Like any new resident to Canada, Madhuri started to get homesick and it was affecting her health. She and Bhanu wanted to make some friends. Language was not a problem as both of them had university degrees from India, but since Madhuri had chosen to stay home and look after their young family (three more children were born in Canada) she didn't have much contact with other adults.

The couple met many interesting people in Duncan, B.C. where they had chosen to live, and they got involved in social groups, hiking, camping, boating, and swimming, etc. The Anands were soon sharing their Indian culture with their new friends and enjoyed entertaining with Madhuri's Indian cuisine.

Madhuri was encouraged to teach East Indian cooking in adult education at night school, which led to a regular teaching position at Malaspina Universtiy College. Her course has been called a variety of different names – Exotic Indian Cooking, Low Cost Indian Cooking, Gourmet East Indian Cooking, Organic Cooking, Taste of India – and remains a very popular course in Malaspina's continuing education program.

Madhuri has also taught English to new Canadians as well as Hindi and Punjabi to English speakers. She has completed courses in Typing, Book Keeping, Business Office Training, Gardening, Dress Designing, Crocheting, etc., and was successful in operating an import business as the president, in trading on the Stock Market, and in Real Estate.

In December, 1998 Madhuri self-published Authentic Indian Cooking from Madhuri's Kitchen. Now in its seventh printing, the book has opened up many doors for its author, who regularly appears on television, radio, and in print. Madhuri also leads seminars and appears at book signings on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland of B.C. in Canada.

For more on Madhuri's classes and media appearances, go to the Classes & Articles page.