips or white chocolate.Just for fun & to make them more happy looking ,I decorated these by brushing melted tempered chocolate and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.The taste was really good.Sesame seeds added to the crunch and combined well with the gooey chocolate.Eating something completely oil-free & banana flavor was more reason to rejoice!!
Enjoy!
Sending this to Hearth & Soul #18
Sending this to Tasty Tuesdays
Sending this to Vegetarian Foodie Fridays #22
Tanvi,
Like your write up. Love the name of your pet fishes.All starting with Letter “L”. Banana biscotti looks awesome.
Hi
Was moved by the excellent thoughts about happiness that you have shared with us in this delightful post. Really by running endlessly towards elusive goal to get rich & thereby permanently happy , we forget the passing by of smaller happiness which we need to grab by both hands.
Also thanks for sharing the happiness with banana biscoti . Looks awesome.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Such a sweet post. Yesterday I was chatting with the checkout lady (yes, I’m one of those annoying people who like to strike up conversations with strangers) and I was telling her how elated I was at having finished dinner on time (so I could go get the groceries)—the bonus was that there were no lines at the counter (dinnertime). Yup, the small things provide me with quite a sense of calm too (I like feeling that I’m in control!). Loved the post. I hate almond or anise biscotti, though I love the crunchy texture. + I always have bananas which have seen better days, so I’ll be trying this recipe as well. Thanks for sharing.
finished preparing dinner…..
Lovely lovely post! Such inspiring and truthful words. Your biscotti look delicious. I have yet to make biscotti, and I have some bananas to use up, thanks for the recipe.
What a lovely reminder to appreciate all the many things in our lives that make us happy! I love waking up to a rainy morning, sipping on coffee while eating a fresh muffin, watching my favorite television show (Modern Family) with my husband, spending time with my sisters, and visiting great blogs like your own! These banana biscotti look delicious, and I’m glad that you shared them with us!
After reading you post I was not able to jot down the words how to react…should I say loved reading the post or should I say i felt the post…each words and feelings of the post touched my heart..And that makes me HAPPY…..
Forgot to tell the biscotti looks scrumptious….
It Looks delicious and very beautiful…
Omg, i want to grab some..truly gorgeous and damn cure..
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What a lovely post! Enjoying the little things is the key to happiness I think. I love sunny days, the sound of the rain on the roof at night, the sound of the door when my husband comes home after work and seeing his lovely blue eyes, my son’s smile and the sound of his laugh, cooking or baking something that others enjoy, smiling at someone who doesn’t expect it and seeing them smile back, and so many other things. Your biscotti sound like something that could be one of those wonderful little pleasures too – especially with the chocolate!
I’ve been looking for a banana biscotti recipe. Thanks for pointing this one out to me.
biscottis looks so crispy n delicious …love the chocolate coating n topped with sesame seeds..
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com
Hmm, lots of things can make me happy – a hug, a kiss, a good deal, a well played ballgame, a clean house! Making someone else happy is also one of the top things to bring happiness into my life. Thanks for sharing your banana biscotti and your happiness with us at the hearth and soul hop!
lovely post Tanvi. I know what makes me happy but what amazes me are the reasons that bugs me and especially which I caanot recognise…you have penned down your feeling very well and I felt each and every word.
the biscotti looks good.
forgot to tell that I have an award for you at my place. please check.
I like biscotti and this looks superb
This looks great. I’m sitting here, mouth watering, as I look at your photos and at my lunch… back to your photos, back to my lunch. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration!
yet again sweet post to say how little things can make one person happy, you know Tanvi, sometime according to me ” thinking from heart is the way i how my brain works and feels” regarding what will make me feel happy right now is, we had autum snow today and it is terribly cold, all i need is one warn crispy samosa
and infact i agree with sleep extra on rainy days, sigh i was thinking to bunk today but ended going to univ, followed my brain 
Oh Tanvi, what a beautiful post, thank you for sharing it at the Hearth and Soul hop. I know that I’m happiest any time that I really tune into the moment and take note of what is happening, that’s my biggest cue.
Love the sesame on the biscotti!
I really enjoyed your post. It truly is the little things that make life so special. I love bisotti with my afternoon tea.
Thank you for sharing your heart and your recipe.
i realy impressed with ur writing on happinessit is our thinking which make us happy.there are very little things make our life spcial usand happy.banana biscotti is as perfect as ur post
Yumm – I never would have thought of banana biscotti, but they sure look delicious especially with the chocolate topping.
Sue
Wounderful pics
At first, I thought the coating on your biscotti was Nutella…but the tempered chocolate/sesame seeds sounds wonderful. And banana is a very original flavor for biscotti.
And oddly enough, I’m going to be posting a biscotti shortly myself
banana biscotti sounds like an amazing tea time snack..
Biscotti are such a crunchy and tasty kind of biscuits! I love them and had no idea that they could be made with bananas
great write up and loved the biscotti!
Wow looks so yummy biscotti…love to have it right now!!
Oh Tanvi! I loved this! I will be sharing it on my hearth and soul hop highlights! You make me happy with your ability to see the small joys in life as miracles! You made me happy just by reading this and reminding me of my granny who took joy in the small things in life and passed that ability on to me! Thanks so much for sharing this on the hearth and soul hop this week! The joy of banana biscotti is also divine! HUGS! alex@amoderatelife
Such a great post! I feel like I learned so much about you from reading this. Those biscotti sound fantastic! I love that they are smothered in chocolate.
Tempting biscotti! I have tried almond biscotti and they are so good, these look really good too. I should give it a try.
Biscotti looks wonderful, yummy and mouth watering. Very beautifully presented.
Very nice write up Tanvi..wt u said is rt..happiness is a state of mind, and usually it comes with simple things and happenings in life .. I feel extremely relaxed and happy, wn i sip my morning cuppa watching a lovely morning rain, wn i watch birds merrily splashing water as they take bath in the bird bath on my lawn ..i feel excited wn i see humming birds sucking nectar from the ixora in my garden and the awe inspiring scene created by a squirrel training her young one to climb trees…i feel elated wn the gold fish in my pond,seeing my reflection in water swim rapidly on the water surface, mouthing for food .. i feel nostalgic wn i see dragon flies hovering around the surface of my pond ..it reminds me of those gud old days wn we children used to catch dragon flies while playing!!,,..However these are only” a very few” of my fav things,Tanvi…I think i hv to put a control over myself, now!!..or else i will go on writing to my heart’s content!!..
ur biscotty looks yummy!!will try out ur recipe this wk end..
What a happy post… brought a smile on my face. After having 2 dreadful, emotional and fearful weeks, now when things are slowly falling back in to place makes me happy.
Loved the banana biscotti too
I can imagine having this in the morning with coffee, even nicer than banana bread
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I’ll say it again. You have the best creations. I am so loving your blog! Thanks for sharing at Vegetarian Foodie Fridays!