Masala Memoirs
Masala Motherhood
Meena Patel on Falafel Cravings, Feeding Teenagers, and Balancing Gujarati Traditions in Georgia
Meet Meena Patel — born and raised in the American South, navigating teenage appetites, falafel cravings during pregnancy, and the delicate dance between pediatric advice and dadi-approved traditions. A full-time working mom raising two vegetarian daughters in Carterville, Georgia, Meena sat down with Masala Memoirs to share her journey of parenting, cooking, and staying rooted in Indian culture while embracing life in the U.S.
From Pecan Pie to Palak Paneer
“I was born in Montgomery, Alabama,” Meena says with a smile. “People don’t think of Indian families in the Deep South, but yes — I grew up around fried green tomatoes and pecan pie!”
Food has always been a blend of cultures for Meena — something that became even more personal once she had her daughters.
Pregnancy Cravings and Family Hands
Her daughters, now 17 and 14, were both born in the U.S. “I had my mother-in-law and even my grandmother-in-law with me during my pregnancies,” Meena remembers. “I craved falafel like crazy — and Mexican pizza! Not very Gujarati, I know.”
Between cravings and chaos, she worked a full-time job through both pregnancies, leaning heavily on her in-laws for childcare in those early years. “I honestly couldn’t have done it without them.”
What to Feed the Baby: Doctor vs. Grandma
India vs. the US: Two Very Different Kitchens
Meena remembers those baby years vividly — and the constant tug-of-war between traditional Indian practices and Western medical advice. “I made a lot of khichdi, soft dals, and easy-to-digest food. My pediatrician had charts and food pyramids. But my in-laws had home remedies and instincts.”
There was conflict at times. “Doctors said one thing, and elders said another. But eventually, I learned to balance both. I’d listen to their stories and read up online. Then do what felt right.”
When asked about the difference between raising kids in India vs. the U.S., Meena gets thoughtful. “In India, it’s just… easier. More help. Neighbors step in. The atmosphere is relaxed. Here in the US, everything’s more scheduled. Playdates. Daycare.”She points out that food in India tends to be more homemade — even baby food. “In the U.S., even though it’s safe and regulated, there’s just more packaging. More preservatives. I missed that instinctive, natural way my mom used to cook.”
Feeding Teenagers and Keeping Culture Alive
In Meena’s home, the dinner table is a lively place. “Our family’s favorite dish is curry bhaat,” Meena says. “But the kids? They want tacos, pizza, or pasta. It’s a generational thing.”
Though the family rarely eats out (usually just birthdays or big events), she’s not overly strict. “If they’re coming home late from sports or school stuff, we sometimes pick up fast food. I don’t stress because I don’t always have time to cook.”
But nutrition is still front and center. “I don’t buy everything organic, but I do think about what’s going into my children’s bodies. And even though Gujarati food isn’t always the healthiest — I wanted them to grow up with those flavors. It’s a part of who we are.”
Raising Vegetarian Kids in a Non-Vegetarian World
Interestingly, Meena and her daughters are vegetarian — while her husband is not. “We’ve made it work. I raised them the way I was raised: vegetarian by default, but with the freedom to explore once they grow up.”
There are no fiery debates over meat at the dinner table, just a few playful jabs. “My husband teases me sometimes — ‘Try a chicken nugget, what’s the big deal!’ But I’m content. And the girls seem to be, too.”
Teaching Her Daughters to Cook — One Roti at a Time
Meena’s mother-in-law is the family’s head chef. “She cooks almost every day. But when she goes to India, I step in. And I do make sure the girls know the basics.”She’s made sure her older daughter knows how to roll a roti and fry a puri. “It’s important. I don’t want them relying on fast food or frozen meals when they move out. Even if it’s just knowing how to temper dal or make a simple sabzi — that’s power.”
Meena Patel’s story is one of balance — between generations, between countries, and between sabzi and school lunches. It’s a reminder that while the ingredients may change, the love we cook with stays the same.
Based in Cartersville, Georgia — Meena represents a generation of Indian moms quietly reshaping traditions with every ladle of curry and after-school snack.
Got a recipe or story like Meena’s? Share it with us at MasalaMemoirs.com. We’re building a kitchen full of memories — one bite at a time.